DownSmack Spoilers for the 3/23 Airing

[BorneAgain 0]

From NODQ.com

 

I just got back from the Cleveland, Ohio SmackDown/ECW Show. Just the normal portion was taped off, and few seats were empty.

 

Dark Match

Miz vs. some guy billed from Jamaica named Koki Kingston or something close to that effect... Miz was booed big time even though he is from the Cleveland area. The Koki guy won it a match pretty much controlled by Miz.

 

WWE SmackDown Taping

 

The show opened with Vince coming out and wanted to get some revenge at Bobby Lashley. He announced his opponent with be Mr. Kennedy... and than announces he will also face... RANDY ORTON! Than he announced Lashley will face both of them in a Tables Match.

 

A promo for Batista and Undertaker versus Finlay and Booker for the main event shows.

 

Opening Match:

 

MNM vs. Kenrdick & London

The crowd wasn't too much into it other than booing MNM... Kendrick & London win.

 

Chavo vs. Jimmy Wang Yang in a non-title contest.

Wang Yang wins with his moonsault.

 

MVP comes out and announces he will face the Heavyweight Champion of Lictenstein (who actually is a local wrestler named Johnny Gargano). MVP obviously wins in a squash.

 

Kennedy & Orton vs. Lashley in a Tables Match

Bobby controlled most of the match. He put Kennedy through a table in the corner, and tried to put Orton through a table doing a running powerslam but he just fell on top of the table. Lashley picked him up again, but this time the leg gave way and it barely broke. The ref rang the bell. And in an odd situation Lashley brought out another table, and did a better powerslam through the table as they rang the bell again. Looks like they will probably edit out the flub.

 

Benoit vs. Helms

Benoit wins in basically a squash.

 

Jillian does the Kiss Cam and proceeds to sing... terribly.

 

Booker and Finlay attack Bastista backstage, but the feed looked like it was lost. So they may reshoot.

 

Booker and Finlay vs. Batista and Undertaker

Only Taker came out as Batista was already attacked. Back and forth until Finlay decided to use the shileighlei and get them DQd. Booker and Finlay pound on Taker until Batista comes out to help. They decide to give Last Ride and Powerbomb together, but instead Batista throws Finlay at Taker and knocks him down.

 

No Dark Main Event

 

Biggest Pops

1. Bobby Lashley

2. CM Punk

 

Most Heat

1. Vince McMahon

2. The Miz

 

Lots of production problems it would seem.

 

Another set of spoilers from PWInsider seem to indicate the Wild Samoans as the next HOF inductees.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Al Snow must be doing something with MVP.

 

Next week MVP faces the Heavyweight Champion of Transylvania Dr. Acula

[haVoc 0]

I understand they're trying like Hell to get Lashley over, but shouldn't he be feuding with Umaga instead of feeding him two of the top heels in the company?

[MillenniumMan831 0]

McMahon also made mention that when he shaves Trump's head, he'll be symbollically shaving your head and your girlfriend's head and your father's head and your wife's head and your brother's head . . . ect. Pretty funny lil rant.

 

Not that it's important but Kristal interviewed Kane asking how far he'd be willing to go against The Great Khali at WM. Kane showed off his See No Evil hook and chain and responded "All the way".

 

The Yang/Guerrero match didn't really get over at all. They had plenty of time but once the pace slowed down, the crowd was only interested in chanting Chavo Sucks.

 

The Lashley flub was a hoot as Kennedy basically had to play dead for 5 or so minutes. His own bump through the table wasn't all that vicious either.

[Guest panthermatt7]

Al Snow must be doing something with MVP.

 

Next week MVP faces the Heavyweight Champion of Transylvania Dr. Acula

 

Good Scrubs reference...

[pochorenella 0]

Second set of spoilers from PWInsider.com, along with bit of ECW taping info:

 

Credit: Ted in Cleveland and PWInsider.com

 

Here's a rundown of tonight's taping from Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

 

Dark Match:

 

The Miz (from Cleveland) vs. Kofi Kingston. Miz says there are 2 celebrities from Cleveland - Lebron James and him - but he was smart and got out of town. Kingston - a black wrestler doing a Jamaican gimmick - cuts a decent promo and tells him to shut up - then beats him. I think it was some sort of a kick.

 

Prep for SD:

 

They seemingly took the canvas of the ring apart - I couldn't tell what they were doing or why but the removed the canvas and there was a black type shiny tarp underneath as well - then the blue canvas they used for SD/ECW. Lots of crew involved in this - seemed odd.

 

SD Taping:

 

Main event tonight - UT and Batista vs. King Booker and Finlay

 

McMahon opens the show bragging about cutting Eugene's hair. He then says Bobby Lashley will wrestle on SD tonight against..... Mr. Kennedy. They started to lower the mic for Kennedy - but then didn't. Kennedy comes out and McMahon does the 'Miiiiiissssssssteeeeeeerrrr Kennedy... Kennedy' routine. Then Vince says Lashley will actually take on 2 men and the second will be....... Randy Orton. After Orton gets in the ring - Vince climbs the second turnbuckle and does the Orton pose. Orton and Kennedy try to thank McMahon - but he points out they neither of them could get the job done by themselves against Lashley - so they better get it down together. The match will be.... a 2-1 handicap - TABLES MATCH!!!! McMahon leaves and they argue - then leave.

 

We are back with MNM back as a team - at least for this week - with a Tag Title shot against Kendrick and London. Funny thing happens here as Ashley couldn't get the mask off Kendrick. They lower the thing that drops the playboy cover for Ashley - but never dropped the cover down - odd. Finish came when Melina tried to knock Kendrick (I think) off the top rope. Ashley ripped her off the apron - then Kendrick hit a flying body press on Mercury for the win. Good match - probably the best of the night.

 

Kristal interviews Kane who has his hook with him and says something intimidating..... Riveting.

 

We are back with Maryse welcoming us - this is a wrestling show - right? Time for a non-title match between Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero and Jimmy Wang Yang. Yang gets the win with a mokeyflip-bodypress.

 

Time for a tribute to the late great Arnold Skaaland

 

Back with a promo for The Condemned

 

MVP comes out and says his opponent this week is the Liechtenstein Heavyweight Champion, Cedric von Hopps. CVH does the JOB for MVP who then cuts a promo on Benoit.

 

Up next - Orton and Kennedy vs. Lashley. Kennedy is out first - the mic starts down - but then is taken back up and not used - weird. Orton and then Lashley enter and the handicap tables match is on. Lashley must put both men thru a table for the win. McMahon comes out to watch and make great facials at ringside. Lashley puts Kennedy thru a table in the corner. A second table is set up in the ring. Lashley picks up Orton for the powerslam - and............... the table doesn't break!!!! Lashley picks him back up and as he does - one of the legs of the table gives so the table is slanted now. He goes for the powerslam again. The other legs give out and the table never breaks. The bell rings and Lashley's music is played. Lashley is announced as the winner - he celebrates - the lights on the crowd come up. Then suddenly he gets out of the ring and goes for another table..... Time to do the spot right for post-production! He sets the table up - and just before picking Orton up again - off goes the music and down go the lights. Lashley powerslams him thru the table with more force - the spot works. The bells rings - Lashley again announced as the winner and the music is on again.

 

Back with another scintillating Kryistal interview - this time her guest - Batista. He says he and UT will get along fine DURING their match tonight.... Uh oh! What could that mean........ Hmmmm.......

 

Up next - US Champion Chris Benoit against.......... Gregory Helms??? Yep.... Helms taps, end of story.

 

I think it was around this point they announced the final inductees for the Hall of Fame - The Wild Samoans!!!

 

JBL leaves the announce table for some reason.....

 

Jillian comes out and tries to do the Kiss Cam gimmick... She gets booed and the people on the screen aren't kissing - so she sings for us. Whoppee Fizz. In the back.... Batista is ready and the Main Event is next.... But then Booker says 'Hey Batista - I need to talk to you.' Batista stops and says 'What do you want?' Suddenly - and shockingly - Finlay attacks Batista from behind. He is laid out in the back - will he be able to compete in the Main Event???

 

Back from the break - JBL is in Teddy Long's office and has an idea for next week - a huge interview that only he can do. Hey Teddy - can I pretty please interview both Batista and UT in the ring at the same time!!!???? TL says this is indeed huge!.... When did interviews become such a big deal - Mean Gene did them all the time... Anyway - TL says ok - and..... "This will be the biggest interview in the history of sports entertainment" - is Tony Schiavone on the creative team?

 

Main event time... Out come King Booker - then Finlay and then the entrance of the UT - always amazing in person! No Batista! Booker and Finlay control for a while - match goes back and forth - then UT gets things going until..... Finlay uses the shillelagh and gets DQed! It's a double-team on UT - until Batista's music hits and out comes Big Dave. Crowd goes nuts! Batista and UT turn things around. Batista has King Booker ready for the Batista bomb. Then UT has Finlay ready for the Last Ride. Up goes Finlay - then Batista throws King Booker into UT!!!! What a message Batista has sent! He leaves the ring with all three other men laying motionless!!! UT gets up and seethes at Batista as we say so long from Cleveland!!!!

 

Tidbits:

 

The arena was fairly full - the top section was mostly tarped - completely on the hard camera side - partially on the other.

 

Big Pops:

UT

Batista

Benoit

Kennedy

 

Heat:

McMahon

King Booker/Finlay

Kennedy

Orton

 

There seemed to be a number of production problems during the show - aside from the ones I motioned - the first few notes of music played a few times too early as well.

 

Ok show - ok crowd - nothing great - just another SD building toward WM23.

 

ECW tidbits:

 

It was very interesting to see them switch things around for ECW. A few people left when SD ended. A ton of commercials and promos during ECW - too many I thought. It just seems odd to see a promo for the rehab of Triple H during ECW. Not a lot of emotion for ECW - CM Punk easily was the most over - then RVD. They played a Christmas in Baghdad with WWE video while Tommy Dreamer and Sandman waited in the ring for Elijah Burke. TD and Sandman had the crowd waving their hands back and forth - then back from the commercial - and the promo and Christmas goes to the land of extreme - odd. As the show went along - more and more people just left. Sad. The hard camera side was fairly empty by the time Masters and Lashley had their 5 minute classic. I don't watch ECW with any regularity - I know what the storylines are - but the fans seemed more interested in hollering stupid things than paying attention to the show. Is this show getting ANY better? Oh well... I'm still looking forward to WM23... But that's probably because I have a ticket!

[Guest reality1480]

I understand they're trying like Hell to get Lashley over, but shouldn't he be feuding with Umaga instead of feeding him two of the top heels in the company?

 

The problem with the Umaga/Lashley feud is that they're building it like people can't wait for them to get their hands on each other, like it's some sort of blood feud between Lashley/Umaga. Thus keeping them from working each other in any sense until 'Mania. The problem with this concept is that there is NO heat between Lashley/Umaga and even the marks could care less about seeing them get at each other, they're more concerned with the head shaving aspect. As far as feeding him two of the top heels just bad booking on their part. I know the concept is the general wrestling fan won't remember today nevermind one month ago, but in reality we do and if one month from now Kennedy (I say Kennedy because I believe it will be a while for Orton to get a shot again) gets a title shot it wouldn't be believable for him to win. I mean come on with a partner he couldn't beat a champion who has beaten no one impressive since winning the title.

[Ace Austin 0]

Why did Kennedy get a pop?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I understand they're trying like Hell to get Lashley over, but shouldn't he be feuding with Umaga instead of feeding him two of the top heels in the company?

 

The problem with the Umaga/Lashley feud is that they're building it like people can't wait for them to get their hands on each other, like it's some sort of blood feud between Lashley/Umaga. Thus keeping them from working each other in any sense until 'Mania. The problem with this concept is that there is NO heat between Lashley/Umaga and even the marks could care less about seeing them get at each other, they're more concerned with the head shaving aspect. As far as feeding him two of the top heels just bad booking on their part. I know the concept is the general wrestling fan won't remember today nevermind one month ago, but in reality we do and if one month from now Kennedy (I say Kennedy because I believe it will be a while for Orton to get a shot again) gets a title shot it wouldn't be believable for him to win. I mean come on with a partner he couldn't beat a champion who has beaten no one impressive since winning the title.

 

Speak for yourself. I want to see Lashley/Umaga.

[Guest reality1480]

I understand they're trying like Hell to get Lashley over, but shouldn't he be feuding with Umaga instead of feeding him two of the top heels in the company?

 

The problem with the Umaga/Lashley feud is that they're building it like people can't wait for them to get their hands on each other, like it's some sort of blood feud between Lashley/Umaga. Thus keeping them from working each other in any sense until 'Mania. The problem with this concept is that there is NO heat between Lashley/Umaga and even the marks could care less about seeing them get at each other, they're more concerned with the head shaving aspect. As far as feeding him two of the top heels just bad booking on their part. I know the concept is the general wrestling fan won't remember today nevermind one month ago, but in reality we do and if one month from now Kennedy (I say Kennedy because I believe it will be a while for Orton to get a shot again) gets a title shot it wouldn't be believable for him to win. I mean come on with a partner he couldn't beat a champion who has beaten no one impressive since winning the title.

 

Speak for yourself. I want to see Lashley/Umaga.

 

Maybe I should have phrased it better. What I was trying to say is that there really is no reason for Umaga/Lashley to dislike each other. Other that because their respective billionaires say so. The way they're building it would be much better served for either one of the tweo main events not that.

[Ace Austin 0]

Which do you think will be the maint event (last match) of Mania?:

a) wwe title match?

b) world title match?

c) battle of the billionaires?

[Hawk 34 0]

Batista/Undertaker is pretty much locked as the closing match. Billionaires will get the typical McMahon spot on the card.

 

predicted order

Tag Turmoil/Battle Royal (Which hasn't been officially added)

Benoit/MVP

MITB

Woman's Title

Kane/Khali

BOTB

ECW 8 Man Tag

Cena/Shawn

Batista/Taker

[Exslade ZX 0]

ha, not a biggy, but Vince said "Last Night".

[Hawk 34 0]

It still annoys me that they didn't just do a Six-Person match with these people instead of forcing Victoria/Mickie to abruptly end. Would have given two good matches instead of a crummy storyline and leaving the best female worker off the show.

 

MnM/Londrick still have a shot at getting on the show via the battle royal/tumoil that was reported not so long ago but doing the six-person would gave still accomplished the same effort with Ashley and Melina.

[Wrestlefreak 0]

I loved Booker's line to Batista: "I wanna talk to you about this ass whoopin!" I couldn't stop laughing!

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Hmm, I wonder...

 

If MVP gets drafted to Raw, does he got to a red and black outfit to match the brand?

[DangerousDamon 0]

I mark out for MVP's corner Mafia Kick.

[Exslade ZX 0]

I loved Booker's line to Batista: "I wanna talk to you about this ass whoopin!" I couldn't stop laughing!

Ha, I didn't know what you were talking about at first, because they hadn't shown it yet..but that was funny as hell for whatever reason.

[Ace Austin 0]

Batista/Undertaker is pretty much locked as the closing match. Billionaires will get the typical McMahon spot on the card.

 

predicted order

Tag Turmoil/Battle Royal (Which hasn't been officially added)

Benoit/MVP

MITB

Woman's Title

Kane/Khali

BOTB

ECW 8 Man Tag

Cena/Shawn

Batista/Taker

 

 

Good line-up but i dont think kane/khali will be in the middle (probably somewhere in the beginning). It may even open up the show.

[Guest robrabies]

Batista/Undertaker is pretty much locked as the closing match. Billionaires will get the typical McMahon spot on the card.

 

predicted order

Tag Turmoil/Battle Royal (Which hasn't been officially added)

Benoit/MVP

MITB

Woman's Title

Kane/Khali

BOTB

ECW 8 Man Tag

Cena/Shawn

Batista/Taker

 

 

Good line-up but i dont think kane/khali will be in the middle (probably somewhere in the beginning). It may even open up the show.

 

Which would pretty much be the antithesis of a hot opener. They better put it after MITB and before the BOB so the crowd can go take a piss/get their popcorn.

 

Lashley's push represents everything that is currently wrong with WWE booking. They make their champions so strong that they destroy all future opposition that they may face so no one buys them as credible. Then people wonder where all the credible challengers are. If they wanted to build heat for the match, they should have had a series of Lashley-Umaga run-ins rather than squashing Orton AND Kennedy who figure to be near the top for a decade.

[haVoc 0]

There is no way Cena/HBK and Taker/Batista will be back to back. There will be at least 2 matches in between. Probably the womens match so the crowd can sit on their hands for Ashley's super important Playboy title victory.

[Hawk 34 0]

There is no way Cena/HBK and Taker/Batista will be back to back. There will be at least 2 matches in between. Probably the womens match so the crowd can sit on their hands for Ashley's super important Playboy title victory.

 

Starting with WrestleMania 14, look at the closing two matches

 

WM14

Austin Vs Michaels. Undertaker Vs Kane. These were obviously the two biggest matches of the night and they were done in consecutive order.

 

WM15

Austin Vs Rock. Undertaker Vs Bossman (HIAC). This was obviously a one match event but The Undertaker was a top name and the Ministry Vs Corporation was a big angle. Compared to the rest of the card, the HIAC was obviously the second big match, although one might argue that McMahon/X-Pac was the #2 match.

 

 

WM2000

Fatal Four Way. Rikishi/Kane Vs X-Pac and Road Dogg. This show was all about the main event and a bunch of solid mid-card matches lumped into multiple man matches. Obviously the tag match wasn’t the second biggest match of the night but it’s hard to really pinpoint what was, although the Ladder Match was the obvious second big spectacle of the night.

 

WMX7

Austin Vs Rock. Undertaker Vs HHH. These four were the biggest names of the Attitude Era (Only Foley and McMahon could be added to that) and they closed out the show. You can’t get two bigger closing pairs for a WM then this.

 

WMX8

Jericho Vs HHH. Jazz/Trish/Lita.

This is the very show that pushed the idea that you needed a filler match in between the two mega matches. Obviously, Rock-Hogan was the big draw and it wasn’t in the final two matches. The main event wasn’t the biggest match of the night. Some still argue that they should have pushed Rock/Hogan even earlier down the card (such as the 6th or 7th spot on the 12 match card) or simply placed it as the main event but WM has never had a main event that wasn’t for a world title with the exception of WM 1, 8 and 11. They could have made an exception here, obviously.

 

WMXIX

Lesnar Vs Angle. Rock Vs Austin. This is a show that had FIVE main event quality matches that all got a big push. In fact, the actual main event probably had the least juice going into it although for the ‘net fans, it was huge because of the circumstances with Angle. Not only did this show have five main event type matches but they all were done in consecutive order. This is a show that really could have gained from a different pacing. HHH/Booker was for the title but it was obviously lesser then McMahon/Hogan and Rock/Austin, so it went before those matches and the main event.

 

 

WMXX

Benoit Vs HHH Vs Michaels. Undertaker Vs Kane. The two big matches once again finished the show in consecutive order. Angle/Guerrero wasn’t as big as Undertaker’s return and probably wasn’t as important as the Evolution Vs Rock n Sock tag match. Once again the two big matches close the show.

 

WM21

Batista Vs HHH. JBL Vs Cena. The two title matches and biggest matches of the night closed the show here as well.

 

WM22

Cena Vs HHH. Pillow Fight. They went back to the woman’s match to separate the two main event matches but Michaels/McMahon might been considered the bigger match given the push it got and that proceeded the World Title match. However, take out the very brief pillow fight match and the three big matches closed the show.

 

The point is that WM23 has three big main event type matches. The two world title matches and the Billionaires.

 

Why would you assume they would separate the two title matches 2 matches? Perhaps if you feel that BOB is the second main event and not the WWE title match, which you can argue…then you might be right but it’s pretty much WWE standard to put the two title matches or the “main events” back to back to close the show (of course, with a pair of exceptions) In order to “calm” the crowd, you simply do the HOF spotlight segment or a couple skits/videos. My real interest is to see if they consider the BOB to be more important and get a higher placement then the WWE Title match.

[haVoc 0]

I couldn't remember the line ups for past WM's. It just seems from most PPV's they have a hot match, filler, then main event.

[Ace Austin 0]

The BOTB has the most hype than any other match but its still not going to be the main event because the world championship matches are more important to the company.