Friday Night Smackdown!
Boston, Massachusetts
October 2, 2009
results thanks to wrestleview.com
-WWE Open.
-The show opened with a calvalcade of highlights from Smackdown over the past
ten years including Eddie Guerrero and the WWE Title, The Rock, Triple H vs. The
Governator, John Cena’s debut, Batista surrendering the World Title, WWE after
9/11, as well as some of the more humorous moments (Coach doing the Charleston,
the poo spray, and Austin singing). It closed with a shot of the Undertaker.
-The new Smackdown Opening aired, including a new theme song.
-Jim Ross opened the show by welcoming us to the Decade of Smackdown
celebration, and plugged the huge eight-man tag main event. He also said we’d
hear from The Rock tonight.
-Ross and Todd Grisham were in the ring. Grish said every superstar from Raw,
ECW and Smackdown are in the building. He sent it backstage, where the camera
caught the superstars of WWE (and the Brooklyn Brawler) in a special room
partying it up.
1- BATISTA vs. KANE
Smackdown moment #64 from the newly-released Smackdown DVD aired during
Batista’s entrance. It was from November 2005, Rey and Batista vs. MNM. Ugh,
Kane? This isn’t much of a step up from Batista vs. Big Show last week. Big
uppercut from Kane out of the corner. Back elbow put Batista on the mat again,
but Kane missed an elbowdrop. Kane suplexed his way out of a side headlock. Kane
seemed to be centering in on the surgically-repaired left arm of Batista. On an
overhead wrist-lock, Batista simply shoved Kane over the top rope and to the
outside. Kane seemed surprised at the strength displayed by Batista.
[Commercial Break]
Kane was in control with an arm-bar out of break. Stereo big boots and both men
went down. Batista was the one to get the advantage, with a flying shoulder
tackle and a couple corner clotheslines. Kane came back and went to the top,
coming down with a clothesline. He signaled that the chokeslam was next, but
instead, Batista hit him with a spinebuster for two. He set up for the Batista
Bomb, but Kane rammed him into the corner. Batista came down off the top and
into a choke, but Batista countered. Kane went up to do the ten punches in the
corner, but Batista powerbombed him out of the corner for the win.
WINNER: Batista, at 9:48. Unless I missed it, they didn’t really seem to hype
this was Kane’s first pinfall loss on Smackdown, after talking it up the past
two weeks. This was probably as good as it could be.
-Teddy Long was in high spirits backstage, thanking everyone coming one-by-one.
Everyone was in their “normal” clothes. After Long thanked Maria for coming,
Hornswoggle, the bartender, smacked her in the ass. “Vintage Hornswoggle!” Cole
proclaimed. Long welcomed him back to Smackdown. Cole tried to get Long to try
some drinks, as he had had several already. When Finlay talked to Long, Cole
noted “Vintage Finlay!” Finlay then said a toast and everyone cheered. Before
Long could drink, C.M. Punk’s arm extended to stop him. Then the camera panned
back and Punk told him not to drink it. “Vintage Punk!” Cole yelled, before Punk
stared him down. Punk said it should be Prohibition rules on Smackdown and he’ll
show them in the main event why he can save them.
Long walked away and saw Vickie Guerrero. She asked why he repealed the Hell’s
Gate and she said some people don’t have the backbone to run the show. Vickie’s
hot new boyfriend, Eric Escobar, introduced himself to Long. Apparently, Mr.
McMahon signed Escobar today and Vickie will be managing him. Long appeared
surprised by this. A bell tolled and someone dressed as Taker put his hand on
Long’s shoulder and said his name. He raised his head and it was Santino, who
said it was a great costume party. Now THAT was a good segment: The comedy was
actually funny and it accomplished a lot.
-Another plug for the eight-man main event.
-Up next, a celebration of Eddie Guerrero, one of Smackdown’s most notable
stars.
[Commercial Break]
-Back to the party, as Cole and Finlay were sitting at a table. “Vintage shrimp
said the drunken Cole. Cole told Hronswoggle to get him more of the shrimp. Get
it? Hornswoggle kicked Cole in the knee. MVP allowed Horny into the VIP Lounge,
but Zack Ryder was left standing on the outside. Mark Henry took a bribe from
Ryder and said if there’s room he’ll be let in. Matt Hardy and Kelly Kelly came
up and MVP and Henry allowed them both in. Oh, Eva, Alicia, Charlie Haas, Layla,
Sgt. Slaughter and Savannah (ECW’s interview girl; Angela Fong from
developmental) too. Even the Iron Sheik was allowed in! Sheik then called Ryder
a jabroni. Lanny Poffo would not be happy with Sheik’s use of the word.
-Grisham and Ross talked briefly on camera about Eddie, who JR said would’ve
loved this celebration. Then we got a video package highlighting Guerrero’s
Smackdown moments. They showed clips of the ten-bell salute to Eddie after he
passed away. They also had some vintage clips in there. Upon return, they showed
the fans in the arena clapping for the tribute and chanting “Eddie.”
[Commercial Break]
-We’ll get a special message from The Rock later tonight.
-But right now, Jack Swagger joined Grisham and JR on the commentary team for
the next match.
2- JOHN MORRISON & KOFI KINGSTON vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & THE MIZ
Kingston seemed pissed at Kofi’s entrance and slammed the headset down. I guess
that’s it for his commentary. And for what it’s worth, Justin Roberts was
handling ring announcing for Smackdown this week as well. Morrison took out Miz
to start with a dropsault and clothesline over the top. Ziggler tried to come in
illegally and was chased out by Kingston. Match went to break less than one
minute in.
[Commercial Break]
Kingston was having his way with Ziggler as Miz was getting frustrated at
ringside. Swagger distracted Kofi, and Ziggler brought him down throat-first
over the top rope. The southpaw Miz went to work on Kofi in th heel corner. He
went to the top and came down with a double-axe handle (not seen much these
days). Miz tried to do his catapult double-team move that he did with Morrison
with Ziggler, but when Kofi came up, he punched Ziggler instead of the other way
around. Ziggler ended up tagging Miz in and telling him to finish Kofi off. But
instead, he missed a shoulder charge in the corner. Kingston and Miz both made
tags, but Morrison got the best of the exchange. Standing shooting star press
for two. Kofi went for the Flying Chuck, but he shoved Morrison, crotching him
on the top, then hit the Zig Zag for the win.
WINNERS: Ziggler and Miz, at 8:44. Good match, thought the Zig Zag didn’t look
good, and they didn’t really talk much (if at all) about Morrison and Miz being
on opposite sides, but they had bigger things (the title matches) to get over in
this match.
-At the party, Kung Fu Naki and Yoshi Tatsu were singing karaokee to “Sexy Boy.”
Jillian Hall interrupted and gave her own version. Slaughter and Sheik had a
“USA,” “Iran” debate. They just shouted it back and forth to each other ‘til
Sheik was going to say “hack phooey” but started choking. Hurricane saved him.
“Boomer Sooner” said Cole at one table, and he had a cowboy hat on while he sat
with Finlay and Hornswoggle. Chris Jericho tried to get everyone’s attention and
when he couldn’t, he made Big Show do it. Jericho reminded everyone that he and
Show were both on the first episode of Smackdown. Jericho talked about getting
shown the respect they deserved, but instead Cole threw up on his shoes (not
shown). Jericho did a lame, over-done cartoon disgusted face and when Big Show
saw it he threw up off camera too. Joey Styles was there, and said his “Oh My
God!” line.
-The Rock is up next. Not in the arena, of course, but the effort counted for
something.
[Commercial Break]
-Grisham plugged WWE.com and all it has to offer.
-Justin Roberts introduced The Rock on the video screen. He had a display case
of title belts behind him. He said, “Apparently, Dwayne Johnson has returned to
Friday nights.” That didn’t work, so he did another take. Still didn’t click for
him. He tried a few more, but he just didn’t like them. He was searching for
something and even at one time said, “who in the blue hell is Dolph Ziggler?” He
remarked about them finally bringing his latte, and that did it. “Finally.” He
then went in to full Rock mode, “Finally, The Rock has come back to Smackdown.”
He said he was there when it all began thanks to his phrase, “laying the
Smackdown on all your candy asses.” He even sang a few bars of “Smackdown
Hotel.” Rock got the fans to chant his name again. Rock said ten years later,
who is champ now? Some guy named C.M. Punk. He said Punk was straight edge and
even sits down when he uses the bathroom and that we should call him B.M. Punk
for “bowel movement,” since that’s what fans want to do when he comes out.
He then spoke about Punk’s opponent this Sunday, The Undertaker. He really put
Taker over and even wanted to edit the tape so Taker wouldn’t Tombstone him.
Rock brought in the director or whoever was working with him and argued with
him, making fun of him a la The Coach. He snuck in a “It doesn’t matter what
your name is!” In the end, he proclaimed there would be a new champion come
Sunday. Rock even said since he has tried Smackdown, maybe it’s time for him to
guest host Raw. He said he’d be the most electrifying host they’ve ever seen,
and finished with his usual flourish. Well, after that, I hope they have him
lined up as guest host, because he can’t taunt fans like that and not do it. He
hasn’t lost his promo touch, that’s for sure. And good for him to agree to speak
on this Smackdown.
-The eight-man tag is still to come tonight.
[Commercial Break]
-Just throwing this out there: Arnie Duncan looks a lot like Stevie Richards in
that Education reform commercial.
3- MELINA vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL- LUMBERJACK MATCH FOR THE WOMEN’S TITLE
Eve Torres, Maria, Beth Phoenix, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, Katie Lea, Jillian
Hall, Layla, Natalya, Savannah (but no Courtney Taylor?), The Bellas and Kelly
Kelly were the Lumberjacks. Probably stupid to ask this on a show where they
celebrate the 10th anniversary, but would it kill them to have hyped this up,
even during the show? McCool started with the advantage, but it didn’t last for
long. Melina did a split on the apron to avoid a punch, but then Michelle kicked
her out. Before she let the ladies get a hold of her, McCool went out and
brought Melina back in. Melina came back and hit a flap-jack on Michelle that
got a two-count. Rough-looking clothesline by Melina. Apparently Jillian got
involved as Melina jumped on the outside onto Jillian and another girl. Everyone
on the outside started brawling and while the ref tried to restore order, Beth
Phoenix nailed Melina while she was on the top, allowing Michelle to hit he
Faith Breaker for the win.
WINNER: McCool, at 2:30. Disappointing hype and match. Just felt unimportant in
the grand scheme of things; why wouldn’t you save this for a show that had
little content, and could therefore seem like a bigger deal?
-They barely showed McCool celebrating retaining before throwing it to a video
of Undertaker and his “special message” to Punk for this Sunday. Taker said he’d
knock Punk off his high horse and welcomed Punk to Satan’s Playground, Hell in a
Cell.
[Commercial Break]
-They showed the Boston skyline and Grisham thanked Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Smash-Ups, which sponsors Hell in a Cell.
-Everyone was dancing backstage when Drew McIntyre got on the mic. Oh no, he’s
gonna ruin another party! Instead, he toasted to his impending Smackdown
success. He said the party has just started. Then R-Truth ran in and attacked
him, including ruining the Smackdown cake. Long ordered it to be broken-up from
off-camera and Mike Knox and (I think) William Regal were among those to get
involved to break up the row.
-Entrances for the main event took place. Justin Roberts billed this as the
biggest eight-man tag in Smackdown history. You don’t hear the ring announcers
editorialize like that usually. During Cena’s entrance, we saw Smackdown moment
#100 rom April 2005, the debut of the new WWE Spinner Belt. Taker’s entrance was
time to unveil Smackdown moment #32, from September 2008- Vickie being attacked
by Taker. They took a break with all the faces in the ring. I wonder if they’ll
mention Taker and HBK’s recent history?
[Commercial Break]
-Grisham plugged Ben Roethlisberger as the guest host of this week’s Raw.
4- SHAWN MICHAELS & TRIPLE H & JOHN CENA & THE UNDERTAKER vs. RANDY ORTON & TED
DIBIASE & CODY RHODES & C.M. PUNK
Cena and Rhodes led things off, a match-up that we’ve seen on numerous Raw
multi-man main event tags. Triple H punched Rhodes in the face, and Rhodes
crawled to the corner to tag in his partner this Sunday. Hunter pummeled DiBiase
in the corner, then brought HBK in to do some damage. It was all face team here
in the first few minutes. Michaels extended a hand to tag Taker, but Taker
paused to stare at Michaels, allowing DiBiase to take back over. Taker did tag
in soon after, and the former Wrestlemania foes stared at each other in the ring
as they went to break.
[Commercial Break]
Taker was in there with Rhodes out of break. He then tagged out to Hunter. Long
standing vertical suplex, but not as long as Matt Morgan’s last night on Impact.
DX continued to pwn Legacy in this match and as I type that, a flurry of rights
from Rhodes put Michaels on the mat. Randy Orton and C.M. Punk made their first
appearances of the match, one right after the other. Michaels and Orton both
ended up on the mat- Cody tagged in and an enziguiri by Michaels gave him some
time to tag, and he did, to Cena. Cena had to fight off both Legacy members, and
put both of them on his back for an Attitude Adjustment. But Rhodes got down and
the two heels gave him the Sweet ‘n’ Sour, which is at the point they took the
final break.
[Commercial Break]
Back with Punk and Cena engaged in battle. Orton came in and seemed to have his
way with Cena, ‘til Cena got him in the Atttiude Adjustment out of nowhere, but
couldn’t connect, as Orton DDT’d him. DiBiase made his presence known as the
legal man with a kick to a seated Cena’s head. But Cena got the better of him
and both men made tags, to Punk and Hunter. Patented spinebuster by The Game.
Taker tagged in, but Punk dove to tag Orton. Snake Eyes, ironically, to the
Viper Orton. Back-breaker by Orton, but he got caught in Hell’s Gate, only
briefly, as DiBiase broke it up. Everybody started brawling at that point, as
Michaels superkicked DiBiase and Hunter Pedigreed him. Cena got Punk up for the
Attitude Adjustment and tossed him onto Legacy at ringside. All four faces were
in the ring with the lone heel, Orton. Taker, the legal man, Tombstoned Orton.
Mike Chioda didn’t seem worried that all four of the men were still in the ring
while he made his count.
WINNERS: Taker, Hunter, HBK and Cena, at 21:39. Roberts pulled a Lilian and
announced Undertaker as the winner, as if it was a one-on-one match.
Confetti fell from the ceiling as all the faces celebrated with their music
playing for about 30-45 second spurts, before it went to another face’s music.
Naturally, it ended with Undertaker.