Ironic that this is attributed to the wrestlecrap forums, because it SUCKS ASS. Seriously The Sandman showing up should NOT be the best part of a show.

I actually thought that The Sandman thing sounded cool............but yeah, it probably isn't smart to make it the best thing on the whole show.

This show looks like a mess, really. Here's hoping I'm wrong.

I'm pretty sure those are fake spoilers.

The real ones were even worse.

The team of Merucry and Hardy does sound nice though.

Any takers on who will win the US title next week? I think I may lean towards Lashley.

These appear to be the real ones:

(Stolen from Mr. Whiskers @ DVDR)

Stupid question?

Why the fuck would someone waste time on FAKE spoilers?

WWE could be planting them to keep suspense for their taped program. Don't think they are above it.

The fake spoilers sounded more entertaining.

I agree. I'm gonna really sad if Sandman doesn't show up now. That at least would've got me to watch the damn show.

But both the fakies and the realies mention a midget attack!

What is WWE's obsession with midgets? Didn't they just fire the entire Juniors Division a few months ago because they didn't need them?

And I'd rather watch the fake show.

Midgets: easier on travel costs. You can book 'em for all flights on a 3-for-1 basis. Plus, 6 to a hotel room.

So, no Hardy/Mecury?

And JBL is going to Raw? Wait, or does this mean he's going to ECW?

Rey's challenge to JBL and telling him to defend his US Title was a good set up for JBL's eventual and inevitable breakdown. I wasn't expecting Lashley, as I figured he'd continue his stuff with Finlay, but it's actually good. Now, Finlay and Lashley's feud can continue and actually give some REAL credibility to the United States Championship.

Bobby Lashley v. JBL did what it had to do to further the events of the evening. They had a decent bout at No Way Out, but this was basically an extended squash match. Lashley won the match in an impressive manner, and it's perfect because that's exactly what he needs. He needs to continue to look impressive and especially if they're going to continue this feud with Finlay was is the absolute best thing for both men at this point. It gives Finlay a good up and comer to help train in the ring, and it gives Lashley a veteran who can help him shine his skills. The match can't be rated though for not being much of a match.

Tatanka v. Simon Dean was a match I couldn't give two shits about. Dean is a great talent and he's being wasted away and it's definately a shame. I'll never forget at Vengeance last year how looked so happy when he was referred to as "Nova". His disgust with the gimmick shows, and his lack of motivation in the ring shows. Why they're pushing Tatanka, I'll never know. They dug him up out of nowhere, and actually gave him a job. Meh to this match.

JBL confronting Teddy Long and claiming that if he lost that he'd quit Smackdown was good. Especially at this point. Rey desperately needs as many wins over credible opponents as he can get to make his title reign not look like crap, and two consecutive wins of JBL definately helps. This leads to tonight's main event, which I was actually excited for because Rey v. JBL at Judgment Day was a pretty good bout and their best encounter thus far. On a side note, the whole Teddy Long/Paul Heyman confrontation was neat, as it makes sense. It'll be the excuse to say why some of the Smackdown guys will show up with ECW.

Booker T's coronation with William Regal was fucking GOLD. Anyone who doesn't believe that Booker is the MVP of Smackdown right now is blind and retarded. Not only was it beyond over the top, but it was so over the top that it was downright hilarious. He needs to face Rey for the title at Great American Bash and win. They need to give him the title while he's hot. William Regal repeatedly saying "KING BOOKER! KING BOOKER!" reminded me of that classic Terry Funk speach where he repeatedly said "FOREVER! FOREVER!" It was hilarious, and one of the best segments this year.

Three 6 Mafia performed Mark Henry's new music and it wasn't that bad. It actually makes Mark Henry seem like more of a badass, which he needs if they're actually going to continue his push, which it's obvious that they are.

Chris Benoit v. Mark Henry was a decent match for what it was. I actually missed some of it as I went to make a DiGiorno, but I couldn't have been gone for that long, or at least it didn't seem like it, but when I got back, the match was over. The post match attack that Henry dished out on Benoit was good, and thanks to Benoit's wonderful selling, it got Mark Henry over and left him looking like a million bucks. Benoit's selling of pain and agony is wonderful and makes you believe that any injury he has "suffered" is real. Does anyone remember WrestleMania 21 when he actually looked like he had injured his arm, even going as far to biting the ring apron in pain. Good stuff.

I've got to say that although I am not a Mark Henry fan, they are definately doing a good job with his push. It started off rocky, but I am definately a fan of the way they are going about it. It reminds me of WCW 2000/2001 when Steiner was the killer World Champion, and took out Booker T, Sid, Nash and DDP and was supposed to lead to a huge comeback and eventual downfall for Steiner but WCW was shut down and the angle never finished. This reminds me of that. Mark Henry is actually getting reactions from the crowd now, so it's proof that the push is working. I would have actually liked to see the Henry/Taker thing continue rather than Khali/Taker as it would have further gotten Henry over, and actually allowed Taker to show up.

L&K v. Nunzio & Vito was a pretty decent match, and it was given enough time for both teams to look decent, although it was nothing more than a match to get L&K over as the champs. Seems to be a running theme with Smackdown tonight, but it worked. I love the push that L&K are getting. And while everyone is bitching about the tag team division (and with good reason) I am actually excited. Yes, MNM's breakup hurts things, but this means new teams. You've got Kid Kash and Jamie Noble teaming up on Velocity, so they can get the bump up and you've got a feud right there that will produce the goods.

Amish Roadkill and Kasey James are supposed to be getting the call-up from OVW in the next month I believe, so that's another team to add. There are ways to go with it, but I don't see L&K losing the titles anytime soon, just because MNM restored the credibility to the belts, and L&K can continue making the titles look good by putting on awesome matches and I truly believe that they will.

On yet another side note, did anyone else catch Kurt Angle chatting with Paul Heyman as Finlay walked to the ring? I've got two thoughts to this. Why would Heyman be all chummy with Angle when just a year ago, he was out to destroy ECW and One Night Stand with the SD and Raw outsiders? And two, does anyone think that they'll actually put Angle in ECW? It could work, but I really don't see it -- nor do I want to.

Finlay v. Paul Birchill was decent for what it was, but was nothing more than a match to give Finlay an excuse to bust out his midget which was actually done with great taste, if I say so myself. Of course, that's sarcasm though. The midget was hilarious. Does he actually live under the ring and was I the only one who noticed the little green light underneath it? He was a rabid little cujo-esque thing and when Finlay chucked him underneath the ring and punted him for good measure, I couldn't help but laugh. Another half way squash which leads me to wonder who the hell Birchill pissed off to get the plug on his push yanked out of the socket.

Random thought on this though: Finlay's Celtic Cross was a move I used to do all the time while backyard wrestling. I continue to mark out for the move. But I digress.

Rey Mysterio v. JBL wasn't as good as their Judgment Day encounter, but it was decent. The beginning was kind of unnecessary, and downright retarded making the match restart. However, the rest of the match was class. JBL definately can help someone look good. Between Rey's bumping, JBL's facial expressions and stiffness, and random bits from Chavo, this was definately the match of the night. I marked for the top rope Fallaway Slam too. I almost believed for a second (I don't read SD spoilers) that JBL had the win after he clocked Chavo with the chair, but when Rey got the low blow and the Tornado DDT, I knew that he had it won and I was right. Good match. For the record, I loved how JBL said "JUST LIKE I DID TO YOUR UNCLE EDDIE!" after he obliterated Chavo with that chair shot.

I would have loved to see JBL sell the post match antics like Jericho did last summer. Not only would it have gotten Rey over, but it would have made for good comedy. But the difference is that I honestly believe that they're going to put JBL in ECW, so he'll still be on TV. I don't think he'll go to Raw, since he and Triple H supposedly hate each other, and would probably butt heads, and in ECW, he'd be free to be as foul and brawl like he should. He'd be a perfect fit and would without a doubt be the top heel. I am all for JBl in ECW.

The Bottom Line is that this was a damn good show, and probably the best Smackdown in ages, despite the fact that they're losing their main eventers and tag teams, I feel that they're going to rebound. At this point, The Undertaker should return and stop making once every two month appearances. He needs to become Bikertaker again and start kicking ass and taking names once a week because Smackdown could use him, but they don't exactly need him. Damn good show, and I'm actually glad I took the time to turn on the TV tonight to watch it. 4/5

Thumbs up.

Them losing their stars gives them room build up some new ones, so I don't think that's a big problem. Once people like Batista, Orton, Angle, Benoit come back full time, the card would be more stacked.

I only saw the Finlay-Burchill match and wish I had recorded it. "Evil Midgets Who Live Under the Ring" has been on my list of Neat Shit I Wanna' See for about 20 years now. And hey, that was the former "Shortsleeve Sampson", wasn't it?

I don't follow things closely, but what happened to Boogeyman? Did he get injured?