[2001-02-01-WWF-Smackdown] Kane & The Undertaker vs Rikishi & Haku (First Blood)

[GSR]

Kevin Kelly grabs a few last minute comments from the ‘Brothers of Destruction’.  Taker says tonight he’s getting back to doing what he does best, kicking people’s asses!  First blood means no strategy, no holds barred, no pinfalls, it’s all about blood and them leaving Rikishi & Haku laying in a puddle of their own.

There’s no fear shown from Rikishi & Haku as they march towards the ring, this getting underway before they even make it there.  Michael Cole makes a rare good point, thinking that the advantage must lie with them because it was only Monday when the Undertaker was busted open and that cut can’t be healed yet.  Kane holds Rikishi as Taker grabs a chair but Haku with the save for his partner.  Jerry Lawler adds that Taker refused stitches the other night which will also go against him, specially if he keeps getting his head bounced off the announcing desk.  Taker and Rikishi return to the ring as Haku and Kane continue to slug it out on the floor.  Old school ropewalk.  Rikishi ducks back out after being turned inside out by a clothesline but there’s no rest bite as he gets his head repeatedly slammed into the metal steps.  I thought he was trying to blade the way he was moving his hand up to his forehead although there’s no sign of any blood just yet.  Taker grabs a chair but Rikishi cuts him off with a thrust to the throat before bringing the chair down across his back.  He then targets Kane’s already injured ribs when he tries to come to his ‘brother’s’ aid.  Chair to the head of Taker who immediately checks to see whether he’s been opened up.  The Island boys double team Kane inside while Taker is down at ringside.  Rikishi backs that big ass up as Haku returns to finish off the Undertaker.  Taker unloads on him and bends a chair over his head.  Kane with a low blow on Rikishi followed by a chokeslam.  The commentators say how that’s all well and good but it’s not the kind of move that will help them win this match.  Patience boys!  While Taker tosses the metal steps into the ring we see that Haku has been busted open by that chair shot, he’s out of view of the official though.  Kane runs Rikishi’s heads into the steps.  He comes up bleeding and Mike Chioda calls for the bell.  Haku, who I don’ remember as being much of a bleeder, is covered in the stuff all dripping down his chest.

Despite Michael Cole’s comments, I hope this marked the end of what has been an extremely one sided feud.  This really should be the blow off and struggle to see how they could move it forward from here.

[soup23]

RIkishi and Haku get jobbed out again. THis was again fine for Kane/Taker to do something for a bit but yeah, it is time for something else. Haku isn't someone I can recall blading much before so seeing that was at least a novelty to put over the hardcore aspect of this SmackDown. *3/4