Unforgiven (2007)

Infobox Wrestling event
name=Unforgiven (2007)


tagline=
theme="Rise Today" by Alter Bridgecite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/|title=Unforgiven 2007 results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-09-16]
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=Raw
SmackDown!
ECW
date=September 16, 2007
venue=FedExForum
city=Memphis, Tennessee
attendance=10,128
lastevent=SummerSlam (2007)
nextevent=No Mercy (2007)
event=Unforgiven
lastevent2=Unforgiven (2006)
nextevent2=Unforgiven (2008)

Unforgiven (2007) was the tenth annual Unforgiven pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on September 16, 2007 from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands.

The main match on the SmackDown! brand was The Undertaker versus Mark Henry, which Undertaker won by pinfall after executing a Last Ride.cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date= 2007-09-16|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/48366501/results/|title=One self-proclaimed Silverback down, one Animal to go?|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-21] The predominant match on the Raw brand was John Cena versus Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, which Orton won after Cena was disqualified.cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date= 2007-09-16|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/4836650/results/|title=Rage of two Cenas unforgiving to Orton|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-21] The primary match on the ECW brand was CM Punk versus Elijah Burke for the ECW Championship, which Punk won after pinning Burke with a rolling cradle.cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|date=2007-09-16|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/4836650221/results/|title=Punk prevails|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-21] The featured matches on the undercard included The Great Khali versus Batista versus Rey Mysterio in a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship and Triple H versus Carlito in a match where Carlito could not be disqualified.cite web|first=Lennie|last=Difino|date=2007-09-16|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/48366501/results1/|title=Destined for gold|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-21] cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|date=2007-09-16|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/48366503/results/|title=Not cool!: The Game beats the Bad Apple|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment| accessdate=2007-11-25]

The event had 210,000 buys, down from the Unforgiven 2006 figure of 289,000 buys.cite paper|title=WWE® Reports 2007 Third Quarter Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=2007-11-01|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/documents/3QF2007pressrelease.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-08-06]

Background

The main feud heading into Unforgiven on the SmackDown brand was between The Undertaker and Mark Henry. Their rivalry started in early 2006 when Henry's interference caused Undertaker to lose a match for the World Heavyweight Championship against Kurt Angle.cite web|date=2006-03-03|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03032006|title=World's Strongest Splash|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25] This culminated in a Casket match at WrestleMania 22 which Undertaker won, extending his WrestleMania winning streak to 14-0. [cite web|author=The Rick|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/recaps/ppv/20060402.shtml|title=WWE presents WrestleMania 22 |accessdate=2008-06-17|date=2006-04-02|publisher=Online Onslaught] On the May 11, 2007 edition of "SmackDown", Henry, who made his return from an injury he sustained in mid-2006, assaulted The Undertaker after Undertaker had retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Batista in a Steel Cage match. Following the assault, Edge cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to defeat Undertaker and win the World Heavyweight Championship.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/24393181111/| title=Edge's first World Heavyweight Championship reign|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25] As a result, Undertaker was out of action for four months.cite web|first=Noah|last=Starr|date =2007-05-11|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05112007/|title=In with the new|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25] cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/24393181111/| title=Edge's first World Heavyweight Championship reign|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25] In August, vignettes started airing about Undertaker's return and his match with Henry at Unforgiven. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070817.html|title=SmackDown! results - August 17, 2007|accessdate=2008-06-17|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070824.html|title=SmackDown! results - August 24, 2007|accessdate=2008-06-17|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070831.html|title=SmackDown! results - August 31, 2007|accessdate=2008-06-17|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

The main feud on the Raw brand was between John Cena and Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. Cena had retained the title against Orton at SummerSlam.cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=2007-08-26|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/3900088/results/|title=Champ's legend lives on|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25] The following night on "Raw", Orton demanded a rematch for the title, but his request was declined by General Manager William Regal. Orton proceeded his demands to Mr. McMahon, who also refused to give him a rematch unless he proved himself.cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08272007/articles/shouldcenastepuporstepdown|title=Should Cena step up... or step down|accessdate=2008-06-17|date=2007-08-29|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment] That night, Orton interfered in Cena's match by assaulting Cena and kicking Cena's father, who was at ringside, in the head.cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date= 2007-08-27|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08272007/articles/testsforcenasdad/|title=Cena's father taken to medical facility for tests|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25] The following week, Orton was granted a title rematch against Cena at Unforgiven. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070903.html|title=RAW results - September 3, 2007|accessdate=2008-06-17|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

The main feud on the ECW brand was between CM Punk and Elijah Burke over the ECW Championship. The rivalry started on the September 11, 2007 edition of "ECW", when Burke became the number one contender to the title. After the fact was revealed, Punk dropkicked Burke. Later that same night, Punk teamed up with Stevie Richards in the main event against Burke and Kevin Thorn, which saw Punk and Richards win the match.cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|date=2007-09-11|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/09112007/articles/whosthefuture/|title=Who's the future?|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25]

The secondary feud on the SmackDown brand was between The Great Khali, Batista and Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship. After Batista was unable to win the World Heavyweight Championship from Khali at SummerSlam,cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee| date=2007-08-26|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/39000883/results/|title=Punjabi robbery|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment| accessdate=2007-11-25] he participated in a tournament in which he lost to Mysterio, the eventual winner. As a result, Mysterio got a title shot against Khali at Unforgiven.cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|date=2007-08-31|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08312007/articles/reybecomesno1contender|title=Mysterio becomes top "David" against World Champion "Goliath"|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25] On the September 7, 2007 edition of "SmackDown", after Mysterio defeated Chavo Guerrero in an "I Quit" match, Khali put Mysterio in a Khali Vise Grip. Batista made the save, and as a result, he was made a part of the match, making it a Triple Threat match at Unforgiven.cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|date=2007-09-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09072007/articles/andbatistamakesthree/|title=And Batista makes three|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment |accessdate=2007-11-25]

Event

Before the event began, Kane defeated Kenny Dykstra in a dark match.cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/unforgiven07.html|title=Unforgiven 2007 results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2007-11-25]

Preliminary matches

The first match was for the ECW Championship between CM Punk and Elijah Burke. Punk won the match after pinning Burke with a rolling cradle. As a result, Punk retained the ECW Championship.

Next was a match for the WWE Tag Team Championship between Matt Hardy and Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) against Deuce 'n Domino, who dominated early in the match and mocked the champions because of their rivalry over the WWE United States Championship, which MVP held. Deuce N' Domino took the advantage of Hardy and MVP's fight with each other and isolated Hardy. Hardy tossed MVP out of the ring and delivered a Twist of Fate to Deuce followed by a pinfall victory. As a result, MVP and Matt Hardy retained the WWE Tag Team Championship.cite web|first=Lennie|last=Difino|date=2007-09-16|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/483665021/results/|title=Keep on Ballin'|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25]

The third match was between Triple H and Carlito in which Carlito could not be disqualified. Carlito took advantage of the situation as he could use any weapon. He attacked Triple H several times with steel chairs, and threw powder in his eyes. With the referee distracted, a blinded Triple H struck Carlito with a low blow followed by a Pedigree, leading to Triple H pinning Carlito to win the match.

The next match was for the WWE Women's Championship between Candice Michelle and Beth Phoenix. Phoenix was in control early in the match. When Phoenix had Candice on her shoulders, Candice reversed the attack and pinned Phoenix with a crucifix. As a result, Michelle won the match, and retained the WWE Women's Championship.cite web|first=Greg|last=Atkins| date=2007-09-16|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/48366502/results/|title=No glory for the Glamazon| publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25]

Main event matches

The fifth match was a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship between The Great Khali, Batista and Rey Mysterio. Late in the match, Mysterio performed a 619 onto Khali, and attempted to score the pinfall. Batista, however, pulled Mysterio off of Khali and threw him out of the ring. Batista picked Khali up and delivered a spinebuster. Batista then pinned Khali to win the match. As a result, Batista became the new World Heavyweight Champion.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/50797501|title=Batista's third World Heavyweight Championship reign|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-25]

The following match was for the World Tag Team Championship between the team of Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch and the team of Paul London and Brian Kendrick. Cade and Murdoch had the advantage over London and Kendrick early on. At one point, Murdoch pulled Kendrick outside of the ring, over the top rope, and threw him into Cade, who performed a sitout spinebuster onto Kendrick. London tried to help his partner until Cade superplexed him over the top rope. Murdoch took the advantage and pinned Kendrick for the win. As a result, Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch retained the World Tag Team Championship.cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|date=2007-09-16|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/483665023/results/|title=The blue-collar boys retain the titles|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment| accessdate=2007-11-25]

The seventh match was for the WWE Championship between John Cena and Randy Orton. Cena entered the ring with rage and started beating on Orton until Orton struck Cena down. Orton covered Cena, but he could only get a two count. Cena angrily lost his control and started beating Orton. The referee Mike Chioda tried to stop Cena from continuously punching Orton, but Cena continued and was disqualified. Therefore, Orton won the match, but not the title, because a title changes hands only by pinfall or submission. As a result, John Cena retained the WWE Championship. Outside the ring, Cena put Orton in the STFU while Cena's father kicked in the head of Orton in the same way as Orton had kicked in his head on a previous episode of Raw. After the match, Jonathan Coachman booked John Cena in a Last Man Standing match against Orton for the WWE Championship at No Mercy.

The main event was between The Undertaker and Mark Henry. During the match, Henry hit Undertaker with a series of splashes and superplexes, but Undertaker was able to continue fighting in the match. Henry put Undertaker in the bearhug but Undertaker broke the hold. In the end, Undertaker delivered a Last Ride to Henry from the top rope. Undertaker then pinned Henry to win the match.

Aftermath

Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch continued to feud with Paul London and Brian Kendrick while Jeff Hardy got involved in a rivalry with Mr. Kennedy. At No Mercy, London and Kendrick teamed up with Hardy to take on the team of Cade, Murdoch and Kennedy in a six-man tag team match. Cade, Murdoch and Kennedy won the match after Kennedy delivered a Green Bay Plunge to London.cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/october/2007.htm|title=WWE No Mercy 2007|accessdate=2008-06-16|publisher=PWWEW.net] On the September 17 edition of "Raw", Candice Michelle and Mickie James defeated Melina and Jillian in a tag team match. Beth Phoenix was at ringside during the matchcite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton| date=2007-09-17|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09182007/|title=Glamazon on the warpath|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate= 2007-11-27] At No Mercy, Candice and Phoenix had a rematch for the Women's Championship, which Phoenix won to capture the title.cite web|first=Greg|last=Atkins|date=2007-10-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/526728811/results/|title=Phoenix Rises|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-27] cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/20071007/|title=Beth Phoenix's first Women's Championship reign|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-27]

On the September 18 edition of "ECW", General Manager Armando Estrada announced an "Elimination Chase" to determine the number one contender for the ECW Championship at No Mercy. The first match involved Elijah Burke, Kevin Thorn, Tommy Dreamer and Stevie Richards. Burke eliminated Richards from the Elimination Chase after pinning him.cite web|first=Craig| last=Tello|date=2007-09-18|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/09182007/articles/bigchase/|title=The chase is on|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-26] In the second round, which was held on the September 25 edition of "ECW", Burke went on to eliminate Kevin Thorn in a Triple Threat match after pinning him.cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|date=2007-09-25|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/09252007/articles/ecwchampchasers|title=Championship chasers|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate= 2007-11-26] On the October 2 edition of "ECW", Tommy Dreamer and Elijah Burke faced each other in the final match of the tournament. Dreamer won the final match after a DDT and was made the number one contender for the title until Estrada came and said that Elimination Chase was not over. He announced that Big Daddy V would be the final man in the Elimination Chase. Big Daddy V defeated Dreamer and became the number one contender to the ECW Championship.cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|date=2007-10-02|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/10022007/articles/chaseover|title=The Chase is over|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-26] At No Mercy, CM Punk defended the ECW Championship against Big Daddy V and retained the title after Big Daddy V got disqualified.cite web|first=Andrew|last=Rote|date=2007-10-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/5267288114/results/|title=CM Punk gets a tough win|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-26]

On the September 21 edition of "SmackDown", Michael Cole interviewed Rey Mysterio until John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) said that he would conduct the interview instead. JBL claimed that he was the best wrestler ever and insulted Mysterio. Mysterio attacked JBL and challenged him to a fight until JBL introduced Finlay as Mysterio's opponent. Finlay attacked Mysterio with a shillelagh, which started a feud between the two.cite web|first=Lennie|last= Difino|date=2007-09-21|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09212007/|title=Beyond the matrimony|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment| accessdate=2007-11-27] Finlay and Mysterio faced each other at No Mercy in a match which was fought to no contest.cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|date=2007-10-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/5267288111/results/|title=Irish eyes are lying|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-27] Also on the September 21 edition of "SmackDown", the new World Heavyweight Champion Batista faced Mark Henry in a non-title match which Batista won by disqualification. Henry was disqualified after The Great Khali interfered and attacked Batista. After the match, Khali performed a Khali Vise Grip on Batista and challenged him to a Punjabi Prison match for the World Heavyweight Championship.cite web| first=Lennie|last=Difino|date=2007-09-21|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09212007/articles/Thegreatkhaligraspsatrevenge/|title=The Great Khali grasps at the revenge|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-27] At No Mercy, the two faced each other in a Punjabi Prison match for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Batista won to retain the title.cite web|first= Mike|last=McAvennie|date=2007-10-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/52672881/results/|title=Batista's Punjabi Prison break|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-27]

John Cena and Randy Orton continued their feud over the WWE Championship, as the two were scheduled to compete in a Last Man Standing match for the title. The match, however, never occurred. On the October 1 edition of "Raw", Cena defeated Mr. Kennedy in a non-title match. After the match, as a part of the storyline, Orton attacked Cena and then counted to ten, which Cena was unable to answer to.cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=2007-10-01|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/10012007/articles/ortongivesglimpse|title=A glimpse into the future?|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment| accessdate=2007-11-27] Cena was legitimately injured in the match, and as a result, the following night on "ECW", Mr. McMahon vacated the WWE Championship because Cena's right pectoral tendon was legitimately torn while executing a hip toss during his match with Kennedy. [cite web|url=http://onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ecw-wwe/071002.html|title=ECW results - October 2, 2007|accessdate=2008-03-19|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At No Mercy, Mr. McMahon entered the ring and said that a new WWE Champion was to be crowned, and Orton was crowned as champion, but he was challenged by Triple H for the title on the spot.cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=2007-10-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/exclusives/ortonawardedchampionship/|title=Orton awarded World Wrestling Entertainment Championship, but challenged by The Game|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-11-27] Triple H, however, defeated Orton to win the WWE Championship,cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=2007-10-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/52672882/results/|title=King of Kings reigns supreme again|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate= 2007-11-27] cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/5594210/|title=Triple H's eleven WWE Championship reign|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-27] but later that same night, Triple H lost the title to Orton back in a Last Man Standing match after a title defense against Umaga.cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=2007-10-07|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/5267288113112/results/|title=Championship hot potato: Legend Killer's time comes after all|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-27] cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/5594202/|title=Randy Orton's second WWE Championship reign|publisher= World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-27] cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|date=2007-10-07|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/5267288/results/|title=The Game avoids a Samoan maiming|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2007-11-27]

Results

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven Unforgiven 2007 Official Website]