We open with a recap of last week's "Beat the Clock" challenge tournament, won by Rey Mysterio. To the arena we go, then, with Vicki Guerrero still overselling and using a neck brace & wheelchair, both of which have to go. Mysterio is out, and shakes hands with both Vicki & Teddy Long. However, the goodwill goes that far and stops, as Rey questions Vicki's relationship with Edge. He's trying to smarten her up to the fact that the current champion is using her to maintain his power base. No sooner does Rey declare that Edge doesn't really love Vicki than the champ comes out to refute. He's soon followed by Chavo Guerrero, in street clothes. He tells Rey to mind his own business, but considering that Rey has a title shot at the Rumble---and Chavo doesn't as of now---it is his business. Chavo takes his shots at his aunt Vicki as well, and the power-mad GM is so upset she pits the long-time rivals against each other one more time later tonight.

Match 1: Chuck Palumbo (w/Michelle McCool) vs. Jamie Noble Noble, a former cruiserweight champion, has won the last three singles meetings vs. Palumbo, who has become increasingly frustrated and is venting his anger on Michelle, whom he wants to be more than friends with. As with the other matches, it starts with Palumbo basically squashing Noble like a bug. However, Jamie comes back, and starts working on the legs with kicks. He hits what is called a reverse bulldog off the top, but is actually a simple wraparound clothesline for 2. Noble surprises Palumbo with a crucifix takedown to gain yet another win. Counting last week's tag match, Chuck has now lost 5 in a row! Winner: Jamie Noble.

Post-match, Chuck does his best to hold his temper, but he clearly wants to vent on Michelle again, as Noble stands ready to come charging back if needed. Backstage, Edge provides Vicki some comfort as she looks at some recent pictures taken of them. Gag me with a spoon!

Match 2: Montel V. Porter vs. Batista (non-title) We learn that the US champion will face Ric Flair at Royal Rumble, but is refusing to defend his title. This is why he has to be stripped of the championship yesterday. Pre-match, the Most Vacuous Poser cuts a promo on Flair, forgetting that he is stepping into the pit of danger with Batista. Once Porter gets his bearings, he takes to the offensive, and works on the head & neck of the former World champion. When Batista tackled Porter in the corner, he grabbed his head, selling the earlier attack. Late in the match, Batista hit the spinebuster, but before he could hit the powerbomb, Porter bailed. They ended up on the floor, and it was a race back to the ring. Batista punched Porter off the apron at 8, and the US champ was counted out. Winner: Batista via countout.

Batista, however, wasn't satisfied. He wanted to restart the match, but Porter was more than happy to defend himself with a chair. Nice idea, but it didn't work, as Batista speared Porter halfway to Hershey.

Match 3: Undertaker vs. Matt Striker & Mark Henry This is the result of Striker's refusal to count the fall in last week's match between the Deadman and the Olympic strongman. Striker didn't even bother putting on his tights, as he's wearing dress pants. Real stupid, if you ask me. It also paints him as your designated jobber. Henry starts, with Striker choosing to remain on the floor. As soon as Henry has UT down, however, Striker decides to be bold and try to attack. However, as the Deadman sits up, Striker bails again. Unfortunately, he decided to get back in and stepped right into the gunsights of the Phenom. Henry is cleared out, and Striker eats a tombstone. No, not the pizza. Winner: Undertaker.

Post-match, Big Daddy V came out and he & Henry doubled on Undertaker, but the Phenom made his own save and cleared the ring, taking out Henry with a chokeslam for the 2nd straight week. Undertaker will defend his Royal Rumble title this year, hoping to be the first man since Steve Austin (1997-8) to repeat.

Vince McMahon pumps up Hornswoggle for a arm-wrestling match coming up next. 'Swoggle will face Ranjin Singh, Great Khali's manager/translator. 'Swoggle leaves, and his mentor, if you will, Finlay, appears, in civvies. Seems he & Vince have some sort of agreement as it relates to 'Swoggle, and Finlay thinks the chairman isn't living up to the bargain. Finlay is added to the Royal Rumble field.

Raw Rebound: Jeff Hardy vs. Umaga in a cage. Best match of the week.

Match 4: Ranjin Singh (w/Great Khali) vs. Hornswoggle (w/Finlay)(arm wrestling) Singh didn't fare so well in his wrestling debut vs. the Fighting Irishmen a few weeks back, so maybe arm wrestling would be his forte? He cuts a promo, exaggerating his qualifications---or lack thereof. Who was his promo coach? Eric Bischoff? Anyway, 'Swoggle needs a chair to stand on, since he's too small to stand at the table. However, Finlay has rigged up the table---in true McMahon fashion, mind you---and is using a remote control device to shock Singh. He gives Hornswoggle a yellow rubber glove, and with Singh still selling the electric shock, 'Swoggle beats him easily. Winner: Hornswoggle.

After the match, Khali lacerated Finlay with a kick, then went after 'Swoggle. Finlay made the save and chased Khali away with the chair.

Match 5: Kane vs. Domino (w/Deuce & Cherry) Squashola!!! Hard to believe the former tag champs have been reduced to this so quickly. Domino talked smack at the start, which might've been the best move he could make. Kane just killed him. Deuce wasn't much help. His distraction enabled Domino to hit a double knee to the head, but he made a mistake by going to the top and leaped right into a chokeslam. See ya later, alligator! Winner: Kane.

2007 Diva Search winner Eve Torres, formerly of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, is headed to Smackdown, following the pattern of the two previous winners, Ashley Massaro (now on Raw) and Layla El (now on ECW).

Michael Cole & Jonathan Coachman run down the Royal Rumble card. That's followed by a overview of the on again, off again feud between Rey Mysterio & Chavo Guerrero, leading to our main event.

Match 6: Rey Mysterio vs. Chavo Guerrero Chavo is main eventing for the 3rd time in 2 weeks, and it's going to be 4 in 3 weeks, as word is out that he has been granted one more opportunity vs. CM Punk on ECW on 1/15. Maybe there, the 3rd time will be the charm. When you think about it, these two have risen far above the cruiserweight division, with about a dozen titles between them. As the match begins, Edge comes out to join in on commentary. Coach sucks up to him (what a shock). Edge's commentary nearly detracts from the match, which happens to be a good one. Very, very even, as expected, from the go. The turning point comes when Chavo tries to hit the 3 Amigos, but is blocked, and Rey moves him into position for the 619. Rey goes on top, and hits a swan dive splash (miscalled as a frogsplash by Michael Cole) for the win, extending Chavo's recent losing streak to three in a row. Winner: Rey Mysterio.

Rey has no time to celebrate as Edge leaves the desk to attack. Just as Mysterio gets an advantage, the Edgeheads hit the ring to make it a 3-on-1 beatdown to end the show.