WWE Smackdown TV report - Jericho vs. Show, Orton vs. Henry

By James Shannon: j_pats@hotmail.com

Big Show kicked off another SmackDown, walking to the ring in a full suit. He was mad about being covered in orange paint last week by Del Rio. He said it was because of Del Rio that three innocent people suffered his wrath on Monday. He said Del Rio had never pinned him and will never pin him. He started yelling him promo and got through the “what” treatment really well to saying he'd knock Del Rio out on Sunday.

Jericho came out and said after knowing Show for 16 years he could read him like a book. He said he knew what he was feeling, but Show cut him off and said then he should be as far away from him as possible. Show told him to go on tour with Fozzy, write a book or host a show, just get away from him. Jericho said he was back in the WWE, feeling and working better than ever and was pumped to be there. Jericho said he knew how dangerous Show was but Jericho is a six time world champion and has been in more Elimation Chambers than anyone. He then said when he wins the Chamber, if and when Show beats Del Rio, Jericho would would beat Show in the main event of WrestleMania.

Show said they'd been through a lot together, but if they meet at WrestleMania, it'll be the last appearance of Jericho's career. As Show was getting closer and closer to Jericho Booker came out. He said he liked where this was going and since we don't know if they would meet at Mania, they should do it in tonight's main event.

Striker stopped Orton in the back to ask how he felt facing Henry again tonight so close to Chamber. Orton stared off camera where Henry appeared. Henry's music then played so he had to go do his entrance. After an ad they played a Hall of Pain video of Henry's return.

Match Number One: Randy Orton Vs. Mark Henry.

Henry out muscled Orton early. Orton was playing full babyface early and used his high leaping dropkick during a brief comeback. Henry slapped on a few long nerve holds for the heat, but he missed his first attempt at the World's Strongest Slam. Orton hit a DDT and then his draping DDT to set up the RKO. Henry pushed him off and forearmed Orton out of the ring to the floor.

An RKO and World's Strongest Slam were both avoided on the floor. So Orton just picked up a chair and hit Henry in the gut with it.

Winner: Mark Henry, DQ.

Orton sent Henry in the ring and hit him again. He missed a running strike with the chair and Henry hit the World's Strongest Slam to end the fight. After an ad Henry found Striker in the back. He took his mic and said he'd been home and frustrated for nine months, but the Hall of Pain is open for business. He said five superstars would be locked in a cage with him. He suggested law enforcement be handy because nobody is stopping his road to WrestleMania.

Match Number Two: Layla Vs. Tamina.

Tamina has a title shot at Elimination Chamber. It's a shame Layla is stuck in this spot at the moment. She's grown leaps in the ring over the years.

Tamina bullied Layla to start but Layla out wrestled her to stop her momentum. She was using a lot of flying moves until she tried a dropkick off the apron to the floor and Tamina used the apron cloth to catch her. Good idea, not not well executed. Layla sold her knee off it and Tamina grounded her back in the ring as Kaitlyn watched on a monitor in the back. Layla fired back with a series of kicks and roll up attempts, but was caught in a cross body, Samoan dropped and superfly splashed. Much longer women's match than you're used to seeing on SmackDown and told a good story. I do wish Tamina took a little less time doing the splash though. By the time she gets to the top rope it already feels like the victim has been lying in place too long.

Winner: Tamina, Pinfall.

The Rock came out without his belt to address what happened on Raw with Punk. He said running off with the belt doesn't mean Punk is champion. He said he made a trade, Punk gets to carry the title for six days and in return he'll get an arse kicking he'll remember for the rest of his life. It was the most focused, match building promo Rock has cut since in a while, really pushing the fight on Sunday.

He said it took him ten long years to win that title back but it will take only one night to make sure Punk never gets it back. Punk then interrupted from the titontron. He was with Paul and the title. He said it belonged to the best in the world, CM Punk. He said The Rock stole it from him at the Rumble after Punk beat him. Punk said he wants Rock to give him the beating of a lifetime, because then he will be DQ'd and Rock will lose the title. Punk said he would let Rock beat himself.

Rock said Punk talks a big game but his words are worthless. Punk promised to stop Rock at Rumble, but at the end of the night he got beat. He said Sunday will be bad but Monday will be worse – Punk will wake up and realise he failed. He said Punk was a spoiled little boy standing in the way of a man. Great great great work. Most match focused, PPV selling intended SmackDown segment in a long time.

Match Number Three: Tensai & Brodus Vs. Heath Slater & Jinder Mahal w/ Drew.

Slater started with some air guitar, so Tensai danced. Slater kicked him while he was rebutting, but got uppercuted when celebrating his attack. Mahal briefly took over Tensai with a really good looking running knee.

Tensai came back with an ugly slam and tagged in Brodus who took out Mahal and Slater. Tensai and Clay hit stereo splashes in opposite corners. They then knocked Drew off the apron and Clay hit a splash for the pin.

Winners: Brodus Clay & Tensai, Pinfall.

They were dancing in the ring when the music cut and the Shield came through the crowd. They sent the dancers away and the five fought in the ring. Tensai was thrown into the steel steps and then all three ganged up on Brodus. They hit the triple powerbomb and grabbed a mic. They said this Sunday wouldn't look any different.

Match Number Four: Cody Rhodes Vs. The Miz.

This was a rematch from Monday that ended with Cesaro's giant swings. Miz was all taped up from it and selling his shoulder. Rhodes targeted it throughout the match to cut Miz off whenever he got in control. They traded roll ups before Miz captured Rhodes' leg when he jumped for the disaster kick and got the submission. Just a match to show Miz's injury.

Winner: The Miz, Submission.

Match Number Five: Zack Ryder Vs. Swagger & Dutch Mantell.

Mostly a squash for Swagger who got the victory with the chop block, doctor bomb and ankle lock. It went on a bit too long, and the whole time on commentary they talked about Dutch's character and how much it's motivating Swagger and improving him. But he didn't actually do anything.

Winner: Jack Swagger, Submission.

They cut a patriotic promo afterwards. They asked if people wanted to be a great American like Swagger, or someone who cares more about their hair than country like Ryder.

Striker interviewed Alberto in the back, bringing up him never pinning Show. Del Rio asked Ricardo if he is world champion, if he beat Show twice and did he make Show look like a pumpkin: si, si, si.

Match Number Six: The Big Show Vs. Chris Jericho.

Show fought angrily to begin. After beating on Jericho ringside, Jericho hit a springboard dropkick to knock Show off the apron, then a basement dropkick to keep him out. Jericho left the ring to continue his attack but Show threw him over the announcer's table.

Show started his slaps and teased chokeslamming Jericho off the top rope but Jericho fought it off. Show quickly came back with a spear for two, then called for the chokelsam. Jericho elbowed out of it but was caught around the neck when coming off the top rope. Show chokeslammed him but Jericho rolled out of the ring. Show muscled his limp body back in the ring and sat on the top rope to hit an elbow off the second rope. Jericho rolled out of the way and hit a nasty Lionsault, with his knees hitting Show with impact.

Jericho jumped for the Code Breaker but was caught by Show. Jericho tried to turn it into a sunset flip, was picked back up and hit a DDT. Jericho tried for the Walls but after nearly turning Show was kicked away. Jericho then walked straight into a right hand for the pinfall.

Winner: The Big Show, Pinfall.

Really good to see Jericho back on SmackDown and there was a bit of freshness to a really non-consequential match.

The show then went off the air with Del Rio on the stage making eyes with Show.