RAWDecember 31, 2007
Houston, TX
MR. MCMAHON IS BACK! (90%)
RAW skips the intro and kicks off right away with the Chairman as “No Chance In Hell” echoes through the arena. The fans start singing Vince's song as Mr. McMahon struts out. Vince starts off by yelling welcome to MONDAY NIGHT RAWWWWWW! Vince says tonight ends 2007 and a new chapter begins for a bigger and better WWE in the new year of 2008. Vince mentions the WWE Title Match tonight between John Cena & Triple H, which gets a huge cheer. Mr. McMahon then says he needs to talk about the first stop on the Road to WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble! Vince mentions the unfortunate incident between Randy Orton and RAW GM, Jonathan Coachman from last week and says while Coach is out of commission, he's going to call the shots. Vince also says Orton will have the night off...and a hefty fine coming his way. So with that said, after he gets done here in the ring, there will be a Fatal 4-Way #1 Contenders Match to see who will go on to face either John Cena or Triple H at the Royal Rumble for the WWE Championship. This gets a loud pop and Mr. McMahon lists the 4 participants: Bobby Lashley, Mr. Kennedy, King Booker, and Jeff Hardy! Vince says he's not done though because after the Royal Rumble, one man will punch his ticket to the WrestleMania Main Event. Vince says what happens to the champion they don't pick??? Vince says for the first time ever at No Way Out, there will be not 1 but 2 ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCHES!!! Mr. McMahon explains that whatever champion the Royal Rumble winner picks will defend his title in the chamber, while the other champion will watch as 6 men vie for the right to face that champion at WrestleMania!
ECW WILL NEVER DIE! (95%)
The crowd goes bonkers but moments later Vince is cut off by the music of ECW General Manager, Mick Foley. Foley gets in the ring and Vince states his displeasure for being interrupted. Mick says this can't wait and says he noticed Vince only said 2 chamber matches. Foley asks Vince what's going on and Vince hesitates. Foley gets angry and yells at Vince saying that he's not going to let ECW die. The crowd starts chanting E! C! W! and Foley tells Vince to listen to that! Vince sternly tells Mick that it's time to move on and that ECW died a long time ago. Foley yells at Vince and says does it sound like it's dead to you! The crowd intensifies their chants again and Foley says that Vince is afraid. Foley says that ECW came back a couple of years ago and what did Vince do...he ran Paul Heyman out of town again. Foley said Vince went as far as making himself ECW Champion to try and soil the brand as much as he could but guess what...the fans still love ECW! And that scares Vince because it's not his creation. Foley says Vince is afraid of the ECW brand taking over so he neuters it at every angle. Foley tells Vince that if ECW was on equal footing with RAW and Smackdown! it would do just as well. Foley gives one final word and tells Vince to do the right thing. With the crowd chanting again, Vince mulls it over and then says that Mick is definitely passionate. Vince tells Foley to have a chat with him in his office to discuss this more. Foley cracks a smile as his music hits. What will this mean for the 'Land of the Extreme'???
MATCH 1: BOBBY LASHLEY VS. MR. KENNEDY VS. KING BOOKER W/QUEEN SHARMELL VS. JEFF HARDY – FATAL 4-WAY WWE CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERS MATCH (84%, 3*)
Back from a commercial and it's the big Fatal 4-Way Match to determine who will fight at Royal Rumble for the WWE Title. This match was around 15 minutes of chaos as fighting occurred outside of the ring, on the entrance ramp, and in the crowd. Highlights included Lashley smacking Kennedy's head off the RAW Logo LED-screen at the top of the ramp, King Booker cracking Lashley in the head with his scepter, and Jeff Hardy hitting an inverted 'Whisper In The Wind' to the outside to knock all 3 men down. The ending came with King Booker and Jeff Hardy in the ring. Hardy was setting up for a 'Twist of Fate,' but Queen Sharmell got involved. The distraction allowed Booker to hit Hardy in the gut but when he went off the ropes to hit his scissors kick, Lashley met him with a spear. Mr. Kennedy then caught Lashley from behind with a 'Mic Check' but when he charged at Hardy, Jeff pulled down the top rope and Kennedy went flying over before crashing to the ground. Hardy took off his shirt, went to the top, and hit King Booker with a 'Swanton Bomb' to win the match and become #1 Contender to the WWE Championship! The crowd is very happy as Hardy celebrates his big win.
WINNER: JEFF HARDY VIA PINFALL ON KING BOOKER IN 14:48
CODY RHODES SPEAKS (79%)
Josh Mathews is shown backstage with his guest, Cody Rhodes. Rhodes requested time to speak and Mathews asked what he would like to say. Cody addresses what Randy Orton did last week, punting Shawn Michaels and Rhodes is fuming over it. Rhodes says that Orton is going to get his comeuppance. However, just as he finishes that statement, Intercontinental Champion, Drew McIntyre and his mentor William Regal walk into frame. McIntyre is sure to showcase the IC Title, pretending to shine it up as Cody asks them what they want. McIntyre condescendingly says that he wanted to thank Cody for a great match at Armageddon. McIntyre and Regal smirk when Cody mentions that it took brass knuckles to beat him. Regal chimes in and says he doesn't know what he's talking about because they were clean, the official checked both of them before the match. Cody says Drew wouldn't have that title if it wasn't for Regal. McIntyre claims he's the future of this business and will be the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Cody tells Drew to prove it and defend the title against him next week...this time with William Regal in the back. McIntyre looks to Regal for guidance and Regal shakes his head and McIntyre accepts. McIntyre vs. Rhodes for the IC Title Next Week!
MATCH 2: PAUL LONDON W/BRIAN KENDRICK VS. PRIMO W/CARLITO (65%, 2*)
Singles action was next between 2 guys that normally compete in tag team matches. Both Paul London and Primo had their respective partners cheering on at ringside. The two went back and forth and traded some impressive cruiserweight moves. Highlights included a springboard dropkick by Primo and London sending Primo off the top rope with a 'Frankensteiner.' After that maneuver, London was going to go back to the top rope but Carlito came over near him. This prompted Kendrick to run around the ring, jump off the steel stairs, and take Carlito down with a flying crossbody. London went to the top but Primo moved on London's 450 Splash attempt. Primo then waited for London to get to his feet and hit a hammerlock legsweep DDT to pick up the victory.
WINNER: PRIMO VIA PINFALL IN 7:53
TIME TO FOCUS (78%)
A shot goes backstage where 'Longhorn' Lance Cade is pacing back and forth. Cade is seething about Trevor Murdoch when 'Wildcat' Chris Harris tells him to chill. Cade says Murdoch got in his business last week and he wants to end him once-and-for-all. Harris tells him to forget him because he's not worth it. Harris tells Cade you know what's worth it...the World Tag Team Championships. Wildcat says he's going to ask Mr. McMahon while he's here if The Renegades can get a title shot. Cade is on board and it seems Harris was successful in deflecting Cade's focus away from Murdoch.
MATCH 3: MICKIE JAMES VS. MELINA (58%, 0.5*)
Women's division action was next as Mickie James took on Melina. Women's Champion, Beth Phoenix walked down to ringside about 3 minutes into the match, giving Mickie pause. Melina was able to capitalize and control the remainder of the match. Melina was about to put away Mickie with her 'Sunset Split' leg drop but Mickie moved. With Melina in a split position, Mickie kicked Melina in the side of the head and then picked her right up and dropped her with a 'Mickie-DT' to get the win. Beth sarcastically clapped as Mickie had her hand raised before staring a hole through her.
WINNER: MICKIE JAMES VIA PINFALL IN 7:08
ORTON PUNTS HBK REPLAY + UPDATE (90%)
A replay of last week is shown of Randy Orton causing havoc. First, the 'RKO' on RAW GM, Jonathan Coachman, and then after he was kicked out of the building, his 'RKO' out of nowhere on 'The Heartbreak Kid' Shawn Michaels. Orton would then punt HBK and leave him unconscious in the ring to end RAW. Before updating the audience on Michaels' condition, JR absolutely rips into Orton and then lets everyone know that it is unknown just how long HBK will be out.
WWE TITLE MATCH IS NEXT! (93%)
The camera then cuts to a side-by-side of WWE Champion, John Cena, and “The Game” Triple H, walking to the ring for their match. As the show goes to its final break, JR and King get hyped as the WWE Title Main Event Match is NEXT!!!
***MAIN EVENT*** MATCH 4: JOHN CENA © VS. TRIPLE H – WWE CHAMPIONSHIP (88%, 3*)
“The Game” by Motorhead hit and Triple H made his signature entrance, followed by the champ, John Cena. After introductions, the two men stood face-to-face as the bell rang and the crowd was going crazy in anticipation. Both men felt each other out for the first few minutes of the match and both played to the crowd when getting a small advantage. The match was an excellent back-and-forth contest. Cena hit his '5-Knuckle Shuffle,' Triple H, his 'Double-A Spinebuster.' Cena tried locking in an 'STFU' but Hunter escaped before Cena could get it fully applied. Both even tried to hit their respective finishers but the familiarity between the duo led to a bunch of reversals. The ending came with Cena attempting an 'F-U' but Triple H grabbed the top rope with both hands to block it. Cena then pulled hard to get Triple H off but Hunter's legs kicked Referee Mike Chioda in the head, knocking him out. Cena hit the 'F-U' but with no ref, the count wasn't made and Cena broke the pin, not realizing Chioda was out. Cena went to try and revive Chioda but all of a sudden...IT'S RANDY ORTON! Orton is attacking Cena and he's got 2 OTHER GUYS WITH HIM! JR yells about Orton and wonders who these other young guys are as they beat down Cena like a “pack of wild dogs.” Orton directs one of the guys to grab a chair from outside and while the two unknown guys hold Cena down, Orton hits him with multiple steel chair shots. Chioda wakes up and sees the chaos unfolding before calling for the bell in a no-contest.
RESULT: NO CONTEST VIA INTERFERENCE IN 17:26
NOT AGAIN! (95%)
The bell starts ringing as Chioda is unsuccessful in getting the trio to stop the attack. Triple H then rises to his feet and starts fighting the trio but eventually, the numbers game catches up and the trio beats Triple H down. Orton then alternates hitting Cena and HHH with steel chair shots to the back. Orton then directs the two men to set them up in the corner. JR yells again saying that Orton's gonna punt them and begs for someone to stop him. Right on cue, CODY RHODES runs down to the ring with a steel chair in hand. Rhodes hits both unknown men but Orton slides under the rope and dodges Rhodes' swing. The two unknown men scurry out of the ring and join Orton as they walk up the ramp. Rhodes checks on Cena and Hunter as the camera alternates between Cody and Orton and his two associates to end the show.
FINAL RAW RATING (89% -- 3.72 MILLION VIEWERS)
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ECW January 1, 2008
Austin, TX
FOLEY DISCUSSES FUTURE OF ECW! (83%)
“You Wouldn't Know by Hellyeah kicks off the intro to ECW, which has a slightly updated logo (no barbed wire in the letters) once the intro ends and the pyro goes off Joey Styles and Tazz welcome us into a new era of ECW. The entrance stage is all new as well and moments later ECW GM, Mick Foley comes out. Foley makes his entrance and gets in the ring with a smile. He reiterates that it is a new era of ECW, meaning that his talks with Mr. McMahon went well and that ECW will not be going anywhere. Foley starts listing off the details of his and the Chairman's convo, and how it will usher a new look for the 'Land of the Extreme.' Foley says that first off, there will be some ECW representation in the Royal Rumble Match. Foley goes on to say that after negotiating with Smackdown! GM, Theodore Long, 2 of the 6 Elimination Chamber spots will be reserved for ECW superstars. Foley then says the next 2 items are big ones...Foley was able to poach a couple of superstars from each RAW and Smackdown! to balance out the roster. The last item Foley describes is that ECW will be the home of the “New Superstar Initiative.” Foley explains that a bevy of new talent will get their start on ECW. The crowd cheers for the obvious improvements but begin to boo when the music of new Hardcore Champion, Chavo Guerrero, hits. Chavo says that Foley is right about one thing, it is a new era of ECW...the Chavo Guerrero Era! Chavo says that last week, on his first night, he became the Hardcore Champion. Chavo says he wants to do the same with the ECW Championship. Foley cuts him off and tells Chavo that if he thinks he's going to treat him like his poor aunt on Smackdown!, then he has another thing coming. Foley says he's glad Chavo is out here though because Chavo will be defending his Hardcore Championship, RIGHT NOW! Chavo is not happy about this and Foley introduces that his opponent is...and the music hits for SUPER CRAZY! Crazy is back on ECW!
MATCH 1: CHAVO GUERRERO © VS. SUPER CRAZY – HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP (79%, 3*)
The ECW Original sprinted down to the ring and started hot, knocking Chavo down with a dropkick and then flipping Chavo in the air with a monkey flip. Crazy then went outside and lifted the ring apron up to throw in a couple of trash cans. Crazy hit Chavo in the head with the lid and then went to hit a suplex on the trash can but Chavo reversed it and hit an inverted suplex, causing Crazy's midsection to take the brunt of the impact on the trash can. Other highlights included Chavo using a chair to work on Crazy's left knee, and Crazy surprising Chavo by spraying a fire extinguisher in his face. The ending came when Crazy had Chavo down and placed a chair on top of him. Crazy went to the top to hit a moonsault but Chavo moved. Chavo then hit the 'Three Amigos,' before placing the chair on Crazy. Chavo went to the top and hit the Frog Splash, taking some of the damage but quickly crawled back over to get the pin and retain the Hardcore Title.
WINNER: CHAVO GUERRERO VIA PINFALL IN 9:21
THE MASTERPIECE IS IN ECW! (81%)
The show comes back from the commercial break with new backstage correspondent, Rosa Mendez. Rosa mentions Mick Foley's statement from earlier and welcomes in another new member of the ECW roster, 'The Masterpiece' Chris Masters. Masters is asked about the move and says he's excited for a new start. Masters says he hasn't been given the opportunities to show that he is still a top player and knows he will shine on ECW.
MATCH 2: CM PUNK & ELIJAH BURKE VS. JOHNNY NITRO & PAUL BURCHILL (71%, 1.5*)
The ECW Champion was in tag team action next as CM Punk and Elijah Burke teamed to face Johnny Nitro and Paul Burchill. This was a standard tag team match that had all 4 men get some showcase in. The story of the match was Burchill not really being a fan of his partner, Johnny Nitro. At one point, Nitro tagged himself in when Burchill was by his corner and Paul wasn't too happy about it and it seemed like the tipping point. After Burke and Nitro knocked each other down with a double clothesline, Nitro went to tag Burchill in but Burchill jumped off the apron, refusing to tag in. This allowed Punk to gain control of Nitro and eventually hit the 'GTS' to get the win. As Punk and Burke celebrated, Burchill was already halfway gone through the crowd and Nitro was left wondering what gives.
WINNERS: CM PUNK & ELIJAH BURKE VIA PINFALL IN 8:57
SAYING THEIR GOODBYES (87%)
A backstage shot shows The Miz and Kelly Kelly talking. Kelly Kelly says that he has to tell Miz something important prior to his Last Man Standing Match with Mike Knox. Miz says that he knows what Kelly Kelly is going to say but Kelly Kelly says it has nothing to do with the match. Kelly Kelly then goes on to tell Miz that because of the deal that Mick Foley made to move some superstars over to ECW, she has been traded to RAW. Kelly Kelly starts to tear up as Miz is shocked. They embrace and share a kiss before Kelly Kelly tells Miz to please watch himself tonight. Miz then gets his game face on and tells Kelly Kelly that it's Mike Knox that everyone needs to be worried about.
***MAIN EVENT*** MATCH 3: THE MIZ VS. MIKE KNOX – LAST MAN STANDING (77%, 2.5*)
After a final commercial break, The Miz and Mike Knox went to war. Miz had a lot of emotions going into the night and it appeared the news of Kelly Kelly leaving upped his intensity to another gear. Knox may have dominated the Stretch Match a couple of months back but this time Miz was staying in the fight and going blow to blow with the big man. Highlights included Knox dropping Miz, midsection-first, over the barricade, Miz sending Knox head-first into the ring post on the outside, and Knox hitting his finishing 'Knox Out' to Miz on the floor. On the last spot, Miz didn't give in and pulled himself using the commentary table at a count of 9, getting Knox very frustrated. This led to the ending of the match as Knox charged at Miz but Miz tripped Knox, who went face-first off the desk. Miz then went into a different mode and bounced Knox's head off the table for a 10-count before putting him on the table. Miz waved to Joey Styles and Tazz to get out of the way and after punching Knox a bunch of times, Miz went back into the ring. Knox was out on the table and Miz climbed to the top rope and hit a flying elbow drop from the ring to Knox, through the announce table. The ECW crowd went crazy, chanting “HOLY $H!T” and Referee Scott Armstrong started the count. While Knox didn't move an inch, The Miz stirred at a count of 6. Miz then used the ringside barricade to just pull himself up at a count of 9, and when Knox couldn't answer the 10-count, The Miz was the winner! Miz then collapsed back to the floor as his music played. Kelly Kelly then ran down to help her guy up. After helping him into the ring, Armstrong raised his hand and then Miz and Kelly Kelly kissed again to close the show.
WINNER: THE MIZ VIA ANSWERING THE 10-COUNT IN 11:17
FINAL ECW RATING (84% -- 1.95 MILLION VIEWERS)
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Smackdown! January 4, 2008
Austin, TX
BATISTA IS BACK! (93%)
Smackdown! starts with “I Walk Alone” hitting by Saliva and 'The Animal' Batista making his return. The crowd roars as Batista gets in the ring and welcomes him back with a chant. Batista said the last month or so was very difficult and he's glad to be back. Batista then says that he has some unfinished business. Batista says the last time you saw him, some coward ambushed him from behind and took him out. Batista also mentioned how this cost him and 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair the WWE Tag Team Championships. Batista says though that although it pains him to relive the attack, a security camera caught it. Batista asks the truck to roll the footage and while the attack is shown, no one can really tell who the attacker is other than that he is huge in stature, similar to Batista. 'The Animal' then says that if the attacker wants to make a statement then he should get his ass out here right now and try to do it again in front of everyone. Batista spikes the mic and waits in the ring but no one comes out. After a few moments, Batista gives up and starts walking back up the ramp, high-fiving fans. Batista gets to the top of the stage and turns around to face the crowd when he is ATTACKED FROM BEHIND! A large man, who looks like the man in the security video, mounts Batista and hits a bunch of rights. The big man then picks Batista up and throws him into the big WWE logo that is a part of the new HD set. Batista is down again as the big man lifts his arms up and screams, getting booed. Michael Cole and Ernest 'The Cat' Miller wonder who is this specimen?
WHO WILL BE #1 CONTENDER? (89%)
Returning from the commercial a graphic is put up on the screen showing that next week Smackdown! will have a 6-Pack Challenge to decide who will face World Champion, 'Y2J' Chris Jericho, at the Royal Rumble. The participants are Edge, Rey Mysterio, JBL, Kane, MVP, and The Undertaker!
TOLD YA SO (90%)
Josh Mathews is then backstage with one of those men, John Bradshaw Layfield. Mathews asks JBL about the 6-Pack Challenge next week and his match against Rey Mysterio tonight. JBL starts by telling everyone that he told them so that he wasn't the one who attacked Batista. JBL says he never lies and it's no different when he wins tonight, next week, and beats Y2J to win the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble.
MATCH 1: MICHELLE MCCOOL VS. TALIA MADISON (58%, 0.5*)
The Divas Champion fought in the first match of the night as Michelle McCool took on Talia Madison. Talia showed some aggressiveness early but she was no match for McCool and Michelle was able to hit her 'Wings of Love' sitout facebuster to get the win. Post-match, McCool had her hand raised but Talia was a poor sport and hit her from behind. Madison started to stomp on McCool when Ashley Massaro ran down to the ring and pulled Madison off. After a little bit of scraping, Talia tried to get away and sidestepped when Ashley tried to take her down with a spear, leading McCool to get inadvertently hit. Talia escaped and smirked as Ashley apologized to Michelle, who ignored it and left the ring giving her a dirty look.
WINNER: MICHELLE MCCOOL VIA PINFALL IN 6:07
FLAIR CALMS DOWN THE ANIMAL (94%)
Josh Mathews was backstage again, this time with 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair but before Flair could answer a question about tonight's United States Championship Match, yelling is heard in the background. Flair bails from the interview and stops Batista, who is unhinged after another attack. Batista says he's gonna find that mother- and Flair cuts him off, trying to calm him down. Batista takes a deep breath and asks Ric if he's ready for tonight's match against 'The World's Strongest Man' Mark Henry and Flair gets all confident and hits a WOOOOOOOOO! which lifts Batista's mood up. Batista tells Flair he's going to Teddy Long's office and wishes him luck.
MATCH 2: DEUCE 'N' DOMINO W/CHERRY VS. DH SMITH & TJ WILSON [THE HART DYNASTY] W/NATAYLA NEIDHART (51%, 0.5*)
Tag team action was next as Deuce 'n Domino took on The Hart Dynasty. These two teams have feuded for a little while now and while this wasn't an official #1 Contender's Match for the WWE Tag Titles, Michael Cole and Ernest 'The Cat' Miller talked about how the winning team could be on track to getting a future opportunity. Both teams got their offense in and it was a pretty even match. TJ Wilson made the hot tag to DH Smith and the big man ran roughshod on both Deuce and Domino. Smith had Deuce up for a powerslam but Domino tried to get in the ring to break it up. This led to Wilson intercepting Domino and then holding the ropes to hit a dropkick through the ropes to knock Domino down as DH Smith hit the running powerslam to get the win.
WINNERS: THE HART DYNASTY VIA PINFALL IN 8:24
MVP CALLS HIS SHOT (78%)
A pre-taped promo comes on next with MVP. MVP makes a claim that he is going to “call his shot” and win the 6-Pack Challenge next week to go onto the Royal Rumble and finally become World Champion.
MATCH 3: REY MYSTERIO VS. JBL (80%, 2.5*)
Halfway through the show, a showcase match between 2 of the 6 men fighting next week took place as JBL took on Rey Mysterio. World Champion, Chris Jericho was in the middle of making his entrance when the show returned from the break and joined Michael Cole and The Cat on commentary. The mix of styles made this an entertaining encounter as Rey used his speed to surprise JBL on multiple occasions. The end of the match came when Mysterio hit a dropkick to JBL's knee as JBL attempted a 'Clothesline From Hell.' JBL laid over the middle rope but when Mysterio went for the '619,' JBL quickly rolled out of the ring. Mysterio then hit a baseball slide that sent JBL near the announce table. Mysterio came to the outside but then JBL picked up Mysterio and chucked him into Y2J's lap. In a moment similar to last summer when JBL was on commentary, it was Jericho now caught in the line of fire. JBL grabbed Mysterio and threw him back in the ring when Jericho attacked JBL before he was able to get back in the ring. Referee Charles Robinson called for the bell as JBL was the winner by DQ. Y2J continued punching JBL but JBL countered and sent Y2J into the ring steps. JBL appeared to have gotten the upper hand but then Mysterio appeared out of nowhere with a plancha, taking out JBL. “Booyaka 619” hits and Mysterio has the momentum going into the 6-Pack Challenge next week.
WINNER: JBL VIA DISQUALIFICATION IN 9:55
ROYAL RUMBLE QUALIFYING MATCHES (73%)
A graphic comes on screen for a couple of Royal Rumble Qualifying Matches that will take place next week. Finlay will face Chuck Palumbo and Matt Hardy will take on Kenny Dykstra.
NEW DIVAS ON SMACKDOWN! (61%)
A shot goes to Teddy Long's office where the Smackdown! GM and assistant, Vickie Guerrero, are chatting when Layla and Brooke enter the shot. Vickie welcomes the ladies to Smackdown! as they were part of the trade package that sent Chris Masters to ECW. Both ladies come right out and demand they get a title shot and the initial smiles are gone from their faces as Vickie denies them and says that they have to earn everything they get. Not happy with her answer, Layla says that Vickie isn't starting on the right foot with them before she and Brooke leave in a huff.
MATCH 4: JAMIE NOBLE VS. JIMMY WANG YANG (70%, 2.5*)
Cruiserweight action was next as Jamie Noble took on Jimmy Wang Yang. As Noble was making his entrance, a graphic came on screen letting the audience know that there would be a Cruiserweight Open at the Royal Rumble. Who and how many would be in the match was not yet known but a big-time showcase for an exciting division at the Rumble. Noble and Yang traded control for the majority of the match until Noble hit an underhook swinging neckbreaker. Noble then locked in a Cloverleaf but Yang fought to the ropes. A frustrated Noble lifted Yang up in a Fireman's Carry to presumably go for his double knee gutbuster but Yang twisted and turned it into a sunset flip pin to get the 3 and pull off a shocker. Yang rolled out of the ring as Noble tried to kick him after the pinfall and had his hand raised in victory.
WINNER: JIMMY WANG YANG VIA PINFALL IN 7:19
RATED-R ENTOURAGE (81%)
Josh Mathews was backstage once again, this time with Edge, Hawkins & Ryder. Edge grabs the mic as Mathews starts to talk and Hawkins & Ryder shoo him away. Edge talks about how last week may have been a bump in the road but next week when he wins the 6-Pack Challenge, the 'Rated-R Entourage' will be one step closer to holding all the gold. It appears Edge has dubbed his group with a name and hopes to be the man to face Chris Jericho at the Royal Rumble.
***MAIN EVENT*** MATCH 5: MARK HENRY © VS. RIC FLAIR – UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP (80%, 2*)
'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair made his entrance for the Main Event, the United States Championship Match. Once in the ring, “Some Bodies Gonna Get It” hits, and 'The World's Strongest Man' Mark Henry walks with purpose to the ring. What followed was a dominant performance by the US Champ. Flair tried chopping Henry but they didn't have any effect on him. Henry hit 'Naitch with a sidewalk slam but Flair kicked out. Henry started choking Flair in the corner but when Referee Nick Patrick pulled him off, Henry tried intimidating Patrick. This resulted in Patrick missing Flair poking Henry in the eye when he turned his attention back towards him. Henry turned as he held his eye and Flair then chopblocked Henry's leg. Henry was on one knee and Flair went to the top rope to hit a double axe-handle but Henry caught him in midair and locked him in a bearhug. Flair was fading but as Patrick lifted Flair's hand a third time, Flair gained a second wind and fought his way out by biting Henry in the forehead. Flair went off the ropes but was thrown way up and over with a back-body drop. This let the wind out of the sails of the crowd as Henry then hit a 'World's Strongest Splash.' Flair was already done but Henry felt he needed to do more damage and picked up Flair to hit a 'World's Strongest Slam.' Henry got to his feet and placed a foot over Flair to get the three-count and retain.
WINNER: MARK HENRY VIA PINFALL IN 10:23
IS FLAIR FINISHED? (90%)
As Mark Henry grabbed his United States Title and lifted his arms in celebration, Referee Nick Patrick checked on Ric Flair and called for assistance. Flair was out cold and after some medical personnel came down to the ring, Batista made his way down. Henry left the ring and Batista stared a hole through him as Flair was placed on a backboard. The show ends with a shot of Batista's worried face as Flair gets rolled out of the arena.
FINAL SMACKDOWN! RATING (82% -- 3.20 MILLION VIEWERS)
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(OOC: Since I don't use pictures anymore other than PPVs, I didn't say who the new debuts are since they didn't get formally introduced. Orton's group will probably be easier to figure out than Batista's attacker but you'll find out who they are shortly! Also when it comes to the reshuffling, ECW desperately needed some numbers. I brought over Sandman as well [not shown yet] as he and Super Crazy did not make sense on RAW. Masters I think can be a decent player on ECW and I also brought over the vet Hardcore Holly [also not shown yet]. Then for the girls, I needed depth for both the RAW and SD! divisions. I think I've only booked like 5 total matches on ECW for the ladies since I started. Figured instead of stopping ECW, which I considered, I'd just balance things out a little bit!)
