Original Airdate: Thursday, April 7th, 2005
iPayOne Center
San Diego, California
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
This episode is apparently TV-MA. It shall be interesting to see why.
Much like Raw, the former champ walks down to the ring to kick off the show. He gives the same interview that he's been giving since I started watching, this time he's just not the champion. Eddie Guerrero comes out to save us all. Eddie says that if JBL wants his title back, he's going to have to through him. Out comes Booker T and shortly after Big Show. Now it's time for Rey Mysterio to come out and he says he's throwing his name in to challenge Cena, which then prompts Angle to come out. Michael Cole says this is the craziest intro to SmackDown he's ever been part of. Knowing that there would be about 200 more of these intros, it certainly doesn't feel as important. Angle calls out Booker for not being on WrestleMania and tells Rey that you have to at least be an adult to challenge for the title. Angle then says after WrestleMania he was arrested for armed robbery because he stole the show. Teddy Long finally comes out to make the announcement that there will be a tournament and it's starts tonight with JBL taking on the hometown Rey Mysterio. This segment was about 18 minutes long.
Cruiserweight Championship Match
Paul London vs. Billy Kidman
Chavo Guerrero is the guest announcer and he says that he was never beaten by Paul London and somehow Michael Cole tries arguing with him on it. We get some back and forth action from the two. .London hits a nice mule kick to the back as Kidman was charging. London was busted open from being tossed into the turnbuckle. Big hurricanrana by London followed up by a kick to the head for a 2 count. London is bleeding really badly here. Kidman nails a beautiful dropkick, but can't score the victory. Kidman hits the BK Bomb and sets him up for the Shooting Star Press, but London holds onto Kidman's leg. London hits a bulldog and London goes up top for a 450 that he semi-lands on his feet. Kidman lifts him up, but London rolls through and scores the victory. That was a fun match that you definitely were not expecting to see blood, even if it wasn't on purpose.
Match Rating: **1/2 (out of 5)
After the match, Chavo and Kidman work together to take out London.
A bunch of random characters are in the back talking about Akebono and Big Show. Luther Reigns is leading the conversation and makes fun of Big Show's butt and then makes his own tights into a thong. Yes, really. You'll never guess it, but Big Show is right behind him now. Big Show challenges him to a match tonight.
Torrie is getting ready for the bikini contest tonight.
Big Show vs. Luther Reigns
Big Show immediately is all over Reigns. Reigns takes control and I get distracted just in time to see Show kick him twice in the face with an impressive kick. Show nails him with a shoulder tackle and then hits the chokeslam for the win. The Luther Reigns burial tour continues.
Match Rating: 1/4*
It's John Cena's turn. It's not surprising, but it's interesting to see that over on Raw they had no Batista promo, but a very strong victory over a top opponent. Here on SmackDown we get a promo from the new champion. Cena's throwback Dave Winfield Padres uniform is awesome by the way. He talks about how traditionalists got mad at when he modified the United States Championship. He says that he is modifying the belt again. He heads out into the crowd and says it doesn't matter who you are, including SD Jones because our time is now. This was a pretty low key interview from Cena.
Kurt Angle Invitational
Kurt Angle vs. Jose Quesada
Angle says that the real highlight of WrestleMania was him making Shawn Michaels tap out and that he will make Cena tap faster than you can say fluke champion. Angle says that next week he will be facing Eddie Guerrero in the #1 contender tournament. He says that Cena's days as champion are over faster than you can say "Word freakin' life". Classic Kurt. Jose introduces himself in Spanish. Angle blindsides Quesada and the bell rings. German suplex and then right into an Angle Slam. Angle goes right for the Ankle Lock and that's all. After the match, Kurt says that this is what the future holds for Eddie. He then asks Jose to give the Spanish translation for unbearable pain and puts the mic next to him while he re-applies the Ankle Lock. Obviously this wasn't a match, just more confirmation that Angle is awesome.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Miss Jackie is now shown getting ready for the bikini contest.
Carlito is backstage for an interview. He said he interrupted Piper's Pit because everyone was falling asleep. Carlito says that he should have his own show and that next week he's going to introduce his show, Carlito's Cabana.
Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero are in the locker room. Eddie said he's going to make sure that Rey wins tonight because he has his back. Rey says he can beat anyone including Eddie, who he beat Sunday.
Michael Cole is here to host the SmackDown Diva Bikini Contest. It features Miss Jackie, Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson. I still can't believe Dawn Marie in WWE was a thing. As they are about to vote Michelle McCool, Joy Giovanni and Lauren Jones. Joy asks for them to show their stuff. Joy gets the biggest vote of the newer crop, but of course Torrie Wilson wins because duh.
#1 Contender Tournament First Round
JBL vs. Rey Mysterio
Rey makes JBL chase him around the ring in the early going. JBL eventually gets him and clubs Rey in the back. Rey headscissors JBL over the top rope to the floor, dropkicks Orlando Jordan off the apron and then does an over the top rope dive onto JBL. JBL regains control again and JBL's offense is so much more entertaining against a smaller guy like Rey. JBL hits the fall away slam from the second rope. Rey finally fights back and hits a moonsault for a 2 count. Rey goes after JBL's leg to knock him down and then reverses a slam with a DDT. Orlando gets involved again, but this time Eddie comes out and evens the odds. JBL kicks Eddie in the back of the head. Dropkick by Rey and hits the 619. Rey goes for the pin, but Eddie runs in and pulls Rey off and attacks JBL, causing the DQ victory for JBL. In come the Bashams and they attack both men. Cena comes in and cleans house.
Match Rating: **3/4
Well, that was a much better episode than we have been getting for awhile. Maybe the John Cena era will breathe some new life into this show. There still is far too much filler, but that's going to be the case when your roster is as weak as it is. Looking forward to Eddie vs. Kurt next week.
Overall Rating: 59%
No comments:
Post a Comment