by Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
October 23, 2009
Taped 10/20/09 at the University of South Carolina
Aired on MyNetwork TV


-They advertised C.M. Punk vs. Undertaker right off the bat with a video package proclaiming the Submissions Match for the World Championship would take place tonight, with the odds stacked against Taker.

-Smackdown Open.

-Fireworks kicked off the show, as did Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler, who plugged Rey Mysterio & Batista teaming up to take on Chris Jericho and Kane. With the Raw vs. Smackdown feud, I’m surprised they didn’t put Matt Striker and Josh Mathews on the show so as to keep the separation and the “feud” between the two brands and allow them to push for Smackdown at Bragging Rights, instead of bringing Cole and Lawler over, as they can’t really put over Smackdown, being the voices of Raw.

-Chris Jericho came out and as he did, they put up the picture of the Bragging Rights seven-on-seven match, and also showed the confrontation between Team Smackdown and Team Raw that took place on Monday night. Back to the arena, Jericho had the mic. He said after Sunday, he’ll not only be known as the face of Smackdown and one-half of the tag champs, but also the mastermind who led Smackdown to a victory over Raw. He said his greatness is omnipotent. Then he said he needed to tweak his team to make sure it’s one that can beat DX and Team Raw. He said he’d do to Batista and Rey what he’ll do to Team Raw on Sunday. Then Cryme Tyme’s music interrupted and JTG came out solo.

He made a joke about Jericho wanting to “man-handle” someone and Jericho asked if his partner was in jail. Wow, a gay joke and a racist joke within 30 seconds of each other. Jericho said it made him sick that he has to be on the same team as JTG and Shad. As Jericho asked him if he knows what it’s like to live up to the standards of a Chris Jericho, Vickie Guerrero interrupted. She said as the official consultant on Smackdown, it was with great pleasure she introduce Eric Escobar. I like the whisper of “Escobar” at the beginning of his theme music, but the rest needs to be overhauled. Escobar and Vickie were in the ring and Escobar had the mic. He said DX didn’t know who he was on Monday and the fans chanted “who are you?” at him. He paused for that, then said after what he will do on Sunday, DX will never forget his name. It was nice of Dolph Ziggler to wait until Escobar was done before coming out. Ziggler said that if anyone will be responsible for the team winning at Bragging Rights, it will be him. JTG rightly said that Ziggler has lost the last four I.C. title matches and also dumped one of the hottest WWE Divas in Maria. Drew McIntyre then came out.

McIntyre said Jericho may not know it, but Drew is the ace up the Smackdown team’s sleeve. He complained about not being named captain, then Kane’s fire and brimstone broke off Drew’s speech. Kane said none of them are worthy to be fighting alongside him. And then Jericho piped in with “or me!” Kane said that’s why he advised Jericho that since they’re in action against Batista and Rey, they should be in action as well. Jericho said originally, a 10-man tag was planned, but since Shad was out sick, there will be a four-on-five match. He said if they lose, they will be replaced at Bragging Rights by the five who beat them. Hopefully it’s not all those that lost qualifying matches like on Raw. That would be quite the lame repeat. And also, this makes pretty much everything that happened last week inconsequential. Oh, I guess the match is next.

[Commercial Break]

1- JTG & ERIC ESCOBAR & DOLPH ZIGGLER & DREW MCINTYRE vs. MATT HARDY & FINLAY & TYSON KIDD & DAVID HART SMITH & R-TRUTH- HANDICAP MATCH, WINNERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE RAW vs. SMACKDOWN TAG MATCH AT BRAGGING RIGHTS

Yep, it pretty much is everyone who lost last week, only without Mike Knox. Thrilling and original. JTG started with his legdrop over the back of the neck of Kidd for a one-count. Short clothesline from Finlay took one-half of Cryme Tyme to the mat. Finlay then took his roughhouse style to Ziggler, slamming a shoulder into his gut in the corner. Corner charge by Ziggler and no one was home- his head even hit the steel post. He went to the outside as the show went to break about 2:20 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Escobar with a light clothesline on Finlay, so much so that Fit barely sold it. Jericho and Kane were looking on backstage as Ziggler tagged in, rolling up Finlay for one. Rear chin-lock by Ziggler. The announcers reminded fans that Shad Gaspard was under the weather, which is why it’s a handicap match, and that JR is as well. Hardy made a tag to a decent pop (first of the match) and planted Ziggler into the mat for two. Everybody played abandon ship nd ended on the outside, except Hardy and JTG. But Finlay use the Shillelagh and Hardy hit the Twist of Fate for the win.

WINNERS: Hardy, Finlay, Kidd, Smith and R-Truth, at 9:35. Great, now on Smackdown’s side is guys who all lost last week, and guys who have been on the losing end of feuds: R-Truth with McIntyre, the Harts with Cryme Tyme, and Hardy with everyone in the last month (including taking the pin on Superstars this week). Even-steven booking taken to a whole ‘nother level, with all the losers last week winning here, and the winners losing.

-C.M. Punk was backstage with Scott Armstrong, arguing over who understands the severity of the situation more. Camera panned back to reveal Teddy Long there as well. Punk said no one cares about Armstrong’s family’s reputation- he’s out for the title. Long said he’s on probation and his life is on the line in this one. Punk accused them of second-guessing themselves. Armstrong said his father taught him that all a man has is his good name and if he goes on the chopping block for this, so be it. As he left the office, Vince McMahon walked up and said he and Scott (or all of them together) need to talk.

-John Morrison was walking backstage....he’s in action next.

[Commercial Break]

-Cole and Lawler plugged Mysterio & Batista vs. Jericho & Kane later tonight.

2- JOHN MORRISON vs. MIKE KNOX

During Morrison’s entrance, they showed clips of Miz vs. Marty Jannetty from Raw. Another inset interview from Knox, talking about severe pain in the abdomen, something that no amount of muscle can prevent. OK then. Morrison avoided a big boot, but landed a cross-body for two. Gut-buster by Knox for only two again. Abdominal stretch by Knox. Roll-up from Morrison for two, and he then went after Knox’s leg. Running knee to the cranium by Morrison for two. Bicycle kick by Knox for two. Knox fell throat-first over the top rope on a cross-body attempt and Morrison capitalized with Starship Pain (barely hitting) for the win.

WINNER: Morrison, at 3:07. Not one of either man’s better outings. So much for the Knox push.

Morrison did some brief post-match mic work, conjuring up the names of Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty once again.

-The Submission Match for the World Championship is yet to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-The newest teammates of Jericho and Kane were backstage laughing it up as Jericho and Kane walked up. The captains said the new guys better follow his lead. R-Truth said they may not like him, but they respect him. Finlay said they know where his loyalty lies as Hardy said they want nothing more than to prove their brand’s superiority over Raw. Jericho told them to watch closely as he and Kane destroy Rey and Batista like they’ll do to Team Raw on Sunday.

-Mickie James and Mae Young were talking backstage as Michelle McCool walked up. She hugged Mae and said it was good to see her. Mickie....not so much. Michelle said she’s sorry Mickie didn’t make the Smackdown team on Smackdown. Then she said Beth Phoenix and Natalya are way more talented than Mickie. James said Michelle was scared because she know she’d show her up and she knows Mickie will take the women’s championship from her. Mickie then told Michelle to break a leg on Sunday. Beth walked up and told Mae she looks very good. Beth, also looking good in whatever outfit she was wearing, told McCool that while they’re on the same team on Bragging Rights, not to plan on keeping the title for long. “She told you,” said Mae. “Shutup, Mae” replied Michelle. Then Young slapped her in the face. Ah, good ol’ Mae Young-based comedy. Good segment to get over the sense that McCool’s title is in danger, which was never a big issue with the previous Divas on the show- Michelle generally out-classed them all.

-They showed the referee counting to three last week in the Batista vs. Rey match, despite Batista getting his shoulder up.

-Backstage, Rey and Batista playfully argued over whether Dave got his shoulder up or not. Rey said he and his son were watching Batista’s new DVD over the weekend and they learned some new stuff about him. They shook hands and took off, as their tag match is next.

[Commercial Break]

-Cole again talked about Punk vs. Undertaker, with all the bells and whistles of Montreal, to take place here tonight.

3- REY MYSTERIO & BATISTA vs. CHRIS JERICHO & KANE

Jericho taunted Batista with a slap, and the big man responded with a clothesline. Rey came in but was sent to the outside courtesy of the illegal man, Kane. Batista left the apron to go make sure Kane didn’t get more involved as they went to break under 2:00 into the contest.

[Commercial Break]

Back with Kane working on the back of Rey. Jericho tagged in and trash talked Mysterio, slapping him around in the process. Bulldog by Rey as Batista tried to get the crowd into things. Kane made the tag and cheap-shotted Batista. The ref had to hold the Animal back and while he did, Jericho illegally took the fight to Mysterio. High vertical suplex, with Jericho flexing with one arm as he held Rey up, in an ultimate heel move, got a two count off of it. King said that when Jericho goes to a football game and sees the team huddling, he thinks they’re talking about him; that’s how ego-centric he is. Finally, both men made tags. Batista corner clotheslined Kane- Kane missed one of his own and was taken down hard by Batista, followed up by a spinebuster. Jericho got one as well. But that allowed Kane time to recover and nail Batista with a big boot. Then he threw Batista shoulder-first into the ring post. Kane got ready for the chokeslam, but Rey gave himself up, throwing himself into the hand of Kane. Kane seemed surprised, but chokeslammed him anyway. Then Batista came back and speared Kane for the win.

WINNERS: Batista & Rey, at 9:57. Perfectly fine match.

-In Long’s office, Teddy and Punk were leaning on the back of the couch, while McMahon and Armstrong were sitting on the couch, Armstrong with his head in his hand in frustration. McMahon seemed happy and told everyone to do their jobs out there. McMahon said he can feel the change in the air, like something is imminent. He said what starts here, in the Autumn, ends in Wrestlemania. Vince talked about the events that lead up to Wrestlemania. He told Armstrong that Scott’s dad, “Bullet” Bob was quite the guy, and could be a candidate for the Hall-of-Fame this year. Scott said he just turned 70 this year and McMahon told Scott to keep that though during the championship match tonight. Couldn’t he bribe Scott by giving his brother Brian a job? Or Brad? The camera focused on Scott as he said he was ready. He’s done a nice job of acting throughout this feud, I mean, for a referee.

[Commercial Break]

-Another plug for the Submission match, no doubt tonight’s main event.

4- MICKIE JAMES vs. LAYLA

And Mickie starts out with the bottom of the totem pole. It’s funny, Cole and Lawler mentioned once again they were filling in for JR, but never brought up where Todd Grisham was. Dropkick by Mickie on Layla, but Layla came back by throwing her out of the ring. She landed on her feet and tripped Layla up. Layla grabbed Mickie’s hair and pulled her off the top rope. McCool was looking on backstage. Side roll by Layla for a one-count. Then Mickie with a roll-up for two. Sidewalk slam from Layla, but the shoulders were not down, and thus referee Aaron “Goose” Mahoney didn’t make any count. Hard slap by Mickie as Layla showed her some dis-respect. Clothesline by James, then a few light forearm shots. Neck-breaker and a beauty though, to make up for it. Layla missed a kick and Mickie jumped her with a Thesz Press. Spin kick by Mickie on Layla and that does it.

WINNER: James, at 2:46. Fine debut for Mickie, realizing she was in there with Layla.

-They went to the video package of Captain Lou, the same one that aired on Raw. Also like on Raw, they showed fans clapping to the video for a brief moment before break.

[Commercial Break- for what it’s worth, “Man on the Moon” is airing on WGN America right now. Norm McDonald as Michael Richards? That’s some unique casting right there.]

-A video package on the Orton vs. Cena feud aired.

-Cole and Lawler broke down the Bragging Rights card.

-C.M Punk came out with Scott Armstrong and Teddy Long in tow. Punk had a mic as they walked to the ring. He said it’s very empowering to walk into an arena and know that he can physically dissect everyone in the arena and also that he could reduce viewers at home to tears in the blink of an eye. But he did say it pales in comparison to making Undertaker tap out for the second time. He said he knows how horrible the fans’ lives are and how they hope Taker can somehow beat Punk- but he can’t, and he won’t. Punk said his bragging rights start here and now. Oh, and the best part- there’s not a thing any of the fans can do about it. Long was in his seat at ringside and Armstrong was in the ring with Punk as they went to break- the match is next.
[Commercial Break]

6- C.M. PUNK vs. THE UNDERTAKER- SUBMISSION MATCH FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Punk was laughing and jumping up and down like a kid at ringside as Taker handed his belt to Armstrong before the match. Taker took Punk right down with a right hand, and we once again heard Cole proclaim Taker “perhaps the best pure striker in the history of the game.” Ah, I’ve missed that. Wait, no I haven’t. Punk came back and tried to lock in the Anaconda Vice, to no avail. Cole wondered if the fix was in as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Taker threw Punk out of the ring back from break, and Punk hit his back hard on the edge of the apron. Taker continued the assault by throwing Punk onto the announce table. Long had gotten out of his chair and moved away from the action. I think there was a “we want tables” chant. Punk dodged a Taker kick and Taker landed with his leg bouncing off the top rope. Not a god move for a guy with a bad hip. On the outside, Punk slammed Taker’s skull into the steel steps, then whipped him into the steps, Taker hitting leg-first. He didn’t do his usual flip over the steps either. Punk came off the top but landed right in Taker’s grip. He went after the Dead Man’s knee to get out of it and hammered away. They traded rights, with Taker predictably getting the dupe. Vintage Undertaker with the Snake Eyes, then legdrop. Punk rolled out of the Hell’s Gate and Taker headbutted him. Taker went Old School, but Punk pulled him down. Luckily he did that, as Long got out of his chair and started walking toward the ring. High knee in the corner, then a running bulldog by Punk. Punk called for Teddy to give him the chair. Long was slow to get up....and he gave the chair to Armstrong. What a wuss. Punk took the chair from Armstrong, but Taker got his boot up on a chair charge by C.M. Taker looked at Armstrong, then chokeslammed him. He turned his attention to Teddy, who did the smart thing and started to head to the back. Taker gave him the throat slash, but Punk came from behind with a chair to the gut and the back- then to the skull. Punk yelled for Long to get him a new referee, then locked in the Anaconda Vice. Long called for the bell, but apparently, only a ref can do that. Since when? Anyway, Mike Chioda ran to the ring and as soon as he got there, Taker reversed it into Hell’s Gate for the tap-out win.

WINNER: Taker, at 11:37. Don’t know why they’d give a match like this away only a few days before the PPV match, but I guess because it’s a different stip and there was enough extracurricular activities, they didn’t give too much away. Still, odd that Long couldn’t end the match- did Taker get to Mark Yeaton?

Punk held his throat and crawled up the ramp as Taker posed in the ring with the title as the show went off the air.

Greg Parks has been covering Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. You can also read his frequently updated blog in the VIP forum. Check out his column each week in the PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Also, look for his Tuesday chats with James Caldwell each Tuesday afternoon on the Torch. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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