MVP & Finlay vs. Chris Benoit & Matt Hardy.
It's kind of strange that Hardy would tag up with someone
other than his brother Jeff as they're Raw's World tag team
champs, but since Matt has not officially been transferred
to Raw and can continue to cross over between shows, it's
not a problem. Early candidate for best match on the show,
IMPO. Hornswoggle appears briefly to offer encouragement
to Finlay, but doesn't leave his hiding place. Hmmm. Hardy
appeared to have tweaked a knee on a moonsault, and sold
it the rest of the way. Benoit hit the rolling Germans on
Finlay, but misfired on the Air Canada. MVP takes a tag
and goes to kick Benoit, who counters with a Dragon Screw
leg takedown, then a jackknife pin and that's that. Winners:
Chris Benoit & Matt Hardy.
Jillian Hall vs. Michelle McCool. Return
match from London two weeks ago. Funny thing is, they didn't
reference the previous meeting, which Hall won. Hall is
still trying to do the pop diva thing, but it's dying with
each passing week. Michael Cole brought up how Hall is a
fan of Britney Spears and how Hall cried when Brit had her
breakdown earlier this year. Sloppy, like the women's bouts
on Raw. Hall tried to cheat, but got caught by ref Mickey
Henson. Michelle gets the win back with a spinning side
backbreaker on the knee. Hall's current gimmick is not long
for this world. Winner: Michelle McCool.
Teddy Long is getting his shoulders massaged by Kristal.
We're introduced to the Daltons (Ray Gordy & Drew Hankinson,
aka Freakin' Deacon from the now-defunct Deep South Wrestling),
who are hankerin' for a match. The second coming of the
Godwinns will debut in the ring, apparently, next week.
Meanwhile, Kristal suggests that Vicki Guerrero be given
a look as a possible assistant. Hmmm. I smell a trap.
Ashley Massaro interview. Not much to say, except that Ashley
is hoping to return very soon and get a little receipt from
Jillian. Spoiler reporters complained about not hearing
the complete interview live in the arena. I'd say, for these
occasions, let them turn Cole & JBL's mics on for the
interviews so the fans can hear the questions.
Paul London (w/Brian Kendrick) vs. Domino (w/Deuce
& Cherry). I guess after this it'll be London
vs. Deuce next week. The story here was London looking to
prove he was ready for a tag title rematch. He went for
the moonsault off the apron again, just like in Milan 3
weeks ago, and Domino dodged again, but this time London
landed on his feet. Deuce made the mistake of butting in
where he didn't belong and for the 2nd week in a row, he
cost Domino the match. This time, London---with help from
Kendrick---used Deuce to hit the dropsault to finish off
Domino. Winner: Paul London.
David Taylor (w/William Regal) vs. Kane (w/Boogeyman
& Little Boogeyman). I guess they're figuring
on refilling the tag division and have Kane & Boogey
built up to challenge Deuce & Domino down the road.
Regal had stitches just above his upper lip after a house
show encounter--supposedly--with Boogeyman last weekend.
Kane kept him in check, and Boogey neutralized the Brass
Weasel with a clothesline on the floor. That allowed Kane
to hit the top rope clothesline on Taylor, setting up the
chokeslam. When Kane called up the pyro post-match, he scared
Little Boogey. Winner: Kane.
Undertaker vs. Batista (World title-steel cage).
After two epic battles on PPV last month, they had to go
some to complete the trilogy. Neither man was 100% coming
in, as Batista was still selling the hamstring, but now
they're chalking it up to Undertaker and not an attack by
Finlay. Where's the continuity cop when you need him? Fans
booed Batista when he punched Taker. Both men had near falls
throughout the match. Undertaker juiced, but Batista didn't.
Both men scaled the cage and made an effort to escape. Thanks
to some clever editing, it comes off just as it had been
intended, it seems. A dead heat, as both men landed at the
same time on the floor. Winner: None. Undertaker retains
as a result of a draw. Jump cut, and as the cage is being
raised, Mark Henry returns and attacks Undertaker, wiping
out the Deadman with 2 747 splashes. Henry is sent away,
but the night is not yet over for Undertaker.......
Undertaker vs. Edge (World title). Edge
has this manic-obsessive look in his eyes as he comes out,
his logo having replaced Mr. Kennedy's on the briefcase.
Ref Jim Corderas has no choice but to start the match. Edge
moves in for the cover, but Taker kicks out twice. Taker
can barely stand, but gets vertical long enough for Edge
to hit the spear and win the match. Winner & new World
Champion: Edge. The "ultimate opportunist" has
done it again, but perhaps, in hindsight, this shouldn't
have happened. Uncreative panicked before getting a full
injury report on Kennedy, and decided to have Edge win the
title. While it freshens things for Smackdown, since Edge
hasn't been there in 3 years as a regular, the ducks are
all in a row. Batista, Benoit, Hardy, and Kennedy, who now
will only be gone for a maximum of 2 months, putting him
on course to return in time for the Great American Bash
in July. |