Smackdown Recap 05.30.08

Smackdown Recap from Colorado Springs, CO:

Smackdown opened with Edge greeting the audience from backstage. Edge said tonight you will see highlights from Undertaker's career as long as the Phenom's first ever appearance on "The Cutting Edge". Edge also told fans this is the last time they will see Undertaker on Smackdown or WWE.

As Smackdown started, the Animal Batista made his way down to the ring in street clothes. Batista spoke about his match with Shawn Michaels at One Night Stand. Batista said he's a man of his word and this Sunday he plans to hurt Shawn Michaels. Batista said this has gone way beyond personal. Batista added that after the TLC match between Edge and Undertaker his next plan is..Vickie Guerrero was soon on the ramp with Ryder & Hawkins to interrupt.

Vickie told Batista it's great he's looking ahead, but asked how Batista knows he'll be there. Vickie told Batista the upcoming draft could send him to a new WWE show. Vickie said if Batista loses to HBK Sunday it will make all of Smackdown look bad. Vickie kept talking until Batista interrupted, telling her the feud has nothing to do with Vickie. Batista told Vickie to go backstage and worry about Edge being drafted or beaten by Undertaker. Hawkins took the mic and reminded Batista to show respect to the Smackdown GM. Hawkins told Batista to shut up, and Batista challenged them to come down and shut him up. Ryder & Hawkins started down the ramp, but Vickie stopped them saying she arranges matches. Vickie set up Ryder & Hawkins vs. Batista & anyone who will volunteer to be his tag partner.

The Survivor Series from 1990 was shown, where Undertaker debuted. In the traditional Survivor Series match, Taker partnered up with Ted Dibiase and Bret Hart to decimate his other opponents.

Matt Hardy shown backstage on his way to the ring for a match.

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Elijah Burke vs. Matt Hardy

In a non-title contest it was ECW vs. Smackdown here.

After landing an elbow off the ropes onto the back of Elijah's head, Hardy went for the Side Effect. Burke countered but Matt was able to recover and hit the Side Effect. Matt went for the Bulldog from the corner, but Burke blocked it. Matt was able to kick Burke in the gut, then hit Twist of Fate to pick up the pinfall win!

Winner: Matt Hardy wins via pinfall over Elijah Burke.

Eve Torres interviewed MVP backstage. As MVP came up to the mic he told Eve nobody cares about Matt Hardy, so it's time to talk about Matt Hardy. Jamie Noble came up to interrupt the interview, sending Eve away. Jamie told MVP he's blaming everyone but himself for losing. MVP became irritated with Noble's comments, and called him "barely half a man". MVP told Noble to get lost, but Noble got in his face. Noble asked MVP for a match tonight, and MVP said it's on. Noble said he'd go set it up with Vickie Guerrero. MVP shook his head as he walked off, in disbelief he was going to fight Noble.

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WWE Slam of the Week showed highlights from last week's Finlay vs. Chuck Palumbo match. Hornswoggle came out from under the ring to get involved. Palumbo grabbed Hornswoggle and tossed him in the ring, but Hornswoggle spit a green spew all into Chuck's face, blinding him. As the ref was distracted getting Hornswoggle out of the ring, Finlay hit Palumbo over the head with a shilaleigh. Finlay won via pinfall and Chuck recovered near the crowd barrier.

Finlay vs. Chuck Palumbo

Hornswoggle accompanied his father Finlay to the ring for the Smackdown rematch.

In the match, Chuck dominated early, until Finlay was able to avoid him in the corner. Chuck hit the ringpost shoulder first, and from here Finlay started to dominate. Outside the ring Finlay was able to trip Palumbo causing him to hit into the steel steps shoulder first. Palumbo was able to deliver a huge boot to Finlay's face from the ropes. Chuck continued to take over again but missed on a legdrop from the corner. Finlay clotheslined Chuck over the top rope then used the ropes to dropkick Chuck down.

Chuck retaliated outside the ring, kicking Finlay down. Chuck tried to pull Hornswoggle from out under the ring, but luckily the leprechaun escaped. Chuck snapped and grabbed a chain from his motorcycle then delivered a punch to Finlay with it. The ref immediately called for the bell for a DQ. Chuck put his chain around his neck then rode his chopper back up the ramp.

Winner: Finlay wins due to disqualification of Chuck Palumbo.

Backstage, Vickie was preparing Ryder and Hawkins for tonight's match against Batista and his mystery partner. Jamie Noble came rushing in to interrupt and asked Vickie to agree to his match against MVP. Vickie approved of it then yelled for Noble to get out.

Highlights shown from Undertaker at King of the Ring 1998 against Mankind in a Hell in a Cell match. Taker chokeslammed Mankind off the top of the cage down through the commentator's table. Taker also smashed Mankind down through the top of the cage and eventually pinned him for the win.

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vs. John Morrison

Michael Cole promoted the "Dirt Sheet" by Miz and Morrison, which debuts a new show each week on WWE.com.

Mankind proposed the question before the match wondering what's going through Punk's head about the MITB opportunity. As the bell rang, Morrison was telling Miz to go backstage so he could handle Punk alone. Punk took advantage and tried to roll up Morrison for a quick pin.

Punk took control early kicking Morrison down and blocking his moves. Morrison was able to recover and eventually dropped Punk down so his chin hit Morrison's head. Morrison worked on Punk down on the mat, but Punk was able to stand up and tried for the GTS. Morrison escaped, but Punk continued with momentum. Punk was able to deliver a knee to Morrison in the corner, followed by the bulldog, but couldn't get the 3 count.

Punk continued his domination, until Morrison delivered a quick spinning kick to the back of Punk's head. Morrison went for a suplex, but Punk escaped and then reversed it to hoist Morrison on his shoulders. Punk used the Go To Sleep to finish off Morrison for a pinfall.

Winner: CM Punk wins via pinfall over John Morrison.

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Ryder & Hawkins vs. Batista & Mystery Partner

A match set up at the start of Smackdown, had GM Vickie Guerrero order Batista to tag against Ryder & Hawkins of La Familia. Before the match, Vickie was at the top of the ramp and asked Batista where his partner was. Batista told Vickie he doesn't need one, but still has one. Big Show's music hit and Vickie looked shocked. Show grabbed Vickie's wheelchair and sent her backstage, before heading to the ring.

Batista dominated Hawkins early, eventually picking him up then ramming him to the corner. Batista slapped Hawkins on the chest then Show tagged in. Show gave the "Shh" signal then slapped Hawkins across the chest. Hawkins ran over to tag Ryder in, but Ryder tried to leave the ring. Show grabbed him by the hair and brought him back into the match. Ryder and Hawkins eventually baited Batista to chase one of the out of the ring, while the other blindsided the Animal from behind. The tag team tried to doubleteam Batista, but it was to no avail as Batista used his brute force. Batista delivered a Spinebuster and took control. Both Ryder and Hawkins ended up getting finished off with the Animal's Batista Bomb and a Big Show chokeslam.

Winners: Big Show & Batista win via pinfall over Ryder & Hawkins.

Highlights shown from Royal Rumble 2007, which came down to Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker. The two superstars fought it out, with HBK going for Sweet Chin Music. Undertaker ducked it near the ropes then dumped HBK over the top rope to win it.

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WWE Rewind showed highlights from last week's mixed gender tag match involving Jesse, Festus and Cherry vs. Deuce, Domino and Maryse. As all wrestlerw were in the ring, Festus, Jesse, Deuce and Domino all went to the outside to battle. Maryse delivered a solid knee to Cherry's face knocking her out for the pin.

Backstage a WWE medical staff was telling Cherry she was going to be alright. Cherry held the side of her face where she'd been kicked. Maryse showed up and told the medical staff she thinks she hurt her knee last week when she was kicking Cherry's face. Maryse left smiling as Cherry shook her head angrily.

Michael Cole and Mick Foley ran down this Sunday's card for One Night Stand. Matches include the World Heavyweight TLC match between Edge & Undertaker, the I Quit match between Melina and Beth Phoenix, and the Last Man Standing match between HHH & Orton for the WWE title.

MVP shown walking backstage on his way out for the match against Jamie Noble.

Jamie Noble vs. MVP

MVP took control early after forcing Noble to the corner, then hammering away at him. Noble was able to regroup and trip MVP down in the ring. Noble took the smart approach, working on a leg injury of MVP. MVP finally caught Noble in the gut, then sent him to the ropes so he could slam him down. MVP started to take out frustrations on Noble as he rammed his knee repeatedly into Noble's stomach. MVP eventually got Noble into a submission type stretch in the center of the ring. Noble screamed in anguish but didn't give up. MVP put Noble up on his shoulders then dropped him to the mat.

MVP went for the measured kick off the ropes as Noble was down. Noble got up and caught MVP in the midsection, knocking him down. Noble started to take control, although he was still visibly hurt. Noble ran at MVP in the corner and flipped onto him. Noble went to the ropes next and hit MVP down with both knees. Noble couldn't capture the 3 count afterwards.

As Noble tried to get MVP up, MVP was able to suplex him against the ropes. Noble fell to the mat and tried to get to his feet, but MVP ran from the corner then delivered a kick to knock Noble down. MVP scored the 3 count and picked up the win over Noble.

Winner: MVP wins via pinfall over Jamie Noble.

Highlights of Wrestlemania 23 from 2007 were shown. It was Undertaker challenging Batista for the World Heavyweight title. Batista used the Batista Bomb but Taker kicked out. After delivering a winning Tombstone Piledriver, Undertaker was 15-0 at Wrestlemania and the new World Heavyweight champion.

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Michael Cole noted that next week Cousin Sal from the Jimmy Kimmel Show will fight against Santino Marella on Smackdown.

Shannon Moore vs. Vladimir Kozlov

As the match began, Moore tried to kick at Kozlov. Kozlov sent him to the corner where Moore tried to jump off at him. Kozlov swatted Moore down from the corner, then put him up on his shoulders. Kozlov tossed Moore onto the corner ropes then kicked him in the gut. Moore recovered and tried to battle back from the corner. As Moore went to the top ropes, Kozlov grabbed him off then used his head to ram into Moore. After a toss across the ring, Kozlov kicked Moore hard to the corner and began to punch him. After the beatdown, Kozlov picked up Moore and used his reverse DDT style move for the win.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins via pinfall over Shannon Moore.

Michael Cole and Mick Foley revisited Raw where Mr. McMahon vowed he will give away $1 million dollars each week on Raw.

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Maryse vs. Michelle McCool

Deuce and Domino accompanied Maryse to the ring for the match. Michelle tried for a pin after dominating Maryse early. Maryse was able to make a comeback. Deuce and Domino distracted Michelle from outside the ring, allowing Maryse to clip her leg. Maryse had a half Boston Crab locked in on Michelle, but just then Cherry's theme music came on. The diva came to the top of the ramp, and D&D began to walk up towards her. Meanwhile in the ring, Michelle was able to reverse Maryse's submission hold into a submission of her own. Maryse soon tapped out to give Michelle the win.

Winner: Michelle McCool wins via submission over Maryse.

Highlights were shown from the 2007 Smackdown where Edge showed up to cash in his Money in the Bank title shot. Edge chose to do so against an already beaten up Undertaker. After 2 Spears, Edge took the pinfall and the World Heavyweight title from Taker.

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Cutting Edge w/guest the Undertaker

In the ring, the World Heavyweight belt was hanging above a ladder to display this Sunday's upcoming TLC match. Edge remarked about coming to Smackdown a year ago, saying he's had a dark cloud hanging around him ever since, The Undertaker. Edge said for over a year they've battled for the title, but this Sunday it all comes to an end. Edge discussed the match rules, where the winner must climb the ladder to retrieve the title. Edge added that if Undertaker loses, he is banished from the WWE. Edge said it means Taker is banished from the entire WWE. Edge told the audience he's so confident due to experience. Edge then presented a video package which highlighted him and Taker's experiences in TLC matches.

Edge asked them to roll footage of Undertaker's TLC matches, but nothing showed on the Titantron. Edge joked about it and said Taker's never been in a TLC match. Edge then rolled his own footage after saying he has defined the TLC match. Highlights were shown of Edge in various TLC matches against opponents like Matt Hardy, John Cena and others. The video was done with a movie theme and took the stance that Edge will be victorious and Taker will see his career come to an end Sunday.

Edge then introduced his opponent, The Undertaker. Taker's music and effects came on and Undertaker made his way down to the ring. Undertaker got into the ring and eyed Edge who kept his distance hiding behind the ladder. Edge said he decided to bring something to the ring to make Undertaker feel more at home. Ryder, Hawkins, Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely brought a casket down the ramp, as Taker prepared to fight. Taker went at Edge quick, but Edge quickly escaped the ring. Taker left the ring to go at La Familia, who soon gained the upperhand near the crowd barrier.

Taker began to fight off La Familia, but they kept coming at him near the ring. Taker knocked most of them down then went to chokeslam Chavo on the casket. Edge attacked from behind hitting Taker with the chair. La Familia stood around and helped Edge attack Taker on the ground, then tossed him into the ring. Edge delivered a massive chair shot to an already facedown Undertaker. As La Familia rolled the casket to the side of the ring, Edge rolled Taker into it. La Familia sut the lid and held it down with Taker in it. Edge yelled on the mic that this Sunday, Undertaker's career is dead.

Edge then began to climb the ladder to the title to symbolize what he will do on Sunday. All of a sudden, the lights went out and Taker's bells tolled. As the lights returned, Taker was up on the ladder right across from Edge. Taker slammed Edge face first into the ladder then pushed him off causing him to fall down onto La Familia in the ring. Taker continued attacking them all, eventually driving Edge out of the ring. Taker smashed Ryder through a table in the ring and then stared menacingly at Edge up on the ramp. Smackdown ended with Taker in the ring and his music playing.