Original Airdate: Friday, February 2nd, 2007
Toyota Center
Houston, Texas
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We get a Royal Rumble recap to start the show before announcing that we will have a United States Championship match to kick off the show.
United States Championship Match
Chris Benoit vs. Finlay
As these two roll around on the ground, it seems like a decent time to note that both Chuck Palumbo and Boris Alexiev (Santino Marella) both had dark matches before this show. Benoit misses with a sliding dropkick under the ropes and Finlay is able to throw him into the steel steps. Finlay goes to work on the injured knee and slaps on a half crab. Benoit gets a rush of offense, but misses with the top rope diving headbutt. Finlay then goes and rips off the top turnbuckle pad while the ref is checking on Benoit. Out comes Hornswoggle, but someone is pulling him back under the ring. Finlay loses the tug of war and has to roll back into the ring. The Boogeyman's music hits and it's shown that he's the one pulling Hornswoggle. He picks him up over his shoulder and the distraction allows for Benoit to get the roll up and the victory. I mean, I guess I wasn't expecting that to happen here tonight. Boogeyman lets him go and Finlay tries to put him back under the ring, but Hornswoggle doesn't want it. Finlay eventually throws him back under the ring. The match was decent, but obviously was more of a set up for an epic feud.
Match Rating: **1/4
We get a rare "Earlier today" backstage interview with Kristal and Vickie Guerrero. Vickie says that the working conditions on SmackDown are bad because of Teddy Long. She plans on returning to SmackDown very soon and that there is an opportunity that she has her eye on. She thanks Kristal for her support.
Paul London & Brian Kendrick vs. Deuce 'N Domino
We get a look at the crew getting into the car before heading out to the ring and us to a commercial break. I'm sorry, but I am loving this gimmick. Half of the match is JBL and Michael Cole arguing over what a veteran in WWE is. London takes the beatdown after a distraction. Deuce and Domino show off their mostly punch and kick offense until Kendrick gets the hot tag. He hits multiple flying fists until Domino escapes Sliced Bread #2. They had knocked London out of the rng and they hit their running boot finisher for the victory. This was obviously a non-title match, which WWE loves to do with these new teams that come in. This was a solid match, mostly because the challengers offense doesn't rely on rest holds.
Match Rating: **1/4
Teddy Long is on the phone until Batista walks in and tells him that Undertaker needs to make a decision.
King Booker is out to be given the key to the city of Houston. There's no beating around the bush, they give him the key quickly and he and Sharmell act the most king/queen-like that they have since the peak of the gimmick. Booker then gives a speech accepting the award. He then gets serious and says that it's about time. He asks if Walter Cronkite ever beat Big Show and John Cena in one night. Roger Clemens never won the King Of The Ring. He then asks the people that presented the award to bow down and kiss his ring. He forces the one guy and the other guy gives in and cowardly kisses it. He then talks about Billy Gibbons being there and then wants him to kiss his feet. Out comes Kane\ and he chokeslams the one guy from Houston and then hits a boot to Booker to send him to the floor. Booker and Sharmell escape out of the arena through the crowd.
Mr. Kennedy vs. Vito
Kennedy doesn't do his intro here and is in a bad mood after Royal Rumble. Vito hits a scoop slam before mocking Kennedy's microphone. It backfires and Kennedy is quickly on the attack. Kennedy rips off Vito's dress and continues to take out his aggression on Vito. He hits the always impressive rolling slam off the second rope for the quick victory. After the match, he grabs the dress and chokes Vito with it. He then grabs his microphone and announces his name in Vito's face. He gets in a few more cheap shots. This was a good way to keep Kennedy strong after his loss at Royal Rumble.
Match Rating: 1/2*
Jillian, Kristal and Ashley are out for a Diva bikini contest, with JBL as the host. Kristal and Ashley awkwardly dance around as per usual. When it's Jillian's turn, she reveals a cutoff t-shirt and shorts. She says she's too talented to be dancing around like this. JBL then takes a poll and Ashley is the overwhelming favorite. Jillian says that the crowd has no clue what talent is and Ashley attacks her. Ashley then rips off her clothes and Jillian runs to the back.
Maryse welcomes us back after the commercial break.
We get a Royal Rumble recap and then go to Mr. Kennedy yelling at Teddy Long about getting screwed at Royal Rumble. He wants a rematch and says that he'll go above Teddy's head if he can't get it. Teddy says that next week he'll get his shot on SmackDown.
Matt Hardy vs. Miz
Hardy hits a few elbows and a back body drop for a 2 count. Miz hits a drop toe hold to avoid a charging Hardy and he goes to the floor through the ropes. Hardy comes back and hits the clothesline/bulldog combo. He jumps up to the second rope and hits an elbow drop. Hardy hits the Side Effect, but Miz kicks out. Miz has the referee distracted and out comes Joey Mercury to hit Hardy with his mask. Miz hits the Mizard Of Oz and picks up the upset victory.
Match Rating: 3/4*
Batista is shown walking to the ring backstage.
Batista is out to talk about how badly he wants Undertaker at WrestleMania, but he wants his answer tonight. Out comes John Cena talking about the week he has had and that Undertaker could choose him. He says that he would like to know as well because he would like time to prepare for the biggest match of his life. You would think Bobby Lashley would be coming out too, but nope it's time for Undertaker to come out. Taker takes a look at both men and then out comes Shawn Michaels. Shawn says that he's not the only one who wants an answer from Undertaker. He wants Undertaker to put his title match on the line right now so they can prove who the better man is. Out comes Mr. McMahon and he tells Undertaker that he has a decision to make. Vince also shoots down the match that Shawn wants and then insults the fans. Vince says he'll give us a match that has never taken place before and probably not again. He says that at No Way Out it will be John Cena and Shawn Michaels against Undertaker and Batista. We still have no decision from Undertaker and we go off the air.
This was actually a pretty good show from top to bottom. Everything had a purpose, even if we didn't get much in the way of No Way Out hype, which is in 16 days. It was a pleasant surprise to see Shawn and Cena in the final segment and I like the way they are teasing the Undertaker decision, even if it is obvious.
Overall Rating: 60%
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