This is the second visit by the WWE this year, and the first since January when there was a Raw show. This show was rescheduled, it had been set to be another Raw show on 7/23, but it was canceled and rescheduled as this Smackdown show.
I got to the civic center shortly before 7 PM. By the time I got inside the show had already started for the sold out crowd. I had already missed part of the first match.
Match #1: Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Big Stevie Cool of the BWO (with The Blue Meanie)
This is the match I came in part way through. It was being played mostly for laughs with Meanie acting up around the ring, while Stevie and Scotty tried to wrestle inside. It was pretty fun, what I saw of it. After the match Stevie and Meanie left to an ECW chant.
Winner: Scotty 2 Hotty via The Worm, to a big pop.
Match #2: Nunzio and Vito vs. Super Crazy and Psicosis (of the Mexicools)
This match was a little on the sloppy side. I am guessing Vito is getting a look by the WWE, I hadn't heard about him signing or appearing at any shows, many of you probably remember him from WCW. Nunzio and Vito didn't get much of a reaction, outside of a brief FBI chant. The Mexicools pretty much owned the match. The crowd really wanted to cheer them, with a few boos mixed in.
Winners: The Mexicools after a Super Crazy springboard moonsault off the top rope.
Match #3: Bobby Lashley vs. William Regal
Never heard of Lashley, but he was huge, kind of like a younger, bigger Booker T. His offense consisted of a lot of shoulder blocks. Regal did a good job of selling them, and providing some of his own offense, punches and submission holds. A lot of "Boring" chants during this slow paced bout. I am not the biggest Regal fan, but he is very smooth in that ring.
Winner: Bobby Lashley with a Jackhammer.
Match #4: Cruiserweight Championship Match: Paul London(champion) vs. Juvy (with Super Crazy and Psicosis)
This was probably the match of the night. Good high flying action from both competitors, although neither hits a 450 splash. Move of the night was a somersault helo over the top onto all three Mexicools on the outside.
Winner: Paul London via disqualification when all three Mexicools jumped in for a beat down.
Match #5: Tag Team Championship Match: MNM vs. Heidenreich and Animal (champions)
This was an unexpected match, the roar for Animal was huge. Slow paced match with MNM wanting no part of the champions. Lots of punches accounted for much of the offense. Towards the end Melina got involved and Animal was setting her up for the Doomsday Device when Torrie Wilson came down and hit the clothesline herself. She then chased Melina to the back leaving Nitro to take the Device himself.
Winners: Heidenreich and Animal via The Doomsday Device.
Intermission.
Match #6: Triple Threat: Booker T (with Sharmell) vs. Christian vs. Chris Benoit
Christian was surprisingly popular with the crowd. They all took their turns pairing off in the ring while the remaining participant rested on the outside. First it was Benoit and Booker, then Benoit and Christian, then Christian and Booker. Good deal of back and forth, culminating in Christians failed attempt at an Unprettier on Benoit.
Winner: Benoit via Crossface on Christian.
Match #7: United States Championship: Rey Mysterio vs. Orlando Jordan (champion)
OJ comes down and rips on the crowd, finishing by saying that he isn't going to fight Rey tonight. Rey gets back at him, leading the crowd in a "Buckwheat" chant. This entices OJ to start the match. Rey hits a few quick moves including a big hurracanrana. This leads OJ to try and leave, but runs into Teddy Long, who forces him back to the ring. The match continues with Rey hitting a bunch of his signatures before OJ leaves again and gets counted out. Long gets OJ back to the ring one more time, allowing Rey to hit the 619.
Winner: Rey Mysteria via Count out.
Match #8: No Disqualification: Eddie Guerrero vs. The Undertaker
Eddie comes out, dressed in street clothes, gets on the mic and proceeds to say that there is no way he is facing 'Taker in a no DQ match. 'Taker thinks otherwise, the lights go out and the purple spotlight hits, as the dark music hits. Undertaker slowly makes his way to the ring. Meanwhile, Eddie is trying to leave. Teddy makes one more appearance to stop him long enough for Undertaker to come retrieve him. This wasn't a terribly fast paced match, but a good one that runs in the 20 minute range. Taker controls early, but Eddie gets ahold of a chair and proceeds to pound on the Phenom, focusing on the leg. Taker sells it well, but nothing can keep the big man down. Undertaker comes back and hits Eddie with a chokeslam and a tombstone.
Winner: Undertaker via Tombstone.
Biggest pops:
1. Undertaker.
2. Rey Mysterio
3. Animal
Biggest heat:
1. Eddie Guerrero
2. MNM
3. Orlando Jordan
That does it for the show. Overall it was decent, I have attended better house shows here, and this one seemed to lack in star power, although I was happy to finally see Undertaker live. The card for the show also looked a bit different prior to the Hassan controversy. Originally, the top two matches were Undertaker vs. Mohammad Hassan and Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio. Hopefully they'll come back soon.
Also at Blogcritics.
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