Armageddon (2007)

Infobox Wrestling event
name=Armageddon (2007)


tagline=The Most Devastating Wars Are Fought Over Championship Gold.
theme=
promotion=World Wrestling Entertainment
brand=Raw
SmackDown!
ECW
date=December 16, 2007
venue=Mellon Arena
city=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
attendance=12,500cite web|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/armageddon.html#2007|title=Armageddon 2007|accessdate=2008-01-07| publisher=Pro Wresting History]
lastevent=Survivor Series (2007)
nextevent=Royal Rumble (2008)
event=Armageddon
lastevent2=Armageddon (2006)
nextevent2=Armageddon (2008)

Armageddon (2007) was the eighth Armageddon professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It took place on December 16, 2007 at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and featured talent from all three brands: Raw, SmackDown!, and ECW. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/events/eventdetail/?id=5546578|title=WWE presents Armageddon sponsored by Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-12-17]

The main match on the SmackDown! brand was a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship between champion Batista, Edge and The Undertaker. Edge won the match and the World Heavyweight Championship after pinning Batista following a Tombstone Piledriver from Undertaker. The predominant match on the Raw brand was Randy Orton versus Chris Jericho for the WWE Championship. Jericho won the match after Orton was disqualified following interference from John "Bradshaw" Layfield" (JBL), but did not win the title because a championship can only be won via pinfall or submission.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/554660432/results/|title=Saved by a 'wrestling god'|last=Robinson|first=Bryan| date=2007-12-16|accessdate=2007-12-16] The primary match on the ECW brand was CM Punk and Kane versus Big Daddy V and Mark Henry, which Big Daddy V and Henry won.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/554660421/results/|title=Size matters|date=2007-12-16|accessdate=2007-12-16]

The event had 237,000 buys, down slightly from the Armageddon 2006 figure of 239,000 buys.cite paper|title=WWE® Reports 2007 Fourth Quarter Results|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|date=2008-02-12|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/documents/4Q2007pressrelease.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-08-06]

Background

The main feud heading into Armageddon on the SmackDown brand was between Batista, Edge and The Undertaker, with the three feuding over the World Heavyweight Championship. At Survivor Series, Batista and Undertaker fought in a Hell in a Cell match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Edge (who was disguised as a cameraman at ringside) interfered and cost Undertaker the match.cite web|last=Dee|first=Louie|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/matches/4334964/results/|title=On the Edge of Hell|date=2007-11-18|accessdate=2007-11-22|publisher= WWE] He was then given a title shot for the World Heavyweight Championship on the November 30, 2007 episode of SmackDown by SmackDown! General Manager Vickie Guerrero, who was his storyline love interest.cite web|last=Dee|first=Louie|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/11302007/articles/alengthyaffair|title=A lengthy affair?|date=2007-11-30|accessdate =2007-12-23|publisher= WWE] The same night Batista faced Edge for the World title. Batista looked set to retain his title once again, but Undertaker interfered and chokeslammed Batista, but Edge run out of the ring. Theodore Long returned as Assistant General Manager and booked Batista to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Edge and the Undertaker in a Triple Threat match at Armageddon.cite web|last=McAvennie|first=Mike|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/11302007/articles/threedoggednight|title=Three-dogged night|date=2007-11-30| accessdate=2007-12-23|publisher= WWE]

The main feud on Raw brand was between Randy Orton and the recently returned Chris Jericho, with the two battling over the WWE Championship. Jericho returned to WWE on the November 19, 2007 edition of "Raw", interrupting Orton during Orton's orchestrated "passing of the torch" ceremony. Jericho revealed his intentions to reclaim the WWE Championship in order to "save" WWE from Orton. He then laid a challenge to Orton with the WWE Championship on the line, which Orton did not accept.cite web|last=Clayton|first=Corey|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11192007/articles/jerichoreturns|title=Orton burned by the second coming of Chris Jericho|date=2007-11-19|accessdate=2007-12-23|publisher= WWE] A week later Jericho cost him a match against Ric Flair to further convince him to accept the challenge.cite web|last=Robinson|first=Bryan| url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/articles/spacemountainopen|title=Win or go home - for good|date=2007-11-26| accessdate=2007-12-23|publisher= WWE] After Raw went off the air, Orton accepted the challenge.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/articles/mobileattexclusive|title=WWE Mobile on AT&T exclusive video|date=2007-11-26|accessdate=2007-12-23|publisher=WWE]

The main feud on the ECW brand was between CM Punk and Kane against Big Daddy V and Mark Henry. The rivalry started on December 4 edition of "ECW", Punk was forced to choose either V or Henry to face in the main event; Punk chose Henry. Punk got a disqualification victory when Big Daddy V interfered. The two tried to double-team Punk until Kane made the save and attacked both Big Daddy V and Henry.cite web|last=Tello|first=Craig|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/12042007/articles/vhenrywrongchoice|title=Choosey champs choose ...|date=2007-12-04|accessdate=2007-12-29|publisher=WWE] This made the Armageddon match of Kane and CM Punk against Big Daddy V and Mark Henry. On December 11 edition of "ECW", Punk and Kane received a victory against Deuce 'n Domino.cite web|last=Tello|first=Craig|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/12112007/articles/fireburns|title=Newfound fire burns|date=2007-12-11|accessdate=2007-12-29|publisher= WWE]

Event

Before the event went live on pay-per-view, Jesse and Festus defeated WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison and The Miz in a dark match.

Preliminary matches

The opening match was between Rey Mysterio and Montel Vontavious Porter for MVP's WWE United States Championship. Mysterio used his quickness and aerial techniques to be on the top. Mysterio wrestled a good match by sending MVP who crashed on the arena floor and then he hit MVP with a flying headscissors takedown. Mysterio got into the ring to break the referee's 10 count and MVP also got up at 8 count but he simply walked out instead of coming back into the ring after he climbed on the ring apron. MVP was counted out and thus he retained the title because a title does not change hands by countout. After the match, Mysterio threw MVP back into the ring and hit him with the 619.

The second match was a tag team match in which ECW Champion CM Punk teamed up with Kane against Big Daddy V and Mark Henry. V and Henry dominated the match by destroying Punk and Kane. The two managed to control these unstoppable monsters in the middle of the match when Punk was able to bring V to one knee but V overpowered Punk by hitting him a body avalanche and a Samoan drop to get the victory.

The third match was between Shawn Michaels and Mr. Kennedy. Michaels reeled Kennedy in the beginning of the match. A stomp of Michaels almost broke Kennedy's left hand. Kennedy cried in pain throughout the match. Kennedy was blowed by Michaels many times. Michaels went on to hit Kennedy a diving elbow drop and then he also attempted a Sweet Chin Music but Kennedy countered it into a roll-up. Michaels kicked out but Kennedy continued to punch Michaels with his injured left hand. It was paining for Kennedy and Michaels took the opportunity of the situation and hit Kennedy a Sweet Chin Music for the victory.

The fourth match was a #1 contender's non-title match between WWE Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy and Triple H. The pre-match stipulations were that the winner would get a WWE Championship match at Royal Rumble 2008 against the winner of Orton vs. Jericho match. Before the match started, Hardy and Triple H shook hands. During the match, Hardy seemed dazed after he suffered a series of clotheslines and shoulder blocks. Triple H tried to hit Hardy with a Pedigree but Hardy countered it into a jackknife roll-up which won Jeff Hardy the match. As Jeff Hardy celebrated Triple H was smiling at the fact that he was pinned so easily, Triple H then celebrated with the #1 contender for the WWE Championship.

The fifth match was between Finlay and The Great Khali. The referee's back was turned and he was distracted by Finlay until Hornswoggle took advantage and hit a shillelagh in the groin of Khali. Finlay hit a shillelagh in the head of Khali followed by a successful pinfall victory for Finlay.

Main event matches

The sixth match of the night and Raw's main event was Randy Orton defending the WWE Championship against Chris Jericho. Jericho controlled the match by beating Orton and performing many moves. Jericho would then knock Orton onto the outside with a clothesline, which made Orton lay in front of SmackDown's announcer's table. Jericho would then launch into Orton, but Orton would move, which made Jericho run into JBL. Then Jericho and Orton would get back into the ring. Jericho would then apply the Walls of Jericho on Orton. He tried to reach the ropes but he failed to do so. JBL then interfered and then kicked Jericho in the side of the head which disquallified Orton. A title cannot change hands by disqualification, therefore Orton retained the WWE Championship.

The seventh match was a divas match between Beth Phoenix and Mickie James for the WWE Women's Championship. During the match, Phoenix overpowered Mickie but Mickie bounced back with several near-falls. The match came to an end when Phoenix hit a powerful Fisherman suplex and then she pinned Mickie to retain the WWE Women's Championship.

The main event was a Triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship between, defending champion Batista, Edge and The Undertaker. Before the match, Edge told Vickie that her love gave him the strength of three men. Batista and Undertaker fought each other to decide who would fight Edge first. Edge kept his distance outside the ring. In the ring, Undertaker applied his Triangle choke on Batista. Edge sounded the ring bell and everyone (even Undertaker himself) thought that the match was over. Edge took the opportunity and speared both men but came up short on both pinfall attempts. Batista dominated the match in the end when he hit The Undertaker with a Spinebuster and speared Edge outside the ring. Undertaker chokeslammed Batista and sent an attacking Edge to the floor. Batista and Undertaker were fighting inside the ring until the three "Edges" appeared on the outside floor. Undertaker executed a Tombstone Piledriver on Batista, after which until the "real" Edge hit Undertaker with a steel chair onto his spine and another on his skull. Edge took advantage and quickly pinned Batista to win the World Heavyweight Championship.cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/20071216|title=Edge's second World Heavyweight Championship reign| accessdate=2007-12-29|publisher=WWE]

Aftermath

After the PPV, the feud between Randy Orton and Chris Jericho slowly died down. Jericho once again defeated Orton on the Tribute to the Troops "Raw" by disqualification when former SmackDown! announcer John "Bradshaw" Layfield entered the ring.cite web|last=Clayton|first=Corey|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/tributetothetroops/exclusives/5964614/|title=A slice of Americana for the Troops|date=2007-12-25|accessdate=2008-04-11|publisher= WWE] After Jericho requested JBL's presence on the December 17 edition of RAW, JBL was outraged, left SmackDown, and announced his return to RAW to wrestle after a one-and-a-half-year retirement. The two began a feud with each other and had a match at the next pay-per-view, Royal Rumble 2008 in Madison Square Garden which JBL won by disqualification, when Jericho hit JBL with a steel chair.cite web|first=Greg|last=Adkins|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/526761032111/results/|title=Bad Blood|accessdate=2008-01-29|date=2008-01-28|publisher=WWE]

The feud between the World Heavyweight Champion Edge and Batista continued the following week on "SmackDown!", where Batista challenged Edge to a title rematch, but the general manager Vickie Guerrero announced that it was a three-on-one title match with the Major Brothers (rechristened as the "Edge-heads" earlier that night) siding with Edge. After Batista pinned one of the Edge-heads, Guerrero announced that Batista could only become the champion by pinning Edge. After Guerrero restarted the match, Batista took advantage, and went to hit Edge with a Batista Bomb, but one of the "Edge-heads" hit Batista in the leg with a steel chair, disquallificating Edge. Edge therefore retained the title. Rey Mysterio won a Beat the Clock match series and earned himself a match against Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship. At Royal Rumble 2008, Edge retained his title against Mysterio with help from Vickie Guerrero.cite web|first=Craig|last=Tello|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/52676103211111/results/|title=All in the family|accessdate=2008-01-29|date=2008-01-28|publisher=WWE]

Randy Orton began a feud with the new #1 contender for his WWE Championship, the WWE Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy who earned himself a title shot by defeating Triple H in a #1 contender's match at Armageddon. Orton gave Jeff's brother Matt, a running punt to the head. Two weeks later, Jeff hit Orton a Swanton Bomb from the top of a 30-foot high scaffolding which knocked out both Orton and Hardy and they were taken off on stretchers. At Royal Rumble 2008, Orton retained his title against Hardy after pinning Hardy after an RKO.cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/52676103211/results/|title=Fate on the Legend Killer's side|accessdate=2008-01-29|date=2008-01-28|publisher=WWE]

Results

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon Armageddon Official Website]