SmackDown! started up with a video package highlighting all of the big matches at last Sunday's pay-per-view, Judgment Day.
John "Bradshaw" Layfield is already in the ring and he looks fairly agitated. He told the audience that they witnessed the greatest travesty of all time at Judgment Day; Rey Mysterio is still the World Champion. He wants to prove that Mysterio's victory at Judgment Day was a fluke and he ordered Mysterio to come down to the ring. Mysterio stepped onto the entrance ramp and showed the audience his World Heavyweight Championship belt. He had a microphone in-hand and he told JBL that he would take on all comers, and he took on JBL at Judgment Day, and beat him! JBL challenged him to a match right now, but Mysterio replied by calling him in the United States Champion, yet he doesn't see JBL defend his title and taking on all comers. JBL told Mysterio that he had the audacity to question his abilities, and he will take on all comers, seeing that only a true American hero could do so, and he is proud to be their United States Champion. Mysterio asked him if he really can take on all comers, and JBL replied by telling him that he'll take on anybody. Mysterio told JBL something in Spanish before declaring a challenger for JBL, and that man is Bobby Lashley! Lashley came down to the ring with a referee. The referee told Tony Chimel something, and Chimel told the audience that this match is for the United States Championship! JBL obviously didn't like that decision.
United States Championship Singles Match
John "Bradshaw" Layfield (c) vs. Bobby Lashley
JBL raked the eye of Lashley before sending his head into the top turnbuckle. This didn't faze Lashley, as he blocked a right hand and took JBL with a series of right hands. He picked him up and hit a bodyslam with ease. He brought him back to his feet and whipped him to the ropes, but JBL countered into hitting a big boot. He placed Lashley in the corner and unleashed a fury of right hands. Lashley reversed an irish whip and tossed JBL to the corner, but when he charged at him, JBL hit a back elbow. He bounced off the ropes for the Clothesline from Hell, but Lashley ducked it and hit a spear for the victory!
Winner by pinfall and the new United States Champion: Bobby Lashley
He posed with the championship on the turnbuckle as JBL rolled out of the ring in pain.
Commercial
John "Bradshaw" Layfield is charging through the backstage area and tossed many employees out of his way. He entered the office of Theodore R. Long and yelled at him about his past match. Long told JBL that he knew about the match with his full knowledge, but JBL told him that if he doesn't get his title shot, he'll walk out. Long replied by telling JBL that tonight's main event will have JBL and Rey Mysterio fight for the World Heavyweight Championship, but if JBL loses, he has to quit SmackDown!. JBL looked at Long in worry as the camera went back to the ring.
Tatanka came down to the ring after being gone for several weeks being inducted into the Lakota tribe. His opponent, Simon Dean, made his way down to the ring to start the match.
Singles Match
Tatanka vs. Simon Dean
They grappled up and Tatanka powered Dean to the corner, but Dean reversed the positions. Dean mocked Tatanka's origin, which caused Tatanka to hit a series of clotheslines. He hit an armbar and ripped down on the shoulder of Dean. Dean attempted to fight back, but to no avail. Tatanka tossed Dean's head smashing into the top turnbuckle before hitting several knife-edge chops. He whipped Dean to the ropes and hit a shoulder block, followed by a suplex. He locked in another armbar, but Dean was able to push Tatanka into the corner and hit a cheap-shot. He hit a shoulder thrust and mocked the origin of Tatanka for a second time. Tatanka came back with a series of chops, followed by a clothesline. He hit a bodyslam onto Dean before backing into the corner. He charged at him with a running shoulder block before hitting the the Thunder (it has another name, but I couldn't understand what Tazz said it was) for the victory.
Winner by pinfall: Tatanka
Matt Hardy was talking with Theodore R. Long, but Paul Heyman entered the office. Long asked Hardy to leave, which he did. Heyman complimented Long's job as general manager skills before cutting to the chase. He reminded Long that ECW is returning in June and was scouting for talent. Long told Heyman that he didn't like him and he didn't trust him, and he would like it if Heyman didn't go snooping around the SmackDown! locker rooms. Heyman patted Long on the shoulder and told him that it was only business.
Commercial
We saw some more footage of See No Evil, added in with some extra thoughts of some people who watched the movie and of course, they loved it. See No Evil is in theatres now.
Tonight, we will see the coronation of King Booker.
Three 6 Mafia, a rap group from Memphis, Tennessee who wrote Mark Henry's theme song, were on the entrance ramp and Henry made his way down to the ring. The music of Chris Benoit started up and Three 6 Mafia went backstage as Benoit stepped onto the entrance ramp. He came down to the ring as Michael Cole tells us that John "Bradshaw" Layfield accepted Theodore R. Long's offer and the main event is set.
Singles Match
Mark Henry vs. Chris Benoit
They grappled up, but Henry quickly powered Benoit down. Benoit ducked a clothesline and hit a series of knife-edge chops. Henry blocked one and powered him to the corner. He choked Benoit, but the referee forced him to give a clean break. Benoit hit more chops and attempted the Crippler Crossface, but Henry whipped him off the ropes and hit a clothesline. He brought Benoit back to his feet and hit a straight right hand. He kicked Benoit in the gut and clubbed at the back of Benoit's neck. He picked Benoit over his head, but Benoit countered into the fujiwara armbar for the crossface. Henry powered out of the hold, but Benoit didn't stop the offense as he hit several chops. He hit a standing dropkick, followed by an enziguri. He bounced off the ropes and hit a straight running forearm. He hit a running dropkick, sending Henry through the ropes and out of the ring.
Commercial
Henry is back int the ring as he is receiving several hard clubbing blows to his back. Benoit placed him in the corner and hit several chops before bringing him to the center of the ring. Henry reversed an irish whip and tossed Benoit into the corner. He hit a running body splash, followed by sending Benoit stomach-first into the corner. When Benoit bounced back, he walked into a clothesline to the back of his head by Henry. Henry stepped on the chest of the downed Benoit and used the ropes for leverage. He hit a butt-press to the back of Benoit before locking in a rear-naked choke. Benoit got to his knees, but Henry hit another butt-press. He bounced off the ropes and hit a running elbow drop. He went for the pin, but Benoit kicked out. He brought Benoit back to his feet and hit a forearm to his back before locking the rear-naked choke again. Henry picked him up and hit a bodyslam and went for a body-splash, but Benoit rolled out of the way. He quickly went for the Crippler Crossface, but Henry got to the second rope. Henry powered Benoit to the corner, but Benoit hit a drop toe-hold, sending Henry's head into the second turnbuckle. Benoit locked in the fujiwara armbar and attempted the crossface again. Henry used his strength to pick Benoit up, but Benoit reversed arms and actually locked in the crossface. Henry was able to roll over and viciously send Benoit out of the ring. Henry bounced Benoit's head off the steel steps before placing him by the steel post. He hit a running body-press before picking him up and drove him back-first into the post. He repeated the last move as the referee called for the bell.
Winner by disqualification: Chris Benoit
He drove Benoit's back into the post one more time before tossing him down to the mat. He told the referee that Benoit hurt him, so he is getting his payback. The camera showed that Benoit is bleeding from the mouth. The crowd started chanting "you suck" before Henry tossed Benoit into the ring. He locked in the rear-naked choke he did before, but this time he bent Benoit's back over the bottom rope in the process. Henry laughed at Benoit, who is being checked on by medical staff. Henry walked up the ramp with a smile on his face as the medical staff rolled the screaming Benoit onto a stretcher.
Commercial
A throne, crown, robe, and spectre were set up in the ring as Tony Chimel introduced William Regal, who is the host of the 2006 King of the Ring coronation. Regal came down to the ring, grabbed a microphone, and told the audience that it is his honor, priviledge, and duty to introduce King Booker, who came down to the ring with his wife,
Queen Sharmell. Regal told all of SmackDown!'s loyal subjects to bear witness to the coronation of the king. Not has there been a king since King Elliot VIII that was as elegant, brilliant, and as good-looking. He told the audience to stand up and give an applause for Booker. Sharmell took the microphone and told the audience to bow down to the king. Music started playing and Booker put on the king robe, with help from Sharmell. She handed him the spectre, and finally, put the crown on his head. Booker grabbed the microphone and thanked his loyal subjects. Like he told Bobby Lashley and all of the SmackDown! fans, the five-time WCW Champion is now the King of the Ring. And no king can be a king without a powerful queen by his side, so he told Sharmell that she is his queen. He told the audience that he is the King of the Ring, and that all the people in the locker room should learn to bow down to him because he is their king! Regal continued to say "long live King Booker" as fireworks exploded out of the turnbuckle corners and confetti came down to the ring.
Tonight, the World Heavyweight Championship is on the line as Rey Mysterio take on John "Bradshaw" Layfield, and if JBL doesn't pick up the victory, he will be fired from SmackDown!.
Commercial
Vito and Nunzio were warming up backstage and Nunzio told Vito that they are facing the WWE Tag Team Champions tonight, and if they win, they will become the #1 Contenders for the championships. Vito didn't seem that interested, and Nunzio asked him if the rumors of him being a cross-dresser were getting to him. Vito told him that everything was cool as the camera went back to the ring.
Brian Kendrick and Paul London made their way down to the ring for the next match. Nunzio and Vito came down to the ring to start the match.
Normal Tag Team Match
Brian Kendrick & Paul London vs. Nunzio & Vito
Kendrick and Nunzio started the match up as Kendrick locked in a side-headlock. Nunzio elbowed out of it, but Kendrick slammed him down to the mat and went for the pin, but Nunzio kicked out. Kendrick locked in another side-headlock before tagging in London. London hit a straight right hand, but Vito came into the ring and clubbed him from behind. Nunzio tagged in Vito, who clubbed away at the back of London. He whipped London the ropes and hit a huge clothesline. He went for the pin, but London kicked out. London started fighting back as he hit a back suplex onto Vito. London attempted to tag in Kendrick, but Vito was able to pull him back and tag in Nunzio. Nunzio stomped on London at the corner, but London fought back with punching both Nunzio and Vito with right hands. London turned his back on Vito, which allowed Nunzio to roll him up, but London kicked out and that sent him out of the ring. Vito tossed him back into the ring, but London was able to get the tag to Kendrick. Kendrick hit a springboard missile dropkick onto Nunzio as London took Vito out of the ring. Kendrick hit another springboard dropkick, followed by the Sliced Bread #2. He went for the pin as London stopped Vito from breaking it up and they picked up the victory!
Winners by pinfall: Brian Kendrick & Paul London
Commercial
We are shown a short video package that Mr. Kennedy will be returning (excellent!).
We are shown a picture of last Sunday at Judgment Day with the Great Khali pinning the Undertaker.
Rey Mysterio is in his locker room as Chavo Guerrero confronted him. He reminded Mysterio's matches against Mark Henry, the Great Khali, and Kane, and after all that, he can't be 100%, so he can't let Mysterio go out by himself. He told Mysterio that he is retired, but he is going to accompany Mysterio down to the ring and make sure that John "Bradshaw" Layfield does not leave the arena with the World Heayvweight Championship.
The camera went backstage to Finlay, who is making his way towards the ring.
Commercial
Finlay came down to the ring with his shillelagh for a match. His opponent, Paul Burchill, made his way down to the ring to start the match.
Singles Match
Finlay vs. Paul Burchill
They grappled up in the ring and Finlay powered Burchill to the ropes. Burchill pushed him away and went to the back of Finlay, but Finlay elbowed him off. Finlay clubbed Burchill in the back of his neck, followed by tossing him to the corner. He charged at him, but Burchill got his boot up. Burchill charged at Finlay, but he ran into a clothesline. Finlay unleashed a fury of right hands onto Burchill before sending him shoulder-first into the steel post. He hit the Celtic Cross for the victory!
Winner by pinfall: Finlay
Finlay left the ring and lifted up the apron. A midget ran out from under the ring dressed in all green and really resembled a leprachaun. He grabbed Finlay's shillelagh and attacked Burchill with it. Finlay slammed the midget onto Burchill sending him back under the ring. He went backstage with his shillelagh as we are shown some WWE superstar's favorite scenes of the See No Evil movie.
Up next, the World Heavyweight Championship is on the line as Rey Mysterio take on John "Bradshaw" Layfield, and if JBL doesn't pick up the victory, he will be fired from SmackDown!.
Commercial
John "Bradshaw" Layfield rolled down to the ring in his limo for tonight's main event. If JBL loses the following match, he will be forced to quit SmackDown!, so, obviously, he has a serious look on his face. The champion, Rey Mysterio, came down to the ring with Chavo Guerrero to start the match.
World Heavyweight Championship Singles Match (JBL Loses; Gone From SmackDown!)
John "Bradshaw" Layfield vs. Rey Mysterio (c) (/w Chavo Guerrero)
JBL attacked Mysterio right when the champion entered the ring. He hammered away at the back of Mysterio and whipped him off the roeps. He hit a shoulder block and went for the pin, but Mysterio kicked out. He yelled at Guerrero, who is at ringside. Guerrero stepped on the apron and JBL whipped Mysterio into Guerrero. He hit the Clothesline from Hell onto Mysterio and went for the pin. Mysterio got his leg on the bottom rope, but the referee didn't see this. He counted the pinfall and JBL celebrated his "victory." He left the ring and grabbed the championship belt, but the referee grabbed it away from him and told Tony Chimel to tell the audience that the match will continue.
Commercial
JBL placed Mysterio in the corner and hit several straight right hands. He kicked the downed Mysterio several times in the head, but backed off when the referee forced him too. Mysterio was able to hit a drop toe-hold, sending JBL's head into the bottom turnbuckle. Mysterio went to the top turnbuckle, but JBL intercepted him and hit the fallaway slam off the top turnbuckle. He went for the pin, but Mysterio kicked out. JBL kicked Mysterio square in the head, leveling him immediately. He bounced off the ropes and booted him in the head again. He took Mysterio out of the ring and hit a vicious clothesline. He tossed Mysterio back into the ring and went for the pin, but Mysterio kicked out. Mysterio was able to fight back with several kicks to the hamstring of JBL. When Mysterio went for the bodyscissors bulldog, JBL stopped him and hung him on the top rope. He kicked Mysterio out of the ring and followed. While Guerrero accidentally distracted the referee, JBL whipped Mysterio into the steel steps. He tossed Mysterio back into the ring and the pin, but Mysterio kicked out. He sat on the chest of Mysterio and hit several clubbing right hands. He went for the pin, but Mysterio kicked out at two. He brought Mysterio back up to a vertical base and hit a straight right hand, leveling the champion. He hit an elbow drop, followed by the pin, but Mysterio kicked out. He picked Mysterio up and went for the fallaway slam, but Mysterio reversed into a DDT. Both men got back to their feet, and Mysterio nailed JBL with a side kick. JBL fell on the second rope and this allowed Mysterio to hit the 619. When Mysterio went for the springboard hurricanrana, JBL caught him and hit a huge powerbomb. He went for the pin but Mysterio kicked out. The crowd started to chant the name of Eddie Guerrero, but this stimulated JBL to hit the Three Amigos onto Mysterio. He continued to mock Eddie before attempting to take off the top turnbuckle padding while the referee checked on Mysterio. The referee saw him and pushed him away, but when he started to tie up the turnbuckle casing, JBL whipped Mysterio into the back of the referee. The referee crawled onto the second rope as Mysterio, somehow, hit the headscissors takedown onto JBL, sending him onto the referee onto the second rope. Mysterio knew he couldn't go for the 619 without fear of being disqualified. JBL hit a low-blow onto Mysterio before leaving the ring and grabbing a steel chair. Chavo attempted to stop him, but JBL smashed him over the forehead with the chair. JBL brought the chair into the ring and attempted to smash the chair over the head of Mysterio, but Mysterio ducked and JBL hit the bare turnbuckle. Mysterio went off the top turnbuckle and hit the tornado DDT, sending JBL's head into the chair. He hit a drop toe-hold, sending JBL onto the second rope. He hit the 619, followed by the Drop of the Dime. He went for the pin and retained his title!
Winner by pinfall and still the World Heavyweight Champion: Rey Mysterio
Mysterio left the ring to grab his championship and check on Chavo. He helped him up the entrance ramp as JBL looked really disgruntled (and he should be, seeing that he is forced to quit SmackDown!). JBL got back to his feet and yelled at the audience as SmackDown! went off the air!
