Smackdown on MyNetwork TV
Taped on 7/15/09 in Richmond, Va.

[Q1]The opening video was a recap of last week’s main event…The title video played, followed by the pyro, and Jim Ross and Todd Grisham welcomed us to Smackdown. They hyped the Punk/Mysterio main event…Jeff Hardy’s music hit and he came to the ring. Dear God is he over with the VA crowd.

Hardy cut the promo of his life on Punk. He recapped what Punk said last week and said Punk would be even more upset after he won the World title. He said he was sick of the straight edge message. He said the preaching would end this Sunday when he beat Punk. He said as far as Jericho, it was time to break his walls down. Jericho made his ring entrance…

1. Jeff Hardy defeated Chris Jericho at 15:11. Hardy started with a takedown and both men spilled to the floor. Hardy tossed Jericho to the steps and the retaining wall. Back in the ring, Hardy continued the beating. He hit a flying head scissors to send Jericho back to the floor. Jeff tried for a mule kick through the bottom ropes, but Jericho grabbed his feet and slung Jeff to the floor. Both men recovered into the break…[C]

Back at 4:56, Jericho hit a neckbreaker and locked in a sleeper type move on the ground. Hardy fought out and ducked a clothesline. He hit a cross body for two. Jericho hit a drop kick on a jumping Hardy to retake control.

[Q2]Jericho knocked Hardy to the ground and played to the crowd. Hardy fought back and whipped Jericho to the corner. Hardy missed the splash in the corner and Jericho attacked. He hit a slingshot hangman for two and locked in his modified sleeper again. Hardy got a whip and hit a swinging neckbreaker. He hit his leg drop to the “mid-section,” followed by a sitting drop kick for two. Hardy hit a front suplex, and went to the top.

Hardy missed the Swanton. Jericho hit the Lionsault for two. Jericho teased Walls, but Hardy powered out. Jericho tried again, but Hardy countered with a small package for two. Hardy went for the mule kick, but Jericho blocked and finally locked in Walls of Jericho. Hardy made the ropes. Jericho grabbed the legs again and did a slingshot into the corner, but Hardy jumped to the top and hit Whisper in the Wind for two. Hardy tried for Twist of Fate, but Jericho reversed into a Codebreaker.

Hardy rolled to the floor after the move. Jericho looked around frantically. He went to the floor and rolled a lifeless Hardy into the ring for two. Jericho argued with the ref. Jericho stomped on Hardy and then whipped him to the rope. Hardy grabbed Jericho and did Twist of Fate. He took a month climbing the rope and Jericho knocked him down. Jericho tried for a superplex, but Hardy knocked him off and hit the Swanton for the win. Post match, Hardy celebrated up the ramp. A video recapped the last minute of the match…

Backstage, Michelle McCool was getting makeup put on and was putting herself over to the makeup lady. Melina came up and congratulated McCool for being the biggest poser in history. She told McCool she had used her rematch clause and they would fight at NOC. Melina poured makeup on McCool and she walked away mad…The announce team hyped the main event…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Wow. I don’t believe that was on free TV. I almost feel like sending Vince a check. Almost. If that match didn’t get you all worked up, count yourself amongst the non-wrestling crowd. Two of the best in the business getting it done folks.

[Q3]A John Morrison video played…

Shore’s Slant: A genuine stud folks. If you didn’t see that match between Morrison and Kane last night, at the end of this show, go to Hulu. A backflip? Just amazing.

Khali and Mini-Me made their entrance. Knox was out next. This is so sad…

2. The Great Khali w/Ranjin Singh defeated Mike Knox at 2:13. Khali basically no sold Knox’s first strikes. Khali brutalized Knox. Kane’s music hit 45 second in. Knox attacked from behind and got Khali to his knees. That was far enough. Khali no sold again and continued to destroy Knox. He hit the Punjabi Plunge for the win. Khali called Kane in. Kane put one leg over the ropes and then backed up the ramp…The announce team hyped the Punk Challenege that was coming later…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Did I just see Mike Knox squashed? Is that what that was? Cause that’s what it looked like. Way to remind us nobody is perfect after opening with the Jericho/Hardy gem. It’s almost unbelievable we get both these things in the same show.

Back from commercial, oh boy! It’s Word Up Tyme. Today’s word is G-O-A-T, pronounced goat. Short for Greatest Of All Time. CT hyped the new tag team DVD. The Harts walked up and they started to argue with CT. Jeezy rolled up and punked dem Northern beyotches…ehem…sorry. Natalya said they would see CT and Eve in the ring. She called Jesse a freak and walked off. CT didn’t beat up Jesse this time, but made him stay when they left…

Ziggler made his ring entrance with Maria. He said we all knew his name now. But after Sunday, we would know him as Dolph Ziggler, Intercontinental Champion. He showed Maria to a seat near the announcer’s table as the show went to break…

[Q4][C]

Back from commercial, Finlay made his ring entrance…

3. Dolph Ziggler defeated Finlay at 4:22. Collar and elbow tie up and Finlay broke clean. Finlay hit a takedown on Ziggler but Ziggler grabbed the ropes. Ziggler whipped Finlay, but lost the shoulder tackle challenege. Finlay whipped him to the corner, but missed the spear into the post. Ziggler went to work on the arm. Finlay slapped Ziggler and Ziggler locked in an arm bar.

Finlay punched out, but Ziggler hit a drop kick for one. Ziggler tried to work the arm on the rope, but Finlay fought out and hit several clotheslines. He dropped a cannonball for two. Finlay worked Ziggler in the corner and lifted him for the Celtic Cross. Ziggler grabbed the ropes so Finlay spilled him to the apron. Ziggler dropped down and tried to pull Finlay from the ring, but Finlay kicked him into the announce table.

Finlay went to the floor and beat on Ziggler. He stopped for a moment and Maria ran over to check on Ziggler. Finlay turned his back and Ziggler hit the Zig-Zag (his finisher) on the floor. Ziggler slipped back in the ring at eight and the ref counted to ten. Post match Maria checked on Ziggler and they celebrated up the ramp…The announce team hyped Punk’s challenge again…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Eh, not bad. Not good, but not a bad match. Lame ending but it looks like they are trying to establish a Maria turn. Ziggler his another stud. I can’t wait till he and Morrison are established enough to feud with each other. For now, I hope Ziggler is right. I hope he is the new champ come Monday.

Back from commercial, CM Punk made his way to the ring. He was getting a steady round of boos. He challenged the WWE Universe to see things his way and to just say no. He said the people that cheered Hardy were slaves to the devices Hardy called, “living in the moment.” Punk said he felt sorry for them. He said he was the only person in the arena that hadn’t abused a prescription drug or used a recreational drug. Punk said it was hard to be straight edge like him.

[Q5]He said he wanted them to see how hard their lifestyle is on them. He asked if they knew what alcohol did to the liver. The fans cheered and Punk called them sad. He took a shot at smokers. For those that don’t know, Phillip Morris, makers of Marlboro, (and Dot Net Member GTS) is based in Richmond. Punk continued to talk sadly about the WWE Universe. He said he hoped they could learn to control their vices and themselves.

Jeff Hardy’s music hit and the crowd went bat-shit crazy. Hardy came to the ring and said Punk had forgotten what it was like to be human. He said people make mistakes and they change. Punk cut him off and said “people say they can change.” He said he wasn’t going to enable Jeff. He said he didn’t even want to be in the same ring with him. He said he was going to do what Jeff Should have done a long time ago, “Just…say…no.” Punk left the ring and walked up the ramp without looking back…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Nice work here by both men. This match is super hot and will steal the show at NOC. How did Jeff get good on the mic like overnight? He sucked forever and then bam, three or four weeks ago he’s great. That guy needs a raise.

Back from commercial, a video recapped the Harts’ victory over Cryme Tyme and Eve last week…Cryme Tyme’s music hit and they escorted Eve to the ring. The Harts were out next…

4. Eve Torres with Cryme Tyme defeated Natalya with The Hart Dynasty at 2:57. Natalya pulled Eve’s hair to break the first collar and elbow. Eve locked in a headlock after a hip toss. Natalya pushed her off into the corner. Eve came off the top, but Natalya caught her and hit a slam for one. Natalya locked in a surfboard and broke when the ref counted one on her. Eve exploded into offense, but Natalya hit her spinning lariat.

[Q6]Eve grabbed the ropes and Natalya stomped on her. Natalya set Eve on the top turnbuckle and climbed up. Eve hit an elbow and Natalya fell to the ground. Eve hit a moonsault for the win. Post match, Eve and CT celebrated in the ring…

Backstage, Khali and Mini-Me discussed something. Jericho walked up and said Khali was a front runner for his partner. Khali said like three syllables and Mini-Me translated it into a dissertation on Khali not wanting to be Jericho’s partner. Khali smiled and said something and they walked away…The announce team hyped R-Truth in action next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Ugh, why is Natalya jobbing to this piece of tail? Look, Eve is pretty and all that, but does anyone believe she could take Natty in a real fight? The match was OK, but just stupid in my opinion.

Back from commercial, the announce team hyped the main event…R-Truth made his lame ass entrance. He asked Richmond (and Dot Net member Hank) “What’s up?” Oh snap! Haas didn’t even get introduced…

5. R-Truth defeated Charlie Haas at 4:37. Truth worked fast offense to start. He twisted his knee while doing a cartwheel and Haas took control. He drug him to the corner and wrapped it around the post. Truth kicked away from another attempt, but Haas got in the ring and kicked the back of the leg. Haas worked strikes and holds to the leg. Haas tried for step over, but Truth kicked him to the corner.

Truth tried to battle back and hit several strikes and then a back drop. He hit a big arm drag for two. He sold the leg injury and Haas hit a drop toe hold, sending Truth face first to the second turnbuckle. He stood Truth in the corner and charged in. Truth moved and Haas hit the corner face on. Truth hit the scissor kick for the win. Truth celebrated in the ring post match…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Poor Haas, not even graphic for his name. I officially hate Truth’s character. I think he should be repackaged as the badass the vignettes sold us before he debuted. This gimmick sucks.

[Q7][C]

Back from commercial, the Did You Know started, “More males (2-65)…” Two to sixty-five? Are you serious? The announce team was in the ring and ran down the NOC card. Punk’s music hit before they could finish and he came to the ring…[C]

Back from commercial, the announce team hyped Shaq hosting Raw next week…Rey Mysterio made his ring entrance. Rey was wearing a new mask cover that was designed by a kid. Rey gave it to the kid who was sitting ringside. Awwwww…

6. Rey Mysterio defeated CM Punk by Disqualification at 14:40. Punk started with an arm bar, but Rey jumped up and hit a snapmare. They locked up again and Punk locked in a leg bar. Rey reversed, and Punk reversed into a front face lock. This led to a lot of quick reversals and one counts. They stopped and stared off. They pushed each other and Punk sent Rey into the post through the second rope.

[Q8]Punk locked in a head lock. Rey escaped and whipped Punk, but Punk kicked him and grabbed Rey’s hand for a wrist lock. Rey ran to the corner and up the buckles, but Punk pulled him down and wrapped the arm on the top rope. Rey tried to get back in the ring, but Punk hit a baseball slide. Mysterio recovered into the break…[C]

Back at 7:23, Punk had an arm bar locked in. Rey kicked his way out and jumped onto Punk. Punk caught him and slammed him into the corner for two. Punk hit a low kick and a leg drop for two. He rolled Rey on his stomach and put on a hammer lock. Rey fought out, but Punk hit a tile-a-whirl backbreaker for two. Punk went back to the arm bar.

Punk locked in a cool submission hold. It was the setup for the widow’s peak without the drop. He just held him. Rey escaped and hit a drop toe hold to send Punk into the corner. The fans booed and Ziggler was shown heading to the ring. Punk and Mysterio traded kicks and Rey hit a springboard cross body for two. He hit a flying elbow for two. Ziggler simply watched from ringside. Rey hit a flying leg scissors for a 619 setup. Punk tossed Rey over the top, but he landed on the apron and hit the West Coast Pop.

Ziggler jumped up on the apron and Rey floored him. Punk hit a jumping heel kick and retook control. He hit the knee in the corner, but Rey pushed off the bulldog attempt for a 619 setup. Punk hit a low headbut on Rey and tossed him to the floor. Rey rolled through and launched back into the ring. Punk caught him in a GTS setup. Rey escaped with a bulldog. He hit the 619 and the springboard splash. Ziggler broke up the count to cause the DQ.

Post match, Rey dropped Ziggler in a 619 setup. Punk hit Rey as he ran towards Ziggler. Ziggler hit the Zig Zag twice on Mysterio. Punk took his belt and backed up the ramp shrugging his shoulders at the Ziggler assault. Hardy ran out of the back and pushed past Punk. He slid in the ring and knocked Ziggler to the floor. Punk snatched his shirt off and Punk grabbed him from behind. Punk hit the GTS and walked back up the ramp. He held his belt up to end the show…

Shore’s Slant: Not as good as Hardy/Jericho, but still a pretty good match. This one felt more like a TV match with a ton of rest holds, but it was still entertaining. And that match alone was better than all of Raw combined, so there’s that. I am excited about the World title and IC matches at NOC. I’m also interested in Jericho’s partner. All Raw has to offer is that Six-Pack challenge, which will probably be a train wreck. Jason will have live coverage for NOC for those of you not willing to pay for the 47586 PPV in the last 72 hours. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next week!

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

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