United States Championship Match
(c) MVP vs Rey Mysterio
Respect. Thats what it boils down to between Rey Mysterio and Montel Vontavious Porter. Respect is precisely what Mysterio intends to teach SmackDowns Franchise Playa at Armageddon, and if that means also taking away MVPs United States Championship, then all the better.
MVP is nothing but a punk, Mysterio told WWE.com, reiterating the very statement he made known to SmackDowns Ballin Superstar during a ceremony where hed been awarded some most valuable bling a 101-karat championship ring to celebrate his reign as U.S. Champion. When MVP started reminding everyone for the umpteenth time that he was better than everyone else especially former co-WWE Tag Team Champion Matt Hardy, whom he sidelined indefinitely after turning against him and brutally assaulting his knee SmackDowns Biggest Little Man called out the champion to prove it in a match against him that night. Unfortunately, MVP would display no respect for his ring opponent; instead of beating Mysterio fair and square, he used the top rope to steal a cheap victory.
The Master of the 619 would get some payback in SmackDown tag action the following week, however, when he and Kane defeated MVP and Kanes ongoing rival of late, ECWs Big Daddy V. In fact, after Mysterio registered the victory with a pinfall over the Ballin Superstar, Theodore Long decided that the two Superstars should meet one-on-one at Armageddon with the United States Title on the line.
MVP is talented; since he joined SmackDown a little over a year ago, hes captured two championships, Mysterio told WWE.com shortly after the match was announced. But thats why hes such a punk. I know you have to believe that youre the best any time you step inside the ring. But MVP treats our fans, treats everybody in this business, like theyre beneath him.
What he did to Matt Hardy a few weeks ago was gutless, he added. He knew Matt was a big threat to his U.S. Title, but instead of facing him like a man, he took out his knee and put him on the shelf. MVP doesnt care, but I know better than anybody what its like to have a knee injury force you out of action.
As if the Franchise Playas shameful treatment of his former tag partner wasnt bad enough, consider the heinous actions toward his VIP Lounge guest less than an hour after Long officially announced Armageddons U.S. Title contest. MVP would verbally berate, then blindside one-time Fabulous Freebird Michael P.S. Hayes, laying out the retired ring great with a devastating Playmaker. Again, Mysterio took matters into his own hands, charging to the ring and decimating the VIP Lounge as he pummeled away at the U.S. Champion. MVP might not have learned any respect that night, but from the speed with which he bolted out of his Lounge, he was certainly introduced to the concept.
It makes me sick when a guy like MVP becomes a huge Superstar and forgets where he came from, Mysterio said after the incident. It wasnt too long ago when he was a developing talent who asked guys like Michael Hayes to help him catch his big break. Now that hes gotten it, hes in a position to help others make the most of their dreams. Instead, he just holds them down and disrespects the people who have helped him, just so he can keep the spotlight on himself.
That spotlights going to be on again at Armageddon, MVP, Mysterio promised. But its going to be shining on me, when I teach you about respect as your new United States Champion.
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