Smackdown on MyNetwork TV
Taped on Tuesday in Phoenix, Ariz.

[Q1] Jim Ross introduced the show and welcomed viewers to the home of WrestleMania 26. He hyped the steel cage main event and stated that Hardy had invoked his rematch clause. A shot aired of the steel cage hanging over the ring...

Justin Roberts introduced C.M. Punk as "the new and only Straight Edge World Hvt. Champion in history." Nice. Punk limped out with the belt around his waist as the fans booed. Todd Grisham checked in on commentary, and Ross said he found it amazing that Punk and Hardy were even on the show given what they went through in the TLC match.

"I told you so," Punk said in a mocking tone. "I told you all that I would beat Jeff Hardy at SummerSlam, and in case you are all too intoxicated to remember, let me show you how I did it." Highlights aired of the TLC match. Punk called the match the most brutal of his career.

Punk spoke about how he felt everything from the match because he doesn't take anything to mask the pain. He turned the focus to Undertaker attacking him after the main event. Video footage aired of the attack. Back in the ring, Punk said he's being forced to compete in a cage match. The fans cheered. He pointed at the cage and said, "The whole thing is unfair."

Punk said the fans and WWE higher ups are afraid of him because they don't know what a Straight Edge World Champion is. "I am a pioneer," Punk said. He said he's the role model the world needs because he doesn't drink, smoke, or abuse prescription medication "like Jeff Hardy." Punk claimed he would prove again why he's the best in the world.

Hardy's music played and he walked out to a big pop. Punk slapped the hands of the cans as he walked gingerly toward the ring. He grimaced as he climbed the steps to enter the ring. Hardy said there are three words that are more important than Punk's just say no. "Steel cage match," Hardy said.

Punk said he assumed Hardy was intoxicated. He questioned what Jeff put in his body to give him the courage to come to the ring. Punk assumed it was painkillers. He said he's sick and tired of seeing young, impressionable children boo him and cheer for Hardy. "I am fed up with them and I am fed up with you," Punk said.

"One of us doesn't belong here anymore," Punk said. "You like taking risks? How's this for a risk? I say tonight that the loser is thrown out of the WWE. Let me explain that to you because I know everything up here is a little bit foggy from all the narcotics." Punk said that if he lost, the fans wouldn't have to listen to him tell the truth anymore. Punk said that if Hardy lose it would prove that his lifestyle is better than Hardy's.

"It proves that Straight Edge means I'm better than you," Punk said. He added that it would open the eyes of fans because their hero and enabler wouldn't be there anymore. The fans changed "Hardy." Jeff said he didn't know. "That's risky," Hardy said. "That's crazy. You're on!"

[Q2] Hardy and Punk stared at one another briefly. Teddy Long's music played and he walked onto the stage. He said the match was official. Long said the loser of the match would no longer be in WWE. He said the winner of the Punk vs. Hardy match would defend the World Hvt. Championship at the Breaking Point pay-per-view against Undertaker... [C]

Powell's POV: Great opening segment with excellent intensity and crowd heat. By the way, Long clarified that every "main event match" at Breaking Point will be a submission match.

A commercial hyped Undertaker's return to Smackdown for next week's show... Shots aired of various members of the Arizona Cardinals sitting in the front row...

Powell's POV: I can't believe that none of the Cardinals pretended to beat each other up. No phony elbow drops, just a handful of guys smiling for the camera. That has to be a first.

1. John Morrison and Matt Hardy beat David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd (w/Natalya) in 3:30. Ross ran through the lineage of the Hart Dynasty. Good action while it lasted. Morrison hit Starship Pain on Smith to score the win. Ross quickly stated that the loss didn't make him feel any differently about The Hart Dynasty... [C]

Powell's POV: For some reason, watching these teams get less than four minutes made me feel like it was Monday night.

[Q3] Backstage, Melina told Maria that she saw Dolph Ziggler with another woman at SummerSlam. Maria questioned whether Melina was jealous of her relationship with Dolph. After Melina walked away, Dolph walked into the picture. Maria questioned who the other woman was. Dolph said it was his sister Kristen. Maria believed him and the walked off together...

Drew McIntrye was already standing in the ring and received the quickie introduction. R-Truth came down the entrance ramp and performed his full entrance routine. When he tried to enter the ring, McIntrye nailed him with a big boot to the head. Drew punched R-Truth repeatedly and then double-armed DDT'd him.

McIntrye took the mic. He said he was sorry to ruin the little party. He said the people like to watch someone dance and rap to the ring. "My name is Drew McIntrye and the party is over," he said. Grisham said we won't forget his name and neither will R-Truth... [C]

Powell's POV: Nice reintroduction of McIntyre. The live crowd probably thought it was going to be a glorified squash match, so they were surprised by the attack. By the way, the main event of the Sept. 5 Raw show will be John Cena challenging Randy Orton for the WWE Title. I'm so happy I drove two hours to see the Smackdown show that featured Great Khali vs. Kane in the main event. Yes, that was sarcasm.

After the break, the announcers recapped the McIntrye attack... Justin Roberts introduced Michelle McCool, who was standing next to the announcers table with crutches. She took the house mic and said she wished she could compete, but Melina attacked her last week and injured her knee. "I'm sorry, but she ruined the night for everyone," McCool said. She introduced Layla as her handpicked opponent for Melina...

2. Melina pinned Layla in 1:30. McCool sat next to the announcers, but didn't join in this week. After Melina scored the quick pin, she walked over to McCool and shoved her to the ground. McCool grabbed her knee in pain...

Powell's POV: Odd story. I think we're supposed to believe that McCool is milking the injury. If not, then it seems odd to have the babyface rough up an injured adversary.

[Q4] [C] A video aired on the WWE wrestlers and celebrities taking part in charity events during SummerSlam weekend... Rey Mysterio made his ring entrance. Grisham noted that Dolph Ziggler won the three-way on WWE Superstars to earn the Intercontinental Title match at Breaking Point. Ross said it would be a submissions match, which won't work to Rey's advantage. He said Rey would face Kane after the break... [C]

Powell's POV: Obviously, this match was taped before the news broke regarding Rey's 30-day suspension.

3. Rey Mysterio beat Kane by DQ in 4:50. Ross and Grisham acknowledged some of the history between the two wrestlers, particularly the time Kane attacked Rey right after he returned from a biceps injury.

[Q5] Rey dumped Kane to ringside and then tried to run at him off the apron. Kane stepped aside and then delivered a big boot to Rey's head. Kane scooped up Rey and rammed his back into the ring post until the referee called for the DQ.

Great Khali and Runjin Singh came out. Khali cleared Kane from the ring. Singh hit him with a kendo stick. Kane no-sold it and grabbed Runjin by the throat, but Khali got the stick and hit Kane with it repeatedly, which drove Kane to the back. Back in the ring, Dolph Ziggler showed up and hit his finisher on Rey... [C]

Powell's POV: Dolph's attack could serve as a storyline explanation for moving the IC Title match up if they opt to have Rey drop the belt next week. Solid action with Kane and Rey. I guess we haven't seen the last of Kane vs. Khali. Lucky us.

Another shot aired of the steel cage hanging above the ring... Chris Jericho and Big Show came to the ring for Jericho's singles match. Jericho said they were the most powerful team in sports today. He said that just because Floyd Mayweather cheated to help Mark Henry and MVP win on Raw, it doesn't mean they have any chance to beat them at Breaking Point...

Powell's POV: Fun heel promo. Jericho said he and Big Show are men of honor and dignity who don't cut corners.

[Q6] 4. Shad Gaspard (w/JTG) fought Chris Jericho (w/Big Show) in 2:15. Shad dominated early and hit a press slam followed by a power slam. He went for the cover, but Show pulled Jericho out of the ring. JTG and Show started fighting. Teddy Long came out and said the match would continue as a tag team match after the break... [C]

5. Chris Jericho and Big Show defeated Cryme Tyme in 2:35. Technically, it's the same match via Teddy's ruling. Go ahead and sue me for making it two matches here in the report. Show made a blind tag as Shad was roughing up Jericho. Show entered the ring and clocked Shad with a knockout punch and then scored the pin...

Powell's POV: I'm surprised we got another clean finish. Grisham did a nice job of putting over Show's punch. Jericho's facial expressions afterward were great, as always.

Backstage, Matt Hardy told Jeff Hardy (who was wearing the face paint) that he hopes he knows what he's doing. He told him to win the cage match and take back his World Hvt. Championship. He told him they could take over Smackdown together. Jeff said he lives for the moment "and the moment is now"...

A shot aired of the cage being lowered around the ring. Ross questioned whether Punk or Hardy would be leaving WWE... [C]

[Q7] Jeff Hardy came out first. As he was making his entrance, C.M. Punk ran out and attacked him from behind. Punk, who had his shoulder taped, roughed up Jeff at ringside before sliding him inside the cage to start the match...

6. C.M. Punk defeated Jeff Hardy in a loser leaves WWE steel cage match to retain the World Hvt. Championship in 21:25. Punk made a couple of early attempts to leave the cage while Jeff was injured, but Hardy caught him. Hardy came back and scored a nice near fall before the break. [C]

After the break, Hardy was making an attempt to climb over the cage, but Punk caught him. Hardy kicked him off and hit a cross body block off the top rope. Later, Punk was climbing the ropes to go over the top of the cage when he turned and noticed that Jeff was close to leaving via the door. Punk gave up his climb and stopped Jeff from exiting the cage. [C]

Powell's POV: Very good match so far. Just watched a Halloween 2 commercial. Why don't they save the horror movies for around Halloween time? For that matter, why in the hell would they have Halloween 2 and The Final Destination open the same weekend? Okay, back to wrestling.

[Q8] Hardy was in control after the break. He made another escape attempt to Punk prevented by grabbing his leg. Hardy fought him off with punches and was hanging over the cage dangling his legs, but Punk held onto his upper body and wouldn't let him drop. Punk hit a great superplex that looked even more impressive because Hardy came from the top of the cage. Nice visual.

Punk climbed the ropes and tried to escape. Hardy caught up to him, but Punk fought him off with a thumb to Hardy's eyes and by slamming his head onto the top of the cage. Hardy fell to the mat. Punk dropped from near the top of the cage to the ground at ringside to win the match. Punk laughed on the floor as he celebrated his win. He mocked Hardy by waving at him.

Ross said it was just the beginning of the Straight Edge World Championship reign. Grisham said it was the end of the great career of Jeff Hardy. The cage was raised as Hardy was still lying in the ring. Punk smiled as he hobbled to the top of the stage. Hardy sat up and looked to the surprised crowd.

Hardy stood up and received polite applause. The cameras showed shots of dejected fans, including a crying girl. Hardy clapped andsome in the crowd responded. He said he was sorry if he let anyone down and said he's sorry they'll be seeing Punk instead of him on Smackdown. "But it's been one hell of a ride, hasn't it?" he said.

"I just want you to know that it's not goodbye forever, it's only goodbye for now," Hardy said. "And if the time is right, I'm sure I'll see you in the future. Thank you all. Hey, but at least Matt's back on my side. There's still a Hardy on this show."

Hardy exited the ring a couple seconds later and removed his shirt and the sleeves that covers his arms. He gave them to the fans and gave them away as he shook hands with the fans at ringside. Shots aired of additional women crying. Hardy stood at the top of the stage and raised his hand. The fans cheered. Punk came out and slammed the back of Hardy's head with the World HVt. Championship belt.

An ad aired for Undertaker's return to Smackdown next week...

Powell's POV: An excellent main event with a finish that obviously stunned many in the crowd. Great heat placed on Punk. Hardy will be an even bigger star whenever he returns. He deserves a ton of credit for working his ass off on his way out the door. The show of the girls crying and the shocked expressions on some of the faces of the fans were fantastic. My only complaint about the show is that they didn't advertise the "loser leaves WWE" stipulation in advance. Smackdown doesn't do great ratings and that stipulation would have popped a rating had they advertised it all week on WWE television.

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