FORUM HOME > TNM Circuits > Extreme Championship Wrestling
Smackdown! Wrestling - July 7, 2006

HugeRockStar760Posted on 07/05/06 at 02:08:55

Smackdown! Wrestling
Date: July 7, 2006
Location: Philadelphia, PA

[World Television Title Tournament - First Round]:
Chris Benoit made Sylvan submit to the Crippler Crossface in 0:06:49.
Rating: ***

As expected, Chris Benoit had no problem with defeating the French Model Sylvan
in this First Round match in the World Television Title Tournament. However,
Sylvan did look more motivated in this match than he has previously. After the
match, Randy Orton, the World Heavyweight Champion, came out and clapped his
hands sarcastically. Randy Orton congratulates Chris Benoit for defeating
Sylvan to move on to the next round of the World Television Title Tournament.
While the World Television Title is going to be an important championship,
Randy Orton wonders why a former World Heavyweight Champion like Chris Benoit
would feel the need to participate in the tournament. Randy Orton has a theory
and he wants to share it with Chris Benoit. Randy Orton believes that Chris
Benoit knows that as long as he is the World Heavyweight Champion, he knows
that he will never become the World Heavyweight Champion again. So, in order to
remain important in the eyes of the wrestling fans, Chris Benoit would rather
fight for a lesser championship than challenge for the World Heavyweight
Championship. Randy Orton thinks it is a good idea though. Just look at The
Great American Bash and how he embarasses Ric Flair when he tries to challenge
for the World Heavyweight Title.

Chris Benoit takes all of Randy Orton's comments into consideration before
responding to him. Chris Benoit thinks Randy Orton is a rather astute
individual. However, Randy Orton is wrong on every thing he said. Chris Benoit
is in the World Television Title Tournament because the championship at one
time was one of the most prestigeous in professional wrestling. It would be a
honor to help make it prestigeous again. As for not challenging Randy Orton for
the World Heavyweight Championship? He just hasn't gotten around to asking for
a title shot since Ric Flair is getting his well deserved chance to win his
17th World Heavyweight Championship at The Great American Bash. However,
regardless of who the champion is at The Great American Bash, Ric Flair will
still be guaranteed a title shot. So that gives Chris Benoit an idea. Tonight,
Chris Benoit is going to do what Randy Orton thought he wouldn't do. He is
challenging Randy Orton for a match tonight for the World Heavyweight Title!

Randy Orton appreciates Chris Benoit's sudden determination and courage.
However, as World Heavyweight Champion, he requires at least a week's notice of
a title defense. Maybe next week he'll defeat Chris Benoit to retain the title.
This brings out Smackdown! General Manager Teddy Long. Teddy Long disagrees
with Randy Orton. Nowhere does it say that the champion needs a week's notice.
In fact, if Teddy Long wanted, he could book a championship match tonight.
Randy Orton appeals to Teddy Long's senses not to and to think about The Great
American Bash pay per view main event he needs to protect instead. Teddy Long
says it doesn't matter to him who Ric Flair faces, just as long as he gets the
title shot he deserves at the pay per view he main evented so many times in the
past. With that being said, Teddy Long says that tonight's main event will see
Chris Benoit challenging Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship!


Interview:
Kurt Angle walks down to the ring looking as if he's in a bad mood. Who can
blame him after Scott Steiner cost him the World Heavyweight Championship and
claimed Kurt Angle was scared of Scott Steiner? Kurt Angle says that he was
back in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania tending to injuries he sustained when Scott
Steiner slammed that metal pipe against his neck when he cost him the World
Heavyweight Championship. Luckily for Kurt Angle, it was a minor injury. But
for Scott Steiner, that is bad news for him. Kurt Angle finds it ironic that
Scott Steiner would call him a bitch, but when Kurt Angle came into the ring,
it was Scott Steiner who was running from him like a scared bitch! The time
for talking is over, according to Kurt Angle. It's time for Scott Steiner to
get down to the ring so he can receive the beatdown he deserves!

Scott Steiner answers the challenge and he has a microphone. Scott Steiner is
walking down to the ring as he talks. Steiner says that he accepts the
challenge from Kurt Angle. Scott Steiner stops midway in the ring aisle.
However, Scott Steiner makes it clear that he won't fight Kurt Angle tonight.
At The Great American Bash, he's going to show everyone that Kurt Angle is
nothing more than a Olympian who fought inferior competition to get those gold
medals. Kurt Angle thinks it's funny that Scott Steiner would talk about
inferior competition. Afterall, that's all he faced when he was in WCW as
their World Heavyweight Champion. Kurt Angle tells Scott Steiner to look at
his wrestling resume and compare it to his. Once he does that, Scott Steiner
will realize that he has no idea what he is getting into. Scott Steiner
replies by saying we'll see at The Great American Bash.

Mark Henry defeated Gregory Helms by countout in 0:05:01.
Rating: **

A few weeks ago, after Gregory Helms defeated Mark Henry in a first round match
in the World Television Title Tournament by disqualification, Mark Henry
attacked Gregory Helms. Mark Henry hit Gregory Helms with the World's Strongest
Slam and hit a splash in the corner of the ring. Even though he has a match
against Chris Benoit in the next round of the tournament, Gregory Helms
demanded a match with Mark Henry for tonight to try to get even with the
World's Strongest Man.

Surprisingly, Gregory Helms took the fight to Mark Henry and didn't appear
intimidated by him at all. The match would end up on the outside of the ring
and that was where Mark Henry would take control of the match. Gregory Helms
went for a splash from the top turnbuckle onto the outside of the ring where
Mark Henry was standing. This was a mistake as Mark Henry was able to catch
Gregory Helms and send him right into the turnbuckle post. Gregory Helms
clutched his back in pain from the maneuver. Mark Henry went back into the ring
and the referee continued to make his count. Gregory Helms remained on the
floor, unable to get back up from the move Mark Henry hit on the outside of the
ring. The referee called this match a countout victory in favor of Mark Henry.

After the match, Mark Henry was not satisfied with winning the match. He went
to the outside of the ring and picked Gregory Helms back up. He repeated the
move he hit earlier, ramming Gregory Helms' back into the turnbuckle post. Mark
Henry then removed the protective mat on the outside of the ring, revealing the
concrete floor. Mark Henry moved Gregory Helms to this area and proceeded to
hit a Big Splash from the ring apron onto Gregory Helms! As Mark Henry got up,
it appeared as if Gregory Helms suffered some kind of internal injury as he
began to bleed from the mouth. Mark Henry simply smiled at the destruction he
caused and raised his arms in the air as the crowd booed him. Medical personnel
tended to Gregory Helms as Mark Henry walked backstage victorious. The status
of Gregory Helms' spot in the World Television Title Tournament is to be
determined.

Pretty Cool (Carlito and Chris Masters) defeated Matt Hardy and Paul Burchill
when Carlito pinned M. Hardy with the Modified Swinging Neckbreaker in 0:15:09.
Rating: *** 1/4

The tag team of Carlito and Chris Masters, better known as Pretty Cool, have
had their troubles with the swashbuckler known as Paul Burchill the past few
weeks. Tonight, they teamed up to face Paul Burchill and his fellow World
Television Title Tournament participant, Matt Hardy. Mr. Kennedy walked down to
the announcers table to provide guest color commentary before the match began.
Of note, Mr. Kennedy made a comment that he believes that if Matt Hardy could
wrestle as good as he writes a blog about his ex girlfriend cheating on him,
he'd probably be the World Champion.

It's no coincidence that Mr. Kennedy would be down at ringside as Matt Hardy is
his opponent in the next round of the World Television Title Tournament. This
match featured some good tag team wrestling that didn't have any interference.
That is, until the end of the match. Matt Hardy was about to hit the Twist of
Fate on Carlito when Mr. Kennedy left the announcers table and exchanged words
with Matt Hardy. Matt Hardy let go of Carlito and responded with some comments
of his own. This distraction allowed Carlito to get back to his feet and await
Matt Hardy to turn around. When he did, Carlito surprised him with a Modified
Swinging Neckbreaker. The referee, who had been busy trying to break up the
brawl Paul Burchill was having with Chris Masters on the other side of the
ring, turned his attention back to the pin attempt and made the three count
before Paul Burchill could break the attempt up.

[World Television Title Tournament - First Round]:
William Regal defeated Tatanka by countout in 0:05:49.
Rating: *

William Regal was a former World Television Champion while in World
Championship Wrestling. After tonight's match with Tatanka, he now advances
onto the next round one step closer to becoming the World Television Champion
again. Of course, he had some help from his new friend, Finlay. William Regal
threw Tatanka on the outside of the ring and immediately began distracting the
referee. From backstage, Finlay ran down to the ring with a Shalalee and hit
Tatanka with it. Finlay followed that with hitting Tatanka with the Celtic
Cross and then left to go backstage again. The referee made the ten count and
awarded the match to William Regal due countout. However, an interesting note
is that William Regal's next round opponent is King Booker. There appears to be
some kind of alliance between these two due to King Booker's royal ascension
here on Smackdown! Wrestling and William Regal's heritage in England, and now
even Finlay seems to be getting involved.

Interview:
Rey Mysterio is in the ring with Michael Cole. Michael Cole talks about the
friendship between Rey Mysterio and Chavo Guerrero dissolving at MAYhem.
Michael Cole also summarizes the comments Chavo Guerrero made towards Rey
Mysterio. Michael Cole then tells Rey Mysterio about the formal challenge for
The Great American Bash that Chavo Guerrero made two weeks on Smackdown!
Michael Cole welcomes Rey Mysterio back to Smackdown! Wrestling.

Rey Mysterio thanks Michael Cole and says it is good to be back. However, not
everything is pleasant with his return to wrestling. Rey is well aware of the
comments made towards him. Chavo Guerrero says that Rey Mysterio insulted the
legacy and the name of the Guerrero Family by dedicating important matches to
the memory of Eddie Guerrero? It was not Rey Mysterio's intent to have lost
those matches, in particular the WrestleMania XXII match against Randy Orton
and the former World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle. If Chavo Guerrero
watches that match again, he'll understand that the effort he put into that
match, along with Randy Orton and Kurt Angle's efforts, was more than enough
of a tribute to Eddie Guerrero as he always put in 110% in his matches to
entertain the fans. Rey Mysterio believes that if anyone insulted the memory
of Eddie Guerrero, it was Chavo Guerrero. Rey Mysterio goes over how at
MAYhem, they had the opportunity to win the World Tag Team Titles from MNM.
But instead, Chavo Guerrero's ego got in the way and it cost them the
championship belts. Rey Mysterio thinks that Eddie Guerrero would be
disappointed with how Chavo Guerrero has been acting on Smackdown! Wrestling.

This brought out Chavo Guerrero, who confronted Rey Mysterio in the ring.
Chavo Guerrero is livid with Rey Mysterio for assuming what Eddie Guerrero
thinks about anyone. Chavo Guerrero is Eddie Guerrero's familia, while Rey
Mysterio is just an outsider trying to leech off the memory of his uncle Eddie
Guerrero. Eddie didn't like Rey Mysterio. It doesn't matter what Eddie's wife
or what the rest of The Guerrero Family tells Rey Mysterio to his face.
Because just like a Guerrero should, they're all lying to him! Eddie would be
proud of the fact that his mantra, his motto, his credo of "Lie, cheat, steal"
is being continued by Chavo. At The Great American Bash, Chavo Guerrero
promises to defeat Rey Mysterio in honor of Eddie Guerrero.

Rey Mysterio says that he does accept the challenge from Chavo Guerrero for
The Great American Bash pay per view. However, Rey Mysterio says that he
reluctantly accepts the challenge as he doesn't want to fight Chavo Guerrero.
He thinks that their friendship can still be salvaged and he will prove it by
extending his hand for Chavo Guerrero to shake. Rey Mysterio does exactly as
he says he will do and that is to extend his hand to Chavo Guerrero. Chavo
Guerrero thinks it over shortly before deciding to accept the handshake. Chavo
Guerrero tells Michael Cole as he is shaking Rey Mysterio's hand that maybe he
was wrong about everything regarding Rey Mysterio. Or maybe he's just lying!
With that, Chavo Guerrero kicks Rey Mysterio in the midsection and pulls him
in for a DDT. Chavo Guerrero picks Rey Mysterio up and proceded to execute the
Three Amigos. Chavo Guerrero then pointed to the top turnbuckle and ascended
upwards on the ringpost until he was on the top turnbuckle. Chavo Guerrero
landed the Frog Splash and left the ring with Rey Mysterio lying on the mat.

Kurt Angle defeated King Booker by disqualification in 0:10:18.
Rating: ** 1/2
[Scott Steiner interfered against Kurt Angle.]

This was Kurt Angle's first match back since he lost the World Heavyweight
Championship to Randy Orton. His opponent was King Booker, who has a lot of
momentum on his side since winning the King of the Ring at the MAYhem pay per
view. This was an evenly fought match, and Kurt Angle definitely did not show
any ring rust from his time away from the ring. This match was going good
until Scott Steiner made his way towards the ring with a steel pipe. As Kurt
Angle was about to hit the Angle Slam on King Booker, Scott Steiner entered
the ring and hit Kurt Angle with the steel pipe, causing the disqualification.

After the match, Scott Steiner continued to beatdown on Kurt Angle with the
steel pipe. He picked Kurt Angle up and executed a belly-to-belly suplex. He
followed up with applying the Steiner Recliner but also used the steel pipe as
leverage under Kurt Angle's chin. Scott Steiner looked to do serious damage to
Kurt Angle but was prevented from doing so as Bobby Lashley ran down to the
ring. Scott Steiner saw that the powerhouse Bobby Lashley was going towards
him so he let go of the hold and left the ring before Bobby Lashley could get
to him. Bobby Lashley checked on Kurt Angle when suddenly the theme music for
The Great Khali hit the speakers and The Great Khali promptly marched down to
the ring. Once inside the ring, The Great Khali and Bobby Lashley exchanged
punches, with the punches from Bobby Lashley being ineffective. The Great
Khali whipped Bobby Lashley off the ropes and met him with a kick to the face.
The Great Khali picked up Bobby Lashley and Kurt Angle and executed a double
chokeslam. Could the Smackdown! Wrestling fans be looking at the next United
States Heavyweight Champion in The Great Khali?

Interview:
An enraged JBL enters Smackdown! General Manager Teddy Long's office without
knocking. JBL demands one more rematch against Bobby Lashley for the United
States Heavyweight Title. He did not lose that rematch cleanly as Jillian Hall
inadvertently cost him the match. Teddy Long says that JBL is responsible for
the incompetence of the employees he hires. In fact, Chavo Guerrero even tried
to help JBL after Teddy Long ordered that Batista and The Great Khali to stay
out of the match, which more or less meant he didn't want anyone interfering.
So as far as Teddy Long is concerned, Bobby Lashley can move on with his
wishes to challenge The Great Khali at The Great American Bash with the United
States Heavyweight Title on the line.

JBL asks for the next best thing and that is a match against the man that he
believes cost him the United States Heavyweight Title to begin with, Batista.
Teddy Long seems surprised that JBL would have the courage to ask for a match
against Batista. JBL says that Batista is overrated. By no means is Batista on
the level of JBL. Batista's title reign could not match the greatest title
reign in wrestling history that JBL had. Most importantly, Batista is not a
Wrestling God like JBL is. If he wants a match against Batista, Teddy Long
says he can have it at The Great American Bash.

Batista and Shane McMahon enter the office of Teddy Long. Shane McMahon says
that he hates to interupt, but he couldn't help but overhear JBL yelling about
getting a match with Batista. Shane McMahon says that it was a good business
decision by Teddy Long to sign the match between the two at The Great American
Bash. However, in talking with Batista, Shane McMahon says that they'd like to
offer an idea that could make The Great American Bash an even bigger pay per
view this year. Shane McMahon proposes that the match between Batista and JBL
be held inside the confines of a steel cage! Batista smiles at JBL and cracks
his fists in agreement with the idea while JBL has the look of fear in his
face. Teddy Long agrees that it would be a great match and officially makes
the match at The Great American Bash a Steel Cage Match. Batista and Shane
McMahon leave the office, but not before Batista turns around and tells JBL
that he'll see him inside the unforgiving steel cage at The Great American
Bash!

Randy Orton pinned Chris Benoit with the RKO in 0:16:00.
Rating: *** 1/2
(Randy Orton retained the World Heavyweight Title.)

Ric Flair walked down to the ring with his friend Chris Benoit to watch his
back as he challenged for the World Heavyweight Title against the champion
Randy Orton. Surprisingly, Randy Orton made his entrance without MNM. This was
a typical great wrestling match you'd come to expect from Chris Benoit and
Randy Orton. It featured many near falls and near submissions that were only
broken up due to being close to the ropes to break the count up or the hold.
At one point, Randy Orton attempted the RKO on Chris Benoit, but he moved out
of the way and countered with a series of German Suplexes which left the
champion in pain on the mat and in jeopardy of losing his World Heavyweight
Title. Chris Benoit could've gone for the pin here or even tried the Crippler
Crossface, but instead he motioned for the Flying Headbutt. As he was about to
hit the Flying Headbutt, Chris Benoit noticed MNM rushing to the ringside area
as they attacked Ric Flair. The referee's attention was turned towards this
and Chris Benoit jumped off the top turnbuckle to attempt to help Ric Flair.
However, Gunner Scott ran down to the ringside area and helped Ric Flair fight
MNM. As Chris Benoit turned back around, he was surprised with the RKO from
Randy Orton for the three count!

After the match, as Gunner Scott and Ric Flair continued to brawl with MNM,
Randy Orton posed arrogantly over Chris Benoit with the World Heavyweight
Championship to end the show.


Card rating: ** 3/4
HugeRockStar760Posted on 07/05/06 at 02:15:27



Here is the latest card for The Great American Bash, subject to change:

MAIN EVENT
World Heavyweight Title Match:
Randy Orton (c) vs. Ric Flair

Steel Cage Match:
JBL vs. Batista

United States Heavyweight Title Match:
Bobby Lashley (c) vs. The Great Khali

Grudge Match:
Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero

"Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner vs. Kurt Angle

Semifinals and Finals of the World Television Title Tournament

And Shane McMahon will formally take ownership of Smackdown! Wrestling as he signs the contract to purchase the promotion!

All this and much more will happen at The Great American Bash, on July 23rd, live and only on pay per view!
HugeRockStar760Posted on 07/05/06 at 02:20:57

World Television Title Tournament Brackets

FIRST ROUND
1) King Booker
16) Paul London

8) Tatanka
9) William Regal

5) Matt Hardy
12) The Road Warrior

4) Mr. Kennedy
13) Gunner Scott

6) Paul Burchill
11) Carlito

3) Finlay
14) Super Crazy

7) Mark Henry
10) Gregory Helms

2) Chris Benoit
15) Sylvan

QUARTERFINALS
1) King Booker
9) William Regal

5) Matt Hardy
4) Mr. Kennedy

6) Paul Burchill
3) Finlay

10) Gregory Helms
2) Chris Benoit

The quarterfinals of the World Television Title Tournament will take place during the next two weeks of Smackdown! Wrestling.