Dolph Ziggler’s World Title celebration met with major disruption

BOSTON — In the wake of WrestleMania, SmackDown danced its way into Beantown, as World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler battled Chris Jericho with Fandango looking to steal the spotlight. Plus, The Game’s explosive return to the blue brand quickly descended into a standoff with “The Hounds of Justice.”

The new World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler addresses the WWE Universe for the first since winning the title.

After successfully cashing in his Money in the Bank contract, Dolph Ziggler returned to SmackDown as the new World Heavyweight Champion — proclaiming that "the future is now," with AJ Lee and Big E Langston at his side.

Showoff celebration photos | Watch Ziggler cash in!

Declaring that he won the title, not because of the WWE Universe, but in spite of them, The Showoff balked at Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger’s suggestion the “Real American” was the reason for his triumph — and to their warning that Swagger won’t wait long for a title opportunity. A second interruption came from Alberto Del Rio, who surprisingly congratulated Ziggler on successfully cashing in — promising that once his leg heeled, he would be back for the Superstar who took his title away from him.

The always outspoken Chris Jericho then exploded onto the scene, informing Ziggler that SmackDown General Manager Booker T had placed them in a main event showdown!

Team Hell No def. The Prime Time Players

WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No face The Prime Time Players and then receive a message from The Shield.

Four days after Team Hell No stood united with The Undertaker to fend off a Shield assault on The Phenom, Kane chokeslammed Darren Young and Daniel Bryan cinched in “No!” Lock on Titus O’Neil — the latter of which led to another huge victory for the WWE Tag Team Champions.

Photos: Did The Prime Time Players score a crucial win? Hell No!

Before the champions could even blink, however, The Shield interrupted from an undisclosed location, explaining that their retreat on Raw was strategic and sending clear signs that Kane and Bryan had made a big mistake by disrupting their treacherous plans against The Demon of Death Valley.

Wade Barrett def. Santino Marella

Santino Marella and his Cobra lock up with Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett on SmackDown.

At the tail end of his extremely turbulent week — losing the Intercontinental Title to The Miz  at WrestleMania and then  winning it back in impressive fashion 24 hours later — the tough-as-nails Wade Barrett countered Santino Marella’s Cobra with a fierce kick and hit the devastating Bull Hammer elbow for a definitive three-count.

Make way for Barrett Barrage photos!

The Bella Twins & Tamina Snuka def. The Funkadactyls & Kaitlyn

Divas Champion Kaitlyn joins with The Funkadactyls to face the trio of The Bella Twins & Tamina Snuka.

After teaming with Tons of Funk to win an explosive Eight-Person Tag Team Match over Team Rhodes Scholars & The Bella Twins on Raw, The Funkadactyls enlisted the help of Divas Champion Kaitlyn to try and overcome Brie & Nikki and the fierce Tamina Snuka.

Check out the most beautiful photos from the latest SmackDown

It wasn’t meant to be, though. Seconds after one of The Bellas knocked Naomi off the ropes, Divas chaos broke out in every direction. And in the midst of the turmoil, the legal twin beauty picked up the huge pinfall.

The Shield and 3MB barged in on Triple H’s return to SmackDown

Team Hell No comes to offer back up to Triple H from a potential attack from The Shield.

Fresh off his complete and  total war against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, the monumental  SmackDown return of the “ass-kicker” Triple H was suddenly interrupted by the meddling Health Slater, Drew McIntyre & Jinder Mahal — apparently looking to make a name for themselves on the back of the 13-time World Champion.

Photos of The Game's blue brand return

Before they could engage The King of Kings, though, The Shield emerged as well and took down 3MB in brutal fashion. When “The Hounds of Justice” finally turned their wrath in the direction to Triple H, Kane and Daniel Bryan emerged to join the opposition and stop the treacherous trio’s assault before it began for the second time in a week.

Sheamus & Randy Orton def. Big Show by Count-out

Sheamus & Randy Orton get an opportunity at retribution on Big Show in the 2-on-1 Handicap Match.

Taking into account attacks by Big Show on Randy Orton and Sheamus at both  WrestleMania and on Raw, Booker T granted The Viper and The Celtic Warrior a 2-on-1 Handicap Match against the massive Superstar on SmackDown.

After unleashing a giant offensive in the heated contest, the irate Big Show found himself suddenly RKO’d by Orton and knocked out of the ring by Sheamus’ Brogue Kick. Rather than return to the ring, The World’s Largest Athlete elected to walk away, allowing his opponents to claim the victory by count-out.

The World's Largest Athlete walks away

But the action was not over for Sheamus. As he was being interviewed by Renee Young about the matchup against the giant, an irate Mark Henry executed a sudden backstage assault on The Celtic Warrior!

Kofi Kingston def. Antonio Cesaro

Kofi Kingston goes one-on-one with United States Champion Antonio Cesaro on SmackDown.

In the final moments of their turbulent showdown, Antonio Cesaro caught Kofi Kingston in air as his high-flying opponent leaped off the top rope. Rebounding from the United States Champion’s incredible act of strength, though, “The Wildcat” hit the Swiss titleholder with Trouble in Paradise for the huge non-title victory.

Kofi takes flight! | Watch Kofi's biggest Boom Drops

Dolph Ziggler def. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho goes one-on-one with new World Champion Dolph Ziggler, but not without some distraction from Fandango.

After scoring perhaps the biggest upset in WrestleMania history over six-time World Champion Chris Jericho and feeling the sting of Y2J retribution on Raw, Fandango was thirsty for payback of his own — standing ringside for Jericho’s match against new World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler.

Despite the skill and determination of The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla, Fandango’s interference — coupled with that of AJ Lee and Big E Langston — gave The Showoff a distant advantage throughout.

Photos: Fandango ensures Jericho loses

And in the final moments, while the referee was trying to prevent Jericho’s dancing nemesis from pushing his way into the ring after being knocked off the apron — Big E thwarted Y2J’s Walls of Jericho on Ziggler, allowing the titleholder to roll his opponent up for the quick pin.

In the aftermath, both Ziggler and Langston hit their respective finishers on the fallen Jericho, before Fandango added his own leg drop off the top rope.