Tuesday, February 21, 2023

SmackDown 11-24-06 Review

Original Airdate: Friday, November 24th, 2006
Nassau Coliseum
Long Island, New York

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Steel Cage Match
Kane vs. MVP

These guys start off having the run of the mill Kane match, which is every Kane match. They eventually use the cage as something other than a way to climb with Kane throwing MVP into the steel. Kane hits a couple of boots while between the ropes and the cage. Kane hits the top rope clothesline that looks more and more like he's falling every week. They start to battle on the top of the ropes and MVP kicks out his ankle. MVP climbs out of the ring and that is all. That was pretty short and at least the guy who is entertaining won the match. This was about as basic of a cage match as you will ever see. 

Match Rating: *1/2

They show clips from the Survivor Series press conference.

Jimmy Wang Yang vs. Gregory Helms

Yang fights off an early Helms advantage and hits a moonsault from the top rope to the floor. Back in the ring, Helms is able to yank Yang back by his head and into the second turnbuckle to shift the momentum. Yang is able to eventually come back with a short arm clothesline and then a nice spin kick in the corner. Yang hits a top rope crossbody, but Helms rolls down and almost picks up the victory. Yang hits a top rope hurricanrana and that almost picks him up the victory. Helms is able to drop Yang on the ring post and Helms then hits a variation of a neckbreaker for the victory. That was a nice little match between these two. Yang has enough good offense to have these compact, entertaining TV matches despite the stupid gimmick.

Match Rating: **1/4

Vickie Guerrero confronts Chris Benoit and tells him to stay out of her life. She attempts to slap him, but Benoit blocks it. 

Backstage, MVP is getting medical attention and Mr. Kennedy comes to apologize for last week. Kennedy says that tonight is all about giving thanks and tonight he's going to give thanks to Undertaker.

King Booker and Queen Sharmell are with Teddy Long. Booker hands him a royal contract that when he beats Batista at Survivor Series, that he will never have to face Batista again. Teddy says he doesn't take orders from Booker, but he says that he makes a good point. He has his word, but Sharmell wants it signed. Booker demands that it will be signed in front of all of his royal subjects and wants him to bring Batista with him. 

Paul London, Brian Kendrick and Ashley are heading to the ring. 

Brian Kendrick vs. William Regal

Here's a match with some potential. I still don't really understand why they couldn't figure out what to do with Regal here. Regal is continuing to show off his more aggressive side with some forearms in the corner and then dropping Kendrick on his head. Kendrick tries to make a comeback, but Regal hits a double underhook powerbomb. Regal somehow is bleeding from his eye. Kendrick is able to hit a monkey flip into the ropes and then a flying forearm. Kendrick sneaks in Sliced Bread #2, but Dave Taylor comes into the ring. Kendrick takes him out, so we have no DQ. Taylor clotheslines London and then Kendrick hits a dive on Taylor. Kendrick goes back into the ring and gets steamrolled by a Regal knee. That was another entertaining TV match. More of this version of Regal, please.

Match Rating: **1/4

We get a lengthy preview of Batista/King Booker for Survivor Series.

Mr. Kennedy is out to the ring and he wants everyone to give thanks to him for defeating Undertaker at No Mercy. He says that he has gotten into the head of both brothers of destruction. He shows some clips and of course shows when he busted Undertaker open with the microphone. Say what you will about Kennedy, but he was actually booked pretty strong against Taker up to this point. Of course, Undertaker's music hits and the lights dim. Taker is behind Kennedy in a pretty predictable move. Kennedy scurries out of the ring. Taker tells him "Survivor Series first blood" with no mic and then red blood falls all over Kennedy. 

Finlay vs. Chris Benoit

We get lots of mat wrestling to start, setting the tone for what should be a lengthy TV match. Finlay is able to throw Benoit into the steel steps before working on the injured leg. Benoit is also bleeding from his waist. This match is the very definition of just put two wrestlers out there and give them 15 minutes and we'll fill up most of our second hour. In storyline, this is obviously softening up Benoit for Chavo Guerrero ahead of their match at Survivor Series in 2 (not really) days. Benoit hits the Three Amigos to get some momentum going. He tries to go up top for the headbutt, but has to hit him in the midsection with a shoulder. He decides to do the three German suplexes instead. He now is able to climb to the top and hits the headbutt. Out comes Chavo and Vickie, which allows Hornswoggle to hand Finlay the shillelagh. Finlay hits Benoit and follows it up with the Celtic Cross for the pinfall victory. This was your usual match between these two, with maybe a little bit more of a slow pace this time around. After the match, Chavo hits the Frog Splash and tells Benoit that he's not a Guerrero and to stay out of his business. Chavo goes up top and hits another Frog Splash.

Match Rating: **1/4

Boogeyman vs. Miz

I mean, this is exactly what you think it's going to be. Miz isn't afraid, but then Boogeyman destroys him. He has some worms in his mouth and Miz backs away. As the referee is counting him out, Boogeyman spits some worms on the referee's shoulder. He then hits his finisher on the referee and spits out the worms on his face. I guess Boogeyman won by countout? Who cares?

Match Rating: 1/4*

King Booker and Queen Sharmell are in the ring with a fancy table and some royal subjects. He brings out Teddy Long to sign the contract and then Batista's music hits. As Booker is convincing Batista to sign the contract, Booker flips the table onto Batista and they start brawling. Batista destroys the royal subjects and it allows Booker to hit Batista in the throat with the scepter. He then cracks the scepter over the back of Batista. Booker celebrates as we go off the air. 

This show featured some good action throughout and didn't follow all of the typical go home show tropes. SmackDown continues to be the most consistent of the 3 shows here as we look to close out 2006. 

Overall Rating: 60%

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