WWE Smackdown review
July 23, 2010
Taped 7/20/10 in Little Rock, Ark.
Aired on MyNetwork TV
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- Smackdown Open.

- They opened with an image of Kane holding the World Title over a fallen Rey Mysterio from the Money-In-The-Bank PPV.

- In the arena, Kane came out, World Title around his waist. He got the mic and told a story about killing a goldfish as a child. Oh jeez, back with the cheesy dramatic music again. As he talked, images from MITB were shown during his discussion of what happened last Sunday. He called winning, “the most gratifying moment in my career.” He talked about Jack Swagger’s attack on Rey after their match as the background music continued to play. Kane said Rey’s eyes nearly popped out of his head when he chokeslammed him. He addressed Rey next, saying he only did what anyone else in his position would’ve done. “I did it!” he screamed several times. Then, he said he did it (winning the title) for his brother. They showed images of Kane and Undertaker together from the past in WWE. He said he went to his brother’s bedside, but Taker wasn’t conscious to appreciate it. Kane screamed as he said he would not rest until he would find the one responsible for Taker’s condition. He ended by cuing up the fire from the ring-posts. The interview was fine, as Kane’s a pro at this, but the segment was way over-produced.

- The announcers plugged Swagger vs. Rey, in 2-out-of-3 falls, to find a #1 Contender to face Kane at Summerslam.

[Commercial Break]

1 – MATT HARDY & CHRISTIAN vs. DREW MCINTYRE & CODY RHODES

Hardy worked McIntyre’s arm to start. Some hard slaps from Christian found the mark after he became the legal man. He connected on a middle-rope dropkick for a two-count, but McIntyre dropped him soon after. Rhodes then tagged in and was flattened by Christian. Teamwork was shown by Hardy and Christian after their incidents the past few weeks. Cody got his boots up on a corner charge to halt Matt’s momentum. Hardy back-dropped McIntyre, then Rhodes, over the top and to the floor. Springboard cross-body by Christian, then they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

The heels were back in control out of break with Rhodes leg-sweeping Hardy. Some more back-and-forth led to Cody hitting an Alabama Slam for two (and Striker alluded to Cody’s former tag partner, Hardcore Holly, teaching him that - he also called it an “Alabama Jam”). Striker went on to say that Mr. McMahon discovered McIntyre at a charity golf event in Ayr, Scotland. I can’t even picture McMahon golfing. Rhodes and McIntyre worked over Christian until the hot tag was made to Hardy, who came in without his shirt and with his ribs taped. He hit a tornado DDT (which hasn’t been called in a while, as the announcers always refer to it as just simply a DDT; that must be on the announcer no-no list too), but the ref was distracted by Rhodes on a pin attempt. All four men were in the ring fighting and Hardy missed a right hand ticketed for the Dashing one’s kisser and instead found Christian. Side Effect on Rhodes after Hardy composed himself, but he then got booted in the side of the face by McIntyre. That was enough for the Scot to pick up the win.

WINNERS: McIntyre and Rhodes, at 13:22. Good tag match and the teasing of dissension between Hardy and Christian could become interesting down the line.

After the match, Christian got Matt up to a vertical base and extended his hand. They shook and seemed to be on good terms.

- Josh Mathews was backstage with Jack Swagger. Mathews said Swagger must be feeling fortunate to get such a huge opportunity tonight, but Swagger interrupted and disagreed, arguing that he isn’t fortunate because of what happened on Sunday. He said Rey took a page from one of the dirtiest cheaters in WWE history: Eddie Guerrero. He said Rey wasn’t able to lie, cheat or steal tonight as he vowed to shatter Rey’s ankle, then do the same to Kane at Summerslam. He wanted to put Kane in the same place Kane put his father: in the hospital.

[Commercial Break]

- Swagger vs. Rey was hyped again.

- The Alberto Del Rio promo from last week was repeated here.

- LayCool was backstage celebrating the retention of the Women’s Title by Layla on Sunday by sharing some champagne. The two even got each other gifts. They were “best friends” necklaces. Teddy Long walked in and congratulated Layla, but said she’d be defending the Women’s Title against Tiffany next week. He said that with all the bravado of announcing that Rey Mysterio would have to face Kane. Who’d get intimidated by the announcement that they’d have to face Tiffany? Luckily, it didn’t seem to upset either member of LayCool.

- Kofi Kingston’s neck was being tended to by a trainer backstage, then he and his NXT Rookie Michael McGillicutty began walking. Kingston would be in action next.

[Commercial Break]

2 – KOFI KINGSTON vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER

Ziggler was seconded by Vickie Guerrero. It was a stalemate early on with both going to the mat to wrestle each other. Ziggler worked the injured neck of Kingston, even giving him what Striker referred to as a “Rude Awakening” neck-breaker. Kingston was thrown to ringside, where his rookie checked on him. Vickie got mad and told McGillicutty to leave ringside. Because Vickie is the assistant GM, he was forced to do so. Ziggler also yelled at him. McGillicutty pled his case as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Kofi worked out of a headlock, but Ziggler threw him back down. Fameasser for a two-count. Kofi tried to fight back by kicking Dolph’s legs but it didn’t faze him much. Another fameasser missed, but Ziggler came back with a neck-breaker. He choked Kofi in the ropes but missed a big elbowdrop. Backslide for a two-count by Kofi, who then landed a series of chops and a high dropkick. Superman punch (as called by Todd Grisham) from Kofi, who signaled for the Trouble in Paradise, but missed. He skinned the cat when Ziggler threw him out, but Vickie grabbed his foot. That allowed Ziggler to hit the Zig-Zag, then lock in the sleeper. It took a while, but eventually, Kingston succumbed to the move.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 14:52. A tad longer than it probably should’ve been, but not bad. Guerrero does nothing to enhance Ziggler’s character and is used too much as a crutch during his matches.

Ziggler posed after the match with Kofi’s Intercontinental Title.

- Big Show was walking backstage. He clapped as he passed Rosa Mendes jumping rope. He’ll face Luke Gallows next.

[Commercial Break]

- After ring intros were made for the next match, C.M. Punk decided to replace Gallows in the match with the mystery SES man.

3 – THE BIG SHOW vs. THE MYSTERY MAN

Not sure how the switch could be made without Teddy or Vickie’s approval. Show tossed around the Mystery Man, but he came back kicking at Show’s legs and trying to go high on him. Show grabbed the man by the throat and ripped off his mask. The announcers recognized him as Joey Mercury. Show put on the mask himself and did the knockout punch for the win.

WINNER: Show, at 1:34.

- Cody Rhodes gave some grooming tips for all the men out there, showing us how to trim our nose-hairs. Good, useable advice.

[Commercial Break]

- The Raw Rebound aired.

- Striker and Grisham talked about the upcoming #1 Contender’s Match.

- Mathews talked to Rey backstage. Mysterio admitted to being hurt and said he wouldn’t have done things the way Kane did on Sunday. He said he has to focus on beating Swagger tonight. That match is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Another Alberto Del Rio promo aired. He asked if we were ashamed at what we see in the mirror. He said most people are weak in body and mind. Not him, though, of course.

4 – REY MYSTERIO vs. JACK SWAGGER – 2-OUT-OF-3 FALLS FOR THE #1 CONTENDER TO THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Quick roll-up by Rey for only two. He kicked Swagger out of the ring and worked on him a bit prior to the break.

[Commercial Break]

Swagger was on offense, hammering at Rey in the corner. Swagger tripped Rey up on the top rope, putting more pressure on Rey’s already injured ankle. Body-scissors on Mysterio to wear him down a bit and Swagger applied torque on the ankle as well. Swagger then slammed the ankle against the ring-post. Mysterio fired back with a springboard cross-body but Swagger hooked the ankle. Rey made the ropes and did not let go, giving the first fall to Rey by DQ.

WINNER, FALL ONE: Mysterio, via DQ, at 11:12.

[Commercial Break]

Back in the middle of the second fall, with Rey on the outside struggling to get back in. From the top, he hit a hurricanrana into a 619, but Swagger caught him and put him in the ankle-lock. Rey immediately tapped.

WINNER, FALL TWO: Swagger, at 4:56 (16:08 total).

Outside the ring, Swagger picked Rey up by his legs and dropped him down butt-first. That looked painful. Two Vader Bombs in the ring only got him a two-count. Rey got his feet up on a third attempt, catching Swagger right in the face. Mysterio landed a seated senton, but walked into a right hand. Swagger Bomb, but Rey countered; Swagger rolled him up, but Rey countered that into another roll-up for the win.

WINNER, FALL THREE: Mysterio, at 3:26 (19:34 total). Good finishing sequence there.

Swagger went back for more punishment after the match, but Kane ran in. He chokeslammed Swagger. Kane picked Rey up out of the corner and stood him on his feet. Then he slowly raises his arm. Fans like that. Kane left the ring. As the camera focused on Rey, Kane ran back into the ring after Rey. He chased Mysterio outside, then pulled him back inside and set him up for a chokeslam. Rey hit the 619 instead and quickly left the ring. Kane looked at Rey from the ring in anger to close out the show.

Greg Parks has been covering WWE Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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