Smackdown Recap 08.15.08

Smackdown Recap from Norfolk, VA:

Smackdown opened with highlights of last week's events where members of La Familia were being attacked mysteriously backstage. A black rose was found on each of them, making Vickie Guerrero and Chavo think it was the Undertaker. Later on, Edge came to Vickie's office and told her and Chavo to work with him. The three went to the ring and Edge tried to call out Undertaker as he held 2 steel chairs. Chavo went to pick up a chair Edge put down on the mat for him, but Edge smashed Chavo across the back. As Smackdown ended, Edge had dumped Vickie out of her wheelchair and vowed to take her to Hell with him.

Jim Ross and Tazz opened the show hyping Summerslam for this weekend, right before the United States Championship match started.

Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin
United States Championship

Shelton had control over Jeff as he used a backbreaker and then a Samoan Drop to take Jeff to the mat. After a failed pinfall, Shelton continuously pummeled Hardy. Hardy got to his feet with Shelton still punching away. A spinning kick knocked Jeff to the mat for another near fall. Shelton was able to counter a Twist of Fate attempted by Hardy and brought Jeff down across his knee. A mid air collision off the ropes left both men down on the mat. The match spilled out of the ring and back in again, with Jeff gaining momentum. Jeff was all set to go off the corner turnbuckle for a Swanton, but out of nowhere MVP appeared and shoved Jeff off the corner. The ref called for the bell for the DQ in Jeff's favor.

After the bell MVP tried a running kick but Jeff moved out of the way, making MVP kick Shelton instead. Jeff landed a Twist of Fate on MVP, then hit the Swanton on MVP, followed by a Swanton on Shelton.

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins due to disqualification over Shelton Benjamin.

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Vickie Guerrero was shown in her office backstage looking upset. Victoria came in and Vickie asked her to talk. After Victoria tried to make some small talk, Vickie told her that both Undertaker and Edge are here. Vickie asked Victoria to stay with her in the office so she'd be safe.

Maria & Michelle McCool vs. Maryse & Natalya

After being doubleteamed for a bit, Maria was able to crawl away and escape Natalya to make a tag. Michelle leaped over the top rope to land a kick into Natalya then continued to knock her down around the ring with clotheslines, kicks and neckbreakers. Michelle hit a face first suplex to drive Natalya to the mat, then was about to pin. Maryse pulled Natalya to the outside and Michelle went out to fight off Maryse. With Natala in the corner, Michelle climbed the ropes to attack. Maryse came over on the side apron to distract, but Michelle got off the corner and knocked her down. Natalya capitalized on the distraction and grabbed Michelle's legs then used a cradle pin to get a quick win.

Winners: Natalya & Maryse win via pinfall over Maria & Michelle McCool.

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Scotty Goldman vs. Brian Kendrick

Prior to the match, Kendrick took the mic to brag about his wrestling abilities and how he brings the most to the WWE of anyone. Kendrick told the fans he wrestles for himself not the fans, and he's the future. Scotty Goldman made his Smackdown debut against Kendrick.

Goldman had a near pinfall on Kendrick, then went after him in the corner. Goldman hoisted Kendrick up for a Power bomb, but Kendrick slid off and got down on the mat, then shoved Goldman face first into the corner ropes. Kendrick followed up with his finisher, a DDT style move using the ropes to run off and slam Goldman to the mat.

After the match, Ezekiel stood Goldman up. Kendrick held onto Goldman as Ezekiel ran off the ropes to deliver a shoulder block and knock Goldman hard to the mat.

Winner: Brian Kendrick wins via pinfall over Scotty Goldman.

Backstage, Eve Torres interviewed Triple H about the Great Khali and their upcoming Summerslam match. Highlights were shown from last week where Khali attacked HHH during their arm wrestling contest. HHH said last week Khali made his a statement, but at Summerslam he'll make the statement. All of a sudden, Kenny Dykstra showed up to interrupt. Dykstra told HHH tonight's fight is a major opportunity and he plans to take full advantage of it. HHH said he admires his spirit but he picked the wrong day and guy.

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Great Khali and his translator Singh came to the ring. Khali began to yell out at the crowd, then Singh translated. Singh said everyone witnessed Khali's power last week when he crushed Triple H's skull. Singh said Khali doesn't care about HHH's past accomplishments and he's focused on winning the WWE title, with HHH as just another obstacle. Singh warned Triple H he should get out while he still has his pride, health and WWE title. Triple H's theme music came on and the Game came down to the ring. Khali watched from near the commentator's table along with Singh who went on commentary.

Kenny Dykstra vs. Triple H

Dykstra started out with a momentous attack on HHH, pounding him around the ring from corner to corner. HHH finally came back out of the corner for a huge clothesline, then slammed Dykstra's face to his knee. Dykstra was able to kick HHH as he came off the ropes, but HHH soon followed with a Spinebuster. Giving a look out at Khali, HHH locked in the Pedigree on Dykstra and delivered a pinfall victory.

After the match, Singh started to rant on the mic asking HHH if he remembers what happened last week to him. HHH grabbed Singh around the neck and tossed him in the ring. Still looking out at Khali, HHH prepared to destroy his handler. Khali got up on the apron, then went to step in the ring. HHH immediately ran over to attack. The two fought for a bit with HHH ducking Khali attempted chops. HHH tried for a Pedigree but couldn't get it. HHH came off the ropes to knock Khali against the ropes, then clotheslined him out of the ring.

Winner: Triple H wins via pinfall over Great Khali.

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Ryan Braddock vs. Big Show

Another wrestler debuted on Smackdown as Braddock drew the unfortunate first match against Big Show. Show completely beat up Braddock, knocking him out of the ring, and then into the corner. Show used vicious chops to Braddock's chest, then tossed Braddock to the mat. As Braddock stood up, Show delivered a huge right-handed punch to knock out the newcomer. Show took the quick pinfall to win it.

Winner: Big Show wins via pinfall over Ryan Braddock.

Backstage an angry MVP yanked the mic out of Eve Torres' hands and cut a promo to Jeff Hardy. MVP said Hardy may have thought he felt bad when he was suspended at Wrestlemania, or when his home burned down or his dog died. MVP said once he's through with him, he won't feel shame, sorrow or misery, he won't feel a damn thing. MVP ended with the trademark "I am better than you." then slammed the mic down.

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Backstage Vickie told Victoria there's a small part of her which still loves Edge despite him cheating. Vickie said after what happened last week she never wants to see Edge again. Vickie became frightened and upset saying she needs to leave. Victoria helped Vickie out by pushing her wheelchair out of the office to take her to her limo.

A promo was shown for R-Truth discussing his time locked up in a cell. Truth said he chose to turn his life around and become strong inside and out. The promo ended with "Today I'm strong, tomorrow I'll be stronger, and that's the truth".

Victoria continued to push Vickie to her limo in the parking garage. Vickie yelled for the driver to open her door, but nobody came to help. Victoria helped Vickie get into the back, but the window rolled down and Edge was sitting in the backseat. Victoria took off as Vickie fell to the pavement. Edge told her they would have fun tonight and he was going to take her on a ride to hell. Edge began to whirl Vickie's chair around, then started to push her forward to scare her.

Festus vs. Vladimir Kozlov

As soon as the bell rang Kozlov went wild throwing punch after punch into Kozlov, driving him to the corner. A huge uppercut finally knocked Kozlov to the mat, and he rolled out of the ring. Festus went out to continue attacking. Kozlov was able to elude a punch and then tossed Festus into the steel steps.

Kozlov brought Festus back in the ring for more of an attack. Kozlov used a bear hug, but Festus started to fight out. A belly to bell suplex gave Kozlov another pin attempt. Festus finally escaped Kozlov' bear hug and then started delivering punches. Festus picked up Kozlov and threw him back over his shoulders to the mat. Festus did his seated splash type move onto Kozlov, but Kozlov just barely kicked out of the pin. Festus continued with the brutal attack and delivered a huge boot to Kozlov in the corner. As Festus came off the ropes and flew at Kozlov with his shoulder, Kozlov lowered his head and headbutted Festus down for the pin.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins via pinfall over Festus.

Jim Ross and Tazz ran down the lineup for Summerslam including Triple H vs. Khali, Jeff Hardy vs. MVP and Edge vs. Undertaker in Hell in a Cell.

Backstage, Edge was shown pushing Vickie around in her wheelchair crashing into various objects to scare her. Vickie screamed hysterically as Edge continued pushing her around. Vickie begged for Edge to stop, and he told her the ride doesn't stop until he takes her to the ring.

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Smackdown returned with highlights of how Shawn Michaels' career may be in jeopardy. Michaels is scheduled to make a major announcement at Summerslam regarding his future status with WWE.

Edge maniacally wheeled a completely terrorized Vickie Guerrero down the ramp, then dumped her out of the wheelchair. Edge grabbed a mic then layed down next to a crying Vickie. Edge told her they're going through a rough patch just like all marriages do. Edge said there's been sins committed but it hasn't all been bad. Edge said he wants all the fans to see the good times, then a highlight video showed on the Titantron of "memory lane". The video included Edge making his public apology for cheating. Vickie revealed she reinstated Undertaker and he'll be Edge's opponent at Summerslam. Also included was Edge's attack on Mick Foley and Edge attacking Chavo and Vickie in the ring last week.

Edge continued to yell at Vickie after the video, demanding she tell the Undertaker she's sorry for all she did to him. Edge told Vickie she's pathetic for causing all the pain and suffering she did. Edge said it feels like he's burning in hell now, but promises that Undertaker will burn in hell with him. Edge said they shouldn't wait for Summerslam and should just have the match now. With Edge straddling a horrified Vickie, he finished by saying Hell in a Cell will be just like he and Vickie's wedding vows: "Edge and Undertaker, til Death do us part".

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