Full Credit: F4WOnline.com
By Jacob Gilbert
Dark Match:
Non-title: Primo & Carlito def. The Foundation (TJ Wilson & DH Smith w/Natalya). Good match to start the night, and the Colons got a good pop coming out, even more so when Carlito pinned Wilson after the Backstabber.
Smackdown, 11/28:
Vicki Guerrero no longer needs a wheelchair, or at least until the next time she takes a bump. As you probably know from Survivor Series, she still has the neck brace (that has to go next). She introduces Edge. Yadda, yadda. Edge accuses Jeff Hardy of letting the people down. Haven’t we heard that enough already from MVP & HHH this year? Anyway, first Hardy, then HHH, come down, but held back by security (another tired ream). Vlad Kozlov sneaks in on the other side and challenges Edge. Vicki decides to reinstitute the Beat the Clock format to decide which of the three (Kozlov, Hardy, HHH) will face Edge @ Armageddon on 12/14.
Hardy def. “The” Brian Kendrick (w/Ezekiel Jackson) in 12:13. Best match on the show. Jackson did exactly nothing until the end when he tried to pull Kendrick from the ring. Hardy would have none of that and kicked Jackson down. Hardy hit a overhead flapjack bomb, then the Swanton.
We learn that Kozlov will face Matt Hardy, and HHH faces Shelton Benjamin—again—later.
Matt is interviewed by Eve Torres. He claims Edge & Vicki had everything to do with what happened to Jeff.
Victoria, Maryse, & Natalya def. Michelle McCool & the Bella Twins when one of the twins accidentally hit Michelle with a clothesline meant for Maryse. The Divas champ berated the twins after until Maria came out to play peacemaker. Michelle is apparently turning heel as she shoved Maria down. Match, predictably, was too short.
Non-title: Matt Hardy & Vlad Kozlov went to a draw in 12:13. As we’d find out later, they may be starting a program with these two…….! Jeff is backstage watching, but is confronted by Triple H. The camera cut away at this point, perhaps because it wasn’t meant to be shown to the live crowd.
Jesse & Festus def. John Morrison & Mike Mizanin via DQ in a return from last week’s show. The former champs used the bell to neutralize Festus again, but this time Jesse was ready and attacked Miz on the floor. He then rang the bell to “reactivate” Festus. However, Miz & Morrison doubled on Jesse while still on the floor, prompting the ref to call for the end of the match. There was some comedy after as they goofed around with the bell & Festus after Jesse was beaten down. However, when they dropped the bell, somehow Festus was “awake” and cleaned house. Perhaps he no longer needs the bell? Festus carried Jesse across his shoulders to the back.
Mr. Kennedy got in a plug for “Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia” and did a quick interview with Triple H. Hunter simply said, “Watch me.” when asked about beating the time and Benjamin.
Non-title: HHH def. Benjamin in exactly 12:13. With about 30-odd seconds left, ref Mike Chioda was bumped down. Hunter hit the pedigree, and it took Chioda about a week to make the count. He tolled 3 just as the clock struck zero. Charles Robinson came down and said that the pin wasn’t in time, but after a lengthy debate, Chioda told Justin Roberts that it was essentially a tie, so we’re getting a 3-way at Armageddon. Again.
Worth noting: It must have felt like the Yankee Stadium Bleacher Creatures had come to Albany. They chanted Chioda & Roberts’ names when they were in the ring at various times.
Smackdown, 12/5:
Edge def. Kung Fu Naki. Not quite a squash, as Funaki got his finisher in, but Edge kicked out and destroyed him after that. Edge & Vicki cut a promo after and announced the 3-way, plus HHH & Jeff in a tag gauntlet later.
Non-title: Maria def. Michelle McCool. Not much of a reaction, though a small chant started for Maria. Michelle missed a chick kick, and Maria schoolgirled her for 3. After, The Bellas & Colons celebrated with Maria, but Michelle followed her over and kicked her in the gut. Heel turn just about complete.
MVP came out and talked about losing his entrance tunnel and pyro because he lost his incentive clause. He then revealed his opponent by cutting a promo promising to shut the guy up….
Hurricane Helms returned and beat MVP. Way too short. Helms has let his hair grow out and has returned to his Hurricane logo tights. He even did the “stand back” pose from his earlier hero gimmick, which got a pop. Helms feigned one kick, then hit the Shining Wizard to end it and keep MVP on his losing streak.
A trailer aired for “Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia”. Looks good.
Big Show cut a promo for the cage match.
Triple H & Jeff Hardy def. Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder to start the gauntlet. The former champs were squashed in mere minutes. Pedigree, Swanton, ballgame over.
Miz & Morrison beat HHH & Hardy via countout when the face team imploded. Jeff did a pescado that hit Hunter, Miz, & Morrison. Upset, HHH pulled Jeff off the apron, and they started fighting while Miz & Morrison scrambled to beat the 10 count.
Edge & Vicki must’ve loved that, but before they could make out, Jeff came in, and Edge lied, accusing Hunter of having something to gain. No sooner does HHH enter than Jeff attacks him and we have another pull-apart. Edge & Vicki make out after. That part was nauseating.
Non-title: Matt Hardy def. Chavo Guerrero via DQ when Kozlov did a run-in and attacked Matt. Kozlov threw Chavo out and wrapped Matt in the ropes. I think as a consolation prize, given Matt’s injuries, they may have Kozlov challenge for the ECW title.
The Khali Kiss Kam has a Christmas theme, even though when this show airs, it’ll be nearly 3 weeks before Christmas. Eve comes out dressed as a Santa’s Helper. Khali was over, and clean shaven, to boot.
Undertaker def. Big Show in the cage with the Death Valley Triangle (Gogoplata). Show hit the chokeslam and the KO punch but couldn’t put Taker away. Naturally, the crowd popped big time when UT won.
Biggest pops:
Undertaker
Hardys
HHH
Helms/Colons (tie)
Khali
Biggest heat:
Edge/Vicki (of course)
Big Show
Kozlov
They ran a vidpack about all the celebrities that have been involved in WWE, and somehow, clips of Jay Leno in WCW were included. When Hunter does his bowing in the corner to the fans, some bowed back, which was cool. I get what they’re trying to do with HHH & Jeff, with Edge trying to set them against each other to protect himself. Edge even admitted he wasn’t ready on Sunday.
I have to get this in. Technically, Vicki was within her rights, but to wait until more than 10 minutes passed before bringing Edge out is wrong. This is a little different than Jericho winning at Unforgiven, since he was inserted at the start of the match. That’s what Vicki should’ve done. Vince has to pull the plug on her & Edge ASAP, as this has gone on too long, and the heat is at “go away” level now.
Jacob Gilbert
Troy NY
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