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The main feud heading into Survivor Series is on the SmackDown! brand, with Batista and The Undertaker continuing their rivalry over the World Heavyweight Championship, which began after the Deadman won the 2007 Royal Rumble match and challenged Batista for the title at WrestleMania 23. At that pay-per-view, Undertaker defeated Batista for the championship, extending his WrestleMania winning streak to 15-0. The two faced each other at Backlash 2007 in a Last Man Standing match and then on the May 11, 2007 episode of SmackDown! in a Steel Cage match, which both ended in a draw. Undertaker lost the title to Edge, before The Great Khali won the title in July. Batista won the title back at Unforgiven defeating Khali and Rey Mysterio in a Triple Threat match. Batista and Undertaker most recently faced each other at Cyber Sunday, with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line. Batista won the contest after performing a Batista Bomb on The Undertaker to retain the title. On the November 2 edition of SmackDown!, The Undertaker asked Batista for a rematch, which was accepted by the champion. But the Phenom then revealed that the match would take place inside a Hell in a Cell.

Shawn Michaels versus Randy Orton is the main feud on the RAW brand heading into the pay-per-view with the two battling over the WWE Championship, which Orton currently holds. At the previous pay-per-view, Cyber Sunday, Michaels was chosen by the WWE fans via voting online to face Orton for the title, but Orton retained his title by getting himself disqualified. The next night, on the October 29, 2007 edition of RAW, Michaels was granted his request for a rematch against Orton at Survivor Series. Later in the night, the feud between Triple H and Vince McMahon continued with McMahon putting Triple H in a Handicap match against Umaga and Orton. Michaels interfered to help Triple H, attacking Umaga and Orton. Michaels and Triple H teamed up on the November 5, 2007 edition of RAW, reuniting as D-Generation X for one night only against Umaga and Orton. DX won the contest, after Michaels performed a Superkick to Orton.

The main feud on the ECW brand, is John Morrison, The Miz and CM Punk battling over the ECW Championship. The feud between the Morrison and Punk began at Vengeance: Night of Champions in June, when Morrison (then known as Johnny Nitro) defeated Punk to win the vacant ECW Championship. The two faced each other again at The Great American Bash and SummerSlam, with Morrison winning both matches. Morrison dropped the title to Punk on the September 4, 2007 edition of ECW, with Punk winning via pinfall. The Miz joined the feud in the weeks leading in to Cyber Sunday, as one of the three choices the fans could vote for via WWE's official website, along with Morrison and Big Daddy V to face Punk for his ECW Championship. Punk retained the title at Cyber Sunday against The Miz, who won the fans vote. Morrison defeated The Miz on the October 30 2007 edition of ECW and in the process won an opportunity to face Punk the following week with the ECW Championship on the line. Miz interfered in the title match, costing Morrison the contest.

Cementing a 'one-man dynasty'
November 18, 2007

Miami, Fl -Some of Randy Orton’s critics doubted his arrogant claims that he is a “one-man dynasty” when he won the WWE Championship, especially after he was knocked out five weeks in a row with Sweet Chin Music and got himself blatantly disqualified against Shawn Michaels at Cyber Sunday. Tonight at Survivor Series, like it or not, the Legend Killer went a long way toward cementing his dynasty by defeating the legendary HBK and retaining his WWE Title.

Michaels still left Orton something to remember him by – he put him to sleep again with Sweet Chin Music after the bell. When Orton awoke, his jaw was sore, but he could still smile happily and cradle his beloved golden prize.

Call it desperation – or call it outright fear of HBK’s Sweet Chin Music – but Orton made sure that he wouldn’t have to worry about Michaels’ most lethal move before the match. He had been knocked out cold by the superkick several times and knew that HBK had won three out of his four world championships with it. That’s why he persuaded Raw GM William Regal to ban Sweet Chin Music at Survivor Series.

Under the stipulation, if HBK used his lethal trademark move, the match would be stopped immediately. He would be disqualified and never get another opportunity at Orton’s WWE Title. However, the Legend Killer wasn’t off the hook. On the heels of his blatant disqualification at Cyber Sunday against HBK, if he was disqualified at Survivor Series, or appeared to attempt to get disqualified, he would lose the WWE Championship.

Though he could not use a disqualification to save his title, Orton came into tonight’s match confident. He believed that without Sweet Chin Music, HBK would be no match for him. However, the WWE Champion appeared to underestimate the motivational powers of revenge.

Michaels attacked Orton with a ferocity that has fueled him since his return from five months on the sidelines. He surprised Orton with an arsenal of submission holds, nearly making him cry uncle to a Sharpshooter, a crossface and an anklelock. The Showstopper wanted to hurt Orton for trying to end his career with a severe concussion six months ago. Michaels wanted to end the third-generation Superstar’s career and take his WWE Championship. He wanted Orton to feel loss and pain two-fold. With each punch, with each blow, HBK remembered how his wife and children sobbed when he was hospitalized and wondered if he would be able to resume his career. Michaels didn’t just want ultimate vengeance tonight; he had to have it.

But it wasn’t to be. Maybe it is just the crafty Orton’s time. He had long believed that Michaels was a roadblock in his journey to the top of WWE and resented him for occupying the spotlight – or “stealing the show” – for so long. Almost no one has gotten up after receiving Orton’s RKO, and Michaels was no different tonight.

Orton wanted HBK to declare that he was the best, but he only got a mouth full of Music. Michaels got a consolation prize with Sweet Chin Music and the adulation of his adoring fans, but he did not have his complete vengeance. At the end of the night, the spotlight belonged to Orton. At Michaels’ expense, he showed the world that he may be everything he has said he is. Orton will be crowing long and loud about how he survived HBK at Survivor Series. Will anyone be able to shut this one-man dynasty up?

On the Edge of Hel
November 18, 2007

Miami, Fl - During the weeks leading up to Hell in a Cell, the biggest question was whether it would be Batista or Undertaker who would step up to claim the victory, the lead in their rivalry and, most importantly, the World Heavyweight Championship. While our fans got the answer at Survivor Series – Batista won the match to retain the gold – the solution was overshadowed by the manner in which the problem was solved.

Unfortunately for The Phenom, there was one variable in the equation he didn’t anticipate: R. That’s R as in “Rated-R Superstar,” as it was a returning Edge who gave Batista the inadvertent lift he needed by screwing The Deadman out of his sixth World Title; at the same time, however, he ruined another tremendous effort by The Animal and The Phenom, one that was finally to put an end to their intense rivalry.

Before Edge's sickening attack, however, Hell in a Cell certainly lived up to its name and reputation, as both men were battered, bloodied, bruised and broken.

Early on, it looked as if both men knew what they were in for, but Undertaker stepped his game up a notch. The Animal blocked early attempts at both a chokeslam and the Triangle Choke, but couldn’t stop The Phenom once a steel chair got involved. Both men proceeded to throw everything at one another – and one another into everything – in an attempt to walk out victorious.

No matter what both men tried, they could not put the match away. While Batista escaped both a Triangle Choke and a Last Ride, The Phenom was just as resilient, kicking out of numerous spinebusters and separate pinfall attempts after two Batista Bombs – the second one seeing The Deadman thrown through a table. Both men were bloodied, battered and broken, but after a pair of Tombstone Piledrivers – the second coming on the base of the steel ring steps – it looked as if Undertaker had finally put The Animal away.

That’s where things went downhill for The Phenom. As he covered Batista following the second Tombstone, referee Mickie Henson was pulled from the ring … by Edge? Indeed, the Rated-R Superstar – who himself was forced to relinquish the gold due to injury back in July – disguised himself as a cameraman inside the Cell and struck at the most inopportune time for The Phenom.

Edge entered the ring, using the same video camera he had apparently been wielding all match as a weapon, striking a crushing blow down across Undertaker’s skull. With an angsty, bitter look on his face, the returning Rated-R Superstar then delivered a sickening Con-Chair-To to The Phenom, using the base of the ring steps as his steel accomplice. He then dragged Batista on top of Undertaker, forcing Mickie Henson to count the pinfall and award Batista the victory and the title. To add further injury to insult, Edge struck once more after the bout, smashing a steel chair across The Phenom’s face.

Clearly, Edge made a shocking statement, but why did he target Undertaker? SmackDown’s new backstage interviewer, Anastacia, caught up with the Rated-R Superstar moments after his conspicuous return, and you can see what Edge had to say exclusively on WWE Mobile on AT&T this Tuesday. While his reasoning is a burning query, perhaps the more pressing question is this: What will both the victor and the victim of his return have to say about it?

Hardy and The Game survive team turmoil
November 18, 2007

Miami, Fl - Despite the longest of odds, when all the smoke settled in the Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match, only Triple H and Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy remained standing.

Despite losing teammate Matt Hardy to injuries he suffered on SmackDown at the hands of MVP, The Game and Jeff Hardy survived the brutal team battle at the sold-out American Airlines Arena, defeating the team of Umaga, Finlay, Big Daddy V, Mr. Kennedy and the United States Champion.

Things looked bleak early for the The Game’s team as ECW’s goliath, Big Daddy V, eliminated Kane with a thunderous Ghetto Drop and elbow smash to gain the pinfall, leaving them at a 5-on-3 disadvantage. It got even worse when Umaga decimated Rey Mysterio.

The Samoan Bulldozer still had all five members of his team and they each seemed to taste victory as they stared down Triple H and Jeff Hardy, the only remaining members of their team.

Things looked up when Jeff Hardy eliminated MVP with his brother Matt’s signature move, the Twist of Fate. (Matt was undoubtedly smiling as he can’t wait to get his hands on MVP after his brutal attack on SmackDown on Friday.) Then an ill-timed splash from Big Daddy V crushed the ribs of Mr. Kennedy, and Triple H took advantage to cut the odds down 3-on-2. Jeff Hardy and The Game then teamed up to stun the ECW giant with an earth-shaking double DDT and even up the odds.

Jeff Hardy and Triple H continued to show their never-say-die heart. The Game snagged Finlay with the Pedigree for the pinfall, leaving Umaga as their only obstacle.

It took the combined resources of a Pedigree and a Swanton Bomb, but Jeff Hardy pinned the Samoan Bulldozer to earn the win for himself and Triple H against all odds.

As Umaga snarled and stared down the celebrating survivors, Jeff Hardy and Triple H, the two Raw Superstars knew their battles with the Samoan Bulldozer were far from over. But for one night, they had overcome overwhelming odds and added themselves to the 21-year tradition of survival.

Champ trumps champs
November 18, 2007

Miami, Fl - Skillfully capitalizing on the dysfunction of the newly crowned WWE Tag Team Champions, CM Punk retained his coveted ECW Title at Survivor Series. Enduring the strife of two presumably synced competitors (with the gold to prove it), the Straightedge Champion survived severe jeopardy and maintained his reign at the zenith of the Land of the Extreme.

The Miz and John Morrison seemed to be on the same page for a good deal of the match, until a last minute "Miz-take" that Punk capitalized on. The first man to earn a pinfall would win the match and the title; on Sunday night, that individual was the champion, himself.

“I’m feeling accomplished at the moment,” Punk told WWE.com, moments after his win. “Can [The Miz and Morrison] coexist? That’s a question for Dr. Phil. I don’t see how anyone can coexist with either of them."

He continued, “They’re both obnoxious, egotistical people, but they’re also stellar athletes and they’re tag champions right now so they better find a way.”

Forty-eight hours ago, it seemed like Miz and Morrison had mustered considerable momentum heading into their Triple Threat encounter with the ECW Champion. On SmackDown soil, the pair of pompous Superstars defeated MVP and Matt Hardy – not once, but twice – to become the latest odd couple in sports-entertainment to hold the gold.

Certainly watching the action on Friday night, CM Punk may have needed to readjust the survival strategy he discussed with WWE.com earlier in the week. Even after his challengers forged what appeared to be a temporary, unlikely alliance on ECW on Sci Fi, the Straightedge Superstar believed his ally was his foes’ inability to coexist.

Punk’s plan proved to be a premonition at the 21st annual pay-per-view event when the ECW Casanova and the Shaman of Sexy all but imploded. As the WWE Tag Team titleholders both sought the same single, indivisible ECW Championship, their recent success was split asunder and the tenacious CM Punk was ready for it.

Earning yet another hard-fought triumph, the Straightedge Superstar overcame well-stacked odds again at Survivor Series. While the longevity of Punk’s championship run is not questionable, the more viable debate is whether or not the WWE Tag Champions can keep it together for the sake of their titles. Has the ECW Champion’s victory also signified the short-lived collapse of the unlikely duo?

Friends in low places?
November 18, 2007

Miami, Fl - The largest mismatch in WWE history saw The Great Khali taking on Hornswoggle in a match made by Hornswoggle’s father, Mr. McMahon. With his father building up his confidence all night and his half-brother Shane making a surprise appearance, the fired up li’llegitimate son of the Chairman entered the ring for the contest and came face-to-leg with the dominant Khali once more, crushing any ego boosts provided by the unified McMahons.

Overpowered and undersized, Hornswoggle showed his heart was bigger than his stature as he braved the gigantic task at Survivor Series. With the red-hot Miami crowd firmly behind him, Hornswoggle did all he could to avoid the clutches of Khali, but the Punjab Giant had a point to prove, and when he finally grabbed hold of the mini-sized McMahon, it appeared that the match and Hornswoggle’s tenure in a WWE ring would come to a Vise-Gripped end.

To the surprise of our fans and Hornswoggle himself, the leprechaun’s longtime “friend” Finlay made his way to the ring wielding the shillelagh, and he systematically destroyed Khali before leaving the American Airlines Arena with the bastard son of Mr. McMahon in tow. But what led the Irishman, a normally hard-nosed, hard-hitting Superstar to come to the aid of Hornswoggle?

"Good ol' boys" rule
November 18, 2007

Miami, Fl - It took Cody Rhodes weeks of hard-fought matches – and close losses – at the hands of Hardcore Holly to earn the trust of the former World Tag Team Champion. Unfortunately for the tenuous duo, trust wasn’t enough to win a championship.

Sunday night at Survivor Series, the pair found that out the hard way when they lost a back-and-forth battle to reigning World Tag Team Champions Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch.

The night started off promisingly enough for Rhodes & Holly. The two even walked to the ring together, a compromise Holly had been unwilling to make in the past and a sure sign Rhodes has earned some measure of respect from the veteran.

Cade & Murdoch displayed the skill that has allowed them to win the World Tag Team Championship three times. The champions tagged out often, ensuring that a fresh man remained in the ring at all times. Just as it looked desperate for Holly, though, Rhodes tagged in and bombarded Murdoch with an aerial assault.

But true to form, the Southern-fried Champions rallied, assaulting Rhodes and pinning the young upstart for the victory.

Before tonight’s match, Holly had said he wanted to teach Rhodes a few lessons and toughen him up. Hardcore may still have a few lessons to dole out, but his partnership with Rhodes shows a lot of promise. It would be unwise to wager against this duo in the future. If their performance at Survivor Series was any indication, our fans haven’t seen the last of them.

Mickie marches in 10 Divas Tag Team Match
November 18, 2007

Miami, Fl - Mickie James was at her best on Sunday night after pinning Melina and giving her team of Maria, Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool & Kelly Kelly a win against Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix, Jillian Hall, Melina, Victoria & Layla.

Mickie is rolling, coming off of a victory last Monday night with Michelle & Kelly against Melina, Jillian & Layla before earning her win at Survivor Series.

The upbeat cheerleader isn’t the only Diva in the midst of a hot streak, though. Despite coming up on the short end this time, Beth looked every bit as dominating as ever. She has been an immovable force, crushing anyone in her path since attaining championship status. Her strength has even sidelined former Women’s Champion Candice Michelle with a cracked clavicle.

Will anybody ever beat Beth? Right now it appears that the Women’s Championship is there to stay.

Piczo