WWE Smackdown review
Oct. 14, 2011
Taped 10/11/11 in Dallas, TX
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- A video package aired on Big Show’s return to Smackdown last week, and the subsequent destruction he caused.

- Smackdown Open.

- Fireworks shot off on the entranceway and the crowd went reasonably wild as the show opened. Josh Mathews called it a “history-making episode.” To the ring, Tony Chimel introduced Teddy Long, who came out to his music. He waved to the crowd. Chimel then introduced John Laurinaitis as Executive VP of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager. Long spoke first, saying tonight’s milestone episode of Smackdown moves it into second place on the list of longest-running television programs, second only to Raw all-time. I’m sure there’s no fudging of the numbers or maneuvering figures there. Laurinaitis said Raw has Smackdown’s support tonight. Long asked what better way to celebrate than by holding the largest Battle Royal in history. I guess the 60-man World War 3 battle royals in WCW have been lost in history. Laurinaitis said the winner would get his shot at whatever title he wanted later on in the show. Talent from Raw then came out to the Monday Night show’s theme. The Miz and R-Truth were the last ones. Then the Smackdown guys came out to that theme. Hey, even Matt Striker is involved! Mathews did say it was the largest in WWE history, saving some credibility.

1 – 41-MAN BATTLE ROYAL

Cody Rhodes was first out at :08, via Randy Orton. I don’t think anyone would’ve guessed that. Johnny Curtis followed :24 in, as Drew McIntyre tossed him. John Morrison tried to pull Jack Swagger out with an assist from Yoshi Tatsu. David Otunga held on after Santino Marella tried to get rid of him. JTG was out at 1:26 thanks to Wade Barrett. Michael McGillicutty out at 1:39 via Kofi Kingston. Derrick Bateman out at 1:50 via Titus O’Neil. Swagger eliminated O’Neil at 2:00. Tatsu out a second or two before that, I believe by Curt Hawkins. Striker out at 2:30 by his NXT broadcast partner William Regal. Booker thought Striker could’ve lasted longer, to which Cole said, “Booker, you’re an idiot.” Primo landed on the apron as Justin Gabriel tried to get rid of him. Many wrestlers ended up on the apron as they went to break at 3:16.

[Commercial Break]

Back just after 6:00 in, as Mathews said they were down to 32 superstars. Regal out via his mentor Daniel Bryan at 6:48. Percy Watson out at 7:10 by a slew of people, John Morrison at 7:21 by Ziggler and Swagger, and Dolph Ziggler at 7:25 by Zack Ryder. That would be a big deal if anyone mentioned it. Trent Barreta out at 8:08 by Awesome Truth, then one of the Usos at 8:23, thanks to Miz. CM Punk and Randy Orton were both teetering on the top rope as they battled. Ted DiBiase out at 8:54 as Zeke Jackson tossed him. Tyson Kidd eliminated at 9:05 by the Miz. Another break at 9:39.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 13:36 with Christian in trouble thanks to Ryder. Daniel Bryan out at 13:45 by Truth and Miz. Gabriel kicked McIntyre in the head to work his way back in. Mason Ryan tossed Tyler Reks at 14:43, then Curt Hawkins at 14:47. McIntyre back-dropped out by Ryan at 15:03. Ryan pressed Gabriel over his head at 15:14 and tossed him to the floor. Barrett came from behind Ryan and pushed him out at 15:18. Primo held on but Punk kicked him out at 15:45. Santino attempted the Cobra, but Christian punched him in the face to send him to the showers at 16:06. Alex Riley out via Miz pulling the rope down after a Truth shove at 16:21. Zack Ryder and Jinder Mahal went at it as Kofi tried to grab Swagger and eliminate him. Instead, Swagger got Kofi in the ankle-lock while tangled in the ropes and kicked him out at 17:31. Ryder out at 17:39 via Mahal. Otunga out via Sheamus at 17:52, then the other Uso by Sheamus at 18:00. Sheamus clotheslined Jackson out at 18:08 after a failed Torture Rack. Brogue Kick to Heath Slater, who sold it like a champ while being eliminated at 18:20. Sheamus powerbombed evil Sin Cara on those who were eliminated at 18:32.

After a brief face-off, Christian went out by the hand of Sheamus at 19:03. Down to eight Superstars. Punk went after Miz and Truth. Truth out at 19:27 by Punk, Punk at 19:30 by Miz. Barrett and Sheamus matched up in the near corner after Sheamus Brogue Kicked Miz out of the ring (but not over the top rope). Also remaining: Swagger, Mahal. Sheamus out via Christian at 20:07. Sheamus chased the already-eliminated Christian to the back. Barrett out at 20:29 by Orton, then Swagger at 20:37 after an RKO by Orton. Mahal was out by Orton at 20:47, as Orton thought he was the last one. But Miz popped back up and tried to toss Orton out. Orton held on. Orton went all Vintage Orton here. Skull-Crushing Finale avoided, but neither man would fold. They ended up on the apron, hammering away on one other. Orton hit the RKO on Miz on the apron, and both men fell to the floor. The announcers played up that they weren’t sure who won. Eventually, it was decided (and confirmed on replay) that Orton won.

WINNER: Orton, at 22:37. Fine battle royal, and I don’t mind having lower-card guys involved to get some rare air-time. WWE has been close to overdoing battle royals lately, though.

Josh Mathews entered the ring to interview Randy Orton and to ask him who he’ll challenge tonight. I think it’s pretty obvious and Orton said the decision is quite easy. HE asked who heard him on Raw when he said vengeance would be his. He chose Mark Henry, and Booker shouted “whoa!” as if he was shocked by the choice. Orton said he’d take his title back tonight.

- Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres were walking backstage. Kelly takes on Beth Phoenix next.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed downtown Dallas as Mathews talked about this historic episode of Smackdown. Then they showed a list of the top 10 “longest running weekly episodic TV shows,” with Raw at #1 and Smackdown moving into #2.

- Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez were leaving the arena when Teddy Long walked up to them. Del Rio said Orton picked Henry to fight tonight, so he has no reason to be here. Long said Orton did choose Henry, but before Del Rio goes to party, he’ll face Sheamus one-on-one. Long walked off as Del Rio and Rodriguez expressed their displeasure in Spanish.

2 – BETH PHOENIX vs. KELLY KELLY

Strangely, this was not billed as a Diva’s Championship match, so this isn’t Kelly’s rematch that she’d presumably get. Cole once again talked of Kelly’s “serious anger issues” as she smiled to all the fans while she walked to the ring. Beth went right after Kelly and choked her in the corner, treating her like a rag-doll. Kelly turned things around and put the boots to Beth. Phoenix put the brakes on a headscissors attempt. Phoenix trash-talked as Cole put over Beth and Nattie’s “Sisters of Salvation” nickname. What happened to the “Divas of Doom”? Spinning DDT by Kelly on Beth that took a while to get going. Beth played defense and Kelly ended up on the apron. Phoenix dragged Kelly into the ring from that spot and gave Kelly the Glam Slam for the win.

WINNER: Phoenix, at 1:51. Again, strange that if they were going to put Beth over again, why not make it Kelly’s rematch clause? If they went to the rematch now, it wouldn’t make sense because Kelly just lost in a non-title match. And if they wanted to move on from Kelly, why not just do that and not job Kelly here? Oh well.

- The announcers talked about the WWE Netowrk and Mathews directed fans to WWE.com to vote on the name of the reality show that will air on the network in which cameras will follow the Divas around.

- Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton is still to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Sin Cara was set to come out for a match, with slightly more upbeat theme music. But the camera went backstage where Cara was being assaulted by Sin Cara Negro. I thought the winner of the match at Hell in a Cell got to keep the “Sin Cara” name? Two guys tried to break it up. Cara Negro ripped face Cara’s mask off. He walked away as the camera was behind him and as he did this, took off his mask and put Cara Azul’s mask on.

3 – JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. SIN CARA NEGRO

Cara Negro wore the Cara Azul mask. Booker wouldn’t even concede that Sin Cara Azul is the real Sin Cara. Cole again gave the back-story on both Caras, dating back to Mexico. Gabriel dropkicked Cara out of the ring, then performed a twisting splash over the top rope and onto his opposition. Back in the ring, Gabriel came off the top and Cara dropkicked him in the chest. The two hammered away on each other in the middle of the ring. Powerbomb by Gabriel for two. Gabriel again went to the top, but Cara tripped him up. Cara ascended the top rope and landed a diving Swanton bomb for the win.

WINNER: Cara, at 1:35. They had a few weeks where it looked like Gabriel would be built up a little. I guess that’s out the window, even though it was good to get Cara Negro a win.

- Long was talking to the tag champs backstage and said he won’t be able to let Evan Bourne compete last night due to what happened to him on Raw. Bourne thanked Teddy for looking out for them. Vickie Guerrero came in and demanded they defend their tag titles against Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler tonight. Long denied the request. Ryder walked in and said Swagger and Ziggler should face him and Kingston. Long thought it was a great idea as Long and Ryder recited their catchphrases, much to Vickie’s chagrin.

- Sheamus vs. Del Rio is next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. SHEAMUS

Cole complained about this match being made, and Booker said it was all about ratings and that Long is doing a fantastic job. Ugh. Mathews noted that both men are two-time WWE Champions. Shoulder knock-down by Sheamus early on. I felt like I was watching a prison movie as I saw Sheamus struggle to lift Del Rio’s arms while he was in the ropes in order to bash him over the chest with forearms. Sheamus missed a charge in the corner and Del Rio came off the turnbuckle with a dropkick. Arm-bar applied by Del Rio. Del Rio brought Sheamus’ arm across his knees to continue softening up that part of his body. Sheamus caught Del Rio charging at him, then knocked Del Rio down with a few Irish Hammers. Irish Curse back-breaker by Sheamus for two. Sheamus went to the top rope, but Ricardo Rodriguez got on the apron. The ref dealt with him as Christian, from out of nowhere, knocked Sheamus off his perch. Del Rio gave Sheamus an enziguiri, then once back in the middle of the ring, kicked him in the head for the pinfall.

WINNER: Del Rio, at 3:57. Even with Christian’s interference, too quick for a match with men of this caliber. Good to see Del Rio get the pinfall win though.

After the match, Christian speared Sheamus. He began to leave but saw that Sheamus got back on his feet a little too quickly for his tastes, so he went back in and speared Sheamus again. Sheamus got back to his feet again as Christian went to the back.

- In the main event, it’s Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry, for the World Heavyweight Championship, a match some fans just paid to see two PPVs in a row.

- The announcers were shown on camera as they fed it to a trailer for “The Reunion.” This looks like a movie that’s trying to be a lot of different things in one.

[Commercial Break - AWE Night of Legends PPV was advertised throughout several commercial breaks of the show]

- Vickie Guerrero came out to the stage with her “excuse me” routine. She introduced her charges, Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler.

5 – JACK SWAGGER & DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. KOFI KINGSTON & ZACK RYDER

WWE had to ruin another theme song by adding Ryder’s catchphrase to the beginning of his theme song, something they do way too often. It’s like some of the cool t-shirt designs they’ve had that are ruined by the giant WWE logo on the shirt. Face-plant by Ryder, but Swagger reversed things and gave Ryder a belly-to-belly throw. Ziggler tagged in and connected on a neck-breaker for two. Kofi tagged in and did his signature spots. He did a suicide dive onto both Ziggler and Swagger outside the ring as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Ziggler was in control of Kofi upon return at 5:41, and they showed how the heels took over during break. Evan Bourne was out there to try to offset Vickie’s presence. Fameasser for two by Ziggler, then Swagger tagged in. Slam by Swagger for two. Kofi fought back and neared a tag, but Swagger grabbed him and sent him back-first into a neutral corner. Kofi was set on the top rope, but he fired back with a Tornado DDT. Both men were down and needing to make a tag. Both men did, and Ryder cleaned house on Ziggler. Broski boot by Ryder, then a pin, which got two. Ziggler created some separation to land a dropkick. Booker called him “Zig Zag Man.” Rough Ryder was countered into a sleeper hold. Ryder began to fade, but he threw Ziggler off and shoulder-first into the ring post. Ryder tried to regain his bearings and make a tag to Kingston. As he closed in on a tag, Swagger knocked Kingston off the apron. Kingston got back into the ring and gave Ziggler a Trouble in Paradise as the ref got Swagger back to his corner. Ryder made the cover for the win.

WINNERS: Ryder and Kingston, at 10:07. Hey, at least the Smackdown writers didn’t forget that Ryder and Ziggler had a feud going. Would’ve been nice if the Raw writers had remembered.

- A video package on this past week’s Raw aired, where Triple H was dismissed by Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis was hired as interim GM. Of course, they showed JR’s firing too. Also, clips of Punk vs. Del Rio, which turned into Punk and Del Rio vs. R-Truth and The Miz.

- Still to come, in the main event, Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton for the World Title.

[Commercial Break]

- An exterior shot of the American Airlines Arena in Dallas was shown as Cole and Mathews once again discussed the historic nature of tonight’s show.

- Mild mannered Matt Striker, back in his role as announcer, interviewed Sheamus backstage. Sheamus told another one of his stories, comparing Christian to a troll from Ireland. The end of the interview had Sheamus kicking Christian’s face off his skull.

- They showed the video that opened the show, featuring the return of Big Show.

- Mark Henry came out for the main event. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

6 – MARK HENRY vs. RANDY ORTON – WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

During Orton’s entrance, they showed Cody Rhodes bagging him on Raw this past week. Orton jabbed and ran to start, then tried to clothesline Henry. It didn’t move him. European uppercuts by Orton, and a kick took him down to one knee. He tried a low DDT, but Henry shoved Orton off and to ringside. Orton landed a few punches outside the ring, but Henry headbutted him. Henry picked Orton up and rammed him shoulder-first into the ring-post. Pin back in the ring only got the big man a two-count. Orton ran right into Henry, and the girth sent Orton back to the mat. Henry stood on Orton’s back near the ropes. Headbutt by Henry in the middle of the ring. Another rest-hold and again Orton worked out. Orton pounded away on Henry in the corner. Henry came back and dropped an elbow on Orton for only a two-count. Final break taken at 9:52 EST, 4:28 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 7:25 of the contest. Henry was still in control, with the pace of the match having slowed to a crawl. Powerslam by Henry. He put two hands on Orton’s chest for the pin, and Orton kicked out. Henry choked Orton in the ropes by putting one of his giant legs over Orton’s neck. Bodyslam by Henry, then a big splash. That was a near-fall at 8:59 of the match. Henry dragged Orton to the corner, where he set up for a second-rope splash. Orton got his feet up however and tried to take the big man down. Dropkick did it, 9:44 in. Cody Rhodes ran out and got to the apron. Orton tried to set up his DDT, but Henry attacked from behind. The ref rang the bell for a DQ.

WINNER: Orton, via DQ, at 10:01.

Rhodes and Henry went after Orton and Rhodes retrieved a bag to use on Orton. But Big Show ran out to save the day. He ran over Henry, then stopped Rhodes in his tracks, sending him to Orton for an RKO. Henry tried to attack Show, but Orton cut him off. Chokeslam on Henry by Big Show. Mathews thanked everyone for making Smackdown what it has become, and signed off.


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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