Original Airdate: Friday, January 26th, 2007
Mobile Civic Center
Mobile, Alabama
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We get a long recap of the Mr. Kennedy saga ahead of his title match at Royal Rumble.
Batista vs. Gregory Helms
Helms brags about being the longest reigning champion in SmackDown history. Helms gets a thumb in the eye before being driven into the ring post and gets a leg drop in. JBL predicts that Helms will be World Heavyweight Champion in 2007 and that he is SmackDown's best kept secret. That the cue for Batista to make a comeback and he hits the Batista Bomb shortly after. Helms looked good in his small slot of offense.
Match Rating: *1/4
Chris Benoit vs. Miz
Although Miz is extremely inexperienced here, he does a nice job of not looking too out of place here. Benoit was that type of wrestler that could make most guys look good, so I'm sure that helps. They tell the story of Miz being able to hang with Benoit a little bit, probably as a test. He gets in a little bit of offense. He gets hit by the diving headbutt, but is able to get his foot on the bottom rope. Benoit puts on the Crossface and picks up the victory. This was good for what they were going for.
Match Rating: *
They show Deuce 'N Domino backstage playing up their characters ahead of their match tonight.
Deuce 'N Domino vs. Adam Evans & John Robinson
These guys are a very punch and kick type of team, but I think there is always room for at least one of those on the tag roster. The look works with the gimmick and they have a unique presentation. They obviously squash these two jobbers and win with a kick to the face.
Match Rating: 1/4*
MVP is blaming Teddy Long for his burns and that he's not fighting Kane tonight. Teddy says that he can't make him, but if he doesn't wrestle Kane tonight, he won't be in the Royal Rumble.
King Booker vs. Finlay
They show Hornswoggle peaking out from under the ring during Booker's entrance. Queen Sharmell joins the announce team. These two for whatever reason never had great chemistry in the ring. I'm sure the heel vs. heel dynamic didn't help. Booker hits a kick to the jaw and then out comes Hornswoggle. He starts to pull Sharmell under the ring until Booker gets his hands on him. That allows Finlay to attack him from behind, but then he shoves the referee as well. They begin to brawl up the ring entrance and they get counted out. This felt pretty pointless, especially since I know it never really led to anything.
Match Rating: 3/4*
MNM vs. Paul London, Brian Kendrick & Ashley
We get some nice, fast-paced offense to start off the match. London is kicked off the top rope by Melina as he's attempting a springboard maneuver and MNM hits a big back body drop after. Kendrick gets a hot tag, but when he's going for a dive, Melina gets in his way. Ashley runs in and takes her down and Kendrick hits the dive anyway. Kendrick goes for a sunset flip off the top and London dropkicks Mercury into the pin attempt, but Melina breaks it up. Melina then distracts the referee and MNM hits the Snapshot for the victory. This was quite the nice little sprint of a match here. Good stuff.
Match Rating: ***
Kane vs. MVP
MVP is still selling the burns here and Kane of course targets them. JBL is still furious about it and provides the entertainment for the match. Michael Cole then goes on some rant that makes no sense about MVP only being here because he wants to win the WWE Championship or something. Kane hits the top rope clothesline and then signals for the chokeslam. Kane instead dropkicks MVP off the apron and to the floor. MVP then hits him with a chair to the gut and the bell rings. The attack continues and hits him in the head with it. MVP then goes under the ring and grabs a can of gasoline. Kane sits up and hits MVP with a boot. MVP heads to the back and Kane throws the can that clearly isn't anywhere near full to the mat.
Match Rating: *
Over The Top Rope Challenge
Well, the same six guys that we've already seen wrestle are wrestling again here with King Booker, Finlay, Kane, MVP, Miz and Chris Benoit. Kane is eliminated first, which makes me happy. Despite there only being 5 people in the ring, this is very much middle of the battle royal type action here. Finlay dumps Miz over the top, which to be honest I am shocked didn't happen right away. All of a sudden the lights go out and the bell tolls. When the lights come back on, Undertaker is in the ring and attacks everyone. They all sort of take their turn with him and he of course is just so much better than everyone that they can't stop him. He lays all of them out and then smoke starts coming from around the ring. His music hits and he celebrates in the ring. So basically this is a no contest and was just here to put over Taker. Cool.
Match Rating: *
This was a pretty mediocre show overall. I really enjoyed the tag match, even if it was way too short. The rest I will most likely forget even ever happened. I am looking forward to revisiting the Royal Rumble, but nothing on this show made me want to see it more than I already did.
Overall Rating: 46%
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