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Saved by a 'wrestling god'
December 16, 2007

PITTSBURGH – For a while, it looked like Chris Jericho was indeed going to save us from Randy Orton and end his days as WWE Champion at Armageddon. But it took the divine intervention of a “wrestling god” to save the Legend Killer.

The sold-out Mellon Arena groaned and the rafters rattled with thunderous discontent as SmackDown color commentator JBL stood over Jericho and surveyed his carnage. Just seconds earlier, thousands of Jerichoholics were yelling “Tap! Tap!” as Orton groaned and writhed in pain, trapped in Y2J’s Walls of Jericho. The former Undisputed WWE Champion sat down on the small of Orton’s back and twisted him into a pretzel as the Legend Killer’s face reddened and contorted in agony. Orton tried to reach for the ropes; his nails dug into the mat as he tried to inch himself to safety.

However, the ropes seemed too far away each time, and Orton’s hand began to tremble. Our fans craned their necks and their screams rose in anticipation of their salvation. Jericho was about to complete his mission and save them from Orton’s championship reign.

But one boot from JBL robbed our fans and Jericho of their crowning moment. Orton was disqualified and lost the match but he still had what he – and Jericho – wanted most: The WWE Championship.

If the self-proclaimed wrestling god is waiting for the public to genuflect, he might have to settle for a few thousand thumbs down instead. Why did JBL attack Jericho? At one point in the match, Y2J and Orton’s heated battle spilled onto the ringside table of JBL and Michael Cole and Jericho nudged the former WWE Champion out of his way.

A fuming JBL stormed out of the arena and refused to answer WWE.com's questions after the match. Was he getting revenge for what appeared to be a harmless shove? As a former in-ring competitor, JBL knows more than anyone how heated a battle for sports-entertainment’s most coveted prize can get.

Or was there something else behind the self-made millionaire’s actions tonight? From the rivalry between Rey Mysterio and Finlay to the Batista-Undertaker war to his recent one night APA reunion with Ron Simmons as hired protection for Hornswoggle, JBL has gotten physically involved lately in altercations between the Superstars. JBL has made no secret of the bitterness he has felt since Mysterio sent him into retirement more than a year and a half ago.

Is his desire to be on the grand stage, when the lights are shining the brightest, overcoming him? Is he getting the itch to compete again? Has JBL’s rage over his forced retirement begun to boil over? Why did he really lash out at Jericho? And will JBL be punished for his actions?

One thing was certain tonight: Y2J’s mission was sabotaged, thanks to JBL. And if we know Jericho well, he may not take this lying down. Will Jericho address the controversial end to his match tomorrow night on Raw? And will JBL make his presence known? Y2J’s second coming didn’t mean a second WWE Championship for Jericho tonight, but maybe – just maybe – it has foreshadowed another second coming … of a wrestling god.

May God help us all.

Edge's "three-meditated" attack to perfection
December 16, 2007

PITTSBURGH – For the second time this year, Edge has transformed Pittsburgh into the “Steal City.” Actually, highway robbery might be the best way to describe his heinous actions at Armageddon Sunday night, when he – aided heavily by some shocking outside interference from “Edge” and “Edge” – defeated Batista and Undertaker, and all but stole the World Heavyweight Championship.

Perhaps the Ultimate Opportunist gave our fans in the sold-out Mellon Arena an indication of his plans shortly before his Triple Threat Match against the champion Animal and The Phenom. Inside Vickie Guerrero’s office, while sharing a tender moment with the still-convalescing SmackDown General Manager, he claimed, “Your love gives me the strength of three men.” Based on what transpired as Armageddon came to a close, truer words have never been spoken by the mast manipulator.

In retrospect, some may question if Vickie’s position of authority, rather than her love, helped put this grand plan into effect. Nevertheless, the result proved golden for the Ultimate Opportunist, who for the second time in seven months walked out of the Mellon Arena with the World Heavyweight Title.

Before the “three-meditated” attack, Edge did not look like a man who had firm control of the Triple Threat contest. The only thing going for him was history. Batista had never beaten him with the gold on the line – gold he had secured from Undertaker in this very arena last May, moments after The Phenom endured a grueling Steel Cage stalemate on SmackDown with The Animal, plus a horrific assault from Mark Henry.

Edge had one other factor in his favor: He had Batista and Undertaker constantly battling over which one got to clobber the Rated-R Superstar first. While the champion and The Deadman repeatedly beat the hell out of each other, the Ultimate Opportunist kept his distance outside the ring whenever he could. But when Undertaker’s triangle choke on The Animal threatened to thwart his ultimate plan, a desperate Edge sounded the ring bell, leaving everyone in the arena – Undertaker included – to believe the match had ended. With everyone momentarily distracted, the Rated-R Superstar speared both Phenom and Animal, only to come up short on both pinfalls.

Late in the match, it appeared as if Batista might retain the gold he has defended so valiantly over the months, especially after catching Undertaker in midair with a spinebuster, then spearing Edge out of the ring. Moments later, The Phenom seemed primed to capture his sixth World Title with a chokeslam on The Animal, until he was forced to send an attacking Edge back to the outside floor. Unfortunately, both Superstars were too busy fighting each other to see what our fans inside the Mellon Arena were shocked to notice: There were three Edges writhing on the outside floor.

Both Batista and Undertaker were moments away from ending this unbelievably hard-fought contest, but it was The Deadman who apparently grabbed the final say in the decision with a thunderous Tombstone piledriver. But then Edge – the real one this time – broke up certain victory with a steel chair to Undertaker’s spine, then another across his skull. Just like he had deprived The Phenom of almost-certain victory at Survivor Series, he did so again at Armageddon, pinning the still-prone Animal for the three-count.

The Mellon Arena’s capacity crowd appeared absolutely stunned as Edge, heading back up the ramp with a still-crawling “Edge” and “Edge,” held his fourth World Championship high above his head for everyone to see. Armageddon, the final WWE pay-per-view for 2007, ended with the dawning of a new Rated-R era – and many questions that will surely be asked in the weeks ahead. With SmackDown’s General Manager by his side, who knows how Edge’s title reign will affect the Friday night brand? And what do Batista and Undertaker plan to do about it?

Based on the cold, furious expression on The Deadman’s face after the match, perhaps our fans should ask if they really want to know what he intends to do about the Ultimate Opportunist.

Hardy masters The Game
December 16, 2007

PITTSBURGH – Gaping mouths and wide eyes peppered throughout the capacity crowd at the Mellon Arena helped tell the tale. Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy pulled out a surprising, career-altering victory over the power and intensity of Triple H to earn an opportunity at the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble next month.

Things didn’t start off so well for Hardy. The Game rebuffed his offer of a handshake. After suffering a chain of shoulder blocks and clotheslines, the “Rainbow-haired Warrior” seemed dazed. He didn’t seem entirely comfortable with fighting Triple H until The Game demanded that he fight him. But after suffering in silence, Hardy finally woke up and warmed up his jets to go airborne. After a tug of war between the two, the high-flyer surprised The Game with a roll-up and held his shoulders down for a close three-count, stunning some fans.

A faint grin – but of anger – crossed The Cerebral Assassin’s face as he walked up the ramp and let Hardy bask in the greatest victory of his career. Triple H’s defeat sent tremors through the Raw locker room and left many Superstars wondering what it meant for The Game in the long run. In the weeks leading to Armageddon, Triple H offered glimpses of a softer side, hinting at a respect for Hardy and even rescuing him from both Snitsky and Umaga. Does the 11-time World Champion still have the anger that so often fueled him to victory over the course of his distinguished career?

Of more immediate concern, however, is how The Game will react Monday night on Raw. The King of Kings will undoubtedly be given wide berth tomorrow night in the HSBC Arena in Buffalo. The question remains, how will his considerable fury manifest itself? And just who will be the unlucky soul on the receiving end?

On the brighter side of the equation, the “Rainbow-haired Warrior” now finds himself one Swanton Bomb closer to his “lifelong dream” of a WWE Championship. Although he’s been a six-time World Tag Team Champion and four-time Intercontinental Champion, Hardy nonetheless has never been able to reach the pinnacle of sports-entertainment.

To do so, he will be forced to fly at heights that few men have reached as he enters into the WWE Title Match at next month’s Royal Rumble. After defeating one of WWE’s all-time greats, will Hardy be able to ride his momentum all the way to the top and take sports-entertainment’s most coveted prize?

The Showstopper stops Kennedy in his tracks
December 16, 2007

PITTSBURGH – Shawn Michaels had heard enough of the whispering in the locker room. He’d heard enough of the muttering behind his back that perhaps The Showstopper’s best days were behind him, and that the younger guns of WWE were passing the four-time World Champion by.

And especially, HBK was sick of hearing it from Mr. Kennedy’s microphone. On Sunday night in Steeltown, it took one blast of Sweet Chin Music to put that talk to rest.

In their first-ever one-on-one meeting, HBK pinned Kennedy in a hard-fought, heart-pounding war, putting a speed bump in the Green Bay, Wis., loudmouth’s quest for the biggest victory of his career. But Kennedy turned heads by pushing the legendary Showstopper to the limit.

Michaels had Kennedy reeling early, thanks to a stomp that nearly broke the loudmouth’s left hand. The brash Superstar grimaced in pain throughout the match. After withstanding a Kennedy barrage of blows, HBK hit his signature top-rope elbow drop, but Kennedy countered the Sweet Chin Music with a roll-up.

After HBK withstood a Green Bay Plunge, Kennedy instinctively punched HBK with his injured left hand. That turned out to be his downfall as he recoiled in pain, giving Michaels an open window for a sudden and fateful Sweet Chin Music.

Just two weeks after Kennedy paraded a gauntlet of HBK opponent imposters, there was nothing phony about Michaels’ heart, resolve and determination this night. With the win, HBK reestablishes himself as one of Raw’s top competitors, refusing to be just another stepping stone for up-and-coming Superstars looking for a quick rise up the championship ladder.

Meanwhile, the loss appears to have put Kennedy’s title pursuits into disarray, but he arguably put on the match of his career against the legendary Michaels. Where does Kennedy go from here? Has the loss to HBK silenced him for good? Or will Kennedy remain as boisterous as he's been? Maybe we'll find out tomorrow night when Raw emanates from Buffalo, N.Y.

Protective endeavors
December 16, 2007

PITTSBURGH – Over the past few weeks, Finlay has neglected his personal well-being to protect Hornswoggle from the clutches of The Great Khali. At Armageddon, however, the illegitimate son of Mr. McMahon finally repaid the favor, helping the Irishman slay the Punjabi giant, and earning one of the, literally, biggest wins of his career.

In consecutive weeks on SmackDown, the brawler from Belfast felt the wrath of Khali leading up to their Armageddon clash, each time sacrificing himself to shield Hornswoggle from harm. Many had wondered if the leprechaun was the weakness in Finlay’s brutal in-ring arsenal. But at Armageddon, Hornswoggle proved his worth in gold by giving the Irishman the opening he needed to take down The Great Khali. With referee Charles Robinson’s back turned, Finlay’s pint-sized partner entered the ring and delivered a very low blow with the shillelagh, allowing the Irishman to nail Khali’s skull with the club and seal the win.

The age-old maxim “the bigger they are, the harder they fall” rang true for the Irish at Armageddon Sunday night. But will this victory put some distance between Finlay and The Great Khali, or will the Punjabi giant continue to stalk Hornswoggle despite the Irishman’s best protective efforts?

Glamazon pushed to the limit
December 16, 2007

PITTSBURGH – It’s never easy battling a force of nature. And make no mistake, Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix is most definitely a force of nature. The Glamazon’s challenger, Mickie James, found that out the hard way as she tried to weather Hurricane Beth tonight in front of a sold-out crowd at Armageddon, only to find herself swept away in the end.

Phoenix retained the Women’s Championship, but not without having to earn it. After being tossed around by the Glamazon like so many Divas before, Mickie bounced back – quite literally – and managed a couple of near-falls. But the power of the Glamazon proved too much to overcome as Phoenix drove her opponent to the canvas for the three-count in front of our fans at the Mellon Arena.

Despite the loss, Mickie has every reason to hold her head high. The former three-time Women’s Champion gave Phoenix her all, combating the Glamazon’s size and strength advantage with stamina and acrobatic ability. After watching these two do battle, little doubt remained that Mickie may very well be Phoenix’s most evenly matched opponent to date.

Leading up to their match, Mickie had been burning up the ring, pinning a bevy of Divas in the weeks prior. But the former Champion simply couldn’t keep her momentum rolling in the face of the Glamazon.

While she may not have captured the Women’s Championship, Mickie James has no doubt captured the attention of Beth Phoenix. Has the Glamazon heard the last of Mickie?

The power of ten
December 16, 2007

PITTSBURGH – Rey Mysterio came into Armageddon hoping to beat some respect into MVP and walk out as the United States Champion. While he was unable to accomplish the latter – the Master of the 619 won their match by count-out, but did not win the gold because titles cannot change hands on a count-out – he took a big step toward accomplishing the former once the bout was over.

In recent weeks, MVP has shown blatant disrespect to not just Mysterio, but anyone in his path – including the legendary Michael “P.S.” Hayes. The Master of the 619 – clad in the signature black and yellow of the Pittsburgh Steelers – carried the torch for all those MVP has dissed into the Mellon Arena, but his quest came up just short of full fruition.

Mysterio used his quickness and high-flying offense to keep MVP at bay for a good portion of the match, forcing the Franchise Playa to dig deep into his bag of tricks. Unfortunately, the United States Champion played the ultimate trump card once it looked like Mysterio was well on his way to winning the gold.

The Master of the 619 sent MVP crashing to the arena floor with a breathtaking flying headscissors and rolled back into the ring to beat referee Jim Korderas’ count. MVP also made his way up as Korderas counted eight – but instead of climbing back into the squared circle, he simply dropped off the apron and made a motion with his hands as if to say “forget this.” Korderas got to 10, giving Rey the win but not the championship.

That wasn’t enough for Mysterio, however. In an uncharacteristic moment, Rey baseball slid into a retreating MVP and pulled him back into the ring for a 619. The United States Champion finally got away for good after that, leaving Mysterio unsatisfied and his tattooed waist still gold-free.

While Mysterio holds two victories over MVP in the last month, he doesn’t have the United States Championship to show for it. The cocky Franchise Playa could claim that because he’s still the champion, he’s done with the Master of the 619 – but is their rivalry really over?

Size matters
December 16, 2007

PITTSBURGH – The perfect storm of CM Punk and Kane touched down in the Mellon Arena but the unlikely pair could not overcome half-ton titans Big Daddy V and Mark Henry. With an intrinsic physical advantage, the mammoths prevailed after the 500-pound ECW Superstar managed to pin the ECW Champion.

Proving to be a perfectly unstoppable – and dangerous – force together, the combined girth of the Extreme Mastodon and the World’s Strongest Man smothered the fiery offensive attacks from the gallant Straightedge Superstar and his 7-foot partner.

CM Punk and the Big Red Monster acted as a well-oiled machine despite having only one match as teammates prior to the pay-per-view tag encounter. Catching fire mid-match, Punk even managed to bring Big Daddy to one knee. The momentum, however, simply could not endure the overwhelming, high impact body avalanche that the quarter-ton ECW Superstar used to flatten the Straightedge Superstar.

Thus, despite a ceaseless and potent onslaught against their 1,000-pound opposition, Punk and Kane – the ECW Champion and a former WWE Champion, respectively – were ultimately defeated on pay-per-view.

Supported by their critical victory over two highly formidable competitors, this combination of enormous Superstars is one many believe could be the next big thing in sports-entertainment. One of these men in particular, Big Daddy V, could also be the next big challenger to the ECW Title after The Dominating Force in WWE pinned Punk on Sunday night.

Following their massive victory at Armageddon, what could be next for these jumbo juggernauts? Can any man (or combination of men) counteract this colossal coalition? Is this just the beginning for Big Daddy V and Mark Henry’s imposing grip on WWE at large?

Stay tuned to ECW on Sci Fi every Tuesday night at 10/9 CT, and SmackDown each Friday night at 8/7 CT on The CW Network to find out.

Piczo