WWE Smackdown
January 2, 2009
East Rutherford, NJ
Report by: Mike Tedesco of WrestleView.com

Main Event: Edge & Big Show vs. Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy’s face is painted completely red with some other interesting designs on it. The Hardy brothers clunk their World Championship belts together!

The bell rings and it’ll be Edge and Matt Hardy starting the match out for their teams. They stall before locking up. They try to push one another back but it’s a stalemate. Matt Hardy then hits an arm drag on Edge! Edge rolls frantically to the corner and stares down Matt Hardy.

They lock up again and Edge gets Matt in the corner. The referee forces the clean break but at the last second Edge goes for a wild punch! Matt ducks it and takes Edge down with another arm drag! Edge quickly gets to the corner again! The crowd is chanting for the Hardys!

They lock up for a third time and this time Matt Hardy twists the left arm of Edge. Hardy gets a hammerlock on Edge but Edge is able to get out of it and counter with a hammerlock of his own! Edge gets a side headlock and Matt counters out of it with a nice back suplex! Matt makes the tag to his brother Jeff!

The Hardy Boys whip Edge into the ropes and hit a double back elbow to his face. They then hit the Spin Cycle which consists of Matt dropping a fist and Jeff summersaulting on Edge’s chest! They then double dropkick Big Show’s legs, sending him off the apron! Edge now charges them and they back body drop him over the top rope onto Big Show who catches him and gently places him down! They regroup as we go to our final commercial!

:::Commercial Break:::

We come back from the break to see Edge punching Jeff Hardy down to the mat. Edge then illegally puts Jeff’s throat over the second rope and pushes down. He breaks the hold at the referee’s three count. During the break Jeff Hardy had an Irish whip reversed on him and the Big Show pulled him down from the apron.

Back in live action Edge hits a stomp on Jeff Hardy. Edge hits another punch and goes to bounce Jeff’s head off the top turnbuckle but Jeff blocks it and hits Whisper in the Wind!! Jeff covers for a two count!! Jeff tags in his brother Matt.

Matt comes in and hits a hard punch to Edge. He hits a body slam and climbs to the top rope, missing a moonsault! Edge pulls himself up and tags in the powerful Big Show!

Big Show throws Matt into the corner and slaps his chest hard! Big Show head-butts him and hits another slap to the chest! I wasn’t too far away from the ring but I could hear that from my seats. OUCH! Big Show hits a nice suplex and an elbow drop for a two count. Matt goes to tag his brother but Big Show drags him away by the seat of his pants and throws him into his corner where he tags in Edge.

Edge hits a punch to Hardy and throws him down and out of his corner. Edge taunts the crowd and hits some more punches to Matt. Edge illegally chokes Matt on the ropes and then hits a crossbody into Matt Hardy, still prone on those ropes. He gets a two and a half count for that! Edge now locks in a grounded abdominal stretch! Jeff is on the apron doing everything he can to get the crowd into it and succeeds! Matt gets up and elbows out! He goes into the ropes and gets taken down by Edge with the Kitchen Sink! Edge tags in Big Show!

Big Show picks Matt up and elbows his shoulder. He then wraps Matt’s arm around the top rope and tugs hard at it! Big Show then wrenches Matt’s arm and lifts him high up in the air before dumping him to the mat! Big Show puts him in his corner and slaps his chest HARD! Big Show then hits some hard body shots and tags in Edge.

Big Show head-butts Matt Hardy down and Edge covers for a two and a half count! Matt Hardy goes for the tag but Edge gets a front face lock on him, keeping him controlled. Edge controls him more with a body scissors and tries to pin him shoulders but can’t. Jeff Hardy is on the apron going nuts to get the tag! Matt Hardy gets to his feet and lifts Edge up, moving closer to his brother! He back body drops Edge off but Edge still hangs on! Matt and Jeff are centimeters away from making the tag but Edge pulls him down for a pin and a two count! Matt quickly pops up and Edge quickly clotheslines him down! Edge covers for a two count!

Edge now has Matt Hardy in a hammerlock on the ground. Jeff Hardy is going crazy trying to get the crowd into it. The crowd is chanting for the Hardys and Matt is able to get up and punch out of the move! Matt goes into the ropes and gets taken down with a big boot!

At this point Big Show now gets off the apron and walks to the back! Edge can’t believe what’s going on! Matt Hardy now hits a right hand and goes for another but it’s blocked by Edge who goes for the Edgecution but Matt twists out of that and goes for the Twist of Fate but Edge counters that into an Edge-U-Cater for a CLOSE two and a half count!!

Edge is now frustrated and lines Matt up for a Spear. Edge goes for it and gets a kick in the face from Matt Hardy! Edge charges and gets hit with the Side Effect! Matt Hardy rolls over to his brother and makes the tag!!

Jeff Hardy comes in like a house on fire and forearms him down! He goes into the ropes and repeats the move! He hits an inverted atomic drop and hits a double leg drop to the groin! Jeff hits a low dropkick and covers for a two and a half count!

Jeff tags Matt in and they double whip Edge into the corner! They hit Poetry in Motion on Edge! Matt then clotheslines Edge in the corner and connects with a bulldog! Matt Hardy hits Edge with a Twist of Fate and tags in Jeff Hardy who hits a Swanton Bomb!!! Jeff pins Edge to win this terrific match!!!

Winners by Pinfall: Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy

The decision to put the WWE Championship on Jeff Hardy at Armageddon was said to have been made in creative two weeks before the PPV reports The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Vince McMahon was the one who brought up the idea, which was said to have caught most of the creative team off guard. It surprised them because Vince had pushed the idea that they could never put the title on someone who has a high risk of being suspended and that it would cause a headache for creative to change plans up.

There was always a concern of going with Jeff Hardy in that spot not because he wasn't good enough or was wasn't over enough, but more so they didn't want to set a bad example for the rest of the roster. The Smackdown creative team had reportedly worked up plans for Edge as champion going through to WrestleMania with a follow up at Backlash as many were high on how things went at the Survivor Series PPV. As it was discussed, it appeared there were more creative options with Jeff as champion and Vickie Guerrero and Edge trying weekly to bring him down.

One thought was that doing the Vickie-Edge stuff going into 2009 was a bad idea feeling it was done to death this year, while Vince felt putting Triple H in the role going against the two wouldn't work well either. Stephanie McMahon was said to be the only one to challenge Vince on putting the title on Jeff as she felt it would set a bad example to the talent. While Vince was said to have acknowledged the message, he felt Jeff as champion would work in the short-term if he was to handle the opportunity properly. It was also noted in the meeting that if Jeff does screw up and fail another drug test that firing the World Champion would be the ultimate sign to the roster that they will not tolerate anything no matter who you are and what position you are in.

I've read a lot of sites and forums after Jeff's WWE Championship win at Armageddon, and a lot of fans are confused when they read that Hardy was included in the Elite list of past WWE Grand Slam Champions. What actually makes wrestler a Grand Slam Champion?

A Grand Slam Champion in professional wrestling is a distinction made to a professional wrestler who has won all of the major titles in a promotion. The Grand Slam typically consists of four titles, mirroring the grand slams found in golf and tennis. The four titles typically feature three tiers of heavyweight belts and a set of tag team belts. Because of this, a Grand Slam Champion is necessarily a Triple Crown Champion, which consists of the top two tiers of heavyweight belts and the tag team belts.

In WWE the term "Grand Slam Champion" was originally used by Shawn Michaels to describe himself upon winning the WWF Championship, the WWF Intercontinental Championship, the WWF European Championship and the WWF Tag Team Championship. As of 2008, only five wrestlers have held all four of those titles. As the European Championship was discontinued on July 22, 2002, the number of future potential Grand Slam Champions is limited to wrestlers who have already held the European Championship.

In 2006, World Wrestling Entertainment stated, "Michaels was the first-ever Grand Slam Champion, capturing the European Championship once, the World Tag Team Championship four times, the Intercontinental Championship three times and the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships a total of four times." This indicates that WWE considers the World Heavyweight Championship to be an acceptable substitute for the WWF Championship (renamed the WWE Championship in 2002) in completing the Grand Slam. No wrestlers have completed the Grand Slam under this revised definition.

In April 2006, Kurt Angle was described as a "former Grand Slam Champion" on WWE.com, indicating that WWE considers the WWE Tag Team Championship to be an acceptable substitute for the World Tag Team Championship. Angle and Eddie Guerrero are the only two wrestlers who have completed the Grand Slam under this revised definition.

Last December 14, 2008 Jeff Hardy joined the ranks as the 7th ever Grand Slam Champion.

WWF/E Grand Slam Champions

Shawn Michaels

Triple H -

Chris Jericho

Kurt Angle

Eddie Guerrero

Rob Van Dam

Jeff Hardy

WWE Championship Match
Triple H (c) vs. Jeff Hardy

The bell rings and here we go. Jeff Hardy gets the crowd going. Lock up and Triple H backs Hardy into the corner. Triple H backs off, the two circle and Hardy goes after Triple H's left arm. Triple H with a drop to hold takedown on Hardy, but Hardy quickly takes Triple H's back. Triple H with a headlock takedown on Hardy. Triple H with a shoulder block, but Hardy responds with a big hip toss. Deep arm drag takeover by Hardy on Triple H. Hardy floats over Triple H in the corner, Triple H dodges a Twist of Fate attempt and Hardy dodges a Pedigree attempt. Lock up, Triple H with a headlock takedown, Hardy rolls through, arm drag on Triple H and Hardy works on Triple H's left arm. Triple H gets to his feet and backs Hardy to the corner to break it up. Hardy breaks and Triple H hits a few shoulder charges. Hardy catches Triple H with an elbow in the corner, goes up top and Triple H pushes him off sending Hardy into the guard railing on the outside. Hardy gets to his feet, slides in the ring and Triple H greets him with some quick kicks. Triple H sends Hardy shoulder first into the steel ring post in the corner. Triple H grabs Hardy, does this a second time, cradle and Hardy kicks out.

Triple H goes to work on Hardy's left arm. Hardy with a kick to the face. Hardy attempts a dropkick to the chest, but Triple H dodges it. Triple H works on Hardy's left arm again. Hardy with some body shots, but Triple H responds with a knee to the face. Hardy explodes with a jumping lariat clothesline on Triple H. Hardy with a takedown and double low blow to Triple H. Hardy kicks Triple H in the face coming off the ropes, cover and Triple H kicks out. Hardy with a suplex into a facebuster on Triple H. Cover by Hardy and Triple H kicks out after a close two count. Hardy with some big right hands to Triple H in the corner. Hardy with a splash clothesline on Triple H. Hardy attempts a jumping dropkick into Triple H, but Triple H grabs Hardy in mid-air and drives him down with a big spinebuster! Cover by Triple H and Hardy kicks out. Triple H counters a Whisper in the Wind into a Crossface on Hardy. Hardy gets close to the bottom rope. Triple H sees this, breaks the Crossface, pulls Hardy to the middle of the ring and locks the Crossface back on. Hardy counters the Crossface into a cradle that results in a close two count. Triple H then begins kicking Hardy with force sending him to the outside.

Triple H picks up Hardy, but Hardy counters and sends Triple H shoulder first into the steel ring steps. Hardy then jumps off the steel ring steps and dives into Triple H against the guard railing! Triple H rolls into the ring with the referee getting to nine. Hardy nails Triple H with the Whisper in the Wind. Triple H gets to his feet and Hardy hits a second Whisper in the Wind. Cover by Hardy and Triple H barely kicks out after two. Hardy with a big dropkick to Triple H in the corner. Cover by Hardy and Triple H kicks out after two. Hardy fires the crowd up as he backs off. Hardy attempts a TWist of Fate, but Triple H counters sending Hardy into the corner. Pedigree attempt and Hardy counters into a close pinfall that results in a two count. Triple H with a sleeper on Hardy, but Hardy sends Triple H into the corner. Hardy with a Twist of Fate on Triple H, cover and Triple H kicks out after two. Hardy goes up top and connects with the Swanton Bomb. Hardy goes back up top again attempting a second Swanton Bomb, but this time Triple H brings his knees up and Hardy crashes with force. Both get to their feet. Triple H attempts a Pedigree, but Hardy dropkicks Triple H away through the ropes to the outside.

Hardy springboards over the top rope and takes out Triple H. Hardy gets fired up slapping the Smackdown announce table. Hardy throws Triple H back into the ring, goes up top, but Triple H cuts him off. Triple H hooks the arms of Hardy, pulling him off the top rope and driving Hardy down into the mat with a Pedigree. Triple H hooks the leg and gets the pinfall.

Winner & STILL WWE Champion: Triple H

After the match, Jim Ross and Tazz talk about how close Jeff Hardy came again to becoming WWE Champion. Triple H gets to his feet as we see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, Triple H is handed the WWE Title and holds it up in the air. Triple H leaves the ring as Jeff Hardy sits up clapping. Triple H nods in respect to Hardy as he poses one last time with the WWE Title.

source: wrestleview.com

Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Kozlov

The bell rings and Hardy charges Kozlov but gets push kicked down! Kozlov picks him up by the throat and throws him into the turnbuckle. Kozlov hits a forearm and some shoulders in the gut! Charles Robinson admonishes him. Kozlov charges Hardy but Hardy gets his knees in Kozlov’s mush! Hardy hits some right hands, goes into the ropes and gets leveled by a shoulder block from the Moscow Mauler! Kozlov then stares at Triple H.

Kozlov picks Jeff Hardy up and puts him across the top rope and head-butts him a few times in his lower back and kidney area. Kozlov then gets Hardy on his shoulder and hits a running slam for a two count! Kozlov then gets Hardy in a hammerlock and throws him through the top and middle rope shoulder first into the ring post! Kozlov then repeats this action and we go to our final commercial break!

:::Commercial Break:::

We come back from the break to see Kozlov having Jeff Hardy locked in a key lock. It looks really painful. Hardy tries to punch out of it but Kozlov pulls him down to the canvas by the arm and keeps it locked in! While this is happening Triple H is trying to sway the voters to vote Kozlov into the match so he can beat him while he’s undefeated and at his best. What – he doesn’t think Jeff Hardy will beat him tonight?!

Hardy gets to his feet and tries to punch out but Kozlov hits a fireman’s carry and puts the key lock back on! Hardy tries to reach the ropes with his feet but can’t. Kozlov then yells at Triple H. Hardy finally gets back to his feet and starts punching but Kozlov underhooks both arms and hits some head-butts in the chest! Kozlov then hits a belly to belly suplex slam but Hardy kicks out at two! Kozlov then locks in the key lock again!

Hardy gets to his feet and tries to punch out but Kozlov gets a knee in the midsection and goes for a slam. Hardy slides off, goes for the Twist of Fate but gets pushed off and hits Kozlov with a forearm coming off the ropes. This doesn’t faze him so Hardy goes into the ropes again hits another one that doesn’t faze him! Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate again but Kozlov pushes him towards the corner and Jeff Hardy levels Kozlov with a Whisper in the Wind!! Triple H looks stunned. Hardy now hits a second Whisper in the Wind and goes up to the top rope for the Swanton Bomb but Kozlov gets up. Hardy jumps off and goes to kick him but Kozlov catches the foot however Hardy hits his flipping mule kick. Kozlov falls into the ropes and comes off with the Battering Ram Head-butt for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Vladimir Kozlov

source: wrestleview.com

Baltimore Sun's Kevin Eck interviewed Jeff Hardy days before the No Mercy PPV and MyNetwork switch.. here are the questions thrown at Hardy:

To say you had a difficult week last March would be a huge understatement. Now that six months or so have passed, can you talk about what it was like to go through the suspension and your house burning down in the same week?

Well, first of all, I have titled that the saddest day of my adult life — by far. The night I lost the Intercontinental title I had been suspended, which is to everybody’s knowledge now because I have been very open about that, and then that Friday night I lost everything, and the saddest thing is I lost my dog Jack. You hear about fires all the time, but then you experience it, man, it’s just like, “Wow, this really happens to people.” It’s a night I’ll never forget, naturally. A week or so later I found Jack’s body in the ruins. I got a little closure to that and cried a lot, was sad a lot and had bad dreams. When I came back we actually made that somewhat of a story line, but I was confident enough in myself and with Beth and everything that we got past that. You know, you can’t just die with everything you lost. You have to live for what you lost. So that’s what I’m doing now and everything’s much better. Our new house is under construction. It’s looking great, and hopefully by spring we’ll be in there. Thank God I had Matt, because if I didn’t I’d be renting an apartment somewhere. Matt’s been very cool to have open arms and invite us into his home.

How much did the support of your fans help you get through it all?

Actually it’d blow your mind, man, to see what’s still in Matt’s basement to this day. Naturally, people wanted to send clothing, memorabilia, stuff like that. Once Matt put that address out on his myspace, it was just a flood — every day we had to go to the post office. Beth was the one to go through all that. It was just amazing how much response we got — how many actions figures, how many clothes. It might not have been my certain style, but just the care that was there and the meaning behind it. It’s amazing the support I had from the fans. Even today, man, seeing such a foundation right in front of me of all these humans that are behind me, it’s just very motivational.

How difficult was it for you not to be at WrestleMania, because you were supposed to be an integral part of it. Did you even watch it?

It’s so strange, you know, because I was going to be a huge part of that in the Money in the Bank match, and Matt was hurt at the time and he was able to return at Mania, so, naturally, I watched it. I would have watched it anyway because I’m a huge ladder match fan and just to see how good the match would be. In a sense I was kind of sickened by the whole thing. But I did something wrong according to the Wellness Policy and I had to pay the price. So here I am on my last strike right now, and one more and I’m out, so I’m just trying to keep it all good. As far as WrestleMania goes, as angry or sad as I was that I missed it, I also was supposed to take part in an art show down there. I think Jerry Lawler was in it as well. I missed out on that just over what to me was a small mistake, but to them it’s huge.

Can you talk about the recent incident at the Nashville airport, when you were denied boarding a flight?

Oh, of course. That was extremely blown out of proportion. So many wrestlers drink at times, and I had been drinking a lot that night. I’m not going to lie — I’ve been on planes a lot drunker than that. There was nothing rude done; I wasn’t violent or anything like that. I guess I was stumbling boarding the plane or something, and somebody must have just said that I was drunk, because I was asleep on the plane. This is Southwest, you know, open seating and everything. The first thing I remember is just waking up and security — it wasn’t police, it was security — saying, “Mr. Hardy, you have to get off the plane. We feel you’ve had too much to drink.” Matt got up and was like, “What’s the problem?” They were like, “He’s had too much to drink.” I go, “I was asleep. I’ll wake up in Raleigh. I’ve been like this before.” But I just cooperated and left the plane.

Do you think the company lost any confidence in you over the incident?

No. Right away, once I got home I called who I needed to call and just told them what happened. It does make me sick when — especially with me — anything negative, the Internet wants to highlight right away. One [site] actually said that Beth was with me and she was the one that was too drunk and she was handcuffed. I was never handcuffed. There were these crazy things like, “He got caught with contraband.” It was nothing like that.

Your brother Matt is enjoying the best run of his career. Is there a friendly rivalry or competition between the two of you?

I think with him more than me. Whether I ever become WWE champion in my career, I’m proud of what I’ve done. If this weekend was my last match, I would be extremely proud after looking back and seeing everything. Matt is more the competitive type. I think he probably feels a little supreme that he became a heavyweight champion before I did. It’s in ECW, but I’m sure he feels a little like he’s ahead of the game when it comes to brotherly competition, but I’m nowhere near as competitive as he is. I’m just very proud of him, and maybe I can do the same. We’ll see.

You’re known for doing incredible high-risk maneuvers. I’m curious as to how the process works. Do you present an idea for a big move, such as the Swanton off the scaffold with Randy Orton, to creative, or do they come to you and ask if you would feel comfortable doing something?

Most of the time they’ll come to me with the idea — even that [Swanton] was suggested. There’s been things that have been suggested that I’ve turned down — I’m like, “I don’t feel confident doing that.” Any time it’s a Swanton, I’m confident. But if I feel I can’t do it, I won’t do it. The one to Randy Orton was pretty crazy, man, because that was extremely high. And even the one off the truck to Umaga was creepy, too. Anybody that would go out there and check out the setup themselves would say, “Wow, it takes a lot of nerve to do this.”

You said that you have turned down things that have been suggested to you. Have you ever come up with something and Vince McMahon or someone said, “No, that’s too dangerous”?

One thing that stands out is when Brock Lesnar was still with us, I had this idea of somehow Paul Heyman would be laid out near the middle of the ring, but Brock would be underneath the turnbuckle I was jumping off of . And I’d go to Swanton Paul Heyman, and Brock Lesnar spears me in the air while I’m upside down. They said no. I was like, “My momentum’s going that way anyway. I feel confident in it.” But they were like, “No way.” I needed a couple action figures just to show it to them.

When I interviewed you back in January, you said that you don’t practice high-risk stunts, you just do them in one take. How do you know you can pull them off before you do them?

They put a lot of faith in me. I’m like, “Nah, I’m doing that one time and one time only. If it goes wrong, it goes wrong, but, nevertheless, it’s going to be on TV so it’s got to be good.” But, yeah, they just have faith in me, especially with any kind of Swanton. As many as I’ve done over the years, they have confidence that I can get it done.

Do you feel like Sunday’s match against Triple H at No Mercy is the biggest of your career? And do you feel like you have something to prove?

No, I don’t think I have anything to prove to people. But I know in most people’s eyes they think I have to get the WWE championship to prove that I’m No. 1 or whatever. Naturally it would be nice to become WWE champion, especially for all my fans that have always waited for that, but, yeah, I think it probably is the biggest match of my career. When I wrestled Randy Orton, that was probably the biggest match of my career at that point, because that was when I had the other shot at the WWE championship. Here I am again in another scenario for the WWE championship, and we’ll see.

Do you have a favorite match or favorite moment from your career?

I’d say all those TLC matches, but probably the most memorable one for me — I think it was in Raleigh. It was the first time anybody had ever hung from the rings — that was my idea. I even tried to do it in the first ladder match that we had, because I had that in my mind, but the rings weren’t strong enough to hold a body. But just to pull of something like that that comes from your brain is always spectacular for you because you’re like, “Wow, I thought this up and we brought it to reality.” It was me and Devon [Dudley], and it was just an awesome spot. I’ll never forget the feeling. Everybody just went, “Whoa! What is going on? This is crazy.”

Is there anybody that you haven’t worked with that you would like to?

Yeah, Rey Mysterio. I’ve tagged with him before. During the draft it was kind of a bummer because when he went to Raw I was like, “Yeah, me and Rey are going to get to tear it up.” I had no idea I was going to Smackdown. Then when I got drafted I was like, “Oh well, throw that out the door.”

Another question I asked you in January was whether you had any interest in having a feud with Matt. You said that you did and you’d like to wrestle him at WrestleMania XXV. Is there any chance of that happening then or some other time in the future?

Yeah, for sure. Matt and I both are big fans of Bret Hart-Owen Hart feud matches. I remember us being brothers and watching brothers wrestle on pay-per-view and were like, “How cool would that be?” Matt and I wrestled each other all the time back in the OMEGA days, so how cool would that be for us to be wrestling each other [in WWE]? I’m sure a lot of people would like to see that, too. I know people always say, “Nobody wants to see The Hardy Boyz fight,” but if it was done right, it could be phenomenal.

Any final thoughts before we wrap up?
Just watch MyNetwork TV tomorrow night (laughs).

Yes, that’s why we’re here, right?
Yeah, it’s like a recorder that’s broken in my head because I’ve said it so many times.

OK, I’ll set you up with a question. Do you feel like going to another network is a fresh start for Smackdown?

Yeah, it’s kind of exciting. I remember back in the day when Raw switched channels; it’s always exciting to try something new. Even now on Smackdown I’m more comfortable than I was at first. It has become my place to do my thing. So, yeah, if I switch brands, why not switch channels?

Following last night's Smackdown, Triple H will defend the WWE Championship against either Jeff Hardy, Vladimir Kozlov or both Hardy and Kozlov at the WWE Cyber Sunday PPV on Sunday, October 26 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Here are the matches signed so far:

WWE Championship Match
Pick the Opponent: Jeff Hardy, Vladimir Kozlov, Hardy/Kozlov
- Triple H (c) vs. Hardy, Kozlov or both Hardy/Kozlov.

Text JEFF to 44993 for Jeff Hardy
Text KOZLOV to 44993 for Vladimir Kozlov
Text TRIPLE to 44993 for a Triple Threat Match featuring Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Kozlov

source: wrestleview.com

WWE Championship Match
Triple H (c) vs. Jeff Hardy

They did ring introductions for the champion Triple H and challenger Jeff Hardy.

The bell rings and here we go. Triple H and Jeff Hardy shake hands. When Jeff turns his back, Triple H takes him out and goes for a quick roll up that results in a two count. Jeff jumps right back up and stares down Triple H. Triple H goes to work on Hardy's left arm. Hardy flips over to break it up. Triple H goes back to work on his arm. Jeff flips again to break it up and gets an armdrag takedown on Triple H. Triple H breaks that up and they back off staring each other down. Lock up and headlock by Triple H. Big shoulder block by Triple H on Jeff. Hip toss by Triple H, but Jeff fights back and takes down Triple H into a headlock. Jeff with a shoulder block into an arm drag takedown on Triple H. Triple H breaks that up with a reverse elbow off the ropes on Jeff. Head scissors takedown by Jeff on Triple H and then Jeff clotheslines Triple H over the top rope to the outside. Jeff then dives off the ring apron and takes out Triple H with a running clothesline.

Jeff grabs Triple H, throws him into the ring and hits a springboard leg drop that results in a two count. Jeff goes back to the side headlock takedown on Triple H. Triple H starts getting to his feet and sends Jeff into the ropes. Jeff kicks Triple H in the face/chest, but Triple H launches Jeff over the to rope. Jeff lands on his feet, hits Triple H, Triple H pulls Jeff through the ropes trying to hit a Pedigree, but Jeff sends Triple H over the top rope to the outside! Jeff hits the ropes, dives over the top rope, but Triple H moves and Jeff lands hard on his back. Triple H returns to the ring as the referee starts the count. The referee gets to 5 when Triple H leaves the ring and brings Jeff back in. JR said Triple H didn't want to win that way. Triple H covers Jeff right away, but only gets a two count. Triple H with a backbreaker on Jeff and follows that with an elbow to the lower back. Another elbow drop to the lower back by Triple H. Triple H drops a third elbow, covers Jeff and Jeff kicks out after two.

Jeff fights back with some right hands, but Triple H takes him out with a huge knee to the face. Cover by Triple H and Jeff continues to kick out. Triple H with a jumping knee to the face from the corner, cover and Jeff gets a shoulder up after two. Triple H hits a big right hand on Jeff that sends Jeff to the corner. Triple H takes advantage and gets in a few shoulder charges to Jeff. Jeff fires back with two boots to Triple H's face from the corner, but Triple H grabs Jeff and applies an abdominal stretch. Triple H uses the ropes for leverage. The referee eventually sees this and breaks it up. Triple H applies a sleeper on Jeff. Jeff then fights back dropping both feet across Triple H's groin, covers and Triple H kicks out. Jeff with a low dropkick to Triple H's face when Triple H sits up. Another cover by Jeff and Triple H still kicks out. Jeff launches Triple H over the top rope. Jeff hits the ropes, flips over the top rope and takes out Triple H on the outside! The referee then begins the count.

Both return to the ring. Jeff is up on the turnbuckle and takes out Triple H with a jumping clothesline. Another cover by Jeff and Triple H kicks out. Kick by Jeff, Triple H counters a Twist of Fate attempt and levels Jeff with a big clothesline. Triple H gets an arm over Jeff's chest, but Jeff gets a shoulder up after two. Triple H with an elbow to Jeff in the corner. Triple H jumps off the corner, but Jeff kicks him in the gut and lands a facebuster suplex. Jeff tries to hook the leg and Triple H barely kicks out after two. Jeff springboards off the corner, but Triple H catches him and both seem to connect at the same time. Cover by Triple H and Jeff again kicks out. Big spinebuster by Triple H on Jeff and he fires himself up. Triple H kicks Jeff in the gut, goes for the Pedigree, but Jeff counters and catapults Triple H into the corner. Jeff with a Whisper in the wind on Triple H, covers and Triple H barely kicks out after two as the fans can't believe it. Jeff with a dropkick to the back on Triple H. Jeff goes up top, jumps, but Triple H moves avoiding the Swanton Bomb. Triple H attempts a Pedigree, but Jeff dodges it and hits the Twist of Fate! Jeff goes up top and connects with the Swanton Bomb. Jeff covers Triple H laying his back on his chest, but Triple H turns Jeff over on his shoulders/back and gets the quick pinfall! Wow, what a match.

Winner & STILL WWE Champion: Triple H

After the match, Jim Ross and Tazz both put over how exciting that finish was. Highlights are shown of the match leading to the finish. Back live, Triple H is holding up the WWE Championship as he celebrates his win. Jeff Hardy walks over and shakes Triple H's hand. Triple H heads up the entrance ramp and gives one last pose with the WWE Title.

Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio, Finlay & Batista vs. MVP, JBL, The Brian Kendrick & Kane

While MVP was coming out, Gregory Helms popped up in the corner and said MVP is the highest paid entertainer in Smackdown history. Helms then says if that’s the case then he’d want his money back! He’s just saying!

This match is going to be awesome. The bell rings and it’s the fighting Irishman Finlay starting it off against The Brian Kendrick. They lock up and Finlay pushes Kendrick into the corner but Kendrick pushes back and gets in a hammerlock. Finlay gets out of the hammerlock, kicks down on the back of The Kendrick’s knee and drives an elbow down on his face! The Kendrick is in pain now as Finlay picks him up and hits a strong Inverted Atomic Drop. That probably made the pain worse. Finlay whips The Kendrick into the corner and runs a shoulder into his midsection. Ouch. Finlay takes him out and hits a beautiful European Uppercut. Finlay is now dragging The Kendrick towards his corner but The Kendrick is resisting. One final tug and Finlay now tags in The Animal Batista!

Batista comes in and stomps down on The Kendrick’s chest. Batista picks The Kendrick up, puts him in the corner and begins driving his shoulders into his midsection! Batista hits a nice suplex and gets a two and a half count! Batista puts The Kendrick into his corner and tags in Finlay.

Finlay gets a boot in the gut of The Kendrick and floors him with another beautiful (and stiff) European Uppercut. The Kendrick is now half in the ring so Finlay goes to the outside and bangs his chest down on the apron! Finlay then turns him over and drives an elbow across The Kendrick’s chest and he falls all the way out of the ring now.

Finlay throws The Kendrick back in the ring but while he’s trying to get in The Kendrick goes for a baseball slide but Finlay gets the apron up and starts pounding on him! I love that move! Hornswoggle is on the apron now and dives off with a clothesline on MVP trying to interfere!! Hornswoggle originated out of Wisconsin, by the way. Finlay and Hornswoggle high five as we go to commercial.

:::Commercial Break:::

We come back from the break with Finlay destroying The Kendrick with a stiff clothesline. The Kendrick’s back is blotchy red now. Finlay now tags in Rey Mysterio!

Mysterio walks up to The Kendrick, who is on his knees, and roundhouse kicks him in the face! Mysterio picks The Kendrick up but he just collapses, causing Mysterio to kind of trip over him. Mysterio goes into the ropes and hits a running leg drop. Kane now approaches him from the apron and starts staring him down! The referee keeps Kane in his corner as Mysterio wrenches the arm of The Kendrick and tags in Jeff Hardy!

Hardy goes right up to the top rope and comes off with a double axe handle to the arm of The Kendrick! Hardy bounces his head off the top turnbuckle and kicks him in the midsection. Hardy now hits a snapmare and hits a dropkick to the back. Hardy gets a two count from this exchange. Hardy picks him up but The Kendrick manages a stiff forearm to the face that temporarily stuns Hardy. The Kendrick collapses to the ground as Hardy stumbles and tags in Finlay!

Finlay runs in and gets taken down by a picture perfect dropkick from The Kendrick! Finlay is getting up but The Kendrick hits a roundhouse kick to the back of the head. The Kendrick now does his little dance and while he’s doing this Hornswoggle comes on the apron wearing The Kendrick’s jacket and doing his dance!! That’s comedy!! The Kendrick now gets out of the ring and chases Hornswoggle!! Hornswoggle runs through the legs of Finlay and The Kendrick runs into a clothesline on the outside of the ring!! Hornswoggle gets in the ring and does The Kendrick’s dance as Ezekiel Jackson clotheslines Finlay on the outside!!

JBL now puts both men back in the ring and gets back on the apron. The Kendrick now tags in JBL who comes in the ring and kicks Finlay right in the face! JBL bounces Finlay’s head off the top turnbuckle and begins pounding him with right hands in succession! The referee forces him out of the corner but JBL comes right back and kicks Finlay in the head. JBL now hits a short arm clothesline and hits four elbow drops which get him a two count!

JBL tags in Kane and holds Finlay wide open. Kane comes off the ropes with a kick to the midsection of Finlay. Kane comes off the ropes again and kicks him in the face! Kane then whips Finlay into the corner and hits a big clothesline! Kane then hits a huge right hand and tags in MVP.

MVP kicks Finlay in the chest, shoots a half nelson and delivers some knees to the midsection! MVP then hits a scoop slam and a knee drop for a one count. Finlay is down on his knees and MVP has a front face lock applied. Finlay’s partners begin clapping to get the audience into it and they do! Finlay is responding by getting up but MVP gets him in his corner and tags in JBL!

JBL crushes Finlay with a kick in the face in the corner and the referee backs him away. While this is going on Kane is choking Finlay on the bottom rope! Damn cheaters! JBL then goes for a right hand but Finlay blocks it and is fighting back with some rights of his own! Finlay goes into the ropes and JBL levels him with a clothesline! It’s not a Clothesline From Hell apparently – what’s the difference? He crushed him with this one too. Anyway JBL only gets a two count from it.

JBL now hits a right hand and send Finlay into the ropes but JBL lowers his head and Finlay counters with a DDT! Both men are crawling towards their sides. JBL tags in MVP and Finlay tags in Batista!!

Batista comes in and levels MVP with a clothesline! Batista whips him into the corner and hits a nice clothesline and then clotheslines The Kendrick who was trying to interfere!! Batista then throws The Kendrick shoulder first into MVP’s midsection and turns into Kane who gets his hand around Batista’s throat!! Kane goes for the Chokeslam but Batista elbows and punches out of it and hits a HUGE Spinebuster on Kane!! MVP then runs in and gets a big Spinebuster as well and Batista is shaking the ropes!!

Batista sets MVP up for a Batista Bomb and back body drops The Kendrick when he ran up to him!! MVP gets out of the bomb and Batista focuses now on The Kendrick by driving him into the corner. Batista now gets MVP on his shoulder and tags in Mysterio! Batista slams MVP down and gets Mysterio standing on his shoulder who then comes off with a HUGE splash!!

Mysterio starts punching The Brian Kendrick and goes to whip him into the ropes but The Kendrick reverses! Mysterio goes through his legs coming off the ropes and hits a hurricanrana and The Kendrick is now sprawled out on the second rope! You know what’s coming now! MVP stops him before anything happens and throws him into the ropes but Mysterio counters with a head scissors takedown and MVP joins The Kendrick on the ropes! Mysterio goes for a double 619 but Kane grabs his legs and drags him out of the ring!! It’s time for another commercial break.

:::Commercial Break:::

We’re back from the break and we see Kane come off the ropes and hit a low dropkick to the face of Mysterio! Kane covers and gets a two count. Kane now locks a chin lock on Mysterio. These two face off Sunday at No Mercy in a match where if Mysterio loses he must remove his mask. Kane stomps down on Mysterio and tags in The Kendrick.

Kane holds Mysterio as The Kendrick kicks him in the ribs. The Kendrick now kicks him in the head and gets a two count. The Kendrick now locks in a double arm choke as the fans chant “Boring”. I’m surprised that made it through. I don’t think this is boring! Now the audience gets in it and Mysterio starts getting up! Mysterio gets to his feet but The Kendrick slams him back down on the mat and tags in JBL!

JBL stares at Batista as he clubs Mysterio’s back. Batista tries to come in but the referee restrains him. JBL now picks up Mysterio and stares down Batista again as he delivers a Fall Away Slam! JBL covers but it’s broken up by Batista!!

JBL tags in MVP who comes in and starts punching but the referee kicks him out because he didn’t see the tag!! They’re actually enforcing the rules now?! Smackdown is the dominant show. JBL tags in MVP again and it’s legal! JBL holds up Mysterio as MVP drives some shoulders into the midsection. MVP hits a jumping elbow on Mysterio, picks him up and sends him into the ropes and hits a one man flapjack! MVP then kicks him in the face and tags in The Brian Kendrick!

The Kendrick goes up to the top rope and comes off with a stomp to Mysterio’s face and covers him for a two count! The Kendrick picks him up but Mysterio fires back with some punches but The Kendrick throws him into the corner. The Kendrick now charges Mysterio and pays for it with a boot in the face! Mysterio runs but The Kendrick sets him up for an overhead spinning backbreaker but Mysterio counters into a Reverse DDT and both men are down!! They crawl and The Kendrick gets MVP and Mysterio gets Jeff Hardy!!

Hardy comes in like a house on fire ducking a clothesline and coming back with some right hands! Hardy goes into the ropes and takes him down with a running forearm! Hardy goes for a whip but MVP twists him back to him and Hardy takes him down with his unique spinning neckbreaker (at least I think it’s a neckbreaker!).

Hardy now goes for the Twist of Fate but MVP throws him into the corner and Hardy climbs the ropes and hits Whisper in the Wind!! JBL now comes in and hits a big boot on Hardy but Batista runs in and SPEARS him down!! The Kendrick now runs in and blindsides Batista with a jumping calf kick, sending him out of the ring and The Kendrick turns into a clothesline from Finlay!! Finlay now turns into a big boot from Kane who then turns into a Missile Dropkick from Rey Mysterio!! Kane flies out of the ring!!

MVP is now on the second rope and Mysterio hits the 619!! Mysterio then goes on the apron and takes Kane down on the outside with a diving sitting Plancha!! Hardy now comes off the top rope with a Swanton Bomb on MVP and pins him to win the first match on this All Star Kick-Off!!

Winners by Pinfall: Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio, Finlay & Batista

Triple H & Jeff Hardy vs. MVP & The Brian Kendrick

Apparently MVP was featured in an interview in USA Today! That’s always good!

The fans are electric and chanting for Hardy. The bell rings and Jeff Hardy will start this bout out against MVP. They lock up and MVP wrenches Hardy’s arm immediately. Hardy twists out and wrenches MVP’s arm and punches it. Hardy wrenches again and tags in the WWE Champion who comes in with a right hand on MVP! Triple H wrenches MVP’s arm three times and tags back in the Charismatic Enigma! Hardy goes up to the top rope and comes off with a double axe handle on the left arm that Triple H was holding!

Hardy hits a snapmare and a lateral press for a one count. Hardy wrenches the left arm of MVP again as MVP reaches for his own partner. MVP gets out of it with a huge knee to the midsection and a big kick to the ribs. MVP now tags in The Brian Kendrick!

The Kendrick comes in and hits a real stiff kick in the face on Jeff Hardy. The Kendrick hits a right hand but Hardy bounces back with a couple and gets him in a headlock! The Kendrick backs Hardy back into the ropes and whips him off. Hardy levels him with a shoulder block and goes into the ropes, goes over The Kendrick, comes off the ropes and The Kendrick leap frogs him and comes off the ropes again into a hip toss attempt but Hardy counters into a hip toss of his own! The Kendrick is up and catches a kick from Jeff Hardy but Hardy hits the mule kick, sending The Kendrick into the corner sitting down. Hardy goes for the slingshot corner dropkick but The Kendrick rolls out of the ring and Hardy lands on his feet.

Hardy rolls out of the ring following but The Kendrick gets behind Ezekiel Jackson and Hardy just stares back. The Kendrick gets back in the ring and kicks Hardy in the face when he tries to get back in. The Kendrick kicks him in the head again and Hardy stumbles into the corner. The Kendrick drags Hardy into his corner and bounces his head off the top turnbuckle. The Kendrick kicks Hardy in the ribs and taunts to the crowd! The Kendrick turns around and punches Hardy and taunts again!

MVP is upset that he wasn’t tagged so he makes the blind tag and they get into a little altercation but MVP tells him to do as he says and he whips The Brian Kendrick into Hardy but Hardy moves out of the way and The Kendrick crashes into the turnbuckle! Jeff Hardy takes MVP down with a forceful clothesline and tags in Triple H! Hardy hits a double leg sweep and does the double leg drop to the groin! Triple H comes off the ropes and clotheslines MVP over the top rope! The Kendrick rushes them and they back body drop him out of the ring and on to MVP! That was some good stuff as we go to a commercial break!

:::Commercial Break:::

We come back from the break with MVP punching Triple H into his corner and The Brian Kendrick blind tagging in. The Kendrick hits some punches on the WWE Champion until Helmsley counters and hits some right hands of his own! Triple H then comes off the ropes into a beautiful dropkick by The Brian Kendrick! This gets a two count.

During the break Ezekiel Jackson stared down Triple H on the outside and The Brian Kendrick blindsides The Game with a baseball slide and Triple H’s head bounced off the barricade wall!

The Brian Kendrick now has Triple H in a modified Crossface submission. The Champion struggles for a bit as the audience gets behind him and he gets up to his feet but The Kendrick controls him and gets him in the corner. The Kendrick goes to whip him into the other corner but Triple H counters that and whips The Kendrick into the corner. When The Kendrick gets there he jumps to the second rope and goes for a blind crossbody block but no one is there for him and he eats the canvas!

Triple H now crawls over to Jeff Hardy, tags him in and the crowd goes nuts! The Kendrick dodges a clothesline from Hardy and Hardy knocks MVP off the apron! Jeff Hardy goes to deal with The Kendrick but he lands a kick to Hardy’s midsection! The Kendrick goes into the ropes and Hardy floors him with his modified spinning neckbreaker! Hardy now hits the Inverted Falcon’s Arrow and asks for the crowds support and I believe he has it!

Hardy now hits the Twist of Fate on The Kendrick and then quickly stops MVP from coming in and interfering! Hardy goes up to the top rope for a Swanton Bomb but Ezekiel pulls his leg and Hardy lands crotch first on the top turnbuckle and then crashes to the mat! Triple H goes over to the referee to argue this but this prevented the ref from seeing anything happen. The Kendrick covers and gets a two and a half count!

The Kendrick tags in MVP and he quickly starts in with shooting a half nelson and laying some knees into Hardy’s midsection. MVP whips Hardy into the corner and Hardy crashes in chest first before stumbling out backwards and being pushed into the ropes only to get a hard forearm to the back. MVP hits a snapmare and a big knee drop to the chest and covers for a CLOSE two and a half count! MVP is upset and tags in The Brian Kendrick.

MVP lays in some stomps while The Brian Kendrick goes to the top rope and comes off with a double stomp to Hardy’s chest!! The Kendrick is not sizing up Hardy while the crowd is chanting wildly for Hardy! The Kendrick now hits a low dropkick to the face and covers but gets another CLOSE two and three-fourths count! The Kendrick is pissed and now he locks in a textbook Camel Clutch! The Kendrick tries pulling back on the neck a few times but for the most part keeps the Camel Clutch locked in traditionally.

While the hold is locked in he tags in MVP who comes in with an elbow to Hardy’s head and locks in a sitting abdominal stretch! MVP has the hold locked in tight while punching the ribs a few times. Hardy gets to his feet and is wildly struggling to get to Triple H but MVP knees him in the midsection and knocks the WWE Champion off the apron! Triple H now comes in the ring but is stopped by the referee while MVP tags in The Kendrick who vaults over the top rope and stomps on Hardy’s chest. The referee of course doesn’t do his job to verify if The Kendrick was legally tagged in.

The Kendrick hits a low dropkick to the face and gets a two count done on him! Hardy goes for Triple H out of no where but The Kendrick grabs him by the leg! They’re now slugging it out but The Kendrick gets the upper hand with a knee to the midsection and a whip into the corner that turns into a Whisper in the Wind!! Both men are down and their partners are going crazy!!

Both men leap and make tags to their partners and Triple H comes in and knocks MVP down with a flying knee!! MVP pops up quickly and gets some right hands by Triple H!! Triple H goes for an Irish whip but MVP reverses and whips him but ducks his head and gets the jumping face buster from Triple H who goes back into the ropes and takes MVP’s head off with a diving clothesline! A cover gets Triple H a two count!

Triple H whips MVP into the ropes but MVP holds on and then kicks Triple H in the face! MVP goes into the ropes and Triple H gets him with a Double A Spinebuster!! The Kendrick now rushes in and gets a HUGE Batista like spinebuster and Triple H taunts the crowd now!!

Triple H sets MVP up for a Pedigree but The Kendrick hits him with a jumping calf kick!! Hardy now runs in and clotheslines The Kendrick over the top rope and the force of it takes Hardy over with him!! MVP now tries to hit Triple H with the Drive By Kick but Triple H lifts his head and hits MVP with a Pedigree for the win!!

Winners by Pinfall: Triple H & Jeff Hardy
Match Rating: ** ½

Jeff Hardy gets the WWE Championship from the timekeeper’s table and gives it to Triple H and raises their hands!! JR speculates if this is symbolic of Jeff Hardy trying to say “This is the last time I’ll be handing you this title”. Ah, perhaps Mr. Ross. The two men taunt for the crowd now.

source: wrestleview.com

Yup! Jeff Hardy once again is featured for a PPV cover/wallpaper, last time was No Way Out, now Hardy is the cover for the coming No Mercy PPV, on October 5, 2008.

To view or download Jeff Hardy No Mercy 2008 poster and wallpaper, click here

Last September 18, a report from Tennessean.com states that Jeff Hardy was not granted access to a flight heading to North Carolina on Wednesday due to the fact that Southwest employees stated he appeared to be intoxicated at Nashville International Airport's Southwest gate. Hardy was told he couldn't board the flight, but was not arrested and offered a later flight. Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz added, "He was very cooperative and there was no altercation. There was no need to get police."

Lots of conflicting reports made rounds earlier that day regarding the Jeff Hardy incident in Nashville at the Nashville International Airport. A report broke late Wednesday night that Hardy had been involved in some kind of an incident, but that details were sketchy at the time.

PWInsider reported that eyewitnesses claim Hardy was removed from a plane shortly before 11:00 a.m. Wednesday morning on a flight heading to North Carolina. Hardy, who was traveling with his brother Matt and Gregory Helms, was taken off his flight and flanked by several police officers. This same eyewitness, who didn't want to be identifed, claimed Hardy wasn't in a handcuffs, but was being escorted. Hardy was spotted being able to use his phone before he was escorted away.

The Sun in the UK reports that a WWE spokesperson noted that the company was informed of an alleged incident involving Hardy and are currently investigating the situation, adding they would take appropriate actions if needed. Phone call attempts to security officials at the Nashville airport were not returned, while those close to Hardy have stayed quiet about it. Scott Benningfield sent us a link to a blog by Matt Hardy recently where he makes no mention of this taking place noting he had a good evening with Jeff and friends after they arrived home from Nashville at this link.

Now PWInsider reports that WWE is officially considering the Jeff Hardy/Nashville airport situation on Wednesday a non-issue and will not be taking any kind of action. There was talk within WWE that this is again another reminder that they can only push Jeff so far so that it won't blow up in their faces when issues always tend to arise.

WWE Championship Scramble Match

Rules for the match courtesy of WWE.com: "The rules for the WWE Championship Scramble are simple: Two randomly selected ring warriors will start the match, with a new challenger stepping in every five minutes. If a man scores a pinfall or submission on any other in the match, he is declared the "interim" champion – though he will not be historically recognized as such. The title can change hands as many times as necessary throughout the bout, and the Superstar to earn the final pinfall or submission within the 20-minute time limit will be officially declared the WWE Champion."

Out first to begin the scramble is Jeff Hardy and WWE U.S. Champion Shelton Benjamin. They showed a promo of Benjamin from earlier today saying gold is the measure of a man and he will have two pieces of gold after tonight. The bell rings and here we go. Lock up and Benjamin gets a quick roll up that results in a one count on Hardy. Hardy with a roll up of his own and Benjamin kicks out before any count. Benjamin with a headlock on Hardy. Benjamin with a shoulder block off the ropes, cover, but only a two count. Hardy with a roll up on Benjamin that Benjamin quickly kicks out of. Hardy drives Benjamin into the corner and gets in a few shots. Hardy with a sunset flip on Benjamin that Benjamin powers out of quickly. Benjamin goes back to the headlock on the mat. Benjamin misses a heel kick when Hardy ducks, but Benjamin is able to power Hardy with force into the corner. Cover by Benjamin and Hardy kicks out after two. Benjamin stays on Hardy lighting him up with stomps and kicks. Snap suplex from Benjamin, cover and Hardy kicks out after two. Counter by Hardy in mid-air on Benjamin into a splash. Hardy with some forearms to Benjamin. Hardy with a scoop slam and leg drop over Benjamin that results in a two count. Time expires.

Out next is The Brian Kendrick as the #3 entrant. In the ring, Hardy tosses Benjamin over the top rope and Benjamin lands on the ring apron. Hardy leaps over with Benjamin. Benjamin attempts a german suplex, but Hardy hangs on. Brian Kendrick takes out Benjamin and brings Hardy in getting in a big kick. Kendrick with a flying forearm, cover on Hardy, but Hardy kicks out. Kendrick with some quick kicks to Hardy on the mat and then a big kick to the back. Kendrick with another cover and gets a two count. Kendrick misses a splash when Hardy moves in the corner. Hardy with a huge powerbomb that finishes with Hardy slamming Kendrick face first into the mat. Pinfall by Hardy on Kendrick and he gets it! Jeff Hardy is now the interim WWE Champion. Benjamin comes after Hardy, but Hardy fights back with a clothesline and quick suplex. Benjamin with a few elbows to the head on Hardy. Benjamin with a cover and Hardy again kicks out. Hardy dodges a leap by Benjamin allowing Benjamin to hit the corner with force. Benjamin counters a Twist of Fate attempt and hits The Paydirt! Kendrick breaks up the pinfall attempt and tosses Benjamin out of the ring. Kendrick hits The Kendrick (Sliced Bread #2) in the corner on Hardy, covers and gets the pinfall. The Brian Kendrick is the current interim WWE Champion. Kendrick jumps around celebrating as time expires.

Out next is MVP as the #4 entrant. MVP takes out Kendrick with some right hands and then lifts him up in the air slamming him back down face first. MVP hits a baseball slide kicking Hardy to the outside and tosses Kendrick over the top rope to the outside. MVP levels Benjamin with a knee to the face. MVP picks up Benjamin and hits a quick uppercut. MVP gets ready for a big kick when Kendrick jumps in and levels MVP with a huge kick of his own! Hardy takes out Kendrick with a big forearm. Hardy with a kick to Benjamin that sends Benjamin and MVP into the corner. Hardy hits his big kick to the sternum on Benjamin and MVP, covers Benjamin, but Kendrick breaks it up. Kendrick kicks Hardy out and then goes to work on Benjamin. Kendrick with some kicks to Benjamin and then chokes him using the ropes for leverage. Benjamin fires back taking out Kendrick with a huge samoan drop. MVP crawls over, covers Benjamin and Kendrick breaks it up. MVP grabs Kendrick, but Kendrick springboards off the corner and hits a quick cross-body on MVP. Kendrick with a big kick to Benjamin's face. Kendrick with a kick to MVP's face as well. Benjamin explodes with a big clothesline from the corner on Kendrick. Benjamin has Kendrick up for a powerbomb, but Kendrick counters into a huracanrana. MVP and Kendrick exchange rights and lefts. Kendrick levels MVP with a big kick to the head. Time expires.

Out last is Triple H as the #5 entrant. Triple H hits the ring and clotheslines Benjamin over the top rope and Kendrick in the ring. Knee to the face by Triple H on MVP. Kendrick jumps over Triple H and takes out MVP with a flying forearm. Spinebuster by Triple H on Kendrick. Triple H tosses MVP over the top rope, kicks Kendrick in the gut and hits the Pedigree. Pinfall by Triple H on Kendrick and he gets it. Triple H is now the current interim WWE Champion. JR said there is still a lot of time left. Triple H and Benjamin brawl on the outside. Benjamin sends Triple H shoulder first into the steel steps. Hardy rolls MVP back in as we see a little over three minutes left. Hardy with a Twist of Fate on MVP, cover and Hardy gets the pinfall. Jeff Hardy is now again the current interim WWE Champion. Kendrick kicks Hardy in the gut and goes for The Kendrick, but Hardy counters, lifts Kendrick up and drops him down face first. We have two minutes and 30 seconds left as Hardy goes up top and Triple H trips him up crotching Hardy on the turnbuckle. Triple H grabs Kendrick and hits the Pedigree. Cover by Triple H and he gets it. Triple H is now again the current interim WWE Champion. Jeff Hardy then hits Kendrick with a Swanton Bomb, covers and gets the pinfall. Jeff Hardy is now again the current interim WWE Champion. Hardy tosses Triple H over the top rope and then leaps out taking him out. In the ring, MVP has Kendrick up on the turnbuckle. MVP falls down, Benjamin jumps up and they have a tower of doom from the corner. Hardy grabs MVP, MVP counters, but Hardy hits a Whisper in the Wind on MVP. Hardy with a Swanton Bomb on Benjamin. 15 seconds left. Hardy with a Pedigree on MVP, covers, seconds ticking down, Hardy covers Benjamin, but it doesn't matter as Triple H captures the last pinfall.

List of interim WWE Champions in order:
1. Jeff Hardy.
2. The Brian Kendrick.
3. Triple H.
4. Jeff Hardy.
5. Triple H.
6. Jeff Hardy.
7. Triple H (final champion).

Winner & STILL WWE Champion: Triple H

After the match, Triple H celebrates with the WWE Championship as Jeff Hardy gets to his feet. Triple H and Jeff Hardy shake hands as Triple H motions he was very close. We then see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, we see Triple H celebrating at the top of the entrance ramp holding up the WWE Title. We see a shot of Jeff Hardy frustrated about how close he was to winning.

source: wrestleview.com