WWE Smackdown Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episode - May 4, 2012

(1) World Heavyweight Title Picture

Sheamus came to the ring to start Smackdown and said that he loves to fight. He said then he’d be fighting Daniel Bryan in a few minutes, with Bryan wanting to finish the job from Extreme Rules. Sheamus then chanted, “Yes,” over and over to the question of if he wanted to fight Bryan. Sheamus defeated Bryan in the match that followed after Ricardo Rodriguez interfered, hitting Sheamus with a cross-body from the turnbuckle.

After the match, Alberto Del Rio applied the cross arm-breaker, and then Sheamus took over, applying the Yes! Lock. Sheamus then was able to leave the ring, where Del Rio and Bryan argued. Backstage, Sheamus’s arm was hurt and he was being seen to by trainers.

Backstage, as Bryan and Del Rio (with Ricardo) argued, Eve said that she will decide, upon consulting with the ringside physicians, if Sheamus will compete tonight. Eve, who was in control after Laurinaitis "took a personal day," then sent them out of her office.

Backstage, Sheamus ran out of the medical room and Matt Striker asked him if he was going to fight - Sheamus declared that he would.

Sheamus defeated Daniel Bryan to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in a good match, with Del Rio was on commentary. Sheamus won by catching Bryan off the top rope with a Brogue Kick. Sheamus celebrated his win as the show came to an end.

***

(2) All World / Tag Team Title Picture

From the stage, A.W. and Epico, Primo, and Rosa Mendes watched the tag champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth defeat Hunico and Camacho in a short match. A.W. is waiting to cash in the former Tag champions's re-match.

Reax: For what it’s worth, I like Ka-Boom as a name for Kingston and Truth from the recent poll on WWE's website. Also, All World is looking interesting. Hopefully the stable is going to have credibility and a few more wrestlers. That’s something that Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, and Vickie Guerrero have been lacking for a while. Also, there is perhaps an increased focus on the tag team division, which is always welcome.

***

(3) Brodus Clay vs. Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler

Brodus Clay defeated Jack Swagger (with Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero) in a short match. Ziggler unsuccessfully interfered in the match. After the match, some children danced with Clay and his dancers.

***

(4) Sandow debut / Ryback continues to dominate / Cesaro not doing much

Damien Sandow came to the ring to the music of "Messiah" by Handel, and spoke about being here to help all of us. He asked how anyone would benefit from him facing Bateman, and said that he wasn’t going to fight. Bateman then cut a promo, so Ryback came out and squashed Bateman.

Backstage, Aksana and Antonia Ceraro were modeling for a photo shoot. Eve made Teddy Long apply oil to Cesaro’s body.

Reax: I like seeing new talent on Smackdown, but I’m a little impatient, as I really want to see them get involved in actual programs. Recently, the mid-card has been too full of directionless matches, rather than a story with a beginning, middle, and end that involves matches and promos that leads to a pay-per-view or important TV match. However, I still hold out hope for the new talent.

***

(5) Randy Orton vs. Kane / Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes

In a long tag match, Randy Orton and Big Show defeated Kane and Cody Rhodes. Orton hit Kane with the RKO, and Big Show hit Rhodes with the WMD, getting the pinfall victory.

Reax: Cody Rhodes is your Intercontinental champion. I just am so saddened by the treatment of him. I don’t understand what the feud is trying to accomplish. Both these feuds need to end.

***

(6) Divas Title Picture

Layla defeated Natalya in a short, non-title match, which continued her winning streak since returning and capturing the Divas Championship at Extreme Rules.

***

(7) A.J. vs. Kaitlyn

Backstage, A.J. apologized to Kaitlyn, saying that slapping her last week wasn’t the real her. Kaitlyn said that she was just trying to be there for A.J. Kaitlyn said that A.J.’s pity party has to stop, so A.J. slapped her again.

Reax: I feel that this would be more effective if Kaitlyn did not turn heel on A.J. last year before the story was abandoned. However, if this leads to a match between A.J. and Kaitlyn at Extreme Rules, perhaps it could lead to A.J. winning and going on to face Layla in the future for the title.

***

Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Teddy Long vs. John Laurinaitis (11)
Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes (11)
Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan (11) / Alberto Del Rio (5)
Randy Orton vs. Kane (10)
Brodus Clay vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger (5)

Email any comments to scannell.torch@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @robinocracy for my thoughts on Raw each Monday.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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