AKI Man
Legend
WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Taped on 4/19/11 in London, England.
[Q1] A video recap aired of Edge's emotional retirement speech last week. It concluded with a video of the Battle Royal that closed the show, and Christian being crowned the other contender for the World Title at Extreme Rules. The typical Smackdown introduction video then followed.
Josh Mathews welcomed us to the arena and exclaimed there were only 9 days left until Extreme Rules. Booker then hyped Alberto's retirement party for Edge. They both then made mention of the Tag and Intercontinental Title Matches set to take place tonight as well. Chimel then introduced the recently "knighted" Michael Cole. He came to ringside and wore a cape and carried his Slammy.
Cody Rhodes entered the ring and said that everyone can see that he's wearing a mask. He said his mask is for protection, yet Rey Mysterio wears a mask because he is hiding something. Cody then said that Rey is hiding his fears, his loathing thoughts for the audience, and his shame about himself and his appearance. He then said the audience all wore masks as well, and that he can see through their facade and that they all envied him. He called them all miserable, and claimed they all wished misery on their friends and neighbors.
He then offered a remedy for everyone at his expense, and showed the audience a paper bag and invited them all to wear it over their heads. He then had assistants at ringside hand them out to the people in the first few rows. He concluded and said the crowd should wear their paper bags until he is drafed off the show. He looked at the paper bag in his hand, and said that one was for Mysterio.
Rey then entered the arena to his music...
1. Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes The match started with Cody taking control briefly, but he got dumped to the outside and ate a plancha and some strikes from Mysterio...[c]
[Q2] Back in the ring, Rey Mysterio got dumped off the top rope into the ring, and Cody continued the assault on the ground. Cody stomped Rey in the corner, and then attempted to charge and took a foot to the face. Cody then attempted a power bomb and was reversed. Rey bounced off the ropes, but got caught in a back breaker as Cody took back control.
Cody wrapped Rey around the ring post, and then Rey spilled to the outside afterwards. Cody threw him back in, and Rey backed into the corner. Cody made chase, but Rey was able to hit some strikes and set up a 619. Cody was able to slip out and back body dropped him onto the apron. Cody followed, and shoved Rey into the ring post...[c]
Back in the ring, Cody hit a crisp powerslam for a near fall. He then followed up with a hard stomp to the head, and a knee drop. Rhodes then flung Rey chest first into the turnbuckle for another near fall. Rhodes continued to work offense in the corner. He attempted a superplex, but Rey knocked him off and followed with a plancha and a springboard cross body for a near fall. Cody hit a sunset flip, followed by reversals from both men that saw 3 near falls in a tight sequence.
Rey climbed the ropes and attempted a splash, but got caught with a dropkick for another near fall. Cody attempted Crossrhodes, but Rey slipped out. Cody then attempted a Powerbomb, but it was reversed into a pinfall attempte that got a 3 count.
[Q3]Post match, Cody assaulted Rey and tossed him out of the ring into his chest. He then tossed him into the barricade multiple times, and then threw him over the barricade into the crowd. They brawled in the crowd briefly, before Rey knocked Cody back over. Cody then threw Rey into the ring steps, and both men entered the crowd again on the opposite side of the arena. Rey tossed Cody into the barricade for the first deck of stands, and then tossed him violently back into the ringside area.
Rey then attempted to climb the barricade to hit an aerial move, but he was pushed down. Cody then hit CrossRhodes on the outside of the arena, and placed the paper bag from earlier on Rey's head. He then entered the ring and celebrated...[c]
Barnett's Brief: A good match, and a good post match interaction that got Cody his heat back. Both guys needed to stay strong here, and I think they accomplished that here. Cody's promo before the match was good, but not great, but I think they'll continue to improve for him as he gets into the groove of his new character.
[Q4]Cole was in the ring with his cape on, and introduced a video of his antics from Raw, which included him being Knighted. He then introduced Jack Swagger, who came out to his full entrance.
2. Jack Swagger defeated Trent Baretta at 1:21. Swagger went to work early and tossed Baretta into the corner buckles. He followed up with a Swagger Bomb and a taunt. Swagger then paint brushed Baretta, who fought back briefly with an enziguri and a heel kick. Swagger quickly regained control and hit his gut wrench power bomb followed by the ankle lock for the victory.
Barnett's Brief: Meh. Swagger didn't need this, and neither did Cole or Baretta. Cole doesn't need cheap heat, yet that's exactly what they write him to do.
A video arired of The Big Show as he dropped the flag on a Monster Truck Jump for the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards. Kane and Big Show were shown backstage as they approach the ring for their Tag Title Match next...[c]
Kane and Big Show entered to huge applause, followed by Gabriel, Slater, and Zeke Jackson.
[Q5] 3. Kane and Big Show vs The Corre at 3:58. Slater and Kane started, and Kane hit a huge back body drop. Kane then hit a seated dropkick on Slater for a near fall. Big Show then tagged in and hit some slaps in the corner. Kane tagged back in and hit an uppercut, but Slater hit a chop block and tagged in Gabriel. Kane hit Gabriel with a huge right hand, followed by some clotheslines in the corner. Kane then hit a sidewalk slam for a near fall.
Kane climbed the ropes, and Zeke pushed him off into the ring. Slater then went to work, hitting strikes on the ground followed by a chin lock. Slater dragged Kane to his corner and tagged in Gabriel. Gabriel kept Kane grounded with a head and arm lock. Kane eventually fought to his feet, but Gabriel quickly countered with a tilt a whirl DDT. Slater tagged back in and dove off the top rope, but Kane hit him with a right hand and tagged in Big Show. Big Show hit some strikes and a hip block, and then threw Gabriel out of the ring, and hit a choke slam on Slater for the win and title change.
Post match, Kane and Big Show celebrated in the ring with their new titles...[c]
Barnett's Brief: Ok match, but why do I care about this? WWE hasn't really told me, and I don't think the Tag Division is given enough attention to warrant a guess.
Back in the arena, The Corre argued backstage, and Zeke stormed off and Slater pushed Gabriel to the ground.
Drew McIntrye made his way to the ring, followed by Chris Masters.
4. Drew McIntyre defeated Chris Masters at 3:36. Masters backed Drew up into a corner to start, but McIntyre quickly took back over. Masters back body dropped Drew onto the apron and attempted a Master Lock, but was denied. McIntrye ate a huge hand, but he was able to hang masters on the ropes.
McIntrye took control with some power offense, and then attempted a future shock DDT, but Masters rolled him up. Masters then hit a Powerbomb for a near fall. Masters hit a huge clothesline, followed by a back elbow and a shoulder block from the top. He attempted the Master Lock again, but Drew vaulted off the ropes and got out. Drew then hit a future shock DDT for a pinfall.
The announcers hyped the IC Title match for later in the show, and the retirement ceremony...[c]
Barnett's Brief: I'm surprised they gave Masters that much offense, but both guys looked good here. I'm hoping we see more from both of them after the draft.
A video aired of R-Truth and John Morrison's match and then Truth's heel turn. It looked much better here than it did on Monday. Mathews then hyped the WWE title match at the Extreme Rules PPV. They then spoke about the Cody Rhodes and Rey Mysterio match and post match assault, and how Cody and R-Truth's attitudes are similar. They then announced a falls count anywhere match between Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes for Extreme Rules.
[Q7] Kofi made his way out to the ring for his Intercontinental Title Match...[c]
Wade Barrett then made his way out to the ring with Ezekial Jackson.
5. Wade Barrett vs. Kofi Kingston Kofi hit some strikes to Barret's legs early, followed with some punches in the corner. Barrett hit a back elbow on Kofi as Kofi charged him in the corner, and then Wade followed with some stomps and a forearm to the chest. Kofi kicked Barrett into the outside Barricade, and followed with a huge splash from the top rope...[c]
Wade had control as we got back from break. Kofi then dumped Wade to the outside, and Wade grabbed his wrist after the fall. Zeke attempted to interfere for Barrett, but hit Wade by mistake. Wade then sent Zeke to the back. Kofi then rolled Wade up for a near fall and took back control of the match. Kofi hit some high flying offense, capped off with a boom drop. Kofi signaled for TIP, but Wade ducked and attempted Wasteland, but was able to get to the ropes and get out. Wade hit a big boot, but Kofi attempted a a rollup, but Wade held on for a 3 count...[c]
Barnett's Brief: Another match that felt like I was watching the air being let out of a balloon. I like Barrett, and I like Kofi, but this match felt as lifeless as this London crowd. Both men put in an effort here, and I don't mean to demean them, but I can't escape the feeling that this all isn't going to mean much after the draft. I assume the reason this show is heavy with matches is because they don't want to start any new stories until the dust settles next week.
[Q8] Ricardo Rodriguez introduced Alberto Del Rio, who came to ringside in another 200k Bentley. The ring was set up with a black carpet and gold balloons for the retirement party. He said no one throws a fiesta like him. He welcomed the crowd to Edge's retirement party. He said he brought presents, and uncovered a grandfather clock, for Edge to watch his life tick away. He then uncovered depends and a bedpan, because he said people with injuries like Edge lose control of their lower bodies.
He then said he knows there is nothing better in retirement than being with friends, and Lita's music hit, and out came an obese woman. Brodus was instructed to help her into the ring, and did so while he looked on disgusted. Del Rio said she looked heavier, but never looked better. He told the fake Lita that Edge could have more time together. He uncovered a walker, and said that it would be perfect for Edge and his lady friend to go on romantic strolls together.
He introduced his final present, which was Edge's new ride, which was a power scooter with an oxygen tank on the back. Ricardo drove it to ringside, and posed on it like Edge as pyro went off. Del Rio said the best part of the whole thing was that Edge gets handicap parking. He then exlaimed he would be the World Champion after Extreme Rules, and Edge's music hit.
Edge came out onto the stage with a microphone and the audience exploded. Edge said that Alberto looked surprised to see him. Edge mentioned London for a cheap pop, and said that he couldn't imagine missing his retirement party. Edge said they all looked like a flaming bag of poop, and that Del Rio sucked. Del Rio instructed Brodus to go get Edge, and Brodus walked up the ramp slowly. Christian attacked Brodus from behind with a ladder, and then Del Rio with the ladder as well. Christian then set the ladder up in the ring, and grabbed the World Title that was hanging above the ring.
The final image of the show was Christian standing atop a ladder as he celebrated with the World Title
Taped on 4/19/11 in London, England.
[Q1] A video recap aired of Edge's emotional retirement speech last week. It concluded with a video of the Battle Royal that closed the show, and Christian being crowned the other contender for the World Title at Extreme Rules. The typical Smackdown introduction video then followed.
Josh Mathews welcomed us to the arena and exclaimed there were only 9 days left until Extreme Rules. Booker then hyped Alberto's retirement party for Edge. They both then made mention of the Tag and Intercontinental Title Matches set to take place tonight as well. Chimel then introduced the recently "knighted" Michael Cole. He came to ringside and wore a cape and carried his Slammy.
Cody Rhodes entered the ring and said that everyone can see that he's wearing a mask. He said his mask is for protection, yet Rey Mysterio wears a mask because he is hiding something. Cody then said that Rey is hiding his fears, his loathing thoughts for the audience, and his shame about himself and his appearance. He then said the audience all wore masks as well, and that he can see through their facade and that they all envied him. He called them all miserable, and claimed they all wished misery on their friends and neighbors.
He then offered a remedy for everyone at his expense, and showed the audience a paper bag and invited them all to wear it over their heads. He then had assistants at ringside hand them out to the people in the first few rows. He concluded and said the crowd should wear their paper bags until he is drafed off the show. He looked at the paper bag in his hand, and said that one was for Mysterio.
Rey then entered the arena to his music...
1. Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes The match started with Cody taking control briefly, but he got dumped to the outside and ate a plancha and some strikes from Mysterio...[c]
[Q2] Back in the ring, Rey Mysterio got dumped off the top rope into the ring, and Cody continued the assault on the ground. Cody stomped Rey in the corner, and then attempted to charge and took a foot to the face. Cody then attempted a power bomb and was reversed. Rey bounced off the ropes, but got caught in a back breaker as Cody took back control.
Cody wrapped Rey around the ring post, and then Rey spilled to the outside afterwards. Cody threw him back in, and Rey backed into the corner. Cody made chase, but Rey was able to hit some strikes and set up a 619. Cody was able to slip out and back body dropped him onto the apron. Cody followed, and shoved Rey into the ring post...[c]
Back in the ring, Cody hit a crisp powerslam for a near fall. He then followed up with a hard stomp to the head, and a knee drop. Rhodes then flung Rey chest first into the turnbuckle for another near fall. Rhodes continued to work offense in the corner. He attempted a superplex, but Rey knocked him off and followed with a plancha and a springboard cross body for a near fall. Cody hit a sunset flip, followed by reversals from both men that saw 3 near falls in a tight sequence.
Rey climbed the ropes and attempted a splash, but got caught with a dropkick for another near fall. Cody attempted Crossrhodes, but Rey slipped out. Cody then attempted a Powerbomb, but it was reversed into a pinfall attempte that got a 3 count.
[Q3]Post match, Cody assaulted Rey and tossed him out of the ring into his chest. He then tossed him into the barricade multiple times, and then threw him over the barricade into the crowd. They brawled in the crowd briefly, before Rey knocked Cody back over. Cody then threw Rey into the ring steps, and both men entered the crowd again on the opposite side of the arena. Rey tossed Cody into the barricade for the first deck of stands, and then tossed him violently back into the ringside area.
Rey then attempted to climb the barricade to hit an aerial move, but he was pushed down. Cody then hit CrossRhodes on the outside of the arena, and placed the paper bag from earlier on Rey's head. He then entered the ring and celebrated...[c]
Barnett's Brief: A good match, and a good post match interaction that got Cody his heat back. Both guys needed to stay strong here, and I think they accomplished that here. Cody's promo before the match was good, but not great, but I think they'll continue to improve for him as he gets into the groove of his new character.
[Q4]Cole was in the ring with his cape on, and introduced a video of his antics from Raw, which included him being Knighted. He then introduced Jack Swagger, who came out to his full entrance.
2. Jack Swagger defeated Trent Baretta at 1:21. Swagger went to work early and tossed Baretta into the corner buckles. He followed up with a Swagger Bomb and a taunt. Swagger then paint brushed Baretta, who fought back briefly with an enziguri and a heel kick. Swagger quickly regained control and hit his gut wrench power bomb followed by the ankle lock for the victory.
Barnett's Brief: Meh. Swagger didn't need this, and neither did Cole or Baretta. Cole doesn't need cheap heat, yet that's exactly what they write him to do.
A video arired of The Big Show as he dropped the flag on a Monster Truck Jump for the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards. Kane and Big Show were shown backstage as they approach the ring for their Tag Title Match next...[c]
Kane and Big Show entered to huge applause, followed by Gabriel, Slater, and Zeke Jackson.
[Q5] 3. Kane and Big Show vs The Corre at 3:58. Slater and Kane started, and Kane hit a huge back body drop. Kane then hit a seated dropkick on Slater for a near fall. Big Show then tagged in and hit some slaps in the corner. Kane tagged back in and hit an uppercut, but Slater hit a chop block and tagged in Gabriel. Kane hit Gabriel with a huge right hand, followed by some clotheslines in the corner. Kane then hit a sidewalk slam for a near fall.
Kane climbed the ropes, and Zeke pushed him off into the ring. Slater then went to work, hitting strikes on the ground followed by a chin lock. Slater dragged Kane to his corner and tagged in Gabriel. Gabriel kept Kane grounded with a head and arm lock. Kane eventually fought to his feet, but Gabriel quickly countered with a tilt a whirl DDT. Slater tagged back in and dove off the top rope, but Kane hit him with a right hand and tagged in Big Show. Big Show hit some strikes and a hip block, and then threw Gabriel out of the ring, and hit a choke slam on Slater for the win and title change.
Post match, Kane and Big Show celebrated in the ring with their new titles...[c]
Barnett's Brief: Ok match, but why do I care about this? WWE hasn't really told me, and I don't think the Tag Division is given enough attention to warrant a guess.
Back in the arena, The Corre argued backstage, and Zeke stormed off and Slater pushed Gabriel to the ground.
Drew McIntrye made his way to the ring, followed by Chris Masters.
4. Drew McIntyre defeated Chris Masters at 3:36. Masters backed Drew up into a corner to start, but McIntyre quickly took back over. Masters back body dropped Drew onto the apron and attempted a Master Lock, but was denied. McIntrye ate a huge hand, but he was able to hang masters on the ropes.
McIntrye took control with some power offense, and then attempted a future shock DDT, but Masters rolled him up. Masters then hit a Powerbomb for a near fall. Masters hit a huge clothesline, followed by a back elbow and a shoulder block from the top. He attempted the Master Lock again, but Drew vaulted off the ropes and got out. Drew then hit a future shock DDT for a pinfall.
The announcers hyped the IC Title match for later in the show, and the retirement ceremony...[c]
Barnett's Brief: I'm surprised they gave Masters that much offense, but both guys looked good here. I'm hoping we see more from both of them after the draft.
A video aired of R-Truth and John Morrison's match and then Truth's heel turn. It looked much better here than it did on Monday. Mathews then hyped the WWE title match at the Extreme Rules PPV. They then spoke about the Cody Rhodes and Rey Mysterio match and post match assault, and how Cody and R-Truth's attitudes are similar. They then announced a falls count anywhere match between Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes for Extreme Rules.
[Q7] Kofi made his way out to the ring for his Intercontinental Title Match...[c]
Wade Barrett then made his way out to the ring with Ezekial Jackson.
5. Wade Barrett vs. Kofi Kingston Kofi hit some strikes to Barret's legs early, followed with some punches in the corner. Barrett hit a back elbow on Kofi as Kofi charged him in the corner, and then Wade followed with some stomps and a forearm to the chest. Kofi kicked Barrett into the outside Barricade, and followed with a huge splash from the top rope...[c]
Wade had control as we got back from break. Kofi then dumped Wade to the outside, and Wade grabbed his wrist after the fall. Zeke attempted to interfere for Barrett, but hit Wade by mistake. Wade then sent Zeke to the back. Kofi then rolled Wade up for a near fall and took back control of the match. Kofi hit some high flying offense, capped off with a boom drop. Kofi signaled for TIP, but Wade ducked and attempted Wasteland, but was able to get to the ropes and get out. Wade hit a big boot, but Kofi attempted a a rollup, but Wade held on for a 3 count...[c]
Barnett's Brief: Another match that felt like I was watching the air being let out of a balloon. I like Barrett, and I like Kofi, but this match felt as lifeless as this London crowd. Both men put in an effort here, and I don't mean to demean them, but I can't escape the feeling that this all isn't going to mean much after the draft. I assume the reason this show is heavy with matches is because they don't want to start any new stories until the dust settles next week.
[Q8] Ricardo Rodriguez introduced Alberto Del Rio, who came to ringside in another 200k Bentley. The ring was set up with a black carpet and gold balloons for the retirement party. He said no one throws a fiesta like him. He welcomed the crowd to Edge's retirement party. He said he brought presents, and uncovered a grandfather clock, for Edge to watch his life tick away. He then uncovered depends and a bedpan, because he said people with injuries like Edge lose control of their lower bodies.
He then said he knows there is nothing better in retirement than being with friends, and Lita's music hit, and out came an obese woman. Brodus was instructed to help her into the ring, and did so while he looked on disgusted. Del Rio said she looked heavier, but never looked better. He told the fake Lita that Edge could have more time together. He uncovered a walker, and said that it would be perfect for Edge and his lady friend to go on romantic strolls together.
He introduced his final present, which was Edge's new ride, which was a power scooter with an oxygen tank on the back. Ricardo drove it to ringside, and posed on it like Edge as pyro went off. Del Rio said the best part of the whole thing was that Edge gets handicap parking. He then exlaimed he would be the World Champion after Extreme Rules, and Edge's music hit.
Edge came out onto the stage with a microphone and the audience exploded. Edge said that Alberto looked surprised to see him. Edge mentioned London for a cheap pop, and said that he couldn't imagine missing his retirement party. Edge said they all looked like a flaming bag of poop, and that Del Rio sucked. Del Rio instructed Brodus to go get Edge, and Brodus walked up the ramp slowly. Christian attacked Brodus from behind with a ladder, and then Del Rio with the ladder as well. Christian then set the ladder up in the ring, and grabbed the World Title that was hanging above the ring.
The final image of the show was Christian standing atop a ladder as he celebrated with the World Title