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WWE SmackDown – June 25, 2010
The Fire Burns
Two momentous matches from the blue brand have already been set for the forthcoming Money in the Bank PPV – the SmackDown MITB match itself as well as a wild World Heavyweight Title match. In addition, one of the most intense feuds in recent history appears to be continuing.
Jack Swagger gloats, Theodore Long informs him of his next challengers
World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger was deservedly boastful about his victory over three giants at Fatal Four Way. General Manager Theodore Long eventually got sick of Swagger’s endless self-promotion, and decided to book a match. Since Swagger claims to be such a fighting champion, he should have no problem giving a title shot to the two men he DIDN’T pin at Fatal Four Way – Undertaker and Kane! Therefore, at the Money in the Bank PPV telecast, Swagger will defend his belt in a triple threat match against both Brothers of Destruction. Swagger looked rightfully upset.
SmackDown Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Big Show def. Rey Mysterio
This was a true case of David vs. Goliath as two fan favorites met to determine the first participant in the SmackDown MITB match. With the heart of a champion, Rey attempted to utilize his quickness to tire Show out. Show was down on one knee in the center of the ring, and Rey springboarded from the ropes as he normally does with the West Coast Pop. However, on the way down, he flew right into a brutal knockout punch from Big Show. Three seconds later, and Big Show had qualified. One has to wonder if they even make ladders strong enough to support his weight.
After Big Show had departed, the Straight Edge Society jumped in from the crowd and mugged Mysterio, ending with CM Punk hitting the GTS. Clearly, Punk has been consumed with Mysterio since his defeat on Sunday. Perhaps the book has not been closed on the epic feud these two men have written.
SmackDown Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Drew McIntyre def. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio laid unconscious in the ring after all that had happened. Things got worse for him though, as Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre emerged, complete with a note straight from Mr. McMahon. By order of the Chairman, the stipulation that current champions will be ineligible to qualify for MITB does NOT apply to Drew McIntyre. Furthermore, McIntyre holds the right to handpick his opponent for his qualifying match.
McIntyre chose the already defenseless Mysterio, who couldn’t even stand. Referee Chad Patton reluctantly rang the bell, and mere seconds later McIntyre connected with the Future Shock for a disgustingly cheap entry into MITB.
SmackDown Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Bryan Danielson def. Chavo Guerrero
On Raw this past Monday Night, Bryan Danielson announced that he had signed with SmackDown. Chavo Guerrero, granted a qualifying match by his aunt Vickie, was out to spoil his debut. Danielson would have none of that, lighting Guerrero up with grapples and suplexes. Once Danielson locked on the very unique Cattle Mutilation, Chavo had no choice but to tap out as Danielson qualified for MITB.
Women’s Title match set for next week
Consultant Vickie Guerrero returned from a meeting with GM Theodore Long with some very regretful news for Team Lay-Cool. Next week, Layla will once again defend her WWE Women’s Title against “The Glamazon” Beth Phoenix, and this time – Layla will automatically lose the belt if she is counted out or disqualified.
Non-Title Match: Curt Hawkins & Vance Archer def. The Hart Dynasty (DQ)
By virtue of being Unified Tag Team champions, The Hart Dynasty paid a visit to SmackDown to take on the up-and-coming team of Curt Hawkins & Vance Archer. The new tandem was able to hold their own and certainly show that they are worthy contenders for a title match in the future. But before any result could occur, an irate Finlay rushed the ring, shillelagh in hand, and brutalized Hawkins & Archer with it for the disqualification ending. There is certainly still bad blood from what Hawkins & Archer did to Finlay’s son Hornswoggle last week.
SmackDown Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Christian def. Finlay
After the attack, Finlay remained in the ring for a MITB qualifier against Christian. The aggressive Finlay got the early advantage, but Christian was able to kick out several times while utilizing his skills to avoid defeat. Finlay ran into a Pendulum Kick and then a Killswitch. After coming up just short in MITB at WrestleMania, Christian qualified and will get another chance.
SmackDown Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Dolph Ziggler def. MVP
Hot off the heels of a big win against Shad Gaspard on last week’s SmackDown, MVP hoped to carry that momentum into his MITB qualifier. But it was just not to be on this night, as Dolph Ziggler brought his A-game. After ducking under MVP to avoid a Playmaker, Ziggler connected with the Zig Zag to qualify. After the bout, Shad Gaspard hit the ring and attacked MVP, planting him with a GTO to send a message.
SmackDown Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Kofi Kingston def. CM Punk
The final slot in SmackDown’s MITB would come as a result of a match between two men who at one time were tag team partners. The Straight Edge Society attempted to make nuisances of themselves at ringside, but Kingston kept his eye on the ball. The crowd got on their feet when a battered Rey Mysterio ran out and tried to fight off both Luke Gallows and Joey Mercury on his own. The fact that Rey could even stand was enough to shock Punk, who unlike Kingston, DID take his eye off the ball – and as a result received a Trouble in Paradise as Kingston qualified. Money in the Bank is already shaping up to be one hell of a show!
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