WWE SmackDown, 5/27/11: The Rise of the Celtic Warrior

Randy Orton opened SmackDown by heading to the ring. 

“My name is Randy Orton,” but you already know that. 

Christian almost immediately came to the ring and congratulated Orton on the win at Over the Limit.  He wanted one more shot at the title, though. 

Out came the Celtic Warrior, Sheamus.  He wanted a shot at the title. 

Then Mark Henry came waddling down to the ring, and guess what?  He wanted a title shot as well. 

Like on cue, Teddy Long strutted down to the ring and made a Triple Threat Match for later on. 

This was a decent way to start the show.  It’s good to see a new face in the title picture for once.  I would have preferred a match here, though.

Speaking of matches, the first one of the night was a rematch from Over the Limit between Sin Cara and Chavo Guerrero. 

What’s with the ridiculous light during the match? 

The match was quick to start, which put Sin Cara in control.  Chavo’s experience kicked in and he hit Sin Cara with a double knee in the corner. 

Sin Cara’s youth and speed proved too much for the veteran as he executed quite a few high flying moves before hitting a head scissor face buster for the win at four minutes. 

This was a fast-paced match.  Very quick back and forth action at times. 

This was a great match between two great talents.  A little more time, though, would have been nice.  Match rating: three out of five stars.

Two matches took place in a row as Cody Rhodes took on Daniel Bryan. 

The heel was in control early on, but Bryan was able to use his quickness to change things around. 

After he hit a big missile dropkick and a blocked Crossroads, he locked in the Labelle Lock. 

Rhodes tapped at just over six minutes.  Cody attacked Bryan afterwards and out a bag over his head. 

I like Cody’s new gimmick over the “dashing” one.  It works much better for a heel.  The only problem is the mask because it’s clear.  Though I suppose the “disfigurement” is all psychological. 

The match had great back and forth action throughout.  Two good matches in a row?  I’m liking SmackDown!  Match rating: three out of five stars.

I’m really liking Smackdown right now.  You rarely get three matches in a row on Raw. 

This time we got Corre member Heath Slater vs. Ezekiel Jackson. 

Jackson’s power took control right away, but Slater’s quickness was too much for the big man.  He missed a top rope move and Jackson is back in the driver’s seat. 

Back up came out in the other members of the Corre, but Big Zeke was able to fend them off.  Jackson wins by DQ at two-and-a-half minutes. 

This was an okay match.  It was your typical power vs. speed match. 

Jackson seems to be getting over with the crowd as a face, so I suppose WWE is going something right in this feud. Match rating: two out of five stars

Backstage, Christian says he’s going to win.  He’s always the underdog and the underdog always comes out on top.  When Vince McMahon doesn’t like you, the underdog stays the underdog.

It’s “Monsters Brawl” as The Great Khali takes on Kane.  Khali was in control the entire match until Kane hit his flying clothesline for the win at two-and-a-half minutes. 

Well, that was a pointless match.  No wait, the point is heading to the ring. 

Jinder Mahal speaks in what I think is Hindi and slapped Khali.  He pushed Ranjin Singh; Khali protected him, and then squeezed his head like a pimple. 

Looks like the Khali heel turn is complete. 

The match was your typical big-man match.  Very boring.  Match rating: one out of five stars.

Booker T is in the ring and wanted Michael Cole to join him.  He made fun of him for losing the match and starts a “kiss my feet” chant. 

End segment. 

That’s it?  That was absolutely pointless.

Backstage, Sheamus bragged about winning the title within’ his first year in WWE.  He said he’s going to win.

Divas action was up next as Alicia Fox and Tamina took on AJ and Kaitlyn with Natalya in their corner. 

AJ started things quick and tagged in Kaitlyn.  She hit a sidewalk slam for two.  Tamina stopped the count and knocked AJ to the outside. 

Fox then hit the scissor kicks for the win at about one-and-a-half minutes. 

The faces were in control the whole match until the heels hit one move. 

Short and somewhat pointless match.  With no Kharma for nine months, the Divas division has officially become boring again.  Match rating: one out of five stars.

Backstage, Mark Henry thought that everyone thought he was dumb.  But he’s not.  Doesn’t even talk about the title.

We got the same Randy Savage tribute from Raw.  Still emotional to watch.  R.I.P. “Macho Man” Randy Savage.

Main event time to determine the No. 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Title. 

It was your typical triple threat match with two guys fighting inside the ring while the other is taken out outside. 

Mark Henry dominated most of the match until he decided to mess with Orton, who was sitting ringside.  One RKO later and Henry was out of the match. 

Sheamus hit the big boot on Christian to become the No. 1 contender at just over 15 minutes.  He’ll get his shot next week. 

The entire match saw back and forth action with the heels in control for most of it. 

The majority of the match you thought Christian was going to win.  He was the underdog the whole time, and you always root for the underdog. 

This was a great match, and this alone blew Raw out of the water. Match rating: four out of five stars.

Overall, SmackDown was a great show.  So much better then Raw in so many ways. 

Just from the quality of some matches, you can tell that the real talent is on the blue brand. 

This was my first time watching a full episode of SmackDown in years.  It’s a phenomenal show.  My only disappointment at the moment is that we get to see Randy Orton vs. Sheamus…again.

Though seeing Sheamus get pushed again is not a bad thing.  The Celtic Warrior is beginning his rise on SmackDown. Show rating: four out of five stars