- Kid Kash beat Chris Chaos. - MNM defeated Brian Kendrick & Paul London. - Sylvan beat Funaki. - Simon Dean pinned Taylor Phoenix.
Smackdown!:
- Booker T vs. Chris Benoit for the United States Title went to a draw after two referees got involved and each counted a pinfall as both men had their shoulders on the mat. Teddy Long declared the title vacant and that Booker T vs. Benoit was made for Survivor Series as the first in a ‘Best of Seven’ match, with the winner being declared the new US Champion.
- The Dicks beat Road Warrior Animal & Heidenreich
- Matt Hardy beat Ken Kennedy via DQ.
- Melina pinned Christy Hemme.
- Juventud beat Nunzio via pinfall to become the new WWE Cruiserweight Champion.
- William Regal & Paul Burchill vs. JBL & Rey Mysterio went to a no-contest after HBK, Carlito and Chris Masters invaded Smackdown! Carlito and Masters were sat at ringside before HBK hit the ring and superkicked JBL. Benoit, Animal, Heidenreich and Hardcore Holly hit the ring to make the save for Smackdown!.
- Bobby Lashley pinned Orlando Jordan in what was basically a squash match.
- Teddy Long ordered the entire Smackdown! roster to make their way to ringside ahead of tonight’s main event.
- Batista vs. Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Title went to a no contest after a huge brawl broke out between the entire RAW and Smackdown! rosters in the ring and around the ringside area.
===========================
Eight matches, four clean finishes. Hmm. And so much for the inevitability of Batista losing the belt...
Glad they didn't make the mistake of putting the strap on Orton. That would just create turmoil between the Smackdown team for the Survivor Series match, this allows them to stay strong.
I think the last word the WWE put out was that Batista had to make a choice about surgery or rehab. I guess we know which he decided to go with.
It looks like the whole show is just squashes followed by no-contests ending with the Contractually Obligated Locker Room Brawl leading into Survivor Series/Royal Rumbles. What a horrible way to book the last show before a PPV. Hopefully it comes across better on TV than it does on paper.
Looks like a pretty poor Smackdown, like Raw this week but we'll see. THe only thing that really interests me is the announcement of a best of seven between Benoit and Booker, not that I think it's a good idea or that it's going to be good (Booker has obviously lost a step or two since the original) but just because they have to be pretty sure Benoit is staying around to start a best of seven don't they? Was there ever a word if he was re-signing?
Let's just hope that Booker/Benoit "Best-Of" Part II is just as good as the first.
Based off their most recent matches and the last time Booker T did a best of series...I'd say no. I wish they would give Benoit a fresh opponent already. Booker T on the other hand has never successfully defended the US title.
It might not have been as good as their matches from seven years ago, but the Benoit/Booker title change last month was very strong. With the added delight of Heel Sharmell and all of her EVIL DEEDS.
I just don't really see the point since the matches won't be any where near the level of what they were in the 90's. On Booker T's part especially. Not to mention the fact that WWE can NOT book a best of match series to save their lives. They bombed Cena/Booker T big time. This shouldn't be booked across 2 months either, that hurt Cena/Booker T big time and made it drag.
They should've just booked one more Benoit/Booker T match for Survivor Series, give Benoit the title and call it a day. Then Benoit can finally move onto a feud with Rey Mysterio.
It doesn't look like Benoit is leaving anytime soon either.
I'm glad they didn't put the title on "The Sucky Pile of Suck" Randy Orton, but... yeah, strange that Batista still hasn't dropped the title. So Batista's going to work the Survivor Series match as scheduled, and just work through the pain? I hope they know what they're doing. Of course (not to sound callous, but) Eddie's death certainly forced WWE to call an audible regarding the World Title situation.
Benoit/Booker T, best-of-seven... eh, it was exciting the first time, and I'm sure it can be exciting the second time around, but... jeez. It's as if, whenever WWE can't think of what to do with Booker T, they immediately think "best-of" series.
But it's not fair to compare the upcoming Benoit/Booker series with the Cena/Booker series. Chris Benoit has forgotten more about how to wrestle than John Cena has ever known. Apples and oranges, baby-- of course the Benoit/Booker series will be better because Benoit > Cena.
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Originally posted by Tribal ProphetI think the last word the WWE put out was that Batista had to make a choice about surgery or rehab.
So he made his choice AFTER Monday night and the whole parking lot worked injury? I mean, that was a lot of effort to have the two largest wrestlers on the roster put him though a car (and go to Raw to do it) so Batista could have some time off and still keep the monster image. Either way, I don't look forward to any matches involving Batista doing even less in the ring.
I thought the same thing about the double chokeslam onto the car. Seems to me like the perfect setup to get Dave off of TV for awhile. Who knows with WWE though...
... except that Batista came back at the end and spinebuster'd Big Show. Don't get me wrong, if the guy is hurt, he shouldn't be working, but it sounds to me like (between that and the SD tapings) he's going to be around for at least a while....
Let's just hope that Booker/Benoit "Best-Of" Part II is just as good as the first.
Based off their most recent matches and the last time Booker T did a best of series...I'd say no. I wish they would give Benoit a fresh opponent already. Booker T on the other hand has never successfully defended the US title.
Well they are slower than what they were many years ago. But since it's seven matches and they know each other so well maybe they'll be different.
Regarding the Best of Seven Series, I would love for one of them (preferably Benoit) to win in 5 or 6 matches. Going all the way to 7 will seem too boring and too predictable.
HBK: You’re flat broke aren’t you? MJ: Please let me wrestle on RAW! HBK: Fine, but I ain’t wearin’ no fruity tassels. MJ: Are these your mirror pants? HBK: Give me those!
Originally posted by CANADIAN BULLDOG... except that Batista came back at the end and spinebuster'd Big Show. Don't get me wrong, if the guy is hurt, he shouldn't be working, but it sounds to me like (between that and the SD tapings) he's going to be around for at least a while....
Yeah, it’s like when Shawn Michaels had his return match against HHH. Everyone knew HBK was coming off a bad back, so fans in the audience figured he’d take it easy. Instead, the guy was doing jumps off the top rope and taking spinebusters onto chairs.
They can’t even go the route of abandoning the title due to an injury angle, since they’re using the same gimmick with the US Title.
Originally posted by samoflangeRegarding the Best of Seven Series, I would love for one of them (preferably Benoit) to win in 5 or 6 matches. Going all the way to 7 will seem too boring and too predictable.
You're crazy! That's like asking a "2 out of 3 Falls" match to go less than all three falls, just once.
I just think its funny when WWE recycles things WCW did. And then they bomb terribly. NWO people?
Also, I get that Cena is no Benoit. But the booking for the Cena/Booker T series was rather bad. If the series was RVD/Cena it would've been more interesting I think. Booker T/Cena is just a bad combination.