Posted in: Smackdown SmackDown! Report (03/27/09): Undertaker's 'Light' Side
By MIK
Mar 28, 2009 - 1:10:13 AM
I am extremely sorry for the delay! I ran busy, but really wanted to have the report up for you guys!
On a side note, if you are interested, I will have my WrestleMania 25 predictions posted for you!
Friday 8/7 ET
Corpus Christi, Texas
The ring is filled with 7 of the 8 Money in the Bank competitors.
“This Fire Burns” hits and out comes the former World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk, to join his MITB team for the night. As JR mentioned, it will be an 8 man (mixed with heel/faces) tag team contest.
Match 1: Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, MVP, & CM Punk v. Christian, Finlay, Shelton Benjamin, & Kane
Christian and Kofi Kingston start things off. Christian immediately attempts two wristlock takedowns, but Kingston quickly jumps back onto his feet both times. As Kingston charges at Christian, Captain Charisma catches the Jamaican Superstar with a reverse back elbow. Christian then bounces off the ropes and charges at Kingston, but Kingston jumps and eventually gives Christian a jumping back elbow strike of his own. As Kingston lifts Christian, Christian double uppercuts Kingston and connects with a reverse DDT before getting a near fall. Christian then attempts to lift Kingston, but Kingston quickly chops Christian and hits a snap suplex on him in front of CM Punk. Punk is tagged in and he enters the ring by connecting with a slingshot somersault senton. Punk points up at the MITB briefcase suspended above the ring and stalks Christian to make it back to his feet. Punk tries to strike with his punching/slapping combo, but Christian blocks it and decks Punk right in the face. Christian then Irish Whips Punk, but Punk jumps up as Christian nears and quickly applies a modified Tarantula lock. After Punk releases Christian, Christian stumbles as Punk goes to the top rope and succeeds in hitting a flying clothesline. Punk goes for the pin, but Christian kicks out. As Christian if lifted up, he quickly punches Punk in the abdomen and tags in Finlay. The Irishman comes in and hits a thunderous clothesline before uppercutting him. Finlay then decides to charge at Punk, but Punk reverses it in position for the GTS. Kane however comes into the ring illegally and kicks Punk in the face. Following this, Kane grabs Finlay by the throat and shoves him into the corner. JR asks, “Kane and Finlay are on the same team, what’s going on here?”
-Commercial-
Back, Punk kicks Benjamin away and tags in Mark Henry. Benjamin quickly tags in Kane. The two super heavyweights have a stare down before Kane tries a clothesline. No good, Kane then uppercuts Henry, but soon afterwards, Henry throws Kane into the corner and rams into him with all of his weight. Henry then tags in MVP and the Ballin Superstar punches Kane a few times before being dropped with an uppercut. Benjamin is tagged in and starts to maul with numerous body strikes. After a while, Benjamin connects with a fireman’s carry takeover into an armlock. The crowd gets behind MVP and he starts to fight back, but eventually is slammed back down. Kane is then tagged in and he starts to work on MVP in the corner. But not long after, MVP is able to hit a knee smash on the monster. This allows MVP to tag in Punk. Punk quickly hits his signature knee to the face to Kane in the corner before kicking him in the back of the head. Punk then attempts his springboard clothesline, but is caught by the throat and is thrown down to the mat with a powerful Chokeslam. Kane picks up the victory for his team.
Post-Match: Everyone gets back in the ring and all hell breaks loose as they begin to fight each other. The battle then spills over the outside. Out of all the chaos, Christian gets a ladder from beneath the ring and sets it up in the middle of the ring and starts climbing. As he reaches the top, Hornswoggle causes a distraction which enables Finlay to get in the ring and push the ladder over. Christian falls all the way to the outside on top of the other wrestlers. Finlay and Hornswoggle climb the ladder and celebrate as “Shoot to Thrill” hits and concludes the post-match.
Match Rating: 3.5/5. Nice opening bout to further hyping the MITB match at WrestleMania 25. I also liked the mixing tag teams of the heels and faces. Nice touch!)
Still to Come: RAW Rebound!
-Commercial-
A video package plays hyping the Hardy vs. Hardy bout at WrestleMania 25. (Awesome)
The team of Jesse & Festus await their opponent, Big Show, in the ring.
As Show comes down the ring, we receive footage from RAW when Big Show punched out Edge.
Handicap Match
Match 2: Jesse & Festus v. Big Show
Bell rings and Festus goes crazy. Festus quickly charges at Show, but Show kicks him and gives him a headbutt. Jesse tries to get in the action, but Show dominates him with a lethal chop across the chest. Festus tries again, but he receives the same fate as Jesse. Show then Irish Whips Festus and winds up connecting with a side kick. After stepping on him, Show delivers a vicious knee to the face on Festus that sends him to the outside. As Festus tries to crawl back in the ring, Jesse tags himself in and connects with a jumping shoulder tackle from the top rope, but Big Show is left still standing. Festus then strikes Show with axe kick and goes for the pin. (WHY??? Jesse just tagged in, he is the legal man) After the 1 count, Show gets up and strikes Festus with the KO punch. Show then lifts Jesse and gives him a Chokeslam. Instead of going for the pin, Show lifts Jesse up and gives him a KO punch as well. Show puts his feet over Jesse to get the victory.
Post-Match: Show looks back from the stage area as we get replays.
(Match Rating: 2.5/5. A complete squash, but it did make Show look stronger in some eyes, so I guess that’s a good thing heading into WrestleMania.)
-Commercial-
John Cena’s new film, 12 Rounds, is now in theatres!
Another promo is shown highlighting the intense brother vs. brother rivalry.
Backstage in the locker-room, we see Matt Hardy with a Jack Russell Terrier (A similar breed of dog that Jeff had lost in the house fire). Matt says that ever since Jeff was young, he had always had the “Black Cloud” above his head. Matt then adds that their match at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania is something that he has been looking forward to his whole life and that he will take Jeff to the extreme where he will make Jeff realize that he is nothing more than an underachieving, selfish little child. Matt concludes that he knows that Jeff has a fire burning inside of him, but after WrestleMania, he will extinguish it and then maybe, just maybe, the “Black Cloud” will disappear. Matt hugs the dog and kisses it.
(Matt was a little too much over that dog. Other than that, nice promo)
-Commercial-
Rey Mysterio makes his way down to the ring. JR and Tazz hype the Mysterio/JBL bout for WrestleMania 25.
Chavo Guerrero makes his way down to the ring.
Match 3: Rey Mysterio v. Chavo Guerrero
Chavo starts off with a quick single leg takedown. Not long after however, Mysterio uses his speed to throw Chavo to the outside where he connects with a headscissors. Mysterio then tosses Chavo inside the ring and goes to the top rope, but Chavo quickly gets up and trips him. The Mexican Warrior then proceeds to connect with a hurricanrana for a 2 count. Following the near fall, Chavo strikes Rey down with an uppercut before applying a headlock. Mysterio however breaks the hold by showing his athleticism as he is able to kick Chavo in the head and leg area multiple times. Mysterio then tries a springboard moonsault, but Chavo grabs him and ties him in the Tree of Woe position in the corner. Chavo stalks Mysterio and attempts a spear, but Rey sits up causing Chavo to hit the steel post. Mysterio proceeds to connect with the springboard seated senton. Following this, Mysterio continues to add pressure by connecting with a springboard cross body from the middle rope. As Chavo tries to get up, Mysterio dropkicks him right in the face. Minutes later, Mysterio hit a surprise hurricanranna to setup Chavo for the 619. Chavo ducked it at the last second and tried for Three Amigos. Mysterioslipped out of the last one, but Chavo hit a belly to back. Chavo went for the frog splash but Mysterio moved. Rey hit a drop toe hold, the 619, and top rope splash for the 1, 2, 3.
Post-Match: As Mysterio gets up and turns around, JBL comes out of nowhere and strikes the master of the 619 with a big boot to the face. JBL stands over Mysterio as the crowd boos.
(Match Rating: 3.5/5. Maybe not as good as their previous matches, but it wasn’t bad either. It’s always entertaining when these two meet face to face.)
John Cena is shown backstage about to make his way down to the ring.
-Commercial-
“My Time is Now” hits and out comes one of the challengers for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 25, John Cena! Cena grabs a microphone.
Cena mentions how great of a spectacle WrestleMania truly is. Cena then turned his attention towards his title match and says that Vickie, Edge, and Show tried every way in the world to keep him away from the match, but he resorted to blackmail and he would do it again to make sure he would go to Wrestlemania. Cena then concluded that at WrestleMania, he would walk out as the champion.
At this point, Big Show’s music hits and out he comes to some boos. Show grabs a microphone as well.
Show says that Cena can belittle the love that he has for Vickie, but what Cena doesn’t realize is that it makes him stronger. Show then challenges Cena to a match on RAW next week so he could shut Cena’s mouth.
Cena rhetorically asks whether or not he should face Show just days before WrestleMania. He calls himself crazy and accepts the challenge.
Big Show attempts to leave the ring and as he does, Cena grabs one of his legs. Show demands Cena to let go, but Cena flips Show out of the ring and Show lands hard on the outside floor.
Show is outraged and looks back and a determined Cena…
(Segment Rating: 4/5. It was a good segment. Cena holding onto Show’s foot was hilarious as Show’s expression was priceless)
RAW Rebound is shown.
-Commercial-
R-Truth makes his way down to the ring rapping through the crowd.
His opponent is none other than Matt Hardy.
Match 4: R-Truth v. Matt Hardy
The two lockup, but Matt gets in a cheap shot and tries to take the early advantage. Suddenly Truth starts fighting back, but Matt quickly hits an electric chair to slow down the rapper. Following this, Matt chops Truth in the corner and gives him a few elbow shots before going to the top rope and connecting with a double axe handle. Matt then throws Truth to the corner and connects with a clothesline. When Matt attempts the bulldog, Truth however shoves Matt into the turnbuckle. Truth starts striking at Matt with some uppercuts and sends him to the corner. As Truth charges at him, Matt gets his feet up and Matt goes to the middle rope. As Matt comes down, Truth gives him a corkscrew dropkick. Following a 2 count, Truth attempts his corkscrew forearm shot, but Matt dodges it and signals for the Twist of Fate. Truth however pushes Matt aside and gives him a jumping side kick. As Matt makes it back to his feet, Truth tries for his axe kick, but Matt moves away and suddenly strikes with the Twist of Fate for the win.
Post-Match: Matt stands over Truth as we get the usual replays.
(Match Rating: 3/5. Not a bad match, but for some reason, this match just seemed to drag. There were some high spots however.)
The Shawn Michaels “Mind Games” package that was shown on RAW played here.
Still to Come: Shawn Michaels Tribute to the Undertaker.
Primo and Carlito along with Brie Bella make their way down to the ring.
-Commercial-
John Morrison, The Miz, and Nikki Bella make their way down to the ring. Looks like it will be a 6 Man Mixed Tag Match.
Match 5: Carlito, Primo, & Brie v. John Morrison, The Miz, & Nikki
Primo and Miz start things off. Primo gets in a quick arm lock, but Miz gets to the ropes and takes a cheap shot at Primo with an elbow strike. As the referee pulls Miz back, Morrison too gets in a cheap shot as he knocks Primo down with a clothesline from the apron. Miz pounds on Primo before tagging in Morrison. The heels hit their signature jumping elbow drop. Following a 2 count, Morrison connects with a knee to Primo’s face. After another 2 count, Primo gives Morrison a jaw breaker and tags in Carlito. Carlito strikes with a knee lift that is followed by a clothesline. Carlito then went on to connect with a spinning neckbreaker and got a near fall as Miz broke up the count. The then try to double team Carlito, but Miz kicks Primo and dropkicks Morrison. Out of nowhere, Primo comes flying in with a springboard dropkick that takes both him and Miz out of the ring. Nikki gets in the ring, but so does Brie. They two divas take it to each other and their fight spills to the outside. In the mean time, Morrison recovers and tries for a quick school boy, but gets a 2 count. Morrison then tries a suplex, but Carlito falls off and turns it into a BackStabber for the win!
Post-Match: Brie comes in the ring and gives both Carlito and Primo a hug as they celebrate in the ring. Brie laughs at her sister, Nikki, for losing.
(Match Rating: 3/5. A very good match! But due to this match only lasting roughly 4 minutes really made me angry. These matches are supposed to be LONGER!!!)
-Commercial-
Kidd Rock will perform at WrestleMania 25!
Jeff is shown and he looks “crazy!” Jeff says that Matt was on this planet before him and years later he saw the birth of Jeff. And so after a long journey, a dream became reality. “It was hard at first, but I realized you were just sick! Matt you took everything away from me, so now I will take something away from you! We are not brothers, not on this stage, not anymore!”
Tazz and JR discuss the WrestleMania 25 card.
-Commercial-
The WWE Divas Champion, Maryse, makes her way down to the ring.
Michelle McCool is introduced next. Maryse’s title will be at stake.
WWE Divas Championship
Match 6: Maryse v. Michelle McCool
The match starts off with a lockup and after a while, the two literally take each other down to the outside. They finally separate and slowly get back in the ring as the crowd applauds them. After another lockup, McCool takes Maryse down from the legs and tries for a pin, but Maryse kicks her in the back of the head. Maryse tries to build momentum, but McCool takes the current champ down with another single leg takedown. McCool then bounces off the ropes and tries sitting on Maryse’s leg, but Maryse flips McCool to the outside. As McCool tries getting back in the ring, Maryse sweeps McCool and kicks her back out of the ring. Maryse gets out of the ring and starts pounding McCool on the barricade and ring apron. After a while, Maryse tosses McCool back in the ring and kicks her in the back of the head. The two divas brawl some more when all of a sudden Gail Kim was shown standing on top of the turnbuckle. Maryse turned around and Kim struck her with a missile dropkick. Referee called for the bell.
Post Match: Gail Kim then lifted McCool up and connected with a straight jacket neckbreaker slam. Kim then asks for the Divas Championship and holds it up as the crowd cheers.
(Match Rating: 2.5/5. Match-wise it was sloppy at times and the crowd was never really into the bout. Gail Kim returning however was cool to see.)
Up Next: Shawn Michaels Tribute to the Undertaker.
-Commercial-
Another 12 Rounds clip is shown.
Smoke started to fill the arena as a bunch of druids dressed in white outfits made their way to ringside.
Then some battle-like music played in the background and somebody dressed up in all white started to slowly walk down to the ring. This person did all of the Undertaker’s motion as he entered the ring, but the camera wouldn’t reveal his face. Finally, after the mysterious figure removed his white hat, it was revealed to be Shawn Michaels as the lighter version of the Undertaker.
Michaels said in the beginning, God created the heavens and Earth and it was formless and void as darkness surfaced over. After further quoting from Genesis, HBK says that he and the Undertaker represent both light and darkness, respectively. He said he had eternal life, but The Streak did not. HBK continued that at Wrestlemania 25, the man the Phenom had never beaten would take him to the fiery depths of hell and only Shawn would ascend, victorious.
That intense music started playing again and Shawn looked down for the moment. Suddenly, Michael’s original music came on and he started dancing around the ring until from beneath the ring, Undertaker broke through the canvas and grabbed Michaels’s foot.
HBK tried squirming around trying to escape, but Undertaker quickly grabbed Shawn by the throat and lifted him up in the air. The keen Michaels however used his leg to grab onto the top rope and that allowed him to make the escape as he pulled onto the outside.
Michaels ran to the stage area as Undertaker stared him down from the ring. HBK’s music came on again and he started dancing again. During is his dance, he could be heard saying, “Oh no, no, no!” and “16 and 1.” Michaels continued to dance as the show came to a conclusion…
Segment Rating: 5/5. OMG!!! Totally nice segment here. Just plain awesome. I cannot wait to see these two meet at WrestleMania!!!)
Quick Match Results:
-Match 1: Kane, Shelton Benjamin, Christian, & Finlay def. CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, MVP, & Mark Henry
-Match 2: Big Show def. Jesse & Festus
-Match 3: Rey Mysterio def. Chavo Guerrero
-Match 4: Matt Hardy def. R-Truth
-Match 5: Carlito, Primo, & Brie def. John Morrison, Miz, & Nikki
-Match 6: Maryse vs. Michelle McCool ended in a no contest.
Smack of the Night: MITB Tag Team Match
Overall, tonight’s show was good. The matches weren’t all that terrific as some were good to hype WrestleMania while others failed to make the card more intriguing. What really made me enjoy this show was the closing segment. I highly recommend you to see it online if you missed SmackDown! tonight. Final Rating: 7.5/10.
Don't forget, next week I will have my WrestleMania 25 predictions posted! Be sure to check it out!
Do you have any questions, concerns, or comments? If so, feel free to email me, MIK, at mik123@ymail.com
