WWE Smackdown review
December 3, 2010
Taped 11/30/10 in Norfolk, Va.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- The voice-over man narrated a video package of Edge abducting Kane. Tonight, Edge takes on Kane, with the winner selecting the stipulation for their match at the TLC PPV.

- Smackdown Open.

- The show opened with ladders all around and in the ring. Rey Mysterio was first to come out. Tables and chairs filled the aisle. Mysterio got the mic in the ring and said that Sheamus won the King of the Ring on Monday, and he would’ve loved to have won, but he didn’t. They showed clips why, with Alberto Del Rio costing Mysterio his qualifying match last Friday. Mysterio said he’s not one to complain. They showed Mysterio costing Del Rio his KOTR match on Monday night. Mysterio talked about being fearless, and climbed one of the ladders in the ring. He said Del Rio prefers to travel in fancy cars, but he likes to fly. Then Del Rio’s music interrupted, and he drove into the arena.

Del Rio, looking dapper as usual, said the reason people like Rey climb those ladders is to try to get to his level. After getting into the ring, Del Rio asked Mysterio if he remembered what happened last time he was around Del Rio and chairs. Mysterio said he’s not afraid of Del Rio, and that he’s been injured by people who are twice the man Del Rio is. He said he’s better than ever and said that maybe they should take care of business now. He was still atop the ladder. Del Rio met Mysterio at the top of the ladder, climbing the other side, and said Rey is one ambitious Chihuahua. Mysterio said at TLC, it’s going to be Del Rio vs. Mysterio, one-on-one. Del Rio said it wasn’t going to happen because he has no reason to fight Rey: He already beat him. Mysterio then socked Del Rio, who fell off the ladder. The landing was soft, and Del Rio then pushed Mysterio off the ladder. He beat on Mysterio a bit, but Rey fought back. He used his legs to take Del Rio out of the ring and onto a table. Rey jumped off the apron and did a double leg-drop on Del Rio, sending them both through the table. Somehow, they even managed to make a table bump look tame.

[Commercial Break]


- Matt Striker plugged WWE.com for all things TLC.

- Earlier in the day, Vickie Guerrero was complaining to Dolph Ziggler about Kaitlyn, saying she couldn’t believe she won NXT and is glad that situation is over with. Then they ran into Kaitlyn, who said Teddy Long signed her to Smackdown. Vickie was disgusted and told Ziggler they had to leave because he has a match.

1 – DOLPH ZIGGLER & DREW MCINTYRE vs. KAVAL & MVP

MVP’s final WWE match here, and after recently getting new music. Todd Grisham asked Michael Cole about what happened with him and Jerry Lawler on Raw. Cole got angry and said he will address it on Monday. Crowd chanted for MVP as soon as the bell rang. Striker said Mac went blow-for-blow with “Whoa Nellie” Zeke Jackson, a play on the nickname of football star Keith Jackson (which came from the homespun whimsy of football announcer Keith Jackson). Several covers on Drew early by the face team. McIntyre took a shot to the gut and Mac was able to tag out. MVP tagged Ziggler with a clothesline. There looked to be a miscommunication, as MVP was going to hit the ropes but saw McIntyre wasn’t on the apron, and hesitated. After a few more shots to Ziggler, he hit the ropes with Mac on the apron and McIntyre interfered illegally. Kaval launched onto both heels on the outside with a springboard (off MVP’s back) cross-body. They went to break at this point.

[Commercial Break]

Ziggler was in control for the heel team out of break. MVP came back and planted Ziggler on his face. Face-buster on the knee by MVP, who then set up, for the final time, his ballin’ elbowdrop. MVP got distracted and Ziggler went after the knee. McIntyre tagged in and continued to work over that body part. Grisham plugged that Ziggler would be an NXT pro on Season Four coming up. Does Vickie try to make Ziggler jealous by macking on Ziggler’s rookie? MVP nearly made a tag, but Ziggler cut him off. MVP kicked away and tagged Kaval. He used his kicks to keep the heels at bay, then hit a springboard knee to the skull. On a cover attempt, McIntyre interfered. MVP got hold of him outside the ring, but was sent into the announce table. Ziggler tried to lock on a sleeper, but couldn’t. Kaval turned a suplex into a dragon sleeper. Vickie got on the apron to cause a distraction, and McIntyre knocked Kaval off Ziggler. Zig Zag on Kaval and that was that.

WINNERS: Ziggler and McIntyre, at 11:24. Fine match, but not sure the purpose. I guess a Ziggler vs. Kaval feud could develop, and they’re resolving some KOTR qualifying match issues.

Kane came out to beat up the babyfaces: a chokeslam for MVP, and a Tombstone piledriver for Kaval. Kane got on the mic and demanded Edge give Paul Bearer back, saying this has gone on way too long. I’ll agree with that. Edge came on the TitanTron and said this has gone on too long. Even Bearer, still tied up and mouth taped, agreed. Edge said Kane can come get Bearer, as he’s on the loading dock. Edge walked out of picture as Kane ran to the back to retrieve his father.

[Commercial Break]

- The Raw Rebound aired, focusing on Nexus and John Cena.

- Backstage, Kane was shouting for his father. He was quite sweaty already. Kane finally heard Bearer calling for him in the distance, but Edge was also there, and he wheeled him away. Kane ran to the spot, but lost sight of them. He saw them under one of the production trucks and tried to head them off on the other end. Further away, he saw some boxes get pushed out of a truck and onto Bearer in a wheelchair. But like last week, it was just a mannequin. He again heard Bearer crying for him somewhere, and ran in the direction of his voice. Are we really going through this again this week?

[Commercial Break]

- Grisham plugged Kane vs. Edge tonight, with TLC stipulations on the line.

2 – KOFI KINGSTON vs. JACK SWAGGER - INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE #1 CONTENDER MATCH

The second match of the night began at 8:48 EST. Looks like Swagger has a new t-shirt to plug. Swagger wrestled Kingston to the ground and kept him there until Kingston got to the ropes. Collar-and-elbow tie-up, and the two held it for a while, until Kingston monkey-flipped Swagger. They came to a stalemate after that. Again, the two briefly scuffled, but came up with neither man getting the better of the other. Swagger finally seemed to one-up Kofi, using his hair to take Kingston down. He tried to get Kofi out of the corner, but Kofi held on. When he got to his feet, he used his speed to avoid Swagger, and then nailed him with a dropkick to the chest. Couple punts to the chest by Kingston, who then went to the top. Swagger met him up there and threw Kingston off, though it almost became ugly as Swagger nearly lost his balance. Kingston got his foot on the rope on a pin attempt, then rolled out of the ring as they went to break about 5:00 in.

[Commercial Break]

Swagger again went for a near-fall, but Kofi kicked out. Swagger stayed on top of Kofi, not giving him room to breathe. He clipped Kingston in the knee, then did it again and got a two-count on a cover. Swagger grabbed an abdominal stretch in the middle of the ring. He really wrenched it and did a gator role (called by my roommate, then Striker). Outside the ring, Kingston avoided the steel steps and Swagger ended up running into them. Kingston then jumped off the stairs and onto Swagger with a forearm. Kofi got back into the ring, and Swagger made it in at the nine-count. Back in the ring, Kofi stung Swagger with uppercuts and kicks. Flip roll-up looked ugly and Striker tried to cover for it. Swagger tried for a gutwrench powerbomb, but Kingston rolled out, only to be met by a big boot. Pin attempt got a two-count. Beal out of the corner by Swagger, but he got tripped up by his foe trying the Vader bomb. Kofi pounded on Swagger with his fists in the corner. Things went into slow motion for a bit as the guys seemed to be gassed. Springboard cross-body by Kofi for two. Trouble in Paradise was blocked and Swagger tried the ankle-lock. Kingston wiggled enough to where Swagger threw Kofi out of the ring. Swagger ducked through the ropes to get him, but he was hit in the face with Trouble in Paradise. Kofi came back in the ring and made the pin.

WINNER: Kingston, at 15:51. 15 minute match, and no Boom Drop? The guys were obviously tired by the end, but did a good job overall. Not terribly thrilled about seeing another Ziggler vs. Kingston match, this time at TLC.

- Backstage, Kane found Edge and ran behind him as Edge wheeled Bearer through the concourse. He threw the chair down the stairs as Kane screamed. After getting to the bottom, he realized it was another dummy. How many of those does Edge have? Bearer again screamed for Kane at the top of the stairs, where Edge had him.

[Commercial Break]

3 – CHRIS MASTERS vs. “DASHING” CODY RHODES

Masters was about to punch Rhodes, but Rhodes ducked under the middle rope to avoid getting hit in the face. He was on the apron, and Masters grabbed a Masterlock, which he was forced to break. Rhodes then took control with knees to the mid-section. He then worked the left arm of Masters. Masters made his comeback and chopped Rhodes in the chest. Rhodes avoided a collision in the corner, then landed the Beautiful Disaster kick. Cross-Rhodes followed for the win.

WINNER: Rhodes, at 2:58. A good win for Rhodes until they find something for him to do. I’d like to see him get an IC Title shot; he has really improved.

- Still to come, Kane vs. Edge, where the winner picks the stipulation for their match at TLC.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed a different Kane-Edge video package, showing how Edge has been tormenting Bearer and Kane the past few weeks, with tonight’s “highlights” included.

4 – ROSA MENDES vs. LAYLA

Layla mocked Rosa by pretending to jump rope. Rosa attacked, but Layla took over offense soon after. Rosa towers over Layla, by the way. McCool got on the apron to distract Mendes. Rosa threw Layla into McCool, then rolled her up for a two-count. Layla came back with the Layout neck-breaker for the win.

WINNER: Layla, at 1:04.

As LayCool attacked Rosa, I expected Beth to make the save for another babyface (after doing so for Natalya and Kelly in recent weeks), but Hornswoggle came from under the ring. LayCool mocked him by getting on their knees and readying for a fight, but Beth Phoenix ran out. She brawled with LayCool at ringside, and pushed McCool over Hornswoggle. She then axe-handled Layla out of the ring. Once it was cleared, the Swagger soaring eagle came out and wanted to fight Horny. He boxed with the little guy and Hornswoggle imitated the Ultimate Warrior. Unfortuantely, he walked right into a big boot (talon?) from the eagle. As he danced, Phoenix picked him up and gave him the Glam Slam in an odd scene. She then called for Hornswoggle to give him the Tadpole splash, which he did. Striker claimed this segment added levity to the show. Judge for yourself.

- Kane vs. Edge is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

- The real Raw Rebound aired, highlighting Miz’s championship and match against Jerry Lawler. I guess the previous Raw highlight was just a highlight package. Were they short on material for Smackdown this week?

- At the announce desk, Cole said he will address this situation on Monday, as the crowd hilariously chanted, “Cole you suck.”

- Kane made his entrance for the main event match. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

5 – KANE vs. EDGE – WINNERS DECIDES STIPULATION FOR RE-MATCH AT TLC

The match quickly went to the outside, where Kane took control and slammed Edge’s back into the side of the apron. Edge took out Kane’s knee in the corner back in the ring, and kicked away as Kane was on his back. Back to the outside, where Edge ran into an uppercut. Back in the ring, a basement dropkick by Kane kept Edge down. Edge lowered the top rope and low-bridged Kane over the top. Edge speared Kane off the apron and to the arena floor. They took the final break of the show here.

[Commercial Break]

They came back with Kane crotching Edge on the top rope. Edge headbutted Kane down, however. Another change in offense came when Kane locked in a rear chinlock. Edge came back, but Kane avoided a charge and threw Edge over the top and to the outside. Back to the outside for the third time, Kane’s knee went off the steps and Edge flew off the steps onto Kane. Kane went back into the ring and Edge dove onto him off the top rope. Only a two-count. Swinging neckbreaker by Edge. Edge-O-Matic for only two. Soon after, Kane came off the top with a clothesline. Impaler DDT by Edge turned the tide again. Edge went for a spear, but Kane clotheslined him. He set up for the chokeslam, but Bearer came on the Titan-Tron screaming for Kane to come get him. Kane went to the aisle and was torn between going back to the ring and going after his father. He chose the match. As he got back in the ring, Edge speared him for the win.

WINNER: Edge, at 13:19. This match felt like it took a half-hour. In addition to this feud not clicking, they don’t seem to mesh well in the ring, either.

Edge chose the stipulation: Tables, Ladders and Chairs. He even said he’d give Bearer back to Kane now. So he brought him out in the wheelchair, back to the crowd. Kane went up the ramp to greet his father, but it was not him. It was a look-alike. The crowd didn’t really react, but Kane was so mad he booted the imposter in the face, tipping the chair over. He then continue to assault the man, as Bearer wailed on the Titan-Tron again. He was tied to the back of a flat-bed as Kane ran to the back. Kane found them, but Edge drove off in the truck before Kane could save his dad. This got old the second segment they did of it last week, and we had to sit through another entire show of it tonight.

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