By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
OCTOBER 11, 2009
TAPED 10/8 IN TRENTON, N.J.
AIRED ON MY NETWORK TV

[Q1]

-After a video package aired on Hell in a Cell and the new Smackdown opening aired with an "X" behind the logo marking ten years of the show, Jim Ross and Todd Grisham introduced the show and previewed the top matches. They hyped C.M. Punk vs. Batista and Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho.

-Teddy Long walked to the ring and announced that Undertaker defeated Punk and showed that Smackdown is the dominant brand in WWE. He said WWE would be introducing a new PPV in three weeks titled "Bragging Rights." He said Randy Orton will face John Cena in a 60 minute "Iron Man" match. He said at stake is the career of Cena on Raw. He said depending on the outcome, Cena is welcome "back home here on Smackdown." Punk then limped to the ring. Ross said nobody leaves the Cell the same, as it's always a career-changing match. Grisham credited Punk for almost winning the match. Punk got in Long's face and said, "John Cena? The general manager of Smackdown is out here talking about a Raw wrestler? Smackdown doesn't John Cena. What Smackdown needs is a little bit of focus from the esteemed general manager." He said the G.M.'s focus should be solely on him. He complained about having to wrestle Batista later.

Punk then challenged Long to give him a rematch against Undertaker in the style of match he last beat Undertaker, a submissions match. He said he wanted Scott Armstrong as his referee. He insisted that is the way it'll be. As Long protested, Vince McMahon walked out in his inimitable manner. McMahon said what Long was about to announce will not please Punk at all. He added that what Long was about to announce wouldn't please Undertaker, either. McMahon told Long he shouldn't keep provoking Undertaker and leaned into his face. McMahon said Undertaker will defend his title against Punk and Rey Mysterio and Batista in a Fatal Four-way match. Long reacted like that was news to him. Punk rubbed his forehead, indicating dismay and stress. McMahon then called Rey Mysterio to the ring. McMahon met Rey at ringside and shook hands with him. Punk glared at Rey and walked out of the ring toward the back. [c]

[Q2]

1 -- REY MYSTERIO vs. CHRIS JERICHO

At 1:00 Jericho hit a dropkick and hangman. Rey tried to comeback, but Jericho threw him like a dart under the bottom rope. They cut to an early break. [c] Jericho remained on offense after the break. At 9:00 Rey went for a 619, but Jericho caught him and set up a Walls of Jericho. Rey blocked it and small packaged Jericho for a near fall. jeicho applied the Walls mid-ring at 10:00. Rey powered out and set up another 619, itting this one. He followed with a slingshot splash over the top rope for the clean pin.

WINNER: Rey Mysterio in 11:00.

STAR RATING: **1/4 -- Solid TV match. Surprising to see Jericho do the clean job, but he's in the tag team division for the most part right now, whereas Rey is being elevated into the Fatal Four-way for the World Title, so it's a smart move.

[Q3]

-They showed Ross and Grisham at ringside who threw to highlights of Raw.

-A Cryme Tyme back hall segment aired with Eve. They said the word of the day is "Eve." They described her as Exquisite and Vivacious. They psyched her up for her match up next. [c]

2 -- EVE vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL

Grisham said this would be the biggest upset of Eve's career if she scored a win here. It's nice to hear the women have an actual hierarchy because, besides Jillian Hall being a comedy figure, they don't really create a sense of rankings among women. McCool dominated the first two minutes. Eve made a comeback. When she went for a cartwheel elbow into the corner, McCool blocked her with a boot to the back. Eve surprised McCool with a small package for a two count. McCool then surprised Eve with a boot to the face for the win.

WINNER: McCool in 3:00. Good short women's TV match.

[Q4] [c]

-Backstage Vickie Guerrero was getting randy with her her protege. Long walked in and said that's his office. She complained to Long about Eric Escobar not having a match scheduled tonight. She then complained about him "poking a stick" at the Undertaker. As Long said, "Mr. McMahon...", Vickie interrupted and asked if he was saying it was Undertaker's idea. Escobar kissed Vickie's arm seductively. She then reminded Long that he's still on probation.

3 -- JOHN MORRISON vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER -- Intercontinental Title match

When Morrison worked over Ziggler on the mat with a headlock early, Grisham said he's utilizing a "ground and pound" offense. It was more of a "ground and headlock" approach. Maria ran to ringside to cheer Ziggler. She set up a chair at ringside.

[Q5]

Ziggler took over a few minutes into the match. He did some trash-talking and then his a powerslam leading to a two count. He then went into a full-fledged mount with some MMA-style punches. He then shifted into a headlock, then got Morrison's back. Morrison came back at 8:00. He dove at Ziggler and both tumbled over the top rope to the floor. Maria watched closely as Ziggler surprised Morrison by ramming him into the ring apron. Ziggler leaned Maria's chair against the ring and then re-entered the ring. Maria took the chair back and sat on it. Ziggler dropkicked Morrison and then looked for the chair. It was gone and he was distracted as he couldn't figure out what happened to it. Morrison then surprised Ziggler with a kick to the head for the win. Thus begins ZIggler's abusive verbal treatment of Maria for being stupid, apparently.

WINNER: Ziggler in 10:00.

STAR RATING: **1/2 -- Good ten minute TV match.

-Ross and Grisham threw to a video package on Undertaker. [c]

-Maria asked Ziggler to talk to her as he stormed back to his dressing room. Ziggler said, "I have a personal life and a professional life, and I thought you could differentiate between the two." He said he has something special going on. He then turned to Maria and said, "In my personal life, I don't see you. It's over." Maria began to cry.

-Batista and Rey embraced backstage. Rey told Batista he hoped he didn't let him down at Hell in a Cell. He said he didn't let him down. Batista predicted victory at Bragging Rights. Rey said he'd win, but he loved him. They smiled and hugged again.

[Q6]

-R-Truth's ring intro took place. Then Matt Hardy's did. Ross said viewers wouldn't believe whom their opponents would be as a teaser going into the break. [c]

4 -- R-TRUTH & MATT HARDY vs. KANE & DREW MCINTYRE

Ross said with McMahon inking McIntyre to a contract personally, stardom is nearly assured since "he doesn't sign many losers." Truth's noisy belt remains the most annoying thing about Smackdown these days. Grisham said Hardy says the best of Matt Hardy is still to come. Ross said he agreed with that. McIntyre shortly thereafter pinned Hardy clean a DDT.

WINNERS: Kane & McIntyre in 4:00.

STAR RATING: * -- Matt Hardy continues to get punished for the sins of others. I don't buy his Day Two explanation for that Tweet at all. He's gone from being the presumed surrogate top babyface replacement for Jeff after he left to being a virtual Val Venis or Scotty 2 Hotty on Smackdown right now. That knee-jerk return from being a heel to a face really diminished his character's integrity and credibility. [c]

[Q7]

-Undertaker's full ring intro took place. He then cut a promo mid-ring. He talked about Bragging Rights being a new battleground for three challengers. Taker said Punk escaped the Hell in a Cell without much lost other than his title. "At Bragging Rights, I will take his soul," he promised. He then addressed Mysterio. He said his tenacious heart is legendary, his courage unquestionable, but he would show him no mercy. He then addressed Batista. He said his strength and rage will not be enough to save his soul. He said it's appropriate the match is named Fatal Four-way because one by one each of them "will fall beneath the shadow of the Undertaker." He said they will each rest in peace. [c]

-Full ring intros aired for both Batista and Punk.

[Q8]

5 -- BATISTA vs C.M. PUNK

Punk "Zbyszko'd" early after Batista no-sold a roundkick, bailing out to ringside. He bailed out twice more before the two minute mark when they cut to a break. [c] Back from the break, with seven minutes left in the show, Batista gave Punk a suplex for a two count. Punk finally got in offense with kick, but Batista caught a high roundhouse kick and went for an anklelock. He escaped and then used more kicks to finally take control and settled into a chinlock. Batista flipped Punk off of him, but Punk fired back with a neckbreaker for a two count. He followed with a figure-four headlock with his legs. Batista came back with shoulder drives into the corner and then a powerslam for a near fall at 10:00. When Punk went for a running knee in the corner, Batista blocked him. Punk rolled to ringside and reached under the ring. Batista pursued him and yanked him out by his leg. He set up a Batista Bomb at ringside, but Punk grabbed the ropes and kicked Batista to the floor. Punk fell into the ring just as Batista was counted out. Afterward Batista gave Punk a post-match Batista Bomb. The show ended with Batista contemplating his loss as Punk lay on the mat recovering from the Batista Bomb.

WINNER: Punk via countout at 12:00.

STAR RATING: *3/4 -- Decent match.

QUOTEBOOK

Jim Ross: "Every kid who's the smaller kid in his class. Every kid who had to play right field and bat ninth in little league ca take a lesson in heart and determination from Rey Mysterio."

Jim Ross: "Dolph Ziggler as a propensity to get a little full of himself. Perhaps he has a right to be."

Undertaker: "Consumed by the lust for fortune and fame, the recognition that this championship brings will lead them down a road from which they will be sorry they ever embarked because that road ends in my yard. For them, it will be a graveyard."

Todd Grisham: "When the Undertaker is in a match, you always bet on black."

[John Morrison art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch]

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