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WWE SMAKDOWN REPORT
AUGUST 29, 2008
AIRED ON THE CW
TAPED IN PITTSBURG, PA.

Jim Ross welcomed us to the show, emanating from Pittsburgh, Pa.

The lights went out and The Undertaker made his way to the ring. Vicki and La Familia looked on nervously from backstage. The Undertaker told Vicki that, although she asked for his forgiveness, he is not the forgiving type, and that he is coming for her soul. He then promised that she would burn in hell. As he did his pose, the ring posts exploded and set on fire. Backstage, VIcki found herself alone, as La Famila had all ran out of the office, leaving her locked inside.

Jeff Hardy and MVP will face off tonight in a Summerslam Rematch, along with Triple H facing off against Shelton Benjamin. The last time those two had a match together was about 4 years ago on Raw, and it was a very good showing for the (then) rookie Benjamin. It'll be interesting to see if the match they have tonight can live up to the standards they set in the past.

[Commercial Break]

The final R-Truth promo aired.

1 -- R TRUTH vs. KENNY DYKSTRA

Truth danced his way to the ring. Dykstra followed, and cut a promo against R-Truth, essentially labeling him a convict. He complained about not getting an intro, or any interview time by the WWE, like Truth had received. Dykstra then said that the WWE should focus on people like him, not criminals like Truth. Truth took offense to this last comment, and hit Dykstra with a solid right to start the match.

Truth and Dykstra traded blows early on, with Dykstra eventually taking control over Truth, settling into a series of rest holds. Truth fought back with a few punches and clotheslines, then finished Dykstra with an axe kick for the three.

WINNER: R-Truth by pinfall.

Thoughts: Not a particularly impressive debut for Truth; his move set was limited, he seemed to be more sizzle than steak (to steal a term from J.R), not to mention Truth seemed a bit off on his timing. Also, what's with the dancing? For weeks now, we have seen this humble, down to earth character that seemingly had a true desire to connect with the fans on a personal level, only to have someone come skipping down to the ring? It's completely out of character and not what we've been set up to expect, either.

Backstage, Michelle McCool was posing for a photo shoot, when Maryse walked into the frame. They bickered back and forth as to who would be the better Diva's champion. McCool said that Maryse didn't have any talent, and Maryse fired back with McCool's lack of looks. Basic promo, but it served it's purpose well enough.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- MICHELLE MCCOOL & MARIA vs. MARYSE & NATALYA

Tazz said that Natalya was "pretty," then followed it up with saying that she reminds him of her dad. Ok. McCool and Natalya started things off with some decent matwork, with McCool hitting a russian leg sweep for two. Maria tags in, and is quickly overpowered by Natalya. Maria is pushed into the opposite corner, where Maryse tags in. Maria made an attempt to fight back, but Maryse nailed Maria with a D.D.T and scored the pin.

WINNER: Maryse & Natalya by pinfall.

THOUGHTS: Not much too it, and what was there was mediocre at best. What happened to the Maria we saw last week? Why is Maryse even in the title picture, as sloppy as she is in the ring? I can see a grudge match against McCool, but not for the title. In addition, the strongest worker in the group (Natalya) was kept out of the match the longest. Nothing here made sense.

Post match, Maryse attacked McCool as she was checking on Maria. The two brawled to the floor before Natalya grabbed McCool, allowing Maryse to take a cheap shot. Nice follow up, despite the match quality, but why is Natalya helping Maryse?

Back at ringside, Tazz and J.R hyped the upcoming match between Jeff Hardy and M.V.P. A great video aired, highlighting the feud between the two, along with some of Hardy's more stellar spots.

Backstage, Eve interviewed Hardy, who cut a decent promo about his feud with M.V.P, and his quest to become the WWE Champion. He called M.V.P "an obstacle," and said that M.V.P would be laying flat on his back with his ego and attitude tonight.

[Commercial Break]

The rules for the Championship scramble aired on a graphic onscreen, in case you still don't completely understand this hackneyed concept.

Backstage, Vicki Guerrero was still trapped in her office. She tried to use the phone to call for help, but the line was dead. Why doesn't Ross, Tazz, or anyone watching help her if they're concerned about her well being? What about the camera man? What did he do to have Taker lock him in a room with Vicki?

3 -- JEFF HARDY vs. MVP

Both men stared each other down, then shoved one another out of anger. It's the little things like this that make the storyline more believable. Hardy held onto M.V.P with a side headlock into a takedown, but was eventually thrown to the outside by M.V.P, landing on his feet. Back in the ring, the two traded punches, and M.V.P bailed to the outside for a break. Back inside, a lockup into the headlock by Hardy, with M.V.P seemingly thrown off by the lack of high-flying moves by Hardy. Deep arm drags by Hardy, showing some excellent mat sense tonight. M.V.P attempted some offense, but was thrown into the ring post shoulder first by Hardy. Back to the outside again by M.V.P, but Hardy followed with his first high risk move of the night.

[Commercial Break].

Back from commercial and Hardy had M.V.P in an arm bar, focusing on the shoulder. M.V.P grabbed Hardy by the belt and threw him into the turnbuckle, gaining the upper hand for the first time in the match. M.V.P nailed Hardy with a Kick to the chest after draping him over the ropes, sending Hardy outside. Still staying on the chest, M.V.P drops Hardy over the railing, then rolls him back inside, pin for two. Abdominal Stretch by M.V.P, countered into a variation of a crucifix by Hardy. Nice escape. Hardy up top for a Swanton, nicely scouted by M.V.P with a set of knees to the back of Hardy, followed up with a baseball side into the ring post. M.V.P followed up with a kick to Hardy's back atop the ring post, then into a camel clutch. Good ring psychology and pacing with these two tonight. A nice series of near-falls took place, followed up with a beautiful belly to belly by M.V.P. Hardy was then thrown into the turnbuckle, and attempted a Whisper in the Wind, but was stopped by M.V.P, taking a nasty fall onto his neck. M.V.P attempted to follow up with a top rop backdrop, but Hardy turned in mid-air and scored a near fall. Hardy fights back with a Whisper in the Wind, followed by a Swanton for the win.

WINNE: Jeff Hardy by pinfall.

THOUGHTS: Excellent match between these two. They're going to be sore tomorrow, but what an impressive showing they had tonight.

After the match was over, Shelton Benjamin ran into the ring and gave Hardy the Paydirt. As M.V.P went over to congratulate Benjamin, he received a Paydirt of his own.

[Commercial Break]

They showed the Pittsburgh Steelers in the front row, beating down on one another.

4 -- JESSE & FESTUS vs. ZACK RYDER & KURT HAWKINS

Pre-match, the camera showed a fan in the crowd holding a Festus poster in the style of the "Obey Giant" stickers they had in the late 90s. Interesting correlation between the two.

Festus went on the offensive right at the bell, as per usual, taking out Hawkins and Ryder with ease. Less than a minute into the match The Big Show made his way down to the ring with a huge scowl on his face. He Took out everyone but Festus (who was thrown to ringside prior to Show's entrance), and took the mic for an in ring promo. He made a promise to Vicki Guerrero that, due to the actions of Vicki Guerrero last week, he will never be overlooked again.

WINNER: N/A

THOUGHTS: N/A

[Commercial Break]

Vicki Guerrero stood in her office, looking up at the ceiling.

5 -- VICTORIA vs. BRIE BELLA

Bella was billed from Scottsdale, Ariz. in her debut match.

Victoria took control of Bella to start, but Bella used a handstand to maneuver her way out of it, followed up by a flying snap mare. Victoria regained the upper hand with a back breaker, snap suplex, and a standing moonsault for two. Bella tried to escape under the ring following a boot to the chest, but was thrown back inside by Victoria. Bella surprised Victoria with an inside cradle for her debut win.

Winner: Brie Bella via pinfall.

Thoughts: Just another pretty face, so far. Much like R. Truth, there's nothing overly fantastic about Brie Bella that makes me want to root for her as a face. At least her intro music fit her character.

The Raw Rebound aired, with a recap of the Cena/Batista match at summerslam, putting emphasis on the Batista bomb that ended the match. Cena's doctor educated us on the exact injury that happened to Cena, and his subsequent recovery path. It was then announced by Mike Adamle that Rey Mysterio would be taking Cena's place in the Raw Championship Scramble.

Coming up: Triple H vs. Shelton Benjamin.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage, The Brian Kendrick and Ezekiel were shown reading. Kendrick looked up and cut a promo on his intelligence, and his methods of preparation for the upcoming Championship Scramble. He said it's not about who gets the first pin, or the most pin, but who gets the last pin. The segment ended with Kendrick saying that there's a fine line between genius and insanity, and, in knowing how to walk that line, one would become unbeatable. Good promo, his best to date.

Friday Night Smackdown was touted as the number one entertainment program on Friday nights for the past month. Notice how they left sports out of the equation.

A rundown of all three Championship Scramble matches, along with the remainder of the card for unforgiven was done by J.R and Tazz. I should have kept my mouth shut last week about ECW not having enough talent to have their own scramble.

6 -- TRIPLE H vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN

Triple H made his way to the ring as Ross touted the match as "Champion vs. Champion."

[Commercial Break]

As Triple H finished his entrance,a quick promo by Benjamin aired on the big screen, noting his (albeit self perceived) standing as "the most precious commodity in the WWE." They've done a good job thus far re-establishing and enhancing Benjamin's character since moving to Smackdown from ECW.

The two locked up as the bell rang, with Benjamin sending Triple H to the floor with a deep arm drag. The two went on to trade blows back and forth, but then took it back to the mat, with Benjamin regaining the upper hand with a couple more arm drags. Nice description by Ross of where the anatomical pressure and pain is inflicted by the arm drags by Benjamin. Triple H, deciding he has had enough of his arm being worked on, nailed Benjamin to the face with a stiff shot. Into the corner turnbuckle, the two traded blows back and forth, with Triple H coming out on top, with an arm bar, followed with an arm breaker to Benjamin. Rally by Benjamin, which was stopped short by a failed attempt off of the top rope, into a Pedgree attempt. Benjamin sensed the danger and quickly dropped to one knee and rolled to the outside. Good to see someone finally counter the Pedigree in a logical manner.

[Commercial Break]

Benjamin had Triple H into a modified chin lock, tweaking Triple H's neck in the process. He settled into a modified figure four across the neck as a follow up. Triple H, in a smart counter, rolled Benjamin onto his back, forcing Benjamin to break the hold or get pinned. Benjamin to the outside, attempted suplex onto the outside, countered by Triple H onto the inside, reversed into a neck breaker by Benjamin for a near fall. Nice sequence of counters. Into a body scissors by Benjamin, staying focused on the neck. Into the corner, Benjamin charged Triple H, only to meet a boot to the face. Stinger Splash by Benjamin, a second splash dodged by Triple H, followed by a high impact clothesline to the back of Benjamin's head. Both men down, up by 9, back to trading blows back and forth. Powerslam by Triple H, only getting two. Missed dragon whip by Benjamin, into a DDT by Triple H, another near fall. Standing kick to the head of Triple H by Benjamin, sending Triple H to the floor, dazed. Another near fall, this time, by Benjamin. Triple H into the turnbuckle, countered into a spine buster as Benjamin hit the ropes, Another pedigree attempt, dodged, into a back breaker by Benjamin. Facebuster by Triple H, who's attention turned to the ramp when the Great Khali's music hit. Benjamin, trying to take advantage with the Paydirt, countered by Triple H into a Pedigree for the win.

WINNER: Triple H by pinfall.

THOUGHTS: Another excellent match tonight, and a great follow up to their match these two had four years ago. My only complaint is that there's no need for Khali's (or anyone's music) to play every time he comes out from behind the curtain. It's much more intriguing when there's no introduction music, as it makes the scene feel less planned and more realistic.

After the match, Benjamin nailed Triple H to the back of the head with his US title, then left Khali to pick the bones. Khali lifted a near-unconscious Triple H and hit the Tree Choke Slam. Khali stood over Triple H as his music hit.

Backstage, Vicki was still in her office, shaking and not speaking. The lights went out and Vicki started shrieking to close the show.

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