WWE Smackdown TV Report
August 30, 2011
Live in Wichita, Ks.
Aired on Syfy
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

The special live episode of WWE Smackdown Tuesday night started with a video package now focusing on two main event matches of World Hvt. champion Randy Orton vs. Christian inside a steel cage and John Cena vs. Wade Barrett. Apparently Punk vs. Khali is off? The video transitioned to focus on the Punk-Hunter contract signing for their Night of Champions PPV match. The voice-over man said Super Smackdown Live begins now.

Arena: Inside the venue, Josh Mathews introduced the show following a pyro explosion. Mathews announced the two main events as the camera panned the audience. Michael Cole focused on the steel cage hanging above the ring for the World Title main event. Cole said it's the sixth time they will meet for the title. Who will prevail tonight?

After a pause, John Cena's music hit to the typical strong reaction from kids and families. Booker T's voice was heard as Cena emerged on-stage surveying the Smackdown crowd. Tony Chimel announced the opening match as Cena stormed the ring and surveyed the crowd. Mathews claimed Cena transcends pop culture as he hyped Cena's entrance. On-camera, Cole noted Cena began his career on Smackdown.

Cena began a promo telling everyone not to adjust their TV sets. He did Chimel's "suuuuper" high-pitched bit for Edge. He said everyone from Raw, Smackdown, Velocity, Heat, Thunder, Nitro, Afterburn, Shotgun Saturday Night, and Smoky Mountain is here tonight. Cena said they even flew in your favorite XFL stars. Well, except they're worse than Shockmaster. The bit didn't go over with the crowd, then Cena turned his attention to WWE champion Alberto Del Rio.

Del Rio's music played, but Ricardo Rodriguez emerged on-stage instead. Ricardo slowly made his way to the ring as Cena shook his head, annoyed. Cena told Ricardo to hurry up and get him out here. Ricardo said he has a message straight from Del Rio. He said Cena is going to have to wait just a little longer until Night of Champions. That's not bad, though, because he'll soon have "the honor" of being in the ring with Del Rio. Ricardo did the formal ring intro for Del Rio and repeated his name over and over. Ricardo was working up a good sweat here as Cena just shot looks around the arena. Cena told him to shut up and said it sounds like two old cats trying to have sex and vomit at the same time. (What?) Cena said he gets it that Del Rio isn't here, so he sent him a message by punching Ricardo.

Cue up Wade Barrett's music to bring out Cena's opponent. Cole called Cena a bully, which isn't a stretch. Barrett emerged on-stage and Cena welcomed "Winds of Change" Wade Barrett to the show. Barrett mocked Cena for beating up a fat ring announcer, so Cena cut down Chimel with a joke. Barrett said Cena is trying to hi-jack the show, which shows he's learned zero lessons from their Nexus deal last year. He said he personally demanded this match tonight to beat some sense into Cena. Barrett said this is his territory and when he's finished with Cena tonight, he's going to make him feel just as pathetic as when he made him his own personal slave.

Cena said that's a fine speech, but it's the audience's show. And they're just having a good time. Barrett laughed and said that's pathetic. Cena got serious and said Barrett taking his kindness for weakness is pathetic. Cena told Barrett he has a bright future here, but he's made his life miserable, so he owes him some payback. Cena told Barrett he gets to find out payback's a bitch tonight. The PG-13 Cena Run continues. Cena tossed his hat into the crowd as Barrett slowly made his way to the ring before they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

[Q2]

1 -- JOHN CENA vs. WADE BARRETT

Immediately back from break, Cena charged Barrett after the bell sounded. Mathews hyped this as one of two main events tonight. Cole noted Del Rio did not show up tonight, so they're focusing on Cena-Barrett tonight. Cena ran over Barrett with a clothesline, then a corner splash before delivering a sandbag slam. Cena followed with a right hand strike, but walked into a Sidewalk Slam from Barrett for a two count. Cena came right back with a sit-out slam and the comeback routine ensued. After a Shuffle, Cena set up for the Attitude Adjustment, flashed a big smile, and easily connected with little resistance from Barrett. Cena with the pin and the win. Afterward, Cena gave his armband to military personnel ringside before posing in the ring again. Cena left the ring, continuing to be in a jovial mood.

WINNER: Cena at 3:16. This felt like a flashback to the TLC PPV in December when Cena buried Barrett under a pile of chairs. This was all about enhancing Cena ahead of Night of Champions, which is fine, but why put Barrett in this position? Barrett's nine-month recovery process from TLC just took a hit.

Backstage: Matt Striker brought in Mark Henry, who took up the entire camera shot. Striker, over-selling how nervous he was standing next to Henry, tentatively asked Henry for his thoughts on Orton-Christian tonight. Henry said no matter what, he'll find a new candidate for the Hall of Pain. Heads or tails, no matter what, his eventual opponent will lose.

In-ring: Sin Cara came to the ring for the next match before they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Sin Cara's music was still playing. After Cole plugged the Night of Champions PPV, Daniel Bryan's new music played to bring out Mr. Money in the Bank, replacing Del Rio in the advertised match-up against Sin Cara. Booker talked up Bryan before the bell sounded.

2 -- SIN CARA vs. DANIEL BRYAN

Mood lighting in effect here. Bryan quickly cleared Cara to the outside and landed a flying suicide elbow that sent Cara into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Bryan delivered kick strikes as Cole intentionally ignorantly knocked Bryan's submission arsenal. Bryan then slapped on a surfboard stretch that Cara escaped before dumping Bryan to the outside. Cara tried a flying move to the outside, but Bryan avoided. Cara came back with an ugly-looking (compared to the real Sin Cara) springboard splash.

[Q3] Back in the ring, Sin Cara landed a chop to the chest before the two men knocked each other down with a mid-air collision. Cara was the first man up and delivered a series of kicks to the leg. Bryan fired back with kick strikes of his own before taking an inverted Torture Rack slam. Sin Cara then followed up with his combination springboard dive and moonsault for the pin and the win. Cole declared Bryan has plummeted in Booker's Fave Five rankings.

Post-match: Cara extended his hand to Bryan for a handshake. Suddenly, Sin Cara turned around to kick Bryan in the face. Ref Armstrong held him back as Cole called it awesome. Cara then slowly left the ring.

WINNER: Sin Cara at 5:01. Interesting post-match development to apparently give Bryan and Cara a legitimate program on Smackdown. It's a risky decision turning Cara heel since the character is actually selling merchandise and building momentum, but we'll see how it plays out.

Backstage: From Sin Cara's heel turn, they cut to Matt Striker's smiling face. Striker brought in new tag champs Bourne and Kingston for an interview on becoming tag champions. Bourne said he's not sure how long this is going to last, but they're going to ride this all the way. (What?) Kofi said they completely depend on each other before running down the list of great tag teams in the past. He said if anyone can fill those shoes, Air Boom can do it. All three did Kofi's Boom clap to conclude the exchange, with Striker showing zero objectivity. Cole said he's going to vomit.

Still to come tonight: Triple H-Punk PPV contract signing.

[Commercial Break]

Video package: Back from break, the announcers plugged a poll on Christian-Orton, then Mathews fed to a video package recapping the history of their feud over the past four months. The focus was on Orton trying to find a way to vent his frustration on Christian. Tonight, he gets an opportunity inside the steel cage, with Christian having no more excuses.

Backstage: Christian was shown staring straight ahead at the interview position. Striker told Christian there's no lawyers, no friends, no excuses, and no way out. Christian said it's his night. See, everyone has turned their back on him - Edge, Hart, everyone. He said he's a fighter and he always fights for what's right. It doesn't matter if Striker likes it, the "losers" in Wichita like it, or anyone else. Christian said he doesn't need the World Title to validate his career, but he wants the World Title. He concluded by saying Christian always gets what he wants. Nice build-up to the title match thus far.

[Q4] [Commercial Break]

3 -- Divas champion KELLY KELLY & ALICIA FOX vs. BETH PHOENIX & NATALYA

Back from break, Aksana was in the ring to introduce a Divas tag match. First out were Beth Phoenix and Natalya focused on the business at hand. Divas champion Kelly Kelly was out next, joined by Alicia Fox, who has gone back and forth between heel and face more times than Mr. Anderson lately. The heels isolated Kelly early on. Alicia then tagged in and cleaned house before Beth cut her off and delivered the Glam Slam for the win.

WINNERS: Beth & Natalya at 2:01. Decisive win for the Divas of Doom to keep them strong leading to Night of Champions.

Backstage: Triple H and Teddy Long were shown walking down the hallway reviewing the contract for Hunter-Punk at Night of Champions. Hunter didn't seem completely pleased with the terms and conditions.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Back from break, Smackdown GM Teddy Long was already in the ring and introduced Triple H. Cole mocked Long's introduction of Hunter before getting serious about the business at hand when Punk-Nash was booked, then Hunter booked himself against Punk. Cole said he thinks Hunter has let this get too personal and he's not making rational decisions. Booker said he's sure Nash would have beat the dust off Punk.

In the ring, Hunter took the mic and refreshed everyone on canceling Punk vs. Nash, then making Punk against him for Night of Champions. Hunter said the Board was "kind enough" to let him take off the suit for one night. He then invited Punk to the ring to sign the contract and make this official.

[Q5 -- second hour] At the top of the second hour, Cult of Personality hit to bring out Punk. Cole said he's been waiting all day to hear Punk's response and said if anyone has a complaint about conspiracies in WWE, it's Punk. Booker said he knows Nash isn't happy with the match being canceled and this thing has become too personal. Punk made his way into the ring and posed for the crowd before circling around the contract table.

Punk's music stopped and he approached the contract table to take a seat. Hunter shoved his seat away, though, and stood over Punk, who sat down and propped his feet up on the table. Punk said he finds this a tad bit unnecessary since Hunter's word is gospel and he's already made the match, so why have a contract signing? Punk asked if Hunter added a stipulation. Hunter said he gets it that he caught Punk off-guard, but Punk said nothing catches him off-guard around here because of the bad decision-making in WWE.

Hunter said Punk disrespected him, his family (cross-talk, cross-talk), WWE, his father-in-law, and his wife. He said that despite all that and Punk holding WWE hostage, he tried working with him. It wasn't good enough, though. Punk had to push. Hunter asked "genius" who he thinks got the rights to Living Colour's Cult of Personality. He said he pushed Punk' t-shirt through, too. Even last night when he gave Punk a match with Nash, Punk still had to push his buttons. Maybe he just needs to be the bigger man and swallow his pride, but he's done trying to be the man and COO around here. He can only take so much, and Punk's disrespect has turned personal. Now, Punk deals with him as a man.

Punk said he doesn't want to fight the COO at Night of Champions; he wants the Cerebral Assassin. Punk said maybe Hunter isn't the guy for the job, which has been his point all along. Punk said the last guy in Hunter's position, McMahon, couldn't separate personal from business, just like Hunter is doing. Punk said the thing they don't get is he doesn't hate WWE; he loves WWE. Punk said if he hates WWE, he would be sitting at home right now. He said he wants change and he recognizes when things suck. Punk said he is dying for a change. He wants to be the catalyst for that change.

"Oh save me!" Hunter shouted. He said he wants change if it only benefits Punk. Hunter said only about half agree with Punk and some of these people actually like WWE. He said there's an audience that likes it the way it is. Can it be better? Sure, and that's his job. But, when Punk talks about being the catalyst for change, it only means Punk on top. Hunter said Punk's no different than anyone else, including him, because they did whatever they had to do to get to the top. He said Punk doesn't have the balls to look everyone in the eye and tell them he's stepping on them.

Punk said he's not trying to be a martyr, but if Hunter sees him like that, then perhaps he's saying the right things. Punk said he wants everyone in the audience to tune in and enjoy this again. Punk said he's not completely altruistically, sure, but he was a fan before he was a WWE wrestler and he will do what he can and what he knows to make this place better and fun again. Small reaction after Punk paused. Punk then shifted to Stephanie. He said he tried pushing Hunter's buttons to see if he would pass, but he failed. Punk said maybe he thought they were on the same page, but it turns out Hunter is egotistical and vindicate. After all, he hired his old buddies to do his dirty work. Punk said he's seen it before. If he has to be the catalyst for change and if he has to go through Hunter, then so be it. Punk approached the contract and told Hunter that at Night of Champions, don't fine him or suspend him after he kicks Hunter's ass.

Punk signed the document, then Hunter asked Punk if he really thinks he's like Vince. Hunter said he respects Vince, which Punk doesn't. Hunter said they wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for McMahon. He said he couldn't take any bigger complement than being compared to Vince, but where he's nothing like Vince - Punk interrupted. He said Hunter wants to live in the past, but he doesn't see the future. Punk said McMahon lost touch so long ago. He said Hunter just points to his crotch and tells everyone to suck it, but he wants change. Hunter asked Punk if he really wants change. He said this is where he's not like Vince. Hunter signed the document, then told Punk that Vince would have gotten into the ring at Night of Champions and taken a beating because it was good for business. He said it's completely personal now. Hunter declared he's going to kick Punk's "skinny, fat ass." Hunter slammed down the mic and Punk smirked.

Suddenly, the NWO music hit and Nash came stomping to the ring. Hunter held back Punk as Nash turned over the contract table. Punk then landed blows on Nash before Hunter threw Punk across the ring. Suddenly, Nash big-booted Punk. Hunter then shoved Nash away, so Nash shoved Hunter down. Nash stared down at Hunter, who sold disbelief. Nash then stepped out of the ring as Hunter and Punk remained stunned in the ring. Cole reset the stage and declared Hunter has lost control of all of this.

Segment Reax: At times, still too insider and breaking kayfabe (McMahon willingly taking a beating) for the crowd to go along for the ride, but they got around to the point of Hunter being the general face and Punk being the face for a portion of the audience not present in Wichita. How that translates to PPV buys and the live crowd in Buffalo for Night of Champions will be interesting.

Still to come: Orton vs. Christian in the steel cage. And, Sheamus now gets Great Khali instead of Punk vs. Khali.

[Q6] [Commercial Break]

During commercial: Kevin Nash was shown walking down the hallway when Striker approached him. Nash was asked for a word on what just happened, but he frowned at Striker and walked off.

In-ring: Great Khali and Mahal made their way to the ring as Cole continued to heel on Hunter. Khali was introduced to little-to-no-reaction as Cole said this has gotten out of control. Great White Sheamus was out next sporting taped ribs. Before the bell sounded, they replayed Mark Henry slamming Sheamus into the ring steps on last week's Smackdown, which is why Sheamus has the taped ribs.

4 -- SHEAMUS vs. GREAT KHALI (w/Jinder Mahal)

The announcers talked as if last night's main event never happened when Sheamus worked through the ribs injury to pick up a win with Cena. Khali targeted Sheamus's chest and ribs early on before applying a vice grip. Sheamus came back with a kick to the knees before pounding on Khali's chest with ten punches in the ropes. Sheamus followed with a running knee before smiling to the crowd. He went up top and delivered a flying shoulder tackle that knocked down Khali. Sheamus wanted the Brogue Kick, but Mahal slipped into the ring to attack Sheamus from behind, causing a DQ.

Post-match: Khali tossed Sheamus over the top rope, per Mahal's instructions. Khali then tried to smash Sheamus into the ringpost, but Sheamus moved and Khali ate the post. Mahal picked up where Khali failed and landed blows before throwing Sheamus back into the ring. Mahal took a sledge to the chest, though, before Sheamus delivered the Celtic Cross clear across the ring. Sheamus stood tall as the heels recovered ringside.

WINNER: Sheamus via DQ at 2:49. Nice showcase for Sheamus to give a Smackdown star some shine on a Raw-heavy episode thus far.

[Commercial Break]

Exterior shot: Mathews reset the show as they showed the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita. Mathews fed to the trailer for Triple H in "Inside Out," where sometimes "your best friend is your worst enemy."

[Q7] Announcers: Back live, Cole, Mathews, and Booker talked up the movie before plugging the Orton-Christian poll. 85 percent say Orton has the advantage, to Christian's 15 percent. Cole then hyped the cage match before the ominous music played to bring the cage down from the roof to ringside. Mathews said Christian has been clamoring for one more shot at the title and it happens next.

[Commercial Break]

Back live, Tony Chimel introduced the steel cage main event as Christian's music hit. A sign in the crowd seriously read, "Christian is full of peep," with "peep" highlighted in an alternative color. Christian made his way into the cage and climbed the cage to taunt the crowd. After a Cena Pause for Christian to stew in the ring, Orton's music hit to bring out the World champion with the belt over his shoulder. The crowd popped as Orton paced on the stage before making his way down the ramp into the cage. The announcers hyped their summer feud and Cole said this is the climax tonight inside the steel cage. With everyone assembled in the cage, Chimel handled formal ring introductions from outside the cage. Cue the bell 18 minutes before the top of the hour.

5 -- World Hvt. champion RANDY ORTON vs. CHRISTIAN -- World Title match -- steel cage match

Christian tried to bolt for the door to exit quickly, but Orton cut him off and nailed a textbook dropkick that KO'ed Christian for a two count. They suddenly cut to break 55 seconds in.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Christian was in control, but Orton cut him off with clothesline. Mathews said it was pretty even during the break. Orton teased the RKO, but Christian avoided, only to take a back body drop. Orton smiled and tried to walk out of the cage, but Christian grabbed his foot to keep him in the ring. Christian then tossed Christian into a cage wall to cut off the champ. Christian tried climbing over a wall, but Orton pulled him down and scored a two count with a quick roll-up. Christian came back with sustained offense and did the belt-around-the-waist motion while Cole hyped Christian as "one of the greats of all-time." So odd hearing Cole hype Christian.

As Christian teased an escape, Orton came back on Christian with stomps and kicks before Christian cut him off again. Christian then tried to climb over a wall, but Orton pulled him down to the top turnbuckle. Orton smiled, then paid homage to Papa Orton with a superplex clear across the ring. Mathews then sent it to another break with both men on the mat selling.

[Commercial Break]

Five minutes before the top of the hour, they returned with Christian about to escape the cage through the door, but Orton dragged him back into the cage. Orton then sent Christian flying head-first into a cage wall. Nice, safe, dangerous-looking spot. Orton followed with a snap powerslam for a nearfall. Counters and exchanges ensued, like so many of their other matches. Christian then tried to escape over the cage, but Orton pulled him down. Christian fought him off, though, and landed a high-impact frog splash for a two count only.

Christian tried to crawl out of the door, but paused too long, giving Orton an opening to drag Christian back into the cage. Christian fought off Orton, then tried a spear, but Orton blocked. Christian blocked the RKO, then hit a spear for another nearfall. What an exchange. Booker said they're doing it like it's supposed to be done. Christian was the first man to his feet, then he slowly backed away to an opposite corner. He went for Orton's Punt, but Orton moved. Christian teased a sunset flip that Orton tried to counter with an RKO, but Christian pump-faked him and tried to climb out, only to have Orton grab him and deliver a walking slam.

They reset center ring a minute before the top of the hour with Orton winning the exchange to set up the spike DDT. Orton then wanted the RKO, but Christian emphatically blocked. Christian went to the cage wall and tried to climb over. He got to the other side of the cage, but Orton grabbed him to stop Christian from climbing out. The two men sat on top of the cage trading blows before pausing to sell exhaustion.

[Q9 -- over-run] The two men fought back inside the cage while standing on top of the turnbuckle. Christian teased a top-rope Unprettier, but Orton blocked and bashed Christian's head into the cage wall multiple times. Orton suddenly grappled Christian for an RKO, paused, and delivered a Super RKO from the top turnbuckle. Orton was slow to make a cover, but made the cover and it was good for the win. Orton and Christian paused for a moment to share words on the moment as the crowd cheered for Orton.

WINNER: Orton at 18:35 to retain the World Title. Another excellent encounter in this series. The two mid-match commercial breaks took this down a notch, but the final ten minutes of uninterrupted action was amazing storytelling. (***3/4)

Post-match: Mark Henry's music hit and Henry entered the cage looking for a piece of Orton as Christian remained KO'ed inside the cage. Christian then rolled out of the cage in the background as Henry beat down Orton inside the cage. Henry lawn-darted Orton into the steel cage, then tried a second time, but Orton slipped off Henry's shoulders, landed a few blows, and took a big clubbing clothesline from Henry. Henry, firmly in control now, stalked Orton before delivering a big running splash. "C'mon, champ!" Henry called down to Orton as the crowd sat stunned.

"Henry sucks" chant as ref Charles Robinson simply stood in the background, unable to do anything. Henry delivered World's Strongest Slam before Henry's music played. Mathews declared Henry the next World Hvt. champion. Booker said he doesn't think Orton can stop Henry and Henry just "tenderized" Orton. Henry grabbed the title belt from Robinson and held it up in the air as they signed off five minutes past the top of the hour.

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