On April 15, 2009, John Morrison was traded to Smackdown via the WWE supplemental draft. Upon his return to Smackdown. Morrison defeated R-Truth in his first match on April 17. On the May 1 edition he was involved in a backstage altercation with Chris Jericho leading to Morrison turning face. July 31,Morrison had his first World Heavyweight Championship match against Jeff Hardy but was unsuccessful. On the September 1, 2007 edition of WWE Smackdown John Morrison defeated Rey Mysterio to become the new WWE Intercontinental Champion