WWE Smackdown review
April 27, 2012
Taped 4/24/12 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Aired on Syfy
By Michael Cupach, PWTorch Contributor

- Note: Check out Cupach on FTWPodcast.com this weekend previewing Extreme Rules and talking Smackdown.

[Q1]

-Smackdown opening, followed by full pyro as Michael Cole welcomes everyone to Smackdown. Josh Mathews is still selling his attack from Brock Lesnar from last Monday, so it is just Cole and Booker tonight. Michael Cole announces a re-match between Sheamus and Mark Henry tonight in the main event. Cole then throws to the video of Josh Mathews getting attacked by Lesnar after sassing him. Michael notes that Josh has a stiff neck and abrasions that are keeping him from doing commentary tonight.

-Daniel Bryan makes his way out and it is noted that in WWE Magazine this month Daniel Bryan was named “Jerk of the Month.”

-Bryan, in the ring with a microphone, starts off by saying that he did it, he cut the umbilical cord and got rid of A.J. and that it feels sooooo good! He says that he is also out here to set the record straight about his loss to Sheamus at WrestleMania. Bryan says that the loss shouldn’t count or should at least go on A.J.’s record because she lost the match for him. D-Bryan then says that Sheamus is walking around with his title, pretending like he won something, but that will be fixed this Sunday when he beats Sheamus in a two-out-of-three-falls title match at Extreme Rules.

Bryan switches topics to the match last Monday he refereed between Sheamus and Mark Henry. Bryan says that he wanted to call it down the middle and promised himself that he would, and he lived up to his word because he called a straight match. Sure, his critics say he fast-counted Sheamus, but he throws to the finish from Monday and the count is shown in slow motion. Cole claims it is in real-time and Bryan plays it like it was legit. Bryan says that Sheamus then broke his word and put his hands on a WWE referee (Bryan) and Bryan was forced to defend himself and put Sheamus in the Yes-Lock. Bryan seems proud of his work. He then answers rhetorical questions; all of the answers are shockingly “Yes!”

Alberto Del Rio makes his way out, interrupting Bryan’s “Yes’s” He comes down to the ring and mocks Bryan for losing to Sheamus in 18 seconds. He does his own version of “Yes” by having Ricardo yell “Si!” over and over again. Del Rio makes it clear that he is the number one contender for the World Title and he wants the winner of the match on Sunday.

Big Show interrupts next and the Intercontinental Champion makes his way to the ring. He is curious if the catchphrase is “Yes?” or “Si?” He polls the audience and they choose “Si!” Show then tries to cheap-shot Bryan, who bails, Del Rio also bails, but Big Show catches Ricardo and tells him to “calmo.” He asks Ricardo if he thinks it is “Yes” or “Si” and Ricardo chooses “Si” and gets chokeslammed by Big Show for no reason. That’s one of WWE's top Smackdown babyfaces provoking a fight for no reason!

[Q2]

(Commercial)

1 - Intercontinental champion BIG SHOW vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO – non-title

The match is joined in progress. Big Show has Del Rio in the corner and is chopping the heck out of his chest. Show whips Del Rio in the far corner and runs into Alberto’s knees when he charges in. Del Rio gets a short flurry of offense, but Show turns it around and tosses Del Rio out of the ring. Cole then informs everyone that the stipulation for the Cody vs. Show match will be determined in the pre-show on Youtube.com. Electric Chair by Big Show on Del Rio, who was trying to work Show's arm. Spear by Big Show and Show calls for the chokeslam, but Cody Rhodes runs in and chop blocks the knee, causing the DQ.

WINNER: Big Show by DQ in 2:00 shown.

-Post-match, Del Rio and Rhodes double-team Big Show until he is down and Cody shoos Del Rio away. Cody grabs a kendo stick and nails Big Show, who no-sells the shot, so Cody grabs a steel chair and Big Show no-sells the shot. Cody then takes off his belt and Big Show takes it and whips Cody over and over.

-Backstage, John Laurinaitis welcomes Eve to Smackdown and tells her to feel free to make any changes she sees fit to the show. She claims to not know any of the backstage worker's names and suggests they wear nametags. John loves the idea and then they run into Teddy Long. Long wants to know what he is supposed to do if Eve is running things on Smackdown now. Laurinaitis tells him to get a nametag and report back to Eve, who is now his boss!

-Back at the announce table, Cole makes the announcement that Nikki Bella is the new Divas Champion. He then updates the audience to say that Beth Phoenix suffered a severe sprained ankle during the match. Nikki is then shown walking backstage with her sister; she takes on Alicia Fox, next!

(Commercial)

-Damien Sandow cuts a promo about informing everyone about the Age of Enlightenment. He says that today's WWE is ruled by ogres who are demi-gods who have inane catchphrases and obscene theme songs, but in one week he will come to WWE and clean up the mess that has become the WWE!

[Q3]

Cole makes the announcement that even thought Beth is injured, she is invoking her re-match clause this Sunday at Extreme Rules!

2 - Divas Champion NIKKI BELLA (w/Brie Bella) vs. ALICIA FOX – non-title

Nikki hits Alicia with a chinbreaker to start and then drags her to the ropes, where she chokes Alicia on the middle rope. Snapmare by Nikki followed up by a vintage Mr. Perfect necksnap for a two count. Chinlock by Nikki that Alicia “powers” out of, then Nikki runs into a few dropkicks from Alicia. Alicia botches a back elbow from the middle rope that Booker calls “spectacular.” The ref checks on Alicia and Brie does Twin Magic with Nikki, then she hits Alicia with the X-Factor for the win.

WINNER: Nikki Bella by pinfall in 1:30

-Still to come, Michael Cole has an exclusive interview with Randy Orton!

(Commercial)

-Yoshi Tatsu is shown stretching backstage and he is interrupted by Titus O’Neil and Darren Young. They make fun of his Japanese heritage and are all-around offensive. Ezekiel Jackson interrupts them to say that he is Yoshi’s partner. They kind of no-sell Zeke and start taunting him. So much for the big, bad partner to save Yoshi; they cut him down in about seven seconds and made him a non-factor.

-Teddy is putting on his nametag while wearing what looks like a French Maid apron when Aksana comes in. They make issue of Teddy’s age until John Laurinaitis and Eve enter to say that Antonio Cesaro will have his debut match and he hints that he has a past with Aksana. John makes Aksana the special ring announcer for his match. Eve then lets Teddy know that since they are down an announcer tonight, they are sending Teddy out to do commentary of his own and he better not say anything to make John mad. John then gives Teddy a People Power t-shirt and sends him out to ringside.

(Commercial)

[Q4]

-Jobber entrance for Yoshi and Zeke. Teddy Long has his own announce table and he looks like a sad sack sitting there.

3 - YOSHI TATSU & EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. DARREN YOUNG & TITUS O’NEIL

Young and Tatsu start things off as Cole turns heel on a dime and makes fun of Long. Young hangs Yoshi up on the top rope and tags in Titus, who clubs Yoshi across the back with a forearm. Bodyslam by O’Neil and he tags Young back in who gets a two count on Tatsu. Young picks up Tatsu, who starts chopping away at Young. He whips Young into the ropes and Young catches Yoshi with his head down, so he slams him into the mat, then runs him over and cheap-shots Jackson. Tag to Titus and he executes a modified Doomsday Device for the win!

WINNERS: Darren Young & Titus O’Neil by pinfall in 2:00.

Mike’s Reax: That was a squash match that really showed off what Young and Titus can do. They could have done something with Jackson, but it's not like WWE has made him mean much these days anyway. But, this was good enough of an enhancement match for two guys who are new to Smackdown.

-Up next, Cole interviews Randy Orton.

(Commercial)

-Cole is in the middle of the ring and he says that John Laurinaitis has granted him an exclusive interview tonight with Randy Orton, who will take on Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere match this Sunday. He welcomes Orton to the ring and suggests that unlike Brock Lesnar and Josh Mathews, he is sure that they can have a peaceful interview. Cole then says that Laurinaitis has mandated that if any wrestler touches an announcer, he is immediately suspended. Orton says that it doesn’t matter to him because sometimes he does things without thinking and is a shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy. Cole gets back on track with the interview and shows Randy Orton some words from Kane, but it is really a video package to bring the crowd up to speed on the feud between Kane and Orton.

[Q5] Back in the ring, Cole asks Orton how he feels knowing that Kane feels that he is a monster reborn thanks to Orton's failure at WrestleMania. Orton mocks Cole saying that that was a deep question. The crowd chants RKO and Randy seems to consider it for a second, but goes on to say that what happens at WrestleMania is history and while Kane beat him, it will have come at a price. Orton doesn’t like that Kane went after his family and while he respects it, he doesn’t accept it. Randy then says that this Sunday there will be no rules when they meet and no one will be able to stop him; not even the devil himself will be able to unleash the hell that Orton is able to unleash this Sunday!

Jinder Mahal interrupts, speaking Punjabi, then he translates that he believes Kane and Orton will destroy each other. And, when they do, a new breed of Superstar will emerge and he will become a greater Superstar as a result. Mahal says that when Extreme Rules is over, he will be waiting for Orton on the other side. Mahal starts to leave, but Orton calls him back to ask if he is a announcer. Mahal says he isn’t; he is the fastest rising athlete, but Orton cuts him off and RKOs him.

Mike’s Reax: That was a lame ending. I didn’t care for that or for the "exclusive interview" with Cole and Orton that consisted of two whole questions.

(Commercial)

-Aksana is in the ring; she does ring announcer duties for the next match.

4 - TYSON KIDD vs. ANTONIO CESARO

Antonio is being portrayed as a former rugby player who was kicked out of the league and became a pro wrestler. Stiff punches and kicks from Cesaro takes Kidd down. Antonio then mashes Kidd's face into the mat. Gut wrench suplex by Cesaro impresses Booker. Cesaro throws Kidd straight up into the air and catches him with a forearm to the face, then finishes Kidd off with a bodyslam/piledriver combo!

WINNER: Antonio Cesaro by pinfall in 1:30.

-Post-match, Teddy Long is shown arguing in the headset with Laurinaitis, Long grudgingly gets into the ring and raises Antonio’s arm as Aksana hugs and starts making out at Cesaro as Teddy watches and starts crying.

[Q6]

-Teddy Long abandons the announce booth and heads backstage. At the announce table, Michael Cole throws to a package of Brock Lesnar.

-Backstage, Cody Rhodes is walking down the hallway; he faces The Great Khali, next!

(Commercial)

-The Rock was named Action Star of the Decade at CinemaCon.

5 - CODY RHODES vs. THE GREAT KHALI

Cody starts off with a waistlock on Khali, but Khali breaks that up and powers Rhodes to the corner, where he chops away at Cody. Cody ducks a chop and chop-blocks Khali, then puts the pressure on the Punjabi Playboy. Khali fights his way up to his feet and tosses Rhodes across the ring. Khali calls for the Punjabi Plunge and puts Cody away quickly.

WINNER: Great Khali by pinfall in 2:00

-Backstage, a bunch of backstage workers are wearing name tags, then Abraham Washington is shown telling Epico and Primo that they are the champions and they should be defending their titles at Extreme Rules. He gives them advice on how to be noticed more and then tells them that he needs an answer from them by Monday. Just then, Ryback walks by and Washington tries talking to him, but Ryback keeps walking.

(Commercial)

[Q7]

-The Usos are watching the next Ryback squash. The local jobber says that he is sick of seeing some no name “snook” lose to Ryback and tonight he will change history and become the first man to score a victory over Ryback!

6 - RYBACK vs. JACOB KAYE

Kaye charges Ryback to start, but Ryback catches him and throws him across the ring, then nails him with a big boot. Gorilla press into a power slam by - you guessed it – Jacob Kaye. No, just kidding, Ryback did that. Samoan Slam by Ryback to pick up the win.

WINNER: Ryback by pinfall in 1:00.

-Post-match, Ryback yells that he wants more!

-Cole throws to a replay of Daniel Bryan putting A.J. down last week and dumping her. Cole is calling it an emotional break down. Booker and Michael say that she needs counseling or therapy.

-Backstage, Matt Striker catches up with A.J. and he asks about the status of Daniel Bryan and her, but she doesn’t answer. Matt asks for a prediction for this Sunday, and she doesn’t answer. Matt then asks her if she is having a nervous break down and Kaitlyn interrupts before sending him away. She tells A.J. that this is the best thing for her because Daniel Bryan never loved her and is a jerk. A.J. then winds up and slaps Kaitlyn, who is shocked and storms off.

-Sheamus makes his way to the ring for his match against Mark Henry, next!

(Commercial)

[Q8]

7 - World Hvt. champion SHEAMUS vs. MARK HENRY – non-title

Tie-up to start things off and - no surprise - Henry overpowers Sheamus. Side headlock by Sheamus, but Henry counters and backs Sheamus into the corner. Clothesline from Henry puts Sheamus on the mat. Henry goes for another one, but Sheamus ducks and clips Henry's knee, then tries a pinfall that comes up short. Sheamus starts working Henry's arm, but Henry overpowers him again and sends Sheamus up and over the top rope. Henry pulls Sheamus back to the apron, where Sheamus fights Mark off and then catapults over the top rope with a shoulder block for a two count. Henry rolls out of the ring for a breather as Smackdown takes a break!

(Commercial)

Scoopslam by Henry when Smackdown returns. Henry misses a big splash on Sheamus and rolls to the apron. Sheamus ties Henry up in the ropes and clubs away at him, but Henry back elbows Sheamus, then muscles Sheamus out of the ring, where he tosses him into the barricade! Back in the ring, Henry gets a two count and then locks in a Vulcan Nervehold that doesn’t do the job putting Sheamus away. Sheamus starts to fight back, but Henry knocks him back down with a clothesline. Henry then toys with Sheamus in the corner and Sheamus recovers enough to get some offense on Henry, but Henry cuts him off again with a big headbutt!

Neck vice from Henry, but Sheamus fights out, gets to his feet, and rocks Henry with some Irish Hammers, then finally takes Henry off his feet with a running hammer. DDT by Sheamus gets a two count on Henry. Sheamus calls for the Brogue Kick, but Henry ducks and flattens Sheamus with a huge clothesline. That sure took the wind out of Sheamus’s sails! Henry tries a running charge in the corner, but eats a boot. Sheamus then goes up top for the battering ram, but Henry ducks. Sheamus rolls through and nails Henry with a Brogue Kick, though. It's good for the win!

WINNER: Sheamus by pinfall in 12:00.

-Post-match, Bryan comes to the ramp and claps it up for Sheamus. Sheamus invites Bryan to come to the ring and tells him that he can’t hide behind referee shirts anymore and says that this Sunday he will try to beat his 18-second record. The crowd starts chanting, “18 seconds!” Sheamus says this Sunday he won’t get away as easily as he did at WrestleMania because he gets him for two-out-of-three falls. He also won’t have A.J. to blame his loss on this time. Sheamus that asks the crowd if he will whoop Bryan’s arse on Sunday and a clearly canned crowd voice yells, “Yes!” over and over along with Sheamus. Smackdown fades out.

Mike’s Reax: This was an interesting show and different from the Smackdown I have come to love. This week's show featured a bunch of quick enhancement matches aimed to introduce new names to Smackdown like Antonio Cesaro, Darren Young, Titus O’Neil, Ryback, and that young up and comer – The Great Khali. Smackdown seemed hit or miss - Bryan, Ryback, Cesaro, and the Sheamus-Henry match hit - while the Divas match, Orton interview, and Long/Aksana stuff missed.

Thank you for reading, check me out on this weekend's FTWPodcast.com for a special guest appearance on their Extreme Rules preview show. Also, follow me on Twitter @MJCupach where I’ll be tweeting live during Extreme Rules on Sunday and Raw this Monday!

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