Undertaker Tempting Survival; Batista Overturns Fate; A Champion Falls

On November 27th, 1991, The Undertaker won his first WWE Championship at the Survivor Series against Hulk Hogan; and eighteen years later, Undertaker will defend his 7th World Title at the same pay-per-view against the Unified Tag Team Champions, Chris Jericho and The Big Show. This Triple Threat Match will have nothing to do with the tag team belts, but it will focus solely on Undertaker's "Holy Grail." Taker tempts survival by pointing out his opponents' sins: The Big Show betrayed his fellow roster for an opportunity at the title; and Chris Jericho cost Undertaker a chance to face off against his brother, Kane. According to Undertaker, these two men will be tried at the Survivor Series and will be damned to the fiery depths of hell.

Chris Jericho intercedes and calls himself the Phenom, because he is more than just a man, while Undertaker is only a man. Which really calls into question, Taker's gimmick; who was once the Undead, then return as a mortal redneck motorcycle enthusiast, and revert back to the deadman? Quick Tombstone history for you: Taker was undead and walked with the assistance of the urn from Paul Bearer, but was buried alive and was gone. He returned as the undead who walked the earth generated by the souls he would lay to rest, and then he disappeared from the WWE for unknown reasons. And then he returned as one of us; he walked the world as a mortal and then was buried alive once again by his brother Kane, who hated the mortal Taker had become. And at WrestleMania XX, The Undertaker returned as the Phenom who would once again collect the souls of his opponents and lay them to Rest in Peace...

Next week on SmackDown: Chris Jericho vs. The Undertaker, in their first ever encounter. Might I say, it's about time.

First Match: Dolph Ziggler and Hart Dynasty vs. John Morrison and Cryme Tyme (6-Man Tag Match). Dolph Ziggler is methodically ripping apart his rival, John Morrison. Last week, he face busted Morrison, abdominal first into the announce table; and this week Ziggler picked up the win over his team after causing more punishment to the abs of John Morrison. The Guru of Greatness prides himself on his abdominal structure, and it's how he's been able to do the things that he does while in the ring. Ziggler is being very smart, take out what makes Morrison so great, and you have yourself an Intercontinental Title.

Second Match: Beth Phoenix vs. Brittney Carter. Are they seriously trying to demonstrate Beth Phoenix prowess on SmackDown, hasn't she proven her dominance enough on RAW? I understand Jenny Brooks, since she has a background in Strike force kick boxing, but a dancer! Beth Phoenix destroyed Carter with the Glam Slam.

Backstage Promo: We find out that Mickie James and Michelle McCool will captain the Divas' Survivor Series Teams. Also, Mickie has openly stated that she is coming after the Women's Title.

Third Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Wang Yang. McIntyre knocked down Yang before the match even started. However, Wang, wanting to be the new Noble apparently, demanded that the bell be rung, and then got his taint handed to him. Drew connected with the Double underhook swinging snap DDT to end the match.

Fourth Match: Rey Mysterio vs. Mike Knox. As everyone already knows, Batista turned heel and destroyed Mysterio at Bragging Rights; because WWE has shown the clip at least once per WWE programming for two weeks now. Rey Mysterio has always been the underdog in every match he has gone into, and that's why this match was so perfect because the sheer size of Mike Knox will get Mysterio ready to face off against "The Animal," Dave Batista. The crowd was really behind Rey, cheering him on as he was pummeled to the surface of the ring. Then with a hurricanrana the momentum shifted, and the 619 connected giving Mysterio the win.

Survivor Series Update: Batista vs. Rey Mysterio has been match official.

Fifth Match: CM Punk vs. R-Truth. CM Punk hasn't been seen anywhere near the title picture, as he has been focused on Scott Armstrong, who cost him the World Title three weeks ago, and then eradicated the error last week. Surprisingly enough it would be Scott Armstrong who would be officiating Punk's match. R-Truth seemed happier, singing his entrance music a bit longer than usual; maybe it's because R-Truth would win his match against CM Punk. What had happened was, CM Punk was frustrated with Armstrong's slow count and demanded that he count faster; well, that's exactly what happened, because as soon as R-Truth went for a roll up, Armstrong counted fast and awarded the match to R-Truth. Is WWE pushing Truth? Or are they building up a one-sided feud with Scott Armstrong?

Main Event: Batista vs. Matt Hardy. This match came about as a result of Matt Hardy trying to impart his wisdom, his regrets, onto Batista. Matt Hardy knows what it means to turn on his brother and the terrible feelings that emanate once its unleashed, and to reconsider before it's too late. However, Batista only wants to destroy all that stands in his way from becoming the World Heavyweight Champion for the 6th time. And the commentators are split in picking sides - Batista or Rey Mysterio: Matt Striker believes Batista was in the right, Rey should have stepped aside and let him become the Champion; Todd Grisham, on the other hand, perceives Mysterio's point that it was a Fatal Four-Way and the title should be decided while everyone giving it their all, after all, isn't that the true spirit of a competitor? Matt Hardy really didn't have much of a chance against Batista, since he is all muscle. However, Matt did get some momentum and struck with the Twist of Fate; but fate was reversed as Batista dragged Hardy out of the ring and struck him with a monitor. Matt Hardy officially won the match; yet it was Batista who walked out with all the heated momentum heading into his match in two weeks at the Survivor Series.