Friday Night Smackdown!
Tucson, Arizona
March 9, 2007
thanks to: wwe.com
Dominant expressions
By Lennie DiFino
March 9, 2007
With just 23 days left until WrestleMania, SmackDown’s Superstars have all begun
to assert themselves, looking to gain any advantage heading toward the biggest
event of the year.
The World Heavyweight Champion Batista is at the top of his game as he heads
into a showdown with Undertaker. Last week, Undertaker began his mind games, and
Batista responded on SmackDown when he claimed, “I am walking into WrestleMania
23 the World Heavyweight Champion, and I am walking out the World Heavyweight
Champion,” he continued. “I will end the streak.”
The Animal then said, “tonight I will face Kane – Undertaker’s sick, twisted,
demented brother.” When Batista and the Big Red Monster collided, the two forces
in the ring looked to feel each other out, and in the end, The Animal was able
to Batista Bomb Kane to pick up a hard fought victory. With the win, the World
Heavyweight Champion may have learned what he needs to do when he is
face-to-face with the title on the line against Undertaker on April 1.
After his defeat, as Kristal was interviewing him, Kane was attacked by Great
Khali. Raw’s Khali has been stalking Kane for weeks now, and this was a clear
message to the Big Red Monster.
The Phenom was also in action as he took on Finlay. The Irishman earlier had
said, “there is no fear in Irish eyes,” and he showed how much he loved to fight
as he went straight for Undertaker. Not to be outdone, Undertaker fought back
and took control, until Hornswoggle found his way into the match. With the
referee distracted, Finlay nailed Undertaker with the shillelagh, but the Phenom
kicked out of the pinfall.
As Michael Cole pointed out, “Undertaker is in great shape,” which helped as the
Deadman delivered a Tombstone to defeat Finlay. After the match, Batista stood
in the ramp and the two Superstars had a stare down. When Batista gave the
familiar signal of thumbs-down, Undertaker responded with his legendary throat
slash. In 23 days, who will walk out of WrestleMania the World Heavyweight
Champion?
Four of the eight Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifiers were in action
against each other as Matt Hardy faced King Booker while Mr. Kennedy took on
ECW’s CM Punk.
In the first match-up, King Booker defeated Matt Hardy when Queen Sharmell, (who
had been on commentary), interfered, allowing Booker to hit the Scissors Kick
for the win.
When Kennedy took on Punk, the “future of sports-entertainment” was highly
impressive as he pinned and defeated the Straightedge Superstar.
As the Road to WrestleMania narrows, all four of these Superstars are jockeying
for position as they each look to establish any dominance heading into the
innovative Money in the Bank Ladder Match. With the winner of that match getting
the opportunity to challenge for a World Title when they see fit, the stakes
could not be any higher for the participants.
Miz TV debuted, and Miz’s first guest was SmackDown Diva Ashley, who will grace
the cover of Playboy this Monday! The SmackDown beauty thought she was on Miz TV
to talk about her experience posing for the magazine, but Miz revealed he had
another guest, WWE Women’s Champion Melina.
Melina has been insanely jealous of the attention Ashley has been getting as of
late, and she was at the sold-out Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Melina complained, “I should be getting the attention, people would kill to see
me in Playboy, but they have to settle for you.” As the Women’s Champion Melina
looks to earn the respect of WWE fans, Ashley is receiving nothing but love.
Finally, Montel Vontavious Porter disrupted General Manager Theodore Long while
he was on his computer, and demanded that he receive a United States
Championship opportunity versus the champion Chris Benoit at WrestleMania. MVP
angrily spoke to Long, saying, “stop looking at the Daily Diva on WWE.com
Teddy.”
Long responded, telling MVP, “I’m still the General Manager of SmackDown, and I
will take your request under consideration.”
What will Long’s response be to MVP? What will happen next week between
Undertaker and Batista?
Tune in each and every Friday at 8/7 CT to The CW Network for Friday Night
SmackDown, and be sure to tune in to Monday Night Raw at 9/8 CT on The USA
Network as the contract signing for The Battle of the Billionaires will take
place and the Money in the Bank Ladder Match will name the eighth and final
participant.
Matches
World Heavyweight Champion Batista def. Kane
Undertaker def. Finlay
King Booker def. Matt Hardy
Mr. Kennedy def. CM Punk