We are live from Memphis, Tennessee and your announcers are Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole.
The show starts off with the official Cage Lowering Music of the WWE and it has a new sound to it.
We see footage of how CM Punk did not get to defend his title due to the attack by Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, and Manu followed by Randy Orton’s kick to Punk’s head after Kofi Kingston tried to help Punk. We then see Chris Jericho get the title at Unforgiven by outsmarting Batista.
Match Number One: Chris Jericho versus CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Title in a Steel Cage Match The cage door is closed and the match begins. Jericho and Punk have some words for each other and then they get nose to nose. Jericho tries for a punch, but Punk blocks it and he punches Jericho. Punk with a knee to the midsection and then he punches Jericho followed by knees to the midsection. Punk with kicks to the back and then he connects with a forearm. Punk with a hard Irish whip to Jericho as he continues to dominate the early part of the match. Punk with an Irish whip and Jericho tries to climb the cage in the corner but Punk climbs up and stops Jericho. They fight on the top rope but Punk with kicks to Jericho and Jericho goes down. Punk gets to the top of the cage but Jericho grabs on to Punk’s leg to pull him back into the cage. Punk with elbows and then Jericho pulls Punk off. Punk pulls Jericho off and then Punk with a kick and knee lift. Jericho cannot stay up but Punk hits a drop kick. Punk with a knee in the corner and then he hits the bulldog. Punk wants Jericho to get up and then Punk gets Jericho up for the Go To Sleep but Jericho gets a hold of the ropes. Punk sends Jericho into the cage, but Punk is a bit woozy as we go to commercial.
We are back and Jericho works on Punk’s ankle. We see footage during the break when Punk was almost out of the cage, but Jericho pulled him back in. Jericho falls victim to an enzuigiri when Punk is able to get back to his feet. Punk with kicks to the leg followed by a series of slaps and a back fist. Jericho tries for the Walls of Jericho and he locks it in. Punk crawls towards the corner where the door is and he asks for the door to be opened. Punk crawls to the door and then he gets part of his body out of the cage. Punk gets his hand on the floor and one foot but Jericho holds on to the other leg and then he closes the door into Punk’s head. Jericho gets a two count.
Jericho returns to the leg and he kicks Punk in the shin. Jericho with boots to Punk’s head followed by punches as Punk tries to defend himself. Jericho tries for the Lionsault but Punk gets his knee up to block the move. Punk with kicks to the chest. Punk misses the knee into the corner and Punk goes into the cage and turnbuckles. Punk is on the apron and Jericho hits a springboard drop kick that sends Punk’s head into the cage one more time. Jericho climbs to the top of the cage and Punk grabs the champion’s leg. Punk has Jericho on top and he appears to set for a Go To Sleep from the top but Jericho escapes the hold.
They continue to fight on the top turnbuckle and Punk and Jericho send each other’s heads into the top of the cage and both men go down. Punk covers Jericho but Jericho kicks out instinctively. Jericho with a shoulder and then he sends Punk into the cage one more time. Jericho climbs to the top one more time. Jericho gets to the top but Punk stops Jericho again and he pulls Jericho back in. Punk with an electric chair drop from the top turnbuckle and both men are down. Punk crawls towards the open door but Jericho stops him and Jericho climbs over Punk. Punk climbs over Jericho as they each try to get out of the cage while keeping the other inside. Jericho is on the apron by the door and Punk sends Jericho into the cage. Jericho with a head butt and then Jericho falls out of the cage to win the match. Winner: Chris Jericho
We go to the locker room where Batista watches Jericho heading towards the back.
We go to commercial.
We are back with Shawn Michaels commenting on the damage that Hurricane Ike caused and he talks about the efforts of the American Red Cross.
Mike Adamle is with Kelly Kelly in the back and he starts to talk about No Mercy and Dolph Diggler introduces himself. Chris Jericho walks by and Mike Adamle congratulates Jericho and tells him to get ready for No Mercy. Jericho talks about what he has done since Unforgiven. Jericho points out that he keeps winning, but he tells Adamle to take care of his champion. Jericho says that he is not a machine and Adamle needs to take care of him. Jericho wants to talk to Adamle in his office.
We see the back of Kane’s head and he is wearing the mask again. He says years ago he was forced to remove his mask. As he takes off his mask, his old music plays. Kane says that nobody forces him to do anything. He took off his mask for everyone else so he could be accepted. He had the guts to take off his mask, but he saw people pointing at him. He says that he does not like being pointed at or ridiculed. He says that the fans are repulsed at the sight of him and the feeling is mutual. Kane sees someone like Rey Mysterio who still wears a mask. Why do people love him? It is because everyone wears masks of self righteousness. Kane says that he was attacking everyone when he attacked Rey.
Evan Bourne stops by and he tells Kane that Rey is courageous and is the reason why he is in the WWE. Evan says that he cannot wait to see Rey beat Kane. Kane laughs maniacally and then he stares at something.
Jillian Hall comes out and she makes noises that resemble the song Hound Dog. We go to commercial as we await her match with Candice Michelle.
We are back and the reason for the mute button is in the ring. She is interrupted by the Hyper Dance Mix of the number one contender. She is followed to the ring by Beth Phoenix. Beth walks next to Candice and they exchange nasty looks.
Match Number Two: Candice Michelle versus Jillian Hall Jillian pushes Candice and Candice returns the favor. Jillian with a head scissors but Candice with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Candice with a kick to Jillian followed by a springboard kick for a two count. Candice sets for a crucifix but Jillian counters with a modified Samoan Drop for a two count. Jillian works on Candice’s neck in the ropes. Jillian slams Candice’s head into the turnbuckles and then she chokes Candice in the ropes. Jillian tosses Candice by the hair. Jillian with a full nelson but Candice gets out of the hold. Jillian with a snap mare and she returns to the full nelson. Candice gets to her feet and she drops down to get out of the hold and then she kicks Jillian. Jillian and Candice with forearms with Candice taking control. Candice with flying double sledges followed by a drop kick. Candice with the breakdown for a two count. Candice sets for the Unprettier but Jillian with a belly-to-back suplex. Jillian with a forearm followed by an Irish whip. Jillian tries for the handspring into the corner, but Candice catches her and hits the Unprettier for the three count. Winner: Candice Michelle
Candice wants Beth to come into the ring for a fight and Beth puts down her title belt and thinks about it. Beth gets to the apron and Candice with a drop kick as Beth enters the ring. Candice gets on the turnbuckles and Beth gets her title belt and she walks to the back showing Candice that she is the champion.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: John Bradshaw Layfield with JBLimo versus Tommy Dreamer in an Interbrand Match They lock up and Bradshaw with punches in the corner followed by a boot to the head. Bradshaw with a forearm to the back and a slam. Bradshaw misses an elbow but Dreamer runs into a big boot. Bradshaw punches Dreamer in the corner and the referee tries to stop him. Bradshaw runs into a boot from Dreamer and Dreamer hits a swinging neck breaker for a two count. Dreamer misses a charge into the corner and Bradshaw with the Clothesline from Wall Street for the three count. Winner: Bradshaw
Bradshaw brings a chair into the ring after the match and the referee tries to stop Bradshaw from using it. Bradshaw sits down in the chair and then he gets the mic. Bradshaw tells Mike Adamle that he is not leaving the ring until he is made the number one contender.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Bradshaw does not want Mike Adamle to listen to the fans. The people cannot relate to him. They live in homes with mortgages they cannot afford while he owns several homes. Bradshaw says that you don’t mess with him. No one has more credentials to be number one contender than him.
Randy Orton’s music plays and he walks deliberately to the ring. Orton has something to say. He reminds everyone that he gave an evaluation of the champions and he was not impressed. That is why he made sure that Punk did not keep his title. Orton tells Bradshaw that he is not much of an improvement. Randy points out that the Age of Orton was cut short due to injury, but it is only a matter of time until he returns to the ring. He says that it does not matter who is the champion on Raw because he will become World Champion again. Finally there will be a champion on Raw with some credibility. Orton says that he does not care.
Santino Marella’s music plays and he comes out with Beth Phoenix. Santino has the mic and he wants to know who Orton thinks he is. He insults Santino and Beth, but they are champions. Unlike Orton, they are healthy. Santino says that Orton is always injured, just like his daddy. Santino asks Randy how long his dad had the cast on his arm. Santino says that his dad is always healthy, despite having the herpes. Santino says that him and Beth represent the new age of champions so he wants Orton to apologize.
Orton asks Santino if he is supposed to respond. Bradshaw tells Orton to apologize, but not to Mr. and Mrs. Phoenix, but to him because Orton is irrelevant. Bradshaw says that he was able to do something that Orton could not do and he did it with one move. Bradshaw says that he took Batista down with a clothesline. Bradshaw says that he hopes Orton doesn’t hurt his shoulder again.
Batista makes his way to the ring, but first we get some pyro. Batista laughs and says that before he beats the hell out of everyone, he says that this is the most pathetic sight that he has seen. They are making promises that they cannot keep. He compares them to politicians. Batista compares Beth to a pig wearing lipstick. Santino says that even though Beth may squeal, she is not a pig. Batista has a solution. He will face Bradshaw. After he beats Bradshaw, he will face Jericho at No Mercy. He will beat Jericho and then continue to beat people until Orton gets his doctor note. Santino asks if Batista is forgetting everyone. Batista tells Santino that if Beth wants a shot at the title after he wins it, she can get her ass kicked. Batista tells Bradshaw that he did not forget about last week and he wants a piece of Bradshaw.
Mike Adamle appears on the TitanTron and he says that there is no reason for physicality. He has talked to Chris Jericho about the number one contender. He will make his announcement after the Kane/Rey Mysterio match at the end of the night.
Batista tells Adamle that he will plead his case now. Batista with a punch to Bradshaw, but Bradshaw with a forearm to the back. Santino gets a spinebuster from Batista. Beth gets in Batista’s face while Bradshaw leaves the ring. Beth slaps Batista in the face and then she yells at Batista. She slaps him again and he looks like he enjoys it. Batista hits Beth a spinebuster on top of Santino.
Randy Orton walks in the back and he happens to pass Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, and Manu. They walk past without saying anything. We go to a second generation commercial.
Before the match starts, Jimmy Haas gets on the mic and he says that he talks about Oklahoma. He says that business is about to pick up and it will be a slobber knocker. Haas makes a plug for JR’s barbecue sauce.
Match Number Four: Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, and Manu versus Kofi Kingston, Jerry Lawler, and Jim Haas (to Jim Ross’s entrance music) Kingston and Manu start things off and Kingston with a waist lock but Manu with a shoulder tackle and a head butt. Manu with a slam attempt but Kingston with a drop kick. Rhodes tags in and Kingston with a monkey flip. Lawler tags in and he kicks Rhodes. Rhodes punches Lawler but Lawler with a punch of his own. Lawler with a back body drop and a drop kick. Rhodes gets a near fall and then has Lawler in a side head lock. Haas joins Cole at the announce table before returning to the apron. Lawler with a jawbreaker and a punch. Haas tags in and he punches DiBiase. Haas with a clothesline and drop kick. Haas with a Thesz Press and punches and then he adjusts his midsection for a splash and he gets a two count. All six men are in the ring, but Kingston with a clothesline that takes care of him and Manu. DiBiase with the Million Dollar Side Leg Sweep for the three count on Haas. Winners: Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, and Manu
We go to the Smackdown Rebound.
Chris Jericho is in his locker room getting cleaned up and Bradshaw enters. He reminds Jericho that they are not friends but he says that they were a good tag team. Jericho stops Bradshaw and he reminds Bradshaw that he cost him the title last year against Randy Orton. Jericho says that Mike Adamle trusts him more than Bradshaw. Jericho says that he is not investing in Lehman Brothers or Bradshaw title matches. We go to commercial.
We are back with the WWE Rewind: Jamie Noble and William Regal’s match with Layla leaving with Regal after the match.
Match Number Five: Jamie Noble versus Paul Burchill with Katie Lea Noble with a kick and forearms but Burchill sends Noble into the corner. Noble with kicks and forearms followed by kicks to the head. Noble with a running back elbow to Burchill. Noble with a head butt but Burchill with a knee to the midsection followed by a European uppercut. Burchill misses a charge into the corner and Noble rolls through into a cross arm breaker and Burchill taps out. Winner: Jamie Noble
After the match, Layla comes out and she has a British accent. She says that last week was difficult and a hard decision. She says that she is sorry that it took so long to get rid of him. She was not going to have Noble take her to the Waffle House. She found a man who is worthy of her and it is William Regal. Regal comes out and says that it was not Noble that she wanted, it was nobility.
Mike Adamle is with Lance Cade and Batista interrupts and he wants to know if he is the number one contender. Cade asks Batista why he should think he is the number one contender. Batista grabs Cade by his shirt and asks him when he asked for Cade’s opinion. Batista leaves the office and Cade looks like he might need a change of pants. We go to commercial.
Match Number Six: Kane versus Rey Mysterio Rey with a kick to the leg at the start of the match. Kane tries to back Rey into the corner and he is able to stop Rey from getting out of the corner. Kane with a punch to Rey. Kane charges into a boot. Rey with a springboard move and Kane catches him, but Rey punches his way out of Kane’s clutches. Kane chokes Rey in the ropes and then she throws Rey under the bottom rope but Rey lands on his feet. Rey gets in as Kane leaves the ring and Rey with a drop kick to Kane to send him to the floor. We go to commercial.
We are back and Kane has Rey in a reverse chin lock. We see footage during the commercial when Rey hit a DDT on the floor but Kane hit a big boot. We are back to live action and Rey with a jawbreaker and then he kicks Kane away. Kane with a slam to Rey but he misses an elbow. Rey with a kick to the head followed by a drop kick. Rey punches Kane but Kane pushes Rey away. Kane with a knee and then he rolls Rey into the ring post and Rey hits it. Kane picks Rey up and then he gives Rey a hard Irish whip and he continues to work on Rey’s back. Kane with a back breaker and then he stretches Rey over his knee. Rey with knees to the head to get out of the hold. Kane punches Rey in the head and kicks him. Kane with an Irish whip but Kane misses a big boot in the corner when Rey moves. Rey with kicks to the leg followed by a wheelbarrow into a drop kick. Rey with a drop kick for a near fall. Rey with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and Kane is sent into the turnbuckles. Rey goes up top but Kane catches him. Rey with an enzuigiri and Kane falls conveniently into the ropes for the 619, but Kane with a clothesline as Rey comes off the ropes. Kane stomps on Rey’s chest and kicks Rey but the referee calls for the bell. Referee Stoppage
After the match, Kane tries to take off Rey’s mask Evan Bourne comes out and he connects with drop kicks to the knee. Rey with a drop kick and then Bourne with knees from the top turnbuckle. Rey hits a springboard seated senton and then Bourne and Rey leave the ring.
Chris Jericho and Lance Cade are walking and they are stopped by Dolph Diggler. Jericho refuses to shake his hand but Cade does. We go to commercial.
We are back with more fun factoids about the military tours.
Chris Jericho comes out with Lance Cade and Jericho gingerly enters the ring and he favors his right arm. Jericho has a mic and he tells everyone that he wanted to thank Mike Adamle for respecting his opinion as champion to figure out who will be the number one contender for his title. Jericho says that there has been a lot of talk. Should it be Bradshaw or Batista? Jericho says that neither man are worthy of a shot at his title. Jericho wants Bradshaw and Batista should meet at No Mercy to see who is the number one contender and then Jericho will wrestle the winner. Jericho says that is not a problem because he wrestled twice at Unforgiven. Jericho says that he is the best in the world and he deserves the title. Jericho says that he hopes Adamle accepts this proposition.
Mike Adamle comes out and he says that is more than fair. Bradshaw will face Batista and the winner will be the new number one contender. Mike says that he does not want to have challengers fight twice on the same night because he has to deal with Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Adamle says that Bradshaw and Batista will face the winner at a later date. Mike says that he heard of an idea that he could not ignore. Mike brings out Jericho’s opponent at No Mercy. Shawn Michaels comes out and he says that he knows what Chris is thinking. They have fought in a regular match and an unsanctioned match. Is there a way to top themselves? Is there a match that is not only thrilling and exhilarating that will allow him to permanently disfigure Chris in ways that he could not imagine. Shawn says that there is a match that some say he put on the map. A match that he revolutionized. It is a match that will allow him to beat Jericho for the title at No Mercy. They will meet in a... HBK asks for some help and two people bring out a big ladder. Shawn climbs the ladder and announces a ladder match for No Mercy.
