Friday Night Smackdown!
Charlottesville, Virginia
January 25, 2008
On their way to Madison Square Garden
By Mitch Passero
January 25, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – With just 48 hours until
Royal Rumble, the SmackDown Superstars were upping their game in preparation for
the showdown at Madison Square Garden. Among those ready to clash in the Big
Apple are two of WWE’s biggest athletes – the 6-foot, 10-1/2-inch Undertaker and
the 500-pound man-mountain from Harlem, N.Y., Big Daddy V.
But on Friday night, it was The Deadman who displayed his dominance. Using a
submission move never seen before, Undertaker defeated V, leaving him with blood
flowing from his mouth – and requiring the World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry, to
help him exit the ring. Somehow, The Phenom always finds a way to win. Will he
find a similar way to defeat the 29 other men come Royal Rumble?
Bold statements
In addition to The Phenom, Batista – another serious Rumble contender and former
World Heavyweight Champion – grabbed the SmackDown mic to let everyone know
about his chances of being the last man standing in New York City. Making a bold
prediction, the 2005 Rumble winner proclaimed, “I’m putting every competitor on
notice. History is going to repeat itself.”
Belfast brawl
On last week’s SmackDown, Finlay was on the receiving end of The Great Khali’s
brutal Vise Grip, which almost crushed the Fighting Irishman’s cranium. To
potentially allow Finlay to get some payback, the Chairman set up a no-rules
Belfast Brawl between the two. Revenge came swiftly and severely when the
Chairman’s illegitimate son, Hornswoggle, looked to be in danger of being
slammed into the announce table by Khali. This launched Finlay into a relentless
attack; using his shillelagh, fists, boot and a chair, he opened a wound on the
Punjabi giant’s forehead. Will Finlay be able to carry this aggression forward
and use it to his advantage in the Rumble?
For Hornswoggle to survive the 30-man over-the-top rope Royal Rumble, he’ll
surely need Finlay at his side. But, according to the Chairman, Hornswoggle
cannot trust the Fighting Irishman. In the locker room area, Mr. McMahon pulled
his son aside and advised him not to trust anyone in Royal Rumble. “Your last
name isn’t Finlay,” he said. “Your last name is McMahon, and don’t you ever
forget it.”
A glimpse into the future?
Days before the Career Threatening Match at Royal Rumble, the verbal battle
between Ric Flair and United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter continued
on SmackDown. Taking a sarcastic look into Flair’s future, MVP taunted “Naitch”
with what it might look like, including the “Nature Boy” playing shuffleboard in
his retirement. Flair brushed off MVP’s prognosticating and flatly proclaimed he
is not ready to retire, “not ready to go home.” All the talk will come to a head
on Sunday, when Flair’s fate in WWE is decided. If Flair defeats MVP, the Nature
Boy carries on. Lose, and he must retire, as per the Chairman.
Divided they fall
In a Six-Person Tag Team Match, Chuck Palumbo, Jamie Noble & Michelle McCool
were set to face off against The Miz, John Morrison & Layla. But, before the
match could really get going, McCool’s team got into trouble early. While
bickering in the middle of the ring, Palumbo shoved Noble against the ropes,
launching Michelle off the apron and down to the ground. With the match stopped
for medical staff to check on Michelle’s condition, Chuck seemed to snap,
delivering a vicious beating to Noble, his own teammate. After recovering,
McCool tried to intervene, only to have Palumbo ruthlessly throw her to the
ground again – this time requiring emergency medical technicians to take her out
of the arena on a stretcher. Later, as Michelle was brought to a waiting
ambulance, Noble apologized for how things went down.
Professional help
For fans wondering where Jesse and Festus have been in recent SmackDown action,
Jesse offered an explanation. In an effort to help with his bizarre
personalities, Festus is seeking professional help. Best friend Jesse explained
there is the calm, cool and reserved Festus. And then there is the crazy, madman
Festus. Which will we see when Festus gets “well”?
SmackDown in HD
On the debut of SmackDown in HD, fans saw Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore defeat
Deuce & Domino in tag team action. Also, fans learned that next week, Eve –
winner of the 2007 WWE Diva Search – will be coming to SmackDown in HD.
Ready to Rumble
With Royal Rumble just two days away, Rey Mysterio faced off against both Curt
Hawkins & Zack Ryder in a Handicap Match and got the win. Later, reigning World
Heavyweight Champion Edge speared his way to victory over CM Punk, while
Mysterio joined Michael Cole and Jonathan Coachman at ringside to watch it all
unfold. In just two days, a sold out Madison Square Garden will be watching as
the two do battle for the World Heavyweight Championship
Matches
Undertaker def. Big Daddy V
Rey Mysterio def. Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder (Disqualification)
Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore def. Deuce and Domino
The Miz, John Morrison &Layla vs. Chuck Palumbo, Jamie Noble & Michelle McCool (No contest)
Finlay vs. The Great Kahli (No contest)
World Heavyweight Champion Edge def. CM Punk