Here’s a spoiler-free preview for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown:

* Big Show vs. Jack Swagger

* CM Punk vs. Kane

* WWE Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston, Christian & MVP vs. Curt Hawkins, Dolph Ziggler & Vance Archer

* Drew McIntyre will be in action.

* Kelly Kelly vs.. Rosa Mendes

* We’ll get first details on the SmackDown main event at next month’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view

There will also be appearances by Rey Mysterio, Teddy Long, Vickie Guerrero and more.

SmackDown *SPOILERS*

Here are spoiler results for tonight’s WWE Smackdown, taped Tuesday night from the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH:

* The show opened with Tedd Long and Vickie Guerrero talking from the top of the ramp. Long announced there would be an eight man Money in the Bank ladder match at next month’s pay-per-view and the winner could cash it in for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. Vickie Guerrero spoke before Drew McIntyre came out and ran down Long. Long informed McIntyre it’s his show and reinstated Matt Hardy. McIntyre vs. Hardy is announced for later.

* Following the Smackdown opening, Big Show comes out. Kane vs. CM Punk in a no disqualification match is announced for later. Jack Swagger comes out and says he’s protesting how he was treated at Fatal 4-Way and he’s exercising his rematch clause against Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship at Money in the Bank next month.

* Big Show b. Jack Swagger via disqualification after Swagger would not release an ankle lock despite Show getting to the ropes. The referee called for the bell as Show was carried to the back by several referees. The sight of the referees carrying Big Show drew a pop from the liv ecrowd.

* Footage of Curt Hawkins & Vance Archer over Christian & MVP is shown from last week.

* WWE Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston, Christian & MVP b. Curt Hawkins, Dolph Ziggler & Vance Archer in a 6-man tag team match.

* Backstage, Kane is talking to an empty casket. He says he’s going to take off the head of the Straight Edge Society tonight in his no disqualification match with CM Punk. Kane slammed the casket shut.

* Matt Hardy b. Drew McIntyre after hitting Twist of Fate. After the match, Teddy Long comes on the big screen and tells McIntyre because he didn’t win the match, his Visa has expired and he’s now in the country illegally. He says it’s time to send Mr. McIntyre back to Scotland. McIntyre is upset as the crowd chants him goodbye.
Cody Rhodes and Husky Harris out for an in-ring promo. Rhodes put over his looks.

* Backstage, Dolph Ziggler is telling Vickie Guerrero he is unhappy with their relationship. He demanded a title match before leaving.

* Kelly Kelly b. Rosa Mendes

* CM Punk vs. Kane doesn’t see a winner in a no disqualification match. Kane chokeslammed Luke Gallows into a table and threw Punk into the crowd. Punk left but Kane followed, continuing the match throughout the arena. Kane chokeslammed him through a table but Punk recovered to the point where he was able to run across the street as Kane went after him.

* Teddy Long came out and announced Jack Swagger vs. Big Show in a cage match in a post-Smackdown dark match main event.

Dark Match Main Event:

* Big Show b. Jack Swagger in a cage match

(Credit to Wrestling News World for these results)

— Quite like 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, Matt Hardy vows to make 2010 “the year of Matt Hardy.” The SmackDown Superstar released the following mission statement urging fans to “get ready for the biggest run of Matt Hardy’s career.”

— Making her first public comments since being released by World Wrestling Entertainment, Savannah remarked the following yesterday on Twitter: “It has been quite a day….my head hurts…need some sleep..I appreciate all the support and I will write tomorrow…i love my fans..gnite.”

— The latest addition to WWE’s Alumni section comes in the form of former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vader. You can view his page here.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:

Chris Jericho’s New ABC Game Show: “Emailer…Yes I watched ABC’s Downfall with Chris Jericho and thought that the premise of the game show was unique and that Chris did a super job hosting the festivities. From what I hear ABC was pleased with the first episode although they hope that the ratings will increase next week and that they can hold more of the audience from the lead in program. Hopefully the broadcast creates enough of a buzz to up the ratings next Tuesday night as Downfall once again leads in to WWE’s NXT on Syfy. Jericho’s talents go well beyond the squared circle and it seems good for WWE that one of their biggest stars is doing well outside the envelope, so to speak.”

Returning to Broadcasting: “Emailer…Of course I miss broadcasting. One can’t do something that they loved doing for parts of four decades and then not miss it. I’m hopeful that Oklahoma University starts their own network some day and that I might be considered to be a part of it. I ‘never say never’ about broadcasting ever again on WWE TV but the chance of that is, as Gorilla Monsoon would say, “Highly Unlikely” especially on a weekly basis. However, I can see being a part of a special project occasionally. Stranger things have happened in the biz and if WWE ever needed me back at my old role they know that I’m ready to rock. But I do enjoy my new, less travel intensive role I assure you.”

Scouting Talent: “Emailer…No I am not going to be hiring the new wrestlers. I am going to FCW in July for a few days to observe. I will also be scouting/looking for viable, new wrestling prospects in a variety of areas. I’ve been in contact with some folks in the NFL. They look at a ton of great athletes and can only keep 53 on their full time roster.”

Linda McMahon’s latest United States Senate campaign ad takes a very different approach from previous ads, embracing (sort of) her experience as the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment.

McMahon has previously downplayed her wrestling past, but since her political opponents have tried using her involvement with WWE against her, she’s embracing it and making it work for her.

Linda calls WWE a “soap opera” and says “It’s not real – but Connecticut’s problems are.”

Check out  the video below and comment on what you think about the ad and Linda calling WWE a fake soap opera ..

— While Vince McMahon informed Bryan Danielson he was being let go from World Wrestling Entertainment due to choking ring announcer Justin Roberts with a tie, some within the company believe spitting on John Cena was the real reason for his release. McMahon hates spitting and has banned it in WWE’s rings for the past several years. In addition to spitting, McMahon greatly dislikes people smoking cigarettes and sneezing as it’s been noted that if someone near him sneezes, he will lash out at the guilty part for it. On another note, it’s said to be guaranteed that Danielson didn’t spit on Cena without clearing it with him ahead of time. (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— Promoting WWE’s Saturday’s live event in Youngstown, Ohio, the Youngstown Vindicator conducted an interview with Evan Bourne. The high-flying wrestler was asked what the hardest part of transitioning from the independents to WWE was, commenting: “There was a huge learning curve understanding the scale of the company. It’s so massive and such a well-oiled machine. From a managerial standpoint, it’s run with an efficiency. I’’ve been around a lot of wrestling, and it used to be not as corporate as it is now, but the WWE is just jaw-dropping. I went to business school, and for me finding out how they operate from the business standpoint has almost been as intriguing as all of the wrestling skills I’ve acquired.”

The interview can be read here.

The official WWE website made the following announcement this evening:

Savannah released
Written: June 23, 2010

World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of NXT season one announcer and WWE Diva Savannah as of today, June 23, 2010. WWE wishes Savannah the best in all future endeavors.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:

Is He RAW’s Annonymous GM? “We have been hammered with emails from fans who think that I am the anonymous, Raw General Manager. Some are adamant and almost childlike in that if I am that I should tell them and tell them NOW because they HAVE to know.  I like the idea of an anonymous GM but it does put some pressure to deliver a viable surprise when the day finally comes to reveal the mystery person or does it? The individual’s identity wouldn’t necessarily have to be revealed as far as I’m concerned.”

Martha Hart’s Lawsuit Against WWE: “Read on line about the Martha Hart lawsuit vs WWE. I am not a lawyer, have never played one on TV, and know zilch about this untimely legal matter. Nonetheless my personal opinion is that the timing of this legal posturing is questionable specifically as it relates to Connecticut politics. Plus, I have never recalled WWE ever doing any thing but honoring Owen’s legacy and certainly not ‘exploiting’ it in a negative light.

“Owen Hart is one of the most requested guys who fans want to see inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. We get dozens of emails off and on all year or whenever the HOF topic is discussed. Does this legal mindset mean that if WWE ever decided to induct Owen into the Hall of Fame that he so richly deserves that there would be more litigation? Should the threat of a lawsuit deprive Owen Hart of an honor that many feel that he deserves?”

Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin: “Both Brock and the interim champion are one punch knock out type fighters and one would deduct that avoiding those clean, killer shots is a must in this fight. I still don’t think it will go five rounds and will end in a nasty, conclusive fashion. The primary reason that we are going to Las Vegas is to see our man Brock win a huge fight but I still feel this will be the former WWE champion’s toughest test, by far, to date. I was happy to read that Randy Couture had traveled to Minnesota to do some training with Lesnar which strategically makes a ton of sense.”

Check out the video below for former WWE CEO Linda McMahon’s comments regarding Martha Hart’s lawsuit against her, Vince and WWE:

Read More: Owen Hart’s Widow Suing WWE, Vince & Linda McMahon

The following was sent out yesterday morning by reps of Martha Hart, the widow of the late Owen Hart.

Widow of Deceased Professional Wrestler Owen Hart Files Lawsuit Against World Wrestling Entertainment, Vince McMahon & Linda McMahon

WWE continues to use Owen Hart’s Name and Image for Marketing more than 11 Years After he Was Killed in a WWE-sponsored Stunt; In Violation of Contract and Contrary to Family’s Wishes

HARTFORD, Conn., June 22 /PRNewswire/ — Martha Hart, the widow of the late Owen Hart, a professional wrestler who was killed in a May 1999 stunt orchestrated by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) today filed suit in the U.S. District Court here against WWE, Vince McMahon (current chairman and CEO) and Linda McMahon (CEO until 2009). The lawsuit alleges the WWE and the McMahons used Owen Hart’s name and likeness without right in dozens of commercial videos and other materials, violated a contract restricting the use of Owen Hart’s name, likeness and wrestling footage, and disregarded Martha Hart’s wishes against further association of her late husband’s name with WWE following his death. (Mrs. Hart and WWE settled a wrongful death lawsuit in 2000. Mrs. Hart established the Owen Hart Foundation later that year.)

“In the eleven years since Owen’s tragic and avoidable death, I have worked tirelessly to disassociate Owen’s name and likeness from anything related to WWE in order to protect our children from any reminder of the circumstances surrounding their father’s death, and to avoid any misplaced perception that I endorse WWE,” said Martha Hart in a statement.

“Unfortunately, even though WWE, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon were and are well aware of my wishes and desire to shield my children from WWE and its activities, I was shocked to learn earlier this year that they have been using Owen’s name and likeness in videos, websites, television programs and print materials. Given this callous, insensitive and irresponsible behavior, one must question the moral character of Vince and Linda McMahon and the manner in which they conduct their business.”

According to the lawsuit filed today before the U.S. District Court in Hartford,

“Since Owen’s death, the WWE and McMahons have sought every available opportunity to further exploit Owen’s personality for their own commercial benefit. Their use of Owen’s name and likeness draws attention to the WWE’s ongoing violent and highly questionable theatrical activities that caused Owen’s death. Defendants’ use of Owen’s name and likeness is also in direct disregard of Martha’s and her children’s objections…The WWE’s wrongful use of Owen’s name and likeness, over Martha’s continuing objection to any association with defendants and in the absence of any legal right of use, creates the wrongful impression that Martha and the Estate now support, approve or condone the video (which they do not).”

The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the WWE from further use of Owen Hart’s name and likeness, and seeks unpaid royalties as well as damages for breach of contract, copyright infringement, unjust enrichment, accounting and unfair and deceptive trade practices.

Mrs. Hart is represented by the law firm Nixon Peabody LLP.

Note to Editors: A copy of the complaint can be found at www.marthahartsueswwe.com

Information on the Owen Hart Foundation can be found at www.owenhart.org

— This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw drew its strongest number since the night following WrestleMania, scoring a 3.5 cable rating, with 5,123,000 viewers.

The first hour averaged 4.87 million viewers with the second hour increasing ten percent, to 5.38 million viewers. Raw scored hours of 3.38 and 3.66.

— Matches scheduled to take place on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America are as follows:

* R-Truth vs. William Regal
* Brie Bella vs. Jillian
* JTG vs. Trent Barreta
* Chris Masters vs. Luke Gallows

— Maryse and Yoshi Tatsu will be taking part in a media tour of Japan in early July promoting WWE’s upcoming tour of the country.

(sources: PWInsider.com, pwtorch.com)

(partial source: www.f4wonline.com)