By Chris Shore

Smackdown on MyNetwork TV
Taped on 9/14/10 in Detroit, Mich.

[Q1] The opening video aired, followed by the pyro, and Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcomed us to Smackdown. They hyped that Kane will answer the Undertaker’s challenge to make their match a no holds barred match. They also hyped CM Punk vs. Christian…Christian was in the ring with a huge Band-Aid on his head and the Peep Show set. He started to introduce his guest, but someone cut him off in Spanish. It was Alberto del Rio’s ring announcer. He put Christian in his place—I guess—and then introduced Alberto who drove out in a two tone Bentley.

Christian punked del Rio’s vignettes and asked him if he was the great wrestler or a cheap fajita. Del Rio said all you needed to know about him was to look at what he did to Rey Mysterio. Christian listed a bunch of lame gimmicks and said del Rio was dodging the question. He said he had been around for a long time and had seen many guys who were a flash in the pan. He asked if that was del Rio, or if he was the most interesting man alive? He challenged del Rio to a match at Night of Champions.

Del Rio said no because if he did Christian would end up a peasant, and he didn’t want that because he liked Christian. He said he would think about it and flipped Christian’s chin. Christian promptly slapped him. Del Rio took off his scarf and jacket and then the video cu strangely. He stormed out of the ring and up the ramp. He turned around and acted like he was going to accept, but finally said no…The announce team hyped The Hart Dynasty vs. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre for next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: I may not know much about the business, but I know Alberto el Rio is going to be a star. He was fantastic here, as was the old hand Christian. I so wanted del Rio to say, “Stay thirsty my friends,” since they went there anyway. This match, when it happens, will be pretty awesome. And I haven’t seen the Harts in so long I forgot about those crappy belts. Yes, I know they were on Raw this past week but I missed it.

[Q2] The Harts made their entrance, followed by Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre in separate entrances…

1. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre defeated The Hart Dynasty (w/Natalya) in a non-title match at 11:17. Baby Bulldog and Drew started. The bumped around with some mat wrestling and then both got tags. Cody tried to toss Kidd to the floor, but Kidd skinned the cat as Cody tried for a baseball slide. The ref admonished Kidd in the ring for some reason, and Natty walked over and slapped Cody in the face. Cody went nuts…[C]

Back at 5:23, Drew had Smith in a headlock. Kidd got the blind tag and hit a drop toe hold into an elbow. Kidd, Drew and Cody all worked an overbooked chain of moves that left Cody beating on Kidd at ringside. Smith finally got the hot tag and went to work on Cody. He setup for the Sharpshooter, but Drew broke it up. Smith tossed Drew from the ring and picked up Cody for the Hart Attack. Kidd hit the ropes and Drew pulled him from the ring. Smith went for the powerslam, but Cody reversed into Cross Rhodes for the win…The announce team hyped Kane answering taker…

Shore’s Slant: Well, any guesses who will face the Harts at NOC? This match was OK. If they are giving Rhodes and McIntyre the title shot, then I appreciate them holding off on the action. If they aren’t, they should have let them go here. At any rate, it wasn’t a bad match, but not spectacular either.

[Q3][C] Kofi Kingston made his ring entrance and the announce team hyped his NOC Intercontinental Title match with Dolph Ziggler. Kofi cut a promo on Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero. He ran down the rules for their match at NOC and then said when Ziggler lost, Vickie would dump him. He called for the “Boom Squad” to “boom up” one time. Uh….OK. Jack Swagger’s music hit and he started his ring entrance…[C]

2. Kofi Kingston defeated Jack Swagger at 16:19. Swagger has a big Band-Aid on his head too. What have he and Christian been doing? Swagger went for the Ankle Lock early, but Kofi kicked away. Swagger went for it again and Kofi flipped him away and took control. Swagger rolled to the floor to regroup.

[Q4] Swagger climbed back in and tried for a slingshot attempt. Somebody botched it and Kofi ended up on the apron. He hit Swagger and went to the top. Swagger caught him and hit an over the shoulder slam…[C]

Back at 7:52, Swagger worked Kofi’s midsection with power moves and rest holds. Kofi came back and missed Trouble in Paradise. Swagger grabbed the ankle and locked in the hold. Kofi made the ropes and Swagger broke. Kofi rolled to the floor near the steps. Swagger tried his dropkick on the steps, but Kofi moved and tackled Swagger. They rolled back in the ring and Kofi jumped up in the corner for punches. Swagger walked out of the corner with Kofi. Kofi tried for a hurricanranna, but Swagger reversed into an Ankle Lock attempt. Kofi kicked away and finally hit Trouble in Paradise for the win…

[Q5] The announce team narrated a video that recapped Hornswoggle’s shock therapy last week, and then setup a backstage segment where Hornswoggle was being taught by a nun. She called him “Mr. Swoggle” and Teddy said to call him Horny. Oh nevermind, it was stupid from start to finish. Hornswoggle ended up biting the nun and chasing her off. She said he needed an exorcism…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Swagger and Kingston dragged for about ten minutes, but the last five or six were super-hot. Nice work from both men. And I absolutely refuse to cover any more Hornswoggle segments. I would rather watch all the camp on Raw before that crap. Wow.

As if my life couldn’t get any worse, Kelly Kelly and Rosa Mendes made their ring entrance. Kaval came out with the champs. The announce team hyped their match with Melina at NOC. Kelly and Rosa attacked LayCool before the match started…

3. Kelly Kelly (w/Naomi) and Rosa Mendes vs. LayCool (w/Kaval). Kelly beat up both women to start, but Rosa promptly lost control. Layla hit the Rude Awakening, er the Lay Out for the win. The announce team hyped Punk vs. Christian and Kane’s response…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Well, at least it’s over.

[Q6] A video hyped the WWE Championship and the six-pack challenge…Backstage, Team LayCool had Kaval draw a name from a hat to see who faced Melina. Kaval picked Michelle’s name. She jumped up and down and left. Kaval showed Layla that all the strips said Michelle. Layla said McCool would stand alone on Sunday…CM Punk made his entrance…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Very good video, very bad backstage segment.

Back from commercial, Alberto del Rio joined on commentary. Christian made his ring entrance…

[Q7] 4. CM Punk defeated Christian at 12:08. Striker let us know that the Band-Aid on Christian’s head was from Punk on the European tour. Christian had the early advantage and hit his choke/punch on the rope combo. Punk came back with a knee to the gut. He worked the forehead and the dropped Christian on the rope. He hit a dropkick that spilled Christian to the floor…[C]

Back at 7:32, Punk worked a body scissor. Grisham kept asking del Rio when he would face Christian, and del Rio kept telling Grisham he wasn’t worthy to talk to him. Christian came back and hit all of his offense. Punk drove Christian in the corner and hit the high knee. He tried for the bulldog, but Christian hit the reverse DDT. Del Rio grabbed a mic and said, “Wait. Christian, after reconsidering…” Punk scooped up Christian and hit GTS for the win.

Post-match, del Rio set a chair over Christian and sat down. He told Christian his answer was still no. Big Show’s music hit and he ran to the ring. Punk rolled out of the ring, as did Christian. Del Rio teased hitting Show with the chair. Punk attacked Show from behind and del Rio bolted. Show completely no sold and knocked Punk out…

Shore’s Slant: This match got good time, but it was rather sleepy until the end. They just didn’t tell a good story. Or maybe I didn’t get it. Whatever it was, I was a little disappointed with these two. Smackdown has done a pretty poor job of making their undercard for NOC look uninteresting. I guess they are trying to protect Undertaker and Kane, but that storyline doesn’t need protecting. It’s white hot.

[Q8][C] Kane made his ring entrance. He stayed in the red light and said the final chapter would be written about them. He said the ending would be different this time. He said it would end the way it began, with the Undertaker sprawled at Kane’s feet. He said he would not only leave as champion, but his 13 year plan would finally come to fruition. He said this time it ends on his terms.

He accepted the no holds barred stipulation and said once again Taker’s pride had gotten the better of him. He said Sunday, the Devil’s favorite demon would make sure Taker would, “Rest….in…..” Hell’s Bells sounded and Taker came out to a crazy pop. He started towards the ring and the lights went out. Kane appeared behind Taker and hit him with the belt. The crowd chanted Taker, but Kane beat him mercilessly at ringside.

Kane rolled Taker back in the ring and Taker sold the beating. He hit Snake Eyes and the big boot on Taker. He followed with a chokeslam, and then gave the Undertaker throat cut signal. He let Taker stand, and then hit the Tombstone. Kane dropped to one knee and did Taker’s winning pose while Kane’s music played…

Shore’s Slant: Fantastic way to end the show, except that Booking 101 says Taker goes over at NOC, and I don’t want this to end yet. Kane needs to win and let Taker chase him for a while as some sort of phantom menace. This was the only part of the show that actually pushed the PPV, but it was also the best part. I’ll have more to say tomorrow in the hitlist. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you then.

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at css3238@gmail.com with whatever is on your mind.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: