By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
APRIL 25, 2008
AIRED ON THE CW

WHAT HAPPENED: 1ST HOUR

-A recap aired of recent shows including the Day at the Spa for Edge and Vickie Guerrero mixed with clips of Undertaker having to face Batista and Festus the last two weeks, drawing a dramatic contrast between their lives recently. Then a replay aired of Vickie announcing this week's Batista vs. Undertaker rematch with the winner facing Edge at Backlash for the World Hvt. Title.

-The SD opening aired followed by Michael Cole introducing the show.

-Mid-ring stood Edge, Zach Ryder, Curt Hawkings, Bam Neely, Vickie Guerrero, Teddy Long (the wheelchair pusher), and Chavo Guerrero. Edge thanked Vickie, his fiance, the love of his life, for the electricity in the air for the World Hvt. Title match later. He said what's even more exciting than tonight is Sunday night when he'll be crowned the new World Hvt. Champion and Chavo Guerrero will regain the ECW Title. C.M. Punk's music interrupted. He brought his Money in the Bank briefcase with him. Edge gave him a hard time over not quite winning King of the Ring. Edge asked if he's now the Queen of the Ring. Chavo suggested Court Jester. Punk said he felt winning MITB at WM was a better option than sleeping with the boss "like somebody I know." Edge said he wouldn't dignify that with a response because he wouldn't understand the love Vickie and he have for one another. Punk said, "Dude, that's gross and it's not something I'd even want to understand." Edge asked why he's out there. Punk said he's letting everyone know he might cash in his briefcase tonight or even Sunday at Backlash. Edge said after he wins the title on Sunday, "I suggest you think long and hard before cashing in that thing on me." Punk said he wasn't thinking about Edge. He was thinking Batista or Undertaker, but since he brought it up, "I think I could beat you, too." Edge told him to watch his mouth and remember whose house he's in. He said he can remind him if he needs a reminder - tonight. Punk said that's a great idea. Vickie said, "Congratulations, Punk. Your fat mouth has just talked you way into facing Edge one-on-one tonight." Edge said after tonight he'll be bankrupt, so he won't be cashing in his briefcase anytime soon. Coach said Punk interrupted Edge and Punk is going to pay. I think those were Coach's first words in the first 11 minutes of the show.

[Commercial Break]

1 -- THE MIZ (w/John Morrison) vs. SHANNON MOORE

Cole said Miz intends to avenge his team's honor after what happened on ECW earlier in the week. Why is it even called ECW anymore? With the total roster crossover, just call it Smackdown Lite or Smackdown Tuesday Night. It'd probably draw better ratings if it had a higher prestige brand stamp. Morrison joined Coach and Cole at ringside. Morrison said to Coach he's married and he fights with his wife, right? He said all couples fight, and that's why he and Miz argued last Tuesday. Morrison excused his loss to Jimmy Wang Yang by saying, "Tuesday was Earth Day and I was more concerned with other things. I think Planet Earth is a little more important than Jimmy Wang Yang. I was planting trees all day. I care about the environment. Excuse me, some people want to save this planet." Morrison said to Coach, "Congratulations, Coach, I am truly amazed. You are no longer the least informed commentator on World Wrestling Entertainment. That prize goes to Mike Adamle." Coach replied, "I don't know if that's a compliment or not." Let's just move Morrison to full time color commentary on Smackdown. Morrison bragged that the Dirt Sheet is the greatest thing on WWE.com. Cole said the parody of Coach was funny. There was action in the ring, too, and it was pretty good. Morrison said with Miz, form follows function, and then noted that even his haircut is aerodynamic. Morrison took exception to Cole using the term "delinquent" to describe Miz. Moore scored the pin after avoiding the Reality Check and applying a backslide. Morrison charged into the ring to console Miz as Moore and Yang laughed and celebrated at ringside. Coach said Moore & Yang are in line for a tag team title shot. There's going out on a limb.

WINNER: Moore in 5:00.

STAR RATING: *3/4 -- Short, but good.

-Cole plugged the Undertaker vs. Batista TV main event.

-A commercial aired for "Twist of Fate," the DVD telling the story of Matt & Jeff Hardy. It'll be interesting to compare it to the "Ultimate Insiders" DVD from a few years back that was produced by Big Vision Entertainment when neither were with WWE. The timing isn't the best with Jeff still serving his suspension.

[Commercial Break]

-They showed Cole and Coach on camera. Coach looked really, really upset and Cole looked really, really bloated. They threw to soundbite highlights with Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain.

2 -- CHERRY (w/Michelle McCool) vs. NATALYA (w/Victoria)

Cole said he's looking forward to the in-ring debut of Natalya. He noted she's the daughter of Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. They need to pull out some old footage of Neidhart so some of Natalya's odd mannerisms make more sense and seem less corny. Or at least if they still seem corny, there will be a reason for her doing them. Cole and Coach talked about how Natalya's laugh is like her father's. At least they finally addressed that. Cherry rolled up Natalya with a schoolgirl. Hey, he finally called it that after I've been calling it that for years. Natalya won via tapout a minute later.

WINNER: Natalya in 4:00.

STAR RATING: 3/4* -- Mostly mat wrestling without any bumps or face-paced action. That didn't make for an exciting match, but it did prevent it from being a disaster, too.

-A video package aired previewing Big Show vs. Big Khali.

[Commercial Break]

-Cole stood mid-ring and introduced his guest Matt Hardy. After Hardy arrived in the ring, Cole introduced a video package on the MVP-Hardy feud. Cole said at Backlash he finally has a shot at the U.S. Title. He asked if his knee is ready to go. Hardy said he's 100 percent. He said his knee feels great and more ready than ever. He said MVP did everything he could do to avoid him because he knows he's a threat. He seemed to lose his train of thought for a split second, then repeated that MVP did everything he could to avoid him, including falsely befriending him. MVP interrupted Hardy's interview. He walked out looking dapper and booted Cole out of the ring. What, is he turning babyface? MVP asked Hardy why he has to distort the facts. He said he tried so hard to be his partner. Hardy said he put him on the shelf for five months. MVP said Hardy mistook his kindness for weakness. Hardy said they were WWE tag champs because he was trying to avoid facing him. He asked MVP if he had any ulterior motives. MVP said, "MVP never screwed Matt Hardy. Matt screwed Matt." He said he was jealous. Hardy said if he sees something in his eyes, but it's not jealousy, it's confidence. Hardy said he sees something in his eyes as well - uncertainty. He said on Sunday he will prove once and for all that "I am better than you." MVP said he was hoping they could become friends. Hardy said that's not happening. MVP said since his mind is made up, this Sunday at Backlash he'll have his opportunity to become U.S. Champion. He held up the belt, then bashed Hardy in the face with it as soon as he looked up. Then he walked out.

-They showed Punk heading toward the entrance tunnel for his match against Edge.

[Commercial Break]

-A video package aired on WWE's charity appearance encouraging kids to read. Punk was featured.

-Ring introductions took place for the Edge-Punk match. Coach said it was a magnanimous gesture for Edge to agree to a match against Punk when he didn't have to.

WHAT HAPPENED: 2ND HOUR

3 -- EDGE vs. C.M. PUNK

Coach wasn't saying much early on, so Cole prodded him by saying fans have waited all week for his analysis of this match. Coach said he gets emails saying that all the time. As Coach began talking, Cole interrupted to say Edge has to be careful he doesn't get hurt in this match before Sunday's title opportunity. When Cole said Edge may have slept his way to the top, Coach denied it. Coach said maybe they were waiting to get married. Cole asked Coach how he got his job because it obviously wasn't the quality of his commentating. It's so nice to have two WWE shows where the choices for announcer are openly mocked - and accurately so. Kevin Dunn and Vince McMahon should be so proud of their production decisions. Lots of actual mat wrestling early, not just mat holds early on. Punk worked over Edge's arm. Edge reversed Punk into the ropes at 5:00, but Punk kicked him and then climbed to the top rope. Edge met him at the top. They exchanged punches and both fell, Edge to the mat and Punk to the floor.

[Commercial Break]

The pace picked up after the break including some nearfalls by Punk at 13:00. Edge came back with a nearfall of his own. Punk fired back with a flying forearm for a near fall seconds later. The crowd popped for each of the kickouts. Punk went for a GTS, but Edge countered with his implant DDT for a near fall. Punk avoided a spear and went right into a GTS. Edge fell to the floor after the knee to the face. Punk went to ringside to toss Edge back into the ring. Zach Ryder distracted Punk before he re-entered the ring. When Punk did re-enter the ring, Edge surprised him with a spear for the win.

WINNER: Edge in 16:00.

STAR RATING: ***1/2 -- Very good match, with a slow but credible build leading to some believable, dramatic near falls.

[Commercial Break]

-A Raw Rebound aired.

4 -- VLADIMIR KOZLOV vs. MARTY GARNER

Kozlov walked out to no entrance music and total darkness. Garner was introduced as being from Greensboro, N.C. which drew a small crowd pop. Kozlov won with a barrage of his unique, brutish offensive moves.

WINNER: Kozlov in 1:00.

-Coach and Cole talked about Undertaker's evolution over the years. They went to video footage of Taker's new submission leg choke that still doesn't have an official WWE nickname. A video package aired on Taker putting opponents away with his new submission hold.

[Commercial Break]

-Cole and Coach ran down the entire Backlash line-up. They actually addressed that if Batista beat Undertaker tonight, he wouldn't face Shawn Michaels at Backlash.

-They went backstage to Batista thanking VIckie Guerrero for making his match tonight a no-DQ match. He said he knows what she's up to - she wants them both to beat each other up so her man has an easier time on Sunday. Batista said he's going to reclaim his World Hvt. Title and then on Sunday he's going to beat the living hell out of Edge.

[Commercial Break]

-A video package of Umaga attacking the fake political figures on Raw on Monday.

-Batista came out to his full ring intro. Then Undertaker made his. Coach asked who would have ever thought when he captured the World Hvt. Title at WrestleMania that his reign would last less than 30 days. Cole said this match is a result of a grand scheme on Vickie's part, stressing the no-DQ stip. Cole said during ring introductions that there was a "big fight feel" in Greensboro. He said it doesn't get any bigger than this.

5 -- UNDERTAKER vs. BATISTA - World Hvt. Title match.

The match began with 15 minutes left in the show, giving this substantial time to be a full-fledged match. Taker went for an early submission finisher, but Batista slipped out and bailed to ringside. They cut to a break at 2:00.

[Commercial Break]

Taker gave Batista the guillotine legdrop early. Back in the ring Taker walked the top rope and came down with a forearm. Batista came back seconds later with a big sidewalk slam. He set up a Batista Bomb next, but Taker backdropped out of it. Taker grabbed Batista by the throat and went for a chokeslam. Batista blocked it. Taker kicked Batista in the stomach, then Batista came right back with a powerslam. Taker fired back with a big boot and a chokeslam a half minute later for a two count. Batista countered with a spear for a near fall. Batista mounted Taker in the corner and threw a series of odd looking punches. Taker lifted him and gave him a Last Ride out of the corner for a two count at 10:00. Taker grabbed part of the steel steps and slide it into the ring. He lifted Batista for a Tombstone on the steps, but Batista escaped and spinebustered Taker on the steel. As he set up a Batista Bomb, Into the ring came Shawn Michaels, who gave Batista a superkick to the chin. Cole said he broke Batista's heart. Taker, who was knocked out during the Michaels interference, got to his feet and gave Batista a Tombstone for the win.

WINNER: Undertaker in 13:00.

STAR RATING: *** -- Good match with the right finish to build to Backlash.

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