WWE Smackdown review
March 2, 2012
Taped 2/28/12 in Seattle, Wash.
Aired on Syfy
By Michael Cupach, PWTorch Contributor

-WWE open.

-Smackdown opens with the clip of Daniel Bryan clocking Randy Orton in the back of the head with his title belt a few weeks ago. Since then, Orton has been out with a concussion. Tonight, Orton returns and he is facing Daniel Bryan in the main event.

-Smackdown Open, followed by full pyro and Josh Mathews welcoming everyone to Smackdown, only 30 days away from WrestleMania.

-Sheamus is out for the opening segment interview first. Lillian Garcia announces him as the 2012 Royal Rumble winner and Booker T says that Sheamus is always in his “fave five.” Sheamus starts out by saying that since he won the Rumble match, all he can think about is WrestleMania and the millions of people in the WWE Universe who will watch him in the main event against Daniel Bryan. Sheamus thinks that since Bryan became champion, Bryan has become conceited and obsessed, and he reminds him of someone who won his first title, himself. He said he thought he was the king and A-number 1 and he had such an ego. Sheamus goes on to say that he became what he despised - a bully. He needed someone to knock his block off and reshow him who he was and Sheamus will be glad to do that for Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania and become World Heavyweight Champion in the process.

Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler interrupt and Vickie thought it was a nice little story he told, in fact her favorite part was when he stopped talking. The crowd is so loud, booing over Vickie. Dolph grabs the microphone and says that what the people really want to see is the show-off and the greatest sports entertainer in the world wrestle in the main event. Dolph then makes a lame joke about Sheamus’s hair and Sheamus in turn makes a lamer joke about Vickie being Dolph’s grandma. Vickie says that she is experienced, not old. Somehow this all turns into a debate about who would be a better General Manager, John Laurinaitis or Teddy Long.

Teddy makes his obligatory appearance and makes a match for tonight featuring Sheamus vs. Dolph, and the match is right now! Well, after the commercial break.

(Commercial)

1 - SHEAMUS vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero)

The match is joined in progress when Smackdown returns. Ziggler ducks and dives away from Sheamus, but not for long as Sheamus catches him in a headlock. Michael Cole plugs John L. taking over as G.M. next week on Smackdown and Dolph nails Sheamus in the face with a dropkick and he shows off a little bit.

Dolph goes for a dropkick, but Sheamus puts on the brakes and Dolph comes up short. Irish Hammer from Sheamus and Dolph tries crawling away, but Sheamus catches him on the apron, ties him up in the ropes, and pounds away at Dolph ten times. Sheamus pulls Ziggler back in the ring for a two count. Vickie is yelling and screaming at Sheamus, so Sheamus launches Ziggler out of the ring towards Vickie. Sheamus goes out to haul Ziggler back in and he catches a boot to the face from Ziggler when he tries to get back in the ring.

Neckbreaker by Dolph and he follows up by stomping away at Sheamus in the corner. Ziggler drops a few elbows on Sheamus and gets a two count on a pin attempt, then puts Sheamus in a headlock. The announcers also are pointing out what a loss could do for Sheamus’s momentum going into WrestleMania. Sheamus escapes the headlock and takes Ziggler down with multiple Irish Hammers and a big powerslam. Sheamus pulls Ziggler up and Ziggler, who was playing possum, locks the sleeperhold on Sheamus, Sheamus backs him into the turnbuckle to counter the hold, then he dumps Ziggler to the outside to catch his breath.

Back in the ring, Sheamus connects with an Irish Curse and Vickie breaks up the three count by putting Dolph's foot on the rope. Sheamus calls for the Celtic Cross, but Ziggler rolls through it and rolls up Sheamus for a two count. Sheamus then catches Ziggler and powerslams him for a two count. Sheamus is calling for the Brogue Kick and Jack Swagger tries to interfere and he eats the Brogue Kick, which gives Ziggler the chance to hit Sheamus with the Zig-Zag for a long two count! The crowd went nuts for that kick-out. Ziggler goes to the well again and Sheamus powers Ziggler into his new finisher, which he is calling “White Noise” for the win.

WINNER: Sheamus by pinfall in 8:00.

Mike's Reax: Very good match from these two. It looks to me like they have good chemistry, but the match was all about Sheamus and giving him more momentum going into WrestleMania.

-At the announce table, they make the announcement that next week John Laurinaitis and Teddy Long will switch places as GM. They throw to a clip of last week's main event, which was apparently the catalyst for the decision from the Board. Then, the same thing happened on Raw last week in a re-match between Punk and Bryan to put things over the top.

-Backstage, Teddy is on his phone telling Aksana how he can’t wait for Monday and his chance to shine. He walks into his office and John Laurinaitis and David Otunga are there. John says that he is the bigger man and he is there for an apology. He gives Teddy a story about having to go the hospital after Raw when Teddy shoved him down. Long isn’t intimidated by Otunga, who says that he is considering a civil lawsuit, but he won’t apologize. But men trade quips about being the better G.M. Teddy then makes a match tonight between Otunga and Khali.

-Still to come: a re-match from last week between Mark Henry and Big Show!

(Commercial)

2 - SANTINO MARELLA vs. HEATH SLATER

No entrance for Heath, as he gets the jobber treatment this week. Slater tries jumping Santino from the back, but Santino does the splits and unleashes some fury on Slater. Hip toss from Marella and he misses his flying chop move as Heath gets his knees up. Slater stomps away at Marella and tries choking him with his boot. The crowd starts chanting for Santino to get him back into the groove, but Slater cuts his comeback short with a clothesline. While this is going on, Booker T calls Smackdown the number show on all of cable TV with all the gusto and bravado of a young Tony Schiavone. Slater gets caught up on the ropes after trying a high-risk move and Santino catches him with the Cobra for the win.

WINNER: Santino Marella by pinfall in 2:00.

-Tonight, The Viper returns and he gets his hands on the guy who put him on the shelf, Daniel Bryan.

(Commercial)

-The video package of Triple H and Undertaker from last Monday's Raw is shown in its entirety.

Mike's Reax:I like these videos, but they have done the same gimmick the last three years and it is a subtle reminder to anyone paying attention that it's a way to get both men on the show without actually appearing, and that neither man will wrestle before the event, so this is the best they can offer. It is a good video, though. Too bad they don’t try this with other high-profile matches.

-Meanwhile, Eve is gussying herself up backstage when Natalya sidles up beside her and she wants to talk about how what Eve is doing to Zack isn’t cool. Eve says that at least she is being honest and, to be honest, Zack stinks. Nattie then lets one rip and lets loose with the punch line of “No, that stinks." I smell Emmy after that performance.

(Commercial)

3 - EVE vs. NATALYA

Hoeski chant to start things off. Both women work a wristlock, headlock sequence to start. Cole says that Nattie needs to see a stomach doctor. Both women trip each other up, then nip up at the same time. Nattie viciously goes for Eve and the ref breaks it up. Eve kicks Natalya stiffly in the gut and puts her in a chokeslam as the crowd chants for Ryder. Nattie reverses out and Eve rolls her up for a quick three count.

WINNER: Eve in 1:30 by pinfall.

-Up next: Henry vs. Show

(Commercial)

-Cody Rhodes is out and he has had some beef with Big Show for the last few weeks. Cody says that last week he profiled Big Show's embarrassing loss to Akebono at WrestleMania 21 and last Monday he showed his loss to Floyd Mayweather at WrestleMania 24. Cody says that Big Show put him on a “you know what” list and he thinks that it is a thank you list. Why? Because, thanks to Cody, he can’t embarrass himself this year at WrestleMania because he cost him his chance at the World Title this year! He then says that Big Show isn’t the master of the chokeslam; he is the master of choking. Cody gets ready to throw to a clip of another WrestleMania loss, but Big Show comes out to interrupt.

Big Show is all smiles, which has everyone confused. Show gets in the ring and Cody high-tails it out of the arena, running through the crowd. Show asks him where he's going and wonders why he is running. Show says he wants to watch his next video segment, but Rhodes refuses to come back. Big Show says that if Cody won’t come back, he will go get him.

Teddy Long makes his way out and intervenes. He says that he can’t burst into the audience and have fans and chairs go flying. Long then says that what they talked about is a done deal and that at WrestleMania it will be Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes for the Intercontinental Title! He then lets Big Show know that his match with Mark Henry is next, so he shouldn’t go too far chasing Cody Rhodes.

4 - BIG SHOW vs. MARK HENRY

Both men trade rights and lefts to start until Henry clotheslines Show over the top rope and goes out after him. Headbutt by Henry and then he whips Big Show through a barricade. Henry rolls back into the ring and tells the ref to start counting. Show struggles to his feet and barely manages his way back to the ring. Henry doesn’t let him back in the ring and bounces Shows face off the exposed steel of the turnbuckle and he goes back outside the ring as Smackdown takes a break.

(Commercial)

Henry is in control when Smackdown returns. Cody Rhodes in on commentary and it doesn’t take long for him to start bickering with Booker. Outside the ring Henry has the steel steps and he tries throwing them at Big Shows face, Show ducks at the last second. Back in the ring, Henry continues the methodical attack on the Big Show. Big splash in the corner by Henry. Henry then Vader Bombs Big Show and only gets a two count.

Henry tries a big splash again, but Show gets his foot up and he follows up with a spear, but Big Show can’t cover him. Big Show calls for the chokeslam, but Henry fights out and delivers the World's Strongest Slam for a two count! Henry tries another splash, but runs into a Weapon of Mass Destruction. Show is slow to pin him, selling the injured ribs, but he manages to turn him over and get the win.

WINNER: Big Show by pinfall in 8:30

Mike’s Reax: Hey, it’s the old Mark Henry. He’s back! How have you been buddy? It’s been about nine months since I last saw your gatekeeper ass. Seriously, Henry has lost regularly over the last month or so and having Show kick out of his finisher in a mid-card match on a episode of Smackdown has to be the final nail in the coffin for any kind of main event run. How sad.

-Backstage, Drew McIntyre runs into Teddy Long who says that tonight is do or die - if Drew loses, he is fired.

-The announcers throw to another replay of Daniel Bryan giving Orton a concussion last month on Raw.

-Backstage, Matt Striker is with Randy Orton. He asks Orton how he is feeling. Orton says that he was bad for a while, but he is back to normal, which for him is angry. He says that Bryan cost him his chance to compete for the title at WrestleMania and he doesn’t understand the price he is going to have to pay. Tonight, he collects!

(Commercial)

5 - DREW MCINTYRE vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL

I want to ask Drew, “Why so Serious?” He looks glum. Drew walks into a right from Gabriel, but quickly counters a kick with a clothesline for a two count. Gabriel counters a backdrop and Drew ducks a spin wheel kick and kicks Justin squarely in the jaw. Drew shows some frustration and aggression with Justin in the corner as the ref tries breaking it up with a five count. Drew breaks and Justin nails him with a Tornado DDT. He goes to the top rope and he puts Drew away with a 450 splash!

WINNER: Justin Gabriel by pinfall in 2:00.

Mike's Reax: Where is this going with Drew? I guess he is fired for a week because the announcers keep plugging Laurinaitis being on the show next week and that could be how he gets written back on the show, but why bother if he is just an enhancement talent at this point?

-Teddy appears on the big screen to let Drew go. The camera is staying with Drew as if this were Shawn Michaels being forced to retire two years ago.

-Trailer for Edge’s new movie “Bending The Rules.” This looks out there.

(Commercial)

-Raw Rebound featuring The Rock and John Cena and the dueling promos they cut last Monday. It wasn’t shown in its entirety. I bet next time The Rock puts notes on his arm, he puts a giant scratch WWF logo on the middle of the notes, so it gets censored and becomes a non-issue on TV.

-Backstage, Matt Striker is with Daniel Bryan, who is smiling. A.J. is also there. Matt asks if he has any apprehension about facing Orton tonight. Bryan says he has no butterflies and will take him on later. But, he wants to discuss Sheamus, because Sheamus says that he changed and it isn’t true because he is still the guy from Aberdeen, Washington (cheap pop from the Seattle crowd), he still a Vegan, he is still a role model to millions, he is still the same guy who beat Big Show and Mark Henry in a steel cage, and is still the same guy who won the Elimination Chamber last month! Finally, he says that he is still the same guy who will still be champion after defying the odds again at WrestleMania!

-Orton makes his way to the ring for the main event!

(Commercial)

6 - World Heavyweight champion DANIEL BRYAN (w/A.J.) vs. RANDY ORTON - non-title match

Booker is calling A.J. a house rat. Does that complete her heel turn or is Booker off his rocker tonight? Orton charges Bryan to start and whips him into the turnbuckle, Orton then whips him out of the ring. Orton tosses Bryan from one barricade to the other, then sets Bryans head up on the steel stairs and stomps on it. Back in the ring, Orton gives him some lefts and rights until the ref stops him. Orton sets Daniel up on the middle turnbuckle and Bryan blocks the superplex and shoves Orton to the mat. Orton slinks into the far turnbuckle and Daniel Bryan sizes him up for a running dropkick. Single arm DDT by Bryan gets a two count as Smackdown takes a break.

(Commercial)

Back on Smackdown, Bryan is working Orton’s arm on the middle rope, getting Orton prepped for the LeBell Lock. Armbreaker over the shoulder by Bryan as Booker declares that he will no longer call Daniel Bryan “D-Bryan” and from now on he is just “Daniel.” Kicks from Bryan in the corner, but Orton starts to comeback with some lefts and rights, but Bryan kicks him in the bad arm. Bryan charges Orton and Orton tries dropping him over the top rope, but Bryan counters and hangs Orton up on the top rope.

Missile dropkick from Bryan gets countered and Orton catches him in mid-air with a dropkick of his own for a two count. Hanging DDT by Orton on Bryan and Orton is staring daggers at A.J., he then calls for the RKO, but Bryan tries putting on the LeBell Lock, Orton shoves him off and Bryan tries catching a breather on the outside. Orton catches him before he can leave and sets him up for a DDT and Kane’s pyro goes off. Bryan sneaks back in the ring and he makes the ten count, for the win.

WINNER: Daniel Bryan via countout in 9:00.

-Post-match, Orton goes for Kane and they trade lefts and rights as Bryan grabs his title and A.J., then exits stage right. Both men brawl around the ring and end up in front of the announcers. They tease a table spot, but both men roll into the ring and Kane rams Randy injured shoulder-first into the steel post. Kane chokeslams him and calls for a microphone.

Kane welcomes Randy back and puts the microphone on Randy's chest as Laurinaitis and Otunga watch on a monitor backstage. John is impressed by the destruction Kane causes and teases that next week, when he is in charge, that he will have Teddy Long's girlfriend take on Kane. Otunga shakes his head in approval as Smackdown fades out.

Thanks for reading, please follow me on Twitter @MJCupach as I tweet during Raw and WWE PPVs!

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