The main event for SmackDown airing Friday 4/20/12 was announced at the top of the show as Sheamus, Randy Orton, and The Great Khali vs. Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes and Daniel Bryan.
Opening Segment: Daniel Bryan came out to a great reaction to cut a promo. He talked about his Extreme Rules PPV match with Sheamus and there were a lot of “YES!” chants, of course. AJ Lee interrupted to talk to Bryan about their problems. Bryan said he wished she had never been born and then left AJ in the ring crying.
Match 1. Natalya def. AJ Lee by DQ: AJ simply SNAPPED and attacked Natalya (AWESOME!). AJ was disqualified for ignoring the ref’s count while attacking Nattie in the corner. Natalya bled unexpectedly and the paramedics had to clean it up with towels.
Damien Sandow was shown on the big screen and he delivered a speech.
Match 2. Brodus Clay (w/Hornswoggle) def. Hunico (w/Camacho): Squash. Afterwards, Hornswoggle hit the tadpole splash.
Titus O’Neil and Darren Young were shown backstage with Teddy Long and John Laurinaitis. Johnny confirmed that they have been signed to Smackdown.
Matt Striker interviewed Randy Orton backstage. Orton said he will face Kane in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Extreme Rules.
Match 3. Titus O’Neil and Darren Young def. The Usos: Titus got the pin for after a tag team finisher like the Hart Attack Clothesline, only with Young jumping off the top rope before hitting it.
4. Alberto Del Rio def. Big Show in a non-title match: Cody Rhodes ran in and hit Show with the Beautiful Disaster Kick while the ref was distracted. An angry Show left the ring and went after Cody.
5. Ryback beat Danny Merman: Ryback won in a local jobber squash.
William Regal and Teddy Long were shown backstage. Teddy isn’t allowed to speak, apparently. Antiono Cesaro was introduced to John Laurinaitis, who took him inside his office to discuss a contract. Aksana was also with Ace and the story is that Johnny is evidently hiring new talent for SmackDown.
Match 6. Sheamus, Randy Orton and Big Show def. Daniel Bryan, Mark Henry and Cody Rhodes: It was going to be a handicap match because Cody took out Khali’s knee beforehand, but Big Show came out to take Khali’s place. There were a lot of “YES!” and “We Want Bryan!” and even some “Bryan Sucks!” chants during the lengthy match. Orton hit the RKO on Henry and pinned him to ultimately give the faces the win to close the show.
Dark Matches
1. Randy Orton def. Kane in a No DQ match. Orton got the win with an RKO onto a chair.
2. Sheamus def. Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship. Tons more “YES!” chants, but Sheamus pinned Bryan in roughly 18 seconds in a repeat of the WrestleMania 28 finish to end the live show.
