By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
DECEMBER 21, 2010
LIVE FROM SAN ANTONIO, TEX.
AIRED ON USA NETWORK

-Josh Matthews introduced the show. Michael Cole said John Cena began his career on Smackdown and for one night only he returns to face Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero. Matt Striker hyped that new World Hvt. Champion Edge would be speaking later on the show.

-Highlights aired of the six-man main event tag match last night on Raw.

1 -- THE MIZ (w/Alex Riley) vs. RANDY ORTON

Cole said Miz is the "most must-see WWE Champion ever." Loud chants for "Randy" in the opening minute. Miz bailed out and ran from Orton, who chased him back into the ring and then took him down with a Thesz Press and a full mount with a barrage of punches. Miz again bailed out after a kick. Orton met him on the floor and threw him into the security wall twice, then flattened him with a clothesline. He then turned to "The Apprentice" Alex Riley, who backed off. Miz dropped off the ring apron and snapped Orton's neck over the top rope at 2:00 and then gave him a boot to the face for a two count. Miz got frustrated after a couple more two counts. Orton then took over with punches and a backbreaker at 4:00. At 5:00 Riley yanked Orton off the ring apron and he fell head-first into the edge of the ring apron. Miz then whipped Orton into the ringside steps. They cut to a break. [c]

[Q2]

Orton knocked Miz off balance on the top rope, then superplex him at 10:00. Miz showed some fight, but Orton stayed on offense. Cole said Orton is more aggressive than he's seen him in recent weeks with "emotion pouring out of his veins." A minute later Miz countered an Orton clothesline with a neckbreaker for a two count at 11:00. Orton came back seconds later with a high dropkick for another two count. Riley distracted Orton leading to a Miz comebackat 12:00. Miz struck with a DDT for a two count. Orton then came back and pounded the mat. Riley against jumped on the ring apron, but Orton turned to punch him and then turned back with an RKO. As Orton went for the cover, Riley interfered and stopped the count. The ref DQ'd Miz.

WINNER: Orton in 14:00.

STAR RATING: ***1/4 -- Really good action. The DQ finish, perhaps a necessary evil at this point, was a letdown after such a good, emotionally-charged match. It's good for Miz to be in that type of match with Orton, even if he did rely on cheating to avoid getting pinned. It's also a good start to Smackdown, but very different from how WWE opens Raw most often.

-Afterward Orton set up the punt kick, but Riley made the save so Orton gave him a neckbreaker. That gave Miz time to roll out of the ring. The close-ups of Orton make it look like he just jumped from age 25 to 40 in five years. [c]

-Big Santa (Big Show) wandered backstage with Rosa Mendez handing out gifts. Hornswoggle joined them, dressed as an elf. [c]

[Q3]

-Big Show, Rosa, and Hornswoggle walked ot the ring, which was adorned in Christmas decorations. Show sat on a chair and it collapsed underneath him. Show stood up and went "Ho! Ho! Ho!" Cole, Striker, and Matthews laughed uproariously like their jobs depended on it. Big Show read an altered version of "The Night Before Christmas." It included some digs at Show's weight, which Show didn't like as he read it, and then talked about Edge's World Title win and Cody Rhodes being stripped to his underwear and a plug for "Knucklehead." This was neither sports nor entertainment, and the laugh track by the announcers was just aggravating. As Show and Hornswoggle began handing out gifts to the crowd, Cody attacked Hornswoggle from behind. Show made the save. [c]

-Cole plugged a six-man tag match on Tribute to the Troops featuring Orton & Rey Mysterio & Cena vs. Wade Barrett & Alberto Del Rio & The Miz. That will be generically disconnected from storylines as Barrett is written out for now, so his inclusion in that match - taped weeks ago - is a bit awkward.

-A video package aired highlighting Cena on Raw last night. They even replayed Cena's "hoo hoo" ridiculous dance and his self-deprecating singing. They went four minutes with that recap. I know WWE loves that segment, but it was just last night, and Smackdown is live, and a four minute recap seems destructive to viewers' patience.

-Todd Grisham interviewed "Glamazon" Beth Phoenix regarding her nasty fall at ringside last night on Raw. She said she's grateful she wasn't hurt worse and it taught her not to take anything for granted. Santino walked in and asked if she was okay and if for old time's sake maybe they should do a lip-lock. Phoenix asked if he was seeing Tamina on Raw. He said that's Raw, this is Smackdown, "and what happens on Smackdown stays on Smackdown." Santino closed his eyes and puckered. She instead kissed Vladimir Kozlov. Santino got upset when he saw lipstick. Vlad is picking up where Great Khali left off, I suppose. This just seems like too much "feel good" sappy and syrupy comedy.

[Q4] [c]

2 -- SANTINO MARELLA (w/Vladimir Kozlov) vs. CHAVO GUERRERO

Cole and Matthews argued over whether Santino was out of line for looking for some action on Smackdown. Matthews defended Santino, saying "don't hate the player, hate the game." At 3:00 Santino hit the Cobra and schoolboy for the win. Cole said, "Maybe Santino should have pulled the cobra out for Beth." Striker found that funny.

WINNER: Santino in 3:00. [c]

-Edge came out to the ring to his music. He said everyone has been asking him if all of the insanity with Paul Bearer and Kane would pay off. He imitated Bearer. He said Sunday he proved it was all worth it because he now holds the World Hvt. Title. He said that TLC match shortened his career and everyone's career in it. He said it hurt to get in the ring tonight. He said he hurts from head to toenail. He talked about how he has achieved all of his goals in WWE.

[Q5]

He said he felt he needed confidence to accomplish all of his goals. As he kept talking, Kane interrupted. He said, "Enough! Enough of your sickening, sentimental story." He said nobody wants to hear it. Edge said he wasn't done. Kane said he gets to write the finish to his story, which will be Edge's body being broken and the belt back in his possession. Edge interrupted and said nothing is more painful than having to listen to his psychotic ramblings. He said since Smackdown is live, how about they cut to the chase and have a match "right here and now." As the announcers celebrated the idea of a Kane vs. Edge match live on Smackdown, Kane smiled and asked if Edge thinks he can really manipulate him that easily. He said for six weeks now he's been playing his game by his rules, but no longer. He said he will get the World Championship back, but he'll do it on his terms and when he is ready.

-Matthews plugged Alberto Del Rio & Jack Swagger vs. Rey Mysterio & Kofi Kingston was coming up.

-A replay aired of Cena yanked the collection of chairs onto Barrett on Sunday. Cole said Cena is back and better than ever. Striker then plugged the Cena vs. Barrett match. [c]

3 -- KAVAL vs. DREW MCINTYRE

Drew attacked Kaval just as he somersaulted into the ring. The ref asked Kaval if he was willing and able to fight. Kaval said yes, but he was still almost out of it. Drew finished him with the Future Shock DDT seconds later.

WINNER: Drew in about 20 seconds.

-Cole plugged Kid Rock's "Born Free" song, an official song of "Tribute to the Troops." They went to the announcers at ringside as they plugged Tribute to the Troops and threw to a preview.

[Q6]

-Del Rio's ring entrance took place. [c]

4 -- ALBERTO DEL RIO & JACK SWAGGER vs. REY MYSTERIO & KOFI KINGSTON

At 2:00 Swagger broke up a pin by Kofi on Del Rio. Del Rio tried to jump at Kofi, but Kofi ducked and he flew through the ropes to the floor. Swagger followed behind. With both heels down, Kofi and Rey leaped off the top rope and landed bodyblocks on the floor. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]

[Q7]

Back from the break Del Rio had Rey in a headlock. Cole pushed the fact that these wrestlers were all competing just two days after putting their careers on the line at TLC. Nice to see that being stressed, unlike last night on Raw. Kofi hot-tagged in at 8:00, bunt Swagger cut him off with a boot to the face. Rey hot-tagged in at 11:00 and gave Del Rio a DDT for a two count. Swagger tagged in and took over offense against Rey. Rey fought back with a 619 set-up on Swagger. When Del Rio entered, Ray set him for it, too, but Del Rio moved. Rey hit Swagger and then knocked Del Rio to the flor. Kofi hit the Trouble in Paradise and then Rey landed a springboard splash for the win.

WINNERS: Rey & Kofi in 14:00.

STAR RATING: **3/4 -- Good high-energy tag match with some nice athleticism from Rey and Kofi. Matthews touted it as the type of high-flying action you'll only see on Smackdown.

[c]

-Drew approached Kelly Kelly backstage again. Drew apologized for acting so weird last week. Kelly said he was normal, and that was the weird part. Drew said they really are alike, but his intensity picks up in the ring. He let her know there's one thing she should know. "I would never hurt you," he said, then he walked away. She just smiled and went back to texting on her phone.

[Q8]

-Vickie told Ziggler that he loves her, he will defend her honor and destroy Cena. She asked him to help her stretch. She was moody and difficult as he tried to stretch her right arm. [c]

-Matthews plugged that a week from Friday on New Year's Eve they'd be back at their regular time with Kane & Alberto Del Rio vs. Edge & Rey Mysterio. He said that match makes it a can't-miss event.

5 -- DOLPH ZIGGLER & VICKIE GUERRERO vs. JOHN CENA

Striker said Vickie has the face of Adrian Barbeau and the body of Adrian Adonis. Before the match began, Ziggler had to talk Vickie out of going after Cena and then grab her. Cole said she's crazy. He said it's not the first time she was made fun of. Striker said it won't be the last. Cena leapfrogged Ziggler in the first exchange, then settled into a chinlock. Cole said it's been a while since Cena did a leapfrog, which is evidence now of him having a spring in his step. Ziggler took control after a Vickie distraction. Vickie tagged herself in at 2:00. Ziggler didn't approve, but threw his hands up. Vickie stepped on Cena's face and made some hideous faces. Cole said it looks like a cow stepping on his face. Ziggler tagged himself back in. He went back to punching Cena's head. Cena teased an Attitude Adjustment out of nowhere, but Ziggler escaped easily and DDT'd him for a near fall. Ziggler knocked Cena to the floor at 5:00. Zigger rammed Cena head-first into the announce table. Cena, though, blocked Ziggler's attempt to ram him into the ringside steps. Cena reversed it and then threw Ziggler back into the ring. Ziggler caught Cena as he entered the ring with a dropkick.

[Q9 - Overrun]

Cena made a comeback, but Ziggler ducked his flying shoulder block. Cena rolled to the floor. Vickie observed from the ring apron as the ref began to count Cena out. She walked over and kicked him on the leg lightly and laughed. Cena rolled into the ring as the fans began a battle of "Let's Go Cena!" and "Cena Sucks!" chants. Cena made a comeback, but Ziggler cut him off and applied a side headlock. Cena tried to escape, but Ziggler dropped down with a chin buster for a two count. When it appeared Ziggler had Cena where he wanted him, Vickie tagged herself back in. She waved her hand in Cena's face and then went for a splash. Cena moved. Cole wondered what that measured on the Richter Scale. Ziggler tagged back in, but Cena had his feet back and went into his finishing sequence. He waved his hand in front of Vickie, then gave Ziggler a Five Knuckle Shuffle and the Attitude Adjustment. Ziggler countered, though, landing on his feet and hitting a Fameasser for a very near fall. Ziggler set up the Zig Zag, but Cena countered into the STF. Vickie yanked Cena off of Ziggler and yelled at him. Cena forced a kiss on her. Cole said he has more guts than he ever thought. "Cena's a real man!" Cole declared. Vickie cried as Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Ziggler for the win.

WINNER: Cena in 14:00.

-Afterward, as Cena set up Vickie for an Attitude Adjustment, C.M. Punk attacked Cena with a chair again. He then walked to the back looking very serious, never looking back. Cole said, "I just don't get it." Cena winced in pain in the ring.

-After a final plug for Tribute to the Troops, they went back to Cena trying to get up and looking around for an explanation as his music played. Matthews signed off and nearly said SyFy, before correcting himself and saying USA.

We suggest these recent related articles...

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 10/1: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Kevin Owens vs. Ryback in an Intercontinental Title Match

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 9/24: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Kevin Owens & Rusev vs. Dolph Ziggler & Ryback

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 9/17: Ongoing coverage of the Thursday night show, including Seth Rollins & Sheamus vs. Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns