Tonight's Smackdown comes to us live from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, TX as Josh Matthews and Matt Striker welcome us to the show. Striker hypes the Royal Rumble qualifying matches and the Texas Bullrope Match between Ziggler and Orton later in the evening. Striker reminds us that the loser of the contest will be ousted from the World Heavyweight Championship Match at the Royal Rumble. Striker segues into tonight's World Championship Match which is scheduled to begin right now.
Bryan Danielson def. Wade Barrett (w/William Regal) to remain World Champion
Great opening contest. Barrett and Danielson have excellent in-ring chemistry. Finish came as Barrett attempted Wasteland and Danielson picked the arm on the way down, countering into the Crossface. Barrett refuses to tap out, so Danielson moves into Cattle Mutilation and Barrett reluctantly succumbs.
Mark Henry backstage with Theodore Long, who tells him that if he hopes to participate in the Royal Rumble match, he must qualify. The GM reminds Henry that time is running out and next week is essentially his last chance to get in. Henry tries to plead his case, claiming he's still injured from his match with Danielson at TLC. Long tells him that the offer stands without negotiation. An angered Henry steps out, threatening a lawsuit if he gets further injured in his qualifying match tonight.
Another promo for Rey Mysterio's return, this one says "ELIMINATION CHAMBER"
Henry emerges, clearly frustrated with Long's decision, grabs a mic and demands that we get the match over with and bring his opponent out immediately. After a matter of moments we discover that an injured Mark Henry will go one-one-one for a spot in the Royal Rumble against SCOTTY 2 HOTTY.
Mark Henry def. Scotty 2 Hotty to qualify for the Royal Rumble
Scotty enters the ring, still looking rather reluctant about the contest. After Scotty momentarily gets the upper hand by tripping Henry into the corner, Henry turns around, laughs and pulls the sling off of his arm. The limp suddenly disappears as well. Much to Scotty's horror, Henry was feigning injury the whole time and had since recovered from his match at TLC. Henry practically destroys Scotty before drilling him with the World's Strongest Slam to qualify for the Rumble.
Jeremy Borash is backstage interviewing Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, Korpela asks if Cody was genuinely serious about his threat to walk from WWE and vacate the Intercontinental Championship should he lose his qualifying match tonight. Cody glares at him and storms off, but runs into Ted DiBiase. DiBiase tells Cody that if he doesn't make it to the Royal Rumble match, he'd be more than happy to take care of the IC Championship when he leaves. Cody shakes his head and walks off as we go to commercial.
Striker and Matthews recap the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012, which now includes Randy "Macho Man" Savage, Owen Hart, Edge and this past week's inductee, The Rock. They run the Rock tribute video again and announce that the next inductee will be revealed next Monday on RAW.
Theodore Long on the phone with the WWE Board of Directors, discussing possible ramifications in the event of Cody Rhodes walking out of WWE tonight and discussing the feasibility of an IC Title tournament this close to the Royal Rumble. Dolph Ziggler enters and complains to Teddy Long that the decision to make a Texas Bullrope Match with such an extreme stipulation is highly unethical. Ziggler becomes the second man to threaten Long with a lawsuit on this given night. Long gets directly in Ziggler's face and tells him that he can't be bothered with his hollow threats and to just suck it up and get to it. Ziggler storms out of the office as Long continues the phone conversation.
Booker T def. Tyson Kidd to qualify for the Royal Rumble
Finish came when Tyson Kidd attempted The Code Blue, but Booker ducked out of the way, sending Kidd crashing to the mat. Booker rebounds with a VILE Scissor Kick for the three count and the Rumble spot.
After the match, Booker hits a Spinaroonie, and is soon interrupted by JTG, David Otunga and D’LO BROWN. Each of them gets an opportunity to do a spinaroonie of their own, JTG’s is decent, D’Lo was WAY over with the crowd and got the crowd’s vote. Otunga flops, and this draws out The Big Show. Show shakes his head out of confusion and clobbers Otunga with a WMD and leaves the arena. Ron Simmons hits the stage with a mic and, well...You get the idea. Booker hits another Spinaroonie and leaves the ring as we go to commercial.
Striker runs down the Rumble PPV Card, which now includes the Iron Man Match, The World Championship Match, The Royal Rumble Match, two qualifying matches and for the first time EVER--A Royal Rumble Match for the Women’s Championship.
Kaval def. Rene' Dupree to qualify for the Royal Rumble
Dupree tries to finish the match with a Death Valley Driver, but Kaval counters into a Dragon Clutch for the submission victory.
Muhammad Hassan airs his grievances with Theodore Long and says he’s sick and tired of being discriminated against and pushed into the shadows of this show. Hassan demands more respect, and Long tells him that he’s sick and tired himself. Sick and tired of superstars coming to him complaining about their predicaments instead of doing something about it. Long says he’ll give Hassan a chance next week, qualify for the Royal Rumble match, or he’s FIRED. Long tells Hassan to get the hell out of his office and the third storm out of the night occurs.
The Texas Bullrope Match is hyped up for later tonight.
Paul Heyman is seen heading to the ring and introduces the next two men vying for a Royal Rumble qualifying match--Rhyno and Bobby Lashley. Rhyno is on his way to the ring as we go to break.
Rhyno def. Bobby Lashley in an Extreme Rules Match to earn a Qualifying Match at the Royal Rumble
Lashley lines up for the Spear, but Rhyno shoves him out of the way at the last second with a surprising spin maneuver and GORES the hell out of the former All-American through a table and picks up the win.
Cody Rhodes seen heading to the ring with the IC Title in tow. Rhodes is as stoic as ever, looking like a champion heading to the gallows. A Royal Rumble spot and Rhodes’ career on the line NEXT!
Cody Rhodes def. Justin Gabriel to qualify for the Royal Rumble
Outstanding back and forth match, Gabriel came away looking really good in this contest. Finish came after Rhodes missed Beautiful Disaster and Gabriel rebounded with a Spinning Heel Kick. Gabriel goes up for the 450 Splash, but Rhodes slides out of the ring in mid-leap, leaving Gabriel to crash into the canvas. Rhodes capitalizes by sliding back into the ring and spiking Gabriel with Cross Rhodes for the win, the title and the Rumble spot.
In an attempt to counter Edge’s main event announcement from RAW, Theodore Long announces a Six-man tag team match of his own for Next week’s Smackdown--World Heavyweight Champion Bryan Danielson will team with Randy Orton and Sheamus against Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes and Mark Henry. Wade Barrett tells Teddy Long that he has no intent of coming to him with his problems, because next week, the Barrett Barrage will resolve any lingering issues. Barrett promises to qualify for the Royal Rumble Match and go on to headline Wrestlemania. Barrett tells Long to tell Bryan Danielson good luck holding on to the World Heavyweight Championship and to send him a message the next time he sees him. Barrett turns and throws a kick to JTG’s face before throwing him through the office wall.
A Royal Rumble Rewind moment rehashes the 1992 Royal Rumble Match, where Ric Flair won the WWE Championship; marking the first and only time the title has ever been on the line in the over-the-top-rope challenge.
Sheamus def. Finlay to qualify for the Royal Rumble
The match concludes with a little tomfoolery, the likes of which the late Eddie Guerrero would have been proud of. Finlay takes hold of the shillelagh with the ref’s attention diverted and takes a swipe at Sheamus but The Celtic Warrior dodges and throws a swift kick to Finlay’s gut, causing the shillelagh to drop. Sheamus takes hold of the club, then tosses it to Finlay while dropping to the mat, playing possum. The ref catches Finlay with the weapon and threatens to DQ, but Sheamus gets back to his feet and crushes Finlay with a Brogue Kick for the three count. After the match, Sheamus grabs the shillelagh and clocks Finlay squarely in the temple before leaving the ring.
WWE officials are seen on a split screen carrying the Bullrope to the ring as Orton and Ziggler head down to the gorilla position. The main event is next.
Back from break and each corner is adorned with two lights; one Red (Orton) and one Blue (Ziggler) the winner of the contest is the first to touch all four corners in succession. Remember, the loser of the contest will be ousted from the main event for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble.
Randy Orton def. Dolph Ziggler in a Texas Bullrope Match to eliminate Ziggler from the World Heavyweight Championship Match at the Royal Rumble
Good back and forth contest. Orton and Ziggler both tagged three corners in succession and as expected it came down to the final corner. Ziggler attempted a Corner Splash, but Orton captured him in his tracks, dropping him with an RKO. Orton sets up for a Viper DDT, making sure to tag the final corner before planting Ziggler and winning the contest.
Orton celebrates in the ring and plays to the crowd before eventually leaving the arena. Ziggler sits in the middle of the ring, still attached to the Bullrope, head in hands devastated about what has just transpired. Ziggler slips out of the Bullrope and proceeds to tearing apart the ringside area and throwing Matt Striker into the ring. Striker begs off, but Ziggler’s not having it. Ziggler slaps on a Sleeper Hold and leaves Striker unconscious in the ring before leaving himself as Smackdown goes off the air.
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