-- The second episode of the Essential Starrcade series is now airing on WWE 24/7, which features a countdown of the Greatest 25 Starrcade matches in the event's history. This week's matches are as follows:

20) Steve Austin vs. WCW United States champion Dustin Rhodes 2 out of 3 falls - WCW Starrcade 1993

19) NWA World Tag Team champions Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard vs. The Road Warriors - NWA Starrcade 1987

18) Jushin Liger vs Rey Mysterio Jr. - WCW Starrcade 1996

17) Night of the Skywalkers II - Midnight Express vs. The Rock N' Roll Express - NWA Starrcade 1987

16) NWA World champion Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger - NWA Starrcade 1988

-- THQ issued the following press release:

FOR WWE® SMACKDOWN® VS. RAW® 2009

Renowned Entrance Music from World Wrestling Entertainment® Superstars Set To Tag Team with Licensed Music from Popular Hard Rock and Hip Hop Recording Artists

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - November 7, 2008 - THQ Inc. and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. today announced the in-game music lineup for WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2009. The upcoming release from the leading fighting videogame franchise will allow fans to select and listen to music throughout its in-game menus, loading screens and within key gameplay modes, including Create-A-Finisher and the Roster Editor. In addition, the music is available for players to apply within features such as Create-A-Superstar and the franchise’s brand new Highlight Reel feature. In addition to classic entrance music from WWE Superstars Triple H, The Undertaker, John Cena, Jeff Hardy and more, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 will feature the following licensed music tracks:

· BLOODSIMPLE – “Dead Man Walking”

· BURN HALO – “Save Me”

· DISTURBED – “Perfect Insanity”

· EGYPT CENTRAL – “Taking You Down”

· EGYPT CENTRAL – “You Make Me Sick”

· THE EXIES – “Lay Your Money Down”

· MURS – “SWC”

· P.O.D. – “Addicted”

· SiX – “Better Than Mine”

· STERIOGRAM – “Get Up”


“We are thrilled to offer fans the ability to further customize their WWE SmackDown vs. Raw videogame experience through a variety of in-game music options,” said Cory Ledesma, senior creative manager, THQ. “These songs are a perfect complement of WWE attitude and the spirit of our fans.”

About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 upholds the franchise’s commitment to delivering the definitive videogame simulation of live WWE programming. The Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation 2 system and PSP system versions of the game will unleash a brand new tag team experience, allowing players to build momentum and attributes, eliminate opponents with high impact double teams and finishers, as well as get the “hot tag” for the win. The franchise’s renowned creation system offers a brand new Create-A-Finisher option, while a new Road to WrestleMania Mode paves the way to WWE’s biggest event of the year and lets players experience co-op storylines for the first time. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 also extends the virtual WWE gameplay experience with robust online capabilities, including the highly anticipated debut of downloadable content.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii builds upon its inaugural offering by significantly expanding its match type options, giving players more ways to enjoy the platform’s unique pick-up-and-play experience. The game also takes full combat sports entertainment to the next level by giving players more Superstar control with interactive entrances and victory scenes. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii will also include a wide variety of new weapons, the debut of online gameplay and much more.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Nintendo DS returns with new gameplay controls that utilize the stylus and D-pad to deliver a compelling handheld fighting game experience. The redesigned Season Mode takes a role-playing approach, allowing players to interact with Superstars, upgrade their abilities and complete missions on a quest toward legendary goals. In addition, a larger Superstar roster, new match types and the inclusion of Create-A-Superstar will provide players with a variety of intriguing options to enhance gameplay.

More information about WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 can be found at www.smackdownvsraw.com and www.thq.com.

-- Following his pinfall loss to The Great Khali in a squash match on last night's edition of SmackDown, Montel Vontavious Porter has lost thirteen consecutive television matches in a row, including thirteen clean pinfall losses. He's also lost on eleven consecutive editions of Friday Night SmackDown. Prior to his encounter with Khali, SmackDown General Vickie Guerrero informed MVP that he had until Survivor Series to earn his multi-million dollar signing bonus from his original contract, or else pay it back. Here is the updated "MVP Loss-A-Meter":

08-29 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to Jeff Hardy.
09-05 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to Shelton Benjamin.
09-07 Unforgiven - Pinned twice; by Jeff Hardy, and by Triple H at the conclusion of the match.
09-12 SmackDown - Lost Fatal Four Way Match to Jeff Hardy when Kendrick was pinned.
09-19 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to Triple H.
09-26 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to Triple H in tag match vs. Triple H & Jeff Hardy.
10-03 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to Jeff Hardy in All Star Eight-Man Tag Team Match.
10-10 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to Jeff Hardy.
10-17 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to R-Truth.
10-24 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to Kung Fu Naki in tag match vs. R-Truth & Kung Fu Naki.
10-31 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to Jeff Hardy in six-man tag match vs. The Hardys & Rey Mysterio.
11-03 Raw - Pinfall loss to Matt Hardy in tag match vs. The Hardys.
11-07 SmackDown - Pinfall loss to The Great Khali.

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