WWE Smackdown review
August 12, 2011
Taped 8/9/11 in Sacramento, Calif.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- Smackdown Open.

- The show kicked off with Triple H’s music, and the new COO walked out. Michael Cole, Josh Mathews, and Booker T were shown at ringside during his entrance. Hunter got the mic and said a month ago, he was just sitting backstage without much responsibility. But now, he’s the COO and the special referee for perhaps the biggest match in the history of the industry: John Cena vs. CM Punk. Not a terribly strong reaction either way for Punk, though the crowd did chant his name after Trips continued his speech. Hunter said there’s a line a mile long back at his office, and said the pressure that comes with his gig is off the charts, but he’s loving it. Triple H said he wants to make sure each and every Raw and Smackdown is the most exciting and unpredictable it can be. He announced matches for tonight, with the IC Title on the line as Zeke Jackson takes on Cody Rhodes. Also, it’s MITB winner vs. MITB winner as Alberto Del Rio will guest star from Raw to take on Daniel Bryan. He said that like the WWE Champions on Raw, each man in the World Title match at Summerslam will be in singles competition tonight: Great Khali vs. Randy Orton, and Christian vs….well, we never got that far, as Christian’s music interrupted and he walked out.

Christian criticized Triple H for not calling him during the week after he plugged a major announcement on Raw. Hunter said he would…except he doesn’t give a crap. Christian announced that he was going to sue WWE, and asked if he had Hunter’s attention. He said he has documents that say Randy Orton is mentally unstable, and therefore, if he’s forced to compete at Summerslam in a No Holds Barred Match, he’s being put in an unsafe working environment by the company. So if the stipulation isn’t pulled, he’s going to sue WWE for millions of dollars. He said he’d sue Triple H, his children, all of the talent, John Laurinaitis, and every fan who buys a ticket and watches Summerslam on PPV. Hunter made it sound like he was going to change the match, but didn’t. Christian got in Triple H’s grill and said Hunter doesn’t quite get it. Trips said Christian is the one who doesn’t get it. Trips said he’s Christian’s boss (the piped in crowd loved that line) and if Christian doesn’t fight, he’s in breach of contract. And if he breaches the contract, he’ll fire Christian. Trips gave him the choices: Get fired and forfeit the title now, or compete at Summerslam as scheduled.

Christian paced around the ring and then whined to Triple H, asking him why he’s doing this to him. “Didn’t Orton attack your family once? Why are you doing favors for him?” Good question. Hunter continued to play Mr. Cool and said he doesn’t like Orton, but he respects him. Really? After all he’s done? Hunter pointed to the fans and said they respect Orton and like Orton, but they don’t like Christian. Trips chided Christian for the way he’s been acting since winning the World Title. He told Christian to stop whining and crying if he wants respect. He said Christian can earn respect by competing on Sunday. Triple H’s music played and he began to walk to the back. Christian demanded that his music be cut, as he wanted the last say. Christian said to forget the lawsuit because he’s going to beat Orton at Summerslam. But first, he’s going to beat Hunter’s hand-picked opponent tonight. Hunter said he’s glad Christian decided to drop the lawsuit and compete Sunday, and he’s also glad he’s okay with fighting this man…Sheamus. He came out to a nice reaction and walked to the ring. The match is next.

[Commercial Break]

1 – CHRISTIAN vs. SHEAMUS

Cole sided with Christian and said he should’ve sued WWE. Sheamus had the early advantage until Christian low-bridged him out of the ring. Baseball slide missed, but Sheamus was rammed shoulder-first into the ring post. Back in the ring, Sheamus missed a charge and again went shoulder-first into the post. Back-breaker by Sheamus and both men were down as if they’d wrestled ten minutes already. It was only 2:40 into the match. The announcers finally got around to talking about Sheamus’s PPV match. Powerslam by Sheamus for two. Christian went back on offense and went to the top rope. He missed a cross-body and Sheamus brought the forearms across the chest of the World Champion. Knee-lift by Sheamus, and then he went to the top. Diving shoulder tackle, followed by a set-up for the Brogue Kick. Christian rolled out of the ring to avoid it and grabbed the World Title from ringside. He wanted to leave, but Sheamus shoved him into the barricade (and it looked to be a rather gentle shove). Back in the ring, he went for the Irish Cross. Christian dropped out the back and to the apron, then worked Sheamus’s neck over the top rope. He took his belt and walked to the back for a count-out.

WINNER: Sheamus, via count-out, at 5:56. Really the only result they could’ve had here (unless Mark Henry interfered for a DQ) with both men competing in high-profile matches at Summerslam on Sunday.

- Tonight, Randy Orton vs. The Great Khali.

[Commercial Break]

2 – NATALYA & BETH PHOENIX vs. AJ & KAITLYN

AJ and Kaitlyn were already in the ring. Cole said Nattie and Beth want to be known as “D.O.D: Divas of Doom.” No other explanation for Beth’s appearance on Smackdown. Kaitlyn went for a rear waist-lock, but Nattie laughed it off and slammed her. Tag to Beth, and a nice, unique double-team back suplex for two. Kaitlyn dodged corner charge by Beth, then tagged AJ. Dropkick on Beth, but a roll-up was countered and Beth picked her up for the Glam Slam.

WINNERS: Phoenix and Natalya, at 1:15. Interesting tandem here, but I’m not sure how they pull of a Divas tag team, especially with two from different brands. I’m guessing they’ll run through the division like Kharma was supposed to.

After the match, the heels continued their assault on the lesser Divas. AJ was tossed out of the ring by Beth and Natalya trapped Kaitlyn in the Sharpshooter as Beth taunted her.

- Later tonight, Alberto Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan.

[Commercial Break]

- They plugged Sin Cara returning to Smackdown tonight.

- Zack Ryder and Teddy Long were backstage. Ryder was talking about the ratings being up and his new t-shirt. Rhodes thanked Ryder for sanctioning his match with Zeke, but Long said Ryder had nothing to do with it. Aksana walked in and the sax played in the background like last week. She wanted to talk business and clearly flustered Long. Long said he needed to go check on his car, then Aksana made a double-entendre. Fantastic.

- The Capitol Building in Sacramento was shown.

- The announcers talked on camera and Mathews sent it to a Mark Henry hype video.

- Backstage, Johnny Curtis was readying for his debut. Henry walked in and said it was a shame someone’s career was going to begin and end tonight. Curtis didn’t get it and Henry told him he has to fight him tonight. Henry said he liked Curtis’s vignettes, with the puns, and said he had one for him tonight: He wanted Curtis to go out and break a leg. Curtis did not seemed thrilled to hear it.

- Sin Cara came out. He’s in action next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – SIN CARA vs. TYSON KIDD

The announcers talked about Cara putting on more muscle. You could tell it wasn’t the original Sin Cara based on body type and the fact that Rod Zapata was not refereeing his match. Cara took Kidd out of the ring and hit a springboard body-press. He tried to get back into the ring but Kidd kicked him in the ribs and sent him back to the floor. Arm-drag by Cara back in the ring. Springboard headbutt, then a headscissors take-over. Springboard clothesline for two. Diving body attack in the corner. Cara set Kidd on the top rope, but Kidd headbutted him down. Booker talked about the new moves Cara has added to his repertoire since being injured. Samoan drop-like move by Cara, then a springboard moonsault off the second rope for three.

WINNER: Cara, at 2:56. Wondering if this will be a permanent substitution for the man under the mask. I personally think it’s too soon to give up on Mistico, but I don’t run a multi-million dollar company.

- Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio were shown in a split screen. They were walking backstage as their match is next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. DANIEL BRYAN

As usual, Ricardo Rodriguez introduced ADR. Del Rio and Bryan were both wearing white tights and white kneepads. It was quite confusing. Del Rio with a back suplex for two. Cole made fun of Bryan for Tweeting his breakfast earlier in the week. Bryan flipped off the top rope and hit a clothesline for a one-count. Kicks to the chest by Bryan. Del Rio tried the cross arm-breaker, but Bryan wasn’t having it. Bryan back-dropped Del Rio to ringside, then landed his suicide dive. Bryan grabbed at his shoulder as he lay on the mat. Back in the ring, Bryan came off the top and missed a missile dropkick. Del Rio locked in the cross arm-breaker for the tapout win.

WINNER: Del Rio, at 3:30. I should think that the two MITB winners should be a little more evenly matched than for one to win in less than four minutes.

As Del Rio and Ricardo headed up the ramp, Wade Barrett passed them on his way to the ring. Big kick to Bryan, then Wasteland.

- Christian was sitting alone in his locker room, pondering (one would assume) his match with Orton at Summerslam.

- Tonight, Orton vs. Khali.

- Next, Cody Rhodes challenges the IC Champion Ezekiel Jackson.

[Commercial Break]

- Summerslam Recall: Honky Tonk Man loses to Ultimate Warrior.

5 – CODY RHODES vs. EZEKIEL JACKSON – INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

Ted DiBiase and the baggers accompanied Rhodes to the ring. Booker complained about Jackson smiling on his way to the ring, saying he wasn’t taking this seriously enough. Rhodes tried to stay away from Jackson, but Zeke was just overpowering him. Rhodes went to ringside :50 in, and WWE went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 3:53 of the match. Rhodes was working over Jackson with stomps. Rhodes got a near-fall, then worked the arm. Jackson broke free by backing Rhodes into the corner. Zeke went for a punch by Rhodes got his boot up and Jackson punched it. Jackson then shrugged Rhodes off on a bulldog attempt, with Cody getting nice elevation. Good series of moves there. Bodyslam time! He went for the Torture Rack, but Rhodes got the rope and DiBiase provided a distraction. After Cody headbutted Jackson with his mask, Ted tried to get involved again, to no avail. Springboard kick by Rhodes, then Cross Rhodes for three.

WINNER: Rhodes, at 7:35. Surprised this match didn’t make Summerslam, especially if they were planning on a title change.

After the match, the duo put a bag over Jackson’s head. However, DiBiase didn’t catch Jackson stirring behind him. He got to his feet, dramatically took the bag off his head, and attacked DiBiase. Rhodes had gone to ringside before the attack began. Uranage by Jackson, who then pointed at Rhodes. He pressed DiBiase over his head and tossed him in Cody’s direction. Hilariously, Cody took a few steps backward, leaving DiBiase to land with a thud on the mat. They replayed the finish of the match and Jackson’s attack.

- Tonight, Orton vs. Khali.

[Commercial Break]

- After showing Old Sacramento, they went to the CM Punk-John Cena video package that aired on Raw.

- The announcers previewed the Summerslam card.

- Backstage, Matt Striker asked Orton if he was concerned Christian may have more tricks up his sleeve. Orton basically said he wasn’t worried, and that he learned in anger management class that you should unleash your anger at the appropriate times. He said he can’t think of a better time to do so than on Sunday. As far as Khali is concerned, Orton said Khali won’t need the Rosetta Stone or Jinder Mahal to translate what the RKO stands for. He said he’d tell him himself.

- Mark Henry made his entrance for his match with Johnny Curtis. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

6 – MARK HENRY vs. JOHNNY CURTIS

Curtis facially resembles Matt Morgan. Henry easily broke a rear waist-lock and took Curtis over. He then knocked Curtis down and slapped him. Henry put his head down and Curtis kicked him. Chops from Curtis, but again he ran into the brick wall that is Mark Henry. World’s Strongest Slam for three.

WINNER: Henry, at :58. Has there ever been a worse introduction for a hyped wrestler, combining the awful vignettes and Curtis’s squash debut?

Henry went to do more damage to Curtis, but Sheamus ran out to make the save. The two didn’t touch, but Sheamus grabbed a mic as Henry sauntered off. He said Henry always talks about how tough he is, but Henry always runs away when Sheamus comes out. He called Henry “Shamu” and himself the great white. Sheamus wanted to do things right now. Henry walked back to the ring…took Curtis out of the ring and gave him the World’s Strongest Slam at ringside. “That’s gonna be you!” he shouted at Sheamus.

- Great Khali and Jinder Mahal were walking backstage. Khali vs. Orton is next.

[Commercial Break]

7 – RANDY ORTON vs. THE GREAT KHALI

Khali overpowered Orton, then gave him an overhand chop. Stomps in the corner by Khali. Mahal choked Orton behind the ref’s back. Orton was sent into the stairs at ringside by his opposition. Khali lined up for the Khali chop at 2:12, and it connected. Orton, however, kicked out. Khali grabbed a nerve hold but Orton fought out. Dropkick sent Khali into the ropes, where his arms got tangled. Orton kicked at Khali, then punched Mahal, who had got up on the apron. DDT by Orton, but the RKO was countered with the Vice Grip. Orton fought out of the corner and RKO’d Khali.

WINNER: Orton, at 4:32.

As Orton celebrated, Christian walked out to his music. He said at Summerslam, it’s going to change everything. He said he can’t wait for their No Holds Barred match, because anything goes and he has the best thing going. He told Orton he’d see him on Sunday. Not sure what that was about, but I guess that’s the point. The show faded out with Christian holding his title and jawing with Orton from a distance.


What do you think? If you saw this show, we invite you to send your thoughts. Send your name, hometown, a 0-10 score rating the quality of the show, your picks for best and worst segments, and then a brief paragraph of thoughts on the show that we can publish in the Reader Reax segment later tonight or tomorrow. Send to pwtorch@gmail.com.

Greg Parks has been covering WWE Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. Follow him on Twitter @gregmparks for live Tweeting during Raw, Impact, and PPVs, as well as other bits of wisdom. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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