Friday Night Smackdown!

Louisville, Kentucky
January 8, 2009
results thanks to pwtorch.com

“Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event…” The WWE video leads us into the show. Ric Flair’s WOO has been taken out.

A video recap of last week’s Beat the Clock Challenge airs. CM Punk set the time at 7:20. Kane and Dolph Ziggler could not answer that time but Rey Mysterio could after defeating Chris Jericho with one second left. Batista looked to have R-Truth beat but Rey Mysterio pulled out the referee and time expired. Mysterio apparently won but Vickie Guerrero came out to let him know that he and Batista would fight next week to determine the true number one contender for Undertaker’s World Heavyweight Championship.

Batista’s music hits and he comes out to the stage. He demands his music be cut and a spotlight put on him. Batista then demands his music be restart and he comes to the ring that way. Batista says it’s a brand new year and it seems like nothing has changed. The crowd still boos him and Teddy Long still sticks it to him. First he screws him out of the title at TLC and then he has the nerve to say nothing about Rey Mysterio getting involved in his Beat the Clock match last week. Batista appreciates Vickie Guerrero trying to make things right but she’s not the GM – she should be, but she’s not. Batista, as the rightful World Heavyweight Champion, demands an explanation. Batista calls Teddy Long out to explain why the number one star in WWE is being treated so unfairly that there won’t be a match with Rey Mysterio tonight. Teddy Long doesn’t come out quick enough and he says he’ll walk and the crowd will follow since they paid to see him.

Rey Mysterio’s music hits and he comes out to the stage instead of Teddy Long. Mysterio says the reason why he isn’t World Champion is because he’s blinded by his selfishness and greed. Finally his true colors are coming out and everyone can see it. Batista is nothing but an arrogant crybaby. Batista takes exception to that and says he beat Mysterio’s time. Mysterio says he didn’t lose – he got some payback. Batista interfered in his championship match against Undertaker so he figured he’d return the favor. Mysterio doesn’t complain about their match as he’s ready to go. Batista isn’t ready since he’s all dressed up. Mysterio wonders if Batista is scared to face him. Mysterio asks the WWE Universe if they think Batista is scared to face him and the audience cheers.

Batista goes crazy and tells the crowd to shut up. Batista says Mysterio has the match tonight and he’ll beat him tonight. Batista says that not only will he beat Mysterio – he’ll make sure he doesn’t walk out of the arena. Mysterio says Batista is wrong since he’s going to win and he’ll walk out the winner.

-Commercial Break-

Todd Grisham and Matt Striker remind us that Rey Mysterio and Batista will fight tonight to determine who will face Undertaker at the Royal Rumble for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Kane vs. Dolph Ziggler

The match begins and Ziggler ducks Kane’s punch. Ziggler hits some quick punches before going into the ropes. Ziggler ducks Kane’s clothesline and tries to slide through his legs but Kane catches him by the hair. Kane drops him with an uppercut. Kane hits a few more big right hands before executing a headlock takeover. Kane keeps the grounded headlock on before hitting a snapmare and a low dropkick to the face for a near fall. Kane clubs at Ziggler and Ziggler tries to get out of the ring. Kane stops him and puts him on the top rope. Ziggler punches Kane off the ropes and hits a missile dropkick for a one count.

Ziggler wildly punches at Kane and attempts a neckbreaker. Kane tries to block it but Ziggler kicks him in the back of the knee. Ziggler hits a DDT and covers for a one count. Ziggler hits a rolling neck snapper for another one count. Ziggler goes for a hip toss but Kane’s too big for that and he hip tosses Ziggler instead. Kane charges into a back elbow and Ziggler jumps on the back with a sleeper hold, much like last week. Kane backs him into the corner and breaks the hold. Ziggler kicks Kane and goes for a tornado DDT but Kane tosses him off.

Kane hits a clothesline and an uppercut. Kane sends him to the corner and hits a clothesline. Kane goes for a sidewalk slam but Ziggler flips out, goes into the ropes, and eats a big boot for a near fall. That looked good. Kane sends him to the corner and finally hits the sidewalk slam for another near fall. Kane goes up top and comes off with a clothesline. Kane looks to the crowd and signals for the Chokeslam. Kane grabs him by the throat but Ziggler elbows out. Kane charges him in the corner but Ziggler moves and hits the Zig-Zag for a near fall! Ziggler angrily jumps on his back and gets that sleeper hold back on. Kane drops to his knees and looks to be fading. Kane fights up and throws himself out of the ring but Ziggler hangs on. The referee begins counting them out and Kane tries to get back in the ring but Ziggler is controlling him. Ziggler quickly gets back in the ring at eight and Kane can’t make it back in.

Winner by Count-Out: Dolph Ziggler
Match Rating: * ¾

Dolph Ziggler quickly gets out of the ring before an angry Kane can get his hands on him.

CM Punk will save a member of the WWE Universe tonight.

-Commercial Break-

Matt Striker thanks Skillet for the use of their song “Hero,” one of the official theme songs of Royal Rumble.

Michelle McCool and Layla are backstage with Beth Phoenix. They try to make it known that the kick to the face last week wasn’t meant for her – just Mickie James. They said they got Mickie a new gift and Layla pulls out a piggy trough. Beth says they’re unbelievable and they take turns calling themselves unbelievable. Beth says it’s unbelievable that they’re backstage playing games when Layla has a match against her tonight. Beth tells her to get serious and walks off.

Chris Jericho is backstage talking to the Hart Dynasty about how everyone has been razzing him about being kicked off Raw this past Monday. Jericho says some things never change – he’s still the best in the world, the face of WWE and Smackdown. Jericho says they have business to take care of. He told them two weeks ago to take care of business and they attacked him, something he can respect since he’s the biggest superstar in the company. Jericho says that’s a feather in their caps but what he wants to know is if they’ll continue to make an impact tonight.

Natalya says they’re more than ready to make an impact tonight. Though Jericho says he’s the best in the world nothing lasts forever. Now is their time. David Hart Smith says what happened to Bret on Monday was an embarrassment to them and to the Hart family. That’ll never happen to them because they’re better than that. Tyson Kidd says they’re better than the best – PERIOD.

R-Truth makes his entrance. He’ll team with Cryme Tyme and take on Jericho and the Hart Dynasty next.

-Commercial Break-

R-Truth & Cryme Tyme vs. The Hart Dynasty & Chris Jericho

R-Truth will start the match off against Tyson Kidd. They lock up and R-Truth gets a side headlock. R-Truth gets a hammerlock but Kidd counters and clubs him. Kidd has a whip reversed on him, goes over and under R-Truth, and eats a dropkick. JTG is tagged in and they whip him into the ropes, hitting a double flapjack. JTG covers for a two count. JTG makes a tag to Shad Gaspard and they hit a leapfrog corner clothesline on Kidd. Shad hits a big clothesline in the corner and Kidd is down. Shad sends him into the ropes but lowers his head and eats a kick. Kidd goes back into the ropes and gets a shoulder block. R-Truth is tagged back in and Kidd kicks him in the midsection, quickly making a tag to Chris Jericho.

Jericho runs in and gets a hip toss. R-Truth punches him to the corner. R-Truth has a whip to the opposite corner reversed on him but he catapults over Jericho, splits under a clothesline, and delivers a bicycle kick for a near fall. R-Truth punches Jericho and sends him to the corner. R-Truth charges into a boot. Jericho goes for a clothesline but R-Truth ducks it. R-Truth hits him with a jumping heel kick that sends Jericho out of the ring as we go to commercial.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Shad punching and kicking Jericho in the corner. Shad whips Jericho hard into the corner and clotheslines him there. Shad scares Tyson Kidd off the apron and gorilla presses Jericho. That was impressive. Shad goes into the ropes but David Hart Smith pulls the top rope down and he flies over. Natalya kicks Shad in the ribs as the referee was distracted for good measure. Jericho sends him back in the ring and kicks him in the head. Jericho kicks him in the ribs and tags in Kidd.

Kidd stomps at Shad viciously before Mike Chioda backs him up. Jericho gets a cheap shot during the distraction. Kidd hits a stiff kick to the back and covers for a two count. Jericho is tagged back in and he punches Shad in the ribs. Shad blocks a punch and hits some of his own. Shad goes into the ropes and eats a dropkick for a two count. Jericho slaps Shad in the head and tags in Kidd. Kidd stomps the head and Shad tries a comeback but gets dropkicked in the knee. Kidd then knocks R-Truth off the apron out of nowhere. Kidd charges and Shad leapfrogs him before hitting a big clothesline.

JTG and Jericho are tagged in. JTG ducks a clothesline and hits a flipping shoulder block. JTG hits a clothesline and a dropkick. Matt Striker said some humorous things during that. JTG hits the Shout Out for a two count broken up by Tyson Kidd. R-Truth punches at Kidd and they go over the top rope but Kidd hangs on the apron. Shad then big boots him off the apron. Jericho throws Shad over the top rope and JTG rolls him up for a two count. JTG goes for a second rope leg lariat but Jericho catches him in a Walls of Jericho! JTG has no choice but to tap! That was the old school Walls of Jericho by the way!

Winners by Submission: The Hart Dynasty & Chris Jericho
Match Rating: ** ½

Still to come is Rey Mysterio taking on Batista but coming up next CM Punk will save someone from the audience.

-Commercial Break-

Tony Chimel asks us to welcome the only straightedge superstar in WWE, CM Punk. CM Punk comes out with Luke Gallows and his Slammy. They also are bringing a chair and some leather pack. Punk tells the audience to quiet down. Punk says last week he made a straightedge resolution to save one very lost soul in the audience. Punk says his crusade is very real. Being the man he is he keeps his promises, unlike all us weak minded people in between binges. Punk asks who in the audience has what it takes to live the straightedge lifestyle. Punk looks around and picks a guy in a maroon sweater. Luke Gallows goes out and gets him.

Punk asks his name and it’s James. Punk says he can tell he’s scared but assures him he has nothing to fear from him or Luke. Punk says he can read him like a book, just like he can see through all the people. Punk says James thinks he’s hopelessly addicted and lets him know there’s hope. Punk tells him to sit down and he does. Punk says what’s about to happen is the most important moment of his entire life. He’s about to accept him and be saved by him. Punk tells him to raise his right hand and asks him if he’s tired of living his life like all the other losers. James meekly says “yes” and Punk makes him repeat it. Punk asks if he’ll stop treating his body like a sewer and James says he’s tried to stop smoking and Punk screams that it’s not good enough. Punk says straightedge is a commitment and he needs to learn quickly that he needs to stop trying and start doing. Punk makes him say he’ll stop taking prescription pills, cigarettes, and alcohol. James says he will. Punk asks if he’ll just say no in the face of temptation and James says yes.

Punk says it’s easier said than done. Like someone who’s hopelessly addicted he knows actions speak louder than words. There’s one more thing he must do before he can join the straightedge nation. Luke Gallows takes out a buzzer and James gets up, wanting to protect his ugly hairdo. His hair looks like something from a mid-90s teen movie. Punk tells him to sit down and he does. Punk says what is about to happen is a symbol of commitment to this society in which he lives. James’ past ends right now because he’s about to accept straightedge into his life. Punk asks if he accepts straightedge and he nods. Punk takes the buzzer and rids his head of that ridiculous hairstyle. James just sits there stone faced. Punk finishes and says now when he looks in the mirror he’ll know he’s stronger than the rest of the people. James is stronger than the rest of the people and they raise his arms. Punk says next week it could happen to us. Punk asks us to welcome the newest member of the straightedge society.

Luke Gallows will take on Matt Hardy next.

-Commercial Break-

A video for Maria’s appearance on the Celebrity Apprentice is shown. Holy crap – Sinbad is on the show! I loved that guy in “First Kid” and “Good Burger.”

Luke Gallows vs. Matt Hardy

The match begins and they circle the ring. They lock up and Hardy quickly wrenches the arm. Gallows quickly breaks free and Hardy looks impressed. They lock up and Hardy gets a waist lock. Hardy gets a side headlock but Gallows pushes him off and shoulder blocks him down. Gallows stomps him before whipping him into the ropes and hitting a back elbow. Gallows misses a leg drop and Hardy works on the knee. Hardy uses the ropes to stretch out the knee. Hardy goes for a Figure Four but Gallows kicks him off. Hardy ducks a clothesline, hits some punches, ducks another clothesline, and goes for a suplex but Gallows reverses it and hangs him up on the top rope, abdomen first. Gallows then knocks him to the floor.

Gallows drives him into the apron a few times before putting him in the ring. Gallows hits a back suplex for a two count. Gallows under hooks the arms in a submission attempt. Gallows turns it to a sleeper hold and Hardy fights up. Hardy punches out but Gallows punches him in the midsection. Hardy quickly kicks him and goes for a sunset flip but Gallows kicks him. Gallows grounds and pounds him before picking him up and kneeing him in the face. Gallows punches him in the corner a few times before hitting a snapmare and a chin lock is applied. Hardy fights up and gets out with a jawbreaker.

Gallows kicks Hardy in the corner and sends him to the opposite one. Hardy avoids an avalanche and hits a moonsault block for a two count. Hardy punches at him and clotheslines him down. Gallows hits some punches and goes for a body slam but Hardy counters with a neckbreaker for a two count. Hardy clotheslines him in the corner but Gallows pushes him off the bulldog attempt. Hardy catches him with a tornado DDT for a near fall. CM Punk is watching nervously at ringside. Hardy goes to the second rope and CM Punk distracts him. Hardy turns into a big boot and takes the Gallows Pole. Luke Gallows picks up the easy win from there.

Winner by Pinfall: Luke Gallows
Match Rating: * ¼

Teddy Long is backstage with Maria, saying he’s excited for her appearance on the Celebrity Apprentice. Vickie Guerrero comes in and says she’d have done the show but she’s too busy running Smackdown. Vickie says she reminds her of when she was young – beautiful, ambitious, strong-willed. Teddy asks when it all went downhill and she tells him to shut up. Vickie casually says he’s on probation and asks Maria to promote WWE’s new line of toys from Mattel. She does a good job and Long says Vickie’s action figure will be the biggest of all. The Great Khali walks up with Ranjin Singh and says that Vickie reminds him of the cows at home. Khali then says MOO in her face to end the segment.

-Commercial Break-

Did you know that last month over 100 million photos of WWE Divas were viewed on WWE.com? That’s been the same statistic for months.

Beth Phoenix vs. Layla

The bell rings and Layla tries to call for a truce. Instead Beth hits a short-arm clothesline and locks her in a spinning shoulder rack. Beth kicks her in the ring and Layla falls out of the ring. Beth calls Michelle McCool in the ring and McCool throws Layla back in. Layla begs McCool for help and Beth drags her to the center of the ring. Layla dropkicks Beth in the knee and tries for some offense. Beth shoves her in the corner and charges but Layla moves. Layla jumps on the back for a sleeper but Beth pulls her off. Beth hits a delayed Glam Slam as Layla cries and picks up the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Beth Phoenix
Match Rating: ¾ *

Michelle McCool looks really scared of Beth Phoenix as she stands dominate in the ring. McCool gets in the ring and tries a sneak attack but Beth catches her. Layla grabs Beth’s ankle and McCool kicks her in the head. McCool and Layla double team her until Mickie James makes the save. Beth throws McCool and Layla out before smiling at Mickie. Mickie then takes her out with a superkick.

Still to come tonight is Batista taking on Rey Mysterio to determine the number one contender.

-Commercial Break-

The Raw Rebound is shown. I love having Bret “Hitman” Hart back. He’s one of my all time favorites.

Josh Mathews is backstage with Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre. We’re reminded of the way McIntyre won by disqualification, when he pushed Morrison into the referee. Mathews says McIntyre blatantly did that and McIntyre says when it’s put in that context it doesn’t capture the magnitude of that victory. He didn’t just defeat Morrison – he dominated him. Morrison snapped when he realized that. McIntyre says he’s undefeated and will be the first Intercontinental Champion to win the Royal Rumble.

John Morrison walks up and says he heard McIntyre talk about his “clean victory” last week. Morrison says it’s easy to say things like that when he’s not around so he asks him to say that to his face. McIntyre doesn’t and Morrison tries to provoke him, even getting in his face. McIntyre says he’s moving on to bigger and better things. Morrison says one of them has to lose their tempers so it might as well be him – Morrison slaps McIntyre in the face and beats him down. That was Morrison’s best promo… ever.

-Commercial Break-

#1 Contenders Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Batista

The bell rings and Mysterio immediately gets out of the ring. Batista chases him but Mysterio is back in the ring first and he baseball slides him. Mysterio goes for another but Batista moves. Mysterio kicks him in the leg a few times before getting in the ring. Batista gets in and catches Mysterio, slamming him into the corner. Batista whips him hard into the opposite corner and Mysterio falls to the mat. Batista hits a backbreaker and circles Mysterio. Batista punches him in the face before picking him up and hitting an over the shoulder backbreaker. Batista is moving at a slow and methodical pace.

Batista gets out of the ring and punches Mysterio on the apron. Batista sends him to the corner and charges into a boot. Mysterio goes for a West Coast Pop but Batista counters with a powerbomb attempt. Mysterio punches and hits a hurricanrana, putting him in position. Batista avoids the 619 by getting out of the ring. Mysterio dives off the apron with a cross-body but Batista catches him and drives him into the ring post. We’ll take a commercial here.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Batista punch Mysterio on the top rope. Batista goes for a superplex but Mysterio wildly strikes him off. Mysterio goes for a Frog Splash (EDDIE!) but Batista hits him coming down. During the commercial break Batista slammed him into the apron and barricade. Both men get up and Mysterio ducks a clothesline. Mysterio springboards off the second rope but Batista catches him and hits a Spinebuster. Batista has a wild look in his eyes as he waits for Mysterio to get up. Batista almost breaks him in half with a Spear and he signals for his finisher. Batista sets up for the Batista Bomb but Undertaker’s GONG hits and the lights go out! When they come back on Batista is laid out on the mat!

Rey Mysterio wildly punches at Batista. Batista pushes him away and Mysterio hits a dropkick. Mysterio hits a wheelbarrow bulldog. Batista goes for a powerslam but Mysterio counters into a nice DDT. Mysterio dropkicks him into position and hits the 619! Mysterio goes for the West Coast Pop and the GONG hits again! The lights go out and when they come back on they’re both down and the referee is gone. The GONG hits one more time and Undertaker’s entrance starts. He never appears. That was lame.

Winner: No Contest
Match Rating: * ½