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By Greg Parks, PWTorch Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
July 4, 2008
Taped 7/1/08 in Tulsa, Okla.
Aired on the CW
Report by Greg Parks, Torch Team Contributor

-WWE Open.

-A tribute video for the Fourth of July....well, sort of. They managed to incorporate WWE and its superstars in it.

-Smackdown Open.

-JR wished America a happy birthday, then welcomed us to Smackdown (I accidentally typed “Raw”), previewing a fatal-four-way of Matt Hardy vs. Ken Kennedy vs. Chavo vs. Shelton Benjamin for the U.S. Title tonight.

-MVP was in the ring, in his VIP Lounge. He hit on his usual catchphrases and talked about tonight’s guest. His guest was revealed as Triple H, who then came out. As HHH came out, JR noted he made his start in this town 34 years ago. MVP congratulated Triple H for beating Cena at the last PPV. MVP even said this was the highest rated segment of the show, and HHH complimented MVP by saying he was a big fan. He made fun of the “power ranger” outfit MVP wears when he wrestles. Dude, that is SO two years ago. Triple H made a joke about MVP getting a call from Dr. Black about his performance-enhancing outfit. Trips said he’d rather go down in history as a 12-time champion than the biggest waste of money in Smackdown history. Triple H said he even brought some special footage for the fans to view, but MVP didn’t like someone else running things in his Lounge. MVP then rolled the footage himself. It was Edge getting beaten by CM Punk on Monday night, then Punk defending against JBL later on. They both made puns based on Punk’s name until Vickie Guerrero interrupted.

Triple H said he was looking forward to meeting Vickie since his arrival, then made a “marrying the boss to get ahead in business” joke. He then said they should drive to Vegas, as he knows a good drive-in where you can get married, and you can even do that if you’re not conscious. Oh, so many jokes here. Vickie, of course, got booed out of the building every time she tried to talk. Trips said he has seen some of the girls Edge has dated, and that she’s a big step up. Vickie told them both to shut up and that Edge would be arriving later. Vickie said at the end of Triple H’s match with Edge at Great American Bash, the ring announcer will be announcing Edge as new WWE Champ. Interesting segment for all the inside jokes, but HHH is better when he’s taking things seriously.

[Commercial Break]

-The new, incredibly gaudy Divas title was at ringside for the next match, a(nother) Golden Dreams match to see who will face Natalya for the Divas Title. Natalya came out before the match, now donning red hair.

1- MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. VICTORIA vs. CHERRY vs. MARYSE vs. KELLY KELLY- GOLDEN DREAMS MATCH

Things spilled to the outside almost immediately. Cherry suplexed Vicotria off the top rope. Maryse went for the gold star, but Kelly and Cherry brought her down and gave her the electric chair. Cherry and Kelly traded pulling each other off the ropes to stop each other from getting the star. Natalya did guest commentary, and she seemed pretty competent. Victoria did a slingshot legdrop into the ring and onto Cherry. Victoria almost got to the star, but was stopped by Michelle. She ended up getting the star, winning the match and a future match with Natalya for the Divas Championship.

WINNER: Michelle, at 3:24.

-Vickie was discussing things with her wedding planner when Ryder & Hawkins came in. Vickie wanted to know what happened this past Monday, and how they’d let Edge lose the title. She blamed them both and said she was disgusted with them. So disgusted, in fact, that she put them in a match with Jesse & Festus, next.

-Edge was walking into the building, past workers who immediately stopped their conversations to look anywhere but at him. Edge could sense something amiss, and looked back at them unhappily.

[Commercial Break]

-JR previewed the Fatal Four-Way for the U.S. Title later tonight.

-A video package aired on Vladimir Kozlov.

2- CURT HAWKINS & ZACK RYDER vs. JESSE & FESTUS

Much like Santa Festus around Christmastime, Festus was dressed as Uncle Sam for the Fourth of July. He took out Hawkins & Ryder, then tagged in Jesse. After taking Jesse to the outside of the ring, the heels took over on offense. Jesse finally fought off Ryder to make the tag, and the Corn-fed Colossus went to work. Big right hands and a shoulderblock did most of the damage. Powerslam by Festus, then he flap-jacked Ryder for the win.

WINNERS: Jesse & Festus, at 3:20. OK match, but where have Jesse & Festus been?

After the match, Edge’s music hit. He came out, but Ryder and Hawkins attacked Jesse and Festus. Edge came in and did some damage to Festus as well. He took off his belt and whipped Festus with it. The frustration was pouring out of Edge. He ran to ringside and grabbed a steel chair. Edge nailed Festus right in the head with it.

[Commercial Break]

-We saw what happened moments ago in the post-match beat-down.

-Edge and Vickie were backstage, and Vickie was trying to calm Edge down. He said he feels naked without the belt. Vickie made a mistake, saying what happened on Monday night was stupid and that she didn’t give Edge permission to be there Monday night. Edge went off on her for saying that. Vickie came back, telling him to watch it, because she’s still his boss. She then called him a fool. Edge walked out and Vickie looked regretful over what just happened.

-Jeff Hardy returns to Smackdown next.

[Commercial Break]

3- JEFF HARDY vs. JOHN MORRISON

Jeff knocked down Morrison as things started slowly. Hardy flipped out of a wrist-lock and threw Morrison out of the ring. He then hit a cross-body off the apron onto Morrison. Hardy got the ten-punch count in the corner on his opponent. Morrison ran over Hardy with a knee to the face to get a two-count. Morrison blocked a mule kick and tossed Hardy out of the ring. He looked in pain as the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Morrison had Hardy well-grounded out of break. Hardy got a roll-up out of nowhere for two, but Morrison was back on the attack. Hardy countered Morrison coming off the top with a powerbomb. Whisper in the Wind for two. Morrison tried to hit his finisher, but Hardy countered with a face-buster. Swanton hit by Hardy, who picked up the victory.

WINNER: Hardy, at 12:48. Good TV match between these two. Morrison has really improved as a singles guy in the last year or two.

-It’s a fatal four-way match, later tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-Maria, coming to Smackdown.

4- UMAGA vs. FUNAKI

Poor Funaki. Umaga immediately took his opposition down, then whipped him chest-first into the turnbuckle. Big superkick followed that up. Umaga dragged Funaki into the corner, then did the running butt splash. Thumb to the throat finished it.

WINNER: Umaga, at 1:58. Good match to showcase Umaga, but may be a bit too similar to Kozlov in squashing guys, though they have a bit different styles.

-Backstage, Edge was complaining about Vickie to his Edgeheads. A stagehand told Edge Vickie wanted to see him. Edge walked in to meet Vickie (who, by the way, was still in her wheelchair). Before Vickie could say anything, Edge told her before he came back, she was nothing but Teddy Long’s lackey, then called himself the real GM of Smackdown. Vickie told him the sacrifices she has gone through for Edge (including injuries that, according to her, will confine her to her wheelchair for the rest of her life). She started speaking Spanish, but Edge got real hot and told her to speak in English. Vickie got out of her chair (that she’s confined to for the rest of her life, remember) and screamed for him to get out. Edge left, but decided to go back in to talk to Vickie. He found the door locked however, and begged for Vickie to open up. When she didn’t, he got angry again, even kicking the door, to no avail.

[Commercial Break]

-A Night of Champions review video aired.

5- MR. KENNEDY vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. CHAVO GUERRERO vs. MATT HARDY-FOURTH OF JULY FATAL FOUR-WAY MATCH FOR THE UNITED STATES TITLE

Could’ve used some mic work from one of these guys to hype this match. Mick Foley mentioned that his son, Dewey’s favorite wrestler is Shelton Benjamin. This is one fall to a finish. Matt and Kennedy hooked up, and Kennedy hit a roundhouse kick. Kennedy hit corner clotheslines on Chavo, then Hardy. Out of nowhere, Benjamin nearly took Kennedy’s head off with a kick. Spinning headscissors by Chavo took Shelton down. All four men had a battle of roll-ups that must have really tired out referee Jim Korderas. Double-clothesline by Kennedy and Hardy. The show went to break after a hot start to the match.

[Commercial Break]

Kennedy went up top to meet Matt, but Shelton powerbombed them both off. Chavo went for the cover on Matt and only got two. He then tried, again unsuccessfully, to pin Kennedy. Bam Neely put Chavo’s leg on the ropes to break up a pin by Shelton. Benjamin then went after him up the aisle while Chavo hit the Three Amigos on Matt. Chavo was going to go for a frogsplash, but Kennedy cut him off. Chavo threw him down, hit the frogsplash, but his pin was broken up by Kennedy. Matt back body-dropped Kennedy onto Neely at ringside. Nothing but pin break-ups here. Hardy hit the Twist of Fate on Benjamin onto Chavo, who he pinned to retain the title.

WINNER: Hardy, at 10:20. Exciting first part of the match, but the last few minutes were just tired guys breaking up pins.

[Commercial Break]


-Edge came out, with no music. Chants of “you suck” before he even spoke into the mic. He said this would be his first and last public statement about what happened on Raw. He said he was the victim of two cowardly attacks Monday night. He got frustrated as he began to talk about losing the belt, and called it not fair to him. The only solace he has, he said, is knowing that he’d beat Triple H at Great American Bash. Edge tore into Hawkins & Ryder, saying he brought them up from nothing and made them. He said he’s standing in the ring alone, but he’ll battle through this with everything he has. He noted that even Vickie isn’t standing by him in his time of need. Edge was ready to dish some dirty little secrets about Vickie when she came out, sans wheelchair.

She said the people don’t deserve to hear about their private life. She was screeching, asking what he thought he was doing. Edge said that was a good question. He then left the ring and started walking up the ramp. He met up with Vickie on the top of the ramp. He said the wedding was off. Vickie began to scream and make faces that appeared to be her crying. Jeez, I would run backstage if I was in that situation. She took her ring off and threw it to the ground. She continued to cry and shout as the show ended.

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