Smackdown Recap 03.07.08

Smackdown Recap from Cleveland, Ohio:

Smackdown kicked off with "The Cutting Edge". Superstar of the WWE Edge was in the ring with his lover, Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero. Edge discussed how two legacies will end at Wrestlemania. First, Edge vowed he will end Undertaker's undefeated streak, because Edge is the true phenom. Vickie told Edge tonight in the main event, Undertaker will face Edge, Ryder & Hawkins in a 3 on 1 Handicap match.

Edge introduced his guest Ric Flair, after saying Flair will see a 35 year career come to a halt at Wrestlemania 24. Edge told Flair after hearing Shawn Michaels on Raw this week, it's clear Flair's show will stop at WM24. Flair claimed he will beat Michaels and continue to wrestle long after WM24. Edge reminded Flair that he is one of Undertaker's 15 Wrestlemania victims. Flair told Edge that moment hurt like hell, and Flair told Edge his career and love life is a sham, so he will lose his title at WM24.

Vickie interrupted Flair and asked him who he thinks he is to talk to them like this. Edge told Flair next week he will be in a handicap match against Edge, Ryder and Hawkins. Vickie added that it will be a 3 on 1 Steel cage handicap match next week. Edge began to "WOOOO" and taunt Flair, causing Flair to slap Edge in the face and get up to face him.

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Jesse, Festus & CM Punk vs. John Morrison, The Miz & Chavo Guerrero

As the bell rang, Punk moved out of Festus' way as the big man become a monster. Festus charged at the opponents who all quickly exited the ring.

At one point in the matchup, Jesse was in control of the ring and climbed the corner ropes to jump at Morrison. With the ref distracted by Morrison, the Miz went over and knocked Jesse off the ropes to the floor. Smackdown hit a commercial break with Festus pacing on the apron. Smackdown went to break with Jesse down outside the ring.

Smackdown returned with Jesse being worked on by Chavo in the ring. Morrison tagged in to continue the isolation of Jesse. Jesse eventually stood up, grabbed Morrison then dropped down to try to escape. Jesse went to tag, but Miz came in to prevent. Miz grabbed Jesse's foot, but Jesse twisted around the kicked Miz off. With a tag, Festus was in the ring to clean house. An angry Fesuts knocked Chavo down, then Morrison off the apron. Festus beat up Miz the legal man, and knocked him down with a solid boot off the ropes. Festus tried a pin but it was broken up by Chavo/Morrison. Punk came in and took Chavo out of the ring, with Jesse coming in to take care of Morrison.

After Jesse luanched out of the ring onto Morrison outside the ring, Festus was alone in ring with Miz. Festus picked up Miz on his shoulders then spun him for a face first slam to the mat.

Winners: CM Punk, Jesse & Festus defeat The Miz, John Morrison & Chavo Guerrero via pinfall.

Noble shown backstage talking to Michelle McCool in a cut up Cavaliers jersey outfit. Noble explained to Michelle that he knows how she feels being hot for him. Noble told Michelle he had to cast her out because there's other fish in the sea for her. Michelle pretended she understood and would let him go. Noble wished Michelle good luck in the diva contest tonight. After Noble left, Michelle breathed a sigh of relief.

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Replay footage shown of last week's match between Batista and MVP, with Batista taking the pinfall win.

Batista vs. MVP
US Title Match

Batista took control early on, and MVP decided to roll out of the ring to recover. MVP got back in and Batista again took the upperhand. After several moves including a boot to the face of a seated MVP, MVP escaped the ring yet again. This time Batista went out to attack and bring MVP back into the ring. MVP ran at Batista as the two got back into the ring, but Batista continued to knock MVP down. Batista slapped a half Boston Crab onto MVP. MVP managed to struggle and crawl over to grab the bottom rope. After the hold was broken, MVP rolled out of the ring, holding his leg. Smackdown went to a break.

Smackdown returned and Batista had control in the ring, kicking MVP in the corner. Batista worked on the right leg of MVP. MVP finally threw an elbow at Batista when he charged him in the corner. MVP finally dropped Batista to the mat then delivered a solid kick to Batista's head. A pinfall failed because Batista grabbed the bottom rope. MVP used a headlock down on the mat for a while before Batista stood and flipped MVP over him.

The two continued to battle back and forth. MVP continued favoring his leg and couldn't capture a pin. Batista moved away on a MVP running kick then gained serious momentum. However a Batista sideslam wasn't enough to pin MVP. MVP managed to gain control, but Batista reversed for a Spine Buster. As Batista was going for a Batista Bomb, MVP went to give a low blow. Batista caught him then booted MVP out of the ring. Batista went out to attack MVP even into the crowd. As the ref counted, Batista brought MVP to roll him into the ring. MVP rolled into the ring under the bottom rope, then kicked Batista away as the count hit 10.

Winner: MVP wins via countout of Batista to retain the US Championship.

Replay of footage from Raw was shown involving JBL, Finlay and Hornswoggle. Finlay showed up at Raw to the ring to confront JBL. JBL appeared live on the Titantron from Hornswoggle's hospital room. JBL told Finlay they will fight at Wrestlemania. JBL then slapped Hornswoggle before turning out the light in the room. All that could be heard was objects crashing around and Hornswoggle's terrifed screams.

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Edge and Vickie were romancing each other backstage when Jamie Noble entered the office. Noble demanded a match with Chuck Palumbo tonight. Vickie reminded Noble he lost twice now to Chuck because he's a bigger opponent. Noble said he doesn't care how big his opponent is, and Vickie gave him the Big Show in a match for later tonight.

Coach and Michael Cole discussed the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2008. Already announced as inductees, Peter Maivia and Rocky Johnson (inducted by The Rock), and Ric Flair. Cole said that the latest inductee was announced on Raw, Mae Young. Video footage was shown as a promo of Mae's career which spans decades in wrestling.

Michael Cole reminded fans that this coming Monday's Raw will be 3 hours long and feature "Wrestlemania Rewind" which will be matches between superstars who fought at Wrestlemanias past.
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Announcement made that Kim Kardashian will be a special guest hostess for Wrestlemania 24.

WWE Divas Bikini Contest

The WWE Divas involved in the bikini contest were , Cherry, Maryse, and Michelle McCool. Coach announced over the course of the next four weeks these divas will compete for bragging rights as hottest diva. Coach added the winning diva will also get a custom made "chopper" motorcycle.

To vote for their favorite WWE diva each week, fans must text the diva's name to 44993 on their cell phones. Text EVE, CHERRY, MARYSE, VICTORIA or MICHELLE to 44993 to vote.

Each diva removed a robe or outer layer of her clothing to reveal a bikini. Eve and Maryse showed one piece outfits, with a shy Cherry showing off a polka dot bikini. Victoria tried to show off some dance moves and tried to pose in the corner of the ring but slipped and fell, then angrily yelled at Michelle. Michelle removed her Cavaliers jersey to show off her bikini with a loud fan reaction.

Coach reminded fans to text in their vote for their favorite diva. After the divas began to leave the ring, Maryse began to shove Eve. The two divas got into it, with Michelle coming over to help Eve push Maryse out of the ring. Maryse stood up and pulled Eve out of the ring to attack her. With Michelle and Victoria alone in the ring, they got into each other's face. Michelle shoved Victoria down causing Victoria to go out of the ring. Maryse went over to her and the two heel divas stared into the ring at Michelle.

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Chuck Palumbo vs. Kane

After battling it out early on, Chuck took control of Kane, leveling him with a clothesline. As Palumbo continued to try to dominate, eventually Kane gave him a boot in the corner then shoved him to the other corner. Kane began using a barrage of right hands on Chuck, then clotheslined him in the other two corners of the ring before a sideslam.

WWE Kane climbed the ropes but Chuck came over to knock him down. With Kane on the mat, Chuck went at him, but Kane grabbed for a chokeslam. Palumbo punched his way out and came off the ropes at Kane. Kane grabbed Palumbo up and chokeslammed him down fast for the victory.

Winner: Kane wins via pinfall over Chuck Palumbo.

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Replay footage shown of Big Show's mixed martial arts exhibition against Brandon The Thrill Hill. Show made quick work of his opponent with a boot to the face and a pin. Afterwards, Show tossed his opponent over the ropes as a message to Mayweather to give up.

Opinions from various individuals in the boxing world were shown. Freddie Roach, Oscar De La Hoya's Trainer, Thomas "Hitman" Hearns and Michael Buffer were among those shown giving their thoughts on the Mayweather vs. Show match. Buffer called it "David vs Goliath thousands of years later"

Jamie Noble vs. Big Show

Show knocked Noble down early then kicked him in the gut. With Noble trying to stand in the corner, Show came over to attack, but Noble gave him a low blow kick. The ref called for the bell and told Show to back off Noble. Show's fury came out and he began to decimate Noble in the corner of the ring. Show knocked Noble down with hard punches to his gut, before picking up the mic to talk.

Big Show discussed how Mayweather is being paid 20 million dollars for WM24. Show asked if it's worth his career. Show told Mayweather when he's through with him, his career will be bankrupt. Refs and WWE officials looked at the fallen Noble outside the ring.

Winner: Big Show wins due to disqualification of Jamie Noble.

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Raw Rebound showed a recap of the unveiling of Maria's Playboy cover. Jerry Lawler and Candice Michelle appeared in the ring to help Maria unveil the cover. When they first uncovered the huge mock cover, it showed Maria but had Santino Marella faces all over her face and other areas. Marella told Maria not to pose in Playboy and told her to leave with him. When Marella put his hand on Maria, Lawler shoved him down and out of the ring. Candice then told them to unveil the cover and a huge banner fell from the ceiling to show off Maria's Playboy cover.

Undertaker vs. Edge, Ryder & Hawkins
3 on 1 Handicap

Before the match it was announced that there will be a rematch between MVP and Batista for the US title next week on Smackdown. However this time it will be a No Holds Barred match.

In the match, Taker went at Hawkins to start things and isolated him in a corner. Taker lifted up Hawkins with both hands and tossed him into the corner where Edge and Ryder were. Edge instructed Hawkins to tag in next, and Taker began to work on him in the ring, eventually tossing him over the ropes.

Taker went out to attack Hawkins, laying him on the apron to give him a kick and legdrop. Taker tried to force Hawkins over to tag Edge, but Edge backed off. Ryder was back in and Taker sat him in the corner. As Taker ran at Ryder, Edge promptly pulled him away causing Taker to hit. With Taker down in the ring, Ryder tried to pummel Taker. Taker stood up but was quickly leveled. Hawkins tagged in to give a knee to Taker and knock him down to the mat.

Edge tried to get cocky, tagging in as Taker lay on the mat. Edge went up to taunt, but Taker grabbed him for a chokeslam. Edge battled out then came off the ropes. Taker was able to hit a DDT on him. Edge finally escaped to tag in his partner. The three men continued battling away at Taker. With all 3 men in the ring, Edge was down. Hawkins and Ryder went at Taker off the ropes, but he grabbed them for a double chokeslam. Edge took the opportunity as Taker turned around to Spear him down and grab the pinfall win.

Winner: Edge wins via pinfall over Undertaker.

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