SmackDown: February 28, 2014

The Animal unleashed a verbal assault on the WWE Universe

MILWAUKEE, WI – In the wake of Elimination Chamber and the Raw return of The Undertaker, SmackDown lit up Friday night as Batista came “unchained,” AJ Lee successfully defended her coveted Divas Title and Daniel Bryan & The Usos defeated a trio of their bitter rivals. 

Dolph Ziggler stands up to Batista and challenges The Animal to match later on SmackDown.

After hearing the boo birds Monday on Raw, Batista came to SmackDown with a very definite purpose — to make sure the WWE Universe knew exactly how he feels about them.

The Animal unleashed | Watch Batista: 30-Second Fury

Emerging to a decidedly mixed reaction, The Animal went off, stating that he “did not come back to be liked,” but to become the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion. The No. 1 contender to Randy Orton’s illustrious title said he will beat anyone who is put in front of him, because he is “everything that Randy Orton is pretending to be and more.” Calling out other Superstars he deemed inferior — including Daniel Bryan — Batista told the WWE Universe that no one is as good as he is, and that everyone needs to “just deal with it.”

The outspoken Dolph Ziggler interrupted, microphone in hand. After calling Batista “a dinosaur,” The Showoff demanded a match against the newly returned Superstar. When Batista agreed, Ziggler hit The Animal with a dropkick before exiting the ring.

Soon after, on the WWE App, SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero made the match official for later in the night!

The Real Americans def. Mark Henry & Big E

Mark Henry & Intercontinental Champion Big E attempt to create more tension between Cesaro & Jack Swagger.

Four days after  Jack Swagger cost Cesaro his match against Intercontinental Champion Big E on Monday, The Real Americans battled the titanic titleholder and Mark Henry on SmackDown.

Mark Henry gets Neutralized |  Elimination Chamber: Intercontinental Title Match

In the devastatingly physical bout that followed, there was once again dissention in the ranks, as Swagger tagged himself in, much to the consternation of Cesaro. Then, when The All-American American snapped in The Patriot Lock on Henry, Cesaro returned the favor and tagged himself in before hitting The World’s Strongest Man with an unreal Neutralizer for the stunning three-count.

Can Zeb Colter’s boys remain on the same page?

Sheamus def. Alberto Del Rio via Disqualification

Sheamus sqauress off with Alberto Del Rio and then becomes the victim of an unprovoked attack at the hands of Christian.

When Alberto Del Rio confronted Vickie Guerrero backstage, the former World Champion informed the GM that he was going to “take the night off.” But when Sheamus characterized a contest against Del Rio as being akin to a night off, a match between The Celtic Warrior and The Mexican Aristocrat was made official.

Sheamus entered  the subsequent match  with his ribs taped up, still suffering the effects of  Christian’s Frog Splash in the Elimination Chamber Match Sunday night. And as the action spilled to the outside, Captain Charisma himself emerged and joined the SmackDown announce team.

Back inside the ring, Sheamus locked Del Rio into The Cloverleaf. But, before that could play out, Christian once again displayed his new aggressive streak, hitting The Celtic Warrior from behind and causing the disqualification. Though Del Rio tried to capitalize after the bell rang, Sheamus connected with a thundering Brogue Kick. There was no celebration for The Celtic Warrior, however, as Christian planted the Irish Superstar with the Kill Switch. 

Alexander Rusev demanded attention of the WWE Universe

Lana & Alexander Rusev address the WWE Universe on SmackDown.

Demanding the “attention” of the WWE Universe, Lana came to the ramp to introduce Alexander Rusev, who once again stated his plans for WWE dominance in Bulgarian.

The Hounds promised to hunt The Wyatt Family

The Shield will have to overcome the tension between themselves in order to square off with The Wyatt Family.

Despite ongoing cracks in The Shield, The Hounds of Justice got things together long enough to deliver a message of unification, pledging to hunt The Wyatt Family.

Batista def. Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler steps inside the SmackDown ring with The Animal Batista.

The Showoff exploded out of the gate in his SmackDown match against Batista, out hustling his opponent in the early stages.

The Animal drops the Showoff

However, it was the power of The Animal that would prevail, as the No. 1 contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Title got a victory in his first SmackDown match in four years.

Three consecutive spinebusters to a charging Ziggler spelled the end, and after planting The Showoff with a ring-shaking Batista Bomb, Ziggler’s valiant effort came up short. 

The Shield defied WWE COO Triple H by attacking The Wyatt Family

The Shield brace themselves for their upcoming rematch against The Wyatt Family.

Elimination Chamber: The Shield vs. The Wyatt Family

But WWE COO Triple H quickly tried to put an end to the brewing brawl, saying that he has too much time and money invested in all six Superstars – and instead making the blockbuster announcement of a massive Six-Man Tag Team Match between them next Monday on Raw! Triple H then ordered The Shield to stand down. But in an act of open defiance, The Shield attacked anyway, leaving the Wyatts to retreat … and to fight another day.  

Divas Champion AJ Lee def. Cameron

AJ Lee defends her Divas Title against Cameron on SmackDown.

In a Divas Title rematch, Cameron looked for Elimination Chamber retribution against reigning champion AJ Lee. And when Tamina Snuka was expelled from ringside, the odds looked to be even. But an overly aggressive AJ quickly regrouped, connecting with a vicious kick to set up The Black Widow for the victory and the title retention.

A look back at Raw: The Phenom has risen

A look back a Undertaker's return at Raw to confront Brock Lesnar.

The WWE Universe is still reeling from the monumental encounter between Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker on Raw. 

The evolution of The Deadman | Undertaker's returns

Daniel Bryan & The Usos def. Kane & The New Age Outlaws

Daniel Bryan teams with The Usos to face the trio of Kane & The New Age Outlaws on SmackDown.

In a massive SmackDown main event, it was a witch’s brew of bitter rivals as Daniel Bryan & The Usos battled WWE Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws & Kane.

Knockdown, drag-out Six-Man tag team photos

But when Bryan entered the fray like a house on fire, the tide turned in favor of the fan-favorites. With The Beard ready to nail Billy Gunn with a through-the-ropes dive, Kane interjected himself. But the Director of Operations was thwarted by The Usos, leaving Bryan and Gunn in the ring by themselves.

When Billy hit The Famouser, it looked bad for The Beard. But Bryan dug deep and kicked out before nailing the Outlaw with a Running Knee and pinning him for the huge SmackDown victory.

Refresh for the latest SmackDown match outcomes, videos and photos.

Divas Champion AJ Lee def. Cameron - Divas Chamionship Match ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

The Shield defies WWE COO Triple H by attacking The Wyatt Family ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Batista def. Dolph Ziggler ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

The Hounds promised to hunt The Wyatt Family ( WATCH)

Alexander Rusev demanded attention of the WWE Universe ( WATCH)

Sheamus def. Alberto Del Rio via Disqualification ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

The Real Americans def. Mark Henry & Big E ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

The Animal unleashes a verbal assault on the WWE Universe, before being interrupted by Dolph Ziggler ( WATCH | PHOTOS)