8/18 Friday Night SmackDown!

Even though it was not the final match of the show, the main event was a last man standing match between the Undertaker and the Great Khali. It appeared that this match was originally going to take place at SummerSlam, but for some reason it was held on SmackDown! instead. I have two theories as to why this match was not on Sunday's show.

My first theory is that there was nowhere to put this match on the show. The event already has seven matches including the championship matches for all three WWE brands and the return of Hulk Hogan. If this match took place, what match would they take the time away from? In addition, where on the card would this match take place? The Undertaker is not a wrestler that opens a show and this match would deserve to be the opener on the show. Finally, the show is so strong already that having this match on the show will not bump up the PPV buy rates. However, having this match on SmackDown! could lead to a higher rating for that show which could have been considered a giant infomercial for SummerSlam.

My second theory is that the WWE does not want the Great Khali to fight in a long match on live TV. His only live match was a quick beat down of the Undertaker at Judgment Day. Since SmackDown! is a taped show, the WWE can edit his matches to make him look more intimidating in the ring. In all fairness to the Great Khali, he is a relative newcomer to the sport and may not be ready for live TV yet.

As far as the match itself, it was not the disaster it had the potential to be, but it really wasn't that good either. The match was a slow and plodding affair that was able to generate some drama due to the last man standing match stipulation of the 10 count. As if the match wasn't slow enough, the referee took forever with his 10 count. One of his counts took over thirty seconds. His consistency of applying the rule of standing up was very confusing also. The Great Khali lost when he was sitting up. However, the Undertaker did his dead man style sit up at the 10 count and did not lose the match even though his body was in the same position as Khali's was when he lost the match. After seeing this match, I am happy about the WWE's decision to not have this match on SummerSlam. It only would have slowed down what has the potential to be a great event.

Match Results:

• Batista beat Sylvan
  
• Sylvester Turkay beat Scotty Too Hotty
  
• Ken Kennedy beat Tatanka
  
• Last Man Standing: The Undertaker beat The Great Khali
  
• Vito beat Scott Fowler
  
• U.S. Title: Lashley beat Champ Finlay by DQ

Important Non-match Events That Took Place:

• Idol Stevens and K.C. James sneak attacked the tag team champions, Paul London and Brian Kendrick, in the interview area.
  
• Vickie Guerrero unsuccessfully tried to talk Teddy Long into canceling the Rey Mysterio vs Chavo Guerrero match at SummerSlam.
  
• King Booker wanted Batista to kiss his feet. Batista beat up King Booker instead.

Photo: (c) 2005 World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and used courtesy of the UPN Network