411’s WWE Smackdown Report 05.09.08

We kick the show off tonight with Vicky Guerrero and Edge. Vicky has a prepared statement regarding the World Heavyweight Championship. The last week has been hard on her as she did not want to strip Undertaker of the title. She then books a match at Judgment Day for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship pitting Undertaker against the winner of a Championship Case tonight featuring former or current World Heavyweight, ECW, and United States Champions. The men involved in the case will be Big Show, John Morrison, Finlay, CM Punk, Tommy Dreamer, Chavo Guerrero, MVP, Kane, Matt Hardy, and Batista. They will be placed in singles matches with the winners advancing into a battle royal later tonight. Great Khali and Edge are left out as they are not cleared to wrestle.

Cue pyro and theme music and we are under way!

Match #1: CM Punk (ECW) vs. WWE United States Champion Matt Hardy in a Championship Chase Match

Crowd is totally behind Hardy as he gets a wrist lock on Punk and works on the shoulder. Punk goes for a snapmare to release the wrist lock but Hardy doesn’t let go. Punk gets to the ropes to break the hold. Hardy goes for it again but Punk gets a few side kicks and a knee to the gut. Punk whips Hardy off the ropes and Hardy comes back with a sunset flip for two. Punk whips Hardy into the corner but misses with the running knee and Hardy makes him pay with an electric chair drop. Hardy goes to the top rope and goes for the “AHHHHHHHHH I’m On the Top Rope So Look At Me!!!!!” elbow but Punk side steps it. Punk goes for a clothesline but Hardy ducks and nails the Side Effect for two. Twist of Fate attempt by Hardy but Punk whips him off and nails the running knee/bulldog combo for two. Punk goes for a tiger driver but Hardy back drops him into a jackknife cover for two. Punk gets up and delivers a backbreaker to Hardy and he gets a two count. Punk lifts Hardy up but Hardy slams his arm to the mat. Hardy runs off the ropes and Punk gets a big boot. They exchange finisher reversals and then Hardy counters a cradle pin into one of his own to pick up the victory. Pretty good but short match and these two should be able to have a solid encounter given the right stage and amount of time. What is WWE thinking with Punk though? He wasn’t featured at Backlash, lasted only about four minutes against Regal in King of the Ring, and loses a qualifying match here all after winning Money in the Bank.

Winner: Matt Hardy via pin fall

-Commercial-

Match #2: Finlay w/ Hornswoggle vs. MVP in a Championship Case Match

I wish Finlay would get his own music back instead of the happy go lucky Hornswoggle music. Horny goes under the ring before the match. Horny rolls some tennis balls in the ring distracting MVP so Finlay hits a single leg take down. Both men up now and MVP takes Finlay down. Both men up again and Finlay hits some kicks and an uppercut. Stomp to the mid section of MVP and then a headlock takedown. MVP rolls Finlay off and they staredown. Finlay takes MVP down but misses a charge in the corner and eats turnbuckle. MVP hits an armbar takedown and locks in a reverse armbar as we go to commercial.

-Commercial-

We’re back and MVP still has the armbar locked in. Finlay eventually counters into a pinning formation and hits a clothesline but hurts himself. As he favors the arm, MVP nails the running big boot and sends Finlay out of the ring. MVP goes to the outside and Horny distracts him leaving Finlay able to jump MVP from behind. They roll back in the ring and MVP nits a big boot on the injured arm. They brawl outside and MVP throws Finlay injured arm first into the crowd barrier. Both men back in the ring and MVP locks in a modified wrist lock. MVP changes it into an armbar and then slams the arm into his knee. MVP kicks the arm again but Finlay nails the drop toe hold and locks in a modified sharp shooter type maneuver until MVP gets to the ropes. Scoop slam to MVP and then Finlay whips his leg off the ring apron. Finlay gets a half Boston crab but MVP boots him off. Finlay nails another scoop slam though and then a single leg takedown. Finlay goes for a leg lock but MVP gets a body scissors and is able to trap the arm in a triangle lock type submission. Finlay rolls over to apply pressure to the leg but MVP gets to the ropes. They get up and bonk heads. Finlay then nails a backdrop. Finlay’s arm is over MVP and MVP’s arm falls on Finlay causing the referee to count the three and this match is a draw. Solid match with both men selling their injuries very well. Only thing holding this match back is the finish. It’s a shame they never got a chance to feud over the US Title.

Winner: DRAW

-Commercial-

Match #3: Kelly Kelly vs. Natalya w/ Victoria

Nattie takes Kelly down early and then hits a snap suplex. She drives Kelly in the corner and slaps her around. Kelly pushes her and gets a few shots but Nattie hits a spinning gut wrench slam. Kelly fights back with a few kicks and goes for a cartwheeling elbow but Nattie catches her and nails a back drop. Nattie locks in a surfboard submission and then slams her face down. Kelly tries fighting back again and goes to the top rope but Nattie slams her off the top and locks in the Sharpshooter for the win. Nattie continues to impress but where can she really go with the Women’s Title on RAW?

Winner: Natalya via submission

We get some videos of fans discussing if it was right for Undertaker to have been stripped of the World Championship.

-Commercial-

Vicky Guerrero announces that both MVP and Finlay have qualified for the Battle Royal tonight.

Match #4: Batista vs. WWE Tag Team Champion John Morrison (ECW) w/ Miz in a Championship Chase Match

Morrison sends Miz to the back before Batista makes his way to the ring. Morrison misses an early big kick but gets a few short ones to the leg and runs away from Batista. Batista chases him around and Morrison hits a baseball slide flipping through the ropes. Both men in the ring and Batista finally catches him and hits some shoulder thrusts. Morrison lands on his feet after a counter to a powerslam and dropkicks Batista out of the ring. Morrison goes outside and slams Batista into the ring stairs. Morrison gets a running knee to the jaw as they are back in the ring now. Neckbreaker by Morrison and he gets a two count. Morrison gets a headlock but Batista whips him off. Morrison gets a kick to the face and then nails Batista with a missile dropkick. Morrison mounts Batista and pounds away. Morrison rolls off and kicks Batista in the head. Morrison hits a spinning leg drop for two. Chin lock applied by Morrison until Batista backs him into the corner but Morrison still gets a drop toe hold on him. Morrison mounts Batista in the corner and gets a few shots. Batista picks him up though and goes to powerbomb him but Morrison gets a few right hands and counters into a hurricanrana. Clothesline by Morrison and he then goes for the Moonlight Rise but Batista counters with a back body drop. Batista nails a clothesline in the corner and then spears Morrison in the air after a springboard elbow attempt. Batista hits the Batista Bomb for the win! Well, this was about 95% Morrison, 5% Batista. Morrison looked really good hear but the finish out of nowhere by Batista hurts it a bit. Still, Morrison shined in this match and looked like a million bucks.

Winner: Batista via pin fall

-Commercial-

Match #5: Big Show vs. Tommy Dreamer (ECW) in a Championship Chase Match

Show lifts Dreamer into the corner and pounds away on him. Headbut by Show followed by an elbow drop. Big chop by Show followed by an Irish whip to the corner. Dreamer gets a boot but Big Show goozles him and nails the Chokeslam for the win. Well this was about 95% Big Show 5% Tommy Dreamer. This match made Big Show look totally bad ass while Dreamer continues to job.

Winner: Big Show via pin fall

-Commercial-

Match #6: Chavo Guerrero (ECW) w/ Bam Neely vs. ECW Champion Kane (ECW) in a Championship Chase Match

Kane shoves Chavo down and then drives him to the corner. Kane hits some uppercuts and then a gorilla press slam. Goozle by Kane by Chavo gets to the ropes. Kane goes for a Big Boot but gets caught up in the ropes. Chavo gets some kicks in starts to work on the leg with some knee shots and swinging it off the apron. Neely gets a shot in as well with Chavo distracting the ref. Chavo mounts Kane in the corner and gets a few rights. Kane tries to hit a two hand choke bomb but his leg gave out and Chavo locks in a bridging Indian deathlock. Chavo releases the hold shortly after and nails a missile dropkick. Kane gets up and nails a big boot. Scoop slam by Kane followed by an elbow drop. Splashes in the corner by Kane but Chavo counters the sidewalk slam. Chavo goes to the top rope but Kane meets him on the way down Goozle but no chokeslam. Chavo goes for a sunset flip but Kane kneels down on him and picks up the win. Why would Vicky put Chavo in a match with Kane? Why should I care about another Chavo match with Kane? Nuff said.

Winner: Kane via pin fall

-Commercial-

Match #7: Phil Atlas vs. Vladimir Kozlov

Crap, I thought we would have a Vlad free night. Vlad hits a modified back fireman’s carry and then works on the arm. Belly to belly overhead suplex by Vlad followed by a big boot. Atlas gets a kick but Vlad sets him on the top rope and nails a headbut and kicks him off. Reverse DDT by Vlad and it is over. People can shit on me all they want on my opinion of Kozlov, but I just don’t buy it yet. You can only use so many reverse DDTs as a generic finisher to beat jobbers.

Winner: Vladimir Kozlov wins via pin fall

-Commercial-

Match #8: Batista vs. Big Show vs. Finlay vs. ECW Champion Kane (ECW) vs. WWE United States Champion Matt Hardy vs. MVP in the Championship Chase Battle Royal

Finlay actually does get his old music since Hornswoggle isn’t with him. MVP and Finlay, Big Show and Hardy, and Batista and Kane attack each other as the bell rings. Show almost gets Hardy over the ropes but he hangs on and Show fights off MVP, Hardy, and Finlay. Batista and Kane go after Show and then they all break out and brawl each other again. Show gets a big chop on Hardy and then brawls with Kane. Kane and Batista work on Show but Show fights them off and beats everyone else up. Show hits Finlay with a big chop and then takes down Batista. MVP constantly rolls under the ring to avoid Show. Finlay almost gets Hardy over but he hangs on. MVP jumps Big Show from behind and then Hardy and Kane not only share Lita, but share an attacks on Show but Show takes out everybody in the ring as we go to commercial.

-Commercial-

We’re back with Show still dominating but Kane and Batista double on him. MVP hits Show from behind and rolls out of the ring again. Finlay gets MVP on his shoulder as he gets back in the ring and tries to toss him but is able to hold on. Hardy hits a Side Effect on Finlay and MVP tosses Hardy over the ropes as soon as he got up. Show splashes Kane in the corner and then exchanges blows with Batista. Finlay jumps Show but Show knocks him down. Kane boots MVP and Big Show takes down Kane. Show lifts up Finlay but Batista spears him! Finlay grabs the shillelagh and unload on everyone but Kane as Kane tosses Finlay over the ropes. Kane works on Batista and Big Show takes down MVP. Kane and Show staredown and brawl. MVP goes for the running big boot but misses Batista and eliminates himself by going over the ropes while Show tosses Kane over. Show elbows Batista down and works on him in the corner with some kicks and right hands. Show nails a massive clothesline on Batista but misses a charge in the corner as Batista hits a drop toe hold. Batista goes for a Batista Bomb but Big Show lifts Batista up. He goes to toss Batista but Batista wraps his legs around Big Show’s head and eliminates him. Vicky Guerrero comes out and says the match is not over as Edge has been medically cleared. Edge runs down and spears Batista as he was still on the ring apron giving Edge the victory! Well booked battle royal except the MVP elimination. Edge continues to be the ultimate opportunist and is continues to be booked as the #1 heel today.

Winner and #1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Edge

After the match, the case with the World Title sitting at the entrance stage gets hit by lightning and starts on fire as Edge looks on scared.

Here are the rules of the 2008 Smackdown Wrestler of the Year Competition followed by who scored what tonight:
1. The winner of each match will receive two points unless it is by count out or DQ in which they will receive one point.
2. The winner of a title match will receive an additional point for retaining and two additional points for winning a belt.
3. The winner of the main event will get an additional point.
4. The winner of a specialty match will get an additional point.
5. In a tag team match, a wrestler on the winning team that does not pick up the win will get one point. If the match ends in a DQ or a DRAW, both members of the winning team will get one point.
6. If the match ends in a draw, all wresters involved will get half a point for participating.
7. If it is an elimination match, each elimination is worth one point and a point for winning the match (bonus points can be added with title situations and main event)
8. If the match is for example, a Best Two Out of Three Falls Match or an Iron Man Match, each fall is worth one point and then a point for winning so three points can be won in a Best Two Out of Three Falls Match (bonus points can be added with title situations and main event)

Matt Hardy wins via pin fall (2 Points)

Finlay draws (.5 Point)

MVP draws and eliminates one person in battle royal (1.5 Point)

Natalya wins via submission (2 Points)

Batista wins via pin fall and eliminates one person in battle royal (3 Points)

Big Show wins via pin fall and eliminated one person in battle royal (3 Points)

Kane wins via pin fall and eliminates one person in battle royal (3 Points)

Vladimir Kozlov wins via pin fall (2 Points)

Edge wins battle royal, eliminated one person, and wins main event (3 Points)

1. Undertaker (28)

2. Batista (20.5)

3. Edge (17)

4. ECW Champion: Kane (ECW) (16)

5. Finlay (13.5)

6. Rey Mysterio (13)

7. Festus (12)
7. Vladimir Kozlov (12)

9. Big Show (11)
9. MVP (11)

11. Curt Hawkins (10.5)
11. WWE Tag Team Champion: John Morrison (ECW) (10.5)

13. Zack Ryder (9.5)

14. CM Punk (ECW) (9)
14. Jimmy Wang Yang (9)
14. WWE United States Champion: Matt Hardy (9)

17. WWE Tag Team Champion: Miz (ECW) (8.5)

18. Chuck Palumbo (8)

19. Chavo Guerrero (ECW) (7)
19. Jesse (7)
19. Shannon Moore (7)

22. Mark Henry (6.5)

23. Great Khali (6)
23. Natalya (6)
23. Victoria (6)

26. Michelle McCool (5.5)

27. Big Daddy V (ECW) (4)
27. Cherry (4)
27. Hornswoggle (4)

30. Shelton Benjamin (ECW) (3)

31. Jaime Noble (2.5)

32. WWE Intercontinental Champion: Chris Jericho (RAW) (2)
32. Kofi Kingston (ECW) (2)

34. Kenny Dykstra (1)
34. Ric Flair (Retired) (1)

36. Balls Mahoney (Released) (.5)
36. Layla (ECW) (.5)