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WWC Smackdown - 04.27.07

rey619Posted on 08/03/06 at 22:19:40

Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Attendance: 1781
TV Rating: 0,7

Dark matches

[Tag Team World Cup - Group B]

Mexicools (Psicosis and Super Crazy) defeated
The Highlanders (Robbie McAlister and Rory McAlister) when Crazy pinned Rory
with the Moonsault in 0:13:13.
Rating: * 3/4

[Tag Team World Cup - Group B]
The Dojo (Dragon Kid and Genki Horiguchi) defeated
Claudio Castagnoli and Emil Sitoci when Horiguchi pinned Castagnoli after
a backslide in 0:09:05.
Rating: *** 1/4

The World Cup continued on our webcast with two matches from Group B, where Japan already have a foot in the semi-finals, which are to take place on the May edition of Saturday Night Main Event. The Scotsmen fought valiantly against the Mexicools, but to no avail. This was a match both teams had to win in order to advance. Unfortunately, Rory and Robbie stand no chance with two straight losses.

Claudio Castagnoli is a master of the European Uppercut, and rumors will have it that he can hit you with it from any conceivable position. Sorry to say, when your uppercut is countered into a backslide, that doesn't help you much.

WWC Smackdown

THE #1 CONTENDER HAS SOMETHING ON HIS MIND

The new #1 contender, Bobby Lashley came out as the Smackdown theme was playing. Lashley said that he was on fire now, and he didn't want his momentum to die out. That's why he didn't want to wait until May to face Rey Mysterio, he wanted to do it right here and now. Rey came out to a loud pop and accepted Lashley's challenge, on one condition. Rey said he had purchased the DVD from the previous Saturday Night Main Event, and it is clear to him that the match should not have ended when it did. He made Lashley promise, in case he won the belt tonight, to grant RVD a rematch. Lashley had no problems with that, and we have ourselves a WHC match tonight!

Rob Van Dam w/Bill Alfonso vs Test

RVD ate the pin from Lashley two weeks ago, but only after Chris Benoit had betrayed his tag-team partner, sacrificing his own chances of getting a title shot against Rey Mysterio. Since Benoit already had a run-in with RVD at the previous SNME, the Crippler was probably not on Van Dam's Christmas Card list.  

RVD went out flying against Test, who after having suffered a thorough beating for a couple of minutes, landed Van Dam with a side suplex and a pumphandle powerslam. The crowd was split between the two men. Even though Test started out as a heel, his match against Burchill in Philadelphia last month has convinced the fans that he is actually quite a good wrestler. And even though RVD has acted heelishly as of late, everyone loves RVD deep down.

Anyone could have taken home this victory, and as RVD went for the Five Star, anybody thought he was the one. Test got his knees up at the last moment, and went high-risk himself. Test is no flyer, and a flying elbowdrop was the only thing he could muster. Still, RVD's already injured ribs was roughened up even more, and he couldn't kick out, to Bill Alfonso's great disappointment.

After the match, RVD tentatively shook Test's hand. An unfortunate loss for RVD, but he still has a world title shot against Rey Mysterio or Lashley lined up.

Test pinned Rob Van Dam after a flying elbowdrop in 0:11:01.
Rating: **

TROUBLE BREWING WITHIN MNM

We're inside MNM's locker room, and Nitro is just coming off the phone. He looks mad as hell, and tells Mercury and Merciless that Melina can't make it tonight, as she's not feeling well. Mercury asks if, perhaps, it's the time of the month, but only gets a foul glare from Melina's boyfriend. Nitro leaves in a huff, and Merciless asks Mercury if he thinks it's a coincidence that neither Punk or Cabana is here tonight as well? Mercury shrugs.

Team Italy (Nunzio & Tony Mamaluke) vs Team UK (Cpt. Burchill & First Mate Spud) in a Tag Team World Cup 2007 Group A match

Spud was very wary of approaching the ring in this match as well, and Burchill had to drag him up on the apron. Burchill started out with Nunzio, and the size difference was enough to give the vile pirate an upper hand. When he tried to tag in Spud for some double action, though, Spud jumped down, obviously terrified of getting in the ring. Burchill yelled at him, but did quite ok on his own, until Nunzio tagged in Mamaluke, and the numbers game started to take its toll on Burchill. As the Captain was getting whipped in the ring, the First Mate tried to muster enough courage to enter the battle. He then thought of the brilliant (or not) idea of blindfolding himself, before sliding into the ring, arms swinging wildly. Unfortunately, one of those puny fists struck Burchill straight in the jaw just as he was about to have his second wind, knocking him silly. The FBI sent Burchill out of the ring, before Nunzio finished off Spud with the Arrividerci to practically send Team Italy to Saturday Night Main Event.

After the match, Burchill yelled at Spud, who was beside himself and almost cried, pointing at the ring and shaking his head violently. Hopefully, we can have an update on this odd situation soon. One thing's for sure, Team UK is out of the World Cup.

Team Italy (Nunzio and Tony Mamaluke) defeated Team UK (Cpt.Burchill and First Mate Spud)
when Nunzio pinned Spud with the Arrividerci in 0:09:45.
Rating: ***

JOSH MATTHEWS INTERVIEWS THE DYSFUNCTIONAL TEAM UK, THEN CHRIS BENOIT

Josh Matthews managed to get a hold of Team UK as they were walking backstage, and asked what the deal with Spud is. Cpt. Burchill said that his First Mate suffers from a rare psychological disorder known as Acute Ringophobia, meaning that Spud actually is afraid of the ring. Not only that, he is afraid of water as well! Matthews asks how he can be a wrestling pirate when is afraid of the ring and water. Burchill slaps Spud in the head and says he would have been better off tagging with the injured William Regal.

As Matthews concludes that interview, he spots Chris Benoit walking towards the ring. Matthews wants to know if Benoit has anything to say about what went down last week, him clearly giving the win to Lashley. Benoit said that he came here to wrestle matches and win titles, not to answer questions from morons like him.

Chris Benoit vs Gregory Helms

Benoit making his singles debut here tonight against Gregory Helms. Benoit has still refused to explain his actions a fortnight ago, but he was all action in this match. Benoit has not been idle since last Smackdown, appearing at two shows for Stampede Wrestling, giving something back to the people that helped him out as a young, aspiring wrestler.

Helms tried his very best, but he never stood a chance tonight. Benoit locked him in the figure-four, and even though the former Cruiserweight Champ held on for nearly a minute, he had to tap in the end. Benoit walked out with as little fanfare as when he entered.

Chris Benoit defeated Gregory Helms when Gregory Helms passed out in
a figure-four leglock in 0:04:14.
Rating: ***

RHODES, NOBLE AND KASH BRAINSTORMS

As Jamie Noble and Kid Kash were preparing for their tag match against the new MNM, Dusty Rhodes told them they needed a proper name to succeed in tag-team wrestling. Noble and Kash came up with several fine names, including the Pitbulls, the Texas Rednecks, Noble Money, Reservoir Dogs and the Posse. However, Rhodes waved them all of, telling them that their names was to be Dusty's Boys! Despite protests, the name stuck.

Dusty's Boys (Jamie Noble & Kid Kash) w/Dusty Rhodes vs MNM (Joey Mercury & Merciless) w/Johnny Nitro

While Mercury and Merciless didn't have the teamwork of Nitro and Mercury, Merciless had the size and strength to compensate for that. Melina was strangely not present here tonight, and Johnny Nitro, who was ringside, seemed pissed off about it. He didn't even try to stop Dusty Rhodes as he grabbed the leg of Mercury at one point.  

Throughout the match, Taz raised several interesting points about the name of the tag-team.. Dusty's Boys.. not only was it a retarded name, it could also be interpreted as something quite different, irking Cole with his obvious attempt at toilet humor. This pissed off both Kash and Noble at times, but they still managed to focus on the match. This was a great tag-team bout, which saw Merciless bust himself open when he missed a tope, crashing into the guardrail. With lack of blood came lack of oxygen, and when Noble managed to get Merciless in the Dragon Sleeper, he eventually passed out. Kash fended off Mercury, and since Nitro seemingly had no interest in helping out, Dusty's Boys won this one.

It didn't appear as if Dusty's Boys were quite through, as they all approached the announce table, telling Michael Cole to beat it. They started harassing Taz, calling him a caveman, a neanderthal and other degrading stuff, before Kash raised the stakes by slapping Taz. The former ECW world champ responded by slamming Kash's head into the table and punching Rhodes. Noble jumped on the table and drove Taz' head first into the table with a DDT. Taz was stunned, and Noble dragged him out on the floor and put him in the Dragon Sleeper. Dusty Rhodes pretended to be the referee, while Kid Kash stole the ring bell and awarded Noble the "victory". Security arrived on the scene to break it up. Taz was eventually wheeled out on a stretcher, as Michael Cole took on announcing duties by himself.

Kid Kash and Jamie Noble defeated MNM (Joey Mercury and Merciless) when J. Noble
defeated Merciless when Merciless passed out in the Dragon Sleeper in 0:16:37.
Rating: *** 1/2

Lashley vs Rey Mysterio (c) for the WWC World Heavyweight Championship

Rey Mysterio had a real challenge tonight, as he faced the undefeated Lashley for the World Heavyweight Championship. Everyone thought Lashley would wait until Saturday Night Main Event, but he obviously had different plans.

The modus operandi of this match was hit and run, as Lashley desperately tried to get hold of Rey, and the champ tried to avoid being manhandled as much as possible. Rey hit a dropkick here, a spin kick there, and even managed to take him down with the sitdown faceslam. However, when Lashley first connected with a clothesline, it almost took Rey's head off. Lashley even had Rey in a bearhug, forcing Rey to use illegal methods, clawing at his eyes to get out of the hold. Lashley sent Rey into the turnbuckles, but when he charged at him with the spear, Rey nimbly moved aside, causing Lashley to crash to the outside.

For some reason, the friggin' Dojo came running down at this point, Dragon Kid distracted the ref, while Genki and Doi attacked Lashley with kendo sticks, beating Lashley into a pulp before jumping off into the crowd. Rey desperately tried to explain to the ref what's happened, but what the ref doesn't see, he can't call. Instead, Rey, as the honorable wrestler he is, tried to help Lashley back into the ring. Unfortunately for Rey, lifting 280 pounds of unconscious meat back into the squared circle is really difficult, and in the end, Rey had to get back in to avoid being counted out himself.

Rey Misterio defeated Lashley by countout in 0:05:39.
Rating: **
(Rey Misterio retained the World Heavyweight Championship.)

A TERRIBLE SECRET IS REVEALED, AND THE PLOT THICKENS

Why were the Dojo suddenly helping Rey? As Rey helped the emergency personnel wheeling Lashley out, Chris Benoit's music played, and the Crippler came down to the ring... the Dojo right behind him! Could this be? Was Chris Benoit the secret employer? Benoit jumped in the ring as the Dojo surrounded the ring. Benoit said that after WWE folded, things became difficult for him and his family. While he had more time to spend with them with his infrequent bookings in Japan, the money wasn't great. He knew he had to find something else to do in order to let his family live the way they were used to, so he started betting on matches. He won some, but lost just as many. He knew he had to start dictating who won, and who lost, for it to be a goldmine. The first blow came when Rey decided to beat Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship back at the Royal Rumble. That cost him a fortune. To recover from that loss, he orchestrated last Smackdown's main event, causing Lashley to win it. He knew that the odds for Rey retaining against an unbeaten monster the calibre of Lashley would be sky-high. And now, as that actually took place, he is a rich man. Benoit also claimed the #1 contendership for himself, booking himself against whoever won between RVD and Rey Mysterio at the next Saturday Night Main Event.

As Benoit and the Dojo were about to leave, Test appeared in the aisle. Test told Benoit that in 5 short minutes, he had lost all respect he once had in the Rabid Wolverine. Test said that Benoit used to embody all that were good in wrestling. Now, he is just a pathetic son of a bitch. Test said that you didn't get respect by cheating, bribery and trickery. You earned respect, and that was something he felt he was doing right now. Test said that if Benoit wanted a title shot, he had to go through him first. Benoit nodded and told him they would face each other for the #1 contendership at the next Saturday Night Main Event.

Throughout it all, Rey had remained silent. He had just broken the undefeated streak of Lashley, but still had to deal with Rob Van Dam and his sneaky manager Bill Alfonso, the Crippler, the Dojo and possibly Test. Being the World Heavyweight Champion really put a target on your chest.
Snabbit888Posted on 08/03/06 at 23:10:58

Wow... what a noble guy Mysterio is.  I wonder if that good guy attitude is going to cost him.

I did not see that coming.  RVD jobs clean to Test?  Not a good way for a future title shot to be led into for RVD.

Don't you dare break up MNM! :)

Spud is one weird little man.  And he got exactly what he deserved for being so weird.  Damn weirdo.

LOL.  Spud is afraid of the ring AND water!  Best wrestling pirate ever.

Benoit in a squash.  Poor Helms.

Dusty's Boys is such a shitty name, and the reasoning for the name is fun. :)  They beat MNM soundly and then decide to stretcher Tazz out.  I wonder what the motivation for that is.

Wow.. didn't expect Lashley to get destroyed by the Dojo... what the hell is going on here? *reads on*

Chris Benoit is the Pete Rose of WWC!  Very intriguing spin on things... betting on matches.  I would have never thought of that.  I have a question for you though.  Maybe I missed soemthing along the line, but how can Benoit book himself as the #1 contender?  Other than that question, a great show.
americamamushiPosted on 08/04/06 at 01:57:35

Tough loss for RVD.  He better not let that turn into a streak if he wants to make good on his title shot against Rey or Lashley.

More MNM troubles.  I have to wonder if this'll lead towards a split

Poor Birch and Spud.  Can't catch a break in the TTWC

Benoit kills Helms in short order.  I almost want to feel sorry for him... but i don't :)

Haha, Dusty's boys.  They sound like they're his male prostitutes now. :)  At least they won the match.

I expected Mysterio to retain, but didn't see that ending coming for sure.  Definitely interesting stuff going down at the end of the card

Good stuff.
rey619Posted on 08/04/06 at 09:51:02

I was quite torn with what to do with Test/RVD. I have just sent Test on a pushed face-turn after his great effort in Philadelphia, and didn't want him to lose momentum either. In the end I ran it unbooked, but in hindsight, I probably should've avoided the match altogether.

Well, Taz made fun of Dusty's Boys throughout the match (the name, mostly), and the Texans didn't take kindly to it. Besides, Kash and Noble are two assholes.

Benoit simply made himself the #1 contender. He knows that he was brought in as an extra edge in the tough competition with TNA and WEW (former Raw), and took the liberty. Since Shane McMahon hasn't objected, you can assume it was in his contract or something.

And with regards to MNM... well, I personally feel the whole thing is my most interesting feud (and it has been running since the start, mostly), so I'm looking forward to bringing you the rest. Hopefully it won't take as long to my next card.
91Posted on 08/06/06 at 15:42:34

Sorry but that Dusty's Boys bit really made me laugh. Again, there's a lot of mileage in that.