Smackdown Recap 02.12.10

Smackdown recap from Baton Rouge, LA:

With the Elimination Chamber just 9 days away, Smackdown opened up its latest installment on the Road to Wrestlemania 26. Tonight all six men involved in the Smackdown Chamber match will face off in singles contests. Undertaker and Jericho will battle in a No DQ match. R-Truth and John Morrison will square off in a one-on-one match, as will Rey Mysterio and CM Punk, in tonight's opening match.

Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk

Punk was accompanied to the ring by Straightedge Society members Luke Gallows and Serena. Punk shoved Rey by the face several times resulting in Rey's slap to his face, then Mysterio was on the quick attack. Rey used several fastpaced moves including getting on Punk's shoulders for a Sunset Flip style pinfall attempt. Punk managed to regain control in the match and got Rey down with a headscissors chokehold. Mysterio fought out of it, but Punk kicked him in the gut then back. Punk tossed Rey out under the ropes to the floor, then prepared to slide dropkick. Mysterio ducked it, slid back in the ring and ran against the ropes to try for a 619 on Punk, who moved away.

Punk managed to beat up Rey outside the ring and left him down and out. Grisham questioned if Rey could beat the countout. Punk came back out to smash his arm across Rey's back, then leveled him with a clothesline. In the ring, Punk used a surfboard submission to stretch Rey's back more. Rey managed to counter a Punk move moments later, but Punk retaliated with a backbreaker. Punk used more submission moves to try to wear Mysterio down.
Rey used his legs to kick Punk while he was down, then a drop toe hold to trip Punk face first to the corner. From there, Rey went on the corner, but Punk swiped his leg, causing Rey to be hung in the Tree of Woe. Punk went for a slide dropkick but Rey pulled himself up and Punk slid groin first into the post. Rey gained momentum from there with high flying moves. In the final moments, Punk got his high knee move on Mysterio in the corner, but Rey countered moments later to trip him into the ropes. Rey was going to try for a move, but Serena jumped up on the apron. With the ref distracted, Gallows got on the apron behind Rey and tried to grab him. Instead, Mysterio grabbed Gallows and yanked him throat first against the top rope. From there, Mysterio was able to trip Punk and went for a 619, but Punk moved. Punk grabbed Rey for GTS, but Rey countered it into a rollup pinfall for the win.

Moments after Rey's win, Gallows got in the ring to attack Mysterio and continuously beat on him. Punk backed into a corner with Serena and watched Gallows splash Mysterio in the corner for more damage. Gallows leveled Rey with a clothesline, then Serena ran and kicked Rey in the gut. Punk went over and grabbed Rey by his mask saying they could save him. He instructed Gallows to put Rey on Punk's shoulders so he could hit a final GTS.

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall over CM Punk.

Tonight on Smackdown the WWE Universe will hear Batista's explanation for his attack on John Cena on Raw last week after the show went off the air.

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Smackdown returned with a replay of Rey Mysterio's big win over Punk, followed by the attack in the ring by Gallows, Serena and Punk.

A new slowed down hard rock entrance music video for Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre was shown as Drew was introduced to the crowd. Drew got on the mic to deliver a short promo saying when he learned he had a match tonight, but he cut them off to say he doesn't care who he faces tonight, because he's the IC champ and he's undefeated and unstoppable. Just then, Kane's pyro explosives went off and the Big Red Monster made his way to the ring.

Kane vs. Drew McIntyre

Drew got back on the mic and said he has nothing to prove, especially not to Kane. Drew said Kane can't have a match against him tonight, but next week. The ref called for the bell before Drew could leave, so Kane booted him down out of the ring. He quickly retrieved McIntyre to bring back in the ring for more. Kane gained control and got on the top corner, but McIntyre rolled out of the ring as Smackdown went to commercial.

When the show returned, McIntyre had Kane grounded using a variety of submission moves on the mat. Moments later, Kane regained momentum as he charged at Drew in the corner. Drew elbowed him away, but Kane returned the favor with a sidewalk slam. Kane climbed to the corner and landed a huge clothesline from the top, then set up for the Chokeslam. He grabbed Drew's throat, but the IC champ kicked out of it, then went for the underhook DDT. Kane escaped it and tried again for the chokeslam, but McIntyre jumped out of it. The two men ended up clotheslining each other over the top rope. The ref started up the count and both men rose up at 4. McIntyre went to get back in the ring, but Kane grabbed him, then launched an attack against the crowd barricade. The ref got up to 9, and Kane continued the attack to make sure both men were counted out.

After the bell sounded, Drew got back in the ring and attacked Kane, knocking him down. He punched away on Kane, then went to the outside to grab the IC belt. Drew charged at Kane with the belt in hand, but Kane grabbed him around the throat and chokeslammed him down. Kane picked up the IC belt and looked at it, then dropped it on McIntyre before leaving the ring.

Winner: Double countout of Kane and Drew McIntyre.

Mickie was having fruit backstage, when Michelle McCool and Layla came up to start cracking overweight jokes again. Mickie told them this was all over between them. Layla and Michelle said Mickie has McCool's belt, so it's not over. They asked if the belt fits properly around Mickie's waist, then suggested she have some cottage cheese. Mickie slapped the bowl out of Michelle's hands, and a loud splatter sounded. The camera cut over to Vickie Guerrero who was standing nearby, she was covered in cottage cheese. Vickie screamed as Mickie said she was sorry. Mickie ran off as LayCool started to tell Vickie they'd take care of Mickie for that.

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Smackdown returned to show off WWE.com's divas Valentines day spread on the site.

Mickie James vs. Layla

Michelle accompanied Layla to the ring. Early on, Mickie did a running dropkick to kick down Layla as she was seated on the mat. Vickie Guerrero came out to yell "excuse me" several times, she was still covered in cottage cheese. Vickie told Mickie she would now be in a handicap match against Layla and Michelle. Michelle pulled off her boots and got into the ring, but Mickie started to attack. McCool returned a kick to the gut, and Layla attacked Mickie from behind.

Mickie came back against the ropes then threw Michelle down. She pounced on Layla for a move, and had a near fall on Michelle. The heel divas recovered to start doubleteaming and overpower Mickie again. Michelle hit a spinning backbreaker for a near fall. They continued to pound away on her. In the corner, Layla grabbed Mickie from behind on the apron, but Mickie fought her off. Despite that Michelle gained the upperhand and hit her Faithbreaker on Mickie to win it.

Winners: Michelle McCool and Layla win via pinfall over Mickie James.

The showed the Animal Batista walking backstage in street clothes on the way out to the ring to explain his actions against John Cena on Raw.

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Grisham and Striker introduced some replays of

Batista's actions in the past few weeks,

including his helping Vince McMahon restrain

Bret Hart so Vince could spit on the Hitman,

and then the attack of Cena after Raw went off

the air. Just a week ago, Batista got himself

counted out against CM Punk to lose his chance

at the Elimination Chamber. Striker

questioned why Batista would do this.

Josh Matthews was in the ring and introduced

Batista to the crowd. The Animal came out to

his chorus of boos wearing sunglasses and a

denim jacket with jeans. The spotlight was

shone down on him as he walked down the ramp

to the ring. Once in the ring, Matthews asked Batista what prompted his recent actions of Batista bombing John Cena on steel steps on Raw, as well as walking out on his match against CM Punk. Matthews said Batista asked to come out tonight to explain his actions to the WWE Universe. The Animal took the mic from Matthews as the crowd jeered him. Finally he glared at Matthews who backed out of the ring.

The crowd started up a Cena chant, and Batista went over to sit up on the corner of the ring, still not saying a word with the spotlight on him in the ring. Finally, Batista climbed out of the ring and walked around the ring, spotlight still on. He stopped and looked at a fan wearing an orange Cena shirt who started doing the "U Can't See Me" hand wave over the face. Batista got in the ring looking ready to speak, then simply dropped the mic and left the ring again as the fans booed. A "you suck!" chant rang out causing Batista to take off his glasses turn around and get back in the ring. He picked up the mic and dropped it down yet again, then kicked it across the ring before leaving to go backstage.

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After a WWE Did You Know factoid Smackdown GM Teddy Long's theme music hit and out came the GM to the ramp. Long discussed what happened with Batista last week refusing to compete in his match. Long said tonight Batista refused to give an explanation about his recent actions. Long said since Batista doesn't feel like talking, maybe he'll feel like competing against the 2010 Royal Rumble winner, Edge. Long said that match will go down on Smackdown. Grisham noted that this is Edge's first match back in seven months.

Matt Hardy & Great Khali vs. The Hart Dynasty

Ranjin Singh came down with Hardy and Khali. Hardy got on the mic to wish everyone a happy Valentine's day. Hardy said his partner the Punjabi Playboy always has a great Valentine's day, but this year Hardy said he's going to have an extra special V-Day. He introduced his Valentine, Maria. The diva came to the ring and hugged Hardy then stayed at ringside for the match. Natalya accompanied the Hart Dynasty as usual.

Khali tossed Kidd into the ring to start things, then made a tag to Hardy who punched Kidd down. Kidd soon turned things around to tag in Smith, who hit a standing suplex on Hardy. Kidd and Smith worked a doubleteam on Hardy for a bit with multiple tags. Kidd locked a side headlock on Hardy as he screamed out. Maria tried to rally Hardy from ringside. Hardy got to his feet and hit a Side Effect as Kidd came from against the ropes. DH Smith ran some interference distracting the ref, and Hardy got tripped up by Natalya from outside the ring. Maria rushed over and pounced on Natalya to start punching away. Meanwhile, in the ring Kidd tried to roll up Hardy and hold his tights. Hardy escaped and turned it into a schoolboy pinfall for 3.

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

They rolled the promo video of the Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase, the first 2010 WWE Hall of Fame inductee announced. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be on March 27th, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Raw Rebound was shown next covering the guest hosting done by NASCAR's Carl Edwards. At the end of the show, John Cena tried to call out Batista about what went down a week ago after Raw ended. Cena said if Batista won't show up for a fight, then he'll talk to Vince McMahon instead. Vince brought 10 security guards, and admitted to Cena that he paid Batista for his help but not for anything personal against Cena. Cena told Vince he's always been about the money, but Cena does this for the moment. Cena said he's spoken to Bret Hart and he wants to face Vince McMahon at Wrestlemania 26.

Cena incited Vince into agreeing to the match, and as Cena left the ring with Vince in it, the Hitman snuck in to attack. He punched Vince down and was beating on him until security pulled Hart away and got Vince out. Vince then told Bret on the mic he won't be getting that Wrestlemania 26 match because he deserves to be screwed. This sent The Hitman into a rage as he destroyed electrical and lighting equipment near the ramp, then the announcers table.

Grisham and Striker thanked Cypress Hill for "Rise Up" the theme song for the 2010 Elimination Chamber PPV. At the PPV, Sheamus defends his title in one chamber match against HHH, Dibiase, Kofi Kingston, John Cena and Randy Orton. For the Smackdown chamber, Undertaker will defend his title against John Morrison, R-Truth, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio and Chris Jericho. They rolled footage from earlier where Mysterio defeated Punk in a match, but was then attacked by the Straightedge Society's Luke Gallows and Serena. CM Punk finished things with a GTS.

R-Truth made his rap ring entrance involving members of the audience in the "What's Up?" song. Smackdown took a commercial break before Morrison's intro.

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R-Truth vs. John Morrison

Truth yelled out "Who Dat?" for the New Orleans Saints fans in the crowd. Striker and Grisham discussed how Morrison and Truth have never stepped inside the chamber. The two wrestlers shook hands before locking up. Morrison had a side headlock, but Truth shoved him to the ropes. JMo came back to shove Truth down. As Morrison ran across the ring against the ropes, Truth leapfrogged him. On the way back, R-Truth ducked down and Morrison rolled over Truth's back. Morrison landed badly and twisted his ankle. Morrison tried to get up but fell back to the mat holding his ankle. Finally, the ref called for the bell saying Morrison couldn't compete due to injury. Truth was a good sport and helped Morrison up as the trainers were in the ring to check on the injury.

Winner: R-Truth wins due to the fact John Morrison could not continue due to an injury.

Still to come in the main event is The Undertaker in a no disqualification match against Chris Jericho.

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Tony Chimel introduced the 2010 Royal Rumble winner, Edge to the crowd. Edge came out onto the ramp as the pyrotechnics went off for his entrance. Edge said he came out to discuss the benefits of winning the Rumble, including the fact he gets to headline Wrestlemania 26. Edge said he doesn't have to compete in one of the most grueling matches in WWE history, the Elimination Chamber. Edge said he'll predict whoever survives the chamber, either the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion. Edge said he could face his old RKO partner, Randy Orton, or John Cena. He said or he might face the winner of Smackdown's chamber, Mysterio or CM Punk. Edge said there's 12 potential opponents he might face, but one stands out from the pack to him, the only guy who is undefeated at Wrestlemania, The Undertaker.

Edge began to speak about Batista, but just then Chris Jericho's theme music went off. His pyro exploded and Jericho walked down to the ring intently. Once in the ring, Jericho got on the mic to confront Edge calling him either stupid or arrogant. Jericho said Edge never mentioned him as a potential opponent at Mania. Jericho said when he's around, bad things happen to Edge, which might be why Edge is afraid of being around him. Jericho said he doesn't get injured, he just wins titles and carries the WWE on his back. Jericho called himself "best in the world at what he does". Jericho suggested that Edge save himself some grief by choosing the winner of the Raw Chamber. Jericho said in 9 days he will win the Smackdown Elimination Chamber to walk out as World Champion. Jericho warned Edge to stay away from him, because bad things might happen once again. Jericho said as proof of his greatness he will defeat The Undertaker tonight. Just then, the bell sounded and the lights dimmed for Taker's entrance.

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The Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho
No DQ match

Edge joined Matt Striker and Todd Grisham to provide commentary for the main event match. Smackdown returned to the match in progress out of a commercial, with Jericho escaping the ring and Taker chasing him out there. As Jericho rolled back in, Undertaker tried to follow. Jericho went for an elbow drop on Taker, but he moved away and gained control as he beat on Jericho from outside the ring. Taker hit a huge leg drop on Jericho as he was draped over the edge of the apron.

Edge discussed just what it takes to win the Elimination Chamber match, and what it feels like to face Undertaker in a title match at Mania. Edge said he and Undertaker have battled in a wide variety of matches. Striker tried to ask Edge if he'd face Taker at Mania, should Taker win the Chamber. Edge wouldn't give up an answer.

In the ring, Taker set up for Old School, but Jericho tripped him up to land crotch first on the corner. Jericho climbed onto the corner and beat on Taker, then landed a Superplex for a near fall. Jericho took control as he locked a headlock on Taker to wear him down. Taker punched Jericho in the face numerous times to break the hold. Both men got to their feet for a punching battle. Taker knocked Jericho to the corner, then whipped him to the opposite for a running clothesline. Next up was a face first drop on the turnbuckle, followed by a big boot to the face. Taker signaled for a chokeslam as he waited for Jericho to stand. Jericho escaped the ring and leaned up on the announcers table looking Edge in the face.

Edge suggested that Jericho should just get back in the ring. Just then, Undertaker came out and grabbed Jericho. He stared at Edge in the face, then tried to throw Jericho at him. Edge avoided it and Jericho hit the chair. Taker tossed Jericho back into the ring, then turned and booted Edge down. As Taker got in the ring, Jericho seized the moment. After gaining control he exposed the corner turnbuckle. Taker came at him, and Jericho got a near fall. Taker managed to knock Jericho over into the corner where Jericho hit the exposed steel face first. Taker took control and hit a Last Ride on Jericho, but just then, Edge came into the ring to Spear down Taker. He left the ring and headed up the ramp.

Taker sat up with Jericho still down. Jericho finally got up and as Taker came at him, he hit a surprise Codebreaker to win the match by pinfall.

Winner: Chris Jericho wins via pinfall over The Undertaker.

Smackdown ended with a replay of what just went down involving Edge, Taker and Jericho's victory. Jericho was up on the ramp pointing down to the ring where the Deadman rolled his eyes into the back of his head and glared back from the mat.

Next week on Smackdown, Edge battles Batista one on one.

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