On Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 2:01 PM EST Fear and loathing in Grand Rapids
By: Mitch Passero
May 16, 2008
Results courtesy of WWE.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In just two days at Judgment Day, Edge and Undertaker will battle to determine who will walk away with the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. But the two former champions aren’t the only ones looking to settle scores with their rivals at Judgment Day.
Ever since losing to Shawn Michaels at Backlash, Batista has vowed to hurt Michaels if The Animal found out HBK faked an injury in their match. Earlier this week on Raw, HBK finally admitted he did feign his injury. Then, in front of our fans on SmackDown, an angry Batista delivered a stern warning for HBK at Judgment Day. On Sunday, will The Animal finally deliver on his promise to hurt HBK?
Long gone
While Edge explained his good fortune to be able to compete in – and win – last week’s Championship Chase to Judgment Day, SmackDown Assistant General Manager Theodore Long interrupted with big news. Long relayed a message from the WWE Board of Directors – because of General Manager Vickie Guerrero’s controversial decision to strip Undertaker of the World Heavyweight Championship, she would have to compete in a match on SmackDown or relinquish her role as GM. But that was only the beginning of the phenomenal announcements from Long.
Time to cash in?
Mr. Money in the Bank CM Punk looked to be in good form, as he put away tough guy Chuck Palumbo with a hard-hitting Go to Sleep. With the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships being contested in just two days at Judgment Day, will Punk look to cash in his Money in the Bank contract for an opportunity at either title?
Hook, line and sink her
All-American Girl Michelle McCool proved she has more than just good looks and good moves in the ring. She also knows a submission hold or two. Using a heel hook, McCool forced Layla to tap out. This was her second win of the week, including a tag team win on ECW on Sci Fi.
Most valuable big man
In a tag team match set by the GM, Montel Vontavious Porter was forced to face unlikely partners, Big Show & Finlay. Leading up to the match, MVP’s choice for a partner was unknown until the start of bout. Although MVP chose World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry to be at his side, it was The World’s Largest Athlete who proved to be the more dominant force in the ring and help his team win.
7-0
Luck had nothing to do with Vladimir Kozlov’s seventh straight win on SmackDown. Using raw power, the big man from Moscow manhandled Funaki, finishing him off with a vicious reverse DDT. With chants of “USA” emanating from the arena during his entrance, the big man may be picking up victories, but he does not appear to be winning over many fans. However, fan support seems to be of little concern to the 300-pound man-machine who continues his path of destruction through the land of SmackDown.
Take that!
With ex-boyfriend Deuce and brother Domino looking on, Cherry picked up her second win of the week by defeating Maryse. Earlier in the week, Cherry picked up a tag team win on ECW on Sci Fi. They say breaking up is hard to do, but Cherry seems to be doing all right without Deuce & Domino at her side.
Controlling fate
ECW’s Shelton Benjamin paid a visit to the land of SmackDown, but things didn’t go so well, as United States Champion Matt Hardy put away the Gold Standard with a Twist of Fate. With Hardy enjoying success as reigning United States Champion, who will be the next to challenge him?
Familiar fear
In what was supposed to be a six-man advantage, Edge, Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder & GM Vickie Guerrero faced Undertaker without the help of Chavo Guerrero & Bam Neely, who both walked out of the arena before the encounter with The Deadman. As The Phenom stared down his opponents before the match, the look of fear was clear in all of their eyes. As Undertaker unleashed his fury, his four opponents did their best to protect the GM from his wrath. But before a winner could be decided, the Ultimate Opportunist and his partners found a way to escape the ring, and also preserve the GM’s job. But come Judgment Day, there will be no escape and one man will become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Matches:
* CM Punk def. Chuck Palumbo
* Michelle McCool def. Layla
* Big Show & Finlay def. Montel Vontavious Porter & Mark Henry
* Vladimir Kozlov def. Funaki
* Cherry def. Maryse
* United States Champion Matt Hardy def. Shelton Benjamin (non-title)
* Edge, Vickie Guerrero, Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder, Chavo Guerrero & Bam Neely vs. Undertaker in a 6-on-1 Handicap Match (no contest)