|Date: May 21, 2006
|Venue: US Airways Center |City: Phoenix, Arizona
|Attendance: 14,000 |Buys: 252,000
|Brand: Smackdown

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

Could tonight be Judgment Day for World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio? He puts his title on the line against former champion and current United States Champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield. Layfield was just sort of announced as number one contender which seems like a waste of him being US champion. He told Mysterio he’ll be beating him at Judgment Day but Mysterio told Layfield that Mysterio could beat anyone. JBL then set up a series of opponents for Mysterio, starting with Mark Henry who beat Mysterio, then The Great Khali the following who also beat Rey and finally Kane (on May 19th) who beat Rey too. So not a great reign so far for the champion who defends against JBL, the man who fired his image consultant Jillian Hall.

I mentioned The Great Khali there, he debuted on Smackdown a few weeks ago and made a huge impact by taking out The Undertaker. Since then The Great Khali has destroyed anybody that has got in his way. The Undertaker made the challenge to The Great Khali through Teddy Long and vows to get revenge tonight. Another big match pits Mark Henry against Kurt Angle. Henry put Kurt Angle out of action, taking him out of the King Of The Ring tournament when he splashed the Olympic gold medalist through a table. Kurt has since returned and although he still carries an injury, he takes on Mark Henry tonight. As mentioned there, the King Of The Ring tournament has returned. The finalists for the tournament are Booker T and Bobby Lashley. Booker T benefitted from a bye caused by Mark Henry taking out Kurt Angle.

There are two other titles to be defended tonight which includes the Cruiserweight champion Gregory Helms who has been injured for a few months defending against Super Crazy. Super Crazy won a triple threat match against Nunzio and Kid Kash to earn a shot at the gold. The WWE Tag Team Championships are also set to be defended as MNM defend against the men that have beaten them 5 consecutive times (in tag team and singles matches) Paul London and Brian Kendrick. MNM’s Melina doesn’t escape in-ring action either as she takes on Jillian Hall. Melina offered Jillian a job doing her make-up when she was fired by JBL by Jillian didn’t take this well and the two girls got into a fight backstage and so the match was made. Also tonight, as announced at the Judgment Day press conference, Chris Benoit gets a shot at redemption as he takes on the man that cheated to knock him out of the King Of The Ring tournament, Finlay.

That’s enough of the background! Let’s get to it!

In a dark match prior to the event Matt Hardy beat Simon Dean.

A video package kicks us off mostly hyping the Great Khali/Undertaker, Kurt Angle/Mark Henry, Rey Mysterio/JBL and Booker T/Bobby Lashley matches. The theme to this tune is CM Punk’s initial entrance theme. Michael Cole then welcomes us to the show, Tazz is hot in Phoenix and we’re into our opening contest!

MNM (Johnny Nitro & Joey Mercury) (c) vs. Paul London & Brian Kendrick – WWE Tag Team Championship match

The champions have lost 5 straight times to the challengers. It’s a first time PPV meeting between these two teams. MNM and Paul London all have a 1-0 record at Judgment Day PPV’s following victories at last years Judgment Day. Brian Kendrick has a 0-1 record following a 6 man tag loss back in 2003. I like both of these teams actually. MNM in particular seem like a real, classic, tag team. Johnny Nitro and Paul London kick off the match and Nitro hits the first big knock down before posing whilst Mercury pretends to take pictures of him. Nitro hits another knock down before getting tripped by London. London then hits an arm drag into the arm bar and tags in Kendrick who comes in off the top. Kendrick tags London back in as we get some quick tags between the challengers. London tags Kendrick back in and the two men hit flying forearms on Nitro for the first near fall of the night.

Nitro tags in Mercury who lays into Kendrick. Kendrick gets back into it with an arm drag and a dropkick for a near fall. Kendrick hits another deep arm drag into the arm bar and then tags in Paul London. The challengers hit a double hip toss, double elbow drops and nip up before chasing off Nitro. Mercury slides out of the ring and London launches Kendrick into the challengers. Back in the ring and London goes up top but Mercury gets out of the way of the cross body. Mercury tags Nitro back in and Nitro stomps all over London. Nitro tags in Mercury and the champions hit a double gut-buster. Melina gets involved as Mercury distracts the referee, she applies a head scissors to London. Mercury then applies a chinlock which London gets out of but the two men collide and both go down. Mercury tags in Nitro and London tags in Kendrick. Kendrick is hot and takes out both champions with dropkicks, clotheslines and flying forearms. Nitro puts a stop to that by dropping Kendrick on the top rope. MNM then hit the snapshot! Nitro makes the cover but London saves the match!

Nitro dropkicks London out of the ring and then pins Kendrick who kicks out at 2. Nitro throws Kendrick out of the ring where Mercury drops Kendrick on the apron. Nitro then throws Kendrick back into the ring and gets a near fall. Nitro applies a chinlock which Kendrick gets out of and rolls Nitro up but Mercury distracts the referee who doesn’t see the cover. Nitro tags in Mercury who hits a delayed vertical suplex on Kendrick for a near fall. Mercury throws Kendrick out of the ring again and Melina lays in some boots. Back in the ring and Mercury applies another chinlock. Mercury breaks the hold himself and smashes Kendrick’s face into Nitro’s boot before tagging him in. Nitro lays into Kendrick and then tags Mercury back in. Mercury hits a snapmare and applies a chinlock as Melina watches on. Kendrick gets out of it and then reverses an Irish whip into Nitro’s boot.

Kendrick makes the hot tags to Paul London who takes it to both tag team champions. He hits a flying back elbow to Nitro and then a flying forearm. London tries the same to Mercury but Mercury gets his boot up. MNM try a double clothesline on London but London takes them both down with a double clothesline. London gets a near fall on Mercury. London then hits a dropkick to Nitro and a moonsault to Mercury at the same time and hooks the leg but Melina gets in the ring to stop the referee from counting. MNM hit a double team on London and then all four men are in the ring. Kendrick disposes of Nitro and then dives to the outside but Melina pulls Nitro out of the ring. Nitro then holds London but London gets out of the way and Mercury nails Nitro! London then rolls Mercury up and gets the 3! Paul London and Brian Kendrick win the match and the WWE Tag Team Championships! Great match to kick off the show. After the match Melina berates Mercury, slapping him too. Mercury grabs her arm and then Nitro lays into Mercury with right hands as the team implodes! It looks like Nitro and Melina will be going solo, leaving Mercury behind. Melina gives the referee a low blow for good measure.

Rating: 8/10

Chris Benoit vs. Finlay

This is a first PPV match between these two men. Finlay is looking for his first PPV victory tonight following a loss at Wrestlemania. Chris Benoit has a 1-1 record at Judgment Day PPV’s. These are two tough guys and the crowd are right behind Chris Benoit. The two men lock up and tie up all the way to the outside. The two men get back into the ring and square up and Benoit then quickly takes Finlay down to try and lock the sharpshooter on but Finlay counters it into a leg lock of his own. Benoit counters it into a headlock takedown but Finlay manages to get Benoit on his back for a near fall. Benoit hits some chops but Finlay takes him down with a drop toe hold into a chinlock. Benoit gets up to his feet but Finlay hits him with an uppercut to the back of the neck. Benoit hits Finlay with a slap to the face and then a big right hand dropping Finlay to the mat. Benoit hits knees to the face and a chop in the corner. This match has been nicely stiff. Benoit hits a backbreaker for a near fall.

Chris Benoit applies a chinlock and then a crucifix pinfall but Finlay gets his feet on the ropes. Finlay takes the advantage and applies a submission hold I have never seen before, driving his boot into the top of Benoits head. Finlay then transitions into a criss-cross choke, typing Benoits own arms around his neck. Benoit gets out of the hold with a snapmare and then attempts an elbow drop which Finlay gets out of the way of. Benoit ducks a clothesline and then hits three consecutive German suplexes. Benoit motions for his diving headbutt and climbs to the top but Finlay gets out of the way. Benoit hits a dragon screw legdrag and then tries to lock on the sharpshooter but Finlay fights him off. Finlay then climbs out of the ring and grabs a chair but Benoit baseball slides the chair into Finlays face. Benoit rolls Finlay back into the ring and this time hits the diving headbutt for a near fall. Finlay reverses an Irish whip into the corner and then smashes Benoit in the back of the head to take him down. Finlay applies a quarter nelson into the pinfall for a two count.

Finlay hits a big uppercut and then a stomp to the gut before hitting an old school Earthquake splash for a two count. Finlay drops a couple of elbows and then applies a facelock before transitioning into a hammerlock and then a dragon sleeper. He actually still has the hammerlock applies as he locks on the dragon sleeper. Finlay has been extremely impressive in this match. Finlay drops Benoit to the mat with a clubbing blow to the back of the head. Finlay hits a couple of knee drops to the nose of Benoit and then rams him into the top turnbuckle. Finlay hits a big clothesline for a near fall and then applies a nerve hold. Benoit gets to his feet and hits Finlay with two German suplexes. Finlay fights his way out of the hold with some headbutts but Benoit knocks him out of the ring with an enzeguri. Finlay slides out of the ring and grabs his shillalah, swinging at Benoit on the outside but Benoit ducks and takes Finlay out with another German suplex.

Benoit is the first man up and rolls back into the ring. Finlay follows but Benoit suplexes him back into the ring. Benoit follows that up with two more suplexes, reminiscent of Eddie Guerrero. Benoit heads outside of the ring but Finlay hammers him off the apron. Benoit hits the barricade hard. Finlay smashes Benoit into the barricade again and then slides Benoit into the ring when he throws Benoit into the ringpost. Benoit then manages to lock on the crippler crossface from nowhere! Finlay taps out straight away and this one is over! Great match between these two. I was really impressed with Finlay.

Rating: 8.25/10

We see Jillian Hall limbering up backstage and then some footage from Smackdown a few weeks ago where Jillian and Melina were fighting backstage.

Jillian Hall vs. Melina

This is a PPV in-ring debut for Jillian. Melina wrestles at Judgment Day for the first ever time. Melina is joined by Johnny Nitro for this match. Nitro gets in Jillians face before the match which causes the referee to send Nitro to the back! Jillian hits Melina with a Lou Thesz press as the match begins and then a snapmare, a boot to the back and a headsnap much like Mr Perfect used to do. Melina rolls to the outside but Jillian comes off the apron, smashing Melina into the barricade. Melina kicks Jillian into the ring steps and then back into the ring. Melina stands on Jillians head and then smashes her into the mat. Melina applies a chinlock with body scissors. Melina breaks the chinlock and the two girls get to their feet where Melina takes Jillian down by her hair for a near fall. Melina kicks Jillian to the ribs and then chokes her on the middle rope. Melina stacks Jillian up on the middle rope and then hits her with a double knee drop before going up the middle rope for a splash but Jillian gets her knees up.

Jillian hits a flying forearm and then smashes Melina into the top turnbuckle a couple of times. Melina reverses an Irish whip but Jillian hits a sunset flip and gets the 3! The referee doesn’t see Melina’s hand on the bottom rope though! Jillian wins the match though despite the bad refereeing decision! The two girls in this match are very talented so put on a decent match but I feel like it could have been better due to the girls talent. After the match Kristal asks Melina about why tonight hasn’t been a very good night. Melina calls Kristal a bitch and the two girls go at it!

Rating: 4/10

John “Bradshaw” Layfield is backstage laughing about what has happened to Rey Mysterio over the last few weeks. Layfield is then distracted by Chavo Guerrero who is backstage. Chavo says he is here to support his friend Rey Mysterio. JBL says Chavo will see Rey Mysterio get his ass kicked just like Eddie Guerrero did last year. Chavo tells JBL that he won’t leave tonight as champion.

There’s a classic King Of The Ring crowning, showing Steve Austin beat Jake Roberts and the classic line of “Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your ass”.

Gregory Helms (c) vs. Super Crazy – Cruiserweight Championship match

This is a first time meeting between these two men on PPV. Both men make their Judgment Day PPV debuts tonight. Helms is the longest reigning champion in the WWE right now but he was out injured for quite a long time. Super Crazy takes down Helms quickly in the match to get three consecutive near fall. Helms attempts to throw Crazy out of the ring but Crazy nips back in and takes Helms down with a drop toe hold. Crazy then clotheslines Helms out of the ring but the referee stops Crazy from diving out. Referee Nick Patrick checks on Helms and so Super Crazy dives over the top of the referee on to Helms! Back in the ring and Crazy gets a near fall. Super Crazy then hits Helms with some big right hands in the corner but Gregory drops Crazy on the top rope. Helms hits a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Helms hits another neckbreaker for another two count and then applies a chinlock. Super Crazy gets out of the hold but Helms knocks him back down with a reverse elbow.

Gregory Helms lays into Super Crazy with right hand and then gets a near fall. Helms applies a different type of chinlock which Super Crazy gets out of with a suplex. Helms goes back to the chinlock as the commentators bicker between themselves. Super Crazy gets out of the chinlock but Helms knocks him back down with a knee to the face. Super Crazy rolls out of the way of an elbow drop and then hits some right hands and then a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Crazy hits a standing moonsault for a near fall. Crazy heads to the top and hits a missile dropkick for a two count. Crazy then goes back to the top and jumps off with a moonsault but Helms gets out of the way. Helms then attempts the shining wizard but Crazy gets out of the way and hits a spinning heel kick for a two count. Helms hits a neckbreaker but misses with a splash in the corner. Crazy also misses with a splash and Helms rolls him up for a two count.

Helms hits a boot to the face and then a neckbreaker from the middle rope for a near fall. I think that was a blockbuster. Super Crazy drops Helms on the top rope and then attempts something which Helms counters into a spinebuster. Helms pins Crazy using the ropes for leverage and gets the three! Gregory Helms retains his Cruiserweight title tonight!

Rating: 5.5/10

Melina and Johnny Nitro are backstage fuming at Teddy Long. They’re not happy MNM lost their titles and not happy that the referee didn’t see Melina’s hand on the rope in her match. Teddy Long says he isn’t going to do anything about it and so Melina slaps him. Teddy Long then fires both Melina and Nitro!

There’s a clip of Kurt Angle winning the King Of The Ring tournament back in 2000.

Kurt Angle vs. Mark Henry

This is a rematch from the Royal Rumble where Kurt beat Mark. Kurt has a 1-3 record at Judgment Day PPV’s whilst Henry has a 1-0 record following a victory over The Rock back in 1998. Mark Henry is out first, clears out the announce table and then gets on the microphone and says that if Kurt comes out tonight then he’ll end his career. Kurt comes out and goes right to work on Henry with right hands. Kurts ribs are taped up. He hits a boot and then comes off the top with a rolling yakuza kick for a near fall. Angle attempts a sunset flip, Henry outs the breaks on and attempts to sit on Kurt but Kurt rolls out of the way. Angle then kicks Henry out of the ring and smashes him into the Spanish announce table. The crowd are hot tonight. Kurt tries for a German suplex through the announce table but he can’t get Mark up and so Henry rolls Kurt back into the ring. Angle takes Henry down and works his left knee but Henry kicks him off. Henry then hits a clothesline which slows the pace of the match.

Henry hits a headbutt taking Angle down and clubs away at his back. Mark Henry has gold glittering knee pads which don’t suit his gimmick at all. Henry applies a chinlock which has been the theme of the night. Kurt gets out of it and hits a DDT for a near fall. Angle hits a German suplex and then pulls down the straps before hitting the Angle slam! Kurt hooks the leg but Henry kicks out at 2. Henry takes the advantage with a big clothesline. Mark then hits the world strongest slam but Kurt gets his shoulder up at 2. Henry scoops Kurt up for another slam but Kurt counters it into an ankle lock! Henry powers out of it again, sending Angle out of the ring. Henry bounces Angle off the apron and then lays Kurt on the announce table. Henry stands on the other announce table as if to hit a splash but Angle rolls off the table. Henry then smashes Angle into the ring post and the referee counts him out! Mark Henry wins by count out tonight! Not the result I was expecting but it does make sense. After the match Kurt attacks Henry with a chair and then locks the ankle lock on the outside of the ring! Angle then hits an Angle slam on Henry on to the announce table! The table doesn’t give way so Kurt smashes Henry with a chair, Henry falls on to the announce table and this time it implodes.

Rating: 4/10

Sharmell and Booker T are backstage and Sharmell is telling Booker that he will be a better King than any previous King which includes Martin Luther King and King Kong.

There’s a VT showing the history of the King Of The Ring and how this years tournament has played out.

Bobby Lashley vs. Booker T – King Of The Ring tournament final

This is a first meeting between these two men on PPV. Lashley isn’t on the best of runs, losing all 3 of his PPV matches so far in 2006. Booker has a 1-2 record at Judgment Day PPV’s whilst it’s Lashleys first match at this event. Interesting that Tazz and Michael Cole agree that Booker T is going to win tonight. Surely they should be hyping up Bobby Lashley? Lashley shoves Booker T to the mat in the early going. Lashley hits some big right hands, an Irish whip and a big clothesline in the corner. Lashley hits a suplex for a near fall. Lashley hits another clothesline for another near fall. Booker T has been brilliant as of late but a win tonight for Lashley would be huge for his career. Lashley applies an armbar which Booker gets out of. Booker T tries for a German suplex but Lashley counters it. Booker hits a thumb to the eye and then some knees to the face. Booker T hits some chops in the corner and then an Irish whip but Lashley explodes out of the corner with a clothesline.

Lashley picks Booker up and drops him in the corner before trying for a shoulder charge but Booker T gets out of the way. Lashley falls to the outside and Booker asks for the referee to count Lashley out. Bobby rolls back into the ring but Booker T hits him with some stomps. Booker applies an armbar around the ropes which only gives him 5 seconds but it’s enough to do some damage. Booker hits a big kick for a near fall and then applies an armbar. Lashley gets out of the armbar and takes Booker down with a clothesline. Lashley hits some forearms, an inverted atomic drop and a clothesline before motioning for the dominator. Sharmell gets up on the apron which is enough to distract Lashley. Booker hits Lashley with a kick but Lashley gets right back into it with a belly to belly suplex. Sharmell then grabs Lashleys leg which again distracts Lashley! Booker hits a side kick and then the Book End but Lashley kicks out of the cover.

Lashley hits a running powerslam but only for a near fall. Bobby hits a clothesline in the corner and then an Irish whip but runs right into the boot on Booker T. Booker then hits the scissors kick which amazingly he hit whilst Lashley was standing upright. Lashley kicks out of the pinfall attempt and then takes Booker down with a spear. Finlay then appears out of nowhere and smashes his shillalah into Lashley’s skull behind the referee’s back. Booker hits the scissors kick and pins Lashley for the three! Booker T wins the King Of The Ring! It’s another PPV loss for Bobby Lashley. Sharmell places the cape and crown on Booker’s head but he doesn’t get much time to celebrate as Lashley spears him into the throne!

Rating: 6/10

The Great Khali and Daivari are shown walking backstage. We then get a video package showing The Great Khali putting The Undertaker out of action.

The Undertaker vs. The Great Khali

This is as PPV debut for The Great Khali. The Undertaker has a 2-1-1 record at Judgment Days PPV’s. The two men go toe to toe but Khali is much bigger. The two men slug it out until Khali effortlessly throws Undertaker out of the ring. Back in the ring and Undertaker hits some right hands but once again Khali throws Undertaker out of the ring. Undertaker drops Khali on the top rope and gets back in the ring, ducking two clotheslines and then hits lefts, rights and boots before trying for old school but Khali throws Undertaker off the top rope. Khali looks the part but I don’t know if he has the ability. Khali hits elbows in the corner and a big right hand to drop Undertaker to the mat. Khali hits another right hand and an Irish whip before dropping Undertaker with a clothesline. The two men go to the outside and slug it out until Khali throws Undertaker into the ring steps.

The Great Khali gets back into the ring and so Daivari lays in some boots before rolling him back into the ring. Khali hits a powerslam and then motions for his chop but Undertaker sits up. Khali hits the chop to the top of the head and puts his foot on Undertakers chest but Undertaker kicks out! The two men exchange right hands, Undertaker hits an elbow and a headbutt and then hits Khali with old school. Khali still won’t go down though and Undertaker hits more right hands and three big clotheslines which causes Khali to get tied up in the ropes. Undertaker hits four big right hands, Daivari gets up on the apron and frees Khali. Undertaker tries for a chokeslam but Khali gets out of the grip and hits a big boot. Khali motions for another chop and he hits it. Weirdly Khali doesn’t go for the pin. Undertaker tries to get up so Khali kicks him in the head and then puts his foot on Undertakers chest for the 3! The Great Khali wins the match. It was an exciting match at times but you could see Undertaker walking Khali through it. If Khali gets good then he’ll be a top star in the company. Saying that, he’ll probably be a top star anyway.

Rating: 4/10

There’s a VT next showing Rey Mysterio’s title victory and what has lead to his match with JBL.

Rey Mysterio (c) vs. John “Bradshaw” Layfield – WWE Championship match

This is a rematch from No Mercy 2005 where JBL beat Rey Mysterio. JBL has a 1-2 record at Judgment Day PPV whilst Mysterio has a 1-0 record following a win over Eddie Guerrero last year. Rey walks out wearing a visor over his mark which looks weird. Layfield beat Mysterio less than a year ago at No Mercy, could he take the title tonight? Mysterio hasn’t been booked very well since winning the title. He’s been destroyed by Mark Henry, The Great Khali and Kane over the last few weeks. Mysterio hits some kicks on Bradshaw as the bell rings but Layfield just pushes him away. Mysterio applies a headlock but JBL just pops him on the top rope and talks trash to him. Mysterio slaps his challenger. JBL hits a kick and a clubbing blow to the back. Layfield then smashes Mysterio into the top turnbuckle and hits him with big right hands. Mysterio hits a drop toe hold on JBL, sending him onto the ropes and then looks to hit the 619 but Layfield escapes the ring. Mysterio hits a baseball slide and then a seated senton. Mysterio gets back in the ring and celebrates on the middle rope. He sees JBL coming and hits him with a cross body for a near fall.

Mysterio hits a basement dropkick for a near fall and then a legdrop for another two count. Rey Mysterio is a former multi-time WWE Tag Team Champion, Cruiserweight Champion and World Heavyweight Champion since his debut in WWE 4 years ago. Rey drives his boot into the throat of JBL in the corner and then dropkicks JBL in the crotch as the referee is distracted. Mysterio dropkicks JBL out of the ring and then misses with a baseball slide so JBL punishes him with a big boot and then launches Mysterio head-first into the ring steps. Back in the ring and Layfield hits some stomps and right hands which sends Rey all the way out of the ring. Layfields knuckle is bleeding as he smashes Mysterio off the ring steps again before tossing him back into the ring for a near fall. JBL hits a suplex and the crowd boo as he hits the three amigos. JBL hits a fourth suplex, dropping Mysterio on the top rope before booting him to the outside. Mysterio’s arm is bleeding. JBL hits a fallaway slam on the outside right in front of Mysterio’s wife and child.

Back in the ring and Bradshaw gets a near fall. He then slaps Mysterio around the head before hitting him with three short-armed clotheslines. Mysterio just about gets up to his feet and JBL boots him back down to the mat for a two count. Layfield pokes Mysterio in the eye and then applies a sleeper. Bradshaw breaks the hold and gets a near fall before popping Mysterio on the top rope and trying for a side suplex but Mysterio hits him with right hands, knocking him down to the mat and then dives off with a moonsault for a near fall. Mysterio fights back with a dropkick to the knees and then a kick to the face for a near fall. Rey then tries for a bronco buster but Layfield gets his foot up to counter that. Surely a low blow? Layfield sets up for a powerbomb but Mysterio counters into a hurricanrana, sending JBL onto the middle rope. Mysterio hits the 619 and attempts to drop the dime but JBL pulls the referee in the way and Mysterio wipes out Nick Patrick. Layfield hits a powerbomb on Mysterio and calls for the referee and so out comes Charles Robinson. Layfield hooks the leg and Mysterio kicks out at 2 so JBL takes out Charles Robinson! JBL grabs a chair from the outside but Mysterio dropkicks it into JBL’s face before hitting the 619 and a frog splash from the top rope! Mysterio hooks the leg and gets the 3! Mysterio retains his World Heavyweight Championship tonight! Chavo Guerrero comes out to celebrate with Mysterio.

Rating: 6/10

And that was Judgment Day 2006. This felt like a really solid show, especially with how it started. The opener between MNM and London and Kendrick was a really good match. Two great teams here although it looks like one of those has now broken up. London and Kendrick is an interesting choice for tag team champions but there isn’t much of a division at the moment so why not. MNM look to go their separate ways and I can’t help but think that Johnny Nitro is going to be the breakout star of this unit. Melina is a great heel too. Later on we found out that they get fired so they must be heading to Raw whilst Mercury stays on Smackdown. The match that followed was stiff and it was fantastic. Finlay really impressed in this match and showed that he could really go. Benoit was also great but it kinda goes without saying with him. This match should put an end to this rivalry but I would not be against seeing it again!

Jillian Hall beat Melina next in an ok match. Melina had her hand on the rope but the idea behind this one was to make Melina even more angry which led to her firing. It’s a big win for Jillian who I’ve seen footage of from FCW and she’s decent. Unlike a lot of talents she was previously a wrestler, not a model, pre-WWE. Sadly on Smackdown there aren’t many opportunities for the women except bikini contests. Melina will be much better placed on Raw should she show up there. Gregory Helms retained his Cruiserweight title against Super Crazy in an average match but I wasn’t happy with the finish. Melina held on to the ropes in the last match (albeit in a losing effort) so why have another hand on rope finish straight after? Aside from that, a decent defence from Helms, I look forward to seeing the Cruiserweight title get more of a spotlight on Smackdown.

Then came the big 4 matches. Mark Henry beat Kurt Angle in a surprising result but if they wanted Henry to beat Angle then this was the way to do it. Kurts ribs were taped up which is usually a sign it isn’t going to go their way. Henry won by count out so it’s not a major loss for Angle and Kurt did get his revenge after the match, putting Mark through a table. I’m not fussed about seeing this match again but saying that I’m not fussed about seeing Mark Henry involved in anything right now. Booker T beat Bobby Lashley in the finals of the King Of The Ring tournament. This match could have gone either way and although it would have probably benefitted Lashley more, it gives a charismatic Booker T lots to play with. He’ll be a great King, I have no doubt about that. Especially with the annoying Sharmell next to him. This was a good match.

The Great Khali defeated The Undertaker in a predictably meh match designed to make Khali look like a monster. This feud is far from over and I am fully expecting gimmick matches between the two over the next few months. Khali is a monster and he looks impressive but his in-ring ability is not good. I don’t think Undertaker will be too happy with this match. Rey Mysterio beat JBL in the main event to retain his World Heavyweight Championship. This match was good and it finally gave Mysterio a much needed victory. It doesn’t hurt JBL too much and he’s still the US champion. He also has the mic skills to lose cleanly and still come out of it smelling of roses. Mysterio moves on to his next challenger and something tells me it might be a certain Guerrero. I hope not though.

Overall Rating: 57.18/100 (ranked joint 103rd out of 194)

Match Of The Night: Chris Benoit vs. Finlay
Worst Match Of The Night: Jillian/Melina, Kurt Angle/Mark Henry, Undertaker/Great Khali
Surprise Of The Night: New tag team champions and then Nitro & Melina getting fired
Worst Booking Of The Night: Mark Henry beating Kurt Angle
Superstar Of The Night: Rey Mysterio
Judgment Day 2006 Will Be Remembered For: Booker T crowned as King Of The Ring