|
We open immediately with our first match. ECW's Justin Roberts
is filling in for Tony Chimel this week, as Tony didn't
make the trip to Italy.
Batista vs. Finlay. An old rivalry renewed,
this time spinning out of last week's main event. We have
seen better from these two. No Hornswoggle this week, as
the leprechaun apparently was also left behind. I guess
the idea is to keep Finlay heel, since the leprechaun is
now a cult favorite with the fans. Batista got some new
pyro this week, as he didn't do the machine gun routine.
Anyway, the former champion had the former US champ on the
run, and knocked him to the outside before the break. We're
barely back from commercial before Mr. Kennedy comes down
to attack Batista as the latter is pummeling Finlay on the
floor. Ref Jim Corderas calls for the bell. Batista is beaten
down thanks to the use of the shillelagh. With Batista on
his knees, Kennedy hits a DDT, and Finlay hits the Celtic
Cross. Winner: Batista via DQ.
Jillian Hall comes out and gloats about putting Ashley Massaro
out of action last week. She decides to try to sing while
JBL puts over "Hotbread" as Jillian's "hit
single". Jillian does an a capella number mostly about
food that is just flat horrible. Michelle McCool comes out
and confronts Jillian. She tells her, in Italian and English,
just how bad Jillian is. A brief scuffle ensues, ending
with Michelle getting Jillian out of the ring. I expect
these two to have at it next week in London, which would
be Michelle's 1st match as a babyface in nearly 2 years.
Chris Benoit and the Hardys vs. Gregory Helms, Chavo
Guerrero, & Montel V. Porter. Easily the match
of the night. I find it amusing that Cole is going out of
his way to put over the chemistry between Helms & Guerrero
as a team, despite the fact that they have yet to win a
match together. The key issue was MVP wanted no part of
US champ Benoit after cheating to beat the Wolverine last
week. They ended up isolating Helms, who ate a Side Effect
and a Twist of Fate from Matt, then the Swanton from Jeff
before Benoit put him away with an Air Canada headbutt and
the Sharpshooter. MVP tried to save, but Benoit backdropped
him halfway to the Vatican. Helms taps out. Winners: Chris
Benoit & the Hardys.
Brian Kendrick & Paul London vs. Deuce &
Domino (w/Cherry)(WWE tag titles). Return match
from last week. Cole & JBL put over very strongly how
the challengers had to keep their cool to avoid a 2nd straight
DQ. It turned into a handicap match after London knocked
himself out attempting a moonsault onto the floor, but Domino
slid out of harm's way. Deuce, meanwhile, had control of
the action inside the ring. It wasn't until later in the
match that Kendrick finally realized that he was all alone
while doctors were attending to London on the floor. Deuce
hit a jumping side kick (not the Crack in the Mouth as spoiler
reports claimed, there's a difference) for the knockout
blow, ending London & Kendrick's 11 month run at the
top. Winners & new champions: Deuce & Domino.
William Regal & Dave Taylor vs. Kane (Handicap
match). The British team didn't even get an entrance,
but as JBL hinted in commentary, they're likely to get a
hero's welcome in London next week. Nothing they tried against
Big Red seemed to work. They got quite a few near falls,
but couldn't put the man-monster away. Finally, Regal &
Taylor had enough and fled, taking a countout loss. Winner:
Kane via countout.
Regal & Taylor are remonstrating with GM Teddy Long
after a break, looking to avoid meeting Kane again. Unfortunately,
Teddy's got other ideas, as he's booked them into a tag
match next week vs. Kane and......Boogeyman. I expected
it to be Regal/Taylor vs. the Brothers of Destruction tonight,
but that isn't happening, and based on the result of tonight's
main event, Undertaker will have a tag match of his own
next week. Meanwhile, as the British bruisers leave, Kristal
Marshall shows up after a heavy shopping spree. Teddy apparently
loaned her his credit cards, and she nearly maxed them out.
Uh-oh! Teddy & Kristal share a kiss. JBL is repulsed
by this. For the first time, a WWE GM is in love.
Undertaker vs. Mr. Kennedy (non-title).
"Mr. Money in the Bank" is not yet ready to cash
in his contract. Too early in the game, you see. Pretty
even match, as we've seen before with these two. Taker had
Kennedy set up for the chokeslam when Finlay showed up.
As soon as contact was made, ref Mickey Henson called for
the bell. However, Kennedy & Finlay left Undertaker
lying the same as they did with Batista earlier after a
DDT & Celtic Cross. This will set up a tag team rematch
next week, with Undertaker & Batista teaming vs. Finlay
& Kennedy. Winner: Undertaker via DQ.
|
