Friday Night Smackdown!

Spokane, Washington
May 27, 2011
results thanks to wrestleview.com

"Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event..." The WWE video leads us into the show.

The Smackdown video plays and we're brought into the arena with some fireworks. Josh Mathews, Booker T, and Michael Cole welcome us to the show.

Randy Orton's music hits and the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to the ring. Orton grabs a microphone and soaks in the cheers. Orton says his name and he is still the World Heavyweight Champion. That gets a nice reaction from the crowd. Orton goes to talk and...

Christian's music hits. The former World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to the ring smiling. Christian says he doesn't want to spoil Orton's moment but he just wanted to tell him that Sunday was one of the greatest matches of his career. Christian thanks him and congratulates him on the win. They shake hands and the crowd is happy. Christian says Orton is the World Heavyweight Champion and he deserves it. Orton is waiting for the kicker. Christian says the match on Sunday could have gone either way but it didn't. Orton was the better man and won the match. Christian says he knows he can beat him, which is why he's out here. Christian issues a challenge for one more match for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Sheamus's music hits and he makes his way out to the stage. Sheamus says it's painful to watch. How many chances does Christian need? Christian reminds him of some sad gambling addict. He bets the car and doubles down with the house only to lose everything. Sheamus says he looks like he's putting his kid's college fund down now believing it will happen but it won't. It took Christian seventeen years to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Sheamus gets in the ring and says he'll have to wait seventeen more. As of last Sunday Christian is a two-time loser. Sheamus says he's a two-time WWE Champion. He's come to Smackdown to compete in epic matches against the likes of Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship. Like it or not, he is the star of the show. If anyone is going to become the number one contender then it's going to be him.

Mark Henry's music hits and he wants to interject some good sense into the conversation. Christian's buddy Edge is on a retirement golf course waiting for him. Henry doesn't want Christian to miss his tee time. As for Sheamus, being the World's Strongest Man means you don't wait in line – you butt in. That leads him to Orton. Henry gets in the ring and says he just butted his way to the front of the line for the championship.

Teddy Long's music hits and the General Manager makes his way to the ring. Long says there seems to be a little bit of déjà vu with these guys arguing, once again, for the World Championship and who should be challenging for it. Long says he's going to be straight up honest. He agrees with Mark Henry and Sheamus. He's had his opportunity but what we say only means so much. What matters is what the people say. Long says he made him defend the World Title five days after he won it. Long says he's going to ask the crowd what they want. Long asks if they think Christian should have one more chance for the title and the reception is positive. Long says the people have spoken. Christian isn't home free yet. If he's going to get one more opportunity then he'll earn it. Our main event will be a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship: Sheamus versus Mark Henry versus the former World Heavyweight Champion Christian. HOLLA!

-Commercial Break-

Sin Cara vs. Chavo Guerrero

This is a rematch from Over The Limit. They circle the ring and Guerrero kicks him. Guerrero sends him into the ropes and goes for hip toss but Cara lands on his feet. Cara quickly follows up with an arm drag. Cara hits a second arm drag and kicks him. Cara wrenches the arm, climbs the ropes, and hits a corkscrew arm drag that sends Guerrero out of the ring. Cara fakes a plancha and instead does a handspring. Guerrero slowly gets in the ring and runs into a drop-toe-hold. Cara punches and sends him to the ropes. Guerrero avoids a splash and hits a running double knee to the corner.

Guerrero body slams him and stomps the head. Guerrero hits a nice European Uppercut and a nice back suplex for a near fall. Guerrero applies a short arm bar and is looking for the submission. Cara fights up but Chavo knees him down. Chavo goes for the Gory Special but Cara slides out and takes him down, sending Guerrero out of the ring. Cara hits a baseball slide and follows up with an Asai Moonsault! Cara throws him back into the ring and hits a springboard hurricanrana. Cara blocks a punch and kicks away. Guerrero reverses a whip and Cara counters with a springboard back elbow. Cara ducks a clothesline and hits a nice hurricanrana. Guerrero back body drops him to the apron and Cara quickly hits a kick to the skull. Cara hits a springboard cross-body block for a near fall.

Chavo quickly sweeps the legs and gets a jackknife pin for a near fall. Guerrero punches him into the ropes and sends him to the ropes. Guerrero avoids a handspring back elbow but can't avoid La Mistica giving Cara the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Sin Cara
Match Rating: **

Our main event will be a triple threat match between Sheamus, Mark Henry, and Christian to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.

-Commercial Break-

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring with his assistants. Rhodes says if he didn't know any better then he'd be convinced there is no god. Every town he goes to he literally prays that he'll see even a mildly attractive face and every time he is disappointed. That is why, as a service to all of them, and at great expense to himself, he is providing the crowd with paper bags. Rhodes tells his "baggers" to do their work. Rhodes says they should all be grateful that he is exposing their deficiency of desirability and he is a hero.

Cody Rhodes vs. Daniel Bryan

This is Daniel Bryan's home state. Rhodes kicks him and gets a side headlock applied. Rhodes goes into the ropes and hits a shoulder block. Rhodes goes into the ropes and Bryan hits an arm drag. Bryan sends him to the corner and runs into a forearm. Rhodes blocks a kick but Bryan quickly takes him down and goes for a Mexican surfboard stretch but Rhodes won't give his arms. Bryan instead smashes the knees. Bryan kicks him in the chest and covers for a one count. Bryan wrenches the arm but has a whip reversed. Rhodes lowers his head and eats a kick. Bryan goes for a hip toss but Rhodes blocks it and hip tosses Bryan over the top rope.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Rhodes bashing Bryan's head off the turnbuckle. Bryan fights back but gets caught in a slingshot attempt. Rhodes kicks him in the midsection, a la Hardcore Holly, and kicks him in the face. Rhodes punches him and elbows him in the back of the head for a near fall. Rhodes hits some knees to the midsection and applies a modified crossface chicken-wing. Bryan fights out but Rhodes takes him down and applies a true crossface chicken-wing. Rhodes releases the chicken-wing and keeps the body scissors, head-butting him in the head with the mask. Bryan fights up and gets sent to the corner. Rhodes runs into a boot and Bryan hits him with a running knee.

Bryan comes back with some kicks, ducks a clothesline, and hits a running elbow. Bryan gets the crowd into it and hits a running dropkick in the corner. Bryan goes to the top rope and hits a nice missile dropkick for a near fall. Bryan goes for the LeBell Lock but Rhodes shoves him face first into the turnbuckle. They both go for covers but can't pick up the win. Bryan is sent to the corner so he backflips over Rhodes but can't avoid the Beautiful Disaster! Rhodes goes for Cross Rhodes but Bryan counters into a LeBell Lock for the win!

Winner by Submission: Daniel Bryan
Match Rating: ** 1/4

Rhodes immediately attacks him from behind and beats him down. Rhodes punches him at ringside and sends him into the barricade. Rhodes puts him back into the ring and hits the Cross Rhodes. Rhodes grabs a paper bag and puts it over Bryan's head before leaving. It should be noted that Michael Cole was calling Daniel Bryan a "loser" and a "nerd". So much for toning down the heel act...

They air the ridiculous Barack Obama "Capitol Punishment" dream sequence. The triple threat main event for tonight is plugged.

-Commercial Break-

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin will be on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" tonight.

Heath Slater vs. Ezekiel Jackson

The Corre is conspicuous by their absence at ringside. Slater hits a waist lock and clubs him. Jackson no sells it and scares Slater down. Jackson takes him down and punches him in the corner. Jackson grabs him by the throat and launches him across the ring. Jackson runs into some boots and Slater kicks him down. Slater hits a running dropkick to the head for a one count. Slater clubs him and applies a chin lock. Jackson fights up and backs him to the corner. Jackson takes him down with an arm drag. Slater quickly gets up and punches him down in the corner. Slater runs into a back body drop, putting him on the apron. Slater punches but misses a top rope maneuver.

Jackson hits a pair of shoulder blocks and splashes him in the corner. Jackson begins the body slamming spot. Jackson only slams him twice and applies a Torture Rack. The Corre runs in and the referee calls for the bell.

Winner by Disqualification: Ezekiel Jackson
Match Rating: 3/4 *

Jackson clotheslines Wade Barrett over the top rope and punches Justin Gabriel down. Slater gets punched down and Jackson body slams Slater and Gabriel. The Corre retreats for the ring as Jackson screams and flexes. The crowd was really lukewarm on this whole segment.

Christian is backstage with Matt Striker. Striker asks for his thoughts on his last chance at the World Title. Christian says he was always the last one picked for kickball but at the end of the game he kicked more homeruns than anybody. CKC – Canadian Kickball Champion four years in a row. When he got a little older he was the last kid in class to hit puberty. By the time he got to prom he had the prettiest girl in school. Now in WWE he was the last guy anyone thought would get to the top but he proved everyone wrong. Tonight the odds are against him but Captain Charisma will get the last laugh.

We'll see a "Monster's Brawl" next – The Great Khali will take on Kane. Oh boy...

-Commercial Break-

Monster's Brawl
The Great Khali w/ Ranjin Singh vs. Kane

They lock up and Khali pushes him away. Khali taunts the crowd and they lock up again. Khali pushes him to the corner and hits a back elbow. Khali kicks him and chops the chest hard. Kane uppercuts him and kicks him in the knee. Kane goes into the ropes and eats a clothesline. Khali chokes him on the ropes and sends him to the corner hard. Khali kicks him down and applies a nerve hold. Kane fights up and elbows out. Kane punches, ducks a Brain Chop and goes for a Chokeslam. Khali grabs him by the throat and sends him over the top rope. Kane lands on his feet and snaps Khali off the top rope. Kane takes him down with a top rope lariat for the win. When's the last time Kane won with that move?

Winner by Pinfall: Kane
Match Rating: N/A

Jinder Mahal's music hits and he makes his way to the ring looking extremely upset. Mahal yells at Khali in their native tongue (Hindi?). Mahal slaps him hard in the face. Ranjin Singh gets in Mahal's face and he gets shoved down. Khali shoves Mahal and yells at him. Singh gets in front of Khali and continues to yell. Khali applies the Khali Vice Grip to Singh's skull and takes him down. Khali holds the ropes open for Mahal and they leave the ring together.

Tonight's main event will be a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. It'll be Christian taking on Sheamus and Mark Henry.

-Commercial Break-

A video package plays highlighting Big Show and Kane losing the Tag Team Titles followed by Big Show being hit by a car. The announcers say Big Show suffered internal injuries and a crushed knee.

Booker T's music hits and he's in the ring. Booker T asks the crowd to bear with him because there's something he wants to do. It's something he needs to do. Booker T invites Michael Cole into the ring. Cole looks confused and begrudgingly comes into the ring. Booker says Cole lost the "Kiss My Foot" match to Jerry Lawler at Over The Limit. They show a still shot of Lawler's foot in Cole's mouth. Booker asks Cole for the best way to get toe jam out. Booker laughs at Cole and Cole is sad. Booker says he's just playing and puts his arm around his shoulder. Booker says he won't let the fans mess with him and starts a chant of "Kiss My Feet". Booker laughs and Cole leaves the ring.

Matt Striker knocks on Sheamus's door. Sheamus says he won't answer his questions. Sheamus says we've been hit over the head of how Christian won the title after seventeen years and he's tired of it. Mark Henry has been here since the Clinton administration and he's done nothing. That's one fluke championship between two superstars with a combined career of thirty-three years. That's pathetic. He won his first WWE Championship in his first couple of months. It only took him a few months to achieve what they strived for their entire lives. Sheamus just needs one opportunity.

-Commercial Break-

Kharma's breakdown is shown in the rewind. They announce that we'll hear from Kharma this Monday on Raw.

Alicia Fox & Tamina vs. Kaitlyn & AJ w/ Natalya

Before the match they show Natalya giving the girls a pep talk. Kaitlyn says they have too many "A"'s in their name. AJ says she's just excited and they've come a long way from NXT.

Alicia starts off against AJ. Alicia grabs her by the throat and AJ comes back with some forearms. Alicia knees her down. AJ comes back with a head-scissor takeover and a dropkick to the face. Kaitlyn is tagged in. Kaitlyn clotheslines her and head-butts her in the midsection. Kaitlyn bounces her face off the mat a few times and pulls the hair. Kaitlyn pushes her to the corner and takes her down. Alicia kicks her away but Kaitlyn comes back with some elbows. Kaitlyn hits a sidewalk slam but Tamina breaks up the pin. AJ takes Tamina out of the ring Alicia hits Kaitlyn with a Scissor Kick. Booker T likes what he sees as Alicia picks up the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Alicia Fox & Tamina
Match Rating: 1/2 *

They promote the WWE All Stars video game. They plug the main event once again. Michael Cole says the winner will face Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship next Friday on Smackdown!

-Commercial Break-

Mark Henry joins Matt Striker. Striker wants his response to Christian and Sheamus's thoughts on him. Henry thinks Striker agrees with them. Henry says Striker thinks he's done nothing since Bill Clinton was president. Striker tries to explain and that angers Henry. Henry says Striker is saying he's an underachiever and is stupid. Henry wants an answer and Striker cowers away. Henry shoves him out of the way and leaves.

The announcers talk about "Macho Man" Randy Savage who left us way too early last Friday. They then play the beautiful tribute video to him. That video literally gives me chills. A huge part of my childhood left with Savage.

-Commercial Break-

Number One Contender's Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Sheamus vs. Mark Henry vs. Christian

Charles Robinson, my favorite referee ever, is the official of the match. Sheamus and Henry quickly take Christian down and take turns beating him up. Sheamus holds Christian up as Henry punches him in the midsection. Sheamus forearms him in the face and hits a body shot. Henry punches him down and Sheamus chokes Christian with the knee. They send him to the ropes but Christian slides to the outside. Sheamus follows him and punches him at ringside. Sheamus then charges into a drop-toe-hold, sending him into the steel steps.

Christian shoulders Henry in the midsection but is brought back into the ring the hard way. Christian avoids a stomp and delivers some right hands. Christian runs into a big flapjack for a near fall. Henry head-butts him down and drags him near the ropes. Henry chokes him with his boot and then stands on his chest. Henry gloats before charging Christian. Christian pulls the top rope down and Henry sails over. Sheamus quickly sneaks up behind Christian and rolls him up for a near fall.

Sheamus hits a hammer smash for a near fall. Sheamus sizes Christian up but misses a Brogue Kick. Christian hits the Kill Switch but Henry pulls him out of the ring! Randy Orton's music hits and the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to ringside.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Henry choking Christian on the bottom rope. Henry stomps him and sends him to the corner sternum first. Orton is shown sitting at ringside and scouting the action. Henry picks up a near fall in the ring. Henry applies a bear hug and shakes Christian viciously. Sheamus gets on the apron and shoulders Henry. Sheamus snaps him off the top rope but Henry quickly comes back with a belly to belly over the top rope! Christian comes back with some punches and runs into a clothesline. Henry picks up another near fall. Henry bounces him off the top rope and kicks away at him. Henry bounces him in the corner and smashes him on the back. Henry does it again and goes for a big splash but Christian moves.

The crowd is getting into it now as Christian goes to the second rope. Christian hits a missile dropkick that doesn't knock Henry down. Christian repeats it and takes him down for a near fall. Christian goes back up top and Sheamus cuts him off. Sheamus viciously punches him before turning his sights on Henry. Sheamus punches and knees away at him. Sheamus goes back to Christian goes for a superplex but Christian knocks him off the second rope. Christian goes for a cross-body but Henry catches him and hits the World's Strongest Slam! Sheamus breaks up the pin quickly.

Sheamus punches away at Henry and knocks him out of the ring. Sheamus quickly covers Christian for a near fall. Sheamus can't believe it and taunts the crowd. Sheamus goes for Pale Justice but Christian slides off. Sheamus charges him in the corner but Christian hits a pendulum kick. Christian hits a tornado DDT for a near fall. At ringside, Mark Henry shoves Orton. Henry gets in the ring and goes for a press slam on Christian but he gets out. Christian shoves Henry into Sheamus and dropkicks him in the knee. Christian then hits Sheamus with a Spear! Orton gets in the ring at this point and RKO's Henry! The referee yells at him as Christian covers Sheamus. The referee finally sees and counts a near fall. The referee argues that Orton was in the ring at the time. Christian then turns into a Brogue Kick! Sheamus is the number one contender!

Winner by Pinfall: Sheamus
Match Rating: ** 1/2

Randy Orton gets in the ring as Sheamus leaves. Sheamus taunts Orton. They'll face each other for the World Heavyweight Championship next week on Smackdown! Christian argues with the referee that he had the match won as Orton continues