Smackdown Recap 05.22.09

Smackdown Recap from Cincinatti, OH:

World Heavyweight Edge came down to the ring after Smackdown opened. Edge discussed how he's the face of the show and got on the cases of fellow Smackdown stars Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho and CM Punk for their loses at Judgment Day. General Manager Theodore Long came down to the ring to announce that Jeff Hardy will have a rematch against Edge for the title at Extreme Rules Pay-Per-View. Jeff Hardy came out next and asked the crowd if they wanted to see that match take place tonight on Smackdown. Teddy Long booked Jeff to face Edge later in the show (non-title) with the winner getting to choose the stipulation for their Extreme Rules title match.

John Morrison & Cryme Tyme vs. Ricky Ortiz, Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas

Haas and Benjamin worked together as a team to isolate JTG, keeping him away from a tag while wearing him down with submission holds. JTG finally managed to escape from Haas and made a tag to John Morrison who came in to hit a high drop kick on Haas. At one point, with Morrison and Haas both down, Ortiz and Benjamin came in to attack Shad. Despite the melee, Haas tried to flip Morrison, but in the end was hit with Morrison's finisher, Starship Pain.

Winners: John Morrison & Cryme Tyme win via pinfall over Ricky Ortiz, Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas

---

Josh Matthews interviewed Womens Champion Melina backstage. Melina spoke about tonight's #1 contender match between Gail Kim and Michelle McCool. Melina is anxious to see what Smackdown has to offer for divas competition since she ran through what Raw had. Michelle's pal Alicia Fox came up to interrupt telling Melina Michelle said to warm up the title for her. Melina slapped Alicia to end the segment.

Gail Kim vs. Michelle McCool
#1 Contender Match

Former Womens champion Gail Kim battled her nemesis Michelle McCool with the winner getting a shot at Melina's title. Both divas battled intensely, with Alicia Fox watching from the outside and lending a hand to Michelle. At one point in the match, with Gail on the apron Alicia Fox grabbed her leg. Gail was able to ram Alicia's head into the ringpost, but the distraction allowed Michelle to take control and hit her finisher the Faithbreaker on Gail for the win.

Winner: Michelle McCool wins via pinfall over Gail Kim to become #1 Conender for the WWE Womens Championship.

---

Rey Mysterio was interviewed backstage. Rey said that basically he's moving on past Chris Jericho now to give some of the younger wrestling stars a chance. Mysterio also spoke about the significance of his mask, and wanting to be one of the all-time great IC champs.

CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho

In a rematch from their WWE Superstars match, these two Smackdown stars were back in the ring a night later. A good back and forth match with Punk using quick kicks to try to knock Jericho down. Jericho tried using various submission holds to wear Punk down or get him to quit, but it was to no avail. Punk escaped Walls of Jericho by struggling to stretch over and grab the ropes. Finally, Punk managed to put Jericho up in the GTS and hit it for the pinfall win. Punk's celebration was shortlived though, as Umaga came out again to attack. Umaga leveled Punk then hung him upside down in the corner and tied him with a leather strap. Umaga got on the microphone and challenged Punk to a Samoan Strap match for Extreme Rules.

Winner: CM Punk wins via pinfall over Chris Jericho.

Backstage, Ricky Ortiz & Maria are shown talking. Ortiz tells Maria he plans to rally up. As Jeff Hardy walks by, Maria leaves Ortiz to talk to him instead. Maria tells Hardy he did a good job at Judgment Day, and they start to discuss Extreme Rules. After Hardy leaves, Ortiz tells Maria she is looking for love in all the wrong places. Ortiz told Maria: "keep your head up and rally up", then handed her his rally towel.

---

R-Truth vs. Dolph Ziggler

DTruth came out rapping once again, but his crowd-inspiring performance didn't help him in the ring. Newer Smackdown member, Dolph Ziggler used chinlocks and headlocks to wear his opponent down in the ring. Truth finally powered out of Ziggler's hold and knocked him down, but out of nowhere Ziggler hit a suprise neckbreaker to capture the win.

After Ziggler won, The Great Khali arrived to the scene where he chased Ziggler back into the ring and Truth hit him with a forearm uppercut move.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler wins via pinfall over R-Truth.

Highlights of the ongoing feud between WWE Divas Eve and Layla are shown. A match between the two is announced for next week's Smackdown. Also announced for Extreme Rules is Rey Mysterio defending the IC title against Jericho in a No Holds Barred match.

---

Jeff Hardy vs. Edge
Winner chooses Stipulation

Jeff Hardy defeated Edge. Hardy missed on a pair Twist of Fates, but eventually hit the third and then the Swanton Bomb for the win via pinfall. Todd Grisham interviewed Jeff following his victory to find out what stipulation Jeff chose for Extreme Rules. Jeff said that of course it will be a Ladder Match at the Pay-Per-View.

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall over Edge.

---