We are live on tape from New York, New York and your announcers are Jim ‘From the Mecca of Sports’ Ross and Todd ‘Down to fifteen jobs on television’ Grisham.
Chris Jericho comes to the ring to address the Smackdown fans. He says that the night of the week might have changed, the ropes might be a different color, and the announcers might have changed; but there is one thing that is the same and that is the fans are a bunch of petulant, hypocritical, tapeworms. They are completely clueless and ignorant of how talented he really is. He is not going to come out and introduce himself because everyone knows who he is. He is the greatest superstar to be drafted to Smackdown. He has a mission statement for all of the Smackdown roster and the audience. Forget everything you ever saw or heard on this show because he is taking over. From now on, this is his show and there is nothing that anyone can do about it. He is the superstar of the year for 2008 and it is a travesty that he has to compete in a Fatal Four Way Match because he is the number one contender. He will win the match and leave as the number one contender and he will win the title at Judgment Day.
The man who he would have to beat for the title comes out to talk to Chris. Edge says that is rude for Chris to not introduce himself so he will do it. He calls Chris the tormentor of senior citizens everywhere and a former World Champion. Edge asks Chris who it was that beat Jericho for the title and it was John Cena. Edge asks Chris if he has ever beaten John Cena. Edge points out that someone beat John Cena on Sunday to become a nine-time World Champion and that person was him. Edge tells Chris that he can take the self-righteous angry guy in a suit routine because it might have worked on Raw, but it won’t work on Smackdown because it is his show. Edge points out that he is the main event and the name on the marquee. Everyone in the crowd wants to be him. There is no better feeling than walking into the world’s most famous arena. . . the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and know that you are better than everyone else. Edge tells Chris that he can take all of his big speeches and he can scratch them. Smackdown is not for Chris to take because it belongs to him.
Chris says that he disagrees with Edge, but before he can say anything else, they are interrupted by CM Punk.
Punk says that he heard that Edge was introducing people so he introduces himself. He tells Edge that he can call him ‘Mr. Money in the Bank’. We go to footage from last year when CM Punk came out and took advantage of Edge being attacked by Batista to win the World Title.
Punk says that he wanted to let Edge know . . .
Chris Jericho interrupts Punk and tells him that nobody wants to hear what he has to say. Chris says that he is the best at what he does and Punk has no right to interrupt him. He allowed Edge to interrupt him because he is the champion. Jericho tells Punk that he should leave the ring and asks Punk if he has made himself clear.
Punk starts to talk and Jericho says that Punk can disrespect him all he wants and the fans can disrespect him because he is done with everyone. Jericho leaves the ring.
Punk says that was an awkward situation. Edge says that he agrees with Jericho because nobody cares what Punk has to say. If Jericho won’t listen to him, he definitely won’t listen to what he has to say. Punk says that they are in the middle of a new era on Smackdown and it has nothing to do with Edge. Punk points out that Edge’s wife Vickie Guerrero is no longer Smackdown General Manager. That means that he has no one to protect him. Punk says that he wanted to tell Edge that the real General Manager Teddy Long has put Edge in a match tonight against CM Punk. Edge says that he considers that a warm up match. Edge says that after he wins the non-title match, he will move on to his match at Judgment Day.
Punk says that he is disappointed with Edge because he reminds Edge that he can cash in the briefcase any time he wants and Edge should remember that because he had the briefcase before. Punk says that he is going to face Edge in the non-title warm up match. After he hits the Go to Sleep he will pin Edge and then while Edge is still sleeping, he will cash in the briefcase and he will become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Todd Grisham and Jim Ross talk about the new faces on Smackdown from the draft and they talk about Rey Mysterio, Candice Michelle, and John Morrison.
Match Number One: John Morrison versus Shelton Benjamin
Benjamin with a kick and forearm to the back before he throws Morrison out of the ring. Morrison returns to the ring and he hits a double leg take down. Morrison with a dropsault and gets a near fall. Benjamin misses the dragon whip but Benjamin does not miss a kick to the head. Benjamin punches and kicks Morrison and follows that with a clothesline. Benjamin with a reverse chin lock on Morrison but Morrison punches back. Benjamin blocks a kick in the corner but Morrison with a forearm and then Morrison with a leg lariat and a running knee to the head for a near fall. Benjamin with a neck breaker. Morrison with a springboard spin kick and then he hits Moonlight Drive for the three count.
Winner: John Morrison
Did you know that a lot of young men went to wwe.com during February?
It is time to take a look at Sherri Shepherd’s infatuation with Montel Vontavious Porter.
We look at more new faces on Smackdown and Ross and Grisham talk about Kane, Alicia Fox, and Mike Knox.
Chris Jericho is in Teddy Long’s office and he says that the opening segment should have been his moment and now he is in a Fatal Four Way when he is the number one contender. The Great Khali and Runjin Singh enter the office and he says something to Jericho and Jericho says he thought Khali showed him respect but Singh corrects the translation and says that Khali thinks that Jericho should stop whining about things.
Match Number Two: Rey Mysterio versus Chris Jericho versus Jeff Hardy versus Kane in a Four Way Elimination Match to determine Edge’s opponent for Judgment Day
The match starts with everyone going after Kane but Kane fights them off. Kane throws Hardy to the floor and then he hits an uppercut on Jericho followed by a clothesline. Kane with an uppercut to Jericho followed by a big boot. Kane with a clothesline to Rey in the corner. Kane with a kick to Jericho’s head and then he picks up Rey for a side slam and Rey kicks out at two. Kane with a punch to Jericho and then Kane sends Jericho into the turnbuckles. Kane with an Irish whip and a running clothesline. Kane throws Jericho outside the ring to join Jeff Hardy. Kane presses Rey and throws him onto Hardy and Jericho. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kane comes off the top turnbuckle but Hardy counters with a drop kick. Rey hits a springboard leg drop on Kane but Kane kicks out. Rey with a forearm to Jericho but Jericho with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Hardy with a flying clothesline to Jericho and Hardy gets a two count. Hardy tries for a rana but Jericho catches Hardy and puts him in the Walls of Jericho. Kane grabs Jericho and tries for a choke slam. Jericho counters and he tries to put Kane in the Walls of Jericho but Kane powers out of the attempt. Kane grabs Hardy and Jericho for choke slams but he pushes them aside when he sees Rey come off the ropes for a springboard move and Kane grabs Rey and tries for the choke slam but Rey with a counter that sends Kane into ‘that awkward position on the second rope’ for a 619 and Rey is tripped by Jericho and thrown out of the ring. Hardy hits Whisper in the Wind and then he goes up top for a Swanton and hits it but Jericho pulls Hardy out of the ring on the cover. Jericho gets the three count on Kane.
Kane is Eliminated
Kane is still in the ring with Jericho and Kane connects with an uppercut before he leaves the ring. Kane sends Hardy into the ringside barrier and then he rearranges the ring steps and grabs a few chairs and brings them into the ring. One chair remains in the ring and Rey hits a drop kick to Jericho’s back and he ‘falls awkwardly into that position’ for the 619. Rey hits the move and then he goes for a springboard move but Jericho throws the chair at Rey and hits him. The referee calls for the bell to disqualify Jericho.
Chris Jericho is Eliminated
Jericho argues with the referee while Hardy and Rey try to get back to their feet to determine who will be the new number one contender. We go to commercial.
We are back and Rey and Hardy get ready to lock up. Rey with a drop kick for a near fall. Rey tries for another drop kick but Hardy holds on to the ropes and then Jeff hits a leg drop for a near fall. Jeff misses a charge into the corner but Rey charges into a boot. Hardy goes to the turnbuckles and hits a sunset flip but Rey rolls through and kicked Hardy to get a near fall. Rey hits a snap leg drop for a near fall. Rey and Hardy both try for cross bodies and both men go down hard when they collide. Hardy kicks Rey but Rey returns the favor. Rey tries for a moonsault but Hardy catches him and tries for the Twist of Fate but Rey counters and tries for a cover but Hardy counters with a sunset flip for a two count.
Hardy hits a mule kick that sends Rey into the corner but Rey moves when Hardy tries for the drop kick in the corner. Rey and Hardy each with near falls on rollups. Rey with a head scissors that sends Hardy ‘into position’ and Rey hits the 619. Rey hits the springboard seated senton but Hardy gets the cover and the three count.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
After the match, Rey and Hardy shake hands and hug before Rey leaves the ring and Jeff celebrates his victory.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look back at the Four Way Match that saw Jeff Hardy become the new number one contender for Edge’s title.
Chris Jericho storms into Teddy’s office and he is not there but Maria is. Maria says that she is there for a meeting with Teddy about her clothing line. Chris says that nobody cares about her clothing line and he wonders if anyone is there who knows what is important around here. He says that Teddy Long is unprofessional and hires incompetent referees and inept Divas.
Edge appears behind Jericho and Jericho leaves. Edge wants to know where Teddy is and he asks Maria. Edge wonders how Teddy could book him in a match five days after what he went through in the Last Man Standing Match at Backlash. Edge says that he could get hurt and what if CM Punk cashes in his Money in the Bank. Edge says that he is going to call his wife.
Jim Ross and Todd Grisham mention some of the new Smackdown wrestlers. They mention CM Punk, Layla, and Cryme Tyme.
Speaking of Cryme Tyme, they come to the ring and they have something to say. JTG and Shad with a few yo-yos. They talk about their first night on Smackdown and that they are in their home town. They talk about having a Brooklyn Break down tonight on Smackdown. Shad and JTG bring out Layla and Eve Torres. Layla goes first followed by Eve. JTG and Shad ask the people in Madison Square Garden who they think won the dance off. It appears that Eve won, but Layla is not happy with the results and she attacks Eve. Eve fights back and it is time for a catfight.
Montel Vontavious Porter and Sherri are in the back and she is in a Ric Flair-esque robe. Sherri invites MVP onto The View as a guest. Porter says that he will remain the United States champion after facing Dolph Ziggler.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Dolph Ziggler versus MVP from two weeks ago on Smackdown.
Time for more new faces on Smackdown. We are reminded that Melina, Chris Jericho, and Dolph Ziggler.
Match Number Three: Dolph Ziggler versus Montel Vontavious Porter with Sherri Shepherd for the United States Title
Before the match, Dolph introduces himself to everyone. He says that he is going to win the United States Title right here in New Jersey.
They lock up and Porter throws Ziggler to the mat and then he poses. Ziggler with a kick and punches. Porter with a hip toss and arm drags. Ziggler sends Porter to the floor and Ziggler goes after him and Ziggler kicks and punches Porter. Shepherd distracts Ziggler and Porter tries to punch Ziggler, but Ziggler moves and Porter gets face to face with Shepherd. Porter elbows Ziggler and then he tells Sherri to stand still.
Ziggler with a kick to the head when the action returns to the ring. Ziggler with a reverse chin lock. Porter gets Ziggler up for an electric chair drop. Porter with an overhead belly-to-belly throw but Ziggler with a drop kick to the knee. Ziggler punches Porter and Shepherd gets on the apron. Dolph wants Sherri to kiss him but she slaps him. Porter with a clothesline and face buster. It is time for the Ballin’ Elbow and he gets a two count. Porter swats a drop kick away and then he hits the Playmaker for the three count.
Winner: Montel Vontavious Porter
We see the history between CM Punk and Edge when CM Punk took advantage of a Batista attack on Edge to cash in Money in the Bank.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Did you know that WWE can be seen in a lot more homes than the NBA, Major League Baseball, and the NFL, but do more people watch the product?
We are in the hallway and Chris Jericho is browbeating Teddy Long for his alleged incompetence. He calls Teddy a two bit hack and wonders how Smackdown became this popular with him in charge. He says that if this is how he is going to treat the superstar of the year, he might as well quit.
John Morrison comes into the hallway and Teddy leaves. Jericho asks Morrison what he is looking at and Morrison says that he thought he was looking at a loser, but he is looking at a quitter. Jericho slaps Morrison and then they fight in the hallway. There are some people in the hall to separate them and then CM Punk walks by with his briefcase. We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Edge versus CM Punk in a Non-Title Match and Apparent Prelude to CM Punk cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase
They lock up and Edge backs Punk into the turnbuckles and he pushes Punk but Punk pushes back. Punk tries for Go To Sleep but Edge grabs the ropes. Punk with kicks to Edge’s chest followed by a forearm to the back. Punk with an Irish whip and then he puts Edge in the ropes and hits a drop kick to the back for a near fall. Punk with a knee to the midsection and he gets a near fall. Edge with a wrist lock but Punk with a kick to the head. Punk goes up top but he takes too long and Edge stops him. Punk comes off the top turnbuckle and drops Edge’s throat across the top rope. Punk returns to the top and he is crotched by Edge and then he is kept on the turnbuckles and Edge hits a spear into Punk’s back. Punk with a kick and forearm and then he tries for a suplex but he cannot get Edge up because of the damage done to his back. Edge gets Punk up and drops him on the top rope. Edge with a kick that knocks Punk off the apron and to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Punk with a forearm but Edge with a knee to the midsection as Punk comes off the ropes. Edge with kicks to the back followed by forearms. Edge tries for a splash in the ropes but Punk moves and Edge bounces off the ropes. Edge with a rollup and Punk kicks out. Punk with a leg lariat and a series of knees and kicks. Punk gets Edge up for the Go To Sleep but Edge turns it into a sunset flip attempt but Punk drops down for a near fall. Edge drives Punk face first into the canvas for a near fall. Edge waits for Punk to get back up for the spear but Punk with a kick to Edge’s head. Punk with the running knee into the corner followed by a bulldog for a two count. Punk goes to the apron and he sets for the springboard clothesline but Edge sees it coming and Edge moves out of the way. Punk with a power slam for a near fall. Punk gets Edge up for Go To Sleep but Edge blocks it and he puts Punk in the Sharpshooter. Punk gets to the ropes and Edge releases the hold.
Punk rolls to the apron and Edge tries to bring him back in with a suplex. Punk is able to block the suplex and gets into the ring and he hits Go To Sleep on Edge and gets the three count.
Winner: CM Punk
After the match, Punk looks at the briefcase and he says that he is going to cash it in right now. From out of nowhere, Umaga comes into the ring and he hits a super kick on Punk. Umaga with an uranage to Punk and then he leaves the ring.
Edge staggers over to Punk and then he grabs the briefcase and he gets ready to hit Punk with it, but Jeff Hardy comes to the ring and he hits Edge with a Twist of Fate and a Swanton and we go to credits.
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