The Smackdown Breakdown 10.21.04

WWE Smackdown — 10/21/04

From Rockford, Ill.

Your hosts are Michael Cole and Tazz

Torrie Wilson acts as our special guest announcer. She introduces Carlito Caribbean Cool. Cool thing: I was eating an apple just as he came out. I didn’t spit it on anyone. That would be gross. Carlito hits on Torrie. When she’s unresponsive, he spits the apple in her face. She gets the hell out of there without finishing the intros.

Non-Title: Carlito Cool vs. Rico.

Rico hits a huge backdrop, but Carlito takes over from there with a chinlock. Rico counters with a jawbreaker. Rico delivers a back kick and then a Kawada jump kick to the corner. Carlito comes back quickly with the Overdrive for the win. Ѕ*

If you want to send get well wishes to John Cena, go to WWE.com.

Booker T is upset because Theodore Long put him in a tag match. Long says Booker T has to step up and make an impact because it’s the “Champions’ Showcase.”

Recap of Billy Kidman’s history with the Shooting Star Press.

Chavo Guerrero has returned! He thanks everyone for their support during his injury. Billy Kidman interrupts. Kidman says that they’re both victims. Chavo of the accident, Kidman of the fans. Chavo tells us he wasn’t going to come back, he was going to retire…until a friend convinced him to get back on the horse. Kidman thinks it’s him, but Chavo clotheslines him and sends him over the top. Kidman has this great, “What did I ever do to you?” look.

Paul Heyman tells Heidenreich that Teddy Long wants to ensure everyone’s safety by securing Heidenreich in a straight jacket for his match. Heidenreich says it feels like home.

Survivor Series Press Conference.

Heidenreich (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Shannon Moore.

Shannon Moore’s still around? And he’s a Thunderdome extra. Moore tries to attack before they get the jacket off Heidenreich. Heidenreich brushes him off. He charges Moore in the corner, but Moore gets his feet up. Heidenreich makes him pay with a backbreaker. Heidenreich finishes with a Bossman Slam. He’s like Nailz 2.0. Ѕ*

Heidenreich puts the straight jacket on and demands Undertaker come out and face him. Taker never does.

Bad, bad, bad promos from the Tough Enough contestants.

Torrie has just gotten the apple off her face when Kenzo Suzuki hits on her with a rendition of Joe Cocker. Cocker? I don’t even know her! Teddy Long apologizes and confronts Carlito about possibly stabbing John Cena.

Orlando Jordan approaches Booker T and apologizes for a few weeks ago. He gives Booker the message that Bradshaw wants to talk to him.

Eddy Guerrero vs. Mark Jindrak (w/Luther Reigns).

Eddy flips out of a wristlock but winds up in a headlock. Eddy tries to force out, but Jindrak is just too strong. Eddy grabs a handful of hair to get out of it. Eddy armdrags him twice and dropkicks Jindrak to the floor. We come back from commercial to Jindrak botching a headlock sell. Don’t let Al Snow catch you doing that. Jindrak gets two off a snap suplex. Eddy comes back with a flapjack. Luther intervenes, tripping up Eddy from outside. Eddy headscissors Luther and hits the Triple Verticals. Luther cuts off the Frogsplash, so the ref tosses him. Kurt Angle sneaks in from the back and tosses the ring bell to Jindrak. Eddy hits the frogsplash, landing on the bell. Jindrak gets rid of the evidence and covers Eddy for the upset win. *

Paul Heyman comes to Long on behalf of Heidenreich, asking for a match with the Undertaker. Long grants it on one condition — Heyman must get Undertaker’s signature on the contract himself. And he needs it by next week.

Rey Misterio and RVD are making plans when Booker T interrupts. He tells them to stay out of his way. RVD tells Rey to keep an eye on Booker. Good God, RVD is the brains of the team!

Tough Enough IV — We’re down to eight. I feel like I should know Daniel Rodimer from somewhere. Anyway, they all look very good. I wouldn’t doubt that the winner could come in and make an immediate impact. The big news is that Brian Danovich tears a pectoral muscle, but he continues in spite of the pain. He gets invited down to OVW in lieu of Tough Enough.

OW, Goddammit, my cuticle. This recap is OVER!

John Bradshaw Layfield and OJ track down Booker T. They have some sort of agreement between them.

Champion’s Showcase Six-Man Tag: John Bradshaw Layfield, Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree (w/Orlando Jordan, Hiroko & Fifi) vs. Booker T, Rob Van Dam & Rey Misterio Jr.

Dupree and RVD start out. Cole reminds us of Van Dam’s German Suplex on Dupree. Van Dam flips out of a wristlock. Dupree goes for a powerbomb, but RVD backdrops out and tags Misterio. Misterio and Van Dam hit double dropkicks. Kenzo tags in, but Rey hits him with an enzuigiri and a broncobuster. Van Dam tags back in and nails the split-leg moonsault. Misterio comes back in with a vertical body splash and a springboard crossbody for two. Bradshaw catches Rey on another attempt, but RVD comes off the top onto both men. Kenzo tosses Misterio into Booker T. That puts a smile on Bradshaw’s face as we go to commercial. We return to Bradshaw dropping Misterio with a suplex. Misterio headscissors Bradshaw but hesitates on the tag because Booker isn’t trustworthy. Misterio counters a Dupree suplex to a DDT and has no choice but to tag Booker. Booker comes in with a smile on his face. He picks Rey up and holds him for Bradshaw’s Clothesline From Hell. Bradshaw readies, but Booker T tosses Misterio aside and HITS THE SIDEKICK ON BRADSHAW! Booker T takes out everyone and finishes Bradshaw with the Axe Kick. Pretty damned good match. ***Ѕ

OJ tries to attack Booker T but gets Bookended.

Final Thoughts: I was set to pan this show, but the Booker T turn is pretty big news, and the match was good. Chavo’s return was well-handled and sets up a hot feud down the road. The Tough Enough contest took up a good portion of the show and didn’t do much more than introduce the participants. Everything else could be tossed with no problem.

J.D. Dunn