Smackdown Recap 07.11.08

Smackdown recap from Baton Rouge, LA:

Smackdown opened with highlights of the meltdown that occurred last week between Edge and Vickie Guerrero. Edge became furious with Vickie who said she hadn't given him permission to go to Raw where he lost the title to CM Punk. Edge exploded later on after he and Vickie argued yet again, and Vickie locked Edge out of her office. In the ring, Edge spoke about how the person who should be by his side isn't. Edge was just about to expose secrets about Vickie until she came out to the top of the ramp. Edge ended the show by going up to Vickie and telling her their wedding is officially off.

Edge came down to the ring to start off Smackdown, addressing how he thought over his actions from last week. Edge said he stands by his statement and the wedding will still be off. Edge added in that Vickie isn't good enough for him and that now he will prove all his critics wrong by winning the WWE title at the Great American Bash, alone.

Ryder & Hawkins wheeled Vickie Guerrero out to the ramp to interrupt Edge. Vickie Guerrero told Edge she is the real General Manager of Smackdown so she arranged a match for him tonight. Vickie announced a No Disqualification match for Edge against Big Show to help him prepare for Great American Bash. Vickie smirked as she finisher her announcement. Edge began to yell back that he's not afraid of Big Show and by the end of tonight, Show will be a loser just like Vickie. Vickie ordered WWE staff to cut Edge's microphone so he couldn't yell anymore as Smackdown went to commercial.

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When Smackdown returned a promotional video package was shown of WWE Diva Maria Kanellis announcing that she is "Coming Soon" to Smackdown.

Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin

The United States Champ fought in a non-title bout against the "Gold Standard", both members of the ECW roster. At one point in the match, Matt went up on the corner and Shelton ran and jumped up at him. Matt was able to shove Shelton away and down to the mat. Matt attempted a Twist of Fate but Shelton shoved Matt to the ropes then hit a massive powerslam. Matt barely escaped a pinfall.

Matt had another attempt at Twist of Fate, but Shelton was able to grab the ropes to prevent it. Matt began to pound away on Shelton down by the ropes but the ref pulled Matt back to stop him. Out of nowhere, Shelton mustered the energy up to run towards Matt and grab him to slam him down with a finisher. Shelton collected the pinfall victory and put himself into the hunt for the US title.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin wins via pinfall over Matt Hardy.

Backstage, Ryder and Hawkins told Vickie they wouldn't get involved in her feud with Edge. Ryder & Hawkins asked for a revenge matchup against Jesse and Festus to prove they could beat them, then told Vickie she deserves someone better than Edge. The tag team told Vickie they'll be there for her if she needs them, and Vickie began to cry.

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Mr. Kennedy vs. Domino

MVP joined Jim Ross and Mick Foley to commentate on the match. Prior to the match, Kennedy spoke about how he's back to change Friday nights, and is more valuable than MVP.

Kennedy built up momentum against Domino after being worn down some. Kennedy went for a splash off the ropes, but Domino was able to catch him with both knees. Thinking he had Kennedy stunned, Domino went for him. Kennedy ducked the attempted move and grabbed Domino, hitting the Mic Check to win it.

Kennedy gloated about his win looking out at MVP who got up from the table. As Kennedy was distracted by MVP, Umaga got into the ring and delivered a serious kick to level Kennedy, followed by the Samoan Spike. MVP sat on the commentators' table and smiled at what just went down.

Winner: Mr. Kennedy wins via pinfall over Domino.

Backstage Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely were with Edge. Chavo said he couldn't blame Edge for what he did and can't believe Vickie put Edge in the match with Big Show. Chavo said he'll go straighten things out for Edge and will talk to Vickie. Chavo said that he and Edge are like brothers and will always be family. Edge thanked Chavo as he left to go talk to Vickie.

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Smackdown returned with Chavo trying to talk to Vickie in her office. Chavo said they will always be Guerreros and are true family. Chavo began trying to butter up Vickie, but Vickie wasn't having his routine. Vickie told Chavo to cut the crap and to prepare for a match later tonight against Triple H.

Finlay & Hornswoggle vs. The Miz & John Morrison

The WWE Tag champs faced the father-son team in a non-title bout. During the match, Miz & Morrison took advantage of Hornswoggle being in the ring. At one point, Miz and Morrison each stood on Hornswoggle and tried to keep him away from the tag. Eventually, Hornswoggle was able to deliver a spinning kick to the back of Morrison's head. Horney jumped over for the tag to Finlay who came in to start clotheslining down Morrison.

Finlay was able to hit the Celtic Cross on Morrison to slam him down for a pinfall. While trying to pin Morrison, Finlay was hit by Miz as he came into the ring. Finlay rolled over towards his corner with Hornswogle who snuck him a shilaleigh. As Miz tagged in, the ref was still trying to get Morrison out of the ring. Finlay ran over and clocked Miz over the head with the shilaleigh. A tag was made to Hornswoggle who got on the corner turnbuckle and hit the Tadpole Splash for the win.

Winners: Finlay & Hornswoggle win via pinfall over Miz and Morrison.

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Smackdown returned to take a look at the behind the scenes of Jeff Hardy's WWE Magazine cover shoot. The theme involved Jeff doing a "Tom Cruise Mission Impossible" pictorial where he was suspended from a rope similar to a scene from the Mission Impossible film. The WWE belt was featured in the pictures as a symbol that Jeff is on a mission to achieve the title.

Chavo Guerrero vs. Triple H

Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero let her fury be known by scheduling Chavo to face the current WWE champion. In the match, Bam Neely tried to intimidate The Game prior to the match by standing face to face with him. Triple H didn't budge and didn't show any sign of fear during the match.

In the match, Chavo attempted to mount offense but had little success against Triple H. At one point, Triple H hit a huge Spinebuster as Chavo came off the ropes at him. Triple H got revved up for his finisher, but Bam Neely got onto the side apron to interfere. HHH ran over and punched Neely, knocking him off the apron. Chavo was back to his feet and went for a quick suplex attempt. Triple H blocked it, then reversed into the Pedigree. After driving Chavo to the mat, Triple H took the pin to win it.

Winner: Triple H wins via pinfall over Chavo Guerrero.

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Smackdown returned with Jim Ross and Mick Foley discussing the upcoming Divas Championship which will be decided at the Great American Bash. Michelle McCool will battle Natalya for the right to be called first ever WWE Divas Champion.

Cherry & Michelle McCool vs. Maryse & Natalya

During the divas tag team matchup, Cherry started to gain momentum against Natalya for a bit. Cherry ran off the ropes and tried to hit a flying bodypress, but Natalya caught her in the air. Natalya tossed Cherry down against the ropes, hurting Cherry's knee. Natalya started to exploit the hurt knee and was eventually able to throw a quick Sharpshooter onto Cherry. Cherry quickly tapped out and started holding her knee after the bell. Natalya slid out of the ring and Michelle went over to check on Cherry.

Natalya snuck back into the ring and attacked Michelle from behind, bringing her to the outside. Natalya hit a huge snap suplex to leave Michelle laying outside the ring. Natalya said she'd be the champ, then let out a laugh as she stood next to the WWE Divas Championship belt at ringside.

Winners: Natalya and Maryse win via submission over Cherry and Michelle McCool.

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Highlights were shown of last week's victory by Jesse and Festus over Ryder and Hawkins. After the bell rang, Festus went into his post-match stupor. An angry Edge charged down to the ring and attacked Festus while Ryder and Hawkins held Jesse back. Edge used a chair to smash down across Festus before leaving the ring.

Jesse & Festus vs. Ryder & Hawkins

Festus went wild in the ring during the match as he attacked Ryder. Festus was able to drop Ryder to the mat, but Ryder moved away on Festus' splash attempt. Ryder quickly went over and rolled under the bottom rope then had a time-out conference with his tag partner. The ref held Festus back from going after the tag team which eventually jumped out of the ring. The referee counted a full 10, counting out Ryder & Hawkins to give Jesse & Festus the victory.

Ryder & Hawkins seemed to have outsmarted Festus because the bell rang after they were counted out. The duo got into the ring and attacked Jesse, eventually tossing him out of the ring so they could go after Festus. Ryder & Hawkins tackled Festus down and began to beat him up with Jesse outside the ring. Jesse was able to crawl over and ring the bell himself to re-ignite Festus' rage. Festus turned into a monster yet again and fought back against Ryder/Hawkins. Jesse slid into the ring to help Festus beat up their opponents who soon retreated out of the ring.

Winners: Jesse & Festus win due to countout of Ryder & Hawkins.

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Stevie Richards vs. Vladimir Kozlov

Kozlov arrived to the ring with pulsating theme music for the first time in his WWE career. The undefeated superstar got into the ring and was all business yet again against veteran Stevie Richards.

In the match, Kozlov withstood Stevie Richards' attack and dropkick to fight back. Kozlov sent Richards to the ring corner where he used a foot in his throat to choke him. Kozlov continued to impress with a Fireman's Carry takeover and then squeezed a Bodyscissors hold around Richards' midsection. Kozlov continued to withstand Richards' punches and kicks, although a spinning kick to the back of Kozlov' head knocked him down. Richards went to jump at Kozlov in the corner, but Kozlov moved away then grabbed Richards. Kozlov delivered a battering ram type headbutt to the back of Richards' head then pinned him down on the mat.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins via pinfall over Stevie Richards.

Backstage, Chavo, Edge, Bam Neely, Ryder & Hawkins all began to argue about who had whose back. Edge finally told them all to shutup. Edge said he has a No DQ match coming up against Big Show. Everyone began shouting again, but Vickie Guerrero rolled into the locker room and interrupted. Vickie said if anyone interferes to help Edge they are fired and if Edge purposely leaves the match he's fired. Vickie told Edge to head out to the ring and take his beating like a man.

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Jim Ross and Mick Foley ran down the lineup for the Great American Bash PPV prior to the main event. Matches include Edge vs. Triple H for the WWE Title, and Batista taking on CM Punk for the World Heavyweight title.

Edge vs. Big Show
No DQ Match

Vickie Guerrero came to ringside to watch Edge fight in the main event. Big Show was able to bring Edge to the outside and manhandle him in front of the commentators' table. Edge was tossed into the security wall near the audience, then Big Show removed the top of the table. Show delivered a huge chest chop to Edge against the wall, then picked him up to try to slam him down on the table. Edge slid off Big Show then delivered a huge Spear to bring Show down. Both men were layed out as Smackdown headed to commercial.

When Smackdown returned, Edge became distracted trying to yell at Vickie Guerrero ringside. Show threw Edge into the steel steps, then used a huge chest chop to send Edge into the audience. Edge came back to jump off the wall and bring Show back down to the floor with a Bulldog. Edge tossed Show back in the ring and went at him, but Show shoved him to the corner. Edge was able to deliver a boot to Show then jumped on his back for a sleeper hold. Show seemed to be wearing down from the hold as he went down to one knee on the mat. Show fought back though, stood up and did a side slam on Edge to the mat.

With Vickie looking on, Show was able to grab Edge with the chokeslam hold. Show went for the Chokeslam, but Edge countered to hit a DDT. Edge couldn't get the pin so he went to the outside to grab two steel chairs. Show delivered a punch into the chair as Edge came at him. Show went for a Chokeslam yet again, but this time Edge hit him with a Low Blow. Edge grabbed a steel chair and smashed it across Show's back. Edge was about to go for a Con-Chairto, but Show grabbed him around the neck and slammed Edge to the mat. Show put a chair under Edge's head and prepared for a Con-Chairto of his own.

From ringside, Vickie Guerrero screamed for Show to stop, then yelled for them to "Stop the Fight". The bell rang as Vickie slid into the ring and put herself over Edge, hugging him. Edge slowly came to, groggily, not quite realizing what was going on. Vickie continued to coddle Edge as he sat up. Vickie mouthed to Edge that she loved him and continued to speak to him as Edge looked her in the eyes. Edge mouthed back "I Love You" to Vickie and the two embraced passionately before Smackdown ended.

Winner: No winner as Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero ordered the match to be stopped.

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