UPDATE
BACKSTAGE MORAL HIGH
Backstage at Smackdown has never been better, everyone is getting along with each other and the mid-carders are happy with how they are being treated and portrayed on television.
COLIN DELANEY IN TALKS
ECW wrestler Colin Delaney is set to move to the Smackdown brand. Colin has yet to win a match on ECW after 3 months of being with the brand. Colin asked every week to win a match but ECW Bookers have yet to book Delaney a win. This has forced Delaney to have talks with Vince McMahon about moving to Smackdown.
TNA WRESTLERS MAKING SWITCH
More talent maybe coming to the WWE, as Vince McMahon has been watching the fall of TNA fold out, meaning McMahon is looking to capture some of their talent once the company ends.
JAPAN SET TO STUN
In yet another talent story, Smackdown has acquired 3 Japanese based wrestlers to debut on the Smackdown brand in May. Everyone behind the scenes are told to be quiet about who those wrestlers are.
WRESTLEMANIA BUYRATE
Wrestlemania XXIV got a 1,200,000 buyrate, making it one of the highest bought Wrestlemania’s in the 24 year history of the event.
BACKLASH PLANS
A lot of ideas are going around backstage as to the finish of both the Rey Mysterio vs. Finlay and The Undertaker vs. Ric Flair matches. A lot of ideas have been centered on DQ finishes but Vince McMahon has asked for no false finishes if necessary.
Live from 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland Raw, Smackdown and ECW present Backlash on Sunday April 27 live on Pay-Per-View!
Post your predictions on what matches will be picked for Smackdown
Finlay's music plays and he comes down to the ring.
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This contest is set for one fall and is a Pick Your Poison Match. Introducing first, Finlay!
MICHAEL COLE: Here comes the Belfast Brawler ready for his match tonight.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: Of course Finlay is ready for his match, he's been fighting his whole life.
MICHAEL COLE: Well the question is is Rey Mysterio able to pick Finlay's opponent, he took a vicious beating from The Great Khali.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: Well if Mysterio is able to pick someone, Finlay doesn't have to wrry about the time because Mysterio lost his match. Which means Finlay just has to beat his opponent and he gets to pick the stipulation.
Rey Mysterio's music plays and he comes down to the entrance ramp.
MICHAEL COLE: It takes a lot of guts to come out after what Mysterio was put through earlier tonight.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: I have to hand it to Rey.
REY MYSTERIO: Finlay you think that you can hire The Great Khali to take me out, well you are wrong. Because Rey Mysterio never backs down from a fight and your opponent tonight is...
Batista's music plays and he comes down to the ring.
BATISTA: Rey I know you didn't pick me but I need to get some anger out of me.
MICHAEL COLE: Who was Rey going to pick?
JONATHAN COACHMAN: I don't think it matters anymore because Batista is more angry than anyone in the WWE right now, and I bet he will try and take out some of that frustration out on Finlay.
The bell rings and Batista goes after Finlay, Finlay wisely exits the ring and goes towards the chairs next to the announce table. Finlay picks up a chair and goes back in the ring. Batista hits a big boot to the steel chair, knocking Finlay to the ground. Finlay clutches his face and rolls out of the ring. Finlay throws his arms in the air and turns around and begins to walk towards the entrance ramp. Batista goes outside and knocks Finlay to the ground. Batista brings Finlay back towards the ring, but Finlay hits a choblock on Batista. Batista falls to the ground as Finlay looks under the ring apron and pulls out a shilleleigh. Finlay attempts to hit Batista with the object but Batista executes a Spinebuster, forcing Finlay to the ground. Batista raises both of his arms in the air and pulls Finlay up to his feet. Batista takes a few steps back and runs towards Finlay but Finlay dodges the move. Batista stops his momentum and holds onto the barricade to make sure he didn't go into it. Finlay hits Batista with the shilleleigh, as Batista screams in pain. The bell rings.
JUSTIN ROBERTS: The referee has informed me that before Finlay hit Batista with the shilleleigh, he had reached a 10 count, so this match is a no contest.
MICHAEL COLE: What does this mean?
JONATHAN COACHMAN: Who is going to pick the stipulation?
MICHAEL COLE: I'd give it to Mysterio.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: Why for getting his ass kicked? It has to go to Finlay.
MICHAEL COLE: Hopefully someone can clear this up.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: It'll be Finlay, mark my words.
MICHAEL COLE: Well coming up next, Edge hosts the Cutting Edge and his special guest is Kane.
*COMMERCIAL BREAK*
Edge's music plays and he comes down to the ring.
MICHAEL COLE: Welcome back to Friday Night Smackdown, as you see Edge coming down to the ring.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: Probably the best ever World Heavyweight Champion right there.
MICHAEL COLE: Well surely John if he is the best ever he wouldn't have lost the belt at Wrestlemania.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: Shut up!
EDGE: Welcome to another edition of the Cutting Edge. With your host, the greatest World Heavyweight Champion who has ever lived. The Rated R Superstar....
Kane's music plays and he comes down to the ring.
MICHAEL COLE: It seems that kane didn't want to hear anymore of Edge.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: How disrespectful.
EDGE: How dare you interrupt me.
KANE: Edge I only tag-teamed with you so I could get on the card. So if you are going to start kissing my ass so I don't beat the hell out of you then I suggest you shut your mouth.
EDGE: Kane, come on we can settle this.
KANE: Edge I agree with you with one thing.
EDGE: And what is that?
KANE: That every single WWE fan sucks.
EDGE: Well Kane, you have a match with Ric Flair tonight.
KANE: Ric Flair is the Worlds Biggest Hasbeen in professional wrestling and once he meets the Big Red Machine he will never be the same again. He may not have the stipulation with him anymore but I'll put him out anyway.
EDGE: Well kane I was wondering, we have a lot of similarities. We both hate the fans. We've been World Champions, we've both been very successful in the WWE. So I was going to ask you something.
KANE: And what's that?
EDGE: Could you help me with something?
KANE: And what's that?
Edge whispers something in Kane's ear and Kane drops his microphone and begins to attack Edge. Kane backs Edge into the corner and hits repeat Uppercuts and then a vicious Chokeslam, sending Edge crashing to the mat.
MICHAEL COLE: And Kane is fired up for tonight.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: But what did Edge whisper in kane's ear.
MICHAEL COLE: Well it must have been something that Kane didn't like.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: One thing you do not do is aggravate Kane.
MICHAEL COLE: Well later on tonight, Kane will take on "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, with the winner facing The Undertaker at Backlash.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: I can't wait for that.
MICHAEL COLE: We have Theodore Long backstage, who is still hurt after what Batista did to him.
*Footage of Batista and Theodore Long in the ring earlier is shown while the two talk*
JONATHAN COACHMAN: Ouch!
MICHAEL COLE: There you see that Batista Bomb by Batista, and now here is the Smackdown General Manager.
THEODORE LONG: Thank you Michael. I set an ultimatum that Batista didn't think about and very quikcly violated that ultimatum. Batista put his hands on me so next week I have a life altering announcement for Batista.
John Morrison's music plays and he comes down to the ring.
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This contest is set for one fall and is a match in the Cruiserweight Tournament. Introducing first, John Morrison.
MICHAEL COLE: Well as we see John Morrison coming down to the ring, you've got to wonder what that announcement is next week.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: Ever since Batista returned his attitude has changed and he has been attacking everyone.
MICHAEL COLE: And to put your hands on the General Manager is even worse.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: John Cena did that to me and I soon sorted him out.
Funaki's music plays and he comes down to the ring.
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And introducing his opponent, Funaki.
MICHAEL COLE: Funaki is set to go one on one with John Morrison in this Cruiserweight Tournament Match. You've got to give the edge to Funaki, he is a former Cruiserweight Champion.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: But he hasn't won a match in 3 years!
MICHAEL COLE: Nevertheless the winner of this match will face Gregory Helms in 2 weeks in the Semi Finals.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: I think we are looking at the next Cruiserweight Champion in John Morrison.
The bell rings and John Morrison quickly kicks Funaki in the guts sneding him stomach first onto the mat. As Funaki begins to get up with his hands and knees, Morrison runs into Funaki with a dropkick in the face sneding Funaki's face back down to the mat. Morrison goes to the centre of the ring and poses while Funaki struggles to get up. Morrison pulls Funaki up by the hair and hits some elbows to Funaki. Morrison then hits an STO backbreaker and quickly tries a Russian Legsweep but Funaki stands his ground and Morrison lets go of Funaki. Morrison runs to the ropes and attempts a clothesline, but Funaki dodges and hits an Enzuguri. Funaki goes for the pin. 1.....2..... Morrison kicks out, while Funaki picks up Morrison and hits a superb superkick sending Morrison to the mat. Funaki points at Morrison and the crowd scream for Funaki to go to the top rope. Funaki climbs to the top rope and waits for Morrison to get up. Just as Morrison gets up Funaki jumps off the top rope but misses a Flying Crossbody attempt as he lands onto the mat. Morrison smiles and goes to the top rope and executes a Corkscrew Moonsault. Morrison goes for the pin. 1.....2..... Funaki amazingly kicks out to Morrison's disbelief. Morrison goes for the pin again. 1.....2... Funaki once again kicks out. The crowd cheer for Funaki to start a comeback as Morrison screams in shock. Morrison picks Funaki up and kicks him in the mid-section and holds his hand in the air and attempts a Corkscrew Neckbreaker but Funaki dodges the move and executes a Reverse DDT on Morrison. Both men are down as the crowd cheer for Funaki to get up. The referee looks at both men and begins to count. 1..... Both men are still down. 2.... Both men are still down 3.... Both men are still down 4... Funaki moves a little while Morrison is still on the mat. 5.... Funaki begins to get up with help from the ropes. 6..... Funaki holds onto the top rope 7... Funaki is up and lets go of the top rope and goes after Morrison who is started to get up. Funaki hits a chop across the chest of Morrison as the crowd woo. Funaki hits another chop on the chest of Morrison as the crowd once again woo. Morrison covers his chest so Funaki hits a dropkick to the face of Morrison. Funaki goes for the pin. 1.....2.... Morrison barely kicks out as Funaki can't believe he didn't win. Funaki goes over to Morrison and applies a Seated Chinlock submission as Morrison screams in pain as the rope is 6 inches away. Morrison stretches his hand to try and reach the rope but Funaki renches back on Morrison's head. Morrison screams in pain more as Funaki shouts "TAP" to Morrison. Morrison puts his arm in the air but doesn't tap. Funaki continues pullinmg back on Morrison's head as Morrison continues to reach for the rope. The referee asks if Morrison wants to give up but he screams that he doesn't want to quit. Morrison pretends to be unconscious so the referee tells Funaki to let go of the hold. Funaki walks away from Morrison and begins to celebrate. The referee sees that Morrison is conscious so the referee tells Funaki that the match isn't over. Funaki picks up Morrison and positions him near the turnbuckle. Funaki climbs the top rope and pulls Morrison towards him. Morrison hits an uppercut on Funaki, making Funaki startled. Morrison throws Funaki to the floor and goes to the top rope and executes a Split-Legged Moonsault on Funaki. Morrison goes for the pin. 1..... The crowd screams for Funaki to kick out 2....... Funaki puts his foot on the bottom rope but the referee doesn't see it. 3!
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And your winner of the match John Morrison!
MICHAEL COLE: What a match!
JONATHAN COACHMAN: I told you you wouldn't regret bringing back the Cruiserweights.
MICHAEL COLE: I didn't say it was a bad thing.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: It doesn't matter because John Morrison is one step closer to winning the Cruiserweight Championship.
MICHAEL COLE: Up next we will find out who will face The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash. Kane takes on Ric Flair.
*COMMERCIAL BREAK*
JOSH MATTHEWS: I am here with "The nature Boy" Ric Flair. Ric tonight you take on Kane for the second week in a row. This time though the winner will take on The Undertaker at Backlash. Ric what are your feelings going into the match?
RIC FLAIR: Well Josh, I won last week but Undertaker distracted Kane for no reason. This week I am going to beat Kane by myself and once I've beaten Kane I'll take on The Undertaker in 9 days at Backlash. I'll become the 17 time World Champion. Woo!
Kane's music plays and he comes down to the ring.
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This contest is set for one fall, introducing first, weighing 326 pounds, Kane!
MICHAEL COLE: A rematch from last week, Kane will take on Ric Flair and I've got to admit if The Undertaker hadn't have come out then Kane would have won the match.
*Footage is shown while the two speak of the finish to last weeks Kane vs. Ric Flair match*
JONATHAN COACHMAN: There you see footage of the match, Kane really did dominate.
MICHAEL COLE: We just saw Ric Flair with Josh Matthews, and he is adamant that he is going to win this match.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: I don't know if Flair can beat Kane though.
Ric Flair's music plays and he comes down to the ring.
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And introducing his opponent, weighing in at 243 pounds. "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair!
MICHAEL COLE: A great reaction for the 16 time World Champion.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: Ric Flair is a legend in this business but there is always that doubt in peoples minds that Ric may have gone one too many matches.
MICHAEL COLE: That's why we urge everyone at home to never try and copy what these athletes do in the ring.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: And don't try this at home.
The bell rings and the two begin to go to the middle of the ring from two seperate corners. Kane startles Flair with a brutal Uppercut, sending Flair back into his corner. Flair shakes his head and goes back into the middle of the ring with Kane and hits a vicious chop on Kane's chest as Kane screams in pain, holding his chest as he retreats to his corner. Flair does some showboating and does his famous strut in the middle of the ring as the fans cheer for "The Nature Boy". Kane breaks up the cheers as Kane runs right into Flair in the middle of Flair's strut. Flair is sent back into the corner as Kane hits numerous shots on Flair. Flair falls down to the floor as Kane poses in the middle of the ring, raising his arms in the air and sending them down. Flair goes after Kane and hits numerous chops on Kane sending him into his corner. Kane is angered my Ric Flair's attack and runs after Flair who dodges Kane's attempt at a clothesline and hits Chop Block on the leg of Kane. Kane crashes down on his knees. Flair runs to the ropes and hits a knee to the face of Kane, sending him to the mat, leaving him lying on his back. Flair goes to the ropes and hits a Running Knee Drop to Kane's face. Kane sits up quickly as Flair looks in shock as to Kane's quick action. Flair goes over to Kane to do more offence to keep him down but Kane puts his hand in the air as the hand reaches Flair's throat, setting Flair up for a Chokeslam. Kane gets to his feet, still holding a grip on Flair's neck, Kane tries to lift Flair up but Flair executes a series of elbows, meaning Kane's grip on Flair's neck is gone. Flair applys another chop on Kane, as Kane gets angry again. Flair attempts another chop but Kane catches Flair's hand and hits a chop of his own onto the chest of Ric Flair. Kane lifts his arm in the air to signify he is ready to hit the chokeslam but Flair pokes his finger in the eyes of Kane, sending him backwards. Flair goes behind Kane and gets a Schoolboy Roll-up holding the tights of Kane. The referee begins to count. 1..... The referee notices Flair pulling the tights, so the referee stops the count. Flair lets go of Kane and puts his foot on Kane's throat area and holds his foot in the throat. The referee tells Flair to get off Kane as this is an illegal move but Flair carries on to the fans delight. The referee begins a count 1.....2.....3.....4 Flair breaks the move and starts talking to the referee, this giving valuable time for Kane to get up. Kane sits up and stands up on his feet and moves towards Flair. Flair turns around and is met with a brutal boot to the face of Flair. Kane goes for the pin. 1.....2..... Flair kicks out before the 3 count. Kane pulls the head of Flair up and hits a blatant punch to Flair's face. Kane smiles and picks up Flair. Kane kicks Flair in the mid-section and then Kane executes a Sidewalk Slam, sending Flair to the mat. Kane goes for the pin. 1.....2..... Kane picks Flair's shoulder up to break up the count and leaves Flair. Kane climbs to the top rope as Flair begins to get up. Kane hits a Flying Clothesline sending Flair back to the mat. Kane raises his hand in the air to show that he is ready to hit a Chokeslam. Kane turns around and goes over to the turnbuckle. Kane begins to remove the turnbuckle padding. The referee goes over to Kane and tells Kane to stop it. Flair sneakily creeps behind Kane and with the referee's distraction hits a Lowblow. Flair quickly lays on the mat, while Kane holds his groin area, while the referee looks at him in shock as he didn't see Flair hit a Lowblow. Flair slowly gets up and gets a Schoolboy Rollup. The referee begins to count 1..... Flair grabs Kane's tights for more leverage while the referee is watching Kane's shoulders. 2.....3!
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Your winner of the match, and No.1 Contender, Ric Flair!
MICHAEL COLE: Ric Flair's dirty tactics pay off as Flair wins against Kane.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: So that means that Flair will face Undertaker.
MICHAEL COLE: Thtat's right John, in 9 days, Ric Flair will take on The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship.
JONATHAN COACHMAN: I hope not, I've had enough of his cheating.
MICHAEL COLE: Haha, we'll see you next week.
Note: Just before I write this preview, can I ask why no one at all reviews on my thread anymore? Because this is my first-ever BTB and every time I begin to write a show I feel ess confident because no one looks at my thread or even leaves a comment. If they do its nothing to do with my BTB and isn't a nice comment. So when you go and click on the big BTBs think. Because there are other BTBs that are trying as hard to entertain IWF.
The last stop before Backlash stops at Friday Night Smackdown.
Last week Ric Flair defeated Kane to get the right to face The Undertaker at Backlash for the World Heavyweight Championship. Who will get the last laugh heading into Backlash?
Last week Finlay and Rey Mysterio lost in their Pick Your Poison matches, which means that this week Smackdown GM Theodore Long will announce the stiplation.
Speaking of Theodore Long, Batista is set to get news that will change his career as Smackdown GM will make an announcement regarding "The Animal".
The Cruiserweight Tournament continues, with other Cruiserweights fighting to become Cruiserweight Champion. Who else will advance to the next round?
All of this and much more takes place this Friday on Smackdown. Don't miss it!
