3-23-12 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the March 23, 2012 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Daniel Bryan & AJ coming to the ring for a promo. Daniels says that he can talk about himself all night but he will put AJ on the spot. He tells AJ to tell him and everyone what it’s like to be in love with the World Champion. Bryan holds the mic for AJ. She mentions that she has a match tonight and will be with her at ringside and then he cuts her off and tells her to answer the question. She says that in a word it’s Heaven. She says that Daniel caresses her and he has the softest lips and sometimes at night they spoon. Then she calls him Danny and then he takes the mic and says in her ear they discussed her not calling him that in public. Then she says that Daniel is brave, courageous, genres, and that as a vegan his body is his temple and that his mind and spirit are pure. She says above all that he makes her feel safe which is why she really enjoys cuddling. Then he says something in her ear that he wants her to say but she says that that is a little personal but he says it’s true. Then she says that he is a great lover. Then he says, “And at WrestleMania” then puts the mic to AJ’s mouth and she says that at WrestleMania he will make that big Irish brute tap out. Then he says, “And therefore” and then AJ says and therefore he will continue on his path to becoming the greatest of all time. Then Daniels says let’s hear it for AJ and better yet let’s hear it for him. He does the whole “Yes” bit.  Then his music plays and he’s about to walk out of the ring but then Sheamus’ music plays and he comes out. He asks AJ if she really that Daniel is brave and she sort of nods while Daniel says that he is. Sheamus then says that he thinks Daniel is a sniveling little coward. Then he says as far as Daniel’s lips being soft are concerned he doesn’t want to go there. Where he wants to go is WrestleMania. Sheamus then says that if he doesn’t like being called Danny and then Bryan says that his name is Daniel. Then  fans chant Danny. Then Sheamus calls him Danny Boy and asks if he can call him that and then he says that he thinks that’s a great name for him. Then the fans chant Danny Boy. Then Sheamus says if doesn’t like being called that he sure won’t like being called former World Champion. He says that at WrestleMania he will kick Daniel’s teeth down his throat. This was a good opening segment. Daniel is great in the cocky heal role and him having AJ say how great he is was good. I also liked Sheamus’ promo here. Both guys did a good job and hopefully they’ll be given enough time to have a good match at WrestleMania.

They show Mark Henry backstage with some guy that looked like Abraham Washington. Henry’s match with R-Truth is next.

R-Truth vs. Mark Henry. Henry gets the pin. This was mostly a squash. Truth got in some offense before Henry pinned him.

They announce that Yokozuna will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. This was a great video. I remember watching Yokozuna when he first debuted and this brought back a lot of memories!

They re show the Zack Ryder video where he was rallying the fans to get him on Team Teddy.

They show Teddy Long, Zack Ryder, Santino Marella, Kofi Kingston & Aksana watching the video in Teddy’s office Long says that that rally is off the chain but with Zack’s bit with him and Eve he’s not sure if he wants that type of distraction on his team. Ryder says that he figured Long might say no and then he has Hornswoggle come in with a team flag. Long still says no. Then Ryder has Great Khali come in dressed in Zack Ryder gear. Then Long asks if Khali is in and Khali says Ryder’s Woo woo woo phrase. Khali & Ryder are on Team Teddy and Hornswoggle will be the mascot. This was typical Teddy Long-Zack Ryder-Khali-Hornswoggle goofiness.

AJ vs. Brie Bella. AJ gets the pin. This was a decent match. AJ had Brie in an arm bar and then Nikki got on the apron and then Bryan did too. AJ was distracted for a bit and the Brie was going to hit her from behind but AJ got out of the way, Brie hit Nikki and AJ rolled up Brie for the 3 count. Afterwards Nikki gets the mic and tells Brie that she should have taken her advice. Then she says that they disagree on a lot of things and she mentions that Nikki is pulling for Team Johnny and Brie says that she is pulling for Team Teddy. Brie then does a cheerleader bit supporting Teddy Long. That was idiotic.

Vickie Guerrero comes out and introduces Jack Swagger.

Zack Ryder vs. Jack Swagger. Ryder gets the pin. This was a solid match.

The show Cody Rhodes attacking Big Show from Monday.

They show a promo from “earlier in the day” Matt Striker asks Cody Rhodes for his thoughts about Monday. Cody says that he has enjoyed showing Big Show’s WrestleMania clips and that it reminds people what Big Show does on the grandest stage of them all, he chokes. Then he says that he enjoyed punching him in the head and Show couldn’t to anything to stop him. Then he says that the biggest embarrassment is coming at WrestleMania on Aprils Fool’s day when the biggest fool in WWE loses to him. Then he says that he has a plane to catch. Good promo from Cody. The guy’s really good in his role.

Big Show vs. Kane. Show wins by DQ when Cody comes out from the crowd. Then Show chases him back through the crowd. Then Randy Orton comes in from under the ring and gives Kane an RKO.

Brodus Clay vs. Heath Slater. Brodus gets the pin. This was a squash. I can’t stand Brodus Clay’s gimmick!

They have a backstage segment with Eve Torres & Zack Ryder and she says that they’re both going to WrestleMania. Then Ryder she’s beautiful and smart. Eve asks if he just figured that out and says to forget about dinner. Then she walks off with a smirk on her face. This was idiotic. They’ve really made Ryder look like a complete moron. Eve admits that she was using him, then she kisses him and they “go to dinner” and then Ryder says that she hasn’t been returning his calls. Why is WWE doing this to Ryder? Because he got himself over with his youtube show without the assistance of “creative”?

They recap the Undertaker-Triple H-Shawn Michaels storyline and they show Monday’s promo.

Christian comes to ringside for commentary.

Great Khali vs. Dolph Ziggler. Teddy Long & Johnny Ace are at ringside. Dolph locks a sleeper on Khali and Johnny rings the bell and announces Dolph as the winner. Then Long restarts the match and says that Dolph will be counted out if he doesn’t get back in the ring. Dolph gets counted out and Teddy announces Khali as the winner. Then Santino Marella & Kofi Kingston come out and they through Dolph back in the ring and then Khali head chops him. This was typical goofiness from this storyline.

They show Miz, Daniel Bryan & AJ backstage headed for the ring and Miz gives Daniel a pep talk. I guess we’re supposed to forget that they feuded when Miz was Daniel’s pro?

WWE Champion CM Punk & Sheamus vs. World Champion Daniel Bryan & The Miz. Punk & Sheamus win when Sheamus pins Miz. This was a good match. Bryan & AJ were on the stage while Punk & Sheamus celebrated in the ring to end the show.

I thought this was a middle of the road show. I liked the opening promo with Bryan having AJ telling the fans how great he is and I thought that Sheamus cut a good promo too. The tag match at the end was good but is was the same match they had on Raw except they had Miz in Jericho’s spot. Cody Rhodes’ promo was really good too. The guys plays that role really well. The Team Teddy-Team Johnny stuff was goofy like usual and it was ok for what it was. Most of the matches weren’t too memorable this week. Overall this was a mixed bag show.