Short show today, with only two matches. Dolph Ziggler defeated Titus O'Neill with the Zig Zag, and the Real Americans beat Los Matadores via Neutralizer. Early in the match as Cesaro was having trouble building up momentum, Zeb Colter slapped him to try to motivate him, which worked. Largely because the legal Matador just stood around for a full minute while Cesaro leaned through the ropes and yelled at Zeb while Swagger tried to play peacekeeper. C'mon, that was just begging for a surprise rollup, and not waiting stupidly for Cesaro to eventually turn around and dropkick you!
Hulk Hogan had the main event segment, talking about the ARMBAR, and saying nothing new of note.
Most of the show was Renee Young and Jerry Lawler from Axxess, running over the various matches coming up for Wrestlemania, as is usual for the last Smackdown before it. I, sadly, am not one to recap recaps, but I'm sure we'll see some of the video packages they put together on Sunday night!
If you've got the inclination for two hours of Wrestlemania hype, I would strongly recommend Wrestlemania Today on the Network in lieu of Smackdown. It's a two-hour panel show with Josh, Booker, and the Analyst, and it's hard for me to convey not just how likable everyone comes across, but the serious tone they take that is really unique compared to regular WWE presentation. There's an amazing Daniel Bryan career overview video with everything from NXT to the Seattle Raw takeover. It does more to build up the stakes and proper context of Undertaker/Lesnar than a month of the TV (Booker T even brings up UFC 121). Orton does a serious sports interview with Booker T. All the talent they talk to comes off really well, especially Fandango and Summer Rae -- Summer wants to put the Andre trophy on their ballet bar, Fandango wants to put it in "the room by the basement." #gettingweird
Flair is there and he's sober and cranky, but it's funny to see him biting through his lip dying to say that he had better matches with Steamboat and Savage. Legends of Wrestlemania was good too, but Ric breaking down seeing footage of himself and Reid at Wrestlemania 24 was a gut punch out of nowhere.
Special mention for the sit down Shield interview they've been running on Wrestlemania Today. One of the best they've done since JR set down with Foley in 1997. It's in three parts, final part coming Saturday.
I guess Vince figured that since the WCW invasion angle flopped miserably (primarily due to his own crappy booking) that he might as well get something tangible out of the purchase. LOL...