by Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor

WWE Smackdown review
May 22, 2009
Taped 5/19/09 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Aired on MyNetwork TV


-A video package, utilizing slow-motion and still shots, showed what happened in the Jeff Hardy vs. Edge match from Judgment Day.

-Smackdown Open.

-After the requisite fireworks and crowd pans, Jim Ross opened things by previewing Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk for later tonight, which is a re-match from Superstars last night.

-Edge came out, championship over his shoulder. He said there is now no doubt that he’s the face of Smackdown. He noted that Jericho lost to Rey Mysterio and Punk lost to Umaga, while he defeated Jeff Hardy. Edge did some back-patting, saying he’s the premiere superstar in the company today. The fans disagreed, chanting “Hardy, Hardy.” Edge said Hardy isn’t even in his league. Edge said Hardy is like all the fans: a loser. General Manager Teddy Long interrupted.

Long, in a hideous suit-jacket, strutted to the ring as only he can. Long said what he witnessed at Judgment Day was an “atrocity.” While he believes the ref’s decision is final, he can’t deny that Matt Hardy interfered in the match on Sunday. So Long granted Jeff a re-match at Extreme Rules. Edge didn’t want any of that, saying he beat Jeff and he’s tired of the excuses everyone makes for him. Edge said he had more heart, will and determination than his counterpart. He claimed Jeff isn’t World Championship material and went on to call him a “failure.” That brought out the man himself to no doubt have a few words with the champ.

Jeff did the talking from the ramp and said he’s all the things Edge called him, but deep down, he’s a competitor. He made his way into the ring. He also said every match at Extreme Rules is “extreme.” Jeff suggested the two have a match tonight and the winner decides the stipulation for the PPV. Edge said Jeff can’t make his own matches and pled with Long to not allow it. Teddy was reminded by Jeff that this show belongs to the WWE Universe, so Jeff called on them to give their opinion. Hardy went into the crowd and polled random fans and they all wanted to see Hardy vs. Edge tonight. Jeff said Cincinnati has spoken: and it’s on. Teddy said when the WWE Universe speaks like that, he’d be a fool not to listen, so he made the match. He even took Jeff’s advice and said the winner would choose just how extreme the re-match would be. Good opening segment to set up the main event tonight and at Extreme Rules. Jeff going into the crowd is something that not every face could get away with, but it works for his character.

[Commercial Break]

-JR plugged the Hardy vs. Edge tonight, with the winner choosing the stipulations for their Extreme Rules match.

1- RICKY ORTIZ & CHARLIE HAAS & SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. JOHN MORRISON & CRYME TYME

Not sure where Ricky’s heel turn came, but Todd Grisham did hint that his motivational techniques were wearing on other superstars. Remember when Miz & Morrison had their heated feud with Cryme Tyme? Grisham mentioned Ortiz’s football background, noting that he played in the NFL and NCAA, but not revealing that he also played in the XFL. Morrison and Ortiz were in there and once Morrison got the advantage, he tagged out to Shad. Eventually, Ortiz got the best of JTG and tagged out to Haas. JTG dropkicked Haas to the outside and the faces chased the heels off the apron. The heels had to regroup as the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Shelton was working over JTG after some double-teaming by the heels during the break. All three heels got time in the ring against JTG. Hammerlock slam on JTG by Ortiz for two. JTG tried to fight back against Shelton and was successful, but he couldn’t get by Benjamin to make it to his corner for a tag. Benjamin held onto the leg while trying to make a tag of his own. JTG mule kicked Shelton and Haas came in. JTG and Haas had a confusing spot where it wasn’t clear whether JTG made the hot tag or not. The ref ruled he did- not sure if that was by accident since he was so close or what, but it kind of took the luster off of the situation. Things broke down until it was back to Morrison vs. Haas. Morrison landed on his feet on a Haas suplex attempt, then he hit the Starship Pain for the win.

WINNERS: Cryme Tyme & Morrison, at 10:22. Solid enough match.

-Josh Mathews was backstage with Melina. He asked her about the #1 Contender’s Match for the Women’s Title taking place later tonight, Gail Kim vs. Michelle McCool. She called herself the most dominant Diva in WWE history. She said she was the best Diva on Raw and will be on Smackdown. Alicia Fox interrupted and said Michelle wanted her to give Melina a message: That the Women’s Championship will soon be hers. Melina responded with a message of her own, a slap in the face.

[Commercial Break]

-Video of the mainstream sports media’s coverage of the “Denver Debacle” aired. JR also plugged the 5-on-5 main event, and Mr. McMahon taking on “Stan Kroenke.”

2- MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. GAIL KIM- DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDER MATCH

As usual, Fox was at ringside with McCool. The women had a shoving match with Michelle getting the better of it. Kim tried a crucifix roll-up, but ended up arm-dragging McCool down. To the outside, where Michelle took Kim knee-first into the ring-post. Back in the ring, Michelle smelled blood and went right after that knee. Kim locked Michelle in a submission move, with Flying Dragon according to Grisham. The head of Michelle was scissored by Kim and her arm was locked. McCool got out of it and again went back to the knee, including pulling Kim out of the ring by it. Kim landed on the outside with a thud. Gail fought back with right hands, but Michelle dropkicked her in the knee. Heel kick by Kim, then a neck-breaker for a near-fall. As Kim planned to go to the top, Fox got involved without the referee’s knowledge. Kim shoved her into the ring-post face-first, but the pause allowed Michelle to recover and eventually hit the Faith-Breaker for the win.

WINNER: McCool, at 4:25. Another good match between these two ladies. McCool vs. Melina makes the most sense at this point.

-Rey Mysterio was backstage, getting mic’d up for his interview with JR, coming up next.

[Commercial Break]

-JR talked to Rey Mysterio, who was backstage. Ross asked Rey about beating Jericho on Sunday. Rey said Jericho is talented in the ring and at running his mouth. Mysterio said he was proud to hit the one move that Jericho said he wouldn’t be able to, the 619. He even led the crowd in a 619 chant. Rey said a lot of guys in the Smackdown locker room would like to have a shot at the Intercontinental Title. He talked about those who have held the IC Title in the past, and mentioned Eddie Guerrero, which got a good pop in the arena. He said he would like to honor them by being one of the greatest IC Champs of all time. JR then asked why he wrestles wearing a mask. Odd question. Rey was modest, saying he wasn’t good looking, but then turned serious saying it was a tradition in the Luchador community. He said his uncle had to train him and he had to earn the mask. Mysterio said he wears it with great honor and will never take it off during competition. He said it’s a big dishonor to take it off. Good job by Rey putting over the importance of the IC Title.

-Chris Jericho came out for his match with CM Punk. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

3- CHRIS JERICHO vs. CM PUNK

Punk got an early bodyslam and stomp in on Y2J. Jericho missed a springboard dropkick and fell to the outside. Punk got Jericho on his shoulders for the GTS, but Jericho countered and struck with a forearm to the back of the head. Rear chinlock by Jericho but Punk came back with some spot-on kicks and a cover got two. Punk came off the top and Jericho kicked the rope, causing Punk to fall. Show went to break with both men down.

[Commercial Break]

It was all Jericho upon return. He seemed to be getting cocky, though. JR did say that Punk got quite a bit of offense in during the break. Trash talking by Jericho, then a corner clothesline. Punk headbutted Jericho down as both men were on the top. Flying cross-body, but Jericho rolled through for two. Enziguiri missed and Punk rolled him up for two. Punk appeared to be going for his running knee in the corner, but Jericho fired out with a dropkick. Punk shoved Jericho off on a bulldog attempt, and Jericho ended up crotch-first into the middle rope. Knee to the back of the head by Punk. Jericho again got out of a GTS, but got him up a second time. Jericho rolled down Punk’s back and attempted to lock in a Walls of Jericho. Inside cradle by Punk, countered by Jericho back into a Walls. Punk reached the rope to break the count. He came back with a GTS, but Jericho rolled out of the ring. Umaga then came out with a strap in hand and attacked Punk, drawing the DQ.

WINNER: Punk via DQ, at 11:36. Another above-average TV match for these two.

Umaga tied Punk upside down in the corner and gave him the Samoan Spike. He went to ringside and got the mic from ring announcer Justin Roberts and spoke perfect English! Umaga said if Punk thinks he’s hurting now, wait ‘til Extreme Rules. He’s issuing a challenge: A Samoan Strap Match. Lots of rematches from Judgment Day. I was hoping for a Yappapi Strap Match myself. And I hope they address how Umaga can talk now.

-JR once again plugged the ten-man tag for Raw, with the “Lakers” as the faces and the “Nuggets” as the heels. Plus, Mr. McMahon’s challenge of Stan Kroenke. I hope it’s better than Rosie vs. Trump!

[Commercial Break]

4- DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. R-TRUTH

Big hip-toss from Truth, but Ziggler hung him out to dry throat-first over the top rope. Suplex by Ziggler for only one. Ziggler missed a charge in the corner and Truth came back with some rights and a heel kick. Facce-first into the canvas went Dolph. Scissors kick to Ziggler for two. Truth went to the top, but Ziggler pulled him down by his legs and hit his finisher for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 2:29.

As Ziggler headed to the back, Great Khali came out, walking with a purpose. Ziggler was forced to go back into the ring, where Truth leveled Ziggler with a spinning flying forearm. Ziggler though, was able to high-tail it through the crowd before Khali could get his hands on him.

-They showed a replay of what just happened.

-Later tonight, Edge vs. Jeff Hardy with the winner choosing the stipulation for their match at Extreme Rules.

[Commercial Break]

-A video package showed the rivalry that has developed over the past three weeks between Eve and Layla. Next week, they face off one-on-one in an actual wrestling match.

-Edge was backstage in Teddy Long’s office. He told Teddy that at Extreme Rules, it could lead to the extermination of Jeff Hardy. Edge turned around and into Jericho, who simply nodded and acknowledged Edge by saying his name. Edge told Jericho “that’s champ to you, and the face of Smackdown.” Jericho wanted a re-match with Rey at Extreme Rules. Long said Rey was just in there asking for the same thing- and it’ll be No Holds Barred.

-Jeff Hardy came out for the main event.

[Commercial Break]

5- JEFF HARDY vs. EDGE- WINNER NAMES THE STIPULATION FOR THEIR MATCH AT EXTREME RULES

The two had a bit of a feeling-out process at the outset, with neither man getting a clear advantage. Edge took a breather when he felt like he was in trouble. He tripped Jeff up but Edge couldn’t capitalize. JR made it a point that Edge is trying to concuss Hardy. Jeff worked a head-lock on Edge as JR made a few basketball metaphors. Jeff bounced Edge’s head off the turnbuckle ten times. Dropkick in the corner, but it may have hurt Jeff on the landing. Kick to the head by Edge. He seemed to be the fresher man as the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Edge concentrated his attack on Jeff’s skull, kicking him a number of times in the head in the corner of the ring. Jeff came back with an elbow in the corner, then a Whisper in the Wind. He nearly got a pinfall off of it. Flying forearm by Hardy, shades of Tito Santana. Face-first suplex and the shirt has come off, folks. Hardy went to the top, but Edge crawled a safe distance away. Edge with a neck-breaker on Hardy for two. Edge, to the top, but Hardy met him with a standing dropkick. He baseball slid Edge out of the ring. Flying crossbody over the top by Jeff. Back in the ring, Jeff landed a second-rope leg-drop for two. Edge shoved off a Twist of Fate attempt, but Hardy rolled Edge up after a spear miss for another near-fall. Backslide by Edge for two. Grisham compared this match to a game of chess. Finally a Twist of Fate for Hardy, who then crawled to the corner and up the turnbuckle. Edge caught him with a right hand though, crotching him on the top rope. Jeff fought out and knocked Edge to the canvas. Swanton hit and Jeff won it.

WINNER: Hardy, at 15:42. Great match, made more intriguing by the stipulation and the concussion storyline.

-After showing a replay of important moments in the match, Grisham met Jeff in the ring for the reveal of what Jeff has decided for a stipulation. Jeff said he’d be climbing a ladder to win the title, so it’ll be a Ladder Match.

-A replay aired of the finish of the match.

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 in the Torch VIP audio section and read his all-new blog in the VIP forum. Check out his column each week in the PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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