5/15 WWE Smackdown in Austin, Texas: Randy Orton vs. Christian vs. Sheamus for the World Hvt. Championship, WWE Hall of Famer serves as guest host, Daniel Bryan vs. Tyson Kidd, battle royal for an Intercontinental Title shot

WWE Smackdown live event
Austin, Texas
Report by Dot Net reader Thomas McCaulla

This was my first house show. I must say I’m pleasantly surprised compared to other events I’ve been to ranging from WCW Spring Stampede in ’96 up to various Raw’s through the years. Probably a little over a thousand people in attendance. Nothing huge, lots of empty room on the second tier seating and some holes on the floor.
 
1. Ezekiel Jackson won a Battle Royal. The match featured Ted Dibiase, Daniel Bryan, Yoshi Tatsu, Trent Barretta, Mark Henry, Tyson Kidd, Alex Riley, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Brodus Clay, and Big Zeke. The wrestlers were eliminated in that order with Zeke getting win. Typical Battle Royal stuff here but the seemed to keep the feuds intact (ala TNA Impact, or whatever they call themselves now). Henry had a decent pop, so I’m assuming most of the crowd hasn’t watched WWE TV in a few weeks. Zeke had a good pop too.
 
Dusty Rhodes came out as our guest host for the evening and talked to Zeke. The Corre came out and attacked then Kane and Khali made the save. Dusty announced Wade Barrett vs. Zeke, and The Corre vs. Kane and Khali for later in the night.
 
2. Natalyia and AJ (chick from NXT Season Fail) defeated Alicia Fox and Rosa Mendes. Alicia didn’t seem to be nursing a shoulder injury, however I’m sure her hips will fall off in at least two years. Natalyia did her normal thing and AJ had a few nice spots. Nothing super special here other than a nice looking huracanrana from AJ.
 
3. Daniel Bryan defeated Tyson Kidd. Kidd did some normal heel stuff to stall at first. Bryan finally got him and they had a decent match. Bryan reversed a sharpshooter attempt into the LeBell Lock for the win. I’ve wanted to see Bryan in person for some years and I wasn’t let down, but I wasn’t really impressed here. I’m kind of sad.
 
4. Rey Mysterio defeated Cody Rhodes. Rhodes hit a good promo at first. I’m not a fan of his slow drawn out portion of his promos, but when he starts screaming and putting some emotion into it he really comes alive. Rey came out to an enormous pop. Kids rushed by me to see him. Normal spots by both in what was a good match.

After the match, a kid managed to elbow me in the nuts on the way to the entry way without so much as looking up at me to attempt to apologize. Rey made his way around the ring meeting and greeting. After he passed where I was on the aisle, I noticed the kid who elbowed me crying because Rey didn’t touch foreheads. Ah, the taste of karma.
 
Dusty came out to promote WWE All-stars and had a dance contest with some fans. The winner (a little kid) won a chance to go to the back to meet all the stars, pretty cool.
 
Intermission.
 
5. Zeke def. Wade Barret via DQ. Food for thought... As Barrett and Zeke got ready to fight, the family next to me, who hadn’t spoken a word of English the whole night, chanted USA for a match with a guy from England and another from Guyana. Meanwhile, the typical suburban family in front of me who decided it was more fun to pose and laugh than pay respect to the flag during the anthem couldn’t have been more bored.  Anyways... decent fight, nothing special. I figure it’s more for PPV practice than anything. 
 
6. Kane and Khali defeated Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater. Worst match of the night. Nothing makes me more angry than to see a talent like Gabriel wasted on matches like these where he and Slater get to run around like cowards. The guy has the best looking 450 since Juventud circa ’97 WCW, yet he does nothing at all really.   
 
7. Randy Orton defeated Sheamus and Christian in a Triple Threat match to retain the World Hvt. Championship. Match of the night easily. All three men got a good pop to include Sheamus. Orton got the best pop though. All three men got in good spots and got to shine.

At one point Orton either lost a piece of red and white gum, or a tooth. Nobody could tell but everything said the same thing. It looked like he took a botched charge in the corner. After the hit he stayed on the floor longer than normal and you could see officials tending to him, however they were on the far side of the ring so we couldn’t tell for sure what had actually happened. All three men hit their finishers and had some believable near falls. Orton hit an RKO on Shaemus for the win, though. He and Christian shook hands as the show closed.
 
Biggest Pops:
Randy Orton (only because the chicks could scream loud)
Rey Mysterio (only because kids can’t scream as loud as the before mentioned chicks)
A mix between Christian, Sheamus, and Zeke. (no this isn’t some crazy twilight zone episode, people actually popped for Sheamus)
 
Biggest Heat:
Wade Barrett (by far)
The rest of The Corre (because of the heel stalling)
Cody Rhodes (he made fun of U of Texas and called people ugly and stuff)
 
Notes: Also, don’t go to these shows and try to video it on your phone. I’m pretty sure the WWE can make a killing if they decide to sell the confiscated iPhones, Droids, and Xooms they got tonight. 
 
I probably should’ve brought my six year-old to this show instead of taking him tomorrow night to Raw as well. This show wasn’t as loud as Raw gets and I won’t have to spend an hour explaining to my kid why R-Truth shouldn’t say the things he says about Hispanic people (but he just has to see John Cena). Also, it will be interesting to see if WWE lets him continue to say those things tomorrow here in San Antonio. You can make fun of sports teams and such and people just boo, but making fun of an entire race in a city comprised mostly of said race may have some adverse effects.