BILOXI, Miss. – The one-year anniversary ofSmackDown on Syfy (MORE) included the return of an angry Big Show, more reactionssurrounding the Raw walkout, and a message from the EVP of Talent Relations aboutthe importance of maintaining order on Friday nights.
Big Show returned and chokeslammedMark Henry (WATCH | PHOTOS)
After Mark Henry sidelined Big Show for four months by fracturing his leg in asteel chair, Show returned … and he was pissed! After his demand for a WorldTitle Match was denied by Henry, The World’s Largest Athlete went berserk, chargedto the ring and unloaded on Henry with massive punches. Even a slew of WWEsecurity personnel could not stop the onslaught.
After pushinghis way through security in the ring, Show viciously speared Henry, then brutalizedan entire ring full of security. When Henry tried to walk off with his titleduring the melee, The World’s Largest Athlete chased him down.
At first itlooked as if Henry was going to win the fight when he slammed Show into theringside barrier. But The World’s Largest Athlete battled back and chokeslammedthe champion through the announce table in a dramatic show of strength.
With Henrydazed and vulnerable, Show was prepared to inflict the exact same punishmentthat Henry used to put him out of commission. With the champion’s leg entangledin a steel chair, Show was ready leap on top of him from the steel ring steps.But just in the nick of time, Henry was spared when GM Teddy Long emerged to calmthe angry giant by agreeing to give him what he wanted – a World ChampionshipMatch – as long as he did not leap on Henry. Show heeded the GM’s orders, butstill blasted The World’s Strongest Man in the back with a steel chair for goodmeasure. When will we see these two titans clash?
Randy Orton & Sheamus def.Christian & Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes(WATCH | PHOTOS)
The powerhouse duo of Randy Orton and Sheamus proved too much to handle forChristian and Cody Rhodes. After The Celtic Warrior worked over Rhodes pretty good,he tossed Christian from the ring. Next, The Viper took over and dispatched ofRhodes with a debilitating RKO for the win.
Hornswoggle returned to SmackDown (WATCH | PHOTOS)After making his return, Hornswoggle convinced Booker T to get in the ring anddo a Spin-a-Roonie for the WWE Universe.
WWE EVP of Talent Relations JohnLaurinaitis said SmackDown’s success is vital (WATCH)
In a meeting with Teddy Long, WWE EVP John Laurinaitis expressed his supportfor Long and explained the importance of what happens on Friday nights. “If youlose control of SmackDown like Triple H lost control of Raw, the entire WWEUniverse is going to be in turmoil,” he said.
Ezekiel Jackson def. Jinder Mahal (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Former Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson absolutely manhandled JinderMahal. After brutally slamming Mahal to the canvas four consecutive times,Jackson made him tap out after a painful session in the Torture Rack.
Randy Orton explained why he didn’twalk out on Raw(WATCH)
In an interview with Matt Striker, Randy Orton said he won’t beg like Christianfor one more World Title match. “If I have to tear through the entire SmackDownroster in order to have another championship match, then I’m all for it,” hesaid. And not willing to lump himself in with the other Superstars whoparticipated in the Raw walkout, The Viper said “If I have a problem withTriple H, I’ll deal with Triple H personally.”
Big Show demanded a World Titleopportunity (PHOTOS)
After making an emotional comeback in front of the WWE Universe, Big Show threatenedto repeatedly punch Mark Henry in the head and take the World HeavyweightChampionship from him. After Show called Henry out, the champion obliged andemerged at the top of the ramp to say he’ll let Show know when and if he gets a match with Henry. Furious,The World’s Largest Athlete retorted by saying he’d put Henry through theannounce table and break his ankle with a steel chair if he didn’t get theanswer he wanted by the end of the night.
Divas Champion Beth Phoenix def. AliciaFox (WATCH | PHOTOS)
In a decisive and impressive victory, newly crowned Divas Champion Beth Phoenixmade quick work of Alicia Fox, trouncing the smaller Diva with the Glam Slam.Afterward, Natalya locked Fox in a painful submission hold, while Phoenixforced her to cry out in pain over the mic.
Jack Swagger & United StatesChampion Dolph Ziggler def. WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & EvanBourne in a Non-Title Match
As the WWE Tag Team Champions approached the ring, they were viciously attackedfrom behind by Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler. When the match eventually gotstarted, Kingston came out swinging with an emotional offense. However, thechampions never seemed to be able to recover from the initial assault. In theend, Swagger planted Bourne into the canvas with the Gutwrench Powerbombfor the win. Afterward, Vickie Guerrero came to the ring to help celebrate thevictory.
The WWE Tag Team Champions vowed notto appear on Raw(WATCH)
In an interview with Matt Striker, WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston andEvan Bourne spoke about the Raw walkout. Although they felt things might notentirely be Triple H’s fault – until he steps down from running Raw – Air Boom declaredthey will only be appearing on SmackDown.
Booker T and Michael Cole clarifiedtheir position on the Raw walkout
Michael Cole said hewalked on Raw about because Triple H’s ego has been out of control and he hasn’tbeen listening to people’s grievances. Onthe other hand, Booker T said he is neutral about the situation and only walkedout on Raw because he needed to use the bathroom.
WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio def. SinCara “Azul” (WATCH |PHOTOS)
After earning the right to be called Sin Cara at WWE Hell in a Cell, TheMexican Sensation tangled with fellow Mexican Superstar, WWE Champion AlbertoDel Rio for the first time ever. Despite a valiant effort, Sin Cara “Azul” wasforced to tap out to Del Rio’s cross armbreaker. After the match, Sin Cara“Negro” charged to the ring and attacked Sin Cara “Azul,” leaving him writhingin pain after a leap from the top rope. Despite what went down at WWE Hell in aCell, clearly there is unfinished business between the two masked Superstars. (MOREon the two Sin Caras)
The Raw walkout will continue (WATCH | PHOTOS)
The night started with a group of Superstars explaining why they walked out onRaw, citing an unsafe work environment. David Otunga went as far as saying theyare also prepared to walk out of SmackDown, unless Triple H steps down fromrunning day-to-day operations. The last to speak for the group was Del Rio, whosaid he inspired everyone to walk out on Raw. The WWE Champion then declaredthat none of them will appear on Raw again until Triple H steps down fromrunning Raw, and that he’s eager to compete on SmackDown. Hearing enough, TeddyLong emerged and ended all the talk by announcing two matches for the night:the tag team main event, as well as Del Rio vs. Sin Cara. (Latest walkout updates: WATCH | Solidarity Rally)
- WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio def. Sin Cara "Azul"
- Jack Swagger & United States Champion Dolph Ziggler def. WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne (Non-Title Match)
- Divas Champion Beth Phoenix def. Alicia Fox
- Ezekiel Jackson def. Jinder Mahal
- Randy Orton & Sheamus def. Christian & Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes
