Khali Kiss Scam

If Beth Phoenix has an enemies list, “Santina” Marella is surely bubbling to the top. 

Santino’s “twin sister” socked The Glamazon with a shot of humiliation in front of a capacity crowd in the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. To her credit, the fairer Marella had actually shown up to explain to an enamored Great Khali why she couldn’t kiss him: She wasn’t who she claimed to be, in fact, she was in love with another man, announcer Jim Ross. Before she could prove her love for Ross with a kiss, however, Beth barged in.

Beth, who had earlier informed her boyfriend Santino that as long as he continued to pretend to be Santina she would not kiss him, proclaimed that the charade had gone too far and demanded a rematch with Santina for the “Miss WrestleMania” title.

Prior to the start of the match, Beth questioned Khali’s intelligence over his feelings for Santina. As one might imagine, The Punjabi Giant didn’t take kindly to the criticism and knocked out The Glamazon. With Beth momentarily out of commission, Santina called for the starting bell and quickly secured the pin. Her time in the ring, however, was not without incident. An enamored Khali, perhaps turned on by Santina's victory, attempted to restrain her, but her top broke in a wardrobe malfunction and sent the Italian scurrying up the entrance ramp topless

While Santino’s sister may have avoided the kiss of Khali, as long as she remains on Beth’s hit list, it’s unlikely she’ll avoid the kiss of death.

Kane def. CM Punk

After losing the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania and a singles match on Raw to CM Punk, Kane was craving retribution. And retribution is exactly what The Big Red Monster got when he decimated Punk in the center of the ring at Backlash.

His previous victories over Kane had clearly lit a fire under The Straightedge Superstar and from the opening bell he attacked The Big Red Monster with the intensity of an uncaged animal, unleashing a barrage of thunderous shots that could be heard throughout the Dunkin Donuts Center. But while Punk used his fortitude and heart to battle The Big Red Monster, he simply couldn’t overcome Kane’s size and strength advantage. In the end, a massive chokeslam sealed Mr. Money in the Bank’s fate — and the win for The Big Red Machine. 

To his credit, CM Punk came to Providence with a strategy. The Straightedge Superstar targeted his opponent’s right arm, throwing dangerous kicks at Kane in an attempt to take away the 7-footer’s most effective move — the chokeslam. Yet, Punk used his educated feet one too many times. After suffering through a barrage of kicks, The Big Red Monster finally grabbed Mr. Money in the Bank with both hands and chokeslammed him to the canvas on his way to victory.

Clearly, Kane had gotten the vengeance he was seeking at Backlash. And as the referee counted three, The Big Red Monster smiled, satisfied with the carnage he had left in his wake.

BACKLASH:Khali and Santina to lock up

The kiss heard ‘round the world will just have to wait – but only until Backlash.

It’s then that Santino’s “twin sister” Santina will have to pucker up for The Punjabi Playboy on The Khali Kiss Cam. 

Ever since Santina hoisted her brother’s girlfriend, Beth Phoenix, over the top rope to capture the first-ever Miss WrestleMania title, The Glamazon has had it in for the fairer Marella. When Santina explained to her brother, via satellite, that she had developed a blister on her lip and, therefore, could not kiss The Punjabi Playboy this Friday on SmackDown, Phoenix offered to be oh-so-helpful. 

The Glamazon informed Santino that she had even spoken with Raw’s new General Manager Vickie Guerrero and cleared the way for Santina and Khali to lock lips this Sunday at Backlash.

For some inexplicable reason, though, Santino seemed more than a little concerned at the thought of his “twin sister” playing tonsil hockey with The Punjabi Playboy. Go figure.

BACKLASH:CM Punk vs. Kane

It all began on the top of a ladder. In the closing seconds of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, CM Punk and Kane slugged it out 20 feet above the canvas all in a desperate bid to grab the briefcase and win a World Title opportunity that could be cashed in any time over the next year. Despite a massive size and strength advantage over The Straightedge Superstar, Punk persevered with a series of jaw-breaking kicks to knock The Big Red Monster from the ladder and claim his second straight Money in the Bank victory.Of course, The Big Red Machine hadn’t been so willing to accept this defeat. On last Monday’s Raw, he challenged CM Punk to a match, attempting to avenge his loss to The Straightedge Superstar. Instead, The Big Red Monster was once again upset when Mr. Money in the Bank countered a devastating chokeslam with a rollup and scored the pinfall victory. Although he flashed a sadistic smile after Punk outmaneuvered him, it was clear that Kane was not happy about what had just transpired.

The 7-foot behemoth would successfully vent his frustrations days later on “WWE Superstars,” briefly sating his thirst for vengeance when he manhandled Punk in a tag match, pinning him for the win. Of course, where Kane's warped mind is concerned, there’s no doubt that he intends to inflict much more pain and suffering on Punk at Backlash.

This Sunday, The Big Red Machine gets that opportunity to break Mr. Money in the Bank. Can CM Punk do the unthinkable and conquer Kane for a third time? Or will The Big Red Monster live up to his name and drag The Straightedge Superstar through hellfire and brimstone on his way to victory?

SMACK DOWN:Batista def. Ted DiBiase

Batista dropped Legacy member Ted DiBiase with a hard-hitting spear, followed by a thunderous Batista Bomb for the win on SmackDown. They will meet again on the battle grounds at Backlash in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.Since making his surprise comeback on Raw, Batista has been full of pent up aggression. Tonight, it was his Backlash opponent, Ted DiBiase, who felt The Animal’s wrath. Batista dominated the first part of the match, delivering one punishing maneuver after another.

However, DiBiase was able to turn the tables and strike back, delivering targeted attacks to Batista’s leg. But, The Animal regained momentum and dropped The Legacy member with a hard-hitting spear, followed up by a thunderous Batista Bomb for the win. In just nine days, they will meet again on the battle grounds at Backlash.

DRAFT 2009 RESULTS

ATLANTA - The 2009 Draft saw the entire WWE roster shaken up, and even after a special three-hour Raw, the changes are still coming with the Supplemental Draft, live on WWE.com all day Wednesday. While the WWE Universe certainly won, with such high-profile Superstars as Rey Mysterio, Matt Hardy, CM Punk and Big Show changing brands and WWE Champion Triple H bringing Raw its second World Title, the night was a rough one for Randy Orton. 

Not only did the Draft bring Orton’s nemesis Triple H to Monday nights, but his protégés in The Legacy failed to defeat The Game, Batista & Shane McMahon, meaning that The Legend Killer will have to face The King of Kings on the next Raw. (Exclusive Draftee interviews)

Though the WWE Universe might not have known what to expect with the 2009 Draft, they should know to "Expect Everything" for the very first episode of WWE Superstars this Thursday at 8 ET/5 WT only on WGN America. (More)

WWE Champion Triple H, Batista & Shane McMahon def. The Legacy; The Game earned an opportunity to go one-on-one with Randy Orton on the next Raw
 
In Raw’s main event, there wasn’t a Draft pick on the line, but instead something far more valuable to the competitors: An opportunity to exact retribution from Randy Orton. With the ring warrior scoring the pinfall earning a match against The Legend Killer on the next Raw, WWE Champion Triple H, Batista & Shane McMahon were more concerned with getting a victory for themselves than with working as a team. As Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase did their best to take advantage of their opponents’ strife, their opponents did themselves no favors, with Shane going so far as to break up Batista’s pin. As The Animal and Shane O’Mac argued, however, Triple H took advantage of the situation to pin Ted DiBiase after a devastating Pedigree, dashing The Legacy’s hopes of keeping their leader out of competition the following week.

Chris Jericho (SmackDown) def. Tommy Dreamer (ECW); Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio drafted to SmackDown  
Though he had made Raw his home since returning to WWE, Chris Jericho competed in the night’s last interpromotional Draft match on behalf of SmackDown, where he had been drafted earlier in the evening. The nefarious Superstar proved what a valuable addition he will be to SmackDown’s roster by defeating ECW Original Tommy Dreamer and bringing more championship gold to Friday nights with Draftee, Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio.

Matt Hardy (Raw) def. CM Punk (SmackDown); Divas Champion Maryse drafted to Raw  
Matt Hardy and CM Punk entered the 2009 WWE Draft representing SmackDown and Raw respectively, but by the time they faced off in the ring, their brand allegiances had switched. As the two ring warriors slugged it out, Jeff Hardy rushed to the ring and attacked his sibling, resulting in the disqualification of Mr. Money in the Bank and allowing Matt to pick up another random selection for Raw. With Women’s Champion Melina drafted to SmackDown earlier, Monday nights were in sore need of women’s division gold, and found it in the form of the newest Raw Diva: Divas Champion Maryse.

Christian (ECW) def. Shelton Benjamin (SmackDown); Vladimir Kozlov drafted to ECW  
Christian took to the ring to compete against Shelton Benjamin, and managed to show The Gold Standard what being Captain Charisma is all about, picking up a win and a Draft pick for his home brand of ECW. Though it was the only selection of the night for the Land of the Extreme, interim ECW General Manager Tiffany couldn’t be disappointed as it brought Vladimir Kozlov, The Moscow Mauler to Tuesday nights.

Edge (SmackDown) won the Tri-Branded Battle Royal; Kane & Chris Jericho drafted to SmackDown
 
Five Superstars from each of WWE’s three brands took to the ring for a 15-Man Tri-Branded Battle Royal, with the victor earning two Draft picks for their respective brand. With so much talent loaded into the ring, the match could have gone any way, but it was The Ultimate Opportunist Edge who outlasted the competition – including Big Show, Mark Henry and Finlay – and was the last Superstar left in the ring. Though Raw had gained numerous new ring warriors throughout the night, this win did a lot to even the score by bringing both Kane and Chris Jericho to SmackDown.

Kofi Kingston (Raw) def. The Miz (ECW); The Miz drafted to Raw
Representing Raw, Kofi Kingston competed against ECW’s The Miz, accompanied by his tag team partner, John Morrison. Perhaps not accustomed to working alone, The Shaman of Sexy was caught interfering in the match on behalf of the self-proclaimed “chick magnet,” leading to The Miz’s loss by disqualification, and another Draft pick for Raw. The former reality TV star will be getting more chances to work solo, as he was randomly selected to move to Monday nights. After embracing his “Dirt Sheet” partner, The Miz turned on him, leveling him with a Reality Check. 

The Great Khali (SmackDown) def. Santino Marella (Raw); Mr. Money in the Bank CM Punk drafted to SmackDown  
In another interpromotional SmackDown vs. Raw match, Santino Marella was faced with the massive Great Khali. Before the match began, however, Beth Phoenix came to the stage with a special announcement regarding the impending contest. By order of GM Vickie Guerrero, in addition to the Draft pick already at stake, if Santino lost the match, his “twin sister,” Miss WrestleMania “Santina” Marella, would have to be a guest on the Khali Kiss Cam. Unfortunately for the Italian Superstar and Miss WrestleMania, The Great Khali was victorious. In addition to winning some time with Santina next week, The Punjabi Playboy also earned SmackDown a Draft pick, bringing CM Punk to Friday nights. The Straightedge Superstar brings with him his Money in the Bank contract, which if utilized properly, is as valuable as any World Title.

World Heavyweight Champion John Cena (Raw) def. ECW Champion Jack Swagger (ECW); Matt Hardy and WWE Champion Triple H drafted to Raw 
 
With two Draft picks up for grabs, World Heavyweight Champion John Cena faced off against ECW Champion Jack Swagger for the first time ever. Despite “The All-American” American’s earlier bragging, The Champ prevailed, handing Swagger a defeat courtesy of the STF, and bringing two of SmackDown’s most powerful ring warriors to Raw: The devious Matt Hardy and WWE Champion Triple H, giving Raw two World Titles. Following the match Cena was attacked by his Backlash opponent, Edge, but managed to turn the assault around, chasing The Ultimate Opportunist from the ring.

Divas Champion Maryse, Michelle McCool & Natalya (SmackDown) def. Women’s Champion Melina, Mickie James & Kelly Kelly (Raw); Melina drafted to SmackDown  
The Divas of Raw and SmackDown squared off in a Six-Diva Tag Team Match, which saw Divas Champion Maryse, Michelle McCool & Natalya defeat Women’s Champion Melina, Mickie James & Kelly Kelly, earning SmackDown the brand’s first Draft pick. The random selection was a lucky one for the ladies of SmackDown, as it brought Melina and her Women’s Championship to Friday nights.

Kane (Raw) def. The Brian Kendrick (SmackDown); Big Show drafted to Raw  
Representing SmackDown, The Brian Kendrick took on Kane with another Draft selection on the line. But even with the assistance of his bodyguard, Ezekiel Jackson, Kendrick was no match for the immense size and strength of The Big Red Monster. Kane’s victory earned Raw another Draftee, bringing in The World’s Largest Athlete, Big Show, and eliminating the 7-footer’s status as the biggest Superstar on Raw.

Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio (Raw) def. Evan Bourne (ECW); United States Champion MVP drafted to Raw  
The first match of the night pitted two high-flyers against one another in the form of Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio and ECW’s Evan Bourne. Unfortunately for “Air” Bourne, his aerial maneuvers were no match for the ring experience of The Master of the 619, who picked up the win. Like most of the matches on the Draft night, there was a randomized Draft pick at stake, which Mysterio picked up for Raw. With the first Draft selection of the evening, Monday nights gained another title as United States Champion MVP joined the roster.

WWE Champion Triple H, Batista & Shane McMahon to face The Legacy on Raw with a match against Randy Orton at stake  
After returning to WWE the week before, Batista opened Raw on the night of the Draft with vengeance on his mind. Though he’ll have a chance to meet Randy Orton in the ring as part of the WWE Championship Tag Team Match at Backlash, The Animal made clear his desire to face The Legend Killer on Raw and take revenge for the vicious punt that kept him from the ring for months. But Batista wasn’t the only competitor with his sights set on Orton, as he was joined in the ring by both Shane McMahon and WWE Champion Triple H, who both wanted to get their hands on the venomous Superstar for what his attacks on Stephanie McMahon and the WWE Chairman himself, Mr. McMahon. 

As the three argued over who would get first dibs on Orton, they were interrupted by Vickie Guerrero. Raw’s new General Manager announced that only one of them would get the opportunity to face The Legend Killer before Backlash, and that they would have to earn it. Guerrero then placed WWE Champion Triple H, Batista & Shane McMahon in a 3-on-2 Handicap Match against The Legacy for later in the night. Whoever scores the pinfall on either Rhodes or DiBiase will have earned themselves a match against Orton on the next Raw, but if The Legacy prevails, then none of “The Viper’s” enemies will be able to get their hands on him.

SMACKDOWN

Face Off:Although WWE Champion Triple H was drafted to Raw, he comes back to SmackDown to go face-to-face with Randy Orton. With tensions running high before their WrestleMania rematch on Raw, what will unfold?

No escape:
In the first match of the premeire episode of "WWE Superstars" on WGN America, Matt Hardy faced off against Undertaker. Hardy left the ring and was counted out, but was then attacked and chased back into the ring by his brother Jeff, where The Deadman was waiting ...

Backlash Prelude:In a prelude to their Backlash Six-Man Tag Team Match, Batista faces off with The Legacy’s Ted DiBiase. After being pinned by Triple H on Raw, can DiBiase build momentum for his team, or will The Animal crush him in his tracks?

Big Challenge:After a punishing loss to his own brother in a Stretcher Match last week on SmackDown, Jeff Hardy goes up against the World’s Largest Athlete, Big Show. Can the Charismatic Enigma find a way to win, or will Big Show stop him cold?

Matt Hardy def. Jeff Hardy (Stretcher Match)

 
Fresh off his Extreme Rules victory over his brother at WrestleMania (recap), Matt Hardy looked to “erase Jeff from WWE.” He demanded that Jeff come to the ring and apologize to him and the WWE Universe for being an “extreme disappointment,” or he would end up leaving the ring on a stretcher. After Jeff emerged to chase Matt from the squared-circle, the returning Teddy Long made Matt’s choice of words into a reality. For the first time ever on SmackDown, Jeff and Matt would face each other in a Stretcher Match.In the culmination of the Hardys' excruciating Stretcher Match, Matt moved out of the way at the last second, causing Jeff to Swanton Bomb himself down onto an empty, unforgiving stretcher frame outside the ring. After Matt finished him off with a painful chair shot, he claimed victory by pushing his fallen brother up the ramp. Once his arms were raised in unsettling triumph, Matt sent Jeff hurling back down the ramp, causing the stretcher to smash into the ring below.

BATISTA RETURNS WITH POWER

Batista recently approached company officials to inform them he was way ahead of schedule with his physical therapy and ready to get back in the mix of things as soon as possible. This explains why he was brought back to television last Monday. Batista has been working out at Florida Championship Wrestling’s headquarters in Tampa to get rid of some of his ring rust.

Before going down with an injury last year, he was said to be on the verge of burnout and had asked for some time off from the road. However, several other wrestlers were dealing with injuries of their own so company officials kept asking him to put off his time off from the road. In December, Batista incurred a hamstring injury, which forced WWE to shoot an angle for him to get his time off.

While the Raw Superstar looked bigger in his return than he has in quite some time, he was noticeably limping and at his age, returning to action before he is 100% ready could be a bad move in the long run.