Friday Night SmackDown!
Friday 8/7 ET
Baltimore, Maryland

WWE’s “World is Watching” video package is shown.

SmackDown! video package plays and in the ring Justin Roberts tells everyone to please welcome the NEW WWE CHAMPION, JEFF HARDY!!! Crowd goes absolutely crazy!

“No More Words!” by EndeverafteR plays and out comes Jeff Hardy to another rock star like ovation. Pyro’s go off and confetti begins to fill the arena as everyone in the audience can be seen on their feet clapping. As Jeff gets inside the ring, he poses on top of the turnbuckle where some more pyro go off. Jeff pauses a moment and takes in all the crowd has to give him. He then looks up, smiles, and holds the WWE Championship high above his head as he finally grabs a microphone to speak.

Jeff says, “Wow! You know I heard you guys screaming for a decade now and I want to apologize for taking so long, but yes it finally happened! You know the thought of Jeff Hardy being this, the WWE Champion, in the past kind of put reality in danger. But now the reality is the WWE, oh it’s about to CHANGE! This title just doesn’t represent me, it represents all the worlds rejects, all the screw ups, and from now on, I am the WWE Champion! And for those of you that know me, I feel like I do represent crazy. So, I’m going to ask you all to do something right now to go a little crazy. And not just you (the people in the audience) here, but everyone sitting at home watching this right now. Stand up out of your couches, get a little crazy and scream right now!”

Jeff Hardy screams and goes to the turnbuckle to pose some more.

“Oh, Oh, that’s heartwarming,” says a familiar voice.

Jeff Hardy turns around and sees Edge. The excitement immediately shifted to a chord of boos towards the Rated R Superstar.

Edge gets in the ring and says that nothing has changed. He adds that Jeff Hardy simply got lucky. “One good day out of 365 does not make a champion…it takes a lifetime of dedication. Representing this company, the WWE, it’s not about fate or destiny, it’s about sacrifice. Fate is what spoiled kids use whenever things don’t go their way. Destiny, well that’s just a copout. But then again Jeff, you know all about that kind of stuff don’t cha? I, I was the WWE Champion for one reason and one reason only! And that was hard work, period!”

Jeff responds by calling Edge a liar multiple times and the crowds follows along.

Edge tells the crowd to shut up and explains to Jeff that he had nothing to do with Jeff Hardy prior to Survivor Series in the Boston hotel room, because he didn’t need to…because he was better than Jeff. Edge then starts to bring in some past history as he states that, “For past decade, with everything that we have been through, I have always out performed you…ALWAYS!” Edge then informs Jeff that since he always wants to get attention, SmackDown! GM Vickie Guerrero has made two matches in particular. First, Jeff’s older brother, the ECW Champion, Matt Hardy will face Edge himself. Secondly, its going to be the WWE Champion, Jeff Hardy taking on the undefeated Vladimir Koslov. Edge then tells Jeff that he will always be a screw up.

Jeff smiles and then gives Edge a Twist of Fate in the middle of the ring as we go to our first break of the evening.

(Segment Rating: 4.5/5. Awesome start to the show! What a moment this was as I haven’t heard the SmackDown! audience that loud ruckus in quite some time)

-Commercial-

Back, we MVP and Shelton Benjamin in the ring. Hurricane Helms and R-Truth are their opponent.

Match 1: MVP & Shelton Benjamin v. Hurricane Helms & R-Truth
As the bell rings, MVP was still talking to Benjamin regarding who should start the match for their team. This allows Truth to get a quick unsuccessful school boy attempt and take advantage of MVP. Truth then makes the quick tag to Helms, but Helms gets face planted. MVP tries an Irish Whip, but Benjamin blind tags himself into the match. Unfortunately for Benjamin, he receives an armdrag from Helms, who then tags in Truth. Truth gives Benjamin a suplex and boasts, but Benjamin quickly connects with a Samoan Drop to Truth. Benjamin begins to kick Truth several times and follows it up with a powerful snapmare to the ropes. Benjamin then applies a sleeper hold and after a few minutes, Truth fights out of hit with an uppercut. Truth continues to build his momentum by connecting with a spike DDT. Not long after, Truth tags in Helms, but Benjamin refuses to tag in MVP. This allows Helms to elbow Benjamin in the face and take him down with a forearm strike. Helms then goes up top and connects with a high flying cross body. As Helms covers, MVP comes in to break the pinfall, but then is taken to the outside thanks to Truth. With MVP and Truth on the outside, Helms tries to pull off a backslide on Benjamin, but MVP runs back into the ring and tries to kick Helms. Instead Helms dodges it and MVP accidentally kicks Benjamin in the back of the head. MVP turns around and receives a corkscrew forearm shot from R-Truth. Both MVP and Truth continue their battle back on the outside. Inside the ring, Helms connects with an inverted back slam on Benjamin and picks up the win for their team.

Post-Match: Tazz and JR say that this is the second week in a row that Helms has pinned Benjamin as Helms and Truth celebrate. MVP approaches Benjamin and starts yelling at him.

(Match Rating: 3/5. These four competitors put on a good showing, but the match did appear to drag at times. Nonetheless, this match was passable.)

Backstage, we see Chavo and Vickie Guerrero. Vickie is drinking coffee, but it is not hot and as a result, she throws the coffee in Chavo’s face and orders him to get some hot coffee. Edge comes barging in and Vickie politely asks him to calm down. Edge says that he is sick of Jeff Hardy and he will hurt him tonight. Vickie tells him, Jeff Hardy will get his soon, but tonight, he should focus on the big brother. Edge calms down…

-Commercial-

“Biscuits and Gravy!” hits and out comes Jesse and Festus. It looks like Festus will be in one on one action against John Morrison, who is accompanied to the ring by the Miz.

Prior to the match, Miz runs to try to get the ring bell, but Jesse takes Miz down and retrieves the bell. Jesse rings the bell to start the match.

Match 2: Festus v. John Morrison
Festus charges at Morrison and pounds him in the corner. Festus then gives Morrison a body slam and strikes at him with an uppercut. Morrison slides out of the ring and as Festus tries to attack him, Morrison chokes Festus on the ropes. Morrison then punches a downed Festus numerous times before kicking him in the face. Morrison then applies a Full Nelson submission hold, but not long after, Festus simply strikes Morrison and takes him down. Festus Irish Whips Morrison, but Morrison tries a springboard moonsault. Unfortunately, Festus catches him and connects with fall-a-way slam. At this point, the Miz gets up on the apron, but Jesse trips him. Morrison charges at Festus, but Festus reverses it into a lifted face buster. Back outside of the ring, Jesse charges at Miz with the ring bell in hand, but Miz dodges it and mistakenly hits the ring bell with the steel post, causing the bell to ring. That means Festus is no longer a threat anymore. So, Morrison makes it back to his feet as Miz takes out Jesse on the outside and connects with the Moonlight Drive for the win.

Post-Match: Miz and Morrison begin to celebrate with their Slammy’s and Tag Titles. They then each take turns to mock Festus.

(Match Rating: 3/5. Surprisingly, this was an interesting match, because of the unique finish it had. Miz and Morrison are also showing huge signs of improvement with that character they play.)

Still to Come: Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Koslov

-Commercial-

Back, we see another DX Holiday Shopping skit. They basically promote their basketball jersey, sweatshirt, SmackDown! vs. RAW 2009 video game, the elimination chamber toy set, this history of the Intercontinental Championship DVD, and the complete SummerSlam anthology set. The ending of the skit saw these two chop each other comically that turned out to be “serious.” Eventually, they started brawling as an attention message that read, “DX is currently experiencing technical difficulties,” popped up. It was a good laugh.

Backstage, Eve interviewed Matt Hardy. She asked him what it was like seeing Jeff Hardy win the WWE Championship. Matt says that through his entire childhood, he heard the numerous critics on Jeff, but he was able to make it through hell and back. But finally, all the critics will now have to shut up. Eve then asks Matt about Edge and Matt responds that Edge will get his next…

-Commercial-

Matt Hardy’s music played and he made his way out to another Hardy-like reception. Edge soon followed to another chord of boos.

Match 3: Matt Hardy v. Edge
Once the match got underway, the two locked up and Edge cornered Matt. Edge tried taking a cheap shot, but Matt dodged it and smiled back as Edge showed off his frustration. The two lock up again, but this time, Matt found a way to get in a wrist lock. Edge reversed this, but Matt reversed it again into an armbar. Edge made it to the ropes. The two separate. We get yet another lockup with Matt punching Edge down. Matt then applies a headlock which after some time, Edge was able to fight out of. Eventually, Matt trips Edge on the apron that sends Edge crashing into the barricade, leaving him even more frustrated.

-Commercial-

Back, we see Matt get an armdrag on Edge and then apply a modified armlock. Edge however gets up and Irish Whips Matt and finds a way to knee Matt in the guts. Edge then throws Matt to the outside and receives some more “boos” from the audience. Edge then connects with a baseball slide and proceeds to ram Matt into the steel steps. Edge slides back into the ring and allows the referee to begin the 10 count. Matt makes it back, but is punished as Edge ties Matt’s arm around the ropes. Matt tries fighting back, but Edge whiplashes Matt’s head onto the mat. Edge then applies another armbar and counters Matt when he tries a Side Affect. Edge kicks Matt a couple of times and connects with a nice armdrag. For the next several minutes, Edge continues working of Matt’s arm until finally Matt counters it into a back drop. Matt then builds some momentum as he delivers a swinging neckbreaker to the Rated R Superstar. Matt now goes to the top rope for a moonsault, but gets tripped by Edge. Edge goes up where Matt is and tries taking Matt down. Unfortunately for Edge, Matt elbows Edge right in the jaw, which sends Edge to the mat. Matt connects with the moonsault, but receives only a 2 count. Matt then tries for a Side Affect, but Edge counters it and tries a neckbreaker, but Matt counters this and tries a Twist of Fate. BUT! Edge reverses this into a full nelson slam. Edge cover, 1…2..No, Matt kicks out. Edge goes up top and as he comes down, Matt kicks him and succeeds in hitting the Side Affect. Matt covers, but Edge puts his feet on the rope. At this point, Matt goes up top and tries a forearm shot, but Edge moves out of the way and rolls Matt up holding his tights. Matt reverses the roll into a roll of his own, but Edge kicks out. As both men make it to their feet, they take each other down with a double clothesline. When both men make it back to their feet, Edge tries for a spear, but Matt trips Edge as Edge’s head crashes into the turnbuckle. When Edge turns around, Matt attempts the Twist of Fate, but Edge throws Matt into the steel post shoulder first. Edge backs off and when Matt turns around, Edge delivers a devastating spear that gives him the victory.

Post-Match: A wounded Edge barely slides out of the ring and celebrates up the ramp way as we get replays.

(Match Rating: 3.5/5. What a match! An outstanding one on one contest with multiple fake finishes, reverses, etc.)

Still to Come: Jeff Hardy v. Vladimir Koslov

-Commercial-

We see the beautiful city of Baltimore.

Inside the ring, we see the Colon brothers. Apparently, only Carlito will fight. His opponent is none other than Ezekiel Jackson, accompanied to the ring by The Brian Kendrick.

Prior to the match, Carlito throws an apple at Ezekiel which only angers the man.

Match 4: Carlito v. Ezekiel
Bell rings and Carlito strike Ezekiel with numerous right hands. Not long after, Ezekiel tackles Carlito to the corner and pounds on him. Carlito tries using his speed to escape, but Ezekiel applies a bear hug. Several minutes later, Carlito was able to break out of the hold and slapped the big man. Furious, Ezekiel takes Carlito down to the outside with a powerful clothesline. At this point, behind the referee’s back, Brian Kendrick attempts The Kendrick, but fails and is punched down by Primo. Ezekiel grabs Carlito by the head, but Carlito chokes him on the ropes. Carlito goes up top and connects with a cross body, but only gets a 2 count. Carlito then tries a springboard maneuver, but is clobbered on the back. Ezekiel then hits his Sambo plex for the win.

Post-Match: Ezekiel raises his hands up in celebration as Kendrick dances.

(Match Rating: 2.5/5. A very slow paced match with some frequently promising points.)

-Commercial-

Justin Roberts introduces us to the Divas Champion, Michelle McCool. McCool takes a seat at ringside.

Justin Roberts then informs everyone that the winner of the next match will receive a future divas championship match.

Maria is introduced first, followed by Maryse.

Match 5: Maryse v. Maria
Match begins with Maryse showing off her body. Maria responds with a slap that knocks Maryse off her feet. Maria then gets on top of Maryse and begins to pound her down to the mat. Maryse manages to slide out of the ring as the referee pulls Maria away. Maria leaves the ring as well in pursuit of Maryse, but Maryse charges at Maria with a clothesline. Maryse then slides Maria back into the ring and slaps her around a couple of times. Maryse continues the pressure by hitting a front face slam. She goes for the pinfall, but gets a 2 count. Maryse lifts Maria up and connects with a nice swinging backbreaker which is soon followed by a bunch of head slams into the mat. Finally, after a few minutes later, Maria rams Maryse into the corner and takes Maryse down with multiple clotheslines. Maria then goes to the middle rope and leaps off to attack Maryse, but lands awkwardly on her ankle. Maryse is able to capitalize off this by connecting with a spike DDT for the win.

Post-Match: Maryse gets out of the ring and gets in McCool’s face. She says the Divas Championship will be hers and backs off.

(Match Rating: 2.5/5. A good divas bout. I am actually looking forward to another divas title match between Maryse and Michelle McCool).

Backstage, MVP looks down on himself when Mr. Kennedy tells him to keep his chin up and smile so he can maybe finally win a match. They plug Kennedy’s movie here as well.

-Commercial-

RAW Rebound is shown with Randy Orton ultimately punt kicking Batista in the head.

JR and Tazz inform us that Batista had suffered a concussion at the hands of Randy Orton and as a result, will not be able to compete at this Monday’s RAW where a number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship will be made.

Backstage, Eve interviewed The Great Khali and Ranjin Singh. Eve asked how it was like to kiss Hall of Famer, Mae Young at Armageddon. Singh says that it sent tingles down Khali’s spine as he has found his true soul mate.

Vladimir Koslov’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring.

-Commercial-

The New WWE Champion, Jeff Hardy makes his way down to the ring next to another huge ovation.

Main Event: Vladimir Koslov v. Jeff Hardy
Bell rings and Koslov takes Jeff down immediately. Not long after, Jeff breaks out of it and the two separate. They lock up once more and again Koslov takes Jeff down. Jeff elbows Koslov numerous times to break free from the clutches of Koslov. Jeff tries staying on the offensive, but Koslov tackles Jeff down. Koslov proceeds to toss Jeff out of the ring. As Koslov leaves the ring to attack Jeff, Jeff quickly slides back into the ring and baseball slides Koslov down.

-Commercial-

Back, we see Koslov hammering away at the WWE Champion. Koslov then rams Jeff’s shoulder into the steel post and proceeds to work on the leg of Jeff. Moments later, Koslov applies a modified arm lock which Jeff breaks free of by strike Koslov with numerous punches. Jeff bounces off the ropes to attack Koslov, but Koslov catches Jeff and turns it into an Oklahoma Slam. Koslov then attacks the AC Joint on Jeff’s arm as he could be heard screaming in pain. Crowd chants “Hardy” but Koslov simply takes Jeff down with a belly to belly slam. Finally, about a minute later, Jeff is able to connect with the Whisper in the Wind! And he goes back up for another Whisper in the Wind. At this point, Edge interrupts the match and attacks Jeff as the referee calls for the bell.

Post-Match: Edge and Koslov ambush Jeff. Koslov then holds Jeff as Edge punches away. Triple H is then shown on the TitanTron making his way down to the ring. Edge sees this and quickly goes outside of the ring and grabs a chair. Koslov continues to choke Jeff in the corner. Triple H’s music hits and he comes out to a good ovation. Triple H runs into the ring as Edge swings the chair. Triple H moves out of the way and Pedigree’s Edge. Koslov then tries to attack Triple H and the two battle on the outside. Finally, Triple H throws Koslov back into the ring and grabs a sledgehammer from beneath the ring. As Triple H goes to attack Koslov, the Moscow Mauler backs up the ramp with Triple in pursuit. Triple H stops at the stage area and turns around to see Jeff Hardy connect with a Swanton Bomb on the already downed Edge. Jeff and Triple H have a brief staredown until Jeff gets on the top rope and shows off his newly crowned championship!

End of show…

(Match/Segment Rating: 3/5. The match to be honest was a bit redundant of the last meeting these two had in a one on one contest, but the post-match was a nice little touch.)



Quick-Match Results:
-Match 1: Hurricane Helms & R-Truth def. Shelton Benjamin & MVP
-Match 2: John Morrison def. Festus
-Match 3: Edge def. Matt Hardy
-Match 4: Ezekiel def. Carlito
-Match 5: Maryse def. Maria
-Match 6: Vladimir Koslov v. Jeff Hardy ended in a No-Contest.

*Whew, Six Matches!*

Highlight of the Night: Matt Hardy vs. Edge

Tonight’s show was a good one considering that it marked the first time the public audience saw Jeff Hardy as WWE Champion. The Edge/Jeff Hardy feud and Triple H/Vladimir Koslov feud look very promising for the blue brand. Heck, even the Divas Division is starting to heat up again. Just one problem, could the writers please find something for the Undertaker to do? Final Rating: 7/10.




Do you have any questions, concerns, or comments? If so, feel free to email me, MIK, at mik123@ymail.com