The show opened with new World Champion CM Punk coming to the ring and boasting about his title victory over Jeff Hardy at SummerSlam. Punk accused the fans of regularly abusing pain medications and claimed those in the crowd would be on morphine if they felt how he did following the TLC Match at the PPV. Punk showed footage of his SummerSlam win, and also complained about The Undertaker’s post-bout attack on him. The Titleholder addressed his Steel Cage championship defense against Hardy later in the program, which brought out the Charismatic Enigma. Punk took several entertaining narcotic-related potshots at Jeff and eventually suggested that a Loser-Leaves-WWE stipulation be added to their match. Hardy agreed, and General Manager Teddy Long arrived to make the conditions official. Long also announced that the winner of Punk-Hardy would defend the belt against The Undertaker at Breaking Point.

John Morrison and Matt Hardy over The Hart Dynasty via Morrison’s pinfall on David Hart Smith. This was a good short match.

Drew McIntyre attacked R-Truth before their scheduled bout and planted the rapping grappler into the mat with a double-underhook DDT. McIntyre then took the microphone and stated that the party was over.

Melina over Layla via pinfall. Women’s Champion Michelle McCool appeared on crutches before the match (claiming Melina had injured her knee) and introduced Layla.

Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio over Kane via disqualification. The Big Red Machine was DQ’d for repeatedly slamming Mysterio into the ringpost. Post-match, The Great Khali arrived along with Ranjin Singh and brawled to the back with Kane. Dolph Ziggler then hit the ring and delivered his Zigzag finisher to the vulnerable Rey.

Unified Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho and The Big Show over Cryme Tyme in a non-title match via Show’s pinfall on Shad. This was originally slated to be a one-on-one contest between Jericho and Shad, but Teddy Long made the match a tag bout after a brawl erupted amongst the four men.

World Champion CM Punk over Jeff Hardy in a Loser-Leaves-WWE Steel Cage Match. Punk and Hardy naturally delivered a terrific main event here, which The Straightedge Superstar won by escaping to the arena floor. Jeff cut a farewell promo afterward thanking the fans for their support, but was blindsided by Punk on the entrance ramp when the Champion struck him from behind with the World Title.

While I am sorry to see Jeff Hardy leave WWE (at least for the time being), he deserves all the kudos in the world for his fantastic work - both in the ring and on the mic - during his program with CM Punk over the past two and a half months. Jeff’s tremendous effort coupled with Punk’s own incredible skills have established the SmackDown Titleholder as a true WWE main eventer. Enjoy your well-earned time off, Jeff, and we hope to see you back very soon!
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