WWE Smackdown
February 5, 2010
Memphis, TN
Report by: Mike Tedesco of WrestleView.com
A video plays hyping the return of Edge to Smackdown. After winning the Royal Rumble he?ll interview the World Heavyweight Champion, the Undertaker, on the Cutting Edge.
The Smackdown video plays and we?re brought into the arena with a big fireworks display. Todd Grisham and Matt Striker welcome us to the show. Tonight we?ll have qualifying matches for the World Heavyweight Title Elimination Chamber. We?ll also see footage of what happened after Raw went off the air.
Chris Jericho’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring with that black eye. Jericho quiets the fans down and says tonight was supposed to be his night. He should be standing here the 2010 Royal Rumble winner but he is not. That honor was taken away from him this past Sunday and as a result the Main Event of WrestleMania XXVI. Jericho has been preparing for that main event since he beat four men in the same night at WrestleMania XXV (I thought it was three? Oops!). Jericho has been carefully constructing his return to the main event for the past ten months yet in ten seconds on Sunday that was taken away from him by Edge. Edge entered under false pretenses. He returned unannounced and doesn?t deserve the win. Jericho deserves it.
While Edge was at home with his torn Achilles Tendon for seven months, he has been carrying the entire company on his back. He’s been filling arenas, winning championships, accruing accomplishments every single night. Now, just because Edge is back for five minutes that’s all anyone can talk about. Jericho says Edge is a con artist just like all of us. Edge is the same man with no heart, passion, no fire ? he’s the man who was selfish and had the audacity to walk out on him when they were Tag Team Champions. Now Edge is going to WrestleMania and he has nothing ? NOTHING! Jericho says he is too good to settle for nothing. He is Chris Jericho and he settles for nothing! Now Teddy Long tells him he has to qualify to be in the Elimination Chamber. Chris Jericho has to qualify for nothing. Jericho demands Teddy Long to come out and rectify the situation. He wants repercussions against Edge because he is the face of Smackdown. Teddy Long doesn?t come out and Jericho keeps shouting. Finally Jericho walks to the back to go find him.
Jericho is walking backstage yelling at people to tell him where Long’s office is. Jericho intimidates a stage hand and he tells him where it is. Jericho walks into the office and Long is sitting there with a newspaper covering his face. Jericho rips it away and it’s EDGE! Edge says Jericho looks like he’s seen a ghost and mentions that his face is the same face he made when he eliminated him from the Royal Rumble. Edge says Jericho is the reason he’s back. Jericho is the one that lit the fire that made him work every second of every day to get back. Edge thanks him and says Jericho created a monster. Jericho says if he created a monster than he can slay the monster. Jericho says he?ll regret he ever came back. Edge says NO and says Jericho will regret that he came back.
Edge says tonight he’s going to celebrate by bringing back the Cutting Edge and he?ll have an interview with a guy he can face at WrestleMania ? an old acquaintance of his, the Undertaker. Jericho says congratulations and he?ll be watching.
-Commercial Break-
Some interior shots of Graceland are shown. That’s the home of Elvis Presley for those of you unaware.
Matt Striker hypes up the Elimination Chamber before bringing us to a video showing highlights of all its evil destructiveness.
Elimination Chamber Triple Threat Qualifying Match
Drew McIntyre vs. John Morrison vs. Kane
The bell rings and Morrison quickly works on McIntyre with strikes. Kane pulls on Morrison’s hair and Morrison punches away at Kane. McIntyre knocks Morrison down from behind and punches away at Kane in the corner. Morrison rolls McIntyre up for a one count. Kane grabs them both by the throat but they kick him and hit a double team DDT. Morrison and McIntyre go back to hating one another as Morrison punches away at him. McIntyre pushes him away and Morrison charges with a running cross-body block that sends them both over the top rope!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see McIntyre on top of Kane punching away. McIntyre pushes him to the corner and punches. Kane comes back with a big uppercut and hits a snapmare. Kane hits a low dropkick for a two count broken up by Morrison. Morrison punches and kicks at Kane. Morrison hits McIntyre with a European Uppercut. McIntyre reverses a whip and counters Morrison’s head-scissor attempt into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two count broken up by Kane. McIntyre punches at Kane before going into the ropes and eating a big boot.
Kane goes to the top rope and Morrison hits him with a pele kick. McIntyre then clotheslines Morrison out of the ring. McIntyre punches Kane and goes for a superplex but Kane blocks it. Kane knocks him off and grabs him by the throat. Kane comes off the top rope and goes for a Chokeslam but Morrison hits him with a Flying Chuck! Morrison hits McIntyre with a clothesline and a dropsault. Morrison then ducks a clothesline from Kane and hits a low dropkick to the knee. Morrison then drops him with a jumping calf kick and covers for a near fall broken up by McIntyre.
McIntyre stomps Morrison and head-butts him. McIntyre sends him to the ropes and goes for a sidewalk slam but Morrison counters into a DDT for a near fall broken up by Kane! Morrison punches at Kane until he’s taken out by an uppercut. Kane sends McIntyre to the corner and hits a corner clothesline. Kane then hits Morrison with a corner clothesline before clotheslining McIntyre over the top rope. Kane punches Morrison and sends him to the ropes but Morrison slides under his legs. Morrison can?t avoid a sidewalk slam but kicks out at two. Kane goes to the top rope and hits Morrison with a flying lariat.
Kane signals for the Chokeslam but McIntyre blindsides him with the Intercontinental Championship. We?re now reminded that this is no disqualification as McIntyre hits the Future Shock (Double Arm DDT). Morrison then kicks McIntyre in the face and hits Kane with Starship Pain for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: John Morrison
Match Rating: ** ?
Tonight we?ll see the Cutting Edge with the Undertaker as the guest.
-Commercial Break-
After the next match we?ll see footage of what happened after Raw went off the air.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
R-Truth vs. Mike Knox
With the way they?ve been misusing Mike Knox I think the result of this match is a foregone conclusion. What a shame. Anyway, the match begins and they lock up. R-Truth quickly gets a side headlock applied. Knox whips him to the corner so R-Truth slingshots over, splits under a clothesline, but get annihilated by a Cross-Body Block by Knox for a near fall! Knox kicks him in the head and hits a body slam. Knox drops a knee for a two count. Knox covers again for a one count. Knox hits a forearm and whips him to the ropes but R-Truth holds on. Knox charges but R-Truth pulls down the top rope, which sends him to the outside.
R-Truth hits an over the top rope senton on Knox and sends him into the ring. R-Truth hits a missile dropkick. R-Truth goes for the Scissors Kick but has to duck a clothesline. R-Truth then hits the Lie Detector for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: R-Truth
Match Rating: *
R-Truth dances wildly after earning a spot in the Elimination Chamber. So far it’s Undertaker vs. John Morrison vs. R-Truth.
We now see footage of what happened at Raw. We all saw what happened when Batista ran down and held Bret Hart while Vince McMahon spat in his face. What we didn?t see was John Cena running down to make the save. Cena helps the Hitman up as Batista walks away. Cena raises Hart’s arm and Batista runs back in to throw Cena into the ring post. Batista throws him into the steps and over the announcer’s table. Batista lays him out with a shot to the face with the steel steps. Batista then hits a Batista Bomb on top of the steel steps! What a bump! The Bump of the Night may not have happened on this night!
CM Punk is backstage with Luke Gallows and Serena. Punk says with him there is no them. Without the leader there is no Straightedge Society. Punk says this because tonight he steps in the ring with Batista. They saw what he did to Bret Hart and John Cena and Batista has it in his heart to do that to him. Batista wants to end his crusade. While he’s protected them tonight he wants to know what they?re willing to do to protect their savior. Serena says anything. Gallows says he knows what’s at stake and he?d sacrifice himself to preserve their salvation and Straightedge Society. Punk says this is good because tonight they both might have to. CM Punk will take on Batista next.
-Commercial Break-
Still to come tonight is the Cutting Edge with the Undertaker as the Special Guest.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Batista vs. CM Punk
Gross ? Punk now has nipple rings. I don?t remember them from Sunday. Batista is standing in the corner smiling. Punk doesn?t look happy that Batista isn?t taking this seriously. Batista gets on the apron and goes outside the ring. Batista then walks up the ramp and gets counted out.
Winner by Count-Out: CM Punk
Match Rating: N/A
The Straightedge Society celebrates big time in the ring. It’s now Undertaker vs. John Morrison vs. R-Truth vs. CM Punk.
Matt Hardy is walking backstage when he runs into Maria. Hardy congratulates her for the Celebrity Apprentice. She thanks him and wishes him luck in his match. Matt Hardy then makes his way to the ring. He?ll face Chris Jericho next.
-Commercial Break-
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Matt Hardy vs. Chris Jericho
The match begins and Jericho puts himself through the ropes to avoid Hardy. They lock up and Hardy pushes Jericho into the corner. Jericho pushes him and quickly gets out of the ring to avoid Hardy again. Jericho gets back in and they lock up. Jericho gets a side headlock on. Hardy whips him off and Jericho shoulder blocks him down. Jericho goes into the ropes, goes over Hardy, and takes a clothesline. Hardy punches him to the corner and bounces his face off the turnbuckle. Hardy clotheslines him down and Jericho is hung up on the bottom rope.
Hardy sends Jericho into the ropes but lowers his head and eats a kick. Jericho punches and whips Hardy into the ropes. Hardy holds on so Jericho charges and gets back dropped over the top rope. Hardy gets on the apron and hits a clothesline to the outside! Jericho blocks a kick and kicks Hardy back, which lands Hardy on the back of his head on the ring steps! Hardy nearly gets counted out but gets back in at nine and seven-eighths!
Jericho kicks him in the ribs and sends him to the corner. Jericho hits a corner clothesline before hitting a snapmare and applying an arm trap chin lock. Hardy must?ve busted his lip or bit his tongue because his mouth is bloody. Hardy fights up and gets a small package for a near fall. Jericho quickly recovers with a step up enzuigiri for a near fall. Jericho chokes Hardy on the second rope and taunts the crowd. Jericho sends Hardy to the corner and charges but Hardy sidesteps him and Jericho hits the ring post shoulder first.
Hardy hits a neckbreaker and covers for a two count. Hardy punches Jericho to the corner before whipping him to the opposite side. Hardy hits a clothesline/bulldog combination for a near fall. Hardy hits a second rope elbow drop to the back of the neck and signals for the Twist of Fate. Jericho whips him off and hits a back elbow. Jericho hits a Lionsault for a near fall! Jericho can?t believe it and goes right back to punching Hardy. Hardy ducks a clothesline and hits a Side Effect for a near fall. Hardy bounces Jericho’s head off the turnbuckle. Hardy whips Jericho to the opposite corner and charges but Jericho sidesteps him and rolls him up with his feet on the ropes but it’s only a near fall!
Jericho sweeps the legs and goes for the Walls of Jericho. Jericho nearly gets it but Hardy rolls him up and gets a near fall! Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate but Jericho holds on to the top rope. Jericho then hits the Codebreaker for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Chris Jericho
Match Rating: **
Still to come tonight is the Cutting Edge with Undertaker as the special guest.
-Commercial Break-
The WWE Rewind is Mickie James beating Michelle McCool at the Royal Rumble for the Women’s Championship. Mickie then shoves McCool and Layla’s faces in cake. At least it’s over? I hope.
Tony Chimel introduces the new Women’s Champion Mickie James. Mickie takes the microphone and says ever since she was traded to Smackdown, Michelle McCool and Layla made it their business to embarrass her week after week. Mickie said the jokes and pranks hurt but at the Royal Rumble we did it. Mickie says we proved by rising above and being true to yourself that being real is what a true champion is about. For anyone that tries to cut you down and bring you down what goes around comes around. What’s all this ?we? stuff? I don?t want to be involved.
Beth Phoenix’s music hits and she comes down to the ring. We?re reminded that she was in the Royal Rumble and eliminated the Great Khali. That was a cool moment. Beth says while Mickie was busy celebrating her victory over ?two little girls,? she was out making history by participating in the Royal Rumble with twenty-nine MEN. That moment put her in a league of her own. Beth says she’s proud Mickie had her moment after standing up for what she believes in before saying she?ll take that Women’s Championship anytime, anywhere. Mickie says if Beth wants a match all she has to do is ask.
EXCUSE ME! Vickie Guerrero comes out to the stage. Guerrero says this is not happening. She’s the official consultant of Smackdown and she?ll determine if there’s a match or not. SHE SAID EXCUSE ME! Guerrero says since they both feel like competing then they?ll both face Michelle McCool and Layla right now.
Mickie James & Beth Phoenix vs. Michelle McCool & Layla
Mr. V’s boy the Goose is the official. It’s Michelle McCool starting out against Beth Phoenix. They lock up and Beth powers her down. Beth picks her up by her arm and slams her down. McCool no sells, kicks her, and hits an uppercut. Beth whips her to the corner and shoulders her there. McCool dropkicks her in the knee and works over it. McCool hits a pair of leg breakers for a one count. McCool tries for her Make a Diva Tap submission but can?t get it. Beth knocks Layla off the apron and lifts McCool up, slamming her into her corner.
Mickie is tagged in and she works on the arm until Beth lays her out with a HUGE forearm. Beth smiles at McCool and lays her out with another forearm. Beth walks off, leaving Mickie alone. Layla is tagged in and Mickie gets a surprise inside cradle for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Mickie James & Beth Phoenix
Match Rating: *
Mickie James holds her Women’s Championship and angrily looks at Beth Phoenix, who is up the ramp by now.
-Commercial Break-
Did you know in 2009 over 2.3 billion photos were viewed on WWE.com? Does that mean there are 2.3 billion photos on WWE.com? I know what they meant but it’s worded poorly.
It’s time for an edition of Cryme Tyme’s Word Up because I?ve been missing this oh so much? Today’s word is ?King,? which means supreme, above all the rest, without equal, loved and respected by all peeps and peers. Shad is glad because the word is king because they?re in Memphis, home of great kings. B.B. King, Elvis Presley, and Jerry ?The King? Lawler! Jerry Lawler walks up and shakes hands with him. They say he’s so big in Memphis that they call him Jerry Baller! Lawler says it’s good to be the King and now they?re going to look for ?puppies!? I like that cameo.
Rey Mysterio and Dolph Ziggler come to the ring. They?ll face in the final qualifying match next.
-Commercial Break-
NXT is coming soon? like about three weeks.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler
Charles Robinson, my favorite referee ever, is the official. They lock up and Ziggler gets a quick waist lock takedown. Ziggler rides Mysterio before Mysterio gets out. They lock up and Ziggler gets a side headlock. Mysterio punches him off before sending him into the ropes but he gets clotheslined down for a one count. Ziggler then gets a two count before Mysterio powers him up with his legs. Mysterio hits a knees on the shoulder roll up for a near fall. They trade punches and kicks with Mysterio coming out on top. Ziggler reverses a whip and Mysterio counters with a head-scissors takeover that sends Ziggler out of the ring. Mysterio then lays him out with a plancha!
Ziggler punches Mysterio on the apron but Mysterio punches him away. Mysterio goes to the top and comes off with a cross-body but Ziggler dropkicks him in mid-air for a near fall! Mysterio counters a back suplex and drop-toe-holds Ziggler into position. Mysterio goes to the ropes for the 619 but Ziggler gets out of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ziggler punching Mysterio. Ziggler whips him to the corner and props him on the top rope. Mysterio punches him away but Ziggler quickly gets back on the attack. Ziggler hits a nice superplex and covers for a near fall! Ziggler kicks Mysterio and locks on the chin lock. Ziggler then locks on a grounded torture rack. Mysterio gets out with a knee to the temple but it doesn?t bother Ziggler. Ziggler catapults him to the corner but Mysterio lands on the second rope. Mysterio hits a back elbow and drop-toe-holds him in the corner.
Mysterio springboards off the top with a seated senton. Mysterio runs into a boot and Ziggler goes for a sunset flip but Mysterio rolls through and kicks him in the skull for a near fall! Mysterio has a whip reversed by he hangs on to the ropes. Ziggler charges into a boot. Mysterio springboards off the second rope with a wheelbarrow bulldog for a near fall! Ziggler uses the pants as leverage to send him to the turnbuckle face first. Ziggler whips him to the ropes but Mysterio slingshots over him. Mysterio ducks a clothesline and goes for a springboard cross-body but Ziggler counters with a powerslam for a near fall! That looked awesome!
Ziggler hits a leg bulldog for a near fall. Ziggler punches Mysterio in the corner and sends him to the corner. Ziggler hits a backbreaker and goes for a back suplex but Mysterio rolls him up and gets the win out of nowhere!
Winner by Pinfall: Rey Mysterio
Match Rating: ** ?
Ziggler angrily charges Mysterio but takes a drop-toe-hold into the ropes. Mysterio then hits the 619 and celebrates with the fans! As we watch replays Matt Striker pulled out an old school Dusty Rhodes ?IF YOU WHEEL!? Nice! The Elimination Chamber will now be Undertaker vs. John Morrison vs. R-Truth vs. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio!
The Cutting Edge with the Undertaker is next!
-Commercial Break-
Edge makes his triumphant return to Smackdown seven months removed from a ruptured Achilles tendon! The winner of the 2010 Royal Rumble comes to the ring, which is decorated with the black carpet with the ?Rated R Superstar? logo on it. The Cutting Edge is back!
Edge soaks in the cheers and says it feels really good to be back. It feels good to be on Smackdown and it feels so good to be back home. Back in July he tore his Achilles tendon but every ounce of energy, every drop of sweat, and all that pain was worth it to get back here for this very moment. Edge says he has defied the doctor’s odds. He’s back months earlier than he’s supposed to be. Now, because of it, he’s on the road to the main event of WrestleMania. At WrestleMania he could face his guest tonight on the Cutting Edge, the Undertaker. Edge says he could also face the WWE Champion Sheamus, the same guy who got in his face. We then see a video of how that turned out for Sheamus. If you missed it he got Speared! Edge laughs at the footage and says that was fun.
All of a sudden Chris Jericho’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring looking none too pleased. Jericho tosses stool aside and says he wants to talk about fun. Jericho says he was waiting for the moment to be in the main event of WrestleMania and Edge took that away from him. Jericho won?t let him stand out here and bask in the glory of his tainted win. Jericho says Edge didn?t deserve to win ? he did. Edge says the reason why he doesn?t deserve to win is because Edge threw him over the top rope at the Royal Rumble. Jericho asks if Edge thinks he’s better just because of his sneak attack. Jericho says he’s the face of Smackdown and Edge says he isn?t. Edge says Jericho took a career ending injury, something that would?ve taken away his dream he?d had since a kid, and turned it into a punch line. Edge says he wants Jericho to eat those words. For the last six months he’s had to watch him on TV saying he’s the best in the world at what he does. Edge says he’s sick of Jericho’s cheap suits and that stupid look on his face. Edge says he’s sick of his face all together.
CM Punk’s music hits and he comes out flanked by his Straightedge Society. Punk says they almost look beautiful up there, showing their tragic flaws for the entire world to see. The crowd chants that he sucks and Punk says he’s better than everybody. Punk says Edge and Jericho look like junkies arguing over who will get the last fix. Punk says it’s not about them ? it’s about the Elimination Chamber and the Undertaker. When you talk about the Undertaker and who out of the three of them has had a bigger spotlight than him, the savior of the WWE Universe. While Edge was on vacation he must?ve seen that Punk was the first superstar to make Undertaker tap out. That’s something Edge and Jericho could never do. Punk then became the first man to look the WWE Universe in the face and challenge them to live one nation under Punk, indivisible, with integrity, and sobriety for all. If either of those two cowards needs any more evidence then look no further than the Elimination Chamber. Punk says he will win!
The GONG hits and the lights go out! When they come back on Undertaker is in the ring. Undertaker fights off the Straightedge Society while Edge Spears Chris Jericho! Undertaker hits a Chokeslam on CM Punk and turns around to see Edge in position to Spear him. Edge says he was close and signals for the championship. They have a stare down as Smackdown ends.
Quick Match Results
EC Qualifier: John Morrison def. Drew McIntyre & Kane
EC Qualifier: R-Truth def. Mike Knox
EC Qualifier: CM Punk def. Batista via CO
EC Qualifier: Chris Jericho def. Matt Hardy
Mickie James* & Beth Phoenix def. Michelle McCool & Layla*
EC Qualifier: Rey Mysterio def. Dolph Ziggler
Bump of the Night: Ziggler countering a cross-body into a powerslam!
Match of the Night: Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler ** ?
Mike’s Thoughts
This was an enjoyable episode of Smackdown. I love the Road to WrestleMania. The shows always pick up some steam on the way to the big show. The important feuds that will be heading into the show are being set now. I don?t want to really call anything just yet but I have a good feeling Jericho will be the champion heading into WrestleMania and his opponent will be none other than Edge. That’s a Main Event match I?d like to see. The seeds planted months ago and now they?re sprouting with two great segments with them tonight. They?re both great promo artists and tremendous wrestlers. The build-up should be tremendous. Man am I glad that Edge is back!
Speaking of the Road to WrestleMania, the Smackdown side of the Elimination Chamber looks great. It’s Undertaker vs. John Morrison vs. R-Truth vs. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio. That’s going to be awesome. I even like that R-Truth is in it. I hope he gets some moments to shine and then shines in the Money in the Bank match. He’s growing on me but I?m getting tired of the song.
I don?t think we?ll be seeing much more of Batista on Smackdown for a little bit seeing how he just walked off on his match. It seems he’s going to be Vince McMahon’s muscle heading into WrestleMania against Bret Hart. That?ll be interesting.
Final Rating: ***
E-Mail ? MikeyT817@hotmail.com
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