WWE Smackdown/ECW house show
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Report by Dot Net reader Shane Pollock

The arena is about 3/4 sold out. Lots of kids, lots of Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio merchandise even before we get in. Crowd was hot most of the night, plenty of "Whooo" chants before the event. New female ring announcer, missed the name.

1. Evan Bourne beat Tyson Kidd. Bourne gets a nice pop. Kidd comes out without Natalya to a little heat. Good back and forth match, pleanty of action. Kidd dominated most of the match but Bourne rallied and hit the Shooting Star Press for the victory. That is an incredible move live.

2. Vladimir Kozlov defeated Finlay. Kozlov out first, he speaks some russian to try and garner heat. Kozlov is a lot larger than I thought he would be. Finlay out next to a good pop. Kozlov dominates most of the match. Finlay his Kozlov with the shelaleigh while the ref is turned around, knocking Kozlov out of the ring. Finlay rolls Kozlov back in but the big man has recovered and get the pin after a battering ram.

Maria is announced as special guest announcer. Her mic didn't work but she took a family from the nosebleed seats to ringside.

3. John Morrison beat Shelton Benjamin. The "Gold Standard" is out first, he stops the introductions to flirt with the new announcer. Morrison comes out to a decent pop. Some people sitting near me were confused as to when Morrison became a good guy. Decent match but nothing to special either. Morrison gets the win.

4. Gail Kim and Eve over Natalya and Layla. The crowd is dead for this match. It's sad that Vince has decided to focus on a heavy woman's devision with to little talent over wrestlers that don't fit his idea of what sells. Gail Kim gets the pin for her team.

5. C.M. Punk beat Umaga by DQ. Huge pop for Punk. Umaga took a long time coming out. Umaga in control most of the match though Punk does get some nice moves in. Punk gets the victory by DQ after Umaga uses the "Money in the Bank" briefcase.

6. Christian fought Jack Swagger to a no-contest in an ECW Title match. Christian is over big and gains control early. The match had just gotten to a rhythm when Mark Henry runs in and starts working over Christian. Tommy Dreamer makes the save and they run the heels off. Christian gets on the mic and says if the ref agrees we will have a tag match.

7. Christian and Tommy Dreamer defeated Jack Swagger and Mark Henry. Lots of ECW chants through out the match. Christian and Dreamer get the win.

Intermission

8. Rey Mysterio beat Chris Jericho to retain the Intercontinental Title. I like seeing this feud. Having Jericho fight for the Intercontinental belt elevates the title and makes it again feel like the belt holder should be treated as the number two guy. Jericho cuts a great promo and gets a lot of heat. Rey comes out to a huge pop. Lots of 619 chants. Jericho promises to take Rey's title and his mask. Good back and forth action. Jerich goes to work on Rey's mask. Rey falls to the outside covering his face.

A fan (plant?) at ringside throws Rey a black Lucha style mask that Rey puts on and comes back into the ring. Jericho catches Rey on the top turnbuckle and rips off the new mask but Rey had his original mask tucked into his waistband and quickly puts it back on. Jericho goes outside for a chair. The ref takes it away and Jericho is on his knees yelling at the ref. Just the right position for the 619 and the win for Rey.

9. Edge defeated Jeff Hardy to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. Edge is out first to a ton of heat. Hardy comes out to a huge pop. Edge bales out of the ring several times in the early going. High spots with Hardy flying over the top to Edge on the floor. Kids sitting near me are very into Hardy and are mocking Edge. Edge gets the win with a spear. Post match Hardy tosses his arm bands to the crowd and shows a lot of class and respect.

Biggest Pops:
Jeff Hardy
Rey Mysterio

Biggest Heat:
Chris Jericho
Edge
Kozlov

Over all, I thought it was a decent show. 3 out of 4 stars.

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