|Date: September 16, 2007
|Venue: FedExForum |City: Memphis, Tennessee
|Attendance: 12,000 |Buys: 210,000
|Brands: Raw, Smackdown, ECW

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

Unforgiven returns for a tenth year but the 2007 version has the lowest amount of buys for an Unforgiven PPV of all time. There are plenty of big matches scheduled for this show though. The main event is a rematch from Summerslam with John Cena defending the WWE Championship against Randy Orton. Randy Orton wasn’t given a rematch straight away, instead he was advised to go out and prove that he deserved the rematch. Orton would attack Cena during his match before turning his attention to John Cena’s father and kicking him in the head. This earned Orton a re-match against an enraged Cena for Unforgiven. Also tonight, Triple H takes on the man that spat in his face, Carlito. It’s possibly the biggest match in Carlito’s career up to now! And the match will be no disqualification for Carlito only.

The Great Khali will be putting his World Heavyweight Championship on the line. There was a mini tournament to decide who would face Khali and that was won by Rey Mysterio. Khali would later brutally attack Mysterio until Batista came out and saved his friend. As a result, Teddy Long inserted Batista into the match at Unforgiven, making it a triple threat for the championship. Also on Smackdown, The Undertaker is returning from injury to face the man that took him out of action, Mark Henry. The Undertaker has been sending chilling messages to Henry who has done his best to not sell the messages but he’s quite obviously fearing the return of the deadman. The ECW Championship is also set to be defended as CM Punk, who finally beat John Morrison for the belt on an episode of ECW, defends against old foe Elijah Burke.

Beth Phoenix won a battle royal last month at Summerslam to win number one contendership to the WWE Women’s Championship. Beth then informed Candice Michelle that she’ll be taking her title shot at Unforgiven. Both sets of tag team championships are set to be defended at this show. Cade and Murdoch briefly lost their titles to Paul London and Brian Kendrick on a tour of Africa before winning them back three days later. London and Kendrick now have a rematch for the belts at Unforgiven against the champions who have shown nothing but respect to the challengers. Over on Smackdown, Deuce and Domino lost their WWE Tag Tam Championships to the team of Matt Hardy and MVP. Hardy did all the work but MVP made the pinfall to capture the belts. Hardy then wanted another match with MVP for the United States Championship but MVP informed Hardy that they would be defending their WWE Tag Team Championships against Deuce and Domino at Unforgiven.

In a dark match prior to the event Kane defeated Kenny Dykstra in 27 seconds.

The show kicks off with a video package, first about The Undertaker and his return. It’s a cool vignette with a creepy childs voice.

Joey Styles welcomes us to Unforgiven, he’s joined by Tazz and we are right into the action!

CM Punk (c) vs. Elijah Burke – ECW Championship match

This is a second PPV meeting between these two men. CM Punk won the first at Judgment Day earlier this year. This also marks Unforgiven debuts for both men. As CM Punk waits in the ring there is a video package showing CM Punk winning the ECW Championship from John Morrison. This is a first PPV defence of the ECW Championship for CM Punk. Elijah Burke actually makes his entrance during the video package. Punk starts the match with some wrestling and we then get some chain wrestling between the two men. Punk hits a drop toe hold into a chinlock and then rolls through into a cross-arm breaker but Burke quickly reaches the bottom rope. I like both of these guys. Two great talents for the future. Punk hits a side Russian leg sweep for a one count and then hits a clubbing blow to the chest. Punk hits a chop and then a kick as Burke tries to create some distance. CM Punk hits a snapmare and a bit kick to the back.

Punk hits a backbreaker for a two count and there’s a bit of a miss-communication between the two that ends in Burke taking the advantage. Burke hits a snapmare and a kick to the back, a bit of a receipt there before Burke applies a double arm bar. Punk hits a dropkick, a knee to the face in the corner and a bulldog before hitting a springboard clothesline for the first near fall of the night. Burke rolls to the outside before pulling Punk out to the mat and ramming him into the ring apron. Back in the ring and Burke gets a near fall. Burke applies a Boston crab but Punk crawls to the ropes. Burke then hits two German suplexes before attempting a third but Punk fights his way out. Burke hits a clothesline for a near fall and then applies a brutal looking leglock. Punk rolls through it to get out of the hold but Burke goes right back to work on Punks back. Punk hits an enzeguri but Elijah gets right back into it with a huge uppercut for a near fall. Burke rakes the face of Punk and slaps him but out of nowhere Punk rolls him up and gets the three! CM Punk wins the match out of nowhere! A disappointing finish but a solid enough match between the two.

Rating: 6/10

Michael Cole and John “Bradshaw” Layfield are at ringside, introducing the next match for the WWE Tag Team Championships. We see some footage showing the recent history between Matt Hardy and MVP.

Matt Hardy and M.V.P. (c) vs. Deuce n Domino – WWE Tag Team Championship match

This is a first PPV match between these two teams. Matt Hardy is the only man to have fought on an Unforgiven PPV before and he’s 2-1 at the event. It’s a first PPV defence for Hardy and MVP who are still rivals over MVP’s United States Championship. I’m actually a big fan of Deuce n Domino. I’d like to see them win back the titles but the division on Smackdown is pretty poor. Matt Hardy starts the match against Domino but MVP quickly tags himself in before the bell has even rung. Cole incorrectly states that Deuce starts the match. MVP hits an arm drag to kick off the match and then a powerslam. MVP tags in Matt Hardy and Domino tags in Deuce. Hardy hits an arm drag and a powerslam of his own before taking Deuce down with a swinging neckbreaker. The tag team champions are trying to outdo one another. Hardy tags in MVP but Deuce his MVP with right hands and chops. MVP reverses an Irish whip, hits a clothesline in the corner and then a bulldog before going up to the middle rope and mocking Matt Hardy.

Matt Hardy tags himself in and Domino also tags in. Hardy hits a boot to the face and then a powerslam before going up to the middle rope and hitting an axe handle. Hardy then mocks MVP with the “ballin” elbow drop. MVP gets mad but Deuce attacks Hardy from behind before officially tagging in. Deuce hits a knee to the face on Hardy for a one count and then applies a chinlock. Deuce misses with a splash in the corner and Hardy rolls him up for a near fall. Deuce tags in Domino who hits a powerslam and a legdrop for a two count. Domino tags Deuce who drops MattHardy on the top rope for a two count. Deuce then applies an armbar but Hardy fights out of it before Cherry gets involved. Hardy hits the side affect on Deuce who tags out to Domino. Domino knocks MVP off the apron and then hits a double knee to the face on Hardy for a near fall. Domino applies a chinlock but Hardy gets out of it with a jawbreaker. MVP doesn’t look like he wants to help out his partner and walks to the back.

Domino tags in Deuce and the challengers hit a double suplex/cross body for a near fall. MVP then runs back to the ring and stands on the apron. Deuce applies a front facelock to Hardy who gets out of it. Hardy takes down both challengers and then finally tags in MVP. MVP lays into Deuce with right hands, clotheslines and elbows. MVP hits a back body drop on Deuce and then a facebuster on Domino. MVP hits the ballin elbow drop but Hardy tags himself in! Hardy sends MVP into Domino and then hits the twist of face on Deuce for the three! Matt Hardy and MVP retain their title tonight! A fun match between these two teams. Hardy celebrates with both tag team titles and the United States title.

Rating: 6/10

We’re shown an interview with Rey Mysterio who says he isn’t 100% for his World Heavyweight Championship match later. Rey says that he hopes to shock the world tonight like he did at Wrestlemania 22.

Triple H vs. Carlito – No disqualification match for Carlito only

This is a first PPV meeting between these two men. Triple H has a 6-1 record at Unforgiven PPV’s, his only loss coming to Goldberg in 2003. Carlito is 0-2 at Unforgiven shows having lost to two other members of Evolution, Randy Orton last year and Ric Flair the year before. At last years event Triple H was in the match of the night and Carlito was in the worst match of the night. Carlito walks out looking smug as the rules benefit him. As the bell rings Carlito goes right to work on Triple H but Helmsley fights back with right hands and then a reverse elbow sending Carlito to the outside. Carlito looks under the ring but Triple H drags him back into the ring and hits him with a shoulder charge in the corner and then a back body drop. Carlito goes back to the outside and pulls a trash can from under the ring. Triple H drags Carlito back into the ring and then clotheslines him right back out.

Triple H heads outside but Carlito hits him with a couple of right hands before picking up a chair, swinging it at Triple H and missing. Triple H rams Carlito into the barricade and then into the ring apron. Carlito has had a haircut and I think he’s lost a lot of his identity. Back in the ring and Triple H hits a couple of elbow drops and then a backbreaker. Triple H then applies an abdominal stretch which you don’t see very often. Triple H uses the top rope for extra leverage and then pulls back on Carlito’s hair. The referee finally catches Triple H pulling the hair and breaks the hold. Carlito heads to the outside and tries to unplug a TV monitor. Triple H attacks him and throws him over the announce desk but Carlito grabs the ring bell and smashes Triple H’s face and back with it. Carlito then chokes Triple H with some cable. Carlito grabs his apple and takes a few bites but Triple H hits him with a big right hand before he can spit it in his face. Carlito hits triple H with the trash can a few times for a near fall. Carlito grabs another trash can from under the ring and hits triple H with a back suplex on it for a near fall.

So far all the faces in action tonight have been victorious. Carlito grabs another trash can and sets it up in the corner. Triple H takes Carlito down with a clothesline and then a high knee before hitting a facebuster for a two count. Triple H hits Carlito with big right hands but Carlito pulls out some powder from somewhere and throws it in Triple H’s face. Carlito then grabs a chair but Triple H takes him down with a spinebuster. Triple H grabs the chair but the referee takes it off him. The referee tosses it out of the ring but misses Triple H hit Carlito with a low blow! Triple H hits the pedigree and it’s all over! Triple H beats Carlito tonight in a decent enough match.

Rating: 6.5/10

Maria is backstage with Batista who comes across a little creepy. He also says that the time for talking is over and he’ll become a three time World Heavyweight Champion tonight.

There’s a VT next for Candice Michelle and Beth Phoenix. More of a music package.

Candice Michelle (c) vs. Beth Phoenix – WWE Women’s Championship match

This is a first match between these two ladies on PPV. It’s a first singles match on PPV for Beth Phoenix who has terrible entrance music. It’s an Unforgiven debut for both girls. Candice actually has fantastic music. This is a second title defence on PPV for Candice Michelle. Beth shows her strength in the early going, throwing Candice across the ring. Beth lifts Candice up by her arm before throwing her back down to the mat. Candice avoids a kick and a clothesline and then heads to the top and hits an armdrag. Candice attempts a head scissors but Beth counters it into a backbreaker. Candice is looking as lot better than I’ve previously seen her. Beth Phoenix hits a hard Irish whip and then drives her elbow into Candice’s back. Beth gets a near fall and then lifts Candice up again and throws her down to the mat for a near fall. Beth Phoenix applies a chinlock and then a surfboard before pushing Candice into the corner and hitting her with forearms.

Candice hits a kick to the head and then more forearms. Beth hits an elbow an then applies an overhead backbreaker. Candice manages to get out of it and hit a neckbreaker. Beth is up first but Candice fights her off with forearms and a dropkick before knocking Beth down with a clothesline. Candice attempts a clothesline but Phoenix lifts her up and drives her into the corner. Beth pops Candice on the top and then lifts her up above her head with a military press. Beth pins Candice who kicks out at two. Beth scoops Candice up for a slam but Candice slips down the back and rolls up Beth Phoenix for the three! Candice Michelle successfully defends her title against Beth Phoenix tonight! Not a bad match at all between these two ladies. It’s a good night so far for the babyfaces.

Rating: 5/10

Todd Grisham is backstage with Ranjin Singh and The Great Khali. Khali says he will crush Rey Mysterio’s head tonight before demonstrating with a cantaloupe with Rey Mysterio’s mask on. Khali then crushes a watermelon representing Batista’s head.

There’s a video package up next for the triple threat match for the World Heavyweight championship.

The Great Khali (c) vs. Batista vs. Rey Mysterio – Triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship

It’s a first time triple threat match between these three men. Similar to the match at The Great American Bash except Mysterio replaces Kane. Batista is 0-1 at Unforgiven PPV’s and the other two men make their Unforgiven debuts tonight. So far tonight there have been no title changes and every babyface to have wrestled has won. The bell rings and Batista and Rey Mysterio go right to work on The Great Khali. Khali shoves Mysterio out of the ring and then lays into Batista with a clothesline and then kicks in the corner. This is a third PPV defence for Khali as Batista lays into him with shoulder charges. Batista then throws Rey Mysterio into Khali. Rey rolls Batista up and gets a two count. Mysterio hits a flying head scissors on Batista and then a bulldog for a near fall. Mysterio then hits a springboard seated senton on Batista before running into the boot of The Great Khali. Khali motions for the vice grip on Batista but Batista fights him off before running into the chop.

Khali applies the vice grip to Batista but Rey Mysterio attacks Khali from behind with a steel chair. Khali knocks Mysterio down with a huge right hand and then goes after Batista on the outside. Khali throws Batista over the announce table and then goes after Rey again. Mysterio darts through Khali’s legs but Khali catches him and throws him into the corner before stomping away at him and choking the challenger with his boot. No title changes so far tonight. Khali hits a huge clothesline on Mysterio and then applies a nerve hold. The last title to change hands on PPV was at The Great American Bash 2 months ago when Hornswoggle won the Cruiserweight title. Khali hits a big boot on Mysterio and then applies the vice grip! Batista breaks it up and hits a shoulder charge on Khali, tying him up in the ropes. Batista hits the champion with right hands and then looks to hit Mysterio with a Batista bomb but Mysterio reverses it into a hurricanrana! Mysterio hits a 619 on Batista and then a 619 and a west coast pop on The Great Khali! Batista hits a Batista bomb on Mysterio and then a spinebuster on The Great Khali which is enough for the three!

Batista becomes a three time World Heavyweight Champion tonight! It’s taken nearly 6 months of losing to the likes of The Undertaker, Edge and The Great Khali but Batista finally wins the title back.

Rating: 5.75/10

We’re taken back to last week on Raw when Hornswoggle was revealed to be Mr McMahon’s son.

Batista is backstage where Triple H congratulates him. Triple H reminds Batista that it’s one thing to win the title but another thing to keep it.

Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch (c) vs. Paul London & Brian Kendrick – World Tag Team Championship match

This is a first PPV tag team match between these two teams. Cade and Murdoch are 1-0 at Unforgiven PPV’s, they beat The Hurricane and Rosey to win the tag team title for the first time at Unforgiven 2005. London and Kendrick make their Unforgiven debut tonight. Lance Cade and Brian Kendrick start the match. These two men trained together under Shawn Michaels. Cade hits a hiptoss to take Kendrick down in the early going. London and Kendrick are undefeated as a tag team on pay per view. Cade applies a headlock which Kendrick gets out of and hits a dropkick. Kendrick dropkicks Murdoch but runs into the shoulder of Lance Cade. Cade tags Murdoch who hits Brian with a clubbing blow. Kendrick rolls Murdoch up out of nowhere for a near fall and then hits an arm drag before tagging out to Paul London. London comes in off the top with an elbow and then tags out to Kendrick who also comes in with an elbow off the top.

Kendrick tags London in who dropkicks the arm of Murdoch and then hits the champion with a kick. London tags Kendrick who comes in with a sunset flip for a near fall. Murdoch takes Kendrick down with a clothesline and then tags in Lance Cade. Kendrick hits a flying head scissors and all four men get involved. London and Kendrick dispose of both champions and then dive out at them! Murdoch gets back in the ring and sends Kendrick to the outside. Kendrick beats the count to get back in and Murdoch covers him for a near fall. Murdoch tags Cade who hits a big shoulder charge for a near fall. Quick tags between the champions and Murdoch hits a legdrop for a near fall. Kendrick hits a kick but Cade tags in and takes London off the apron. Cade then hits a big powerslam off the top for a near fall. Cade tags in Murdoch who drops an elbow for a near fall. Murdoch applies a chinlock which Kendrick gets out of and then knocks the champion down with a dropkick.

Murdoch tags in Lance Cade who stops Kendrick from making a tag. Murdoch goes to the top but Kendrick sees him coming and gets his feet up! Murdoch tags in Cade and Kendrick tags in London! London hits dropkicks on Lance Cade and an inverted atomic drop. London hits a hurricanrana and then disposes of Murdoch. Mule kick form London who looks like he hurt himself but gets a near fall. I’m a Paul London fan. He runs into the boot of Lance Cade and Cade then goes up to the middle rope but misses with an elbow drop. London hits a shooting star press off the mat for a near fall and London tags out to Kendrick. Kendrick hits a cross body on Cade for a near fall. Cade tags in Murdoch who hits a running boot to Kendrick for a near fall. Kendrick attempts slices bread on Murdoch but Murdoch shoves him into Cade who drops Kendrick with a powerbomb. Cade then back body drops London out of the ring and Murdoch pins Kendrick for the three! Cade and Murdoch retain their titles in another solid match tonight.

Rating: 6/10

There’s a video package next for John Cena and Randy Orton.

John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship match

This is the second PPV match between these two men. John Cena previously beat Randy Orton at Summerslam last month. John Cena has a 1-1 record at Unforgiven PPV’s, Randy Orton has a 2-1 record. John Cena Sr is shown at ringside and Orton spots him. Cena makes his entrance and stands between Orton and his father. The bell rings and the two men go right at it, slugging it out in the middle of the ring. Cena drops Orton and hits him with right hands. Cena hits a clothesline knocking Orton down and then hits more right hands. Orton heads to the outside but Cena follows him and knocks the challenger down with a clothesline. Back in the ring and Cena attempts to lock on the STFU but Orton gets to the ropes before he can. Cena hits a right hand and Orton heads to the outside. Cena goes after him and rolls Randy back into the ring. Orton sees Cena coming and hits him with an uppercut as he tries to get back into the ring. Orton then drapes Cena across the ropes and DDT’s the WWE Champion back into the ring for a near fall.

Orton hits right hands but Cena dives at Orton and takes him down before smashing him into the top turnbuckle. Orton avoids a clothesline in the corner and applies a sleeper which Cena eventually gets out of and pounds away at Orton. Cena keeps hitting lefts and rights until the referee calls for the bell! Orton wins the match by disqualification! It’s a short and pretty terrible match to be honest. Cena goes home with the title after a 10th successive PPV defence. After the match Orton pulls John Cena’s father over the barricade. Cena then saves his dad and applies an STFU on the outside! Cena Sr then hits Orton with a running punt!

Rating: 3.5/10

Jonathan Coachman is backstage shouting at John Cena Sr. He tells Cena Sr that because of him, Randy Orton deserves a rematch. Next time Orton and Cena meet it’ll be in a last man standing match. Surely that means it’s now legal for John Cena Sr to get involved? The WWE Champion then shows up and shoves Coach.

There’s a video package next for The Undertaker and Mark Henry.

The Undertaker vs. Mark Henry

This is the second PPV match between these two men. Undertaker previously beat Mark Henry at Wrestlemania 22. Undertaker is 2-1-1 at Unforgiven PPV’s, Mark Henry is 0-1 having not fought on the show since 1999. The two men go face to face until The Undertaker hits some big right hands on Henry. Undertaker hits a big splash in the corner and then attempts a second but Mark Henry catch him and forces the dead man in the corner. Undertaker hits a big boot and more right hands and headbutts, knocking Henry down. Undertaker then twists the left arm of Mark Henry and heads to the top but Henry crotches him up there and sets up for a superplex. Henry hits the superplex and follows it up with headbutts and right hands. Nobody has wrestled as many PPV matches and won as many PPV matches or even main evented as many PPV matches as The Undertaker. Mark Henry knocks him down but The Undertaker gets up and clotheslines Henry out of the ring.

Undertaker smashes Mark Henry into the barricade and then hits him with lefts and rights. Henry fights back with a low blow and then rams Undertaker into the ring apron. Back in the ring and Henry hits a clothesline for a near fall and then hits a splash for another two count. Henry hits another splash and again Undertaker kicks out. Mark Henry tries for a third splash but Undertaker rolls out of the way. The two men slug it out and Mark Henry hits a slam. The crowd is absolutely dead for this match. It is odd that this is on last. They should’ve put the World Heavyweight Championship on last. Henry hits a powerslam and another splash but Undertaker sits up and grabs Henry by the throat. Undertaker forces Henry into the corner and hits lefts and rights and then two big clotheslines in the corner. Undertaker hits old school and then a chokeslam in the middle of the ring. Undertaker pins Henry who kicks out. Undertaker sets up for the last ride but Henry fights out of it before running into as big boot.

Undertaker bounces off the ropes but Henry catches him with a bear hug. Undertaker grabs Henry by the throat and Henry breaks the hold. Henry goes up to the middle rope and Undertaker hits him with the last ride. It’s all over, Undertaker wins. Terrible match.

Rating: 2/10

Well that did not feel like a good pay per view. It actually got worse as it went on for the most part. If you want to go and watch this show, maybe just watch the first half. CM Punk and Elijah Burke are two good workers with a lot of charisma. It was a first PPV title defence for Punk and the result was only ever going one way. This was a decent match to kick off the show as both men are good workers and the crowd are very much into CM Punk at the moment. This felt like a beginning and end to the feud and Punk can move on to some of the other ECW talent such as Big Daddy V, John Morrison, The Miz and Kevin Thorn. Matt Hardy and MVP then defeated Deuce n Domino to retain their WWE Tag Team Championships. I really like the storyline with Matt Hardy and MVP, it has been executed very well so far. There’s no harm in keeping them as tag team champions for the time being. I do like Deuce n Domino though! Good match between these two teams.

Triple H and Carlito had a fun match albeit predictable. Triple H is having the best face run of his career and has been pretty entertaining. Carlito is an interesting opponent for him but whilst he’s not teaming with Shawn Michaels or in the WWE title hunt Carlito is a fun opponent for him. It’s a huge rub for Carlito. Triple H picks up the win though and Carlito comes out of the match looking better than he did before. Candice Michelle beat Beth Phoenix in what was the biggest upset of the night. I have to say, Candice has come on leaps and bounds in the ring. A year ago she was just “wrestling” bra and panties and water shooting matches. Beth is a force though and she’s competing in the best the Women’s division has been for years. I can see Beth picking up the title sooner rather than later though.

Batista beats The Great Khali to become World Heavyweight Champion. I don’t get the placement of this match, why didn’t it go on last? Batista becomes a three time World Heavyweight Champion and will probably go on to feud with the likes of Khali, Mark Henry and when he returns, Edge. I’m glad the title is back on Batista though, he has a lot of star power. Cade and Murdoch defeated London and Kendrick in a decent tag team match. I like both of these teams, they feel like proper old school tag teams. Cade and Murdoch was fun champions though and I don’t mind them holding the belts. John Cena lost to Randy Orton by disqualification which means Cena is still the champion but this feud will continue. Orton has made it person so this feud has been given the time it deserves. I really like Ortons character at the moment, he’s more of a silent assassin. This match was pretty terrible anyway. It would’ve been the shortest match of the night but the Women’s Championship match was five seconds shorter. This feud will continue.

And then in the main event, The Undertaker returned to have a terrible match with Mark Henry. Why did this go on last? The Undertaker was obviously going to win, he got his revenge. The best part of the match was the superplex. Shouldn’t have gone on last.

Overall Rating: 50.9/100 (ranked 174th out of 215)

Match Of The Night: Triple H vs. Carlito
Worst Match Of The Night: The Undertaker vs. Mark Henry
Surprise Of The Night: Candice Michelle beats Beth Phoenix
Worst Booking Of The Night: Undertaker and Mark Henry going on last
Superstar Of The Night: Batista
Unforgiven 2007 Will Be Remembered For: Batista regaining the World Heavyweight Championship