Live Smackdown spoilers - Daniel Bryan, Brodus Clay and more.
Hornswoggle in movie role
WWE Studios is joining forces with Lionsgate for a two-film slate, the first of which will be a reboot of the hit “Leprechaun” franchise. “Leprechaun: Origins” will star WWE’s own mischievous Superstar Hornswoggle making his feature film debut.
Mascots for Team Long vs. Team Laurinaitis
Hornswoggle revealed on Twitter that he is the official mascot for Team Long at WrestleMania 28. Aksana and Nikki Bella will join Hornswoggle in the support of Theodore Long, whilst Vickie Guerrero and Brie Bella will support Team Laurinaitis.
Hornswoggle posted a photo of “I’m sorry” written on his wrist this afternoon and said he just had a talk with The Rock. This was his way of apologizing after he made the following comments back on March 12th:
“Glad @TheRock needs to sing karaoke to get his $hit in. @JohnCena will always be a true professional, doesn’t need scripted lines, bullet points, or #stupidsrxualinuendos (un)like @TheRock”
The Rock wrote the following today, in response to Hornswoggle’s apology:
“@wwehornswoggle Thank U but not needed. Its what friends do – talk it out. Plus, if U took a swing at me you’d hit my balls. #NoBallShots”
According to some sources, Hornswoggle had some backstage heat over his comments.
Complete Smackdown spoilers for 20th January 2012
*World champ Daniel Bryan comes out first for a promo. Explains that what the Big Show did last week was a sin and that he pretended to be sorry. The crowd is all over Bryan as a heel. Bryan is awesome in this role. He says AJ put herself in that position because she loves him. He says Show should do the right thing and just quit. Don't know how this will come off on TV but the crowd hates this guy.
Cody Rhodes vs. Hornswoggle. Justin Gabriel came out to stick up for Hornswoggle and take his place. Rhodes wins with his finisher.
*Mark Henry is in the back next and spins the wheel. He gets a Lumberjack match. He says Daniel Bryan is next in the Hall of Pain.
*Brodus Clay comes out for a dance off next against Vickie Guerrero. Total heat for Vickie. This woman can't dance and the crowd is behind Clay. He wins the dance off and Vickie tries to dance again when William Regal comes out and pleads with the people not to laugh at her and escorts her away. Brodus then insults Regal and challenges him to a dance off. Wrestling purists are rolling in their graves. When Regal starts dancing, Clay catches Regal with a splash and dances around the ring.
*Tables match: Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett. After a Jinder Mahal distraction, Barrett puts Sheamus through a table. Mahal attacks Sheamus. Sheamus puts Mahal through a table.
*Ted DiBiase vs. Hunico in a flag match. DiBiase wins after getting the USA flag.
*Teddy Long in the back fires Drew McIntyre. Santino begs for Drew's job back and challenges him to match. He spins the wheel and gets a Blindfold match. If Drew wins, he keeps his job.
*Santino vs Drew McIntyre blindfold match. It makes Rick Martel vs. Jake Roberts look like Flair vs. Steamboat. Pure comedy. Santino wins with the Cobra. Guess Drew is fired again!
*Lumberjack match next. Mark Henry vs. Daniel Bryan for the World title. Match goes to no contest after The Lumberjacks attack both guys and Bryan leaves. Henry leaves also while the lumberjacks are fighting Rumble style. Sheamus starts throwing people over the top to show he can win the Rumble. The show ends with Sheamus standing tall in center of ring.
Complete Smackdown spoilers for this week
* Cody Rhodes retains the Intercontinental Title against Booker T in the opener. They had a lengthy match. Cody hit the Beautiful Disaster after blocking the axe kick for the win.
* Backstage segment with Cody and Dustin Rhodes. Cody says he is better than Goldust ever was and will be better than Dusty one day.
* Zack Ryder is backstage talking with Teddy Long and says he’s too busy to work for Teddy. Drew McIntyre came in as did Santino Marella. Teddy makes Drew vs. Santino. Santino will be Teddy’s new assistant if he wins and Drew will be fired. If Drew wins, Teddy might not fire him. Aksana appears at the end.
* Backstage segment with AJ Lee and Alicia Fox. Daniel Bryan comes in and they talk about his match against Big Show.
* Hornswoggle won an Over The Top Challenge against Heath Slater. Slater attacked Hornswoggle afterwards until Justin Gabriel made the save.
* Hunico beat Ted DiBiase.
* Wade Barrett comes out and talks about he will win the Royal Rumble while Randy Orton watches from home. Sheamus interrupts. Jinder Mahal is out next and he joins Barrett in beating Sheamus down. Sheamus fought back but got hit with Barrett’s finisher and a Camel Clutch by Mahal.
* Sheamus vs. Jinder is announced for next week.
* Santino Marella became the new Assistant to the General Manager by defeating Drew McIntyre. Teddy may end up firing Drew now.
* Primo and Epico beat Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston in a non-title match.
* Tamina squashed Natalya.
* Daniel Bryan defeated Big Show by DQ with the World Heavyweight Title on the line when Mark Henry interfered.
WWE trends during Raw
Among the WWE terms trending worldwide on Twitter last night were Chris Jericho, Y2J, Brodus Clay, Undertaker, "Happy New Year Miz" and Hornswoggle.
How tonight's Raw will open...
Tonight's Monday Night Raw 3 hour special will open with Booker T and Hornswoggle presenting the award for ''Tell Me I Did Not Just See That'' 2011 Slammy Award.
Nominated for the award are....
*Santino Marella's performance at the Royal Rumble
*The Miz hitting John Cena with a Rock Bottom while disguised as the Rock.
*R-Truth losing his Capital Punishment PPV title bout after "Little Jimmy" throws a soda on him.
New storyline for Hornswoggle?
No word yet if WWE plans on doing anything with Hornswoggle after he began talking on last night’s SmackDown. There were rumors a few months ago that officals had been discussing putting Hornswoggle in a new storyline.
New WWE feud?
WWE officials have discussed acquiring a mini-wrestler to feud with Hornswoggle in 2012. Mascarita Dorado, one of the top mini-wrestlers in Mexico, is under consideration for the role following a strong performance at an evaluation session last month in Mexico City.
Funny picture of Hornswoggle dressed as Sin Cara. :)