["Rise Up" by Drowning Pool playing]
♪ And I won't be denied ♪
♪ 'Cause all I've got left is my pride ♪
♪ And I will rise up ♪
♪ Break it out, break you down Breaking rules, breaking ground ♪
♪ Had your chance, now it's gone All you take, all you've done ♪
[fireworks popping]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] We are 16 nights from WrestleMania.
And tonight, the latest stop on the Road to WrestleMania
is the sold-out Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois,
15,149 on hand.
I'm Michael Cole with Jonathan Coachman at ringside,
and what a main event tonight.
[Coachman] WrestleMania opponents will be teaming up tonight.
Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels taking on Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder,
and the World Heavyweight Champion, Edge,
in a three-on-two Handicap Match inside of a steel cage.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the WWE Diva and Playboy cover girl,
Chicago's own, Maria!
What a treat it was here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
Maria, of course, who will be a part of BunnyMania at WrestleMania.
[Coachman] Well, you know, BunnyMania at WrestleMania, Lumberjack Match,
and there's only one man out there that could be the master of ceremony.
And that of course is Snoop Dogg that will be in the house in Orlando.
What a match that's gonna be, Candice Michelle and Maria teaming up.
What's up all you stars and stripes in Chicago?
[crowd cheering]
Oh, it is so good to be home!
[crowd cheering]
Home. This is my home, Chicago!
[crowd cheering]
And I am very, very excited to be in the first ever
BunnyMania Lumberjack Match at WrestleMania XXIV.
[crowd cheering]
Tonight, I will be hosting the SmackDown Diva Contest.
So, let's bring out the Divas.
-[upbeat music plays] -[crowd cheering]
Eve Torres!
Cherry!
Maryse!
Victoria!
Michelle McCool!
[music fades]
Each week, our audience has a chance to vote
for your favorite SmackDown Diva.
Unfortunately, the Diva with the least amount of votes
has to be eliminated, so let's see who that is.
Drumroll, please.
[drumroll]
Maryse!
I'm sorry, Maryse.
But you have the least amount of votes, so you have been eliminated.
[crowd cheering]
[Coachman] Well, Michael, I thought she would be one of the favorites,
but Maryse the first one to go home.
All right, girls. Ready to have some fun?
Please follow me down here.
-[upbeat music plays] -[crowd cheering]
Tonight, we will be doing an obstacle course.
And as you can see right here, this is the starting line,
so don't you dare cross this before I'm done.
You will come up here to the balancing beam.
You will go into the ring and go through the tires.
Then, you will come around and jump in the sack
and do a little something called the bunny-hop
all the way over to the Wall of Woe.
You'll come over the Wall of Woe and you'll cross the finish line.
But just because you might have the quickest time
doesn't necessarily mean you're safe next week.
That is for the audience to decide. So are you ready, Eve?
Are you ready? I think she's ready.
Ready?
[whistle blows]
[Cole] So, Eve, the winner of the 2007 WWE Diva Search.
Remember Coach, all these Divas competing
for a custom-made Beverly hills chopper from creator Johnny Fratto.
I mean, he has created choppers for some huge stars,
including Puff Daddy, Paris Hilton, and now, one of the WWE Divas.
[Coachman] And I talked to the Divas before the show began
and they are all excited about the fact that they could get that chopper.
[Maria] All right, Eve. That was some fancy footwork.
And your time was 23 seconds.
-Good job. -[Coachman] Not bad.
All right. And next, we have Cherry.
[Cole] It would have been neat to see Cherry
compete in this obstacle course in her roller skates.
[Coachman] It would've been interesting.
[Cole] Of course, Deuce's girlfriend, Domino's sister from
the former Tag Team Champions, Deuce 'n Domino.
[Coachman] A natural athlete, and we don't get to see that much of her
do this sort of thing so right now she's doing an excellent job.
[Cole] Well, she's got an opportunity to beat Eve's time.
She stumbled a bit, and she beat Eve's time.
-Very nice, Cherry. Very nice. -[crowd cheering]
And your time was 22 seconds. Good job.
[Coachman] Well, right now, Cherry's in first place.
All right. Victoria, what… Stay behind the line. All right. Ready?
-I'm ready. Yes! -Ready?
[Coachman] Yeah, I didn't know Cherry was such a great athlete.
[whistle blows]
[Cole] Well, Victoria definitely a great athlete, former Women's Champion.
Twenty-two seconds, the time to beat.
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] Oh, well. -[Coachman] Well.
Not exactly fluid but Victoria got through the ropes.
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] Oh! -[Coachman laughs]
[Cole] She had to cross the finish line.
[Coachman laughs] Victoria celebrating just a little bit too early.
-All right, all right. Victoria? -Yes.
-Victoria, your time was 25 seconds. -Yes!
-Adrian! That's right. -[crowd boos]
Follow that, Michelle, follow that.
[Coachman] Somebody explain to Victoria it's the lowest time that wins.
Michelle, you are up next.
[Cole] Talk about athletes, former star softball player
at Florida State University, science teacher?
Imagine having her teach a science class?
[Coachman] Yeah. Well, I don't think I'd get past whatever grade that would be.
[Cole] Michelle having problems, however, with the sack.
Nice recovery.
[Coachman] Great recovery, probably if she can get over… Yeah, indeed.
[Cole] And look at-- The referee handed Michelle the sack upside down…
-Wow! -…and she still won the event.
Twenty seconds!
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] Impressive.
[Coachman] Very impressive, but I thought with the obstacle course certainly that…
Okay. The Diva with the quickest time
was Michelle McCool!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] I still can't get over the fact that the referee
handed her the sack upside down.
As you know, just because you were the quickest
doesn't necessarily mean that you will be safe next week.
That is for the audience to decide.
So please text to 44993 your Diva.
Will it be Eve?
[crowd cheers]
Will it be Cherry?
[crowd cheers]
Will it be Victoria?
[mixed crowd reaction]
Or will it be Michelle McCool?
[crowd cheering loudly]
All right. Please give it up one more time for the SmackDown Divas.
[crowd cheering]
[Coachman] You know, Michael, that's how you start SmackDown.
[Maria] And I will see all of you at WrestleMania.
♪ Her legs go on and on for days ♪
♪ She's got a hold on me I need the remedy ♪
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
I'll start off by saying thank you and you know why.
I get messed up in a jam with Edge, Hawkins, and Ryder,
you come over here to help me out.
No, wait. Let me finish.
Handicap Match in a cage, you're over here to make sure I'm okay.
That's because you're the man you are. And I'm worried right now.
And I'll tell you what I'm really stressed out about.
I'm more stressed out that one of us will get hurt, okay?
And I don't want any less than The Showstopper,
Mr. WrestleMania himself at WrestleMania.
Naitch, as far as tonight is concerned,
you got nothing to worry about.
And when it comes to WrestleMania, I promise you, I promise you,
you are gonna get my best.
I guarantee it.
Now, as far as tonight is concerned, the cage match, all right.
-It's three against two. -Don't try and murder me, man.
You and I…
[Cole] Still to come tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Last week, MVP survived Batista.
A win via count-out in the United States Championship Matchup.
Tonight, that won't happen.
It's no disqualification, no count-outs, no holds barred
for the US Title tonight.
[rock music playing]
[announcer] And now, the Raw Rebound is brought to you by WWE Mobile.
Check out WWE Mobile at m.wwe.com.
[Shane] On behalf of World Wrestling Entertainment,
it is my pleasure to introduce to you
the official weigh-in for WrestleMania Match
between the largest athlete in the world, The Big Show,
and The Big Show's opponent on WrestleMania,
the greatest fighter in the world today, Floyd "Money" Mayweather.
[crowd cheering]
So, first up, let's get right on the scale.
Mr. Mayweather, you're up.
Mr. Mayweather's weight is 159 pounds.
Big Show, if you would, please.
The Big Show weighs in at 441.4 pounds.
[crowd cheering]
Now, gentlemen, if we could please get together for the photo op…
Now, I see that Floyd has brought along his posse, right?
Well now, I'd like to bring out my posse.
[crowd cheering]
You're in the shark tank now.
They all just had to come down and see the $20 Million Man.
[tense rock music playing]
There's only gonna be two scenarios.
The first scenario, I'll just embarrass you
and you'll live to fight another day.
Now, scenario two, I'm gonna guarantee
that you never box again.
So, what do you have to say, you little runt?
[funky rap instrumental plays]
Yeah, you're right. I am the $20 Million Man.
And it's possible, you may hurt me,
but you must be able to catch me first.
At No Way Out, I broke your nose.
At WrestleMania XXIV,
I will break your jaw.
[dramatic music builds]
-[epic music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Big Show] The actions that happened last night, it's just the tip of the iceberg.
I'm going to slap the skin right off of him, I guarantee you.
[Mayweather] Last night was… that was a little wild.
I hurt my elbow but only the strong survive and I will be back.
Come WrestleMania, I will entertain.
[Cole] So "Money" Mayweather indeed injured his elbow.
And the question is, is Mayweather having second thoughts
heading into the match at WrestleMania?
[Justin] The following is a two-on-one Handicap Match scheduled for one fall.
Currently in the ring at a combined weight of 410 pounds,
the team of Shannon Moore and Jimmy Wang Yang!
♪ So I'm gonna have to punch Someone tonight ♪
♪ Well, it's The Big Show ♪
[fireworks pop]
[Justin] And their opponent, standing at seven-feet tall,
weighing 441 pounds,
The Big Show!
[Coachman] Well, Michael, I have it on good authority.
I spoke to a couple of guys in Mayweather's camp
at the press conference.
And for the first time in Mayweather's career,
he's a little bit scared.
He's never been scared before.
At the very least, Floyd Mayweather
is getting butterflies heading to WrestleMania.
[Cole] The official weigh-in, a nearly 300-pound difference
between Big Show and Floyd Mayweather.
But, Coach, put yourself in Mayweather's shoes.
What do you think is going through that young man's mind
when he was lifted off his feet and tossed out of the ring Monday night?
[Coachman] Can you imagine what it would feel like?
He's seven-feet tall, The Big Show is,
and by the time he gets him over his head,
he is probably nine or ten feet in the air,
and then throws him down to the ground.
I can't imagine what's going through Mayweather's head at that point.
[Cole] Tonight, Big Show taking on two men that are Floyd Mayweather's size,
but two men who are an accomplished tag team.
And Big Show using his strength and power, wow,
launching Jimmy Wang Yang so high in the air.
You know, at that press conference,
Big Show was talking about sending a message to Floyd Mayweather.
I think that's exactly what The Big Show is doing here tonight.
[Cole] Big Show told Mayweather,
"You disrespect me, I'm going to guarantee that you never box again."
[Coachman] You're talking about risk, you're talking reward,
that's what The Big Show has been really preaching.
[commentators exclaiming]
[Coachman] Is the risk worth the reward for Floyd Mayweather?
[Cole] And again, this is a two-on-one Handicap Match.
This is two men Mayweather's size
who are an accomplished tag team against The Big Show,
and Big Show manhandling…
demolishing Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore.
[Coachman] And, Michael, both of these men are bigger than Floyd Mayweather.
[Cole] Even more to my point.
[Coachman] I can't remember the last time that I saw The Big Show this determined,
this focused heading into a big event,
nonetheless WrestleMania.
[Cole] Jimmy Wang Yang trying to mount some sort of offense.
Big Show just caught an average-sized man in midair with all that momentum.
-[Coachman] The strength is unbelievable. -[Cole] Oh no!
[Coachman] Oh God.
[Cole] That's like a semi-tractor trailer running into you.
[Coachman] And what's gonna happen if The Big Show
does that to Floyd Mayweather?
[Cole] Mayweather's career will be over, simple.
[crowd cheering]
[Coachman] Oh, Big Show just measuring-- Oh!
-[Cole] With ease. -[bell rings]
♪ Well, it's The Big Show ♪
[Justin] The winner of this match, The Big Show!
[Coachman] Michael, look at that punch, only one punch.
That could break Floyd Mayweather's face.
Look at the determination,
the focus on The Big Show's face.
[Cole] Big Show told Floyd Mayweather,
"I may take pity on you. I may embarrass you."
-[Coachman] Oh, whoa, wait, wait! -[Cole] Oh, look at… Look…
Shades of Monday night.
Another direct message sent to Floyd "Money" Mayweather.
[crowd cheering]
♪ Well… ♪
[Coachman] Whether Floyd "Money" Mayweather is watching here tonight,
you got to believe that whatever is going through his mind,
he's got to be having second thoughts, third thoughts
about taking on The Big Show at WrestleMania.
[Cole] This is just a display of the power.
Floyd Mayweather maybe indeed having second thoughts after this display.
Monday night on Raw because of action like this,
Floyd Mayweather saw his boxing career flash before his very eyes.
[Coachman] Never been beaten before, never been afraid in the ring before,
but "Money" Mayweather come March 30th, it could happen for the very first time.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And ladies and gentlemen, coming up next,
who will be the final man
to qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania?
Tag Team Champions are opponents tonight.
Will Miz and or Morrison head to Orlando?
[bell rings]
[Justin] This bout is a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
where the winner will become the final participant
in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania XXIV.
["Ain't No Make Believe" by Stonefree Experience playing]
♪ Now listen, this ain't no make believe ♪
Introducing first from Los Angeles, California,
weighing 219 pounds,
he is one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions,
John Morrison!
[Cole] And those who have already qualified and competed,
will be competing I should say in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match
at WrestleMania,
Mr. Kennedy, the New Intercontinental Champion, Chris Jericho,
Carlito, Shelton Benjamin, CM Punk, MVP.
And one of the two gentlemen in this match,
John Morrison or his tag team partner, The Miz.
[Coachman] Yeah, this is the last opportunity
for one of these two men to qualify
for that Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania.
Well, folks, Friday Night SmackDown
is brought to you by Shutter, March 21st only in theaters.
[Cole] And by Diet Dew. All the Dew. No calories.
How Dew does diet.
[Coachman] And brought to you by Verizon Wireless.
[Cole] So again, the final qualifying matchup
for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania.
["Reality" by Jim Johnston playing]
[Justin] And his opponent from Cleveland, Ohio,
weighing 231 pounds,
he is the other half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, The Miz!
[Cole] This is an interesting matchup, Miz and Morrison, Tag Team Champions,
have to go one-on-one tonight for a spot in Orlando on the line in just two weeks.
And next week right here on SmackDown, these two men have got
to become a team again to defend those titles against Jesse and Festus.
[Coachman] Yeah, it's one of those situations that we'll see
if these two can really look each other in the eye
and go at it mano a mano.
But keep in mind, Michael, that these two started their relationship
as a fierce rivalry fighting over the ECW Championship.
[Cole] Yeah, fierce rivals before they became Tag Team Champions.
They know each other very well as opponents.
[Coachman] But now, all things have changed.
They're very good friends, they're on the same page.
How do you compete against one of your best friends?
That's gonna be the question here tonight.
[Coachman] And look what's on the line,
an opportunity to go to WrestleMania in 16 nights
and battle in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
And the rules of that Money in the Bank Ladder Match, Coach, fairly simple.
You climb the ladder, if you're successful,
you grab a briefcase, and inside that briefcase,
-basically a contract. -[Coachman] Right.
[Cole] Where you have an opportunity to cash in a title opportunity
sometime over the next year.
[Coachman] Yeah, you've got the 12 months to do it.
And every single time that a Money in the Bank opportunity
has been cashed in, a new champion has been crowned.
[Cole] And John Morrison, typical style for Morrison… And a kickout by Miz.
And Miz looking to take down John Morrison as well,
roll through, Morrison quick cover. And a kickout.
[Coachman] This is one of those situations where I think
both of these men know, wait a second, I got to put my friendship aside
because I have an opportunity to be on The Grandest Stage of Them All,
and get a Money in the Bank… [laughs]
[Cole] Ooh!
Both of these men opportunists,
Miz there hooks the leg, kickout by Morrison.
That's what it's all about…
It is about an opportunity to compete in The Grandest Stage of All.
WrestleMania, two weeks away from this Sunday
at Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
Going to be filled with over 60,000 people.
[Coachman] And from what I understand,
the town is already abuzz with WrestleMania mania.
[Cole] Well, Miz and Morrison have WrestleMania mania in this matchup.
Kickout by Morrison.
[grunting]
Miz trying to control his tag team partner.
Again, these two men were bitter, bitter rivals much of last year
for that prestigious ECW Championship.
[Coachman] Well, they've-- they finally figured out what they had in common.
And when they did, you see how successful they have become as Tag Team Champions.
But throw that all-- throw all that out the window here tonight
because there's so much more on the line than that.
[Cole] What do these two men have in common, Coach?
[Coachman] Ambition.
[Cole] Morrison driving the knee to the spine of Miz
and looks to take advantage now in the injured lower back.
[Coachman] Well, I've always been impressed with Morrison
and how far he has come
in a short time in his career.
And Miz, you know,
he has been wanting to be a WWE Superstar for so long.
And to be in WrestleMania, for him, what an opportunity!
[Cole] Oh, and Miz makes it to the bottom rope.
And that'll force John Morrison to break that half Boston Crab.
You saw how Morrison was trying to drag Miz back into the middle of the ring.
Ooh!
These men, WWE Tag Team Champions.
Morrison been very successful in his young career,
Tag Team Champions on a number of occasions,
and also the ECW Champion at one time.
[Coachman] Both of these men are pointing at that WrestleMania sign
instead of just focusing on the match.
You can point after you win.
[Cole] Only the winner is going to WrestleMania.
Ooh!
And there's that athleticism of Morrison.
Great Jackknife cover. And a kickout at two by The Miz.
Like we said before, these opponents know each other so well.
Rivals for months now, working together as a tag team,
the Tag Team Champions.
[Coachman] Ooh! What a shot.
[Cole] Miz may be one of the most improved Superstars in all the WWE.
Here's the cover. Could Miz be going to WrestleMania? Not there.
[Coachman] Improved and underrated, in my opinion.
[Cole] Miz was voted the Jerk of the Month by WWE Magazine.
He took offense to that.
[Coachman] Well, I would too. Just because every woman in the world wants you…
it doesn't make you a jerk.
It makes you a chick magnet.
[Cole] John Morrison so wise, drawing Miz back into the ring,
taking advantage.
[Coachman] Oh, could this be it, Michael?
[Cole] Miz may be going to WrestleMania.
Kickout at two by John Morrison.
[crowd cheering]
[Coachman] I think the reason these two
are having such difficulty beating each other
is because, like you said, Michael, they know each other so very well.
[Cole] Oh, both men can counter maneuvers after maneuvers,
very evenly-based matchup thus far.
Ooh, Swinging Neckbreaker.
Cover, hooks the leg, there's two, Morrison got him.
-[bell rings] -John Morrison is going to WrestleMania.
[Justin] The winner of this match, John Morrison!
[Coachman] It takes one step at a time,
and John Morrison here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown
just took the first step.
[Cole] Sixteen nights to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando,
16 nights to WrestleMania for John Morrison.
[Coachman] And what a disappointment on the flip side.
Miz was so close to realizing a young man's dream,
and is not going.
[Cole] John Morrison among the Superstars to have the opportunity
to climb the ladder, grab the briefcase and win Money in the Bank.
And the field is complete
for the annual Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania.
The winner guaranteed a title opportunity over a year-long period
whenever they want to battle for any World Championship they want at any time.
[Coachman] And we've seen in the past that the Money in the Bank Ladder Match
can certainly steal the show.
["Ain't No Make Believe" by Stonefree Experience playing]
We are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
Everybody trying to figure out why General Manager Vickie Guerrero
actually put Shawn Michaels into the huge steel cage match tonight,
teaming with Ric Flair against Vickie's lover Edge,
and Hawkins and Ryder inside a steel cage, three-on-two Handicap Match.
When you talk about steel cage,
there's another rivalry we need to talk about.
And it all began inside of a steel cage
when JBL attacked Finlay's son, Hornswoggle.
A rivalry which came to a head this past Monday night on Raw
when the anger, and the hatred, and the passion, and the emotion
that Finlay feels for his son and also for JBL
overflowed in Finlay's match versus Mr. Kennedy.
[Vince] For the first time in my life, I made a mistake.
I wanted to give my son tough love and I showed him.
I took my belt off and I wailed the hell out of him.
What he didn't have coming however
was what happened I left the ring
and John "Bradshaw" Layfield took my son,
rammed his head into the side of the steel cage,
dropped an elbow on him,
kicked him in the cranium
and then smashed him into the side of the cage.
[Finlay] You'll pay for this!
You will pay for this!
[Vince] John "Bradshaw" Layfield,
I want an apology and I want it now.
I'm sorry… that I didn't do it sooner.
Mr. McMahon, I have it on very good advice,
that Hornswoggle is not your son.
Hornswoggle is Finlay's son.
[Finlay] And I'm proud of it!
I really wanted to be there tonight. I know how important it was to you.
I just thought it was more important that I'd be here with your son.
JBL, you touch him and I'll stick this shillelagh right down your throat.
I don't think, Finlay, you're in a position to make demands of anybody.
I'll fight, but on my terms, and at WrestleMania.
Bradshaw, you piece of crap.
I'm going to tear your heart right out of your body!
[Lawler] The look in Finlay's eyes, Finlay's seeing JBL.
You want a Belfast brawl?
Terrific.
That means that not only can I beat you at your own game,
but I get the opportunity to put you in a hospital
next to that pathetic son of yours.
[whimpering]
[Lawler] There's gonna be one hell of a fight at WrestleMania!
[Cole] And joining us now is Finlay.
And, Finlay, obviously, this has been a very trying time for you.
Can you even verbalize what you're feeling?
Michael, do you have children?
If this had happened to your son,
tell me how you put your feelings into words.
You can't.
There's no way to explain what it's like to--
There's no way to explain what it's like to watch your son
lying in a hospital bed for something that he didn't do.
Hornswoggle's getting better,
but he'll never be the same.
And that's something I got to live with for the rest of my life,
but so will JBL,
because the beating I'm gonna give him at WrestleMania,
that's something you can't put into words.
[crowd clamoring]
[bell rings]
[Justin] This bout is a no count-out, no disqualification,
No Holds Barred Match for the WWE United States Championship.
["I'm Comin'" by Silkk the Shocker playing]
♪ 1,2, you hear the clock tickin'? ♪
♪ Tick-tock You about to stop livin' ♪
♪ Tick-tock, I want you to remember me ♪
♪ Tick-tock But the day don't have no memory ♪
♪ I'm comin'! ♪
[Justin] Introducing first, from Miami, Florida, weighing 248 pounds,
he is the current WWE United States Champion,
Montel Vontavious Porter, MVP!
[Cole] Oh, MVP likes to fancy himself a primetime player.
He will be a part of primetime,
a part of WrestleMania 16 nights from tonight,
as MVP has qualified for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match,
and an opportunity to grab that briefcase
and get a chance at a World Title.
It all happened this past weekend, MVP qualifying at a live event,
SmackDown ECW live event.
MVP versus Jamie Noble.
And from what we understand, MVP really focused,
determined in this matchup,
picked up the victory, and he's headed to WrestleMania.
[Coachman] And I know MVP is very excited about that opportunity,
but MVP needs to put that in the back of his mind for right now.
Because right now he's got Batista coming out
in a match that he could lose what he's holding right there,
the United States Championship.
[Cole] It's no holds barred for the US Title next.
[announcer] And now, the WWE Smack of the Night
is brought to you by the auto parts experts at AutoZone.
Get in the zone, AutoZone.
[Cole] MVP, the United States Champion
against the former World Champion, Batista,
with the United States Title on the line.
-[Coachman] Oh! -[Cole] Blocked by Batista.
This fight has spilled into the capacity crowd.
Batista "The Animal" bounced off the announce table.
At a count of nine, Batista couldn't quite get back to the ring.
MVP has won via count-out.
[horn honks]
MVP surprises everyone.
He was just trying to get away from Batista,
and won via count-out.
But tonight that's gonna… not gonna happen.
[Coachman] Because it's no holds barred, and really anything goes.
And now MVP must stare The Animal straight in the face and go toe-to-toe.
["I Walk Alone" by Saliva playing]
[crowd cheering]
[fireworks popping]
[Justin] Introducing the challenger, from Washington, D.C.,
weighing 290 pounds, Batista!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] This sell-out crowd in Chicago on its feet
for the former World Champion, "The Animal" Batista.
He really stepped up to the plate
when he accepted the challenge to represent SmackDown
to meet Umaga at WrestleMania.
And I'll tell you, Batista this past Monday Night on Raw
really upped the ante. Raw General Manager Regal
in the center of the ring
saying that he couldn't understand why Batista would want this match.
Batista taking the ring, delivered a Spinebuster,
a massive Spinebuster to Umaga.
And for tonight, for Batista, a victory over MVP
would mean Batista would carry the coveted United States Championship
into WrestleMania, in that battle,
for brand supremacy against Raw's Umaga.
It is no holds barred for the coveted United States Championship,
a title that MVP has held since Judgment Day in May of last year.
[Coachman] And, Michael, this has become such a tremendous rivalry.
You have to wonder at some point, when is The Animal
gonna get one over on MVP when it matters?
And tonight, it matters.
[crowd cheering]
-Ring it! -[bell rings]
[Cole] Batista, the bigger of the two men, outweighs MVP,
will rely on his power in this matchup.
MVP will rely on finesse.
Takes the big man off his feet. And speed apparently as well.
MVP, the aggressor in the early part of the matchup.
[crowd cheering]
[Coachman] Yeah, Michael, you mentioned being a primetime player,
and I spoke to MVP, and at this time of year,
the butterflies can start to get to everybody
with the big night looming.
But MVP says, "Hey, I was born for this. I was born to be in the spotlight."
[Cole] MVP with the quickness again.
[crowd booing]
[Coachman] MVP seems to have done his homework.
But keep in mind, there are no count-outs, no disqualifications.
It's no holds barred.
Before last week,
Batista had owned a victory over MVP every time they met.
MVP finally got off the schneid, so to speak,
with that count-out win.
MVP with the side headlock, trying to wear Batista down,
but it takes so much to wear The Animal down.
[Coachman] Well, Batista is in such great shape.
Especially for being such a big man, so agile, so powerful.
[Cole] Numerous-time World Champion, Batista.
[crowd clamoring]
MVP has held that United States Championship nearly ten months.
[Coachman] And, Michael, if MVP is doing the game plan
that it looks like he's doing,
the frustration may start to set in at some point for The Animal.
[Cole] The thing about Batista is he's so focused all the time.
[Coachman] Intense.
[Cole and Coachman exclaim]
[Cole] That was right out of MVP's playbook.
Cover. The United States Championship up for grabs.
And a kickout at two.
Remember, no count-outs, no disqualifications, no holds barred.
[Coachman] Batista loves gold. It doesn't matter what gold it is.
-Let's listen. -Oh!
[Cole] That'll knock teeth out.
[Coachman] Batista would like nothing better than to head to WrestleMania
as the United States Champion.
[Cole] MVP, nice takedown on Batista,
and again, for Batista and MVP, it's--
Oh, went for the big kick.
Oh, [indistinct] Batista!
A clubby blow to the back of the head.
[Coachman] It was just a forearm to the back of the head.
Cover again. Forearm in the jaw.
Kickout by MVP.
[Coachman] And if MVP, say he loses tonight.
[Cole] Watch this. Oh!
[Coachman] What would that do for MVP's psyche?
[Cole] You can ask the same question to Batista.
He's gotta face Umaga at WrestleMania.
Oh, nice throw by MVP.
[Coachman] Using that quickness.
[Cole] And you mentioned before, it just being about the gold.
It's not just about gold. It's about the prestigious United States Title.
As MVP kicking Batista, nearly knocking his head off.
[Coachman] And now MVP very, very smart, able to take a blow.
[Cole] There are no count-outs, no disqualification, no holds barred.
MVP, oh, in trouble.
Thought he was in control off that kick that he's made a part of his game plan,
but Batista's so focused and determined.
[Coachman] Well, this is where it all went downhill for Batista a week ago,
but as you just alluded to, it doesn't matter this week.
They can go wherever they want, do whatever they want,
and if MVP is not careful,
he could lose the United States Championship right here tonight.
[Cole] Batista has to pin the champion
or have the champion submit to win the title.
What a right hand!
MVP-- oh, and he used the chain.
MVP, here's the cover. And a kickout by Batista.
I didn't see it in the beginning,
but MVP used that steel and diamond-studded chain
to punch Batista in the face.
[MVP screams]
-[referee] You wanna give up? -Quit! Quit!
-Quit! -[referee] What do you say?
[Batista gasping]
[Cole] You can hear the sounds of Batista gasping for air.
And if Batista were to pass out, choke out here,
MVP would win this matchup.
[Coachman] Such a smart move, to use whatever you can,
but a great counter by The Animal.
[Cole] And how much, I was gonna say, did it take out of Batista?
[Coachman] Well, now you see, grabbing for that throat, I think it took a lot.
[Cole] So much of the wrestling, Coach, is based on stamina,
based on being able to catch your breath.
But it's hard to do that when you've been choked
for the amount of time that Batista was.
[commentators exclaim]
[Coachman] But now Batista can stay on the offensive,
take a chance, get a blow,
then I think he'll be right back in this thing.
[Cole] Nice drop toehold by the United States Champion.
The Animal trying desperately to refocus.
Again, legal, what MVP is doing here,
looking to expose that steel turnbuckle,
taking off the protective covering.
[Coachman] And again, smart, giving Batista a couple of blows,
keeping Batista down.
[Cole] Batista is still trying to catch his breath.
[grunting]
There's the strength of The Animal.
[Coachman] It's exposed.
The turnbuckle is exposed, but MVP could not take advantage.
[Cole] Saw the look in the eyes of Batista,
that intensity beginning to come back.
The Animal, the former World Champion planting MVP.
-[Coachman] This could be it. -Here's the cover
to the champion and a kickout at two.
[Coachman] It's amazing how quick the strength is.
Not just the strength, but how quick he does things.
[Cole] Batista will build that momentum
and almost bring the pace to a frantic pace.
And when he gets to that level, it's hard to stop him.
It's like a freight train running out of control.
Spinebuster, shades of Umaga, Monday night.
[Coachman] But now, can Batista finish the United States Champion?
[Cole] Going for the Batista Bomb.
[Coachman] And again, smart move, brilliant move by MVP.
[crowd clamoring]
[commentators exclaiming]
[Cole] No holds barred, steel chair to the gut and ribs.
-[Coachman] Oh, watch out! -[both exclaim]
[Cole] MVP swinging for the fences.
[Coachman] And I think he may have hurt his head in the process.
[Cole] If that had connected, Batista would have been down and out.
-[Coachman] Oh, wait a second. -[Cole] Watch out.
[man] Come on, Batista!
[Cole] Ooh!
[Cole] Kidney-first, driving the wind from the lungs of the United States Champion.
And again.
[crowd clamoring]
[Coachman] Remember, no holds barred.
Batista can do this all night long.
[Cole] And you suddenly feel like the momentum has shifted into Batista's favor.
The Animal unleashing.
[crowd clamoring]
[Coachman] Well, Michael, right now, there's nothing MVP can do about this.
[Cole] Batista could be closing in on the prestigious United States Title.
Oh, great counter by the resilient champion.
[Coachman] Both of these men, as they seem to do every single time
they face each other, giving it everything they've got.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] That's where the power game comes into play.
[Coachman] And The Animal just reversed the momentum yet again.
[Cole] Ooh!
The emotion bursting from the seams of The Animal.
[crowd cheering]
MVP is being demolished by Batista…
And a low blow. Perfectly legal.
Dropping The Animal to his knees, desperation,
complete desperation from the champion, demolished by Batista,
and a low blow. Perfectly legal.
[crowd chanting] Batista! Batista! Batista!
[Cole] MVP, can the United States Champion capitalize?
[crowd cheering]
Oh!
Thunderous kick to the temple.
MVP suddenly in control.
Batista may be out.
Can MVP retain his United States Title?
[Cole] We are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
Batista, the challenger, MVP, the United States Champion.
This is no holds barred for the United States Title.
Both men trying to recover
from what had been a vicious assault here at ringside.
[Coachman] And both men trying to get back to their feet.
The first one to do it certainly has the advantage right now.
[Cole] Remember, no count-outs in this matchup, no disqualification.
MVP wielding a steel chair yet again.
-[Coachman] Oh, wait. -[Cole] Spear!
What a Spear!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] That Spear literally driving the champion out of his boots.
-[Coachman] To the cover now. -[Cole] Hook of the leg.
New champion. New champion. Oh no!
A kickout at two and a half.
[crowd clamoring]
You have to have a pinfall in the ring
or submission in the ring to win this matchup.
This is not falls count anywhere. It's no holds barred.
Oh, and MVP!
What an even battle this has been, seesaw,
back and forth, emotion and…
Just again!
[Coachman] Michael, I can't remember the last time I saw a match
go back and forth so many times.
This is all about the United States Championship
that has been held by the likes of "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair,
and "The King" Harley Race, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin,
and Dusty Rhodes, and countless Legends over the years.
[crowd clamoring]
-MVP, steel chair… -[Coachman] Oh!
[Cole] Oh, to the right… the right leg, the right knee of Batista.
[Coachman] And Batista never even saw it coming.
And suddenly faults like that.
MVP has completely taken control of this match.
[Coachman] And now, grabbing the chair again,
possibly for one more shot, sizing Batista up.
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] Oh no. The United States Champion…
[Coachman] Pulling out all the stops, Michael.
That is hard concrete floor underneath that padding.
[Cole] And MVP looking to inflict terrible punishment on Batista.
And Batista turning the tables.
[Coachman] And I can't even imagine what that must feel like on the lower back.
[Cole] Batista, his recovery time is unreal.
Every time it seems like he's down and out…
-And now Batista… -[Coachman] Oh no.
[Cole] …looking to use the steel chair to his advantage.
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] This could be it. -[Coachman] This could be it, Michael.
[Cole] Hook of the leg. Two-count, kickout, and…
Nearly, another near-fall for Batista.
[Coachman] Is that instinct, too?
[Cole] You saw the way that MVP folded up the weight of his back.
Nothing more, nothing less, an instinctual kickout by the United States Champ.
[Cole exclaims]
[Coachman] MVP…
[Cole] Finally using that exposed turnbuckle.
The turnbuckle MVP exposed early in the matchup finally used as a weapon.
[Coachman] Did you see Batista's eyes?
It almost seemed like they were crossed.
[Cole] Batista…
[both exclaim]
[Cole] MVP just…
Oh, a terrible mean streak here tonight.
[Coachman] Well, Michael, you got to do whatever it takes.
And both men are willing to do that.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Batista stopping that steel chair.
-[Coachman] Michael! -[Cole] Umaga!
-What the hell? -[Coachman] It's Umaga.
[Cole] Batista's clueless.
Samoan Spike!
[crowd booing]
[Coachman] Umaga came out of nowhere.
[Cole] MVP gonna try to capitalize.
-MVP retains the United States Title. -[bell rings]
Remember, there are no disqualifications.
["I'm Comin" by Silkk the Shocker playing]
-Umaga! -[Justin] The winner of this match
and still WWE United States Champion,
MVP!
[Cole] Umaga's involvement perfectly legal.
But Umaga fires back as the battle with Batista
heats up two weeks from their collision at WrestleMania.
Umaga was not gonna take the Spinebuster on Raw quietly.
And Raw's Umaga struck back with a vengeance tonight.
[Coachman] Michael, what a battle this is going to be
between these two men in just 16 days.
Umaga coming out sending a message to The Animal.
[Cole] Batista may have been closing in on the United States Championship.
Umaga…
from out of nowhere with the Samoan Spike,
driving Batista's Adam's apple almost to the back of his throat.
And if that's the case at WrestleMania, I'm sad to say it,
but Raw is gonna win this battle for brand supremacy.
But you can't count Batista out.
Will The Animal be unleashed at WrestleMania?
♪ I'm here to do my thing, I'm here to bring the pain ♪
♪ I'm never ever gon' change! ♪
♪ This is my world, my way, my life ♪
♪ And if I gotta… ♪
[Cole] Moments ago on SmackDown it was Batista versus MVP
for the United States Championship, no holds barred.
Umaga, however, would fire the next salvo
in the developing intra-brand battle with Batista.
[Coachman] And, Michael, watch Umaga just stalking The Animal,
then The Animal became the hunted, then the Samoan Spike.
Umaga sending a big time message
that "You don't mess with me."
[Cole] So, whatever momentum Batista had developed
on Raw Monday night against Umaga
was quickly taken away here tonight on SmackDown.
Yeah. And Umaga is not the only one who has been impressive here tonight.
The Big Show, what he did earlier, nothing short of remarkable.
Taking out two tag team specialists,
Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore, like they were nothing.
Now, you got to wonder what's going to Floyd Mayweather's mind.
Is he having second thoughts? Does Floyd Mayweather have butterflies?
That's the questions for Money Mayweather.
Will Floyd Mayweather be able to live up to his hype?
Will Floyd Mayweather be "Money" at WrestleMania?
The merger of two pay-per-view juggernauts,
Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. and World Wrestling Entertainment.
Big Show, we gonna have to go toe-to-toe, blow-for-blow.
See that big red nose I gave him, though.
The main event and the main attraction.
[Shane] Anybody in the pay-per-view and boxing business is extremely nervous.
Is the risk worth the reward?
Twenty million is always work.
I'm the boxer, the promoter, and the big money-getter.
We're gonna go count a million dollars in cash.
It's your man, Money Mayweather. Lifestyle flashy.
One, two, three, four, five, six.
This is my house.
It's beautiful.
Seven, eight, nine, ten.
Here's the living room area. Everything is customized.
That's 800,000.
I'm gonna show you guys my clothes, my closet, all my shoes.
I've got about 80 pairs of Prada shoes. More Prada shoes.
Customized pants, custom jackets.
A lot, lot, lot.
-That's $900,000. -[camera shutter clicking]
A million dollars cash.
Floyd the king.
And it smells good, too.
Money. Big cash, cash, money.
I only know one president.
I can't tell you who the president is right now.
I can tell you who Ben Franklin is.
You know, I'm here to stay.
So they might as well take them two Ws… Flip it upside down…
Turn them upside down. We call it Money Mayweather Entertainment.
Money Mayweather Entertainment, baby.
-[music fades] -[coin clattering]
[fireworks popping]
["Slow Chemical" by Finger Eleven playing]
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Justin] This contest is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, weighing 323 pounds, Kane!
[Cole] The sinister Big Red Machine
who loves to inflict pain on his opponents, actually enjoys it.
Coming up next, Kane in a huge Tag Team Matchup.
After an assault at the hands of The Big Show,
and then an attack by Chuck Palumbo last week,
there's no way Jamie Noble is 100% tonight.
But he teams with Kane, in his words, to get some revenge on Palumbo.
[Coachman] Well, you got to give Jamie Noble a lot of credit,
a lot of heart for coming out here.
100%? Are you kidding me?
["You Will Remember Me" by Jim Johnston playing]
[Justin] Introducing their opponents.
First, riding with a rig from San Diego, California,
weighing 280 pounds,
Chuck Palumbo!
[Cole] Palumbo showing his true colors here last week, Coach.
Big Show with body shot after body shot, pummeling Jamie Noble,
causing internal injuries, forcing him to bleed from the mouth.
And what does Chuck Palumbo do?
We captured it on the WWE Mobile exclusive,
he attacks the injured Noble backstage,
and inflicts even more punishment.
[Coachman] Well, I think the last month or so,
if you can even hear me right now,
Chuck Palumbo has been in a world of his own.
I think it's a good world if you wanna be successful here.
I really do.
[Cole] Palumbo was in action against Kane last week, one-on-one battle.
Palumbo was very impressive. Kane picking up the victory, however.
["Da.Ngar" by Jim Johnston playing]
[Justin] And his tag team partner, from India,
standing over seven feet tall,
weighing 420 pounds,
The Great Khali!
[Cole] Coach, this past Tuesday night on ECW,
General Manager Arrmando Estrada made a huge announcement.
At WrestleMania, there will be a 24-man Over the Top Rope Battle Royal.
The winner to face ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero
on the same night, WrestleMania night.
The four men in this matchup,
four of the men who will be in the Battle Royal.
[Coachman] I mean, they've all got to be ecstatic about the opportunity
to not only win the Battle Royal,
but have a shot at the ECW Championship.
[Cole] What do you think Chavo Guerrero is thinking?
The ECW Champion.
The likes of Kane and The Great Khali and Palumbo in that Battle Royal?
It's… In my mind, it's a no-win situation for Chavo.
[Coachman] And Chavo's gonna have to sit there and watch it,
and know that one of the 24 men…
What if it's The Great Khali or Kane or Chuck Palumbo?
That in just a few moments, he's gonna have to face them during WrestleMania.
[Cole] And how do you prepare for one to twenty-four men?
-You can't prepare for 24 men. -[Coachman] No, you can't.
[groaning]
[Cole] This Tag Team Matchup underway.
Kane and Noble against Palumbo and Khali.
Look at Palumbo pleased with his loss to Kane last week.
[Coachman] Well, coming out very, very aggressive.
[grunting]
[Cole] Ooh! That'll rattle the insides.
Tag me!
[Cole] Jamie Noble, that pit bull-like mentality.
Injured ribs or not, he wants to get in this match.
[Coachman] It's amazing.
He wants a shot at Chuck Palumbo regardless of the situation that he's in.
Now might be the best time for Kane to tag and there it is.
[Cole] Jamie Noble.
He's been punished by Palumbo.
And look at that, ribs and all, the crossbody.
Noble injuring himself again, but right back on the attack.
[Coachman] I don't know how smart that crossbody was.
[Cole] Nobody ever said Jamie Noble was a Mensa representative.
Palumbo with that clothesline, vicious.
It all began over Michelle McCool.
[Coachman] Doesn't it always?
[Cole] Palumbo and Jamie Noble's relationship deteriorating.
[Coachman] There's always a woman involved.
[Cole] And look at the size of the seven-three,
420-pound Khali.
[Coachman] And instead of going after the chest,
he slaps the ribs, the midsection.
[Cole] It must be like taking a huge skillet,
but he smashed himself in the ribs with it.
[Coachman] Well, Jamie back to his feet,
doing whatever he can but… come on. You and I both know
that Jamie Noble is no match for The Great Khali.
[Cole] How the heck are you gonna throw Great Khali
over the top rope at WrestleMania?
[Coachman] It's gonna take more than one.
[Cole] Khali already won a Battle Royal last summer to become the World Champion.
Got an opportunity to win another one, get a shot at the ECW Title.
[grunting]
[Cole] Look at Noble.
-Oh! -[Coachman] Oh wow.
Noble doing whatever he can, but…
-[Cole] He's crazy. -[Coachman] He is crazy.
[Cole] Palumbo targeting the ribs yet again.
[Coachman] If Jamie Noble is smart,
he will get to Kane, tag out, and not come back in.
[Cole] Coach, he can't get to Kane. Kane is gonna come to Noble.
And Kane unloading.
Oh!
[Coachman] Oh no.
-[Cole] Great Khali. -[Coachman] He's… Oh!
[Cole] And the Khali Bomb to those injured ribs.
Great Khali tossing Noble around.
-The cover. -One, two, three!
And Khali and Palumbo pick up the victory.
[Justin] The winners of this match, the team of Chuck Palumbo
and The Great Khali!
[Coachman] I'll give Jamie Noble credit.
He got in there, gave it everything he had,
but at the end of the day, with the injured ribs or not,
no match for Chuck Palumbo and The Great Khali.
[Cole] Well, you saw Khali and Palumbo
slapping each other high five outside the ring.
In sixteen nights, all that camaraderie goes away.
Because it's every man for himself
in the 24-man Over the Top Rope Battle Royal at WrestleMania.
Watch Khali, went for the vise grip, switched it around into
the Khali Bomb,
rattling those injured ribs.
The height that Noble was in the air, thundering to the mat below.
[Coachman] Yeah. I'm always amazed by the height and how hard
he forces his opponents onto the mat.
Good job.
[Cole] And ladies and gentlemen, up next,
opponents at WrestleMania, partners tonight.
Two of the greatest Superstars in WWE history,
Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair
are in a three-on-two Handicap Match
versus Edge, Ryder, and Hawkins in a steel cage, next.
["Light It Up" by Rev Theory playing]
♪ I ignite, so hold on ♪
♪ 'Cause we're about to light it up ♪
♪ It's on tonight, so hold on ♪
♪ 'Cause we're about to light it up ♪
♪ So hold on 'Cause we're about to light it up ♪
[Cole] We are back on Friday Night SmackDown,
shaping up to be some WrestleMania weekend
for the man who will compete inside this steel cage
in a matter of moments,
the legendary Ric Flair.
And, Coach, what an emotional month it has been for The Nature Boy.
It all began with Ric Flair becoming the first active
in-ring performer to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
And of course, it will be a family affair as well.
Rocky Johnson, Peter Maivia, The Rock's father and grandfather
will go into the Hall of Fame.
The Rock will present them.
And the trailblazing pioneer, Mae Young.
And the WWE now welcomes the latest inductees
into the Class of 2008.
One word describes these two men, classic.
Come on, Dan. You know where the gold is.
[narrator] For nearly two decades,
Jack and Jerry Brisco ruled the tag team scene.
[Ross] They just did a stomp, and kick, and punch brawl.
They could outwrestle you.
[commentator] They come out really to show right here how great tag teams work
and how great tag teams wrestle.
[narrator] During their time in Florida Championship Wrestling,
Georgia Championship Wrestling, and the National Wrestling Alliance,
the Brisco Brothers captured an unprecedented
20 Tag Team Championships.
When your brother's in a tag team, I think there's a chemistry.
I think the brain waves are the same.
We don't need fists. We don't need to kick.
All we use is this up here.
Jack and Jerry Brisco adapted to professional wrestling
as well as any amateur wrestlers that I've ever seen.
Those two really stand out for me.
They love to be in the ring, whether it's amateur wrestling,
or professional wrestling, they loved it.
[narrator] The Briscos found success as singles competitors as well.
Jerry would go on to win several singles titles,
including the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship in 1981.
Not to be outdone by his brother,
Jack would capture the prestigious
NWA World Heavyweight Championship on two occasions.
The Brisco Brothers also proved they were a winning team
outside of the ring
when they opened the Brisco Brothers Body Shop in Tampa, Florida.
-[tires screech] -[car crashes]
Uh-oh. Better call Brisco.
[man] Brisco Brothers.
For my money, the Brisco Brothers
are the greatest brother combination ever in wrestling.
Growing up as a young kid, I had a great memory
of watching Jack and Jerry in the ring together,
working as a tag team.
And the legacy and the legend that they have left in the wrestling industry.
[narrator] Throughout their lives,
the Brisco Brothers have epitomized the word "team."
It is with great honor that we welcome two consummate professionals
and one of the greatest tag teams of all time,
Jack and Jerry, the Brisco Brothers, into the WWE Hall of Fame.
[crowd cheering]
[Flair] Woo!
["Also sprach Zarathustra" playing]
[bell rings]
[Justin] This contest is a three-on-two Steel Cage Handicap Match.
A team will be victorious when one partner wins via pinfall,
submission, or by exiting the cage with both feet hitting the floor.
Introducing the participants, first,
from Charlotte, North Carolina, "The Nature Boy"
Ric Flair!
[crowd cheering]
And what an emotional weekend it will be for Ric Flair.
WrestleMania weekend, the Hall of Fame,
the night before WrestleMania,
and then of course WrestleMania Sunday,
when Ric Flair takes on Shawn Michaels
in a career-threatening match,
because remember Mr. McMahon's edict,
the next one-on-one matchup that Ric Flair loses,
he must retire.
[Coachman] And we know how emotional Ric Flair can become.
The question is can he focus
against the man that has called him really his mentor for so many years?
["Sexy Boy" playing]
♪ I think I'm cute I know I'm sexy ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ I've got the moves That really move 'em ♪
♪ I send chills up Up and down their spines ♪
[Justin] Introducing his tag team partner, from San Antonio, Texas,
"The Heartbreak Kid"
Shawn Michaels!
[Cole] It is an absolute treat to have Shawn Michaels here on SmackDown,
and what a class act.
Shawn Michaels telling his friend, Ric Flair, his mentor,
"Hey, I wanna be there for you, partner."
"I wanna help you out inside that steel cage on SmackDown."
But imagine what is going through Shawn Michaels' mind,
the emotions running through his body knowing that he could be the man
to retire his close friend Ric Flair.
[Coachman] We know deep down, HBK doesn't wanna retire Ric Flair,
but HBK also realizes that at WrestleMania,
he's come to do one thing, and that's win.
[Cole] Shawn Michaels said on Raw Monday night
that something happens to him at WrestleMania,
he's transformed into a different person.
["Metalingus" by Alter Bridge playing]
[Justin] Introducing their opponents, at a total combined weight of 680 pounds,
the team of Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder, and the World Heavyweight Champion,
"The Rated-R Superstar" Edge!
[crowd cheering]
[Coachman] Michael, originally, this was supposed to be
a three-on-one matchup.
Edge could not be happy whatsoever that Vickie Guerrero
made it a three-on-two, and that two was Shawn Michaels.
[Cole] That's what I've been trying to run through my head all week long
since this match was announced on wwe.com this past Tuesday.
Why would General Manger Vickie Guerrero, Edge's lover,
who's done nothing but help Edge out at every turn for the past few months,
why would she put Edge in this matchup?
Gentlemen, gentlemen, excuse me.
[crowd booing]
Excuse me.
I-- I came with something to say.
I said that this match was going to be a Handicap Match,
which means that Hawkins, Ryder,
and the one that I love…
will be joined by the ECW Champion
whose last name happens to be Guerrero.
♪ Ooh, Chavo ♪
-[Cole] Doesn't shock me one bit. -[Coachman] Well, there you have it.
[Cole] You're wondering why General Manager Guerrero
agreed to allow Shawn Michaels to be involved in this matchup.
And look at Michaels and Flair, wasting little time
to get this Steel Matchup… Steel Cage Matchup started.
[Coachman] They're not wasting any time allowing Chavo to even get in this match.
Chavo Guerrero has been locked out of the cage.
But Chavo's been added.
It's gonna be four-on-two if Chavo can get into the steel cage.
[Cole] We're back on Friday Night SmackDown,
ECW Champion, Chavo Guerrero has been added
to the Ryder, Edge, and Hawkins team,
but has yet to get into the Steel Cage Matchup.
And now Chavo does.
So it's four-on-two against Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair.
[Coachman] And Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair almost have to have eyes
in the back of their heads, and there goes Ric.
[Cole] Ric Flair trying to escape from the cage as well.
Remember how you win this matchup, pinfall, submission,
or escape over the top or through the door.
Only one member of the team has to escape to win the match.
[Coachman] And I can't blame The Nature Boy.
Being four-on-two, you want to get out as quickly as possible.
[Cole] The 16-time World Champion chopping away at the current World Champion.
And it's Chavo Guerrero trying to keep Flair in the matchup.
[Coachman] And you knew it was only gonna be a matter of time
before the numbers overtook Ric Flair and HBK.
[Cole] Perhaps Edge, and Ryder, Hawkins, and Chavo have one thing in mind,
just beat down Flair and Shawn Michaels.
Take them out before WrestleMania.
[Coachman] I mean, it is only 16 days.
[Cole] And remember, this is not a career-threatening matchup for Ric Flair
because it's not one-on-one.
That will happen at WrestleMania
when Flair battles his partner tonight, Shawn Michaels.
[Coachman] And right now, there's nothing that Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair can do.
They hit one man and there's another man right behind.
[Cole] And this is where the number games come into play.
[both exclaim]
[Cole] Shawn Michaels getting all tied up.
Chavo using the cage as a weapon.
-[Cole] Oh, Spear! -[Coachman] Spear!
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] Michaels being assaulted three-on-one,
Flair having the air driven from his body.
Watch The Master Manipulator. Oh!
The Rated-R Superstar.
[Coachman] You know, Michael, you might be right.
Edge is not trying to score a pinfall or get out of the cage.
Edge just wants, apparently, to put a beatdown on.
[Cole] And Edge and Chavo blatantly tying Shawn Michaels up in the top rope.
There was no accident about that, ladies and gentlemen.
That was blatant to take Shawn Michaels out,
and now a sitting duck!
[Cole] And now, folks, this has… this has turned into a…
just an all-out assault on Flair and Michaels.
[Coachman] And Shawn Michaels more than happy
earlier this evening to come out--
Oh! And help The Nature Boy,
but that was long before he knew
that Chavo Guerrero would be added to this match.
[Cole] Shawn Michaels has said that Ric Flair's show
may be stopped at WrestleMania.
Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair's show may be stopped tonight inside a steel cage.
Look what you did to Michaels.
Look. Look at him, Shawn. Look at him.
Watch him. Hit him. Yeah, Ric! Watch him.
[Cole] Edge forcing Shawn Michaels to watch his mentor,
Ric Flair, be abused
as The Nature Boy desperately tries to battle out,
but it's four-on-one.
Oh!
[Coachman] And can you imagine, if this is the last time that Ric Flair
and Shawn Michaels ever team up,
this isn't the way that Ric Flair or HBK want this thing to end.
[Cole] HBK and Ric Flair may not be able to walk out of this cage.
-[Coachman] And this beatdown continues. -[Cole] Oh no.
Oh no, Flair, who's been…
He's been busted open! And that open wound slammed into the steel.
[Coachman] Edge talking trash to Shawn Michaels.
[Cole] That cage used as a weapon to perfection
by "The Ultimate Opportunist" Edge.
The soon to be-- Oh, look at Shawn Michaels doing what he can to--
But he's helpless.
Shawn Michaels is helpless and so is The Nature Boy.
[Coachman] Shawn Michaels is trapped right now.
-Watch this. -[Coachman] Here's a cover.
[Cole] A cover on Flair, and Edge, despicable.
[Coachman] This really is too much.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Shawn's whole intention was to help Ric Flair in this match tonight,
but Shawn has been rendered helpless,
forced to watch the carnage in this selfish and exploitative,
Machiavellian-like Edge
had this planned all along.
[Coachman] And now just raking the face, Michael, of Ric Flair
into that steel cage.
And Ric Flair, the crafty veteran.
The heart of the 16-time Champion,
but the numbers game again.
[Coachman] And when it matters, The Rated-R Superstar is there.
-[Cole] Oh my. -[Flair yelling]
[Cole] At some point, Referee Jimmy Korderas, I mean…
Can he stop this match?
I mean, I understand General Manager Guerrero made the matchup.
But this… I mean, look at Ric Flair.
[Coachman] Well, Jimmy Korderas knows the rules.
The men obviously know the rules and you can't stop the match
until somebody is pinned or leaves the cage.
Oh!
[Cole] Shawn Michaels… Shawn Michaels has battled out.
The Heartbreak Kid showing life.
[Coachman] Well, right now it is basically one-on-four.
[Cole] Shawn Michaels doing what he can, but just like that…
And quickly Chavo and Hawkins keeping Michaels tied up yet again.
Ric Flair.
[Coachman] Ric Flair doing what he can.
[Cole] The fiery veteran.
[Coachman] But, Michael, you're absolutely right.
-It is a numbers game. -[Cole] Oh no.
Shawn Michaels is absolutely helpless.
Shawn Michaels… victim of another Spear!
Edge seems… If you look at the-- look at Edge's face.
Edge is getting some sick pleasure out of what he's doing here tonight.
[Coachman] I don't think I've ever seen The Rated-R Superstar
as confident and as despicable as we're seeing him here tonight.
[crowd clamoring]
Watch him!
That's what's gonna happen to you!
[Cole] Edge measuring every assault on Flair.
Edge and Flair have had a long history.
Never any love lost between those two men.
[Coachman] And, Michael, you got to believe that somewhere deep down,
Edge would love to be the man that ends Ric Flair's career.
But if he can't do that,
Edge can certainly shorten it by helping here tonight.
[Cole] May shorten Shawn Michaels' career as well.
[Coachman] Oh no.
[Cole] Ric Flair is… Flair is motionless in the corner.
Shawn Michaels is motionless in the corner.
Edge, and Chavo, and Hawkins, and Ryder
with an absolutely heinous, sickening, disgusting display.
[Coachman] And they just continue and continue
and don't seem bothered by it whatsoever.
Flair, Michaels, signs of life from both men.
The Showstopper.
Oh!
[Coachman] If Shawn can somehow get the upper hand on Chavo…
[Cole] He's got nothing left.
-[Coachman] You're absolutely right. -Shawn has nothing left.
Ric Flair has nothing left. This is a glorified public assassination.
That's what this is.
Oh, and Michaels!
[Coachman] Michaels caught Chavo right in the midsection.
[Cole] But that's only one man.
There's three others Michaels has to deal with.
Ric Flair, a low blow to Edge.
Ric Flair with a low blow to Edge.
And The Dirtiest Player in the Game somehow…
[Coachman] But can Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels get up?
[Cole] Flair taking out three men at once somehow.
Michaels crawling back into the fray.
Flair somehow pulling himself up.
Guess Michaels and Flair has something left.
[crowd cheering]
Yes!
[Coachman] Well, there's something in that tank, Michael.
[Cole] Shawn Michaels, The Heartbreak Kid…
A furious comeback!
[Coachman] The Heartbreak Kid's starting to win the numbers game.
[Cole] Edge, a victim of the cage.
-So is Chavo. -[crowd cheering]
Hawkins and Ryder.
[Coachman] Right now, Shawn Michaels is just hitting anybody…
anything in his path.
[Cole] Shawn Michaels, he always somehow survives.
He's doing it again.
Michaels to the top rope.
Shawn Michaels with the elbow to the gut!
[Coachman] Perfect.
This is all really good, but there's got to be a pin
or there's got to be somebody going to the top.
[Cole] Or a submission.
But Shawn Michaels is about to tune up the band.
Shawn Michaels about to make Edge and company
pay for their sins here tonight.
Edge! Spear to Chavo as Michaels sidestepped.
-[Coachman] Watch out. -[Cole] Oh, and a double low blow.
-Ric Flair. -[Coachman] Oh, Michaels.
[Cole] Shawn Michaels… Flair with the Figure-Four.
Michaels with the inverted Figure-Four.
Double submission.
Will one of these men tap out?
[Coachman] Look out, Chavo's going to the top.
[Cole] Chavo Guerrero…
Frog Splash!
Breaks up the Figure-Fours but Chavo reinjuring the ribs
after that Spear from Edge.
[Coachman] This thing is absolute carnage.
All six men are down.
Who's gonna get out first?
[Cole] The door is open.
The World Champion, Edge,
The Ultimate Opportunist crawling to the door.
Trying to separate himself from the carnage.
-Oh my! -[crowd cheering]
[bell tolls]
The Undertaker!
[Coachman] It's The Undertaker!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] WrestleMania came early.
Undertaker, as Hawkins and Ryder
look to take out The Phenom like they did last week.
[crowd boos]
Undertaker… Look at Edge! Look at Edge!
[Coachman] Edge is trying to go over the top.
[Cole] Double Chokeslam. The World Champion trying to escape.
-Chavo what an interference. -[Coachman] Right against the cage.
[Cole] Rest in peace, Chavo.
But Edge is on the top of the cage.
[Coachman] Edge is gonna get out.
[Cole] Edge! Edge is over the top.
The Ultimate Opportunist wins the matchup.
[Justin] The winners of this match, the team of Chavo Guerrero,
Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder,
and the World Heavyweight Champion, "The Rated-R Superstar"
Edge!
[Cole] Yet again, Edge has escaped the wrath of The Undertaker.
[Coachman] And the smile on Edge's face,
and the frustration yet again on The Phenom.
[Cole] Edge keeps slip-sliding away from The Undertaker,
which means at WrestleMania,
if the Ultimate Opportunist can do it again,
The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania
could be in major jeopardy.
["Rest in Peace" by Jim Johnston playing]
[crowd cheering] by Jim Johnston playing]