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Hometown victory for Hardy
By Brett Hoffman
October 8, 2006
In what was perhaps the most intensely contested and hardest-fought brawl of their lengthy rivalry, Matt Hardy was victorious over Cruiserweight Champion Gregory Helms in a no-title match at No Mercy.
It was a red-hot crowd at the RBC Center as fellow tar-heels, former friends and bitter rivals Hardy and Helms put it all on the line on Sunday night. Earlier in the day, Gregory Helms told WWE.com that he "wasn't concerned with pleasing his hometown fans," and the raucous crowd was
more than happy to reciprocate that feeling as they enthusiastically booed the Cruiserweight Champion. Hardy, on the other hand, was welcomed as a hometown hero as the crowd overwhelmingly approved of his every move.
The match was nothing short of a barnburner as the two pulled out one fast-paced, high-risk move after another. Hardy took control early, but Helms showed the resiliency that has made him the longest reigning Cruiserweight Champion in WWE history.
Helms hit not one but two of his signature Shining Wizards on Hardy, but it wasn't enough. Matt lived up to his "I will not die" motto as he reversed a third Shining Wizard attempt into a Twist of Fate for the victory.
After the match, Hardy wanted to thank the hometown crowd.
"Tonight, I proved that I am truly North Carolina's finest," said the exhausted victor. "But, I couldn't have done it alone. Tonight, I had an arena full of people in my corner, and without them, this wouldn't be possible. We are a team, and we did it together."
After the match, Hardy wanted to thank the hometown crowd.
"Tonight, I proved that I am truly North Carolina's finest," said the exhausted victor. "But, I couldn't have done it alone. Tonight, I had an arena full of people in my corner, and without them, this wouldn't be possible. We are a team, and we did it together."
Shining through
By Craig Tello
October 8, 2006
On a fateful evening in North Carolina, Brian Kendrick and Paul London overcame the formidable pairing of Idol Stevens and K.C. James to retain their WWE Tag Team Championship at No Mercy.
Having made a name for themselves with several notable victories on SmackDown, the
challengers and their striking manager Michelle McCool promised to teach the champions a valuable lesson in defeat, guaranteeing a win in their pay-per-view debut. However, the prepared tag team specialists London and Kendrick came to No Mercy joined by the stunning Diva Ashley, and won an exciting, emotional contest against their rivals to solidify their position in the upper echelon in the SmackDown tag team division.
“We won tonight, but [James and Stevens] have beaten us in the past in non-title matches,” explained a humble Kendrick. “While we beat them tonight and defended our WWE Tag Team Championships successfully, it wasn’t a walk in the park. These guys are a serious tag team.”
Once considered unlikely champions when they first earned the gold this past May, the high flying duo
has quickly become one of the most successful tag teams in recent SmackDown history – something London believes is a matter of his bond with his tag partner and now, Ashley.
“A lot of [our success] has to do with having a genuine friendship and a similar passion,” London said. “A lot of teams just get thrown together nowadays; you have to build a solid foundation and that’s what happens when you have two friends together. [Brian and I] know we have each other’s backs, but it always helps to have someone else in your corner,” he added. “And tonight, we had the hottest girl on the planet as our best friend too.”
Though London and Kendrick continue to gain momentum with each passing week, the champions’ celebration will need to be short as their challenges will surely only become greater as they head into the fifth month of their championship reign. “It’s very easy to underestimate us because of our
size,” admitted London, “but we believe in ourselves and it’s carried us this far. We’re just going to see how long we can keep it going.”
London continued, “We love what we do; we love entertaining and getting out there and seeing what we’re made of. [Brian and I] looking forward to a little breather, but we know that that’s not the way the business is…we’re just looking for the next challenge.”
MVP: Most Valuable Phony?
By Zack Zeigler
October 8, 2006
Montel Vontavious Porter was victorious in his first match as a SmackDown Superstar at No Mercy. But, the self proclaimed “greatest
athlete on the planet” may not have lived up to the hype he created for himself by taking on Marty Garner as his first opponent. Who is Marty Garner? Exactly.
In arguably the most highly anticipated debut on SmackDown of any newcomer, MVP’s decision to compete against a virtual unknown who has never defeated a reputable WWE Superstar was a major letdown to WWE fans. SmackDown color commentator JBL stated it perfectly when he said MVP “overpromised and underdelivered.”
After holding out for months and putting General Manager Theodore Long through strenuous contract negotiations, MVP inked a deal to join SmackDown on Sept. 27. Throughout negotiations and even after the deal was signed, MVP used every opportunity to boast about his mat skills and how he’d transform the world of
sports-entertainment.
As the crowd expressed their displeasure with disapproving chants, SmackDown announcer Michael Cole asked, “all this contractual stuff, the back and forth, the loudmouth talking and this is what we get?”
WWE.com approached MVP after his match to ask him about his questionable opponent, but the brash Superstar took offense
to the line of questioning.
“I said I would take on all comers and it didn’t matter who they sent out there. I didn't pick that opponent. Don’t say another word. I don’t appreciate you disrespecting me like that,” said an enraged MVP.
On the final edition of SmackDown leading into the pay-per-view, MVP bragged that “history will be made at No Mercy; every time I step into the ring history will be made.”
Unfortunately for MVP, history will remember his first match as an enormous disappointment. While he may have beaten Marty Garner and left 1-0, MVP proved he can obviously talk the talk, but, perhaps, not walk the walk.
Undertaker shows No Mercy on Kennedy
By Jen Hunt
October 8, 2006
Mr. Kennedy had promised to put an end to Undertaker's decade and a half of destruction at No Mercy. While Kennedy will go down in the record books as the winner of the non-title match by disqualification, Undertaker made it clear his reign of pain was far from over.
Like so many other brash young men before him, Kennedy looked to make a name for himself by toppling the Phenom. Kennedy made quite an impression with his in-ring performance, showing explosive energy and the ring savvy of someone far more seasoned. Over the course of the match, the brash newcomer made the Deadman turn purple with a choke hold, hit him a Ken-ton Bomb and even used Undertaker's signature move, the Tombstone Piledriver, against him.
Undertaker may have lost the match when he hit Kennedy over the head with the United States Championship, but the Phenom didn't come to No Mercy to win a match. He came to the RBC Center at North Carolina State University to silence another arrogant upstart, and he did just that when he followed up the blow to the head with the championship with a vicious Tombstone Piledriver on Kennedy. He drove the point home when he also Tombstoned referee Charles Robinson for disqualifying him and making Kennedy as the victor.
For all of Kennedy's cockiness leading up to the match, his eyes told a different story when Undertaker made his entrance into the arena. While Kennedy's lifeless body was left laying in the ring, the fact remains that he won that match, much like he's won matches against King Booker, Batista and Rey
Mysterio. Will it be enough for the brash Kennedy or will his ego get the best of him and drive him to go for a pure victory over the Deadman?
Family feud fall out
By Brett Hoffman
October 8, 2006
After months and months of frustration, Rey Mysterio was finally able to put the tumultuous events in his personal life aside to capture a dramatic victory over Chavo Guerrero. But as an incensed Vickie Guerrero hovered over the defeated body of her business associate and screamed at Mysterio, one must question whether or not this feud has yet been resolved – even after this vile, intense encounter at
No Mercy.
It was Falls Count Anywhere on Sunday night, and it’s a good thing because the squared circle was not big enough to contain the hostility that exists between Mysterio and Guerrero. The rivalry, which began several months ago, has reached a level of emotion that can no longer be described by words, only actions, and at No Mercy, the action spoke for itself.
After a few brief exchanges in the ring, the action spilled outside to the floor.
With Chavo in control, the fight made its way towards the No Mercy stage. At one point, Chavo hoisted Rey up over his shoulders, and prepared to drive him to the arena floor with a powerbomb. Had Chavo succeeded, the match may have ended on the spot. Fortunately for Rey, the construction of the set provided relief as he grabbed a hanging steel beam for support and reversed the powerbomb into a hurricanrana on the ramp.
With Chavo in control, the fight made its way towards the No Mercy stage. At one point, Chavo hoisted Rey up over his shoulders, and prepared to drive him to the arena floor with a powerbomb. Had Chavo succeeded, the match may have ended on the spot. Fortunately for Rey, the construction of the set provided relief as he grabbed a hanging steel beam for support and reversed the powerbomb into a hurricanrana on the ramp.
Moments later, the brawl made its into the crowd where
Chavo displayed a level of brutality not seen on WWE programming in recent memory, if ever. At one point, Chavo secured Rey’s legs, and swung him forcefully back and forth between the permanent floor chairs, and the hockey boards that accompany the ice of the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes.
On this night, however, Rey was not going to be denied. With a fire in his eye that hasn’t been seen since his run as World Champion, Rey showed the resiliency that has made him a crowd favorite since the first day he stepped foot in a WWE ring. It became apparent to all in attendance and those watching on pay-per-view that Mysterio had purged his heartbreak into rage and fury.
With the crowd urging him on, Mysterio rallied back, taking control of the battle and setting up the rally that would ultimately win him the match. In a match full of unique maneuvers and unorthodox offense, Mysterio’s use of one of the most unbelievable moves in WWE history set the stage for his victory.
Chavo stood
stunned and reeling near the stairway to the 200 level of the RBC Center as Mysterio leaped and grabbed hold of the metal barricade and executed an incredible 619 which rendered Chavo helpless for the devastation that would soon follow. Mysterio ascended the stairway towards the fans and climbed the barrier. Seconds later, Rey shocked the entire state of North Carolina by leaping off the top of the stairway with a suicide plancha on top of his former friend. With Chavo knocked out, Rey made the cover on the arena floor and secured the pin.
After the match, Chavo laid motionless on the arena floor. Perhaps overcome by the emotion of the event, thinking back to all the things said and done by Chavo over the last few months, Mysterio went back for more. Rey continued his assault on a helpless Chavo until Vickie stepped in, covering her prone client.
After the match, Mysterio spoke about the overwhelming emotion with WWE.com.
“I was very angry. I went in the ring with one thing in mind: beat Chavo Guerrero. I was able to take out months of frustration tonight and it felt good. I wish it didn’t have to come to this, but it did. I did what I had to do.”
Sir Regal taps out in Benoit's rabid return
By Andrew Rote
October 8, 2006
No Mercy was one of the worst nights of Sir William Regal’s career. A night filled with embarrassments culminated when a returning Chris Benoit made Sir Regal tap out to the Crippler Crossface in what Michael Cole and JBL called an old school, physical match-up.
Five months ago, Benoit went on sabbatical after suffering internal injuries following a match with Mark Henry. But at No Mercy, a well-rested and apparently healthy Benoit returned to a thunderous ovation in the RBC Center. Showing very little if any ring rust, the Rabid Wolverine made Sir Regal's night one to truly forget after locking in his signature submission move.
The trouble began for Sir Regal when he approached King Booker early in the night. The King asked him to find Finlay and make sure the Irishman would help him retain his championship later on; it seemed like a simple
enough request, but it proved to be harder than it should have been.
Leaving King Booker with the promise, “My lord, I will not let you down,” Sir Regal began his search and ran into Vito jumping rope. As if seeing Vito in a thong wasn’t bad enough, Regal turned away too quickly and bumped into a hot dog cart. Within moments, his embarassed face was as red as the ketchup covering his suit.
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When Regal went to the showers to clean up, he once again found Vito. This time, as the "toughest man in a dress" dried off, Sir Regal was forced to look at his “ghastly undercarriage.” As he ran into the hallway, Sir Regal forgot to keep himself covered with his towel and his bare backside was broadcasted for the world to see. A moment later, General Manager Theodore Long told him to start warming up because he would be in a match at No Mercy.
Regal was as ready as he could be, but when Benoit's music filled the RBC Center, Sir Regal’s bad night took a
turn for the worse. The two Superstars know each other very well, coming into No Mercy having had many matches with each other in the past; unfortunately, this helped Benoit more, as he was victorious over the embarrassed Knight.
To top the evening off, Sir Regal came across a very upset King Booker in the locker room. After telling his King he failed to locate Finlay, the Irish brawler showed up for the first time all night and told Booker not to even bother asking him to lie down in the upcoming Fatal Four Way Match. He walked away and an enraged king slapped Sir Regal, calling him “useless.” But in an act that shows he does in fact have a mind of his own, Sir Regal hit King Booker back, knocking him to the ground with a left hand. No Mercy may have been the worst night of Sir Regal’s
life, but he managed to leave with a shred of pride.
Long live the King
By Steven Schiff
October 8, 2006
“The king’s name is a tower of strength.”
So says King Richard III in act five of Shakespeare’s play by the same name as he attempts to rally his troops before the final climatic battle scene. The modern adaptation of this statement might very well be “All hail King Booker.” So says Queen Sharmell upon her mighty King’s entrance to the ring, that all peasants and loyal subjects the world over should bow in reverence and pay homage to the tower of strength that is King Booker. Indeed, he has been such a
tower, held up by both the strength of his own iron fists and the faithful support of his Royal Court. At No Mercy, however, The King of the World would have to defend his honor and his gold all on his own, and in a Fatal Four Way Match for the World Heavyweight Championship, he did just that by capturing an improbable victory.
King Booker knew that the odds were stacked against him when SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long announced last Friday night that the No Mercy main event was to become a Fatal Four Way. Already staring down the gauntlet that is Bobby Lashley, who had repeatedly pounded The King en route to becoming No. 1 Contender, King Booker
would now also have to face Lashley’s friend and fellow powerhouse, Batista. The Animal, of course, was forced to relinquish the gold in January after suffering a triceps injury, and the Fatal Four Way provided him ample opportunity to reclaim the championship he never truly lost. As if that weren’t enough, Finlay was thrown into the mix as well; although he had been knighted by King Booker, Finlay proved himself to be the same ornery brawler that he always was when he repeatedly refused to lie down on The King’s behalf. The Man Who Loves to Fight vowed to stay true to his creed, and King Booker’s Royal Court appeared to be on the brink of an epic collapse.
That trend continued at the RBC Center on the campus of North Carolina State University, as King Booker and his other knight, Sir William Regal, came to blows after Regal had failed to secure Finlay’s cooperation on behalf of his King. The Royal Court was falling apart at the worst possible time, as King Booker was now mere moments from facing down one of the most daunting challenges that any World Heavyweight Champion has faced in recent memory.
The WWE fans at the RBC Center made sure to let King Booker know that they, too, were against him, as King and Queen were greeted with resounding jeers upon their entrance. Though divided between their loyalties, the SmackDown faithful stood and applauded both Batista and Lashley, clearly throwing their favor towards anyone but King Booker. Though The King and Finlay are intimidating bruisers in their own right, nobody in attendance could deny that they looked a lot smaller once the barrel-chested Lashley and Batista joined them in the
ring. Suddenly, there appeared to be a lot less real estate on which to operate between the ropes.
The match itself was a high-paced and hard-hitting battle. Finlay and King Booker attempted to divide the two powerhouses and wear them down one at a time, and the Irishman even took strategic breaks by ducking out of the ring several times for a breather. As he did so, his Little Bastard once again shook things up, this time delivering a low blow to Lashley as he measured Batista for a spear. The distraction of course enabled Finlay to reach for his shillelagh and do what he does best – deliver a cheap shot to the back of the knee. As the match drew to its exciting conclusion, Batista delivered three devastating spinebusters – one to each of his opponents – followed by a
crushing Batista Bomb to Finlay. The hungry Lashley seized the opportunity to deliver a spear to the heart of The Animal, but it was The King who would prove to be the most opportunistic of all. After watching Batista deliver the crushing blows, the frenzied crowd must have thought that The Animal would surely, finally regain his lost gold. However, with all three opponents down and Finlay still dazed from the Batista Bomb, King Booker summoned enough strength to roll in and cover his Knight for the victory.
In retaining the most coveted prize on SmackDown, King Booker proved once again that The King’s name is, in fact, a tower of strength. On this night, it was strength of mind that enabled King Booker to continue to reign supreme, as he was able to focus beyond the distractions of his crumbling
Court and capitalize when the opportunity for victory presented itself. “I managed this victory by sheer will, intestinal fortitude and mental attitude,” said a relieved yet clearly confident King Booker following the bout. “In adversity, I always rise to the occasion, and I knew I would tonight. I knew, by any means necessary, King Booker would walk out the World Heavyweight Champion, ruler and King of the SmackDown world.”
Cyber Sunday Blockbuster
By Zack Zeigler
October 9, 2006
The action packed, three hour season premiere of RAW kicked off with a monstrous
pyrotechnics display and a brand new theme song… but there was also something else. Something so colossal that’s never before happened in WWE: the champions from all three brands stood in one ring at the same time. RAW’s WWE Champion John Cena, ECW World Champion Big Show and SmackDown’s World Heavyweight Champion King Booker were face to face to argue who the most dominant champion in sports-entertainment actually is… but by the evening’s end, the time and place to where that question would be answered was decided on. Mr. McMahon, in his first appearance on WWE Television since Unforgiven, emerged to declare that the main event for Cyber Sunday would bring the speculation to an end.
“What would happen if we had the ECW Champion, the WWE Champion and the World Heavyweight Champion in one match? What if all three champions were represented in a Triple Threat Match to determine once and for all who would be the Champion of Champions? I have a date, say Nov. 5 — Cyber Sunday,” stated the Chairman with a devious smile.
And with that, the main event for Cyber Sunday was set. Who will walk out of Cyber Sunday with the ultimate bragging rights? Which Champion will elevate his legacy by becoming the foremost champion in sports-entertainment?
With that blockbuster announcement shaking the foundation of RAW during its Family Reunion, perhaps nobody could explain the type of environment all three brands create better than one of RAW’s newest Superstars, Super Crazy. Not known for his verbal skills, the former ECW Extremist and SmackDown Superstar
surprised WWE fans as well as ECW representative Paul Heyman, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long and Mr. McMahon’s Executive Assistant Jonathan Coachman when he said, “Actually, all three [brands] offer, drama, action, suspense; three amazing shows for all [WWE] fans to enjoy.”
The way the Cyber Sunday announcement unfolded stemmed from the champions’ conflicting views – which eventually evolved into trading blows – and also the bickering of the three brands’ representatives, Coachman, Long and Heyman. So, in an attempt to find an answer to the hanging question of the most powerful champion, they made matches for all three champions to compete on RAW.
Coachman chose RAW’s Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy to take on Big Show; Heyman chose King Booker to go head to head with ECW Original Rob Van Dam; and Long chose SmackDown’s Undertaker to take on Cena.
In Big Show’s match with Hardy, the ECW champion proved his dominance by staying in control for most of the match. Hardy showed his toughness by standing toe to toe with the Extreme Giant, but he was never able to overcome the huge weight and power disadvantage Big Show held over him. After an arena shaking Showstopper, Big Show was able to get the cover and the win.
After the match, former Intercontinental Champion Johnny Nitro tried to extend the beating on Hardy, but with a chance to put an exclamation point on his dominance, the Extreme Giant re-entered the ring and tossed Nitro aside like a rag doll.
In King Booker’s match, he looked fresh as he took on RVD even though the King was involved in a Fatal Four Way at No Mercy. In a physical match that saw the former “Mr. Monday Night” compete like he’d never left RAW, King Booker
was able to utilize the assistance of Queen Sharmell to propel himself to victory. Regardless of how he won, the King reigned supreme and – perhaps for the first time – made SmackDown GM Long proud.
Undertaker was coming off a fierce match with Mr. Kennedy at No Mercy, but the Deadman showed no signs of being worn. At first, Cena tried to enter a slugfest with Undertaker — which proved to be a horrible idea for The Champ. Then, Cena switched to rely on his quickness and athleticism to battle the 16-year veteran. The two battled back and forth and just as Undertaker delivered a vicious Chokeslam, Big Show and King Booker rushed the ring and the match was ruled a No Contest. While Undertaker fought off the SmackDown and ECW Champions, the Deadman’s No Mercy opponent, Mr. Kennedy, tried to blindside Undertaker— but he failed.
As Undertaker and Mr. Kennedy fought
back to the locker room area, Big Show, Cena and The King battled it out, giving a preview of the carnage of what will take place at Cyber Sunday on Nov. 5. Cena focused on Big Show at first, locking in the STFU on the Extreme champion. But, after King Booker stomped on Cena to break the hold, The Champ turned his attention on the King. Cena stood tall at the end of the night after he dropped King Booker with a booming FU. Is this what’s to come at Cyber 
Sunday?
Sunday? With all of the special guests on the season premiere of RAW, D-Generation X decided to apologize for the antics they pulled on Jonathan Coachman last week – including dumping him in a trash bin and having a janitor haul him away – and for making the Spirit Squad compete in feminine cheerleading outfits.
Well, it began as an apology but ended up as more of a mock apology. Afterwards, The Game and HBK took on two spurs that have been sticking in their sides for the past few weeks: Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch.
In a hellacious Street Fight that disallows countouts or disqualifications, the scales seemed to be tipped in favor of Cade & Murdoch, two southerners that look like they’re more accustomed to fighting alligators or bears than people. In a Street Fight, the only way to win is to get the pinfall. In the match, Cade & Murdoch were unrelenting and showed DX they’ll back down from nobody — not even two veterans as decorated as HBK and The Game.
The southern duo took advantage of DX early, using a belt to horsewhip HBK while using the steel ring steps to smash Triple H’s face. For Cade & Murdoch, it was the opportunity they’ve been waiting for to prove how tough they really were. While they no doubt got their point across, they weren’t able to overcome the vast experience and craftiness of the two former World Champions. Once again, DX was able to fend off their competitors as HBK landed Sweet Chin Music on Cade and Triple H hit a Pedigree for the cover and the win.
Later on in the evening, former WWE Champion Edge gave a special edition of his talk show “The Cutting Edge.” His guest was the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history, Randy Orton. After some minor pleasantries, Edge got right to the point, insulting Orton by telling him he’s done nothing since winning the World Championship in 2004.
Later on in the evening, former WWE Champion Edge gave a special edition of his talk show “The Cutting Edge.” His guest was the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history, Randy Orton. After some minor pleasantries, Edge got right to the point, insulting Orton by telling him he’s done nothing since winning the World Championship in 2004.
“For two years straight, you’ve consistently dropped the ball,” Edge said. “Every misstep, every bump in the road can be traced back to one, single solitary moment.”
The moment the former champion meant was two years ago when Evolution, led by Triple H, turned on Orton and beat him to a bloody pulp. Edge pointed out that the attack stemmed from jealousy on The Game’s part and that Orton should avenge Triple H’s betrayal.
Once Orton realized that Edge had a point, he was receptive to his advice.
“We should own this show. We should own the championships. We should be the future of this industry, not some tired act from a decade ago,” screamed Edge.
The Rated-R Superstar has called himself a master tactician
before, a living chess player in the realm of sports-entertainment. But, after pinning the blame on DX – especially Triple H –the two shook hands in unity, showing that they can put their massive egos aside to form an alliance for the same goal: destroy D-Generation X. How will DX react to a newly formed alliance that, as Orton put it, “has two words for them: It’s over.” Also, the undefeated Umaga kept his win streak alive and at the same time single-handedly changed the landscape of RAW in a Loser Leaves RAW Match against Kane. In what will be remembered as a turning point in RAW’s history, the Samoan Bulldozer was victorious over the Big Red Machine, and for the first time since the brand extension of 2002, Kane will no longer be a member of the RAW roster.
In the match filled with backbreaking slams and face denting punches, Kane nearly delivered Umaga’s first defeat.
But with the help of manager Armando Alejandro Estrada, the Samoan Bulldozer was able to land the deadly Samoan Spike to emerge victorious.
Next week, for the first time in four and a half years, RAW will be without the Big Red Machine. On his way out of the arena for the last time as a RAW Superstar, the University of South Carolina crowd gave Kane a standing ovation for his dedication. Where will the Big Red Monster roam to next? Have the WWE fans seen the last of Kane? Luckily, none of the applauding fans made the same mistake as the Highlanders. Robbie and Rory McAllister approached Kane to give their condolences, but weren’t met with the same kindness they showed. An irrational and emotional Kane answered their compliments by nailing Rory with a devastating punch
to the throat and tossing Robbie through a stack of milk crates.
SmackDown’s presence was well represented on RAW. In a Six Man Tag Team Match, one night after all six combatants competed at No Mercy, Batista, Lashley and Rey Mysterio took on Finlay, William Regal and Chavo Guerrero.
Neither Lashley nor Batista seemed to hold any ill will towards the other after competing against each other at No Mercy for the World Heavyweight Championship. Although the argument could be
made that Lashley’s spear on Batista is what allowed King Booker to steal the cover over Finlay, the Animal and Lashley looked to be on the same page during their match. As for Chavo and Rey, they picked up right where they left off at No Mercy. The two battled nearly the entire bout on RAW, but it was Mysterio who finished it off with a Frog Splash off the top rope for the pinfall over Chavo.
Also, Regal’s opponent from No Mercy, Chris Benoit – fresh off a win at No Mercy and a five month sabbatical – made an appearance on RAW, much to the surprise of hometown Superstar Shelton Benjamin. For weeks, Benjamin has complained that he’s overlooked because of the color of his skin, but after Benoit destroyed him in the ring he may have to come up with another reason to complain. Benoit locked in the
Crippler Crossface and made Benjamin submit.
Benjamin wasn’t the only home state native in attendance. Two more locals, Mae Young and WWE Hall of Famer The Fabulous Moolah, were at the University of South Carolina to watch the third match of the opening round of the Women’s Championship tournament. Torrie Wilson took on Melina under Lumberjack Rules, where the lumberjacks were the same Divas that will appear on Extreme Strip Poker on ECW on Sci Fi, Tuesday night at 10 p.m. ET on the Sci Fi channel. Melina was able to leave with the victory, but the
action didn’t stop there. Torrie attacked Kristal after the match and delivered her signature Facial to the SmackDown Diva. Plus, what RAW Reunion would be complete without WWE Legends making an appearance? Mitch, a member of the World Tag Team Champion Spirit Squad, made a surprising declaration prior to his match with the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.
“I have a confession to make. I suck. But tonight, I’m going to do the unthinkable; beat the 16-time World Champion, Ric Flair.” 
Mitch believed he’d have the other members of the Squad to back him up against Flair, which would give him a five-on-one advantage.
Well, he thought wrong. WWE Hall of Famer Rowdy Roddy Piper and WWE Legends Ted DiBiase, Irwin R. Schyster and Arn Anderson – a former member of the legendary Four Horseman came to ringside to support the “Nature Boy.” The Squad was shocked at the sight of the WWE greats, and was even more puzzled as the Legends pushed them away from ringside. Once the Squad was safely away from the ring, the crafty Flair made quick work of Mitch, making his declaration prior to the match seem truer than ever. After Flair got the submission victory from the Figure Four Leg Lock, the Legends climbed into the ring and joined Flair in celebrating his victory.
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Full house...of pain
By Craig Tello
October 10, 2006
This week's edition of ECW on Sci Fi laid it all out on the table. From Extreme Strip Poker turned cat fight to Six-Man Tag action, by the night's end, the Extremists and Divas dealt ECW fans a full house of pain.In the quintessential confrontation between ECW Originals and new blood Extremists, the Extreme team of Sandman,
Sabu and Rob Van Dam defeated the trio of Matt Striker, Test and ECW World Champion Big Show. Just one week after the Originals experienced one of the worst nights since ECW’s rebirth, the combination of Sandman, Sabu and RVD stood together and stood tall following a Six-Man Tag Match this week on Sci Fi.
Last week, Matt Striker, Big Show and Test all had a huge night of dominance on ECW on Sci Fi, culminating in the destruction of RVD in an Extreme Rules Match. After the Extreme Giant tossed Van Dam through a table, Test earned his biggest victory in ECW, but even with the Extreme Giant and the pompous, calculating former social studies teacher as his partners, the true grit and sheer fighting s
pirit of ECW’s founding members prevailed. (WATCH)
pirit of ECW’s founding members prevailed. (WATCH)For a majority of the contest, however, the monstrous Big Show dominated by brutalizing his opponents with his massive hands. Reliving the action of the previous week, Test too used his size and strength to keep the advantage in his team’s corner. The ECW Originals would show no fear, inviting the punishment and enduring the assault.
The original Extremists fought back utilizing double-team tactics including a Rolling Thunder/Arabian legdrop from the apron combo from Van Dam and the Homicidal, Suicidal, Death-defying Maniac. RVD, Sabu and Sandman ultimately achieved the advantage, double-dropkicking Big Show’s kneecaps to incapacitate the immense Extremist and taking out Test as well.
With a vulnerable Striker left alone, RVD ascended the turnbuckle a delivered a giant Five Star Frog Splash to the educator. For a final touch, RVD tagged in a hyped and extremely eager Sandman who was pinned by Striker in the same ring one week before. Sandman entered the ring and continued the attack on
his rival with a barrage of haymakers and a Senton Bomb from the top rope for the emphatic win.
Of course, this week’s ECW on Sci Fi hosted arguably the most highly anticipated and sexiest game of chance on television as Divas from ECW, SmackDown and RAW participated in Extreme Strip Poker. Read more on all the hot, sultry card action on ECW.com.
Also on ECW on Sci Fi, the undefeated CM Punk faced the self-touted “most extreme athlete” in ECW, Rene Dupree. Given the recent issues he’s had with Mike Knox – Punk fan Kelly Kelly’s overprotective boyfriend, Punk didn’t seem to be at all distracted in his highly competitive contest with Dupree. The fierce straightedge Extremist maintained his winning streak by picking up another victory with his
Anaconda Vice.
Like Knox, Tommy Dreamer sought retribution on ECW on Sci Fi, the difference being that the ECW Original succeeded this week. After the unusual Kevin Thorn cheated a victory out of Dreamer one week before, Dreamer was prepared for Thorn and his skull-adorned walking stick. By the end of this rematch, Thorn had several near falls on the ECW Original, but Dreamer displayed his tough-as-nails resiliency. After dropping Thorn with a kick to the very low midsection, Dreamer landed a big DDT for the pin in the center of the ring, further igniting the evening for ECW Originals and also ending the undefeated streak of Thorn. You can catch this and all the other action of ECW on Sci Fi in this week's Hardcore
Hangover.
Click here to bid on all the sexy gear the Divas stripped off in Extreme Strip Poker
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From Poison to Pandemonium
By Steven A. Schiff
October 6, 2006
The World Heavyweight Champion and the No. 1 Contender
picked each other’s poison, but by the end of the night, they and their opponents were victimized by their own venom. The quest for SmackDown’s Holy Grail seems to have finally reached its boiling point, and four of the Kingdom’s most fearsome warriors were involved in a night of surprises, betrayals and shocking announcements, one of which offered an unprecedented shake-up of the Championship chase just days before King Booker puts his gold on the line at No Mercy.
SmackDown opened with King Booker and Bobby Lashley each announcing who they had chosen for each other in the night’s “Pick Your Poison” format. As reported on WWE.com last week, it would be King Booker against his Royal Knight Extraordinaire, Finlay and Lashley versus his friend,
Batista. Looking to maintain a sense of order in his Royal Court, King Booker reached out to his Irish ally, asking him to “Be a good Knight and lie down.” Finlay has proven time and time again that he never lies down for anyone, and he turned The King’s request back on fellow Knight Sir William Regal.
“What would you do?” he snarled. “Would you lie down for The King?” As Regal attempted to answer, he became flustered and quickly left. Finlay would soon do the same, but not before reminding King Booker of whom he is, and what he loves to do. Judging by the disconcerted look on The King’s face, he knew that hope was grim before he even asked the question. Finlay’s curt response and abrupt exit merely reasserted that The King was in for a heap of trouble.
When it finally came time for the two to square off, Finlay’s Little Bastard once again entered the fray and tilted the tide in the Irishman’s favor. He crept out from under the apron and chased Queen Sharmell around the ring with a mouse. The sight of the terrified Queen distracted both King Booker and the referee, and with the two of them distracted, Finlay was able to grab his trusty shillelagh and crack The King in the back of the knee. Finlay picked up the victory, and The King was perfectly snake-bitten by Lashley’s poison (Watch). Has Finlay’s loyalty to King Booker officially run its course? The No. 1 Contender must have enjoyed
the result of King Booker’s match, but he couldn’t smile for long as he was slated to take on Batista. As two of the most powerful men on SmackDown went blow for blow, Finlay stormed into the ring and attacked Batista, looking to deliver a message to the man he will face in just two days at No Mercy. Not more than a second later, King Booker came flying in as well. However, instead of attacking Lashley – a man The King would like to see weakened, given the dominance Lashley has shown over him in recent weeks – The King of SmackDown came out swinging for Finlay, undoubtedly still steamed over being pinned. Before long it was a free-for-all that required the assistance of SmackDown’s entire referee crew to break up. It was then when SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long finally appeared, ready to restore order to his show and offer a simply unimaginable announcement (Watch).
“It seems to me that all four of y’all want to go
at it real bad. So this Sunday at No Mercy, we’re gonna have ourselves a World Championship Match, but it will not be a one-on-one match. It will be a Fatal Four Way Match!”
As the crowd roared in appreciation, the four men in the ring absorbed the monumental announcement. Never before in SmackDown history has the main event of a pay-per-view been changed with only days to go before the event was set to take place. Now, just two days before No Mercy, two new contenders learned they will have a chance to walk out of Raleigh, NC as World Heavyweight Champion. Plus, with the Fatal Four Way format, now King Booker won’t even have to be involved in the decision to lose the title. Imagine Finlay’s excitement when he realized that if he can find a way to pin Batista or Lashley (as he has managed to do before very recently), he can steal The King’s gold without laying a hand on him. In fact, it was such a scenario that cost Finlay his U.S. Championship in
a Triple Threat Match. Batista’s smile reflected his relief and excitement to finally be back in the position to reclaim the championship he held before a triceps injury forced him out of action for months. The King, meanwhile, looked as though he had just been punched in the gut. As if it were not bad enough for him to have to face a genetic powerhouse in Bobby Lashley, now he will have to face the one man on SmackDown who may be more destructive and physically imposing than Lashley, and the one member of his Court who has shown that he has no allegiances to anyone but himself. Is King Booker’s reign all but over?
As if all of this chaos wasn’t enough, the SmackDown fans in Wichita, KS got yet another treat from Long. As all four of the No Mercy main event competitors crowded the GM’s office, Long declared that they would have to coexist for one more night, as SmackDown’s main event would be a tag team match pitting King Booker and Finlay against Lashley and
Batista. The King was left to shout that he could not possibly trust any of his three competitors, and with just two days between this match and their Fatal Four Way at No Mercy, who could expect any of them to trust each other? How would they possibly coexist in a tag team scenario less than an hour after the momentous announcement?
As it turned out, they wouldn’t have to cooperate for long. There was clear dissention between King Booker and Finlay, as neither man appeared interested in tagging in for the other. After a spear by Lashley to King Booker, The King’s last loyal Knight, Sir William Regal, interrupted the match, resulting in a no contest. However, Batista took the opportunity to assert himself before No Mercy, delivering a string of spine-busters to King Booker, Regal, Lashley and –
after a low blow from Finlay’s Little Bastard – Finlay (Watch). Prior to SmackDown, Batista didn’t even have a championship opportunity in sight. However, following Friday night’s incredible events, could The Animal be the favorite to walk out of No Mercy the World Heavyweight Champion? Why did Regal enter the fray – has The King’s Court crumbled? How must Bobby Lashley be feeling after that spine-buster from his friend, Batista? How will Little Bastard impact the match at No Mercy? What about Queen Sharmell? The decision may have come abruptly and unexpectedly, but WWE fans everywhere should be simply delighted by the boundless array of possibilities for No Mercy. 
Of course, No Mercy already had WWE
fans salivating for plenty of other reasons, and the audience in Wichita got a taste of things to come with only two days until the pay-per-view. In a battle of No Mercy foes, Rey Mysterio and Matt Hardy teamed up to take on Chavo Guerrero and Gregory Helms. In the weeks since being betrayed by Chavo and Vickie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio has turned heartbreak into anger, and he will be looking to put his rivalry with Chavo to rest after he faces his former friend in a Falls Count Anywhere Match at No Mercy. As for Hardy and Helms, this personal rivalry will head back to where things began for both of them. As kids, they competed in everything they could in order to declare, “Anything you can do, I can do better.” Now, under the
brightest lights in sports-entertainment, the childhood friends will put personal pride and bragging rights on the line. In the match, Hardy delivered the Twist of Fate to Helms, followed by Rey Dropping the Dime for the pin (Watch). If Hardy can connect again on Sunday, hometown bragging rights will surely be his. As for Rey, the pin can only help his momentum heading into No Mercy, even though Chavo was pulled out of harms way by Vickie, who has shown in the last two weeks that she has the ringside savvy to pay huge dividends as a business partner. The other can’t-miss match at No Mercy will be Mr. Kennedy’s contest with the legendary Undertaker, who last week spooked Mr. Kennedy as the outspoken Superstar attempted to bow out of the contest. This week, Mr.
Kennedy had a new message for The Deadman.
“On Sunday, you will find out that the decade and a half of destruction is over. The future has arrived, the future is here and the future is Mr. Kennedy,” said a seemingly refocused and deadly serious Mr. Kennedy (Watch). The man from Green Bay vowed to pin The Phenom at No Mercy, but is the future more grim than he hopes?
MVP would like the world to think that he, too, is a phenom, and he delivered that message in his first public appearance since signing on as a member of the SmackDown roster. In his statement, he boasted, “MVP is the greatest athlete in history, and history will be made this Sunday at No
Mercy. Nobody is ready for the debut of MVP.” (Watch) A lofty statement from a man who has yet to step into a WWE ring, especially considering nobody has any idea who he will face in his match. Who will it be, and will MVP deliver on his bold prediction? There are only two days remaining until what has evolved into one of the most eagerly anticipated and potentially thrilling pay-per-view events in recent memory. The SmackDown Superstars have made their final statements – now there’s nothing left to do but wait and prepare. Be sure you’re ready to catch all the action and watch No Mercy, live at 8/7 CT on Sunday, only on pay-per-view.
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