January 27 , 2012 Smackdown results The January 27 , 2012 Edition of Smackdown is a Professional wrestling television show of the WWE ' s Smackdown brand , which took place on January 24 , 2012 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson , Arizona . Summary . To kick off SmackDown a remorseful and heavy - hearted Big Show apologized for his actions in unintentionally injuring AJ two weeks ago . The emotional Superstar brought doubt as to his state of mind and what the future holds for his career following his match at the Royal Rumble . He was interrupted by World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan , who insulted Show as a “ genetic freak , ” calling for his retirement before slapping him . The infuriated giant grabbed Bryan ’ s face and told him , “ What happened to AJ was an accident , what I do to you Sunday won ’ t be . ” And with that The World ’ s Largest Athlete tossed the champion through the air . Not one to miss a confrontation , Mark Henry made his way to the ring to address both Superstars , reminding them that he too is part of the Triple Threat Steel Cage World Heavyweight Championship Match on Sunday . Before things exploded , SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long emerged and made an additional main event for later in the show : Big Show vs . Mark Henry . For the second week in a row , Cody Rhodes faced off against the high - flying Superstar from South Africa in an exciting , fast - paced match . Gabriel was very competitive against Rhodes but eventually succumbed to the Cross Rhodes , marking another impressive win for the driven Intercontinental Champion . Will Rhodes fulfill his declaration to triumph in the Royal Rumble Match in two days ? Due to Teddy Long ’ s repeated threats of termination , Drew McIntyre has been on the hot seat for weeks . A match against the quick - tempered Sheamus did little to improve McIntyre ’ s shaky employment situation , as The Great White overcame the Scottish Superstar with a devastating Brogue Kick . While “ The Chosen One ” once again fell short , Sheamus appears to be peaking at the perfect time for the Royal Rumble Match . Prior to the match , the odd couple tag team of Santino Marella and Yoshi Tatsu debated whether they should be called “ Santoshi ” or “ Yoshitino . ” WWE Tag Team Champions Epico and Primo didn ’ t appear to care either way . After Epico hit a Backstabber on a distracted Santino , the explosive champions celebrated with the stunning Rosa Mendes . With Randy Orton set to return to SmackDown after being injured one month ago in a brutal Falls Count Anywhere Match with Wade Barrett , his English adversary declared that The Viper was “ spiritually broken ” and “ a shell of a man . ” WWE ’ s Apex Predator interrupted and , within moments , the Barrett Barrage clashed head - on with the vengeance of The Viper , before the match could even begin . With emerging referees and Superstars unable to break them apart , Orton unleashed his retribution , creating all - out chaos . While Barrett was able to escape the ring , the present SmackDown Superstars weren ’ t so lucky . The Viper delivered five searing RKO ’ s , suggesting he ’ s fully recovered , physically and spiritually . Despite a cracked bone and torn cartilage in his wrist – suffered at a WWE live event in Winnepeg , Manitoba , Canada last weekend – Ted DiBiase once again battled Hunico . With Camacho in his corner , Hunico focused his assault on DiBiase ’ s handicap , hurling him to the canvas to secure the victory . After the match , Hunico and Camacho attacked DiBiase and stomped his injured wrist on the unforgiving steel steps . The only living , breathing , romping , stomping “ Funkasaurus ” in captivity , Brodus Clay , faced off against Alex Riley . As the match began , an affable A - Ry tried to show off some moves of his own . But the Superstar from Planet Funk quickly squashed his rhythm , nailing his opponent with a thunderous “ What the Funk ! ” to secure the win . In her very first match on SmackDown , Aksana got the roll - up in less than five seconds on a distracted Natalya . After the match , the angered third - generation Diva put her in the Sharpshooter , making the Lithuanian beauty frantically tap . Tamina , daughter of WWE Hall of Famer “ Superfly ” Jimmy Snuka , came to Aksana ’ s rescue , landing a splash off the top rope onto her prey . Prior to the match , a confrontation between Aksana and Natalya let to a very awkward moment Just two days before their Triple Threat Steel Cage Match against Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble , The World ’ s Largest Athlete and The World ’ s Strongest Man faced off one - on - one – with the champion sitting ringside . When Henry could not answer the count – the result of Big Show knocking him out of the ring – Bryan attacked the victorious giant with a chair . After breaking out of Bryan ’ s LeBell Lock , Show roared back , chokeslamming the champion and nearly landing a crushing WMD . Bryan scrambled out of the ring , but where will the submission specialist run when he faces Big Show and Mark Henry in a Steel Cage Match this Sunday ?