Friday Night Smackdown!
Cleveland, Ohio
March 7, 2008
results thanks to wwe.com
Fired-up for Florida
March 7, 2008
CLEVELAND – With WrestleMania just 23 days away, the SmackDown Superstars have
started stepping up their game in preparation for the biggest event in
sports-entertainment.
Perhaps broadcasting the strongest message is the “World’s Largest Athlete,” Big
Show, who continues to destroy all in his path to WrestleMania and his bout with
boxing champion Floyd Mayweather. On Monday Night Raw, he tossed around a local
boxer like he was a rag doll. (WATCH) Then on Friday Night SmackDown, a low blow
from Jamie Noble in his match against the goliath enraged the giant. Awarded the
victory by DQ, Big Show showed his pugilistic skills by demolishing his
diminutive opponent with a series of body blows, leaving him a quivering, bloody
ball in the ring.
"The Biggest and The Best” match-up between the 7-foot, 430-pound athlete and
the undefeated boxing champion has created quite a buzz in the boxing community.
Recently, trainer Freddie Roach, ring announcer Michael Buffer, and boxing
legend Thomas "Hitman" Hearns all weighed-in on the bout.
U.S. Championship at stake
Speaking of champions, United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter faced
Batista for the gold after several weeks of The Animal earning non-title
victories over Porter. Their back-and-forth battle for the gold eventually
spilled into the capacity crowd, and MVP saw an opportunity to leave his
opponent stranded outside the ring by kicking him onto the announce table. As
Batista tried to re-enter the ring he was counted out, giving MVP the win and a
successful title defense.
As announced in a WWE.com exclusive, there will be a No Holds Barred title
rematch between the champion and Batista next week on SmackDown. At WrestleMania,
The Animal will face Umaga in the SmackDown vs. Raw Match. Will he represent
SmackDown as the new United States Champion?
Clash of the titans
In a battle of SmackDown’s big men, Kane faced off against Chuck Palumbo.
Earlier in the week on ECW, Palumbo kept a watchful eye over Kane by stalking
him around the ring on his motorcycle during the Big Red Monster’s match. On
SmackDown, Palumbo matched up well and held his own against Kane, but in the
end, it was the Big Red Machine who walked away with a victory after
chokeslamming and pinning the motorcycle-ridin’ Palumbo.
Diva Swimsuit Competition
Divas Eve, Cherry, Maryse, Victoria and Michelle McCool delighted our fans with
an in-ring swimsuit competition. But as the competitive juices started flowing,
things heated up and got physical among the Divas. Stay tuned to SmackDown as
one Diva will be eliminated each week according to your votes.
Despite her strong showing in the Swimsuit Competition, one contest McCool
seemed happy to be out of was the one for Jamie Noble’s affection. Earlier in
the evening, the two spoke backstage. At first, Noble arrogantly presumed McCool
was interested in a relationship with Noble. But, as he went on to explain he
couldn’t be a “one woman man,” McCool saw the opportunity to end the
relationship before it started and was in agreement with his decision. As Noble
walked away, a look of relief came over McCool’s face.
Also on SmackDown
And, in tag action, CM Punk, Jesse & Festus defeated ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero
& WWE Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.
In addition to the Playboy BunnyMania Lumberjack Match, the list of beautiful
women appearing at WrestleMania got even hotter as it was announced on SmackDown
that Playboy cover girl Kim Kardashian will be a guest hostess at WrestleMania.
Three against The Phenom
In a prelude to the big WrestleMania title confrontation between World
Heavyweight Champion Edge and Undertaker, The Phenom had to face the champion
and his minions Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match set up by
SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero. In the end, the Ultimate Opportunist
found a way to use the three-man format to his advantage and pin Undertaker for
the shocking victory.
Earlier in the night, the champion hosted an edition of The Cutting Edge with
special guest, 2008 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Ric Flair. Things got
confrontational between the two with Flair calling Edge’s relationship with
Guerrero a sham and a scam. (WATCH) To settle the score, a 3-on-1 Steel Cage
Handicap Match is set for next week on SmackDown between Edge, Hawkins & Ryder
and Flair
Matches
CM Punk, Jesse & Festus def. ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero & WWE Tag Team
Champions The Miz & John Morrison
United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter def. Batista (Count-out)
Kane def. Chuck Palumbo
Big Show def. Jamie Noble
World Heavyweight Champion Edge, Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder def. Undertaker
(3-on-1 Handicap Match)