WWE Friday Night SmackDown Report – January 1st, 2010
Report by Richard Trionfo, PWInsider
We begin this year’s WWE programming with a look back at the continued battle between Batista and Rey Mysterio to determine the man who would face the Undertaker for the title as well as the match between Rey and Undertaker that was interrupted by Batista’s actions.
We are live on tape from East Rutherford, New Jersey and your announcers are Matt ‘Costas’ Striker and Todd ‘Merry New Year’ Grisham.
Todd lets us know that we will find out Undertaker’s opponent at the Royal Rumble with the Beat the Clock Challenge, which is a staple of the first Smackdown of each year.
CM Punk comes to the ring with Luke Gallows and he is going to address the crowd. He wants to know if anyone in the crowd has made New Year’s Resolutions. He tells some of the fans who are booing his comments that he only asked them to raise their hands, not to boo or cheer something. He wants to know if anyone has broken them already. Punk asks a fan what he resolution might have been and Punk suggests that he already broke it. Punk wonders how many were going to give up drinking for the New Year. He says that resolutions are about bettering yourself and Punk says that he has no reason to make resolutions because he is already better. He says that he can help everyone and save them and points to Luke Gallows. Punk wants everyone to stand up to make a pledge. He tells people at home to touch their television screens so they can feel his power flow through their veins.
Punk’s pledge is “I (state your name) am tired of wasting my life being a loser. I am tired of treating my body like a sewer. I am tired of not having the strength to just say no. In 2010 I will adhere to the straight edge lifestyle. I will not smoke. I will not drink. I will not do drugs.”
Punk comments that the people in the crowd are not good at following directions. He wants to make it clear to them. He does not want to have to beat this into them. He says that he will beat everyone up if that is what it takes to get his message through. Punk suggests that some people are still hung over. Punk says that he will save a lost soul from the audience because he has heart. In each city, his message will grow and spread until everyone realizes that he is not a minor threat and the youth of today will come together as a straight edge society. Punk says it will start tonight when he sets the winning time in the Beat the Clock Challenge. At the Royal Rumble he will become a 4 time Straight Edge Champion when he defeats the Undertaker.
Match Number One: Matt Hardy versus CM Punk with Luke Gallows in a Beat the Clock Challenge Match
They lock up and Hardy with a side head lock into a hammer lock and rollup but Punk kicks out. Punk backs away from Hardy and Hardy with a front face lock and then he tries for an inside cradle and gets a near fall. Punk with a waist lock and Hardy works on the wrist. Hardy wrings the arm but Punk with a kick. Hardy blocks another kick and takes Punk down and stomps on his solar plexus. Hardy with a kick to the ribs. Hardy with shoulders in the corner as he continues to work on the ribs. Hardy with a sit out gourdbuster for a near fall. Punk drops Hardy on the top rope and then he goes for a springboard move but Hardy punches Punk in the midsection. Hardy gets a near fall and then he hits a side Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Hardy with a forearm to the back and then Punk with an Irish whip but he runs into boots but Punk blocks it and sends Hardy into the ropes and then drops Hardy to the mat. Punk with a cover but Hardy has his hand on the ropes. Punk kicks Hardy in the midsection. Punk with a neck breaker and gets a near fall. Punk with a figure four head scissors and Punk with elbows to the head to continue to wear down Hardy. Punk gets a near fall and then he connects with a forearm and elbows to the head. Punk with a clothesline and then he gets a near fall. Hardy with a kick to the midsection and then eh sends Punk into the turnbuckles and hits a clothesline. Punk avoids Hardy’s bulldog and then Punk with a leg lariat and Punk gets a near fall. Punk with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Punk with a reverse chin lock and Hardy gets to his feet and Hardy with an elbow and punches to the midsection. Hardy with a belly-to-back suplex and Hardy with a kick to Punk and he sends Punk into the turnbuckles and hits a flying clothesline for a near fall. Hardy with the running clothesline into the corner and he hits the bulldog for a near fall. Hardy hits a Side Effect but he can only get a two count. Hardy waves his arms for the Twist of Fate but Punk backs Hardy into the ropes. Punk with a roundhouse kick to the head and then he gets Hardy up for the Go To Sleep and connects and gets the three count in 7:20.
Winner: CM Punk
After the match, Punk has Gallows attack Hardy and Hardy fights back but Gallows with spinebuster slam.
We see the other three match ups in the Beat the Clock Challenge with Chris Jericho facing Rey Mysterio, Dolph Ziggler facing Kane, and Batista facing R Truth.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Kane versus Dolph Ziggler in a Beat the Clock Challenge Match [current time to beat is 7:20]
Ziggler goes for the leg and Kane stops him but Ziggler with a front face lock into a side head lock. Kane and Ziggler work on the mat with Kane getting a front face lock. Ziggler gets to the ropes and then he hits a drop kick to the knee and clips Kane as he continues to work on the leg. Ziggler with an elbow drop to the knee. Ziggler with a rollup as he continues to work on the knee. Kane with a clothesline for a near fall. Kane looks at the clock and he gets Ziggler up for a delayed vertical suplex for a near fall. Kane with a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Ziggler blocks a back body drop with a DDT and both men are down. We see Punk and Luke watching in the back as Ziggler gets a near fall and hits a leap frog neck snap for a near fall. Ziggler with elbows and punches to the head followed by a drop kick. Ziggler with a chin lock but Kane picks up Ziggler and slams him. Kane misses an elbow drop and Ziggler hits a leg lariat for a near fall. Ziggler with a series of elbow drops for a near fall. Ziggler returns to a chin lock as the time continues to run. Kane with a big boot and he gets a near fall. Kane with an Irish whip followed by a running clothesline into the corner and a side slam for a near fall. Kane with a running power slam for a near fall. Kane goes up top for the clothesline but Ziggler stops him and he tries for a superplex but Kane knocks Ziggler off. Kane hits the clothesline and gets a two count as we approach one minute remaining on the clock. Ziggler gets to the apron to avoid a choke slam. Kane is dropped on the top rope and then Ziggler tries to choke out Kane as he climbs on Kane’s back. Ziggler continues to choke out Kane but Kane holds on as time runs out.
No Contest
After the match, Ziggler hits the Zig Zag on Kane and leaves the ring frustrated that he will not get to face the Undertaker at the Royal Rumble.
Punk and Gallows are shown in the locker room and they are happy with what they just saw in the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that they are starting off 2010 with the Did You Knows from 2009 about this year’s Wrestlemania 26 demographics.
It is time for the Raw Rebound.
Match Number Three: Great Khali versus The Carolina Panther
The bell rings and Khali takes a few punches and forearms but they have no impact on Khali. Khali with a vertical choke slam and he stands on his opponent for the three count.
Winner: Great Khali
After the match, Khali starts to dance and then he leaves the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and we see the heinous attack by John Morrison on the current Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre.
Match Number Four: John Morrison versus Drew McIntyre for the Intercontinental Title
Morison with a take down into a near fall. Morrison with a forearm and a leg lariat for another near fall. Morrison clotheslines McIntyre over the top rope to the floor. Morrison goes to the floor after McIntyre and then he does some flipping moves over McIntyre and then he goes onto the ringside barrier again but McIntyre pulls Morrison off and Morrison flips around and takes McIntyre down. Morrison returns McIntyre to the ring and gets a near fall. Morrison casually returns to the ring and McIntyre kicks Morrison and Morrison is hanging from the ropes with his leg caught. The referee tries to get Morrison out of the ropes and McIntyre kicks Morrison and works on the leg. Morrison finally gets free of the ropes and then McIntyre keys on the leg and works on the ankle. McIntyre stomps on the ankle and then the head. McIntyre wrenches the leg as he continues to wear down Morrison’s high flying ability. Morrison with an enzuigiri and both men are down. Morrison punches McIntyre followed by a clothesline and a jumping spin kick for a near fall. McIntyre punches Morrison in the leg and Morrison goes down. McIntyre with a double underhook but Morrison escapes and then he hits the springboard roundhouse kick and he gets a near fall. McIntyre with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker and then he exposes the turnbuckle but Morrison with punches to McIntyre. The referee tries to stop Morrison in the corner. Morrison continues the attack on McIntyre but when the referee picks up the turnbuckle pad, Morrison is pushed into the referee by McIntyre and the referee disqualifies Morrison.
Winner: Drew McIntyre by disqualification
After the match, Morrison argues with the referee while McIntyre goes to the back. Morrison hobbles after McIntyre and they fight on the ramp. McIntyre goes to the leg again and the referees come out to try to separate them.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michelle McCool and Layla are at the announce table in their own Mickie James clothing line on display.
Match Number Five: Beth Phoenix versus Mickie James
Beth pushes Mickie and tells her to focus on the match and not Michelle and Layla at ringside. Mickie with forearms but Beth with a back breaker for a near fall. Beth with an Irish whip but Mickie tries to float over and Beth sends her to the apron. Mickie sends Beth into the turnbuckles and then hits a Thesz Press for a near fall. Mickie with forearms and Layla goes to the apron. The referee focuses on the interference that has not taken place. Michelle tries to interfere on another part of the apron. Beth charges at Mickie and Michelle hits a roundhouse kick that connects with Beth instead of Mickie. Mickie with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Mickie James
After the match, Michelle and Layla cannot believe what happened in the ring. Mickie avoids Layla who comes after her in the ring. Mickie takes down Layla but Michelle makes it a two on one situation. Beth pulls Michelle off and throws her to the side. Beth runs Michelle into the turnbuckles and punches her. Mickie takes off Layla’s shirt and then kicks her and hits a clothesline. Beth with a clothesline to Michelle. Layla gets a back kick from Mickie and Layla is thrown to the floor. Beth slams Michelle to the mat and then she kicks Michelle in the ribs.
Beth and Mickie stare each other down in the ring and then Beth kicks Layla off the apron. Beth starts to leave the ring but instead she attacks Mickie from behind and hits the Glam Slam.
Chris Jericho is walking in the back as we go to commercial.
We are back and did you know that WWE does more events in Europe than the four major sports leagues that do not have more than a game or two overseas.
We are back and Chris Jericho comes to the ring for his Beat the Clock Qualifying Match but he has something to say first. Jericho says that there is a saying in old westerns and it is that this town isn’t big enough for the both of us. He says that Smackdown is not big enough for him. Jericho says that he is bigger than anyone who is watching the show and he is bigger than the WWE. Jericho says that on Monday night, he will regain the Unified Tag Titles by beating DX with his partner the Big Show. That will mean that Jericho will continue to be the face of Smackdown, Raw, ECW, Superstars, live events, pay per views, WWE on Demand, and WWE Classics. He says that he will be the face of the company. Jericho says that his New Year’s Resolution will be to win every title in the company. He says that it will start tonight when he beats Rey Mysterio in record time. Then he will beat the Undertaker at the Royal Rumble to become a six time champion. Jericho says that he is good enough to do it and everyone knows that. He tells the thick headed, lollygagging dullards need to get used to him because in 2010, he will take his rightful place as the omnipotent epicenter of the WWE Universe.
Match Number Six: Chris Jericho versus Rey Mysterio in a Beat the Clock Challenge Match [current time is still 7:20]
Jericho with a kick and then he sends Rey into the turnbuckles. Rey with a forearm and side head lock but Rey with a leap frog and a wheelbarrow move but Jericho with a forearm to the back of the head and then he throws Rey under the bottom ropes and he lands hard on the floor. We see Punk and Gallows watch in the back as Rey returns to the apron and hits a shoulder and springboard cross body for a near fall. Jericho gets a near fall after a clothesline. Jericho with a belly-to-back suplex for another near fall. Jericho with a kick to the head and Rey falls into the corner. Jericho with a head butt to Rey for a near fall as we drop under the five minute remaining barrier. Rey with an enzuigiri and Jericho falls into the position but Jericho is able to get up and hits a back body drop on Rey. Jericho with an elbow drop for a near fall. Jericho with a snap mare and a rear chin lock with the arm isolated. Jericho takes a look at the time remaining as Rey returns to his feet. Jericho with a knee to the back followed by an Irish whip but Jericho runs into a drop toe hold into the turnbuckles. Rey with a diving head butt into Jericho’s chest off the turnbuckles and he gets a near fall. Rey hits a springboard cross body for a near fall. Jericho wit ha kick and then he hits a sunset flip but Rey rolls through and tries for a kick but Jericho blocks it and tries to put Rey into the Walls of Jericho but Rey is able to power out of the hold. Jericho with a clothesline to get another near fall and there are less than two minutes remaining in this match. Rey floats over Jericho but Jericho hits a torture rack drop for another near fall. Jericho looks at the clock on the TitanTron one more time as he realizes that time is getting short in the match. Rey with a drop kick to Jericho’s knees as he charges and guess where Jericho falls. Jericho is able to grab Rey’s legs on the 619 attempt and he puts Rey in the Walls of Jericho. Rey has about a minute to hang on before time runs out. Rey tries to get to the ropes and then Rey counters into a head scissors and you know the drill. Fall into the ropes and 619 but when Rey tries for the springboard move, Jericho hits a Codebreaker but he takes too long to make the cover and Rey kicks out at two. Jericho argues with the referee and then Rey gets an inside cradle for the three count with one second left on the clock.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
The new time is 7:19 as we go to commercial.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rey Mysterio is at ringside to watch the final Challenge Match between Batista and R Truth since staying in the locker room worked so well for Punk.
Match Number Seven: R Truth versus Batista in a Beat the Clock Challenge Match [current time to beat is 7:19]
The match starts and they lock up with Batista with a knee instead of a break. Batista with a punch and Irish whip followed by a clothesline in the corner. Batista with a shoulder in the corner but Truth with a knee and a rollup for a near fall. Truth with a drop toe hold and leg drop to the back of the head for a near fall. Batista with a rake of the eyes and a clothesline. Batista with a kick to the back and then he hits a suplex and gets a near fall. Batista tries for a power slam but Truth escapes and he punches Batista. Truth does his usual split but Batista just stands there and kicks Truth in the head. Batista tries for a Batista Bomb and then he looks at Rey, who stands up, before trying the move but Truth is able to escape the hold. Truth punches Batista and then hits a spinning kick that sends Batista to the floor. Truth with a pescado and both men are down on the floor. They return to the ring and Batista kicks Truth on the apron and then he sends Truth into the ring post and Truth goes down to the floor and he is holding his shoulder. Batista Irish whips Truth into the ring steps. Batista sends Truth shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Truth punches Batista and then he hits a drop kick but he runs into a uranage slam for a near fall by Batista. Batista sets for a spear but Truth stops him and hits a DDT and gets a near fall. Truth with the axe kick but Batista kicks out at two. We have less than 90 seconds in the match. Batista sends Truth into the turnbuckles and Truth with a kick to Batista and then Batista charges into the corner but Truth moves and Batista hits the turnbuckles. Truth goes to the top and he tries for a missile drop kick but Batista swats him away. Batista hits a spear and we have 45 seconds to go and instead of getting the pinfall, he looks at Rey. Batista with a spinebuster and he sees that he has 20 seconds left. Batista gets Truth in the Batista Bomb and hits it but Rey pulls the referee out of the ring with four seconds left and time runs out.
No Contest
After the match, Rey goes to the stage and he gloats while staring back at Batista who is not happy while standing in the ring.
Vickie Guerrero comes out and she excuses herself as she stands next to Rey. She apologizes to Rey because on Smackdown we all follow the rules. She tells Rey that it was obvious that Rey cheated. Since they could not determine the proper winner, she advises Rey to face Batista next week to determine the true number one contender to face Undertaker.
We go to credits.
