WWE Smackdown – 7/23/10
After Money in the Bank last weekend, we have a new World Champion, but it’s not who you may think… Money in the Bank was cashed in, and someone from off the radar is the king of the Smackdown mountain. Who is it? Read on and find out:
The new World Champion Kane comes to the ring. He remembers a story from his childhood of torturing his goldfish. Says that he felt like that goldfish until Sunday when he won Money in the Bank and then cashed it in to become the World Heavyweight Champion. He tells the crowd about what happened on Sunday and how he actually won the title from Rey Mysterio after helping him from a post match attack by Jack Swagger. He hopes that Rey understands what he did because he knows that anyone else would do the same thing. Kane claims that he didn’t just win this one for himself, but for his brother, The Undertaker. Kane still vows to bring vengeance on the person who attacked his brother.
Christian & Matt Hardy vs. Drew McIntyre & Cody Rhodes
WINNERS: McIntyre & Rhodes via pin fall after McIntyre hit Hardy with a boot to the face
- Mid match, Hardy swung to hit Rhodes who ducked out of the way and accidentally hit Christian allowing McIntyre to take advantage of a distracted Hardy who was checking on Christian.
- Post match, obvious tension between Hardy/Christian. Christian extends a hand, Matt accepts.
Backstage: Josh Matthews is with Jack Swagger. Asks about his 2 out of 3 falls match tonight against Rey for a title match versus Kane at SummerSlam. Swagger is upset that he’s not the World Champion right now. He calls Rey a cheater because his boot came off when Swagger had him practically beat with an Ankle Lock. He vows to put Rey in the hospital tonight.
Video Package: Promo for Alberto Del Rio.
Backstage: LayCool partying it up backstage, celebrating Layla‘s win to retain the Women’s title at Money in the Bank. They exchange a gift (best friends necklace). Teddy Long walks in and spoils their fun by telling Layla that she has to defend her title next week against Tiffany.
Non-Title Match
Kofi Kingston with Michael McGillicutty vs. Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero
WINNER: Ziggler via referee stoppage due to a Sleeper Hold
- Mid match, Vickie Guerrero has McGillicutty thrown out.
- Mid match, Vickie grabs Kofi’s leg, stopping his momentum and Ziggler takes advantage with a Zig Zag leading to the victory.
- Post match, Ziggler grabs Kofi’s Intercontinental Title, and tries it on for size.
Big Show vs. Mystery Man with Straightedge Society (CM Punk, Luke Gallows & Serena)
WINNER: Big Show via pin fall after hitting the KO Punch
- Mid match, Big Show pulls the mask off the mystery man to reveal that it’s Joey Mercury.
Video Package: Cody Rhodes shows us some grooming tips for nose hairs.
Backstage: Rey Mysterio getting ready for his match with Jack Swagger when Josh Matthews enters to ask him about tonight. Rey says that he’s still in pain, but he knows that he’s got to compete and beat Swagger tonight so that he can face Kane at SummerSlam.
Video Package: Another promo for Alberto Del Rio.
#1 Contender’s Match For World Title – 2 out of 3 Falls
Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger
Fall #1: Mysterio via DQ after Swagger refused to break the Ankle Lock while Rey was in ropes
Fall #2: Swagger via submission due to the Ankle Lock
Fall #3: Mysterio via crucifix pin fall
- Post match, Swagger puts Rey in the Ankle Lock and Kane runs down to stop him. Swagger gets a choke slam for his trouble. Kane turns to Rey and glares, but surprisingly helps him up and raises his hand… until he tries to attack, but Rey is able to counter it into a 619. Rey escapes.
QUICK THOUGHTS:
I really enjoyed Kane’s opening promo. It just felt real to me when it came to the passion and fire in his heart. We haven’t seen Kane hold a major title since the Attitude Era, and I’m sort of excited to see how this title run goes.
I’m sick of seeing promos for Alberto Del Rio. Put him in the ring already!
All the SES members are unmasked, and the fourth member is none other than former tag team champion Joey Mercury. If you don’t know who Mercury is, he was part of MNM a stable made up of himself, Johnny Nitro (now John Morrison) and Melina. He’s also famous for this ladder match moment: