Smackdown
Aaron's UnReal Time Smackdown Review: Some Say Hello...Some Wave Goodbye
By Aaron Wood
Jun 27, 2008 - 8:30 PM

I'm gonna do a big ol' audio tomorrow (and I've actually cleared my schedule to do it!), but right now I just have one thing to say.

Boy, did my show ever win in the draft?!?!?!?!

LAST WEEK ON SMACKDOWN: Deuce decided to finally get the Brylcream out of his hair, Charles Robinson got to emulate his idol in more ways then one, and Edge sure knew how to count to ten...

THIS WEEK…
We quickly recapped some of the main points of the draft that affected Smackdown, as well as Kane and CM Punk's moves to RAW, apropos of nothing. And naturally, it all ended with HHH's drafting.

We saw Vicki Guerrero on screen in her office, and she was here to talk Vinny Mac. Battling tears, she talked over footage of Vince's accident (WITH SOUND EFFECTS~!), before extended her well wishes to Vince & the McMahons, hoping he isn't confined to a wheelchair like she is, apparently forever. However, Vince wouldn't want us to focus on the negatives, but the positives, such as her wedding and the draft! And to prove how good it got on Monday, she introduced the new voice of Smackdown...(a very pissed off) JR!

Brand new Smackdown... Remarkably familiar opening...
We hit the arena as the Okie Fight Song played and the crowd popped for JR coming down to ringside. Foley welcomed him to the booth, noting his mixed feelings, but JR had a good night's sleep and was felling all better now.

And then the OTHER main draft pick put in an appearance, as the guy who didn't want to work Smackdown was finally working Smackdown. In a funny moment, Foley talked about how the crowd bought their tickets expecting to see other guys, just as we saw a kid with a DX shirt on and HHH's face front and centre.

HHH got the mic and talked about the difference a day could make. Once upon a time, Vince was a crazy guy giving away money, and he was top dog on RAW. And now, Vince is just crazy but not pissing away money, and he, for the first time in six years, is a member of Smackdown. But while things change, they stay the same. Like a LONG promo to open the show?

Well, no. Not necessarily. There's Mick Foley and the always smiling face of Jim Ross. He told JR he would have picked JR to take with him, if there could only be one. You know, he probably did. He then thanked the crowd and told them they were all part of the WWE Universe and as long as they were there, he was home.

But enough of sucking up, and onto the shilling (that was almost verbatim), as he pimped his match at the PPV against John Cena. And he'd repeat what he told Cena, until he took the title from the H, he was nothing.

However, there was another World Champion on this show with a PPV match to shill against a RAW guy. That's right, Edge came out. Edge got in the ring, and if you watched this show, don't worry about the colour on your TV. They WERE both wearing grey. Edge called the moment special. Big, in fact. The World and WWE Champions on Smackdown. They were the best of the best. And he had heard that there was a chance they couldn't co-exist, but Edgeward thought they could get along. HHH could appreciate the thinking, but there was a couple of problems. One, they both had massive egos and his was much bigger than Edge's. And after Sunday, HHH would still be a champion. But Edge?

Edge knew where he was going, thinking HHH was thinking he was gonna lose. But HHH hasn't been on the new A-show for a while, so here was a history lesson. Batista had never beaten the Rated R Superstar for the title, whereas when Cena faced HHH once before, HHH tapped out. How about another lesson? He needed to learn was that this was Edge's house and his show, so Hunter better do what everyone else did. Respect him.

And this promo hit over 10 minutes as Batista's music hit the speakers and Batista, ready to rumble made his way to the ring. HHH threw Edge out and Batista speared Edge out of his boots on the outside. The Animal got in the ring, and the former Evolutionites held up the title belts, and Edge left without the belt.

Coming up tonight, Batista would be taking on the newly drafted Umaga. Also, Edge would face Matt Hardy. Champion vs. Champion.

Kane & The Big Show def. MVP & Mark Henry in a "One of these men is not like the others...he doesn't have a match on Sunday...or does he?" match
We came back as Cole JR pimped Rey's farewell appearance. The ECW Champion, who is currently sequestered to RAW, then came out on Smackdown. Yes, my head hurts too now. Then to join him, out came one of his challengers on Sunday, The Big Show. MVP then came out, as JR noted Montel's contract issues, before Mark Henry came out, as we saw Henry put Kane away for three on ECW. Kane & MVP started things off, with the latter firing in shots and kicks, but Kane got an uppercut and a seated dropkick to get control. MVP's arm was worked over in the corner.

Big Show and Kane tagged (rather hard) bringing Big Show in to press slam MVP. Porter dived over and tagged Henry, who wasn't exactly eager for it. The big bulls locked up and went nowhere. The pair traded shots, but Big Show took Henry into the corner and tagged in Kane. Henry reversed a whip and squashed Kane in the corner. MVP decided to pick the bones while Kane was in the corner. After a 2 count, MVP hit a kick to the head. Front facelock was turned into a side headlock, but Kane quickly pushed out and hit a sidewalk slam. MVP was clotheslined in the corners and hit a big boot. However, as Kane readied a chokeslam, MVP rolled out to gave up and told Henry to get on with it. However, Henry decided not to and rolled MVP back into be finished off by the Big Red Champion.

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5.5/10 - I am so not looking forward to this match on Sunday. The only positive I took from it was the continuing "thing" with MVP, but even then, I totally agree with Zah, in so far as I'd like to know what the hell he's supposed to be!
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The three exchanged words over the title they'd be fighting for.

Backstage, Vicki & the wedding planner were chatting as Edge came in to bitch about Batista robbing him of the title belt. Vicki reminded him that after Sunday, he'd be out their lives. Edge noted he didn't have his title, but Vicki promised he'd get his belt back. I then tuned out a little. Wedding talk.

We came back to hear JR talk about Umaga, putting him over big, before cutting to a video doing much the same.

Finlay & Hornswaggle def. The Rated Rmy in a "That's some quality back-up Edge has there..." match
Finlay and his boy (of course now drafted to ECW, although this was filmed before that second draft) came out. Ryder & Hawkins then came out. And I just realise that JR can barely tell the blonde divas apart. That said, JR did put them over and say he followed them closely.

Hawkins and Finlay started things off, with Finlay quickly being taken into the heel corner. Indeed, as Finlay came back, Foley said Finlay would be a pleasure to watch for JR. Finlay caught Hawkins in the apron and pounded on him, but Ryder ran interference and Hawkins hit a baseball slide. In the ring, Ryder put on a chinlock, but Finlay countered their double team, sending Ryder over the top. Finlay hit the Celtic Cross (which JR pronounced as the "Sell-tic" Cross, which is how I would say it, although "Kel-tic" is more than acceptable) and Hornswaggle hit the Tadpole Splash for the win.

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5/10 - Meh. Finlay pretty much by himself versus a couple of job boys. It was OK for a 2 minute match, I suppose...
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Miz & Morrison came out to the stage to stare Finlay down and point at the midget.

We came back from break as JR again pimped Rey's farewell.

Edge def. Matt Hardy in a "Insert obligatory "Lita" reference here..." match
ECW's Matt hardy hit the ring (did I dream the draft happened, because without only explanation, only half of it is seeming to matter...) before Edge, with us recapping what happened at the end of the opening segment as he did. And he was still belt-less. Indeed, Foley immediately skirted around bringing up the Lita issue, without mentioning her by name. They traded headlocks and holds to begin with, but Edge had it broken in the corner, getting a cheap elbow in while he was there. However, Hardy reversed a whip and scored with the clothesline and bulldog. Hardy went for a quick finish, but it was blocked and Edge backed off into the corner as we took a break.

We came back with Edge in much the same position as he was, although he immediately ran into an armdrag. Hardy telegraphed a backdrop and then blocked an Edge-O-Matic. Hardy then hit an enziguri to Edge. Edge rolled to the outside. Hardy decided to join him, hitting a clothesline on the apron. Hardy got Edge back in and hit some mounted punches. However, Edge dropped Matthew onto the top turnbuckle to stop that flow.

Edge started choking Hardy in the ropes, hitting a splash to the lower back of the propped up Matt for a 2 count. Edge took hardy into the corner and worked him over, also hitting a couple of shots while Matt was set on the apron. Edge got back in the ring ready to take a 10 count. However, Hardy made it back in, albeit into stomps from the World champion and a European headlock. Hardy got back to his feet and punched and kicked his way out the hold. Elbow drop scored a 2 count on Edge. The Side Effect was blocked, but Edge's neckbreaker was as well, into a backslide for a 2 count. Another backslide was blocked, but Hardy this time hit the Side Effect, again for a deuce. The bulldog out the corner was blocked, but Hardy blocked a charge and hit the second rope elbow. Another second rope move was avoided, but Matt hit a DDT for a 2 count.

Hardy again went to the corner, but a moonsault was avoided. Edge picked himself up and waited for Hardy to get up. However, Hardy avoided the spear. The Twist Of Fate was countered into a backslide for 2. Hardy tried a roll up or a 2. Another Twist was blocked, but as Hardy tried to avoided hitting the ref, he turned into an Edge spear for the three count.

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8/10 - I really enjoyed this, especially the finish. Lots of good and believable counters with Matt looking really good in defeat.
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We came back as they lamented Rey's leaving but cut to the video sound tracked by Lostprophets (If you need to know, the song's called "Rooftops (A Liberation Broadcast)" from the album "Liberation Transmission") putting over Jeff Hardy, who will debut on Smackdown next week. Good idea doing these videos for these guys who haven't been on these shows properly for a while.

THE COLE THE JR & THE MICKLES~! ran down the big matches on Sunday.

Natalya, Victoria & Maryse def. Michelle McCool, Cherry & Kelly Kelly in a "Maryse and now Maria on Smackdown...Cole off the show...Zah's surely coming back..." match
The girl who can't dance, but did know the password on Monday night, Kelly Kelly, came out as JR wondered how Foley reacted around the ladies, noting how he had to put up with Jerry Lawler. Michelle followed as we took a break. When was the last time a Smackdown match went to commercial during the intros? This thing really is the new RAW, huh?

We came back as the heels, en masse, posed, while we saw Cherry had joined her team in the ring. Michelle and Maryse started things off. Michelle scored a count off a suplex. Victoria was tagged in, and Michelle hit the wacky lucha armdrag for a count, before Kelly was tagged, who vaulted in with a sunset flip for a 2 count. Cherry then tagged in. She worked the arm, but Victoria drove in knees. However, Cherry scored a bulldog for a 2 count. Victoria scrambled for her corner, tagging in Nattie, as Michelle came in for her team. Neidhart scored a sunset flip, but McCool rolled through and hit a low dropkick. Michelle went for a lucha bulldog, but Nattie dumped her on the top rope.

Michelle found herself in the wrong corner as we saw the wedding being planned backstage by Vicki, leading JR & Foley to wonder where her attention really was when Nattie had to face someone on Sunday. Neidhart put Michelle in a surfboard stretch. However, Michelle got out and went for the heel hook, but Nattie avoided it. Nattie went to a sleeper, but McCool jawbreakered out of it. Victoria tagged in, and slammed Michelle and hit the standing moonsault for a 2 count. Maryse tagged in. She hit a bodyslam for a 2 count. Maryse punched Kelly off the apron, but Michelle tagged in Cherry. Cherry went to work on Maryse with a clothesline and back elbow. A swinging neckbreaker scored a close 2 count. Cherry hit punches in the corner, but as the other faces dumbly distracted the ref, Nattie cheapshotted the most successful former greaser. However, things broke down and Maryse rolled Cherry up in the chaos for the three count.

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6.5/10 - Maybe a little generous, but I was more than fine with this. Only Maryse's bodyslam on Michelle looked awkward to my eye, and she's getting a bit better. It's interesting that they jobbed out the babyfaces when one of them (you would have to assume) is facing Nattie on Sunday. on the face of it, they didn't exactly do anything to put themselves forward to Vicki.
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Again, Rey's leaving. Gotta let the Latinos know where to go to see him, I suppose.

We came back as we found out Ken Kennedy was coming home to Smackdown next week.

Vladimir Kozlov def. Domino in a "Well, may as start the death clock on Domino's WWE tenure now..." match
The newly lonely Domino was already in the ring, although he had grown something of a beard. That sure is gonna help him. Kozlov then came out, as Foley got serious with putting over Kozlov. Domino trash talked the Ruskie. Domino grabbed a headlock, but Kozlov pushed off easily and downed Domino. Kozlov reversed an armwringer and put on a top wristlock. Domino punched out an armwringer, but was caught with some trapped headbutts and an overhead throw by Kozlov.

Domino ran off the ropes and scored a reverse elbow, but only got a 1 count out of it. Domino was booted into the corner. On the apron, Domino fought off Mad Vlad, but he came off the top rope and Kozlov hit a headbutt to the chest for the three count. And indeed, it opened Kozlov up! You could see a dribble of blood on his forehead as we saw the close up.

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3/10 - It was an alright squash. I shouldn't be surprised there wasn't, but I expected Domino to get more offence in.
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Backstage, Rey met the only guy on the roster smaller than him, Hornswaggle. Horny gave him his hat and did Swaggle's dance, before the little fella waved off the giant man he had just met.

Who does Rey think he is? Triple H?
And the time was finally here as Rey Mysterio, who had been on Smackdown since his first day in the company, where he faced Chavo Guerrero and where he won the World Title came out to the ring. He played nice with the kids, especially the ones in the Rey masks. JR suggested Cole wear one on Monday. In Rey's honour, of course...

Rey Rey got the cheap pop before saying that six years ago, he came to Smackdown with a head full of dreams and expectations and thanks to the support, he won the Cruiserweight Title (what is that?), the Tag Team Titles and the World Heavyweight Championship. So was this where his journey ends? He said Smackdown would always be in his heart. He said he was headed for competition, heading for RAW. However, he invited the audience to join him and see if he could take down some of the greatest guy that were on RAW and fulfil more dreams. He then some stuff in Spanish. I can only guess they were good things. I did hear "Gracias". He ended soon after.

But someone else didn't. As for the second time, Batista came out to interrupt a promo. The two new RAW guys hugged as we hit the ads.

Batista def. Umaga by DQ in a "Oh man, I'm having Wrestlemania Flashbacks..." match
Batista was still in the ring when we came back as we awaited one of MA (former) BOYZ~!, the former Jamal, that was Umaga. the two who tried their best to have the worst match at Wrestlemania, started off trading shots. Batista went for a quick finish, but Umaga backdropped out of it and then kicked Batista down. Umaga hit a big splash for a 2 count. Batista fired back, but again, Umaga down Batista and stayed in control.

Umaga put on the nerve pinch. Batista looked to get out of it, but Umaga quickly got it back on again. Batista got out of it but he came off the rope as Umaga hit...A DROPKICK!!! A good one too! Umaga then started with the headbutts, with a big jumping one downing The Animal. For some reason, Umaga then went back to the nerve hold. However, "The Animal" Deacon Dave Batista (hey, it's my last night saying them...) tried to hit a bodyslam. However, Umaga shifted his weight and scored a 2 count from it. Umaga missed a corner charge twice, allowing himself to be avalanched by Batista a couple of times. Umaga then ran into a spinebuster. It was at that point though, as La Familia hit the ring for the DQ while Edge grabbed his belt back.

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7/10 - Fine match and I'm willing to forget Wrestlemania ever happened. While again, while he lost, Umaga looked good and didn't even get pinned. This renewed push could work out well if he keeps this up.
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La Familia pounced, although when Umaga wanted more, They let him have at it, as the Bulldozer hit a thrust kick and then the running splash in the corner. Batista may have been killed as his eyes spoke of death. Edge then directed Umaga to hit a top rope splash. However at the last second, HHH ran in to save his friend. HHH took on everyone and eventually he and Batista cleared the ring.

Hawkins and Ryder were sacrificed to a Pedigree and Batista Bomb, with the babyfaces staring at Edge as the show ended.

OVERALL - 7.5/10 (+ 1.5 on last week) - Well, that was a fine episode of RAW! No really, I couldn't help but feel that there was not only a new roster, but a change of booking, or at least pacing, philosophy. Smackdown doesn't normally open with the cliché of a "long HHH promo", but that's exactly what happened here. It may have just been me, or how the show was edited for the UK or that they REALLY wanted to put over Rey's farewell, but it felt like there were a lot more bits where JR & Foley would tell us what's still to come than usual. It just felt different and, for Smackdown anyway, new.

I honestly don't know what was going on with the usage of some people here though. There was no explanation as to why the drafted (off of Smackdown) where there. Like I say, I forgive the guys in the supplemental draft, since it hadn't occurred when they taped this, and indeed, no mention was made of it. But there was Kane who was drafted to RAW. No mentioned made of why he could be there. It was somewhat understandable on ECW for him to be there, since he is the ECW Champion, but since he's no longer part of the actual ECW roster, how can he be still able to appear on Smackdown as part of the talent agreement? Similar with Matt, although he can appear under that tenet, but they never mentioned the talent exchange either. They were just there. I suppose the excuse is "They made the match last week", but still...

But beyond that, this was a decent show, but it'll take a couple of weeks to find it's feet. as the drafted come in and the draftees leaved. Or the draftees come in and drafted leave. I don't care. You know what I mean. Just on a personal note, and I wanted to note this here, although I might mention it in the audio, but Smackdown has always been "my" show. I started watching wrestling again just in time to see that pilot episode they did. I could watch Smackdown every week while I couldn't watch RAW for a number of years, due to the TV service my home was subscribed to at the time. So really, while I have missed FAR more show than Michael Cole has, I found it a genuinely weird sensation listening to JR here. You obviously won't know this since I will have spell-checked them out, but I wrote Cole instead of JR a number of times, outside of when I did it for comic effect. It just felt natural. That's not a knock on JR at all. He was on form here. Him and Foley are already developing a good chemistry that stands them in good stead for the network change. Like I say, it'll just take getting used to.