WWE Smackdown review
October 8, 2010
Taped 10/5/10 in Topeka, Kans.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- Smackdown Open.

- After the announcers opened the show with the camera panning the crowd, they showed a still of Paul Bearer passing the urn to Kane at Hell in a Cell this past Sunday. Tonight, Kane has words for The Undertaker.

- They showed the announcers at ringside, and it was a three-man booth that included Michael Cole. Great, just what my week needs: More Michael Cole.

- Theodore Long came out onto the stage. He came to introduce the newest Smackdown Superstar, Edge. Loud crowd pop for that one, but hard to get excited about the “newest” Smackdown wrestler when Edge has been on Smackdown more often than Raw the past few years.

1 –EDGE vs. JACK SWAGGER

And starting things off with a PPV re-match. Swagger came out with his eagle mascot and a mic. Swagger said he was glad Edge has been traded back to Smackdown. He ridiculed Edge for attacking his eagle mascot. Swagger had to restrain the eagle at ringside from attacking Edge. Edge threatened to make Swagger look stupid in three seconds, and said he had no problem flipping the bird. That was clever.

The match began with Swagger pulling at Edge’s leg in the corner until the ref broke things up. He went after the leg again, and Matt Striker said that Swagger was focusing on that Achilles tendon that was torn several months ago. Swagger did push-ups on Edge while he was face-down in the mat. That could come back to haunt him. He got the mascot up on the apron and they both waved their arms (or, wings in the case of the eagle). Swagger avoided Edge’s attack, and Edge speared the eagle off the apron. Swagger checked on his personal mascot as the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Edge caught Swagger with a spinning heel kick, shades of Savio Vega, as they came back from break. Swagger grabbed Edge and brought his arm down over the top rope, and Edge ended up outside the ring. He continued to target the shoulder of Edge, bringing the arm across the steel ring post. They showed the eagle being loaded onto a stretcher during the break. More work on the left arm of Edge from Swagger. Edge fired back with a cross-body as Swagger’s throat was across the middle rope, and he rolled Swagger up for two. Back-breaker by the All-American American. Tornado DDT from Edge for a near-fall. Belly-to-belly suplex by Swagger for two. Edge brought Swagger down throat-first over the top rope and then got the crazy eyes and readied for the spear. Swagger countered by picking him up, but Edge rolled through, Swagger with an ankle-lock, but Edge slipped out. The back-and-forth sequence left both men flat on the mat, gasping for air. Swagger got up and locked in the ankle-lock, but Edge countered with a roll-up for two. Kick to the arm by Swagger. He got tripped up heading into the buckle and Edge hit the ropes, then hit Swagger with a spear for the win.

WINNER: Edge, at 10:18. I’m a little disappointed they’ve gone back to the comedy with Swagger after he showed that he can carry the ball as World Champion.

Edge got the mic after the match and said even though this is a PG show, he wanted Swagger to know that he definitely flipped the bird.

- They showed a clip of Alberto Del Rio being attacked by Rey Mysterio several weeks ago. Tonight, the two square off in a one-on-one match tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Cody Rhodes’ grooming tips for the week deal with taking proper care of your teeth.

2 – LAYLA vs. KELLY KELLY

No headsets for LayCool tonight. Natalya came to the ring with Kelly Kelly. Kelly was dressed in a red, white and blue outfit for some reason. The two traded shoves, but Layla ended up getting the upper-hand. Layla kicked Kelly in the stomach, sending her outside. Back in the ring, Layla took out the knee of Kelly, then got a two-count from that. Kelly fired back by slamming Layla’s face into the mat several times. Clothesline, then another that was especially bad. Handspring elbow attempt, but Layla kicked Kelly in the lower back. Nice neck-breaker by Layla and she got the win from that.

WINNER: Layla, at 2:19. Not as terrible as it could’ve been. Then again, the standards are pretty low here, so it’s not hard to hit them.

Layla went back for more after the match, but Natalya got her and tried to put her in the Sharpshooter. McCool pulled her out before the move could be applied.

- Tonight, for the Intercontinental Title, MVP vs. Dolph Ziggler.

[Commercial Break]

- Striker plugged Hell in a Cell photos on WWE.com.

- Big Show came out, running to the ring and diving under the bottom rope. He was wearing a bandana that said, “GO BIG.” He talked about his movie, Knucklehead, coming out on October 22. He said Bragging Rights is two days later, and he’s been named the captain of the Smackdown Bragging Rights team. He said he needs to find something for the roster to rally behind. He then brought out Smackdown’s Bragging Rights mascot…Hornswoggle. He had a Smackdown t-shirt, a Viking helmet with two long, blond braids and his face painted blue. Show said he’ll be putting a team together in the next few weeks that will beat Raw. The Dudebusters interrupted, and came to the ring. Apparently the crowd didn’t get the memo that they turned face. Croft and Baretta told him they’re his guys for Smackdown, and Show pretended not to know who they were. He said he needs time to review the roster and can’t make a decision on his first day. Baretta said they can go to Long, have them traded to Raw, and join the Miz’s team. They took off their Smackdown t-shirts and had Raw tees underneath. Show again told them they can’t dump this on him now. He went to Hornswoggle for advice, and he seemed to signal for a double chokeslam. Show agreed, and chokeslammed Croft and Baretta simultaneously.

- Another clip of Rey and Del Rio’s interactions, this time, Del Rio’s attack that put Mysterio on the shelf. The two go one-on-one tonight.

[Commercial Break]

3 –DREW MCINTYRE & CODY RHODES vs. KAVAL & KOFI KINGSTON

Kingston was cornered immediately by the heels, and worked over there after a quick tag. Kingston hammered away at McIntyre in the corner, getting the crowd fired up, only to have McIntyre avoid a splash and Rhodes to take a cheap shot at him. Kingston reached for the tag, but couldn’t make it in time. Rhodes tagged in while McIntyre was in a roll-up. Rhodes tried an Alabama Slam, but Kingston made the tag while he was in the move. Kaval did a handspring cross-body, but didn’t go for the cover. He used his kicks to take Rhodes to the mat and hooked in a Dragon Sleeper. McIntyre kicked him in the head during the move, and Kingston took Drew out. Rhodes tossed Kofi over the top. Stun-gun by Rhodes after a distraction by McIntyre. Cross Rhodes and the champions continued their roll.

WINNERS: McIntyre and Rhodes, at 3:10. Good TV match. Kaval and Kingston have promise as a team, but I’m doubting it’s a long-term thing.

- Kane has a message for the Undertaker later tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- In the ring, cloaked in a spotlight, was Paul Bearer. Bearer said he was going to introduce a man that should be revered and respected, someone who destroyed the myth of The Undertaker. He then introduced the Devil’s Favorite Son, and his son, Kane. More mood music and images of flames on the canvas of the ring. Kane said he’s the one who brought back Bearer, because he’s more powerful than Taker could ever imagine. He said it was so satisfying to see the look on Taker’s face when Bearer turned. He talked about Taker’s dreams coming crashing down on Sunday. Crowd started chanting for the Undertaker. Kane talked about the fans and how their path has now followed the Undertaker’s into emptiness. He said that Taker has been betrayed by those closest to him, and he failed his creatures of the night. Even so, Kane said he was just getting warmed up. The announcers wondered what that last line meant.

- A clip aired of Alberto Del Rio’s celebration and his attacking of the piñata from a few weeks ago. Tonight, Del Rio vs. Rey Rey.

- Also, MVP faces Dolph Ziggler for the I.C. Title. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – MVP vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER – INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

The two held a collar-and-elbow tie-up onto the ground then into the corner. Vickie Guerrero was at ringside with Ziggler, but had a look of complete disdain on her face. Belly-to-back suplex by MVP for a two-count. This three-man announcing booth is just not working for me. It’s worse with Todd Grisham than it is with Jerry Lawler on PPVs. Ziggler choked MVP on the bottom rope and Ziggler distracted the ref so Vickie could get a cheap shot in, but she didn’t go for it. Ziggler then got pissed at his main squeeze for not helping him out. He went outside the ring to plead with her, but she just walked away from him. “We’re a team!” he said. Vickie walked to the locker room and MVP nailed Ziggler in the back with a baseball slide. Both men were on the outside as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Ziggler had MVP on the mat in a potential submission hold upon return. Fireman’s carry take-over for a two-count. Right hands began the comeback for MVP, but Ziggler jumped on his back and locked in a sleeper. He didn’t have it on well enough and MVP was able to break out. MVP took advantage and rolled Ziggler up for a few times, but only got two-counts. Ziggler fired back again with a near-fall of his own. Rear chin-lock for Ziggler, but again, MVP fought out, this time by stepping on Ziggler’s foot. Overhead throw by MVP and both men were down. Back to a vertical base and MVP had the advantage, but it didn’t last long. Ziggler was whipped into the ropes, but after he held on, he walked into a big boot. At this point, Kaitlyn walked to the ring. Ziggler put MVP in the sleeper but MVP backed Ziggler into the turnbuckle. Kaitlyn showed concern for Dolph. Kaitlyn tried to trip up MVP before he hit his Ballin’ elbowdrop. That allowed Ziggler to pop up and hit the Zig Zag for the victory.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 12:08. Interesting that Kaitlyn succeeded where Vickie failed here in terms of interfering and helping Dolph win. Match was good enough.

Afterward, Vickie came onto the ramp and yelled at the celebrating Kaitlyn and Ziggler in the ring.

- A video package on WWE’s Tribute to the Troops programs throughout the past few years.

- They showed a clip from last week, of Alberto Del Rio bringing out the Rey Mysterio Chihuahua. Del Rio vs. Rey is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

- The Raw Rebound aired.

- The announcers, on-camera, discussed John Cena joining Nexus.

- Josh Mathews was backstage with Alberto Del Rio. He asked Del Rio if he was concerned, but Del Rio interrupted (when was the last time Mathews DIDN’T get interrupted?) and said Rey’s bark is bigger than his bite. He said Rey may be a God in Mexico, but he’s not Alberto Del Rio, the essence of excellence. Then he spoke in Spanish and said that a lot of people don’t understand what he’s saying, but the only thing we need to know is he’ll be leaving Rey as a pile of trash, and the only thing he’s concerned about is how he’ll wipe Rey off the bottom of his shoe.

[Commercial Break]

5 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. REY MYSTERIO

Del Rio opened the match by pounding on Rey in the corner, but Rey came back with rights. Del Rio dove at Rey, but Rey avoided it and ended up falling through the middle rope and to ringside. Drop-toe hold on Del Rio, who went head-first into the steel steps. Rey took Del Rio’s arm and wrapped it around the ring post. Hard kick to the chest of Del Rio as Rey was not letting up. He stood on Del Rio’s hand on the ring steps. Rey broke the ten-count by going back into the ring, then perched himself on the top rope. He flew off with a cross-body onto Del Rio on the outside. Hot, action packed match to start. They went to break here.

[Commercial Break]

Del Rio was still on the outside, being checked on by Ricardo Rodriguez, before he went back into the ring. Mysterio dropkicked Del Rio, who was seated in the corner. His reaction was priceless, in that he had no reaction, just staring off into space as if he was out cold. The announcers hammered home the fact that the match has been all Rey. Mysterio went to the top rope, but Del Rio nailed Rey with an awesome step-up enziguiri that sent Rey to ringside. Back in the ring, Del Rio went for a cover and got one. Arm-bar applied, but Rey kicked out. Another enziguiri-like move, this time to the mid-section of Rey. Del Rio went to work on the arm again, bringing the knee down hard. Mysterio fought back again, but was whipped hard into the buckle. He got his feet up on a charge and both men were down. Mysterio went to the top rope, but Del Rio met him up there. Sunset flip powerbomb and Rey landed in a pinning combination. Referee registered a two-count, and the fans were hot. Powerslam by Del Rio that only got a two-count. Jumping back suplex for another two. Another enziguiri try in the corner, but Rey avoided it. He went to the top and hurricanrana’d Del Rio into position for the 619. Rey was about to hit the ropes, but he saw Rodriguez readying to trip him, so Rey stopped short. That allowed Del Rio to hit Mysterio from behind. Rodriguez was on the apron telling Del Rio to get the arm, but Rey flipped Del Rio into Rodriguez. He hit the 619, then a splash off the top rope for the win.

WINNER: Mysterio, at 13:22. Very good, hot match. Both men worked their butts off and seemed to be energized by the crowd.

Mysterio celebrated after the match, taunting Del Rio, who was holding his ribs at ringside.

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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