Smackdown Recap 04.18.08

Smackdown Recap from London, England:

Smackdown opened with Chris Jericho arriving to the set for the Highlight Reel. Jericho introduced Batista soon after getting into the ring, and the crowd went wild as he arrived. Jericho discussed how Batista has the tough match tonight against Undertaker. Y2J also discussed how Shawn Michaels responded to his accusations on Raw this psat Monday. On the show Jericho suggested that maybe Michaels told Mr. McMahon to create a "retire stipulation" for Flair. Michaels responded with a Superkick to Jericho.

Jericho told Batista that Michaels proved them both right. Jericho told Batista "You're welcome". Batista told Y2J he never asked him to be his representative, and he will confront people he has a problem with. Jericho said he'll do some analysis of Batista's situation then. Y2J said Batista is mad because he wanted to retire Flair himself and carry the torch. Y2J said that Batista didn't even show any emotions in the ring at Flair's Farewell on Raw. Y2J asked the audience to raise their hands if they felt Batista wanted to retire Flair, and then to raise hands if they felt Batista was just like Shawn Michaels. Batista had enough of Jericho's insinuations and finally kicked him in the midsection, then delivered a Batista Bomb. Jericho was left laying in the ring as Batista made his exit.

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Michael Cole and Johnathan Coachman teased about the upcoming "King of the Ring" tournament as the camera showed the throne and setting up at the top of the ramp. Matt Hardy made his way down to the commentators' table to join Cole and Coach for the next match.

Tommy Dreamer vs. MVP

MVP tossed a shirt out towards Matt Hardy at the commentators' table before grappling with Dreamer. Matt told Coach and Cole that he took away the MITB win from MVP because MVP took away his health. MVP hit a swinging neckbreaker on Dreamer but failed at the 3 count. MVP had control of Tommy as he sent him to the ropes then punched him, followed by a kick to the face.

MVP continued to work on Dreamer down on the mat with a hold. Dreamer got to his feet, fighting back, but MVP rammed Dreamer down into his knee, then hit an elbow drop. MVP went to jump off the corner but Dreamer caught him in the midsection with a punch. Dreamer gained the momentum, hitting a bulldog, then signaling for his finisher. As MVP got up, Dreamer hit the swinging neckbreaker, but MVP kicked out of a pin. MVP went for the Playmaker, but Dreamer countered into a DDT. MVP grabbed the bottom ropes to break the pin. Dreamer tried to hoist MVP on his shoulders, but MVP slid off and sent Dreamer into the corner ringpost. To finish MVP connected on a solid kick to Dreamer's head in the corner then captured the pinfall victory. Matt Hardy stood up and stared down MVP as he walked up the ramp.

Winner: MVP wins via pinfall over Tommy Dreamer.

Finlay and Hornswoggle shown backstage preparing for a match. Hornswoggle was punching at Finlay's hands and getting psyched up. Michael Cole said "the little fighting Irishman" will be in action next.

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Matt Striker was in the ring with a mic and spoke about being humiliated by Finlay and Hornswoggle last week. Striker said tonight's it's 1 on 1/2 because he faces the leprechaun in a match, and it's an insult. Striker said he has a 186 IQ and this is ridiculous. Just then Hornswoggle's music came on interrupting Striker.

Hornswoggle vs. Matt Striker

Hornswoggle started the match off juggling some tennis balls, then threw them at Striker. Striker was soon down on the mat. Finlay began to retrieve water guns from under the ring and kept handing them to Hornswoggle to spray Striker with them. Striker went to the outside to kick Finlay down, but Finlay recovered using the side apron to catch Striker's groin. Hornswoggle swung through the ropes to kick Striker down.

Striker soon got back into the ring and shoved Hornswoggle down. Striker sat on top of Hornswoggle and smacked him in the face a few times, then stomped on his chest. Striker went over and grabbed Finlay's shilaleigh from the corner to go strike Hornswoggle. The ref intervened and took it away. Just then, Finlay got in the ring as the ref's back was turned. Finlay cracked the shilaleigh over Striker's head, then Hornswoggle climbed the corner ropes to connect on a Tadpole Splash.

Winner: Hornswoggle wins via pinfall over Matt Striker.

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Michael reminded fans that the official theme song for Backlash is "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock found on his latest album Rock N Roll Jesus.

Jamie Noble vs. Chavo Guerrero

Along for the match was Bam Neely, Chavo's new bodyguard who was seen on ECW attacking Kane. Michael Cole noted that Bam is a former border patrol agent.

Chavo managed to use his shoulder to knock Noble down off the ropes, then put him into a headlock. Noble was able to get up and put a wrist lock on Chavo, then flipped him down to the mat to work on his left arm. Noble rolled up Chavo for several pins but Chavo kicked out of each. Chavo managed to gain momentum and pressed Noble against the ropes. Noble got up and fought back but Chavo caught him with a knee to the midsection off the ropes. Chavo applied a headlock to keep Noble down for a bit, but Noble stood up again to slam Chavo backwards.

The two competitors got to their feet with Noble knocking Chavo down off the ropes several times. Noble suplexed Chavo into a bridge pin, but Chavo managed to escape. Chavo regained momentum and delivered the 3 Amigos, suplexing Noble back. On the 3rd attempt, Noble blocked and hit a swinging neckbreaker. Noble had Chavo up on his shoulders but Chavo slid off. The two fought with Chavo on the side apron and Noble in the ring. Chavo snapped Noble down against the top ropes, then jumped off the corner to hit a Frogsplash.

After the win, Bam Neely came into the ring and did a vicious slam on Noble. Chavo and Bam raised arms up for the victory.

Winner: Chavo Guerrero wins via pinfall over Jamie Noble.

Mark Henry and Big Show both shown walking backstage on their way out to the ring for the next match.

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Mark Henry vs. Big Show

Show and Henry started off grappling in the center of the ring, until they shoved each other away. They grappled again to a stalemate. Henry caught Show with a kick to the midsection and headbutted Show. Show returned the favor and the two started going back and forth, until Show clotheslined Henry down. Henry started trying to punch Show, but Show punched him back to the corner. Off the ropes, Henry managed to grab Show into a Bear Hug and picked him up. Show fought to withstand the hold.

Henry continued to lock the Bear Hug in on Show, but finally Show started fighting back. Henry rammed Show back to the corner then ran at him, but was met by Big Show's boot. As Show seemed to have control the Great Khali began to walk down the ramp. Show chokeslammed Henry down to the mat and was ready for a pin, but saw Khali coming. Show exited the ring and went at Khali. As soon as the two got into it, the ref called for the bell.

Khali took advantage of a worn down Big Show and tossed him to the steel steps, then into the ring. Show slowly got up from the mat, Khali grabbed him with both hands, and Show tried to break out. Khali kept the hold on and did the Khali Bomb to slam the massive Big Show to the mat. Khali raised his arms up as he stood above a fallen Big Show.

Winner: Big Show wins due to disqualification of Mark Henry.

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Smackdown returned with Cole and Coach discussing how Big Show had trouble getting up in the ring and leaving. Cole asked what would happen at Backlash now, as it seemed Show was in control of momentum. Cole and Coach then ran down the Backlash matches including the Fatal Fourway, Show vs. Khali, and Edge's rematch against Undertaker. Next, highlights were shown of the rivalry between Undertaker and Batista. Wrestlemania 23 was shown where Taker won the World Heavyweight title. Last year's Backlash "Last Man Standing" match was shown and the May 11, 2007 Smackdown cage match. Later tonight on Smackdown, the rivalry resumes.

WWE Confrontation of the Week showed Nayalya Neidhart introduced by Victoria. Natalya came into play during Victoria's match with Michelle as she distracted Michelle, allowing Victoria to steal the win.

Cherry vs. Victoria

Cherry had Michelle McCool with her to come to the ring, and Natalya accompanied Victoria. Victoria shoved Cherry to the corner to start things off, then became aggressive. Victoria used a headlock to slam Cherry to the mat and taunted her about Deuce N Domino not being around. Michael Cole noted that D n D has been hanging out with Maryse lately. Victoria continued to kick Cherry while she was down on the mat. Coach said you can see just how scared Cherry is in her debut. Cherry got a slap and kick in at Victoria, before Victoria clotheslined her down. Victoria threw Cherry into the ring corner.

Cherry recovered from the corner and jumped up over a charging Victoria, then rolled her up for a quick pin. Victoria kicked out then kicked Cherry in the head hard. Victoria put Cherry in a Camel Clutch submission down on the mat for a while then shoved her down. The two Divas got to their feet and Victoria rammed Cherry to the corner. In the center of the ring, Victoria slapped Cherry's head then clubbed her from behind. Victoria started joking as she looked out at her friend Natalya. Michelle managed to cause a distraction and Victoria came over towards her. With Victoria's back turned, Cherry surprised her and rolled her up for a pinfall victory!

Winner: Cherry wins via pinfall over Victoria.

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Behind the scenes shown for "Anamorph" the new movie which Mick Foley makes a cameo appearance in. The film is currently playing in New York and select theaters across the US.

Leory Kincade vs. Vladimir Kozlov

Kozlov took Kincade down to the mat in an armlock to start things off. Kozlov kept the armbar locked in and kept Kincade down on the mat. Off the ropes, Kozlov knocked Kincade down like a battering ram, then shoved him to the corner. Kincade started fighting back for a bit, but Kozlov used his head to ram into Kincade off the ropes. Kozlov wrapped his arms around Kincade and threw him back, then stomped on him. Kozlov picked up Kincade and flipped the man into his finisher, slamming him on his back.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins via pinfall over Leroy Kincade.

Highlights of the Edge vs. Undertaker feud were shown, starting with Wrestlemania 24, where Taker won back the World Heavyweight title. In the past few weeks, Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero has put Undertaker into grueling contests against his brother Kane and Festus. Tonight Taker will face Batista in the main event.

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As Smackdown resumed, Edge, Ryder & Hawkins were shown entering the audience with tickets so they could watch the main event up close.

Batista vs. Undertaker
By Order of Vickie Guerrero

Taker got Batista to the corner for several shots to start it off, but Batista whipped him to the corner. Taker ran straight back and clotheslined Batista down. Taker missed on an elbow drop allowing Batista toss him to the corner, then ram into him. Batista continued to stay in control as he delivered a boot to Undertaker's face. Edge, Ryder & Hawkins shown looking on from the front row of the audience. Off the ropes, Taker planted Batista face first into the mat.

Undertaker continued to stay in control as he punched away at the Animal in the corner. Taker tried to go Old School and Batista countered, then hit a clothesline on Taker. Off the ropes both men caught each other with clotheslines. Edge, Ryder and Hawkins stood and began to cheer as Smackdown went to a commercial. When the show returned, Undertaker punched Batista to the ropes. The two men punched back and forth in the corner of the ring. Taker finally knocked Batista down then began to ram him in the corner. Taker went up again for Old School in the corner, but Batista punched him down. The Animal climbed up the corner and started to hammer on Taker. Batista went for a suplex with Undertaker pushing him off.

Batista got right back up on the corner and suplexed Undertaker off. Undertaker finally recovered as he and Batista got up. Taker grabbed Batista's arm and rammed at him, then finally hit Old School off the ropes. Taker tossed Batista out of the ring, then went out to lay him on the side apron for a leg drop. Taker tried to hoist up Baitsta for the Tombstone, but the Animal slid off then hit the Spear. Taker kicked out of a pinfall with Edge looking on. Batista and Taker got on their feet to punch back and forth. Batista knocked Taker out of the ring, but then Undertaker pulled Batista out with him. The two men continued to battle outside the ring, with Undertaker throwing Batista around to the crowd barrier and commentator table. As the fight continued, it eventually got near Edge, Ryder & Hawkins. Taker pulled Edge out over the barrier and began to beat him up.

Batista helped knock out Ryder and Hawkins as they charged over to save Edge. Edge managed to get into the ring, but then Batista and Taker went in as well. Ryder and Hawkins came in again to intervene, but Batista helped prevent the attack. Taker grabbed Ryder and Edge in chokeslams. Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely ran down to attack, but Batista grabbed Chavo and slammed him down. Taker clotheslined Neely out of the ring, as Edge managed to escape up the ramp.

Teddy Long wheeled Vickie Guerrero out onto the ramp to Edge. Vickie yelled at Taker and Batista for what just went on, then told them justice would be served when they beat the hell out of each other again, next week. VIckie announced next week's Smackdown will have Batista face Undertaker for the World Heavyweight title. The winner of the match faces Edge at Backlash.

Winner: Batista and Undertaker fight to a double countout.

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