Smackdown
Aaron's UnReal Time Smackdown Review: It's A Good Thing Taker Showed Up Or The Wacky Stuff Wouldn't Have Made Sense
By Aaron Wood
Feb 19, 2010 - 4:34 PM

Hello, my Gathering!  Well, to do some housekeeping, with NXT fast approaching, you really should be heading to ClubWWI.com, if for nothing else, my "Yak Track" commentaries on Florida Championship Wrestling, as well as some great interviews with the likes of Greg Gagne, the most recent guest JG has had.  However, if you aren't a Club member, there is no need to worry, because at some point over the weekend, I'll be posting a preview to the show, ahead of RD Lee's coverage when it airs in ECW's slot this coming Tuesday.  To be honest, I would have had it up Wednesday night/Thursday, but to be honest, between FCW audio recordings and the need to get a crack-like fix of Modern Warfare 2, I kinda forgot about it.

Anyway, this week, I'm back on the music after the Superbowl adverts, and in particular, a band I'm loving called Late Of The Pier, as I first heard and saw the video for their new track "Best In The Class", with all it's TETRIS-y goodness.  However, as you may recall, one of my favourite tracks of last year was "11th Dimension" by the lead singer of The Strokes, Julian Casablancas.  Well, it looks like it's getting a bigger release this year, as there is FINALLY a video for the thing, so while the rest of this week's videos are by Late Of The Pier, I just had to show you "11th Dimension" as well!



Anyway, on with the show!

LAST WEEK ON SMACKDOWN:  Batista hated speaking, John Morrison hated having a clean bill of health and Edge just hated everyone...

THIS WEEK…
No recaps or nothing this week.  Just the credits and usual PYRO & BALLYHOO~! to open before The Legend That Is Todd Grisham pimped the main event that was Edge vs. Batista.  Wasn't that moved to Sunday?  I missed 95% of RAW, but read they announced that was on on Sunday...

Someone put a buck in the meter!  QUICK!
Anyway, it was Jericho's turn to open the show.  He said he had made a career of doing what we could only dream of doing.  He's made an art form out of doing the impossible.  He did it when he beat Rock & Austin to win the First Undisputed Title.  He did it again when he beat Shawn Michaels in a ladder match, and then last Friday, he did what few have ever done.  Drove the Phenom to his knees and beat The Undertaker.  Cue replay of the Codebreaker that put Undertaker down.

Jericho said HE beat The Undertaker.  He proved the Deadman is only a man.  So does that mean he's a live man?  And this Sunday he'd beat the odds again and become World Champion for the 6th time.  Average Joes like us curl up and hide when faced with difficulty, but Jericho doesn't.  Reality was he'd come out of the Chamber as The World...

Unfortunately, Jericho's sentence would forever remain the stuff of mad-libs as Edge made his way down to the ring.  Edge said that it was refreshing to hear Jericho talk about what it's like to defeat Taker.  It's like a no-hitter or knocking out Ali.  Actually, no.  It's bigger than all those things.  Jericho, rather surprised by the compliment noted he was the best at what he did.  However, for Edge, him saying that shows Jericho is problem.  Let's just check more of the tape form last week.  That shows us Taker boot Edge down at ringside only for Edge to come back and spear Taker.

Edge said he didn't do that to help him, he did it because Taker kicked him in the face.  And see, Jericho clearly wasn't as good as he thought he was.  Hell, you probably wouldn't have won without the spear happening first!  Jericho said they shouldn't wallow in the past, because on Sunday, he'd be winning the title.  That means Edge should stay away from him, because when Jericho's around Edge, bad things happen.  And if Edge continues to annoy him, Jericho wouldn't beat him, but hurt him.  Edge got a slightly nutty look in his eyes, before saying the more he heard Jericho's voice, the more he wanted to do his head in.  So he was kinda hoping Jericho was winning so he could.  But don’t be concerned about the future, be concerned about right now.  As they went head to head, the lights began to flicker, but stayed on.  However, Edge was the first gets his wits about him and he speared Jericho.


Space & The Woods

The WWE Rewind was last week's Kane vs. McIntyre match.

Kane def. Dolph Ziggler in a "Seriously, you'd think Ziggler would have learned by now!" match
So naturally enough, this brought out The Big Red Monster.  They confirmed the Kane vs. McIntyre match for the IC Title on Sunday night.  NO WAY are they having Drew lose his streak and title to Kane.  And NO WAY is Kane losing tonight, as his opponent followed in Dolph Ziggler.  A Ziggler got the drop on Kane to start, but was quickly tossed up in the air and dropped to the mat.  Kane put some shots into Ziggler in the corner before taking him over and hitting the basement dropkick for the near fall.  Kane dropped an elbow for another 2 count.  Ziggler blocked a corner charge and laid some corner blows in himself.  The ref insisted on a break, but as Ziggler came back, he was met with an uppercut.  Dolph telegraphed a backdrop, but was clotheslined over the top rope as we took a break.

The tide had turned on return as we saw Mr. Ziggles with an armbar locked on, after Kane had hurt it during the break.  However, Kane picked Ziggler up and dropped him in a side slam.  Kane with a whip into the corner and clothesline to follow.  He then went up top, only for Drew McIntyre to make his presence known.  Ziggler pulled Kane off the top and locked in the sleeper hold.  Kane dropped to his knees as Drew slowly walked down the aisle.  However, Kane got back up and grabbed the ropes.  Ziggler went for the sleeper again after the break, but Kane shrugged him off and hit the chokeslam for the win.

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6.5/10 - Fine enough match while it lasted.  Simple way of building to the PPV match, with the heel champion trying to get the jump on the challenger.
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McIntyre snuck in looked for the Futureshock DDT, but Kane backdropped out of it, sending Drew reeling.

We cut backstage to Rey Mysterio as Josh Matthews walked in, asking about the Chamber match.  Rey said the Chamber match was brutal, but no more brutal than last week when CM Punk and his buddies jumped him.  He took a helluva beating.  It'll likely happen again on Sunday, only this time, he'd walk out the World Champion.


The Bears Are Coming

We went to a recap of the final ECW Title match, which was won by Ezekiel Jackson, making him the final and shortest-reigning ECW Champion of all time.  And Big Zeke is coming back to Smackdown it seems.

Cryme Tyme def. Trent Baretta & Caylen Croft in a "I GOT THE DUDEBUSTERS, MOTHERF**KERS!!!" match
Cryme Tyme came out first, but really, there are no words to the joy I have in the opponents who followed as The Dudebusters made their Smackdown debut, the first people to appear post-ECW.  I *heart* Teddy Long.  Croft and JTG started off, and after pulling Baretta off the apron, JTG hit a couple of slams and then a rolling neck snap, but the other way from how Mr. Perfect (and his boy Joe) did it.  Croft reversed a whip, and while the charge was blocked. Trent distracted JTG long enough for Croft to shove him out the ring.  Croft tagged in Baretta, who worked on JTG on the outside before rolling him in for a 2 count.

Croft back in with a dropkick for a 2 count.  Trent tagged back in and hit a slingshot elbow drop, instead of the usual fake out-move.  Baretta locked in a chinlock as Grisham pondered who else from ECW could turn up in coming weeks, before some NXT talk.  JTG got up and looked for the tag, but he was pulled down and Caylen tagged back in.  Croft picked up a 2 count before Baretta came back in.  Baretta put JTG up top and looked for a back superplex, but JTG avoided it and then ducked a shot to tag in Shad.

BIG back drop to Baretta before he knocked Croft off the apron.  Shad hit a big Gorilla-Press slam, which Croft broke up.  Croft then low-bridged JTG, but Shad dumped Caylen.  Baretta hit a missile dropkick before looking for the Tornado DDT, but Shad held on and turned it into the STO for the win.

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7/10 - Fun tag team match, and even in losing, it was a relatively good showing from the Dudebusters in their Smackdown debut.  A win would have been sweeter though...
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They replayed the Antonio Inoki Hall Of Fame video.  Interesting choice, but then again, if they're open to the likes of Verne Gagne being put in, I don't see why Inoki can't.


Heartbeat

We came back from break to have Josh Matthews bring in John Morrison.  Josh said his DVD was out this week and he had the chance to become champion on Sunday.  But after last week, how's the ankle?  Morrison said he had waited a LONG time for a shot at the title.  He even referenced Tough Enough, noting that from the day he stood in line with thousands of other wannabes, to the day he was drafted to Smackdown, his career had led him to Sunday, so if anyone thought a tweaked ankle would keep him out, they'd be wrong.  Some only get one opportunity, and he'd make the most of his.

Truth popped in the picture and welcomed Morrison.  And while they were friendly, Truth said if he had to go through John to win on Sunday, he would.  It is what it is.  But they were facing the Straight Edge Society, so he wanted to make sure they were on the same page.  They then talked it up like a pair of geeks.

The Straight Edgers came out first as we saw what happened last week as Rey Mysterio beat Punk, only for them to beat Rey Rey up afterwards.  Punk had a microphone with him.  He said he was a humble man, but he was the greatest thing to ever happen to us and we knew it.  Sure, only the enlightened few could walk in his footsteps, but like it or not, we were all part of his crusade.  He then went all Vader on us as he said to those who lived in darkness that he found our lack of faith disturbing.    They confused defiance with power.  Sacrifice for cheap thrills.  And like 5 others on Sunday locked in the Chamber with himself, he would crush the spirit and fill the void with Straight Edge.  The fans could pretend they didn't have a problem, but they were lying to themselves.  Straight Edge Means I'm Better Than You.  And just like last week when he proved it to Rey, he'd prove it again tonight.  All his life, he had fought in a way the cowards couldn't.  He was fuelled by a fire inside of him and would become the four-time Striaght Edge World Champion, and the crusade would burn bright.  And the Universe would have a saviour and his name would be CM Punk.

The Straight Edge Society def. John Morrison & R-Truth by Ref Stoppage in a "Nice to see Lil' Naitch has ZERO faith in R-Truth to fight alone..." match
We came back from break for the entrances of the babyfaces.  After some debate, Morrison started off with Punk, assuring he was good to go.  Punk, knowing about the ankle, dived for the legs, but Morrison managed to avoid him and out-wrestle Punk early.  Off a side headlock, Truth tagged in and they hit a double gutbuster.  Truth took Punk over with a side headlock, however, when he got back to his feet, he hit Truth with a back suplex before tagging in Luke.  Gallows reversed a whip to the corner, but Truth avoided the charge before hitting a crossbody.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, fire burst up from the stage as we took a break.

We came back and Punk was stretching Truth out with a surfboard.  He followed that up with a scoop slam and knee drop to the back.  Gallows tagged in, and he put shots in the corner.  Morrison looked to rally the crowd, and Gallows kicked him off the apron for his troubles, before hitting a splash for 2.  Gallows with the front chancery, before taking him over in a suplex for another near fall.  Gallows prevented the tag, before bringing Truth in himself.  Punk continued to work on R-Truth's back, but Truth fired off a superman-forearm.  However, he was caught with a roundhouse to the head and pulled Truth back, tagging in Gallows.   Luke continued to work over Truth's back before putting in some head shots.  Scoop slam by Gallows saw Punk tag back in, and he waited for the springboard clothesline, but was caught with a dropkick.

Truth tagged in Morrison, and he went to work on Punk.  He hit the jumping heel kick, before the running knee for 2 count.  He hit the Flying Chuck to Gallows before avoiding a charge by Punk, who went through the corner and into the ringpost.  However, as Morrison lined up a kick, Punk ducked, and Morrison hit the ringpost hard.  Punk went to town on the ankle, hitting some Danielson elbows on it (Or should that be some "Bryan elbows").  Once the referee broke it up, he checked on Morrison, and even though Truth was standing right there, Charles Robinson called it a match.

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6.5/10 - Perfectly acceptable match, although I'm not entirely sure why they stopped the match, because when I've seen such injuries before, real or kayfabed, and they've left the partner to try and fight.  But as a heat-getting angle for Punk, taking out three of his Chamber opponents, it was a success, so I can't complain too much.
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Punk went after the ankle again, but truth came to the rescue.  Gallows attacked Truth from behind while Serena covered Punk.  Truth was hit with The 12th Step before Rey Mysterio came running out.  He initially got the upperhand, but ran into a clothesline by Punk to put him down as well.  Punk put Rey in a Camel Clutch for a couple of crossface blows before telling Gallows to put Rey across his knee, ready for Punk to hit a knee drop off the top rope before posing over his prone body.

Our RAW Rebound was Bret Hart's apparent car accident.  Quite well shot actually, now that I've seen it.  Indeed the only part I've seen was the Jerry Springer skit, and despite what Matt Dawgs said, I thought it was a hoot and a half.  Hell, I can think of many worse segment.  Todd confirmed a broken left leg and tendon damage.


Blueberry

Back from break, we saw Teddy Long laughing at what happened to Vickie Guerrero last week.  She asked if he thought that was funny, before wondering how his chin was, post-Shawn Michaels.  Vickie said it's a shame there wasn't a boot-print.  Long said he was taking action against Shawn Michaels.  Mickie came in to apologise for last week and the cottage cheese.  After some grovelling, Vickie said she was sorry, since Michelle had invoked her rematch and next week, it would be Mickie vs. Michelle for the title, and there would be a special referee.  Vickie herself.

The Hart Dynasty def. The Great Khali, Matt Hardy & Maria in a "Yeah, Matt must really suck in bed..." match
Khali, THOSE 70'S SIDEBURNS~!, Maria & Hardy came out together, and it could be noted that Matt & Maria were colour co-ordinated.  Natalya started off against Maria, as they talked about Matt Hardy as a pro on NT with Justin Gabriel, and indeed, he's one to look out for, in my opinion.  Natalya over-powered Maria early, but Maria telegraphed a backdrop with a kick to the chest before dropping her on the middle rope.  Natalya managed to tag Tyson Kidd in, bringing in Matt.  Matt scored a tilt-a-whirl slam for a 2 count.  He then hit a sitout powerbomb out of the corner for a 2 count.

Smith was tagged in and he hit a neckbreaker for a 2 count himself before tagging Kidd back in again.  Basement dropkick to the head for a 2 count to Kidd.  DH Smith came back in and hit the delayed suplex for a 2 count.  They mentioned ShowMiz on commentary.  Striker called it The Miz Show off the bat.  So basically, I called them The Miz Show (check the forums).  Striker called them The Miz Show.  MIZ HIMSELF called them The Miz Show.  Great minds do really think alike.  Hardy battled out of a chinlock and hit the Side Effect for separation.  Hardy went over to tag in, but Smith shoved him out the ring.  However, the referee ruled that Maria had tagged in as Matt went past.  Maria didn't realise this though, until Natalya pulled her in the ring and slammed her down.  She then hit the Tornado Clothesline for the win.

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6/10 - Decent enough match, but why in the hell are they teasing dissention between Maria & Matt ALREADY???
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Matt (& Khali) checked on Maria afterwards, but she seemed frustrated and she walked away with Matt following as they sent it to a hype video for the Elimination Chamber matches.  Damn great video actually.  This led to Matt & Todd talking about the 2 chamber matches.

Jobbers in life, Jobbers in love...
We returned from the break backstage as we saw Maria and Matt.  Matt was trying to clam her down, but she didn't want to talk about it.  She was fine with losing by herself.  Done that a million times, but she was upset losing matches for other people that she cared about.  Matt said he had lost matches and won matches and it doesn't change people.  No-one is perfect, but Maria just about is.  They were about to kiss when Simply Flawless came in and mocked them.  they told Matt not to kiss Maria for fear of cooties.  They then wondered how neither of them could keep a relationship going...or win a match...  Maria shoved past them with them thinking they now had cooties.  Matt stared them into silence before telling them to grow up.


Best In The Class

Edge & Batista wrestled to a No Contest in a "Seriously?!?!  NO-ONE had some change for the generator???" match
Batista came out before the break, and when we came back, we saw a replay of Batista promising to be on RAW on Monday.  Even thought it's not March 8th next week, or even March 1st, it wouldn't surprise me to hear TNA claim that WWE is running scared of them by putting Batista on RAW.  Batista stayed on the ropes as the bell rang, before hiding in them.  Batista continued to stall before waving goodbye and moving to leave, heading halfway up the aisle.  Edge got the referee to stop counting before getting a mic.  Edge said he'd understand if Batista didn't want any of it, but Edge's day of backing down from a fight, but looking at Dave, maybe John Cena was right and Batista was indeed spineless.

Indeed, you don't call Marty McFly Batista chicken, as he came right back down the aisle and locked up with Edge.  It went into the corner, when Batista got the drop on him.  However, Edge scored with a spinning heel kick.  Edge looked for a spear, but Deacon Dave rolled out the ring in time as we took a final break.  We came back to see Batista block an Edge charge and then give him a chop block to the leg, as Striker claimed Batista was aiming for his back and neck.  Batista sent Edge through the corner into the ringpost before breaking up the steel steps.  Batista looked for the powerbomb on the lower half, but Edge backdropped out of it and Batista landed square on them.    Edge then hit a diving clothesline off the apron.

However, back in the ring, Batista caught Edge as he was coming back in.  Edge slipped out a powerslam and hit the Edge-O-Matic for a 2 count.  He set for the spear again, but ran into a spinebuster for a Batista 2 count.  Batista gave Edge the thumbs down, but Edge hit the Edgecution for another deuce.  Edge headed up top, but Batista was playing possum a little as he popped up and crotched Edge.  Batista went for the spear, almost mocking Edge, but Edgeward got the jump on him and hit a spear first.

However, the Undertaker's gong sounded and the lights went out.  They came back on and Edge was in chokeslam position and he got dropped.  that was pretty much it there.

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7/10 - Pretty good match, and one where lack of finish didn't hurt it, especially if they end up wrestling on Sunday, although I don't necessarily think it's going to happen.  Hell, I'm surprised that Teddy Long didn't kill 2 birds with one stone by forcing Batista to wrestle against Shawn Michaels as punishment for the superkick.  They can still announce that match for Sunday, but that would be crazy to not announce it on TV.
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Taker eyed Batista, but Dave rolled out the ring before he could get any of what The Deadman was serving.  Taker headed up the ramp and blew some more pyro as Edge watched on in the ring as the show ended.

No actually, there was just enough time for Edge to turn around and get hit with a Codebreaker by Chris Jericho out of nowhere!  Jericho & Undertaker stared each other down as Edge laid prone as the show really did end.

OVERALL -  A pretty fun show this week, which did a helluva lot more than RAW apparently did to build up the PPV.  It certainly put a good deal of emphasis on who would win the Elimination Chamber match, if slightly skewed to a heel victory, since 3 of the 4 babyfaces were beaten up.  But a watchable show and pretty good PPV build heading into the show makes it a relative success.