WWE Smackdown review
August 26, 2011
Taped 8/23/11 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- Highlights aired of last week’s World Title #1 Contender Battle Royal.

- Smackdown Open.

- The camera panned the crowd inside the arena in Calgary as Josh Mathews opened the show for the viewers at home.

- Michael Cole plugged a Summerslam re-match between Mark Henry and Sheamus set for tonight.

- Bret “Hitman” Hart’s music played, and he walked out to the live crowd, which got the welcome you’d expect. As he came to the ring, Mathews, Cole and Booker T at ringside discussed Hart’s accomplishments. Cole noted they were in Bizarro Land, odd timing considering Hart would get a babyface reaction even if he was in America. Bret said Teddy Long couldn’t make it to the show due to unforeseen circumstances, so he’s the guest General Manager on the night. Hart also announced a “Super Smackdown” live on Tuesday, with superstars from Raw and Smackdown. The main event will be Mark Henry taking on Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship. After Bret made that announcement, Christian’s music interrupted and he walked out.

Christian did the walk-and-talk and said it wasn’t his fault he lost at Summerslam. He blamed Bret’s friend Edge for the loss. He said he couldn’t concentrate after what Edge said to him, and that distraction led to him losing to Orton. Christian reminded everyone that he’s entitled to an immediate re-match, and he wanted it Tuesday live on Smackdown. Hart said Christian doesn’t listen to his friends very well, saying what Edge said was right, that Christian’s becoming an embarrassment to his family, the WWE Universe, the World Title, and most importantly, to Canada. Bret told Christian to start at the bottom and work his way back up like a man. Christian said what’s really embarrassing is guys like Bret and Edge not being able to cope with the end of their careers. He made fun of Bret for still dressing like he’s 25 years old. Christian said he’s the only Canadian who’s still relevant. He accused Bret of having the same business acumen as Teddy Long, then pulled out a piece of paper. Bret read it to himself and Christian said it was a court-ordered legal document that says no WWE superstar is to receive a World Title match before he does. Bret caved and said it looks like Christian will have a re-match next week. Bret wondered aloud what kind of match it should be. He said that, for a guy with a bunch of excuses, it should be a Steel Cage match. I’m a little surprised they didn’t go with an “I Quit” match. Mark Henry’s music hit and he walked out.

Booker implored Bret to “make the right decision,” but he didn’t seem to indicate what that decision is. Henry told Bret he earned his title shot last week, and if he doesn’t get it, someone will get hurt. Henry told Bret not to speak until he lets him. Then he said he wanted the winner of next week’s cage match. He said he respects what Bret has done in this industry, but he can’t be held responsible for what he does when he’s angry. Bret asked if he was trying to intimidate him but Henry said he doesn’t have to intimidate anyway. Sheamus then came out to his music and recited another one of his stories about his uncle having a big, black bull that would attack everyone. But one day, his uncle castrated him. He threatened to do that to Henry. The two went at it in the ring and at one point time seemed to stand still after Sheamus ducked a Henry move. Sheamus got the better of the exchange and Henry was left to stew outside the ring.

- Tonight, Randy Orton takes on Ted DiBiase.

[Commercial Break]

1 – CHRISTIAN vs. DANIEL BRYAN

They aired a Bryan hype video during his entrance. Cole said he didn’t believe that Bryan will end up cashing in the MITB at Wrestlemania. Leg-whip by Bryan then a dropkick in the corner on his foe. First cover of the match got two at :52. Bryan did his dive through the ropes onto Christian outside the ring and then locked in a surfboard. Bryan actually bridged it into a pinning predicament. Kicks by Bryan, but Christian’s flip kick in the corner turned the tables. Bryan was back-dropped to ringside, where they went to break at 2:53 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back about 4:00 after they went to break. Bryan broke out of a rest-hold only to get elbowed down by Christian for two. To the top went Bryan and he came off with a missile dropkick. Both men were down at 8:12. Cover by Bryan for two. Flying clothesline by Bryan, followed up by some kicks to the chest of Christian. Bryan blocked a second flip kick attempt and kicked Christian right in the back of the neck. Cole noted Bryan has to develop some charisma. No connection was made between having charisma and being good in the ring/winning titles. If they even attempted to explain, I’d let it pass. Back-and-forth they went and Christian kicked out after a kick to the head. Bryan tried a hurricanrana off the top, but Christian hooked the top rope and landed a Tornado DDT for a near-fall. Killswitch was countered into the LeBell Lock, but Christian got his foot on the bottom rope. Bryan missed a running corner dropkick, then Christian connected on the Killswitch.

WINNER: Christian, at 12:03. Good win for Christian heading into his title match next week after not appearing on the show last week. Bryan lost, but like his match with Del Rio last week, he put up a fight and looked good.

- DiBiase looks for revenge on Orton after last week.

- Also, a Summerslam rematch between Henry and Sheamus.

- Backstage, Aksana addressed the camera with the seductive music in the background. She told fans to join her on Tuesday for the special Super Smackdown.

[Commercial Break]

- Two men were in the ring out of break. Tony Chimel introduced Wade Barrett as one of them, and he spoke on the mic. He talked about all of the men he has led attacks on in his short time in WWE. He said he takes this as an insult that he has to face a dreg (the man opposite him in the ring). So he set the mic down and walked off. Nice payday for the mustachioed jobber.

- The announcers talked on camera about what just happened. Josh Mathews talked about Punk vs. Cena on Raw, and then we got the Raw Rebound, which chronicled Cena vs. Punk.

- Another plug for Sheamus vs. Henry.

[Commercial Break]

2 – SIN CARA vs. HEATH SLATER

Ah, Cara grabbed the ropes during his jumping entrance! What a fraud! Slater is now the one-man Southern rock band and has theme music to reflect that persona. Also, Sin Cara vs. Alberto Del Rio is slated for Tuesday. Slater attacked Cara just as the bell rang and now Sin Cara’s light show during his match features moving lights. Headscissors take-down by Cara, then he landed a dive in the ring. Big flying headbutt for two. Cara dropkicked Slater off the apron, then landed a cross-body off the top rope. Diving flip on Slater, then a springboard moonsault for three.

WINNER: Cara, at 1:43. Not sure where all the botches came into play, but if the match was edited, I couldn't tell.

- They aired clips of Orton’s interview segment with Rhodes and DiBiase last week, where DiBiase ate an RKO.

- Orton was shown walking backstage, World title over his shoulder. Orton vs. DiBiase is next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – RANDY ORTON vs. TED DIBIASE

Cody Rhodes walked out with DiBiase, as did Cody’s baggers. Rhodes said he performs miracles, resurrecting the IC Championship and the career of Ted DiBiase. Things started slowly, with DiBiase taking Orton down with a headlock, then a shoulder tackle. Cole and Booker nicely put over the IC Title. Leap-frog by Orton, then a dropkick. Both men were back to their feet, circling each other, and going back to square one. Clothesline by Orton. Snap-mare by DiBiase, then a boot to the face for two. Take-down by Orton, then a catapult into the corner. Big clothesline by the Viper. Thesz Press followed. Rhodes got on the apron to distract, and took a right hand from Orton. Randy went to ringside and to RKO Rhodes, but DiBiase broke it up with a baseball slide. They went to break as the commentary team was apparently shocked into silence by that move.

[Commercial Break]

Orton got to his feet after being in a rear chinlock, but DiBiase dropkicked Orton down. Call me crazy, but I think a DiBiase win could work here, though I’m loathe to advocate a champion losing in a non-title match yet again. To the top rope, where Orton suplexed DiBiase to the mat. Cover got two at 9:46. Scoop slam by Orton and he began to get in the zone. DiBiase avoided the back-breaker and went for a roll-up for two. Sit-out spine-buster for two as well. Dream Street applied, but Orton countered. He set DiBiase up for the rope-assisted DDT, and it found the mark. RKO was dodged, as was another Dream Street. Slingshot clothesline missed wildly and DiBiase fell victim to the RKO for the pinfall.

WINNER: Orton, at 12:12. DiBiase sure looked good here, and I wonder if this was an opportunity given to him by WWE management to see what he can do and to see if DiBiase could prove something to them.

An upset Rhodes was left in the ring with a fallen DiBiase. Rhodes offered his hand to DiBiase, who grabbed it. Rhodes appeared to give DiBiase some words of encouragement, but then gave DiBiase Cross Rhodes. Rhodes took a bag and put it over DiBiase’s head. Maybe Cody should lower his expectations next time.

- A Sheamus vs. Mark Henry Summerslam re-match is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

4 – TAMINA vs. KELLY KELLY

Tamina was already in the ring. Natayla did an inset interview during Kelly’s entrance, calling her a “Barbie doll” and said she doesn’t play with dolls. Tamina tossed Kelly down, but Kelly then did a modified Thesz Press (I’m being generous tonight). Headscissors and Tamina struggled to fall through the ropes from it. Kelly used her feet to choke Tamina, then Tamina brought Kelly throat-down over the top rope. Bodyslam by Tamina, but Kelly broke out of an attempted submission move before it could be fully applied Face-buster by Kelly, then she hit her handspring back-elbow. Stinkface by Kelly, but she then jumped off the middle rope and into Tamina’s arms. Tamina couldn’t capitalize, as Kelly broke free and hit her K2 legdrop for the win.

WINNER: Kelly, at 2:47. She’s really building up some credibility with all these wins the past month or two.

- Backstage, Matt Striker was standing by with Jinder Mahal and Great Khali. Mahal said last week during the Battle Royal, Khali disobeyed his orders. But he’s been re-educated that his only mission is to serve Mahal. And tonight’s mission: dominate Ezekiel Jackson.

- Henry. Sheamus. Summerslam re-match. Tonight.

[Commercial Break]

5 – THE GREAT KHALI vs. EZEKIEL JACKSON

Khali and Mahal’s entrance didn’t make TV. Cole explained what happened in the Battle Royal last week that got Mahal upset at Khali. Jackson ran at Khali and Khali nailed him with a shot to the head. Hard slap to the chest of Zeke in the corner. Clothesline by Khali, followed by a nerve hold. Jackson elbowed out of it and clotheslined Khali into the corner. Big splash was next, but Khali connected on a big boot. He signaled for the Khali Vice grip and he wrapped his giant hands around Zeke’s head. Jackson got separation from Khali’s hands as the fans chanted “Oilers suck.” As the ref admonished Khali, Mahal got on the apron and tried to help Khali, but when Khali went to hit Jackson, he moved and Khali chopped Mahal. Jackson got Khali up for the Torture Rack and Khali tapped.

WINNER: Jackson, via submission, at 2:52. Finisher didn’t look great, since Khali actually looked pretty comfortable on Jackson’s shoulders. Still, I should just accept that a three minute Jackson vs. Khali match didn’t make me want to gouge my eyes out by the end.

- Another plug for the main event aired.

[Commercial Break]

[Commercial Break]

- This Tuesday on the special live Smackdown, Randy Orton defends the World Title against Christian in a Steel Cage match.

- Orton was backstage with the departing Todd Grisham. Orton said Christian is like a reoccurring nightmare, who always comes back after he thinks he’s gotten rid of him. He said he can handle Christian, as all Christian has left is his pride. As for Mark Henry, he doesn’t underestimate him. But Henry shouldn’t underestimate him either.

- A video package aired on Henry’s path of destruction.

- Sheamus and Mark Henry were shown in a split-screen walking backstage. Their match is next.

[Commercial Break]

6 – MARK HENRY vs. SHEAMUS

Mathews predicted bedlam during this one. We can only hope. Henry whipped Sheamus into the turnbuckle but Sheamus hammered away with forearms and kicks. Quick cover got two. Sheamus appeared ready to utilize the Irish Hammer but Henry gave him a straight boot to the face. Back-breaker for a two-count. Sheamus got whipped chest-first into the corner, then Henry proceeded to stand on Sheamus’ chest. Sheamus tried to fight back but Henry headbutted him down. Bear-hug was applied by the World’s Strongest Man. Sheamus made his comeback but Henry plucked him off the second rope and was ready to press slam him, but Sheamus turned it into a DDT. Impressive. Diving forearm by Sheamus took Henry down after several attempts. He laid in more forearms across Henry’s massive chest. Three knee-lifts from the apron continued the onslaught. Flying shoulder tackle off the top for two. Out of desperation, Henry pulled Sheamus out of the ring, then threw him into the barricade. No callback to Summerslam by the announcers? Henry began to clear off the announce table, but Sheamus escaped a slam attempt and Brogue Kicked Henry right over the table. He tossed a chair onto him for good measure (no DQ, by the way), then re-entered the ring. He made it back for the count-out win.

WINNER: Sheamus, via count-out, at 7:34.

Henry got up and peered angrily toward the ring. He flipped the announce table and walked around the ring. He tried to get back into the ring, but Sheamus met him on the apron. Henry created separation, but couldn’t get in the ring, as Sheamus knocked him to ringside. Sheamus jumped off the apron, only to be caught in Henry’s arms. Henry then drove Sheamus back-first into the apron. Henry went to put Sheamus into the stairs, but Sheamus reversed and Henry went in. Sheamus tried to throw the stairs at Henry but Mark moved and Henry clotheslined Sheamus instead. Henry picked Sheamus up and gave him the World’s Strongest Slam into the steel steps. They showed a replay of the finish of the match, and some of the aftermath. Henry yelled at Sheamus, “you can’t beat me” as they went off the air. I think that’s how every Smackdown should end – Henry shouting insults to a fallen opponent.


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.

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