Nickolye's SmackDown! Recap

SmackDown! comes from Providence, Rhode Island, and I had a chance to be there but I decided to take a break after going to Raw on Monday. The new and improved heel Batista will face Version 1.0 of Matt Hardy in the main event. But first, we'll hear from the World Heavyweight Champion, The Undertaker!

* The Undertaker promo

Taker makes his long theatrical entrance on his way to the ring. Taker: It seems like an eternity ago that the demons of hell passed judgment on the mortals and unleashed a creature of the night that by the mention of his name sent shivers down the spine of those who opposed him.

It was at Survivor Series that the dark birth of the Undertaker was born. Year after year, all those who opposed me perished at my feet. Yet year after year, they still come for this. They come for a chance to be World Heavyweight Champion. This is the holy grail for all who step foot in this ring. The Big Show betrayed an entire team for an opportunity to become World Heavyweight Champion.

What he won was the opportunity to be terminated by the hand of the Deadman. And that brings me to Chris Jericho. There are few things in this world that bring joy to my dark heart. One is being able to fight alongside my brother Kane. The second thing is fighting against my brother Kane. But last week, Jericho took that opportunity away from me. So at the Survivor Series Chris Jericho's fate, his health, and his soul will be mine."

BREAK THE WALLS DOWN! Jericho comes down to the ring in a suit and tie to go face-to-face with Taker, but first he stays outside the ring. Jericho: "Finally after ten years this is what the WWE Universe has been waiting for. Two of the biggest stars in WWE history, Chris Jericho and The Undertaker face-to-face. The best in the world and the Phenom." Jericho gives the Webster's Dictionary definition of phenomenal and claims he himself is a phenom. He continues saying he tells the truth while Taker lies to "these gelatinous tapeworms."

He says he is on a roll and can't be stopped. "I can beat anybody I choose at this point and time. And at Survivor Series I'm gonna beat you, and I'm gonna become World Heavyweight Champion for the sixth time. See, you don't intimidate me. The smoke and gong doesn't send shivers down my spine. You're just a man. And there's not a man I'm afraid of. And I'm not afraid of you Taker. I am the best in the world at what I do. Do you understand what I am saying to you, MAN?"

Taker grabs Jericho by the throat and Y2J fights back. Taker gives him a straight shot and Jericho rolls out the ring holding his jaw. Taker's music plays as he gives the throat slash to Jericho. We are formally introduced to announcers Matt Striker and Todd Grisham, and they gives us replays of the betrayal and broken friendship of Rey Mysterio and Dave Batista, stemming from Bragging Rights. Breaktime. We come back with a promo for WWE.com before Dolph Ziggler comes out next for a six-man tag match. During his entrance we see replays of last week's match between him and John Morrison.

* Dolph Ziggler & Hart Dynasty vs. John Morrison {I-C Champ} & Cryme Tyme

I'm predicting a clusterfuck finish! Tyson Kidd and John Morrison start the match for their respective teams. Kidd puts him in a headlock, but then gets hiptossed. Morrison comes out of that holding his ribs. Kidd sees it and smiles, and Morrison tags out as we go to break. Ziggler has JTG in a headlock when we come back from break. He gets out with a hiptoss and a jawbreaker. He jumps on Ziggler in the corner but DH Smith causes the distraction. Smith officially tags in and lays in dominant attacks to JTG, but tags in Kidd for a double team move. Backslide/legdrop combo by the Dynasty for 2. Shad rallies the fans as JTG struggles out of a headlock. Ziggler tags in and snap his opponent's neck, then covers with a 2-count. JTG gets trapped in yet another headlock to play face-in-peril, then he flips out to hit a backbreaker.

Kidd tags in and so does Morrison! He takes out Kidd in all directions, including a jumping calf kick. He continues to hold the ribs after every move he performs, even after a Flying Chuck Kick to Smith! He tags in big Shad and hits a corkscrew crossbody to the Tyson Kidd outside the ring as Natalya moves out the way. Shad gets fired up and goes on offense. He lays in an elbow to Smith in the corner, Ziggler makes the blind tag, and as Shad goes for his finisher Dolph sneaks in with the Zig Zag for the win. WINNERS: Ziggler and The Dynasty.

We see Morrison backing up the ramp gasping for every breath as he still holds his midsection. Up next after the break, an interview with Rey Mysterio.

* Rey Mysterio Interview

Josh Matthews has a sit-down interview with Mr. 619. Rey: "Josh, I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't upset. But can you imagine one of your family members walking out on you over something small? That's how I feel." Josh announces Teddy Long has made it official, Mysterio vs. Batista at Survivor Series. Rey: "Batista, I know you're watching. You won't listen to me, you won't listen to logic. You decided to throw away our friendship. You decided to throw away the spirit of Eddie Guerrero. I don't know what got into you, but whatever it is I'ma get it out. You showed a side of you I've never seen before. But now I'm gonna show a side of me you thought never existed."

* Beth Phoenix vs. Brittany Carter

Phoenix goes on offense and destroys another female jobber (or jobbette?) in the corner. She delivers backbreakers, then lifts her, spins her, and breaks her. The fans start cheering for Beth, right before she delivers the Glam Slam! WINNER: Beth Phoenix.

The WWE "Smack of the Night" is Drew McIntyre's tyrade against other Superstars.

* Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Wang Yang

McIntyre attacks Wang once he poses on the turnbuckle! He falls to the floor in a heap. "This party cannot even begin to get started, until I get competition worthy of a future World Heavyweight Champion." Drew leaves the ring as Yang climbs back challenging him to get back in and fight. The bell rings and Drew gets back in the ring. Yang fires with chops when he gets in his face, but McIntyre clotheslines him and follows with ground-n-pound strikes. A double-arm DDT and this match is over already. WINNER: Drew McIntyre.

McIntyre lays in one more shot to the back of the head for good measure. Josh Matthews catches up with Batista walking backstage to ask him why he attacked Rey Mysterio and Matt Hardy. Batista: "Josh, I am not here to make friends. I'm here for one reason, and that is to be World Hheavyweight Champion. Rey Mysterio was supposed to be friend, and he robbed me of that at Bragging Rights. Matt Hardy stuck his big nose in my business, and that's between me and Rey. I'm here to be World Heavyweight Champion and if I have to hurt anyone who gets in my way, then that's what I'll do." Breaktime. During the break, we're told that the next episode of Monday Night Raw in England will be hosted by boxer Ricky Hatton.

* Rey Mysterio vs. Mike Knox

Striker and Grisham plug Rey Mysterio's new book "Behind the Mask" before Knox comes out. It seems like almost every wrestler is coming out with a book or DVD set - jeez! Way to cash in on your talent! Knox beats down Rey early on with clubbing blows to the back. Tilt-a-whirl headscissor puts Knox on the ropes early on but no 619. Outside the ring Knox LEVELS Rey with a crossbody block! He brings him in the ring to cover for 2. The match continues one-sided for a while as Knox retains the advantage with his size. Rey fights out of a bearhug and lures Knox to the ropes while he lowers them. Knox comes back with a shoulder block and another near-fall.

Knox applies the abdominal stretch as the fans start to cheer Rey on, then turns it into a pump handle backbreaker for 2. He puts Rey back into the ab stretch, and the pump handle gets countered into a DDT! The ref starts to count out both men until they stand at 6, with Rey delivering a dropkick and wheelbarrel bulldog for 2. Rey counters Knox again and hits a springboard senton, but runs into a kneeling clothesline from Knox! Rey avoids contact in the corner, dropkicks him onto the ropes and hits the 619 and springboard splash for 3! WINNER: Rey Mysterio.

We see replays from the match culminating with the finishing splash, then cut to Rey celebrating in the ring. Breaktime. We come back to learn John Morrison will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Dolph Ziggler next week on SmackDown in England.

* CM Punk vs. R-Truth

When Punk comes out we see footage from last week when Punk had a match with referee Scoot Armstrong. Back to the arena and what irony - Scott Armstrong is the ref for this match! "Providence, Rhode Island... WHAT'S UP? (What's up!)" The bell rings and this match is underway. They lock up and Punk gets trapped in the corner shouting at the ref to get Truth off him. Truth backs up and Punk gets in Armstring's face. Truth knocks him down with a shoulder block and dances to taunt Punk, who gets annoyed. Some chain wrestling follows as Matt Striker breaks down the origin and meaning of "straight-edge." Punk lays in strikes with his hands and head, then runs into a hiptoss. Truth sends him outside and lands on him with a plancha before a commercial break.

Back from break and Punk kicks Truth in the midsection, then Truth counters Punk's suplex with one of his own. Punk takes down Truth but only gets a 1-count. He kicks him in the back, blows a kiss to whoever and delivers a suplex for 2. He grabs Truth by the neck and legs and applies an old-school bow and arrow submission hold! The fans start to cheer for R-Truth, Punk lets go and mocks the fans by clapping! Truth moves as Punk crotches the middle turnbuckle, and goes on a roll! Clotheslines and a spinning sidekick take Punk down. WHAT'S UP! What's really up is he got taken out by a running calf kick. The ref makes a rather slow 2-count, and Punk notices is as well and getting in Armstrong's face. "Do your job! You count FASTER!" Truth sneaks behind Punk and rolls him up in a schoolboy, and the ref make a quick 3-count! WINNER: R-Truth.

Scott Armstrong bails out of the ring almost immediately. Punk is shocked and runs up the ramp after him, then stops at the top to cry about his loss. Backstage, Mickie James talks to the fashion designer, then Michelle McCool and Layla get in her face. They say they don't like her, and McCool tells her to pack up and never come back. James responds, "I'm not going anywhere darling. After my team beats you at Survivor Serires I'm coming after you and your title. If you and Scary Spice are done, I'm out of here." McCool and Layla conspire to get her out of SmackDown. We replay Matt Hardy talking to Batista with advice on dealing with Mysterio, until Batista walked away then attacked him from behind. Breaktime, and come back to a Raw Rebound with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne.

Josh Matthews interviews Matt Hardy next. Matt: "Josh, I know as human beings we all make mistakes. We all have temporary lapses of jusgment. After all the things I went through with my brother Jeff, I wanted to talk to Batista. I wanted to help him. Batista's changed, and I don't know if he's selfish or if he's jealous. And tonight he needs a reality check. I didn't come to talk to Batsita, I didn't come to make friends with him. I came to fight him." Matt leaves the area and comes out to the ring before a commercial break. Main event coming up!

* Matt Hardy vs. Dave Batista

Matt Striker says he sympathizes with Batista being upset at the fact Mysterio prevented him from becoming World Heavyweight Champion at Bragging Rights. Batista delivers shoulders to Hardy's midesections, Matt fires back, but Batista goes back in control. Matt tries to muster some offense but gets suplexed for 2. Batista misses a clothesline, but holds onto the ropes preventing Hardy from rolling him up into a pinning situation. The ref tells Batista to back up from Matt in the corner and he yells at him to get out of his face. He delivers more shots and yells at referee Charles Robinson, "Get out of my FACE!" He knocks Hardy down again before a commercial break.

We come back at 9:50 pm EST as Batista is still dominant with a camel clutch. He punches him straight in the gut, and remains in control with a hard bodyslam. Matt's punches don't even stagger Batista as he gets whipped hard into the corner. Batista applies a rear anked choke, and Hardy tries to break the legs of the body scissors. Matt elbows him in the knee and head to release the hold. Matt gets Batista down finally and tries to gain some momentum. Lefts and rights, he ducks a clothesline, dropkicks a leg and DDT's him. Matt goes up top, and Batista rolls out the way of a moonsault. TWIST OF FATE! That was out of nowhere! Matt makes the cover but Batista grabs the bottom rope. Batista catches Matt with a Spinebuster!

Batista stomps on Matt and chokes him using the ropes for leverage. He follows him outside the ring and whips Matt into the barricade, similar to what he did to Mysterio at Bragging Rights. He smacks Matt's face on the announcer's desk, rips out a monitor and blasts him in the back with it, causing the disqualification! WINNER by DQ: Matt Hardy.

He throws Matt into the steel steps, places him back in the ring, sets him up for the powerbomb, but then changes his mind and shoves him aside. The crowd boos Batista heavily as he walks back up the ramp. The theme of the night is "Batista Walks Alone" - like his theme song applies. Next week, Chris Jericho faces the Undertaker for the first time ever (in a non-title match)! Also, the Intercontinental Championship is on the line as John Morrison defends his title against Dolph Ziggler. See you next week in England!

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