Smackdown Recap 01.18.08

Smackdown Recap from Syracuse, NY:

Smackdown opened showing footage from last year's Royal Rumble. It came down to Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels, with Taker eliminating Michaels and going on to become World Heavyweight champ at Wrestlemania.

Undertaker came to the ring to kick off Smackdown. Undertaker said he doesn't come out often with a microphone because he usually doesn't have much to say. Undertaker said he doesn't talk about taking souls he just does it. Taker said in 9 days he will enter the Royal Rumble that he won last year. Undertaker said he is issuing a warning to the 29 other men who will be in the ring with him. Undertaker said "if you stand before me, you will fall before me". Just as Taker was finishing up out came Big Daddy V with Matt Striker.

Striker talked from the top of the ramp and said that this year there's a big difference in this year's Rumble, but Big Daddy V will be in the Rumble this year. Striker asked how Taker plans to move Big Daddy V over the ropes. Striker said V will dominate 29 other superstars at the Royal Rumble and head to WM24 for the title. V walked up and went to enter the ring but Taker punched him off the apron. The two continued to battle each other outside the ring, with Taker whipping V into the steel steps. Striker motioned for V to head backstage.

Highlights shown from last week's Smackdown. Rey Mysterio confronted Vickie about her relationship with Edge and insulting the Guerrero name. Chavo came out to also confront Vickie. Vickie eventually put the two into a matchup later on, which Rey won. Edge and his proteges Hawkins/Ryder attacked Rey after the matchup.

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Michael Cole discussed how Batista will collide with Mark Henry tonight and MVP will host Ric Flair on the VIP Lounge later on.

Finlay vs. Great Khali

Highlights shown from Raw's "Mini Battle Royal" which Mr. McMahon set up for Hornswoggle. The leprechaun battled mini versions of Batista, Kane and Mankind, but then the real version of Khali came out. Luckily Finlay came down to fight off the giant.

Finlay came out to the match with his pal Hornswoggle. Horney attacked Ranjan Singh prior to the contest, coming out from under the ring apron. Finlay assisted and the two chased Singh around the ring as Smackdown went to commercial. When the show returned, Khali was pummeling Finlay in the ring, then eventually threw him outside. Khali exited to continue the attack slamming Finlay's head into the crowd barrier and apron. Khali went for a chop near the apron and Finlay moved out of the way. However, Finlay was knocked down on the apron by Khali. Khali got back in the ring and continued to beat up his opponent. Khali slammed Finlay down the started to use the vice grip on his shoulder.

Finlay was able to score a low blow on Khali, then jumped off the ropes at him knocking the giant down. Outside the ring Singh grabbed Finlay's shilaleigh, but Hornswoggle retrieved a bigger version and hit Singh in the knees. Finlay came out to assist and tossed Singh into the ring, then Hornswoggle. The two continued to beat up Singh with Khali down. Finlay became distracted when Singh left the ring and had his shilaleigh. The match continued and Khali squeezed Finlay's head in between his hands causing the submission. Hornswoggle looked on helplessly from the apron.

Winner: Great Khali wins via submission over Finlay.

Backstage Edge was with Vickie Guerrero and Teddy Long. Edge told Vickie he meant every word he told her, and Vickie said she meant everything she told him too. Edge asked if he really was like a father figure and hero and Vickie said she'd show him. The two went to kiss and Teddy interrupted to let them know he was there. Edge and Vickie sent him off to get something for them to eat. Edge and Vickie went to kiss again but this time Chavo interrupted. Chavo said he had second thoughts about what he said and suggested the three of them could be one happy family. Edge and Chavo each took one of Vickie's hands and smiled.

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Michael Cole and Coach discussed how Jeff Hardy got his revenge against Orton on Monday Night Raw. Highlights were shown of their Intercontinental title match. Orton became immediately disqualified, and tried to attack Jeff outside the ring. Jeff gained the upperhand and flipped Orton off the top of the ramp into a bin. Hardy then did the Swanton off the top of a scaffold onto Orton. Both men were taken to a medical facility on stretchers at the end of Raw.

Jimmy Wang Yang vs. Deuce & Domino

Michael Cole noted that Jimmy Wang Yang won "Most Underrated Superstar" of the year for WWE magazine.

Deuce dominated early against Yang, but Moore was able to tag in and use some quick maneuvers to gain advantage. Yang and Moore started to doubleteam and continued using their quick style. Deuce managed to kick Yang in the gut then tagged in Domino. Moore was able to pull the ropes down causing Domino to fly out of the ring. Moore went to the apron to jump at him but Cherry was nearby and screamed. The distraction allowed Domino to yank Moore's leg causing him to fall down and hit his head on the apron.

D&D started to dominate Moore in the ring. Moore moved away when Domino charged at him in the corner, then tagged Yang in. Yang used quickness to toss Domino around the ring and fly into him. Yang scored a dropkick off the corner ropes and went for a pin but Deuce broke it up. All 4 men got into the ring with Moore taking Deuce to the outside. Cherry tried to provide a distraction to the ref, but Yang still landed a moonsault off the corner to get the pin.

Winner: Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore win via pinfall over Deuce & Domino.

An angry Vince McMahon came up to Finlay in the locker room. Vince asked Finlay what happened in the ring tonight and why he let Khali put his hands on his son. Vince said Finlay owes him an apology for calling him a liar on Raw too. Vince said they would need to do something about Khali so next week it's Finlay vs Khali in a "Belfast Brawl". The camera cut to Batista walking backstage, on the way out to his match.

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Mark Henry vs. Batista

Footage shown from the 2005 Royal Rumble which Batista won. It came down to John Cena vs Batista with Batista capturing the victory.

Henry and Batista grappled early on with Henry shoving Batista to the corner. Henry dominated early on until Batista turned things around and started to ram him in the corner. Henry fell near the ropes and Batista gave him a boot to the face, knocking him out of the ring. Outside the ring Henry was able to whip Batista into the steps then rammed his back into the ringpost. Henry tossed Batista back into the ring.

Henry placed a fallen Batista in the corner and went to drop down off the ropes on him. Batista put his legs up and caught Henry in the groin area. Henry tried to ram Batista in the corner with Batista moving away then hiiting a Spear. Henry kicked out of the pin and got up but Batista hit him with a 2nd spear. Batista went for the Batista Bomb but Henry flipped him over his back. Henry tried to take control but Batista caught him with a Spinebuster and then the pin.

Winner: Batista wins via pinfall over Mark Henry.

Cole and Coach noted the new feud between Chavo and CM Punk. Highlights shown from ECW where Chavo and Edge beat up Punk. Later on Edge watched Punk vs Chavo in a #1 contenders match. Edge nailed Punk over the back of his head with the Heavyweight belt. A countout followed giving Chavo the win and making him #1 contender. Later tonight CM Punk teams up with Rey Mysterio to face Edge & Chavo.

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MVP's VIP Lounge

MVP introduced Flair as a wrestling legend of 35 years, 16 time champion and the man he will retire at the Rumble. Flair and MVP shook hands prior to the interview. Flair thanked MVP for the intro. MVP reminded Flair of how he beat him at Vengeance last year, and will beat him again. Flair interrupted and said MVP is half man half amazing, but Flair is "the man".

MVP said at the Rumble he will retire him and give him the last day of his career. Flair said MVP reminds him of himself when he was younger. MVP told Flair he's better than him and Flair removed his suit, ready to fight. MVP said they won't be wasting the fight tonight because it will happen at the Rumble. MVP continued to brag and Flair popped him, causing MVP to fall over the leather couch. Flair left the ring and strutted up the ramp.

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WWE Smack of the night showed Chuck Palumbo's loss to Jamie Noble last week. Chuck angrily got into Michelle McCool's face scaring her into the corner of the ring. Noble appeared at the top of the ramp to stare down Chuck.

Michelle McCool vs. Layla

The WWE Divas from Smackdown and ECW faced off. Michael Cole noted that WWE Diva Eve will be coming to Smackdown soon.

Layla scored an early takedown on Michelle. Off the ropes Michelle was able to dropkick Layla and tried for a pin. Layla targeted Michelle's leg causing her to fall to the mat. Layla continued working on Michelle's knee smashing it against the mat and using a submission hold to stretch the leg. Michelle finally got up and started to chop away at Layla, then dropkicked her to the mat. Michelle picked up her diva opponent then used a face first slam to score a pin on Layla.

Winner: Michelle wins via pinfall over Layla.

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Michelle McCool seen walking backstage after her match. Jamie Noble came up to her and asked if she was ok. Just then a WWE staff told Michelle there was a bunch of red roses delivered for her. Michelle thanked Jamie for them, but then Chuck Palumbo came up saying he had them sent Chuck apologized to Michelle and said he cares more about her than anyone else. Michelle accepted the apology and said she was still his friend. Noble asked Michelle if she seriously was gonna let a bunch of roses make up for last week. Palumbo got in his face and Michelle told the two they need to just get along.

Rey Mysterio shown walking backstage on his way to the ring. All of a sudden Vickie Guerrero was in his path with Teddy Long. Vickie said she just wanted to wish Rey good luck on the match tonight. Rey shook his head and walked off.

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Ad shown for next week's Smackdown which will have Undertaker vs. Big Daddy V, and Finlay vs. Khali in a Belfast Brawl. Smackdown will have its 1st broadcast in Hi-Def next week as well from the University of Virginia in VA.

Rey Mysterio & CM Punk vs. Chavo Guerrero & Edge

Chavo faced off with CM Punk to start things taking him down to the mat. Punk got up and shoved Chavo to the ropes then managed to hit a dropkick. Mysterio tagged in and hit a West Coast pop off the ropes onto Chavo. Chavo eventually tagged in Edge, and Mysterio continued to take control. Rey went for a 619 with Edge hanging on the ropes, but Edge slid underneath and onto the apron. Punk came over to hit Edge in the back of the head causing Edge to fall off. Chavo came in to run at Rey. Rey moved away and Punk pulled the top rope down causing Chavo to spill outside. Rey and Punk both ran off the ropes then dove out of the ring onto Chavo and Edge.

Smackdown returned from a commercial with Punk facing Edge in the ring. Punk took control and whipped Edge to the corner. Punk climbed the corner to punch away at Edge. Chavo came over on the apron and Punk flew off to hit Chavo, knocking him off the apron. Edge took advantage and delivered a boot to Punk knocking him down. Chavo tagged in to beat up Punk. Edge came back in and tried to toss Punk to the corner. Punk caught himself then tried to tag Rey. Edge came back over and this time tossed Punk shoulder first to the ringpost.

Chavo came in and went to work on Punk's arm/shoulder, stretching it back. Chavo started to dominate but Punk managed to get a kick in. Chavo crawled over to tag Edge. Edge came in and ran over to knock Rey off the apron. Punk was able to escape Edge from the corner then hit him with a knee to the head. Edge whipped Punk to the other corner and went for the Spear. This time Punk leapfrogged over Edge. Rey finally got back to the apron and Punk staggered over. Chavo tagged back in and hit Punk from behind, but Punk hit into Rey for a tag. Rey gained serious momentum, knocking Edge off the apron and eventually hitting 619 on Edge. Rey went to the apron to go for West Coast Pop but Edge smashed him over the back with a steel chair. The ref immediately called for the bell.

After the match, Edge, Chavo, Ryder & Hawkins all attacked Rey and Punk in the ring. Edge hit Rey with a Spear and Chavo and Edge hugged after the match as "one big happy family".

Winners: Rey Mysterio and CM Punk win due to Disqualification of Edge and Chavo.