411’s WWE Smackdown Report 6.05.09

Welcome to 411’s Weekly Smackdown! Report. I am JP Truss your play-by-play man for Smackdown! . J.R. and Todd Grisham are coming to you from Memphis, Tennessee.

The Cutting Edge w/Ladders Ladders and more Ladders

Ladders surround the ring, the ramp, and the set as Edge comes out. The World Heavyweight Championship is hanging high above the ring and he looks at it carefully before introducing the man he will be facing this Sunday: Jeff Hardy. Jeff comes out and walks under every ladder he possibly can as he comes to the ring. Okay, I’m not a superstitious man but I’m not a stupid one either. But the fans seem to like it. The two rivals stand in the ring and Jeff is the first to speak, but instead of speaking climbs up one of the ladders. Once at the top, Jeff declares he is very comfortable where he’s at and he will be sitting on top of a ladder at Extreme Rules as the new World Heavyweight Champion.

Edge has had enough and tells Jeff he always likes when his opponents play to the sheep (see: the fans). He says that what Jeff has failed to mention is how dangerous the match is and the damage they would do to one another. Edge points out every time Jeff tries to climb the ladder, Edge will be there to knock him down. Every time Jeff digs down deep once, Edge will be there to knock him right back down. And then Edge says Jeff will do something to give everyone, including himself, false hope that maybe he’ll win the match. But, Edge will knock him down once again. And once he knocks down Jeff for the last time, Edge says he will climb the ladder…and does so for dramatic effect. Now both men are sitting across from each other on ladders: this can only end one way. Edge says once he is at the top he will take his World Championship because when it comes to him and Jeff it’s always the same….

Jeff: Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah!

Excellent rebuttal Mr. Hardy.

Jeff says Edge can talk all he wants but this Sunday he will make history and the fans will talk about the match long after they’re gone. Jeff points out some people already things he’s gone but he’s done what he’s done and he’s proud of who he is now. Jeff declares that living on the edge will be his salvation. Edge tells him he’ll need it and smacks him in head with the title. Edge pushes the ladder over and Jeff lands awkwardly on the ropes before bouncing to the outside. Edge takes his belt off the harness and raises it to the crowd as Jeff writhes in pain.

Good stuff as usual that allowed Edge to verbally carry Jeff. Something tells me this will be the Extreme Rules PPV. I highly doubt these two will disappoint.

Shelton Benjamin vs. John Morrison

After their trademark entrances Benjamin takes advantage and forces Morrison into the corner just after the bell. Benjamin goes for a punch but Morrison ducks under it and deliver some vicious strikes of his own. The referee forces Morrison out of the corner and Benjamin tries to take advantage with a clothesline but Morrison ducks under it and fires back with a dropkick. Morrison Irish Whips Benjamin to the far corner and charges, ducking under a double boot from Benjamin and sliding out to the ring. Benjamin lands and gets tripped out from the outside from Morrison. Morrison slings back into the ring and leaps to the top rope but Benjamin stops him with a shot to the back. Morrison lands oddly and Benjamin hangs him in the Tree of Woe before executing a straight kick to Morrison’s knee! Morrison falls out of the corner and has trouble getting up and Benjamin goes on the attack with a single leg whip.

Benjamin goes on the attack, focusing on the damaged knee of Morrison with stomps and a shin breaker. Benjamin seems to be setting up for something before shoving Morrison down and hooking him into almost a leg crunch. Sorry folks that’s the best way I can describe it. Morrison breaks out of it with some kicks to the head but before he can get up Benjamin knocks him down. The referee forces him back but Benjamin breaks away and pulls Morrison up, tying his leg in between the middle and bottom rope, continuing the attack before the referee forces him back after nearly catching a five count. Benjamin pulls Morrison to the center of the ring and hooks him in a modified, or better yet inverted figure four leg lock. Very well executed by Shelton Benjamin. Morrison writhes in pain, nearly catching a pin fall due to his shoulders staying on the mat too long but in the end fights out of it.

Benjamin is right back on it though and goes on the attack, trying to literally rip the left knee out of its socket when suddenly Morrison leaps to his feet and counters with an enzuguri! Benjamin is clearly stunned as Morrison struggles to a vertical base. Both men are back on their feet and Benjamin charges but Morrison counters with a flapjack onto the top rope. Morrison attacks with a clothesline. Dos clotheslines. Single leg spinning dropkick by Morrison who goes for the pin and gets a near fall. Morrison continues to favor the knee as he tries a vertical suplex but Benjamin blocks and goes for a German Suplex, which Morrison blocks and answers with a roll up attempt which Benjamin kicks out of. Morrison ricochets off the ropes and nails Benjamin with a knee strike to the temple! Morrison goes for another pin attempt and gets another near fall.

Morrison goes for a one leg Flying Chuck but Benjamin ducks under it easily and hooks in a single leg crab; or the Canadian Maple Leaf if you will. Morrison struggles to get to the bottom rope but Benjamin pulls him back to the center of the ring but Morrison reverses into an inside cradle! Two count! Benjamin is quick to get up and Morrison stops him with strikes to the back. Morrison goes for an Irish Whip but Benjamin reverses it into a back breaker but Morrison counters with a Whirlwind DDT! Starship Pain! Morrison wins it!

Winner: John Morrison (Pinfall via Starship Pain) ***1/4 Since I’ve been watching Smackdown I’ve notice the brand has a particular formula that simply works: start big. Start with a big match or a sleeper match that’ll get the fans into the action early. Before Wrestlemania they did it with the Colons/Morrison-Miz feud and now they’re doing it with Benjamin and Morrison. JR said during the match that Morrison and/or Benjamin where a main event waiting to happen and I have no doubt about it. Great match between two rising stars.

Chris Jericho heads to the ring as we head to a commercial break!

Chris Jericho vs. R-Truth

We get a replay of Jericho’s dastardly attack on Rey Mysterio before we head back to the ring as Jericho enters. Before the match can start Jericho tells Rey Mysterio to be afraid of this Sunday, when he will rip off his mask and expose him to the world. Jericho calls Mysterio the worst type of hypocrite: a hero and a idol to children but he refuse to show his face to anyway. Jericho tells the fans that this Sunday there are no rules. This Sunday he will ruin Mysterio’s life by exposing his face to the world. AND he will win the Intercontinental Championship for a 9th time. Before he can finish R-Truth comes out with rapping his usual theme song. Jericho looks almost perplexed by Truth as he gets into the ring. Truth tries to get Jericho on the ‘fun’ but Jericho doesn’t seem willing to play along. Jericho, seething, ask hims if he really wants to know what’s up. Jericho tells Truth he can dance and sing like a puppet but he will not upstage Jericho on his show.

Jericho tells Truth he is not done talking but Truth tells him he is. Truth tells him that Jericho he is the biggest hypocrite he’s ever heard. Truth asks is Jericho thinks he’s bad by talking down to the fans, then answers for him by saying he isn’t. But things where about to get bad for him and that’s the truth! The match is after these commercials!

We return when the bell rings and Truth gets loose for the match. Jericho takes advantage early with a side headlock but Truth shoves him off. Jericho bounces off the ropes and catches Truth with a shoulder block. Jericho bounces off the ropes with Truth using some unique evades to keep him going until hitting a deep arm drag. Truth whips Jericho to the ropes and Jericho slides out of the ring to catches his breath. Truth leaps over the ropes and catches him with a cross body! Truth slides Jericho back into the ring and heads to the top rope but takes a bit too long and Jericho takes advantage by knocking him off the top. Truth lands on the apron and gets dropkicked to the floor by Jericho. Jericho rolls Truth back into the ring and goes on the attack with a string of kicks to the upper body of R-Truth. Jericho pulls Truth up and hits a snapmare before locking in a arm triangle choke, well an arm sleeper really. Jericho demands the referee asks Truth ‘What’s up’ as Truth fights back to his feet and breaks the hold. Truth bounces off the ropes and ducks under a bunch from Jericho and countering with a roll-up, getting a near fall.

Truth nails a few clothesline before avoiding Jericho and hitting a spinning kick to Jericho. Truth goes for the pin and gets a near fall. Truth charges and Jericho counters with back elbow. Jericho goes for the Lionsault but Truth rolls out of the way. Truth goes for the Ax Kick and Jericho gets out of the way, going for the Walls but Truth counters with a roll up! Truth gets a near fall! Jericho is back on his feet first and goes for the Walls of Jericho again, Truth fights out of it and Jericho is forced to go for a catapult to the turnbuckle. Truth leaps to the middle rope and goes for a cross body but Jericho counters with the Codebreaker! Jericho gets the pin and the victory!

Winner: Chris Jericho (Pinfall via Codebreaker) **3/4 I guess someone’s talked to Truth about his sporadic matches. Even though he lost, this is the best he’s looked on WWE TV in recent memory. Maybe it’s just the grade of the opponents he’s been facing or some other factor but hopefully now Truth will be a serious contender on the show and contribute regularly like he did tonight. Also good work as usual by Jericho.

Jericho makes his way up the ramp, still talking trash to a fallen R-Truth when Rey Mysterio comes from the back and attacks Jericho! Rey takes Jericho down and continues the attack until the referees force him back up the ramp. Jericho tries to leave via the back but Rey runs off the ramp and takes him down with a Seated Senton! Jericho is down! Rey is standing tall! What will happen at Extreme Rules?

We get a package highlighting the WWE Championship match at Extreme Rules before heading to commercials.

The fans get a quick shot of Graceland; the home of Memphis second biggest king before a quick replay of the attack on Jericho by Rey. It’s been a solid build up for their match at this Sunday’s PPV and yet another one I’m looking forward to seeing.

CM Punk vs. Umaga

Okay, it is a big strange to have to guys who will face off at a Pay-Per-View fighting on free TV. If this was Raw, I’d be critical. But I’m sure Smackdown wouldn’t do this without having a decent point so I’m just going to go with it and see where it leads. Both men come out with there illegal weapons of choice.

(Interesting note, Spike TV’s Deadliest Warrior said when Maori Warriors stick their tongue at an opponent it’s usually meant as an insult: that they would kill them and eat their remains. I’ll have to ask Sforcina if that’s a usual thing for most Samoan wrestlers. Be sure to remind me folks!)

We start this one off with a tie up and Umaga is quick to shove him off. Punk goes on the attack, targeting the knee of Umaga with stiff kicks but Umaga repeatedly shoves him aside. CM Punk goes for an Irish Whip to the corner but Umaga reverses it. Umaga charges and Punk moves out of the way, leaving Umaga to eat the ring post. Punk heads to the top and nails Umaga with a diving cross body. Punk goes for the pin but Umaga kicks out at two! Commercial break!

We are back and Umaga is trying to get to his feet but Punk continues to attack with kicks to the savage. Umaga finally catches his foot and stands but Punk counters with a enzuguri! Umaga spirals to the outside and Punk tries to capitalize with a slingshot cross body. But Umaga catches him with a blow to the throat! Umaga pulls Punk up and hurls him into the crowd barricade. Umaga hurls Punk back into the ring and goes for a pin, but pulls Punk’s shoulder up to break the count. Umaga attacks the kidneys with decided strikes before locking in a new version of the classic heel nerve lock on Punk’s side. Punk tries to break out of it but Umaga keeps him grounded. Punk gets to his feet and Umaga stops him with knee to the gut. A hard Irish Whip stuns Punk and drops him to his knees and Umaga takes him down with a straight shot to the face. Umaga goes for a pin and gets a two.

Umaga attacks with a variant of the bow and arrow lock, stretching the lower back of CM Punk. Punk tries to fight out of it again but Umaga breaks the hold to keep him on the ground. Umaga lifts Punk up and locks in a standing bear hug. Let me just take a moment to save how I like the evolution of Umaga from a wild, destructive savage to a methodical, ruthless savage. Yes JR and Grish: he knows exactly what he’s doing which, like giving a shark a larger brain, isn’t good for anyone.

Punk seems to be weakening but finally breaks out of it and with elbow shots to the head. Punk bounces off the ropes and catches a side kick from Umaga! Punk is down! Umaga steps up to the middle rope and goes for a hip drop but Punk gets both boots up, catching the jaw of Umaga! Punk rolls out to the ring apron and springboards off the top hitting a big clothesline! Punk goes for the pin and gets a near fall. Both men are slow to get up and Umaga goes for a clothesline but Punk answers back with shots to the legs, punches to the upper body and a back fist to the head. A running front dropkick drops Umaga to his knees and another one drops the big man! Punk hooks the far leg and gets a near fall!

Punk pulls Umaga up and continues to attack the head and bounces off the ropes, going for a cross body but is caught by Umaga! Fa’a Samoan Slam! It sounds better than Swinging Side Slam! Umaga goes for the pin and gets a near fall! Umaga drags corner and sets him up for an all too familiar move! Umaga goes for the Samoan Wrecking Ball but Punk rolls out of the way! Punk hits the running knee lift! But Umaga shoves him off before the bulldog! Umaga grabs the strap and the referee tries to get him to put it up but Umaga isn’t listening. But CM Punk is up! GO TO SLEEP ON UMAGA! Punk goes for the pin and gets the three!

Winner: CM Punk (Pinfall via Go To Sleep) ***1/4 Okay, let’s just be honest with ourselves. Only Smackdown could pull off giving away a PPV match on free TV and make it good. Punk and Umaga delivered a quality match that shows that having them feud was a far better idea than must pundits (including myself) thought it would be. That makes three matches that should be worth your money on Extreme Rules.

CM Punk is celebrating like he just on the Championship as Umaga looks on in rage. Back to commercials we go!

We return and JR and Todd Grisham are in the ring to run down the Pay-Per-View card. Its a small touch to differentiate them from the other brands it I like it.

Melina, Gail Kim, and Eve Torres vs. Michelle McCool, Alicia Fox, and Layla w/ Special Guest Referee Maria

That is the best referee’s uniform I’ve ever seen. Period.

We start it off with A. Fox and Eve. Fox starts it off with a twisting arm lock but Eve cartwheels out of it and trips Fox up. Eve pulls Fox to the corner and tags in Gail Kim who whips Fox to the corner. Fox floats over a charging Kim and as quite impressed with herself (frankly so am I) but gets caught with a running Frankensteiner. Kim whips Fox to the far corner and hits a running cross body to the midsection. Fox stumbles out of the corner and gets hit with a flying crossbody from Gail Kim who goes for the pin and gets a near fall.

Kim whips Fox to the ropes but she hangs on, letting McCool get the tag. McCool yells out Maria which allows her to sneak in a knee to Kim. McCool attacks Kim and whips her to the ropes. Kim goes for another Frankensteiner but McCool catches her, power bombing her onto the top rope and Alley Ooping her to the mat. That had to hurt. McCool attacks with mounted punches until Maria shoves her off. McCool forces Kim to her corner and tags in Layla who takes down Kim with a snapmare and dropkick to the back. Layla goes for a pin and gets a two count.

Layla whips Kim to the corner and charges but Kim gets a boot up. Layla tries charging again but Kim counters with a drop toe hold into the middle turnbuckle. Kim tags in Melina who takes down Layla with clothesline. Layla tries attacking with a clothesline of her on but Melina evades and stuns her with a kick. Melina sends Layla into the corner and lays her on the middle turnbuckle before hitting a double knee to the stomach. Melina flips back and hits a martial arts stance before taking down Layla again. Melina goes for the pin and Layla kicks out at two. Melina bounces off the ropes but Fox provides the distraction. Both Eve and Kim leave their corners to attack Fox as McCool nails Melina with a kick from over the ropes. Layla attacks with a kneeling neckbreaker and wins it!

Winners: Michelle McCool, Layla, and Alicia Fox (Pinfall via Kneeling Neckbreaker) **1/2 No complaints here as the ladies continue to improve. Good work all around.

The heelish Divas escape the ring and celebrate on the ramp. We cut to The Great Khali and Runjin making their way to the ring. He is in action next!

The Great Khali w/ Runjin Singh vs. Dolph Ziggler

We return to more shots of Memphis and JR talk about a BBQ he was at early today as the Khali stands in the ring. Okay, I officially hate myself for humming Ziggler’s theme music. We get a replay of how Ziggler got himself in this mess before the bell rings. Ziggler backs himself to the ropes and avoids a punch from Khali, tries to attack the legs but doesn’t work and feels the pain of a Khali clothesline. Khali backs Ziggler into the near corner and goes to work with boots to the upper body, elbows to the side of the head and finishing with a big chop to the chest of Dolph. Khali whips Ziggler to the ropes and tries to shake it off but Khali is following behind him. Ziggler tries to fight on but Khali stops him. Khali sets up Ziggler on the ring post and goes for another chop but Ziggler avoids it. I think Khali left a dent on the ring post. Ziggler hits a kick on Khali and goes for another attack on the ring apron but is caught with another knife edge chop via The Great Khali.

Dolph Ziggler rolls painfully into the ring and Khali follows behind him. Khali goes for a clothesline but Ziggler fights out of it. Ziggler goes on the attack but Khali shoves him off. Khali stops Ziggler’s charge with a back elbow and a big boot. Punjabi Plunge ends it for Ziggler.

Winner: The Great Khali (Pinfall via Punjabi Plunge) *3/4 Not much but better than what I was expecting. Ziggler continues to look solid in the ring.

We get clips from earlier tonight as we head to commercials! The main event is next!

World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio

Koko B. Ware is in the audience and is recognized before the entrance of Rey Mysterio. Rey seems cautions to do his usual interactions, wise since Jericho could be lurking anywhere. Edge gets his usual entrance as well. The bell rings and we start it off with a stare down which leads to a tie up with Edge, the larger opponent, easily taking advantage. Rey breaks out of it and bounces off the ropes, running into a back elbow from Edge. Rey rolls to the corner and Edge is right behind him, laying into him with the boots before the referee makes him back off. Rey pulls himself up and stops him with a kick to the torso. Rey fights back with a series of forearms but Edge answers back with a clubbing blow. Edge hurls Rey out of the ring but Rey rolls to his feet! But Edge attacks with a Baseball Slide! Edge is outside of the ring and tries to whip Rey into the ring steps but Rey flips over the stairs! Edge charges but Rey dropkicks the stairs into the knees of Edge. Rey steps up on the ring apron and hits a running seated senton! Can Rey win it? We’ll find out after the commercial break!

We are back and Rey is going for a pin but only gets a near fall. Rey backs Edge into the corner and attacks with mounted punches before whipping Edge to the far corner. Rey charges but Edge sidesteps him into the middle turnbuckle. Edge measures Rey as he stands and attacks with a vicious big boot. Edge goes for the pin and gets a near fall. Edge taunts the crowd and continues the attack on Rey’s lower back, whipping him hard into the corner. Edge slides out of the way and sets him up on the apron, nailing a big elbow on the back of Rey’s head. The crowd begins chanting for Edge (clearly the younger ones in the crowd) as Edge set Rey up in the corner. Edge whips him across and charges but Rey gets both boots up to stop him. Rey bounces off the ropes and attacks with a headscissors takedown. Rey bounces off the ropes again but Edge blocks him with a kick. Edge goes for a Sunset Flip but Rey rolls out of it and kicks Edge in the side of the head. Rey goes for the pin and gets a near fall. Rey goes for an Irish Whip but Edge reverses it, trying to attack but Rey blocks him with a back elbow. Rey goes to the top but is blocked by Edge. Edge goes for an Electric Chair but Rey turns it into a roll up! Quick count before Edge counters with a pin attempt! Another quick count before Rey goes for another pin attempt! Another quick count! Edge goes for the Sharpshooter but Rey reverses it into a small package! Two count! Rey bounces off the ropes and goes for a Wheelbarrow but Edge catches him with a Slam! Commercial break!

We’re back and Edge hooks both legs, but Rey kicks out. Edge stretches the arms of Rey Mysterio as the crowd again tries to rally their favorite. Rey gets to his feet and breaks out of the hold with kicks to the knee of Edge. Rey bounces off the ropes and Edge goes for a back body drop but Rey counters with a Facebuster! Rey heads to the top rope but is stopped by Edge. Edge heads up and goes for a superplex but Rey blocks him and sends Edge back to the canvas. Flying Hurricanrana on Edge sends him flying to the floor! Rey bounces off the ropes and attacks with a running Suicide Dive! Both men are out on the floor!

The referee begins the ten count as they both struggle to a vertical base. Rey rolls Edge into the ring and steps up to the apron , springboards off the ropes and hits the leg drop. Rey goes for the pin and gets a near fall! Rey is back on his feet, springboards off the middle rope and hits a cross body on Edge. Rey goes for the pin and gets another near fall. Edge gets to his feet and stops Rey’s onslaught with a kick. Edge gets Rey on his shoulder, setting up for a powerslam but Rey counters with a DDT. Rey goes for the pin and again gets a near fall.

Rey appears to be getting frustrated and goes to the outside, springboards off the top rope again but is caught by Edge with a sick power bomb. Edge hooks in the Sharpshooter; center of the ring. Rey struggles, clearly in pain. He tries to makes his way to the bottom rope finally reaching it and making Edge break the hold. Edge is up and goes on the attack, stomping Rey who seeks refuge on the apron. Edge goes on the attack but Rey dropkicks him onto the middle rope! Rey goes for the 619 but Edge is on his feet and Rey switches gears, sliding to the outside. Edge charges and Rey slings over the top, setting Edge on the middle rope again! Rey goes for 619 again but Edge blocks it! Huge back breaker by Edge. Edge goes for a power slam but Rey counters with a Schoolboy roll-up! Two count!

Both men are slow to their feet and Rey strikes first with an enzuguri. Edge stumbles onto the middle rope and this time Rey hits the 619! Rey steps up to the top rope and goes for the splash but Edge gets out of the way! SPEAR! SPEAR! SPEAR! Edge gets the pin! Edge gets the three BY GAWD!

Winner: Edge (Pinfall via Spear) **** I wish I knew what the criteria for a five star match was because I think this one came damn close to it. Simply put this match was no bullshit. You had vintage Rey pulling out all the stops and Edge absolutely on the top of his game. I’ll leave the extra star off but if you missed this match you have to find it and watch it. A tremendous main event to close out the show.

Edge goes under the ring and pulls out a ladder, preparing to on the attack until Jeff comes down with a chair! Jeff takes Edge down with the chair! Twist of Fate on the Ladder! God what impact! Jeff sets up the ladder in the corner and steps up to the top rope. Jeff leaps over the ladder and hits a leg drop on Edge! Jeff celebrates with the title as this edition of Smackdown closes. We’ll see you this Sunday at Extreme Rules!