WWE Smackdown review
April 19, 2013
Taped 4/16/13 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- The opening video showed Jack Swagger attacking Alberto Del Rio before Del Rio’s scheduled match with Dolph Ziggler on Raw. Plus, Swagger himself beat Ziggler later in the night, then was attacked by Del Rio post-match. Plus, Randy Orton and Sheamus beat Big Show in a handicap match on Raw, followed by Mark Henry attacking Sheamus backstage. It’s Henry and Show vs. Sheamus and Orton tonight.

- Inside the University of Tennesee, Fandango’s theme played as his dancer-of-the-week showed her stuff on stage. Fandango then followed. His elaborate entrance took up quite a bit of time, then he hit on Lilian Garcia when he entered the ring. He asked if she’d ever been “dipped” before. He also asked if she’d ever “Fandango-ed” before. She wanted no part of him, but he twirled her anyway. The crowd really wasn’t reacting to this, or wasn’t sure how to react. He did end up dipping her and said that was absolutely…terrible. Then he dropped her to the mat from a dipped position. He said Lilian is a beautiful woman, but there’s nothing beautiful about the way she dances. Fandango put down the fans, so he’s still a heel this week. He asked her to pronounce his name. He was about to offer her a lesson when Santino Marella’s music interrupted and he walked onto the stage with a mic.

Marella, of course, butchered Fandango’s name. He said Fandango is a rude person, but he’s got good moves. Santino wanted to do his rendition of Fandango’s dance. He introduced his dance partner, the Cobra. As Fandango’s theme played, Santino and the Cobra danced. Fandango tried to interrupt Santino by attacking him, but Marella low-bridged him out of the ring. The dance contest over, the match will begin after the break. At least it’s some new blood in the opening segment.

[Commercial Break]

1 – FANDANGO vs. SANTINO MARELLA

The match began as soon as the show returned from break. Fandango showed his aggressive side early in the match. Santino worked out of a neck vice, but couldn’t get any offense out of it. He did finally work in his trademark stuff, including the hip-toss and diving headbutt. Cobra was blocked and Fandango planted Santino with his apparently un-named finisher. It was similar to Ken Anderson’s Mic Check. Fandango said his name after the match.

WINNER: Fandango, at 3:11. Fine preliminary win for Fandango, and really, it would’ve been a better segment to get him over and capitalize on the previous week’s buzz than what we saw on Raw.

- Booker T. and Teddy Long had their weekly argument backstage, with Booker upset that Long didn’t consult him on the Ziggler vs. Swagger match Long made on Raw. Big Show walked in and thanked Long for giving him a tag partner this week, unlike some people (Booker), who put him in a handicap match. Booker stared at Long in anger so Long tried to catch up with Show.

- Up next, Kofi Kingston vs. Wade Barrett in a champion vs. champion match. Instead of a graphic, they showed a clip of Kingston beating Antonio Cesaro on Raw for the U.S. Title when hyping tonight’s match.

[Commercial Break]

2 – KOFI KINGSTON vs. WADE BARRETT

They actually had a “champion vs. champion” graphic, like they do for title matches. All three announcers were finally shown on-camera. The announcers put over Justin Gabriel’s efforts against Barrett on Main Event Wednesday night. Hurricanrana by Kingston early in the match for a one-count. Kingston kicked at Barrett with success, then hit a springboard splash for two. Flip kick by Kingston, but Barrett booted him to ringside as Kingston tried to ascend the top rope. Barrett bounced Kofi’s head off the announce table, then he tossed him into the ring. The Intercontinental Champion’s offensive attack continued in the ring. Kofi tried to fight back, but Barrett pulled his leg and Kingston collapsed off the second turnbuckle. Barrett countered a Kingston submission attempt with a Samoan drop. However, Kingston rolled him up for the win.

WINNER: Kingston, at 5:31. Fun, energetic match. These guys have pretty good chemistry, as evidenced by their past feuds.

They replayed the finish as Kofi celebrated on the ramp, and in the ring, Barrett was still trying to figure out how he lost the match.

- They showed Mark Henry attacking Sheamus backstage on Smackdown last week as well as Raw Monday night.

- Henry was walking backstage when Renee Young caught up with him to get a word. She asked why he’s attacked Sheamus. He said it’s because he can and it’s what he does. Out of nowhere, Sheamus tackled Henry into a table and guardrail. “Hey, that’s what I do…fella,” said Shemus.

[Commercial Break]

- Sheamus’s backstage attack on Mark Henry was replayed.

- The announcers talked about the Sheamus vs. Henry feud, then Michael Cole threw it to a video package on recent developments relating to the World Title picture.

- A graphic for Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Jack Swagger at Extreme Rules was shown.

- Ricardo Rodriguez introduced Alberto Del Rio. He’s in action next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. JACK SWAGGER

This was a Wrestlemania World Title match, and less than three weeks later, it’s just another match on Smackdown. Somewhat of a feeling-out process early on, but when Del Rio came up lame on his injured leg, Swagger took advantage. Del Rio turned the tide outside the ring. Vertical suplex by Swagger once both men returned to the ring. Del Rio found himself with his leg draped over the top rope, and Swagger pulled it down hard over the rope to do even more damage. Zeb Colter taunted Del Rio from outside the ring as they went to break 4:01 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 7:07 of the match. Swagger and Del Rio both had injured body parts, though Swagger seemed the healthier of the two at this point. Crucifix roll-up out of nowhere for two by Del Rio, but Swagger clotheslined him back down. As much as he tried, Swagger couldn’t put Del Rio away. Del Rio tried a comeback, but he missed an enziguiri in the corner. Swagger shouted “we, the people!” at Del Rio. That proved costly, as Del Rio made his comeback. Del Rio gave Swagger kidney shots after a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker. Backstabber for a two-count. Josh Mathews proclaimed Swagger “out” after that move, though I’m not sure how we’re supposed to believe Swagger was knocked unconscious from two knees to the back. Del Rio tried to hook on the cross arm-breaker, but Swagger had a nice counter into the Patriot Lock. Del Rio managed to reach the bottom rope to force a break. Swagger bomb for only two at 14:29. Swagger bomb again, Del Rio got his feet up and Swagger countered. However, Swagger’s arm was brought down on the knees of Del Rio. Cross arm-breaker countered again, with Del Rio being sent to the arena floor. Del Rio made it in before the count of ten and he kicked Swagger in the head. It would’ve been a three-count had Swagger not grabbed the bottom rope at the last second. Patriot Lock by Swagger, countered into the arm-breaker by Del Rio. Swagger countered by pinning Del Rio’s shoulders to the mat while in the move, so Del Rio just small packaged Swagger for the three.

WINNER: Del Rio, at 17:08. Probably better than their Wrestlemania match. Had a better flow to it, but 17 minutes is a long time to ask the crowd to hang with these guys.

- Sheamus & Orton vs. Big Show & Henry is still to come tonight.

- Next, was justice served to John Cena on Raw?

[Commercial Break]

- The exterior of the Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee was shown.

- The Raw Rebound aired.

- The announcers reacted to the Raw Rebound, but a Shield video interrupted them. They said Cena won’t forget what happened to him on Raw. Seth Rollins said people are wondering why Ryback didn’t help Cena. Well, not those who watched Ryback’s intricately-explained heel turn in his backstage promo on Raw. Dean Ambrose mentioned The Undertaker and he said he saw fear in Taker’s eyes when they surrounded him two weeks ago. He said Taker may be undefeated at Wrestlemania but The Shield is undefeated, period. They hyped up their six-man match against Taker and Team Hell No on Raw coming up. Roman Reigns said the Hounds of Justice run this “yard” now.

- A graphic aired plugging the six-man match in London on Raw.

- The Great Khali, Hornswoggle and Natalya came to the ring. That can only mean one thing: Excitement is in store after the break.

[Commercial Break]

- The Colons and Rosa Mendes were in the ring out of the break. They even showed how this match came about, as earlier in the day, the two groups fought over a parking spot. Yes, this is what passes for a storyline in 2013. I guess we should be thankful they even bothered to come up with something for this match.

4 – THE GREAT KHALI & HORNSWOGGLE & NATALYA vs. THE COLONS & ROSA MENDES – SIX-PERSON MIXED TAG MATCH

Rosa slapped Nattie to start, and Natalya responded with one of her own. Rosa certainly didn’t appear to be dressed to wrestle. Natalya tried the Sharpshooter, but Rosa scooted into the heel corner and kicked Natalya several times. Snap mare, then a kick to the back by Mendes. Inside cradle by Natalya for two. Tags were made as Epico and Khali tagged in. Khali nailed Epico with overhead chops, then chopped him hard in the chest in the corner as the announcers argued over dated references. Primo came in and was on the receiving end of a chop as well. Rosa begged for Khali to stop, but Hornswoggle pulled her foot. Rosa chased Horny right into a clothesline from Natalya. Epico came off the top rope but fell victim to the Punjabi Plunge.

WINNERS: Khali, Hornswoggle, and Natalya, at 3:14. I’m sure there are some fans out there who enjoy Khali and Hornswoggle’s antics.

- C.M. Punk’s promo from Raw was replayed.

- Back to the announcers, who were left to wonder about Punk’s future. They transitioned to Paul Heyman’s other client, Brock Lesnar, and what happened with him on Raw. We’ll see that next.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole plugged the JBL & Cole show on WWE.com, with guests Baltimore Raven WR Torrey Smith, and Fandango. Mathews sent it to a video of 3MB calling out The Shield. They voiced-over Brock Lesnar answering instead.

- This Monday, Triple H responds to the challenge set forth by Heyman and Lesnar.

- Mark Henry came to the ring. As he did, they again showed the attack perpetrated by Sheamus earlier in the night. Big Show came out as well, then they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

5 – MARK HENRY & THE BIG SHOW vs. RANDY ORTON & SHEAMUS

Hard chops by Show to the chest of Sheamus in the ropes a la Sheamus himself. Sheamus turned the tables and gave Show ten forearms to Show’s chest to up the ante. Show missed an elbowdrop and Orton tagged in. Side slam by Show on Orton. Henry loudly approved on the apron. Henry came in and caught Orton in his trademark bear-hug. Orton broke out, but Henry slammed him back-first into the corner. Show went for a chokeslam on Orton, but Orton countered with a DDT. Sheamus tagged in and took Show down twice with flying clotheslines. Diving shoulder tackle by Sheamus off the ropes. Sheamus got Show up and hit White Noise. Brogue Kick was lined up, but Henry provided a distraction that allowed Show to spear Sheamus. Both men were down as they went to break 6:03 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back nine minutes into the match. Show was in control of Sheamus. Henry tagged in and applied a nerve hold to Sheamus. Henry went for a pin and Orton broke it up. Double-team by the heels after a tag by Show. This time, a nerve hold was applied by Show. Sheamus exploded out of the corner after Show hit the ropes, and dove to take out Show’s knees. Both men were down at 13:10. Henry and Orton both tagged in. Orton fired away on Henry. A jumping clothesline took Henry off his feet. Short DDT to Henry for two. It was a very loose cover and it looked like Orton was surprised (or disgusted) by the sweat Henry got on him. Orton gave his rope-assisted DDT to Show with Show draped across the top rope after Show made the tag. He set up for the RKO, but Henry blasted Orton. Sheamus took out Henry, or more accurately, Sheamus took himself AND Henry out of the picture. Chokeslam by Show on Orton back in the ring, and that was enough for the win.

WINNERS: Show and Henry, at 15:11.

A few key moments of the match were shown. Henry and Show posed atop the ramp as Cole got in one last plug for Raw in London Monday night.


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.

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