Smackdown Recap 02.26.10

Smackdown recap from :

Smackdown opened with highlights from last Sunday's Elimination Chamber PPV match involving the World Heavyweight Title. It came down to Undertaker against Chris Jericho, with Taker hitting the Last Ride. Out of the bottom of the Chamber floor came Shawn Michaels to hit Sweet Chin Music, laying out Taker. This allowed Jericho to capture the pinfall victory for the World Title.

Tony Chimel introduced the new World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Jericho. Todd Grisham remarked that this is Jericho's sixth title reign as World Champion. They cut to highlights from Raw this past Monday where Jericho kept bragging in the ring, until Edge entered the ring to Spear him down. Edge made his announcement that he's chosen to face him at Wrestlemania 26.

On Smackdown, Jericho began to brag once again about being the World Champion, having the camera zoom in on his name on the belt. Jericho brought up Edge ruining his inauguration ball on Raw, saying that it was supposed to be his moment to allow all the WWE Universe failures to bask in his success. Jericho repeatedly said he didn't deserve it, which brought out Edge to the ring.

Edge congratulated Jericho for walking into the Chamber and walking out as World Heavyweight Champion. Jericho said it's because he's the best in the world at what he does. Edge said he's the best in the world at getting speared. Edge listed off all of Jericho's impressive wins, finishing the statements with the word "spear" added in. A spear chant started up so Edge paused, then said it seems the spears are getting to Jericho mentally. Edge said Jericho seems doubtful that he can even beat him. Edge said he wants the Jericho who's the best at what he does to be at Wrestlemania 26, because if he's not there will be one more Spear and it's all over. Jericho told Edge he'll never spear him again, then punched him in the face. Jericho went for a Codebreaker but Edge held the top rope causing it to fail. Edge moved to the corner and crouched down, then ran and hit yet another Spear. Jericho rolled out of the ring holding his ribs.

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John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. R-Truth
Triple Threat Money in the Bank Qualifying match

They showed highlights of some of Morrison's high-flying moves in the Elimination Chamber, saying Morrison was in the final 3 at the Chamber.

R-Truth rapped his way to the ring and was accompanied by his WWE NXT rookie, David Otunga. Ziggler tried to go to the outside to let Truth and Morrison battle it out, but they worked together to go get him in the ring. Ziggler was knocked to the outside again, so Truth and Morrison began to fight. Truth gained the upperhand and went for a pinfall, so Ziggler rushed into the ring to break it up, then left the ring again. Ziggler continued this strategy, so Morrison chased him into the ring for Truth to clothesline. Truth clotheslined Morrison out of the ring to Otunga's approval.

In the late stages of the match, Ziggler had several near falls against John Morrison with Truth recovering outside the ring. Morrison got a small package but Truth slid in to break it up, then tossed Morrison out of the ring. Ziggler had a near fall off a powerslam on Truth, then Truth got a small package of his own, but Morrison was in to break that up. Truth got a surprise schoolboy on Morrison with Ziggler down, but Ziggler broke it up. Truth went for the Lie Detector on Ziggler, but Ziggler avoided it so Truth hit Morrison instead for a near fall.

Ziggler and Truth ended up fighting on the corner, with Ziggler getting kncoked, crashing to the outside. With Ziggler out of the ring, Morrison got on the corner to fight Truth. The two fought for a bit, before Morrison hit a Sunset Flip Powerbomb on Truth followed by Straship Pain for a potential winning pin. Ziggler yanked Morrison by the leg out of the ring, then stole the pin.

Winner: Dolph Ziggler wins via pinfall on R-Truth to qualify for the Money in the Bank match at Wrestlemania 26.

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Smackdown returned with Striker thanking Kevin Rudolf for "We Made It", the official theme song for Wrestlemania 26. Grisham brought up the rematch, Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels. They cut to a video package of the events leading up the rematch including the Slammys on Raw, Undertaker denying Michaels' request, HBK costing DX the Tag titles on Raw, HBK failing to win the Rumble, but eventually getting involved in the Elimination Chamber last Sunday to cost Taker his title. Now Michaels will put his wrestling career on the line against Undertaker's 17-0 Wrestlemania streak in "The Career vs. The Streak".

Smackdown consultant Vickie Guerrero was shown walking backstage wearing a special guest referee uniform. The Womens title match is next.

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Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James
WWE Womens Title match

McCool came to the ring along with pal Layla. Striker noted that Michelle seems to have Vickie in her back pocket.

Early on, Michelle knocked Mickie down, before Mickie retaliated with a dropkick. Mickie kicked Michelle from the corner , then countered her clothesline for a neckbreaker. Layla jumped up on the apron, so Vickie went over to tell her to get off. Michelle tried to toss Mickie out of the ring, but instead Mickie tossed her. Outside the ring, Mickie managed to hit a headscissors on Michelle, then smashed her against the crowd barrier. Mickie was on the apron to get in the ring when Layla ran over. Mickie kicked her away, so Michelle yanked Mickie's leg to cause her to hit the floor.

Backstage, The Glamazon was watching the match on a flatscreen monitor. Michelle maintained control in the ring, until Mickie came back with a brief attack. Michelle set up for a Powerbomb, but Mickie countered it into a takedown. Mickie gained momentum as she punched away on Michelle. McCool was able to hit a move near the ropes. Vickie tried to rush over to drop to the mat to count it, but instead fell outside of the ring to the floor. Layla came over to brush her off and tried to get her into the ring. Meanwhile, Mickie rolled up Michelle and yelled for Vickie to come in the ring. Vickie did, but then walked up and slapped Mickie in the face. Mickie turned to confront Vickie, which allowed McCool to get up and deliver a hard kick to Mickie's face. Michelle took the pinfall to reclaim the WWE Women's title.

Winner: Michelle McCool wins via pinfall over Mickie James to become the WWE Women's Champion.

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Kane vs. Drew McIntyre
Money in the Bank Qualifying match

McIntyre came out with a mic in hand to brag about his win at the Elimination Chamber over Kane and how he is currently undefeated. McIntyre said he's going to win this match, go on to Wrestlemania, win MITB and then be the Intercontinental and World Champ, still undefeated.

Both men traded offense early in the match. McIntyre hit a huge clothesline for a near fall on the Big Red Monster. Kane battled a headlock to get back to his feet and toss McIntyre across the ring. Kane started to strike McIntyre then hit two huge clotheslines in the corner. Next up was the Sidewalk slam for a near fall. Kane went to the top corner for a move, with McIntyre avoiding him. McIntyre hit a move similar to the Zig Zag on Kane, then went for his double underhook DDT. Kane escaped it in the corner, and was able to put the Chokeslam on McIntyre. Drew elbowed out and went against the ropes only to meet a big boot for a near fall.

Kane countered McIntyre's double underhook DDT attempt twice, then slammed McIntyre down. He kicked him hard in the forehead again, to hand McIntyre his first loss ever. McIntyre got up and yelled at the ref, then was enraged as the fans chanted "you suck". Drew went over and slammed his hands down on the announcers table, then began screaming at Matt Striker. Striker told him to take it easy because how he reacts to this is what defines him.

Winner: Kane wins via pinfall over Drew McIntyre to qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at Wrestlemania 26.

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As Smackdown returned they recapped who's in the MITB Ladder match for WM26. Dolph Ziggler, Kane and Christian have all qualified.

Matt Striker noted the other Wrestlemania 26 theme song "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC which will be on the Iron Man 2 soundtrack out April 19th.

One half of the unified tag team champs and US Champion The Miz arrived to the ring with both of his championship belts. Miz said as one half of the tag champs he can appear on any show he wants. He said they can defend the tag titles against any team in the WWE, but they still don't have an opponent for Wrestlemania. Miz called for GM Teddy Long to find a suitable tag team to battle the MizShow. Miz said he will have his Wrestlemania moment on the biggest stage of them all, because he's The Miz and "he's awesome". This brought out the Smackdown GM Teddy Long. Long said if Show was there tonight, they'd have a tag team title match, but since he's not they should have Miz go one-on-one. Long said he had an opponent for him. Miz said give him whoever he's got because he's not afraid. Long said he can face 2010 Royal Rumble winner Edge then.

Coming up next, newly acquired Smackdown wrestler, Shelton Benjamin, faces CM Punk in a Money in the Bank qualifying match.

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Shelton Benjamin vs. CM Punk
Money in the Bank Qualifying match

Grisham reminded fans that CM Punk has won back-to-back Money in the Bank ladder matches at Wrestlemania. He arrived to the ring first, along with the anti-diva Serena and his first disciple Luke Gallows.

In the late part of the match, Punk and Benjamin traded punches and kicks. Benjamin whipped Punk to the ropes for several takedowns. Punk sent Shelton to the corner, where Shelton jumped back to knock Punk down. Unfortunately, Benjamin missed on a corner splash and took a kick to the head from Punk. After a near fall, Punk was back up and hit a running knee in the corner. He went for a Bulldog, with Shelton able to shove Punk off. Luke Gallows got up on the apron, encouraging Punk to get up. Shelton turned his attention to Gallows allowing Punk to gain the upperhand. Just then, Rey Mysterio appeared at ringside and yanked Gallows off the apron. Punk had a GTS but let Shelton down, staring out at Mysterio. Shelton hit Paydirt and collected the win, preventing Punk from returning to the MITB match at Mania.

Mysterio smiled and waved from the top of the ramp at Punk down in the ring.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin wins via pinfall over CM Punk to qualify for the Money in the Bank match at Wrestlemania 26.

Still to come tonight is Edge against The Miz in the main event.

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Todd Grisham and Matt Striker ran down the matches for Wrestlemania 26 so far: Cena vs. Batista (WWE Title), Edge vs Jericho (World Title), Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker (Career vs. Streak) and the MITB Ladder match which will feature eight competitors. So far Christian, Kane, Shelton Benjamin and Dolph Ziggler are qualified.

Edge arrived down to the ring for the main event match against The Miz. Striker hyped up the Jericho Edge match for WM26. They cut to highlights of earlier in the night when Edge speared Jericho in the ring.

Edge vs. The Miz

Miz ducked out under the ropes to escape Edge early on. The Rated-R Superstar dropped Miz to the mat and kept a hold locked in on his waist, then set up a bridge pinfall with Miz escaping barely. Miz made a comeback as he started to hammer on Edge's back then kicked him out of the ring. Miz went for a slide dropkick but Edge got back in the ring. Miz slid back in, so Edge slid out then yanked Miz outside too to give him a beatdown as he threw him into the crowd barrier. Edge continued the attack in the corner of the ring, and ducked a boot from Miz to escape the ring then drop Miz to the mat. Miz recovered though and was able to knock Edge out of the ring.

Miz was in control in the ring after a commercial break, using a headlock on Edge. Edge fought back for a bit, but Miz dropped him then kicked him in the face. Miz continued to punish Edge with a knee to the back of Edge against the ropes. Miz was able to hit his running clothesline in the corner, then went for a double axehandle off the top rope. Edge countered it to drop Miz to the mat. Both men were slow to get to their feet from the mat.

Miz began to punch away at Edge, but Edge ducked one and hit a side Russian Leg sweep. Backstage, WWE NXT rookie Daniel Bryan was watching his mentor The Miz on a flatscreen. Edge gained the upperhand and hit a series of clotheslines on Miz. Miz reversed Edge's whip attempt to send Edge against the ropes. Edge came back to slam Miz back first to the mat. After escaping the pinfall, The Miz hit an inverted DDT for a near fall. Edge countered a Miz move though for an Impaler DDT to the mat. From the corner, Edge prepared for a Spear and hit it on Miz, then took the winning pinfall.

Edge celebrated his victory, posing from the corner as they replayed a clip of Edge's winning moves. Smackdown closed with Edge pointing to the Wrestlemania XXVI banner.

Winner: Edge wins via pinfall over The Miz.

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