Ziggler silences world champ

Alberto Del Rio kicked off this week's edition of Friday Night SmackDown. After being introduced by his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez, Alberto took the mic and reiterated to fans that he fully intends to win the upcoming Royal Rumble match and go on to be known as Mr. WrestleMania.

R-Truth, Cody Rhodes and Rey Mysterio each took turns at responding to Del Rio's claims, and the verbal battle soon became physical as all four men started brawling in the ring. SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long established order and then arranged a Tag Team Match in the form of Del Rio and Cody Rhodes taking on R-Truth and Rey Mysterio.

A thrilling Tag Team match ensued as Mysterio and R-Truth went on to defeat Del Rio and Rhodes. The Ultimate Underdog executed the 6-1-9 on Rhodes and then went on to secure the pinfall after the splash.

Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Wade Barrett. The Englishman spoke of his time on Raw and referred to it as being Julius Caesar - an all conquering hero who became so powerful that everyone around him had to conspire against him. Barrett then claimed he was now on SmackDown, to own it, and then bragged about only going after the biggest and baddest guys in the WWE.

Impressive

Next up, Trent Baretta defeated Drew McIntyre. Surprisingly, however, it was the Scotsman who commanded the match and looked impressive throughout. Victory came when McIntyre attempted to throw Baretta over the top rope, but Trent managed to counter and roll up the Sinister Scotsman for the shock victory.

In the backstage area, McIntyre attacked a jubilant Trent Baretta. The Scotsman stopped his beatdown, however, when Kelly Kelly intercepted. The shocked WWE Diva not only questioned McIntyre's decency as a human being but also said she did not want to be around people who took pleasure from beating others up.

In the advertised match of the night, Big Show defeated Wade Barrett by disqualification. As The World's Largest Athlete went for the choke slam on Barrett, Heath Slater came from under the ring while Justin Gabriel also arrived on the scene to cause the disqualification.

Upon entering the ring, Slater was greeted with a big boot to the head. Gabriel went up top, only to be met with Show's huge hand on the way down. As the giant looked to choke slam Gabriel into next week, Barrett hooked Show's knee.

As Big Show regained his stance, Ezekiel Jackson was seen standing on the ring apron. After which, an unsuccessful Nexus type beatdown ensued. When Show fought off all three of the former Nexus members, Ezekiel entered the ring and floored Show with a huge clothesline.

With Big Show out for the count, Slater executed his finishing manoeuvre. Ezekiel then impressed when he power slammed Show in the middle of the ring. For good measure, Justin Gabriel went up top and reigned down on The World's Largest Athlete with a powerful 450 splash. All four men then stood over the battered giant and raised their hands.

Backstage, SmackDown GM Teddy Long was seen to be arguing with Vickie Guerrero over decisions the SmackDown consultant enforced last week when Kofi Kingston had to defeat Ziggler not just once, but twice, in order to become champion.

Challenge

Next up, Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston took to the ring. The new champ informed everyone that he was happy to be champion and thanked fans for their support last week.

Jack Swagger interrupted proceedings by claiming 2011 would be the year of The All-American American. Swagger then made attempts to threaten Kingston by detailing the devastating effects of an Ankle Lock. Kingston was not phased, however, and went on to challenge Swagger to a match, which he agreed to.

After the two went back and forth, Kingston received a huge pop when he got the pinfall. This match was by far the best of the night.

The Cutting Edge topped the bill on this week's SmackDown. Edge recapped on last week's epic Last Man Standing match against Kane before Vickie Guerrero and the new number one contender to the World Title, Dolph Ziggler, entered the ring.

The Master Manipulator questioned the controversy that engulfed Ziggler's Intercontinental Title Match last week. Vickie claimed there was no controversy whatsoever and then went on to say that Dolph would become World Champion at Royal Rumble by defeating Edge.

Insults then reigned down on Vickie as The Rated-R Superstar attempted to frustrate both Vickie and her boyfriend in front a full house of paying fans. Vickie, however, had her own ammunition in the form of a video clip from July of 2008. The clip in question showed Edge cheating on Vickie with another woman on their wedding day.

Prepared as always, The Cutting Edge host hit back with a video clip of his own in which Dolph Ziggler was caught out kissing Vickie's NXT Rookie Diva Kaitlyn, just two months back.

As Vickie became irate, Ziggler struck Edge and proceeded with a series of kicks to the gut. Edge recovered though, to eliminate Ziggler from the ring with a swift kick to the head.

With Ziggler outside of the ring, Edge thought about spearing Vickie, and as The World Champion set about crashing through his former girlfriend, Ziggler pulled Edge from the ring, threw him into the barricade and then silenced the World Champion once and for all with a crushing Zig Zag manoeuvre on the steel steps.

Next week, WWE SmackDown emanates from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Follow the action next Friday Night from 9pm on Sky Sports HD4.