By Vince Valdez, PWTorch.com contributor

WWE SMAKDOWN REPORT
OCTOBER 4, 2008
AIRED ON MY NETWORK

Tonight, the debut of Smackdown on the CW! The show featured a new introduction video, which is not only a much needed change, but it's also a great way to establish the change from one network to another.

Green Bay, Wisconsin is the city hosting the all-star kick off, which features an impressive roster appearing tonight, including a match between the three World Champions of their respective brands.

(1) Rey Mysterio, Finlay, Batista, & Jeff Hardy vs. MVP, JBL, The Brian Kendrick (w/ Ezekiel Jackson), & Kane - 8-man tag match.

Mysterio was the first to come out, which is a great way to pop the Smackdown crowd, who hasn't seen Mysterio live in action for some time, now. As MVP came out, a small inset featuring Hurricane Helms popped up, saying that Smackdown got the raw end of the deal in signing MVP as the highest paid superstar of the brand.

A quick recap aired of the feud between Kane and Mysterio, hyping their match this weekend at No Mercy. Tazz called him the underdog of the match.

Finlay and Kendrick started the action, squaring off in the center of the ring, with Finlay muscling Kendrick into the turnbuckle, hitting a stiff elbow to the head, followed by an inverted atomic drop. European uppercut to the jaw, Finlay tags in Batista. Batista takes Kendrick back to the corner, hits a few shoulders to the gut, suplex, cover for two. Kendrick into the opposing corner, tag back into Finlay, another European uppercut, Finlay to the outside, takes Kendrick with him, throws Kendrick back into the ring. Kendrick attempted a baseball slide, but Finlay pulled the ring apron out, catching Kendrick between it and the ring. Hornswaggle jumped onto the edge, just in time to stop a charging MVP from attacking as we head into break.

[Commercial Break]

Back to the action, both Finlay and Kendrick are back in the ring, tag to Mysterio. Solid roundhouse kick to the back of the head of Kendrick, followed up with a baseball slide dropkick. A quick staredown between Mysterio and Kane before Mysterio tags into Jeff Hardy. Hardy take Kendrick to the turnbuckle, dropkick to the back of Kendrick's head, cover for two. Tag back into Finlay, but is stopped short by a dropkick out of nowhere by Kendrick, who takes a moment to dance in the middle of the ring. Hornswaggle, on the apron in Kendrick's jacket, mocked Kendrick's dance. Kendrick chases Hornswaggle to the outside, ambushed by Finlay, who inturn is ambushed by Jackson. JBL tosses both men back into the ring, takes the tag from Kendrick. Stiff short arm clothesline by JBL, followed by several elbow drops in a row. Cover by JBL, only gets a two. Kane tags in and takes over where JBL left off. Kane sends Finlay into the turnbuckle, then tags in MVP. MVP fires off a few knees to the stomach, pin attempt, gets a near fall. MVP pushes Finlay back into enemy territory, JBL tags back in. Finlay blocks the punch, but doesn't block the clothesline, two count by JBL. Neckbreaker counter by Finlay, the hot tag to Batista, just as MVP is tagged in. Batista clears house on the heels, nailing spinebusters on Kane, MVP and Kendrick. Powerslam by Batista after a tag to Mysterio, who hops up onto Batista's shoulders to hit a frog splash. Mysterio sets MVP and Kendrick up for the 629, but is pulled out to the apron by Kane.

[Commercial Break]

The match picks back up with Kane working Mysterio over, keeping him grounded. Tag into Kendrick, who stalks Mysterio for a moment before hitting a kick to the head. Kendrick tags in JBL, who taunts Batista, looking him right in the eye as he hits the last call on Mysterio. MVP checks in, nailing Mysterio with several shots to the stomach, followed by a toss to the mat, tagging in Kendrick in the process. Kendrick attempts a cover, only gets two, Mysterio fights back, Kendrick reverses into a slam attempt, countered by Mysterio, who hits the hot tag to Hardy. MVP gets the tag as well, but is stopped short by a whisper in the wind. JBL with a cheap shot to Hardy, Batista makes the save only to have Kendrick nail Batista with a dropkick, sending him to the outside. Finlay takes out Kendrick, who is stopped dead in his tracks by Kane. Mysterio off the top rope, sends Kane to the outside, hits MVP with the 619, setting Hardy up for the swanton for the win.

Winners - Hardy, Mysterio, Batista & Finlay by pinfall.

Thoughts - Good opener to start off the debut on the CW. With WWE potentially targeting a whole new set of viewers who may not have had access to Smackdown until now, that was a great match to showcase the talent that the company has to offer, while providing long time fans with a good 20 minute match that was full of energy from start to finish, all while furthering several feuds in the process.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage, Mike Adamle, Teddy Long, and Tiffany were standing in Vicki's office when The Big Show marched in. He demanded to know what they were doing in "his" office, taking offense to Tiffany asking how Vicki was doing. He kicked all three of them out of the office, just as Chavo Guerrero was entering. The two bickered back and forth as to who was in charge, with Show blaming everything that has happened to Vicki on Chavo. He then put Chavo in a match tonight. Show asserted his position of power, saying that if Chavo didn't go through with his match tonight, that he would have to face Show, instead. Chavo ran off, saying he had to get ready.

(2) Santino Marella (w/ Beth Phoenix) vs. Shelton Benjamin

As Marella made his way to the ring, Helms appeared in another inset, saying that the Honky Tonk Man would be rolling over in his grave if he caught wind of Marella's antics, stopping short when he found out that HTM is still alive.

In ring, Marella brought up the Honk-O-Meter, saying that he (only) has 57.29 weeks until he becomes the "greatest intercontinental champion of all times." He called Benjamin "Goldilocks," and called himself champion of planet earth.

[Commercial Break]

Benjamin appeared on the big screen, calling Marella out, saying that he is Beth Phoenix's girlfriend. He then said that Marella is nowhere near the level that Benjamin is as a champion.

Benjamin ducked out of the collar and elbow, and was caught by Marella in a side headlock. Benjamin tossed Marella off, who landed square on his feet. Benjamin was quick to follow up with a kick to the jaw, following up with several shots to the back and stomach, ending the sequence with a short arm clothesline. Benjamin hit the paydirt as Marella came up, but was interrupted by R. Truth's rap.

Truth rapped his way down to the ring, Benjamin hardly taking his eyes off of him. Marella took this opportunity to hit a roll up on Benjamin for the win.

Winner - Santino Marella by pinfall.

Thoughts - Not much to say, really. It's a classic face distraction to continue to get Truth over with the fans, the champ loses in a non-title match, and Marella continues to brag on Raw. Pretty basic, but effective.

Post-match, Truth called Benjamin out, as he stood in the center of the ring, quivering with rage.

[Commercial Break]

A lengthy video aired recapping the entire Vicki/Show/Taker saga.

A somber Big Show made his way to the ring, looking focused.

[Commercial Break]

The Big Show walked down the ramp into the ring, taking the mic for an in-ring interview. He told Vicki to rest easy, that he's going to take care of everything. He then said that he's arranged for Chavo to be in a very special match.

(3) Chavo Guerrero vs. Mark Henry (w/ Tony Atlas) & The Great Khali (w/ Runjin Singh)

Show remained at ringside as the bell rang. Mark Henry was the first to take on Chavo, hitting a headbutt and several shots to the midsection before tagging in Khali. Khali hit a chop then posed as if he just won the whole match. Henry tagged in, hitting a power slam on Chavo. Tag back to Khali, who placed Chavo into the Khali Vice. The Ref called for the bell to stop the match.

Winners - Mark Henry & The Great Khali by decision.

Thoughts - Although this was nothing more than a pure squash, it was effective in not only showing the power Show wields, but that he's also willing to do what it takes to take out the Undertaker.

After bring kicked to the curb by Khali and Henry, Guerrero was treated to a right hand by Show, knocking him out cold. Show entered the ring and sent a message to the Undertaker, saying that what he did to Chavo, he could to to Taker, as well. As he finished his sentence, The Undertaker's bell tolled, and show took no time in getting out of the ring. After several peals of the bell, the lights went out as The Undertaker appeared in the center of the ring. He and Show stared one another down as show cautiously retreated to the back.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring, Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, and Manu stood in the center of the ring. A pre-match promo aired, with DiBiase saying that Raw was the superior brand, and that what they are going to do to the Colons will be priceless.

The Colons made their way to the ring as footage from the Colon's tag title win aired. Carlito took the mic, and proposed that they make this match a 6-man tag. Before Rhodes and DiBiase could respond, CM Punk's music hit and he marched to the ring, looking highly determined.

(4) Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase & Manu vs Primo & Carlito Colon & C.M. Punk

Punk slapped DiBiase before the match began, but was quickly ushered outside, as Primo and DiBiase started things off. Quick rollup by Primo, hitting a near fall. DiBiase takes Primo to the ropes, tagging Rhodes in. Primo hits the tag to his brother, as they hit a tandem dropkick on the Raw champs. Carlito to the ropes, which were pulled down by Manu. Back to the inside, Manu takes Carlito down with a slam, gets a two count. Tag into DiBiase, jumping stomp from the 2nd rope, another two count. Rear chinlock by DiBiase, Carlito to his feet, tags in Primo. DiBiase pushes Primo into the corner, who fights back with a dropkick. DiBiase makes the tag to Rhodes, who takes Primo down to one knee. Rhodes sends Primo to the ropes, Primo holds on, tags in Punk. Punk off the top rope, springboard clothesline onto DiBiase. Punk hits a series of rights, lefts, and a spinning roundhouse, following up with a running bulldog, the pin broken up by Rhodes and Manu. the Colons come in to make the save, Punk hits the GTS on DiBiase for the win.

Winners - The Colons and C.M. Punk by pinfall.

Thoughts - Too short to amount to much, but it gave Punk his win over one of the men who cost him the title.

[Commercial Break]

(5) Beth Phoenix vs. Michelle McCool - Lumberjill Match.

McCool took control early on with a side headlock, pushed off by Phoenix, who hits the shoulder block. McCool sneaks around Phoenix, hits a two count as a result. McCool into the armbar on Phoenix, who fights back with a shot to the face, sends McCool into the ropes. Pin attempt by Phoenix, countered by McCool, countered into a suplex by Phoenix. Phoenix follows up with a backbreaker, McCool to the ropes to regain leverage, another pin attempt by McCool, only gets a two. Attempted rollup by McCool, Phoenix holds on, but gets caught with a kick to the stomach by McCool, who gets two. Phoenix to the outside, but the heels protect her as McCool attempts a baseball slide causing an all out war by all the divas. Phoenix takes advantage of the distraction, mainly caused by Maryse and attempts a pin, but falls just short. Maryse distracts McCool again, allowing Phoenix to hit the Glam Slam for the win.

Winner - Beth Phoenix by pinfall.

Thoughts - Okay while it lasted, but it fell short of being anything memorable.

[Commercial Break]

A video recapping the Jericho/Michaels feud aired, followed by a complete rundown of the entire PPV card.

(6) Matt Hardy vs. Triple H vs. Chris Jericho - Champion of Champions triple threat match

The three champions stood in the ring, looking one another down. Triple H and Jericho settled on one another, with Ross and Tazz pointing out the relationship between Hunter and Michaels, Jericho's opponent on Sunday. Tazz then also noted that Triple H is facing Hardy's brother this Sunday, as well. As Jericho and Triple H went back and forth, Hardy interjected himself into the mix, only to receive a slap to the face by Jericho. That was all it took to have Hardy and Triple H work over Jericho in what appeared to be a two on one attack. However, as Hardy sent Jericho to the steel post, Triple H snuck in a surprise DDT on Hardy. Triple H turned his attention to Jericho, ramming his head into the steel post. Suplex by Triple H to bring Jericho inside, pin attempt, gets a two. Jericho to the ropes, hits Triple H with a kick to the face, running clothesline, taking Triple H down. Jericho follows up by taking Triple H to the corner, hitting a series of punches and chops. Jericho sending Triple H to the ropes, Triple H counters with a high knee. Hardy now on the offense, taking Triple H outside. Jericho comes back with a springboard dropkick on both men as we go to the final break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Hardy and Jericho were squaring off as Jericho sent Hardy to the ropes, which were pulled down by Triple H. With Hardy out of the picture, Jericho set his sights on Triple H, nailing him with a kick to the chest. A series of solid rights by Jericho lead way to a series of kicks, followed by a headbutt, then another. Triple H to the ropes, reversal, spinebuster by Triple H. Attempted pedigree by Triple H, Jericho counters, sending Triple H into the turnbuckle (the same one Hardy happened to be on), pin attempt, no dice. Triple H thrown to the outside by Jericho, who turns his attention to Hardy, still stuck on the turnbuckle. Superplex attempt by Jericho, Triple H intervenes, throwing both Jericho and Hardy to the mat. All three men down, 10 count started by the ref, Triple H throws a shoulder over Jericho, only gets two. Triple H is the first to his feet, followed by Jericho, who gets caught in a sleeper. Backdrop counter by Jericho, attempts a lionsault, misses, tweaks his knee. Double leg takedown by Triple H, stopped short by Hardy, who gets knocked to the outside. Jericho takes advantage, locks in the walls of Jericho in the center of the ring. Triple H, summoning all of his strength, attempts to make it to the ropes, but is pulled back by Jericho, Hardy re-enters, and is almost placed into the Walls by Jericho, but counters into a roll up for a two, instead. Running bulldog by Jericho, followed by one from Hardy. Jackknife pin attempt, no go. Side effect by Hardy, but is caught by the Pedigree for the pin.

Winner - Triple H by pinfall.

Thoughts: No surprise here - Triple H had to come out on top, as it's his show. Good effort by all men involved.

As Triple H celebrated his win, Triple H snuck in a codebreaker, then made his way to the outside. He went underneath the ring, and brought out a ladder. Just as it looked like he was about to attack Triple H, he nailed Hardy right in the face. Just as he was setting Hardy up to be sandwiched in between the ladder, Jeff Hardy came out to make the save, taking out Hunter in the process. As Jeff made his way up the ladder, Vladimir Kozlov ran into the ring, caught a leaping Hardy with a headbutt, and floored Triple H with an inverted DDT to close the show.

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