By Greg Parks, Torch specialist

WWE Smackdown and ECW TV taping report
Taped December 18, 2007
Rochester, N.Y.
Report by Greg Parks, Torch specialist

Blue Cross Arena was about 90 - 95 percent full. It seemed to be a higher percentage than in Buffalo on Monday night.

Dark Match:

(a) Kofi Kingston beat Dave Taylor. The crowd was totally hot for this one. I don't know if it was the acoustics of being in a smaller arena or what, but they were pretty hot all night, aside from ECW. This match got tremendous heat, even "you suck" chants for Taylor. Kingston won with an inside cradle in a fun match.

JBL and Michael Cole came out for Smackdown.

- The show opened with Teddy Long wheeling Vickie Guerrero out to the ring with the title belt. A video package aired on the title match from Armageddon. Vickie introduced the love of her life and the new World champion, Edge. "You suck" chants met him, too. Edge thanked his Edgeheads and two in particular, as he introduced the Major Brothers. They came out dressed as Edge. Edge said they only used the Major Brothers name to get a contract on Smackdown. Each Major brother then introduced his "real" self- one was Kurt Hawkins, who likes long walks on the beach, and the other was Zach Rider, who likes hanging out with his girlfriend. Edge thanked Vickie and threw it to a hilarious romantic music video that showed Edge training with Vickie, then the two of them just having fun (like on a playground teeter-totter). Edge also thanked Batista for filling in as champion while he was gone. He said the last image we'll see tonight is him raising the belt.

(1) Finlay & Hornswoggle beat Great Khali & Ranjin Singh. Singh came out shirtless, mimicking Khali in every step. Hornswoggle pulled down Singh's pants at one point and threw confetti on him, then Finlay threw water on him. Hornswoggle pinned Singh with the tadpole splash and the winners danced in the ring.

- Smackdown will be presenting "The Greatest Matches of 2007" next week.

- Ric Flair came out for an interview. He covered his angle, then said if he had to choose someone to fight in his last match, it would be Triple H. He said when he came back to WWE six years ago, he wasn't himself, but Trips took him under his wing and reminded him he was "The Nature Boy." Flair said he doesn't want sympathy - Triple H will bring his best and bring out Flair's best. Flair pretty much said it was OK to lose, as if he lost Monday, he'd have no regrets because he lost to the best. This doesn't sound like the Flair that never wanted to retire.

(2) Rey Mysterio & C.M. Punk & Kane beat Big Daddy V & Mark Henry & MVP. Mysterio pinned Henry after a splash and a Kane chokeslam. There was an ugly mistimed move where Henry was supposed to pull MVP out of the way of the 619. Mysterio hit the ropes and went to go at MVP, but Henry didn't move him out of the way, so Mysterio had to stop and hit the ropes again so Henry could move him.

(3) Santa Match: Santa Festus beat Santa Deuce. Festus wore the full garb, beard and all, while Deuce just had the overcoat. This was really the only heatless match thus far. Deuce tried to use the Santa sack, but Festus hit his finisher for the win.

- The ring was set up with red carpet, red white and blue banners and a podium for JBL's farewell speech. He said it'll be the last time he's on Smackdown because he'll make his legendary comeback on Raw. JBL said he took a laughingstock of a show and made it the crown jewel of WWE. The reason he's coming back on Raw is because of what happened Sunday (clips were shown). He said Y2J only had to say sorry on Raw, but instead, he attacked him verbally. JBL said he's coming to Raw to headline PPVs and win championships. I thought for sure Jericho would interrupt, but no dice.

- Tazz came out to take over color commentary with Michael Cole.

(4) Batista beat Edge by DQ in a World Title match. The Majors came out with Edge and before the match, Vickie Guerrero announced it was 3-on-1. She and Teddy stayed at ringside. Batista won with a spinebuster, but he didn't pin Edge. Vickie interrupted the celebration by saying he had to pin Edge to win the title and re-started the match. Soon after, one of the Majors used a chair on Batista when he had Edge up for the Batistabomb. Edge then hit Batista with the conchairto. (He missed from our view, but I'm sure they'll make it look good).

Refs came out to check on Batista as the small children behind us debated on whether or not he was really hurt.

Dark Match before ECW:

(b) James Curtis beat Charles Evans. Curtis is the former K.C. James. This match was met with a frosty reception from the crowd, most of whom stayed for ECW. They started filing out as the show went on, as most parents had kids with them and had to get them to bed. Curtis won with a crucifix roll-up.

Joey Styles did the Sign of the Night during a break, and Tazz hosted the Kiss Cam. Not much to note during ECW, other than there was hardly anyone left by the time the main event ended. Also, it seemed Colin Delany got more boos than cheers when he said he went to East Ridge High School. Fickle fans, I guess.

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