On Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 4:40 AM EST Mixed Emotions
By: Mitch Passero
April 4, 2008
Results courtesy of WWE.com
MIAMI – Saying goodbye to wrestling legend Ric Flair has not been easy for our fans and WWE Superstars alike. On Friday Night SmackDown, Shawn Michaels tried to explain what it feels like to have ended the career of his boyhood idol, "Naitch," at WrestleMania XXIV. But while struggling to express his mixed emotions, HBK was confronted in the ring by Batista, who claimed HBK’s actions on The Grandest Stage of Them All were both selfish and wrong.
Return of fate
Matt Hardy shocked everyone at WrestleMania XXIV by emerging from the crowd to go after United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter during the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. The returning Superstar quickly put an end to MVP’s chances for the coveted championship contract with a wicked Twist of Fate. On Friday Night SmackDown, the two clashed in a vicious and malicious battle, featuring kicks, punches and headbutts. Once again, though, it was the Twist of Fate that did in MVP, as Hardy used the devastating maneuver to claim victory in their non-title match.
One cool ride
In the SmackDown Diva Competition, Michelle McCool defeated fellow finalist Cherry to win the slick, new custom Beverly Hills Chopper. On hand to present McCool with her new ride were Beverly Hills Chopper owner, Johnny Fratto and son, Johnny, Jr. But the first few moments of McCool’s reign as top Diva quickly brought out the critics. First, it was Victoria who came into the arena to brawl with McCool. Then out of nowhere, a mysterious blonde Diva viciously attacked McCool. Despite Cherry’s efforts the help McCool, the blonde brutally slammed McCool into the ring post.
Gigantic showdown
In tag action, a swinging neck breaker from WWE Tag Team Champion John Morrison to Shannon Moore allowed the Shaman of Sexy & The Miz to get the win over Moore & Jimmy Wang Yang. But, before the opponents could clear the ring, The Great Khali came in to clear house. First it was The Miz & Morrison who felt the 7-footer’s wrath. Next, Khali pressed Yang high overhead and tossed him to the arena floor before finishing up his path of destruction by chokeslamming Moore. But, before the dust could clear, Big Show came into the arena to confront Khali. “Monday night you got in my face (on Raw), tonight I’m in yours,” Show bellowed. It looked like the two titans would clash, but Khali once again chose to save it for another day, leaving the ring.
Biscuits & beatings
Since debuting on SmackDown last fall, Festus has been manhandling opponents and taking care of business. In the 24-man Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXIV, he was a force to be reckoned with. In perhaps his strongest showing yet, the corn-fed colossus absolutely destroyed Zack Ryder on SmackDown. Using brute force, Festus tossed the Rated-R entourage member around the ring and got the easy pinfall.
From Russia…with love?
Russian bruiser Vladimir Kozlov burst onto the SmackDown scene by crushing Matt Bentley in a dominating show of force. From the start, Kozlov launched a vicious offense that Bentley could not counter, resulting in a commanding win.
Brothers of Destruction
Things didn’t go very well at WrestleMania XXIV for Chavo Guerrero and Edge, who both left Orlando as ex-champions. Edge lost his World Heavyweight Championship to Undertaker, while Chavo lost the ECW Championship to Undertaker’s brother, Kane. “I have never been so ticked off in my life,” the Rated-R Superstar said at the opening of SmackDown about losing his title. Chavo was equally disappointed in his ‘Mania showing.
But, it didn’t take long for SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero to step in and lay down plans try to bring the titles back to “the family.” On SmackDown, the GM announced the blockbuster card for Backlash on pay-per-view on April 27. Chavo will face Kane in an ECW Championship rematch, and Edge will challenge The Phenom to try to regain the World Heavyweight Championship.
Continuing down her vindictive path, the GM ordered Kane and Undertaker to face each other that night on SmackDown. If either brother declined to face the other, he would be stripped of his respective championship. With such high stakes, the match went on as ordered. However, before a victor could be decided, Edge, Chavo, Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder stepped in to attack the brothers. In the end, though, the Brothers of Destruction lived up to their name as they turned the tables on Chavo and Edge with chokeslams, capped off with double Tombstone Piledrivers. Ouch!
Matches:
* Matt Hardy def. United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter (Non-title match)
* Festus def. Zack Ryder
* Vladimir Kozlov def. Matt Bentley
* WWE Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison def. Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore (Non-title match)
* World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker vs. ECW Champion Kane (No Contest)