On the first SmackDown of 2011, two of the biggest rivalries in 2010 came to a thrilling conclusion.
Ziggler comes through Fatal 4-Way Match to earn World Title crack
On the first SmackDown of 2011, two of the biggest rivalries in 2010 came to a thrilling conclusion.
First off, The Rated-R Superstar Edge successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Kane in a gruelling Last Man Standing Match.
The brutal encounter, which opened the show, certainly lived up to it's billing as both men battled their way through the Tucson Convention Center in Arizona.
In the end, The Master Manipulator clinched victory after he speared Kane in the middle of the ring and then proceeded to execute a devastating Concerto to the knee of The Big Red Monster.
Despite the obvious damage to the knee, Kane valiantly attempted to answer the count of ten but the pain proved too much for the former World Champion, as he used the ropes to regain his stance, the call of ten came too soon for The Big Red Monster.
Last week, Dolph Ziggler found yet another way to hold onto his Intercontinental title in order to end 2010 on a high note.
But on this night in Arizona, fan favourite Kofi Kingston defeated the cocky champion not once, but twice, as SmackDown consultant Vickie Guerrero tried in vein to keep the prestigious title belt around her boyfriend's waist.
Weary
Kingston initially sent fans wild when he came flying off the top rope with a cross-body to score the victory and the gold. But celebration was cut short when Vickie, acting SmackDown General Manager in Teddy Long's absence, ordered a rematch.
Livid and frustrated fans looked on as a weary Kingston attempted to regain his composure, and in the end, it didn't take long for the high-flyer to succeed once again, as he struck Ziggler with Trouble In Paradise to become the new Intercontinental Champion.
Next up on the card, a Triple Threat Number One Contenders Match for the World Heavyweight Championship took place featuring Big Show, Dashing Cody Rhodes and Scotsman Drew McIntyre.
Before the match got under way, Vickie Guerrero once again frustrated fans after she announced the match would be a Fatal 4-Way Match, with boyfriend Dolph Ziggler being the latest addition to the bout.
Assault
Amidst the fury of the Fatal 4-Way, Big Show looked to be on the verge of becoming the new number one contender when he dismantled all three of his opponents. But The World's Largest Athlete couldn't capitalise on his handy work, after Englishman Wade Barrett committed a hit-and-run assault.
The former Nexus leader, who was booted from the group this past Monday Night on RAW, shockingly attacked the immense monster, an attack which ultimately cost Show a shot at the World Title.
With a downed Big Show on the canvas, all three Superstars attempted to pin the giant, but were unsuccessful in doing so. Then, as Big Show eliminated McIntyre from the ring, Ziggler struck Rhodes with the Zig Zag manoeuvre, which was enough for the former Intercontinental Champion to secure a shot at the World Title.
SmackDown's main event of the night saw fans idol Rey Mysterio defeat Alberto Del Rio in a gripping 2-out-of-3-Falls Match.
Del Rio struck first in this encounter when he evaded an incoming 6-1-9 inside the first minute of the match, after which he locked in the Cross Armbar manoeuvre, which The Ultimate Underdog tapped out to within a matter of seconds.
Despite losing the first fall, Mysterio made amends when he later caught the arrogant Mexican with a Magistral Cradle, to even the score at one a piece.
Controversy
Then, as the two fought outside of the ring, controversy ensued as Del Rio's personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez stopped Mysterio from re-entering the ring, to which the match referee was oblivious to and in the end, awarded Del Rio the victory by count out.
In what was a bitter end to their rivalry, Mysterio then went on to unleash fury on Rodriguez. The 6-1-9 fan favourite pummelled the ring announcer with a series of kicks followed by a crushing 6-1-9 to close the show.
Next week, The Big Show will clash with Wade Barrett as WWE SmackDown emanates from the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama. All the action comes to you exclusively next Friday Night at 10pm on Sky Sports HD4.
