WWE Smackdown taping
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Report by Dot Net reader John Glenn

Huge crowd on hand. Almost every seat that wasn't tarped off was filled. There was a Brock Lesnar wannabe who was getting the crowd pumped up. CM Punk is finally on a collector cup!

Eve came out to start the show. She kindly reminded us that Big Johnny was still in charge but he wouldn't be here tonight. She said that Sheamus would have to issue an apology and she would name his opponent for No Way Out.

Alberto Del Rio came out and cut a promo saying he should face Sheamus. Randy Orton came out to a huge pop. He asked the people what they wanted. The people obviously wanted Orton. Kane came out and said he should face Sheamus.

Eve decided to have a Triple Threat match to decide who will face Sheamus at No Way Out.

1. Christian beat Hunico. Christian won with Killswitch and a frog splash. Decent action back and forth.

Cody Rhodes came out and cut a promo. He spoke about how he restored pride to the Intercontinental Championship. He said he's going to take back what's his in three seconds.

2. Darren Young and Titus O'Neil defeated The Uso Brothers. Young and O'Neil won ok match. Nothing really special.

An ad showed that Sin Cara will return next Friday on Smackdown.

3. Ryback destroyed two jobbers. There were Goldberg chants at the beginning of the match.

4. Santino Marella defeated Ricardo Rodriguez. Why this match happening I don't know. It was a dumb comedy match that you would see at a house show. Santino won with the Cobra. (I hope they edit that out for the show.)

Sheamus came out to a huge pop. He said what happened on Raw was an accident. He said he would like to apologize for Big Johnny being a big horses arse. He then said if he had to choose his opponent for No Way Out it would be Randy Orton.

Excuse Me!!! Vickie Guerrero came out. Huge, huge heat for Vickie. I couldn't make out anything she said.

5. Sheamus defeated Jack Swagger (w/Vickie Guerrero). Good match. Decent action back and forth. Swagger worked the knee on Sheamus. Jack Swagger is a good wrestler. He just needs a restart. Sheamus won the Brogue Kick.

6. Damien Sandow squashed Yoshi Tatsu. Not much to say, as Damien owned him.

Big Show came out for a promo. He explained why he made the decision he made. Unlike other people who get fired, he loved his job. He felt betrayed by everyone. A "you sold out" chant broke out. He said he was alone in the world. A "Cena" chant broke out. Basic promo talking about how the fans didn't care about him and he didn't care about them.

7. Alberto Del Rio defeated Randy Orton and Kane in a Triple Threat match to become the number one contender. Kane made his entrance and was ambushed by Daniel Bryan. Bryan nailed him repeatedly with a chair. Huge "Yes!" chants broke out. Del Rio made his entrance followed by Orton, who tripped on the rope on his way to do the pose. He smiled and did the pose.

Good three way match. Orton looked strong through the whole thing. Kane hit Del Rio with the chokeslam. Bryan came out to distract Kane, who was RKO'd by Orton. Randy went for the cover. Del Rio kicked him out of the ring and got got three count.

Dark Match

1. Sheamus defeated Alberto Del Rio (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) by DQ. Sheamus challenged Del Rio but Del Rio backed down. Sheamus dragged Del Rio into the ring. Good back and forth with Sheamus getting the upper hand. The finish was Ricardo jumping to the top rope and giving Sheamus a body splash causing the DQ. Sheamus quickly recovered and gave poor Ricardo a Brogue kick to send the crowd home happy.

Notes

Overall, an almost packed house with the crowd into the show. The matches where ok by nothing memorable. I'd rather go to a house show or PPV. With the television tapings there's rarely enough wrestling.

Biggest Pops
Randy Orton
Sheamus
Daniel Bryan

Most Heat
Vickie Guerrero
Big Show
Alberto Del Rio

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