Here’s SmackDown! in case you missed it:
From The DCU Center (Formerly The Worcester Centrum/Worcester’s Centrum Center/The Centrum) in Worcester, Massachusetts:
Hosted by John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL), Michael Cole and The Miz.
WWE dedicated this broadcast to Hall of Famer/Legend Mae Young who passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at the age of 90.
1. THE NON-TITLE OPENING TAG TEAM BOUT: The New Age Outlaws (Roadd Dogg and “B.A.” Billy Gunn) vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Goldust and Cody Rhodes.
THE WINNERS: THE NEW AGE OUTLAWS!!!
Before the end of the match, SmackDown! General Manager Vickie Guerrero informed everyone of the upcoming Royal Rumble.
Paul Heyman stated that The Big Show can dominate Brock Lesnar, but didn’t believe it. He also stated that Brock will defeat him at the Royal Rumble. Big Show stated that Heyman is scared, and that Lesnar will be knocked out at the Rumble.
INTERVIEW: CM Punk.
Renee Young informed everyone that CM Punk has called out The Shield (WWE United States Champion Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns).
2. Rey Misterio, Jr. vs. Alberto del Rio.
THE WINNER VIA SUBMISSION: ALBERTO DEL RIO.
3. DIVAS MATCH: Naomi with Cameron vs. Tamina Snuka with WWE Divas Champion A.J. Lee.
THE WINNER: NAOMI!!!
Erick Rowan and Luke Harper stood by Bray Wyatt as he remembered wanting to be like his father, but nothing he did made him happy. He looked back at the lowest point in his life when Sister Abigail saved him. He also stated that Daniel Bryan had the chance to walk with the reapers, but will now burn with the saints around him.
INTERVIEW: CM Punk.
Renee informed everyone that Punk has also called out The New Age Outlaws. She asked him if he’s committing career suicide, and he stated that it’s his gift for The Authority (Principal Owner of WWE Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley Triple H/Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Kane).
4. A NON-TITLE MATCH: WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston vs. Fandango with Summer Rae.
THE WINNER: FANDANGO.
INTERVIEW: The Shield.
Renee asked them how they would survive the Royal Rumble, and Dean Ambrose stated that the other 27 participants should be worried.
5. TAG TEAM MATCH: The Real Americans (Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger) with Zeb Coulter vs. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey).
THE WINNERS: THE USOS!!!
CM Punk stated that he is not a coward like The Authority, and that Triple H uses his power to hold others down. He also stated that Hunter hides behind Stephanie and The Shield, and The Shield arrived. So did The New Age Outlaws. They surrounded the ring when Kane ordered them not to attack. He announced that The Authority doesn’t want it that way.
He also stated that his job is to treat Punk with respect, and gave him his word that nothing will happen to him. Punk stated that his word means nothing to him, and labeled him a “Seven-foot tall sellout”!!! Kane looked at him and said, “Get him boys!”. The Shield and The Outlaws were ready to fight Punk, but Kane chokeslammed him!!!
Match #’s 2 and 5 are the highlight matches of the night!!!
Rey Misterio, Jr. Alberto del Rio and The Usos are the wrestlers of the night!!!
ANALYSIS: We could have done without Vickie ruining the opening bout.