By Marv Hermanstyne

WWE Friday Night Smackdown on MyNetworkTV
Taped in Atlanta, GA.

[Q1] The show started with Jack Swagger becoming Kurt Angle 2.0 by placing the Ankle Lock on Big Show and Rey Mysterio in the past. The opening montage aired and we got the usual fireworks. The Swagger vs. Show rematch was hyped by the announcers.

Drew McIntyre was already in the ring and got a ton of heat and before he can say a word, Teddy Long came out. Teddy asked him what he was doing here and Drew said his visa expired but all his issues have been resolved. Drew said what hasn't resolved is their relationship and he called him Mr. Long. Drew said he was wrong for what he did to Teddy and not too late that he's sorry. Teddy said it's never too early to call him a liar.

Teddy said that Drew will have to start from scratch on the roster and Drew said he didn't only come to apologize, but he is nominating Teddy for the Hall of Fame class of 2011.
Drew talked about Mania 27 being big (in Atlanta) and him being the world champion. Teddy said that one thing was right, and said that they only way Drew can win, if he wins the SD MITB match. Teddy said that Drew had a chance to win the match, but there is one thing he would like Drew to do, is to BEG for the opportunity. Drew asked if he was serious and Teddy said it seems like he wasn't familiar and video was shown of Drew degrading Teddy three weeks ago.

The crowd chanted "on your knees" and Teddy said repeat after him, that he was the most handsome debonair, high-class, sharp-dressed and intelligent. He had to say that he had the honor of Teddy being his boss. Drew said tell him if he is in the MITB match and Teddy said not by a long shot. Drew got frustrated and Teddy said he has to face Kofi tonight to qualify. Teddy told him good luck. Triple threat match for one of the remaining spots is next. [C]

Mind of Marv: Was this reverse modern day slavery? No, but it was a funny opening segment overall. If you think Drew has a high chance to win this match, think again (minor spoiler to my confidence column). Not because I don't like Drew's character, is because this match on the Smackdown side is mid-card loaded and will be harder to put together…

[Q2] 1. Dolph Ziggler defeated Chavo Guerrero and MVP in a triple threat MITB qualifying match in 9:40. Both heels attacked MVP early in the matchup. MVP exchanged blows with both heels and threw Dolph. MVP hit an Irish Whipped Chavo and the heel hit a double suplex. Dolph covered for a nearfall while Vickie was getting hot and horny ringside. MVP tossed both heels and posed in the ring to the commercial break. [C]

The show returned with both heels attacking MVP. Dolph went to the top rope but MVP threw Chavo into the ropes. MVP hit a superplex to Dolph and Vickie was whimpering ringside. Chavo looked around at both men and didn't know what to do. Chavo looked at the briefcase and slowly covered MVP for a nearfall.

Vickie was bitching and Chavo went for another cover for a nearfall and the Guererros argued ringside. Dolph beat on Chavo and yelled at him by saying don't ruin this for him. Chavo hit the three Amigos on Dolph and MVP hit all his offense on the heels. MVP tossed Dolph out, threw Dolph out when he tried to get back in the ring and hit the Ballin' Elbow to Chavo and the 305 but Vickie dragged the referee out of the ring. Dolph placed the sleeper on MVP won by submission…

Mind of Marv: Vickie was too much of an distraction for this match and it became pretty predictable. This match was average at best. This does nothing for Dolph but affect his ranking in my column…

The Swagger vs. Show rematch was hyped again…[C]

An Alberto Del Rio vignette was shown…

[Q3] Backstage, Rey Mysterio was getting his ankle examined and the doctor was giving his prognosis. Jack Swagger went bat shit crazy (sounding like Biff from Back to the Future) by saying everyone to get out, applying Rey in the Ankle Lock throughout the arena and Rey whined in pain. Big Show came out for the save but Swagger ran off. Rey told the trainers not to touch his ankle. [C]

Mind of Marv: Another hilarious segment, Rey whining had me crying laughing. This is who you want as the world champion? I sense another transitional run for Mr. 619…

Christian came out and video was shown of him and Matt Hardy fighting during the Peep Show last week. The Gatecrashers made their appearance…

2. Vance Archer and Curt Hawkins defeated Christian and Matt Hardy in 2:55. Hawkins and Matt started the match. Matt hit a shoulder block and clothesline to Hawkins. Archer tagged himself and rammed into Matt and covered for a nearfall. Archer hit a belly to belly suplex to Matt for a nearfall. Matt hit some blows but Archer took control. Matt hit a tornado DDT to Archer. Matt went for the tag, but Christian yanked Matt's arm. Archer threw Matt back in the match and the heels hit their finishers to win the match.

Mind of Marv: Wow, another forgettable match. But the focus will be on Matt and Christian because these guys have a TON of history and should be an interesting feud if they win MITB or beyond as single competitors. Christian as a heel could never be better for his character…

Swagger vs. Show is later tonight and Drew vs. Kofi is next…[C]

[Q4] Drew McIntyre has the 2nd longest entrance in the WWE, ladies and gentlemen. TLC's Chilli and her son were in attendance and Kofi came out to a nice pop.

3. Drew McIntyre defeated Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston in a non-title match to become the final entrant in the Smackdown MITB match in 13:00. Both men locked up and Drew had Kofi in the corner. The first minute of the match was pretty technical. Kofi hit a cross body for a nearfall. Drew slammed Kofi twice for multiple near falls. Drew slapped Kofi down for another nearfall. Kofi hit his version of the Codebreaker to Drew and Drew countered with blows to Kofi for another nearfall. Drew botched a neckbreaker for another nearfall. Kofi hit an backslide to Drew for a nearfall.

Kofi jumped on the ropes but Drew hit a big boot and went for a cover for another nearfall. [C]

The show returned with Drew applying an abdominal stretch to Kofi and Kofi broke out of the move. Drew hit a clothesline but missed a leg drop. Kofi went for the SOS but Drew countered out. Both men exchanged blows and Kofi hit a frogsplash cross body for a nearfall. Kofi hit the Boom Drop and was setting up for the TIP but missed and hit a spinning heel kick for a nearfall. Drew hit an elbow to Kofi and slammed Kofi face first for a nearfall.

Drew with for the Future Shock but Kofi pushed him and hit a dropkick outside of the ring. Kofi hit a suicide dive to Drew outside of the ring. Both men make it in after the ten count and Kofi went for the Boom Drop outside of the ring but Drew threw Kofi into the ring post and hit the Future Shock to qualify.

Mind of Marv: Damn good TV match. Their PPV match was slightly better, but this was a hot match. These two can easily steal the show in the SDMITB match, so keep an eye out on them…

Video was shown of Serena saving Punk's ass from Kane and catching Serena drinking in the bar from over the holiday. Meanwhile, Rosa Mendes was exercising in the back and the SES is coming to the ring, next. [C]

[Q5] Another Alberto Del Rio video was shown…

Gallows said last week, everyone saw a side of the SES that they supposed to see and demanded for Serena to come out. Serena said that this was the hardest week in her life and Punk means the world to her. She said she made a terrible mistake by getting drunk and defy him. She said she did it last week to save and protect Punk. She called Kane a monster and she said she had to put a stop to Kane destroying him.

[Q6] She begged for forgiveness and Gallows called him pathetic and it makes him sick to call her a sister. He said he wanted to kick out her of the SES and its Punk's decision if she stays. She said that she was sorry and Gallows said that she should leave. Punk told Gallows off and said that it was her decision and he forgives Serena. Gallows looked in disgust and walked off.

Serena promises that she will never fail Punk again and he said that she better not. She cried and fell in his arms. Gallows looked pissed off. [C]

Mind of Marv: This tension is great, but the segment was forgettable.

[Q7] Cody Rhodes has some new douchebag music and had a digital mirror for his "Dashing" character.

4. "Dashing" Cody Rhodes defeated JTG in 2:45. JTG controlled the matchup early with an hiptoss and strikes. He went to the top rope but Cody pushed him down and hit strikes to the head. JTG hit some instant offense to Cody but Cody countered with an elbow and face buster. JTG hit a uppercut but it did nothing and Cody hit the Cross Rhodes for the win.

Mind of Marv: Yawn…

Josh Mathews interviewed Kelly Kelly and he asked her championship match against Layla at MITB. Layla told Mathews to go away and Layla said the one way she was going to win if she passes out from the bad smell. Layla had the hair spray and Kelly smacked it away. LayCool attacked her…[C]

[Q8] Video of Swagger destroying Rey with the ankle lock was shown from earlier. Mathews interviewed Big Show and Show said that he is aware of what Swagger did to him two weeks ago. He said Swagger wants people to suffer and Rey is suffering right now. He said Swagger put the ankle lock on him and that was the closest that he felt that his bone breaks and he is 100% now. He said tonight, he puts some fear in Swagger and make him suffer. [C]

5. Jack Swagger fought Big Show to a double count out in 4:15. Swagger went for Show's ankle first but Show blocked him. Swagger went for a chop block but Show picked him up and worked on him in the corner. Show chopped up Swagger's chest and choked him out in corner. Show pressed his weight on Swagger and got the crowd to pop. Swagger punched and slammed Show's ankle into the ring post. Swagger went for the ankle lock but Show kicked him off. Show threw Swagger out the ring and both men fought outside of the ring and got counted out.

Swagger kicked Show's leg and he DDT'ed Show's leg on the stage. Swagger walked off and Kane choked him. Kane said that they need to talk. They went into a red room and Kane accused Swagger of beating Taker. Kane asked if Swagger made Taker suffer. Kane said that he knows about pain and suffering and called Swagger a liar. Swagger says that he has an alibi and will reveal it next week. Kane said he has one week and if he doesn't have an alibi, Swagger will be condemned to hell and eternal suffering.

Mind of Marv: Swagger looks bad ass with this ruthless aggression, but what will he get as a result of this? Putting the belt back on him would be stupid because what would be the point of taking off him in the first place? He has already made Rey look weak, so this world title match is already an afterthought and the show is 8 days away. Overall, the segments were great but besides the Kofi and Drew match, this was a forgettable show. For some odd reason, the week either of us do solo coverage, the show the following week (when we have double coverage) usually bad. It's pure coincidence if you ask me…

Chris Shore will have the Smackdown Hitlist in the morning and as always, send all feedback to mr.hermanstyne@gmail.com and keep an eye out for my MITB confidence columns later this coming week!

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