Smackdown
Friday Night
Smackdown goes live with a huge pyro display.
Footage airs from this past weeks edition of
ECW, when Mr McMahon made the huge announcement of a brand reshuffle following
One Night Stand, to co-inside with the expansion of the extreme brand.
Cole and JBL announce that several
ECW superstars are at
Smackdown to promote the One Night Stand PPV, including Kevin Thorn, who will be competing for the Intercontinental Title in the Six-Pack Challenge, later tonight.
Match 1
Six Man Tag Team Match
CM Punk, Paul London & Brian Kendrick vs. Hardcore Holly, Jamie Noble & Chavo Guerrero
Noble is out first, recieving boos, as Cole comments on his interference in last weeks tag team match, when he cost London & Kendrick the belts.
Chavo is out next, receiving an equally heated response.
Next out for his team is Hardcore Holly, looking set for action as footage is shown from this past week on ECW, when CM Punk prevented Holly from using a steel chair on Rob Van Dam, which distracted the Alabaman long enough for Van Dam to take control and go on to win the match.
London & Kendrick run out first and celebrate on the turnbuckles, before being assaulted from behind by their opponents, leading to a 3 on 2 attack.
They beat London and Kendrick down until Punk's music hits, and the ECW World Champion comes running out as Holly readies himself.
Punk slides in the ring and collides with Holly, as Chavo stomps away at Kendrick in the corner, and Noble beats down on London in another. Punk wins out with right hands and hits a combination of two slaps, a spinning reverse slap and a roundhouse kick to knock his rival down. At the same time Noble whips London to the ropes, but the cruiserweight champion ducks a clothesline attempt and hits a dropkick, as Kendrick ducks a right hand by Chavo to hit the same move.
The three faces stand tall over their enemies and Punk starts the match against Holly, as Chavo and Noble roll out of the ring and go to their corner.
The ECW World Champion goes over to Holly in the corner and hits him with backhanded slaps across the chest, before pulling him out in an arm twist to perform a ropewalk legdrop. Punk follows up with a pinfall attempt and gets a 2 count, when Holly kicks out. The champion picks Holly up and gets him in another arm wrench, tagging in Kendrick, who goes to the top turnbuckle and hits a 'mushroom stomp' on the arm.
Kendrick carries on the momentum for his team, whipping Holly across the ring and ducking under him, causing him to leap the cruiserweight, who hits a leg lariot knockdown on the rebound. Kendrick quickly covers but only gets a 2 count, when Chavo enters the ring to stomp him. This causes Kendrick to temporarily argue with Chavo, before turning back to Holly, who has had time to recover. Holly breaks free from Kendrick and hits him with right hands, before landing him with a devastating sitout suplex slam in the middle of the ring. Holly picks his opponent up by the hair and goes over to his corner to tag in Chavo Guerrero, who hits Kendrick in the ribs while the ECW superstar holds him.
Chavo pummels Kendrick some more, before hitting him with the 'three amigos' suplex combination, floating over on the last one for a pinfall attempt, which gets a 2 and a half count. He picks Kendrick up and drags him back to the heel corner, stomping away at him before tagging in Noble, as they continue to isolate their opponent.
Noble hits Kendrick with a painful fireman's carry gutbuster maneuver, following up with yet another pinfall attempt for another 2 and a half count, as the resilient fan favourite kicks out again. Noble picks his rival up for a northern lights suplex, but Kendrick reverses it in midair to plant Noble with a ddt, leaving both men down. Kendrick crawls towards his corner slowly as Noble comes round and grabs him by the leg. The two men stand up and Kendrick hits an enzugiri, before tagging in Paul London.
London enters as Noble holds up his hands in a plee, but the cruiserweight champion punches away, backing his rival up against the ropes and whipping him off for a dropkick to the face. He then grabs Noble for sky-lift chickenwing facebuster, rolling him over for a pinfall attempt to get a 2 count, when Chavo and Holly enter the ring and break it up with stomps. Punk and Kendrick enter to even the odds and fend off the intruders, with Kendrick hitting a hurricarana on Chavo to the outside as Punk ducks a right by Holly to land him with a side slam into the Anaconda Vice, causing him to scream in pain.
London hits the recovering Noble with a superkick, stunning him so he falls back into position near the corner, as Punk releases the vice on Holly and Kendrick re-enters the ring. They watch London hit a Shooting Star Press onto Noble, and secure the ring as the ref makes the 3 count.
The heels back up the isleway, holding themselves in pain whilst Punk, London and Kendrick raise their hands together as the crowd goes wild for them.
Winners: CM Punk, Paul London & Brian Kendrick
Shawn Michaels and
Triple H are shown walking backstage when Todd Grisham tires to ask him for his thoughts on the six pack challenge later tonight. Shawn says he'll tell Grisham exactly what he thinks of the match, and says it's bullcrap, having to defend against 5 other guys. He then says that the odds may be stacked against him tonight, but he will leave as the Intercontinental Champion tonight.
Elsewhere,
Bobby Lashley is interviewed by Kristal. He tells her and the crowd that next Sunday he is has a 2 on 1 handicap ladder match against The Great Khali and Daivari. Lashley continues, saying that he likes those odds and vows to climb the ladder and grab the contract which entitles him to a shot at the ECW Title, anytime he wants. He then says he is going to send a message to Khali and Daivari in his match, later tonight.
Back in the arena, The New Age Outlaws' music hits, as Michael Cole announces that next week,
Smackdown will be appointed a
new General Manager.
Match 2
Billy Gunn (w/The Road Dogg) vs. The Great Khali (w/Daivari)
The New Age Outlaws enter the arena first, with a nervous looking Billy Gunn being accompanied by The Road Dogg for a match made by Vince McMahon last week, as punishment for the degenerate. Jesse James gives his team mate a pep talk in the ring as Khali's music hits.
Khali makes his way down to the ring, flanked by Daivari to a mostly heated reception.
The bell rings and Gunn goes on the offensive straight away, going for right hand punches to Khali, but the monster grabs the outlaw and throws him into the corner. The giant punishes Gunn with overhand slaps to the chest, as the crowd cringe, before backing him off the ropes to fling him across the ring and connect with a big boot.
Jesse James bangs the mat to encourage his partner, but Khali is too much, picking the outlaw up for a headbutt, sending Gunn stumbling back into the corner dazed.
The Road Dogg gets up on the apron to distract, getting Khali's attention and allowing his partner to recover, dropping down when the monster gets close.
Khali goes back to grab Gunn, but the outlaw fights back with desperate punches to the midsection. The giant seems unphased and grabs Gunn for a double handed chockebomb, but the quick thinking degenerate kicks Khali in the groin, causing him to break the hold, and rolls out of the ring.
Gunn signals that he's had enough and leaves with his team mate, leading to a count out victory for Khali.
Following the match, Daivari enters the ring and warns Bobby Lashley that at One Night Stand, The Great Khali is going to dominate him for the #1 contenders spot.
Winner: The Great Khali (w/Daivari) (by countout)
Backstage,
Matt Hardy is shown with his brother Jeff, discussing tonight's six pack challenge. Matt says he came so close to winning the Intercontinental Title at
Judgement Day, he'll be damned if he doesn't this time. He then adds that this time, he won't have competed in a match before the title bout.
Elsewhere,
Finlay is interviewed about the match. He tells Todd Grisham that he's been on a roll as of late, despite his narrow loss at
Judgement Day, and intends to get back in the title scene tonight, when he becomes the new Intercontinental Champion.
Match 3
Paul Burchill vs. Scotty 2 Hotty
Scotty enters first to a major ovation from the crowd.
Burchill makes his way out to major heat.
The bell rings and the two square off, with Scotty using his speed to gain the advantage early on, hitting a kick to the midsection and flurry of punches to the back of Burchill, before whipping him off the ropes for a flying forearm smash. Scotty then runs off the ropes himself but Burchill shifts underneath, causing the fan favourite to leap him and rebound off the other ropes, allowing Burchill to meet him with a running clothesline.
Burchill collects Scotty, who is holding his mouth, for a shoulderbreaker onto his knee, before hitting him with a standing shooting star press for a pin, getting a 2 count.
Burchill picks Scotty up and lifts him onto his shoulders for a rolling fireman's carry slam, before taunting the crowd. He then goes up to the top turnbuckle for a moonsault, missing when Scotty rolls clear. The fan favourite then runs off the ropes behind Burchill and plants him face-first with a two handed bulldog, lining him up for 'The Worm'. The fans go crazy for Scotty as he hops around the ring and rolls towards his opponent, nailing the chop drop and covering. The referee counts to 2 and a half, when Burchill just manages to get his foot on the rope, saving himself.
A hyped Scotty, with the crowd behind him, picks Burchill up for back suplex, but the heel desperately grabs the referee to block the move, and kicks back between Scotty's legs, hitting him with a low blow.
The crowd boo as Burchill grabs Scotty and plants him with the 'C4' standing moonsault side slam, before pinning him for the 3 count.
Burchill stands tall over Scotty and stomps him a few times, before celebrating to the crowd as they boo him.
Winner: Paul Burchill
Backstage,
Shelton Benjamin is interviewed by Kristal about tonight's six pack challenge for the Intercontinental Title. He says that as everyone knows he's been the champion before, and adds that it would go nicely with the World Tag Team Title belt he's going to win on Monday night with team mate Charlie Haas. He finishes by saying that tonight it's all about him though, and he adds that he excels in these type of matches, telling Kristal to look out for him after the show, cause he'll be the one with the gold.
Elsewhere,
Kevin Thorn is shown with Ariel. He tells her that tonight he has the chance to bring The Brood it's first title, saying he can't afford to fail.
Match 4
Mark Henry vs. Bobby Lashley
Henry makes his way out first to overwhelming boos from the crowd.
Lashley makes his entrance next to a huge ovation, walking down to the ring and exploding straight onto the apron, before climbing through the ropes to come face to face with Henry.
The two men go nose to nose, with Henry shouting in Lashley's face before shoving him back hard. Lashley looks around at the crowd for a reaction before shoving Henry back into the ropes and following up with hard right hands as the bell rings.
Lashley whips Henry across the ring and goes for a running clothesline, but Henry stays standing. Lashley backs off the ropes for another clothesline, this time sending Henry off balance. He goes for a third clothesline off the ropes but Henry comes back and levels Lashley first.
Henry stomps at the back of Lashley's head as he tries to recover and crawl to the ropes. The World's Strongest Man then charges across the ring and rebounds off the ropes to hit a leapfrog body guillotine on Lashley, causing the former ECW World Champion to roll around the mat in pain, holding his throat. When he settles, Henry attempts a running splash, but Lashley manages to roll clear and get to his feet, before rushing The World's Strongest Man with a spear off the ropes, following up with a pin for the 3 count.
Suddenly, Khali's music hits and the monster makes his way down to the ring with Daivari. Lashley shouts at them and looks set to take them on when the recovering Henry hits him from behind and begins a beatdown, allowing Khali to enter the ring, whilst Daivari shouts directions from ringside. The two big men beat down on Lashley, before Khali picks lands him with a double handed chokebomb and Henry nails a standing splash. Lashley is left motionless in the ring as Henry leaves and Khali stands over him, whilst Daivari trash talks him to his face.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Backstage,
Batista is interviewed by Kristal. He says he suffered a minor injury a couple of weeks back , which prevented him from performing at the top of his game, and with that he missed his oppurtunity to compete for the Intercontinental Title. He then says that tonight he gets a second chance and he intends to dominate the other five men to take the gold home with him, concluding by telling Kristal that they're about to find out why he's called 'The Animal'.
Elsewhere,
Triple H is shown telling
Shawn good luck as he leaves the dressing room and heads for the arena.
Match 5
Intercontinental Title
Six-Pack Challenge
Shawn Michaels (c) vs. Matt Hardy vs. Kevin Thorn vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Finlay vs. Batista
Matt Hardy's music hits and the World Tag Team Champion makes his way down to the ring to a huge ovation.
Finlay's music hits next and 'The Irishman who loves to fight' comes down to the ring to boos. He gets in the ring and goes at it with Matt, beating him down and stomping him into the corner.
Shelton Benjamin's music hits next, and the young athelete runs down to the ring, pulling Finlay off Matt to deliver right hands of his own and nail a T-Bone Suplex for the first pinfall of the match, which Matt breaks up at 2 as Michael Cole announces that it is well within the rules to do that and Shawn Michaels does not need to be pinned to lose his title.
Next out is Kevin Thorn, who walks down to the ring while Matt and Benjamin trade blows, until Matt hits the 'Side Effect' wrist lock sitout side slam. Matt then signals for Thorn to enter, when he is attacked from behind by the recovering Finlay. Thorn enters and helps The Irishman to double team Matt with stomps.
Batista's music hits and The Animal storms the ring, knocking down Thorn and Finlay several times with clotheslines, before shoulder lifting the Irishman up onto his shoulder and spearing him back into the corner hard. He then whips Thorn off the ropes for a spinebuster, before grabbing the top rope and going crazy, when Shelton Benjamin comes from behind to hit him.
Shelton signals to Matt to work together and they whips The Animal off the ropes, only for him to rebound with a double clothesline on the unlikely team. Batista measures Benjamin for 'Jackhammer' suplex powerslam and plants him for a pinfall attempt, getting a 2 count when Matt Hardy manages to dive ontop and break it up. Batista gets to his feet and hits Matt with right hands, before whipping him off the ropes for a spinebuster. The Animal stands tall over Matt until Finlay runs at him out of the corner, only to be met with a kick to the midsection and a 'Batista Bomb'.
Finally, Shawn Michaels runs out and slides in the ring just in time to break up the pinfall. The Heartbreak Kid beats down on Batista, who gets to his feet to trade blows with the champion, winning out to push him back against the ropes and then knock him to the outside with a running clohtesline. Michaels plays dead on the outside while Kevin Thorn attacks Batista from behind, back in the ring. Thorn goes to whip Batista across the ring, but The Animal reverses it and hits a spear, following up with another pinfall attempt, getting a 2 count when Matt Hardy manages to break it up.
Matt punches away at The Animal, and is soon joined by Shelton Benjamin. Together they hit Batista with a double vertical suplex and then join hands to clothesline him over the top rope to the outside, where he lands on his feet, but is then hit straight in the jaw by Shawn Michaels with a 'Sweet Chin Music' superkick. Shawn mounts Batista and starts to lay into him with right hands as Shelton attacks in the ring, in a preview of this Monday Night's World Tag Team Title match on RAW.
Shelton dishes out the right hands and whips Matt up onto his shoulders for a samoan drop, followed by a pin, which is broken up by Finlay at 2, when he stomps on the back of Shelton's head. The groggy Irishman picks Benjamin up and hits him with a european uppercut, before whipping him off the ropes for a running knee to the stomach, sending his opponent spinning through the air.
The Irishman then turns around to pick Matt up for the 'Celtic Cross' over the shoulder back to belly piledriver, but turns around to get superkicked in the jaw by Shawn Michaels with a 'Sweet Chin Music'. Shawn quickly covers, but only gets a 2 and a half count when Benjamin hits a springboard legdrop from the apron, onto the back of his head.
Benjamin turns around to walk into a kick in the midsection and Crucifix Powerbomb from Thorn, who slams him down onto Matt Hardy, to seemingly seal the win. He drops down and covers both superstars for another 2 and a half count, when Batista, who has crawled into the ring, manages to jump ontop and break it up. The Animal puts Thorn between his legs and lifts him up for a 'Batista Bomb', when Shawn hits the third 'Sweet Chin Music' superkick of the match, knocking Batista down. He then throws Thorn through the ropes to the outside and turns around to walk straight into a kick to the midsection and twist of fate by Matt Hardy, as the crowd goes wild. Matt covers and gets the 3 count, when the referee fails to see Shawn get his foot on the bottom rope.
Shawn looks devastated and appeals to the referee, before snatching the title belt off him and knocking Matt out cold with it. The officials on the outside discuss it with the referee and a video replay is used on the titan tron to show Shawn getting his foot on the bottom rope.
The referee restarts the match and reluctantly makes the 3 count as Shawn pins the unconcious Matt, with both Finlay and Batista failing to reach him in time.
Shawn quickly rolls out of the ring and grabs his title belt again, looking extremely relieved to have retained.
Winner and still Intercontinental Champion: Shawn Michaels
Backstage,
Shawn is joined by his team mates and is interviewed again by Todd Grisham. The Heartbreak Kid is ecstatic and tells Vince McMahon to suck it. DX leave unscathed, after a night of having the deck stacked against them.
Elsewhere, #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship,
MVP is shown walking towards the ring.
His music hits and 'The Franchise Player' makes his entrance. He climbs in the ring and collects a mic to address the crowd. He says that since the big announcement this past week on ECW, everyone's been talking about 'the new era of wrestling'. Porter says that he's that it's convinient timing, as he is set to become the new World Heavyweight Champion, which will mark the beginning of the 'MVP era'. He goes on to say that even though there is going to be a complete brand re-shuffle, it is written in his contract that he will still be the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Title, making it official
Suddenly the lights go down and the sound of a gong echos through the arena. The Undertaker appears from the entranceway through a cloud of smoke to stare down MVP. Michael Cole states that it's not going to be that easy for the bright young star and he has to go through The Phenom himself for the title.
The Undertaker stares straight at the nervous MVP as Smackdown goes off the air.
