Original Airdate: Friday, December 2nd, 2005
U.S. Bank Arena
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Randy Orton is out and says that he deserves the World Heavyweight Championship. This is one of those shows where I feel like it would be so weird to be at. Orton doesn't just want a title match at Armageddon, he's demanding it.
#1 Contender Tag Team Battle Royal
I understand the philosophy of booking matches like this. Unfortunately, it is more of a showcase for how poor the division is rather than putting a spotlight on it. On the plus side, I'm glad we are getting to the London and Kendrick era of SmackDown. Nunzio is launched over the top rope and to the floor by Animal for the first elimination. Animal accidentally eliminates Heidenreich and they are gone. The lights start to flicker and temporarily go out. London goes for a moonsault, but one of the Dicks pushes him off and to the floor. We are down to the Dicks and the Mexicools. The Dicks almost eliminate Psicosis, but he lands on the apron. He then leaps over and pulls both men over by the legs and they win the match. That was one of the most dull battle royals I can recall.
Match Rating: 1/4* (out of 5)
JBL is backstage with Josh Matthews. He says that he's willing to team with a man he doesn't like to defend his show. All of a sudden a red, gooey liquid starts pouring down the SmackDown background.
Booker T and Sharmell are out at the announce table.
Chris Benoit vs. William Regal
They start off with some traditional wrestling until Regal is able to get in some forearms. Regal throws Benoit up against the ropes and to the floor. Regal then kicks Benoit's head up against the ring post. Benoit gets in a desperation chop, but Regal hits him with a running knee to the head. Benoit goes for a chop and accidentally (I think?) chops him in the face. Benoit hits some headbutts and Regal is busted open. Benoit hits two German suplexes and after a struggle, he hits a full nelson suplex. Benoit then puts him in the Crippler Crossface and gets the victory. Right after the match he leaps onto Booker and starts wailing away. He puts him in the Crippler Crossface as Sharmell tries to pull him off. She grabs a chair, but Benoit sees her and she runs off. This was very sluggish and the head stuff with Benoit just is hard to watch all these years later.
Match Rating: *1/4
Randy Orton vs. Matt Hardy
This feels a little silly to give this one away here, as Matt was gaining some momentum and obviously Orton is headed for the main event at Armageddon. Hardy hits a series of arm drags and works the arm. Hardy hits a stiff looking leaping clothesline and then launches himself over the top rope onto Orton. Bob Orton trips up Hardy, but he still hits a Side Effect for a 2 count. Hardy goes for Twist Of Fate, but Orton drives him into the turnbuckles. Hardy hits a boot on Orton, but misses with the moonsault. Orton hits the RKO and gets the victory out of nowhere. This was mostly Hardy on offense, which doesn't necessarily do much for Orton as a mega heel.
Match Rating: **
After the match, the bell tolls and the lights go down. Undertaker is on the PA, which scares away both Ortons. As they head to the back, the lightning strikes on the ramp, causing him to get back in the ring. He tries to escape through the crowd, but when he moves the curtain to the aisle, there is a casket there. Taker then says that he is the one who does the killing. He goes through the crowd again and we get pyro this time. Taker tells him that he is going with him, straight to hell. Hell In A Cell that is.
After the commercial break, Randy is back with Teddy Long. Long tells him the match is on and Orton is not happy.
Simon Dean is with Kristal Marshall in her debut since the Diva Search. Simon calls Boogeyman a lunatic and talks about his Simon System. He opens a catering plate and the Boogeyman's head is there.
Simon Dean vs. Boogeyman
Simon Dean is dragged out by security to the ring. He tries to run away, but they keep throwing him back in the ring. Boogeyman eats worms and then throws some at Dean. He hits a reverse powerslam for the victory. Yep.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Lashley vs. Sylvan
Sylvan comes in cutting a promo, so Lashley just tosses him around the ring. Lashley then pulls Sylvan's shoulder into the ring post. We then get the British Bulldog style vertical suplex. Sylvan gets a knee up on a charging Lashley and then hits a missile dropkick. Sylvan keeps the offense going by stomping away. Lashley eventually catches one of the stomps and hits him with a clothesline. Lashley hits some more power moves, including a spinebuster. He then hits the Dominator and that is all. Well, that was longer than I expected.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Big Show & Kane vs. JBL & Rey Mysterio
Rey's ribs are wrapped and he is selling the injury heavily on his way down to the ring. Kane and JBL go right at it, with JBL clubbing him in the corner. JBL goes for a Clothesline From Hell, but Kane rolls out of the ring. JBL hits Big Show with a right hand instead and Mysterio hits a seated senton to Kane on the floor. Kane is able to make a tag to Big Show, but JBL takes him out with a shoulder to the knee. Mysterio tags himself in, but Big Show pulls him down behind the ref's back and then Kane nails him. JBL acts as if Jimmy Korderas accidentally poked him in the eye and he heads for the back, leaving the injured Mysterio by himself. The champs dominate Mysterio until he sneaks in a little bit of offense by using his quickness. Rey then hits back-to-back 619's on the big men, but they recover and hit a chokeslam for the victory. This was decent, but not really a great main event. After the match, Big Show and Kane are going for a double chokeslam on a chair until Batista's music hits and makes the save. We get some more unprotected chair shots to the head because they think it is still 1999.
Match Rating: **
This show was exactly what I feared it would be and that is flat. Coming off the live 1 hour special, where the crowd was hot, this felt like they were exhausted and clearly the creative was as well. Nothing worthwhile really happened here and it's best to just move on.
Overall Rating: 46%
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