The final Smackdown before No Way Out gets underway with the brash music of the Nation of Domination hitting. The United States Champion, Booker T is accompanied to the ring by Samoa Joe, Rikishi, and Faarooq. The stable get a hearty booing before Booker T grabs the microphone.
Booker T: I know why you're booing. It's because ya'll can't stand to see a black man with the gold. Ya'll have been tryin' to hold the Booker man, us, down forever and it's not working. Now, you'd think a brother like Lashley would be happy to see the United States represented by an upstanding man such as myself - but he's not. You see, Lashley is a disgrace. Lashley is a man lookin' out for himself. Lashley is
never going to hold this United States title. You know why? Because Lashley can't beat me. Lashley...
The crowd pops as Lashley's music hits and the big man appears at the top of the ramp. Rikishi and Samoa Joe step in between Booker T and Lashley, but Booker speaks up.
Booker: Lashley, glad you're here. You see, I've been talking to Teddy Long and I've arranged a match tonight. I've already beaten you for my United States title, but apparently you haven't gotten it through your thick skull yet. So, if you want another beating, you're going to have to earn it. Tonight it'll be you against my man, Samoa Joe and Chris Benoit. Whoever wins will face the Booker Man at No Way Out for the gold!
MATCH ONE - Lashley vs. Chris Benoit vs. Samoa Joe for #1 US Contendership
Benoit runs down to the ring, as Lashley has already slid in and began to exchange blows with Samoa Joe. Rikishi and Faarooq linger at ringside whilst Booker T joins Michael Cole and Tazz to provide commentary on the match. It's all Lashley early on, the biggest man in the ring man-handling Benoit before getting into a charging contest with Samoa Joe. Joe uses his slight speed advantage to get behind Lashley and plant him with a big belly to back suplex.
Benoit is largely marginalised as the two titans clash, but begins to get involved with his brutal technical style before too long. Despite his obvious merits, Benoit is never a major player in this one - due largely to the long standing feud between Lashley and the Nation of Domination.
The end comes about with Benoit out of the ring following a press slam from Samoa Joe. Lashley's got Joe up on one shoulder for the Dominator when Booker T leaves the commentary booth and gets up on the apron. Lashley is distracted and Joe slides free, locking him from behind in the Cochina Clutch! Lashley is stranded in no man's land! The referee asks if he wants to tap, but he refuses to give up. Eventually, however, Joe's patented submission hold proves too great - Lashley is unconscious and Samoa Joe is #1 contender!
Rikishi, Faarooq, and Booker T hit the ring to celebrate their victory by beating down the still unconscious Lashley. Benoit hits the ring to clear them off, planting Rikishi with a German and helping Lashley to his feet. The two challengers stare down the Nation as they back up the ramp.
COMMERCIAL
We return from commercial as LOD 2005 make their way out to the ring for what MNM have called their 'warm up match'. MNM come out with Melina to their usual fanfare, the paparazzi heard to ask questions about MNM's request to unify the tag belts.
MATCH TWO - MNM (c) vs. LOD 2005 for the WWE Tag Titles
As one would expect, this match is mostly about MNM, with LOD 2005's offence being enough to make them look good but not enough to ever make it look like MNM are in any real danger. Animal does, at one point, get Nitro up on his shoulders for the Doomsday Device - but Mercury chops his legs out from under him. Nitro falls atop him and the count is made for the 1-2-3 and a fairly routine retention.
The victory isn't celebrated, however, as TNT's music hits and the Raw tag champions appear at the top of the ramp.
Cade: Well, well, well - so this is where the pretty boys play? You come into our yard and you say you want our gold? We beat Big Show and Kane for this gold. Who did you beat? Oh, the two washed up old men in the ring? Or was it Rey Mysterio and... what was his name?
Murdoch: Some nobody
Cade: Whatever. So, you want to face us? We'd like nothing more. Let's make it No Way Out, shall we? MNM vs. TNT to unify the gold?
MNM are preparing to respond when Theodore Long's music hits and the Smackdown General Manager struts out.
Long: Hold on a second, playas! Last I checked I was still in charge of Smackdown, and last I checked TNT weren't even a part of the Smackdown roster. So you boys can just go and....
The music of The Mexicools hits and Psicosis & Super Crazy ride on lawn mowers. Moments later Paul London and Brian Kendrick sprint out with their neutral masks on.
London: Wait a second, Teddy, think about it! Unify the titles on Smackdown!
Long pauses a second, thinks, and then nods.
Long: Alright, playas, I'll do it. At No Way Out it will be TNT vs. MNM vs. The Mexicools vs. London & Kendrick to unify the tag titles!
The crowd pop as MNM and TNT both look more than a little concerned. They'll now be facing two teams with nothing to lose as well as a fellow championship pairing!
COMMERCIAL
Funaki is already out in the ring when we return from commercial, which is never a good sign. It's an even worse sign when Monty Brown's music hits and the Alpha Male stalks out to the ring.
MATCH TWO - Monty Brown vs. Funaki
This one is mercifully quick. Brown squashes Funaki like he's never been squashed before, hitting him with four suplex variants before nailing the Pounce for the 1-2-3 after just over a minute. Funaki didn't even get a single punch in.
Having barely broken a sweat, Brown swipes a mike from ringside.
Brown: Batista, I'm calling you out for No Way Out. The Alpha Male is the biggest, baddest predator in the Serengeti and there's not room enough for you and me. I'm challenging you under the laws of the jungle. The Alpha Male is not only the most skillful beast, he's also the most intelligent, the youngest, and the most impressive physical specimen. When an old male outstays his welcome in the Serengeti, he's exiled from the pride. That's what I'll do to you at No Way Out. Batista, I'm going to put you out of the misery with the POOOOOOOOOOOUNCE! Period!
A video plays hyping Matt Hardy vs. Randy Orton at No Way Out for the WWE World Heavyweight Title.
As the video winds down, we find The Undertaker backstage with a rather meek looking Todd Grisham.
Todd: Undertaker, last week on Raw you were...
Undertaker: Sshhhhh..... Todd Grisham, we will not speak of Eric Bischoff just yet. There are more pressing things on my mind. You see, I have unfinished business with a man who has the audacity to claim he is a legend killer. Randy Orton, you have tried to end me countless times and each time you have failed to get the job done. You cannot kill a dead man, but a dead man can end a legend killer. Orton, you chase after your pretty little title, but remember that all the riches and success in the world will not protect you from death. Rich man or poor man, the maggots care not.
The lights go out and flicker back on. Undertaker is gone, and Grisham stands literally covered in maggots.
COMMERCIAL
The music of cruiserweight champion, Gregory Helms hits as the former Raw superstar struts out to the ring with the gold over his shoulder.
Helms: Since I've come to Smackdown I have proven that I am the greatest cruiserweight champion this business has ever seen. I have made the former champion, Juven...whatever, look like the over-rated spot monkey he is. I've retired Scotty 2 Hotty. I've beaten Nunzio and Kash and Funaki. So what does Teddy Long do? He hires some indy star with wraps on him and sends him to take me down. Alright, Austin Aries let's see what you've got.
MATCH FOUR - Gregory Helms (c) vs. Austin Aries for the Cruiserweight Title
Aries sprints out to the ring to a mild pop from the indy enthusiasts in the crowd, his speed catching Helms unaware as he tackles him and sends him crashing to the mat. He hits some innovative offence (such as his pendulum elbow drop and his twisting body splash from the outside) and Helms is reeling. The champion shows it when he goes to the outside to recuperate, but Aries keeps on the offensive with a running senton to the outside that gets the crowd's adrenaline pumping.
The match continues in this vein, with Aries continually pushing Helms to the limit with a combination of cocky underdog enthusiasm and his unique southpaw offence. Eventually Helms gets frustrated, blasting Aries with the belt to end the match via disqualification.
He's backing up the ramp when Teddy Long's music hits again, and he's ready to make a match.
Long: Gregory, playa, what do you think you're doing? You've been runnin' your mouth about being unbeatable for weeks now, and then you take the coward's way out when I give you an opponent? Well, it's not going to go that way at No Way Out. It'll be you against four other cruiserweights in a match you can't escape from. It will be Gregory Helms vs. Juventud vs. Funaki vs. Nunzio vs. Austin Aries in a ladder match!
Helms objects, but Long has spoken. The commercial fades in with a clearly agitated Helms yelling at the crowd.
COMMERCIAL
We return to see JBL's signature limousine coasting down to the ring. It halts and Layfield steps outside alongside his image consultant, Jillian Hall. The arena blackens and the crowd goes crazy as The Undertaker's music hits and the Phenom makes his way out for what should be a slobberknocker.
MATCH FIVE - The Undertaker vs. John Bradshaw Layfield
The two big brawlers don't waste any time in getting into it, with JBL obviously seeing this match as an opportunity to improve his standing as a potential title contender. He controls things early with his usual heelish tactics, but Undertaker's intensity and skill soon begins to show as he busts out Old School before setting JBL up for a chokeslam. Jillian gets up on the apron to interupt, which causes Undertaker to drag her into the ring. She quakes in fear as Taker advances, but JBL hits a low blow to halt the big man. Clothesline from Hell! Cover 1-2-NO! JBL can't believe it! Jillian has rolled to the outside and the referee is still down as Undertaker catches JBL and buries him with the Last Ride. There's still no referee and...and... Randy Orton is in the ring! RKO! Undertaker is down! He wakes JBL and the 'wrestling God' staggers over to make the cover. The referee is awake. 1-2-3! JBL just beat the Undertaker thanks to a huge assist from Randy Orton!
Whilst JBL and Jillian make a quick exit, we cut backstage to where Eric Bischoff is shown practising for his match against Long. He's punching a bag as Chris Masters spurs him on. Looks like he's taking this match seriously.
COMMERCIAL
We return from the break as Super Crazy & Psicosis ride out to the ring. They'll be representing Smackdown alongside Rey Mysterio in tonight's interpromotional match against Raw! Mysterio is next out, followed by Muhammad Hassan. Masters make his entry before the Big Red Machine's entrance really shakes things up.
MATCH SIX - Team Raw (Kane, Masters, and Hassan) vs. Team Smackdown (The Mexicools & Rey Mysterio)
This one starts off with Psicosis in action against Hassan. The Mexican flier controls things early on, with the memorable spot of the early going being a running splash to the outside to silence Daivari's incessant shouting. This, of course, allows Hassan to tag in Masters - who dominates the smaller Psicosis with his size advantage. Even a desperation tag to Super Crazy fails to reverse the momentum - Crazy caught coming off the ropes and locked in the Masterlock! He's set to pass out, but Masters casts him aside like a rag doll and tags in Kane. Kane beats on Crazy like never before, throwing him around and laying him out with big boots. He tosses Super Crazy to the corner and beckons to Mysterio. Mysterio looks worried, but tags in blind. He comes off the top rope with a springboard - but Kane catches him up top and buries him with a powerbomb.
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No! Mysterio is saved by a top rope leg drop from Psicosis! Kane tries to take Psicosis out, but Super Crazy knocks him face first into the ropes with a dropkick. Mysterio's there... 619! Mysterio covers. NO! Hassan comes in to make the save! He locks Mysterio in the Camel Clutch - but Super Crazy lands on his back with a trifecta moonsault. Masters comes in and locks Super Crazy in the Masterlock for the second time! Meanwhile Mysterio has gone to the outside where he signals for Droppin' the Dime, but Kane is up! CHOKESLAM! Kane just caught Rey in mid air! 1-2-3! Team Raw just dominated Team Smackdown!
COMMERCIAL
Eric Bischoff is in the ring when we return from the break, he's celebrating with Team Raw following their dominant win over Team Smackdown.
Bischoff: You know, Teddy, I've been thinking. Why just have you and I face off when we can give the fans a show like that? I'd like nothing more than to have Team Raw demolish Team Smackdown on their own pay-per-view. So, Teddy, if you're game - why not put two of your superstars against two of mine? I know, you need time to decide. After all, on a roster as talentless as this - you'll struggle to find a team to match mine. You see, my team will be two of the men who demolished your men tonight. It will be Muhammad Hassan teaming with.... KANE!
Kane and Hassan slap one another on the back, whilst Masters looks shocked at the decision. Bischoff whispers in his ear and he seems satisfied. No sign of Long.
COMMERCIAL
We return from the break as Randy Orton makes his way out to the ring. He looks cocky after having cost Undertaker a match against JBL earlier in the evening.
MIIIIIIIIIIISTER KENNEDY! KENNEDY! His partner, Mr. Kennedy, is out next - looking as arrogant as ever. Next out is The Animal, Batista, who gets a monster pop from the crowd before Matt Hardy comes out to what is probably the third biggest pop of the evening (behind Batista and Undertaker).
MATCH SEVEN - Randy Orton & Ken Kennedy vs. Matt Hardy & Batista
This one starts off with the crowd chanting for Matt Hardy as he squares off against Ken Kennedy, the two brash young stars circling before making initial contact. Kennedy gets in control with a knee to the midsection and a suplex, but his cover barely gets one before Hardy's shoulder is up. Kennedy whips Hardy, who ducks a clothesline attempt and rebounds with a flying crossbody. He scrambles to the top for his signature leg drop, but Kennedy quickly leaps to the turnbuckles and attempts to his his Lambeau Leap! Hardy manages to get loose and turns it into a tornado DDT from the top! The crowd mark out as Hardy covers, but Orton is across to prevent the pinfall. Batista attempts to get in the ring to end the numbers advantage but this only draws the referee, allowing Orton and Kennedy to bash Hardy. Orton slaps his hands together to signal a tag before going to work on Hardy with a side headlock and punches. He whips Hardy and locks in a sleeper hold, but Hardy manages to fight out and hit a jawbreaker. Both men are weak! Orton staggers towards his corner, but Hardy makes the tag. The Animal is in! Kennedy enters and rushes at Batista, only to be planted with a Spinebuster! Orton quickly rolls to the outside, avoding the confrontation. Bob Orton is outside with him, and offers advice as Batista poses in the ring.
Orton gingerly re-enters the ring and Batista is on him instantly, clubbing him across the back with big forearms. Orton is cowed into a corner, but manages to halt Batista with a knee to the stomach followed by a top rope axe handle. He takes Batista down with a wheelbarrow suplex before preparing to hit the RKO. Batista stagers to his feet.... No! Batista shoves Orton away and staggers back to the rope, where Hardy blind tags and comes into the ring with a missile dropkick! Orton is floored! He staggers to his feet... SIDE EFFECT! Kennedy rushes across again, but walks right into a Twist of Fate. Hardy turns around.... RKO! Orton covers.
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The bell tolls! Orton leaps to his feet in fear, preparing for The Undertaker's attack. The Undertaker is nowhere to be seen. TWIST OF FATE! Orton just got blind-sided by Hardy. 1-2-3! Orton lost it! The Undertaker's music distracted him and Hardy scores the win!
Orton is furious. Hardy and Batista are celebrating their way up the ramp as the former champion grabs a microphone.
Orton: I am sick to death of this! It's bull****! Undertaker is costing me match after match and I will not stand for it. Teddy Long, if you don't do something about this, I'm going to make sure you lose to Eric Biscoff on Sunday. Teddy, I want my match against Matt to be in a steel cage. Give me that Teddy, or I'll RKO the hell out of you at No Way Out and make sure you don't have a job!
Theodore Long does not come out, but we cut to backstage where he is standing with network representative, Don Callis.
Callis: I say do it, Teddy. Cage matches are proven to increase pay-per-view revenue by 5% in even non title clashes, so imagine what numbers it'll do with the World Heavyweight Title on the line!
Long: And this match with Bischoff?
Callis: Think about the prestige it'll bring to the networ... I mean, Smackdown, if you beat him and shut his mouth once and for all. No more 'Smackdown is the B show' talk. We'll be the hottest act on cable... on television... in the world!
Long: (Pauses) Alright, playa, I'll do it.
Looking forward to seeing how it all plays out
