Smackdown Spoilers

[KingofOldSchool]

Smackdown Spoilers from Houston by Jason Hess Smackdown/ECW tapings Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Toyota Center, Houston, Texas Pre-show: Bell time on the tickets was listed at 7:30 p.m. At 5:15 p.m., there was a small line of less than 100 people at the box office. By 5:45 p.m. Toyota Center signs stated that Smackdown was sold out. The building didn't fill up completely until dark matches were underway, but from all angles I could see, the show looked legitimately sold out. The Toyota Center can seat 18,000 and change for basketball, so I'm guessing a Smackdown sellout is around 12-13,000 people. The crowd was hot for nearly the entire taping, which lasted nearly 4 hours. The breakdown of crowd type was very mixed both racially (Houston has a heavy Latino and African American population) and age wise (lots of small children with lots of 18-25 year old men and women). Dark Matches: (all match times are bell to bell) Chuck Palumbo d Funaki: Palumbo was dressed in all black, and his hair was back to black as well. A seemingly solid effort. The crowd "oohed" and "aahed" at Palumbo's offense on Funaki, and both men looked good. Palumbo wins in just over 5:00 with a fall-away slam like Scott Hall and JBL have done in the past. Winner: Chuck Palumbo in 5:00 Vladimir Kozlov (or so we think) d Jamie Knoble: Kozlov's intro video is xenophobically designed to give him heel heat. He cut a pre-match promo to some good heat from the crowd, which took advantage of the opportunity to chant "USA." The match was a basic power-man match, and Kozlov didn't take any move risks that would see him botching something. USA chants were heard at various times during the match. Kozlov did the old Eddie Gilbert "Hot Shot" move, and made Knoble tap to a combo cross armbreaker/headscissors hold in around 3 minutes. While his video said "Vladimir Kozlov," Tony Chimel announced the winner as "Boris Alexiev." Winner: Vladimir Kozlov/Boris Alexiev in 3:00 Next, we had a Divas video that JBL's music interrupted. JBL and Michael Cole came out together. Smackdown: Smackdown started with a Royal Rumble recap plus the Raw closing of Cena, Michaels and the Undertaker. 1. Chris Benoit d Fit Finlay: Both men received great reactions. I'm not sure how much of this will be edited or not, but it wasn't due to mistakes. If anything, it would be due to length, as the match went 14:30. Benoit had the early advantage only to see Finlay take over working on the knee. Benoit fails in a suplex attempt due to selling the knee. Although Benoit finally capped off three back suplexes in a row, he still sold the knee. Benoit misses a top rope headbutt, which Finlay used to take a top turnbuckle pad off. With the referee distracted, Finlay went under the ring to grab Little Bastard, who for some reason was not coming out. Finlay nearly got counted out in the process. Out of nowhere, Boogeyman's music plays, and he emerges from under the ring with Little Bastard and begins to carry him off to the back. This distraction led to Benoit rolling up Finlay for the pinfall win. Winner: Chris Benoit in 14:30 Post-match saw Finlay chase LB on the announce table and the two get into an argument. LB tries to run away, but Boogeyman is at the entrance, and LB gets caught between the two men. It seems as if they are going with a Finlay-Boogeyman program. A graphic is seen with King Booker getting a Key to the City tonight, followed by a commercial plays for the Marine unrated DVD. (this would play four times during the night at different points) They show Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top in the crowd. Kristal interviews Vicki Guerrero, who states that she is returning to Smackdown soon despite the unsafe working conditions that GM Teddy Long allows. She states that there is an opportunity that has caught her eye that would lead to much success. She wishes Kristal luck for later tonight. 2. Deuce-Domino w/Cherry d Paul London-Brian Kendrick w/Ashley Massaro: Again, both teams received decent reactions from the crowd. This was not announced as a title match. London plays your face in peril, who hot tags to Kendrick. While Deuce and Domino didn't embarass themselves, they were a bit out of place at times during Kendrick's offense. London is hip-tossed over the top rope in a highspot, while Kendrick misses sliced bread. Deuce and Domino double team Kendrick, with one holding his face in place while the other rebounds off the ropes with a shining wizard for the win in 7:42. Winners: Deuce and Domino in 7:42 Teddy Long and Batista are backstage. Batista demands an answer from the Undertaker tonight as to who he is challenging at Wrestlemania 23. Batista was cheered heavily. King Booker's "Key to the City" ceremony is next. The "Ancient Order of Houstonians," whomever they are have given King Booker a key to the city. Booker receives very good heel heat from his hometown, and Queen Sharmell was very effective in her role, repeating the "All Hail King Booker" line many times. Booker reads from a sheet of paper in what looks like a prepared speech. He references famous Houstonians like Walter Cronkite, Roger Clemens, Patrick Swayze and the Houston Rockets, stating that their accomplishments didn't touch his. At times, Booker lost the fake accent and morphed into his normal voice, and even brought the "Five time-Five time WCW Champion" line out. He then tells the dignitaries to bow and kiss his ring. Some of them do. Booker then turns his attention to Billy Gibbons in the crowd. He goes out of the ring to address Gibbons, telling the legendary rocker to kiss Booker's ring. Gibbons, clearly having fun, motions with body language a "no." Booker then tells Gibbons to kiss his royal feet, again met with a non-verbal "no." At this point, Kane interrupts, chokeslams one dignitary while pushing aside the other two, and begins to punch Booker. After a big boot knocks Booker over the top rope, King Booker and Queen Sharmell escape via the arena floor. It seems that they are continuing a Kane-Booker program from Sunday. 3. Mr. Kennedy d Vito: There was no pre-match mic work for Kennedy. He pulls Vito's dress off, and finishes Vito off with a fireman's carry type somersault move standing on the second rope. (Finlay did the same move in WCW a few times but was always standing in the ring, not on the second rope) The post-match sees Kennedy choke Vito with his dress, and call for the microphone, which slips out of his hands at first. Kennedy then states his name once, but with more seriousness than usual. Winner: Mr. Kennedy in 2:41 JBL then judges the Diva Bikini Contest with Kristal, Jillian (no more Hall seemingly) and Ashley. Ashley received the biggest ovation from the live crowd. JBL plugged Ashley as the future Playboy cover girl. The most audience applause wins. Kristal went first, followed by Ashley. Jillian then revealed a t-shirt and shorts, and cuts an anti-bikini promo, insisting on singing instead. JBL agrees, and Jillian launches into the Britney Spears song "Hit Me Baby One More Time" to a chorus of boos. JBL gets off two lines; "that sounds like Barbaro being euthanized," and "Michael Hayes did better on Badstreet USA." The second line was lost to the audience at large, although I heard a few people laughing in my section. Ashley then strips Jillian down to her bra and panties. Teddy Long is backstage with Mr. Kennedy, who demands a rematch against Batista, bringing up the visionary fall from the Royal Rumble. Long grants Kennedy a rematch next week on Smackdown to a small pop from the live crowd. They aired a promo for Vengeance on June 24. Tickets go on sale Saturday, February 3. Many arena ushers were passing out small Vengeance promo papers all night as well. 4. Miz d. Matt Hardy: As usual, Matt Hardy received a nice pop. There were very loud "Hardy" chants during the match. Joey Mercury emerges out of the crowd to hit Hardy with his faceguard, leading to Miz pinning Hardy in 5:44 Winner: Miz in 5:44 Matt Hardy still received a "Hardy" chant on his way back to the locker room. Batista is shown backstage on his way to the ring to another round of cheers. Closing Segment: Batista's music plays as he walks down to the ring in a suit. He received one of the biggest ovations all night. He cuts a promo on how all week, he's been hearing from people, "can you beat the Undertaker? You can't do it." He "welcomes the challenge," and wants to know, man to man, what Undertaker's decision is. John Cena's music plays to the loudest pop of the night. "I'm here for the same reason you are," Cena states, recalling his past 48 hours from the Umaga match to winning the tag belts with Shawn Michaels, to nearly getting superkicked after the match from his own partner, to Undertaker making a surprise Raw appearance seemingly wanting Cena's belt. Undertaker then comes out to nearly the pop Cena had, and stares down both men. Then, the DX theme song plays as Shawn Michaels emerges. "You two aren't the only ones who want an answer from the Undertaker." He proceeds to challenge Undertaker to a match with the title shot on the line and "give these people what they want to see." The crowd heat for this is very hot, the hottest the crowd would get all night. Vince McMahon's music hits as he very angrily makes his way to the ring. Vince states that Undertaker does have a decision to make, and that he doesn't care what Michaels or the people wants. He tells the people what they want. He does make a match however: John Cena and Shawn Michaels vs. Batista and The Undertaker as the main event of No Way Out. NOTE: It's shortly after McMahon's announcement that I think the show "goes off the air." The four men leave the ring, and Tony Chimel announces that Mr. McMahon has signed a special dark match: MVP-Finlay-King Booker-Mr. Kennedy vs. Batista-Cena-Michaels-Undertaker. This was a smart way to get the fans to stay for the ECW taping. ECW Notes: I'm guessing you already have either flash results or a full report already, but here are some live notes you may be interested in.: -Despite CM Punk's recent de-push, he was over with the live crowd, getting a few "CM Punk" chants, one largely by little kids. -RVD was also quite over with the live crowd, and his match with Hardcore Holly was actually the longest of the night, clocking in at 15:20. -Vince actually called Sabu a member of the Taliban before stating that he knew who Sabu really was. -Vince received great heat during his segment with Elijah Burke and the ECW originals. Dark Match Notes: -Undertaker stayed in the ring from his ECW show closing segment with Bobby Lashley, and the four heels ran to the ring at once to gain the advantage. At first he fought them all off, then began to get beaten up, only to have the rest of his team charge and clear the ring. Undertaker performs the "Old School" move on every heel successfully except King Booker, who slams him off the top rope. Surprisingly, Undertaker is the face in peril for his team, as I thought it would be Michaels or Cena. Eventually, Cena captures the pin with an FU on Mr. Kennedy in 12:42 Winners: John Cena-Shawn Michaels-Undertaker-Batista. The post-match sees Undertaker grab both belts and throw them down in the ring as he leaves. Michaels leaves soon after. Cena and Batista stay in the ring as Cena does some mic work riling up the crowd. For some reason, Michaels runs back down to the ring and runs right back out, as Cena makes note of it. Eventually, Cena and Batista leave the ring and shake hands with numerous fans to end the night. Hope this helps, Jason Hess credit: wrestling observer

[Impact!]

Excellent, Kennedy brings back the Green Bay Plunge

[Impeccable]

Michaels runs back down to the ring and runs right back out, as Cena makes note of it.

This made me chuckle!

[Pardeep 619]

Smackdown sounds pretty decent this week (apart from Miz beating Matt Hardy)

[St. Jimmy]

Smackdown PPVs are so bad that they need Legit Raw Stars to headline?

[Dave Youell]

That sounds like a decent show again, I like smackdown, it tends to be alot less hit and miss than raw

[Pardeep 619]

Originally Posted by St. Jimmy Smackdown PPVs are so bad that they need Legit Raw Stars to headline?

To be fair, WWE does need to build up Wrestlemania. Hopefully the match will turn out ok.

[Caged Heat18]

It looks like a pretty solid show, plus Benoit/Finlay is never a bad thing.

[St. Jimmy]

Also LOL at Vince being on all 3 shows this week.

[Jeritron]

I don't like the idea of that tag match.

[FourFifty]

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov/Boris Alexiev in 3:00

Could this be the next "Kanyon/Mortis" angle?

[DAMN iNATOR]

Originally Posted by Pardeep 619 To be fair, WWE does need to build up Wrestlemania. Hopefully the match will turn out ok.

It appears as though we now know what 2 of the 3 main events will most likely be.

1.) HBK v. Cena - WWE Championship
2.) Undertaker v. Batista (obviously) - World Heavyweight Championship
especially if they do an angle at No Way Out, where nobody can "get along" with their tag partner for the night. Which begs the question, are they expecting the ECW Title Match at Mania to really be THAT fucking fantastic? I don't think so.

Originally Posted by St. Jimmy Also LOL at Vince being on all 3 shows this week.

Yeah, I wonder if he'll ask his daddy, "The Donald" for a raise in his allowance since he spent it all on RAW segments and showing up to ECW and SmackDown! as well. Plus, not to mention it gives TNA one HELLUVA chance to respond to Mr. Trump's cheap shot directed at TNA ("There is no other alternative,..."), and maybe not so kindly, either. I guess we'll just wait and see what develops like with Kodak film.

[Jeritron]

Imagine Vince bought TNA and used Donald as the kayfabe owner.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I love the fact that Vince McMahon showed up on SmackDown!. I mean, really, the show needs the credibility. For the longest time it's been the forgotten show, and Vince showing up makes him seem less like a "RAW guy".

It seems like we will get the following card for No Way Out:

* John Cena & Shawn Michaels vs. Batista & The Undertaker
* King Booker vs. Kane
* Finlay vs. The Boogeyman
* Paul London & Brian Kendrick vs. Deuce N' Domino for the WWE Tag Team Championship
* Matt Hardy vs. Joey Mercury

I personally think they should make the main event for the World Tag Team Championship. Have HBK betray John Cena, and put the World Tag Team Titles on Batista & Taker. This gets them onto SmackDown!, where a heel team like the reformed MNM can win them, before dropping them off to Paul London & Brian Kendrick in a unification match. Have the unification take place at WrestleMania in a TLC Match, also featuring The Hardys, who continue to have problems with MNM, and The World's Greatest Tag Team, who have a little bit of tension with The Hardys on RAW, as well.

Deuce N' Domino are a tag team with potential, but they should not win the WWE Tag Team Titles this early. If the WWE is compelled to make them look good, just have them snap when they can't put London & Kendrick away, getting themselves disqualified.

Should Finlay be the guy to end The Boogeyman's undefeated streak? Personally, I do not think so. I was looking forward to Gregory Helms getting that honour. Maybe have Finlay cost The Boogeyman a match before the event, intensifying their feud, and allowing Finlay to pick up a clean win at No Way Out?

King Booker will probably defeat Kane, and I can't call it a bad move, as much as I like Kane. I'd mark out for a Kane victory, though. I'm interested to see how these men match up.

Maybe they will go full circle with the King Booker and Boogeyman characters, and have Booker end Boogeyman's streak at WrestleMania? Maybe they can actually make something of Boogeyman, and have him team with Kane against Booker and Finlay, keeping his streak past WrestleMania? I'm going to put that on my tentative expected WrestleMania matches:

* Batista vs. The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship
* John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship
* Hulk Hogan vs. Shane McMahon
* Kane & The Boogeyman vs. King Booker & Finlay

Certainly doesn't save the card, but meh, it won't hurt, either.

Here are the major players on SmackDown! without matches scheduled for No Way Out:

* Mr. Kennedy
* Chris Benoit
* MVP
* Gregory Helms
* Chavo Guerrero

Chris Benoit vs. MVP for the WWE United States Championship doesn't seem like a far-out match. The others are all heels, so besides a face turn, the only real scenario I see for Helms is a clusterfuck match for the Cruiserweight Title.

[Jeritron]

I dont know what they can do with Kennedy...it looks like his best bet now would be to be place in a fued with Benoit for the US title. But he should be on the card at No Way Out. I suppose he could be a special guest ref or Teddy Long could suspend him in Kayfabe and he could show up and beat on Benoit anyways...

[Mister Sinister]

Originally Posted by Alienoid06 I love Deuce N' Domino are a tag team with potential, but they should not win the WWE Tag Team Titles this early. If the WWE is compelled to make them look good, just have them snap when they can't put London & Kendrick away, getting themselves disqualified.

This is an never ending trend...London & Kendrick get beat in Non-Title Matches all the time, most of times, by new comer Tag Teams, first the Pitbulls, Then the Teacher's Pet, Regal/Taylor and now Duece and Domino, I really don't think the Title are going to be jobbing an title match to them in the near future.

[Pardeep 619]

Originally Posted by Alienoid06 I personally think they should make the main event for the World Tag Team Championship. Have HBK betray John Cena, and put the World Tag Team Titles on Batista & Taker.

Chances are it would be more likely that London and Kendrick drop the WWE Tag Titles to Batista and Taker, build up some conflict within that match between Batista and Taker, then at No Way Out it will be World tag Team Champions vs WWE Tag Team Champions

[ChiefStubbs]

Just a note: From what I remember, there wasn't that big of a reaction for the Finlay/Benoit match. There was actually a lady in the crowd who was standing up saying,"J B L!" to which everybody replied,"Shut the hell up!" She also took horrible quality pictures of him in the bikini contest. She kept saying "JBL" until a black guy told her to suck his dick.

[addy2hotty]

More Raw on the SD menu, with an added twist of Batista.

Cena gives me the shits.

[addy2hotty]

Originally Posted by ChiefStubbs Just a note: From what I remember, there wasn't that big of a reaction for the Finlay/Benoit match. There was actually a lady in the crowd who was standing up saying,"J B L!" to which everybody replied,"Shut the hell up!" She also took horrible quality pictures of him in the bikini contest. She kept saying "JBL" until a black guy told her to suck his dick.

[KingofOldSchool]

Originally Posted by Pardeep 619 Chances are it would be more likely that London and Kendrick drop the WWE Tag Titles to Batista and Taker, build up some conflict within that match between Batista and Taker, then at No Way Out it will be World tag Team Champions vs WWE Tag Team Champions

That sounds familiar...

Oh wait that's because it happened a year and a half ago.

Mysterio/Tista vs. Kane/Big Show

[Corkscrewed]

Sounds like a decent show, although the ending was totally anticlimactic.

Out of nowhere, Boogeyman's music plays, and he emerges from under the ring with Little Bastard and begins to carry him off to the back.

ROFLMAO

So many horrible jokes you can make out of this one.

[The Genius]

deuce and domino could provide some interesting matches with london and kendrick. i was hoping that idol stevens and kc james would be the guys to take the titles off them.

[Pardeep 619]

Originally Posted by KingofOldSchool That sounds familiar... Oh wait that's because it happened a year and a half ago. Mysterio/Tista vs. Kane/Big Show

Not to mention during the Raw Eddie Guerrero tribute night, MNM took on Kane and Big Show. And neither of those matches were the main event...