We get a recap from last week when Big Show delivered the KO Punch to John Cena as well as the breaking story that Show will challenge Edge at WrestleMania 25 for the World Heavyweight Championship.

SmackDown! video package rolls and fireworks go off as JR and Tazz welcome us to another edition of Friday Night SmackDown! We are told here that later on tonight, there will be a World Heavyweight Championship contract signing between Edge and the Big Show for WrestleMania 25! Plus, the Game, Triple H, will take on the Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga!

Gong!

Lights go out….

Thunder strikes and pyros rise as the one and only legendary Undertaker makes his way to the ring. It is brought across our attention that the Deadman will face Shawn Micheals at WrestleMania 25 because Michaels was able to successfully defeat Vladimir Kozlov this past Monday night on RAW. Undertaker grabs a microphone…

“For most of my existence, others have chosen to stay clear of my path. For, the fear of the wrath of the Undertaker was a road no one wanted to embark on. I was the one in pursuit of the hunt, I was the one staking the claim! Ohhhh…how times have changed….and that angers me. The Streak is something that I never speak of. It just so happens that WrestleMania is the night that I have chosen to show my peers and the rest of the world what it is the Undertaker represents. Yet, there seems to be a need, a desire, to feed their egos and their lust. Endless souls line up each year to make a name for themselves at my expense and I take that as a personal insult. Shawn Michaels, I accept your challenge for WrestleMania!

On the titantron, a Shawn Michaels video package interrupts the Phenom’s declaration as it starts to highlight HBK’s success on the Grand Stage

Following the video package, the Undertaker is shown disturbed in the middle of the ring.

“Very cleaver Shawn, I know what you’re to do and you’ve chosen the wrong person to play mind games with. It’s only going to make things worse for you in the end. You are truly an icon amongst men, BUT for 16 WrestleMania’s, they have come and for 16 WrestleMania’s, they have fallen! Your fate will be no different. You claim to have made peace within, but Shawn the time for prayer has just begun. On April 5th, I will truly show you the meaning of what I have told you Shawn, and that is SOMETIMES IT IS HELL TRYING TO GET TO HEAVEN!”

The Undertaker music hits and he begins to make his exit…

(Segment Rating: 5/5. It is ALWAYS interesting to hear the Phenom speak! Very strong and well delivered promo to hype the HBK/Undertaker rivalry.)

Still to Come: Jeff and Matt Hardy’s individual Money in the Bank Qualifying matches.

-Commercial-

A classic moment from WrestleMania III is shown when Hulk Hogan slammed Andre the Giant in the Silver Dome.

Vickie Guerrero is in her office and on her cell phone panicking at the fact that she has not been able to talk to Edge since this past week on RAW, because of the match she has made and asks the person she is on the line with to please let him know she is looking for him. Jeff Hardy walks in her office and Vickie ends her phone call. Vickie asks Jeff if he is willing to take on Matt tonight to qualify for MITB, but Jeff refuses to. Vickie tries to pressure Jeff into the match, but Jeff still declines and says that he will qualify tonight, win the MITB Ladder Match, and cash in the briefcase later that night to defeat either Big Show or Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship.

A shot of the MITB briefcase is shown high above the ring. This next contest is for qualification purposes.

Matt Hardy’s music plays and out he comes to his usual cord of boos. He grabs a microphone.

Matt states that Jeff is trying to hide from his problems again by trying to avoid him. However, Matt adds that he will win tonight and assuming that Jeff qualifies too, he will finally get his hands on his brother at WrestleMania in the MITB match and he will proceed to demolish Jeff and the 6 other competitors to become an eventual World Champion.

Montel Vontavious Porter, MVP, makes his way down to the ring in attempts to qualify for MITB.

MVP starts the match with a quick school boy, but Matt kicks out and the foes lock up. MVP gets the advantage again as he takes Matt down with some technical maneuvers, but Matt is able to make it to the ropes to break the hold. After yet another lockup, Matt takes a cheap shot by punching MVP in the face, thus taking him down. Matt tries to build some more momentum, but he is quickly sweeped to the mat. As Matt makes is back to his feet, MVP boasts and points up at the MITB briefcase…

-Commercial-

Matt Hardy has a sleeper hold applied on the Ballin Superstar. MVP struggles to break the hold, but after some time, he rams Matt into the turnbuckle. As MVP then charges at Matt, Matt trips MVP onto the ropes in position similar to the 619. Matt chokes MVP on the ropes and applies another sleeper hold. “MVP!” chants break loose. MVP punches Matt in the abdomen a few times and Irish Whips him to the ropes and eventually connects with a nice overhead belly to belly suplex. Matt slowly stumbles to his feet and MVP takes him down with a running forearm shot. Moments later, MVP connects with his signature Ballin Elbow Drop. As MVP lifts Matt, Matt quickly connects with the Side Affect. Matt signals for Twist of Fate as the crowd boos him. Matt kicks him, but MVP quickly flips Matt over and wins with a roll up.

Post-Match: Matt Hardy looks as if he is about to cry as MVP celebrates up the ramp.

Still to Come: Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin (MITB Qualification Match).

Still to Come: Edge and Big Show contract signing.

-Commercial-

WrestleMania 25 is 30 days away!

JR and Tazz thank the WWE Universe for the helping the WWE break MyNetwork TV Ratings for the 12th time.

Miz and John Morrison are shown in their Dirt Sheet mocking the Colons.

Michelle McCool makes her way to ringside to do commentary for our next bout.

The WWE Divas Champion, Maryse makes her way to the ring.

-Commercial-

A video package rolls highlighting Umaga’s dominance.

Eve Torres makes her way down to the ring.

Maryse asks for a Test of Strength, but Eve backs Maryse up towards the ropes. Maryse shows off her body and charges towards Eve, but Eve kicks her in the stomach and shortly thereafter follows it up with an enziguri kick that sends Maryse to the outside. Eve then tosses Maryse back in the ring, but it is here that Maryse gets in a cheap shot. Eve however tried fending off for herself, but not long after Maryse dodged a cross body from the middle rope and proceeded to hit her DDT for the win.

Post-Match: Eve started boasting again, but suddenly RAW’s Women Champion, Melina, came running into the ring and tackled Maryse down. The two divas went at each other until Michelle McCool left the announcers table and attacked Melina. McCool then tossed Melina into the steel post as the heels looked on in satisfaction.

(Match/Segment Rating: 2.5/5. Honestly, this was a poor match, but I do like what the WWE has in store for the Divas at WrestleMania. Finally, the divas will get a credible match at the grand stage instead of promoting a certain gentlemen’s magazine.)

-Commercial-

Justin Roberts asks everyone to please welcome SmackDown! GM Vickie Guerrero. She is already in the ring. Everything is set for the official contract signing.

Vickie starts off by saying it’s a pleasure to have such great stars compete for the World Heavyweight Championship, but Edge’s theme song immediately cuts her off.

Edge makes his way to the ring and he doesn’t look happy. Vickie tries to smile at him.

Edge says that he won’t go through with this until he knows what’s going on between Vickie and Big Show.

Vickie ponders why Edge hasn’t responded to any of her text messages and then looks Edge straight in the eye and says that her relationship with Big Show is strictly professional.

Edge then states that he can’t believe it and accuses Vickie of trying to embarrass him on RAW, because Edge found out about Vickie’s blockbuster announcement at the same time as the people in the audience.

Vickie tries to calm Edge down and the crowd continues to boo her.

Edge wants to know of all the people Vickie could’ve chosen, “what makes the Big Show so damn special?”

At this point, Big Show’s music hits and out he comes in a tuxedo!

Show grabs a microphone and tells Vickie that it is time for Edge to hear the truth.

Vickie stumbles on her words and doesn’t want Show to say anything.

Suddenly Show says that the truth is that Edge is not a good champion. Show backs up his case by stating that Edge takes shortcuts and has always survived by the skin of his teeth. On the other hand, the Big Show calls himself dominant and more importantly, the next World Heavyweight Champion. Big Show proceeds to sign the contract.

Edge asks Vickie if that’s all this has been about. Edge then shows off his credentials by saying that he is an 8 time World Champion and he is more talented, smarter, faster and simply better than Show is. Edge then realizes that this must be the reason why Vickie has named Show the Number 1 contender for the title, because Edge can win easily with his title intact. Edge then asks himself why he was so stupid for believing that Show would have actually stole Vickie away from Edge.

Big Show and Vickie have an awkward facial expression.

Edge then concludes by saying that he is more of a man that Show will ever be.

As Edge attempts to sign the contract, “My Time is Now!” hits.

Out comes John Cena to a huge ovation. He enters the ring, low blows Big Show and kicks him out of the ring. He then turns his attention towards Edge and punches him down. Cena then hurls the contract signing table into Edge which sends him to the outside. Following this, Cena walks over towards Vickie, who is standing in to the corner, and whispers something into her ear.

John Cena continues to celebrate as he heads to the back while GM Vickie looks on a little worried.

(Segment Rating: 5/5. Very interesting segment. Are we in store for a face turn for Edge? Or are we going to get a triple threat between these three athletes?)

Still to Come: Triple H vs. Umaga

-Commercial-

Next 2009 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee: “Cowboy” Bill Watts

Backstage, Edge and Vickie are shown. Edge is frustrated and wants to sign the contract right now, but Vickie, who looks completely out of sync, insists that they sign it next week on RAW. Edge questions her, but Vickie starts to cry so Edge leaves and gives her some space.

A MITB video package plays highlighting some of the most amazing spots in the match’s history.

“No More Words” hits and out comes the Charismatic Enigma, Jeff Hardy to a great ovation!

The United States Champion, Shelton Benjamin then makes his way down to the ring, looking at the briefcase held above the ring.

Bell rings and Benjamin immediately starts off on the offensive with a modified version of an exploder suplex Jeff. After a 2 count, Benjamin punches Jeff in the face and proceeds to connect with a Northern Light’s suplex. Following this, Benjamin gives Jeff a snap suplex! As Benjamin tries for another variation of a supelx, Jeff fights out of it, but eventually winds up getting thrown outside of the ring. Benjamin joins Jeff on the outside and tries to Irish Whip the Rainbow Haired Warrior to the barricade, but Jeff reverses it and sends Benjamin crashing into it instead. As Benjamin started to recover, Jeff leaped from the steel steps and onto Benjamin to further damage the Gold Standard.

-Commercial-

Back, we see Benjamin in charge as he has a reverse chin lock applied. We are then shown a clip that during the break, Shelton Benjamin managed to powerbomb Jeff onto the turnbuckle. Back to the action, Benjamin connects with a backbreaker to Jeff and applies a bow and arrow like maneuver. “Hardy!” chants emerge and Jeff punches Benjamin in the head a couple of times to break the hold. Unfortunately for Jeff, Benjamin still has enough power to choke Jeff on the ropes. Moments later, Benjamin charges at Jeff, but Jeff tosses Benjamin out of the ring. Benjamin however, landed on the apron. Jeff tries to suplex him back in but Benjamin flipped into a neck breaker setup but Jeff held onto the ropes and reversed it into a leg drop on the gut. Following this, Jeff connects with a low dropkick. Jeff goes for the cover, but gets a 2 count. At this point, Matt Hardy slowly makes his way down to the ring. In the mean time, Jeff connects with Whisper in the Wind on Benjamin. Matt Hardy climbs the steel steps and just stands there. Jeff gives him a glance. Jeff then turns his attention to Benjamin and drills him with the Twist of Fate. Matt Hardy now enters the ring and the two brothers have a stare down. As Benjamin makes it to his feet, Matt decks Benjamin in the head. Referee calls for the disqualification.

Post-Match: Justin Roberts announces that as a result of a DQ, Benjamin is declared the winner and is now apart of the MITB Ladder Match at WrestleMania 25. Matt then turns his back on Jeff hoping that Jeff would strike, but Jeff holds his ground. Matt slowly walks to the back as the crowd boos.

(Match Rating: 3.5/5. By far, the best match of the night. These two individuals always perform or at least try to perform at a very high level every time they get into the ring. The segment at the end involving Matt was pretty intriguing to say the least.)

JR and Tazz discuss the events surround Triple H/Randy Orton which leads to the RAW Rebound.

Up Next: Triple H vs. Umaga!

-Commercial-

JR and Tazz ponder what John Cena could have possibly whispered in the ear of Vickie Guerrero earlier tonight.

We get a preview of John Cena’s next film, 12 Rounds.

“Time to Play the Game!” plays and out comes the reigning WWE Champion, the King of Kings, the Cerebral Assassin, Triple H!

JR asks whether or not this will be the best night for Umaga to take on The Game!

The 350lbs Samoan Bulldozer, Umaga, enters the ring staring a hole at Triple H.

Triple H gets the first strike as he gives Umaga some hard right hands. Umaga then fights back with multiple headbutts as he corners Triple H. Umaga then Irish Whips Triple H, but the King of Kings explodes with a massive clothesline. Moments later, as Triple H charges at Umaga, the Samoan Bulldozer strikes Triple H with a reverse side kick. Following this, Umaga delivers a headbutt to the sternum of the Game. After a few punches to the head of the Cerebral Assassin, Umaga gives him a leg drop across the throat. Umaga then Irish Whips Triple H, but the Game reverses it into facebuster. Now, as Triple H charges at Umaga, Umaga retaliates with a mighty throat thrust. Triple H slowly makes it to his feet and Umaga dashes toward him like there is no tomorrow. Triple H pulls down the top rope and Umaga goes flying out of the ring and immediately grabs a hold of his knee upon impact with the ground. He is screaming. While Triple H looks on from inside the ring, The Legacy (Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase Jr, and Randy Orton) make their way through the crowd and surround the ring.

Cody Rhodes enters the ring and Triple H goes to strike him. Ted Dibiase then comes in and Triple H gets him as well. Then Orton slides into the ring and gets a cheap shot in on Triple H. The King of Kings however is able to shove Orton aside and continues to attack Orton’s henchmen. Moments later, Triple H literally tackles Dibiase onto the outside. Orton tries to get some, but Triple H spears him across the announcers table! At this point however, the numbers game catches the Game as Rhodes and Dibiase assist Orton in throwing the wounded Triple H into the steel post and ultimately back into the ring. Suddenly, Triple H begins to show some life again as he clotheslines Rhodes and shoves Dibiase into the turnbuckle. As Triple H looks at Orton, Rhodes comes from behind and gives the Cerebral Assassin a chop block. The Legacy then backs off momentarily and allows Triple H to get back up in the corner. Legacy then slowly inch toward Triple H, but Triple H doesn’t waste any time as he spears Orton and starts punching him in the head multiple times. In the mean time, Dibiase and Rhodes strike Triple H with numerous kicks trying to get him off of Orton. At last, Triple H is unable to fight back as the punishment has been too much. Orton screams, “I Remember!” and then orders his two associates to lift Triple H up so that he can kick him in the face. Orton does kick Triple H a few times and eventually gives him a modified version of the punt to the head. The crowd is booing! Rhodes and Dibiase continue to pound Triple H, but Orton tells them to leave the ring. Orton slowly stalks a downed Triple H before making his way out of the ring with the glazed look in his eyes. Orton looked back at Triple H. The Game, who is foaming at the mouth, reached out, but couldn’t muster enough strength and finally collapses. Orton gives us his devious smile to close the show…

(Match/Segment Rating: 4/5. Okay, the match wasn’t all that great, but you must take into account that Umaga suffered a potentially serious injury so I won’t rate that harshly. The Legacy attack that followed afterwards however was very intense. It gives Orton the upper hand as he has officially striked first in his quest to regain the championship. Of course, this means that Triple H will do anything to get his hands on Orton on RAW, but that doesn’t guarantee that he will. I am highly anticipated for the outcome of this rivalry)


Quick Match Results:
-Match 1: MVP def. Matt Hardy (MITB Qualifier)
-Match 2: Maryse def. Eve Torres
-Match 3: Shelton Benjamin def. Jeff Hardy (MITB Qualifier)
-Match 4: Triple H vs. Umaga ended in a No-Contest