By Greg Parks, PWTorch Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
May 16, 2008
Taped 5/6/08 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Aired on the CW
Report by Greg Parks, Torch Team Contributor

-WWE Open.

-Clips of last week aired, showing Vickie’s speech from the beginning of the show, as well as highlights from the Championship Chase.

-Smackdown Open.

-Edge and his familia came out, as ring announcer Tony Chimel announced Edge as the “next World Heavyweight Champion.” Edge called what happened to him last week a “medical miracle.” Edge said he got cleared to wrestle just in the nick of time. He said Undertaker has never beaten him without using that illegal choke-hold. All of a sudden, Theodore Long’s music interrupted, and the former GM came out. He said he was sorry he was late, and apparently, he’s been incommunicado all day. Vickie gave him a brow beating, but said there was more to come. Teddy said he spent the day at WWE Headquarters, as summoned by Vince McMahon, to talk to the Board of Directors about Vickie’s decision to strip Taker of the title. Teddy opened a letter addressed to Vickie, and read it aloud (he was instructed to, I guess). It’s from the Board of Directors: They’ve decided to take disciplinary measures against Vickie. The options: Compete in her first-ever wrestling match tonight, and keep her position; or, not wrestle, and lose her job. Vickie was not happy Teddy went behind her back to the Board, so she fired him. He said she couldn’t fire him because he quit. Before he walked off, Teddy announced Vickie’s opponent: The Undertaker.

Normally, long drawn-out segments involving general managers are of no interest to me. But I liked the slow burn of the Vickie-Teddy relationship, as well as Vickie-Edge. And because they had Vickie as GM for so long, this move actually means something, as opposed to if they did it a month into her reign, as WWE is sometimes quick on the draw.

[Commercial Break]

1- CM PUNK vs. CHUCK PALUMBO

Three weeks ago, Punk and Palumbo went at it on ECW and last week, Palumbo had some not-so-nice words for Punk. Palumbo went right after Punk to start, hammering away in the corner. Punk got a brief flurry of offense after a leap-frog, but Chuck went back on offense. That is, until Palumbo got low-bridged and Punk dove through the ropes onto him on the outside. Side head-lock by Palumbo back inside after a pin attempt from Punk. Punk came back with some kicks as a supposedly dazed Palumbo staggered to find the corner for Punk’s next move (the knee to the face). Springboard clothesline by Punk for two. Chuck caught Punk’s leg on a kick attempt and hit a short clothesline. Cross-body by Punk was caught by Palumbo, and Chuck hit a Samoan drop for two. Punk countered the Full Throttle and tossed Chuck shoulder-first into the ring post. Punk then hit the GTS for the win.

WINNER: Punk, at 5:42. Decent match. Palumbo has improved since his first run in WWE.

-Vickie, Edge and Chavo were backstage. As Edge was comforting Vickie, Chavo was about to ask about something from last week. MVP walked in and wanted to know about that B.S. last week. Finlay came in soon after and did the same. Big Show walked in clapping, not happy about the scam Vickie and Edge pulled last week. Vickie told MVP to find a partner, as they’ll fight Finlay and Big Show. They sarcastically wished Vickie good luck as she left.

Chavo then finished what he was talking about earlier, wanting to know if they were going to fill him in on their plan last week, or if he was just a pawn for them. Vickie said they needed to make a plan, and Chavo agreed, but they do so as a family.

[Commercial Break]

2- MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. LAYLA

Mick read another poem dedicated to Michelle, but it was a Springsteen rip-off. Couple arm-drags by Michelle, then a monkey flip. Layla came back with some forearms, but Michelle took her down with a drop-toe hold. Mick made jokes about wishing Michelle was his science teacher, then named off the two he actually had. He then said some of her students must’ve walked away from the class with their textbook strategically placed. Michelle won with the heel hook submission.

WINNER: Michelle, at 2:09. I hope that’s not her new finisher....I liked the Angel’s Wings.

-They showed Shawn Michaels getting “hurt” at Backlash...Batista’s thoughts on whether or not Shawn was hurt is NEXT....even though Shawn admitted Monday night he was faking.

[Commercial Break]

-Batista came out to address the Shawn Michaels situation. Just what this feud needs: More talking. But I guess it makes sense to get his reaction to what happened on Raw. Batista even said he didn’t think he’d have to come out and talk about Shawn Michaels anymore. The clip of what happened between Jericho and HBK from Raw played. Batista reminded Shawn of what he said last week about Shawn not really being hurt. Batista said he doesn’t have plans for Sunday, but knows HBK will be at Judgment Day, so maybe he will too.

-Vickie Guerrero vs. Undertaker is scheduled for tonight.

[Commercial Break]

3- BIG SHOW & FINLAY vs. MVP & MARK HENRY

MVP and Finlay started things off, both working on their ground game. When Show tagged in, MVP punched Show, then decided discretion was the better part of valor, and tagged out to Henry. Mark was smiling in the ring, almost happy to get this opportunity. There was a lock-up, a rarity in itself in Show matches. Henry did a lot of trash talking, including following a shoulder-block that moved neither man. A shoulderblock with a head of steam put Henry on his back. He had enough already, and tagged out. MVP didn’t want in the ring, but Show brought him in. Finlay and Show worked over MVP, until Henry distracted Finlay, who was going to the top. MVP then kicked Finlay to the outside. Henry and MVP’s teamwork began to improve as they got the best of Finlay. MVP missed a knee drop, and Finlay capitalized by tagging Big Show. Henry splashed Show in the corner from behind, but was low-bridged out of the ring. MVP went after Show, but got in the chokeslam to end the match.

WINNERS: Show and Finlay, at 9:56.

-Edge ended a conversation with Vickie, then left her alone in her office. Vickie addressed the camera, saying how disappointed she was in the Boards’ decision. Vickie said she can’t cancel the match, but she can change it. It will be Undertaker vs. La Familia in a six-on-one handicap match.

[Commercial Break]

4- FUNAKI vs. VLADIMIR KOZLOV

Double under-hook into an over-head throw for Kozlov. He worked the left arm of Funaki. Funaki fought out of a wrist-lock, but was headbutted into the chest. Belly-to-belly throw by the Russian as Mick’s commentary is making this match worthwhile. Reverse DDT and it’s over.

WINNER: Kozlov, at 2:29.

-Vickie and the rest of La Familia face The Undertaker tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-They showed Deuce and Domino dumping Cherry for Maryse last week.

5- CHERRY vs. MARYSE

Maryse came to the ring with Deuce and Domino. Couple kicks and a neck-breaker by Cherry. Domino distracted Cherry, but she got Maryse on a roll-up for two. Maryse got a drop toe-hold then choked Cherry on the middle rope. Maryse was all arms and legs in there. Bulldog by Cherry a she got the pin.

WINNER: Cherry, at 2:19.

-Taker vs. La Familia....it’s tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-Cole and Foley discussed the Judgment Day card, and we also got a video package on Orton vs. Triple H.

-Kofi Kingston talked with Matt Hardy and Eve backstage. Kofie and Eve wished Matt luck in his match. Shelton Benjamin then came up to him and told him the Hardys are a thing of the past, while he’s the wave of the future. They have a match, next.

[Commercial Break]

6- MATT HARDY vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN

Shelton tried for a quick pin on a shoulder knock-down. Back-breaker got two about three minutes in, and it was all Shelton. Body-scissors by Shelton. Clothesline by Hardy, but both men were down. Back on their feet, Matt hit a Side Effect for a near-fall. Shelton threw Matt off on a Twist of Fate attempt, but Hardy hit one soon after, out of nowhere, for the win.

WINNER: Hardy, at 6:34. Decent match, one that usually goes about ten minutes. Could they have been running short at the taping?

-Clips of the opening segment aired. The main event is next.

[Commercial Break]

7- VICKIE GUERRERO & EDGE & ZACK RYDER & CURT HAWKINS & CHAVO GUERRERO & BAM NEELY vs. UNDERTAKER- HANDICAP MATCH

On their way to the ring, Neely and Chavo turned around and walked out. That made it four-on-one. Taker went after Guerrero, but Ryder and Hawkins got to him first. The three pounded away at Taker in the corner. Taker came back and threw both tag team members into the buckle. Edge stood in front of Vickie to protect her from Taker, who was advancing toward her. Ryder and Hawkins got him from behind again. Undertaker sent Ryder and Hawkins to the outside, and knocked Edge down, who then rolled out of the ring. It was just Taker and Vickie, and the crowd popped huge. Ryder and Hawkins attacked, but were thrown out again. Taker got Vickie by the throat and pulled her to the center of the ring. Edge came in though and speared Taker. He took Vickie out of the ring and all four started walking to the back as Taker stared at them from the ring.

WINNER: No Contest, about 3:59 (no bell). What is this, Nitro? Just have one of the tag guys job to Taker or something. Why go to a no contest?

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