WWE 2012: RAW 07/02 - Punk Makes a Demand

WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW
April 9th 2012


- Alex Riley Defeated Darren Young w/ Titus O’Neil
- Kofi Kingston & R-Truth Defeated Curt Hawkins & Tyler Reks

Before the opening of Monday Night RAW we get a recap from the end of last week’s show with John Cena calling out The Rock only to get met by the returning Brock Lesnar who proceeded to F-5 Cena, standing tall as RAW came to an end.

CUE OPENING VIDEO PACKAGE

The initial pyrotechnics hit as we kick off Monday Night RAW, heading down to ringside and our announce team of Michael Cole and Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler. They immediately bring up last week’s show and the shocking return of Brock Lesnar. They reveal that Brock Lesnar is in the arena here tonight. They announce a rematch from last week with CM Punk defending the WWE Championship against Mark Henry following Henry’s count out victory of the champion. They are cut off by the music of the general manager of RAW and SmackDown John Laurinaitis who makes his way to the ring alongside his legal counsel David Otunga.

John Laurinaitis and David Otunga hit the ring, both men ignoring the boos as Laurinaitis grins. He says thank you to the WWE universie for making last week, the first of his permanent regime, such a massive success. He says that he is a man of the people and that since the people loved RAW so much, they clearly love him! This draws boos but Laurinaitis seems oblivious. He’s either completely oblivious, or a great actor. He goes on to talk about how the people want legitimacy, they want star power and they want the face of this company to be somebody that they can believe in, which is why he went out and found somebody who can be all of those things and more. Laurinaitis introduces that man – Brock Lesnar!

Lesnar hits the rings to a mix of cheers and boos. People are excited to have him back but hate that he’s aligned himself with John Laurinaitis. Lesnar begins talking about how the WWE needs legitimacy and that he is the most legitimate man who has ever been inside this ring. He begins talking about John Cena but is cut off my the theme of the man himself, John Cena meeting Brock Lesnar in the ring. Laurinaitis tells Cena to leave, warning him not to lay a hand on Lesnar. Cena doesn’t listen though, slapping Lesnar across the face which leads to a full blown brawl in the middle of the ring. During the scuffle Cena is caught by a right hook that causes him to bleed from the mouth before the pair are broken up by a host of agents and half of the WWE roster. Lesnar is lead up the ramp wth Laurinaitis behind him while Cena watches him from the ring, spitting blood onto the mat.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We return to RAW and enter the office of RAW general manager John Laurinaitis, who is furious about John Cena interrupting his big moment just minutes ago. He calls his new ‘assistant’ Theodore Long into the office, telling him to go and bring John Cena to him. Long begrudgingly leaves to carry out the request after Laurinaitis throws in a snide little comment about Long’s grandchildren. As Long leaves The Miz enters wanting to know why he isn’t on the show tonight. He says that he is the man responsible for Laurinaitis having total control and that he did that because he was promised the time he deserves. Laurinaitis says that he’s had his hands tied up this week but promises The Miz that he has big plans for him. The Miz tells him that he’d better keep his word because he won’t sit around on the sidelines. The Miz walks out as we return to ringside.

1.) Santino Marella & Brodus Clay Defeated Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger w/ Vickie Guerrero. This one stemmed out of these two teams confrontation last week on RAW as Brodus Clay came to Santino Marella’s assistance. A decent contest and it was good to see Clay get some ring time beyond a simple squash match. Ziggler and Swagger worked down Marella before he made the hot tag and Clay ran through both men, pinning Swagger following the Ah Funk It!

Dolph Ziggler pulls Jack Swagger out of the ring while Santino Marella, Brodus Clay and his dancers begin dancing in the centre of the ring as we cut backstage.

We return to the general manager’s office where John Laurinaitis is texting away. The door opens and Theodore Long enters, Laurinaitis angrily asking where John Cena is. Long looks to the door as John Cena walks in, his mouth still stained with blood. He asks Laurinaitis whether he is happy. He says that Laurinaitis wanted legitimacy, that he wanted to bring somebody in to take him out and so he went out and got a war machine. He again asks if Laurinaitis is happy. Laurinaitis says he is, because he is giving the fans what he wants. Cena says that the fans want to see him kick Laurinaitis’ ass! Laurinaitis says that if Cena puts a hand on him then he’ll be fired on the spot, then proceeds to announce that he will be facing former World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan in tonight’s main event. Cena says that’s fine. He says he’ll show everybody exactly how legitimate he can be. Cena storms off as Laurinaitis asks Theodore Long what he’s looking at. Long shrugs and walks out of the office as we fade out.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

A video package airs promoting the WWE draft coming on a special three hour Monday Night RAW the night after Extreme Rules!

2.) Lord Tensai w/ Sakamoto Defeated Yoshi Tatsu. Following Tensai’s debut last week Yoshi Tatsu went on Twitter and challenged him, leading to this match. Tatsu may have had something to fight for but it didn’t mean he had a chance as Tensai squashed him, finishing him off with the Tensai Bomb! There were a few ‘boring’ chants during this one.

Following the match Lord Tensai spits the mist onto his hand and locks in the vice-like claw on Tatsu, choking out Yoshi Tatsu. Tensai stood tall as we cut backstage.

We head to the corridors where Santino Marella is looking around for tonight’s special guests The Three Stooges. He asks a number of people before running into Daniel Bryan. Bryan is silent for a moment before calling Marella a pathetic joke and walking off. We cut away as Santino Marella continues on his search.

Moving to the locker room of Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger the two are arguing over their earlier loss to Santino Marella and Brodus Clay. They are interrupted by Vickie Guerrero, who starts screeching about how they are meant to be a team, not fighting with each other. She tells them that they need to get things back on track which is why she has talked to Mr. Laurinaitis and gotten them a number one contenders match next week against Kofi Kingston & R-Truth, a fact that seems to appease Ziggler and Swagger somewhat. Vickie Guerrero says that soon the greatest tag team in the WWE will also be the WWE Tag Team Champions. The three keep talking as we cut to commercials.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

As we return we are shown a video package recapping last week’s WWE Championship match between CM Punk and the World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry. The match ended with Henry victorious via count out, meaning CM Punk retained the title but Mark Henry got a rematch. It goes on to show Chris Jericho’s vicious attack on CM Punk as he poured whiskey over him and then smashed a bottle over his head. CM Punk defends the WWE Championship against Mark Henry right now!

3. WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH) Mark Henry Defeated CM Punk via Disqualification; CM Punk retains the WWE Championship. After CM Punk was counted out last week on RAW Mark Henry was given this second chance at becoming the WWE Champion. These two went back and forth for a good while pulling off a great technique vs. power matchup with Henry coming close to taking the WWE Championshp on more than one occasion before Punk rallied back and took control. It was at this point that Chris Jericho came out, mocking Punk from the ramp regarding his attack last week. Punk snapped, grabbing a steel chair from ringside and unloading on Mark Henry, causing the referee to disqualify the champions.

CM Punk doesn’t stop there, continuing to unload on Mark Henry with the steel chair until Chris Jericho got his attention once again, asking Punk if he is drunk? Jericho says that he certainly has the anger of an alcoholic and takes credit for leading Punk down the route to his own destruction. CM Punk is given a microphone as Mark Henry is helped out of the ring and tells Chris Jericho that he crossed a line last week. He says that before it was just about proving that he is the best in the world. He says he could understand Jericho being jealous and that he didn’t care about that, but that now he cares. Punk says now Jericho has pushed him too far and it isn’t about proving who the best is, it’s about kicking Chris Jericho’s ass. Jericho tells him to bring it on, saying that if Punk wants him then all he has to do is ask. Punk shouts that he isn’t asking, he’s demanding. Chris Jericho tells him to be careful what he wishes for, walking backstage as Punk shouts at him to face him as RAW fades out.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We return backstage where Santino Marella is still looking for the Three Stooges to little success. He ends up finding Hornswoggle instead and enlists the small man in helping him open a large box marked ‘fragile’. The two open the box and out pops the Three Stooges, Santino freaking out about meeting them because they are of course ‘big in Italy’ although from the silence in the arena they aren’t big with the WWE universe. We get some typical Stooge like comedy with Santino and Hornswoggle before Santino says he can’t wait to see what they’ve got for RAW tonight. The Stooges realize they don’t have a plan and start freaking out as we cut away.

We return to the office of general manager John Laurinaitis where the WWE Tag Team Champions Epico & Primo barge in with Rosa Mendes. Laurinaitis shouts at Theodore Long, telling him he was meant to keep people out. Epico & Primo ask why they haven’t been on TV, they’re the WWE Tag Team Champions and deserve to be in that ring. Laurinaitis says that he has a lot of talent to juggle and that they’ll get their time when they’re ready. Epico says they wouldn’t be the champions if they weren’t ready, telling Laurinaitis that he is going to find that out whether it’s in a match or otherwise. They storm out and Laurinaitis warns Theodore Long to do a better job in future.

4.) Beth Phoenix Defeated Kelly Kelly. Following Beth Phoenix’s embarrassing loss at WrestleMania this was a chance for the Diva’s Champion to get some dignity back and she did so in style, controlling the match and putting Kelly Kelly away with the Glam Slam.

Following the match Beth Phoenix picks up Kelly Kelly and delivers a second, devastating Glam Slam. She demands a microphone and says that she is tired of being embarrassed, tired of being held back by this company and their fixation with the pretty blondes like Kelly Kelly. She says that if you thought she was dominant before that you haven’t seen anything yet. She drops the microphone, grabs Kelly and delivers yet another Glam Slam. Beth holds up the Diva’s Championship as we go to a commercial break.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

RAW returns from commercials to a video package highlighting the classic contest we witnessed at WrestleMania between The Undertaker and Triple H. It is intercut with comments from WWE wrestlers who talk about how the match will be talked about for years to come.

We return to ringside where Moe and Curly of the Three Stooges make their way to the ring to a completely dead crowd. We then get the ‘real American’ theme as Larry makes his way to the ring impersonating Hulk Hogan to some boos from those who care enough to make a sound. They do some traditional Stooges comedy to hype their movie before Kane’s music hits and the Devil’s Favourite Demon makes his way to the ring. Moe and Curly bail while Larry attempts to hulk up. He gets chokeslammed instead which gets the best pop of the segment.

A SmackDown recap airs focusing on the match between World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio with Del Rio getting Sheamus disqualified and getting a World Heavyweight Championship match out of it. It is announced that tomorrow night on Super SmackDown Live Sheamus will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio!

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Josh Matthews is standing backstage with Brock Lesnar and asks him whether he is proud to be back in WWE. Lesnar says that he is won’t be proud to be back until he is at the very top of this company once again with the WWE Championship around his waist. He says that he left the World Wrestling Entertainment at the top of his game because there was nothing else for him to do. He says that he went to the UFC and became the top man in that company as well. Brock Lesnar says that he was happy when John Laurinaitis called him and askes him to add legitimacy to the WWE just like he did eight years ago, but is he proud? No. He won’t be proud until he is the WWE Champion once again and as soon as he’s finished with John Cena that is what he’ll be gunning for.

5.) Zack Ryder Defeated Cody Rhodes. Cody Rhodes has been on a bit of a rut since losing his Intercontinental Champion to Big Show at WrestleMania 28 and was looking to get back on track against Zack Ryder here tonight. Unfortunately Big Show again made an appearance and replayed the WrestleMania 28 clip of Rhodes losing. Rhodes was furious but turned straight into the Rough Ryder to take the loss.

Big Show has again cost Cody Rhodes his match here tonight on RAW! The Intercontinental Champion grins from the ramp as we fade backstage.

We cut to a split screen of the corridor where John Cena and Daniel Bryan are heading towards the ring. John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan is up next!

COMMERCIAL BREAK

6.) John Cena Defeated Daniel Bryan via Disqualification. Two men who have had a very eventful few weeks faced off in tonight’s main event and it was certainly one to watch. Cena was a lot more aggressive than we are used to seeing as he went after Bryan and didn’t really let up. Daniel Bryan has proved himself more than capable of matching the very best in the company when given the chance and he did it again here tonight but he just couldn’t get the job done against an intense John Cena. In the end Cena lifted Bryan up for the Attitude Adjustment when Brock Lesnar came out of nowhere with a low blow from behind, resulting in the disqualification.

John Cena drops to the mat with Daniel Bryan quickly making his exit from the ring leaving just Cena and the war machine that is Brock Lesnar. Lesnar lifts Cena up to his feet and then up onto his shoulders before dropping Cena with the F-5. For the second week running RAW came to a close with Brock Lesnar standing tall over John Cena.

WWE SUPER SMACKDOWN LIVE
April 10th 2012


- The Uso’s Defeated Hunico & Camacho
- William Regal Defeated Tyson Kidd

CUE OPENING VIDEO PACKAGE

The pyrotechnics hit as a special Super SmackDown Live kicks off and we head down to ringside where Michael Cole, Josh Matthews and Booker T are behind the announce desk. They hype up tonight’s big show that will not only feature some faces from the past but also a huge World Heavyweight Championship match as Sheamus defends against Alberto Del Rio. Also we will get the return of Piper’s Pit with guest Daniel Bryan. Michael Cole brings up that John Laurinaitis has asked Booker T to be in his ring gear, which must mean something great is going to happen. Booker says the only great thing that could happen is if he gets to beat on Michael Cole tonight. They are cut off by the music of General Manager John Laurinaitis as the man himself makes his way to the ring.

John Laurinaitis thanks everyone for coming out to his special Super SmackDown Live. In a repeat of last night the crowd boo him but he ignores it. Laurinaitis says that he has brought some of the greatest legends here tonight as a way to really begin his tenure as general manager with a bang. He looks over at the announce desk and Booker T in particular. He brings up Booker’s meeting with the board of directors this past weekend, saying that they didn’t fire Booker like he had requested. He then says that since this is a blast from the past show Booker T will be competing in the opening match of the night. He says he did the nice thing and told Booker to wear his ring gear since he’s such a nice general manager. He then moves on to last week and calls out Sheamus.

The World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out to the ring, knowing what this is about. He tries to talk but Laurinaitis asks him to remain silent. He shows a replay of last week where Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick on a referee, leaving out the bit where Alberto Del Rio cheated to win. Laurinaitis demands that Sheamus apologise for his actions. Sheamus proceeds to apologise, saying that he let his tempter get the better of him and that he knows he shouldn’t have taken it out on the referee even though he made a stupid decision. Laurinaitis says that he didn’t sound sincere, forcing Sheaumus to apologise again. Laurinaitis warns Sheamus that if it happens again not only will he be stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship but he’ll also be suspended indefinitely. Laurinaitis begins to leave before adding that he is fining Sheamus $500,000. Sheamus freaks out, shouting at Laurinaitis to keep walking as the general manager heads backstage.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We return to Super SmackDown Live and the backstage area, where Jim Duggan is seen talking Hillbilly Jim, getting a decent pop. The two keep talking when the WWE Tag Team Champions Epico and Primo, along with Rosa, walk up to them, angry that once again they haven’t got a match because all of these old has-beens are taking up their time. They tell Duggan and Jim to go back to the old people’s home before Duggan drops his classic line at Rosa, calling her a ‘Hoooooo!’ which gets a great pop from ringside. Epico and Primo look set to attack the legends when Sgt. Slaughter appears from behind them, knocking the tag team champions heads together and sending them packing, Slaughter laughing with Jim Duggan and Hillbilly Jim as we return to ringside.

We return to the ring where Booker T is already waiting for his opponent, having been ordered to wrestle by John Laurinaitis. Booker, in full ring gear, seems pumped before the music of his opponent hits – the World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry!

1.) Mark Henry Defeated Booker T. With under a week before Mark Henry gets a no disqualification, no count out WWE Championship match against CM Punk he got this match against SmackDown commentator Booker T. Booker put up a solid fight against Mark Henry but this is the World’s Strongest Man, he controlled the majority of the match and eventually put Booker T away with the World’s Strongest Slam to the delight of Michael Cole.

Mark Henry isn’t just done with the victory however, looking to send a statement to WWE Champion CM Punk ahead of his title challenge this Monday on RAW. Henry grabs Booker T, lifts him up and drops him once again with the World’s Strongest Slam. Mark Henry stands tall as we cut backstage.

In the office of the general manager John Laurinaitis is shouting at Theodore Long for bringing him lukewarm coffee. They are interrupted by Ted DiBiase and his father, the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase Snr. The younger DiBiase is giving his father a tour around SmackDown and he reluctantly introduces him to Laurinaitis. The Million Dollar Man takes no interest in Laurinaitis himself, but promptly offers him $100,000 dollars for the general manager’s spot. Laurinaitis seems tempted but then refuses. DiBiase ups his offer but Laurinaitis tells him to get out of his office. The DiBiase’s are escorted outside by security as the Million Dollar Man threatens that everybody has a price!

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We cut to the ring where Cody Rhodes is standing. He talks about tonight, saying that he doesn’t have a match because all of these so called Legends are taking up the time that should be used for the future of this industry such as him. Rhodes says that in that future he will once again be the Intercontinental Champion. He is soon interrupted by his own father, the American Dream Dusty Rhodes who gets a nice pop. Dusty tells Cody that he is certainly talented but that he’s never going to get anywhere with his attitude. Rhodes tells his old man to shut up before he shuts him up, but the pair are interrupted by Big Show. Big Show shows off another embarrassing clip from back in Cody’s ‘Dashing’ days. Show says that’s embarrassing before heading to the back. Cody is furious and leaves the room as everyone chants for Dusty.

We cut to a video package promoting the history of Piper’s Pit. Tonight Daniel Bryan will be the guest on Piper’s Pit!

2.) Ryback Defeated Benny Camer. The most interesting thing about this match was the likes of Tony Atlas, Pat Patterson and Ted DiBiase watching backstage. DiBiase offers a million to one odds but nobody is stupid enough to take it and rightfully so. Ryback tore through Camer, putting him down with Payback in no time at all.

We return backstage where Randy Orton is talking with his father ‘Cowboy’ Bob Orton about his upcoming match with Drew McIntyre. The two are joking around and Bob Orton wishes his son luck for his match. Randy says it’s not like he needs it and the two hug before Orton heads off towards ringside.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We head backstage where Mark Henry is in his locker room, cooling down following his impressive victory over Booker T earlier tonight. In walks Abraham Washington who congratulates Mark Henry on his victory and asks him whether he has thought about his offer from last week. Henry asks him why he needs him when he’s gotten himself two WWE Championship matches in as many weeks. Washington asks him why he isn’t holding the title right now? Mark Henry says that come Monday he will be. Washington says he’ll be watching, then hands him a card and tells him to call him if it doesn’t go to plan. Washington walks out, leaving Henry looking at the card as we return to the ring.

3.) Randy Orton Defeated Drew McIntyre. Randy Orton came out here thinking that his problems with Kane were all over and was definitely focused on this match while Drew McIntyre is still looking to take that big next step. This was a fantastic match full of action and near falls and it honestly looked like McIntyre could have won this one even against someone with as much momentum as Orton. In the end Orton connected with the RKO to take the win.

As Randy Orton begins to celebrate his win the voice of Kane echoes out across the arena, drawing all eyes towards the big screen. Kane is standing there, taunting Randy and saying that he had a nice chat with Randy’s father. The screen pulls out to show Bob Orton Jr. laid out on the locker room floor. Randy quickly makes his exit and sprints up the ramp backstage as Kane laughs maniacally.

The RAW rebound airs, focusing on the altercations between John Cena and Brock Lesnar and the announcement that the pair will face off in an Extreme Rules match at the titular pay per view.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We return backstage where Randy Orton is shown sprinting into his locker room, finding his father laid out on the floor. Orton rushes over to him but is attacked from behind by Kane, who throws him into a wall and then chokeslams him onto the concrete floor. Michael Cole mentions how Randy has a long standing back injury and that Kane’s attack isn’t going to help that. Kane laughs, telling Randy that they are not done. He says at Extreme Rules he’ll leave him lying just like he has tonight and be the last man standing. He continues to laugh as he walks off leaving both Randy and his father lying.

We return to ringside where the ring is set up for Piper’s Pit. Inside the ring Howard Finkel proceeds to introduce the man himself – ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper. Piper makes his way down to the ring to a massive reaction from the crowd. He enters the ring and begins talking about Daniel Bryan. He shows a video of him breaking up with AJ last week and calls him a vile little man. He says that unlike wrestlers like Bryan he deals with these kind of people head on and proceeds to call Daniel Bryan down to the ring. Bryan comes out and chants ‘Yes’ as he comes down the ramp, the crowd cheering just as loudly.

Daniel Bryan squares up to Roddy Piper who tells Bryan that he seems pretty happy for a guy who lost the World Heavyweight Championship in eighteen seconds. Daniel Bryan says that his WrestleMania loss was because of AJ and then announces that he has used his rematch clause for a rematch at Extreme Rules. He says that he gets to choose the stipulation and that at Extreme Rules he will make Sheamus tap and take his title back in a submission match! He says that this time AJ won’t be able to ruin things for him. Roddy Piper says that only a coward blames a woman for his mistakes and says that it’s worse when he does it behind someone’s back. He asks AJ to come to the ring. She slowly makes her way out as the fans chant ‘eighteen seconds’.

AJ gets into the ring and once again apologizes for costing Daniel Bryan the match. Piper interrupts, saying that AJ has nothing to apologize for – a real World Champion wouldn’t have been so damn stupid. Daniel Bryan tells Piper to shut up. Piper says nobody has ever spoken to him that way and gotten away with it. Daniel Bryan says that he doesn’t want to hurt an old man and then tells AJ to leave because she doesn’t deserve to be inside a WWE ring. AJ tells Bryan that she’s sorry for costing him the match but that she’s worked hard to get into the WWE and he can’t take that away from her. Piper tells her she deserves to be here but Bryan interrupts, shouting at AJ to go and never come back. AJ slaps him in the face as the crowd cheer. Daniel Bryan goes to grab her but Piper steps in the way, saying that a man doesn’t put a hand on a lady. Daniel Bryan goes to punch Piper but the Scot blocks the blow and knocks Bryan to the ground with a right hand. Daniel Bryan rolls out of the ring as Piper raises AJ’s hand in the ring. Bryan leaves seething as we fade out.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We return to Super SmackDown Live as the music of Mick Foley rings out over the speakers, the crowd popping loudly as the WWE legend makes his way down to the ring. He joins commentary for the next match.

Heath Slater comes out for his match but stops on the ramp. He says that one of the most legendary managers of all time came to him backstage and asked to work with him tonight because this man sees that he has the potential to be a future World Heavyweight Champion. Slater proceeds to introduce his manager for tonight – ‘The mouth of the south’ Jimmy Hart!

4.) Heath Slater w/ Jimmy Hart Defeated Trent Barreta. A solid display by Heath Slater here as he seemed buoyed by the presence of Jimmy Hart at ringside. Throughout the match Hart had a number of funny interactions with Mick Foley. This one was short and sweet with Slater hitting the E-Minor to take the win.

Following the match Jimmy Hart and Heath Slater celebrate in the ring while Mick Foley thanks the announce team for having him for this match. He gets up and begins walking around the stage when he seems to spot someone at ringside. Suddenly the scruffy haired man leaps over the security barricade and launches himself at Foley, knocking him to the ground and attacking him before he is pulled back by security. Security pull him back while a medic checks on Foley who has been cut open by the attack. The man screams that Foley is ‘going to get everything he deserves’ as we fade out.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Upon returning we get another video from Damien Sandow. This week he is talking about sophistication and the lack of it in modern culture. He says that while the rest of society is floundering he will be the beacon of light in an otherwise dark abyss.

5.) Beth Phoenix Defeated Alicia Fox w/ Mae Young. Following her declaration to be taken more seriously Beth Phoenix certainly had to back that up here. Alicia had legendary women’s wrestler Alicia Fox in her corner here but it did her no good as Beth put her down with a Glam Slam.

Following the match Beth Phoenix grabs Alicia and tries to go to work on her. She is cut off by Mae Young who climbs into the ring and inserts herself between Beth and Alicia. The Diva’s Champion seems to have no problems with attacking a legend as she pushes Mae to the floor when she is cut off by some music that hasn’t been seen in a while. Beth turns to see former Women’s Champion Laya running down the ramp! Layla slides into the ring, ducks under a clothesline by Beth and connects with a dropkick that sends Beth falling out of the ring. Layla and Alicia Fox make sure Mae Young is okay and the legend raises the pairs arms as Beth walks up the ramp having been embarrassed by the returning Layla.

We cut backstage where the World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus is heading out to the entrance just moments before he defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio. On his way he bumps into a grinning Roddy Piper. The two shake hands and Piper tells Sheamus to kick Daniel Bryan’s smug ass at Extreme Rules. Sheamus says he fully intends to and walks off, leaving Piper grinning as we cut to commercials.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We head to the parking lot where John Laurinaitis is walking towards his limo alongside David Otunga, the two making plans for this coming weeks Monday Night RAW. When they get to Laurinaitis’ limo he tries to open the door but finds it locked. He shouts at the driver to let him in but instead he gets a familiar laugh as Ted DiBiase Sr. pops out through the sunroof. DiBiase cackles and shouts that everybody has a price for the Million Dollar Man as the limo drives off, leaving Laurinaitis watching as Ted DiBiase Sr. leaves with his limo.

6. WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH) Sheamus [c] Defeated Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo Rodriguez. After Alberto Del Rio stole the victory last week on SmackDown he earned this World Heavyweight Championship match but also earned the fury of a man who is intense at the best of times. Sheamus and Del Rio had a terrific back and forth match and while everybody seemed to believe going into it that Sheamus was walking away with the World Heavyweight Championship there was a very real feeling during the match that Del Rio could have taken it. With the constant interference from Ricardo Sheamus was at a disadvantage until he blasted him with a Brogue Kick, ducked under a clothesline and then blasted Del Rio with a Brogue Kick to take the victory.

Sheamus is handed the World Heavyweight Championship as he begins celebrating the victory before being attacked from behind by Daniel Bryan. Sheamus quickly fights back but is caught off guard by the numbers game as Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez join in, the three men going to work on the World Heavyweight Champion. The odds were soon evened though as Roddy Piper lead an assortment of legends down to the ring. Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio bailed out of the ring leaving Ricardo Rodriguez to the mercy of the legends as all of them hit their finishers on Ricardo before Sheamus locked in a modified Texas Cloverleaf sending a message to Daniel Bryan that he has his own submission in his arsenal. SmackDown goes off the air with Sheamus celebrating in the ring with the WWE legends.

WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN
April 20th 2012


- Tamina Snuka