WWE Smackdown Storyline Tracker
By Robin Scannell, PWTorch Specialist

Episode - March 2, 2012

(1) Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan / Teddy Long vs. John Laurinaitis / Randy Orton vs. Kane

Smackdown opened with a clip of Daniel Bryan causing Randy Orton’s concussion with the World Title shot to the head on Raw last month.

Sheamus came to the ring and said that Daniel Bryan reminds him of him when he won his first WWE Championship. He became a bully, and needed someone to knock his block off, and that’s what Bryan needs, too.

Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler then interrupted. Ziggler said that people want to see him in the main event at WrestleMania, not Sheamus. Sheamus made an old joke about Vickie, to which Vickie said she was experienced and spoke about the General Manager feud, endorsing John Laurinaitis. Teddy Long then came out and booked Ziggler vs. Sheamus.

During the match, at one point, Jack Swagger interfered, giving Ziggler the advantage and a nearfall. However, Sheamus managed to score the victory with his new finisher, the White Noise.

Backstage, Long was talking on the phone talking to Aksana. Long walked into his office, where John Laurinaitis and David Otunga were waiting and Laurinaitis explained how he had come to Smackdown to get an apology. Long’s assault on him on Raw caused a lower lumbar strain. Otunga said they are considering civil action. Long then booked Otunga against Great Khali on Monday.

Later, backstage, Orton was interviewed and said he’s back to normal, which means angry and wants revenge of Bryan for what he did, which was cost him the opportunity to be World champion at WrestleMania. Later, in an interview, Bryan said he has no butterflies in his stomach about Orton. Bryan called out Sheamus for saying he’s changed. Bryan said he’s the same person that grew up in Aberdeen, Washington... but he moved to Vegas as soon as humanely possible. He talked about being a vegan, not owning a TV, and being the love of A.J.’s life. He said he was still a role model, still the one who defeated two giants inside a steel cage at the Royal Rumble, and beat five men in the Elimination Chamber. He said he’ll beat Randy Orton and will defy everyone’s expectations by retaining his World Title at WrestleMania.

Reax: Good promo work from Bryan. They still have a few weeks left to develop Bryan-Sheamus and it's important to use these well, as it's so early in their feud. It's interesting how this "main event," last year, was a match that didn't make it on television at WrestleMania. That match was was a no-contest lumberjack match, resulting in a title retention for Sheamus.

During the main event, Bryan and Orton were fighting outside the ring when Kane's pyro and entrance music began, allowing Bryan to take advantage, shoving Orton into the turnbuckle, and getting back in the ring for tae count-out victory. Kane and Orton fought and Kane chokeslammed Orton. He then got a mic and said, “Welcome back.” Backstage, Laurinaitis and Otunga were watching the screen. Laurinatis said that's nowhere near the destruction he’ll bring next week. He suggested maybe Kane against Long’s girlfriend, Aksana, as a match.

Reax: It looks like Orton now has plans at WrestleMania. Although, after Cena's match with Kane, I can't say I'm too excited about seeing the match. In fairness, the match hasn't been announced yet, but I'm fairly sure that it will be the least anticipated match going into Mania.

***

(2) Cody Rhodes vs. Big Show

Cody Rhodes, in the ring, spoke about Big Show’s loss against Akebono at WrestleMania 21. He then spoke about Floyd Mayweather knocking out Big Show at WrestleMania 24. Rhodes said that he’s at the top of Show’s “you know what” list as he cost Show a title shot at WrestleMania. Rhodes he said saved Show “the embarrassment of floundering on the greatest stage of them all."

Big Show came out and, as he entered the ring, Rhodes ran out through the crowd. Show said he would watch the next video segment as he can laugh at himself. Show said that if Cody isn’t coming down, he’ll have to come get him. Long then came out and booked Big Show against Cody Rhodes for the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania. Long then announced Show vs. Mark Henry next. Big Show defeated Mark Henry in the match that followed, even kicking out of a World’s Strongest Slam

***

(3) Drew McIntyre is Fired

Backstage, Teddy Long said that if Drew McIntyre loses, he’s fired. Later, Justin Gabriel defeated Drew McIntyre in a short match. Long appeared on the screen and said that he gave McIntyre lots and chances but has to let him go. McIntyre looked devastated in the ring.

Reax: It comes off as a little predictable, that the week Long fires McIntyre (which is weeks after he should have been fired) is the week before Laurinaitis will be in charge of Smackdown, and will inevitably re-hire him.

Other Stories

- Santino defeated Heath Slater in a short match.

- Backstage, Eve was looking in a mirror when Natalya asked to speak with her. Natalya defended Zack Ryder. Eve said that’s all she’s been hearing for two weeks. Eve then defeated Natalya in a short match.

Current Feuds Active this Week (# weeks)

Smackdown

Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan (2)
Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes (2)
Teddy Long vs. John Laurinaitis (2)
Randy Orton vs. Kane (1)

Feel free to email any comments to scannell.torch@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @robinocracy for my thoughts on the wrestling and non-wrestling related things.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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