By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JULY 17, 2010
AIRED ON MY NETWORK TV

[Q1]

-Highlights aired of The Big Show vs. Jack Swagger last week and then Kane accusing Swagger of attacking Undertaker.

-The Smackdown opening aired followed by Todd Grisham and Matt Striker introducing the show. Striker said Swagger better have an alibi for Kane.

1 -- KOFI KINGSTON vs. "DASHING" CODY RHODES

They replayed the Nexus attack on Kofi on Tuesday. Striker said he is battered and bruised but must be ready to face Cody tonight. They cut to a break at 2:00 after Cody knocked Kofi to the floor with a kneelift. [c] At 9:00 Kofi hit a crossbody block off the top rope. Kane's music then played and he interrupted the match, chokeslamming Kingston and then Rhodes, too. Striker said everybody is guilty until proven innocent in the eyes of "Big Red Justice."

WINNER: No contest in 9:00.

STAR RATING: ** -- Standard average TV match.

[Q2]

-Kane said he had breaking news. He said there would be a bludgeoning tonight. He said he knows Swagger and he is a liar who will pay for his sins. He said he would enjoy extracting his vengeance on the guilty and condemned.

-Striker and Grisham hyped other matches on the show including Christian vs. Drew McIntyre and Matt Hardy vs. Dolph Ziggler. Grisham called Hardy a "ladder match pioneer." [c]

-WWE Fact: WWE has more facebook fans than the NFL, NHL. NASCAR, and Major League Baseball.

-Grisham and Striker were shown on camera at ringside. They threw to a video recap of Swagger's vicious attack on Rey. Then they went backstage to a trainer working on Rey's leg. Josh Matthews walked up to him and asked how he was feeling. Rey said he wasn't feeling well. He said the swelling is down, but the pain is excruciating, especially when he stands up. Matthews asked how he could possibly defend his title on Sunday. Rey said he's going to go out there tonight and forfeit his World Title to Swagger. Matthews asked if he was serious. Rey stood up and said of course he was kidding. He said thanks to the doctors and the ankle brace, he has the support he needs to stand on his own two fight. He said he has the confidence he needs to keep living his dream as the World Hvt. Champion. He said Swagger showed him that doing what he did last week was a moment of desperation and karma works in mysterious ways.

-They cut to Swagger on a cell phone telling someone that they wouldn't believe what Rey just said about him. He said Rey's as delusional as Kane. He wanted to know what was taking this person so long. When the person said traffic, he said, "This is Kentucky. Nobody has anywhere to go." He said he's ready to resolve this Kane situation and move on to Kansas City to retain his title. [c]

[Q3]

-A video package aired on the history of the Money in the Bank ladder match.

2 -- DREW MCINTYRE vs. CHRISTIAN

Striker said there are intangibles that will work in Christian's favor including, he said, how much the ladder weighs, how it moves, how it reacts. They took turns on offense for the first three minutes. Drew knocked Christian to the floor, so they cut to a break at 3:00. [c] At 10:00 Drew went for a back suplex off the second rope, but Christian held on and threw some elbows to break his grip. He scored a near fall with a roll up.

[Q4]

Drew gave Christian a thumb to the eye and then dropped him throat-first over the middle rope. After hitting his finishing DDT, he scored the three count.

WINNER: McIntrye in 12:00.

STAR RATING: ** -- Another decent standard TV match.

-Striker this week actually introduced the vignette with Alberto Del Rio, so perhaps more Smackdown viewers will know his segment is actually part of the show. He bragged about his format university education in Mexico, the U.S., and abroad. He said most people squander their educational opportunities, but he consumed as much knowledge as possible. He said he is the product of a superior education. [c]

-More historical MITB clips aired.

-The Straight Edge Society stood in the ring including the mysterious man in the black mask. C.M. Punk shhhh'd the boos from the crowd. He said everyone knows he is a superior athlete who won back to back MITB matches at WrestleMania and now has built a foundation for a superior society through Straight Edge. He said the fans live in a society that has cracks in its foundation and then blame people like him for their problems. The Big Show interrupted Punk as he said they stand together stronger than ever.

Show carried two ladders to the ring as Punk said, "Excuse me. Excuse me, I was talking." Punk demanded that someone turn off Show's music. "Hello?! Hello!? I was speaking," he said. Show set up a ladder mid-ring, then looked at Punk. Show said he thought Punk was out there trying to put everyone to sleep. He said his finisher is Go 2 Sleep, but his talking was putting America to Sleep. He asked if S.E.S. stands for "Snoozing Every Second." Show said as wonderful as S.E.S. is, he wants to talk about something exciting - a MITB match with a walking, talking, breathing giant. Punk said he's a fan of a car crash. He said he wants to see him do a 450 off the ladder, specifying his "450 clumsy pounds" crashing to the mat. Punk told Show to entertain him with his gameplan. Show said, "You don't have to get all hurtful."

[Q5]

Show said MITB is the most dangerous match in WWE, especially with him in it because if he falls off a ladder, that person will be squished. He said they have a reenforced industrial ladder for him. Show asked the crowd if they want to see him climb the ladder and grab the briefcase. He stepped on the first step and the rung broke out from under him. Show pulled out a step ladder instead, which Striker said was Hornswoggle's ladder. Show said that wouldn't work, either. He said that's the problem with being a giant. He said he breaks cars, furniture, and even ex-girlfriends. He said he can't help it. He said he doesn't have any small dogs in his house because he's afraid he'll sit on one.

He said the WWE Universe wants to see him climb that ladder, so he spared no expense in having the best ladder ever built for him. A group of people carried a huge ladder to the ring. He said it's built to hold 2,000 pounds. He said no matter how many trips to Subway he makes he'll never be 2,000 pounds. They cut to S.E.S. at ringside. Punk said, "This is boring." Punk is very good at what he does. So is Show, who thrives in these segments where he can show his sense of humor and comedic timing.

Punk said he wants to remind everyone that King Kong fell off of the Empire State Building. He said if it weren't for Kane accusing him of a crime he didn't commit and injuring his arm, he would not be in a sling and he'd be climbing a ladder as he had two times before. The S.E.S. members jumped Big Show from behind as Punk occupied Show. Luke Gallows his Show in the face with the ladder. Show made a comeback and tosed Gallows and the mystery man over the top rope. Punk was on top of Giant's special ladder with nowhere to go. Striker said he could jump, but his right arm is injured. Show climbed the ladder and grabbed his leg. Punk elbowed Show, but Show grabbed him and unmasked Punk. Punk has apparently been shaving his head regularly since losing the hair mask for some reason. He was as bald as Show. Punk cried out in embarrassment as Show posed for the camera. [c]

-Swagger talked on the cell phone. The person said the driver was lost. Swagger wondered how someone could get lost in Kentucky since there are only two roads in the state. He said he has his evidence and he needs it now. He told him to get there quickly.
-A clip aired of Layla interrupting Kelly Kelly's promo and singing "Smelly Kelly!" at her. Michelle McCool then attacked Kelly from behind. Ring intros aired for the mixed tag match.

[Q6]

3 -- TRENT BARRETA & LAYLA vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL & CHRIS MASTERS

Striker said: "I wonder who the brains is on the team of Masters and Kelly." Rosa Mendez did jumping jacks at ringside. That distracted Layla, giving Kelly a quick and easy win.

WINNERS: Masters & Kelly in 2:00. [c]

-Grisham and Striker ran down the entire MITB PPV line-up.

-Matt Hardy walked to the ring with a mic in hand. He said the truth about him is that he feels just as comfortable standing on top of the ladder as he does with his feet firmly on the ground. He said on Sunday at MITB, when he grabs the MITB briefcase, regardless of who the World Champion is, he's cashing in his briefcase that very night and leaving MITB as the World Hvt. Champion. [c]

-Another Alberto Del Rio vignette aired, this without an introduction by the announcers but with a WWE logo in the corner. He touted his bravery. He said he competes with such passion that people tell him he's changed their lives forever. He said they name their children after him and, in some cases, send gifts like a statue in his foyer. He said he is the bravest of the brave.

4 -- MATT HARDY vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero)

At 1:00 Hardy clotheslined Ziggler over the top rope to the floor. He rammed his head into the ring apron. Then they cut to the predictable break at 2:00. [c] Ziggler controled the match after the break. Back and forth for a while. Hardy hit a Side Effect at 9:00 for a very near fall. Ziggler forced the count to stop when his finger touched the bottom rope. Grisham said had he clipped his finger nail today he would have lost. Ziggler came back with a sudden sleeper, but Hardy dropped down and drove Ziggler's face into the middle turnbuckle. Vickie argued with the ref which distracted Hardy, and then Ziggler gave Hardy his finisher for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler in 10:00.

STAR RATING: ** -- Another standard solid TV match.

[Q8]

-Grisham and Striker talked about Kane chokeslamming Kofi and Cody earlier. Then they went outside the arena where a limo arrived. Striker hugged a guy who stepped out of the limo and looked like he could be his father. He handed an envelope to a producer who ran to the truck to play it after the break and prove his innocence. [c]

-WWE Fact: WWE has won numerous awards for its support of the U.S. Military - including "USO's Legacy of Hope," "Corporate Patriot Award," and "Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Awards."

-Swagger walked to the ring to his entrance music. Striker wondered who the man is with Swagger. He guessed it could be his lawyer. He didn't look like a lawyer. Swagger said it would be understatement that he lived a gifted life. He said when you have his genetics, it's easy to get lost in the glamour and limelight. He said it's easy to lose touch with family when you're constantly put on a pedestal with the best in the world. He said it's easy to lose sight of what's important, which is winning back his World Championship. He said he's going to clear the "good name of Swagger" and prove he had nothing to do with what happened to Undertaker.

He said that Memorial Day, even with the Fatal Four-Way looming overhead, he found a way to spend it with one man who made him the All-American American American. He introduced the man as his father. He said they win and look good doing it. He showed photos of his father pressing Swagger on morning workouts outdoors. He called them All-American American American Workouts. He asked his dad how many push-ups he did that day. His dad said 175. Swagger said he's being modest; it was at least 300. More photos aired of them on Memorial Day including them winning a father-son fishing classic. Swagger said it was a proud day. He said any moment he stands beside his father is a proud moment. Another picture aired of them gorging on chicken wings, winning an eating contest. Kane's music interrupted. Striker said those pictures should prove Swagger's innocence. Grisham said we'd see if Kane believed him.

Kane said he's not sure if it's the smug look on his face or his general loathing of him, but he doesn't believe him. Swagger then showed a picture of him running a 4K rate. He said his father came in at age 64 in second place behind him. Swagger said he had nothing to do with what happened to Taker. Kane grabbed Swagger by the throat. Swagger's dad tried to talk Kane out of a chokeslam. Swagger punched Kane to escape his grip and then worked over his left knee just as he did to Mysterio. Mysterio hobbled to the ring to make the save, giving Swagger a 619 which Swagger just happened to be perfectly positioned for.

Kane then recovered and grabbed both father and son for chokeslams. Jack bailed out, leaving his father in Kane's grip. He was too scared of Kane to make the save. Kane held his father for over 30 seconds as Swagger just turned his back in shame. Kane chokeslammed his dad. Kane looked at Swagger in virtual disbelief at what a coward he was. Swagger pounded on the announce table in frustration as Kane smiled in the ring. Kane lifted Swagger's father again. Swagger walked to the back as Kane gave him a Tombstone piledriver. Kane's pyro blasted as Swagger retreated to the back. Grisham, striking no emotional connection to what just happened to Swagger's father, said with no more enthusiasm than someone reading an eye chart: "Jack Swagger left his father to be the sacrificial lamb, but what kind of fury will Kane unleash in 48 hours at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view." It's just astounding that Jim Ross is available and willing to call this show, and WWE goes with Grisham because Grisham looks better for the 20 seconds his face was shown on camera. I mean, Grisham is usually serviceable, but he's just phoning in his commentary here and seems to have no sense of when turn up the volume and react with the appropriate passion. It was a good angle brought way down by half-hearted disconnecting announcing. Striker was barely better in this instance, but it really is the lead announcer's job to sell Swagger's cowardice in that situation.

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