By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JULY, 2, 2010
AIRED ON MY NETWORK TV

[Q1]

-Clips aired of Kane's rampage last week including brawling with C.M. Punk into the arena lobby and causing Punk to flee the arena and run across the street. It's strange seeing wrestlers in wrestling trunks outside of the context of a wrestling arena. How strange must that have been for someone who spotted a masked man in strange logo-covered underwear running covered in sweat down the street?

-The Smackdown opening aired, then pyro blasted in the arena as Todd Grisham and Matt Striker introduced the show. Grisham announced Kane would face Luke Gallows on the show.

-Jack Swagger walked to the ring. He said last week he promised he was going to make people suffer because he wanted to transfer the agony inside of him and make others feel the pain he felt after being cheated out of his World Heavyweight Championship. He said if he can do that to the World's Biggest Athlete, he can do it to anyone. He threw to a clip of his anklelock on Show last week. He complained that people are talking about the Money in the Bank ladder match rather than what he did to Big Show last week. He reminisced about winning the MITB ladder match at WrestleMania 26. He talked about everything good that happened afterward, but then got tearful as he said it all came crashing down two weeks ago when he cheated out of his title.

Big Show stepped out onto the stage and asked if he should call a "wah-bulence" or order him some "french cries." He said there are more important things to worry about, such as being stuck with him in an elevator when he's got gas. He called him "Jackie" and said he started something he should have finished. He said he surprised him and he hurt him, but he didn't quite finish the job.

Swagger vowed that he'll regain the title all of the people want him to win back. Show called him "one delusional dude." He said he can't decipher the difference between reality and fiction. He said the fans don't want to see him become champion again. Show said it's Swagger's fantasy that he can break his ankle, but it is reality that he can break Swagger's jaw. Show limped to the ring. "Dashing" Cody Rhodes clipped Show from behind in the aisle. Swagger joined in the beatdown. They managed to shove him into the ring where they continued to stomp away at him. Show began a comeback with some elbows. Rey Mysterio then ran out and cleared the ring of Swagger and Cody within seconds. Show's music played and the two stood side-by-side.

[Q2]

-They went to Grisham and Striker at ringside who announced the eight competitors in the Smackdown version of Money in the Bank: Christian, Rhodes, Kane, Matt Hardy, Kofi Kingston, and The Big Show. Grisham said two more will be added to round it out to eight overall. [c]

-WWE Fact: WWE Television is watched by over 15 million people each week. And if you watch Raw's first hour and Raw's second hour, you're counted as two of those people, by the way. If you also watch Smackdown and Superstars, you're four of those 15 million people!

-Grisham and Striker announced Show & Rey vs. Cody & Swagger.

1 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Kofi came to the ring first. Vickie Guerrero grabbed Dolph by his arm on his way to the entrance tunnel. She told him if he wins, he gets an IC Title shot. Dolph was distracted by Rosa Mendez doing jumping backs in the background. Vickie reacted jealously. A minute into the match, they cut to a break. Upon returning, Dolph had Kingston down with a chinlock. They showed that during the break Dolph reversed Kofi into the ring apron to take control.

[Q3]

Kofi came back with a top rope crossbody block for a two count at 6:00. Dolph countered a Trouble in Paradise with a legdrop driver for a believable near fall. Dolph showed frustration. Striker said he should just stay focused. As Dolph talked to Vickie at ringside, Kofi finished him with a Trouble in Paradise kick for the win. Vickie walked away as if to say he blew it with her.

WINNER: Kingston in 7:00.

STAR RATING: *3/4

-Punk told Serena backstage that he wanted to handle it. She suggested they "just admit it." Punk said they're not admitting anything and they're in control of the situation. She said he was in surgery for ten hours, so they're not in control of anything. Punk said Luke will take care of things. She said if they don't, she will. She left. Punk told Luke the Straight Edge Society depends on them handling it tonight. [c]

-Christian introduced "The Peep Show" with his guest Matt Hardy. He had three ladders in the ring step up. He talked about the Money in the Bank match. He said Matt has fallen off of just as many ladders as he has. Christian said it's been a crazy few months for him, but he was reinstated last week. Hardy clapped and tried to lead the crowd in clapping with him. Christian said now Drew has been deported. Christian said it was nice to see him in the ring with Drew and not get dropped on his head. Hardy asked if that was supposed to be some sort of backhanded compliment. He said that aside, he's made some good points. He has had to fight corporate politics and being suspended and fired and backstabed and dropped on his head, but despite all of that, he keeps coming back. Hardy said despite all that "I will not..." Christian interrupted and finished the line: "...will not win the Money in the Bank ladder match." Christian said the WWE Universe can all agree that nobody deserves to win the match more than they do. He said even though they both deserve it, he plans to win the Money in the Bank ladder match. Hardy said he's glad he's confident, and it's true their careers have paralleled each other in many ways. He said the World Title has eluded both of them. He said whoever takes down that briefcase and controls the contract inside that briefcase, "it will change everything for them, and I plan on that being me." They both climbed a ladder to create a good visual.

Christian said neither of them have been The Chosen One. He said they've had to scratch and claw to earn everything they have and he's sick of watching people like Drew walk in and get ahead without earning it. He said he is going to win the Smackdown MITB because now is his time. Hardy said he hopes that the two last guys standing on top of that ladder battling for that briefcase are them because they deserve it the most. They both said at once, "It's going to be me" who wins it. As Christian began to the leave the ring, he turned back toward Hardy. Hardy attacked him first and then threw him into the ladder.

[Q4]

Good segment that drew upon the legit history and current standing and potential upside should either win the MITB. There were a few awkward or forced moments in the dialogue, but overall a segment that made a case either could win the match. The key for MITB to really sell is to not make it seem like there three just three who could win and five others who are just taking up space, but really tell eight stories - one for each wrestlers - so each near grab of the briefcase carries with it a flood of instant ramifications. [c]

-Another segment aired with the guy sitting in his couch inside a nice house as calming music played. He introduced himself as Alberto Del Rio. He talked about his attributes, in particular honesty. He said honesty is a quality that all men are born with, but most lose it. He said as babies grow up, they begin lying, and "a liar is a despicable person." It's a good basic gimmick, where fans will be quick to point out when he cheats as a heel, proving to be a hypocrite. The segment, though, needs an introduction bceause fans aren't going to know it's a WWE segment and it's hardly exciting for most fans.

-Cody Rhodes talked to himself in the mirror about how dashing he is. He said he made a fool of The Big Show, the world's biggest athlete. He said Money in the Bank is going to be my night. "How is Big Show going to climb a ladder if he can't walk?" he asked. He said the WWE Universe will witness how easy it is for him to cash in the MITB briefcase and become "the first Dashing World Heavyweight Champion." He smiled and repeated the word "dashing" over and over.

-Kane's pyro blasted in the arena and he walked to the ring. [c]


2 -- KANE vs. LUKE GALLOWS

At 1:00 Kane caught a charging Gallows with a hand to the throat. The mystery man in the mask interfered for the DQ. Kane chokeslammed him, then he dragged Punk into the ring.

WINNER: Kane via DQ in 1:00.

[Q5]

-Serena ran out and pleaded with Kane to not hurt him. She told Kane that she knows Punk had nothing to do with the Undertaker attack because Punk was "saving me." Kane said he didn't believe her. He lifted him for a chokeslam again. She told him to watch the monitor. It showed the time and date on the screen of Serena at a bar, which absolutely couldn't be doctored and totally conclusive proof. It just showed her at the bar drinking and went on and on with nothing happening, other than a guy at the bar began moving closer to her and buying her drinks. They were shown doing shots together. Punk then walked into the room with Gallos and the mystery man in a hood. Punk ordered the guy to scram and chewed out Serena for breaking the SES code of conduct. This was like watching Charlie Chaplan in a silent movie. Someone should put that on YouTube with appropriate piano music. Kane accepted that was proof, let go of Punk, and left the ring. Punk pushed Serena away, clearly upset with her showing that a member of the SES was drinking. "Do you have any idea what you just did?!" he asked. She pleaded for him understand she felt she had no choice. [c]

-Did You Know? WWE has over 100,000 hours in its video library, which powers WWE Classics on Demand.

-They showed Kofi and MVP signing autographs at a Toys 'R' Us. Striker raved about the realistic action figures and being able to beat up your least favorite Superstars in your bedroom.

3 -- CHAVO GUERRERO vs. MVP

After MVP's ring intro, Chavo walked to the ring and said he hopes she's watching because he sees how this works now. He said her little gringo boyfriend didn't get it done, but he can and will. He said he deserves an IC Title shot if he beats MVP. Chavo took control a minute in and went for a top rope dive, but MVP moved and took over. As MVP went into his finishing routine, Grisham said MVP trains with Dwayne Wade in the off-season. WWE has an off-season? MVP won clean with the Play of the Day.

WINNER: MVP in 2:00.

[Q6] [c]

-A commercial aired for the Ricky Steamboat DVD. No mention or replay yet of the attack by NXT on Steamboat. I assume they're waiting for his health situation to play out a little more before looking like they're exploiting it.

-A "WWE Classics On Demand" ad aired pushing footage of Lex Luger vs. Yokozuna.

4 -- KELLY KELLY vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL (w/Layla)

A clip aired before the match of Kelly Kelly pinning Layla last week. Does Kelly ever stop smiling? Before the match LayCool got in the face of Tiffany and attacked her. Layla then sprayed air freshener around ringside as McCool entered the ring. The bell rang to start the match, but McCool rolled out of the ring immediately. Grisham said they were really pushing the "Smelly Kelly" thing. McCool slid into the ring to beat the ten count. Kelly aggressively attacked her. Tiffany recovered and tackled Layla as she sprayed Kelly in the face. McCool leaned out of the ring to go after Tiffany, but that gave Kelly a chance to roll her up for the leverage pin.

WINNER: Kelly in 3:00.

-Not so fast. Grisham threw to a highlight package of the NXT attack on "Raw Rebound." They showed everything with scary music and production bells and whistles other than the stretcher exit.

-They showed Rey heading toward the entrance tunnel. Grisham said he was going to address the WWE Universe next.

[Q7] [c]

-Another segment aired with Albert Del Rio. He walked down the grand staircase in his fancy house. He said inspiration is an admirable quality to possess. He said one inspires by never showing an ounce of fear. He said has a gift for accomplishing the impossible.

-Rey's ring intro took place. Rey opened with the line, "It feels great. It feels great to be living my dream. It feels great to be once again World Champion!" He said he won't let Swagger take that away from him. He said Swagger and Cody will find out when you face him, you don't just face him, but the entire 619, too. [c]

[Q8]

-A commercial for Monday's Raw said the fate of the Nexus will be decided.

5 -- THE BIG SHOW & REY MYSTERIO vs. CODY RHODES & JACK SWAGGER

Striker on Cody: "He thinks those Twilight kids look like Sir Oliver Humperdink." Grisham: "Well, what do you expect from a guy who brushes his eyebrows." A minute into the match, Grisham asked Striker if it was in his contract that he had to call Rhodes "Dashing" every time. Striker said, "Yes, and with a different inflection every time." Show pressed Rhodes and threw him onto Swagger on the floor. [c]

Rey was on a roll at 6:00 against Rhodes, but when Rhodes snuck in a tag on Swagger, Swagger legally attacked Rey from behind. Late in the match, Rey countered Swagger with a DDT. He crawled over and hot-tagged Show. Swagger got up and charged Show, but Show took him down with a clothesline and then a corner splash. He signaled for the chokeslam, but still limped. He lifted Swagger, but Swagger went for a counter into a body scissors. Show dropped Swagger backward, but clutched his ankle afterward. He tagged in Rey and struggled to stand. Rey dove onto Swagger. Cody broke up the pin attempt. Rey went for a 619 against Swagger as Rhodes fought Show at ringside. Swagger put Rey in the anklelock in the ropes. He refused to break so when the ref counted to five, he DQ'd Swagger.

WINNER: Rey & Show in 11:00.

STAR RATING: *3/4 -- Basic good content in the match itself, with a strong finish that got across Swagger's rage at having lost the title and wanting to inflict damage on potential contenders.

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