Monday, January 22nd, 2007
Cajundome
Lafayette, Louisiana
Follow me on Twitter: @WorkTheNetwork2
They show a graphic that they are dedicating the show to Bam Bam Bigelow. I can't believe he died so long ago. Very sad.
We then get a lengthy recap of last week's angle with Rated RKO and Shawn Michaels. Shawn is now out and talks about how last week made him realize that he can take on any bully that wants to stand in his way. He's going to win the Royal Rumble and go to WrestleMania to win the WWE Championship. Out comes Edge to interrupt. He obviously doesn't agree, so they start brawling. They do a good convincing brawl, spilling over the barricade and into the crowd. Skinner does his best to try and break it up and we go to commercial break. That was a passionate promo by Michaels and a good brawl to kick off the show this week.
When we come back, they are still brawling backstage. Michaels is a total maniac compared to what we are used to from him. Almost a Randy Savage-esque performance here.
Raw vs. SmackDown Challenge Match
Jeff Hardy vs. Joey Mercury
Jeff dives over the top on both Mercury and Johnny Nitro as they are walking to the ring. Nitro rips up the mat outside the ring and it causes the referee to eject both Melina and Nitro. Jeff is able to hit Whisper In The Wind and Twist Of Fate and that's all. Mercury is selling injuries to his face, but that was way too quick that I'm not even sure why they booked it.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Ah yes, here's Vince McMahon to ruin the show. Coach runs in and says he wants to throw Edge and Michaels out of the arena. Coach asks Vince what he would do and he says Michaels vs. Edge in a Street Fight tonight. He then announces that he's making his way to the ring.
Vince and Coach are out to the ring. Last week, Vince tortured us by reading a letter supposedly written by Donald Trump and this week he's returning the favor by making us sit through a letter that he supposedly wrote. He suggests to make the ratings for The Apprentice better, they should have him on the show. Out comes John Cena to call him out for acting like Brother Love and saying he loves everyone. Honestly, I zoned out and didn't even realize Vince was doing that. This is the Cena that tries a little too hard to be funny. This segment couldn't interest me any less than it already is. This finally ends with Vince saying that Cena will fight Coach tonight.
Chris Masters vs. Super Crazy
We get a pre-taped interview old school style from Super Crazy telling us that he's super and crazy. These two seem a little off, including an awkward spot where they kind of just run into each other. Crazy hits a couple of running dropkicks and then a missile dropkick. He hits a standing moonsault and gets a 2 count. Masters slaps on the Master Lock, but Crazy uses the ropes to push him on his back and pick up the victory. Masters is unable to grasp the concept.
Match Rating: 1/2*
We get more Vince and Coach because no one asked for it. Vince says the match is still on.
Shawn Michaels is backstage taping his wrists.
Maria is here to interview Kenny Dykstra. Yep, still using that stupid name. Kenny says he'll be the youngest person to ever win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania. Maria doesn't believe him.
Edge has his ribs taped up and is getting ready. In walks Randy Orton with makeup, I mean bruises and marks all over his face. He's yelling at Edge for not helping him out last week. Edge asks him if he'll have his back tonight and Orton says we'll just have to see what happens.
John Cena vs. Jonathan Coachman
Coach comes out and says that he can't change the match that he made, but he can add a match before their match. He says random Superstars will come down in an over the rope challenge.
Over The Top Rope Challenge
Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade are out first to no one's delight. They double team Cena and Coach signals for someone else to come out. Cena turns into Super Cena and dumps Murdoch over the top with a FU. He hits a 5 Knuckle Shuffle on Cade and out comes The World's Greatest Tag Team, followed by Viscera. They all attack Cena and then out comes Great Khali. Shelton tries to tell him what to do and Khali attacks him and anyone in his way. He throws Shelton over the top, followed by Haas. He clotheslines Cade over the top rope and then dumps Viscera. Cena comes off the top rope and hits a shoulder tackle, but Khali no sells it and clotheslines Cena. Khali then throws Cena over the top and wins the match. This wasn't entertaining television. After the match, Khali throws Cena into the steps. Khali hits the chop and runs in the ring.
Match Rating: 1/2*
John Cena vs. Jonathan Coachman
Cena kicks out of the chop and then in runs Umaga to attack Cena. The ref rings for the bell, but Umaga keeps attacking. The bring in a table and Coach and Armando Estrada hold onto Cena on the table. Umaga goes off the top and hits a splash through the table just 6 days before their rematch at Royal Rumble.
Match Rating: No Rating
When we come back from commercial, Cena is still selling the injuries suffered and is being helped to the back by officials and the medical staff.
Candice Michelle & Mickie James vs. Melina & Victoria
They show highlights of Candice getting hurt nose broken 2 months ago by Victoria. Candice eventually gets tagged in and gets about 15 seconds of offense before being put up for the Widow's Peak. Mickie comes in and saves her and she hits a Lou Thesz Press from the apron. Candice hits a reverse elbow from the second rope to pick up the victory on Victoria. Sure. This was your usual women's match that they presented during this era.
Match Rating: 1/2*
At this point, I feel like I have to give the Street Fight 1/2* just to stick with the gimmick. It looks like I forgot about Carlito and Kenny.
Carlito vs. Kenny Dykstra
Carlito tries to go off the second rope, but Kenny grabs his hair and throws him down. Carlito makes a comeback, showing a little more fire than usual. He hits a hurricanrana and a springboard reverse elbow. We get a quick spot of them reversing pin attempts and Kenny grabs the tights to pick up the victory. Not a single person cares.
Match Rating: 1/2* (Why not?)
We get a mostly mean spirited interaction between Cryme Tyme, Super Crazy and Eugene. I will say that I laughed when Eugene pulled the money out of his trunks. Then there's Faarooq to close it out.
Street Fight
Edge vs. Shawn Michaels
They come dressed in their jeans and shirts, old school style. Michaels uses the trash can early and clotheslines Edge over the top rope. He leaps over the top, but Edge hits him with the trash can lid. I have a feeling I will have to break the 1/2* streak here. Michaels is busted open when we come back from the commercial break. Edge uses the ladder off the second rope, dropping it on Michaels. Michaels comes back, using a chain to slow down Edge. Michaels hits a body slam on top of a ladder propped up on 2 sets of ring steps. Michaels slowly tires to climb to the top rope, but Edge greets him with some right hands. He tries for a superplex, but Michaels blocks it and drops Edge on top of the ladder. Michaels hits a top rope elbow drop and the crowd is going legit crazy. Edge ducks Sweet Chin Music and goes for an electric chair, but they tip over and Michaels takes an ugly looking bump. Edge sets him up for the Spear, but Michaels hits a Lou Thesz press before hitting him in the head with a chair. Ugh, it's 2007 and we're STILL hitting each other in the head. Michaels lays Edge's head on a chair and grabs another. Out comes Randy Orton and hits a RKO. Edge rolls over and picks up the victory after an entertaining main event. Obviously Orton was going to interfere in some fashion. After the match, Orton throws Edge over the top rope and then grabs a chair. Out comes Ric Flair and he hits a low blow on Orton. Kenny Dykstra is now out and dumps Flair over the top. Carlito attacks Kenny and now Michaels is back up and hits Sweet Chin Music on all of them. I'll never complain about an ending like this, especially when the crowd is this hot.
Match Rating: ***1/2
The beginning and end of this show were tremendous. It's just a shame the other 60 minutes or so had to exist. Having to watch this Vince/Trump stuff for the next two months is going to be absolutely horrible.
Overall Rating: 48%
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