Smackdown on MyNetwork TV
Taped on 11/24/09 in Bridgeport, Conn.

[Q1]A video package highlighted Survivor Series…The opening video aired, followed by the pyro, and Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcomed us to Smackdown. They hyped the Batista/Kane number one contender's match for later….

Chris Jericho's music hit and he came to the ring. He cut his standard promo on TLC. He called DX juvenile delinquents. He said the fans see it as the beginning of DX's title reign, but he saw it as the day he would never have to worry about DX again. He put over the TLC match, pointing out that there have only been eight TLC matches in history. He said neither HBK or Triple H have been in a TLC match, where he had been in two and won one.

He put himself over as the best as the fans chanted, "You suck." Jericho said no, he was a winner, DX was losers. He pointed out they had never been tag champions. He said he demanded respect, but Teddy Long always smacks him in the face. He wanted to know how there could be a number one contender's match that he was not in. He demanded Long make it right.

Long's music hit and he came out. He said Jericho seemed to have it all figured out. Jericho said he did because he was the face of the show and Teddy should give him what he wants. Teddy said fine, he was going to give him what he wanted. Jericho gave him kudos for putting him in the number one contender's match. Teddy said no, Jericho would face Undertaker in a non title match. His music hit and Jericho complained in the ring…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Jericho will be the only person to hype the TLC match because Show is on Raw and DX will be to busy grabassing to do anything to sell it. I like that Jericho is still putting himself in the title picture so he can move in quickly once they drop the straps. The only thing keeping me from killing myself knowing how DX are going to ruin the tag belts again is knowing that it means Jericho will be in the world title hunt.

[Q2]Back from commercial, the announce team hyped the new main event…Cryme Tyme made their entrance sans Eve. The Harts were out next. Yay…

1. The Hart Dynasty defeated Cryme Tyme at 4:27. JTG and Kidd started. JTG started quick, but Smith distracted him and Kidd took over. Smith and Kidd worked in and out quickly. They hit several double team moves for near falls. Kidd was in and worked JTG in the corner. JTG hit a kick and a amasser.

Both men got tags and Shad worked his offense on Smith. He hit a club from the second rope and covered. Kidd broke the count and tossed JTG from the ring. Shad clotheslined Kidd over the top. Smith hit a back suplex for the win. Post match, the Harts celebrated in the ring…

Backstage, Morrison talked with Teddy Long. He said he wanted a one on one match against Miz, Sheamus, or McIntyre. Teddy started to give his idea when Vickie Guerrero interrupted. She said as consultant, she wanted to nominate Eric Escobar as Morrison's opponent. Escobar said his name and Teddy said it was getting lame. They argued and Teddy finally gave in. He said this was Escobar's only shot at the title. They made out and left. Morrison told Long "This will be fun"…Backstage, CM Punk was shown heading towards the ring with a brown paper bag…[C]

Shore’s Slant: The Harts and Cryme Tyme wrestled again. Yawn. Escobar gets a title shot? Really? I've done more to earn a title shot that him. It doesn't matter if he wins or not, just getting the title shot is ridiculous.

[Q3]Back from commercial, CM Punk made his ring entrance with some guy. A video recapped the gross beat down by Truth last week. Punk cut his standard promo. He introduced the man as Luke Gallows. He said it was the guy who was Festus, but that was a long time ago and a life he wanted to forget. He said he had worked with Gallows to get him clean from pain killers.

He held up the bag and said he was here to help again. He said a new drug comes out on December 1. He put it over as the most dangerous thing ever. He pulled out a Jeff Hardy DVD and trashed it. He put straight edge over Jeff's life and told the fans to just say no. He started to say something else, but Matt Hardy's music hit.

Matt made his entrance to Jeff's heat. Matt said Jeff was a free spirit and said Punk knew nothing about his brother. Punk said he knew if Jeff had found his inner straight edge, he would have a future. Matt said if Punk got his soap box, maybe he wouldn't be the former champion. The ref cleared the ring and rang the bell…

2. Matt Hardy defeated CM Punk (w/Luke Gallows) by disqualification at 4:33 . Hardy hit a kick and teased Twist of Fate. Punk escaped and backed into the ropes...[C]Back at 3:08, Matt worked strikes on Punk in the corner. Punk stood on the apron and hit a hangman on Matt's arm. He followed with an arm breaker for two. Hardy fought back and charged at Punk in the corner. Punk moved and Matt hit the post. Punk covered for two again.

Punk went to the top and jumped off. Hardy revrsed into a side effect for two. He hit several clotheslines and then a bulldog for two. Hardy hit a leg drop and teased Twist of Fate. Gallows (Festus) jumped up and hit hangman on Hardy to cause the DQ. Gallows got in the ring and hit a big boot and a slingshot hangman. He beat on Hardy and the held him so Punk could beat up on him. They finished with Gallows hitting a modified power bomb while lifting Matt by his face. Cool move…The announce team hyped the main event…

Shore’s Slant: Not much of a match. Matt had to look strong to make Gallows attack. I'm spelling his name that way because Striker called his finisher Gallows Pole…which has a lot of jokes built into it but I'll let it go for now. I have always liked Festus and I'm happy to see them do something with him. He looked like a tool in camo, but still. I'm not happy with Punk on the mid-card, but let's hope it's to get Gallows over and then he moves into the title hunt again.

[C][Q4]Back from commercial, the announce team hyped the Morrison/Escobar match…They setup a video that recapped McCool caling Mickie James fat last week. Backstage, Todd Grisham asked Mickie how she felt. She said it dodn't matter how she felt, she would be the Women's Champion and she would not leave Smackdown…The announce team hyped Kan vs. Batista for next…[C]

Back from commercial, a video recapped Kane interrupting Batista on Raw…Back ringside, Batista made his ring entrance. Kane followed…

3. Batista defeated Kane by countout at 14:26. They started with a 30 second stare off. Kane grabbed Batista by the throat. Batista kicked him and slid to the floor. Kane towered over him in the ring and Batista pulled his legs out and dragged Kane to the floor. They battled on the floor. Kane got the better and rolled Batista in the ring.

[Q5]The men traded strikes and corner beatings. Batista whipped Kane to the corner and hit a clothesline for two. The crowd popped cheers on the clothesline. All blowed up after the clothesline, Batista went to the headlock. Kane fought out, but Batista hit shoulder tackle for two. Batista kicked the knee and went for the Batista Bomb. Kane back tossed out and went for a powerbomb. Batista slipped out and clipped the knee. He worked the leg in the corner into the break…[C]

Back at 8:38, Batista had on a single leg crab. A video showed Batista using the post on Kane's leg during the break. Kane powered out, but Batista worked stomps. Kane made his feet and they traded blows. Kane started to get the better and hit a big boot on Batista for two. He went to the top for the clothesline. Batista moved and Kane sold the leg injury. Batista hit the spear for two.

He stood Kane and they battled. Kane hit the sidewalk slam for two. Kane went to the top again and hit the clothesline this time. He held his hand up for the chokeslam. When Batista saw it, he backed into the corner. Kane ran in and Batista lifted and dropped him on his face. Batista slammed Kane and called for his finisher. Kane slipped out and hit the leg like Batista did him and hit the chokeslam.

Batista broke the pin by putting his foot on the rope and rolled to the floor. Kane went after him and they fought. Kane whipped Batista into the timekeepers area. He went to get him and Batista hit the knee with a chair where the ref couldn't see. He rolled in the ring at eight and Kane couldn't make it back in time. Post match, Batista celebrated up the ramp as Kane was pissed in the ring…

[Q6]The announce team hyped the main event…[C]

Shore’s Slant: The first ten minutes of that match were like watching paint dry. It wasn't bad, it was boring. The last four were pretty good though. I don't want either of these men in the title hunt, so either ending would have displeased me. Maybe Batista is a one and done shot and Jericho takes his place after TLC. That would be OK.

Back from commercial, Vickie Guerrero introduced Escobar. Morrison made his ring entrance next…

4. John Morrison defeated Eric Escobar (w/Vickie Guerrero) to retain the Intercontinental Championship at 3:18. Morrison hit a quick drop kick and Escobar went to the floor. Morrison teased a plancha, and then hit a springboard back flip. He rolled Escobar in the ring and went to climb in. Vickie pulled him down and Escobar hit a baseball slide and took control.

Back in the ring. Escobar hit several strikes and a back suplex for two. He kicked Morrison and hot the rope, but Morrison hit a leg lariat. He hit the Chuck Kick and followed with Starship Pain for the quick win. Post match, Vickie went ape shit in the ring. She screamed at Escobar and slapped him. She said she was done with him and left the ring…The announce team hyped the main event…[C]

Shore’s Slant: They just buried Escobar with that lost. Long pointed out he didn't deserve a title match and he basically got squashed. I don't understand why they went this route. It really made Escobar look bush league. Vickie entertains me more than any other non-wrestlers, and half of the wrestlers. I am so happy to have her back.

[Q7]Back from commercial, Escobar chased down Vickie. She told him to get away from her, he disgusted her. He said he was going away and she disgusted him. He said when he touched her he had to wash his hands and when he kissed her he had to wash his mouth with disinfectant. He said they weren't worth it any more and then said they were done. He said something to her in Spanish and stormed off. Vickie looked all pissed…

Shore’s Slant: Welcome back to Vince's world Vickie.

The announce team setup the Raw Rebound that recapped Jesse Ventura's tournament and Sheamus's win and beat down of Cena…Back ringside, Batista made his ring entrance. He is sitting in on commentary for the main event…[C]

Back from commercial, Batista still wouldn't speak to the announce team. Chris Jericho made his ring entrance. Taker followed with his long ass entrance…

[Q8]5. The Undertaker defeated Chris Jericho by disqualification 11:55. Taker started out with big strikes. He wrapped the arm up and hit Old School. He whipped Jericho and went for a back body drop. Jericho kicked him and Taker no sold. Taker clotheslined Jericho out of the ring. Taker and Batista stared off into the break…[C]

Back at 4:43, Taker was working Jericho in the ring. He tried to toss him to the floor, but Jericho grabbed the ropes and laid on the apron. Taker hit his leg drop on the apron. Batista got up and they got in each other's face. Batista sat down and Taker got back in the ring. Batista looked pleased, and Jericho hit his springboard dropkick on Taker to spill him to the floor.

Jericho whipped Taker into the stairs and rolled him back in the ring. Jericho choked Taker on the ropes. He worked him in the corner and hit a dropkick from the second rope for two. Jericho slapped on a chinlock at 8:05. Taker fought out, but Jericho hit a dropkick for two and went back to a rest hold. Taker stood up and reversed the rest hold into a back suplex.

Both men stood and Taker went to work. He hit snake eyes, the big boot, and the leg drop for two. He went for the chokeslam and Jericho elbowed out. He tried for a tombstone, and Jericho slipped out to hit a bulldog. He followed with the Lionsault but sat still to catch his breath. Taker sat up and grabbed Jericho by the throat. He stood and hit the chokeslam. He lifted Jericho for the tombstone, and Batista ran in to cause the DQ.

Batista went for a chair, and Jericho hit the Codebreaker. Batista got in the ring and hit Taker several times with the chair. He finished with an unprotected chair shot to the head. Every time he hit him, the camera angle changed. Striker warned the audience to look away if necessary and then a video package recapped the chair beating, but the camera angle satyed the same. Batista stood over Taker to end the show…

Shore’s Slant: Dear God I cannot wait for this to be fore the title. Excellent match between two greats in the business. It took eight minutes of pretty steady wrestling before the first rest hold. Batista and Kane used their first rest hold one minute in after a 30 second stare-off. I hope Taker can carry Batista, again. I also hope Batista is done after TLC. And what the hell was up with the camera changes before the warning from Striker? Chair shots are PG-13? We will never see blood again. I'll have more tomorrow with the hitlist. Until then, thanks for reading.

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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