Welcome to our coverage of tonight’s Smackdown TV tapings from the MEN Arena in Manchester, England.

WWE are tapes two weeks of the show tonight and we’ll have live coverage over the next few hours as they take place.

For the benefit of those who for whatever reason don’t want to find out what happens on next week’s show, we’ll split tonight’s tapings up and will have live coverage of next week’s tapings on the front page of the site here at iFight365.com a little later on.

- In a dark match, Chavo Guerrero beat Ryan Braddock after a frogsplash.

- A casket is brought into the ring before Jim Ross and Tazz make their way to ringside as the tapings are about to get started.

- Smackdown starts with the focus on the casket. Undertaker’s voice can be heard as he cuts a promo on Big Show. He’s taking Smackdown to the depths of hell. Taker then pops out of the casket. Jeff Hardy, wearing a painted mask, interrupts on the video screen. He says tonight its going to be Extreme. Taker says that Hardy will Rest In Peace tonight.

- Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin is made for tonight, along with a contract signing between Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov, plus Maria vs. Michelle McCool for the women’s title.

- Matt Hardy beat Shelton Benjamin in a great TV match. Two really good matches in two nights for Hardy.

- THE Brian Kendrick beat Carlito after Carlito was distracted by Big Zeke who attacked Primo on the outside.

- A Kizarny promo airs, as does a John Cena video. Manchester doesn’t care for Cena tonight.

- The contract signing is up next. Vickie Guerrero comes out to huge heat. Koslov is introduced first, then Triple H. Huge pop for H. Trips rips into Vickie before Koslov signs the contract. He then tries to talk but is cut off. Triple H then tries to talk but Jeff Hardy comes out of nowhere and hits a swanton bomb on Kozlov through the table!

- MVP vs. Kung Fu Naki is up next. The match barely gets started before The Great Khali comes out. He distracts MVP and Funaki gets the win. MVP loses again. Khali stays at ringside as its Kiss Cam time!

- The Kiss Cam sees a large woman come into the ring. She dances for Khali and kisses him. MVP is laid on the ground after being chopped and chokeslammed by Khali. The big girl gets down on the mat and kisses MVP.

- Michelle McCool beat Maria by submission to retain the Divas title. Jesse and Festus were at ringside to watch. Festus hears the bell at the end of the match and gets in the ring to check Maria is ok.

- Undertaker vs. Jeff Hardy in an Extreme Rules match is up next. They go to the outside early but return to the ring just as quick. Undertaker is in control and throws Hardy into the barricade before getting a chair and using it as a weapon to legdrop on to Hardy. Hardy fights back with a kendo stick shot on the outside but Taker soon regains control.

- Hardy is bounced off the announce table but tries to make a comeback. He sends Taker face first then hits him from off the barricade. Taker tries to hit Old School but its blocked. Hardy throws a ladder at Taker. He then hits Whisper in the Wind. Big Show comes out to chokeslam Taker. Taker then goes for Show with a chair but Hardy nails Taker with the chair instead. Hardy then climbs a ladder and hits a legdrop on Taker to get the pinfall win.

- Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy for the World Heavyweight title will take place on the second taping (to air November 21). As I said at the top of the page, we’re keeping the two tapings apart, so for next week’s Smackdown tapings, CLICK HERE!

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com