The first SmackDown of the New Year will be even more intense as General Manager Theodore Long has announced that next week the Superstars of SmackDown will compete in the SmackDown Sprint. The person who defeats their opponent in the shortest time will get a match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Royal Rumble.
Also, the final SmackDown of 2006 was a Best of SmackDown for the year, and fans were treated to some of the high and low points of the past year of action, including Rey Mysterio’s underdog climb to the World Championship and his vicious rivalry with Chavo Guerrero. The show also highlighted Batista’s pursuit of King Booker and the World Heavyweight Championship, and the reuniting of the Brothers of Destruction, Kane and Undertaker.
What does 2007 have in store for the Superstars? Be sure to tune in to SmackDown each and every Friday on the CW Network to find out.
December 8, 2006

Less than two weeks from Armageddon, the Superstars of SmackDown invaded Florence, S.C., hoping to pick up individual momentum as they head toward WWE’s final pay-per-view of 2006.
Former World Heavyweight Champion King Booker approached his partner Finlay early in the night, as Finlay readied himself for a battle with the current champion Batista. Booker told the Irishman that he “screwed it up” last week for the King. Finlay responded by telling Booker “you talk too much,” and added that at Armageddon “[they would] take care of business.”
Later in the night, Batista and Finlay were engrossed in a match-up of two powerhouses, with each testing the will of the other. As Batista looked to finish off Finlay, King Booker interfered. The tag team partners for Armageddon dismantled the World Heavyweight Champion, taking turns with their respective weapons, a chair for Booker and the shillelagh for Finlay. The former court member and the King stood tall, as they left Batista lying in the ring.
Mr. Kennedy arrived at SmackDown with a message waiting for him in the arena; a

hearse. Kennedy hit the ring and told all of SmackDown, most importantly Undertaker, that he wasn’t intimidated. “You think by parking a hearse in the arena it’s going to get into my head,” questioned the cocky Superstar. “You can’t throw me off my game.”
Undertaker then opened the back of the hearse and delivered his message to Kennedy. As he gave the cut throat signal, a visibly shaken Mr. Kennedy ran off into the crowd. Later in the night, Kennedy would return to the ring to face Kane, as the Big Red Monster looked to punish Kennedy. MVP arrived and the two youngsters took it to the Monster, looking to annihilate Kane. MVP has been told by General Manager Theodore Long that either he faces Kane at Armageddon, or he is fired.
The Undertaker’s gong sounded, the lights went out, and Kane disappeared. When the lights came back on, Kennedy once again ran out of the ring, leaving Kane’s Inferno Match opponent at Armageddon, Montel Vontavious Porter, alone in the ring. Next week, Theodore Long has announced that The Brothers of Destruction will face MVP and Mr. Kennedy on SmackDown.
Chris Benoit, who for weeks has been looking for answers to his questions, was the one under fire on SmackDown. Benoit had to face the allegations that have been thrown his way by Chavo Guerrero. As Benoit tried to explain his actions as “purely accidental,” Vickie approached and slapped the United States Champion. She then walked down the hallway, where Chavo was waiting, and the two shared a laugh at Benoit’s expense.

Chris Benoit took all his anger to the ring, where he unleashed “toothless aggression” on Sylvan. In less than two weeks, Benoit and Chavo will once again do battle for the United States Championship. Will the Guerreros’ mind games give them the advantage, or will the Rabid Wolverine continue his reign?
William Regal and Dave Taylor defeated WWE Tag Team Champions London and Kendrick. During the match, Regal gave chase to Ashley at ringside, distracting the champions from the task at hand, allowing the brutal team of Regal and Taylor to steal a victory.
Jimmy Wang Yang became the No. 1 contender to Gregory Helms’ Cruiserweight Championship by defeating Jamie Noble. At Armageddon, the longest reigning champion in WWE will put the title on the line against SmackDown’s resident redneck.
Finally, the undefeated Miz defeated Scotty 2 Hotty, and then escaped being wormed by Boogeyman.
Matches
| Jimmy Wang Yang def. Jamie Noble |
| United States Champion Chris Benoit def. Sylvan |
| The Miz def. Scotty 2 Hotty |
| Mr. Kennedy vs. Kane (No Contest) |
| World Heavyweight Champion Batista vs. Finlay (No Contest) |
| William Regal & Dave Taylor def. WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London & Brian Kendrick |
December 1, 2006

After regaining the title at Survivor Series less than a week ago, SmackDown’s new World Heavyweight Champion Batista entered the HSBC Arena in Buffalo a happy man.
King Booker however, was not so happy. As the former champion demanded a rematch, he was interrupted by the Irishman Finlay, who wanted the opportunity to face Batista. WWE’s fan friendly General Manager Theodore Long announced a Triple Threat Match – which heavily favors the challengers – for the World Heavyweight Champion. Batista made a huge statement by defeating two of SmackDown’s toughest Superstars, pinning Finlay and retaining the World Heavyweight Championship.
While continuing to be at odds after the match, Long made another announcement: King Booker and Finlay would team up against Batista and a partner of his choice at Armageddon. The Animal chose his friend, WWE Champion John Cena.
Theodore Long also announced two other matches for Armageddon, as he has ordered a Last Ride Match between Undertaker and Mr. Kennedy and an Inferno Match between the monster Kane and MVP.

On this night, however, Undertaker would face Montel Vontavious Porter as he sought revenge for losing the First Blood Match at Survivor Series due to MVP’s interference. The match was interrupted by Kennedy, who was thrown into the ring. As MVP ran towards the back, The Big Red Machine chased him back into the ring, and once again the Brothers of Destruction stood together to pummel the young Superstars. At Armageddon, the rivalry between MVP and Kane will literally heat up, while The Phenom looks to take Kennedy for one last ride.
Chavo Guerrero came to SmackDown with an injured Vickie by his side, claiming the

injury was caused by the Rabid Wolverine at Survivor Series. Chavo went on to taunt Chris Benoit, saying “why don’t you hit me Chris, someone who hits back,” and also “you were part of our family, and you go and do this.” Vickie added “I never thought a family friend like Chris Benoit would do this.” Chavo used this mind game to his advantage during a return match, as Benoit stopped himself from slamming into Vickie again. Chavo rolled up the United States Champion and held the tights to defeat Benoit.
WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London & Brian Kendrick took on the reunited MNM, who they had defeated to win the titles. The former champions looked to work out some kinks as they head into a showdown with The Hardys this Sunday at December to Dismember. As Kendrick & London looked to have the advantage, William Regal & Dave Taylor viciously attacked them, leaving the tag team champions easy kill for MNM.
Matches
| Kristal def. Layla |
| Chavo Guerrero def. United States Champion Chris Benoit (Non-Title) |
| MNM def. WWE Tag Team Champions London & Kendrick (Non Title) |
| MVP vs. Undertaker (No Contest) |
| World Heavyweight Champion Batista def. King Booker & Finlay (Triple Threat Match) |