Smackdown Recap 08.28.09

Smackdown Recap from Phoenix, AZ:

Jim Ross introduced fans to Phoenix, the home of Wrestlemania 26. After discussing tonight's main event steel cage match, CM Punk was introduced as the new World Heavyweight Champion. Punk came to the ring and began to tell the crowd "I told you so", then had footage shown of how he won at the TLC match at Summerslam. Punk said it was the most brutal match of his career so far. He then spoke about how he's a pioneer in wrestling, because nobody in WWE knows what a Straight Edge world champ is. He said he was being forced to compete in a cage match tonight and it was unfair, but he would prove again why he's best in the world.

Jeff Hardy came out to interrupt, slapping hands with fans as he limped to the ring. Jeff told Punk there's 3 words more important than his "just say no" and those are "steel cage match". Punk accused Hardy of being intoxicated or being on painkillers since he was brave enough to come back to the ring. Punk then started saying he was sick and tired of Jeff Hardy, so he told him if he likes risks he had one for him tonight. Punk challenged Jeff to a "Loser leaves WWE" match, and if Jeff lost it would prove Punk's lifestyle was better than his. Jeff contemplated it for a moment then told Punk he was on. After a staredown between these two, Teddy Long came out to the ramp and said the match would be official. Long added the winner will face Undertaker in a World Heavyweight Title match at Breaking Point.

Matt Hardy & John Morrison vs. The Hart Dynasty

In a quick match there was some good back and forth action between these teams. However, it was Hardy and Morrison prevailing as John Morrison hit Starship Pain for the win, in a match that was just under 4 minutes long.

Winners: Matt Hardy & John Morrison win via pinfall over The Hart Dynasty

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Melina tried to tell Maria backstage that she saw Dolph Ziggler hanging out with another woman during Summerslam weekend. Maria said Melina must be jealous of them. Melina walked off and Ziggler came walking up. Maria confronted him, with Ziggler saying it was his sister. Maria bought it and the couple walked off together.

R-Truth vs. Drew McIntyre

As R-Truth made his lengthy entrance with the "What's Up?" song, he tried to enter the ring. McIntyre immediately booted Truth down, then kept punching away on him before delivering a DDT.

After the attack, McIntyre grabbed a mic to mockingly say he was sorry for ruining their little party. McIntyre said it seems the crowd likes seeing someone rap and dance to the ring, but "my name is Drew McIntyre and the party is over".

Winner: Match was a draw/no contest since the match never officially started.

Melina defeats Layla

Melina was introduced and was standing next to the commentary table on crutches. She told everyone that she couldn't compete because Melina injured her knee last week, then said Melina ruined the night for everyone. Michelle introduced her handpicked replacement, Layla.

In an incredibly quick divas match, Melina was able to defeat Layla by pinfall in less than 2 minutes. After her win, she left the ring, walked over to Michelle and shoved her down. Michelle began grabbing her knee in pain.

Winner: Melina wins via pinfall over Layla.

A recap of the celebrities and events of Summerslam Axxess was shown, before Rey Mysterio made his ring entrance for the next match. JR and Grisham noted that Dolph Ziggler won a Triple Threat match on Superstars to become #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Title.

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Rey Mysterio vs. Kane

In a five minute match, Rey was able to knock Kane to the outside then tried to run and jump at him off the apron. Kane avoided the strike then booted Rey in his head to take him down. The Big Red Machine then picked up Rey and continually rammed him into the ring post. The referee finally called for the bell to DQ Kane for his actions.

Post-match, Great Khali and Ranjin Singh rushed down to the ring. Khali cleared Kane out of the ring, and then Singh hit him with a kendo stick. Khali grabbed Singh by the neck, but Khali saved him by smashing the kendo stick on Kane repeatedly. Kane eventually retreated backstage. In the ring, Dolph Ziggler hit his finisher on Rey.

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins due to disqualification of Kane.

Cryme Tyme vs. Chris Jericho & Big Show

Before a scheduled singles match, Chris Jericho and Big Show hit the ring. Jericho was booked to fight Shad from Cryme Tyme one-on-one. He talked about Floyd Mayweather helping MVP & Mark Henry cheat to win their match on Raw, then said they won't have any chance of beating them at Breaking Point.

Early on, Shad Gaspar was able to slam Jericho several times, before Big Show pulled Jericho out of the ring. JTG came over and got into it with Big Show. With the situation going on, GM Teddy Long came out to the ramp and said they would continue this after the break, but it would be a tag team contest instead. Big Show hit a knockout punch on Shad for the pinfall win.

As the match resumed, Shad was in control of Jericho and beating on him. Big Show made a blind tag to Jericho. Show got into the ring and hit Shad with his Knockout punch to score the pinfall victory.

Winners: Chris Jericho & Big Show win via pinfall over Cryme Tyme.


Backstage, Matt Hardy told his brother Jeff he hopes he knows what he's getting into tonight. Matt told Jeff to go win the cage match and get back his title, then they can take over Smackdown together. Jeff told Matt he lives for the moment, and now is that moment.

The steel cage began to lower down around the ring, as Jim Ross contemplated whether CM Punk or Jeff Hardy would be forced to leave WWE tonight.

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CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy
Loser Leaves WWE Steel Cage Match

While Jeff was making his way to the ring, CM Punk rushed out to ambush attack him. Punk beat him up a bit before rolling Jeff into the cage for the match to start.

Early on, Punk went for several escapes while Jeff was ailing inside the cage. Jeff stopped each try, then had a near pinfall before a commercial. After that break, Hardy was making his move to climb out of the cage with Punk stopping him. Jeff kicked him down then hit a flying cross body off the tip rope. At one point, Punk was climbing the ropes to try to get up to the top of the cage, then noticed Jeff was trying to exit out the cage door. Punk went over to stop Jeff from escaping.

After a commercial break, these two continued battling with Jeff making an attempt to escape the cage. Punk grabbed him by the leg and the two fought. Jeff had his legs dangling over the side of the cage, and Punk kept holding onto Jeff's upper body to prevent his escape. Punk was eventually able to superplex Jeff down into the ring with a great move.

Punk again climbed to make his escape, with Jeff able to catch up to him. Punk gave a thumb to Jeff's eyes, then slammed his head into the top of the cage, causing Jeff to fall down to the mat. Punk then descended outside the cage to the ground to win the match. He laughed and waved mockingly goodbye to Jeff in the ring. JR and Grisham discussed how it was the end of Jeff Hardy's great career and the start of Punk's Straight Edge reign.

Punk made his way up the ramp, with Jeff still in the ring sitting up to look at the crowd. As Hardy got to his feet he got applause from the audience, while camera shots were shown of various upset fans in the crowd. Jeff apologized on the mic if he let anyone down and said sorry they'll be seeing Punk on Smackdown, not him. Jeff said if the time's right in the future, he's sure he'll see the WWE Universe again. Jeff said with Matt there's still at least one Hardy on the show.

As Jeff left the ring he took off his shirt and arm sleeve covers to give to fans. More female fans were shown crying. Hardy raised his hand up at the top of the ramp, but out of nowhere CM Punk came back out and smashed him with the World Heavyweight Championship.

A promo video revealed that The Undertaker will return to Smackdown next week.

Winner: CM Punk wins the steel cage match. Jeff Hardy is forced to leave the WWE.

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