Smackdown Recap 05.23.08

Smackdown Recap from Des Moines, Iowa:

Smackdown opened with General Manager Vickie Guerrero and Edge arriving at the top of the ramp. Vickie discussed the pressures of trying to run Smackdown as a TV show, but said she still meets all her obligations as the GM. Vickie said part of her duty as GM is to enforce rules and regulations, such as the fact Undertaker won by countout in the title match at Judgment Day. Vickie said the ref made a mistake by giving Undertaker the title on a countout of Edge.

Vickie made an announcement regarding the One Night Stand Pay-Per-View, where every match involves extreme rules. Vickie then said the World Heavyweight title match between Edge and Undertaker will be a Tables, Ladders & Chairs match. Vickie added if Undertaker loses the PPV match it will be the last time you see him, because he will be banished from WWE. Edge wheeled Vickie backstage as fans booed the added stipulation.

Cherry, Jesse & Festus vs. Maryse, Deuce & Domino

Cherry seemed apprehensive about being in the ring with Festus. After Deuce and Domino arrived with Maryse, the bell rang and Festus became a monster. Festus began tossing Domino around then did a seated splash on him. Jesse tagged in so Festus could slam him onto Domino. Deuce soon tagged in but Jesse continued to dominate with high flying moves. Deuce went to the ropes and was able to fly back to elbow Jesse down. D&D began to keep Jesse away from the tag to his partner.

Domino was able to land a legdrop on Jesse and then applied a headlock down on the mat. Jesse fought back to his feet, but Domino kicked him, then tagged Deuce back in. Jesse was able to use the corner ropes to his advantage, knocking Domino down on the apron with his legs, then countering Deuce to get a backbreaker. As Jesse crawled over for a tag, he kicked Deuce away. Cherry came in to face Maryse, and Cherry gained the upperhand using an array of moves. When Cherry finally took the pin, D&D both entered to pull her off. Jesse entered and clothesline Domino over the top rope. Festus ran in and delivered a solid boot to Deuce's face. As Deuce fell back he knocked into Cherry. The WWE Divas were left in the ring and Maryse caught Cherry with a knee to her face, knocking her down to the mat. Maryse took the pin to win it for her team with Cherry layed out.

Winners: Maryse, Deuce & Domino win via pinfall over Cherry, Jesse & Festus.

Vickie and Edge were shown talking in a backstage office. Chavo entered and said he had his reasons for not coming to the ring with Bam Neely and La Familia for last week's match against Undertaker. Chavo said he wanted no hard feelings from them. Vickie said she's glad he feels that way because tonight she scheduled him to take on Undertaker. Chavo seemed upset, but Edge reassured him that Bam Neely, Hawkins, Ryder and even he would be out there to back Chavo up. Edge told Chavo nothing's more important than family.

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MVP's VIP Lounge

Tonight's guest on MVP's VIP Lounge was former Smackdown assistant GM, Teddy Long. Once Teddy arrived to the ring, MVP told him he hasn't forgot all Teddy has put him through on Smackdown. MVP accused Teddy of being jealous of him and all he has. MVP said now despite all Teddy's done, he's still been a success in WWE. Teddy said he wasn't going to stay in the ring and listen to all this. As Teddy went to leave, MVP grabbed him by the suit coat and told him he doesn't leave until MVP dismisses him. As MVP threatened Teddy, all of a sudden Batista's music hit.

The Animal made his way down the ramp and got into the ring, staring at MVP. Batista said he wanted to wish Teddy Long well with whatever he does from here, then shook his hand. Batista then told MVP if he ever puts his hands on Teddy again, he'll shove his fists down MVP's throat. MVP said this is his VIP Lounge show so Batista should worry more about his One Night Stand match against HBK. MVP began complaining and told Batista he was being disrespectful. Batista showed MVP what disrespectful was, and began to tear apart the in-ring set for VIP Lounge. MVP exited out of the ring and quickly headed up the ramp as Batista continued to destroy the set.

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Edge was chatting with Chavo in the backstage office when MVP burst in asking if they just saw what happened. MVP started to complain to Vickie Guerrero about Batista interrupting his VIP Lounge. MVP asked her to do something, and Vickie told MVP he could face Batista in a match tonight. Angrily, MVP left the office to get ready.

Finlay vs. Chuck Palumbo

Hornswoggle accompanied Finlay down the ramp, then scurried underneath the ring before the match. Early in the match, Chuck rammed Finlay into the corner. Finlay fought back and brought Chuck down to the mat with a leg hold. Chuck was able to grab Finlay around the neck with a choke hold, but Finlay pulled his leg to the ropes to work on it more. Chuck finally recovered and was able to get to his feet, then kicked Finlay down.

Chuck clotheslined Finlay down to the mat, then locked a headlock in. Chuck started to beat up Finlay in the corner, but Hornswoggle appeared at the side of the ring with a super soaker. Hornswoggle started to spray Chuck with the water gun. Chuck knocked Finlay down then went out to get Hornswoggle. As Chuck ran at the leprechaun, Finlay had come outside the ring and clotheslined Palumbo down. Finlay tossed Chuck back into the ring, but as he got on the apron, Chuck kicked him down. Chuck continued to assault Finlay outside the ring then brought him back in. Chuck began to hammer away at Finlay, but Finlay finally was able to roll him into an armbar submission. Chuck grabbed the bottom rope to break it. Chuck regained control and applied a headlock to Finlay.

Finlay continued to fight back and rammed Chuck into the corner. The ref pulled Finlay away, and Chuck exploded from the corner to clothesline Finlay down. Chuck began to beat Finlay around the ring, kicking and kneeing him. Chuck used another headlock to keep Finlay down. Finlay mounted some brief offense but Chuck knocked him down hard again and re-applied the chinlock. Finlay got to his feet and dropped down to stun Palumbo. Finlay took control from here and whipped Chuck to the corner, then was able to slam him down. Chuck kicked out at 2 1/2. The two men continued to trade momentum and pinfall attempts. After Chuck hit a belly to belly suplex and threw Finlay across the ring, Hornswoggle appeared again. This time Chuck grabbed him then smashed him into the side of the ring. Chuck rolled Hornswoggle in while the ref was attending to Finlay at the other side of the ring.

As Chuck was about to hit Hornswoggle in the corner, Hornswoggle spit a green mist into his face. Chuck was stunned, and the ref turned to send Hornswoggle out of the ring. With the ref distracted, Finlay used his shilaleigh to knock Chuck out and take the pin.

Winner: Finlay wins via pinfall over Chuck Palumbo.

MVP was shown preparing in the locker room as Michael Cole reminded fans MVP has to face the Animal Batista tonight.

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WWE Slam of the Week showed Raw's match involving Batista vs. Chris Jericho. The winner would get to face Shawn Michaels in a One Night Stand match. Jericho went for a Codebreaker, but Batista held him up then used the Batista Bomb. Batista will now face Shawn Michaels in a Stretcher Match at One Night Stand.

MVP vs. Batista

Early on Batista knocked MVP down to the mat, prompting MVP to grab the ropes to regroup. The two grappled near the ropes with the ref breaking things up. MVP grabbed Batista's arm and tried to wrench it behind him, but Batista responded by elbowing him down. Michael Cole said it seemed Batista was toying with MVP tonight. MVP and Batista locked up again, but this time Batista applied a headlock. Batista was able to knock MVP down off the ropes, after MVP got in a few shots. MVP rolled out of the ring to take a time out.

Back in the ring, Batista was able to leapfrog MVP from the ropes, then gave a solid kick. MVP rolled back out of the ring. Batista went outside the ring and grabbed MVP to bring him back in the ring. As the two got back in, Batista took control and clotheslined in the corner. The Aminal whipped him to the opposite corner and charged, but this time MVP caught him with a dropkick in the leg. MVP ran at Batista in the corner and delivered a huge kick to knock the Animal out of the ring. Smackdown took a commercial break.

When the show returned, MVP was trying to pin Batista, but the Animal put a foot on the rope. MVP tried for another and Batista kicked out. MVP kept Batista down in a hold for a bit, until Batista picked him up then rammed him into the corner. Batista kept trying to attack MVP in the corner, but MVP was ready and kicked him in the leg, then knocked him down. MVP went to the top of the corner to jump, but Batista got up and went to slam him off. MVP used intelligence as he grabbed Batista's arm and yanked it down across the top rope. MVP got back into the ring to work on Batista's hurt shoulder. At one point, MVP was able to toss Batista shoulder first into the corner ringpost.

MVP continued to wear down the Animal in the ring, using submission holds on the shoulder and arm. MVP had Batista down for several pinfall attempts, but couldn't get the 3 count. With Batista layed out near the corner and starting to get to his feet, MVP went to the other corner and got ready to do a running kick. MVP ran towards Batista, but the Animal was ready and speared him down. Both men got to their feet and Batista took control. MVP went outside the ring again, but Batista followed and smacked him into the ringpost. Back in the ring, Batista tossed MVP into 2 of the ring corners shoulder first. MVP fought back and went for a kick, but Batista grabbed his leg and did a Spinebuster. Batista set up the Batista Bomb and was able to slam MVP down in the center of the ring for the win.

Winner: Batista wins via pinfall over MVP.

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Footage was shown of Jimmy Kimmel's Late Night show on ABC, where Roddy Piper was with Cousin Sal to celebrate his birthday at Hooters. Santino Marella interrupted the party and Sal ended up smashing the birthday cake in his face then beating him up on the floor. Santino held a mock "Piper's Pit" on Raw this past week and had Sal down to the ring as his guest. Santino threatened to shove a birthday cake in Sal's face if he didn't apologize. Rowdy Roddy Piper snuck into the ring behind Santino and then helped Sal shove the cake in Santino's face. Now a match has been arranged between Cousin Sal and Santino Marella.

Nunzio vs. Vladimir Kozlov

Nunzio tried to get behind Kozlov and grab him around the waist, but Kozlov used his strength to toss Nunzio down to the mat. Kozlov kept Nunzio down in an arm lock on the mat, then shoved his knee into Nunzio's chest. Nunzio tried to fight back, but Kozlov threw him across the ring. Kozlov followed up by kicking Nunzio into the corner. Nunzio began to fight back again and came off the ropes. Kozlov responded by dropping a shoulder into Nunzio. Kozlov layed Nunzio up on the corner, then kicked him in the stomach. After catching Nunzio from the air, Kozlov hit his reverse suplex style finisher for the methodical win.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins via pinfall over Nunzio.

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Michael Cole announced that "Hell Yeah" by Rev Theory is the official theme song for One Night Stand.

Matt Hardy & Kofi Kingston vs. Elijah Burke & Shelton Benjamin

Prior to the match, footage was shown of Shelton Benjamin ending Kofi's win streak on ECW last week. Kofi gained the upperhand over Elijah to start things off. Kofi grabbed Elijah in a headlock and backed up to tag in Matt Hardy. Elijah was able to get Matt into the other corner of the ring, but Matt fought out and took control. Matt used a suplex on Elijah then climbed to the corner to land an elbow drop. Matt punched Shelton off the side apron then went for a Side Effect. Elijah countered and fought out of it, then knocked Hardy down. In tagged Shelton Benjamin.

Shelton and Elijah started working together to beat up Matt and isolate him. Burke choked Matt against the bottom rope and jumped on him, before tagging Shelton in again. Shelton continued to punish Hardy in the ring. Matt was finally able to duck Shelton's move in the corner and hit the Side Effect. Matt made a tag to Kof and the young star started flying around the ring. Kofi used his high energy and hit the double leg drop on Shelton. After a high Cross Body, Kofi tried for a pin. Elijah came in and kicked Kofi to break the pin up. Matt came into the ring and tossed Elijah out. Shelton had just got to his feet and hit down Matt. Taking advantage of the situation Kofi delivered a surprise spin kick to knock Shelton down for a pinfall.

Winners: Matt Hardy & Kofi Kingston win via pinfall over Shelton Benjamin and Elijah Burke.

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The Raw Rebound covered the rise and fall of King William Regal. Regal declared himself the most powerful entity in all of WWE and was having matches stopped as well as fans tossed from arenas. Kennedy interrupted Regal's speech in the ring on Raw. An angry Regal said he would fire the next person to interrupt him. To Regal's surprise, Vince McMahon came down to the ring. Vince told Regal he's been the reason for recent WWE fans' complaints and bad ratings on Raw. Vince set up a "You're Fired" match between Regal and Kennedy for Raw. Kennedy was able to win the match with a Mic Check, after ducking Regal's attempt to punch him with Brass Knuckles. Regal was officially fired from WWE Raw after losing the match.

Michael Cole said prior to Regal being fired he made several decisions for matches at One Night Stand. Cole and Foley covered the card so far including Triple H vs. Orton in the Last Man Standing Match, Cena vs. JBL in a 1st Blood Match, and 5 ECW stars in a Singapore Cane match. Just announced tonight was the Edge vs. Undertaker TLC match for the World Heavyweight title. Should Undertaker lose, he is banned from WWE.

Chavo Guerrero shown walking backstage with La Familia. Chavo stopped to make sure they were with him and Edge patted him on the back to reassure him.

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Chavo Guerrero vs. The Undertaker

Undertaker arrived to the ring first. Chavo came down next with La Familia escorting him to the ring. Edge, Ryder, Hawkins and Bam Neely stood ringside to provide support for Chavo. Chavo went to punch Chavo to start things but Chavo got him into the corner for his own punches. Taker grabbed Chavo and threw him into the corner then began to beat him up. Taker whipped Chavo to the ropes then knocked him down to the mat. Next up, the Phenom went Old School off the ropes to hammer Chavo down. Taker caught Chavo in a chokehold but was near the ropes. Chavo grabbed the rope to break it up.

With Chavo against the ropes, Taker ran towards him to deliver a boot. Chavo moved away and Taker landed on the top rope, hurting his groin. As the ref became distracted by Chavo, Edge, Ryder & Hawkins yanked Taker outside the ring to start the beatdown. The ref saw what was going on and then instructed Edge, Ryder & Hawkins to go backstage. Despite protests, Edge, Ryder, & Hawkins all exited up the ramp, leaving Chavo to face Undertaker. Bam Neely remained at ringside.

Chavo seemed in control as he started to punch away at Taker. Taker responded by getting back up and fighting back. Chavo got Undertaker in the corner again, but Undertaker shoved him away. Chavo took control again and tossed Undertaker to the outside. With Taker out of the ring Chavo jumped at him, but Taker caught him in the air then smashed him against the ringpost. As the two got back in the ring, Undertaker eventually took control again. Taker flipped Chavo up for a bodydrop, then whipped him to the corner for a clothesline.

Taker delivered a solid boot to Chavo, then tried for a quick pin. After Chavo kicked out, Taker waited for him to stand and tried for a Chokeslam. Chavo escaped thanks to Bam Neely getting on the apron to distract the ref. Bam tried to interfered again, but Taker knocked him down. As the ref checked on Bam, Chavo hit Taker with a low blow, but it wasn't enough. Chavo jumped off the top ropes to try to splash Taker, the Undertaker caught him in the air and hit the Tombstone to collect the pin.

Winner: The Undertaker wins via pinfall over Chavo Guerrero.

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