The WWE Smackdown 2006 results delivered an explosive episode in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on January 6, 2006, as tensions mounted with sexual misconduct accusations against Batista and a dramatic tag team title rematch inside a steel cage. Mark Henry’s interference, high-stakes confrontations, and violent showdowns intensified the already uneasy atmosphere, turning Smackdown into a battleground where alliances were tested and rivalries intensified.
Show Opens with Allegations Against Batista and Tag Title Fallout
The night began with a recap of Batista’s public denial in response to Melina’s sexual misconduct charges. In tandem with these accusations, Rey Mysterio and Batista’s recent WWE Tag Team Championship loss to MNM was revisited, highlighting Mark Henry’s decisive interference. With controversy brewing, Michael Cole and Tazz introduced the evening’s card—including a steel cage tag team title rematch and another chapter in the Best of Seven Series between Chris Benoit and Randy Orton. The tense introduction set the stage for a broadcast ready to erupt with conflict.
Unrestricted Brawling: JBL vs. Matt Hardy in Falls Count Anywhere Match
JBL, accompanied by Jillian Hall, kicked off the action, declaring himself the prime attraction for the start of the Smackdown year. He promised Hardy punishment across the entire arena, joking about updating fans from a hypothetical internet kiosk mid-match. As the contest commenced, Hardy and JBL brawled amid the crowd, crashing onto the announcers’ table—leaving it destroyed in mere minutes. Hardy barely scored multiple near-falls, as both men weaponized ladders and trash cans with neither holding back.
Jillian’s timely interference aided JBL, who managed to knock Hardy off a ladder before slamming him onto a limo hood for the abrupt victory. Despite a spirited but short-lived fight, Hardy was left overshadowed, and the finish left his resilience in question. JBL’s triumph was met not with celebration, but with Boogeyman’s bizarre arrival—emerging from JBL’s limo amid red smoke to terrorize Hall with live worms, creating a scene as unsettling as it was memorable. The arena reacted loudly as Boogeyman feasted and danced, while Hall tried desperately to escape his revolting prank.
Mark Henry Dominates Trio, Melina Addresses Accusations
Mark Henry, guided by Melina, faced off against John Trusty, Rock Echoes, and Gus Holisser in a match designed to underscore his dominance. The outcome was decisive: Henry easily dispatched each competitor, demonstrating overwhelming power and efficiency. As Henry celebrated, Michael Cole entered to interview Melina. Confronted by jeering fans, Melina explained that her recent lawsuit against Batista was necessary for her own protection, stressing that Henry was in her corner as a shield. Her emotional breakdown in the ring marked the intensity and personal stakes of the ongoing accusations against Batista.
Backstage Tensions and Subplots Unfold
Randy Orton blamed Sharmell for last week’s loss, implying her interference cost him the victory. Sharmell refuted his claim, and Orton demanded Booker T keep her away from ringside, promising to deliver the U.S. Title but warning Booker in advance:
“Before I do, let me make it perfectly clear; you’re going to owe me one.”
–Randy Orton, WWE Superstar. This exchange heightened underlying rivalries as each character sought leverage ahead of the night’s matches.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kennedy seized the spotlight, announcing his intention to call a match every week. Emphasizing Smackdown’s soaring Friday night ratings, Kennedy credited the increase to his own contributions and engaged in playful banter with the commentary team, underscoring his growing ego on the blue brand.
Electric Cruiserweight Title Match: Kid Kash Defends Against Juventud
Juventud Guererra, arriving solo, squared off against Kid Kash with the Cruiserweight Championship at stake. Kennedy, joining commentary, gestured for a higher rating, adding to the match’s entertainment. Juventud’s acrobatics matched Kash’s technical prowess, as ringside action drew taunts and jeers. Kid Kash targeted Juventud’s injured leg, applying a half Boston Crab before Juventud forced a break. After a desperate yet impressive comeback, Juventud missed a 450 splash, allowing Kash to secure victory with a brainbuster suplex and retain his title. The match showcased fast-paced action and the signature flair of the cruiserweight division. On commentary, Tazz declared:
“This is a great cruiserweight match. This is how we roll on Friday nights.”
–Tazz, Commentator, capturing the essence of the bout’s excitement.
Press Conference: Batista Responds to Accusations, Heated Confrontation with Henry
Backstage, reporters packed into a tense press conference as Batista confronted the charges publicly. He firmly denied any wrongdoing, stating he never sexually harassed anyone and addressing his prior relationship with Melina, declaring,
“Melina and I, we were intimate, but she never said no, she never said stop. These are serious charges.”
–Batista, WWE Superstar. Mark Henry appeared suddenly, questioning Batista’s moral character and taunting him with pointed accusations about taking advantage of women. He issued a rhetorical challenge:
“What if it was me taking advantage of you?”
–Mark Henry, WWE Superstar. Batista, maintaining composure under scrutiny, retorted,
“Mark, this isn’t the time or the place unless you say it is. If not, get out of my face.”
–Batista, WWE Superstar. Their confrontation left unresolved animosity and suggested that personal and professional boundaries were about to collide in the ring.
Booker T, Sharmell, and Orlando Jordan’s Conflict Surfaces
Krystal conducted an interview with Booker T and Sharmell, highlighting their unity until Orlando Jordan interrupted, seeking respect and a chance to prove himself. When Sharmell mocked him for his losses, Jordan became frustrated, and Booker T bluntly noted the only way to earn respect is by
“getting dirty the old fashioned way.”
–Booker T, WWE Superstar. Jordan left, their tension promising further drama down the line as rivalries frayed among the show’s key personalities.
Benoit Evens the Best of Seven Series Against Orton
The next match in the storied Best of Seven series pitted Chris Benoit against Randy Orton. With Booker T and Sharmell at ringside, the contest quickly became complicated. Sharmell interfered early using Booker’s crutch, resulting in her ejection after a commotion with the referee. Orton and Benoit exchanged technical holds and high-impact moves, including Benoit’s signature Three Amigos and top-rope headbutt. After several near-finishes, Orlando Jordan stormed ringside, assaulting Booker T and interference in the ring with a crutch—prompting a disqualification. Benoit was declared the winner, tying the Best of Seven series at 3-3 and ensuring the rivalry’s deciding match would headline next week’s episode. The match delivered solid action amid brewing hostilities.
The Gymini Debut: New Tag Team Shows Ruthless Strength
Simon Dean’s latest challenge brought Paul London and Brian Kendrick, celebrated for their agility, into the ring—but not as the main attraction. Instead, Simon introduced The Gymini, a new powerhouse tag team linked to his Simon System. The Gymini overwhelmed London and Kendrick quickly, establishing their presence with a physical and relentless assault, though commentary noted their dated look in contrast to the division’s flashier teams. As Simon aimed to bring personality to this new duo, the division braced for more shake-ups.
Bobby Lashley Announces Royal Rumble Ambitions
Bobby Lashley addressed the WWE Universe via camera announcement, confirming his participation in the upcoming Royal Rumble. He made clear his intentions to win the Rumble and challenge Batista for the WWE title at WrestleMania, expressing,
“I like the sound of that,”
–Bobby Lashley, WWE Superstar, highlighting his calm yet intense determination to climb to the top of the WWE hierarchy.
Tag Team Title Rematch: Chaos Erupts Inside the Steel Cage
The night’s main event brought the feud between MNM—represented by Nitro and Mercury, with Melina at ringside—and the team of Rey Mysterio and Batista to a boiling point. With the WWE Tag Team Championships on the line and the cage enclosing the combatants, the pace quickly escalated. Batista and Rey seized early control, only for MNM to take advantage during a relentless assault against the steel structure. High-risk maneuvers, such as Rey’s daring crossbody from atop the cage, brought the crowd to their feet, but interference from Mark Henry shifted the balance.
As Batista appeared primed for victory, Henry tore open the cage door—displaying fearsome strength—and entered to attack Batista and Mysterio with the door itself. In the confusion, Mercury pinned Rey for the win, securing MNM’s title defense. The post-match scene of Henry standing dominant atop the cage left commentary asking, in genuine concern, how Mark Henry could be stopped. This outcome further entrenched Henry as a force capable of matching even Batista’s raw power and set the stage for more explosive confrontations.
The Road Ahead: Rivalries Deepen, Stakes at an All-time High
As Smackdown concluded, unresolved questions and heated tensions hung heavily over the arena: Batista’s innocence amid damning allegations, Mark Henry’s relentless quest for dominance, and the culminating match in the Best of Seven Series all promised that the coming weeks would offer no reprieve for competitors or fans. With the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania looming, the fragile alliances and bitter grudges that erupted in Wilkes-Barre are certain to define the next chapter of WWE’s intense battles.
