WWE Smackdown TV taping report
April 3, 2012
Orlando, Fla. at Amway Center
Report by Ben Tucker, PWTorch specialist & Josh Parry, PWTorch correspondent

Smackdown SPOILERS 4/6

- Smackdown opened with an appearance by "Coffee Mug" David Otunga. He was followed out by John Laurinaitis, the new Smackdown GM following WrestleMania. Mega-heat on Laurinaitis, who wanted to bring out Teddy Long one last time. Long told him to "go to hell." Laurinaitis introduced new Smackdown graphics on the arena walls. He then wouldn't let Long quit, otherwise his grandkids's WWE-sponsored college fund will be cut. So, Long is Laurinaitis's lackey now.

(1) Mark Henry & David Otunga beat R-Truth in a handicap match. This match was made by Laurinaitis. Henry quickly demolished Truth and won with the World's Strongest Slam.

- Kane vs. Randy Orton in a WrestleMania re-match was turned into a No DQ match. Orton complained that the middle rope was too lose, so the ref appeared to gimmick one of the turnbuckle pads.

(2) Randy Orton beat Kane in a No DQ match. Orton won with a DDT onto a chair followed by an RKO for the win. They fought by the announcers, made their way to the stage, and Kane hit a DDT on the steel leading to a likely commercial break. Back in the ring, chairs were introduced. Five, to be exact. Orton hit the second-rope DDT onto a chair for a two count. For the finish, Orton flung Kane into the exposed turnbuckle and hit the RKO for the win. (Tucker: Good No DQ match.) (Parry: Very good brawl. What WrestleMania should have been. Good nearfalls throughout.)

- New World Hvt. champion Sheamus was advertised for the next segment. Still a lot of boos... A Raw Recap aired on the Alberto Del Rio-Sheamus segment. Almost all of the crowd noise was edited out.

- In the ring, a local jobber was given mic time to say he's glad to be here. Ryback (former Skip Sheffield) then returned to TV. Not much of a reaction.

(3) Ryback beat Random Jobber with a Fisherman lift into a Samoan Drop. (Tucker: Not the best debut.)

- Daniel Bryan was advertised for the next segment. Loud "Yes!" chant. WWE is going to have to pipe in boos, as there was a thunderous reaction for Bryan.

- Bryan came out with no "Yes!" shouting to sell that he's mad. A.J. held the ropes open for him with all of her body weight in a funny moment. To start, A.J. tried to make Bryan feel better about losing the World Title at WrestleMania. The crowd wants to support Bryan, but he thinks they're mocking him. He says the "Yes!" chants don't make it better, then blamed all of his troubles on A.J., running her down and trying to get the crowd to boo him. He then dumped her and heeled it up pretty well, shouting "We're through!" Plus, he called her "fat." A.J. ran out of the ring to the back as the crowd sang the "Na na na, goodbye" song. Then, "Yes!" chants and the crowd still cheered him. (Tucker: Good segment.) (Parry: Promo of Bryan's career.)

Off-camera, Bryan gave out his only "Yes!" chant of the show.

(4) IC champion Big Show squashed Heath Slater. Show won with the KO Punch, which Slater sold beautifully. Former champ Cody Rhodes was on commentary. Show and Rhodes had a staredown post-match.

- Laurinaitis said he wants Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio to face off before their match to prevent Sheamus from delivering another surprise attack. This led to another Sheamus story.

(5) Nikki Bella beat Divas champion Beth Phoenix in a non-title match. Nikki won quickly - under a minute - after Kelly Kelly distracted Beth. It was a very minor distraction.

- On the Titantron, WWE developmental wrestler Damien Sandow debuted. Sandow, with a long, dark beard, ran down how sinful and dirty our humanity is, and talked about the lost art of film and theater. He preached himself as a better, more pure person. He did not introduce himself by name.

- Prior to the Sheamus-Del Rio main event, WWE recapped Brock Lesnar's return on Raw the previous night.

- WWE also announced the Three Stooges will be guest stars on Monday's Raw.

- Main Event introductions: No pyro for Del Rio and a small reaction. Lots of "Si!" chants. There were a few more cheers than boos for Sheamus coming out to the ring.

(6) Alberto Del Rio beat World Hvt. champion Sheamus via DQ in a non-title match; Del Rio earns a future World Title shot. In the beginning, the "Si!" chants took on a life of their own and the crowd began counting out Del Rio in Spanish. Del Rio began working on Sheamus's arm on the outside, then Sheamus mounted a comeback. Del Rio tried to attack Sheamus with a chair, but failed. Sheamus was caught with the chair in hand and was DQed! Del Rio pulled an Eddie Guerrero, feigning a chair shot from Sheamus.

Post-match: Sheamus threw a fit, then took out his anger on the referee with a Brogue Kick to end the show. Overall, good chemistry for Del Rio and Sheamus.

Parry Final Thought: Fantastic post-WrestleMania Smackdown episode.

***

[ Follow real-time tweets from Tucker at Twitter.com/BTuckerTorch ]

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