WWE Smackdown review
Nov. 11, 2011
Taped 11/8/11 in Liverpool, England
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist


- A video honoring military members aired on this Veteran’s Day here in America. The last clip was John Cena standing with a soldier.

- Smackdown Open.

- After the usual fireworks, Josh Mathews voiced-over shots of the crowd in Liverpool. Michael Cole (and a graphic!) plugged the 10-man elimination tag match set to take place at Survivor Series.

- Randy Orton came out. Sounds like we’ve got a woman ring announcer – Eden Stiles? The announcers were shown on camera, then they sent it to clips of last Friday’s Falls Count Anywhere match between Orton and Cody Rhodes, and the humiliation that followed. Orton took the microphone in the ring and said when Teddy Long asked him to captain his own team at Survivor Series, he reminded Long that he doesn’t play well with others. He did say he’s not a follower, so he has no problem being team captain at Survivor Series. He also said he had no problem giving Cody Rhodes the beating of his life again, or shutting Christian’s mouth up once and for all. Orton said he doesn’t know Jack Swagger well, and he doesn’t know Hunico at all, but he has no problem disposing of them when the time comes. Orton seemed about to touch on Wade Barrett, but before he could, Barrett’s theme played and he walked to the ring.

Mathews said Barrett grew up 35 miles down the road from Liverpool. Barrett asked Orton to finish his thought, but then Barrett finished it for him. He said Orton has a huge problem with him, and will give him problems at Survivor Series. Barrett said he’s been in groups too, and he has never started as the leader in any of them, but people gravitate toward leaders. He said Orton is someone no one will ever trust. “RKO” chant from the fans. Wade addressed the Barrett Barrage and said it would continue at Survivor Series. Barrett said he wants to be champion, and he needs Orton out of the picture to accomplish it. He said he needs to prove he is Orton’s in-ring superior. Orton admitted he was listening, instead imagining the destruction to Barrett and RKO would cause. Before they could come to blows, Christian walked out. Oh, and he’s got a neck-brace!

Christian began his promo on his way to the ring. He said Orton would be to his team as Yoko Ono was to the Beatles. Not much of a reaction to that. Christian explained the neck-brace, saying it was due to the chokeslam he took from Big Show last week. He was in the ring at this point, and complained about Long not doing anything about Show’s actions. Christian talked up Barrett coming to his aid last week, and said he inspires other human beings to be better. He said Long offered him captainship of the team, but due to his health concerns, he didn’t want that responsibility. He gave Barrett his full endorsement as captain. He said with Wade as captain, they’re all equals, and they’ll all be on the same page. Christian said it might be time to send a message to Orton and the entire team. Orton went on the attack first, but Christian and Barrett subdued him. Sheamus ran out to clean house. The babyfaces stood tall in the end after Sheamus tore the neck-brace off of Christian. As the heels retreated, Teddy Long came out. He said that since Christian is clearly recovered from the chokeslam, he’ll face Sheamus, like he was scheduled to do last week, next. Damn, I was hoping they’d forget that was scheduled last week. Long then made a captain vs. captain match, with Orton vs. Barrett, as the main event. This segment gets a thumbs up if only because they resisted the urge to have every one of the participants come out and confront each other on the mic.

[Commercial Break]

1 – CHRISTIAN vs. SHEAMUS

Match began right after the break. Sheamus with a shoulder knock-down as Cole made a funny, taking Booker to task for earlier in the day complaining about how he slept wrong on the plane and might not be able to put a headset on, yet criticized Christian for milking his neck injury after a chokeslam. All offense from Sheamus in the first few minutes. Press slam at 1:53, and it wasn’t so much a slam as he just let Christian drop. Going to the outside and asking for a timeout did not help Christian’s cause. The fight went to the outside, and Christian turned the tide at 2:55 by shoving Sheamus into the ring post. Dropkick off the top for a two-count. Christian low-bridged Sheamus out of the ring, then tried a cross-body onto him. Sheamus caught Christian, who then did a fall-away slam, sending Christian into the ring barrier. Probably wasn’t the smartest idea from Sheamus’ point-of-view. They went to break at 4:03 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 7:58 with Christian having slowed Sheamus’ momentum. Sheamus and Christian were both down just prior to the 10:00 mark after Christian was sent chest-first into the buckle. Powerslam by Sheamus for two. Christian came off the second-rope right into an Irish Curse back-breaker for a near-fall. Celtic Cross was countered but Christian caught a cross-body and once again connected on a fall-away slam. Dropkick put Christian in control again. Sheamus met Christian at the top, but climbed back down, living to fight another day. Christian with a Tornado DDT for two at 12:48. Sheamus fired back with a shoulder tackle off the top rope for two, less than a minute later. Brogue Kick missed, but the Killswtich was countered too. Spear missed and Sheamus gave his opponent the Celtic Cross right on the back of the neck. That was enough to finish it.

WINNER: Sheamus, at 14:10. Another match between these two, another win for Sheamus. May have been a tad better than their PPV encounters.

After the match, Christian slowly made his way to ringside and re-applied his neck-brace.

- A reminder that Barrett vs. Orton is still to come this evening.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole plugged WWE.com for a story on why Rock and John Cena make an ideal tag team.

- They showed Anfield, where the Liverpool Football Club plays.

- Clips aired of Mark Henry vs. Daniel Bryan last week, and Big Show’s interference.

- AJ and Kaitlyn were flirting with Bryan backstage and Kaitlyn asked Bryan about what happened last week. Bryan said he was out on his feet and didn’t know what was going on, which is why he came close to cashing in the MITB then instead of at Wrestlemania as he had promised. AJ said she thought Bryan would win last week and was glad he got a rematch this week. Henry came up behind Bryan and asked if he thought it was that easy to win the WWE Title. He said he had to wait 15 years. Henry laughed at Bryan saying “if” Henry is champ at Wrestlemania, and said Bryan has some guts…guts that will be spilled all over the ring tonight.

- The announcers reacted to what just happened, then Mathews sent it to a video package of Ezekiel Jackson. They showed pictures of him with his kids and as a family man, then kicking up the intensity when he hits the ring.

- Long was backstage with Charles Robinson. He thanked Robinson for doing a nice job lately, then asked Robinson to be on top of his game when he refs a match involving the Usos tonight. Why are we seeing this? That’s gotta be a rib, asking Robinson to be on top of his game when referring an Usos match, right? As Robinson walked away, Aksana walked in. They talked about Aksana’s “first time” on Smackdown. Long told Aksana she wanted her to observe a Diva with more experience. Alicia Fox then walked in. Aksana was initially not happy but then thanked Long for bringing in Rianna. Aksana told Fox she hopes she can show her some positions. She walked off, then Long wished Fox luck. That segment was all over the place. Yikes.

- Barrett vs. Orton is the main event.

[Commercial Break]

2 – TED DIBIASE vs. JINDER MAHAL

Like DiBiase’s opponent last week, no entrance for Mahal this week. High knee by Mahal to the face of DiBiase for two. High knee-drop followed that. DiBiase connected on a running knee of his own, then the slingshot clothesline. Booker complimented DiBiase for finding his own voice. Dream Street for the win.

WINNER: DiBiase, at 1:05. No complaints about building DiBiase up over lesser opponents here.

- They showed highlights of Mark Henry vs. Big Show from the WWE ’12 video game, to preview their WWE Title match at Survivor Series.

- Meanwhile, tonight, Henry faces Daniel Bryan in a rematch from last week. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole thanked “Flo reeda” for the theme to Survivor Series. Booker thankfully called him out on the mis-pronunciation.

3 – MARK HENRY vs. DANIEL BRYAN

Mathews mentioned that Big Show was banned from ringside for this match. Bryan tried to use his speed at first, but it didn’t take long before Henry corralled him. Henry tossed Bryan over the top rope, then into the barricade. Back in the ring, Henry kicked Bryan in the stomach. Crowd was behind the underdog as Henry stood on Bryan’s chest, using the top rope for support. Press-slam by Henry, as he dropped Bryan across the top rope. Bryan avoided a Henry charge and dropkicked Henry from the top rope. Kicks to the body and head put Henry down on the mat. LeBell Lock by Bryan, but he couldn’t fully lock it in. Henry picked Bryan up off the mat and slammed him down. Big splash by Henry at 3:15, but Henry picked Bryan up before the count of three. I remember seeing the Nasty Boys get DQ’d against two jobbers in early 90s WWF for doing that too many times. World’s Strongest Slam by Henry after Bryan egged him on. No getting up from that.

WINNER: Henry, at 3:47. If WWE truly has plans of Bryan vs. Henry at Wrestlemania, I like the timing and the set-up they’ve done so far to foreshadow it.

After the match, Henry got a chair from ringside. Bryan fought back and took the chair, slamming it across Henry’s back. Henry no sold it and slammed Bryan again, then gave him a jumping elbowdrop. World’s Strongest Slam yet again. Henry placed Bryan’s ankle in the chair, then set up to sideline Bryan, but Big Show ran out. Henry took the chair to fend off Show and not allow him into the ring. Referees came in and helped Bryan up, but Henry saw it and nailed Bryan in the back with the chair. He went after Show too, but show collapsed the chair with his right hand. Both men stood, staring at each other. Henry was the one who backed down and left the ring. Show took the World Title, which Henry had forgotten. He tossed it to Henry and Henry trash talked Show. As Henry left, Show got a mic and taunted Henry. He told Henry to watch his match and he’ll show him something really impressive. They replayed the chair shot to the fist. The two men stared at each other as the show went to break.

[Commercial Break]

4 – BIG SHOW vs. THREE UNNAMED LOCAL TALENT

No names mentioned for the new guys. They had Show down to one knee, but he came back and gave two of them a double chokeslam. The third man fled to ringside and wanted nothing to do with Show so he began to walk to the back. Show grabbed him by the hair and press slammed him over the top and back into the ring. Henry was watching on the stage. WMD to the jobber for the win.

WINNER: Show, at 1:20. I wonder how this makes Jinder Mahal feel, as DiBiase beat him in less time than it took Show to beat three guys!

Henry had a mic and intimated that he was not impressed. He said he impressed Show when he attacked him in the ring last week, when he sent him home due to injury, and when he won the World Title. Henry said what he’s going to do to Show will be the last thing to impress him.

- They aired fans’ reactions after buying Wrestlemania tickets, as well as Wrestlemania press from the local media in South Florida.

- Tonight, Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed the exterior of the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

5 – TAMINA vs. ALICIA FOX

Rosa Mendes was with Tamina (already in the ring), and Aksana came out with Fox. Natalya was on commentary. During Fox’s entrance, they showed Kelly’s Maxim cover reveal on Raw. Tamina had the advantage to start. She did a few hair tosses, then applied a submission move. Fox struggled to get to her feet and flipped Tamina when she finally did. Running back elbows, then a one-legged dropkick. Tamina fired back, but missed a splash. Flip leg-drop by Fox for the win.

WINNER: Fox, at 2:01. Did they take away her axe kick as finish? Wouldn’t be surprised, as too often, it did not look good.

- They showed Sheamus presenting and award at the MTV European Music Awards in Belfast.

- Matt Striker was backstage with Sheamus, who had a bruise over his right eye. They showed Sheamus attacking Christian backstage last week. Striker said Sheamus has a reputation for being a hot-head, but Sheamus disputed that. He said he can present awards and play with Muppets. Striker asked him about his mean streak when people cross him, so Sheamus just stared a hole into Striker. He then laughed and called himself “spirited.”

- Hunico, Epico, and Primo all came to the ring. They’re in action next.

[Commercial Break]

6 – HUNICO & EPICO vs. THE USOS

They showed a video of Hunico and Epico taking out Sin Cara last week. Hey wait, isn’t Primo on Raw? Ah, forget it. The Usos did their Polynesian battle demosntration atop the stage before coming to the ring. One of the Usos worked over Epico in the corner, and Cole acknowledged that he is Primo’s cousin. Hunico made a blind tag and took down the legal Uso as he continued his assault on Epico. Whip into a dropkick by Epico after he tagged back in. Uso tried to make a tag, and finally did so. It was Jey who came in off the tag, and he was a house of fire against Hunico. Corkscrew forearm and a beauty. Epico broke up a pin at 2:13. Primo caused a distraction and Jimmy was sent out of the ring. Superkick on Epico, but Hunico slammed Jey down. Swanton off the top for the win.

WINNERS: Hunico and Epico, at 2:43. Decent enough, and a good win for the newbies.

As Jimmy attended to Jey, Hunico and Epico spoke in Spanish to Jimmy. Primo attacked from behind, and they threw Jimmy over the top rope. They went after Jey next, with Epico giving him a Codebreaker and Primo giving him a backstabber (a nod to Carlito). Hunico then with a Swanton. Nice to see WWE getting behind these three, but I don’t have a lot of confidence that it’ll last. After all, no better example than their opponents tonight, The Usos, who got a push for about three weeks on Smackdown earlier in the year.

- Randy Orton was walking backstage. Slowly. His match is next.

[Commercial Break]

7 – RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT

Orton backed Barrett into the corner and kept his forearm in Barrett’s face until the ref’s count reached four. Another lock-up and Barrett broke clean, but kicked Orton in the knee as soon as he saw an opening. Dropkick by Orton put Barrett down for a one-count. Orton fought out of the corner then clotheslined Barrett hard. Stomp to the arm, then a high knee-drop, again for only one, at 2:53. European uppercut, but Barrett got his boot up on a charge. From the middle rope, an elbowdrop by Barrett (and a weak one at that) for two. Things went to the outside where Barrett used the steps to neutralize Orton. Orton was then whipped into the stairs, then they went to break at 4:26.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 7:54 of the match. Barrett with a pump-handle slam for two. Knees to the face of Orton as he was tied up in the ropes, followed by a running boot that sent Orton to ringside. Back in the ring, a side headlock by Barrett. Side slam by Barrett for a near-fall at 10:59. Barrett went to the top, but Orton stopped him. Superplex by Orton. Cover by Orton for two. Kick to the face by Orton, who hit his pet moves. RKO was set up, but Barrett dodged it. The ref flinched as Orton was almost thrown into him, and Orton connected on a thumb to the eye, then a roll-up for the win.

WINNER: Barrett, at 13:08.

They replayed the finish. Barrett celebrated on the ramp as the show went off the air.


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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