WWE Heat Report-26th August 2007
By Shaun Best-Rajah.com Reporter
Commentators: Todd Grisham & Jonathan Coachman
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Welcome aboard. On the cusp of the SummerSlam wave which is just mere hours away let's ride into the biggest party of the summer with some Heat action. Four matches take us home. We start with...........
Val Venis vs Charlie Haas
Val chucks his towel into the crowd before grabbing a mic. Helllooo Ladies. Val says he has come to put a smile on ladies faces but gets rudely interrupted by Haas who comes down smiling. Both men tussle to the ropes where Val wins a shoving contest. Val reverses a hammerlock, Haas quickly elbows the head and scores with a back club, fireman carry takedown, nearfall then chinlock. Val gets up to send Haas off the ropes. Haas lands a shoulder tackle, hiptoss counter, slam but misses an elbowdrop. Val comes back with an armdrag and shoulder tackle for a nearfall. Val grounds Haas with an armbar into a hammerlock. Val drives a knee into the arm before Haas grabs the bottom rope forcing Val to break. Haas lands some shots, Val counters a backbodydrop with a boot to the head. Val delivers a running kneelift but Haas cuts off a second with a forearm. Haas charges into a knee to the gut. Val lands a side russian legsweep for a nearfall before tying up Haas' arm while slowly reverting to a hammerlock. Val balances on Haas' arm before bringing his weight down onto the mat and arm. Haas crawls to the corner as Val gets him up to chop. Haas manages to reverse an Irish whip sending Val's back into the corner. Haas collects himself before stomping on the back then getting Val up for a belly to belly suplex. Haas measures Val for some kicks to the back and chest for a nearfall. Haas lands some punches to the head, knees to the back then applies a chinlock. Haas breaks to drive some knees into Val's side. After another nearfall Haas goes back to the chinlock. Val fights free but fails with a suplex attempt. Val counters a Haas suplex with a rollup which gets two. Haas immediately clotheslines, drops a knee across the face then suplexes Val for a nearfall. Haas goes back to the reverse chinlock and Randy Orton must be loving this backstage. The crowd rally behind Val who backelbows free. Val runs into a sleeper but escapes via a sitout powerbomb. The referee lays the count on both men who rise up at six. Val ducks a clothesline and lands some chops. Val sends Haas off the ropes, Val hits a clothesline, backelbow and reverse axehandle sledge. Val delivers a neckbreaker before heading to the top rope. Haas cuts Val off with a forearm. Haas attempts a superplex but Val punches then shoves Haas off. Val finishes his climb and lands the Money Shot. 1-2-3. Really good opener. These two never disappoint when matched up. Here is Your Winner: VAL VENIS. Post match Val mounts the corner and raises his arm.
The Highlanders vs David Owen & Brad Allen
Rumours are floating around saying the Highlanders are Smackdown bound. Watch this space. Brad Allen is indie worker Brad Attitude and is the guy that Mark Henry squashed on Smackdown this past Friday night. Rory backs Owen to the corner then clean breaks so Owen shoves Rory. Rory retaliates with a punch and side headlock. Rory hits a shoulder tackle off the ropes before dropping down into another side headlock. Robbie headbutts Owen out of Rory's grip before sending Owen's head into the corner. The Highlanders take it in turns to do this a few more times. Owen knees Robbie's gut to escape and tag out. Allen runs into Robbie's reverse axehandle sledge. Robbie Irish whips Allen front first into the corner before slamming Rory onto Allen. Rory lands a falling headbutt. Rory gets Allen up and forearms him into the Highlander corner. Rory punches then holds Allen for a Robbie headbutt to the gut. Robbie delivers two uppercuts before sending Allen off the ropes. Robbie puts his head down allowing Allen to throw him to the mat. Owen tags in, lands some stomps, a slam then applies a chinlock. Robbie punches free so Owen clubs the back of Robbie's neck. Owen Irish whips but charges into a boot allowing both men to tag out. Rory knocks Allen down with a punch, two clotheslines, inverted atomic drop and another clothesline. Owen charges but Rory catches him in a powerslam to send him rolling outside. Robbie tags in and the Highlanders finish Allen off with their double reverse slingshot suplex (Scot Drop II). 1-2-3. Here Are Your Winners: THE HIGHLANDERS.
Super Crazy vs Jay Bradley
Jay Bradley is the former DSW champion and looks kind of like the late Mike Awesome during his last WWE run. Grisham talks about (but doesn't elaborate on) Bradley's recent successes saying he now hopes to make a splash in WWE. Well he can't be any worse than the recently departed Dan Rodman (Rodimer). Crazy comes out draped in the Mexican flag and gets the crowd going. Crazy applies a side headlock but gets floored with a shoulder tackle coming off the ropes. Crazy ducks a lunge then drops Bradley with a low dropkick to the knee. Crazy rolls up Bradley for a nearfall. Crazy takes Bradley to the corner to Irish whip. Crazy charges into an elbow. Bradley clubs the back then Irish whips but Crazy leaps off the second rope into a cross body for a nearfall. Crazy gets dropped with a big punch to the head. Bradley clubs the back again, scoop slams then applies a reverse chinlock. Jeez this must be the ode to Randy Orton show with all the chinlocks. Crazy elbows free but charges into a powerslam for a nearfall. Bradley pounds the back of Crazy's neck then boots the head to pick up another nearfall. Bradley hooks the hair to re-apply the chinlock of doom. Crazy punches free so Bradley clubs him. Bradley runs into a one legged back kick to the gut which puts him down. Crazy follows up with two dropkicks before firing up. Bradley goes to the corner. Crazy brings him out with a monkey flip. Crazy punches but Bradley reverses an Irish whip. Bradley charges, Crazy gets his foot up, Bradley catches so Crazy uses his other leg to swat Bradley down. Crazy executes a top rope moonsault. 1-2-3. Here is Your Winner: SUPER CRAZY. So-so match.
Daivari vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Main Event. Daivari comes out, prays in the ring then cuts a persian promo which is interrupted by Hacksaw. Daivari jumps Hacksaw as soon as he enters with boots. Hacksaw reverses a head ram in the corner as the crowd erupt into a big USA chant. Hacksaw hits three clotheslines then plays to the crowd with loud USA chants and Hoooos as Daivari recovers in the corner. Hacksaw catches a boot attempt, spins Daivari around and hits an atomic drop. Daivari turns back into a slam and rolls onto the apron. Hacksaw works the crowd some more then goes to get Daivari who hangs Hacksaw up on the top rope. Hacksaw goes to the ropes, Daivari follows to club at the back then choke with his hands. Daivari punches Hacksaw down and gets a nearfall. Daivari drives knees into Hacksaw's back before applying a weak looking rear naked choke. Hacksaw elbows free but runs into a knee to the gut for a Daivari nearfall. Daivari stomps on the head, drops an elbow for yet another nearfall before driving elbows into Hacksaw's shoulder blades. Daivari goes back to the boring resthold but seems to have it applied more convincingly this time. Hacksaw attempts to hook some hair apparently forgetting that Daivari is bald. Hacksaw elbows free but Daivari throws him down, drops an elbow and gets yet another nearfall. Daivari applies a third naked choke/chinlock and this time Hacksaw uses Daivari's leg to prop himself back up. I'm falling asleep but surprisingly the crowd are hot for Hacksaw all match. Hacksaw elbows and punches free then lands punch counters to Daivari who goes to the corner. Hacksaw grabs him and rams his head into a corner. Hacksaw forearms then Irish whips Daivari who rebounds into a backbodydrop. Hacksw goes for the three point stance clothesline but Daivari grabs Hacksaw's 2x4. Hacksaw boots the gut to send the 2x4 out of Daivari's grasp. Hacksaw picks it up, goes to hit Daivari with it but the referee yanks it away from behind. Hacksaw turns to face the referee allowing Daivari to roll him up, hook the trunks and get the cheap 1-2-3. Crowd boo the finish. I boo the match as it was a crap Main Event despite the hot crowd. Here is Your Winner: DAIVARI. Post match Daivari scurries outside, gets his hand raised in the aisle leaving Hacksaw staring him down while pacing around the ring.
Grisham quickly shills for SummerSlam before thanking us for watching to end the show.
Best Match: Val Venis vs Charlie Haas.
Worst Match: Daivari vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan.
Thumbs down from me for this week's show. After a very good opener the show went downhill. There was a chinlock in every match. The restholds were way overused in the Main Event especially.
SummerSlam predictions
John Cena (c) vs Randy Orton (WWE Title)
Cena has been overcoming the odds for a year while Orton has been on a roll disposing of legends. While I'm not a fan of Orton as a person and think his in-ring work could add some variety and emotion I think he will win tonight. Having Cena take a step back may be a good thing but let's just hope Orton has learnt from his mistakes and has truly matured. WWE has another swing through Europe coming up soon and Orton apparently doesn't play nice with European hotel rooms according to recent trips. With regards to the match House show reports have been good so I look forward to seeing this one unfolding. Pick: RANDY ORTON.
The Great Khali (c) vs Batista (World Heavyweight Title)
This matchup has stunk up the House shows and has needed Kane and Finlay to bail them out. On TV the emphasis has been put on Khali's claw. Hopefully this match is kept short. The lesser of the two evils is to give Batista another title run so I'll go with that. Pick: BATISTA.
John Morrison (c) vs CM Punk (ECW Title)
This is the match I'm looking forward to the most. Give this match some time and it will be the showstealer. I'm digging Morrison's character and am also a big fan of Punk. I'm not sure how much longer they can delay the inevitable though that being crowning CM Punk ECW champion. A few weeks back I saw this match advertised under Extreme Rules but that was quickly removed. Nonetheless I can see Punk winning then having a blowoff match next month under Extreme Rules. Having Nitro chasing Punk would also keep the feud fresh. Pick: CM PUNK.
King Booker vs Triple H (SummerSlam Games)
Poor Booker. Simply put shot quads will return, squash Booker and win the SummerSlam games. There's nothing else to say really except it was probably smart to keep Triple H off TV to help the buyrate. Personally I haven't missed him. Let the politics...I mean games begin. Pick: TRIPLE H.
Rey Mysterio vs Chavo Guerrero
Firstly I hope Rey's knee is in good shape. Hopefully, Rey will beat Chavo in a high flying match then move onto other things. Besides I'm bored with Chavo Guerrero. Pick: REY MYSTERIO.
Umaga (c) vs Mr Kennedy vs Carlito (Intercontinental Title)
Mr Kennedy and Carlito really stunk up the joint on Raw last Monday. That being said House show reports of this match tell me it will be fine. Despite being inconsistent in the ring I'll pick Kennedy to steal the gold by pinning Carlito. Pick: MR KENNEDY.
Finlay vs Kane
This match gets the nod over MVP/Matt Hardy. I'm disappointed but realize MVP's health is more important following his heart scare so I'm prepared to wait a month. By the way kudos to the Smackdown writers for adding a new twist to that feud. I was a big fan of this past week's Smackdown. I've not said that in a while. With regards to this match Kane will get retribution for Finlay trashing his ribs. After tonight Finlay will heed the fact that Kane and Coffee don't go together well LOL. Pick: KANE.
Women's Battle Royal (No 1 Contender)
Nice way to get all the Divas on show and give them something to do. Please re-add Maryse to the match. She's hot. Also change Candice's new music, enough already. It's between Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, Michelle McCool and Victoria. I'm pulling for Victoria but think that Beth Phoenix will get the nod and subsequent title feud push. Pick: BETH PHOENIX.
There you have it. Maybe another match will get added. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing some tag titles being defended. It would be good to see Cade & Murdoch vs Londrick and Cryme Tyme in a three-way or something. Here's hoping. Wherever you are enjoy SummerSlam later and I'll see you next Sunday for Heat. Shaun.
Comments/praise/feedback/criticism/discussion points please direct to shaunmb1@hotmail.com.
