WWE Smackdown review
April 12, 2013
Taped 4/9/13 in Boston, Mass.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- Tonight, we’ll hear from Triple H after his Wrestlemania match with Brock Lesnar. Then, the new World Heavyweight Champion is Dolph Ziggler after he cashed in against Alberto Del Rio on Monday night. Interesting that Triple H got top billing over Ziggler’s title win. We’ll find out how he’ll usher in his new title reign tonight.

- Michael Cole’s voice was the first we heard inside the arena. Lillian Garcia introduced Big E. Langston, who stood on the stage and provided the intro for Dolph Ziggler. This was meant to mock Ricardo Rodriguez’s introduction of Alberto Del Rio. Ziggler and A.J. walked out and came to the ring with Langston. Cole was joined by JBL and Josh Mathews at ringside. Ziggler, his voice sounding a little hoarse, talked about being the most talented athlete in WWE since he walked in the door. He said the title proves that his future is now. Ziggler acknowledged the chants for him at Wrestlemania, in a match he wasn’t even in (the World Title match). Ziggler said the WWE Universe may want to share in it, but his win and his moment belong only to him.

As he continued complimenting himself, Jack Swagger’s music interrupted and he and Zeb Colter came to the ring. Colter introduced himself to Ziggler and talked kindly about his title win Monday night. Colter said Ziggler owes that win to Swagger. Ziggler said this was his celebration time and that Swagger blew his chance at Wrestlemania. He told Swagger to get to the back of the line. Swagger, who with Colter had been standing ringside, climbed the steps, but then backed down before he entered the ring. Colter said Ziggler should give Swagger what he deserves. He warned Ziggler that Swagger wouldn’t wait for long. The two men left as Ziggler continued his speech. Before long, Alberto Del Rio’s music interrupted. He limped out in a dress shirt, jacket, and jeans. Ziggler took a couple guesses as to why Del Rio was coming out.

He dared Del Rio to come to the ring, but Del Rio stayed on the stage. He said he didn’t come out to complain, but to congratulate Ziggler. He said he knows what it’s like to cash in the MITB briefcase. But when his ankle heals and he gets his rematch, it’ll be Ziggler complaining and crying. But until then, “hasta la vista…baby.” Ziggler grew incredibly frustrated at the interruptions. He said the next person who shows their face will see why he’s the real World Champion. After a pause, Chris Jericho’s music played. Jericho begged Ziggler to “shut the hell up.” He said Ziggler has just been babbling. Speaking of babbling, Jericho got an “A.J.’s crazy” going. A.J. was deeply offended by this. Jericho said he was the original showoff, and after talking to Booker T., Ziggler’s very first match as World Champion would be against him tonight. Jericho claimed Ziggler would never, ever be the same again. Also: Jericho called Ziggler fans “Dolph-fans,” pronounced “Dolphins.” The fans seemed to appreciate this announcement. As a recapper, I appreciate it as well.

- Kane and Daniel Bryan were walking backstage. They’re in action next.

[Commercial Break]

1 – THE PRIME TIME PLAYERS vs. TEAM HELL NO

I’m sure you could guess, but no entrance for the Players. Titus O’Neil went on offense to start, but it didn’t last long. Kane clotheslined him in two corners. He then went to the top rope and connected on a clothesline. Darren Young tagged in and walked into an uppercut. Daniel Bryan tagged in and did some work. Eventually, Kane chokeslammed Young and Bryan locked the legal man, O’Neil, in the No Lock for the Submission win.

WINNERS: Kane and Bryan, at 1:40. Not much of a match. Just a way to get to…

…The Shield came on the Titan Tron after the match. Dean Ambrose said he hoped Team Hell No didn’t take their retreat on Raw as a sign of weakness. It’s all about strategy, and they never run from a fight. Seth Rollins said to believe in that and believe in The Shield. Shield vs. Team Hell No is about as good as we’re going to get as a tag feud at this point. Team Hell No celebrated, complete with Kane pyro, once The Shield finished their speech.

- Triple H will appear on Smackdown tonight, less than a week after his Wrestlemania battle with Brock Lesnar.

[Commercial Break]

- Still shots of Wrestlemania aired.

2 – SANTINO MARELLA vs. WADE BARRETT

Marella was already in the ring after break. As Barrett came to the ring, they showed Barrett regaining his Intercontinental Title a night after he lost it to The Miz. Santino did some comedy to start, then Barrett laid in his heavy offense. Marella failed on a nip-up for the second time (purposely). Marella willed out of a rear chin-lock, but hit the ropes and ran into the Winds of Change side-slam for a near-fall. Barrett set up for the Bull Hammer, but Marella successfully nipped up. Barrett missed the elbow and Marella did his comeback. Diving heabutt for two at 2:03. Marella sleeved the Cobra, but Barrett kicked it and whacked Marella with the Bull Hammer for the win.

WINNER: Barrett, at 2:24. A showcase for Barrett to put him over after his win Monday night.

- Still to come, Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed some exterior shots of the arena in Boston.

- A video package of mainstream press WWE received during Wrestlemania week, as well as other Wrestlemania-related events, aired.

- Booker T. was talking to Teddy Long about his Hall of Fame induction when Sheamus sidled up to him. Sheamus was unhappy that Booker overruled his match on Raw against Big Show. As he argued with Booker, Randy Orton walked in. He asked “why” as far as putting him in a match with Sheamus on Raw. Long said it was Booker’s call (Book shot Long a look at this point), but said everybody makes mistakes. Booker promised to make it right, by putting Sheamus and Orton in a handicap match against Big Show tonight. When they left, Booker glared at Long, who just looked away.

- The Bella Twins and Tamina came to the ring for a six-Diva tag match. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – THE BELLA TWINS & TAMINA SNUKA vs. THE FUNKADACTLYS & KAITLYN

They showed clips of the eight-person tag match from Raw as the babyfaces came to the ring. Tamina took Kaitlyn down by her hair then cheap-shotted the Funkadactyls off the apron. Spear by Kaitlyn, but a pin was broken up by the Bellas. One Bella was speared, and the other was tagged in. Springboard cross-body by Naomi, who flew around the ring on one of the Bellas. Rear-view butt-check by Naomi. Naomi knocked a charging Tamina off the apron, but another Bella yanked her off the top rope. One of the Bellas sent Naomi to the mat by her hair, which was curiously enough to get the win.

WINNERS: The Bellas and Tamina, at 1:31. The action was so that I could barely keep up transcribing it. And that’s actually not sarcasm.

- Triple H returns to Smackdown next.

[Commercial Break]

- More Wrestlemania stills aired.

- Triple H came to the ring. He wears his sunglasses inside. Hunter’s left hand and arm up to his elbow was heavily bandaged. The entrance, complete with in-ring posing, took up a good chunk of time. “I told you…” he began. He said the ass-kicker is back. He talked about going to war with Lesnar at Mania, but before he could get further, 3MB interrupted with their theme music. Heath Slater had a mic. He told Triple H to “shut up and listen up.” He said around here, you have to jump one of the big dogs to get noticed, and what bigger dog is there than Triple H? Slater should’ve commanded his troops to get to Undertaker on Monday before The Shield did. 3MB surrounded the ring as Hunter removed his jacket. Speak of the devils…The Shield’s music played before 3MB could enter the ring. They began to descend the stairs as JBL assumed it would be six-on-one. The Shield jumped the barricade, but attacked 3MB instead. That’s…a little confusing. Drew McIntyre was given a huge back body-drop by Roman Reigns. The Shield climbed the apron, but before they could go after Hunter, Team Hell No ran out to join Triple H. Like on Monday night, The Shield retreated through the crowd.

- Booker and Long were still arguing backstage when Big Show walked in. He wasn’t happy he was put in a handicap match. Booker said Show stuck his nose in business that didn’t concern him, which is why he’s in such a match. Show again claimed bias and threatened to walk out (he’s got an iron-clad contract, you see). Booker made it a point to say he’d take Show’s iron-clad contract to court, so if he wants to stay, his match is next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – RANDY ORTON & SHEAMUS vs. THE BIG SHOW – 2-ON-1 HANDICAP MATCH

They showed clips of Orton vs. Sheamus from Monday night (with the crowd turned way down and Cole’s commentary as the voice-over) as Orton came to the ring. Orton and Sheamus argued over who would start the match. Orton also had his mid-section taped. Show missed an overhand right in the corner and Orton peppered him with rights of his own. He did walk right into a sidewalk slam from Show, however. JBL defended Big Show’s Wrestlemania performance and his reason for turning on his partners. Big shot to the gut of Orton by Show. Cole speculated that Booker’s HOF induction may have gone to his head, as it relates to his arguments with Long. Show missed a second-rope elbow-drop. Sheamus tagged in at around the two-minute mark. He was all offense until Show speared him (though it seemed to be more of a diving headbutt to the chest). Show pounded Orton on the apron as well. As Show tried to bring Orton off the mat, Orton struck with an RKO. Sheamus then prepared for the Brogue Kick. It connected (and looked good), sending Show through the ropes and to ringside. Show was in no hurry to re-enter the ring and finally stumbled up the aisle to the back.

WINNERS: Orton and Sheamus, via count-out, at 4:02. Somewhat of an abbreviated match. Not a surprising way for Show to lose, as he’s able to save face because he wasn’t pinned or submitted.

- Ziggler vs. Jericho takes place tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Clips of the finish of the previous match were shown.

- Orton and Sheamus were walking backstage. Renee Young approached them for a word, but Orton walked away and let Sheamus do the talking. She brought up that it took two men to take out Big Show. Sheamus said all that matters is heart. Mark Henry came out of nowhere to bowl him over and into a nearby table. Referees came on the scene quickly to help out Sheamus.

5 – ANTONIO CESARO vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Both men were already in the ring after the backstage segment. Cesaro hammered away with forearms to the side of Kofi’s head. Sunset flip by Kofi for two, but Cesaro responded with a double-stomp to the chest. Gutwrench suplex by Cesaro. He yodeled, then clobbered Kofi with a running European uppercut. Kingston fired back with chops and a dropkick. As he went for his jumping chop, he came down into another European uppercut. Flip kick in the corner by Kingston to a charging Cesaro. Cross-body off the top was caught by Cesaro. Trouble in Paradise after a counter by Kingston. He pulled Cesaro toward the middle of the ring for the pinfall.

WINNER: Kingston, at 3:07. I suppose Cesaro needed another challenger, but I figured this would be a win Cesaro needed more after doing a lot of jobbing to bigger stars prior to Mania.

A few key moments in the match were replayed.

- Up next, Ryback’s attack of John Cena from Raw.

[Commercial Break]

- The Raw Rebound aired.

- The announcers talked on-camera about Ryback attacking Cena on Raw, and also, The Rock’s Wrestlemania injury.

- Fandango danced his way onto the stage. You could hear people humming his music, but it sounded like WWE did their best to drown most of it out (if in fact they were louder). Mathews introduced the term Fandango-ing, which is, the act of humming his theme song. The main event of Jericho and Ziggler is next, so Fandango may be on commentary coming up.

[Commercial Break]

- A third set of Wrestlemania stills were shown.

- Fandango and his dancer stood ringside. JBL said the way Fandango was dressed and was standing looked like Cole walking into Happy Hour.

6 – DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. CHRIS JERICHO

Ziggler had the championship on backward so when he backed out of the curtain it was facing the fans. JBL said it was disrespectful to wear the title like that. Arm-drag to start the match by Jericho. It sounded like the fans were chanting something, but the announcers claimed they were Fandango-ing. Ziggler pounded away with rights to the ribs in the corner, then landed a jumping splash. Jericho regained control and hit a second-rope dropkick for two. Jericho choked Ziggler in the middle rope. Fandango climbed on the apron to distract the ref, allowing A.J. to grab Jericho’s foot as he hit the ropes. That led to a Fameasser from Ziggler for two. They cut to break 3:04 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:01 of the contest. Neck-breaker by Ziggler for a two-count. Ziggler did his chin-lock head-stand. Jericho eventually worked back to a vertical base. Jericho became a house afire and connected with a top rope chop. Running bulldog missed and Ziggler countered with a jumping DDT for two at 8:25. A baseball slide by Jericho took out Big E. Langston at ringside. Cross-body off the top for a very near-fall. Ziggler hit a nice dropkick for two. Jericho shrugged off a Zig Zag and Jericho attempted to lock in the Walls of Jericho. Ziggler avoided it and Jericho nailed the Lionsault. Fandango went to the apron, but Jericho springboard dropkicked him off. Ziggler tried an attack, but Jericho caught him and tried the Walls. Fandango again got on the apron, which allowed Langston to nail Jericho in the head with a right hand. Ziggler rolled Jericho up for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 10:37.

Jericho went after Ziggler after the match and gave an enziguiri to Langston. Another distraction by Fandango and Ziggler hit the Zig Zag. The Big Ending by Langston followed that. The Ziggler heel group posed over the prone body of Jericho as his music played. Fandango saw the opportunity after Ziggler and company left. He danced next to Jericho as Jericho again seemed to direct traffic from the ground. Jericho pointed to his cheek and with a nod of the head, told Fandango to come near and attack him. Subtle, but it was there. So Fandango kicked him in the head. He leapt to the top rope and hit a leg-drop. More dancing from Fandango. His partner handed him a microphone and Fandango simply said his name. His music played to play Smackdown off the air.


Did you watch Friday's Smackdown episode? Send your 0-10 score & Reax to pwtorch@gmail.com for our TV Reax feature.

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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