Smackdown Recap 07.20.07

WWE Smackdown 07.20.07 from Laredo, TX:

Teddy Long appeared in ring and announced that World Heavyweight Title holder, Edge was injured last week. Teddy Long said since doctors have deemed Edge unable to compete within the next 30 days, he would be forced to relinquish his title. Teddy introduced Edge who came out carrying the belt on his shoulder with an upset look on his face. Edge got into the ring and told the crowd this is very difficult for him. Edge talked about wanting to be World Champion ever since he was a kid in Canada watching WWF.

Edge listed off all the injuries he's suffered during his career and said he's come back from all of them to wrestle again. Edge said last week Kane attacked him to gain an advantage in their match for the Bash. Edge said his left pectoral muscle was torn during Kane's attack and now he will need surgery and 4 months recovery time. Edge then had an "Edge tribute" video shown on the Titantron set to the song "Simply the Best". Teddy told Edge this was a lot of drama but then when he comes back he can compete again for the title. Edge surrendered the title after Teddy announced that there would be a 20 man battle royal tonight, with the winner becoming World Heavyweight Champion.

Mark Henry, Chris Masters, Eugene, and Kane were shown backstage in anticipation of the 20 man Battle Royal. Michael Cole said history will be made tonight and one of these men just might be the new champ.

Torrie Wilson vs. Victoria

Victoria shoved Torie down to start the match off. Torrie was able to turn things around a bit and started to beat up Victoria in the corner. Victoria was knocked out of the ring twice and Torrie went at her. Torrie with the baseball slide dropkick as Victoria was standing up outside the ring. Victoria able to yank Torrie's foot out on the side apron causing her to fall on the apron. Victoria then got in the ring and began to kick Torrie around the ring a bit. Torrie had several pin attempts. Victoria eventually put Torrie in a chokehold down on the mat. Victoria continued punishing Torrie and tossing her around the ring. Victoria eventually able to kick Torrie after being whipped to the corner. Victoria then hoisted Torrie up in the "Widow's Peak" and dropped down hard to knock out Torrie for the pinfall win.

Winner: Victoria wins via pinfall over Torrie Wilson.

Backstage, Matt Hardy was shown walking out for the upcoming Battle Royal. Deuce and Domino were with Cherry saying tonight one of them would be the new champion. Just then Jimmy Wang Yang came walking by yelling on his way to the match. Batista walked out and stopped at Deuce and Domino, then smirked at them as he walked off.

Rey Mysterio highlights shown to announce Mysterio will be returning to Smackdown soon.

Replay shown of Edge handing the title over to Teddy. Teddy seen standing next to the title with many wrestlers already in the ring. Batista then came out as the crowd went wild. Next, MVP, Finlay and Great Khali were announced and made their ways to the ring. Kane came out last with a burst of fireworks near the ramp.

20 Man Battle Royal - World Heavyweight Title

Batista, Deuce, Domino, Matt Hardy, Mark Henry, Jimmy Wang Yang, MVP, Dave Taylor, Shannon Moore, Finlay, Great Khali, Kane, Kenny Dykstra, Chris Masters, Brett Major, Brian Major, Chavo Guerrero, Funaki, Eugene and Jamie Noble were all competing for the title in this match. Mark Henry started things off by eliminating both the Major Brothers. Shannon Moore was the next to go, followed by Funaki. Smackdown then went to commercial break with superstars still brawling in the ring.

Back from break, and the fight continued with 16 men in the ring still. Cole said Khali has been dominating the match. Just then Mark Henry and Khali faced off in the ring, but Kane and Batista got into the mix. Kane become hammering away at Khali. About 10 men together were able to push Mark Henry over the top rope to eliminate him. Khali started walking around the ring and randomly headbutting various wrestlers. Matt Hardy and MVP continued battling each other during the match. Batista managed to eliminate Deuce and Domino, as Dave Taylor also went over the top rope. Kane and Batista faced off in the ring, Jamie Noble came running up and chopped at both men to no avail. Kane and Batista then grabbed Noble and tossed him out of the ring. Eugene came up them clapping, but Kane and Batista grabbed him and threw him out.

Smackdown went to break again, then came back with 10 men remaining in the ring. Dykstra was then eliminated over the ropes by Chris Masters. MVP went for a kick to Matt Hardy's face in the corner but missed. Hardy then tossed MVP over the top rope. Chris Masters threw a Masterlock on Jimmy Wang Yang, but Chavo came over to attack Masters from behind. Chavo and Jimmy Wang Yang then worked together to toss Masters out. Chavo tried to doublecross Yang after, but Yang used a head scissors to flip Chavo out of the ring. Matt Hardy, Finlay, Batista, Kane, Jimmy Wang yang and Khali remained. Batista and Kane tried to eliminate Khali together, but Khali held the ropes then shoved both men away. Finlay went to toss Yang over the ropes, but Yang stayed on the apron. Matt Hardy came over to knock Finlay away. Just then, Hornswaggle came out from under the ring and grabbed Yang's foot, causing Yang to fall off the apron and be eliminated.

The match came down to just Kane, Batista, Finlay and Khali. Finlay brought the shalalee into the ring and started attacking Khali with it, eventually knocking him down. Batista was able to spear Kane after he grabbed Finlay for a chokeslam. Batista then tossed Finlay out. Batista and Kane started to battle with Kane having the upperhand. Kane started choking Batista near the ropes, but Batista fought back. Batista was trying to use his strength to push Kane over the ropes as Khali came over. Khali took advantage of the situation and grabbed Batista pushing both men over the ropes. Khali's manager Singh then came running into the ring celebrating. Meanwhile, an angry Batista was kicking the steel steps outside the ring. As Teddy Long presented the title to Khali, Khali ripped the belt from Teddy's hands and started to hoist it above his head for the crowd to see.

Winner: The Great Khali wins the 20 Man Battle Royal to become new World Heavyweight Champion.

JBL and Cole showed highlights from the battle royal, with JBL asking who can beat this monster now. Backstage, Khali was with his manager and Kristal interviewd him. Manager Singh said all over the world Indians are rejoicing over his win. Singh said Khali is the pride and joy of India and Indians will no longer be unfairly labeled. Singh says tonight marks the official reign of Khali, which will be one of vicious terror, no remorse and domination.

Teddy Long rushed into an office backstage to talk to Vickie Guerrero. Teddy was talking about all that has happened tonight. Vickie said they now have the problem of who gets to face Khali for the title at the Bash. Vickie pointed out that Batista signed a contract to face Khali. but Kane was scheduled to fight Edge for the title. Teddy said the best solution would be for Kane and Batista to have a match tonight, with the winner getting to face Khali at the Bash this Sunday.

Kenny Dykstra vs. Matt Hardy

MVP shown watching the match on a monitor backstage. Hardy used several takedowns on Dykstra early. Dykstra took control of the match after Hardy had a failed pin attempt. Dykstra tried to toss Hardy face first into the corner, but Matt reversed it and then threw Dykstra out of the ring. Matt did a baseball slide dropkick into Dykstra outside the ring. When both men got back into the ring, Dykstra was able to gain control again with a splash onto Matt over the ropes. Dykstra kept Matt down on the mat in a neckhold, until Matt was able to stand back up. Hardy tried to gain momentum off the ropes, but Dykstra dropkicked him down. Dykstra again kept Matt down in a submission hold on his neck/head. Michael Cole noted Great Khali hit Matt hard earlier in the battle royal. Matt was finally able to clothesline Dykstra off the ropes. Dykstra and Hardy traded punches, and then Matt whipped Dykstra to the corner.

Matt did a bulldog on Dykstra from the corner. Matt then slammed Dykstra down and did an elbow drop off the ropes onto Dykstra. Matt went for the "Side Effect" on Dykstra, but Kenny reversed things and got up on the ropes. Dykstra prepared to jump off the ropes, but Matt came over and hit him. Matt then did the Twist of Fate on Dykstra off the ropes and scored the pinfall victory.

Winner: Matt Hardy wins via pinfall over Kenny Dykstra.

Footage shown of Chuck Palumbo discussing motorcycles and showing him working on several bikes. He then announced "I'm Chuck Palumbo, prepare for the ride of your life."

Church of Hot Addiction by Cobra Starship is the official theme song for the Great American Bash.

A promo clip of the new tag team Jesse and Festus was shown. Jesse talked about how excited they are to come to Smackdown. Jesse said one of the great things is all the photo shoots they get to do now. Jesse said he can't wait until they are on the cover of WWE magazine because Festus' face will sell a lot of magazines.

Interviewer came into the locker room to ask MVP his thoughts about Matt Hardy eliminating him in the battle royal earlier. MVP told him he doesn't know him like that or know about the things he's survived. MVP said he's better than everyone and his US title says that. MVP said he'll prove it at the Bash this Sunday.

Cole and JBL discussed how both Matt and Jeff Hardy will be competing for singles titles at the Bash. Cole and JBL then mentioned a few other matches for the Bash including the Cena vs Lashley and Texas Bullrope matches.

Batista and Kane both shown making their way out for the next match to determine #1 contender for Khali's title.

Batista vs. Kane (#1 Contender Match)

Winner of this match will face the Great Khali for the World Heavyweight title at the Great American Bash. Early on, both men were able to knock each other down with moves off the ropes. Kane took some control of things after punching Batista in the corner then slamming him to the mat. Batista stood up and used his power to slam Kane down on his back. Batista kept Kane down on the mat in a chokehold move to wear him down. Kane got control of the match again as he kicked Batista with a boot off the ropes. Batista fell out of the ring, and Kane went out to attack. Batista stood up and Kane went at him. Both men clotheslined each other down to the ground as Smackdown went to commercial.

Both men were back in the ring trading punches when Smackdown returned. Kane finally knocked Batista down then climbed the ropes. Batista got up and slammed Kane off the ropes. Batista got riled up as the crowd started to encourage him. Batista tried to Batista Bomb Kane, but Kane rammed Batista back into the corner. Kane sideslammed Batista and tried a pin but only got the 2 count. Kane climbed the ropes and went for a clothesline. Batista moved away and then was able to catch Kane with a spinebuster. Batista ran at Kane for a spear but Kane was able to kick Batista and then chokeslammed him down. Kane got another near pinfall, with Batista just barely escaping.

Kane waited for Batista to stand up again, then tried to slam Batista. Batista escaped off Kane but Kane clotheslined him out of the ring. Outside the ring, Kane tried to whip Batista into the steel steps, but Batista reversed and threw Kane into them. Back in the ring, Batista jumped off the ropes and hit Kane with the shoulder. Just then, Great Khali came down the ramp and got into the ring. Khali started to attack Batista and the ref rang the bell. Kane and Batista then did a double attack on Khali and clotheslined him out of the ring. As Khali stood outside the ring, Teddy Long's music came on. Teddy came to the top of the ramp and told Khali he would now have to face both men at the Great American Bash in a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Title.

Winner:Ref announced a disqualification but it was unclear who the match was awarded to. Teddy Long said due to Khali's interference he would face both men at the Great American Bash.