Smackdown Recap 12.18.09

Smackdown Recap from Laredo, TX:

Smackdown opened with highlights showing what happened between Batista and Undertaker at the TLC Pay-Per-View. Batista thought he had defeated Undertaker after using a low blow and a chair shot to make the pin. Smackdown GM Teddy Long came out to tell him otherwise. He had the match restarted and upon Batista's return to the ring, Taker grabbed him for a Tombstone Piledriver on a chair to win the match, retaining his title.

Todd Grisham and Matt Striker kicked things off and discussed the 1997 Survivor Series "Montreal Screwjob" briefly. Smackdown GM Teddy Long came out to address the crowd. He said since Undertaker defended his title at TLC, they will now need a new #1 Contender. Batista came out onto the stage to interrupt. Batista basically told Long he is the #1 Contender and threatened to take a chair to him. Just then, Rey Mysterio's music hit and he came out to interrupt the proceedings.

Mysterio noted that you don't have to be a 6'5 guy who's all muscle to be considered a contender. He said he's always been underestimated by Batista. Mysterio said he would get even with Batista by making sure he's never champion again, and challenged him to a one-on-one. Teddy Long intervened and set up the match saying the two will wrestle tonight in a regular match to determine #1 Contender. Long said the winner gets their present on Christmas night, a match versus Undertaker for the World title.

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CM Punk, Drew McIntyre & Luke Gallows defeat Matt Hardy, R-Truth & John Morrison

Late in the contest, Gallows and Punk doubleteamed John Morrison. Gallows left the ring and Punk applied a headscissor submission on the mat. Punk inched over towards to the tag to Luke Gallows. Morrison escaped a pin, but Gallows retrieved him and hit a backbreaker. He made a tag to Punk who leapt off the corner to take Morrison down with a knee drop for a near fall. Punk had Morrison up for the GTS, but Morrison countered for a near fall. He escaped Punk from there to tag in Matt Hardy. Hardy came in on fire, whipping Punk to the corner for a clothesline and then a bulldog for the near fall. Off the ropes Matt hit an elbow drop to the head, then a neckbreaker. The Side Effect was next, but Luke Gallows came in to break up the pin. All of the men got involved with Gallows, Truth, McIntyre all ending up outside the ring. John Morrison got on the corner ready to jump off at the heels. Punk grabbed him from behind to slam him back to the mat. Matt Hardy tried a move, but the ref became distracted. Gallows tossed Punk's Slammy Award in to him and he hit Hardy in the gut with it to make the pin.

Winner: CM Punk, Drew McIntyre & Luke Gallows win via pinfall over Matt Hardy, R-Truth & John Morrison.

Maria and Melina were playing videogames backstage when the power went out on the unit. Beth Phoenix walked in with the cord in her hand. She scolded them for playing videogames instead of preparing to try to win the Divas Title. Melina congratulated Maria for her Slammy win. Phoenix said she's going to make sure Maria's return to Smackdown is short-lived.

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Eric Escobar was in the ring to give a promo about the fact that Vickie Guerrero can't give him any punishment worse than being in a relationship with her. Vickie Guerrero came out to confront him for saying inconsiderate things about her. She said in return she brought him a gift for his birthday today. Kane's pyro went off and out came the Big Red Monster.

Eric Escobar vs. Kane

Vickie was looking on as Kane had control. He got in from the apron and tried to charge Escobar, who came back briefly. Kane stopped that short and hit a side slam, then set up the Chokeslam. It was good, and that ended the match for Escobar.

Afterwards, Vickie had a mic in hand to further insult Escobar in the ring.

Winner: Kane wins via pinfall over Eric Escobar.

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Great Khali vs. Chris Jericho

Khali with a chop take down as Jericho came back from the ropes, then a hard elbow in the corner, followed by repeated kicks and stomps. He stood on Jericho's throat, and Jericho rolled to the outside in pain. Khali grabbed him by the hair, but Jericho dropped down to bring Khali throat first onto the top rope. Jericho tried to jump off the corner at Khali, but instead was knocked down. Khali signaled for the Khali Vice grip. Jericho saw it coming and quickly retreated from the ring, up the ramp. The ref began his countout. Jericho looked as if he might come back to the ring, but decided against it and went up the ramp waving off the ref's count. Khali danced to celebrate his victory.

Winner: The Great Khali wins due to countout over Chris Jericho.

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Jimmy Wang Yang & Slam Master J

DH Smith held Wang Yang up for a standing suplex for a while then finally dropped him to the mat. Yang escaped the near fall, so Smith yelled at him to get back up. Smith started using knees to the back, then did a belly-to-belly suplex and several powerslams.

The action broke down with Yang and Slam Master Jay both diving to the outside onto the Hart Dynasty at one point. Back in the ring, Slam Master J ended up getting hit by the Hart attack clothesline to get pinned.

After the match, Natalya got on the mic and said now Hart Dynasty will finally get their shot at D-Generation X. She said it might be a DX Christmas, but it will be the Hart's time to celebrate. DH Smith got on the mic and said it will be a great way to cap off Christmas by ending DX's title reign. Smith said they won't be intimidated like their fathers. Tyson Kidd said it will be a new era for the Hart family, and they are better than the best, period. Matt Striker said that DX will defend the titles against Hart Dynasty on next week's Christmas edition of Smackdown.

Winners: The Hart Dynasty wins via pinfall over Jimmy Wang Yang & Slam Master J.

Backstage, Michelle McCool asked Beth Phoenix if she and Layla may have rubbed her the wrong way when she came to Smackdown. Michelle said they all want to get rid of "Piggie James" and Maria, the underfed red-head. Layla and Michelle made a joke saying Maria can't eat because Mickie eats everything around. They made insulting remarks about Mickie's manly shape, but then Beth said "Who would want to see a big girl shut your big mouths in a big way?" and walked off. Michelle and Layla said Beth must be sensitive.

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Beth Phoenix vs Maria

Maria came out with her recently won Slammy trophy in hand. Grisham noted that Beth Phoenix was 2008 Diva of the Year Slammy winner. Beth shoved Maria down early then threw some elbows and slaps in the corner. Maria was whipped to the corner, but got up for a double kick as Beth charged her. She jumped at Beth, who caught her on her shoulders for a slam move. Beth yanked Maria over towards the ropes then stood her up near the apron. Maria tried to fight back but couldn't Back in the ring, Maria with a near fall. Beth escaped but came back to throw Maria in the corner. Maria got on Beth's shoulders but Beth dropped her down on her butt to the mat, then picked her back up for a Glam Slam to finish things.

Winner: Beth Phoenix wins via pinfall over Maria.

After a trailer was shown for The Marine 2 starring Ted Dibiase, they presented the Raw Rebound. Clips highlighted Dennis Miller as the comedian host, and the various winners including Sheamus, Maria, CM Punk, Bob Barker and John Cena as 2009 Superstar of the Year.

Both Rey Mysterio and Batista were introduced and came out for the main event match.

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Rey Mysterio vs. Batista
#1 Contender's Match

Batista was in control as he completely leveled Mysterio with a hard clothesline. Next up were several bodyslams, as The Animal looked down at his prey. Batista went to the second rope in the corner, but Rey got up and started to punch away. He climbed up to punch away some more, then tried a Hurricanrana but Batista held his ground on the ropes. Rey hit the mat hard. Batista went to jump off at Rey, who got up and hit a dropkick in the air. Batista recovered in the corner, as Rey collected himself in the ring.

Mysterio began his comeback, with Batista sending him to the ropes. Rey came back with a series of kicks and then a springboard off the ropes. He followed with a bodyscissors into a Bulldog for a near fall. Grisham and Striker noted Batista seemed dazed now by Mysterio's momentum. Rey with another springboard, this time for a leg drop and another near fall. Batista managed to grab Rey by the throat and shoved him into the corner. However as he picked up Rey, Mysterio turned it into a DDT from the air for yet another near fall. The crowd continued to root on Mysterio.

From there, Mysterio kicked Batista's leg out and the Animal fell onto the middle rope so Rey could hit a 619. He went for the Springboard Splash, but Batista put up his knees. He got a 2 count on his former friend, then began to stomp away on him in the corner. Striker said Batista might have underestimated Mysterio tonight. He hit a powerslam for another 2.

In the closing moments, Rey grabbed the bottom rope on a pinfall after a slam from Batista. The Animal set up the Batista Bomb, but Mysterio countered and used a headscissors to toss Batista outside. Batista was upset and grabbed a steel chair, but dropped it down. Batista came back in for a Spear and pinfall, but Rey surprisingly kicked out. He picked up Rey casually for another move, with Rey able to force his weight the other way into a rollup pin for the surprise victory!

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall over Batista to become the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title.

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