Smackdown on The CW Network
Taped on July 22 in Philadelphia, Pa.

[Q1] A video aired recapping last weeks Edge and Vickie drama. It showed all three of Triple H’s gifts along with Vickie going nuts…

The opening video aired followed by pyro and Jim Ross and Mick Foley welcomed us to Smackdown. JR and Foley recapped what happened at the Bash when Vickie was speared by Edge…

MVP’s music was playing and JR sent us up to the VIP Lounge and MVP. MVP was in street clothes and said everyone was hatin’ on him and his clothes. He introduced his guest as the most controversial guest, he has ever had. He said his guests make both men and women scream like little girls. He introduced the four-time Intercontinental and seven-time Tag Team champion, Jeff Hardy. Hardy came out to a big pop. He climbed in the ring and took a mic.

MVP started by welcoming Hardy to the VIP lounge. He said that Hardy would be competing in a Biggest Blockbuster of the Summer Battle Royal against Umaga, Khali, Big Show, Mr. Kennedy, and MVP. MVP said he was the odds on favorite to win the match. Hardy said he hadn’t seen MVP win a match since he lost the United States title to Matt.

Shore’s Slant: Ouch, I think Jeff is right.

MVP plugged Hardy’s cover on WWE Magazine. He said Hardy was known for several things, including something mentioned in the magazine article. Jeff said he made a mistake, did his 60 day suspension, and hoped everyone appreciated his honesty. MVP talked about Hardy’s house burning down. Hardy said it was horrible. MVP said he looked guilty because his dog died. He said that Hardy was a detriment to himself, his family, and everyone around him. MVP continued to go off on Hardy, calling him garbage basically.

[Q2] Hardy said if anybody should know about second chances, it was MVP. He said he had heard enough and pushed MVP. MVP ran as Hardy took a shot at him. MVP walked off as Hardy stood in the ring while his music played…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Nice opening. I hope these two get to go one on one again soon. I am amazed that WWE allowed them to talk about the suspension. When did MVP get so ghetto? It seemed forced and not his natural self. The main event sounds fun, if they get the Khali out first.

Back from commercial and JR plugged Vickie’s response to Edge when she arrived later. This should be interesting. Shelton Benjamin came out and said that he was now the gold standard and the new WWE United States Champion.

1. Shelton Benjamin defeated Jimmy Wang Yang in 2:30 I’ll be honest, I went to the bathroom and came back just as Benjamin hit his new finisher, the Pay Dirt for the win…

Edge was shown back stage and Hawkins and Ryder came in. Edge told them how proud he was of them. He tried to talk to them about what happened. They told him that he didn’t owe them an explanation. They just wanted to say hey before their match. Edge waved as they walked away…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Edge looks concerned. Vickie can’t still be mad can she? I mean, she can’t be surprised. This is Edge. They call him the ultimate opportunist. He had an opportunity and took it. It’s not his fault. Wow. I may have to try that on my wife.

[Q3] Back from commercial and a video aired of Hawkins and Ryder winning the tag championships…

2. Festus w/Jesse defeated Curt Hawkins w/Zach Ryder in 2:15 Basic squash from Festus who hit the One Man Flapjack for the win. Post match, Ryder took out Jesse and he and Hawkins hit a double impaler DDT on Festus…

A video aired of WWE teaming with Jenny McCarthy for Generation Rescue….

A backstage shot aired of the parking lot, looking for Vickie. The announce team plugged the main event…[C]

Shore’s Slant: WWE and Vince McMahon have done some shitty things, but they always get a pass from me because of their charity and troop work. Where is the Jesse/Festus and Hawkins/Ryder thing going? Is there a point anymore?

Back from commercial and Edge was talking to Alicia Fox, the wedding planner. He said she should go because Vickie would be there any minute. Bam Neely shock up and listened to the rest of the conversation. Edge told Fox to trust him and they would talk about it later at the hotel…

Stevie Richards came to the ring very excited that he was home in Philly. Kozlov’s music hit and Stevie was done celebrating…

3. Vladimir Kozlov defeated Stevie Richards in 3:30 Kozlov was in control early. Richards hit s couple of kicks that Kozlov sold well. Then Richards hit a reverse bulldog that Kozlov stood and waited for. Bad timing. Richards even managed to hit a standing dropkick that Kozlov kind of oversold, but not bad.

[Q4] Richards managed to knock Kozlov out of the ring. That pissed off Vlad who jumped back in the ring and hit the head spear for the win. Post match Kozlov went to JR and said something that sounded like, “I wish I could talk at the water cooler at prowrestling.net.” JR said he wanted better opponents. Well, close enough…

The announce team plugged the battle royal next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Kozlov is coming along nicely. They should let him have a feud with a mid carder to see what happens. The Edge thing is going to get old quick if it continues. Fox was a great foil for him, but that part of the angle needs to die.

Back from commercial and the video that played at the opening played again…

4. The Great Khali defeated Umaga, Jeff Hardy, Big Show, Mr. Kennedy, and MVP in the Biggest Blockbuster of the Summer Battle Royal to become the number one contender for the WWE Championship at 10:26. [Q5] Yes, dear God, you read that right. MVP ran under the ropes to avoid Hardy to start as Umaga and Show paired off as did Kennedy and Khali. Hardy joined in with Kennedy and they got crushed by Khali. MVP made is attempt on Khali and got knocked out with the chop.

Big Show sidewalk slammed Umaga.

Shore’s Slant: W.O.W.

Show and Khali exchanged headbutts. Khali headbutted Show again who turned around and was knocked out by a superkick from Umaga and then Umaga knocked out Khali the same way.[C]

Back from commercial and there was carnage everywhere as Hardy hit a Whisper in the Wind on Umaga. The six paired off: Kennedy/Show, Umaga/Khali, and Hardy/MVP. MVP tried to eliminate Hardy but he fought it off and tried to eliminate MVP. Show took over on Khali as Hardy suddenly eliminated MVP at 6:42. Umaga and Show stared each other down and then started trading shots before Show eliminated Umaga by clothesline at 7:20.

Show beat down Kennedy and Hardy next and eliminated Kennedy at 8:05. Khali knocked out Show with the big chop. Khali setup for the Khali bomb but Show reversed it into a chokeslam. Umaga jumped back in the ring and hit the Samoan Spike on Show. Show staggard to his feet and Jeff Hardy jumped on him who caught him in a powerbomb set up but Hardy held the ropes and flipped Show out at 9:02. The crowd popped huge. Hardy hit the Swanton Bomb and drug Khali to his feet. Khali hit the big chop and chucked Hardy for the win.

[Q6] Poat match, Triple H came out and got in the ring. He chest bumped Khali and got right in his face. They stared each other down and Khali left as Hunter’s music played and he posed with the belt…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Khali? Khali?! Are you f’ing kidding me. Khali? Oh please God let this be a bad dream. Please, please, please.

Back from commercial and Michelle McCool came out with the ugly ass Diva’s belt flopping around her waist. A video aired of Natalya tapping at the Bash to McCool.

5. Michelle McCool defeated Maryse at 2:03. Maryse posed and begged a lot in the beginning. Maryse did manage to get McCool out of the ring and whipped her into the side of the ring. Back in the ring, Michelle rolled through a Maryse kick to lock on the heel lock for the submission…

A backstage shot showed again as JR plugged Vickie’s response to Edge tonight, assuming she shows…[C]

Shore’s Slant: That was the commercial make up match. Typical Diva’s match. That is the single ugliest belt I have ever seen.

[Q7] Back from commercial and the Raw Rebound aired. After the video, JR and Foley plugged the John Cena and Batista pending feud before confirming that Triple H will defend the WWE title at Summerslam against the Great Khali…

Shore’s Slant: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Backstage, Chavo was seen rolling Vickie into the arena. Bam Neely cam up and tried to talk to Chavo, obviously about what he saw. Vickie asked what was going on and Chavo said nothing and they should all go to the office as he shot Neely a dirty look…[C]

Back from commercial and the Maria teaser trailer aired and announced that Maria would debut next week…

Edge was shown backstage and Neely came up and told him Vickie was there. Edge said he needed to apologize in public. Neely said he would go tell her…

Brian Kendrick came out with Ezekiel. JR compared him to Brian Pillman.

Shore’s Slant: No pressure there Brian.

Kendrick cut a promo about how great he was and how Ezekiel was there to prevent anyone from touching greatness. He needs a little more work on the mic, but not bad.

6. Brian Kendrick w/Ezekiel defeated Shannon Moore at 1:56. Kendrick started out in control but Moore managed about 15 seconds of offense before being distracted by Ezekiel. Kendrick hit his finisher, called The Kendrick, for the win…

Backstage, Neely came into the office where Vickie and Chavo were. He said Edge wanted her to come to the ring. He said Edge was going to apologize. Then he said Vickie had to apologize. Then he said which ever it was, it needed to be public…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Neely hasn’t spilled about Fox yet, I wonder why. I guess I will know in a minute. Comparing Kendrick to Pillman is a mighty big stretch there JR. Especially since Kendrick is now going for more of a CM Punk style fighter. I like his new look, but let’s give him a few months before comparing him to stars so bright they burn out early.

[Q8] Back from commercial and Ben Stiller plugged Generation Rescue and it’s partnership with Jenny McCarthy and WWE. WWE plugged the Saturday’s Night Main Event with McCarthy…

Edge made his way to the ring to a chorus of boos. He stood in the center of the ring and said he wanted to apologize publicly to his wife Victoria.

Shore’s Slant: What? Oh, Vickie/Victoria, I get it.

He asked Vickie to come out so he could apologize. He waited for about 15-20 seconds and then she came out to monster boos. She was accompanied by Chavo and Neely who helped her into the ring. Foley sold how sore she must be after being speared. Chavo and Neely got Vickie in the ring, back in her wheelchair, and then left while staring down Edge. Edge got on one knee and the crowd popped with boos.

Edge said what he did was horrible. He said he knew that and understood it. He asked her to hear him out. He said what the video didn’t show was how many times he tried to say no. He said Fox was very aggressive and wouldn’t stop when he said no. He said, “No means no.”

Shore’s Slant: Oh please kill me.

He said the reason he didn’t just leave was because he wanted to make sure nothing went wrong with the wedding. He said he did that because nothing means more to him than her happiness and her love. He said he can’t live without her love.

Shore’s Slant: I’m not making this up, you can’t make this stuff up. Oh wait, I guess they did.

Vickie called him baby and said she understood. Edge smiled and they hugged and the place popped huge with boos. Edge tried to kiss her and she turned her head. She said he needed to know that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and she did something while she was mad that he may not like.

Edge asked what it was and she said she reinstated the Undertaker. The crowd popped as big as the last, but this time with cheers. Edge looked upset at first and then, after thinking about it for a while, said that he understood that it was good business. He said they could go on their honeymoon ad Taker and Triple H could go at each other and when they got back, he could pick the bones and get his title back.

Vickie said that sounded great except that she already booked a match at Summerslam for the Undertaker. She said he was facing Edge. Edge said she couldn’t be serious. Vickie said she was serious and it would be a Hell in a Cell match. Edge dropped the mic and sat dumbfounded in the ring as Vickie laughed demonically as the show went off…

Shore’s Slant: I was sick of Taker/Edge. But I have to say, a Hell in a Cell match would be fun to watch. Overall the show was pretty boring. The MVP segment was good and the battle royale had its moments, but mostly I was unimpressed. Hardy/MVP is brewing as is Show/Umaga, both of which I would love to see so a good night for the future, but not the present. Be sure to check back as next week, we attempt to go live. Until then, check out the water cooler.

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at cshore10@triad.rr.com with whatever is on your mind and check out my blog The Triangle Theory. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next week.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: