SmackDown!
The first match was a weird piece of booking to end a pretty good match. Rey Mysterio and Fit Finlay had a fun little match that I really liked because they managed to tell a really good story, though they could have easily done something to move Rey back up from having lost the title. They played up the fact that Rey’s head just wasn’t in the game, making good use of it.

Rey did a headscissors that Fit turned into a Backbreaker. Rey went for something off the ropes but didn’t land it and took the Celtic Cross from Fit to take the loss. They had JBL interview Rey afterwards asking if the whole Guerrero family turning their back on him brought about the awful performance. Rey didn’t say anything but walked out. They’ve really devalued Rey here and it’s a shame.

In a great squash, Mr. Kennedy played up his next opponent. He said that the scrub had been a six-time NCAA Champion, a Powerlifting champ and a silver medalist. It was funny stuff when delivered by Kennedy. He won with the Steamroller and then called out Theodore R. Long and told him since he’s beaten everyone they could throw at him, he might be going to RAW. Teddy then said that he was going to face The Undertaker, who he has never faced before. Theodore then danced. Fun stuff.

There was an OK match with Ashley, London and Kendrick beating Michelle McCool, KC James and Idol Stevens. They had London fall through the ropes when Stevens held them open. It looked really painful. Ashley beat on Michelle for a while, which was kinda hot, and that allowed the Dropsault pin combo for the guys. The match wasn’t great and it did sorta downgrade the new team, but they are keeping London and Kendrick strong.

Awkward.

Regal took on Bobby Lashley. Lashley opened up with suplexes on Regal. Vito was annoying on the outside. I hate his gimmick. They shouldn’t get rid of him, because he’s a real wrestler of some talent, but I’m hoping they’ll move him to ECW. Lashley sorta hit a spear to get the win far too fast. Regal did get a little offense in the match, but not enough to make Lashley look real good. They’re putting Finlay with Batista so he can look good and putting Regal in a real program with Lashley would be a very good idea.

The Miz beat Matt Hardy. That’s just not cool. The Miz has a little bit going for him, but he’s not nearly at the level of Matt Hardy. Hardy got a Side Effect fast for a near fall, but he didn’t manage to pin him. That’s how to kill a possibly effective finisher. Gregory Helms knocked Hardy off the top rope and that allowed Miz to get the win.

Chavo beat Tatanka. At least this made Chavo seem like a real contender. He’s got charisma, he’s got working talent, and he’s a good heel. He’s also stuck with this whole Eddie thing around him and he’ll never be able to shake that. They could stop playing it up and he’d have a chance to get real heat, but as long as they keep pushing him with Eddie’s wife, he’ll never have that chance.

The match wasn’t too bad, and it had a good ending. Tatanka looked to have pinned Chavo, but he caught the bottom rope. That allowed Chavo to clip him from behind and then hit the Frog Splash.

MVP did a promo where he said he wanted John Cena money. Cena’s far from the best-paid of the WWE’s athletes. I think that goes to HHH or Michaels right now. Teddy Long said that he’d think about it and that MVP should buy a ticket to watch the rest of the show.

Every day, I hear them cry out...

King Booker, with the long, ‘All Hail, King Booker!’ entrance, beat Batista. This should tell you how much faith they have in Batista right now. The ref asked if the guys had any questions and Booker said something. Batista asked whether Booker wanted to be buried or be cremated. The match was pretty average, though with all the extras that usually only happen at pay-per-views, it seemed like an important match. I couldn’t tell if it was significantly edited.

Batista started fast and hard, but Booker made some comebacks. Interference happened from Regal and Finlay. Regal tried to hit him with the Brass Knux, but Batista knocked him around. Finlay hit Batista with the shillelagh and then a chair. That gave Booker the win. Finlay then beat on Batista, setting up the feud.

I kinda liked the show, though it did as much good as bad when it came to booking. They need to make things sharper before they open up on the CW.

NEWS
Wrestling journalist and superfan Rick Carter passed away. He had a radio show with my buddy Bill Kunkle in Las Vegas. He was killed helping out with a car crash. He was 44.

There’s no word on what Kurt Angle is planning, but just about everybody in just about every company is ready to jump all over him when he’s healed. All Japan and NOAH have sent out feelers from what I understand, as has TNA. I’d say TNA would be logical, but no word on any offer that’s going to be going his way.

The Pride Grand Prix finals feature Mirko Cro Cop, Wanderlai Silva, Josh Barnett and Antonio Nogueria. That’s the best line-up you could imagine. I’d say that Cro Cop is the fave, but I’m saying that we’ll probably see an upset and I’m betting that Barnett is going to be the winner. Maybe it’s just rooting for the American.