WWE Smackdown TV taping report
January 15, 2013
San Antonio, Tex.
Report by Derek Sanders, PWTorch correspondent

Smackdown SPOILERS 1/18

- Smackdown opened with Del Rio's "fiesta." The ring is decorated with red, white, and green balloons and ring curtains. Inside is the red carpet with a Mariachi band and a Flamenco dancer. The Latino crowd was really into the band and dancer. There was a small pop for Ricardo Rodriguez as he brought out Del Rio. Del Rio didn't have a car again and was dressed in a white suit. Del Rio talked about how he was ready to party, but didn't get much mic time before being interrupted by Dolph Ziggler (Big E. and A.J. in tow). Not much heat for Ziggler as he made his way to the ring. Ziggler reminded Del Rio that he may thing he's won the World Title, but all he's really gained is a target on his back because he can cash in his MITB case at any time. He threatened to have Big E. drop him right now, to which Del Rio said "Bring It On."

Big Show's music then hit. Still little heat. Ziggler then stated that Del Rio is pretty outnumbered right now. Cue Sheamus's music. Sheamus stated he wanted to come out and help Del Rio with this numbers situation. He also stated he wants to make amends with Del Rio over everything they've been through, including the last time they were in San Antonio and he stole his Ferrari. Sheamus offered to be the bouncer for this Fiesta, but Del Rio said he doesn't want a fight...okay maybe a little.

Before a brawl could ensue, Booker T's music hit and he broke it up. He pulled a Teddy Long announcing tonight's Main Event will be a Tag Match between Del Rio & Sheamus and Ziggler & Big Show. Booker then kicked the heels out of the ring and re-kicked off the party including a Spin-a-rooni and Sheamus dancing with the Flamenco girl.

(1) U.S. champion Antonio Cesaro beat Kofi Kingston in a non-title match. Just a little heat for Cesaro, even after seeing what he did to The Miz an hour earlier in the Main Event taping. Good pop for Kofi. Cesaro controlled most of the match, but Kofi also had some good offense. The match finished with Kofi trying a huracanrana from the top, but he was caught and put into the Neutralizer.

Backstage Segment: Miz was stopped by Primo and Epico, calling him Ric Flair's new partner. Some funny back and forth ended with Miz challenging one of them to a match, Rosa's choice.

(2) Great Khali beat Tensai. Nobody cared about this match. They recapped last week when Ziggler assaulted Hornswoggle, who was not present. The only good thing about this match was that it was quick (which all of Khali's matches are). Awkward brawling was finished with the Chop from Khali for the win.

Backstage Segment: Kane and Bryan talking about Rhodes Scholars interrupting their therapy session on Raw. Bryan talked about Cody's mustache which led to an inferred dislike from Kane about Bryan's beard. It ended in a Yes/No fight. Orton interrupted asking if they were going to act like they're second graders, or focus on tonight's match. Kane left, then Bryan told Orton they're not second graders, they're in therapy. Orton mentioned the importance of winning the Rumble, but Bryan told him not to worry about that, and focus on tonight's match. He then offered a group hug.

Next was Wade Barrett/Rhodes Scholars vs. Orton/Hell No. Little heat for Barrett, and decent heat for Rhodes Scholars. I felt like if they gave Sandow the mic, it would have gotten the crowd more against them. Big pop for Orton and good "Yes" chants for Bryan.

(3) Randy Orton & WWE tag champions Daniel Bryan & Kane beat IC champion Wade Barrett & Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow. Orton started it off, but was out pretty quickly. Most of the match was Barrett/Rhodes Scholars working pretty well together isolating Kane. Big pop when Randy was finally tagged back into the match. The finish came while Sandow was the legal man, but Rhodes hit the Cross Rhodes on Orton behind the ref's back. Kane made the save and went out to fend off Rhodes. RKO on Sandow for the win.

After the match, Bryan wanted a hug from Randy. Randy turned away, but was stopped by Kane. Kane then held his hands up before grabbing Orton in a bear hug. Bryan jumped on from behind (looked as bad as it sounds). Final big pop for Orton during his curtain call.

Next was The Miz vs. Primo. Decent pop for Miz, but I expected more, especially with how much the crowd reacted when he jumped in to help Orton on Main Event. Little heat for Primo.

(4) The Miz beat Primo. I didn't get this match. It honestly felt like it was simply to try to get the predominantly Latino crowd into a filler match that would usually have little interest. Primo also had most of the offense during the match, which I also didn't get. Why would they have The Miz, who's being billed as a title contender, have this much trouble with a guy that's going to be on NXT next week? The finish came after Miz's corner clothesline. He teased the Skullcrushing Finale, but Epico interfered. Primo hit Miz from behind and teased the Figure Four, but Miz kicked him off into Epico, knocking him off the apron. Miz then locked in the Figure Four to win.

Backstage Segment: Divas congratulated Kaitlyn on her Divas Title win. Booker T and Teddy also come in to congratulate, Booker T thanking for representing H-Town and Teddy thanking for making Eve quit. Kaitlyn then left for her match.

(5) Divas champion Kaitlyn beat Aksana in a non-title match. Small pop for Kaitlyn, even when announced that she's from Texas. They played a recap from Raw where Kaitlyn won the title and Eve quit. Most fans weren't really into this match, as there were more cat-calls than cheers. The Divas did get a small pop when Kaitlyn smacked Aksana on the ass. The finish came with Kaitlyn winning with the spear.

Recap of Shield on Raw.

Shield backstage promo from a self-shot camera. (It's back!) Shield stated they tried to hold Mick accountable for all the kids who injured themselves emulating his hardcore style. They threatened Orton stating they only broke just one of Orton's bones and he has many more to come. It ended with Ambrose yelling "Believe in the Shield!" Orton and Sheamus were then shown watching the promo backstage. Sheamus apologized for not being there to help Orton out on Main Event. Orton stated he doesn't need Sheamus's help, but needs a win at The Rumble.

Main Event time with Show/Ziggler vs. Del Rio/Sheamus. Medium heat for Show. They recapped last week's title match to which Show just stared at the screen. Medium heat for Ziggler (with Big E. and A.J.).

Commercial Break: Promo for the new Best of Raw/SD 2012 DVD.

Back from break, they recapped Monday's cage match between John Cena and Ziggler. Big pop for Sheamus, but still only a decent one for Del Rio. Again no car for Del Rio, so I guess WWE is moving away from that. Despite the mediocre pop, the Latino crowd was behind Del Rio for most of the match, shouting things in Spanish that I didn't understand.

(6) World Hvt. champion Alberto Del Rio & Sheamus beat Big Show & Dolph Ziggler via count-out. The match opened with Del Rio and Ziggler, who both had some really good spots together. Big E. attempted interference when Del Rio was on the outside, but was fought off. The ref saw this and tosses Langston. A.J. went nuts and climbed into the ring to yell at the ref. She's tossed. The rest of the match was pretty good. I like the change of pace that Show/Ziggler created as a team. Highlights included a big slam from Show and a second rope splash from Show on Sheamus. After a nearfall, Show attempted a second one, but Sheamus rolled out. Sheamus tagged in Del Rio and the crowd was really getting behind it, but it seemed like it was more in reaction to Rodriguez's cheerleading on the outside. It makes you wonder how much worse this face turn would be if Del Rio were forced to stand on his own. Del Rio hit a big kick on Ziggler and got a nearfall. He locked in the cross-arm, but it was broken up by a leg drop on Show. Sheamus came in and hit the White Noise on Show (very impressive) to cause him to roll out of the ring. Del Rio then brought back the bucket from last week, but this time it actually had water in it. Show left and the team lost via count-out (Ziggler had also rolled out of the ring as some point, but it seemed like the ref was counting out Show, despite Ziggler being the legal man). Red, white, and green balloons fell from the sky as the crowd celebrated the face's win.

***

Post-show: Ziggler re-entered the ring to be hit with the title belt by Del Rio. Sheamus then hit the brogue kick to send everyone hope happy.

Overall, the show seemed lackluster. I was very disappointed in the crowd reaction, but I think had they given the heels promo time, it would have gotten more heat. It seemed like the whole show was trying to pander to the Latino crowd and it wasn’t very successful.

Biggest Pops:

- Sheamus
- Orton
- Del Rio (eventually)
- Kofi
- Miz

Most Heat:

- Ziggler
- Show
- Rhodes Scholars
- Cesaro
- Shield (during their promo)

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