WWE Smackdown review
π, 2014
Taped 3/11/14 in Little Rock, Ark.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- A video package from Raw focused on Daniel Bryan’s Yes Movement, and how it helped him get possibly two matches at Wrestlemania.

- Smackdown opened with Triple H coming out. A graphic showed that Hunter will indeed face Bryan at Wrestlemania. Michael Cole and JBL were shown on-camera as Triple H made his way to the ring. The crowd chanted “Yes!” and Triple H said he’s sure that feels good. Hunter said he was happy the fans had that little moment, but because of them, Daniel Bryan was not in the building. He said he’ll deal with Daniel Bryan on Raw. That pretty much sums up Smackdown’s existence at this point, and through much of its history. Triple H said the fans probably would’ve loved to participate in Occupy Raw in Memphis. Hunter said he’s going to end the Yes Movement. He said it could’ve continued to grow, as it has since Summerslam, where he started protecting Daniel Bryan. Zuh? He said he protected Bryan at Summerslam for all of the fans, as Bryan would’ve been devoured by the sharks of the industry were he to continue down the path he was headed. He said Bryan represents hope for the fans and their pathetic lives. That does bring up an interesting theory – if Bryan were to become champion, the face of WWE, etc., would that harm the fact that much of his appeal is that he’s a guy being held down and not treated with the respect he deserves by WWE? If he finally reaches the top, where will fans direct all the fervor they’ve felt trying to get Bryan to that point? When there’s nothing left to fight for, will the fans still respond the way they do now? But I digress…

Triple H said Bryan is just like the fans – just not good enough to succeed. And at Wrestlemania, he’ll crush the hopes and dreams of the fans. He vowed to put an end to the Yes Movement and to Daniel Bryan. He said there is no fairy tale or happily ever after. He reiterated that he’d bury Daniel Bryan at Wrestlemania. But tonight, the show must go on. Hunter brought out Damien Sandow. Cole said it was an “immature” response by Triple H. Hunter tried to out-Sandow Sandow by using big words and telling the fans what they mean. Hunter was not happy for Sandow not following the orders of The Authority Monday night. Sandow apologized and said it won’t happen again. “No harm, no foul,” said Triple H. Hunter said Vickie Guerrero told him he’ll be competing first tonight. He wished Sandow luck. The Shield’s music played. Cole suggested Hunter had something to do with this match being made. There was no announcement as to which Shield member he’d face as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

1 – DAMIEN SANDOW vs. SETH ROLLINS

The match was joined-in-progress. Sandow kicked at the knee of Rollins as The Shield member was standing on the apron. Back in the ring, Sandow got sent head-first into the middle turnbuckle. Rollins came off the top, but Sandow rolled out of the ring. Finally, Cole called out JBL on his own conspiracy theory that Jerry Lawler had something to do with no one trying to rid the ring of the Occupy Raw folks on Monday. Out of nowhere, Rollins connected on his finisher for the win.

WINNER: Rollins, 2:24 shown. Surprisingly quick match. Sandow is really not in a good situation right now.

Dean Ambrose refused to put his fist in for The usual Shield salute, but he then went out and grabbed Sandow, throwing him back into the ring. Roman Reings gave Sandow a powerbomb and now Ambrose was ready to do the fist-bump.

Replays aired of the finish of the match.

- Kane vs. Big Show is tonight.

- Big E. was walking backstage. He’s in action, next.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole threw it to a video package aired of Hulk Hogan’s Wrestlemania announcement on Monday.

2 – BIG E. vs. FANDANGO

In an inset interview, Fandango threw his hat into the ring for the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Fandango ran into a belly-to-belly suplex from the Intercontinental Champion. Big splash followed that. Big E. avoided a clothesline and nailed Fandango. Big E. finished off Fandango with the Big Ending.

WINNER: Big E., at 1:37. Another surprisingly quick match. It was just a back-drop for the announcers to talk about the battle royal. Otherwise, the match really meant nothing.

- A clip of Undertaker’s appearance on Raw aired.

- Bad News Barrett showed up on his podium. He spoke about The Undertaker and his bad news was that Taker’s streak would end at Wrestlemania XXX. Somehow, he reasoned this would lead to one being fired from work.

- Tonight, Bray Wyatt is in action.

- Up next, Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. The Real Americans.

[Commercial Break]

3 – THE REAL AMERICANS vs. CODY RHODES & GOLDUST

As the heels came to the ring, the latest drama between the two from Raw was shown. Drop toe-hold by Goldust for a knee-drop by Rhodes in a double-team move. Jack Swagger picked Rhodes up and rammed him into the corner. Cody got the better of an exchange with Cesaro. Springboard dropkick took out Swagger on the apron. Cesaro was back-dropped to ringside. Rhodes launched himself over the top rope and Cesaro (pretty much) caught him in mid-air, slamming him onto the apron. A double-stomp coming back in the ring by Cesaro took us to break at 1:51 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 5:16 of the match, with the Americans still in control of Rhodes. Cesaro Swing on Rhodes, then a tag to Swagger. Swagger Bomb was countered as Cody got his feet up. The heels were again not getting along. Vertical suplex by Cesaro, right in front of Swagger. Swagger then tagged himself in. Zeb Colter was none too happy at ringside. Cesaro and Swagger continued to argue and Rhodes almost made the tag. Swagger knocked Goldust down and after a back-drop, Cody had no one to tag. Cody gave Swagger a backslide for the win.

WINNERS: Rhodes and Goldust, at 8:26. Just a match, but there was nothing wrong with it. The teased break-up of the Real Americans continues.

The Real Americans went on the attack post-match. They rammed Rhodes shoulder-first into the post a couple times until The Usos ran out to make the save.

- A video package aired on the interaction between The Wyatts and John Cena from Raw.

- The Wyatts began to make their entrance into the arena. Bray is in action next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – BRAY WYATT vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Kingston caught Wyatt with a kick early on, sending the big man to ringside. Flip kick in the corner stunned Wyatt, but Bray caught Kingston and placed him on the top rope. He then shoved Kofi off, and he went tumbling to the floor. Great agility for Kofi to catch Wyatt with a standing dropkick, getting fantastic height. Kofi came off the second rope, but Wyatt caught him and gave him a uranage. He dragged Kofi toward the corner and connected on a running splash. Sister Abigail finished it.

WINNER: Wyatt, at 4:53. Good little match between these two. Wyatt is really hitting his stride as a character from bell-to-bell.

Highlights of the match were replayed.

- Kane was backstage with The Shield. Kane complimented them on a few of their latest matches. Ambrose opened his mouth to wonder why Kane isn’t more concerned with Big Show. Kane said he’d destroy Show, and he’s ordering the three of them to be at ringside to show them how to properly handle a situation. Seth Rollins wasn’t buying Kane’s explanation and insisted Kane wants them out there for protection against Show. Reigns stepped up and said they don’t take orders from Kane. Rollins said when push comes to shove, The Shield always does what’s best for business.

- A graphic for Kane vs. Big Show aired.

[Commercial Break]

5 – NIKKI BELLA vs. TAMINA SNUKA

A.J. joined the commentary team for this match. Drop toe-hold by Nikki that sent Tamina throat-first across the middle rope. Nikki was going to attempt a springboard, I think, but Tamian kicked at the legs of Nikki, sending her to the outside. Somewhat of a Samoan drop back in the ring. Superfly splash attempt, but Nikki rolled out of the way. She made a comeback and even hit a back body-drop. Superkick felled Nikki, but a pin attempt only got two. Brie for some reason was on the apron. A.J. ran over to her and Brie jumped off the apron with a clothesline on A.J. Tamina came out and threw Brie into the barricade. Nikki dodged another superkick and gave Tamina her finisher for the pinfall.

WINNER: Nikki, at 3:15. I find Tamina to be a little overrated as an in-ring performer, while the Bellas continue to improve.

- Still to come, in the main event, Kane vs. Big Show.

- But next, it’s Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio.

[Commercial Break]

6 – DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO

Del Rio did an inset interview talking about how he’ll win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. Ziggler connected on a nice dropkick with Del Rio on the apron. Ziggler’s series of elbows didn’t seem to get the height he usually gets on them. Del Rio double-stomped the chest of Ziggler while he was in the ropes. They went to break at 1:48 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

The show returned at 5:45 of the match. Ziggler missed a corner splash, allowing Del Rio to take control. He came off the top, only to be met by a Ziggler dropkick. Ziggler’s high-energy offense got the crowd back into it. Tilt-a-whirl back-breaker by Del Rio for two. Some back-and-forth ensued late in the match. Fameasser after a missed enziguiri, but it only got a two-count. Del Rio took the move a little weirdly, too, almost on his side. The match reset with both men struggling to get to their feet. Inverted suplex off the middle rope by Del Rio for two at 10:33. Zig Zag by Ziggler off of another counter for the win.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 11:15. Nice win by Ziggler. He needed it here. Match really heated up late.

Replays of key moments of the match were shown. Renee Young entered the ring to interview Ziggler. Ziggler gave Young an exclusive and said he’s putting his name in as a participant in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at Wrestlemania. Ziggler said at Wrestlemania, he makes his own destiny. He said he’ll final have his Wrestlemania moment.

- The next inductee into the 2014 WWE Hall-of-Fame will be announced after the break.

[Commercial Break]

- The exterior of the Verizon Arena was shown.

- The next inductee into the 2014 WWE Hall-of-Fame: Carlos Colon.

- Cole and JBL talked about the WWE Network. JBL showed how to get the free one-week trial.

- A backstage Wyatts vignette was shown. Luke Harper did some speaking, in riddles of course. Bray walked into the picture, saying he never sleeps but is always dreaming. He said he dreams of facing John Cena at Wrestlemania. He also hears a woman’s voice, telling him she loves him, that she’s proud of him. But then he wakes up, seeing Cena for what he’s become: A withered, lonely old man. He mentioned that they’ve entered the bowels of Carcosa (a pretty blatant piggybacking off of True Detective), saying not to worry, that he’d make it quick.

- Cena responds to The Wyatts on Raw this Monday.

- Kane was walking backstage. He came across The Shield. Kane urged them to follow, and they did so.

[Commercial Break]

7 – KANE vs. THE BIG SHOW

The Shield did not appear with Kane as he came out. As Big Show came to the ring, they shoed Show knocking out Kane last week on Smackdown. The Shield came to the ring from backstage as the match began. Kane punched away at Show, and Show followed suit. He headbutt put Kane on the mat. After a chop, Kane rolled to ringside right in front of The Shield. Kane took advantage by pulling Show down throat-first across the top rope. He took out Show’s knee to take him to the canvas. DDT by Kane on Show for two at 2:33. Both men attempted chokeslams, but Show clotheslined Kane down. Show climbed to the top rope as Reigns laughed at ringside. Kane chokeslammed Show down. Show kicked out. Theoretically, that should be more impactful than a regular chokeslam (especially on someone Show’s size), so it should be a very big deal that he kicked out of that. The Shield climbed to the top rope as Kane got to his feet. Kane had a few words with Rollins, telling him to “get” Big Show. The Shield didn’t move. Instead, they stood down. Kane yelled at them, allowing Show to recover and chokeslam Kane.

WINNER: Show, at 5:28.

The finish was replayed. The Shield was leaving ringside when Rollins was plucked from the floor and into the ring by Kane. He was about to chokeslam Rollins when Reigns came in out of nowhere and speared Kane. The Shield left the ring together to close the show.


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. He is the host of “Moonlighting with Greg Parks,” a PWTorch VIP-exclusive audio show posted each weekend. 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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