Credit: Richard Trionfo & PWInsider.com
We are two days away from the Armageddon pay per view and we will see what things that have been announced for Sunday’s pay per view will need to be changed. What is in store for Randy Orton? What will happen when MNM defend the tag titles against Rey Mysterio Junior and Batista because there is no way that they would take the tag titles off of MNM before their scheduled title match on Sunday? What new matches will be announced for Sunday? What is happening with Ken Kennedy?
We begin with footage of Randy Orton and his comments about the mind games being played by the Undertaker. We see Orton calling out Undertaker, only to be draped in blue light and then to see Randy Orton have a number of visions in the arena.
We are live on tape from Springfield, Massachusetts and your announcers are Tazz and Michael ‘Byte This’ Cole.
Our first match is the Boogeyman versus Nunzio
Nunzio backs away from the Boogeyman as the bell rings. The Boogeyman with an arm bar and then he turns it into a double overhook. The Boogeyman with head butts to Nunzio and then Nunzio goes down. We go to the back where the Smackdown locker room is watching the match. The Boogeyman eats some worms and then does not completely swallow so they hang from his mouth. The Boogeyman grabs Nunzio by the throat and throws Nunzio into the corner. The Boogeyman with the pump handle power slam for the three count.
Winner: The Boogeyman
After the match, Vito gets on the apron, but he thinks better about entering the ring. The Boogeyman puts some worms in Nunzio’s face and then the Boogeyman slides out of the ring.
We return to the locker room where they are sickened by what they saw. Sylvan says that it is not fashionable nor trendy.
Randy and Bob Orton are in the back and Randy says that he thinks it is a bad idea. Randy says that he does not think he needs to see a shrink. Bob says it is the number one sports psychologists and Bob reminds Randy about the Hell in a Cell Match in a few days. He wants Randy to give him a chance. Randy goes into the hall as we go to commercial.
We are back with a Hell in a Cell moment of Taker versus Shawn Michaels from Badd Blood in 1997.
Randy Orton is on the couch and he says that the big thing that has happened is that he has seen the Undertaker everywhere. He is unable to sleep because Taker is there. He is in the car next to him. He is in the reflection in the window. He is everywhere he goes, physically and mentally. The psychologist asks him about the Hell in a Cell match. Randy says that the match is ‘hell’ in a cell. You are trapped like an animal and the steel has you. You cannot hide, you cannot run. You are not in control of yourself. In the ring, he has control. He loses that in the cage. The cell ruins lives and it ruins men. The psychologist says that you need to face serious challenges where you need to re-evaluate. He suggests that there are two roads for Randy. Randy needs to make the decision while weighing life and death. That decision needs to be made now.
We go to the locker room where Batista is looking through his bag for a drink. Melina enters and asks Batista if he is getting ready for his match. Melina says that Mercury and Nitro are excited to have their match against Rey and the World champion. They could really use the time to get ready for their match on Sunday. Melina asks Batista to withdraw from the match and says that she will do anything to make him reconsider. Melina shows Batista by kissing him. We go to commercial.
We are back with footage from the Armageddon press conference. Melina says that MNM will remain tag team champions. Bradshaw says that the wrestling god can sell out an arena without an opponent’s name on the marquee. We see Randy Orton interrupted by the Undertaker’s technical difficulties.
We see footage from last week when Kid Kash attacked Juventud Guerrera after Super Crazy’s match against Joey Mercury. We find out that Kid Kash will face Juventud Guerrera on Sunday at Armageddon.
It is time for our next match, Kid Kash versus Super Crazy (with Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera with their ‘convertibles’)
Before the match, Juventud has to be held back by Crazy and Psicosis so the referee sends Psicosis and Guerrera to the back.
Kash with a kick, forearm, and knee to Crazy before he punches Crazy. Crazy counters a hip toss with a monkey flip, but Kash lands on his feet. Crazy with a drop toe hold and drop kick to Kash. Crazy charges at Kash, but Kash moves out of the way. Crazy stays on the apron and he hits a spinning heel kick. Kash goes to the apron and he punches Crazy and hits a neck breaker on the top rope. Kash with elbows to Crazy’s back followed by boots to Crazy. Kash with a shoulder breaker to Crazy for a two count and then he continues to work on Crazy’s neck and slams his head into the mat. Crazy with punches to Kash and tries for a slam, but Kash counters and hits a neck breaker for a two count. Kash stretches Crazy’s back and then punches and kicks Crazy. Kash with knees to Crazy, but Crazy responds with punches. Kash with a kick. Crazy with a delayed tilt-a-whirl back breaker followed by two drop kicks. Crazy with a rolling leg bomb for a two count. Crazy with a tornado DDT to Kash and then he pulls Kash into the center of the ring. Crazy goes up top, but he takes too long and Kash moves when Crazy tries for the moonsault. Kash with the brainbuster for the three count.
Winner: Kid Kash
After the match, Kash kicks Crazy in the back and goes outside for a chair and brings it back into the ring. Kash sets up for a brainbuster on the chair, but Guerrera and Psicosis make the save.
Bob is in the back and he is pacing. Randy comes out and he says things went all right. He knows what he has to do. He did a lot of thinking and he has a decision that he has to make. It is the most important decision that he will have to make and he is going to do it right here. He tells his dad that he loves him and hugs him as he walks away.
Melina puts her top back on and asks Batista if they have a deal. Batista says that they don’t have any deal, but he thanks her for the warm up.
We see footage from the Tribute to the Troops that will air on Monday night as we go to commercial.
We are back with footage to set up the Kane and Big Show versus Rey Mysterio Junior and Batista match at Armageddon featuring the elimination of Big Show at Survivor Series, and Bradshaw walking away from Rey only to be saved by Batista.
It is time for our next match: MNM (Johnny ‘Plain’ Nitro and Joey ‘Peanut’ Mercury with ‘Almonds’ Melina [with red carpet and photographers]) versus Rey Mysterio Junior and Batista (with Batista Boogie) for the WWE tag team titles
Batista waves at Melina as the match begins, but she walks away. Mercury and Rey start things off. Mercury backs Rey into the corner and he tries to punch Rey, but Rey moves and he hip tosses Mercury and Joey goes outside the ring for a breather. Mercury returns to the ring and Rey with an arm bar. Mercury with a kick and then Rey with a sunset flip for a two count. Rey with arm drags into an arm bar. Batista tags in and Mercury backs into the corner to tag in Nitro. Nitro tries for a super kick, but Batista moves out of the way. Nitro with kicks to Batista and then tries for another super kick, but Batista grabs his leg and tosses him down. Batista punches Nitro in the corner followed by a knee as Nitro comes off the ropes. Batista slams Nitro’s head into the turnbuckle, but Nitro with a rake of the eyes. Mercury tags in and punches Batista. Mercury tries for a clothesline, but Batista does not go down. Mercury tries for another, but Batista kicks Mercury and sets up for a Batista Bomb, but Nitro comes in and hits a super kick on Batista while the ref was distracted by Rey. Batista with a double clothesline that sends Mercury and Nitro over the top rope to the floor. Rey with a springboard Asai moonsault onto Mercury and Nitro as we go to commercial.
We are back and Rey with a springboard senton to Nitro while we see Melina check on Mercury. Rey punches Nitro and then he hits a tilt-a-whirl head scissors for a two count. Nitro with a knee to Rey and then slams Rey’s head into the turnbuckle before tagging in Mercury, who punches Rey. Mercury runs Rey’s head into the turnbuckle and then punches Rey in the corner. Rey floats over Mercury when Joey charges on an Irish whip and Rey kicks Mercury in the leg. Rey with an Irish whip followed by the punches of diez. Mercury with an Irish whip, but he charges into a boot. Nitro tries to hit Rey from the apron, but Rey sees Johnny and hits him with an elbow. Rey is caught by Mercury and Nitro helps Mercury with a slingshot powerbomb to Rey for a two count and Batista makes the save. Nitro comes in and kicks Rey in the abdomen. Nitro with a hard Irish whip followed by a clothesline to the back of Rey’s neck for a two count. Nitro with a rear chin lock, but Rey with elbows to escape. Nitro with a knee to Rey. Rey with a tilt-a-whirl move and then he hits a drop kick. Nitro takes Rey down and punches Rey in the head. Rey blocks a punch and connects with a punch of his own. Nitro with a back breaker followed by a side Russian leg sweep. Nitro distracts the ref and Batista, allowing Mercury to choke Rey and then Melina pulls Rey out of the ring to the floor. Mercury rolls Rey back into the ring and he covers for a two count. Mercury with a series of two counts. Mercury with a spinning flapjack for a two count. Mercury slaps Rey in the head and then he yells at Batista. Rey kicks Mercury, but Joey backs Rey into MNM’s corner. Nitro tags in and he kicks Rey followed by a slam. Nitro with a flair leg drop for a two count. Rey gets sent into the corner. Mercury tags in and he hits a reverse bear hug. Rey gets to his feet and Rey channels Eddie as he shimmies out of the hold. Rey with a wheelbarrow into a bulldog and both men are down. Rey tries to make the tag, but Mercury holds on to Rey’s leg. Melina gets on the apron and Nitro helps pull Rey back into their corner. Nitro tags in, but Rey fights his way out of the corner. Nitro with an enzuigiri for a two count. Nitro puts Rey on the top turnbuckle and sets up for a superplex, but Rey holds on to the top rope and counters with a sunset flip power bomb attempt, but Nitro holds on to the ropes. Rey moves out of the way when Nitro tries to punch him. Rey with a hurricanrana from the top and both men are down. Mercury and Batista tag in. Batista with a back body drop to Mercury followed by a clothesline to Nitro. Batista with a running clothesline to Mercury followed by shoulders to Nitro. Batista with a spear to Mercury and a spinebuster to Nitro. Rey with a double 619 to Mercury and Melina. Batista with a sit out Batista Bomb for the three count on Mercury.
Winners: Batista and Rey Mysterio (new champions)
After the match, Rey and Batista celebrate in the ring and we go to commercial.
We are back with another Hell in a Cell Moment: Taker sending Rikishi off the top of the Cell at Armageddon 2000.
We have a Moments Ago Moment of Rey and Batista winning the tag titles.
It is time for our next match: Bobby Lashley versus Paul Burchill (with William Regal)
Burchill with a knee to Lashley, but Lashley blocks an Irish whip attempt and Lashley Irish whips Burchill over the top rope to the floor. Lashley with an Irish whip, but he charges into a knee. Lashley sends Burchill into the corner and hits a series of shoulders. Lashley tosses Burchill to the mat followed by a double overhook German suplex. Lashley with a clothesline that sends Regal to floor. Lashley with the Dominator for the three count.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
Crystal is in the back to interview Matt Hardy. She wants to know what he thinks off his match with Booker T. Matt says that he has to give the devil his due. Booker is hot and up 3-0 in the best-of-seven. Bradshaw interrupts Matt and tells him to post something on his website. Bradshaw wants to address his fans, but Matt interrupts him. Bradshaw asks Matt if he knows who he is. Matt says that Bradshaw is the man who walks out on his tag team partner. Bradshaw says that if he was not under doctors orders not to fight, he wouldn’t do anything. Bradshaw knocks Matt down. Bradshaw prepares to address his fans, but Matt tackles him and then Matt is taken away. We go to commercial.
We are back and Teddy Long is with the psychologist. He says that he has heard rumors about a big announcement and wants to know what it is. The doctor tells Teddy that he appreciates the generosity, but everything that Randy says is privileged. Teddy says that the Hell in a Cell match is a long time coming and he is not going to have some shrink ruin things. The doctor says that he does not care about any pay per view and the match is barbaric.
Rey and Batista are in the locker room and they say that it was done for Eddie. Batista talks about Sunday and Rey doesn’t want to talk about it. Randy enters the locker room and he apologizes for interrupting. He congratulates Batista. He is the world champion as well as part of the tag champions. Some people say that Batista is the best. Randy says that he thinks he is the best, but he says that we will never know. Randy shakes Batista’s hand and walks away. We go to commercial.
We are back and we run down the card for Armageddon:
Rey Mysterio and Batista versus Big Show and Kane
Booker T versus Chris Benoit in match 4 of the Best-of-Seven Series for the United States Title (Booker leads 3-0)
Mercury and Nitro versus Psicosis and Super Crazy
Kid Kash versus Juventud Guerrera for the Cruiserweight Title
Matt Hardy versus Bradshaw
Randy Orton versus Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match
Bradshaw arrives at ringside to join Tazz and Michael Cole for our next match: Booker T (with Charmin and broom) versus Matt Hardy
Before we go to commercial, we go to another Hell in a Cell moment: Taker throws Mick Foley off the top of the cage to the floor and through the cage to the mat at King of the Ring 1998.
We are back and the Hardy/Booker match has begun. Hardy with a hammer lock, but Booker with an elbow and chops. Booker slams Hardy’s head into the turnbuckle. Hardy blocks a punch and responds with forearms of his own. Hardy with a clothesline that sends Booker over the top rope to the floor. Hardy with a pescado and then he comes over to the announce table to stare down Bradshaw. Booker with a kick to Hardy outside the ring and then Booker slams Hardy’s head into the ring steps. Booker rolls Hardy into the ring. Booker with a kick to the abdomen followed by a spin kick. Booker with a snap mare and rear chin lock. Booker pulls Hardy down by his hair and covers Hardy for a near fall. Booker returns to the reverse chin lock. Hardy with elbows and punches to Booker. Booker misses a spin kick and Hardy hits a neck breaker and both men are down. Hardy with forearms to Booker followed by a running forearm and clothesline. Hardy with an Irish whip and a running clothesline followed by a bulldog for a two count. Booker with a spinebuster to Hardy. Booker misses the scissors kick and Hardy hits a Side Effect. Hardy goes up top and hits a leg drop for a two count. Hardy sets up for the Twist of Fate, but Sharmell comes into the ring with the broom. That allows Bradshaw to pull Hardy out of the ring and clothesline him. Bradshaw brings Hardy back into the ring and Booker with the scissors kick for the three count.
Winner: Booker T (with Booker She)
The Ortons are walking in the back and Bob asks Randy if he is certain about this. Randy says that he is more sure about this than anything in his life. He is going to do this in the ring by himself. Bob offers to go out there with his son, but Randy tells him that he will do it on his own. We go to commercial.
We are back with footage from the WWE’s show and tour in Afghanistan that will air on Monday night.
Randy Orton comes to the ring very slowly as he is going to make a major announcement about his career. Randy says that this is not going to be easy, but it is something that he has to do. At age 25, he has accomplished more than most people have done in their entire lives. He is the youngest champion in history. He is the sole survivor three years in a row at Survivor Series. He is a legend killer. However, it is not really the case. He has known this for a while, but it finally just hit him. Nobody can kill the legend of the Undertaker. Hell in a Cell shortens and ends careers. Every one of Taker’s opponents have been brutalized. That is not going to happen to him. When he was on the couch talking to the psychologist thinking about sitting in a wheelchair in 40 years with his grandchildren on his lap and that he is in the wheelchair because of Hell in a Cell. He has his whole life in front of him, so he is going to go out on top. As of right now, Randy announces his retirement from the WWE. Orton says that he is going out on his own terms. He will not be depending on physical therapy to get through the day. He is making a choice and that is to kill one more legend while he has a chance. That is his own legend. Teddy Long’s music plays and Teddy comes out and he walks to the ring. He wants to know what Randy is talking about. Teddy tells Randy that he has a contract so that means commitment. A commitment to Teddy, to Smackdown, and all of the people here tonight. Teddy says that Randy can forget about walking out on his own terms. Teddy says that if Randy does not show up on Sunday, he will sue Randy for breach of contract. Randy says that no one can change his mind. Teddy tells Randy to get back in the ring. Taker’s music plays at the arena turns blue. ‘Druids’ come out to the ring while Randy returns to the ring. Taker makes his way out to the ring and enters. Randy tells Taker to listen to him. He does not want to fight and does not want anything to do with the business. He says that he is done. He stepped over the line and is done. One of the ‘druids’ has Taker’s urn. It is Bob Orton who is holding the urn. Randy attacks Taker and punches him in the ring. Orton with an RKO and Taker is down . . . until Taker sits up. Orton leaves the ring and gets a chair and he hits Taker in the head with it. Taker is down and bleeding. Orton hits Taker in the back with the chair. Taker starts to get up, but Orton drills Taker in the head with the chair. Orton rubs some of Taker’s blood across his chest. Orton says that he will succeed and then Taker sits up. Orton gets the urn and hits Taker in the head with it. Randy gives the urn back to Bob and then he tells Taker that he will see him on Sunday. We go to credits.
Smackdown Thoughts:
For those of you who are familiar with FIP, did anyone think that the Boogeyman stole the stick from LaDuke Jakes?
I wonder if Sylvan will be facing the Boogeyman on Sunday. At least Paul London made it on Smackdown.
The psychologist segments were interesting especially contrasted against the Boogeyman segments. I wonder if that was the script for the segment sitting on the table.
Shouldn’t Tony Chimmel or whoever the ring announcer would be say that the tag team is ‘Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro . . . and with Melina, they are MNM’?
I guess they also should have had edited the comments from the press conference when Melina talked about MNM keeping the titles when they have already lost them, at least for those of us who read the spoilers. I also don’t think they should have aired Bradshaw’s comments about selling out arenas with only his name on the marquee when it has been reported that there are plenty of good tickets remaining?
I really liked Bradshaw on the mic during the Booker/Hardy match.
Why would Teddy Long mention the obligation to the fans when Randy Orton is a heel, and a heel is not supposed to care about the fans? I wonder how long it took Vince to get the right ‘I will sue you’ comment since he is involved in the Lesnar breach of contract suit.
Did the final fifteen minutes of Smackdown make you want to watch the Hell in a Cell match any more than prior to the final segment? I know I didn’t care about the match before, and care about the same right now.
If you want to have a good time for an hour or so, check out Tazz and Cole hosting this week’s Byte This. They had some fun things to say during the show.
