FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN RECAP

By Marco Cerino

GM Teddy Long starts the show, to a rousing ovation, after his show won Bragging Rights. Matt Striker fills in for JR with Todd Grisham. GM Teddy Long congratulates his charges on their win, and notes this proves that Smackdown is the “A” show. He noted the night was also disturbing, when Batista attacked his friend Rey Mysterio. The two will talk it out later tonight. He mentions the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title, the Big Show, and this brings down Show’s Unified Championship Tag Team partner, Chris Jericho. Jericho brings the trophy to the ring, relinquishes it to his GM, despite claiming the title belongs to him. He won the title for himself, not the show, and certainly not the fans. Jericho is incensed he didn’t get the title shot, nor was he considered for the title match. He claims full responsibility for the win, which brings down his co-captain Kane. Kane takes exception to Jericho’s claims, and suggests he deserves the title shot instead. Jericho suggests by virtue of his winning pinfall he deserves the glory, and notes Kane’s history with the Undertaker has been less than stellar. Kane responds with a hand to Chris’ throat, releasing only after Teddy’s pleas. He proposes the World Heavyweight Championship match become a Triple Threat match, with Kane and Jericho wrestling to decides who takes the third slot. That is a great idea! The two seem to be reasonably pleased with the offer.

Dolph points out that John lost his match at Bragging Rights. John retorts that Dolph didn’t even compete. The two open quickly with some mat wrestling. After getting dropped, John leaps over Dolph and throws down Dolph before the kip-up and standing shooting star press for 2. Dolph reverses, throwing John into the ringpost, and gets a 2 count. Dolph mounts for punches and flips John, dropping the big elbow and cinching the headlock. John escapes but Dolph suplexes him again for 2. John kicks out as we go to break!

As we return, Dolph has John in a bridge-like chinlock before dropping John on his head. Dolph throws down John again for 2. Dolph locks in the camel clutch, continuing to focus on the head and neck. John fights out with a throwover and the two exchange standing blows. John hits a leaping kick for 2. Dolph reverses the Moonlight Drive, but John gets 2 off a backslide. Dolph gets 2 off a scoop slam. Dolph tries the Zig Zag but John slingshots him into the ringpost and hits the flying enzeguiri. Dolph gets a foot off the ropes. John sets up Starship Pain, but Dolph escapes and trips John on the apron. Dolph lifts John and fires him into the announcer’s table, leaving him helpless as the referee counts out John! A very smart move by Dolph earns him a win over the Champ!

Vince McMahon congratulates Teddy Long on the win. CM Punk interrupts and demands to be in the title match. Punk blames referee Scott Armstrong for the win. Vince grants him a match – with Scott Armstrong!

Beth is apparently facing the only female she ever lost to in wrestling. Matt Stryker declares his love for Beth and I throw up a bit in my mouth. Beth kicks Jenny out of the ring and holds her in a vertical suplex for at least 25 seconds. Beth hits the face-first powerbomb, fixes her bangs, and gets the win. Just one-sided.

Vickie Gurerro walks out, in a princess costume, and yes, the dress does make her look fat. She introduces her Prince Charming, Eric Escobar. Eric levels Matt with an elbow but Matt makes him miss and drops him on the ropes. Matt scores punches in the corner, but Eric reverses and whips Matt. Matt reverses and drops Eric, the two fight in the corner, but Matt gains the edge and hits the moonsault for 2. Matt appears to tweak his knee and Eric goes after the knee with a modified toe-hook. Matt gets up, drops Eric with a kick and reverses with a modified stunner and gets the win! Matt guts it out and limps away victoriously.

We witness the post-match breakdown between Batista and Rey Mysterio. The battered Mysterio comes out first, moving slowly and troubled to the ring. Rey recounts the beatdown given to him by his best friend in the world. Rey is disappointed but is willing to give Batista the benefit of the doubt. He invites Dave, who he calls family, to come out and solve this like men. Batista comes out and berates Rey. Batista is so mad that Rey cost him a title shot, he gives Rey a chance to walk out of the ring. Rey refuses. He wants to straighten it out. Rey pleads his case in the fatal 4-way, and wants to let the past go. Batista refuses the offer. He tells Rey what Rey is thinking, about how Dave hurt him easily, and can do it again. Rey admits he regrets his actions at Bragging Rights, and wishes he never entered the match. Batista suggests Rey leave, and Rey refuses again. Rey wants to resolve the matter, and brings up Eddie Guerrero. Batista is only thinking about himself. He doesn’t want to think about anyone else, and leaves the ring. Rey stands his ground.

Matt Hardy confronts Batista, attempting to empathize with his scenario. He urges Batista to not make any mistakes that he may regret. Batista at first walks away then returns to attack Matt from behind.

Drew talks smack before the start, with his new catch phrase “The Party’s Over.” He whales on Finlay before the match, throwing him into the ring steps and drilling his ribs. The match doesn’t even start. Drew retires to the back, very proud of himself.

JTG and Shad do some hype in the ring. Todd Grisham says he looks like k.d. lang, which is kinda true and creepy. Natalya is a matador, and does some passes against Shad with the small cloth made famous by the great Manolete. Layla rocks the Michael Jackson outfit and dances-off with JTG. Michelle has the full-body devil outfit, attempting to strike JTG. Mickie James, dressed as Marvel’s Elektra, does a routine with the signature sais. The fans boo Natalya and Michelle, cheer Lelia, but Mickie James wins. The other Divas attack her, and a melee ensues as some guy ringside starts a “catfight” cheer.

CM Punk will face the son of “Bullet” Bob Armstrong, and the brother of The Road Dogg, Scott Armstrong. Punk is laughing this off and attacks Armstrong. Punk eventually pisses off Armstrong and he knocks down Punk. Punk retaliates with kicks and slaps. Punk hits the GTS and stands on Scott for the pin. Punk continues to humiliate Scott after the match is over.

Jericho starts the match by leaving the ring. Chris tries to build some momentum but Kane catches him in mid-air for a running powerslam and a 2 count. Kane shows his finesse with a snapmere and dropkick for 2. Jericho fights back with kicks and wears down Kane, but Kane responds with a single kick to level Chris. Chris gets 2 off a missed elbow drop. Chris avoids the chokeslam and tries for the Walls of Jericho, but Kane kicks him off. Jericho builds momentum and sends Kane off the apron and into the barricade as we go to break!

Returning from break, Chris stomps away at Kane’s head. He slingshots Kane into the lower rope and gets 2. Chris cinches in the sleeper and tries to piggyback Kane but Kane powers out. He hits the side slam while reviving and scoring the clothesline in the corner. Kane gets 2 off the sidewalk slam. Chris avoids another clothesline and hits the enzeguiri. Jericho goes off the turnbuckle and falls into Kane’s hand. Kane can’t get the chokeslam but drops him with a boot for 2. Kane seems to be in great pain as Jericho counters into the Codebreaker but can only get 2. Jericho kinda hits the Bulldog but lands the Lionsault into Kane’s open hand, and Kane drops the chokeslam. Chris falls out of the ring and to the floor. Kane retrieves Chris and gets only 2. Kane goes for a Tombstone but Chris reverses into a chopblock and locks in the Walls. Kane grabs the bottom rope to escape the hold and drops Chris with a European uppercut. Kane goes upstairs but Chris chops him down and tries a superplex. Kane goes to the top and is met with a Codebreaker! Jericho gets the pin and is going onto Survivor Series! Perhaps Jericho is as good as he says he is.

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