Smackdown Recap 03.20.09

Smackdown recap from Corpus Christi, TX:

Triple H came out to kick off Smackdown's 500th episode. The Game talked about Randy Orton. Triple H went on to call Orton a disease and said that he (HHH) is the cure for that disease. Kozlov came down to face HHH in the opening bout.

Triple H vs. Vladimir Kozlov

In a tune up match for Triple H, he was able to work on Vladimir Kozlov's leg by applying a Figure Four leg lock down on the mat. After some retaliation by Kozlov to take down The Game, Triple H hit the Pedigree to win by pinfall.

Winner: Triple H wins by pinfall over Vladimir Kozlov.

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MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin
United States Championship

The two future Money in the Bank competitors squared off with Benjamin putting his US title on the line. Both competitors traded momentum in the match, with MVP finally able to win it over Benjamin with the Playmaker to become the new United States Champion.

Winner: MVP wins by pinfall over Shelton Benjamin to become the new United States Champion.

Shawn Michaels vs. Kane

Shawn Michaels faced off against his Wrestlemania 25 opponent's brother, Kane. Early on it was all Kane as he beat up HBK around the ring. Michaels finally started to make the comeback and hit an elbow drop on Kane off the corner. The Showstopper was finally able to defeat the Big Red Monster Kane by eventually hitting Sweet Chin Music and taking the pinfall.

Winner: Shawn Michaels wins by pinfall over Kane.

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Jeff Hardy vs. The Brian Kendrick
Extreme Rules Match

Jeff Hardy took on The Brian Kendrick in an Extreme Rules match. Early on, Jeff found himself battling Kendrick's bodyguard Ezekiel Jackson as well, dropkicking him out of the ring, leaping on him from over the ropes and eventually hitting Jackson with a steel chair shot. Kendrick had some bits of offense but Jeff won it en route to his huge Wrestlemania contest against brother Matt. Jeff finally won the match over Kendrick by finishing him with the Swanton Bomb.

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall over The Brian Kendrick.

WWE announced the latest inductees for the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame Class, the Von Erichs who will join Steve Austin, Koko B Ware, Cowboy Bill Watts, the Funk Brothers, and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat in the WWE Hall of Fame this year.

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Undertaker vs. JBL

In the main event match, The Undertaker defeated JBL in a non-title match. Undertaker won it after applying his Hell's Gates submission move forcing JBL to submit.

Winner: The Undertaker wins by submission over JBL.

Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero made an announcement in the ring regarding the World Heavyweight title match at Wrestlemania 25. Vickie announced the winner of the Triple Threat match at WrestleMania will be the Champion of her heart. John Cena came out to interrupt, turning Big Show and Edge against each other after they seemed to be in a truce of some sort. Edge accidentally speared Vickie down which led to Big Show chokeslamming Edge. The Big Show left with Vickie Guerrero as Smackdown went off the air.