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Re: WWE: A Strong Response
Quote:
Originally Posted by TKOW
Hey Nige,
I haven't got time for a full review right now but I just wanted to comment on Raw.
As you know, a few Raw's ago I said that the Cena/Orton/Kane feud seemed more like Cena/Orton with Kane as an extra. Two shows later, I still feel the same. I think the Paul Bearer interview being separated from the Cena/Orton promo is a good example of this. Why for example couldn't Bearer have come out during the Cena/Orton promo, making this feud seem more like a 3-way?
The only thing that Kane did was come out and scare Orton...again. I'm loving the build to WrestleMania mate, but it's getting a bit repetitive now for Kane to just come out every week and scare/Chokeslam someone. I feel like as the challenger heading into the biggest event of the year, something more needs to be done with him. When was the last time he was in a match?
Anyway, hope that helps
TKOW.
I know mate. After you told me a few weeks ago, i decided to look at things, and trust me, you will see Kane heavily involved as the centre piece from now on
I know mate. After you told me a few weeks ago, i decided to look at things, and trust me, you will see Kane heavily involved as the centre piece from now on
I'm not saying he has to be the centrepiece, but he does need to be involved more in the storyline as an equal to Cena and Orton and not an extra.
Ruth > Diana, Eoghan & the tits that vote for them
Join Date: Nov 2006
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WWE.com - Television - Smackdown (Preview - 29th February 2008)
Smackdown Preview
29th February 2008
Spokane Arena
Spokane, Washington
THE GAME IS COMING TO SMACKDOWN – MVP TO PAY THE PRICE?
We witnessed a shocking conclusion to Smackdown last Friday night when The McMahon Men came over from Raw to deliver a clear message to Evolution by singling out Ric Flair, leaving him a bloody mess while preventing Batista from rescuing his mentor. This past Monday we saw Evolution respond to the clinical attack as Triple H announced that at Wrestlemania, they would be taking on Vince McMahon and his two sons, Shane & JBL in a six man tag team match. To The Game’s frustration, The McMahon’s stayed away all night but appeared via satellite. However The Game made it clear that what happened last week won’t happen again this week as he would be ****ing Batista & Flair on Smackdown this week to make sure there’s no repeat of last week.
It was MVP who helped The McMahon’s set Batista & Flair up last week, and despite facing the consequences this past Monday night when he teamed up with Elijah Burke to face Triple H and Batista, Smackdown GM, William Regal has made a match between The Franchise Player & The Animal. It seems that MVP could be in for a rough ride this Friday in Spokane.
EDGE TAKES DOWN THE CHAMP, BUT THERE’S TROUBLE BREWING
After exchanging some extremely strong comments with his Wrestlemania opponent and World Heavyweight Champion, Shawn Michaels last week, “The Rated R Superstar” Edge was able to persuade the Cruiserweight Champion, Kenny Dykstra to face The Heartbreak Kid later on. It was however an awkward conversation that also involved Michaels’ cousin, Michael Shane as he assumed Edge would have picked him instead. There was clear tension between Shane & Dykstra following Shane’s comments about the cruiserweight division the week before, and that spilled over as we saw Shane & Dykstra pulled apart by Edge. When it came down to it, Dykstra put up a great fight against Michaels and only lost out when Shane made an error that cost Dykstra a huge win. Edge wasn’t pleased to see Michaels pick up the win and reacted instantly by spearing him in the middle of the ring.
Earlier in the night, Shane faced Dykstra’s biggest rival, Chavo Guerrero and was able to upset The Mexican Warrior as Matt Sydal watched on from the top of the ramp. Sydal had also spoken of his desire to become the Cruiserweight Champion the week before along with Chavo & Shane, and he certainly got a good look at the competition. This week it will be his turn to compete as he takes on the Cruiserweight Champion, Dykstra in non title action. How will Kenny react to Shane’s error last week, and what response will we get from Shawn Michaels this coming Friday?
MATT’S LOOKING FOR PAYBACK
A few weeks ago it was Matt Hardy, the United States Champion that was a thorn in Shelton Benjamin’s side, defeating The Gold Standard on a couple of occasions. However last week it was a different story as they clashed backstage, resulting in Matt punching Shelton to the floor. Shelton sure took the punch on the chin, but he wasn’t going to let Matt get away with it. Matt responded to an open challenge from Umaga later on in the night, but before he could walk down to the ring, Shelton jumped him from behind and left him laying on the stage after a stiff kick to the head. Matt’s long time friend, Shannon Moore came to check on him as Shelton left with a smile on his face.
If it wasn’t for Shelton’s attack, Matt would have had to face Umaga, but this week, he will. William Regal has made a tag team match for this week with Shelton teaming up with Umaga to take on the long time friends Matt Hardy & Shannon Moore. After Umaga brutally attacked The Undertaker two weeks back, his manager Armando Estrada claimed last week that The Samoan Bulldozer has ended the career of the dead man. Is that the case?
PITBULLS BITE THE CHAMPS!
The Pitbulls vow to take matters in to their own hands seems to have worked in their favour. After their controversial WWE Tag Team Championship match at Saturday Night’s Main Event nearly three weeks ago which saw The UK Pack lose by disqualification, Jamie Noble & Kid Kash have been on a mission. And last week, their mission certainly took a turn for the better as Noble was able to defeat one half of the champions, Harry Smith. Noble & Kash were clearly delighted after as they moved a step closer to a rematch for the gold. Will they extend their fortunes this week at the expense of Smith & Paul Burchill? There’s only one way to find out.
REGAL TO DEAL WITH FINLAY?
It seems that Finlay had the luck of the Irish on his side last week as he was finally able to overcome his nemesis Chris Harris. It wasn’t without controversy however, as William Regal confiscated Finlay’s shillelagh after the Irishman’s repeated use of the deadly weapon. With that in mind, we assumed we would see a fair match, but it wasn’t to be as Finlay’s little partner in crime Hornswoggle who returned to help Finlay finally come out on top over Harris. Despite Finlay losing his shillelagh, it appeared that Hornswoggle was still armed and dangerous as he appeared from under the ring with a shillelagh of his own. Passing it to Finlay, Harris was soon struck across the skull and then tasted defeat. We hear that Regal has some kind of plan in place to deal with this situation. Just what will that be?
THE MASTERS LEAVE TAZZ ON THE MAT Smackdown was visited by a past friend last Friday when Tazz came to ask William Regal for a position on the show, touting his old commentators spot. Regal told Tazz he was more than happy with Michael Cole & Tazz, but they were soon interrupted by Smackdown’s newest team on the block, The Masters of the Mat, Charlie Haas & Chris Masters. Tazz & Masters got off on the wrong foot very quickly, leading to Tazz accepting to take The Masterlock Challenge. However, Tazz wasn’t given the chance to fight the hold as Masters, and then Haas viciously attacked him. Masters knocked Tazz out with a steel chair before Haas applied The Haas of Pain, which looked like it did some serious damage to Tazz’s left leg. Word has it that Tazz was taken to a local medical facility in Florence, Italy and was flown home at the weekend. Will we get an update on Tazz’s condition, and will there be any consequences for Masters & Haas?
PLUS
The first inductee of the 2008 Hall of Fame class will be revealed.
CONFIRMED FOR SMACKDOWN THIS WEEK
Batista vs. MVP
NON TITLE MATCH
Shawn Michaels vs. Michael Shane
NON TITLE MATCH
Matt Sydal vs. Kenny Dykstra
Matt Hardy & Shannon Moore vs. Umaga & Shelton Benjamin
Ruth > Diana, Eoghan & the tits that vote for them
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WWE.com - HOMEPAGE (Smackdown Results - 29th February 2008)
Smackdown Results
29th February 2008
Spokane Arena
Spokane, Washington
***VIDEO RECAP***
FROM LAST WEEK
Batista & Ric Flair entering the building and Flair being talked in to a match with MVP on the condition that Batista stays in the back
MVP back tracking up the ramp for a count out with Flair following, only for The McMahon’s to attack him and showing Batista’s locker room to be barricaded
Flair being tossed in to the steps, getting hit by a Clothesline From Hell and the Coast to Coast
FROM MONDAY NIGHT ON RAW
Evolution in the ring on Raw with The McMahon’s on a satellite link saying they’re not going to be there with Triple H saying that at Wrestlemania it will Evolution vs The McMahon Men
MVP bragging backstage to Elijah Burke about setting up Batista & Ric Flair last week with Eric Bischoff appearing behind MVP and making Triple H & Batista vs MVP & Burke for later on
Triple H & Batista winning the match with a Pedigree on Burke after Rey Mysterio whipped MVP in to the ringpost on the outside
***OPENING VIDEO*** “Rise Up”
***PYRO***
***PYRO***
***PYRO***
***PYRO***
***VIDEO PROMO***
***CUT TO THE ARENA***
***THE OPENING MATCH***
Matt Hardy & Shannon Moore vs. Umaga w/Armando A. Estrada & Shelton Benjamin
ENDING: Matt races in after a tag from Moore and runs at Umaga, hitting him with a clothesline. Umaga barely moves as Matt then runs back in to the ropes and then comes back hitting Umaga with another clothesline across the top of the chest with Umaga hardly feeling the effect. Matt then looks unsure of what to do before hastily throwing a right hand at him. Umaga looks very intense and it seems like he’s going to explode as he goes for an uppercut thrust on, but Matt ducks underneath the arm, slipping behind Umaga and then taking him down to the mat with a Side Russian Leg Sweep. A big pop meets that from the crowd as get right behind Matt, but Umaga is staying down long, getting right up straight away. Matt though is up before him and slips behind Umaga, grabbing his head and bringing him down to the canvas with a REVERSE DDT. . . . . Again the crowd cheer as Matt rushes as he stands up to run over to the corner, and then climbs up to the second rope as Shelton looks on nervously. Matt then jumps off and hits Umaga with a DIVING LEG DROP. . . . .
A big cheer breaks out as Matt then shimmies round on the canvas and goes for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Umaga powers out with Matt being pushed away. Both men make their way back up to their feet with Umaga standing close by the corner as Matt looks to keep the pace going by running at him, but Umaga sidesteps as Matt runs through in to the pads. He turns round as Umaga then backs up to the centre of the ring and charges at Matt, connecting with a BIG SPLASH. . . . . Matt just drops forward, face first down to the canvas, with Shelton applauding on the apron as Umaga takes a few seconds to look menacingly in to the crowd. He then reaches down and pulls Matt up, then whips him in to the ropes, planting Matt as he comes back with a SAMOAN DROP. . . . . The impact looked bad on that and the crowd’s disappointment is clear with Umaga then going for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Matt just gets his shoulder up, causing the crowd to cheer loudly once again. Moore punches the air on the apron while Shelton looks very frustrated on the opposite side.
Umaga too doesn’t look too happy as he stands back up and drags Matt’s body by his arm to his and Shelton’s corner, sitting him up against the pads. He then turns round and walks across the ring before charging back and going for THE SAMOAN WRECKING BALL. . . . . Matt shifts to the side as Umaga hits the pads, but Shelton slaps Umaga’s back with the referee signalling the tag. Matt doesn’t see it as he focuses on Umaga as The Samoan Bulldozer staggers out of the corner. Matt kicks him in the gut and sets him up for THE TWIST OF FATE. . . . . Umaga pushes Matt back in to the ropes, and as Matt comes back, he runs right in to a SPINNING SIDE SLAM. . . . . The referee tells Umaga to get out of the ring, but he looks confused until Shelton comes in and tells him it’s cool and points for him to go on the apron. Shelton then runs at Moore and knocks him off the apron with a hard forearm shot. He then waits patiently as Matt slowly sits up and then stands up, with Shelton then charging at him and nailing him with THE GOLDEN STORM (CHARGING SPIKE REVERSE STO). . . . . Shelton then turns himself round and hooks both Matt’s legs as the referee makes the count.
AFTERMATH: “Ain’t No Stoppin Me” hits as Shelton stands back up with a big smile on his face. Umaga stands there too, not showing any real emotion as Shelton walks to the ropes to taunt the crowd, gesturing that the United States will be around his waist very soon.
WINNERS: Umaga & Shelton Benjamin by pinfall @ 8.51
***CUT BACKSTAGE***
We see Edge in his locker room along with Michael Shane and a pissed looking Cruiserweight Champion, Kenny Dykstra. Kenny is taping his wrists furiously as Shane just sits down with a smug smile on his face as a deadly serious Edge then tells them they have to forget what happened last week and that mistakes happen. He tells Kenny that he knows Shane would never have intentionally cost him his match against Shawn Michaels and that tonight they all need to stick together if they’re going to. . . but Dykstra cuts him off right there. He says that he ain’t getting involved in anything to do with Shane, calling him selfish . Shane just sni-ggers, but Edge asks him to explain. Kenny says that two weeks ago Shane walked down to the ring while he was dealing with Chavo and that Shane made it crystal clear he wants the Cruiserweight Championship, and then low and behold, guess who costs him his match last week. . . Shane. Edge tells Dykstra quite intensely that it was an accident and to get past it, with Shane then standing up and telling Kenny that Edge is right, he didn’t mean to do it, and if he did, he’d know about it. Dykstra gets right in Shane’s face and asks him what that’s supposed to mean.
Again Shane seems to revel in the champion getting wound up. Kenny says that he’s got a match with Matt Sydal any minute and the last thing he needs is a jealous, selfish, deluded brat like Shane getting on his back. Edge steps between them and tells them both to calm down. He says to Kenny that he should channel his aggression, go out there right now and show Sydal why he’s the Cruiserweight Champion and Sydal’s not. Dykstra looks very focused and says that’s exactly what he plans to do with Edge telling him to go do it right now. Dykstra looks a little taken aback before walking out of the locker room. Edge makes sure the door is shut before turning to Shane and saying that he’s a little worried about Kenny tonight and tells Shane to go make sure Dykstra wins his match by standing in his corner tonight. Shane shakes his head and says he’s more than happy to beat his own cousin for Edge tonight but he ain’t doing any favours for Dykstra. Edge tells him to count it as a favour to him, and since Shane owes him for bringing him to Smackdown, he knows what the answer is going to be. Shane reluctantly agrees but tells Edge not to blame him if it doesn’t all go to plan. Shane leaves the locker room as Edge looks a little concerned.
***CUT BACKSTAGE***
Shelton Benjamin is walking through the back, further ahead of Umaga & Armando Estrada. He looks back and tells them he’ll see them later and turns back with the camera in front of him. He walks off with the camera following in front of him and he says to himself that now Matt Hardy knows not to mess with him and soon the United States Championship will be his baby. The camera stops as Shelton then walks past it with a big smile on his face and we see Umaga & Estrada again. They walk in to a corridor away from the staging area and the lights start to flicker. They look around and Estrada looks a little concerned, and then the lights go off for five seconds and we hear some kind of commotion. The lights come back on and we see them both on the floor with a storage box by their feet. They are okay but look around again with Estrada saying he knows what’s going on and who’s behind it, but then shouts out that it’s going to take more than that to get to The Samoan Bulldozer, saying that he hopes The Undertaker is listening. Umaga stands back up along with Estrada and they then walk down the hall with serious expressions on their faces.
***VIDEO PROMO***
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
Josh Matthews is standing by and then introduces us to his guest, the World Heavyweight Champion, Shawn Michaels. Michaels gets a big pop from everyone in the arena as Josh then brings up that Shawn came away with a victory over Kenny Dykstra last week despite Edge’s best efforts, only for his Wrestlemania opponent to spear him right after the bell. He then says that tonight Shawn goes one on one with his cousin and the man Edge brought to Smackdown in the hope that it would get inside Michaels’ head, Michael Shane. Michaels just smirks as Josh then asks him how he feels about facing his cousin tonight with Edge guaranteed to be watching on yet again. Michaels says that he’s ready for any kind of challenge, and proved that last week by overcoming the numbers game, but tonight he’s going up his own cousin for the second time. He says the outcome isn’t going to be any different, he’ll be the one getting his hand raised, not Michael Shane and there’s not a damn thing Edge can do about it. He then acts a bit more serious and says that it’s going to be a preview of Wrestlemania for Edge because there’s nothing he can do except look on and accept the fact that Shawn Michaels will be victorious tonight and at Wrestlemania. He turns round and walks out of the shot to a big pop, and a few seconds later we see Matt Hardy & Shannon Moore walking slowly up the hall. Hardy looks a little sore and Josh stops to ask him if he’s okay. Matt says he’s fine and then says it’s going to take a lot more for Shelton Benjamin to keep him down. Moore then says that if Shelton wants to prove he’s some tough guy, he can face him next week. Matt & Josh look a little surprised before Matt & Shannon then carry on walking through the back.
***CUT TO THE ARENA***
***MATCH #2***
NON TITLE MATCH
Matt Sydal vs. Kenny Dykstra w/Michael Shane
ENDING: Dykstra doesn’t look happy with Shane’s arrival and standing outside the ring as well as having Chavo sitting at the announce table. He carries on with the match and pulls Sydal up to his feet, then throws a right at him, but Sydal blocks it. He then follows up by kicking Kenny in the stomach and then turns back to run the ropes, only to run back in to a standing dropkick from the Cruiserweight Champion. Dykstra stands back up and walks over to the corner, then climbs to the second rope as Sydal makes his way back up to his feet. As Sydal turns round, Kenny dives at him with a DIVING CLOTHESLINE. . . . . Sydal falls right back down to the mat as Kenny then tries to finish the match off by going for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Sydal kicks out and leaves Kenny frustrated as he then looks round at Chavo and then Sydal. He then makes his way back up to a vertical base and urges Sydal back up too, and he isn’t far behind. Dykstra pounces straight away, grabbing Sydal by the head and pulling it in to his body, but Sydal manages to duck his head and slip behind Kenny. He then hits him with a spin kick to the chest, turns round and connects with a FEINT ENZIGURI IN TO A HEAD SCISSORS TAKE DOWN. . . . .
The crowd like that one as Sydal races back up to his feet and runs in to the corner, dragging Kenny closer and then climbs to the top rope. With the crowd cheering as he reaches the top, he takes a second before leaping off for a SHOOTING STAR PRESS. . . . . But Kenny rolls closer to the corner as Sydal crashes in to the mat and rolls closer to the centre of the ring. Kenny reaches up and grabs hold of the ropes, then uses them to pick himself back up to his feet. Seeing Sydal struggling, he then climbs up to the top rope with Michael Shane deciding to stand up on the apron. Dykstra looks confused as Shane urges him to finish Sydal off. Dykstra asks him what he’s doing, but Shane just points at Sydal and shouts at him to end it. With a little time wasted, the chance seems to go to waste as the referee walks over to tell Shane to get down while Sydal starts to stand back up. Dykstra looks pissed as he stares down at Shane before jumping down to the mat and running at Sydal, who sidesteps Kenny, but as the champion turns round, Sydal leaps up and hits Kenny with a HURRICANRANA. . . . . With Sydal holding on to Kenny’s legs, the ref makes the count 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . 3.
AFTERMATH: Sydal’s music hits to a big pop. He stands back up to get his arm raised as Shane chuckles on the outside before sliding in the ring to check on Dykstra. He chuckles again for a split second as he helps Kenny come round and Sydal finishes posing for the crowd, then leaves the ring. Shane then helps Dykstra up to his feet, but Kenny looks pissed and shoves him away, with Shane then shoving him back. Dykstra looks really pissed as he turns to the side for a second before turning back, catching Shane off guard by kicking him in the gut and following up with a Rolling Cutter. He looks down with sheer anger before demanding his title belt back from the referee who gets it for him. Dykstra snatches it back and storms off with the camera showing Chavo enjoying what he’s seeing before going back to show a pissed off Dykstra walk up the ramp.
WINNER: Matt Sydal by pinfall @ 7.39
***VIDEO PROMO***
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
We see Evolution in the parking lot. Triple H has a sledgehammer in hand as he waits by the entrance to the building with Ric Flair (wearing a suit) and Batista (in jeans and an Evolution T shirt). Ric asks Triple H if it’s such a good idea he stays there tonight in case The McMahon’s do turn up. Trips says that he’s got it covered and that there’s no chance in hell of a repeat of last week happening again, because if he even gets a sniff of them, he’ll introduce them one by one to his good friend, staring right at his sledgehammer. He tells Batista that all he should focus on tonight is his match and tearing MVP apart for setting them up last week. Flair tells The Game that they’ll be staying here with him until the match, and then Big Dave can go take care of MVP. Triple H then says that he thinks it’s best if Ric goes with Dave and makes sure MVP doesn’t try anything. Ric looks at Batista who says that he doesn’t mind either way and that a little back up would make sense since Hunter’s got everything else covered, saying that not even The McMahon’s would want a piece of the sledgehammer. Ric agrees, but then we see Kenny Dykstra in his ring gear still and shoving his jeans, trainers and T shirt in to his bag, storming right through the door, completely obvious of Evolution. Triple H tells him to mind where he’s going as Dykstra turns round to see Edge barge through the door, yelling at him to come back and help Michael Shane out later on.
Dykstra shouts back and says that Shane’s screwed him over three weeks in a row now and it that ain’t a damn coincidence, then says that he ain’t helping Shane with shit and then storms over to a car, tosses his bag in the back and then drives off. Edge holds his head in his hands and then becomes all too aware of the fact he’s surrounded by Evolution. He tries to play down the situation and tells them not to anything stupid as they circle him. Triple H says that he saw what happened last week with Ric and Dave, but he also saw what Edge did to his good buddy, Shawn Michaels. Edge holds his hands up and says that it was no big deal, but Triple H disagrees and says that if The McMahon’s don’t show up tonight, and Edge decides to screw around again, he might just find Evolution coming after him. Edge looks round at all three before saying they don’t scare him, he’s going to be the next World Heavyweight Champion and that they should worry about getting their asses kicked at Wrestlemania by The McMahon’s. They move closer in to Edge who then points past them and gives them the idea that The McMahon’s here. Evolution turn round as Edge escapes back in to the building with all three looking pissed as they don’t see The McMahon’s anywhere. Triple H then looks at both Ric and Batista, then says that if they do come tonight, they won’t make it to Wrestlemania.
***VIDEO RECAP***
FROM LAST WEEK
We see footage of Tazz in William Regal’s office, asking for a chance to come back to Smackdown when Chris Masters & Charlie Haas (The Masters of the Mat) walk in. It shows Masters mocking Tazz, leading to Tazz accepting to take part on The Masterlock Challenge. We then see Tazz about to be put in the hold before being viciously assaulted by both Haas and Masters, who hit Tazz across the back with the steel chair several times before Haas locked him in The Haas of Pain until EMT’s came to the rescue.
***CUT TO THE ARENA***
“Masterpiece” hits as The Masters of the Mat make their way down to the ring looking very smug and laughing at the footage from just moments before. Once in the ring and having collected a microphone, Masters says that he hoped the crowd enjoyed that footage as much as he and Charlie did. With the crowd booing, he then says that some people have said that what they did was out of line, and some people even went as far to say it was downright disgraceful, but says he and Charlie disagree. He says that they did what they had to do, and that was take out a washed up piece of trash. He says Tazz had no business being here last week, and he certainly had no right getting involved in theirs. He then says that Smackdown doesn’t need guys like Tazz walking round trashing the future stars of the show, it needs the future stars to step up and take out the trash, like they did last week and will do again to anybody who gets in their way of becoming the next WWE Tag Team Champions. Just then, Tazz’s music hits as he hobbles out to the top of the ramp on crutches with a microphone as Masters and Haas just laugh. Tazz says if he could, he would walk down there right now and shut Masters big mouth once for all. He then says that he thought Charlie Haas was better than this, but he was proved wrong and that everyone else proved to be right, Charlie is nothing more than Masters’ bitch.
Haas looks pissed but Tazz says that all we’ve ever seen is Hass do whatever it is he’s told, and that if Charlie ever wants to make a name for himself, he’s got to stand up for himself. Haas grabs Masters’ mic and tells Tazz that he’s no one’s bitch, and says that Tazz better be careful what he says unless he wants his right leg to get the same treatment as his left one last week. Tazz says like he said before he would love nothing but to get in that ring and teach them what real bullying is, but says he had a little think and came up with a solution. He then says that since he took up their challenge last week, he asks them about taking up his tonight. The crowd cheer and Masters asks him just what the hell he’s on about, and Tazz responds by saying that he’s got two special guys in the back who are ready to find out if the so called Masters of the Mat can live up to their name or not. Masters says they don’t need to beat Tazz’s Brooklyn buddies to prove it to anyone, especially Tazz. But Tazz says he expected that to be the answer, so he went to William Regal earlier on and asked for a match to be made for tonight that would see Masters & Haas go up against two guys he knows real well, you could even say he knows them EXTREMELY well. Tommy Dreamer’s music hits as he and Stevie Richards walk out to the stage and **** Tazz before walking down to the ring as The Masters of the Mat get ready for action.
***MATCH #3***
Tommy Dreamer & Stevie Richards w/Tazz vs. The Masters of The Mat (Charlie Haas & Chris Masters)
ENDING: Haas tries for an irish whip on Dreamer but The ECW Original reverses it, and as Haas comes back off the ropes, Dreamer catches Haas diving at him and tosses him back with a FALLAWAY SLAM. . . . . Dreamer turns over on the mat and hooks the leg 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Haas gets his shoulder up as Dreamer then stands back up and walks over to his corner, then makes the tag to Stevie. He climbs through the ropes as Haas sits up. Stevie walks over to Haas and pulls him up to his feet, then proceeds to unload with a series of stiff kicks to the chest before whipping him in to the ropes, and as Haas comes back, Stevie lifts him overhead with a BACK BODY DROP. . . . . Haas lands on his back and sells it by holding it as he sits up. Stevie isn’t wasting any time as he walks over and pulls Haas up to his feet, then plants him with a SINGLE ARM DDT. . . . . A pop meets that as Stevie then turns Haas over and goes for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Masters makes the save by entering the ring and stomping on the back of Stevie’s head.
The ref is quick to get up and tells Masters to get back on the apron, which he does as he smirks at Tazz on the outside. It takes several seconds before Haas and Stevie get back up, and it’s Stevie who’s up first and pulls Haas up to his feet. He tries to whip Haas in to the ropes, but it’s blocked and Haas spins Stevie’s arm round and pulls him back in to a stomp to the gut followed up with a DOUBLE UNDERHOOK SUPLEX. . . . . Haas immediately turns himself round on the mat as he makes a cover attempt 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Stevie just gets his shoulder up with Haas then seeing Masters asking for the tag. Haas stands up and walks over to his corner, making the tag to Masters, who steps through the ropes as Stevie rolls on to his side. As soon as Stevie gets up, Masters runs at him and goes for a Double Axe Handle shot to the chest but Stevie ducks under Masters’ arms. As Masters then turns back round, Stevie goes for THE STEVIE KICK. . . . . Masters though grabs hold of Stevie’s foot and spins him round straight away, then nails him with a WHEELBARROW SUPLEX. . . . .
That one had to hurt! Masters doesn’t look to mess about as he too goes for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Stevie just kicks out, leaving Masters a little frustrated, but as he stands back up, he shifts behind Stevie and stalks him for THE MASTERLOCK. . . . . Masters though turns round for a second and pushes Dreamer off the apron, but only gently. The crowd try to warn Stevie, but as he stands up, Masters is able to pull him in to the hold. Seeing this from the outside, Dreamer looks under the ring and pulls out a SINGAPORE CANE. . . . . The crowd cheer like crazy as Masters tries to make Stevie give it up, totally unaware of Dreamer. Haas though catches his attention and tells him to turn round, which he does after letting go of Richards. He sees Dreamer at the right time as the extremist climbs through the ropes and swings the cane at him, but Masters ducks it. The cane drops to the mat with Masters picking it up and then smasheing it across Dreamer’s head with the ref then calling for the bell.
AFTERMATH: Masters argues with the referee and says that it was Dreamer who brought in, but he then sees Richards standing back up. The Masterpiece stalks him as he slowly gets up with Masters then walking over to him and swinging the cane right at Richards’ head, sending him down to the mat. He drops the cane and then sees Dreamer getting back up. He looks at Haas and instructs him to take care of Richards, which he does, walking over and applying The Haas of Pain with Masters stepping behind Dreamer and locking in The Masterlock. The crowd boo like crazy as The Masters of the Mat put a hurting on The Extremists while Tazz watches on helplessly. After watching on for nearly twenty seconds, Tazz hobbles up onto the apron, using his crutch to help him climb up. Masters watches on with a grin as Tazz then is able to climb through the ropes, but Haas sees it and lets go of Richards. He charges at Tazz and chop blocks him to the mat. He then drags Tazz away from the ropes and locks in The Haas of Pain, on the same leg as last week, making Tazz scream like hell. Masters grins as he lets go of a now out cold Dreamer and looks on, but EMT’s rush down the ramp and urge Haas to let go which he only does after a struggle. The crowd boo Haas & Masters like crazy as they then leave the ring with big smiles on their faces.
WINNERS: Tommy Dreamer & Stevie Richards by DQ @ 6.10
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
William Regal is sat in his office along with Chris Harris. Harris looks to be agitated and asks Regal what he’s waiting for, but Regal just tells him to be patient. Just a few seconds later, Finlay walks in with his shillelagh in hand, resulting in Harris standing up and the two men squaring up. Regal immediately tells them to settle down and this is exactly why he summonsed them so that he could deal with this out of hand predicament he finds himself in. Finlay and Harris settle down and step away from each other as Regal then says that over the last few weeks, things have got completely out of control, and that as of right now he’s putting an end to it. Harris looks pissed and tells Regal to blame Finlay, not him, saying it’s Finlay who’s caused all this. Regal says he agrees and looks at Finlay. He tells him that last week he told him not to use the shillelagh, but he did and he says that it was a rebellious act. Finlay smiles as he says that Regal took his shillelagh off of him, but Regal responds angrily.
He says that it was Finlay who deliberately went against his instructions, and with the aid of that bloody troll under the ring, used another shillelagh to cheat to win the match. Finlay smiles as Harris and Regal look pissed. Regal then says that he has no choice but to make a decision to end all this, and that is that next week on Smackdown, they will meet for one last match, but it will be a No Holds Barred match. The crowd can be heard cheering as both men take the news well. Regal then tells them that he doesn’t want any trouble and orders them both to leave the arena right now, otherwise he will suspend them both right away. Harris & Finlay both stare at each other for several seconds before Harris leaves the room. Finlay turns to Regal and grins before saying he’s more than happy to fight anyone, any place any time, then says Regal has played right in to his hands. Regal looks pissed still and just tells him to leave, which he does with a big grin on his face.
***CUT BACKSTAGE***
Lena Yada is standing by and introduces her guests, MVP, Elijah Burke & Layla. They get heat as they are shown in shot. Lena asks MVP how he feels about facing Batista later on tonight. He doesn’t look happy and asks Lena how she’d feel if she had to face a mad, angry, crazy three hundred pounder like Batista tonight. She’s about to respond when MVP tells her, just like everyone at home, he doesn’t give a rats ass what she thinks. He says that it’s total BS that he has to face Batista tonight in the mood The Animal’s in, no one should have to, and then says that just four nights ago on Raw, he and Elijah Burke were forced to fight both Batista and Triple H. He then says that all the haters are circling in on him just because they are jealous of the star that he is. Lena looks very unimpressed and then says that’s it’s probably something to do with the fact that he set Ric Flair and Batista up last week. MVP stares a hole through her and says that whatever happened last week is history.
He says he helped The McMahon’s out because they knew if they wanted a job done, he’s the man to do it. He then says he did his time Monday night, and that it’s a disgrace that someone of his and Burke’s talent are being treated like common people. Lena cuts in and asks him why Burke is here, with MVP offering Burke the chance to explain. He says that it’s clear, like MVP said, people in high places are jealous of their talents, and that it’s real simple why he’s here, to cover MVP’s back in case the haters make their presence felt tonight. He then says that they shouldn’t have to worry about banning people from the building like they have had to with Rey Mysterio tonight, when MVP cuts in and says that it’s for Rey’s own good tonight because if it wasn’t for him, he and Burke would have made fools of Evolution Monday night like they will tonight with or without The McMahon’s. He and Burke turn round and walk out of the shot while Layla stares at Lena for a couple of seconds before following.
***CUT TO THE ARENA***
“Slam Smack” plays as Jamie Noble & Kid Kash, The Pitbulls make their way down to the ring, looking as stern as ever to heat from the crowd. Once in the ring, Noble walks over and demands a microphone, getting one from Justin Roberts. Noble says he’s cutting right to the chase, that after being robbed of winning the tag titles three weeks ago, he and Kash said that if they didn’t get what they wanted, they’d do it their way, and he says they have done just that. He then says that last week, he beat one of the British boys and now he wants what they’ve been asking for, a rematch for the tag titles. He then asks for Paul Burchill & Harry Smith, The UK Pack to come out and give them the answer they want or they’ll go back and find them, just stomp the crap out of them again. They wait and there’s still no response at five seconds with Noble getting angry and shouting for them to hurry the hell up. We then hear “Britannia” hit inside the arena as the laid back WWE Tag Team Champions make their way in to the stage. Burchill has a microphone and tells Noble that getting all worked up and flustered won’t do him any good, then tells him to sit back and listen to what he has to say because he has a pleasant surprise for them both.
Noble & Kash look confused as Burchill, standing alongside a very cool looking Harry Smith says that after all this fighting over the last few weeks, they should take a break from all the hostility and spend some time getting to know America. The crowd cheer as The Pitbulls look even more confused. Burchill acknowledges that and says that he and Harry still don’t know too much about America and that since they’ve just come back from Europe, it would be nice to get to know the country they now live in. They get cheered yet again as Burchill then says he thinks it’ll do Noble & Kash some good too, just to relax them a little. He then says that he and Harry will give them a title shot very soon, but tonight they have something else for them that they think they will like. Burchill & Smith then walk towards the side of the stage and climb down the steps as Noble & Kash watch on frustratingly. We then see some workers bring out a trailer from behind the curtain as Burchill & Smith walk over to it and smile. Burchill says that it’s top of the range and it’s fitted perfectly for Noble & Kash, saying it has just the one bed. The crowd laugh as Noble & Kash look on very angry. Noble says he and Kash are partners, then panics and corrects himself by saying not that kind of partners but tag team partners. Burchill says whatever they do in the privacy of their own trailer is their own business and says it has tinted windows so they can go wild.
Noble says there’s only one thing they want to do right now and that’s beat the crap out of the two of them. Burchill laughs and says he didn’t expect any thanks, but if they want a fight, it’s up to the fans to decide. The crowd cheers like crazy with Burchill then saying it looks like a fight it is as he and Smith then walk back up to the stage, but as they’re about to walk down the ramp, six security guys walk out and step in front of The UK Pack, who just look confused as The Pitbulls wait for them in the ring. We then see William Regal appear on the tron as he stands in his office. He says that considering the frame of mind that The Pitbulls are in, he can’t allow any kind of fight here tonight, getting boos from the arena. He does say that is best for everyone concerned that we don’t see any kind of fighting whatsoever between them as next week Paul Burchill will go one on one with Kid Kash. He then says that if either Noble or Kash step out of line between now and then they can forget about the match he is about to make, because he says he has decided that the two teams will meet for the tag team titles at Wrestlemania. Noble & Kash’s expression changes from angry as hell to delighted as The UK Pack take it on the chin. Regal reinforces the warning to The Pitbulls and says that if anything untoward takes place before next week, they can forget about Wrestlemania. The tron cuts away from Regal as the two teams stare at each other.
***VIDEO PROMO***
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
***MATCH #4***
NON TITLE MATCH
Shawn Michaels vs. Michael Shane w/Edge
ENDING: Michaels fights a sleeper from his cousin and is able to escape by driving his elbow back in to Shane’s gut. With the crowd now cheering their hero on, Michaels runs forward in to the ropes and comes back, ducking under an outstretched arm from Shane and then coming back to hit him with a flying forearm. The crowd cheer even louder as they then see Michaels flip up, which doesn’t sit well with Edge on the outside. HBK then walks over to the corner and climbs up to the top rope as he and Edge exchange a few glances before Michaels then leaps off for THE HEARTBREAK ELBOW. . . . . As he comes down to land, Shane rolls to the side as Michaels then crash lands on the mat. It takes both men a while to stand back up as Edge tries his best to encourage Shane, and it is the younger cousin who is up first and backs up in to the corner where he seems to be getting ready for some Sweet Chin Music as he tunes up the band. The crowd boo loudly but Edge loves it as he urges Michaels to stand up from the outside. But as Shane advances out of the corner and lifts his boot towards Michaels’ face, HBK ducks it and spins Shane back round, then connects with an INVERTED ATOMIC DROP. . . . . Shane hobbles round in front of Michaels for a couple of seconds before Michaels then nails him with a LEG FEED ENZIGURI. . . . .
The crowd cheer like nuts as Michaels then reaches across, turns Shane on to his back and hooks both legs for a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Shane just gets his shoulder up, leaving Michaels a little shocked as Edge punches the air with relief. Michaels sees Edge on the outside and then stands back up, walks over to the corner and starts tuning up the band to a huge pop from the crowd as they **** in by clapping and stamping their feet. Edge shouts at Shane as he comes round, and Shane seems to take note and asks the referee to check if there’s something in his eye, backing up to the opposite corner of Michaels. The ref turns his back on Michaels and looks in Shane’s eyes as Michaels looks on confused with Edge then slipping in under the bottom rope. Michaels sees him and charges at him, but Edge ducks underneath, runs through off the ropes and takes Michaels down with a SPEAR. . . . . The crowd boo like crazy as Edge slips back to the outside as the ref tells Shane there’s nothing there, but Shane scurries across and hooks Michaels’ legs for a cover. The ref looks around and seems to ponder what happened as Shane yells at him to make the count, which he does 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . 3.
AFTERMATH: Shane’s music hits as he pulls himself up to his knees and holds his head in his hands, over selling his victory to the max as Edge slides inside the ring. Edge goes over to Shane and pulls him up to his feet, then lifts his hand in the air with Michaels lying by their feet. Edge & Shane revel in the win as they laugh at the fallen Michaels before leaving the ring and walking up the ramp, turning round at halfway as Edge raises Shane’s hand aloft again to a ton of heat.
WINNER: Michael Shane by pinfall @ 8.02
***CUT BACKSTAGE***
William Regal is shown walking through the back and walks up to the entrance to the parking lot and then opening the door. We then see Evolution standing there, still waiting to see if The McMahon’s are going to grace us with their presence. Regal tells Dave that his match is up next and that he should be heading inside. Batista tells Triple H to be careful and asks him if he’s going to be okay by himself, to which The Game says he will be fine and tells him not to worry. Flair pats Trips on the back before saying he’ll see him after the match as he and Batista walk inside. Regal walks up to Triple H and says that he understands he’s angry at The McMahon’s, but he doesn’t want any trouble here tonight, and since he’s on his own, he can call on the security he has at his disposal so that Triple H won’t face a three on one situation should The McMahon’s show up. The Game stares at Regal and lifts his sledgehammer off his shoulder, making Regal very worried. The Smackdown GM then steps back and tells Triple H that the offer still stands if he wishes to change his mind. The Game just turns round and intensely focuses on the entrance to the parking lot as Regal concedes and walks back inside.
***VIDEO PROMO***
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
***VIDEO PROMO***
We see a video clip showing the highlights of the career of Owen Hart.
2008 INDUCTEE: Owen Hart
***CUT TO THE ARENA***
***THE MAIN EVENT***
Batista w/Ric Flair vs. MVP w/Elijah Burke & Layla
ENDING: Batista reaches down and pulls MVP up to his feet. He then whips him in to the ropes, but as MVP hits them, he holds on to the top rope. Batista is in no mood to mess about as he then runs at MVP, who lifts his boot up in to The Animal’s face, knocking him back towards the middle of the ring holding his face. With Batista’s back still to him, MVP walks over to him, turns him round and plants him with a SIT DOWN SIDE POWERSLAM. . . . . MVP yells at the referee to count as he hooks Batista’s leg 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . The Animal kicks out quite comfortably, but MVP seems to be enjoying the spotlight as he then stands back up and taunts Batista for THE BALLIN ELBOW. . . . . But as MVP drops it, Batista rolls to the side with MVP hitting the mat to a pop from the crowd. Batista is back up straight away and seeing MVP making his way back up, he turns to run the ropes, charges back and EXPLODES WITH A SPEAR ON THE FRANCHISE PLAYER. . . . . The Animal nearly ripped him in two, sending MVP crashing towards the ropes, and with the crowd roaring him on, Batista goes for the cover with MVP’s nearest leg as the ref makes the count 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . NO!. . . . .
Elijah Burke puts MVP’s foot on the bottom rope to stop the count. Batista looks real angry as he sees Burke there playing the innocent, but he soon gives him a scare. The Animal slips under the bottom rope and gives chase as Burke runs for his life, but as he runs round the ring, Flair cuts him off and Batista stands right behind him. Batista and Flair seem to be deciding who gets to be the lucky one, and Flair strikes with a chop across the chest, spinning Burke round in to a hard right hand that knocks him down to the floor from The Animal. Layla rushes round to check on Burke as Batista then climbs back in the ring, MVP is sitting up by the ropes. Batista then walks over towards his opponent, but MVP kicks at his knees, pushing him away. The Animal walks back over and tries to pull MVP up, but The Franchise Player reaches up and rolls him in to an INSIDE CRADLE. . . . . 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . .
Batista kicks out and both men stand back up with MVP hitting a SPINNING CAPOEIRA KICK (THE MALICIOUS INTENT). . . . . Batitsa is knocked off balance with MVP following up with a DDT. . . . . The nervousness from the crowd is clear as MVP follows up with a cover 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . Kick out from Batista! . . . . . MVP looks stunned and questions the referee’s call, telling him to count again, which he does 1 . . . . . 2 . . . . . It’s to no avail as Batista kicks out again. We then see some activity on the tron as Triple H stands in
WWE: A Strong Response
Re: WWE: A Strong Response
