Friday, February 19, 2021

SmackDown 2-17-06 Review

Original Airdate: Friday, February 17th, 2006
Norfolk Scope Arena
Norfolk, Virginia

Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2

Rey Mysterio vs. Sylvan

Sylvan insults Mysterio on his way to the ring, so Mysterio hits him with a dropkick and a dive to the outside. He hits a springboard seated senton, but instead of going for the pin, he shows his aggressive side. He misses a bronco buster in the corner and Sylvan takes advantage. Sylvan hits a standing spinebuster for a 2 count. Mysterio misses a springboard moonsault and Sylvan greets him with a clothesline. Mysterio escapes a body slam and hits the 619/springboard leg drop combo and picks up the victory. Out comes Randy Orton and tells Rey that he will never main event WrestleMania and become Heavyweight Champion. 

Match Rating: **

Kurt Angle confronts Mysterio backstage and tells him to "never say never". Angle says he'll face him at WrestleMania and in comes Mark Henry, who says that he's taking out both Angle and Undertaker. 

Orlando Jordan is in the ring and he says that he should be facing Booker T at No Way Out, not Chris Benoit. He claims to be the greatest athlete in SmackDown history. He says that there is no one in the locker room that he can't beat and out comes the Boogeyman.

Orlando Jordan vs. Boogeyman

Jordan attacks Boogey on his way in, but he no sells the offense. He catches a kick and hits him with a clothesline. He hits the pump handle slam and gets the victory. Yep. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

In the back Gregory Helms walks through a group of cruiserweights and tells them to "watch and learn". 

Cruiserweight Championship Match 
Gregory Helms vs. Scotty 2 Hotty

Scotty gets the quick burst of offense, but Helms throws him into the ring post. Helms hits a variation of the F5 in a pretty innovative spot. After some submission holds, Scotty makes his come back and signals for the worm, but Helms hits him with a big right hand. Helms hits the Shining Wizard and that is all. Helms grabs the mic and says that he'll do that to any cruiserweight any time he wants and starts attacking Scotty. All of the cruiserweights come in and attack Helms. They all hit their signature moves and then lay him out so that Scotty can hit the worm. The match itself was fine for what it was. 

Match Rating: *1/2

Helms is shown backstage getting medical attention and Teddy Long lets him know that Sunday he is facing every cruiserweight at the same time. 

Kristal is with the pirate, Paul Burchill. Mr. Kennedy walks in and insults him. Burchill holds a sword to his throat and Kennedy says that they could use a pirate in this business. 

Booker T and Sharmell are out and are joining the announce booth. 

Finlay & JBL vs. Bobby Lashley & Chris Benoit

Benoit and Finlay start things off. Finlay gets in some mat wrestling to start, but you'll never guess what Benoit does next? If you had chops, you're catching on. Benoit goes for a baseball slide, but Finlay catches him in the apron and then JBL stomps on his hand on the steps. JBL tags in and continues to work on Benoit. Benoit is able to make a tag into Lashley and he throws JBL around. JBL throws Lashley out of the ring, but he's right back in and on the attack. JBL hits a thumb to the eye and tags in Finlay. Lashley hits a clothesline in the corner on Finlay and he rolls out of the ring. Lashley misses a clothesline on Finlay and JBL is there to hit him with a big boot into the commercial break. Lashley makes a comeback and a tag to Benoit and he hits more chops. Benoit hits suplexes on both men, but Finlay drops an elbow on Benoit during his pin attempt. Benoit gives German suplexes out and then puts JBL in the Crippler Crossface. Finlay pulls him off and throws him out of the ring. Benoit throws him into the steps and then hangs up JBL on the top rope. He knocks out the referee and Booker hits him with a chair. JBL hits a Clothesline From Hell and picks up the victory. That was the appropriate time to use a cheap finish, as it furthered the Booker/Benoit story and kept both Finlay and JBL strong. The match itself was pretty good as well. 

Match Rating: ***

Simon Dean makes fun of the fat Virginia hams and tells them there will be no way out of their seats with all of the food they are eating. It should be noted that Gymini is with Dean. 

Simon Dean vs. Matt Hardy

Hardy charges after Dean in the corner, but one of the Gymini pull him out of the way. Charles Robinson ejects them both and Dean hits an elbow to the back of Hardy. Hardy hits a Side Effect and some clotheslines. He hits a swinging neckbreaker and the second rope leg drop. Hardy hits the Twist Of Fate and gets the quick victory. I love Simon Dean. 

Match Rating: 1/2*

Matt Hardy approaches Melina and he says he's accepting her offer, but not the "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine". He says that he and a mystery opponent will take on MNM at No Way Out. Michael Cole and Tazz then run down the card for No Way Out and it really is a strong card for a brand exclusive show. 

Handicap Tag Team Match
MNM & Mark Henry vs. Kurt Angle & Undertaker

Angle is ready to start, but then Taker steps in front of him, so Angle goes in the corner. After a quick showdown with Mercury, he tags in Henry. Blind tag by Angle though and he attacks Henry when he goes off the ropes. Things break down and Taker knocks Henry off the apron and then he and Angle one up each other with Nitro and Mercury. As they have a face off, Henry comes in and knocks them both out. I like the dynamic in this match. Angle is able to pull out an Ankle Lock on Henry, but he kicks out and goes back to isolating Angle in his corner. Angle hits a back suplex on Mercury and makes the hot tag to Taker. He takes out both members of MNM, but when he goes for a double chokeslam, Henry comes in from behind to knock him down. Taker makes his comeback with a big DDT on Henry. When Taker signals for the chokeslam, Angle tags his hand and hits suplexes on MNM. Angle Slam on Nitro and the straps are down. Henry walks in and Taker hits a big boot. Angle puts on the Ankle Lock and Nitro taps to a big pop from the crowd. After the match, Henry goes to attack Angle and Taker saves him and gives him a chokeslam. Taker then hits a Tombstone on Henry and Angle stands in disbelief. They have the face off that would become the DVD cover and we are out of time. The match was a good showcase for the main event, even if it didn't do their opponents many favors. 

Match Rating: ***

This episode featured a lot of action and most of it was enjoyable. The two tag matches delivered and I am really looking forward to re-visiting No Way Out. Thumbs up. 

Overall Rating: 68%

No comments:

Post a Comment