Smackdown Recap 10.16.09

Smackdown Recap from University of KY:

The show opened with an "In memory of Louis Vincent Albano: Capt. Lou Albano" graphic to honor the recently passed away WWE Hall of Famer. After the opening, Todd Grisham was there to hype up tonight's main event of Batista vs Rey Mysterio, as well as The Dirt Sheet featuring John Morrison & The Miz. Filling in for Jim Ross was Michael Cole for Grisham's commentary partner.

Smackdown GM Teddy Long came out to discuss Bragging Rights and the big Raw vs Smackdown main event tag match. He said he will make sure Smackdown appears as the dominant brand. He introduced Team Smackdown's captain, Chris Jericho. Jericho arrived out in a suit, thanking Long for naming him captain of the team. Jericho then discussed the possibility that John Cena may become part of Smackdown, and said if he does, Cena will have to go through Jericho to be the man on Smackdown. Jericho said he'll lead his team to the promised land. He then began to insult DX, saying they're only interested in selling merchandise to the fans. He began to rip pages from the DX book, saying that's what he plans to do to DX at the Pay-Per-View. Just then, Kane's pyrotechnics went off and out came the Big Red Machine.

Kane asked if this is truly Jericho's team. Kane announced he will be co-captain and Jericho said "I was thinking the same thing" and added that he was about to announce that. Kane said Team Raw can go up in flames, then he brought his arms up and down to send fire out of the ringposts.

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Finlay vs. Mike Knox vs. Dolph Ziggler
Triple Threat Qualifying Match

Early on, Ziggler tried to form an alliance with Knox so they could take out Finlay, but Knox gave him a short arm clothesline. Knox was knocked to the outside early, but just as Ziggler clotheslined Finlay over the top rope, Knox was getting back in. Ziggler went to the apron with Knox ramming into him to knock him off. Later the two wrestlers returned to the ring, as did Finlay who stopped a near fall from Ziggler. Finlay fought Ziggler in the corner and set him up there, but Knox came over to get Finlay on his shoulders. Ziggler jumped off the top onto Finlay, with Knox breaking up his pin attempt.

Ziggler dropkicked Finlay for another pin attempt. He hit a series of Samoan drops on Finlay and Knox. Knox recovered at one point to rush into both Ziggler & Finlay in the corner. Finlay grabbed his shillaleigh and cracked it over Knox. The ref missed the shot with the weapon. Ziggler pulled Finlay off the pin and stole it for himself on Knox.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler wins to join Team Smackdown at Bragging Rights.

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Cryme Tyme vs. The Hart Dynasty
Team Smackdown Qualifying Match

DH Smith cornered Shad to start things off, allowing he and Kidd to work a doubleteam in front of the ref. Backstage, Chris Jericho & Teddy Long were shown watching the match on a TV monitor. Smith took advantage of a leg injury by Shad, and used an ankle lock on him. Shad made a dive tag to get JTG in finally. Kidd also tagged in. JTG was able to attack both men, then did the Mug Shot on Kidd out of the corner. Smith was able to recover and distracted JTG, allowing Kidd to roll him up. JTG pushed Kidd into Smith who flew off the apron. Shad beat on Smith on the outside as Kidd tried for a pinfall on JTG. Kidd got over to the apron and was going to do a springboard move, but Shad grabbed his leg. Kidd finally escaped Shad's clutches, but as he went for his move, JTG was ready and hit his finisher on him for the win. Cryme Tyme now joins Team Smackdown at the PPV.

Winners: Cryme Tyme wins via pinfall over Hart Dynasty to qualify for Team Smackdown at Bragging Rights.

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Jericho was backstage talking to Michelle McCool with Teddy Long there. Jericho reminded Michelle Bragging Rights was important for Smackdown. Jericho said McCool needs to watch the qualifying matches with him, then asked if he can count on her to win her match at Bragging Rights. Michelle said he can, because she makes history. Michelle promised to beat any diva on any show, any time. Mickie James came walking up. Mickie told Teddy she was excited he traded for her to come onto Smackdown. Mickie told Jericho maybe he should choose someone who's already beaten all the divas on Raw. McCool was upset at the remark and tried to walk off, but bumped into Beth Phoenix. Beth told Michelle not to plan on having her title much longer.

Vince McMahon was backstage talking on a cell phone, when CM Punk interrupted. Punk complained about the Fatal Fourway for Bragging Rights being unfair to him. McMahon said Teddy Long is still on probation. Vince told Punk his idea for a submission re-match against Undertaker was a good idea, just like his idea to screw Undertaker in Montreal. Vince remarked "I wish I had thought of that". Vince told Punk he gets his rematch next week on Smackdown with Teddy Long at ringside and Scott Armstrong as the referee.

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Matt Hardy vs. Eric Escobar
Team Smackdown Qualifying Match

Vickie Guerrero was introduced prior to the Bragging Rights Qualifying match, and she did her trademark "excuse me". She then introduced her boyfriend, Smackdown wrestler Eric Escobar.

Matt started the match with several punches, and tried a backslide pin early on. Escobar kicked out and tried for a suplex, with Matt countering to get an inside cradle pin for two. Escobar elbowed Matt, then slapped a rear chinlock submission on his opponent. Later, Escobar used a bodyslam but missed on a back splash attempt. Hardy was able to get him with a Side Effect for two. Hardy jumped from the middle turnbuckle ropes for an elbow on Escobar. Just then, Vickie got on the apron and pretended she had an ankle injury. The ref checked on Vickie, while Escobar shoved Matt towards the ref. Matt stopped himself but as he turned, Escobar tossed Matt into the ring post then rolled him up for the winning pin.

Winner: Eric Escobar wins via pinfall over Matt Hardy to qualify for Team Smackdown at Bragging Rights.

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A commercial was shown for the new Batista DVD, which will be available this coming Tuesday.

The Dirt Sheet was up next, and introduced by Howard Finkel's voice over. Morrison started to make fun of Miz' title belt, asking if he bought it on WWE.com. Miz talked up Bragging Rights, saying it will show which brand is superior. Morrison said it will also show which of these two former partners is superior. Miz said he was always the star of their team, then showed several past tag teams on the Titantron including Mork & Mindy, Regis & Kelly, Bill & Ted, and then the Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty). Miz said he'd be the Shawn Michaels of the team, while Morrison is like Jannetty. Morrison said Miz and Jannetty could make a great team - Mizzy Jannetty & Marty Jannetty.

Morrison ragged on Miz for being single without a girlfriend, and said that Miz only conforms. Morrison said Miz dresses like a mix of Michael Phelps, Mr. Ed, Pink & Big Dick Johnson. Miz told him he looks good in trunks though, but Morrison quipped that Miz looks "husky". The crowd agreed. Morrison told Miz to prove it now if he thinks he was the better tag team partner. Morrison called Raw a cheap version of SNL, and asked if Big Bird will be its next guest host. Morrison told Miz "talk is cheap". He tried to knock Miz out of his seat in the ring, and the two men got into a staredown. Miz backed away and left the ring after the crowd chanted "Husky" at him. Morrison called Miz "Jannetty" and said he'd see him at the PPV.

A video of highlight footage was shown covering the R-Truth and Drew McIntyre feud, with McIntyre constantly attacking Truth. R-Truth was shown walking backstage on his way for the next qualifying match.

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R-Truth vs. Drew McIntyre
Team Smackdown Qualifying Match

Truth had a hip toss early on, and then dropkicked McIntyre to the outside. Truth dove over the ropes landing onto Drew right before a commercial break. As Smackdown returned, McIntyre was in control in the ring with a chinlock. During the break, Drew threw Truth into the steel steps to gain control. McIntyre slammed Truth back first into the ringpost, from the apron area. McIntyre bodyslammed Truth, then went to the middle rope for a move. As he came down, Truth got a foot up to connect on him. Truth landed a kick move to start off a comeback. Truth missed on his axe kick, but McIntyre couldn't get his finisher as Truth backed him to the corner. Truth clotheslined Drew outside the ring. Truth went to bring McIntyre in by his hair, but McIntyre swiped his legs out causing Truth to hit into the steel steps. McIntyre was in the ring as Truth couldn't get in before 10.

Winner: Drew McIntyre wins via countout over R-Truth to qualify for Team Smackdown at Bragging Rights.

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Backstage, Rey Mysterio shook hands with Batista and the two talked about their match. Batistata said it doesn't feel right going against Rey. Rey told him brothers fight all the time. They both agreed the World Heavyweight title means a lot to them. Rey said he plans on leaving Bragging Rights as the new champion.

Cole thanked the band Maylene & the Sons of Disaster for providing "Step Up (I'm On It)", the official theme song for Bragging Rights 2009. Next they reviwed the buildup of the Cena & Orton feud which leads to the 60 minute Iron Man match for the WWE Title at the PPV.

Michale Cole & Todd Grisham discussed the Submission screwjob match that happened to Undertaker at Breaking Point, then showed a video of footage about it.

Undertaker appeared on the Titantron from backstage. Taker said Punk is trying to take the Holy Grail from death's grip, but there's no turning back once you enter Hell's Gates. Taker said he will take Punk's sould at Bragging Rights, and next week he'll give Punk his last rites.

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Rey Mysterio vs. Batista

Early on Rey tried for a crossbody, but Batista caught him and threw Rey back to his feet. Batista tossed Mysterio under the ropes, with Mysterio doing a flip to prevent injury. Mysterio got back into the ring and they paced as Smackdown went to break.

Batista had several shoves on Rey, which seemed to upset Mysterio a bit. Rey started targeting Batista's legs. He tripped Batista into the middle ropes but The Animal escaped the 619 attempt. The two argued until Batista kicked Rey in the gut. Rey ran off the ropes, but Batista speared him down. Rey was outside the ring and just beat a 9 count. Batista went for the pin but got 2.

Batista started ramming Rey in the corner, then kneed him for a two count. Batista locked in a Bear Hug, taking Rey to the mat. Rey used elbows, to escape, then a Sunset Flip attempt. Rey avoided a possible counter then worked on The Animal's legs more. He finally connected on a 619 attempt. Moments later, Rey was able to bring Batista down into a pinfall, and hooked his legs for a three count. Rey was declared winner, but Batista argued that he got his shoulder up to beat the count. The replay proved he did, but Rey was still winner. Batista congratulated him with a handshake and arm raise.

Batista cheered Rey from the ramp, but witnessed CM Punk rush into the ring and hit Rey with a GTS. Punk escaped the ring before Batista could arrive to intervene. The show ended as Batista helped Rey to his feet.

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall over Batista.