WWE SmackDown Report – 09/08/2006 – Taped in Columbus, Georgia
By Trinae Angelique Ross
[note: my apologies for providing an incomplete report…we can all thank Comcast for that as my cable died after the Mysterio match, not returning until the Matt Hardy v. Miz match. You can check out the SmackDown spoilers here for additional information.]
As SmackDown rolled into Columbus, Georgia, there were many questions that remained unanswered: Could Rey Mysterio move on after the soul-shattering revelation from Vickie Guerrero last week? Would the new business partnership of Chavo and Vickie Guerrero prove profitable? Would The Animal finally dethrone King Booker and reclaim what he lost almost nine months prior?
Suffering from the fallout of his battles with Chavo and Vickie Guerrero, Rey looked to move forward as he faced former United States Champion Finlay. However, in any war, there are casualties and Rey may be among the wounded. While showing glimpses of the ring magician fans fill seats to see, Mysterio looked off (at one point missing a springboard off the second rope…a maneuver he could perform with his eyes closed.) It would be his lack of focus that caused him the match as Finlay nailed his Celtic Cross finisher for the win.
SmackDown announcer John Bradshaw Layfield interviewed a dejected Mysterio. Bradshaw's heckling-laden interview only added insult to injury as he asked, "Is it because the Guerrero family deemed you to be nothing but a piece of crap the reason that you aren’t yourself?" The only response Mysterio could offer was to leave the ring and walk silently to the back.
While it looked as if Mysterio had trouble focusing his match, the union between Chavo Guerrero and new business manager, Vickie Guerrero, proved a profitable merger, as Chavo emerged victorious against a struggling Tatanka.
The crowd saw a more aggressive Guerrero, who dogmatically attacked Tatanka's left leg. As Chavo stayed focused on his opponent, while Tatanka allowed his continuing conflicts with SmackDown referees to cost him yet another match; continuing the Lakota Tribe member's losing streak.
Matt Hardy consistently represents intensity and tonight would be no different as he faced and undefeated Mike "Miz" Mizanin in singles competition. Hardy (who like Tatanka in the previous week) allowed his experience to dictate the pace of the match.
However, despite Hardy's domination in the match, it would be WWE Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms, that allowed Miz to secure a rollup for the win, keeping his undefeated streak intact at two wins.
Jimmy Wayne Yang made yet another video presentation. The self-proclaimed redneck should be making his debut soon. (Where is Jeff Foxworthy when you need him?)
Another superstar looking to make his debut (if the cheddar is right of course) is Montel Vontavious Porter. The self-proclaimed sport entertainments hottest free agent was looking for the star treatment he received in pass weeks. In a quick backstage meeting with SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long, Porter told him that he wanted "Cena money plus one dollar."
Long, wanting to acquire the cocky new upstart, but tired of the Jerry McGuire routine he has been getting, told Porter that he could stay for the rest of the show; however, at SmackDown, no contract means no contact. Long also told Porter that he would need to part with some of that cheddar if he wanted to stay for the show.
With all that happened tonight, nothing prepared the crowd for the main event of the evening as The Animal Dave Batista looked to dethrone King Booker. Batista, who had to forfeit the WWE World Heavyweight Championship due to injury, looked once more to attempt to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his. King Booker had other ideas. After narrowly escaping with the title at SummerSlam, The King was prepared to do whatever was necessary to keep his gold.
Batista went after the champion early, mixing his power repertoire with more finesse in an effort to both wear down and to frustrate the champion. However, Booker rose to the challenge, using Queen Sharmell's interference to gain the upper hand.
As the battle raged on, with neither man getting a clear advantage; the king and all the king's men, worked as a cohesive unit to keep the World Championship in the land of King Booker.
Reeling from the effects of Finlay's attack with the shillelagh, Batista struggled to get to his feet. However, the brawler from Belfast, Ireland, would press his attack, showing now mercy to The Animal. At one point, Finlay's repeated attacks with the shillelagh were so intense, Batista was busted open.
Bleeding profusely from the forehead, Bastia could only stare as Finlay warned him, "You don't know what you're in for…I'm your worst nightmare!"
Contents copyright © 2006 by Trinae Angelique Ross. This document is written exclusively for www.rajah.com. No part of this report may be used without expressed written permission by the author or webmaster. Inquiries about using this material on other websites should be made to the author or to the webmaster at webmaster@rajah.com.
