|
|
Post by aew1992 on May 23, 2023 9:02:47 GMT 1
We've got a fair amount of catching up to do...
Friday Night Smackdown, July 28, 2006 - Friday Night Smackdown begins with Teddy Long in the ring. He invites Batista out, who walks out in a suit with the swagger of someone who has just overcome their big rival. He has a little plaster on his forehead but not much else to demonstrate his war against Randy Orton the Sunday prior. Michael Cole welcomes us to a big show, dealing with the fallout from The Great American Bash. And Long wants to address that straight away. He says that the title picture is unclear ahead of WWE Summerslam. Long makes it clear that Rey Mysterio has an automatic rematch clause in his contract, but he is not willing to just sign off on the same match as last weekend. So, he says, he asked Batista out here for a reason — he is going to give him a title shot at Summerslam, making the Smackdown main event a triple threat match. Batista thanks Long and says he feels as though he proved to the audience and the millions watching at home that he is championship material with his win over Orton. Speaking of, Orton comes out to the ring. He says he deserves a place in the Summerslam match after being put through an announce table and recovering in time to avoid count out. Long points out that whether or not he recovered, Orton lost. So he is not willing to give him a match for the title just like that. But, Long says… - 80%.
- At which point, Matt Hardy’s music plays to interrupt him. The former WWE United States champion looks determined to make a point and when he reaches the ring, he says he has some compelling evidence to show Teddy Long about his title match from the weekend. Randy Orton asks, “What about me?”. Hardy tells him to shut up. He asks them to roll the footage from the weekend. William Regal is shown hitting Hardy and getting the win. Hardy then asks for the alternative angle to be shown — and says Orton knows all about speaking to production staff to get the right outcome. The alternative angle is shown, proving it was not just a punch that felled Hardy. Regal managed to sneak on brass knuckles to take him out. Long looks shocked and tells Hardy that he will not stand for such flagrant breaches of the rules on Smackdown — and gives him his rematch with Regal next week on Smackdown! Orton, sick of being ignored, starts getting in Long’s face, but when Batista goes to intervene, he takes him out with a snap RKO. Hardy saves the general manager, but as he does Regal and Paul Burchill hop the barrier. Burchill distracts Hardy and Regal takes him out with the belt. Long has escaped the ring but says that he’s making a six-man tag for tonight’s main event — Booker T, Regal and Orton against Matt Hardy, Rey Mysterio and Batista - 75%.
- After a break, Nunzio is waiting in the ring when out from the back comes Jeff Hardy to a big reception. This is an exhibition for Hardy, a reminder that he made his return to the WWE at the weekend. He gets in his big spots against Nunzio and finishes him off with a huge Swanton Bomb from the top rope after three minutes. Jeff Hardy beats Nunzio - 77%.
- Michael Cole and Tazz speculate as to what Jeff Hardy will be aiming for on Smackdown as we cut to the back. Melina, Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury are being interviewed by Kristal Marshall. Melina does most of the talking, and says she was confident going into The Great American Bash that her boys would be taking back their WWE Tag Team titles. But, she says, it was Paul London and Brian Kendrick who let them down. They were the champions, but they did not wrestle like champions. And, she points out, her men were not involved in the decision. So, Melina says, they deserve another shot. And she promises they will win back their titles when they get that chance - 84%.
- Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki are finishing off their entrance when Kid Kash and Jamie Noble emerge to big jeers. Michael Cole asks Tazz just how impressed he has been by the new WWE Tag Team champions and Tazz says very — he would not want to be a tag team trying to win the titles from them any time soon. The belts are on the line in this match, but frankly it never looks as though the challengers are going to capture them. Kash takes the lead in this match, keeping Funaki in the corner and arguing with people sat in the front row at ringside as he wears down his opponent. Kash hits a big brainbuster but pulls Funaki up at two. He lets him get the tag to Scotty 2 Hotty before wearing him down too. Then, with Funaki relatively incapacitated after Kash knocks him off the apron, he makes a quick tag to Noble and the pair hit the Dead Drop to get the win. Kid Kash and Jamie Noble beat Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki to retain the WWE Tag Team titles - 84%.
- Kid Kash pushes Jamie Noble and instructs him, and Noble goes to grab a table. They set it up to hit another Dead Drop on Scotty 2 Hotty through it, when Paul London and Brian Kendrick’s music hits and they rush out. Kash and Noble leave the ring as London and Kendrick check on Scotty. Kendrick gets on a microphone and tells Noble and Kash to enjoy their titles and keep them warm for them — they are going to call in their rematch clause next week on Smackdown. - We cut to a pre-recorded interview with The Undertaker. As dark imagery cuts across the screen, he says that he beat Mr Kennedy at The Great American Bash and truly showed him the power of The Undertaker. But, even so, he chose to react in the way that mortals do — showing his emotions and his frustrations. Taker says that when the dead rise, as he has done, they have the power to slow the heart, slow the mind and cut those feelings of hatred out. Undertaker says that Kennedy has made a mistake, and that if he did not recognise the power of The Undertaker before, he will feel it again in the future. Next week, Taker warns, Mr Kennedy will feel the true power of the Deadman. And he will, Taker warns, rest in peace - 73%.
- Teddy Long says he is excited to welcome Smackdown’s latest signing tonight — Chavo Guerrero. Guerrero, of course, said he was leaving RAW a few months ago after a frustrating run following the death of his uncle Eddie Guerrero. He is cheered out and is straight into action against Doug Basham. This is a match that Guerrero dominates, but he still uses opportunities to cheat where necessary. He hits the Three Amigos in tribute to Eddie, but Basham kicks out at two. And then he manages to gain some momentum — until Chavo blocks an attempted head slam into the corner and uses an eye gouge to send Basham stumbling away. He then uses a low chop on his knee to take him down, before climbing up top and hitting a Frogsplash to get the win. Chavo Guerrero beats Doug Basham - 65%.
- After the match, the siren plays and the Right To Censor symbol appears on screen. Richards walks out of the back and confronts Chavo in the ring, pointing out he has cheated to prosper and win. Chavo acts innocent, claiming he just hit a Frogsplash and got the pinfall. Richards says he disagrees but will walk away… then turns around and slams the microphone into Chavo’s head. Richards throws the microphone down, picks him up and hits the Steven T before walking away. - Backstage, we get a few seconds of Lashley walking out in a makeshift gym. Mark Henry, Simon Dean and The Gymini walk into the room. Simon Dean says he was impressed by him at The Great American Bash, even though he was not the winner of the match. He says it would be difficult not to be impressed by anyone with Lashley’s physique. Dean says he has an offer for him. He knows Henry and The Gymini have not been starring in the way they wanted to be, but that he can get them there in the future. They are just missing one more cog. He asks Lashley to join them. Lashley pauses, and then says he will think about it - 53%.
- We are set up for a talk show segment in the ring, with a stock ticker displayed on a television and some gaudy dollar-related furniture dotted about. After a second, John Bradshaw Layfield comes out in his limousine alongside Orlando Jordan. He is jeered down to the ring. Once in, he welcomes everyone to a new weekly feature on Smackdown — The Stock Exchange. He says it is time to take stock with his first guest — Kurt Angle. Once Angle is in the ring, Layfield teases him repeatedly by listing off his achievements, calling him a former gold medallist, a former champion and a former somebody. Angle says Layfield had an impressive title reign once, but says he is basically back to where he was: a nothing man who would be better off playing poker in the back with Ron Simmons. Layfield fires back and asks when Angle last won a match of any significance on Smackdown. They go back and forth like this for a while, until Layfield says he will have to get a better guest next week, maybe somebody with hair. Angle looks angry and takes a step towards Layfield… before being taken out from the side by Jordan. Layfield rolls up the sleeves of his shirt and tells Jordan to pick Angle up. He does, and Layfield hits a Clothesline From Hell to leave Angle sprawled as The Stock Exchange comes to an end - 83%.
- Backstage, Gregory Helms is in a dark room and looking slightly… well, crazier than usual. He says he has had a tough few weeks, losing his WWE Cruiserweight title and failing to win it back. He says that is in the past now, and that he has been planning bigger and better things for himself. He laughs villainously, which prompts Michael Cole to say, “What the hell?”. Helms says he wants to face Ultimo Dragon on Smackdown next week, one last time. And, he makes clear, he does not care if the title is on the line — he just wants the chance to prove he is the better wrestler - 74%.
- It is time for the main event, which brings out Randy Orton first. William Regal then enters alongside the new World Heavyweight champion King Booker, who has a new slightly regal theme song and wears his crown to the ring. Booker seems delighted with his belt. Matt Hardy, Batista and then finally Rey Mysterio are out next. This is a classic Smackdown six-man tag team match. The faces have the better of the opening exchanges and appear to have the better of their opponents, with Batista looking particularly powerful, until we go to a break. From there, Hardy and Regal work the majority of the contest, with Regal having the better of it. But then Hardy escapes a Regal Stretch and a hot tag to Batista allows the Animal to clean house, knocking all three of Regal, Booker and Orton down repeatedly. The end, though, seems to come when Rey is tagged in by Batista. He goes to set Booker up for the 619, but Sharmell hops on the apron and distracts referee Charles Robinson. With Robinson out of action, Burchill jumps up onto the opposite apron, grabs Mysterio and drops him neck first on the top rope. Mysterio bounces away, straight into a kick and a Scissor Kick, with Booker getting the three count when Robinson turns around. As Booker, Regal and Orton celebrate, though, Teddy Long comes out of the back. He says after Regal’s actions at the Great American Bash he has been keeping a close eye on this match, and points to the video screen. On there, a replay of Burchill getting involved is shown. Long says he is not having Smackdown tainted by this ending, and tells Robinson to ring the bell again — the match will restart straight away. And that gives the three faces a chance to take out the angry Booker, Regal and Orton from behind. Orton and Booker fall out of the ring, leaving Regal to take a Twist Of Fate, a 619 and then a Batista Bomb before being covered for the win. Batista, Rey Mysterio and Matt Hardy beat William Regal (w/Paul Burchill), King Booker (w/Sharmell) and Randy Orton - 80%.
- Smackdown comes to a conclusion with Rey Mysterio, Batista and Matt Hardy celebrating in the ring, with Teddy Long clearly happy his decision to restart the match had been the right call.
|
|
|
|
Post by aew1992 on May 23, 2023 16:33:47 GMT 1
GrappleNews.net
WWE news and notes
There's going to be a move to mix up the structure of Smackdown slightly next week. It's currently unclear what it will involve, but WWE think the state of play has gone slightly stale. The word is that a semi-major return could be part of the show.
When Beth Phoenix debuted, the plan was to shift the women's title onto her almost immediately, which is why she was booked so aggressively in her first few weeks. Reactions have not exactly been wild to her though, and given how popular Mickie James and Trish Stratus both are — especially judging by the reaction to the title switch on Monday — the WWE might hold back a bit on giving her the strap. They're also concerned there would be a backlash to Phoenix if she did get the belt.
The plan with giving Rene Dupree the Intercontinental title was to see how he would do if he was given the ball and allowed to run with it for a while. It's fair to say he's done very well, posting solid matches no matter the opponent and mixing it up well in promos and angles with the likes of Ric Flair. There's a bright future ahead for him if he keeps up his current rate of progression.
With The Great Khali out injured, there's even more pressure on finding a workable use for both Lashley and Mark Henry. There's an awareness that they both have to be carried a bit out of the ring and quite a lot in the ring, but they provide one of the rings of the WWE circus — large guys who look pretty legitimate. It's unclear how their next couple of months will pan out, but expect them to be kept in the mix on Smackdown.
Speaking of Smackdown, the enthusiasm for the tag team division has not abated in the slightest. The headlines obviously surround Noble and Kash, London and Kendrick and MNM, who are having brilliant matches as a trio of teams. But there have also been impressive reviews of Super Crazy and Psicosis on house shows.
Chad Collyer recently returned to Ohio Valley Wrestling on a short-term development deal. He's been having some barnstorming matches with Bryan Danielson, who already had credit in the bank because of his ties to Shawn Michaels. Both men are viewed as being among the more talented in the current OVW crop.
------------------
WWE.com
It's a blockbuster main event with title consequences on Monday Night RAW this week as John Cena and Edge team up to take on Rob Van Dam and Matt Striker. If either of Cena or Edge get the pin, they will be made the challenger to Van Dam's WWE Heavyweight title at Summerslam. If Van Dam wins, he will be given the night off. Cena and Edge managed to beat The Big Show and Carlito on RAW last week, but can they put their issues aside for another week?
D-Generation X added a new member to their rebellious core last week on Monday Night RAW as X-Pac made his return to the WWE. The former 1-2-3 Kid had not been seen in a WWE ring for four years before saving Triple H and Shawn Michaels from The Corporation. Triple H and Michaels have promised to reacquaint the WWE audience with X-Pac on RAW and explain why he returned.
Rene Dupree might have been ducking and diving out of the way of 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair in recent weeks, but that has not stopped him from competing on RAW. Last week he beat Road Warrior, while he has offered up a WWE Intercontinental title shot to Tatanka this week on the show. Can he keep the belt against a veteran of the squared circle?
Speaking of in-ring veterans — behind the scenes, Lita has been asking for a match in recent weeks as she looks to reinvigorate her in-ring career. But it might be a case of be careful what you wish for, as she has been scheduled to face Beth Phoenix on RAW.
Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas have drawn the ire of the Kaneanites since associating themselves with Kane. Now Benjamin could face the consequences of his actions when he takes on The Student. Elsewhere, Umaga will be in action again.
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh Spicer on May 23, 2023 16:52:21 GMT 1
Nice to see ya back.
|
|
|
|
Post by aew1992 on May 24, 2023 9:38:16 GMT 1
WWE Heat - Chris Masters makes his way to the ring for a Masterlock Challenge. Viscera comes out. Masters locks in the Masterlock. Viscera doesn’t respond and after a bit referee Jack Doan rings the bell. Chris Masters beats Viscera in a Masterlock Challenge - 52%.
WWE Monday Night RAW, July 31, 2006
- RAW begins with the words Are You Ready?, which the crowd clearly are. Triple H and Shawn Michaels strut out of the back, before pointing back and bringing out X-Pac with them. And that’s a decent cheer for X-Pac too, who is making a scheduled appearance on RAW for the first time in nearly four years. The trio look happy as they walk to the ring. When they get there, Triple H asks the crowd if they are ready to suck it, which, apparently, they are. HHH jokes around with Michaels, and says he was bored of falling down to The Corporation every week — not because they were worse than them, but because they had strength of numbers over D-Generation X. Michaels says they are the World Tag Team champions, but they are not limited to just the two of them. And that is why they both decided to give their old pal X-Pac a call, to come give them a hand in their ongoing war with the McMahons. That just draws out Vince and Shane, who are clearly unhappy with how last week panned out. They suggest it is fair enough that D-X have brought another old member into the fold. Vince says he has to respect the cleverness and does not blame them for adding someone they trust. But, he says, he is not happy with the end of RAW last week. It should have been a triumphant moment for Test and The Corporation. Jim Ross points out they are ignoring the fact Triple H was about to beat Test until the Corporation interfered. So, Vince says, he’s setting up a match right here and right now. Next up, D-Generation X will take on Test and Sean O’Haire. That gets a cheer. But Vince, says, Triple H and Shawn Michaels are to be given the rest of the night off, leaving just X-Pac to take on both men. A group of road agents come out of the back to escort them out of the arena. As they do so, Vince quips, “Strength in numbers!” - 82%.
- This is a pure punishment for X-Pac for messing in The Corporation’s business. Test and Sean O’Haire beat him around the ring, tagging back and forth, neither of them getting too tired at any stage in the contest. X-Pac does manage to have a minute on top, nearly setting Test up for the Bronco Buster, but he gets cleaned out by O’Haire, who then hits a Cruel Intensions on him. Test then waits for X-Pac to rise before hitting a Big Boot to get the win. Sean O’Haire and Test beat X-Pac - 73%.
- Backstage, Triple H and Shawn Michaels are shown being bundled into the back of a taxi by the road agents and driven away from the arena.
- Carlito and Big Show are shown in another backstage area. The two of them are arguing about their match last week. Carlito says he told Big Show to take any advantage they could, and then he prevericated and they lost the match as a result. Big Show says he is just not sure it feels right — when you’re a seven foot monster, you do not need a steel chair to get a result. Big Show asks if they’re cut out to be a team. Carlito pauses, and then says they are both talented wrestlers in their own rights, so they have to be able to function as a partnership. He says Show should do what he thinks is right, and Carlito will do what he knows is right — and then they can see where they get. Show nods and they perform a fist bump, agreeing to take their own lead in their match together next week - 78%.
- Tatanka is waiting in the ring when we go back to the ring. Rene Dupree emerges and we are told that the Frenchman has decided to defend his WWE Intercontinental title here tonight. Jim Ross points out how hard it has been for Ric Flair to get Dupree to give him another match. And it seems even more ridiculous as Dupree completely dominates the Native American, giving him barely a second to breathe in a complete squad match. After about three minutes, Dupree gets the Dupree Bomb in for the pinfall win. Rene Dupree © beats Tatanka to retain the WWE Intercontinental title - 69%.
- Straight after the bell rings, the Titantron comes alive. Ric Flair is stood in a room backstage where a suit is hanging up. Flair asks Rene Dupree if he recognises where he is. Dupree is unsure, at which stage Flair opens the suit bag up to reveal an expensive Ralph Lauren suit. Dupree finally gets it. Flair shows Dupree what he has in his hands — a big pair of scissors. Flair says he is going to ask Dupree again — give him a title shot. Or, Flair says, the suit gets it. And as a man who likes the finer things in life, Flair says he knows how painful it would be for Dupree to see the suit go bye. Dupree says “No!”. Flair asks again, and Dupree says no again. So Flair starts chopping away, snipping off the arms first, then the lower legs. Dupree roars and rages, running from ringside and into the backstage area. As he goes along the corridor, Flair keeps going, before dropping the scissors and laying into Dupree as he enters the room. Flair hits a series of chops, but Dupree fires back and throws Flair into the wall. Road agents break up the pair before it can get any worse - 82%.
- Lita is finishing off her entrance after a break before Beth Phoenix comes out. It’s fair to say that this is a squash match. Lita may have the experience but Phoenix has the strength. Trish Stratus is shown watching backstage. Jim Ross tells us she is probably studying Phoenix but first she has to worry about Mickie James, as she will get a rematch for the WWE Women’s title in two weeks. Stratus looks shocked as Phoenix hits the Phoenix Bomb to get the pinfall win after only two minutes. Beth Phoenix beats Lita - 46%.
- After a short advert for the biggest party of the summer (that’s WWE Summerslam, if you don’t already know), Shelton Benjamin is making his way to the ring with Charlie Haas alongside him. After he does, the lights go dark and “Adoramus Te Dominum Nostrum” is heard over the speakers before the guitar riff. The Student then appears in the ring as the lights come up, with The Punk and The Brute on the outside. This is a lovely back and forth, with Benjamin looking the better of the two. And in fact, he seems to have the match won at one stage. He gets a series of punches in on The Student and then manages to duck a big forearm in response. That gives him the chance to set up a belly-to-belly suplex, but The Student pushes him away. Benjamin dodges a charge into the corner, and then hits a T-Bone Suplex on The Student. But before he can get the pin in, The Brute charges the ring and takes him down… Shelton Benjamin beats The Student by disqualification - 73%.
- Charlie Haas follows in to save Shelton Benjamin, which draws in The Punk. And that is when the stage explodes and Kane dashes out. He climbs into the ring quickly and clears it. The Kaneanites gather on the ramp, with The Punk holding the microphone. Speaking through his mask, he says he can tell they are finally starting to unleash the monster inside Kane. So, The Punk says, he will do the world a favour — and face Kane in the ring next week on RAW to bring the monster to the fore even more. When The Punk is done with him, Kane will not be able to hold back on unleashing all of the rage that is stored up inside him. The trio then shout “We worship you” down the microphone as we cut to a break.
- Backstage, Goldust is stood by himself. He says that next week on Monday Night RAW, he has an important message to convey. Goldust says he has been doing some thinking, especially since he proved himself by beating Kane. And he is ready to extricate himself from his past. He invites everyone to join him and witness a golden moment - 74%.
- Back in the ring, Umaga and Armando Alejandro Estrada are waiting for their challenge for the week. It’s Justin Credible, who — and worth remembering how short memories are — Jim Ross reminds us is a former ECW World champion and World Tag Team champion. He also highlights his time in WWE with X-Pac. While Credible gets a good reaction, he’s not in the ring for very long, getting beaten in three minutes by Umaga courtesy of a Samoan Spike. Umaga beats Justin Credible - 74%.
- After the bell, Armando Alejandro Estrada gets on the microphone. He makes it clear that this was Umaga’s second to last warning about providing credible opposition. He says that next week, he will stand in the ring with his monster and put out a challenge. The WWE, he says, has to find someone worthy of taking on Umaga at Summerslam. Umaga is waiting. They then hit another Samoan Spike on Justin Credible before heading to the back.
- We get a very brief recap of the situation involving John Cena, Edge and Rob Van Dam. And then Van Dam and Matt Striker emerge accompanied by Paul Heyman to big jeers. Edge gets a mixed reaction, while Cena is comfortably the most popular man in the match. At first, it appears as though Edge and Cena are unable to put their issues aside. Jim Ross reminds us that whoever gets the pinfall will be Van Dam’s challenger for the title at Summerslam — or if Van Dam wins, then he gets the night off from defending his belt. It seems as though Van Dam might be heading for that preferred outcome during the early stages of the match. And, in fact, with Edge refusing to tag in Cena as he tries to get the pinfall himself, Van Dam takes advantage and manages to hit a big Rolling Thunder. Cena, though, charges in to break up the pin right on the edge of a three count. And from there, the match turns. Heyman tries to get involved as both Cena and Edge take the opportunity to beat the now-legal Striker around the ring but his distractions have no bearing on the match. When Cena hits a big sideslam, though, Heyman gets involved again, distracting referee Mike Chioda. Cena goes to argue with him and get Chioda’s attention, but that just gives Van Dam the chance to run in and give Cena a big kick to the head. Cena stumbles, taking Chioda out in the process! Chioda falls out of the ring. From there, the match breaks down. Edge tags the prone Cena on the back and takes Van Dam down too with a chop to the back of the knee. Cena recovers, hitting four of the five moves of doom on Striker. And as he lifts him up for the F-U, Van Dam stumbles to his feet. Heyman is going wild at ringside, with both of his men at risk. And that is when Chad Patton runs out of the back and down to the ring, sliding in. Cena hits the F-U, Edge takes Van Dam out with a big spear! Both men cover. Chioda chooses this moment to recover and slides into the ring. Patton counts for Edge, having seen the tag backstage. Chioda counts for Cena. They both hit the mat for the third time at exactly the same moment… John Cena and Edge beat Rob Van Dam and Matt Striker (w/Paul Heyman) - 72%.
- Both John Cena and Edge jump up, having their hands raised by Mike Chioda and Chad Patton respectively. Both men are arguing with each other and trying to celebrate being named the No 1 contender. The camera microphone picks up the two referees arguing with each other too, Chioda making it clear that he was the official for the match, Patton saying that he was the one who had authority as Chioda seemed to be out for the count. Jim Ross says it is still not clear which man will be going to WWE Summerslam to challenge Rob Van Dam, who has his belt and is walking up the ramp being consoled by Paul Heyman. Cena and Edge get in each other’s face as Ross thanks us for joining WWE for RAW and suggests we might have an answer to this situation next week - 87%.
--------------------------
WWE.com
Justice was served last week on Friday Night Smackdown. Teddy Long stopped a Paul Burchill interference from defining the main event. That gave Batista, Rey Mysterio and Matt Hardy the chance to beat King Booker, William Regal and Randy Orton. But what impact will it have on this week's show? Long has been told by the WWE Board of Directors to start Smackdown in the ring as they prepare to deliver a message to him.
Long has already arranged a match for the WWE World Heavyweight champion for Smackdown, with King Booker to face Sabu. Can the Extremist score an upset against the champion? And will Rey Mysterio make his presence felt?
That's not all on Smackdown, though, as William Regal will have to defend his WWE United States title against Matt Hardy. Can the Brit keep hold of his belt?
There will be more title action too, as Paul London and Brian Kendrick get the chance to win back the belts they lost at The Great American Bash. Kid Kash and Jamie Noble will fight until they drop to keep their WWE Tag Team titles, but will that be enough against the high flyers?
And there may not be a title on the line, but Gregory Helms will get the chance for revenge against WWE Cruiserweight champion Ultimo Dragon on Friday's show.
Plus — Lashley will give his answer to Lashley, Simon Dean and The Gymini after they asked him to join their group last week.
Friday Night Smackdown card
King Booker vs Sabu WWE United States title: William Regal (c) vs Matt Hardy WWE Tag Team titles: Kid Kash and Jamie Noble (c) vs Paul London and Brian Kendrick Ultimo Dragon vs Gregory Helms
|
|
|
|
Post by aew1992 on May 24, 2023 16:06:02 GMT 1
WWE Velocity Say what you will about The Mexicools, but if it wasn't for Juventud Guerrera's untimely departure, they probably would have had a decent run on Smackdown. There's still life in them too, as they manage to get a short and sweet victory over Nunzio and Vito - 68%.
WWE Friday Night Smackdown, August 4, 2006
- Smackdown begins not with pyro, not with music, but with Teddy Long stood in the ring. He says he is excited for this edition of Friday Night Smackdown, and promises King Booker will be in action in the first match of the night — and the main event will see Kid Kash and Jamie Noble defend their WWE Tag Team titles against Paul London and Brian Kendrick. But, Long says, he has been asked by the WWE Board of Directors to be in the ring to start the show — he has no idea why, but hopes someone will holla at him soon. There’s a pause, before I’m Back plays and Eric Bischoff walks out of the back with a shit-eating grin on his face to colossal jeers. Bischoff has a microphone in hand. He says he has been watching plenty of Smackdown in recent months, ever since his departure from RAW. Bischoff says he noticed that Long favours a certain type of wrestler on his show, and shows a certain amount of bias towards others. And, he says, he found out over the last week that the board agree. He says that the biggest sign of this was denying Randy Orton an opportunity to prove he was worthy of a World Heavyweight title shot last week. And so, Bischoff says, the board got in touch with him and asked him if he could bring a bit more balance to Friday Night Smackdown. So, Bischoff reveals, he has accepted the position of co-general manager of Smackdown. Long looks shocked in the ring as Bischoff says he will walk down to the ring now to shake his hand. Bischoff sticks out his hand, Long stands still, and then Bischoff says maybe he’ll be more willing to shake after he announces next week’s main event — Orton vs Batista, and if Orton wins he is added to the main event at Summerslam! Long still does not react. That is when Kurt Angle comes out to a big pop. He tells Long and Bischoff he wants John Bradshaw Layfield tonight after his assault on The Stock Exchange last week. Long finally awakens from his coma and says he’s got it! But Bischoff interjects and says they don’t just hand matches to wrestlers they like anymore, so Angle can face JBL, but it will be a handicap match! We go to the break with a new world clearly unfolding on Smackdown - 93%.
- Back from the break, and Sabu is making his way down to the ring. He is followed by King Booker, along with the rest of his Court. While Sabu does get in some early offence on the World Heavyweight champion, this match is designed to make Booker look good after the loss in last week’s six-man tag team match. Michael Cole and Tazz hype up tonight’s show, featuring a tag team title match, a United States title match, Gregory Helms against Ultimo Dragon and — added during the week — Mr Kennedy against Jeff Hardy. They also point out as this contest unfolds that if Randy Orton is added to the match at Summerslam, it will hugely lower Booker’s odds of making it out of his first pay-per-view as champion with the belt — not that he seems that worried about it. He takes Sabu out with the Scissor Kick to get the win. King Booker (w/The King's Court) beats Sabu - 72%.
- But as King Booker celebrates, Rey Mysterio’s music hits and he walks out onto the stage. Mysterio has a microphone in hand and, as he strolls down to the ring, says he knows it will not be a straight shot for him to win back the title at Summerslam — even if Orton is not added to the match. But, Mysterio promises, he will take back the belt from Booker. It does not matter if he is the smallest dog in the fight, after all — he has the biggest bark. He steps into the ring and asks Booker whether he is ready for the fight of a lifetime. At that stage, Paul Burchill interjects. He asks who Mysterio thinks he is, challenging a king when he is no more than a runt. At that, Mysterio looks angry… and attacks Burchill. That, though, is just an excuse for the Court to pile in and take Mysterio out before we cut to the back.
- Eric Bischoff is getting his desk set up alongside Teddy Long’s in the general manager’s office backstage. Long asks Bischoff’s moving men to be careful with his awards on the cabinet, but one of them — best Smackdown general manager — does get knocked to the ground and shatters. Long looks annoyed, but before he can say anything, Chavo Guerrero walks into the room. Guerrero thanks Long again for bringing him to Smackdown. He says he was done with RAW and needed a refresh to save his career. But he says he already has an issue, specifically how Steven Richards dealt with him last week. Long says he has a plan… and then Bischoff says he has one of his own. Long mutters: “Here we go”. Bischoff says Chavo can get his hands on Richards next week… but only in a tag team match. He says both men have to go find partners. Chavo nods then walks off. Long says he was about to say the same thing - 72%.
- Back to the ring, where Jeff Hardy is finishing off his entrance. He is followed out by Mr Kennedy, who seems to annoy Hardy with his long, long, long introduction. It inspires an opening charge from Hardy, who hits a series of big punches to take control of the match. The crowd is firmly behind Hardy, who has been on a bit of a tear since returning to the company at The Great American Bash. But Kennedy eventually manages to swing the match his way after dodging a dropkick and then putting in a draw-out headlock on Hardy. Even as Hardy rises back to his feet, Kennedy uses the top rope and a full five count from referee Charles Robinson to wear him back down again. And eventually, Kennedy manages to turn a suplex, a backdrop and a big clothesline into an opportunity to lead Hardy up to the top rope for a Green Bay Plunge. He manages to set him up… before the lights go out. They stay out for 10 seconds, before coming back on to Kennedy lying on the mat. Hardy takes one look and dives off with a big Swanton Bomb to get the pinfall and win the match. Jeff Hardy beats Mr Kennedy - 75%.
- Jeff Hardy vacates the ring, celebrating up the ramp as Charles Robinson raises his hand. Mr Kennedy slowly gets back to his feet, but as he does the lights go out again. This time, there is a gong, and when they come back on, The Undertaker is stood behind Kennedy with Daivari at his side. The crowd goes wild as Kennedy turns straight into a chokeslam from the Dead Man. Daivari lifts the urn, Taker lifts Kennedy and then hits a Tombstone before posing in front of the urn as we go to a break.
- John Bradshaw Layfield and Orlando Jordan make their way out next in their limousine as Michael Cole questions the huge advantage they have in this match. Tazz says it’s a new world for Smackdown as Kurt Angle walks out to a pop. It seems as though Eric Bischoff has managed to make his mark even when he is not on screen, as this is a very unfair battle for Angle. To be fair to the Olympian, he does manage to get in some good offence on Jordan while JBL spends some time on the apron. He hits a series of big suplexes on Layfield’s lackey, including a rolling set of Germans that seem to have wiped him out. However, when he manages to get the Angle Slam in, Layfield comes in to break up the pinfall. He then uses his five count to wipe Angle out with a big boot, before dragging Jordan over to make the tag. Layfield knocks Angle around the ring from a refreshed position, before hitting a huge Clothesline From Hell to win the match with a pin. John Bradshaw Layfield and Orlando Jordan beat Kurt Angle - 75%.
- After the bell, John Bradshaw Layfield tells the production crew to set up The Stock Exchange. They do it around him as Orlando Jordan beats Kurt Angle up. Layfield then hits a Clothesline From Hell, followed by another, and then a third. Layfield then gets on the microphone and welcomes his guest for tonight’s episode, Kurt Angle! Layfield lowers himself to the ground and holds the microphone to Angle’s mouth. He asks Angle whether he regrets messing with JBL. No answer is forthcoming, so JBL answers for Angle — yes, yes he does. Layfield then asks Angle whether he wants to apologise to him for ruining his first edition of The Stock Exchange. Again, JBL answers on Angle’s behalf, telling us all that the downed man apologises for ruining episode one. And then finally, he asks Angle if he found out that JBL is the better wrestler tonight. Layfield mimes his response, telling us, “It’s true, it’s damn true!”. JBL throws down the microphone and celebrates with Jordan as we go to a break - 90%.
- To ringside, where the WWE Cruiserweight champion Ultimo Dragon is making his entrance. Michael Cole and Tazz remind us of how this match came about as footage plays, showing Gregory Helms, who is out next, losing his title to the masked man. Helms seems a little bit wilder than usual, his calm composure and cockiness having gone out of the window with his title loss in recent weeks. Ultimo gets the crowd onside with high-flying manouvres, with a big hurricanrana that sends Helms to the outside getting a pop before he planchas over the top rope to another cheer. At one stage, though, Helms seems to snap and starts brutalizing Dragon in response. A series of big uppercuts in the corner are continued despite referee Nick Patrick trying to stop him, although Helms makes sure to break it up at each five count. And Helms stays on the assault, choking him with the sole of his boot. Eventually Ultimo stumbles out of the corner. He tries to reverse a DDT into a backdrop but Helms lands on his feet before scoring a big bicycle kick to the head. Dragon bounces away, falls into the ropes and onto the mat. As he rises, Helms hits a big Shining Wizard before covering for the win. Gregory Helms beats WWE Cruiserweight champion Ultimo Dragon in a non-title match - 77%.
- Gregory Helms does not finish the assault there. He goes out of the ring and grabs a steel chair, bringing it back with him. He wraps it around Ultimo Dragon’s leg and climbs to the top rope. Michael Cole is going mad on commentary, asking someone to stop Helms. But, before he can jump off and do some serious damage, referees and road agents pour out and get between him and the champion. Helms raises his hands to end the segment.
- Lashley is shown working out again backstage. Mark Henry, Simon Dean and The Gymini walk over and repeat their offer from last week. Lashley takes a moment to look as though he is thinking about it, and then tells them, “No.” Dean turns to Henry and The Gymini and nods. The trio then overwhelm Lashley, with Jesse Gymini knocking him off a bench. Jake Gymini grabs a dumbbell and clocks Lashley on the head with it. Henry picks Lashley up and hits a World’s Strongest Slam on the concrete of the gym. The Gymini then walk off, with Dean celebrating his group’s impact, as Lashley lies on the ground in pain - 59%.
- We have the first of our two title matches tonight next, as Matt Hardy comes out to a cheer. He is swiftly followed by William Regal, who is accompanied by Paul Burchill. Michael Cole talks us through how this match came about, highlighting Regal cheating to win the title at The Great American Bash. Tazz speculates that this might be Hardy’s last chance to win the title back — given Eric Bischoff is less generous than Teddy Long. And he goes about the contest as if that is the case, trying to take the Brit out early doors. After two minutes, he even tries to hit the Twist Of Fate, but Regal manages to push him away before a big backdrop that gets a two count. Hardy, though, fights back and is ready for a leg drop after swinging the momentum his way. Regal moves out of the way though and manages to take charge of the contest. From there, he locks in a series of stretches, really wearing down Hardy’s back. There’s a full two minutes of focus on that part of his body before Hardy manages to power out, but he is clearly hurting. He works Regal over to the corner and gets him up for a superplex. But he is unable to lift Regal’s weight. At that point, King Booker comes charging out of the back with Sharmell at his side. He climbs up onto the apron and referee Charles Robinson goes to speak to him. But as he does, Burchill hands Regal the United States title belt, and Regal clocks Hardy with it. Hardy falls back, Regal jumps down and covers, and Robinson turns around to count the three. William Regal © (w/Paul Burchill) beats Matt Hardy to retain the WWE United States title - 86%.
- The rest of The King’s Court gather around William Regal as he celebrates with the belt and we cut away from the ring.
- Kristal Marshall introduces her guest — Randy Orton. Orton is jeered but looks incredibly confident as he steps up to the microphone. Orton says he has to thank Eric Bischoff for handing him the opportunity to take on Batista next week — an opportunity that everyone knows he deserves after his battling performance at The Great American Bash. The Legend Killer says he knows he has had his issues in recent months, and his suspension from Smackdown under the old regime spoke for a wrestler who had taken his eye off the ball. But, Orton promises, it will be different next week. He says he will take on Batista, with the rust and cobwebs shaken out of his system, and earn his shot at WWE Summerslam. And, he asks Kristal, won’t the belt look good around his waist? Orton tells everyone to tune in next week for the start of his rise to the pinnacle on Smackdown - 83%.
- It is time for our main event, and the second of the title matches tonight. Paul London and Brian Kendrick emerge first, desperate to win back the belts they lost at The Great American Bash. Kid Kash and Jamie Noble follow, looking angry and barely interacting with the crowd — although they do pose with the belts in the ring to a big jeer. Michael Cole and Tazz hype up their journey from a few months ago as this match gets underway, with the latter suggesting he has rarely seen a more focused unit than the champions. That seems to be the case as the contest gets underway, although Kash does manage to get distracted into a running argument with a series of fans at ringside. He does, though, throw London around as that is happening, knocking him into the barrier and the steel stairs. It appears as though the champions have it won after five minutes when they manage to execute a speedy Dead Drop on London, but Kendrick breaks up the pin. And from there, the momentum swings. London finally manages to get a tag to Kendrick, who buzzes around the ring taking out both of their opponents with quick clotheslines. He then dropkicks Kash, who rolls out of the ring, before hitting a leaping DDT on Noble. Noble joins Kash on the outside, giving London and Kendrick the chance to hit stereo dives to the outside to a big cheer. They roll the champions back in. Kash tries to reverse London trying to pick him up into a small package, but London rolls through and gets a two. Both men pop up, but London ducks a swinging punch and manages to take Kash out at the knees with a dropkick. He then jumps up to the top rope as Kendrick throws Noble to the outside. London looks down at Kash, and then flies with a perfect Shooting Star Press, covering and hooking the leg… only to be taken out from behind with a steel chair! The camera pans up and it is Johnny Nitro holding the object, with Joey Mercury swinging and taking Kendrick out with one on the outside. Nitro and Mercury do the same to Kash and Noble while referee Chris Kay rings the bell. Paul London and Brian Kendrick beat Kid Kash and Jamie Noble (c) by DQ due to interference, Kash and Noble retain the WWE Tag Team titles - 90%.
- Paul London, Brian Kendrick, Kid Kash and Jamie Noble all lay sparked out after the assault with the chairs as Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury gather in the centre of the ring. They are joined by Melina, who lays the WWE Tag Team titles at their feet. Nitro and Mercury raise their chairs high. Michael Cole says it was such a shame they ruined such a great title match as Smackdown comes to a close.
|
|
|
|
Post by aew1992 on May 25, 2023 11:09:07 GMT 1
GrappleNews.net News and notes
- Triple H is fundamentally unhappy with his current booking situation. He has been out of the title picture since Backlash, and even though he is currently one of the tag team champions, that does not sit easily with him. Triple H is not exactly going to leave the company any time soon — so the threat of him rejecting a contract extension or anything along those lines is not an issue. But there's a sense his situation will have to change at some point in the near future, and that working with Shawn Michaels has not been as much of a boon for him as might have been assumed.
- There are small whispers that Trish Stratus might be considering retiring from full-time duties in the next few weeks. Stratus, though, has enjoyed working with the women's division on RAW and is keen to know whether that will be expanding to further support her.
- Justin Credible did enough in his match against Umaga to earn a few more appearances in the coming weeks.
- Everyone is excited to have Eric Bischoff back on board and sharing general manager duties with Teddy Long on Smackdown. The current plan is for them to have a relatively small bit of tension, which will lead to an angle further down the line.
- For those wondering, Gregory Helms is being permanently shifted away from the Cruiserweight division, which is essentially going to feature on Velocity. Helms is too charismatic to be kept among people who will be best known for their work rate. And the thought process behind focusing on Cruiserweights on Velocity is that they will not be under threat for use in squash matches on Smackdown.
-------------------
WWE.com
The title picture should have been as clear as water by the end of last week's episode of Monday Night RAW, but it is more complicated than ever going into Monday's show. It's either John Cena or Edge who will be gunning for Rob Van Dam at Summerslam, but we still do not know who. The positive, though, is that both Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon have said they will provide clarity on this week's edition of RAW. Who will challenge RVD?
Rene Dupree has been on a tear on RAW since he won the WWE Intercontinental title, but he has not faced a threat like this one. He's been matched up against Triple H in this week's main event, and The Game will surely be out to make an impact after being carted away from RAW last week. Dupree also has to watch for the ever-present threat of Ric Flair, with The Nature Boy desperate to get his hands on the gold. Can Dupree triumph?
If that's not enough for you, we should be seeing the crescendo of one of RAW's hottest feuds of recent months when Kane finally gets his hands on The Punk for a second time. But whether or not The Punk wins, he has passed on the message that he is not done with Kane. Even so, could The Big Red Machine put him out of action and decide whether or not The Punk is done for him?
Big Show and Carlito have been trying to find a dynamic that works for them as a team, and they have finally decided they need to embrace their differences. They will get a chance to do so against Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch.
Umaga will also be in action when he faces Eugene.
Confirmed matches
Rene Dupree vs Triple H
Kane vs The Punk
Big Show and Carlito vs Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch
Umaga vs Eugene
|
|
|
|
Post by aew1992 on May 25, 2023 17:31:01 GMT 1
- HEAT: Not so smiley anymore, eh Norman? This match between Norman Smiley and Chris Masters is over in about two minutes and thirty seconds courtesy of a Masterlock. Chris Masters beats Norman Smiley - 72%.
WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW, 7 August 2006
- Welcome to the RAW Review, with me — RAWIsBore. For those of you who have not had the fortune to read my work before, I’ve been covering WWE’s television and PPVs for GrappleNews.net for the last five years. Yes, I may not bring scoops like Isaac Smith, our news expert, but I am known for a hot take or two on the latest from the house that McMahon built.
- Live from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee
- It feels stupid to give this away on free television, but The Punk is facing Kane, the man who he has been feuding with for the last couple of months to start the show. At this stage, I’m not entirely sure what it is The Kaneanites want — but if we go back a bit, they’re trying to bring the anger out of Kane, bring the monster back and propel him to new heights by beating him repeatedly. At least, that’s what Jim Ross tells us throughout his match. And to be fair to the trio, they are looking very legitimate. For those who have not figured out who The Punk is, he’s a hell of a talker and a great worker, and he really is bringing some good work out of Kane. This is a really good back and forth exchange, probably better than their match at WWE Vengeance, and is seemingly going to be a win for Kane until The Student gets up on the apron, The Brute clobbers Kane from behind and The Punk gets the win with a fireman’s lift into a knee to the head. It’s a finish stolen straight from KENTA. The Punk puts his feet on the ropes to round out the cheating victory. The Punk (w/The Student and The Brute) beats Kane - 80%.
- But that is not the end of the dastardly assault, no sir. The Student and The Brute charge in and lift Kane up onto his knees. That is when we see the rarely seen on WWE TV but commonplace in bingo halls up and down the east coast straight kick to the head from The Punk. They’ve got to integrate kickpads into his attire soon enough. He then gets on a microphone and bends over Kane, giving us a lovely juxtaposition of his Kane mask and Kane’s unmasked face. He tells him he knows he’ll be furious at losing by cheating, and this is the second to last step of bringing the monster back. The Punk says he knows the truth — that Kane is scared of the monster that resides within him. He's running from it, and has been for years. The Punk says there's only one way to eradicate that fear, and that is by bringing the flight or fight response out of Kane. The Punk promises one more challenge next week on RAW for Summerslam. He then says he guarantees that when Kane realises it is his very survival that is at stake, he will not be able to run from the monster anymore - 83%.
- Rene Dupree walks into his locker room. That’s it.
- Lordy lord, it’s our hero Paul Heyman sat behind a desk, which is decorated with a sign denoting him as CEO of Heyman Inc, a framed bounced cheque and the remnants of his lunch — a salt beef sandwich. In walks John Cena, who is ANGRY because he WON last week but has been told Heyman is opposed to him getting a shot. Ditto Edge, who is on the scene shortly after and breathing so heavily that it sounds as if he has been in an iron man match with the ghost of Bret Hart. The ghost of Bret Hart’s in-ring career. I’m not sure where that’s going. Anyway, Paul Heyman says the stipulation from the tag team match is moot because they both failed to get the singular win over Rob Van Dam. Vince McMahon walks in and says Heyman is being ridiculous — and he is, because there’s absolutely no logic to what he’s saying — and tells them all he’ll announce the No 1 contender later tonight - 85%.
- Rene Dupree’s locker room door is shown… and Arn Anderson walks up to it. He places a chair in front of the door knob, which as television has taught us will stop anyone exiting the room. Anderson stands to the side.
- Stop the presses! It’s Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch, live and in colour and featured on Monday Night RAW for some reason. They must have found them in a wardrobe backstage. When Big Show and Carlito come out, named Carli-Show, it’s quite clear where this one is heading. After weeks of arguments, Big Show finally lets Carlito win a match by cheating. He takes Cade out with a chokeslam and while Murdoch is distracted by his partner being dropped very gently from a very big height, Carlito rolls him up to get the pinfall. The face/heel tag team celebrate by doing a big chest bump, which sends Carlito flying backwards across the ring. No, I am not making that up. Carlito and Big Show beat Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch - 69%.
- Goldust is stood alongside Stacy Keibler, who is very much window dressing for his whole gimmick, backstage, where Maria Kanellis has a microphone. Speaking of window dressing, Maria loses control of this one within about 10 seconds. Goldust is quiet and then loud and speaks about how it is to grow up with a father more famous than him, who everyone loves and who everyone talks about in the playground but who is never home. He says he wants his own legacy to shine and therefore he is challenging his dad Dusty Rhodes to a match at Summerslam. He’ll wait for his response next week. Goldust really really is doing himself justice in these interviews. It’ll be a shame when he loses to Dusty at Summerslam - 83%.
- Rene Dupree’s door is shown — and he is trying to wiggle it open, but failing. He starts pounding on it, but no one lets him out — least of all, Arn ‘Impassive’ Anderson. Dupree starts talking about how he has claustrophobia. Anderson does not care.
- God, do I really have to write about Umaga? This is surely going somewhere, right? He beats Eugene with a Samoan Spike. Armando Alejandro Estrada asks for a new challenge. He hits Eugene with a Samoan Spike again. This really isn’t going anywhere is it? New challenge. Another Samoan Spike. New challenge. The crowd is now jeering. Another Samoan Spike. Eugene blades and starts bleeding in the ring. Another Samoan Spike. This is actually fairly brutal. New challenge. Another Samoan Spike — that’s six for anyone counting. Estrada threatens to take his beast and walk away if there’s no new challenge. Another Samoan Spike. The crowd is booing heavily. Umaga picks Eugene up again… Umaga (w/Armando Alejandro Estrada) beats Eugene - 72%.
- And Real American plays. The crowd obviously goes absolutely insane as Hulk Hogan steps out, takes in the applause and leaves poor Eugene on the mat as he poses on the stage. Umaga and Armando Alejandro Estrada react as though god himself has just walked out on the ramp. Hey, wasn’t He on the roster just a few months ago? Hogan eventually walks down the ramp, then climbs into the ring, as if he’s just accepting he could not run down there. Estrada charges for him first and gets hit with the three punches to the head. Umaga then goes for him, but Hogan hulks up and throws Umaga over the top. Umaga backs up the ramp and leaves Estrada to Hogan. Hogan hits the big boot and the legdrop, then picks Eugene — who is fine — up and poses with him. The crowd love this, and it feels like we’re only going in one direction for Summerslam. Finally, there’s a point to this whole dedication of four minutes of television time a week for months on end to a squash match - 77%.
- Up next, Triple H has been given the chance to squash Rene Dupree — because being a relatively unbeatable WWE Intercontinental champion will not do. But after Triple H makes his full entrance, including water spray and posing away, Dupree’s music plays to no one emerging from the back. The camera cuts backstage, where Vince McMahon is ranting and raving in his office. He tells a random road agent to go get Dupree, that this is meant to be the main event of the show dammit and that he can’t have Triple H winning and ruining Monday Night RAW. I’m not sure it was the main event, given we’re about an hour and 25 minutes into the show, but that’s just me. The camera follows the road agent as he walks through backstage to the dressing room, where Arn Anderson is still stood, still staring down anyone who walks past. Dupree is shouting and screaming and asking to be left out. The road agent walks up and starts messing with the chair, but Anderson leans in, looking as threatening as a 48-year-old in glasses can, and says: “I recommend you don’t do that.” The road agent thinks twice and backs away, as Dupree shouts “Help!”. We cut back to ringside. After this all plays out and a further minute or two passes, referee Chad Patton starts the count and reaches 10, counting Dupree out. Triple H, relatively nonplussed, celebrates. Triple H beats Rene Dupree by count out - 77%.
- The camera cuts to backstage and Rene Dupree’s door. Dupree is still pounding away on the door, when Ric Flair walks up. Flair, that old wily fox that he is, shakes Arn Anderson’s hand, and starts speaking through the door. Flair says he found out about Dupree’s fear of small spaces and set this up tonight. He says he knew he needed to force him into giving him a title shot. Flair says he’ll let Dupree out if he agrees to one. Dupree says non. Flair says he’s walking away… but moves the chair out of the way and stomps his feet as if he’s doing so. He keeps his ear to the door. Dupree starts begging, shouting, says, "OK, fine, you get a title shot at Summerslam… just let me out!". Flair backs away and tells Dupree he should have just tried the door handle. Dupree does, runs out, but by then Flair and Anderson are already gone - 93%.
- Vince McMahon looks as though he is about to explode, rants, raves, and tells us we have a new main event — Shawn Michaels and X-Pac against Test and Sean O’Haire. And golly gosh it’s next. Who had X-Pac main eventing RAW in 2006 in the sweepstake?
- Look, as much as you’re going to sell facing Test — who has Stephanie McMahon hanging off him as he makes his way to the ring — and Sean O’Haire as a threat, these two have basically been a luxury Spirit Squad since they replaced old Johnny, Mikey, Kenny, Nicky and Mitch. Barring week one they’ve barely looked competent. And that’s very much the case here too, as Shawn Michaels and X-Pac look in peril to the smallest degree humanly possible. I suppose that’s what having friends in high places will do for you. X-Pac does take a Big Boot from Test, with Michaels breaking up the pinfall, and he’s the one playing the face in peril for the majority of the match. But after about eight minutes, he manages to get a hot tag to Michaels, who comes in and has a bit of fun. There’s a quick Sweet Chin Music to Test for a start, a kip up and big dropkick to O’Haire and a dive to the outside onto the latter and The McMahons, who are down at ringside. He then slowly recovers and goes for an elbow drop only for Test to move out of the way. They both get back up, Michaels ducks a boot from Test and comes back with a Sweet Chin Music, and covers for the pi- no. Shane McMahon dives in, interfering, and Mike Chioda is forced to call for the disqualification. Shawn Michaels and X-Pac beat Test and Sean O’Haire by DQ - 73%.
- Vince McMahon dives in next and starts wailing away on Shawn Michaels too. X-Pac gets involved but Shane McMahon clotheslines him. Triple H runs out for the save and that gets a big pop, but after he knocks down Vince and Shane with clotheslines, he turns straight into a huge spear from Edge! Edge, it turns out, has emerged from the crowd, which as we all remember he used to do all the time before he became boring and started using the entrance ramp like a regular schmo. Edge helps Vince up and the already angry chairman gets even more angry. He grabs a microphone and says he has some business to deal with. Firstly, he says, the title — he has a solution. Loyalty counts for a lot in his eyes, so he has come to the conclusion that his man, Edge will get the shot at WWE Summerslam. Boos. Secondly, he says, he is bored of making D-X look foolish. What have they achieved on RAW tonight, count out and DQ wins? Anything to make them look strong Vince, anything at all. So he’s done with them, and as far as he’s concerned, they’re fi- oh, that’s Linda McMahon’s music. Weird. Anyway, she comes out on stage and tells her husband he has to listen to her. She’s been consulting with WWE’s board of directors and they are baffled by his reign of terror. She reminds him that legally, she is the owner of the WWE. Ah yes, that gambit they crack out every few years. Linda says she’s making two changes to the Summerslam card. Firstly, Vince is playing favourites, as much as Edge has impressed in recent weeks — John Cena deserves a title shot too, and will get one in a triple threat match. Secondly, she says, Vince and Shane have been acting like wrestlers in recent months, picking on D-X and using whatever nefarious means they can to get one over on them. So, she says, if they want to act like wrestlers, the board thinks they should be treated like them. Linda pauses, then tells us that at Summerslam, D-X will put their WWE World Tag Team titles on the line — against Vince and Shane! And, if the McMahons lose, they will lose their power to make decisions on RAW — and be bumped down into regular members of the roster. Hey, that’s fun. Will Vince job to Umaga? RAW ends with Vince and Shane looking angry in the ring - 85%.
------------------------
WWE Summerslam card (subject to change)
WWE Heavyweight title - Rob Van Dam © vs John Cena vs Edge WWE World Heavyweight title - Booker T © vs Rey Mysterio vs Batista WWE World Tag Team titles - D-Generation X © vs The McMahons WWE Intercontinental title - Rene Dupree © vs Ric Flair
------------------------------
WWE.com
Friday Night Smackdown moved into a new era last week when Eric Bischoff was named as a co-general manager alongside Teddy Long — and he made an immediate impact by creating this week's main event. Randy Orton wants a shot at King Booker's World Heavyweight title, and he will have the chance to earn it. Not that it will be an easy task — he has to get through 'The Animal' Batista to take a spot in the Summerslam main event. Can The Legend Killer build his own legacy up by beating his former Evolution colleague?
Not that he is the only superstar gunning for a title shot on Smackdown. Matt Hardy wants William Regal and he wants him in — in his eyes — fairer circumstances. How will he earn it? Well, he has to beat Paul Burchill first. Will Hardy get a shot at the belt Regal won from him last month?
Elsewhere on Smackdown, Gregory Helms will take on Super Crazy, Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki take on The Gymini and Steven Richards will unveil his first recruit when he faces off with Chavo Guerrero and his tag team partner — who WWE.com have learned will be Sabu.
Confirmed matches for Smackdown
Randy Orton vs Batista — if Orton wins, he will compete for WWE World Heavyweight title at Summerslam Matt Hardy vs William Regal — if Hardy wins, he will receive WWE United States title shot Gregory Helms vs Super Crazy Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki vs The Gymini Steven Richards and ??? vs Sabu and Chavo Guerrero |
|
|
|
Post by aew1992 on May 26, 2023 9:25:42 GMT 1
Velocity: We are told that from the weekend, both Velocity and Heat will be running for longer on WWE.com due to the sheer popularity of both programs. The word is that because they are free to watch on the internet, they are both getting millions of viewers weekly, although WWE are not releasing those numbers. Anyway, Ultimo Dragon successfully defends his WWE Cruiserweight title by beating Nunzio. It’s a good match. You should watch it. Ultimo Dragon beats Nunzio to retain the WWE Cruiserweight title - 74%.
WWE Smackdown review by RAWIsBore
11 August, 2006
- Smackdown was taped at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Look, the name came before the brand extension. I’m not limited to just RAW, OK.
- Smackdown begins with The Stock Exchange with John Bradshaw Layfield. Orlando Jordan is stood there being all Orlando Jordany as Mr Kennedy is introduced. I assume JBL and Jordan are not planning to beat him down too, but who knows? Anyway, JBL talks about how great Kennedy is and how impressed he has been by him. And he makes the perfectly valid point that clearly he has got under The Undertaker’s skin, as shown by the way that he interfered in his match with Jeff Hardy last week. Which Kennedy lost. Well, Kennedy doesn’t like that but pretends to laugh it off. He says he gets why JBL has been given his own show. He says JBL is a great talker, even if he’s not great at winning wrestling matches anymore. Ooh. Layfield laughs, or pretends to. This is tense! Layfield says Kennedy better watch his mouth, given the beatdown he handed out to Kurt Angle last week on Smackdown. We get a recap of that on screen. JBL says he’s happy he got such a legitimate win over Angle last week — Michael Cole snorts — and thinks his issue with him is over. Well, no, because Angle comes out. He tells whoever it is who does this thing to cut his music, then walks out saying JBL’s attack was below the belt. He says JBL knows Angle can beat him so will not face him legitmately. Kennedy goes to interrupt and Angle tells him to shut up and know his place — the grown ups are talking. That annoys Kennedy, who waits for Angle to talk more then clocks him from behind with the microphone. JBL pounced, Jordan pounces, everyone pounces, Angle gets beaten around and then the GONG! goes. Lights go out, lights come on, Taker appears, JBL and Kennedy scarper, Jordan takes the chokeslam, you know the drill. Eric Bischoff appears on screen and makes a tag match for the foursome next week - 84%.
- Sabu and then Chavo Guerrero are out to take on Steven Richards and a mystery partner. It’s Sean Morley, the former Val Venis, back in the shirt and tie, and honestly — thank god they got him away from that gimmick and Viscera. You really do fear for Viscera’s ongoing employment with WWE, and with really good reason too. The long and short of this one is that Sabu and Chavo really deserve to win it. They’re comfortably on top for most of the match but Richards and Morley cheat as much as they can and eventually Richards exposes a corner buckle for Morley to trip Chavo into. While that’s all happening, Richards goes around the ring, pulls Sabu off the apron and then clocks him with a copy of the FCC’s standards book. Which is hardbound, Tazz points out. Morley then climbs up top and hits his splash to get the pin and the win. Steven Richards and Sean Morley beat Chavo Guerrero and Sabu - 71%.
- You know what’s good about the Teddy Long and Eric Bischoff thing? The fact they are making a lot of stuffing both of their desks into whatever tiny room they find in whichever arena they are in and making them both look very uncomfortable. Matt Hardy knocks and walks in and complains about the fact that he has still not had a legitimate rematch for the WWE United States title after William Regal’s dodgy tactics last week. He wants another rematch. Long says yes and goes to book it for tonight but Bischoff says no, no, no — he’ll have to earn it. So tonight Hardy will face Paul Burchill and if he wins he gets Regal next week - 82%.
- You know when a wrestler or a pair of wrestlers is or are not particularly good but they do have a fairly consistent slot on WWE television because they look right and can stand menacingly in the background of camera shots while someone else talks? And, at a push, they can have a serviceable match that moves a storyline forward? Why did I think about that, you ask? No reason, really. Anyway, The Gymini beat Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki, Jake hitting a big spinebuster on Funaki to win it. Mark Henry and Simon Dean are with them at ringside and this whole thing is just an excuse to have Lashley come out and brawl with Henry. Lashley drives Henry into the steel steps, which leads to a big crash, before The Gymini attack and then road agents break it up and please god let this feud end soon. The Gymini beat Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki - 66%.
- Rey Mysterio is chatting away to Kristal Marshall backstage. As he does, Gregory Helms walks past on his way to his match, and stares Mysterio down for a second. Weird. Mysterio goes on after that interruption. He’s asked about Batista against Randy Orton tonight — Kristal pointing out that presumably he wants Batista to win to avoid lessening his chances of winning back his title. Mysterio says he doesn’t care who he has to beat in two Sundays’ time — he will be winning back his title. That’s when King Booker attacks, knocking Mysterio about and hitting a Scissor Kick onto the concrete as Kristal screams. Booker takes the mic and says he’s bored of Mysterio disrespecting him as if the title isn’t his. He asks if we can dig that and walks off with Sharmell carrying the belt - 81%.
- Tell you what’s interesting — whatever has happened to Gregory Helms. He’s acting like a madman, completely emotionless one second and then crazed looking another. He’s up against Super Crazy and looks to take him to shreds. Michael Cole points out just how much attention he is paying to the head of Super Crazy, and Tazz says that will make his finishing move of the Shining Wizard even more painful if he does manage to hit it. Which he does after around five minutes before pinning his opponent. That’s not where it ends though. Like Psicosis the week prior, Helms looks absolutely furious and utterly unstoppable goes and grabs a steel chair, wrapping it around Super Crazy’s leg. He goes to the top rope to jump off and pilmanize the Mexican. Cole screams “No, no, no”. Once again, referees and road agents pour out and beg Helms not to. Which he does, seemingly calm once again. Helms raises an arm and walks off to the back. Gregory Helms beats Super Crazy - 82%.
- Kristal Marshall is back again. She is joined by Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury and Melina. She asks why, exactly, they got involved in last week’s tag title match. You know the drill — they can’t believe they’ve been overlooked in the title picture, and if they are going to be overlooked then they are going to have to make an impact wherever they can. Speaking of making an impact, here come Paul London and Brian Kendrick! They take MNM out before Kendrick grabs a ladder — hey how conveniently placed — and drives it onto Nitro. That’s not enough though, as Kid Kash and Jamie Noble aren’t going to miss out on the fun. They clean out London and Kendrick. Kash and Noble then pick London up and put him through a catering table with the Dead Drop. I have a sense this is going to end with a certain match at Summerslam and I’m excited — yes, that’s right, a pose-off - 83%.
- Say what you will about the pretty talented Paul Burchill being the third man in a three man stable with two champions in it, but at least he is not dressing like a pirate anymore. He’s up against Matt Hardy and boy can these two go at it. At the least, working with Hardy on a weekly basis will probably show some people backstage that they should push him in the future. It might be deep into the future though, as aside from this being pretty entertaining and Burchill having about a minute of momentum — enough to look for a Walk The Plank, renamed the Court’s Judgement — Hardy comes out of this relatively unscathed and gets the pinfall victory after reversing that, whipping Burchill into the ropes, ducking a clothesline and hitting a kick and a Twist Of Fate to win it. Hardy might have set up a WWE United States title match for next week but William Regal jumps into the ring and starts attacking… Matt Hardy beats Paul Burchill - 83%.
- When Teddy Long’s music hits. Boy, I wonder what he’ll decree. He says when Matt Hardy challenges William Regal next week for the United States title, the rest of the King’s Court will be banned from ringside. The crowd cheer, but honestly guys, have you not figured out how this works by now? Eric Bischoff walks out and, of course, he is going to make some point or another clear to Long about his newfound power. He tells Hardy that he better take advantage of the King’s Court absence, because if he loses next week it will be his last shot at the US title while Regal remains the champion - 83%.
- OK, so I have a little note to follow this segment. Jeff Hardy is backstage watching that all unfold. He looks annoyed at Eric Bischoff, but that’s by the by. Kristal Marshall walks up to him and asks him how he’s feeling. Hardy says something about making a huge impact, but it takes him about 35 seconds. He then says he promises his impact will only get bigger and bigger. Again, that takes about a minute and goes in one direction and then another without saying anything. So, listen WWE — Jeff Hardy can be great fun, but please please please please please never put a microphone near him again - 64%.
- It’s main event time, baby. And after the match they had at The Great American Bash, I can’t help but be excited for this clash between Randy Orton and Batista. Orton is jeered, Batista is cheered, they’re both doing exactly what they should in the ring. And if Orton can start turning up to interviews on major networks more often, they’ll both have a very bright future going forward. This is a nice contest, very much the free television match when compared to their excellent pay-per-view encounter. Batista spends a bit of time throwing Orton around the ring, and gets a very close two count after a big spinebuster. But Orton just about gets a shoulder up. There’s another near fall when Orton props Batista’s feet up on the ropes before hitting a spiked DDT, which brings a two count and a kick out from Batista. After more back and forth, this match ends shortly after Batista has finally escaped a sleeper hold from Orton, but gets an eye gouge for his troubles. Orton gets him into the corner and lifts him up for a superplex — which Michael Cole warns us could end this. Genuinely, when has a superplex ever ended a match? But Batista punches out and pushes Orton away. Batista jumps from the second rope with a flying clothesline. Orton bounces down and Batista gets to his feet, thumbs down, Batista Bo— no! Orton punches Batista in the head when he’s up there and hits a big DDT. The cover gets a very long two. Orton looks shocked. He tries to set Batista up for the RKO. Batista rises, Orton goes for it, Batista pushes him away. Orton bounces off the corner and into the referee, who gets knocked down and slowly gets back up. Batista sets him up for another Batista Bomb, but Orton low blows, hits the RKO and covers — right when Charles Robinson gets up. Incredible timing, really. Orton gets the pinfall win — and he’s joining the title match at WWE Summerslam. Randy Orton beats Batista - 78%.
- Randy Orton skips up the ramp, where Charles Robinson raises his hand, as Batista angrily marches around the ring following that dubious win and Smackdown ends.
-----------------------
WWE Summerslam card (subject to change)
WWE World Tag Team titles - D-Generation X © vs The McMahons WWE Heavyweight title - Rob Van Dam © vs John Cena vs Edge WWE World Heavyweight title - Booker T © vs Rey Mysterio vs Batista vs Randy Orton WWE Intercontinental title - Rene Dupree © vs Ric Flair |
|
|
|
Post by aew1992 on May 26, 2023 17:19:49 GMT 1
WWE Heat, Saturday 12 August, 2006
- It’s RAWIsBore here to talk you through the new and improved WWE Heat. Which is a lot like the old Heat — but on the internet!
- Taped at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Justin Credible is apparently sticking about, which is nice for him and nice for a certain big-nosed wrestler who is not that happy with the fact he doesn’t have the title or whatever it is he is complaining about this week. What is less nice for Credible is that he’s opening up Heat against Matt Striker, who has been barely used on television (aside from as window dressing for Rob Van Dam) since being the key figure in a major title switch. Anyway, WWE are looking to rectify that with this match against Credible. Striker is accompanied by Paul Heyman but doesn’t use him as he wins this one with the Golden Rule — renamed Doing The Deal. Matt Striker (w/Paul Heyman) beats Justin Credible - 57%.
- After their absence on RAW, it’s time for the women to get a showing on Heat. Trish Stratus is teaming up with Ashley Massaro — who, it must be said, is kept on the apron for as long as humanly possible — while Mickie James and Lita team up. The women’s roster has been fairly decimated over the last couple of years, hasn’t it? James and Trish are going to meet on RAW next week so this is all about hyping that match up. And we’re given a bit of jeopardy for that one as James manages to get the pin over Trish to win the match. Afterwards, though, Beth Phoenix charges over the barricade and demolishes both Lita and Massaro. James, with an eye on Monday, holds back, while Trish runs in and gets a Phoenix Bomb of her own. Mickie James and Lita beat Trish Stratus and Ashley Massaro - 59%.
- What’s this? No Masterlock challenge on tonight’s show? Chris Masters hypes himself up, says after an enforced absence he’s back and back to his best, and that has been proven over the last couple of months with his Masterlock wins. He gets the production guys to roll footage of it. Viscera interrupts and says he’s been abandoned by his partner Val Venis and now has to prove himself as a singles wrestler or risk losing his contract. He wants to prove himself against Masters as he proves himself in the bedroom every single night. So, next week he’s going to take on the challenge - 62%.
- Road Warrior is already in the ring when Goldust emerges from the back to a fair dose of jeers. People are clearly buying into the heel turn, even if it has been fairly directionless in the last few weeks as we wait for him to (presumably) face his dad at Summerslam. And it’s nice for old Dustin to be on the right end of a squash as he works his way through Road Warrior in four minutes, ending this with the Curtain Call. Goldust beats Road Warrior - 65%.
- Ah, poor Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. Easily two of the most talented in-ring workers on RAW and they’re the fifth and sixth most important people in a six person angle. And, to be honest, they’re barely involved in that any more. They’re clearly back as a team for now and take on the hastily assembled combination of Rob Conway and Danny Basham in the main event of Heat. It’s easy work for Haas and Benjamin, with Benjamin hitting a T-Bone Suplex on Conway to get the win after five minutes. It’s what the fans want to see too. Benjamin is still getting good reactions — can someone please figure out a way to take advantage of it? Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas beat Rob Conway and Danny Basham - 69%.
------------------------------
WWE Velocity, Saturday, 12 August, 2006
- Velocity was taped at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
- God, you sort of forget just how deep and simultaneously rubbish a lot of the WWE roster is until they start broadcasting the leftovers from house shows on the internet, don’t you? Hardcore Holly is here, basically, and you sort of can’t believe it. Anyway, it’s probably a positive that Holly has Velocity back to give him some direction in his career. In a sense, anyway, as he takes on Nunzio after not being granted an entrance, and manages to lose after Vito gets involved from ringside — clubbing Holly with some sort of foreign object — and giving Nunzio the win. Nunzio (w/Vito) beats Hardcore Holly - 64%.
- We get a recap of Gregory Helms’ recent attacks on Ultimo Dragon and Super Crazy, and then we cut to, well, Austin Aries watching the footage on a screen backstage, laughing away. Kristal Marshall walks into shot and introduces the audience to Austin Healy, Smackdown’s newest superstar and a signing from the general managers to try and build-up the cruiserweight division on Velocity. Healy laughs away when Kristal asks him about the footage and says Helms is showing up the existing cruiserweight division, which just tells us how easy it will be for Healy to climb the ranks and win the title from Ultimo Dragon. Psicosis interjects, he isn’t happy at Healy laughing at his partner being attacked by Helms, and challenges him to a match.
- And that match happens… IMMEDIATELY! This one is all about introducing Austin Healy to a wider audience while still letting Psicosis look fairly strong. And they just about manage that, with Healy getting some good kicks in and looking dangerous, including the token cruiserweight dive to the outside, but Psicosis managing to control most of the match. The end though comes with Psicosis goes for a clothesline, misses, tries a low kick, misses that too and then Healy hooks him up for and then hits a big brainbuster. Healy bridges through and locks in the Last Chancery — renamed the Heal to Head — for a submission win. Austin Healy beats Psicosis - 73%.
- And the main event of Velocity sees Doug Basham stood in the ring. Ah, Kurt Angle! What are you doing here? Well, the answer is not very much — he doesn’t look particularly happy to be featuring on the B-show, and that’s probably fair enough. Basham gets two whole minutes in the ring with Angle before Orlando Jordan runs down the ring and tries to distract him. Angle won a gold Olympic medal with a broken frickin’ neck bro, he is not going to lose this match because of you. So he ducks a clothesline from Basham, hits the Angle Slam and then the Ankle Lock for the win. He then jaws with Jordan, which lets John Bradshaw Layfield roll into the ring and clothesline him to end Velocity with the millionaire posing in the ring with Jordan. Kurt Angle beats Doug Basham - 59%.
|
|
|
|
Post by aew1992 on May 27, 2023 11:02:21 GMT 1
WWE Monday Night RAW - 11 August, 2006 - It’s the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia for Monday Night RAW this week.
- D-Generation X are out and they are up to antics! X-Pac has a glitter cannon, while Triple H and Shawn Michaels are handing out glow sticks. This is… anti-establishment, apparently. Anyway, they’re on microphones sooner rather than later. Shawn Michaels thanks Linda McMahon for finally giving them the opportunity to get one over on The McMahons. X-Pac says he knows his boys will get the job done, while Triple H says he always thought Linda was a good mother-in-law, even if her daughter is the spawn of Satan herself. Must on the dad’s side, Triple H jokes. Anyway, a bit more joshing and that draws out Vince, Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie says she’s not happy with HHH’s comments, and he can expect to hear about them in their divorce agreement. Vince McMahon then says they might be facing off at Summerslam at his wife’s behest, but that doesn’t mean he can’t influence tonight. So, he says, D-Generation X will run a tag team gauntlet tonight to main event the show. And, Vince says, he’s going to put the World Tag Team titles on the line. Vince doesn’t even care about the belts — with a week to think about it, he just wants to get his hands on his future former son-in-law and Michaels. He tells D-X to go prepare, because he’s got a real challenge in mind for them - 92%.
- Look, I’m not going to give you a full explanation of what happens in this next match because you sort of know the drill by now. Worth noting that Jim Ross points out the younger brother of Goldust, Cody Rhodes on the front row. Apparently, he’s just signed a contract to train with the WWE, one to keep an eye on in the future and all that. It becomes important later. Trish Stratus comes out with the WWE Women’s title, everyone cheers. Mickie James comes out, everybody boos. They recap the feud. The two wrestle for a couple of minutes and then Beth Phoenix comes out and performs a Phoenix Bomb on both of them. But there’s an added element this week. As Phoenix is held back by referees, Shane McMahon appears on screen and says that if she wanted to make an impact, she’s made it over the last few weeks. WWE is all about making an impact and an impression, so he’s making a triple threat match for Summerslam for the women’s title. Jeez, talk about encouraging bad workplace behaviour. Can’t believe The McMahons are into th- (Editor: No). Trish Stratus vs Mickie James is a no contest - 72%.
- Hey, it’s Eugene! Outside of being squashed by someone! He’s being interviewed by Maria Kanellis backstage, and she asks about being attacked by Umaga. Eugene says first he was hurting, then he was angry, then he was sad, now he’s OK. Those are the different emotions buddy, right there. Anyway, Eugene says that his mom and dad have been calling him all week and they’re not happy with how he’s being attacked in the ring by the big boys. So he says his brother Nicky is going to be on RAW next week to help protect him - 70%.
- It’s 2006 and Real American playing is guaranteed to get a bigger cheer than almost any other song from anyone else on the roster. Which is my way of saying that Hulk Hogan is on his way out and people get very excited by it. He runs through his usual poses, getting reactions from all four sides of the ring — including the one with the ramp and very few fans sat down it — and then gets on the microphone. Here’s a brief transcript: something, something, brother! Something, something, something, jack! Something, something, something, something, Mene Gene! I’ll run that through the handy translator I gave here and… basically, he’s unhappy with how Umaga has been bullying people across the RAW roster and when he saw Eugene being tossed around the ring, he couldn’t let it continue. Lucky he just happened to be backstage visiting friends. He says he wants to let Umaga pick on someone his own size, so he’s challenging him to a match at Summerslam! That brings Alejandro Armando Estrada and Umaga out. Estrada asks who Hogan thinks he is as he walks down the ramp. He says he’s past it, he’s a has-been, he’s yesterday’s news… and he’s going to lose to Umaga at Summerslam. Estrada says he knows Hogan will finally be a challenge for his client, but not enough to stop him getting the Samoan Spike and the 1-2-3. Hogan asks Estrada why he is so confident, when one of them is a six-time WWE champion and a six-time WCW World Heavyweight champion and the other is a six-month fad. Estrada looks as though he accepts the point, and then says: “Because of this!”. Umaga cleans Hogan out, hits a Samoan Spike, and then poses above him to end the segment - 78%.
- You can tell it’s the go-home show for Summerslam because up next, Rob Van Dam (the WWE champion, in case you’ve forgotten) and Rene Dupree (the WWE Intercontinental champion, in case you’ve forgotten) are teaming up against John Cena (the No 1 contender to Van Dam’s title (sort of (maybe joint No 1 contender)), in case you’ve forgotten) and Ric Flair (the No 1 contender to Dupree’s title, in case you’ve forgotten. And this has all the hallmarks of “remind people there’s a pay-per-view coming up without giving too much away”, including Jim Ross’s commentary — “if Van Dam hits that on Sunday, Cena’s challenge could be over!” (spinning heel kick, so probably not) and the eventual finish. What is that, you ask? Well, Van Dam gets sent over the top by Cena. Cena goes for the F-U on Dupree but Paul Heyman gets up on the apron to distract him so Cena drops the French-Canadian to go after Heyman. That lets Dupree throw him through the ropes, but Flair rolls him up for the pin and the win — that’s no finishers wasted, no one taking the loss particularly hard, but an opportunity to remember that IF this HAPPENS on SUNDAY etc. etc. Good match though, mind. Ric Flair and John Cena beat Rob Van Dam and Rene Dupree - 75%.
- Welcome Goldust, lord of attitude and charisma and doing good work well past his anticipated expiry date. He’s out in the ring with Stacy Keibler, where he points out his brother Cody in the front row. Goldust says Cody had a lot more of his father than he ever did, given Dusty was semi-retired by the time Cody was a kid. He says Cody is a constant reminder to him of just what he missed out on, and the success he managed without his father’s influence. Goldust says he wants to prove his separation from Dusty, completely and utterly, with a match on Sunday night at Summerslam. He asks his dad to come out and accept his challenge. No answer. So Goldust asks again, and promises Dusty he will want to accept the match. No answer. So Goldust goes out of the ring and over to Cody. Cody gets up and smiles at his brother — hey, it’s his brother after all! Goldust is not in the mood for a smile though. He breathes in and out slowly before slapping the WWE cap off Cody’s head. He then drags him over the barricade and throws him into the steel stairs. Goldust picks Cody up and throws him into the ring. In the ring, he latches onto him and continues the assault. He then picks Cody up and holds him for a Curtail Call. Goldust holds and gets on the microphone — “Come answer me, dad” — and then hits the Curtail Call before Dusty can respond. Goldust stands over the downed Cody and then goes to drag him into the corner… when Dusty Rhodes’s music hits. Dusty stays on the ramp, tells Goldust to back off Cody, who is all skin and bones and years away from being a WWE-ready superstar. These are Dusty’s words, not mine. He tells him to leave Cody alone — if he does, he has his match for Summerslam. Goldust smiles, drops Cody, and then tells his dad he’ll see him in Boston, before throwing down his microphone - 85%.
- Back from a break and Kane is making his way out to take on The Brute. If it is becoming increasingly obvious who The Punk is, then I think it’s fair to say that we’re still none the wiser over who The Brute and The Student are. And I’m quite enjoying that, to be honest. I enjoyed it when we broke the fact that they aren’t even ‘names’ — and that the reveal of who the trio ‘are’ isn’t exactly going to be a key part of the story. Anyway, The Brute is accompanied by the rest of The Kaneanites. But they make a very noticeable decision not to get involved in this match, which ends after a few minutes with a Kane chokeslam and a clean victory. Kane beats The Brute (w/The Punk and The Student) - 70%.
- It’s all just an excuse for The Punk to get on the microphone after the match. He points out that himself and The Student let Kane test himself, let him stretch himself, let him see that he could overcome a big man like The Brute on his own merit, because on Sunday they want to finally release him. The Punk is ready to lay out his final challenge to Kane, the encounter that will let Kane be the monster they know he can be again. What’s the challenge? Well, The Punk wants to meet him, one more time, one on one… in a Buried Alive match. Kane stares The Punk down, he nods his head in assent and then takes a microphone from the camera man in the ring before uttering two words — “I accept” - 75%.
- It’s time for the WWE World Tag Team title gauntlet. And D-Generation X make their way to the ring, looking cocky, confident and as if they have no fear of losing their belts. Triple H and Shawn Michaels must have checked the clauses in their contract before walking out — snarf. Up first — Danny Basham and Rob Conway. Ah, that lasts about a minute and a half before a kick, a wham, and a pedigree sees them off. D-Generation X beat Danny Basham and Rob Conway to retain the WWE World Tag Team titles.
- Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon come out and introduce their next opponents — Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade. OK, so at least these two provide some form of competition to HHH and Michaels. Murdoch and Cade are former tag team champions, so know to isolate and pin down Michaels, who does a good job of playing the babyface in peril. But that can only last a few minutes — the show is only scheduled to last for two hours, after all. So when Murdoch misses a charge into the corner and an encroaching Lance Cade misses a flying clothesline from the top as Michaels bounces away, a Sweet Chin Music on both lets HBK roll on top of Murdoch for the pin. D-Generation X beat Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade to retain the WWE World Tag Team titles - 73%.
- The final pair to take on D-Generation X are The Corporation’s preferred duo, Sean O’Haire and Test. This is comfortably the toughest challenge so far for Triple H and Shawn Michaels, who spend most of the match looking tired and being battered around the ring. The McMahons finally make it all the way down to ringside too, supporting O’Haire and Test, with Stephanie particularly vocal about how much she loves the latter. And fair play to O’Haire and Test, incidentally, their in-ring work has been pretty solid since they came back on screen. But there’s a growing sense that they are just plugging a gap right now, and that becomes increasingly clear as this one wears on. O’Haire is setting Michaels up for the Cruel Intentions, which leads to Test drawing HHH into the ring. He sets him up for the Big Boot, but Triple H ducks. Meanwhile, Michaels has escaped O’Haire and thrown him over the top. Test therefore turns straight into a Sweet Chin Music — although it half connects — before staggering into a Pedigree from Triple H for the finish. D-Generation X beat Test and Sean O’Haire to retain the WWE World Tag Team titles - 80%.
- D-Generation celebrate getting through their slog, but not for long, as they are attacked from behind by Edge and the returning Kenny, who Jim Ross calls Kenny Dykstra. Edge hits a big Spear on Triple H while Kenny hits a neckbreaker on Shawn Michaels before climbing up top for a big leg drop. Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon hit the ring and lay boots into D-Generation X before Vince calls for a microphone. He says the match might be made for Sunday, but he’s adding another element — it will be no disqualifications! And Vince warns D-X not to turn their back, because no matter what happens on Sunday, no matter whether they think they’ve overcome The McMahons, they always have another option up their sleeve. And they promise they have options up their sleeve for Summerslam. The McMahons then pose with Edge, Kenny Dykstra and the recovered Test and Sean O’Haire to end the show - 82%.
---------------
WWE Summerslam card (subject to change)
WWE World Tag Team titles - D-Generation X © vs The McMahons WWE Heavyweight title - Rob Van Dam © vs John Cena vs Edge WWE World Heavyweight title - Booker T © vs Rey Mysterio vs Batista vs Randy Orton WWE Intercontinental title - Rene Dupree © vs Ric Flair WWE Women's title - Trish Stratus © vs Beth Phoenix vs Mickie James Hulk Hogan vs Umaga Buried Alive match - The Punk vs Kane Dusty Rhodes vs Goldust |
|
