The sprint towards the Royal Rumbles continues through Peoria, Illinois as SmackDown's finest try to beat the clock in hopes of meeting World Heavyweight Champion Dave Batista in a little over three weeks.
Last week, the enigmatic Mr. Kennedy set the standard to beat at 5 minutes and 7 seconds; tonight, another four competitors looked to erase that mark. First up tonight was Matt Hardy and the man who loves to fight, Finlay.
Knowing that time was of the essence, Hardy and Finlay brawled throughout the match, trading punishing blows and trying to get the upper hand over the other. The younger Hardy relied on speed while the battle-hardened veteran relied on decades of experience.
While the match teetered on a razor blade, Hardy would take control of the match until an appearance by The Little Bastard distracted Hardy Long enough for Finlay to connect with the shillelagh.
Surprisingly, Hardy kicked out, only to be locked in an Indian death lock by the the wily Irishman. As Hardy writhed in pain, he managed to hold on, snatching victory from Finlay, while failing to advance himself.
While trapped in the leg lock submission, Joey Mercury hit the ring and immediately attacked Hardy. Wearing a protective face mask as a result to the injuries he sustained during the hellacious ladder match at Armageddon, Mercury grabbed a chair and repeated attacked Hardy.
As referees rushed the ring to protect Hardy, Mercury made his way to the back where he made his intentions known. The former member of MNM would not rest until he disfigured Hardy as retribution for his injuries last December.
Another superstar with revenge on his mind was Jimmy Wang Yang. After coming up short in his qualifying match with Tatanka last week and being ambushed by the Lakota Tribe member in a post match attack; SmackDown's resident redneck looked to even the score.
Yang took control of the match early, much like Hardy previously, by using his speed to keep the bigger Tatanka off balance. However, the Vengeful Warrior battled back, utilizing his strength to his advantage.
However, Yang would manage to weather the storm and continue to fight back. Setting up for a cross body block, Tatanka caught Yang and plowed him into the mat in a modified side slam for the win.
While having the best time of the Sprint matches, Ken Kennedy took on the United States Champion Chris Benoit in a non-title match. Ironically, it was Benoit who Kennedy beat to take the lead in the competition.
The Champion wanted to waste no time as he silently made his way to the ring and went after Kennedy with machine precision. During the intense match up, The Rabid Wolverine connected with a jaw-dropping 12 German suplexes. The Champion's intensity fueled the screams of the crowd.
However, Kennedy would find a way to use that intensity against the champion as the challenger focused on Benoit's back. Smelling that the champion was in trouble, Kennedy went on a relentless attack, his focal point being the small of Benoit's back.
As the battle raged on, Benoit would hit another explosive suplex, laying out Kennedy as the champion went for the sharpshooter. Trapped in the hold, Kennedy looked to be ready to tap; until Guerrero rushed the ring and attacked Benoit.
Though winning the match via disqualification, Benoit wanted more as he hunted Chavo and chased him from the arena. Tired of Guerrero's antics, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long signed a No Disqualification title match between Guerrero and Benoit next week on SmackDown.
2006 has become known as the year of London and Kendrick. Being the WWE's longest reigning tag team champions since winning the belts at Judgment Day 2006, the tag champions have dominated the WWE tag team division. Battling against all challengers, London and Kendrick rolled into the New Year looking to continue that success. After battling to a no contest in their Sprint qualifying match last week, the SmackDown's most energetic tag team took on the team of Dave Taylor and William Regal.
While the tag champions emerged victorious at their ladder match at Armageddon; Taylor and Regal were confident that they would be the ones winning a non-gimmick wrestling match.
Utilizing quick tags and fast-paced action, the champions looked to gain the upper hand, however, Taylor and Regal slowed down the action and kept the high flyers on the mat.
However, London and Kendrick did not make history by laying down on the job. The champions, battled back and snatched victory in a form of a roll up, keeping their historic title reign intact.
Last month at Armageddon, Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP)entered the fires of hell as he faced The Monster Kane; and he has the scars to prove it. With his back heavily taped; MVP took on SmackDown's Toughest Man in a Dress, Vito.
Vito went for MVP's back early, looking to score a quick pin; however, MVP would continue to fight on, wanting to face Batista at the Royal Rumble.
The matched teetered back and forth, however, both competitors failed to score a pin as time expired. After the match, as Vito exited the ring, MVP kicked Vito in the head. Looking to add insult to injury, MVP would whip Vito into the stairs, only to have the move reversed and tasting the smooth, cold steel himself.
The main event of the evening saw The Undertaker face The Miz in a Sprint qualifying match. Death waited for the reality show superstar as The Miz looked as if he had seen ghost.
The Phenom wasted no time in dismantling the young upstart, hammering Miz with vicious rights and even demonstrating his athleticism by walking the ropes and driving Miz into the mat.
Though it looked as if Taker would make quick work of the match, it would be Kennedy that would make things more difficult. In an attempt to secure his time, Kennedy worked to distract the ref and Taker. This allow Miz to fight back...briefly.
Realizing that he now had to keep one eye on Kennedy, Taker punished Miz, connecting with a big boot that took out both Miz and the referee. This gave Kennedy the opening he needed to continue to harass The Undertaker; at one point, even throwing Miz from the ring so Taker could not get the pin.
Realizing that time was of the essence, Taker rushed to the outside to run off Kennedy. He grabbed the dazed Miz and threw him back into the ring. Connecting with the tombstone, Taker went for the cover, but time expired before the referee could finish the count. Kennedy survived the tournament and will be facing Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble!
Contents copyright © 2007 by Trinae Angelique Ross. No part of this report may be used without the expressed written permission of the author or the web master. Inquiries regarding reprints should be made to the author at trinae.ross@ulmail.net.
