Smackdown Recap 05.02.08

Smackdown recap from Atlantic City, NJ:

Smackdown opened with a dark arena and Smackdown Assistant GM Teddy Long standing at the top of the ramp. Teddy Long announced that the tag team titles, US Championship and World Heavyweight titles will all be defended on tonight's show.

Michael Cole was in the ring and introduced brand new color commentator Mick Foley. Foley came down the ramp slapping hands with audience members, then joined Michael Cole at the commentators table. Foley told Cole to keep telling himself he's not the "Coach".

Wang Yang & Moore vs. The Miz & Morrison
WWE Tag team title match

Miz took the early advantage, punching Yang around the ring. After a missed clothesline, Yang knocked Miz down and tagged in Moore for a flip over the ropes onto Miz. Miz eventually regained control to bring in Morrison.

Moore eventually escaped Morrison and tagged Yang in for a dropkick then quick pin attempt. Morrison was able to gain control on Yang, keeping him down in a headlock. Yang tried for a surprise pin, but Morrison kicked out then tagged Miz back in. Miz and Morrison kept Yang isolated and away from the tag. Yang finally was able to kick away Morrison then made the tag to Moore. Moore came in with momentum using a headscissors and hurricanrana kick, but Morrison was able to recover. After some offense, Morrison tried a pin on Moore eventually. Yang came in to break things up, and Miz fought him out of the ring. Moore and Morrison were left alone in the ring where Morrison used his finisher "The Moonlight Drive" to slam Moore to the mat.

Winners: The Miz & John Morrison win via pinfall over Shannon Moore & Jimmy Wang Yang.

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Smackdown returned with ECW GM Armando Estrada in the ring as guest announcer. Estrada first introduced Colin Delaney weighing just 107 pounds from Rochester, New York. Later Michael Cole said Estrada was exaggerating. Next, Estrada introduced Vladimir Kozlov who had a menacing look as he walked down the ramp.

Colin Delaney vs Vladimir Kozlov

Kozlov tossed Delaney down to the mat quick, then yelled at him to get up. Delaney charged at him but Kozlov wrapped him up in a headlock then flipped him down to the mat. As Colin stood up, Kozlov delivered a boot to his face. Kozlov continued to kick and stomp Colin. After Colin got some kicks back at Vladimir from the corner, Kozlov rammed into Colin then picked him and threw him onto the corner. Kozlov kicked Delaney hard in the gut causing him to fly up and then caught him off the ropes for a slam. Kozlov finished Delaney with a reverse DDT for the pinfall.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins via pinfall over Colin Delaney.

Nunzio shown in a lockerroom backstage lacing his boots up. Mark Henry entered to remind Nunzio they have a match tonight and he's Mark Henry "World's Strongest Man".

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WWE Rewind was off Natalya defeating Cherry last week on Smackdown using a Sharpshooter submission hold. After the victory, Natalya celebrated on the ramp with her pal Victoria, while Michelle looked at Cherry in the ring.

Michelle McCool & Cherry vs. Victoria & Cherry

Footage shown from earlier tonight when Victoria and Natalya were harassing Cherry in a lockerroom. Michelle came in and Victoria remarked "Look who it is, Yahoo's most searched person". Natalya asked Michelle how long she was typing her name in for tonight and Michelle retorted if that was the case it gives them more time to get ready for the match later.

Michael Cole noted that over the weekend Michelle was the most searched person on Yahoo. In this matchup between WWE Divas, Michelle took it to her opponents, getting the best of Natalya and then Victoria. Michelle tagged in Cherry who did a flying cross body onto Victoria but couldn't score the 3 count. Cherry had a few impressive moves against Victoria, then was shoved into the corner where Natalya was. Cherry turned and shoved Natalya off the apron. Victoria tried to kick Cherry as she turned back, but Cherry caught her foot, then slapped her. Cherry tried to run off the side ropes, but Natalya snagged her foot to trip her. Victoria and Natalya took control and tried to keep Cherry from Michelle.

Natalya locked a sleeper hold on Cherry then tried to keep her in the corner with Victoria. Cherry fought her way out then tried to crawl under Natalya's legs. Natalya did her best to grab Cherry's foot but Cherry stretched to get the tag to Michelle. McCool came in and splashed Natalya in the corner. Michelle ripped off part of Natalya's top and the ref went to throw it to the side. As Michelle was climbing the corner ropes for a move Victoria shoved her, allowing Natalya to gain the pinfall while pulling on Michelle's tights.

Winners: Natalya & Victoria win via pinfall over Michelle & Cherry.

Cole and Foley replayed the end of the World Heavyweight match from Backlash, with Edge going for the pin. Undertaker countered and slapped his Triangle Choke Submission hold on Edge to win it. Edge spit up blood and required a stretcher to be taken out of the arena. Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero came to the ring and screamed and cried as Edge was taken away. Michael Cole posed the question will the same happen to Great Khali later tonight?

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Nunzio vs Mark Henry

As he came out to the ramp, Nunzio motioned for someone to come out from backstage. All of a sudden, Big Show's music came on and Show came down to the ring with Nunzio. Show stayed in Nunzio's corner for the match.

Nunzio went at Henry as the match got underway using quick kicks and punches. Henry shoved Nunzio down to the mat, then picked him up for a headbutt. Henry glared over at Show then tossed Nunzio to the corner. Still looking at Show, Henry picked up Nunzio tossed him in the air, caught him and slammed him down viciously for a pinfall. Finally after the bell, Show got into the ring and walked up to Henry staring him down. Henry backed out and exited off the side apron chuckling and nodding, then raised his arms up victoriously. Show took a mic and told Henry next time to try picking on someone his own size.

Winner: Mark Henry wins via pinfall over Nunzio.

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Highlights were revisited from Backlash where Matt Hardy defeated MVP for the United States Championship.

MVP vs Matt Hardy
US Championship match

A determined MVP came to the ring first followed by Matt Hardy with the US belt strapped around his waist. The crowd went wild as Hardy entered the arena and made his way to the ring.

Cole and Foley noted MVP's near year long title reign, and how devastated MVP was over losing the belt. In the match, Matt locked a headlock onto MVP early on and continued with it after ducking an MVP clothesline off the ropes. MVP was able to get up and gain momentum as he slammed Matt into the corners of the ring. Matt turned things around and was able to run off the ropes to clothesline MVP down.

MVP gained the advantage as he dropped Matt down then punched away at him down on the mat. MVP used a hold to pull Matt's arm back down on the mat, but Hardy stood up and then dropped his weight down causing MVP to be stunned. A bulldog by Hardy followed but Matt couldn't get the 3 count. Matt continued to be in control until MVP escaped his hold then started to kick away at him.

Matt started to fight back, punching MVP then jumped on him on the ropes. MVP regained control and whipped Matt to the corner, then was met with Matt's boot. MVP retaliated using a vicious clothesline to knock Matt down. Matt was near the ropes and rolled onto the apron to try to pull himself up, but MVP charged over and rammed him off the apron. Matt hit the crowd barrier and was down outside the ring as Smackdown went to commercial.

MVP was hammering away at Hardy down on the mat when Smackdown returned. MVP sat on Matt's back and kept Matt's arms pulled against his throat/neck to wear him down. Matt was able to finally stand up, ram MVP back into the corner and then flip him down to the mat. As MVP got up to go at Matt, he used the Side Effect but couldn't score the pinfall. MVP soon regained control and kept Matt down on the mat again. MVP sat Matt up on the corner and went to strike him, but Matt pushed him off. Matt was able to DDT MVP from off the ropes, but again couldn't get the pin.

Matt got up and moved the corner where MVP delivered a running kick. MVP went for the pin but Matt grabbed the rope. MVP exited the ring then ran over to kick Matt in the head. MVP tried for 2 pinfalls but Matt kicked out of each, so MVP resumed a submission hold. MVP seemed to be in control of things as both men were on their feet, but Matt fought back and grabbed MVP's boot then delivered a surprise Twist of Fate for the win!

Winner: Matt Hardy wins via pinfall over MVP to retain the US Championship.

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Mick Foley was in ring to introduce the Animal Batista. Batista came to the ring to good crowd reaction throughout the arena. Mick discussed the great match Batista just had at Backlash against Shawn Michaels. Foley said the end of the match is surrounded in controversy with Michaels landing on his leg bad, then delivering Sweet Chin Music to finish off Batista. Mick asked Batista's feelings regarding the match. Batista said he won't make excuses, he was beat and that's the bottom line. Mick asked Batista if he felt Shawn faked the leg injury to win the match, and Batista said it would make him sick to think HBK did that. Batista delivered the message to HBK that he better be hurt for real, because if not he will be.

Jesse & Festus vs. Ryder & Hawkins

Festus went into a rage as the bell rang and he chased down Ryder & Hawkins. Festus used headbutts to the gut of Hawkins down on the mat, then tagged in Jesse for a move off the ropes. Hawkins was able to eventually back Jesse to the corner and tag in Ryder. Jesse went on the offensive again using quick paced moves. Ryder & Hawkins eventually gained control of Jesse and played keep away from his bigger partner.

Jesse finally was able to escape to make a tag in to Festus. Festus cleared the ring of Ryder then began to pummel Hawkins, eventually doing his finisher by running off the ropes and sitting on him. Ryder came in to break up the pin. Hawkins managed to jab Festus in the throat, and the big man started to clutch his throat as if injured badly. Festus staggered over and Jesse slapped him for a tag. Jesse climbed the corner then tried to fly off the top ropes at Hawkins. Hawkins moved out of the way then did a spinning neckbreaker to finish Jesse off.

Winner: Ryder & Hawkins win via pinfall over Jesse & Festus.

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Julio Dinero vs. Finlay

Early on Finlay dropped Dinero to the mat then suplexed him. Finlay was aggressive early on as he rammed Dinero in the corner then punched at him. Dinero tried to retaliate but Finlay clotheslined him down. Finlay was able to toss Dinero out of the ring as he charged at him from the ropes.

On the outside Finlay rammed Dinero into the side apron area. All of a sudden Dinero was tripped and pulled under the ring. Finlay pulled him back out and Hornswoggle was on the other end holding Diner's legs. Back in the ring Finlay continued to control the match, eventually using the Celtic Cross to finish off Dinero.
After the bell, Finlay put Dinero near the corner ropes so Hornswoggle could jump off and Tadpole Splash onto Dinero.

Winner: Finlay wins via pinfall over Julio Dinero.

Footage shown of Undertaker using the Triangle Choke submission on various opponents such as Big Daddy V, Mark Henry and most recently Edge. Undertaker kept the hold locked on Edge even after the bell, causing Edge to spit up blood. Vickie Guerrero was wheeled down to the ring by Teddy Long and screamed out about the fallen and bloody Edge.

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Great Khali vs. The Undertaker
World Heavyweight Championship

After Undertaker arrived to the ring, all of a sudden Edge's theme music came on. Teddy Long wheeled Vickie onto the top of the ramp and Edge accompanied them. Vickie said there would not be a title match tonight. Vickie told Undertaker he's injured other wrestlers with his choke hold and chokeholds like that aren't allowed in WWE. Vickie said it is her responsibility to look after the well being of other superstars, then told Undertaker that from this moment on the choke hold is banned. Vickie warned Taker if he ever uses the chokehold in a match again, he will have hell to pay.

Vickie told Undertaker that she's under extreme pressure from regulatory authorities and Undertaker has officially been stripped of the World Heavyweight title. Vickie told Taker to bring the title up the ramp to them, but Taker wouldn't budge. Great Khali came out from backstage then went down to the ring to try to retrieve the title. Undertaker layed the belt down in front of him for Khali to come get.

After the two men stared at each other, Khali walked up to Taker and crouched down to pick up the belt. Undertaker delivered a serious kick which leveled Khali, dropping him to the mat. With Khali down, Undertaker applied the Triangle Choke. While Taker kept the hold locked in, Ryder & Hawkins snuck into the ring and stole the World Heavyweight title, running it up the ramp to Edge & Vickie. Undertaker finally released the hold as Khali had passed out. Smackdown ended with Taker staring up the ramp at Vickie and Edge as they went backstage with his World Heavyweight belt.

Winner: No match due to orders of Vickie Guerrero.

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