WWE Smackdown review
April 10, 2012
Hampton, Va.
Aired live on Syfy, replayed 4/13
By Michael Cupach, PWTorch contributor

[Q1]

-WWE open.

-Voice-over guy starts the show hyping Super Smackdown’s "Blast From the Past" themed episode. Gene Okerlund takes over and runs down the stars that will be appearing tonight – Dusty Rhodes, Jim Duggan, Ted DiBiase, Sr., Mick Foley, Mean Gene, and Roddy Piper!

-Smackdown open music video followed by full pyro. Josh Mathews welcomes everyone to Super Smackdown Live! Josh then throws to a clip of Daniel Bryan breaking up with A.J. and then he announces that Daniel Bryan will be the guest during Piper’s Pit tonight!

-Lillian Garcia welcomes “Mean” Gene Okerlund. Gene introduces his guest, Sheamus. He comes out and to the ring and higs Gene, who hands him the mic. Sheamus talks up Gene, then kind of shoos him from the ring. He starts off by talking about honor and what the code of honor is you have to follow when you are the champion. Sheamus says that the referee last week made a bad call and he let his emotions take over. So, Sheamus decides to be the better man and publicly apologize to referee Chad Patton and the rest of the WWE officials. He goes on to say that everyone has to learn from their mistakes, whether it is the easy way or the hard way. Sheamus says he tends to learn the hard way.

-John Laurinaitis and his triumphant theme music interrupt Sheamus. John throws to a clip of what Sheamus did last week to the referee – giving the ref a Brogue Kick. Johnny then scolds Sheamus and asks Sheamus to apologize again to the referee, Sheamus says he already did that, but John says he didn’t hear it and wants him to do it again. Sheamus obliges and Laurinaitis tells him to apologize to all WWE referees, so Sheamus reluctantly apologizes again. John then wants him to apologize to the world and bullies Sheamus into doing so, so he gives a sarcastic apology. Mr. Excitement wasn’t impressed by his apologies, so he puts Sheamus under probation. He says that if Sheamus touches a referee, even by accident, he will be fired, and he is fining Sheamus $500,000. John then tells Sheamus that he has a tag match tonight against Alberto Del Rio and Daniel Bryan. John then drops the bombshell that Mean Gene is his tag partner.

-Backstage, Randy Orton is acting intense in his locker room; his dad walks in and tells him to be careful against Mark Henry, his opponent, tonight.

(Commercial)

1 - RANDY ORTON vs. MARK HENRY

Where is Mike McGuirk to do the ring announcing duties? How come the refs don’t wear the powder blue shirts and bowties? Why aren’t the announcers asking what a “Twitter” is? This doesn’t seem like a Blast to the Past Smackdown! Cole notes that Henry is on a roll beating C.M. Punk two weeks in a row on Raw and that this Monday he is facing Punk again in a No-DQ, No Count-out, WWE Title match!

[Q2] Orton ties up with Henry to start and shockingly Henry overpowers Orton. Orton ducks a haymaker and peppers Henry with some lefts and rights, but the ref pulls Orton off Henry and Henry nails Orton with a big right hand. Orton retreats to the corner and Henry misses a charge in the corner and Orton mounts the turnbuckle and unloads more lefts and rights until Henry grabs Orton and slams him to the mat. “Cowboy” Bob Orton is shown watching the match as Smackdown takes a break!

(Commercial)

Mark Henry has Orton in a neck vice when Smackdown returns. They go to a replay of Henry sending Orton into the steel steps during the break. Orton fights out of the vice, but Henry scoop slams Orton and splashes him for a two count. Henry moves Orton to the corner, where he runs his shoulder into Orton’s midsection and follows it up with a running splash. He splashes Orton again and gets another two count. Henry tries a third time, but Orton rolls out of the way and backs into the corner.

Henry tries another running splash, but Orton gets the knees up. Randy chops Henry down to one knee and DDT’s Henry for a two count. Henry blocks the hangman DDT and goes for the World Strongest Slam, but Orton slips through and tries a RKO, but Mark shoves Orton out of the ring! Nice sequence there! Outside the ring Orton sends Henry into the steel post twice then rolls back into the ring. Kane’s pyro goes off and the arena turns red.

On the big screen, Kane cuts a promo about becoming the monster he needed to be by beating him at WrestleMania. But, last week Orton proved why he is The Viper and that he can be just as vicious as Kane. The camera then pans out and shows that Bob Orton is knocked out at Kane's feet. Randy leaves the ring and runs to the back to find his Dad and Kane. He finds his dad out cold and Kane sneaks attacks Randy with a lead pipe and leaves him lying next to his father. Kane then has a one-liner that he is a sucker for family reunions.

WINNER: No contest in 14:00.

Mike’s Reax: Once again in recent memory WWE doesn’t offer a result for a match. Did Henry roll back into the ring and win via count-out or did he pay on the floor and both men were counted out? Other than that, it was turning into a good match, Henry is becoming the monster heel he was six months ago, and Orton continues to be Orton. The family reunion line was so cheesy, by the way. Kane shouldn’t have any quips or try to be clever.

[Q3]

(Commercial)

-Moments ago, Kane laid out all male Ortons in the backstage area.

-At the announce table, Michael Cole and Booker T talk about how the Blast From the Past Smackdown was supposed to be a happy event and they will have a update on the Orton's when it comes available.

-Backstage, Pat Patterson, Hillbilly Jim, Ted DiBiase, and Tony Atlas are at the monitor to watch what they call a “squash match.”

2 - RYBACK vs. BENNY CAMER

Ryback runs Benny over with a clothesline to start and the Legends backstage are all very impressed. Ryback picks up Camer and puts him away with a Samoan Drop.

WINNER: Ryback in 1:00 by pinfall.

Mike’s Reax: It is good that they show people hanging around a monitor backstage to see Ryback perform and crush his opponents. His last two matches on TV have reminded me of Goldberg squashing his opponents.

-Backstage, Heath Slater is talking to Tyson Kidd about teaming with him to beat The Usos. Slater says that he found them a manager who thinks that he can be another Honky Tonk Man. Jimmy Hart comes in and he is their Hall of Fame manager, but Tyson Kidd looks less than thrilled.

(Commercial)

-Preview of “Dream Machines” featuring John Cena in a future episode.

-Mick Foley is out in a blazer, and he makes his way to the announce table to do guest commentary.

3 - TYSON KIDD & HEATH SLATER (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. THE USOS

I’m surprised that Rikishi didn’t join the Usos for the match. Jimmy Hart has his megaphone and gets in Foleys face. Tyson and Jimmy start things off. Tyson uses some quick high-risk offense to get the advantage.

[Q4] Heath tags himself in and he gets a neckbreaker on Jimmy for a two count. Jimmy Hart is on my nerves at ringside with his megaphone. Chinlock by Heath slows the match down. Jimmy fights out and blind tags Jey in and lays out Heath with a clothesline and a flying forearm. He gets a running knee to Heath in the corner for a two count. Tyson comes in and sends Jey out of the ring. Jimmy comes in and gets double-teamed. Foley has enough of Jimmy Hart and chases him from ringside as Jey big splashes Heath from the top rope for the win.

WINNERS: The Usos by pinfall in 4:00.

-Post-match: Jimmy is back and Foley puts Mr. Socko in his mouth, then grabs the megaphone and yells at Jimmy Hart.

Mike’s Reax: Terrible segment that was all over the place. Hart on the megaphone was grating and got on my nerves. They also kept cutting to Jimmy and Foley throughout the match and missed crucial tags that left viewers confused as to who should be legal in the ring.

-Piper’s Pit is next and Daniel Bryan is the guest!

(Commercial)

-“Rowdy” Roddy Piper makes his way to the ring. Piper looks great. Cole notes that the last time Piper’s Pit was on Smackdown, a woman's mole was bitten off her face. Yikes!

Piper starts off by saying that he missed the fans. The crowd quickly breaks into a “Roddy” chant. Piper says that tonight he has a man named Daniel Bryan who lost the World Title at WrestleMania in 18 seconds. Slight boos from the crowd. Piper says that Bryan blames it on his girlfriend then shows the replay from last week when Bryan broke up with A.J. and almost made her cry. Almost. She should take acting lessons and learn to cry on command. If Bryan broke up with me, I would cry. Probably. Piper welcomes Bryan to Piper’s Pit.

Bryan is out in his new “Yes!” shirt. The crowd starts the “Yes!” chants when his music stops. Piper notes that Daniel looks pretty happy for a guy who lost his title in 18 seconds. Bryan responds by saying that he just had a meeting with John Laurinaitis and he will get his return match with Sheamus. Bryan says that Sheamus won’t be able to fluke his way to another victory and at Extreme Rules Bryan will get his re-match in a two-out-of-three falls match! Bryan also notes that A.J. will also be nowhere to be found at Extreme Rules. Piper says that he likes A.J. and she is in the building, so Piper calls her out to Piper’s Pit.

A.J. comes out looking like a million bucks. Roddy kisses her hand and she marks out at being on Piper’s Pit. A.J. says hi to Daniel and Piper wants to know why she is saying hi to him. A.J. defends Bryan as a good person who is misunderstood. Piper tells her that he is a guy who dumped her in front of everyone and called her dead weight and that her kiss is the kiss of death. He wants to know why she calls him a nice guy?

[Q5] A.J. says that what happened is her fault and she made the mistake and she is sorry. She begs Bryan to talk to her and work things out. She wants to make things up to him and Roddy is beside himself when he hears that. He says that he has been watching her since her debut and he knows she is strong and smart and beautiful. Piper says that she owes Bryan nothing and that he is using her. Bryan interrupts Piper and says that he is sick of Piper dragging his name through the dirt. He then turns to A.J. and says that if she loves him, she will leave the ring right now. Piper tells her not to listen to Daniel. Metaphorically speaking, they stand on separate sides of the ring and call her name to see which one she goes to and she ends up leaving the ring, siding with Bryan.

Bryan starts to leave, too, and Piper stops him and says that he is not finished with him. He says that he has a lot of “Yes’s” on his shirt but he is going to tell him some “No’s.” He says that he doesn’t tell a lady to shut up, he doesn’t lay a hand on a lady, and he doesn’t use a woman as a human shield. Piper then goes on to say that at Extreme Rules, Sheamus will kick Bryan’s head off his shoulders twice, thanks to the stipulation. Bryan says that at Extreme Rules he will slap Sheamus as hard as he slapped Piper, he proceeds to slap Piper, then runs from the ring yelling “Yes!” all the way back to the dressing room!

Mike’s Reax: Great segment. Bryan holds his own with Piper on the microphone and continues his story with A.J. This was another very well-done Pipers Pit! But, they need to make Bryan more hateable if A.J.’s eventual turn will mean anything.

(Commercial)

4 - THE GREAT KHALI & ALICIA FOX & NATALYA vs. DREW MCINTYRE & BRIE BELLA & NIKKI BELLA - mixed six-perosn tag match

Khali and drew starts things off, but Drew quickly tags in one of the Bellas. Drew says he is better than this and he leaves. Alicia Fox gets a Northern Lights suplex to pin the nameless Bella twin.

WINNERS: Khali, Fox, and Natalya by pinfall in 1:00.

Mike’s Reax: So much for Natalya being a heel with Beth Phoenix.

-Post-match, Mae Young makes her obligatory appearance and she kisses Great Khali. She slips him the tongue and Khali sells that like death. She then dances with Natalya and Fox to conclude the bit.

[Q6]

-Still to come: Sheamus and Mean Gene vs. Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio.

(Commercial)

-Damien Sandow reads the definition of “sophistication” and runs down the idea of social media. He says that tweeting and such things are time-wasters in 140 characters or less. He uses big words, then tells everyone that they are welcome for his words of wisdom.

-Earlier tonight, Randy and Bob Orton were assaulted by Kane backstage. Josh Mathews says that Bob Orton sustained abdominal injuries. Thanks, Josh. They then segue into what happened last Monday on Raw concerning Brock Lesnar and John Cena.

-Raw Rebound.

-Backstage, Mean Gene is pacing around Sheamus’s locker room. He says that he is nervous, but he wonders of Sheamus has something up his sleeve. Sheamus says that they are probably going to lose, but he doesn’t want Laurinaitis to see him sweat, besides, he is overjoyed to be teaming with the legendary Mean Gene and offers to buy him the first pint if they survive! Gene yells “IF?” and Sheamus that sometimes it is better to drink to forget instead of drinking to remember.

(Commercial)

[Q7]

-Don’t Try This At Home promo is randomly shown.

5 - “HACKSAW” JIM DUGGAN vs. HUNICO

I forgot about Hunico. He cuts a promo before the match about not caring about the past and that no one cares about the legends and old-timers. He says that he is the future and that he is what everyone should care about. Duggan unloads with some rights and sends Hunico out of the ring. Hacksaw tries following him out, but Camacho stands between him and Hunico. Sgt. Slaughter does a walk-in to even the playing field. Slaughter hands Hacksaw his two by four and Duggan plays out Hunico.

WINNER: Hunico by DQ in 1:30.

-Post-match, Sergeant Slaughter puts the Cobra Clutch on Camacho and sends him out of the ring. Slaughter and Duggan celebrate in the ring.

-They replay Sheamus’s pep talk to Mean Gene from five minutes ago. Their tag match is still to come tonight!

(Commercial)

-Cody Rhodes in on his way to the ring when Smackdown returns. He looks upset and grabs a microphone. He sarcastically calls tonight a “Blast from the Past” then calls it a waste of time. He says we should look towards the future where he is IC champion again and where Big Show doesn’t win after getting a lucky punch and where old-timers stop wasting everyone's time. Dusty Rhodes interrupts and he slowly makes his way to the ring.

The crowd chants Dusty’s name as Cody says that this doesn’t concern his dad in the least. Dusty says that he loves his son and would do anything for him. He says that Cody came into the industry with the most potential of anyone since Shawn Michaels and what does Cody want to do? He wants to poke Big Show with a stick. Cody interrupts and says that he is embarrassing him and they can talk about it in the back. Cody starts to leave and Big Show’s music hits, he cuts Cody off and sends him back to the ring.

Big Show does some Texas Jive and then apologizes to Cody for continually showing him clips of Cody being knocked out. Big Show then throws to a video that he says shows the “real” Cody Rhodes. He then shows some old clips of “Grooming Tips with ‘Dashing’ Cody Rhodes” as if it is supposed to embarrass him. Cody looks like he saw a ghost and Big Show continues doing a Dusty impersonation. The crowd chants for Dusty again as Cody throws his arms up in the air and leaves the ring. Dusty's music hits and he starts dancing in the ring, embarrassing Cody even more.

[Q8]

-Backstage, Sheamus and Mean Gene make their way through the hallways.

(Commercial)

6 -- World Hvt. champion SHEAMUS & "MEAN" GENE OKERLUND vs. DANIEL BRYAN & ALBERTO DEL RIO

The Fink introduces Gene Okerlund and Sheamus. How come Gene isn’t wearing his traditional singlet? Gene has a hard time making it up the steps into the ring, and this match has "bad idea" written all over it. Sheamus and Del Rio start things off. They brawl a little to start and Sheamus takes advantage with a knee to the midsection. Del Rio tags in Bryan and they double team Sheamus. Bryan kicks Sheamus in the chest repeatedly as the crowd yells “Yes!” over and over. Another tag and more two-on-one on Sheamus.

Front facelock by Del Rio as Sheamus struggles to tag in his partner. Sheamus fights out with a backbody drop and Del Rio tags in Bryan, they try more double-teaming, but Sheamus sends Del Rio to the outside and Bryan ducks a Brogue Kick then tosses Sheamus out of the ring, where Del Rio dropkicks him.

Gene gets into the ring and is surrounded by the heels and Ricardo Rodriguez. Ricardo wants a piece of Gene, but before he can hit him, the Legends from tonight hit the ring and come to Gene’s aid. They distract Bryan and Del Rio, which gives Sheamus a chance to get his bearings and he Brogue Kicks Bryan for the win.

WINNERS: Sheamus and Mean Gene in 5:00.

-Post-match, the Legends deliver their finishers on Ricardo Rodriguez to send the crowd home happy. Cole quips that they must be ending early because the Legends have a curfew at the retirement home. Everyone celebrates in the ring while replays are shown and everyone poses.

Michael Cole then asks for everyone's attention and asks the crowd to give it up for the Legends, then he makes the retirement home joke again. The Legends take offense and Cole begs off, then Pat Patterson decks Cole as the show fades out with the Legends celebrating in the ring.

Mike’s Reax: This was nothing but a feel good show revolving around the Hall of Famers and Legends instead of doing something crazy like move storylines forward. I can’t say that I hated this show, but I didn’t love it either. Orton vs. Henry was an okay match and the Piper’s Pit was tremendous. Other than that, everything else was feel-good moments and minute-long matches.

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

We suggest these recent related articles...

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 10/1: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Kevin Owens vs. Ryback in an Intercontinental Title Match

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 9/24: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Kevin Owens & Rusev vs. Dolph Ziggler & Ryback

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 9/17: Ongoing coverage of the Thursday night show, including Seth Rollins & Sheamus vs. Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns