WWE Smackdown on The CW
Taped August 31 in St. Louis, Mo.

[Q1] The opened with a graphic and photo noting the death of Walter Kowalski... A Vickie Guerrero recapped her history with Undertaker... The opening montage aired... Jim Ross and Tazz hyped the Triple H vs. Great Khali lumberjack match main event and said the other Smackdown Championship Scramble will serve as the lumberjacks...

Triple H walked to the ring for a promo. Ross said Hunter has never faced tougher odds than he will on Sunday. Hunter said that despite the fact that the scramble match sounds like something you'd order at Denny's at three in the morning, it could be his toughest championship match to date.

Shelton Benjamin interrupted the promo and said the match is an equal challenge for everyone involved. He pointed out Hunter's smirk and then noted that he dropped Jeff Hardy, MVP, and Hunter himself last week. Ross narrated highlights of Shelton attacking all three men.

Hunter said Shelton is nothing more than an excellent cheap shot artist. "Since you're so good at dropping people, why don't you drop that microphone, come to this ring, and see how you do with me face to face," Hunter said. Nice line. Benjamin was about to take him up on the challenge when MVP interrupted him.

MVP said the "King of Bling" is better than the "King of Kings." He said he's better than everyone in the match. He said Shelton looks more like fool's gold than the Gold Standard. MVP walked up to Shelton and they bickered back and forth at ringside until Hunter interrupted.

Hunter pointed out that they've been in the company for quite some time. He said it's simple. It's the week before the pay-per-view. He comes to the ring and talks about defending the WWE Championship. "That's called a promo," he said. He said their job as challengers is to come out and talk a bunch of trash they can't back up. He said he responds by insulting them and their families, they charge the ring, he beats them up, and they're not seen for the rest of the night.

"None of this is ringing a bell to you guys, huh?" Hunter asked. "I swear I'm going to be champion for the next century." Plenty of laughs from the live crowd. Brian Kendrick entered the ring, but Hunter knocked him down. Ezekiel entered the ring and removed his vest. Kendrick kicked Hunter while he was distracted by Zeke. The heels mobbed Hunter, but Hardy ran out and was making the save until Zeke tripped him up on the top rope.

Hunter grabbed a chair and struck Zeke's back with it. Zeke no-sold the move and smiled. Kendrick reached in and grabbed Zeke and pleaded with him to back away. Zeke listened. Hunter and Jeff stood in the ring and glared at Kendrick and Zeke, who were backing up the entrance ramp...

Powell's POV: Very nice opening segment that got everyone involved. It was especially nice to see Kendrick and Zeke spotlighted like that. They're doing a good job of making Zeke seem like a badass.

[Q2] [C] R-Truth made his entrance through the crowd. He performed the "What's Up?" theme song. The live crowd didn't seem to know the words at first, but some picked up on it. This could be a fun entrance if the live crowds start getting behind it. Tazz joked that Ross loves hip hop. "Word," Ross responded...

1. R-Truth beat Bam Neely (w/Chavo Guerrero) in 2:15. Killings hollered, "What's Up?" early in the match and got a loud "What's Up?" response from the crowd. Neely mocked him moments later and the live crowd booed. Killings finished off Neely with the scissors kick for the win.

Powell's POV: Either this match wasn't included in the match listing sent by our correspondent or I simply missed it when I put together the preview for today's show, so this was a nice surprise.

At ringside, Ross and Tazz mentioned that Vickie Guerrero would not be on the show this week. They also hyped Jeff Hardy vs. Brian Kendrick, and MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin for later in the show... [C]

[Q3] After the break, Undertaker was already standing in the ring with a mic in hand. "They say the anticipation of death is far worse than the death itself," he said. Taker said he's going to take his hand and squeeze Vickie Guerrero's throat until the strength leaves her body. He said he's going to put her inside a coffin and then set it ablaze. "And that is when your lung will begin to fill with the stench of your own burning flesh," he said. He promised Vickie endless agony and an eternity in hell. The lights went out. When they came back on a couple seconds later, Taker was gone...

Powell's POV: Who says the anticipation of death is worse than death itself? Living people, that's who. How the hell would they know?

2. Shelton Benjamin pinned MVP in a non-title match in 3:45. Before the match, a brief Shelton promo aired on the big screen. In the end, Shelton hit Paydirt out of nowhere and scored the clean pin...

Powell's POV: Nothing memorable about this match, not that they were given much time. They're really going above and beyond to get Shelton over.

Backstage, Maryse had a smarmy conversation with Maria in which she talked about her clothes being made specifically for her in Paris...

Powell's POV: Is Maryse becoming the WWE version of TNA's Beautiful People? They can try, but she's not in their league on the mic or in terms of charisma.

[Q4] [C] 3. Maryse pinned Maria in 2:55. Back and forth action during the opening minute, but Maryse is getting the title shot on Sunday so she dominated down the stretch and finished off Maria with a DDT. Afterward, Michelle McCool walked out and stood face-to-face with Maryse on the stage... [C]

Powell's POV: The match wasn't pretty, but Maryse didn't seem so phony with her mannerisms this week. She came across like the unlikable bitch they want her to. Big improvement from the going through the motions looks she flashed last week.

Ring introductions for the Jeff Hardy vs. Brian Kendrick match took place, and the announcers recapped the show opening segment...

[Q5] 4. The Brian Kendrick (w/Ezekiel Jackson) defeated Jeff Hardy in 4:55. Ross spent some time trying to establish Zeke as the X factor that could help Kendrick win the title on Sunday. Kendrick got some offense in and bumped all over for Hardy. At one point, Hardy hit him with a reverse powerbomb-like move. Hardy was in control of the match when the action spilled to ringside and Zeke grabbed Hardy from behind and slammed him into the guardrail. Moments later, Kendrick hit The Kendrick for the win...

Powell's POV: Very nice job of building up Kendrick heading into Sunday's pay-per-view.

Backstage, Vickie Guerrero arrived at the building and yelled at a man who was waiting for her with a wheelchair. "I don't need it," she yelled... [C]

5. Super Crazy pinned Ryan Braddock in 1:20. Back and forth action until Crazy hit a quick moonsault and scored the pin.

Powell's POV: I'm always happy to see Crazy win a match because he's been underutilized in WWE for too long. However, I think Braddock has a good look and could be a player in WWE in the future, so I'm surprised they're treating him like a glorified jobber.

Afterward, Vladimir Kozlov walked to the ring. He confronted Crazy, said something to him over the mic, and then kicked him in the gut. "No more games," Kozlov said while standing on the second rope of one corner of the ring. "I demand better challenge."

Big Show's music played and he walked to the ring with a mic in hand. Show said he and Kozlov are in the same boat in that they both feel slighted and competitive. He challenged Kozlov to a match on the spot. Both men put down their mics and squared off for a fight.

[Q6] Vickie Guerrero walked out and demanded that they get out of her ring. They ignored her momentarily, but she eventually entered the ring and screamed at them to get out of her ring. Kozlov finally obliged and then Vickie turned her attention to Show, who was smiling at her.

Vickie threatened Show and warned him not to interfere with her show again. She suggested that he go home or face a fine and an indefinite suspension. "Oh, and Big Show, I guarantee you this not an oversight. He eventually left. She said she had an announcement and asked the crowd to be quiet. Mega heat. She said she will not be intimidated. "I will no longer live my life in fear of you," she said. Vickie said Undertaker will apologize to her at Unforgiven...

Powell's POV: Great mic work by Vickie. The live crowds absolutely hate her. This is the best she's been since she broke up with Edge. Very well done.

6. Brie Bella beat Victoria in 2:45. Same gimmick as last week. Victoria was in control of the match when Brie crawled under the ring. When she out from underneath the ring, she came back "invigorated" and rolled up Victoria for the win...

Josh Matthews interviewed Mr. Kennedy and Mickie James at the Republican National Convention... Ross hyped Triple H vs. Great Khali...

[Q7] [C] Highlights aired of the Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels feud...

Backstage, Eve interviewed Triple H. Jeff Hardy interrupted and said he would be a huge problem for Hunter on Sunday. "That's interesting, Jeff, you know a lot about problems don't you?" Hunter quipped. He pointed out that Jeff has two strikes against him. "What's that saying, Jeff? Three strikes and you're out of the game"... [C]

Powell's POV: No mention of Dr. Black. Perhaps that line was edited out. I'm not bothered by what Hunter said. It's tamer than the things MVP said to Hardy a few weeks ago, but I'm sure some people take this more seriously because it's coming from Hunter.

[Q8] A shot aired of Jeff Hardy and the other lumberjacks at ringside...

7. Triple H pinned Great Khali (w/Runjin Singh) in a lumberjack match in 9:55. Hardy, MVP, Shelton, Kendrick, and Ezekiel served as the lumberjacks. Hunter was tossed to ringside about a minute into the match. The heels at ringside laid the boots to him while Hardy stood and watched. [C] Khali continued to dominate with help from the heels at ringside. He hit a Khali Bomb for a nearfall.

Later, the heels were putting the boots to Hunter at ringside again when Hardy flipped over the top rope onto them. Hunter made a brief comeback, but was eventually locked in the Khali Vice. The announcers noted that everyone who has taken the move had fallen victim to it in the past. Hunter broke free. Moments later, he hit the Pedigree and scored the clean pin.

After the match, Hardy entered the ring and applauded Hunter, who patted him on the shoulder and thanked him. As Hunter was walking away, Hardy spun him around, kicked him in the gut, and hit the Twist of Fate. Hardy stood over Hunter to close the show...

Powell's POV: Good finish that established Hunter and Hardy won't be working as a bayface team against all the heels on Sunday. I'll have more to say in the Smackdown Hitlist, which will be available on the Dot Net Members' site just minutes after the show concludes. To gain instant access for only $5 per month, visit the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

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