Smackdown Recap 03.28.08

Smackdown recap from Fayetteville, NC:

Friday's Smackdown opened with the explosion of Kane's pyrotechnics, and Kane made his way to the ring. Michael Cole reminded fans there are just 2 days until Wrestlemania 24.

Great Khali vs. Kane vs. Chuck Palumbo vs. Mark Henry
4 Man Battle Royal

Chavo Guerrero sat ringside for the contest as a guest commentator. Michael Cole reminded fans to check out WWE.com at 6:30 PM ESt on Sunday for a "Freeview" of the Wrestlemania 24 man battle royal. Chavo remarked he's been preparing for a lifetime to defend his title at Wrestlemania.

The match offered a four man preview of this weekend's 24 Man Battle Royal. Chuck Palumbo was eliminated early as he charged at Kane. Kane moved aside grabbing Chuck and tossing him over the top rope. Khali and Henry turned their attention to Kane. Henry hit Khali from behind when he was working on Kane. Kane was able to break away leaving Henry in a corner and Khali in the other, then he clotheslined each. Henry ran at Kane and shoved him down, then Khali used both hands to slam Kane to the mat. Henry picked up Kane then dropped him over the top rope.

Henry turned to look at Khali and Khali threw a few punches, then chopped Henry down to the mat. Khali went to pick up Henry, but Henry countered and was able to lift up Khali like he had last week. In a feat of strength, Henry walked over and dropped Khali over the ropes, winning the match.

Chavo ran into the ring and hit Henry's leg from behind then tried to jump at him from the corner ropes. Henry caught Chavo in mid-air, then slammed him to the mat.

Winner: Mark Henry wins 4 Man Battle Royal against Kane, Chuck Palumbo & Great Khali.

Coach said we will see WWE Superstar Edge hostin a " Burial of Undertaker's Wrestlemania Undefeated Streak" ceremony later tonight.

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Light it Up by Rev Theory commercial was shown for Wrestlemania XXIV, coming in just 2 days time. Get Rev Theory's Light it Up

Backstage, Cherry, Eve Torres & Michelle McCool were talking about the Smackdown WWE Divas
contest. Teddy Long came in to remind them of the weekly contest and the prize of a custom motorcycle. Teddy announced that Eve was this week's eliminated diva. Victoria and Maryse came in and began making fun of Eve. As the divas argued, Teddy interrupted saying they need to solve this in the ring, with a "Wet N Wild Water Fight". The divas continued to argue after Teddy's announcement.

CM Punk vs. John Morrison

2 of this Sunday's MITB Ladder Match competitors went at it, who were also familiar ECW foes. A briefcase hung above the ring as the two WWE Superstars fought.

The match seesawed early with Punk and Morrison trading grappling moves and momentum. Morrison missed on a clothesline when Punk ducked. Punk came running back at Morrison near the ropes and the two men fell over the top rope as Smackdown went to commercial break.

The match resumed in the ring with Punk holding a scissor leglock around Morrison's neck down on the mat. Morrison got to the ropes and Punk kicked him in the gut. Punk was able to deliver a slam move off the ropes and Morrison rolled out of the ring. Punk went out at Morrison, but John was able to kick Punk's leg out from under him. Punk hit the apron, and Morrison took control in the ring.

Morrison kept an armlock on Punk on the mat. Punk got to his feet to kick away Morrison, but Morrison pushed Punk down face first against the middle rope. Morrison went for a flying spin kick off the ropes with Punk ducking. Punk scored a high backdrop off the ropes on Morrison then used his legs to flip Morrison from off the ropes. Punk knocked Morrison out of the ring then ran against the rope to torpedo himself outside onto Morrison. Punk tried for several pinfalls with Morrison kicking out. Morrison managed to catch Punk for a backbreaker but missed the pinfall. The two fought further, giving it their all. Punk landed an impressive hurricanrana of Morrison when both men were standing on the top rope.

Several near pinfalls occurred in the match. Both men went for their finishers. Morrison countered the GTS once then tried for his finisher, but Punk countered again, then hit the Go To Sleep to score a pinfall victory. Punk pointed to the briefcase hanging above the ring and the WM24 sign as he celebrated the win.

Winner: CM Punk wins via pinfall over John Morrison.

During the Punk-Morrison matchup an announcement scrolled along the bottom of the screen regarding this Sunday's WM24 match between Big Show & Floyd Mayweather. The announcement gave the rules for the match: there must be a winner, anything goes and a man can win by pinfall, submission or knockout.

A video package was shown regarding the Show-Mayweather matchup with boxing personalities and boxers commenting. Bert Sugar, Michael Buffer, Antonio Tarver, Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, Roy Jones Jr. and Evander Holyfield were all shown giving their thoughts on the match. The aspect of the "risk-reward" was highlighted for Mayweather taking the 20 million payout. Michael Buffer said "risk taking is what Floyd Mayweather is all about".

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Commercial shown for WWE Shop's Wrestlemania 24 Merchandise.

Highlights from this past Wednesday's press conference in NYC's Times Square were shown. Triple H, Randy Orton, Edge, Big Show & Floyd Mayweather all were shown giving their comments about Wrestlemania to a full house of fans. Shane McMahon acted as moderator for the press conference.

Kofi Kingston, Jesse & Festus vs. The Miz, Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch

Festus went through his normal metamorphosis as the bell rang, then started chasing Cade out of the ring and around it. Back in the ring, Festus started slamming Cade & Murdoch then punched Miz off the apron. Festus tagged in Jesse to hit a swinging neckbreaker on Cade. Cade shoved Jesse to the corner and tagged in Murdoch, who began to take over briefly. Jesse escaped to knock Murdoch down, then dropkicked him. Kofi came in next to land a high flying shot off the ropes on Murdoch.

The heels managed to take control after Jesse was tagged in and Miz pushed him off the top corner ropes. Miz, Cade & Murdoch began to dominate Jesse in the ring, keeping him away from a tag. Jesse finally stood up after Miz had him in a headlock, and was able to drop down causing Miz to hit his jaw. Despite Miz grabbing his leg, Jesse pulled his way over to tag Kingston in. Kofi began to display high flying moves and quickness as he started to work on Miz. Kofi hit a double leg drop on Miz, but Cade & Murdoch came in to break up the pin.

Festus came in and cleared the ring of Cade & Murdoch, allowing Kofi to finish off Miz on his own with the Jamaican Buzzsaw flying kick from off the ropes.

Winner: Kofi Kingston, Jesse & Festus win via pinfall over The Miz, Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch.

Coach and Michael Cole discussed Saturday's WWE 2008 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. A video package was shown for the final inductee, the most recognizable voice of pro wrestling, Gordon Solie. Read more about Gordon and the 2008 WWE Hall of Fame inductees. See a list of all WWE Hall of Fame members

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Snitsky vs. Batista

Raw GM William Regal sent Snitsky over to do battle with Batista prior to the Brand Superiority match. Right after the bell rang, Batista ran over and speared Snitsky down, then hit a Spinebuster, followed by a quick Batista Bomb. Batista picked up the very quick pinfall victory showing he's prepared for Wrestlemania 24.

After winning, Batista went out of the ring and grabbed a steel chair. Batista layed the chair in the ring then did a second Batista Bomb of Snitsky onto it, sending a clear message to Umaga.

Winner: Batista wins via pinfall over Snitsky.

Michael Cole and Coach began discussing the World Heavyweight Championship match for WM24, saying how Edge has been a thorn in Taker's side for nearly a year. Highlights of Undertaker's various Wrestlemania victories were shown, ending off with a 15-0 or 15-1 teaser to show highlights of Edge as the current champ. Footage was shown of the past weeks' events where Edge and his cronies beat up Undertaker, and Edge was able to escape Taker several times. Edge vows he's also undefeated at Wrestlemania, and is going to be the man who finally defeats the Undertaker at WM24.

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Cherry & Michelle McCool vs. Maryse & Victoria
Wrestlemania Wet n Wild Water Fight

In this WWE Divas tag team match, Eve Torres was special guest referee. Victoria came down to the ring wearing scuba gear including a snorkel, face mask and flippers. The divas started tossing water balloons at each other as the match started. Victoria and Michelle battled over a squirt gun. Maryse had a bucket of water poured over her and the water fight melee continued. Coach was hit by a misfired water balloon at one point as well. Victoria used the plastic water gun to smash over Michelle's head. Maryse tried to hold Cherry as Victoria ran at her with a bucket of water. Cherry ducked causing Maryse to get drenched. Cherry then tossed Maryse out of the ring and Michelle hit her finisher on Victoria.

Remember to text CHERRY or MICHELLE to 44993 to vote for your favorite Smackdown diva.

Winners: Michelle McCool & Cherry win via pinfall over Maryse & Victoria.

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Cole & Coach ran down the card for Wrestlemania 24 discussing the Belfast Brawl, Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels, Batista vs. Umaga as well as the title matches.

WWE Slam of the Week showed last week's VIP Lounged on Smackdown. MVP had Jericho as his guest for the show in the ring. MVP also had a ladder set up with briefcase overhead. MVP climbed up the ladder to retrieve the briefcase, showing Jericho what he plans to do at WM24. Jericho walked over and shoved the ladder causing MVP to fall to the mat.

Chris Jericho vs. MVP

Prior to the match, MVP said after Wrestlemania people will refer to him as "Money in the Bank". MVP said after beating Jericho tonight, it'll give another example of why he's better than everyone.

In this contest between two champions and MITB competitors, MVP gave a cocky slap to Jericho, prompting Y2J to tackle MVP down, punching away. Y2J gained the advantage in the match and MVP tried to slide out of the ring for a timeout. Jericho ran against the ropes then slid and dropkicked MVP down outside the ring. Y2J slammed MVP face first to the commentator's table before returning to the ring.

MVP got to the apron where Y2J started to punch at him. Jericho tried to Lionsault off the side ropes but was met by MVP's boot. MVP knocked Jericho out of the ring and Smackdown went to commercial. Smackdown resumed with MVP holding Jericho down on the mat in a submission hold. Jericho got this feet and slammed MVP down then ran off the ropes. MVP gave a knee to Jericho's gut and continued to dominate with punches on Y2J.

Jericho regained momentum and hit a flying forearm off the corner ropes on MVP. The two men began to punch at each other center of the ring, with Y2J knocking MVP down with shoulder blocks. Jericho also managed to flip MVP back for a bridge pin, with MVP kicking out. Jericho suplexed MVP, then bulldogged him down onto the mat. Jericho did the Lionsault but MVP put his knees up to counter, then delivered a boot to Y2J's skull.

The match continued as MVP escaped Jericho's Lion Tamer attempt then ran and gave a boot to Jericho's head in the corner. Jericho countered the Playmaker then slapped on Walls of Jericho, but MVP grabbed the bottom rope. After sliding out of the ring, MVP grabbed both belts and threw the IC belt into the ring. MVP waitied for Jericho to stand then charged at him with the US belt. The ref called for the bell to DQ MVP. Jericho grabbed MVP and slammed his chest down in his knees.

After the match, Y2J retrieved a ladder and shoved it into the ring. Y2J picked up the ladder, waited for MVP to get up then rammed the ladder into MVP's forehead. Jericho dropped the ladder on MVP on the mat, then climbed the corner ropes to stare at the briefcase.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins via pinfall over MVP.

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John Legend video piece shown discussing his role at Wrestlemania 24 to sing "America the Beautiful". Legend says he looks forward to seeing everyone and performing at the show.

Burial of Undertaker's WM Streak Ceremony

Edge arrived to the ring with Ryder & Hawkins. Edge was in a grey suit with Ryder and Hawkins wearing all black. Vickie Guerrero and Teddy Long were in a ring decorated with plants, a podium and a casket. Teddy Long introduced Vickie Guerrero and Edge at the podium.

Edge spoke about celebrating the demise of an accomplishment, Undertaker's Wrestlemania undefeated streak. Edge named off Undertaker's defeated opponents such as Jimmy Snuka, Kane, Undertaker, Ric Flair, Randy Orton and more. Edge sooner or later it must come to an end and at Wrestlemania he will bury Taker and the streak.

Vickie Guerrero spoke about Edge as World Heavyweight champion and her lover. Vickie then introduced a preview video for Wrestlemania and the World Heavyweight match. The video showcased how Undertaker has been preying on the weak but Edge will be a hero at Wrestlemania by putting a stop to him. Edge then told Vickie she is the love of his life. Edge said it was time to bid farewell to Undertaker and his streak, once and for all. Edge recited "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" then walked over to kiss Vickie passionately.

As Edge and Vickie continued to kiss, all of a sudden the arena went dark and Undertaker's bell tolled. Edge sent Ryder and Hawkins up the ramp to head off Taker. Edge began to look up the ramp, but just then the casket in the ring opened. Undertaker sat up inside the casket, then got out and grabbed Edge. Taker began to beat up Edge and Ryder and Hawkins rushed back into the ring. Undertaker continued to toss them around the ring, throwing them into the set. Vickie Guerrero began to scream and eventually stood up out of her wheelchair then ran out of the ring, up the ramp. Smackdown ended as Edge had escaped the ring, the arena went dark and Taker stared out at a terrified Edge.

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