[King Booker] We will reign over SmackDown
and we will rule with an iron fist.
[commentator] All hail, King Booker.
[King Booker] We will make them all bow down before King Booker.
[Michael] The man, the god, King Booker.
[King Booker] This is my reign.
At No Mercy, it will be a Fatal 4-Way match for the world title.
[commentator] Booker is screwed. The king is screwed.
As far as me laying down, it's not gonna happen.
[King Booker] Don't do this.
[Michael] Here comes the powerhouse Lashley.
The throne of King Booker,
could be open to Bobby Lashley.
[Batista] I will reclaim my world heavyweight title.
[Michael] A Fatal 4-Way for the World Heavyweight Championship.
It's Lashley, Batista, Finlay, King Booker
with the World Championship on the line.
[King Booker] It's time for No Mercy.
No Mercy.
No Mercy. No Mercy.
It's time for No Mercy.
[narrator] And now, SmackDown presents,
WWE No Mercy.
["No Mercy" playing]
[explosions]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Welcome to legendary Tobacco Road.
You are looking live
in the RBC Center of the campus of North Carolina State University.
Welcome to SmackDown Presents No Mercy.
I'm Michael Cole, alongside JBL in ringside.
And partner, are you ready for the Fatal 4-Way
to determine the World Champion tonight?
All hell is about to break loose.
Batista can't trust Finlay, Finlay can't trust Lashley,
Lashley can't trust the King.
It's gonna happen, and I love it.
Also joining us tonight, our Spanish colleagues,
Hugo Savinovich and Carlos Cabrera.
-Hi, guys. -Gracias, Michael Cole.
[speaking Spanish]
[singer] ♪ Oh, yeah ♪
["Live For The Moment" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ I can slap a tornado… ♪
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, from Cameron, North Carolina,
weighing in at 236 pounds.
Matt Hardy.
[Michael] Matt Hardy definitely the hometown hero here tonight
at No Mercy from just down the road in Cameron, North Carolina.
[JBL] He's here tonight, Michael, with all his friends, all his family,
his girlfriends have probably already found somebody else,
like most of them have.
But he's here to settle a score.
Who is the better North Cackalackian, him or Gregory Helms?
["It's Time" playing]
[announcer] And from Raleigh, North Carolina,
weighing in at 215 pounds,
it's the longest reigning champion in sports entertainment
and the Cruiserweight Champion of the world,
Gregory Helms.
[Michael] This rivalry really began in a friendly way
when these two were teenagers.
But over the past few weeks, "Whatever you can do, I can do better"
has been the theme of the matches between these two men.
First, it was Matt Hardy and Gregory Helms on SmackDown a month ago,
referee did not see the low blow from Helms.
But a couple of weeks ago, after Helms picked up this victory, JBL,
Matt Hardy would make turnabout fair play.
[JBL] And it's about damn time.
The one problem Matt Hardy has always had,
he wants the fans to love him.
Finally, he's realizing, winning and losing is all that's important.
[Michael] Both of these men from right here in North Carolina.
Gregory Helms, the Cruiserweight Champion
will not defend the title here in this matchup.
This has become a extremely personal rivalry.
Had the opportunity to speak with Matt Hardy earlier this week, JBL,
and he admits that Gregory Helms can back up all the talk.
But Helms has changed over the past few years.
He's become more cocky…
-[bell ringing] -…he's become more confident.
He's alienated his friends.
It's focused more on Helms than anyone else.
[JBL] And what that has developed,
is the longest reigning champion in sports entertainment.
Helms has not lost on a pay-per-view this year.
You're talking about being on a roll,
Gregory Helms is on a roll.
[Michael] So, Helms and Hardy collar and elbow tie up
center of the ring to kick things off.
Nice Fireman's Carry takedown by Matt-- I should say by Gregory Helms,
the longest running reigning cruiserweight champion
in sports entertainment history.
Hardy back across the ropes, whipped across the ring,
and a big shoulder knockdown by Matt Hardy.
It took Helms perhaps by surprise.
Gregory Helms will tell you, JBL, that he is the best.
That he has moved so far ahead of Matt Hardy in this rivalry
-that there shouldn't even be competition. -[crowd booing]
[JBL] As big a fan I am of Gregory Helms, I got to disagree with him.
He's looking into the mirror right now. These guys grew up together.
These guys grew up doing this right here in the backyard together.
They grew up fighting each other.
They are much more a carbon copy than one being superior.
[Michael] Takedown by Gregory Helms, Matt Hardy will kick out of it.
But still make the early going.
Again, I'd like to thank all of the SmackDown fans
and WWE fans worldwide
for bringing us into your living rooms here on this wonderful night
from North Carolina State University for No Mercy.
We are live all over the world, JBL, the United Kingdom,
Canada, Australia,
New Zealand, Morocco, just to name a few.
[JBL] I know, Michael. I've sold out arenas in all of those countries.
People all around the world, they love JBL.
[crowd chanting] Hardy! Hardy! Hardy!
[Michael] Matt Hardy chants from the SmackDown fans here in Raleigh.
Do you think it bothers Gregory Helms that these fans
are not showing him any support despite the fact it's his home city?
[JBL] Absolutely not.
The one thing Gregory Helms has had over Matt Hardy,
we'll see if he still does, is his ability--
[Michael] Oh! There you go.
That's his answer.
[JBL] The ability to block out everything except winning and losing.
That is what has made him good.
[Michael] There's no competitor in sports entertainment
that has held their championship longer
at this particular juncture than Gregory Helms has.
As Gregory Helms hammers away on Matt Hardy.
Referee Jim Korderas--
-This is my house. -[crowd booing]
[Michael] And Helms, you just heard him yell, "This is my house."
Is it his house?
[JBL] Think about what you have going on here, Michael.
You have both guys, their friends, their family,
the people that both of them grew up with are sitting here,
watching this match live.
Not to mention, the fans worldwide.
But the sports bar these guys go to tonight to have a cold beer
after this match, will be their friends there.
Imagine losing a match and going to face those people.
[Michael] Elbow, cover, kickout at one,
by the Cruiserweight Champion, Gregory Helms.
And Matt Hardy with a clothesline knocking Helms up over the top rope
-and Helms is in trouble early. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Matt Hardy measuring his man, gonna fly, taking Helms out.
That is right out of Matt Hardy's playbook.
It was right here in this building, six years ago,
that Matt Hardy and his brother Jeff
competed in table, ladders and chairs number two
with the Dudley Boyz and Edge and Christian.
As we take another look at the high flying Matt Hardy
who has made a career out of moves like these.
[crowd cheering]
[JBL] It was also in this state, Michael, right here in North Carolina
that Matt Hardy and his brother Jeff closed to win a title
-against the APA. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Matt Hardy, here's the cover, shoulders down,
and Helms quickly got the shoulder up.
[JBL] I've thought all along Matt Hardy is a superstar,
a main event waiting to happen.
He has not broke through that glass ceiling.
This may be what it takes
to take Matt Hardy to the next level.
[Michael] And as we mentioned Matt Hardy with the big right hands to Gregory Helms,
both of these athletes are from here in North Carolina, as Helms counters.
[JBL] And how can you forget North Carolina.
North Carolina state, home of Jim Valvano, but most importantly, North Cackalacky,
the home of the chairman of the board, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, your boss.
[Michael] That's a shameless plug, kissing up to the boss.
[JBL] You should, with your commentary skills.
[Michael] Oh, look at that, neckbreaker to the back of the knee.
Here's the cover, hook to the leg and Hardy kicking out at two.
[JBL] You'd look good with a Kiss My Ass Club if you already haven't done it.
[Michael] But you do it every week on the company jet.
Whipped into the corner goes Matt Hardy,
and there's a high elbow to the jaw, catching Helms.
And Helms with a blow to the kidney.
Out. Out!
-Matt Hardy in trouble. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Wow. Both men side Russian leg sweep,
I believe, from the second rope.
Helms may have injured himself as well.
[JBL] Moves like that look great, Michael.
But what it does is it injures the guy giving it, as much as the guy taking it.
[Michael] Watch this. The impact of both skulls bouncing off the mat.
Helms went for the cover and Hardy kicked out at two.
[JBL] What these two guys have done by making this personal
has elevated this feud to an entire new level.
I love it.
This is what SmackDown is all about.
[Michael] Look at this.
Gregory helms locking both arms as he just uses the knee
to drive it into the temple.
Here's the cover, again kickout at two, a spinning kickout by Matt Hardy.
When you talk a lot about personal rivalries
and there's gonna be two that we'll focus on here tonight at No Mercy,
that are more heated than any other, JBL,
of course, the one in the ring now and the one later on
between Rey Mysterio and Chavo Guerrero Falls Count Anywhere,
does not get more heated than that.
[JBL] Finally, a conclusive end to a battle that started decades ago.
Rey Mysterio's uncle was the first one that gave Chavo Guerrero a job.
[Michael] Gregory Helms-- Oh! Face to the knees of Matt Hardy.
And Gregory Helms, after he was slapping Matt Hardy around,
just drove his knee into the skull of Hardy.
This could be it. Hook to the leg, shoulders down
and somehow Matt Hardy at two rolls out.
And his frustration beginning to show, perhaps, on the face of Gregory Helms.
[JBL] He's the longest reigning sports entertainment champion,
period, right now.
[Michael] That's a great point, JBL.
But you know how much beating Matt Hardy in North Carolina
will lean to the ego of Gregory Helms,
and what a loss would be to his ego as well.
[JBL] This isn't just professional, you're right, Michael.
This is about bragging rights in your old neighborhood.
They're gonna have to see these guys at reunions for the rest of their lives.
This match means the world to both of these two guys.
[Michael] Arm drag takedown
and Gregory Helms with Hardy's left arm in a precarious position.
[JBL] You can't breathe like that, Michael.
[Michael] Hardy, you see him trying to reach for the rope,
but he is a ways away.
[JBL] The longer Matt Hardy stays in that, the less Matt Hardy is gonna have in him.
[crowd chanting] Hardy! Hardy!
[Michael] The Hardy chants begin again from the SmackDown fans
here at North Carolina State.
Matt Hardy back to his feet,
battling out, with the rights and lefts to the abdomen.
But every time Hardy tries to mount a little bit of offense here,
as of late, Helms counters.
Now, look at this, up on the shoulder,
Matt Hardy holding on to the top rope, what's gonna give?
Matt Hardy with a great counter.
Now, can he take advantage?
[Michael] It was a reverse DDT, a counter from Matt Hardy.
-Two! -[JBL] It's like the old slop drop.
Driving Gregory Helms' head right into the mat.
Helms doesn't know where he is.
[Michael] Watch. Watch the head of Gregory Helms…
-[JBL] Look at this. -[Michael] …off the mat.
[JBL] I've been there, Michael, it's like waking up in a different room.
The light goes on and you don't know where you are.
[Michael] Helms and Hardy exchanging rights.
And that one rocked Helms
and that one rocked Matt Hardy.
These two former friends, now bitter rivals,
beating the hell out of each other, suddenly, Hardy has the upper hand.
-And what a right! -[JBL] Wow!
[Michael] Matt Hardy with a clothesline,
knocking Helms down for a second time.
And you can feel the momentum shifting.
[JBL] Helms hadn't recovered from that slop drop.
[Michael] I think it was slight concussion.
-Running bulldog from Matt Hardy. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Hardy crawls to the cover, hooks the leg, shoulders down,
there's two, and a kickout at two and a half.
-[JBL] Helms doesn't know where he is. -[Michael] No, not at all.
Watch the punch, watch the right hand.
Wow. Helms may be on dream street, to use the old phrase.
[JBL] He's on dream street and doesn't even know he's on it.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Helms in trouble, Matt Hardy up to the second rope.
[crowd cheering]
-[yells] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Listen to the support, dropping the leg from the second rope.
This one should be over.
Matt Hardy into the cover, hooks the leg, there's two.
Did he, did he kickout? Yes, he did.
-Helms kicked out at two and a half. -[JBL] Pure instinct.
This is what happens when you're playing on pure instinct.
And look at this, Hardy needs to take him
and he needs to take him now if he wants to win this feud.
Quit playing the damn people, Matt.
[Michael] Not playing to the people. He was stalking his man. I beg to differ.
But there's a great counter. Oh, wow!
What a counter by Gregory Helms into the cover.
-[JBL] Pulled one out of the hat. -[Michael] He crawls, hooks the leg.
-Two, he-- Two and a half. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] A kickout by Matt Hardy.
Another near fall in this matchup.
[crowd chanting] Hardy! Hardy! Hardy!
[JBL] That's why he's been the champion for so long, Michael.
[Michael] Again, a second time driving Hardy's skull to the mat.
This time into the cover, and again, Matt Hardy kicked out.
And at some point,
frustration has got to creep into the mind of Gregory Helms.
[JBL] Michael, look at what he's come through.
He's basically knocked out.
He's knocked-- He's almost finished off…
-[Michael] And third time. -…Matt Hardy twice and he's got him.
-[Michael] An almost backwards DDT. -[JBL] Call your mama.
Find a fat lady and make her sing.
[Michael] For a third time driving Matt Hardy's skull into the mat.
Gregory Helms believes the end is near.
And Helms does not like to fly often
which is uncharacteristic of a cruiserweight champion,
but it looks like he's gonna fly now.
[JBL] He wants to finish him off with a bang.
This is nothing but ego right here in his hometown.
[Michael] Oh, Matt Hardy caught him,
took way too much time, did Helms.
-Matt Hardy, Side Effect. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Into the cover. This could be it.
There's two, and at two and a half Helms rolls that shoulder up.
-[JBL] What a matchup. -[Michael] To kick off No Mercy.
-[JBL] Helms will not quit. -[Michael] Neither will Hardy.
Another Side Effect by Matt Hardy.
Into the cover again, hook to the leg
-Not this time. -[JBL] Oh, my God.
-[Michael] The second time. -[JBL] What a matchup.
-[Michael] Helms has kicked out. -[JBL] Two guys with nothing
but pride right now.
How proud are you of Gregory Helms?
[Michael] Just like Helms did moments ago,
Matt Hardy now with a trifecta, this time with the Side Effect
looking to put Gregory Helms away.
Matt Hardy to the top rope, the moonsault,
and Gregory Helms got his knees up in time to the gut of Hardy.
Went for the Shining Wizard, Hardy rolls him up, shoulders down.
Did he get him, did he get him?
-[JBL] No. -[Michael] No. A kickout at two.
Matt Hardy almost stuck one in.
Gregory Helms counters to a backdrop.
Shining Wizard, this time connects.
[JBL] That's it.
-[Michael] Lights out, Gregory Helms… -[JBL] Gregory Helms!
[Michael] …is gonna win it as he hooks the leg and--
Matt Hardy again kicked out.
How the hell is Matt Hardy continuing to kickout?
[JBL] This right here, or these two guys, just shining moment,
defining moment in their career.
They have everything at stake-- more at stake today, Michael,
than they have ever had in their entire life.
This is not about titles, this is not about money,
this is about common pride and that's all.
[Michael] Proving who is the best between longtime rivals, former friends.
[JBL] And both wanna finish it with an exclamation point.
[Michael] Matt Hardy with a right hand to the side of the head of Gregory Helms,
there's a headbutt.
What a way to start things off here tonight at No Mercy.
Matt Hardy top rope, Gregory Helms counters and hangs Hardy up.
And that may be the opening Helms needs.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Matt Hardy is in all kinds of trouble, JBL.
This does not look good.
What is Gregory Helms gonna do here?
-[JBL] It's an opportunity. -[Michael] Top rope.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] A Shining Wizard, it looked like,
catching Hardy in the back of the head.
-Here's the cover, there's two-- -[JBL] No!
Matt Hardy, he got his…
-[JBL] You kidding me. -…foot on the bottom rope.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] The instinct of Matt Hardy.
Pure instinct.
To know where he is in the ring at all times.
[JBL] It's not insprink, it was a desperate measure.
[Michael] No. Instinct not insprink. And look at this.
-[JBL] Oh, like you're a grammarian. -[Michael] Standing switch.
Referee Jimmy Korderas ducks out of the way.
Matt Hardy, kick to the midsection, Twist of Fate! The Twist of Fate.
Matt Hardy quickly to the cover, shoulders down, hook to the leg.
-He got it. -[crowd cheering]
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] Matt Hardy, what a win,
what a match.
["Live For The Moment" playing]
[announcer] Here's your winner, Matt Hardy.
-[Michael] Wow. -[JBL] What a match.
-[crowd cheering] -[JBL] What a way to open No Mercy.
What a way to close No Mercy.
What a way to have the whole damn show.
Somebody call the sheriff.
These guys just stole Raleigh, North Carolina.
My God.
[Michael] SmackDown fans on their feet
for the victorious Matt Hardy.
And there's Matt Hardy's family and friends at ringside.
-Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! -It was déjà vu all over again
as the referee's head was turned for just moment.
And watch what happens.
Referee Jimmy Korderas ducks out of the way.
Matt Hardy takes advantage, into the Twist of Fate.
Picks up the victory, a huge win in my estimation for Matt Hardy.
[JBL] I call it an upset, Michael, and that's not understating the obvious
Gregory Helms has been undefeated this entire year on pay-per-view.
He's the longest reigning champion in sports entertainment, period.
And Matt Hardy just beat him
right in the center of the ring.
What a match up and what a victory for Matt Hardy.
[singer] ♪ You couldn't pay me enough ♪
♪ You couldn't pay me enough ♪
Look, it's gonna be okay, my King.
-Can I get you anything? -No.
All I need is total seclusion
to prepare for the greatest adversity my kingdom have faced.
-Right. Okay. -That's what I need.
Ah. Sir Regal.
Queen, Your Majesty,
-I'm at your service. -Sir William Regal,
your services is needed now more than ever.
Yes.
Teddy has stacked the odds against your king.
And not even a king as powerful and almightiest, I, King Booker,
can overcome the task before me.
The task of slaying not one,
not two, but three fire-breathing dragons.
Bobby Lashley,
"The Animal" Batista,
yes, and that turncoat,
my royal knight, Finlay.
Tonight's Fatal 4-Way could be just that for your king.
Fatal.
But you,
you, Sir William Regal,
you are just the man to aid me in this tremendous task before me.
Your Majesty, whatever it is you need from me,
I'm willing to do it.
-Yes. -Anything, ask anything.
Yes.
Tonight's…
Regarding Finlay in this Fatal 4-Way,
you must find him and convince your old chum to stand aside.
Put aside his love for fighting for one night.
You, Sir William,
you are the man for that job.
You must convince him tonight to be my ally
not my enemy.
Do you understand?
My Lord, I will not let you down.
Thank you.
[crowd cheering]
You see my King, all will be well.
All will be well.
Well, for King Booker's sake, I hope Queen Sharmell is right.
Because Regal is now off on this royal crusade, so to speak.
Finlay better listen, because if Finlay doesn't listen,
it's Katie Bar the freaking door, and all hell will break lose.
Finlay could be champion. Lashley could be champion.
Batista could be champion. King Booker could be champion.
All tonight in that Fatal 4-Way.
But that is not the only title, the world championship,
that is on the line tonight, because coming up next,
London and Kendrick, one of the most exciting tag teams
in sports entertainment today
will defend the titles against the upstart team
of KC James and Idol Stevens.
["Teacher's Pet" playing]
[Michael] And here we go, tag team titles are on the line.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Introducing the challengers, at a combined weight of 470 pounds,
KC James and Idol Stevens.
[Michael] And of course they are under the tutelage of Michelle McCool.
[JBL] Holy cow. The next Mrs. Layfield.
I had to walk out with Faarooq all those years, who reeked alcohol.
If I'd have walked out with something hot like that, holy cow.
I'd still be wrestling
and you'd still be here with that little midget doing commentary.
[Michael] So, Faarooq was the only one
that reeked of alcohol in that entire team of the APA.
[JBL] Maybe not the only one, but look at it.
Faarooq versus her. Holy cow, that's a camera angle.
I'd go with her.
[rock music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And at a combined weight of 369 pounds,
they are Tag Team Champions,
Paul London and Brian Kendrick.
[Michael] And the tag champs with their friend Ashley
as they get set to defend the Tag Team titles
here tonight at No Mercy.
London and Kendrick, great champions, but they are strange birds.
[JBL] Strange isn't the word. These kids are from Pluto.
They're a car wreck waiting to happen.
Look, Michael, I love watching these guys wrestle.
They are one of the most exciting tag teams in WWE.
They are the most exciting tag team to watch.
[Michael] Back in May at Judgment Day,
London and Kendrick won the tag team title.
Five months later, they still hold the tag team gold.
They have become one of the most exciting,
one of the most impressive tag teams that we've had on SmackDown in some time.
[JBL] And Michael, one thing you've thought wouldn't happen
when they won those tag team titles in May.
These guys have become the standard bearer for the Tag Team division on SmackDown.
[Michael] And Stevens and James would like to upset the champions here tonight.
They've already defeated the Pitbulls in a number one contender match
-a couple of weeks ago. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] But tonight is for the Tag Team gold.
Let's talk a little bit about both of these teams.
First, London and Kendrick, they have a number of--
a lot of experience under the belt in pay-per-views,
whereas the challengers do not.
[JBL] London and Kendrick have that one intangible that fans love,
can win you matches but also shortens your career.
They're unbelievable, unabated risk takers.
They love to fly and put their body at risk.
It's like watching NASCAR without a restricted plate.
There's gonna be a car wreck when these guys are in the arena.
[Michael] Oh, look at this. Paul London.
-[JBL] Early on. -[Michael] Head scissors by Paul London.
Quick tag made to Brian Kendrick.
And London and Kendrick are so effective, JBL,
when they can tag each other in and out frequently.
Keep each other fresh for those high flying double team tactics.
Here is the cover, hook to the leg.
[JBL] Why don't you call it teamwork? It's called a tag team, Michael.
[Michael] Well, you know all about it,
former Tag Team Champion yourself with Faarooq, the APA.
[JBL] Three-time tag team champion.
They remind me of a young Edge and Christian,
a young Matt and Jeff Hardy,
a young Steve and Shaun Simpson.
These guys quite honestly got everything going for them right now.
[Michael] And a quick tag to Brian Kendrick.
Paul London, here's the double team, we talked about teamwork, as JBL said.
Cross body, off the release by London and a kickout at two as Ashley looks on.
[JBL] And the one thing I dare to say they have,
the intangible advantage
that James and Idol have, is Michelle McCool.
You have the hot Ashley, and she is smoking,
but Michelle McCool is actually the manager,
the brain behind Idol and James.
[Michael] And here is Kasey James
-looking to wear down the much smaller… -Come on, Kasey.
…Brian Kendrick. James hauled up.
London and Kendrick, a very cute little tag team last week,
not too cute now off the double team.
[JBL] Paul London quickly into the cover.
Hook to the leg and a kickout at two.
The longer this match goes, who does it favor?
[JBL] The longer this match goes, the more it favors London and Kendrick
for the simple fact they've been there. They've done this.
-[Michael] Blind tag. -[JBL] Idol and James,
as good as they are at times,
still show signs of greenness, still show signs of being rookies.
They're gonna be great stars but right now, Michael,
the longer this goes, the more it favors London and Kendrick.
[Michael] Yeah, Paul London and Brian Kendrick
have cleared out the ring of the challengers.
[JBL] What the hell was that?
[Michael] I've no idea. But I can tell you that was.
[JBL] Holy cow, I told you, it's a car wreck.
Pull the restrictive plates off, crash into a wall.
[Michael] London and Kendrick taking James and Stevens out.
I'll tell you, how much could Kendrick and London
love being tag team champions?
[JBL] Absolutely love it.
[Michael] Off the suplex.
Brian Kendrick-- Well, I believe Charles Robinson
is doing the right thing, but by turning his back,
London was knocked off the top rope.
London is the legal man, the referee sending Kendrick back to his corner
but it allowed James and Stevens to take advantage.
[JBL] Yeah, but did you see that fall, Michael?
He didn't catch himself at all, landing flat on his back.
Ashley and Michelle waiting in the wings.
[Michael] Cover-- Tag team titles on the line.
Kickout at two.
[JBL] Smart. Smart.
[Michael] Look at this.
And there is Michelle McCool
baiting Paul London with a yardstick.
It allowed James to sneak up from behind.
Well, let's get back to the point I was making earlier, JBL.
Will the lack of experience in big spotlight situations
like this No Mercy pay-per-view, hurt Stevens and Kasey James.
[JBL] Absolutely. And it favors London and Kendrick.
They've been here, they've done that.
They've been in tough matches. They've had to pull it out.
The longer this goes,
the more it is in favor of London and Kendrick.
[Michael] Paul London needs to make a tag
but he's in the wrong corner, wrong ropes.
Idol Stevens continues the pressure.
This is what Stevens and James have to do.
They have to isolate London from his partner,
wear him down, take advantage.
James' knee to the spine.
You always got to understand though, Michael,
there's a chance that one of these guys--
[Michael] Into the cover, hook to the leg, kickout at two.
[JBL] Talk about London and Kendrick crashing and burning.
And if they do, Idol and James need to have enough common sense
to take them right then.
[Michael] Well, right, you made a point, after James delivered the knees
to the spine of Paul London,
instead of strutting around like Ric Flair here at North Carolina,
he should have went for the cover and try to win the tag team titles.
[JBL] It's typical of young guys, Michael,
they're ate up with wall to wall dumbass.
Sometimes, these new guys have got a lot of ability.
They got to figure it out to win championships.
[Michael] SmackDown fans coming alive.
Kasey James clubbing blow to the back of the neck of London.
[JBL] And remember, I told you the intangible is Michelle McCool.
She is the one who caused the problem.
[Michael] Here's the cover up off the knee to the spine.
Kickout at two by London.
Remember, ladies and gentlemen, the WWE tag team titles
held by London and Kendrick are on the line.
[JBL] And boy, when she causes problems for me
about 50 per cent of the divorce settlement.
It might be worth it.
-[Michael] Well, what about Ashley? -[JBL] Yeah. She's-- Oh, she's hot.
I'm gonna give Ashley some credit as well.
Did you see her in the latest WWE magazine with Maria?
Talk about smoking.
[JBL] I didn't just look at the picture. I memorized it.
[Michael] And Stevens plans to wear down London…
[JBL] Settle down or…
…with the abdominal stretch or at least a version of it.
Brian Kendrick really wants to get in, or needs to get into the matchup.
Look at the intensity on the face of Stevens.
You don't think Stevens realizes what's on the line here tonight
and what a win would do for his teammates' career?
[JBL] When you got a gal like this, Michael, you're riding.
London is hurt. He hadn't caught his breath when he took that spill.
Right now is where you lay on and you ride and you wear him out.
[Michael] Paul London slides underneath Idol Stevens
who's looking to try and isolate,
keep London from the corner and his partner.
Great tactic by Stevens.
[JBL] The key to tag team wrestling, Michael, is to keep your opponent
halfway through the ring to your partner's side.
[Michael] And a cover shot, half-- And a kick out at two by London again.
[JBL] And that's what they're doing.
That's what James and Idol are doing.
They are keeping London occupied, away from Kendrick.
[Michael] Another near fall for this matchup.
You got to be impressed, at least up to that point,
with Stevens and James.
[JBL] Stevens and James have a lot going for them.
Tonight could be their night.
[Michael] Stevens sent through the second rope,
Paul London-- Look at London, look at the intensity,
trying to drag James across the ring and look at this.
A cheap shot by Stevens pulling Kendrick off the apron.
A tag would've been made there.
[JBL] That was smart. That's a tag team.
That is how a tag team works.
[Michael] And watch, look at the double team on Paul London.
London with a kick to the chops.
[JBL] Look at London, he makes the tag.
-[Michael] And here comes Kendrick. -[JBL] Showtime.
[Michael] Kendrick, the fresh man.
[JBL] Watch the guy fly.
[Michael] When Kendrick's in the ring, John, it's like a demolition derby.
It's like playing bumper cars at the carnival.
[JBL] It's like a demolition derby with a Chinese acrobat.
You gotta love this young man, as crazy as he is.
-[Michael] Brian Kendrick-- -[JBL] He is exciting.
[Michael] Stevens and James with the tag team titles up for grabs.
Oh, look at Stevens.
Smart. Shaking that top rope did not allow Kendrick--
-Look at Paul London! -[JBL] God!
[Michael] A missile through the second rope.
[JBL] Oh, my God.
[Michael] Paul London taking out Idol Stevens.
Meanwhile in the ring, Kendrick and James--
Brian Kendrick in trouble,
James may break him in half off the top rope with that superplex.
James crawling toward the cover.
Tag team titles on the line.
Hook to the leg,
Paul London, the wherewithal to break up the three count.
Paul London is everywhere. Watch this.
[JBL] Michael, I told you, these are the most exciting two wrestlers
I have seen on SmackDown WWE in a decade.
They love to fly, they're gonna crash and burn one day.
But until they do, I'm gonna enjoy the hell out of them.
[Michael] Idol Stevens into the ring, runs into his own partner.
Brian Kendrick.
There goes Stevens, planting James,
as Kendrick into the cover
and Michelle McCool just put
James' leg on the bottom rope, and there's McCool paying dividends.
[JBL] Boy, is she.
[Michael] And Ashley trying to explain to Charles Robinson.
The referee never saw Stevens' illegal involvement
knee to the back.
Oh, don't tell me Stevens and James are gonna steal this here,
thanks to McCool.
Here's James in the cover--
tag team title is on the line and Kendrick kicked out.
Well, Ashley was arguing with the referee when this happened.
Brian Kendrick is in trouble, JBL,
in deep trouble as he tries to battle out of his predicament.
And there's Michelle getting involved again.
[JBL] And she just had a problem with her top.
I think she has a wardrobe malfunction.
Holy cow. She does.
[Michael] Ashley! Ashley from behind, taking on Michelle.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Ashley beating the hell out of Michelle McCool
-and McCool deserved it. -[JBL] Don't hurt her face.
[Michael] Look at this.
Oh, look at the double team, but Paul London's back to the ring
helping his partner is out.
Launching Kendrick, taking out both men.
How innovative are these two tag team champions?
The Sliced Bread, London-- Wow, what a moonsault.
Here's the cover, hook to the leg.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Tag team title still with London and Kendrick.
What a match up.
[JBL] A Northern Light is what it was, Michael.
[announcer] Here are your winners and still WWE tag team champions,
Paul London and Brian Kendrick.
[Michael] Is that what it was? Northern Light?
[JBL] A Northern Light, Michael.
When you do something nobody else does in the history of this business,
you've done something.
Paul London doing another Northern Light on someone else's back
is something that's never been done.
-[Michael] Idol Stevens is… -[JBL] Phenomenal.
…extremely upset but the bottom line is this,
London and Kendrick continue to impress.
They get better each and every week.
They knocked off the competition each and every week
and they remain tag team champions for a fifth straight month.
[JBL] And give an assist to Ashley, she did what I wanted to do
and that's hop on top of Michelle McCool.
[Michael] But Ashley did it a lot more viciously.
Michelle McCool had this coming,
taking Michelle McCool out of the equation evened the odds.
And here is what we're talking about.
-[JBL] Look at this. -[Michael] Here is the double team.
Well, watch Kendrick now with the Slice Bread #2.
And after this, the Northern Light you were talking about.
[JBL] Holy cow.
[Michael] London and Kendrick, how impressive are these guys?
[JBL] These guys are exciting.
They remind me of the old APA, flying around everywhere.
Excuse me, gentlemen, have you seen Finlay anywhere?
-No. -Irish fellow, smells of Guinness.
No, sorry.
[exhales] Excuse me, young man, have you seen Finlay anywhere?
Yeah, he was in the locker room like five minutes ago.
Thank you.
Hello, young lady.
[tapping]
What the bloody hell are you doing?
-What are you talking about? -You.
Look at you, you're sweating like Vince McMahon in a church.
-Look at you. -I'm working out.
Are you talking about the guy Vinny, right?
Working out with your bloody big girl's blouse.
You don't jump rope like that, I'll show you how to do it.
-You talking about? -Mate, what's the matter with you.
-You can't do anything right at all. -It's hot.
My grandfather showed me how to do this. Here we go.
♪ London bridge is falling down, falling down, fall… ♪
What? You know, you absolutely disgust me, any chance--
-What are you talking about? -Bloody disgust me, you do.
-[Finlay] Watch out. -Oh, Mr. Regal.
Mr. Regal, I'm sorry.
-Are you all right? -All right?
[singer] ♪ You know it's the MacMilitant ♪
♪ Comin to get it on ♪
♪ Yeah, hey, get out of my way I'm comin' with thunder and lightning ♪
♪ And striking I'm inviting all you To the storm ♪
♪ Feel the pain that I try to contain ♪
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome,
the general manager of SmackDown, Theodore Long.
[Michael] I'll tell you, what a week, General Manager Theodore Long has had.
The Pick Your Poison two nights ago on SmackDown,
taking the Fatal 4-Way for the championship here tonight.
First time a main event has ever been changed--
[JBL] Wait a minute, just shut up. What the hell is this?
What is this peanut-headed George Jefferson,
moving up to the east side, beets don't burn on the grill,
-Teddy Long doin'? -[Michael] I'm sure it's gonna be great.
Ladies and gentlemen,
as you can see, it's somebody's birthday
here on SmackDown.
-So, Raleigh, North Carolina… -[crowd cheering]
Please join me…
in wishing a very happy 26th birthday
to the star of The Real World…
[Michael] No.
…the gauntlet and fear factor,
ladies and gentlemen, show your love for the undefeated Miz.
[Michael] Hoora.
-[JBL] Shut up. -[Michael] The Miz.
-[JBL] I'm gonna throw up. -[Michael] Happy birthday to you.
[JBL] Yeah, he can give me a birthday wish. He can die.
[Michael] Come on, he's undefeated. He's vibing out, look at him.
[JBL] I hate him. I absolutely hate this guy.
[Michael] Our general manager has given him a birthday celebration.
You never got a birthday celebration in the ring.
[JBL] No, I didn't. Never. Never.
I put people in seats all over this world.
I never got a birthday celebration.
This jackass with his Terry Taylor starter kit
shows up here with the match and he gets a birthday?
[Michael] Oh, look, he's tasting his cake.
[JBL] I hope he get's that cake in his face.
You are kidding me.
-[Michael] This is great. -[JBL] All for a reality show.
-[Miz] Is this my cake? -You got it.
-Teddy… -Everything is for you.
There's only one thing I can think of saying right now.
What's that, player?
-Hoora. -[Michael] Hoora.
-Hoora. -[crowd] Hoora.
Come on, Teddy, hoora.
[crowd] Hoora.
Miz fits, hoora.
[crowd] Hoora.
-Hoo… -Hey, hey, hey. Hey, Miz.
Hold on, player.
-Now, hoora back to you. -That's right, Teddy.
But now, hold on a second.
You know, a lot of people don't know this,
but I've been watching you, I got my eyes on you,
and you've been hitting on
one of my SmackDown Divas, pretty heavy, player.
So, I tell you what, she wants to come--
You know, even though she hasn't been too receptive to your advances,
then maybe she's changed her mind.
She wants to come out here tonight to help you celebrate, all right?
So, ladies and gentlemen, get ready to show your love
for the WWE 2006 Diva site winner, Layla.
Thanks a lot! Thanks, Teddy!
[Michael] So, wait, so Miz gets a birthday celebration in the ring
and Layla.
-Layla for the Miz. -[JBL] Oh, my God. Give her my birthday.
Holy cow.
I really figured Miz would want London or Kendrick, the way he swings.
[Michael] How smoking is she?
[JBL] My God. Unbelievable.
No wonder she won the competition.
I'd give her 250 grand right now.
Oh, wow.
Um, Layla, I know I can put it on a little strong.
But today is my birthday and I get one birthday wish.
And my wish is for you, baby.
-Oh, yeah. And, and I-- -Shh…
-Oh! -Chair, please.
Chair? Chair. Get the-- Get her a chair!
Get her a chair.
[chuckles] Anything else? Anything else?
Anything you want, on my birthday.
[laughs]
Oh, she blew in my ear. That was my ear.
Yeah, it's sensitive.
-Music please. -Get some music. Get the music.
-[mellow music playing] -Oh!
I love blonds, I love redheads, oh, I love brunettes.
[Michael] I cannot believe Miz is getting this kind of attention.
I love every touch, oh, let's see it's spicy or amazing.
Oh, my God.
If you wish you were the Miz right now, let me hear you say hoora.
-[Michael] Hoora. -[JBL] Shut up.
[Miz] Oh, yes. Oh, my God.
-[JBL] I think Layla has done this before. -[Miz] Oh, I want to touch it.
Oh, look at you, oh, that's--
[JBL] My God, that's more ass than a donkey cart.
-Oh, I love it. Oh! -[JBL] Oh, my God.
Yeah, this is the best birthday ever.
Best birthday ever.
[JBL] She's wasting it…
-She's got nails. -…on Mr. Short Buzz here.
If you think it's hot now, let's take up the tempo.
-[JBL] Blindfold? -Blindfold.
Blindfold me. I love it.
Yes, yes, I love being blindfold.
Spank me, hit me, get out the whips and chains, I don't care.
I don't care what you do. Oh, yes.
I like getting freaky. Get freaky with me baby, oh, yeah.
She's gonna get it.
Miz sexy in the house, give it to me.
Give it to me where she at?
-[upbeat music playing] -Come on. I can feel it.
Let me feel it, I feel the music.
[Michael] Oh, my God. Oh, no.
Give me that music, baby. Yeah.
-Everyone. -[Michael] Oh, no.
It's either Duncan Rose or Big Dick Johnson.
-Oh, my God! -[JBL] Oh, my lord! No!
-Oh, no. -Oh, yeah. Oh, my God. Yeah.
[Michael] Miz doesn't know what's happening. But maybe he does.
Oh, my lord.
[Miz] Yeah. This is awesome, oh, give me back that ass spanking, huh.
Spank it. I'm spanking it. I'm doing it, right, right?
Yeah, baby.
-Yeah, baby. -Whoo!
[Michael laughing]
Whoo!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael laughing]
[laughing] Oh, my God.
[JBL] Happy birthday, Miz, now go home.
-[Michael laughing] -[JBL] I'm scarred for life.
[Michael] Oh, my. Look at this.
[JBL] Big Dick Johnson and Layla.
I can watch this for a while.
-Holy cow. -[Michael] I'm sure you can, you freak.
[JBL] Oh, yeah, yes, sir.
Oh, yeah.
[Michael] Go Big Dick, go. Go Big Dick, go.
-Go Big Dick, go. -[JBL] Big Dick looks like your prom date.
[Michael] But we're live at the RBC Center at North Carolina State University
but home tonight to No Mercy and also the home of Big Dick.
-[JBL] Yeah, Big Dick is so fat… -[Michael] Can you believe that?
…he jumps up in the air and he gets stuck.
-Holy cow. -[Michael] Oh, my word.
Oh, look at this. I can't believe this.
[JBL] Miz got what he deserved, Michael.
[Michael] What do you think Miz is doing right now?
Taking a nice cold shower?
[JBL] I don't know. He might be looking for Big Dick.
["I'm Coming" playing]
[singer] ♪ 1, 2 you hear the clock ticking ♪
♪ Tick-tock, you're about to stop living ♪
♪ Tick-tock, I want you to remember me ♪
♪ Tick-tock, but the day don't have no memory ♪
♪ I'm coming, Nobody could stop me ♪
♪ Nobody could hold me, nobody control me ♪
♪ I'm coming, I'm here to do my thing ♪
♪ I'm here to bring the pain ♪
♪ I'm never ever gon' change ♪
♪ Like Tropicana, I got the juice ♪
♪ Off of the leash to let the dog loose ♪
♪ Don't make me call up the crew ♪
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Approaching the ring from Miami, Florida, weighing in at 238 pounds,
he's making his pay-per-view debut
Montel Vontavious Porter,
MVP.
[Michael] Well, no one knows who MVP is facing here tonight.
[JBL] No! The hell with that.
I wanna slap this smile right off his face.
He had busted it great.
He comes here, calling himself MVP,
dressed like a Bud Light can
stole that outfit from a damn Power Ranger
and he walks around running in a ring
that I blooded, sweated, and busted my ass in.
[Michael] Well, somebody believes in MVP.
Did you see the entrance he has?
[singer] ♪ Yeah, she want a bad boy ♪
♪ And I'm all about my cash boy ♪
[Michael] And we'll find out soon who his opponent is.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] How cocky are you?
My name is Montel Vontavious Porter.
And tonight,
I'm gonna dominate the pay-per-view like no one ever has.
Tonight, the world will witness
the greatest athlete of all time.
I'm not only SmackDown's newest superstar,
I'm also its most valuable player.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] The chitty Power Ranger.
[JBL] Looks like William Shatner.
[crowd cheering]
[rock music playing]
[Michael] Okay. Who is his opponent?
-[JBL] We'll find out now. -[Michael] MVP set for action here.
[announcer] And weighing in at 191 pounds, Marty Garner.
-[JBL] I wanna see this. -[Michael] Marty Garner!
He calls himself MVP.
He looks like he stole his outfit from Battlestar Galactica,
comes out here with that gleam and that stupid smile.
Tony Chimel just beat Marty Garner, weighs a 199 pounds,
a 199 pounds, either way a buck 59.
and this who MVP is gonna make his long awaited debut against?
I mean, give me a break. MVP strutting around,
he pulled general manager Long around on a streak for months,
come back for more money.
Nice slap by MVP to start off his pay-per-view debut.
-[JBL] Punk ass. Just a punk ass. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] But all this contractual stuff back and forth allowed no talking.
And this is what we get.
This is what we get at No Mercy.
[JBL] I agree with you. I agree with you.
[Michael] Come on.
I don't for one minute buy the fact
that MVP did not know who his opponent was tonight, do you?
[Michael] What happened to Regal, Batista, Lashley?
We got a whole locker room full of superstars
and they picked this guy that's so skinny
he has to run around in the shower to get wet.
[JBL] Oh, you're tough. You're just real tough.
-[Michael] What was that? -[JBL] It's a glow in the dark.
[Michael] Nice one. MVP.
He thinks a lot of himself, doesn't he?
[JBL] He looks like a blueberry with rhinestones on top of it.
-[Michael] Did he get that? -[JBL] I can't--I can't--
Did he get that outfit from the fabulous Moolah
or Michael Hayes?
[Michael] I can't believe this.
I'd have expected, like you said,
major tier superstar against MVP to see what he's made of in his debut.
Pretty--it's not merely there.
[JBL] Cover, and MVP has not got his match made.
Could be a long road ahead for this man.
[Michael] Well, not if he continues to take on Marty.
[JBL] See, he's not cocky. He's arrogant.
[Michael] He's a goof.
[JBL] He's that too.
Mr. Kennedy comes out here, he's cocky.
He talks trash, he backs it up.
Stone Cold Steve Austin talk trash, he broke it up.
This guy talks trash
and got somebody that couldn't win a bingo contest in high school.
[Michael] I think there was a "boring" chant going moments ago.
That's what the SmackDown fans think of MVP.
Garner bounced off the top turnbuckle.
I mean, come on, now.
-And look at Garner, his left hand. -[JBL] Hit him, hit him.
[Michael] MVP, well, he was stunned for a moment.
[JBL] Let me try to tell you something,
you get a right hand like that from The Undertaker,
this guy with his blueberry bling is gonna get knocked out.
[Michael] Garner whipped across the ring, up over the top,
and gets him in a clothesline. That was vicious.
And MVP's slamming the back of Garner's skull into the ring.
I think play time is over for Montel Vontavious Porter.
A mean streak coming out.
We saw sides of this throughout his contract negotiation.
[JBL] This guy, he's got the body of a hunger strike victim,
whatever his name is.
-Oh, you're tough. -[Michael] Oh, that was unique.
MVP into the cover.
-And say what you want… -[bell ringing]
…Montel Vontavious Porter wins his debut.
[announcer] Here is your winner, MVP.
[Michael] Well, the MVP era gets some victory upon us.
[JBL] That's smile needs to be knocked off his face
and I'd love to be the one that did it. What a cocky punk.
The history of this ring.
From all of the great people, Gorgeous George came out in a rope,
Ric Flair came out in ropes.
They packed it up.
This little punk ass hadn't busted a grave his entire life
and he walks around like he's a world champion
and I take personal offense at that.
And so should everybody else in SmackDown.
[Michael] This is how things started before the match ever got under way,
the slap by the cocky, brash, arrogant, egotistical MVP
who did show a mean streak
but what upsets me more than anything else
and he was impressive here, JBL,
is the fact that MVP talked a great game for weeks and weeks
and he comes out to take on Marty Garner.
I mean, come on now.
[JBL] Over promised, under delivered.
[Michael] Exactly.
Promised to lock in however much in my mind.
[JBL] He's got to bring more than that.
[Michael] Well, he's got himself a nice big fat contract.
He's gonna be on SmackDown
for a long time to come from what I understand.
And that says it all.
[JBL] How badly did he out-negotiate Teddy Long?
Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.
Oh, dear. [sighs]
What a day.
[Finlay] ♪ London bridge is falling down ♪
♪ Falling down, falling down ♪
[laughing] ♪ London bridge is falling down ♪
Oh, my God, what happened?
Somebody shortchange you over there?
Oh, my God, is your father a donkey?
It gets me a lot of dates, the chicks dig it.
I'm from Staten Island. [laughs]
[William whimpers]
[crowd laughs]
[William] Oops, ladies! Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry,
it's the air-conditioning.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, Wait, hey, what are you doing?
What do you mean, what am I doing?
I'm getting accosted in the shower--
Hey, the first thing you need to do is you need to cover up your--
I've got to find Finlay.
-Cover yourself up right now. -I'm covering. I'm covering.
Now, you mean to tell me, you got nothing better to do
than to be horse playing in the hall
and hanky panking around in the shower.
I'm on a serious mission.
I'm trying to-- And Vito has got me in the shower and-- Oh!
Well, speaking of Vito,
Vito has some issues to work through.
Now, let me tell you something right now,
I am not gonna tolerate this horse playing in the hall
so I tell you what I'm gonna do.
The best thing for you to do is go back to the locker room,
put your gear on
because later on tonight, I'm putting you in a match.
You got that?
How very, very dare you.
Change.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, up next,
the man who was undefeated at WrestleMania,
the four-time champion, the sure-fire hall of famer,
the legendary Undertaker one-on-one with the brash, the cocky,
the confident United States Champion, Mr. Kennedy.
And as he said on SmackDown this past Friday night,
Kennedy claims he will beat The Undertaker.
Undertaker, you've made a career
based on reputation
and achieved legendary status as a phenom in this industry.
[commentator] There is only one phenom.
There is only one Undertaker.
[Mr. Kennedy] You've won championships, defeated legends
and accomplished pretty much everything there is to accomplish in this industry.
[commentator 2] He is a living legend.
As bad as they come,
a dangerous, violent, vicious force.
By playing mind games with people,
you've locked them away in caskets,
hauled them away in hearses, you've even buried people alive.
And last week,
I came face to face with the awesome power that you possess.
[commentator 2] Wait. Oh, wait! What the hell was that?
Mr. Kennedy's microphone just blew up in the ring.
Did you honestly think a little magic trick
like making my microphone explode and shoot sparks all over the place
was gonna intimidate me?
Undertaker, the decade and a half of destruction is over.
And the future has arrived.
The future is me.
[bell tolls]
[Undertaker] There's something important I think you should know.
I have seen the best,
I have fought the best,
and I've beaten the best.
You don't scare me.
Nothing that you can conjure
in the deepest, darkest recesses of your mind
will compare to the shock and awe
when I pin you at No Mercy.
[Undertaker] You can't hide from the Dead Man.
The future is me.
The future is Mr. Kennedy.
-[announcer] Kennedy. -[rock music playing]
[Michael] well, I have to admit, the United States champion,
well, convincing as hell, pretty confident.
[JBL] Michael, you can be convincing all you want.
You can even convince yourself. It's a different thing
when you step in the ring with The Undertaker.
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Approaching the ring, from Green Bay, Wisconsin,
weighing in at 230…
[singer] ♪ Gonna stir up like it just won't quit ♪
♪ You'll get used to my rubbin' your nose in it ♪
♪ Step a little closer, close to my fire ♪
♪ Trouble's my drug ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] He's cocky.
Remember the microphone that blew up a couple of weeks back
at the hands of The Undertaker.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I weigh in tonight at two-- No, shut up.
This is my time. This is about me.
-[crowd booing] -[Mr. Kennedy breathing heavily]
I weigh in tonight at 240 pounds.
I hail from Green Bay, Wisconsin
and you are looking at the United States Champion.
I am…
Mr. Kennedy.
Kennedy.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chatter]
-[bell tolls] -[crowd cheering]
[JBL] Here he comes.
[crowd cheering]
[bell tolls]
[JBL] There's nothing Kennedy could do to prepare for this.
You can talk all you want. You can believe what you want.
I've been in the ring where Kennedy is, this right here
-is a cold chilling fear. -[announcer] And from Death Valley,
weighing in at 305 pounds,
The Undertaker.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, it is one thing for Mr. Kennedy
to say to The Undertaker that you don't scare me,
that your hocus pocus garbage and your illusions
and your scare tactics mean squat to me.
But it's another thing to actually sit in the ring
and to feel this presence,
the presence of perhaps, the most legendary,
the surefire hall of famer,
the most-- The Phenomenal superstar, The Undertaker,
approaching to the ring, tell us about it.
[JBL] Kennedy sat here with us, you can watch The Undertaker
approach someone in the ring but it wasn't him.
Until you've sat there and realized that the Dead Man,
The Phenom,
the guy who doesn't fight for prestige, for titles, for money, just for causes,
is coming after you, Michael,
you haven't felt anything.
[Michael] Again, to your point, for The Undertaker,
this is not about the United States Championship,
that title is not on the line tonight.
For The Undertaker, it is about taking on a brash, a young kid,
another one in a long line of people who come into this ring
and claim that they're gonna take the yard from The Undertaker.
[JBL] Kennedy has beaten a lot of men though, Michael.
But, Michael, let me tell you this.
So had I.
I stepped in the ring with No Mercy against The Undertaker.
I barely walked out the same.
[Michael] The Undertaker has made a career of roughing people up
by not only using his physical prowess but also, his psychological warfare,
his mind games, his intimidation, his humiliation.
[JBL] What's psychological to look at him. Look at Undertaker.
That's all you need to see. Look at that man.
How would you like to be staring at that man? I've done it.
I've had nightmares about it.
Not that I was scared,
I've had nightmares about that man right there.
[Michael] In fact, in No Mercy, two years ago, JBL,
you were in a Last Ride match against The Undertaker.
[JBL] Tombstoned me on the stairs, busted my head wide open,
put me through the Spanish announcer table
and almost ended my career.
[bell tolls]
And I walked out technically the winner that night, Michael.
[Michael] And Mr. Kennedy, perhaps a bit of fear
just creeping into the eyes of the United States champion.
[JBL] I don't care who you are.
That right there is a moment of fear, knowing that here it is, it's show time.
[Michael] So, as this match up officially…
gets set to get underway from referee Charles Robinson,
I have to ask you the question,
as Undertaker is just standing there, not moving,
staring a hole through Kennedy,
I have to ask you the question, John, actually, I wanna make a point.
I don't think, in my mind
that Kennedy can beat The Undertaker tonight.
[JBL] You didn't think Kennedy could defeat Batista
when he called him out,
when Batista was so mad that he had been off
for eight months due to Mark Henry, Kennedy did it.
-Kennedy defeated Rey Mysterio. -[bell rings]
[JBL] He defeated King Booker.
He's defeated three world champions.
[Michael] And here they go.
Undertaker, tossing Kennedy into the corner
went for the big right hand, and Kennedy with the right hands.
He needs to stay in this match up early
and he cannot make The Phenom mad, that is important.
Big high elbow by Kennedy to The Undertaker.
There's the big foot by The Phenom, the four-time champion.
[JBL] You can't match the power of this guy.
You have to hope The Undertaker makes a mistake
and you've got to capitalize on it,
one thing that Kennedy does exceptionally well.
[Michael] Watch the impact.
Almost knocked Kennedy's head off.
Ladies and gentlemen, this all started a couple of weeks back
when Mr. Kennedy walked out here and told general manager, Theodore Long,
I'm going to Raw, I've beaten everybody on SmackDown.
There's no more competition for me here.
But Kennedy forgot about one man, and that's The Phenom, The Undertaker.
[JBL] And I'll still give Kennedy a chance, Michael.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy is the man who is looking tonight
to knock off another former champion.
He's already knocked off Batista, Rey Mysterio,
Booker T, or King Booker, among others.
[JBL] And this will be the fourth world champion he has knocked off.
[Michael] If he can knock him off.
[JBL] If The Undertaker can knock him off.
-[Michael] Undertaker-- Mr. Kennedy-- -[JBL] Smart. Smart.
You got to think.
[Michael] This is wise, as Mr. Kennedy rolls out of the ring,
but The Undertaker is quickly in pursuit.
And Mr. Kennedy, as Undertaker works on that left arm.
[JBL] Let me tell you what you have to do with The Undertaker.
When The Undertaker gets rolling, when The Undertaker gets momentum going,
you've got to break it. You got to roll out.
You got to get away from him. You got to stop him
because there's nobody better when he is on offense
in the history of this game than the Dead Man, The Undertaker.
[Michael] Undertaker, stalking Mr. Kennedy.
Mr. Kennedy, the man who just two nights ago on SmackDown
claimed that The Undertaker's decade and a half of destruction
would end here tonight.
[JBL] And no offense to the past world champions
that Mr. Kennedy has beaten,
but this is a level that he's never competed on before,
the level against The Undertaker.
[Michael] Well, somebody-- Look at the strength
of the six ten, 300 pound Undertaker.
If you're talking about level, so many different levels,
not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, psychologically.
Undertaker again in pursuit, Mr. Kennedy outside the ring.
[JBL] I tried to play mind games with The Undertaker.
I tried to out think him.
I tried to outsmart him, and Michael, quite frankly--
[Michael] Watch this. Watch this.
Oh, and that injured shoulder driven into the steel ring post.
[JBL] Nothing that I did was very successful.
All I did was able to survive.
Some people have not done that.
[Michael] Hey, the 14 and 0 record on the grandest stage of all,
WrestleMania, is all you need to know about The Undertaker.
And Mr. Kennedy hanging on for dear life.
[JBL] And mind you, the hall of fame
listed Undertaker's won championship fights,
two times, Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin,
Sycho Sid, he's had four world champions because that's all he's cared to win.
If this guy cared about championships and this guy cared about money,
he would have it. He believes in causes.
[Michael] And Mr. Kennedy, elbows to the gut of The Undertaker,
follows it up with a right hand, still cradling that left arm,
and did you see the boot?
The big boot of The Undertaker.
[JBL] Don't trade fists with Undertaker.
[Michael] You can't do it. Undertaker is the best pure striker
in the history of sports entertainment.
So where is the kick to the armor?
If you're Mr. Kennedy, how do you attack The Undertaker?
[JBL] You got to hope he makes a mistake.
You got to hope The Undertaker does something, will make a mistake.
-Old school. -[Michael] Look at this.
-Phenom going for the old school. -[JBL] Old school.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy, trying to knock The Undertaker.
-[JBL] That's what you do. -[Michael] There's the big arm drag.
[JBL] That's what you do.
Game changer right there.
That is the kink in The Undertaker's armor.
-[Michael] But can Mr. Kennedy capitalize? [JBL] You've got to--
You've got to catch The Undertaker on a roll
and you've to find a way to make one hell of a counter.
[Michael] Watch this. An arm drag halfway across the ring,
The Phenom in trouble.
However, he did sit up.
[JBL] When's the last time you ever saw that, Michael,
The Undertaker being thrown off the top rope?
[Michael] Cannot recall it. As Mr. Kennedy begins the attack.
Mr. Kennedy still favoring that left arm.
But momentum may be shifting in the match up
and this is where Kennedy becomes so dangerous.
We've seen it a number of times, JBL, the viciousness kicks in
when Kennedy realizes his opponent is in trouble.
[JBL] Kennedy loves to jump on a guy when he's injured.
He's great at it. One of the best we have.
Yeah, that's why he is SmackDown's greatest, fastest rising star.
When he get this man down, The Undertaker, you better not let him up.
[Michael] Kennedy, winning the United States Championship
against Finlay and Lashley in a Triple Threat a couple of months ago.
[JBL] With Kennedy gaining confidence--
-Oh, that'll stop the confidence. -[Michael] What a kick from The Undertaker
[Michael] Just when you think you got The Undertaker reeling,
he gets right back in the game.
[JBL] Kennedy made a mistake, he let the referee break him
stomping on The Undertaker, you simply can't do that.
[Michael] Again, Undertaker to the second rope going for old school.
He's already weak in the shoulder.
Undertaker, the roll to the back of the shoulder,
the rotator cuff, again, Mr. Kennedy in trouble.
[JBL] And Michael, if Undertaker gets in a groove, he is hell.
-[Michael] Face first. -[JBL] Flatliner.
[Michael] Into the cover, shoulders down,
could be it, Mr. Kennedy, instinctively perhaps, kicks out.
[JBL] Mr. Kennedy so far hasn't mounted any offense of any importance.
[crowd chanting] Kennedy! Kennedy! Kennedy!
[JBL] Smart. Smart.
[Michael] And look at this, Mr. Kennedy is, I believe, loosening
that protective top covering to the steel turnbuckle.
Undertaker and the referee, oblivious to--
The pad has been removed, the protection of that steel turnbuckle
has been removed by Mr. Kennedy,
as Undertaker follows it up with a clothesline, into the cover,
referee in position, kickout at two.
[JBL] Turnbuckle's exposed.
[Michael] That is solid steel.
The protective covering has been ripped off
by Mr. Kennedy, but can he use it?
[JBL] That's one thing Mr. Kennedy has, very few people have,
you're in with The Undertaker, you're using your brain, you're thinking.
Even while taking a beating, he has enough cognitive complexity
to think about a way to outsmart The Undertaker.
[Michael] Cognitive complexity, I can't even say it.
[JBL] There's a reason.
[Michael] What does that mean, actually?
[JBL] It means you're complex,
it means you can think about more things than one thing at once.
If you're not complex, you're simple, and I would suggest you would be simple.
It goes with a short bus you probably rode to school.
[Michael] Undertaker with that big hand
just wrapped around the neck of Mr. Kennedy.
There is the intimidation we've talked about directed at the referee.
And Undertaker, nobody home, hung up top rope, fell over the top rope.
Mr. Kennedy, can he take advantage?
[Mr. Kennedy grunts]
[Michael] Undertaker driven off the apron to the barricade.
[JBL] Here's his chance. Mr. Kennedy, jump on him.
Mr. Kennedy, get on him.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy, still trying to get some blood flow,
some feeling back to the shoulder.
As we take another look,
Undertaker, driven skull first, you saw almost--
The Undertaker's eyes roll in the back of his head
and this one not done on purpose like Taker sometimes does.
[JBL] It's Undertaker, dude. You do not want to call him Taker.
-[Michael] All right, The Undertaker. -[JBL] What the hell is wrong with you?
[Michael] I apologize.
As Mr. Kennedy stomps away at The Undertaker outside the ring.
[referee] …four…
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy.
[JBL] Mr. Kennedy better hop on him right now and not let him up.
The first real offense Mr. Kennedy's had.
Smart. Smart. Now get on him. And stay on him.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy rolling back into the ring.
[JBL] I wouldn't leave him this long.
[Michael] Undertaker is hurting.
[crowd chatter]
What are you doing? Stay in the ring now.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy out to the apron.
-[Michael] Look at that arm… -[JBL] Telegraphed it.
-…and he's caught. -[JBL] Telegraphed it.
-Damn it, Kennedy. -[Michael] Wasting too much time.
[JBL] Kennedy took way too much time!
-No! -[Michael] Look, it's spine first
into the steel by The Undertaker.
Mr. Kennedy took too much time
and the veteran, The Undertaker capitalized.
[JBL] You can breathe when you die, Michael.
You can breathe after the match. You can sleep when you die.
Yeah. I think, it's The Undertaker, he's got to be all confused.
You breathe after the match.
If you're tired, don't show it against The Undertaker.
You realize how rare it is to get this man down?
Kennedy cannot leave him. He made a mistake.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy can hardly stand
after being driven spine first into the steel.
Undertaker into the cover, shoulders down, kickout at two by Kennedy.
[JBL] Kennedy's got to find a way to get back on top of The Undertaker.
Mr. Kennedy has absorbed a tremendous amount of punishment.
And Mr. Kennedy driving The Undertaker through the second rope to the mat below.
And it buys Mr. Kennedy some time and you hear Kennedy yelling,
"count him out" to referee, Charles Robinson.
[crowd chatter]
…two…
three…
[Michael] Undertaker slowly back to his feet.
-Undertaker… -…five…
…trying to make it back to the ring.
At least, what this did for Mr. Kennedy was buy him some time to try to regroup.
[JBL] There you go. There you go.
[Michael] Undertaker landing on his shoulder, I believe.
Mr. Kennedy rolls into the cover, perhaps an upset in the making,
shoulders down, you see how Kennedy kept the arm from going under the rope,
but Undertaker got his foot on the bottom rope.
[JBL] That's what Kennedy needs to do to turn this match around,
to capitalize on a mistake that The Undertaker could make.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy stomping away, realizes how important this match is
for his career and his legacy.
[JBL] And look at Kennedy go.
Kennedy is impressing me tonight.
The guy is taking it to The Undertaker.
You never know how a guy's gonna react against The Phenom
until he gets in the ring with him.
Some guys climb into a shell,
some guys will do what Kennedy's doing and rise to the occasion.
[Michael] Again, shoots the half cover, shoulders down, two,
kickout by The Undertaker at two.
Mr. Kennedy.
[JBL] And people in North Carolina are shocked right now.
They can't believe their beloved Undertaker
is taking a beating like Mr. Kennedy is putting on him.
[Michael] Well, Mr. Kennedy is taking to The Undertaker
as he shoves that boot right into the throat of The Phenom.
Undertaker is a bit wobbly, can't quite find his feet,
-doesn't have his legs under him. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The Undertaker chants begin by the SmackDown fans
here at North Carolina State University.
[JBL] It's not going to do him any good.
And might I ask you, Michael, how many times have you seen--
[Michael] Oh! Did you see that boot right to the temple?
-[JBL] Wow. -[Michael] Undertaker nearly motionless.
Is The Undertaker out cold?
Is The Phenom out cold? It appears that way. Watch this.
Throws the cover, hook to the leg.
An upset in the making and a kickout at two.
[JBL] Anytime you wobble, The Phenom will attack.
It's unheard of.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy continuing the assault,
dropping the elbows to the sternum, blow to the heart, hook to the leg,
shoulders down, kickout again, but barely by The Undertaker.
Is Mr. Kennedy getting frustrated or is he just becoming more aggressive?
[JBL] He's becoming more aggressive.
He realized what he has to do as he can't relax pressure on The Undertaker.
No matter what happens, you stay on top of this man.
How many times have you had to hear fans
cheering for The Undertaker because he's getting beat up?
[Michael] Undertaker with the right hand, trying to get back in the game.
Mr. Kennedy with the right hand as well.
Undertaker with the big right to the gut.
[Mr. Kennedy groans]
[Michael] Rights and lefts, here comes the striker,
The Undertaker with a big uppercut.
Mr. Kennedy's reeling.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Clothesline knocks Mr. Kennedy over the top rope
and suddenly, just like that, The Phenom is back in the game.
[JBL] Oh, no. This is not good, Michael.
[Michael] Not good at all with Mr. Kennedy is in trouble,
Undertaker setting him up on the apron.
-Oh, my. -[JBL] No.
[Michael] This is vintage Undertaker, driving to get the elbow,
the point of the elbow to the skull.
[JBL] Vintage Undertaker is bad Undertaker, I've been there.
There's nothing pleasant about being there. Oh, no.
[Michael] Three hundred pound leg drop across the throat.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy falling like a heap to the floor below.
[referee] Help Kennedy inside, now.
Leave him out here, man.
[JBL] Momentum has switched again, Michael.
Right when you think Kennedy's getting on top of this guy,
The Undertaker does something like this.
[Michael] JBL, you have been on the receiving end of that leg drop.
What does it feel like?
[JBL] It feels like a Volkswagen dropping on your chest.
It knocks all of the wind out of you.
It braces down, hits you on the jaw, gets you all woozy.
I tell you something, there's nothing like looking up
-and seeing The Undertaker… -[Michael] Look at this.
-Look at this. -[JBL] …coming down on you.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy has perhaps going for the Tombstone Piledriver.
This is The Undertaker's maneuver.
Can he deliver?
Oh, my. Oh, my.
Mr. Kennedy into the cover, I can't believe it.
And Undertaker kicked out
but Mr. Kennedy delivered the Piledriver to The Undertaker.
I don't-- I've never seen that. Are you in shock?
[JBL] I'm in complete shock.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy trying to-- And here's the cover again.
And again, Undertaker got the shoulder up.
[JBL] I wanna go on a limb right now, Michael,
and tell you Kennedy is going to win this thing.
[Michael] I can't-- but I may agree with you.
I can't believe he just delivered the Tombstone to The Undertaker.
[JBL] Every time The Undertaker is regaining the momentum,
Kennedy has found a way to get back the lead.
[Michael] And Mr. Kennedy trying to take advantage of the Piledriver
as we take another look.
Watch this. Unbelievable.
I don't-- I don't remember the last time we've seen
somebody counter The Undertaker
and did you see how The Undertaker's neck and he's having his body folded up.
And this is a submission maneuver, or I should say, a sleeper hold,
trying to knock The Undertaker out,
and if The Undertaker faints, Kennedy is gonna pull an upset.
[JBL] And now a triangle choke, but either way,
look at Undertaker's face, it's turning purple.
Air is going out of this man's lungs.
Blood is going out of this man's brain.
[Michael] This would be an upset of monumental proportions.
[JBL] Can you imagine, he's about to choke out The Undertaker.
[Michael] And The Undertaker keeping the arm up.
Mr. Kennedy continues to keep the hold locked in.
Undertaker trying to get back into this, but Kennedy, after that Piledriver.
[JBL] I can't believe it. I've never seen The Undertaker
picked up and Piledrived like Mr. Kennedy just did.
Unbelievable, something I didn't think we'd see tonight, Michael.
[Michael] Well, we did.
We've seen a lot of unbelievable things at No Mercy and plenty is still to come,
but the story that is developing here, ladies and gentlemen--
Oh, and The Undertaker.
Dropping side suplex.
[JBL] Kennedy has found a way-- got to find a way
to not let the momentum switch back to The Undertaker.
[Michael] Great point.
[JBL] He's got him hurt here.
He's got to find a way to stay on top of this man.
[Michael] But how do you do that?
[JBL] You do whatever you have to do, Michael.
He pulled The Undertaker-- The Piledriver totally out of his hat.
-Pull something else out. -[Michael] His big right hands.
Undertaker with a right of his own.
Kennedy and Undertaker exchanging blows in what has been a physical battle.
[JBL] Don't trade blows with The Undertaker,
poke him in the eyes, kick him in the groin,
whatever you have to do.
Don't match fists with The Deadman.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy, kick to the knee.
[JBL] It's okay. It's what you have to do.
[Michael] Reversal, Undertaker missed clothesline.
[JBL] That is vintage Undertaker.
[Michael] The following clothesline.
[JBL] Don't stay there Mr. Kennedy.
[Michael] Undertaker, 300-pound frame, following up that running clothesline.
Another clothesline by The Undertaker.
Mr. Kennedy in trouble.
Undertaker, oh, my, roll of the dice, snake eyes.
-[JBL] Watch out, Kennedy. -[Michael] A boot to the skull.
Undertaker, trying to griddle up the mush.
A big legdrop by The Undertaker.
-Into the cover. -[JBL] This is it.
[Michael] The dream may be over for Mr. Kennedy, no, a kickout at two.
Watch the move.
Right at the end of the mush.
-Oh, my. -[JBL] That's it. This is it.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy doesn't realize it.
Hell of a fight Mr. Kennedy put up.
[Michael] Undertaker measuring this man.
Mr. Kennedy is gonna go up for the ride.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Oh, look at Mr. Kennedy.
Mr. Kennedy just grabbed the referee.
Trying to keep himself from going up with a Chokeslam.
Mr. Kennedy swinging that breaker.
[JBL] What a move. What a move. He may steal one.
[Michael] Crawl to the cover, two with a kickout.
[JBL] Kennedy is actually going move for move with The Undertaker.
[Michael] That he is, and now Mr. Kennedy begging The Undertaker to get to his feet.
[JBL] What a way to raise his game.
-[Michael] Went for this wild enzuigiri. -[JBL] Done. Done.
[Michael] Undertaker, hand around the throat.
-Mr. Kennedy, Chokeslam. -[crowd cheering]
[JBL] Valiant effort though, Michael.
Valiant effort by Mr. Kennedy.
[Michael] A Chokeslam and Undertaker.
[crowd cheering]
[JBL] Nighty night, sweet prince.
[Michael] Kick to the midsection.
[JBL]And I thought he had him. I thought Kennedy had him.
-Damn it. -[Michael] Here we go.
[JBL] Damn it, I thought he had him.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy going for the ride, feverishly battling his way out.
Mr. Kennedy almost ran into the referee again.
And look at this. And remember, the exposed turnbuckle.
Remember the turnbuckle was exposed, Kennedy bouncing The Undertaker's skull…
-[JBL] Unbelievable. -…towards the steel.
[JBL] Twenty minutes after he did it, he thought about it.
[Michael] Big clothesline by Mr. Kennedy.
But Undertaker's skull just bounced off that steel turnbuckle.
And now Mr. Kennedy up.
Going to go to the top rope?
[JBL] What the hell is he trying to do?
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy off the top rope.
Oh, no.
Not the Kenton Bomb.
-Kennedy connected. -[JBL] He's got him. He's got him.
-[Michael] An upset… -[JBL] Kennedy has him.
of huge proportions, and he got him.
No, he didn't. Undertaker rolled the shoulder up.
Kennedy cannot believe it.
-Wow. -[JBL] What a match up.
-Uh-oh. -[Michael] Oh, my God.
Did you see the look in the eyes of Mr. Kennedy?
[JBL] He's never seen that before.
Michael, he's never seen that before, there's nothing like The Undertaker.
[Michael] Wait a minute. Mr. Kennedy's got
-the United States Championship. -[JBL] Damn one of these guys.
-[Michael] What the hell is this? -[JBL] He better do whatever he can.
Give me the thing, give me the thing. Give me the damn thing now!
-Give it to me. -[crowd chatter]
[Michael] A tug of war with the referee.
Right hand by The Undertaker.
And now Undertaker's got the United States Championship.
[Charles] Hey, hey, hey. I told you, don't do it.
-Don't do it. -[Michael] Uh-oh.
Measuring Mr. Kennedy.
-The title, the championship on the skull. -[bell ringing]
[JBL] No mercy.
That man has no mercy.
He asked for none, he damn sure gives none.
[crowd cheering]
-["Turn Up the Trouble" playing] -[Michael] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
Well, the referee just declaring
Mr. Kennedy the winner via disqualification.
And I believe Charles Robinson
is gonna rue the day that he made that move.
[JBL] You shouldn't have made that mad.
You should never make Undertaker mad.
Talk about taking your life in your own hands,
get out of the ring, Mr. Kennedy.
[Michael] Undertaker just plowing over Mr. Kennedy.
[JBL] He's in the mood to destroy somebody.
I've been there, Michael.
There's nothing you can do to stop Undertaker right now
unless he gets enough.
This man, this man is sick.
He's an animal.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy not realizing what waits for him.
Mr. Kennedy up on his shoulder, in trouble.
Tombstone Piledriver.
["Rest In Peace" playing]
[Michael] I believe Mr. Kennedy should not have made The Undertaker mad.
[JBL] I suggest to Mr. Kennedy, you got your win,
you defeated a fourth world champion albeit DQ,
I suggest you get your ass and get out of town.
[Michael] And Mr. Kennedy did get the victory
because the referee disqualified The Undertaker
for using the United States Championship.
But despite what Mr. Kennedy says--
[JBL] Watch, Michael. Look at this.
-[Michael] Now what? -[JBL] I told you,
when Undertaker gets in this mood,
he is hell-bent destroying on everything in sight.
Just hope he doesn't come after you.
[Michael] The referee, Charles Robinson, the man who disqualified The Undertaker.
Oh, my. Oh, my.
Oh, no. Oh, no.
Tombstone Piledriver to the referee.
[JBL] There's no reason for that except for the fact that he's The Undertaker.
He does what he wants when he wants.
["Rest In Peace" playing]
[Michael] Oh, wait a minute.
It was Mr. Kennedy who brought the United State Championship
into the ring in the first place.
[JBL] Yeah, but it was Undertaker who used it.
[Michael] Mr. Kennedy picks up the win via disqualification,
but despite what Kennedy says, JBL,
I believe The Undertaker's decade and a half of destruction is not over.
-There's more coming. -[JBL] Typical Undertaker match up,
bodies left everywhere.
[Michael] The Undertaker's path of destruction.
The Undertaker showing no mercy here tonight.
Wow.
[JBL] Kennedy shouldn't have made him mad.
The guy's an animal.
And here at No Mercy, bodies still strewn throughout the arena,
damaged from the hands of The Phenom, The Undertaker,
and where are bodies gonna be strewn because coming up next,
it's a Falls Count Anywhere match up,
and personal rivalry between Rey Mysterio and Chavo Guerrero.
It's something that has built for decades between Rey Mysterio and Chavo Guerrero.
It's a matter of familia. It's a matter of pride.
And today, they get a chance to finally conclude this rivalry.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, this personal rivalry has seen
many twists and turns. Two men and a woman,
as close as brothers and sisters torn apart by greed, jealousy and pride.
[dramatic music playing]
-We've been through a lot together, right? -[Rey] Yeah.
Your last name is not Guerrero, but it might as well be.
[Rey] I feel like a Guerrero, Chavo.
[Chavo] Tonight, I'm here to make sure that dreams do come true.
[commentator] Hey, watch that, Chavo Guerrero.
-[commentator 2] Chavo Guerrero. -[commentator 3] Yeah, Chavo Guerrero.
[commentator] Steel chair in hand.
[commentator] What the hell was that?
[commentator] Chavo just cost Rey the world championship.
[Chavo] Rey Mysterio did everything he could
to tie himself to Eddie Guerrero.
Rey Mysterio, you're nothing but a leech
living off the blood of the Guerrero name.
[Vickie] This war on Rey has to stop.
You're tearing up our familia.
Rey Mysterio is not part of the Guerrero family, Vickie.
Remember that.
-[Michael] Come on, Chavo. -[JBL] He's gonna finish it.
He's gonna finish it and he should.
You put that down! Stop. No!
[JBL] Vickie has got to get out of there.
[dramatic music playing]
[Vickie] Eddie thought of you as family.
I think of you as a brief insignificant chapter of my past.
I am the new business manager of Chavo Guerrero.
[Michael] Rey obviously extremely distraught
over what has transpired over the past couple of weeks.
[JBL] Rey Mysterio in the ring is not the Rey Mysterio of old.
Rey Mysterio has let this get into his head.
-Dominick. What's happening? -Hey, Dominick, hi.
-You're getting big, man. -[Vickie] Look at you!
You watching your dad?
Hey, that's awesome, man.
-Yes, so… -Guess what?
So are we.
[dramatic music playing]
[Michael] And Chavo and Vickie, what the hell?
What the hell are they thinking of, Dominick?
They've got Rey's son.
[dramatic music playing]
[bell ringing]
The following contest is the Falls Count Anywhere match.
Now, that means, ladies and gentlemen, that pinfalls can happen inside the ring
as well as anywhere inside the confines of this arena.
[singer] ♪ Ooh, Chavo ♪
["Chavito Ardiente" playing]
[Chimel] Making his way to the ring,
being accompanied by his business manager, Vickie Guerrero,
from El Paso, Texas,
weighing in at 215 pounds, Chavo Guerrero.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, a few weeks ago, general manager,
Theodore Long tried to have this match on SmackDown.
The match up never started.
Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio battled all throughout the arena
hence the reason the way Falls Count Anywhere match up,
because JBL, you know as well as I do,
that ring cannot confine the hatred between these two men.
[JBL] If that ring cannot confine it, I don't know if North Carolina
can confine the hatred between these two guys.
This old rivalry that has been brewing since Tijuana, 15 years ago,
when Rey Mysterio's uncle first gave Chavo a job in Tijuana.
[Michael] And this is how Chavo Guerrero repays Mysterio and his family,
-by calling Mysterio a leech. -[JBL] He is a leech.
[Michael] That is living off the Guerrero name.
[JBL] He's a pathetic leech.
[Michael] And there you see Vickie Guerrero,
Chavo's business manager.
Who turned her back on Rey as well.
[JBL] Hey, you watch your mouth, Michael.
Vickie Guerrero was there backstage for Rey Mysterio
when he won a world championship.
The same as she was for Eddie.
Do you sense the common denominator?
She is now with Chavo.
Common denominator is Vickie Guerrero.
She comes with champions.
[singer] ♪ What you gonna do when we come for you? ♪
♪ What you gonna do when we come for you? ♪
["Booyaka 619" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Chimel] And from San Diego, California
weighing in at 170 pounds, Rey Mysterio.
[Michael] Well, this is a different Rey Mysterio here tonight.
It is a composed Rey Mysterio, a competitive Rey Mysterio.
The heartbreak has gone away.
-[JBL] Composed-- -[Michael] The anger has replaced it.
[JBL] Composed my butt.
This is the least violent thing we'll see all night.
These guys are about to tear each other limb for limb.
All hell is about to break loose, Michael.
I love it.
It's about time these guys fought themselves
to one man standing, one man is not.
[Michael] And there's Vickie Guerrero putting the bad mouth on Rey Mysterio.
It was Vickie who called Rey an insignificant part of her life.
And that it's time for her to move on and forget about Rey.
[JBL] You can't fault her for what she thinks.
[Michael] Referee Jimmy Korderas
-will have his hands full… -[bell ringing]
…really no rules in this match up, JBL.
The only rule is, falls can occur anywhere
in the RBC Center here at North Carolina State University.
[JBL] And what a crazy psychological match up we have here.
Both these guys were champ-- were tag team champions in WWE
with Eddie Guerrero.
Both think they are defending Eddie Guerrero.
This is about the Guerrero name
that Chavo claims Mysterio has leeched on.
[Michael] Big uppercut by Chavo Guerrero
to the former world champion, Rey Mysterio.
Chavo cost Rey the world championship back at The Great American Bash,
Rey has never forgiven him for it.
Rey Mysterio with a big right hand.
Falls Count Anywhere matches like this, JBL,
are used to finally try to put an end to longstanding rivalries.
We haven't had one in WWE in nearly a year.
In fact, just look at the jackknife cover, but Rey rolled through,
big right hands by Mysterio.
The last time we had a Falls Count Anywhere match up,
nearly a year ago, you were involved in it.
[JBL] I was involved in it for a very good reason, Michael.
It's because when a feud gets so out of hand,
you either stick them in a cage or you just say,
"Listen guys, go out there and just beat the hell out of each other,
wherever you get a pinfall, the concession stand,
the parking lot, it doesn't matter."
[Michael] Rey Mysterio, with Chavo in trouble,
trying to climb up toward the top rope.
Chavo with right hands beating Rey Mysterio
before he could get up top.
[JBL] The one thing you can be sure of tonight,
there will be a conclusive winner
and a conclusive loser…
-[crowd chanting] Eddie! Eddie! Eddie! -…for these two guys.
[Michael] Eddie chants begin, but who will feed off the Eddie chants?
Will it be Rey or it will be Chavo?
-Remember, Chavo… -Move, move, move.
…believes he's celebrating Eddie's legacy.
[grunts]
-[JBL] Uh-oh. What's he gonna do? -[Michael] Uh-oh. What the hell.
Rey Mysterio trying to battle out of this predicament as well.
Who does this Falls Count Anywhere format favor out of these two men?
Oh. Wow.
Both men knocked off the top rope, both men are down.
[JBL] It's gotta favor a Guerrero,
Falls Count Anywhere, it's like a bar room brawl,
that is the one thing that Guerrero's are extremely good at.
[Michael] Another look.
Two right hands, two men on the top rope.
You see Rey catch his knee on the apron
as he crashed to the floor below?
Rey gingerly back to his feet, but a dropkick to the skull of Chavo.
You see Vickie in the background, Chavo's business manager looking on.
No count outs of course, no disqualifications.
The only way you win, you pin the man anywhere in the arena.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] And Mysterio hit against the barricade.
Believe me, no protection whatsoever.
You could hear the metal clang
-as Rey Mysterio was run into it. -This is not your uncle,
this is not your family.
[JBL] Rey first got the association with the Guerreros at AAA in Mexico
and Eddie was tagging the night bars.
His first association with the Guerreros, he said no.
You wanna fight a Guerrero?
You better be willing to stand there until he can't get up.
[Michael] Chavo continuing to scream at Rey,
"This is about Eddie."
Well, is he trying to convince Rey about it or convince himself?
[JBL] What kind of judgmental statement is that, Michael?
[Michael] Oh, it's a judgmental-- Oh, look, look!
And what the hell is Chavo-- Look.
Oh, my, that is a steel.
That is steel there, ladies and gentlemen.
Mysterio hanging on for dear life.
And that lighting rig…
He may have saved himself there.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Mysterio knocking Chavo down.
Oh, look at this. Wow. Hurricanrana.
Now, that was making use of your surroundings.
[groans]
[JBL] That steel is not exactly forgiving.
[Michael] And here's the first cover in the match up, Falls Count Anywhere.
Chavo rolled his shoulder out.
The referee, Jimmy Korderas,
could hurt himself counting falls all over the arena.
[Michael] Shaking his hand that time and putting through that break.
[JBL] He's Canadian. Good, I hope he breaks his hand.
[Michael] Rey Mysterio, again we talked about being heartbroken for many weeks.
That heartbreak turning to anger. It seemed to be that Chavo and Vickie
involving Rey's son, Dominick, into the equation,
it really turned Rey around.
It snapped Rey back into reality.
[JBL] Yeah. But it's like Rey is the only guy
who's ever had to pay rent in his life.
It's like they're saying Rey was the only guy
who's had something bad happen to him.
[Michael] The Stanley Cup champion, Carolina Hurricanes, ladies and gentlemen,
you can see the Hurricanrana plug in this arena, the RBC Center.
Chavo Guerrero just hit those hockey boards
like he was chopped into them.
And Chavo, again in control. Rey must wonder, what's Chavo gonna do?
Oh, God, face first goes Rey off those hockey boards.
[JBL] The difference is nobody cares about hockey.
Fans all over the world have been talking about what's gonna happen
when Mysterio and Guerrero finally hook up.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Chavo Guerrero been looking to punish Mysterio for weeks.
[crowd chatter]
[JBL] The key to a Falls Count Anywhere match
is you got to wrestle like you're in somebody else's body.
[Michael] Reversal, Chavo into the steel.
Did you see Chavo's face as his ribs and lower back hit that steel?
[JBL] When you get in a match like this,
you got to accept the fact that you're gonna get hurt,
but you've got to be willing to get hurt to dish out more than your opponent.
[Michael] And Rey launched over the top, right back on his feet.
Chavo may have injured that left knee.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] One way to do it.
Oh, my. Rey off the boards.
Rey dropped across the back of the head.
Rey close to a cover, shoulders down, Falls Count Anywhere, a kickout at one.
And to get back to your point, I think both of these superstars, JBL,
really, to put their bodies on the line,
to finally end this rivalry once and for all.
[JBL] Look at the legs of Rey trying for the concrete floor
and he barely braces Chavo.
[Michael] Wow. Headscissors again.
[JBL] Mysterio throwing his body around like it is somebody else's.
Look at this.
[crowd chatter]
[JBL] He hits Chavo.
More importantly, he falls seven feet on a concrete floor.
That's how you win these matches.
That's how you make a name for yourself, and that quite frankly
is the Rey Mysterio I knew that was a world champion.
It's about damn time this guy woke up and finally realize his potential.
[Michael] Uh-oh, Rey Mysterio is going for that--
Oh, God. And look at that, like a baseball bat.
Mysterio swung into the boards.
Rey, may be-- He's had-- He's had the wind knocked out of him,
could have a concussion.
Here's the cover, hook to the leg, there's two, Mysterio kicks out.
[JBL] We may need a spatula to get one of these guys off this floor.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Look at this. Look at the intensity
in the face of Chavo Guerrero,
the absolute hatred in Guerrero's eyes as he swings Guerrero like a bat again,
bouncing his skull off chairs, off of the board and the barricade.
Has this man, Chavo Guerrero, got any decency left in him?
[JBL] It's a fight, Michael.
-It's a fight. -[Michael] But why? But why?
[JBL] There's no such thing as a fair fight.
-[Michael] What? -[JBL] It's like a celibate priest.
You don't have such a thing.
[Michael] Here is the brutality of Chavo Guerrero,
chairs, barricade.
[JBL] And how proud I am of Teddy Long for making this match.
This is what it's all about.
This is about putting your pride--
-[Michael] This is what it's all about. -[JBL] You're damn right it is.
This is a fight.
This is what SmackDown fans love and it's damn sure what I love.
[Michael] Of course it's a fight,
but these are two men who were close as brothers, JBL.
[JBL] Who cares?
[Michael] And now they're going up the-- up the stairs-- up the stairs.
[JBL] It's all legal.
You could go to the parking lot, the men's room, the ladies' room.
It's all legal.
They're gonna beat the hell out of each other.
[Michael] Yeah. But the higher they climb up those stairs,
the more dangerous, or even more dangerous,
this Falls Count Anywhere match becomes.
[crowd chatter]
[JBL] You have to be willing to do this, Michael,
in a Falls Count Anywhere match to win.
And both of these guys are willing to put both of their bodies at risk.
[Michael] Uh-oh. Wait a minute. Rey battling back,
Chavo teetering. Injured the elbow.
[JBL] And nothing around them gives. Everything they touch hurts.
[Michael] Chavo literally rolling down the stairs
to try to get away from getting fenced to Mysterio.
[crowd chatter]
-[JBL] Ow. -[Michael] Mysterio is sick of the weeks
of jealousy, the weeks of greed,
the weeks of stuff that has been thrown in his face
at the hands of Chavo and Vickie.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Mysterio seated senton, taking Chavo out.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I believe our cameraman was trying as well.
That's how dangerous these types of matches are.
[crowd chatter]
[JBL] Maybe Rey realizes that without Vickie Guerrero,
he can't be a world champion again.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] This is right in the waiting room, ladies and gentlemen.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And that was an idiotic statement you just made.
Vickie Guerrero had nothing to do with Rey Mysterio
becoming champion the first time. What the hell are you talking about?
[JBL] Common denominator, she was there in the background
for Eddie Guerrero and he became world champion.
-She was there in the background-- -[Michael] Oh!
-[JBL] Oh, my God. -[Michael] What a clothesline.
Rey was literally bent in half.
[JBL] She was there in the background when Rey became--
Common denominator.
[Michael] Is this a clothesline or a right hand?
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] It was a-- It was a combination of both, actually.
And Chavo with the upper hand.
I cannot-- And there is the scene, ladies and gentlemen,
the RBC Center, somewhere in that mass of humanity,
Mysterio and Chavo beating the hell out of each other.
[JBL] And look at the fans' faces.
Just great SmackDown fans sitting right there next to them,
they're going to be in shock at the brutality of what's going on.
[Michael] And most of them looking at the face of Chavo Guerrero.
With every blow, there's almost the hatred that is being painted
on the face of Chavo as he delivers blow after blow to Rey.
[JBL] There is hatred.
He believes that Rey Mysterio has been living off
the Guerrero family name.
-[Michael] He does not. -[JBL] Yes, he does.
[Michael] Chavo Guerrero said--
[JBL] What the hell are you, Sigmund Freud?
[Michael] He says it, that's what he says, JBL.
It's jealousy and greed.
-That's all it's about. -[JBL] You're calling him a liar now?
You're full of crap.
[Michael] It's about jealousy and greed
-that's all this is about. -[JBL] What you know about.
What you know about life, you can put in a thimble.
[Michael] But Chavo Guerrero couldn't beat him at vengeance
for the Intercontinental Title, so he has to retire.
And then he's jealous because Rey wins the world championship,
that's what this is all about.
[JBL] It is not.
It's about the fact that he hates Rey Mysterio.
[Michael] It's about the fact that Chavo is hiding behind the damn specter
of his uncle, Eddie. As Rey is whipped brutally into the steel.
[crowd chatter]
[JBL] He don't look exactly like a man who's hiding behind anybody right now.
-[Michael] Well, not now. -[JBL] Looks to me like
he's whipping somebody's butt.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Chavo just-- Uh-oh. There's Rey Mysterio.
That is the heart and resilience that made this man a champion.
-Oh, 619. -[JBL] 619. 619.
[Michael] Rey Mysterio pulled out a 619.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Chavo Guerrero. Oh, just whipped into the steel barricade.
Did you hear the impact?
-There was no give, ladies and gentlemen. -[JBL] None.
There is no give for anything, but-- What is he doing?
What is this lunatic doing?
[Michael] Come on, Rey Mysterio.
[JBL] You got to be kidding me.
[Michael] Rey, you can't do this. Rey it is not worth this.
-[JBL] No. -[Michael] Rey this is not worth it.
-[JBL] No. -[Michael] Rey Mysterio, crossbody.
Here is the cover, hook to the leg.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Are the shoulders down? I believe they are.
-They are. Mysterio wins… -[bell ringing]
…Falls Count Anywhere.
["Booyaka 619" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, Rey Mysterio.
[Michael] Now, that is what heart is all about.
That's what being a winner is all about, JBL.
That's what happens when you piss off somebody
with a bunch of damn lies.
[JBL] What the hell are you doing, "lies"? Now you're judge and jury?
What about heart with Chavo Guerrero?
[Michael] Now look at Rey.
Well, everything that Chavo has done to Rey in recent weeks isn't enough.
Rey wants to beat the hell out of Chavo.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Victory was not good enough. And there's Vickie.
-That's Vickie. -[JBL] Vickie, goodnight, Vickie.
[crowd chatter]
Get outta here. Get out! Get outta here!
[crowd chatter]
Get outta here!
[JBL] This is how he thanks Chavo?
[Michael] Thanks him?
Chavo better thank Vickie Guerrero, Rey would've beat the living hell
out of him here again tonight.
[JBL] Chavo and Vickie made him who he is.
[Michael] Watch this.
First, the 619 by Rey Mysterio.
[crowd chatter]
["Booyaka 619" playing]
[Michael] And now the crossbody, watch Chavo's head.
Right through the penalty box board.
Look at this.
[crowd cheering]
[JBL] Michael, I got to hand it to Rey Mysterio.
I mean, I have not been on his side.
He earned this victory.
-Damn you! -[JBL] What a performance
by the guy from San Diego.
[Michael] And listen to Vickie.
Vickie Guerrero is incensed.
Wow.
It's absolutely amazing to me how the simple human emotion of anger
can lead to what we just saw moments ago.
An absolutely vicious, brutal affair between two men
who used to be as close as brothers.
It's beyond anger. I've never been a fan of Rey Mysterio's.
I've made that public, but what a performance that Rey Mysterio,
what heart and determination Rey Mysterio put on to win that match.
Yeah. Unbelievable. I just can't get over the fact
that everything they went through together
over the past-- their whole life ended up like that.
["Regality" playing]
[bell ringing]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring from Blackpool, England
weighing in at 245 pounds, Sir William Regal.
[Michael] Well, some night Mr. Regal has had
as he gets set for action here tonight.
["Regality" playing]
[JBL] And what a bad day William Regal has had.
[chuckling] Oh, my goodness.
[Michael] Well, first off, he saw Vito in the shower
and then he ran down the hall naked.
[JBL] It wasn't pretty either.
[Michael] Regal set out to find Finlay
to try to convince Finlay to help King Booker out tonight,
but Regal set for action in a match.
["Whatever" playing]
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Oh, my.
-[JBL] His day just got worst. -[Michael] Oh, my. You're right,
-Regal's day just got worst. -[JBL] Oh, my God.
[announcer] Making his return from Atlanta, Georgia
weighing in at 234 pounds,
"The Rabid Wolverine," Chris Benoit.
[Michael] He's back. Chris Benoit is back.
Ladies and gentlemen, last May you'll recall,
Chris Benoit took an extended sabbatical.
Said that it was time to heal some wounds, it was time to get his head straight,
it was time to come off the road and rest.
And Chris Benoit is now back.
He's in a ring for the first time in five months.
[JBL] And physically, I've never seen him better.
I don't know if he has any rust on him,
but listen to the ovation here in North Carolina
for The Rabid Wolverine.
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] Wow.
The Benoit chants begin.
So, it's Benoit and William Regal.
And let's talk about how physical this matchup's going to be.
These two men know each other well
and they are two of the most physical competitors
in sports entertainment today.
[JBL] I've wrestled Benoit, no telling how many times,
let me tell you something, whether it's pay-per-view
or Poughkeepsie, New York, this guy does not take a day off.
[Michael] Chris Benoit is hungry, he is well-rested.
William Regal is ticked off,
he's been embarrassed and humiliated tonight.
Both of these men looking to prove something at No Mercy.
[JBL] Both of these guys as tough as it gets.
[Michael] How wise is William Regal?
Going right for the left arm,
if you take the automatic commission--
[JBL] Block the chop. Block the chop.
[Michael] Not only that, but if you take the automatic commission of Benoit,
you take away the cross face.
You take that out of the game for Benoit.
[JBL] How many guys in wrestling
have had enough sense to put up their hands to block a chop?
[Michael] William Regal's been around the block a time or two.
[JBL] A time or two.
[Michael] He began wrestling in the carnivals
in Blackpool, England at the age of 14.
As Chris Benoit uses those knees to try to break the hold of Regal,
but Regal so relentless.
That front facelock on The Rabid Wolverine.
So, how do you combat a man who's basically rested up for five months
and who was is now back ready to make a name for himself again,
a former world champion like Benoit.
[JBL] You find out if he's rusty,
you stretch him, you go the limit with him,
you see what all he can do.
You take him as far as you can and then you see how rusty he is.
[Michael] Now, what if you're Benoit
and you're going into a matchup with a man like Regal,
who has been nothing but embarrassed and humiliated
in front of the world here tonight.
[JBL] Benoit has no real flaws.
The intensity is one of the things Benoit has that is his greatest asset.
When you are in a position like this,
when you don't know if you have your "A" game or not,
err on the side of aggression,
I am sure that's what Benoit will do today.
[Michael] Chris Benoit looks great as usual.
Regal picks the leg.
Into the cover, shoulders down, and another unique cover by William Regal.
[JBL] You're going to see some unique things here tonight from these two.
[Michael] Kickout at two by Chris Benoit.
I don't think there is a man in sports entertainment--
again the shoulders down, again a kickout.
This is almost a test of strength with Benoit kicking out.
I don't believe there's a man in sports entertainment
who has so many different pinning combinations he can use
like William Regal.
[JBL] And submission combinations.
[Michael] Look at Benoit, the strength of Benoit,
but Regal with the wherewithal to keep his shoulders off the mat
and alleviate some of the pressure.
[JBL] When's the last time you saw a bridge?
-Wow. -[Michael] It doesn't happen often.
And look at Regal using his feet, and his legs, and his knees.
Benoit keeping the pressure.
He just kicked up in a test of strength.
That's William Regal, ladies and gentlemen.
-[Michael] What a display of athleticism. -[JBL] Wow.
[Michael] The leg scissors by Benoit trying to take the breath away from Regal.
[JBL] Amazing. It is a human chess match right now.
[Michael] Two of the best technical wrestlers
in sports entertainment, perhaps in its history.
Benoit, wisely keeping his shoulders off the mat as the referee began the count.
[JBL] It's like watching the spar-off in a fist fight.
These guys are doing nothing but trying to outthink the other one.
[Michael] Regal trying what he can to get out of the leg scissors
but Benoit has got him cinched in.
How do you get out of this? Well, just like that, I guess.
[JBL] You try to get to the side.
You can't go at him, you try to get to the side,
just like he's doing.
-[Michael] Regal is so nasty. -[JBL] See what he did?
Stepped on his arm to hold it down and then grabbed his arm.
-[Michael] Boots to the face. -[JBL] This right here…
-[Michael] Knees to the skull. -…is textbook wrestling.
[Michael] That'll wake you up. Oh!
And Regal with a left hand. Lefts and chops.
Benoit and Regal exchanging blows.
And there's a German suplex.
Arms are clasped around the waist.
Benoit was trying to go for three, Regal blocked it.
These men know each other so well.
-[JBL] Oh, my God. -[Michael] Did you--
did you hear the headbutt?
[JBL] That is sickening.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] And there's a German suplex, this time released by Benoit.
-[crowd cheering] -[JBL] That's impressive.
[Michael] Regal, I believe may be busted up from that headbutt
as Chris Benoit heads to the top rope.
Benoit busted open as well, and there's another headbutt
directly to the open wound on Regal.
Blood trickling from the head of Regal.
Cover, hooks the leg, there's two, kickout at two.
Watch the brutal headbutt from Benoit. Listen to this.
[William grunts]
[JBL] These guys are in their element.
Look at him, a little woozy.
Get a blood flowing, these guys love this.
[Michael] Okay. You thought Regal was woozy?
-Oh, my, what's Regal going to do here? -[JBL] Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
[Michael] This-- And Benoit blocks. Thank goodness.
Regal has bad intentions in mind.
And there's a knee to the gut.
Regal in trouble on the apron.
"The Rabid Wolverine," Chris Benoit in his return--
[JBL] No, no.
[Michael] Oh, my. Going to go for a German off the apron.
[JBL] They're coming our way, Michael.
[Michael] Regal trying to block it and he does.
Thank goodness. Both of those men would've been broken in half.
And Benoit bounced head first of the apron.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Regal back into the ring.
Benoit in trouble outside the ring.
The referee begins the count.
Now, you have to wonder about that rust that you said earlier,
the wind of Benoit, is it there?
As you look at Regal's head bleeding, as we take another look.
Watch this.
Regal relentless on the assault inside the ring.
Benoit gets his foot on the bottom rope.
[JBL] A DDT on the apron. Wow.
And going for a German suplex.
Chris Benoit once German suplexed me off the top rope in a cage,
I was so messed up, I left my rental car
at the Green Bay Arena and flew home without it.
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] Regal with knees to the jaw.
Oh, and left hand.
[JBL] This match right here is a thing of beauty.
Absolute artistic masterpiece.
[Michael] Knee, and look this.
[referee] One, two, three, four. Come on.
[Michael] The face of Regal, the face of Benoit, it tells the story.
[JBL] And you know what, Michael,
you got a bunch of new SmackDown stars sitting back in the dressing room
thinking, "Oh, my God, I might have to get in the ring
with one of these guys one day."
[Michael] Oh, look at this, Chris Benoit trying to go for the Sharpshooter.
Regal powers up.
Yeah. Hello MVP, I hope you're watching.
[JBL] This is what we need to put MVP in a Triple Threat match with these two
and let him learn a little bit of something about this business.
[Michael] Here's Regal, cover, hooks the leg, Benoit kicks out at two.
Again a cover, hooks the leg again. And you notice how Regal drives his arm
into the arm in-- The jaw, and a kickout at two again.
At what point do you believe the wind may become a factor for Benoit
who's been out in the backseat for five months?
[JBL] Benoit's one of the most conditioned guys in the world.
However, you can't replicate what we do on a stair master,
you can't replicate what we do on a treadmill,
recumbent bike, elliptical.
At some point, you have to wrestle to get into wrestling shape.
The longer this goes, the more in favor it goes with the Englishman.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Absolute emotion, the intensity in the face of Regal.
Blood streaming into his eyes
and he continues the abdominal stretch on Benoit.
The Wolverine desperately tries to get out and he does,
driving Regal kidney first to the corner.
[JBL] Both these guys broke in when it wasn't about the chokes.
Oh, my goodness, right on the head.
[Michael] That chop was right to the open wound, again.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Regal screaming in pain.
A high suplex by Regal. Great throw.
And another throw.
[JBL] I've never seen Regal better, ever.
[Michael] Neither have I. Oh, and look at that.
The knee to the gut. Now to the cover and a kickout again at two.
[JBL] It's like the old Brody knee drop.
I've never seen Regal better.
These guys broke in when it wasn't about the chicks,
it wasn't about TV.
It was simply about winning and having pride in what you do.
You see that right here.
This is a throwback and it's a throwback that's good.
This is what is good about this business.
[Michael] Going for an STF perhaps.
Regal trying to get Benoit into position.
[JBL] The Crossface STF is what it is.
It's something that Regal made famous.
[Michael] But look at Benoit, turning the tables.
-[grunts] -[referee] Come on, Regal.
Chris, he's in the rope.
[Michael] The armbar by Benoit, Regal got his foot on the ropes,
Benoit forced to break the hold.
[crowd chatter]
-[Michael] What a kick. -[JBL] God.
[Michael] Here's the cover again by Regal.
This is a flat-out fight, ladies and gentlemen.
[crowd chatter]
[JBL] And people here in North Carolina are sitting in reverence.
Sitting in awe of what they're watching go on.
They are seeing two guys beat the living hell out of each other.
[Michael] That's what they are doing.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Chris Benoit. Listen to Benoit.
[referee] Come on, Chris, what do you say?
[Michael] Regal getting that arm locked underneath the throat, the chin.
[JBL] Benoit's going to give up.
His first match back.
Okay.
[Michael] A human body is not made to be placed in this position.
[JBL] A human body is not made to do
what these guys have done for the last ten minutes.
[Michael] Chris Benoit looks like a pretzel.
Seriously, it's Benoit bleeding from the mouth,
-Regal bleeding from the skull. -[JBL] Yes.
Benoit with the rights to Crossfaces, breaking the hold.
[crowd chatter]
[JBL] And might I remind you,
Benoit's got that surgically repaired neck.
That's not exactly good on a neck that you've had operated on.
[Michael] And that's what Regal was going for.
Full Nelson, Regal countered.
[crowd chatter]
[JBL] It's a chess match.
It is a physical, violent chess match.
[Michael] Wow.
[JBL] Full Nelson suplex.
Nowhere to land but your head.
[Michael] Going for the Crossface, Benoit trying to lock the Crossface in.
Benoit's signature maneuver, trying to lock the Crossface.
And look at Regal trying to hang on, trying to hang on for dear life
to the left wrist of Benoit.
[JBL] The former world champion Benoit has it,
-He has it. -[Michael] Regal taps out--
-Regal has to tap out. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] Benoit wins in his return.
["Whatever" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, "The Rabid Wolverine," Chris Benoit.
[Michael] What a match.
What an absolutely physical matchup.
[JBL] That, Michael, was a physical masterpiece.
That was art.
A throwback, old school.
That's how you do it.
Hats off to Benoit and William Regal.
Hats off to the world champion,
the former world champion, Benoit, not missing a beat in five months.
What a match.
[Michael] It is all about respect for "The Rabid Wolverine," Chris Benoit.
These SmackDown fans respect Benoit in return.
What a triumphant return for Benoit.
He didn't even skip a beat.
[JBL] Didn't miss a beat at all, not an ounce of rust.
Out there, bleeding, sweating, he's in his element.
That's where Benoit is dangerous.
[Michael] And SmackDown fans are on their feet.
[JBL] What a return.
[Michael] Respect for one of the greatest pure,
one of the greatest true competitors in sports entertainment history.
[JBL] One of the toughest competitors in sports entertainment history.
[Michael] The former world champion, Chris Benoit,
and I am so glad to see him back on SmackDown.
[JBL] What a bonus for those SmackDown roster.
Now, Chris, go back in the back, find MVP and call him out.
["Whatever" playing]
[singer] ♪ And you're under attack ♪
♪ I'm just climbing up slowly ♪
♪ I'm the one and only ♪
Regal. Is that Regal?
There you are.
Did you do it? You take care of that piece of business.
-Did you find Finlay? -You didn't see what I had to do.
No, I didn't find… [panting]
…first, I got covered in ketchup and mustard
and then, something made Vito skip, and I was in the shower,
they tried to bloody attack me and then--
So, what are you saying?
-I just-- -What are you saying?
You saying I have to go out there in that coliseum…
and face three thirsty lions, who want to dethrone me,
who want my World Heavyweight Championship?
You dig?
I'll try and find Finlay now.
What the hell is going on?
What is going on?
Fi… Finlay.
What happened to you?
Hold on. I know exactly what you're going to say.
Save it.
I came here for one thing.
Actually, I came for two things.
One, I came to fight,
two, I came to take
your World Heavyweight Championship.
[crowd cheering]
No.
You see that?
I blame you, Regal.
I blame you for this.
Look at you, you're pathetic.
You're useless.
Look at you.
You make me sick.
After the day I've had?
Shut the hell up and get out of my sight.
You maggot. I can't use you.
Get out of here.
-Oh. Oh. -[crowd cheering]
Look at me, King. Booker--King Booker.
[gasps]
Wait, wait, King Booker, come here.
-[screams] -Wait, wait. Wait, wait.
You still got the match.
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, King Booker's last friend
has abandoned him and for good reason.
The King's reign may be coming to a close.
Up next, the Fatal 4-Way matchup for the World Heavyweight Championship.
It's been a long and winding road
which culminates in a Fatal 4-Way tonight.
[majestic music playing]
[man] Certain people are born by divine right to rule.
[announcer] The new World Heavyweight Champion.
[King Booker] King Booker.
I am looking for a new challenger
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Batista] Booker, the only reason you have that title
is because of a technicality.
[Michael] Now, Batista, the former world champion,
never lost a championship, relinquished the title due to injury
back in early January.
Lashley Speared the King out of his suit.
This guy has every accolade you can have except for the world championship.
[JBL] The throne of King Booker
could be open to Bobby Lashley.
[Finlay] My name is Finlay
and I love to fight.
[JBL] This man right here has always wanted to be a world champion.
[Theodore] Now, it seems to me that all four y'all
want to go at it real bad.
Now, this Sunday at No Mercy,
we're going to have ourselves a world championship match, all right.
It will be a Fatal 4-Way match for the world title.
King Booker, the world champion
versus Lashley,
versus Finlay,
versus the former world champion, Batista.
[crowd cheering]
[rock music playing]
[Michael] Remember, all four men will be in the ring
at the same time on Sunday.
The world champion, King Booker, in a tremendous amount of jeopardy
because the first man to gain pinfall or submission
in a Fatal 4-Way would win the title.
The champ doesn't have to be involved in the decision.
[JBL] What a battle we're going to have for the throne now.
Turn the lights on bright, put the gold on the line
and let the best man win, because all hell is going to break loose.
[rock music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[door slams]
[crowd cheering]
-What's up, Dave? -Bobby.
It's on tonight.
No teammates,
no friends, it's the World Heavyweight title.
It's every man for themself.
Yeah. Yeah, you're right.
It is every man for himself.
And remember, the name of the pay-per-view…
is No Mercy.
I'll see you out there.
[bell ringing]
The following contest is the Fatal 4-Way match
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Now, in this match, the first man to score a pinfall or submission
will be the winner and the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Finlay] My name is Finlay, and I love to fight.
["Lambeg" playing]
[announcer] Introducing first, one of the challengers,
from Belfast, Ireland,
weighing in at 233 pounds, Finlay.
[Michael] And here is the man who really epitomizes
the every man for himself attitude of this matchup.
Basically telling King Booker,
"Forget about it, King, I'm coming after your championship tonight."
[JBL] Finlay was undefeated for five years as Intercontinental Champion Europe,
ten years undefeated amateur in Ireland, but he's never been a world champion.
He wants very badly to add that to his resume.
[Michael] And the general manager, Theodore Long, made this matchup.
Finlay or anybody else had no alternative.
["Hell Will Be Calling Your Name" playing]
[explosions]
[announcer] Making his way to the ring, from Colorado Springs, Colorado,
weighing in at 273 pounds,
Bobby Lashley.
[Michael] Well, it was a year ago tonight that Bobby Lashley made his debut,
his pay-per-view debut at No Mercy.
Tonight, he's in a battle for the world championship.
And the two men in the ring, Lashley and Finlay,
well, they have a major rivalry over the past year
and Finlay seems to have Lashley's number.
[JBL] Lashley has never been able to solve the riddle known as Finlay.
Lashley, one day, I predicted all along,
will be the biggest star on SmackDown.
The question is, will that be tonight?
[Michael] Well, that's not what this is about tonight.
What tonight is about is every man for himself.
First man to gain pinfall or submission becomes champion.
-["I Walk Alone" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ Yeah ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Will this man reclaim his championship tonight?
It was eight months ago--
nine months ago actually, that Batista relinquished
the world championship due to injury.
He never lost the title, JBL.
Tonight, The Animal can win it back.
-[JBL] Technically, that's true. -[singer] ♪ I walk for miles ♪
♪ Inside this pit of danger… ♪
[fireworks crackling]
[announcer] From Washington, D.C.,
weighing in at 290 pounds,
Batista.
[Michael] Will Batista mow down the competition tonight?
We saw what The Animal is capable of
two nights ago on SmackDown, JBL,
when he cleared the ring of everybody, including his friend, Lashley.
[JBL] We saw what Batista's capable off.
We've also seen what Lashley, Finlay and the King are capable of,
all four guys, Michael.
When in history have you seen four of SmackDown's greatest stars
at the top of their game
in one ring for one championship?
And the most important championship there is.
["Dead White Guys" playing]
[Michael] Coming to the ring for perhaps, the very last time as champion.
[announcer] And being accompanied to the ring by Queen Sharmell,
from Houston, Texas,
weighing in at 256 pounds,
he is the World Heavyweight Champion,
King Booker.
[Michael] Well, King Booker is not happy.
It seems like over the past 48 hours,
everything has crumbled.
The palace has crumbled down.
Of course, on Friday night, he found out he was in a Fatal 4-Way,
tonight he lost his court, Finlay and Regal.
[JBL] Even Regal knocked him on his ass a few minutes ago.
What is Teddy Long thinking?
What a disadvantage and a disservice that Teddy Long has done to SmackDown
by putting the King out there
-and the odds stacked against him. -[Michael] A disservice?
[JBL] You're damn right it's a disservice.
The King is at the top of his game.
Now, he's got a 25 percent chance
of losing his championship.
Stacked the odd against him. He doesn't even have to get beat
to lose his championship.
[Michael] Hey, math major, it's actually-- He has a 25 percent chance of keeping it.
[JBL] Whatever, like you run numbers.
Come work for me on Wall Street, I have a lot of people
that work for me that run numbers.
I don't work the calculator, moron, I have peons to do it.
[Michael] Maybe you should bring them here
to help you get though the numbers of this matchup.
[JBL] I have you for that reason.
[Michael] Well, the numbers are simple,
it's a Fatal 4-Way.
All four men in the ring at the same time,
the first man to gain pinfall or submission
will be the world champion.
And for those of you who are counting numbers,
this is the 78th day in the reign of our lord, King Booker,
like he would like to tell us.
[JBL] I count money, jackass, I do that well.
-[Michael] King Booker-- -[JBL] And I have a lot of it, so shut up.
[Michael] The intensity of King Booker and all four men in this matchup.
-And here we go. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] All four men in the ring at the same time.
Look at Finlay.
Finlay not going to be in the matchup to start,
perhaps, going to let Batista and Lashley do the dirty work on Booker.
[JBL] And talk about four combustible elements.
[Michael] Let's talk about strategy in this matchup, JBL.
You pick the bones, it's that simple.
You survive these matches.
You don't win this matches, you survive them.
[Michael] Well, Batista and Lashley working as a team in the early going
against the world champion, King Booker.
Finlay back into the ring and attacks Lashley from behind.
Finlay is the man who pinned the world champion, Booker
two nights ago on SmackDown.
[JBL] You pick your spots, Michael, that's what Finlay's doing.
That's what the ring veteran is so good at and that's what you do in these matches.
[Michael] Well, Finlay attacking now, Batista
after sending Lashley outside the ring.
[Finlay] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
-You and I are gonna get him. -[JBL] Wait a minute.
[Michael] Well, Finlay just told King Booker, "Wait a minute,
we've got to get Batista."
And now, both men going to work on Lashley.
-[JBL] I think they are getting together. -[Michael] Maybe they are.
[JBL] I think they're going to work like a team.
-Good, good. -[Michael] King Booker with a smile
replacing the scowl on his face.
[JBL] Thank goodness, the King has an ally.
[Michael] Well, now, he has a 50 percent chance of keeping the championship.
Get it? Half and half if Finlay works with him.
Anyway, King Booker and Finlay really taking it to The Animal
-in this Fatal 4-Way. -[JBL] Yeah. You have a half--
you have a 50 percent chance of getting a woman tonight.
[Michael] That's great. If I'm with you, I'll have a zero percent chance.
And look at King Booker and Finlay really taking it to Batista.
Lashley attacking Finlay from behind, sending Finlay out.
Now, is this good strategy, John?
You try to get opponents out of the ring and try to at least get you
with a one-on-one situation with somebody?
[JBL] Absolutely. If you have three people fighting,
no matter what, there's not going to be a pinfall,
there's not going to be a cover that goes past a two count
because somebody's there to break it up.
You have to isolate somebody,
you have to isolate the weight of this person,
whether he's hurt, whether he's tired,
whether he's a little disoriented
and you've got to try to capture a win quickly.
[Michael] And these are the two men who were supposed to be
in a one-on-one matchup here tonight, Lashley and King Booker.
But instead, it's a Fatal 4-Way.
There's the strength of Lashley, spinebuster, first cover of the matchup.
Hook of the leg, could he have him here?
And a kickout at two.
If Lashley had pinned the King, he'd be champion.
[JBL] That'd be it.
[Michael] Fatal 4-Way rules here on the main event of No Mercy.
[JBL] That's how quickly things can happen in a Fatal 4-Way.
[Michael] You know Lashley, by all rights-- And look at Finlay.
-Wait, I thought he was going to-- -[JBL] They're working together.
[Michael] Well, he-- Perhaps they are.
Lashley went for the baseball slide.
And both men double teaming Lashley.
Finlay pulled King Booker out of harm's way.
[JBL] He's helping the King.
Thank goodness the King is using his court.
[Michael] Lashley driven kidney first into the apron.
So perhaps, what we heard from Finlay earlier on was all a ploy
to throw Batista and Lashley off, it could've been a bluff.
King Booker.
And the flexibility of the champion knocking The Animal down.
Finlay driving the elbows into the sternum.
And Booker and Finlay taking apart Batista.
[JBL] These guys working like a team, the King will retain his throne.
[Michael] Batista and King Booker with a long history.
Met at SummerSlam, Queen Sharmell's involvement
preventing Batista from winning the championship there,
then on SmackDown last month as well.
[JBL] Quit making excuses. Quit making excuses for Batista.
[Michael] I'm not making excuses for anybody,
but I wasn't sort of impressed with the Finlay-King Booker high five,
and now the double team.
Batista's in trouble.
Lashley's been taken out outside the ring.
[JBL] I feel a lot better about the King's chances right now.
[Michael] Oh, boy, I'm glad you feel better.
[JBL] This is a good day.
The queen is loving it. So am I, Michael.
[Michael] Each man trying to outdo the other.
[JBL] There's nothing better than a good old-fashioned
orchestrated butt-whipping.
[Michael] Finlay, with the Irish whip of Batista across the ring.
But Booker missed the clothesline, but Finlay followed it up.
[JBL] Team work.
[JBL] Why you got to call it Irish whip?
-[Michael] That's what it's called. -[JBL] You xenophobe.
[Michael] King Booker with the-- Oh, my.
[JBL] What are you doing, Finlay?
[Michael] I'll tell you what he's doing, he's trying to win a championship,
is what Finlay's doing.
[JBL] Finlay, you disingenuous bastard.
[Michael] What's wrong with that? I think it's pretty funny.
And Finlay, sending Batista out of the ring,
it's every man for himself.
[JBL] What is Finlay thinking?
[Michael] Well, I'll tell you what he's thinking,
he's thinking, let's take out Batista.
Lashley's already taken out, now it's down to Finlay,
King Booker, one-on-one and the fighting Irishman
feeling confident against the champion.
[JBL] You see what Teddy Long has done?
He's turned the court against themselves.
[Michael] Watch Finlay turning his back on King Booker.
Chivalry is not dead.
[JBL] Now, chivalry gone quiet, it's decapitated.
[Michael] Finlay with an elbow to the sternum
and King Booker's in trouble.
It has not been a good night for the King,
Regal punched him in the face, deservedly so, a few moments ago.
Finlay now, trying to win a championship.
[JBL] This is not right. Leave his hair alone.
[Michael] What do you mean, this isn't right?
It's about winning the title.
You're the guy who runs around and says you do whatever you take--
-whatever it takes to be a champion. -[JBL] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
But the odds are stacked…
-[Michael] Oh, look at this. -…so much against Booker.
[Michael] Lashley is trying to get back into the ring and Finlay…
-[JBL] It's not fair. -…made sure it didn't happen.
King Booker trying to battle back with the right hand to Finlay.
Finlay with the thumb to the eye.
[JBL] It's not fair.
[Michael] The former United States champion,
Finlay, right to the sternum.
Here's the cover. Championship on the line.
Batista breaks up the three count.
[JBL] This is sad.
[Michael] Remember, first man to gain pinfall or submission wins the title.
Finlay knows all about what it's like to be the champion
and not to lose the match but lose your title.
He lost his United States Championship in a Triple Threat match
when Kennedy pinned Lashley.
Finlay was never involved in the decision there.
[JBL] That was different.
The odds are stacked against the King today and it's not fair.
[Michael] Mr. Jimmy, the great the math major.
[Michael] Whine, whine, whine.
Batista in trouble. Finlay working on the left arm.
King Booker's been taken out, Lashley's been taken out.
There's the strength of The Animal, the Samoan drop by Batista,
-but Finlay-- -[JBL] He got hold of the arm.
[Michael] Finlay still's got the arm locked in.
That's the relentless pursuit of this title by Finlay.
[JBL] And Batista has tore a tricep before.
[Michael] Yes, just under a year ago.
Lashley. Oh, look at Finlay just picked the leg.
Every opponent that comes into the ring, Lashley just seem to take out,
take out of the equation.
Come on, Lashley.
[Michael] Lashley taps out here,
-Finlay would be champion. -[JBL] But how about Finlay?
Finlay the Irishman that loves to fight.
He's taking it to Booker, he's taking it to Lashley,
he's taking it to Batista,
Finlay wants the world championship to go back to Belfast with.
[Michael] That's what I just said.
-Nonetheless this-- -[JBL] I said it more eloquently.
[Michael] This half Boston crab is a submission move.
If Lashley taps out, Finlay will be crowned champion.
King Booker, realizing that, makes Finlay pay.
Queen Sharmell likes what she sees.
King Booker into the cover.
The only way he can keep the title is to pin or make someone submit.
And Batista breaks up at three counts.
[JBL] All four men in the ring, Michael, to win this championship,
they got to isolate somebody.
All four men in the ring, you're not going to get a pinfall
that wins a championship.
[referee] Batista, come on, get out of the ropes.
[Michael] Look at Batista working on King Booker.
Batista, the former champion,
injured the triceps last-- late last year,
relinquished the championship back in January because of that injury.
And Batista's made it a mission since then
to return and recapture the title he never lost.
King Booker. There's that flexibility, that's what I'm talking about.
[JBL] Just took his head off.
-[Michael] King Booker… -Finish him off.
…into the cover, hooks the leg, shoulders down and a kickout at two.
Watch this.
And we can say what we want about King Booker's persona,
whether he's living in, uh, a fantasy world or not,
but the bottom line is, he is one of the most decorated champions
in the history of sports entertainment.
[JBL] Since the days he started in the sport,
he won so many championships in WCW, including five times world champion,
he may be one of the greatest champions of all time.
[Michael] And Batista off a sideslam.
[JBL] Still favoring that arm.
[Michael] Trying to capitalize, hooks the leg, shoulders down,
two count and kickout by the King.
[JBL] What a career the King has had and what a shame it would be
if he loses the championship tonight
because Teddy Long stacked the odds against him.
[Michael] So you're saying that-- oh, look at Lashley,
knocking the King over the top rope.
So you're saying King Booker's career's over?
-As Lashley sends Batista… -[JBL] No. I'm saying it's a shame.
[Michael] …over the top rope. Wait a minute.
Finlay with a chair.
Chair went flying.
Anything goes in this Fatal 4-Way.
Lashley with the advantage, the powerhouse taking it out on Finlay.
Bobby Lashley is a man.
-High elbow. -[JBL] Not sure man covers it.
The guy is superhuman.
What a freak of nature.
-[Michael] Lashley. -[JBL] Look at this.
-[Michael] Military press. -[JBL] Look at this.
[Michael] A military press to Finlay.
And a knee to the gut.
[JBL] World championship at stake, Michael.
-This could be it. -[Michael] Hey, it's the Little Bastard,
that leprechaun, Finlay's buddy, with a low blow to Lashley.
Now, Finlay with a shillelagh right off the skull of Lashley.
Finlay's going to steal the championship.
[JBL] Finlay's got the world championship.
-[Michael] Not this way. -[JBL] Yes.
[Michael] And King Booker saves his title.
Here's King Booker, hook to the leg,
shoulders down and Lashley kicks out.
A cover again. Again, Finlay from behind.
[JBL] World championship at stake, Michael, you pull out all the stops.
You pull out the leprechaun, you pull out a chair,
you do whatever you have to do.
[Michael] Finlay covering Lashley, championship on the line.
King Booker breaks up the three count again.
Watch the Little Bastard.
And then Finlay with the shillelagh off the skull.
And Finlay, I believe was going to win the title there.
Remember, first man to gain pinfall or submission wins the championship.
Champ does not have to pinned to lose the title.
[JBL] More importantly, you have Lashley that is out.
Now is the time to isolate somebody and try to win a world championship.
[Michael] Batista back in the ring, right hands to King Booker.
Batista, hammering away on the champion.
Finlay back into the ring, runs into Batista as well.
The Animal starting to fire up.
Finlay whipped across the ring, Batista with a clothesline,
measuring the champion.
Come on.
[JBL] Quit yelling for the crowd, Batista,
you want to win a championship, now is your chance.
[Michael] Well, he's got a great opportunity.
[Batista] Come on.
[Michael] Champ in trouble.
-Vertical suplex. -[JBL] Jackhammer.
-Jackhammer. -[Michael] Here we go,
over the jackhammer slam.
Finlay into the ring, runs into a clothesline.
It started out as a delayed vertical, Batista turned into a jackhammer slam,
might've won the championship if it wasn't for Finlay.
-And now look at this. -[JBL] Here we go.
[Michael] This is the epitome of every man for himself.
[JBL] King versus Kong.
Batista and Lashley, very good friends.
[JBL] This is what I want to see, Michael.
Two freaks go at it.
Look at these guys.
Loading with athletic ability, loading with power.
[Michael] What a spear by Batista.
Here's the cover. Hooks of the leg, he's got it--
No, Lashley kicks out.
Cover again, championship on the line, Lashley kicks out at two.
A third cover, a third, hook of the leg and a third kickout.
[JBL] Every man for himself, Michael.
I told you, to win this match, you simply have to survive.
Did you see the force at which Batista hit Lashley with that spear?
[JBL] Almost broke him in half.
[Michael] Now, right back to work in the midsection.
Driving the shoulders into the gut and the ribs.
He may have damaged ribs, Lashley may, after that spear.
Lashley right into the corner.
Batista follows it up with a clothesline.
Booker and Finlay out of the equation for now.
Batista trying to capitalize.
-And Batista, planted. -[JBL] Spinebuster.
[Michael] I believe Batista's been busted open as well.
-Blood is pouring… -[JBL] Busted open.
-…from the skull of Batista. -[JBL] Holy cow.
[Michael] Not quite sure, John, where that injury occurred.
[JBL] We got two bulls here, Michael.
You butt heads, you butt elbows, anything can happen.
Two big, physical people,
this is what happens, every man for himself.
[Michael] But the blood is flowing freely from a wound in Batista's skull.
And Lashley with a clothesline.
[JBL] Explosive.
Look at Lashley.
[Michael] Another clothesline by Lashley.
Batista's face covered in blood.
Lashley has opened up Batista.
Lashley wants it.
Batista sent over the top rope.
One year after his debut, he may be the next world champion.
-Batista and Finlay-- -[JBL] What a wise if he wins it.
[Michael] Both may have been eliminated.
And here's King Booker.
-[JBL] Oh, Book End. -[Michael] Book End.
-[JBL] Book End. -[Michael] Book End by the King.
[JBL] Get him, King.
[Michael] The King's going to keep the title.
[JBL] Get him.
[Michael] There's two and kickout by Lashley.
-[Michael] Lashley kicked out at two… -Come on, King Booker.
-[Michael] …after the Book End. -Come on, baby.
[Michael] What a physical match this has been.
[JBL] It's about survival at this point
who has enough gas left in the tank to win a world championship?
[Michael] And look at Lashley, roll through, shoulders down--
Booker went for the suplex, almost got caught by Lashley.
Lashley just powered King Booker down as Booker went for the suplex.
[JBL] This is what world championships were all about.
You put everything on the line.
You put your career on the line, your body on the line,
all to walk home with the gold and say you're world champion.
That's what it means to all these guys.
[Michael] Booker missed with the clothesline,
Lashley, oh, and Booker explodes, catching Lashley on the jaw.
Here's the cover, hook to the leg, referee Nick Patrick
down for the count and half, and a kickout at two and a half.
And the matchup continues, the Fatal 4-Way
for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Mercy.
[JBL] Lashley won't quit.
As good as King Booker is, and he is great,
Lashley will simply not give up.
[Michael] And King Booker measuring his man,
measuring Lashley perhaps going for that Scissors Kick.
There's the kick to the midsection,
bounces off the rope and Finlay with a clothesline
cut the King off at the pass.
-Here's Finlay into the cover. -One, two…
[Michael] Shoulders down, kickout at two.
Oh, my.
Finlay, shoulder first into the steel. Look at Batista.
Spinebuster.
Spinebuster to-- to King.
Spinebuster to Finlay.
[JBL] The Animal has been unleashed.
[crowd cheering]
[JBL] He said he wanted this so bad, Michael.
Is Batista about to retain the world championship?
Batista is about win the world title.
[Michael] Batista Bomb, it's going to do it,
Batista's going to do it,
-and Lashley with a Spear. -[JBL] Oh, my God.
[Michael] Lashley with a Spear to Batista
and King Booker crawling towards Finlay, crawling towards Finlay.
-The King… -[JBL] You pick the bones.
-…into the cover. -[JBL] You pick the bones.
[Michael] Hooks the leg.
Not this way.
-The King retains the title. -[bell ringing]
["Dead White Guys" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner and still
World Heavyweight Champion,
-King Booker. -[Michael] Damn it.
Batista did all the damage and King Booker picked the bones,
picked the bones of Finlay's falling carcass
and stole the victory retaining the title.
[JBL] All hail King Booker.
All hail King Booker.
How great is the King?
Now, you acknowledge, Michael Cole, you damn peasant,
you acknowledge how great King Booker is.
[Michael] I'll acknowledge the fact that that man Batista was moments away
from winning the world championship, and King Booker was in the right place
at the right time to take advantage.
[JBL] It's not just about brawn, it's about brains as well.
King Booker is the total package.
And he is still,
I said still, world champion.
[Michael] Batista, Lashley and Finlay left it all in the ring.
Well, let's show you what happened at the conclusion
of The World Champion Matchup.
It was the Batista Bomb laying Finlay out
and just as Batista was going for the win,
Lashley took Batista out of the equation, and watch the King.
As we take another look, watch the King crawl toward Finlay
and pick the bones of Finlay's carcass.
One, two, three.
[bell ringing]
[Michael] King Booker retains the world championship.
The King reaps the benefits and steals the victory.
King Booker's reign continues into the 78th day of his glory.
[JBL] All hail King Booker.
[Michael] Thank you for joining us for No Mercy.
-Goodnight everybody… -[JBL] All hail King Booker.
-…from North Carolina. -[JBL] All hail King Booker. glory.