WWE SmackDown originated from Toledo, Ohio. As always, you can check out WWE.com for the video recaps.

The Blue Brand would need to the fallout from a dizzying 24 hours earlier this week. During the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, Daniel Bryan challenged Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship. Though he lost, the confrontation was nearly classic and could arguably be the match that really launched his career to new heights. After that, on Raw, Bryan won the right to face CM Punk at Over The Limit for the WWE Championship.

In the meantime, Sheamus would look to close his feud with Bryan and move on new competition. Orton and Kane would also look to continue their “Family Values” angle that would be worthy of the Addams Family.

Let’s Go!

The Good

Opening Segment. Sheamus opened the segment discussing his love of fisticuffs, which actually came across well. Sheamus’ play with the crowd during the ‘“Yes!” chants was kind of nice to see. The two opened up appropriately, with Bryan going after Sheamus’ “injured” shoulder. Bryan did well in focusing on offense on that area. Del Rio’s interference wasn’t unexpected, but it served as a good lead in the pending feud between him and Sheamus. This wasn’t an entirely bad segment, though it could have been better. That said, the follow up with Sheamus being looked at by the Doctor helped to sell the devastation of the Yes Lock and Cross Armbreaker. Sheamus’ “Damn it!” was a nice touch.

Kingston and Truth vs. Hunico and Camacho. This seemed like it would be an enhancement affair for the new Tag Team Champions. The “Lilttle Jimmy” slap spot was worth a chuckle. The leap into the Crossbody by Truth and Kofi was nice to see. Camacho no sold Kofi’s attempted punches. Hunico looked good in his time on offense. Kofi and Truth looked good in their few improvised moves. Good match to showcase the champs on TV. Epico and Primo watching hinted at the possibility of the feud in the future. *¼

Laurinaitis vs. Cena Video Segment. The video package was good to showcase the match at Over The Limit. Honestly, I don’t have much hope for this match, but it was an alright package none the less.

Orton and Show vs. Kane and Rhodes. Rhodes and Orton opened up with the usual spots for them. Rhodes did a nice job selling for Show and playing off his fear of the big man. The angle was bad on the Orton’s Drop Kick to Rhodes. Kane hit a nice looking DDT on Show. Coming back from the break, Rhodes and Orton had a nice exchange. A right hand is not a finisher. Otherwise, alright action *¼

Sheamus vs. Bryan. The injury angle with Sheamus served as an alright plothook for the show. The opened with a nice exchange of offense. Bryan did a nice job controlling Sheamus in the early going. Sheamus nailed a nice, improvised Backbreaker. Bryan looked strong in the first half the match. Alright story to the match.

Sheamus worked with his usual spots and reverted to using his arm a bit more than he should have. The ending helped to blow off the feud while catalyzing the feud with Del Rio. The angle was a bad and showed the Brogue Kick missing Bryan. Alright TV main event otherwise. *½

The Meh

Sandow vs. Bateman. Bateman got the jobber entrance. Sandow cut an alright promo prior to leaving the ring. At least Bateman got a nice payday for doing nothing. Bateman sounded alright as well. Ryback’s heat was obviously canned. Otherwise, standard match for Ryback. That said, this wasn’t entirely awful as it let Sandow, Ryback, and Bateman get some important face time on TV. ½

The Bad

Natalya vs. Layla. The gals opened with a nice display of matwork. Natalya looked good in her time on offense. Layla had a nice looking finish. Too short, but there is some promise there. ½*

Clay vs. Swagger. Clay displayed some nice genre savvy with his headbutt as Ziggler was coming off from steps. Otherwise, nothing to note in this segment. ¼*

Random Thoughts

“Does Sheamus have a pulse?”

Hunico didn’t come out cutting a promo. Not that I usually listen to it anyway.

A tag team feud possibility? Hmm.

“Get out.” Talk dirty to me, Eve.

Why do wrestlers always go for a Back Bodydrop when they never, ever hit it.

Hunter Hurst Sandow?

“What?” “Thank you for your irrelevant opinion.” Lulz.

Over The Shoulder Boulder Holder?

“My name is Finlay..err...Sheamus, and I love to fight.”

Hmm. Divas throwing matwork?

“Hit me! Hit me! Come on, hit me!”

Sheamus O'Cena

Final Grade: B

This was a good program tonight overall. I'm a big believer in not wasting time on TV and that each segment should serve some purpose, either with a adequate match or advancing an angle.  As such, this was a good program overall with some decent matches for TV and some movement forward in a few storylines. 

One thing the WWE needs to watch is to not book Bryan too weakly going into the next pay-per-view.  His match with Sheamus at Extreme Rules was one of the best this year and a candidate for Match Of The Year for the WWE. The match with Punk could be even better, but the build needs to be done correctly to do it service. The match tonight was good enough to blow off the feud with Sheamus and allow both men to move on. In March, Punk worked very hard to put Bryan on the same level as he is. Here's hoping the 'E remembers that.

Aside from that, a few botched camera angles gave the wrong impression on a few of the moves, with the Brogue Kick spots being the most glaring. The WWE isn't usually that "clumsy" with their spots, so they might want to watch it in the future.  These are just niggles though.  Solid program tonight and a good rebound effort from last week fiasco of a wrestling program.