In 2007, Edge had risen to the top of the SmackDown brand, was the show's top heel and one of the best villains in the business. Having just returned to action at the Survivor Series the previous month, he rolled into December's Armageddon as one-third of a huge Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship. His opponents? The two men he had made life a living hell for in recent weeks, Batista and Undertaker. With the assistance of new cronies Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins, the Rated-R Superstar emerged victorious, the new World Heavyweight Champion and the centerpiece of SmackDown for the next year. Monday Night Raw was represented with three huge contests, including a WWE Championship match pitting Randy Orton against Chris Jericho. While they did not quite reach the potential many saw for the match ,it was still very good and featured the angled which resulted in John Bradshaw Layfield's return to the squared circle. Ken Kennedy battled Shawn Michaels in what was, arguably, the biggest match of his career to date, while Triple H and Jeff Hardy battled in a No. 1 Contender's match. The Charismatic Enigma would defeat The Game, earning the right to challenge for the top prize in the industry at the Royal Rumble. More importantly, Hardy turned in a performance that earned the respect and trust of management, launching a main event run that would culminate a year later with his first Heavyweight Title win.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
