[narrator] Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness
and out of the darkness comes Judgment Day.
Witness the one with his mouth full of deceit and fraud.
From his tongue spews mischief and vanity.
[Edge] This is my show.
[narrator] See the serpent, the generation of vipers.
How can they escape the sentence of hell?
[dramatic music playing]
[narrator] In this world, where the most vile of men are exalted,
will judgment fall on the wicked or will the wicked…
[man 1] Oh, my gosh.
[narrator] …rule the day?
Every word that men shall speak,
every action they shall take will be answered for…
on Judgment Day.
[announcer] And now WWE presents Judgment Day.
["Rescue Me" playing]
[fireworks blasting]
♪ Won't you come and rescue me Separate myself from me ♪
♪ Maybe I'm too blind to see ♪
♪ Save my life… ♪
[Jim] 14,822 fans has sold out the Allstate Arena in Chicago.
Judgment Day has arrived in WWE
and by 9:10, we'll know who has attained rapture
-and who has succumbed to rage. -♪ You can't erase ♪
♪ What's deep inside of me ♪
♪ I know I'm not a sight to see ♪
["This Fire Burns" playing]
[audience cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Justin] This contest is set for one fall.
Approaching the ring first from Chicago, Illinois,
weighing 222 pounds, CM Punk.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Judgment Day.
Alongside Hall of Famer, Good Ol' JR, my name is Todd Grisham.
And CM Punk's homecoming tonight,
not all that positive circumstance and happiness,
he's got a major, major obstacle in his path named Umaga.
[Jim] There's no doubt about that,
and certainly, the issue between CM Punk and Umaga exploded a few weeks ago
in Madison Square Garden.
It was Punk in a, basically, a 2-on-1 match,
a non-title match first against the World Champion Edge,
but Punk had planned to cash in Money in the Bank,
but Punk wins the non-title portion of the 2-on-1 match.
Whilst cashing in his contract to exercise Money in the Bank
and challenge Edge for the world title when he was struck suddenly,
inexplicably and viciously by Umaga.
[screams]
[Todd] So before CM Punk could officially cash in that contract
for a championship match,
Umaga intercepted CM Punk right in the act.
[inaudible].
["Tribal Trouble" playing]
[Justin] And his opponent from the island of Samoa,
weighing 350 pounds,
Umaga.
[Todd] You are looking at one of the most destructive forces the WWE has ever seen.
He is a savage, ladies and gentlemen,
350 pounds of pure unadulterated power.
[Jim] Umaga is a super heavyweight, to say the very least,
but more importantly, he is an athletic and combative super heavyweight.
[Todd] And he's definitely had it in for CM Punk the last couple of weeks.
CM Punk issued a challenge tonight for Judgment Day in Punk's hometown
and Punk is about to get what he wants.
[Jim] Many broadcasters say, "Oh, earlier today,
I had a chat with so-and-so."
I just want everyone to know
I had no conversation earlier today with Umaga.
I have no idea why Umaga has such rage at that man,
the Chicago Made Punk, CM Punk.
["Tribal Trouble" continues playing]
[inaudible].
[Todd] It didn't take long for CM Punk to turn his face to business.
Punk can't afford to be distracted by this sold out crowd
that is certainly in the corner of the Straight Edge superstar.
[Jim] It's always great to go home and have a family reunion
until the neighbor you don't like comes over for supper.
-[audience chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! -[Jim] That neighbor tonight is Umaga
and he's here to devour CM Punk right here in the "Windy City."
[Todd] And, JR, what's your strategy here if you're CM Punk?
You obviously can't go toe-to-toe with this strength.
[Jim] I think Punk's gotta use his leg strikes,
especially on the quadriceps, the thigh muscles of Umaga
and destroy Umaga's vertical base.
As long as Umaga is upright, he is deadly dangerous.
[Todd] Will CM Punk regret challenging The Samoan Bulldozer?
[grunting]
[Jim] Punk's a battler, he's a tough guy.
-[grunting] -[audience cheering]
[Jim] We'll find out just how tough CM Punk is
here in the very early going of our first match here at Judgment Day.
[Todd] We talked about the power that Umaga possesses
and it was on full display right there.
[Jim] Umaga brings nothing but high-impact.
You'll see very little finesse.
-[audience chanting] CM Punk! -[Jim] I'm not sure Umaga,
and myself included, can spell finesse.
[audience chanting] CM Punk!
[Todd] Don't forget, if it wasn't for Umaga,
CM Punk may very well be the World Heavyweight Champion,
but Punk still possesses that contract which he can cash in at any time…
-[Jim] Oh! -[Todd] …anywhere.
[Jim] I don't think it's gonna be tonight though,
by the way this match is starting.
Punk can use all of that motivation in the pre-match, but once the bell rings
and you stand face-to-face with a man like Umaga,
you've really gotta get in survival mode and hope Umaga makes a fatal mistake.
-[screaming] -[groaning]
[Todd] JR, in your opinion, is there more pressure on Punk
performing in front of all these hometown fans?
[Jim] There might be. You have a lotta fans, friends, family.
Everybody wanting tickets and talking about coming to the event.
It can certainly change the complexion and your mindset.
I don't think Umaga's had those issues here in Chicago.
[Todd] Punk certainly a hometown hero in Chicago,
the Grand Marshal of the Thanksgiving Parade last year
has been invited to throw out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game,
but judging by the action so far,
Punk may not have a very good fastball in a couple of weeks.
[audience chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Todd] Punk's main attribute though is violent kicks and punches.
Punk can kick you into next week if he lands one.
[groaning]
[Referee] All right, come on, break it up.
[groaning]
[Jim] Umaga showing that he has the wherewithal
to take advantage of a simple break on the ropes by CM Punk.
[grunting]
[Todd] And right into that steel post goes Punk's left shoulder.
[speaking Samoan]
[audience chattering]
[Todd] I wanna thank everyone for joining us
here on Judgment Day around the world,
being viewed in over 80 countries including Australia, Germany, Malaysia,
Egypt and in the United Kingdom on Sky Box Office.
And what a night it's going to be, ladies and gentlemen,
our main event here on SmackDown
will be for the World Heavyweight Championship,
Edge defending against Jeff Hardy.
[Jim] That's the main event tonight, that's SmackDown main event,
No. 1 Contender versus the world's champion.
And certainly, both these men would have their sights set,
one would think, eventually on the world's title.
CM Punk knows what it's like to be the world's champion.
He won it last year after cashing in the Money in the Bank contract.
[Todd] And as we saw just moments again, ago rather,
CM Punk actually beat the World Heavyweight Champion
in a non-title match, beat Edge,
hit the Go to Sleep and was gonna cash in that contract
before The Samoan Bulldozer ruined the party.
[Jim] It's gonna be interesting to see if CM Punk
can execute his favorite offensive weapon, the Go To Sleep on a 350-pounder.
[audience chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Todd] Or will we see that Samoan Spike, which has been so devastating for Umaga?
CM Punk wears the stars of the Chicago flag
on his trunk so proudly.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] And a huge knee, a mammoth knee right onto the jaw of Punk.
-And a two. -Two!
[Jim] Punk wisely rolling out of bounds, needs to create some time and distance
between himself and the Samoan savage
who is showing a relentless aggression here tonight…
and great flexibility.
[Jim] Umaga with that foot over the top rope and stuck it, big time.
[Todd] And this is not the homecoming that CM Punk had in mind.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] That's a 350-pound man showing amazing flexibility
to deliver a thunderous kick over the top rope.
[audience chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Todd] CM Punk has a history of performing well
against larger, stronger opponents.
Punk has beaten Kane, for instance, in the past.
So Punk knows what it takes to win. The question now is, can he do it?
Umaga… Oh, my.
[audience cheering]
That'll break your ribs.
[Jim] Again, Umaga striking using his mass.
That strength and power to his advantage,
with a very elementary yet effective high-impact maneuver.
[Todd] Umaga has faced some of the biggest names in all of WWE,
John Cena, Triple H, Kane, Jeff Hardy
and right now, Umaga having his way with Mr. Money in the Bank.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] And, JR, Umaga appears to be enjoying this,
and in no rush at all to end this match,
soaking in the atmosphere, the environment.
[audience chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Jim] Umaga is certainly a somewhat uncivilized individual,
enjoys inflicting the pain,
and may have taken just a moment or two too much time
in enjoying what was going on
as Punk got a counter and a much-needed counter.
No.
[Todd] Punk undeterred, he got him up, bad idea.
Umaga shifts his weight. Two.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Punk was hell-bent on slamming Umaga,
but Punk's body gave way on him.
He did get Umaga up,
but again Umaga with that claw on the trapezius muscle of CM Punk.
[Todd] Punk with that cavalier attitude would not be deterred,
convinced he could lift Umaga and, yes, he did it for a moment.
[Jim] Punk quite the individual, somewhat confrontational at times,
some of his peers might say.
[shouting in Samoan]
[Jim] Punk knows he's got to fight back up.
He's gotta get in a striking position.
Thus, CM Punk… create offense as quickly and aggressively as he possibly can.
[Todd] Punk getting some momentum and it's quickly put to a screeching halt
with an uppercut by The Samoan Bulldozer.
[Jim] Long way to go for Umaga.
[audience cheering]
And Umaga didn't quite make it to CM Punk's body.
The Straight Edge superstar gasping for air right now.
-Two. -[audience chanting] CM Punk!
[Todd] The accumulated blows that Umaga has landed
over the past five to ten minutes have taken a toll.
[audience chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Jim] All those body strikes, heavy-handed hard shots by Umaga
really testing CM Punk,
who shows his resolve by staying in the fight.
-[grunting] -[audience cheering]
[Todd] And Punk uses Umaga's own weight against him.
[Jim] And Punk flies.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] And that's where Umaga has to be, you said, for Punk to survive this match.
He has to get him off his vertical base
and right now, Umaga laying flat on his back.
[Jim] No doubt CM Punk wants to win this match in his hometown.
This move indicative of just how badly CM Punk wants to defeat Umaga.
[inaudible].
[Jim] Nice kicks.
[Todd] CM Punk, a mixed martial arts master
has traveled the world perfecting those strikes,
and one connects on Umaga's jaw.
[Jim] [inaudible] wrestling too like… Knee lift, a jumping heel kick by CM Punk.
Umaga staggering, but not down.
[audience cheering]
[screaming]
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Umaga may have struck his head on the ring post…
[audience cheering]
[Jim] … and a running knee to the face…
-[Todd] Oh. [Jim] …but Umaga overpowered
CM Punk's attempt at a bulldog headlock.
[audience booing]
[Todd] And Punk narrowly escapes that.
And from the second rope, a bulldog,
this is the best stretch we've seen from Punk this match. No.
[Jim] Power, brute strength by Umaga, still with plenty to spare in the tank.
[Todd] I'll say.
[audience chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Jim] Punk showing a nice athletic balance
and kicks Umaga in the temple with a big kick.
[Todd] Umaga appears disoriented. And now Umaga's flat on his back again.
Hooking the leg.
-Oh. -[audience cheering]
[Todd] 14,822 of our WWE Universe were ready to explode,
but Umaga just getting that shoulder up.
[Jim] Will that be CM Punk's best opportunity
to defeat Umaga in this match?
Punk thinks it's not.
[grunting]
[Todd] Again, Punk asking a lotta himself. Umaga reverses it.
[Jim] Samoan Drop may do it, and Punk holds on.
CM Punk holds on and survives Umaga.
-That heavily taped right thumb. -[Todd] Oh, wait a second.
[audience booing]
[Jim] Umaga might be thinking if the Samoan Drop doesn't work,
the Samoan Spike will.
Misses.
Umaga dazed.
[Todd] Three kicks to the temple. Umaga still up.
And again, Punk trying do the heavy lifting,
-the lower back gives out. -[Jim] Oh.
-Good grief, what a shot. -[grunting]
-[Jim] Oh. -[audience cheering]
[Jim] 350 pounds plus.
No, and the Samoan Spike, power move after power move after power move…
-[bell ringing] -…ruins Punk's return to Chicago.
[Justin] The winner of this match, Umaga.
["Tribal Trouble" playing]
[Jim] The deadly Samoan Spike would beat any man
and a valiant courageous effort tonight by CM Punk.
[Todd] Punk was going for that Go To Sleep several times.
That was the first opportunity.
It didn't work there, but Punk was not deterred, tried it again.
And this is where it really goes wrong, kick to the corner and then, look out.
[Jim] The Samoan Spike puts the exclamation point…
-on a very physical match. -One, two, three.
[bell ringing]
["Tribal Trouble" playing]
[Jim] When Umaga gets on a roll, when he gets the offense rolling,
he's very, very challenging to deal with.
Whoo!
[Todd] That was about as impressive of a return as you'll ever see, Umaga.
[speaking Samoan]
[Todd] Ladies and gentlemen, CM Punk's homecoming was plowed through
by The Samoan Bulldozer.
Is there anyone or anything
that can slow down this blood thirsty savage?
["Tribal Trouble" playing]
[speaking Samoan]
[door knocking]
Vickie, I got some good news.
-What? -Well, I just talked to the trainer
and he said that John Cena, well, John Cena is officially cleared,
medically cleared to compete tonight.
-What do you think about that? -Well, there you go.
He didn't back out like I thought he would. The match is officially on.
[sighs]
Vickie, I'm not gonna lie to you.
You've already lost Triple H to injury,
tonight, you're gonna lose John Cena as well.
Now, I know a lotta these people came here to cheer for John Cena…
and they're gonna be bitterly disappointed.
It's not good for business.
This company is bigger than any one individual.
You take him out, someone else will step up and take Cena's place.
Yeah. I know who'll step up. I know.
[audience cheering]
Hello, Edge.
I need to speak to my wife.
Oh, oh, I'll be over here.
Well, Matt, Vickie Guerrero stating that the WWE is bigger than John Cena.
Someone needs to step up and we know that in our ECW Championship match,
Jack Swagger wants to step up.
Well, Christian's first ECW Championship title defense is mired in controversy,
so be the goings-on from Backlash. Let's take a look.
[Josh] This is what happened just three weeks ago at Backlash.
The All-American American Jack Swagger and this was some underhanded
[Matt] Oh, no. Hang on. Hang on.
No. What were Swagger's intentions? We may never know.
What we do know
is that the cagey veteran Christian's intentions were soon found out
as Swagger goes face-first into the turnbuckle,
Christian hits the Killswitch
and then the words that rang through the ECW Universe will be heard.
["Just Close Your Eyes" playing ]
[Justin] Here is your winner
and the new ECW Champion,
Christian.
♪ Check one two Awww, yeah! ♪
[Josh] Well, that brings us to where we are right now.
That young man is the 21st century superstar.
He's a legitimate, incredible two-time All-American,
a former ECW Champion, the franchise player, Jack Swagger.
♪ And I'll show you That the heat you feel is mine ♪
♪ Yeah, fear's gripped you And it ripped you ♪
[Matt] Josh, many say Swagger has legitimate right.
What are your minions telling you?
[Josh] You've been saying for weeks that Jack Swagger has a legitimate right
and I still believe that Jack Swagger was attempting to do
what Christian executed at Backlash
and that was to become the new ECW Champion.
♪ On your knees! ♪
["Just Close Your Eyes" playing]
♪ Go! ♪
♪ If you close your eyes, your life A naked truth revealed ♪
[Josh] 14,822 peeps are jam-packed
in the Allstate Arena here in Chicago, Illinois
to see if this man, the current and reigning ECW Champion,
can defeat Jack Swagger and retain his championship.
["Just Close Your Eyes" playing]
[Matt] Christian seems to have that smug demeanor.
Of course, Christian's sophomoric humor poking fun at Swagger's speech impediment
may or may not have gotten under the skin of the first-year pro out of Oklahoma,
we will find out.
["Just Close Your Eyes" playing]
[bell ringing]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the ECW Championship.
Introducing first the challenger,
from Perry, Oklahoma, weighing in at 263 pounds,
"The All-American American", Jack Swagger.
[audience booing]
And from Toronto, Canada, weighing in at 227 pounds,
he is the ECW Champion, Christian.
[audience cheering and applauding]
[Josh] Well, you have to believe that the championship atmosphere
favors the veteran Christian.
How will the rookie Jack Swagger respond?
[audience chanting] Christian! Christian! Christian! Christian! Christian!
[bell ringing]
[Josh] Matt, we've seen Christian defeat Jack Swagger in non-title matches.
We saw Christian defeat Jack Swagger for the ECW Championship at Backlash.
How has that gotten into the head of The All-American American?
[Matt] If Jack Swagger can keep his composure
and execute a mat-based strategy,
Swagger could very well become the ECW Champion.
[Josh] Swagger, of course, the former ECW Champion.
[Matt] Here's that cagey way of Christian luring Jack Swagger to the outside.
This doesn't benefit Swagger at all.
Championship can't change hands on the floor, Christian knows that.
[Josh] Jack Swagger apparently just wants to get his hands
on the current ECW Champion Christian right now.
[grunting]
[Matt] Oh, but Christian going for the Killswitch early.
[Josh] Christian's preferred physical weapon, the Killswitch,
drops his opponent face-first.
[audience cheering]
Swagger, of course, will look to soften up the core,
the midsection of Christian,
looking to employ Swagger's favorite physical weapon,
the Gutwrench Powerbomb.
[audience chanting] Let's go, Christian!
[Josh] Champion and challenger feeling each other out
in the early goings of this contest.
[Matt] There's that collegiate acting coming into play.
Swagger firmly in control in this position.
[Josh] This is what you mentioned, Matt.
Swagger now has that midsection of Christian.
[Matt] I know what I'm talking about.
Some words are not allowed.
[Josh] Christian able to get back to his feet
and firing those elbows at the head of the challenger.
[Matt] Christian has a unique offense in and of himself as well,
like a sleek sports car weaving in and out of traffic
although there is obviously a 10-car pileup.
[Josh] And we know that Christian can pop off that Killswitch
from anywhere at anytime.
[Matt] Oh.
[Josh] Right now Christian creating a lotta separation
between himself and Jack Swagger, who's in your living room right now.
[audience clamoring]
-[Matt] Keep your eye on the champion. -[audience cheering]
[Josh] Christian building up momentum and speed.
[audience cheering]
[Josh] Watch out, Jack Swagger.
[Matt] You know, Josh, I love it, I mean, along with this hotly-contested rivalry,
Tuesday nights has Evan Bourne and the legend Fit Finlay.
And last week, we saw the son of the British Bulldog, Davey Boy Smith,
David Hart Smith emerge. So you'll see stuff like this.
-Watch Christian. -[audience cheering]
[Matt] Tuesday nights on Syfy are really heating up.
[Josh] Things are certainly heating up right now in this ECW Championship match.
Check out, Christian putting his body on the line for the ECW Championship.
[Matt] Swagger is smart now,
looking to get Christian back inside the ring.
[Referee] One!
[Matt] Swagger has a ten count to inflict some damage on the outside.
[Josh] And that's what Jack Swagger has in mind right now.
Christian goes ribs-first into the steel post.
[Matt] Very smart by the two-time All-American,
soften up that midsection, Jack, go to work.
Look, anyone that's ever had a bad back in the morning
can imagine what it must feel like to have a six-foot-six,
two-time All-American bearing down on you.
[Josh] Christian's gonna have a bad back tomorrow for sure. Swagger into the cover.
Take another look right here. The "All-American American" Jack Swagger
just launching Christian into the air into that steel post.
[Matt] Not only the post-strike, how about the fall,
that was about a five-foot fall right onto the mat.
Very smart now, look at how Jack Swagger positions himself
between his opponent and the ropes.
It's very hard for Christian to get out of this potential submission hold.
[Josh] Swagger just adding to the damage that is already done to the ECW Champion,
now taking the oxygen away from Christian.
[Matt] This great city of Chicago
has played host in many great championship moments,
Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Hall of Famer Ricky Steamboat,
have all captured championships in this city.
History could be against Christian tonight.
[audience chanting] Let's go, Christian!
[Josh] Jack Swagger certainly seems confident right now.
[audience chanting] Let's go, Christian!
[groaning]
[grunting]
[Josh] This is what Christian needs to do,
perhaps create some separation between himself and Swagger.
And here we go, oh.
[Matt] Swagger closing the distance there and maintaining the focus of attack.
I like the maturity of Jack Swagger.
[Josh] Swagger now into the cover once again, new champion, no.
Swagger has pinpointed the midsection of the current ECW Champion Christian.
[audience clamoring]
Is Swagger too confident right now, Matt?
[Matt] I don't think so. I think Swagger is focused and there's a difference.
Well, the fully focused Jack Swagger. Oh.
[audience cheering]
[Josh] The wherewithal of Christian
could be the break that Captain Charisma needs.
[audience cheering]
Christian calls his fans the peeps. He's trying to feed off of the peeps now.
[Matt] I'm not so sure if Christian needs to feed off of the peeps.
Christian has heart.
Christian's been around the block a few times to say the least.
[Josh] A multi-time Tag Team Champion, a former Intercontinental Champion,
Christian right now trying to get some momentum, but not so fast.
[Matt] Look at the power of Swagger, just adjusting a man on his shoulders.
[Josh] Christian able to smack the back.
Shoulders of Swagger are down, two, and, oh.
[Matt] Christian had a deep leg hook there.
[Josh] Now it's Christian into the buckle and Christian, here's that speed.
[Matt] Whoa. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
[audience cheering]
[Josh] Christian off the top rope and just missed Swagger.
Roll through there by Swagger,
shoulders are not quite down, now they are.
[Matt] Excellent job by the official there.
[groaning]
That's the Gutwrench Powerbomb,
if Swagger can get Christian up onto his shoulders,
he will send him crashing down on the back of his head.
Christian is still fresh.
[Josh] Christian once again just seems to be one step ahead of Swagger,
-who's in hot pursuit. -[audience cheering]
[Matt] Christian is firmly in control.
[audience chattering]
[Josh] A game of cat and mouse right now between the champion and challenger.
Look at the agility and power possessed by The All-American American.
Will we crown a new champion here? And… No.
[audience booing]
[Matt] Now, this is where inexperience will come into play.
How does Swagger respond?
He must be thinking to himself, what do I have to do?
[audience chanting] Let's go, Christian!
[Josh] Small package by Christian, has one…
And a pair of clotheslines, and champion and challenger are down.
[Matt] Notice, Christian rolls over onto his stomach.
It's instinct to stay off of his back. Take a look at the impact here.
Both men going crashing down. This is a grueling championship contest.
[Josh] Christian to his feet first, but Swagger right behind the champion.
[Matt] Look at the leg strength of Swagger.
[Josh] Christian wisely able to get to the buckle there.
Sunset flip from the second rope, Swagger switch, sits down,
shoulders are stack…
[Matt] Notice Swagger tried to put both hands down on the mat
to increase the pressure.
[Josh] Jack Swagger was a half a second away
from becoming a two-time ECW Champion.
[Matt] Oh. You're always taught to keep your hands up.
[grunting]
[Josh] Christian going for that tornado DDT got thrown off.
Oh.
[audience chattering]
And Captain Charisma, once again, in control of Jack Swagger.
-Can Swagger escape this time? -[Matt] Wow.
[audience cheering]
[Josh] Matt, is Christian perhaps thinking,
what do I have to do to defeat Jack Swagger?
[Matt] Now, Christian's been here before and Christian is the champion,
so Christian understands that he has the advantage.
[grunting]
[Josh] There's that amateur background of Swagger. Schoolboy.
-Christian stacked up. Hands on the… -[Matt] What?
[chattering]
[Matt] Okay. It's just a two count there.
Swagger seems slightly frustrated, Josh.
[Josh] Christian seems to be going for the Killswitch.
[Matt] If he can turn him… Nope.
[Josh] Ooh! Wow.
It looked like Christian tried to use the agility,
but Swagger turned it into an offensive maneuver
and immediately goes right back to the torso.
[Matt] That's like… No?
He pulls down his straps. Look at that.
[Josh] Now, Christian rolls Swagger up, who's stacked up on his shoulders…
-[Matt] He got him. -[Josh] …and Christian retains.
["Just Close Your Eyes" playing ]
[Tony] Here is your winner and still the ECW Champion,
Christian.
[Matt] Josh, how can you tell me that Christian didn't cheat?
How can you tell me Christian didn't steal the victory?
[Josh] I can't, Matt, I'm not blind.
I saw that Christian had his hands on the tights of Jack Swagger.
-[Matt] No. -[Josh] But like you say,
it only takes three seconds.
[Matt] You have to understand Jack Swagger's background,
in the collegiate round you're required to compete with your straps up.
It's unsportsmanlike to have your straps down.
[Josh] Hey, Matt, this isn't the collegiate round.
[Matt] Oh, okay. Point taken. Swagger needs to make the transition,
but Christian doesn't need to resolve to this type. I mean, come on.
[Josh] But wait a second, I mean, Jack Swagger did intend to cheat first.
Look at that, a handful of tights. You're gonna say you don't see that, Matt?
And then Christian lands on his feet,
there's the straps that you referred to earlier.
[Matt] All right. It's clever tactics on behalf of the champion here,
taking advantage of what he has in front of him.
There you see it, a handful of tights, but call it as you will,
Christian is still the ECW Champion.
[Josh] I'm sure Jack Swagger will have plenty to say
this upcoming week on ECW on Syfy,
but the bottom line is, Christian is still your ECW Champion.
[Matt] And he's still a cheater.
["Just Close Your Eyes" playing ]
Hey, man, what's going on? What's that all about?
Since when does a husband need a reason to see his wife?
-Oh, oh, husband and wife now? -Yeah.
Oh, the last I heard you two weren't even living in the same house together.
-Really? -Yeah, really.
The last I heard, there's some cross dressing idiot
that's calling my wife, your aunt, a pig, and you've done nothing about it.
-No, no. Whoa, whoa, whoa. -No, no, no, no, you call yourself a man?
You're nothing but embarrassment, Chavo.
-What? -Yeah. Now, if you don't mind,
I have a World Heavyweight Championship to defend.
[Todd] Ladies and gentlemen, dusk has begun to settle
in the nation's third largest city, Chicago, Illinois,
truly one of the great WWE talents in all the world,
standing-room only, as usual here at the Allstate Arena.
[Jim] And Chicago loves WWE, and they love the Bears.
Dusty Dvoracek, Chicago Bears. The whole host of Bears are here.
["Rescue Me" playing]
[Jim] Brian Urlacher, Jay Cutler, the new quarterback.
[Todd] What do I say new? A lotta pressure on his shoulders.
[Jim] I did talk to him earlier today, he's ready to go. And so is this man.
["Ain't No Stoppin' Me" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Justin] This bout is set for one fall,
introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Charlie Haas,
from Orangeburg, South Carolina, weighing 248 pounds, "The Gold Standard",
Shelton Benjamin.
[Todd] JR, Shelton Benjamin has a chip on his shoulder for a number of reasons,
but primarily because everyone has said that Sheldon pretty much
is the best athlete in the WWE today.
But some are starting to say John Morrison maybe in that same realm,
Shelton does not like that.
[Jim] Well, be that as it may,
it's certainly something else that I think John Morrison needs to be aware of,
and should we be perplexed
or expected that Charlie Haas is here with Benjamin?
["Ain't No Make Believe" playing]
[Justin] And his opponent from Los Angeles, California,
weighing 219 pounds, John Morrison.
[Todd] The Guru of Greatness came to SmackDown in WWE draft
and since then he's had several clashes with Shelton Benjamin
and for the most part, Benjamin has not gotten the better of Morrison at all.
[Jim] Gotta go back and forth between Benjamin and John Morrison.
Morrison one of the great draft picks as you alluded to, Todd,
coming to Friday Night SmackDown and these two men that'll compete tonight…
are certainly members of a vibrant Friday night brand.
[Todd] Some huge change coming over that draft.
John Morrison, earlier we saw CM Punk, later tonight we'll see Chris Jericho.
So SmackDown clearly loaded and ready to go.
["Ain't No Make Believe" continues playing]
[Jim] Benjamin has his game face on,
powerful, strong, got it all, does that man, Shelton Benjamin,
the former Minnesota Golden Gophers All-American amateur.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] This all started a couple weeks ago at Madison Square Garden
when John Morrison beat Shelton Benjamin
and since then Benjamin and Morrison have not seen eye-to-eye.
At one point, Morrison was squaring off against Chris Jericho
on WWE Superstars on WGN America
and Shelton Benjamin provided the distraction,
which cost Morrison a win. Oh, wow.
[Jim] That exploder suplex came quickly and suddenly from Shelton Benjamin…
[Todd] Benjamin wasting no time.
[Jim] Classic fireman carry takeover…
[indistinct chatter]
[Jim] …with that strike. Bam.
[Jim] Morrison followed up like the proverbial accordion
on his head and shoulders.
[Todd] His abs may have actually made the sound [inaudible].
[grunting]
Morrison, a workout freak, always trying to better his body,
better his in-ring ability and it's certainly paid dividends.
John Morrison truly one of the best young superstars in all the WWE.
[Jim] Benjamin had a little stutter step there that cost him.
Morrison able to counter and get back on the offensive advantage
and let's not, again, forget that Charlie Hass
that we saw with Benjamin in tag team action
this past Friday night against John Morrison and CM Punk
and what I thought was a tremendous tag team contest.
Oh, look at that.
Morrison has got more balance than Kelly Slater on those surfboard.
[Todd] That was a good reference.
-Oh, my God. -[Jim] Good Lord.
[Todd] John Morrison looked like Greg Louganis off the high dive.
[Jim] Yeah, and he hit his head, not on a board, but maybe on the floor.
That is like throwing caution to the wind here in the "Windy City."
But Morrison's first man to stand.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] Look at this again, ladies and gentlemen.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] That's breathtaking.
[Jim] That was all or nothing for John Morrison.
[audience clamoring]
[Todd] Morrison is showing you just how important it is for him
to be successful tonight, a win by Morrison here.
-[Jim] Whoa. -[audience cheering]
[Todd] Man, we talk about a win. Let's talk about Morrison's health
after being knocked to the floor from the top turnbuckle.
[Jim] Two things there,
Morrison found himself in a vulnerable position
and it also shows the resilience of Shelton Benjamin.
-[Todd] Oh, it's Charlie Hass. -[Jim] And now behind the referee's back,
Charlie Haas helping Morrison back in the ring.
[Todd] And now Shelton hooking that leg.
In your opinion here, as we take a look at this again and watch the distance
that Morrison falls to the ground after this kick.
-[audience cheering] -[Jim] Oh.
And that was a high-impact kick.
And let's see now if Morrison can respond from adversity.
[Todd] And, JR, in your opinion,
what will a win for either one of these superstars do tonight for their careers?
Will it elevate them to that next rung?
[Jim] I think it's gonna elevate him. Whether he gets to the next rung
and he earns a world title opportunity is up to our general manager.
But certainly it's gonna enhance their careers.
Winning at Judgment Day is good for anyone.
[audience whistling]
[Jim] Benjamin shows an amazing range going from those kicks off the ropes
to a snapmare and now into a seated abdominal stretch,
a wide variety of offensive approaches by the former All-American.
-C'mon, Shelton. -[Todd] I asked Shelton Benjamin
how he feels about those who compared John Morrison
and Shelton Benjamin's athletic ability.
And Shelton said, "Athletically, Todd, there is no comparison.
-He's not even in my league." -[Jim] Well, he may be right.
Certainly an arguable point.
[grunting]
[Todd] A cover now from Shelton Benjamin, two,
and Morrison gets that right shoulder up.
[Jim] Psychologically speaking, certainly Benjamin has an advantage
simply by the fact that his oftentimes tag partner Haas is at ring side.
Morrison's gotta factor that in. He's gotta process that information.
[Haas] All day long.
[Todd] Morrison, a well-rounded individual,
enjoys poetry, film, and acting,
but lately has focused on his in-ring performance
and you can tell the difference.
Morrison coming in on a wave of momentum
that big tag team match victory on Friday night
as Morrison and Punk defeated Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin.
Get him.
[Jim] Morrison sounds like a renaissance man of sorts.
[Todd] His finishing maneuver Starship Pain came from one of his poems.
I'm sure you read it, right? You read all his poems?
[Jim] I'm not really into poetry, but I'll broaden my horizons,
everything else in me seems to be broadening.
Nice wide base by Benjamin,
but you see how hard that it's taking Morrison to fight back up…
fight back up to a base. Benjamin sensed it.
[groaning]
Found vulnerability in the neck vise, exposed the head
and rammed the knee into the face of Morrison.
That's outstanding chain wrestling, ladies and gentlemen.
[Todd] Benjamin certainly knows how to do that,
an All-American at the University of Minnesota.
Also a fantastic track athlete.
[grunting]
-[grunting] -[Hass] Come on.
Come on.
[Jim] And right now Morrison with no answers.
-[grunting] -Put him out.
[Todd] Shelton Benjamin cutting off that blood circulation,
that oxygen to the brain now of John Morrison…
and this may do it.
[grunting]
[Todd] Morrison sinking down to the canvas.
[Jim] Well, Morrison known for his flying abilities,
his innovative offense,
you are not gonna see much innovation in this position.
Again, watch the wide base or the athletic base,
look at the feet of Benjamin, look where they are.
Equally distributing his weight, perfect athletic position,
whether you like the guy or not.
[grunts]
[Todd] Morrison trying to find some leverage here.
[Jim] Morrison, he should get his mojo rising.
In other words, get back in this contest and that's one way to counter.
[Todd] A big collision, looks like their heads may have collided
and both men now down.
[Jim] Referee will check both men and then begin a ten count.
One.
[Todd] Let's see if their heads did, in fact, connect.
[Jim] Absolutely.
Absolutely. And it would be a shame for this SmackDown feature attraction
here at Judgment Day to end by count out,
and it looks like that won't happen, at least on this exchange.
[audience chattering]
[Todd] Both these men very accomplished, serious competitors.
Look at this, shoulders down.
Five Intercontinental championships between them,
Morrison a former ECW Champion…
both men with multiple tag team titles…
but tonight it's all about one-on-one.
Who's the better man, who's the better athlete?
-[grunting] -[audience cheering]
[Jim] A quick counter, not an arm drag, but a dropkick.
Morrison is that quick.
You gotta love the upside of both these men.
Their great potential… Oh, man.
[Todd] Wow, into a side Russian leg sweep. Now, that was innovative. One, two…
-[Jim] Nope. -[audience cheering]
[Tod] John Morrison now finally starting to find his groove in this match
after Benjamin dominated the early goings.
[Jim] That was just a beautiful sequence of offense by John Morrison.
It takes great skill to execute that and then Benjamin again counters,
going back to a basic inverted backbreaker, not flying,
but coming in with a high-impact.
-The cover. -Two
[Todd] Both these men pulling out all the stops so far,
but no one's been able to find that one move,
that one moment that'll propel them to victory.
[Jim] Shelton Benjamin trying to ground… Oh, look at this.
John Morrison, he's so exciting to watch.
Watch this young man create all that innovative offense
and the knee just ran right through the head of Benjamin in the face,
he got a near-fall to John Morrison.
Morrison with that knee.
No John Morrison reference, but broke on through to the other side,
-if you will. -[Todd] That's two for you.
[groaning]
[Todd] I don't know what Benjamin had in mind there,
but John Morrison had the scouting list done, and oh!
[Jim] Oh, man!
[Todd] Benjamin showing you the strength,
carrying John Morrison's entire weight all the way across the ring.
[Jim] And Morrison landed very awkwardly in the turnbuckle, his body twisted,
his neck caught on the ropes.
And again, it's Benjamin with that cover cinched up tightly on the leg
and again, Morrison shows resiliency
and his will to win here on Judgment Day.
[Todd] At this point, it seems the match could go either way.
[grunting]
[Jim] Nice drop toe hold in the corner. Well-timed, well-placed.
Look at the balance of Benjamin.
Oh, Charlie Haas up on the apron, got dealt with by a Chuck Kick.
[Todd] The Flying Chuck connects.
And now, Morrison, look out, ladies and gentlemen, Starship Pain.
Two, three, that will do it.
-[bell ringing] -[audience cheering]
["Ain't No Make Believe" playing]
[Justin] The winner of this match, John Morrison.
[Jim] We're gonna see great things from both these men,
but you especially got to love the abilities of John Morrison.
He's a high-flyer, he'll take that chance, he likes to battle, create offense.
And ever since the very first Judgment Day that was held here in Chicago in 1998,
I don't think we've seen any offense as innovative as John Morrison.
[Todd] Look at this, one and a half rotations.
And then it was Shelton Benjamin's turn to send Morrison flying again
and then this is how it finished.
Charlie Haas tried to get involved here, Morrison says, no, thank you.
[Jim] Benjamin drove his head in the turnbuckle,
followed by the Flying Chuck Kick,
and then this split-legged corkscrew moonsault,
better known as Starship Pain, by John Morrison
with a simulating victory at Judgment Day.
["Ain't No Make Believe" playing]
[Todd] Is Morrison the better athlete? Well, that may remain to be determined.
But on this night, John Morrison was the better man, a fantastic match,
as The Guru of Greatness knocks off The Gold Standard.
["Ain't No Make Believe" continues playing]
["Reality" playing]
Well, I could say we weren't expecting this visit
from one of Monday Night Raw's newest superstars via the draft,
but it is been a bombastic beginning to the RAW career of The Miz.
It's not often you see a standing boo from over 14,000 of our fans here,
but The Miz is getting one right now.
Think about what The Miz has done over the past couple of weeks.
He's come out to the ring
and he has called out an injured John Cena.
Three straight weeks Miz has done that.
[Jerry] I wonder if this guy ever gets tired of having himself around.
["Reality" playing]
[Michael] At one point, the Miz honestly said that John Cena is afraid of him.
[Jerry] Miz says a lot of things.
[audience booing]
[Jerry] Look at that look.
Before I get started,
I wanted to recognize the winner of the previous match,
so give it up for Marty Jannetty,
I mean, John Morrison.
[audience chattering]
This won't be the first time…
that I followed Morrison and topped one of his performances.
So with that being said, let's cut to the chase.
I know John Cena isn't going to answer one of my challenges tonight.
I mean, I'm three-and-o…
and he has this match with the Big Show tonight…
and let's face it.
[audience] What?
What? What? What? You sound like a bunch of ducks, wak, wak, wak, shut up.
[audience booing]
[Jerry] How to make friends and influence people.
So since I can directly…
[audience chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck! You suck! You suck! You suck!
I haven't heard that one before.
Since I can't directly face John Cena tonight,
I'm going to challenge someone…
that can be a substitute for Cena.
[audience clamoring]
I mean, Cena is overrated.
He's disappointing, yet you all still like him.
[audience booing]
He's like this lovable loser.
Much like the Chicago Cubs.
[audience booing]
And speaking of the Chicago Cubs, look who we have in the audience tonight.
He's someone that is very Cena-like.
He's the All-Star Chicago Cubs outfielder,
Alfonso Soriano.
-[Jerry] [inaudible]. -[audience cheering]
-[The Miz] You know… -[audience cheering]
You know, Alfonso, I've seen you after you hit your home runs,
you're always doing this.
You're always doing this. Do you even know what this means?
It means, "You can't see…"
No, you can't see a World Series ring as long as you play for the Cubs.
[audience booing]
Oh. Oh, I know, I know, that was cheap. That was cheap. I know, I know.
So…
I want to apologize to anyone that was born before 1908
who actually witnessed… a Chicago Cubs World Series title.
And as for you, Alfonso…
if you have a problem with something I said, you can do one or two things.
One, you could win a World Series,
but we all know that's not gonna happen, don't we?
[audience booing]
Or two, you could serve as a Cena's surrogate
and get in here because you can't see me.
-Step up if you want. -[Jerry] What?
[audience cheering]
The Miz is calling… He want Alfonso to get in the ring?
Oh.
Oh, wait, wait a second, I'm getting a phone call. Excuse me.
Yeah. Really?
Really?
Oh, forget it, Alfonso, that was Lou Piniella.
He said that you can't do it
because, well, he'd rather you get your yearly injury
on the field rather than off.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[audience booing]
So I guess this isn't gonna happen.
Which means, since you are the substitute of Cena,
that means it's a forfeiture,
which means I have done something…
that no one has done on the Chicago Cubs in over a hundred years
of being in the World Series, reaches win four times.
That's right, The Miz, four, John Cena, zero.
Be jealous Cubby fans…
[audience cheering]
…because I am The Miz…
["Victory is Mine" playing]
[Jerry laughing]
[Jerry] Oh, you never… Is this who I think it is?
[Michael] Didn't think you'd ever be happy to see Santino, did you?
-No one is off-limits to The Miz. -[Jerry] Alfonso is glad to see Santino.
Seen a lotta Santino's twin sister lately.
-Now I'm glad to see Santino again. -[Michael] Santina.
[Jerry] Yeah.
[audience cheering]
What do you want?
[audience cheering]
I'm sorry, Fiz.
-[The Miz] I don't know… that's The Miz. -Don't get hot with me, okay?
[audience cheering]
I cannot let you continue talking like that no mores…
[audience cheering]
…because I heard you talk about the name Alfonso Soriano
and if I'm not mistake, that's a fellow Italian.
-[Jerry laughing] -[audience cheering]
[speaking Italian]
And maybe tonight after, me and you go out for a little bit of pasta
and we can make fun of that guy Steve Bartman, huh?
-[Jerry chuckling] -It's gonna be good time.
Listen, unibrow, this is Miz time.
What do you want? What do you want on Miz time?
Well, actually, I came out here to comment on,
recently I noticed that WWE Superstars are starting to resemble animals
in the animal kingdom.
For example, Vickie Guerrero, she looks like a pig.
-[Jerry chuckling] -[audience cheering]
It's true.
-And Vladimir Kozlov… -[Jerry] Uh-oh.
…this guy looks like Sam the American Eagle.
If you don't believe me, have a looks.
[Jerry] What?
[Michael] Oh, no. Sam's got a unibrow.
[Santino] I told you.
I always keep that when I'm on standby, just in case.
And… and what animal do I look like, Santino?
That's one easy one, Fiz. You are a jackass.
-[Michael laughing] -[mimics braying]
Enough. Enough seen, Santino. You mamma mia, tutti frutti.
Listen, Cena might not be out here, but I have no problem beating you down.
-Oh, really? Well… -Really.
…I hope you brought your metal detector.
Why?
Because…
I brought some guns.
-[Michael] Oh, my God. -[Jerry] Oh, look out.
And I'm not scared to use them.
[audience cheering]
[Jerry] Wow.
[Michael] Oh! Well, Miz didn't see the humor in it.
[Jerry] Miz with one cheap shot after another out here.
[Michael] Oh, Santino looking the pin the tail of the donkey.
[Jerry] Look at Santino go.
[audience cheering and booing]
[Michael] Now.
[audience cheering]
-[Michael] Santino unloading. -[Jerry] I don't believe it
I'm actually cheering for Santino.
-And Miz. -[Michael] Uh-oh.
[audience cheering]
[Michael] Now, Miz…
[audience booing]
Thank you.
[Jerry] Well, he claims to be at four and zero now against John Cena.
He's one and zero, it looks like against Santino now.
[Jerry] No one has been off-limits for the Miz.
As of late and now, who the…
Chavo?
[indistinct chatter]
[audience booing]
[Jerry] Chavo gloating over the fact that Santino is laid out after what,
by the way Santino referred to Vickie Guerrero. Hey, wait a minute.
[Michael] Uh, Santino is helpless.
-[Jerry] Look out. -[Michael] And Chavo with a frog splash.
That's what you get, huh? Who the pig now?
You're the pig now, Santino.
[Michael] So apparently, the brave Chavo
taking up the honor of his Aunt Vickie Guerrero.
[Jerry] Yeah, look at him, he's all proud of himself.
[Michael] Earlier, tonight Vickie husband's Edge
called Chavo an embarrassment.
We're not doing anything about the Santino verbal attacks
and Edge's words on Vickie.
["Chavito Ardiente" playing]
[Jerry] Well, I'd be embarrassed if… That's the best I could do.
Frog splash and that guy had already been laid out by The Miz.
Who need it now?
["Chavito Ardiente" continues playing]
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Chris Jericho.
[audience booing]
Chris, ever since being drafted to SmackDown,
you've talked about being disrespected,
and now you feel that there's a controversy against you?
Controversy, conspiracy, many different things.
I don't feel that there is, I know it.
Ever since I've been drafted to SmackDown, I've been vilified and chastised
by the inept general manager,
by an audience filled with parasitic gelatinous tapeworms.
I've been robbed of a chance at the World Heavyweight Championship,
not once, but twice.
That's not a conspiracy, that's not a controversy,
that's an attack on Chris Jericho.
I am the most talented performer of my generation…
and yet none of these hypocrites have faith in me.
They've faith in a man like Rey Mysterio, a man who doesn't get by on talent,
a man who gets by on the backing of a bias general manager.
A man who gets by on the pandering cheers of the bias, hypocrites,
who chant 619 every time he comes into the ring.
Oh, yeah, 619, 619.
[audience chanting] 619, 619, 619, 619!
You can chant and screams 619 all you want
because it's the closest you're gonna get to see it tonight.
I guarantee there will be no 619 tonight.
And I guarantee there will be a new Intercontinental Champion tonight,
Chris Jericho.
So deal with that.
[chuckling]
[bell ringing]
[Justin] Ladies and gentlemen, this contest set for one fall
is for the Intercontinental Championship.
[audience cheering]
[firework blasts]
["Booyaka 619" playing]
[explosion]
["Booyaka 619" continues playing]
[Justin] And approaching the ring from San Diego, California,
weighing 175 pounds,
he is the current Intercontinental Champion,
Rey Mysterio.
[audience cheering]
Well, JR, Chris Jericho pretty much said it plain and simple,
"I guarantee there will be no 619 tonight
and then I will be the new Intercontinental Champion."
Jericho made a point loud and clear, but this is not gonna be a debate.
This is gonna be an athletic contest
and this arena holds a very special place in the heart of Rey Mysterio.
He was at WrestleMania 22 in this arena when he won his first world title.
This is the first time Rey has been Intercontinental Champion.
This is a big match for Rey Mysterio on many fronts.
["Booyaka 619" continues playing]
[Todd] And Rey Mysterio has been known to rise to the big occasion.
At WrestleMania 25, Rey Mysterio beat JBL in 21 seconds
to win that Intercontinental championship.
[Jim] This is Rey Mysterio's fourth Judgment Day.
He is 3 and 0.
So Mysterio has never lost at Judgment Day.
[firework blasts]
["Break The Walls Down" playing]
[Justin] Introducing the challenger, weighing 226 pounds,
Chris Jericho.
[audience booing]
[Todd] Jericho said he's a man of virtue, a pure-hearted man
that does exactly what he says he's gonna do.
And tonight Jericho says he will become the new Intercontinental champion.
[Jim] Jericho said that he's no longer the new kid in town.
He should be respected.
He feels disrespected by the locker room, by our General Manager Teddy Long,
who Jericho equates to a manager, a GM like Mark Cuban,
someone that is always getting involved.
Long is a great general manager and Jericho's got a great opportunity,
that's why he came to Jericho,
got drafted to SmackDown looking for opportunity.
[Todd] Jericho knows a thing or two about the Intercontinental Champion,
no man has ever held it as many times as Chris Jericho has,
eight Intercontinental Championship run.
[Jim] But what I really can't condone is the fact that Jericho lashes out
-at the WWE universe. -[bell ringing]
[Jim] All the great fans that have supported him over his career,
he says no more,
none of that immense group of folks respect it
and I just find that appalling.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] Rey Mysterio last week says
that Jericho didn't need to worry about a conspiracy.
He only needed to do worry about the 619 and we almost saw it right there.
[Jim] I think sometimes Jericho reads too many Oliver Stone novels.
He's always got a conspiracy theory afloat.
[Todd] I don't see any grassy knolls here at the Allstate Arena.
[audience chattering]
[Jim] Jericho in his back of his tights has the letters "save me" in glitter.
They're so aptly placed where they belong on his [inaudible].
[audience chanting indistinct]
[Todd] Rey Mysterio the ultimate underdog…
has always persevered despite enormous obstacles.
[Jim] Well, Jericho maybe highly arrogant, but he's also highly skilled.
In a 30-plus-year history with the Intercontinental title,
no athlete has won it more than Chris Jericho,
Todd, as you mentioned, eight times.
Jericho looking for… to break his own record
with a 9th victory here tonight.
[Todd] Don't forget, not only does Jericho feel like he's been disrespected,
Jericho also feels that Rey Mysterio caused him his match against Jeff Hardy
and a shot at the world title tonight here at Judgment Day.
Oh! Oh.
-Mysterio. -[Jim] That's pretty amazing right there.
Mysterio out quicking…
[audience cheering]
…Chris Jericho, as Mysterio does most any human being he faces.
[audience cheering]
[Tod] Right now, Rey Mysterio really enjoying himself,
very confident in his ability.
[man 2] Another one.
[Jim] It's probably somewhat disconcerting for Chris Jericho
to be the recipient of high-risk offense.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Ray then high-fiving, now Mysterio paying that price
for perhaps being somewhat overconfident, one could argue.
[Todd] Earlier tonight we saw Shelton Benjamin
and on WWE Superstars on Thursday,
Rey Mysterio outlasted The Gold Standard, a very entertaining match.
[Jim] A little assist there, John Morrison at ringside
certainly put up a little bit of a distraction for Benjamin that night.
[Todd] Oh, Mysterio. How about that for a leg drop?
[Jim] That's an amazing leg drop by Rey Mysterio, looking for the win.
[Todd] And look at this again, how about the altitude, the elevation,
few can fly as high as Mr. 619.
[Jim] Serious hang time for Rey Mysterio,
taking a good chance early and it paying off.
[audience cheering]
We'll see great resilience,
we'll use that term perhaps too frequently… Oh.
[Todd] Oh, man.
[Jim] Both these men have shown resilience in their careers.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Mysterio from injuries, Jericho from injuries
and battling big event as the first ever Undisputed Champion.
[Todd] Rey Mysterio, a former World Heavyweight Champion
won the Royal Rumble in 2006.
Mysterio had certainly won some huge matches here in the WWE.
Tonight, another challenging obstacle, Chris Jericho, the Superstar of the Year.
[Jim] Yup.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] That's where Jericho gained the advantage.
[audience cheering and chattering]
[Jim] You see right here Jericho with springboard dropkick.
Nicely done, pulling a page out of Mysterio's book.
You know, Todd, when Chris Jericho debuted in WWE, as I mentioned earlier,
it was right here in the Allstate Arena.
I was sitting in the [inaudible] where we are right now
and Jericho was a keen man and made an impact.
Well, he's got a chance here at Judgment Day in Chicago again
to make another impact,
become a nine-time Intercontinental Champion,
he could do it here?
[Todd] Well, hooking the leg, Jericho, and a two count
and Y2J about a second away
from getting his 9th Intercontinental title.
[Jim] I would think Jericho would've a distinct advantage
mat wrestling Rey Mysterio.
Mysterio is rarely the biggest dog in the fight physically.
And Jericho's size and strength advantage should serve him well in this position.
[Todd] Rey Mysterio has known what he's wanted to do his entire life.
Again, wrestling at the age of 14 in a small church in Tijuana, Mexico.
And since then Rey Mysterio has become one of the most beloved superstar
that WWE has ever known.
[Jim] I think quite arguably,
Rey Mysterio is the most popular superstar ever on Friday Night SmackDown.
Oh! The head kick, better known as the enziguri.
[Todd] And Jericho, try and get ready, it's a… No!
[audience booing]
[Jim] Mysterio had Jericho's speed dial,
the counter, the cover, the count and a near-fall.
[Todd] Jericho's guarantee was almost blown up in smoke there.
Jericho said we would not see the 619 tonight…
and true to his word…
[Jim] Jericho disconnected the call, made a great counter and cover.
And now Mysterio trying to regroup.
[Charles] …four…
[Jim] Boy, you gotta marvel at the toughness of Rey Mysterio,
a man that weighed in around 175 or so our ring announcer said.
And there are these bigger men, stronger men,
each and every night seemingly, and look at this.
-Oh. -[Todd] Wow.
The Lucha Libre by Jericho. Cover, [inaudible].
No.
[Jim] That backbreaker and Jericho…
Wait, this is the same official, ironically,
that disqualified Jericho in Madison Square Garden
in the fatal 4-way that determined No. 1 Contender for tonight.
[Todd] And look at Jericho, phenomenal.
But I'm sure Y2J would say there was a conspiracy there, JR.
It should've been a quicker count, this match should already be over.
[Jim] Dangerous for Rey. And Mysterio hung up to dry.
-And this could do it. -One.
-Two. -[Todd] Two, ooh.
[Jim] Mysterio could have easily laid his foot over the rope and stop the count.
But on that occasion, again, Mysterio reaching down into his fighting spirit,
that great soul of his and kicking out with whatever was left.
Come on, 619. Come on.
[Todd] Jericho stalking Rey Mysterio right now.
[Todd] Rey Mysterio with an awe-inspiring arsenal from the top rope,
but right now it's Jericho
-who looks most… -[Jim] What?
Mysterio's going…
[Todd] Jericho is trying to take the mask off.
[Jim] Jericho trying to unmask Rey Mysterio.
I was so shocked to see it, I couldn't say it.
[Todd] Talk about disrespect.
That's the ultimate form to try and remove a Luchador's mask.
And now Jericho.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] Oh, it looked like Rey Mysterio didn't connect the way he wanted to,
but that's dialed in, flying crossbody. Two.
[Jim] Mysterio expert at using the ropes, the springboard to create more torque,
more force and pressure. Oh, what a sidekick.
Man, that was a… that was a home run right there.
[Todd] That may have been the knockout blow.
No.
[Jim] We talked about Jericho's resiliency and his toughness.
That was a great illustration of that point.
Mysterio caught that… delivered that kick right to the head.
Most men would not have kicked out, Jericho did.
[groans]
[Todd] Jericho said it's a conspiracy here in the WWE and on SmackDown,
but on Sunday, here tonight Jericho feels he can get his vindication.
[Jim] Look out. Jericho thinking he'll look for tear.
Now he's thinking Walls of Jericho
and somehow the leverage of Rey Mysterio paid off.
Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. This could do it.
One, two…
[Todd] Oh, no. I thought that was it.
[Jim] So did Jericho.
[Todd] Jericho, the type of superstar
that would claw your eyeballs out if he could.
You saw him try and remove Rey Mysterio's mask.
Anything Jericho can do that will gain him an advantage, Jericho will do it.
[Jim] Jericho told us on Friday night that his rapture would begin tonight
here at Judgment Day
upon his winning the Intercontinental title.
And right now, quite frankly, things are going Jericho's way.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] Rey Mysterio…
[audience chattering]
I think it's obvious who the WWE universe wants to see.
I was gonna to say, JR,
that Rey Mysterio feels a lot like the WWE universe does about Chris Jericho.
[Jim] Nice counter. Nice counter by Mysterio.
-[audience cheering] -[Todd] Look out.
[Jim] Dialed up, speed dial.
[Todd] Whoa.
[Jim] And Jericho countered a 619.
-Oh. -[audience cheering]
[Jim] Counter by Jericho, Walls of Jericho.
[Todd] Can he lock it in?
Mysterio trying to use that lower body strength to power up.
The kick won't get him free. Another one won't get him free.
-That will. -[audience cheering]
[Todd] Mysterio, will we finally see it?
-No! -[audience cheering]
-[Jim] Jericho executes it. -[audience cheering]
[Jim] There it is, center of the ring,
submission move, Intercontinental title at stake.
[Jim] Is Mysterio gonna tap?
Is Jericho going to become a nine-time champion?
[grunting]
[Todd] Is there a way out for Rey Mysterio?
You've gotta believe Rey needs that bottom rope.
It's the only way.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] The Walls of Jericho set firmly in.
[Todd] Jericho guaranteed victory
and he may pull through with that guarantee right now.
[Todd] What adaptive maneuver that was, but maybe too much.
[Jim] It's a cradle, there's a cradle, it could be [inaudible].
-[Todd] But got it done. -[Jim] But almost got it done. A long two.
Jericho has called himself the destroyer of hopes and dreams
and from Mysterio's legion of fans around the world, he almost got it done.
-[Todd] Oh, wow. -[Jim] And look at this.
[Todd] Huge impact. Two.
[Todd] We've talked about Rey Mysterio being tough,
how about the shots that Mysterio is taken so far in this match?
[Jim] Rey Mysterio's toughness and his will to win
are oftentimes overlooked by a spectacular aerial offense.
Never overlook the toughness of Rey Mysterio.
[Todd] Chris Jericho once called Rey Mysterio a minuscule piece of trash.
I wonder what Chris Jericho thinks of Rey right now
as Mysterio continues to bounce back.
[Jim] Jericho's been called many things, including an angry man in a suit.
But he may be called champion by the time this night is over,
unless Rey Mysterio can somehow connect on 619.
-[grunting] -[audience cheering]
[Todd] We saw it! We saw it! And then from the top rope…
-[Jim] Springboard, springboard. -Ladies and gentlemen,
Rey Mysterio has done it.
-[bell ringing] -[audience cheering]
[Todd] The guarantee is gone.
[Justin] And still Intercontinental Champion,
Rey Mysterio.
["Booyaka 619" playing]
[Todd] Chris Jericho said we wouldn't see it,
there's no way 619 will not happen tonight.
Well, guess what, it did happen, didn't it?
[Jim] The will and the passion of Rey Mysterio…
[audience cheering]
…just would not be, would not be more than here tonight.
[Todd] Rey Mysterio tried on numerous occasions to hit the 619.
That time it didn't work. Here's the second attempt.
Jericho got out of the way.
And then another miss as Jericho had it timed perfectly
and turned Rey Mysterio right into the Walls of Jericho.
[Jim] If you always wanna leave what has brought you to the dance,
and that's exactly what Rey Mysterio did right here.
You'll see it. Boom, the 619, springboarding,
again springboarding onto the chest of Jericho.
[bell ringing]
["Booyaka 619" continues playing]
[Todd] The biggest little man in the WWE, the exhilarating,
heart-stopping Rey Mysterio defeats Chris Jericho,
who guaranteed a win here tonight at Judgment Day.
["Booyaka 619" continues playing]
[Jim] Well, the new kid in town, but Jericho gotta sing another song,
a great victory for Rey Mysterio.
["Rescue Me" playing]
[Jerry] And we wanna send out a special thank you to Buckcherry
for "Rescue Me," it's the official Judgment Day theme song.
It's off the album Black Butterfly, which is in stores now.
[Michael] And Judgment Day tonight in the third largest city in the country.
There is gorgeous downtown Chicago, nearly 15,000 WWE fans
jamming the Allstate Arena for Judgment Day.
Up next, The Viper turns his venomous fangs toward The Animal.
[Jerry] Oh, you're right. The Animal must be unleashed tonight,
so much pent-up rage and frustration, Dave Batista taking on Randy Orton.
[Michael] And in Randy Orton's twisted mind, this is his time.
It's all about Randy Orton's Legacy.
[Randy] I have created a legacy that has resulted in the destruction
of the entire McMahon family.
This company revolves around me,
and that goes for the rest of the WWE, especially Batista.
Dave, I'm gonna tell you something that you already know.
You will not win this WWE Championship, not ever.
You see, Dave, I want to give you an opportunity.
I want to offer you the opportunity to be a member of Legacy.
When we were in Evolution together, we were unstoppable.
The only person holding us back from going on to the next level
was Triple H.
We don't have to worry about that problem any longer.
You won't be champion, I'll be the champion,
but at least you'll be on the winning team,
what do you say?
Don't you get it? I'm not here to help you.
I am here to hurt you.
[audience cheering]
I despise you.
-[Michael] Batista is in trouble. -[Jerry] Oh, no.
I loathe you.
[Michael] Randy Orton caused Batista four months of his career,
almost ended his career with a kick to the skull.
[Batista] It took me almost four months to get back in this ring,
and one thing that drove me was retribution.
[Jerry] Orton getting the taste of his own medicine.
-Whoa. -[Michael] Look it. Look it.
[audience cheering]
As far as Randy Orton is concerned, I'm gonna hurt him just like he hurt me.
[Michael] Batista hell-bent at destroying Orton.
[Batista] And then I'm gonna take away what matters most to him,
the WWE Championship.
[Michael] Cody Rhodes.
-Oh, it's the Batista Bomb. -Come on.
[Jerry] Batista has snapped.
[Michael] Is it finally time for Randy Orton to pay for his sins?
[Batista] I'm gonna hurt him.
[audience cheering]
♪ I hear voices in my head They council me ♪
♪ They understand, they talk to me ♪
[Michael] It was in this building on January 19th earlier this year
on Monday Night Raw
that Randy Orton's path to destruction really began.
It was the night
that Randy Orton punted the chairman of this company in the skull, Mr. McMahon,
beginning his path of destruction against the McMahon family.
[Jerry] And it's led us to tonight where Randy Orton himself has said,
"We're looking at the man that the entire WWE revolves around.
The WWE Champion."
[Michael] And there are many who will not argue that point.
Randy Orton not only took out Mr. McMahon, but he took out Shane McMahon,
he took out Stephanie McMahon
and then he did the unthinkable at Backlash.
He punted Tripe H in the skull, eliminating The Game from the equation.
[Jerry] Well, Randy Orton has eliminated a lot of his competition,
but one man he thought he had eliminated
is now back for retribution here tonight in Judgment Day.
["Voices" playing]
[Michael] Randy Orton claims that Batista will not win
the WWE Championship tonight…
as Randy Orton is living his destiny.
[Jerry] Well, those are all words,
much like the words we heard earlier from Chris Jericho.
What a great match that was, but his words didn't come true.
We'll see how Randy Orton's words play out.
["Voices" playing]
[Michael] Randy Orton once said you don't have to like him,
but you have to respect him. Do you believe in those words?
[Jerry] Well, I know Randy Orton believes it.
And let's face it, I mean, it's hard to argue with success.
You heard Randy Orton say himself, "He is a success", and that's the truth.
He has the gold to prove it. He has the one loss record to prove it.
He had the path of destruction to prove it.
["Voices" continues playing]
[Jerry] Like you said earlier, Michael,
Judgment Day is the day you pay for your sins
and Randy Orton has racked up a boatload of sins.
Will he pay for them tonight?
[audience booing]
-["I Walk Alone" playing] -[audience cheering]
[fireworks blasting]
[audience cheering]
[Jerry] Well, you're looking at the man and he's coming with one purpose in mind
and that's to hurt Randy Orton.
[Michael] Batista said earlier today that it's like a DVD
playing over and over in his mind, the night back in December,
when Randy Orton punted him in the skull, costing him four months of his career
and costing him the opportunity
to perform at the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania.
[Jerry] And the way you hurt Randy Orton the most
is by taking the thing that means the most to Randy Orton,
and that's the WWE Championship.
[Michael] Now Batista won that opportunity
by defeating the Big Show a couple of weeks ago
in the No. 1 Contender's match.
And tonight, it's Batista versus Orton for the WWE title.
[audience cheering]
[Jerry] Look at the intensity and look at that look on The Animal's face.
He'd like to break Randy Orton in half.
[audience cheering]
[Michael] But the very wary Orton
with that very icy face, the icy stare.
[Jerry] No, and ice water in his vein, you can bet on that.
[audience clamoring]
[bell ringing]
This match is set for one fall
and it is for the WWE Championship.
Introducing first, the challenger, from Washington, D.C.,
weighing in at 290 pounds, Batista.
[audience cheering]
And from St. Louis, Missouri, weighing in at 245 pounds,
he is the WWE Champion, Randy Orton.
[audience booing]
[Michael] These two competitors have a couple of things in common,
they're both four-time champions.
They both learned the tricks of the trade in one of the legendary groups, Evolution,
but other than that, they're polar opposites.
Orton, the third generation superstar
learning from his grandfather and his father.
For Batista, brought up in a single parent home,
raised by his mother,
learning on the rough streets of Washington, D.C. to get him here tonight.
[audience chattering]
[Jerry] All this past week,
we heard rumors of some sort of altercation
that Batista was involved in
and we see he's wearing the battle scars of that altercation,
eight stitches in the head of Batista and that could be a factor in this match.
[Michael] I don't believe those stitches will slow The Animal down, however.
A testament to the intensity of that man.
[Jerry] Man, we can only speculate that,
well, maybe Randy Orton had something to do with those stitches.
[Michael] WWE Championship on the line,
first call and elbow tie-up of the match, which is underway.
For Batista, King, he's gonna have to rely on the power game.
[Jerry] You're seeing a little bit of it right here.
That massive headlock applied by Batista
can literally squeeze the blood right out of your head.
[audience chattering]
[Michael] Randy Orton, his slyness,
that has gotten him to this point in his career.
[Jerry] Just can't help but feel that everything we see from Batista tonight,
it will be intensified, it will be…
I mean, just that extra added emotion,
that pent-up frustration and rage inside Batista is gonna be…
I just can't help but feel it's gonna be all let out on Orton tonight.
-[Michael] Can you blame the man? -[Jerry] No, not at all.
[Michael] Oh, and exploding is Batista.
Suplex by Batista, power game early. Here's the cover.
WWE title is on the line and a kick out by Orton at two.
[Jerry] Well, we've heard Batista saying that he despises Randy Orton,
he loathes Randy Orton.
[Michael] Randy Orton also called
that Batista made the biggest mistake of his life
-for not wanting to join Legacy. -Come on!
[Jerry] The thing that Batista wants to do now is hurt Randy Orton
by taking that WWE title, but what Batista's got to do,
he's gotta keep his head and he's gotta keep his wits about him.
He can't lose focus.
He can't lose his cool if he can't win, if he gets disqualified.
[Michael] Has to keep those emotions in check
and we've seen the emotions get the better of Batista over the past couple of weeks,
perfect example those past Monday night, disqualified in the match.
But The Animal looks very much in control in the early going.
[Jerry] Yeah. Somehow I can't help
but believe that Batista has waited so long for this.
Oh, man, look at the ever opportunistic Randy Orton.
[Michael] Well, that's vintage Orton there.
And now Orton looks to attack, standing dropkick.
And it allows the champion to buy himself some time.
[Jerry] I don't know if anybody delivers a more potent,
a more perfect dropkick than Randy Orton.
[Michael] You could see, as Orton exited the ring,
-that unsettling look in his eyes. -[Jerry] Oh, watch out here.
[Michael] Oh, and dropping Batista right on the spine.
-[Michael] Look at the eyes. -[Jerry] Good grief.
I thought Orton was gonna drop Batista backwards head-first
right into our fans there, on the concrete floor.
[Michael] Sadistic look has returned to Orton as he regains control.
[Jerry] I watched Orton in a match like this.
[Michael] Quickly into the cover for Orton,
hooks the leg, shoulder is down.
And Batista powers out.
[Jerry] It's like he goes into some sort of zone.
I mean, he's in some sort of strange place in his own head.
[Michael] You can almost describe his emotion at times as emotionless.
If it makes sense.
[audience cheering]
Maybe his face is emotionless, but I think there's all sort of things going on
in that sadistic, evil mind of Randy Orton's.
[Michael] This is where Orton's dangerous, methodically taking his time,
wearing his opponent down.
And you see now Orton has shifted gears.
It was at Backlash
in a tag team matchup that Orton won the championship.
Cover again by Orton. Chops the forearm right in the jaw.
Now it's Randy Orton who looks to wear down Batista.
[Jerry] Well, we talked about Batista's pent-up rage and frustration,
you know, I think that when we heard Randy Orton
offered Batista an opportunity to join Legacy,
I think Orton thought that Batista would gladly accept that.
And when Batista didn't, I think that…
[Michael] Well, I thought Batista was considering it as well.
[Jerry] Oh. I don't think he thought about it for one minute.
[Michael] Uh-oh. Look at Orton again.
Knee to the back, cover, looks to put Batista way early.
[Jerry] And I think Orton really felt Batista made a huge mistake
when he didn't accept that invitation.
[Michael] Did you notice, King, that Batista wincing in pain
as his hand went to his back?
[groans]
Again, for Randy Orton,
I mean, he's been waiting for this particular night for five years,
pent-up emotion of his own for Orton.
He's been on this mission to exercise the demons of the days of Evolution,
when he was excommunicated from that group.
[Jerry] And this, once again is a…
Well, we've seen Orton do this to numerous opponents.
[groans]
Just walk around
and stomp on every arm, leg, appendages sticking out.
[Michael] Not only the physical assault,
but mentally that has to wear your opponent down as well.
He's been able to have you away.
[Jerry] Orton's… I mean, let's face it, you got to give the devil his due,
he's a master at this.
He wouldn't be the WWE Champion if he wasn't.
[Michael] We just got to look back to last month at Backlash,
the way he won the championship…
took the title from Triple H.
[Michael] He's been trying what he can. Gotta get back to a vertical base,
bring the power game back to play, which he did there.
[audience whistling]
[Jerry] You may think you have…
You may think you have the upper hand on The Animal at times,
but Dave Batista's so strong, so powerful.
[Michael] He's nearly 300 pounds.
Orton trying to block those punches the best he can.
Oh, look at… Orton back to the sleeper. But Batista…
[Jerry] Batista able to turn it into more of a headlock.
Oh, look at that. Once again.
[Michael] Beautiful standing dropkick to the jaw.
[Jerry] Both feet right to the face of Batista.
-[Mike] Get it back here, Batista. -[Jerry] Those are devastating.
I can imagine, I mean, that's…
Imagine how much power and strength you have in your arms,
but can you imagine?
The strength, the power… Oh, both of Orton's legs.
[Michael] Or in Batista's shoulder to that point. And again.
Orton, back it off.
[grunting]
[Michael] [inaudible].
Knee to the temple, looks to put Batista away.
Look at the look in Orton's eyes as he dropped Batista skull first.
[Jerry] Good grief.
[audience cheering]
[Jerry] Batista just…
[Michael] Is this what Orton was looking for?
Look how he wraps up both legs, shoulders down and a kick out at two.
We always call Orton "The Viper",
but the way that he went into that near-fall there,
almost python-like.
[Jerry] I don't know how anybody, even Batista,
has the strength or the ability to somehow get your shoulders up…
[Michael] Uh-oh. Hey, look at Orton.
[Jerry] We've seen this diabolical stare down, preparing himself.
[Michael] Batista doesn't realize what is transpiring behind him.
Randy Orton.
[audience clamoring]
[Michael] Just thinking and calculating each and every move. Oh, no.
-[Jerry] Wait a minute. -[Michael] Look at this.
Looking to take Batista out with a kick, and a spear.
-[audience cheering] -[Michael] Batista thwarted the punt.
Orton wanting to put Batista back where he once was, in the hospital,
with another vicious punt, but Batista countered.
[Jerry] Batista with that huge spear had to knock all of the wind.
Let's watch this one more time.
Orton intent on delivering that punt, instead almost got broken in half.
[Michael] And perhaps the momentum is shifted to "The Animal" Batista,
with the WWE Championship on the line.
[audience cheering]
[Jerry] Orton can trade punches with the best of them,
but I don't know if he's gonna win a slugfest with The Animal.
-[groaning] -[audience cheering]
-[Michael] Orton glancing blow. Batista… -[Jerry] Whoa.
[Michael] And I believe The Animal is enraged.
-[grunting] -[Jerry] Oh, man.
-Come on! -[Michael] This is where Batista's scary…
-[groaning] -[Michael] …near 300-pounder.
-[grunting] -[audience cheering]
[Michael] Cover. Can he pin the champion?
Two count and a two in a half. Orton rolls the shoulder out.
By the look on Batista's face,
I believe Batista thought he had won the championship there.
[Jerry] Well, Batista's done, he's done some damage,
but he hasn't hit him… he hasn't hit Orton with anything…
capable of putting him away yet. Now look at Orton.
-I don't know. -Count, count, count.
-[Michael] Hey. -Count, count, count.
One!
-Get up here! -[indistinct chatter]
-[man 3] You got him, Dave. -[Orton] Count me out.
Three!
[Michael] Orton has just said… He just said, "Count me out."
[Jerry] He's begging the referee for a count out here.
[Michael] Well, if he's counted out, Orton will retain the championship.
And Batista realizing this,
knows he's gotta get Orton back in the ring.
A title can only change hands via pinfall or submission.
[Jerry] The referee is counting. Oh.
Orton content to stay outside the ring for the count of ten.
[Michael] The chase on. A count of five by referee Mike Chioda.
And look at Orton.
[Jerry] He's gonna just hold on to that ring post.
Seven!
[Michael] The referee at seven really, and he has no choice but to count.
Count of eight, Orton back in the ring. Batista pursued as well.
And Batista and Orton beating the count back in. And Batista…
-[Jerry] Wow. -[Michael] …exploding. Cover.
Will we crown a new champion? And no.
[Jerry] And Batista almost took Orton's head off.
I don't know, but to me, that's got to…
that's got to do something for the psyche of Batista
to know that Orton was gonna be content to get counted out here
to save that title.
[Michael] Again, Orton rolls out of the ring.
And Batista hell-bent on that,
finally the chase to happen again, but they have no choice.
-Move. -[Jerry] This is where Orton's dangerous.
[Michael] With a steel chair, he's always dangerous.
[Jerry] I think he's gonna intentionally get disqualified here.
[Michael] I wouldn't put it past him. Oh!
Wouldn't allow to use it Batista made sure.
[Jerry] You gotta watch it, Dave. You gotta get back in the ring.
[Michael] Batista thwarting Orton's every attempt.
First, the possible count out, then the possible disqualification.
-[Jerry] Look at Batista flying. -[Michael] [inaudible] pounder.
And Batista could be closing in on his fifth championship.
[Jerry] He got him!
-Was that a three? -[Michael] Two.
[Jerry] Man.
Batista pulling out all the stops coming off the top rope.
Slamming right into Orton and that's a two and 7/8.
[Michael] Uh-oh.
[Jerry] The momentum of this matchup has really changed now.
[Michael] And Batista looking to put Orton away
with the Batista Bomb, and again, the snake. The Viper slithers away.
[Jerry] Look at him now, he's begging for the title.
Where's he going?
[audience booing]
[Jerry] Oh, no. Come on.
[Michael] The referee's begun counting again. Batista in pursuit.
But Batista's gotta get Orton back in the ring before the ten count.
[Jerry] Orton just absolutely trying to run out of this arena.
[Michael] And now Orton trying to use the title. Spinebuster.
[audience cheering]
[Michael] Orton thwarted at every turn.
[audience cheering]
[Jerry] The referee has got the championship.
No longer in Orton's hands.
And Batista looking to finish off the champ.
[Michael] Oh, looking for the Batista Bomb.
Orton looking to counter.
And Randy Orton went for the RKO, and was countered by Batista.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
-Orton slammed right down on his head. -[Michael] Orton cannot put Batista away.
-[Jerry] Now… -[Michael] Oh, but perhaps that did it.
[Jerry] Oh. That may dislocate the shoulder.
[Michael] And now Orton is poised, ready to strike.
[Jerry] Look at Orton. He's enraged here.
-Oh, I sense an RKO coming here. -[Michael] The evil and sinister Orton.
-[Jerry] Watch it, Dave. -[Michael] Went for the RKO.
-[Jerry] No. -[Michael] Again countered.
Yeah, come on. Just go. Hey. Come on.
-[Michael] Hey, what… -[audience groaning]
-Ring the bell. -[Jerry] Wait a minute.
-[bell ringing] -What just…
[audience booing]
[Michael] A desperate Randy Orton survived.
And here comes DiBiase and Rhodes, Legacy, attacking The Animal.
[Jerry] I don't even what… I don't even know what the referee's…
the official's call was on this, but nonetheless, as you said,
Orton and Rhodes and DiBiase.
-The referee was slapped… -[Michael] By Orton.
-["Dawn" playing] -[Michael] What?
Ric Flair, "The Nature Boy."
-[Jerry] Ric Flair? -[Michael] Flair's here.
Batista's mentor, Ric Flair.
-[Jerry] Ric Flair. -[Michael] Flair unloading on Orton.
[Jerry] It's Ric Flair.
[Michael] Ric Flair from out of nowhere, and Batista.
[audience cheering]
-[Michael] Batista bombing the champion. -[audience cheering]
[Michael] And again, the assault by Legacy.
Ric Flair on Rhodes.
[Jerry] Look at that. He's all over. Cody Rhodes. Whoa.
Woo-hoo. It's right.
I can't believe… I can't believe what we've seen.
[audience cheering]
[Michael] Two great friends standing tall, Flair and Batista.
["I Walk Alone" playing]
[Jerry] Oh, and they figure it's…
Maybe Ric Flair came here tonight to see Batista handle Orton and…
couldn't stand by and see The Animal triple teamed.
This is great.
[Michael] Well, Randy Orton is still the WWE Champion.
Whoo!
But Ric Flair and Batista standing tall tonight at Judgment Day.
[Jerry] Ric Flair.
["I Walk Alone" continues playing]
-[Michael] The Nature's back. -[Jerry laughing]
[Jerry] All I can say is, you see Orton on his knees humbled, but not beaten.
[Michael] Batista to learn from Ric Flair in Evolution.
[Jerry laughing]
[Jerry] The Nature Boy's got his eyes on you, Orton.
["I Walk Alone" continues playing]
[Jerry] Ric Flair, amazing.
[audience cheering]
[John Cena] Every day I train.
[Jericho] Thousands of hours of practice.
[Batista] Things can go bad in an instant.
[Rey] Injuries can happen at any time.
[Triple H] My kneecap just kind of blew over to the side of my leg.
[Cena] I torn the pectoral muscle completely off my shoulder.
[Rey] I've had surgery five times in my left knee.
[Batista] The tendon's torn off the bone. I can hardly lift my leg anymore.
-[Cena] With every move I make… -[Orton] My body…
-[Edge] My career… -[Jericho] My life is on the line.
[John Cena] Don't risk yours. Please don't try this.
[soft music playing]
Oh, Extreme Rules.
Yeah, but you wanna talk about extreme, what about The Nature Boy?
-Let me give you one chop. -No, thank you.
Just in honor of Flair being back. It was great.
Let's talk about extreme, however.
How about the out of control giant, the Big Show
and the tear he has been on as late directed at John Cena?
Well, this is the one I've been waiting for. I mean, let's face it.
John Cena and the Big Show.
I mean, this is gonna be an explosion here at Judgment Day tonight.
[Michael] Well, the story between John Cena and the Big Show
began before WrestleMania,
but it really took a wicked turn for the worst at Backlash last month.
[Michael] This is a Last Man Standing Match.
It's about the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Jim] Oh, my God. Oh, my good Lord.
[Michael] I can see the wear and tear that this matchup has taken
on John Cena thus far.
-[Jerry] Whoa. -[Jim] Unbelievable strength.
[Michael] This has been a hellacious match.
[Jim] Oh! Gosh almighty. Cena's body is shaking.
[Michael] John Cena trying to wheel his way back into this.
-[Jim] Edge is up… -[Michael] Hey, wait, what the hell?
-[Jim] Big Show. -[Michael] The Big Show.
[Michael] He's not gonna do this. Not off the stage.
[Jerry] Oh, my God. Look out.
[Jim] Oh, my gosh.
-Referee is counting. -[Michael] Well, he has to.
[fireworks blasting]
Seven!
-Ten! -[Jerry] That's it!
-[bell ringing] -[Jerry] Edge is the world champion.
[Michael] Ever since the Big Show failed to win the world title at WrestleMania
at the hands of John Cena, the Big Show has been in a rage,
assaulting superstar after superstar.
That rage has just exploded tonight at Backlash.
[Michael] It is Big Show versus Batista
for the right to face Randy Orton at Judgment Day for the WWE title.
And it looks like Big Show may be going to Judgment Day.
[Jerry] Oh, my gosh, look, it is John Cena!
I can't believe he's here, much less standing on his own two feet.
[Michael] Hey, the referee is counting.
-Big Show didn't make the count. -[bell ringing]
[Jerry] Cena just caused the Big Show his chance at the WWE title.
[Big Show] I don't want just a match with John Cena,
I want to end John Cena's career.
[Vickie] He has internal injuries.
The doctors won't clear him for another two weeks,
but with that being said, I can make the match at Judgment Day.
Then you can let out all your frustrations.
[firework blasts]
[Michael] Oh, no. What's the Big Show doing here?
-Oh, this isn't good for John Cena. -[Jerry] John, just get out of there.
[Michael] Cena's not even medically clear to compete yet.
[Big Show] John Cena is not gonna walk into Judgment Day and beat me.
[Jerry] No!
[Big Show] He's gonna be lucky if he gets out of Judgment Day alive.
[Jerry] John Cena's… he's defenseless, he's helpless.
[Big Show] If you step in the ring with me, I'm gonna hurt you.
[Jerry] This is enough. He's trying to break Cena's back.
[Big Show] John, I am gonna hurt you.
♪ Well, it's the Big Show! ♪
♪ Come on ♪
♪ It's a big, bad show tonight ♪
[bell ringing]
[Lillian] This next match is set for one fall.
Introducing first, standing at seven feet tall,
weighing in at 441 pounds, the Big Show.
[Michael] Wow. The largest athlete in the world.
Gargantuan.
[Jerry] Seven feet tall, 441 pounds.
[Michael] Actually, Big Show did say earlier this week,
he weighted in at 485 pounds.
It's bad enough having to battle this man, King, when you're a 100%.
Imagine going to this matchup like Cena. He's beaten up, banged up, bruised.
[Jerry] Look at that look on the face of the Big Show,
just total disdain for everyone.
He's just in a foul mood.
[Michael] He's upset with Cena,
cost him what he believed to be the world championship
back at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania.
And let's not forget that Cena also exposed the relationship
between Big Show and the General Manager Vickie Guerrero.
[audience booing]
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[audience cheering]
[Lilian] And from West Newbury, Massachusetts, weighing in at 240 pounds,
John Cena.
[Michael] Well, we learned earlier tonight
that John Cena is medically cleared to compete.
Oh, come on, King, there's no way Cena's anywhere near a 100%.
-Look at him. -[Jerry] I'm gonna give you that.
I'm gonna give you that, but you know what?
75% of John Cena is better than 100% of most guys.
[Michael] I'll give you that when you're going into the ring with a normal athlete,
when you're going into the ring with the world's largest athlete,
a man who weighs nearly 500 pounds
and a man who has a vicious, vicious knockout blow.
[Jerry] Oh, I'm not taking anything away from the Big Show.
That's the one thing that is in the back of my mind.
Somehow, John Cena must avoid that big right fist of the Big Show.
[Michael] And remember what Big Show told our General Manager Vickie Guerrero
earlier tonight.
"I know who's gonna step up when I take out John Cena."
[Jerry] Big Show referring to the fact that…
Triple H is out on the injured list,
and he guaranteed basically Vickie Guerrero
that Big Show is gonna put John Cena on that injured list
right here tonight after this match.
[Michael] And we know from how we viewed Cena in recent weeks
that his back and his ribs area all banged up
after being just thrown through that 7,000 watts searchlight at Backlash.
We have to wonder what kind of internal injury Cena may have suffered.
[Jerry] I'll be honest with you.
When I saw John Cena thrown through that 7,000 watt searchlight,
I thought it was the end of his career, possibly.
And for him to be back and in the ring with the Big Show here tonight,
to me, this soon is absolutely amazing.
[Michael] Cena told us last week that tonight he has to adapt and overcome,
and that he's not going to just compete here tonight, that he's going to win.
Cena will look to out-trick the Big Show.
Look at the smile.
[Jerry] That's a little bit of different strategy here from Cena.
He's kind of backing up.
[Jerry] We haven't necessarily seen that from Cena before.
Whoa. That is not a good sign.
[Jerry] Cena's showing some pain in his…
It's like in his ribcage and that's…
They've not even barely started.
[Michael] Big Show bellowing at Cena, "You're hurting."
[Jerry] Think he might be… hurt himself even more,
just getting out of the way of the Big Show.
[Michael] And Cena looking again to adapt and overcome.
[audience chanting indistinct]
[Michael] And there's no one who evokes as much emotion
out of the WWE universe as this man John Cena.
Not only among the 15,000 here tonight at Chicago,
but the millions joining us around the world tonight
in places like Australia, Mexico, the United Kingdom,
the Middle East and Spain, all watching live.
[Jerry] Uh-oh.
This is not good. Oh.
Cena trying to use his feet to keep the Big Show at bay,
but Big Show just caught him in midair
and delivered a huge haymaker to the ribcage of Cena.
[Michael] Attacking the lower back, the kidneys, the ribs.
Big Show's hands, the size of mallets.
[Big Show] Told you, you couldn't do this.
[Jerry] This is obviously not the norm of John Cena.
Your career ends tonight. You know this.
-[grunting] -[groaning]
[Michael] In every punch, just overly exaggerated by Big Show,
imagine the thrust…
-[coughs] -[groans]
…at Cena.
We've always talked about Cena's guts and resilience and heart,
showing it again here for a moment.
See the body contorted.
[Jerry] I mean, that was John Cena running full force at the Big Show
and then it was like hitting a brick wall.
-[Michael] Oh, man. -[Jerry] Good grief.
Come on, referee. Get him off of there.
[Michael] Five hundred pounds buried into the injured midsection.
What do you do? If you're John Cena, what do you do?
[Jerry] It's… It's hard to say.
I know there's one thing John can't do and that's stay away from the Big Show.
I mean, right now only John Cena knows
what his ribs and what his body feels like.
And it's gonna be all important in deciding what John does in this match.
[Michael] Well, on Raw, John Cena admitted to the world that he was hurt.
He said it. He said, "I'm hurt."
[audience chanting indistinct]
[Jerry] Oh, no. There you go.
[Michael] John Cena, again, looking to turn the tables somehow.
[audience cheering]
[Michael] A five time champion.
Runs into a vicious side slam.
Big Show looks to put Cena away, who kicks out.
[Jerry] John just not able to mount any sustained offense,
and I think, you know, he threw some lefts, some rights,
and that was working, but then when he hit the ropes,
and comes off, that gives the Big Show a chance to regroup there.
[Michael] And did you notice the look of surprise perhaps on Big Show's face
when John Cena was able to kick out?
[Jerry] Oh, yeah. The Big Show feels like he's got this match well in hand,
probably feels like he can win at any time he wants.
Right now you can just tell from the expression
he's basically toying with Cena.
[Michael] Cena having to use the ropes almost at every turn.
And look at Big Show.
Cena with the wherewithal to roll out of the way, but little damage done.
-And Big Show is playing possum. -[Jerry] Whoa.
[audience clamoring]
Come on, John.
[Jerry] Well, Big Show certainly didn't…
[Michael] Uh, Big Show is not gonna take a count out victory.
[Jerry] I was gonna say he doesn't have to be in any hurry here, but…
[Michael] But he wants to punish John Cena.
He's blamed John Cena for weeks and weeks and weeks
over his failure to win the championship at WrestleMania.
[Jerry] And nothing is gonna make the Big Show happier
than when can he walk back into Vicki Guerrero's office and say,
"I told you so."
[Michael] Look at the look in Cena's face.
-[Jerry] Don't do that. Look out. -[Michael] Driven to the steel.
[Chad] One…
[Jerry] Oh, man, that ribcage is crushed into that steel ring post.
[Michael] Cena trying to suck as much breath in as he can.
Four.
[Jerry] Well, watch this. Oh, my goodness.
Slamming John,
a helpless John Cena rib first at the ring post.
[Michael] That's the only way to describe Cena at this juncture, helpless.
[Jerry] I don't know if I could ever describe John Cena,
I know I haven't ever described him as helpless, and I don't…
It's hard to think…
[Michael] Oh, look, look, look, look, look, and Cena saw it coming.
He saw that camel-like clutch hold coming again.
And Cena was going for a bulldog, and Big Show countered.
But John Cena realized that if Big Show plopped that 500-pound frame into his back
and locked in the camel clutch, it was over.
[Jerry] Cena's just absorbed so much punishment.
It's hard for him to even sustain anything or hit any big move here.
[grunting]
[Michael] Feel that?
[Jerry] When you hear it, it sounds like a gunshot.
[audience clamoring]
Come on, John.
-Come on. -[Jerry] You know what?
I don't think I've ever seen Big Show enjoy a match
as much as he's enjoying this one.
I mean, he's literally having fun in there
while he's having his way with John Cena.
Getting more of those big shots from that big right hand.
[Michael] Yeah. Well, something like that.
[Jerry] Well, if you've got a fractured rib,
you're gonna be out a couple of months, maybe four or five, no matter what,
Any one of those big right hands, whoa, from the Big Show could break a rib.
-[Michael] And Cena… Uh-oh. -[Jerry] Oh, no.
And this could as well.
-[Michael] Those huge tree limb like arms. -[Jerry] A big mistake by John Cena.
[Michael] Gargantuan bear hug.
[Jerry] Trying desperately to warm his arm down through there
to break, to get loosen some of that grip…
[Michael] What must this be like for this man?
[Jerry] Well, it just crushes the breath out of you.
Not only that, if you've got injured ribs, as we suspect that John does,
I mean, just the pain has got to be absolutely unbearable.
[audience chanting] Cena! Cena!
[Michael] And trying somehow, twisting out power out of this,
but does he have any strength left? Does Cena have any power left?
[Jerry] He's got the grip broken.
[Michael] Look at the amazing power of Cena.
[Jerry] A headbutt to Cena's back from the Big Show.
-[Michael] That's what he did? A Headbutt… -[Jerry] I think so.
[Jerry] Well, Big Show said earlier
that thousands of people come to see John Cena and cheer for him
and they were gonna be bitterly disappointed.
So far I think…
all of John Cena's fans that are here tonight,
they're stunned silent right now.
[Michael] Big Show also said he has one goal tonight,
to end John Cena's career.
[Jerry] And we might be witnessing that.
[Michael] What's been scary now at this juncture of the match
is the fact the smile's gone away.
The smile on Big Show's face has been replaced by that scowl.
That whip just takes on unbelievable amount of force when it's…
[Jerry] You know what, I just can't help
but think that John has taken this night… He's come back too soon.
And this match was basically forced on in by Vicki Guerrero
before he was even medically cleared.
Just medically cleared today or yesterday, and then the match taking place now.
[Michael] Showing the wristband of Cena's. I mean, I just…
-[grunting] -[audience cheering]
[Michael] Cena, perhaps the only opening. Perhaps the last gasp effort for Cena.
[Jerry] Ah, don't hit the ropes. Oh, hey, that may have worked!
[Michael] Cena knocking the Big Show down to size,
gotta keep the big man off his feet. And he does that again.
And suddenly, adrenaline is pumping.
-[Jerry laughing] -[audience cheering]
[Jerry] We've seen John Cena do some absolutely amazing things.
-[audience cheering] -Let's see if the Big Show can see this.
You can't see me.
-[Jerry] Five Knuckle Shuffle. -[Michael] [inaudible] for Cena.
[audience cheering]
Can Cena persevere again?
[Jerry] Uh-oh.
[Michael] Well, the flurry may have ended or maybe not.
-[Jerry] Hey. -[Michael] Great counter by Cena.
[Jerry] Cena hits the DDT.
[Michael] Oh, look at… Going for the STF, going for the submission maneuver.
[Jerry] He's got it. No, he doesn't have it.
-[Michael] Not yet. -[Jerry] No, he doesn't.
[Michael] John Cena trying somehow to traverse the girth of Big Show's body.
[Jerry] Well, you know what, Big Show may just be too big.
Oh, man.
Yeah. Just the size of the Big Show will prevent Cena
from ever being able to get that hold locked in, that submission hold.
[Michael] Cena hooked the legs like he was supposed to,
but couldn't quite get the arms
-underneath the neck… -[Jerry] He's couldn't reach.
[Michael] Reach, as you've said, wasn't long enough.
[Jerry] Uh-oh.
[Michael] You take the STF outta the arsenal.
[Jerry] Now what does the Big Show got in his arsenal
that he's about to unload on Cena? Oh, no.
[Michael] This is one quarter of a ton of a man.
[Michael] 500 pounds crushing Cena and this one's ove…
-[audience cheering] -He kicked out.
[Jerry] That's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.
How did he do that?
-[Michael] John Cena just kicked out. -[Jerry] Literally after being squashed.
I don't even know a better way to put it than this simply squashed
by, like you said, near 500 pounds. Look at the Big Show.
[audience jeering]
[Michael] Big Show's going for a second huge splash from the second rope.
[Jerry] I don't think Cena can stand two of them.
[Michael] John Cena rolls outta the way.
And that impact may allow Cena to somehow close in on victory.
-Goes for the STF again. -[Jerry] He's going again.
-[Michael] Again, but look at the reach. -[Jerry] His arms just aren't long enough.
[Michael] Big Show is just too darn big for Cena.
[Jerry] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
He's hung up in that rope.
[Michael] What does that do psychologically for Cena,
who's got beaten down, bruised, battered,
and now he can't even put his submission hold on the man?
[Jerry] Well, that's gotta be pretty much devastating
to realize that one of the moves
that you finished off a lot of your opponents with
you're not gonna be able to use.
[Michael] But Cena still has something left. Cena to the top rope.
-[Jerry] Oh, be careful. -[Michael] [inaudible]!
[Jerry] Cena hit it.
[Michael] John Cena, a third time gonna try to lock in the STF.
[Jerry] But it can't be done.
[Michael] But what are the chances he got?
[Jerry] You're right. I don't think there's any way on earth he can…
He got a little closer there,
but I don't think there's any way he can lift the Big Show
for an Attitude Adjustment. This is… Oh, this is bad.
[Michael] Oh, no. John Cena in trouble! Face-first, ribs first!
[Jerry] And the Big Show just… dropped Cena,
as you said, face-first from seven feet in the air.
[indistinct chattering]
[Jerry] Uh-oh.
I think the Big Show is signaling that the end is near.
[Michael] John Cena looking… in all kinds of trouble.
Big Show looking for the knockout blow.
[Jerry] And Big Show has knocked out Cena before.
He wants to do it again. Can he do it?
[Michael] Cena doesn't see it coming. Misses the right hand and John Cena.
-[Jerry] Oh, he's got him up! -[Michael] Cena's got Show up!
-[Jerry] How's he doing it? -[Michael] The Attitude Adjustment.
-[Jerry] How did he do it? -[Michael] Can he do it? He did it.
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] John Cena did it.
[Jerry] Oh, my gosh.
[Lillian] Here is your winner, John Cena.
[Michael] A miracle victory.
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[Michael] John Cena running on fumes,
on just pure adrenaline from out of nowhere.
[Jerry] I'm telling you,
that is as impressive a move as I've ever seen.
[Michael] John Cena said he would adapt and overcome tonight.
John Cena did just that.
[Jerry] Well, we saw John attempt the STF about, what, three, maybe four times.
And just the mere size of the Big Show prevented that.
But I thought, and I think I even said there was no way on earth
that Cena would be able to lift the Big Show
for the Attitude Adjustment, but somehow he did.
[Michael] A phenomenal victory… for John Cena.
[audience cheering]
-[Jerry] Showing respect, all right. -[Michael] From the Cubs, Alfonso Soriano.
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[Jerry] And let's look back at this. The Big Show seemed to just dominate Cena
all through this match with that huge bear hug.
And watch, even more domination, the strength, the power
that Big Show exhibited.
But then, you see Cena hit the Big Show and tried for,
I think this was the third time he tried, for that STF,
just couldn't do it. The Big Show was too big.
[Jerry] And then Big Show had John Cena lined up for the knockout blow
when the amazing happened!
[Michael] And I think Cena knew he couldn't do this,
that's why he never tried.
But now faced with that big, huge fist,
he went for the impossible and somehow accomplished it.
[Michael] One of the most amazing victories
in the career of John Cena.
-A tenacious, fearless win. -[Jerry] Wow.
[audience cheering]
[Jerry] And you can be proud of that.
[Michael] John Cena said he wasn't just gonna compete,
he was gonna win.
I think there was only one person who believed that.
-That was John Cena. -[Jerry] You're right about that.
And I think Cena has made believers out of a lot of people here tonight.
The adrenaline is still pumping through John Cena's body.
[Todd] We are live in Chicago, Illinois, looking at the Sears Tower,
one of the tallest buildings in the world.
And three weeks from now,
we go from the Sears Tower to Bourbon Street, ladies and gentlemen.
New Orleans, Louisiana, Extreme Rules, Sunday, June 7th, live on pay-per-view.
And it is now time for our main event
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Jim] And certainly the questions is,
can Jeff Hardy once again grab the brass ring
against the Ultimate Opportunist in a rivalry
that is based, not only in time, but also in opportunity?
["Rescue Me" playing]
[soft music playing]
Jeff Hardy.
We started in this company just about the same time.
One thing has always remained the same between you and I.
I see an opportunity and I make the most out of it.
That's what I do.
[Todd] Edge has shocked the world.
[Edge] I'm a predator. I'm an opportunist.
[soft music playing]
[Todd] Not this way!
[Edge] And you, you get opportunity after opportunity handed to you,
and what you do?
You squander them.
[Jeff] Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I became WWE Champion…
-["Metalingus" playing] -[Jim] Swanton. Swanton.
Hardy wins. Jeff Hardy wins.
[Jeff] …I think I beat a punk that goes by the name of the Rated-R Superstar Edge.
[Edge] One good day out of 365 does not make a champion.
I'm the main event.
♪ But, baby, I'm alive ♪
This between you and I, this has to end.
And it's gonna end at Judgment Day.
[Jeff] I'm still missing something.
♪ It's not over now ♪
[Jeff] I'm missing championship gold.
At Judgment Day, it's coming back to where it belongs, to Jeff Hardy.
[Todd] Twist of Fate! Taking the risk. Oh, it pays off.
[Jim] Is this shades of Judgment Day from the No. 1 Contender
for the Heavyweight Championship of the world?
[Jeff] It won't be just for me.
It's gonna be for each and everyone of these people
who supported me through thick and thin, always believed in what I stand for
and that's being me, Jeff Hardy.
♪ Won't you come and rescue me ♪
♪ Separate myself from me ♪
♪ Maybe I'm too blind to see ♪
♪ Save my life and rescue me ♪
[audience cheering]
♪ You think you know me ♪
["Metalingus" playing]
♪ On this day, I see clearly ♪
♪ Everything has come to life ♪
♪ Bitter place and a broken dream ♪
[Jim] The Heavyweight Champion of the world making his way to the ring
here in Chicago.
[firework explosions]
[Jim] Chicago, a city rich in heritage.
beginning back in the early 1950s in the DuMont Network,
taking it to the WWE International Amphitheater
with big stars like Dick the Bruiser,
and The Crusher, Vachon, WWE Hall of Famers The Blackjacks
and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan from Chicago, hosting three WrestleManias.
And now we are here for what could be the final chapter
in one of the most storied SmackDown rivalries to date.
["Metalingus" continues playing]
♪ I've been defeated and brought down ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Dropped to my knees when hope ran out ♪
[Jim] Edge about as welcome here today as President Obama was in Notre Dame.
Not an overwhelming reception by many.
[Todd] Edge, the nine-time World Heavyweight champion.
His resume is long and impressive. There's no doubt about that.
[Jim] Edge has had a Hall of Fame career in WWE without question.
[audience chanting indistinct]
["No More Words" playing]
[firework explosions]
["No More Words" playing]
[Todd] He is the unique enigma and the No. 1 Contender
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
His name is Jeff Hardy and he is full of adrenaline.
He lives life on the edge. It's the only way he knows
and it has been very beneficial to Jeff Hardy's career.
[Jim] I was wondering earlier today, thinking about it last night
when I arrived here in Chicago,
if Jeff Hardy would paint his face tonight for this matchup.
It seems to me that we get a little something extra
when Jeff Hardy has his face painted.
A strike perhaps, as that may sound to some.
[audience cheering]
["No More Words" continues playing]
[Todd] Jeff Hardy said when he wins the title tonight,
it will be for all the fans
that have supported him in good times and in bad
and there's certainly been both of those occasions
throughout Jeff Hardy's career.
[audience cheering]
[bell ringing]
This contest set for one fall
is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Introducing first, the challenger, from Cameron, North Carolina,
weighing 225 pounds,
Jeff Hardy.
[audience cheering]
And his opponent from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, weighing 241 pounds,
he is the current World Heavyweight Champion,
the Rated-R Superstar, Edge.
[audience booing]
[Jim] [inaudible] uncomfortable moment earlier tonight
when Edge wanted a word with his wife.
[audience chanting]
That's a unique relationship.
[Todd] It's not supposed to be uncomfortable
when you have a word with your wife, is it?
[audience chanting]
[bell ringing]
[Jim] Referee calls for the bell, a one fall matchup.
Heavyweight Championship of the world at stake.
Jeff Hardy has earned the right by becoming the No. 1 Contender
in Madison Square Garden, winning a fatal 4-way match…
to get this opportunity to beat Edge.
[Todd] Outlasted some huge names, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio and Kane.
And, JR, they say it's harder to stay on top than to get there,
and both these superstars know that.
[Jim] Edge, a nine-time champion.
These men have won many, many championships
in their illustrious WWE careers, too many to mention.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] The last time we saw Edge
on a huge stage like Judgment Day was at Backlash,
when Edge defeated John Cena in a last man standing match
for the championship that Edge wears today.
[Jim] I like the arm drag utilized by Jeff Hardy.
These two guys have so many things in common.
They both grew up as fans of WWE.
Edge going to WrestleMania VI, as young man in his hometown of Toronto.
Jeff Hardy seeing a lot of WWE action as a youngster in the Carolinas,
when the WWE would pass through his area.
[Jim] But honestly, being in this main event tonight,
they're both living their dreams.
But Edge's dream could become a nightmare
if Jeff Hardy wins the world's title here in Chicago.
[Edge] No.
[Todd] We've already seen two championship matches so far tonight,
neither of those titles changed hands.
Will Jeff Hardy be able to get that World Heavyweight title
off the waist of Edge here tonight at Judgment Day?
[Jim] Former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka said that,
"Discipline is the key to winning."
And one has to wonder, can Jeff Hardy be disciplined tonight?
Thus far, the answer to that question would be yes.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] Edge certainly knows a thing or two about winning.
Not only a nine-time World Heavyweight Champion,
but to my knowledge, the only superstar to have won every championship
featured on both Raw and SmackDown.
He's won the WWE title, the World Heavyweight Championship,
Intercontinental title, US Championship,
and both the WWE and World Tag Team titles.
[Jim] That's that Hall of Fame career we're talking about.
Nice head scissors… [inaudible] the arm drag.
That quick, that sudden.
Quicker than the proverbial hiccup is Jeff Hardy in those arm drags,
and what it does, it not only punishes the upper arm,
but it frustrates the opposition.
That man is the opposition.
[Todd] It seems that any match Jeff Hardy is in,
he turns it into an extreme match.
But so far, it looks like a little bit of a different game plan for Hardy.
A variation on the roll the dice, crash and burn at every opportunity.
[Jim] Nice balance by Edge.
He balanced himself well enough
to get that reverse mule kick from Jeff Hardy.
He's going a little extreme here.
[Todd] Oh. Head over heels, Hardy. Flying right onto Edge.
And just when you thought
that perhaps Jeff Hardy was gonna play a little more conservative game tonight,
he changes that in a heartbeat.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy not only goes over the top rope and leaves his feet,
he does a somersault right here…
[audience cheering]
…using his lower back
to strike the impact on the champion.
Really, a dangerous move by Jeff Hardy and one that could cost him.
And just like that, again going to that proverbial well,
looking for that high risk, all or nothing.
Well, the high risk junkie Jeff Hardy.
[Todd] It was a Whisper in the Wind for Hardy and it was all wind.
These superstars both started here in the WWE about ten years ago.
As you heard Edge say, they've crossed paths several times.
Most notably at Armageddon
when Jeff Hardy won his first ever WWE Championship,
-and then again at… -[Jim] Oh, the spear, the spear.
First, the ring post.
Jeff Hardy then got in position and then the spear to the lower back.
Edge paying attention following up.
Edge could care less about winning this match by a count out.
Look at this. The spear, lower back and kidneys.
And that's after Jeff Hardy smacked the ring post.
We talked earlier about strategies.
I have a lot of respect for both of these men quite honestly.
They've done amazing things, but Jeff Hardy must be successful tonight
with his high risk offense to win the world title.
[Todd] Edge beat Jeff Hardy at the Royal Rumble
to win the WWE Championship,
thanks in part to Matt Hardy's interference on his brother
delivering that Twist of Fate
or perhaps Jeff Hardy would still have that championship to this day.
[Jim] Edge focusing now on the lower back.
[audience booing]
Edge hesitating, basking in his glory.
-[Todd] Hooking the leg. -[Jim] But can't look to the back.
[Todd] And at two.
[Jim] And the thing here now, remember, Jeff Hardy's lower back is banged up.
His body is hurt. He had to use a lot of energy to kick out. Edge knew that.
One, two, three.
[Jim] Edge dropped the elbow right into the kidneys again
and went right for a cover and now back to the lower back, the spine.
Smart wrestling by the champion.
[Todd] Edge has found his target. He's honing in on it.
-Two. -[Todd] Has that leg hooked.
[Jim] The key thing for Edge is not to get frustrated
-and his face is so… -[Todd] Looks like it's too late for that.
[Jim] He tells an amazing story. Wouldn't be a great poker player.
Edge's eyes tell an amazing story so many times.
[Todd] If Jeff Hardy was a poker player, he'd be in on every hand,
all in, rolls the dice.
[Jim] If you go in on every hand, here's what happens.
You go broke.
Jeff Hardy's got a pick of spots.
You might win a jackpot.
You might win a hand or two, but you can't play every hand.
Jeff Hardy can't take every chance,
but he's gotta take enough calculated risk.
Heard that term so many times. Calculated risk.
[Todd] Hardy trying to power out and does.
No. It looked like he was going for a Twist of Fate there,
but again, Edge back to that lower back and spine.
[Jim] Again, smart wrestling by Edge.
The champion looking for pin, a lateral press, he's got it.
And again, Jeff Hardy has probably used a lot of his reserve,
a lot of what's left in the tank, to kick out of that predicament.
[Todd] Jeff Hardy has certainly been through some wars
the past couple of months, namely with his brother at Backlash.
Jeff Hardy knocked off his brother, Matt, in an "I quit" match.
Made his brother say, "I quit."
[Jim] Jeff Hardy staying near the ropes. I don't think that's by accident.
He needs the sanctuary of the ropes
when he can get it in the condition that he's in.
-Hardy crossbody… -[Todd] Into a cover.
And it almost caught Edge by surprise.
[Jim] Again, Jeff Hardy creates offense by leaving his feet.
That was a calculated risk. A good move right into the jawbreaker.
It feels like Jeff's beginning to build some momentum.
[Todd] And so far that back holding up for Jeff Hardy,
although Edge has certainly inflicted some damage.
Hardy now to the top rope.
And again, a crash and burn situation for Jeff Hardy.
All in on the poker player.
-[Jim] Edge quickly going for the cover. -One, two…
[Todd] Two.
[Jim] You notice also Edge pull Jeff Hardy away from the ropes,
so Jeff couldn't use the rope to break the count.
So Hardy either lost or had to use more strength to kick out.
Great psychology, great in-ring leadership, if you will,
by the world's champion. He knows what he's doing.
[Todd] Edge is the Ultimate Opportunist, but very smart.
He never lets a situation go by
without looking at it from all different angles
and then striking when he feels necessary.
[Jim] I thought Hardy's face paint,
as crazy as it sounds, would just be an omen.
Maybe a good luck charm for him tonight that hasn't materialized.
[audience cheering]
[Jim] But that… certainly that clothesline does,
as Hardy quickens the pace.
Chicago.
[audience cheering]
-[Todd] Well, Edge says that Jeff Hardy… -[Jim] Look at this. Here we go.
[Todd] Hooking the leg. One, two… Not yet.
Edge says that he makes the most of his opportunities.
Jeff Hardy seems to squander his away. Will that happen tonight?
[Jim] Edge has also called Jeff Hardy a screw-up.
I don't think that's accurate either.
No one's perfect.
Well, Hardy… Look at this positioning.
Interesting…
Interesting takedown.
[Todd] A crossbody from Jeff Hardy connects. One, two. Oh.
We almost saw a new champion crowned.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy got great elevation.
And another of those high risk maneuvers that Hardy did have under control.
Hardy can become a human rollercoaster ride if he's not careful.
And that was the chance that Edge felt.
He had been in the ring so many times with Hardy, he felt what was coming,
able to make the U-turn at the ropes.
I'm surprised Edge didn't go for the cover.
[Todd] Jeff Hardy [inaudible]. Shoulders are down.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy catching Edge with a beautiful inside cradle.
I don't think Edge was thinking an inside cradle whatsoever there.
Edge thinking impaler DDT.
-Not this time. -[Todd] What's Jeff Hardy thinking?
-It looks like a sharpshooter. -[audience cheering]
-And it's locked in. -[audience cheering]
Well executed here by the Extreme Enigma.
[Jim] We've seen Edge use that sharpshooter on many occasions
very successfully.
[Todd Edge trying to will his way to that bottom rope.
[Jim] Edge is 6'4", long reach. Getting closer.
Referee in great position, if Edge does
and does make it finally to the bottom rope.
[Todd] A poll on wwe.com
asked our WWE universe who they thought would win tonight,
64% said that Hardy would win the championship tonight.
-[Jim] By the Twist of Fate, it could be. -[Todd] It may happen here.
-One, two… -[Todd] Two. Oh, no.
[Jim] Hardy with that Twist of Fate
almost sealed Edge's fate, but got a near-fall.
Certainly, the momentum has shifted in this world title match.
Again remember, ladies and gentlemen, it is one fall.
[Todd] Edge claims to be the best in the world at what he does.
And you've gotta be the… have bragging rights
when you're the champion, which Edge is.
But how long will Edge be World Heavyweight Champion?
It could end tonight at Judgment Day.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy predictably was thinking mule kick.
And then the counter, a counter.
-[Todd] He's got him. -[Jim] Sunset flip.
[Jim] Referee's hand coming down for the third time…
before Edge's shoulders just came off the canvass
and now Jeff Hardy is beginning to feel some of the frustration
we sensed with Edge earlier.
[Todd] Now Jeff Hardy perhaps beginning to show a little bit of frustration.
Both these athletes have had their opportunities in this contest.
It's our main event and it's for the World Heavyweight Championship.
These two SmackDown superstars squaring off here at the Allstate Arena.
[Jim] Edge on the top turnbuckle. A lot of things that bad can happen.
And this may be one of those situations when you're up there in a no man's land.
And Jeff… Oh, good grief. A Sunset flip from the top.
And Edge barely able to kick out.
We said that Jeff Hardy, that young man, loves living on the edge
and we're not talking about the Heavyweight Champion.
We aren't talking about just opponent here tonight.
It's literally living on the edge and that's what we saw.
[Todd] Jeff Hardy would love to turn this match into a demolition derby.
[audience cheering]
[Todd] Hardy not afraid to trade shots anytime, anywhere.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy is gonna live or die professionally by the high risk.
And again tonight,
I think it's going to take one of those great sensationalistic maneuvers.
Come on, Jeff!
-[Jim] I don't understand this. -[Todd] What does Hardy have in mind here?
[Jim] I don't have any idea. Well, I'm not gonna be sitting here.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy's got to…
Jeff Hardy's got to be careful he's not counted out or disqualified.
And the security wall's been exposed.
[Todd] Oh. One of the tables and those television monitors.
[Jim] The world's champion's body just bouncing off this table.
[Todd] And whatever is about to happen is not going to be good.
-[audience cheering] -[Jim] Oh, good God Almighty.
Edge catching Hardy in midair.
[Todd] A spear from about seven feet high.
[Jim] A sinister spear by Edge
catching Jeff Hardy running the security wall.
-[Todd] And that may do it, JR. -I'm gonna count to ten.
[Todd] A count out will give Edge his title?
[Jim] All Edge cares about is retaining the world's title.
[Jim] Referee has just started a ten count.
[audience jeering]
[Jim] Can Jeff Hardy recover?
[Todd] Edge is counting with the referee.
Edge wants this over right now in the worst way.
[audience jeering]
[Jim] Can one imagine the pain that must be riveting Jeff Hardy's body
as he's trying to will his way, reach into his soul?
-He's at nine. -Nine.
[Todd] Nine, one second left.
-And Hardy gets back in. -[audience cheering]
[Jim] Hardy beats the count by a second or less.
[Todd] And look at this again, ladies and gentlemen.
Hardy was preparing to go to the table and meet Edge,
but Edge meets Jeff Hardy halfway and look at that impact.
[Jim] It's indeed a human demolition derby as we have just seen illustrated.
And now, Jeff Hardy may have gone past the point of no return.
Hardy may not be able to even will himself back into this match
if Edge has his way.
[Todd] And from our perspective, JR, you can see the welts,
the bruises right now on the back of Jeff Hardy.
The damage has been done by Edge, but here comes Hardy fighting back.
-[Jim] Well, that was a great… Oh. -[Todd] A Twist of Fate.
[Jim] On the ropes, on the ropes, it is a Twist of Fate.
[Todd] And a leg drop. Is this Jeff Hardy's moment?
-[Jim] Go for it! -[Todd] Will we see a new champion?
-[Jim] Go for it! -[Todd] Two.
The foot was on the rope.
-Brilliant ring leadership there by Edge. -[Jim] I think it was luck.
I think Edge was lucky to be that close to the ropes
or Edge would've lost the title. Jeff Hardy had it there.
[Todd] And now Hardy, Whisper in the Wind and connects this time.
[Jim] Hardy goes again. Hardy goes again, Twist of Fate.
[Todd] No.
[Jim] Edge is reeling. The world's champion is reeling.
[Todd] Hardy is fearless, ladies and gentlemen.
Hardy's bold to do anything,
anything to have that gold around his waist one more time.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy, what's he thinking here?
Another chance.
Good Lord, both men over the top to the concrete.
[Todd] Where is Jeff?
Jeff Hardy risking life and limb on that maneuver.
[Jim] But the advantage here is to the champion,
who can retain the championship via count out
and Jeff Hardy knows that, feels that.
He's got to do something about that.
[Jim] Jeff Hardy trying to get over that security wall.
Hey, wait a minute.
[Todd] That… That is… That's Matt Hardy.
The referee did not see that.
We barely saw it.
[Jim] Did Matt Hardy strike his own brother with a cast?
Jeff Hardy looks to be out. Jeff Hardy looks to be out.
Edge has hooked the leg.
Oh, my God, Jeff Hardy somehow…
[audience cheering]
[Jim] Was that divine intervention on Judgment Day or what?
[Todd] Like you said, JR, I believe Matt Hardy's cast right there,
right across the skull of his own brother.
The referee didn't see it.
And for all intents and purposes, the match should be over right now.
[Jim] Good thing it's not,
because Jeff Hardy would not be in the fight
to win the title on disqualification.
Matt Hardy dropping outta sight like a thief in the night.
And Edge can't connect with a spear.
[Todd] Instead, Edge finds a face full of turnbuckle.
This is Hardy's opportunity, perhaps his last gasp.
[Jim] Hardy's got to be dazed.
He's got to be dizzy from that shot from the cast
and the punishment he's gone through.
Jeff Hardy fighting, trying to climb to the top for one last chance,
and he's still…
off balanced, unsteady.
[Todd] And Edge going to the top rope to meet Jeff Hardy.
-[Jim] Oh, my good God. -[Todd] The Edgecution.
[Jim] The nastiest superplex I think I've ever seen.
[Todd] Ladies and gentlemen, that will do it.
Edge has just retained his World Heavyweight Championship.
["Metalingus" playing]
[Justin] The winner of this match and still World Heavyweight Champion,
the Rated-R Superstar, Edge.
[Jim] Well, I'll tell you what, this is a hell of a wrestling match,
and I wanna say this,
Jeff Hardy's brother Matt once again shows his evil envy
of doing all he physically can to prevent his brother
from reaching the top of the mountain again.
Jeff Hardy's brother Matt had no business being here tonight.
None. Zero.
[Todd] I'm wondering, did Edge conspire with Matt Hardy
or did Matt come out of his own volition? I just do not know.
[Jim] Well, I know that…
["Metalingus" playing]
[Jim] Look at this.
High risk Jeff Hardy putting it all on the line.
Look at the hang time.
Look at the margin for error, little to none.
Both men still trying to come back in. And then watch this cheap shot.
-[Todd] Boom. -[Jim] The cast to the head.
[Todd] Out of nowhere. Jeff Hardy knew nothing about it.
He still may not know what happened.
And then Jeff Hardy struggled through, was able to kick out of a near-fall,
wanted to give it one more go, but you could tell,
he just didn't have the wherewithal.
[Jim] His equilibrium was messed.
His equilibrium all out of comfort from that shot from the cast
and Edge, the Ultimate Opportunist, saw that, took advantage of it.
And look at this nasty landing.
And that superplex, a devastating superplex.
One, two…
[Jim] When Jeff Hardy sees this take, he will be enraged.
But tonight, Edge is experiencing the rapture
of retaining the Heavyweight Championship of the world at Judgment Day.
["Metalingus" continues playing]
[Todd] Well, ladies and gentlemen, Judgment Day is over. The verdict is in.
Edge has endured and staggers away with his World Heavyweight Championship.
["Metalingus" continues playing]
♪ On this day, I see clearly ♪
♪ Everything has come to life ♪
♪ Bitter place and a broken dream ♪
Subtitle translation by: Venkata am ♪