WWE Smackdown house show
Reading, Pa.
Report by Dot Net reader Erik Beaston

The show started precisely at five. Really, really disappointing attendance. MAYBE 1,500 people. Probably the reason WWE only comes back to Reading once a year, if that. Anyway, onto the results.
 
1. Kofi Kingston defeated Dolph Ziggler in a non-title match. Same deal as the MSG show, with Ziggler refusing to defend the Intercontinental Championship in front of such a undeserving crowd. Very good match, maybe the best of the night, sees Kofi go over following Trouble in Paradise. Big heat on Dolph.
 
2. Alberto Del Rio defeated "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters by submission. Big heat for Del Rio. He said he wrestled at MSG one night and was reduced to Reading, which was crap. Masters continues to impress, improving drastically from his 2005-2006 self. Del Rio took the match with the cross armbar.
 
3. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre defeated Mark Henry and MVP.
 Rhodes and McIntyre picked up the win when McIntyre pinned MVP following the Future Shock. Not a bad match and it almost makes me want to see Henry end up on Smackdown, if only to team with MVP to start up a program with the champions. MVP and Henry don't seem to be a point of emphasis with the writing team anyway.
 
4. Jack Swagger defeated Chavo Guerrero by submission. Chavo played the face, which was a little different considering he's still booked as a heel on Smackdown. Spotty match at best. Timing was a little off but that can be expected when two guys don't normally work together. Swagger finished with the ankle lock.
 
5. Michelle McCool and Layla defeated Melina and Kelly Kelly. I have to preface this by saying I'm at least 96 percent sure that was the result. A decent Divas tag match was completely ruined by Hornswoggle getting involved in the finish. With so many people cheering and jumping around, trying to get a look at him, it was kind of distracting. Anyway, after the match, Hornswoggle, Kelly, and Melina disposed of Lay-Cool and celebrated.
 
6. The Big Show defeated CM Punk. After a brief intermission, CM Punk made his entrance to a ton of heat. He said he didn't want to say that, after being in New York and MSG, Reading was bad...but he knows some place better. He grabbed Tony Chimmel around the neck and sang 'Chicago', only to be interrupted by Big Show. After Show's entrance, Punk slid out of the ring and finished his song. A very comedy-based match that sees Show finishes Punk following the knockout punch. Punk repeatedly faked passing out on his way to the back, drawing a laugh from moms and kids.
 
7. Nexus (Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater w/Michael Tarver) defeated The Hart Dynasty. Pretty big pop for the Hart Dynasty. Fast paced, never boring tag match saw DH Smith attempt the running powerslam to Gabriel. Tarver jumped on the apron, pulled Gabriel away from Smith, distracting him and allowing Gabriel to roll him up for the win.
 
8. The Undertaker defeated World Heavyweight Champion Kane by DQ. Have to start by saying I've been going to live events for twenty-plus years and seeing 'The Dead Man' in person NEVER gets old. When Michael Cole, Todd Grisham, or Matt Striker says you have to see 'Taker's entrance in person, they're not lying. Biggest pop of the night for Undertaker.

Kane entered to a decidedly mixed reaction. Considering they threw out the 'No DQ' stip that was advertised, a straight wrestling match between the two is never going to be the best on the show. It wasn't bad but it wasn't excellent, either. Kane got himself disqualified with a low blow. Taker delivered a chokeslam and attempted a tombstone but Kane bailed. Taker celebrated to end the show.
 
Notes: Overall, the show was a very brisk, enjoyable one. Kofi-Dolph, the Hart Dynasty-Nexus, and MVP/Henry-Rhodes/McIntyre were the best matches on the card but again, Undertaker being on a house show card and seeing him in person for the first time in almost three years was well-worth the price of admission. All together, a solid thumbs up.
 
Biggest Pops:
1. The Undertaker
2. The Big Show
3. Kofi Kingston
4. Kelly Kelly/Melina
 
Biggest Jeers:
1. Nexus
2. CM Punk
3. Dolph Ziggler
4. Alberto Del Rio

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