WWE Smackdown review
May 31, 2013
Taped 5/28/13 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- A video package aired chronicling the victims of The Shield over the last week. The narrator noted that all three Shield members go one-on-one tonight: Seth Rollins vs. Kane, Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan, and Dean Ambrose vs. Randy Orton.

- In the arena, The Shield’s music played to signal the first match of the evening.

1 – SETH ROLLINS vs. KANE

Daniel Bryan was at ringside for Kane, while only Reigns was in the corner of Rollins. Rollins ran into a big boot, leading to the first cover of the match-up. Long vertical suplex by Kane for two at 1:07. Rollins dropkicked Kane in the knee. There was a shot of Reigns looking on from ringside that for some reason made me think he looked like the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood (don’t ask what version). Rollins tried to block Kane’s punches and kicked him in the leg to take him down. Rollins DDT’d Kane as he jumped off the second rope. He registered a near-fall at 4:17. They went to break at 4:26 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 7:17 of the match. Michael Cole plugged what happened during the break on the WWE App. Kane slammed Rollins and both men were down. Sidewalk slam into a cover for two. Rollins stopped Kane as the big man ascended the ropes. Rollins was shoved down and Kane came off the top with a clothesline. A distraction by Reigns led to Rollins surprising Kane with a kick to the head. Rollins went to the top rope (to do what, who knows, as Kane was all the way across the ring) by as the ref dealt with Reigns, Bryan shoved Rollins off the top. Kane chokeslammed Rollins and it was over.

WINNER: Kane, at 9:22. Somewhat surprising finish. The match told a good story.

The finish of the match was replayed while Rollins and Reigns argued in the ring with the ref. Looks like they’re going right into the next match.

2 – ROMAN REIGNS vs. DANIEL BRYAN

Bryan took the battle to Reigns in the corner and worked over his leg in the middle of the ring. Reigns was clobbered with forearms, much to the chagrin of Rollins. Reigns took over control right before break as Cole quizzed JBL on if he can relate to what Bryan is going through, feeling like the weak link of a tag team. They went to commercial at 2:07 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

The show returned 6:03 into the contest. Bryan was attempting to regain control, but fell victim to a flying clothesline for two. Running shoulder tackle by Reigns for two. “That is explosiveness,” said JBL. I’d agree. Reigns, though, missed a splash in the corner, and Bryan began hulking up. Running corner dropkick, then several kicks found the mark. Roundhouse kick missed, and Reigns headbutted Bryan in the mid-section. Bryan was able to apply the No Lock after reversing Reigns. Reigns crawled toward the ropes and Rollins pushed the rope toward him to grab. Kane obliterated Rollins on the outside. Reigns punched Kane, so Kane punched him back. The referee was dealing with Bryan but did see Kane’s punch. That drew a disqualification.

WINNER: Reigns, via DQ, at 9:16. Fast-paced match. Some would be surprised that Reigns was able to keep up with Bryan. Also, despite the DQ, a solid continuation of the story being told with Team Hell No.

Bryan and Kane argued the match, with Bryan sticking his finger in Kane’s chest several times. Bryan yelled at Kane as they went up the ramp. Bryan continued telling Kane that he’s not a weak link and that he can do it on his own.

- In tonight’s main event, Dean Ambrose faces Randy Orton.

[Commercial Break]

- Damien Sandow was in the ring with another mental challenge. He said mental power will always be superior to brute strength. He took a shot at Edmonton for “giving away” Wayne Gretzky all those years ago and declared himself the “Great One.” Sandow was cutting the promo without a traditional mic, but the way. Sandow introduced Thimblerig, or, “the shell game.” Sandow explained the rules, but Sheamus’s music interrupted before he could get much further. Sheamus, mic in hand, said Sandow should’ve walked away after last week’s victory. He accused Sandow of playing with his cups…and tiny balls. Sheamus wanted to beat Sandow at his own game. Sandow played the game, but you could see him palm the ball and put it in his pocket after he showed it to Sheamus at one point. It wasn’t meant to be hugely obvious but if you watched closely, you could see it. Sheamus chose the wrong cup.

Sandow said Sheamus’s “idiot license” is good for another year. He allowed Sheamus another crack at it to choose from the last two cups. Sandow was giving Sheamus quite the pep talk, but Sheamus once again chose wrong. As Sandow tried to conclude the show, Sheamus demanded to see the red ball under the final cup. Sandow said Sheamus would only further embarrass himself in front of everyone were that to happen. Sheamus even told Sandow, “silence!” when Sandow tried to talk his way out of it. Finally, Sheamus picked up the cup…and there was no ball under it. Sandow called himself a magician and asked rhetorically, “is there no end to my talent?” Fantastic. Sheamus called Sandow a cheater. He tossed the cup at Sandow, turned over the table and gave him a Brogue Kick. “You’re welcome,” said Sheamus. His music then played. Another pretty entertaining segment.

- Paul Heyman and Curtis Axel were walking backstage. Axel is in action, next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – SIN CARA vs. CURTIS AXEL

No Josh Mathews on commentary tonight, if you’re scoring at home. Heyman cut a promo on the way to the ring with Axel. He said when he talks about his clients, he always speaks the truth. Heyman allowed Axel to “pontificate” about his recent accomplishments himself. Axel talked about beating Triple H and John Cena, and how his match with Hunter pretty much ended in submission. Axel claimed Cena was so scared that he ran off and was counted out. He said that when you’re a Paul Heyman Guy, life is…perfect.

This is a rematch from last week. Let’s see if anyone notices. Backbreaker by Axel, as we’re not getting the Sin Cara match lighting this week. Maybe Heyman negotiated that out of the deal for the rematch. Cara arm-dragged Axel and took him down with a headscissors. Another arm-drag, then a kick to the head. Cara tried the handspring back-elbow, but Axel whacked him in the back of the head. Axel ended up winning with the Perfect-Plex.

WINNER: Axel, at 2:00. “Axel” is certainly a lot easier to type in recaps than “McGillicutty.” For that, I’m thankful. They also seemed to ramp up the references to his heritage this week.

- Tonight, we’ll see highlights of Paul Heyman on Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel from Monday.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole congratulated The Rock for his box office success on Fast & The Furious 6. They also showed a Tweet from The Rock thanking the fans for the success.

- Lilian Garcia introduced Ricardo Rodriguez, who introduced Alberto Del Rio. During the entrance, they showed the dissension between Big E. Langston and A.J. Lee after Langston lost Monday night.

4 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. BIG E. LANGSTON

A.J. was ringside with Langston. Langston picked Del Rio up for a suplex but dropped him chest-first over the top rope. Rodriguez valiantly tried to get the crowd to cheer for Del Rio. Gutbuster by Langston on Del Rio. Suplex by Langston for two at 2:06. The straps came down at that point. Del Rio countered with a backstabber. Del Rio missed an enziguiri in the corner but managed a German suplex that dropped Langston onto the back of his neck. Del Rio signaled for the cross arm-breaker. He locked it in. Langston simply powered out, then blocked a kick and ran right over Del Rio. Cover got two at 3:54. Del Rio locked the cross arm-breaker in, using the ropes for leverage. A.J. raked the face of Del Rio after the move was broken. Del Rio was then sent head-first into the ring post. Back in the ring, Langston gave Del Rio the Big Ending for the win.

WINNER: Langston, at 4:51. WWE either has big plans for Langston, or small plans for Del Rio going forward.

- Up next, we’ll see how the John Cena vs. Ryback Payback match turned into a Three Stages of Hell match.

[Commercial Break]

- The Raw Rebound aired.

- A graphic aired for Cena vs. Ryback at Payback.

- An ambulance drove through the backstage area then into the arena. Ryback got out the back of it as his music played.

5 – RYBACK vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Kofi was on fire to start, not letting Ryback get out of the blocks. Rybakc caught a kick though and shoved Kofi to the ground. Springboard dropkick by Kingston for two. Boom Drop connected, and just over a minute in, he set up for Trouble in Paradise. Ryback countered, but Kofi hit a cross-body off the top for two. Flip kick was blocked and Ryback kicked Kofi. Big running clothesline was followed by the Shell Shock for the win.

WINNER: Ryback, at 2:26. A warm-up for Ryback, though Kingston was made to look good.

After the match, Ryback retrieved a table from under the ring. He looked under there when he first came to the ring. Ryback powerbombed Kofi through the table, which was set up in the ring. Another table was brought into the ring and powerbombed him through the second one. JBL pulled the, “this kid’s got a family” card. Ryback got a third table. Kofi was dead weight but Ryback still powerbombed him through the third table. Ryback finally left, leaving the referee and ringside doctor to check on Kofi.

[Commercial Break]

- The exterior of Rexall Place in Edmonton was shown.

- Clips aired of Paul Heyman on the Highlight Reel Monday night.

- A graphic aired for Jericho vs. C.M. Punk at Payback, making the match official.

- Renee Young was backstage with Jericho. She asked him about Jericho’s thoughts on Heyman accepting Jericho’s challenge on behalf of Punk. Jericho talked about all the diseases you can get while hanging around Heyman. Jericho paraphrase his nemesis Bob Barker by saying that Punk would get spayed and neutered at Payback.

- The all-Jericho segment concluded with Jericho coming to the ring for a match. It’s after the break.

[Commercial Break]

6 – CHRIS JERICHO vs. CODY RHODES

Jericho quickly dispatched Rhodes to the outside of the ring. Back in, Rhodes took over on offense. Rhodes put the boots to Jericho as the crowd chanted “Cody’s mustache.” Hard chops by Jericho, but he missed a charge. Jericho went to the top and came down with a double axe-handle. Rhodes dodged the Walls of Jericho but ran into a few more chops. Alabama Slam by Rhodes for a near-fall at 3:36. Cody came off the top, but Jericho caught him with a punch to the gut. Lionsault was countered, as was Cross Rhodes. Cody missed the Disaster Kick and Jericho locked in the Walls for the submission win.

WINNER: Jericho, via submission, at 4:52. Good enough back-and-forth match.

- Cole and JBL plugged the JBL and Cole show on Youtube.

- Cole sent it to a vignette of the Wyatt Family.

- Randy Orton came to the ring for the main event. He faces Dean Ambrose next.

[Commercial Break]

7 – RANDY ORTON vs. DEAN AMBROSE

No entrance for Ambrose. Cole proclaimed this would be a “classic” before it even started. Ambrose cornered Orton and pounded away, then rubbed his face across the top rope. That’s a great heel move that isn’t done enough these days. Orton exploded with a clothesline out of the corner, followed by a suplex. Orton landed a Thesz Press and delivered a few right hands. Outside the ring went the match, where Orton felled Ambrose with a clothesline. Ambrose desired some rest, but Orton was the aggressor. It cost him, as Ambrose sent Orton into the ringside stairs. Break time at 4:04 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at about the 7:30 mark of the match. The match continued the back-and-forth action that took place before the break. Ambrose locked Orton in a sleeper, but Orton broke out. Belly-to-back suplex by Orton and both men were down at 9:25. Right hands were exchanged, but Orton got the better of it and kicked it into high gear. Ambrose hung Orton throat-first over the top rope, but Orton caught him trying to go to the top. Ambrose created separation and came off the top, but Orton dropkicked him on the way down. DDT by Orton planted Ambrose. As Orton set up for the RKO, Ambrose slid out of the ring. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns then interfered for the DQ.

WINNER: Orton, via disqualification, at 11:54.

As The Shield continued their attack on Orton, Team Hell No ran down to make the save. A brawl ensued, with Daniel Bryan in particular getting to shine. He basically took out the entire Shield with little evidence as to where Kane and Orton disappeared to during this time. Bryan led the crowd in a “Yes!” chant as Kane and Orton applauded. They raised his arms and played his music. The reaction is like a guy getting to play wrestler at a fantasy camp.


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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