411’s LIVE WWE Backlash ’08 Coverage: HBK vs. Batista w/Chris Jericho as Special Referee

-John Cena and Jimmy Wang Yang discuss the finer points of country music as Randy Orton comes into have a heart to heart. With Cena, not Yang, that would be silly. Orton says Cena will be disappointed again tonight. Cena says what ever happens is fine, because in the end Orton will go home a broken man.

HBK vs. Batista w/Chris Jericho as Special Referee

Jericho offers up some instructions, the three exchange ravioli recipes and we’re off. HBK with a go behind, Batista elbows him in the face. HBK teases a superkick, Batista teases the bomb and HBK takes a powder on the floor. Back in, leg kicks by HBK, a side headlock but Batista tosses HBK to the corner. Jericho tries to break it up, Batista powers him aside and then gets a corner clothesline to HBK. HBK fires back, chop blocks the knee and shoots off the ropes, counters a spinebuster into a LEAPING ARM BAR! MMA STYLE~! HBK better be careful, people will hate the match if he does too much of that. Kind of botched, but ended up well. That was nice. Batista escapes, but HBK with knees to the left arm and back into the arm lock. It is more of a figure four arm lock, Batista rolls and stands, but HBK holds on and pulls him back down. Batista works to stand, but HBK keeps the hold and Batista is back down to his knees. Batista tries again to stand, does, POWERS HBK UP BACKLUND STYLE but HBK holds on, and they tumble over the top rope and to the floor. Batista is favoring the arm, which allows HBK to slam him shoulder first into the steel post. Back in the ring, HBK works a hammerlock, works a half nelson and rolls Batista over and gets a cover for 2. Batista tries to kick away at HBK, but a drop toehold stops that and HBK goes back to the hammerlock. HBK stops a corner charge and they works a CROSS ARM BREAKER in the corner, over the ropes. HBK was hanging over the ropes and about ripped Batista’s arm out of its socket. Sweet. HBK up top, double ax smash to the shoulder of Batista and HBK is back to the arm lock. Batista manages a Samoan Drop (HE ISN’T EVEN SAMOAN) but HBK gets some chops, an Irish whip and reversal leads to Batista turning HBK inside out by a clothesline! Batista slams HBK to the corner shoulder rams and a whip. Batista goes for and gets a powerslam and cover for 2. Batista bomb try, but HBK escapes and drops down into the crossface! Nice counter. Batista works for the ropes, HBK won’t let go and counters into a cover for 2 and then back into the crossface again! Batista struggles for the ropes, and makes it and the crowd does not like that. Jericho manhandles HBK to get him to break the hold, goes for another crossface, but Batista gets a sideslam and cover for 2. Off the ropes, counter and the flying forearm by HBK. KIP UP and Batista SPEARS him out of his boots for a CLOSE 2! To the corner both men fight up top and Jericho pulls Batista away. He goes back and HBK tosses him off. ELBOW DROP by HBK! HBK tunes up the Christian Rock Band, but Batista gets a spinebuster as a counter! Batista bomb try, HBK escapes and drops down clutching his knee. Jericho holds off Batista and checks on HBK, crowd is not happy. HBK manages to get to his feet, and SUPERKICK to Batista! HA HA…FOOLED YOU! 1…2…3.

Winner: HBK @ 15:00 via pin

-HBK is favoring the knee after the match and Jericho helps him to the back along with another official.