World Wrestling Entertainment presents Velocity
Date: 4/26/2003
From: Nashville, TN
Backstage, Crash is reading a book. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Matt Hardy notes that Crash, a moron, is reading the book. Crash admits he’s been looking at the pictures and not the content. Hardy is willing to make Crash a household name, but can only do that if Crash reads the book. Hardy wants Crash to follow Moore’s lead tonight and then come back and read his book.
MATCH #1: BRIAN KENDRICK VS. SHANNON MOORE
FINISH: Kendrick knocks Crash off the apron and hit the Slice Bread on Moore to win the match.
Bob’s Take: A slow start to the match until Kendrick tried for a dive off the apron, but is dropkicked in midair on the floor. Kendrick fought back with a flying forearm smash and dropkick. After watching the live feed of Smackdown, you can tell they had to insert fake crowd noise quite a bit. This was a bit underwhelming, but a good win for Kendrick.
Match Rating: *1/2
MATCH #2: WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION MATT HARDY VS. FUNAKI
FINISH: Hardy kicks Funaki coming off the top rope to hit the Twist of Fate for the win to retain the title.
Bob’s Take: Funaki holds his own to start hitting a seated dropkick for a near fall in the opening minute of the match. Moore distracted Funaki allowing Hardy to gain the advantage. Moore and Crash argue a bit nearly costing Hardy the match. Hardy has been doing a great job in the Cruiserweight division. Funaki countered a Splash Mountain powerbomb out of the corner with a reverse DDT for a two count. Funaki avoids the Twist of Fate for another two count. Hardy dumps Funaki over the top to the floor onto Crash and Moore. The finish is fine, and I thought Funaki played his role well here to get an entertaining match on Velocity.
Match Rating: **1/4
MATCH #3: JAMIE NOBLE VS. SEAN EVANS
FINISH: Noble plants Evans with a DDT and locks in a front face choke for the win.
Bob’s Take: Evans gets a decent amount of offense on Noble including a near fall, but Nidia caused a distraction allowing Noble to drop Evans on his head with a back suplex. Evans is giving Al Snow vibes, whether that’s good or bad is up to you. This was a lot more competitive than I thought it would be.
Match Rating: **
MAIN EVENT: SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPION CHARLIE HAAS VS. EDDIE GUERRERO
FINISH: Guerrero finishes off Haas with a frog splash.
Bob’s Take: I am baffled by not putting these two on Smackdown and put Benjamin vs. Chavo on Velocity. I understand wanting to be fair, but I would have reversed the placement of matches. Guerrero works over Haas at the start of the match with strikes and chops in the corner. Haas stops Guerrero ramming him into the ring post back first. Haas tosses Guerrero overhead with a suplex. Haas continued with a release German suplex. Haas puts the Haas of Pain on Guerrero, but can’t get a submission. Guerrero countered Haas with a nice head scissors to send Haas to the floor a few moments before Guerrero prevailed. Guerrero winning cleanly is the right call and gives the Guerreros momentum heading into Backlash. The action was better than anything on Smackdown, I’ll give them that.
Match Rating: **1/2
Final Thoughts:
A harmless episode of Velocity. I like when they focus on the Cruiserweight division and it was a breeze to watch.
Thanks for reading.