Smackdown (May 11th 2007) Review

Smackdown May 11th 2007




I thought I'd start reviewing some of the classic TV shows on the Network from Raw and Smackdown. There aren't that many up just now but I'll get the ones that are currently up reviewed at some point. This gives me a nice break from the PPVs (which I'll probably still be doing anyway) and the Greatest Hits posts that I spend so much time doing.


I watched this episode when it first aired and all I can remember from it is the cage match between Undertaker and Batista, and what came afterwards. Let's get started.




The old Smackdown theme tune sucks, although I don't know if it has ever been good.




MVP & Finlay vs Chris Benoit & Matt Hardy
I'm really surprised that they put on an episode featuring Benoit. Maybe we'll get the one where he fights Stone Cold someday. I'm also surprised that Teddy Long didn't come out at the start to make this tag match. A short tag match that was entertaining while it lasted. The finish kind of came out of nowhere and the leg work didn't have time to develop, but it was still a fun contest with no slow points. **1/4



Looks like we're going to be getting a history of the Batista/Undertaker feud throughout the night. We start off with the night after the Rumble where Taker chose Batista as his Wrestlemania opponent.



Buy the Wrestlemania 23 DVD! Or just watch it on the Network.



Ozzy Osbourne comes to Smackdown next Friday to sing the Judgment Day theme song. Cool.



Jillian Hall is in the ring to sing very badly. That brings out her opponent.



Michelle McCool vs Jillian Hall
Thank you Michelle for saving my eardrums from a fate worse than death. A very short match that started very sloppily and stayed like that most of the way through. The only reason this doesn't get a dud rating is because of a couple of athletic moves from Jillian. Pointless match. The crowd didn't care and neither did I. 1/4*


Jesse and Festus (AKA Fake Kane and Luke Gallows) arrive in Teddy Long's office. Teddy gives them their debut match next week. Jesse and Festus debut and an Ozzy Osbourne performance? That sounds like one hell of a Smackdown!



More Batista/Taker history as we see the No Way Out tag match where Batista turned on the Deadman.



We get the Raw Rebound showing Edge defeating Mr Kennedy to win his Money in the Bank briefcase. I wonder if that'll factor into tonight?



Ashley is interviewed by Michael Cole to talk about Jillian Hall attacking her last week. This was as interesting as it sounds. Thankfully it looks like it's leading to a Paul London and Brian Kendrick tag match.



Nope it's just a singles match.



Paul London vs Domino
Everytime I see Deuce and Domino I completely forget that they were a tag team. Very forgettable team in other words. They won the Tag Titles last week on Smackdown from Kendrick and London in a dumbass move since K&P are a much better team. Not much of a match here and it seemed to feature a couple of screw-ups. Another forgettable contest. 1/2*




We see Undertaker and Batista beating the crap out of each other on Smackdown two days before Wrestlemania.



Snitsky makes his return! He didn't do much. Wasn't his fault though.


WWE Slam of the Week is brought to you by Just for Men! Was Kevin Nash still around at this point? All we see is MVP defeating Kane.



Kane vs Dave Taylor
Regal and Taylor cost Kane a shot at the US Title last week so Kane wants some revenge. Where Boogeyman fits in all this I don't know as he's Kane's manager for the night. Kane and Boogeyman would make quite a natural team. Just a squash match for Kane here and it made Taylor and Regal look like a couple of chumps. 1/4*




Batista and Undertaker have an unexpected great match at Wrestlemania and the Phenom becomes the new World Champion.



The Undertaker vs Batista : Steel Cage
The World Heavyweight Title is on the line. This would be their last match until Cyber Sunday later in the year. I think this is the only match from their 2007 feud that wasn't put on a DVD at any point so the Network may be the only way to watch it. The ad breaks are a pain in the ass. A great match as these guys just beat the hell out of each other for fifteen minutes and it ends in a draw as both their feet touch the floor at the same time. Taker is still the Champ. ***1/2


After the match, Mark Henry comes out to beat the tar out of Undertaker because THAT'S WHAT HE DOES!


Suddenly Edge's music starts to play and he comes out to cash his briefcase. This was pretty damn shocking and no one was expecting it since Edge was a Raw superstar. He spears the Deadman and pins him to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. One hell of an ending to a show.



Before the World Title match took place this was just an awful show with only the opening tag match being any good, but it was totally saved by a great main event and a surprising new World Champion in Edge.