2007
HP Pavillion
San Jose, California
July 22, 2007
thanks to pwtorch.com for the results
They start with a video package on the World Hvt. Title match
from Smackdown and WWE Title match from Raw. The only promise made by John Cena
is that Lashley will get his best.
Michael Cole and JBL introduced the PPV and said over 14,000 are in the
building. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler talked about Raw's top maches. Joey Styles
and Tazz are there to call the only ECW match on the PPV.
Matt Hardy came out to challenge MVP for the U.S. Title. They showed a video
package recapping the feud on Smackdown. MVP then came out looking
less-confident than usual.
1 -- MVP vs. MATT HARDY -- U.S. Title match
They exchanged shoves in the early going, then Hardy landed an arm drag and MVP
bailed to the floor. Hardy wasted no time going for the first highspot of the
night with a plancha on the outside. He then made a cover back in the ring for a
nearfall. Cole listed off the names of former U.S. champions while MVP and Hardy
had a test of strength in center ring. Not surprisingly, no mention of Benoit.
Hardy went up top at 6:00, but MVP yanked him down hard to the mat. Ouch. After
running over Hardy with a knee to the head, he made a series of covers for
nearfalls. Keep that in mind. Hardy bit his way out of a resthold, then he fired
up with right hands, but MVP caught him in the air and flung him down to the
mat. MVP set up for the running knee strike again, but Hardy suddenly popped up
and landed a short-arm clothesline. At 9:00, they went up top and MVP landed a
superplex, but he took too long on the pin attempt and Cole pre-sold the kick
out by saying the match was over. JBL went philosophical, then MVP took Hardy up
top again, but Hardy countered in mid-air with a fall down splash for a nearfall.
Didn't look pretty, but it worked in the context of a real fight where the moves
theoretically aren't supposed to look nice all the time. Hardy then knocked the
bandage off MVP's nose before hitting a bulldog from the middle rope for a close
nearfall. Hardy followed with an elbow smash at 10:00 for another nearfall. MVP
blocked the Twist of Fate, but Hardy came back with the Side Effect for a close
nearfall. The pace quickened as each man exchanged nearfalls at 13:00 before MVP
ran over Hardy with a boot to the face. Hardy slumped down to the mat, then MVP
executed an awkward Playmaker for the pin and the win.
WINNER: MVP in 14:00 to retain the U.S. Title. Nearfalls: Hardy 9, MVP 7. Very
good opening match. It was sloppy at times, but in a way that played into the
believability of the in-ring action since it's theoretically a real fight.
Surprisingly, they opened the show with a heel retaining a belt. (***)
They cut backstage where Todd Grisham interviewed Dusty Rhodes, who walked into
the shot with a bullrope wrapped around his neck. Rhodes cut a Southern-style
promo about knocking off someone's head off in his match against Randy Orton.
Rhodes told us a story about being down on the ranch in Texas. Don't ask me to
translate. I'm from the city.
2 -- CRUISERWEIGHT OPEN -- CW Title match
Jimmy Wang Yang came out first, then Shannon Moore came out to his heel Reject
music. Funaki, who is apparently from the entire country of Japan, came out
next. Jamie Noble came out fourth. Cruiserweight champion Chavo Guerrero came
out as the final participant, rocking the dark heel beard. Cole foreshadowed
that Chavo won the CW Title as a surprise entrant at the No Way Out PPV in
February. Suddenly, the bell sounded and Hornswoggle ran through the ring and
slipped under the apron. Weird. Random action commenced as Cole and JBL joked
about the smaller Noble having the audacity to stand up to the larger men in the
battle royale on Smackdown. Apparently, this is first-pin-wins rather than the
usual elimination style match. Chavo went for the Three Amigos suplexes on Yang,
but Yang slipped out of the third suplex and caught Chavo with a moonsault for a
close nearfall at 5:00. Noble, Chavo, and Yang then set up a Tower of Doom spot.
Suddenly, Hornswoggle entered the match and covered Noble after a tadpole splash
from the top rope. The ref hesitated, apparently consulted with his bookie in
the front row, then counted Hornswoggle's pin for the win.
Generic Irish music hit, then Hornswoggle received the CW Title and celebrated
on the Smackdown announce table. Someone must have been watching the British
Open when booking this match. JBL said Hornswoggle ran through the ring when the
bell sounded, so maybe that makes him legal. After the match, the
"regular-sized" Cruiserweights tried to chase Hornswoggle under the ring, but he
escaped to the other side.
WINNER: Hornswoggle in 6:00 to capture the CW Title. Nearfalls: Yang 2, Moore 3,
Noble 1, Chavo 1, Funaki 1. Blame Caldwell. I think I half-jokingly suggested
this in the C&R Audio Update previewing the Bash. This isn't new territory for
Hornswoggle, who won a version of the X Division Title on the NWA circuit as
Shortstack before coming to WWE. (*1/2)
They aired a video package on Triple H, linked to a Summerslam plug.
They showed footage on Bobby Lashley's brief WWE career.
3 -- THE SANDMAN vs. CARLITO -- Singapore Cane on a pole match
Before the bell sounded, Carlito threw his apple at Sandman. Sandman chased
Carlito around the ring, then they returned to the ring and the bell sounded.
They stared at the pole hanging above the corner turnbuckle, then commenced the
wrestling exchange. Carlito met Sandman with a standing dropkick, then he tried
to climb the pole, but Sandman yanked him down after grabbing a handful of
trunks. Carlito then missed with a turnaround splash off the ropes, and Sandman
climbed the pole to retrieve the Kendo stick. He went for a home run, but
Carlito ducked and nailed Sandman with the back cracker for the win.
WINNER: Carlito in 6:00. Nearfalls: None. Basic singles match. Can't really be
disappointed that they didn't use the Kendo Stick since the match wasn't even
advertised on TV. (*1/4)
Backstage, Randy Orton cut a promo on his match with Dusty Rhodes. He asked Todd
Grisham if he knows that it's Shawn Michaels's birthday. Grisham said he didn't
know that. Orton retorted: "Neither does Shawn Michaels since I punted him in
the face. He doesn't remember too many things." Great, great line. Orton said he
would do the same thing to Dusty.
Melina came to the ring for the Women's Title match. No buffer spot tonight.
Candice came out sporting a holey, futuristic outfit. Looked like someone cut a
bunch of holes in those futuristic uniforms MLB pulled out a few years ago to
show what certain teams would be wearing in 50 years. Ross said Candice is the
first diva search contestant to win the Women's Title, and she's shown that hard
work pays off in WWE.
4 -- CANDICE MICHELLE vs. MELINA -- Women's Title match
Candice with a fireman's carry take over into a bridge pin for a nearfall.
Melina then caught her in the corner and landed a double foot stomp to the chest
to send Candice crashing to the mat. Melina then stretched Candice's arms to
soften her up. Candice made her comeback with clotheslines and a dropkick before
catching Melina with a discus clothesline for a nearfall. Candice then caught
Melina off the top rope with a cross body splash for a nearfall, but Melina came
back with a hanging neckbreaker for a nearfall and screams of frustration.
Candice came back with an attempted heel kick, but Melina ducked. Melina failed
on a high-impact move, then Candice came up with a standing bulldog, the Candy
Wrapper, for the win.
WINNER: Candice in 6:00 to retain the Women's Title. Nearfalls: Melina 2,
Candice 2. Decent action. A struggle at times, as Candice is getting there, but
she's not fluid for the entire length of a match. (*1/4)
They aired a video package hyping WrestleMania 24 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando,
Florida on March 30, 2008.
Backstage, Matt Hardy checked on Jeff Hardy. He said he lost his focus on MVP
for one second, and it cost him. Suddenly, they cut to Candice Michelle, who
seductively approached a water bottle container in a completely different camera
shot. Matt and Jeff were stunned, then they did a slow motion video shot of
Candice pouring water all over herself, set to some jazz porn music. Matt and
Jeff watched intently as Candice turned around and poured water down her
backside. Ron Simmons walked into the shot breathing heavily. His lip quivered,
then he stammered out a "Damn". Well, if this replaces Tim White's suicide and
William Regal's penis, then I'll take it.
5 -- UMAGA vs. JEFF HARDY -- Intercontinental Title match
They fought to the outside in the opening minute, then returned to the ring and
Umaga smashed Hardy to the mat with a Samoan Drop. Umaga then settled into an
offensive attack on Hardy's neck and upper back. Ross and Lawler talked about
Hardy pulling big upsets in his career, including a defeat of Triple H for the
IC Title. That was a WCW-like series of title switches in April 2001 when the
belt went from Jericho to Hunter to Hardy to Hunter in a two-week period. Hardy
tried to make a comeback, but Umaga sat down on Hardy's chest off the ropes. He
then landed a rear splash to the chest. The referee reprimanded Umaga for using
the ropes, but he went for a second rear splash and Hardy caught him with two
feet to the crotch. Hardy went for a top rope splash, but Umaga caught him in
mid-air and landed a twisting Black Hole Slam for a close nearfall. Umaga went
up top at 8:00 for a diving headbutt, but Hardy moved out of the way and Umaga
ate the mat. Hardy made a comeback, then he knocked Umaga to the floor and hit a
plancha. Back in the ring, Hardy went for a sunset flip, but Umaga went for a
rear splash, only to catch the mat again. Hardy suddenly hit a double-foot kick
to the chest for his first nearfall of the match. Umaga came back with a
charging rear splash attempt in the corner, but Hardy moved and caught Umaga
with the Twist of Fate for another close nearfall.
At 11:00, Umaga poled himself with a corner splash attempt, then Hardy went up
top and hit the Swanton Bomb. Fans popped huge. He took too long to make the
cover, so Umaga kicked out just before three. The fans exploded in frustration,
then came down as Hardy went for the Twist of Fate, only to have Umaga shove him
off and hit a big standing side kick. He quickly followed with the big rear
splash in the corner, then the Samoan Spike to the throat that nearly took
Hardy's head off. He made the cover for the win.
WINNER: Umaga in 12:00 to retain the IC Title. Nearfalls: Hardy 3, Umaga 2. What
a dramatic final five minutes. Easily the most exciting stretch of wrestling on
the show tonight. Umaga is under-rated as a worker, while the Hardys continue to
deliver solid wrestling as singles wrestlers. (***1/4)
They aired a video package on John Cena's journey to WWE champion.
The artist formerly known as Johnny Nitro came to the ring for the ECW Title
match. They have to do something about Morrison's generic classic rock music.
There's absolutely no kick to it. They aired a video package on Morrison's name
change on last week's ECW TV, then C.M. Punk walked out for the Vengeance
re-match.
6 -- JOHN MORRISON vs. C.M. PUNK -- ECW Title match
Basic feeling-out-process to start the match. Punk nearly won with a slingshot
suplex in the opening two minutes, then he monkey flipped Morrison out of the
corner and Morrison slipped to the outside to catch his breath. On the floor,
Punk followed up with a clothesline, but Morrison tripped Punk on the stairs and
Punk ate the top ring step. Back in the ring, Punk went for the Go 2 Sleep, but
Nitro countered into a take down for a nearfall. Punk came back with kicks and
fist strikes, then they exchanged pin attempts until the ref caught Morrison
trying to use the top rope for additional leverage. Punk tried to set up his
finishing sequence, but Morrison slipped out of the ring and tried to leave with
the title belt, but Punk threw him back into the ring. Punk then went for a
springboard dropkick, but Morrison caught him with a kick straight to the knee.
That didn't look right. Morrison quickly rolled up Punk and made a cover for the
win. Afterward, Morrison held up the ECW Title on the stage while Punk grasped
his knee in pain. Either a heck of a sell job or Punk's knee is screwed.
WINNER: Morrison in 8:00 to retain the ECW Title. Nearfalls: Morrison 3, Punk 6.
Crowd came down from the IC Title match and just watched this one. Decent
action. Let's hope Punk was just selling that knee, but the pin seemed to be an
audible called in the ring. (**)
They aired a video package on the Rhodes vs. Orton feud. Classic footage of
Rhodes's previous bullrope matches. Randy Orton came out first, then Dusty came
out dressed for a night on the town, except that he had a bullrope in hand.
Orton was reluctant to get tied up to the rope, so Ross talked about the
wrestlers Dusty has faced in this type of match.
7 -- RANDY ORTON vs. DUSTY RHODES -- Texas Bullrope match
Dusty had a big grin on his face when Orton finally hooked up to the rope and
the bell sounded. Dusty toyed with Orton, then yanked him to the outside. Dusty
debated whether to use his bionic elbow or the cowbell, then opted for an elbow
smash to Orton's head. Back in the ring, Orton took control by smashing the
cowbell into Dusty's taped left knee. Orton then settled for a customary
chinlock, but he added the rope around Dusty's mouth to spice it up. Ross talked
about Orton trying to restrict the flow of blood to the head with the sleeper
hold, which is a tough description to stomach four weeks later. Dusty then fired
back with big elbow smashes before Orton avoided an elbow drop. Orton came to
his feet and smashed Dusty in the head with the cowbell. He made the cover for
the win. Surprisingly quick finish. After the match, Orton threatened to kick
Dusty in the head, but Cody slipped into the ring and grabbed the cowbell to
fend off Orton.
WINNER: Orton in 6:00. Nearfalls: Dusty 0, Orton 0. Entertaining, but for being
one of the most-hyped matches on the card, six minutes was too short, especially
when the match was starting to build momentum. Maybe I've seen too many
wrestling angles, but I can't help but think the Cody-turns-on-Dusty angle is
coming at some point. (*1/2)
They aired a video package on Edge relinquishing the World Hvt. Title on
Smackdown before Great Khali won the belt in a 20-man battle royale. They showed
footage of Khali interfering in the #1 Contender match between Batista and Kane
to set up a triple threat match on the PPV.
Kane came out first, then they paused before hitting Batista's music. Great
Khali came out next to triple reinforce the idea of only big men competing for
the World Title. JBL said the match would be monkey-butt ugly and not for the
purists. It's a match for fans who enjoy watching big men beat each other up.
8 -- GREAT KHALI (w/The Translator) vs. BATISTA vs. KANE -- World Hvt. Title
match
Batista and Kane tried to gang up on Khali to start things off, but Khali ran
them over with a double-clothesline. Cole said Edge had successful surgery.
Khali ran over both men with ugly clotheslines, then he applied a nerve hold to
Batista's right shoulder. Kane tried to sneak attack Khali, but he fought him
off and slammed him to the mat. Cole told the fans to get used to Khali
dominating the brand. The match spilled to the outside and Khali cleared the ECW
announce table. Batista and Kane recovered, though, and worked together on a
double chokeslam sending Khali through the ECW announce table at 5:00. The fans
ringside popped. Back in the ring, Batista and Kane had their singles match.
Kane measured Batista for a chokeslam, but Khali re-entered the ring. Kane then
surprised Khali with a chokeslam for a nearfall that Batista broke up. Batista
and Kane fought to the outside and Kane ate the ringpost. Back in the ring,
Khali ran over Batista with a big boot before Batista came back with a
spinebuster for a nearfall when Kane broke up the pin attempt. Kane then dropped
Batista with a chokeslam, made a cover, and Batista nearly didn't kick out in
time. Kane tried to bring a chair into the ring, but Batista dropped him with a
spinebuster. He hit the Batista bomb, but Khali yanked Batista out of the ring
before he could make a cover. Khali KO'ed Batista on the floor, then Khali gave
Kane the two-hand choke slam in the ring. He dropped down and covered Kane for
the win to retain the belt.
WINNER: Khali in 11:00 to retain the World Hvt. Title. Nearfalls: Kane 2,
Batista 1, Khali 1. Decent drama considering the lack of athleticism in the
ring. They're going to have to do more gimmick matches with Khali as champion
because there aren't too many John Cenas on the roster to carry him to a solid
WWE-style main event match. (**1/4)
They aired a video package on the Powerful Family DVD.
They aired another video package on Triple H. Another hint, as King Booker's
music hit after the video aired. Booker walked out on stage with Sharmell and
posed. He cut the same promo about Triple H that he cut on Raw, then he
approached "Jerome" Lawler and told him to place his crown down at Booker's
feet. Lawler slowly removed his headset and stood up from his chair with crown
in hand. Lawler told Booker that if he wants the crown, he needs to come get it.
Booker considered this an act of treason, then he left the ring with Sharmell
and returned to the back. Crowd wasn't sure what to make of the King and Queen's
sudden.
Ross then talked about the Summerslam PPV and said they understand Triple H will
return at the PPV. He introduced a video package on the Cena vs. Lashley feud.
Bobby Lashley came out first to a re-mix of his entrance music. They paused
before hitting Cena's music and there were noticeable boos until his music hit
and the kids and women started screaming. Ross said he's at day 308 in his title
reign. Lillian Garcia handled the formal intros and Lashley was booed. Cena was
introduced to a very loud mixed reaction.
9 -- JOHN CENA vs. BOBBY LASHLEY -- WWE Title match
They had a brief nose-to-nose confrontation before backing away and charging for
a lock-up. Lashley drove Cena to a corner, then the ref asked for a break. They
had another lock-up into a test of strength. Lashley took Cena down to both
knees, but Cena powered to his feet and Lashley shoved him off to the corner.
Lashley took advantage of Cena's over-aggressiveness and showed Cena the ropes
with a round of amateur wrestling mat holds. Cena tried to surprise Lashley with
the STFU, but Lashley quickly slipped to the outside and recovered. Back in the
ring, Lashley missed with a corner splash giving Cena the offensive advantage.
Cena dropped Lashley with a fisherman suplex as the fans chanted, "Cena sucks".
Lashley recovered at 5:00 with a t-bone suplex for a nearfall. He came up
bleeding with a nick on his forehead, then he dropped Cena with a sidewalk slam
for another nearfall. Lashley missed with a kick, then Cena dropped Lashley with
a Blockbuster. He then came off the top with a guillotine leg drop and rolled
over Lashley for a nearfall. Lashley recovered and wrapped his legs around
Cena's upper body and stretched him in center ring.
At 10:00, Cena powered out, then avoided a corner splash and dropped Lashley
with consecutive turn-out slams. He followed with the Five Knuckle Shuffle, then
Lashley stumbled into the FU, but Lashley slipped out and hit a powerslam for a
nearfall. Lashley followed with a forward-falling Torture Rack Slam, then he
posed for the crowd and the fans booed him rather loudly. Lashley went for the
Dominator, but Cena slipped out and hit the FU at 12:00. Both men recovered on
the mat, then Cena draped an arm over Lashley for only a two count since he took
too long to make a cover. Lashley didn't waste any time making a big comeback
with consecutive clotheslines. He measured Cena for a spear, but Cena surprised
him with a drop toe hold into the STFU. Amazing counter. The fans came to their
feet as Lashley tried to fight the hold. After showing a facial reaction of
nearly passing out, Lashley made a desperation grab for the bottom rope to break
the hold. Cena then recovered against the ropes and talked to the ref, but
walked right into a spear. Lashley made a cover, but Cena got a shoulder up just
in time. Nice sequence. Lashley took Cena up top for a superplex, but Cena
countered into an FU from the top rope. Not the prettiest move ever, but the
crowd responded well to it. Cena then jumped down and covered Lashley for the
win to retain the belt.
After the match, Cena celebrated with the belt in hand. Lashley then came to his
feet and approached Cena in center ring. The music stopped and they slowly
approached each other. Lashley slowly extended a hand, then Cena thought it over
before drawing in close to shake his hand. Ross said that's two Great Americans
laying it all on the line at the Bash. Cena's music hit again, then the camera
followed Lashley up the entrance ramp while Cena played to the crowd in the
ring.
WINNER: Cena in 15:00 to retain the WWE Title. Nearfalls: Lashley 8, Cena 3. The
fastest 15-minute title match I can remember because it just flowed so well. It
seems like they were just getting started once they went to the finish at 15:00,
yet there was great drama packed into that quarter-hour that it was a complete
title match. Lashley losing a close match indirectly put over the other men on
the card who lost close matches. A well-booked conclusion to the PPV. (***1/2)
↑ Great American Bash 2006 |
||
←Vengeance 2007 | Summer Slam 2007→ | |
Great American Bash 2008 ↓ |