Randy Orton! He led off the show by coming out to his music, still sporting the World Championship. During his entrance, Mathews, Booker T, and Michael Cole were all shown at the announce desk. Orton soaked up the “Randy” chants by the crowd before he spoke. “My name…is Randy Orton. And I am still the World Heavyweight Champion,” he began. That’s about all he could get out before Christian’s music hit and he came out. He was all smiles, just like the week after he lost the World Title in the first place. Christian said he didn’t want to spoil Orton’s moment, but he did say that last Sunday’s match was one of the greatest of his career. He thanked Orton, congratulated him, then shook his hand. He said the outcome could’ve gone either way, but Orton was the better man and he won. But Christian said he knows he can beat Orton, so he issued a challenge for one more match. Before Orton could answer, Sheamus’ came out to his music. He walked to the ring saying this was painful to watch, as Christian has already had enough chances. He compared Christian to a gambling addict. Sheamus said Christian will have to wait 17 more for his next title reign, because on Sunday, he became a two-time loser. Sheamus said he’s a two-time WWE Champion and came to Smackdown to compete in epic matches with the likes of Orton for the World Title. He called himself the star of the show and said if anybody should be #1 contender tonight, it’s going to be him. Right on cue, Mark Henry interrupted. Great, another one of these segments.
Henry came to the ring and told Christian that Edge is on a golf course waiting for Christian. As for Sheamus, he said as the World’s Strongest Man, you don’t wait in line – you butt in. He told Orton he has just butted his way to the front of the line for the Championship. Then Teddy Long’s music came on and the Smackdown GM walked out. He said there’s some de ja vu out there, with those four again arguing about the World Title. Sing it, Teddy. Long told Christian that he agrees with Sheamus and Henry: Christian had his opportunity. But what really matters is what the people say. So Long polled the live audience who should challenge Christian, just as he did when Christian defended the title his first time. There were some boos (quite a few, actually) when he asked if Christian deserved another shot. He said if Christian gets another opportunity, he has to earn it. Therefore, there will be a Triple-Threat Match to determine the #1 Contender to the World Championship. It’ll be Henry vs. Sheamus vs. Christian. Mathews had the gall to call this “unpredictable” and “exciting.”

Striker knocked on Sheamus’ locker room door. Sheamus came out and said neither Christian nor Mark Henry deserve a title shot. He reminded Striker that he won his first title in only a few months, doing something that Christian and Henry strived their entire lives for. Sheamus then headed back into his locker room and slammed the door on Striker.

SHEAMUS vs. MARK HENRY vs. CHRISTIAN – #1 CONTENDER’S MATCH FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The heels double-teamed Christian as Booker predicted a win for Sheamus. Sheamus held Christian so Henry could punch him in the gut. Christian was sent into the ropes, but ducked under to get a breather. Sheamus tried to take the fight to him out there, but Christian landed a drop-toe hold on Sheamus into the ring steps. Henry brought Christian in the hard way, and picked him up, only to let gravity do the rest. He got a near-fall off that at the 1:50 mark. Henry choked Christian with his boot, then stood on top of him near the ropes. Henry charged, but Christian low-bridged him. Sheamus snuck up from behind and rolled Christian up for two. Brogue Kick missed, but Christian hit the Killswitch at 3:15. Henry pulled Christian out of the ring at the two-count. Orton’s music then played and he walked out, perhaps to get a closer look at his possible opponents next Friday.

Orton had joined the announcers at ringside. He did not, however, have a headset. Henry had Christian in a bearhug. Sheamus took the fight to Henry in order to get back into the ring, but Henry impressively belly-to-bellied Sheamus back to ringside. Henry slowly worked over Christian, concentrating on the back. A missed splash gave Christian a chance to recover at 10:30 of the contest. Dropkick off the second rope rattled Henry, and a second one felled him. He only got a two-count, though. Sheamus cut Christian off as he tried to go to the top rope, and Sheamus laid the knees in on Henry. Sheamus went to the top to suplex Christian off, but Christian knocked him off instead. He dove at Henry, who caught him and slammed him. Sheamus broke up the pin attempt. Irish Hammer knocked Henry right out of the ring. He then covered Christian at 12:15, good for a two-count. High Cross was set up, but Christian got out the back door. Flip kick in the corner, followed by a Tornado DDT. Henry went after the champ, then went back into the ring. Christian side-stepped Henry, who splashed Sheamus. Spear by Christian on Sheamus. Orton recovered and RKO’d Henry. That distracted the ref and didn’t allow him to see Christian covering Sheamus. By the time he realized it, Sheamus kicked out. Charles Robinson explained that Orton was in the ring and he had to get him out. Christian pleaded his case unsuccessfully, then turned around right into a Brogue Kick by Sheamus for the pin. Mathews shamelessly called next week’s match between Sheamus and Orton, “perhaps the biggest match in Smackdown history.”

WINNER: Sheamus, at 14:29.

After the match, Orton held the title above his head in the ring as Sheamus backed up the ramp. Christian had a look of disbelief on his face in the ring. Sheamus pointed at Orton and trash-talked him as the show went off the air.

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