Smackdown
Aaron's UnReal Time Smackdown Review: There's A PPV On This Weekend Apparently...
By Aaron Wood
Mar 27, 2010 - 12:54 PM

So hey, yeah, we, in the UK, got a 2-hour infomercial for Wrestlemania last night thanks to the insertion of stuff from Axxess. Saw much of it. It was alright. Better for having some Wrestlemania match clips in it, rather than just purely packages. Only really disappointing thing is that, unlike last year, we didn't then get the proper show the next morning, so once I realised this this morning, I went ahead and downloaded the US version of the show. Because unlike Canadian Bulldog, I never aim to disappoint.

Anyway, are you getting them Mania chills? I know I sure as hell am. Can't think of anything to do with Mania without getting a shiver down my spine. So, in the possible case you have Maniapathy (Hey, if Mapathy works for MW2, this works for Wrestlemania...), I've got some tracks that have been used in some capacity at Wrestlemania in the last however many years...

LAST WEEK ON SMACKDOWN: Vickie wanted a piece of Beth, Rey and Luke decided what match Rey & Punk will have, and we had A Streaker vs. A "Streak"...

THIS WEEK…
THE SCOTTISH INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION~! Drew McIntyre, Kane, Matt Hardy, Dolph Ziggler & Shelton Benjamin def. MVP, Christian, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger & Kofi Kingston in a "You'll notice this is RAW vs. Smackdown, rather than babyface vs. heel" Ten-Man Tag Team match
After the credits we start immediately with Kane's entrance, with the Money In The Bank case hanging above the ring. He's followed by Ziggler and Hardy. Shelton Benjamin is next as we cut to some shots of the Fan Axxess event in Phoenix, before the Smackdown side is rounded out by Drew. As Drew makes his way towards the ring, Kane & Matt somewhat block his route in, ironically enough as the two men who originally denied Drew a spot in the match by (not) beating. Christian led the entrances for this team, and waited in the aisle for MVP, Swagger, Bourne & Kingston. Funny note here that Striker said based on momentum, Kofi was probably the favourite on Sunday. Yeah, that'll be right...

Ziggler & Kofi started off , as they exchanged side headlocks and breaks. They then leapfrogged each other, but Kofi downed Ziggler for 2, drawing both teams in for a face off. We came back with Hardy working over Jack Swagger. A Hardy bulldog scored a 2 count before Shelton tagged in. Benjamin took an arm, but SWAGGAH~! took it into the corner before getting a cheapshot in. Shelton fired back, but Swagger scored with a belly to belly. Swagger teased tagging in Bourne but decided not to. Benjamin scored with the Dragon Whip, and Bourne tagged in this time. Flying headscissors by Bourne followed with a dropkick and then the double knees take down. Christian tagged in. Christian tried putting Shelton down, but he kept kipping him, before Christian pressed Benjamin down for a quick 2. MVP tagged in now, and floated over a charge and scored a clothesline for a 2 count. Evan came back in, and he looked like he was going for the Shooting Star Press, but Drew distracted him, and allowed Shelton time to hit a FANTASTIC leap to the top rope and overhead throw which sent Bourne all the way across to the other corner. Well, almost. Time for another break.

Shelton had a chinlock on Bourne coming back as we saw Benjamin's throw again. Kane tagged in and pounded Evan down in the corner. A scoop slam by Big Red was followed by an elbow drop, but Christian broke the pin. Matt Hardy tagged in and hit a fist drop for 2 and then put on a front chancery. Bourne tired to fight his way out, but Hardy tagged in Ziggler, who booted Bourne in the midsection. Mr. Ziggles scored with the leaping elbow drop for a 2 count. Ziggler offered a hand to anyone, and Hardy tagged back in. He hit a leg drop before Ziggler tagged back in again. Dolph called for something, but was hit with an enziguri.

Evan managed to roll over Ziggler and tag in Christian. Christian knocked him down and hit a second rope missile dropkick for 2. However, Ziggler got behind and locked in the sleeper for a second, but it ended up in the corner, where Christian hit that pendulous kick using the ropes and a corkscrew back elbow off the middle rope. DJ Gabriel is now suing for finisher infringement. However, as Christian looked to finish, Drew knocked him down. Things broke down as MVP hit the Drive By on Drew. Side Effect to MVP/ Clothesline to Hardy by Swagger. Samoan Drop by Benjamin to Swagger. Flying clothesline to Shelton by Kofi Big boot by Kane to Kofi. However, trust Evan to break the streak of successful moves, as Kane caught him by the throat before grabbing Kofi and giving them both a chokeslam. Christian evaded the chokeslam and sent Kane over the top. He then avoided the ZigZag, turning it into a catapult. However, as Christian hit the Killswitch, he had failed to notice that Drew had tagged himself in, allowing the Scot to hit the Futureshock for the win.

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8/10 - A decent length match, and pretty much non-stop. Good finish as well. showcased everyone to an extent, just without ladders.
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Team Smackdown stood in the ring, as Drew made sure to take credit for the win. After a replay, we saw Drew grab a ladder from under the ring. However, every other person in the match saw him do it and stormed back in the ring. The other nine, in unison, tipped the ladder over, causing Drew to fall off before tipping the ladder over onto Drew.


Saliva - "Ladies And Gentlemen" (Wrestlemania 23)

We see more footage from Fan Axxess, before the pimp out the rest of the show.

Hey look! It's the original Smackdown announce team!
We get a plug for the Kevin Rudolf theme, but the guy selling it isn't Striker or The Legend That Is Todd Grisham. Nope, it's Jerry Lawler, as he and Michael Cole are at Fan Axxess. We see Hornswaggle's condo under the ring, and him jump in bed. There's also an exhibit where you can pretend to be one of the WWE Superstars. We join King & Shoelace at their podium as they talk about Drew McIntyre, and the Money In The Bank match, before moving onto Chris Jericho & Edge's match. Cue video. Lawler noted that 70% of the Rumble winners have then won the title. I don't like the fact they've kept mentioning that stat this year in terms of Edge's chances. Much like how they keep putting emphasis in the MITB winners all winning the title.

Back from the ads, we're back at Axxess and the Wrestlemania Art auction as they raised money for the Make A Wish Foundation and Phoenix Children's Hospital. Some of them were pretty damn good. Lawler noted his (admittedly good) picture raised $6000. They moved onto the Punk?Mysterio match, taking us to a video of that.


Drowning Pool - "Step Up" (Wrestlemania XX)

How much do I now want to see ShoMiz dressed as Batman & Robin???
We went back to the arena in San Jose, as Josh Matthews had ShoMiz with him. Asked about their confidence, Miz said they were like peanut butter & jelly and Mac & Cheese. Even Batman & Robin. However, they're opponents were like a whole bunch of different things, such as Salt & Pepper and Team Edward & Team Jacob. Miz referencing Twilight has instantly taken him down many notches in my book...

Vickie Guerrero walked the halls, and not exactly looking very ready to compete...

The Smack Of The Night was last week's women's match and announcement of the Vickie vs. Beth match.

Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool, Layla, Alicia Fox & Maryse def. Beth Phoenix in a "As much as I like Vickie, there's only one WWE Diva that can ever rock the granny panties, and that's my beloved Molly Holly..." match
Beth came out first looking pretty confident and pleased as the events about to occur. Vickie was next, and even when she's wrestling, she has no entrance music!!! That said, she was full of "Excuse Me!", as she said that in the spirit of competition, it was now a FIVE on one handicap match, as Simply Flawless, Maryse & Alicia Fox came out. Layla started off for her team, and was pretty happy at the idea, but maybe not so much when she was thumped in the jaw. Layla managed a couple of kicks, but Beth picked her up and dumped her in the corner. Beth looked to press slam Layla, but Michelle pushed Beth in the back of the head, so she dropped Layla onto her shoulders and whirled her round so to hit Michelle in the head with her!

Layla was dumped down and Beth brought in Michelle and Alicia. Beth scored a double clothesline on LayCool before sending Maryse into Alicia and double clotheslining them. The Glamazon finally found the numbers game catching up with her, and as Layla took the legs, Michelle hit a big boot to the head, before Vickie tagged her way into thing and made the cover for the debut win!

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4/10 - More of an angle to set up their Mania match, assuming it's on the main show, although nothing was announced, and the fun angle after the match as well.
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After celebrating, Vickie felt froggy, like her late husband and nephew-in-law. However before she could even attempt it, Kelly Kelly, Eve, Gail Kim and most notably Mickie James, off her surgery, which she's toughing out, came out and chased off the other heels, leaving Vickie with Beth. Vickie tried to laugh it all off and leave, but Beth wasn't having any of it, and as she pulled at Vickie's sweat pants, she ripped them off revealing great big pink Granny panties with a glittery "Excuse Me" on the ass. Vickie screamed while Beth wet herself with laughter. Beth celebrated with Vickie's clothing. Pretty fun angle.


Godsmack - "Touché" (Wrestlemania XX)

Just what I was looking for on the show before Wrestlemania. A lesson on DNA...
Jericho made his way out after the break. He said that on Sunday, at Wrestlemania, careers were defined or ultimately ended, and he was going to beat Edge and retain the title. That said, Edge was one of the greatest of all time. There had never been an athlete that has come back from as many injuries as Edge has. he even came back early from his Achilles injury and won the Rumble. He has every tool it took to beat Jericho at Mania, except for one thing. DNA. Jericho explained what DNA was for the assumed morons in California, and Jericho's DNA was superior to the crowd and Edge's. it made him the champion now. The first Undisputed Champion in the business and the best in the world at what he does. The sad thing was that the one thing Edge didn't was useful DNA. His defective DNA has caused him to be injured all the time. Don't blame him so much as the relatives, but Jericho would use Edge's inferior genetics against him and end the Rated R Career. He would stomp and kick the ankle until it ruptured into a thousand pieces. And then it was done, the silence of the crowd and him wondering what happened, he shouldn't blame himself nor Jericho. Blame the DNA.

Edge's music kicked in and Edge, with something hanging off his shirt, was meaning business as he got right into the ring and a fight with Jericho. Edge hit a big boot, and set for a spear, but Jericho ducked out the ring before he could hit it. Edge picked up and looked at the abandoned title belt while Jericho made his way up the ramp.


The Soundtrack Of Our Lives - "Bigtime" (Wrestlemania 21)

Back to the (recent) future
We came back to see a package on the Wrestlemania Reading Challenge, which is supposed to encourage kids to read, which reading helps them in a contest of some sort to Mania tickets. We then jumped to Phoenix where there was an exhibit on, get this, Vince McMahon's limo explosion. Rumours of a smiling Paul London statue nearby are unsubstantiated. It's crazy, given what happened in the following week, this was the biggest aborted angle ever. But now, there it is, a burnout limo right there. And speaking of Vince, we also saw a whole bunch of Hart family memorabilia. We cut back to Cole & Lawler's podium as BRET WAS IN THE BAKCGROUND IN THE RING TALKING TO PEOPLE! Why couldn't we get a taste of that rather than, you guessed it, a hype video for Bret vs. Vince.


Limp Bizkit - "My Way" (Wrestlemania X7)

After the break, back to Axxess, and it's time for getting some (temporary) tattoos. Cole even said you could look like Randy Orton. WHAT? I bet having arms full of tats, no matter how temporary, would make parents fairly unhappy... There's also a bunch of various outfits worn by various folks throughout the years. This led to talk of the Batista vs. Cena match and accompanying video. Lawler if you can't feel you can win, you've already lost, and was worried for Cena, but Cole noted that Cena gave the WWE Universe come hope on RAW.


VAST - "Touched" (Wrestlemania 25)

After another break and the Wrestlemania Rewind of Wrestlemania 21, Cole & Lawler looked at the Taker vs. HBK match, first seeing some of HBK's Wrestlemania outfits and Undertaker's graveyard, and the 17 tombstones of his Mania victims and a fresh gave for HBK on Sunday. After the video for that, the RAW guys talked about HBK being Mr. Wrestlemania while Taker was after the scalp of HBK's career, and that he had a number of weapons, although they mentioned how as well as Sweet Chin Music, HBK had a couple of submissions in his repertoire. Cole said he was picking HBK, because Undertaker hadn't faced the same guy 2 years in a row. Wow. that's some spurious reasoning there. Lawler took Taker, because of his arsenal. However, BACK TO SAN JOSE! And hey, I didn't even make a "Do you know the way?" joke...


Kevin Rudolf - "I Made It" (Wrestlemania 26)

Big Show def. R-Truth by DQ in a "Here's hoping there's no JeriShow finish on Sunday..." match
John Morrison came out first as he got into the ring and did the introduction for his partner. After coming out, Truth said it was the best introduction he ever had, so he had to give one back, which he did. the pair of them starting yacking back and forth about why ShoMiz were a team. The eventually concluded that Show kept Miz around in case he needed a snack.

After the break, Truth tried using his speed early on, but was caught and bieled out of the corner. There was some choking in the ropes before Show hit a scoop slam. Show set Truth up and chopped him in the chest before sending Truth's shoulder into the corner. Show then pressed Truth into the corner, using his size, grabbing the ring post to pull himself in more. Truth got a boot up on a charge, but jumped into a caught crossbody, allowing Show to hit a fallaway slam. Big Show went up to the second rope, but a somewhat flying elbow drop missed.

Miz got on the apron, but Truth knocked him down and Morrison sent him into the steps. In the ring, Show grabbed truth for a Chokeslam, but Morrison ran in, and they hit a Double DDT for the DQ.

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7.5/10 - Fun match, and good way to put the challengers over before Sunday.
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After the bell, Truth hit Show with the Scissors kick, while Morrison followed with the Flying Chuck. Miz ran in and was hit with the Lie Detector and then the Starship Pain! How odd that the go-home show for Mania is the tag match. It might just make the main show this year!!!

OVERALL - Pretty fun show. Mostly video packages, especially in the second hour, but all the stuff in San Jose was fun stuff, especially the comedy of Vickie's pantsing. Not blowaway by any means, but much like RAW on Monday, they have already done the hard work. This week was just a formality.