Smackdown Preview 01.08.10

Tonight's Smackdown will feature yet another chapter in the bitter feud which has developed between Rey Mysterio and Batista. These former friends will once again battle to determine who will be the #1 Contender for The Undertaker's World Heavyweight title at the Royal Rumble. Last week, both men were involved in a Beat the Clock tournament arranged by Smackdown GM Theodore Long. Mysterio had the time to beat, as Batista went into the final match against R-Truth. With Mysterio at ringside, Batista kept eying the countdown clock on the Titantron as he toyed with his opponent, almost mocking Mysterio. In the end, when Batista thought he had Truth down for a pin with mere seconds remaining, Mysterio yanked Batista out of the ring. As time expired, Batista was unable to beat the clock. The Animal was enraged, but soon received a bit of good news when Smackdown's consultant Vickie Guerrero arrived out to the ramp. Vickie announced that due to Mysterio's interference they'd need to settle this with a one-on-one match. Now Batista and Rey will do battle one more time, with the #1 Contender status on the line. Which superstar will emerge victorious?

The WWE divas also saw utter chaos last week during a match between Beth Phoenix and Mickie James. With WWE Womens Champion Michelle McCool and her pal Layla at ringside, Beth and Mickie traded momentum. In the late stages of their match, Layla got on the ring to distract the ref, while Michelle McCool got up on another side of the ring. McCool went for a devastating kick towards Mickie, only to kick Beth Phoenix instead. After the match ended with Mickie James victorious, McCool and Layla got in the ring to doubleteam attack Mickie. Beth Phoenix had just about enough of the heel divas and tossed McCool around the ring like a ragdoll. Mickie James disposed of Layla outside the ring, and then surprisingly looked towards Beth as if a new alliance had formed. However, Mickie ended up planted face first in the mat when The Glamazon hit her with the Glam Slam. What will happen next amongst these top ranked divas on Smackdown?

And finally last week's Intercontinental title match on Smackdown also saw a chaotic ending as well. John Morrison was looking to reclaim his Intercontinental championship from the new young champion Drew McIntyre. During their match, McIntyre shoved Morrison right at the referee, causing the referee to get pushed to the mat. The ref believed it was Morrison's doing and called for a disqualification on the challenger. McIntyre had outsmarted the former champ, but ended up on the receiving end of Morrison's fury. A brawl broke out up the ramp, requiring as many as six WWE officials to break it apart. Will McIntyre and Morrison cross paths again on tonight's show?

Catch Smackdown tonight at 8PM EST on MyNetwork TV!