[jetskid48]

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Source: WWE.com

A Title In Turmoil

Now that SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero has stripped Undertaker of the World Heavyweight Championship, when and where will the next champion be crowned? Will The Deadman be looking to reclaim his title as soon as possible? Will Edge try to leverage his relationship with the GM to get his hands on the gold once again? Or, will another Superstar step up and try to claim the title?

When Shawn Michaels defeated Batista at Backlash, he finally silenced one of his toughest critics. Or did he? After Chris Jericho’s recent Highlight Reel – where Y2J accused HBK of faking his injury at Backlash – Batista vowed to hurt HBK if he isn’t truly injured. Will Batista keep his word?

When Big Show demolished The Great Khali at Backlash, he took down one of WWE’s biggest Superstars. Last week on SmackDown, The World’s Largest Athlete had a staredown with the World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry that ended with Big Show calling for Henry to pick on someone his own size. What will happen the next time these two behemoths encounter each other?

On last week’s Championship Friday edition of SmackDown, the WWE Tag Team Champions defended their title. But, with all the talk they’re doing in the Dirt Sheet, how long before they tick off the wrong person?

Also on Championship Friday, Matt Hardy retained his United States gold against Montel Vontavious Porter. MVP held onto the title for almost a year. How long can Hardy?

As Judgment Day approaches, find out the answers to these questions and more on Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 CT on The CW Network.

Pretty sure Smackdown isn't on tonight in NY because of a Met Game or Yankee Game, so once I get it DVRed, or watched off one of the stream sites, I'll get the recap up here.

[jetskid48]

Smackdown Recap 5/9/08 By: JetsKid48


RadsfjdlskjfkdsmfdsmsmeiwuANDRE THE GIANT!sdafiodsajlkjfewjklfaejlefaTHE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!

Recap of last weeks "shocking" announcement. I'd recap the recap, but Vickie Guerrero's voice put me in a temporary daze and I can't remember what just happened.

...And we're live on tape from Mexico North?

Vickie is wheeled out to start. She's reading off a prepared statement. At least that should keep the decibel level down. She announces in two weeks they'll be a match for the World Heavyweight Championship. One of the men in the match will be the former champion, the Undertaker. However, he is not allowed to use the gogoplata. Who will face the Undertaker? Any member of the Smackdown or ECW roster, who is a former or current champion of any title, to take part in a championship chase for the title tonight. Khali is in India and Edge is not medically cleared. Big Show, John Morrison, Finlay, CM Punk, Chavo Guerrero, Tommy Dreamer, MVP, Kane, Matt Hardy, and Batista. The chase begins...right now.

Opening Sequence of Boxiness.

1. Matt Hardy v. CM Punk.
Wow, sure are starting off strongly this week. We get a Championship Chase logo on the bottom.

Big Hardy chant to start. Arm wringer by Hardy into a hammerlock. We find out that Kane and Punk will face Miz and Morrison at the ppv for the titles. Oh crap....noooo! Singles>Tags again???

Punk powers out and starts with his kicks. Irish whip and Kitchen Sink to Hardy. Pushes Hardy against the ropes and a kick to the ribs. Hardy flips over and gets a Sunset Flip for 2. Punk immediately kicks him in the ribs while he's down. Throw to the corner and Punk doesn't get the knee. Hardy gets him on his shoulders and hits an electric Chair. Hardy goes for the AHHHH Elbow Drop off the second rope and Punk moves, but Hardy gets the Side Effect for 2. Hardy gets ready for the Twist of Fate, but is thrown to the ropes. Punk with his Knee to the face, for once against the ropes not the corner. Bulldog by Punk gets a 2. Foreharm to the ribs. He goes for a double underhook suplex but Hardy reverses into a form of a Northern Lights for 2. Punk keeps hold of the underhook and gets knees to Matt Hardy's back. This gets a 2 count. Hardy runs to the ropes and Punk hits a huge foot to the face. He gets Hardy up for the GTS, Hardy flops off the shoulders, goes for the Twist of Fate, reversed, Punk throws him off. Punk goes for the Magistral Cradle, but Hardy pulls back and rolls him up mid move and gets the 3!

Winner: Matt Hardy.

Matt Hardy walks up the ramp and touches the case that the Belt is in. Nice dreaming Matt.

Commercial.

2. MVP v. Finlay
This looks to be Finlay's first non-joke match in a month. Oh wait, I'm wrong, Hornswoggle has already thrown Tennis Balls into the ring.

Finlay goes for the single leg takedown but MVP gets a reverse choke on Finlay. Finlay rolls out and they lock up again. A bunch of rolling around for position on the mat and again they're up for a lockup. European Uppercuts by Finlay. Cover for 1. Headlock takedown by Finlay. MVP gets a snap back suplex and Finlay gets right back up. Finlay takes him down and stays on him. MVP wiggles out and gets to the corner. Finlay runs, but misses and hits the turnbuckle shoulder first. MVP gets to working on the shoulder with a Fujiwara Armbar. Seems like a good point for a

Commercial.

We see the belt as we come back. Damn those red dots are bright. Armbar is now locked on by MVP, keeping the elbow on Finlays arm. We are reminded that this is a chance to go on to the next step to get a title shot. Finlay finally rolls over and escapes. He gets a short-arm clothesline on MVP, but as he recovers, MVP is quicker and gets one of his kicks to Finlay's face. On the outside, HS gets a distraction on MVP and Finlay gets a clothesline. MVP rolls in and as Finlay follows, MVP drops and elbow on Finlay's bad arm. That gets a two. Back to the outside and MVP throwing Finlay's arm against the fense gets an OH from the crowd, and a 2 count in the ring. Wristlock on the ground by MVP but Finlay is keeping his hands locked. MVP then wraps Finlay's arm around his own neck and turns it into a Hammerlock. Finlay tries to push MVP in the corner, but a punch to the back and a kick drive him back. Finlay get around him and drops him to the ground. Finlay ties up MVP's legs and pulls back on him. MVP gets to the ropes quickly. Finlay picks up MVP for a slam and slams him on the ropes! This hurts MVP's knee. Finlay then applies a single leg crab while steping on the back of MVP's head. MVP is finally able to roll over and kick Finlay in the face. Back and force punching and again Finlay slams him leg first on the ropes. Single leg takdown by Finlay and MVP is fighting him off. Finlay gets on a leglock while MVP puts on an armbar on Finlay. Double Submission holds happening. Finlay rolls him over and gets advantage but MVP gets to the ropes. MVP throws Finlay to the corner and they collide. Finlay gets a back suplex and cradles. That gets a 3 count, both shoulders for both were down. This match...is a draw.

Winner: No one....and the announcers aren't sure if both are eliminated or not.

Commercial.

3. KellyKellyKellyKelly v. Nattie Natalya
Natalya grabs Kelly and slams her into the corner, talks some smack, and slaps Kelly. Kelly tries to come back with some punches but Nattie kicks her in the stomach. Then she picks her up and gives her a swinging bodyslam. Cool. As she pses then turns around, Kelly gets a kick tot he face. Kelly tries to get a flipping elbow to Nattie in the corner but Nattie catches her and gets a back suplex. Wow, athleticism by Kelly? Nattie then puts a Surfboard on Kelly. She finally lets go and Kelly punches back, but gets stopped and thrown into the ropes. As Nattie runs, Kelly kicks. Kelly tries to go uptop but Nattie pulls her off. Sharpshooter put on and Kelly taps out immediately.

Winner: Natalya.

After the match, we see Michelle McCool watching on a screen in the back...considering how much its going to hurt when she has to tattoo 'Mark' on her neck.

Commercial.

We come back and get an official announcement from Vickie: both Finlay and MVP will advance to the battle royal.

4. John Morrison v. Dave Batista
...crap. It's the battle over Melina!

Bats smiles off the bat and Morrison tries some kicks to his legs. They do some in and out of the ring running. As Bats tries to get in the ring, he eats Morrison jumping off the apron, into the ring and baseball slide. Morrison comes to the outside and Morrison gets punched. Both ack int he ring and some running off the ropes till the Animal gets Morrison in fallaway slam position. Morrison floats over and gets a big kick on Batista, knocking him to the outside. He follows that up by pushing him facefirst into the steps. Puts him on the apron and after a front face lock, kicks him in the face. Back in the ring, Morrison comes off the ropes and a big soccer kick to Bats' face. This gets a 2. Chinlock put on by Morrison. Bats powers out, but goes after Morrison, who holds onto the ropes, uses it to flip backwards and kick him as he goes to the outside. Up to the top and flying dropkick for 2. Morrison mount punches Batista. Pin by Morrison for 2. He does his street dance leg drop to Batista; that gets 2. Back to the chinlock. Batista picks him up and rams him into the corner back first. Batista runs towards Morrison who trips him into the bottom turnbuckle face first. He gets on the ropes on Batista with punches but Batista gets him up for the bomb. Morrison reverses into a hurricanrana, then a clothesline. Morrison grabs him and gets flipped over. Batista getting some momentum. Morrison jumps off the ropes and twists into a Spear! Batista Bomb, and its done.

Winner: Batista. Can't believe they actually let Morrison dominate that whole match.

3rd Recap of the Undertaker being stripped. Wow.

Back from the recap and Fat Cole talks some more. Foley says he doesn't agree with the stripping of the belt.

Commercial.

5. Big Show v. Tommy Dreamer.
Poor Tommy.

Power offense by Big Show and Dreamer can't get off the mat. Show with a headbutt on the ground. He picks Dreamer up and slaps him hard. Throws him to the corner and Tommy is down. Dreamer gets a punch and tries to come off the middle rope with a double axe handle, but its reversed into a Chokeslam for a pin.

Winner: Big Show.

Commercial.

6. Chavo Guerrero v. Kane
Kicks in the corner to Chavo and then a throw to the corner. Chavo gets a back elbow but runs into a Gorilla Press Slam. Chokeslam try but Chavo holds the ropes. Kane misses a Big Boot and gets caught on the ropes. Kicks to Kane's legs gets him down and Chavo goes kicking and punching on the gorund. Chavo works the leg on the ropes. Chavo distracts the ref and Bam attacks Kane's leg as well. More leg offense in the corner but Kane throws him off. Chavo climbs the turnbuckle on Kane but Kane gets a double choke. Chavo fights off and dropkicks his knee. Chavo puts on a leg lock on Kane. He turns htis into an Indian Deathlock. Kane breaks out and Chavo has to go for a top rope drop kick. As Chavo catches his breathe, Kane sits up. Chavo to the ropes and gets a Big Boot. To the ropes again and a back body drop. Elbow to the sternum for 2. Chavo floats out of a slam and takes Kane's leg out again. Chavo to the top and Kane comes out to stop him. Chavo off the ropes, gets caught in a choke. Chavo goes for a sunset flip, but Kane drops on his knees. He gets the pin.

Winner: Kane.

We're back and a recap of the After The Bell from last week. It's Cherry getting dumped by D&D and then slapping the shit out of Maryse. Lights are off as we get back to the ring.

7. Vladimir Kozlov v. Random Hometown Jobber #65
He sambo's his arm to start. Belly to Belly. Big Kick to the face. Firemans carry, onto the ropes, kick to the back and he falls off . Reverse DDT, and its over.

Winner: Kozlov.

Commerical.

8. Battle Royal time.
I've never had to recap one of these before...so there's a chance this will be a mess. I'll just try to get the big moves and eliminations down.

Sometime in the midst, MVP gets knocked to the outside but was under the top rope, so he gets bakc in. Show gets an attempt on Finlay but MVP punches Show to save him. Everyone makes an effort to attack Show, but he's tossing people around.

A few minutes later and Show is still dominating, and were going to

Commercial.

We're back from commercial and Bats has a chance at knocking Show over...that kinda looked weird. Show looked like a fat dolphin. Still no one eliminated. Sorry for the lack of recapping, but its hard to describe all the punching and elimination attempts. Side effect at some point allows MVP to come from behind Hardy and throw him out.

Matt Hardy Eliminated.

Big Show has Finlay up for a Gorilla Press, but out of knowhere Bats spears Show. Finlay gets the Sheileleigh and hits everyone, but Kane gets him and throws him out.

Finlay Eliminated.

MVP goes to kick against the ropes and misses and flies out. Near the same time, Kane is also eliminated.

MVP and Kane eliminated.

Batista v. Show left. At some point, Bats goes for the Bomb but Show catches him. As he tries to dump Bats, he flips Show over.

Big Show eliminated.

But hold on, Edge is medically cleared.

Edge comes in and spears Batista out.

Winner: Edge.

As Edge celebrates on the ramp...an explosion hits and the belt stand lights on fire. A bell tolls, and we fade to black.

That was quite a great Smackdown. I understand they can't do this everyweek with such a short roster, but it was nice to get a bunch of good matches, KellyKellyKelly getting beatdown, and some nice twists. Vickie allowing more guys into the Battle Royal to inflict more damage on the eventual winner was pretty genius and good storytelling for once. Very good heel action getting Edge out there to win. I guess the stripping just winds up making a 3rd Edge/Undertaker match a bit different. I think if they made it a Hell in a Cell, this would be awesome. But maybe that's the One Night Stand, all extreme night, gimmick for Smackdown.

Until next week.

[jetskid48]

Recap is up.

[Lucky]

Haven't seen it. I'll watch it some time tomorrow or later tonight. Sounds like there's some good wrestling and its if nothing else what SD did so well for awhile. But I gotta ask, what's the point?

Vickie strips Taker only to plug him right into a title match? Ok, she holds a BS tournament to have the air of fairness only to allow Edge to fuck everyone over, fine. But I don't get it. Why didn't she just book an Edge vs Taker match? She didn't make Taker earn his spot. She didn't limit him any more than banning the choke (which should could have done without stripping him). So I don't get it. Am I missing something? SD tends to be less "WTF?" than that, I think.

[Batman]

Man, last week SD! sucked donkey cock, but it sure turned around this week. Three of the five qualification matches were very entertaining, which isn't a bad ratio. The main event was pretty fun and dramatic, too. The ending was cheap, but I didn't really want to see Batista vs. the Undertaker again anyway.

I suppose we've seen Edge vs Undertaker a lot lately too, but Edge can play it up that 'Taker has only ever beaten him with the googolplex (or whatever) and now that's been taken away from him.

I enjoyed Punk vs Matt (again) and Batista vs. Nitro quite a bit. But the match of the night (and a match that TNA will have to work very hard to top on Sunday) was definitely Finlay vs. MVP. Hard-hitting, back and forth, with great ring psychology, and some pretty sweet reversals. I've loved Finlay from day one, but it's been an uphill battle for MVP to win me over, and he finally has.

Lucky: It was for the cool visual of the title in a glass case at the top of the ramp.