WWE Smackdown review
April 20, 2012
Taped 4/17/12 in London, England
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- Smackdown Open.

- Michael Cole plugged tonight’s six-man tag match, Great Khali, Randy Orton and Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan, Mark Henry and Cody Rhodes. There’s something not right about Bryan and Henry teaming together already.

- Daniel Bryan came out. He called Sheamus a coward for how their match at Wrestlemania went down. Bryan also chided Sheamus for doing the same thing to referee Chad Patton and Alberto Del Rio. Bryan vowed he wouldn’t be distracted at Extreme Rules. And in fact, if Sheamus even touches a referee in the match at Extreme Rules, he’ll be fired. Bryan bragged about winning the MITB briefcase in Chicago last July, and said he’d shock the world again. He said that when he wins his two falls at Extreme Rules, it won’t be a fluke. A few “yes” chants. Bryan said he’d outwrestle Sheamus face-to-face like a real man, answering all the questions. Bryan asked, “will I walk out of Extreme Rules as World Heavyweight Champion?” “Yes! Yes! Yes!” AJ came out but before she got into the ring, Bryan simply told her to go away. AJ was dressed to compete, for what it’s worth. She wouldn’t, so Bryan asked what her purpose for coming out was. AJ said this is the only way she can reach Bryan and asked to talk about their problems. Bryan said he had a problem and got rid of it…and that problem was AJ. AJ said she knows they can work it out, then wished him luck at Extreme Rules. Bryan wished that AJ hadn’t come out and that he never even met her. Guess he should’ve stayed with Gail Kim! Bryan said he wish he’d never said yes when she asked him out. In fact, he wished she was never even born. AJ was on the verge of tears after this latest public rejection. Bryan asked aloud if he’d ever get back with AJ, and said “no.” He walked out, leaving AJ alone in the ring with her emotions.

[Commercial Break]

- Buckingham Palace was shown in London.

- AJ was still sad in the ring when Natalya’s music played.

1 – AJ vs. NATALYA

Is Natalya a heel again now? AJ was clearly distracted when the bell rang. Nattie tried to console AJ, but AJ slapped her in the face. She attacked Nattie with rights and lefts (well, slaps anyway) in the corner. The referee had to physically restrain her, but it didn’t work. When she didn’t listen to the ref’s warnings, he disqualified her.

WINNER: Natalya, via disqualification, at :48. They spent an awful lot of time with AJ’s character here and asked her to do a lot of emotional heavy-lifting.

The ref checked on Nattie as AJ left the ring, still trying to convey shock and being distraught.

- Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio is coming up later tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Damien Sandow pre-tape. He quoted Ben Franklin about ignorance. He said he’d usher in a new era of enlightenment.

- Hunico and Camacho were already in the ring. I believe this is Camacho’s debut. On the way to the ring, Clay said his little brother was supposed to be with him and told his ladies to go to the back to get him. It was Hornswoggle dressed as Clay.

2 – HUNICO & CAMACHO vs. “FUNKASAURUS” BRODUS CLAY & HORNSWOGGLE

Hornswoggle’s dancing did not amuse Hunico, who shoved him down. Clay took care of Hunico then knocked Camacho off the announce table. Overhead suplex, then a splash for the win.

WINNERS: Clay and Hornswoggle, at 1:11. I really would’ve preferred Santino and Clay here.

Hornswoggle did the Tadpole Splash on Hunico post-match. Then the babyfaces danced.

- The six-man tag main event is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

- Teddy Long was walking backstage. He asked a question to two guys in the hallway that we couldn’t hear, but I think he asked if they’d see Aksana. Long came upon Darren Young and Titus O’Neil, who mocked Long for being fired, saying he refused to hire them. John Laurinaitis walked up and introduced them to Long. O’Neil called Long “old man” and they both vouched for Laurinaitis’ “People Power.” They walked away, leaving Laurinaitis and Long. Laurinaitis said as GM, he has to wear a lot of hats, and tonight Teddy will too. Laurinaitis put the hat worn by the Buckingham Palace guards on top of Long’s dome. I guess this means he can’t talk and has to stand still all night.

- The announcers reacted to the last segment. Cole raved about Laurinaitis and said this might be the best Smackdown in history.

- Matt Striker was backstage with Randy Orton. Striker talked about Kane’s path of destruction, then they played a video package of what happened last week to Orton’s father and then Orton himself. Randy said his dad will be fine in time. But he can’t say the same for Kane. Orton said at Extreme Rules, the two will be in a match where they can fight wherever, because falls count anywhere. He said Kane will find out how sick and twisted he can be.

[Commercial Break]

3 – THE USOS vs. TITUS O’NEIL & DARREN YOUNG

I won’t question how Young and O’Neil managed to move to one of the two main brands before the NXT competition has even ended. Jimmy Uso nailed Young with a twisting forearm. Jey came in with chops. Young finally got the advantage and tagged O’Neil, who used his power moves to impress the WWE audio sweetener. The announcers discussed the characters of Young and O’Neil and what they’ve done on NXT. Young put his head down, which was telegraphed by Jey. He hit an uppercut and tagged Jimmy. Running butt splash in the corner for two, broken up by O’Neil. Jey tried to dive at him to take him out, but O’Neil low-bridged him and Jey went flying out of the ring. O’Neil made the blind tag and held Jimmy while Young clotheslined him off the second rope for the win.

WINNERS: Young and O’Neil, at 3:34. Gosh that finisher was ugly. Neither man was terribly impressive here, but Young at least has shown he can work.

- The Raw Rebound aired, focusing on Chris Jericho and CM Punk.

- Big Show was shown walking backstage. He faces Alberto Del Rio next.

[Commercial Break]

- Mathews thanked Shinedown for “Adrenaline,” the official theme song for Extreme Rules.

4 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. THE BIG SHOW

Ricardo Rodriguez handled introductions for Del Rio. All Show early on, but Del Rio dove at Show’s knee to take him off his feet. Del Rio was relentless in his attack on Show. He even worked the arm of Show. Booker talked about how the boys in the back could learn something from Del Rio. Del Rio slipped out of a chokeslam and went to the knee once again. Cross arm-breaker, but Del Rio just lifted him up with the one arm. Splash in the corner, then a spear from Show. As he readied for the chokeslam, Rodriguez got on the apron to distract the ref. In doing so, it allowed Cody Rhodes to run out and hit the Disaster kick. ADR then made the pin.

WINNER: Del Rio, at 5:15. Not much to the match, just Del Rio working Show’s arm for most of it.

- Another plug for the six-man tag match.

[Commercial Break]

- Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre were making fun of a jobber, who was in the ring. After Lilian introduced the poor guy, he spoke of his mom watching at home and dedicated the match to her. How sweet.

5 – DANNY LERMAN vs. RYBACK

Mathews and Cole both laughed wildly at Booker trying to say, “don’t count this kid out.” Lerman’s kick had no effect on Ryback. Fall-away slam by Ryback after pounding Lerman’s head off the mat a few times. Slater and McIntyre were shown again watching backstage. Clothesline, then a running Muscle Buster-like finisher for the win.

WINNER: Ryback, at 1:12. Lerman lasted longer than those who preceded him, at least.

They replayed Ryback’s high-impact moves. Slater threatened to tell Ryback that McIntyre said he looked like an idiot.

- Sheamus, Orton and Khali vs. Bryan, Henry and Rhodes. It’s the main event tonight.

- Next, Brock Lesnar’s interview from Raw will be shown.

[Commercial Break]

- The announcers bragged about the record-breaking numbers associated with Wrestlemania.

- Mathews then tossed it to the Lesnar interview from Raw.

- Wow, extreme close up on Long dressed as a guard. William Regal walked up and tried to get him to flinch. Long didn’t. Then Aksana was shown walking into the scene with Antonio Cesaro, aka Claudio Castagnoli. Aksana introduced him to Long, saying they’ve been friends for years and he’s a rugby player who wants to become a WWE Superstar. Antonio said when Aksana told him her boyfriend has an important job at WWE…this was not what he was thinking. Laurinaitis charged out of his locker room and introduced himself to Antonio. He ushered Aksana and Antonio into the office, then teased Long about Aksana’s friend.

- Daniel Bryan came out first for the main event. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed some street action in London.

- Back to the arena, Mark Henry joined Bryan in the ring. Cody Rhodes was out next, then Sheamus, Randy Orton, and Khali. Rhodes attacked Khali right at the knee, taking him off the apron. The heels celebrated in the ring as the other faces checked on Khali. Referees and trainers came out as Booker interjected a “suck it up, Khali.” As Khali was helped to the back, Big Show joined forces with Orton and Sheamus. As the referee tried to get things under control, they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

6 – DANIEL BRYAN & MARK HENRY & CODY RHODES vs. SHEAMUS & RANDY ORTON & THE BIG SHOW

This match was joined in progress. The announcers made it clear that the referee allowed Show into the match, not John Laurinaitis. Sheamus had his way with Rhodes and Rhodes couldn’t break that momentum for long. Sheamus countered a neck-breaker and tossed Rhodes onto the apron. Sheamus beat-down Rhodes with forearms to the chest. Cody landed on his feet on a suplex back into the ring. Sheamus tried to go after Bryan, giving Rhodes the opening he needed. Running dropkick by Bryan outside the ring. Bryan and Henry got their turn on offense against Sheamus. At 6:20, Sheamus clocked Rhodes as he came off the top rope. Orton tagged in and hit many of his signature moves. Orton’s rally was stopped by Henry and Rhodes got a near-fall. Henry tagged in as they went to break, 7:28 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 11:17 and a Henry headbutt put Orton on the mat. Bryan tried a diving headbutt, but no one was home. The heels were able to regain the advantage with quick tags. Rhodes worked the legs of Show and applied a figure-four. Henry splashed Show with him in the figure-four, but Show kicked out (Henry made the tag). Show also kicked out of a Bryan pin attempt. Sheamus made the hot tag at 15:45, but his onslaught was interrupted by Rhodes. He gloated about it outside the ring, but Show socked him in the face. Yes Lock was countered and Bryan tagged out to Henry. He fell victim to a Brogue Kick, then Orton tagged in. WMD to Henry, then an RKO.

WINNERS: Big Show, Sheamus, and Orton, appx. 17:00.

They replayed the finish of the match and showed all the babyfaces celebrating after the match.


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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