WWE Smackdown review
April 6, 2012
Taped 4/3/12 in Orlando, Fla.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- Tonight, thanks to Wrestlemania XVIII, the Laurinaitis Era begins on Smackdown.

- David Otunga walked out onto the stage, wearing some sort of cape/loose jacket combo. Otunga introduced Laurinaitis, who now has theme music that certainly makes him sound like a big deal. Laurinaitis and Otunga walked to the ring. Laurinaitis talked of the attributes he’ll bring to Smackdown, then said “hi” to Booker, who was at the commentary table. Laurinaitis said the new era will be “people power.” He said he hoped Teddy Long will be classy in facing his exit. Laurinaitis asked Long to come out so he could thank him for his years of service to Smackdown. Long walked out to this theme music and a “Teddy” chant before his music even finished. Wow.

Long interrupted Laurinaitis and said being out of a job gives him certain freedoms. For one, it allows him to tell Laurinaitis to “go to Hell.” Long said what’s done is done and he’s living with the results. People told him he’d be crazy to show up tonight and even crazier to come to the ring. Long said he couldn’t just walk away from Smackdown, the greatest job in his life, without thanking the people who made it happen: The WWE Universe. He said he hoped they’ve had as much fun watching the show as he’s had as General Manager. Long said until they meet again, he asked for a “holla, holla, holla.” They obliged and he began to walk out, but Laurinaitis was not finished.

Laurinaitis said Long interrupted him and didn’t let him finish. He asked Long to take a job in his new administration. Teddy said he did need a job…but not working for Laurinaitis. HE told him to take his job and shove it. Laurinaitis said Long needs to think about his grandchildren, and their college education. Otunga explained that several years ago, the WWE Board established a college fun for Long’s grandchildren. But in the contract, the fund is at the mercy of whoever is the Smackdown General Manager. Off-mic, Long told them not to mess with his family. Laurinaitis said if Long takes the job, he’ll look after the fund. And his word is golden. He stuck out his hand and Long went to shake it, but Laurinaitis pulled it back. He said there was one more thing: Long has to tell everyone Laurinaitis is better than him. Long mumbled it on the mic, but Laurinaitis made him say it louder, so he did. Laurinaitis said that was the best decision Long has ever made and told him to go work on his job. He didn’t specify what Long’s job was, even when asked, but said there was a lot he needed done. That was strange wording. As Long walked to the back, Laurinaitis talked about the matches for tonight, including Kane vs. Randy Orton in a Wrestlemania re-match, no-DQ. And from Team Teddy, R-Truth vs. Team Johnny’s David Otunga…and Mark Henry, in a handicap match. “Because that’s what you want!” Laurinaitis shouted. Mark Henry walked out for the opening match as the announcers reacted on-camera to the first segment.

[Commercial Break]

- Like on Raw, it looks like we’re going to get random Wrestlemania stills out of break. This time, we had Brodus Clay, Flo Rida, and Triple H among those shown.

1 – DAVID OTUNGA & MARK HENRY vs. R-TRUTH – HANDICAP MATCH

Michael Cole said he heard Booker has been summoned to Connecticut for a closed-door meeting with WWE brass, hinting that it’s part of his punishment for being on Team Teddy at Wrestlemania. Quick cover on Otunga for a near-fall. Lie Detector knocked Otunga over for another two-count. Otunga retreated to his corner and tagged Henry. Truth ran into a big boot from Henry and Henry got his foot a lot higher than I expected. They showed “AW” Abraham Washington being shown watching on a monitor backstage. Before long, Henry had Truth up for the World’s Strongest Slam and delivered. Otunga asked for a tag saying, “I can get him now.” Henry tagged Otunga but said he owes him. Otunga covered for the win.

WINNERS: Henry and Otunga, at 2:03. I wonder if this hints at a possible face turn for Henry. Match was just a way to get heat on Otunga.

Before anyone could exit the ring, Kane’s fire went off at the entrance and his music began to play. He walked out as apparently his match is next. The way they set things up here, I figured Kane would be interacting with one of the guys in the ring.

[Commercial Break]

- This Tuesday on a Live Smackdown, it’s a blast from the past, with names such as Dusty Rhodes, Jim Duggan, Ted DiBiase, Pat Patterson, Howard Finkel, Tony Atlas, Mick Foley and others.

2 – KANE vs. RANDY ORTON – NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH

The two went toe-to-toe to begin the match, then Orton was clotheslined over the top rope and to ringside. They continued brawling there, with Orton being sent into the announce table. Orton one-upped Kane, sending his opponent into and over the desk. Kane halted Orton’s momentum and sent him face-first into the ring stairs. Uppercut by Kane to Orton. The men headed up the aisle and t to the ramp. Orton and Kane exchanged rights and they proceeded to the side of the ramp. Kane lifted Orton onto the stage, but Orton fought back. Kane teetered on the edge of the stage, but caught Orton in a choke. It appeared he was going to chokeslam Orton off the stage, but couldn’t do so. Orton went for an RKO but was shoved off, almost off the stage. He managed to keep his balance, but Kane sent him face-first into the steel. Both men were trying to restore their bearings as they went to break at 3:35.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 7:05 of the match with Kane still in control and both men back in the ring. Kane removed the turnbuckle pad from the corner. Orton stopped Kane from driving him head-first into the exposed steel, but he couldn’t capitalize. A near-fall was registered by the Big Red Machine at 8:28. Kane climbed to the top rope, but Orton crotched him. Orton tried to clotheslines, but Kane didn’t budge. A dropkick took him off his feet. Powerslam followed. Kane rolled to the apron where Orton set up for the DDT. Kane avoided it and brought Orton down throat-first across the top rope. Outside the ring, Orton was again able to gain the advantage, whipping Kane into the barricade then clotheslining his foe over it. A series of counters led to Kane landing a big boot right to the kisser of Orton. Kane tossed a chair into the ring and rummaged under the ring for another chair. Actually, several. Orton was tossed into the ring, but he recovered enough to nail Kane with the edge of the chair a few times. Rope-assisted DDT followed, onto a chair, at 12:05. Orton was shook up upon impact too and was slow to go for the cover. He only got a one-count. Kane avoided the RKO and brought a chair down across Orton’s back. Cover got two at 13:06. Orton slipped out the back on a chokeslam and shoved Kane into the exposed steel corner. RKO, pinfall.

WINNER: Orton, at 13:52. Wrestling rule #152: If the turnbuckle pad is taken off and isn’t utilized immediately, it will invariably come into play later and almost always lead to the finish.

They replayed several key moments in the match. Orton was then shown posing on the top rope.

- Tonight, we’ll see clips of what happened between John Cena and Brock Lesnar on Raw.

- Up next, new World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus. This should be interesting.

[Commercial Break]

- The exterior of the Amway Center in Orlando was shown.

- We got stills of Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan from Wrestlemania. The announcers talked about it on-camera, then Josh Mathews threw it to footage of Alberto Del Rio interrupting Sheamus on Raw. As a result of what happened there, Alberto Del Rio will face Sheamus tonight.

- Lilian Garcia introduced a jobber, Barry Stevens. He got the mic and began talking, but a bunch of lower card guys were making fun of him backstage while watching the monitor. Stevens looks like a more tattooed, smaller Bad News Brown. He said he heard Orlando was the happiest place on earth, but everyone seems miserable.

3 – BARRY STEVENS vs. RYBACK

Oh, apparently the folks watching backstage (The Usos, Kaitlyn, among others) were buzzing about the Ryback debut. Ryback is, of course, the former Skip Sheffield. They showed them backstage again, and Alicia Fox, Camacho, and Hunico were also there. Powerslam by Ryback, who was acknowledged as having been on NXT. Muscle Buster-like slam by Ryback put Stevens away easily.

WINNER: Ryback, at 1:09. Impressive squash from Ryback.

- Daniel Bryan was walking backstage. He wasn’t looking happy. AJ followed him and Mathews said he’ll address his title loss next.

[Commercial Break]

- More Wrestlemania stills, including fan reactions and celebrities on hand.

- Daniel Bryan came out. Lots of “yes” chants. Bryan said if there’s one positive to come out of this week, it’s that it gave him time to think. Everything was going so right, but it turned wrong. Bryan said things went off the tracks. He stopped mid-speech and put his head down. AJ said Bryan is a great wrestler. Boos for that. Even more for her telling him he’s a “great person.” She said she isn’t the only one who thinks that. “Yes” chants. She reminded him of Wrestlemania, all the people who had “yes” signs in the crowd, and those on Raw who were chanting for him when he wasn’t even in the ring. That brought out “Daniel Bryan” chants. She said they’re all here to support him. Bryan took the mic and said, “support me? These people are supporting me?” “Yes” chants to confirm. Bryan said it feels like they’re mocking him. He said if they were supporting him, they wouldn’t have chanted “yes” for The Rock. He said even if the fans mean it, the “yes” chants from the “sheep” doesn’t make it better that AJ cost him the match.

He began to yell at her as he described what he did to win the title and hold onto it. “In 18 seconds at Wrestlemania, it was all flushed down the toilet!” he screamed. He said it’s all because AJ just had to have that kiss. Sounded like an “18 seconds” chant. He said AJ told him that kiss is a good-luck charm, but it was the kiss of death. He interrupted AJ’s pleadings and said she doesn’t get to rewrite the story: It’s her fault. Bryan said AJ ruined the dream Bryan has had since he’s been a kid. He called her selfish and clingy, saying it cost him what should’ve been the greatest night of his life. Bryan said he’d never let AJ ruin his life like that ever again. AJ was almost in tears as Bryan said he has a rematch clause with Sheamus and when he gets it, he’s going to do it by himself. He told AJ to go sit in her gas-guzzling SUV and cry into her cheeseburgers that she loves so much. He told her he’s happy to get rid of her dead weight. AJ wanted to talk backstage but Bryan said it won’t happen. He said the kiss at Wrestlemania is the last kiss she’ll ever get from him. “We are through,” he said. “Now get out of my ring.” AJ again tried to talk to him, but Bryan yelled, “I said get out!” right in her face. He turned his back on her as she stared at him. I haven’t read the spoilers but it sounds like some piped-in boos here. I'm sure Bryan got cheered more than it came across on TV. A few “hey hey goodbye” chants. AJ finally left as the camera had a close-up on Bryan, his back still turned. Great performance by Bryan here, and AJ did a good job too. I wonder if they sped up the AJ/Bryan break-up in an effort to get heel heat back on Bryan.

[Commercial Break]

- Mathews thanked Metallica for “The Memory Remains,” one of the theme songs to Wrestlemania.

- Still photos of the End of an Era match were shown.

- Cody Rhodes joined the announcers at ringside for the next match. Rhodes was less-than-appreciative of Mathews reminding him that Wrestlemania also ended his Intercontinental Championship reign.

4 – THE BIG SHOW vs. HEATH SLATER

Big Show again showed the video he showed on Raw, a send-up of the videos Cody used to get under Show’s skin. Show pounded Slater with body shots then a headbutt. Hard chop to the chest by Show. Another hard chop, then Show just ran through Slater as both men came off the ropes. Chokeslam ended things.

WINNER: Show, at 1:14. I figured the way things went on Raw, with Show and the video of Rhodes, would’ve been a great way to end this feud. But I guess it isn’t over.

Rhodes approached the ring and wanted to enter, but Show approached him and wouldn’t allow him in. Show then gave Slater a knock-out punch and Rhodes took that opportunity to come into the ring…but Show turned around just in time to see him and Rhodes scampered away. I hope Laurinaitis fines Show for the post-match WMD. There was no reason for that and the announcers just let it slide.

- They showed Chris Jericho pouring alcohol onto CM Punk from Raw, then breaking the bottle over his head. The announcers said Punk suffered contusions to the back of his skull after that and could be going through some psychological damage.

- The Bellas fawned over Laurinaitis backstage. Except Nikki, who didn’t seem impressed. Sheamus walked in and as he did, Laurinaitis told Nikki to get ready for her match with Beth Phoenix – Brie has the night off. Nikki wasn’t happy with that. Sheamus asked Laurinaitis what “people power” even means, but Laurinaitis side-stepped it and said he wasn’t happy with Sheamus kicking Bryan’s head off at Mania when he wasn’t ready, and doing the same thing to ADR on Raw. Laurinaitis said he has instructed the referee to bring Sheamus and ADR face-to-face before the match. Sheamus said he’ll only kick the head off of people who deserve it. He told a parable of his cousin and it was comparable to Laurinaitis’ situation; and it did not end well for the cousin of Sheamus.

[Commercial Break]

- Wrestlemania stills, with “Good Feeling” playing over the images.

5 – “THE GLAMAZON” BETH PHOENIX vs. NIKKI BELLA

After Nikki came to the ring, Kelly Kelly’s music played and she walked out. Beth grabbed Nikki by the arm and pulled her in for a clothesline. She showed no mercy toward Nikki, choking her with her knee near the ropes. Beth kept an eye on Kelly, who stood in the aisle. More hammering away on Nikki in the corner by Beth. Beth tried to grab at Kelly, who made her way to ringside. Beth missed a charge and went shoulder-first into the ring post. Face-buster by Nikki for the win.

WINNER: Nikki Bell, at 1:01. Looks like we’re setting up for another round of Beth vs. Kelly.

- Next, we’ll see John Cena get surprised by Brock Lesnar.

- A video paid homage to the memory of “Chief” Jay Strongbow, who passed away earlier in the week. Very nice tribute.

[Commercial Break]

- In a pre-tape, FCW wrestler Damien Sandow cut a promo against a black background. He quoted Marshall McLuhan in deriding today’s emphasis on pop culture. Sandow said how people entertain themselves is a reflection of their moral code. Sandow said he wouldn’t blame fans for their ignorance, but he’d instead save them. “You’re welcome,” he said to end things.

- Ringside, Cole said it sounded like Sandow was talking to Booker T. Mathews said that promo will create buzz, but what happened on Raw created a frenzy. He said in the Wrestlemania aftermath that took place Monday night, no one was more shocked than John Cena.

- The Raw Rebound aired. It focused on Cena’s promo and Lesnar’s return. Cole then plugged the social media score of Raw and said there were 4,000 Tweets per minute during that last segment.

- This week on Raw, the Three Stooges (from the upcoming movie) guest star.

- Alberto Del Rio came out in one of his trademark expensive rides. Ricardo Rodriguez introduced him. Some kid had an “Alberto Del Stinko” sign, which reminds me of “Stinko Malenko,” Chris Jericho’s nickname for Dean Malenko in WCW. ADR’s match with Sheamus is next.

[Commercial Break]

6 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. SHEAMUS

Some quick exchanges early and Sheamus went to the top. His shoulder tackle didn’t connect but he rolled through and hit Del Rio with a forward roll with Del Rio on his shoulders. Del Rio was able to create separation and brought the arm of Sheamus down across the top rope. Back in the ring, Del Rio continued working over the arm of Sheamus. Sheamus missed a Brogue Kick and Del Rio rolled to ringside to regroup with Rodriguez at 2:48.

[Commercial Break]

Back to action at 6:42. Sheamus nailed Del Rio with a shoulder tackle, propelling himself over the top rope to do so. Sheamus brought his forearms down hard across the chest of Del Rio. Del Rio held onto the ropes when Sheamus tried to bring him toward the middle of the ring, then low-bridged Sehamus on a charge. When Sheamus got onto the apron, Del Rio gave him an enziguiri to send Sheamus back to ringside. Del Rio tossed Sheamus into the ring steps. Back in the ring, a lateral press by Del Rio got only one. Del Rio continued to punish the arm of his opponent. Del Rio got caught charging at Sheamus, and he paid with a back-breaker. Both men were down at 10:11 of the match. Sheamus made his comeback and powerslammed Del Rio. Rodriguez distracted Sheamus by standing on the bottom rope, so Sheamus kicked the rope and Rodriguez flew into the ring. A chair was brought in by Del Rio and Sheamus picked it up. The ref turned around from getting Rodriguez out of the ring in time to see Sheamus with the chair. Del Rio sold that Sheamus hit him with it and the ref DQ’d Sheamus.

WINNER: Del Rio, via DQ, at 11:31. I don’t like how they vacillate between “if the ref didn’t see it, it didn’t happen” and what we just saw.

After the match, Rodriguez happily proclaimed Del Rio the winner. Sheamus Brogue Kicked the referee in anger. Sheamus seethed as he started at Del Rio and Rodriguez, who were in the aisle, as the show went off the air.


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. Follow him on Twitter @gregmparks for live Tweeting during Raw, Impact, and PPVs, as well as other bits of wisdom. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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