The World Heavyweight Championship match between Edge and Dolph Ziggler was the focal point of the Feb. 11, 2011 SmackDown, so much so that most of the episode felt like filler. It was also light on major new storyline developments, and even a solid match between Rey Mysterio and Wade Barrett failed to make it exciting.
Alberto del Rio gloated about his destiny
Alberto del Rio opened the show by gloating yet again about his destiny, this time with a Valentine’s Day twist. Ricardo Rodriguez announced his arrival from a ring decorated with red balloons, flower arrangements, and a table with food and champagne. Del Rio arrived in a bright red Excalibur, which the announcers valued at $125,000.
Once in the ring, del Rio talked about all the things he loved as Rodriguez placed a heart-shaped box on a stand. He opened the box to reveal the word “Destiny”, and underneath that was a picture of del Rio’s smiling face. Since the show took place in Green Bay and the Packers were in the audience, he also got in a few digs at Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Kofi Kingston gave in to del Rio’s submission hold
But Kofi Kingston wasn’t happy with del Rio’s self-aggrandizement. He came down the ramp and took a kendo stick from under the ring, seeking revenge for the beating he received from del Rio the previous week. Del Rio pleaded with him not to attack, but after struggling with the decision for a while, he not only beat del Rio with the stick, but also trashed the decorations in the ring.
This was the setup for a match between the two. Though Kingston dominated the competition, struggling out of a couple of vicious choke holds and sending del Rio flying out of the ring on more than one occasion, he ultimately tapped out when del Rio placed him in a submission hold.
Edge wondered how he could beat the odds
A brief backstage interview with Edge followed the match. Todd Grisham asked Edge if he thought guest referee Vicki Guerrero would call his match with Ziggler fairly. Edge couldn’t help but be sarcastic, though he got serious as he admitted he had no idea how he would be able to retain his title.
After the break, Michael Cole talked about the Packers’ achievement in winning the Super Bowl, along with footage of Rodgers receiving a spinner belt on Late Night with David Letterman. The camera then focused in on the team members in the audience, all holding WWE Championship belts.
The Corre demolished Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov
Their celebration was followed by an odd match pitting the tag team of Santino Marella and Vladmir Kozlov against Corre member Justin Gabriel, with the rest of The Corre at ringside. Not surprisingly, it was marked by interference from them, as Ezekiel Jackson distracted the referee so Heath Slater could help Gabriel take out Kozlov.
Marella used his signature move, the Cobra, to retaliate against Slater, but it was too late: Gabriel knocked him down and then took out Kozlov, pinning him for the win. The Corre beat up on Marella and Kozlov some more after the match just to emphasize their dominance.
Drew McIntyre defeated Chris Masters
Drew McIntyre faced Chris Masters after the break, and started the match by grabbing a mic and announcing that he held Edge responsible for Kelly Kelly’s firing the previous week. Masters started the match with an aggressive attack, but McIntyre was able to overcome his fierce offense to pin him for the win.
Rey Mysterio vs. Wade Barrett
But that inconsequential match gave way to something far more interesting: the match between Wade Barrett and Rey Mysterio. But first, Michael Cole took Mysterio to task again for breaking “Dashing” Cody Rhodes’ nose and announced that Rhodes’ reconstructive surgery was successful.
As the match began, Booker T. implied that The Corre might interfere, but Barrett didn’t really need the help. Apart from a few swift dodges by Mysterio, he dominated the first half of the match. He was still in charge after the commercial break, though Mysterio was soon able to gain momentum and throw Barrett off his game.
The Corre went on another rampage
Booker’s prediction came true as Justin Gabriel distracted Mysterio just as he was about to deliver the 619 to Barrett. Barrett took advantage of the opportunity to win the match, and the rest of The Corre beat up on Mysterio.
But their rampage was interrupted by The Big Show. He knocked down every member of The Corre and was about to choke slam Gabriel and Slater at the same time. Jackson put a stop to his attempt, and once again picked up The Big Show and slammed him down to the mat.
Kane destroyed JTG and Eve defeated Layla
Another filler match followed, as Kane demolished JTG in virtually no time. Next came an explanation of the Elimination Chamber, and a backstage segment with Michelle McCool and Layla complaining about Eve. They were interrupted by Guerrero and Ziggler, and Layla became resentful when McCool did nothing to defend her as Ziggler called her a loser.
The tension carried over into the match between Layla and Eve. Layla almost immediately slid out of the ring and begged McCool for her support. Eve lost her patience, came out of the ring, and slammed Layla’s head into the announcers’ table.
At first it appeared that Layla would win thanks to interference from McCool, but Eve reversed the pin and won the match. It was slightly more entertaining than some recent Divas matches, but it still felt pointless.
Edge battled Dolph Ziggler for the World Heavyweight Championship
Finally, it was time for the main event. After Edge and Ziggler arrived, Guerrero came to the ring and reiterated her ban on Edge’s Spear. The announcers tried to prolong the mystery surrounding injured general manager Theodore Long, saying he was “stable” but still might never return to SmackDown.
Guerrero’s refereeing, as expected, was blatantly unfair from the start. She sped up the count to give Ziggler an advantage. She stopped Edge from pummeling Ziggler against the turnbuckle, but did nothing when the situation was reversed. But in spite of this disadvantage, Edge got out of Ziggler’s sleeper hold and was soon able to take charge of the match.
When Edge pinned Ziggler, Guerrero propped him up to break the count. It was clear Edge couldn’t win unless something happened to take Guerrero out of the equation. It happened when she mockingly tried to use the Spear against Edge, injuring her leg.
A doctor removed Guerrero from the ring, and Edge took advantage of the situation to take Ziggler out with the Spear. Clay Matthews of the Packers came out as a second referee and called the match in Edge’s favor, much to Guerrero’s disgust. Another actual referee told her she couldn’t reverse the decision, but the show ended with her still protesting what had happened.