Original Airdate: Friday, September 1st, 2006
Sovereign Center
Reading, Pennsylvania
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After a recap of the Rey Mysterio/Chavo Guerrero/Vickie Guerrero storyline, Mysterio is out to kick off the show. He's confused on the whole situation and calls out Vickie. She comes out and announces that she is the new business manager of Chavo and then slaps Mysterio and walks away. This is the biggest reaction that this angle has gotten so far.
Matt Hardy vs. Gregory Helms
I'm cool with this to kick things off. While Helms is hanging onto the ropes on his back, Hardy lifts him up and turns it into a sit down powerbomb. Helms is able to snap Hardy's neck on the top rope and then knocks him off the apron. Hardy battles back with some clotheslines and the second rope elbow. He goes for a Twist Of Fate, but Helms is able to roll him up for a 2 count. Hardy misses with a moonsault and Helms grabs his title belt. Hardy ducks it and sneaks in a pin to pick up the victory. This packed a lot of action into this match.
Match Rating: ***
Mr. Kennedy is with Finlay and tells Teddy Long he wants a shot at the United States title. Teddy says it will happen tonight, but wants to add something to it.
Miz vs. Tatanka
This is Miz's debut and 16 years later he is still a major player. He is in full Hoo-rah mode here. Sadly, he does a stereotypical portrayal of a Native American, but Tatanka hits him with a big chop to the chest. This is definitely not a squash. Tatanka tries to go up top, but Miz rolls away, but still eats another chop to the chest. Miz shoved the referee into Tatanka and it allows him to use a backslide to pick up the victory. It's pretty clear here that they are plotting to use Miz as a heel who steals victories and did a nice job of continuing the Tatanka storyline. I don't believe it ever goes anywhere, but it has been a nice little wrinkle to a character that otherwise hasn't had much going on. The match was pretty basic.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Triple Threat Match For The United States Championship
Mr. Kennedy vs. Finlay vs. Bobby Lashley
Before Kennedy and Finlay are about to square off, he announces that Lashley will be the third competitor in this match. Lashley naturally gets singled out quickly and has his shoulder thrown into the ring post. Kennedy turns on Finlay and does the same to him. Kennedy goes up top and hits the Kenton on Lashley, but Finlay pulls him off. Finlay puts Kennedy in the Boston Crab until Lashley makes his comeback. Lashley hits a big vertical suplex on the outside of the ring. Hornswoggle peaks his head out as we go into a commercial break. Finlay and Kennedy once again work together to single out Lashley. Out comes Hornswoggle and Finlay throws him onto Kennedy. Back comes Lashley and he hits a double clothesline. Kennedy gets knocked off the apron and then Finlay tries to use a shillelagh, but Lashley ducks it and hits the running powerslam. He goes for the pinfall, but then Kennedy rolls up Lashley and steals the victory. I'm a little surprised they let him pin Lashley, even if it was a surprise. This was a entertaining match that got time and delivered for the most part. After seeing the replay, Kennedy pulled the tights of Lashley on the pin.
Match Rating: ***1/4
After a Raw recap, MVP is walking into the arena with some ladies.
Vito vs. William Regal
Vito goes for a quick pinfall and almost steals the match. The commentating is absolutely awful here, as it usually is. Vito shoves Regal's head under the dress and Regal gives us the facial expressions that only he is capable of. He walks away and is counted out. This was pointless.
Match Rating: 1/4*
After being introduced to Jimmy Wang Yang, Michael Cole interviews MVP in the crowd. They continue to play up that he is hiding behind his agent and he walks away.
Pitbulls vs. Paul London & Brian Kendrick
The Pitbulls attack the champions right away and dominate. London finally is able to get out of the ring and tag in Kendrick. He gets in some offense until he gets flattened. London is able to push Kash off the top rope and Kendrick is able to roll up for the victory. They've done that finish way too much tonight. As soon as the bell rings, KC James and Idol Stevens destroy the champions. With the champs laying on the mat, they share some words with the Pitbulls. This deserved to be a lot longer.
Match Rating: **
It's time for the main event contract signing between King Booker and Batista. They will be facing off next week. Booker goes off on a tangent and as per usual, it's gold. Batista reminds him that he never beat him and is only the champion due to a technicality. They sign the contract and then Batista gives Booker a second spinebuster after the first one didn't put him through the table. No surprise there.
I enjoyed this show. I wish we could have ended with the Kennedy title victory, but other than that, I thought this was an effective episode for the blue brand. They are trying to develop their characters and aren't held back by the crutch of the McMahons.
Overall Rating: 60%
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