[jetskid48]

If Smackdown is aired here tonight, I should have it up a few hours after the show. If not, it'll be up sometime Sunday a few hours before the ppv.

Some quick news that may be relevant to Smackdown, Michael Hayes has been suspended since Wrestlemania for a racism situation he had with Mark Henry prior to the event. I wonder if this has been why Smackdown has been lacking its usual quality lately in terms of having that one or two nice and long and good match per week. Either way, he deserved his suspension and when he's back, I guess we'll see.

Anyway, here's the preview for this week:

The following is from WWE.com:

Preview: Backlash Bound
April 25, 2008

As the WWE Superstars return home to the U.S. after a successful U.K. invasion, they will all be making final preparations on SmackDown for the massive pay-per-view encounter at Backlash just 48 hours later.

Last week on SmackDown, the battle between World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker and Batista ended in a double count-out. This Friday, The Phenom will face The Animal in a rematch. However, there will be more at stake this time, thanks to SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero. The title will be on the line and the winner will defend the gold against Edge at Backlash.

Will Edge face a new champion in The Animal, or will he go up against a familiar foe in The Phenom, who defeated Edge last month to bring his WrestleMania streak to 16-0? Regardless of who his Backlash opponent will be, chances are the Ultimate Opportunist will enlist the help of his “familia” like he did on a special edition of The Cutting Edge on ECW – where the “familia” delivered a brutal steel chair assault to Undertaker’s brother, Kane, that left him writhing in pain.

Last Friday on SmackDown, The Great Khali evened the score with Backlash opponent Big Show by delivering a crushing Khali Bomb. With tensions past the boiling point between the two behemoths, will the titans clash one more time before their epic battle at Backlash?

Also this Friday, Shannon Moore will square off against WWE Tag Team Champion The Miz. After Jimmy Wang Yang defeated WWE Tag Team Champion John Morrison on ECW, can The Reject make it two in a row for his team over the WWE Tag Team Champs?

And as announced on ECW, there will be an epic 12-Diva Tag Team Match at Backlash. SmackDown’s own Michelle McCool & Cherry will be on one team, pitted against rivals Natalya & Victoria on the other team. With tensions already high between these two growing alliances, what conflicts might arise on Friday night as they get ready for Backlash?

As all of the SmackDown Superstars get ready for full scale warfare at Backlash this Sunday, witness the final preparations this Friday Night on SmackDown at 8/7 CT on The CW Network.

[jetskid48]

Fuckin' Crosby and Malkin...



Smackdown Recap 4/25/08 - By: JetsKid48

Taped in HD from North Carolina. Cold open.

Edge and La Familia are in the ring as we open. Edge asks if we can feel it. He's excited for the big World Title match later tonight. He says we can all thank Vickie Guerrerro for that.

She gets on the mic and slaughters the English language. In the process, she makes the World Title match into a No DQ match.

Edge explains that now they can beat the hell out of each other to win. It's all so exciting. But not as exciting as this Sunday. This Sunday, there will be a new World Champion. Him. Also, a new ECW champ in Chavo.

CM Punk's music hits and he comes out onto the stage.

Edge mocks his loss in the KotR tournament. What does that make Punk, the Queen of the Ring? Chavo says it's the Court Jester.

Punk says they can call him Money in the Bank. He thought winning it at WM was a better way to the top then...sleeping with the boss. Ouch...HHH might take offense to that one. Back to the doghouse with you Punk.

Edge won't dignify that with a response because Punk can't understand their love for each other.

Punk wants to announce that he can cash in the case either tonight, at Backlash, or any other time. And that scares Edge.

Edge suggests that he thinks long and hard about using it against him.

Punk says he wasnt thinking about Edge...he was thinking about...Batista....he was thinking about Undertaker. But now that he thinks about it, he can beat Edge too.

Edge says why don't we meet later in the night so that he can show him he can't beat him. Vickie makes the match. Edge promises to bankrupt him. Somewhere, Nikolai Volkoff cries.

Commercial.

Tag Champs come out for some singles action.

1. Miz v. Shannon Moore
Miz is trying to avenge the loss of Morrison to Yang on Tuesday. Morrison is at the booth. Morrison says they fight and its okay. He asks Coach if he fights with his wife and Coach asks if he considers Miz his husband. Coach with a comeback? Wha? Morrison says Earth Day was more important than Yang. He was out all day planting trees and was exhausted. He says Sorry Coach, but saving the Earth is more important than Yang. Adamle joke somewhere in there too.

Anyway, there's a match. Punches in the corner by Miz, irish whip to the other corner and Moore jumps to the middle rope only to be pulled off and does a corkscrew to the mat. Reverse headlock by Miz. Morrison calls him aerodynamic and tells us to look at his hair. At that point, Moore turns it around into a small package for 2. Miz punches him immediately and poses. Russian Leg Sweep for 2. Modified Million Dollar Dream from a sitting position by Miz. Punches out by Moore and he flips Miz over. Miz tries to run at him and gets caught on the ropes. Moore to the ropes and Miz gets a powerslam for 2. Knees to the face and he calls for the Reality Check. Miss and backslide for the pin.

Winner: Shannon Moore

Shannon Moore just won for the first time in what...9 years? Post-match, Morrison starts to yell at Miz like what happened on Tuesday.

Commercial.

Recap of the Candidates. Unlike Firewoman, I recap recaps.

Hilary Clinton: Blah Blah Blah. Blah Blah. Blah Blah Blah.....Blah.
Barack Obama: I'm the people's Champ! No really, I'm the Rock. Please like me.
John McCain: That George Hackinschmidt character was good.

Back to the ring and we have a Divas match.

2. Cherry v. Natalya.
One name for Nattie for her debut. Thanks for giving her a real wrestler for an opponent. Natalya starts off with a push and a suplex. Elbow to Cherry and a headlock. Victoria is cheering on from the outside. Cherry starts to get up and backs Nattie into the corner. Big clothesline to the back of Cherry's head and a bodyslam. Another Bodyslam. Goes for a pin and gets 2. Face to the turnbuckle. Slaps to Cherry's face calling her pathetic. Cherry snaps and pushes her. Then a few slaps and a hit to the buckle. Kicks and she's snapped. Big punch to her face but Nattie catches her kick and knocks her down. Starts working on the leg. Rope splash on her leg. She puts her in a variation of a deathlock. Cherry screams. Natalya gets up and ties Cherry's leg on the ropes. Nattie misses a splash in the ropes and Cherry goes for the roll up for 2. Bulldog by Cherry for 2. What the hell, Cherry can do stuff? Run to the ropes and can't get the monkey flip. Natalya laughs as she picks up her legs. She puts on the SHARPSHOOTER. Tap out.

Winner: Natalya. I don't know why you would let a non-factor as Cherry get that much offense in Nattie's first match, but nice to see her using the Sharpshooter, especially after working a body part that long.

Recap of the Show/Khali stuff. Does that mean we don't actually have to see them faceoff at all tonight?

Commercial.

Michael Cole is in the ring as we return. He announces Matt Hardy. Michael Cole has legs? Matt's missed 4 months because of MVP, lets see it.

They've been at it since last summer, he finally gets his chance at the belt. Is the knee ready to go?

He says he's 100%, and he's better than ever. He's waited 10 months for this opportunity. MVP knew he was the biggest threat he's ever had, and now he's finally getting his shot. This Sunday at Backlash, MVP will realize how big of a threat he is, because he's waiting...

Tick Tock and MVP is on his way down to the ring. Cole gives him the mic.

MVP asks him why he has to come out tells him why is he spinning the truth. He tried to be his friend. It's because of him that he's an 8 time champion.

Matt says the only reason they were champions because MVP wanted to avoid him. MVP says he was being genuine. MVP never screwed Matt Hardy. Matt screwed Matt. He says he was jealous and we should face facts. He's jealous of his fame, fortune, and U.S. Championship. He's jealous he accomplished more in 1 1/2 years than Matt's whole career.

Matt asks if he sees jealousy in his eyes? It's not jealousy though, its confidence. But he looks into MVP's eyes; he sees uncertainty. And he will prove finally that he is better than MVP.

MVP wishes they could have moved past that and become friends. Matt's made up his mind about it, huh? MVP takes off his belt, and says this Sunday, he's have his opportunity. He raises the belt, then kicks him in the knee. Then he hits him in the face with the belt. MVP then walks out.

Commercial.

3. Edge v. CM Punk.
This should be pretty good, especially with Punk aided by tape editing.
They talk about the fact that Edge is the one who made MitB what it's all about. Lockup and rolling around the ropes. Punk gets pulled off. Pushing back and forth and Edge backs off. Arm bar, turned into a hammerlock by Punk into a front face lock. Punk rolls out and puts the hammerlock back on. He turns Edge around and gets a 1 count. Punk starts working on the arm with knees. He keeps the lock on for more. Edge gets up and breaks the lock. Some punches and kicks back and forth and Punk goes back to the arm. He twists Edge's arm around his leg and puts him back into the hammerlock. Edge backs him into the corner and throws a few elbows to break it. Punk to the ropes and Edge gets him with a Kitchen Sink. Big kick to the ribs by Edge, then a knee to the back. Edge starts a beatdown in the corner. Throw to the ropes and Punk gets a rollup for 2. Punk hold's Edge's arm down and kicks his arm. Pin for 1. Back to a shoulderlock. Edge picks him up and slams him but Punk rolls through and puts the hold back on. Punk with a few shoulderblcoks and gives him a knee to the face. Up to the top rope and Edge punches him. Edge up the ropes and we get a Superplex attempt. Punk knocks him off and Punk falls to the outside at the same time.

Commercial.

We are back and Edge in control. Mount punches to Punk, then wraps his legs around him in a grapevine. Elbows by Punk to try to break the hold but he can't. Edge grabs his arm to further restrict him. Gets his shoulders down and gets a 1. Still in the hold until he crawls over, spings and gets Edge's legs. Kicks to Edge's back and catapults him into the corner. Punk goes for a running knee and misses. Edge gets him up and gets the Electric Chair. Cover for 2. Edge throws him to the ropes, misses a clotheline and both go for crossbodies. Both are down until the count of 7. They do back and forth punches as they get up, but Punk gets him with some Kicks. Throw to the ropes and a reverse drop kick for 2. Throws Edge to the ropes, reverse, Punk goes for a crossbody and its fliped over for 2. Enziguri by Edge. Picks him up and Punk reverses to a GTS reversed into a rollup by Edge. Kickout at 2. Punk knee in the corner. Bulldog gets a 2. Both men are tired. Kick attempt and Edge reverses into an Edge-O-Matic for 2. Punk rolls to the corner and Edge misses a spear. Punk to the top rope and flying forearm. Gets a close 2. Punk gets ready for the GTS; reverse into Edgecution DDT for 2. Edge goes to the corner to do a spear. As he runs, punch gets him up and hits the GTS and Edge flies through the ropes. Punk goes to the outside to get him back in. Edge is dead weight. Punk lifts him into the ring. As Punk gets up, Edge holds the ref as Ryder tries to get a cheap shot. Punk rolls into the ring but Edge has time to get up and Spear him as he enters. Pin.

Winner: Edge. What, was Hawkins busy tonight?

Commercial.

King of the Ring recap. All Hail King Regal.

No lights, no music. All shit.

4. Vlad Kozlov v. Marty Garner
He stares down his opponent. Headlock and some grunts. Choke against the ropes. Garner punches him. Runs to the ropes and ZIDANES HIM. Throw to the corner and Throw Suplex. Huge kick to the body gets an OH from the crowd. Reverse DDT. It's over.

Winner: Kozlov.

Undertaker/Batista package.

Commercial.

Batista in the back with Vickie. He thanks her for the opportunity. He thanks her for No DQ. He knows what she wants. He's gonna go to war with the Undertaker, and he's going to become champion again. Then on Sunday, he's going to beat Edge. Jeez, that wasn't nearly heel enough Bats.

Commercial.

Batista makes his grand entrance. Then Undertaker makes his grand entrance. We get some Buffer intros, and there seems to be more than 15 minutes left...here we go.

5. Undertaker v. Batista for the World Title.
Undertaker takes him down with the shoulderblock to start. Headlock by Batista whose thrown against the ropes and knocks UT down himself. Back to a stare down and Batista goes for the legs and misses. Taker gets him and an armbar. Pushed against the corner and Bats goes to work on him. Throw to the other corner and hits a big clothesline. Taker fight back with a few punches and some arm ringers. Shoulderblocks that knock down Batista and an elbow. Cover for less than 1. Puts Bats in the corner and starts punching him down. Throw accross and Batista comes off with a Spear. As he goes for the cover, UT goes for the gogoplata but Batista powders out.

Commercial.

We're back and Undertaker has thrown Batista against the ring steps. Throws Bats into the ring but does his ring mat related offense including the boots and elbow and legdrop. Batista is out on the floor mats. UT throws him in and goes for the pin and gets 2. He takes him and goes for Old School but Bats knocks him down on the buckle. He goes up to the top with him and here comes a Superplex. But UT knocks him off and starts to climb back. Bats runs at him and Taker boots him. Gets his arm and then does Old School to Batista's injured shoulder. Run to the ropes and Batista comes back with a spinebuster. That gets a 2. He goes for the Bomb but is countered. Taker stalks for the chokeslam but is being blocked. Kick to Batista's stomacha nd a missed clotheline. Batista gets him up and running powerslams him. This gets a 2. Batista runs at him and gets a big boot. Chokeslam, but UT is slow to cover. He gets a close 2. Taker does the Tombstone sign and walks towards Batista who instantly turns around and spears him. Close 2 count. Bats is up and works Undertaker with 10 punches in the corner. You know what's coming. Yup, UT gets his arms up his legs and...Last Ride. Hooks the leg and gets another close 2. Taker tries to figure out what to do and goes to the outside. He gets the ringsteps and brings them into the ring. He puts him up for the Tombstone. Bats slips out and Batista counters into a spinebuster on the Steel! Both men are down. Finally Batista crawls over and goes for a Bomb.

But SHAWN MICHAELS IS IN THE RING. Sweet Chin Music! out of knowhere. He gives the angry stare to Batista then does the patented Rocker leave the ring flip. He leaves the ringside and goes through the crowd. Beware of the final momentum HBK.

In the ring, Taker is up and its a Tombstone. 1. 2. 3.

Winner: Undertaker.

Replays and its over.


Wow, okay. Much better than recent weeks. Great Punk/Edge match that makes us look forward to their title matches in the future. Pretty good promo by Matt Hardy, helped out by MVP. This could finally be Hardy's time. Might be time to add a tag match to the ppv after the last two singles matches the teams have had. And finally, Batista/Undertaker was better than expected. HBK's appearence was quite surprising and is really the first physical attack of the feud. Sure brings some heat to that match.

Cya all next week if I'm still needed for recaps.

[Demko]

It's a shame that there's no possible logical explanation for Batista winning the match tonight. I mean, what's he gonna do, wrestle twice on Sunday, once for the belt? I like to at least PRETEND there's a possibility that the challenger can win.

[bdbdbd]

Perhaps they'll have the commentators say the 'Tista/Michaels match will suddenly be for the title and Edge is SOL until [next PPV].

[National Champion Chris Cole]

No, they have clearly stated Edge gets his shot regardless. The only possibly scenarios would be Batista wrestled twice or Batista vs Michaels gets pushed to next month. Vickie made the match and Vickie clearly wants what is best for Edge. That is why Edge gets his shot regardless.

[Tommy]

Why can't Batista wrestle twice? Not like its never been done before

[Lucky]

Yeah, I've always been a fan of that sort of thing. "What? You won the title? Ok. Well you already have a schedule match so you have to honor that, but if you want to keep the belt you have to defend it in the scheduled title match too. Them's the risks of taking the match."

Then again I in no way want to see Batista as champ and probably won't even watch the match tonight so there's that.

[jetskid48]

Recap is up.

[Demko]

Skids... I like your recaps, and they're very timely. Thanks for doing this! If there's a choice out there, I'd like to see you keep doing them. :-)

EXALT

[Batman]

Shawn Michaels superkick was surprising? Batista vs Undertaker existed solely for the purpose of Batista eating a superkick when he was probably about to win the title. Which is not to complain, it was the kind of foregone conclusion that you want to see play out the obvious way, rather than seeing them try to swerve you.

Edge vs Punk was awesome. Why isn't this man booked on the PPV?

[Andy]

Apr 26, 2008 13:04:24 GMT -5 Batman said:

Edge vs Punk was awesome. Why isn't this man booked on the PPV?

Because he has a scheduled match right after the Edge/Undertaker match.

[National Champion Chris Cole]

After watching Punk/Edge I hope that is the case. I can go for a few more matches between those two.

[atothej]

I haven't watched SmackDown in a while, but can someone fill me in on why this interminable Edge-Vickie Guererro plot is still going on? I step away for nearly a month and a half, and she's still in a wheelchair and he's already won and lost the title. Is there a possible payoff that makes sense, or is this one just going to wander aimlessly until we eventually forget about it?

[jetskid48]

He held it for at least 4 months, so it def wasn't won and lost during that time period.

Anyway, Vickie's role is important because she helps put the faces against a handicap, and helps give Edge more power as the top heel on Smackdown. Also, it has helped lift Chavo into Edge's #2, and built a nice little group that hasn't existed in WWE in a while.

She may not be a great on screen character, but she's quite important to the scheme of what's going on on Smackdown.

[atothej]

I guess I wasn't clear about the question, which is my fault. I meant that it seemed like the natural ending of this storyline would be when he won the title. Vickie, having served her role of helping Edge get the title, would be dumped to the wayside. It seems like now they're trying to do a more McMahon/Helmsley Era bit with it, but the HHH/Steph relationship was much more believable. Simply put, nobody but Vickie (and maybe Chavo) really believes that Edge is sincere; yet, he hasn't turned on her at the natural point.

I get the value of "buddying up" to the GM, but I don't get why the payoff has been so slow in coming. It seems like they've lingered on it for so long that that element of the story will carry very little punch when it finally happens.

[Lucky]

Well I think that Edge's immediate challenge was Undertaker probably gave him reason to stick with the ruse. Having the GM in his pocket can be as valuable as champion as it can be as challenger. And setting out to take Taker's WM streak was a time when having allies made sense. And then he lost the title so he was back where he started.

Not to mention that dumping Vickie means putting the GM against him. So it behooves him to play this out as long as he can or until he can eliminate Vickie from the equation and put someone else he has on his side in her position.

I presume that the turn will come whenever this marriage story plays out. Sooner or later one presumes that the marriage comes up or Vickie pushes for it and Edge finally bails out. Or Vickie loses her position and Edge decides she's no longer of use to him. But as long as she's GM its not only a question of having her in his corner but not making an enemy of her.

But its long since stopped being in any way interesting and I definitely would like to see some sort of change. With any luck continued failure against Taker is what pushes the story. But I agree with you, they let the story linger and it seems like its lost its spark.

[atothej]

No, that makes sense. I was just wondering if anyone saw a reasonable "out" now that they've let it drag on, and you've listed a couple of good ones. Although they won't carry the same weight as they might've some time ago, they still are natural endings to the storyline.

[jetskid48]

Other Smackdown related news that came out today:

Dave Taylor has been released.

He really has no role unless he was somehow thrown into a Blue Bloods stable that probably isn't happening. Since Regal is gone, I can't imagine him being paired up with anyone else mattering. At least he got a nice little run in the tags this late in his career.