SmackDown: January 25, 2013

SmackDown Results: TBD

Huge Six-Man Elimination Tag Team Main Event Announced

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With Royal Rumble two days away, The Rock and WWE Champion CM Punk both stepped back into the SmackDown spotlight, while World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio suffered the wrath of The World’s Largest Athlete.

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After WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No’s graduation from Dr. Shelby’s Anger Management course led to a worldwide hug-off on Raw, Bryan and Kane emerged to address speculation that they’d gone soft. Unified in their resolve to dominate Team Rhodes Scholars in their title match at Sunday's pay-per-view ( MATCH PREVIEW), the champs began to argue over which one of them would go on to win the Royal Rumble Match and go on to main event WrestleMania.

Big Show interrupted, insisting he would “squish” World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio in their Last Man Standing Rematch at Royal Rumble. He then said that if either of the WWE Tag Team Champions were successful in the free-for-all and challenged him, the only plans they would be able to make would be for retirement.

Just as Big Show was attempting to kick Bryan & Kane out of “his” ring, Team Rhodes Scholars emerged. Believing that their winning the WWE Tag Team Titles at Royal Rumble was a foregone conclusion, the outspoken duo suggested they join forces with Big Show to decimate Team Hell No post haste. 

Del Rio emerged to even the odds. But before all “Hell” broke loose, SmackDown General Manager Booker T created the main event showdown: Big Show & Team Rhodes Scholars vs. Team Hell No & Alberto Del Rio in a Six-Man Elimination Tag Team Match!

Moments later, Big Show tried to get the jump on Del Rio, leading to more mind games between the World Heavyweight Champion and his giant No. 1 contender.

Sheamus def. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett in a Non-Title Match

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In Sunday, Sheamus will look to do what only Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have done before him — win back-to-back Royal Rumble Matches. But on Raw, trickery by Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee interrupted his Beat the Clock contest against fellow Royal Rumble Match competitor Wade Barrett. ( FULL ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH PREVIEW)

As a result, Sheamus once again went to battle against The Barrett Barrage on SmackDown in a contest that quickly proved to be another brutal encounter. And despite an extremely physical offensive by the Intercontinental Champion, The Celtic Warrior ultimately reigned supreme with the White Noise–Brogue Kick combination.

Sheamus and Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett go toe-to-toe on SmackDown.

No matter who triumphed, however, one thing is certain: Both Sheamus and Wade Barrett will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming pay-per-view free-for-all.

Natalya def. Rosa Mendes by Submission

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The SmackDown announce team was packed to the gills for the Divas match between Rosa Mendes and Natalya, as Primo & Epico, Hornswoggle and former World Heavyweight Champion The Great Khali all grabbed a ringside seat.

During the contest that followed, ’Swoggle had the WWE Universe rolling in the aisles when he suddenly leaped up on the announce table to mock Rosa’s dancing. This distracted the insulted beauty long enough for Natalya to gain to advantage, making her opponent tap out to the Sharpshooter.

Natalya faces Rosa Mendes while Hornswoggle & The Great Khali and Primo & Epico help provide commentary.

After WWE Champion CM Punk called out The Shield, The Rock responded

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A letter from WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon has made it official that if The Shield interfere in the WWE Championship Match at Royal Rumble — the way they did when they attacked The Rock four days ago on Raw ( WATCH | PHOTOS) — CM Punk will be striped of the WWE Title. In response, CM Punk and Paul Heyman journeyed to SmackDown, the final stop before the biggest battle of his life.

The Straight Edge Champion admitted he was scared, but only of his own potential. Because he knew The Shield could now get in the way, Punk called out the dangerous faction. The Shield emerged from the crowd and surrounded the WWE Champion. Punk claimed he never asked for or wanted their help and told them that if they believed in justice, they would stay out of his way. In response, The Shield opted to leave without incident.

But when Punk began to talk again about his WWE Title Match against The Rock, The Great One stepped onto “his” show. A very focused People’s Champion called Punk a liar for saying he was never working with The Shield. But more importantly, Rock said it won’t matter this Sunday when he becomes the WWE Champion for the eighth time!

CM Punk takes care of business with The Shield and then has one final faceoff with The Rock before their WWE Championship Match at Royal Rumble 2013.

Randy Orton def. Drew McIntyre by Disqualification

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Randy Orton has his serpentine eyes locked on winning the Royal Rumble Match in 48 hours. In the face of such intense determination, 3MB should have known not to mess with him.

In the height of Orton’s match against Drew McIntyre, Jinder Mahal decided to interfere. Not only did this give WWE’s Apex Predator a disqualification victory, but Mahal also suffered the RKO. The Viper then repeated his attack on both Heath Slater and McIntyre. The trifecta of Orton’s signature finisher sent a signal to his 29 opponents this Sunday that their dreams could be crushed in a single moment.

The Viper tries to send 3MB back to the recording studio with a trio of RKO's.

The Miz def. Darren Young by Submission

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In wake of the news earlier this week that United States Champion Antonio Cesaro will put his title against The Miz in a special Royal Rumble Pre-Show Match, the Swiss Superstar joined the SmackDown announce team to watch The Awesome One take on Darren Young.

In the end, Miz made Mr. No Days Off tap out with the Figure-Four Leglock, sending a clear message that he will be completely determined to overcome both the U.S. Champion and his Royal Rumble Match competition.

United States Champion Antonio Cesaro watches from the commentary table as The Miz takes on Darren Young.

World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio & WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No triumphed in a Six-Man Elimination Tag Team Match; Big Show launched huge post-match assault

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In the SmackDown main event, six of WWE’s elite Superstars battled in an Elimination Tag Team Match with incredible Royal Rumble implications. But in this prelude to the turbulent pay-per-view, who would eliminate whom and which warrior would be left standing?

Damien Sandow was the first to go, after suffering a Chokeslam courtesy of The Big Red Monster. But when Kane tried to take both himself and Big Show over the top rope, The World’s Largest Athlete caught him with the KO Punch and left the tag champ to be counted-out — while Show taunted Alberto Del Rio by counting to 10 inside the ring.

As the battle raged on, Big Show hit the KO Punch yet again, this time on Daniel Bryan. The giant knocked him through the ropes and the submission specialist was taken out of the action.

Facing two-on-one odds, Del Rio showed the true nature of his mettle, eventually trapping his giant No. 1 contender on the ropes. He then delivered a series of kicks that knocked Big Show clear out of the ring, causing him to get counted-out. His momentum on fire, Del Rio continued his offensive — overcoming Rhodes in an explosive kick to the side of the head.

As the Mexican World Champion celebrated in the ring, however, a recovered Big Show launched a post-match attack from behind. Driving his body through Del Rio with a thunderous spear, the immense competitor then hit the titleholder with the KO Punch and he flipped the announce table on top of him in an act of retribution. Towering over the World Heavyweight Champion, Big Show made the symbolic 10-count in Spanish as the countdown begins to Royal Rumble.  

World Champion Alberto Del Rio & WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No meet Big Show & Team Rhodes Scholars in a Six-Man Elimination Tag Team Match.

Refresh for the latest SmackDown outcomes, videos and photos.

World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio & WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No triumphed in a Six-Man Elimination Tag Team Match ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

The Miz def. Darren Young ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Randy Orton def. Drew McIntyre ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

WWE Champion CM Punk called out The Shield, The Rock responded ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Natalya def. Rosa Mendes ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Sheamus def. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett in a Non-Title Match ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Huge Six-Man Elimination Tag Team Main Event Announced ( PHOTOS)