WWE 2006

WWE Friday Night Smackdown - June 2, 2006

There’s pyro, there’s music, there’s Michael Cole shouting at the top of his voice to welcome us to Friday Night Smackdown, just five days after the incredible events of WWE Judgement Day. Before he can say any more, Randy Orton’s music hits and he strolls out of the back, posing and looking cocky and confident. Tazz reminds us of how he beat Batista, and Cole tells us we can catch a replay of Judgement Day now to see that match in full. Orton takes a microphone in the ring and hypes up his win over Batista. He tells us it shows he’s the real deal, and that he has one over his former Evolution stable-mate. And he says that despite Teddy Long being biased, the higher-ups noticed how he managed to demolish — in his own words — a former world champion. And so they’ve told him that next week he will get a WWE World Heavyweight Championship title shot, right here on Smackdown, against Rey Mysterio. He goes to leave, but then Long’s music hits. The Smackdown general manager says he might, in Orton’s view, be biased against him but he’s definitely biased in favour of the Smackdown fans. While he is unsure about Orton getting a title shot next week, he also has to respect the chain of command. But he knows Orton has unfinished business with someone else. And for that reason, he’s going to make a huge main event for tonight. Orton will team up with John Bradshaw Layfield against Mysterio… and Batista - 89%!

After a break, Mr Kennedy is making his way down the ramp. He hails from Green Bay, Wisconsin - and you know the drill. Kennedy is here for the open challenge he promised. He explains he’s willing to take on anyone in the back - he will still prove his quality. That is when the lights on the stage go out, vaguely Middle Eastern music plays and Tony Chimel announces that making his way to the ring, from Beirut, Michigan, is The Man They Call Sabu. Sabu is carrying a chair, which he ditches ahead of the match. Kennedy looks scared and Tazz explains why, giving us a potted history of Sabu. And, to be fair to Sabu, he looks fired up for his Smackdown debut. He takes charge and Kennedy is on the ropes early doors. Kennedy fights back after a sneaky eye poke but it’s no real shock when Sabu picks up the win courtesy of a springboard moonsault. He celebrates by pointing to the sky as Kennedy walks away looking annoyed. Sabu beats Mr Kennedy - 71%.

Backstage, Kid Kash and Jamie Noble are waiting in Teddy Long’s office. Michael Cole recaps their involvement in the WWE Tag Team title match. And that’s why they’re there— after Long enters, Kash talks and explains that they showed they deserve a title match by the way they influenced the contest at Judgement Day. Long is not convinced, but Kash begins to threaten him, holding one of the chains they used on Sunday in an angry manner in his face. Long backs down and tells them they can prove themselves in his eyes. Over the next four weeks, starting tonight, they will run a tag team gauntlet, and if they can win all four matches, they will earn a shot at the Great American Bash - 67%.

And elsewhere behind the scenes, Mark Henry is lifting some absolutely huge weights — and struggling. That’s the perfect opportunity for Simon Dean, accompanied by The Gymini, to interrupt. Dean explains how he’s been watching back Henry’s success in becoming the World’s Strongest Man. But he asks what Henry has done recently - and answers himself: “Diddly squat!”. Dean had a solution. Henry should let him be his new workout buddy, get him back in tip top shape, then let him work in his corner and see what impact it has. Henry nods and says he’ll give it a go - but Dean has to prove his worth - 67%.

Gunner Scott is waiting in the ring when The Great Khali makes his way from the back. As he walks out, Daivari has a microphone and insists Khali would have beaten The Undertaker if the referee had allowed the match to continue. He would have hit the Chokebomb, and got the 1-2-3. As they reach the ring, a referee slides in, rings the bell and Daivari adds: “Show them what I mean, Khali.” Scott runs at him and Khali immediately hits a Chokebomb to win this very brief match courtesy of a pinfall. Daivari says he wants The Undertaker to face Khali one more time, to show him Khali was always going to win. Michael Cole tells us The Undertaker will compete next week on Smackdown - but clearly Khali still has him in his sights. The Great Khali beats Gunner Scott - 59%.

A video plays recapping Booker T’s victory at Judgement Day and the fact that he is now the King Of The Ring. The video then tells the Smackdown fans that they are cordially invited to join Booker T and Sharmell next week for his official coronation — when Booker will also begin to reveal the new king’s court - 83%.

Paul Burchill comes to the ring dressed, as he does, as a pirate. His music is followed by William Regal’s. Regal is dressed in a suit and he walks out and tells Burchill that he should have learned his lesson before Judgement Day, that he needs to start taking himself seriously. Regal steps into the ring and tells Burchill he knows there’s talent there, as long as he stops with his “Stupid pirate japes.” Regal says he has set up a match to prove to Burchill that his outlook is holding him back. That’s when Kurt Angle emerges to a huge cheer. Angle is clearly furious after his loss to Finlay at Judgement Day and storms to the ring. The bell rings and Angle goes on the assault, working Burchill down for a few minutes. Burchill tries a flying clothesline after elbowing the Olympian in the stomach but Angle ducks and takes the opportunity to hit the Angle Slam. He then locks in the Ankle Lock for a submission win. Angle celebrates then charges off, Regal gets back into the ring and picks Burchill up… before punching him back to the deck. “Learn your lesson, Paul,” says Regal as he walks to the back. Kurt Angle beats Paul Burchill (w/William Regal) - 84%.

Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury are backstage in their dressing room as Melina walks in with a bowl of popcorn. Nitro says it’s good to have their feet up after defending their tag titles so successfully at Judgement Day. Mercury adds that it is time for some analysis of Jamie Noble and Kid Kash — and jokes it’s a shame for all of their loving fans in the Smackdown audience they might not defend their titles for weeks now. There’s a big cheer as Paul London and Brian Kendrick walk in. London says they should enjoy their rest while they can. Noble and Kash might have to wait five weeks for a title shot but Teddy Long has told them the belts will be on the line on Smackdown in two weeks time — and it’ll be London and Kendrick getting another shot. They smirk as Nitro lets popcorn spill from his mouth and Mercury throws the bowl on the floor - 67%.

It’s Jamie Noble and Kid Kash making their way to the ring next after that exchange backstage. They are up against Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki, who get a big cheer despite their… questionable recent record. This is an exhibition for Noble and Kash. Kash berates Noble from the outside and shouts him through everything he needs to do to get the win. And they do, with Kash setting Funaki up on his shoulders and Noble flying off the top rope with a clothesline for the pinfall by Kash. Michael Cole tells us they are calling they the Dead Drop. The punishment is not over yet, as they drag Scotty 2 Hotty into the ring before knocking him over. Kash barks at Noble to go get a table before removing a chain from his own tights. They tie Funaki up in the corner and make him watch as they pick up Scotty, lift him into the air and then hit a Dead Drop through the table. Tazz declares, “What an impact!” as we go to the final commercial break of the evening. Jamie Noble and Kid Kash beat Funaki and Scotty 2 Hotty - 79%.

Matt Hardy is being interviewed by Kristall and is explaining he’s desperate to defend his championship in the coming weeks after getting one over Orlando Jordan at Judgement Day. Cue Finlay arriving on the scene. He wants another title shot. So, though, does Mark Henry, who walks in alongside Simon Dean shortly after. Don’t forget Hardcore Holly, who emerges on camera. And then Kurt Angle is there, declaring the WWE United States title would look brilliant around the waist of a true American hero. The foursome bicker — which leads to Hardy saying he has a great idea. He points to Henry and Holly, and then Finlay and Kurt Angle, and says next week those pairings will face off. The winners meet the week after, and the winner of that gets to meet him the week after that for the belt. The four argue some more as Hardy smiles and holds his title aloft - 73%.

It’s time for the main event. Randy Orton and John Bradshaw Layfield look remarkably confident, but Layfield’s expression changes when Rey Mysterio emerges. Ditto Orton’s as Batista walks out and points directly at him. The bell rings and there’s no surprise the crowd in the Rose Garden Arena, Portland is incredible hot for this one. Rey and Batista have the early running of the match but a bit of clever work puts Orton in control for a good few minutes as he wears down Rey. Cole points out Orton will be using this match to get a sense of how he can win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship next week. Rey fights out of a sleeper hold using some elbows and a perfect hurricanrana and gets the tag to Batista, who charges into the ring. But Orton immediately tags JBL in and that annoys Batista, who charges over to Orton in the corner. Referee Jim Korderas goes to break it up but accidentally gets shoved to the mat. Batista then turns into a charging JBL, but manages to react in time with a brilliant spinebuster. Orton, though, rolls into the ring with the belt and uses it to clock Batista in the head. He throws the belt away as Rey runs in to defend his partner. Orton hits a drop toe hold and then JBL jumps up to hit the groggy Rey with a Clothesline From Hell. JBL kicks Batista to the outside and follows him. Korderas rises just as Orton hits an RKO on Rey as he gets back up from the clothesline, before Orton covers the champion for the win. Cole points out that if Orton manages the same next week we will have a new champion. Orton and Layfield celebrate as Rey and Batista lick their wounds on the outside to end Smackdown. Randy Orton and John Bradshaw Layfield beat Rey Mysterio and Batista - 86%. 

WWE Heat - Heat’s exclusive match sees Chris Masters making his televised return after a short absence. He is followed to the ring by Charlie Haas. Haas is never really in the contest and Masters takes the win courtesy of the Masterlock, with Haas collapsing in his arms. Chris Masters beats Charlie Haas - 68%

Monday Night RAW, June 5, 2006

The show begins with One Of A Kind blaring out of the speakers as Rob Van Dam makes his way out, holding his WWE Heavyweight title belt aloft, with Paul Heyman at his side. Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler talk us through last week’s events as they walk down the ramp. Heyman points at the new champion in the ring before getting on the microphone. He talks about how Van Dam came to his side a few weeks ago, which has already resulted in his deserved title win, but in reality they were always on the same spiritual wavelength. As part of that, he took Van Dam to the extreme years ago, and being extreme can mean hardcore violence - or it can mean pushing planning to the max. Heyman says he wants to bring someone to the ring who he and Van Dam have to give full credit to — Matt Striker. Striker emerges and Heyman explains that weeks ago, he spoke to Striker about having a role to play in his greatest plan ever. He says he convinced Van Dam to join him too. Heyman explains that he knew Striker was going to face John Cena. So he told him to take a defeat in seconds. He got his man another match, and got him to take an even quicker defeat. And when Cena’s back was turned, Striker struck. Heyman says Cena is nothing if not a loyal friend, and he knew Cena would want revenge for Striker costing him and Shawn Michaels. So that was another opportunity to knock the champion down — ready for Van Dam to pounce. Heyman says he’s got one man on his side in Van Dam, but Heyman Inc needs another, so he is handing the opportunity to Striker to join the crew. Striker shakes his hand — and it is at that stage that Also Sprach Zarathustra plays and Ric Flair emerges from the back - 85%.

Ric Flair is in a robe and his trunks and tells the production crew to cut his music. He says Rob Van Dam might be the champion, but he has not forgotten his betrayal last week - and he wants to be the first contender to the crown. Paul Heyman cuts him off - there’s no way Van Dam will defend the title against Flair. But, Heyman says, Flair can take on his trusted client, right here, right now. The crowd cheers as they think it’ll be Van Dam. Heyman pauses, and says it’ll be Ric Flair against… Matt Striker. We go to a commercial and come back to Flair on top against Striker. That offence continues for a few minutes until Heyman climbs on the ropes to distract the referee. At that stage, Flair pushes Striker who falls into the referee, which knocks Heyman off the ropes. Van Dam then slides into the ring with a chair, which he goes to use on Flair. But that’s when My Time Is Now plays, the crowd roars and John Cena runs to the ring. Van Dam slides out and collects Heyman, leaving Striker to Cena and Flair. Cena picks up Striker and hits the F-U. Flair then locks in the Figure Four, Cena wakes up the referee and Striker taps out to give Flair the win. After the match, Flair points at Van Dam as Cena shouts that he wants his title back. Ric Flair beats Matt Striker (w/Rob Van Dam and Paul Heyman) - 67%. 

Goldust is applying the last of his makeup with a sour look on his face. His dad Dusty Rhodes walks on camera to a big cheer. Dusty apologises to Goldust for having got involved last week, but he says he does not like bullies — and Umaga is nothing more than a classic example of a bully. Dusty says he’s going to accompany Goldust to the ring tonight for his rematch against Umaga — and that is up next - 72%.

Goldust has a serious look on his face as he walks to the ring while Dusty Rhodes dances his way down. They are followed by Umaga, who charges at Goldust as the bell rings. Dusty shouts his support but Goldust has the usual outcome, with Umaga hitting the Samoan Spike and getting the win. Umaga goes to hit a second and Dusty runs into the ring. But Umaga does not back down and squares up to Dusty, landing a punch before receiving one back. While he is staggered, Umaga ducks a clothesline from Dusty and hits a shoulder charge, before picking the veteran up. Road agents rush the ring and pull Umaga off Dusty before he can hit the Samoan Spike as we go to a break. Umaga (w/Armando Alejandro Estrada) beats Goldust (w/Dusty Rhodes) - 72%.

In the ring, Victoria is waiting for Trish Stratus, who emerges to a huge cheer. Stratus, Jim Ross reminds us, wants to show she’s worthy of another WWE Women’s Title shot. And she does in the ring, beating Victoria around it before finishing her off with a Chick Kick to give her a comfortable victory. Stratus finishes by celebrating with a title belt gesture as we cut to the back… Trish Stratus beats Victoria - 73%.

… where Big Show is speaking to Maria Kanellis. He says he feels like he’s starting to develop a begrudging respect for Carlito. He explains that he felt tested in their last two matches and he was happy to get a deserved win over him last week on Monday Night RAW. That’s when Carlito walks into shot and says he also feels like Big Show has gone up in his estimations, man. But he wants to prove he’s the better wrestler, as as it stands that is not clear to everyone watching worldwide. They agree to face each other again on RAW next week in a decider - 76%.

Elsewhere, Shane McMahon is hanging out with Edge backstage. Vince McMahon walks into the room and tells Edge he needs to sharpen up, because he’s not paying him to just sit around. In fact, Vince tells Edge, he’s going to be in tonight’s main event — taking on Shawn Michaels. That receives huge cheers. But Vince tells Edge not to worry. This will be a SpiritJack match. The ring will be surrounded by Spirit Squad members, and Triple H is banned from ringside while the match is going on - 96%.

Shelton Benjamin is making his way to the ring as RAW returns. Jim Ross explains Benjamin has earned this WWE Intercontinental title shot by helping Rene Dupree in recent weeks. Dupree comes out to big jeers, with Jerry Lawler hyping up the champion. Lawler says he has been impressed by the cut of Dupree’s jib. Ross says he has no idea what that means and as the bell rings, Lawler does not give him a clarification. Dupree takes charge of this, using an arm lock to wear Benjamin down. But Benjamin is clearly desperate to win the title back and fights back well, getting the crowd onside with his fast-paced and exciting offence. And he looks ready for a T-Bone Suplex for the win after a big kick to the head when Dupree muscles out of it. Benjamin staggers back against the ropes, at which stage Dupree uses an eye poke. Benjamin is then susceptible to the small package, with Dupree also grabbing a handful of tights. The champion gets the win and rolls out of the ring as he is given his title, shrugging at Benjamin who leans over the ropes and shouts “What the hell?”. Rene Dupree beats Shelton Benjamin to retain the WWE Intercontinental title - 62%.

Shawn Michaels is backstage strapping up his wrists. In walks Triple H. Shawn stands up as Triple H asks if he’s ready for his match later tonight. Shawn says he was born ready — after all, he’s the Heartbreak Kid. But, he says to Triple H, something isn’t right. He says he feels as though they won’t hit the heights they should until they admit to themselves they need to reform- at which point HHH cuts him off. Triple H says he’s here to help Shawn, and he knows Shawn is ready to help him. But there’s too much history between the two of them to simply go back to that. That might have been their past, but their future is getting through Edge, the Spirit Squad, Vince and Shane — and then going their separate ways. Triple H walks out of the room as Michaels looks put off by that answer - 85%.

“Adoramus Te Dominum Nostrum” is heard over the speakers and the guitar riff kicks in. The three men in Kane masks stroll to the ring and pose with their palms before the leader gets on the microphone again. He says they are here to reveal the truth of Kane and his family history. They say everyone knows Kane is The Undertaker’s brother, and that their home burned down when they were children - and their parents died. But he says not everyone knows that Kane was resettled in the suburbs of Chicago. They say Kane attended a local school and, even though he had a troubled past, everyone tried to befriend him. But Kane didn’t care. Inside, there was a monster forming and one night, his adopted parents’ home burned down - and they also died. They speak then of a pattern, of Kane moving home to home, from state to state and his adopted family disappearing in fires - and their ward finding himself in another town under the care of whatever family next takes him in. He adds that they have been researching Kane for years and they are sure of the truth — that he himself lit the fires. At this, Kane’s music plays and he walks down to the ring with a microphone. He insists he never had a part to play in it, that time after time after time he was unfortunate. The leader says how can that be, when Kane moved on from six separate fires and six families who lost their lives. The leader says they know the truth — that Kane is a monster — but that they worship him for it and they want to unlock his potential. Kane says never, and once again the trio beat him down, hitting their Triple Chokeslam. The leader gets on the microphone again and says he was called a punk at home, disrespected by his own parents and eventually escaped… but the story of Kane gave him purpose in life. He tells the crowd that he and the other two are The Kaneanites and they will bring the monster back out of Kane, whether he wants them to or not - 71%.

After a brief commercial break, The Spirit Squad are making their way out and surrounding the ring. They are followed by Edge and then Shawn Michaels, who is welcomed with a huge cheer. Jim Ross reminds us that Triple H cannot be by ringside while the match is taking place. Just as the bell is about to ring, No Chance In Hell plays and The McMahons walk out. They join Ross and Jerry Lawler on commentary and spend the entire match expressing their doubts over Shawn Michaels and suggesting he has gone soft as he gets older, given he wants to work with Triple H again, a man who he has had such significant issues with in the past. Michaels, though, proves his value in the ring and has the better of the match. That said, Edge takes the opportunity to push him out to The Spirit Squad after a few minutes and Michaels takes a beating from the Lumberjacks. The same does not happen when Edge is thrown over the top rope a couple of minutes later, with The Spirit Squad pretending he’s a boxer in their corner, wiping down his face and giving him water. Vince says he hopes Edge lives up to his expectations and gets the win, given The Corporation are backing him so heavily. And he does, using a distraction from Kenny and Nicky to duck a delayed Sweet Chin Music and then hitting the Spear on the rebound for the pin and win. The second the bell rings, Triple H’s music hits and he comes out. And even though there’s a mass of numbers, he manages to fight his way down the ramp. However, as he grapples with Mitch, Edge clocks him from behind with a steel chair before hitting Michaels with one as he gets up. Vince and Shane make their way into the ring and say they are bored of Michaels and Triple H and want to finish their fight once and for all. The McMahons point out that every week, they are left lying on the canvas at the hands of The Corporation. So maybe, there’s not that much value to them as wrestlers anymore - clearly no one in the arena can be that bothered about seeing them. They say at WWE Vengeance, the pair will take on The Spirit Squad for the WWE World Tag Team Titles. And if they lose… they are fired. Edge (w/The Spirit Squad) beats Shawn Michaels - 82%.