Smackdown!
Corpus Christi, Texas
July 21, 2006
Countdown to the Bash
By Craig Tello
July 21, 2006
Friday Night SmackDown was nothing short of explosive, just 48 hours before The
Great American Bash. With Mark Henry injured at last week’s Saturday Night’s
Main Event, Mr. Kennedy was named Batista’s opponent for the Bash. In addition,
World Champion Rey Mysterio made his mark on Friday night by defeating his Bash
opponent, King Booker, with a little help from Chavo Guerrero and the Guerrero
family method of lying, cheating, and stealing.
SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long kicked off SmackDown prepared to address
Mark Henry’s injury. Long announced that Henry will not be able to compete on
Sunday and therefore, the number one contender’s match between Batista and Henry
would not take place. Before Long could get any further, he was interrupted by
Mr. Kennedy who made his way to the ring. Kennedy called for the Kennedy
microphone and said that though Batista may be former World Champion, he’s not
the one everyone’s talking about because that man is Mr. Kennedy. The brazen
Kennedy then challenged Batista to a match at The Great American Bash. Before
Teddy Long could respond, the Animal’s music hit and a fierce, focused Batista
marched to the ring.
“I’ve got six months of hatred and anger,” said Batista. “And since Mark Henry
hurt his knee, now I’ve got no one to take it out on…so I think Mr. Kennedy will
do just fine.”
Kennedy then extended his hand to Batista and pulled it away before the Animal
could connect palms, leaving a heated Batista in the ring. Mr. Kennedy may have
stepped up to the plate to face Batista at the Bash, but will Kennedy be
successful against an Animal that’s been caged for six months? (Watch Batista
confront Mr. Kennedy)
Early in the night, Chavo Guerrero and Teddy Long were met by an irate King
Booker in the General Manager’s office. Booker explained that he is intent on
becoming World Champion at the Bash, but wanted to “make Rey Mysterio bow down
like the peasant that he is” on SmackDown. Chavo fired back at his majesty,
saying that he is tired of people disrespecting the World Champion. Chavo also
told Booker that on Sunday, he’s going to “watch the King get dethroned.” Later,
Chavo implored Rey not to accept Booker’s challenge just days before The Great
American Bash. Refusing to back down from any challenge, Rey told Teddy Long
that he would indeed battle Booker on SmackDown.
In the main event of the night, the resilient World Champion would ultimately
foil King Booker’s plan to weaken Mysterio as Rey pinned the King before their
championship match on Sunday. King Booker wore down Rey throughout much of the
match until the fighting underdog Champion rallied against his royal opponent
with a barrage of quick attacks.
Mysterio attempted to hit the 619 on his foe, but was tripped by Queen Sharmell
and walked into a thunderous Bookend from the King. Booker then set up Rey for a
scissor kick but as Booker hit the ropes, Rey’s good friend, Chavo Guerrero
appeared and grabbed the King’s leg. This provided ample distraction as Rey
caught Booker with a dropkick to the back and a 619. Rey followed up by Dropping
the Dime on Booker and got the three-count.
Chavo Guerrero was at WrestleMania 22 when Rey won the World Championship and he
is still in his corner three months later, as Mysterio looks to continue his
dream beyond Sunday night. (See the match)
Undertaker was not on SmackDown this week and you have to believe that it was
because of the violent attack at the hands of The Great Khali and ECW World
Champion Big Show this past Tuesday night,. His nemesis, The Great Khali and his
manager, Daivari had another resounding message for the Phenom.
“Once the Deadman is locked into that [Punjabi Prison Match] with The Great
Khali, there will be no escape,” exclaimed Daivari, “and ironically, escape is
the only way to win.”
Daivari and Khali then presented a visual display of Khali dominating
Undertaker, from the Punjabi Warrior’s debut to Khali’s victory over the Phenom
at Judgment Day to the ferocious chokeslam through the ECW announce table. The
Great Khali and Daivari watched the video, fiendishly laughing at the
destruction. It remains to be seen what condition the Deadman will be in at the
Bash. Will Khali dismantle Undertaker’s legacy in the mysterious Punjabi Prison
Match? We’ll soon find out if the Phenom will survive.
Two embittered rivals – Bobby Lashley and United States Champion Finlay – locked
up on SmackDown in a rematch from last week’s show. A man of few words, the
former U.S. Champion was interviewed by the Miz just moments before his
championship match. (Watch the match)
“Finlay’s not the only one that loves to fight,” said an intense Lashley.
A fight it certainly was, as Lashley and Finlay brawled in and out of the ring
just two days before the U.S. Championship Triple Threat Match at The Great
American Bash. From the start, Finlay slowed down the pace of the match to deter
Lashley from using his explosive power. Eventually, the third man in Sunday’s
Triple Threat Match, William Regal, came to the ring and got involved. As if
that wasn’t enough, Little Bastard came from under the ring and was tossed into
Lashley’s midsection by Finlay. Lashley fought back again until Regal entered
the ring with a chair, causing a disqualification.
After the bell rang, the melee continued as Lashley took out Regal and then went
for Finlay. Behind Lashley’s back, Little Bastard again crept up and gave
Lashley a low blow with the shillelagh. Finlay then struck Lashley one final
time with his own shillelagh on the back of the head. The U.S. Champion could be
in jeopardy at the Bash because under Triple Threat rules, Finlay can lose the
championship without being involved in the decision. But after Friday Night
SmackDown, how can Lashley contend with Finlay, Regal, and Little Bastard to
regain the championship? (Watch)
In another Bash preview, WWE Tag Team Champion Brian Kendrick met PitBull Kid
Kash one-on-one. Similarly to last week’s SmackDown, the PitBulls’ aggressive,
rugged, and underhanded offense earned them a victory. Kash pinned Kendrick,
making the Pitbulls 2-and-0 against Kendrick and London. The Tag Champions will
need to reexamine their strategy and regroup before heading into their
championship defense on Sunday. (View the match)
Also on SmackDown, WWE Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms sat at commentary
for a competitive match between former tag team partners, Super Crazy and
Psicosis. As Super Crazy picked up the victory, Helms (the longest current
reigning champion in sports entertainment) announced that he will defend his
Cruiserwight Championship at The Great American Bash. As of this time, we do not
know who Helms will defend his championship against, but we’ll find out on
Sunday.
This week’s SmackDown was also host to the Diva Dance-off competition in the
$250,000 Diva Search. For full coverage of the Divas’ hottest dance moves, click
here.
Speaking of Divas, SmackDown’s finest females met in a tag match that pit Ashley
and Jillian against Kristal and Michelle McCool. In what might be a preview of
the Fourway Bra and Panties Match at the Bash, Jillian tore off Kristal’s top
off from behind, allowing Ashley to roll up Kristal for the pin.
Quebec’s newest Ambassador-at-Large, Sylvan was also present on SmackDown as he
interrupted Funaki, Tatanka and Matt Hardy backstage and encouraged them to
“leave the doldrums of [their] daily life behind” and join him for a visit to
Quebec, an island of tranquility in a truculent world. (Watch Sylvan backstage)
Finally, SmackDown fans saw Vito take a tour of downtown Corpus Christi, TX as
he shopped for all-things-Texan: cowboy boots, cowboy hats, and even denim
skirts. (See Vito shop)
Matches
Ashley & Jillian def Kristal & Michelle McCool
Super Crazy def. Psicosis
Rey Mysterio def. King Booker
Lashley def. Finlay (DQ)
Kid Kash def. Brian Kendrick