By Greg Parks, PWTorch Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
November 23, 2007
Taped 11/20/07 in Tampa, Fla.
Aired on The CW
Report by Greg Parks, Torch Team Contributor


-WWE Open.

-A review video of Hell in a Cell from Sunday between Batista and The Undertaker.

-Backstage, Edge was in Vickie Guerrero’s office. He got a tongue-lashing for his actions on Sunday from the GM. She said next week, he’d have a World Title match against Batista on Smackdown. Some punishment. Edge seemed confused about it too. Things then turned, as Edge thanked Vickie for helping him last Sunday and Vickie called him “baby.” They got real close, then started making out. They both shared an evil laugh to end the segment. If I can quote the Sea Captain from The Simpsons: “Yarr, that’ll replace the whale in me nightmares.”

-Smackdown Open.

-Tonight on the Cutting Edge, the special guest is Batista. Also, Hornswoggle is in action against Mark Henry. Henry seems to be getting the Carlito treatment.

-JBL was in the ring, and he introduced the United States Champion, Montel Vontavious Porter. JBL said he and MVP were the future and present of wrestling. A clip of last week, with MVP attacking Matt Hardy aired. Michael Cole said Matt was out indefinitely due to the injury, with no mention of the appendix emergency. The duo had a huge wank-session in the ring, seemingly trying to out-compliment each other. JBL then presented MVP with a gift, that being a U.S. Champion ring. The mic was turned over to MVP, and he said he has lived up to the hype thus far. MVP’s diatribe was interrupted by Rey Mysterio. Rey was pissed and called MVP “rookie,” and a “punk.” He accused MVP of being scared, which would explain him ducking Matt Hardy. MVP hauled off and punched Rey right in the mouth. Rey got back up and dropkicked MVP, but Porter got out of the way before Rey could hit the 619. Mic work wasn’t so hot from Rey, but this should be a good program.

[Commercial Break]

1- THE MIZ & JOHN MORRISON vs. THE MAJOR BROTHERS

There was an inset interview with The Major Brothers. They had nothing of note to say. Brian caught Morrison with a shoulderblock. They owned the offense early on, but after Miz tagged in, he got some “O” in himself. Morrison dropkicked one of the Major Brothers to the outside. Morrison applied a front face-lock to keep Brett from tagging. Both men were down, and Miz stupidly shoved Brett into his corner when Morrison tagged out, allowing Brian to come in. He was a house-of-fire, but Miz kicked out fo a powerslam. Crossbody missed and Miz hit the Reality Check neckbreaker for the win.

WINNERS: Morrison & Miz at 3:09. Just a house show-type match.

-Vince McMahon approached Finlay backstage. He did his Finlay impression again, and you get the sense that he just randomly walks backstage doing that sometimes. Because he has been surprising Vince so much, Vince wanted to give Finlay a surprise- teaming with Hornswoggle against Mark Henry. He wished Finlay luck.

[Commercial Break]

2- KANE vs. BIG DADDY V

Kane attacked the kidneys of V right after the bell rang. Big Daddy V hit a running splash on Kane in the corner. A slap to the chest and a take-down followed. Kane came back, but V hit a clothesline. V missed a headbutt and Kane hit a seated dropkick. Kane went to the top for a clothesline, but Matt Striker brought a chair into the ring for a DQ.

WINNER: Kane by DQ at 2:29.

-Rey vs. MVP is next! After winning the World Title, you’d think that would end the talk of Rey being an “underdog” but it continues.

[Commercial Break]

-Wade Boggs was in attendance for Smackdown.

3- MVP vs. REY MYSTERIO

A couple arm-drags by Rey got MVP off-kilter in the opening minute. Cole finally mentioned that appendectomy Hardy underwent this week. Hurricanrana by Rey, who then went after the thigh muscle. Crossbody was hit for just a one count. La Magistra cradle for two from Rey. After a roll-up attempt, MVP got frustrated and took a break. So did the show.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, MVP hit a running kick on Rey. Cole said MVP had dominated during the break. Porter dropped a knee on Mysterio, but Rey kicked out. Mysterio fought back with some more kicks, but he was planted with a nasty clothesline for a near-fall. Rey pounded on MVP in the corner with right hands, then got kicked in the face by MVP again. MVP threw forearms at the head of Rey, but still couldn’t pin him. He was getting frustrated by that fact. Mysterio countered MVP with a DDT and both men were down. Mysterio got up first and hit a running kick of his own. Rey flipped onto MVP from the outside in and nearly got a victory. MVP hit a tilt-a-whirl Rock Bottom for two. MVP went for the Playmaker, but Rey reversed it and hit the 619. Rey hit another one, then tried for his seated senton, but MVP caught him and powerbombed, then used the ropes for leverage to pick up the W.

WINNER: MVP at 14:28. Good match, but man, they wasted what could be a money feud down the road by giving the match away on the first night.

-Batista entered Vickie Guerrero’s office. Batista wanted to know why he has to face Edge next week. Vickie said he deserves it. Batista is on the Cutting Edge later tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-A Survivor Series video package aired.

-Jesse and Festus were backstage. Festus was dressed up as John Cena, his favorite wrestler according to Jesse. Jesse then plugged Cena’s DVD.

-Michelle McCool was checking out one of Chuck Palumbo’s rides when Jamie Noble came up to her. She called him “shorty,” then denied being Palumbo’s boyfriend. Noble then tried to hook up with her. He whispered something in her ear that she was disgusted at. She slapped him. Noble seemed to like it. He said he’d wipe the floor with Palumbo, then come back to see if McCool had changed her mind about him.

-Somehwere else backstage, Hornswoggle and Finlay were walking. They were on their way to the ring for their match with Mark Henry. That match is next.

[Commercial Break]

4- MARK HENRY vs. FINLAY & HORNSWOGGLE

Hornswoggle distracted Henry for Finlay to work on him. Finlay dropkicked the knee and they were able to get Henry off his feet. Henry missed a splash in the corner, then Finlay catapulted Hornswoggle into Henry’s groin. He threw Horny at Henry. The big man lifted Horny over his head, but Finlay kicked his leg out from under him. The duo continued to work on Henry, with Hornswoggle copying everything Finlay did. Henry was back up and clotheslined Finlay. Hornswoggle ran to the outside, but Henry grabbed him before he could go under the ring. He had the shillaleigh though. While the ref took one away, Finlay used the other one on Henry, threw Hornswoggle on top of him and they got the win.

WINNERS: Finlay & Hornswoggle at 2:40.

After the match, Great Khali walked out. As Finlay was distracted by Khali, Henry hit him with the shillaleigh. Khali did the two-handed chokeslam to Finlay.

[Commercial Break]

-Clips aired of what just took place.

5- CHUCK PALUMBO vs. JAMIE NOBLE

Noble tried to get the upper hand early, but things didn’t go his way. Chuckie caught Jamie off the ropes with an elbow. Standing suplex by Palumbo. Palumbo missed a corner charge, and Noble came off the top with a knee to the back of the head. Noble then applied a head-scissors. Noble worked right hand son Chuck until Palumbo came back with one of his own. After some offense by Chuck, Noble got a roll-up and that was enough to get the win.

WINNER: Noble at 3:19.

-Still to come, Edge hosts The Cutting Edge. His guest: Batista.

-Torrie Wilson was walking backstage. She’ll be in action next.

[Commercial Break]

-The Raw Rebound focused on Y2J’s return.

6- TORRIE WILSON vs. VICTORIA

Torrie got some chops in early on, but Victoria hit her spinning sidewalk slam for two. Victoria punched away as Torrie tried to cover up. Victoria missed a second-rope moonsault (yes, second rope). Torrie then hit a few jumping clotheslines. Torrie went to the top and hit a crossbody for two. Torrie countered the Widow’s Peak with a neckbreaker for the victory.

WINNER: Torrie at 2:42.

-The Cutting Edge with Batsita is next.

[Commercial Break]

-Again, clips of Undertaker vs. Batista Hell in a Cell aired.

-Edge walked out for the Cutting Edge, arm-in-arm with Vickie Guerrero. Edge called Vickie “the love of my life.” Edge said he would become the World Heavyweight Champion next week. Batista was then introduced. Batista was obviously pissed, telling Edge to shut-up before he could get a word in edge-wise. Edge said Batista never beat him for the title. Batista said he doesn’t deserve a World Title Match. Batista said Edge deserves every ounce of ass whipping he’s going to give him next week, then speared the former champ. Batista’s music played and he left the ring. Edge and Vickie were about to leave the ring when the lights went out and the bell tolled. When the lights came back on, Undertaker was in the ring. Edge escaped before Taker could do any damage, so he grabbed Vickie. He was going to chokeslam her, but Edge begged for him not to. Taker picked her up and got her in position for the Tombstone. Edge could barely watch. After a delay, Taker finally planted Vickie with the piledriver. He stared, eyes wide, at Edge. Edge seemed very distraught over what he just witnessed.

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