By Chris Shore

WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Filmed on 1/11/11 in Birmingham, Ala.

[Q1] A video hyped Wade Barrett vs. Big Show…The opening video aired, followed by the pyro, and Josh Matthews, Matt Striker, and Michael Cole welcomed us to Smackdown. Rich Rod was introduced and he introduced Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio opened his promo by saying those of us in the South are a little slow.

Shore's Slant: Yeah, I got two words for you and Sean Morley. No we're not.

Del Rio put over that he would win the Royal Rumble. He was interrupted by R-Truth. Truth said Del Rio had lost his mind. He said winning the Rumble wouldn't happen because of fancy cars or creepy ring announcers. Truth said you had to earn it by being a man. He called Del Rio "Lucy."

Cody Rhodes made his ring entrance with a mic. He said he was going to have a "Dashing" Royal Rumble. He said he was 25 and had already been in three Rumbles. He said for everyone to look at his face because that was the face of the man who would be headlining Wrestlemania.

Rey Mysterio's music hit and he cut his promo on the Rumble. I had quit listening by this point. Del Rio said he was going to destroy Rey like the dog he was. Rey pointed out he had already won a Rumble. Cody said that was 2006 and he was out of style like the clothes from 2006. He got in Truth's face and said, "That's what's up."

Truth said, "Oh, you gonna hit me in the pinky toe and steal my catch phrase?" I shit you not. Rey said, "I think he hit you with the pinky toe." Truth said he had a dashing tip and hit Cody. All four men brawled in the ring until Teddy Long came out. Teddy said they would have a tag match tonight with the four men in the ring. He called for a referee…[C]

Shore's Slant: Some harmless fun with Rumble hype. Yes, it was silly, but so what? The only story at the Rumble are mystery entries and who wins. This was fine for what it was. Though I would have paid real money to hear Truth say, "I'm gonna put what's left of my foot in your ass." Bonus points to whoever gets that line.

[Q2] 1. Rey Mysterio and R-Truth defeated Alberto Del Rio and Cody Rhodes in14:30. Cody and Rey started with Rey getting early control. Del Rio tagged in took control. He tossed Rey to the floor and worked on Rey. Truth finally made it in the ring at 4:19.

Truth beat up Del Rio and clotheslined him to the floor. Cody ran in Truth sent him to the floor. Mysterio hit a springboard moonsault plancha on both men on the floor…[C]

Back from commercial, the heels worked on R-Truth. Truth hit an electric chair to escape and make a tag. Rey hit a ton of offense on Cody and hooked a rollup that Del Rio Broke.

[Q3] Truth and Del Rio were taken out and Rey reversed an Alabama Slam attempt into a 619 setup. Rey hit the 619 and the splash for the win. The announce team hyped the Cutting Edge for later and Barrett vs. Big Show…[C]

Shore's Slant: An OK match that didn't do anything for anybody except get them on TV. I don't think we'll get a whole lot more over the next three weeks, but at least they are out there with a purpose as opposed to the random two week feuds we have had for a while now.

The Str8 Outa Brooklyn with JTG video aired. He lampooned Nexus beating Husky Harris and Dolph Ziggler with a cardboard sign that said, "You killin me son" on it…A video recapped the Wade Barrett run in last week. Backstage, Todd Grisham asked Wade Barrett why he did what he did.

Barrett said he was chased off from Raw because he was so awesome, kind of like Julius Caesar. He said he came to Smackdown to own it and he went after the biggest person on the roster, just like he did on Raw with Cena. He said tonight he was going to take out Show and we would all hail Caesar…[C]

Shore's Slant: Told you. Look at my report from last week and I said he went after the biggest guy on the roster. OK, I'm sorry. I've had a bad week and I just wanted to make myself feel better. That and I'm awesome. Oh, and a very good promo from Barrett.

[Q4] An Ezekiel Jackson video aired…Trent Baretta was already in the ring as Drew McIntyre made his long ass entrance. A video recapped the McIntyre vs. Baretta match/assault from two weeks ago. Baretta knocked McIntyre to the floor as soon as he climbed on the apron. McIntyre slid back in for an immediate start…

2. Trent Baretta defeated Drew McIntyre at 3:26. Baretta got in a few shots, but McIntyre hit a big boot and beat Baretta all over the ring and ringside area. Striker told us Baretta took the match against WWE official's request. What? McIntyre lifted Baretta in a gorilla press and walked to the ropes. Barretta slid down and scored a roll-up victory...Big Show was shown heading towards the ring…[C]

Shore's Slant: Um, OK. I like the idea if these two guys are going to feud for a while. That could be pretty good if Baretta can get a personality. But if they are going to feed him to McIntyre next week, this is a fail. It makes it look like a fluke which destroys the rubber match. Hopefully this goes on for a while. Baretta needs the next win if they are.

Back from commercial, Baretta was walking backstage. McIntyre attacked him and assaulted him. He was going in for the kill when Kelly Kelly walked up. She stared at him and then stormed off. McIntyre chased after her and stopped her. He said he was going to ask Baretta for a rematch but he lost his head. They argued back and forth and she screamed at him to grow up before storming off…

Shore's Slant: OK, I got this. She needs to hook up with Baretta. That shit would be hot! Money, I'm telling you. OK. Maybe not money, but it could be fun.

3. Big Show defeated Wade Barrett by disqualification at 2:41. Show attacked immediately, but Barrett hit a drop kick to the knee and then pounded Show to the ground. Barrett worked the leg for a minute, but Show powered out and setup for a chokeslam. Heath Slater ran in and ate a foot. Justin Gabriel ran in and jumped off the top. Show caught him and cleaned house.

[Q5] Show turned around and Ezekiel Jackson was on the apron. They stared at each other and the other three attacked Show. Show beat them all up, but he turned around and Zeke hit a clothesline. All four men beat on Show, and then Zeke slammed Big Show. Wow. Gabriel hit the 450 and all four men celebrated over Show…[C]

Shore's Slant: OK, on paper I hated this idea. And I'm not saying I like it necessarily. But that was well done, and they make a hell of a foursome. As an old Horsemen guy, this really had that kind of feel. It didn't feel forced at all, it seemed very natural. I'm going to not shit on it just yet and see how it works out.

Back from commercial, the announce team recapped what just happened with Show and Nexus 2.0. A video showed like every referee in history helping Show to his feet during the break…LayCool made their entrance. Beth Phoenix was out next without Natalya…[C]

4. Beth Phoenix defeated Michelle McCool (w/Layla) at 4:05. Beth took control immediately, but McCool kicked the bad leg. McCool worked it the whole match, but Beth hit a slingshot suplex. She setup for the Glam Slam. McCool rolled down and into a roll up, but Beth rolled back for the victory…The Cutting Edge was hyped…[C]

Shore's Slant: See, that's the problem WWE has to fix even with Kong now coming in. That was a fine match, The wrestling was about par for a TV show. But I could not care less if I tried. If you put a gun to one of my kids heads and said "Care less" I would have to file an amended tax return. I'm just sayin, it's not the action, it's the stories.

[Q6] The HBK Hall of Fame video aired…Backstage, Vickie argued with Teddy Long. Teddy's phone rang and he took the call. He said he had to go and talk about the Barrett situation. Ziggler got her attention and they talked all lovey-dovey to each other. They rubbed nose for way to damn long before the scene cut…Kofi Kingston was shown heading towards the ring…[C]

[Q7 Kofi made his ring entrance as a video recapped his two wins over Ziggler last week. Kofi cut a promo on winning the Intercontinental Championship again. He said he won because the WWE Universe was in his corner. He said he learned a lot about himself last week. Before he could say more, Jack Swagger's music hit and he made his ring entrance.

Swagger said he was happy for Kofi, but that 2011 would be the year of the American, the All-American, American. He said he was raising the bar this year. He told Kofi the ankle lock was a terrible situation to be in. Kofi said he wanted Swagger to shut up and they decided to have a match. Lucky for us a ref was there…

5. Kofi Kingston defeated Jack Swagger at 4:59. Kofi hit several strikes, but Swagger hit a big kick that spilled Kofi to the floor…[C] Swagger worked a rest hold as a video showed Swagger dropping Kofi on the announce table during the break. Swagger ducked a Trouble in Paradise for a near fall. Kofi botched a SOS and the ref botched the count for the victory…The Cutting Edge was hyped for next…[C]

Shore's Slant:An OK match. Not the best we have seen from these guys. And the feud seems so stale. Hard to get excited about that one, sorry fellas.

[Q8] Edge made his entrance for the Cutting Edge. He put over his last man standing match with Kane. He said he went from one monster in Kane to another monster in Vickie. He introduced Vickie and Dolph, who came to the ring…

Edge said he hoped they could all remain civil and adults. Edge said there was some controversy over Ziggler's win last week. Vickie said there was no controversy and Ziggler would go on to defeat Edge at the Royal Rumble. Edge said he could see her checking him out. He told her that ship had sailed.

Dolph said they were leaving. Edge told him to relax. He ran down a list of tawdry things about Vickie that he didn't point out. Vickie gave their back story and said she was young and dumb. Edge said she was ten years older than him and wearing a cougar necklace.

Ziggler said not to hate on her because she went from no class to first class. He said Vickie resuscitated Edge's career and at the Rumble he was going to flatline it. Vickie said her love with Ziggler was pure. She said she brought a clip of what Ziggler would never do. The video was Edge and Alicia Fox making out before their marriage.

Edge tried to play it off as a joke and Vickie yelled at him. He said maybe Ziggler was more of a man than him. He said cheating was a terrible thing and his clip would prove it. He played a cut of Ziggler and Kaitlyn making out from two months ago.

Ziggler attacked Edge and knocked him down, but Edge kicked him in the face and drove Ziggler to the floor. Vickie screamed at Edge and slapped him. Edge teased spearing her and then climbed out. Vickie laughed and said he couldn't touch her. He got back in the ring and setup for the spear. Ziggler pulled him to the floor and hit a Zig Zag onto the stairs. Vickie met him on the floor and they made out over Edge…

Shore's Slant: Welcome to the big time Dolph Ziggler. Nice work here from everyone involved. This looks like it will be a great feud. Hopefully they stay right with this theme and seriousness because I loathe silly face Edge. Go through this and turn him heel please. I'll have more tomorrow on the hitlist and Smackdown audio. Thanks for reading and I'll see you then.

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