12/29/07 Baltimore MD - First Mariner Arena
By: rcr365, rajah.com reader
Sold out arena
I have been attending this same establishment seeing the wrestling since the early
70’s.
Starts at 7:30 sharp with the announcer introducing Assistant General Manager Teddy
Long to get the crowd revved up.
Long introduces the main events for the night which help stirs the crowd even more
Remeber this is a combo Smackdown & ECW houseshow
Match #1
Jimmy Wang Yang vs. Elijah Burke
Good opener, crowd loves Yang. Both men are able to get the crowd really involved.
Back and forth action with Yang winning with a cool moonsault that looks like his
shin cracks Burke Burke in the forehead. Good match. Surprised Wang won.
Winner: Jimmy Wang Yang
Match #2
Tommy Dreamer vs. Mark Henry
Quick squash match, not good at all with Henry winning with a bear...I mean gorilla
hug. Don't know why ref had the bell rung as soon as the hug was applied. This
did'nt help matters either.
Winner: Mark "the gorilla" Herny
Match #3
Victoria & ??? vs. Michelle McCool & Kelly
Although I have not been impressed with the womens division for a while this was a
good match. I am such a mark for Victoria, I think she is absolutly gorgeous! Now
I’m sure you can guess that I am 40 years of age, huh? Anyway fans liked the match,
not your usual silence during a diva match. Kelly was losing her tights throughout
the match, but did’nt seem to really care…crack kills. Can’t remember the finishing
move but the blondes win.
Winners: Michelle & Kelly
Match #4
Festus vs. John Morrison
Jesse and Festus come out to a good pop. Not surprised. These guys have “stars”
written all over them. Morrison comes out with Miz. Decent match. Morrison has great
form for a wrestler…kinda like watching a ballerina at times. Festus goes over
Morrison. Seems as if the WWE are running a program with the two tag teams, however
it would be best to have a storyline for this one. Festus over Morrison with his
“front slam”.
Winner: Festus
Match #5
C.M. Punk vs. Chavo Gorrearou (ECW Title match)
This should be a good one. Coming out it is obvious that Chavo is a verteran
because he immediately “plays” the crowd and gets them invoveld. The reason why
these to guys make a good program is because C.M. Punk is one of those rare
wrestlers that doesent have to say a word or play the crowd but gets huge reaction
(sorta like Chris Beniot did). Wrestlers like these make great faces, thats why
Finley will now make a great run as a face because there wrestling speaks for
itself. C.M. Punk is currently my favorite wrestler for that reason. The Baltimore
fans also love him (nothin like a greasey white-boy with tats to get fans engaged).
Good back and forth action with Punk scoring the victory after a Chavo misses on the
frog splash.
Winner: C.M. Punk
Intermission
Match #6
US Champ MVP vs. Chuck Polumbo
MVP enters with a large round of boos. Grabs the mic and dissess the Baltimore
Ravens by reminding us how much of a bunch of lossers they are. Anyway, Pulumbo
enters on the only prop of the night (his motorcycle). He has valet Michelle McCool
on the back and he burns much rubber and rides around the ring a couple of times.
MVP is not impressed. I have to say this Polumbo gimmick isn't working well with the
fans (I really miss Chuck & Billy). MVP is such a heel as he total plays the fans
like a true heel should. As a matter of fact the fans don’t realize that the WWE is
purposely making us hate MVP, so when they turn him face (and they will) he will be
bigger than John Cena. This is the fastest way to elevate a new wrestler that they
want to push. He (or she) has to be a heel first before we love them as a face. The
magic is all in “the turn”. Enough with the lecture…MVP takes Chuck out due to Jamie
Noble distracting him, as Noble is currently pursuing Chucks valet Michelle McCool.
After the match Chuck dissess Michelle and the fans. We can hardly hear his rant but
the crowd doesn’t care they boo anyway. Michelle gets off the bike and walk back to
the dressing room refusing to leave with him…the fans love it.
Winner: US Champ MVP
Match #7
Taker & Kane vs. The Great Kahli & Big Daddy V/w Matt Striker
V and Kahli come sperately. I'm a little angry becaue V’s breast are larger that my
wive’s. Anyhoo…Matt Stiker is with V…wonder if Stiker is playing the managers role
because he is hurt or Vince thinks V needs a little help. Taker and Kane come out to
the largest pop of the night. With the execption of Kahli the match is great. Fans
love every minute. The never noticed that all four men used the punch, punch, kick,
kick attempt a body slam but can’t get the big man up rutine. Taker does only one
signature move. Kane plays the mytar tonight while Taker makes the save. Match ends
with V knocked out of the ring and a double choke slam on Kahli. Taker and Kane
score the victory. Let me say that it is true that Kahli is far worse in person
than on television. Camera cut-aways and complimentary commentary really can hide a
wrestlers imperfections.
Winner: Brothers of Destuction
Match #8
Edge (champion) vs. Batista
Main event is a World Title match that will probably run at several house shows in
the near future. Batista versus Edge is good because it is easy to believe that Edge
could be afriad of the Animal. This is a Last Standing match so the WWE can get away
with Edge going over Batista until this program runs its course. Edge comes out
first and really stirs the crowd as he rips us several Batista signs and really
aggravates the crowd. Edge really plays that “slime ball” rutine well. Much credit
to Edge, because if you have followed his carreer up to this point, you can tell
that he has put his heart and soul into his work and its obvious he is a fan of his
own profession. Though I have to say that I called this one from the beginning, as I
knew that the Edgeheads (the Major Brothers) would rear the ugly…I mean pretty heads
to spoil Batista’s potential win, this match was a good one. Edge can make anyone
look good and really is a true professional. I absolutely love the Edgehead gimmick.
This is a great way to utilize up and coming wrestlers and give Edge a little needed
twist. This is sorta of the Team Angle rutine rehashed but it will really work with
Edge. Slime balls always make interesting leaders, because they need some one to use
and abuse for so we can hate them even more. The Major Brother’s were the perfect
candidates. Nevertheless, Edges wins when Batista cannot make the 10 count due the
Edgehead’s interference. Again good match and the WWE will get some life out of this
program until Edge’s next big fued
Winner and still champ Edge!