WWE Smackdown review
March 4, 2011
Taped 3/1/11 in Cleveland, Ohio
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- A recap video showed highlights of the mixed tag main event from last week, with Teddy Long’s opening statements used as a voice-over to explain things.

- With the Wrestlemania official theme playing, Josh Mathews plugged the Edge vs. Albeto Del Rio contract signing slated to happen tonight.

- Smackdown Open.

- No fireworks (they saved on both main shows this week), but Edge’s music hit and he came out, wearing the World Title around his waist. He did get his fireworks, though. As Edge posed in the ring, Michael Cole discussed Undertaker’s return to Smackdown tonight. Edge got the mic, he mentioned his contract signing that would take place tonight. He said he wants Del Rio to look into his eyes to see what it’s like to be a champion. He said last week, his going-away party for Vickie Guerrero was interrupted by Del Rio. He did seem happy Vickie was gone, and said he wanted to pick up where he left off last week, before Del Rio interrupted things. But before that could happen, Drew McIntyre ran to the ring. Edge easily disposed of him over the top rope. Teddy Long came out to address the situation.

Long said the fans owe a debt of gratitude to McIntyre since, because of him, Vickie was fired. Long said if McIntyre doesn’t get in the ring to face Edge in a match right now, Drew will be fired too. Edge started a “thank you Drew” chant for his part in the firing of Vickie. They went to break with the crowd still chanting that refrain.

[Commercial Break]

1 – EDGE vs. DREW MCINTYRE

The match began as soon as they came back from break. Booker T spoke his first words of the evening soon after the match started. McIntyre choked Edge in the ropes while working the arm in the first minute. McIntyre cinched in an arm-bar. The crowd aided Edge in getting to his feet, but as Edge hit the ropes, McIntyre met him with a big boot. “Edge is DOWN,” proclaimed Booker. That’s insight you can’t get anywhere else. McIntyre slammed Edge’s arm into the announce table, then predicted loudly that he’d end Edge’s career tonight. Back in the ring, McIntyre took Edge’s elbowpad off and dropped a few knees on the injured limb. Edge ran the ropes but McIntyre met him with an elbow to the face as soon as Edge hit the rope. It knocked Edge out of the ring, but McIntyre took his time trying to capitalize, allowing Edge to land a back body-drop at ringside. In the ring, Edge landed a cross-body for a two-count. Both men struggled to their feet at 4:40 of the match. A second big boot was blocked by Edge, and he hit the Spear out of nowhere. Edge, though, lifted McIntyre’s head up at the two-count. Cole was incensed at that. He brought the Educator out of the mothballs, applying that move for the submission victory.

WINNER: Edge, at 5:20. McIntyre looked good working over Edge for the body of the match, and Edge got to shine at the end, picking up a victory over someone who has had some upward mobility in recent weeks.

- Big Show takes on Kane in a one-on-one match later this evening.

- Also, The Undertaker returns home, to Smackdown.

[Commercial Break]

- Josh Mathews plugged Wrestlemania.com for all your Wrestlemania needs.

- The announcers were shown on camera, and Cole talked about his WM match against Jerry Lawler. He said he’d have more to say about it later on.

- Rey Mysterio’s music hit, but instead of Mysterio, out came a masked Cody Rhodes, also dressed in a suit and tie. I thought it was an odd wardrobe choice for Mysterio. After doing Mysterio’s trademark moves in acknowledging the fans, the music turned to Rhodes’s theme song, and Cody took off the mask, still wearing his plastic faceguard. As he entered the ring, they showed a clip of Cody’s attack on Mysterio last week. Back to the ring, Rhodes looked very uncomfortable and asked the fans not to look at him. They booed, so he screamed it at them. He said the feeling the fans had when they realized he wasn’t Rey coming out, is a feeling of disappointment. He said he’s been the king of disappointment lately, as every day, he has to wake up and look at what was once dashing reduced to…well…not so much. “We want Rey” chant from the faithful in Cleveland. Cody talked about his father, saying he helped him do only a fraction of damage to Rey’s face that Rey did to him. Cody said when he was rubbing Rey’s face in the steel grate, “it felt good!” Rhodes said nothing has felt good lately. He said he knows his father is watching right now, and he doesn’t want to let “some carnival sideshow freak like Rey Mysterio prevent me from becoming World Heavyweight Champion.” Cody then challenged Rey to a match at Wrestlemania. He said at WM, he will remove Rey’s mask and show off what’s left of Rey’s face at the grandest stage of all. He then looked over at the Wrestlemania sign and his music played. Rhodes walked to the back, trying to avoid the looks by the fans. Another solid promo from Rhodes, who has the mannerisms for his character down pretty well.

- Backstage, Kane was pacing a bit when The Corre walked up to him. Wade Barrett reminded him that his greatest victory came when they played a pivotal role (Buried Alive). Kane said he didn’t want or need their help. Justin Gabriel said they just wanted Kane to beat Big Show. Gabriel then said they had to go defend their tag titles.

- Next, Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov have invoked their rematch clause, so they will face Gabriel & Heath Slater for the tag titles.

[Commercial Break]

2 – JUSTIN GABRIEL & HEATH SLATER vs. VLADIMIR KOZLOV & SANTINO MARELLA – WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Marella showed the Cobra early on and Gabriel retreated to the safety of the ropes. Single-leg slam by Marella, then he took Gabriel over by the arm. Kozlov tagged in and tagged Gabriel with a knee-lift. Headbutts, followed by a throw. Gabriel went to ringside and the faces chased Slater off the apron as well. They went to break at 1:08 of the contest.

[Commercial Break]

They returned 3:20 later. Kozlov plowed over Slater, but some double-teaming allowed the Corre duo to take over control. Kozlov eventually made the hot tag to Marella, who took the beating to Slater. Gabriel interrupted the pin and Kozlov dispatched of him, with Ezekiel Jackson and Wade Barrett helping to pull Gabriel out of harm’s way. Kozlov was knocked to the outside by Slater. Marella set up for the Cobra, but distractions by Jackson and Barrett allowed Slater to hit his finisher from behind on Marella and pick up the win.

WINNERS: Slater and Gabriel, at 7:29. Formula tag match. Hopefully we’ll see some new tag teams develop to challenge the Corre next.

- Christian will return to Smackdown next week. They showed clips of Del Rio putting Christian on the shelf in September. Then they showed Christian getting some revenge at the Elimination Chamber.

- Backstage, Ricardo Rodriguez was warming up his voice while Del Rio watched over someone painting a portrait of Alberto (we couldn’t see the image). Del Rio told the painter he’s close to capturing his essence.

- Undertaker returns to Smackdown next.

[Commercial Break]

- The announcers, on camera, talked about Undertaker’s return. They showed Triple H’s comments from this past week on Raw.

- Back to the arena, the bell tolled, signaling Taker’s arrival in a matter of moments. They’re even using “Ain’t no grave” as his entrance theme. I guess that’s to help get over his new “Last Outlaw” persona. Taker said he found it mystifying that the greatest of the great don’t know when to leave well enough alone. He said there are mountains that cannot be climbed, seas that cannot be sailed…and streaks that cannot be broken. Taker said there wasn’t much Triple H talked about on Raw that he couldn’t agree with. He said they’re the last of an era and a dying breed. He said Trips is everything he says he is, if not more. Taker said Triple H is probably the best champion over the last decade-and-a-half. But what Hunter said that is most interesting is that he knows how to make Taker disappear forever. He said all you have to do is beat him at Wrestlemania. “Easier said than done,” he uttered.

Taker said Triple H has figured out in his mind how to do this. He said Hunter is going to throw it all on the table, and go for broke. If he wins, he’ll be hailed as “The Game,” as “The King of Kings.” Hey, he gets called that already. Taker said if Triple H loses (“and he will lose”), he’ll become nothing more than a statistic. He said he plays no games, and bows down to no man. He said he will find out what 18 other men before him have found out (not really 18 men, 18 matches…some were repeats and one was Hunter himself!) – he’s the last outlaw, and he’ll find out what it means to rest in peace. This promo was better than the one Triple H cut on Raw, but it felt like early 2000 when every Hunter opponent had to kiss his ass before their match. To be fair, it was more applicable in this situation than ones in the past.

- Alberto Del Rio and Edge’s contract signing for Wrestlemania is still to come.

- Also still to come: Big Show vs. Kane.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole and Mathews talked about the signing of Mistico, aka Sin Cara, while also showing clips of the press conference held to announce the signing, and the press it got in Mexico.

3 – BETH PHOENIX & ROSA MENDES vs. LAYCOOL

They showed Mendes beating Layla by DQ last week. Michelle McCool and Phoenix began the match, with Beth going right for McCool’s injured foot. Rosa tagged in, as did Layla. Hair toss by Rosa, then McCool distracted her and Layla kicked Mendes in the mid-section. Rosa shoved Layla into McCool and the two argued, but McCool stayed on Rosa after a tag. Mendes again went for that injured foot, and made the hot tag to Beth. Layla tagged in as well, and ended up bumping around for Beth’s offense. Layla found herself on Beth’s shoulder, and was slammed down. McCool broke up the pin and as the ref ushered Rosa out of the ring, McCool booted Beth down with her reinforced boot and Layla got the pin.

WINNERS: LayCool, at 2:18. Beth has been terribly underutilized since her return from injury.

- Big Show vs. Kane is next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – THE BIG SHOW vs. KANE

After a lock-up, Kane fought out of the corner with right hands. Big Show went for a chokeslam, but the two ended up double clotheslining each other with neither clothesline looking like it would knock down a 180 pound guy let alone two men over 300 pounds. The Corre came to the ring as both men tried to get to their feet. Wade Barrett had a chair and slid it in to Kane, who used it on Show for the DQ.

WINNER: Show, by DQ, at 1:15.

After the match, Corre attacked Big Show. Kane didn’t join in however and flattened Gabriel with a hard chairshot to the back. Rough couple weeks for Gabriel as it pertains to him and chairs. Barrett dragged Gabriel out of the ring as Corre retreated up the ramp. After replays, Kane was shown in the ring, chair still in hand, as Corre looked on from the top of the stage.

[Commercial Break]

- The announcers discussed Wrestlemania and Triple H vs. Undertaker. Then they sent it to the video package of HBK discussing the match.

- Jack Swagger came out for a match. After showing Cole announce Swagger as his trainer for his match with Lawler from Raw, Cole got in the ring and did some trash talking. He implored the fans to join him for Raw in Dallas on Monday, where he’ll introduce the guest referee. He’s flamboyant and simply “awesome.” He said he’s one of the all-time greats in WWE, and there’s something that he, the ref, Swagger, and LeBron James have in common…they all think Cleveland stinks! That was lame.

[Commercial Break]

5 – JACK SWAGGER vs. JTG

Match began right after the break, so no entrance for JTG. Cole was really pumped up on commentary, so much that he did his job standing up. Vader Bomb by Swagger. And another. I hope Cole’s guest ref is Daddy Swagger. Ankle-lock applied and JTG struggled for about ten seconds before finally tapping.

WINNER: Swgager, at 1:06. Good win for Swagger, even if it is to just put him over as Cole’s trainer.

- Mathews and Booker discussed Rock’s response to John Cena’s rap from the week before. They showed Cena’s rap first, then Rock’s retort. It’s a bit jarring to hear Rock use “I” and “me” instead of “The Rock” all the time.

- Edge was walking backstage, heading to the ring for his contract signing. He ran into Del Rio’s artist. Edge took a brush and added a giant, evil, handlebar mustache to Del Rio’s portrait. Then he threw the brush down and when the painter bent over to pick it up, Edge booted him in the keister, sending the man to the floor. And he sold it like he was dead.

[Commercial Break]

- Teddy Long was in the ring to officiate the contract signing. The ring was adorned with Mexican flags, and Ricardo Rodriguez was allowed to introduce Del Rio. Del Rio got the mic and did his usual introduction, then welcomed fans to his Wrestlemania 27 contract signing ceremony. He said the only way to begin the ceremony is with the singing of the Mexican National Anthem. Rodriguez did the honors. He’s no Nikolai Volkoff. Edge’s theme music interrupted, and he came to the ring. Long asked if they could, for the first time on Smackdown, have a contract signing that didn’t end in chaos. The crowd loudly responded, “no!” The WM opponents sat across the table from each other, never taking their eyes off each other. “USA” chant from the crowd.

Edge warned Del Rio that he doesn’t know what it’s like to fight on the biggest stage in the world, whereas he’s 11-time World Champion. Del Rio said the contract represents the next chapter in WWE, one that represents his destiny. Edge said destiny can change in the blink of an eye. Just ask Drew McIntyre on that one. Del Rio called Edge a dog and signed the contract, saying it’s the beginning of the end for Edge. Edge took the pen and signed it himself. He handed it over to Teddy Long and Edge said he has Long’s answer for his request for a contract signing not ending in chaos. Edge stared at Del Rio and Long scampered out of the ring, knowing what was to come. The two men began brawling and Edge hit a DDT on Del Rio. Edge tossed around the stuff in the ring in order to set up for a spear. Rodriguez grabbed his foot to stop him and Del Rio splashed him. He unloaded with right hands on the champion and applied the cross arm-breaker. “He ain’t no chump, he’s for real!” said Booker of Del Rio. To the outside the ring they went, where he wrapped Edge’s arm behind his back, then pushed him into the barricade. Edge has a bloody nose from something. Rodriguez got Del Rio a chair, and Del Rio put the arm in the chair. Christian ran out to make the save and pummeled Del Rio inside and out of the ring. Del Rio tried to flee, but Christian caught him on the ramp and continued to attack. Referees finally came down to pull him off the WM challenger. Christian went back to check on Edge, who may have broken his nose. Christian’s music played as Rodriguez helped Del Rio up the ramp and the show faded out.


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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