WWE Smackdown review
February 25, 2011
Taped 2/22/11 in Sacramento, Calif.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- The show opened with a video package of last week’s 600th episode of Smackdown, focusing on the Vickie Guerrero-Edge-Teddy Long situation.

- Teddy Long addressed the camera in his office backstage. He said that due to Vickie Guerrero being compliant in Dolph Ziggler’s attack on him, he could fire her, but he will allow her to fight for her job. She’ll team with Drew McIntyre to take on Edge and Kelly Kelly. If Vickie’s team loses, she’ll be fired.

- Smackdown Open.

- No fireworks in the arena, instead, Rey Mysterio’s music hit almost immediately, and he came out. They showed Michael Cole, Josh Mathews, and Booker T. on camera as Rey made his entrance.

1 – REY MYSTERIO vs. KANE

Both men are coming off the Elimination Chamber match on Sunday night. Kane overpowered Rey at the outset, and landed a low dropkick, getting a two-count thirty seconds into the match. Kane countered a flip by Rey and seemed to set up for the Tombstone, but instead, he slammed him into the corner. He took Rey to the mat and made another pinfall attempt, for only two again. Tilt-a-whirl back-breaker by Kane for two. It’s been pretty much all Kane in the first 2:00 of this one. Rey tripped Kane up and put him in position for the 619, but Kane rolled to the outside. Rey didn’t let him rest, as he caught Kane with a dropkick through the ropes. High-risk move on the outside didn’t pay off for Rey, as he turned around right into a big boot. They went to break at the 3:07 mark.

[Commercial Break]

Back to action three minutes later. I love this new stopwatch app on my phone! Kane continued to work Rey’s back, then caught Rey and gave him a sidewalk slam for a two-count. Two big elbowdrops by Kane for a near-fall. Bearhug applied by the Big Red Machine. Mysterio fought out at 8:00, but he walked right into Kane’s grip, and was slammed back-first into the corner. Booker put over Rey still being injured and fatigued from the Chamber match. Rey was placed on the top rope, but he fought away from Kane and landed a seated senton. He went to work on Kane’s knee and kicked him in the head for a two-count. To the top rope went Rey, but he got uppercut in the throat by Kane. This time it was Kane who went to the top. He missed his clothesline, but Rey walked right into a chokeslam set-up. He countered and kicked Kane into 619 position. It connected and Rey went for another seated senton, but Kane caught him. Rey twisted around and rolled up the big man for the victory.

WINNER: Mysterio, at 10:32. Rey has a lot of momentum now after looking strong as one of the last two in the Chamber match, then picking up a hard-fought win here over Kane.

As Rey celebrated in the ring, Dusty Rhodes’ theme played. The Hall-of-Famer came out from the back and looks to be in good shape. Rey seemed surprised. He hugged Rey, and they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

- Rhodes had the mic out of break as his music faded out. He said that Rey has been a friend of the family for a long time, and he’s disappointed in his son, Cody, and what’s been going on. He apologized to Rey for Cody’s actions, and for what he’s been saying. He called out his son to apologize personally to Mysterio. Cody walked out in a suit, with no music. He still had the clear plastic faceguard on. Mathews said he seemed embarrassed to be out there. Cody asked his father why he was doing this. He reminded everyone that he has an announcement tonight regarding his future, but this isn’t what he was talking about. “Besides…everyone is staring at me,” he said, voice shaking. He seemed incredulous that his father wanted him to apologize to Rey for Rey breaking his nose. He said because of the injury, he wasn’t allowed to participate in the Royal Rumble or the Elimination Chamber. Dusty talked about when Cody first started out, they talked about him fighting at Wrestlemania and being a champion, and one of them was what Dusty was wearing on his hand right now (a Hall of Fame ring). Dusty said the Divas voted Cody the most handsome man on the planet. Uh, I think that was limited to WWE Superstars.

Dusty said agents are calling Cody from Hollywood and he’s losing focus. Dusty said that while Cody was busy being Dashing, the Miz hopped into his spot and became WWE Champion. That, and Edge came back from injury and became champion once again, all while Cody was busy being Dashing. Dusty told Cody to refocus and stood face-to-face with his son. He said Cody needs to “make this right,” and do what needs to be done, that being apologizing to Mysterio. Cody apologized to his father then, to Rey, told him he shouldn’t have said what he said. He struggled to get the words out, but did apologize. He extended his hand and Rey shook it. Dusty and Rey shook hands and hugged, then Dusty pulled Rey back and laughed, while Cody attacked him from behind. Cody tossed Rey under the bottom rope as Dusty exited the ring. Cody slammed Rey’s face into the steel steps, then tossed him into the barricade. Dusty walked to the back as Cody continued assaulting Rey, pulling him by the arm up the ramp. Where are the refs to break this up? He grinded Rey’s face into the steel grate at the top of the ramp. After standing over Rey for a few seconds, he picked him back up and threw him into the mirror on the lower part of the TitanTron. Cody took Rey’s mask off, but Rey kept his face hidden. Two refs came out as Cody left, one had a towel to cover up Rey’s face. I don’t know about using a beloved legend like Dusty as a heel, but they didn’t dwell on his turn, so it ended up okay. Really effective segment here and again, Cody played his role well. Rey didn’t have to do any heavy lifting in this segment.

[Commercial Break]

- They recapped what happened moments ago, with Dusty and Cody Rhodes setting up Rey Mysterio. Cole called it “a well-deserved beat-down.”

- Cody and Dusty embraced backstage. “A daddy will do anything for his son,” said Dusty.

2 – ROSA MENDES vs. LAYLA

Both women were already in the ring, while Michelle McCool provided commentary. Rosa attacked Layla to start, but Layla fought back as McCool addressed the tension between LayCool. Rosa missed a shoulder attack and Layla, who was on the apron, pulled her out of the ring. Both ladies spilled to the floor in a dangerous-looking bump. Mendes gave her a forearm, then whipped her hard into the barricade. They came near the announce table, and Layla pushed Rosa into McCool. Michelle fought shoved Mendes from behind, drawing the DQ.

WINNER: Mendes, by DQ, at 1:22. Rosa is a brunette now. Maybe her hair was like that the last time she was on TV, but it’s been so long, I don’t remember. That’s about all I have for this match.

McCool and Layla had a heated discussion in the ring about McCool costing Layla the match. They appeared to make up as the fans booed.

- Still to come tonight, will Vickie Guerrero be fired? If she and Drew McIntyre lose to Edge and Kelly Kelly she will.

- Also, John Cena’s “explosive” response to The Rock from Raw will air later on in the show.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole thanked Toby Mac for “Ignition,” the official Elimination Chamber theme song.

- Mathews plugged WWE.com for exclusive photos from the PPV.

3 – JACK SWAGGER vs. KOFI KINGSTON

No entrance for Swagger. Kingston’s arm was heavily taped, as they showed Alberto Del Rio attacking the arm on Raw this past Monday. Mathews said WWE physicians advised Kofi not to take this match tonight. Swagger was all over Kingston to start and followed through with a shoulder knock-down for a two-count. Kingston fought back with right hands, then kicks. Kingston had to be restrained by referee Chad Patton while attacking Swagger in the corner. Boom Drop connected, then he landed a flying clothesline in the corner. Swagger came back by slamming Kingston’s leg into the ring post from the outside. Kingston missed a kick and Swagger applied the ankle-lock in the middle of the ring. He tapped out.

WINNER: Swagger, at 2:46. Interesting result. Kofi did have the injury excuse, but he came out the clear loser of his feud with Del Rio. However, Swagger also needed a win. I hope they have plans for at least one of these guys for Wrestlemania, other than throwing them in a possible MITB match.

- Backstage, Vickie Guerrero knocked on Teddy Long’s door. He didn’t answer so she started talking to him through the door. She said him putting her in this match tonight was unfair. She got frustrated and ended up walking away.

- Next, John Cena’s retort to The Rock from Raw.

[Commercial Break]

- The announcers discussed John Cena’s comments from Raw.

- They showed the video of Cena responding to Rock’s comments from the previous week, in rap form. They aired this at the top of the second hour (8:59pm EST, to be exact), a week after airing Rock’s promo at this same key time in the show. We got Cena’s entire promo, lasting nine minutes.

- Vickie was walking around backstage and came upon Chavo Guerrero. She asked him for his help, and he said of course, they’re family. But then he reminded her of every time she made him his gofer. He said payback is a…well, you know what they say. Then he walked away. After all the gay innuendo from Cena’s promo, and they can’t say “bitch.”

[Commercial Break]

4 – WADE BARRETT vs. THE BIG SHOW – CORRE BANNED FROM RINGSIDE

Show immediately took Barrett to the corner and slapped him in the chest. He did it again in another corner. Body shots from Show, but Barrett caught him with a boot on a charge. He jumped on Show’s back and applied a chinlock. Show got to the ropes to force a break, and Barrett proceeded to stomp a proverbial mud hole in him. They went to break with Barrett in control at 1:52 of the contest.

[Commercial Break]

Back at the 5:03 mark with Show on the mat at the hands of Barrett. Show made his comeback and got to his feet, but Barrett dropkicked the knee of Show. DDT by Barrett with Show on his knees. Cover got two. He won with that move a few weeks ago. Show regrouped and threw Barrett over the top rope. He bent Barrett over the barricade and slapped him in the chest again. He tried to run Barrett into the ring post, but Barrett got off Show’s shoulders and rammed him into the post. Barrett tried to get into the ring before the count, but Show pulled him out before he could get in and Show made it in. So much for selling the post shot.

WINNER: Show, via count-out, at 7:09.

After the match, Show tried to continue the beating, but Corre came out. As they got into the ring, Show fled, but he grabbed a chair and came back in, nailing Justin Gabriel with it. It looked like it was to the head, too. I guess Gabriel got his hands up, but it sounded like it caught his head.

- Still to come, Vickie and Drew vs. Edge and Kelly, with Vickie’s Smackdown career on the line.

- Next, we’ll see the Undertaker and Triple H’s confrontation. Somehow, this qualifies as a “Smackdown exclusive.”

[Commercial Break]

- Cole plugged 2010 Miss USA winner Rima Fakih as one of the celebrity participants for the new Tough Enough.

- Mathews sent it to a video package of Undertaker’s return and Triple H’s interruption. This was a legit video package, not a straight up replay of what happened, so I suppose it would be an “exclusive.” There was even a voice-over guy narrating. The video lasted five minutes.

- Vickie Guerrero and Drew McIntyre were walking backstage. The tag match is next.

[Commercial Break]

- The Undertaker will be back on Smackdown next week.

5 – DREW MCINTYRE & VICKIE GUERRERO vs. EDGE & KELLY KELLY – MIXED TAG MATCH; IF DREW AND VICKIE LOSE, VICKIE WILL BE FIRED

Kelly and Vickie started things. Vickie was a bit hesitant to leave the apron at first. Vickie tried a kick and Kelly caught it, then pushed Vickie to the ground. Kelly jumped Vickie and slammed her head into the mat. Vickie got away and tagged out to McIntyre. Mac barked at Kelly that he was the only one who stood up for her. I’m not sure what’s in this for McIntyre, since why would he want to defend Vickie and her position? She fired the woman he was in love with. Sunset flip by Edge for two, but McIntyre came back and mounted Edge, punching away at Edge. Cole did say that if Mac wins and Vickie stays, he may get a shot at the title as a reward. Okay, I can buy that. McIntyre pulled Edge’s hair and slammed him to the mat. McIntyre got distracted by Kelly and Edge face-planted him. Both men were down at the 3:30 spot of the match. They got to their feet and Edge fired away with clotheslines. Face-buster for two. Edge missed a charge in the corner, but caught himself. Vickie slapped him and Edge turned around right into a big boot from McIntyre. Drew set up for a Future Shock DDT, but took too long and Edge countered with the Edgecution. Edge lined up for the spear, but Vickie entered the ring and pleaded with Edge, standing between him and McIntyre. Kelly came in and speared Vickie, allowing Edge to spear McIntyre. Bye bye, Vickie.

WINNERS: Edge and Kelly, at 5:36. Didn’t last as long as I expected. Still a lot of show left, so we’ll see what this leads to now.

Teddy Long came out, dancing as only he can (even Edge got into the act!). Will he fire Vickie after the break?

[Commercial Break]

- Long, Edge, and Vickie were in the ring. Vickie was nearly in tears. The crowd started singing the goodbye song, ever briefly. Long finally spoke, asking Vickie what she has to say for herself. Vickie said she was so sorry and begged Long to allow her to keep her job. “Vickie…you’re fired!” was Teddy’s response. Long left the ring and Vickie ran to ringside, imploring referee Scott Armstrong (what’s he still doing there?) for help. When he wouldn’t, she went over to Booker T, but he wasn’t of any help either. Vickie got down on her knees and grabbed Cole’s jacket as Cole said he’d do what he could for her. She started chasing the cameraman, who kept backing up. That was a funny sight.

Edge, still in the ring, was bemused by her actions. Vickie got a mic and went back to the ring. She’s fired, where’s security to take her away? She begged Edge for help into the mic. Why couldn’t she do that off-mic like her other begging? Why would she want to project that to the WWE Universe? Edge admitted he could help her get her job back, and the fans booed. But instead, he’d rather sing. He led the crowd in the Goodbye song. Vickie left the ring and went up the ramp as the crowd took over the song. She turned back to Edge and screamed, “you wait!!” As Edge’s attention was still focused on Vickie, Alberto Del Rio attacked him from behind. Shoulder to the post, then the cross arm-breaker was applied. Where did Armstrong go? Oh, there he is. He tried to get Del Rio to break, and finally did. Del Rio winked as he stood at ringside following his attack. They replayed his initial attack, then the application of his submission finisher. Del Rio gloated on the ramp as he pointed to the Wrestlemaina sign to end things.


What do you think? If you saw this show, we invite you to send your thoughts. Send your name, hometown, a 0-10 score rating the quality of the show, your picks for best and worst segments, and then a brief paragraph of thoughts on the show that we can publish in the Reader Reax segment later tonight or tomorrow. Send to pwtorch@gmail.com.

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.

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