Matt Hardy vs. Gregory Helms
I thought the tag team match-up would be a better choice for an opener. NC’s own Matt Hardy didn’t seem to start the show with the right pop for a PPV. The two guys fought it out like heavyweights. The top rope Shining Wizard was a very nice “Wow” moment. A Twist of Fate gets the win. The Cruiserweight championship stays with the longest reigning champion. At least these two were on a PPV. Lots of “Hardy-love” from the WWE; first Jeff wins the IC championship, then Matt gets a PPV win in his home state. Crazy.
King Booker and William Regal
Booker puts over his competition and plays his character to a T. Give this man an Emmy award.
The WWE Tag Team Championship:
Kendrick and London vs. Stevens and James with Michelle McCool.
Sounds like the Zack Attack wrote the music for the Stevens and James team. Kendrick and London fight like cruiserweights. How odd. Perhaps they could be competing in the cruiserweight division? [On an aside, I really think that the WWE should treat the divisions the same way the UFC does. Cruiserweights never fight Heavyweights. That’s how it should be.] James and Stevens remind me of the Midnight Express. They’re unlikable – the strut was a good way to get heel heat.
Someone please come up with another format for tag team matches, please. No more face in peril. No more! Hell of a finish, tho. I may have to start watching SmackDown! again.
Regal searches backstage for something.
I get it. Booker is the king. Finley is the knight. Regal is the jester.
Miz and his “Terry Taylor Starter Kit.” Excellent shot by JBL on the Miz. Is this guy a face? I got a great idea. Book him in a feud with the Boogeyman for 12 months. That way, everyone will know that it’s time for a bathroom break.
MVP’s intro is quite cool. He’s got his own entrance balloon thing and pyro columns. The suit is unique. Odd, but unique. Marty Garter – the superstar of superstars. Quite the challenge for MVP. I believe that was the overdrive for his finisher. It is one of the most unimpressive finishers in wrestling today.
WTF? They’re making matches backstage? What is this, an episode of SmackDown!? Yes. It is a $40 SmackDown! episode. Regal vs. Vito, tonight!
Ken Kennedy vs. Undertaker:
I really wish they would change the U.S. title belt to the classic one that Magnum T.A. used to wear. Much classier. The match was a slow, hard, hitting match up. A very nice brawling style by both men. Did anyone notice the Undertaker putting his foot on the rope instead of kicking out strongly against Kennedy at one point? The Deadman sold amazingly well for Mr. Kennedy. That stiff boot to the face by Kennedy to the Undertaker looked like it hurt like hell.
A piledriver?! Holy macaroni. I thought that move was outlawed. I assume that move was approved by management. Taker must have some kind of confidence in Kennedy to allow him to attempt such a move.
I am surprised at the duration of this match. Kennedy has gone toe to toe with the Undertaker for over 20 minutes. A DQ? On PPV? Yep. A DQ keeps Kennedy strong with a win. Kennedy will go on and on that he beat the Undertaker on a PPV.
Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero w/ Vickie Guerrero
Why won’t this feud go away? This match looks like it is going to be in the “Don’t Try This At Home” footage eventually. Two cruiserweights fighting like heavyweights once again. This was an amazingly brutal match with a very nice finish. It only took one ref to restrain Rey Mysterio? Chavo’s shoulders weren’t quite down, but that’s okay. What now for Chavo and Rey?
I hear John Cena is in a movie. When did this happen?
Regal vs. Vito.
The match to cool the crowd between the Rey/Chavo and the Main Event.
Regal vs. CHRIS BENOIT
Much better match! This is a very pleasant surprise. Hopefully Chris Benoit will follow up this performance with a run at the World Heavyweight Championship. It’s time for Chris Benoit to main event again. Some very nice chain wrestling by both Benoit and Regal. It’s always nice to watch a technical wrestling match on a PPV. That apron DDT spot is always sick.
This is an excellent PPV match. These guys were pulling out moves that I haven’t seen in years. A bloody, stiff, and excellent match-up. It’s one of the stiffest match I’ve seen in a while.
The Court Convenes:
Finley is becoming a face by accident. Court’s adjourned.
Dave and Bobby Bond:
These kids are like the Rock and Steve Austin when it comes to promos in that opposite kind of way. What’s with Dave’s Chuck Palumbo-like beard?
Fatal Four Way for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Batista’s got a new ring entrance thing: the helicopter spin. King Booker does not look like a happy man. Finley is coming out looking like a star in this feud. He’s just beating up everyone. The four-way match protects the young Lashley. He’s starting to grow as a wrestler and his matches with Finley have been helpful for his maturing.
For a second, it appeared as if Finley was about to win the World Championship. Batista with the Jackhammer – not bad. If Goldberg isn’t using it, why not Batista? Batista then used the spear on Lashley. Maybe he was watching some Goldberg matches on WWE 24/7 for inspiration.
Maybe Lashley should unveil an F5. How did Batista get busted open? Impressive belly to belly throw by Lashley on Batista. I really thought the Bookend was the end of the match. I was wrong. Seeing Booker and Lashley go back and forth is giving us a sneak peek as to the original PPV main event. Batista apparently buys spinebusters in bulk. Lashley’s spear on Batista was massive. I’m glad that King Booker won in a way that kept everyone strong. He looks like a weak champion since Batista did the dirty work. Lashley knocked out Batista and Finley had an all-around good match. Decent main event. OK PPV.
State of Wrestling 