Cyber Sunday (2008)

Cyber Sunday
Cyber Sunday
	Promotional poster featuringCM Punk
Promotion	World Wrestling Entertainment
Brand(s)	Raw; SmackDown; ECW
Date	October 26, 2008
City	Phoenix, Arizona
Venue	US Airways Center
Attendance	7,981
Buy rate	153,000
Pay-per-view chronology
←Previous; No Mercy	Next→; Survivor Series
Taboo Tuesday/Cyber Sundaychronology
←Previous; 2007	Next→; Final

Cyber Sundaywas the fifth annual and finalTaboo Tuesday/Cyber Sunday professional wrestling pay-per-view(PPV)eventproduced byWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion'sRaw,SmackDown,andECW brand divisions.The event took place on October 26, 2008, at theUS Airways CenterinPhoenix, Arizona.The theme of the event was that fans could vote on certain aspects of every match. While it was the fifth event in this interactive PPV's chronology, it was the third titled Cyber Sunday as the first two events were titled Taboo Tuesday. In2009,Cyber Sunday was replaced byBragging Rights.

Eight professional wrestling matches and one miscellaneous segment were featured on the event'scard.The event received 153,000 pay-per-view buys, less than theprevious year's event.It was also the first Cyber Sunday PPV broadcast inhigh definition.

Production[edit]

Background[edit]

Cyber Sunday,originally known as Taboo Tuesday, was an annualpay-per-view(PPV) event produced byWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE) since2004.A unique feature of the event was the ability for fans to vote on certain aspects of every match. Because of this, the event was billed as an "interactivepay-per-view. "^[3]The 2008 event was the third event to be titled Cyber Sunday, but the fifth overall in the Taboo Tuesday/Cyber Sunday chronology. It was held on October 26, 2008, at theUS Airways CenterinPhoenix, Arizonaand featured wrestlers from theRaw,SmackDown,andECW brands.^[1]^[4]

Storylines[edit]

Unlike other WWE events where the stipulations were determined by WWE'screative staff,stipulations for matches were determined by votes from WWE fans conducted on WWE's website and by text messaging. The event was scheduled to feature eightprofessional wrestling matchesand one miscellaneous segment. Although the stipulations resulted from votes by WWE fans, different wrestlers were involved in pre-existingscriptedfeuds, plots andstorylines,which led to scheduled matches in which WWE fans could vote upon stipulations. Wrestlers were portrayed as eithervillainsorfan favoritesas they followed a series of tension-building events. All wrestlers were from either theECW,Raw,orSmackDownbrands – astoryline divisionin which WWE assigned its employees to a different television program.

The mainfeudfrom the Raw brand was over theWorld Heavyweight Championship.On the October 6, 2008, episode ofRaw,general manager Mike Adamleannounced that World Heavyweight ChampionChris Jerichowould defend his title againstBatistain astandard wrestling match,also known as a singles match, in which aguest refereewould be voted for by WWE fans; the candidates for the position wereRandy Orton,Shawn Michaels,andStone Cold Steve Austin.^[5]Earlier that night, it was also announced thatSantino Marellawould defend hisWWE Intercontinental Championshipagainst a former Intercontinental Champion voted for by the WWE fans; the candidates wereRoddy Piper,Goldust,orThe Honky Tonk Man.^[5]

The main rivalry from the SmackDown brand was over theWWE Championship.It was announced on the October 10, 2008, episode ofSmackDownthat WWE ChampionTriple Hwould defend his title against eitherJeff HardyorVladimir Kozlovin a singles match, or in atriple-threat match,a standard match involving both Hardy and Kozlov.^[6]Later that night it was also announced thatThe Big Showwould faceThe Undertakerin a fans choice of match, which included aKnockout match,"I Quit" match,or aLast Man Standing match.^[6]

The only rivalry from the ECW brand was over theECW Championship.It was announced on the October 14, 2008, episode ofECWthat ECW ChampionMatt Hardywould defend the title against the fans' choice of an opponent, withMark Henry,Evan Bourne,orFinlayas the options from which to choose.^[7]

Event[edit]

**Other on-screen personnel**
Role:	Name:
Englishcommentators	Michael Cole(Raw)
	Jerry Lawler(Raw)
	Jim Ross(SmackDown)
	Tazz(SmackDown)
	Todd Grisham(ECW)
	Matt Striker(ECW)
Spanish commentators	Carlos Cabrera
Spanish commentators	Hugo Savinovich
Backstageinterviewers	Todd Grisham
Ring announcers	Lilian Garcia(Raw)
	Justin Roberts(SmackDown)
	Tony Chimel(ECW)
Referees	Charles Robinson
	John Cone
	Mike Chioda
	Scott Armstrong
	Mike Posey
	Chad Patton
	Mark Yeaton

Before the event aired live onpay-per-view,Shelton Benjamindefended theWWE United States Championshipagainst a superstar of the fans' choice in a match that was streamed exclusively on WWE.com. The candidates to be voted in wereR-Truth,Montel Vontavious Porter(MVP) andFestus.R-Truth won the poll by 59% over MVP and Festus, and hence faced Benjamin for the title. The match went back and forth, but ultimately Benjamin performed thePaydirton R-Truth and pinned him to retain his title.

In the first match,KanefacedRey Mysterioin aNo Holds Barred Match.The fans voted the No Holds Barred match stipulation over aFalls Count Anywhere matchand a2-Out-Of-Three Falls Match.Early on in the match, Mysterio used his quickness and agility against Kane, along with someweaponslike aKendo stickand a STOP sign. Soon, Kane overpowered Mysterio and dominated the later part of the match. Near the end, Mysterio drop-toe held Kane and drove him face-first into the steel ring-steps kept in the corner of the ring. Then he hit Kane with asteel chairmultiple times, before delivering a619andspringboard splashand pinning him to win the match.

In the next match,Matt Hardydefended theECW ChampionshipagainstEvan Bourne,who the fans voted as the challenger overMark HenryandFinlay.Early in the match, Bourne surprised Hardy with his agility, but Hardy eventually got control of the match. Nevertheless, Bourne execute several high-flying moves on Hardy, like astanding moonsault,ahurricanranacountering Hardy'sSplash Mountain Bomb,and adiving knee dropfrom the top rope. In the end, Bourne missed theAir Bourne,and hence capitalizing, Hardy delivered aTwist of Fateto Bourne and pinned him to retain his title.

The third match aired was atag team matchwithJohn Morrison and The Miztaking onCryme Tyme(Shad Gaspard and JTG). This tag team match was chosen over anintergender tag team matchhavingWilliam RegalandLaylataking onJamie NobleandMickie James,and aWorld Tag Team Championshipmatch between the championsCody RhodesandTed DiBiaseand the team ofCM PunkandKofi Kingston.The match featured numerous tag team moves from both the teams. At one point, Shad threw JTG over the ropes onto Morrison and Miz outside the ring. Back in the ring, Morrison and Miz controlled the latter part of the match. In the end, Miz, who was not the legal man in the ring, kicked Shad's knee behind the referee's back and Morrison delivered theMoonlight Driveto Shad for the pinfall.

In the fourth match,Santino Marella(withBeth Phoenix) facedThe Honky Tonk Manfor theIntercontinental Championship.The fans voted Honky Tonk Man as Marella's opponent overRoddy PiperandGoldust.Before the match began, Honky Tonk Man danced to his theme music and asked Marella to do the same, but he delivered a cheap shot to Honky Tonk Man to officially start the match. However, the match ended soon whenBeth Phoenixtripped Honky Tonk Man as he prepared to hit Marella with his fist, and hence, the match ended in Honky Tonk Man's favor as he won bydisqualification.Nevertheless, Marella remained Intercontinental Champion as the title does not change hands by disqualification. After the match, Piper and Goldust made their way down to the ring confronting Marella. In the ring, Goldust executed theFinal Cuton Marella, Piper executed a punch combination followed by aneye poke,and Honky Tonk Man delivered theShake, Rattle and Rollto Marella.

Chris JerichofacedBatistain the main event withStone Cold Steve Austinas special guest referee.

The fifth match wasLast Man StandingbetweenThe UndertakerandThe Big Show.The fans voted for Last Man Standing match stipulation over aKnockoutmatch and an"I Quit" match.^[8]In the beginning, Big Show threw Undertaker out of the ring, and after some time, Undertaker hit Big Show with a steel chair. The match continued with Big Show dominating Undertaker and striking him with punches. The match featured many otherspots,like UndertakerthrustingBig Show's throat against a ringpost with a steel chair; Undertaker delivering aleg dropto Big Show on the ring apron, and then later countering Big Show'sChokeslaminto aDDT;and, then Big Show hitting Undertaker with a TV monitor and even chokeslamming him from theBarricadethrough an announcer's table. In the end, Big Show executed a chokeslam, followed by a knockout punch to the face and then attacking Undertaker with a steel chair, but Undertaker got to his feet each time before the ten count. Finally, Undertaker locked inHell's Gateon Big Show causing Show to lose consciousness and allowing Undertaker to win the match.^[9]

Throughout the night, a costume contest was held featuring theDivas.The winner was announced in the ring before the WWE Championship match. Mickie James, dressed as Lara Croft, won the contest.

The next match was aWWE Championshipmatch where the fans voted who Triple H's opponent,Jeff Hardy,who won the poll overVladimir Kozlov.During the start of the match both Hardy and Triple H countered each other's moves, then it was evenly matched. Hardy then executed the Swanton Bomb, then went up to the top rope for a second Swanton Bomb, but was unsuccessful. As Hardy was attempting the move, Triple H got up and countered the move into a Pedigree, pinned Hardy for the win, and retained his WWE title.

In the main event,Chris Jerichodefended hisWorld Heavyweight ChampionshipagainstBatista.The fans votedStone Cold Steve Austinto be the special guest referee. Upon hearing the voting results, Jericho attempted to walk away from the match and get counted out, but Austin explained that if Jericho got counted out or disqualified, then he would lose the title. So Jericho ran back in and proceeded with the match. It went back and forth between the two until Batista collided with Austin, allowing Jericho to take advantage of Batista.Shawn Michaelscame down to the ring and counted Jericho's attempted pinfall, which Batista kicked out at two. Michaels was about to execute asweet chin musicon Jericho, but instead faked Jericho out.John "Bradshaw" Layfield(JBL) came down to the ring and attacked Michaels. ThenRandy Ortoncame out and was appearing to take over as the special referee, but Austin got up and executed a Stunner on Orton. The match ended with Batista pinning Jericho after a Batista Bomb to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. After the match, Austin and Batista celebrated as they drank beer.

Reception[edit]

Canadian Online Explorer's professional wrestling section rated the entire event an 8 out of 10 stars and said that this PPV lived up to its hype.^[10]This rating was higher thanthe previous Cyber Sundaywhich was rated a 7.5 out of 10 stars.^[11]

Aftermath[edit]

It was announced on the 800th episode celebration ofRawthat the World Heavyweight Championship would be defended atSurvivor SeriesagainstJohn Cena.Later that night, Chris Jericho defeated Batista to win back the title, resulting in a Jericho versus Cena match at Survivor Series. At Survivor Series, Cena defeated Jericho to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

The feud between Triple H, Jeff Hardy and Vladimir Kozlov continued. On the November 7 episode ofSmackDown,Kozlov defeated the Undertaker via disqualification to win a title match against Triple H at Survivor Series. Hardy asked Vickie Guerrero for another chance at the title, which she refused. Then on the November 14 episode ofSmackDown,Hardy defeated Undertaker in an Extreme Rules Match, which led to Guerrero announcing that if Hardy could beat Triple H the next week, the match at Survivor Series would be a triple threat match between Triple H, Kozlov and Hardy. The next week, Hardy defeated Triple H to gain entry into the match. On the morning of Survivor Series, however, the storyline called for Hardy to be found unconscious in his hotel. The WWE Championship was changed to a standard singles match between Kozlov and Triple H, but during the match, Guerrero announced that, as promised, there would be a triple threat match. The angle allowed the returningEdgeto make his previously unannounced return in the match and win the WWE Championship.

The 2008 Cyber Sunday would be the final event in the interactive PPV's chronology. In 2009, the event was discontinued and replaced byBragging Rights.^[12]After Cyber Sunday's discontinuation, the fan interaction aspects of the pay-per-view were incorporated intoRawasWWEActive(originallyRawActive) for someRawepisodes, which was eventually dropped altogether.^[13]

Results[edit]

No.

Results^[21]

Stipulations

Times^[1]

1^D

Shelton Benjamin(c) defeatedR-Truth¹^[14]

Singles matchfor theWWE United States Championship