MILWAUKEE – Just two nights before The Bash, things erupted in the land of SmackDown, culminating in an epic "Rage in the Cage" Match, featuring some of Friday night's biggest Superstars.

Edge & Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho def. Jeff Hardy & Rey Mysterio
With World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk as guest referee, Edge & Chris Jericho went to war with Jeff Hardy & Rey Mysterio in a "Rage in the Cage" Match. In the end, it was "Team Ego" who prevailed when The Rated-R Superstar avoided a Twist of Fate from Hardy and stunned the high-flyer with a hard-hitting spear.

After the match was over, CM Punk, perhaps being sarcastic, offered up his praises for Hardy, saying he fought a good fight despite losing the match. On Sunday, the two will clash for Punk's World Heavyweight Championship at The Bash.

A visit from the Chairman
The epic main event was orchestrated by SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long. Long was put under pressure to deliver a quality night by none other than the Chairman himself, Mr. McMahon, who paid a rare visit to SmackDown.

During the night's opening segment, the Chairman insisted that the night better be good, and put Long on "probation." The Chairman never let up on Teddy. After the night's main event, Mr. McMahon said he expected really big things from him at The Bash and told him to "perform as if your job depended on it."

R-Truth def. Shelton Benjamin
Performing his signature entrance song "What's Up?!," R-Truth crossed paths at ringside with the Chairman. When offered the chance to respond to the famous question, Mr. McMahon had nothing to say.

After the rapping was over, R-Truth endured a vicious verbal assault from his opponent, Shelton Benjamin. The mean-spirited lashing fueled a quick and aggressive offense from Truth during their match. Benjamin eventually turned the tables, putting Truth on the defensive. But in the end, Truth prevailed when he dropped The Gold Standard with a Lie Detector.

Michelle McCool & Alicia Fox def. Women's Champion Melina & Gail Kim
With the upcoming Women's Championship match on their minds, Michelle McCool and Alicia Fox went to work, punishing reigning champion, Melina. Their strategy worked, keeping Kim out of the ring for most of the contest. When Kim finally entered the fray, she was stopped cold by McCool with a devastating Faithbreaker. After it was all over, Melina was clearly still feeling the effects of the encounter. Can she recover in time to defend her title against McCool at The Bash?

John Morrison def. World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk (Non-Title)
Last week on SmackDown, John Morrison went toe-to-toe with former World Heavyweight Champion Edge, giving him a run for his money. Although The Friday Night delight came up short against The Ultimate Opportunist last week, on this night, he found a way to defeat the reigning champion. Perhaps feeling uncomfortable with his loss to the younger Superstar, Punk offered a congratulatory handshake to Morrison, only to crush him with a Go to Sleep. After the loss, Punk must put it behind him if he is to successfully defend his title against No. 1 contender Jeff Hardy at The Bash.

Source: WWE.com

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – There's a new champion ruling the Land of the Extreme. On a monumental ECW on Sci Fi, the "All-American American" Jack Swagger was victorious over Matt Hardy to claim the ECW Championship Tuesday night.

Jack Swagger def. Matt Hardy (ECW Championship Match)
The "All-American American" showed the swagger of a champion on Tuesday's ECW on Sci Fi when he defeated Matt Hardy for the ECW Title. Swagger smartly targeted Hardy's left arm throughout their brutal match, inflicting damage on the limb Hardy uses most in the Twist of Fate. Despite the strong energy of the WWE Universe behind him, Hardy was unable to stop Swagger's momentum. The All-American American threw Hardy forehead-first into an exposed turnbuckle and quickly landed the gutwrench powerbomb to pin Hardy for the win.

Swagger, who came to the Land of the Extreme four months ago as a part of ECW General Manager Theodore Long's New Superstar Initiative, has proven he's the future of ECW. The cocky, undefeated All-American American is poised for greatness as the Jack Swagger era has officially begun on ECW.

Tommy Dreamer's announcement
Tommy Dreamer made an emotional speech to the WWE Universe on Tuesday. The ECW Original reflected on his Extreme, 19-year career and admitted today's competition is younger, stronger and faster. To prove he can still compete in WWE, Dreamer said he must win the ECW Championship before his contract expires on June 6 or else he'll leave the Land of the Extreme. The ECW Original poignantly vowed he'll be ECW Champion again.

DJ Gabriel & Alicia Fox def. Paul & Katie Lea Burchill
Dancing duo DJ Gabriel & Alicia Fox boogied their way to a mixed tag team win on ECW against siblings Paul & Katie Lea Burchill. Devious Katie Lea Burchill's interference led to a battle between the Divas outside the ring. Meanwhile, Gabriel landed a flying European uppercut on Paul Burchill for the victory.

Boogeyman def. local competitor
Boogeyman once again dominated a local competitor on ECW. The Superstar who hails from the Bottomless Pit quickly earned another victory. Boogeyman once again sealed his win with a gruesome worming of his opponent.

Source: WWE.com

NEW ORLEANS – ECW Champion Matt Hardy was put to the test tonight against the World's Strongest Man Mark Henry. But next week, the champion must face the undefeated Jack Swagger for the ECW Championship.

ECW Champion Matt Hardy def. Mark Henry (Non-title match)
Mark Henry came into the match with revenge on his mind after failing to get a win over the ECW Champion last week, due to interference from Jack Swagger. The intense rivalry between Hardy and the World's Strongest Man showed no signs of slowing in 2009. In the end, Hardy got the better of Henry once again, defeating the nearly 400-pounder with a Twist of Fate.

Jack Swagger def. Finlay
In a grueling contest, No. 1 contender Jack Swagger took on the veteran Finlay, in their first one-on-one encounter ever. Using his power, agility and aggressiveness, the 256-pound Swagger was able to wear Finlay down. In the end, the young Superstar made a bold statement by finishing off the Belfast Brawler with a gutwrench powerbomb to pick up the pinfall.

ECW Champion Matt Hardy vs. Jack Swagger announced
Shortly after Swagger's win over Finlay, he reminded ECW General Manager Theodore Long of his series of impressive wins over recent weeks. After Swagger rattled off his accomplishments, Long announced the youngster would finally have his big opportunity. Next week, it will be Jack Swagger vs. ECW Champion Matt Hardy for the ECW Title. The cocky Swagger then predicted that he would be the new champion, as well as the new face of the ECW franchise.

Katie Lea Burchill def. Alicia Fox
In her first-ever singles match in WWE, Alicia took on Katie Lea, who made her first in-ring appearance on ECW. Fox had DJ Gabriel in her corner, while Burchill had her brother, Paul, in her corner for support. Both Divas looked sharp, and it could have been anyone's night to claim a victory. However, in the end, it was Katie Lea who was able to overpower Fox, and slam her lower back into a waiting knee to pick up the pinfall.

Last week in her blog on WWE Universe, Katie Lea said one of her goals for 2009 was to "beat up Little Miss Saturday Night Fever." Although Katie Lea succeeded on this night, Fox will surely be looking for an opportunity to display her ring prowess again.

Boogeyman def. local competitor
In a macabre mauling, Boogeyman crushed a local athlete who probably wished he never set foot in the ring against the ghoulish Superstar. After the match, the hapless challenger received Boogeyman's signature humiliating finisher – a slimy mouthful of worms.

Source: WWE.com