Smack Down Friday Night

SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero came to Edge's aid - at the culmination of his devastating No Disqualification Match with Big Show - and a tearful reunion ensued. Now that "The Family" issues appear to be settled, will the seemingly reconciled couple focus on knocking WWE Champion Triple H off his throne? Or will The Game put a frown on their faces just two days before The Great American Bash?

Shelton Benjamin celebrated his reemergence on SmackDown with an important non-title win over ECW's United States Champion Matt Hardy. Can Benjamin capitalize on his success and bring the coveted championship back to Friday nights? Or will Hardy twist the fate of the Gold Standard?

Although Mr. Kennedy proved victorious over Domino, his real conflict was with guest commentator and former friend, Montel Vontavious Porter. After Kennedy made a crack at MVP’s expense before the match, a telling stare between the two allowed the Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga, to steamroll an unsuspecting Kennedy. Could this incident fuel the fire between the Green Bay Loudmouth & the Ballin' Superstar?

Meanwhile, Finlay & Hornswoggle continued to be a thorn in the side of WWE Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison, scoring a non-title victory with the help of the Belfast brawler's shillelagh. Will the champions ever be able to move past the father-son combination? Or could their titles drown in a sea of green?

After scoring a tag-team victory over Michelle McCool & Cherry, with her partner Maryse, Natalya attacked her Great American Bash opponent with a devastating suplex outside the ring. Will McCool be able to get revenge on the third-generation Diva before they do battle for the new Divas Championship? Or will Natalya prove to be too much to handle?

The devastating Vladimir Kozlov continued his undefeated streak. Is there anyone who can stop the Moscow Mauler?

Find out the answers to all of these questions and more on Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 CT only on The CW Network.

Random Thoughts

Thanks for checking out our SmackDown space again this week. It is a huge week for yours truly including the opening of our newest J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Moore, Okla., at exit 116 on I-35 just about 11 miles south of downtown Oklahoma City. You can read all about it on our latest blog at www.jrsbarbq.com.

This is also Bash week as in The Great American Bash (GAB) which was the NWA’s way of countering WWE’s SummerSlam event way back in the day. The Bash often times featured “War Games” which is one of my favorite novelty bouts of all time and which many of you can currently see on WWE 24/7.

The GAB was originally created to be featured south of the Mason-Dixon line for Jim Crockett Promotions by its creator, WWE HOF’er Dusty Rhodes, and the irony of the event being in the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, N.Y., is smile-worthy. The historic, old Coliseum has been sold-out for weeks, hell since the first day tickets went on sale, and I have always liked the fans that attend WWE events in the Coliseum because they don’t give a damn who they are supposed to cheer for or who they are supposed to boo, but go with their gut feelings and natural instincts. They pay for their tickets so they should be able to express themselves in any manner they choose as long as it isn’t breaking the law or offending others with abusive language, etc.

Brian Kendrick has a certain “Brian Pillman” quality about him, and for those that know how highly I regarded “The Ticking Time Bomb,” that’s a compliment to Kendrick. Kendrick will be accompanied to the ring by a large gentleman by the name of Ezekiel, or so we are told, but I am not sure of their business arrangement. I do suggest that all SmackDown fans keep an eye on Brian Kendrick, who is supremely confident of his in-ring abilities, even though he isn’t the biggest dog in the fight. To that I say “so what”?

I just got a great idea for a new reality TV show … BROTHER! It would be set in a car, perhaps even Sgt. Slaughter’s old camouflage limo, and it would be a cross country trip with Bravo’s D-List sensation Kathy Griffin playing “Out-think the Fink” with the future WWE HOF’er Howard Finkel. Hey, one never knows where one finds a little impromptu romance, as these two personalities might create significant “sexual tension.” What a visual … “The Fink” getting “friendly” with the controversial redhead … wait a minute … I just caught a glimpse of said visual and this might not be such a good idea after all. Never mind. Please disperse … there’s nothing more to see here.

Don’t think I have ever seen Ric Flair happier than he is right now at this stage of his life. ‘Ol J.R. had a couple of beverages with “Naitch” Tuesday night after the SmackDown tapings at the lovely Westin Hotel in downtown Charlotte. It was a short night to say the least, but sleep … I don’t need no stinking sleep! A famous man once told me that “sleep is our enemy.” Ric might be visiting J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q this September if he can work out details on an appearance at the Oklahoma State Fair on September 20. I will keep you posted.

Friday Night SmackDown is a little reminiscent of a primetime soap opera a la Dallas or Dynasty from days of yesteryear or even Days of our Lives, etc., that currently air on daytime American TV. Interesting material to say the least with a rather shocking conclusion as the episode leaves the air. Oh, yeah there is also some nice wrestling action on this broadcast too, including a Kennedy vs. Umaga main event and an intriguing contest between Matt and Jeff Hardy that was competed in a fashion that really surprised me … in a good way. Check out Friday Night SmackDown and help us build the brand, as I am trying to stick around long enough to get my “gold watch.”

It is amazing the volume of photos of all the lovely WWE Divas that one can find on WWE.com. The “Tony Soprano of WWE.com,” the erstwhile Joe E. Styles certainly has good taste in selecting the most beautiful (Bella … Bella) Divas in WWE for the always-improving WWE.com site.

The King and I will reunite this weekend but not on TV, as we will be making an autograph signing appearance at Franklin Square Video in Franklin Square, N.Y., from 4 to 6 p.m. this Saturday, July 19. If you happen to be coming to The Great American Bash or are in the neighborhood I hope you will drop by and say hello. WWE fans are the best … the best Jerry … the best!!

Just for my money, I hope that the WWE Title Bout between Triple H and Edge this Sunday at the Bash closes the show. OK, so I’m not unbiased, so sue me. The WWE Title is and has always been the top single’s title in WWE, and The Game and his newly-wedded No. 1 contender should rock the house.

Edge’s new Slim Jim commercial premieres on SmackDown this Friday night. I saw it and it’s a dandy. Nice wedding gift from his SD General Manager bride.

I wonder how Mr. McMahon is feeling these days. It sure seems as if everyone is tight-lipped on the Chairman’s health status other than the statements that the Boss’ children have made. Could we have a “McMahon sighting” this Sunday at the Nassau Coliseum, and if not, what about on Monday Night Raw from Mohegan Sun, which is a short limo ride for either of the two younger McMahons from their estates in Southern Connecticut. I really miss the Chairman, and I mean that, you knuckleheads.

A new Divas Champion will be crowned this Sunday in a bout between Michelle McCool and Natalya “Don’t call me Nattie” Neidhart. I’m leaning toward the third-generation Diva, which likely means that McCool is as good as champion as I write this.

For you baseball fans out there, here’s a stat for you … Tazz’s son Tyler is hitting a ****ping .620 this season! That’s some big time hitting no matter the level of play. This 9-year-old is well on his way to making a name for himself on the baseball diamond. Congrats, Tyler.

We have some new merchandise on our Web site with many T-shirts priced at $9.99 and our new J.R.’s caps priced at $9.99 as well. Thanks for checking them out.

See you this weekend on Long Island and then on Tuesday down in Philly. I got to get to Philly on Monday so I can have a cheesesteak and catch Raw on TV Monday night. That’s my entire agenda on Monday, a Philly Cheesesteak and to watch Monday Night Raw. What’s there to complain about?

Soar from the 'Rooftops' with Jeff Hardy and Lostprophets

In the latest Superstar to Superstar, Jeff Hardy talks to Lostprophets’ vocalist Ian Watkins and guitarist Mike Lewis. The band’s single, “Rooftops,” was recently used in a video montage on SmackDown, highlighting Hardy’s high-flying moves. The Welsh rockers’ song is off their 2006 album, Liberation Transmission, available on Columbia Records.

Jeff Hardy: Tell me about the song, “Rooftops.”

Ian Watkins: We wrote it years and years ago when we were on tour and we just never used it. It always had a good melody and a good vibe, but we never ended up using it for anything. On the last record, we worked with Bob Rock, who worked with Metallica and Mötley Crüe. We were messing around and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got this song, what do you think?’ When we played it, he just loved it. Working with him, we just kind of messed around with it and it came out of an acoustic thing. When we play it live, it’s insane. During the chorus, everyone always screams their hearts out. It’s really good live.

Hardy: Cool. Are you guys familiar with wrestling? Did you watch as kids?

Watkins: Yeah, but Mike did more than me. I didn’t have cable – I was too poor.

Mike Lewis: I used to watch all the old WrestleManias with Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart. He was always my favorite.

Hardy: Yeah, he was one of mine, too. So why is “Rooftops” a good fit for me and WWE?

Watkins: It’s one of those anthem songs. From what I’ve seen, when we play it live, when we get everyone singing, it’s totally a crowd participation song. The chorus is really simple, so anyone can sing it. The song is kind of about releasing frustrations and all that rage inside – just getting it out. Definitely with you, you’re always jumping off of stuff. … We were watching the montage and we were like s*** … it looks amazing!

Hardy: Music plays a big role in WWE programming. What does your partnership with WWE mean to the band and why do you like working with WWE?

Lewis: It’s cool because the kids who are into WWE are obviously very passionate about it. For them to get into our music … it’s kind of a cool thing, too.

Watkins: A lot of people, especially in the United States, maybe wouldn’t really know about us because we’re from the United Kingdom, we’re big in Europe and Japan, but not so much in the United States. So it’s cool to have our song in WWE. Like Mike said, all of the fans are so passionate, and we’re just as passionate about our music. … Our songs are very pumped up. When you’re passionate about something, it’s a really good fit.

Hardy: I hear the band is playing a bunch of music festivals in Europe and Japan this summer, tell me about your upcoming shows.

Watkins: Actually we just headlined our first festival for 80,000 people, which is insane. It was the Download Festival at Donington Park, which held Monsters of Rock. It was three days. KISS did Friday, Offspring did Saturday and we closed on the Sunday, which was insane. It’s one of those things, like when you were a kid, you could never imagine doing. Obviously you fantasize about it, you jump around in your bedroom. Also, we used to watch it on TV. We’ve watched Metallica headline it, we’ve watched AC/DC headline it, and all those bands. Then for us to do it, it didn’t even seem real until halfway through the set.

Hardy: Right. Like me, for Hogan and Warrior to take part in WrestleMania, and now for me to take part in WrestleMania, it’s like, “Woah, this is real.” It’s crazy how it happens.

Watkins: It’s so bizarre. When you’re playing with bands who were your heroes growing up, and you see them backstage and they’re saying hi to you, talking to you on the same level, and you’re like, oh my god!

Hardy: Right on. I feel you, totally. What’s next for Lostprophets? When is your next album coming out and how different will the record be from Liberation Transmission?

Watkins: We’re finishing up the record now with Rob again. I think it’ll be out in late January or early February of next year. It’ll be much harder. When we first started we were a lot harder. We’re still melodic, but with a metal edge. On the last record, we purposely put a lot of pop mentality into it. Whereas on this one, we kept the tunefulness and the anthemic hooks, but we kind of put the metal back, as well.

Hardy: Cool. Do you have any messages for the WWE fans who heard “Rooftops” on SmackDown and became fans of Lostprophets?

Watkins: Thanks for taking the time to listen to us and go out and research it and check us out on the Internet. We don’t really care if people download our music for free. All that matters to us is that people are listening to it and kind of support it some way. If you can’t afford to buy an album, then yeah, download it for free. Or come to our shows and buy a T-shirt. Spread the word to your friends. As long as people support us in some way, that’s what matters to us. Fans of yours can watch your stuff and listen to the song and say, “All right, I like that,” and then go check it out.

Triple H shows Booker who’s king

To the roar of the Continental Airlines Arena crowd, The King of Kings made his return to the ring after a eight-month absence due to a torn quadriceps. In typical Triple H fashion, he spewed water to the delight of a rabid crowd that chanted his name. With “Time to Play the Game,” pulsating in the background, The Game smiled at the crowd. It was like he’d never left.

With Latin words "Genibus Nitito Canus" in the background, Triple H stared down King Booker – the man who had, for the past month, demanded that he give up his kingly moniker. For your information, Triple H’s Latin text, "Genibus Nitito Canus," translates to “On Your Knees, Dog.” And The Game was determined to bring King Booker to his knees.

However, King Booker tested The Cerebral Assassin and his surgically repaired leg. But when the final bell rang, Triple H stood tall over the defeated monarch. And as both grapplers took the battle outside, each took advantage of the surroundings and slammed each other into the ringside barriers and ring steps. But Triple H continued to bounce back.

King Booker was able to avoid a Pedigree attempt from Triple H, and delivered a Book-End to The Game, nearly getting a three-count. But when Booker climbed to the top rope to deliver a somersault leg drop, Triple H caught the monarch and set him up for the Pedigree. King Booker escaped, but missed a spinning kick and was trapped into the Pedigree again for the pinfall.

The crowd roared as Triple H scored the pin. “The Game is back, and he’s as amazing as ever,” exclaimed Jim Ross, as The Game soaked in an extended celebration.

Will the Raw locker room kneel down to honor the returning King of Kings? Knowing the ultra-competitive Raw locker room, it’s not likely. But after a successful return to the ring, Triple H looks more than ready to defend his throne and claim his spot in the championship hunt.

WWE Champion Triple H vs. Edge

Since the moment Edge lost the World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk on Raw, the Rated-R Superstar has been fuming. Prior to their bitter breakup, SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero, hoping to put gold back around the waist of her angry former fiancé, announced the first Great American Bash match: Edge vs. Triple H for the WWE Championship.

Although Edge still has a lot on his plate in the form of Guerrero and their cancelled nuptials, the Ultimate Opportunist has cleared his mind enough to focus on one thing: the WWE Championship. Admitting he’s had a rough week, professionally and personally, Edge is determined to single-handedly win the gold – without the support of his former fiancée or his "Family." But can the Rated-R Superstar win back the title by himself?

Thanks to the 2008 WWE Draft, Triple H arrived on SmackDown to become the reigning King of Friday Nights, with the WWE Championship firmly wrapped around his waist. Despite a whole new roster of Superstars after his gold, The Game is not intimidated. Will Edge’s determination to capture the WWE Championship be enough to conquer The King of Kings? Or will Triple H prove he’s still worthy of holding the WWE Championship, no matter the brand?

Edge has vowed he will beat Triple H at the Great American Bash, promising to become WWE Champion for the third time, but The Game is resolute in his quest to retain the gold. Who will walk away WWE Champion? Check out the Great American Bash to find out, Sunday, July 20, at 8/7 CT, live and only on pay-per-view.

WWE Mobile on AT&T: Wedding bell blues

Edge and Vickie Guerrero’s post-wedding SmackDown celebration was interrupted by WWE Champion Triple H. The Game offered a special gift to the couple – a scandalous video highlighting the tryst of Edge and wedding planner Alicia Fox. Watch exclusive, un-aired footage of their rendezvous only on WWE Mobile on AT&T.