by Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
April 10, 2009
Taped 4/7/09 at the University of Texas (Austin, Tex.)
Aired on MyNetwork TV


-WWE Open.

-The post-Wrestlemania video package aired, with lots of slow-motion and stills.

-Smackdown Open.

-JR opened the show by plugging John Cena as a special guest on Edge’s “Cutting Edge” segment.

-As Matt Hardy came to the ring, they showed Todd Grisham and JR at the announce table. Matt spoke about unforgettable Wrestlemania moments that took place this past Sunday. He mentioned Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels and their match, but said the greatest Wrestlemania moment of all-time happened when he beat Jeff in an extreme rules match. No hyperbole there, eh Matt? Then again, he’s a heel, so it’s OK. He called Jeff an extreme disappointment for all the fans in the building that night. Matt said he proved to the world that he is the superior Hardy. But what about Milwaukee Brewers SS J.J. Hardy? He’s pretty good. Apparently, Matt is going to try to erase Jeff from WWE. You mean like Chris Benoit? Matt told Jeff for once in his life, make a good decision and come to the ring and apologize to the people for being a disappointment. Matt seems more and more comfortable on the mic every week. Matt also wanted an apology from Jeff for attempting to be his brother. The crowd chanted for Jeff and Matt implored him to come out. Jeff’s music hit and the younger Hardy sauntered out onto the stage.

Jeff, lacking the usual energy he brings, walked to the ring, then chased Matt right out of it. Jeff was holding his lower back as well, still selling the pain from their match. As Matt went up the ramp, Teddy Long came out. For those who didn’t see ECW, he took a brief moment to say he was back in charge of Smackdown. Teddy said that Monday is the WWE Draft and said one or both of them may be leaving Smackdown. Teddy said that, in regards to what Matt said earlier about Jeff leaving tonight in a stretcher, Matt would face Jeff in a Stretcher Match tonight (first time ever on Smackdown).

[Commercial Break]

-They showed the photo of Cena with Edge and Big Show on his back from their match at WM, then Grisham plugged that he’d be on “The Cutting Edge” tonight.

-Eve Torres was backstage with Kofi Kingston. Apparently, he’s got a match with Show coming up. Eve asked about participating in his first WM. Kofi said he was in awe and wondered how he could shock the world like Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon did years back. Kofi said while he didn’t win, he can’t be disappointed with the results. He transitioned to plugging his match against Show and said maybe he’d shock the world tonight. Good of WWE to give some mic work to someone like Kingston, who usually doesn’t get the opportunity. And I don’t mean to echo Wade on this, but you’re trying to get viewers to watch the WWE draft on Monday and can’t even come up with an explanation as to why Raw’s Kingston is on Smackdown? It just seems counter-productive to me.

1- THE BIG SHOW vs. KOFI KINGSTON

They showed stills of the MITB match as Kofi made his entrance. Kofi did a hand-stand and tried to kick Big Show. That was strange. He tried it again, but Show caught his leg and kicked him in the head. Show picked Kofi up by his head from the floor to the apron. Kingston pounded away in the ring, but Show shoved him off. Hard slap to the chest in the corner. Show used his Million Dollar Dream-like throw, but Kofi no-sold it and went on the attack. He got caught in a powerbomb, but flipped out of it. Show swatted away one of his kick attempts. Kofi did a flip kick between the ropes a la Christian lately and he ended up finally putting Show on his back. Double leg-drop for two. Kofi came off the top rope, but was met with a punch to the face that knocked him out. Cover was academic.

WINNER: Show, at 3:33. Fun match with some unique moves thanks to Show’s size and Kofi’s abilities.

-They showed highlights of the Hall-of-Fame Induction Ceremony.

-JR plugged the Stretcher Match for later tonight between Matt and Jeff Hardy. It’s the main event.

[Commercial Break]

-Santino came out for a match, but also had a mic. He said there are a lot of Divas that are upset about his twin sister becoming the first-ever Miss Wrestlemania. He said even his girlfriend was mad at him. He talked to Teddy Long and wanted to come to Smackdown tonight to check things out. Well, at least it’s an explanation. Marella said he challenged anyone to come out and take him on one-on-one. Great Khali accepted by coming out. He’s got new maroon-ish pants.

Ranjin Singh came out with Khali and said Santino doesn’t have to fight Khali tonight, on one condition. Khali gets a date with Santina? Ranjin said Khali thinks Santina is hot. Santino cringed. Singh said she is the only Diva Khali can think about. He said he wants Santina to be Khali’s guest on the Khali Kiss Cam. And if Santino can arrange that, no fight tonight. Marella accused Khali of being a pervert, thinking apparently that Santino’s sister is a “woman of the night.” He said she went to the school of hard knocks and said he’s speaking on behalf of his sister and just saying no. Khali worked the mic a bit and said he liked Santina. Santino said Khali can’t talk about his sister like that! Singh told the ref to ring the bell.

2- SANTINO MARELLA vs. THE GREAT KHALI

Punjabi Plunge->end.


WINNER: Khali, at :26.

-Grisham said they’d take a look at Undertaker’s streak, now 17-0, next.

[Commercial Break]

-Grisham and JR (who Grisham referred to as “Jim,” which was REALLY weird hearing) talked about the HBK vs. Taker match at WM. We got a highlight package of Taker running through 16 Wrestlemania opponents, then adding Michaels to the list.

-Gail Kim came out for her match with Michelle McCool. That’s next.

[Commercial Break]

-We got to see all the media trips John Cena was taking to plug “12 Rounds.”

3- GAIL KIM vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL

Michelle took Gail down immediately and used a blatant choke. Grisham referenced Kim winning the Women’s Title on her first night in WWE years ago. Kim hit a dropkick, then a hurricanrana. They got their lines crossed a bit as Michelle caught a boot from Kim, who fell backward while McCool fell forward. Maryse was shown watching the match on a monitor backstage. They fought on the apron, when Michelle pushed her into the steel ring post. Gail fell to the floor, then got booted in the face. Back in the ring, McCool missed a legdrop and Kim came back with some punches and a clothesline. JR casually threw in that Dibiase & Rhodes were in the house tonight to face Carlito & Primo. Really? That would’ve been nice to know earlier. Kim missed a move off the top rope and Michelle went for a pin, but Kim reversed it and cradled her for three.

WINNER: Kim, at 2:55.

-Edge was walking backstage. His “Cutting Edge” segment is next.

[Commercial Break]

-Edge was already in the ring for “The Cutting Edge.” He said he went into Houston expecting the biggest win of his life. He said his guest is the man who stole the title from him: John Cena. Cena came out (only one of him this time). Cena said he didn’t get the chance on Monday, so he wanted to get this out of the way: “The Champ....is....here!” Edge said Cena always comes out and panders for a reaction. Interestingly, it was mostly positive. Edge said he doesn’t care about the fans. Edge said the World Title is his life, the thing that keeps his heart beating. Edge again accused Cena of stealing the title from him. Cena looked like he wasn’t understanding things. Cena told Edge to get over himself. Edge said Cena ruined his life. Cena seemed bemused by that statement. He said Edge brought him out to talk, so it’s time to talk. Cena ran down their history together and talked about the things they’ve done to each other. Cena said he’s on Edge’s show and Edge should talk about how they are perhaps the greatest rivalry in Sports Entertainment history. But instead, Edge chose to talk about Cena ruining his life. His words seemed to affect Edge. Cena said if that’s all, then they’re done, because Edge is wasting his time.

As Cena started to walk out of the ring, Edge said “I hate you.” Edge said he hats John’s hat, his wristband, his music, his shirt and everything he stands for. Edge said all the stuff between them over the years has exhausted Cena as much as him, and it can’t go on any longer. Edge said it’s finally going to end at Backlash, where one beats the other so badly they can’t get back up. Edge said at the end of the match, he’ll be the one left standing. Cena got in his face and yelled “No!” Crowd chanted for Cena as he kicked a chair out of the way. He said Edge may be a better wrestler, may be smarter, but he’s desperate. Cena said a Last Man Standing Match is based on punishment. Cena said he’s damn sure tougher than Edge. That’s why he said he’ll be the last man standing, and why Edge hates him. He said it’s not the hat, or the wristbands, or the t-shirt (all of which he threw into the crowd). Cena said Edge has always hit him with everything he had, but Cena always got back up. Cena said if Edge wants to end it, end it now. Edge seemed ready for a row and even took his shirt off. He balled up his hand into a fist......but didn’t take the shot. Instead, he turned around and walked out of the ring. Cena got his belt and celebrated. Great, great segment. Don’t know what else to say.

-A reminder that Jeff vs. Matt in a Stretcher Match is still to come tonight.

-But next, Carlito & Primo face Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes.

[Commercial Break]

-Grisham thanked AC/DC for providing the theme song to Wrestlemania, then they talked about the first-ever unified Tag Champs.

4- PRIMO & CARLITO vs. CODY RHODES & TED DIBIASE

Dibiase and Rhodes did some quick tagging in and out, beating up Carlito in their corner. Small package for two by Carlito and Cody didn’t take kindly to that. The Colons took over and Carlito powerbombed Primo onto Cody for two. Carlito with a springboard double back elbow. He and Primo clotheslined the members of Priceless over the top rope and to the outside. Carlito had Dibiase on his heels in the corner as the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Dibiase was in control out of break on Primo, after Colon’s high-risk move during the break went awry. Double-stomp by Dibiase to the bread basket of Primo. Carlito came in to break up a cover. After breaking out of an abdominal stretch, Primo flipped Cody over the top and to the outside. Carlito tagged in Carlito dropkicked Dibiase out of the ring as Teddy thought about coming in. Carlito to the top, but Dibiase pulled him off and Rhodes hit the Cross-Rhodes for the win.

WINNERS: Rhodes & Dibiase, at 9:45. Solid tag match.

After the match, Carlito got beat up even more ‘til Primo broke things up. He got a taste of Dibiase’s Dream Street finisher and Carlito tried to help his brother, but was beaten down again. Then Randy Orton made his way to the ring. He kicked Primo in the chest, then did the same to Carlito. Remember when stuff like this would draw out multiple refs trying to break it up? Now there’s only one ref, and he does nothing. All three members of Legacy raised their arms in success.

[Commercial Break]

-I guess Legacy isn’t done- they were still in the ring and Orton had a mic. He talked about the match at Backlash. Orton reminded everyone that it was he who put Batista on the shelf in the first place, with a kick to the skull. Orton talked about the rules of the match and how the title can switch hands. He said Triple H’s team is full of hotheads and that one of them is bound to get DQ’d or counted out. He said after Backlash, he’d take his rightful place as WWE Champion.

-JR ran down the Backlash card.

-Todd Grisham was on the house mic to explain the rules of a Stretcher Match to the fans. I feel like he’s explaining some event on the old TV show Guts or something.

-Jeff Hardy made his entrance for the main event, which is next.

[Commercial Break]

5- JEFF HARDY vs. MATT HARDY- STRETCHER MATCH

Jeff came out hot, but Matt avoided a corner dropkick by heading outside. They fought at ringside and Jeff attempted to suplex Matt on the stretcher, but Matt didn’t stick on there and fell off. Looks like his back went right against the metal rail of the stretcher. Back in the ring, Matt was in control until Jeff hit a front suplex. Twist of Fate from Jeff blocked and Matt hit a Side Effect. He placed Jeff on the stretcher and started rolling him up the ramp. He almost crossed the line, but Jeff got up just in time. Jeff took the mat off the stretcher so it was all metal. He stood on top of it, rolled it down the ramp and jumped off, clotheslining Matt. Great visual, but scary at the same time.

[Commercial Break]

Jeff made a comeback with a few clotheslines on Matt. Matt grapevined Jeff, utilizing a double underhook, then putting his legs around Jeff’s waist. It was a version of the sleeper, according to JR. Matt apparently though the did the job, and grabbed a stretcher to put Jeff on. He began wheeling Jeff up, but Jeff punched away at Matt to stop the ride. Jeff got off the stretcher and mule kicked Matt. Jeff got Matt on the stretcher, but couldn’t get him across and the two traded rights at the top of the stage. Matt tried to take Jeff’s head off by rolling the stretcher toward him as Jeff was on the floor. He barely got out of the way in time. Jeff went back in the ring as Matt got a chair from under the ring. Jeff pushed it into Matt’s face. He pushed Matt off the apron and onto the stretcher (and the chair sitting on the stretcher). Jeff went to the top but overshot Matt and landed butt-first onto the stretcher (and the chair). Both men were down at ringside as apparently, the other end of the stretcher hit Matt in the face when Jeff landed on it. Matt was put on the stretcher as Jeff went to the top. Swanton, but Matt got out of the way and Jeff landed right on the stretcher. Matt tried to wheel him up, but he had to keep Jeff down multiple times. Matt knew he wouldn’t make it so he took a chair and bashed Jeff in the head with it. That was enough to keep Jeff down for Matt to push him across the line.

WINNER: Matt Hardy, at 14:10. Fun match with lots of innovative moves. I thought Jeff would win to even things up, but I guess his win will come at Backlash.

Matt celebrated at the top of the ramp as the show ended.

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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