Show
No Mercy
Match Results
Date and location
Sunday, Oct 8 | 12 AMET/9 PMPT
World Heavyweight Champion King Booker def. Bobby Lashley, Batista and Finlay (Fatal Four Way Match)
"The king's name is a tower of strength."
So says King Richard III in act five of Shakespeare's play by the same name as he attempts to rally his troops before the final climatic battle scene. The modern adaptation of this statement might very well be "All hail King Booker." So says Queen Sharmell upon her mighty King's entrance to the ring, that all peasants and loyal subjects the world over should bow in reverence and pay homage to the tower of strength that is King Booker. Indeed, he has been such a tower, held up by both the strength of his own iron fists and the faithful support of his Royal Court. At No Mercy, however, The King of the World would have to defend his honor and his gold all on his own, and in a Fatal Four Way Match for the World Heavyweight Championship, he did just that by capturing an improbable victory.
King Booker knew that the odds were stacked against him when SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long announced last Friday night that the No Mercy main event was to become a Fatal Four Way. Already staring down the gauntlet that is Bobby Lashley, who had repeatedly pounded The King en route to becoming No. 1 Contender, King Booker would now also have to face Lashley's friend and fellow powerhouse, Batista. The Animal, of course, was forced to relinquish the gold in January after suffering a triceps injury, and the Fatal Four Way provided him ample opportunity to reclaim the championship he never truly lost. As if that weren't enough, Finlay was thrown into the mix as well; although he had been knighted by King Booker, Finlay proved himself to be the same ornery brawler that he always was when he repeatedly refused to lie down on The King's behalf. The Man Who Loves to Fight vowed to stay true to his creed, and King Booker's Royal Court appeared to be on the brink of an epic collapse.
That trend continued at the RBC Center on the campus of North Carolina State University, as King Booker and his other knight, Sir William Regal, came to blows after Regal had failed to secure Finlay's cooperation on behalf of his King. The Royal Court was falling apart at the worst possible time, as King Booker was now mere moments from facing down one of the most daunting challenges that any World Heavyweight Champion has faced in recent memory.
The WWE fans at the RBC Center made sure to let King Booker know that they, too, were against him, as King and Queen were greeted with resounding jeers upon their entrance. Though divided between their loyalties, the SmackDown faithful stood and applauded both Batista and Lashley, clearly throwing their favor towards anyone but King Booker. Though The King and Finlay are intimidating bruisers in their own right, nobody in attendance could deny that they looked a lot smaller once the barrel-chested Lashley and Batista joined them in the ring. Suddenly, there appeared to be a lot less real estate on which to operate between the ropes.
The match itself was a high-paced and hard-hitting battle. Finlay and King Booker attempted to divide the two powerhouses and wear them down one at a time, and the Irishman even took strategic breaks by ducking out of the ring several times for a breather. As he did so, his Little Bastard once again shook things up, this time delivering a low blow to Lashley as he measured Batista for a spear. The distraction of course enabled Finlay to reach for his shillelagh and do what he does best -- deliver a cheap shot to the back of the knee.
As the match drew to its exciting conclusion, Batista delivered three devastating spinebusters -- one to each of his opponents -- followed by a crushing Batista Bomb to Finlay. The hungry Lashley seized the opportunity to deliver a spear to the heart of The Animal, but it was The King who would prove to be the most opportunistic of all. After watching Batista deliver the crushing blows, the frenzied crowd must have thought that The Animal would surely, finally regain his lost gold. However, with all three opponents down and Finlay still dazed from the Batista Bomb, King Booker summoned enough strength to roll in and cover his Knight for the victory.
In retaining the most coveted prize on SmackDown, King Booker proved once again that The King's name is, in fact, a tower of strength. On this night, it was strength of mind that enabled King Booker to continue to reign supreme, as he was able to focus beyond the distractions of his crumbling Court and capitalize when the opportunity for victory presented itself.
"I managed this victory by sheer will, intestinal fortitude and mental attitude," said a relieved yet clearly confident King Booker following the bout. "In adversity, I always rise to the occasion, and I knew I would tonight. I knew, by any means necessary, King Booker would walk out the World Heavyweight Champion, ruler and King of the SmackDown world."
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RELATED CONTENT
Title History: World Heavyweight Championship
"The king's name is a tower of strength."
So says King Richard III in act five of Shakespeare's play by the same name as he attempts to rally his troops before the final climatic battle scene. The modern adaptation of this statement might very well be "All hail King Booker." So says Queen Sharmell upon her mighty King's entrance to the ring, that all peasants and loyal subjects the world over should bow in reverence and pay homage to the tower of strength that is King Booker. Indeed, he has been such a tower, held up by both the strength of his own iron fists and the faithful support of his Royal Court. At No Mercy, however, The King of the World would have to defend his honor and his gold all on his own, and in a Fatal Four Way Match for the World Heavyweight Championship, he did just that by capturing an improbable victory.
King Booker knew that the odds were stacked against him when SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long announced last Friday night that the No Mercy main event was to become a Fatal Four Way. Already staring down the gauntlet that is Bobby Lashley, who had repeatedly pounded The King en route to becoming No. 1 Contender, King Booker would now also have to face Lashley's friend and fellow powerhouse, Batista. The Animal, of course, was forced to relinquish the gold in January after suffering a triceps injury, and the Fatal Four Way provided him ample opportunity to reclaim the championship he never truly lost. As if that weren't enough, Finlay was thrown into the mix as well; although he had been knighted by King Booker, Finlay proved himself to be the same ornery brawler that he always was when he repeatedly refused to lie down on The King's behalf. The Man Who Loves to Fight vowed to stay true to his creed, and King Booker's Royal Court appeared to be on the brink of an epic collapse.
That trend continued at the RBC Center on the campus of North Carolina State University, as King Booker and his other knight, Sir William Regal, came to blows after Regal had failed to secure Finlay's cooperation on behalf of his King. The Royal Court was falling apart at the worst possible time, as King Booker was now mere moments from facing down one of the most daunting challenges that any World Heavyweight Champion has faced in recent memory.
The WWE fans at the RBC Center made sure to let King Booker know that they, too, were against him, as King and Queen were greeted with resounding jeers upon their entrance. Though divided between their loyalties, the SmackDown faithful stood and applauded both Batista and Lashley, clearly throwing their favor towards anyone but King Booker. Though The King and Finlay are intimidating bruisers in their own right, nobody in attendance could deny that they looked a lot smaller once the barrel-chested Lashley and Batista joined them in the ring. Suddenly, there appeared to be a lot less real estate on which to operate between the ropes.
The match itself was a high-paced and hard-hitting battle. Finlay and King Booker attempted to divide the two powerhouses and wear them down one at a time, and the Irishman even took strategic breaks by ducking out of the ring several times for a breather. As he did so, his Little Bastard once again shook things up, this time delivering a low blow to Lashley as he measured Batista for a spear. The distraction of course enabled Finlay to reach for his shillelagh and do what he does best -- deliver a cheap shot to the back of the knee.
As the match drew to its exciting conclusion, Batista delivered three devastating spinebusters -- one to each of his opponents -- followed by a crushing Batista Bomb to Finlay. The hungry Lashley seized the opportunity to deliver a spear to the heart of The Animal, but it was The King who would prove to be the most opportunistic of all. After watching Batista deliver the crushing blows, the frenzied crowd must have thought that The Animal would surely, finally regain his lost gold. However, with all three opponents down and Finlay still dazed from the Batista Bomb, King Booker summoned enough strength to roll in and cover his Knight for the victory.
In retaining the most coveted prize on SmackDown, King Booker proved once again that The King's name is, in fact, a tower of strength. On this night, it was strength of mind that enabled King Booker to continue to reign supreme, as he was able to focus beyond the distractions of his crumbling Court and capitalize when the opportunity for victory presented itself.
"I managed this victory by sheer will, intestinal fortitude and mental attitude," said a relieved yet clearly confident King Booker following the bout. "In adversity, I always rise to the occasion, and I knew I would tonight. I knew, by any means necessary, King Booker would walk out the World Heavyweight Champion, ruler and King of the SmackDown world."
Click here to find out how to save 8% and get free shipping from WWEShop.com
