Judgment Day (2006)

Infobox Wrestling event
name=Judgment Day (2006)


theme="This Fire Burns" by Killswitch Engagecite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=2006-06-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/subscriptions/wwetunes/wrecklessintent/killswitchengage|title=Getting "Wreckless" with the Killswitch| publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-23]
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=SmackDown!
date=May 21, 2006
venue=US Airways Center
city=Phoenix, Arizona
attendance=14,000cite web|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/judgment.html#2006|title=Judgment Day 2006 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|accessdate=2007-12-16]
lastevent=Backlash (2006)
nextevent=ECW One Night Stand (2006)
event=Judgment Day
lastevent2=Judgment Day (2005)
nextevent2=Judgment Day (2007)

Judgment Day (2006) was the eighth annual Judgment Day professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on May 21, 2006 at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona and featured talent from the SmackDown! brand.cite web|first=Brian|last=Elliott|date=2006-05-21|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/05/22/1592085.html|title=Rey wins, MNM splits at Judgment Day|publisher= SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2007-11-23]

The main event was Rey Mysterio versus John "Bradshaw" Layfield for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Mysterio won after pinning JBL following a Frog splash.cite web|first=Ed|last=Williams III| date=2006-05-21|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2006/matches/23848441/results/|title=Rey Mysterio's dream ride somehow continues|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-23] One of the predominant matches on the card was Booker T versus Bobby Lashley in the finals of the 2006 King of the Ring tournament, which Booker won after interference from Finlay.cite web|first=Brett|last=Hoffman|date =2006-05-21|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2006/matches/2384844/results/|title=The King is Crowned| publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-24] Another primary match on the undercard was Kurt Angle versus Mark Henry, which Henry won after Angle was counted out.cite web|first=Ian|last=Asher|date=2006-05-21|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2006/matches/2727156/results/|title=Revenge of the Wrestling Machine| publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-24]

Background

The main feud heading into Judgment Day was between Rey Mysterio and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) with the two battling over the World Heavyweight Championship. On the May 5 edition of "SmackDown!", after Rey Mysterio expressed his feelings about being World Heavyweight Champion, John "Bradshaw" Layfield came out and declared himself the number one contender.cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date= 2006-05-05|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05052006/|title=A Man of his word|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-13] cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060505.html|title=May 5, 2006 SmackDown! Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2007-12-13] JBL immediately began degrading Mysterio because of his Mexican heritage, saying he was an illegal immigrant and that Mysterio doesn’t deserve to be champion. Mysterio reacted by saying that he'd fight anyone at anytime. In turn, JBL announced that Mysterio would face off against Mark Henry later that night. During the match, Mysterio tried to use his quickness to avoid Henry, but was easily countered by Henry's power. Mysterio was able to hit a 619 and a Seated senton, but was defeated when Henry hit the World's Strongest Slam for the pin. The next week on "SmackDown!", JBL announced that Mysterio would take on The Great Khali later that night. During the match, Mysterio attempted a springboard dropkick, but it had no effect. Khali then picked up Mysterio and hit a Two-handed chokeslam for the win.cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=2006-05-12|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05122006/|title=Tragic Homecoming|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-17] cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060512.html|title=May 12, 2006 SmackDown! Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2007-12-17] On the May 19 edition of "SmackDown!", JBL said that Mysterio didn't look so well due to the beatings he endured in past weeks and that he probably didn't even know what day it was.cite web|first=Ed|last=Williams III|date=2006-05-19|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05192006/|title=Seeing red|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-17] Mysterio answered and told him the day, May 19. Kane, who in recent weeks attacked anyone who said May 19, came out and faced off against Mysterio. Kane dominated most of the match, hitting a variety of power moves. Kane then began to hear voices in his head saying May 19, which caused him to go into a psychotic trance. JBL told him to finish the job, but mistakenly said May 19, causing Kane to attack him. As a result, the match ended in a no-contest.

The other main match on the card was Booker T versus Bobby Lashley in the finals of the 2006 King of the Ring tournament. The tournament was first announced by SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long on the April 7 edition of "SmackDown!".cite web|date=2006-04-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04072006/|title=Breaking New Ground|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-01-02] He announced the participants and that the first match, Kurt Angle versus Randy Orton, would take place next week. In this match, Angle won after storyline breaking Orton's ankle by refusing to break his Ankle Lock.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04142006/|title=The Wrestling Machine snaps|date=2006-04-14|accessdate=2006-03-02|publisher=WWE] The second qualifying match was between Booker and Matt Hardy on April 21.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04212006/|title=Something to Celebrate|date=2006-04-21|accessdate=2008-03-02|publisher=WWE] Booker won the match after a low blow while his valet, Sharmell, had the referee distracted. The third qualifying match was Lashley versus Mark Henry.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04282006/|title=The Dream stays alive|date=2006-04-28|first=Louie|Last=Dee|accessdate=2008-03-02|publisher=WWE] Lashley won by countout after Henry was knocked to the outside of the ring. The final first round match was Finlay versus Chris Benoit, which Finlay won after a chair-shot and a Celitc Cross. The semi-final round took place on May 12, with Finlay taking on Lashley, and Booker versus Angle. Lashley won his match with a Spear, however, Angle was unable to compete in his match and had to forfeit, meaning Booker also qualified for the final. Angle was unable to compete due to the injuries to his ribs that he sustained after being attacked by Henry. This happened after Henry was eliminated from the King Of The Ring tournament, that same night, by Lashley. Two weeks later, Angle demanded a match against Henry from SmackDown! General Manager Long, but Long refused to let Angle compete that night. Instead, he booked the match for Judgment Day. Also as a result of the King Of the Ring tournament, a Chris Benoit vs Finlay match was set up.

The third match on the card was The Undertaker versus The Great Khali. This feud began when Khali attacked The Undertaker at the beginning of April. After the attack, the Undertaker didn't appear on television again until Judgment Day, leading Khali's manager, Daivari, to proclaim that Khali was "the real phenomenon". Over the next few weeks, Khali and Daivari continued to procmlaim that Khali was better than the Undertaker, however, on May 5, General Manager Long told Khali and Daivari that the Undertaker had challenged Khali to a match at Judgment Day. Later that night, Khali accepted the challenge.

Event

Before the event went live on pay-per-view, Matt Hardy defeated Simon Dean in a dark match. The first match that aired on pay-per-view was the WWE Tag Team Championship match between the champions MNM (Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury, and their manager, Melina) and their challengers Paul London and Brian Kendrick. After a largely back and forth match, Mercury accidentally ran into Nitro, who hit Melina on the outside. This distracted Mercury, allowing London to roll-up Mercury for the victory and the Tag Team titles. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/18718541|title=History Of the WWE Tag Team Championship - Brian Kendrick and Paul London|date=2006-05-21|accessdate=2008-03-01|publisher=WWE] The second match was between Chris Benoit and Finlay. Benoit took advantage after three German suplexes, but missed a diving headbutt, allowing Finlay to gain control. After the Three Amigos, however, Benoit locked in the Crippler Crossface, and Finlay tapped out giving Benoit the win.

The third match of the night was between Melina and Jillian Hall. Melina controlled the early stages of the match, until Hall was able to pin her with a sunset flip, even though Melina's hand was on the bottom rope. The next match was the Cruiserweight Title match between the champion, Gregory Helms, and Super Crazy. In a high-flying match, including a suicide senton by Crazy, Crazy took control about half-way through the match. Helms countered, however, and after a Powerbomb, Helms pinned Crazy to retain the title by using the ropes for leverage. The fifth match was between Kurt Angle and Mark Henry. Angle, who had his ribs taped, lost the match by countout after Henry crushed him against the ringpost on the outside. After the decision, however, Angle hit Henry with a steel chair and applied the ankle lock on Henry.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/judgementday06.html|title=WWE Judgment Day 2006 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2007-12-17] He then Angle Slammed him onto a table, which didn't break, and proceeded to hit him through the table with a further charishot.

The sixth match was the King Of The Ring Final between Booker T and Bobby Lashley. Lashley took control early on in the match, until he hit the ringpost with a shoulder block attempt. This allowed Booker to take control, although Lashley quickly countered with a belly to belly suplex. Before he could capitalise, however, Booker's valet, Sharmell, distracted Lashley. After some more back and forth offense, Sharmell caused another distraction, allowing Booker's associate Finlay to hit Lashley with a shillelagh. Booker then pinned him to win the tournament. Lashley was outraged, however, and speared Booker through a throne to gain some revenge. The next match was between The Undertaker and The Great Khali. Khali dominated the match for large periods, although the Undertaker did manage to hit his signature "Old School". After the Undertaker failed to hit a chokeslam, Khali took control again, and pinned the Undertaker following a Big Boot.

The main event was the World Heavyweight Championship match between the Champion Rey Mysterio and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL). After a back and forth beginning to the match, JBL took control after throwing Mysterio into the steel steps on the outside.cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=2006-05-21|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1148266454.shtml|title=Full Judgment Day (SmackDown) PPV Results 5/21/06; Phoenix, AZ|publisher=WrestleView|accessdate=2007-12-17] After continued offense from JBL, Mysterio fought back, but when Mysterio went for a West Coast Pop, JBL avoided it by pulling referee Nick Patrick in front of him. A second referee, Charles Robinson, replaced Patrick, but after Mysterio kicked out of a second pinning attempt, JBL attacked Robinson. JBL then brought a steel chair into the ring, but Mysterio kicked it back into his face. Mysterio followed it up with a 619 and Frog Splash to pin JBL and retain his championship.

Aftermath

On the following edititon of "SmackDown!", the King Of the Ring coronation ceremony took place.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05262006/|title=Kiss Him Goodbye|date=2006-05-26|last=Dee|first=Louie|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] Booker T, was crowned by William Regal, and he became known as King Booker. Booker also announced his wife, Sharmell as his Queen. Booker eventually buit up a Court, with "Sir William Regal" and "Sir Finlay" joining.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06022006/|title=All hail the king|date=2006-06-02|last=Hoffman|first=Brett|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] Booker also continued his feud with Bobby Lashley,cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06092006/|title=Hell week continues|date=2006-06-09|last=Dee|first=Louie|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06162006/|title=Royal beating|date=2006-06-16|last=Williams III|first=Ed|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] until they finally had their blow-off match inside a steel cage.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06302006/|title=Lashley reigns supreme|date=2006-06-30|last=Williams III|first=Ed|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] Booker went on to become the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship,cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07072006/|title=An Animal Unleashed|date=2006-07-07|last=Hoffman|first=Brett|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] while Finlay and Regal continued the Court's feud with Lashley.

WWE also announced the return of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), as a brand. Paul Heyman was in charge, and given to draft picks to bolster his roster. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/anglegetsextreme|title=The Wrestling Machine gets extreme|date=2006-05-30|last=Williams III|first=Ed|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] His only "SmackDown!" pick was Kurt Angle, who wrestled his last match on "SmackDown!" on June 2. Angle went on to wrestle the returning Randy Orton at ECW One Night Stand, after storyline breaking his ankle in April.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/history/2006/matchesremove/2856498/results/|title=Successful debut for the Wrestling Machine|date=2006-06-11|last=Dee|first=Louie|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] Orton tapped out to lose the match.

On the edition of "SmackDown!" after Judgment Day, Rey Mysterio again defeated John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), forcing JBL to retire from wrestling. JBL, however, returned as the new "SmackDown!" Color commentator on June 16. Mysterio was then challenged to a match at One Night Stand, for the World Heavyweight Championship, by Sabu, repeatedly leading up to the match. At One Night Stand, the match ended in a "No Contest", after it was ruled that neither Sabu or Mysterio could contine after Sabu used a DDT to drive Mysterio and himself through a table.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06092006/|title=Stalemate|date=2006-06-09|last=Dee|first=Louie|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] As a result, Mysterio retained the title.

The Great Khali and The Undertaker continued to feud, with Khali challenging the Undertaker to a Punjabi Prison match at The Great American Bash. The Undertaker accepted the match the following week, sending a message over the speakers, and interrupting a segment where Daivari and Khali were mocking him. The Undertaker made his first appearance on "SmackDown!", since Judgment Day, the following week to send a message to Khali.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07142006/|title=Rey's Revenge|date=2006-07-14|last=Hoffman|first=Brett|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] Before the match at the Great American Bash, however, Khali was replaced with the Big Show,cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2006/matches/258159821/results/|title=Enduring the evil entrapment|date=2006-07-23|last=Tello|first=Craig|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=WWE] due to a problem with his liver.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/g/great-khali.html|title=great Khali Profile|accessdate=2008-03-05|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling] Khali and the Undertaker feuded for the rest of the summer, finally completing their feud just before SummerSlam.

Results

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2006/ Official Judgment Day 2006 Website]