Well, for those of you wondering where I’ve been for the past few weeks, allow me to explain; I was drafted away from the Smackdown Report during the WWE Supplemental Draft without any prior knowledge. Needless to say, I was quite upset and proceeded to write a scathing blog entry. However, I am happy to report that I have been allowed to stay on as your Smackdown Reporter here on The Fight Network, so without any further ado let’s play a quick game of catch up:

Last year Smackdown definitely walked away with the pretty girl’s ugly sister after the WWE Draft, while RAW took home the grand prize. We lost such talent as: King Booker and Queen Sharmell (who at the time were really over with their royalty gimmicks), Chris Benoit and William Regal (both solid workers), Mr. Kennedy (who was knocking on the main event door), Paul London and Brian Kendrick (who were over as the longest reigning Tag Team Champions in WWE history), as well as a few notable (and not so notable) others. In return for these heavy losses Smackdown received little in return, with Victoria probably being the gem of a group that consisted of: Eugene, The Major Brothers (sans Edge), Hardcore Holly, Kenny Dykstra, Torrie Wilson, The Great Khali, and Chris Masters. Not exactly comparable compensation, is it?

This year, however, was a different story altogether as Smackdown actually took home the beautiful blonde bombshell while RAW and ECW made due with the proverbial ugly sisters. Here is the breakdown as it regards our brand:

LOST: Rey Mysterio, Matt Hardy, Batista, Michael Cole, Mark Henry, Jamie Noble, Deuce, Chuck Palumbo, Finlay and Hornswoggle.

GAINED: Jeff Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, Triple H, Umaga, Trevor Murdoch, Big Daddy V, Harry Smith, Brian Kendrick, Maria, Shelton Benjamin, Carlito, and Jim Ross.

Obviously the loss of Rey Mysterio is big and I will personally miss Finlay as well, as the Irishman was always a solid worker and was a bonafide main eventer on Smackdown. But Triple H will make up for their loss of star power and none of the other names are that big of a deal, apart from perhaps Matt Hardy and Batista; but I feel that The Animal had progressed about as far as he was ever going to on Friday nights anyways and so a change of scenery was necessary. And in the case of Matt it’s possible that we could still see him on Smackdown as part of the ECW/Smackdown talent exchange (as was the case tonight). By that same token, we may still see Finlay upon occasion as well.

On the flip side, gaining the services of Jim Ross will be a vast improvement over Michael Cole, not least of all because it will improve the quality of Mick Foley’s contributions as well. Plus, it will give all of the matches on Smackdown more of a big time feel. This should help certain talent who rely on having good matches to get them over, such as new acquisitions Harry Smith, Brian Kendrick, Shelton Benjamin, Carlito and Jeff Hardy. In regards to the latter two, it is hard to say how impactful either will be on their new brand as Carlito has expressed a desire to leave the WWE and Jeff Hardy is just a mere suspension away from the exit door himself. Obviously Trevor Murdoch has already been released and I can’t see Umaga or Big Daddy V being used as anything other than enhancement talent, but for guys like Harry Smith, Brian Kendrick, and Ken Kennedy, their change of brands could be a new beginning. Smith has been doing nothing on RAW and both Kendrick and Kennedy were on a major rolls on Smackdown before they were originally drafted away in the first place. So, here’s to hoping all three of them find their feet again in their ‘new’ surroundings.

Ok, and now on with tonight’s show!

Smackdown aired out of Tulsa, Oklahoma this week and was booked around a “Fatal Fourth of July Four-way” for the United States Championship; a match which featured reigning champion Matt Hardy versus challengers Mr. Kennedy, Shelton Benjamin, and Chavo Guerrero.

Smackdown begins with a patriotic vignette for the fourth of July.

The in-ring portion of the show begins with an episode of the VIP Lounge. Although MVP is a smooth talker on the mic, his promos have always, in my opinion at least, carried minor substance. Tonight, however, his guest was Triple H, and The Game seemingly brought out the best in MVP.

Trips receives a loud pop from the Oklahoma audience upon making his entrance. Eventually, he takes a seat on one of MVP’s leather sofas.

MVP congratulates Hunter on the successful defence of his title at Night Of Champions. Trips returns the favour by complimenting MVP back. The pleasantries end rather abruptly, though, when the Heavyweight World Champion makes a comment to Porter about “the Power Ranger outfit [he] wrestles in.” This stirs MVP but Triple H defends his comment by claiming that it was “a compliment.” Then Triple H proves that he truly is on his game tonight (no pun intended) as he makes the hilarious insider reference by saying that MVP’s Power Ranger suit is like “a performance enhancer” and that he “might get a call from Dr. Black [and] that [means] 30 days off!” 

The insider comments continue as the champ jokes with MVP, saying, “I came out here to get a rub off you kid!”

Footage is then shown of CM Punk cashing in his MITB briefcase on Edge. Afterwards, both Triple H and MVP rip on Edge for losing his title in such surprise fashion. This brings out Vickie Guerrero, who reminds both men that she is the General Manager of Smackdown. However, Triple H continues with the fabulous insider comments, saying in reference to Edge’s on-screen love affair with Vickie, “That fiancé of yours is some kind of genius! Marrying the boss to get ahead in business? Honestly, who thinks up that kinda stuff?!” Then Trips makes another reference to Stephanie McMahon, as well as to his classic angle on RAW where he married Steph at a Vegas drive-thru, saying, “I know weddings can be a lot of pressure and if the stress of the wedding is starting to get to you, then you know what? You crazy kids should just get in a car and drive to Vegas. I know a great little place. It’s got a drive thru lane and it only costs $40, and the best thing is you don’t even have to be conscious to go through!”

Vickie responds by hyping her fiance, to which Trips calls Vickie a “big step up” from the girls Edge usually dates! Vickie retorts by proclaiming that Edge will win the World Title off Triple H at the Great American Bash two weeks from Sunday, thus ending the segment.

Apparently, after commercial breaks now the WWE host “Did You Know” trivia questions. Vince sure does love his game shows doesn’t he? In this case, though, I actually like the added touch.

The new WWE Diva’s Title is shown and I like it as well. The belt is very untraditional, but for a brand new belt there is no history for it to live up to anyway. And besides, the pink butterfly motif is perfect for a Diva Title, seeing as how the Divas are supposed to be more feminine than their male counterparts anyway. And this belt captures that.

Nattie Neidhart comes out to help do commentary for the next match. Apparently she’s dyed her hair red now. I like that too.   :)

CURTAIN JERKER: STAR ON A POLE MATCH; FOR THE #1 CONTENDERSHIP FOR THE VACANT DIVA’S TITLE

This match is described as being a match to determine who will face Nattie Neidhart for the vacant WWE Diva’s Title. The competitors are: Michelle McCool, Victoria, Cherry, Maryse, and Kelly Kelly.

Superplex by Cherry on Victoria in the corner.

Double-Electric Chair on Maryse by Cherry and Kelly Kelly.

Over-the-top-rope 360 leg drop by Victoria!

Michelle wins very anti-climatically, by just climbing up and grabbing the star very quickly when nobody was looking.

Winner: Michelle McCool

Cameras cut to the GM’s office where Vickie Guerrero demands an apology for what transpired on Monday from the Edge-Heads. Vickie says that she is “so disgusted” with Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins and then proceeds to book them into a match against Jesse and Festus, telling them to “go do something right” for a change.

Cameras cut again to Edge making his return to Smackdown, empty handed. Edge looks furious and staff and crew giggle as he walks into the arena without his World Heavyweight Title.

JR refers to Vladimir Kozlov as “the Moscow mauler,” giving him an instantly recognizable moniker after a vignette for the Russian monster.

MATCH TWO: ZACK RYDER AND CURT HAWKINS vs JESSE AND FESTUS

Festus comes out dressed as Uncle Sam, in lieu of the American holiday.

Festus and Hawkins start off for their respective teams.

Jesse is tagged in early and proceeds to do what he does best – be isolated in the heel’s corner.

Hawkins and Ryder cut the ring in half, working Jesse into the mat.

Hot tag to Festus, who corkscrew shoulder-charges Ryder down to the canvas. A “flying biscuit” followed by a flapjack seals the win.

Winners: Festus and Jesse

After the match Edge comes out to a chorus of boos. The Edge-Heads attack Jesse from behind while Festus stands alone, completely unaware of his current surroundings after the ring bell sounded again to end the match. Edge jumps into the ring, spears Festus, and then beats the docile wrestler to within an inch of his life! Edge takes out his frustrations on the passive Festus further, with the aid of a steel chair, thus increasing his heat with the crowd to near nuclear levels!

The fans scream a loud “You Suck” chant at Edge as Smackdown goes to commercial.

After the break we see Edge having a break-down in the back, with Vickie trying to comfort him. The two of them try to place the blame of losing the World Title on the other, with Vickie saying Edge didn’t “have permission” to be on RAW in the first place and Edge claiming that he can do whatever he wants. Vickie says that she’s still Edge’s boss and that he can’t talk to her that way, then finishes by saying that Edge only has himself to blame for losing the title because he’s “a fool.” Edge leaves angry and Vickie seems to instantly regret their bust up ahead of the biggest day of their lives.

MATCH THREE: JEFF HARDY vs JOHN MORRISON

Loud “Hardy, Hardy, Hardy” chants echo the arena, replacing the same ones that regularly used to echo for his brother Matt on Friday nights.

Jeff reverses an over-head arm-lock by flipping himself over 360 degrees!

Cross-body by Hardy from the apron onto his opponent on the outside!

Back in the ring now, and John Morrison gets two near-falls in a row.

Whisper In The Wind by Jeff Hardy, but no, he misses! 1-2-no! Morrison almost stole one!

John starts targeting the left arm of his rival, twisting and contorting it through various submission holds and impact manoeuvres.

Morrison goes for a top rope drop kick but Hardy catches his rival and then drops him with a sit down powerbomb!

Whisper In The Wind, and this time Jeff nails it! 1-2-no!! That was close!!!

Bicycle kick by John Morrison on Jeff in the corner for another near-fall.

Face-buster by Jeff Hardy followed by a Swanton Bomb. 1-2-3! It’s over!

Winner: Jeff Hardy

MATCH FOUR: UMAGA vs FUNAKI

Welcome to Smackdown Umaga! Here’s dinner. It’s Japanese!

Winner: Umaga

Cameras cut to the back where Edge is trying to get support for his cause from Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins. Suddenly a crew member tells Edge that Vickie wants to see him. A seething Edge enters the GM’s office and then tells his fiancé that it’s because of him that she’s even in the position she’s in and that “[he’s] the real General Manager of Smackdown!” Vickie Guerrero retaliates by telling Edge that it’s because of him she’s confined to a wheelchair now. Edge tells his fiancé to shut up and then Vickie screams at him to get out! Edge leaves but then has second thoughts. However, when he turns to go back inside her office the door is locked and Vickie refuses to open it. Edge is forced to leave in frustration!

MAIN EVENT: MR. KENNEDY vs SHELTON BENJAIMIN vs CHAVO GUERRERO (W/BAM NEELY) vs MATT HARDY; JULY FOURTH FATAL FOUR-WAY FOR THE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP

Kennedy cuts a babyface promo before the match saying that although he’s from Green Bay, Wisconsin, tonight he’s “come home” to Smackdown.

Jim Ross explains that the first man to gain a pinfall or submission will win the United States Championship.

The ring bell sounds and all four men lock up. Matt Hardy and Ken Kennedy are spotlighted first in the ring, with Kennedy hitting Matt with a spinning kick and then working him over in the corner.

Benjamin comes in and takes Kennedy out with an awesome kick of his own!

Spinning head-scissors by Chavo Guerrero on Shelton! Near-fall!

The pace of this match so far is fantastic!!

Side-Effect and Rolling Forward Samoan Drop at the same time by Hardy and Kennedy!

Vertical suplex/powerbomb combo by Shelton Benjamin, Ken Kennedy, and Matt Hardy off the turnbuckle!

T-Bone Suplex by Shelton Benjamin on Chavo! 1-2-no!

Three Amigos by Chavo, which garners a light booing from the Tulsa audience due to the move’s association with Eddie Guerrero.

Frog Splash off the top rope onto Matt Hardy! 1-2-no! Kennedy with the last second save!

Twist-Of-Fate out of nowhere by Matt Hardy on Chavo Guerrero! Cover and a kick out, though, by Guerrero.

Hardy back-body-drops Ken Kennedy over the top rope and onto Bam Neely on the outside, taking the enforcer out.

Twist-Of-Fate on Benjamin, who landed right on Chavo Guerrero. Cover by Matt! 1-2-3!

Winner and still champion: Matt Hardy

Amazingly, the night is not over yet (only five matches so far, and one of them was a squash! This is definitely not the Smackdown I left behind two weeks ago).

Edge comes out on his own without any music and then grabs a microphone in the middle of the ring.“This will be my first and last public statement about what happened to me this passed Monday on RAW. I was the victim of not one but two cowardly attacks, first by Batista and the second by CM Punk, the latter of which cost me my World Heavyweight Championship.”

The Rated R Superstar goes on to call the MITB briefcase match for his World Title a “cowardly match” and then claims that he’s been “a victim.” He goes on to have a huge moan about the fans, his fiancé, and basically everyone in the entire world.

Vickie comes walking out without the aid of her wheelchair, holding her back in pain and asking why Edge is airing their dirty laundry in public. The GM asks what Edge is doing, to which Edge responds “that’s a really good question.”

The Canadian walks ominously up the ramp and approaches Vickie Guerrero, then announces that “THE WEDDING IS OFF!” Vickie screams in sorrow and then throws away her engagement ring as Smackdown goes off the air. One word of warning to Edge, though; there’s nothing worse than the wrath of a woman scorned!