Royal pain

Royal pain

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As Edge continued to use his maniacal abduction of Paul Bearer as the ultimate mind game against World Heavyweight Champion Kane, Alberto Del Rio, Kofi Kingston, Drew McIntyre and "Dashing" Cody Rhodes all qualified for this year's King of the Ring Tournament, to be held this Monday on a special three-hour Raw.

"Dashing" Cody Rhodes def. Rey Mysterio in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
With Alberto Del Rio adding his two cents to the SmackDown announce team, Rey Mysterio faced-off against Cody Rhodes for the final King for the Ring opportunity of the night.

When the battle spread outside the ring, the high-flying Mysterio accidently landed on Del Rio. The aristocratic Superstar would soon get his revenge. After the intense action between The Master of the 619 and Rhodes caused a collision that knocked the referee to the ground, Del Rio yanked the masked Superstar's legs back into the steel ring post. This set up The "Dashing One" to execute the Cross Rhodes for the victory. Rhodes exited the ring, setting his sights on King of the Ring this Monday, while Del Rio delivered a post-match onslaught on Mysterio.

Kelly Kelly def. Michelle McCool (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Claiming that Natalya "stole" the Divas Championship from them at Survivor Series, Michelle McCool and Layla came to McCool's hometown of Jacksonville in a very foul mood. 

After fellow hometown Diva Kelly Kelly used a quick reversal to triumph over Michelle, both members of Team Lay-Cool attacked. This assault attracted the wrath of Beth Phoenix, who emerged with fury to take out both members of the flawless duo, culminating in a Glam Slam on Michelle.

Drew McIntyre def. MVP in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Shortly after stomping MVP's arm into the steel ring steps, Drew McIntyre hit the Future Shock DDT on his injured prey, allowing the "Chosen One" to take his place in King of the Ring in three days.

Alberto Del Rio def. Big Show by count-out in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Alberto Del Rio's personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez once again sacrificed himself for his employer, holding onto Big Show's leg outside the ring in order to prevent the giant from reentering the squared circle. Although Rodriguez's actions earned him a knockout punch, courtesy of The World's Largest Athlete, the gigantic Superstar was too little too late. Del Rio's victory by count-out allowed the "Essence of Excellence" to advance the King of the Ring Tournament.

Kofi Kingston def. Jack Swagger in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Despite the "active support" of Jack Swagger's mascot -- The Swagger Soaring Eagle -- Kofi Kingston became the first SmackDown Superstar to qualify for King of the Ring Tournament. After escaping the ankle lock with a maneuver that sent his opponent sailing into the steel ring post, Kofi hit The All-American American with Trouble in Paradise for the win.

World Heavyweight Champion Kane demands that Edge return Paul Bearer (WATCH: Part 1| 2 | 3| 4 | 5PHOTOS: Part 1 | Part 2)
At Survivor Series, the World Heavyweight Championship Match ended in a draw, thanks to an extremely controversial finish (Results). Though Kane returned to SmackDown with the title still in his grasp, he continued to agonize over the whereabouts of his father Paul Bearer, abducted two weeks ago by Edge. At The Ultimate Opportunist's prodding, an uncharacteristically subdued "Devil's Favorite Demon" asked The Master Manipulator "nicely" to return "The Father of Destruction" to him. But, Edge did not find his request sincere enough to oblige him.

Kane's obsessive search to reclaim his father continued throughout SmackDown. Every time Kane thought he had caught up with The Ultimate Opportunist, all he found was an empty wheelchair. When The Rated-R Superstar appeared in the crowd with Paul Bearer, threatening to hurl him down the arena stairs in his wheelchair, Kane tried to appease him by offering another opportunity at the World Title. Edge accepted, but still held on to Paul Bearer.

However, that was not Edge's biggest hit of the night. After luring Kane out to the parking lot, The Master Manipulator drove over a fake "Paul Bearer" dummy in full view of the horrified World Heavyweight Champion. As Edge drove on, the petrified Paul Bearer could be seen, still captive in the back seat. (Watch)

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