WWE Smackdown review
May 14, 2010
Taped 5/11/10 in Buffalo, N.Y.
Aired on MyNetwork TV
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist

- WWE Open.

- The show opened with clips of Drew McIntyre's attack on Matt Hardy from last week.

- Smackdown Open.

- Fireworks went off and they panned the crowd at the HSBC Arena. Todd Grisham and Matt Striker previewed CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio tonight.

-Teddy Long was already in the ring, with the IC Title over his shoulder. He said the following match would be for the Intercontinental Championship.

1 - KOFI KINGSTON vs. CHRISTIAN – INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Striker said the IC Title has changed hands three times in Buffalo. I think, for the most part, the fans were more in favor of Kofi live, especially as the match got going. The men struggled to get an advantage, but Christian dove onto Kingston on the outside after Kofi missed a dive. Both men were down after that move, and they went to break about two minutes in.

[Commercial Break]

Christian was attempting to wear down Kingston with a chin-lock out of break. He settled into another rear chin-lock after Kingston fought out of the previous one. He got out again and did his flip kick in the corner. "What would Scott Norwood think of that kick?," asked Striker. I know some friends who would like to meet up with Striker in a dark alley after that comment. High dropkick from Kingston. Jumping clothesline found the mark. Christian tripped him up during the Boom Drop and the men traded roll-ups. Leapfrog was countered by Christian, and he ended up giving an electric chair to Kofi. Another series of roll-ups for two. Cross-body off the top by Christian missed, but Kofi hit one of his own for a near-fall. Boom Drop found the mark, however, his finisher was countered into a reverse DDT for two. Killswitch was countered and Kingston landed his flip roll-through for two. Christian appeared to have his lip busted open at this point. Christian went for a sunset flip, but Kofi rolled through, got to his feet, and hit the Trouble in Paradise for the win.

WINNER: Kingston, at 12:02. I wonder if the commercial break padded the match out, because I had it pegged right at 10 minutes when I was there live. Just as good a match as I remember.

As Kingston celebrated with the title, the dapper Drew McIntyre made his slow walk to the ring. Long warned him that he'd have security escort him out of the building, but that didn't stop Drew. McIntyre gave an envelope with a letter in it to Long. Teddy read it silently, then tossed it down in anger. He told Kingston he was sorry and that he'd have to take the title. Kofi wasn't having it, but in the end, he gave it up. Crowd was not happy with the decision by Long here. The Smackdown GM handed the belt back over to Drew McIntyre, who left with his possession as Kingston seethed in the ring. McIntyre taunted Kofi by posing with the belt twice, once at the bottom of the ramp and again at the top.

[Commercial Break]

- The announcers were shown on camera talking about what just happened. Striker had the letter in hand and read it over the crowd mic. It was from Vince McMahon, overruling Teddy Long's decision from last week RE: Firing McIntyre. He's even still allowed to be the Intercontinental Champion.

- Grisham threw it to a video package of what happened two weeks ago, when Big Show knocked out Jack Swagger with a closed fist. And then last Friday, when Show demolished an announce table with Swagger's body.

- Backstage, Swagger was directing traffic as some WWE crew members emptied a delivery truck full of boxes.

2 - SHAD GASPARD vs. JESSE GUYVER

Headlock take-over by Shad, as Guyver wasn't getting anything in. Sunset flip by the jobber, but Gaspard didn't fall for it. STO ended things.

WINNER: Gaspard, at 1:38. Impressive enough squash.

- They previewed Punk vs. Rey by showing Punk dress down Rey in front of his family from a few months back.

[Commercial Break]

- Striker plugged ringside photos from WWE's tour of Mexico on WWE.com.

3 - MVP & JTG vs. THE DUDEBUSTERS

Apparently, the Dudebusters are goofballs. Back-body drop by JTG on Baretta. The guys sitting behind us did not like the Dudebusters. Apparently, neither did MVP and JTG, as they clotheslined the duo over the top rope. Croft tripped JTG up behind the ref's back and Baretta landed a running knee to the face. The Dudebusters worked over JTG on the heel side of the ring. Frequent tags by the heels. MVP begged JTG for a tag, but Baretta grabbed his leg. JTG kicked him aside and tagged MVP. Croft tried to break up a pin, but MVP moved and he hit Baretta. Play of the Day on Baretta for MVP to get the win.

WINNERS: MVP & JTG, at 4:21. Not a good sign that they threw JTG back into a tag-team after breaking away from Shad.

- Backstage, CM Punk talked to his Straight Edge Society members, saying he saw doubt in their eyes for the first time last week, but it was Rey Mysterio who put it there. He told them to stay in the back during his match with Rey tonight.

- Lots of men with boxes and trophies were coming to the ring. We'll see what it's about, next.

[Commercial Break]

- The camera panned the numerous trophies and awards in the ring, including a jacket with "Swagger" on the back, and the World Heavyweight Title. Then Jack Swagger walked out. There were also three easels with black sheets covering whatever was underneath. Swagger said he'd never forgive himself if he passed something up, so he got down and did a few push-ups to some more heat. He said he accomplishes more in one day than some do in their entire lives. He said he called his daddy (yes, he said "daddy") and asked for the family to bring his awards and trophies to share. He talked about how he got all the accolades he did, and they even went to break in the middle of him talking. No surprise: This was a LONG segment, so I knew they'd have to either edit it or put a break in.

[Commercial Break]

Back to the show and Swagger was still talking about his favorite subject: himself. He said just over 28 years ago, his daddy celebrated his greatest achievement: the birth of a future world Champion. And apparently, he weighed 15 pounds at birth. He uncovered one of the pictures and it was a miniature Swagger posing in a wrestling outfit with a medal at five years old. "At age five, I was better than all of your children," he told the crowd. They booed him, so he thanked them. He talked about being an Eagle Scout, and did the hand gesture. The crowd chanted "you suck," but Swagger disagreed. The second picture was him on the podium for his third state wrestling championship. He called himself king of his high-school and even put on a crown. "Jerry Lawler never looked so good, eh?" Swagger talked about bringing a 32 year-old brain surgeon as his date to his prom. He said she looked good on the dance floor, in part because he's a ballroom dancing champion. Swagger said he had offers from all over the country, but decided to go to Oklahoma.

The third and final picture was him in his football uniform as an Oklahoma Sooner, kneeling next to head coach Bob Stoops. He said he was defensive scout team player of the year. Of course, that meant that he didn't really play in games, then. He showed off his American Red Cross life guard certification, and has 14 saves under his belt. He referred to himself as a national hero. There was a sub on the table, and Swagger said the Perry Deli named its best-selling sub after him: The Swaggie. He showed off his scrabble board that proclaimed him National Scrabble Champion. After talking up his chess prowess, Big Show came out to interrupt.

Show was dressed in a suit as well. He admired Swagger's trophies as Swagger got nervous about his presence around his belongings. Swagger told him to just be careful, as it looked like he was trying to hide a smile. Show feigned being impressed, picking up and looking at the Scrabble board. Swagger insulted Show's fat fingers, which hurt the big man. He went to put the Scrabble board down, but ended up dropping it and stepping on it. "You did that on purpose," Swagger accused him, matter-of-factly. Swagger told Show to leave because the people want him to talk about his stuff. Boos from the crowd. Crowd around my section changed for Show to eat the Swaggie. Show seemed impressed by the dancing trophy and said he was asked to be on Dancing with the Stars. He picked up the trophy and danced with it, but accidentally, bashed its top against the red carpet that covered the ring. Swagger was really upset now and kicked Show in the gut. It showed a lot of light. He tried to get the better of Show, but Show wasn't having it. Swagger escaped to ringside before any further damage could be done to him…but his trophies were another story. Show took his time to break them, smashing everything in sight. He took a football of Swagger's and punted it into the crowd. Next, Show took a baseball bat to Swagger's photos. He broke the bat over his knee and did then stepped on a large trophy. Finally, he took the World Title and raised it over his head in the ring. Well, that wasn't very nice of Big Show.

- Clips were shown of Rey vs. Punk at Wrestlemania, in preparation for their singles match tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Beth Phoenix came out and got a nice hometown pop. She had a kneebrace on her left knee from a Superstars match with Rosa Mendes. That was who she was supposed to face this week, but Vickie Guerrero came out and told her to leave the ring. Vickie said that, as GM of Raw and Smackdown consultant, she was here to inform everyone that Michelle McCool is invoking her rematch clause. And for the first time ever, the WWE Women's Championship will be defended in a 2-on-1 handicap match

4 - BETH PHOENIX vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL & LAYLA – HANDICAP MATCH FOR THE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

No tags here from McCool and Layla, even after Striker said that's how it would have to go. Phoenix fended off the Divas, but they went after her injured knee. Phoenix put both Layla and McCool on her shoulders for a Samoan Drop. Beth grabbed the knee right afterward. Cover on Layla for only two. Michelle and Beth knocked heads out of the corner and McCool had to bounce herself around to get knocked out of the ring. It was a bit absurd. Layla was able to make the cover on Beth to get the win.

WINNER: Layla, at 2:06. "Shock" is the best way to describe how the crowd greeted this result.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed the exterior of the HSBC Arena on what was a rainy evening.

5 - KANE vs. CHAVO GUERRERO

Kane grabbed Chavo by the throat for a chokeslam, but Chavo got out of it. Grisham mentioned Kane beating Chavo at Wrestlemania a few years back in record time. To the top went Chavo, but he was sent to the outside with a punch. Back in the ring, a little more offense from Kane before finally finishing Chavo off with a chokeslam.

WINNER: Kane, at 1:27.

- They showed Punk getting a piece of his head shaved by Rey a few weeks ago on Raw. Their match is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

- The announcers discussed what happened at the end of the IC Title, and the aftermath. Then we saw a replay of it.

- Teddy Long was watching backstage when McIntyre walked in. Long said McIntyre really is the chosen one and he really can get anything he wants. He said he's had a change of heart, and while he can't take anything away from Drew, he can give him something: a match. Not tonight, but next week, against The Big Show. McIntyre left in a huff without saying anything.

- Striker thanked Fit for Rivals for their song, "Crash," the official theme song of Over the Limit.

- The announcers ran down the card for that PPV.

- Rey Mysterio was shown walking backstage. His match with C.M. Punk is next.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed the clip of Buzz Aldrin hosting Monday Night Raw, then getting hit in the back with a chair by Mark Henry.

6 - REY MYSTERIO vs. C.M. PUNK

Rey kicked at the legs of Punk, then slid under Punk. However, he didn't get to his feet for some reason, allowing Punk to kick him in the head. That was a bit awkward. Mysterio landed on his feet on an aerial attack aimed at Punk, but Punk clotheslined him into the barricade. More after the break.

[Commercial Break]

Punk was stretching Mysterio's arm and back out of break. Punk bonked his head in the corner and he hopped to the top rope, but Punk kicked his leg out and Mysterio got hung up on the top rope. Punk brought him back down and went for a pin, getting two. Abdominal stretch by Punk, who was called one of the best pure strikers in WWE. I think the Undertaker (and Michael Cole) would have something to say about that. Punk tossed Mysterio out of the ring under the bottom rope. Springboard clothesline for two by Punk. Bulldog by Mysterio and both men were down. Mysterio got a boot up in the corner and landed a springboard seated senton. Punk fired back soon after and catapulted Mysterio into the corner. Mysterio hopped on Punk's shoulders and set up for the 619. He dropkicked an advancing Luke Gallows and Punk rolled Rey up for two. Kick to the head by Rey. 619 connected, then he landed the springboard splash. He covered Punk but got up when he saw the masked man get into the ring. The person took of the mask and it was Serena. The real masked man attacked Rey from behind, drawing a DQ.

WINNER: Mysterio, via DQ, at 10:36. Fine match, but pretty formula. Hopefully saving the good stuff for Over the Limit.

The attack continued post match, with Gallows, the masked man and Punk all hitting their finisher on Rey. The Society took an unconscious Rey, put one hand over his heart and one hand in the air, as Punk recited the Straight Edge pledge. Punk patted Rey on the head as the show ended.

Greg Parks has been covering WWE Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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