July 30th, 2005
Bangor Maine
WWE SmackDown Live
By: The Lone Wolf, rajah.com reader
The show opens with Tony Chimmel announcing the National Anthem, then bringing out Teddy Long. Long thanks us, and informs us the US title match is a Fatal Four-Way, and since Eddie broke the rules of silence, Rey got to choose the rules of their match. So, it became a Falls-Count-Anywhere Street Fight.
Nunzio and Vito DeGrassio vs. Psichosis and Super Crazy
Fairly solid match, ended when Super Crazy hit a Lionsault on Nunzio.
WINNERS: Psichosis and Super Crazy
William Regal vs. Bobby Lashley
Lashley's pretty cut, but only as tall as Regal. Finish came when Scotty 2 Hotty came out, distracted Regal, and Lashley rolled up Regal for the 1-2-3
WINNER: Bobby Lashley
Post-match, Scotty ran in the ring, got the better of William Regal, and hit The Worm to the delight of the hometown crowd.
Stevie Richards vs. The Boogeyman
Wow. Boogeyman was really generic. He tried to do a jumping taunt and did something to his knee. When he got up, he was obviously limping. However, he did finish the match with a Chokeslam.
WINNER: The Boogeyman
Cruiserweight Championship
Paul London vs. Juvi
London came alone, and Juvi came with both Mexicools. Fantastic match, but precise details are somewhat hazy. Finish was London going for the 450 Splash and Super Crazy shoving him off, causing the DQ.
WINNER: Paul London
Post-match, the Mexicools beat down Paul London before leaving.
WWE Tag Team Championship
Road Warrior Animal and Heidenreich vs. MNM
I loved how the sound guy kept messing with the crowd. The entire floor section stood up when the match was announced, only to sit down when MNM came out first. HUGE pop for LOD 2005. Somewhat basic match, nothing too special. AT the end of the match, Melina tried to stop the Doomsday Device when Torrie Wilson came out and clotheslined her while Animal held her in an Atomic Drop position. MNM attempted to double-team Animal, but Animal hit them both with a clothesline, took Nitro up on his shoulders, Heidenreich off the top with the Doomsday Device for the win.
WINNERS: Road Warrior Animal and Heidenreich.
Fatal Four-Way US Title Match
Orlando Jordan vs. Booker T vs. Christian vs. Chris Benoit
Benoit was the most over out of the four, with Christian getting a mostly-heel reaction. Beginning was unusual considering the match type. Benoit and Booker were paired off talking, and the same with Christian and OJ. Finally, the faces jumped the heels, and it became one-on-one in and out of the ring most of the time. Finish came when Orlando Jordan hit a low blow on Booker T and rolled him up for a cheap three.
WINNER: Orlando Jordan
Post-match, Christian got the Crossface, Orlando Jordan got the Scissor Kick, and Bangor got the Spinaroonie.
INTERMISSION.
When we return, its Street Fight time.
Street Fight
Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero
This match went just about everywhere outside, around half the floor of the arena and up on the Shopzone stand before coming into the ring. Finish came when Rey hit Eddie with a chair, busting him open. 619 and top rope splash gives Rey the victory.
WINNER: Rey Mysterio
Post-match, Rey beat up Eddie some more before he was pulled off. Eddie got on the stick and reminded Rey that he's Dominic's father. Rey dropped to his knees, then wiped some of Eddie's blood off the mat and wiped it across his chest.
Chimmel thanks us all again and introduces the Main Event
World Heavyweight Championship
Batista vs. JBL
JBL's out first with a great promo including "You've got motocross, demolition derbies, and tractor pulls. All you need now is a Sleep-With-Your-Sister match!" Batista came out to the pop of the night, and it ended up in a posedown. JBL ended his poses with a Hogan earcupping taunt to the side I wasn't on, then to the side I was on. He started the Hogan flex taunts but decided to flip us all off instead. Nothing too special in the match itself, but Batista was hugely over. Referee Brian Hebner took a huge Clothesline from Hell, then hit a low blow on Batista. Orlando Jordan came out with Jimmy Korderas, but only got 2. JBL knocked out Korderas and got the Clothesline from Hell on Batista, then dragged Hebner over and used his hand to count 1....2....kickout! JBL looks stunned, but drags Batista to the corner, goes for the ten punches but Batista cuts him off at 2 1/2 and hits a huge Batista Bomb to defend his belt.
WINNER: Batista
Biggest Pops of the Night:
1. Batista
2. Chris Benoit
3. Scotty Too Hotty
Biggest Heat of the Night:
1. JBL
2. Orlando Jordan
3. MNM
Biggest Tweener Reactions of the Night:
1. (tie) William Regal and Steven Richards
