By Greg Parks, PWTorch Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
December 26, 2008
Taped 12/21/08 in Toronto, Ont.
Aired on MyNetwork TV
Report by Greg Parks, Torch Team Contributor

-WWE Open.

-From a packed house in Toronto, Triple H's theme blared to start the show. He had a sledgehammer with him as he came to the ring. Before he got on the mic, JR plugged Jeff Hardy vs. Big Show in the main event tonight. Triple H started off by talking about the no-nos in life (spitting into the wind, tugging on Superman's cape, etc.), then added one more by showing Kozlov interfering in the 3-way at Armageddon, costing Triple H the title. He said there's a price to pay and he'll collect with the sledgehammer. Then we saw what happened last week as Trips got his hands on the Russian. HHH said he wasn't going anywhere and demanded Kozlov come down. Instead, Chavo Guerrero's music hit.

Chavo came out because Vickie sent him out to tell Triple H that he was out of line interfering in last week's match and that if he lays a finger on Vladimir Kozlov, not only will he not be in the Royal Rumble, but he won't ever get a shot at the WWE Title. Chavo reminded Triple H that he doesn't calle the shots- Vickie does. HHH said he wished Vickie would've come out to tell her herself, but she probably wouldn't fit through the entrance. Triple H changed gears and asked Chavo, a real Guerrero unlike Vickie (his words), why he had become a go-fer. Crowd started a "go-fer" chant at Chavo. Triple H said the Guerreros he knew would've come out and told him something to his face (Chavo was on the stage). Crowd started chanting "Eddie." Chavo made his way to the ring, then stopped and went back up the ramp. Vickie came out at this point and Chavo put his arm around her.

She did her "excuse me" and Triple H made another fat joke. She said she and Chavo are both Guerreros and don't deserve to be treated like this. So Chavo would defend their honor and she called for a referee to start a Chavo vs. Triple H match.

1- TRIPLE H vs. CHAVO GUERRERO

Triple H and Chavo exchanged right hands, then Chavo was thrown from the ring. Chavo gained the advantage at ringside. Chavo nailed The Game with a rolling heel kick, then removed the turnbuckle pad from the corner and grabbed a chair. As the ref put the pad back on the corner, Chavo threw the chair to Triple H and laid down. Trips looked bewildered, then threw the chair out of the ring. Chavo got back up to see HHH and ref Charles Robinson staring at him. A spinebuster and Pedigree later, the match was over.

WINNER: Triple H, at 2:21. Chavo is no Eddie when it comes to cheating, apparently.

After the match, Trips hit Chavo in the sternum with his sledgehammer.

-Michelle McCool will take on Maryse for the Divas Title, and Hurricane Helms vs. Shelton Benjamin for the U.S. Title is next.

[Commercial Break]

-A Kizarny promo aired, showing him and other carnies doing....well, the strange things they do. He makes his long-awaited Smackdown debut next week.

2- SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. HURRICANE HELMS- UNITED STATES TITLE MATCH

Before the match, Shelton noted that he has been U.S. Champion since July. Shelton went after Helms' neck early on, but the Hurricane came back with a low-bridge. Benjamin skinned the cat, but was clotheslined back out. Helms hit a cross-body off the top, and got a few near falls back in the ring. Shelton caught Helms and powerbombed him into the turnbuckle and got a two-count off that. The show then went to break.

[Commercial Break]


Shelton was wearing down Helms, wrenching the neck. Shelton turned a Helms suplex into a neckbreaker for two. Hurricane turned the tables with a European uppercut and running clothesline. Shining Wizard missed, but Helms got a roll-up for two, then another. Nightmare on Helms Street (reverse DDT) got a very near-fall. Shining Wizard was caught by Benjamin and he was about to powerbomob Helms, but Hurricane countered that into a hurricanrana. Benjamin missed a top-rope move and Helms finally hit the Shining Wizard, but only got 2 3/4. Crowd thought it was over. Spin kick by Benjamin out of nowhere, then Paydirt for the win.

WINNER: Benjamin, at 11:01. Solid bout, though Helms still looked a bit rusty and tentative at times. Still, he wasn't gassed or anything in his first long match back.

-JR and Tazz segued into talking about Jeff Hardy winning the title, then showed highlights of him doing just that. He then cut a promo on Big Show for tonight.

[Commercial Break]

3- THE BRIAN KENDRICK vs. CARLITO

Kendrick was already in the ring. Carlito and Primo walked up to the Bella Twins backstage, and apparently all four are headed to the ring. Primo teased Carlito about losing.

Kendrick kicked Carlito off the middle rope and choked him in the ropes. Carlito seemed more aggressive and hit his flying back-elbow. Kendrick went outside to re-group and Primo tried to knock down Ezekiel. Instead, it went the other way, with Ezekiel hitting Primo. Carlito tried to come to his brother's defense, but got kicked in the head by Kendrick on the apron. Back in the ring, Carlito was able to hit the Back-stabber (sold impressively by Kendrick) for the win.

WINNER: Carlito, at 2:18. Hey, this is a good mid-card storyline. And if there was any doubt Kendrick was in the doghouse or at least his push was getting slowed, a loss to Carlito pretty much seals it.

-A video package on Tribute to the Troops aired.

[Commercial Break]

-Edge was complaining to Vickie backstage about Jeff Hardy (which I'm sure she's sick of hearing by now) when Big Show walked in. Show said he was protecting Vickie while Edge was out and that their relationship was strictly business. Show said he would take out Jeff tonight, but then wanted a shot at the WWE Title in return. Vickie granted Show's wish, and Edge was not happy.

-Elsewhere backstage, Maria was primping herself in her referee outfit as apparently she's special ref for the Divas Title match. Michelle McCool walked up and they hugged. Apparently, they've put their differences behind them. Michelle said neither one of them wants to see Maryse win the title. She then warned Maria not to screw things up for her tonight like she has in the past.

[Commercial Break]

4- MARYSE vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL- DIVAS TITLE MATCH

Both ladies showed off their athleticism early on. Michelle had the advantage until Maryse began to pound away at her in the corner. Maria did a good job as ref thus far. Michelle fought out of a chin-lock and got a kick to the face. Crowd didn't seem to be fond of either girl. Michelle hit some ugly dropkicks, then a neck-breaker for two. She didn't seem to like the speed of the count, as Maria checked for Maryse's shoulders to be down first. McCool tried a powerbomb, but Maryse sat down for two. Maryse hit a kick to Michelle's head as she was aruging with Maria. That got the pin.

WINNER: Maryse, at 4:35. OK match; it had its moments. Crowd was into Maryse by the end and cheered the win.

Maria helped Michelle to her feet in the ring. They half-hugged, then headed in the opposite directions. Michelle saw this as her opportunity and went on the attack, kicking Maria in the head and ribs. "You suck" chant from the crowd. Michelle took the beating to ringside, where McCool threw Maria into the ring-post. Maria sold the shoulder. Michelle walked to the back to boos.

[Commercial Break]

-An Umaga video aired, hyping his return.

5- MVP vs. THE GREAT KHALI

MVP looked less than thrilled for this one. He went to the outside before even contacting Khali. He seems to be prolonging the inevitable. Back in the ring, Montel Vontavious Porter hammered away at Khali, but the big man shrugged it off. Khali missed a boot to the face in the corner and MVP worked Khali's leg. A right hand from Khali changed things. Running boot in the corner by Porter as he gained momentum, but a big chop put him back down. Punjabi Plunge finished it.

WINNER: Khali, at 2:38.

As MVP lay in the ring after the match, Kennedy came out. He instructed Justin Roberts to give MVP a mic to defend his latest performance, but MVP was in no condition to talk, so Kennedy did an MVP impersonation. He even threw a plug for his movie in there.

-Vladimir Kozlov was walking backstage, headed to the ring as he's in action next.

[Commercial Break]

-The same Kizarny promo from earlier aired.

6- JIMMY WANG YANG vs. VLADIMIR KOZLOV

Kozlov pretty much squashed Yang in a match that appeared edited together in spots.

WINNER: Kozlov, at 1:00.

Kozlov spoke after the match about winning the Royal Rumble and then winning the title.

-Big Show was lacing his boots backstage when Edge came into his locker room. He wished Show luck, but Show said he was full of Canadian crap. Show said he wanted Edge to watch his match tonight so he can see Show do to Hardy what Edge couldn't. Show managed to get in a shot at Edge's marriage before he left.

[Commercial Break]

-The Raw Rebound aired. JR & Tazz then plugged the Fatal Four-Way match for this Monday night.

-Big Show came to the ring for the main event match, which is next.

[Commercial Break]

7- BIG SHOW vs. JEFF HARDY

Backstage, Vickie told Edge that if Big Show wins tonight, he faces Edge next week in a match to determine the #1 contender for the WWE Title.

Show clubbed Hardy with forearms in the early going, then he sent Hardy out of the ring courtesy of his head-lock throw.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Show continued his dominance. He hit some straight punches to Hardy's gut. Jeff came back but was clotheslined down by Show. Show missed an elbow, but caught Jeff and put him in a bearhug. Hardy hit two Whispers in the Wind once he got out, then the Swanton, but for only two. Show kicked out, sending Jeff to the floor. Hardy turned a chokeslam into a DDT. Show rolled outside where Hardy landed on him. Jeff was able to make it back in before the ten count.

WINNER: Hardy, at 10:58.

Matt came out to celebrate with Jeff after the match.

-Backstage, Edge confidently said he wouldn't have to face Show next week. Instead, Vickie made Edge & Big Show vs. The Hardys for next Friday.

What was your opinion of tonight’s show? Share your thoughts below in our new instant reader comment section!

Greg Parks has been covering Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. You can also hear him every-other-week in the post-Raw audio show Monday nights in the Torch VIP audio section. Check out his column each week in the PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Comments, questions and feedback is welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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