Smackdown Preview 06.05.09

Last week on Smackdown, Rey Mysterio was scheduled to team up with Jeff Hardy in the main event tag match against Chris Jericho and World Heavyweight Champion, Edge. Earlier in the night, Chris Jericho interrupted Mysterio's in-ring speech in the ring, saying that he intended to become the new Intercontinental Champion at Extreme Rules. Jericho also disrespected Rey Mysterio's Lucha Libre history and promised he will unmask the masked superstar in the future. As Mysterio made his way to the ring later in the night, he went to bump heads with his various masked fans in the audience. Unfortunately for Mysterio, one of those fans grabbed him, smashed him into the crowd barrier and then began to attack him. It turned out that masked "fan" was really Chris Jericho, intent on gaining the upperhand heading into Extreme Rules. Mysterio was clearly hurt and could not participate in the main event tag match. Now with Extreme Rules just a few days away, will Mysterio be able to compete? Will he show up on Smackdown again prior to the event?

Since Rey was sidelined for the main event, Jeff Hardy had a difficult dilemma; would he face two of the most conniving and underhanded superstars in a 2 on 1 Handicap match? The answer was yes as Hardy refused to back down from the challenge. Unfortunately for Hardy he didn't have enough to battle both men and they overwhelmed him. In the end, it was an Edge spear takedown that leveled Hardy and produced the win for he and Jericho. Hardy may have been taken down, but he's certainly not out. With Extreme Rules approaching in just a few days, both Edge and Hardy are looking to prepare themselves mentally. What will Smackdown have in store for each man as they head towards an exciting Ladder match for the World Heavyweight Title? Will Jeff find a way to even the score with Edge?

And finally, CM Punk and Umaga are looking to air out their grievances and settle their feud in the ring at the Extreme Rules PPV. Umaga challenged Punk to a Samoan Strap match and Punk, who's always been known to be extreme, accepted the challenge. In the past several weeks, Umaga has unmercifully taken out aggression on opponents, including tying up John Morrison and even CM Punk with the strap in the ring. Will Punk be able to find a way to gain the upperhand and defeat his nemesis at Extreme Rules? Or will Umaga continue to block the path of Mr. Money in the Bank 2009?

Extreme Rules is coming up fast, this Sunday on Pay-Per-View at 8PM EST! Rey Mysterio and Chris Jericho look ahead to their No Holds Barred match for the Intercontinental Title, while Edge and Jeff Hardy will battle in a Ladder match over the World Heavyweight Title. How will these superstars of Smackdown prepare themselves for the event?

Catch all the action of Smackdown tonight at 8PM EST on MyNetworkTV!