It's official: WWE Champion Edge defends the gold in a Triple Threat at Armageddon

After meeting with the WWE Board of Directors following SmackDown, General Manager Vickie Guerrero has announced that at Armageddon, her husband Edge will defend the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat Match against Jeff Hardy and Triple H. (Match Preview)

As new WWE Champion Edge reemerged on SmackDown with his gold raised high, the WWE Universe witnessed three of SmackDown’s top Superstars, Jeff Hardy, Vladimir Kozlov and former WWE Champion, Triple H battle for clock supremacy to see who would face the Ultimate Opportunist at Armageddon, only to be left in a shroud of uncertainty until this morning's announcement.

Jeff Hardy set the standard early, winning the first Beat the Clock Challenge Match with a high-octane win over The Brian Kendrick in 12:13. After taking Ezekiel Jackson out with a lightning kick through the ropes, Hardy delivered a Swanton Bomb on Kendrick to secure the victory, making him the Superstar to beat.

Matt Hardy put everything on the line for the sake of his brother, battling tenaciously with the mighty Moscow Mauler, Vladimir Kozlov, while keeping one eye on the clock. The Extreme champion’s endurance paid off, as time expired without a winner, thereby sealing the door shut on Kozlov’s opportunity to be part of the Armageddon main event.

After a grueling match, Triple H hit the Gold Standard with a Pedigree. However, WWE Official Mike Chioda had been knocked out, and struggled through glazed eyes to finally deliver the three-count. However, after raising The Game’s hand in triumph, indicating that he had beaten the clock, a second WWE Official, Charles Robinson ran down to dispute the outcome. The two officials came to the consensus that Triple H and Jeff Hardy had earned their win in exactly the same amount of time, 12:13, leaving the WWE Universe in a state of confusion and suspense as to who would be facing Edge at Armageddon until this morning.

Whats this got to do with RAW!

????

Moved to Smackdown.

Edge vs. Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy sounds like a fun match. Usually I'd expect Edge to retain in a situation like this, having only won the belt a few weeks ago. But WWE has been swapping top tier title holders a lot recently which makes it harder to predict. I will go with Edge though.

I am rooting for Jeff Hardy on this one. But this is an early title defense, I dont think Edge would lose it that fast.

Kozlov not in this match?

Tya Kannelis wrote:

I am rooting for Jeff Hardy on this one. But this is an early title defense, I dont think Edge would lose it that fast.

My thoughts exactely. I'm still hoping they give the belt to Jeff one day. But they'll probably keep it on Edge for longer.

This sounds like it's gonna be a good match. Like you guys have said, I'm expecting Edge to retain, but that's fine with me.

I'm also expecting Edge to retain. Either way, I'm sure it's going to be an awesome match.

The Bandit wrote:

Kozlov not in this match?

It seems like Koslov is probably going to be down graded to ECW. He would do better there anyway and they need him there. He would even do better on Raw then he would Smackdown. When it comes to the title the fans have spoken. They want Jeff Hardy involved. They can tolerate Edge but Koslov is too new. I'm rooting for Hardy but I know that Edge will retain.

I'm getting pretty tired of all these Triple Threat matches...

Yeah, me too. But its sort of like the GM mode for Smackdown vs Raw for the PS sometimes you have to add matches involving more than one star because its hard to really determine who deserves a title shot. Thats another reason why I think the IC tournament is good for business. In the Heavyweight title picture we really have Batista, Orton, Y2J and shoot CM Punk can build a case that he deserve a chance to regain his title. Not to mention JBL. And if Kane ever gets focus what are you going to do with him. They should probably let Cena say you know what, I'm just going to sit back and let yall duke it out amongst yall selves.

Jeff is only in there to make HHH and Edge look good, so he obviously doesnt have no chance in winning. HHH cant win it back that quickly, since that kinda ruins Edge's reign. I read Edge is supposed to have a long term feud with HHH, so I see the Rated R superstar picking up the win in this win.

Affliction wrote:

Jeff is only in there to make HHH and Edge look good, so he obviously doesnt have no chance in winning. HHH cant win it back that quickly, since that kinda ruins Edge's reign. I read Edge is supposed to have a long term feud with HHH, so I see the Rated R superstar picking up the win in this win.

I disagree, Jeff has been in the main event picture for nearly a whole year now and he is due for a title reign. to be honest i think HHH is onyl in there to make it pretty high standards. Edge and Hardy are great but with HHH it makes the match more intresting.

Its most likely going to end with the win to Edge. Its probably going to be a win for somebody else, but Edge does a steal. Its predictable.

Sykesy wrote:

Affliction wrote:

Jeff is only in there to make HHH and Edge look good, so he obviously doesnt have no chance in winning. HHH cant win it back that quickly, since that kinda ruins Edge's reign. I read Edge is supposed to have a long term feud with HHH, so I see the Rated R superstar picking up the win in this win.

I disagree, Jeff has been in the main event picture for nearly a whole year now and he is due for a title reign. to be honest i think HHH is onyl in there to make it pretty high standards. Edge and Hardy are great but with HHH it makes the match more intresting.

Well, Jeff was only in the main event at survivor series becuase they felt Valdimer Kozlov and HHH would be boring.

sources: ProWrestling.NET, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

-- WWE's original plan for the Survivor Series was a triple threat match between Triple H, Jeff Hardy and Vladimir Kozlov. WWE added Hardy to the match because company officials believed a singles match between Triple H and Kozlov would not be entertaining. Hardy was simply added to make it better. There was no serious consideration in giving the WWE Championship to Hardy. The company wanted to protect Kozlov, but not put the title on him. Hardy would have likely done the job in the match had they not come up with the storyline involving Edge. Vince McMahon was said to be "noncommittal" regarding the finish of the match.

I doubt that would change so quickly. Anyway, Edge is going to win it's pretty obvious.

Yeah edge will win for sure, Its not like he is a transitional champion like Y2J just was. But i dont agree with Jeff being filler to make it better. Like think about it...Why the sudden Gimmick Change? Maybe it was cause there trying to get him more distinctive so he can take the gold. thats what i think.

Jeff doesn't deseve the gold. I say Edge will fend of The contenders for a couple of months. Than someone like Big Show will win it before Wrestle Mania 25.

You know I'm pretty sure that Edge will keep the belt because the fans aren't happy with Triple H with it. But I think Jeffs reign depends on Christian Cages return since its thought that Edge and Christian will reunite. That wont work too well with Edge hold the gold around his waist. Unless Christian is going to get a push so big that it'll be for the title. Doubt it. But Triple H and Jeff are really going at it. If Cage don't return we'll probably find out that it was Matt that attacked him. I think Christian will be back and that he attacked him and he's helping Edge but Jeff will end up with it while Edge and Christian focus on bringing the Tag team titles out of Dark Matches.

I think Edge will win this! Jeff Hardy will win at WM and Hunter is to boring as a champion.

Hunter wasn't boring as a champion against Jeff Hardy. Its just that everyone is cought up on Hardy right now because he has been a long time favorite of some fans and has earned the respect of others. I use to like to see him wrestle but never seriously considered him for a world title push but when he got an opportunity he really showed me that he has what it takes to be a good champion. I'm hoping he win it tonight but I think that Edge will win it. Tomko will show up tonight and I'm hoping Cage does aswell. O...M.....G! Tomko did it to Hardy. I can't believe I didn't think of it before. He is already signed and we haven't seen him yet. Also it explains why Jeff seems to think it was Triple H.