Wrestlemania Recap: Major Title Changes Hands; Betrayal in the Tag Match

Did Brock Lesnar get the revenge he was seeking against the Big Show?

Chris Jericho vs Edge (C) vs Antonio Cesaro vs Dolph Ziggler
Intercontinental Title Match
The four eventually paired off and Jericho and Cesaro found themselves battling inside the ring with many near falls. At one point, Edge jumped from the top rope onto Ziggler, who was on the floor. The unpredictable nature of the match lead many nearfalls and a simultaneous kickout by Jericho and Ziggler. Ziggler hit the Zig Zag on Cesaro, but the pinfall was broken up by Jericho, who hit the Codebreaker. Edge saved his title at the last moment and the four battled once again. Eventually, Jericho and Cesaro spilled out onto the floor and the Ultimate Opportunist took advantage, planting Ziggler with the Edgucution, retaining his title.

Winner: Edge

John Cena vs Shawn Michaels
World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contenders Match

This match-up determined the top contender for the belt at the next PPV and it did not disappoint. Cena and Michaels battled all over the ring, and even on the outside. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on the padding outside of the ring and rolled back into the ring to try and force a count-out on Michaels. But HBK beat the referees count and got back in the ring. Cena wore him down even more and went for another AA. But Michaels struggled out of it, pushed back Cena and landed the Sweet Chin Music. Cena kicked out, but HBK landed another super kick and stole the win.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Wrestlemania Preview

Chris Jericho vs Edge (C) vs Antonio Cesaro vs Dolph Ziggler
Intercontinental Title Match

The Intercontinental Championship was owned by Dolph Ziggler, who was tired of fighting jobbers. He was finally defeated on Raw by Edge, but Edge’s celebration was short lived when Antonio Cesaro came to the ring. Cesaro declared he should have been given a title shot but Chris Jericho, who Cesaro had been feuding with, got involved as well. During a tag team match, Jericho walked out on his partner Edge, leaving some bad blood between the two.

Smackdown 8: Number One Contender’s Match Set

Smackdown kicked off with some tag team action. The Rock n Sock connection was set to take on the team of Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio in a preview of the fatal fourway tag match at Wrestlemania on Sunday. The legendary team won the match after The Rock landed the Rockbottom on Kofi and got the pin.

Commissioner Roose came out to talk a little bit about Wrestlemania. He had to announce that he was one match short for his billing at Mania and wanted to hold a number one contender’s match for the World Heavyweight Championship at the next Pay-Per View. He was interrupted by Mr. Wrestlemania himself, Shawn Michaels. “Woah woah woah, you know you can’t have a Wrestlemania without the Showstopper himself!”

Smackdown 7: Taker Announces Mania Match

Smackdown kicked off with the bare-knuckle brawler Wade Barrett strutting down to the ring. Fresh off of his huge win over Sheamus, Barrett grabbed the microphone and began to speak. He told the crowd that he will become the next WWE Champion, and that Sheamus is merely keeping the belt warm until Barrett takes it from him at Wrestlemania.

But Barrett was interrupted by Sheamus’ music. Sheamus came out with the title draped over his shoulder wearing a Preston North End F.C. soccer jersey. Sheamus then went on to compare Barrett to the League One soccer club from Barrett’s home city in England. “Much like that third rate football club in Preston, you fella, are a third rate super star in the WWE. After Wrestlemania, I will prove to the world that you are not worthy to wear this belt.” Sheamus then took the jersey off, spit in it and dropped it on the stage before turning around and walking away.

Smackdown 5: Taker Continues to Harass Triple H; Mankind Ditches Hardcore Belt

John Cena got the best of HHH with a little help from a distraction by Undertaker

Smackdown kicked off with a fuming Triple H. He was surprised that Undertaker would show his face after he lost to Triple H at the Rumble, and was upset the Undertaker would stoop so low when he cost Triple H his title. Triple H then proceeded to challenge Undertaker to a match at Wrestle Mania, stating “if the Undertaker wants to take away my belt, then I will take away his streak.”

Things on Smackdown kicked off with a match between two veterans, Godfather and Christian. Ho Train in tow, the Godfather started out the match in classic style, offering up the services of one of his beautiful ladies to Christian. Christian, who is looking to shake the cold spell he has been in, took the high road and wanted to fight. After the ladies left, the two tied up with Godfather getting the early advantage on Christian. Series of shoulder blocks and clotheslines kept Christian off his feet.

Christian countered with a toe drag, getting on top of Godfather and keeping the big man down. But when Christian climbed to the top ropes to attempt a high-flying attack, Godfather threw his knees up to counter. He then twisted Christian’s arm and gave him a swift kick to the jaw before setting up the pimp drop and the pin.

Elimination Chamber: Taker Costs Triple H His Belt

Triple H didn’t make it out of the Chamber with his Championship. He isn’t looking for a rematch for the belt any time soon either.

Booker T vs The Miz
Booker T’s Job vs Miz’s Elimination Chamber Spot

The match started out with a pair of taunts. But when Booker T finished his Spin-A-Rooni, Miz attacked him and the match got underway. The two traded momentum, but the Miz got the better of Booker T in the end. When Booker went for the scissor kick, Miz avoided it, and in turn set up Booker for the Skull Crushing Finale and won the match, retiring Booker T and earning a spot in the Elimination Chamber.

Winner: The Miz

Shield and Chris Jericho vs Antonio Cesaro and Rhodes Scholars

Rollins and Rhodes started this six man tag match. Rhodes controlled early until Rollins was able to turn it around and tag in his partner Ambrose. The two got in some double team moves and Ambrose managed the pace. However, Sandow kicked Ambrose in the back as he was whipped near the Scholars’ corner. Rhodes tagged in Cesaro and the two beat on Ambrose. Cesaro then threw Ambrose out of the ring and as Jericho tried to help, the referee restrained him, allowing the Rhodes Scholars to beat up Ambrose a bit more.

Elimination Chamber Preview

Booker T vs The Miz
Booker T’s Job vs Miz’s Elimination Chamber Spot

The rivalry started when Miz tweeted about how washed up Booker T was as a wrestler. Booker challenged him to a match and won. Miz didn’t take kindly to getting beat, and the following week got his revenge on Booker by attacking him and then beating him in a tag match. The following week, Booker attacked Miz after he was talking trash on Booker, forwarding the feud even more. Then it was this past week that the stipulations were set: Miz, who earned the sixth spot in the Elimination Chamber, would put that on the line with Booker T, who would have to retire if he lost.

Smackdown Week 4: Kingston, Mysterio Beat Outlaws; Chamber Match Set

Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston pull off a double team move in their match with the Outlaws.

Our final episode of Smackdown heading into the Elimination Chamber opened with the New Age Outlaws. Road Dogg threatened to continue their assault on the roster unless they get a match with Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio for the tag team belts. They force Commissioner Roose’s hand by showing videos of them attacking Kofi, Sin Cara and Mysterio.

Roose comes out and reluctantly grants the Outlaws their wish. “But if you lose, if you lay another hand on someone you’re not in a match with, I will see to it that I make your life in the WWE an absolute living hell” Roose reassured them. “And if you lay a hand on either one of your opponents tonight, you will lose your shot.”

The first match was for the Diva’s championship, and it was Beth Phoenix defending her title against Eve, who won a title shot last week on Smackdown. The winner will face Trish Stratus at the Elimination Chamber on Sunday. Phoenix controlled the beginning of the match, much like last week. She threw Eve around the ring like a rag doll. As she set up Eve for the Glam Slam, Eve again tried to escape the hold but Phoenix connect this time, pinning Eve and retaining her belt.

After the match, Roose is shown backstage talking to Kofi and Rey, telling them he doesn’t want them going anywhere before their match tonight against the Outlaws. “Dude, relax. They won’t be dumb enough to hurt attack us if they want those belts back,” Kofi told his boss, and the duo leaves the room.

Smackdown Week 3: Elimination Chamber Match Takes Shape

Triple-H gave Sheamus the Pedigree. Is the Celtic Warrior one of the Elimination Chamber competitors?

Smackdown opens up with the Awesome one himself, The Miz. Miz was feeling extra proud of himself having gotten the better of Booker T, not once, but twice. He then went on to say that after the beating he handed to both Orton and Booker he was ready to focus on making a run at the World Heavyweight Championship belt.

But before Miz could continue, Wade Barrett interrupted him. Barrett reminded Miz that it was him who softened up both Orton and Booker, giving Miz the cleanup work. The Miz countered, telling Barrett that he would have no problem giving Barrett a taste of what Booker and Orton got from Miz last week. “If a fight is what you want, then a fight is what you’ll get… right now!” chimed Barrett and we started his descent towards the ring.

As Barrett got to the front of the ring, Orton came running down the ramp and attacked Barrett from behind. He bounced Barrett’s head off the ring post and apron, knocking him to the floor. As he was ready to set Orton up for another attack, possibly an RKO, Miz grabbed Orton from behind and gave him the Skull-Crushing Finale. Smackdown cut to a commercial break after the attack.

Smackdown Week 1: Orton, Barrett Begin Feud; Commish Screws Outlaws

Randy Orton RKO’s Wade Barrett through the announce table on Smackdown.

Smackdown opened up with a fuming Road Dogg storming down the ramp with Billy Gunn on his tail upset with the commissioner’s decision at the Rumble to not only hold onto the titles, but to bar the Outlaws from having a chance at winning the titles at Elimination Chamber.

Road Dogg’s rant was cut short by Roose, who told the Outlaws that he would cut the two delinquents a deal. If they could defeat a tag team of his choosing that night, they would have their shot to represent Smackdown for the Tag Team titles. “Who in that locker room is worthy to compete with the eight-time Tag Team champions?” quipped Road Dogg. Roose answered, “these guys,” and Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio walked out to Roose’s side on the stage.