Live Results From Smackdown Show in Manila
BATISTA HOMECOMING, LIVE RESULTS FROM SMACKDOWN SHOW IN MANILA
by Edrichelle Uy @ 1:09:00 PM on 10/21/2006
I just got home from the Smackdown Survivor Series Tour in Manila held at the Araneta Coliseum. It was a great show that was made even better by a very hot and loud crowd. It was a homecoming of sorts for Batista who has become sort of a national hero for the country and almost everyone was wearing a Batista shirt. The matches were a lot different from the ones that were advertised but I guess it turned out for the better.
Before the first match began, Tony Chimmel announced that Mr. McMahon and Smackdown GM Teddy Long had approved of a new main event. Instead of Lashley, Batista would be facing King Booker for the World Heavyweight Title (this was the original main event when the tour was first advertised but it was changed to Lashley vs. Booker during the past month or so.) Crowd went crazy over the announcement.
First match was Paul London & Brian Kendrick vs. KC James and Idol Stevens for the WWE Tag Titles. McCool made the mistake of coming out because the tag champs were announced first. Lots of stalling in the beginning, which made the match longer than those we seen on Smackdown TV. The tag champs won after London stomped McCool’s hand to prevent her from interfering again. McCool was scorching hot!
Match no. 2 was Vito vs. the Miz. A lot of kids were shouting Hooo-rrah when the Miz made his entrance, he however mocked the crowd to illicit some heat. This caused the crowd to give Vito a surprising pop. It seems Vito is really into this cross-dressing gimmick as he even arrived at the airport wearing a dress (it is a gimmick right?) Vito got a “Eugene” type of reaction from the crowd, as he put on a very funny match. Sorry JBL, but my Mom really enjoyed Vito’s antics and the kids at the Araneta Coliseum seemed to like him too. Vito won with his spinning DDT finisher.
Lashley vs Regal was surprisingly the third match. Lashley got a huge ovation during his entrance but the crowd quieted down when the match began. A few minutes into the match, Regal looked to have injured his knee and referees and trainers went into the ring to check it out. Crowd was already applauding Regal who was being escorted out of the ring with Lashley even holding the ropes for Regal to exit. Regal however was only faking the injury and jumped Lashley when he got close enough. Regal then acted as his knee miraculously healed and did some squats. Regal did a fantastic acting job,. and the entire crowd fell for his “injury.” Regal’s antics sadly was the highlight of their match. Lashley won with a spear.
Jimmy Wang Yang vs Gregory Helms for the Cruiserweight title was next. Crowd kept calling Helms “Hurricane” and Helms retaliated by saying that Manila sucks! Yang did some impressive moves and I do hope he gets some push as he can really be entertaining. Helms won to retain his title.
After the break, Mr. Kennedy made his entrance. There was no mic suspended from the ceiling so when Kennedy made his gesture to lower the mic, Tony Chimmel just placed one on his hand funny! Kennedy then told the crowd that his boy Eric Morales will whip Manny Pacquiao just like the way he’s going to beat the Undertaker. The Undertaker then made his entrance and man! Seeing it live was already worth the admission (I first saw his entrance live when the WWE first came to Manila 12 years ago) This was expectedly the best match so far with Taker being able to do all his spots, and the crowd went wild when he did old school. Kennedy was really impressive and he put Taker thrice in a figure four leglock with one on the outside ring post. Taker won with a chokeslam followed by a tombstone. Undertaker sat at the ringsteps for about a minute so allowing the crowd to take a lot of pictures.
Matt Hardy vs. Finlay came up next. The Taker/Kennedy was such a hot match was tough to follow. The crowd kept taunting Finlay, and Finlay tried several times to cross the barrier and do an “Artest” on the crowd. Finlay removed one of the turnbuckle pads to distract the referee allowing the Li’l bastard to give Hardy a low blow. Finlay wins after hitting Hardy with the shillelagh to the knee.
US champion Chris Benoit vs. Chavo Guerrero was next. Lots of Eddie chants accompanied Chavo’s entrance. Chavo went for the frog splash after the three amigos but Benoit moved and locked in the Crossface. Chavo tried to rollover but Benoit kept the Crossface on forcing Chavo to tap out.
Finally! Batista vs. King Booker. Sharmell entered first and forced Tony Chimmel to do the “All Hail King Booker” chant. Booker’s entrance was quite long. Booker was about to make a promo when Batista’s music hit. The crowd just went crazy and I gave Batista the loudest pop possible! Batista kept on pointing to his tattoo of the Philippine Flag as he posed. King Booker then announced that it was he who called Mr. McMahon to change the main event and give Batista a title shot and a “Thank You Booker chant was briefly started.” Booker then called the Filipinos “fruitbooty,” whatever that means, after pointing to some guys at ringside holding signs that said “Batista is Sexy” and “I want a Batista Bomb” Batista was clearly amused and he couldn’t hide his smirk. The match was very good with Booker keeping the promise he made at a press conference and treated the crowd to a royal spinaroonie. A Batista chant echoed throughout the match and the crowd erupted at Batista’s every offense. Batista accidentally clotheslined the ref and Booker hit Batista with the belt. Regal brought another ref to the ring but Batista kicked out at two. Regal hit the ref and the ref called for the bell. Batista wins via DQ. After the match Finlay comes in for the three on one beatdown. Crowd began chanting “Lashley” but instead of Lashley Kendrick and London comes in. Finlay/ Regal makes short work of the Tag champs and Finlay was about to hit Batista with a chair when…. The Undertaker runs in to clean house. Taker gives Regal a chokeslam and Batista gives Finlay a Spinebuster. Taker and Batista shake hands afterwards and Batista once again posed for the crowd before making his exit.
It was a great show and I hope tonight’s matches will turn out to be just as good. From Manila! Live Large! Peace Out!
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