As we put together Grin Grappler: Bobby Lashley, this match emerged as a suggestion from Bob O’Neal. Personally, I believed this to be nothing more than an elaborate way to avoid Trump talk, but here we are nonetheless. It’s October 8th 2006, and WWE No Mercy is LIVE from Raleigh, North Carolina. On top, we have a classic B-PPV main event, in which you’re without a true contender and/or want to save that contender’s singles match, instead opting for a throwaway multi-man.
Such is the life of a monthly PPV schedule, let alone one with brand-split exclusives. Either way, I enjoy all four of these fellas to some degree, so I’m sure there’s a touch of sincerity to Bob’s suggestion. Booker T is in his King Booker era here, entering as World’s Champion, with Queen Sharmell by his side. Finlay had been a member of his “court,” with William Regal failing to keep him onboard. Meanwhile, Bobby Lashley is almost exactly a year removed from his main roster debut.
Batista enters as SmackDown’s top babyface, not even two months away from eventually dethroning King Booker. Nonetheless, Finlay bails at the bell, letting Bob and Dave go to work on Booker. He quickly gets bored of that though, clubbing both and trying to re-form his alliance with the King. It doesn’t take them long to strike a deal, battering Batista in the corner. Lashley soon halts that momentum, hitting some power offence on both until the numbers game slows him.
That allows them to continue working over Lashley, or until Finlay turns on Booker at least. He’s actively dominating this match, beating up everyone, including the returning Lashley. It’s popping me, though I’m unsure as to its effect on the live crowd, who seem mostly disengaged. That doesn’t exactly change as Booker cuts him off either, then going back and forth with Batista. Eventually, Lashley wipes out all involved, even kicking a steel chair out of Finlay’s hands.
That brings out Hornswoggle, who hits Bob in the dick, setting up a decent Finlay false finish. Everything breaks down from there, earning some excitement as the heels feed a Batista comeback. Eventually, that puts him opposite Lashley, sharing the big standoff to a mostly mild reaction. Batista then immediately just spears him, getting 2. At some point, big Dave got busted open hard way, which rules. Anyway, Lashley fires back via Spinebuster, then sharing a big exchange with the champ.
Weirdly, Booker stands tall in that regard, only being slowed by Finlay who absolutely whacks him. Finally, Batista hits a spinebuster on each, nailing Finlay with his finish only to be violently speared by Lashley. That allows Booker to steal the pin on Finlay. Nothing new on that finish but man, it’s executed expertly here, looking absolutely terrific. Lashley’s offence already packs a punch at this point, he’s just rushing to everything. This is produced to protect him though, and mostly does so.
Good match, and a great finish. Not sure I’d have led with almost ten minutes of heat, but there’s a lot to like here, with sone strong physicality, even when there’s not much heat. Nice B-PPV main event, good job Bob.
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