WWE Smackdown TV taping report
March 20, 2012
Newark, N.Y.
Report by Adrian Negron, PWTorch reader

After Superstars, Smackdown drapes came down ringside and the crowd slowly grew in anticipation, as the crowd was still buzzing after the Triple H appearance.

Smackdown SPOILERS 3/23

-- Smackdown began with World Hvt. champion Daniel Bryan and A.J. coming out. Bryan cut a promo asking A.J. what it feels like to be "in love." A.J. accidentally called Bryan "Danny" and he corrected her, then she said it's "heaven" being in love with Bryan. She boosted his ego, saying he impresses her, he is pure in body, and, even more, he is a “great lover." Sheamus's music hit and came down to a great crowd reaction. He cut a promo on Bryan about WrestleMania, calling him a coward instead of brave and courageous. Sheamus played up the the “Danny” nickname and provokes “Danny Boy” chants. He said that at WrestleMania, Sheamus will knock Bryan’s “teeth down his throat."

-- During the break, the crowd began “We Want Ryder” chants again.

(1) Mark Henry beat R-Truth. Henry was very dominant and made quick work of R-Truth. He caught Truth in the air and executed the World's Strongest Slam for the win via pinfall.

-- WWE cut to a video on the newest member of the Hall of Fame roster, Yokozuna. The crowd reacted positively, remembering his greatest moments. Some in the crowd gave a standing ovation. Well deserved.

-- Cut to a promo with Teddy Long and Kofi Kingston. Santino spoke about Team Teddy and needing new members for the match at WrestleMania. Zack Ryder entered the shot, pleading with Teddy about joining the team. He showed him a video of his parking lot rally with fans prior to Raw. Teddy was impressed, but not convinced, and said he doesn’t want drama from Eve. Ryder said he has something else. “Every team needs a mascot,” so he brought in Hornswoggle with Team Teddy gear (the crowd lodes it). Teddy was impressed, but still not convinced, and said he's not big enough. Ryder replied by bringing in The Great Khali dressed up in Long Island Iced Z gear, equipped with shades and all. Teddy was finally convinced and accepted all onto Team Teddy. Khali gave a “WOO WOO WOO, YKI” finish. The crowd was hysterically laughing.

-- WWE ran the first advertisement for a return to New Jersey for No Way Out on June 17 at the Izon Center in East Rutherford.

-- Daniel Bryan's music hit again, and he came down to the ring with A.J., who was for singles competition, but Bryan took the spotlight. The Bella Twins's music hit and Brie was set for competition.

(2) A.J. (w/Daniel Bryan) beat Brie Bella (Nikki Bella). The match started with Bryan coaching up A.J. The match proceeded with back and forth action until Nikki and Bryan found themselves on the outside of the ropes. Both tried to interfere, but A.J. turned and ducked as Brie knocked Nikki off the mat. A.J. then rolled up Brie for the win via pinfall. Bryan then jumped into the ring as if he won. As Bryan and A.J. exited, Nikki and Brie disputed who is Team Teddy and Team Johnny. The crowd was led in a "Team Teddy" chant.

-- After a break, Vickie Guerrero came out and introduced her client, Jack Swagger. The crowd booed as they awaited his competition. Zack Ryder’s music hit and he came out with Hornswoggle as the newest members of Team Teddy. Lilian Garcia then messed up announcing Ryder, calling him Jack Swagger.

(3) Zack Ryder (w/Hornswoggle) beat Jack Swagger. The match began with back and forth, then Ryder gained an edge with a boot to the face. Swagger caught him in the air trying to perform a Rough Ryder and threw him away. Vickie got on the apron to try to run interference, then Hornswoggle chased her off. Swagger turned to Vickie, only to back into the Rough Ryder. Ryder with the pinfall. Hornswoggle entered the celebration, but his Team Teddy flag fall apart at the end.

-- Cut backstage to Cody Rhodes with a promo about Big Show and their match at WrestleMania. He continued calling Show a joke and how he would embarrass him on April Fools. Big Show's music hit and he got set for competition against Kane.

(4) Big Show beat Kane via DQ. The match started with back and forth until Show hit a chokeslam. Cody Rhodes ran in from the crowd and interfered against Show, only to run out back into the crowd. Show then chased him into the crowd. As the fans were diverted by the chase, Randy Orton came out from under the ring and waited for Kane to get up to deliver an RKO. The crowd erupted. Show then made it back in the ring to celebrate with Orton.

(5) Brodus Clay beat Heath Slater. After break, Slater’s music hit to be followed by Brodus Clay. The crowd was buying into the Funkasaurus as entertainment more than a wrestler. Clay made quick work of Slater, in a typical match. It was sad when a 6-year-old kid called the match before it happened. Time for WWE writers to reveal where this is going.

-- Cut to Ryder backstage. He was pumped from his win and was talking to Eve Torres. She said to forget about dinner, there is someone else. The crowd chanted, “HOESKI,” the entire length of the promo.

-- Christian’s music hit and he walked to the announcers table for commentary. Great Khali's music hit and he entered with Teddy Long. Dolph Ziggler’s intro played and he entered the ring with Johnny and Otunga.

(6) Great Khali beat Dolph Ziggler via count-out. As the match began, Khali established dominance and looked to make quick work of Ziggler. After a bit of back and forth action, Ziggler tried a sleeperhold, and the bell rang out of nowhere. Laurinaitis stopped the match and declared Ziggler the winner by submission, although Khali never tapped. Laurinaitis, Otunga, and Ziggler celebrated near the ramp, when Teddy interrupted. He said the match is not over and ordered the match to continue and the ref to begin the count. Ziggler argued with Otunga and Laurinaitis, but did not return to the ring. Khali then won via count-out and Team Teddy members celebrated the win. Santino and Kofi Kingston then ran out, grabbed Ziggler, and pushed him into the ring. Khali then delivered a Khali Chop to Ziggler. Celebration continued as the crowd bought into Team Teddy.

-- After a break, C.M. Punk's music hit to a great crowd reaction, followed by Sheamus for their tag team match. The Miz came out to boos and was followed by Daniel Bryan.

(7) WWE champion C.M. Punk & Sheamus beat The Miz & World Hvt. champion Daniel Bryan. To start the match, Sheamus and Punk worked well together, but Bryan and Miz continued to find ways to break their momentum. The energy in the ring matched the crowd. Sheamus delivered a Brogue Kick to Miz, and A.J. ran to get Bryan's belt as he bailed on Miz, avoiding any confrontation with Punk or Sheamus. Punk and Sheamus then won by pinfall. Smackdown closed with Punk and Sheamus celebrating the win.

***

Post-Smackdown: As advertised, Cena's music hit and the crowd was 50/50 in response to him ahead of his steel cage match against Kane. Cena entered the ring with Zack Ryder and Ryder's father. Cena then grabbed a mic and acknowledged Lilian Garcia messing up Ryder's intro and gave the mic to Ryder's father to introduce his son. The mic went out a few times, then Cena playfully kicked out Ryder's father and did the intro himself. Kane’s music hit and he played up still recovering from the RKO during the Smackdown taping.

Dark Match: John Cena beat Kane in a steel cage. In a quick match, Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle followed by an Attitude Adjustment. The celebration was Cena, Ryder, Ryder’s dad, and Lilian on the four corners, and the kids went home happy.

Best Pops - (1) C.M. Punk, (2) Randy Orton, (3) Zack Ryder. The crowd was good. There were a few patches of empty seats. The build to the Smackdown taping was lengthy, but, overall a good showing.

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