Smackdown Recap 01.29.10

Smackdown Recap from Cincinnati, OH:

Smackdown kicked off with a video promoting tonight's D-Generation X title defense, as the tag champs return to Smackdown. The narrator questioned if DX can hold it together after HHH tossed Michaels from the ring on Raw for the Royal Rumble. Tonight the duo defends the titles against CM Punk and Luke Gallows.

Following the intro video, DX's theme music started up and they made their way out to the arena to the screaming fans. HHH got on the mic and said he sees the army is here, and prepared to ask "Are you ready?" Just then, Rey Mysterio's music hit and Rey arrived down to the ring. Rey walked right up to Michaels and said he respects him, but feels HBK has no respect for him. Rey said he keeps hearing from HBK how he'll win the Rumble and move on to face the Undertaker for the title, because Undertaker will beat him Sunday. Michaels told Mysterio is that's exactly what he thinks, and asked why Rey's getting in his face. HHH intervened and told Mysterio if he's looking for a fight tonight Hornswoggle's not there. Mysterio said he'll do something that HHH or Michaels never did at Wrestlemania, defeat the Undertaker. Mysterio told HBK if there's a problem they can handle it in the ring tonight.

Just then, CM Punk's music hit and out came Punk, Gallows and Serena, the female they inducted last week. Gallows was carrying a chair in his hand. Punk got on the mic as they walked down the ramp. Punk accused Rey of being high on something. Punk told Rey tonight the Straightedge Society will take over as unified tag team champions. Punk said he's there to lead his crusade with his disciples Luke and Serena. HHH interjected that he watches Smackdown and he's relieved to know Punk is straight, but nobody gives a crap about the whole "I don't drink thing". HHH said he doesn't drink, do drugs or any of that, but he doesn't look like he's been on a week long binge with Amy Winehouse. Punk angrily started to talk back as Teddy Long's music hit.

Smackdown GM Teddy Long came to the top of the ramp and told everyone to hold on. Teddy said things are likely to change in the WWE, so there won't be a Unified tag title match tonight. Teddy said for the first time ever, Rey Mysterio will battle Shawn Michaels one on one, and CM Punk will face Triple H right now.

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HHH vs. CM Punk

Punk had Gallows and Serena at ringside for him. HHH told HBK during the break he'd handle this on his own, so HBK went to the back. Punk seemed to be in control but HHH made his comeback. Punk was able to counter HHH's Pedigree with a backdrop. HHH came back to hit a knee buster on Punk, then put him in a Figure Four leglock. Punk screamed out in pain, as HHH grabbed the ropes for leverage. Serena got into the ring to tell the ref, and Gallows ran over to punch HHH in the face. As HHH got up Punk gave him a roundhouse kick then went for GTS. HHH escaped and set up the Pedigree, but Serena ran in and jumped on HHH's back. HHH tossed her down to the mat, then punched Punk.

Serena got back on HHH's back. Luke Gallows came in and started to punch away and stomp away on HHH in the corner. Punk ordered Gallows to bring him center of the ring for more beating. Punk kept on elbowing HHH as Gallows brought the clippers into the ring. Punk prepared to shave HHH, but HBK rushed in for the save. He fought off Gallows, then he and HHH clotheslined him out. They turned their attention to Serena and Punk. Punk got behind Serena then slid out under the ropes. HBK faked a Superkick on Serena so she escaped the ring and went to Punk on the ramp.

Winner: Triple H wins due to disqualification over CM Punk.
They hyped up the upcoming main event Shawn Michaels versus Rey Mysterio, as well as the Intercontinental title match between Drew McIntyre and John Morrison, a No DQ match.

Chris Jericho was shown walking backstage on his way out to the ring.

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R-Truth vs. Chris Jericho

They showed highlights from last Friday's tag match involving Jericho and McIntyre versus R-Truth and Morrison. Morrison and Truth won after Truth hit a scissors kick on Jericho.

Truth came out to do his "What's Up" intro, complete with crowd interaction. Late in the match, Truth punched Jericho down, then used a headscissors to flip him to the mat. After a near fall by Truth, he tried to whip Jericho to the corner. Jericho reversed and tried to come back, but Truth ducked his clothesline. Jericho responded ducking Truth's move, then tried for Walls of Jericho. Truth countered into a pinfall but Jericho kicked out. Jericho went for Codebreaker near the ropes, with Truth hanging on to block it, then rolling up Jericho for the pinfall win.

Winner: R-Truth wins via pinfall over Chris Jericho.

Striker and Grisham talked about the big title matches at the Royal Rumble, Mysterio vs. Undertaker for World Heavyweight title and Orton versus Sheamus for the WWE Title. They rolled footage of Taker last week telling Mysterio "at the Rumble you will rest in peace". Mysterio was soon attacked from behind by Batista as Taker went up the ramp. Taker walked back to the ring and Batista retreated into the crowd.

Josh Matthews talked to Batista backstage. The Animal said he hasn't changed his strategy about the Rumble. Batista said he'll have the spotlight right where it belongs, on him. Batista said he's been cheated out of the title and his #1 Contender spot. Batista said last week's statement he made is that he's winning the Rumble, securing a championship match at Wrestlemania, and getting his World title back. Batista said anyone who tries to get in his way should watch out or they'll get hurt.

John Morrison was shown walking backstage on his way out for the No DQ Intercontinental title match.

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John Morrison vs. Drew McIntyre
Intercontinental Title match No DQ

Morrison spoke before the match about how he was never handpicked by the WWE brass to be a champion, and said that Drew doesn't appreciate what he has, because he takes shortcuts to get titles. Morrison said McIntyre dropped the IC belt on the ground and gave Sheamus a running chest bump when he won the title. Morrison said since Drew believes he doesn't need to play by rules, in tonight's match he can't cheat, run or get counted out, because it's No DQ. Morrison said that if McIntyre wants to be champion he needs to fight for it just like everyone else does.



McIntyre tried to clock Morrison with the IC belt, but Morrison ducked it and fought back. McIntyre was able to overcome the attack to knock Morrison to the mat, where he beat on him. Drew held up the belt right before Smackdown went to the break. During the break, McIntyre tried to walk off with the belt, but Morrison headed him off and jumped on him from the ropes. Morrison went for a springboard move from the ropes, and McIntyre pushed him out of the ring. From there McIntyre grabbed the top part of the steel steps and pressed it over head. He tried to throw them at Morrison who got out of the way as they hit the ring post. McIntyre clotheslined Morrison over the crowd barrier into the crowd, then climbed over to go after him. Morrison fought back and shoved Mcntyre into a wall.

The two fought back over the barrier with Morrison in control. He backed up and ran to jump over the barrier and clothesline McIntyre down. McIntyre grabbed a Kendo stick and went at Morrison, but JMo headed him off again and did an armbar toss onto the steel steps. Morrison brought McIntyre back into the ring for a near fall. Striker suggested that Morrison should focus his attack on McIntyre's back. Morrison set up and went for Starship Pain, but McIntyre got his knees up to stop Morrison. As Morrison got up, McIntyre grabbed him and set up his DDT finisher, driving Morrison headfirst into the IC title.

Winner: Drew McIntyre wins via pinfall over John Morrison to retain the Intercontinental title.

They reminded fans of Shawn Michaels versus Mysterio for later on tonight.

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WWE Womens Champion Michelle McCool arrived to the ring. At the Royal Rumble she defends her title against Mickie James. Striker said today is Michelle's birthday. Michelle said she tried to do all of her fans last week by sending Piggy James back to the barnyard for good. Michelle said she can't stop smiling after last week's send off. They showed the highlights of her smashing a pig cake into Mickie's face, then dumping punch all over her. Layla and Beth Phoenix were there to help hold Mickie down. A teary-eyed Mickie ran away up the ramp.

Michelle said that little Piggy went wee wee wee all the way home. Michelle said she'd be upset if she didn't get to see Michelle defend her title against Piggy at the Royal Rumble. Michelle said since she's a fighting champion, she has an idea, and issued an open challenge to the divas locker room for her Womens title. Mickie Jame's theme music started up, and out came Layla in a fat suit and pig nose to resemble "Piggy James". She pulled a donut out of her vest as she danced around up on the ramp. Layla kept eating and snorting like a pig as she jawed at Michelle. Layla fell into the ring as she got in still eating. Michelle grabbed the doughnut away from her and took it out of the ring.

Piggy James (Layla) vs. Michelle McCool
WWE Womens title match

The bell rang with Layla aka Piggy James chasing Michelle outside the ring for her doughnut. Michelle got back in the ring and teased her with the donut as Layla pretended she had trouble getting in the ring. Layla got up and tried to splash Michelle in the corner. Michelle dropped down, then rolled up Piggy James for a pinfall victory to retain her title.

Winner: Michelle McCool wins via pinfall over Piggy James/Layla to retain the WWE Womens title.

They hyped up Rey Mysterio versus Shawn Michaels as the main event match again.

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After a WWE Royal Rumble factoid was presented, the Royal Rumble "by the numbers" highlight video was shown. Striker and Grisham talked up the major stars in the 30-man Royal Rumble match for Sunday. They reminded fans of the big title matches: Orton versus Sheamus for the WWE Title, and Mysterio versus Undertaker for World Heavyweight title.

Shawn Michaels was walking in a hall backstage, when Batista came up and warned him to stay out of his way in the Royal Rumble. Michaels told Batista he always thought he was overrated. Batista pulled his hat off and said maybe he should just- but HHH interrupted asking "Maybe you should what?" Batista turned to face HHH, with HHH asking if he had something to say. Batista put his hat back on and walked off.

Rey Mysterio made his entrance complete with pyrotechnics fireworks display as Smackdown went to a commercial break.

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Shawn Michaels arrived out to his "Sexy Boy" theme music and pyrotechnics rather than the DX theme song.

Rey Mysterio vs. Shawn Michaels

At one point in the match, Mysterio and Michaels went back and forth with blows. Michaels managed to come from off the ropes to hit a flying elbow to take down Mysterio. Both guys were down and HBK leapt back up to his feet. Mysterio responded with a headscissors to toss Michaels, then did a West Coast Pop from the ropes onto Micahels for a near fall. Both guys were down again, with Mysterio trying for a reverse springboard move, and Michaels knocking him down to the mat. Another HBK near fall followed.

HBK picked up Mysterio on his shoulder for a move, but Mysterio turned it into a DDT to plant Michaels into the mat. Mysterio went for a springboard splash but was met by HBK's knees. Michaels went to the corner ropes for his flying elbow and connected on it. He prepared for Mysterio to get up by stomping his foot to tune up the band for Sweet Chin Music. The crowd went into a frenzy as Michaels went for Sweet Chin Music. Mysterio stood up and managed to kick Michaels against the middle rope to connect on a 619. Mysterio got up on the apron then tried to springboard off the top rope, but Michaels hit Sweet Chin Music as Mysterio was in the air. Both guys were down on the mat, with HBK getting up first.

All of a sudden, The Animal was in the ring and speared down HBK. He hit a Spinebuster on Mysterio, then set up a Batista Bomb. Triple H's music hit and The Game came rushing down to the ring. He grabbed Batista and hit a Spinebuster. HHH clotheslined Batista over the top rope and both men toppled over to the outside. Meanwhile back in the ring, HBK and Mysterio struggled to get back to their feet. As they got to their knees, suddenly the lights went out in the arena as Undertaker's bell sounded. The lights returned with Undertaker in the ring standing in front of Mystero and Michaels. He grabbed both of them by the throat, looked back and forth at them, then hit a double chokeslam to send them to the mat.

Smackdown closed with Taker staring down at his latest victims. His music started up and flames erupted from the top of the ramp as Smackdown went off the air. Striker said we'll see you at the Rumble.

Winner: No contest, double disqualification when Batista interfered.

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