SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
The following was published five years ago this week on PWTorch.com…
WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
APRIL 5, 2013
TAPED 4/1 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
AIRED ON SYFY
REPORT BY GREG PARKS, PWTORCH COLUMNIST
– WWE Open.
– Smackdown Open.
– Inside the arena, Ryback’s music hit. He came to the ring for a match as Josh Mathews and Jerry “The King” Lawler were shown doing commentary at ringside. As Ryback entered the ring, they showed highlights of last week’s bench press challenge between Ryback and Mark Henry. When Primo, Epico, and Rosa Mendes made their way to the ring, they sent it to a live cut-in of Michael Cole and JBL at Wrestlemania Axxess. They talked about some of the exhibits on display at Axxess.
1 – RYBACK vs. EPICO & PRIMO – HANDICAP MATCH
Ryback slammed Primo, leading to him tagging his cousin. Ryback press slammed Epico, but Epico kicked him low to take him down. The Colons worked over Ryback in their corner, but couldn’t even get a one-count on a pin attempt. Back body-drop for Primo. Epico swung Primo around allowing Primo to DDT Ryback. The ref was allowing a lot of leeway for the heels to work over Ryback. Ryback finally had enough and gave them a Shellshock, both at the same time, for the win.
WINNER: Ryback, at 3:15. Strangely enough, Ryback vs. Mark Henry has had some of the best build and features some of the most intrigue of any of the Mania matches.
They replayed the key moments of the match, including the finish.
– They showed Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger working over Alberto Del Rio with crutches on Raw. Tonight, Swagger goes one-on-one with Kofi Kingston.
– Next, more from Axxess.
[Commercial Break]
– They plugged a live performance by Diddy at Wrestlemania.
– Cole and JBL were back at the Izod Center for Axxess. Hey, an exclusive look at Mr. McMahon’s office! They also showed video from the Superstars for Sandy Relief charity. JBL looks to be in fantastic shape, by the way.
– A video package aired on Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar. Back to Cole and JBL, who discussed the match.
– Upon return from break, a special look at 2013 WWE Hall-of-Famer Bruno Sammartino.
[Commercial Break]
– Back to Axxess, where they showed a tribute to the first Wrestlemania and, of course, the life-sized statue of Andre The Giant. They also showed Legends like Ricky Steamboat and Pat Patterson giving autographs.
– They transitioned to this year’s Hall-of-Fame, and JBL said it was the strongest group WWE has ever inducted. The Sammartino induction video was shown.
– Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger is still to come.
– A Fandango vignette aired. He’s up next. At least the chyron didn’t say “in action.”
[Commercial Break]
– Some more clips of Axxess were shown. Diamond Dallas Page was signing autographs, as was C.M. Punk, and some fans posed with 3MB. They showed Fandango dancing at Radio City Music Hall yesterday. A Fandango video package then aired, after which JBL and Cole discussed his Mania match with Chris Jericho.
– They showed the finish of Jericho vs. Antonio Cesaro from Raw, complete with Fandango’s post-match attack.
– A Shield shaky-cam video was shown. It was short, but they are next.
[Commercial Break]
– JBL and Cole previewed The Miz vs. Wade Barrett on the Wrestlemania pre-show.
– A video on The Shield was shown. Afterward, they aired a clip of The Shield getting the fight taken to them last week on Smackdown.
– Up next, in-ring action featuring Tons of Funk.
[Commercial Break]
– As Tons of Funk’s music played, The Bellas came out dressed as cheerleaders, with Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes dressed as Sweet T and Brodus Clay, complete with fat-suits. Sandow was having way too much fun in his role. In the ring, Sandow got the mic and said that to some people, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. However, in this case, he wanted to illustrate the lunacy that is Tons of Funk. Rhodes said they are better looking and better dancers than their doppelgangers. Sandow said at Wrestlemania, they will put an end to the dog and pony show that is Tons of Funk. The Bellas were allowed to do the “you’re welcome.” As they finished up, the real Tons of Funk came out. All eight began to brawl, with the babyfaces getting the better of the exchange. Clay splashed Rhodes (still in fat suit) and Sweet T clotheslined him over the top rope. I wonder if Sweet T had to win the “T” in his name in a three-way match with Booker T and Big T. Dancing took place after the brawl.
[Commercial Break]
– The Wrestlemania Superstore at MetLife Stadium was shown.
– They showed some of the Wrestlemania Press Conference that took place yesterday.
– JBL and Cole threw it to a video package of the Punk vs. Undertaker feud.
– Back to Axxess, where you can climb a ladder to reach the Money in the Bank briefcase.
– Next, a video package on Donald Trump.
– Still to come, Jack Swagger vs. Kofi Kingston.
[Commercial Break]
– They plugged Mr. McMahon on Twitter and his “big reveal” tonight.
– A WWE.com exclusive aired showing how far people have come to watch Wrestlemania.
– They showed a still photo or two of NXT wrestlers participating in matches at Axxess.
– The Donald Trump Hall-of-Fame induction video aired.
– Up next, a preview of the Wrestlemania main event.
[Commercial Break]
– At Axxess, you can perform your own song to John Cena’s entrance theme.
– John Cena’s promo from Raw was shown in its entirety. The Rock’s rebuttal was also shown.
– Next, Kofi vs. Swagger.
[Commercial Break]
– A display of all the WWE Championships at Axxess was shown.
– Renee Young was with Alberto Del Rio on the Axxess floor. They first showed him being attacked by Swagger on Raw. Del Rio said it’s a good thing he’s at Axxess and won’t be there for his match against Kingston tonight. That’s a messy timeline. Del Rio said he’ll still be World Champion after Mania. He was quite serious.
2 – JACK SWAGGER vs. KOFI KINGSTON
Kingston had an arm-drag blocked and Swagger applied a top wrist-lock. Flip kick in the corner by Kingston, who then hit a springboard clothesline. Swagger took a break and Smackdown did too, at 2:15 of the match.
[Commercial Break]
Back about three minutes later, with Kofi stuck in a rest-hold. Swagger sent knees into the chest of Kingston in the corner. Kingston began to mount some offense, including a monkey flip of Swagger. SOS was blocked but Kingston kicked him in the mouth. Springboard splash for two. Kingston went to the top, but dove into the arms of Swagger. Swagger Bomb turned into SOS for two at 9:10. Zeb Colter climbed the steps, distracting Kingston enough for Swagger to take over and hook in the Patriot Lock for the win.
WINNER: Swagger, at 9:35.
The show ended with Swagger and Colter, hands over hearts, celebrating Swagger’s win.
NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS 5 YRS AGO FLASHBACK: 5 YRS AGO – KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT (4-1-13): Rock on his game in Cena hype, Hunter-Lesnar hype, Punk-Undertaker hype, Jericho-Fandango hype
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