by Greg Parks, Torch Columnist

WWE Smackdown review
January 29, 2010
Taped 1/26/10 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Aired on MyNetwork TV


- WWE Open.

- The voice-over guy previewed tonight’s match featuring DX vs. C.M. Punk & Luke Gallows for the Unified Tag Team Championship.

- In the arena, DX’s music started playing. The duo came out, passing out glowsticks on their way to the ring. Apparently, the tag match is starting off the show. Of course, we know what usually happens when big matches are scheduled to start the show. Triple H waited for the “DX” chants to die down, then did some pre-match mic work. Well, he attempted to anyway, as before he could get six words out, Rey Mysterio’s music interrupted and he came to the ring. Rey went up to Shawn Michaels and said he feels Shawn doesn’t respect him, because Michaels assumes Undertaker will still have the World Title at Wrestlemania. Rey asked him if he really thought Taker would beat him this Sunday, and Shawn told him that’s exactly what he thinks. He was also upset that Mysterio got in his face. Triple H made a joke about Hornswoggle not being here tonight, so Rey should run along because there’s no one for him to fight in the ring. Why would they call even more attention to the fact that Hornswoggle and someone vying for the World Title are nearly the same size? Michaels asked Rey, “what happens if you don’t make it to the Rumble?” Rey asked Shawn the same question. Before the two babyfaces could come to blows, Punk, Gallows and Serena walked out.

Punk said Mysterio must be high on some sort of drug, because tonight the Straight Edge Society becomes the first ever Straight Edge Unified Tag Champs. Not sure what that has to do with Rey watching Smackdown and not Raw. Punk said he brought his disciples with him tonight. Triple H responded saying he’s relieved to know that Punk is straight, but no one cares if Punk doesn’t drink. Punk said Trips is looking at three people who give a crap. Hunter admitted he doesn’t “get” straight-edge. Hunter said he doesn’t drink, smoke or do drugs, but unlike Punk, he doesn’t look like he’s been on a three-day crack binge with Amy Winehouse. He suggested Punk take a shower and shave the beard. He made a few more jokes until Theodore Long came out. Long said things change, and that Gallows and Punk won’t be getting their Unified Tag Title shot tonight. Punk was miffed, but Long instead made Rey Mysterio vs. Shawn Michaels for tonight. Long said he knows Punk is expecting to compete in a match tonight, so right now, he’ll face Triple H. I wonder what made WWE change direction with this match. Perhaps they didn’t want either team to lose? Anyway, Punk vs. The Game is next.

[Commercial Break]

1 – TRIPLE H vs. C.M. PUNK

Matt Striker noted that Triple H told Shawn Michaels that he’d do this himself, and sent Shawn to the back. Crowd was into Triple H early on. Couple head-lock take-overs started the match off on a positive note for Hunter. Todd Grisham said that in the last four Royal Rumbles he’s been in, he’s made it to the final three. I did not know that. That’s crazy. The haggard-looking Punk took over in the corner, but not for long. Hunter tried to hook in a Pedigree, but Punk escaped to ringside. Triple H pulled Punk back up to the apron and into the ring, then had a few words with Gallows. Springboard clothesline by Punk, but he couldn’t make a cover. Both men were down as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back to action with Punk in control, getting a two-count on a cover. A distraction by Gallows allowed Punk to take control during break. He wore Triple H down with a head-scissors in the ring. Striker called Triple H “basically the father of this industry right now,” and credited him for the Randy Orton vs. Sheamus match we’ll be seeing at the Rumble because Hunter groomed Orton in Evolution. I’ll say this: Striker is knows how to kiss ass. Trips turned the tide with a vertical suplex. Punk got on his feet first though, and kicked Triple H to the head, leading to a near-fall. Triple H began his trademark offense with a spinebuster approximately nine minutes into the match. But he was too worn down to continue the assault. Knee to the face by Triple H followed by more right hands, pummeling Punk in the corner. High knee by The Game for a two-count. Pedigree was set up, but Punk predictably back-dropped out of it. Running knee in the corner by Punk, but the bulldog attempt was unsuccessful. Hunter went for a knee-brekaer, then locked in the Figure-Four. No mention of Flair, but Grisham did mention Evolution again. Hunter grabbed the ropes for leverage behind the ref’s back. Serena distracted the ref while Gallows broke Triple H’s hold on the rope. Punk got Hunter up for the GTS, but Triple H got out and tried a Pedigree. Serena ran in and jumped on his back for the DQ.

WINNER: Triple H, via DQ, at 12:01. Match was on the low end of what these two can probably do; never really felt like it got out of first gear.

Post-match, Hunter landed a right hand on Punk, but Serena again jumped on his back. Luke Gallows got involved and all three worked over Hunter. Crowd wanted HBK. Gallows got the clippers, but before he could use them on Hunter, HBK came out. He got rid of Gallows while Punk didn’t know what was going on. When he turned around, Serena shielded Punk. The two laughed as Punk slid out of the ring. Serena stuck around until Michaels feigned a superkick, and at that point, Serena got out of dodge. Triple H stomped on the razor in anger.

- Still to come tonight, for the first ever on Smackdown, Rey Mysterio faces Shawn Michaels.

- Also, Drew McIntyre takes on John Morrison for the I.C. Title in a no-DQ match.

- Chris Jericho was walking backstage….he’s up next.

[Commercial Break]

- Striker plugged WWE.com’s Royal Rumble trivia and the week in photos.

2 – CHRIS JERICHO vs. R-TRUTH

These two had words with each other last night on WWE Superstars. High hip-toss by Truth, then a dropkick got Jericho off-balance. He clotheslined Jericho over the top rope and to the arena floor. Truth flew over the top for a cross-body, but Jericho dodged him and allowed him to crash to ringside with a thud. They went to break about 1:15 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Jericho kicked away at the chest of Truth upon return from break. Truth fought back to his feet and there was a mis-communication before Jericho set Truth up for a suplex, only to drop him chest-first across the top rope. Gut-buster by Jericho as the announcers talked about Royal Rumble contenders. Truth found himself locked in an abdominal stretch. Headscissors take-down by Truth, then a jumping side-kick for a near-fall. Grisham said Truth told him his favorite Rumble was 1992, the one that Flair won (as both men are from Charlotte). Grisham mentioned Flair twice, but Striker told him everyone is looking toward the 2010 Rumble and no one cares about the 1992 one. In the end, Jericho went for the Codebreaker, but Truth held onto the ropes. He got the pin with a jackknife roll-up.

WINNER: Truth, at 8:14. Good match that will likely lead to Jericho getting his revenge at the Rumble.

- Striker and Grisham discussed some of the Rumble matches and threw it to a video of The Undertaker’s words last week, followed by Batista’s attack on Rey Mysterio.

- Josh Mathews was backstage with Batista, who looked like he was going golfing. Mathews asked Batista if his plans have changed for the Rumble. Batista said all he did last week was put the spotlight back on him, where it rightly belongs. He said he made a statement last week, that being that he is winning the Royal Rumble. Batista warned anyone who may get in his way that they will get hurt.

- John Morrison was walking backstage. His match with Drew McIntyre is next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – JOHN MORRISON vs. DREW MCINTYRE – NO DISQUALIFICATION MATCH FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Morrison got the mic before the match and said unlike McIntyre, he wasn’t hand-picked by the brass in the back and groomed to be champion. He said after McIntyre beat him for the IC Title, he saw Drew drop the belt backstage to run up to, and do a chest-bump with, his Irish friend Sheamus. He took that as disrespect toward the belt. He said tonight, McIntyre can’t cheat or run from him.

Striker noted that the IC Title has never changed hands in Cincinnati, but Morrison did win it down the road in Cleveland. Morrison was the aggressor to start and got the first cover of the match. He clotheslined McIntyre over the top rope and to the outside. Mac appeared to be looking under the ring, and he produced a kendo stick, which he walloped Morrison with. Back in the ring, a cover by McIntyre garnered him a two-count. A few hard clotheslines from McIntyre, then he kicked Morrison in the gut as Morrison jumped to avoid McIntyre in the corner. Morrison fought back, which led to McIntyre taking a breather on the outside. He grabbed his belt and tried to leave, but Morrison physically stopped him. The fight moved back into the ring, where McIntyre bashed Morrison in the head with right hands. He grabbed the belt and held it up as they went to break about 4:00 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

McIntyre still had the advantage once the show returned from break. Morrison was thrown to the outside after attempting a Flying Chuck kick. McIntyre tried to throw the steel steps at Morrison, but the challenger managed to avoid them. The champion instead clotheslined Morrison over the barricade and into the crowd. The two brawled there, where Morrison got the better of McIntyre. Morrison flew over the barricade with a clothesline onto McIntyre back at ringside. He got the kendo stick and worked over his opponent with them. A thumb to the eye by McIntyre halted the onslaught. Morrison caught a charging McIntyre with a hip-toss onto the ring steps. Back in the ring they went, where Morrison covered Mac for a near-fall. He set up for Starship Pain, but McIntyre got his knees up. McIntyre locked in the Future Shock (double-arm DDT) and drove Morrison’s head into the Intercontinental belt, which was still in the ring. The pinfall followed.

WINNER: McIntyre, at 11:34. Pretty entertaining match, one that didn’t really hurt Morrison’s value I don’t think. McIntyre’s in-ring style is flashy, but he’s crisp.

- Rey Mysterio vs. Shawn Michaels is still to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Striker gave props to Skillet for “Hero,” one of the theme songs for the Royal Rumble.

- Michelle McCool came to the ring. McCool said she did all of her fans a favor last week, sending Mickie James to the barnyard for good. She told the fans to imagine being like her for a second, and said she couldn’t stop smiling. They showed the end of last week’s segment, where a pig-shaped cake got sent into the face of Mickie James, followed by a bowl full of punch drenching Mickie. They added Mickie crying and running to the back after last week. More piggy jokes by McCool as she talked about running Mickie out of WWE. She apologized that the fans won’t be seeing her defending her title at the Rumble against Mickie. Being a fighting champion, she suggested anyone in the Divas locker room come out and challenge her tonight. Mickie’s music played and after a pause, out came Layla in a fat suit. And a pig nose. And dressed like Mickie James. Layla, as Mickie, said that last week, she couldn’t stop crying. And that the two cakes last week wasn’t enough. Layla walked up the steps, saying she was starving and that she lost five pounds this week. There was a referee in the ring, for what its worth. Layla kept picking food out of her outfit and eating it. Michelle took the food and the bell rang, so I guess this is a match.

4 – LAYLA “JAMES” vs. MICHELLE MCCOOL

McCool walked around ringside with the food, baiting Layla around. Striker managed to name drop Haystacks Calhoun and Nikolai Volkoff. Layla charged at McCool, missed and hit the turnbuckle. McCool school-girled Layla and rolled her up for the win.

WINNER: McCool, at :51. Striker was laughing this whole time, making jokes, while Grisham tried to stay out of it and acted like he was disgusted by Layla and Michelle’s actions.

- Rey Mysterio faces Shawn Michaels for the first time on Smackdown, later on in the show.

[Commercial Break]

- The Royal Rumble: By the numbers video package aired.

- Grisham and Striker broke down the Royal Rumble card.

- Batista ran into HBK backstage (not literally, of course). Batista told Michaels to stay out of his way in the Rumble match. Michaels told Batista that he always thought he was overrated. Batista insinuated he was ready to rebuke that point right then and there, but Triple H walked up behind him. HBK told him he’d see him Sunday and walked away. Batista turned to Triple H and Hunter asked him if there was something he wanted to say to him. Batista chose to just turn and walk away from Hunter.

- Rey Mysterio made his entrance for the main event. The match is next.

[Commercial Break]

5 – REY MYSTERIO vs. SHAWN MICHAELS

Michaels took Mysterio down with a shoulder tackle, then chopped away at him. Rey missed a charge and Michaels threw him under the bottom rope. When Rey popped up, it looked like he hit his head on the camera. Back in the ring, he set Michaels up for the 619, but Michaels wasn’t worn down enough and escaped to ringside. More chops from HBK in the corner. Mysterio went to ringside and again, Michaels chopped him down. He’s like Tenryu in there! Snap mare by Michaels back in the ring, then a stomp on the face. Mysterio gave a boot to Michaels, then head-scissored him over the top and to the outside. More to come after break.

[Commercial Break]

I know they’ve been hyping this up as the first time match between these two, but the only other singles match between Shawn and Rey I can think of is at the Eddie Guerrero tribute Raw. Back to the show, Mysterio kicked away at the legs of HBK and used a couple of potential submission holds to soften him up. Michaels turned the tide and again chopped Mysterio in the corner. Drop-toe hold by Mysterio sent Michaels into the corner. Mysterio went to the top, but ended up getting hung up in the corner. Rey tried a dropkick, but Shawn caught him and applied a modified figure-four. Striker explained that the pressure is put on the back of the knee as opposed to front of the knee in this version of the hold. Mysterio grabbed the rope for a break. Mysterio hit an enziguiri on Michaels and both men found themselves gasping for air on the mat. Rey again worked the legs while Shawn countered with punches and (surprise!) chops. Flying forearm by Michaels and a nip up. Mysterio though got a hurricanrana in before HBK could capitalize. Seated senton by Rey for two. Rey went for a springboard, but was met with an atomic drop. Mysterio again worked his way to the outside and went for a springboard splash, but Michaels got his knees up. This time it was Shawn who went to the top, and connected with an elbowdrop. He began to tune up the band, but Rey ran into him with a spinning heel kick, shades of Savio Vega. 619 found the mark, but Rey struggled to ready himself for a springboard. When he did, he jumped right into a superkick, which looked awesome. Nearly as awesome as Shawn doing that same sequence to Shelton Benjamin some years ago. Rey almost got folded in half when he hit the mat. Before Michaels could follow up, Batista hit the ring and took out both Rey and Michaels.

WINNER: No Contest, at 15:46. Sad, but understandable, that two of the top matches on the show ended in DQ. It is the go-home show for a PPV after all.

Before he could do too much damage, Triple H came out. He went toe-to-toe with Big Dave and hit a spinebuster. The two brawled, with both men going over the top rope. As Michaels and Rey got to their feet in the ring, the lights went out and Undertaker’s bell tolled. He appeared in the ring and grabbed both men by the throat. After going back and forth looking at the both of them, he gave a double chokeslam. Taker’s music played as he stood over the fallen sports entertainers in the ring and the show went off the air.

Greg Parks has been covering Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. You can also read his frequently updated blog in the VIP forum. Check out his column each week in the PDF-exclusive version of the Torch Newsletter. Also, look for his Tuesday chats with James Caldwell each Tuesday afternoon, posted on the Torch website. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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