SmackDown! opens with a video package on the Wade Barrett/Randy Orton situation from last week.
Opener was the WWE Intercontinental Title bout between Champion Cody Rhodes and Booker T. Arena was really smoke filled due to the opening fireworks. Fans are on to clear the air and it is getting cold in the Verizon Arena!
Solid back and forth. Good near fall sequence ends when Rhodes catches Booker in the face with his springboard kick off the ropes and gets the pin to retain IC Title.
Commercial airs for RAW showcasing Chris Jericho's return and asking what Y2J will have to say this Monday night.
* Backstage Cody Rhodes runs into his brother Dustin. Cody tells Dustin that he has accomplished more than the former Goldust ever did and that he is about to surpass their father Dusty.
* Zack Ryder is shown in Teddy Long's office talking about being Teddy's assistant general manager. Teddy corrected Zack and said he was the assistant to the GM. Zack said as United States Champion he is too busy and mentioned recommending a replacement as Drew McIntyre walked in. Teddy questioned the recommendation and Zack said he does not recommend Drew as Santino Marella comes in. Dialogue back and forth with Santino reminding Teddy he was supposed to fire Drew for losing last week. Out of this a match is set up with Drew vs Santino. If Santino wins he will be the assistant and Drew is fired. If Drew wins Teddy will consider not firing him. Aksana enters as the others exit.
* In another vignette, AJ is talking to Alicia Fox as Daniel Bryan walks in. The divas were discussing Bryan's World Title defense against Big Show. Bryan seemed confident and asked AJ why she is friends with Fox.
* Hornswoggle beat Heath Slater in an over the top rope challenge. Slater attacked afterward and Justin Gabriel made the save.
* Hunico defeated Ted DiBiase.
* Wade Barrett comes out to give an update on Randy Orton's condition. He says Orton has a herniated disk in his back and will have to miss the Royal Rumble in Orton's hometown of St. Louis. Barrett talks about how he will win the 30 man Rumble and this brings out Sheamus. After a verbal exchange, Jinder Mahal comes out. Barrett leaves and it is Mahal and Sheamis face to face. Mahal slaps Sheamus. A brawl ensues and it ends up two on one with Barrett and Mahal against Sheamus. Sheamus gets the edge briefly before Barrett takes over and leaves. Mahal then put the camel clutch on Sheamus.
* A tale of the tape between Daniel Bryan and Big Show is shown.
* Santino Marella over Drew McIntyre with the Cobra.
* A video is shown of the WWE '12 video game with Michael Cole beating up Daniel Bryan and winning the World Title.
* Drew McIntyre is in Teddy Long's office asking for another chance. Teddy says tonight was strike two. (Note: I either misunderstood the stipulation or Long says strike two instead of the actual firing.) Next week could be strike three for Drew according to Long.
* In a non-title bout, Epico and Primo defeated WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne. Finishing sequence had Epico pull Primo out of the way of Bourne's shooting star press and then Primo got the pin.
* Big Show was being interviewed when Daniel Bryan. Animosity starts to show a little more in this one.
* A video advertises Sheamus vs Jinder Mahal for next week's SmackDown on the heels of the angle from earlier.
* Tamina defeated Natalya with the Superfly Splash.
* Mark Henry comes out to do commentary for the main event.
* In the main event, after Big Show broke up submission attempts Daniel Bryan went to the floor and talked smack to Mark Henry. Henry pushed Bryan to cause a disqualification. Bryan wins by DQ and retains the World Title to end the show with the champion kissing his title on the ramp.
PWInsider
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