Smackdown's Best WWE Matches of 2007

Smackdown Greatest Matches of 2007

Smackdown commentator Michael Cole narrated as we looked at 2007's Greatest Matches for WWE. The matches were determined by fan votes at WWE.com.

#5 Wrestlemania 23 April 1 2007 Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Mr. Kennedy, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, Finlay, Booker T, Edge, CM Punk and Matt Hardy battled it out. The wrestlers fought in and out of the ring using mini-ladders and big ladders. Edge managed to suplex Matt Hardy onto several ladders laying in the ring. Mr. Kennedy got into the mix and tossed Edge out, then tried to flip off of the ropes onto Matt. Matt moved and Kennedy hit his head on the ladder. Matt and Jeff eventually got a ladder set up and both climbed to the top for the case. As the Hardy's fought, Finlay was in the ring and pushed the ladder against the ropes, crashing both men down.

CM Punk got a ladder at one point and began to airplane spin it around to knock Finlay, Orton and Edge down. Edge eventually used a Spear to take down Punk. Later on, Matt Hardy placed Edge on a ladder laying across the edge of the ring and crowd barrier. Jeff Hardy climbed a ladder in the ring, then flipped off onto Edge, breaking the ladder. Edge and Hardy layed outside the ring as Smackdown hit a commercial break.

The match continued with Punk climbing the ladder in ring. Orton had a second ladder he climbed next to Punk's and the two began to punch away. Orton RKO'd Punk off the ladder down into the mat. King Booker came in and tried to take advantage with both men down as he climbed a ladder. Orton climbed up the second again and tried for an RKO, but Booker countered then sideslammed Orton from off the ladder.

Eventually Finlay came in and had two ladders set up in the middle of the ring. With Finlay bleeding all over his head, his little buddy Hornswoggle appeared from under the ring. Hornswoggle climbed one of the two ladders to go for the briefcase. Mr. Kennedy came back in and climbed the other ladder, then eventually grabbed Hornswoggle to Samoan Slam him off. Finlay got up and tossed a ladder into Kennedy's face. With Kennedy down and Finlay down at one point, CM Punk came in and began the climb. Mr. Kennedy was able to get to his feet and grab a ladder laying in the ring. Kennedy used the second ladder to hit Punk off the other ladder. With Punk down, Kennedy made a final climb and retrieved the case!

Winner: Mr. Kennedy wins the Money in the Bank ladder match.

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Highlights shown of Beth Phoenix, the Glamazon who dominated other divas this past year and captured the Women's title.

Smackdown Smack of the Night was 8/26/07 Summerslam return of Triple H where he defeated King Booker in singles competition.

#4 Randy Orton vs. Triple H Last Man Standing Match
No Mercy October 7, 2007

In Chicago, Illinois, Orton was handed the title by Mr. McMahon as the successor to the injured John Cena. Triple H came out and immediately challenged Orton, winning the title in an opening match. With Triple H holding the title for his 11th time, Mr. McMahon forced him to defend it against Umaga. HHH retained, and Mr. McMahon ordered HHH to fight Orton in the Last Man Standing Match which had already been scheduled for the PPV.

Orton and Triple H battled outside the ring with Orton slamming HHH back onto the ramp. Later on, Orton suplexed the Game onto the crowd barrier. The ref counted with HHH down, and he eventually stood around 6. Orton continued the attack and this time whipped HHH into the steel steps. HHH got up again and Orton tossed him into the ring. The ref counted with HHH down, and he got up at 8. Orton tried to toss HHH to the ropes, but HHH came back to drop Orton onto his knee.

Later in the match, Orton had HHH out on the commentator's table. Orton went for the RKO, but HHH shoved him off onto a second table. Orton fell through the table and the ref began his count. With HHH already up, Orton was down until a count of 9. HHH with a spinebuster on Orton to drop him to the floor again. Orton got up at 9 again. HHH grabbed the top of the steel steps and clocked Orton over the head with it, leaving his opponent down again. Smackdown went to commercial with Randy down.

The match continued with both men n the ring. Orton had a steel chair he set up, then grabbed HHH, Orton RKO'd HHH face first into the chair. HHH was busted open as he bled from his forehead. HHH managed to get up at 9 against the ropes. Smackdown changed over to a black and white match due to the graphic nature of HHH bleeding. HHH gave the DX crotch chop to Orton to taunt, and Orton knocked him to the mat. Orton went to run at HHH with a kick, but HHH caught his leg first. HHH tossed Orton over the ropes, then went out to toss him around from the crowd barrier to the commentator tables. Triple H continued to beat up Orton outside the ring, setting the Pedigree up. Orton countered to catapult HHH face first into the ringpost.

Orton tried to go at HHH with the steel steps. HHH got up to hit him and Orton fell face first onto the top of the steps. HHH came over and smashed a chair onto Orton's head. The ref began his count and Orton barely stood up at 9. HHH took Orton onto a commentator table and went for a move, but this time Orton hit the RKO on him. HHH tried to survive as he rolled off the table at 8. HHH couldn't get to his feet and Orton recaptured the WWE title.

Winner: Randy Orton wins when Triple H couldn't get up before a 10 count. Orton wins the WWE title.

Highlights shown of Ric Flair, with Mr. McMahon telling him he needs to win each match he wrestles in, or he will be forced to retire, Flair vs. Umaga from Raw 2 weeks ago was shown. Flair managed to beat a 10 count, to win the match with Umaga down outside the ring. Flair survives to wrestle again, but now he gets to face Triple H on Monday Night Raw, New Year's Eve.

Michael Cole noted that there will be a Beat the Clock tournament on Smackdown next Friday. The winner of the tourney will get to face Edge for the WWE title at the Royal Rumble.

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Slam of the Week was shown from Raw 3 weeks ago, the 15th Anniversary special. Various highlights were shown with Vince announcing himself as Greatest superstar in Raw history. Vince was then given a Mandible Claw by Mankind, a Chokeslam by Undertaker and a Stunner by Stone Cold. Austin announced that all the WWE fans are the greatest superstar on Raw.

#3 Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena Raw April 23, 2007

From London, England the two superstars faced off in a lengthy contest. The match was joined in progress with Michaels knocking Cena to the mat. HBK tossed Cena corner to corner and chopped at him. HBK whipped Cena to the corner and ran at him, with Cena sticking his foot up. Cena followed with a clothesline, then put HBK into a headlock. HBK got to his feet and the two fought near the ropes. HBK managed to set up Sweet Chin Music, and Cena ducked then tossed him out of the ring.

At 23 minutes the match was still going. HBK took Cena down to the mat then stomped on his face. The two continued to fight as they went to the ropes. Cena managed to catch HBK in the air and slam him down for a pin attempt. HBK kicked out at 2 and they continued to battle, with Cena suplexing HBK down. After another pin attempt, HBK got up and Cena went off the ropes to slam him face first to the mat. Another near fall by Cena followed. Later in the match, HBK was able to fly from off the ropes to catch Cena with a forearm. Both men were down as the ref counted. HBK flipped up to his feet, as Cena stood up. Michaels took control, slamming Cena to the mat.

With Cena down, HBK climbed the corner ropes and leaped off to hit an elbow drop on Cena. HBK set up for Sweet Chin Music. Cena charged at him and HBK grabbed him for a pin. Cena got up and went off the ropes diving at HBK. HBK moved and Cena crashed out of the ring. HBK tried to jump over the ropes onto Cena. Cena caught him in the air then put him on his shoulder to run at the ringpost. HBK slid off then shoved Cena into the steps. Later, the two men were back in the ring, and HBK took control with Cena down. JR noted that HBK was exploiting Cena's injured arm however he could. HBK continued to stretch Cena's arms down on the mat. HBK broke the hold and drove a knee into Cena's back. Cena managed to get to his feet and slam HBK down, but then missed on an elbow drop.

The two men got to their feet and went off the ropes, with Cena gaining momentum. Cena with shoulderblocks off the ropes and then a 5 Knuckle Shuffle on HBK. Cena tried for the FU once and Michaels slid off to go for Sweet Chin Music. Cena ducked and picked up HBK for a second FU. HBK managed to kick out at 2 and Smackdown went to commercial. The match returned with Cena connecting on a leg drop off the corner. Another pin failed, and now Cena put HBK up on the corner. Cena climbed up with him to try for the FU off the ropes. HBK managed to fight out of it. HBK got off the corner and was able to Powerbomb Cena off the ropes.

The match advanced forward with HBK shoving Cena out of the ring. Cena hit the announce table face first. With HBK in the ring, the ref started to count Cena out. Michaels stopped the ref's count and went outside. HBK pulled the top off the steel steps and brought Cena onto the second steps. HBK set up to piledrive Cena on the steps, but Cena reversed to flip HBK over. The match moved forward to in-ring action with Cena getting the STFU on HBK. Cena kept the submission locked in, but HBK crawled over and grabbed the bottom rope.

Later in the match, HBK connected on Sweet Chin Music after escaping an FU attempt. The match was at just under an hour now with both men down. Michaels crawled over and put 1 arm over Cena for a pin. Cena managed to grab the bottom rope to avoid being pinned. At 60:00 minutes, Michaels escaped yet another FU and connected on another Sweet Chin Music. Michaels fell onto Cena and the ref counted for 3 to give Michaels the win.

Winner: Shawn Michaels wins via pinfall over John Cena.

Michael Cole noted that both Michaels and Cena were part of the recent Tribute to the Troops. A special message from Hilary Clinton to the troops was shown, followed by a video highlights package of the superstar's trip to Iraq.

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The greatest moments from 2007 were shown, this time with the return of Y2J highlighted. Also shown were Vince's illegitimate son revealed as Hornswoggle, Stone Cold driving a Steveweiser truck to the ring to spray down Santino and Maria with a beer hose, and the winner of 2007 Diva search announced as Eve. Edge was shown cashing in Money in the Bank to defeat an already beaten up Undertaker. The Trump vs. Vince Hair vs Hair match from Wrestlemania was shown with Lashley winning and Vince being shaved.

#2 Team HHH vs. Team Umaga Survivor Series 11/18/07

It was just 4 on 5 due to an injury to Matt Hardy. HHH, Kane, Jeff Hardy and Mysterio faced MVP, Mr. Kennedy, Finlay, Big Daddy V and Umaga. Kane punched away at Big Daddy V who eventually slammed him to the mat. Kane managed to get to the corner ropes and clotheslined V from off there. Finlay came in and Kane knocked him out of the ring. Kane turned and V picked him up for a slam, then a splash and the pin.

Rey connected on a 619 on Umaga, then did a springboard off the ropes onto him. Umaga escaped a 3 count. Umaga got up and Rey ran off the ropes at him. Umaga scored a sideslam, then a Samoan Spike on Rey for a pin. It was down to HHH and Hardy vs. Umaga, V, Finlay, and MVP. Smackdown hit commercial break.

The match continued with 2 men facing 5. Hardy fought to escape from a headlock by MVP. MVP dropped Hardy to the mat then ran off the ropes to try to kick him. Jeff avoided it and was able to slam MVP to the mat to capture a pin. Kennedy immediately came in and started to beat up Hardy, but Hardy eventually escaped for a tag to HHH. HHH came in and began to dominate Kennedy, eventually hitting a spine buster. HHHH went for a pin and V came in to try to elbow drop on him. HHH moved away and V elbow dropped onto Kennedy. HHH then pulled the top rope down as V charged at him. HHH captured the pin on Kennedy with V outside the ring.

Outside the ring an angry V caught Jeff Hardy in mid air as he jumped off the apron. V tossed Hardy into the ringpost then went to work on HHH. V had both men back in the ring in the corner. V charged at them and they moved, then hit a Double DDT . HHH captured the pin and V was eliminated. Finlay came in to take on HHH. Finlay took control beating up HHH. Finlay used clotheslines, punches and knees to the back of the Game. Finlay went to jump off the corner, but HHH stuck a leg up to catch him in the face. HHH managed to crawl away and tag in Hardy.

Hardy began to fly around the ring and knocked Finlay into the corner. Hardy scored a dropkick in the corner right into Finlay's midsection. Jeff eventually tagged HHH back. HHH took it to Finlay in the ring with a spinebuster, followed by the Pedigree setup. Umaga came in and kicked HHH down before he could hit the move. Finlay went over and knocked Hardy off the apron. As he turned to go back at HHH, The Game grabbed him and Pedigreed him down for a pin.

It was now down to Umaga versus Hardy and Triple H. HHH eluded a move by Umaga and got him with the Pedigree. Jeff Hardy followed up with a Swanton Bomb and took the pin for the victory!

Winner: Jeff Hardy & Triple H win via pinfall over Umaga.

Michael Cole noted that Jeff Hardy went on to beat HHH in a match at Armageddon to capture the #1 Contender Spot for the WWE title. Hardy now faces Orton for the title at the Royal Rumble.

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#1 Undertaker vs. Batista
World Heavyweight Title
Wrestlemania 23

The April 1, 2007 match came at the biggest PPV of the year. Taker's undefeated streak was on the line versus Batista's title reign.

Taker and Batista went at it, wit hTaker punching away at Batista in the corner. Batista escaped and whipped Taker from corner to corner. Batista tried to toss Taker out of the ring but Taker landed on his feet. Taker grabbed Batista by the foot and yanked him out of the ring as well. The two men fought it out outside the ring. Later in the match, Taker and Batista punched back and forth in the ring. Taker whipped Batista to the corner and ran at him for a series of clotheslines. Taker was able to catch Batista with a boot to the face off the ropes. Batista barely escaped the pinfall.

Taker was able to continue to dominate and went for a chokeslam. Batista grabbed Taker's hand and pulled it off his neck. Later in the match still, we see Undertaker head out of the ring to go after Batista. Batista rolled into the ring on the apron and Taker used elbows on him. Taker landed a massive legdrop on Batista on the apron, and the Animal fell to the outside. Taker went back into the ring. As Batista stood up, Taker ran against the ropes then dove over the ropes onto Batista. Taker crashed on top of Taker as Smackdown hit commercial break.

The match continued with Undertaker punching Batista against the crowd barrier. Batista whipped Undertaker against the announce table area, then began to rip apart the commentator table. Batista got up on the table and continued punching Taker down. Batista stood up with Taker and picked him up to Powerslam him through a table. Back in the ring later on, Batista set up a Batista Bomb but Taker escaped. Taker threw Batista to the corner and started to clothesline him. Batista eventually broke away and got a sideslam on Taker.

The match moved forward with Batista punching away at Taker in the corner. Taker grabbed Batista and hit the Last Ride. Batista barely escaped the 3 count. Batista got riled up after hitting a Spinebuster on Taker. Batista went for a clothesline on Taker off the ropes and Taker ducked, then hit the Chokeslam. Batista escaped another pin. Batista eventually scored the Batista Bomb on Taker, and Taker escaped the pinfall. Batista went for the Bomb again, and Taker flipped him over his back this time. Taker was eventually able to hit a Tombstone Piledriver on Batista after shoving him into the corner. Taker scored the pinfall victory and became new World Heavyweight Champ!

Winner: Undertaker defeats Batista via pinfall to capture the WWE title.

Michael Cole noted that Taker went to 15-0 at Wrestlemania extending his win streak. Cole said we now are in a Rated R title reign again, and highlights were shown of Edge. Edge interfered in the cage match at Summerslam, costing Taker the title. Edge also aligned himself with Vickie Guerrero and the Major Brothers. Both forces helped Edge to win a Triple Threat match at Armageddon where he took back the World Heavyweight belt.