Smackdown Recap 04.25.08

Smackdown Recap from Greensboro, NC:

Smackdown opened with highlights of the events involving Edge and Undertaker. Taker's Wrestlemania 24 victory over Edge for the World Heavyweight title was shown as well as Edge promising his love, Vickie Guerrero, that he will regain the championship. Also shown were Edge and Vickie at their spa treatment as Undertaker faced tough competition against his brother Kane, Festus and the Animal Batista. Last week's match with Batista ended with the two wrestlers beating up Edge, Ryder, Hawkins, Chavo and Bam Neely. Due to the fight, Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero ordered Batista to face Undertaker tonight for the World Heavyweight title.

Edge was already in the ring along with Vickie Guerrero, Teddy Long, Hawkins & Ryder, Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely. Edge asked if the crowd could feel the excitement in the air for tonight's title match. Edge said it was all made possible by the love of his life, Vickie. Vickie took the mic and then announced that tonight's Undertaker vs. Batista match will be a No DQ. Edge said no matter who wins it tonight, he'll be walking out of Backlash as champion, and Chavo will also become new ECW champ. Just then, CM Punk's music came on and Mr. Money in the Bank came to the top of the ramp.

Edge joked about Punk not winning King of the Ring, and asked if Punk is Queen of the Ring. Punk told them to call him "Money in the Bank" and that winning the briefcase is a better way to the top than "sleeping with the boss". Punk reminded Edge and everyone else that he can cash in for a title shot at anytime including tonight or Backlash. Punk then told Edge he thinks he can beat him, and Edge challenged Punk to a match tonight. Vickie took the mic and said the match is official for later on.

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Coach spotlighted the new WWE Kids magazine and its various features as WWE Superstars The Miz and Morrison showed up on the ramp.

The Miz vs. Shannon Moore

Miz arrived to the ring with John Morrison for the match, who sat ringside with the commentators. Jimmy Wang Yang arrived to the ring with Moore.

In the matchup, Miz tried to make up for this past Tuesday's loss by Morrison to Yang. Miz was in control and Moore tried for a surprise rollup. Miz kicked out then quickly clotheslined Moore down and began punching him. Miz used a Russian Legsweep followed by a headlock to keep Moore down to the mat. Miz tried to jump on Moore near the ropes but Moore moved causing Miz to land on his groin. Moore ran off the ropes but Miz grabbed him and powerslammed him. Miz seemed in control again and went off the ropes. Miz ran for a kick and the Reality check, but Moore countered, then pinned Miz down to the mat. Afterwards, Morrison confronted Miz to ask what went wrong. Yang and Moore backed up the ramp motioning they'd have the tag belts soon.

Winner: Shannon Moore wins via pinfall over The Miz.

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Michael Cole discussed this past week's Raw where all 3 presidential candidates sent pre-recorded video messages to the fans. Highlights shown of Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain's speeches to the fans.

Cherry w/Michelle vs. Natalya w/Victoria

Natalya Neidhart made her Smackdown debut against WWE Diva Cherry who's 1-0. Both WWE Divas will be involved in Backlash's 12 Diva tag match. Natalya took Cherry to the mat early and dominated. Natalya kept Cherry down in a headlock, until Cherry stood up and backed Natalya to the corner. Natalya quickly recovered to club Cherry down again. Natalya slammed Cherry to the mat several times then tried for a pin.

Natalya started to slap Cherry in her face near the ropes, and finally Cherry had enough. Cherry began to slap Natalya back several times and then slammed her face first into the corner. Natalya recovered from Cheery's attack, then kicked Cherry in the leg then started to attack it. Natalya locked on a submission hold twice but Cherry wouldn't tap out. Natalya continued her attack on the leg. Cherry avoided a charging Natalya in the corner and gained momentum.

Despite Cherry's attempt to flip Natalya from the corner, Natalya shoved her down to the mat, then slapped the submission hold on center of the ring. Cherry tapped soon after. Michelle McCool checked on Cherry in the ring as Victoria and Natalya gloated on the ramp.

Winner: Natalya wins via submission over Cherry.

Highlights shown of WWE Superstars Big Show and Great Khali, leading up to their feud and match set for Backlash. Each man has managed to gain the upperhand over the other in recent weeks as they head into their colossal match.

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Michael Cole interviewed Matt Hardy in the ring about his upcoming US Championship matach versus MVP for Backlash. Cole discussed how Matt missed 4 1/2 months due to injury at the hands of MVP. Footage was shown of the incident 5 months ago. Matt said he's feeling 100% and he's waited a long time for this chance, even though MVP did all he could to avoid the match.

MVP's music came on and he emerged from backstage. As MVP got into the ring he told Cole to beat it so he and Matt could talk. MVP said that Matt's out here distorting facts. Matt then told MVP the reason they were tag champs at one time was because MVP wanted to avoid a US title match. MVP then said Matt Hardy screwed himself over due to jealousy of MVP. Matt then said it was because of MVP he was out for 5 months and unable to compete. Matt told MVP in his eye's he will see confidence, but in MVP's eyes there's uncertainty. MVP said he was hoping they could become friends, but Matt said no chance. MVP removed the US title and held it up above his head, then gave a cheapshot kick to Matt in the once injured leg. MVP clocked Matt with the belt, knocking him to the mat, then left the ring.

CM Punk shown walking backstage on the way to the ring for the next match.

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The WWE's efforts to encourage reading amongst children was spotlighted. WWE was recognized with the Beacon Award for Devotion to Community Relations. CM Punk was shown talking about his role in the efforts and how serious he and other superstars take it.

CM Punk vs. Edge

Michael Cole noted that Edge is on cover for the latest issue of WWE Magazine. CM Punk arrived to the match with the Money in the Bank briefcase which Cole noted Edge has won twice.

The two men grappled to start things off with Punk forcing Edge to the corner. The ref broke things apart and a shoving match started. Punk got Edge into an armlock, but Edge managed to trip Punk to the mat. The two continued to battle down on the mat with Punk attempting a pinfall. Punk held one arm behind Edge's back and repeatedly kneed him in the back. Edge eventually stood up and elbowed Punk in the face to escape. Punk was able to grab Edge's arm again and twist it behind his back, keeping Edge down. Edge finally stood up and rammed Punk to the corner, then elbowed out of the hold. After knocking Punk to the mat, Edge took control of Punk kicking him while he was down.

Punk regained control once again, and kept the armhold locked on Edge down on the mat. Punk kicked Edge down then went to the corner ropes. Edge quickly got up, ran over, and stunned Punk on the corner. Edge climbed up for a suplex, but Punk battled back. Punk punched Edge off, but Punk fell off the corner to the outside as Smackdown went to break. When Smackdown returned, Edge was attempting a pin in the ring, then squeezed his legs around Punk's torso to keep him down.

Punk eventually escaped Edge's hold, then stood up and catapulted Edge into the corner of the ring. Punk ran at Edge who moved away and then slammed Punk backwards to the mat. The two wrestlers got up and flew with bodypresses at each other off the ropes then crashed together. Punk started using kicks to Edge, then a spinning kick off the ropes. Punk was able to deliver a solid kick to the back of Edge's head. After a knee to the face of Edge in the corner and a bulldog, Punk tried for a pin with Edge kicking out. Both men continued to fight giving all they had. It was near fall after near fall, until Edge ran with a Spear at Punk. Punk grabbed Edge up on his shoulders and hit the GTS, causing Edge to fall out of the ring.

Punk went out and grabbed Edge, then rolled him back into the ring as the ref was counting. As Punk was climbing back in from the apron, the ref began to deal with Edge. Ryder came to the ramp distracting Punk who went at him. As Punk finally rolled into the ring, Edge was ready with a surprise Spear to pick up the win.

Winner: Edge wins via pinfall over CM Punk.

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Raw Rebound showed WWE Wrestling highlights from this past Monday's King of the Ring tournament. Competing in the tournament finals were CM Punk & William Regal. Punk was able to defeat Matt Hardy and Chris Jericho. Regal went through Hornswoggle and Finlay. Regal was able to take advantage of a worn down Punk and used a submission, the Regal Stretch to pick up the victory. William Regal is now the King of WWE.

Marty Garner vs. Vladimir Kozlov

The dominant Kozlov came to the ring with no music or pyro and the lights turned low. As the bell rang, Kozlov quickly slammed Garner to the mat and stayed in control. Kozlov locked a headlock on Garner down on the mat, then stood him near the ropes. Garner began to fight back and went off the ropes, but Kozlov drove his head into Garner's midsection. Kozlov used a throw to toss Garner to the mat, then kicked him again. Kozlov soon picked up Garner then did an inverted type DDT to finish off Garner.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins via pinfall over Marty Garner.

Cole discussed how Undertaker has been using the Triangle Choke submission on his opponents recently and could possibly defeat Batista that way tonight. Highlights were shown of Taker using it on Big Daddy V, Matt Striker, Mark Henry, Festus and Edge.

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Michael Cole and Coach ran down the list of matches for this Sunday's Backlash, including Edge vs. Undertaker. Cole said should Batista win tonight he won't face Shawn Michaels at Backlash, but will be defending the World Heavyweight title against Edge.

Backstage, Batista was shown knelt down talking to Vickie Guerrero in her wheel chair. Batista said he wanted to thank Vickie for the opportunity to fight for the title tonight in a No DQ match, but he knew what she was up to. Batista said he knows Vickie wants he and Taker to beat the hell out of each other tonight. Batista then said he plans to do that, win the title and then beat the hell out of Edge at Backlash.

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Michael Cole extended congratulations to Hillary Clinton for winning the Pennsylvania primary this past week. Highlights were shown of the Political Smackdown, a mock match between a fake Barack Obama and a fake Hillary Clinton. The match ended when Umaga hit the ring and decimated both of the competitors.

Batista vs. Undertaker
World Heavyweight Title Match

In a no disqualification match, Batista tried to reclaim the title he's held several times now. As the match kicked off Michael Cole noted there is a "big fight feel" in the building tonight.

Early on, Batista backed Taker to the corner then punched away at him. Batista took Taker to the other corner and clotheslined him, but Taker soon recovered and grabbed Batista by the arm. Taker started to target Batista's left arm and shoulder. Taker whipped Batista to the corner, but the Animal ran at him for a spear. After the takedown, Undertaker tried to cinch in the Triangle Choke with his legs. Batista escaped, rolling out of the ring to recover, as Smackdown went to a commercial.

As Smackdown returned, Undertaker whipped Batista into the steps outside the ring. then layed him up on the side apron. Taker booted Batista in the skull, then did a legdrop onto him, causing Batista to fall to the outside again. Taker stood him up and tossed him into the ring. After a failed pin, Taker went for Old School, but Batista knocked him down onto the ropes. Batista climbed the corner to try for a suplex, but Taker shoved him down to the mat. Batista got up and charged at Taker who caught him with a boot. After Old School, Undertaker tried to run off the ropes. Batista caught him for a spinebuster to the mat.

Batista tried for a Batista Bomb, but Taker countered and flipped the Animal over his back. As Batista stood, Taker slapped a chokehold on. Batista pulled Taker's hand off and then ducked a clothesline attempt. Batista scored a Powerslam but couldn't capture the pinfall. The two men backed away to corners and then went at each other, with Taker kicking Batista then using a chokeslam. Batista kicked out before 3. Undertaker got up and was ready for a Tombstone, but Batista got up and then ran for another spear. Another near fall with Undertaker escaping. Undertaker went to the corner to recover, but Batista came over to start punching away. Taker picked up Undertaker and hit the Last Ride, but only got the 2 count.

Taker went to the outside and retrieved part of the steel steps, bringing them into the ring. Taker stood up Batista, put him on his shoulder and prepared to do a piledriver on top of the steps. Batista slid off and then powerbombed Taker down onto the steps. As Undertaker got up, Batista set up for a Batista Bomb. Just then, Shawn Michaels had snuck into the ring. As the Animal turned around, Michaels hit Sweet Chin Music, leaving Batista down on the mat. Undertaker took advantage as he got up, picked up Batista and hit the Tombstone.

Winner: The Undertaker wins via pinfall over Batista to retain the World Heavyweight title.

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