WWE Heat Report-22nd July 2007
By Shaun Best-Rajah.com Reporter
Commentators: Todd Grisham & Jonathan Coachman
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
We're on the cusp of the Great American Bash but before we get to that let's see what Heat has in store for us. Three matches on tap this week and the WWE.com version has an exclusive bonus classic Dusty Rhodes vs Steve Corino bullrope match. We start this week with a Raw rematch from two weeks ago.
Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch vs The Highlanders (Non Title)
Shame there's no Tag Team matches at the Great American Bash. Tag Team wrestling ain't what it used to be (sigh) although I have no grievances with the current World Tag Team Champions. They've come on in leaps and bounds. Speaking of Cade and Murdoch they pose with their belts then repeat the feat in front of the Highlanders. Cade takes Robbie to the corner before backing away. Cade applies a quick sequence of a waistlock into a snapmare then chinlock which Robbie counters into a hammerlock. Cade reverses, Robbie hooks a single leg takedown to escape. Robbie runs into a hiptoss. Cade covers for a one count. Cade applies a side headlock, Murdoch blind tags as Cade ducks a clothesline off the ropes. Cade goes for a slam, Robbie slips behind but Murdoch surprises him with a side russian legsweep from behind for a nearfall. Murdoch with two armdrags then an armbar. Robbie pushes Murdoch into the corner by the chin. Robbie rams his head into Murdoch's gut. Rory kicks Murdoch down before delivering some forearms. Murdoch reverses Rory off the ropes and lands a clothesline despite Rory's best efforts to duck. Murdoch twists Rory's head around to forearm him down. Rory reverses Murdoch off the ropes but puts his head down allowing Murdoch to slap the back then slam him. Murdoch tries a Vader Bomb from the second rope but Rory gets his knees up. Rory tags out and Robbie takes Murdoch out of the ring with a battering ram as Heat cuts away for a Divas vignette. We return to see the Highlanders work over Murdoch in the corner using themselves as battering rams to punish Murdoch. Rory snapmares Murdoch before trapping him in a bodyscissors. Murdoch backelbows free but Robbie tags in and stops a tag by kicking Murdoch in the gut. Robbie gets a nearfall before Irish whipping and charging into a boot. Robbie recovers to land another hard kick to Murdoch's gut. Robbie drops a double axehandle onto the chest before driving Murdoch's back into the Highlander corner. Robbie slams Murdoch before Rory slams his partner onto Murdoch. Rory gets a one count before applying a waistlock. Rory jumps down onto Murdoch's back before switching to a camel clutch. Murdoch manages to get up and escape following a jawbreaker but Robbie drops another double axehandle-this time to the back to thwart a tag. Robbie Irish whips Murdoch then shoves him down. Robbie holds Murdoch in a front facelock as Rory delivers a boot. Rory sends Murdoch off the ropes who ducks a clothesline before both men clothesline each other and crawl into tags. Cade floors Robbie with several right hands. Robbie receives a backbodydrop, inverted atomic drop and slam but Cade misses with a top rope elbow attempt. Robbie tags out and assists Rory in nailing a top rope rocket launcher splash onto Cade. Rory covers but Murdoch breaks up the count at two with a double axehandle. Robbie comes in to punch Murdoch down. The referee blocks Robbie and reads him the riot act. Rory tries a backslide on Cade, Murdoch re-enters, Cade spins Rory into Murdoch who boots the gut then spikes Rory with a DDT. Murdoch rolls outside, Cade leans back into a cover as the referee turns around and registers the three count. Robbie is a tad too late with his diving save attempt. 1-2-3. A good match with some different psychology used. Cade and Murdoch try and play by the rules and become defacto babyfaces before subtly cheating to pull out the win. Here Are Your Winners: LANCE CADE & TREVOR MURDOCH. Post match the heels celebrate with their belts on the ramp as the Highlanders regroup in the ring.
Daivari vs Mike Sloan
Piped in boos for Daivari who proceeds to cut a mixed language promo. Daivari informs everyone who doesn't know of his name and where he's from (Detroit, Michigan) which generates some genuine heat. Daivari continues by speaking in persian tongue especially for the English speaking people in the audience. Grisham notes Daivari is of Iranian descent despite being born in Michigan. Looks like Daivari has followed the Chris Masters plan for his heavier physique. Sloan applies a side headlock so Daivari hooks the hair to take Sloan to the ropes. After ducking a sucker punch, Sloan lands several side headlock takedowns. Daivari counters each time with a headscissors but Sloan nips out immediately. Daivari gains a brief upperhand with a boot and slam but misses an elbowdrop. Sloan goes back to the side headlock takedown, Daivari counters into a rollup for one before Sloan rolls back into the hold. Daivari gets up and sends Sloan off the ropes where Daivari drills him with a backelbow to the head. Daivari stomps the head as the USA chants start. Daivari snapmares, drops a knee then rubs his knee into Sloan's face. Daivari with a brief headlock and punch to Sloan's head get Daivari a nearfall. Daivari ties up Sloan's arm while trapping him in a side headlock on the mat. Daivari hooks Sloan's neck and rubs his knee into Sloan's face again. Daivari rams Sloan's head into the corner before slamming him for a nearfall. Daivari armbars Sloan while pushing his face into the mat. Daivari breaks to stomp on Sloan's head. Sloan punches back so Daivari knees the gut. Sloan lands more punches, Daivari boots the gut, sends Sloan off the ropes who hits a cross body for a nearfall. Daivari reverses an Irish whip but charges into a boot. Daivari yanks Sloan off the second rope by the leg. Sloan hits the mat, Daivari lets out a persian warcry and applies the Camel Clutch. Sloan quickly taps out to end this boring match. Here is Your Winner by Submission: DAIVARI. Post match Daivari blows his nose on Sloan before leaving with a wry smirk on his face.
Charlie Haas vs Paul London
Main Event time. Both men come out without their respective partners. Lilian announces London as Texas' own but the pop is disappointing. Isn't Haas also from Texas? London does his customary backflip out of two corners. Haas begins brightly with a judo throw and takedown. Haas hooks a leg from behind, taking London down again by kicking the other leg from under him. London tries a side headlock, Haas goes for a back suplex, London rolls back and delivers a side headock takedown. Haas uses forearms to send London off the ropes but London slides underneath and hits an aerial side headlock takedown. Haas delivers some shots to escape. Haas goes to throw London to the corner, London puts the brakes on, London elbows Haas then blindly leaps from the second rope with a cross body for a nearfall. London front facelocks Haas who backs London into the corner and delivers a knee and two head rams into the gut. When the referee forces Haas back, London flips over the top of him then lands some shots. Haas comes back with a knee before suplexing London onto the top rope and shoving him to the floor after ramming his head into London's gut. Haas goes outside, ties London's arm up exposing his upper body and rams it into the ring apron. Back inside after a nearfall Haas wrenches away with a single leg boston crab. Haas pulls London away from the ropes to drop two elbows across the back. Haas sits on London's lower back with a chinlock applied. Haas breaks to drive a knee into the back. Haas sends London of the ropes who manages to hook a rollup for a nearfall. Haas meets London with a boot then delivers a belly-to-back suplex for a nearfall. Haas traps London in a waistlock. London tries to elbow and punch free so Haas hits a back suplex. Haas goes to get London up, London connects with kicks to the face, legs then back. London gets up and hits a one legged kick to Haas' back to put him on his knees. London hits a low dropkick, fires up then hits a normal dropkick followed by a diving backelbow. Haas reverses off the ropes, Haas puts his head down, London jumps over Haas then hits a spinning heel kick. 1-2-no. London advances, Haas yanks London to the outside after tugging the trunks. London gets onto the apron, London drives his head into Haas' gut to send him away. London blindly springs back in onto the second rope but Haas quickly hooks London and executes a german suplex with a bridge. What a move. The referee counts 1-2-3. Here is Your Winner: CHARLIE HAAS. Splendid match. Charlie Haas has caught fire on Heat as his recent domination of Londrick has showed in the last two weeks. Haas deserves the same opportunities his partner is getting on Raw in my opinion. Post match a fired up Haas says he's the world's graetest as he points at London before giving him the thumbs down on his way to the back.
Grisham shills for the John Cena/Bobby Lashley matchup before thanking us for watching to end the show.
Best Match: Charlie Haas vs Paul London.
Worst Match: Daivari vs Mike Sloan.
Show Verdict: A good opener, a dud in the middle and a very good Main Event means it's a thumbs up from me.
Great American Bash picks
JOHN CENA, THE GREAT KHALI, JOHN MORRISON, RANDY ORTON, UMAGA, MATT HARDY, CANDICE MICHELLE, SANDMAN, JIMMY WANG YANG
I can see some interference from Mr Kennedy costing Bobby Lashley the championship which will free John Cena up for a summer feud with Randy Orton. I'm digging the new John Morrison character. Hopefully he'll keep the title for a little while longer. I'd love to see the Great Khali drop the title then disappear but it's not going to happen. Kane will take the fall here and Batista will get yet another title shot at SummerSlam. I feel bad for Edge as his vacating of the title came across a heck of a lot more genuine than Batista's did last year. It was a really well done segment. Here's hoping the curse of the belt continues with Khali tonight. I'd love to see both Hardys win singles titles and hope both don't come away empty handed. Matt's match has the potential to be the showstealer. I like the addition of the Cruiserweight open. Maybe they'll let the Cruiserweights cut loose and fly around the ring. Here's hoping. Maybe Rey Mysterio will return to cost Chavo his title? It's a smart move capitalizing on Sandman's popularity and including him in a match. William Regal will possibly get involved which could mean next week's main event here on Heat could wind up being Sandman and Hacksaw Jim Duggan vs William Regal and Carlito. It would be nice to see King Booker on the card. Even if it is against Jerry Lawler. In closing I'll admit that while the last few Great American Bash's have sucked and it remains my least favourite PPV I'm expecting a good show tonight. Tonight is the opportunity for the WWE to put on a stellar performance and put some positive spin on the wrestling world following all the 'steroid'/storied (pun intended) last few weeks. Wherever you are enjoy the Bash and I'll see you back here next weekend for Heat. Shaun.
Comments/praise/feedback/criticism/discussion points please direct to shaunmb1@hotmail.com.
