Smackdown on MyNetwork TV
Taped on 2/17/09 in Portland, Ore.

[Q1] The opening video aired, followed by the pyro, and Jim Ross and Tazz welcomed us to Smackdown. They plugged Hardy vs Hardy and Undertaker vs Kozlov…

John Cena’s music hit and he came out to a solid pop, few if any audible boos. A video showed Vickie and Cena’s confrontation on Raw just before his match with Chavo Guerrero. Cena said he was fired up tonight and said “we have some special things planned for tonight.” He said even though he hadn’t been on Smackdown in two years, but things are still the same. He said that Tazz and Cole are still calling the action. He said Cole has put on some weight, but he looks good. Pretty cute. He said there had been a change in the World Heavyweight Championship and that is why he is here.

He said the title is held by a coward. He said, “Edge, I told you if you tried to hide, I would find you.” He said he wanted his rematch, he wants it tonight, and he’s not leaving until he gets an answer. Edge’s music hit and he came out to the ramp. He said he couldn’t believe Cena actually showed. He said he was tired of Cena dogging him, so if Cena wants a rematch, “Let’s do it!” The crowd popped big and out walked Vickie Guerrero to her off the charts heat.

She called Edge a warrior who never backs down from a fight. She said unfortunately, the World Title would not be on the line tonight. Cena said he promised the people he would get his hands on Edge tonight, and he would not disappoint. He started to leave the ring but Vickie cut him off. She said he would be in action, just not against Edge. She said if he wanted to face her husband, she wanted to see how he did against “this man.” Big Show’s music hit and he came out. The announce team put over Show…The Colons defend the WWE Tag Titles next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Decent opening segment. Cena wasn’t the stooge he usually is, and the Smackdown fans seemed genuinely happy to see him. Or the piped in cheers were really loud. I don’t mind seeing Edge/Cena again as this time they have a build to the match, nit a rush job off of Edge cashing in MITB.

The Colons made their entrance. A video recapped the Valentines date with the Bellas. The Miz and John Morrison came out next, sans Bellas…

[Q2]1. Primo and Carlito Colon defeated The Miz and John Morrison to retain the WWE Tage Team Championships at 12:14. Miz and Primo started out and did some quick mat wrestling. Carlito tagged in and hit a dropkick for two. Miz punched him and tagged in Morrison. Carlito pinned Morrison in the corner and tagged in Primo. He whipped Primo into Morrison, spearing him in the corner. Carlito tagged back in and cinched in a headlock.

The Bellas twins came to the ring distracting Carlito. Morrison whipped him to the corner, and the he was distracted by the twins. They weren’t doing anything but standing there, but they guys were checking them out. Carlito hit Morrison, who fell out of the ring. Miz charged in and got tossed over the top. Primo teased a plancha but landed on the apron and pulled the top rope down so Carlito could dive over the top on Miz and Morrison right in front of the Bellas…[C]

Back from commercial at the 6:50 mark and Carlito hit a drop toe hold on Morrison and Primo followed with a diving headbutt. Morrison reversed a whip and sent Primo into the corner with Miz. Primo flipped over the top, punched Miz to the floor, and jumped back in over Morrison. Morrison hit his springboard kick, sending Primo to the floor. Miz beat on him, tossed him back in, and then tagged in and locked in a Camel Clutch type move. Primo fought out but Miz whipped him to the corner and hit his through the ropes clothesline for two. Another headlock followed. Primo tried to fight out, Miz pushed him back into Morrison, they bumped heads and then Primo and Miz bumped heads.

Carlito got the hot tag at 10:54 and he cleaned house. He tossed Miz to the floor and tried to suplex Morrison, but Morrison reversed into a small package for two. Morrison took a shot at Primo but missed. Primo tried to come in, distracting the ref. Morrison whipped Carltio to the ropes. Carlito tried to springboard, but Miz caught him and dropped his throat on the top rope. Primo dove through the ropes to take out Miz. Morrison went for his finisher, but Carltio reversed into the backstabber for the win. Post match, the Colons convinced the Bellas to leave with them…

[Q3]The Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat Hall of Fame video aired…The announce team hyped Undertaker vs Vladimir Kozlov for next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Fun match from these four. I assume we will see a World Tag Title match next week or the week after, and then a unification match at Mania. Just my guess. I’m tired of the Bellas angle though. They should wrestle or go away. If you have not seen the greatest wrestling match in history, rent the Flair DVD and see his match with Steamboat. It’s poetry.

The announce team hyped Cena vs Show for later…A video package covered Hunter’s interview from last week and the rabbit chase on Raw… Kozlov made his entrance. JR asked if he would still be undefeated after tonight. Tazz said he doubted it…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Why the hell would Hunter have another sledgehammer strapped to his back? That has agitated me since Monday.

[Q4]The Raw Rewind was the HBK/JBL match, complete with Kozlov squash of HBK at the end…Taker made his entrance. I had time to take a nap, go to the bathroom, clean…ah the hell with it. It took a really long time.

2. Vladimir Kozlov defeated The Undertaker at 11:59. JR asked what would happen if Taker locked in the Devil’s Gate. How many times are they going call this by a different name? Kozlov hit a shoulder tackle and celebrated. He hit a second one and celebrated again. Kozlov tried to charge in for another collar and elbow and ate a boot. He rolled out of a elbow drop and clotheslined Taker over the ropes. Taker landed on his feet and stared at Kozlov who celebrated in the ring. Kozlov turned around and their eyes met as JR said, “Something has to give.”…[C]

Back from commercial at 5:50, Taker hit his leg drop on the apron. A replay video showed Taker and Kozlov both hit the security rail during the break. Taker tried to lock in the aforementioned Devil’s Gate, but Kozlov pulled free and hit three headbutts. Kozlov continued to assault Taker. Taker managed to whip Kozlov into the corner once, but Kozlov bounced out for a clothesline and then locked in a chin lock rest hold. Taker fought to his feet and reversed out using a belly to back suplex.

[Q5]Both men back to their feet and started trading blows. Taker reversed a back drop into a DDT for two. Taker hit Snake Eyes and Kozlov almost undersold. Taker followed up with a sidewalk slam for two. He grabbed Kozlov’s throat, but he pushed Taker away to the ropes. Taker bounced and hit a big boot for another two. Taker stood Kozlov up and locked hands. He climbed the rope to Old School, but Kozlov pulled him off into a powerslam for the win. Post match Kozlov backed up the ramp smiling/rubbing his mouth. Taker looked on surprised. The announce team hyped Kozlov vs HBK on Raw on Monday and Brother vs Brother for next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Well color me surprised. I understand why Kozlov wins. Now he looks strong heading into the match with HBK. But I never thought they would do it. As far as the match goes, it was pretty good, especially for TV. The problem with the match is it shows Kozlovs limitations right now, because I don’t know how they could make it better for Mania. IT almost foreshadowed Shawn’s win on Monday.

Matt Hardy made his entrance. Jeff’s music hit and he came to the ring in street clothes and no makeup. Jeff got a mic and said Matt had always been there for him, and he had always had Matt’s back. Jeff said so he hoped Matt would get through this phase because he had done nothing to deserve this. He said he wasn’t going to fight him tonight because whether Matt wanted to admit it or not, he was his brother.

Matt snatched the mic from his hand said he was not Jeff’s brother. He said he knew Jeff was used to everything being about Jeff, but this wasn’t about Jeff. This was about him. What he wanted and what he wanted to say. He said the fans made him sick when they cheered for Jeff. He said he also hated it because Jeff’s career had skyrocketed while his was crap. He said that Jeff and he both knew that Matt was the more talented Hardy. He said he also hated the people because they believed his hype.

He begged Jeff to fight him. Jeff shook his head so Matt slapped him. He kept begging to fight and then back handed Jeff, sending him to his knees. He begged again, and Jeff backed away and left the ring. Tazz quietly said Jeff didn’t have it in his heart to fight his brother. Jeff gave the crowd thumbs up and they popped. Matt looked confused in the ring…The announce team hyped Show/Cena for later…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Not terrible promos from these two. Makes you wonder if Matt really feels any of what he said. I have no heart for this feud. It should be a blood feud being brother vs brother and all. I think WWE killed the heat on this one by adding a much hotter “family drama” with Hunter and Orton. They’ve not been bad; I just don’t seem to care.

[Q6]The Wrestlemania video covered Mania’s IV and V. Randy Savage won the belt in IV and dropped it to Hogan in V. More love for Savage? Strange…Back ringside, MVP had joined the announce team. Shelton Benjamin made his entrance, followed by Chavo Guerrero.

3. Chavo Guerrero defeated Shelton Benjamin at 2:52. JR said he found it interesting Aunt Vickie didn’t make this a title match. Benjamin beat down Chavo and tossed him to the corner. He stared down MVP and then missed a Stinger Splash. Chavo hit two of Three Amigos. On the last, Benjamin flipped over Chavo and pushed him into the ropes. Chavo came off and hit a Tilt-a-Whirl Hurricanrana. He went to the top, but Benjamin jumped up and Superplexed him. Chavo rolled out and Benjamin followed right in front of the announce table.

Benjamin and MVP stared each other down. Benjamin picked up Chavo is a powerbomb setup, and then tossed him onto MVP. That was cool. Benjamin rolled Chavo back in the ring. He got in and looked back at MVP. He said, “MVP, your time’s coming.” He went to pick up Chavo, but Chavo rolled him up for the win. Chavo backed up the ramp and Benjamin watched. MVP slipped into the ring and hit the Drive-By on Benjamin…The announce team hyped Cena vs Show, next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: I just hope this US Title match happens before Mania so MVP can be in MITB.

[Q7]A 12 Rounds trailer played…Cena made his entrance, followed by Show…[C]

4. The Big Show defeated John Cena at 20:00. The bell rang with Twenty-two minutes left in the show. Cena got one shot in on Show before Show backed him in a corner and started his methodical beat down. Edge and Vickie were shown backstage watching on a monitor. The announce team went on and on wondering what was in it for Show to be in this match. Cena managed to fight out of his beat down but got shoulder/body tackled by Show. And the beat down continued. Punches, followed by headbutts, followed by chops. You’ve all seen a Big Show match, yeah?

Cena tried to fight out again, but Show hit a sidewalk slam. Cena tried to stand but somehow got tied up in the ropes. Show hit three big right hands to the body. Cena rolled out and tried to pick up Show for the Attitude Adjustment, but Show just looked at him. He went back to the beat down as the announce team continued to speculate about what was in it for Show.

[Q8]Show kept hard whipping Cena from corner to corner. On the third, he charged in and Cena kicked him in the face. He jumped onto Show’s back and locked in a sleeper. After being in the sleeper for 42 seconds, Show finally went to a knee. After another seven, he quick dropped Cena into a sidewalks slam to break the hold. Both men were down going into commercial…[C]

Back at 11:59 and Show hit a suplex on Cena. Cena rolled to the apron and stood up. Show knocked off the apron onto the announce table. He picked up Cena on his shoulder, but Cena slid off his back, pushing Show into the post. Both men rolled back in and Cena tried to hit a bulldog, but Show pushed him off with one hand. Cena actually bounced out of the ring. He got back in and Show continued the power assault. He locked in a nerve pinch at 15:32.

Cena powered out and attacked. He tried to pick up Show, but fell back for a two count. Show drug him to the corner and missed his elbow off the second rope. Cena climbed the turnbuckle and hit the Fameasser and Five Knuckle Shuffle. He again tried to pick up Show for the Attitude Adjuster, but Show countered into a powerbomb onto Cena’s face. Show setup for the chokeslam, but Cena slipped out and finally hit the Attitude Adjuster. He was crawling to make the cover when Edge slid into the ring and immediately back out without touching Cena. He stood there and looked at Cena who stopped crawling and stared at Edge. Show recovered and hit the knock out punch on Cena. He picked him up and chokeslammed him for the win. Post match, Edge climbed in the ring and stood over Cena talking crap…[C]

Shore’s Slant: I like Show for about seven to ten minutes, but after that it becomes the same set of moves. Just boring, that’s all. Decent match and I once again commend WWE for doing a double taping well. The crowd was hot through both shows and both were enjoyable. A 3 ½ star outing tonight that progressed several storylines and entertained. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next week.

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at css3238@gmail.com with whatever is on your mind.

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