WWE Smackdown review
November 12, 2010
Taped 11/9/10 in Manchester, U.K.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- Clips of this past Monday aired, where Wade Barrett told David Otunga he’d have to beat Edge or else he’d be kicked out of Nexus.

- Smackdown Open.

- Todd Grisham opened the show, taped earlier in the week from England. Michael Cole immediately plugged Edge vs. Otunga and Big Show vs. Kane was plugged by Matt Strker; those two matches are set to occur tonight.

- Edge came out, dressed in street clothes, so he’s got something to say, I suppose. Edge talked about being a busy guy over the next few months; he wanted to work backward, and talked about how he’ll walk into Wrestlemania as champion. He seemed confident he could wrest the title from Kane, and even said he had a plan. That plan would include leaving Survivor Series as a 10-time champion. That led him to tonight, and his opponent David Otunga. He said while Otunga’s wife is walking the red carpet, Otunga will be walking the unemployment line. Then Nexus’ theme hit and David Otunga led Nexus, without Barrett, to the ring. They surrounded the ring, and Edge was ready to fight.

However, Vickie Guerrero’s shrill voice came over the PA telling them to stop. She walked out and said Teddy Long has been detained by customs, so she’s in charge tonight. She got in Otunga’s face and said that if any Nexus member steps foot in the ring, he’ll lose his match. Vickie turned to talking about the rest of the show, plugging Show vs. Kane and Otunga vs. Edge. She said she wasn’t going to be like Long and lose control of the show. She said she knows Nexus wants to be involved, so she’s going to let them surround the ring tonight…along with the entire Smackdown roster. Vickie said that, since they’re in Manchester, Otunga and Edge should shake hands like proper gentlemen. I think we had an edit there where Vickie dubbed her line over what she originally said. After shaking hands are turning their backs on each other, Edge speared Otunga off the apron. Nexus looked angry in the ring.

- Backstage, Alberto Del Rio’s car was pulling into the arena, and doing a lot of honking. He faces Kofi Kingston next.

[Commercial Break]

- Striker plugged WWE.com for all things Kane.

1 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. KOFI KINGSTON

Striker plugged Wrestlemania’s on-sale date tomorrow, and told Grisham that at the rate he’s going, he’ll have to buy a ticket. Kingston nailed Del Rio with a few uppercuts, then hit a dropkick and went for a pin. Grisham again talked about soccer (he has announced soccer of Fox Sports Net in the past) and Cole slammed him again for it. Del Rio turned the tide and slammed Kingston. Inside cradle for two. Irish whip into the corner, followed by a shoulder knock-down. Kingston used his athletic ability to dodge Del Rio and land a flying back elbow. Del Rio went outside the ring and Kingston landed a suicide dive onto his opponent. Back in the ring, a cover got two. Kingston went to the apron, where Del Rio gave him an enziguiri. Kingston collapsed to the floor on the outside, at which point, the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Del Rio was in control out of break, and he pulled Kofi’s hair to aid him in landing a few right hands. Del Rio pulled Kingston out of the corner by his boots as Kofi was on his back and held onto the bottom rope. Got a lot of air on it, too. Dueling chants for Kingston and Del Rio, which the announcers did not acknowledge. Kofi blocked a few punches and fired back. Another standing dropkick found the mark. He missed a splash in the corner by got his feet up as Del Rio charged in. High cross-body for a two-count by Kofi. Jumping clothesline (or Superman punch), followed by the Boom Drop. He lined Del Rio up for the Trouble in Paradise. Del Rio got out of the way, however, and the two fought on the apron. Del Rio pulled Kofi’s arm against the ring post, then kicked it. Back in, Del Rio locked in the Cross Arm-Breaker for the win.

WINNER: Del Rio, at 11:29. Okay match, but nothing spectacular.

After the match, Rey Mysterio came out to his music. He ran to the ring and slid under Del Rio’s legs. He kicked Del Rio in the head and landed the 619. That sent Del Rio reeling.

- Nexus, without Otunga, was backstage discussing an alternate plan. Heath Slater said that 16 other superstars will surround the ring during the main event. He said he wasn’t willing to risk his career by going down there…then Otunga walked in. He said Barrett is the only leader of Nexus, but this is everything he has worked for tonight. He begged them to help him out. He asked what he’d do without Nexus. Go home to his superstar wife and beautiful child? There are worse things. He tried to give them a pep talk, and it seemed to work. Otunga said they need to go beat Nexus tonight. After Otunga walked out, the other members of Nexus just looked at each other, wondering what to do.

- Kane vs. Big Show is still to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- They announced Layla and Michelle McCool vs. Natalya in a two-on-one match at Survivor Series.

2 – NATALYA vs. LAYLA

Big standing suplex from Natalya for a near-fall. Layla came back and dropkicked Natalya in the stomach, leaving her on the apron. No Michelle McCool, by the way. Kick to the head by Layla while Natalya was on the apron. Back in the ring, she got a two-count. Layla applied a head-scissors, but Natalya got to her feet while still in it. She tried to back Layla into the corner, but kinda missed. Then she tried a back-breaker and only barely hit that. Striker dropped the name of Robbie Brookside, who has done jobs on WWE TV in the past. Natalya used her power to keep Layla at bay, then applied the Sharpshooter for the win.

WINNER: Natalya, at 3:28. Ugly in spots, but at least we see some unique moves from Natalya thanks to her power.

- Kane and Paul Bearer were backstage, complete with red lighting. Not sure how they got that in the hallway where this was taking place. Kane addressed the camera, saying the people were sheep for believing Edge would beat him…just like they believed in the Undertaker. But he buried Taker. Kane said the fans hope Show can exorcise the demons from him, but no one can stop him. He yelled that he was our champion and that by the end, we’d be begging for the darkest corners of hell. That doesn’t sound pleasant at all.

- Striker plugged Otunga vs. Edge, in a Lumberjack match, will be next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – EDGE vs. DAVID OTUNGA – LUMBERJACK MATCH

Lumberjacks included Nexus, Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, Chavo Guerrero, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, Fit Finlay(!), Goldust, Tyler Reks, Primo, Alberto Del Rio, Chris Masters, Cody Rhodes, MVP, Kaval. Otunga was the first to be sent to ringside, but nothing physical happened. Nexus was backed into the aisle by the rest of the Smackdown locker room when they came out. They went to break about a minute in, without much action.

[Commercial Break]

Edge thre Otunga to the outside right after break, where Otunga was stomped by the likes of Reks, Finlay and Goldust. He was shoved back in, but Edge only got two. Edge was propelled to the outside, but landed on his feet. The lumberjacks showed respect at first, but Del Rio pulled him off the apron. MVP got in Del Rio’s face about it. Otunga put Edge down with an elbow after the Canadian tried to bounce off the ropes. Kick to the ribs by Otunga. Suplex by Otunga for another two-count. They’re keeping things simple with him, and with good reason. Edge suplexed out of a rest-hold, but the crowd wasn’t really getting behind Edge as much as one would expect. Del Rio and MVP were still hashing things out at ringside. Edge-O-Matic for two. Corner charge missed by Otunga, and he was rolled up for two. He walked into a flapjack, but Edge dropkicked Del Rio through the ropes instead of capitalizing. The entire Smackdown roster then began to brawl outside the ring and Edge gave Otunga a DDT. Edge set up for a spear, but Michael McGillicutty ran in and was speared. Kane then came in out of nowhere and gave Edge a chokeslam. The official was distracted by the brawl and missed it, so Otunga recovered and got the pinfall victory. Grisham hearkened back to Nexus helping Kane beat Taker in the Buried Alive match.

WINNER: Otunga, at 9:50. Pretty basic, with enough bells and whistles on the outside to make it interesting. Kane helping Nexus adds another layer to things, too.

- Big Show vs. Kane is still to come.

- MVP vs. Dolph Ziggler for the IC Title is next. Grisham made note that Ziggler has held the title for three months, as if that’s a long time. I suppose it is in today’s WWE, but it shouldn’t be.

[Commercial Break]

4 – DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. MVP – INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

No Vickie or Kaitlyn with Ziggler. Couple of quick covers by MVP, including a series of roll-ups, for two-counts. MVP got Ziggler on his shoulders, then just dropped him. Running boot by MVP and Ziggler was reeling as they went to break over a minute in.

[Commercial Break]

Big elbowdrop for a two-count from Ziggler, who had regained control during the break. Ziggler went for a few quick covers himself, but couldn’t get it done. He went to undo the turnbuckle pad, but the ref saw it and put it back. As he was doing that, MVP rolled Ziggler up and got more than a three count, but the ref was still distracted reapplying the turnbuckle pad. Arm-bar by Ziggler, but MVP got out. Ziggler missed a splash and MVP fired back with clotheslines. Thrust to the throat, then a face-buster for two. He lined up for the Ballin’ elbowdrop and connected. Ziggler got his foot on the rope to break up the pin. Dueling “Let’s go Ziggler/MVP” chants. MVP got another near-fall countering Ziggler’s move off the top rope. MVP had to be restrained, as his frustration was mounting. Ziggler responded with a Zig Zag and got the pin, despite MVP getting his foot on the rope.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 8:36. They kept MVP strong, giving him a visual pin and having him lose by questionable means.

- A Stand-Up for WWE video aired, featuring the WWE Divas.

- Kane was still backstage, with his fancy red lighting. He came upon the urn, and it looked like it had been emptied. Kane looked off into the distance in anger.

[Commercial Break]

- Cody Rhodes came out, saying he was sick of the stereotypes that British people have bad teeth…then he said all the stereotypes were true. He said the breath of everyone he has come into contact with singes his nostrils. He picked on someone in the crowd and handed them mouthwash, saying it has alcohol in it and he’s British, so it’ll work. Then he went to a kid and gave him a toothbrush as the announcers laughed and laughed. Rhodes said he prepared a video for the occasion. It was more grooming tips, dealing with teeth, naturally. “God save the Queen….and God save your teeth” is how Rhodes ended things.

- Kane stomped backstage, looking for Paul Bearer, assaulting people and barging through doors along the way.

- A tale of the tape for Kane vs. Show was shown.

[Commercial Break]

- An ad for “Knucklehead” aired, with interviews from the cast and looks behind the scenes.

5 – KANE vs. THE BIG SHOW

No Bearer with Kane. The two traded body shots, and Show even got off his feet on a shoulder tackle to take Kane down. Headbutt put him down again, and another shot to the stomach. More shots to the ribs by Show in the corner. Kane went low for a dropkick to the knee that hobbled Show. Show tried to keep some separation, but struggled to do so. Kane went to the second rope to hammer Show, and did so twice. Show elbowed Kane down then hit the Vader Bomb for a two-count. Kane foolishly tried to chokeslam Show, but Show came back with a choke of his own. Both men fought out and Kane went to the knee again. Kane clothesline Show over the top, and both men spilled to the floor. Bearer was shown tied up backstage, watching on a monitor.

[Commercial Break]

Show worked the left arm of Kane to block his offense. Big slap to the chest in the corner, as the crowd implored him do it one more time. He perhaps should have listened, as Kane landed a DDT for two. Kane stomped Show and kicked him in the head for two. Show worked out of a resthold and collided with Kane. Show got the better of that exchange, as Kane went through the middle rope and to the arena floor. He grabbed Show’s arm and pulled it over the top rope. Kane perched himself on the top rope, but Show met him up there. Kane pushed Show off the second rope and came off the top with a clothesline for a two-count. Another rear chin-lock by Kane. Show suplexed out and struggled to regain his bearings. Both got to their feet at about the same time and splashed Kane in the corner. He missed a second one, as Kane got his foot up. Second-rope clothesline by Kane and he again signaled for a chokeslam. Edge came over the PA and had Bearer tied up on the stage. Kane began to freak out as Edge continued to taunt Kane. He asked Kane if he wanted him to take care of his daddy issues. Edge said if Kane takes another step, he’ll push Bearer in the wheelchair off the stage. He faked doing it, which the crowd bought. As Kane pleaded with Edge from the ring, Show chokeslammed him and picked up the non-title win.

WINNER: Show, at 14:28. For someone who doesn’t care much for either guy’s in-ring work, I thought this match was pretty good.

- Edge told Bearer to say goodbye to his son, then he wheeled Paul to the back as Kane continued to freak out in the ring.

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