WWE Smackdown Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch specialist

Episodes - 5/11 & 5/18

(1) World Heavyweight Title Picture / Sheamus vs. Randy Orton

The May 11 edition of Smackdown began with Sheamus and Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho and Alberto Del Rio. The match ended in a no contest after the match descended into a brawl. Then, it was announced that Jericho would face Sheamus, and Del Rio would face Orton.

Later, Randy Orton defeated Alberto Del Rio by disqualification after Ricardo Rodriguez interfered, taking an RKO for Del Rio. After the match, Del Rio applied the cross arm breaker on Orton.

In the main event, Chris Jericho defeated Sheamus by disqualification after Del Rio threw Jericho into the ring steps. Del Rio then applied the cross arm breaker on Sheamus. Orton then ran in for the save. There was an exchange of finishers, before Orton and Sheamus were left standing, staring one another down.

Backstage, the following week, Sheamus and Orton were being interviewed. Sheamus said he could harness his agrresion in the ring, and that is why he’s champion. Then, Orton said he knows better than to be overconfident, and then he said that he could win the title without beating Sheamus, despite wanting to beat him the most. Sheamus said he could kick one of his opponents in the face, but he’s a nice guy. Orton then said that they both know where nice guys finish.

In a match over that went over 20 minutes, Sheamus defeated Randy Orton with a roll-up. After the match, Orton and Sheamus exchanged words and shook hands. Then, Orton hit the RKO on Sheamus.

***

(2) Big Show vs. John Laurinaitis / John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis

On the May 11 edition of Smackdown, Daniel Bryan defeated Big Show in a short match after Laurinaitis, who was at ringside, called for the bell, when Bryan had Show in the Yes! Lock. Then, Laurinaitis asked Show if he thought making fun of him was funny, Show said that it wasn’t. Laurinaitis then repeated Eve’s insult of Show, that there isn’t a lot of work for someone like him. He then told Big Show that he’d make a proper apology on Raw.

Then, on the ramp, Laurinaitis said that after Brock Lesnar destroyed Cena, he would defeat Cena, shaking the WWE to its foundation.

The following week, John Laurinaitis came to the ring to open Smackdown. He said that he was in harm’s way due to the restrictions from the board of directions. He asked for the fans’s support, asking them to pray for him.

C.M. Punk then came to the ring and said that the fans’s prayers have already been answered, as when John Cena beats him, he’ll be terminated. Punk brought up the firing of Big Show, and asked him how it felt to the be on the other end of the stick for once. Laurinaitis then booked Punk vs. Kane. Punk said that he respected Kane, and that he’d still be the WWE Champion the following week, while Laurinaitis will be unemployed.

Reax: Punk, don’t respect people that leave their father in a freezer.

***

(3) Tag Team Title Picture

On the May 11 edition of Smackdown, it was announced that Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger would face Kofi Kingston and R-Truth for the Tag Titles at Over the Limit. R-Truth defeated Jack Swagger in a singles match.

Later, Zack Ryder and Santino Marella argued over their tag team name in an inset promo. In the match that followed, Titus O’Neil and Darren Young defeated Ryder and Marella. After the match, O’Neil made Lilian Garcia announce the winners of the match again. They then cut a promo talking about them being the next Tag Team Champions. Then, they said the difference between them and the other tag teams is “millions of dollars,” which they repeated.

The following week, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth defeated Darren Young and Titus O’Neil.

Reax: The question has been answered. Young and O’Neal were the first debuting team to lose. I would at least have had them maybe get caught cheating, and that led to a disqualification. I know it wouldn’t make the tag champions look as strong, but this just hurts Young and O’Neil, who have been doing well so far.

***

(4) Kaitlyn vs. A.J.

On the May 11 edition of Smackdown, A.J. defeated Kaitlyn in 30 seconds, after being very aggressive, hitting a running knee for the win. After the match, A.J. was attacked Kaitlyn. Daniel Bryan then came out and praised A.J.’s ruthlessness. However, he said, after becoming WWE Champion, he looks forward to moving onto Kaitlyn. A.J., annoyed, then walked out of the ring.

***

(5) WWE Title Picture

On the May 18 edition of Smackdown, the following week, Daniel Bryan beat Zack Ryder in a short match. It was announced that Ryder would face Kane on the Over The Limit preshow.

In the match that followed Bryan-Ryder, Kane defeated C.M. Punk by disqualification when Daniel Bryan, who was on commentary, attacked Kane with a chair. Bryan walked away and Punk picked up the chair. Kane thought Punk had hit him with the chair and so he attacked him, hitting him with the chair multiple times and chokeslamming him twice, as Bryan watched on from the stage.

***

Other Stories

- On the May 11 edition of Smackdown, Health Slater cut a promo saying that Ryback hasn’t beaten anyone of his caliber. Ryback then came out and squashed Slater.

- On the May 11 edition of Smackdown, Teddy Long introduced Alex Riley and Antonio Cesaro, having to introduce Cesaro using numerous superlatives. Antonio Cesaro defeated Alex Riley in a short match. Aksana then told Teddy that he and she were only ever friends, but that she and Antonio were lovers. She then kissed Cesaro.

- On the May 11 edition of Smackdown, Damien Sandow was interviewed backstage and said that the locker room is full of false idols and then said that he is the am the bright beam of enlightenment that will serve as the avenging sword of taste and decency.

The following week, Sandow refused to face Yoshi Tatsu. He said that Tatsu was also an unworthy opponent, like Derrick Bateman two weeks before, and so he wouldn’t wrestle him. Tatsu called Sandow a chicken. Then, Sandow took off his rob, revealing pink and purple ring gear, and attacked Tatsu.

- On the May 11 edition of Smackdown, Brodus Clay squashed Hunico, who explained before the match, in a promo, that Hunico means number one and extraordinary.

- On the May 18 edition of Smackdown, Santino declared his love for his title in an inset promo. Santino defeated Cody Rhodes in a short match, after hitting the Cobra.

(6) Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio (7) / Randy Orton (2)
A.J. vs Kaitlyn (3)
John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis (3)
Big Show vs. John Laurinaitis (2)
Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger (2)

Email any comments to scannell.torch@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @robinocracy for my thoughts on Over The Limit.

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

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