WWE SmackDown - October 19th, 2007
Game On
"Flair… I’m starting to get pissed off. You’re wasting my time, old man."
No pyro.
No opening video.
“IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE GAME”
The audience ROARS, letting out a mixed reaction…
The first theme music of the night…
And it belongs to “The Game” TRIPLE H.
Hunter steps out onto the SD stage, and he couldn’t be any sharper, adorned in a grey suit and shades, his signature ponytail intact.
Joey Styles: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown!. I’m Joey Styles, here with Tazz and Michael Cole, and we couldn’t get things started off any bigger, than with the co-general manager of SmackDown!, Triple H.
Tazz: Cole, Styles, we got word that Triple H has got some news for us here tonight regarding the World Heavyweight Championship, and news has been swirling around the locker room about what it could be.
Michael Cole: That’s absolutely right, Tazz. The scuttlebutt around the locker room is that Stephanie McMahon and Triple H have come to an agreement about the World Title. And what would that mean for Batista?
Joey Styles: Or Ric Flair?
Tazz: I ain’t got a clue what a scuttlebutt is, but I’m interested in what The Game has to say.
Triple H gets into the ring, and calls for a microphone. He gets one rather quickly. He’s the boss. H’s music dies down, and so does the audience, because Hunter immediately brings the microphone up to his mouth.
Triple H: Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown.
The crowd cheers as H spews the line rather nonchalantly. Hunter lets out a smirk.
Triple H: I hate to be so… lackadaisical about all this, but the fact of the matter is… this show has been great week in and week out.
Cheers.
Triple H: I think it's pretty safe to say that No Mercy qualifies as one of, if not, the best, single brand pay per view of the year...
The crowd politely applauds as Triple H, the self-proclaimed King of Kings and the co-General Manager of WWE SmackDown! strolls the ring in a dark suit, microphone in hand. Hunter brings the microphone back up to his mouth.
Triple H: I don't wanna take up too much time here tonight, because I know we've got Ric Flair making an appearance--
The crowd ROARS for The Nature Boy.
Triple H: --one of... one of, the greatest wrestlers of all-time, but I will say this… No Mercy was great, in no small part, due to myself. I was right about everything I did last Sunday night. I was right about giving Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels a shot at the WWE Tag Team Title against the Carolina Connection.
Loud pop.
Triple H: And that was one of the greatest tag team matches in recent memory. That whole card was STACKED from top to bottom and it was mostly at my hands.
Boos.
Triple H: I know a lot you idiots out there in "TV Land" thought that when I became the co-general manager of SmackDown that I’d come out here and do a lot of grandstanding… and a lot of blowing my own horn and putting myself over. I’d push the guys I wanted to push and bury the guys I didn’t like… but the fact of the matter is that since the SmackDown following SummerSlam, I’ve done nothing but book the most exciting matches with the most exciting superstars week in and week out.
Mixed reaction. Cheers for the statement. Boos for the arrogance.
Triple H: From CM Punk (cheers), to Matt Hardy (cheers), to Rey Mysterio (cheers), and Charlie Haas, and William Regal (big heat), and Chris Sabin, and The Carolina Connection (big pop), these are the best wrestlers in the world. Period. End of discussion. Raw. SmackDown. These guys are the best. And they’re who I feature on this show.
Polite cheers.
Triple H: Because I have a very simple belief. It’s a very simple one. The best wrestlers should compete. The WWE Tag Team Champions should simply be the best WWE tag team wrestlers in the world… and that’s why Benjamin and Helms, the Carolina Connection have the belts.
Big pop.
Triple H: The WWE Cruiserweight Champion should simply be the best cruiserweight wrestler in the world, and hence, Jamie Noble is your Cruiserweight Champion.
Boos.
Triple H: CM Punk, one of the best young guys to come through this company in a long time is the Untied States Champion—
Crowd pops.
Triple H: And he’ll be taking on Charlie Haas a little later on tonight for that title. This stuff to me seems all very simple. The best face the best. Period. No muss, no fuss, no favorites, no politics……… The World Heavyweight Champion should quite simply be the best in the world. Whether it was Ric Flair, or Ricky Steamboat, or Dusty Rhodes, the best is the best, the World Heavyweight Champion.
I am the best of the best. Period.
LOUD mixed reaction for H, clearly getting riled up.
Triple H: Say what you want, but whether you like me or you don’t, there’s no denying what I’ve done in this ring. I’ve beaten Stone Cold Steve Austin, I’ve beaten The Rock, I’ve beaten The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Chris Jericho, RVD, Kane, Randy Orton, Ric Fair – the very best that this business has to offer, and I deserve my shot to prove without a shadow of a doubt that I am… that, damn, good.
The crowd helps finish off the catchphrase, followed by another mixed reaction. H takes a deep breath, calming himself.
Triple H: I want you to understand that I know what's best for business. I know what's best for SmackDown!. I proved it last Sunday night at No Mercy. I proved it every single week that I've been General Manager of SmackDown!, and I proved it when I made the case to suspend Mr. Kennedy--
"KENNEDY!"
--from the audience, followed by boos. H pays them no real mind.
Triple H: So, Stephanie, let's do the right thing here. Survivor Series! November 18th! I want my shot at the World Heavyweight Championship!
~ Mixed reaction from the crowd.
Triple H: Let's get this over with. Let's see if I got it or if I don't. Let's see if I'm still the best wrestler on the planet, the King of Kings, The Game! Let's, just, see.
Another loud mixed reaction from the audience as Hunter paces around the ring, waiting...
…and waiting...
…and waiting....
***I'M ALL GROWN UP***
The crowd lets out a respectable ovation as the other General Manager of SmackDown!,
STEPHANIE McMAHON, steps out onto the stage. Steph, adorned in a black power suit and a white shirt, looks as good as ever as she saunters down to the ring, her eyes locked on her husband. Her confidence can only be attributed to one thing: H needs her.
Michael Cole: Even though Triple H is the co-general manager of SmackDown, Hunter can't give himself a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship unless his partner agrees as well, per the orders of WWE's Chairman, Mr. McMahon. Therefore, Triple H's World Heavyweight Championship aspirations remain in his ex-wife's hands. Quite the impassioned plea from Triple H there.
Tazz: I think he makes quite the good point. If Triple H is one of the best in the world, he deserves his shot just like all the other big dogs around here. It ain’t right what Steph’s doing.
Joey Styles: Well, I don’t necessarily agree that it’s her fault. Triple H has brought a lot of this on himself, but let’s see if we can get this all sorted out. The Game has laid his cards on the table.
Stephanie climbs in between the middle and bottom ropes and into the ring. She grabs herself a microphone while Hunter watches her. He even takes his shades off for the occasion. The music dies down and Steph brings the mic up to her mouth.
Stephanie McMahon: Hunter... you make a fair point, and quite frankly, I do think you’re right about this being unfair to you… in a vacuum. Let’s please not let the facts get in the way of a good story, I understand… but it was you, who had it advertised to the world that you were showing up to Judgment Day in May… only to turn right around.
Boos.
Triple H: I showed up.
Stephanie McMahon: It was you who attacked Mr. Kennedy from behind and hit him with the Pedigree at the Great American Bash.
More boos.
Triple H: He’s a jerk.
Stephanie McMahon: And you did the same at SummerSlam.
Triple H: He was
still a jerk.
Stephanie McMahon: The fact of the matter is, Hunter, that you’ve done me no favors since you’ve been on SmackDown, and all you’ve done is demand and demand things, and caused havoc when you haven’t gotten your way. And… I don’t think I want someone like that representing my brand in the World Title picture…
Crowd cheers. Hunter's not pleased.
Stephanie McMahon: …partner.
Triple H rubs his beard and walks around the ring, thinking, contemplating, calming himself down before he speaks. After a couple of pauses, H looks over at his ex-wife.
Triple H: Let’s cut the BS.
H stops moving.
Triple H: Let’s put it on the table. Flat. You want to run this show by yourself. We both know it. We can smile and pretend to be happy all day, but the fact of the matter is, you’re a control freak, and you don’t like me. Fair enough. I want a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. So let’s figure this thing out.
Stephanie lets out her trademark smirk.
Stephanie McMahon: Okay...
Survivor Series... You brought it up. Let’s do it old school.
Triple H: I didn’t know you still had those kinda feelings for me, Steph.
Hunter smirks. Stephanie shakes her head.
Stephanie McMahon: Please. Five-on-five Classic Survivor Series match-up. You pick your team, and I pick mine. If your team wins, you get the very next shot at the World Heavyweight Championship, no matter who it is.
Triple H nods his head.
Triple H: I like it.
Stephanie McMahon: But if I win, you are no longer the co-general manager of SmackDown.
Crowd cheers a bit. Hunter thinks this over….
Triple H: I’ve got a counter—
Stephanie McMahon: Oh, Hunter.
It’s a take-it-or-leave-it deal.
Triple H looks up, taking himself a deep breath, while Stephanie watches whilst barely hiding a smirk. Hunter looks back at her.
Triple H: GAME ON!
The crowd cheers as the match is set. Triple H puts his shades back on, and exits the ring, walking back up the entrance ramp. Stephanie has a look around at the crowd.
Stephanie McMahon: Let’s get started with our first match of the night, shall we?
LOUD cheers with the wrestling-orientated SmackDown audience ready for some action…
***KASH MONEY***
Triple H and “The Notorious K.I.D.”
KID KASH cross paths as Kash steps out onto the stage.
Tazz: Kid Kash coming out here, ready for a triple threat match, but my goodness, wheat a match we’ve got set for Survivor Series, Styles.
Joey Styles: Huge SmackDown implications in that one. Five-on-five Survivor Series style match up. Team Stephanie versus Team Hunter.
Michael Cole: There’ll be plenty of time to discuss that later on tonight, but up next, Kid Kash takes on Psicosis and Chris Sabin in a triple threat match on SmackDown!
{Commercials}
1 - Triple Threat Match
Kid Kash vs. Chris Sabin vs. Psicosis
The three losers of the cruiserweight matches at No Mercy compete in a cruiserweight match. Our commentators remind us of the number one contender's match taking place later on tonight between Evan Bourne and Super Crazy, while our three cruisers in the ring do what they do best and put on a fantastic contest. The finish sees Kash roll out of the way of a top rope leg drop from Psicosis and then drill Psicosis with the DEAD LEVEL! But before he can go for the pinfall, Sabin RUSHES and SHOVES Kash out of the ring, getting the three count on Psi.
Winner: Chris Sabin via pinfall at 8:32.
Sabin celebrates like he's just won a World Title.
Joey Styles: Boy, have his standards lowered.
Tazz: Hey, a win is a win... especially in this division. The Cruiserweight Division is a murderer's row. There's a tough match every night. You celebrate when you get one.
BACKSTAGE - WILLIAM REGAL’S LOCKER ROOM
William Regal chats up
Bloody Fridays, Steve Lewington and Paul Burchill, all wearing suits… when
Triple H walks into the locker room.
Lewington and Burchill immediately block Hunter’s path, standing in front of Regal like a brick wall. Hunter smirks.
Triple H: You two are rather intense, aren’t ya?
Bloody Fridays doesn’t smile a bit… and as a result, Hunter’s smile fades.
Triple H: If you two want a future here, I suggest you move the hell out of my way.
H means it. The scowl on his face tells the story, but the two youngsters don’t care… and don’t move, their expressions not changing a bit.
William Regal: It’s quite all right, gentlemen. Let our esteemed general manager through.
On command, Burchill and Lewington separate, allowing H through. Hunter gives the two kids a look that could kill, before he approaches a smirking Regal.
William Regal: You two have a number one contender’s match later on tonight. Go get ready for that.
The two give Regal a nod, and exit the locker room.
Triple H: You’ve got them well trained.
William Regal: All we have is the future, Triple H. You believe that the World Heavyweight Championship and all of your title reigns will be your legacy.
Regal smirks.
William Regal: No, sunshine. Randy Orton is your legacy. Batista is your legacy. The only thing that's going to matter is what we leave behind. Titles are temporary. Dynasties live on for hundreds... thousands of years.
H listens
William Regal: And those two, “Beautiful” Steve Lewington and “The Ripper” Paul Burchill are mine. Those are two future stars in this business... and in the immediate future, the WWE Tag Team Champions... and
I'm not quite through recruiting yet.
Triple H nods a bit. He respects him.
Triple H: Be that as it may. I’ll worry about the future when it gets here. As of now, it’s all about Survivor Series… and I want you.
William Regal: Who else is on the team?
Triple H: You’re the first visit I’ve made.
William Regal: I’m practically blushing. What’s in it for me?
Triple H: Title shot.
William Regal: What if we don’t win?
Triple H: With you, we will.
William Regal: Agreed… but what if you don’t win?
Hunter scowls. Regal smirks.
William Regal: Write up a contract, sunshine. I’ll put my signature on it.
Hunter nods… and walks out…
BACKSTAGE – INTERVIEW AREA
Krystal Marshall stands by… looking rather nervous.
Krystal Marshall: Ladies and gentlemen… my guest at this time (she gulps)… the World Heavyweight Champion… Batista.
BIG HEAT as
“The Animal” steps into screenshot, title over shoulder, looking none too pleased. Krystal takes a deep breath.
Krystal Marshall: Batista—
Batista: You came back for more?
Krystal already begins to recoil a bit.
Batista: I heard you complained to the general managers about your little booboo you got at No Mercy. I meant no offense… you were just in my way.
Krystal Marshall: I didn’t—
Batista: You’re in the danger zone again. So hurry up… and spit your question out.
Understandably, Krystal looks ready to shit her pants… and Batista is getting more and more frustrated with the lack of a point…
???: Hey!
Batista turns around… as
THE MIZ steps up to him. Krystal quickly takes off. Smart.
Batista: I thought I killed you.
The Miz: You thought wrong. I’m back for some more,
bi-atch.
That
almost makes Batista crack half of a smile.
The Miz: I want you, one on one, tonight!
Batista turns his back and walks away as he speaks.
Batista: Get Stephanie or H to set it up. I’ll meet you in the ring.
Miz nods his head with confidence.
BACKSTAGE – HALLWAY
“The Heartbreak Kid”
SHAWN MICHAELS walks down a hallway, dressed in jeans and an “HBK” T-shirt, apparently heading towards the stage.
Michael Cole: Ladies and gentlemen, up next, Shawn Michaels addresses what happened last Sunday at No Mercy, when he and Randy Orton failed to—
MICHAELS GETS DROPPED BY A SHOT TO THE BACK—
BY RANDY ORTON!!!
Orton, dressed in his usual wrestling gear, quickly mounts HBK and begins to RAIN FISTS, LEFT AND RIGHT, onto Shawn Michaels’ face! Orton then lifts Michaels up, and GOES TO SLAM MICHAELS INTO THE SD SET – but HBK counters, AND SLAMS ORTON INTO THE SET!!
Michaels then gets onto of Orton and PUNCHES RANDY – but Orton counters, getting on top of Michaels and begins to PUNCH AWAY ON HIM!!
Eventually, several members of SECURITY get in between the two and pull the two former world champions apart.
“I’m not done with you, Michaels!” Orton SHOUTS, trying to get at HBK, and Michaels attempts to do the same, with only very large security officers keeping the two apart.
{Commercials}
Back from the break, we’ve got Styles, Cole and Tazz on camera.
Joey Styles: Welcome back to SmackDown. Before the break, Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels got into a brawl backstage. Both general managers have agreed that both men should be sent home for the week to have cooler heads prevail.
Tazz: Yeah, but we’re not done with those two. I can guarantee you that.
BACKSTAGE – INTERVIEW AREA
Steve Romero stands by.
Steve Romero: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time… the new United States Champion, CM Punk.
The crowd gives a strong ovation as
CM Punk steps into screenshot, wearing his “Arrogant, Indeed” T-shirt over his wrestling gear, and his U.S. Title draped over his right shoulder.
Steve Romero: CM Punk, last Sunday night at No Mercy, you defeated Matt Hardy to capture the United States Championship, your first title here in the WWE. But your celebratory period is short-lived because you defend your title against Charlie Haas tonight. What are your thoughts heading into this match up?
CM Punk: Well, I’ve gotta correct you on one thing there, Steve. My celebratory period isn’t short-lived because, when I step in that ring, it’s nothing but a celebration. It’s a celebration of wrestling. It’s a celebration of greatness. It’s a celebration that most certainly won’t stop tonight, because it’ll only stop with a loss and I’m not losing tonight.
Crowd cheers
CM Punk: Charlie Haas is a good technical wrestler. He beat four of the best in the world last Sunday night and that’s no small feat, but those five guys were fighting to face me. And I’m not one of the best in the world; I’m just
the best in the world. Point. Blank. Period.
More cheers for the confident(/arrogant?) superstar. Punk lets out a smile.
CM Punk: Charlie Haas, I respect you, but my celebratory period continues tonight… and your hopes and dreams end with me.
A pop as Punk looks at Romero and taps his U.S. Title.
CM Punk: Arrogant, indeed.
Punk walks off to another cheer.
BACK TO RINGSIDE
The Miz waits in the ring, warming up, jogging in place, as he waits.
Tazz: I gotta tell you. The Miz is either plain ol' crazy or he’s got way more guts than he should, but either way, he ain’t in for a fun few minutes here.
***I WALK ALONE***
BIG HEAT
The World Heavyweight Champion
BATISTA steps out onto the stage, and once more, he doesn’t pose, there’s no pyro, and no theatrics, and he simply makes a beeline for the ring.
Michael Cole: Rey Mysterio gave a hell of an effort last night, but Batista just dominated him. The Animal ran one of the greatest wrestlers of the generation over last night.
Tazz: Ran through like a hot knife through butter… but what I’m looking forward to is what “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair has got to say tonight.
Joey Styles: I’m not looking forward to what’s gonna happen here.
2 – Non-Title Match
World Heavyweight Champion Batista vs. The Miz
Batista eats Miz alive, toying around with him for the first minute and a half… BUT… the former reality show television star does have his moments, getting in a punch or two and showing a hell of a lot of guts. The finish sees Mizanin hit a dropkick on Batista, but it doesn’t take him down, only knocking him off the ropes. Batista comes back off and SPEARS HIM IN HALF for the three count.
Winner: Batista via pinfall at 3:02.
After the match, Batista lifts The Miz to his feet and
DRILLS HIM WITH A DEMON BOMB!! The crowd boos, but The Animal pays them no mind, simply taking his foot and rolling The Miz’s lifeless body out of the ring, sending him to the floor with a plop.
BACKSTAGE – LOCKER ROOM
Booker T, Sharmell and
The New Breed, Elijah Burke and Monty Brown, chat it up with Mark Henry and
Teddy Long.
Booker T: Look, about last night, Teddy. It happens. The only thing we can do… is move on, man.
Booker extends his hand, and he and Teddy shake hands, before giving a quick hug.
Teddy Long: Blood is always thicker than water, brother. These crackas always tryna’ tear us apart. We can’t let ‘em do it.
Booker T: You absolutely right, man. It’s just like tonight, when Monty and Elijah smack up ‘dese suckas The Carolina Connection afta’ they win their match tonight.
Teddy Long: The devil and the Uncle Tom walking around, getting cheers from all these crackas. It makes me sick.
???: Me, too.
Triple H walks into the locker room… and everyone’s antennas immediately go up.
Triple H: I know I’m not the most liked guy in this locker room… due to the color of my skin, which is rather ironic. I need your help. And that’s not easy for me to say.
Teddy Long: So you want us for your little Survivor Series team, huh?
Triple H: I want Booker. And I want the big man, Mark Henry.
Booker T: And why in the hell would we help you?
Triple H:Because with you, my team wins, and
when we win, as the general manager of SmackDown, I promise each and every one of my team members a title shot of their choosing. No questions asked. Whether it’s the United States Championship, Cruiserweight Championship, the Tag Team Titles, or the World Heavyweight Championship… after I get my shot, of course.
Booker, Long and company all look around at one another.
Booker T: We want it in writin’. I know how slick you can get when it comes to promisin’ things.
Teddy Long: Like forty acres.
Triple H lets out a smile.
Triple H: Deal.
Hunter walks off…
{Commercials}
BACKSTAGE – STEPHANIE McMAHON’S OFFICE
Maryse stands in front of
Rey Mysterio, Finlay, Matt Hardy and
Carlito.
Rey Mysterio: So, what’s up, Maryse?
Finlay: What the hell is taking so long, princess?
Matt Hardy: Yeah, we’ve got things to do here.
Carlito: Waiting around like a bunch of idiots with nothing to do… Dat… das not cool.
Maryse: Ms. McMahon… is – how do you say –
Stephanie McMahon: Right here.
Stephanie swoops into the office and stands in front of them all.
Stephanie McMahon: Thank you, Maryse. I’ll take it from here.
Maryse nods and exits the office.
Rey Mysterio: Is this about Survivor Series?
Stephanie McMahon: That is correct.
Matt Hardy: We figured.
Stephanie McMahon: So what do you guys say?
Finlay: I’m in.
Matt Hardy: Me too.
Rey Mysterio: Me three.
Silence. Everyone turns to Carlito. Carlito shrugs his shoulders.
Carlito: Hey, don’t rush Carlito. What’s in it for me?
Stephanie McMahon: A pay-per-view paycheck, a big match, and… my eternal gratitude.
Carlito: Does that come with a car? Carlito doesn’t even know what that means.
Stephanie McMahon: It means, when title shot consideration is needed… or when it comes time to renegotiate that hefty contract of yours… I won’t forget the favor that you all did for me.
Carlito: Now dat… das cool.
Stephanie lets out her trademark smirk for the second time tonight…
BACK TO RINGSIDE
With
Evan Bourne and
Super Crazy already in the ring, ready for their number one contender's match...
***A COUNTRY BOY CAN SURVIVE***
The crowd boos as the Cruiserweight Champion Jamie Noble makes his way down to ringisde, title belt wrapped around his waist, wearing his usual jean shorts and a red flannel vest. Noble shouts some not so nice words at Crazy and Bourne before he joins the announce table.
3 - Number One Contender's Match for Cruiserweight Championship
Evan Bourne vs. Super Crazy
Bourne and Crazy? Spotfest! But an awesome spotfest, but the two athletic marvels. Noble doesn't go easy on either one of them on commentary, letting the world know what we already know, that when he steps in the ring with either one of them, he will have the decided technical advantage. "They can't wrestle like I do." Inside the ring, Crazy and Bourne amaze as only they can. And once the two have exhausted every single possible ounce of energy they possibly could...
Noble slides in the ring...
...AND DRILLS BOTH WITH THE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE!
Winner: No Contest at 9:44.
Joey Styles: What the hell was that?
Michael Cole: After all that tough talk from Jamie Noble, that's what he does?
Tazz: Hey, he's the champ. He can do whatever he pleases. At least you got a great match out of it, right?
Joey Styles: But now we don't have a number one contender.
Tazz: Sabin won his match earlier.
Jamie Noble reaches the top of the ramp, and raises his Cruiserweight Title to heat...
BACKSTAGE - ARENA DOORS
Randy Orton, now in a leather jacket, rolls his bag towards the arena doors... as he talks alongside... Triple H...
Orton is clearly incensed... but Hunter tries to explain something to him... very calmly... almost apologetically...
Eventually... Orton calms... and gives Hunter a bit of a nod...
{Commercials}
Back from the break, Cole, Styles, and Tazz....
Michael Cole: Ladies and gentlemen, at No Mercy, former SmackDown superstar and current RAW superstar, John Cena, came to the ring after The Undertaker's match with William Regal and delivered an FU to The Undertaker's brother, Kane, through the announce table.
Tazz: No small feat, Cole. We know about the history between The Boss and The Deadman but I thought it would die down after Saturday Night's Main Event, when Cena was drafted.
Joey Styles: Absolutely not. On Monday Night Raw last week, John Cena took on Edge for the WWE Championship when...***Censored by Mac***.
Tazz: Absolutely shocking.
Joey Styles: Then No Mercy happened, and this past Monday on RAW, The Undertaker...***Censored by Mac***.
Tazz: I'll tell ya, Styles. I've never been more excited watching the B Show in my life. This thing between Taker and Cena ain't over. Period.
***REGALITY***
Accompanied by a tremendous amount of heat,
Bloody Fridays, Paul Burchill, Steve Lewington and
William Regal make their way down to the ring, where...
Booker T, Sharmell and
The New Breed, Monty Brown and Elijah Burke, already wait. As Bloody Fridays and The New Breed meet up in the ring, Booker and Regal exchange pleasantries at ringside.
The two seem to be on rather decent terms. Both want to win this match... but with Survivor Series around the corner... there may be bigger fish to fry than each other...
4 - Number One Contender's Match for Tag Team Championship
Bloody Fridays (w/William Regal) vs. The New Breed (w/Booker T & Sharmell)
Both teams are evenly matches, and the two veterans, Regal and Booker, constantly shout out their tips from their perspective corners, much like a boxing or MMA coach would. In the end, Brown and Burke have faced higher level competition for a longer period of time than Bloody Fridays, and it't the New Breed who get the victory after Brown drills Lewington with the POOOOUUUNCCCEEEEE~~~~!~~!!!~~~~!~.
Winner: The New Breed via pinfall at 7:51. Burke and Brown earn WWE Tag Team Title shot against The Carolina Connection.
After the match, both teams gather in the ring... and Booker and Regal shake hands. The four youngsters don't, their youthful pride can't handle that just yet, still jawing back and forth with one another. Regal and Book tell their respective teams to shut up essentially, before Bloody Fridays exit the ring, leaving Booker and company to celebrate...
Michael Cole: Ladies and gentlemen, next week here on SmackDown, The New Breed will take on one of the finest tag teams that wrestling has to offer.
Tazz: The history of wrestling, Cole. In history. I'm not tryna be disrespectful to, you know, The Road Warriors or The Freebirds or Tully and Arn Anderson, or The Dudleyz or The Hardy Boyz or any of 'em, but I'd put Benjamin and Helms in that conversation.
Joey Styles: And after beating Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton at No Mercy, so would I.
Michael Cole: Ladies and gentlemen, Shelton Benjamin and Gregory Helms... The Carolina Connection.
***Video Package on The Carolina Connection.
The package starts from WrestleMania 23, with their eight-man tag victory at Mania, through their fantastic feud with The Hooligans, one they started to dominate towards the end, up until defeating Michaels and Orton last night. The video ends with Tazz calling them "the best tag team in the world."***
BACKSTAGE - HALLWAY
Walking towards the stage,
Charlie Haas, stops on that last line by Tazz, catching it on one of the nearby TV monitors. Haas shakes his head, and gets himself back into the zone, continuing his march towards the ring.
Joey Styles: Up next, that man, Charlie Haas challenges CM Punk for Punk's United States Championship. That's next on SmackDown.
Tazz: Could be a classic.
{Commercials}
5 - Main Event
United States Championship Match
CM Punk defends against Charlie Haas
Chain wrestling. Early and often. The two fan favorites (though Punk is substantially more popular) engage in a match beginning that would make Bret Hart and Kurt Angle proud. Eventually though, it's Haas who wins out on the wrestling aspect of their match, countering a Punk arm drag with one of his own and then quickly following that up with a nasty belly-to-belly suplex.
And just like at No Mercy, the new United States Champion shows that he is no dummy and has more than one trick up his sleeve, moving on to the strikes portion of his arsenal. Haas does his best to cover up and/or catch one of Punk's strikes, but it's of no use - they're coming too fast - and Punk eventually drills the challenger with one that makes him a little loopy, knocking him from the ring, as we go to...
{Commercials}
Back from the break, Haas is in control as he has Punk locked in a Boston crab, working on Punk's legs and lower back, softening him up for the Haas of Pain. With the support of the crowd, Punk eventually reaches the ropes, but Haas simply lifts him up and hits an EXPLODER SUPLEX! He gets a two count for his troubles.
Haas lifts him up and goes for another, but Punk fights out of it with punches to Haas skull, breaking his grip. Punk then begins to get into a groove of his own, kicking away at the face of the former tag team champion, before he shoots him off the ropes, and hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Punk is feeling it, and as Haas staggers into the corner, the champ charges in and drills him with a KNEE TO THE FACE!!
Punk then backs up.. AND GOES FOR AGAIN - BUT HAAS CHUCKS HIM OVER THE TOP ROPE!!!
Punk's slams to the floor below, in a heap of pain, while Haas climbs the turnbuckle. The U.S. Champ finally makes it up to his feet... and HAAS LEAPS OFF THE TOP... DRILLING PUNK WITH A CROSS BODY BLOCK!!!
Both men lay out on the outside, as the referee begins his count. After a few seconds, both men begin to struggle back up. Haas - the more mentally clear of the two at the moment - attempts to get back into the ring... but Punk grabs him, AND PLANTS HIM WITH A BACKDROP!!
"10!"
Winner: Double count out at 13:41. Punk retains United States Championship.
The ring announcer announces the decision, much to the chagrin of the audience. Punk staggers back up to his feet on the outside and is handed the title by the referee - he's not happy either. Punk says he had Haas beat, and begins to reprimand the referee like a child that you have to let the match continue. "It's for the belt. You don't end the NBA Finals with free throws."
Haas staggers back up to his feet, and - as one would imagine - he, too, is not thrilled.
While Haas also begins to give the referee a piece of his mind, his eyes come across Punk's U.S. TItle. Punk notices the stare and tells him "My eyes are up here."
Punk and Haas begin to jaw back and forth with one another, with Haas pointing out that the crossbody off the top had Punk beat. The champ laughs him off.
And as champion and challenger continue to talk, with three words, Joey Styles guarantees that nobody will be tuning out.
Joey Styles: Ric Flair. Next.
{Commercials}
NEXT WEEK ON SMACKDOWN....
United States Championship Match:
CM Punk defends against Charlie Haas
...and...
WWE Tag Team Championship Match:
The Carolina Connection defend against The New Breed
...and...
Eight Man Tag Team Match
Carlito, Rey Mysterio, Finlay and Matt Hardy vs.
William Regal, Booker T, Mark Henry and RANDY ORTON
END SD GRAPHICS
Back to-
-the arena.
Silent.
You could hear a pin drop...
...
..
..
***AlSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA***
ROARS.
MORE ROARS.
The LOUDEST ovation of the night.
“THE NATURE BOY”
RIC FLAIR.
Flair steps out onto the stage, looking as clean and sharp as he ever has. The Nature Boy’s face, however, is different from No Mercy slightly. Naitch looks slightly… down… saddened. He carries a duffel bag with him to the ring.
Joey Styles: Ladies and gentlemen, your eyes have arrived upon the greatest wrestler of all-time, no questions asked. “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair is a sixteen-time World Champion and has influenced a whole generation of wrestlers from Triple H to Shawn Michaels to Chris Jericho, and has personally trained a handful of others, including Randy Orton and the current World Champion Batista.
Michael Cole: And, Joey, it was that man, The Animal, who Flair loved the most, cared about the most, stuck with him the longest, until Batista turned on him, and left him a bloody mess. Now, The Nature Boy is back, but…
Tazz: But he don’t look like The Nature Boy! He looks sad, and what’s with the bag?
Once inside the ring, Flair calls for a microphone, and gets one. He lets the music die down and places his bag down in the middle of the ring. Naitch brings the mic up to his mouth to speak, but…
WOOO!!!!
WOOO!!!!
FLAIR! FLAIR! FLAIR! FLAIR!
NA-TURE BOY! NA-TURE BOY! NA-TURE BOY! NA-TURE BOY!
WOOO!!!!
Flair can’t get a word out, as the SmackDown fans in the arena SHOWER the G.O.A.T. with heaps upon heaps of praise.
TEARS—
- begin to come down the face of Flair, who reaches into his suit jacket, grabs his sunglasses and places his shades onto his face. Naitch brings the mic back up to his face.
Ric Flair: I appreciate the love I’m getting from Peoria, Illinois right now.
WOOOOOO!!!!
Ric Flair: But, ladies and gentlemen, it’s been forty years I’ve been stepping into this ring, night in and night out. I’ve bruised or broken damn near everything in my body.
Flair smiles a bit.
Ric Flair: Night in, night out, I wrestled for half an hour, an hour every single night. My God, Steamboat, and Rhodes, Magnum TA, Sting, the Freebirds, Sting, the nWo, Booker T, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, up until last year, and the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Flair walks around the ring.
Ric Flair: But… let me be completely clear about this.
I’ve never been in more pain than I was at SummerSlam.
Naitch stops moving, and has himself a deep breath.
Ric Flair: I’m sitting in the locker room. I wasn’t feeling great. Heh, I had just lost my Money in the Bank title shot, I just lost a match to Batista, my body was sore, the adrenaline was wearing off… and then… Batista steps into the locker room.
A boo from a person or two, but most of the crowd is completely silent. You could hear a pin drop as the audience is soaked in by the story.
Ric Flair: I noticed the look on his face, so I said, “Dave, what’s going on with you, big man?” And… all he had the audacity to say to me… was… “Sorry.”
Flair shakes his head.
Ric Flair: And I’m so stupid, you know what I said? I said, "it’s no problem, Dave. We’ll figure it out.”
Flair laughs.
Ric Flair: So, I walk over to him and give him a hug… and Batista… The Animal - and he is an animal –
takes me by the back of my head and SLAMS me into a concrete wall.
Silence.
Ric Flair: I can honestly say I’ve never felt anything like it. Blood SHOT out of my head. I laid on the ground, and I could not move. I had a concussion or something, and Batista climbed on top of me, and hit me with a left and a right and a left and a right and another right, and the blood kept pouring and pouting out of my head. And I’m sure the beating continued… but I was out cold.
Flair shakes his head.
Ric Flair: I’m not upset. My feelings were hurt a little, because I’ve trained Dave since he was a young pup in this business. We won the tag team titles together. I was in the locker room after he won the Royal Rumble. We’ve traveled up and down these roads together for the last few years. He’s like a son to me…
With his voice starting to crack, Flair slightly lifts his glasses off his face, and wipes some tears from his eyes. The crowd applauds, willing Flair on, as Naitch takes a breath.
Ric Flair: I’m not upset… because I can’t blame Batista. My wrestling ability has been fading for a long while now, but never did I think, that this –
Flair points to brain.
Ric Flair: Would ever start to fade. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m no longer the Dirtiest Player in the Game. I started to care. I’m no longer Slick Ric.
Crowd boos… which is soon followed by a “NA-TURE BOY” chant.
Ric Flair: I’m not gonna fight it. Father Time catches up to everyone. You can’t go back. You can’t be what you were. Physically or mentally. So… it’s time for me to hang it up.
BIG BOOS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Ric Flair: I didn’t wanna have the big sendoff that they give the old timers when they finally decide to hang it up. I just wanted to tell you all why it was happening, and right now, I want Big Dave to come on out here so I can—
***I WALK ALONE***
The World Heavyweight Champion’s music hits, and “The Animal”
Batista makes a beeline for the ring, dressed in a white t-shirt, jeans and tan boots, carrying his title. Dave throws the title in the ring and slides in, immediately coming face to face with Ric Flair.
Joey Styles: What the hell is his problem?
Tazz: He’s got no soul, Styles.
Flair takes his shades off and stuffs it back into his jacket. Batista’s eyes don’t leave Flair. Naitch brings the mic up.
Ric Flair: You wanna say anything, big man?
Flair holds the mic to Batista. Dave doesn’t move. The crowd boos.
Ric Flair: Nothing you wanna say to me, Dave?
Flair holds the mic to Batista.
Batista: Not “Dave.” Champ.
BIG-TIME HEAT. Flair takes a breath.
Ric Flair: Anything you wanna say to me, Champ?
Flair holds the mic to Batista.
Batista: Get to the point, Flair.
Flair takes another breath.
Ric Flair: Well, now my point seems kinda stupid…
Flair walks over to the duffel bag in the middle of the ring, unzips it and reaches in.
He pulls out a World Tag Team Title belt. Flair brings it over to Dave.
Ric Flair: We won these titles at Armageddon in 2003. Your first title ever in the WWE. I had us replicas made, and for your birthday that next year, I gave one to you. And you and I both know it sits right atop the fireplace in your living room.
Flair smiles. Batista reaches over and takes the mic.
Batista: Not anymore.
Flair’s smile fades. Boos. He hands the mic back to Flair. Flair nods his head, hurt. He shakes it off.
Ric Flair: All right, I can see where this is going, and I’m not gonna waste anybody’s time anymore. My pride has been hurt enough. Just one more thing and I’m gonna get on outta here.
Batista watches as
Flair reaches over into the duffel bag again and pulls out a… photo. Flair holds it up to the hard camera… and we close in… It’s a shot of Ric Flair and a bloody Batista inside the Elimination Chamber with their arms raised.
Ric Flair: That, ladies and gentlemen, is the night – Armageddon 2006 - that this man, the man we now all know as the baddest man on the planet, Dave Batista, went through hell to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in an Elimination Chamber match. He started first, and he went through five tough SOBs, but we came through – just like we always did – to keep the title. WOO!!
WOOO!!!
Batista seems to be getting quite annoyed by all of this… sentimentality.
Ric Flair: It came down to Batista and Kurt Angle,
but I slid a steel pipe in the ring and—
Batista SNATCHES the mic away from Flair.
Batista: Flair… I’m starting to get pissed off. You’re wasting my time, old man.
BIG BOOS
Batista: Get to the point… or get put down.
More boos for Batista.
Flair takes a breath and politely motions that he wants the microphone. Dave glares a hole through Flair, and after several agonizingly awkward moments, Batista holds the microphone out for him. Flair grabs it… but Dave doesn’t let go immediately.
The two lock eyes, and Batista says, off microphone, “Get to the point, Ric.”
Flair nods humbly and takes the microphone.
Ric Flair: Fair enough, Dave—I mean, champ. It’s clear that whatever we had… is done. I thought this relationship could be salvaged… but I guess not. But for old times sake – please don’t be upset, champ – could we play the Armageddon footage, please?
Batista turns around to the titantron, as does everyone else.
Ric Flair: Show the footage with the steel pipe. I wanna show you all something.
Dave and the entire crowd waits for the footage to play…
…
except Ric…
...
…who reaches into his duffel bag…
…and pulls out…
...
…A STEEL PIPE!!!
THE CROWD ROARS
CRACK!!!
FLAIR DRILLS BATISTA IN THE LEG!!!
Batista drops like a heap of bricks, and FLAIR IS ALL OVER HIM, WHACKING HIM AGAIN AND AGAIN IN THE LEG WITH THE PIPE!!
“I’M RIC FLAIR, YOU STUPID SON OF A BITCH!”
CRACK!!!
FLAIR DRILLS HIM AGAIN!!!
With the crowd going completely ape shit, Flair then tosses the pipe down and lets out a “WOOO!!!”
WOOOO!!!
“WOOOO!!!”
WOOOO!!!!
“WOOOOO!!!”
WOOOO!!!!
FLAIR THEN LOCKS IN THE FIGURE FOUR ON BATISTA!!!
Batista writhes in agony, as Flair wrenches in the hold as tight as he possibly can!!
The Animal sits up, and though in pain, scowls at The Nature Boy with a face of fury. Flair lets out a “WOOOOO!!!” (“WOOOOO!!!!) and
FLIPS BATISTA THE BIRD, getting another raucous reaction from the sold-out crowd.
Tazz: Retirement, my ass! Ric Flair set Batista up!
Joey Styles: You ain’t kiddin’! And now the World Heavyweight Champion is in a whole lot of trouble. Thank God for Ric Flair.
Several referees run down to the ring and pull Flair off of Batista, bring the sixteen-time World Champion off of the current one.
Naitch continues to go wild, letting out “WOO!!” one after the other, all of which are reciprocated from the crowd as he’s held in the corner by the referees, while one of the officials runs over to check on Dave, who clutches his leg in pain.
Mike Chioda, SmackDown’s senior official, draws “Dave Duty” and asks Batista how he’s doing, only to have Batista SHOVE him down!
One of the other ref’s run over to assist Chioda, and Flair takes the opportunity, snatching himself away from the officials and
DRILLING BATISTA WITH A KNEE DROP ACROSS THE HEAD!!
Cheers ring out all throughout the arena, as Flair gets back up to his feet and LUNGES AT BATISTA, hitting him with a quick right and a left, before he’s eventually pulled off by all of the officials once more!!
Michael Cole: Ric Flair has gone completely insane!!
Tazz: Ain’t nothin’ insane about it, Cole. Ric Flair wants revenge plain and simple. And he got himself a little tonight.
Joey Styles: But I have a feeling that The Nature Boy is far from done with The Animal!
The referees have slid Flair underneath the bottom rope and now yank the crazed legend up the entrance ramp, while Flair shouts profanities at Batista.
Dave, however, can’t pay him any mind, as all of his attention is focused on his knee, which he clutches to.
“WOOOO!!!”
“WOOOO!!!”
Flair shouts over and over again, much to the adulation of the audience… as SmackDown fades off the air.
END OF SHOW
***
SURVIVOR SERIES
WWE Championship; Fatal Four Way Match
Edge defends against The Rock, John Bradshaw Layfield and Jeff Hardy
---
Classic Five-on-Five Survivor Series Match
Team Hunter (Randy Orton, William Regal, Booker T, Mark Henry, ???) vs.
Team Stephanie (Rey Mysterio, Carlito, Matt Hardy, Finlay, ???)
(If Team Hunter wins, Triple H receives World Heavyweight Title shot.)
(If Team Stephanie wins, Triple H is no longer co-GM of SmackDown.)