WWE Smackdown review
Oct. 7, 2011
Taped 10/4/11 in Biloxi, Miss.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- A video package aired on the troubles Triple H has encountered as COO and all the man things wrestlers have said about him lately, as well as the chaos that has ensued under his reign. They added in clips of the No Confidence vote from Raw. As usual, a well-done piece.

- Backstage, Teddy Long (who got a heck of a pop from the crowd) was on the phone with Triple H. He said he wouldn’t let Hunter down. Zack Ryder walked in and asked if it was Hunter…he did say he was just doing what everyone else was doing. Teddy said Hunter put him in charge. Isn’t he in charge anyway, as the Smackdown GM? Ryder asked if Long knew what Hunter was going to do on Monday. Long just said Raw’s loss is Smackdown’s gain, and it’s time to get to it. He then walked out of the shot.

- Smackdown Open.

- Fireworks shot off inside the arena in Biloxi as the camera panned the crowd. Josh Mathews opened the show.

- Michael Cole plugged Big Show’s return, and said he has Mark Henry in the cross-hairs.

- In the ring were Vickie Guerrero, Jack Swagger, Wade Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Christian, Cody Rhodes and David Otunga. Vickie said this is the one-year anniversary of Smackdown on SyFy. Why should she care? Christian took the mic and talked about the walk-out and how he had the courage to stand up to Triple H. Christian said he called Hunter out on everything and said his actions inspired the uprising. Fans chanted for Triple H. Ziggler got the mic next. Not another one of these segments. One is enough – it feels so scripted. Ziggler said Hunter’s management tactics are simply ineffective. He said nearly every Raw superstar followed their lead on Monday and walked out. He said for reasons why they’re on Smackdown, he’s leaving that to his legal counsel, David Otunga.

Otunga took the mic and said Hunter’s actions have created an unsafe working environment on Raw. But the fact that he’s chose to abdicate his power tonight for Smackdown is a good step. But if Hunter doesn’t give up the proverbial throne on Monday, they’ll walk out of Smackdown, PPVs, and live events. Barrett got the mic and said Hunter needs to look in the mirror: The chaos in WWE lately is Hunter’s own fault and he needs to relinquish control of Raw. Again, do they want him to give up running WWE as a whole or just Raw? Can’t they get some consistency where this is concerned? Rhodes said Hunter’s ego has gotten so big a paper bag wouldn’t fit. He played to the crowd by telling them to shut up, and said a united front has come from the ground up. He gave credit to one man, but didn’t say who. Swagger told the fans to show some respect. He told the fans to show respect for the WWE Champion, Alberto Del Rio.

Del Rio’s music played and he walked out. Del Rio wore the WWE title around his waist. He said when the WWE Champion talks, the fans should shut up and listen. He talked about surviving Hell in a Cell and being WWE Champion. He said he inspired every single member of Raw to walk out and they won’t return until Triple H steps down. He said he was here to compete tonight to show everyone what they will be missing on Raw. Teddy Long walked out and chided them for blabbing on and on, saying the next people to walk out will be the audience. He said tonight’s main event tag match is Christian and Cody Rhodes vs. Sheamus and Randy Orton. Del Rio’s match is next and it’s an opponent hand-picked by Del Rio: Sin Cara. “Shut up, Teddy!” Del Rio said. He said there’s only one Mexican sensation, and his name is Alberto Del Rio. We didn’t really learn anything new here, despite Mathews saying that it was a “newsworthy” start.

[Commercial Break]

- Out of break, Ricardo Rodriguez handled formal ring introductions for Alberto Del Rio, who was giving fans the stink eye.

1 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. SIN CARA

Mathews said Sin Cara azul put an end to the debate about who the real Sin Cara is. Headscissors by Cara, who impressively landed on his feet. Back handspring, but Del Rio caught him and gave him a German suplex. Cole said he wouldn’t be at Raw Monday unless Triple H stepped down. “Sin Cara” chants as Del Rio grounded Cara with a rear chinlock. Headbutt by Del Rio as Cara worked out of the move. Cara to the top, flying headscissors. The announcers emphasized that Del Rio was the leader of the walk-out, a good way to put him at the forefront of the angle after being lost in the shuffle on Raw. Cara went off the top, but Del Rio grabbed him by the arm (kind-of), and brought it down over his knees. Cross arm-breaker by Del Rio ended it.

WINNER: Del Rio, at 3:14. I don’t know if this speaks more to Cara’s place on the Smackdown roster at this point, or the fact that WWE realized they need to give Del Rio more credibility in order for him to be taken seriously as WWE champion.

After Del Rio and Rodriguez left, Mantaur’s music played. Whoops sorry, it was Sin Cara negro. He entered the ring and attacked the real Sin Cara. Cara negro finished original Cara with a Swanton.

- The announcers talked about the walk-out on Raw. Booker said he walked out because he thought the show was over and he had to go to the bathroom. Mathews sent it to Matt Striker backstage.

- Striker was standing by with Air Boom. They face Ziggler and Swagger tonight. He asked them why they walked out. Bourne said it has nothing to do with Miz and R-Truth, it’s just a culmination of what’s gone on. Kingston said they felt bad and they didn’t think it was Triple H’s fault, but they’ll be an air of chaos as long as Triple H is in charge, so they’re sticking to Smackdown.

[Commercial Break]

- Bourne and Kingston came to the ring for their match. Air Boom now have their own theme song. Swagger and Ziggler attacked them from behind. I noted last week when I Tweeted during TNA Impact that they’ve really run that “attack someone in the aisle before the match” into the ground. Nice to see WWE’s getting in on the overexposure too. The heels continued beating on the faces, including Swagger putting Bourne’s shirt over his head and Ziggler punching him. Referees attempted to stop things, but Ziggler gave Bourne the Zig-Zag on the outside. They cut to an abrupt commercial break.

[Commercial Break]


- Back to the show, the referee was holding Kingston back in the ring as the heels were ready for a match. Bourne was being checked on by medics on the outside, but the ref called for the bell. Cole rightly questioned the ref’s judgment there.

2 – AIR BOOM vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & JACK SWAGGER

Bourne was sitting at ringside, but was still being examined. Kofi’s adrenaline got the best of him and the heels took over when Ziggler got his foot up on a corner charge. “Vickie sucks” chant at Vickie Guerrero, who was at ringside with her charges. Back suplex by Ziggler. Cole said things were out-of-control again tonight with attacks and brawls already. Kofi flipped out of another suplex and the men met in the middle of the ring with a double clothesline at 2:15. Bourne popped up onto the apron out of nowhere and made the tag. He wasn’t selling the effects of the beating until he went for a dropkick on Swagger and came up holding the back of his head. Neck-breaker by Ziggler, then a Swagger Bomb for the win.

WINNERS: Swagger and Ziggler, at 3:08. Basic storytelling of the challengers getting a non-title win. The hypocrisy of Ziggler and Swagger creating chaos and a dangerous working environment when they were complaining about those issues earlier was not really touched on by the announcers – they focused on the overall idea of chaos erupting.

- Tonight, Orton and Sheamus take on Rhodes and Christian.

[Commercial Break]

3 – BETH PHOENIX vs. ALICIA FOX

Beth was flanked by Natalya on her way to the ring. Mathews said he heard Fox beat Booker on the golf course this week. Fox got a nice pop from the audio sweetener. Beth whipped Fox into the buckle, then did a split on the top rope and tried to roll Beth up. Beth put a stop to that and gave Fox the Glam Slam.

WINNER: Phoenix, at :35. I think Fox could be a nice protagonist for Beth and challenge for the Diva’s Title down the line.

Natalya locked Fox in the leg-lock and Beth got the mic. She put it in Fox’s face and told her to scream. Fox cried in agony as Natalya continued pulling on Fox’s arms and legs.

- The announcers talked about Long dropping the ball tonight after Hunter gave him the ball. Cole said chaos has continued tonight and Long is nowhere in sight to deal with it. Booker said more is sure to come with Big Show returning and Mark Henry in the building.

- A video package aired on Henry and Big Show’s previous feud. It transitioned into the voice-over man talking about Big Show returning tonight, with his sights set on Henry.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole thanked Black Veil Brides for “Set the World on Fire,” the theme song to “Hell in a Cell.” The song is available on iTunes.

- The Big Show made his return. Show got the mic and did the thing the returning babyfaces do, where they shower compliments on the crowd and act like they’re a whole new person from hearing their reaction again. Show said while he was injured, he watched the footage of Money in the Bank when Henry beat him and put him out of commission every day. Show, wearing his “WMD” t-shirt and skull cap, said he thought he was infallible. He struggled to put into words, but then said he was humbled by Mark Henry. He got emotional and said Henry reached into his chest and tore his heart out. He said simple, everyday things he couldn’t do anymore while he was hurt. Crowd chanted for Show and shouted “Let’s go Big Show.” Show said the people may ask what kind of sick person watches themselves getting injured over and over again, and he said he’s that sick person. He talked about the emotional pain he went through, and how that was worse than the physical pain. He promised to repay Henry ten times over for what Henry did to him. He admitted Henry was on a roll, but said his momentum is on a down-hill roll. He said he’s at the bottom waiting to stop him. Show said he would pound his fist into Henry’s head until he’s unrecognizable. He said he’d cause Henry physical and emotional pain, and take from Henry what validates his entire career: the World Heavyweight Championship. He said that was the first championship he held, at 23 years old. Show said he would settle for nothing less than taking on Henry one-on-one. The camera was in tight on his face, but Show appeared to still be looking at the hard camera. Show told Henry to come out and do the right thing: Give him the opportunity to face Henry one-on-one for the World Title. Henry’s music played.

The champion walked onto the stage with a microphone. Henry said there have been a lot of changes in the four months that Show has been out. Henry said he put out Kane, ended Vladimir Kozlov’s career, and put Jerry Lawler through a table. He said the Hall-of-Pain is getting very crowded. But most importantly, he beat Randy Orton to become World Champion. Henry asked Show how he’s earned a shot. Good point there. Henry said he’ll let Show know about when and if Show ever gets a shot at the title. Isn’t it Long’s job to decide who challenges for the title? Mark Henry said that decision will come on Mark Henry time, on World Heavyweight Champion time. He began to walk out, but Show said if he doesn’t hear an answer from Henry by the end of tonight, the answer he wants, he said he’d put Henry through the table and break his ankle. He said he wanted an answer…or else. Pretty good segment, and it makes sense to stick Show back into a feud with Henry, title on the line or not.

- Matt Striker was backstage with Randy Orton. Orton said he doesn’t want to be like Christian and keep asking for one more match. He said after what he did to Henry on Raw, Henry probably doesn’t want a rematch. He said he’d be happy to tear through the Smackdown roster to get another shot. Striker asked Orton why he was absent from the walk-out on Raw. He said if he has a problem with Triple H, he’ll deal with him personally. He said he doesn’t play well with others and doesn’t follow the group mentality. Orton admitted that doesn’t bode well for Orton’s partner tonight, but it’s even worse for Christian and Rhodes.

[Commercial Break]

- A hype video aired for Brodus Clay. It’s weird hearing Jack Korpela in one of these videos.

- Jinder Mahal was in the ring. He was speaking a foreign language when Ezekiel Jackson’s music interrupted. He walked to the ring for a match. Jackson shushed Mahal, but Mahal didn’t listen. Jackson told him again and Mahal kept talking. Finally Jackson punched him in the face.

4 – JINDER MAHAL vs. EZEKIEL JACKSON

Mahal took offense to another knock-down once the match began. Knee-lifts by Mahal, but Jackson whipped Mahal into the ropes and gave him a back body-drop. Two bodyslams in a row followed, then a Torture Rack. Mahal snuck out the back and gave Jackson a jumping knee to the face. Mahal fell victim again to the bodyslams, this time four in number. Torture rack successfully applied and Mahal tapped.

WINNER: Jackson, at 2:06. Two guys running in quicksand here as far as their place on the card. Also, wisely kept short.

Jackson got the mic and reminded Mahal that he told him to “shhhh.”

- A graphic was shown advertising Henry’s answer to Big Show later tonight.

- Also, Orton and Sheamus vs. Rhodes and Christian.

[Commercial Break]

- Teddy Long was fixing his tie backstage. There was a knock at his door and he told Aksana to come in. However, John Laurinaitis came in instead. He updated Long on the walk-out situation, saying there’s never been one in WWE history. He said he wanted to come to Smackdown and show Long his support. He said if Long loses control of Smackdown like Hunter has lost control of Raw, WWE will be in turmoil. Laurinaitis said he was a company man and very loyal (two cornerstones of every speech he makes) and told Long to let him know if he can help in any way.

- The announcers talked about the walk-out situation, then Hornswoggle’s music came on. He came from under the ring and pulled Booker T. from the announce table. They went in the ring and Horny asked for a Spinaroonie. Booker obliged. Cole called him a spotlight-hogger. Booker told Hornswoggle to do it, and Booker’s music played. Horny did it, and the two men hugged. Christian’s music interrupted the party. He was coming to the ring for the tag team match. Cody Rhodes came out with his bag men as well. The match is next.

[Commercial Break]

5 – CHRISTIAN & CODY RHODES vs. SHEAMUS & RANDY ORTON

Shoulder knock-down by Sheamus as Cole and Booker debated the walk-out on Raw. Sheamus tossed Rhodes over the title but Rhodes skinned the cat back in. Forearms across the chest by Sheamus. The crowd counted along with him. Knee-lift on the apron, but back in, Rhodes went after the legs. Christian provided a distraction at 1:35 and Rhodes took back over on offense. Back-drop by Sheamus and Rhodes landed on his butt. Both men made tags and Orton felled Christian with a powerslam. Leap-frog by Orton, followed by a back-drop. Orton hammered away on Christian’s skull in the corner, then landed the rope-assisted DDT. He set up for the RKO, but Rhodes distracted him and Christian slid out of the ring. Orton chased, but Rhodes distracted Orton again and Christian landed a baseball slide. Another abrupt break, at 3:33 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:53 of the match. Christian was in control with a chinlock. Orton broke free, but Christian hit him high with a back elbow. Spinebuster by Christian to halt another Orton comeback. Christian lined Orton up for a Spear, but Orton booted him in the face. Hot tag made to Sheamus at 8:38. Rhodes came in as well, but Sheamus was a house of fire. He went to the top and missed the shoulder tackle – but he rolled through. Irish Curse back-breaker for two. Christian tried to interfere but Sheamus tossed him over the top. Orton tagged in while Sheamus dealt with Christian. Rhodes missed a clothesline, but Orton RKO’d him for the win.

WINNERS: Orton and Sheamus, at 9:48.

- More walk-out talk from the announcers. They sent it to a replay of the video that opened the show. Back to the announcers, and Cole said there would be a Raw but they’re not sure if the Superstars will show up. Booker wondered if Triple H would hire scabs to wrestle on the show.

- Mark Henry came out. His decision about Big Show’s challenge is next.

[Commercial Break]

- In the ring, Henry called himself the Strongest Man in the World, and the World Heavyweight Champion. He said he fears no man and he too is infallible. As far as Big Show getting a title match, Henry said…(pause for “Big Show” chant)…no. Show’s music then hit and he ran to the ring. Henry went on the attack but Show had the momentum behind him. Show took the fight to Henry in the corner. Security ran in and pushed Henry into a corner. Show broke free and speared Henry. There were abou ten security guys and Show chokeslammed one. He tossed a couple around and kicked another. Henry left the ring, took his title, and started to walk to the back. He socked on security guy right in the face as he was standing on the apron. Show stared right at Henry as he punched another one in the head. Henry looked like he’d seen a ghost. Show yelled at him again for his answer and Henry again shouted “no.” He held up the title in the aisle as Show stared at him from the ring. Henry turned his back to walk up the aisle, but Show attacked him from behind. Show looked like he was going to knock Henry’s lights out, but stopped short. Henry reversed a whip and sent Show into the barricade.

Henry began to dismantle the announce table. Show fought back and chokeslammed Henry through the table. “I told him!” shouted Show. Show took a steel chair and put Henry’s foot in it. He then brought over the steel steps. He climbed atop the steps…but Long ran out. He gave in and told Show he has a World Title match, but not if he breaks Henry’s ankle. Show descended the stairs but came back and took the steel chair. He raised it over his head and brought it down hard across Henry’s back. He told Henry he’d finish it after he beats Henry for the World Title. Show’s music played. They replayed the chokeslam and the chair shot. Show looked back on the carnage he left behind as the show ended.

- A final plug aired for Raw, and those who will headline it.


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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