The final Smackdown before the Royal Rumble kicks off to massive fanfare, with the announcers plugging the big matches set to take place tonight. The two semi finals of the #30 Royal Rumble tournament, a clash between Samoa Joe and the winner of Lashley vs. William Regal to decide who will face Booker T, and a huge main event between Matt Hardy and Randy Orton with Hulk Hogan as special guest referee! Can these three keep themselves in check going into the title match?
The Million Dollar Man's music hits as he, Lashley, and Paul Birchall head down to the ring. Footage is played showing William Regal's attack on Birchall last week, as well as his defeat of Ted DiBiase. DiBiase promises that tonight Lashley will make an example of Regal, Samoa Joe, and whoever else gets in his way.
MATCH ONE - Lashley vs. William Regal
This one starts off with a nervous Regal making sure the referee keeps an eye on DiBiase and Birchall. Whilst the ref lectures them, Regal low blows Lashley and goes for a quick roll-up. Lashley kicks out, however, and it's all downhill from there for the British brawler. Lashley showcases all of his power moves before burying Regal with the Dominator. Lashley will face Samoa Joe later tonight!
COMMERCIAL
Kurt Angle has arrived at Smackdown as we return from the break, ready for the all-Raw final between himself and Edge to decide who will face the winner of Chris Benoit vs. CM Punk.
MATCH TWO - London & Spanky vs. LOD 2005
The fans are torn in their support here, with the old school fans chanting for the Legion of Doom whilst the purists are behind the inventive team of Paul London and Brian 'Spanky' Kendrick. This match is one of the finer tag matches in recent memory, the two different styles combining nicely. Kendrick and London make a good effort of selling the bigger team's power moves, and use tenacious underdog moves to keep themselves in the match. London sets the place alight in particular, and is rewarded when he is able to pin Heidenreich after hitting London Calling!
As the small team celebrate, MNM rush down to the ring. They're quick to get on top of the fatigued team, but Psicosis and Super Crazy hit the ring as well - and soon we've got a four team brawl! Theodore Long comes out with security at his side, and says that the four teams will meet at Royal Rumble in an elimination tag match to decide the titles!
COMMERCIAL
We return from the break as Simon Dean heads out to the ring. He begins to hype his Simon System, insult the crowd, and generally act heelish before Juventud comes out to a big response. 'The Juice' is set to defend his title.
MATCH THREE - Simon Dean vs. Juventud (c) for the Cruiserweight Title
This match is quite good, featuring two experienced high flyers who know how to work the crowd. Dean's offence is mostly underhanded, with Juventud doing the majority of the innovative work. The match itself doesn't last long, with Gregory Helms hitting the ring and blind-siding Juvi before hitting the dreaded Vertabreaker! The referee awards the match to Juvi via DQ, but he's not conscious to celebrate.
Helms gets on the mike amidst heavy boos and says that he's organised for a match at the Royal Rumble. It'll be Juventud defending the title against Gregory Helms in a ladder match!
COMMERCIAL
Returning from the break and it's Ken Kennedy and JBL on their way out to the ring to the hearty booing of the Smackdown fans. Kennedy introduces himself and JBL before The Rock's music hits and the People's Champion rushes down to the ring. He doesn't hesitate to consider the numbers advantage, and Rey Mysterio is forced to rush out as the bell sounds.
MATCH FOUR - JBL & Kennedy vs. The Rock & Rey Mysterio
As is expected from the calibre of worker in this match, it's a damn fine spectacle. Mysterio and Rocky do the selling whilst JBL and Kennedy dish out punishment. Mysterio gets isolated early and double teamed by the much larger pairing - falling victim to a Clothesline from Hell after he failed to hit the 619. Only Rock's timely intervention prevented it from ending early. Rey continues to take a beating and is eventually able to make the hot tag, the crowd going nuts as The Rock hits the ring and begins to dish out right hands. He sends Kennedy over the top rope with a big punch, ducks an attempted Clothesline from Hell, and then drops JBL with the Rock Bottom. Kennedy scrambles to get back inside but is tripped up by Rey, who delivers 619 at the same moment Rocky hits the People's Elbow on JBL. 1-2-3! They've done it. Rock and Mysterio have defeated JBL and Ken Kennedy!
Before we cut to commercial we're treated to an interview with 'Mr. Straight Edge' CM Punk. He says he'd say negative things about Chris Benoit's lifestyle, but the man is about as boring as people come. Punk says that while he's against drinking, promiscuity, and drugs - Benoit could use them. He's the most bland man in professional wrestler, apparently.
COMMERCIAL
We return from the break as CM Punk comes out to heavy heat, and Chris Benoit's arrival gets a mammoth pop. The winner of this one will face Kurt Angle or Edge at Royal Rumble to claim the 30th position in the Royal Rumble.
MATCH FIVE - Chris Benoit vs. CM Punk in the #30 Tournament
This is the second ****+ match of the evening, highlighting the WWE's new committment to quality matches. Punk and Benoit, two accomplished technical wrestlers, work a remarkable piece of chain wrestler and counter holds - the likes of which you'd expect from Benoit but not from a young gun like Punk. CM's offence is split between legitimate athleticism and every trick in the heel book - but his cockiness is no match for Benoit's drive - the Canadian Crippler picking up the win after a triple German combo and the Suicide Headbutt. The fans shower him with adoration as we cut to commercial once again following this seventeen minute epic.
COMMERCIAL
A video is played to hype the upcoming match between Samoa Joe and Lashley, showcasing their separate paths to this point.
MATCH SIX - Lashley vs. Samoa Joe for #1 US Contendership
The fans are chanting even before this one begins, two of the world's premier big men preparing to do battle. The match, however, isn't what the fans would want - with the brawling early on giving way to a huge run in that sees Faarooq, Rikishi, Ted DiBiase, and Paul Birchall flood the ring. In the chaos Samoa Joe attempts to hit the Muscle Buster on Lashley, but it's blocked and turned into a fisherman's suplex! The referee is busy ejecting people from ringside, however, and this allows Joe to kick out and grab a chair. He blasts Lashley with it just as the referee turns around, and this one's over before it even began! Samoa Joe has been disqualified! He doesn't seem to care, content to beat on Lashley as the bell rings and security are called upon once again.
COMMERCIAL
Booker T is interviewed by Josh Matthews about the title defence at Royal Rumble. Booker promises victory and says nothing will move this title from his waist, and that's a guarantee.
We then cut to Lita and Edge in a dressing room. They're getting quite intimate when Kurt Angle enters the locker room, shudders in disgust, and promises he'll make it quick for Edge. He says Lita's probably used to Edge being finished quickly. The fans cheer. He says that at least Matt Hardy had balls, Edge is a eunuch. Is Kurt Angle turning face?
MATCH SEVEN - Kurt Angle vs. Edge in the #30 Tournament
Another solid match on a night that will surely produce some match of the year candidates, and even though it's technically 'heel vs. heel', the fans rally behind Angle (when they're not calling Lita a s**t). Edge and Angle are evenly matched throughout, with Lita's attempted interference twice preventing Angle from locking in a potentially match winning Ankle Lock. Much to the crowd's delight Lita is ejected from ringside, but not before sliding the briefcase into the ring. Edge capitalises on the ref's distraction, knocking Angle down with it and cover. The referee turns around to make the count. 1-2-3! Edge just got a cheap victory over Kurt Angle and will face Chris Benoit this Sunday at Royal Rumble!
COMMERCIAL
The cameras show that a furious Kurt Angle pursued Edge and Lita out of the building post match, promising he'd get back on them for screwing him. The crowd then pops as Hulk Hogan makes his way down to the ring to referee Randy Orton vs. Matt Hardy. Randy Orton is next out, the champion and Legend Killer staring down Hogan as he waits for the arrival of Matt Hardy.
OH YEEEAAAH! Matt Hardy's music hits and the fans go nuts as he comes down to the ring for this non-title match.
MATCH EIGHT- Randy Orton vs. Matt Hardy (Hogan referee)
This one gets underway with alternating chants for Hogan and Hardy. The initial work is all in Hardy's favour, but Bob Orton's presence and a trip up allow Orton to get back in control. He dominates for the next five or so minutes, but can never sap enough strength from Hardy to make the 1-2-3. Hogan calls it down the middle, but Orton continues to get in his face. Bob Orton tries to interfere at one point and Hogan takes matters into his own hands, bringing the veteran into the ring and chopping him into submission. This causes Orton to hit the RKO on Hogan! He then gives Hardy an RKO as well, covers, but soon realises he's just taken out the referee. Another referee rushes down.
1
2
NO! Hogan breaks up the count! He whips Orton into the ropes... BIG BOOT! Here it comes... LEG DROP! The new official doesn't know what to do and calls for the bell, this one's ended in a no contest but Hogan is standing tall. The crowd chants 'One More Time' as he poses over the two men he will face at Royal Rumble.
Scoring
Lashley: Win (+5) and Win (+5) = 10
Paul London: Win (+5) = 5
Spanky: Win (+5) = 5
Juventud: Win (+5) and Title Defence (+3) = 8
Gregory Helms: Interference (+1) = 1
The Rock: Win (+5) = 5
Rey Mysterio: Win (+5) = 5
Chris Benoit: Win (+5) = 5
Edge: Win (+5) = 5
Lita: Interference (+1) = 1
Hulk Hogan: Miscellanious (+3) = 3
Leaderboard
thuganomics - 110.5
Big Pete - 110
raider_69 - 103
GreenGuy - 91
Knight82 - 79
PARANoIR - 66
lockyno1 - 58
Manuwera Marlins - 36.5
Gene Krupa - 27
brooksy19 - 26
MILLWALL 15
