Smackdown Results & Digital Photos
KURT ANGLE vs. MERCURY & NITRO (w/ Melina)
They joined the match "just underway" after the break. Pretty basic stuff with Angle controlling the match early with matwork, then Melina distracting the ref leading to MNM double-teaming. MNM controlled most of the match for the next several minutes with double-teaming moves. MNM went for their finisher, but Angle suplexed both of them off of him. Mercury fell to ringside where Melina handed him a foreign object. Angle took Nitro down with a clothesline and a released overhead suplex. As Melina distracted the ref, Mercury took Nitro's place in the match (they've been studying Killer Bee tapes) and hit Angle with an uppercut and scored a near fall. Melina screamed when Angle kicked out. Mercury complained to the ref about the pace of the count, then pounded the mat in frustration. Angle then hit his Angleslam on Mercury, then tossed Nitro over the top rope to the floor. Angle then applied the Ankelock for the tapout win. As Angle celebrated, Henry came out. Angle waited for him. They brought briefly, and Angle gave Henry an Angleslam, then applied the Anklelock. Henry powered out, giving fans an indication that he just may be invincible on Sunday. Angle looked bug-eyed at what just happened. Tazz and Cole pointed out Angle had just wrestled a grueling match. Nevertheless, good paint-by-numbers hype for Sunday's title match.
WINNER: Angle in 9:30.
