by Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
July 31, 2009
Taped 7/28/09 in Baltimore, Maryland
Aired on MyNetwork TV


-WWE Open.

-Clips aired of the C.M Punk vs. Jeff Hardy match from Night of Champions.

-Smackdown opened with the new World Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Hardy, coming to the ring. As he was coming down the aisle, Todd Grisham said he’d be taking on John Morrison later tonight, with the title on the line. Also, in an exclusive, they showed Punk shaking Hardy’s hand after their match on Sunday. Hardy said if this was a dream, he didn’t want to be awoken. He thanked all of his fans who have stood with him through thick and thin. It sounds like he’s accepting an award. Hardy acknowledged that Punk said some not-so-nice things about Hardy and his fans. He said if everyone was like Punk, it would be a boring world. I don’t know that that’s the message they want to send. Jeff said the only thing he’s high on is being World Champion for his fans. He said we all have the God-given right to walk the path we choose. Jeff said Teddy Long is giving Punk his rematch, but he didn’t seem to know when it was. Hardy talked up his opponent for the evening, John Morrison. He said he knows he’s in for a fight and told the fans to get ready for one of the most death-defying main events in Smackdown history. Instead of his music coming on, Cryme Tyme’s did. They celebrated in the ring with Hardy- they are in action after the break.

[Commercial Break]

1- CRYME TYME vs. THE HART DYNASTY- WINNERS EARN UNIFIED TAG TITLE MATCH AT SUMMERSLAM

Personally, I think Legacy should get another shot, but I guess that isn’t in the cards. No Eve with Cryme Tyme this week. Shad knocked David Hart Smith off his feet with a shoulderblock, shades of Shaq on Raw. Smith went to his corner to re-group. Big splash found the mark in the corner by Gaspard. Shad went for a powerslam, but Smith held onto the ropes. Shad even motioned like he was expecting Smith to come to him off the ropes for a slam, in a nice touch. Tyson Kidd tagged in and went to work on the left leg of the big man. On the outside, Smith threw Shad into the steel steps, catching his knee and causing Shad to scream in pain. It was the last move before break.

[Commercial Break]

D.H. Smith was the legal man at this point, kicking away at the injured leg of Shad. Half-crab by Smith, then he bent the leg back and stepped on the back of Shad’s head with his foot. Shad broke free, but Smith was propelled near his corner and Kidd came in. He tried, but couldn’t prevent Shad from tagging JTG. JTG was a house a’ fire and ended up getting a two-count on Kidd after disposing of Smith. Kidd recovered and landed a springboard Blockbuster for two. Inside cradle by JTG for two, then an awkward sunset flip for another two. Smith and Shad battled on the outside of the ring. The two legal men traded roll-ups (both using the tights) and JTG finished Kidd off with the Shout-Out.

WINNERS: Cryme Tyme, at 8:33. Certainly looks like Cryme Tyme is in the midst of one of their biggest pushes.

As Cryme Tyme was celebrating, Chris Jericho and Big Show, the Unified Tag Champions, came out, with their themes spliced together as one. Both were wearing suits. Jericho should have plenty of material in attacking a team whose name is “Cryme Tyme.” He told the team to enjoy their moment of success, because it will be brief. He told them that they’d destroy Cryme Tyme’s hopes and dreams at Summerslam. Jericho talked about how great he and Show are, the perfect synergy of strength, intelligence and honesty (among other traits). Shad interrupted and called the duo Han Solo and Chewbacca. Shad attempted to speak Wookie to help the champions understand. Jericho asked if they thought this was some kind of joke (crowd cheered). JTG reminded Jericho of his run-in with Shaq this past week and again called him Christina. The Pavlovian fans picked up on the chant. JTG also took a dig at “fat boy” Big Show and Shad said they’d be tag champions after Summerslam. Big Show told the team that their credentials already surpass other great teams throughout history. He blathered on about the titles he’s won and said he’s bigger and better than all the fans. Jericho told them to enjoy their party here tonight with the fans because at Summerslam, the party will be over. Good enough exchange between the two teams, but it may have gone on a bit long.

-Tonight, Rey Mysteiro and Finlay face Mike Knox and Dolph Ziggler in tag action.

[Commercial Break]

-John Morrison faces Jeff Hardy for the World Championship in the main event.

2- MICHELLE MCCOOL & LAYLA vs. EVE TORRES & MELINA

I kinda thought Layla turned face when she rejected Ricky Ortiz’s rally towel a few weeks ago. Melina didn’t do her trademark entrance, likely thanks to McCool’s dropkick at Night of Champions during the pose. Melina seemed to have her mind on McCool, which allowed Layla to get the first licks in. Double-teaming by Eve and Melina after a quick tag. Slam by Eve for one. Dropkick by Eve, then Layla ran into a back elbow. Layla knocked Eve off the second rope though, and the heels had the advantage. That brought McCool in and she looked like Chris Jericho in there compared to Layla and Eve as far as in-ring work goes. Both ladies were down and both managed to make tags. Melina got the best of Layla and was about to finish her off when McCool came in and kicked Melina straight in the face. That was awesome. Eve tried to aid her partner, but ended up taken out at ringside. Layla tagged McCool, who was going for the Faith Breaker (even though it didn’t look like she was truly setting up for it....something more like the Widow’s Peak it appeared), but Melina countered with a Code Red for the win.

WINNERS: Melina & Eve, at 3:14. Thank God it lasted only a shade over three minutes.

-Josh Mathews was backstage with C.M. Punk. Punk said Jeff Hardy’s win Sunday was an upset. Punk said that takes nothing away from Hardy, but he can’t respect someone who lives the kind of lifestyle Hardy does. Punk said he wished everyone was Straight Edge. He said Jeff likes to live in the moment, and he better cherish this moment, because it won’t last long. After thanking his fans for sticking with him, Punk wished good luck to Hardy and Morrison, because he said he’d face the winner.

-Dolph Ziggler, after a kiss of Maria’s hand, was walking backstage, as his tag match is next.

[Commercial Break]

-Knox, Ziggler, Finlay and Rey made their entrances for the tag match and strangely, they took another break before starting the match

[Commercial Break]

3- MIKE KNOX & DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. FINLAY & REY MYSTERIO

JR talked positively about what Ziggler took away from the loss to Rey on Sunday. Ziggler, after facing off with Rey to open things up, tagged Knox while Rey was hitting the ropes, allowing Knox to surprise Rey with a cross-body that engulfed the I.C. Champ. It was a cool visual. Ah, JR just used “engulfed”! Soon after, Rey hung Knox up for the 619, but it was not to be. Enziguiri was, and Finlay tagged in. Rolling Samoan drop by Finlay for two as he was all offense. As Finlay sat himself on the top rope, Knox gave him a bicycle kick and Finlay appeared to come down hard on his leg. Ziggler came in and continued the offensive onslaught geared around working the leg. Finlay tried to crawl away from Knox and into his corner, but Knox was able to reel him back in. He knocked Rey off the apron, which brought about some boos. Corner splash by Ziggler, then a big elbowdrop. A second one missed and Finlay again attempted to tag out. No dice on that try. Frequent tags by the heels, keeping Finlay away from his corner as much as possible. Ziggler finally made a costly error that allowed Rey to tag in. Sunset flip by Ziggler, but Rey kicked him in the head to put him back down. Springboard cross-body from the little man for two. 619 by Mysterio hit, then he took out Knox. Springboard splash, but Knox interrupted the pin and threw him outside. Finlay retaliated with a clothesline that sent Knox to ringside. Ziggler went after Finlay, which allowed Rey to come from behind and roll him up for the victory.

WINNERS: Rey & Finlay, at 9:46. Good tag match to advance the Rey-Ziggler feud and also give Finlay and Knox some quality TV time.

-Josh Mathews interviewed John Morrison backstage. Morrison was asked if he was ready for Hardy, and after congratulating Jeff on winning, said the energy from their match tonight will spark a blaze across the WWE Universe. He said neither one would hold anything back and he has nothing to lose tonight. He said the Hardy Party will be over and the title will be coming to the Palace of Wisdom. JR got in another plug for the match.

-Ranjin Singh and Great Khali were walking backstage....Khali will be in action next.


[Commercial Break]

4- THE GREAT KHALI vs. CHARLIE HAAS

Haas tried some right hands to the face, and JR questioned the effectiveness of taking on Khali that way. It didn’t seem to have much effect. Khali took Haas into the corner and booted him a few times in the gut, then land some elbows, to which JR called “very elementary offense.” This week in “let’s compare body parts to inatimate objects,” Grisham compared the size of Khali’s hands to laptop computers. Weird. Kane came out of nowhere, went into the ring and then quickly left when it appeared Khali would come after him. He grabbed Ranjin Singh at ringside and dragged him away. Khali ran out to catch up with him, and Kane dropped him. Khali checked on Singh as Kane looked on.

WINNER: No Contest(?), about 2:00. No announcement was made and there was no bell. Judging on WWE’s rulings as of late, Khali probably should’ve won by DQ since Kane was actually in the ring, even though he didn’t come in contact with Khali. It was either that, or a Haas win by count-out.

-They showed Hardy and Morrison warming up in a split-screen for their one-on-one encounter later.

[Commercial Break]

-Grisham thanked Aerosmith for “You Gotta Move,” the official theme song of Summerslam.

-The Raw Rebound aired.

-John Morrison came out for the main event, which is next.

[Commercial Break]

5- JOHN MORRISON vs. JEFF HARDY- WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Taking a page out of Matt Striker’s book, JR reminisced about Superstar Billy Graham beating Bruno Sammartino in Baltimore for the title way back when. Hardy went for an early cover, then a rear chin-lock, settling in for a long match with a bit less than a half hour to go in the show. Morrison appeared to have knocked Hardy out with a kick in the first two minutes, but Hardy kicked out of a pin at two. Back to another mat-hold for Morrison. Roll-up by Hardy, but couldn’t get him. Clothesline by Morrison put him down for two shy of the 3:00 mark. Couple forearms by Hardy, then an atomic drop. Morrison blocked Hardy’s double legdrop to the groin and catapulted Hardy over the top and to ringside. Springboard moonsault by Morrison that was nearly picture-perfect. Morrison was on his feet by the time they went to break, almost 5:00 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Morrison with a rear-chinlock in the ring as they returned. Grisham said this was Morrison’s first World Championship match. After a take-down, Morrison went for a cover and got two. Starship Pin, but Morrison landed on his feet after Hardy moved. Jeff hit Whisper in the Wind for two about 9:00 in. Hardy landed a middle-rope legdrop for two after a chin-lock. Morrison favored his neck, but an inverted back-breaker and a Russian leg-sweep, followed by a standing moonsault, garnered him a two-count at the 11:00 mark. Neckbreaker and another two from Morrison. They were really hyping up Hardy’s short time between his win and his first defense, perhaps taking a veiled shot at their MMA competition. The two battled on the top rope and both ended up landing on the ringside mats as they went to another break.

[Commercial Break]

The show returned with nearly 17:00 gone by in the match. They were standing toe-to-toe, exchanging blows in the middle of the ring. Morrison drilled Hardy with a knee to the face on the apron, but Hardy returned fire with an Irish whip of Morrison into the security wall. Hardy adjusted the stairs and flew off of them onto Morrison. Back in the ring, Hardy got a two-count. He got h is fans behind him, but couldn’t hit a Twist of Fate or a Whisper in the Wind. That enabled Morrison to land the running knee to the face for a near-fall short of 19:00. Jumping leg lariat by Morrison for two. Hardy got crotched on the top rope and Morrison kicked him in the head with a springboard Flying Chuck kick. Hardy countered a Moonlight Drive and suplexed Morrison right on his stomach. Hardy went to the top and connected on the Swanton. He crawled over to make the cover, but took a bit too much time and Morrison kicked out. I think that surprised the fans in the arena. Morrison kicked Hardy on a corner dropkick attempt by the champion. Starship Pain, but Hardy got his knees up and hit the Twist of Fate. Hardy back to the top, Swanton, then the pin.

WINNER: Hardy, at 22:16. Wow. Fantastic TV match, and I can’t think of one complaint about it at this point. Morrison just has tons of momentum right now, it’s really fun to see him develop as a serious singles wrestler.

After the match, C.M. Punk’s music played and he came down to the ring. He applauded Hardy as he came to the ring. Punk raised Hardy’s arm as Jeff looked at him suspiciously. Punk got the mic and started by saying, “You know Jeff, the last few weeks.....” then he stuck the microphone right in Hardy’s face and beat him like a rented mule. He punched and kicked away at Hardy inside and outside the ring. Hardy bled from the forehead as Punk used the security wall and announce table as weapons. Punk took his t-shirt off and walked around the ring like he was leaving, but then came back and kicked Hardy in the back a few more times. Where are refs or officials to break this up? Punk threw Hardy over the announce table as they showed a few fans looking quite distraught. At the top of the ramp, Punk again got the mic and told everyone to tune in to Smackdown next week, because that’s when he said he’d take his World Title back. They showed a replay of what happened, then closed with Punk looking on, very smug and happy with his actions.

Greg Parks has been covering Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. You can also 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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