Friday Night Smackdown! – 1/22/10

After last week’s performance, Rey Mysterio gets to go to the Royal Rumble next weekend, but this week he decides to call out “The Dead Man!”  Here’s what happened on Smackdown:

Batista vs. Finlay
WINNER: Finlay via DQ after Batista refused to let go of an eye gouge.

• After match, Batista destroyed Finlay outside of the ring into the announce table, barricade, steel post and steps.  He slides Finlay back in the ring and grabs a mic, “Imagine that (points at Finlay) times 29… I’m going to win the Royal Rumble and your (The Undertaker‘s) WrestleMania streak will end!”

Video Package: Look back at 2006 Royal Rumble where Rey Mysterio some how survived starting at #2 to win the Royal Rumble match, lasting 1 hour 2 minutes and 15 seconds in the ring.

CM Punk & Luke Gallows come out to the entrance ramp.  “There’s a reason why we will become the Unified Tag Team Champions… because we are straightedge.  I see a misguided, weak minded majority.  Begging and pleading for a savior to take them by the hand… I can save each and every one of you if you pledge your allegiance!”

• Punk and Gallows walk to the ring, and a girl jumps the rail, frantically trying to get to Punk.  Security grabs her and tries to take her out of the ring area when Punk stops them and allows her to come into the ring.  Her name is Serena and she would like to be saved!
• Punk talks to her about her addictions and says that he can take them away, she just has prove her commitment.  She makes her pledge and Gallows brings out the clippers.  Punk shaves Serena’s head and she looks like she’s in a state of euphoria.

Chris Jericho & Drew McIntyre vs. John Morrison & R-Truth
WINNERS: Morrison & R-Truth via pin fall after Truth hits a Scissor Kick on Jericho.  Jericho got hit by a Morrison kick to the head allowing Truth to gain the advantage.

• Before the match, Teddy Long came to the ramp.  Originally it was supposed to be a handicap match made by Vickie Guerrero, but Teddy added R-Truth to the match up.

Video Package: Look back at WrestleMania 22 where Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton & Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat Match to become the World Heavyweight Champion.

After a commercial, Michelle McCool & Layla are in the ring and magically a table appeared with a bunch of snacks and party balloons around it.  McCool says, “I was supposed to have a match with Piggy James at the Royal Rumble but as of tonight she’ll be leaving Smackdown forever, so we’re throwing her a going away party!”

• Maria comes out to the ring and tells them, “You’re annoying.  It stops right here tonight!  It should be you two leaving tonight and I don’t care if it’s hand in hand or if you have to be carried out!”
• McCool and Layla start teasing Maria about being underfed and start jawing back and forth with her.
• Mickie James comes to the ring, “I’m getting sick and tired of your ‘Mean Girl’ crap!  THIS is what a real woman looks like!  I am Mickie James.  I am the way God made me and I’m proud of it!  The only people that are going to tell me to go anywhere is the WWE Universe!”
• McCool & Layla tease a little bit more and Mickie says, “I can’t wait to teach the two of you some manners,” and a melee ensues.
• Beth Phoenix runs to the ring and looks torn.  She reluctantly helps McCool and Layla beat up Maria and Mickie.
• While having Mickie held down, McCool hits Mickie with a cake shaped to look like a pig and then dumps a bowl of punch on her.  Mickie is left in the ring crying.

Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard & JTG) vs. Charlie Haas & Mike Knox
WINNERS: No Contest as Kane came out and cleaned house throwing everyone over the top rope to the floor showing the world how he’s going to dominate in the Royal Rumble.

Video Package: Look back at last Friday night where Rey Mysterio became the #1 contender for the World Title after defeating Batista in a Steel Cage Match.

Matt Hardy & The Great Khali with Ranjin Singh vs. Hart Dynasty (DH Smith & Tyson Kidd with Natalya)
WINNERS: Khali & Hardy via small package pin fall on DH Smith from Hardy.

Rey Mysterio comes to the ring, “I’ve been in the back all day and I’ve heard what people were saying, ‘How could he be so stupid to call out The Undertaker?’ well, I want to look him in the eyes and tell him I AM NOT AFRAID!”

• Taker comes to the ring.  Rey looks at him and says, “The last time we fought, I had you on the ropes and there was no fear in my eyes!  I’ve conquered my nightmares with my dreams… at the Royal Rumble I WILL defeat you!”
• Taker replies, “Those are awfully bold words little man, but there’s one thing you need to be aware of, you or anyone else cannot triumph over the grave.  What you are doing right now is digging your OWN grave!  At the Royal Rumble you will rest in peace!”
• Taker walks towards the back, but Rey has one more thing to say, “I’m not like the rest!”
• Taker turns to address Rey, but out of nowhere Batista attacks Mysterio from behind.  Batista bails out of the ring as Taker approaches again and heads through the crowd.  Taker turns and heads back up the ramp.

QUICK THOUGHTS:

After yesterday’s show full of talking, I was hoping for a very full show of actual wrestling matches, and I was slightly disappointed.  Usually Smackdown has more matches than what they did tonight.  They practically had 1 full length match (Morrison/Truth vs. Jericho/McIntyre), and 3 matches that were either really short or cut off prematurely.

I can’t harp too much though.  One good thing about Smackdown is that CM Punk cuts a good promo and yet again he’s saving souls for his “Straightedge Society.”  I feel bad for the young woman who had her head shaved… that’s going to take some time to grow back.

The segment with the Diva’s was a very welcome sight considering we’ve been hearing the teasing of Mickie James for so long now.  I’m glad that they finally gave her an opportunity to speak her mind on the situation.  I especially liked the line she said, “This is what a real woman looks like!”  It’s not cool for people to dog others about their weight or body type, especially Mickie James, she’s not fat at all!

The closing segment with Mysterio and Taker didn’t really give us much closure.  Considering how Batista attacked Mysterio, I can’t help but think that maybe Batista is going to prevent Rey from winning the championship match at the Royal Rumble, and then Batista and Shawn Michaels will two of the last men standing in the main event, both looking to get their shot at The Undertaker.