SmackDown: June 14, 2013

Team Hell No and Randy Orton looked to be in shambles at the start of SmackDown

GREENSBORO, N.C. – With both the  United States and  WWE Tag Team Titles on the line in two days at WWE Payback, “The Hounds of Justice” were handed their first clean defeat, while Chris Jericho & Alberto Del Rio battled World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston and Divas Champion Kaitlyn made a costly mistake. 

Team Hell No and Randy Orton have trouble getting along before their Six-Man Tag Team Match against The Shield.

Daniel Bryan opened SmackDown, reflecting on the greatness of Team Hell No before calling his partner, Kane, to the ring to discuss their recent differences.

Photos: Being angry can be 'Hell' | Check out WWE Marathon Men, including Daniel Bryan

Things quickly turned awkward when it seemed like Bryan was attempting to “break up” with The Devil’s Favorite Demon. When Bryan made the mistake of stating that Kane might actually be the “weak link” of Team Hell No, the submission specialist nearly suffered a chokeslam. But Randy Orton interrupted, promising to RKO The Big Red Monster if he attacked his partner before their WWE Tag Team Title Match this Sunday. Orton’s threat only served to further fuel the fires between the three volatile Superstars.

As they continued to argue, The Shield appeared on the TitanTron, stating that their SmackDown main event showdown would end the same way it always does – with a “Hounds of Justice” victory over their bickering opposition.

Sheamus def. Antonio Cesaro

Sheamus and Antonio Cesaro square off on SmackDown.

Before Sheamus’ match against Antonio Cesaro could begin, The Celtic Warrior’s  WWE Payback Kickoff opponent, Damien Sandow, promised that their pay-per-view contest would serve as an Irish wake for the three-time World Champion.

Check out The Celtic Warrior's photo finish and the intellectual response

Sheamus would ultimately reign supreme over the scary strong Cesaro in the absolutely brutal showdown that followed, hitting the Brogue Kick from out of nowhere for the definitive three-count.

As the victorious Irishman celebrated at the top of the ramp, however, The Intellectual Savior of the Masses reemerged and blind-sided Sheamus, sending a painful message to his pay-per-view foe.

Dolph Ziggler pledged to give Del Rio a taste of ‘Payback’

World Champion Dolph Ziggler is set to defend his title against Alberto Del Rio at WWE Payback.

Poised to defend his World Heavyweight Title at  WWE Payback against Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler returned to SmackDown to express his frustration over competing in a tag team match against Jericho and his Mexican challenger.

Nevertheless, that didn’t stop The Showoff from sending his No. 1 contender an incendiary message. Nor did it stop Big E Langston from eating half of Senior Advisor Theodore Long’s gi-normous “Super Bacon Cheese Thickburger” from Hardees – the restaurant sponsoring the latest episode of the blue brand.

Heath Slater def. The Great Khali

The Great Khali tries to use his size advantage against 3MB's Heath Slater.

When Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre attacked Hornswoggle outside the ring, the competing Great Khali reached over the ropes and chopped Mahal to the floor. The distraction, however, allowed Heath Slater to take over and hit the DDT for a huge upset win over The Punjabi Playboy.

Photos: The Great Khali gets played | Medical update on SmackDown GM Booker T 

Chris Jericho & Alberto Del Rio def. Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston

Chris Jericho & Alberto Del Rio team together against the duo of World Champion Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston.

In the face of incredible opposition from Ziggler & Big E – and not to mention a bit of interference from AJ Lee – the crafty Del Rio played possum in the final moments of a fierce tag team match and caught the unsuspecting World Heavyweight Champion in a small package for the pin! Will this prove to be the difference in the Mexican Superstar’s World Title Match this Sunday?

Check out photos of Del Rio & Y2J's huge win

Afterward, Renee Young interviewed the victorious Chris Jericho backstage about his imminent clash at WWE Payback against a returning CM Punk. Paul Heyman interrupted, explaining why Y2J would lose the battle of the “Best in the World.” Jericho quickly put a stop to the talk, though, using Young’s microphone to smack Heyman and, amazingly, rendering the manager, voiceless.

Kaitlyn vs. Aksana ended in a No Contest; Kaitlyn attacked referee

Divas Champion Kaitlyn snaps and takes her aggression out on Aksana and WWE referee Rod Zapata.

While Kaitlyn was set to face Aksana one-on-one, the Divas Champion snapped when she noticed her Lithuanian opponent laughing at a replay from Monday’s Raw, in which AJ Lee embarrassed the titleholder by revealing herself as the former bodybuilder’s secret admirer.

See what a $10,000 slap looks like | Photos: Heated Diva Rivalries |  Payback: Divas Title

While the subsequent chaos assured that the match would never officially take place, the real problem came when Kaitlyn struck a WWE referee and left Senior Advisor Theodore Long no choice but to fine her $10,000 for her actions.

Curtis Axel def. Wade Barrett

The turmoil between Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, Curtis Axel, and The Miz continues to unfold on SmackDown.

Prior to his match against Curtis Axel, Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett tried to persuade Paul Heyman, “businessman to businessman,” to call off their fight so close to WWE Payback. But when The Miz stirred the proverbial pot, Barrett and Curtis decided to follow through on their pending battle.

It wasn’t long before the action spilled outside the ring, where Barrett threw a charging Axel into Miz. But, as the English Superstar was reentering the ring, Axel was able to beat him to the punch and put down The Barrett Barrage with a swinging neckbreaker - a huge non-title triumph over the reigning titleholder!

Before he could even breathe, though, the recovered Awesome One hit the newest “Heyman Guy” with a Skull-Crushing Finale of retribution. Miz may have won the night, but the victor in the  Triple Threat Match at WWE Payback remains to be seen.

Team Hell No & Randy Orton def. The Shield

The bickering trio of Kane, Daniel Bryan, & Randy Orton try to pull it together against The Shield in the main event of SmackDown.

In SmackDown’s intense main event clash, The Shield would finally be cracked. While the nefarious actions of “The Hounds of Justice” had previously caused them to lose by disqualification in six-man tag team action, SmackDown would see The Shield fall by submission or pinfall for the first time ever!

Photos of the monumental victory | Bryan, Kane & Orton's history with The Shield

In the midst of complete disorder – with bodies flying in every direction both inside and outside the ring – Kane hurled Seth Rollins off the top rope and into the waiting RKO of The Viper! While the WWE Universe was still catching its breath, Daniel Bryan snapped in the “No!” Lock and made his black-clad adversary tap out!

Working together to achieve such a monumental win ignited an ecstatic celebration between the three Superstars and should finally put to rest Bryan’s idea that he is the “weak link.” But, will they be able to use that momentum to capture  the United States and  WWE Tag Team Titles this Sunday? Tune into WWE Payback, only on pay-per-view, to find out!

Refresh for the latest match outcomes, video clips and photos from the June 14 edition of SmackDown.

Curtis Axel def. Wade Barrett ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Kaitlyn vs. Aksana ended in a No Contest; Kaitlyn slapped referee and was fined $10,000 for her actions.( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Chris Jericho & Alberto Del Rio def World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler & Big E Langston ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Medical update on SmackDown General Manger Booker T 

Heath Slater def. The Great Khali ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Sheamus def. Antonio Cesaro; Sandow attacked Sheamus ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Prior to their main event showdown with The Shield, Team Hell No and Randy Orton once again began to argue. That all stopped when The Shield interrupted.  ( WATCH | PHOTOS)