SmackDown Review: IC Title Picture Intensifies with a Six-Man Tag Team Match

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Daniel Bryan, Bad News Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Luke Harper, Dean Ambrose, Stardust and R-Truth promo

Bryan came out, as many fans could be seen doing the “Yes” chant, but nothing could be heard thanks to a horribly edited crowd reaction.

Bryan said that, ever since WWE Fastlane, he has come out and tried to ignore the WrestleMania sign. He said it’s time for him to come to grips with the fact that he will not duplicate the run he had to WrestleMania XXX.

Bryan said that “when one door closes, another door opens.” He said he was in the ring with some of the best wrestlers in WWE today, and it was all about the Intercontinental Championship.

Bryan said that got him thinking about his heroes, guys like Mr. Perfect, Ricky Steamboat, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage. He said all those guys were in the IC Title picture at various WrestleManias, and they all made the IC Title more exciting than the world title.

Bryan said that he has won every title in WWE, except the IC Title. He said he can’t have the same WrestleMania Moment as last year, but he can create a new one.

Bryan announced he is in the IC Title Ladder Match at WrestleMania.

Barrett came out and said that he is still the IC Champion, even though he doesn’t have the belt. He said he will still be the champion after WrestleMania, and that it would make him Bryan’s new hero.

Ziggler said that Barrett may never be Bryan’s hero, but he is Ziggler’s hero. Ziggler said that he’s never met somebody so delusional and desperate in his life. He asked Barrett to confirm that he is still champion, and mocked him for not even being able to hold on to the belt. Ziggler asked how Barrett intends to hold onto the title, when six hungry Superstars are beating the hell out of him at WrestleMania.

Harper said he wanted his WrestleMania Moment, then had a stare down with Bryan.

Ambrose came out and said that if they thought that they could start “throwing fists and knocking teeth out,” without him, then they should all be “locked up for observation.”

Ambrose said if they really can’t wait for WrestleMania, then he’s ready for a fight, and he’ll fight any one of them.

Stardust came out and was feverishly looking under the ring and asking everyone where “it” is. He got on the mic and asked the five guys in the ring where the belt is. Cue Truth’s music.

Truth came out to the stage and pulled the belt out of a burlap sack. He mocked all six guys in the ring by holding the belt up and talking to it.

Truth said he knows that Barrett’s the champion, but he’s going to hold onto the belt for safekeeping, at least until WrestleMania.

Truth said he’s scared of heights, but he will climb the ladder to win the title. Barrett said that Truth won’t even make it to the second rung.

Truth said that possession is 9/10ths of the law. #ComeAndGetIt.

Barrett went to grab the title, but Bryan and Ziggler stopped him, and all six men in the ring brawled.

Bryan, Ambrose and Ziggler cleared the ring of the three heels, and cautiously watched each other, without making a move.

This was a good promo. It put all seven men in the spotlight, and highlighted them nicely. There are definitely a few favorites in this match, but this promo made you believe that anybody can walk out of WrestleMania as champion.

Next: WrestleMania Tag Team Opponents Compete in 8-Man Match