WWE Smackdown! – January 27th, 2012 from Tucson, AZ
[Reviewed by: Sean Sweeny]
IN RING SEGMENT
The show started off with the Big Show making his way down to the ring. Show started off by saying that he was sorry for what happened with AJ the other week. He said that he had already apologized to AJ personally but now he wanted to apologize to the crowd. He went on to say that she quickly forgave him and he hoped that the fans would do the same. Big Show said that this is hard for him to forgive himself, as this wasn’t an isolated incident. Growing up he wouldn’t know his own strength and would hurt the other kids, and he thought that was all past him now in the WWE, and he loves what he does but after what happened with AJ he just doesn’t think he has the heart to continue on with his career. He said that he is honored to be in the triple threat match at the royal rumble but win or lose he is going to have to do some serious soul searching.
At that moment Daniel Bryan’s music hit and out came the World Heavyweight Champion. Bryan said what a relief the Big Show is sorry, that makes everything all better. He put a 95-pound woman in the hospital, and about her apologizing; she was heavily medicated and doesn’t even remember him being there. Bryan went on to say that when he was growing up he though of the WWE is where the athletes were not the genetic freaks. Before Big Show could say a word Bryan yelled at him to not even bring up Andre the Giant because Big Show is no Andre. Bryan then said that Show’s talk of re-evaluating his career is empty words just like his apologizes to AJ. If he really wanted to repent he wouldn’t be out here apologizing to everyone he would do the honorable thing and just retire right now. Bryan then kept talking down to Big Show and poking him in the chest before slapping him in the face repeatedly. Big Show then grabbed Bryan by the throat and said that what happened to AJ was an accident but what he does to Bryan at the Rumble won’t be.
Then Mark Henry’s music hit and the World’s strongest man made his way down to the ring. Henry said that with this whole love fest going on he felt he should come down and remind them that it is a triple threat match this Sunday night, and he doesn’t care about Show’s feelings or Bryan’s napoleon complex and he sure as hell doesn’t give a damn out a 95 pound girl in a training bra. They both know what he can do and he isn’t going to sweet talk them. Henry then yelled at Bryan to step in front of him, Henry then said that because Bryan weaseled his way out of their match last week he is going to skin him just on principle. As Bryan tried to defend himself, Teddy Long’s music hit and out came the General Manager of SmackDown. Long said that we are just day’s away from the Royal Rumble and the question is will SmackDown on in with a whimper or a bang. They already have one main event but since two weeks ago Daniel Bryan went one on one with The Big Show and last week Bryan went one on one with Mark Henry it is only fair that The Big Show and Mark Henry go at it one on one. Daniel then slides out of the ring smiling as Big Show and Henry exchange words.
SINGLES MATCH – NON TITLE
Cody Rhodes © defeated Justin Gabriel via pin fall: Rhodes won with Cross Rhodes.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Teddy Long was in his office with his assistant Santino Marella. Marella was pitching horrible ideas for matches to Teddy. Santino then asked Yoshi Tatsu what his thoughts were on them, and he agreed with Santino. Santino then said that is was good that Yoshi was here because he wanted to introduce Teddy to the future tag team champions, Santoshi! Yoshi then said no it’s Yoshtino. The two then went back and forth arguing about the name of the team. Drew McIntyre then walked in saying that Teddy wanted to see him right away. Teddy said he did because for the past few weeks it has been the same thing with Drew losing even when he promised to beat Santino in the blindfold match and even when he tried to cheat he would lose. Santino then said awkward before walking out with Yoshi. Drew then said to Teddy that Babe Ruth once struck out five times in a row Babe Ruth did that. This is nothing more than a slump and he is more mad at himself than Teddy is. Long said that more often than not Babe would knock it out of the park, which is what he wants Drew to do tonight. Drew started thanking him, and then Teddy continued on saying that he wanted him to do that against Sheamus. Drew then shows a very fake smile thanking Teddy for the opportunity. Teddy then said oh and one more thing your match is next.
SINGLES MATCH
Sheamus defeated Drew McIntyre via pin fall: Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick.
TAG TEAM MATCH – NON TITLE
Epico & Primo © defeated Santino Marella & Yoshi Tatsu via pin fall: Primo won with the Back Stabber on Santino Marella.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Mark Henry was backstage when Daniel Bryan walked up to him. Henry said that he better have a good reason for coming up to him after the garbage he pulled last week. Bryan said that it wasn’t him it was Teddy who put all those Lumberjacks down at the ring, and it was Teddy Long who made the match between Show and Henry tonight. Bryan went on to say that he had no problem giving Henry his rematch because he respects him but he is here to talk about the Big Show. Henry questioned him for wanting to talk about Big Show. Bryan said that it is obvious that Teddy Long wants The Big Show to be the World Heavyweight Champion, and tonight is the chance to right a huge wrong before Sunday night. Bryan then said that Henry needs to hurt the Big Show tonight, and usually he would never say that about another competitor but Show needs to be taught a lesson and if anyone can do that it would the world’s strongest man. With that Bryan pats Henry on the back and walked off.
IN RING SEGMENT
Wade Barrett came out before his match with Randy Orton and took a microphone. He asked if we could have some decorum to the crowd, before moving on about tonight’s Smackdown with all of the fan fare for tonight’s SmackDown due to Randy Orton’s return. Barrett said that he has it on good authority that while the doctors said that he is physically able to compete, spiritually he is no where close to being ready to return to the ring. Barrett then directed everyone’s attention to the titantron and showed the reply of what happened last month. Barrett then said that it looked like Orton had fallen and couldn’t get back up. After he laughed his own joke he said that the only voice Orton is hearing in his head is one saying that Wade Barrett is a vicious competitor. With that Randy Orton’s music hit and out her came for their match. The two begin to go at it before Orton can even get to the ring. The officials cannot control the two so Teddy Long then came out and sent out most of the SmackDown locker room to break up the two. When Barrett finally made his way up the ramp he turned around to watch Orton hit the RKO on Tyler Reks, Curt Hawkins, Trent Barreta, Jey and Jimmy Uso.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Daniel Bryan was backstage with Kaitlyn. He said that she is AJ’s best friend, and he needs her to do AJ a favor. Kaitlyn said that she would do anything for her. Bryan said that she needed to go to the Big Show and warn him that Mark Henry is going to try and injure him tonight. Kaitlyn then asked him if she was doing AJ a favor or if she was doing him a favor. He replied saying she was doing both of them a favor as AJ loves him, which she even heard her say. Kaitlyn said that she will talk to Big Show but she wanted Daniel to do her a favor, and tell her how he really feels about AJ. Daniel said that she knows he likes to keep himself pretty private but the sooner she warns the Big Show the better. She agreed and then walked away.
SINGLES MATCH
Hunico defeated Ted DiBiase via pin fall: Hunico won with an Olympic slam variation.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Teddy Long was watching the match with Aksana and as it ended he was leaving to go check on DiBiase when Natalya stopped him. She said that Tamina went all Super fly on her and she wants her revenge. Aksana made a joke about Natalya’s performance against Tamina and Natalya said she could beat Tamina and she could beat Aksana as well. Teddy then said that he knew Aksana wanted to compete so tonight it will be Aksana taking on Natalya. They both agreed and then Natalya said that she couldn’t wait to make her cry. Then as they are standing there, there is a fart sound and then after a small pause Natalya ran out of the room. Teddy and Aksana both then smelling it made an excuse to leave the room. After they left Santino walked into the room and then started gagging saying it was in his mouth before running out of the room.
SINGLES MATCH
Brodus Clay defeated Alex Riley via pin fall: Clay won with the What the Funk.
DIVAS MATCH
Aksana defeated Natalya via pin fall: Aksana won with a roll up.
SINGLES MATCH
Big Show defeated Mark Henry via count out.
IN RING SEGMENT
After the match Daniel Bryan went into the ring and attacked the Big Show with a steel chair. Big Show got the upper hand by taking the steel chair and Bryan slid out of the ring. When Show followed Bryan threw the World Heavyweight Championship at him and then grabbed the steel chair and began beating Big Show with it. Daniel then brought the Big Show back into the ring and put the Labelle lock on him. After a few moments though Big Show overpowered Bryan and then choke slammed Bryan. The Big Show then went for the WMD but Bryan rolled out of the ring before Show could connect with it. Big Show then stood tall as the show went off the air with the steel chair in hand.