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Unforgiven (2007)

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Unforgiven
Promotional poster featuringThe Undertaker
PromotionWorld Wrestling Entertainment
Brand(s)Raw
SmackDown!
ECW
DateSeptember 16, 2007
CityMemphis, Tennessee
VenueFedExForum
Attendance12,000[1]
Buy rate210,000[2]
Pay-per-view chronology
←Previous
SummerSlam 		Next→
No Mercy
Unforgivenchronology
←Previous
2006 		Next→
2008

The 2007Unforgivenwas the 10th annualUnforgivenprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view(PPV)eventproduced byWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE). It was held for wrestlers from the promotion'sRaw,SmackDown!,andECWbrand divisions.The event took place on September 16, 2007, at theFedExForuminMemphis, Tennessee.

The main match on the SmackDown! brand wasThe UndertakerversusMark Henry,which Undertaker won bypinfallafter executing aLast Ride.The predominant match on the Raw brand wasJohn CenaversusRandy Ortonfor theWWE Championship;Cena lost the match bydisqualificationbut retained the title. The primary match on the ECW brand wasCM PunkversusElijah Burkefor theECW Championship,which Punk won after pinning Burke with arolling cradle.The featured matches on theundercardincludedThe Great KhaliversusBatistaversusRey Mysterio Jr.in atriple threat matchfor theWorld Heavyweight ChampionshipandTriple HversusCarlitoin a match where Carlito could not be disqualified.

The event had 210,000 buys, down from theUnforgiven 2006figure of 289,000 buys.

Production[edit]

Background[edit]

The event was held at theFedExForuminMemphis, Tennessee.

Unforgivenwas first held byWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE) as the21st In Your Housepay-per-view(PPV) in April 1998. Following the discontinuation of theIn Your Houseseries in February 1999, Unforgiven branched off as its own PPV in September that year, becoming WWE's annual September PPV.[3]The 2007 event was the 10th event in the Unforgiven chronology and took place on September 16 at theFedExForuminMemphis, Tennessee.After being aRaw-exclusive PPV for the past four years, the 2007 event featured wrestlers from the Raw,SmackDown!,andECWbrands,[4]as followingWrestleMania 23in April, brand-exclusive pay-per-views were discontinued. It would in turn be the first Unforgiven since the2002 eventto feature the SmackDown! brand, and the first to feature ECW.[5]

Storylines[edit]

The mainfeudheading into Unforgiven on the SmackDown! brand was betweenThe UndertakerandMark Henry.Their rivalry started in early 2006 when Henry's interference caused Undertaker to lose a match for theWorld Heavyweight ChampionshipagainstKurt Angle.[6]This culminated in acasket matchatWrestleMania 22which Undertaker won, extending his WrestleMania winning streak to 14–0.[7]On the May 11, 2007, episode ofSmackDown!,Henry, who made his return from an injury he sustained in mid-2006, assaulted The Undertaker after Undertaker had retained the World Heavyweight Championship againstBatistain aSteel Cage match.[8]Following the assault,Edgecashed in hisMoney in the Bank contractto defeat Undertaker and win the World Heavyweight Championship.[8][9]As a result, Undertaker was out of action for four months.[8][9]In August, vignettes started airing about Undertaker's return and his match with Henry at Unforgiven.[10][11][12]

John CenaasWWE Champion.

The main feud on the Raw brand was betweenJohn CenaandRandy Ortonfor theWWE Championship.Cena had retained the title against Orton atSummerSlam.[13]The following night onRaw,Orton demanded a rematch for the title, but his request was declined byGeneral managerWilliam Regal.[14]Orton proceeded his demands toMr. McMahon,who also refused to give him a rematch unless he proved himself.[14]That night, Orton interfered in Cena's match by assaulting Cena and kicking Cena's father, who was at ringside, in the head.[15]The following week, Orton was granted a title rematch against Cena at Unforgiven.[16]

The main feud on theECWbrand was betweenCM PunkandElijah Burkeover theECW Championship.The rivalry started on the September 11, 2007, episode ofECW on Sci Fi,when Burke became the number one contender to the title.[17]After the fact was revealed, PunkdropkickedBurke. Later that same night, Punk teamed up withStevie Richardsin themain eventagainst Burke andKevin Thorn,which saw Punk and Richards win the match.[17]

The secondary feud on the SmackDown! brand was betweenThe Great Khali,Batista, andRey Mysteriofor the World Heavyweight Championship. After Batista was unable to win the World Heavyweight Championship from Khali at SummerSlam,[13]he participated in a tournament in which he lost to Mysterio, the eventual winner. As a result, Mysterio got a title shot against Khali at Unforgiven.[18]On the September 7, 2007 episode ofSmackDown!,after Mysterio defeatedChavo Guerrero Jr.in an"I Quit" match,Khali put Mysterio in aKhali Vise Grip.Batista made the save, and as a result, he was made a part of the match, making it atriple threat matchat Unforgiven.[19]

Event[edit]

Other on-screen personnel[20]
Role: Name:
Englishcommentators Jim Ross(Raw)
Jerry Lawler(Raw)
Michael Cole(SmackDown!)
John "Bradshaw" Layfield(SmackDown!)
Tazz(ECW)
Joey Styles(ECW)
Spanish commentators Carlos Cabrera
Hugo Savinovich
Interviewers Todd Grisham
Maria Kanellis
Ring announcers Lilian Garcia(Raw)
Tony Chimel(SmackDown!)
Justin Roberts(ECW)
Referees Scott Armstrong(ECW)
Jim Korderas(SmackDown!)
Marty Elias(Raw)
Chad Patton(Raw)
Mickie Henson(SmackDown!)
John Cone(Raw)
Mike Chioda(Raw)
Charles Robinson(SmackDown!)

Before the event began,KanedefeatedKenny Dykstrain adark match.[21]

Preliminary matches[edit]

The first match was for the ECW Championship between CM Punk and Elijah Burke. Punk won the match after pinning Burke with arolling cradleto retain the ECW Championship.[4]

In the next match,Matt HardyandMontel Vontavious PorterfacedDeuce 'n Dominofor theWWE Tag Team Championship.Deuce 'n Domino dominated early in the match and mocked the champs because of their feud over theUnited States Championship,which MVP held. Deuce N' Domino took advantage of Hardy and MVP's fight with each other and isolated Hardy. Hardy tossed MVP out of the ring and delivered aTwist of Fateto Deuce and pinned Deuce. In result, MVP and Matt Hardy retained the titles.[22]

The third match was betweenTriple HandCarlitoin which Carlito could not bedisqualified.Carlito took advantage of the situation as he could use any weapon. He attacked Triple H several times withsteel chairs,and threw powder in his eyes. With the referee distracted, a blinded Triple H struck Carlito with alow blowfollowed by aPedigree,leading to Triple H pinning Carlito to win the match.[4]

The next match was for theWWE Women's ChampionshipbetweenCandice MichelleandBeth Phoenix.Phoenix was in control early in the match. When Phoenix had Candice on her shoulders, Candice reversed the attack and pinned Phoenix with acrucifix.As a result, Michelle won the match, and retained the WWE Women's Championship.[23]

Main event matches[edit]

In the fifth match, The Great Khali, Batista, and Rey Mysterio fought in a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Late in the match, Mysterio performed a619onto Khali, and tried to score the pinfall, only for Batista to pull Mysterio off of Khali and throw him out of the ring. Batista picked Khali up and delivered aspinebuster.Batista then pinned Khali to win the World Heavyweight Championship.[24]

The next match wasLance Cade and Trevor MurdochagainstPaul London and Brian Kendrickfor theWorld Tag Team Championship.Cade and Murdoch had the advantage over London and Kendrick early on. At one point, Murdoch pulled Kendrick outside the ring, over the top rope, and threw him into Cade, who performed asitout spinebusteronto Kendrick. London tried to help his partner until Cadesuperplexedhim over the top rope. Murdoch took the advantage and pinned Kendrick for the win. As a result, Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch retained the World Tag Team Championship.[25]

In the next match, John Cena faced Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. Cena raging entered the ring and started beating on Orton until Orton struck Cena down. Orton covered Cena, but Cena kicked out at two. Cena angrily lost control and began beating Orton. The refereeMike Chiodatried to stop Cena from continuously punching Orton, but Cena continued and wasdisqualified.Therefore, Orton won the match, but not the title, because titles can't change hands by disqualification. As a result, John Cena retained the WWE Championship. Outside the ring, Cena put Orton in theSTFUwhile Cena's father kicked Orton in the head the same way Orton had kicked in his head on a previous episode of Raw.[15]After the match,Jonathan Coachmanbooked Cena in aLast Man Standing matchagainst Orton for the WWE Championship atNo Mercy.[4]

Themain eventwas between The Undertaker and Mark Henry. During the match, Henry hit Undertaker with a series ofsplashesand superplexes, but Undertaker was able to continue fighting in the match. Henry put Undertaker in thebear hug,but Undertaker broke the hold. In the end, Undertaker delivered aLast Rideto Henry from the top rope. Undertaker then pinned Henry to win the match.[4]

Aftermath[edit]

Randy Ortonreceived the vacantWWE ChampionshipatNo Mercy.

Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch continued tofeudwith Paul London and Brian Kendrick whileJeff Hardygot involved in a rivalry withMr. Kennedy.AtNo Mercy,London and Kendrick teamed up with Hardy to take on the team of Cade, Murdoch and Kennedy in a six-man tag team match. Cade, Murdoch and Kennedy won the match after Kennedy delivered aGreen Bay Plungeto London.[26]On the September 17 episode ofRaw,Candice MichelleandMickie JamesdefeatedMelinaandJillianin atag teammatch.Beth Phoenixwas at ringside during the match[27]At No Mercy, Candice and Phoenix had a rematch for theWomen's Championship,which Phoenix won to capture the title.[28][29]

On the September 18 episode ofECW on Sci Fi,General managerArmando Estradaannounced an "Elimination Chase"to determine the number one contender for the ECW Championship at No Mercy. The first match involved Elijah Burke,Kevin Thorn,Tommy Dreamer,andStevie Richards.Burke eliminated Richards from the Elimination Chase after pinning him.[30]In the second round, which was held on the September 25 episode ofECW on Sci Fi,Burke went on to eliminate Kevin Thorn in a triple threat match after pinning him.[31]On the October 2 episode ofECW on Sci Fi,Tommy Dreamer and Elijah Burke faced each other in the final match of the tournament. Dreamer won the final match after aDDTand was made the number one contender for the title until Estrada came and said that Elimination Chase was not over. He announced thatBig Daddy Vwould be the final man in the Elimination Chase. Big Daddy V defeated Dreamer and became the number one contender to the ECW Championship.[32]At No Mercy, CM Punk defended the ECW Championship against Big Daddy V and retained the title after Big Daddy V got disqualified.[33]

On the September 21 episode ofSmackDown!,Michael Coleinterviewed Rey Mysterio untilJohn "Bradshaw" Layfield(JBL) said that he would conduct the interview instead. JBL claimed that he was the best wrestler ever and insulted Mysterio. Mysterio attacked JBL and challenged him to a fight until JBL introducedFinlayas Mysterio's opponent. Finlay attacked Mysterio with ashillelagh,which started a feud between the two.[34]Finlay and Mysterio faced each other at No Mercy in a match which was fought to no contest.[35]Also on the September 21 episode ofSmackDown!,the newWorld Heavyweight ChampionBatista faced Mark Henry in a non-title match which Batista won by disqualification. Henry was disqualified after The Great Khali interfered and attacked Batista. After the match, Khali performed a Khali Vise Grip on Batista and challenged him to aPunjabi Prison matchfor the World Heavyweight Championship.[36]At No Mercy, the two faced each other in a Punjabi Prison match for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Batista won to retain the title.[37]

John Cena and Randy Orton continued their feud over the WWE Championship, as the two were scheduled to compete in a Last Man Standing match at No Mercy for the title. The match, however, never occurred. On the October 1 episode ofRaw,Cena defeated Mr. Kennedy in a non-title match. After the match, Orton attacked Cena and then counted to ten, which Cena was unable to answer to.[38]Cena was legitimately injured in the match, and as a result, the following night onECW on Sci Fi,Mr. McMahon vacated the WWE Championship because Cena's right pectoral tendon waslegitimatelytorn while executing ahip tossduring his match with Kennedy.[32][39]At No Mercy, Mr. McMahon entered the ring and said that a new WWE Champion was to be crowned, and Orton was crowned as champion,[26][40]but he was challenged by Triple H for the title on the spot.[40]Triple H, however, defeated Orton to win the WWE Championship,[41][42]but later that same night, Triple H lost the title to Orton back in a Last Man Standing match after a title defense againstUmaga,who he was booked to face in a standard wrestling match.[43][44][45]

This was the last Unforgiven ever to be in 4:3 format until January 2008 when it went tohigh definition.

Results[edit]

No.Results[4]StipulationsTimes
1DKanedefeatedKenny DykstrabypinfallSingles match[21]0:27
2CM Punk(c) defeatedElijah BurkebypinfallSingles matchfor theECW Championship11:52
3Matt HardyandMontel Vontavious Porter(c) defeatedDeuce 'n Domino(withCherry) bypinfallTag team matchfor theWWE Tag Team Championship9:19
4Triple HdefeatedCarlitobypinfallNo Disqualification match
The No Disqulification stipulationonlyapplied to Carlito; Triple H had to wrestle under normalsingles matchrules.		10:40
5Candice Michelle(c) defeatedBeth PhoenixbypinfallSingles matchfor theWWE Women's Championship7:17
6BatistadefeatedThe Great Khali(c) (withRanjin Singh) andRey MysteriobypinfallTriple threat matchfor theWorld Heavyweight Championship8:01
7Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch(c) defeatedPaul London and Brian KendrickbypinfallTag team matchfor theWorld Tag Team Championship11:48
8Randy OrtondefeatedJohn Cena(c) bydisqualificationSingles matchfor theWWE Championship7:22
9The UndertakerdefeatedMark HenrybypinfallSingles match11:25
(c)– the champion(s) heading into the match
D– this was adark match

Championship Competition Tournament[edit]

TheChampionship Competition Tournamentwas a tournament held onSmackDown!in 2007 to determine the #1 contender for theWorld Heavyweight Championshipat Unforgiven.[46]

Semifinals Final
1 Rey Mysterio DQ
4 Batista 05:57
Rey Mysterio Pin
Finlay 08:33
3 Finlay Pin
2 Kane 07:21

References[edit]

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External links[edit]

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