by Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
February 27, 2009
Taped 2/17/09 in Portland, OR.
Aired on MyNetwork TV


-WWE Open.

-Smackdown Open.

-Fireworks in the arena kicked things off as Jim Ross plugged brother vs. brother, Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy later tonight. Then Tazz previewed Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov. Well they’d look foolish giving this one away if Kozlov beats HBK on Monday.

-John Cena made a rare appearance on Smackdown and ran to the ring. Apparently, he’s got something to say after Monday’s confrontation with GM extraordinaire Vickie Guerrero. Cena pumped up the crowd and said not much has changed since he left Smackdown two years ago. He said Tazz and Cole are still announcing, then said it appears Cole has gained some weight and called the cowboy hat a little “Village People.” But he said the World Heavyweight Title is now held by a coward. Cena addressed Edge saying he told him he’d find him. He told Edge he wanted a re-match for the title tonight. He said he won’t leave until he gets an answer. Wow, what a demand- they just say “no” then he has to leave. Hey, his stipulation.

After a brief pause, Edge came out. He said he couldn’t believe Cena actually showed, then said he was sick of Cena dogging him. Edge agreed to the re-match for tonight. But Vickie walked out. She said while her husband is a warrior, it’s her duty to inform Cena that Edge wouldn’t be competing tonight. Cena dejectedly said it looks like he isn’t going to have a match, but he promised to get his hands on Edge and doesn’t want to let the people down. He went to leave the ring to go after Edge, but Vickie stopped him before he could. She said Cena will be competing tonight, where he has to beat Big Show if she wants a chance at Edge.

-JR plugged another “main event,” which is next as Miz and Morrison take on Carlito & Primo for the Colons’ tag team belts. Does the term “main event” mean nothing to anyone?

[Commercial Break]

-A Gail Kim video aired. “Strong.....but sexy.”

1- CARLITO & PRIMO COLON vs. JOHN MORRISON & THE MIZ- WWE TAG-TEAM TITLE MATCH

Before the match, we got clips of the Valentine’s Day date the challengers had with the Bella Twins. Miz refused a clean break in the ropes and Miz took Primo down with a headlock. For the record, the Bella Twins are not at ringside for either team. Springboard cross-body off the second rope by Primo for one. Tag made and some double-teaming by the reigning WWE Tag Champs put Miz down. Miz was able to get the best of Carlito briefly and tag Morrison in. The Colons did some double-teaming again, this time on Morrison. Hurricanrana by Primo for two. He makes that high-risk stuff look so easy. As Carlito got Morrison in a headlock, Nikki and Brie Bella made their way to ringside. Carlito knocked Morrison to the floor then threw Miz out. Carlito dove onto both of them, right in front of the Bellas. The match continues next.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break with more teamwork from the Colon brothers. Primo did the HBK/Flair flip sell into the corner and ended up getting ushered out of the ring by Morrison. Miz put the boots to him on the floor. The World Tag Champs dropped Primo chest-first over the top rope. Primo got a surprise roll-up for two, but couldn’t capitalize. Primo got a little luck on his side as Primo got pushed into the ropes, knocking Morrison to the mat, then butting heads with Miz, leaving both legal men on their backs. Carlito and Morrison tagged in and Carlito cleaned house. Running knee-lift on Morrison but Morrison countered a suplex for two (though it looked like Carlito’s shoulders were on the mat for three). Ref was distracted and Miz took a cheap shot on Carlito. Primo dove onto Miz and Carlito countered a Moonlight Drive with the Back-Stabber for three.

WINNERS: Carlito & Primo, at 12:19. Wow. Good match and a surprising result. I was sure they’d have Miz & Morrison win and unify the belts, knowing how little WWE cares about the tag division. This match (and angle) just goes to show how good the tag division could be.

After the match, the Bellas left arm-in-arm with the Colons.

-JR and Tazz talked about the next inductee into the 2009 Class of the WWE Hall-of-Fame: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. They showed his HOF video as well. He’ll be inducted by Ric Flair.

-Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov, another “main event” per JR, is next.

[Commercial Break]

-Big Show takes on John Cena tonight.

-The Triple H vs. Randy Orton feud was profiled in video form.

-Vladimir Kozlov came out for his match with Undertaker. That (and likely Taker’s entrance) will be after the break.

[Commercial Break]

2- VLADIMIR KOZLOV vs. THE UNDERTAKER

I do recall Taker getting a good match out of Kozlov on Smackdown previously, so here’s hoping it happens again. Now even Kozlov’s doin’ the “ask him!” bit. He yelled that at the ref like 10 seconds in during a side-headlock. Yeah, I don’t see Taker giving in at that point. Shoulder knock-down by Kozlov and the two stared at each other. Big boot by Undertaker, but he missed an elbowdrop. Kozlov clotheslined him over the top rope and to the outside, where Taker landed on his feet. Kozlov celebrated, then noticed that Taker was on his feet. Match continues next.

[Commercial Break]

Taker measured Kozlov, then dropped his leg down across Kozlov’s throat with Kozlov on the apron. Vlad made a comeback, but got clotheslined down. Taker tried to lock in Devil’s Gate, but Kozlov countered with headbutts to the sternum. Back to a vertical base for both men, but not for long as Kozlov clotheslined Taker down again. Headlock by Kozlov. JR mentioned Ed “Strangler” Lewis beating many people back in the day with a side-headlock, lending more credibility to the move. The men traded rights in the middle of the ring and Taker was able to strike with a DDT. Snake Eyes in the corner that didn’t look particularly good, then a legdrop for two. Taker grabbed the throat but Kozlov pushed Taker off with a headbutt. Taker came back with a big boot for two. Taker went Old School, but Kozlov powerslammed Taker off and got the pin.

WINNER: Kozlov, at 12:03. Wasn’t as good as the match I remember, but not nearly as bad as some Kozlov has had. Good move in having Kozlov win as they can play into that going into Monday’s match and if they do somehow have Kozlov face Taker again at Wrestlemania, they can always point to this match as proof that Kozlov is a legit candidate to break Taker’s streak.

-Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy is up next. Would’ve liked to have seen one or both of them promo time somewhere tonight for this one.

[Commercial Break]

Matt came out for his match with Jeff, with the same music. Interesting- I figured they’d change that. Then Jeff came out, but he was not in wrestling attire. He got on the stick and told Matt that he had always been there for him. He said they always helped each other out and hopes he can get over the crazy phase Matt is in, because he’s done nothing to deserve this. Jeff said he wasn’t going to fight Matt ever (shades of the Bret vs. Owen feud). Jeff said if Matt likes it or not, he’s his brother. Matt denied that claim. Matt said Jeff is used to everything revolving around him, but it’s about Matt this time. For once. Matt said each of the people in the crowd make him physically sick when they cheer for Jeff. Matt said he had to acknowledge that his career has been mediocre while Jeff’s has skyrocketed. Matt asserted that he had always been the more talented Hardy. He blamed Jeff and everybody who believed his hype. Matt tried to goad Jeff into a fight by begging him, then slapping him and calling him a coward. What brothers don’t go through this phase? Matt then slapped Jeff again, sending him to one knee. Jeff just shook his head and walked out of the ring. Depending on how OK you are with bait-and-switches, this was the right move- hold the match off ‘til Wrestlemania and give them some mic work to build the feud more.

-John Cena takes on Big Show in another main event tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-WrestleManias IV and V were shown in a highlight package.

-MVP joined Tazz and JR on commentary.

3- SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. CHAVO GUERRERO

Shelton went after Chavo fiercely to start the match. Benjamin missed the Blinger Splash and Chavo went right into the Three Amigos. Guess this is gonna be a short match. No boos by the way for the Amigos. He missed the Third Amigo as well. Chavo went to the top, but Shelton showed his cat-like quickness, went to the top and suplexed Chavo down. Shelton went face-to-face with MVP at ringside and MVP stood up, taking off his headset. Benjamin picked Chavo up for a powerbomb and tossed him into MVP’s lap. Shelton broke the ten-count then went out and brought Chavo back in. As Shelton toyed with Chavo, Guerrero rolled up Shelton with a unique pinning combination and he got the upset win.

WINNER: Guerrero, at 2:52. Wish they would’ve given MVP more time to get across his new face character on commentary.

After the match, MVP gave Shelton the Drive-By.

-Big Show vs. Cena is yet to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

-We got to see the “12 Rounds” trailer.

-John Cena and Big Show both made their entrances for the final match of the night. JR wondered what was in this for Big Show. Vickie and Edge were shown watching the monitor backstage. Match will be after the break.

[Commercial Break]

4- JOHN CENA vs. THE BIG SHOW

The bell rang as soon as the show returned. Cena tried to stick-and-move at the outset. Show cornered Cena and popped him with rights and lefts. Giant headbutt, then chest-slap by Show. Out of nowhere, Cena came back, though his punches had little effect on the big man. Cena hit the ropes and Show got a running start in running over Cena. Tazz compared the size of Show’s head to a small engine. Show put Cena down on the mat again and slowly walked around him, planning his next move. Another headbutt put Cena on rubber-leg street, then down to the canvas. Cena fought back briefly, only to get caught in a sidewalk slam. Show choked Cena in the ropes and continued throwing fisticuffs. Cena haphazardly tried to lift Cena into the Attitude Adjustment, but Show landed a well-placed elbow into Cena’s back. Hard whip into the buckle by Show sent Cena face-first to the mat. Another one, this time to the opposite corner. Cena was able to jump onto Show’s back and tried to lock in a sleeper, but didn’t have it, at least not in the traditional sense. He took Show down to one knee with at that point was a glorified chin-lock. Show countered with another side slam and they went to break eight minutes into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Standing suplex by Big Show greeted viewers back from the break. Cena was on the apron and Show simply ran into him, sending Cena crashing into the announce table. It was not damaged, however. Show pushed Cena away on a face-buster attempt. Show continued his assault with headbutts and punches. Cena was able to lift Show up for a bodyslam, but Show collapsed on top of him and got a two-count. Cena got out of the way of a high-impact Show move and went to the top rope. He dropped his leg across Show’s neck. Cena was re-energized and hit his five-knuckle shuffle. He couldn’t pick Show up for the Attitude Adjuster though and Show put Cena up for a powerbomb, then flipped him over his head. Show signaled for the chokeslam. Cena avoided it and put Show on his back, then brought him down for the Attitude Adjuster. Cena couldn’t make the cover though. Edge, out of nowhere, rolled into the ring, then back out. Cena caught Edge’s eye, distracting him enough for Show to sock Cena with a right hand. Chokeslam by Show and it’s over.

WINNER: Show, at 20:03. Huh. Two 20-minute matches on WWE TV this week. Well, this was another surprise result. The match told a fine story but was so dang slow, filled mostly with Show walking around, punching and headbutting.

After the match, Edge got in the ring and verbally abused the fallen Cena. That’s when the show ended.

Greg Parks has been covering Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. You can also hear him every-other-week in the post-Raw audio show Monday nights in the Torch VIP audio section. Check out his column each week in the PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Comments, questions and feedback is welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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