WWE Smackdown TV taping
Columbia, S.C.
Report by Dot Net reader Justin Shook

Arena is 2/3 full. Not a bad turnout.

Chris Jericho opened the show by coming out and cutting a great heel promo that drew tons of heat. Rey Mysterio and Batista vs. Chris Jericho and Kane was announced for later. He was cut off mid-way by Cryme Tymes music. JTG came out solo to a nice crowd reaction. JTG made fun of Jericho for a comment he made earlier about "dominating" Mysterio/Batista. "Wheres your partner JTG? In jail?" was Jericho's amusing remark.

"Excuse me! Excuse Me!" Out comes Vickie Guerrero to introduce Eric Escobar. Jericho, JTG, and Escobar argue. Out comes Dolph Zigglar (a Mr. Ziggles chant started). He made fun of JTG and said, "He's gunna pull the team to the win." JTG says he's lost four of his last title matches. "What do you know about winning? Maybe they should call you Mr. Loser (lame)" Out comes Drew McIntyre. He's very quiet live, couldn't hear much. Out comes Kane, who said no one is worthy of fighting on his team. Jericho said a five vs. five match has been made to see if there team is worthy. He said that since Shad "called in sick," the match is now four vs. five ... If any member of Jericho's team is pinned then all 5 of them are off the team and replaced by their opponents.

1. Matt Hardy, The Harts, R-Truth, and Finlay beat Dolph Ziggler, Eric Escobar, Drew McIntyre, and JTG. Hardy pinned JTG after Finlay struck him with the shillelagh. That means Team Smackdown is now Matt Hardy, Finlay, The Hart Dynast, R-Truth, Kane, and Jericho. A much better line up. Maybe they realized how weak SD looked compared to RAW. This was an eight minute match that was fun to watch. The crowd went wild for Matt getting the win.

Punk, Teddy Long, and referee Scott Armstrong talked backstage. Armstrong said he would not be a part of this again. As he got up to leave, Vince McMahon walked in. Armstrong looked nervous.

2. John Morrison defeated Mike Knox. Morrison got a fast win in about three minutes with Starship Pain. Knox had very little offense, he hit his brutal crossbody but that was really it. It seems he may be legit injured. Afterwards, Morrison cut a promo on Miz. He said that while Miz is so worried about being HBK or Marty Janetty he is only worried about one thing ... and thats being the Friday Night Delight, the Shaman of Sexy, John Morrison.

Jericho met with his new team backstage. Truth quickly established that he doesn't like Jericho but he certainly respects him. The team was in agreement that they would work as a unit come Sunday. Truth did the "Thats the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth" bit. The crowd did not follow. He needs a new catch phrase.

Mickie James and Michelle McCool bickered backstage. Mickie said she is coming after the title. Mickie had been talking with Mae Young backstage before McCool interrupted. Beth and McCool bickered. Beth said she was coming for the title. Mae Young said something to McCool and then slapped her! Strong women's segment. I see a triple threat with THE three major league women's wrestlers that the WWE has right now. That could be something worth seeing. Maybe it will get more then five minutes.

3. Batista and Rey Mysterio defeated Kane and Chris Jericho. Batista won with spear on Kane in about seven minutes. Mysterio caught a nasty chokeslam from Kane, who then walked into a spear from Batista. It was odd to have Jericho and Kane lose here. Nothing great about the match. The crowd was wild for Mysterio and out of control for Batista.

Backstage Punk and Teddy were standing behind a conflicted Armstrong and Vince, whom were sitting on a couch. Vince was promoting WrestleMania and I believe said Armstrong's father "might" be up for consideration this year for the HOF if things go right tonight. Armstrong looked less conflicted. The crowd was still very loud so was hard to hear it.

4. Mickie James beat Layla. Mickie with the chic kick in about three minutes. Standard divas match. Strong reaction to Mickie James. It was dead during the match, strong again for the finish. It's like people know Mickie would be GREAT if given longer matches.

The Capt. Lou video aired (from Raw). Still sweet to see. It got a standing ovation from the crowd. That came off as very classy.

Punk, Teddy, and Armstrong all came out together to Punks music. Punk cut a promo on Taker. Some dude behind me was sure he had seen Punk getting wasted like 5 years ago. He made sure that I, the crowd, and Punk knew it! Taker made his entrance. Amazing to see live, but not so much on TV.

5. Undertaker defeated C.M. Punk in a submissions match to retain the World Hvt. Championship. The match was going fine until Punk tried to use a chair. The ref didnt stop him, but taker blocked. Taker then chokeslamned Armstrong and had a stare down with Teddy. Punk recovered and hit taker over the back with the chair and then got a nasty shot to the head with the chair made everyone gasp. Punk made the cover but there was no ref.

Teddy got another one down to make the count but Taker recovered and locked in Hells Gate. Punk fought, and fought. He nearly passed out but hung on. He made it to the ropes and went on to cleanly beat Taker. Haha yeah right. Taker locked in Hells Gate and Punk tapped almost instantly. He looked weak and like he never stood a chance agsinst Taker. The kids loved it, but it was not what I had hoped for. About a 9 minute match, that did nothing to make Punk look credible.

Overall thoughts: Fun show for the live crowd. I think WWE realized Escobar, Ziggles, and McIntyre aren't going to sell PPVs. Swapping out five members of the team a few days before the PPV seems insane, but what do I know? I don't know if something happened to Shad and they had to change it up or what.

Punk now seems so unlikely to win in the four-way that I think he will win in some Edge-like fashion. It's clear he won't get a clean win, but a sneaky/cheating win seems likely. I just hope his feud with Taker can end at Bragging Rights. Punk needs to work with someone that will put him over. Jericho? Or a world title feud with Morrison could elevate both stars. The crowd had fun, but not the best way to go into the PPV.

Overall I give this show an 8 out of 10. There is nothing like the LIVE experience.

Most heat

1. Vicky Guerero (by a mile)
2. Jericho
3. Punk

Biggest Pops

1. Batista
2. Undertaker (close second)
3 Rey Mysterio
4. Cena (in a video package. Kids just cant get enough)

Odd thing, when I was getting my t-shirt, I noticed everyones was $25 except Triple H. His was $30! I think HHH and WWE think he's more popular then he actually is right now. Even Cena's were only $25! Another cool thing was they were selling Edge shirts! Just made me all warm and fuzzy inside about Edge vs. Jericho at Mania 26! Oh man I hope that goes down!

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