Smackdown kicked off with a match to get the fans warmed up, and it was a brilliant match at that. X-Pac, who is trying desperately to get his hands on Justin Gabriel for the US Title, took on a fired Randy Orton. Last week, Orton beat Brodus Clay in less than a minute, and X-Pac had to be sure he didn’t suffer the same fate.
The bell rung and Orton again sauntered over to X-Pac. Instead of shoving Orton like what Clay did last week, X-Pac spat in the face of Orton. The now enraged Orton was taken off his game and X-Pac countered an Orton running attack, taking the Apex Predator down and putting him in an arm lock.
X-Pac continued to work on the arm of Orton, hoping to weaken his ability to land the RKO at any time. Orton broke out of a second arm lock, fighting back on X-Pac. He threw X-Pac into the ropes and hit him a vintage scoop slam. X-Pac tried to roll to the ropes but Orton hit him with a DDT, setting up an RKO. X-Pac got up slowly and walked right into the RKO and was pinned by Orton.
After the break, Sheamus came down to the ring with his championship belt and a microphone. “I know you are all wondering why I attacked Wade Barrett last week,” he began. “It’s very simple at that. I refuse to not be taken seriously as the champion. I am capable of doing very bad things to people at the drop of a hat… or should I say, a kick to the face.” Sheamus continued on about why he chose Barrett, basically saying he wanted to send a message to the back of the locker room and make an example out of someone.