Friday Night Smackdown!
London, England
April 16, 2010
results thanks to pwtorch.com
- WWE Open.
- Smackdown Open.
- In the arena, coming out first: Chris Jericho. The first thing he took issue
with was Randy Orton, a Raw wrestler, facing Jack Swagger for a Smackdown Title,
at Extreme Rules. He reminded fans that he has a rematch against Swagger to use,
yet he can’t, because Teddy Long is an incompetent buffoon. Jericho asked him to
rectify the situation by (a) resigning immediately, and (b) ensuring that, at
Extreme Rules, he gets to face the winner of Orton vs. Swagger. He said he
deserves something better, since he is, after all, the most valuable performer
in the company. Then Edge’s music interrupted Jericho’s rant, and the Rated R
Superstar came out.
Edge said he found himself agreeing with a few of Jericho’s points, namely, the
fact that the World Championship needs to stay on Smackdown, and that Jericho is
owed a rematch. But he did say that Jericho isn’t the guy to save the title for
Smackdown. He reminded Jericho how many times he has one-upped him. Edge told
Jericho to give up on the rematch, because he didn’t think Jericho could beat
Orton or Swagger, whereas Edge knew he could. He said he could spear Jericho
right there and prove it. As Jericho and Edge danced around each other in the
ring, Teddy Long came out. Long said he didn’t appreciate Jericho hatin’ on him.
For real, Teddy. Jericho responded by saying that if Long was smart, he wouldn’t
have to hate on him. Long mentioned the possibility of having Jericho thrown out
of the building. He then said Orton wouldn’t be number one contender if he and
Edge hadn’t gotten themselves counted out last week. He said that Jericho has a
rematch clause, but it’s Long who decides it, not Jericho. He said Jericho would
get his championship rematch tonight. Jericho congratulated Teddy for doing the
right thing, then promised to make sure Edge never got another title shot again.
Long disagreed with Jericho, and said Swagger will defend the title tonight
against Chris Jericho AND Edge, in a Triple-Threat Match. This was the match I
predicted for the PPV…I guess they wanted to get Orton on the card and had
nothing for him to do.
[Commercial Break]
- Drew McIntyre came out for his match. He got the mic and said people don’t
like him. He listed off some possible reasons why, including that he’s I.C.
Champion and the chosen one. He ended by saying he doesn’t like the fans either.
1 – DREW MCINTYRE vs. KANE
Kane used his strength to his advantage early on in the match. Shoulder
knock-down for a two-count by Kane. Low dropkick from Kane, but his pin attempt
only got him one. He missed a corner charge and McIntyre knocked him down with a
big boot. Neck-breaker on the knee by the champion. Kane responded with a big
boot of his own, while Matt Striker gave some background on Kane, including the
black glove he wears being the only remnant of the fire that killed his parents.
Remember that? Top rope clothesline from the big man. McIntyre escaped the
confines of the ring before he could be chokeslammed. He then backed up the ramp
to leave, but Matt Hardy stopped him and shoved him back into the ring. That was
enough for a DQ.
WINNER: McIntyre, by DQ, at 3:10. Has someone throwing someone else back into
the ring always been a DQ?
After the bell, Kane chokeslammed McIntyre. Then, just for fun, he did it to
Hardy too.
- Long was in his office backstage when Jack Swagger walked up to him. He was
predictably unhappy about being put in a Triple-Threat with his title on the
line. Long said Swagger will have to deal with his rulings as long as he’s World
Champion.
[Commercial Break]
- Striker plugged WWE.com’s Most Historic Draft Picks of All-Time.
- Dolph Ziggler came out for a match. Like McIntyre before him, he got the mic
prior to his match. Ziggler said he was forced by Teddy Long to apologize for
attacking a TV announcer last week. He did it in the most unapologetic voice
possible. Truth came out as his opponent and talked about how Ziggler didn’t
have any heart or soul, and didn’t mean anything he said in his apology. Truth
said Ziggler will found out that the truth hurts.
2 – DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. R-TRUTH
Ziggler faked a handshake, and went on the attack. Reverse bodylam for a
near-fall, but Truth came back with a clothesline. Jumping side kick from the
rapper, then a high hip-toss. Lie Detector was countered as I imagined Matt
Striker and Josh Mathews playing golf with each other, as Striker suggested.
Ziggler applied the sleeper, bringing Truth to the mat. Eventually, the ref
called for the bell, as Truth was out.
WINNER: Ziggler, at 2:08. I wonder if they changed the focus of Ziggler’s
finisher to the sleeper because his and Benjamin’s finishers were so similar,
and Shelton is now on Smackdown. Either way, getting the sleeper over as a
serious move gets a thumbs-up from me.
[Commercial Break]
3 – MICKIE JAMES vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL
Mickie making her return to action here. Striker said Mickie’s fans are known as
the “James Gang.” Layla and Vickie Guerrero came to the ring to cheer on McCool.
Michelle took Mickie down, but she made the mistake of taunting her. Quick
roll-up by Mickie for two, then another. Back elbow by Mickie found the mark,
then she went for her tornado DDT, but McCool blocked it. She put James on the
apron and pushed her head-first into the ring post. Head-scissors by McCool. She
grabbed the ropes for a quick bit of leverage. Michelle basked in the cheers of
her ringside supporters, which allowed Mickie to get a few blows in. Knee to the
face by McCool. James came back with a hurricanrana and a clothesline. McCool
tried to take a break on the outside, but James caught her and threw her
gut-first into the barricade. She climbed the barricade and landed on McCool
with a Thesz Press. Then one for Layla. She stared down Vickie before throwing
Michelle into the ring. Neck-breaker from Mickie for only one, as Layla got on
the apron to distract her. McCool’s big boot found the mark, and that was enough
to turn out Mickie’s lights.
WINNER: McCool, at 4:20. Good match, but I’m surprised they didn’t give Mickie a
win in her return, and a non-title match.
McCool continued her assault on James until Beth Phoenix ran out to make the
save. Beth grabbed Michelle by the ankle as she tried to escape, and finally she
did. Team LayCool jumped over the announcers and into the crowd as Phoenix
chased her. She gave up in the crowd, and ended up standing on the barricade.
Back in the ring, Beth and Mickie showed signs of respect. Didn’t this happen a
few months ago, only for Beth to assault Mickie?
- Rey Mysterio and The Hart Dynasty face the Straight Edge Society, with Darren
Young, later tonight.
[Commercial Break]
- They showed what happened a few weeks ago when Jack Swagger cashed in his MITB
shot against Chris Jericho.
- Luke Gallows did some really bad line readings threatening Darren Young
backstage. Young asked what it was like to lose to an NXT Rookie. C.M. Punk
separated them and put each one of them in their place. He told them to fight
out in the arena and to show the world what Straight Edge was all about.
- The Straight Edge Society made their way to the ring. They face the Hart
Dynasty and Rey Mysterio next.
[Commercial Break]
4 – THE STRAIGHT EDGE SOCIETY & DARREN YOUNG vs. THE HART DYNASTY & REY MYSTERIO
The Miz was doing commentary for this match. Gallows and Smith started off the
match. Powerslam for two by Smith. Some triple teaming by the faces, with Kidd
and Mysterio double dropkicking the face of Gallows. He tagged his leader, C.M.
Punk. More triple-teaming, this time on Punk. Punk came back and kicked away at
Mysterio in the corner, using the sole of his shoe to choke Rey. Mysterio turned
the tables with a head-scissors, but Punk dodged a 619. The Society re-grouped
on the outside as they went to break about 5:00 in.
[Commercial Break]
Mysterio was kicking away at the legs of Young out of break. Smith tagged in and
continued the face dominance. Young regained control of the match against Kidd,
and tagged in Gallows. He tried to launch Kidd over the top, but Kidd landed on
the apron. He tried to jump back in, but Gallows gave him a boot to the face.
Back to Young, with a neck-breaker on Kidd. Kidd and Punk had another short
segment until Young tagged in and missed a middle-rope leg-drop. Kidd took Punk
down and mdae the hot tag to David Hart Smith. He cleaned house on the entire
Society, but that cost him. Things broke down with all six men, and Punk kicked
Smith in the head for a near-fall. Knee thrust by Punk, but Smith landed a
drop-toe hold in the corner. 619 around the steel by Rey, then a powerslam from
Smith ended things.
WINNERS: The Hart Dynasty & Mysterio, at 13:18. Good contest that allowed the
Harts and Young to get some big-match experience.
- Chris Jericho was talking to his NXT Rookie Wade Barrett backstage. Jericho
said he hopes that someday, Barrett will get the same opportunity he’s getting
tonight. Jericho said lucky number seven (as in title reigns) would be coming to
him this evening.
[Commercial Break]
5 – CAYLEN CROFT vs. JTG
Sounds like a new theme song from the Dudebusters. Not as good as their first,
but better than their second. As soon as the match began, Shad Gaspard walked to
the ring. He was trash talking JTG from ringside, pacing back and forth. Croft
got a few near falls, but the focus was clearly on Shad at ringside. JTG came
back with a twisting neck-breaker. His comeback was in full effect, and he
didn’t seem to be thrown by Shad at ringside. Croft with a neck-breaker for two.
JTG rolled the dice, then hit Croft with his finisher for the win.
WINNER: JTG, at 3:13. Not much to the match; just a back-drop for the post-match
happenings.
JTG was immediately attacked by Shad with a hard clothesline. The beat-down
continued, with Shad yelling that JTG “ain’t nothin’ without me.” JTG made a
comeback however, and dropkicked Shad out of the ring. The two stared at each
other with angry faces to end the segment.
- Edge was casually talking to Josh Mathews backstage, mentioning how he could
relate to Jack Swagger. He said Swagger is in a tough spot with this
Triple-Threat, and that he would leave the arena as World Champion.
[Commercial Break]
- The Raw Rebound aired, focusing on Randy Orton vs. Batista.
- Striker thanked Saliva for “Time To Shine,” the official theme song for
Extreme Rules.
- Speaking of Extreme Rules, the announcers previewed the card as it stands
today.
- Jack Swagger came to the ring for the Championship Triple-Threat match. It’s
next.
[Commercial Break]
6 – JACK SWAGGER vs. CHRIS JERICHO vs. EDGE – TRIPLE-THREAT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
MATCH
Formal ring introductions were done by Tony Chimel. Swagger and Jericho
double-teamed Edge to start, but that partnership did not last long. Edge threw
Swagger over the top rope, but Jericho assailed Edge from behind. As Edge
regained control, Swagger tripped him up from outside. Jericho and Swagger set
up for a double-team, but they both ended up going over the top rope trying to
attack Edge. He landed a double baseball-slide on the two men. Edge tossed
Jericho into the barricade, then focused in on Swagger. However, Edge and
Swagger ended up double-teaming Jericho. Triple-Threats make strange
bedfellows….match went to break more than four minutes in.
[Commercial Break]
Swagger was on offense against Edge out of break, working the arm. He even had
time to knock Jericho off the apron and back to the floor. Vader Bomb connected
for a near-fall. He continued pounding away with forearms on Edge. Edge tried to
turn the tide, but Jericho attacked him. Things turned up a notch with all three
men back in the ring. Double clothesline off the second rope by Edge. Swagger
got sent into the announce table, and Edge rolled Jericho up for two. Another
near-fall for Edge. Bulldog attempt by Jericho was avoided by Edge, who then set
up for the Spear. Jericho countered for a roll-up into a Walls of Jericho.
Swagger tried to interfere, but Jericho applied the move to him. DDT by Edge on
Jericho. Swagger Bomb, but Edge countered that into a DDT, then got ready to
Spear the champion. Jericho cut him off in the middle of his run and made a
cover for two. Oklahoma Roll for a very near-fall by Swagger. Codebreaker
connected on Swagger, but all three men were down. Edge speared Jericho and went
for a pin, but Swagger pulled Edge off and made the pin himself. Striker, in
celebration, almost had the throaty sound of Buffalo Sabres announcer Rick
Jeanneret.
WINNER: Swagger, at 15:58.
Swagger tried to send a message to Orton by giving a Swagger Bomb to Edge. They
showed a replay of the finish. After that, Jericho attacked Edge, stomping on
his Achilles. He wrapped Edge’s legs around the ring post and used the stairs to
try to exacerbate the injury. A satisfied Jericho was shown walking to the back
to close the show.