Friday Night Smackdown!
San Jose, California
March 2, 2007
thanks to: wwe.com
A grave warning
By Lennie DiFino
March 2, 2007
Batista last week told Undertaker and WWE fans, "I am not intimidated by
anyone." The Animal may be rethinking that statement after seeing the response
of his WrestleMania 23 opponent, Undertaker, on The CW Network’s No. 1 rated
show - SmackDown.
The Phenom sent an ominous message of his own this week to the World Heavyweight
Champion - Batista. While The Animal stood in the center of the ring reiterating
his comments from last week, the champion was interrupted when the sold-out HP
Pavilion arena in San Jose, Calif. went dark, and Undertaker was shown standing
in a cemetery, digging a grave.
"Batista, for some, WrestleMania is heaven on earth, but for you it is going to
be hell," said Undertaker. "At WrestleMania, your reign as champion will rest in
peace."
The World Heavyweight Champion Batista was left speechless by the actions and
words of Undertaker. For those who have followed the amazing 14-0 undefeated
streak of Undertaker at WrestleMania, this message could be one the Phenom
delivers on April 1 in Detroit.
Mr. McMahon arrived at SmackDown to brag about the beating he ordered Umaga to
administer last week to an already injured Rey Mysterio. ECW World Champion
Bobby Lashley made his way out and Mr. McMahon attempted to offer Lashley a way
out of his obligations to Donald Trump in the Battle of the Billionaires at
WrestleMania 23, even offering the ECW Champion double what Trump was paying
him.
Lashley refused, saying, "it was an honor to be chosen by Donald Trump.” He
continued, “it will be a privilege to compete at WrestleMania and it will be my
pleasure to defeat Umaga (McMahon’s representative)," Mr. McMahon became irate.
The Chairman then slapped ECW’s World Champion, and when Lashley snapped back
and stared at him, Mr. McMahon ducked out of the ring, the arena and San Jose.
Before he made it out of San Jose, Mr. Kennedy approached Mr. McMahon and asked
for a title opportunity against Bobby Lashley. Mr. McMahon granted the request,
and added the rules that Mr. Kennedy could not be disqualified or counted out,
but Lashley could.
A confident Kennedy did all he could in the match to win his first world title,
but even with the odds against him, Bobby Lashley defeated Kennedy to retain his
ECW World Championship.
The Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania 23 had two more qualifying
matches on SmackDown, with Matt Hardy facing Joey Mercury in the first contest.
Hardy and Mercury have had a heated rivalry since the beginning of December of
‘06, and the personal brutality continued between the two Superstars. When
Mercury looked to finish Hardy off with a high risk maneuver, Hardy countered,
and delivered a Twist of Fate from the ropes to get the victory.
King Booker, who qualified last week by defeating Kane in the first-ever Falls
Count Anywhere Qualifying Match, sat ringside on commentary for this contest,
getting a first-hand look at his competition for WrestleMania 23.
In the second qualifying match, United States Champion Chris Benoit competed in
the first-ever Triple Threat Qualifying Match against MVP and Finlay.
Before the match began, Finlay berated SmackDown announcer Michael Cole for
referring to Hornswoggle by any other name. It could have been that fire that
lit Finlay. In a physically brutal match between the three men, Finlay was able
to get the victory when Hornswoggle distracted the ref, allowing the Irishman to
use the shillelagh on both opponents and qualify for the Money in the Bank
Ladder Match at WrestleMania 23.
There are now 7 known participants in the match April 1 in Detroit - Jeff Hardy,
Edge, Matt Hardy, Finlay, King Booker, CM Punk and Mr. Kennedy. Who will be the
last Superstar in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match?
Jimmy Wang Yang, Shannon Moore and Scotty 2 Hotty squared off against
Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, former champion Gregory Helms and Daivari.
The action was fast-paced and high-flying, and Jimmy Wang Yang was able to get
the win for his team when he pinned Daivari after a Moonsault.
Ashley, the April Playboy cover girl, defeated Jillian in a Diva match. While
the beautiful Ashley is treating WWE fans with her pulse-pounding, upcoming
Playboy appearance, Jillian is making ears bleed in arenas around the world.
Finally, Jerry "The King" Lawler has been announced as the newest inductee into
the WWE Hall of Fame.
Matches
Matt Hardy def. Joey Mercury - Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Jimmy Wang Yang, Scotty 2 Hotty & Shannon Moore def. Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, Gregory Helms & Daivari
Ashley def. Jillian
Finaly def. MVP and United States Champion Chris Benoit - Triple Threat Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley def. Mr. Kennedy