Armageddon (2007)

The event was sponsored by Activision's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.[1] Armageddon was the last pay-per-view World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) broadcast in 480p standard definition. All WWE programming switched to HD in January 2008.[3]

The event featured eight professional wrestling matches with wrestlers involved in pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines. Wrestlers were portrayed as either villains or fan favorites as they followed a series of tension-building events, which culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. All wrestlers belonged to either the Raw, SmackDown!, or ECW brand – storyline divisions in which WWE assigned its employees to different programs.[4]

The predominant rivalry scripted into Armageddon on the SmackDown! brand was between Batista, Edge, and The Undertaker, over the World Heavyweight Championship. At Survivor Series, Batista and Undertaker fought in a Hell in a Cell match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Edge (who was disguised as a cameraman at ringside) interfered and cost Undertaker the match.[5] He was then given a title shot for the World Heavyweight Championship on the November 30, 2007 episode of SmackDown! by SmackDown! general manager Vickie Guerrero, who was his storyline love interest.[6] That same night, Batista defended the World Title against Edge and looked set to retain his title once again, but Undertaker interfered and chokeslammed Batista, but Edge ran out of the ring to escape similar treatment. Theodore Long returned as assistant general manager and booked Batista to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Edge and Undertaker in a triple threat match at Armageddon.[7]

The main feud on the Raw brand was between Randy Orton and the recently returned Chris Jericho, with the two battling over the WWE Championship. Jericho returned to WWE on the November 19 episode of Raw, interrupting Orton during Orton's orchestrated "passing of the torch" ceremony. Jericho revealed his intentions to reclaim the WWE Championship in order to "save" WWE from Orton. He then laid a challenge to Orton with the WWE Championship on the line, which Orton did not accept.[8] A week later, Jericho cost him a match against Ric Flair to further convince him to accept the challenge.[9] After Raw went off the air, Orton accepted the challenge.[10]

The main feud on the ECW brand was between CM Punk and Kane against Big Daddy V and Mark Henry. The rivalry started on December 4 edition of ECW, Punk was forced to choose either Big Daddy V or Henry to face in the main event; Punk chose Henry. Punk got a disqualification victory when Big Daddy V interfered. The two tried to double-team Punk until Kane made the save and attacked both Big Daddy V and Henry.[11] This made the Armageddon match of Kane and CM Punk against Big Daddy V and Mark Henry. On the December 11 edition of ECW, Punk and Kane picked up a victory against Deuce 'n Domino.[12]

The opening match was between Rey Mysterio and Montel Vontavious Porter for MVP's WWE United States Championship. Mysterio used his quickness and aerial techniques to be on the top. Mysterio wrestled a good match by sending MVP who crashed on the arena floor and then he executed a hurricanrana on MVP. Mysterio got into the ring to break the referee's 10 count and MVP also got up at the 8 count, but he simply walked out instead of coming back into the ring after he climbed on the ring apron. MVP was counted out and thus he retained the title because a title does not change hands by countout. After the match, Mysterio threw MVP back into the ring and executed the 619 on MVP.[14]

The second match was a tag team match in which ECW Champion CM Punk teamed up with Kane against Big Daddy V and Mark Henry. V and Henry dominated the match by destroying Punk and Kane. The two managed to control in the middle of the match when Punk was able to bring V to one knee but V overpowered Punk by executing a body avalanche and a Samoan drop on Punk to get the victory.[15]

The third match was between Shawn Michaels and Mr. Kennedy. Michaels reeled Kennedy in the beginning of the match. A stomp by Michaels injured Kennedy's left hand. Michaels went on to execute a diving elbow drop on Kennedy and then he also attempted a Sweet Chin Music but Kennedy countered it into a roll-up. Michaels kicked out but Kennedy continued to punch Michaels with his injured left hand, further injuring Kennedy. Michaels executed a Sweet Chin Music for the victory.[16]

Triple H (left) and Jeff Hardy (right) had a respectful feud before Armageddon.

The fourth match was a number one contender's match between Jeff Hardy and Triple H. The pre-match stipulations were that the winner would get a WWE Championship match at the 2008 Royal Rumble.[17] Before the match started, Hardy and Triple H shook hands. During the match, Hardy seemed dazed after he suffered a series of clotheslines and shoulder blocks. Triple H tried to execute a Pedigree but Hardy countered it into a jackknife pin which won Hardy the match. As Hardy celebrated Triple H was smiling at the fact that he was pinned so easily, Triple H then celebrated with Hardy.[17]

The fifth match was between Finlay and The Great Khali. The referee's back was turned and he was distracted by Finlay until Hornswoggle took advantage and hit a shillelagh in the groin of Khali. Finlay hit a shillelagh in the head of Khali followed by a successful pinfall victory for Finlay.[18]

The sixth match of the night and Raw's main event was Randy Orton defending the WWE Championship against Chris Jericho. Jericho controlled the match by beating Orton and performing many moves. Jericho would then knock Orton to the outside with a clothesline, which made Orton lay in front of SmackDown's announcer's table. Jericho would then launch into Orton, but Orton would move, which made Jericho run into JBL. Then Jericho and Orton would get back into the ring. Jericho would then apply the Walls of Jericho on Orton. He tried to reach the ropes, but Jericho pulled him back to the middle of the ring. JBL then interfered and kicked Jericho, which disqualified Orton. A title cannot change hands by disqualification, therefore Orton retained the WWE Championship. After the match, Orton delivered an RKO to Jericho.[19]

The seventh match was a divas match between Beth Phoenix and Mickie James for the WWE Women's Championship. During the match, Phoenix overpowered Mickie but Mickie bounced back with several near-falls. The match came to an end when Phoenix executed a Fisherman suplex and then pinned Mickie to retain the WWE Women's Championship.[20]

The main event was a Triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship between defending champion Batista, Edge and The Undertaker. Before the match, Edge told Vickie that her love gave him the strength of three men. Batista and Undertaker fought each other to decide who would fight Edge first. Edge kept his distance outside the ring. In the ring, Undertaker applied his triangle choke on Batista. Edge sounded the ring bell and everyone (even Undertaker himself) thought that the match was over. Edge took the opportunity and speared both men but could not score a pinfall. Batista dominated the match in the end when he executed a spinebuster on Undertaker and speared Edge outside the ring. Undertaker chokeslammed Batista and sent an attacking Edge to the floor. Batista and Undertaker were fighting inside the ring until the three "Edges" appeared on the outside floor. Undertaker executed a Tombstone Piledriver on Batista, after which until the "real" Edge hit Undertaker with a steel chair in his spine and his skull. Edge took advantage and quickly pinned Batista to win the World Heavyweight Championship.[21][22]