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This Week In WWE: May 3, 2009- May 9, 2009

This Week In WWE: Edition LIII
May 3, 2009- May 9, 2009

Welcome to the fifty-third edition of This Week In WWE. Feel free to contact me on TWO or Wrestling 101 anytime with comments, questions, and anything in between. Also, check out my blog on Wrestling101.com.

The 832nd edition of Monday Night RAW came to you, live, from the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY. Confirmed for RAW was a non-title match between WWE Champion Randy Orton and Shane McMahon.

Monday Night RAW
Good Week For: Legacy (finally finished off Shane McMahon)
Bad Week For: Shane McMahon (was viciously assaulted by Legacy)

And In Other News…

The night was set to open with the non-title match between WWE Champion Randy Orton and Shane McMahon. However, Shane was more interested in avenging his fallen family as he ambushed Orton from behind, sending the WWE Champion to the outside of the ring. The two of them continued to brawl through the crowd and eventually got back to ringside where Shane got the advantage over Orton. Shane then ripped apart the announce table and laid Orton on it. As Shane prepared to take a dive through Orton and through the announce table, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase rushed to their mentor’s aid. Orton joined in and all three members of Legacy commenced the beatdown of Shane McMahon. However, United States Champion MVP intervened and tried to help Shane, but the three-on-one odds were too much for MVP and he was thrown to the outside. Legacy reset their sites on Shane and continued the assault. However, the #1 Contender for the WWE Title- Batista rushed out and made quick work of Legacy, sending Rhodes & DiBiase out of the ring as Orton slithered away. RAW General Manager Vickie Guerrero then came out and proclaimed that she is the General Manager and she will not have her main event ruined in such a way. Vickie then announced that the match between Randy Orton & Shane McMahon is still on and will take place in the main event. Vickie also announced that United States Champion MVP would face Cody Rhodes and Batista would go one-on-one with Ted DiBiase. Vickie then added an interesting stipulation to the two matches. Vickie stated that if Rhodes and/or DiBiase win their respective matches, then one or both of them will be able to join Randy Orton in the main event against Shane McMahon. However, if Batista and/or MVP win their respective matches, then one or both of them will be able to join Shane McMahon in battling Randy Orton. The main event would either be a tag team match or a 3-on-1 Handicap Match!

Before his match with Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy revealed that he has filed a complaint to the "proper authorities" about him being forced to wrestle despite his broken hand. Matt again proclaimed that he was competing "under protest".

The opening match of the night saw Kofi Kingston pick up the win over Matt Hardy with Trouble in Paradise. After the match, Matt Hardy blind-sided Kofi with his cast, leaving Kofi out of it in the middle of the ring.

Backstage, Big Show meets up with RAW General Manager Vickie Guerrero. Vickie reveals to Big Show that John Cena will not be cleared to compete for a couple of weeks. Vickie then announced that Big Show will take on John Cena at Judgment Day! Big Show then vowed to end the career of John Cena.

In the first of two "Win And You’re In" style matches, United States Champion MVP squared off with Legacy member Cody Rhodes in a non-title bout. In the middle of the match, William Regal left his spot as the guest commentator and knocked MVP off of the apron, which led to Cody Rhodes getting the count-out victory and being able to join Legacy leader Randy Orton in the main event, which will now become a Handicap Match! Why did William Regal attack the United States Champion? Is Regal looking to take the U.S. Title from MVP? How will MVP retalliate?

WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler was the host of a special "sing off" on RAW as "The Screeching Songstress" Jillian put her vocals on the line against "The Cornfed Colossus" Festus. After Jillian did her "performance", Lawler tried to get the entranced Festus to sing. After Lawler rang the bell, Festus came to life and sang his heart out! In a unanimous decision, Festus was crowned the winner. The bell was rung again and Festus returned to his stoic state. The Miz then came out and attacked the defenseless Festus and sent him out of the ring. Miz then claims that John Cena is "afraid" of him. Just like last week, Miz again challenges John Cena to compete against him. Miz continues to berate John Cena and then declares himself the winner for the second week in a row. As Miz goes to make the announcement, the injured John Cena slowly makes his way down the rampway much to the delight of The Miz. Despite not being medically cleared to compete, John Cena enters the ring. However, Big Show comes out and steps into the ring with John Cena. After Big Show stares down the gutsy former champion, Show then commences a heinous assault on the injured Cena; pummeling Cena with various kicks and punches to the mid-section. Big Show then put Cena in a modified camel clutch, pulling the head and neck of Cena, trying to end the career of Cena. Show then let go and stood over an unconcious John Cena. Will this be Cena’s fate come Judgment Day or will Cena get his revenge on Big Show?

In a non-title match, former Women’s Champion Mickie James picked up a big win over Divas Champion Maryse. Now that Mickie has beat the champion, will Mickie be receiving a Divas Title match soon?

In the second "Win And You’re In" match, "The Animal" Batista squared off with Ted DiBiase. Following a hard slap by DiBiase, Batista’s anger got the better of him as Batista ended up getting disqualified when he refused to let Ted DiBiase out of the corner. With his DQ win, Ted DiBiase will be joining Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes in the main event, which means that all three members of Legacy would take on Shane McMahon in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match!

With some "help" from her nephew Chavo Guerrero, Vickie Guerrero made the decision that if MVP interferes in the main event match between Legacy & Shane McMahon, then MVP will be stripped of the United States TItle. If Batista interferes, then Batista will lose his shot at the WWE Title at Judgment Day! How would Shane survive all three members of Legacy without any backup from Batista or MVP?

One-half of the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions Carlito was also in action, picking up a win over The Brian Kendrick.

Then it was time for the main event as Shane McMahon took on all three members of Legacy in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match. Shane fought his hardest to combat Legacy. At one point, Shane was able to incompacitate all three members of Legacy! Shane took the opportunity to, once again, try and drive Randy Orton through the announce table. Shane set Orton up on the table and prepared his jump. Shane then lept off of the top turnbuckle, but found nothing but the announce table as Orton narrowly escaped disaster. As Shane lay in the wreckage of the announce table, Legacy picks Shane back up. Legacy then places Shane’s leg on the steel steps. "The Viper" Randy Orton then delivers a vile chair shot to the ankle of Shane McMahon; sandwiching Shane’s ankle between steel. Orton was not satisfied with the chair shot as Orton slammed the other half of the steel steps onto Shane’s ankle. Finally, referees were able to get Legacy to back off of Shane. An emotional Batista then rushed to ringside to check on Shane as Shane was loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled out of the building. Randy Orton then told Batista that his Judgment Day was coming. Orton has finally taken out The McMahon Family, now Orton sets his sights on taking Batista out. Will Randy Orton be able to destroy "The Animal" like he has The McMahons or will Batista finally get his retribution and make sure it is Randy Orton’s Judgment Day and take the WWE Title from "The Viper"?

The 152nd edition of ECW on Sci-Fi came to you from the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. Confirmed for ECW was a non-title match between ECW Champion Christian and "The World’s Strongest Man" Mark Henry.

ECW on Sci-Fi
Good Week For: Jack Swagger (picked up the win for his team in the main event)
Bad Week For: Tyson Kidd (lost his match to Evan Bourne with some help from Finlay)

And In Other News…

The opening match of the night saw Evan Bourne taking on Tyson Kidd. When it looked as though Evan Bourne was in place to win the match, Kidd’s "associate" Natalya pulled Bourne off of the ring apron. As Kidd climbed to the top turnbuckle, Finlay came out, which scared off Natalya. Finlay then got a measure of revenge by hitting Tyson Kidd in the leg with the shillelagh to inevitably cost Tyson Kidd the match as Evan Bourne picked up the win.

Former ECW Champion Jack Swagger makes an appearance on ECW. "The All-American American" stated that what he did last week (interrupting the ECW Title match between champion Christian & Tommy Dreamer) was "justice". Swagger then proclaimed that he added "prestige and credibility" to the ECW Title; something that Christian has not done. Swagger then said that Christian "cheated" to win the ECW Title and said that "it’s not fair". Swagger then turns his attention to Tommy Dreamer as Swagger calls Dreamer "washed up" and that the "ECW Original" does not deserve a shot at the ECW Title. Dreamer rushed to the ring and attacks Jack Swagger! Swagger makes a hasty retreat.

"The Russian Militant" Vladimir Kozlov was also in action, defeating Pittsburgh’s own Jesse Guilmette.

Then it was time for the main event as ECW Champion Christian faced off with "The World’s Strongest Man" Mark Henry in a non-title match. In the middle of the match, Jack Swagger again interferes in Christian’s match and attacks the ECW Champion. Swagger continues the assault until Tommy Dreamer makes the save. Christian & Tommy Dreamer then rid the ring of Jack Swagger. Interim ECW General Manager Tiffany comes out and announces that Christian will team up with Tommy Dreamer to take on the team of Jack Swagger & Mark Henry and that match will start now!

In the tag team main event, Jack Swagger was able to win the match for himself and Mark Henry after he threw Tommy Dreamer into the exposed turnbuckle and hit his signature powerbomb to pick up momentum heading to his ECW Title match against Christian at Judgment Day. Will Swagger’s hand be raised at Judgment Day also or will Christian wipe the grin off of the face of "The All-American American"?

The 4th edition of WWE Superstars came to you from the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY & the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. Confirmed for Superstars was the WWE Superstars debut of "The Cutting Edge", which would feature the new #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title at Judgment Day- Jeff Hardy! Also, for the first time ever, Chris Jericho would take on John Morrison, Finlay would take on Zack Ryder, and the Divas would be in action as Santina Marella teamed up with Kelly Kelly to take on Beth Phoenix and her intern Rosa Mendes.

WWE Superstars
Good Week For: Jeff Hardy (laid out Edge for the second time in a week)
Bad Week For: John Morrison (got cheated out of a win by Shelton Benjamin)

And In Other News…

The night kicked off in a huge way with the WWE Superstars debut of "The Cutting Edge"! World Heavyweight Champion and host of "The Cutting Edge"- Edge. The champion introduced his guest; the new #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title at Judgment Day- Jeff Hardy. "The Rated-R Superstar" wasted no time in insulting Jeff by telling the #1 Contender that he got rid of one old rival at Backlash, John Cena, and he will do the same to Jeff at Judgment Day. Edge said that, much like his feud with Cena, it will end at Judgment Day. The World Heavyweight Champion then says that the match will end with him as the World Heavyweight Champion and Jeff as a "loser". Jeff Hardy then reminds Edge that he beat "The Ultimate Opportunist" for the WWE Title at Armageddon. "The Charismatic Enigma" then states that he has taken care of the problems with his brother and now the only thing missing is championship gold and that he will take that back at Judgment Day. Edge then tells Jeff that, ever since they debuted in the WWE, Edge has taken advantage of opportunities and Jeff has squandered them. Edge then proclaims that Jeff is the same "screw up" today as he was in the past. Much like last Friday on SmackDown, Jeff hits Edge with the Twist of Fate and lands the Swanton Bomb on the World Heavyweight Champion! Jeff Hardy has laid out Edge twice now in one week, will Jeff do it again at Judgment Day and win the World Heavyweight Title or will Edge prove that Jeff Hardy is still a "screw up" and retain his title?

RAW Divas were in the opening match of the night as "Miss WrestleMania" Santina Marella teamed with Kelly Kelly to defeat the team of Buffalo’s own Beth Phoenix and her intern- Rosa Mendes.

ECW’s contribution to Superstars saw "The Fighting Irishman" Finlay defeat one of ECW’s newest Superstars- Zack Ryder.

SmackDown Superstars main evented the show as "The Narcissist" Chris Jericho took on "The Shaman of Sexy" John Morrison. When it looked as though Morrison was about to pick up a huge win over Jericho, Shelton Benjamin’s music hit. This immediately drew the attention of John Morrison. Shelton then appeared on the screen and told Morrison, "I gotchya". Shelton was not lying as, when Morrison turned back around, Chris Jericho hit Morrison with the Codebreaker to pick up the win! How will John Morrison respond to "The Gold Standard" interfering in his match and possibly costing him the win?

The 507th edition of WWE SmackDown came to you from the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. Confirmed for SmackDown was a one-on-one match as the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title, Jeff Hardy, took on the five-time World Champion, Chris Jericho. Also, Michelle McCool would take on Gail Kim.

Friday Night SmackDown
Good Week For: Jeff Hardy (continued his roll with a win over Chris Jericho)
Bad Week For: Chris Jericho (lost his match to Jeff Hardy, with some help from Edge & Rey Mysterio)

And In Other News…

SmackDown kicked off with SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long. The GM introduced the Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio. After Rey makes his way to the ring, Rey proclaims that it is good to be back on SmackDown. Rey then admits that Jeff Hardy was the better man in their match last week. Rey then vowed that he will get a World Heavyweight Title shot sooner or later. Rey also vowed that he would defend his Intercontinental Title against anyone. Chris Jericho comes to the ring and proclaims that he is the true face of SmackDown, not Rey Mysterio. Jericho then rips into General Manager Theodore Long, calling him "prejudice" against him. Jericho proclaims that him being in the ring makes SmackDown better. Jericho then called Long an "inept, fly-by-night General Manager". Jericho then turns his attention to Rey Mysterio, calling the Intercontinental Champion a "pip-squeak". Jericho then says that he wants a title match. Rey retorts by telling Jericho that he wants him to shut up. Rey then shoves Jericho down. Mysterio then makes his exit as Jeff Hardy makes his entrance. Jeff tells Jericho that Jericho will have to beat him to get a title match. The #1 Contender then calls Jericho the real "hypocrite and liar". Jeff then lays down a challenge to Jericho that, if Jericho defeats him in the main event, then Jericho would be added to the World Heavyweight Title match at Judgment Day! Jericho goes to hit Jeff with a right hand, but Jeff ducks and slaps Jericho. Jericho decided to leave the ring. As Jericho makes his leave, Theodore Long makes the stipulation official for the main event!

The opening match of the night saw the SmackDown debut of Mike Knox as he defeated R-Truth.

With Alicia Fox in her corner, Michelle McCool was able to defeat Gail Kim.

Charlie Haas made his return to SmackDown since being drafted. Despite being backed by his former tag team partner, Shelton Benjamin, Haas still lost the match to John Morrison.

Backstage, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long reveals the World Heavyweight Champion Edge will be in action on SmackDown as he takes on "Mr. Money-in-the-Bank" CM Punk in a rematch from last week.

Edge opted to walk away from CM Punk, which got CM Punk the count-out victory over the World Heavyweight Champion. Punk has now defeated Edge two weeks in a row, should Edge be watching his back for the briefcase-wielding CM Punk? With Punk distracted by Edge, "The Samoan Bulldozer" Umaga struck again as he laid out CM Punk with the Samoan Spike. What is the reasoning behind Umaga’s attack the last two weeks? CM Punk will get his chance at revenge when he faces Umaga at Judgment Day in his hometown of Chicago. Will Punk put "The Samoan Bulldozer" to sleep?

Cryme Tyme makes an appearance to host an Arm Wrestling Contest between Eve & Layla. Once again, Eve defeated Layla in a contest. After the match, Layla laid out Eve with a neckbreaker.

Dolph Ziggler made an appearance as well. Dolph stated that he was out there to prove to the SmackDown locker room that he is a "winner". Dolph then lays out an open challenge to any SmackDown Superstar. Dolph had to immediately regret his open challenge when The Great Khali answered the challenge! Khali dominated Dolph for most of the match, but Dolph had enough of it and grabbed a steel chair and viciously assaulted Khali with the steel chair. Khali won the match via disqualification, but Khali did not look like a winner after Dolph Ziggler was finished. How will Khali retaliate against Dolph?

Prior to the main event, World Heavyweight Champion Edge made his way to ringside to provide commentary for the match that could severely alter his title defense at Judgment Day.

Then it was time for the main event as the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title Jeff Hardy took on Chris Jericho. If Jericho won, he would be added to the World Heavyweight Title match at Judgment Day, making it a Triple Threat Match. During the course of the match, Jericho was knocked to the outside. This brought out Rey Mysterio, who stayed at ringside for the match. Later on in the match, Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy spilled to the outside of the ring. Jericho then used Jeff as a weapon when he threw Jeff into Edge! Edge took exception to this, so he got on the apron of the ring to distract Jericho, which almost cost Jericho the match. Edge then creates some distance by going up the staging area. Jericho then tried to use the ropes for the unfair advantage, however Rey Mysterio pointed it out to the referee. Jericho then made the mistake of turning his attention to Rey, which gave Jeff the opportunity to hit the Twist of Fate and land the Swanton Bomb on Jericho, which won the match for Jeff Hardy, much to the delight of Edge as the World Heavyweight Championship match at Judgment Day would remain a one-on-one encounter as opposed to Edge having two challengers to contend with. After the match, Rey Mysterio "dropped the dime" on Chris Jericho. Jericho has had two chances to get into the World Heavyweight Title match at Judgment Day and has failed both times, how will Jericho respond to the attack by Rey Mysterio?

Superstar of the Week: Jeff Hardy