I missed it last week. That’s going to happen in the summer, but I’ll do my best to get it posted weekly. If I can’t I’ve got a replacement that would handle it for my blog. Before I start, I want to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. My dad had a health scare last week, but everything worked out. It will definitely make this year’s Father’s Day even more special for us.

Taped from Raleigh, North Carolina let’s talk some smack….

CM Punk started us off by coming to the ring on his own. He talked about how he’d win his fourth World Title on Sunday and that he wishes the Undertaker was around to see it. He referenced making the Undertaker tap out in the past (the Montreal finish they did last year). Punk admitted that the SES had nothing to do with Undertaker’s vegetative state, but that he wishes they did it. Crowd was hating him pretty good. The lights went out Undertaker style as a man in a black hat and leather coat stood center ring. Everybody was excited. Turns out it was really Luke Gallows. The heels laughed about it while the announcers, even a heel announcer like Striker, were upset that they would lie. Kane came out. Swagger met him in the entrance way as did the masked SES dude. Four on one beatdown on Kane saw Swagger hit his running Vader Bomb a bunch of times. Here’s Big Show & Rey. They clear the heels out. Then Rey gives Kane the 619 and Show gives him the chokeslam as payback for Kane attacking them over the last month. I’m glad that they had the faces attack him because that adds to the continuity of the story. It’d be stupid to have them ignore that. Little things like that make a difference. Segment ended with Kane laying in a heap. It was a decent opener. Punk’s the best promo guy in the company now that they have muted Jericho due to him taking that job hosting the ABC talk show and I liked the other babyfaces going after Kane to end it.

They aired a video of Vince McMahon hiring Drew McIntyre back in September. They aired a number of McIntyre clips to build to his match with Teddy Long.

Vance Archer & Curt Hawkins d. Christian & MVP (*1/2)
This was a decent 8 minute tag match to get over the new team. Remember when Christian was drafted to Smackdown and some of us (even me, a little) thought that maybe he’d finally get a World Title push? Well, after teaming with the midget for a few weeks he’s now part of a jobber tag team with MVP, who also isn’t getting a push. I understand establishing a new team. I like seeing that because WWE needs tag teams. I just wish they cared more about Christian. Speaking of tag teams, why no tag title match at Fatal 4Way? That would have been nice to see.

Backstage, Kaval was with Laycool as they kept talking and talking. Rosa is apparently on Smackdown. She shows up wanting to be in Laycool. They talked way too much, it annoyed the hell out of me and Rosa walked off crying because women on Smackdown act like they are 14 years old. They either smile all the time without showing any other emotion (Kelly or Tiffany), never shut up (Layla or Michelle) or cry (the rest). Those are the only three emotions they have. I’m joking, by the way.

Vickie was backstage was Chavo, who she told had a match much to his surprise. Yes, he’s shocked that he actually has a match. Dolph walks in wearing tight shorts and a toolbelt. Vickie loves it. Chris Masters (he’s still employed?) walks in, then walks out due to it being awkward. And the segment ends. Weird.

JTG d. Chavo Guerrero (*)
A quickie Raw special basically with JTG winning clean in three minutes. If you’re wondering where Shad is they sent him back to FCW. In other words, breaking up Cryme Tyme didn’t really benefit either guy. Shocker, huh?

Backstage, Josh talked to Kofi. He basically said he’s walking out as IC champion on Sunday. And I agree.

The midpoint of the show was time for Drew McIntyre vs. Teddy Long. Drew had security with him. Teddy came out although not at first. Only after Drew threatened him. Teddy was in a suit. Drew let us know that Teddy had a big family and that a lot of them were unemployed, so they relied on Teddy. This business was all Teddy knew. He couldn’t screw this up, Drew told him. So he asked Teddy to get on his knees. He did. Then he laid down, as per Drew’s request. With one foot on his chest, Drew beat him. He was about to hit him with the Future Shock DDT when Kofi came out. Drew beat him up thanks to his security team. Then Matt Hardy came out. Drew’s security held him up as Drew beat him up too. Then he threw both in the ring and gave them each a Future Shock DDT. The segment ended with a triumphant McIntyre. I thought he did great here. He’s a good talker, he’s a good asshole and the fans react to him well. Management doesn’t appear to be high on him anymore, though. I’ll assume Kofi Kingston wins on Sunday while the McIntyre/Hardy feud continues.

Check me out on Twitter at Twitter.com/johnreport where I’m now over 1,200 followers. The support has been awesome. I talk about non-wrestling stuff quite a bit although I know where my bread is buttered so to speak.

Layla d. Kelly Kelly (1/2*)
See, I can stand Layla & Michelle more around the ring. Layla’s improved so much in ring. Have to give her credit. Kelly’s nice to look at. I’m stunned that Striker mentioned their past in Extreme Expose. Who can forget putting Kelly out there as a stripper character at age 19? Kelly won with her Rocker Dropper leg drop finisher as the announcers were stunned. I don’t think Layla won a match before two months ago, yet now they act stunned if she loses. I guess this’ll lead to something in the future. What a division.

Backstage, Swagger did a promo talking up accomplishments and also mentioning that he’ll be winning on Sunday for his dad because it’s Father’s Day.

Dolph Ziggler d. Chris Masters (*)
Vickie introduced Dolph and walked out to ringside to him. Not only does Masters have a different theme song (for all I know he could have had this for months), but he also has pyro for some reason. Really, Chris Masters needs pyro? Talk about a waste of money. Ziggler had him in the sleeper, Masters powered out, so Dolph kicked him in the knee and finished him with an impressive looking Zig Zag for the win. I don’t love the Zig Zag, but he made it look really good this time. Works for me. Match was about three minutes. Ziggler got a hug from Vickie for the win while the announcers wondered if there’s a title in his future. I’d suspect he’s heading for a feud with Kofi Kingston over the IC title in the near future.

They did a PPV rundown. Only have five matches announced, which is WWE’s way of saying we really don’t care about this PPV. And when they get the low buyrates they shouldn’t be surprised. I posted a Fatal 4Way PPV Preview on Thursday with my buddy David K. that you should check out to see who we think will be winners on Sunday.

Big Show & Rey Mysterio d. CM Punk & Jack Swagger (**)
This was a basic ten minute tag. Of course the heels worked over Mysterio for the majority of it. He got the hot tag to big show, things broke down, Mysterio got tagged back in and was able to get the victory. The finish saw Rey counter the Gutwrench Powerbomb into a slide through where he basically powerbombed Swagger onto the back of his head. It was a very innovative spot. Post match, Kane ran out. He gave Gallows a punch, Swagger a chokeslam, Show a punch, Punk a punch and Mysterio a Tombstone. He then got on the microphone to say Sunday would be a fatal night for the guilty party. One of them did it? Or maybe it was himself? Oh the intrigue. I will miss hearing the word “vegetative” on WWE TV, to be honest. That’s been so fun.

It’s the second straight week in a row where Swagger lost. I’d assume that means he’s winning although there was a note in the Wrestling Observer saying they have entertained the idea of putting the idea on Mysterio again, who would then continue his feud with CM Punk. I’d be cool with that. How many babyfaces are there out there for Swagger to feud with?

Three Stars of the Show
1. CM Punk
2. Rey Mysterio
3. “Vegetative State”

5 out of 10
Last week: N/A

I thought it was an average show this week. With only two PPV matches coming from the Smackdown side there was a lot of filler. We also didn’t get the usual 15 minute match that Smackdown brings us most weeks.

As for the Undertaker angle, the heavy rumor going around is that it was Kane that beat him up. It would lead to a Casket Match at Summerslam where Undertaker would win. It could be Kane’s retirement feud because he’s been rumored to be winding down soon. It’s wrestling, though. Does anybody ever really retire?

I was offended by all the chokeslams. Hands around the neck are so not PG. I might go hurt somebody now. And I don’t even need a tie.

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