By Greg Parks, PWTorch Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
November 7, 2008
Taped 11/4/08 in Orlando, FL.
Aired on MyNetwork TV
Report by Greg Parks, Torch Team Contributor

-WWE Open.

-Clips aired of last week’s Casket Match as well as the aftermath.

-Smackdown Open.

-Jim Ross and Tazz intro’d the show, and previewed Vladimir Kozlov vs. Undertaker, as well as Shelton Benjamin vs. R-Truth for the U.S. Title.

-Looks like it’ll be the VIP Lounge to get started, and it seemed MVP was arguing with someone on his cell phone. He finally hung up and got on the mic. He took a shot at Hurricane Helms making fun of his losing strike, and as he did, Hurricane popped up on the screen and mocked MVP. Apparently, MVP’s contract said he had to win a certain amount of matches in a certain amount of time, or else it would kick back to a standard contract (still more than we make though). Great Khali’s music hit, and he came to the ring alongside Ranjin Singh. Singh said we’ve all had enough of the MVP Lounge, then introduced the Khali Kiss Cam. Singh accused MVP of being boring, then implored MVP to join them for the Kiss Cam. MVP got pissed and walked out.

Singh started looking through the crowd for girls. Why does Khali keep coming out when he knows Singh is going to pick a large woman for him. Singh settled on a large, black woman. Singh then said kissing two beautiful ladies is better than kissing one, so he went to the crowd again. The second woman was an older, larger woman. Singh talked up Khali’s kissing abilities, then got the crowd behind Khali so he’d kiss the black woman. He did and the crowd cheered. MVP looked on in disgust ringside. Singh told Khali to kiss the other lady. Khali wasn’t sure he wanted to, but he did plant a quick one on her. Again, I love how Khali raises his arms in victory after kissing these ladies. Singh then asked the crowd if they want to see him kiss both ladies at the same time. Singh got the crowd to chant “Khali, Khali!” He didn’t exactly do it at the same time, but it was one after the other.

MVP ran in and attacked Khali from behind, then quickly scurried out of the ring. Khali didn’t seem too affected by the shots.

-Backstage, Vickie was in a wheelchair and a neck-brace, laughing and saying she loves the Great Khali. Big Show was sitting on the couch nearby and Vickie said maybe she go the wrong giant to do her bidding. Big Show wasn’t amused by the joke and left. MVP stormed in and complained to Vickie about Khali interrupting the VIP Lounge. Vickie said Khali’s Kiss Cam is often the highest-rated segment of the show. Yikes. I wouldn’t brag about that, as that reflects poorly on her booking. Vickie insinuated MVP would have to pay back his bonus money if he didn’t win by Survivor Series. She then put him in a match with Khali for tonight.

-R-Truth challenges Shelton Benjamin for the United States Title next.

[Commercial Break]

1- R-TRUTH vs. SHELTON BENJAMIN- UNITED STATES TITLE MATCH

During Truth’s entrance, JR and Tazz plugged The Miz & John Morrison vs. Triple H & Jeff Hardy for later tonight. Crowd was into R-Truth as soon as the bell rang. Benjamin used a gut-buster early on and worked the ribs. Benjamin missed a corner splash and Truth clotheslined him. Both men were down for a five count recovering, after just two minutes into the match. Not very realistic. Truth fought out of a powerbomb to hit a corkscrew forearm (and he almost landed on Benjamin in the process) for two. Benjamin went to the top, but got kicked in the gut coming down. Truth hit the ropes, but Shelton rolled out of the ring. Truth did a flip-dive over the top rope and onto Shelton. Dropkick off the top connected, but Truth was slow to make the cover and got just two. Shelton, standing on the apron, brought Truth in the air for a suplex, and dropped him ribs-first on the top rope as he fell to the outside. Shelton then snuck into the ring and hit Paydirt to retain.

WINNER: Shelton, at 4:06. Could’ve used more time. Decent action but the selling wasn’t realistic for a four-minute match.

-Jimmy Wang Yang was stretching in the back when The Brian Kendrick and Ezekiel came up to him. Kendrick spouted off what sounded like a biblical passage and when Yang questioned it, Ezekiel said it was from “Pulp Fiction.” Apparently, some form of those three are having a match next.

[Commercial Break]

2- EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. JIMMY WANG YANG

Yang got a few punches to the ribs until Zeke hit him with a knee to the gut. Yang got some kicks in, but Zeke hit a hard shoulderblock that almost took Yang out of his painted-on jeans. Zeke threw Yang out of the corner then finished him with a ura nage (though according to Wikipedia, we Americans are mis-using that term and it is not a Rock Bottom as we’ve come to know it as. The more you know.....).

WINNER: Ezekiel, at 1:06. Kendrick hit The Kendrick after the match on Yang.

-A short video package aired on Vladimir Kozlov. He faces Undertaker in order to gain a title shot, and it’s tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-Michelle McCool was getting make-up done when Eve Torres came up to her and asked her for advice in the entertainment business. Michelle talked about desire and whatnot, then noted that her opponent next week, Maria, doesn’t have what it takes and is just a Playboy model trying to wrestle. Then Maria walked into the scene and Eve gave her a hug while Michelle rolled her eyes. Maria and Michelle then hugged and went on their merry way together.

-The Raw Rebound aired.

-Jeff Hardy sat down with Vickie in her office. He begged for another shot at Triple H at Survivor Series, and promised he’d win. That’s all she said he is these days is promises. She said he doesn’t have what it takes to be champion and that he’s not even that extreme anymore. She then told him to go get ready for what he does best- tag team matches. Jeff said he’d blow her mind tonight. In the ring, I mean. During the tag match. Sickos.

[Commercial Break]

-JR and Tazz plugged the Smackdown vs. Raw video game, and they showed clips from a Miz-Morrison vs. HHH-Hardy match.

3- TRIPLE H & JEFF HARDY vs. THE MIZ & JOHN MORRISON

Morrison had a ton of ab glitter on this week, and even did the Rick Rude swivel at HHH. He, of course, just laughed. Morrison landed some right hands on Trips in the corner, but HHH exploded out with a clothesline. Morrison avoided a Twist of Fate early on and headed to ringside. Hardy then dove onto Miz and Morrison over the top rope. All three men were down when the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Hardy was in there with Miz out of break. Morrison distracted Hardy, and allowed Miz to take Hardy out. HHH checked on him at ringside before Miz worked him over some more. The heels worked over Hardy for a few minutes before Jeff came back. Both men were down and Hardy crawled over to his corner, but didn’t make the tag. He retreated to a neutral corner and welcomed the newly-tagged Miz. Hardy hit his signature moves and when he went up for the Swan-ton, Triple H came in and distracted the ref. That allowed Morrison to trip Hardy up and double-teaming ensued. HHH broke free from referee Scott Armstrong and took a few shots at Miz and Morrison. Finally, Hardy got a chair from ringside and attacked the heels, drawing a DQ. Hardy chased Morrison up the ramp with the chair, and HHH Pedigreed Miz in the ring. HHH and Hardy started at each other until Hardy went back up the ramp.

WINNERS: Miz & Morrison by DQ, at 10:31. Not a big fan of seeing Miz and Morrison treated as background fodder. A win here, even by DQ doesn’t mean much, since the tag division is pretty much non-existent.

-Eve was backstage with Kozlov. He said he’d take out Taker tonight, decimate Triple H and become champion. Strong words....strong words from a strange man.

[Commercial Break]

-They showed what happened moments ago, at the end of the tag match.

-Hardy walked into Vickie’s office and asked if that was extreme enough for her. Vickie said she already has a deal with Kozlov about the championship.

-Big Show came out. He had a message for Undertaker. Show asked Kozlov to save some of Taker for him. He said Taker’s power comes from fear. Show said he doesn’t fear Taker, as he’s beaten him twice. He then challenged Taker to a match from UT’s own playground: a casket match. He suggested Taker practice holding his breath.

[Commercial Break]

-They showed what happened at the beginning of the show to lead to the next match....

4- MVP vs. THE GREAT KHALI

MVP tried to hit-and-run, foolishly trying to punch at the upper body and head of Khali. Take out the legs! Khali took over with a punch, then a clothesline. Khali got some kicks to the gut on MVP in the corner, but MVP reversed things and took some shots at Khali. He made the mistake of charging at the big man, and Khali laid in the head chop. Khali Bomb ended it.

WINNER: Khali, at 2:20. Hurricane made some snide comments about MVP after the loss.

[Commercial Break]

-JR and Tazz plugged that WrestleMania tickets go on sale tomorrow.

5- BRIE BELLA vs. VICTORIA

Victoria got the advantage early on. Natalya was at ringside with Victoria. Victoria did the spinning side slam for two. Standing moonsault was met by the knees of Brie. Monkey flip out of the corner by Brie. Victoria slammed Bella for two. However, Brie caught her napping with an inside cradle for three.

WINNER: Bella, at 2:27.

After the match, Brie went under the ring to avoid Natalya. Natalya grabbed her leg on one side, while Victoria, just around the corner, grabbed Brie by the head. It looked weird seeing her feet by Natalya and her head by Victoria....someone call the Masked Magician! Oh wait, BOTH Bellas finally got pulled from under the ring. They did a long pause, looking at each other and smiling, then went on the attack. They sent the heels into the ring and did a few stereo moves on them, including a snap-mare. Carlito and Primo were looking on backstage and seemed impressed at the twins. “Now that’s cool!” said Primo.

-The John Cena video from Raw aired. I loved Edge’s comment: “He was in there with Kurt Angle, who, at the time....was at the top of his game....

-Vladimir Kozlov faces Undertaker...next.

[Commercial Break]

-Both Vladimir Kozlov and Undertaker made their entrances for the main event.

[Commercial Break]

6- VLADIMIR KOZLOV vs. THE UNDERTAKER

The bell rang as soon as the show returned from break. Kozlov grabbed a beautiful side-headlock and took Taker down with a shoulderblock. Taker followed by taking Kozlov off his feet with the same move. Kozlov went off the ropes but was hit with a big boot. Taker than clotheslined Kozlov over the top rope and to the floor. Taker dropped his leg over the throat of Kozlov on the apron. Kozlov whipped Taker into the buckle, but The Dead Man met The Russian with a hard clothesline. Belly-to-belly suplex by Vlad. This could be a solid feud, as both men’s strengths are quite similar as far as the use of martial arts. Vlad headbutted Taker in the chest a few times, then kicked him to the ground. Body shots by Vlad, but Taker sent Kozlov to the corner and hit a big splash. Snake eyes (a bit awkward on Vlad’s end), but when Taker went for the big boot, Kozlov picked him up and powerslammed him. Taker tried to lock in the Devil’s Triangle (gogoplata), but Kozlov was near the ropes. Jeff Hardy came out with a steel chair and assaulted Kozlov with it, then Undertaker.

WINNER: Kozlov, via DQ at 6:34. Very solid match. I liked it a lot.

Taker sat up after a chair shot and went up the ramp to chase Hardy, who had already gone to the back. When Taker heard ring announcer Justin Roberts name Kozlov the winner via DQ, he stormed back into the ring and chokeslammed Kozlov. Jeff Hardy went backstage into Guerrero’s office and said he’d do something next week Kozlov couldn’t- take out Undertaker, but in an extreme rules match. Vickie granted it. Wait, why didn’t Jeff attack Taker first? That would’ve given the Dead Man the win, and Kozlov wouldn’t have been able to fight Triple H for the title and presumably, Hardy would. Doesn’t make sense.

CONVERSATION STARTER: Are you disappointed when a first-time match-up the caliber of Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov takes place on TV and lasts less than seven minutes and ends in DQ? Would you rather they save it for PPV and give it more time and a better finish? Or are you just happy to see those two lock-up for free, even if it's just for a short span of time? Sound off in our all-new instant reader comments zone below where you can post your comments reacting to any article on PWTorch.com.

Greg Parks has been covering Smackdown for PWTorch.com since February of 2007. You can also hear him every-other-week in the post-Raw audio show Monday nights in the Torch VIP audio section. Check out his column each week in the PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Comments, questions and feedback is welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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