Post by Head Booker on Feb 9, 2011 9:13:36 GMT -6
The atmosphere at Tuesday night's Smackdown taping was more energetic than any live WWE TV/PPV event I've been to minus the '09 Royal Rumble. The Packers's Super Bowl celebration and Lombardi Trophy presentation wrapped up about 45 minutes before the taping across the street at Lambeau Field with some 80,000 people in attendance.
After the NXT taping and Superstars matches were taped, Clay Matthews and a group of Packers showed up holding their championship belts high, which made the crowd explode. WWE made a killing on the replica belts at the taping, as every man, woman, and child had one after the Packers, especially Aaron Rodgers, did their belt celebrations throughout the NFL season.
During the Smackdown taping, you'll be able to hear the "Let's Go Pack" chant throughout the episode when matches were losing their interest.
Smackdown SPOILERS for Friday, Feb. 11
Before the Smackdown taping started, WWE put a red mat in the ring and filled it with roses and balloons. Alberto Del Rio's personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez, was in the ring.
- WWE aired clips of last week's drama, then out came Alberto in what was I think the sweetest car he has come out with. Alberto gave a speech about the love between him and destiny, which drew heat, then he said the Packers have to "pretend" to be champions with their belts, but he won't have to after WrestleMania. Enter Kofi Kingston, who got a Kendo stick from under the ring and wreaked havoc on Alberto and the set, setting up the first match.
(1) Alberto Del Rio beat Intercontinental champion Kofi Kingston in a non-title match. A good opening watch with Kofi getting in a lot of offense before Del Rio was able to get him outside and smash his arm into the ring steps, eventually setting up the arm bar for a submission victory. Del Rio is right there next to C.M. Punk, who plays the perfect heel, as one of the top heels this company's had in a while. He's amazing with his walk, demeanor, and facial expressions.
The next match is Chris Masters vs. Drew McIntyre. Drew came out after the bell sounded and grabbed a mic, then blamed Edge for Kelly Kelly getting fired and dedicated his match to her.
(2) Drew McIntyre beat Chris Masters. Drew transitioned a counter into the Future Shock DDT pretty smoothly, showing one of the many ways he can deliver his finisher.
(Off-camera) Following this match, there were a lot of WWE personnel talking to Clay Matthews ringside and some of the other Packers. Eventually, Matthews left with them to the back area, creating lots of speculation among the fans in attendance.
Next up was Kozlov vs. Justin Gabriel, continuing the Tag Title issue from last week's Smackdown.
(3) Justin Gabriel (w/The Corre) beat WWE tag team champion Kozlov (w/Santino). This match had Koslov on the offensive a lot until Corre interfered. Santino hit The Cobra on Slater, but Gabriel had enough help to hit his 450 splash on Kozlov for the pinfall. Afterward, The Corre brought Santino into the ring for Barrett to hit the Wasteland and continue assaulting Kozlov and Santino.
- There were many promos for the 2/21/11 mystery that has aired on Raw.
Backstage, Lay-Cool was shown selling a little bit of tension from the Rumble. Vickie, in her referee t-shirt, stopped them and said she was disappointed in them last week. Then, Dolph interrupted and called Layla a loser. McCool did nothing to defend her. Layla sarcastically thanked Michelle for having her back.
(4) Divas champion Eve beat Layla (w/McCool). On their way to the ring, Lay-Cool was still arguing. Eve eventually scored the pin for a victory.
- Next up, Wade Barrett talked about The Corre doing exactly what they have planned so far. He said the plan will continue when he faces Rey Mysterio.
(5) Wade Barrett (w/out The Corre) beat Rey Mysterio. This was a good match with action inside the ring and both men getting offense outside of the ring as well. Mysterio tried to hit the 619 throughout, but Barrett was never on the ropes long enough for Rey to hit it. When he finally got his opportunity, Justin Gabriel ran out and jumped on the ring apron. Mysterio kicked him off, giving Barrett enough time to put Mysterio in a position to apply his Wasteland finisher for the win.
Post match: The other Corre members came out to beat on Mysterio, which was interrupted by Big Show. Corre eventually brought Show down and they took turns coming off the ropes kicking and punching Show in the head. Then, Ezekiel Jackson lifted Show up over his head and suplexed him center ring.
- There was still no sign of Clay Matthews back in his seat, which had everyone whispering about some potential involvement.
(6) Kane beat JTG. This was basically a squash match for Kane. He disposed of JTG in only a few minutes by hitting his chokeslam and scoring the pin.
Next up was the main event World Hvt. Title match. Vickie came out to the loudest boos of the night. You could hardly hear her over the boos stating the spear ban was still in effect.
(7) World Hvt. champion Edge beat Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero as special referee to retain the World Hvt. Title. This was another good match by these two. They are starting to get some chemistry, but I don't know where they can spin it after so many stipulations the last few weeks. Vickie was doing quick counts for Dolph throughout the match. At one point after a two count, she lifted Dolph's leg onto the bottom rope and did her evil laugh. Then, after both men were down, she went into a corner and started rubbing her hair and doing Edge's pre-spear routine. As Edge stood up, she tried to spear him, but he didn't budge. She fell to the mat and grabbed her ankle, calling for medical attention. She then rolled to the floor.
With Vickie on the outside, Edge hit a solid spear and pinned Dolph, but no one came out. He got up, checked to see if Vickie was still preoccupied, and hit Dolph with another spear. Still no ref. Then, at the top of the ramp was Clay Matthews with a referee shirt on. He ran down and dove into the ring and counted the pinfall for Edge. You couldn't help but feel the energy that came out of the Resch Center when Matthews came out. It was ridiculous.
After the match, Clay handed Edge the WWE World Title belt, then Edge gave Matthews his belt. I don't know if Smackdown went off the air at this point, but Edge and Clay posed around the ring, then Edge got the rest of the Packers players and kids from ringside and brought them into the ring, all with belts, of course. They all exchanged high-fives and whatnot. Then, Edge grabbed the mic and said, "I don't know if you have noticed, Green Bay, but you have a ring full of World Champions. Screw the Steelers."
They eventually all left the ring up the ramp. On the outside, Dolph grabbed a mic and yelled, "The Packers suck! Did they even win the game? I wasn't watching, but figured it was all Pittsburgh." Then, he started a "Packers suck" chant, but Edge snuck back into the ring and hit him with a third spear to end the evening.
Biggest Pops:
(1) Off Camera when the Packers showed up
(2) When Edge said the ring was full of World Champions
(3) When Clay Mathews came out as the referee
(4) Booker T got a huge pop as well on-commentary
Loudest Boos:
(1) Vickie Guerrero
(2) When they showed Brett Favre's jersey in the Hall of Fame
(3) Del Rio calling the Packers pretend champions
(4) Post-taping when Ziggler was doing his mic work
Interestingly missing from the taping was Hornswoggle, which was odd since he grew up some 45 minutes south of Green Bay and spends a lot of off-time here. We have seen him out shopping and whatnot throughout the summer. Also, he attends Packers and Milwaukee Brewers games.
After the NXT taping and Superstars matches were taped, Clay Matthews and a group of Packers showed up holding their championship belts high, which made the crowd explode. WWE made a killing on the replica belts at the taping, as every man, woman, and child had one after the Packers, especially Aaron Rodgers, did their belt celebrations throughout the NFL season.
During the Smackdown taping, you'll be able to hear the "Let's Go Pack" chant throughout the episode when matches were losing their interest.
Smackdown SPOILERS for Friday, Feb. 11
Before the Smackdown taping started, WWE put a red mat in the ring and filled it with roses and balloons. Alberto Del Rio's personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez, was in the ring.
- WWE aired clips of last week's drama, then out came Alberto in what was I think the sweetest car he has come out with. Alberto gave a speech about the love between him and destiny, which drew heat, then he said the Packers have to "pretend" to be champions with their belts, but he won't have to after WrestleMania. Enter Kofi Kingston, who got a Kendo stick from under the ring and wreaked havoc on Alberto and the set, setting up the first match.
(1) Alberto Del Rio beat Intercontinental champion Kofi Kingston in a non-title match. A good opening watch with Kofi getting in a lot of offense before Del Rio was able to get him outside and smash his arm into the ring steps, eventually setting up the arm bar for a submission victory. Del Rio is right there next to C.M. Punk, who plays the perfect heel, as one of the top heels this company's had in a while. He's amazing with his walk, demeanor, and facial expressions.
The next match is Chris Masters vs. Drew McIntyre. Drew came out after the bell sounded and grabbed a mic, then blamed Edge for Kelly Kelly getting fired and dedicated his match to her.
(2) Drew McIntyre beat Chris Masters. Drew transitioned a counter into the Future Shock DDT pretty smoothly, showing one of the many ways he can deliver his finisher.
(Off-camera) Following this match, there were a lot of WWE personnel talking to Clay Matthews ringside and some of the other Packers. Eventually, Matthews left with them to the back area, creating lots of speculation among the fans in attendance.
Next up was Kozlov vs. Justin Gabriel, continuing the Tag Title issue from last week's Smackdown.
(3) Justin Gabriel (w/The Corre) beat WWE tag team champion Kozlov (w/Santino). This match had Koslov on the offensive a lot until Corre interfered. Santino hit The Cobra on Slater, but Gabriel had enough help to hit his 450 splash on Kozlov for the pinfall. Afterward, The Corre brought Santino into the ring for Barrett to hit the Wasteland and continue assaulting Kozlov and Santino.
- There were many promos for the 2/21/11 mystery that has aired on Raw.
Backstage, Lay-Cool was shown selling a little bit of tension from the Rumble. Vickie, in her referee t-shirt, stopped them and said she was disappointed in them last week. Then, Dolph interrupted and called Layla a loser. McCool did nothing to defend her. Layla sarcastically thanked Michelle for having her back.
(4) Divas champion Eve beat Layla (w/McCool). On their way to the ring, Lay-Cool was still arguing. Eve eventually scored the pin for a victory.
- Next up, Wade Barrett talked about The Corre doing exactly what they have planned so far. He said the plan will continue when he faces Rey Mysterio.
(5) Wade Barrett (w/out The Corre) beat Rey Mysterio. This was a good match with action inside the ring and both men getting offense outside of the ring as well. Mysterio tried to hit the 619 throughout, but Barrett was never on the ropes long enough for Rey to hit it. When he finally got his opportunity, Justin Gabriel ran out and jumped on the ring apron. Mysterio kicked him off, giving Barrett enough time to put Mysterio in a position to apply his Wasteland finisher for the win.
Post match: The other Corre members came out to beat on Mysterio, which was interrupted by Big Show. Corre eventually brought Show down and they took turns coming off the ropes kicking and punching Show in the head. Then, Ezekiel Jackson lifted Show up over his head and suplexed him center ring.
- There was still no sign of Clay Matthews back in his seat, which had everyone whispering about some potential involvement.
(6) Kane beat JTG. This was basically a squash match for Kane. He disposed of JTG in only a few minutes by hitting his chokeslam and scoring the pin.
Next up was the main event World Hvt. Title match. Vickie came out to the loudest boos of the night. You could hardly hear her over the boos stating the spear ban was still in effect.
(7) World Hvt. champion Edge beat Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero as special referee to retain the World Hvt. Title. This was another good match by these two. They are starting to get some chemistry, but I don't know where they can spin it after so many stipulations the last few weeks. Vickie was doing quick counts for Dolph throughout the match. At one point after a two count, she lifted Dolph's leg onto the bottom rope and did her evil laugh. Then, after both men were down, she went into a corner and started rubbing her hair and doing Edge's pre-spear routine. As Edge stood up, she tried to spear him, but he didn't budge. She fell to the mat and grabbed her ankle, calling for medical attention. She then rolled to the floor.
With Vickie on the outside, Edge hit a solid spear and pinned Dolph, but no one came out. He got up, checked to see if Vickie was still preoccupied, and hit Dolph with another spear. Still no ref. Then, at the top of the ramp was Clay Matthews with a referee shirt on. He ran down and dove into the ring and counted the pinfall for Edge. You couldn't help but feel the energy that came out of the Resch Center when Matthews came out. It was ridiculous.
After the match, Clay handed Edge the WWE World Title belt, then Edge gave Matthews his belt. I don't know if Smackdown went off the air at this point, but Edge and Clay posed around the ring, then Edge got the rest of the Packers players and kids from ringside and brought them into the ring, all with belts, of course. They all exchanged high-fives and whatnot. Then, Edge grabbed the mic and said, "I don't know if you have noticed, Green Bay, but you have a ring full of World Champions. Screw the Steelers."
They eventually all left the ring up the ramp. On the outside, Dolph grabbed a mic and yelled, "The Packers suck! Did they even win the game? I wasn't watching, but figured it was all Pittsburgh." Then, he started a "Packers suck" chant, but Edge snuck back into the ring and hit him with a third spear to end the evening.
Biggest Pops:
(1) Off Camera when the Packers showed up
(2) When Edge said the ring was full of World Champions
(3) When Clay Mathews came out as the referee
(4) Booker T got a huge pop as well on-commentary
Loudest Boos:
(1) Vickie Guerrero
(2) When they showed Brett Favre's jersey in the Hall of Fame
(3) Del Rio calling the Packers pretend champions
(4) Post-taping when Ziggler was doing his mic work
Interestingly missing from the taping was Hornswoggle, which was odd since he grew up some 45 minutes south of Green Bay and spends a lot of off-time here. We have seen him out shopping and whatnot throughout the summer. Also, he attends Packers and Milwaukee Brewers games.
