WWE Smackdown review
August 20, 2010
Taped 8/17/10 in Bakersfield, Calif.
Aired on MyNetwork TV
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- Smackdown Open.

- Lots o’ fireworks began the arena portion of Smackdown from Bakersfield, California. Todd Grisham introduced himself and Matt Striker as the camera panned the crowd.

- They showed a still of Kane standing over Rey Mysterio after defeating him at Summerslam, then a still photo of Undertaker sitting up out of the casket. They also showed the two brothers locking each other in a simultaneous choke. Kane’s explanation for what he has done will be forthcoming tonight.

- Rey Mysterio got a full entrance and came to the ring for a promo. Mysterio began by thanking the WWE Universe and peppered in some Spanish, as usual. Mysterio said things didn’t turn out as he had hoped at Summerslam, but at least he didn’t end up in a casket. He said Kane accused a lot of people of attacking Undertaker, but in reality, he was just masking his own guilt. Did Mysterio ever explain how he knew it was Kane who attacked Taker? Mysterio went on with his promo, but was interrupted by the debuting Alberto Del Rio, who walked to the ring talking to the fans, ignoring Mysterio.

He got to ringside and finally acknowledged Rey. Del Rio said it was an honor to be in the ring with the Mexican idol. He said he and Rey were two “national icons.” Del Rio said his bloodline comes from Kings, but Rey knows that. He said Rey’s blood is from the “horrible” streets of Tijuana. He said Rey was just like the little worm in the bottom of his bottle of Tequila. He tapped Rey on the head and called him little. He called Rey “a joke of a man.” However, he said he was handsome, rich and powerful. He was getting good heel heat here. Mysterio admitted that Del Rio’s suit was quite nice, and that his friend bought cuff links like that at a swap meet. Mysterio said Del Rio was nobody in WWE. Fans seem more interested in the Spanish parts of the promos rather than English. Mysterio said the fans did not have to respect Del Rio, as respect is earned in WWE. He said Del Rio hasn’t gained any of their respect. Del Rio said he doesn’t have to earn anything from them and called Rey a peasant. He said if Rey doesn’t respect him, he’ll make him. Rey said he wasn’t Del Rio’s little friend and he told Alberto that the fans’ respect was there for his taking. He challenged Del Rio for a one-on-one match tonight. Del Rio accepted and said he can’t wait to destroy Mysterio like the cockroach he is. He leaned down toward Rey and winked at him. Rey nailed him in the face and hit the 619. Del Rio came up holding his leg for some reason. Mysterio then headed to the back as his music played and Del rio stewed in the ring. Good job for Del Rio’s first long-form promo.

- A split-screen showed Dolph Ziggler (and Vickie Guerrero) getting ready to defend his Intercontinental title in a Summerslam rematch against Kofi Kingston (on the other side of the split screen). It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- This week’s grooming tips from Cody Rhodes: How to prevent dry and wrinkly skin. Apparently, we need to use manly moisturizing cream.

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

Forearm by Kofi after a tie-up sent Ziggler immediately to ringside. Back in the ring, Ziggler took over, slamming Kofi’s head off the mat and getting a one-count from it. Neck-breaker by Dolph for two. Grisham wondered aloud how much damage Nexus did to Kingston last Sunday. Guerrero grabbed Kofi’s leg when he was near the ropes, and Ziggler ambushed him with a running forearm, sending Kofi through the ropes and to the outside. They went to break a little under 3:00 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back with Ziggler controlling Kingston with, what else, a chin-lock. Kingston came back with a jaw-breaker. However, he couldn’t capitalize and Ziggler splashed his foe in the corner. “Vickie Guerrero puts Megan Fox to shame,” said Striker. I’m convinced he tries every week to come up with the biggest lie or most ridiculous statement and sell it with a straight face. Kingston was slammed in the corner for another two-count. Ziggler then went to work on the arm. A second splash in the corner did not find the mark. Unique roll-up for two by Kofi. Double chop to the chest and a high dropkick. Thesz Press and he fired away with rights. He was going for the Boom Drop but Ziggler rolled out of the way. Kofi went to the top after his flip kick in the corner, but Vickie got on the apron and shoved him off in full sight of referee “Goose” Mahoney. That drew the disqualification.

WINNER: Kingston, via DQ, at 8:45. Not a particularly inspired effort here.

Ziggler tried to continue the assault, but Kingston knew it was coming and they went to the outside. Ziggler ran away while Vickie blocked Kingston’s route, screaming the entire time. They she got confident, saying Kingston couldn’t hit her anyway. From behind, Ziggler attacked Kofi and stomped away at him. In the ring, Zig Zag from Ziggler. As soon as Kingston sat up, Ziggler locked in the sleeper hold. Ziggler looked as if he was done, but then went back for some more. He lifted his boot over Kofi’s head and held it there a while before bringing it down hard on Kingston’s jaw. They replayed the finish of the match and parts of Ziggler’s post-match attack.

- The announcers plugged Alberto Del Rio’s in-ring debut against Rey Mysterio, later tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed all the media WWE did leading up to Summerslam, the same video they showed at Summerslam and Raw.

- LayCool were backstage and Layla said Teddy Long wasn’t happy with their attack on Melina at Summerslam. She was afraid Long would punish them, but McCool said Long should reward them. Apparently, they have something big planned that is indeed flawless. After they walked out, the camera focused on a plant backstage. In the plant was Hornswoggle. He laughed and walked away, still dressed as a plant.

- The announcers reacted with slight bemusement about the previous segment. They then showed the Undertaker-Kane stills from Summerslam again. Kane’s explanation is still to come tonight.

- Luke Gallows was shown backstage. He walked up to Serena and Joey Mercury (whose upper body was wrapped). Gallows said he didn’t like CM Punk walking out on them at Summerslam, but Serena said he was just teaching them a lesson. She said they’d show they deserve Punk’s admiration tonight. Punk then walked in and said they don’t deserve anything, least of all his admiration. He said they were going to do something completely different, and what Nexus did piqued his interest. He said that, in regards to Gallows & Serena’s match against Big Show and Kelly Kelly tonight….if they don’t win, they’re out of the Straight Edge Society. That match is next.

[Commercial Break]

2 – SERENA & LUKE GALLOWS vs. KELLY KELLY & THE BIG SHOW

The announcers noted that this was Serena’s first match in WWE. Gallows found Show immoveable to start, so he immediately went to Serena and tagged her in. Kelly Kelly whipped Serena in to the buckle and tried her cartwheel elbow, but Serena knocked her with an elbow in the back of Kelly’s head. Knees to the back by Serena. Kelly got out of a hold with a jaw-breaker. Serena missed a splash and a Thesz Press by Kelly ensued. Headscissors take-down. X Factor by Kelly, but Gallows pulled her off on a pin attempt. Show plowed him over and sent it to ringside where the two big men battled. Kelly went for the K2, but Serena turned it into a gut-buster for the win.

WINNERS: Serena and Gallows, at 3:07. A good idea to keep Serena and Kelly in that for most of it, actually. Action was okay.

- Alberto Del Rio debuts against Rey Mysterio later tonight.

- Next though is Kane’s explanation for his attack on his brother.

[Commercial Break]

- Striker plugged WWE.com, where you can go to follow WWE on Twitter.

- Kane was already in the ring. He laughed into the mic, and a loud bellowing laugh echoed throughout the arena. Nice effect, but it takes you out of the moment. Just like the mood music, clips spliced into the promos, etc. He talked about the seven deadly sins and that his favorite is the sin of pride. He said it was Undertaker’s pride that weakened him. Kane claimed Taker’s pride would force him to come back before he was ready, and that pride allowed him to drop Taker on his head at Summerslam. Kane was sitting in the ring with the World Title around his waist. He talked about Taker’s downward spiral, asking him if he remembered how it started. Kane said for years, he was nothing more than a vague memory in the back of Taker’s mind. They showed clips of Kane’s debut several years ago. Kane said the look on Taker’s face was that of someone whose pride would want to keep Kane in the shadows forever. He said everything he did in the early years, Taker was able to overcome. Instead of destroying the legend, he made it greater. Kane talked about being set on fire, and we saw clips of that as well. Kane called that Taker’s most magnificent moment, yet he knew what he had to do.

He said his master plan was set in motion then. With every victory, Taker’s collection of souls grew, as did his weakness. Kane said that he watched and waited. He claimed that the day Taker forced him to remove his mask was the day the monster was released, a monster that would end Taker’s reign of darkness. Uh, I don’t recall it happening like that. Kane talked about meeting Taker at Wrestlemania XX and how the time wasn’t right then, but his plan was evolving. He said he placed himself at Taker’s right hand to gain his confidence. He said their reunion was just a vehicle for his vengeance. He said Taker’s pride always forced him to get back up. Kane said that while Taker was disgraced by those beneath him, he had been biding his time. That moment came when Taker showed Shawn Michaels an instant of mercy. He said his brother could destroy Michaels or he could become one with his weakness. Kane said Taker’s decision sealed his fate and that the plan he hatched a decade ago finally came to fruition. He said the years of watching in the shadows were finally ended and he had his vengeance. Kane said the shadows that he once labored are now cast upon Taker. He said Taker’s Holy Grail is now his World Heavyweight Championship. Kane said he dreamed of the day when he would take out Taker and make this moment a reality. He said now, he has replaced Taker as the Devil’s favorite. A lot to digest there with the history lesson and all. The explanation is plausible, at least, for a pro wrestling angle. As usual, Kane was good in his role.

- Alberto Del Rio makes his long-awaited WWE debut against Rey Mysterio, later tonight.

[Commercial Break]

3 – CHRISTIAN vs. DREW MCINTYRE

Before the match, Cody Rhodes walked out in a suit. He took a look at himself in his mirror on the Titan-Tron. The bell rang to start the match before Rhodes had walked to ringside. He eventually joined the commentators at ringside. Hurricanrana from Christian, then McIntyre ran to ringside and slammed his hands on the announce desk in anger. McIntyre pulled Christian off the apron when Christian came after him, then threw over the barricade and into where the announcers sit. Christian stood on the top of the barricade to jump onto McIntyre, but McIntyre pulled him down and his arm went over the exposed metal of the barricade. McIntyre went into the ring to break the count and Drew threatened to snap Christian’s arm. Mac whipped Christian’s arm into the ring post. Back in the ring, McIntyre got a two-count. Key-lock by McIntyre on Christian, but he tried to elbow out of it. McIntyre lifted him up and slammed him onto the mat. Christian was half out of the ring in terrible pain, holding his arm, as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

McIntyre was still working on the arm out of break. Christian tried to get to the ropes to get away from McIntyre’s onslaught. It didn’t work too well. McIntyre put his foot in Christian’s back and pulled back on the arm. Christian jumped off the middle rope and DDT’d McIntyre, who was standing in the ring. That looked absolutely vicious. Christian continued his comeback and backed McIntyre into the corner, then fired away with right hands. Running dropkick to the face of a seated McIntyre. That was a beauty, too. Striker said that Orlando Bloom was mistaken for McIntyre on a flight recently. Dropkick off the top for two by Christian. Rhodes was being very understated on commentary. To the middle rope, his jumping European uppercut missed. Codebreaker on the arm by McIntyre, and he got a two-count off of it. Christian got up and tried a Killswitch, but it hurt his shoulder. McIntyre had Christian up for a powerslam, but Christian turned it into a crucifix pin and pulled out the win.

WINNER: Christian, at 12:26. Really solid match, especially after the break.

After the match, Rhodes and McIntyre cornered Christian and went on the attack. Matt Hardy ran out to even the odds. He had a boot on his foot and while he got the advantage at first, McIntyre stepped on his foot to stop his momentum. McIntyre gave the Future Shock to Hardy. Cross-Rhodes then on Christian.

- Another reminder for the debut of Alberto Del Rio tonight, against former champion Rey Mysterio. It’s the main event.

[Commercial Break]

- Jack Swagger, fresh off a Superstars win against Chris Masters, was ranting to someone backstage. The camera pulled back and showed Rosa Mendes working out. She pulled out her ear phones, apparently not hearing him at all. He lamented that he got no respect. He turned around into MVP, who said he just needs to accept his loss. And hey, MVP should know about losing. MVP said the only thing Swagger has been good at lately has been whining. He said he was better than MVP in every way, and said he wants to have a shoot-out with MVP, a Jack Swagger Sr. Invitational Shoot-Out. And if he wins, he’s hosting MVP’s VIP Lounge. If MVP wins, he’s throwing a huge end-of-the-summer block party and Swagger will have to pick up the tab. Those terms aren’t exactly equal there.

- Striker and Grisham talked about Team WWE winning at Summerslam, then threw it to a Raw Rebound.

- Teddy Long was backstage with Kane. He was talking in hushed tones and told Kane that he has it on good authority that Undertaker will be returning to Smackdown next week. Kane just laughed and said next week will be Hell on Earth then. There’s a hook for ya!

- Next, Del Rio vs. Mysterio.

[Commercial Break]

- Tony Chimel introduced Alberto Del Rio’s personal ring announcer, one Ricardo Rodriguez. Del Rio rode into the arena in a Rolls Royce. He’s the Latin JBL.

4 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. REY MYSTERIO

Del Rio started things off with a hard kick to Mysterio. Del Rio missed a corner charge and was taken down with a headscissors. Then he missed a dive and went over the top and to the outside. He regrouped out there as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Mysterio was pounding on Del Rio in the corner upon return. Del Rio took things to the outside and stood on Rey’s arm as it was draped across the steel steps. Del Rio worked the arm in the ring, but Mysterio came back with kicks. Enziguiri by Del Rio put Rey back down, and a replay revealed it connected with the shoulder of Mysterio. To the top, he missed a back splash. Rey fought with Del Rio, who had gotten to his knees. Kick to the back of the head for a two count. Mysterio set up for a 619, but Del Rio caught him. He tried to flip Rey into the corner, but Rey landed on the turnbuckle and put Del Rio down. He went to the top, but Del Rio tripped him up. Both men were down. Nice cross arm-breaker applied by Del Rio, and he picked up the submission victory. Crowd did not like this result.

WINNER: Del Rio, at 10:04. WWE did Del Rio a favor by putting him in the ring with Mysterio, who can make a lot of people look good.

Del Rio applied the move again after the match, and his personal ring announcer announced him as the winner. He celebrated on the top of the ramp as Grisham asked what the future holds for Smackdown’s newest superstar.

- A final video aired advertising Undertaker’s appearance on next Friday’s Smackdown.

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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