WWE SmackDown
January 21, 2011 – Tulsa, OK
Announcers: Todd Grisham & Matt Striker & Michael Cole
[ REVIEWED BY BRAD DYKENS ]
IN THE RING
Unnamed Group (Wade Barrett & Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater & Ezekiel Jackson) + General Manager Theodore Long + Alberto Del Rio: Wade Barrett walked out to the ring with his troops backing him up. Barrett announced that the Big Show would not be there tonight. Barrett wanted to introduce themselves to the SmackDown! audience. Barrett introduced himself, saying he revolutionized Monday Night RAW as the leader of the Nexus. Barrett said the Nexus should never have been just about him, it should have been about the group. Barrett said that’s what his new group would be about, and officially called his group, the Corre! Ezekiel cut a bad promo saying he was proud to be a member of the Corre! Heath Slater cut a hillbilly promo saying the Nexus was so dominant because of him, and you haven’t seen nothing yet. Justin Gabriel cut a promo saying he was from South Africa, but from now on her will call SmackDown! his home. Gabriel also plugged his devastating finishing move. Barrett started to talk about his plans when he was interrupted by General Manager Theodore Long. Long said he was in charge, and if the Corre was going to start playing outside the rules, then they will have a problem. Barrett said they respect Long as an authority figure, and they will represent SmackDown! in the Royal Rumble. Barrett said they want to work with Long, not against Long. Barrett said Long will go down in history as the G.M. of the show where the Corre came together as a group. Long said he saw what Barrett did on RAW, and he wasn’t born yesterday, so he doesn’t believe what Barrett is trying to sell him. Long said he was not an anonymous G.M., and warned Barrett not to bring that nonsense from RAW to SmackDown!. Ezekiel said they were disappointed that Long didn’t welcome them to SmackDown! with an open mind. Long said they can get along as long as they play by the rules, adding, you can like SmackDown! or leave it! Alberto Del Rio drove his limo into the arena and welcomed the Corre to SmackDown!. Alberto informed the Corre than it was HIS show and he was going to win the Royal Rumble because it was his destiny!
SINGLES MATCH
Alberto Del Rio defeated R-Truth: Alberto Del Rio was introduced by his personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez. R-Truth came out rapping “What’s Up?” and Alberto seethed over having to listen to such cRap. Cameras cut backstage for some drama (see below for details). Ricardo Rodriguez interfered and distracted R-Truth, leading to Alberto applying the dreaded Armlock for a submission!
DURING THE MATCH: During the previous match, the cameras cut backstage, where they found Theodore Long unconcious on the floor and being checked by doctors, who were calling for paramedics. Of course, Vickie Guerrero & Dolph Ziggler were there faking their concern. After commercial, Long was put on a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance. Vickie Guerrero was still faking concern saying she was “so worried about him.” Michael Cole announced that “it appears Teddy Long had suffered severe trauma to the back of the head.”
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Vickie Guerrero & Dolph Ziggler + The Corre (Wade Barrett & Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater & Ezekiel Jackson): The Corre claimed they were in the locker room minding their own business and had nothing to do with Teddy Long’s head trauma. Barrett said they know Vickie is in charge now so if there was any assistance she needs they were at her service. Vickie said “my boyfriend” Dolph is facing Edge for the World title at Royal Rumble, so tonight one of the Corre will face Edge – and she expects them to live up to their reputation.
VIGNETTE: They showed the “all about the numbers” video package..
WWE DIVAS MATCH
Beth Phoenix defeated Layla El w/Michelle McCool:
SINGLES MATCH
Rey Mysterio defeated Cody Rhodes: The finish saw Rey hit the 619 to Cody’s face and then followed up with a top rope splash! Cody was squirming around holding his face after taking the 619, worried about possible disfigurement. The trainer ran down to check on Cody’s dashing face. The announcers speculated that Rey’s knee brace could have connected with Cody’s face. Yes, this is all storyline and not a legit injury.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Todd Grisham + Alex Riley + WWE champion Mike “The Miz” Mizanin: Todd Grisham was about to give an update on Theodore Long when Alex Riley showed up and wanted to talk about the Miz instead. The Miz was there and said he was so proud about what he did to Randy Orton on RAW, he wanted to share it with everyone on SmackDown!.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: Cody Rhodes was getting checked by a trainer, who informed Cody that his nose was broken. Cody freaked out and demanded to see a mirror. Cody looked at himself and freaked out some more, especially when the trainer “reset” it.
AMATURE WRESTLING CHALLENGE
Jack Swagger (10) defeated Kofi Kingston (9): Most pinfalls, or most points, after three minutes, WINS. Swagger was so upset that Kingston did so well that he attacked after the match. Kingston fought back and hit a top rope crossbody to further humiliate Swagger!
SINGLES MATCH
Drew McIntyre defeated Trent Barreta: After the match, Drew offered to shake hands with Trent, but Trent just knocked him out of the ring! Drew snapped and jumped in the ring to destroy Trent. Kelly Kelly walked down in high heels and ordered Drew to “stop it now!” She stepped in the ring and confronted Drew, who defended himself by saying “he hit me first!” Kelly went over to check on Trent, which made Drew jealous. Drew once again pleaded his case and Kelly said “I don’t care, leave me alone!” Drew jumped out and furiously walked backstage.
PLUG: 2011 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony featuring induction of Shawn Michaels.
IN THE RING
WWE champion Mike “The Miz” Mizanin & Alex Riley + World Heavyweight champion Edge: Michael Cole stood up and marked out hard for the appearance of The Miz! The Miz said he proved that he was AWESOME by doing AWESOME – then showed a clip of him destroying Randy Orton on RAW. The Miz tried to do his catch phrase, but he was interrupted by World Heavyweight champion Edge, who said he was sick of the RAW rejects coming to SmackDown! thinking they run it. Edge pointed out that the Miz forgot to mention that what he did to Randy Orton was after Orton had a match with Dolph Ziggler. The Miz said what he did to Orton is nothing compared to what he has planned for Edge this Monday night on RAW. Edge said the Miz was about #37 on his list of things to do, and ordered the Miz to get out of his ring! The Miz backed out of the ring and walked away voluntarily, but Alex Riley went after Edge and got speared! The Miz pulled Riley out of the ring and paced back and forth before taking off his jacket. The Miz made like he was going to get in the ring, but pulled back and went back to walking away from the fight. They are hyping a champion vs. champion match for this coming RAW.
NON (WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT) TITLE MATCH
Justin Gabriel w/The Corre (Wade Barrett & Heath Slater & Ezekiel Jackson) defeated World Heavyweight champion Edge: All four members of the Corre came to the ring to face Edge. Before the match, Vickie Guerrero came out and announced Dolph Ziggler as the special guest commentator. Dolph joined on commentary and insulted Edge throughout the match while praising his girlfriend Vickie Guerrero. . . . Late in the match, Edge went for a spear but changed direction and hit Wade Barrett & Heath Slater off the ring apron. Edge got clotheslined by Ezekiel, allowing Justin Gabriel the opportunity to score the pinfall to win! After the match, the Corre surrounded Edge in the ring as he regained his senses. Edge tried to fight out of it but was bulldozed by Ezekiel! Slater hit Edge with his finisher. Barrett hit Edge with his finisher (Wasteland). Then Gabriel hit his dreaded 450 splash! Dolph Ziggler said he feels bad but if he’s got to win by forfeit then he will take it! The Corre left the ring and Dolph Ziggler entered and put his foot on Edge’s chest as the fans chanted “you suck!” Dolph was proud of himself and Vickie paced back and forth with a grin on her face.
EDITOR’S NOTES: Jim Ross was brought in as a surprise for the live crowd in Tulsa (Oklahoma). He interviewed Jack Swagger backstage for the fans in the building and was also guest referee in a post-show dark match with Kofi Kingston & Rey Mysterio over Kane & Alberto Del Rio. A trivia note: Ross first broke into pro wrestling as a referee for NWA Mid South in 1974.