SMACKDOWN REPORT: Coverage & Results. April 18th, 2008

[Black Widow]

We are slightly more than a week away from Backlash and it is time to see what Edge and the love of his life, Vickie Guerrero do while in England. Will Teddy have to watch them wearing a Bobbie uniform? What is next for the World Champion Undertaker? What will happen between Batista, Shawn Michaels, and Chris Jericho tonight? Will Montel Vontavious Porter and Matt Hardy have a confrontation?

We are live on tape from London, England and your announcers are Michael ‘Number Two by Default’ Cole and Jonathan ‘Why do people ask if I am Lennox Lewis’ Coachman.

The show begins with Chris Jericho coming out and it is time for the Highlight Reel. We are welcomed to Monday Night Jericho on Friday Night. He reminds us that he is the referee of the Why won’t you get it through your skull that Ric Flair has forgiven me for ending his career Match featuring Batista and Shawn Michaels. What a coinkydink that Batista is Jericho’s guest tonight. Batista is dressed for a fight as he comes to the ring. Jericho talks about Batista’s match against the Undertaker, but he wants to go over what happened with Shawn Michaels on Monday night. Jericho figures that Batista thinks that Shawn is a phony and that Shawn enjoyed ending the career of Batista’s buddy. Maybe Shawn enjoyed stabbing people in the back. Time to go to the Jeritron 6000 in JHD (Jericho High Def) for footage from Monday night when Shawn Michaels connected with Sweet Chin Music. Jericho says that Shawn proved that him and Batista were correct. Shawn justified all of the feelings that Batista had and Jericho tells Batista ‘you’re welcome.’ Batista chuckles and he tells Jericho that he never asked Chris to be his lawyer. He does not need Jericho to speak on his behalf. He will confront that person to their face. Chris wonders if he can voice his opinions any more and Batista says that it is okay as long as it does not get in his way. Batista says that he had everything under control with Shawn Michaels, but now he has to deal with Jericho as the referee. He wonders where Jericho fits into the equation. Jericho says that he never wanted to be the referee. Jericho says that he called out Shawn on Monday so it is time to figure out Batista. Jericho points out that Batista was angry that Shawn ended Flair’s career because he wanted to do it himself. Batista says that he heard this theory. Jericho says that he was hoping that Flair would beat Shawn so Batista could be passed the torch. Jericho points out that Flair hand picked Shawn instead of Batista so he could be in the ring with the best. Jericho says that he was in the ring with Flair for his farewell speech (I guess Chris missed the big person who looked like Batista in the ring for the ceremony) and he saw the emotion between Shawn and Flair. Jericho says that he could not see any emotion from Batista because he would not take off his sunglasses. Jericho tells Batista that he does not have to say anything because he knows that he is right. Jericho wants to see who thought Batista wanted to retire Flair. He also wants to see which fans think that Batista is more selfish than Michaels. Batista decides to take a poll of one man and he votes to give Jericho a power bomb. We go to commercial.

We are back and Matt Hardy comes to the announce table.

Match Number One: Tommy Dreamer versus Montel Vontavious Porter
While Matt is at the announce table, Porter throws his shirt at Matt. Porter pushes Dreamer and then he poses. Dreamer pushes Porter to return the favor. Dreamer with punches to Porter followed by a hip toss and arm drag into an arm bar. Porter with a shoulder to Dreamer and Dreamer is dropped on the top rope. Porter with a neck breaker for a near fall. Porter catapults Dreamer’s throat into the bottom rope as he continues to work over Dreamer. Porter with a cravate followed by knees and a snap mare into a chin lock and arm bar. Dreamer punches Porter but Porter with a punch to the midsection followed by a boot to the head. Porter with forearms to Dreamer’s head while Dreamer tries to block them. Porter with a double thrust to the throat and then he hits a face buster. Porter with the Ballin Elbow for a two count. Porter looks at Hardy as he climbs the turnbuckles, and that delay allows Dreamer to get up and punch Porter in the midsection. Dreamer with a boot to Porter followed by clotheslines. Dreamer with an Irish whip and bulldog. Dreamer with a neck breaker for a two count. Porter with elbows to the head and then he tries for the Playmaker. Dreamer counters and he hits a DDT but Porter gets his hand on the rope. Dreamer gets Porter up for a Death Valley Driver but Porter gets out of the hold and he sends Dreamer into the ring post and then Porter hits the running boot into the corner for the three count.
Winner: Montel Vontavious Porter

After the match, Porter shows his title belt to Hardy as he celebrates his victory.

Finlay is in the locker room getting his son Hornswoggle ready for his match. We go to commercial.

We are back and Matt Striker is in the ring. He says that he was embarrassed last week by Finlay and his leprechaun son. To make matters worse tonight, it is not one-on-one; it is one-on-one-half as he has to face the diminutive dwarf. Matt reminds us that he has a Masters Degree and then he tells us ‘dude’ that he has a 186 IQ.

Match Number Two: Hornswoggle with Fit Finlay versus Matt Striker
Hornswoggle stops Striker before they lock up because it is time for Hornswoggle to juggle some balls in the ring. Hornswoggle throws the tennis balls at Striker. Finlay trips Striker and then he connects with a butt to the face and a boot to the head. Hornswoggle gets a water gun from Finlay and shoots it at Striker. Hornswoggle gets two guns from his dad and he shoots water at Striker. Then the arsenal is increased to a super soaker. Striker takes that and Striker breaks it over his knee. Hornswoggle is handed another super soaker. Hornswoggle gets another water gun. Striker with a baseball slide to Finlay and then he sends Finlay into the apron. Striker attempts to kick Finlay again, but Finlay pulls out the ring skirt and Striker crotches himself. Hornswoggle with a baseball slide of his own. Finlay adds momentum to send Hornswoggle into Striker. The action returns to the ring and Striker tosses Hornswoggle to the mat. Striker slaps Hornswoggle and then he stomps on Hornswoggle. The referee checks on Hornswoggle and Striker takes the shillelagh but the referee sees it before he can use it. Finlay comes in while the referee deals with the other shillelagh and he hits Striker with his shillelagh. Hornswoggle with a frog splash for the three count.
Winner: Hornswoggle

Cole and Coach talk about the WWE Kids Magazine.

Eva is with the Big Show and we go to footage from the Punjabi Peace Offering. Show says that he was not interested in making peace with the Great Khali. Mayweather had to get brass knuckles to get to his level. Khali found out that you do not give Show a goat and chicken to get in his good graces. He will finish things at Backlash. Tonight, he faces Mark Henry and Henry will have to use all of his strength tonight. We go to commercial.

We are back and we see Bam Neely’s debut as Chavo’s Blues Brother as he attacks Kane ten days ago.

Match Number Three: Chavo Guerrero with Bam Neely versus Jamie Noble
Chavo with a waist lock but Noble with a key lock into a drop toe hold and front face lock. Chavo with a switch into a waist lock and a side head lock. Chavo with a shoulder tackle and a side head lock take down into a side head lock. Noble with a top wrist lock and Chavo is taken down but he bridges. Noble with an arm drag into an arm bar. Chavo backs Noble into the corner and he has a clean breaker. Noble grabs Chavo’s leg and he gets a two count with a rollup. Noble tries for a Crippler Crossface but Chavo gets out of the hold after a near fall. Noble tries for a back slide but Chavo gets out of the hold and he sends Noble into the ropes from a Gory Special. Chavo chokes Noble in the ropes. Chavo with an arm bar on Noble. Noble with punches to get out of the hold but Chavo with a knee to the midsection for a two count. Chavo with a rear chin lock followed by forearms to the chest. Chavo returns to the rear chin lock. Noble gets out of the hold with a belly-to-back suplex and both men are down. Noble with forearms to Chavo followed by elbows and forearms. Noble with a Northern Lights Suplex with a bridge for a two count. Noble with knees to the head but he misses a running boot into the corner. Chavo tries for the Three Amigos but Noble blocks after two. Noble with a swinging neck breaker and Noble gets a two count. Noble goes for the Trailer Hitch but Chavo gets out of the hold. Noble then tries for the alley oop gutbuster but Chavo gets out of the hold. Chavo is sent to the apron and he drops Noble on the top rope. Chavo goes up top for the frog splash and he hits it for the three count.
Winner: Chavo Guerrero

After the match, Neely hits a half nelson spine buster on Noble.

Mark Henry and Big Show are walking in the back as we go to commercial.

Match Number Four: Mark Henry versus Big Show in the Jonathan Coachman dubbed Brute Force versus Brute Force Match
They lock up to a deadlock since neither man moves an inch. They lock up a second time and we get the same result. Henry wants a test of strumph but it was a trap for a boot to Show’s midsection and forearms to the back. Show with a head butt but Henry returns with a head butt. Show with another head butt and then he blocks a kick from Henry and hits a clothesline that takes the World’s Strongest Man down onto the World’s Strongest Back. Show with jabs and chops. It is time for the Shhhh chop. Show misses a clothesline and Henry with a bear hug. Henry charges into a boot from Show.

From out of nowhere, Great Khali makes his way to the ring but because his entrance music was not played, neither Henry nor Show know that he is coming despite the crowd suddenly booing Show setting up for the choke slam. Show hits the choke slam and then he sees Khali approach the ring. Show goes out after Khali and he punches Khali and Khali punches back. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: No Contest

After the match, Show and Khali continue to battle around the ring. Show is sent into the ring steps by Khali. Khali and Show enter the ring while Henry has disappeared from ringside. Khali does an inverted tomahawk chop to signal for Show to get up. Khali sets for the vertical choke slam but Show grabs Khali by the throat but it is not enough as Khali choke slams Show and then stands over Show with his arms raised high. Khali leaves the ring and he raises his arms again and points to the imaginary Wrestlemania 25 sign as we go to commercial.

We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Khali’s attack on Show. We get bonus footage, not available anywhere else of Big Show getting up after the heinous attack by Khali.

It is time to run through the card for Backlash.

We see a video package for the Taker/Batista feud which will be renewed tonight when they meet in the ring. We go to commercial.

We are back with the Confrontation of the Week: Victoria and Natalya Neidhart become BFFs in the ring and we see her debut two weeks ago.

Match Number Five: Cherry with Michelle McCool versus Victoria with Natalya Neidhart
Victoria lets Cherry get the first shot, but that was a trick and Victoria pushes Cherry down. Victoria with a side head lock and take down while Victoria taunts Cherry. Victoria with a cravate and snap mare. Victoria with a shoulder tackle and then she kicks Cherry. Victoria continues to add insult to injury by slapping Cherry. Victoria tells Cherry that there is no crying in wrestling as she continues to slap her. Cherry kicks Victoria but Victoria blocks another kick and hits a short arm clothesline. Victoria with an Irish whip but Cherry moves out of the way and Cherry gets a near fall with a rollup. Victoria with a kick to the head followed by a rear chin lock and she turns it into a camel clutch. Victoria with another kick to the midsection and tosses Cherry by the hair. Victoria runs Cherry into the turnbuckles and connects with shoulders. Victoria continues to torment Cherry. Victoria slams Cherry and then she tells Michelle to stay out of the match. Michelle does not have the listening comprehension skills that some of her students had since she gets on the apron. That allows Cherry to get a rollup victory on a distracted Victoria.
Winner: Cherry

We are back with a look at Mick Foley’s new movie Anamorph.

Match Number Six: Vladimir Double Double E Kozlov versus Leroy Kincaid
Kozlov with an arm drag into a wrist lock. Kozlov with a fireman’s carry into a key lock and arm bar. Kincaid with a side head lock but Kozlov throws Kincaid off. Kozlov with a shoulder tackle and then he throws Kincaid into the turnbuckles. Kincaid with European uppercuts but Kozlov takes Kincaid down with his head. Kozlov with an overhead belly-to-belly on Kincaid followed by a boot to the chest. Kozlov with an inverted DDT for the three count.
Winner: Vladimir Kozlov

We see a video package showing how Edge is relaxing while Taker has to fight for his life as we wait for their rematch. We go to commercial.

We are back and Edge, Curt Hawkins, and Zach Ryder take their seats in the front row (attention foreshadow alert).

Match Number Seven: Batista versus Undertaker
They lock up and Taker backs Batista into the corner and Taker does not give Batista a clean break as he punches Batista. Batista with an Irish whip and Taker with a clothesline as he comes out of the corner. Taker with a slam but he misses an elbow drop. Batista slams Taker’s head into the turnbuckles and Batista with shoulders in the corner. Batista with a back elbow for a near fall. Batista with a boot to the head for another near fall. Batista punches Taker but Taker with a DDT. Taker works on the shoulder as he gets ready for Old School, but first he sends Batista’s shoulder into the turnbuckle. Taker with punches to Batista followed by boots in the corner. We see Edge watching the match with the same intensity that he brings in the ring.

Taker keeps Batista in the corner and he punches Batista. Taker goes Old School but Batista punches him and hits a short arm clothesline but only gets a two count. Both men hit clotheslines and both men are down. We see Edge, Ryder, and Hawkins root on both men as we go to commercial.

We are back and Taker with boots to Batista. Batista and Taker exchange punches but Taker with kicks to Batista and Batista goes down. Taker uses the ropes to wear down Batista’s shoulder. Taker goes Old School but Batista punches Taker and Batista goes up as well and the two men battle on the turnbuckles. Taker pushes Batista off but Batista goes back up and sets for a superplex and he hits it. Batista gets a two count. Taker with a reverse chin lock. Taker with a head butt to the shoulder. Taker finally hits Old School. Taker throws Batista outside to the floor and Taker goes after Batista. Taker puts Batista on the apron and it is time for the leg drop. Taker covers Batista and only gets a two count. Batista with a spear and both men are down. Batista with a two count. Taker with a punch to Batista but Batista fights back. It is time for the boo-yay punches with Taker the fan’s choice. Batista clotheslines Taker over the top rope to the floor but Taker pulls Batista out to the floor. Taker slams Batista’s head into the ring steps. Taker and Batista exchange punches while the referee makes the ten count.
Winner: Double Count Out

Taker and Batista fight to the announce table and Taker slams Batista’s head into the table. Batista and Taker fight over by where Edge, Hawkins, and Ryder are sitting. Taker pulls Edge into the ringside area and then they fight into the ring. Hawkins and Ryder climb the ringside barrier and go after Batista. Taker punches Batista on the floor and Batista is rolled into the ring. Edge punches Batista and then he realizes what he just did and he freaks when he sees Taker in the ring as well. Taker and Batista take care of Hawkins and Ryder while Taker has Edge by the throat. Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely come to the ring and Taker and Batista focus on them while Edge heads for higher ground. Batista with a spinebuster to Chavo and then Taker punches Neely over the top rope.

Vickie Guerrero is wheeled out Jeeves Long and she gets on the mic. She wants to know who in the hell Taker and Batista are. She asks them if they know the legal jeopardy that they put her company in. She points out that Edge, Hawkins, and Ryder were members of the audience watching their match and then they attacked them. Vickie says that they have every right to file civil and criminal charges against Taker and Batista. Vickie says that will not be necessary because they will find justice in seeing Batista and Taker beat the hell out of each other one more time. Next week, the Undertaker will face Batista and it will be a title match. The winner of next week’s match will face Edge at Backlash. We go to credits.




Smackdown Thoughts:

When Coach said that he could not wait to hear what Chris Jericho was going to say, did anyone else have eighty percent of what Jericho was going to say figured out?

Speaking of the Highlight Reel, if Chris Jericho is the Intercontinental Champion, which is a Raw brand title, what is Jericho doing having the Highlight Reel on Smackdown? Does that mean we get to see the VIP Lounge on Raw? Will we see Tazz and Kelly’s Dance Party UK on Raw?

Since Batista and Chris Jericho are both delusional in their promos leading up to the Shawn Michaels/Batista match with Guest Referee Chris Jericho (featuring Herman Menderchuk), how long before Kurt Angle gets involved in the hyperbole bowl?

Why did they play Tommy Dreamer’s music if he was already in the ring?

I liked the Porter/Dreamer match. I liked that they allowed Dreamer to get in some offense on Porter. Why not have Porter lose to Dreamer so we can see Dreamer versus Hardy to determine the number one contender like they did to keep London and Kendrick from getting their tag title match?

If you use the term ‘dude’ when referring to how smart you are, that is not a good sign.

Does anyone remember when Finlay was a serious ass kicking fighter, not a guy who hands water guns to his ‘son’. I did not like the match at all because I do not want to see Finlay involved in a comedy match.

I thought the Noble/Guerrero match was good. The best thing about this match was that Neely did not get involved until after the match ended.

Did someone actually have a positive sign for the Great Khali? It’s nice to see Khali bring his relatives to the shows, but couldn’t they get him front row seats like the other deranged fans often get? And any sympathy that the fan might get for being a Khali fan is lost when you notice that he is also the person who held up the ‘Spear Vickie Back to Eddie’ sign during the main event.

For what it was, the Henry/Show match was fine because it set up the Khali/Show match. It was amazing how Mark Henry disappeared as soon as Khali hit the ring. Why did Cole and Coachman have to ruin an okay match by uttering the ‘K’ word?

For one of her first matches on television, Cherry was not too bad in the ring. If you have to be carried to a match there is nobody better on the female roster on Smackdown than Victoria. I thought it was good to have Cherry get the victory because it maintains the feud.

The main event was a good match but I wish they would have had fewer camera shots of Edge or from behind Edge during the match.

If the main event was a non-title match, why would Cole have done the one . . . two . . . new champ? Why would Edge want to see Batista win the match if it was a title match since he wants revenge on Taker, not Batista?


PWInsider.com

[Ill Will]

uh...wrong section

[JohnCenaFan28]

The main event wasn't a title match, so Edge was just happy when Batista was beating up Undertaker...