WWE Smackdown Alt. Perspective review
April 29, 2011
Taped 4/26/11 in Greensboro, N.C.
Aired on Syfy
By Michael Cupach, PWTorch Contributor

[Q1]

-Smackdown opens with highlights of draft picks from Monday. The package focuses mainly on Alberto Del Rio being drafted to Raw and the ol’ switcheroo that was pulled with John Cena.

-Smackdown opens with new additions to Smackdown! There is also full pyro as Josh Mathews welcomes everyone to the new Smackdown. Michael Cole points out the vacant World Title hanging above the ring. Josh and Michael run down tonight's card, which will feature Big Show and Kane vs. The Corre in a tag title rematch and Rey Mysterio vs. Mark Henry.

-Randy Orton comes down to the ring wearing a blue Smackdown shirt as Michael Cole calls him the biggest draft pick in all Draft history. Did I say that Michael Cole said that? Because that sounds like something Tony Schiavone would say! The crowd chants Randy’s name as he stands in the ring with a microphone. He seems as touched as a viper can be. Randy then goes on to introduce himself and he even says “please” when he wants the crowd attention. What a well-mannered Viper. Randy goes on to say that he looks forward to the many challenges that Smackdown will bring him, but before he can tackle them he has unfinished business with C.M. Punk at Extreme Rules.

-Drew McIntyre interrupts Orton. He is wearing a red Raw shirt and says that while Randy may be Smackdown’s newest addition, Drew is moving onwards and upwards on Monday Night Raw. He says that because of that the people won’t get the opportunity to see him lock up with Randy Orton. Drew offers his hand to Randy to welcome him to Friday nights, but clocks him with the mic and attempts a Future Shock DDT but gets it reversed into a RKO.

-Randy gets back on the mic again but before he can say anything, Alex Riley cuts him off. Riley’s music sounds like generic NES music. In the time it took me to type that horrible NES reference, Randy Orton RKO’ed Alex Riley and sent him packing.

-Randy picks up the microphone again and this time Alberto Del Rio interrupts him. Del Rio introduces himself to the audience. Alberto goes on to say that Orton is making a great first impression on Smackdown, just like he did on his first Smackdown a few months ago. Del Rio also says that Smackdown was dealt a huge blow because Del Rio is going to Raw and he is bringing the World Title with him.

-Alberto Del Rio, Brodus Clay, and Ricardo Rodriguez surround Randy Orton and are ready to pounce, but Christian evens the odds. As Christian hits the ring, Teddy Long’s music plays and he says that while it is a new Smackdown, it is still his show and his rules. He makes tonight's main event Randy Orton and Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio and Brodus Clay.

[Q2]

(Commercial)

-This Monday, The Rock returns to Raw live in Miami for his birthday.

1 -- KOFI KINGSTON vs. SHEAMUS

So much for a brand split…Sheamus jumps Kingston before the match and throws him into the outside barricade a few times and into the stairs before rolling Kingston into the ring. Sheamus sizes up Kingston for the Brogue Kick and almost takes his head off with that kick. This was supposed to be Kofi’s last match on Smackdown, but Sheamus made sure that wasn’t to be.

WINNER: No contest.

-Still to come: Rey Mysterio’s last Smackdown match and it will be against Mark Henry.

(Commercial)

-WWE Smack of the Night – Jim Ross breaks his hand on Michael Cole’s face last Monday on Raw.

-Michael Cole is in the ring and he looks like hell. Shiner, fat lip, bruised jaw. Reminds me of the time I served supper cold to my girlfriend…nevermind, I don’t want to talk about that anymore…

[Q3]

-Michael Cole makes hog sounds and yes, I mean he literally making the same sounds that Henry O. Godwinn used to make. Cole introduces Jack Swagger to the ring and he comes out wearing his brand spanking new Raw shirt. Swagger does a few laps around the ring, then Sin Cara’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring.

2 - SIN CARA vs. JACK SWAGGER

Josh Mathews needs to make up his mind on what to call him: Sin Care-uh or Sin Car-uh. Pick one and stick to it. The lights are low with a red and blue motif as Jack Swagger powers Sin Cara into the corner and shows off his amateur background. Sin Cara kicks Swagger in the thigh then does a springboard corkscrew armdrag then walks into a big clothesline from Swagger as Michael Cole cheers him on from ringside. Jack whips Sin Cara into the far corner then back into the original corner and body slams him in the middle of the ring.

Swagger tries a running Vader Bomb and Sin Cara gets the knees up. Sin Cara with a cartwheel back elbow and a huracanrana to take control. Sin Cara with a Pele kick to Swagger’s head and he tries to go up top, but Swagger ducks his dive and eats a big boot from Swagger. Michael Cole slips a international object to Swagger and before he can use it Sin Cara victory rolls him for the quick three count!

WINNER: Sin Cara by pinfall in a little over 3:00

-Swagger tries cheap-shotting him with the object, but Sin Cara sidesteps him and sends Swagger to the floor and nails him with a springboard dive. Cole yells at Swagger to get his head in the game because they have a big match this Sunday.

-Kane and Big Show are shown walking backstage.

(Commercial)

-Kharma vignette is shown. It looks like she inherited Kaval’s color scheme.

3 -- WWE tag champions BIG SHOW & KANE vs. THE CORRE (HEATH SLATER AND JUSTIN GABRIEL) -- Tag Title match

Before the match starts, Corre argues and fights, like they have been the last few weeks.

[Q4]

Big Show, in his Raw shirt, starts the match against Heath Slater. Slater chops Show’s knee and tags in Justin. Gabriel shows his speed and agility by dropkicking Show down. Gabriel goes for a pin but Big Show shows off his power by pressing him out of the ring on the kickout.

(Commercial)

Back to action, Heath Slater single-arm DDTs Big Show and tries a pin, but Big Show powers out. Tag to Gabriel who comes off the top rope and gets caught in a goozle by Show but Justin reverses it into a DDT. Sleeper by Gabriel, Booker says he looks like a little monkey on the Big Shows back. Show fights back to his feet and he falls straight back. Ouch! Hot tag to Kane who manhandles Heath Slater. Big boot by Kane and a charging clothesline into the corner. Kane then sidewalk-slams Slater and gets a two count on the pin attempt. Kane calls for the chokeslam, Gabriel tries to save but he gets chokeslammed by Big Show as Kane chokeslams Slater to get the pin!

WINNERS: Big Show & Kane in 8:00.

-The Punjabi Playboy is backstage with his handler as they wish Rey good luck on Raw. Khali and Singh run into some guy named Jinder Mahal who they don't bother to introduce. Khali and Singh are just in awe of this guy.

(Commercial)

-I don’t know if you heard, but The Rock will be at Raw this Monday to celebrate the greatest birthday to ever be celebrated.

[Q5]

-Rey has a microphone and a red Raw shirt. He says that leaving Smackdown will be the hardest thing he has ever done. He says that winning The World Title last year was a highlight of his journey on Smackdown. Rey says that the last leg of his journey on Smackdown will happen this Sunday when he faces Cody Rhodes and when he wins they will all celebrate. Finally Rey says that no matter what show he is on he considers the fans a member of the 619.

-Mark Henry now has a mic and Cole says that Henry is out to make a statement. Mark says that it is a shame that his first match will be Rey’s last match.

4 -- REY MYSTERIO vs. MARK HENRY

Rey uses his speed to evade Henry to start but gets caught in a choke and Rey takes a powder to regroup. Rey takes a six count before getting back into the ring and he dropkicks Henry’s knees and boots Henry in the face as he tries charging Rey. Rey tries following up with some offense but runs right into the brick wall that is Mark Henry! Henry stands on Rey as the ref counts to four. Henry then pounds Rey to the mat then tosses him out of the ring and it looks like Rey rolled out of the impact and Henry follows him out the ring. Rey with some kicks to Henry but Mark whips Mysterio into the ring steps and tries a running knee, but Rey rolls out of the way and Henry goes flying over the steel stairs.

(Commercial)

Back on Smackdown, Rey has the upper hand as he kicks Henry in the corner then dropkicks him in the sternum. Rey goes to the top rope for a high-risk maneuver but Mark swipes him off. Rey is straddling the ropes and Mark Henry charges Rey and squishes him in the corner. The ref is checking on Rey as Henry goes for a nonchalant pin that only gets a two.

Henry plays with Rey, lightly kicking Rey in the face as he rolls around the mat. Mark Henry goes for an Earthquake butt splash, but Rey rolls out of the way and Henry’s butt is taking a pounding…

Rey goes up top and hits a sitting senton splash on Henry and sets him up for the 619 and connects with it. Henry is out on his feet and Rey is calling for the West Coast Pop, but Cody Rhodes comes out of nowhere and pulls Rey off the apron to cause a DQ.

WINNER: Mysterio via DQ in 9:00.

-Cody throws Rey over the barricade into the crowd and he tosses him all over the arena as Booker says that this is a preview of their falls count anywhere match this Sunday. Rhodes beats Rey down and then tosses him back into the ring where Mark Henry hits Rey with The World’s Strongest Slam. Cody comes into the ring and puts a brown paper bag over Rey’s head and stands over him defiantly.

[Q6]

-Still to come: Randy Orton and Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio and Brodus Clay

(Commercial)

-Last Friday, Michelle McCool jumped Layla during therapy, but Layla got her revenge Monday night but beating up Michelle.

5 -- MICHELLE MCCOOL vs. LAYLA

The women come down to the same music, nice touch. Both women catfight around the ring trading blows then roll out of the ring. Michelle whips Layla into the barricade and both Divas continue to brawl around ringside as the ref counts to ten.

WINNER: Double Count-out in 0:30.

-The refs restrain both gals as the crowd chants, “Let them fight.” Layla gets on the microphone and says that she is sick of McCool and she challenges her to a match at Extreme Rules – no count-out, no DQ, anything goes. Michelle says that she is sick of carrying Layla and she accepts the match under one condition – Loser Leaves WWE! Layla accepts.

(Commercial)

[Q7]

-Clips and “highlights” from the two-week European Tour are shown. The Superstars and Divas mention their favorite moments of the tour.

-Matt Striker is backstage with Christian, who talks about Del Rio using the word destiny a lot. He said that six months ago it was destiny that had his pectoral muscle get torn. Everyday he was out he looked in the mirror and asked himself what he was doing with his career. Fast-forward to today and his best friend can no longer wrestle and has to vacate the World Title. Now Christian is in a title match and he has to wonder if it is his destiny to become the World Heavyweight Champion?

-Cole, Mathews, and Booker run down the card for Extreme Rules this Sunday. Cole claims to be the innovator of the Country Strap Match. I thought that was funny…

-Brodus Clay is in the ring with Ricardo Rodriguez, who introduces Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio is driving a beautiful Ferrari that has one sissy-sounding horn. Del Rio is sporting a Raw t-shirt and a scarf. I find it amusing that come Bragging Rights every wrestler is all about the brand they are on and will fight to the death defending the brand. But, come draft time that same Superstar that risked life and limb for Raw gets drafted to Smackdown and all of a sudden they are all about Smackdown. My point is that they have zero loyalty to the brand they were on, making "brand loyalty" a completely inept, inane, and lame concept.

(Commercial)

6 -- RANDY ORTON & CHRISTIAN vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO & BRODUS CLAY

The announcers are really playing up the possibility of Del Rio taking the World Title to Raw if he wins Sunday. Christian and Del Rio start the match, scratch that, Del Rio makes a tag to Clay who knocks Christian down then stands on his chest. Clay lets Christian to his feet and Christian gets Clay in a waistlock and Clay backs into the corner, squishing Christian. Brodus Clay pounds Christian down and tags in Alberto who kicks Christian in the skull.

[Q8]

Del Rio whips Christian into the ropes then charges in the knees Christian in the arm. Alberto Del Rio then locks Christian in an armbar that he fights out of and Christian makes a tag to Randy Orton. Orton clotheslines Del Rio and drops a calculating knee to the forehead of Alberto Del Rio. Orton goes for a pin but only gets a two. Del Rio is quick to his feet and he kicks Randy in the thigh then single-arm DDTs Orton and makes a tag to Brodus Clay.

(Commercial)

Body slam by Brodus Clay. Clay puts an armbar on Orton and tags in Del Rio. Del Rio with a stiff kick to the back of the head and tries a pinfall but no avail. Chinlock by Del Rio turns into a sleeper and Orton tries to tag Christian but is inches away as Alberto pulls him back to the center of the ring. Orton fights his way out and side suplexes Alberto. Both men tag out and Christian tries taking Clay off his feet with some clotheslines. Christian goes to the second rope and takes the big guy down with a dropkick. Christian goes up top again and tries a cross-body, but Clay caught him in mid-air and gives him a fall away slam. Pin attempt gets a two and Del Rio cheap-shots Christian while the referee was distracted by Brodus.

Del Rio gets tagged in and works over Christian's arm, setting him up for the cross armbreaker. Alberto throws Christian into the turnbuckle arm first and Del Rio tries charging in and Christian backdrops him to the floor. Christian is out in the ring for a few seconds before he tries tagging in Orton, but Alberto scoots into the ring and tags Brodus Clay who prevents Christian from tagging out.

Brodus Clay backbreakers Christian then stretches his back across his knee. Body slam but Clay and he makes the tag to Alberto Del Rio who goes up top and senton splashes Christian for a two count. Booker T says that both men are leaving it all in the ring tonight, not worried about Extreme Rules as Del Rio sizes up Christian and nails him with a running boot to the ribs. Alberto to the second turnbuckle but gets distracted by Randy Orton and this gives Christian the chance to Frankensteiner Del Rio off the second rope.

Hot tag to Orton, who cleans house of Del Rio, big power slam on Alberto followed by an Angle Slam. Hangman’s DDT by Orton and he knocks Brodus off the apron, Orton calls for the RKO and Del Rio shoves him off into the ropes. Brodus Clay trips Orton and gets tagged in by Del Rio and Clay walks right into a RKO and that is enough to get the victory.

WINNERS: Orton & Christian by pinfall in 15:00.

Mike’s Reax: Smackdown wrestlers went over in every match against Raw wrestler, which is fine, I guess. I like the new line-up on Smackdown - everything seems fresh and the potential match-ups have me interested. I was a little disappointed to not see Daniel Bryan, though, as he is the guy I am most excited about seeing on Friday nights. All in all, I think this was a decent lead-in show for Extreme Rules, but not much was done to set up matches for the new additions to Smackdown with other Smackdown stars. That was to be expected, though, as the focus of the show should have been on Sunday’s PPV. I’m looking forward to what happens next week and I’m looking forward to seeing how guys will be matched up.

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