By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
OCTOBER 30, 2009
AIRED ON MY NETWORK TV

[Q1]

-Clips aired of Batista's turn on Rey Mysterio at Bragging Rights. After the Smackdown opening aired, Todd Grisham and Matt Striker introduced the show. Grisham said with a smile that he can officially declare Smackdown the "A-sow" now. This whole thing just makes the supposedly sober clear-headed announcer seem like an idiot considering the only reason Team Smackdown won was because The Big Show turned on his own team. How can a fan take anything Grisham says seriously if he somehow sees that outcome as determinant of anything.

-G.M. Teddy Long stood center-ring and also celebrated Smackdown become the A-Show. Everything said about Grisham applies to Long. He hyped a heart-to-heart tal would be coming up later between Batista and Rey. Chris Jericho walked into the ring with the Bragging Rights trophy. Long said the trophy belongs to Smackdown, and he took it. Jericho said the trophy begins to him. He said he won the match not for the sycophant fans or the Smackdown brand, but for himself. He then complained about Long giving Big Show a World Title match behind his back without consulting him is one of the most underhanded, devious decisions he's ever made. He said he single-handedly brought Smackdown to glory at Bragging Rights, so he should be given the chance to become the champion. Kane's music interrupted Jericho.

Out walked co-captain Kane. Grisham asked Striker if he agrees Jericho single-handedly won the cup. Striker said he doesn't believe he or anyone should try to get inside the mind of Kane. Kane said as co-captain he deserves a chance at Undertaker's title. Jericho said he must suffer from a case of selective memory because he's the one who got the winning pinfall at Bragging Rights, not him. He said his track record against Undertaker is "spotty at best." Jericho said he's the captain, so get out of his face. Kane grabbed Jericho by the throat to set up a chokeslam. Long interjected, insisting that Kane listen to him and not chokeslam Jericho. Long proposed that Kane face Jericho one-on-one, and the winner will be inserted into the World Title match at Survivor Series between The Big Show and Undertaker, making it a Triple Threat match. [c]

[Q2]

-Grisham recapped the Jericho vs. Kane main event announcement and its ramifications.

1 -- JOHN MORRISON vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER

Striker said the Intercontinental Title was originally conceived to be defended only in North America or South America, but Morrison has taken it global. Ziggler did some mic work before the match on his way to the ring. He said everyone else on Smackdown won their matches at Bragging Rights except Morrison. Morrison said he doesn't remember seeing him at Bragging Rights, so including himself in the team victory celebration is "premature" He added, "You're not a stranger to that feeling, now, are you? Just ask Maria." At 3:00 they cut to a break with Ziggler in control in the ring. [c] At 8:00 Morrison made a comeback and scored a near fall, ending with Ziggler's foot draped over the bottom rope. Grisham said that showed Ziggler's high wrestling IQ. Ziggler swept Morrison off the ring apron and worked him over at ringside, including slamming him ab-first over the announce table. He was then counted out.

WINNER: Ziggler in 10:00 via countout.

STAR RATING: *1/2 -- Flat finish. Not sure the purpose of it unless they're trying to reestablish the "drama of near countout finishes."

-The camera panned from Morrison to Grisham and Striker at ringside. They threw to a clip of Batista turning on Rey at Bragging Rights. Grisham said Rey would ask for an explanation later.

[Q3] [c]

-Backstage Vince McMahon enthusiastically greeted Long. He told him if he keeps the momentum going, he might be removed from probation. C.M. Punk walked in and said Long doesn't deserve such consideration. He complained about Show getting the shot against Undertaker. Punk said he should be given the chance that Jericho and Kane are getting. He blamed referee Scott Armstrong. McMahon said he's going to give Punk what he wants. Punk said he knew he'd get into the match at Survivor Series. McMahon said that's not what he wants, what he wants is a match against Scott Armstrong. Punk smiled and said: "Thank you, sir. That is brilliant."

2 -- BETH PHOENIX vs. JENNY BROOKS

A female jobber on WWE TV? Crazy. Phoenix overpowered Brooks start to finish. Good to see a squash win for a woman wrestler in WWE rather than an awkwardly short match between two main roster members just to get them on TV.

WINNER: Phoenix in 2:00.

-A video package aired on Batista turning on Rey. [c]

-They showed "Divide the Day" band members, Brian, Joe, and Billy at ringside.

-Vickie Guerrero walked out in a princess dress. She introduced her Prince Charming, Eric Escobar.

[Q4]

3 -- MATT HARDY vs. ERIC ESCOBAR

This is a rematch from two weeks ago which Escobar won. At 2:00 Hardy hit a moonsault, but was slow to make the cover, clutching his knee afterward. Escobar seized Hardy's weakened knee. At 3:00 Hardy caught Escobar with a Twist of Fate out of nowhere for the win.

WINNER: Hardy in 3:00. Sluggish match. It had the pace and athleticism of Kane vs. Batista.

-They showed Rey backstage readying himself to have a talk with Batista. [c]

-More extended clips aired of the Batista turn on Rey at Bragging Rights.

-Rey Mysterio walked out to his music, looking dejected and sullen. He said he considered Batista his best friend in the world. He said he's replayed what happened over and over in his head since the PPV. He said at first he was so angry, but then got t thinking about what is really important, "and that is Batista being my family." He said he owes him the benefit of the doubt, and regardless of how disappointed he is, he won't leave the ring until they straighten out their differences "like men, like family that we are." Batista's music played and he walked out to a mixed, tempered crowd response. Striker wondered if he was contrite and remorseful or indifferent.

[Q5]

Batista said Rey just doesn't get it and realize how bad this could get for him. "Who the hell do you think you are calling me out," he said. Rey said he's just trying to straighten things out. Batista said he's going to be the bigger man and give him one opportunity to "walk on out of my ring." Rey paused for a moment, then said he wouldn't leave. He said he's going to try to straighten things out because they've been through so much together. Regarding the Fatal Four-way, he asked him, "What, did you want me to not try?" He said he wants to let bygone be bygones because their friendship means so much. He said he's like a big brother to him and he looks up to him. He said brothers fight all the time. He said when they're done with wrestling, they'll still be family.

Batista smirked and paced and said Rey should be thinking about how little effort it took for him to hurt him. He said what will he do now that Big Dave isn't looking out for him. He said he should be regretting stabbing Big Dave in the back. He said he should be asking himself what Big Dave is going to do to him now if he doesn't leave the ring. Rey said, "You're not serious, are you?" Batista stared intensely at him and said he knows him and he should know he's not lying. Rey said if he would have known that this would interfere in their friendship, he would have never done what he did. Batista shot back, "Now you know." Rey said the biggest mistake he took was being part of the Fatal Four-way. Batista gave him one final chance to turn around and walk out of the ring.

Rey said he's not leaving. He said he came out there to straighten things out and he won't leave until they do. He said Batista should do whatever he has to do, but he should look at all of the times they've been together. He brought up Eddie Guerrero. Batista fired back: "Eddie's dead. I'm not thinking about Eddie. I'm not thinking about what we've been through. I'm not thinking about you. I'm thinking about me." The crowd gasped and booed. Batista dropped the mic and slowly made his way out of the ring. No attack on Rey this week, but a decisive declaration that he's not forgiving Rey. Good, intense, believeable performances from both Rey and Batista. That's how you put a segment on a show that will be one of two or three things viewers really remember rather than drowning them in too much so nothing stands out. Batista has always had this in him and he's shining in this heel role so far. [c]

-Matt Hardy approached Matt Hardy backstage. He said it might not be his business, but he knows about brothers having conflicts. He said there are many things he did to Jeff that he wishes he could take back, but he can't. He told Batista to think about what he's doing to Rey and not make the same mistakes that he did. Batista laughed in his face as if he was three levels below him as a human being. Batista walked away and Hardy turned. The camera stayed on - always an ominous sign - and Batista charged back and jumped Hardy from behind.

[Q6]

-Drew McIntyre was scheduled to face Finlay. Before the match McIntrye walked out and said he never wanted to be part of Team Smackdown because he always wanted to make his own impact. Finlay then made his ring entrance. Drew attacked him on the ring apron and promptly threw him into the ringside steps. The match never began and was called off by the referee.

-Grisham plugged Jericho vs. Kane. [c]

-Cryme Tyme stood mid-ring and called themselves Friday Night Thugs of Horror. They introduced the 2009 Divas Halloween Costume Contest. Striker joked that Grisham looks like K.D. Lang and he could dress up as her for Halloween. Four Divas walked out. Natalya was dressed up as a Matador, prompting a Tito Santana reference by Striker. She did a brief matador routine. Up next was Layla as Michael Jackson. She did a brief dance routine to a Jackson-like song. Michelle McCool was up next dressed as the devil. Shad said she's "too cool for school." And finally, Mickie James was dressed as Electra from comic books. She did a dance routine also. The fans cheered the most for Mickie, so she's the contest winner. What an honor.

[Q7] [c]

4 -- C.M. PUNK vs. SCOTT ARMSTRONG

Punk came to the ring with as much enthusiasm and cockiness as you'll ever see from a wrestler. Will Striker be allowed to reference the Armstrong family history in pro wrestling. Striker said if Punk can eliminate the weak link in a conspiracy, it could benefit him. Armstrong walked out, as Grisham said, looking like he was headed for the guillotine. Punk shoved Armstrong at the start and said he's a nobody. Armstrong got upset and fired back with a few punches. Punk sold them and grabbed his jaw. Still no acknowledgment that Armstrong is an ex-wrestler. Punk finished Armstrong with a Go To Sleep a minute later. Not the smoothest taking of the move ever. Punk pinned Armstrong, then told him that when he wakes up from his nap, don't ever forget who did it to him.

WINNER: Punk in 2:00.

-The showed Jericho and Kane on a split scree heading toward the entrance tunnel. [c]

-Striker announced that Hardy vs. Batista was signed for next week.

[Q8]

5 -- CHRIS JERICHO vs. KANE

After two minutes of Kane dominating until a late Jericho comeback, they cut to a break. [c] Jericho controlled about five minutes of action after the break, mostly matwork. Jericho applied a Boston Crab at 12:00, but Kane reached the bottom rope. Jericho charged at Kane, but Kane caught him with a punch to the chin. Kane climbed to the top rope, but Jericho met him there and knocked him off balance. Kane shoved him to the mat and dove at Jericho. Jericho caught him with a Code Breaker in mid-air and scored the pin.

WINNER: Jericho in 14:00.

STAR RATING: * -- Another plodding, sluggish match. It told it's story, but the athleticism and grace quotient was very low.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The high point was Batista-Rey. They did a great job making that a centerpiece element of the show and both played their roles very well. The Jericho-Kane main event was not going to be electric both because they're a bad match style-wise (who's a good match with Kane?) and they're both heels, so a flat finish. Most of the show felt like it was phoned in.

QUOTEBOOK

Chris Jericho: "I'm the hero to all of these germ incubators."

Matt Striker on Beth Phoenix: "Powerful women to me are so very attractive. I think I'm in love."

Matt Striker: "A lot of people say Eric Escobar has slinked and snaked his way onto Smackdown."

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