Smackdown Recap 01.22.10

Smackdown recap from :

Todd Grisham welcomed fans in to the show just 9 days ahead of the 2010 Royal Rumble. On tonight's show, by order of Smackdown consultant Vickie Guerrero, John Morrison will be in a 2-on-1 handicap match against Drew McIntyre and Chris Jericho. The Animal Batista arrived out to a large amount of boos and thumbs down as he came out to start off the show. A spotlight went down on Batista as he walked down the ramp.

Finlay vs. Batista

Early on, Batista did a flex pose and Finlay responded with a punch to the face. Batista battled back, but Finlay kept going and took him down with a move from off the corner. He hit a Celtic Cross roll slam early for a near fall, followed by a sit splash. The two wrestlers ended up outside the ring where Batista began to gouge Finlay in the eyes. The ref came out and told Batista to break the hold. Batista didn't so the ref immediately yelled for them to ring the bell.

Batista tossed Finlay across the commentator's table, then around the outside, into the steel steps and crowd barrier. Batista continued his attack as he picked up Finlay and rammed his back into the ringpost several times. Another toss into the steel steps for Finlay, and then Batista put him back in the ring. He grabbed a mic from the outside then did a Spinebuster on Finlay in the ring. Batista got on the mic and told people "imagine that times 29, because that will happen at the Rumble". He began naming other Rumble competitors and kicked Finlay for each one. He told Undertaker he's going to win the Royal Rumble and main event Wrestlemania. He vowed to end Taker's win streak as well.

Winner: Finlay wins due to disqualification of Batista.

Later tonight, Rey Mysterio calls out World Heavyweight champ, The Undertaker.

---

Smackdown returned with footage of Rey Mysterio winning a previous Royal Rumble. He lasted 1 hour 2 minutes and 15 seconds to set a record, when he eliminated Randy Orton.

CM Punk and Luke Gallows arrived out next to save a member of the WWE Universe by inducting them into the Straightedge Society. Punk & Gallows are #1 Contenders for the Unified Tag titles. They showed highlights from last week of a Fatal Fourway tag match, where Gallows hit the Twelfth Step on JTG to win the match.

Punk & Gallows remained at the top of the ramp. Punk got on the mic to say the reason they are #1 contenders now and will bring honor back to the Unified tag titles is because they are Straightedge. Punk said that's also what will propel him to win the 2010 Royal Rumble, the first ever Straightedge winner. Punk called the audience a bunch of losers and began walking down the ramp looking right at audience members. He said he can see them rotting before his eyes, with parents smoking and drinking in front of their children to transform the next generation. Punk said he knows that he can save each and every last one of them. Punk asked who will be the brave fortunate one tonight who wants to be saved, as he walked around the ring.

A crazed woman came running from out of the audience and nearly tackled Punk down, screaming she needs him. Gallows restrained her and yelled for security to come do their job. A security guy came over and escorted the woman kicking and screaming up the ramp, and another lady in a suit came out to take her. Punk got on the mic and told them to stop, because that woman needs him. He sent Luke to get her to the ring.

Punk said he can see a lifetime of pain and suffering in the woman's eyes. She said her name was Serina. Punk asked Serina if she's an addict, and she answered that she is and really wants to change. He compared her to the rest of audience saying they all wait in line or at work watching the clock until they get their next pill or drink. Punk said he cares about her unlike the WWE Universe who are all enablers with no self-respect. They sat Serina in a chair in the ring, had her raise her hand up to pledge to Straightedge. She accepted it into her life, then Gallows brought out the clippers and soon after Punk shaved her long hair off. Afterwords, they all raised their arms together for Straightedge.

---

Drew McIntyre and Chris Jericho arrived out for their upcoming handicap match. Next to arrive was their opponent, John Morrison, who got in the ring to stare down McIntyre from a few feet away as Jericho smirked. Before the match began, GM Teddy Long arrived out to the ramp. Teddy said not to ring the bell just yet. He said Vickie didn't consult with him before making this handicap match, so he's making it a tag team matchup now, with R-Truth as John Morrison's partner. Truth came out to do a high-octane intro performance of "What's Up?" involving the crowd in the chorus.

John Morrison & R-Truth vs. Drew McIntyre & Chris Jericho

They announced that next week Morrison takes on Drew McIntyre in a NO DQ title match. After the heels dominated Morrison for a bit, he managed to grab Jericho for a backbreaker and Russian legsweep. Both men were down, and Morrison rolled towards Truth. Jericho crawled to McIntyre who ran in and stepped on Morrison's back to knock Truth off the apron. After a commercial, McIntyre was still in control with an arm hold on Morrison on the mat. Morrison began to battle back and did an armbar toss on McIntyre, but Drew came back with a spinning backbreaker move. Jericho came back in again for more punishment on JMo.

During one bit, Jericho distracted the ref as McIntyre ran on the apron to kick Morrison's face. Morrison managed to fight with Jericho on the top ropes, shoving Jericho down and then hitting a flying cross body. Morrison had a near fall, then tried to stretch for a tag. Jericho grabbed his leg to stop it. Morrison countered a Walls of Jericho and tried to crawl for a tag, but once again McIntyre tagged in to stop the attempt. He continued to wear down Morrison.

Morrison finally was able to counter an attempted move by McIntyre, turning it into a DDT from the air. And Morrison finally made the hot tag to R-Truth, who came in on fire versus Jericho. Truth hit a variety of moves, including a handspring after avoiding Jericho in the corner. He had the pin but McIntyre broke it up, so Morrison rushed in to knock Drew outside. Jericho grabbed Morrison and threw him out. Truth grabbed Jericho for a near roll up pin. Jericho kicked out then kicked Truth in the head. Just as he went for a pinfall, Morrison rolled Drew back in the ring and the ref was distracted. Morrison hit a kick on Jericho near the corner, allowing Truth to come back and hit his scissors kick to the head for the pin.

Winners: John Morrison & R-Truth win via pinfall over Drew McIntyre & Chris Jericho.

They rolled out footage of Wrestlemania 22, where Rey Mysterio won the World Heavyweight Title for the first time in his career. Rey won by defeating Randy Orton and Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat match.

---

Layla and Michelle McCool were in the ring next for a divas segment. The ring was set up with pink balloons and a table full of food and red punch in a bowl. Michelle McCool said they had a match scheduled for the Womens title but it was cancelled. Michelle said she has good news though: Piggy James is leaving Smackdown for good. Michelle said they're throwing her a going away party, and showed all the food on the table off, including a few cakes that were designed with pink pigs on them. Finally, Maria came out to interrupt their skit.

Maria called the two heel divas annoying and said things will end right now. Maria said they only seem good at torturing Mickie, but that ends tonight. Maria says they should be leaving Smackdown not Mickie. Mickie said she doesn't care if they walk out hand in hand, or they're carried out. Michelle called Maria underfed, and told her she should be out getting Donald Trump a coffee. Maria got in their faces, which brought Mickie James out next with a mic.

Mickie said she's dealt with girls like Layla and Michelle all her life. Mickie said deep down inside they know they're nothing but try to put others down. Mickie said she pities them, then said she is what a real woman looks like. Mickie said the women in the audience are what real women are, skinny, fat, curvy, gorgeous and sexy. Mickie said she's how God intended her to be, and proud of it so their teasing won't chase her away. Mickie said the only people who will ever tell her if she needs to go are the WWE Universe. Michelle said with Mickie in the ring the fans get to see WWE and Animal Planet. Mickie said she will be at the Royal Rumble. Mickie said it's about time she embarrassed them now and taught them manners.

Layla started squawking at Mickie so she got punched first. All four divas got into it, with Maria battling Layla, and Mickie battling Michelle in separate corners. Beth Phoenix ran to the ring looking confused over what to do. She grabbed Maria and tossed her into the ringpost, then ran over to attack Mickie. Michelle and Layla joined in o nthe attack making it 3 on 1. Beth held Mickie so Michelle could further humiliate her, saying it was "feeding time for Piggy James". She picked up a pig off one of the cakes as Layla and Beth held Mickie. Michelle smashed the cake in Mickie's face, then said she needs to wash it down. Michelle picked up the bowl of punch and dumped it on Mickie's head. Layla and Michelle admired their work as they posed for the crowd with Mickie looking devastated in tears.

---

Cryme Tyme vs. Mike Knox & Charlie Haas

Not even a minute into the tag match, the Big Red Monster, Kane came down to the ring. JTG rushed towards him and got thrown out over the ropes. He threw out Haas next. Knox went after Kane, and Shad came over to help. Kane grabbed both by the throat and shoved them over the top rope as well. Kane raised his arms up and dropped them down to release his explosive pyro from the ring corners. Striker said Kane has to be considered a favorite in the 2010 Royal Rumble.

Winners: No contest as match was interrupted by Kane's interference.

Highlights were show from last Friday's steel cage match between Rey Mysterio and Batista. Batista punished Mysterio around the steel structure throughout, but in the end Mysterio was able to scale the wall and started his descent. Batista went for the cage door exit, with Mysterio kicking it into Batista's head. Mysterio won the match to become #1 Contender for Undertaker's title at the Royal Rumble.

Striker and Grisham said next up Rey Mysterio will call out The Undertaker.

---

When Smackdown returned they discussed the 2010 Royal Rumble which will feature Randy Orton taking on Sheamus for the WWE Title, Rey Mysterio challenging Undertaker for the World Heavyweight title, and the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match. The winner gets to move on to Wrestlemania 26 for a title shot.

Matt Hardy & The Great Khali vs. The Hart Dynasty

Striker asked how anyone can expect to throw Khali over the top rope. Hardy and Khali danced in the ring right before their opponents were introduced.

Early on The Hart Dynasty ran a doubleteam on Matt Hardy in and outside the ring. DH Smith hit a standing suplex on Hardy then locked in a submission hold chin lock with Hardy's arm raised. During the match, Kidd instructed Natalya to sneak around the ring over to Great Khali. Khali jumped down off the apron as Natalya began to make advances towards him. Natalya began to lead Khali up the ramp by the hand. Meanwhile in the ring, Matt shoved DH Smith against the ropes to knock Kidd off the apron, then rolled up DH Smith for a quick pinfall win. Hardy, Khali and Singh celebrated on the ramp.

Winners: Matt Hardy & Great Khali win via pinfall over The Hart Dynasty.

Rey Mysterio was shown backstage headed out for the ring to call out Undertaker next.

---

Rey Mysterio made his entrance down to the ring to call out The Undertaker. He slapped hands with fans along the way, stopping to talk to some with Mysterio masks on. He addressed the people asking why he would be crazy or stupid enough to call out Undertaker. Mysterio said four years ago he won the World title and it was a dream come true. He said the only thing standing between him and reliving that dream is a nightmare: The Undertaker. Mysterio said he wants to look Taker in the eyes to tell him he's not afraid.

Rey called out Undertaker and paused. The Undertaker's bells sounded and the arena went dark as flames erupted near the ramp. Undertaker made his way down the ramp to get in the ring with Mysterio. Mysterio brought up how last time they fought, Mysterio had him on the ropes for the title and there was no fear. Mysterio said this time there will be no Batista or Shawn Michaels. He said he's conquered his nightmares because of his dreams, and will concquer his nightmare of the Undertaker to become World champ once again. Rey promised to defeat Undertaker at the Royal Rumble.

Undertaker said Rey has bold words for a little man, and he seems to have concquered everything in his life, but nobody triumphs over the grave. Undertaker said he admires Rey's gall, but he's digging his own grave in the process. Undertaker said at the Royal Rumble, Rey will suffer the same fate that everyone else has suffered trying to make a name at Taker's expense. Undertaker promised at the Rumble that Rey will "Rest in Peace". He stared right down at Rey and the lights dimmed for Taker's music again as the Deadman exited.

As Undertaker was walking up the ramp, Rey called to him again. Finally, Undertaker stopped and turned around. Rey said he is not like the rest. Just then, The Animal Batista ran into the ring and attacked Mysterio from behind. He hoisted Mysterio up and hit the Batista Bomb. Undertaker started to head back towards the ring staring at Batista. Batista exited the ring and hopped over the crowd barrier to get away. Smackdown ended with Taker's music playing as he walked up the ramp, with Rey down in the ring holding his head. Taker turned to look back before raising one fist in the air as his flames exploded.

---