By Wade Keller, Torch editor

KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JUNE 6, 2008
TAPED IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COL.
AIRED ON THE CW

WHAT HAPPENED: 1ST HOUR

-The show opened with Edge backstage announcing that this episode would include highlights of Undertaker's career as it'd be everyone's last time to see him. He said he would also appear on his show for the final time.

-They went to the arena where Batista's ring entrance opened the show. As he entered the ring, Michael Cole and Mick Foley introduced the show. They spoke about being just two days away from One Night Stand. Batista was looking dapper in a body-guard for a famous rapper at a funeral sense. He wore sunglasses that were probably really expensive, but looked like they came out of a Star Trek gumdrop novelty machine. He said if nothing else he is a man of his word. He said Sunday at One Night Stand he is going to hurt Shawn Michaels. He said some fans may have a problem with that and said he hopes they can find it in their heart to forgive him. He said his issue with Shawn has become more than personal. He began to talk about wanting to face the winner of the TLC match when Vickie Guerrero interrupted.

She was wheeled out by Zach Ryder and Curt Hawkins. She said it was great that he is talking about the future, but how does he know he's even going to be around. She brought up how the draft takes place in four weeks. She took offense at his trying to book himself into a World Title match. When Batista began to speak, she interrupted and said he could fall prey to "Shawn Michaels and his bag of tricks." She said if he loses, he will look bad, but so will all of Smackdown. Batista told her his situation has nothing to do with her or Raw or Smackdown or ECW. He said it's about he and Shawn. He told her dismissively to run along and worry about her man getting drafted to Raw or ECW. Batista told her better yet to worry about the beating Edge is going to receive on Sunday. Ryder (or Hawkins) spoke up and told Batista to realize who he is talking to. He said she is worthy of respect. He told Batista to shut his mouth. Batista asked him to come to the ring and make him. Vickie told Batista not to order anybody around. She said she tells him when and where he can fight. She said Hawkins and Ryder are part of her larger family. She proposed a tag team match with Hawkins & Ryder against Batista a partner who volunteers to team with him. Batista smiled.

-The screen went to statis and then a video clip aired of the Undertaker from 1990. Vintage footage.

-Matt Hardy headed toward the entrance tunnel slapping with pride his U.S. Title belt.

[Commercial Break]

1 -- MATT HARDY vs. ELIJAH BURKE

Cole messed up the plug for "Don't Mess With the Zohan," calling it Zonan instead. Foley called him on it. Foley said if Burke won, he'd be first in line to get a U.S. Title shot. Foley said he'd like to see a match between Burke and Jeff Hardy in a "WWE weird-off because those are two strange cats." He Burke is a strange one, but didn't detail why. Back and forth match for five minutes including a long chinlock by Burke. Foley filled time talking about Eve Torres.

WINNER: Hardy after a Twist of Fate at 5:00.

STAR RATING: 3/4* -- Basic Matt Hardy steady but utterly forgettable "don't get hurt, don't stand out" match.

-Eve interviewed MVP. Jamie Noble interrupted and asked if he could have a word with him. He said they're a lot alike. MVP said they're not. He said he's half amazing, whereas Noble is half a man. Noble said this is no time for size jokes when he's trying to help him. Noble stood up to him and told him he picked the wrong person to pick on. Noble challenged him to a match. MVP accepted, then when Noble left, MVP couldn't believe what he just got himself into.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- CHUCK PALUMBO vs. FINLAY (w/Hornswoggle)

Cole and Foley said Palumbo was burned up physically and emotionally over Hornswoggle spraying green mist in his eyes last week. Finlay worked over Palumbo's arm early, but Palumbo came back with a nasty looking big boot at 3:00. When the action went to ringside, Hornswoggle popped out from under the ring. Palumbo went after him, but Hornswoggle scurried away. Palumbo hit Finlay with a chain-wrapped fist, leading to the ref calling or a DQ. Foley said Palumbo was so upset about last week, he didn't care about winning this week. Palumbo drove off on his motorcycle as Hornswoggle tended to Finlay at ringside.

WINNE: Finlay via DQa at 5:00.

STAR RATING: 3/4*

-Vickie discussed strategy with Ryder and Hawkins. Noble walked in and asked for a match against MVP. He complained about MVP saying he was half a man. Vickie gave him the match and then told him to leave. Noble wanted to be sure there were no tricks in store for him, like Big Show waiting. All three yelled, "Get out!" Noble left and said thanks.

-Another Undertaker video aired, this from 1998 when he threw Mick Foley off of the roof of the Hell in a Cell cage onto the announce table and then threw the roof of the cage leading to a Tombstone and a pin. Foley said he remembers that match so well. He said Undertaker's final appearance on Smackdown ever may be coming up later.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- JOHN MORRISON (w/The Miz) vs. C.M. PUNK

Cole said he has a strange obsession with watching "The Dirt Sheet" when it debuts every Saturday on WWE.com. Foley said Mike Adamle was entertaining in that, but it's completely accidental on his part. Foley said most people like WrestleMania more than all other events, but his favorite is One Night Stand because it's all hardcore matches. He then said numerous times that he can't stand The Miz. The ref sent Miz to the back when he wouldn't leave the ring. Punk waved goodbye, then schoolboyed Morrison for a quick surprise two count. They did a series of near falls early. Foley said Morrison brags he can shred cheese on his abs. Punk surprised Morrison with a GTS for a too-soon victory.

WINNER: Punk in 3:00.

[Commercial Break]

3 -- BATISTA vs. ZACH RYDER & CURT HAWKINS

After Batista was introduced, he said he doesn't need a partner. Ryder and Hawkins came out next. Batista then said he might have said he doesn't need a partner, but he has one. Big Show's music played. Show wheeled Vickie to the back, then kept Ryder and Hawkins from escaping to the back.

WHAT HAPPENED: 2ND HOUR

Batista got in some early offense. Show tagged in and yanked Ryder by his hair into the ring as he was trying to take a breather at ringside. Pretty amazing sight, actually. Show tagged Batista back in. A minute later Show gave one heel a chokeslam while Batista finished and pinned the other with Batista Bomb for the win.

WINNERS: Batista & Big Show in 3:00.

-Cole and Foley hyped Undertaker appearing on The Cutting Edge later.

-Another career highlight clip aired of Undertaker. This was of Undertaker at Royal Rumble 2007 battling Shawn Michaels in career highlight video for each.

[Commercial Break]

-A clip aired of Maryse kicking and pinning Cherry last week. Then backstage, a trainer told Cherry she's healing. Maryse walked in and said she needs her ankle to be looked at. She said it really, really hurts. The trainer asked how it hurts. She said she hurt it last week kicking Cherry's face.

-Foley and Cole were shown on camera for the first time all show. Foley said he'd like to see Cherry get some revenge. Then they ran down the One Night Stand line-up. When hyping Undertaker vs. Edge, they said Undertaker's "career is at stake." Foley said if Undertaker loses, "he must leave WWE."

-They showed MVP heading to the entrance tunnel.

[Commercial Break]

4 -- MVP vs. JAMIE NOBLE

Foley talked about how he never defined his career based on championship reigns, whereas MVP "need them" and does define himself on the belt he's holding. MVP dominated from the start. Noble showed signs of life and hit a flip splash in the corner, but MVP came right back after a pin attempt and dropped Noble over the top rope. He followed up with a boot to the face for the pin. Foley has energized Cole's commentary, as Cole continues to sound much more inspired and energized on commentary compared to when Coach was sitting next to him faking his way through things.

WINNER: MVP in 4:00.

STAR RATING: *

-A clip aired of Undertaker beating Batista at WrestleMania 23.

-Cole again plugged Undertaker on The Cutting Edge.

[Commercial Break]

5 -- VLADIMIR KOZLOV vs. SHANNON MOORE

Vladimir wo with his finisher, the Slop Drop. Vladimir has the best facial expression reaction to winning. It's kind of funny; reminds me a bit of George "The Animal" Steele.

WINNER: Kozlov in 2:00.

-The Raw Rebound aired, focused on Vince McMahon's Million Dollar Giveaway announcement.

[Commercial break]

6 -- MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. MARYSE (w/Deuce & Domino)

Two minutes in, after a distraction by Deuce & Domino, Maryse clipped McCool from behind. Cherry came out to distract Deuce, Domino, and Maryse. McCool then slipped on a Brazilian jiu jitsu heel hook for the tapout win.

WINNER: McCool in 3:00.

-A clip aired of Edge beating Undertaker from "Smackdown 2007" to win the World Hvt. Title.

[Commercial Break]

-Edge walked out to his full ring intro for The Cutting Edge segment. Edge said there's been a specter hanging over his head since he arrived at Smackdown named The Undertaker. He said it has to come to an end this Sunday. Edge explicitly said if Taker loss, he can't disappear for four weeks and return on another brand. He said Taker is banished from the WWE. He said he is confidence because of "experience." He said all night he's been playing video tributes to Undertaker's career. He said he wanted to show clips of Undertaker's success in TLC matches. He pointed at the screen, which remained black. He sarcastically then "just realized" that Undertaker has never been in a TLC match. He said he has one. A "movie trailer" style video aired of Edge TLC highlights. He said the best highlights will take place Sunday. He then introduced Undertaker, who "has to face that reality." He said his career is ending on Sunday. Cole said during Undertaker's ring intro that this could be the last time he walks into a Smackdown ring. Foley said to never discount what the Dead Man can accomplish and overcome.

Undertaker paced around a ladder, a table, and some chairs as Edge circled to keep away from him. The crowd chanted for Taker. Edge said this must be an emotional night for him, seeing that it's his last appearance on Smackdown. He said he must not be comfortable with all of these tables, ladders, and chairs. He then called for a casket to be rolled to the ring by Ryder, Hawkins, Chavo Guerrero, and Bam Neely. Taker looked stoically, then made a move toward Edge. Edge bailed out. Taker took on the other heels. He was soon overwhelmed. Edge kneeled around the corner of the ring. Taker fought back against the four heels. Taker set up a chokeslam on Chavo on the casket, but Edge hit him with a chair across his back. Then he bashed Taker in the head with a chair to the skull. The heels then stomped away at Taker as Edge hit him again with a chair. Then the heels rolled Taker into the open casket and closed the lid. Edge told Taker to get used to that because after this Sunday, his career is dead. He said as he climbs the ladder in the ring, it symbolizes him becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion once again. When he got to the top, the lights turned out. When they came back on after a couple bells, Taker was facing Edge on the other side of the ladder. He knocked Edge to the mat. The other heels swarmed Taker. He set up Edge for a chokeslam, but Edge's henchmen saved him. Taker then powerbombed Ryder through the table as Edge scurried to ringside and looked on. The show closed with Edge shaking and Undertaker rolling his eyes into his head.

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