May 25 , 2012 Smackdown results The May 25 , 2012 Edition of Smackdown is a Professional wrestling television show of the WWE ' s Smackdown brand , which took place on May 22 , 2012 at the Mohegan Sun at Casey Plaza in Wilkes - Barre , Pennsylvania . Summary . John Laurinaitis ' Executive Administrator Eve opened SmackDown , reiterating the point that – after " cementing his physical superiority " by pinning John Cena at WWE Over the Limit – “ Mr . Excitement ” is still the General Manager of Raw and SmackDown . Revealing that an international WWE business trip would keep the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations from being on SmackDown , she reassured one and all that she had been left in charge of the action . While informing the WWE Universe that “ Big Johnny ” would deal will Cena on Monday night ’ s Raw SuperShow , the Diva - in - charge announced that World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus would be giving a public apology later in the show for shoving his injured boss four days eariler . However , before Eve could continue , Del Rio , Randy Orton and Kane all interrupted , each giving a very compelling argument as to why they should be the next Superstar to face The Great White for his illustrious championship gold . In response , the Executive Administrator announced a Triple Threat World Title main event between them to determine Sheamus ' new No . 1 contender . Five days after coming back from an eight - month injury and rehabilitation – winning an impromptu “ People Power ” Battle Royal at WWE Over the Limit and then defeating Cody Rhodes to become the new Intercontinental Champion in the same night – Captain Charisma returned to SmackDown . The resilient competitor celebrated his monumental comeback with a victory over Hunico . Disposing of an interfering Camacho , the titleholder countered his crafty opponent to hit the Killswitch – before leaping off the top rope with an explosive splash for the victory . After the match , former champion Rhodes emerged . Describing how he had “ restored ” the Intercontinental Title ' s greatness over the course of his eight - month plus reign , the outspoken Superstar stated that it now doesn ' t matter because Christian " doesn ' t matter . " Still entitled to a rematch , Rhodes promised he will rectify what happened with a simple three - count . Prior to SmackDown , Titus O ’ Neil & Darren Young and The Usos were seen in the back , making fun of one another ' s tag team . But , it was all business in the ring once the bell rang . One week after falling short against the WWE Tag Team Champions R - Truth & Kofi Kingston , the combo Michael Cole referred to as the future of the tag team division got back into title contention in a big way . After Titus distracted Jimmy Uso long enough for Young to recover and catch his foe on the top rope , the “ millions a dollars ” duo overcame the fallen Uso with their devastating backbreaker hold - diving elbow drop . Prior to their 2 - on - 1 Handicap Match with the dominating Ryback , his two opponents grabbed the microphone , pointing out that although their fierce foe had faced two competitors before , he had not faced them at the same time . Still , in a contest where his opponents had the “ advantage ” of not having to tag in and out , Ryback once again laid his victims to slaughter with absolute power , taking them both out at the same time with a devastating double Shell Shocked for another impressive triumph . “ Feed me ! ” Four days after engaging in a debate over " the art of introductioning " on Monday ’ s Raw Supershow , Santino Marella squared off with a tuxedo - wearing Ricardo Rodriguez in a hilarious one - on - one match - up . Toying with Alberto Del Rio ’ s personal ring announcer from the opening bell , the United States Champion made the WWE Universe fall out of their seats with laughter from start to finish . Then , moments after Santino ' s dizziness from his own airplane spin caused him to fall through the ropes , The Italian Stallion disappeared under the ring . As Ricardo waited for him to come out the other side , the titleholder re - emerged behind him and put him out of his misery with the Cobra . Sheamus offered the opinion that his shoving John Laurinaitis on Monday Raw SuperShow was either an accident or – if his naysayers are to be believed – an “ accident on purpose . ” Instead of apologizing to “ Mr . Excitement , ” World Heavyweight Champion apologized for Laurinaitis being a “ massive arse . ” He then went on to ridicule Eve , David Otunga and even Big Show . ( WATCH ) Moments later , Vickie Guerrero interrupted , stating that Eve just informed her that The Celtic Warrior would go one - on - one with Jack Swagger . Despite Guerrero ’ s interference and the All - American American ’ s unrelenting assault on an ankle injury that Sheamus suffered during the match , the first - ever Irish - born World Heavyweight Champion roared back with the unending spirit of a true Celtic Warrior . When the dangerous Swagger went for the Gut - wrench Powerbomb , The Great White escaped – seconds before hitting the Brogue kick for the victory . One week ago , Damien Sandow refused to face Yoshi Tatsu , the second Superstar in a row who he considered both an unworthy opponent and an “ ignoramus . ” Yet , when the Japanese competitor “ accosted [ him ] verbally ” by calling him a chicken , the self - proclaimed “ Intellectual Savior to the Masses ” proceeded to attack him from behind . As a result of the altercation , the two competitors squared off this week in what would finally become Sandow ’ s official debut as a SmackDown Superstar . Offering a sound exhibition of his pugilistic talents for the benefit of the “ unwashed masses , ” the “ Enlightened One ” gave a sound thrashing to his “ dunce ” of an opponent . Then , after soundly besting him with a neckbreaker , the educated Sandow added insult to injury with a graceful post - match cartwheel . Expressing the deep betrayal that he felt from the WWE Universe , his fellow Superstars and even the WWE production and technical crew – resulting from their lack of support at his being fired on the May 14 edition of Raw SuperShow – Big Show denied he “ sold out . ” Citing his realization that he is alone in the world , The World Largest Athlete went on to state that he made the choices he did – helping Big Johnny at WWE Over the Limit – to help him get his life back . Reliving the “ ruse ” he played on John Cena , the giant said that because the people never really cared about him , he no longer cared about them . As Kane entered the ring to compete against Alberto Del Rio and Randy Orton in the Triple Threat World Title No . 1 Contender ’ s Match , Daniel Bryan suddenly emerged from nowhere , unleashing an absolutely rabid assault on The Big Red Monster . After blasting him with a steel chair 26 times , WWE ’ s " Yes ! " man left the monstrous target of his rage lying in the canvas in incredible pain . In spite of the incredible onslaught he suffered just moments earlier , The Devil ’ s Favorite Demon would choose to still compete against two of Friday night ’ s best for the right to face World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus at No Way Out . In the height of the action , Bryan returned with the steel chair . This would distract Kane long enough for Orton to regain the advantage and hit his masked opponent with the RKO . However , just when it looked like The Viper was going to grab the three - count , Del Rio took him out of the equation , stealing the huge win to become the new No . 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Title . As the Mexican Superstar celebrated at the top of the ramp , Sheamus emerged , sending a clear message to his aristocratic new challenger that he can ’ t wait to kick his head off at the coming pay - per - view . Image Gallery . Alberto Del Rio v Kane v Randy Orton . images link