By Chris Shore

Smackdown on SyFy
Taped on 2/22/11 in Sacramento, Calif.

[Q1] A video recapped the 600th episode of Smackdown last week, specifically the Edge\Vickie Guerrero story…The show opened cold with Teddy Long backstage. He said he should fire Vickie, but he was going to let her fight for her job. He announced Vickie and Drew McIntyre vs. Edge and Kelly Kelly with Vickie's career on the line for the main event…

The opening video aired, followed by Rey Mysterio's music, and he made his ring entrance as Michael Cole, Josh Matthews and Booker T checked in on commentary. They bickered over Vickie's match stipulation. Kane made his ring entrance…

1. Rey Mysterio defeated Kane at 11:02. Kane went right to work and hit a sitdown dropkick for two. He worked a body scissor on Rey. Rey escaped and Kane hit a tilt a whirl back breaker for two. Rey escaped a lift and hit a drop toe hold into a 619 setup. Kane rolled to the floor and Mysterio hit a baseball slide. Kane came right back with a big boot on the floor…[C]

[Q2] Back from commercial, Kane worked a back breaker and then hit a sidewalk slam for two. He lifted Rey into a bear hug in the middle of the ring. Rey almost passed out, but fought back and Kane slammed him into the turnbuckle. Kane set Rey on the top and then climbed up himself.

Rey knocked Kane down and hit a West Coast Pop from the top and followed with a kick for two. He went back to the top and jumped off, but Kane hit the uppercut for two. Kane missed the punch from the top, but grabbed Rey for the chokeslam.

Rey hit a dropkick to escape and then a back dropkick to setup 619. Rey hit the move and went to the top. Kane caught Rey for a powerbomb, but Rey rolled down and hooked a rollup for the win. Post-match, Dusty Rhode's music hit and he came to the ring and hugged Rey…[C]

Shore's Slant: Typical Kane vs. Rey match. We've seen it a hundred times so it's like an old friend, not exciting but always a good time. And why would you hang out in the ring when the daddy of the guy whose nose you broke is coming? Even my four year old said "Dusty gonna beat him up."

Back from commercial, Dusty had the mic and said Rey had been a family friend and friend of his so he wanted to apologize for the things Cody had said and done. He said he wanted Cody to come out and apologize to Rey as well.

Cody came out cold with a clear protective guard over his face. Cody asked his dad why he was doing this. He said he had an announcement last week but this isn't what he meant. He said everyone was staring at him and incredulously asked if he was supposed to apologize to the man who put him out of the Royal Rumble and the Elimination Chamber.

Dusty ran him down and said he had lost focus by being "dashing." He listed all the stars that had accomplished something during his dashing gimmick. He said Cody had to make this right and do what needs to be done. He said Cody needed to apologize right now.

[Q3] Cody said he was sorry to his dad. He turned to Rey and said he shouldn't have said the things that he said, and he apologized. He stuck his hand out and Rey shook it. Rey and Dusty shook hands and hugged. Dusty held Rey's hand and smiled.

Cody attacked Rey from behind and destroyed Rey. He tossed him from the ring and slammed Rey into the stairs and railing while Dusty walked to the back. Cody beat Rey's ass all the way to the top of the ramp and then stood over Rey and drew nice heat. He ended by slamming Rey into the LED curtain where Cody's mirror is. He snatched the mask off Rey's face and Rey sold being knocked out face down. Two refs ran out to cover Rey with a towel…[C]

Shore's Slant: I really want to like this. And I do insofar as how it played out. But it bothers me that Dusty was included. If Cody can't get over without Dad, that's not great for him moving forward. I know this means a Dusty appearance at Mania, and that us cool on cool for me. But I wish that would have been done later so Cody could establish his own heat.

A video recapped the last segment. Backstage, Cody and Dusty hugged while Dusty said, "A father will do anything for his son." Cody said, "Now Rey is dashing."…

2. Rosa Mendes defeated Layla (w/Michelle McCool) by Disqualification at 1:24. McCool joined the announce team and Rosa attacked. They spilled to the floor and Rosa worked Layla on the rails. Layla shoved Rosa into McCool, and McCool attacked Rosa, causing the DQ. Post-match, LayCool argued and looked at each other before walking off arm in arm…The announce team hyped the main event and a replay of John Cena's rap…

Shore's Slant: Hey, you know what. By god they gave me a story. The match was shit, but they gave me a story. That's a good start. Now if they'll only pay it off.

[Q4][C] Back from commercial, Jack Swagger was already in the ring. Kofi Kingston made his ring entrance with his arm heavily taped. A video recapped Alberto Del Rio's beat down on Kofi on Raw.

3. Jack Swagger defeated Kofi Kingston at 2:43. Kofi went right at Swagger. Swagger slammed him and worked the arm. Kofi got fired up and stomped a mudhole in Swagger in the corner. He hit a clothesline and followed with the Boom Drop. He hit a superman punch in the corner, but Swagger kicked him away and rolled to the floor.

Swagger grabbed the feet and slammed the leg against the post twice. Kofi kicked him away before the third one. Swagger climbed in the ring. Kofi ducked a clothesline but missed a follow-up dropkick. Swagger hooked in the ankle lock for the submission victory…

Backstage, Vickie was banging on Teddy Long's door and said him putting her in a match was unfair. She banged on the door some more, but nobody came out. She finally walked away…[C]

Shore's Slant: Let the, "Who did Kofi piss off?" speculation begin. I have no idea why they are booking him so weak, but now he has a bum ankle to go with a bum foot. What a shame. And please don't let them fire Vickie. She's my favorite act, hands down.

[Q5] The announce team setup the John Cena rap video that played over the quarter break…Backstage, Vickie found Chavo Guerrero and asked him for help. He said family sticks together. He said her asking him for help almost made him forget all the things she made him do. He said as far as her job, payback was b… He broke off and said she knew what it was…[C]

Shore's Slant: You can get my Cena thoughts in tomorrow's Weekend Promo. I wonder if Vickie is coming back as a face. They sure are making her sympathetic while reminding everyone of all the people she screwed.

Tony Chimel announced that the Corre was banned from ringside for the next match…

[Q6] 4. Big Show defeated Wade Barrett via count-out in 7:59. Show took off his jacket and threw it into Cole's face. Show went right at Barrett and worked him with chops and punches. Barrett jumped on Show's back and hooked in a rear naked choke (I think). Show made the ropes and the ref caused the break…[C]

Back from commercial, Barrett hit a kick to the head for two. Show kicked out and then chopped his way back to his feet. Barrett hit a dropkick to the knee and covered. Big Show kicked out so hard Barrett went to the floor. Show kicked him down when he tried to climb back in and then went to the floor.

They battled for a moment and then Barrett tried to slide in. Show caught him and dragged him back out and then quickly slid in the ring for the count-out victory. I have no idea why Barrett rolling in didn't break the count.

Post-match, Show went to attack Barrett again. Corre came to the ring and Show left Barrett and rolled in the ring. Corre followed and Show grabbed a chair. He blasted Gabriel and the rest took off…The announce team hyped the main event and the Undertaker/Triple H confrontation on Raw…[C]

Shore's Slant: Well that was about what I expected from these two. Show is just too old and big to really go anymore. Barrett can carry him to some degree, but not by much. I'm ready to see what the blow off match for this feud is.

[Q7] A video recapped the Undertaker and Hunter returns, complete with NFL Films type voiceover…

Shore's Slant: THAT WAS AWESOME clap clap clap clap clap…

Vickie and Drew McIntyre were shown walking backstage…[C]

Vickie and Drew were announced in the ring. Edge and Kelly made their entrance together to a crazy pop…

5. Edge and Kelly Kelly defeated Drew McIntyre and Vickie Guerrero at 5:37. Vickie is now fired from WWE. Edge and Drew were going to start, but Kelly tagged in and Vickie had to get in. Vickie slapped Kelly and tried to kick her. Kelly tossed her to the floor and hit the head slams. Vickie escaped and tagged in Drew.

[Q8] Drew yelled at Kelly that he was the only one looking out for her. He went at Edge and Edge got the better for a moment. McIntyre hit a cheap shot and pounded on Edge. He locked in a rest hold and worked Edge's back. Edge stood up and Drew slammed him to the ground.

Drew said something to Kelly and turned into a one man flapjack. Edge worked his offense and charged at Drew in the corner. Drew moved and Vickie slapped Edge. He turned into a big boot from Drew. Drew setup for the Future Shock, but Edge reversed into the impaler DDT.

Edge setup for the spear, but Vickie stood in front of him. She begged him not to do it. Kelly ran in and hit a spear on Vickie. Edge followed with a spear on Drew McIntyre for the win. Post-match, Teddy Long came out and danced to the ring…[C]

Shore's Slant: That was the match I expected. This hasn't been a bad Smackdown, but it has been bland. The Vickie meltdown next ought to be pretty good at least. And kudos to them for actually keeping a "fired" wrestler off a TV show for a week. I didn't think they had the discipline.

Back from commercial, Vickie was crying in the ring with Edge and Teddy. Teddy played to the crowd and they spontaneously sang the na na, hey hey, goodbye song. Teddy asked her what she had to say for herself.

She said she was sorry and the fans turned to serious boos. She begged and pleaded and Teddy snatched the mic away. He fired her and the place exploded. Vickie rolled to the floor and begged Scott Armstrong for help but he said he couldn't do anything. She begged Booker and Booker laughed at her. She begged Cole, and Cole said he would do what he could. She finally begged a camera man for help, but he waved her off.

She took a mic and climbed in the ring. She looked at Edge and said they had always had chemistry together. She said he was world champion and could help her. She begged him, and even got on her knees and hugged his leg.

Edge took the mic and said she was right, he could help her. The place booed and she screamed at them. Edge said he could help her, but he would rather sing. He sang the song and then the fans sang her to the ramp. Vickie turned around and screamed at Edge, "You wait! You just wait!" She screamed uncontrollably and Del Rio attacked Edge from behind.

Del Rio stomped on Edge and then slammed him shoulder first into the post. He locked on the arm breaker and held it until a ref came out and convinced Del Rio to break. Del Rio smiled at him and then gave him the wink. Del Rio celebrated on the ramp to close the show…

Shore's Slant: I dare any of you to give me a name other than Rock, Cena or Orton that gets a bigger crowd response than Vickie Guerrero. She is an absolute gem of a character. And she's the feel good story of the decade. I dislike how this all played out, but I love her work. And a good way to transition to Del Rio. This story should get hot fast. I'll have more to say tomorrow on the hitlist. Thanks for reading and I'll see you then.

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at css3238@gmail.com or tweet me @the_shore_slant with whatever is on your mind.

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