Judgment Day (2007)

Infobox Wrestling event
name=Judgment Day (2007)


theme="I Don't Wanna Stop" by Ozzy Osbourne [cite web|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|date=2007-05-12|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/exclusives/ozzyosbourne|title=Ozzy rocks WWE|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-19]
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=Raw
SmackDown!
ECW
date=May 20, 2007
venue=Scottrade Center
city=St. Louis, Missouri
attendance=10,500cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/judgment.html#2007| title=Judgment Day 2007 results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|accessdate=2007-11-17]
lastevent=Backlash (2007)
nextevent=One Night Stand (2007)
event=Judgment Day
lastevent2=Judgment Day (2006)
nextevent2=Judgment Day (2008)

Judgment Day (2007) was the ninth annual Judgment Day professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on May 20, 2007 from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.cite web|first=Brian|last=Elliott|date=2007-05-20|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2007/05/21/4197038.html|title=WWE just passes on Judgment Day|publisher=SLAM! Sports|accessdate=2007-11-19] This was the first Judgment Day event since 2003 to be an inter-brand pay-per-view, as it featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown!, and ECW brands. [cite web|date=2007-03-14|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_03_14.jsp| title=WWE Pay-Per-Views To Follow WrestleMania Formula|publisher=WWE Corporate |accessdate=2007-11-19]

The main match on the Raw brand was John Cena versus The Great Khali for the WWE Championship, which Cena won after forcing Khali to submit to the STFU.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/4124402/results|title=Goliath goes down|date=2007-05-20|first=Louie|last=Dee| publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] The featured match on the SmackDown! brand was Edge versus Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Edge won with a school boy pin.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/41244024/results|title=The gold standard|date=2007-05-20|first=Lennie|last=Difino|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] The primary match on the ECW brand was a Handicap match for the ECW World Championship between Team McMahon (champion Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon and Umaga) and Bobby Lashley. Lashley won the match by pinning Shane McMahon; however, he did not win the title since he did not pin the champion, Vince McMahon.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/41244021/results|title=The ecstasy... and then the agony|date=2007-05-20|first= Bryan|last=Robinson|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

Background

The main feud heading into Judgment Day on the Raw brand was between John Cena and The Great Khali, with the two battling over the WWE Championship. The rivalry started on the April 30, 2007 edition of "Raw" during a non-title match between John Cena and Shawn Michaels when Michaels was attacked from behind by The Great Khali. Edge and Randy Orton were also knocked out by Khali. The Great Khali then performed a Khali Bomb on Cena. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04302007|title=Khali's claim|date=2007-04-30|first=Noah|last=Starr|publisher=WWE| accessdate=2007-11-17] The next week on "Raw", Khali defeated Shawn Michaels in a number one contenders match by knockout after executing the Khali Bomb on Michaels through the announce table. Later that night, Khali stole Cena's WWE title belt.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05072007|title=Gold digging|date=2007-05-07|first=Lennie| last=Difino|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] On the May 14 edition of "Raw", when Cena attempted to take his belt back, Khali attacked him. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05142007|title=Gaining momentum|date= 2007-05-14|first=Louie|last=Dee|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

The predominant feud on the SmackDown! brand was between Edge and Batista, with the two feuding over the World Heavyweight Championship. The feud started on the May 11 edition of "SmackDown!" when Batista challenged The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship in a steel cage match. Both men escaped the steel cage at the same time, thus ending in a draw. After the match, Mark Henry made his return and attacked The Undertaker. Edge then defeated The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship after cashing in his Money in the Bank contract, which is used to receive a title match of the owner's time and place of choosing. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05112007|title=In with the new|date=2007-05-11| first=Noah|last=Starr|publisher=WWE |accessdate=2007-11-17] [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/24393181111|title= Edge's first World Heavyweight Championship reign| publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] On the May 18 edition of "SmackDown!", Batista confronted Edge and challenged him to a match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Judgment Day. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05182007|title=Passing Judgment|date=2007-05-18|first= Lennie|last=Difino|publisher= WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

The primary feud on the ECW brand was between Team McMahon (Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon and Umaga) and Bobby Lashley, with Vince and Lashley feuding over the ECW World Championship. Lashley had represented Donald Trump in the "Battle of the Billionaires" and defeated McMahon's representative Umaga, thus becoming a rival of the McMahons. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wrestlemania23/matches/39161842/results| title=The 'mane' event|date=2007-04-01|first=Craig|last=Tello|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] The McMahons and Umaga defeated Lashley in a 3-on-1 handicap match to allow Vince to win the ECW World Championship. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/2007/matches/396065214/results|title=Hell freezes over in ECW|date=2007-04-29|first=Bryan|last= Robinson|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] Lashley demanded a rematch for the ECW World Championship, and Vince booked himself, Umaga and Shane in another 3-on-1 handicap rematch against Lashley for the ECW title.

Event

Before the broadcast began, Kane defeated William Regal in a dark match.

Preliminary matches

The first televised match was between Ric Flair and Carlito. Carlito controlled a majority of the match, attacking and applying various submission holds on Flair's arm. After reversing a Back Stabber attempt by Carlito, Flair forced Carlito to submit with the Figure-Four Leglock to win the match.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/4124402211/results|title=Schooled|date=2007-05-20|first=Noah|last=Starr|publisher=WWE| accessdate=2007-11-17 ]

The next match on the card was between Bobby Lashley and Team McMahon (ECW World Champion Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, and Umaga) for the ECW World Championship. Towards the end of the match, Lashley delivered a Dominator to Shane and pinned him for the win. Lashley was declared the new ECW Champion, but Vince said that since he did not pin him, the champion, Lashley did not win the title. The third match was between CM Punk and Elijah Burke. Throughout the match, the two exchanged many aerial maneuvers. Punk won the match by pinning Burke after performing a GTS (Go To Sleep).cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/41244022/results|title=On his own|date=2007-05-20|first=Andrew|last=Rote| publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

Randy Orton versus Shawn Michaels followed. During an interview segment before the match, Orton attacked Michaels.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/judgementday07.html| title=Judgment Day 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2007-11-17] Before the match began, Orton stood alone in the ring and declared himself the winner by forfeit. Michaels, however, appeared and came to the ring, although he showed signs of injury. Michaels came into the match with a legitimate knee injury. During the match, Orton tried to perform a superplex over the top turnbuckle, but Michaels used an eye rake and caused Orton to fall. Michaels followed up with a diving elbow drop and tried to execute Sweet Chin Music, but collapsed in the process. The referee declared Orton the winner as a result. After the match, Orton attacked Michaels again, causing a kayfabe career-ending concussion.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/412440221/results|title=Showstopped|date=2007-05-20|first=Louie| last=Dee|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

Next was The Hardys (Matt and Jeff) versus Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch for the World Tag Team Championship. Near the end of the match, Matt performed a Twist of Fate on Cade, which was followed by Jeff performing a Swanton Bomb. Jeff pinned Cade and The Hardys retained the World Tag Team Championship.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/41244022111/hardysvscademurdoch05202007|title='By the book' couldn't beat the Hardys|date=2007-05-20|first=Corey|last=Clayton|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

Main event matches

The following match was Edge versus Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship. Batista controlled most of the match and performed a Spinebuster on Edge. Edge, however, pinned Batista with a school boy to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/41244024/results|title=The gold standard|date=2007-05-20|first=Lennie|last= Difino|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

The seventh match was a Two out of three falls match for the WWE United States Championship between champion Chris Benoit and Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP). MVP gained the first fall by pinning Benoit after executing a Playmaker. MVP gained the second fall and won the match after pinning Benoit with an Inside Cradle.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/41244023/results|title=Third time's the golden charm for MVP|date=2007-05-20| first=Mike|last=McAvennie|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/4729814|title=Montel Vontavious Porter's first United States Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

Next was the main event, which saw John Cena defend the WWE Championship against The Great Khali. Khali attacked Cena early in the match, but Cena countered and gained the advantage. Cena performed a diving legdrop bulldog and followed by putting Khali in the STFU. Cena forced Khali to submit to the hold, but Khali's foot was under the rope, meaning Cena should have broken the hold. The referee, however, did not see this and declared Cena the winner. Cena retained the WWE Championship and gained possession of the belt, which Khali had kayfabe stolen prior to the event. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/4124402/results|title=Goliath goes down|date=2007-05-20|first=Louie|last=Dee| publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

Aftermath

Bobby Lashley and Team McMahon continued their rivalry, as Mr. McMahon was forced to book himself against Lashley at One Night Stand in a Street Fight for the ECW World Championship. Lashley won the right to face McMahon by winning a Gauntlet match with the stipulation that he would receive a title shot if he beat Chris Masters, Viscera, Umaga and Shane McMahon in succession.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05212007| title=Gauntlets galore|date=2007-05-21|first=Louie|last=Dee|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] At One Night Stand, Lashley defeated Mr. McMahon in a Street Fight to win the ECW World Championship despite interference by Shane McMahon and Umaga. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/matches/4362508112/results|title=ECW World Champion once again, demons exorcised|date=2007-06-03|first=Bryan|last=Danielson|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] [cite web| url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/history/ecwchampionship/060307lashley|title=Bobby Lashley's second ECW World Championship reign|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

Edge and Batista also continued their rivalry over the World Heavyweight Championship after Batista defeated Mark Henry, Kane and Finlay in a Fatal Four-Way match to become the number one Contender to the title. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05252007|title=Golden goals|date=2007-05-25|first=Lennie|last=Difino|publisher=WWE| accessdate=2007-11-17] On the June 1 edition of "SmackDown!", Batista verbally and physically confronted Edge on the SmackDown! debut of Edge's "Cutting Edge" talk show. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06012007|title= Draft patterns|date=2007-06-01|first=Lennie|last=Difino|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] At One Night Stand 2007, Edge and Batista faced each other in a Steel cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Edge retained his title after escaping the steel cage first. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/matches/4362508111/results|title=Edge wins by two feet|date= 2007-06-03|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

Shawn Michaels did not appear on-screen until October 8, when he returned to confront Orton and restart their feud. On the May 29 edition of "Raw", Rob Van Dam claimed on WWE's website that Randy Orton should not have attacked Shawn Michaels at Judgment Day. Orton challenged Van Dam to a match that same night, which Orton won by forfeit. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05282007|title=The last stand before One Night Stand|date= 2007-05-28|first=Noah|last=Starr|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17] At One Night Stand, the two had a Stretcher match, which Van Dam won. After the match, however, he was attacked by Orton. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/matches/4362508113/results|title=An ECW legend killed at One Night Stand?|date=2007-06-03|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

John Cena and The Great Khali also continued to feud over the WWE Championship. Following the controversial ending to their match at Judgment Day, where Cena forced Khali to submit while his foot was underneath the bottom rope, meaning Cena should have released the hold, Khali challenged Cena to Pinfalls Count Anywhere match for One Night Stand. Cena accepted, and Khali attacked him, performing a Chokebomb. [cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|title=Foot fracas leads to rematch, beating for The Champ|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05212007/articles/KhaliCenaRAW05212007|publisher=WWE|date=2007-05-21|accessdate=2007-10-10] At One Night Stand, Cena retained his title by pinning Khali after performing an FU. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/matches/4362508/results|title= Crafty Cena conquers, pins Great Khali|date=2007-06-03|first=Corey|last=Clayton|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-17]

Results

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/ Official Judgment Day 2007 website]