SmackDown Results: 1/8/10

Batista Walks Alone

Since Bragging Rights, Batista has been coasting through the WWE filled with greed and anger. Last week, Batista had multiple opportunities to put away his opponent to become the #1 contender, but, instead, he chose to taunt his former friend, Rey Mysterio, as the clocked ticked away in the Beat the Clock Challenge. Since Batista interfered with Rey Mysterio World Heavyweight Title Match against The Undertaker, Mysterio cost Batista his shot at the Undertaker by pulling the referee out of the ring, thus, expiring the time. Both Batista and Rey Mysterio, thanks to the official consultant of SmackDown Vickie Guerrero, will go one-on-one to determine the #1 contender.

But what Batista speaks is true, Teddy Long is quick to restart a match that sees Batista as the winner, but doesn't even lift a finger when Batista is on the losing end. Which begs the question, which side is Teddy Long on? At the start of September, Long was manipulated by the probation placed under McMahon to have Taker 'tap out' to C.M. Punk.

As for tonight, Rey Mysterio has been the storied underdog, the man no one believed would make it in a business with musclebound giants like The Great Khali and Batista, but can he upset the critics once again, and become a 2-time World Heavyweight Champion?

Ziggler Topples Kane

The opening match featured Dolph Ziggler once against taking on the Big Red Monster Kane, a rematch from their encounter last week. Ziggler failed to advance in the Beat the Clock Challenge last week as his Headlock/Body Scissors take-down was ineffective in tapping out Kane, but what would Ziggler's best strategic ploy be?

First off, Ziggler has to stop thinking that his moves are perfection, because he obviously cannot steal the gimmick from the late Curt Henning, or execute them the way Curt did. When he connected with the Zig-Zag, Ziggler felt that he should have been awarded the win, and overreacted when Kane kicked out. Never expect an easy match in the WWE, because nothing is handed to you. While fighting in the WWE, you have to scratch and claw your way to the top. With his numerous failed attempts at capturing the I-C Title, Ziggler has not been bringing his A-game when it comes to matches.

However, Ziggler did win the match via count-out, but what happens if the next time Teddy Long changes it to a no DQ Match?

Jericho, Still the Best

The following was a six-man tag team match featuring Chris Jericho and The Hart Dynasty against R-Truth and Cryme Tyme.

When told to make an impact two weeks ago, The Hart Dynasty targeted Chris Jericho. So was he upset? Jericho understands that in order to make an impact you have to attack the top performer; so no, he was not upset... he was actually quite flattered.

The Harts saw what happened to Bret on Monday Night, and they stated that it was despicable, and it would never happen to them; because they're better than that. Are they really? The Hart Dynasty were seconds away from capturing the Unified Tag Team Titles from D-X just two weeks ago. Smith has the power, and Kidd the speed, while Natalya acts as the mouthpiece, but as for being 'better than that,' they are far off. It's a lot of pressure to put on these three young superstars, because they have decided to carry themselves on the family legacy. It's doubtful that Bret Hart will act as their mentor, seeing as he's turned face; but Chris Jericho, also a fellow graduate of the Dungeon, would make an excellent teacher.

The match went fairly well, R-Truth and Cryme Tyme brought in a lot of hard hitting strikes, and flashy maneuvers, but the Harts held up their own too. Smith slightly tilted the rope to knock off Gaspard over the top, and Natalya kicked him when he was down. Then the momentum shifted slightly when JTG almost got the pin over Jericho, but with no Gaspard to have his back, Jericho executed the original Walls of Jericho, with his knee over the face of JTG to get a submission victory.

A New Dawn, A New Salvation

Last week, C.M. Punk asked everyone in the audience and everyone at home to raise their hand and take the pledge of Straight-Edge, and vowed that he would turn people even if force is necessary. Today was the first night of salvation, as Punk has chosen to save one individual from the audience. James, just a regular guy to you and me, became a symbol of hope for a new generation of a straight-edge society. James hesitated, but who wouldn't when giving up addictive vices such as alcohol and drugs? But James accepted and pledged his heart to Straight-Edge. As a symbol of his devotion, Luke Gallows and C.M. Punk shaved his head. The hair is said to be the chains of his addiction, and when shaving his hair, he was actually releasing the vices from his life.

Matt Hardy Fails

In his first singles match, Luke Gallows made short work of Matt Hardy. Hardy attempted to amount an offense but he was unable to overpower Luke Gallows. Plus it doesn't hurt when C.M. Punk provides the distraction to be struck with the Gallows Pole. This was Luke's first singles match, so a congrats are in order.

Michelle McCool's Offering

In the Divas' Match of the night, Layla took on The Glamazon, Beth Phoenix, in what appeared to be a one-sided match. Layla, after escaping the ring with her life, was tossed back into the ring by McCool, who, after being challenged by Beth mid-match, looked to quench Phoenix's rage. Layla did provide some offense, by throwing some kicks, and wild punches to the head; but Phoenix executed the GlamSlam to end the match.

McCool may feel that she's satisfied Phoenix, but Beth will not stop until she's the Women's Champion.

Don't Mess with Mick James, B---h!

When McCool and Layla ambushed Phoenix after the match, it was Mickie James who came to the rescue and cleaned house. Beth Phoenix, appreciative of the assist went to go shake her hand, but instead she came face first with the Mick-Kick. Payback for placing Mickie James in the GlamSlam, last week.

Undertaker Sends a Message

The match between Batista and Rey Mysterio was full of surprises and superior offense. Batistia using his mass to overpower the much smaller Mysterio, while the Master of the 619 uses his entire body in an effort to keep the Animal off his feet.

Rey Mysterio, no doubt robbed Batista of his win last week, but Batista taught him a valuable lesson at Bragging Rights, there is no such thing as friendship when it comes to the World Title. In the match Mysterio attempted a Frog Splash but he bounced off of Batista, proving that Mysterio will throw his full body in danger for a shot at the title.

Batista's arrogance is his undoing, he connected with a match-winning spear, but instead of going for the cover he decided to flex his muscles to the audience. There is no time for that, he should have gone straight for the cover.

Yet, as Batista set up for the Batista Bomb, the bells chimed and the lights went out. Yes, that is the signal for the Undertaker. But, no Undertaker appeared, just the bodies of Batista and Rey Mysterio layed out. Alright, so the match continues and Rey sets up for the 619, *chimes* once again the signal for The Undertaker. But once again, no Undertaker, just the bodies aching in the ring. Undertaker's message is clear, abandon the pursuit of the World Heavyweight Championship, because it won't end well.