May 18 , 2012 Smackdown results The May 18 , 2012 Edition of Smackdown is a Professional wrestling television show of the WWE ' s Smackdown brand , which took place on May 15 , 2012 at the GIANT Center in Hershey , Pennsylvania . Summary . On the May 14 episode of Raw SuperShow , the WWE Board of Directors handed down a surprising series of mandates to the permanent General Manager of Raw and SmackDown , John Laurinaitis : His match against John Cena at WWE Over the Limit would be one - on - one , if anyone helped him , they would be terminated and if " Big Johnny " lost , he would also be terminated ! As a result , the WWE Universe got to see a whole different side of the GM at the start of Friday night ’ s SmackDown . A humbled “ Mr . Excitement ” claimed that , because of the Board ’ s ruling , his looming battle against the 10 - time WWE Champion was like “ leading a lamb to slaughter . ” He went on to ask the WWE Universe to pray for him in his “ lopsided ” match . CM Punk interrupted Laurinaitis ’ prayer with a smile on his face , informing the despondent head honcho that the WWE Universe will be “ partying in the streets ” after he loses Sunday and that he ’ d personally wish the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations “ best of luck in his future endeavors ! ” Reminding The Second City Saint that he ’ s still in charge , Laurinaitis scheduled a match between Punk and the monstrous Kane for later in the show . Then , in a shocking display of fury , the GM blamed the WWE Universe for the actions of Superstars like Punk and Cena , insisting that they all " go to hell ! " Kofi Kingston & R - Truth would be strongly tested in their final battle before WWE Over the Limit , as the electric pair faced off against the up - and - coming team of Titus O ’ Neil & Darren Young . O ’ Neil and Young made a strong statement from the opening bell , mounting an impressive showing against the reigning champs . However , in the end , the high - flying Kingston and his high - octane partner would rise above . After Kofi took out Titus , Truth planted Young with the Flatliner for the victory . In two days , the WWE Tag Team Champions will look to carry their momentum into their Over the Limit title match against two former World Heavyweight Champions , Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger . After refusing to compete in his debut match two weeks ago , Damien Sandow once again journeyed to SmackDown to continue his plight to usher in a new era of enlightenment to the WWE Universe . But , the match was not meant to be . Scheduled to take on Yoshi Tatsu one - on - one , the self - professed “ Intellectual Savior of the Masses ” once again deemed his foe unworthy , stating that he would not " demean himself " by engaging his would - be opponent in battle . As Sandow began to make his exit , Tatsu called him a " chicken . " This incited the " Enlightened One ’ s " anger , prompting him to tear off his trademark blue - robe and assault the Japanese Superstar while his back was turned . Though the bell may not have rung to make the contest official , Sandow proved to be dangerous nonetheless . In a special free pre - show Over the Limit event this Sunday – streaming live on YouTube . com / WWE , Facebook and WWE . com , beginning at 7 : 30 ET / 4 : 30 PT – Zack Ryder will go head - to - head with The Big Red Monster Kane . But first , he would have to take on Daniel Bryan on SmackDown . When Long Island Iced - Z missed the critical Broski Boot , he opened the door for the submission specialist to snap in his devastating " Yes ! " Lock . Seconds later , Bryan stood triumphant , just two days before the former World Heavyweight Champion will battle WWE Champion CM Punk for the most coveted title in the squared circle . But , can he make The Second City Saint tap out on Sunday night and reclaim World Champion status ? In a match ordered by General Manager John Laurinaitis at the opening of SmackDown , CM Punk took on the ruthless Devil ’ s Favorite Demon Kane – with Daniel Bryan joining the SmackDown announce team to scout out his WWE Over the Limit adversary . In a completely brutal back - and - forth onslaught that saw The Big Red Monster punish Punk ’ s ribs throughout , the resilient Straight Edge Superstar fought back with unyielding determination – using his " educated feet " to strike at the heart of his horrific foe . When the action spilled outside the ring , however , the " observing " Bryan picked up a steel chair . But instead of striking the champion , the crafty Superstar smashed Kane across the back , assuring that Punk would lose by disqualification before hightailing it up the ramp . Recovering in time to see Punk holding the chair in question , Kane used the weapon to unleash an onslaught of absolute mayhem on The Second City Saint , capped off by two earth - shattering chokeslams . Will the beating Punk endured give Bryan the advantage heading into his WWE Title Match this Sunday ? A weeklong Twitter battle between US Champion Santino Marella and Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes – over which of their titles holds more meaning – led to a Champion vs . Champion Match on SmackDown . After his first attempt was thwarted by Rhodes , Santino hit the Cobra from out of nowhere , leading to a stunning triumph against the Intercontinental Champion . The win earned the United States Champion some bragging rights as trombones at ringside quickly became the order of the night . A tweet by John Laurinaitis ’ Executive Administrator Eve on Monday called for a SmackDown showdown between World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and Randy Orton – just two days before The Great White and The Viper will face Chris Jericho and Alberto Del Rio in a Fatal 4 - Way World Title Match . In the fierce contest that followed , The Viper punished The Great White ’ s already injured shoulder , mounting a strategy that mirrored Alberto Del Rio ’ s plan of action during his match against Orton last week on SmackDown . Sheamus fought his way through the pain , as both intense grapplers kicked out of several pin attempts – leaving the WWE Universe to wonder just what it would take for either competitor to achieve victory , both in Friday ’ s main event and this Sunday . In the end , when WWE ’ s Apex Predator attempted the RKO , The Celtic Warrior countered , wrapping up Orton for the quick win . Then , displaying a " you got me " attitude after the bell and shaking his opponent ’ s hand , the cunning Viper struck without warning , hitting a post - match RKO on the World Heavyweight Champion . With his eyes — and his hands — on Sheamus ’ title , Orton sent a strong signal that the WWE Over the Limit World Title Match may indeed prove to be a different story .