KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
FEBRUARY 26, 2010
AIRED ON MY TV

[Q1]

-A video package aired on the Elimination Chamber PPV.

-They went cold to the arena for the announcement of Chris Jericho as the new World Heavyweight Champion. He walked out onto the stage and gloated about having become the new World Champion. He said Monday night was supposed to be his celebration with the loser fans giving him the respect he deserved. He said that was taken away from him by Edge. As he repeated that he "didn't deserve that" several times, Edge's music played. He walked to the ring. Todd Grisham told Matt Striker that the primary motivation for Edge coming back from injury was getting to Jericho.

When Edge gave Jericho credit for leaving the Chamber with the title, Jericho said that's because he's the best in the world at what he does. Edge said he's the best at being speared by him. He taunted him by repeating the word "spear" over and over. Some fans began chanting "Spear! Spear!" Edge said he thinks those spears aren't just getting to him physically, but they're also getting to him mentally. He said he sees doubt in his eyes. He said he can't even look him in the eyes. He asked Jericho if he thinks he can beat him. "I have a feeling I'm in your head all nightmare long," Edge said.

He said if enters WrestleMania with that doubt in his mind and his heart, "one more spear and it's all over. Jericho looked shaken, but then leaned toward Edge and said, "You will never spear me again." He hit him in the mouth with a mic and then went for a Code Breaker. Edge blocked it and then gave Jericho a spear. Edge's music played as Jericho winced on the floor. The psychology has been set for this match. It's about the spear. This segment effectively established that Jericho fears the spear and that Edge plans to take the title with a spear. They also established a chant for fans to taunt Jericho with. [c]

[Q2]

1 -- JOHN MORRISON vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. R-TRUTH (w/David Utunga) -- Money in the Bank Qualifier

Striker said many people believe if Morrison wasn't wrestling with an injured ankle, he might have won the Chamber. Of course, he didn't actually use the word wrestling, though. Grisham said Christian beat Carlito to be the first MITB qualifier. Truth sang his way to the ring, trying hard to keep up with the lyrics and song he wrote. I still don't get why he wrote a song that he can't sing without falling behind and mumbling the words to try to catch up. Striker explained how the MITB match works with a ladder being used to climb to get the briefcase. At 2:00 they cut to a break. [c] Morrison was lying on the floor clutching his shoulder. A replayed showed that Truth had thrown Morrison into the ringpost during the break. Ziggler dominated Morrison for a while, including his inverted powerslam for a two count at 7:00. Truth broke up a small package pin attempt by Morrison on Ziggler. Ziggler caught Truth with his high dropkick for a near fall. Ziggler powerslammed Truth for a two count. Truth came back with a small package of his own for a two count, broke up by Morrison. More rapid near falls followed with the third wrestler breaking up the pin.

[Q3]

All three battled on the second round around the turnbuckle. Ziggler took a spill and hit his head on the ring apron as he fell. Truth set up a superplex, but Morrison turned it into a top rope sunset flip powerbomb. Morrison was stunned and couldn't go for the pin. Morrison then hit Starship Pain. Because Grisham declared the match over, it took all the drama out of it since we knew it wouldn't be over, and sure enough Ziggler yanked Morrison off of Truth. Ziggler then snuck in and stole the pin.

WINNER: Ziggler in 12:00.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Good three-way match. Well-built drama with near falls. [c]

-Grisham and Striker were shown at ringside talking about WrestleMania. They said the match everyone is talking about is the rematch between Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. They threw to a long video package on the match.

-They showed Vickie Guerrero heading toward the entrance tunnel wearing a referee shirt. [c]

[Q4]

2 -- MICKIE JAMES vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL (w/Layla) - Women's Title Match

Vickie was special referee, and she allowed herself to be easily distracted by Layla during a pin attempt by Mickie at 2:00. They showed Beth Phoenix watching from the back. Mickie's jeans weren't the most flattering for her figure. She did look like she needed help zipping up. Vickie was going to make the count as McCool covered Mickie, but Vickie slipped out of the ring as if she was yanked to the floor. Layla rubbed her butt at ringside to try to sooth her pain. McCool asked her what happened. Mickie rolled up McCool from behind. Vickie entered the ring and slapped Mickie. As they argued, McCool gave Mickie a kick to the face. McCool jackknife covered Mickie for the win.

WINNER: McCool in 4:00 to recapture the Women's Title.

-Grisham hyped Drew McIntrye vs. Kane. [c]

-Ring intros took place for the next match.

[Q5]

3 -- KANE vs. DREW MCINTYRE -- Money in the Bank Qualifier

Before the match began, Drew said from the stage that he's undefeated. He said Kane won't be the first to beat him. He said after he beats Kane he'll go on to win MITB and "the prophesy will be fulfilled at WrestleMania." He said he'll be both the IC Champion, the World Hvt. Champion, and still undefeated. At 3:00 Kane leaped off the ropes but missed and favored his knee after landing. Drew took over and set up a DDT. Kane powered out of it. Kane came back with a chokeslam attempt, but Drew blocked it. Kane hit a big boot for a near fall. Drew went for a sunset flip seconds later. Kane powered out and kicked Drew in the face and scored the pin. Drew threw a bit of a fit afterward. Striker said how he handles this loss will determine the course of his career from here on.

WINNER: Kane in 5:00.

STAR RATING: *1/4 -- Decent five minute match. Quite an anticlimactic way for McIntyre's streak to end, but the "pin almost out of nowhere" is a good thing to sprinkle into finishes on TV each month to make fans care about all near falls.

-Grisham reviewed the competitors in the MITB match so far: Christian, Kane, and Ziggler. Then they showed The Miz headed to the entrance tunnel. [c]

[Q6]

-The Miz walked out. Striker called it an honor and a privilege to have the first-ever U.S. Champ and Unified Champ. Grisham said he show up on either brand anytime he wants. Striker said, "Dripping in gold is The Miz." Miz called for Teddy Long to find ShowMiz a tag team challenger team for WrestleMania. He said he wants his WrestleMania moment. Long walked out and said since Big Show isn't there, he's going to book Miz in a one-on-one match against Edge. Striker called it a blockbuster announcement. That's a good main event. Miz tried to look concerned yet not shaken.

-Striker plugged that newly signed free agent Shelton Benjamin had his first Smackdown match next. [c]

4 -- C.M. PUNK (w/Luke Gallos, Serina) vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN -- MITB Qualifier

Shelton got in some early offense, so the heavily bearded Punk took a breather at ringside. He reentered with a springboard clothesline. As Shelton began a comeback at 4:00, Gallos stepped onto the ring apron to distract Shelton. Rey Mysterio came to ringside and yanked Gallos off the ring apron. Shelton then surprised Punk with Pay Dirt to win. Striker said Punk is "not going to WrestleMania." That's presumptuous. Punk was distraught afterward. Rey smiled and waved at him from the stage.

WINNER: Shelton Benjamin in 5:00.

STAR RATING: * -- Disappointing match. Slow pace, not much intensity. Not memorable. Yes, Drew McIntrye vs. Kane was better than Punk vs. Shelton.

[Q7] [c]

-A long Raw Rebound aired. Then Striker and Grisham at ringside ran down the announced WrestleMania line-up.

-Ring intros took place for the main event. [c]

[Q8]

5 -- THE MIZ vs. EDGE

Grisham billed this as a first-time singles meeting between these two. They paced themselves for a relatively long TV match. At 3:00 Miz threw Edge into the ringpost as they cut to a break. [c] Miz had Edge in a chinlock after the break. Miz kicked Edge in the head and scored a two count at 8:00. Miz worked over Edge in the corner including a running clothesline. Edge came back with a flapjack out of the corner. Edge ducked a few Miz punches and then hit a side Russian leg sweep. They showed Daniel Bryan, wearing a suit, watching on a monitor backstage. Miz came back with an inverted DDT for a two count at 10:00. Miz lined up for a full nelson, but Edge blocked it and gave Miz an Impaler DDT. He followed up with a Spear for the win.

WINNER: Edge in 11:00.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Good match. Didn't have an epic feeling or anything, but solid start to finish. Right finish to keep Edge strong as Jericho's challenger, but Miz looked nearly his equal and shouldn't lose anything, even as U.S. Champ, losing to someone at Edge's level.

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