On Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:13 PM EST Backdraft
By Lennie DiFino
June 15, 2007
Results courtesy of WWE.com
PHILADELPHIA – After the devastation of Monday’s Raw, the Superstars of SmackDown and the new draftees paid tribute to Mr. McMahon throughout the night. As questions swirl around the tragic events that befell the Chairman, SmackDown carried on the show, hoping to relieve some of the emotional stress that haunts them in the wake of the horrendous limo explosion.
One of the bright spots coming out of Monday night was the drafting of four new Superstars to Friday nights, and new draftee Ric Flair arrived and went straight to the top for his first fight – a non-title contest against World Heavyweight Champion Edge. Earlier in the night, Flair’s former Evolution teammate and protégé Batista was in non-title action against United States Champion MVP. As The Animal’s pursuit of the Rated-R Superstar and his gold will continue at Vengeance: Night of Champions in a Last Chance Match, their paths crossed once more on SmackDown.
In other action, the WWE Tag Team Champions Deuce & Domino defeated Paul London & Brian Kendrick. The boys from the Other Side of the Tracks used their powerful, in-your-face style to pick up the win in what could be their last appearance on SmackDown together. With the Supplemental Draft scheduled for Sunday at noon ET exclusively on WWE.com, Deuce & Domino, as well as every other SmackDown Superstar, are still in danger of moving from Friday nights.
One Superstar who thrives on danger is Matt Hardy, who took on William Regal in one-on-one action. Hardy has been one of the hottest Superstars in all of WWE lately, on a winning streak unmatched in recent memory before catching the ire of the presumed dead Chairman. Regal, however, began the night with a heartfelt address over the events involving Mr. McMahon, and he couldn’t find a way to overcome both Hardy and his emotions. Matt Hardy can certainly feel on track after the win on SmackDown.
Finally, Jimmy Wang Yang became the No. 1 contender to Cruiserweight Champion of the World Chavo Guerrero and his title. Yang was able to defeat Shannon Moore, Jamie Noble and Daivari in a Fatal Four Way match to decide who would take on Guerrero at Vengeance: Night of Champions. Yang has had major success in non-title matches against the champion, but Guerrero is a veteran who always shines brightest in the big moment. Can SmackDown’s resident redneck find the key to success once more at Vengeance: Night of Champions?
Matches:
* WWE Tag Team Champions Deuce & Domino def. Paul London & Brian Kendrick
* Matt Hardy def. William Regal
* Batista def. United States Champion MVP (Non-title)
* Jimmy Wang Yang def. Jamie Noble, Shannon Moore and Daivari (Fatal Four Way)
* Ric Flair def. World Heavyweight Champion Edge (Disqualification, Non-title)