WWE Smackdown review
August 6, 2010
Taped 7/28/10 in Laredo, Tex.
Aired on MyNetwork TV
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- Smackdown Open.

- Rey Mysterio’s music hit and he came out as soon as they went to the arena. He cut a promo in the ring, talking about getting chokeslammed into the Gulf of Mexico by Kane last week. They showed it happening as he talked about it. He said his life flashed before his eyes when it happened and as he struggled to get back to the surface, he could see the face of his accuser, Kane. Mysterio said never in his career has he been accused of something he didn’t do. He said he’s always been honest with the fans and said he had nothing to do with the attack on the Undertaker. He said Kane has always been delusional and Mysterio admitted he did not like caskets. He said they are made for the dead and Kane won’t be the one to judge him; only God will judge him. Mysterio said he knows exactly who attacked the Undertaker and was going to tell…but Drew McIntyre’s music interrupted and he walked to the ring.

McIntyre said there is a name for people like Mysterio in his country, people who wear masks and try to pull the wool over people’s eyes: criminals. McIntyre said that, at the expense of the Undertaker, the truth has finally come out. He said Rey is supposed to be a hero to the fans, but would a hero stand by and let C.M. Punk get falsely accused and his arm get injured? Rey said that wasn’t his business. McIntyre asked if a hero would stand by while Jack Swagger was falsely accused and his father injured at the hands of Kane? Rey said that wasn’t his business, either. Drew said he admired what Mysterio did and wished he had taken out Taker himself. But McIntyre said if he was the perpetrator, he would’ve done it alone. He said he didn’t believe that someone like Mysterio would be capable of taking out someone like the Undertaker. He said he was capable of doing something like that solo, though. McIntyre said last week, he destroyed Christian’s arm so badly that doctors say he’ll never be the same. He said he had the idea to do the same thing in Rey’s backyard tonight. I thought Rey was from California? I guess he must be talking about Mexico. McIntyre tried to goad him into a fight. Mysterio chided McIntyre for ripping him in front of his raza. Mysterio agreed to it, in Spanish. Set up a match for later on at least, but it was a bit of a reach getting there.

- The exclusive broadcast premiere of John Cena’s “Legendary” will take place tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Still to come: Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler for the IC Title.

1 – MATT HARDY vs. “DASHING” CODY RHODES

Rhodes went right after Hardy in the corner, but Hardy turned things around. Corner clotheslined, then a running bulldog from Hardy. First cover of the night for a two-count. Hardy went for a Twist of Fate, but Rhodes ducked out of the ring as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Hardy was working the arm of Rhodes out of break. Double leg-drop to the mid-section for two. Springboard kick to the back of the head by Rhodes, and a beauty. He’s got that move down pat. Sunset flip by Matt for a near-fall. Rhodes came back with a suplex attempt by Hardy got an inside cradle for two. Rhodes got to his feet first and kneed Hardy in the head. Front suplex by Rhodes. Right hands by Cody after he worked a face-lock on the mat. Neckbreaker variation from Hardy, followed by a few clotheslines. Side Effect for two. Twist of Fate, but Rhodes rolled Hardy up for two. Side Russian leg-sweep, but a knee-drop missed from the Dashign one. Hardy to the second rope, but Rhodes tried to pry him off for an Alabama Slam. Instead, Rhodes dropped Hardy’s face on the top turnbuckle. Cross-Rhodes from Cody for the win.

WINNER: Rhodes, at 10:15. Good win for Cody, and a nice little match. Nothing terribly unique about it, just a well-worked bout.

- Tonight, Kofi Kingston defends his IC Title against Dolph Ziggler.

- The broadcast premiere of the trailer for “Legendary,” starring John Cena, aired.

[Commercial Break]

- Matt Striker thanked Jet for “Rip It Up,” the official Summerslam theme.

- Still on tap for Smackdown tonight, Rey Mysterio vs. Drew McIntyre.

- An Alberto Del Rio promo aired. It was the one from last week, where he talked about how we are mentally constipated.

- Rosa Mendes was talking to Teddy Long backstage when LayCool barged in. Michelle told her to do a little less talking and a lot more training. Mendes walked out and McCool complained to Long about his Women’s Title ultimatum from last week. Long asked for one of the titles and McCool told Layla to give hers up. They argued, then Michelle handed her title to Long and she told Layla, “you owe me.” McCool tried to take the title from Layla, but it ripped down the middle, obviously pre-cut. I guess that was by design, because Michelle then said it’s still one title, but now they each have a piece. Clever.

- Vickie Guerrero was out on the stage, and she introduced her boyfriend, Dolph Ziggler. The two of them made their way to the ring where Ziggler did some posing for the fans. Kofi’s entrance, and the match, is next.

[Commercial Break]

2 – DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. KOFI KINGSTON – INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Ziggler went to ringside following an aggressive start by Kingston. Take-down by Kofi, but Ziggler elbowed out of a rear waist-lock. Ziggler threw Kingston out of the ring but he landed on his feet. He climbed back into the ring and dove at Ziggler. He pounded away and Ziggler again tried to go outside. But Kingston met him out there with a clothesline. Kofi looked like he didn’t know what to do with Ziggler, and ended up driving him head-first into the apron. Back in the ring, Ziggler took over on offense. Todd Grisham said that many folks feel that Ziggler is the most talented superstar to not have won a title. Kingston fired back with rights to the torso of Ziggler, followed by a dropkick and a clothesline that sent Ziggler over the top and out of the ring. He dove through the ropes and onto Ziggler; they had a wide shot of it as it was happening, and it looked even more spectacular then. They went to break a little under 4:00 in.

[Commercial Break]

They showed what happened during the break where Ziggler turned the tide on Kofi. Vickie provided the distraction to allow Ziggler to take over. Dolph worked on the left arm of Kingston, kicking and punching at it. Series of elbowdrops by Ziggler found the mark on Kofi’s chest. Dolph worked the neck and arm of Kingston, stretching him in the middle of the ring. Arm-stunner by Ziggler, as called by Striker, for a two-count. Guerrero got on the apron and applauded Ziggler, blowing kisses to him. Out of nowhere, Trouble in Paradise by Kofi. Vickie came into the ring and got in the face of the referee, Aaron “Goose” Mahoney. That provided enough of a distraction for Ziggler to Zig-Zag Kingston for the win and the title.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 10:46. Fine match, but I didn’t like the finish. Seemed like Ziggler popped up too quickly from the Trouble in Paradise.

They showed Ziggler celebrating with the belt after the match. Kingston wanted payback though, and attacked Ziggler with much vigor. Things went to the outside as Vickie looked on in distress. Crowd was behind Kofi here as he slammed Ziggler on the announce table. He then tipped the table over, sending Ziggler falling back to ringside. Hard forearm to the face as Kofi continued his onslaught. He slammed Ziggler’s head into the steel steps several times. Where are the refs and agents to break this up? To finish things off, he threw Ziggler’s entire body into and up the steps. He tried to do more damage but finally the referee stepped in and other refs emptied out of the back just as Kofi was heading backstage. Nice timing, stripes. Vickie, the refs and the trainer checked on Ziggler as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed what happened moments ago, as it pertained to the finish of the IC Title match. Also, the aftermath, featuring Kofi’s attack.

- C.M. Punk and the Straight Edge Society came out. Just announced for Summerslam: The Big Show vs. Punk, Luke Gallows and Joey Mercury of the SES. Punk said that he has accomplished many great things in his life, including sobriety, and becoming the only three-time Straight Edge Champion. He said he’s never been more proud than last week, when the Society formed a cohesive unit and toppled the Big Show. He said he wanted to watch the footage again, so the Titan-Tron showed the attack from last Friday. “This is the good part,” said Punk, as they stomped on Show’s hand. Punk said Show has at least two severed tendons in his hand, and he doesn’t know whether Show will make it to Summerslam. They continued to show more of the footage, including Serena stepping on Show’s hand. Mercury made fun of Show for the faces he was making during the assault. Punk asked each member of the Society if they were happy, but it appeared Punk himself was not.

He said he didn’t remember telling any one of them they could be happy. He ordered them on their knees and reminded them of what he said last week. He said their happiness is weakness. And when you show weakness, you slip. Punk yelled that he wouldn’t tolerate their weakness and if they fall off the wagon, they better pack their bags. He told them to stand back up and said from now on, they will be better than everyone. “And you’ll be happy when I say you’re happy.” He also said that satisfaction is the death of desire. I’m wondering if we’re getting closer to the end of the Society, as Punk seems to be going for more control and going further off the deep end. The Society is in six-man tag action next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – THE STRAIGHT EDGE SOCIETY vs. JTG & CHRIS MASTERS & MVP

This can’t be a good sign for MVP. MVP was worked over by the Society in the heel corner as Striker compared the SES to the Freebirds as far as six-man combinations go. Hard uppercut, then a splash by the former Festus for two. MVP fought out of a chin-lock and was elbowed down. Another tag to Mercury, who hit a neckbreaker for two. Gallows tried to prevent a tag, and even attacked both of MVP’s partners to make sure he couldn’t do it. MVP looked ready for a comeback, but when he hit the ropes, Punk got his foot up and kicked MVP in the back of the head. Big boot by Gallows, that showed a bit of light, but got the pin anyway.

WINNERS: The Straight Edge Society, at 3:02.

- Cody Rhodes was back with more grooming tips. This week: the eyebrows. He emphasized brow-scaping.

[Commercial Break]

- The Raw Rebound aired.

- Striker and Grisham previewed the Summerslam card.

- Kane was backstage, with the casket, lots of candles and mood music. He said he could smell Rey’s fear. Kane said he saw Mysterio’s eyes last week, right before he was chokeslammed into the Gulf of Mexico. He told Mysterio that he’d stuff him into the casket, where darkness would consume him forever.

- Mysterio came out for his match against Drew McIntyre. Grisham and Striker wondered if Mysterio would reveal the name of the person who attacked the Undertaker. Match is coming up after the break.

[Commercial Break]

4 – REY MYSTERIO vs. DREW MCINTYRE

McIntyre locked up with Rey and shoved him into the corner. Mysterio, though, proved too quick for McIntyre, frustrating the Scotsman. Mysterio took his eyes off his opponent and McIntyre caught him with a clothesline. McIntyre stomped away at Mysterio’s mid-section in the corner. Drop-toe hold by Mysterio into the turnbuckle, then hung up in position for a 619. McIntyre rolled out of the ring and Mysterio dove onto him. Back in the ring, springboard attempt missed but he landed on his feet, only to be clotheslined by McIntyre. Short-arm clothesline. Crowd chanted in Spanish for Mysterio. He low-bridged McIntyre out of the ring and hurricanrana’d McIntyre down at ringside.

[Commercial Break]

McIntyre was back on offense out of break, though he was holding his back in pain. Mac powerbombed Mysterio into the corner and went for a cover, getting two. McIntyre stretched Mysterio’s body around the ring post on the outside. Mysterio then found himself being dropped onto the announce table. He was able to pull himself back into the ring at the count of nine. McIntyre was all over his foe as soon as Mysterio crawled back into the squared circle. Rey fought out of a rest-hold and tried to go for a bulldog, but it was snuffed out by McIntyre, who sent Rey to the mat face-first. He put Rey on his back and dropped him on his knee for a gut-buster and a two-count. Top arm-bar by McIntyre, but Mysterio again connected with a few knees. Tilt-a-whirl into a DDT for Mysterio. Mysterio with a seated senton, then a springboard cross-body for a near-fall. Both men tried to recover and catch their breath at this point. Another tilt-a-whirl, this time in McIntyre’s favor, a back-breaker. Shoulders to the gut in the corner by Drew, followed by forearms to the face. He didn’t seem to know how to end the match, though. Well duh, he hasn’t even gone for the Futureshock DDT yet. Oh, there he goes setting up for it, but Mysterio slid out. 619 missed, but he rolled McIntyre up for the three away.

WINNER: Mysterio, at 14:31. Solid TV main event.

Mysterio got the mic after the match and spoke in Spanish. Before he could even translate, Kane rolled the casket out to ringside. Kane laughed maniacally and left the casket open. He came into the ring and McIntyre attacked Mysterio from behind, then left the ring before Kane could get his hands on him. Mysterio was down at Kane’s feet, and tried to slide out of the ring before Kane could get him some. He slid right into the casket, but quickly got out before he could get too freaked out. On the stage, Mysterio said it wasn’t him who took out the Undertaker….but Kane himself. Kane laughed at first, but then had a serious look on his face as he shook his head “no.” He started to freak out in the ring, dropping to his knees, repeating “no” over and over again. Kane closed his eyes and was talking to himself…or his brother, not sure which. He looked to the sky and almost broke down in tears as the show ended.

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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