WWE Smackdown review
Oct. 21, 2011
Taped 10/16/11 in Mexico City, Mexico
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- WWE Open.

- Smackodwn Open.

- Fireworks and hullaballoo opened the show as Josh Mathews was the first voice we heard. He immediately plugged #Smackdown on Twitter as the camera panned the crowd. Alberto Del Rio was then announced by Tony Chimel. Michael Cole noted Del Rio’s wrestling familial ties (which somewhat goes against his blue blood character) and how he was born in Mexico City. Mathews, Cole, and Booker T. were shown on camera as Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez entered the ring. Del Rio talked about his match with John Cena at Vengeance, and said he was scheduled to face Big Show tonight – but that’s not going to happen. He showed why, that being a video of Cena knocking Del Rio around at the end of Raw. Del Rio said Cena robbed him and the fans of Del Rio wrestling in front of them. He said he was going to make Cena pay by beating him at Vengeance. Del Rio spoke in Spanish to a nice crowd pop. As his music hit and he was about to leave, Teddy Long’s music interrupted and he walked out.

Long came to the ring and said Del Rio was checked over by WWE doctors earlier in the day, and they cleared him to compete. He had the gall to suggest Del Rio was trying to weasel his way out of a match. Long said he thinks Del Rio is afraid to wrestle Big Show. Del Rio, in Spanish, called Long a dog (I believe – been a while since I took Spanish), so Long polled the crowd, who were overwhelmingly in favor of Del Rio competing. So Long made the match. As Long walked to the back, Mark Henry came out to his music. He walked to the ring.

- As Henry’s music playe din the background, they showed a graphic of Sin Cara vs. Sin Car, with the loser being forced to unmask.

- Back to the ring, Del Rio (WWE Champion) and Henry (World Champion) shared an uneasy glance. Talk about complete opposites in how they are booked as champions, and even leading up to their wins. Henry will be competing against John Morrison after the break.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon in Mexico.

- As Henry waited in the ring for Morrison, they showed Henry throwing Morrison up into the air, then catching him and slamming him on Raw.

1 – MARK HENRY vs. JOHN MORRISON

As if I need any more of a reason to dislike Booker T, color commentator: He’s a Tim Tebow fan. I’m sure I’ll get letters for that one. Morrison started with punches, but Henry just shoved him so hard that Morrison bumped over the top rope. Henry pushed Morrison’s head into the ring post and held it there. He brought Morrison throat first over the side of the apron. Back in the ring, Henry landed a headbutt, then applied a neck vice. Morrison went to the top and landed a glancing blow to Henry’s back. Flying Chuck kick connected, as did a knee to the head. He set up for Starship Pain and hit the move. Henry kicked out, almost before two. Morrison tried to sneak underneath Henry and was unsuccessful. Henry again tossed Morrison up, caught him, and slammed him for the win.

WINNER: Henry, at 3:19. This was a combination of the same stuff we saw earlier in the month when Henry squashed Morrison on Raw, and from last week’s six-man tag match.

- Tonight, Cody Rhodes addressed the WWE Universe.

[Commercial Break]

- Christian and Vickie Guerrero had a pow-wow backstage, with Christian asking Vickie how to say “one more match” in Spanish. Vickie talked about not getting along with Teddy Long, but how she’s good friend with John Laurinaitis. Vickie said she and Christian should form a business relationship…and trade embarrassing Edge stories. Teddy Long walked in. Christian complained about Long’s job as GM, so Long appeared to acquiesce, saying he’d give Christian one more match…but then said it’d be against Sheamus, at Vengeance. Christian stormed off in a huff, complaining that he should be champion. Long then told Vickie that Dolph Ziggler would have to face Zack Ryder for the US Title the same night he has to fight for the Tag Titles. That’d be a good way to get Ziggler over: have him win both. Ryder bopped in and gave his catchphrase to Vickie, who screamed in anguish.

- The announcers were shown on camera, and they discussed the Sin Cara duels that would come to a head tonight. Then they showed a video package on the feud.

- Wade Barrett came out for a match against MITB winner Daniel Bryan. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed a pre-match interview with Barrett against a blue back-drop. He talked about all the guys he’s had leeching off of him in the past, but said tonight, the Barrett uprising begins.

2 – WADE BARRETT vs. DANIEL BRYAN

Mathews said Bryan told him earlier in the day that Bryan isn’t going to shave his beard until Wrestlemania. The Bryan Wrestlemania Beard Watch is underway. Bryan with a backslide for two, then he tried to grab the arm for the LeBell Lock. Big Boss Man slam by Barrett for two at :54. Barrett tangled Bryan in the ropes, then gave him a running boot to the face, sending Bryan to ringside. The announcers kept discussing how Bryan has been on a losing streak lately. Bryan got his boot up on a corner charge at about 2:30, then hit a second-rope dropkick for two. Barrett with another kicked for a near-fall. Bryan moonsaulted over Barrett and hit a running elbow. Running dropkick in the corner for two at 4:02. Pumphandle slam for a near-fall by Barrett. Barrett got Bryan up for Wasteland and connected. That was enough to finish Bryan.

WINNER: Barrett, at 5:13. I’m assuming this “losing streak” is leading to something bigger, as the announcers kept alluding to it, but in this day and age, that might not mean as much as it used to. Hopefully WWE this signals the start of the re-building of Barrett at least.

- Sheamus and Zack Ryder face Dolph Ziggler and Christian, next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – SHEAMUS & ZACK RYDER vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & CHRISTIAN

As Sheamus came to the ring, they showed clips of his match against Alberto Del Rio last week. During Christian’s entrance, they showed Carlos Cabrera and Marcelo Rodriguez, the Spanish announcers, at ringside. No Hugo Savinovich, whose contract was not renewed by WWE. As Booker defended Long’s decision to put Ziggler in two matches at Vengeance, Cole for some reason mentioned Booker’s previous identity as GI Bro. Ryder was taken to ringside early on by Christian. Neck-breaker by Ziggler for two. Ryder with a roll-up for two at 2:16. Ziggler kept Ryder in the heel corner and tagged Christian. Sheamus made the hot tag at 3:04 as Booker tried to rant through the entire sequence. Mathews thankfully re-directed the conversation. Ziggler was set up for the finish, but Christian provided a distraction and headed up the ramp. Sheamus shrugged off a sleeper attempt, then Sheamus Brogue Kicked Ziggler out of his boots. Pinfall followed.

WINNERS: Sheamus and Ryder, at 3:58. Thought they’d give this a little more time. They were wise to spend an additional segment hyping both matches that were announced earlier in the show.

- Cody Rhodes and his address to the WWE Universe is next.

[Commercial Break]

- The Independence Column in Mexico City was shown.

- They showed Christian attacking and Spearing Sheamus on the stage during the break.

- Cody Rhodes was in the ring. He talked about what he did to Randy Orton two weeks ago, and it was shown to us – Rhodes hitting his finisher, then bagging Orton and, most painful of all for the viewer, the zinger at the end. Rhodes said he wouldn’t pretend that Orton didn’t inflict serious emotional damage to him long ago. He said Orton has contaminated the blood that runs through his veins back in Legacy. He said his father taught him that man is basically good, but he didn’t believe that. He called Orton “selfish,’ and said Orton rewarded his loyalty with a kick to the skull. He said that was baggage he had to carry, like a diseased albatross slowly rotting around his neck. He said it was a release to place a paper bag on Orton’s head. Rhodes said their lives have once again intersected, only this time, he’s the champion, the one who has everything going for him. He called Orton a “megalomaniac with no new tricks.” Rhodes said Vengeance can wait, as he wanted Orton to come out and admit that he was wrong about Cody. Orton’s music played and he came out.

Orton, from the stage, said the only mistake is letting Rhodes keep breathing after he cost him the title twice. Orton said he wasn’t humiliated after the bag went on his head. He didn’t change Orton; the only thing that changed is the amount of torture Orton plans to put him through at Vengeance. He said being conked with the ring bell will pale in comparison to what he’ll do Sunday. Orton fought off the bag men at ringside before he could give a preview of Sunday. That led to Cody going on the attack. Back in the ring, Orton and Cody traded rights. Rhodes was back-dropped to ringside as one of the baggers took a vintage Orton DDT. Orton tried to stomp on Rhodes’ head as it lay on the ring steps, but the second bagger grabbed Orton’s foot. Orton stomped on HIS head instead, allowing Cody to run off. Orton took the DDT’d bagger, glared at Rhodes, who stopped in the aisle, and gave the bagger an RKO. The scripting of the verbiage in that segment was really well-done.

- Close-up of Sin Cara Azul, who took off his mask to reveal that it was really Sin Cara Negro. The mask vs. mask match is next.

[Commercial Break]

- The WWE Universe has chosen “WWE Divas: Heels on Wheels” as the name for the new Divas show that will air on WWE Network. Mathews plugged WWE.com for voting on the next show, on that will chronicle the Monday Night Wars.

4 – SIN CARA vs. SIN CARA

Mathews said this is the first mask vs. mask match in Smackdown history. Great pop for Sin Cara Azul. Interestingly, John Cone was the referee here; because of his ability to speak Spanish (and Cara Azul’s lack of English skills), Rod Zapata had been doing Cara Azul’s matches. Cara Negro was on offense to start as Cole covered the history between these two. Springboard hurricanrana by Azul. He jumped off the top and onto Cara Negro outside the ring. Springboard cross-body by Cara Azul. Booker brought up Mil Mascaras and Cole talked about him at length. Headscissors take-down by Cara Azul. Another springboard attempt, but Cara Negro dropkicked him. Cara Negro tried to tear the mask of his opposition off, to no avail. Back body-drop by Cara Azul. Cara Negro tried to recover at ringside as they went to break at 3:15.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:15 with a back-breaker by Cara Negro. I think they needed to do a better job setting up what losing a mask means for a Mexican wrestler, especially with the match taking place in Mexico. Cara Negro hooked in a potential submission move, then locked in a Camel Clutch. Another tilt-a-whirl back-breaker by Cara Negro for two. Cara Azul attempted to come back, but Cara Negro shooed him away on a dropkick attempt. Cara Negro tried for the mask again and got it past the chin of Cara Azul. Sounds like the fans may have been chanting “Mistico,” but either way, it was a chant they broke out in several times during the match. Cara Negro missed a dive in the corner and Cara Azul came back with kicks. Wrist-lock take-down, followed by an arm-drag. Hurricanrana into a pinning combination for two. Roll-up out of a wheelbarrow for two. Suplex by Cara Negro for a near-fall. Cara Negro tried to go to the top, but Cara Azul stopped him with a kick. Hurricanrana off the ropes by Cara Azul. He then went to the top…but decided Cara Negro was too far away, so came down, kicked him, and set up on the opposite buckle. Swanton for a two-count at 12:55. Cara Negro fought back, but Cara Azul spun him around in a headscissors, landing in a set-up for an arm-bar. He locked it in and Cara Negro tapped.

WINNER: Cara Azul, at 13:23. Surprised they gave these two so much time after their stinker at Hell in a Cell. Still, a hotter crowd did wonders for the match.

Cara Negro was ready to walk off without unmasking. Cara Azul stopped him and they continued fighting. Cara Azul finally unmasked Cara Negro. He tried to hide his face, but we got a clear view of it for a couple seconds. Booker made fun of him for being ugly. I thought they might try something cute, like having the loser wear another mask underneath or paying it off with another angle rather than an unmasking, but they actually went through with it here.

- A graphic for Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio was shown. They square off tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- The Brodus Clay hype video aired.

- Natalya and Beth Phoenix were in the ring. Beth said they’re not jealous of the Barbie doll Divas. They’re not even angry at them: They’re angry at the fans, who encourage that. She said they’re prettier than them, and better in the ring. They showed clips from three weeks ago of Natalya stretching Kelly Kelly with their new submission move, Pinup Strong. Then two weeks ago, they did the same to Alicia Fox. Nattie said there’s nothing better than watching Barbie dolls beg for mercy. Beth said that at Vengeance, it’s Eve Torres’ turn to cry. Eve’s music interrupted and she walked out. Eve said she used to think that Nattie and Beth were beautiful, but they’ve showed just how ugly they are on the inside lately. Eve said she’s not a Barbie doll and there’s nothing they can do to break her. Beth talked about breaking Eve and Eve shoved her down. Eve left the ring and Beth seemed taken aback by the push that knocked her on her tush.

- Big Show was walking backstage. He faces Alberto Del Rio next.

[Commercial Break]

- Another exterior shot of Mexico City was shown.

- Ricardo Rodriguez was introduced, and he introduced the WWE Champion, Alberto Del Rio.

5 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. THE BIG SHOW

Slap to the chest, then a slam by Big Show. Hip-lock take-over by Show, making his in-ring return here tonight. Also the return of Cole’s ridiculous similes and metaphors for Show’s body parts. Del Rio retreated to ringside, but Show pulled him up on the apron by his head. Del Rio choked Show over the top rope and tried to launch himself off the top, but Show slapped him in the chest. Back to the outside went Del Rio as they went to break at 2:16 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:27 with Del Rio aiming for Show’s legs. Show caught a kick and pushed Del Rio to the mat. Del Rio was clotheslined over the top as Ricardo tried to provide aid to Del Rio. ADR dropkicked the steps into Show’s legs, but Show chopped Del Rio to keep him at bay. Show put on the brakes after Del Rio snuck out of the corner, but the WWE Champion could not capitalize. Del Rio slid out of a pin at 8:55. Show choked Del Rio in the ropes, but Del Rio dropkicked Show’s leg and got him down to a knee, then fully down on the mat. Work on the arm by Del Rio, but Show swatted Del Rio away and the big man got back to his feet. Show splashed Del Rio in the corner, then gave him a running shoulder tackle. He set up for the chokeslam, but Del Rio escaped and chop blocked Show. Cross arm-breaker locked in, but Show was face-down on the mat rather than on his back. Show refused to tap and worked to get to his hands and knees. He then got to his feet, picking Del Rio up in the process, and slammed him down. Show tried another chokeslam, but Ricardo Rodriguez ran in and jumped on Show’s back for the disqualification.

WINNER: Show, via DQ, at 12:49.

After the match, Show hit his knockout punch on Rodriguez, then on Del Rio. As Show recovered, Mark Henry ran out and ran right into a knockout blow from Show. They replayed all there KO’s. Show looked on from the stage as they faded out.


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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