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WWE News
WWE in Wichita, Ks.: Detailed Smackdown taping results including final Survivor Series hype Nov 14, 2007 - 2:40:23 PM
WWE Smackdown taping
November 13, 2007
Wichita, Ks.
Report by Michael Walters of Wichita, Ks., PWTorch VIP member
I should note that ECW didn't air live this week, it was taped prior to Smackdown. Not to spoil the spoiler report, but the angle halfway through Smackdown was probably the reason, since the guy involved would have had to come back out and wrestle for ECW like nothing had happened if it had aired live.
DARK MATCH
(1) Kevin Thorn defeated Nunzio.
ECW was taped here.
SMACKDOWN TAPING
(1) Jeff Hardy defeated Finlay by DQ. Decent enough match, went along nicely until Finlay grabbed his shillelagh and swung it at Jeff. He didn't connect but the ref called for the bell. I believe Jeff got it from him and used it to run him off.
The Undertaker came out for a promo in the ring. He said what you'd expect about Hell in the Cell on Sunday, closing with a "rest in peace" for Batista. Not much to it and it was his only appearance of the night, but it was awesome seeing him live. Especially considering they could have done this as a pre-tape with some special effects added in and saved him a trip.
(2) Beth Phoenix & Victoria defeated Torrie Wilson & Mickie James. Not much different than the divas match on ECW. Beth pinned Torrie after Victoria knocked Mickie to the floor.
A segment aired with the Hardys in their locker room. Jeff told Matt that he had plans and had to leave the arena. Matt seemed amused, as if Jeff saying he had plans was his code for a hot date or something like that. I only note that because, considering what happened next, Jeff suddenly inventing a reason to leave might be seen as kind of fishy. But it wasn't played that way at all.
MVP hosted the VIP Lounge with Matt as his guest. Matt demanded a US title shot and when MVP said they were friends, Matt told him they weren't to a big pop. MVP dodged the title match by saying he'd arranged for them to defend their tag titles instead.
(3) John Morrison & The Miz defeated Matt Hardy & MVP to win the WWE tag team titles. There's a lot to go over here, so I'll try to explain it as best I can. MVP started the match but then quickly grabbed his leg like he'd injured himself. He tagged Matt, went out on the apron, and seemed fine after a minute or two.
Matt, though, began selling his knee heavily a few minutes into the match, with the idea being that he'd hurt it badly. Miz and Morrison worked heavily on the knee and Matt couldn't get over to make the tag. As MVP comically led a Hardy chant from the apron, Matt ended up getting pinned as he couldn't fight back anymore.
As the new champions left, MVP got the microphone and said he and Matt had a rematch clause. He demanded that the rematch happen right then.
(4) John Morrison & The Miz defeated Matt Hardy & MVP to retain the WWE tag titles. Matt could barely stand, so MVP started the match. But, again, after a minute or so, he grabbed his leg in pain and tagged in Matt, who was clearly in no shape to wrestle. Matt held out for a few minutes, but eventually submitted in a leg grapevine of some sort.
After the match was over, MVP helped Matt up to his feet and then kicked out his knee ala Owen turning on Bret all those years ago. He then delivered a beating to Matt's knee that lasted several minutes, smashing it against the ring post and dropping Matt's knee onto the steel ring steps. It'll be interesting how they play it, and if Matt's availability for Survivor Series is questioned (playing into the Jericho buzz with an open spot in the elimination match, maybe). On the other hand, maybe Matt has an actual injury, because they could easily use this to explain him being gone a while.
(5) Rey Mysterio defeated Mr. Kennedy. Pretty fun match that got a good amount of time. Rey countered Kennedy's Green Bay Plunge (if he still calls it that) – the flipping Samoan drop from the second rope – into a huracanrana for the win. An exciting finish that got a great reaction.
A weigh-in was held between Khali and Hornswoggle. Khali broke the giant scale they used, but Cole announced the weight difference at nearly 300 pounds. Khali's translator translated a Khali promo about how Khali had beaten everyone, reading off names like Undertaker, Cena, and Batista, and that Hornswoggle would be no different. Hornswoggle started to cry. They stood next to each other ala two boxers so that pictures could be taken.
(6) Batista defeated Mark Henry in a no disqualification match. Very short, only a few minutes. Batista dominated and cracked Mark in the head with the championship belt to score the pin. Afterwards he gave him several chairshots on the outside of the ring and then gave him a big spear.
Batista got back in the ring and Undertaker's music played. His eyes appeared on the screen and he rolled them back in his head, holding it like that for a surprisingly long time.
That was it.
BIGGEST POPS
1) Undertaker
2) Rey
3) Batista
4) The Hardys
5) Michelle McCool and Kelly Kelly on the video screen during ECW, indicating that a divas match was upcoming
MOST HEEL HEAT
1) MVP after the assault on Matt
2) Finlay
3) Kennedy
4) Morrison/Miz (about equal for both)
5) The t-shirt gun guy after he quit giving away free stuff
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