WWE Smackdown review
July 2, 2010
Taped 6/29/10 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Aired on MyNetwork TV
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- They showed what happened last Friday, with Kane angrily yelling into an empty casket (an Emmy-worthy scene), and also, him almost literally kicking C.M. Punk out of the building.

- Smackdown Open.

- The announcers plugged a one-on-one match between Kane and Luke Gallows set for this evening.

- Jack Swagger came out. He talked about wanting to make others suffer like he has lately, what with losing the World Title and all. He said if he can do what he did last week to Big Show, he can do it to anyone. Then they ran footage of Swagger beating up Show and putting him in the ankle-lock last Friday. Swagger discussed how he won Money-in-the-Bank, then cashed it in. He also talked about how devastated his poor daddy was when he was robbed of the title. That brought out Big Show to interrupt.

He limped out onto the stage and mocked Swagger’s whining. He made a joke or two, then admitted that Swagger hurt him, however, he said Swagger didn’t finish the job. He begged Swagger to try the ankle-lock once more. Swagger said he has nothing to prove. He said the pain Show felt is the pain Rey Mysterio will feel at MITB. Show called Swagger “delusional” and said he knows he can break Jack’s jaw, but Swagger only thinks he can break Show’s ankle. As Show limped to the ring for a confrontation, Cody Rhodes came out and attacked Show from behind. He and Swagger tossed Show into the ring and worked him over. Show fought back until Mysterio ran out to make the save. OK segment, but Swagger didn’t have a lot to work with on the mic.

- Matt Striker and Todd Grisham talked on-camera about the MITB PPV. They said that during the week, WWE.com announced six of the eight competitors in the Smackdown MITB match: Kane, Matt Hardy, Cody Rhodes, Christian, Kofi Kingston, and Big Show.

- They plugged Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston in a non-title match, and it’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- Ziggler was walking backstage and Vickie Guerrero caught up to him. She said that if he wins tonight, he’ll get an IC Title shot. He seemed distracted, and the camera panned over to show Rosa Mendes randomly doing jumping-jacks in the hallway. That’s a little strange. Vickie ended up accompanying Dolph to the ring, much to his chagrin.

1 – KOFI KINGSTON vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER

Kofi had Dolph off-balance at the start. Ziggler was whipped into the ropes, but he held on as Kingston was going to try a Trouble in Paradise. Ziggler escaped to ringside as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Ziggler was in control out of break, and they showed how things got turned around via replay, with Ziggler handling Kingston on the outside. High elbowdrop by Dolph found the mark. Kofi made a comeback and went to the top, where he came down with a high cross-body for a two-count. Ziggler followed with a Fame-Asser for two. Trouble in Paradise finally connected, and Kingston got the win.

WINNER: Kingston, at 6:54. Just OK. A bit under my expectations for these two in a seven-minute match.

After the match, Ziggler looked pissed while he recovered in the ring. Vickie left and went backstage without him.

- In the locker room, the Straight Edge Society was gathered, but not the masked man. Serena did most of the talking, saying they just need to admit what happened and get it over with. Punk was against that and said he has things under control. Serena disagreed. She said seeing Punk go in for his arm operation (his arm was in a sling) made her very upset. She said that if he and Gallows don’t take care of things tonight, she will. Good job by Serena here.

[Commercial Break]

- Time for the Peep Show. It appeared Matt Hardy and three giant ladders were the special guests. Christian plugged the PPV, then talked to Hardy about his past few months. Hardy talked about his experiences in the wrestling business and was about to say that he “will not die,” but Christian interrupted and finished it by saying “will not…win Money-in-the-Bank.” Christian said no one deserves to win more than either of them. Hardy talked about things being “real” and he and Christian took their promo battle to the top of the ladder, and back down again. Both seemed frustrated about their lack of upward mobility in the company as it pertains to World Title opportunities, putting over what a big deal the match actually is. At the same point, when talking about the winner of the upcoming match, they both said, “it’s going to be me” at the same time. A little too cute there. They argued off mic and Christian was about to leave the ring. He thought twice, came back in and walked right into a Hardy right hand. Matt then threw him into one of the ladders to end the segment. Interesting developments here, with Christian showing a bit of a heel tendency.

- The announcers plugged the main event tag, still to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- An Alberto Del Rio promo aired. I think it was the same as last week’s.

- Cody Rhodes was backstage grooming himself. What camera man catches this, really? Rhodes pretended to interview himself, and in the meantime, he put down Big Show and said he’d be the winner of MITB.

- Kane made his entrance for his match with Gallows, which is next.

[Commercial Break]

2 – KANE vs. LUKE GALLOWS

Gallows came out with Punk only. The announcers blamed Punk’s injury on Kane’s attack last week. Kane put the whooping to Gallows in the early going, but Gallows made a short comeback. The match ended when Kane caught Gallows for a chokeslam, but the masked man interfered for the DQ.

WINNER: Kane, via DQ, at 1:29.

Kane didn’t take kindly to that, and fought off the masked intruder. As he was about to get him some of Punk, Serena came down to the ring with a mic. She yelled that she could prove it wasn’t Punk who attacked the Undertaker. She said on May 31st, the night in question, Punk was saving her. She even had video footage. It was a security camera, with no sound. Serena was downing drinks at a bar, getting friendly with a male patron. Punk, Gallows, and the masked man stormed in (Punk in a ballcap and the masked man possibly not masked, but not being able to see his face) and chased off the guy. They put a verbal beat-down on Serena and took her off-camera with them. Back in the arena, Kane loosened his grip on Punk, letting him go while Kane presumably went backstage to find the real culprit. Serena apologized to Punk, who asked, “do you have any idea what you just did?” Intriguing hook there.

[Commercial Break]

3 – MVP vs. CHAVO GUERRERO

During MVP’s entrance, they showed MVP and Kofi signing autographs at a Toys ‘R’ Us, plugging the WWE action figures as well. As Chavo made his way to the ring, he cut a promo on his aunt Vickie, saying her boy-toy couldn’t get the job done tonight, but he would, and when he does, he wants a shot at the IC Title.

Chavo landed a spinning heel kick once the match began and got a near-fall on it. It was all Chavo, as he hit the three Amigos suplexes as well. He went to the top, but missed a frogsplash. MVP made his comeback, with his offense not looking good at all. He finished Chavo with the Play of the Day.

WINNER: MVP, at 2:05.

- Still to come, Rey & Show vs. Swagger & Rhodes.

[Commercial Break]

- This week in WWE History: Yokozuna on the deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid.

3 – KELLY KELLY vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL

They showed Kelly beating Layla a few weeks back. No Kaval with LayCool. McCool ambushed Tiffany at ringside, as Tiffany came out with Kelly. That was before the match began. McCool seemed content to take a count-out loss, but came back in at the count of four. Kelly gave her a few good kicks upon her entrance, but McCool soon took over. It was domination from there by Taker’s new bride. Layla continued spraying what I can only assume is supposed to be air freshener at “Smelly Kelly,” but Tiffany made it to her feet and clotheslined Layla to the ground. That distracted Michelle, and Kelly rolled her up for the three-count.

WINNER: Kelly, at 1:46. Well, Kelly is as good a choice as any on this roster to contend for the Women’s Title.

- The Raw Rebound aired.

- Rey was walking backstage. He’ll address the WWE Universe next.

[Commercial Break]

- Another Alberto Del Rio vignette aired. He told viewers to achieve the impossible, and inspire others. What a guy.

- Rey Mysterio came out. He spoke a little Spanish, and said it was great to once again be World Champion. He said he’s ready for any obstacles that will stand in his way. He said Rhodes & Swagger will be competing against the entire 619 tonight. Not much of a Championship address, and little substance to the promo. The tag main event is next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – REY MYSTERIO & THE BIG SHOW vs. CODY RHODES & JACK SWAGGER

They replayed the attack on Show from earlier, prior to the bell ringing. It was all Big Show in the first minute, as he picked up Rhodes and threw him over the top, dropping him onto Swagger on the outside. They went to break at that point.

[Commercial Break]

After break, Mysterio got put on the top rope, but he elbowed Rhodes down and did a Seated Senton for two. Blind tag by Swagger and a big boot for Rey. Rhodes tagged back in a minute or two later and got some offense in against the champion. Striker discussed Cody’s dashing-ness on commentary, which was a bit weird. Flying Chuck kick from Rhodes (not called as such, of course) for a near fall. Swagger came in for a Vader Bomb. Rey came back and countered a suplex with a DDT. Show came in and wheel-barrowed Swagger down, but Show tweaked his injured ankle. Rey tagged back in and did a springboard legdrop after Rhodes took out Show on the apron. Rey went for a 619, but Swagger caught him in mid-move and applied the ankle-lock. Rey was still wrapped in the ropes, and once again, Swagger failed to break the hold once the ref reached the five count, resulting in a DQ.

WINNERS: Show and Mysterio, via DQ, at 10:35. Fine main event tag match, and good for Rhodes to get a spot with some big names, even if his gimmick is lame.

Show tried to make the save and Swagger finally gave up on the hold after the match. Show checked on Rey, who had fallen to ringside, as they faded out.

Greg Parks has been covering WWE Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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