Lubbock Gets 'Smackdown'

Desiree Mendez, staff writer

Cars filled the parking lots of the United Spirit Arena and hundreds of people waited in line for the doors to open. The seats were packed, as everyone waited for the televised event World Wrestling Entertainment Smackdown; to get under way.

Smackdown was taped on Sept. 20 and was aired on Sept. 23.

The line up for “Smackdown” included Chris Beniot, Ken Kennedy, Booker T with Sharmell, Orlando Jordan, Road Warrior Animal, Henderiech, Hardcore Holly, M-N-M, Christy Hemme, Stacy Keibler, Julian, Christian, The Mexicools, Simon Dean, William Regal, Sylvain, Funaki and Scotty 2 Hotty. The main match featured Undertaker, Batista and Rey Mysterio taking on Randy Orton, Eddie Guerrero and JBL.   

As the show begins, the lights go out, music comes on, pyros go off and the WWE announcers walk down to the wrestling ring. Michael Cole and Tazz sit down at the announcer’s booth.

The crowd cheers on the wrestlers as the first match begins.  Featuring  Scotty 2 Hotty and Henderiech.

The crowd holds up the signs that they made for their favorite wrestlers. At one point, the lights go out and the setup crew for the WWE came out and brought a casket and flowers. Randy Orton, AKA “ The Legend Killer,” came out and started talking about how he was going to defeat the Undertaker. Orton then walked over to the casket and opens it, resembling a mannequin of the Undertaker. The crowd waits in suspense to see what is going to happen.

Orton then goes over to the casket again and leans over for a look at the Undertaker. Suddendly, the Undertaker grabs Orton and gets up out of the casket. The crowd starts to go wild, cheering on the Undertaker on. The Undertaker then throws Orton at the casket and walks out of the ring.  The crowd was so excited at this point. No one expected the Undertaker to pop out of the casket.

The crowd then waited patiently for the main match, cheering for the wrestlers who were out in the ring.

As time for the main match draws near, everyone waited on the edge of their seats for the wrestlers to come out. Batista, JBL, and Orton were already in the ring. The lights go out and the music starts for the Undertaker. The crowd cheers as the Undertaker walks down to the ring. Orton and JBL stay to the side, away from the Undertaker. Rey Mysterio walks out to the ring after the Undertaker. The Undertaker takes his black hat and leather jacket off.

The crowd laughs as Mysterio runs around the stage, tiring out Orton and JBL. The Undertaker gets in the ring and starts to fight with Orton, but he gets away and stands on the side.       

Near the end of the match, Batista and the Undertaker get in the ring. Batista takes out Orton, and Undertaker gets JBL in the Tombstone Pile driver. Undertaker pins JBL… 1-2-3, the bell rings and Batista, Undertaker and Mysterio win the match. The crowd goes wild and starts cheering on the Undertakers.

The Undertaker walks out of the ring with Mysterio.  Batista walks around the stage and shakes hands with the crowd, while the announcer’s thank everyone in Lubbock for coming out to Smackdown.

The show was awesome, and it was a great experience to be at a televised event.