411's WWE Smackdown Report 05.15.09

Posted by JP Truss on 05.15.2009

Tonight on Smackdown, Edge and Chris Jericho face off in a surprise but welcomed main event. Several midcarders step up their game and the World Greatest Tag Team have a proper reunion. Who has the momentum heading into Judgment Day? Click to find out!

Welcome to 411's Weekly Smackdown! Report. I am JP Truss aka JP II your play-by-play man for Smackdown! We are sorta live with Jim Ross and Todd Grisham at ringside.

John Morrison and CM Punk vs. The World's Greatest Tag Team

You may all mark out...now. Although they could've used the throwback WGTT music and ring gear just to add a little something. But that's just me.

We're starting off with Punk and Haas and Haas takes control quickly by forcing Punk into the corner. Got to love the new aggressiveness in Haas. Haas throws a few hammering blows on the upper back of Punk before hitting a scoop slam. Haas goes for a running forearm drop but Punk gets out of the way. Punk lays into Haas with some kicks to the chest, following up with an Irish Whip into a knee to the gut. Punk tags Morrison who gets in a free kick to the ribs. Morrison backs Haas to the corner with some European Uppercuts and whips Haas into the corner. Haas stumbles into a deep hip toss. Morrison hits a break dancing leg drop. Morrison goes for the pin and gets a one count.

Haas is back on his feet quickly and takes control with a knee lift to Morrison's lower jaw. Haas tags in Benjamin who also goes on the attack, grounding Morrison with boots the the chest and a short arm clothesline. Benjamin gets Morrison to his feet and puts him in the corner, apparently with no clue what to do next. The referee gets him to back up and Morrison back Benjamin up further with shots to the face. Morrison hits a big neck breaker and tags in CM Punk. Punk and Morrison whip Benjamin to the ropes and catches him with a double back elbow. Morrison leaves the ring as Punk goes for a pin and gets a quick count. Punk is back on his feet and Benjamin catches him with a jawbreaker. Benjamin tags in Haas who is quickly back on the offense with a kick to the midsection. Haas forces Punk into the corner but Punk fires back with a snap mare takeover and a stiff kick to the spine.

Punk pulls Haas up and takes him down with a hammerlock. Haas suffers before another kick from Punk to the opposite spine and again Haas goes for the pin and gets a quick count. Haas gets to his knees and cuts Punk off with a shot to the gut. He gets in some shots to the kidney before going for an Irish Whip, but Punk counters with a float over and an arm drag to Haas. Punk locks in the arm bar, keeping Haas grounded for a moment before Haas gets to his feet and he's forced to switch over to a hammerlock but Haas breaks out of it with an elbow. Haas goes on the attack and tries for a clothesline but Punk reverses it into a Fireman's Carry. Haas manages to drop out of it as Benjamin comes in but Punk gets him up for G2S! Haas pulls his partner out of certain danger but Morrison comes in and they dropkick both Haas and Benjamin out of the ring! Morrison gets in another dropkick through the ropes on Haas as we got to a commercial break!

We're back just as Morrison takes Haas down with a deep arm drag. Morrison puts Haas in an arm bar of his own but Haas is soon back to his feet and forces Morrison into the corner. Morrison tries to fight out of it but gets set up on the second rope. The referee moves Haas out of the way but doesn't see Benjamin boot Morrison to the mat. Haas takes advantage and goes for a pin and gets a near fall. Haas tags in Benjamin who begins attacking the upper back and neck of Morrison. Morrison tries to get a pin but Benjamin stops him with a ¾ Face lock and a neck breaker. Benjamin goes for the pin and gets another near fall. Benjamin hooks in a side headlock and Morrison struggles, slowly forcing Benjamin to his corner but Benjamin holds on until Morrison breaks out of it. Morrison charges to his corner but Benjamin catches Morrison! Benjamin heads back to his corner and gets in a tag to Haas just as Morrison goes for a Sunset Flip. Haas makes him pay with a stiff kick to the back. Haas lays the boots onto Morrison, getting in a kick t the ankle before tagging back in Shelton Benjamin.

Benjamin hits a snap mare takeover and hooks him into a modified camel clutch. The crowd begins to rally Morrison as he makes his way to a vertical base, quickly breaking out of the hold. Benjamin stops him with an knee to the midsection and goes for an Irish Whip, but Morrison counters with a neck breaker which Benjamin reverses into a backslide but Morrison rolls through and tags in CM Punk!

Punk leaps in and takes Benjamin down with a big right! Multiple clotheslines lead to a stiff kick. Punk goes for an Irish Whip and hits a dropkick on Benjamin who stumbles backward and tags in his partner! Punk doesn't realize it and whips Benjamin into the corner, hitting the running knee lift! Punk goes for the bulldog but is shoved into a belly to belly suplex via Charlie Haas! Haas puts the boots the Punk and hooks in a gut wrench. Not a gut wrench power bomb; just the gut wench part. Punk fights out of it and gets caught with a big power slam from Haas! Haas goes for the pin and gets a near fall!

Haas lays in a few knees to Punk's lower back before hooking a rear chin lock. Morrison looks like he's out of answers on his side of the ring as Haas keeps Punk grounded and tags in Benjamin. Benjamin takes his time and hits a vertical suplex. Benjamin looks a little more comfortable now and even Haas begins shouting to stay on him. Punk tries to fight back with kicks to Benjamin but is caught and taken down with a big clothesline. Benjamin tags in Punk and goes back on the attack, taking Punk down with another read head lock. Punk is slowly to get to his feet but he does and tries to break out of it but Haas blocks him. Haas goes for a back suplex but Punk lands on his feet and tags in Morrison! Morrison slides in and takes Haas down with a clothesline! Another clothesline! Twisting calf kick by Morrison! Morrison takes Benjamin off the apron and tries to send Haas over the top but Haas lands on his feet. Haas blocks a shoulder tackle with a knee and goes for a slingshot Sunset Flip but Morrison rolls out of it and answers with a big knee. Morrison goes to the top rope but Benjamin is back in! Benjamin leaps over his partner and to the top rope! Benjamin and Morrison slug it out on the top and Morrison gets the better of it and sends Benjamin to the mat! Punk comes in and clotheslines Benjamin out of the ring! Corkscrew Split-Legged Moonsault onto Haas ends it!

Winner: John Morrison and CM Punk (Pinfall via Corkscrew Split Legged Moonsault) *** Damn that was good. Please take note other wrestling brands because THAT is how you open up a show! Big thumbs up to everyone involved.

Morrison and Punk celebrate in the ring as we head to commercials!

-Did You Know? WWE offers all US military personnel free tickets to its live events. That may have been the only worthwhile edition of this stupid thing.

Just Because You're Paranoid Doesn't Mean You're Wrong

Jericho comes out and grabs a microphone and mention that this Sunday is Judgment Day: the day when all of humanity must atone for their sins. And while the audience is clearly frightened of Judgment Day he is not because he is honest and pure-hearted who always does what he says he is going to do. And yet while he has been on Smackdown he's been lied to and disrespected and while he had his doubts as first he now knows it is a conspiracy against him by the parasitic tapeworms (the fans) the inept Teddy Long, and the envious Smackdown locker room. But this Sunday Jericho will be vindicated and his rapture will begin, even if it means he has to embarrass the entire locker room. Because he is the best in the world at what he does and Smackdown is his show! And the first victim in his quest will be Rey Mysterio.

Jericho says that Rey took something very important from him: an opportunity to become World Heavyweight Champion so now he's going to take something away from Mysterio when he beats him at Judgment Day and become a nine time Intercontinental Champion. And in the process, Jericho will take away something the fans, like the joy of seeing the 619 since it won't happen this Sunday. Jericho then commands Rey Mysterio to come to the ring and instead gets Edge!

UNDERSTAND I SEE CLEARLY AND SOMETHING COMES TO SOMETHING!!!!! Okay I can sing...get off my ass.

Edge enters the ring with a microphone of his own and tells Jericho that he's already sick of hearing Jericho. He points out that he is the World Champion which means everyone in the locker room is out to get him. In fact Jericho is also out to get him, since he was coming out claiming to run the show. While Jericho was on Raw getting beat by Cena, Edge owned Smackdown! Smackdown has always been Edge's show! Jericho may be close to being a nine time Intercontinental Champion but he is a nine time World Champion. Edge also points out it's not Jericho's time to be out there and takes over, calling out Jeff Hardy. Jericho interrupts him and tells him to wait his turn since he's already called out Mysterio. But Edge points out that he doesn't care just as Long comes out to stop the bickering!

Long tells them both that Smackdown belongs to the people; not to either of them. Long then books Chris Jericho in a match against Edge TONIGHT! Hell yeah!

Jeff Hardy...or Knuckball Schwartz...I'll go with Jeff Hardy...is heading to the ring. His match is next!


Jeff Hardy vs. Ricky Ortiz

We get a replay of last week's incredible main event before heading back to the ring. And yes folks, the master of the O'Rally Towel still has a job. We start this one of with a collar elbow tie up and Ortiz takes control quickly with a knee to the gut and follows up with a head butt. Ortiz pulls Hardy up and takes him across the ring with a big hip toss and runs Hardy down with a big tackle and goes for a pin, getting a one count. Ortiz takes down Hardy with another shoulder tackle and nails some huge knees to Hardy's chest. Ortiz locks Hardy into a arm triangle hold but Hardy gets back to his feet. However, Ortiz maintains control and uses Hardy's hair to take him back down to the mat. Ortiz nails Hardy with repeated head butts to before going for a pin and gets a two count. Ortiz prepares to rally it up and bounces off the ropes but Hardy gets his knees up. Hardy charges but Ortiz counters with a big power slam. Ortiz goes for the pin and gets another near fall.

Ortiz locks Hardy into a side headlock but Hardy again slowly gets to his feet. Ortiz stops him with a blow to the back and bounces off the ropes but Hardy counters with a swinging lariat. Hardy goes on the attack and takes Ortiz down with a few clotheslines. Inverted Mule Kick sends Ortiz into the corner. Jeff Hardy has the momentum and follows up with a slingshot drop kick to Ortiz. Jeff Hardy goes for an Irish Whip but Ortiz reverses him into the corner. Ortiz charges right into an elbow from Hardy, who hits Whisper in the Wind! Huge Twist of Fate by Hardy which leads to the Swanton Bomb! Hardy goes for the pin and gets the three count!

Winner: Jeff Hardy (Pinfall via Swanton Bomb) **1/2 Great work by both men with Ortiz really stepping his game up. If the action he got in tonight is an indication we're going to see great things coming out of him in the very near future.

Jeff is celebrating in the ring. We'll hear from him after this commercial break!


Jeff Hardy Says Something!

Josh Matthews in the ring and tells Jeff it seems he has the momentum heading to his match. Jeff tells Matthews that Edge is a creature of habit. For the past few months he has one a title at a Pay-Per-View and at the next Pay-Per-View he's lost it. A fan tells Jeff he is the greatest, and Jeff tells him he is, which the fans eat up. Since Edge won at Backlash, Jeff declares he will be Edge at Judgment Day not just for himself but for the people who has backed him.

Well what else did you expect from the guy? Good enough to give some energy to the Smackdown main event...as if it needed it now anyway.

We get the Raw Rebound and see Michelle and Alicia warming up before we got to commercials.


Michelle McCool and Alicia Fox vs. Gail Kim and Melina

We start this one off with a big take down by Michelle on Melina. After a scuffle which Melina comes out of on top of they break up and stare down. Melina tags in Alicia who ties up with Melina. Alicia gets in a kick and hooks Melina into a full nelson. Melina drops out of it and goes for a wheelbarrow, which Alicia tries to take control of but Melina blocks and tosses Alicia with an arm drag. Melina backs Alicia to the corner and puts her into an arm bar, before hitting a snap mare that flips her into a seated position. Melina tags in Gail Kim who bounces off the ropes and hits Alicia with a low dropkick. Gail Kim goes for the pin and gets a near fall.

Gail pulls Alicia back to her feet and goes for an Irish Whip which Alicia reverses but Gail hangs on to the top rope. Gail hits Alicia with a Frakensteiner and Gail is in control. Gail pulls Alicia up and whips her to the corner, nailing her with the running cross body. Michelle goes for an attack on the apron but Gail boots her out of the way and counters Alicia with a shot to the midsection. Michelle grabs Gail's ankles and brings her to the outside hard. Michelle steps back up the apron and waits for the referee to see the tag (Hidden Highlight!) before heading to the outside and hurling Gail back in. Michelle goes for the cover and gets a near fall.

Gail gets to one knee right before Michelle hits a big running flip neck breaker and follows up with a modified dragon sleeper. Gail gets to her feet and springboards off the top rope and breaks the hold with a reverse DDT. Both women are down. The referee begins the count as the two women head to their corners. Gail tags in Melina who comes in roaring. Melina takes down Michelle with a clothesline, and another clothesline! Melina whips Michelle to the corner and reverses Michelle onto the middle rope. Melina steps up and lays the double knees to a vulnerable McCool. The referee is forced to back Melina up before she charges again and Michelle counters it with a drop toe hold to the ropes. Michelle goes for a roll up but Melina's foot was in the ropes. Melina takes control again with a kick to the knee and split kick to the head of Michelle. Melina goes for the pin again and gets another near fall. Melina pulls up Michelle, setting her up for apparently a reverse DDT but Alicia breaks it up with a clothesline. Gail comes in and sends Alicia to the outside!

Back in the ring Michelle tries to cut Melina off but Melina blocks her with a boot to the midsection. A screaming, high impact Sunset Flip (Jim Ross: What the heck is this?!) gets the three count for the champion!

Winners: Gail Kim and Melina (Pinfall via...Screaming High-Impact Sunset Flip) **1/4 And this is why I have faith in the WWE's Women division now. All of the girls on Smackdown are working to step it up and this could be the group that brings the division back to the place its pioneers left it.

The ladies celebrate as Grisham and Edge pimp tonight's main event before the commercials.


Dolph Ziggler vs. Jimmy Wang Yang

Wang Yang is already in the ring...good to see ya again Jimmy!

Okay, I'll admit it: Ziggler's music grows on you. That is all.

The bell rings and Ziggler tries to get Wang Tang...YANG to shakes his hand but Yang ain't having it. Yang kicks it out of the way and hits Ziggler with an arm drag. However Ziggler fights back and takes Wang Yang down with a high mat slam. Ziggler whips Wang Yang into the corner and hits a big running splash. Ziggler goes for the pin and gets a quick count.

Ziggler hooks in a modified chin lock and keeps Wang Yang grounded, breaking out a few elbow drops before finishing with a big leaping elbow drop. Weak cover by Ziggler leads to a quick count. Ziggler hooks in a side headlock. Wang Yang struggles in the center of the ring and again Ziggler keeps him down with a shot to the kidneys. Ziggler demand that Wang Yang gives up but Yangs fights back. Ziggler stops him with a kick and hooks him into a full nelson and loudly demands Yang quit. Yang finally forces Ziggler off him and takes him down Ziggler with a clothesline. Big kick to the gut leads to a kick to the back of Zigglers head. Wang Yang takes out Ziggler's knees and hits another kick ot the back of the head! Yang goes for the pin and gets a two count! Yang goes for another kick a Ziggler ducks out of the way. Ziggler goes for a charge but Yang blocks him. Yang goes for the Moonsault but Ziggler steps out of the way! Yang lands on his feet! Ziggler attacks with a reverse leaping STO! WTF WAS THAT?! Ziggler gets the three!

Winner: Dolph Ziggler (Pinfall via Reverse Leaping STO) **1/2 No complaints here. Fantastic mid-card match-up from two very able competitors. Yes; that includes Ziggler.

Before Ziggler can say anything the Great Khali's music hit. Khali comes out and he doesn't look too happy. Ziggler tries to cut him off but Khali grabs him and catapults Ziggler over the top rope! Ziggler scrambles for the exits as Khali follows angrily.


More Fun with Layla and Eve...oh and Cryme Tyme is here too

Does anyone mind if we cut to the chase? No? Great. Cryme Tyme gets Eve to dump make-up over Layla and, of course, a cat fight breaks out. Eventually Shad and JTG comes in and breaks the women up. It's not that I have a problem with these segments. In fact I'm glad it's not taking up more than three minutes. Also Layla and Eve are doing a good job building up to any future match the two have. My biggest question is Cryme Tyme's involvement. There's really no need for them to be a part of this one so....why? Someone let me know about that.


R-Truth vs. Mike Knox

For anyone who missed last week's disfunctional match-up, this is a rematch. Let's hope it goes better this time!

The bell rings and the two tie up and Knox muscles Truth into the corner. Knox goes for a punch but Truth ducks out of it. Truth goes on the attack but Knox stops him with a knee to the gut. Big scoop slam drops Truth in the center of the ring. Knox goes for a knee drop but Truth gets out of the ring and Knox spirals out of the ring. Truth measures Knox and springboards over the top rope, hitting a big cross body onto Knox! Already this is better than last week.

Truth sends Knox back into the ring and charges, but Knox counters with a big kick to Truth. Knox levels Truth with a head butt and sends him into the corner, following up with a huge running splash. Knox keeps Truth on his feet and takes him down with a short arm clothesline. Knox goes for the pin and gets a quick count. Knox drags Truth to the ropes and sling shoots Truth chest first off the middle rope. Knox goes for another pin and gets a two count.

Knox locks in a rear chin lock and Truth struggles, fighting his way back to his feet but Knox stops him with a shot to the back. Truth continues to fight back but Knox whips him again to the corner. Knox charges but truth leap frogs over Truth! Big calf kick stuns Knox! Spinning Corkscrew Elbow by Truth takes the big man down! Truth goes for the pin and gets the three count!

Winner: R-Truth (Pinfall via Spinning Corkscrew Elbow) ** Big improvement over last week. Still a few sticking points but overall a superior match up that allowed both men to work their styles.

R-Truth celebrates as we head to commercials. Rey Mysterio speaks next!


Rey Mysterio Speaks NOW!

Josh Matthews introduces Rey and points out what Jericho said earlier tonight. Rey answers back in Spanish, which translated means Jericho is arrogant and deceitful. Rey tells Jericho that he has to earn respect. Rey continues in Spanish and says that Jericho will not walk over him at Judgment Day.

JR and Todd Grisham are back in the ring to run down the Judgment Day card. Nice touch here to continue the brand differences.


Chris Jericho vs. World Heavyweight Champion Edge

Edge and Jericho both get the glory of their entrances. Jim Ross has coined this match 'Ego-Mania'; I prefer 'Wrestlemania Main-Event level'. But, Ego-Mania works too.

The bell rings and the two take their time getting to the center of the ring. Jericho slaps Edge! Edge slaps Jericho! Here we go! Both men brawl to the outside of the ring and Jericho takes advantage by slamming Edge face first into the crowd barricade. Jericho drags Edge to the announce position but Edge answers back with a face slam of his own. Both men slide back into the ring and Edge takes control with some big right punches. Edge whips Jeircho to the corner and goes for a running tackle but Jericho side steps him. Jericho pulls Edge out of the corner and hurls him shoulder first into the ring post. Edge falls to the mat and Jericho puts Edge into an ARMBAR, using his elbow to add pressure (Hidden Highlight!) Edge slowly gets to his feet as Jericho keeps up the hold and Edge whips Jericho to the ropes, catching Jericho with a big knee to the gut.

Edge is now in control, attacking Jericho with shots to the back of the head. Edge sets Jericho up on the middle rope and hits a running cross body to Jericho's back. Edge hooks the leg for a pin and gets a two count. Jericho gets to his feet and answers back with a stiff right, sending Edge to the middle rope. Jericho steps up and uses the ropes to strangle Edge, only stepping off when the referee counts to four. Jericho sends Edge to the outside with a low dropkick and appears satisfied that this one is in the bag. Excellent psychology by Jericho by the way. Jericho steps to the outside and pulls Edge up, but Edge counters and whips Jericho into the ring steps. Jericho writhes in pain as Edge breaks the referee's count before heading back and dropping Jericho onto the crowd barricade. Edge sends Jericho back into the ring and goes for a cover, getting a two count.

Both men get to their feet and Edge prepares to go back on the attack but Jericho takes control with a stiff shot. Jericho heads to the top rope and Edge follows with both battling it out on the top rope. Finally a simultaneous strike sends the both crashing to the floor. It's anyone's game as we head to commercials!

We are back just as Edge takes Jericho over with a vertical suplex. Edge goes for the cover and gets a near fall. Edge climbs to his feet first and bounces off the ropes, but Jericho stops him and reverses it into a arm bar take down! Jericho goes for the pin and gets a two count. Jericho goes for Edge's weaken shoulder and hooks in a hammerlock, working it into a hammerlock slam. Jericho measures off his next shot, a kick to the shoulder and begins berating Edge. Jericho goes for a running bulldog but Edge side steps it and sends Jericho chest first into the corner. Edge makes his way back to his feet and takes control, whipping Jericho into the corner and following it up with a running tackle. Jericho gets his second wind and goes for a roll up using the ropes, but the referee sees it! Jericho begins arguing with the referee and doesn't see Edge come from behind with a roll up. Edge also uses the ropes and the referee sees it as well. Edge argues briefly with the referee and Jericho tries to take advantage but Edge sees it coming and both men take each other down with a clothesline! Both men are down! The referee begins the count and they're up at six.

Edge gets whipped into the corner by Jericho, who follows through with a one-handed bulldog! Jericho calls for the Lionsault but Edge gets out of the way. Jericho lands on his feet but awkwardly and Edge follows up with a Sharpshooter! Middle of the ring! Jericho struggles aimlessly in the ring and tries crawling to the ropes, finally reaching the bottom. Edge catches his breath and goes for the Sharpshooter again but Jericho counters with a roll up and gets a two count. Jericho hooks in the Walls of Jericho! Now Edge is feeling the pain! Edge struggles and gets to the bottom rope himself! Jericho begins arguing with the referee and again allows Edge to catch his breath. Jericho turns around and is hits with a Spear! And what a Spear! Jericho spins to the outside! Again both men are down!

The referee counts to five and Jericho makes it to the bottom rope. Edge goes on the attack and hangs Edge up on the top rope. Jericho grabs a steel chair and heads back to the ring. Jericho goes on the attack but Edge counters with a big boot! The referee calls for the bell! BOO-URNS!

Winner: Edge (DQ) ***1/4 I would have love to see a conclusion but I'm not going to complain with what I got. Great match-up that deserves more time, a bigger stage, and a World Championship on the line.


Edge eyes the chair and prepares to attack just as Jeff comes into the ring! Jeff kicks Edge! Twist of Fate onto the chair! Jeff goes for the Swanton Bomb but Jericho stop him. Jeff kicks Jericho off the apron and takes him down with a big splash from the top! Everyone is down!

Wait! It's CM Punk! And he's got a referee! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Can this happen now?! These people are going crazy! But wait it's Umaga! YOUMAGA! Punk uses the briefcase to take Umaga to the outside! Punk leaps out of the ring and takes down the Bulldozer! Edge is back on his feet and Jeff comes back in and attacks with a Spear! They're heading to the crowd! It's all breaking down now!

Jericho watches everyone from the ramp, laughing until Rey shuts him up! Here we go again! This is insanity! THIS IS SMACKDOWN! We'll see you at Judgment Day!