WWE Smackdown TV taping report
April 12, 2011
Albany, N.Y.
Report by Tom Dinardi (@dizzlemits), PWTorch reader

Dark Match: Trent Barreta beat NXT Season 4 winner Johnny Curtis in a 4-5 minute match.

After the NXT and Superstars taping, they recorded this week's Smackdown.

Smackdown SPOILERS for April 15

Alberto Del Rio started the show demanding Edge turn over the World Hvt. Title to him. Smackdown GM Teddy Long interrupted and booked a 20-man battle royal. The winner faces Del Rio for the World Title at Extreme Rules.

(1) Ezekiel Jackson (w/The Corre) beat Kofi Kingston. Afterward, Barrett cut a promo vowing to capture the World Title in the battle royal.

Still to come: Edge relinquishes the World Title.

Cody Rhodes cut a promo saying his win over Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania made him feel nothing. He wants the World Title and to make kids scared of Rey. Rey ran out to attack Cody before Drew McIntyre came out to face Rey.

(2) Rey Mysterio beat Drew McIntyre. Rey hit the 619 and a splash for the win after a teased double count-out.

Edge was shown backstage walking out to applause from everyone in the locker room, including shaking hands with Kane.

In the ring, Edge came out for his Smackdown farewell speech to give up the World Title. His speech went about 15 minutes. He said his mom is here and noted he won his first World Title in Albany. He laid the belt down before leaving the ring. The battle royal is up next to determine Del Rio's opponent at Extreme Rules.

Afterward, Del Rio went to shake Edge's hand backstage, but Edge smacks him.

(3) Kelly Kelly beat Layla (w/Michelle McCool). After Layla lost, McCool backed Layla to the center of the ring. Michelle went to leave, but Layla grabbed her. Michelle then shoved her off.

They aired highlights of the Triple H-Undertaker match at WrestleMania. Battle royal is up next...

(4) 20-man battle royal to determine who faces Del Rio for the World Title at Extreme Rules. The final few grouping were Christian, McIntyre, Masters, Gabriel, Barrett, Kane, and Rey. Gabriel, Christian, Rey, and Masters were the Final Four after Gabriel eliminated Barrett. Rey eliminated Gabriel, leaving Rey, Christian, and Swagger. Cole then helped Swagger eliminate Rey, leaving Swagger and Christian. Christian then eliminated Swagger to win the battle royal.

WINNER: Christian, setting up Christian vs. Del Rio at Extreme Rules for the World Title.

After the Smackdown taping, Edge and Christian did a five-second pose, then Triple H joined the locker room applauding for Edge, who gave a final farewell speech.

Read More: Full write-up on Edge's post-Smackdown farewell speech.

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