Smackdown Recap 08.22.08

Smackdown recap from Quasd Quad Cities, IL:

Smackdown opened with Summerslam highlights including Triple H vs. Great Khali for the WWE title, Jeff Hardy vs. MVP and Edge facing the returning Undertaker in Hell in a Cell. Taker was victorious in his return as flames erupted from the ring signifying Edge had been sent to Hell.

Vickie Guerrero was shown on the Titantron to start the show. Vickie blamed Edge for her behavior over the past few months, saying he corrupted her. Vickie claimed she is truly a benevolent person, but Edge changed who she was due to love. Vickie said she's now free to be her real self. Vickie said Edge made her life hell but now he's residing there. Vickie said she feels best about reinstating Undertaker and encouraged the fans to give him a standing ovation when he returns to Smackdown. Vickie also announced Smackdown will have its own Championship Scramble at Unforgiven, involving Triple H and 4 other competitors. Vickied added that by the end of tonight we'll have our other 4 competitors.

Jim Ross and Tazz discussed Vickie's opening remarks, as well as Undertaker returning to Smackdown tonight. WWE Diva Maria made her way to the ring to start the show.

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Jim Ross and Tazz announced tonight's Championship Scramble Qualifying matches, with Jeff Hardy facing Great Khali and MVP facing Festus for opportunities to be in the Unforgiven match.

Maria vs. Natalya

Maria showed a great improvement in her wrestling abilities using headscissors to flip Natalya to the mat, and also using a flip move with the ropes. Natalya made her comeback to begin to dominate, as she threw Maria against the ropes hurting her left leg. Natalya continued to put a lock on the knee/leg to keep Maria down. Maria eventually used her free leg to hit Natalya. Maria continued grasping her neck, but then landed a jawbreaker. Maria followed up by sending Natalya to the corner and did the Bronco Buster. Maria sent Natalya to the outside, but all of a sudden Maryse came down. Natalya hit Maria from behind knocking her down, then her and Maryse threw Maria back into the ring to attack. Michelle McCool charged down to the ring to chase off the hell divas, coming to Maria's aid.

Winners: Maria wins due to disqualification of Natalya.

Vickie Guerrero was backstage with Chavo and Bam Neely when they came up to Big Show. Big Show asked who he'd be facing for his qualifying match for the Championship Scramble. Vickie told Big Show with all that's been going on he's not a part of the match. Show looked disappointed but then said he understood and walked off downstrodden. Show made his way to ringside to join JR and Tazz for the upcoming match.

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10 Man Battle Royal
Championship Scramble Qualifying match

In the 10 man over the rope battle royal, Brian Kendrick, Ryder & Hawkins, Scotty Goldman, Jimmy Wang Yang, Super Crazy, Funaki, Mike Knox, Armando Estrada and Vladimir Kozlov competed.

Kozlov was eliminated first in a group effort, followed by Scotty Goldman. Big Show stood up to watch the match at ringside, then got into the ring. He eliminated Mike Kox first, then grabbed Ryder, Hawkins and Super Crazy and pushed them all over the top rope. Show tossed Kendrick across the ring then threw Armando over the top rope. Show slapped Funaki's chest causing him to fall over the top rope. Show followed by pressing Brian Kendrick overhead and threw him at his bodyguard Ezekiel. Ezekiel caught Kendrick on his shoulder, so his feet never touched the floor. Jimmy Wang Yang was next to go. Show's music came on and Big Show exited the ring after the carnage.

Ezekiel put Kendrick back under the bottom rope. After the refs conferred, Kenrdick's arm was raised, putting him into the Championship Scramble at Unforgiven. Kendrick danced around the ring victorious with Ezekiel standing by.

Winner: The Brian Kendrick wins the 10 man over the top rope battle royal to qualify for the Championship Scramble at Unforgiven.

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Smackdown returned to replay Kendrick's easy battle royal win. A promo video was introduced of R-Truth, a newcomer on his way to Smackdown.

Festus vs. MVP
Championship Scramble Qualifying Match

A post-match interview was shown of MVP after his win over Jeff Hardy at Summerslam. MVP claimed that since he beat Jeff Hardy he's now going for the WWE title next.

Festus came down to the ring along with tag partner Jesse. As the bell rang, Festus went wild, dominating MVP with headbutts. MVP was able to work on the left arm of Festus, which he hurt, by yanking it down across the top rope. MVP continued to work on the arm, with an armbar takedown. Festus tried to take control and whipped MVP to the corner, then charged at him. MVP moved away, and regained the advantage, using an arm hold again.

Festus fought out of the arm hold down on the mat and stood up to drop MVP back to the mat. Festus threw MVP to the corner for a charging shoulder, then flew at MVP off the ropes to take him down. Festus followed with a sitting Splash on MVP in the ring, then went for his finisher. MVP countered and dropped down to further hurt Festus' arm. MVP tried to come off the ropes, but Festus delivered a huge boot to his face. The two fought outside, with Festus clotheslining MVP down. Festus continued his attack as the ref's count went on. MVP seized the opportunity and quickly ran over to where Jesse was sitting, kicked him down, and rolled in the ring. As Festus went over to check on Jesse, MVP had got in the ring to beat the count.

Winner: MVP wins due to countout over Festus, to qualify for the Championship Scramble at Unforgiven.

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WWE 24/7 Classics on Demand showed a May episode of Smackdown involving a bikini contest between Stacey Keibler and Torrie Wilson. Tajiri, Torrie's boyfriend at the time, rushed to the ring to cover her up and took her away. Stacey declared herself winner, but Women's Champ, Trish Stratus, came down in a silk robe to enter the contest against Stacey. Trish revealed red lingerie under her robe, then ducked an attack by Stacey to fight her off.

Finlay vs. Shelton Benjamin
Championship Scramble Qualifying Match

The US Champ faced the fighting Irishman Finlay. Hornswoggle accompanied his father to the ring. Before the match Shelton took the mic and discussed Michael Phelps' Olympic Glory, saying he is still the Gold Standard.

During the match, both men spilled to the outside fighting it out. Both men stood up and stared each other down, then got back into the ring to avoid a countout. Finlay took Shelton down to the mat, grabbing his ankle in a hold, with Shelton trying to hit him to get out of it. Finlay continued to focus on Shelton's leg, keeping him grounded. Shelton crawled to the bottom rope to break the hold, then got into the corner. Finlay charged him but Shelton moved causing Finlay to hit the ringpost shoulder first.

Shelton began to attack relentlessly keeping Finlay down with kicks. Shelton began using a hold of his own to keep Finlay down to the mat. Finlay was able to get to the outside and turn the tables on Shelton, using the apron cover to hold Shelton and attack him. Back in the ring, Shelton and Finlay fought on the corner turnbuckle, with Finlay shoving Shelton off. Shelton got up fast and pushed him off the corner, causing him to hit the outside hard.

Smackdown returned from a break with Finlay down on the mat in a chinlock. Shelton and Finlay continued back and forth with near falls and attacks. As the match continued, Mike Knox came down the ramp and grabbed Hornswoggle. Finlay became distracted looking out to cause Knox to back off as Hornswoggle scrambled under the ring. Shelton took the opportunity to grab Finlay for a quick finisher, slamming him to the mat.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin wins via pinfall over Finlay to qualify for the Championship Scramble at Unforgiven.

After Shelton had left the ring with Finlay down on the mat, Mike Knox entered the ring and attacked the fallen superstar repeatedly despite the ref's warnings. Jim Ross noted that Knox wanted no part of Finlay when he was called out on ECW.

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Footage was revisited of Shawn Michaels and his wife at Summerslam. Michaels said due to his eye injury and countless other injuries, the doctor recommended he leave the WWE. Michaels said after consulting his family, he decided he would heed their advice. As Michaels was thanking his fans, all of a sudden Chris Jericho came out to interrupt him. Jericho demanded that Michaels admit the reason he's leaving WWE is because of what Chris Jericho did. HBK said he'd do so when Jericho admits he can never be Shawn Michaels. HBK went to leave the ring and Jericho went to punch him. Michaels ducked and Jericho knocked HBK's wife down accidentally.

Backstage Vickie Guerrero was talking with Chavo and Bam Neely in an office. Chavo said he was wondering why Undertaker hasn't shown up yet. Chavo said Undertaker's the kind of guy who may hold a grudge. Chavo suggested they give Undertaker an explanation of some sort, and Vickie said "an apology". Chavo agreed as the camera cut to the ring. Triple H made his way down to the ring in street clothes carrying his WWE title.

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WWE Rewind showed Summerslam footage of Greta Khali taking on Triple H for the WWE title. Khali had the Vice Grip on Triple H's skull, but The Game fought back and was eventually able to kick Khali in the midsection, then hit the Pedigree for the win.

Jeff Hardy vs. Great Khali
Championship Scramble Qualifying match

Triple H joined JR and Tazz at ringside for commentary in the qualifying matchup. Hardy used quickness early on to strike Khali and kick him, then slid out of the ring. Jeff got back in the ring to attack, but Khali was able to clothesline him down fast. Khali began to dominate, stomping on Jeff in the corner of the ring. In the center of the ring, Khali waited for Hardy to stand up then went for the Vice Grip. Jeff was able to fight out, then went to the corner for a jump. Khali walked over and slapped Jeff causing him to fall out of the ring.

As Jeff staggered to his feet outside the ring, Khali tried to grab his hair over the ropes. Jeff got on the apron then quickly yanked Khali down against the top rope. Back in the ring, Jeff had momentum as he hit the Twist of Fate. With Khali down on the mat, Jeff went to the corner ropes. Khali's manager Singh got up on the apron to distract Jeff. This allowed Khali to come over and yank Jeff down into a Vice Grip. Triple H got up and grabbed Singh down off the apron then punched him out. HHH grabbed a steel chair from ringside. Great Khali saw what was going on and went over to the ropes. WIth the ref attending to Jeff, Triple H smashed the steel chair onto Khali's head. Khali stumbled back. Jeff took the opportunity to run off the corner for a Whisper in the Wind, then with Khali down finally landed a Swanton for the victory!

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall over Great Khali to qualify for the Championship Scramble at Unforgiven.

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Triple H was in the ring with a mic and began discussing the upcoming Championship Scramble. HHH listed out his opponents one by one, MVP, Shelton Benjamin, The Brian Kendrick and Jeff Hardy. Triple H said his opponents don't even have to beat him to become champ, it's whoever catches a pinfall in the final minutes. Triple H reminded his opponents that he's "The Game" and King of Kings for a reason.

As Triple H continued to speak, Kenny Dykstra came down to the ring to interrupt. Dykstra asked why he's not even considered for the Championship Scramble, and said he's not being taken serious in WWE. As Dykstra went to finish his statement, HHH kicked him in the gut and hit a Pedigree. HHH left with "good to see ya Kenny", then exited up the ramp.

Vickie was shown talking with Chavo and Bam Neely backstage. Ryder and Hawkins rushed in and said "he's here". Vickie was writing on a notepad and said it's time to go out as a family and issue an apology. La Familia headed out to the ring.

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Vickie Guerrero, Chavo, Bam Neely, Ryder & Hawkins all were standing in the ring as Smackdown returned. Vickie read a prepared statement as her apology to Undertaker. Vickie said she's a great woman who admits to mistakes, stands on her own two feet, and is here to apologize to Undertaker tonight. Vickie closed her notebook, then asked the fans to join her in a standing ovation for Undertaker. Vickie introduced Taker and he made his chilling entrance including smoke and fire to the ring.

Undertaker got into the ring as the fans continued to applaud and cheer. With La Familia in a corner of the ring, Taker stared them all down as he removed his hat and coat. Vickie pleaded with Undertaker to please accept her apology. Undertaker continued to stare her down. Vickie got down on her knees to beg for an apology. Taker grabbed the mic from her hand and told her to look at him, saying he didn't come out for an apology, but came for her soul.

La Familia surrounded Undertaker to attack. Undertaker picked them off one by one, knocking them away. All 5 members of La Familia got back to their feet and began to attack Undertaker, knocking him down to the mat. Chavo went to the outside and got a steel chair as La Familia tried to hold Taker in the ring. As Chavo ran at him with the chair, Taker put a boot up to knock him down, then threw off La Familia. Taker punched each of them down, eventually delivering Chokeslams to Ryder and Hawkins. With the ring cleared, Undertaker stared menacingly up the ramp at a frightened Vickie, then gave her the cuthroat signal as Smackdown ended.

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