Michael reminds us that Josh Mathews is not with them tonight because of the injuries he suffered at the hands of Brock Lesnar on Monday night during Raw.
Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring and YES, he has something to say this week.
Daniel has a smile on his face from ear to ear and he says that he did it. He cut the umbilical cord and finally got rid of AJ. He says that this feels so good. There is still something bothering him and he wants to set the record straight. That loss at Wrestlemania. That eighteen second loss to Sheamus at Wrestlemania . . . that does not count. If anything, that loss should go on AJ’s record, not his. That is because AJ lost that match, not him.
Yet, Sheamus runs around with Daniel’s championship as if he won something. It is unbelievable but he plans to rectify that situation this Sunday at Extreme Rules. Sheamus cannot legitimately defeat him once, let alone in two out of three falls.
Despite his personal feelings for the Great White, when John Laurinaitis asked him to be the special referee for the match between Sheamus and Mark Henry on Monday, he promised to call it right down the middle.
Daniel says that he promised himself that he would call it right down the middle and he did. There are some people who have accused him of quick counting Sheamus’ shoulders to the mat. However, the footage speaks for itself.
We see the footage from Raw and the count looked slowed down a bit.
Daniel likes the footage we just saw. He says that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that count. In typical Sheamus fashion, he lost his cool. Daniel says that he was forced to defend himself.
We see footage of Sheamus bringing Daniel back into the ring only to fall victim to the LeBell Lock.
Daniel wants the footage paused to show Sheamus being stretched and about to tap out.
Now it is Question and Answer time with Daniel Bryan. Did Mark Henry beat Sheamus on Monday . . . Yes. Did Daniel Bryan make Sheamus tap out to the entire WWE Universe . . . Yes! Is Sheamus’ entire world title run a fluke because he took advantage of a confused and not very intelligent woman . . . YES. Will Daniel Bryan regain his World Championship at Extreme Rules . . . YES! YES! YES!
Alberto Del Rio comes out to the ring after driving into the arena. Ricardo Rodriguez introduces Alberto and Alberto makes his way to the ring to talk to Daniel.
Alberto asks if Daniel Bryan has been making excuses since losing the World Title at Wrestlemania in 18 seconds . . . Si. Is the winner of the Daniel Bryan/Sheamus match going to eventually lose to the new number one contender Alberto Del Rio . . . SI. Will Daniel Bryan be forgotten when Alberto Del Rio becomes the next World Heavyweight Champion . . . SI SI SI SI
Alberto asks everyone if they are seeing the next World Heavyweight Champion . . .
We will never know because Big Show makes his way to the ring.
Show wants to know if it is ‘yes’ or ‘si’. Show goes back and forth and then he teaches taking a swing at Bryan but Daniel leaves the ring. Show grabs Ricardo before he can escape the ring. Show tells Ricardo to calm down. Show asks Ricardo if it is ‘yes’ or ‘si’. Ricardo simply groans. Show tells Ricardo ‘si’ and then choke slams Ricardo.
We go to commercial.
Match Number One: Big Show versus Alberto Del Rio with the remnants of Ricardo Rodriguez
The match is joined in progress and Show with a chop followed by an Irish whip but Del Rio gets his knees up. Show with a forearm but Del Rio escapes a slam. Del Rio with a kick but Show with a shoulder tackle that sends Del Rio to the floor.
Show pulls Del Rio up to the apron but Del Rio drops Show’s arm on the rope. Del Rio with kicks to the arm and then he hits an arm breaker. Del Rio sets fro the float over but Del Rio remembers that it is Big Show and Show picks up Del Rio and hits a one armed belly-to-back suplex.
Show with a clothesline or two and then he Irish whips Del Rio into the corner and hits the running butt splash followed by a spear. Show signals for the choke slam but Cody Rhodes comes to the ring and he clips Show.
The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Big Show by disqualification
After the match, Del Rio with a step up enzuigiri. Rhodes gets a kendo stick and a chair. Rhodes waits for Show to get up and he hits Show in the head with the kendo stick but Show gets up. Rhodes tries to use the chair but Show punches it. Rhodes tries to use his belt but Show with a kick and then Show goes after Cody’s shirt. Show whips Cody in the back and Cody leaves the ring and goes up the ramp.
John Laurinaitis is walking in the back with Eve and he tells her to look at things from an executive level. He knows that she is going to do great things as executive administrator. He tells Eve to give her any suggestions for improving things.
Eve suggests that everyone wear name tags so we know everyone.
John asks Teddy to come over and Teddy wonders what his job will be if Eve is the Executive Administrator.
John says that Teddy is just an employee. Going forward, Teddy will report directly to Eve. Eve tells Teddy to get a name tag.
We see footage from the Divas Title match when Nikki defeated Beth to become the new Divas Champion.
We go to commercial with the Divas walking in the back.
We are back with the latest from Damien Sandow. This week’s topic is enlightenment. Buddha once said that the greatest gift is to give others your enlightenment and share it. He introduces himself and he says that he is here to help us. The Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual and social movement in the 19th Century whose sole purpose was to reform society by the advancement of knowledge.
Great luminaries of this time such as Voltaire and Sir Isaac Newton understood the importance of bestowing their knowledge on the ill mannered masses. These men set a golden standard for others to aspire to. A standard that has regrettably fallen by the wayside.
Take WWE for example. A place riddled with self-righteous demagogues whose pollution of simple minds via nonsensical catchphrases and vile entrance music serves only to drive the WWE Universe to worship these falsely anointed idols.
But fear not you simple minded masses for salvation is one week away. Soon the WWE will bear witness to a new Age of enlightenment. An Age of Illumination that will usher in the New Renaissance that you so desperately and unwittingly yearn for.
Damien tells us ‘You’re Welcome’.
Match Number Two: Alicia Fox versus Nikki Bella with Brie Bella in a Non Title Match
They lock up and Fox with a waist lock but Nikki with a sit out jaw breaker and kick for a near fall. Nikki chokes Alicia in the ropes and follows it with a snap mare and a leap frog neck snap for a near fall. Nikki with a seated abdominal stretch but Alicia gets to her feet and she escapes with an arm drag. Both ladies try to take the other down by their hair and then Alicia with a few one foot drop kicks. Nikki with an Irish whip but Alicia with a back elbow off the turnbuckles.
Alicia avoids a clothesline with a matrix move but Nikki pulls Alicia down to the mat by her hair. Brie rolls in while the referee deals with Alicia. Brie with a kick to the midsection followed by an X Factor for the three count.
Winner: Nikki Bella
We go to commercial.
Yoshi Tatus is in the back and Darren Young and Titus O’Neil stop by and he says that they don’t want to fight now. Titus tells Yoshi that he is in the presence of two of the fastest rising Superstars in the WWE today. Titus tells Darren that they have to bow together. Titus wants to know who Yoshi’s tag team partner is going to be tonight.
Yoshi walks away and Titus pulls him back. Ezekiel Jackson stops by and he tells Titus and Darren that he is Yoshi’s tag team partner.
Titus tells Zeke that he is big and strong, but he ain’t got no guts. Darren and Titus walk away.
Teddy is in Johnny’s office dusting things wearing his Amish maid apron with his name tag across the front. The saxophones start playing and the lights go blue so that means only one thing . . . Aksana.
Teddy fumbles for the proper words but he says that it is good to see her. Teddy says that he is glad that his grandchildren’s college fund is safe and he is glad that Aksana is by her side.
Aksana says that when Teddy was the general manager, she never figured that Teddy could have been old enough to have grandchildren.
John Laurinaitis and Eve enter and the lights return to normal and the music stops.
John tells Aksana that the favor that she asked for will happen tonight. John says that Aksana’s friend Antonio Cesaro is going to have a tryout match tonight. He says that if he likes what he sees, he is going to hire Antonio.
Aksana thank Teddy so much.
John tells Aksana that she is going to be the guest ring announcer for Antonio’s match. John asks Teddy what he thinks about that. Eve wants to tell Teddy and John lets her. Eve tells Teddy that he will have his own ringside commentary table. They need another person down there since Josh is still out with his injury.
John tells Teddy that he will have a headset and John will tell Teddy what to say. John says that Teddy will do a wonderful job. John gives Teddy a People Power shirt to put over his maid’s uniform.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Three: Ezekiel Jackson and Yoshi Tatsu versus Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
Yoshi and Young start things off and lock up. Young iwh a forearm in the corner but Yoshi with forearms of his own. Young with a hot shot and then he tags in Titus. Young with a snap mare and Titus with a forearm to the back of the head for a near fall. Titus with a slam and then he tags Young back in. Young and Titus with a double shoulder tackle and then Young with an elbow drop for a near fall.
Yoshi with chops to Young but Young with a forearm to the back. Young knocks Jackson off the apron and then he kicks Yoshi in the leg. Titus tags in and they hit a clothesline and power bomb combination for the three count.
Winner: Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
We go to commercial.
We are back and Michael Cole is in the ring and he talks about how he will be talking to the man who will be in the Falls Count Anywhere Match at Extreme Rules . . . Randy Orton.
Randy makes his way to the ring and Michael welcomes him. Michael says that he is confident that the interview will be conducted civilly. Cole reminds Orton that if a Superstar touches an announcer, they will be immediately suspended.
Randy looks at Cole and he asks him if that was a question. Orton asks Cole that if he is pushed right, he does not act rationally. He says that he is a shoot first, ask questions last kind of guy.
Michael shows us a video package for Orton and Kane.
Michael tells Randy that Kane said that he is a monster again after his win at Wrestlemania. How does Randy feel about meeting a man he turned into a monster because of his failures at Wrestlemania.
Orton tells Cole that he was deep with that question. Orton says that people say that what happens at Wrestlemania goes down in history. When people talk about their issues with Kane, they talk about the match at Wrestlemania. It came at a price. He lost a wrestling match at Wrestlemania. He is going to do more than pin Kane with a three count because Kane did something to his family. A piece of him wants to respect Kane for that but he cannot accept that. Falls count anywhere and he can make Kane suffer like he can never imagine. Not even the devil is capable of unleashing the hell that he will bring on Sunday.
Jinder Mahal’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring. He tells Orton that him and Kane will take each other down on Sunday. When they do, a new breed of superstar will emerge. Orton’s time at the time is over. He tells Orton that he is younger, smarter, richer, and hungrier than Orton.
He says that he will be waiting for Orton on the other side.
Orton looks at Mahal and then he tells Jinder to wait a second. He asks Jinder if he is an announcer.
Jinder says that he is the fastest rising athlete. Orton interrupts him and says that announcers are off limits . . . RKO to Jinder Mahal.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Four: Tyson Kidd versus Antonio Cesaro in a Tryout Match
They lock up and Cesaro backs Kidd into the corner. Cesaro with a forearm and kick followed by a head butt. Cesaro with a boot to the head and then he rubs Kidd’s head into the mat. Cesaro with an elbow to the back of the neck. Cesaro continues the assault with a deadlift Side Salto. Kidd with a kick but he tries for the drop kick to the head but Cesaro recovers and hits Swiss Death followed by the Gotch Style Neutralizer for the three count.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
After the match, Teddy Long goes into the ring and he raises Cesaro’s arm. Aksana kisses Cesaro right in front of Teddy and it looks like Teddy is on the girlfriend search.
It is time for a look at the situation between Brock Lesnar and John Cena.
We go to commercial with Cody Rhodes walking in the back.
Match Number Five: Great Khali versus Cody Rhodes
Rhodes goes for the leg but Khali with a forearm to the back. Khali with a chop in the corner. Rhodes with a drop kick to the knee and then he goes to the leg and tries to hyper-extend it. Khali sends Rhodes into the turnbuckles but Cody goes up top. Rhodes with a missile drop kick for a near fall.
Cody with an elbow drop to the leg and he works on the knee. Khali with a forearm to the back to get out of the hold. Rhodes with a front face lock but Khali powers out of the hold. Khali with clotheslines and then Khali grabs Cody but Cody with a kick. Khali blocks the Beautiful Disaster and Khali hits the vertical choke slam for the three count.
Winner: Great Khali
A backstage worker is asking about hard hats while Abraham Washington is talking to Epico, Primo, and Rosa Mendes mentioning how it is a tragedy that they were not on Wrestlemania and are not on Extreme Rules. Abe tells them that they need to be part of his management group. Abe says that they need to be utilized. Abe tells Rosa that she needs to talk more. He wants a decision from them by Monday.
Ryback walks past and stares at the tag title belts. Abe wants to offer Ryback his card.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the Usos are watching on the monitor so that must mean it is time for the ‘Random Guy gets destroyed by Ryback’ part of the show.
Jacob Kaye gets on the mic and he says that every week a no name schnook gets a chance to get their shot on Smackdown only to fail miserably. He says that will change tonight. Jacob says that he is looking to get out of Grand Rapids. He will be the first to get a victory over Ryback.
Match Number Six: Ryback versus Jacob Kaye
Kaye charges at Ryback and Ryback pushes him away. Kaye runs into a big boot and Ryback chokes him with his boot. Ryback presses Kaye over his head and then turns it into a power slam. Ryback with a lariat and it is time for the muscle buster and the three count.
Winner: Ryback
After the match, Ryback demands to have them ‘feed me more’ as he does the Chong Li.
We go to footage from last week when Daniel Bryan told AJ that it was really really really over. Then we see what AJ did to Natalya.
AJ is walking in the back and Matt asks AJ for an update on her relationship with Daniel Bryan. AJ starts to walk away and Matt asks for a prediction for Daniel’s match on Sunday against Sheamus. She refuses to answer so Matt asks her about the nervous breakdown she suffered last week.
Kaitlyn interrupts and tells Matt that she is in a bad place and doesn’t have to answer these questions.
AJ starts to walk away and Kaitlyn stops her and reminds her that they are best friends. Kaitlyn says that this is a good thing because Daniel Bryan is a jerk. He didn’t respect AJ and didn’t love her. He did nothing for her.
AJ slaps Kaitlyn and Kaitlyn wonders why she did that and then backs away.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Seven: Sheamus versus Mark Henry
They lock up and Henry pushes Sheamus to the mat. They lock up again and we have the same result. Sheamus with a side head lock and Henry backs him into the corner. Henry with head butts and Sheamus is staggering around the ring. Sheamus recovers and he punches Henry. Henry with a clothesline.
Henry kicks Sheamus but Sheamus kicks Henry in the knee and hits a DDT for a near fall. Sheamus with a forearm to the upper arm. Henry pushes Sheamus over the top rope to the floor with one hand.
Henry goes to the floor and Henry sends him back into the ring. Sheamus with shoulders from the apron and then he hits the slingshot shoulder tackle. Henry rolls out of the ring and we go to commercial.
We are back and Henry with a slam to Sheamus and he tries for a splash but Sheamus moves out of the way. Sheamus punches Henry on the apron and then it is time for the forearms across the chest.
Henry stops him at seven and connects with a back elbow and then he biels Sheamus through the ropes to the floor. Henry sends Sheamus into the ringside barrier. They return to the ring and Henry with a near fall. Henry with a head butt and then he works on the neck with a nerve hold.
Henry with a back heel kick and clothesline and gets a near fall. Sheamus punches Henry but Henry with a head butt. Henry is a little woozy after that one but he is able to work on the neck. Sheamus gets to his feet and he punches Henry and hits a running double sledge but Henry stays on his feet. It fails the second time as well but Sheamus with a flying shoulder tackle and Henry is sent to the mat. Sheamus with a DDT for a near fall.
Sheamus signals for the Brogue Kick but Henry moves. Henry with a body block and he gets a near fall. Henry with a forearm across the chest and then he signals for a running clothesline into the corner but Sheamus gets his boot up. Sheamus goes up top for a flying shoulder tackle but Henry charges and Sheamus rolls through and hits the Brogue Kick for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
After the match, Daniel Bryan appears on the stage and he applauds Sheamus’ performance.
Sheamus wants the fella to come to the ring. He asks Bryan if he is afraid of him now that he cannot hide behind a referee shirt. He asks if Bryan is afraid that he will kick Bryan’s head off in eighteen seconds. Sheamus repeats 18 seconds and the fans eventually get the hint and start chanting it. He says that Bryan got off easy at Wrestlemania, but on Sunday, Danny Boy, he will not get off easy. It won’t be a fluke and Bryan won’t get to blame AJ. Will he kicks Bryan’s arse to remain World Champion. The answer is YES . . . YES . . . YES . . . YES . . . YES
We go to credits.
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