Original Airdate: Friday, May 26th, 2006
Rabobank Arena
Bakersfield, California
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JBL is in the ring to kick things off tonight and he's not happy after losing to Rey Mysterio at Judgment Day. He calls out Rey and wants him to give him a rematch. Rey tells JBL that he doesn't defend his title and talks him into defending it tonight. Rey calls out his opponent and it's Bobby Lashley.
United States Championship Match
JBL vs. Bobby Lashley
JBL obviously isn't happy about this decision. They have a lot of back-and-forth action in a short amount of time. JBL hits a boot in the corner and goes for the Clothesline From Hell. Lashley ducks it and hits him with a Spear and we have a new champion. Well, that was quick. This was more about the moment and story than it was about the match.
Match Rating: 1/2*
JBL storms to the back to argue with Teddy Long. JBL gets to fight Rey later tonight and if he can't beat him, he'll quit SmackDown.
Tatanka vs. Simon Dean
Ah yes, Tatanka squash matches in 2006. I'm still not really sure what they were hoping for out of him returning, but they obviously never got it. Tatanka gets the quick victory over Dean in a match that exists.
Match Rating: 1/4*
Paul Heyman is here and Teddy Long tells him that he doesn't like him and he doesn't want him scouting his talent.
They bring out Three Six Mafia to perform Mark Henry's music live.
Mark Henry vs. Chris Benoit
Henry dominates right away and for quite a bit after. An early commercial break hurts the flow, but will probably help in the long run. Benoit makes his comeback and goes for the Crippler Crossface. It doesn't last long and Henry is back up and attacking him out of the ring. Henry rams Benoit into the ring post and the bell rings for a countout. Henry stays on the attack and Benoit is bleeding from the mouth. Henry finally walks away laughing. This would all lead to Benoit taking some time off for injuries.
Match Rating: 1/2*
William Regal is introduced for the coronation of King Booker. Tonight begins the most entertaining run of Booker's career. We get some fireworks and confetti to end the ceremony. The best part is that Regal is still repeating "Long live King Booker" as Cole is promoting the JBL/Mysterio match.
Oh good, more Vito.
London & Kendrick vs. Nunzio & Vito
Vito starts off dominating and Nunzio gets in on it for a little bit. The new champions get a quick burst of offense and London hits Sliced Bread #2 for the quick victory. It really would have been nice if they would have had an actual tag division at this time. I thought this was going to lead to an angle with Vito and Nunzio after the match, but we get nothing.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Mr. Kennedy is going to be returning.
We now get some still photos of Great Khali pinning Undertaker with one foot. We are so blessed.
Chavo Guerrero tells Rey Mysterio tonight that he has his back tonight.
Finlay vs. Paul Burchill
Finlay absolutely destroys him and hits the Celtic Cross for the quick victory. I'm still not sure why they hated Burchill so much. After the match, Finlay goes under the ring and there is a green light. We get the debut of Hornswoggle and he attacks Burchill until Finlay throws him back under the ring.
Match Rating: 1/4*
World Heavyweight Championship Match
JBL vs. Rey Mysterio
JBL attacks Mysterio and quickly hits the Clothesline From Hell. He covers Mysterio and gets the victory, but Mysterio's foot was on the ropes. JBL celebrates, but Jimmy Korderas realizes it and re-starts the match. When we come back from commercial, JBL hits a fall away slam from the second rope for a 2 count. Rey makes the big comeback and hits a 619. JBL catches him on the springboard and hits a powerbomb for a nearfall. JBL hits the Three Amigos and Rey is bleeding from the mouth. JBL begins to remove the top turnbuckle, but gets caught. JBL throws Rey into Korderas trying to fix it. He misses with the Clothesline From Hell and Rey counters into the headscissors. JBL lands on Korderas on the ropes and Rey knows he can't hit the 619 because of it. JBL hits a low blow and grabs a chair. Chavo stops him, so JBL hits him in the head with the chair. He misses Rey with the chair and Rey fights fire with fire by hitting a low blow of his own. He hits the tornado DDT on the chair. He hits the 619 and the springboard leg drop and gets the victory. JBL now has to quit SmackDown. This leads to Vince's favorite song being sung by the live crowd as we go off the air. This was a really fun match that built off their match at Judgment Day.
Match Rating: ***1/4
This was a focused episode of SmackDown that featured their two top stars well in Booker and Rey. The main event was good TV and everything else seemed to have a purpose. Thumbs up this week coming off the pay-per-view.
Overall Rating: 65%
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