Smackdown Results 04/15/11

Smackdown Results from Albany, NY:

To open the show, Alberto Del Rio tried to lay claim to the World Heavyweight Title since Edge is retiring. Instead, GM Teddy Long came out and said there will be a 20-Man Battle Royal. The winner will face Del Rio at Extreme Rules for the vacant Championship. Del Rio wasn't happy with Long's announcement so he said he's happy he's the one who forced Edge into retirement. He said it's his destiny to become World Champion. Teddy told him his destiny is to "shut up."

Kofi Kingston vs. Ezekiel Jackson

Barrett, Gabriel and Slater joined the commentary team to watch this match involving their fellow member of The Corre. At one point during the match, Jackson pressed Kofi overhead, then threw him over onto the other Corre members. Slater, Gabriel and Barrett stared him down. Barrett tried to get into the ring, but the ref stopped him. Kofi made sure things were ok, but then got slammed to the mat with Jackson's finisher.

Post-match, Zeke got on the mic to say he will become the new #1 contender in the battle royal later tonight. Barrett and the Corre shot him a bunch of looks as Jackson backed up the ramp.

Winner: Ezekiel Jackson wins via pinfall over Kofi Kingston.

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Michelle and Layla were shown in a couples therapy segment. Layla tried to convince Michelle there were friends, but Michelle said not anymore. They both tried to say they were the ones who carried LayCool. McCool said Layla has been losing week after week, and it's been uncool how Layla can't win. Michelle walked out on the session.

Cody Rhodes did a promo, vowing to get revenge and disfigure Rey Mysterio. He said he wants little children to be horrified at the sight of Rey's face, so he can get vindication. Rey came running out and attacked. He went for 619, but Rhodes avoided it. Rey kicked him in the face, so Rhodes held onto the top rope on the apron. Rey ran and did a 619 to kick Rhodes in the gut.

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An Awesome Kong promo like the one that aired during Raw was shown before the match. Matthews said he doesn't know what that was but it was certainly disturbing.

Rey Mysterio vs. Drew McIntyre

Midway through the match Mysterio went for a headscissors, but Drew held him then smashed him against the crowd barrier. After a break, Drew remained in control and had several near falls.

Rey made a comeback after Drew hit the corner shoulder first. Rey had a springboard crossbody for a near fall. He managed to avoid a move by Drew later in the match, then kicked him in the legs to send Drew against the ropes. Rey hit 619 followed by his diving splash off the corner for the pinfall win.

Post-match, the commentators raved about how impressive Drew McIntyre was in taking Rey to the limit. Cole said both of these guys will participate in the 20-man over-the-top rope battle royal.

Winner: Rey Mysterio wins via pinfall over Drew McIntyre.

Matthews and Booker talked about Edge's retirement. Booker reminisced how he and Edge hooked up at Wrestlemania 18. They rolled a clip from Edge's speech on Monday Night Raw about how he will have to retire. The highlight video package showed all sorts of moments from Edge's career, including his participation in The Brood, partnering with Christian as tag champs, his shaving Kurt Angle, tackling Mick Foley onto a fiery table, and various ladder matches.

They showed Edge wearing a suit backstage and carrying the World title on his way to the ring. He hugged Dean Malenko, Matt Striker and Chavo Guerrero. He stopped at Kane who gave him a stare, then extended his hand. Edge shook Kane's hand then walked on.

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Edge came to the ring to address the Smackdown crowd, giving his farewell. Edge talked about the wide variety of matches and career moments. He said he always felt better each time he came out to do his entrance, thanks to the fans. Edge said he wanted to do that one last time so he went backstage and came out to his theme music and pyro. Edge reiterated the positive of the WWE and the doctors catching this before he ended up unable to move in a ladder match.

He talked about future plans for he and his girl going hiking then going to Nicaragua. Edge said here in Albany is where he won his very first WWE Championship. He also said he was sitting in a car in Albany when he came up with the name Edge. Edge pointed out his mother sitting in the front row of the audience with tears in her eyes. The crowd started up a "Thank You Mom" chant. To close the farewell out, Edge left the World Heavyweight Championship belt in the center of the ring. He went over and hugged his mom, then walked up the ramp before saying goodbye to the fans.

They rolled the "That's What I Am" movie trailer starring Ed Harris and WWE star Randy Orton.

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Rosa Mendes delivered a teary goodbye in Spanish to Edge backstage. Just then, Alberto Del Rio appeared standing behind him. Edge turned around and Del Rio put his hand out for a handshake. Del Rio began to smile. Edge stared at him, then walked off without shaking hands.

Kelly Kelly vs. Layla

They showed how Beth Phoenix & Kelly defeated LayCool last week, after Michelle dropped off the apron holding her back. Michelle joined the commentators for the match and said she thinks their couples therapy is a waste of time. Kelly had control of the match throughout, and at one point Layla hit into the Cole Mine near Michelle. With Kelly back in the ring, Michelle got up and helped push Layla into the ring. Kelly took advantage and rolled her up for the pinfall.

Michelle got into the ring post-match and just looked at Layla. She questioned Layla "again?" because she lost another match. Layla apologized and tried to take Michelle by the arm. Michelle shoved Layla to the mat, then left the ring backing up the ramp.

Winner: Michelle McCool wins via pinfall over Layla.

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They showed a replay of Cole slapping Swagger on Raw, and Jerry Lawler setting up a tag match for Extreme Rules. Back to Smackdown, Booker was chuckling and asked Cole how he could do that to the guy who trained him. Cole apologized on camera saying he'll make it up to Swagger.

They rolled a video package about Wrestlemania 27's Undertaker vs Triple H match. It included comments from various wrestlers such as Christian, Stone Cold, The Rock, John Cena, Randy Orton, Edge, Big Show and CM Punk.

Tony Chimel introduced one of the first competitors for the 20-Man Battle Royal, The Big Show, who came out right before commercial break.

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20-Man Battle Royal Match

There were already 19 competitors in the ring after a commercial break. Kane was the last man introduced. Others included Christian, Rhodes, Swagger, McIntyre, Kingston, Chris Masters, Rey Mysterio, Yoshi Tatsu, The Corre, Kofi, Tyler Reks, Brodus Clay, Chavo, Trent Barreta and Curt Hawkins. JTG was the first one eliminated, followed by Barreta. Alberto Del Rio was seated near ringside to watch the match.

Big Show did a huge running clothesline but took himself out of the ring with Ezekiel Jackson. Rhodes was beating up Mysterio as Smackdown hit another commercial break. Kane eliminated Brodus Clay, upsetting Del Rio at ringside. Wade Barrett eliminated Kofi Kingston. Christian managed to eliminated Tyler Reks and then Yoshi Tatsu. Gabriel and Barrett did a double clothesline to eliminate Kane.

It came down to Swagger, Gabriel, Barrett, Masters, Mysterio and Christian. Masters was tossed onto the apron and tried for a Masterlock on Barrett. Wade managed to escape and eliminate Masters, but then Gabriel eliminated his fellow Corre member. Final Four was Mysterio, Gabriel, Swagger and Christian. Rey managed to eliminate Gabriel with a headscissors over the top rope.

Swagger tried to eliminate Mysterio, but Rey held onto the ropes. Michael Cole got into it when Rey sent Swagger into the ropes. Cole got on the apron and covered Swagger, then took the 619 to the back of his head. Swagger was able to regain composure and eliminated Mysterio, leaving just himself and Christian.

Swagger had Christian down and went for his Swagger Bomb. Christian sprang to his feet to prevent it though. Moments later, the match saw both guys fighting on the apron. Christian went for a pendulum kick, but Swagger grabbed him in the Ankle Lock and got back in the ring. Christian was able to roll his weight and escape it though. Swagger tried to throw Christian over, but Christian held onto the top rope. Christian fought off Swagger, but Del Rio rushed over and grabbed Christian by the leg. He tried to pull him out of the match, but got kicked in the head. Swagger went charging over at him, but Christian dropped down, pulling the top rope so Swagger fell to the outside.

Post-match, Edge arrived out to the ring and hugged his good friend Christian. Del Rio stood up on the commentators table pointing at the World Heavyweight Championship belt nearby.

Winner: Christian wins the 20-Man Battle Royal to earn the right to face Alberto Del Rio for the World Championship in a ladder match at Extreme Rules PPV.

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