by Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
April 3, 2009
Taped 3/30/09 in Dallas, Tex.
Aired on MyNetwork TV


-WWE Open.

-Smackdown Open.

1- MARYSE & MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. GAIL KIM & MARIA

They had the graphic for the Divas Battle Royal updated with divas of the past in there, including Sunny and Torrie Wilson. There may have been a few more, but I missed’em. JR said Kim made quite the *pause* “impact” *pause* last week. Side-kick by Maria allowed her to make the first cover of the match. Cheap-shot by Maryse and Maria nailed her with a right hand, but that allowed Michelle to take over on offense with a big boot. Maryse tied Maria up in the tree of woe, and McCool dropkicked her right in the abdominal region. Maryse sat down on Maria’s back and applied a version of the camel clutch. Maria got to her feet and flipped Maryse over her head. Tag in to Kim, who looked a bit rusty initially. Nice cross-body off the second rope though. Unique jaw-breaker by Gail on Maryse, then a neckbreaker for the win.

WINNERS: Kim & Maria, at 3:13. Not a bad match and it made sense to give Kim the pinfall win.

-Backstage, Eve Torres interviewed MVP about his re-match with Shelton Benjamin tonight. MVP said tonight is the first step in a three step process: Beat Shelton Benjamin to retain the US Title, then win the Money-in-the-Bank ladder match at Wrestlemania and then cash it in to win the Title. Benjamin interrupted and said MVP isn’t just facing the Gold Standard, but a man with a chip on his shoulder. Benjamin said MVP’s step-by-step program won’t mean anything when he’s beating MVP to a pulp and taking back his US Title. MVP called Shelton one of the most amazing athletes he’s ever faced but while he may be one of the best on the planet, he’s not better than MVP.

-Tazz, in his last broadcast in WWE, plugged that US Title match for later tonight.

-We’re going to Houston for clips of Fan Axxess next.

[Commercial Break]

-Todd Grisham, from Axxess, plugged Jeff Hardy vs. Ezekiel Jackson for later tonight on Smackdown.

-Grisham was there in Houston with Jerry Lawler, and they showed off Hornswoggle’s house as well as the Undertaker’s graveyard, with all his previous Wrestlemania opponents with headstones of their own. After briefly discussing Axxess, Lawler and Grisham talked about Matt vs. Jeff at Wrestlemania in an Extreme Rules match. They then sent it to a video package that recapped the feud.

[Commercial Break]

-A video recap aired on Wrestlemania I.

-Back at Fan Axxess, they showed off the WWE Kids Zone and Superstar Ink, where fans can get their own WWE-related tattoo (not permanent, of course). Lawler and Grisham discussed the Triple-Threat match for the World Heavyweight Title. We then got a video package on that match.

-Up next, we’ll hear from World Heavyweight Champion Edge.

[Commercial Break]

-After showing the Houston skyline, Lawler and Grisham discussed the triple-threat match a little more, then sent it to highlights of John Cena vs. Big Show from Raw this past Monday.

-In a pre-taped interview, Edge sat with the World Heavyweight Title in his lap. He said this past Monday, he had a moment of enlightenment while punching Cena in the skull. He said his focus has been clouded the past six weeks, but on Raw, he remembered that he is the best in the world at what he does. I hate when I forget things like that! Edge said the title backs up his words and also called it the key to his happiness (what about Vickie?). He said he would never let it go. Cena and Show have their strengths, but Edge said he was better than both of them. A bit of a psychotic promo from Edge, but good that the finally focused on the title. Wish they would’ve done that sooner.

[Commercial Break]

-In Houston, Lawler and Grisham talked about Kid Rock performing at Wrestlemania, then switched gears and talked about the 25-diva battle royal. They briefly touched on Santino and his quest to get in the match, then we saw the 18-diva tag match from Raw in its entirety, as well as the post-match shenanigans with Santino.

-Coming up next, Shelton Benjamin vs. MVP for the U.S. Title.

[Commercial Break]

-The next historic Wrestlemania moment to be profiled was Wrestlemania XI, Lawrence Taylor vs. Bam Bam Bigelow.

2- SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. MVP- UNITED STATES TITLE MATCH

Flying forearm by MVP, then he let the rights and lefts fly as Shelton covered himself in the corner. Benjamin made a comeback, including a powerbomb into the turnbuckle. MVP was tossed out of the ring, then into the steel steps at ringside. Benjamin continued the assault on MVP in the ring, focusing on his back. T-Bone suplex by Shelton, netting him a two-count. Tazz reminisced about the days when he could throw a suplex like that. MVP fought out of a chin-lock and hit an electric chair. But Shelton countered with a jaw-breaker. He missed a splash in the corner though and ran into an overhead throw by the champ. MVP ramped up the offense and tried to get the crowd more into the match. He hit the “Ballin’!” elbowdrop for two. Spinning heel kick by Benjamin got him a two-count. Shelton, to the top, hit a Blockbuster for two. Crowd started getting more behind MVP at this juncture. Big boot by MVP out of the corner, followed by the Playmaker for three.

WINNER: MVP, at 6:57. Well, knowing how even-steven booking works, then MVP will not be winning at Wrestlemania. But even with that in mind, it’s hard for me to pick against him. I will miss Tazz adding “city” after every move: “Playmaker city” and “T-Bone city” were two examples during this match.

-Jeff Hardy vs. Ezekiel Jackson is yet to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-Grisham and Lawler plugged AC/DC’s CD for providing the Wrestlemania theme song.

-At Axxess, they showed off the old title belts as well as showing an entranceway where fans can make their entrance to their favorite superstar’s theme. They also talked about the art show held on Wednesday. Grisham briefly touched on the Hall-of-Fame Ceremony tomorrow night (that King is hosting), then ran down the Wrestlemania card. After looking at the match preview again, it appears Sunny and Torrie are the only two former divas shown in that match.

-Up next, Vince McMahon’s return to Raw.

[Commercial Break]

-Still to come tonight, Ezekiel vs. Jeff Hardy.

-They talked about WWE getting on the cover of Variety magazine.

-A video recap of the Randy Orton vs. Triple H feud aired.

[Commercial Break]

-Wrestlemania XIV was profiled.

-They showed the Wrestlemania Art, supplied by Santino Marella, Jeff Hardy and Jerry Lawler. They had a Hell in a Cell there too, where fans could feel what it was like to be inside one.

-Grisham and Lawler mentioned Jericho promising to slap Mickey Rourke at ringside during Jericho’s match, then switched to some pluggage for the Hall-of-Fame ceremony. They showed video of Steve Austin’s greatest moments.

[Commercial Break]

-Next, Jeff Hardy faces Ezekiel Jackson.

-They discussed HBK vs. Taker, and showed highlights of their segment from Raw on Monday. A lengthy package focused on each man as an individual, then the feud as a whole.

[Commercial Break]

3- JEFF HARDY vs. EZEKIEL JACKSON

Sadly no dancing from Kendrick, as he was busy being angry and shouting at Hardy for what he did in their hardcore match previously on Smackdown. Zeke slammed Jeff, but Hardy used his speed to one-up Jackson. Corner seated dropkick from Hardy, but a shoulderblock by Jackson leveled Jeff. Shots to the kidney and mid-section by Jackson. Crowd was fully behind Hardy as he ran into a bear-hug from The Brian Kendrick’s bodyguard. He even kept it locked on as Jeff went to the mat. Whisper in the Wind by Jeff, then he clotheslined the big man over the top rope. Jeff catapulted himself over the top and onto both Kendrick and Jackson. He dispatched of Kendrick on the outside, but that allowed Jackson to take control and throw him into the ring. But he paused to check on Kendrick and Jeff dropkicked him coming in. DDT from Jeff. Twist of Fate followed by a Swanton to end things.

WINNER: Hardy, at 4:57.

-A final video package plugged Wrestlemania XXV.

Greg Parks has been covering Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. You can also hear him every-other-week in the post-Raw audio show in the Torch VIP audio section and read his all-new blog in the VIP forum. Check out his column each week in the PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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