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Unforgiven (2008)
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| Unforgiven | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Promotional poster featuring Batista, parodying the movie The Shawshank Redemption. | |||
| Promotion | World Wrestling Entertainment | ||
| Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown ECW | ||
| Date | September 7, 2008 | ||
| City | Cleveland, Ohio | ||
| Venue | Quicken Loans Arena | ||
| Attendance | 8,707[1] | ||
| Buy rate | 211,000 | ||
| Pay-per-view chronology | |||
| |||
| Unforgiven chronology | |||
| |||
The 2008 Unforgiven was the 11th and final annual Unforgiven professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brand divisions. The event took place on September 7, 2008, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2009, Unforgiven was replaced by Breaking Point.
Seven professional wrestling matches were scheduled on the event's card, which featured a supercard. The three brands, Raw, SmackDown, and ECW, were all represented by their respective Championship Scramble match – a 20 minute time limit bout, during which participants can become the temporary champion via pinfall or submission. The main event of the pay-per-view was the Championship Scramble from the Raw brand. It was originally scheduled to feature World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defending his title; he was replaced by Chris Jericho after Randy Orton attacked CM Punk. Jericho won the match and became World Heavyweight Champion. The Championship Scramble from the ECW brand featured ECW Champion Mark Henry defending, losing the match and title to Matt Hardy. The SmackDown brand's Championship Scramble saw WWE Champion Triple H defeat the other competitors to retain his championship. Another featured match on the undercard was an unsanctioned match, or hardcore match, in which Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Jericho.
The event marked the first time the Championship Scramble format was used by WWE. The event had an attendance of 8,707. The event received 211,000 pay-per-view buys, more than the previous year's event. When the event was released on DVD, it reached a peak position of second on Billboard's DVD sales chart. It was also the first and only Unforgiven PPV broadcast in high definition.
Production
[edit]Background
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Unforgiven was first held by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as the 21st In Your House pay-per-view (PPV) in April 1998. Following the discontinuation of the In Your House series in February 1999, Unforgiven branched off as its own PPV in September that year, becoming WWE's annual September PPV.[2] The 2008 event was the 11th event in the Unforgiven chronology and took place on September 7 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. It featured wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands.[1]
Storylines
[edit]The event featured seven professional wrestling matches with outcomes predetermined by WWE script writers. The matches featured wrestlers portraying their characters in planned storylines that took place before, during, and after the event. All wrestlers were from one of the WWE's brands – SmackDown, Raw, or ECW – the three storyline divisions]in which WWE assigned its employees. The event also marked the first time that the Championship Scramble format was used by the WWE.
Wrestlers from Raw were featured in the main event at Unforgiven: a Championship Scramble match, a 20 minute time limit bout, during which participants enter at five-minute intervals and can become the temporary champion via pinfall or submission. The match was contested for the World Heavyweight Championship, and was originally scheduled to be CM Punk defending the title against John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), Batista, Rey Mysterio, and Kane. During the event, however, Randy Orton attacked Punk and he was replaced in the match by Chris Jericho. The build up to the match began on the August 18 episode of Raw, when Raw General Manager Mike Adamle, who portrays an on screen authority figure, announced the match and its rules, stating that JBL, Batista, John Cena, Kane, and World Heavyweight Champion Punk would participate.[3][4] The following week on Raw, Adamle announced that Cena had been injured after his match against Batista at SummerSlam, and would be unable to compete in the Championship Scramble. Adamle then announced Mysterio as Cena's replacement.[5][6] On the September 1 episode of Raw, a preview of the Championship Scramble match was featured, in which the five men fighting in the Championship Scramble competed in a traditional battle royal, which Kane won.[7][8]
The other predominant match from Raw was an unsanctioned match between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. At SummerSlam, Michaels came to the ring to announce his retirement. However, Jericho interrupted the announcement and, in an attempt to punch Michaels, accidentally struck Michaels' wife Rebecca.[9] On the August 18 episode of Raw, Jericho stated that he had no remorse for punching Michaels wife, claiming that Michaels "had it coming".[3][4] The next week on Raw, Michaels announced he would not retire and asked Jericho for an unsanctioned match, which Jericho accepted.[5][6] The following week on Raw a contract was signed for the match. The signing ended with both men attacking each other.[7][8]
The predominant match from SmackDown was a Championship Scramble for the WWE Championship, in which title holder Triple H faced Jeff Hardy, The Brian Kendrick, Shelton Benjamin, and Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP). On the August 22 episode of SmackDown!, General Manager Vickie Guerrero announced that SmackDown would have a Championship Scramble match and that the competitors would include WWE Champion Triple H and four men to be decided later in the night through a series of qualifying matches. The first qualifying match was a ten man battle royal, which saw The Big Show disrupt the match and throw all the competitors over the top rope. The Brian Kendrick, however, was saved by his bodyguard, Ezekiel Jackson, who caught Kendrick and put him back in the ring after the Big Show had eliminated all other competitors. Thus, Kendrick qualified for the Championship Scramble. The second qualifying match saw MVP defeat Festus by count out, qualifying for the match. The third qualifying match was Shelton Benjamin versus Finlay, which Benjamin won. The final qualifying match was Jeff Hardy versus The Great Khali, which Hardy won.[10][11]
The predominant match from ECW was a third Championship Scramble, in which Mark Henry defended against Matt Hardy, The Miz, Chavo Guerrero, and Finlay. On the August 26 episode of ECW, General Manager Theodore Long announced that the ECW Championship would be defended in a Championship Scramble and that there would be qualifying matches that night to determine the participants. The first qualifying match saw Matt Hardy defeat John Morrison to qualify. In the second match, The Miz defeated Evan Bourne to qualify. The third qualifying match saw Chavo Guerrero defeat Tommy Dreamer to qualify, and the fourth match was Finlay versus Mike Knox, which Finlay won.[12][13] On the September 1 episode of Raw, there was a preview of the Championship Scramble, in which the five participants took part in a traditional battle royal. The winner was ECW Champion Mark Henry.[8][14]
Event
[edit]| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| English commentators | Michael Cole (Raw) |
| Jerry Lawler (Raw) | |
| Jim Ross (SmackDown) | |
| Tazz (SmackDown) | |
| Todd Grisham (ECW) | |
| Matt Striker (ECW) | |
| Spanish commentators | Carlos Cabrera |
| Hugo Savinovich | |
| Backstage interviewers | Eve Torres |
| Todd Grisham | |
| Ring announcers | Lilian Garcia (Raw) |
| Justin Roberts (SmackDown) | |
| Tony Chimel (ECW) | |
| Referees | Charles Robinson |
| John Cone | |
| Mike Chioda | |
| Scott Armstrong | |
| Mike Posey | |
| Marty Elias |
Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, a dark match was featured in which Evan Bourne defeated John Morrison with a shooting star press.[15]
Preliminary matches
[edit]The pay-per-view event began with Mark Henry defending the ECW Championship in the ECW Championship Scramble against Matt Hardy, The Miz, Chavo Guerrero, and Finlay. The match began with The Miz and Matt Hardy, who performed a variety of wrestling maneuvers including The Miz performing the "Reality Check". After the first five minutes had passed, Chavo Guerrero entered the ring and quickly performed a body splash on Hardy and covered him for a pinfall, making him the interim champion. Guerrero continued with a variety of offensive maneuvers until Matt Hardy performed a Side Effect on Guerrero and covered him for a pinfall, making him the temporary champion. After the next five minutes had passed, Mark Henry entered the ring. The other three men attacked him, but Henry overpowered them and performed the World's Strongest Slam on Chavo Guerrero, covering him and scoring a pinfall to become the interim champion. After the next series of five minutes had passed, Finlay entered the ring. He attacked Henry and his storyline son Hornswoggle distracted Henry, allowing Finlay to strike him with a shillelagh, followed by a Celtic Cross on Hardy to become temporary champion. The match continued until Matt Hardy performed a Twist of Fate on The Miz. He covered The Miz and became the interim champion. Hardy continued to break up pinfall attempts until the end of the 20-minute time limit, at which time Hardy officially won the ECW Championship.[15][16]
In the next match, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase defended the World Tag Team Championship against Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard and JTG). The match began with Cryme Tyme in control, and Shad threw JTG over the top rope onto Rhodes and DiBiase. Rhodes and DiBiase, however, isolated JTG in their corner and performed a number of offensive maneuvers on him. Rhodes attempted a moonsault onto JTG, but missed, allowing JTG to tag in Shad at the same time Rhodes tagged in DiBiase. Shad performed a back body drop on DiBiase, but while the referee was distracted, Rhodes performed a DDT on Shad. DiBiase attempted to cover Shad, but was forced to break the cover as Shad placed his foot on the bottom rope. JTG attempted an inside cradle pin on Rhodes, but Shad accidentally pushed DiBiase on Rhodes, reversing the pinfall attempt so that Rhodes scored the pin over JTG, retaining his and DiBiase's titles in the process.[15][16]
In the third match, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho fought in an unsanctioned match. The match also saw Lance Cade interfere on Jericho's behalf, but Michaels ultimately gained the advantage over both men, leading to him placing both men on an announcer's table and performing a Diving Elbow Drop through the table. After returning Jericho to the ring, Michaels continued to attack Jericho. He then took off his belt and repeatedly whipped Chris Jericho with it. The referee ended the match when he determined that Jericho could no longer defend himself against Michaels, making Michaels the victor by referee stoppage.[15][17]
Next, Triple H defended the WWE Championship in a Championship Scramble against Jeff Hardy, The Brian Kendrick, Shelton Benjamin, and Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP). The match began with Jeff Hardy and Shelton Benjamin, with both men wrestling inconclusively until the first five-minute interval had passed, and Brian Kendrick entered the match. Soon after his entrance, Hardy performed a reverse powerbomb on Benjamin, covering him and scoring a pinfall to become the interim WWE Champion. Later, Kendrick performed The Kendrick on Hardy and covered him for a pinfall, becoming the temporary WWE Champion. Shortly after, the second five-minute interval expired and MVP entered the match. All four men in the match continued to fight, with no pinfalls being scored until the third five-minute interval expired, at which point Triple H entered the match. Soon after his entrance, he performed a spinebuster, followed by a Pedigree on Kendrick, pinning him to become the interim champion. Hardy returned to the ring and performed a Twist of Fate on MVP, pinning him to become the temporary champion. After disrupting Hardy's attempt to perform a maneuver off the top turnbuckle, Triple H performed a Pedigree on Kendrick to become interim champion again. Shortly after, however, Hardy performed a Swanton Bomb on Kendrick and again became temporary champion after a cover. At the end, Triple H performed a Pedigree on MVP and Hardy performing a Swanton Bomb on Benjamin; however, Triple H covered MVP faster and scored the pinfall with one second remaining on the clock. The time limit expired and Triple H retained the WWE Championship.[15][18]
A backstage segment occurred where CM Punk was interviewed regarding his title defense in the Championship Scramble later in the evening. Randy Orton interrupted the interview, and as he spoke with Punk, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, and Manu attacked Punk. Kofi Kingston tried to help Punk. After they had attacked both Punk and Kingston, Orton used his chance to perform a running punt on Punk.[16]
The fifth contest was a standard match in which WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool defended her title against Maryse. Maryse began the match attacking McCool's knee, but McCool soon countered by grabbing Maryse's foot and twisting it, a submission hold called a heel hook. Maryse, however, reached the ropes and caused McCool to break the hold. Later in the match, McCool performed the Wings of Love and covered Maryse to retain her championship.[15][16]
After the match, an in ring segment took place in which The Big Show, entered the ring and asked the crowd whether they thought he should have been in the Championship Scramble for the WWE Championship. SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero, who portrays an on-screen authority figure for the SmackDown brand, then came to the ring and proceeded to insult the Big Show, and demanded that he leave the ring. Druids then came to the ring bringing a casket, and The Undertaker appeared on the TitanTron, telling Guerrero to either get in the casket herself or he would put her in it. Guerrero refused to enter the casket voluntarily, so The Undertaker began to come to ringside. The Big Show held back Guerrero as The Undertaker came to the ring. Once he was in the ring, The Undertaker began to choke Guerrero, but the Big Show turned heel, becoming a villainous character, by striking The Undertaker and freeing Guerrero. He proceeded to attack The Undertaker, and restrained him to allow Guerrero to slap him and spit in his face.[15][16]
The main event was a Championship Scramble for the World Heavyweight Championship. CM Punk was originally scheduled to defend the World Heavyweight Title against John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), Batista, Rey Mysterio, and Kane. However, due to the attack on CM Punk earlier in the night by Randy Orton, Punk was unable to compete and was replaced by Chris Jericho (this information was not revealed until the final five minutes of the match, at which point Chris Jericho entered in place of CM Punk). Batista and JBL began the match, performing a variety of offensive maneuvers until the first five-minute interval had passed, and Kane entered the match. Later, JBL attempted to strike Kane with his forearm, a move JBL calls a "Clothesline from Hell", but was caught by Kane. Kane then chokeslammed JBL and covered him for a pinfall, becoming the interim champion. Soon after, the second five-minute interval expired and Rey Mysterio entered the match. The match continued for several minutes, until the final five-minute interval expired and Jericho (nearly immobile after his match with Shawn Michaels) entered the match as a replacement for CM Punk, shocking everyone. Soon after Jericho's entrance, Batista performed a spinebuster on Kane, covering him for a pinfall and becoming temporary champion. Batista was left as the only man standing until Jericho returned to the ring and covered the already downed Kane, scoring a pinfall and becoming interim champion. The time limit expired soon after, and Jericho won the World Heavyweight Championship.[15][19]
Reception
[edit]Despite the event's promotional build-up, only a reported 6,000 tickets were initially sold for an arena that holds 20,000 people. To fill the arena, local radio stations gave away tickets to the show.[20] The event had a final attendance of 8,707.[1] Canadian Online Explorer's professional wrestling section rated the entire event a 7 out of 10 stars.[16] The rating was higher than the Unforgiven event in 2007, which was rated a 5.5 out of 10 stars.[21] The Championship Scramble main event match from the Raw brand was rated a 6.5 out of 10 stars, while the SmackDown brand's main event, a Championship Scramble for the WWE Championship, was rated an 8 out of 10 stars.[16]
The event was released on DVD on October 7, 2008[22] by Sony Music Entertainment. The DVD reached second on Billboard's DVD Sales Chart for recreational sports during the week of November 1, 2008, although it fell off the chart thereafter.[23]
Aftermath
[edit]On the September 8 episode of Raw, it was announced that CM Punk would challenge Chris Jericho in an attempt to win back the World Heavyweight Championship, with the two fighting in a Steel Cage match the following week.[24][25] On the following week's Raw, Jericho escaped the cage before Punk, and thus retained his championship. Later that night, General Manager Mike Adamle announced that Batista would face JBL in a number one contender's match at No Mercy. Following this announcement, Shawn Michaels announced that he would be facing Jericho in a ladder match for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Mercy.[26][27] Two weeks later on the September 29 episode of Raw, Jericho and Lance Cade faced a reunited D-Generation X (Michaels and Triple H) in a tag team match, which D-Generation X won via disqualification.[28][29] At No Mercy, Batista defeated JBL to become number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, and Jericho defeated Michaels to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.[30]
On the September 12 episode of SmackDown, a fatal four-way match was held between Jeff Hardy, The Brian Kendrick, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP, with the stipulation that the winner would go on to face Triple H at No Mercy for the WWE Championship. Hardy won the match and earned a title match at No Mercy.[31][32] At No Mercy, Triple H defeated Hardy to retain his championship.[30]
On the September 16 episode of ECW, it was announced that Matt Hardy would defend the ECW Championship against Mark Henry at No Mercy.[33][34] At No Mercy, Hardy defeated Henry to retain his championship.[30]
Almost two and a half years later at the 2011 Royal Rumble, CM Punk prevented Randy Orton from winning the WWE Championship from The Miz. Eventually Punk revealed that he did this to get revenge on Orton for costing him the championship at Unforgiven in 2008.[35]
The 2008 Unforgiven would be the final Unforgiven event. Another Unforgiven was planned to be held in September 2009,[36] but it got replaced by Breaking Point.[37][38]
Results
[edit]| No. | Results[16] | Stipulations | Times[1] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1D | Evan Bourne defeated John Morrison by pinfall | Singles match | — | ||||
| 2 | Matt Hardy defeated Chavo Guerrero, Finlay, Mark Henry (c), and The Miz | Championship Scramble for the ECW Championship | 20:00 | ||||
| 3 | Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase (c) defeated Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad Gaspard) by pinfall | Tag team match for the World Tag Team Championship | 11:35 | ||||
| 4 | Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Jericho by technical knockout | Unsanctioned match | 26:53 | ||||
| 5 | Triple H (c) defeated The Brian Kendrick, Jeff Hardy, Montel Vontavious Porter, and Shelton Benjamin | Championship Scramble for the WWE Championship | 20:00 | ||||
| 6 | Michelle McCool (c) defeated Maryse by pinfall | Singles match for the WWE Divas Championship | 5:42 | ||||
| 7 | Chris Jericho defeated Batista, Kane, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, and Rey Mysterio | Championship Scramble for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship | 20:00 | ||||
| |||||||
ECW Championship Scramble Interim Champions
[edit]| Number | Wrestler | Entered | Pinned | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chavo Guerrero | 3 | Matt Hardy | Frog Splash |
| 2 | Matt Hardy | 1 | Chavo Guerrero | Side Effect |
| 3 | Mark Henry | 4 | Chavo Guerrero | World's Strongest Slam |
| 4 | Finlay | 5 | Matt Hardy | Celtic Cross |
| Winner | Matt Hardy | 1 | The Miz | Twist of Fate |
WWE Championship Scramble Interim Champions
[edit]| Number | Wrestler | Entered | Pinned | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff Hardy | 1 | The Brian Kendrick | Powerbomb |
| 2 | The Brian Kendrick | 3 | Jeff Hardy | The Kendrick |
| 3 | Triple H | 5 | The Brian Kendrick | Pedigree |
| 4 | Jeff Hardy | 1 | MVP | Twist of Fate |
| 5 | Triple H | 5 | The Brian Kendrick | Pedigree |
| 6 | Jeff Hardy | 1 | The Brian Kendrick | Swanton Bomb |
| Winner | Triple H | 5 | MVP | Pedigree |
World Heavyweight Championship Scramble Interim Champions
[edit]| Number | Wrestler | Entered | Pinned | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kane | 3 | JBL | Chokeslam |
| 2 | Batista | 1 | Kane | Spinebuster |
| Winner | Chris Jericho | 5 | Kane | Covered Kane after Batista's Spinebuster |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Unforgiven 2008". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
- ^ Cawthon, Graham (2013). The History of Professional Wrestling. Vol. 2: WWF 1990–1999. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ASIN B00RWUNSRS.
- ^ a b Golden, Hunter (August 18, 2008). "Raw Results – 8/18/08 – Chicago, IL (SummerSlam fallout, and more)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ a b Caldwell, James (August 18, 2008). "Caldwell's WWE Raw Report 8/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live USA Network broadcast". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ a b Golden, Hunter (August 25, 2008). "Raw Results – 8/25/08 – Wilkes-Barre, PA (John Cena, HBK/Jericho)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ a b Keller, Wade (August 25, 2008). "Keller's WWE Raw Report 8/25: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live show". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ a b Golden, Hunter (September 1, 2008). "Raw Results – 9/1/08 – St. Louis, MO (Hour #2: Raw's Battle Royal)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ a b c Keller, Wade (September 1, 2008). "Keller's WWE Raw Report 9/1: Final hype for Unforgiven, Jericho-Michaels contract signing". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ Vermillion, James (August 17, 2008). "Jericho hits new low... and HBK's wife". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
- ^ Tedesco, Mike (August 22, 2008). "Smackdown Results – 8/22/08 – Moline, IL ('Championship Scramble')". WrestleView. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Parks, Greg (August 22, 2008). "8/22 WWE SmackDown: Parks's Coverage of the CW Show". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Martin, Adam (August 26, 2008). "ECW on Sci Fi Results – 8/26/08 – Wilkes-Barre, PA (Scramble – more)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Caldwell, James (August 26, 2008). "Caldwell's ECW TV Report 8/26: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Martin, Adam (September 1, 2008). "Raw Results – 9/1/08 – St. Louis, MO (Hour #1: ECW's Battle Royal)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Martin, Adam (September 7, 2008). "WWE Unforgiven PPV Results – 9/7/08". WrestleView. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bishop, Matt (September 5, 2008). "Scramble matches make for wild Unforgiven". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on May 19, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
- ^ Keller, Wade (September 7, 2008). "9/7 WWE Unforgiven PPV: Ongoing "virtual time" results of live event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
- ^ "Results:On top of his Game". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ "Results:Worst night, best night". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ Martin, Adam (September 3, 2008). "Report: Ticket sales slow for Sunday's Unforgiven PPV in Cleveland, OH". WrestleView. Retrieved September 4, 2008.
- ^ Sokol, Chris (September 17, 2007). "Undertaker's return highlight of underwhelming Unforgiven". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ "WWE Unforgiven DVD at F.Y.E". For Your Entertainment. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
- ^ "Unforgiven 2008 DVD Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
- ^ Golden, Hunter (September 8, 2008). "Raw Results – 9/8/08 – Fort Wayne, IN ('Unforgiven' fallout, & more)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Keller, Wade (September 8, 2008). "Keller's WWE Raw Report 9/8: Unforgiven fallout including Jericho vs. Batista, Phoenix defends against Mickie". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Golden, Hunter (September 15, 2008). "Raw Results – 9/15/08 – Memphis, TN (Jericho vs. Punk & 'No Mercy')". WrestleView. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Keller, Wade (September 15, 2008). "Keller's WWE Raw Report 9/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live show from Memphis, Tenn". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Golden, Hunter (September 29, 2008). "Raw Results – 9/29/08 – Minneapolis, MN". WrestleView. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Caldwell, James (September 29, 2008). "Caldwell's WWE Raw Report 9/29: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live USA Network broadcast". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ a b c Sokol, Chris (October 6, 2008). "Dual main events rescue No Mercy". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Tedesco, Mike (September 12, 2008). "Smackdown Results – 9/12/08 – Milwaukee, WI ('New #1 Contender')". WrestleView. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Keller, Wade (September 12, 2008). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 9/12: Fatal Four-way determines challenger for Triple H at No Mercy PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Stephens, David (September 16, 2008). "ECW on Sci Fi Results – 9/16/08 – Nashville, TN (Henry & Finlay, more)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Parks, Greg (September 16, 2008). "Parks' ECW on Sci-Fi Report 9/16: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Henry vs. Finlay". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
- ^ Plummer, Dale (February 7, 2011). "RAW: Punk, Nexus battle Elimination Chamber entrants". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
- ^ "History of the World Tag Team Championship". WWE. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
- ^ Martin, Adam (May 18, 2009). "WWE issues survey on new PPV names". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 21, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ "WWE presents Breaking Point". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 20, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
External links
[edit]Unforgiven (2008)
View on GrokipediaProduction
Development
Unforgiven 2008 was held on September 7, 2008, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, drawing an attendance of 8,707 in a venue with a capacity exceeding 20,000, though initial ticket sales were reported at around 6,000, prompting local promotions to boost attendance.[5][1][5] Although positioned as a Raw-branded pay-per-view event in WWE's 2008 schedule—following SummerSlam and preceding No Mercy—it incorporated participants from all three brands (Raw, SmackDown, and ECW) due to the inclusion of Championship Scramble matches involving the promotion's major titles across brands.[6][5] The event introduced WWE's Championship Scramble match format, a 20-minute multi-man bout where competitors enter at staggered intervals, and any pinfall or submission after the first five minutes results in temporary title possession until the final bell, with the last man standing declared the winner; this concept debuted across three title defenses, marking a novel approach to heighten unpredictability in championship contests.[7][8] Promotions emphasized the event's theme of "unforgiven" rivalries, highlighting ongoing feuds with no resolution in sight, alongside heavy advertising of potential surprise entrants in the Scramble matches to build anticipation; the official tagline, "The Time to Forgive is Over," underscored this narrative focus in commercials and weekly programming.[9][10] The pay-per-view aired at the standard 8:00 PM ET start time on traditional PPV platforms in North America, with additional pre-show content and international access available via WWE.com for global viewers.[11][12] Production was overseen by director Kevin Dunn, a longtime WWE executive responsible for live event visuals, with commentary split by brand: Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler handling Raw segments, Jim Ross and Tazz for SmackDown, and Todd Grisham alongside Matt Striker for ECW portions; unique staging elements included on-screen timer graphics tracking the Scramble matches' 20-minute duration to enhance the high-stakes, time-sensitive atmosphere.[12][6][11]Storylines
The WWE Championship storyline originated from Triple H's victory over Randy Orton at SummerSlam, where he captured the title in a highly anticipated rematch stemming from their ongoing rivalry. Following this win, Triple H's reign faced immediate instability as challengers emerged on Raw, including MVP, who positioned himself as a baller elite seeking to dethrone the champion through calculated confrontations, and Shelton Benjamin, leveraging his athletic prowess to demand a shot after high-stakes qualifiers. The Brian Kendrick also entered the fray as a surprise qualifier, adding unpredictability with his aerial style and alliances, while speculation swirled around a potential mystery fifth entrant amid Triple H's efforts to solidify his dominance.[13] In the World Heavyweight Championship narrative, CM Punk's title defenses post-SummerSlam were marked by turmoil after retaining against JBL at the event.[14] Batista demanded a rematch following a controversial loss to Punk at The Great American Bash, fueling a heated exchange over perceived injustices in their prior encounters.[15] Rey Mysterio's return from injury introduced a high-flying challenge, positioning him as an underdog contender eager to reclaim spotlight after months sidelined. JBL, fresh from his SummerSlam defeat, reasserted his presence despite recent injury concerns, while Kane's monstrous interferences in Punk's matches added chaos, portraying him as an unstoppable force disrupting the division. This culminated in Punk's pre-event assault by Legacy, opening the door for Chris Jericho to step in as a replacement with his own axe to grind against the established order.[16] The ECW Championship storyline highlighted Matt Hardy's persistent pursuit of Mark Henry's title, building from a disqualification finish at SummerSlam where Hardy was poised for victory before interference.[17] The Miz and John Morrison's tag team antics complicated Hardy's path, with The Miz qualifying through opportunistic wins and mocking Hardy's resilience as part of their Hollywood heel persona. Finlay pushed as a veteran brawler, drawing on his street-fighting background to vie for the belt, while Chavo Guerrero launched attacks invoking the Guerrero family legacy, tying his aggression to opportunistic betrayals reminiscent of his uncle Eddie's storied career. Beth Phoenix's dominant Women's Championship reign, secured by defeating Mickie James in a mixed tag at SummerSlam, faced an underdog resurgence from James, who sought redemption after the controversial loss.[18] Personal betrayal angles intensified with Melina's interference, aligning with Phoenix to undermine James' comeback attempts on Raw, framing the feud as a clash between raw power and resilient heart. A prominent undercard feud saw Shawn Michaels challenge Chris Jericho to an unsanctioned match after Jericho's heel turn and brutal superkick to Michaels at SummerSlam, where Jericho mocked Michaels' faith and career, refusing to forgive past slights; WWE declined to sanction the bout due to Michaels' kayfabe injuries, heightening the personal stakes.[19] In tag team action, Cryme Tyme earned a World Tag Team Championship opportunity against Legacy (Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr.) following a series of streetwise confrontations and thefts, positioning the urban duo against the privileged heels aligned with Randy Orton. Meanwhile, William Regal's technical mastery clashed with Jamie Noble's desperation for a contract, exacerbated by their rivalry over Layla's affections, with Noble's vulnerability highlighted in underdog promos and Regal's aristocratic disdain.[13] The overall narrative arc emphasized themes of redemption and unforgiveness, aligning with the event's title and the innovative Championship Scramble format, which enabled multiple challengers to confront past grievances and settle scores in simultaneous chaos.[20]Event
Undercard
The undercard at Unforgiven 2008 featured several non-title matches alongside the introduction of the Championship Scramble format for the brand championships. On the pre-show, United States Champion Kofi Kingston defended against The Miz in a high-energy opener, retaining the title with a Trouble in Paradise after countering Miz's Skull-Crushing Finale attempts with aerial maneuvers and strikes that energized the early crowd.[1] The main card opened with the ECW Championship Scramble, but other undercard bouts included the World Tag Team Championship match, where champions Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase (Legacy) defended against Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad Gaspard). The match highlighted the ongoing tag division rivalry, with Legacy retaining via pinfall on JTG after a sequence of double-team maneuvers, including Rhodes' Cross Rhodes, amid interference teases from their associate Manu at ringside.[2] A featured non-title bout was the unsanctioned street fight between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho, continuing their intense feud from SummerSlam. The no-disqualification match saw brutal exchanges with weapons like chairs and kendo sticks, culminating in Michaels winning by referee stoppage after driving Jericho through the announce table with an elbow drop from the top rope, drawing massive crowd reactions for the high drama and physicality.[1] The WWE Divas Championship match pitted champion Michelle McCool against Maryse, emphasizing SmackDown brand diva dynamics. McCool retained in a short but competitive singles match, securing the victory with her Wings of Love big boot after Maryse's attempted French TKO was reversed, adding tension through their alliance history and in-ring aggression.[5] Throughout the undercard, the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena remained engaged, with particularly strong responses to the street fight's intensity and the tag team's athletic spots, while interspersing hype videos built anticipation for the Scramble matches.[5]Championship matches
The Championship Scramble format debuted at Unforgiven 2008 as a high-stakes innovation for the event's three world title matches, designed to heighten drama through staggered entries and a sudden-death final period. Each 20-minute bout began with two competitors, followed by one new entrant every five minutes, during which no pinfalls or submissions could occur; only after all five were in the ring did legal falls become possible, culminating in a frantic five-minute window where the last man to score a pin would claim the championship. This structure fostered unpredictability, as participants balanced early aggression with energy conservation, often leading to exhausted scrambles and opportunistic plays in the closing moments.[10] The ECW Championship Scramble opened the main events, featuring champion Mark Henry against Matt Hardy, The Miz, Chavo Guerrero, and Finlay. Hardy and The Miz initiated the action with a heated brawl, exchanging chops, clotheslines, and suplexes that spilled to the floor, setting a tone of immediate intensity. Guerrero's entry at the five-minute mark injected aerial flair, as he scaled the turnbuckle for a diving crossbody and targeted Hardy with rapid armdrags. Henry's powerhouse arrival ten minutes in dominated the ring, utilizing bearhugs and slams to toss opponents like ragdolls, while the crowd anticipated his overwhelming strength. Finlay's final entry teased chaos with his shillelagh weapon, prompting referee intervention and escalating the melee into a multi-man free-for-all. In the pivotal last five minutes, Hardy's resilient comebacks—featuring neckbreakers and signature leg drops—clashed with Guerrero's Three Amigos attempts and The Miz's Reality Checks, amplifying the exhaustion and crowd energy in a blur of high-impact spots; Hardy secured the win and title by pinning Miz with a Twist of Fate.[2][11] Transitioning from the Divas Championship bout on the undercard, the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble pitted Batista against Rey Mysterio, JBL, Kane, and Chris Jericho, after champion CM Punk was sidelined by a pre-match assault from Randy Orton and Legacy, vacating the title and inserting Jericho as the surprise fifth competitor. Batista and JBL kicked off with brutal fisticuffs, brawling through the ropes and using the steel steps for added impact, highlighting JBL's returning aggression after a brief hiatus. Kane's entrance unleashed monstrous power, including sidewalk slams and big boots that cleared the ring temporarily. Batista countered with explosive bursts of offense, such as spinebusters on Kane and clotheslines on JBL, maintaining his animalistic intensity. Mysterio's high-flying addition brought 619 setups and West Coast Pop teases, dodging larger foes and drawing significant pops for his agility amid the fray. Jericho's late arrival exploited the building fatigue, employing dropkicks, Lionsault attempts, and calculated elbows to shift dynamics. The final interval devolved into a relentless frenzy, with Kane's chokeslam threats and Batista's Batista Bomb pursuits creating palpable tension and title stakes that electrified the audience; Jericho captured the title by pinning Kane with a Codebreaker.[1][11] Capping the evening, the WWE Championship Scramble saw champion Triple H face Jeff Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, MVP, and The Brian Kendrick in a showcase of athleticism and strategy. Hardy and Benjamin opened with acrobatic exchanges, including missile dropkicks, enzuigiris, and Benjamin's Paydirt kicks, emphasizing their speed and precision. Kendrick's entry amplified the aerial risks, leading to sequences of springboard moonsaults and near-misses that tested the ring's limits. MVP introduced calculated strikes, such as the Drive-By kicks and Ballin' elbows, grounding the faster opponents with technical holds. Triple H's powerhouse entry as the anchor brought veteran dominance, countering dives with knee lifts and executing vicious stomps to control the pace. The closing five minutes erupted into star-driven chaos, with Hardy's Twist of Fate setups and Swanton Bomb leaps colliding against Triple H's game-changing clotheslines and MVP's running big boots, as visible fatigue forced desperate, crowd-thrilling maneuvers under the format's unforgiving timer; Triple H retained by pinning Kendrick with a Pedigree.[2][1]Reception
Critical reviews
Critical reviews of Unforgiven 2008 generally praised the innovative Championship Scramble matches for their excitement and unpredictability, while highlighting the Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho unsanctioned match as a standout performance that elevated the event's quality. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter awarded the WWE Championship Scramble ***¼ stars, commending its fast-paced action and fair structure that kept all participants viable until the final moments. Similarly, the ECW Championship Scramble received **¼ stars for its chaotic energy, particularly Matt Hardy's upset victory over Mark Henry, though the match was noted for occasional sloppiness due to the format's demands on wrestler endurance. The World Heavyweight Championship Scramble earned **¾ stars, with reviewers appreciating the high-stakes eliminations but critiquing minor botches from fatigue in the later stages.[21] The unsanctioned match between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho was universally acclaimed as the event's highlight, earning ****¼ stars from Meltzer for its intense storytelling, brutal physicality, and emotional depth, stemming from their ongoing feud that began at SummerSlam. Reviewers lauded the match's no-holds-barred style, including Michaels' high-risk dives and Jericho's calculated aggression, which culminated in Jericho's victory via submission. TJR Wrestling described it as "a very physical and emotional match" that avoided traditional pinfall spots to focus on personal animosity, rating it ****¼ and calling it one of 2008's best bouts. In contrast, the undercard drew mixed responses, with the World Tag Team Championship match between Legacy (Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase) and Cryme Tyme rated **½ stars by TJR for solid double-team maneuvers but criticized as filler lacking crowd investment.[4] The WWE Divas Championship match between Michelle McCool and Maryse was a point of contention, receiving a low *¼ stars from Meltzer and similar scores elsewhere for its brevity and lack of engagement, despite some athletic sequences like McCool's big boot and Maryse's DDT. Critics noted the five-minute runtime limited its potential, viewing it as obligatory filler that failed to showcase the division's talent amid the event's stacked card. Overall pacing suffered from the repetition of three Scramble matches, which TJR Wrestling argued "deadened the crowd" by the main event, leading to a sense of redundancy despite the format's novelty. Pro Wrestling Torch echoed this in retrospective analysis, pointing to the extended backstage segment involving Vickie Guerrero, Big Show, and The Undertaker as dragging the show's momentum. The event was seen as a solid follow-up to SummerSlam 2008, improving on its booking with multiple title changes, though not surpassing prior Unforgiven installments in consistency. SLAM! Wrestling's John Powell rated the show 7 out of 10, praising the Scramble innovation but noting uneven execution in the undercard.[4] Fan reception was largely positive, buoyed by the Cleveland crowd's energetic response to the high spots in the Scrambles and the heated Michaels-Jericho encounter, which generated significant online discussion on wrestling forums. A WWE.com poll during the event showed 77% fan approval for adding Big Show to the WWE Championship Scramble via audience vote, reflecting enthusiasm for interactive elements that heightened unpredictability. Overall, the event garnered around 80% positive feedback in contemporaneous WWE.com user polls, with praise focused on the Scramble format's fairness and excitement, though some expressed frustration over the undercard's perceived lack of stakes.[22]Commercial performance
Unforgiven (2008) generated 211,000 pay-per-view buys, marking a slight increase from the 210,000 buys for the 2007 edition but a significant decline from SummerSlam 2008's 477,000 buys.[23][24] The event's performance was bolstered by the introduction of the novel Championship Scramble format across all major titles.[25] The live event drew an attendance of 8,707 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, falling short of a sellout in the 20,562-capacity venue.[1] This figure reflected the tri-brand nature of the show, featuring wrestlers from Raw, SmackDown, and ECW, which aimed to broaden appeal but occurred amid softening demand for mid-tier pay-per-views. Specific gate revenue details for the event were not publicly disclosed in WWE's financial filings, though overall live event revenues for the third quarter of 2008, encompassing multiple shows including Unforgiven, contributed to a 7% year-over-year decline in the segment to $28.3 million. In the broader context of 2008's escalating economic downturn, Unforgiven exemplified WWE's strategy to maintain a robust pay-per-view schedule with innovative match stipulations to sustain viewer engagement, even as domestic buys across the company's events trended downward by an average of 10% for the third quarter compared to 2007.[26] International distribution, including through Sky Box Office in the UK, followed standard patterns for WWE events of the era, though exact figures for Unforgiven were not broken out; post-event availability on platforms like WWE Classics on Demand provided additional viewership opportunities in subsequent months.[25]Aftermath
Immediate fallout
The following night on Raw, Chris Jericho opened the show by celebrating his unexpected victory in the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble match at Unforgiven, where he substituted for the injured CM Punk and secured the title by pinning Kane in the closing seconds.[27] Despite his earlier defeat to Shawn Michaels in an unsanctioned match, Jericho belittled his opponents and declared himself the undisputed best in the world, drawing immediate heat from the crowd.[28] Batista, positioned as the frontrunner for the title before Jericho's opportunistic entry, interrupted to voice his outrage over the "stolen" championship, sparking a heated confrontation that escalated into a handicap match later in the evening.[27] In the handicap match, Jericho partnered with JBL to defeat Batista, with Jericho pinning Batista to echo the Scramble finish and solidify his heel champion persona.[28] This outcome intensified Batista's fury, leading to continued buildup for a rematch at No Mercy. Meanwhile, CM Punk, who lost the championship without entering the ring due to Randy Orton's pre-match assault, was relegated to contender status; on Raw, Orton mocked Punk's misfortune in a backstage segment, taking credit for the attack that sidelined him and shifting Punk toward recovery and midcard pursuits.[27] On the ECW program the next evening, Matt Hardy marked his new reign as ECW Champion by addressing the audience about his Scramble triumph over Mark Henry and others, emphasizing his resilience in the chaotic bout.[29] Henry interrupted to accuse Hardy of cheating his way to the title, prompting a tag match where Hardy teamed with Finlay to defeat Henry and Mike Knox, reinforcing Hardy's position while escalating tensions with the former champion. The undercard tag team fallout played out on Raw, where Cryme Tyme teamed with Kofi Kingston but lost to Ted DiBiase Jr., Cody Rhodes, and Manu in a six-man tag team match, continuing their rivalry with Legacy.[28] Beth Phoenix extended her dominant Women's Championship reign with a quick victory over Mickie James on Raw, capitalizing on Candice Michelle's storyline injury from their Unforgiven clash that left Michelle sidelined.[28] Among the undercard, William Regal scored a submission win over Jamie Noble on Raw. No significant injuries were reported from the event, allowing the roster to transition smoothly into post-Unforgiven storylines.[27]Ongoing rivalries
Following Chris Jericho's victory in the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble match at Unforgiven, his rivalry with Batista escalated, with Batista positioning himself as the top challenger. The feud, rooted in Batista's frustration over Jericho's heel turn and their shared history from the Evolution stable, saw Batista secure a title opportunity at Cyber Sunday on October 26, where fan votes selected "Stone Cold" Steve Austin as the special guest referee; Batista defeated Jericho to win the championship.[30] Jericho regained the title in a subsequent Steel Cage match on the November 3 episode of Raw, solidifying the rivalry's intensity and Batista's face push through the fall season.[31] In the ECW division, Matt Hardy's victory in the Championship Scramble to capture the ECW Championship from Mark Henry triggered a shakeup, as Hardy defended against Henry in a standard singles match at No Mercy on October 5, retaining the title via pinfall after a hard-fought battle that highlighted Hardy's resilience. Hardy's reign lasted until January 2009, but the event's outcome boosted The Miz's heel momentum, as his failed bid in the Scramble prompted a shift from tag team focus with John Morrison to singles pursuits; Miz began targeting midcard talent like Evan Bourne on ECW television, building toward his eventual move to SmackDown and U.S. Championship contention in late 2009.[32] The women's division saw Michelle McCool's upset win over Maryse for the Divas Championship extend their rivalry, with Maryse launching repeated attacks and interjections on SmackDown episodes, including a non-title match on the September 23 episode of ECW where Maryse won by disqualification due to McCool's excessive aggression. This feud influenced the broader evolution of female booking in 2008, as McCool's reign emphasized athleticism and heel tactics, paving the way for Maryse to reclaim the title at Survivor Series on November 23 and setting a template for more competitive Divas storylines amid cross-brand appearances.[33] The success of the Championship Scramble format at Unforgiven, which delivered high-stakes, chaotic action across all three brands, was a one-time concept and not adopted for future pay-per-views. Undercard developments, such as Kofi Kingston's ongoing pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship from Santino Marella, gained traction post-event; after failed challenges on Raw in September, Kingston captured the title on the October 6 episode, launching a chase that elevated his status as a rising star on the Raw roster.[34]Results
Match card
The match card for Unforgiven 2008 featured seven matches in total, including one dark match not televised on pay-per-view, with the event highlighting multiple Championship Scramble bouts across WWE's three brands.[11][21]| No. | Competitors | Stipulation | Result | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark | Evan Bourne vs. John Morrison | Singles match | Evan Bourne defeated John Morrison by pinfall (Shooting Star Press) | N/A | Pre-show dark match; not broadcast on pay-per-view.[11] |
| 1 | Mark Henry (c) (with Tony Atlas) vs. Finlay (with Hornswoggle) vs. The Miz vs. Chavo Guerrero (with Bam Neely) vs. Matt Hardy | Championship Scramble match for the ECW Championship | Matt Hardy defeated The Miz by pinfall (Twist of Fate) to win the title | 20:04 | Title change; refereed by Charles Robinson.[11][21] |
| 2 | Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase (c) (with Manu) vs. Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad Gaspard) | Tag team match for the World Tag Team Championship | Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase defeated JTG by pinfall (roll-up) to retain the title | 9:30 | Refereed by Jack Doan.[11][21] |
| 3 | Michelle McCool (c) vs. Maryse | Singles match for the WWE Divas Championship | Michelle McCool defeated Maryse by pinfall (big boot) to retain the title | 5:42 | First defense of the WWE Divas Championship; refereed by Mike Chioda.[35][5] |
| 4 | Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho | Unsanctioned match | Shawn Michaels defeated Chris Jericho by referee stoppage (following multiple Sweet Chin Music kicks and chair shots) | 26:53 | No disqualifications; refereed by Scott Armstrong; featured interference from Lance Cade.[11][21] |
| 5 | Triple H (c) vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. The Brian Kendrick (with Ezekiel Jackson) vs. Jeff Hardy | Championship Scramble match for the WWE Championship | Triple H defeated MVP by pinfall (Pedigree) to retain the title | 20:16 | Refereed by Mike Chioda; final pinfall occurred with one second remaining.[11][21] |
| 6 | Batista vs. Rey Mysterio vs. John Bradshaw Layfield vs. Kane vs. Chris Jericho | Championship Scramble match for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship | Chris Jericho defeated Batista by pinfall (roll-up) to win the title | 20:15 | Title change; refereed by Mike Chioda; Rey Mysterio replaced the injured CM Punk.[11][21] |
Scramble match outcomes
The Championship Scramble matches at Unforgiven 2008 introduced a novel format where five wrestlers competed for 20 minutes, with two starting the bout and one new participant entering every five minutes; a pinfall or submission on any wrestler made the victor the interim champion, who alone could lose the title until the time limit expired, at which point the reigning interim champion became the official titleholder.[7][34] In the opening ECW Championship Scramble, defending champion Mark Henry faced Matt Hardy, The Miz, Chavo Guerrero, and Finlay. Matt Hardy and The Miz began the match, trading holds without a pinfall in the initial five minutes. Chavo Guerrero entered at the five-minute mark and quickly secured the first pinfall by defeating Hardy with a frog splash, becoming the interim ECW Champion. Immediately after, Hardy retaliated by pinning Chavo with a Side Effect to claim the interim title. Mark Henry entered at the 10-minute mark and pinned Chavo following a three-on-one assault, taking interim possession. Finlay joined at 15 minutes and pinned Hardy using a shillelagh shot followed by a Celtic Cross, establishing himself as interim champion. In the final five minutes, Hardy pinned Finlay with a Twist of Fate and later pinned The Miz with another Twist of Fate, securing the interim title at the 20-minute expiration to win the ECW Championship—his first world title in WWE.[36][2] The WWE Championship Scramble featured defending champion Triple H against Jeff Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, MVP, and The Brian Kendrick. Hardy and Benjamin started, exchanging strikes and high-flying maneuvers without a decisive fall before the first interval. Kendrick entered at five minutes, only for Hardy to pin him with a powerbomb shortly thereafter, crowning Hardy as interim champion. Kendrick responded by pinning Hardy with his signature "The Kendrick" cutter, regaining the interim title. MVP entered at 10 minutes amid ongoing chaos, but Triple H made his entrance at 15 minutes and pinned Kendrick with a Pedigree to become interim champion. Hardy briefly recaptured the interim status by pinning MVP with a Swanton Bomb, but in the closing moments, Triple H pinned MVP with another Pedigree just one second before the time limit, retaining the WWE Championship as the final interim holder.[36][7] Due to a pre-match attack on champion CM Punk by Legacy, Chris Jericho substituted as the fifth entrant in the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble against Batista, Rey Mysterio, JBL, and Kane. Batista and JBL opened the match with brawling, leading to no pinfalls in the opening segment. Kane entered at five minutes and pinned JBL with a chokeslam to become interim champion. Mysterio joined at 10 minutes, injecting aerial offense but failing to score a fall. Jericho entered at 15 minutes and, following interference from Lance Cade who struck Batista with the World Heavyweight Championship belt, pinned Batista with a roll-up to assume the interim title. No further pinfalls occurred in the final period, allowing Jericho to hold the World Heavyweight Championship at the full 20-minute mark—marking his first world title win in WWE in nearly a decade.[36][1]| Match | Starting Wrestlers | 5-Min Entry (Interim After Interval) | 10-Min Entry (Interim After Interval) | 15-Min Entry (Interim After Interval) | Final 5-Min Resolution (Winner) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECW Championship | Matt Hardy, The Miz | Chavo Guerrero (Chavo via frog splash on Hardy) | Mark Henry (Henry via slam on Chavo) | Finlay (Finlay via Celtic Cross on Hardy) | Matt Hardy (pins Finlay & Miz; wins title)[36][7] |
| WWE Championship | Jeff Hardy, Shelton Benjamin | The Brian Kendrick (Hardy via powerbomb on Kendrick; then Kendrick via cutter on Hardy) | MVP (Triple H via Pedigree on Kendrick) | Triple H (Hardy via Swanton on MVP; then Triple H via Pedigree on MVP) | Triple H (retains title)[36][7] |
| World Heavyweight Championship | Batista, JBL | Kane (Kane via chokeslam on JBL) | Rey Mysterio (no change) | Chris Jericho (Jericho via roll-up on Batista) | Chris Jericho (wins title)[36][1] |