By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S SMAKDOWN REPORT
JUNE 19, 2009
AIRED ON MY NETWORK TV

BOX SCORE BASICS

-Jim Ross introduced the show this week, hyping Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy. Todd Grisham chimed in to hype C.M. Punk vs. Rey Mysterio. They threw to Josh Matthews.

-Matthews stood in the ring and introduced Jeff Hardy, whom he said will get a title match at the Bash. Hardy spoke about... nope. He actually didn't speak. Matthews threw to one clip after another of the developing Punk-Hardy saga. Seven minutes into the show, Matthews handed Hardy the mic. Hardy said he doesn't live in the past, he lives in the moment. He said he knows his fans will be with him at the Bash when faces and beats Punk one-on-one. Matthews said after hearing his point of view - all three sentences - he said it's only fair to hear from his opponent. Punk's music played he came out.

Grisham touted Punk for being one of those great champions who is in the right place at the right time. Matthews told Punk that many have accused him of stealing victories and being opportunistic. Punk said he too advantage of the rules of the Money in the Bank. He said nowhere in the contract does it say, "Don't cash in on Jeff Hardy." He said he didn't steal a victory on Monday. Punk said when he's in the ring he doesn't need to be anyone's best friend, he's his opponent's competitor. Hardy said they couldn't be any more different. He said they live their lives their own way. Punk took a dig through his inflection as he said, "I live my life the way I do and you live your life the way you do." Hardy said at the Bash their differences will collide. Matthews tested the crowd support for each wrestler by saying, "Let's hear it for..." for Hardy and then Punk. Hardy got more cheers and Punk more boos.

(1) Jeff Hardy beat Chris Jericho via countout in 5:00. In the end, after a brawl at ringside, a "fan" in a Rey Mysterio mask surprised Jericho by leaping off the ring barrier and sending Jericho into the ringpost with a flying head scissors. Rey then quickly retreated to ringside where he sat next to two other fans in Rey masks and acted all innocent. Jericho was counted out. (*1/4)

-Three Divas joked with Dolph Ziggler, interrupting him before he could introduce himself. Maria said he looks like that guy from Boogie Nights. Eve called him "Dick Ziggler." They all had a laugh at his expense. [c]

(2) Dolph Ziggler beat The Great Khali (w/Ranjin Singh). Ziggler was very aggressive, but at 2:00 when he grabbed a chair, Khali batted it away and then wound up with it. The ref DQ'd him for threatening to use it.

-Ross and Grisham threw to highlights of Raw, with a focus on the Donald Trump announcement.

(3) Melina beat Alicia Fox (w/Michelle McCool) in 2:00. Ross hyped Melina's title defense against Michelle McCool. After a quick win by Melina, McCool interrupted Melina's celebration with a kick and then a ringside beating. Then she bent down and got in Melina's face and did some trash talking, saying the paparazzi will be taking pictures of her, not Melina, at the Bash after she wins. She said she'll be the first woman to be both the Diva's Champion and the Women's Champion./

-Edge stood in the ring. Ross said he's on the "manic edge" lately because he can't stand not being champion. He complained about having to face John Morrison, whom he said isn't fit to breathe the same air as him much less step inside the ring with him. As he said he feels pity for Morrison, Morrison's ring intro interrupted him. Grisham put Morrison over as dynamic and amazing. Ross put him over as young and charismatic. When Morrison entered the ring, Edge too some digs at him. Morrison fired back. He said he used to be entertaining and innovative. He said he used to do stuff, not just talk about stuff. Morrison mocked is Canadian accent and said he's so boring he has to fast-forward when he's on TV. He added that his ex-wife is a "big fat pig."

(4) Edge pinned John Morrison in 16:00. The early minutes were paced for a long match. They cut to a break at 5:00. At 10:00 Morrison scored a near fall with a swinging side knee to the face of a sitting Edge. Some good back and forth actions followed including a DDT for a near fall by Edge at 15:00. Morrison went for Starship Pain, but Edge moved and suddenly hit a spear for the clean win. (**3/4) [c]

(5) R-Truth & Cryme Tyme beat Ricky Ortiz & Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin in 4:00. Truth came down the ramp rather than through the crowd. Ortiz and Shad worked the first half of the match. Truth and Shelton finished up with some nice exchanges, ending with Truth hitting a twisting flying elbow on Shelton for the clean win. (3/4*) [c]

-A clip aired of Mysterio interfering against Jericho earlier. Rey then came out to his full ring intro. He explained that Jericho jumped him a few weeks ago while wearing one of his own masks, and tonight he got some payback. "It felt great!" he said. Jericho walked out and said he's done giving Rey shots at the IC Title. Rey said if it wasn't for his obsession trying to take off his mask, he would be standing there as the IC Champion. Jericho stepped onto the stage and told Rey he doesn't understand that only he can save him. When Jericho insulted the fans, Rey stepped up to defend them. Then he explained that he wears his mask out of tradition, for his family, and for his own pride. He said if there's something he's ashamed of, it's that a disgrace like him is walking around as IC Champion. Jericho said if he wants a chance at the IC Title, he'll need to put something up that's very dear to him and defines who he is. He said he'll put his title up against his mask at the Bash. Rey took a few steps backward and blinked hard nervously. Jericho asked if he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. Rey said if putting his mask on the line is the only way to expose him as the self-centered egotistical hypocrite that he is, then he gladly accepts. In a nice touch, Ross said when they get back from the break, they'll find out if that match is approved by the G.M. [c]

(6) Rey Mysterio beat C.M. Punk in 12:00. Grisham confirmed the match between Rey and Jericho was made official. Jericho joined Ross and Grisham on commentary. Jericho complained that he's a hero to millions but refuses to show his face. At 3:00 they cut to a break with Punk at ringside. [c] Back from the break Punk had Rey on the mat and Jericho said he was taking notes. At 11:00 Jericho got up and threw Rey into the ringpost. Ross asked how he can justify that. Jericho shot back: "An eye for an eye. Did you see what he did earlier? Why do you think I'm here? To talk to your buffoons." Great response. Rey beat the ten count. Punk, though, then finished Rey with a Go To Sleep. (***)

-Afterward, Jeff Hardy rushed out to prevent more interference from Jericho and to complain to the ref about what happened. When Hardy turned toward Punk and looked upset, Punk looked at him as if to say "what do you want me to do?" and then he rolled out of the ring and held his title belt in the air.

THOUGHTS, OBSERVATIONS, AND NITPICKS

PUNK-HARDY: Punk's in a great position as a "heel" because he's totally right in everything he says, so he can with a straight face defend himself, yet Hardy fans still see him as betraying some sort of bond between fan-favorites and just like Hardy more. It's a great feud for Punk to introduce to fans another side of his personality that he showed during his days headlining ROH...

EDGE-MORRISON: The verbal exchange was a good one (with one exception). Morrison remains underrated on the mic. It's just nice to see Edge interact with someone who wasn't headlining in 2005... The comment by Morrison about Edge's ex-wife being a "big, fat pig" was so unnecessary and mean-spirited, and I doubt Morrison made that call on his own. She's gone, he already disowned her in the meanest way possible, and they're still taking shots at her because she had the nerve to leave WWE to be with her family, setting a terrible example for everyone else in the company by planting a seed that WWE's schedule and being anything but a virtual absentee parent are almost mutually exclusive... Good TV match. There's still a last step for Morrison to take to get to that main event level as there's an intangible aspect not quite there yet in terms of him having an edginess and street toughness to him, which should be attainable considering he's considered a legitimate tough guy...

SIX-MAN TAG: We need to stop talking about Shelton being a no. 1 draft pick because either he's not or WWE has completely dropped the ball on him, and either way it's frustrating to keep hearing about how good he is or what his potential is. He's been around a long time and has been a mid-carder and is probably locked in as just that... Shelton and Truth's exchanges were really solid, albeit short... I still think Truth's herky-jerky dancing is odd at best and Elaine Benes bad at worst. He kind of looks like he's trying to shake a bunch of spiders off of his body in a fit of panic and the music just happens to be playing but has no connection to his moves...

MYSTERIO-PUNK: It was a nice touch that they waited until after a commercial break to confirm that Rey vs. Jericho was made official, rather than just assuming it was because Jericho issued a challenge and Rey accepted... Given how often Jericho calls Rey a "little man," it just seems he's been waiting his entire career to be able to use that term against an opponent of his - and this is his first time ever feuding with someone notably smaller than him. If Edge turns babyface and feuds with Jericho, he should constantly refer to Jericho as a "little man" to get under his skin...

OTHER THOUGHTS: I don't see how Divas mocking Dolph like they did backstage does anything for him being anything other than a laughing stock lower card wrestler. If WWE sees any potential in him - and they should - he should begin to emerge from being mocked and move into a respectable arrogant role... I like the portrayal of Alicia Fox as McCool's mentor for one reason - it establishes a sense of hierarchy in the Divas Division which is usually just a crowd of women treated as basically all being on the same level...

QUOTEBOOK

Jim Ross: "India is a great place to vacation."

Todd Grisham with the Dated Reference of the Week: "Melina is more flexible than Gumbi."

Edge to Morrison: "Are you Sigfried or Roy? Nice outfit there, fur boy."

John Morrison to Edge: "Now you're so predictable that I have to fast-forward you on my DVR."

John Morrison to Edge: "What are you going to complain about next? You're goofy boots, your bobble head, your bug eyes? How about I give you something to complain about?"

Jim Ross: "I think Shelton is a number one draft pick, any draft, anytime."

Todd Grisham: "J.R., why don't you go in the ring and dance with them (R-Truth and Cryme Tyme)."

Jim Ross in response: "My back has been bothering me from all the cardio I've been doing."

Chris Jericho to Mysterio: "The mask is your drug and these fans are your enablers."

Chris Jericho after a Punk-Rey handshake: "Oh, look at the shameless pandering between the two good guys."

Chris Jericho on Rey: "I've never doubted his abilities as a performer. I've doubted his abilities as a human being, J.R."

Chris Jericho: "At the Bash I will take off his mask, Jim Ross, because I owe it to Rey Mysterio and I owe it to all of these gelatinous parasitic tapeworms to prove that I was right yet again."

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