WWE Smackdown review
June 4, 2010
Taped 6/1/10 in Dallas, Texas
Aired on MyNetwork TV
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- The show opened with Teddy Long in his office, addressing the camera. He said that over the weekend, The Undertaker was found by his brother, Kane, in a vegetative state. Apparently, he was brutally attacked by an unknown assailant.

- Smackdown Open.

- In the arena, the announcers began by plugging the return match for the Intercontinental Title between Kofi Kingston and Drew McIntyre set to take place tonight.

- The Druids came out carrying a casket while the chanting music played throughout the arena. As they reached ringside, fire exploded at the entrance and Kane walked out. Oh gosh, there’s a podium and a wreath in the ring too. Kane told the druids to open the coffin, which was empty. It always is. Kane was very emotional as he spoke, saying the most dreaded and respected force in WWE, The Undertaker, will no longer walk amongst us. I thought he was already dead, anyway? He said Taker’s brilliance has been extinguished by an act of cowardice. He said Taker was respected and beloved by creatures around the world. You mean Jeff Hardy fans? He added that Taker would rise from the dead no more, while the people who did this to him would reside in the depths of hell. He said he would personally handle whoever did this. “There will be vengeance!” he shouted. All the yelling at the end reminded me of a Nailz promo. Kane threw aside the podium in anger, then dropped to one knee and started crying. He went over and began talking to an empty casket. For most wrestlers, this may be the oddest moment of their career, but for Kane, it probably wouldn’t even make the top ten.

[Commercial Break]

1 – JACK SWAGGER vs. MVP

Swagger wore an Oklahoma jersey to the ring to antagonize the fans. Swagger worked MVP into a waist-lock, which is the way a lot of matches seem to be starting lately. The two argued after MVP countered with a back elbow. Slap to the face of Swagger, who then took a powder on the outside. Cover only for two by MVP. He got the champ in a side-headlock, but Swagger broke out of it in the corner and dished out some punishment. Boot to the head by MVP sent Swagger to ringside. They took a break under four minutes into the match.

[Commercial Break]

The match continued in a back-and-forth fashion until MVP was sent shoulder-first into the ring post. He was nearly counted out. MVP fought back, but was booted down. Swagger missed a charge and MVP connected on a few clotheslines. Powerslam by Swagger for a near fall. Vader Bomb from Swagger for two. Of course, Todd Grisham thought it was over. Back to work on the arm went Swagger. Forearms and elbows were sent into the face of Swagger to break things up a bit. Swagger got thrown over MVP’s head, and then the “Ballin’!” elbowdrop. Belly-to-belly by Swagger, and I don’t think he even got MVP’s feet off the mat on that one. Vader Bomb, but no, MVP countered. Running boot in the corner missed, and Swagger rolled MVP up for the win.

WINNER: Swagger, at 15:00. Good showcase for MVP.

Curt Hawkins attacked MVP after the match. MVP fended him off until he ran into a big boot from Vance Archer. They only have a few weeks left to make an impact on Smackdown.

- Vickie Guerrero walked into Teddy Long’s office and told him he needs to get hold of himself. She asked who would take Undertaker’s place in the Fatal Four-Way PPV. Guerrero suggested Eric Escobar…I mean, Dolph Ziggler. Long said every man on the roster will have an opportunity, via a Smackdown Battle Royal tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- A video package aired on the final edition of NXT.

- C.M. Punk was adjusting his mask backstage when Kane barged in and grabbed him by the collar. Punk said he knew why Kane was here, and the Straight Edge Society is like a family, so he can understand what Kane is going through. He offered the SES’s services in helping to find the culprit.

[Commercial Break]

2 – DREW MCINTYRE vs. KOFI KINGSTON – INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE MATCH

McIntyre was predictably aggressive at the outset. Monkey flip by Kofi, then he leapt onto Drew’s shoulders for some punches in the corner. The ref backed Kingston out of the corner, allowing McIntyre to boot Kofi down. While he was on offense, Matt Hardy made his way through the crowd, showing off the ticket he bought to get in the arena. He stood at ringside as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]


McIntyre stayed on the offensive, and the fight even went to the floor. Surfboard-like move by Mac, but Kingston flipped out of it. McIntyre was back on top before long, but he made the mistake of paying attention to Matt Hardy. Kofi began to come back with all his trademark moves, and got a crucifix pin for two. Boom Drop, then he set up for the Trouble in Pardise, but Mac dodged it and went to the outside. Kingston missed a cross-body out there, and McIntyre took a cheap shot at Hardy, back-handing him across the face. Security had to hold Hardy back. Back in the ring, Kingston hooked on the SOS and picked up the win.

WINNER: Kingston, at 13:26. Not a big fan of the finish, since McIntyre just had the advantage on the outside. Hardy did distract him, but he needs to be beaten down for that finish to work, because it takes Kingston a few seconds to lock it in. Match was good.

Matt Hardy attacked McIntyre after the match until McIntyre escaped.

- Kane was backstage, deep in thought. Rey Mysterio was with him and Mysterio gave Kane his deepest sympathies. Kane turned things on Rey, saying Taker beat him for a spot in the title match last week, which gives Rey motive. Mysterio just backed away after Kane said he wouldn’t assume anyone is innocent.

- Still to come, a Battle Royal for Taker’s spot in the Fatal Four-Way match.

[Commercial Break]

- Striker talked about the rich grappling history in Dallas, including at the Sportatorium.

- Jack Swagger was backstage, with his uniform back on and hair neatly done up again. He bragged about his accomplishments and got the crowd riled up with his references. He told the crowd to stand as he was going to sing the Oklahoma fight song. He was way off, of course. Even worse than R-Truth. I’m so used to hearing that music associated with Jim Ross. Kane interrupted the proceedings and simply stared at the back of Swagger’s head. Awkward.

3 – ROSA MENDES vs. KELLY KELLY

Kelly got the advantage early, but then LayCool walked out on the stage to observe Smelly Kelly. Mendes locked Kelly in a head-scissors on the mat. Kelly turned things around with some clotheslines and booted Mendes in the chest on a corner charge. Splash off the top for two. Mendes tried a neck-breaker, but Kelly turned it into a Fameasser for the win.

WINNER: Kelly, at 2:57. Looked like two women on the second day of wrestling school.

[Commercial Break]

- Striker thanked Toby Mac for the song “Showstopper,” the official theme to Fatal Four-Way.

- Big Show and Hornswoggle were playing cards backstage when Kane came in. He stood toe-to-toe with Big Show. Kane said Taker always had Show’s number. Show assured Kane he had nothing to do with Taker’s issues.

- Striker and Grisham discussed the Fatal Four-Way card.

- They showed what happened earlier tonight, with the Kane/Undertaker situation.

- Rey Mysterio and Dolph Ziggler came out for the Smackdown Battle Royal. It is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Christian had just finished making his entrance out of break. Drew McIntyre, Kofi Kingston and Kane also got full entrances. Hey, Finlay’s in the ring!

4 – BATTLE ROYAL TO DETERMINE THE FINAL SPOT IN THE FATAL FOUR-WAY TITLE MATCH AT THE FATAL FOUR-WAY PPV

Other participants include: Chavo Guerrero, Trent Baretta, Caylen Croft, Vance Archer, Luke Gallows, JTG, Chris Masters, and MVP. Nobody eliminated in the first minute or so. Kane almost got Christian out, and MVP booted Vance Archer down. Punk was on the outside, and Mysterio ran out to try to unmask him. Gallows aided Punk, but Mysterio got the best of Gallows. Luke was still on the outside, but Rey made it back in the ring before the break.

[Commercial Break]

Back with more battle royal fun. Doesn’t look like anyone has been eliminated. And I don’t remember Shad ever being entered. Chavo and Hawkins teamed up on Kane in the near corner. McIntyre wanted a piece of that as well. Gallows seemed to come to the aid of Kane when everyone was trying to toss him. Croft and Masters were eliminated about seven minutes in, and Baretta got sent out as well. Then it was JTG next. Fast and furious eliminations in the last 30 seconds. Kane and Gallows threw hands with each other, with Kane getting the better of the exchange. Kingston and McIntyre were both eliminated, via a Cactus clothesline by Kofi. That was about 8:30 in. Archer and Gallows almost had Rey out. Huge pop for him slipping back in. Ziggler locked the sleeper on Finlay. Christian ended up tossing Ziggler, however. A distraction by said Ziggler led to Finlay dumping Christian. Really, Finlay? Anyway, they went to break with Ziggler and Christian arguing on the outside.

[Commercial Break]

Most of the men were lying on the ground back from break. Again, we missed no eliminations. Rey missed the 619 on Chavo, but Rey ended up eliminating him with the headscissors at about 14:00. Finlay tried to get rid of Rey, but Rey held on to Finlay’s neck. Finlay ended up flattening Rey in the ring in lieu of an elimination. MVP punched away at Hawkins, then went after Archer. Vance didn’t take kindly to that. MVP, Archer, Finlay and Hawkins all went out in short order, which left us with Kane, Mysterio and Gallows. The hooded stranger kicked Kane in the back, which allowed Gallows to throw him over the top. But Kane held on, threw the masked man aside, and grabbed Gallows by the throat. He pushed him over the top at 17:00. Clothesline by Kane on Mysterio. Kane dropped Rey chest-first onto the top rope, and Rey barely held on to stay in. He was booted down when he was back in the ring. Mysterio landed on Kane and hit the 619. But he jumped into a chokeslam attempt. Rey countered with a headscissors that sent Kane over the top and to the floor.

WINNER: Mysterio, at 19:39. Not bad for a battle royal. The right man won, too, though Kane’s character could be rejuvenated a bit with his Taker bit.

Mysterio celebrated in the ring after a replay. That was the end of the show.

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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