WWE Smackdown review
August 19, 2011
Taped 8/16/11 in Bakersfield, Calif.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- Right into things they went, showing clips of the Orton vs. Christian match at Summerslam.

- Teddy Long’s music was playing inside the arena in Bakersfield. Long asked the crowd to welcome Randy Orton, the new World Champion. Orton walked out with the title, then posed on the second turnbuckle with it. The crack announce team of Josh Mathews, Michael Cole, and Booker T were shown at ringside during Orton’s entrance. Orton got the mic and said viewers are used to seeing Christian start Smackdown by whining and complaining, but he’s no Christian. He did the introduction thing, saying he’s the World Champion. He said Christian can’t even stand after their Summerslam match, let alone beg him for another match. He said he used to respect Christian, but as he became more annoying, he began to despise him. Orton told Long he’s ready to start anew. Long said he’s moving on to face the winner of tonight’s main event, a 20-man Battle Royal. Before he could say any more, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase walked out to Cody’s music.

Rhodes first talked about Legacy being reunited in the ring and he asked Orton if he remembered that. He said they were considered “lesser sons of greater sires,” which was a really nice line. Rhodes said now, he’s a champion, just like Orton. But unlike Orton, he didn’t have to resort to barbarism to get the title. Cody said he’s not content to just be Intercontinental Champion, because he wants what Orton has. Rhodes told DiBiase he had a voice, and to use it – he then passed the mic to his comrade. DiBiase said they know Orton better than anyone in WWE. I’d say Christian is near the top of that list now, what with all the matches they’ve had lately. DiBiase began to talk about all the times Orton used them, then out of nowhere, Orton RKO’d him. I love finishers that you can hit out of nowhere like that, and this segment showed exactly why. You can’t do interesting stuff like that with a 450 splash. Rhodes was left to stew in the ring as Orton posed on his way up the ramp.

But that’s not all! Rhodes got in Long’s face and said he assumes Long will do something about this. Rhodes began to yell, demanding Long do something about it. Long said he’s going to march back there and force Orton to stand in a corner on one leg for 10 minutes. He’ll also make him write 100 times, “I will not RKO Ted DiBiase.” Rhodes was not pleased with Long making fun of him. Long said, in fact, he’s going to make a demand of Rhodes: Since DiBiase can’t compete, Rhodes will take his place, defending the IC Title against Zeke Jackson. You guessed it: It’s next.

[Commercial Break- And ad for the Live Smackdown Special on August 30 aired.]

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

Jackson took the power to Rhodes early on and even landed a sidewalk slam in which he twirled around a few times while holding Cody in the move. I guess that’s his way of showing personality. Rhdoes missed an enziguiri and Jackson got two on the pin. Rhodes ducked down and hit an uppercut, but then fell victim to a back body-drop. Rhodes went back on offense with body shots, but allowed Jackson to get back to his feet in the corner. Forearm shot to the jaw for a near-fall. Jackson clubbed Rhodes in the neck and back in the corner. Rhodes avoided a slam and fled to ringside. Jackson tossed Rhodes over the ring steps and Rhodes took a spill to the floor. I feel like that would be the lesser of two evils, the other option being thrown INTO the stairs rather than over them. Rhodes kicked the stairs into Jackson’s leg, which hobbled the big man. Back in the ring, Rhodes landed his springboard kick, then Cross-Rhodes for the win.

WINNER: Rhodes, at 3:32. Looks like ol’ Zeke could be going the way of Vladimir Kozlov after Vlad’s initial big push.

- The 20-man #1 Contender Battle Royal is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

- Backstage, Zack Ryder walked into Long’s office and told him Alberto Del Rio would be there soon. Long didn’t know what Ryder was talking about, so Ryder said he invited Del Rio to “Zack-Down.” Long said he gave Ryder permission to invite the WWE Champion when he thought it’d be CM Punk or John Cena. Ryder said it was a surprise, like when he wins the 20-man Battle Royal tonight. Aksana walked in and had the jazz music again. Aksana asked Teddy why his last name was “Long.” She flustered Long and then mis-spoke in a double-entendre about the 20-man Battle Royal (use your imagination). Long fumbled over his words and said he’d rather watch it alone, then walked off.

- The announcers talked about Del Rio showing up on Smackdown tonight. Josh Mathews then switched gears and we saw the Justin Gabriel homecoming video package again.

- Justin Gabriel then came to the ring for a match. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

2 – JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. TYSON KIDD

Kidd took Gabriel down with a rear waist-lock, then a shoulder tackle. Kidd took Gabriel head-first into the middle buckle, using his feet to do so. Cover by Kidd for only one. Kidd stretched Gabriel’s arms, putting the knee right into the back of his opponent’s neck. Back-and-forth action, then a spinning back-kick by Gabriel that barely caught Kidd. Booker even brought up that Kidd may be missing something, and mentioned a manager as one of those possibilities. Did he really watch Superstars or pay attention to those matches on his brand? Take-down by Gabriel and both men were down at 3:43. Gabriel went to the top but Kidd met him. Gabriel slammed him down, then connected on a 450 splash with Kidd further out from the corner than usual. Still, no problem for Gabriel.

WINNER: Gabriel, at 4:19. Really nice, short match. It wasn’t a squash, as both men had moments where they looked impressive.

- Matt Striker was backstage with Jinder Mahal and Great Khali. Striker asked Mahal about his chances in the Battle Royal but Khali spoke instead. Upon translation by Mahal, Khali said he’d win the Battle Royal. Mahal then appeared to yell at Khali, saying Khali serves him. Mahal then said Khali agrees that he’ll win the Battle Royal.

- Up next, Alberto Del Rio returns to Smackdown.

[Commercial Break]

- Mathews thanked Cee-Lo Green for providing the theme to Summerslam.

- Cole plugged exclusive Summerslam photos on WWE.com.

- Tony Chimel introduced Ricardo Rodriguez, who in turn, introduced Alberto Del Rio. ADR introduced him to the crowd, then said he was the undisputed WWE Champion. That’s pretty much the same intro Orton gave, only saying he’s the World Champion. Del Rio said some fans thought he was crazy when he said his destiny was to become champion. He said he cashed his MITB on Sunday to become our undisputed WWE Champion. Del Rio said one year ago, he debuted in Bakersfield, and reminded fans he defeated Rey Mysterio. Del Rio said the fans once hated him, but now, they all love him. They booed. He said in his first title defense, he did the same thing: beat Rey Mysterio. “You suck” chants ensued. He showed a clip of him beating Rey on Raw.

Del Rio said he’s a real champion who will face anyone. He asked who was man enough to face him. I’m guessing Sheamus. Nope, it was Daniel Bryan. Bryan walked out to his new music, carrying his briefcase. ADR asked if Bryan was kidding, and asked if Bryan wanted another beat-down. Bryan said Del Rio thinks he’s so special, but if he is, why did he cash in his MITB just like everyone else. Bryan said that’s not special: It’s ordinary, predictable and pathetic. He walked to the ring and his music continued to play. The graphic said “next” but none of the announcers acknowledged that this had turned into a match. Not that that’s their job or anything.

[Commercial Break]

3 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. DANIEL BRYAN

This match was in the exact same segment last week. “Daniel Bryan” chants as soon as the bell rang to start the match. Bryan worked over Del Rio with kicks in the corner. Del Rio returned fire by taking Bryan down and laying the boots to him. Del Rio worked the arm and again the crowd chanted for Bryan. Headbutt took Bryan down. Headlock take-over by Del Rio. Back on his feet, knee-lift by Bryan, then a hard kick to Del Rio’s back and upper torso. Del Rio pulled Bryan off the top and brought Bryan’s arm across his knees. Sunset flip attempt by Bryan at 4:13, but Del Rio instead dropped the elbow across Bryan’s arm. Cole is predictably insufferable here, particularly arguing with Mathews over Kevin Nash’s involvement at Summerslam and hyperventilating over Bryan’s YouTube channel. Irish whip into the buckle by Del Rio felled Bryan. Arm-bar as Del Rio went back to working the arm once again. Cole called Mathews “babyface Josh” for rooting for the Cowboys in the movie “Cowboys & Aliens.” This is just so ridiculous.

Another headbutt by Del Rio, but he ran into a back elbow by Bryan in the corner. Hard kicks on ADR in the corner. Bryan built some momentum at 7:30, but struggled to capitalize after a clothesline. Bryan back-dropped Del Rio to ringside then dove off the apron with a flying knee to the face of the WWE Champion. Bryan came off the top and landed on his feet back in the ring, and Del Rio gave him a sweet German suplex with a bridge for two. Del Rio appeared to be bleeding from the lip or mouth. He set Bryan on the top rope, but a suplex couldn’t connect as he rolled over for a body-press. Both men were down at 9:45 when they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 13:15 with Bryan delivering more kicks. The men did the “boo, yay” thing in the middle of the ring, before Bryan got the advantage. Running dropkick in the corner. Rodriguez was freaking out at ringside as Bryan went to the top. Missile dropkick found the mark for a near-fall. Bryan went into his body kicks for about the fourth time in the match, but nothing came of it. Bryan locked in the front guillotine, but Del Rio rammed him into the corner to break it. Suplex into a cover, but instead of sticking with it, he locked in the cross arm-breaker for the submission win.

WINNER: Del Rio, at 15:23. Now that’s more like it. If they wanted to show Bryan as being a big-time competitor, as they did here lasting 15 minutes with the WWE Champion, not sure why they jobbed him out to the same guy in under four minutes last week.

Del Rio continued the onslaught, putting the submission finisher on Bryan once again. Sin Cara ran out to make the save, taking Del Rio down with a headscissors and dropkick. Then he dove on Del Rio with a cross-body off the top at ringside. Cara checked on Bryan as his music played. Conversely, Ricardo checked on Del Rio. After replays of the match and post-match, they showed Del Rio limping up the ramp.

- Striker was backstage with Mark Henry. They showed stills of his Summerslam match with Sheamus, then Striker asked Henry of his chances in tonight’s Battle Royal. Henry said he’s getting no respect, as he should already be the number one contender, but they’ve put him in the same boat as everyone else. He said that’s the wrong thing to do, because he sees the Battle Royal as a boat. The seas will get rocky, the boat will toss and turn, and 19 men are going overboard. And they’re all gonna sink.

[Commercial Break]

4 – KELLY KELLY & AJ vs. NATALYA & ALICIA FOX

AJ tried an arm-drag, but Nattie stopped her. She also didn’t move on a roll-up attempt. Off the second rope, Nattie caught AJ on a cross-body attempt. AJ did a float-over into a headscissors take-over, a nice move. Natalya didn’t seem fazed, as she continued to power AJ down and no-sell most of her stuff. She dragged AJ by the hair over to the corner and tagged Fox. Fox did little of note in the ring, but did take AJ down with a hair pull. She dragged AJ by the legs into the corner, where Nattie tagged in. Double suplex and a Natalya cover for two. Cole called AJ’s argyle ring gear “from the Kerwin Silfies collection” (Silfies is a director of WWE programming). Fox choked AJ in the corner with her foot, but AJ fought out and made the tag at 3:27. Kelly with a Thesz Press on Fox, then she spanked her. Headscissors take-down by Kelly. She rubbed her butt in Fox’s face in the corner. Hurricanrana and a pin broken up by Natalya, almost too late. Fox missed a scissors kick after Nattie took out AJ. K2 legdrop for the win.

WINNERS: AJ and Kelly, at 4:31. A marathon match by Divas standards, and most of it was AJ selling, which wasn’t terribly exciting.

Post-match, Natalya got in Fox’s face, showing displeasure over the loss. She called Fox a moron and Fox told Nattie to get out of her face. Natalya backed down. As Fox went to the apron, Natalya knocked her to ringside with a forearm shot. Nattie then applied the Sharpshooter on the arena floor.

- The 20-Man Battle Royal for the #1 Contender to the World Title is next.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed the exterior of the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, then they sent it to a video package of the Summerslam week activities, including media appearances and Fan Axxess.

- Back inside the arena, Randy Orton walked out to get a front-row seat for the Battle Royal.

[Commercial Break]

- Several men (cannon fodder) were in the ring when the bell rang and Tony Chimel announced the following match, for the television viewers I guess, because there were still more entrances to come. Sin Cara, Wade Barrett, Mark Henry, and Sheamus all got entrances. Just goes to show how weak the field appears in this one.

5 – 20-MAN BATTLE ROYAL TO DETERMINE #1 CONTENDER FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Khali backed Mahal in the corner as soon as the bell rang, to protected him. Everyone went after Mark Henry and he shrugged them off. He dropped Trent Barreta hard and sent him out at :20. Yoshi Tatsu gone at :28 of the Battle Royal, again courtesy of Henry. Hey, there’s William Regal! Khali stayed in front of Mahal in the corner. Barrett eliminated Johnny Curtis at 1:04. He came close to eliminating Rhodes a few seconds later. Heath Slater squirmed back into the ring from the apron, but Kidd tried to kick him back out. Hard chop to the chest of Regal by Khali. Sheamus had DiBiase teetering on the ropes. Ryder was hip-tossed out by Cara at 2:12, and there were a few boos for that. Rhodes skinned the cat back in, but Jackson clotheslined him out at 2:38. Early exit for Cody. Jackson then squared off with Khali. Hard body shots and punches, then a running clothesline. Khali with a brain chop, then he threw Jackson out with ease at 3:13. Henry and Khali sized each other up. I think there was a “Sin Cara” chant though it sounded like “619.” Henry was sent to the mat with a brain chop. Henry then picked up Khali and dumped him at 4:01. Mahal was incredulous. Sheamus took Henry down with a forearm and Henry rolled under the bottom rope. Sheamus kicked Slater out at 4:48 and Henry feasted on the remains. Orton got a glimpse of Henry up close and they went to break at 5:13.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 9:04 with Sheamus and Mahal in peril courtesy of Gabriel and Cara. They were both able to survive. Henry was still at ringside. Looks like the herd has thinned out a bit, with Regal having been eliminated during the break. Gabriel went out in a high-risk move by Cara at 10:52. Henry picked up Gabriel and threw him over the barricade and into the fans. The Usos were tossed by Sheamus at 11:18. Henry assaulted them as well. One was thrown into the announce table and looked like he kicked Mathews as he hit. Henry ree-ntered the match and Mahal and DiBiase went after him. He tossed Mahal at 12:11 and DiBiase at 12:17. Kidd was out at 12:33 via Cara. We’re down to Barrett, Sheamus, Cara, and Henry. Crowd liked Cara. All four men looked at each other as we finally heard from Mathews again. The three men went for Henry, cornering him and laying in the boots. Sheamus wore Henry down with knees to the face. Barrett then clotheslined Sheamus. He tried to eliminate Sheamus, but he landed on the apron. He pulled Barrett over and the two men pounded away on each other on the apron. Sheamus booted Barrett down at 14:23. Cara dove at Sheamus and Cara went through the ropes. Back in the ring, he kicked Sehamus in the back of the head. Sheamus kicked Cara, who fell on his butt on the apron. Cara still would not go over. Sheamus set up for the Brogue Kick, but Henry picked Sheamus up and sent him out at 15:21. Cara came off the top with a cross-body, but Henry pushed Cara off and to ringside. Cara came back in and kicked the legs of Henry. Springboard cross-body, but Henry caught him and gave him the World’s Strongest Slam. Henry lifted Cara over his head and deposited him to ringside.

WINNER: Henry, at 16:36.

They replayed the last few big moves of the match. Henry went face-to-face with Orton at ringside as Henry’s music played. He took a sniff of Orton and said he smelled fear. Great way to end things.


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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