WWE Smackdown review
Sept. 16, 2011
Taped 9/13/11 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- A wide shot of the crowd, and they were buzzing, in Toronto was shown. Then Justin Roberts (on Smackdown?) introduced Edge. Josh Mathews intro’d the show after Edge’s fireworks, then we heard Michael Cole talk about the injury that ended Edge’s career. A graphic showed Randy Orton and Edge as guests on the Cutting Edge later tonight. “Damn I missed that,” said Edge after getting to the ring and grabbing a mic. He said that even if this is a one-time occurrence, he’s glad to stand in a WWE ring again. He said it feels even better being in his hometown. He talked about some cool things he’s done since retirement, but said it doesn’t mean he doesn’t miss “this.” He said he missed getting in the ring and having a wrestling match, and the camaraderie of the locker room. He said he misses music and pyro going off wherever he goes, since that doesn’t happen in the real world. But most of all, he said he missed the fans. “Thank you Edge” chant. He said he was here to host the Cutting Edge later on. He mentioned his guests and I wondered how they have Henry NOT attack Edge, given his character as of late. But before he could go further, Cody Rhodes’ music interrupted.

Cody did the walk-and-talk to the ring and Rhodes said he thought Edge would pontificate about his show “Haven,” which airs after Smackdown tonight. Well, Rhodes did the plug for him. Rhodes said it sounds like Edge is sucking up to the fans, something he thought Edge was above. Hey, is that huge jacked guy behind the ringpost, with a bag on his head, Ted DiBiase? The baggers gave other fans their bags as Edge said Rhodes was disfigured. Rhodes said it sounds like Edge is bitter. He talked about how he won the IC Title, disposed of Ted DiBiase, and beat Randy Orton on Raw. He asked Edge “who is the triumphant now?” He said that makes Edge the tragedy. Crowd chanted for a Spear as Rhodes grabbed a bag. He handed it to Edge and said he knows Edge isn’t going to place it over his head, but rather, he wants him to take it home to place on his mantle as a reminder of what Smackdown has become. He said he’s the new face of Smackdown. Edge thanked him for the offer and said if Cody is the new face of Smackdown, the show needs a paper bag more than he does. “That doesn’t even make sense,” said Cody. I think it sort-of does.

Edge asked how someone as charismatic as Dusty Rhodes could’ve sired Cody. He said he’s going to leave lest he fall asleep. He left the ring and his music played as Rhodes became indignant in the ring. He went to the apron and complained that neither Edge nor the crowd is better than him. Rhodes went to ringside and pointed to people who need paper bags. Finally he got to the jacked dude I mentioned earlier and the guy punched Rhodes. He finally, dramatically, took off his paper bag and attacked Cody. He sent Rhodes into the ring and did a number on him, including giving him Dream Street. It’s Miz-Riley all over again. Once they find a formula they stick with it. DiBiase went to a bagger, punched him, and took a bag. He wanted to put it over Cody’s head but Rhodes high-tailed it. DiBiase’s awful theme song played, which doesn’t fit him as a babyface (or even as a heel, really). I thought they’d have DiBiase save Edge from an attack, at least giving him some heat from Edge’s fans. They replayed Ted’s attack as he stood tall in the ring.

- Sin Cara and Daniel Bryan were shown walking backstage in a split-screen. Their match is next.

[Commercial Break]

1 – SIN CARA vs. DANIEL BRYAN

Sin Cara got booed pretty good coming out; I wonder how much of that is post-production. Fans will still want to cheer him, I would think, given his style. During his entrance, they showed his attacks on Daniel Bryan. The announcers were shown on camera as Bryan came out. He whipped Cara into the turnbuckle to start, then connected on a running dropkick. He took Cara down and pounded on him, then gave Cara a European uppercut. Cara flipped over the top turnbuckle, but Bryan sent him to the floor. Back in the ring, Cara cut off a probable Suicide Dive attempt with a dropkick to Bryan’s legs. Cole and Booker were putting over the new aggressiveness of Sin Cara. Let’s remember that for later. Cara propelled Bryan out of the ring and Bryan came up holding his knee. They went to break at 1:57.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 5:52. Cara had Bryan in a leg-lock, which Bryan fought out of with right hands. Cara kicked Bryan in the leg again, then dropkicked him in the head. Springboard headbutt by Cara. Cara tried a springboard moonsault, but Bryan got his feet up. Not his knees…his feet. It looked good. Hard shot to the face of Cara as Bryan showed some viciousness of his own. Cover for two. Kicks to the chest of Cara in the corner, but Cara crotched Bryan. Bryan got caught in the Tree of Woe. Cara kept going after Bryan, even after the ref’s count, so Cara got disqualified.

WINNER: Bryan, via DQ, at 8:55. Solid match as you'd expect between the two, with the more physical nature as an added dimension.

Running dropkick in the corner by Cara, and as that happened his theme music played. The second Sin Cara (the original) came out. He threw his robe down in anger and pointed at Cara in the ring. Cole said he didn’t get it. Second Cara made the dive into the ring and faced off with the heel Cara. Like Highlander, Cole said there can only be one…Sin Cara. When they faced off, you could tell Hunico was so much bigger to the point that it makes the announcers look bad for not noticing. Both Caras raised their arms for reactions and the heel got the heel reaction of course. It looked like they were going to come to blows, but heel Cara just walked off. Cole asked who was who. Okay…so Cole and Booker talked about loving the aggressiveness of the new Sin Cara during the match, when he ended up being the heel. So why put him over as a babyface like that? It makes the real (face) Sin Cara seem less aggressive by comparison, and what babyface wants to be known as not aggressive?

- A quick Mark Henry video aired.

- A reminder that Orton and Henry will be on the Cutting Edge tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole plugged a WWE.com article that listed candidates for COO if Triple H were to lose on Sunday.

- Zack Ryder and Teddy Long were brainstorming backstage. Ryder complained about Henry man-handling him last week. Long said there’s once again a no-contact rule for the Cutting Edge, and if they fight, there will be no match on Sunday. Ryder had to pass the info along to the competitors. Long said “woo woo woo…don’t blow it.” So there were no consequences for the no-touching rule that the men broke last week? Aksana walked in and said in her country, it’s customary to give a massage to someone who works hard. Long said maybe a quick one and Aksana massaged his shoulders. He bent down in front of her and she worked his back. Trish Stratus walked in and noticed the goings-on. Long told her “it’s not what you think.” If anyone should know, it’s Trish! She’s been caught in similar situations on TV before. Long said this was awkward and she agreed, leaving the room.

2 – AJ vs. BETH PHOENIX

Kaitlyn was with AJ and whatever she was wearing was not real flattering. AJ slipped out of the corner and Trish kicked Beth in the leg. AJ went for a bulldog, but Beth stopped her and suplexed her. Press slam by Beth, and she even lifted her up and down over her head. AJ fought back and kicked Beth in the face. Beth kicked AJ in the chest as a reply, then beat AJ with the Glam Slam.

WINNER: Phoenix, at 1:24. AJ actually got more offense than I expected.

Kaitlyn helped AJ out of the ring. Beth got the mic and said there’s going to be a very unhappy ending to Kelly’s fairytale on Sunday.

- Another plug aired for the Cutting Edge.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed the CN Tower in Toronto, then the outside of the arena. Quite a big videoboard they have there.

- A hype video for Sheamus aired. Sadly, no “I’ll fight him” soundbyte.

- Trish was backstage talking with Edge. She was pushing some fancy yoga gloves on him. Christian walked up to them and said it’s nice to see Trish show up when she has something to sell. He called her selfish, then hilariously moved on to Edge. They briefly talked of the Summerslam incident and Christian said he can’t fault him for that. They hugged and Christian asked Edge to slide into Teddy Long’s office before the Cutting Edge and tell Long Christian deserves one more title match, since he deserves it. Edge stayed silent and Christian took that as Edge not thinking he deserves it. Chrisitan reminded Edge that he had his back at Wrestlemania to ensure he walked out as champion. Edge was about to call Christian a “bitch” but Christian stopped him and walked off angrily. An excited Zack Ryder walked up and told Edge to tell Henry and Orton there’s no touching on the Cutting Edge tonight. It looked like he had about six cups of coffee right before that. Trish asked Edge if that was the Internet Champion.

- Wade Barrett came out for his tag match. They showed the situation from last week, where Sheamus, Christian and Barrett all got involved in a brew-ha-ha. It’s Barrett and Christian against Sheamus and Justin Gabriel, next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – WADE BARRETT & CHRISTIAN vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL & SHEAMUS

I think Gabriel’s music is different. Before the match started, Sheamus got the mic and offered some pleasantries. He said he couldn’t say anything nice about Christian, because his face reminds him of a horse’s arse. He said Barrett’s like a sack of cow manure, only half as useful. Sheamus did a rhyme about why he chose Gabriel as his partner saying he couldn’t find the Ax or the Smasher, so he got him the 450 splasher.

Match began just shy of the beginning of the second hour. Barrett blocked a drop-toe hold, but Gabriel came back with another one, this time successfully. Back leg-sweep by Gabriel for a one-count. Barrett took Gabriel to the apron and there seemed to be some bad timing as Gabriel missed a springboard and Barrett landed a side slam (which Booker credited to Big Bubba Rogers). Christian tagged in and Gabriel got a small package for two. Clothesline right after got two. Barrett came back in and put the boots to Gabriel in the corner. Suplex blocked and Barrett was rolled up for two. Rest-hold applied just after three minutes in. Gabriel worked out with elbows and kicked Barrett in the legs. Barrett tossed Gabriel in the air, and he landed chest-first on the mat. Christian came in again and took over on offense, and even whipped him into the buckle. The heels were firmly in control when they went to break at 4:34.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 8:04 of the match and Gabriel was still being beaten down. Barrett with a straight kick to the head, then Christian tagged in. He missed a charge and Gabriel took Christian down. Somehow, that took ALL of the energy out of Christian and both men made tags at 9:17. Sheamus slammed Barrett down gave him a knee-lift. Christian stopped Sheamus on the top rope by grabbing his foot. Sheamus headbutted Barrett off the top and landed a diving shoulder tackle. Celtic Cross on Christian, but he countered and Sheamus clotheslined Christian over the top. Barrett tried Wasteland, but Sheamus got off and hit the Brogue Kick. Gabriel tagged in and hit the 450 splash for the win.

WINNERS: Sheamus and Gabriel, at 10:37. The work on Gabriel got a little tedious, but otherwise solid.

Christian tried to sneak in behind Sheamus’ back but snuck out when Sheamus saw him. Sheamus invited him into the ring, but Christian backed up the ramp. They replayed the finishing sequence of the match.

- A video package from last Friday aired, detailing Mark Henry’s attack on Randy Orton.

- Edge will host the Cutting Edge with Henry and Orton.

[Commercial Break]

4 – THE GREAT KHALI vs. HEATH SLATER

Slater tried to stick and run, but didn’t really get the “run” part down. Big forearm by Khali sent Slater to the mat. At the :30 mark, Jinder Mahal walked down with a mic and yelled at Khali in another language. He was very intense. Mahal came to ringside and Slater tried to attack from behind. Khali grabbed him by the throat and Mahal ran in to help for the DQ.

WINNER: Khali, via DQ, at 1:09. More of an angle than a match.

Khali took out both Slater and Mahal, but Slater ran interference so Mahal could avoid the Tree Slam. Instead, Slater took one as Mahal watched from ringside.

- R-Truth faces Evan Bourne tonight. And this is the first time we’re hearing of it why?

[Commercial Break]

- More shots outside the arena in Toronto.

- They aired a video package on the main event storyline from Raw, including a lot of Kevin Nash.

- Evan Bourne came out for his match with R-Truth. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- R-Truth came out to his “What’s up” theme and Truth rapped “you suck” to the ring, with a little help from Miz. It was quite a sloppy rendition.

5 – EVAN BOURNE vs. R-TRUTH

Miz went to ringside to do guest commentary, as did Kofi Kingston. The fight went to the outside immediately and back inside, Truth went for a cover. It’s gonna be another one of those “guys arguing on commentary takes precedence over the match.” Truth got Bourne up for a suplex, but Bourne used the knee to get out of it. Bourne nailed Truth with some body shots with his leg. Face-plant by Bourne with his legs. Bourne landed on his feet when Truth moved on a 450 splash, but Truth kicked Bourne and hit his finisher for the win.

WINNER: Truth, at 1:54. Was the show running long? Truth was just in the main events, but it’s awfully quick for a tag champ to lose in singles competition.

- They aired a video on Mark Henry coming down during Raw on Monday, causing a distraction and allowing Cody Rhodes to beat Orton.

- Edge was walking backstage. His Cutting Edge segment is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Edge was in the ring for the Cutting Edge. He reminded fans of what Cody said about him pandering earlier in the show, but Edge said Toronto has been so important to him, bringing up where he sat at Wrestlemania VI. Edge introduced Mark Henry, who came out. Edge didn’t waste much time in bringing out Orton next. The men stood, rather than taking their seats. Edge told the men about the no-contact rule and said for Randy, it’s probably a good thing. He talked about Henry tearing through everything and everyone, barely looking human in the process. He asked Orton if he really thinks he can beat him come Sunday.

Orton talked about Henry taking out Kane and Big Show, but the only time Henry gets physical with him is after he’s already had a match, so he hasn’t proven anything to him. He said maybe Henry is just here to make a statement, or maybe Henry knows why he really hasn’t won a WWE Title – because his very best just isn’t good enough. Orton said he doesn’t think he could beat Henry…he knows he can. Edge said maybe Henry isn’t good enough, injuries have derailed him, or he just isn’t good enough to get to the next level. Henry said the only reason he’s going to let Edge walk out of the ring on his own power is because…he’s right. Edge looked confused. Henry said for 15 years he’s seen men smaller and weaker than him become champion. Henry said he’s always told to smile and “show that personality.” He told Orton that he’s done smiling and showing personality. He said he’s here to take what Orton has. He said for 15 years, whatever he’s done hasn’t worked. But on Sunday, he will be the World Heavyweight Champion.

Orton said Henry will, in the end, be the same he’s always been: 400 pounds, 15 years, World’s Strongest Failure. The men set down their mics and went to go head-to-head, but Edge reminded them about the no touching policy. Perhaps George Bluth should’ve informed them of such a rule. Edge decided to leave the ring, saying the Cutting Edgei s officially over. The men began to go at it as Teddy Long sent in the troops from backstage to break it up. This included the Usos, Trent Barreta, Zack Ryder, Derrick Bateman, JTG, Tyson Kidd, and maybe Johnny Curtis. Orton fought off the cavalry and walked into a World’s Strongest Slam. Henry then fought off the jobbers as well, then gave Orton a big splash. Ryder was dumped to ringside and Orton was on the receiving end of another splash as Long admonished Henry from ringside. “You don’t tell me what to do!” Henry screamed. Barreta was propelled over the top and he hit his ribs on the apron. Another World’s Strongest Slam from Henry. He picked up the World Title and held it over Orton’s body. Cole said that’s what we’ll be seeing Sunday.


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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