Big Show screamed ‘double standard’; Big Show vs. Kane announced

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On an explosive SmackDown, several former World Heavyweight Champions battled to impress the powers-that-be in the hopes that they might join Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton in the World Heavyweight Title No. 1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match at the upcoming pay-per-view of the same name. Plus, not even a suspension could keep World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio from bringing some color into Big Show’s life.

( PHOTOS | SMACKDOWN HIGHLIGHTS | SMACKDOWN EXCLUSIVES)

An emotionally driven Big Show opened SmackDown, claiming the recent treatment he had endured was completely unacceptable — a byproduct of being, in his opinion, unpopular. He said that when a Superstar was popular — like Alberto Del Rio — he could do whatever they wanted to.

The giant insisted he simply couldn’t understand the WWE Universe. Either he was getting called a “bully” for fighting Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez or a “coward” for hanging back in his hotel room to conduct his business. In contrast, he saw World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio being cheered for attacking him in his hotel room on Raw.

Regardless, The World’s Largest Athlete insisted the World Title would once again be his at WWE Elimination Chamber.

Show went on to say SmackDown General Manager Booker T was largely to blame for the “double standard” he was experiencing, claiming the head of the blue brand was jealous of him. Scoffing at Del Rio’s suspension, Big Show suggested that Booker may have helped his attacker get his room information in the first place.

Denying the claims of the World Title No. 1 contender, Booker advised the enormous Superstar to worry instead about his huge SmackDown contest: Big Show vs. Kane!

Cody Rhodes def. Kofi Kingston

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Before his match with “The Wildcat,” Cody Rhodes commented on embarking once again on his singles career — warning that if Kofi Kingston was looking to get in the way of that, he’d better think again.

In a fierce match that followed, Kofi would nearly put Rhodes away with a high-crossbody off the top rope. But moments after Kingston escaped the near-fall, Rhodes grounded his high-flying opponent on the apron with the Disaster Kick, setting up the Cross Rhodes for the big victory.

The grandson of a plumber is definitely back in singles competition and back in a big way!

WWE Tag Team Champion Kane refused Daniel Bryan’s offer to escort him to his match with Big Show

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Already in the Elimination Chamber Match in nine days, an enthusiastic Bryan talked of joining The Big Red Monster at ringside as the masked Superstar attempted to impress his way into the dreaded structure. But Kane made it clear that he preferred the sounds of silence to the submission specialist’s help.

The great Bruno Sammartino named as part of the Hall of Fame: Class of 2013 ( WATCH)
One of the greatest WWE Champions of all time — who held the illustrious title for 2,803 days in a single reign — Bruno Sammartino will finally be part of the WWE Hall of Fame!

The Great Khali def. Titus O’Neil; Mark Henry attacked both Superstars before calling out Booker T

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With Booker T and Teddy Long keeping a close eye on The Great Khali for possible Elimination Chamber consideration, the former World Heavyweight Champion took the fight to Titus O’Neil.

But moments after putting down one-half of The Prime Time Players for the three-count, another former World Heavyweight Champion, Mark Henry, emerged. After hurling Titus into the ring barrier like a ragdoll, The World’s Strongest Man engaged The Punjabi Giant. While Khali attempted to hit the Punjabi Plunge, Henry broke free — showing incredible strength as he executed The World’s Strongest Slam on the enormous competitor as if he was a cruiserweight.  

Mark Henry then addressed the WWE Universe. And on his first night back on SmackDown, The World’s Strongest Man declared that The Hall of Pain has reopened! Listing its latest victims — which now included not only Khali and Titus, but also Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan and Sin Cara after his attack on Raw — he left few questions of his destructive intentions.

Henry stated that all of the destruction was the fault of Booker T for not including him to be a candidate for the upcoming Elimination Chamber Match. The former World Champion declared that he was not to be overlooked and demanded an explanation from the GM or he would destroy the entire SmackDown roster.

Henry told Booker that if there was no room in the Elimination Chamber for him, he’d injure enough Superstars to make room himself. Though it seemed the head of SmackDown might be backed in the corner for a split second, he quickly pulled a rabbit out of his hat. Thinking on his feet, the five-time WCW Champion made the executive decision that if Henry could beat Randy Orton — who was already in the Chamber — he would earn a place in it as well.

Big Show def. Kane. Del Rio made some changes to Big Show’s bus and to the giant

( WATCH MATCH |  WATCH DEL RIO DUMP PAINT ON BIG SHOW | PHOTOS)
Prior to his match against Kane, The World’s Largest Athlete was seen admonishing his bus driver for various things. As he walked away, it was revealed that suspended World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio had been watching the whole thing.

With Booker T and Teddy Long looking on, The World’s Largest Athlete entered the ring, looking to play spoiler as The Big Red Monster attempted to impress his way in the World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match at the upcoming pay-per-view.

Ultimately, the giant would triumph in the absolute battle of the titans that followed with the KO Punch. Big Show’s mood quickly shot back into pure exasperation, though, when Alberto Del Rio appeared on the TitanTron. The World Heavyweight Champion revealed that he had made friends with his No. 1 contender’s disgruntled bus driver, inviting Big Show to come see the exciting changes he had made to his bus.

When the enraged giant stomped his way back to the parking area, he discovered that all of the back tires on his bus were gone! Then, as he stood there trying to get a grasp on the situation, Del Rio dropped a bucket of orange paint all over The World’s Largest Athlete and his super-sized ride from above — leaving the giant fuming as he and Rodriguez drove off, grinning ear to ear.  

Jack Swagger def. Justin Gabriel

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Looking to show Booker T and Teddy Long how “A Real American” could take what he wanted — namely a spot in the upcoming Elimination Chamber Match — Jack Swagger locked horns with Justin Gabriel.  
After grabbing his opponent’s leg mid-flight to ground the highflier literally, the aggressive Swagger proceeded to make him tap out to the “Patriot Act” ankle lock.  

Tensai def. Drew McIntyre by Disqualification

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Thanks to involvement of 3MB, a dominant Tensai was denied a pinfall on Drew McIntyre. Nevertheless, the interference did earn him the win over his air-guitar-playing adversary by disqualification.

When 3MB continued their treacherous three-on-one assault after the bell, Brodus Clay busted onto the scene, helping Tensai to send the would-be rockers packing. And once The Funkadactyls joined them both in the ring, a reluctant Tensai was slowly persuaded to get funky right along with them.

Ten

United States Champion Antonio Cesaro def. Sin Cara; Cesaro and Miz battled backstage

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After recent troubles with Ryback, an American flag–waving Antonio Cesaro looked to take out his frustrations on Sin Cara. And despite an out-right flurry of offense from his masked opponent, a devastating uppercut by Cesaro — as Sin Cara was leaping off the top rope — set the United States Champion up to deliver the Neutralizer for the victory. 

Moments later, Cesaro interrupted The Miz — just as The Awesome One was giving an interview regarding the attack by Brock Lesnar on “Miz TV” Monday. The former WWE Champion attacked the disruptive United States Champion, sparking a backstage altercation that only ended when a series of referees pulled the two Superstars off each other. 

Mark Henry def. Randy Orton

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Competing on SmackDown for the first time since April 27, 2012, a furious Mark Henry battled Randy Orton, with major Elimination Chamber implications hanging in the balance. If The World’s Strongest Man could overcome The Viper, he, too, would be added to the dreaded structure of calamity — and with it, a possible opportunity to challenge the World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania.

And in the height of the brutal encounter — truly suited to be a prelude for the excruciating match that will take place in nine days —Orton’s attempt to hit the RKO was quickly countered with absolute power. Henry smashed the nine-time World Champion into the corner with the force of a freight train, before hitting his second World’s Strongest Slam of the night to overcome WWE’s Apex Predator and take a place in the Elimination Chamber!