WWE Smackdown review
May 21, 2010
Taped 5/18/10 in Ottawa, Ont., Canada
Aired on MyNetwork TV
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist

- No WWE Open; they went right into highlights of Jack Swagger's big speech from last week, and Big Show ruining Swagger's trophies.

- Smackdown Open.

- Fireworks blasted off inside the arena, and Todd Grisham led off by plugging The Big Show vs. Drew McIntyre for the first time ever, as well as the first match-up of Jack Swagger vs. Kofi Kingston.

- Already in the ring were C.M. Punk, the Straight Edge Society, and three dudes seated in chairs. Luke Gallows had the mic first and said he used to be just like the three men sitting in those chairs: weak-minded and addicted. He said that one person in the WWE Universe can make the impossible possible: C.M. Punk. Serena said that everyone in attendance and everyone watching at home needs to stand up and give respect to Punk. Eh, I did it last week live, so I think I'm covered. Punk complained about it being legal in Canada for teens to drink alcohol. He said they are morally handicapping themselves as parents are turning a blind eye. Gallows said the three men in the ring would take a pledge to extinguish the demons of weakness and addiction. He brought it back around, saying Punk would do the same to Mysterio at Over the Limit. Serena said the men represent the worthlessness and decay of Canada. She said the SES would heal them, and this Sunday, Punk will heal Mysterio. The power of Punk compels you!

Punk told the men to raise their hands to the sky (while Gallows put their other hand over their chest). He said the pledge erases every bad decision they've ever made and makes them better than everyone else. He began to recite the pledge, with the three bozos in the ring following suit. Punk said the men are no longer weak, like the universe before them. Not much heat for that comment, but Punk paused for it. He said their actions as well as their words will prove they're Straight Edge. One of the guys gave a really creepy smile and head-nod to Punk. The three Straight-Edgers shaved the men's heads as some dramatic beat played in the background. Punk was preaching to them as he shaved them. Fans chanted "619, 619." Finally, Mysterio's music played and he walked onto the stage. "How dare you!," Punk screamed off mic. Mysterio said this mass induction was ridiculous. He pointed out how stupid the guys look while Punk countered by saying they look "beautiful." Rey showed a picture of what a bald Punk may look like, which may mean he's winning at the PPV. Actually, he looks a little weirder without the hair, so it may work.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed what happened moments ago, apparently during the break. Punk said he'd show Mysterio what he'd do to Rey at the PPV. Gallows and Punk then attacked the three new Straight Edge Society members. Matt Striker's explanation really didn't fly as to why anyone would now want to join this group only to possibly get beat up.

- Striker and Grisham talked about the women's title situation from last week, then we saw the Smackdown recall from Just For Men, showing highlights of that match.

1 - LAY-COOL vs. TIFFANY & KELLY KELLY

They've officially got the Lay-Cool chyron, so I figured it's their official team name. Tony Chimel announced them as co-Women's Champions. Tiffany and Kelly Kelly have to be the least intimidating tag team of all time. But if you're counting Divas, they may have competition. Layla went for a quick cover, dodging a hip-toss. Kelly used the ropes to flip out of a wrist-lock, then knocked Layla off the apron and to the floor. Michelle McCool received the same treatment. Kelly landed a cross-body onto McCool, and Tiffany took out Layla. Tiffany tagged in and monkey-flipped Layla out of the corner. Layla took over soon after, and tagged her partner. She went for a monkey flip on McCool, but Michelle turned it into a Faith Breaker for the win.

WINNERS: Lay-Cool, at 2:01. Not as bad as I expected.

Chimel announced them as "self-professed co-Women's Champions." I didn't catch the "self-professed" part when they came to the ring. Striker started singing McCool's theme, and thankfully, they cut backstage.

- Big Show did a Swagger-like vignette in the back, close up on Show's face as he addressed the camera. He talked about how nice some of Swagger's accolades are, then said three weeks ago, he knocked Swagger out. Then we saw the right hand of doom that was fed to the champion. Show said that is just one of his many accomplishments.

[Commercial Break]

2 - JTG vs. CAYLEN CROFT

The Dudebusters did an inset interview during their entrance. They didn't have much to say, other than that they bust dudes up. For sure. Croft went down expecting JTG to hop over him, but JTG stopped short and kicked him. Neck snap by JTG for a one-count. Croft stopped JTG's momentum and got a neck-breaker for two. Knee to the neck by Croft, who went back to a neck vice. How many times can I type "neck" during this match? JTG made his comeback, including a flip clothesline and a dropkick. Mugshot out of the corner that looked ugly. Trent Baretta tried to distract JTG, but he hit his finisher on Croft (also ugly) to get the victory.

WINNER: JTG, at 2:33. Pretty nondescript action, with a poor finishing sequence. JTG and MVP got the win last week, why not give Croft the win here?

- Vickie Guerrero was texting on her phone backstage when Christian came in. Apparently, it's the return of the Peep Show tonight, and Vickie suggested herself as Christian's guest. Christian appreciated the idea, but he said he wants people to actually watch it. He said the Peeps have spoken, and she's not even in the top 100 that people want to see. On the list: Bret Hart, The Mountie, the Brooklyn Brawler, Jared the Subway Guy and Lester, the guy who loves chicken. Vickie asked who that was, and Christian said he didn't know, but apparently, he loves chicken. But number one? Christian wouldn't reveal it. He did say that he and his guest have never seen eye-to-eye. It's going to be Hornswoggle. Get it? Never seen eye-to-eye?

[Commercial Break]

2 - CURT HAWKINS & VANCE ARCHER vs. JEREMY BARNER & BRENT ROBERTS

Grisham talked about the contracts Archer and Hawkins discussed on Superstars last week. Hawkins tripped up one jobber while Archer booted him in the face. Archer slammed the guy right on his face in an impressive move, unfortunately, they were showing a replay at the same time. Archer brought the other guy in and gave him the reverse DDT, then Hawkins landed an elbowdrop off the top for the win.

WINNERS: Hawkins and Archer, at 1:16. Impressive squash. I'm in favor of anything that helps build the tag division.

Hawkins got the mic after the match and said he and Archer have 22 days left on their Smackdown contract to make an impact. He said they'd do it whether the fans like it or not.

- More from the Big Show. He admitted Swagger accomplished many things before becoming champion, listing some of them. But two weeks ago, Big Show chokeslammed Swagger through an announce table. They showed that clip and Show said that was impressive and just one of his many accomplishments. Cue giant grin and...scene.

- Swagger was walking backstage, as his match with the "human hydraulics machine" Kofi Kingston, is next. Grisham's words, not mine.

[Commercial Break]

- The announcers plugged the list of the top 25 big men of all-time on WWE.com.

- Jack Swagger came out for his match, but first got the mic. He looked like he was about to cry. He talked about Big Show disrespecting him and his accomplishments last week. He said Show also disrespected the World Title. Swagger said that on Sunday, when the dust settles, he will be announced as the winner.

3 - JACK SWAGGER vs. KOFI KINGSTON

During Kofi's entrance, they showed what happened when Kofi was screwed out of the Intercontinental Title last week. Swagger seemed confident to start, but Kofi's kicks took him off his game. He found himself at ringside, let out a primal scream, and headed back in. The two men traded rights, with Kofi getting the advantage. Springboard right hand by Kofi, who then clotheslined Swagger out of the ring. They went to break at that point.

[Commercial Break]

Kingston had Swagger in an arm-bar out of break. Kingston low-bridged an overaggressive Swagger, sending the champ to the outside. But Swagger put Kofi on his shoulders and threw him into the ring post. Swagger continued the assault in the ring, catching Kingston with a kick as Kofi came off the turnbuckle. Quick near-fall for Kofi, but Swagger countered with a belly-to-belly. Kingston got set on the top rope, but he came away with a tornado DDT, leaving both men gasping for air on the mat. Kingston pounded on Swagger's head, sitting on his shoulders in the corner. SOS by Kofi for two. He missed Trouble in Paradise, but landed a side-Russian leg-sweep. Big boot by Swagger, but Big Show walked out with a mic, trying to get Swagger's attention. He said he had something important to say, but that distraction allowed Kofi to hit a springboard cross-body for the three count.

WINNER: Kingston, at 11:41.

Show had one more fact for Swagger, in the form of a WWE Did You Know: "Kofi Just Beat You!"

- Tonight, Big Show faces Drew McIntyre.

- Also, MVP & Rey Mysterio take on Luke Gallows and C.M. Punk

- But next, it's the Peep Show.

[Commercial Break]

- Christian came out for the Peep Show. He said it was great to be back on Smackdown. He got right to it, saying he and his guest have never really seen eye-to-eye. It was Hornswoggle. Still wearing the DX gear. Horny struggled to get up in the seat and Christian said he and Hornswoggle are on Smackdown to cause a little trouble. He wanted to teach Hornswoggle some Canadian. "Take off, eh?" was the first thing he said. Horny got stuck on the "eh" part. "Hoser" was next, and Hornswoggle got that one. Then the word was "hockey," and the crowd cheered. "Beer," and the crowd cheered louder. Nearly a perfect score for Hornswoggle. Vickie Guerrero interrupted the proceedings at that point. She came out with her personal lap-dog, Chavo Guerrero. In her capacity as Official Smackdown Consultant, she shut down the Peep Show. She was disgusted that Christian was teaching Horny information about the most useless country in the world. Christian said he was about to teach Horny another word: Obesity. He had another one that the Canadians would understand: Moose. Hornswoggle got it out and the fans managed to chant it at Vickie. She sent Chavo in to do the dirty work, but as he made his way into the ring, Dolph Ziggler came out of nowhere and gave the Zig-Zag to Christian. Then Chavo came off the top for a Frogsplash.

- MVP and Rey Mysterio were walking backstage...their tag match is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Striker (leaning way too close to his broadcast partner) and Grisham plugged the Money in the Bank PPV ticket on-sale date.

4 - REY MYSTERIO & MVP vs. C.M. PUNK & LUKE GALLOWS

MVP had the straps down on his outfit. MVP and Rey used some teamwork to keep Gallows at bay. Serena got on the apron and Gallows pulled MVP off the second rope by his leg. They went to break about 2:00 in.

[Commercial Break]

Punk had MVP down out of break, and tagged Gallows in. Gallows prevented MVP from making the tag. Good tag team execution (Striker agrees with me) but the heels. Gallows settled into a rear waist-lock with MVP seated on the mat. Mysterio finally made the tag at about 9:00, flying all over the ring and onto Gallows. Mysterio was about to hit the 619, but Punk flew off the top rope and landed a clothesline to stop him. Nice move. He got Rey up for the GTS, but Rey rolled through for two. Gallows broke it up, but MVP neutralized him. The hooded stranger got on the apron to distract Rey, but Mysterio threw him into the ring post. Punk couldn't capitalize, and Rey hit a hurricanrana with a roll-up for three.

WINNERS: MVP & Mysterio, at 10:33. Good little match, and now I really think Punk is winning Sunday.

- Drew McIntyre was backstage with Josh Mathews. Mac trash-talked Teddy Long and said he is the deserving champion. Kofi Kingston interrupted and disagreed. He said McIntyre would feel the "Boom Boom Boom" on Sunday.

- But tonight, McIntyre faces the Big Show. It's next.

[Commercial Break]

- A video package aired on the Cena vs. Batista feud.

- The announcers discussed the Over the Limit card.

- The Big Show came out for the main event. It takes place after the break.

[Commercial Break]

5 - THE BIG SHOW vs. DREW MCINTYRE

McIntyre tried to take a walk early, and dominated back in the ring with his hard slap to the chest. Show stepped on McIntyre's chest and the fans chanted, "one more time." So he tried another slap to the chest, but Mac countered with an eye gouge. Show clotheslined McIntyre back down and took some more time to recover. Headbutt sent McIntyre to the mat. McIntyre tried to hook in his DDT, but couldn't. Show made his comeback, but Swagger interfered to draw the DQ.

WINNER: Show, at 3:50.

Swagger went after Show's hand, to presumably prevent a knockout punch on Sunday. He went to get a chair, but Swagger ended up getting hold of it before Swagger could use it. And Show was not happy. Swagger escaped the ring and headed up the ramp as he kept his eyes on Show in the ring. Show's music played as he screamed in fury. The show went off the air at that point.

Greg Parks has been covering WWE Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

We suggest these recent related articles...

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 10/1: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Kevin Owens vs. Ryback in an Intercontinental Title Match

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 9/24: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Kevin Owens & Rusev vs. Dolph Ziggler & Ryback

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 9/17: Ongoing coverage of the Thursday night show, including Seth Rollins & Sheamus vs. Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns