2/17 Barnett's WWE Smackdown on SyFy Live Review: A Battle Royal to determine who replaces Randy Orton in the Elimination Chamber, Plus Daniel Bryan, Sheamus and Beth Phoenix in action


prowrestling.net
MEMBERSHIP INFO | LOG-IN | CONTACT US | SUBMIT NEWS | ABOUT US
Insider News • Live TV & PPV Coverage • Hitlists • Results • Blogs

HOME | WWE NEWS | TNA NEWS | MMA NEWS | ALL NEWS | TV & PPV | ARENA REPORTS | VIEWPOINTS | PRODUCT REVIEWS | AWARDS



Dot Net App
GOT AN IPHONE, IPAD, IPOD TOUCH, SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB, OR ANDROID PHONE?

THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE APP
(or SEARCH "pro wrestling" in App Store or Android Marketplace)

Dot Net Podcast
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO DOT NET FREE PODCAST IN ITUNES OR CLICK HERE FOR LISTING OF LATEST SHOWS

WWE TV Reports


2/17 Barnett's WWE Smackdown on SyFy Live Review: A Battle Royal to determine who replaces Randy Orton in the Elimination Chamber, Plus Daniel Bryan, Sheamus and Beth Phoenix in action
Feb 17, 2012 - 07:00 PM


By Jake Barnett

WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Taped 2/14 in Fresno, California


[Q1] A video recap aired of the Randy Orton and Big Show match from Monday's Raw. They focused heavily on Bryan as he struck Orton and Show to cause the DQ. Orton was then shown backstage with Teddy Long, who told him that he would not let him compete with a concussion. Long said Daniel Bryan would get his, just not tonight. Teddy then said Bryan is not even there yet, and told Randy that security was waiting outside the door to escort him out of the building for his own safety. He reminded Randy that he couldn't compete tonight or at the Elimination Chamber PPV. Orton stood up off the couch and headed off camera without saying a word. Queue the Smackdown intro music.

The Big Show's music hit in the arena and he made his way to the ring. The bell rang and Lillian Garcia made match announcements. The Big Khali then came out as Big Show's partner. Cody Rhodes came out next, followed by Wade Barrett, who came out to a Brit Punk song that might be his 111th entrance track.

1. Big Show and Great Khali defeated Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett at 3:33. Khali and Barrett started with Barrett getting tossed into the corner. Khali hit a few back elbows and a chop in the corner. Cody tagged in and ducked a Khali strike, but ended up eating a chip to the forehead for his trouble. Khali then gave Cody the same treatment with a loud chest chop in the corner. Barrett tagged in and finally got in some offense with a diving forearm shiver. He then got a two count an tagged Rhodes back in. Rhodes worked a chin lock on Khali in the center of the ring.

Rhodes went up top, but Khali caught him by the throat and both men made tags. Show came in hot and hit some clotheslines and a splash in the corner followed by a big spear on Barrett. Show then knocked Rhodes off the apron and hit a chokeslam on Barrett for the clean pin. Khali then approached Big Show after the match and got socked in the jaw by a WMD and went down. Show exited up the ramp looking both angry and a bit constipated.

Backstage, Teddy Long was on the phone complaining to someone on the phone about the chamber match when Mark Henry walked up. Henry told him to swallow his pride and do the right thing and put him in the chamber match. Teddy had no response. Big Show then walked up and demanded a shot at Daniel Bryan. Henry interrupted and told him to wait his turn. Show sucker punched Henry and then punched the TV and turned over the furniture in Teddy's office. He screamed “Give me what I want!” repeatedly while doing it...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Well, that was a busy 15 minutes. Orton and Long played up the somber tone of the opening minute pretty well. The tag match was a throwaway with Barrett and Rhodes continuing to look like second rate acts, and the backstage segment with Henry and Show was actually pretty good. Henry needs to be a player on Smackdown with Orton out, as he is one of the few guys they have that exudes star power right now.

[Q2] A commercial aired to plug this Tuesday's Live Smackdown!. A recap then aired of Big Show freaking out in Teddy's office. Long was shown talking to security and demanded Big Show be removed from the building. The Security team said they wanted nothing to do with the Giant, and Long told them to man up.

In the ring, Ted Dibiase made his way out for his weekly match with Hunico. Hunico and Camacho made their way out next.

2. Hunico defeated Ted Dibiase at 1:44. Hunico kicked Ted in the gut and hit some punches in the corner. Dibiase turned the tables and got in some punches of his own. Hunico reversed out of a back suplex attempt and hit a head scissors. A few seconds later he went to work on the arm with kicks. Hunico went up top, but got caught with a dropkick by Dibiase, but Dibiase came up grabbing his wrist. Camacho came up on the apron and pulled Dibiase's wrist over the rope, which allowed Hunico to hit a schoolboy roll up for the win.

The announcers plugged Daniel Bryan being on his way to the arena...[c]

Barnett's Brief: More storyline maintenance. These guys aren't on the PPV and I'm guessing this was just a reminder that they exist. Same match as last week with the opposite outcome.

[Q3] A recap aired of Shawn Michaels appearance on Raw from Monday. If you saw it on Monday, this wasn't anything new, but it was still a very good promo segment.

The Usos did their Haka and made their way out for a tag match with Primo and Epico. Primo and Epico and Rosa's Hips made their way out next...[c]

3. Primo and Epico defeated the Uso's at 4:43. Primo and Jay Uso traded offense early. Jimmy tagged in and hit a clothesline for a two count. Quick tag back to Jay with some double team offense in between. Jay mounted Primo in the corner and hit two punches before Primo slipped out and crotched him on the second rope. Primo landed some grounded punches. He then hit a leg sweep and suplexed Epico in the ring onto Jay from the apron. Epico continued to work on Jaw in the corner and tagged Primo back in. He hit a nice looking dropkick and played to the crowd.

Primo worked a chin lock in the middle of the ring, which was quickly broken. Primo grabbed Jay by the head and tossed him back to the mat, and locked a chin lock back in. Jay punched out and avoided a Primo dropkick in the corner. Both men crawled and made tags. Jimmy hit a kick and a spinning forearm on Epico, but missed a splash in the corner. Jaw then hit a nice looking press Samoan Drop. He hit a superkick on Epico a moment later and tagged in Jay. Jay went for a big splash from the top, but hit knees. Epico recovered and hit a backstabber for the win.

Daniel Bryan was shown backstage heading toward the ring area...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Good tag match from these two teams. If they actually gave them something person to feud over and a little more time to flesh out said story, this could be a fun feud. All 4 guys can work a good pace and have some flashy offense.

[Q4] Lilian Garcia announced Daniel Bryan, who came to the ring and grabbed a microphone. He said everybody saw what he did on Raw, and he got two for the price of one. He said it was time to declare himself. He said it was finally time to show everybody who he is and what he's all about. He then rolled a clip from Monday with the belt shots on Orton and Show. He said he understands that Big Show has been escorted out of the building, just like Orton. He explained if either of those guys were real men, or had any guts, they would be out there facing him in the ring. He called them afraid, and said he could smell the fear in the locker room. He said everyone is afraid of Daniel Bryan.

They are afraid of tapping out, and they are afraid of him beating them once again. He said all he does is just keep on winning. He claimed he knew he was facing overwhelming odds at Elimination Chamber, and just like he would have beaten Orton had he been able to face him tonight, he will emerge victorious at the Elimination Chamber. Loud “You Suck!” chants broke out. Bryan then asked Lilian Garcia to announce him the winner of tonights advertised Main Event via forfeit. Lillian complied after a bit of stalling and Bryan celebrated like he just won the lottery.

Teddy Long interrupted the celebration and said that before he celebrates his victory, he should remember he hasn't competed yet. Teddy said he found a volunteer to take Orton's place, and Sheamus entered to huge applause...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Great reaction for Bryan, who cut one of his better promos here. He stayed on point for the entire thing and had some very good heel lines in there. The crowds have finally come around to hating him full throatedly, and I think it bodes well for his future in WWE.

[Q5] 4. Daniel Bryan defeated Sheamus via DQ at 6:48. Sheamus got a shoulder block and clothesline early, and then worked Bryan over in the corner. Sheamus covered for a one count. Bryan wrapped Bryan's arm over his shoulder and wrenched the elbow. Bryan hit a series of kicks that backed Sheamus against the ropes, but Sheamus flipped Bryan onto the apron and hit is big clubbing blows to the chest. Bryan stepped down to ringside and grabbed his belt, but Sheamus ran out to ringside and clotheslined him. He then tossed him into the ring, but Bryan recovered and kicked Sheamus to the floor. He then hit a nice looking flying knee to the temple.

Sheamus rolled back in the ring at a count of 8. Bryan hit another kick to the face on a sitting Sheamus, and then a running kick that sent Sheamus through the ropes. Bryan pulled him back into the ring and covered for a two count. Sheamus worked back into the match, but Bryan got an ankle pick that charlie horsed Sheamus's calf. Bryan hit another low dropkick and followed by several more kicks to the chest. Sheamus absorbed them and powered back up, hitting several clotheslines and a powerslam for two. Sheamus went for the Irish Curse, and Bryan tried to reverse into the Lebell Lock, but Sheamus powered out and hit a clothesline.

Sheamus signaled for the Celtic Cross, but Bryan slipped out. Sheamus hit some punches in the corner, and the ref counted 3 before he broke. Bryan slapped Sheamus hard in the face, and he hit more punches and kicks in the corner and broke at 4. Bryan then sat on the top turnbuckle and spit into Sheamus's face, and he finally freaked out and got himself DQ'ed. Bryan left up the ramp and Sheamus stared at him like a psychopath.

Wade Barrett was backstage in Teddy Long's office and asked who Orton's replacement is. Cody Rhodes came in and said he was going to beat all 5 men on Sunday, but asked the same question. Teddy said he didn't know, and he was going to have a Battle Royal and all the Wrestlers in the building are invited....[c]

Barnett's Brief: Great match from these two while it lasted. A good preview of what they would be capable of if given some time and a good build. Could this be the WrestleMania match for Smackdown? I have no idea, but I don't think it would be a bad choice.

Jinder Mahal made his way out to the ring. He placed his turban inside a lexan container again, with no explanation as to its signifigance. Ezekiel Jackson made his way out next.

5. Jinder Mahal defeated Zeke Jackson at 2:10. Mahal clubbed Zeke in the back and hit some knees, before getting hit with a shoulder block and a big splash in the corner. Zeke hit a side slam, and went for the torture rack, but Mahal grabbed the ropes. Mahal broke free and hit a DDT, and then locked in the Camel Clutch. Zeke powered out and drove Mahal into the corner. Mahal recovered and hit another DDT and reapplied the Camel Cluth for the tap out victory.

Barnett's Brief: The crowd reacted to this like somebody farted. I can't blame them.

[Q6] A brief promo package aired showing Tamina and Jimmy Snuka's splashes. The announcers plugged a divas tag match as next...[c]

6. Tamina and Alicia Fox defeated Beth Phoenix and Natalya at 2:46 Phoenix and Fox started, with Fox hitting a dropkick before Nattie tagged in. Nattie looked to be in a pissing contest with Beth as she did some showboating. Nattie hit a nice DDT for a two count and then choked Fox on the second rope. Nattie backed off, which allowed Beth to kick Alicia in the face. Nattie locked in a chin lock, but Alicia escaped. Nattie ran at her and Alicia leap frogged, but Nattie caught her. Nattie applied the sharpshooter and Alicia looked to be about to tap when Nattie farted and released the hold in embarassment. Fox quickly made the tag, and Tamina hit a Samoan Drop and the splash for the victory.

After the match, Beth tried to sneak up on Tamina but got caught with a thrust kick. Tamina went back up top for the splash but Beth moved away at the last second. She screamed that Tamina would never get a hold of her title. Backstage, John Laurinitis approached Teddy Long and asked him why he was allowing no name talents with no charisma compete for a spot in the Chamber. He then said David Otunga would be entering the Battle Royal to fill the gap. Teddy Long said that's fine, and asked Otunga what the smell was. Otunga replied his designer Cologne, at which point Teddy said where he was from Lawyers had a stank on them, and Otunga had it bad.

The announcers plugged a replay of Kane's destruction of Zack Ryder from monday as next...[c]

Barnett's Brief: The Divas match was the best we've seen from them on Smackdown in quite some time, but I just can't bring myself to care about Tamina. The backstage segment with Laurinitis and Long was tolerable, but nothing great.

[Q7] A video package aired that recapped the entire Cena vs. Kane feud, which did it's best to make the feud look interesting, but anyone who watched it knows better. It was capped off with the footage of Ryder getting tossed off the stage in a wheelchair. The announcers then plugged the Elimination Chamber PPV match by match.

The locker room emptied out and all the Battle Royal contestants headed out to the ring...[c]

David Otunga got his own entrance. Everyone else was already in the ring.

7. Santino wins the Battle Royal to become the final Elimination Chamber contender at 16:49. Chaos ensued early, and I'm not going to try to explain it all here. Guys paired off like always, and Derrick Bateman was the first man eliminated. Percy Watson got dumped out about a minute later, and Zeke Jackson looked like he was in trouble early. Epico got dumped to the apron but rescued himself, and Jimmy Uso and Titus O'Neill were eliminated by Drew McIntyre. Drew also eliminated Tyson Kidd by press slamming him onto the floor below. Heath Slater was on the apron and got kicked to the floor by Jinder Mahal.

[Q8] Darren Young and Ted Dibiase both got dumped, but Dibiase rescued himself. Yoshi Tatsu got tossed by Justin Gabriel, and Dibiase tossed Camacho. Justin Gabriel got a hold of Michael McGuillicutty and sent him over the top with a slingshot...[c]

Curt Hawkins got tossed right after the break by Justin Gabriel after he tried an ill advised head scissors. Primo and Epico double teamed Alex Riley and tossed him a few seconds later. They both went to work on Tyler Reks, and set him on the apon. Johnny Curtis got tossed into him, and both men were eliminated. Primo and Epico continued their tag teaming and tossed Jay Uso. Primo then eliminated Epico right afterward. Hunico eliminated Dibiase, and then Dibiase pulled him from the apron, eliminating him.

Primo and Justin Gabriel traded trips to the apron, with both men ending up on the apron after some reversals. Gabriel ended up getting the best of Primo and elminated him, but Zeke eliminated him right afterward. Zeke then eliminated Jinder Mahal. McIntyre, Otunga, Zeke, and Santino remain. Santino put his sock on for the cobra. Drew hit a clothesline on Zeke and big boot on Otunga. Drew pumped up and Santino sneaked up from behind and eliminated him. Otunga then eliminated Zeke a moment later, leaving Otunga and Santino.

Otunga hit some punches, with Santino hulking up and shaking the ropes like the warrior. He did his splits evasion followed by a hip toss. He went for a cobra drop, but Otuna rolled out of the way. Otunga hit an ugly looking neckbreaker, and then played to the crowd. Otunga grabbed Santino to toss him out, but Santino reversed and assisted Otunga on his trip over the top rope. Santino did the trumpet dance and the crowd gave him a big reaction for the win.

Barnett's Brief: That wasn't as bad as I was expecting, but there was very little star power in that Battle Royal. Santino getting a spot in the elimination chamber doesn't really bother me, as he'll probably play a minor role in the match and just be in there to get his ass whipped for the benefit of the heels. He got a big reaction for the win, which was nice to see, but you have to wonder about WWE's roster when this is the best idea they could come up with on short notice.

Questions, comments or concerns? E-mail me at barnett.jake@gmail.com or on twitter @barnettjake.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE:


READ OUR INSIDER NEWS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE! BECOME A MEMBER FOR JUST $7.50 A MONTH (or less with a year-long sub) - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO CONTENT, MEMBER MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AND VIEW THE SITE WITHOUT ANY ADVERTISING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO)



RELATED ARTICLES FROM MGID AFFILIATE SITES...



MEMBERSHIP INFO
Become a Dot Net Member right now for $7.50 a month or $66 a year ($5.50 a month avg.). Get exclusive audio, first-look insider news, Forum access, member blogs, more...

CLICK FOR SIGN-UP INFO


The Current Must-Read List
ACCESS PREVIOUS MUST-READ ARTICLES

Vote In Our Latest Poll


Dot Net Free Podcasts
CLICK FOR FULL LISTING OF ALL PODCASTS

Latest from Our Affiliate Site

_pwtorch.com_
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PWTORCH HEADLINES

© 2008-2012 LAST ROW MEDIA LLC • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED -- PRIVACY POLICY