Smackdown on MyNetwork TV
Taped on 11/25/08 in Albany, NY.

[Q1] A video package recapped the WWE Title match at Survivor Series…In the ring, Vickie Guerrero stood in the ring wearing a neck brace. She introduced Edge who came out to some serious heat with his new scruffy ass beard. The ring was surrounded by security. Edge got in the ring and Vickie held out her arms for a hug. Edge looked suspicious at first and then ran into the arms of the woman he loves.

Shore’s Slant: I think I threw up in my mouth a little with that last line.

Edge said he wasn’t ready to come back. But he woke up the morning of the Survivor Series and knew he had to take matters into his own hands. He said he had to because we all know how Jeff Hardy has let people down. He said he didn’t want to let Vickie down and that’s why he came back, for her. Vickie thanked him for being her hero and saving her from the irresponsibility of Jeff Hardy.

The crowd booed loudly. Vickie said the Hardy affair was still under investigation. She said Hardy had screwed up big time before. The fans chanted Hardy and he came down the ramp looking like he had been mugged by the Insane Clown Posse’s makeup artist. Security held him back and Triple H ran down, knocked down Hardy and tried to jump the ring. Security held him and Vladimir Kozlov slipped past and climbed in the ring. He said, “No more triple threats. I come here to be champion.”

Vickie yelled for everyone to calm down. She said she anticipated this and set up three beat the clock matches. The person who beat their opponent in the shortest time would face Edge for the WWE Title at Armageddon. She said Jeff Hardy’s match was next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: 1. WTF is up with Hardy’s makeup? Holy crap is it weird. He looks like Kizarny’s tag partner. 2. How did the biggest of the three challengers slip past security? 3. Why am I numbering my thoughts?

Back from commercial and Hardy was in the ring with his music playing. He must have done his intro during commercial. Hardy has a bandage on the back of his neck from the assault he suffered Sunday. The Brian Kendrick and Ezekiel were out next. Cool…

[Q2]1. Jeff Hardy defeated The Brian Kendrick w/Ezekiel Jackson at 12:13 in a Beat the Clock Match. TBK slipped out of the ring early, hiding behind Zeke and running the time up. Back in the ring, it was all Hardy on offense, displaying his new aggressive style. Most of the makeup was gone by the 2:00 mark, making Hardy look even worse. TBK slipped out again at the 3:20 mark but turned his back to the ring. Hardy slid out and hit TBK beside Zeke who did nothing. Hardy threw TBK back in the ring. He climbed the rope for the Whisper in the Wind but TBK hit his feet to cause Jeff to fall to the top turnbuckle. TBK hit a neck breaker and celebrated into commercial…[C]

Back from commercial at 7:34 according to the completely reliable WWE timer. A commercial replay showed TBK kicking Hardy in the back of the head for a two count. TBK locked in a head rest hold that Hardy reversed into a small package for a near fall. Hardy sold the head injury and TBK regained control and locked in another rest hold. Hardy fought out and tied TBK in the Tree of Woe and hit his sitdown corner dropkick for two. Hardy teased the Twist of Fate but TBK pushed him off. Hardy hit the Whisper in the Wind instead. TBK placed his leg on the ropes at two and Zeke tried to check on him. Hardy hit a baseball slide into TBK who crashed into Zeke. Hardy hit a fall away powerbomb followed by the Swanton for the win…

A replay video aired of the ending. The announce team hyped the two other beat the clock matches: Vladimir Kozlov vs Matt Hardy and Triple H vs Shelton Benjamin…Backstage, Eve (sans pearls) interviewed Matt Hardy. He said he was going to ensure his brother won tonight…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Fair TV match for Kendrick and Hardy. Nice to see Zeke really didn’t play a factor in this. I hope Matt doesn’t run around for twelve minutes.

[Q3]Back from commercial, a video package recapped the Big Show/Undertaker feud, including footage from Survivor Series. JR and Tazz announced that Show and Taker would “settle their differences” in a steel cage match. A steel cage was shown hanging above the ring and footage of Show vs Taker in a cage on the Smackdown vs Raw 2009 video game was shown.…The Bella Twins, Michelle McCool, Maryse, Natalya, and Victoria made their way to the ring for a Six Diva tag match next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: I don’t care what the President of the John Cena fan club on this site says, the Bella twins are hot!

[Q4]2. Maryse, Natalya, and Victoria defeated Brie and Nikki Bella and Michelle McCool in 4:13. Victoria and McCool started. McCool tagged in a twin quickly and then the other twin tagged in and Victoria took control. The heels worked on the Bella twin (Brie I think). McCool got the hot tag and had a flurry of offense on Maryse. McCool covered but Victoria broke it up. McCool had another pin hooked in but the ref was distracted by Victoria and a twin fighting. McCool got the ref but turned into a Maryse clothesline. Maryse teased a DDT but McCool reversed into an arm bar. She held Maryse for the other twin but the twin hit McCool by mistake. Maryse covered for the win. Post match, McCool and the twins argued. Maria ran out and tried to calm McCool but McCool pushed Maria to the mat. She left as the twins and Maria looked confused and hurt…JR hyped Kozlov vs Matt Hardy next…[C]

Shore’s Slant: You know, this match wasn’t terrible considering the level of Diva’s matches we have seen recently. McCool needs to go ahead and turn and stop teasing it. If Maria and the Bella Twins need to be comforted, I’m here.

Back from commercial and a video recapped Linda McMahon at the NYSE this week were they celebrated the freefalling WWE stock price…uh…celebrated Entrepreneur week and Linda was named one of the most influential women in business…

A DX merchandise video aired featuring Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Kelly Kelly. Some cute spots in it and I think it’s on WWE.com for you to see.

[Q5]3. Vladimir Kozlov fought Matt Hardy to a no contest in a Beat the Clock match.During Hardy’s intro the Hurrapop announced he would be returning to Smackdown next week. I don’t know if this will be the end of the Hurrapop, but if it is, there is a Santa Claus cause that’s what I asked for. Hardy actually took control at first in the match, cinching in a head lock for a few minutes and then running around the outside of the ring for almost a minute. Hardy continued to play cat and mouse with Kozlov, grabbing the ropes and running from lockups and any knockdown. The ref showed Kozlov the clock and his eyes bugged out as he realized this was a timed exercise. He chased Hardy until they made it back to the ring. Hardy nit Kozlov but Kozlov caught his next punch, hooking the arms for the triple headbut. He kicked Hardy down who stood up in the corner and hit a stiff kick as Kozlov ran in…[C]

Back from commercial at 3:38 remaining and Kozlov was still in control. Hardy tried a cross body off the ropes but Kozlov caught him and hit a fall away slam. He placed Hardy across the top turnbuckle and tried to do a super fall away slam but fell from the bottom rope in a botched spot. He did manage to get Hardy over in the slam showing his pure power. With 0:54 left, Hardy hit a side effect out of nowhere and kicked Kozlov out of the ring. Kozlov made it back in the ring. Hardy teased the Twist of Fate but Kozlov pushed him off and out of the ring. Hardy hung outside the ring as time expired…

Backstage, Jeff Hardy was shown in the locker room watching on a monitor. He nodded and turned around to find Triple H. They stood face to face for almost half a minute without saying a word…[C]

Shore’s Slant: OK match for these two. Kozlov has lost a lot of luster with me now that he’s in the main event matches. He looked much better with the midcarders. It will be interesting to see how he’s used from here on out. Did anyone know that Triple H could be on TV for more than 15 seconds and not speak? Color me surprised.

[Q6]Back from commercial and Jesse and Festus were in the ring. John Morrison and The Miz made their entrance. Who steals the bell this week? My money is on Miz…

4. Jesse and Festus defeated John Morrison and The Miz in 5:00. Miz and Jesse started out so Jesse wore the ass beating early this week. The heels worked on Jesse for a while. Jesse got the hot tag to Festus as Miz got one to Morrison. Morrison was drove out of the ring and he went and rung the bell. As he made his way back to the ring, Jesse clotheslined him and got the bell. He rolled Morrison back in the ring and rung the bell. Festus beat on Morrison but Miz ran over and attacked Jesse. He rung the bell and Morrison rolled out of the ring and he and Miz worked on Jesse. At some point, the ref DQ’ed Miz and Morrison.

Post match, Miz and Morrison climbed in the ring with the bell. Miz got right in Festus’s face and Morrison rang the bell. Miz ran and just as Festus was about to catch him, he rang it again. Morrison laughed and Miz yanked the bell out of his hand and rung it. Festus chased Morrison and Miz rang it just before he caught Morriosn. Miz and Morrison seemed to argue for a second but then they moved Festus to the center of the ring. Miz stood behind him with his head down. Morrison rang the bell and as Festus came to life, Miz mocked him. Morrison quickly rang the bell and Festus and Miz went catatonic. This went on for a while until Miz and Morrison started fighting over the bell. Jess ran in but was knocked out by Morriosn with the bell. Miz had the hammer and dropped it on the bell. Festus came alive and cleaned house…[C]

Shore’s Slant: ENOUGH with the bell gimmick. Enough, Enough, Enough.

[Q7]Back from commercial and the Raw Rebound was from the Triple Threat match on Raw for a World Title shot at Armageddon. The match was won by Chris Jericho. The package also showed the confrontation between Cena and Jericho at the end of Raw…Backstage, Mr. Kennedy Kennedy interviewed Triple H. Triple H said that Kennedy’s return on Raw was riveting television. Kennedy agreed. He asked Triple H if he could beat Shelton Benjamin in less than 12:13. Hunter said watch me and the told Edge he would see him at Armageddon…[C]

Shore’s Slant: Rumor has it that Hermanstyne likes the new aggressive Cena. I can see why. He’s so different now. I wonder if Matt Hardy will still do everything is his power to ensure Jeff’s title shot by getting involved in the Triple H match? And why in the hell in Kennedy doing interviews? I thought you had to have tits to do that job.

Back from commercial and a video recapped the announcement of the beat the clock matches and Jeff Hardy’s time setting match…Triple H made his entrance. I spit water with him and my girls have decided that it’s too cold for me to do that again. They say I have to wait until April. I’m so disappointed. The ceiling fan is happy. Shelton Benjamin made his way to the ring next…

[Q8]5. Triple H vs Shelton Benjamin in a beat the clock match. Triple H immediately went for a Pedigree but Benjamin escaped. A couple of moves later, Hunter tried again but Benjamin escaped to the outside. Triple H followed and threw Benjamin back in. Benjamin caught Hunter coming back in but Hunter quickly countered. He tried for a Pedigree again but Benjamin countered into a backdrop but Hunter countered that into a Sunset Flip for a two count. Hunter locked in a crossface for about a minute and a half before Benjamin made the ropes. Both men stood and Benjamin hit a neckbreaker as the show went to the final commercial…[C]

Back with 5:28 remaining and Hunter was in control. Shelton hit a couple of moves but with 4:00 left, Triple H came alive and hit the high knee and face buster on Benjamin who bailed outside the ring. Hunter threw him back in the ring but Benjamin rolled out the other side. Hunter followed and threw Benjamin into JR’s lap. He threw Benjamin back in the ring but he rolled out the other side again. Hunter followed and slammed Benjamin’s head on the steps. Benjamin jumped up and came off the ropes but Hunter hit the Double A spinebuster. Benjamin backdropped Hunter out of the Pedigree attempt and tried to climb out of the ring. The two men fought at the ropes and referee Mike Chioda got knocked down. Hunter hit the Pedigree Chioda was still down. Hunter went over and woke up Chioda who crawled over, checked the clock about thirty times and then started to count. He hit three as the horn sounded.

Chioda slowly got up and raised Hunter’s hand. He celebrated and his music played. Referee Charles Robinson ran down and started talking to Chioda. They argued for a moment and a replay showed that the three count and time expiration happened at exactly the same time. Triple H and Jeff Hardy were announced to have tied. Hardy’s music hit and he came to the ring wearing a hoodie with the hood on. He climbed in the ring and he and Triple H looked at each other while the refs stood in-between them…

Shore’s Slant: Well that sucked. The match was entertaining, not great, but it kept my attention. The ending was shitty, though I will admit, I never considered a tie. Has this ever happened before in these matches? As a rule I hate these beat the clock matches because of the stalling, but these weren’t bad. I guess we have another Triple Threat match at Armageddon. Forgive me if I don’t show my excitement. Overall, a fair show. I hope next week’s doesn’t have the dead crowd that England gave us with the second taped show. Thanks for reading!

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at css3238@gmail.com with whatever is on your mind. Hey! November is National Novel Writing Month. If you get a chance, check out my novel writing page here. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next week.

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