Backstage: Christian and Ezekiel Jackson
Backstage, Christian is with Ezekiel Jackson. He’s doing the same thing he was doing with Khali earlier, trying to persuade him to help him as a LumberJack against Henry later tonight. Same result as Khali, Christian walks off assuming he’s got his back even though he never says it.
A.J. & Kaitlyn vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya
We return from commercial and A.J. and Kaitlyn are already in the ring. Next, Beth Phoenix and Natalya are introduced. It’s time for some Diva tag-team action. Kaitlyn and Natalya start things off. Kaitlyn controlling the action early. Phoenix hits Kaitlyn with a cheap shot from behind the ref’s back, allowing Natalya to gain control. Natalya tags in Phoenix and Phoenix continues to go to work on Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn finally tags A.J. in. A.J. is on fire and immediately goes to work on Phoenix. Natalya tries interfering during a pin attempt, so Kaitlyn runs in as well. They fight to the floor while Phoenix hits A.J. with the Glam Slam inside the ring. Phoenix scores the pin and the victory for her team.
Winners: Beth Phoenix & Natalya
We head to commercial, and are told on the way out that after the break it will be Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes next on Smackdown.
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes
We return from commercial and immediately Randy Orton’s music hits. Out comes the former World Heavyweight Champion. Out next is the current WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes. One-on-one action is getting underway. The bell rings and Orton simply throws Rhodes out of the ring. Orton goes out after him and brutalizes him on the floor, slamming him into the barricade, etc. The match returns to the ring. Orton’s leg gets caught up in the ropes and Rhodes takes advantage, gaining the upper hand in the match. Rhodes is focusing his attack on Orton’s leg now. Rhodes takes the turnbuckle off the top rope simply as a distraction to the ref. While the ref is distracted, Rhodes takes his face mask off and blasts Orton with it. He tries to pin him, but Orton kicks out at two. Orton blatantly hits Rhodes with the mask in the face and the ref calls for the bell. Orton is disqualified. Rhodes wins.
Winner by DQ: Cody Rhodes
Continued on page five …
