Smackdown Preview for April 11, 2008

After losing their respective titles at WrestleMania XXIV, Edge and Chavo Guerrero didn’t take long to enlist the help of other “family” members to attempt some measure of revenge. To set the stage, General Manager Vickie Guerrero forced Undertaker and Kane to face each other in a “Brother vs. Brother, Champion vs. Champion Match” last week on SmackDown. As the match wore on, it was the perfect opportunity for Edge, Chavo, Curt Hawkins & Zack Ryder to launch a surprise attack on the brothers. But, the tables were soon turned, and Edge & Chavo were left knocked out cold. Further adding to the plan to return the titles to the “family,” the GM wielded her power by announcing huge title rematches between Edge and Undertaker, as well as Chavo and Kane at Backlash on April 27.

But before Backlash — as announced in a WWE Mobile on AT&T exclusive video – the GM has ordered Undertaker to face Festus this Friday on SmackDown. When the bell rings and the corn-fed colossus “transforms,” how will The Phenom react to this very unconventional Superstar who has never been pinned on SmackDown?

Last week on SmackDown, Shawn Michaels tried to explain what it feels like to have ended the career of Ric Flair at WrestleMania XXIV. But while struggling to express his mixed emotions, HBK was confronted in the ring by Batista, who claimed HBK’s actions were both selfish and wrong. Things got even hotter on Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel on Raw. This Friday on SmackDown, the two Backlash opponents will have a face-to-face meeting. What’s next in the rivalry that’s been brewing between these two Superstars?

Also last week, SmackDown goliaths Big Show and The Great Khali faced off in a stare-down. But, Khali decided to save the confrontation for another day and walked away. WWE.com has learned that Khali is planning a “Punjabi Peace Offering” ceremony this week on SmackDown. What exactly does Khali have in store for Big Show? Is the Punjabi giant really looking to bury the hatchet with Big Show? How will The World’s Largest Athlete react to this giant gesture of peace?

Since Matt Hardy burst back onto the scene with a surprise appearance at WrestleMania XXIV, he’s made his first order of business perfectly clear – take out arch-rival United States Champion MVP. So far, everything is going according to plan. Hardy changed the course of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match with a Twist of Fate to the champion. And on last week’s SmackDown, he used the same devastating maneuver to defeat his former tag team partner in a non-title match. With revenge pumping through Hardy’s veins, what’s next from this returning Superstar? (More on Hardy’s return…) What will SmackDown’s “Franchise Playa” have to say about Hardy’s seeming resurgence?

As announced last week, Finlay & Hornswoggle will be returning to SmackDown this Friday night. Three cheers for the little guy, who has made a miraculous recovery following the beating he suffered at the hand’s of JBL on Raw. What will the Irish father and son pair be up to?

Shortly after Michelle McCool won the SmackDown Diva Competition last week, she was attacked by a jealous Victoria. Then, from out of nowhere, a mysterious blonde Diva viciously slammed McCool into the ring post. Who she is? What are her motivations? Is there a connection between her and Victoria?