Smackdown Recap 04.30.10

Smackdown recap from Hershey, PA:

After the opening SD pyro, Todd Grisham declared the WWE has been shaken to its core. Starting tonight, new faces try to "establish their position" on the roster. Smackdown GM Theodore Long was introduced to start the show off. Long said Smackdown got the best of the draft. He introduced new Smackdown acquisition Kofi Kingston, who came out to the fans' cheers for the opening matchup.

Kofi Kingston vs. Chris Jericho

Jericho was recently drafted to WWE Raw on Monday night. Jericho was attacked in the ring by Kofi following his match on Raw. Jericho grabbed a mic before tonight's match. Jericho said he was right when he said he'd become "the face of Smackdown." He continued to rattle off his feats while Kofi rested in the corner area. Jericho said he's now going to become the "face of Raw," and many fans will be sad now that he's gone. The crowd started a "you suck" chant. Jericho told them it's time for them all to move on with their lives and grow up.

Kofi yanked the mic out of Jericho's hands. Kofi told Jericho to "Shut up" instead, or he'll help him out. Jericho took exception to that, and went for the attack as soon as the bell sounded, but Kofi soon regained control.

Jericho had several opportunities to put Kofi away but couldn't, including several Walls of Jericho attempts. Jericho had a near fall with Kofi kicking out, causing Jericho to get irritated. He ran over and kicked Kofi in the gut, then yelled at him "where's the Boom?" He kicked Kofi in the head again, inciting the crowd to boo him. As Jericho kept mocking him, he went against the ropes, but as he came back, Kofi was up and hit Trouble in Paradise to surprise Jericho.

Winner: Kofi Kingston wins via pinfall over Chris Jericho.

Jack Swagger appeared on camera backstage to deliver a promo as World Heavyweight Champion. He said after winning the 2002 Rose Bowl he was invited to the White House by the greatest president in our country's history: George W. Bush.

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Backstage, Jericho was holding his chin hurt from the match. He walked up to someone backstage and started going off how he could have used him out there. Jericho said he should have stayed on Raw to help him there, because he's useless without Jericho here. Jericho asked if he was even listening. All of a sudden, a huge KO punch floored Jericho. The camera showed Big Show who said "yea, I heard you" then walked off.

Chavo Guerrero was in the ring to announce he was back on Smackdown again. Chavo said now there's two Guerrero's again, him and his aunt Vickie. He told the fans to put their hands together to welcome him back. The fans booed, and then Kane's pyro exploded from the top of the ramp.

Once Kane was in the ring, Chavo started saying something to him. Kane simply grabbed him around the throat. Kane hit the Chokeslam to smash Chavo to the mat, then went and got the mic to say "Welcome back Chavo" before raising his hands up and bringing them down to make the ringposts explode.

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Shad Gaspard was shown backstage in a suit. He delivered a promo to the camera. Josh Matthews wasn't there to interview him. Gaspard said with all the new faces coming from Raw who think it's their time, they're wrong, because it's his time. Shad removed his dark sunglasses and said "My time" a second time for effect.

John Morrison vs. Cody Rhodes

Rhodes made his debut as a new member of the Smackdown roster, while Morrison is now on Raw. Cody odes arrived to the ring with the Legacy graphics and his original theme song from back in his early WWE days.

During the match, Morrison missed on a Starship Pain attempt as Cody rolled away. Morrison landed on both feet, then ran at Rhodes in the corner. Rhodes ducked down and tossed Morrison up over the top rope, with Morrison landing feet-first on the apron. Morrison tried to land a headscissor move near the ropes, but Cody grabbed his legs then did the Alabama Slam. He had the pinfall but Morrison barely escaped.

Late in the match, Cody hit a chinbuster when he dropped down with Morrison. Rhodes went over to grab Morrison by his hair, but he responded with a Pele kick. However, Morrison went for a clothesline, but Cody managed to surprise Morrison and connect on the Cross Rhodes to score the pinfall.

Winner: Cody Rhodes wins via pinfall over John Morrison.

Jack Swagger was shown backstage again with another fact about himself. He said as team captain of his Oklahoma Sooners he lead the wrestling team to 3 consecutive national championships.

They showed the Rated-R Superstar Edge walking backstage. Grisham said he'll deliver his Farewell address, next.

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Edge's music hit and the Rated-R Superstar came to the ring. Grisham said Edge is the "biggest blue-chipper" Raw scored in the recent draft. Edge said to be honest, he doesn't want to leave for Raw, because Smackdown has always felt like his home. Edge said the fans were like his family there too. Edge said he wants to say a proper goodbye, and thank all of the fans. He said from the bottom of his heart, he loves them. Just then, the newest Smackdown acquisition, Captain Charisma's music hit and Christian came to the ring.

Edge announced to the fans "Edge and Christian", saying the fans must remember everything they did. Edge said before Christian wishes him luck on Raw, he wants to let him know he's his best friend. Edge wished him luck on Smackdown. Christian said he appreciated that, and he's glad he brought up the best friends thing. Christian said he and Edge knew each other since sixth grade, were roommates in college and broke into the WWE together. He reminded fans they became 7-time tag champs together. Christian said that means he knows him better than anyone, including himself.

Christian told Edge that every word he said before he got to the ring was a "load of crap." Christian said that Edge never really respected the fans back, despite them respecting him so much. Christian said Edge used the fans to get what he wanted. Edge asked if this was about Christian or him. Edge said he's a nine-time world champion, then asked Christian how many World Championships he's won. Christian said he hasn't been the champion yet, but he will be, and when he is he won't step on other people to win it. Christian announced that Edge is a liar prompting a bunch of boos from the audience. Edge looked stunned a bit by the remark.

Edge told Christian "you're right!" and that he can't wait to get off Smackdown. He said he's been making the crowd dance around like puppets saying "spear spear spear" whenever he wanted. Edge said he enjoyed every second of the manipulation too. Christian said he keeps getting asked when he and Edge were gonna make another run at the titles. Christian said he realized that Edge used him to get to the top too. He said he doesn't want to see Edge & Christian anymore now, he'd rather see Edge versus Christian right here, right now. Edge pulled off his shirt ready to fight, then said "No." Edge dropped the mic to walk off, and Christian began to respond. Edge hit Christian from behind.

Things erupted as Edge went for the Spear, but Christian countered it. The two rolled around on the mat a bit, punching each other. Christian went for Killswitch, but Edge slipped out of his grip and escaped onto the ramp. Christian started up the "Na na na na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye" chant with the crowd as Edge looked at him from the ramp.

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Josh Matthews caught up with Edge backstage to ask if they'll ever see a Christian versus Edge match. Edge said he doesn't think Christian wants any part of him. Just then Big Show walked up behind Edge. Edge turned and started at Show. Show said it's too bad they're not going to see an Edge vs Christian match, or this match either. Edge prepared to walk off, but Show gave him a knockout punch as well to leave him face down.

Beth Phoenix & Kelly Kelly vs Michelle McCool & Layla

Grisham said Phoenix is now a 3-time Womens champion. The newest Smackdown diva was introduced, Kelly Kelly. Grisham noted that Rosa Mendes was also drafted to Smackdown.

At one point, Kelly took out Michelle from the apron. She then jumped off the apron to take out Layla outside, but Vickie Guerrero rushed over to smash Kelly down to the floor. Michelle gained control back in the ring to try to wear Kelly down. Kelly escaped after delivering a kick on Layla, and tagged in Beth. Beth came in on a tear. She dominated Layla, eventually knocking Michelle off the apron. Beth hit a slingshot suplex with Layla, then tagged in Kelly for the finishing leg drop on Layla.

Winners: Kelly Kelly & Beth Phoenix win via pinfall over Michelle McCool & Layla.

Another Jack Swagger fact delivered by the champ backstage, saying as a junior in High School he turned down scholarships from some of the top schools in the nation including Miami, Texas, Stanford and USC.

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Backstage, Chris Masters was on camera for a promo. He said we live in an age when viral videos make people famous. He said for the first time tonight he presents "this." He made his pecs dance for a bit to the Smackdown theme song, then said "now that's a Masterpiece."

Dolph Ziggler arrived to the ring to talk. Todd Grisham mentioned Ziggler holds victories with his sleepover move over Kane, Great Khali and R-Truth. In the ring, Ziggler said he did everyone on Smackdown a favor this past week on Raw, with the proudest moment of his career. They rolled footage of Ziggler locking a sleeperhold on Hornswoggle after Horney beat him by countout. Ziggler said now nobody will ever see that little troll on Smackdown ever again, because he put him to sleep and sent him to Leprechaun heaven. Ziggler's music started up to end the promo.

Grisham and Matthews reviewed what Drew McIntyre did to Matt Hardy in last week's tag match. McIntyre stomped on Hardy's head on the steel steps, causing Matt to became incoherent in the ring. The ref called the match due to Hardy's condition making him unable to continue. Afterwords, refs tried to help Matt walk, but McIntyre attacked him outside the ring, then screamed at Hardy on the floor.

Josh Matthews interviewed Hardy backstage about his career and health status. Hardy said he's suffered a lot of injuries in his career, but nothing like last week. Hardy said the head stomp from McIntyre took a tool physically and psychologically. Hardy said he's going to come back, and when he does Drew McIntyre will realize- Just then, McIntyre arrived in and attacked Hardy, knocking him down. McIntyre got Hardy up for the Future Shock DDT, to plant Hardy into the floor.

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JTG appeared on camera for a promo backstage. JTG discussed what's next for JTG. He said he might look pretty fly with some gold around his waist now.

CM Punk came out with the StraightEdge Society to the ring. Grisham said Punk's hair is still in tact, thanks to a mystery man who made a save during Punk's match with Mysterio at Extreme Rules. Punk said everyone was expecting their hero Mysterio to win and have Punk shaved bald. Punk said he defeated Rey and did so, singlehandedly. Punk said Luke and Serena were ejected from ringside, yet he still beat Mysterio by himself. Punk said he did this because he's straight edge and clean, drug free. Punk kept talking but just then was interrupted by MVP's theme music.

MVP announced he's back on Smackdown. Punk told him he was talking, and MVP said that's the problem. MVP told Punk to do everyone a favor and shut up. MVP said Smackdown used to be a fun time with VIP Lounge, but then Punk came along and made it dull. MVP said Friday nights are about to get hot once again. He punched down Punk then went after Gallows. The two SES members overpowered MVP and started the beatdown. Just then, Mysterio came rushing to the ring to make the save.

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MVP & Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk & Luke Gallows

During a commercial break, Teddy Long set up the tag match between these superstars.

Late in the match, Gallows and Punk worked the doubleteam on Mysterio. Punk held Rey down as Luke hit the huge splash, then had the near fall. Luke continued to beat up Rey near Punk in the corner, before Punk tagged in. Punk took over with more abuse for Mysterio. Rey tried to fight back and jump for a tag, but Punk caught him with a bear hug and slammed him down for the near fall. Punk had Mysterio on one shoulder for a move, but Rey countered and did the Tornado DDT from the corner. Rey crawled over and finally jumped to tag MVP, just as Gallows tagged in.

MVP came in with momentum, knocking Gallows down repeatedly. He hit the facebuster on the knee, then the Ballin' Elbow drop for a near fall. Punk came in to break up the pin. Mysterio did a springboard West Coast Pop to take Punk down. Meanwhile, Rey and MVP set up the 619. Rey connected, then MVP grabbed Gallows and slammed him to the mat face first with the "305" as Grisham called it.

MVP started celebrating from the ring corner. Mysterio was celebrating as well, but suddenly a hooded figure in Timberland boots came in the ring to attack Rey. He hit a swinging neckbreaker and planted Rey into the mat. MVP turned just as the guy escaped the ring and ran out through the crowd. Punk and the SES looked down from the ramp smiling as MVP checked on Mysterio.

Winners: Rey Mysterio and MVP win via pinfall over Luke Gallows and CM Punk.

Jack Swagger was backstage for another fact: he graduated with honors with a perfect 4.0 GPA and as an Academic All-American at Univ of Oklahoma he was invited back to give the keynote commencement speech at their graduation ceremony.

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Jack Swagger arrived down to the ring with the World Heavyweight title belt on his shoulder. He started telling a story in the ring about back when he was a youngster in Perry, Oklahoma. The fans gave some serious heat booing the champ, who repeatedly demanded they sit down and listen to him. Swagger smirked as they wouldn't quiet down. Each time he started to talk, the fans started the noise up again and Swagger became visibly irritated. Swagger finally started his speech again, saying his dad told him one day he'd be a world champion.

Swagger started listing off his accomplishments as a youth including being named an Eagle Scout and winning an NFL pass contest at age 12, plus he scored a 1510 on his SAT to get into University of Oklahoma. Swagger said he got a full scholarship and therefore his education was free. Swagger said he graduated Magna Cum laude, and was the premier collegiate athlete in the country. Swagger said his favorite achievement so far has been winning the World Heavyweight Championship.

Swagger said after winning the World title, he sat down with his dad to talk man-to-man again. Swagger said his dad told him "Son, I told you so." Swagger announced to all the fans he will be World Heavyweight Champion until he retires from wrestling. Swagger kept talking but got interrupted by GM Teddy Long's music. Long came out onto the ramp with a mic.

Teddy Long said it's time for the introduction of the new #1 contender who will face Jack Swagger for the World Heavyweight Championship. Teddy stepped aside and The Big Show's theme music hit. Show came out to slap hands with Teddy, then started walking down the ramp as fans cheered him. Show led the fans in a mock round of applause for Swagger's achievements. Show told Swagger he's many things, but he's not the world's largest athlete. The fans started chanting "knock him out" causing Swagger to back up and Show to chuckle.

Show listed off Swagger's achievements of being an Eagle Scout, graduating college and being the world champion. Show said he needs to add one more thing to his resume- "early retirement." Show hauled off and delivered a big right hand punch to Swagger's jaw, dropping him flat to the mat. The fans cheered Show as he played it up in the ring.

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