Smackdown Recap 07.24.09

Smackdown Recap from Richmond, VA:

After highlight footage from last week's main event, the pyro went off and Jim Ross/Todd Grisham welcomed everyone to Smackdown in Richmond. Jeff Hardy made his way down to the ring, and discussed CM Punk's constant preaching towards him. Jeff said he was sick of the straight edge message and preaching, and this Sunday it will all stop at the 2009 Night of Champions PPV. Jeff said he would break Jericho's walls down next.

Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho

Late in the match, Jeff went for the Twist of Fate but Jericho reversed it into a Codebreaker. Jeff rolled outside the ring with Jericho looking around for him. Jericho went outside and retrieved Jeff to roll him back into the ring. After a failed pinfall, Jericho started arguing with the referee. Jericho stomped on Jeff a bit before whipping him to the ropes. Hardy came back to grab Jericho to hit the Twist of Fate on him. Jeff slowly made his climb up to the top of the corner, with Jericho going up as well. Jericho went for a superplex, but after Jeff shoved him down to the mat, he hit a Swanton Bomb for the winning pinfall.

Winner: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall over Chris Jericho.

Michelle McCool was having makeup put on backstage and was talking herself up to the makeup lady. Melina showed up and called Michelle a poser then informed her she will be using her rematch clause for the Women's Title at Night of Champions. Before leaving, Melina threw makeup in Michelle's face to upset her.

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The Great Khali vs. Mike Knox

Early in this very short match, Knox tried to hit Khali with little success. Khali began to dominate Knox, until Kane's theme music came on. Knox hit Khali from behind to bring him to his knees. With Kane watching from the ramp, Khali got back up and started destroying Mike Knox. Khali eventually hit the Punjabi Plunge to win it, then taunted Kane to come down to the ring. Kane got all the way onto the apron with a leg over the ropes, then backed off and backed up the ramp.

Winner: Great Khali wins via pinfall over Mike Knox.

A Cryme Tyme Word Up! segment was shown where they discussed the latest vocab word, G-O-A-T, which is Greatest of All Time. They began to discuss the new tag team DVD when Hart Dynasty came up to interrupt and argue. Jesse aka Jeezy came out to interrupt on Cryme Tyme's behalf. Natalya said they'd see Eve and CT in the ring later, then called Jesse a freak. Cryme Tyme walked off making Jesse stay behind.

Dolph Ziggler came down to the ring with Maria, telling the crowd after Sunday he'll be known as "Dolph Ziggler, Intercontinental Champion". Ziggler took Maria over to a ringside seat near the commentators' table before commercial.

Finlay vs. Dolph Ziggler

Late in this match, Finlay was able to get Ziggler out through the ropes. Ziggler tried to pull Finlay out with him, but instead Finlay kicked Ziggler into the commentators table. Outside, Finlay started beating on Ziggler. Maria who was nearby, ran over to make sure Ziggler was ok. Finlay turned his back momentarily, which was enough for Ziggler to hit him with the Zig-Zag finisher, outside the ring. The ref was at eight as Ziggler slipped back into the ring, finally counting Finlay out. Maria and Ziggler celebrated the win up the ramp as Ziggler gets ready for Night of Champions.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler wins due to countout of Finlay.

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CM Punk came to the ring and criticized the WWE Universe for supporting Jeff Hardy's lifestyle choices. He discussed the damage alcohol can have on the liver and said he's never abused a prescription or illegal drug in his life. Jeff Hardy came out, sending the audience into a frenzy. Jeff told Punk that he seems to have forgotten what it means to "be human". Jeff said people make mistakes but can change. Punk cut Jeff off, eventually saying he didn't even want to be in the same ring with him. Punk said he was going to do what Jeff should have done a while ago; Just say no. Punk left the ring and walked up the ramp, never looking back at Hardy.

Eve vs. Natalya

Eve was accompanied to the ring by Cryme Tyme, while the Hart Dynasty came to the ring with Natalya. Early on, Eve put a headlock on Natalya, with Natalya able to push her into the corner. Eve tried to jump off the corner, but Natalya caught her and slammed her down for a brief pinfall attempt. Natalya put a surfboard submission hold on Eve, with the ref breaking it up. Eve gained offensive momentum, but Natalya quickly grounded her. Eve grabbed the ropes with Natalya stomping away on her. Natalya then put Eve up on the corner turnbuckle. As Natalya went up after her, Eve elbowed her off to the mat. Eve hit an impressive moonsault to pickup the pinfall win.

Winner: Eve wins via pinfall over Natalya.

Backstage, Great Khali and Ranjin Singh were discussing something when Chris Jericho came up to them. Jericho told Khali he was the frontrunner to be Jericho's tag partner at Night of Champions. Khali said a few words in Indian and Singh translated it all as Khali had no interest in being Jericho's partner. The two walked off after Khali said something else.

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R-Truth vs. Charlie Haas

Early on, Charlie Haas was able to target Truth's leg, trying to keep Truth grounded. He pulled Truth to the corner and tried to use the ringpost to stretch Truth's knee. Truth kicked away from it, with Haas getting back in the ring to kick Truth in the leg. Haas continued working on the knee, but Truth was able to kick him into the corner. After some offensive strikes including an arm drag, Truth favored his hurt leg. Haas tripped him causing Truth to hit the middle turnbuckle face first. With Truth standing in the corner, Haas tried to charge at him, but Truth avoided it. Haas hit the corner hard, allowing Truth to use his scissor kick move for the win.

Winner: R-Truth wins via pinfall over Charlie Haas.

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The commentators ran down the Night of Champions card and also reminded fans that NBA All-Star Shaquille O'Neal will be hosting Raw on 7/27/09. CM Punk arrived to the ring first, followed by Mysterio who gave one of his masks to a kid at ringside.

Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk

Late in this main event, CM Punk put Rey into a submission hold as he held him with both hands behind his back, keeping him up in the air. Rey broke out and was able to trip Punk into the corner. Just then, Dolph Ziggler came out from backstage and headed towards the ring. Punk and Mysterio started to trade kicks with each other, and Rey hit a crossbody for a two count pinfall. With Ziggler just watching nearby, Rey hit a flying elbow, leg scissors and then went for 619. Punk threw Rey over the ropes with Rey able to land on the apron, and then hit the West Coast Pop.

Ziggler then jumped up on the side apron to distract, but Rey knocked him off. Punk was able to regain the advantage, and hit his running knee in the corner. Rey pushed off CM Punk as he tried for the Bulldog, and prepared for 619. Punk headbutted Rey and tossed him outside the ring. Rey was able to get back into the ring and hit major offense after Punk went for GTS. Rey escaped the GTS by hitting a bulldog on Punk. Rey then hit 619 and a springboard splash for the pin. Ziggler got into the ring to break up Rey's final pinfall, causing a DQ.

After the bell, Rey was able to get Ziggler into the 619 setup, but Punk hit Rey as he went for it. Ziggler then hit his finisher the Zig Zag twice on Rey. Punk started to head up the ramp with his belt, but Jeff Hardy came rushing out and pushed past Punk to get to the ring. Hardy knocked Ziggler to the outside. Punk got in the ring and hit GTS on Jeff, then walked back up the ramp to display his championship belt to the crowd. Smackdown ended as we head to Night of Champions...

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins due to disqualification when Dolph Ziggler interfered.

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