WWE Smackdown review
Jan. 27, 2012
Taped 1/24/12 in Tucson, Ariz.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)

- And we close the book on my first five years covering Smackdown for the Torch. Let's get started with the next five...

- WWE Open.

- Clips aired from the World Title match of two weeks ago, Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show, and of course, the dramatic moment of AJ getting run over by Show.

- In the arena, Big Show’s music played. He walked out for the first time since injuring AJ. Michael Cole was incredulous that fans would cheer Big Show after what he did the last time he was on Smackdown. The announcers were shown on camera as Booker T. defended him. The first thing he did was apologize. He said he apologized to AJ in person, but wanted to do it in front of the fans too. He said AJ forgave him immediately and he asked the fans to do the same. He said the problem was, he was having a tough time forgiving himself. Show said the collision wasn’t an isolated incident, as stuff like that has happened since his childhood. He said in WWE, he found a place where he belonged, and said he loves what he does. Show’s lip began to quiver as he said he’s been in WWE for 13 years and loves his job.

He said after what happened with AJ, he doesn’t know if he has the heart to go on with his career. Show got choked up and said he’s honored to be in the World Title match on Sunday, but after that, he’s going to have to do some soul searching. Daniel Bryan’s music hit and he walked out, the World Title conspicuous by its absence. Bryan stood in the ring across from Big Show and mocking said Show’s apology makes everything okay. Bryan said Show put a 95-pound woman in the hospital as Show quietly said he didn’t do it on purpose. Bryan said AJ was heavily medicated when she forgave Show; she doesn’t even remember him visiting. He said he remembers everything, including when he was a kid, thinking WWE was a place for athletes rather than genetic freaks. Bryan said Show better not dare mention Andre The Giant, because he’s no Andre The Giant. “Big Show” chant from the fans.

“You’re full of it,” said Bryan. He said Show had no plans of reassessing his career, calling it “empty talk.” Bryan said if Show really felt bad, he wouldn’t be on the show apologizing to everyone; he’d do the honorable thing and just retire. Bryan told Show to climb up whatever beanstalk he climbed out of. He slapped Show twice, and the second time, Show put his hands around Bryan’s throat and backed him into the corner. He told Bryan what happened to AJ was an accident…but what happens to Bryan Sunday won’t be. He tossed Bryan aside, then Mark Henry’s music played and he walked to the ring.

Henry said he felt compelled to remind the men that it’s a Triple Threat cage match on Sunday. He said he doesn’t care about Big Show’s hurt feelings or Bryan’s Napolean Complex. He also said he doesn’t care about a 95-pound girl in a training bra. Ouch. Henry said they both know what he’s capable of. Henry ordered Bryan to stand in front of him and said that after weaseling his way out of HIS World Title last week, he’s going to tear Bryan’s skin off out of principle. Bryan blamed the Lumberjacks and said he’s every bit disappointed as Henry is. Teddy Long walked out and asked if Smackdown would go intot he Rumble with a whimper or a bang. Long said there’s already one main event, Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett. He made Mark Henry vs. Big Show for tonight, since Bryan has already faced both men in recent weeks. Bryan rolled to ringside with a smile on his face while Show and Henry trash-talked in the ring. Long segment, but it was a good one, re-establishing the personality of all three men, and Show got to toss Bryan around so he didn’t look like a complete push-over.

- A commercial aired for Orton vs. Barrett tonight.

[Commercial Break]

1 – CODY RHODES vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL

During Rhodes’ entrance, they showed an inset interview where he talked about granting Justin Gabriel a non-title rematch from last week. He said after tonight, Gabriel will be able to tell his grandkids that he lost to the man who would go on to headline Wrestlemania. Cole’s newest target is apparently Gabriel, who he called a “goofball.” Right off the bat, Rhodes hit an Alabama slam for two. Side Russian leg-sweep by Rhodes, then an arm-bar. Monkey-flip by Gabriel as Cole talked about Cody’s solid performances in Rumbles past. The fight went to the outside, but quickly back in. Springboard cross-body, but a roll-through by Rhodes for two. STO by Gabriel, but he came up lame on a springboard moonsault attempt where he landed on his feet. Beautiful Disaster kick, then Cross Rhodes for the win.

WINNER: Rhodes, at 2:11. Rhodes went over strong, which was nice to see, even though they could’ve gone longer to give Gabriel more of a boost.

- Teddy Long and Santino Marella were talking backstage. Marella had another idea for a perfect match: An Extreme Loser Leaves Town match where the loser has to join a crew of monkeys, go in a spaceship and blast off of planet Earth. Long didn’t like it, but Yoshi Tatsu, who was at Santino’s side, did. Santino proposed a tag team of him and Tatsu: Santoshi. Tatsu preferred Yoshitino. The two argued about it until Drew McIntyre walked in to talk to Long. McIntyre said Babe Ruth once struck out five times in one game, so his losing streak is nothing more than a slump. Long said more often than not, Ruth hit it out of the park – which is what he wants McIntyre to do tonight against Sheamus. And the match is next.

- Still to come, Big Show vs. Mark Henry in singles competition.

[Commercial Break]

2 – DREW MCINTYRE vs. SHEAMUS

McIntyre was already in the ring. Josh Mathews brought up the fact that Sheamus and McIntyre both made their debuts at the TLC PPV in 2009 (contrary to the Wikipedia entry for this show, which has John Cena going over in every match except the Women’s Match), where Sheamus won the WWE Title and McIntyre won the IC Title. He talked of how their careers have gone in opposite direction since then. McIntyre came back at the 1:00 mark after Sheamus dominated the opening minute. Northern Lights suplex for two by McIntyre. McIntyre got frustrated at not being able to put Sheamus away, which gave Sheamus an opening to come back. Brogue Kick ended the match.

WINNER: Sheamus, at 2:50. Another win for Sheamus, another loss for McIntyre. Sun up, sun down.

- Orton vs. Barrett is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

[Commercial Break]

- Cole thanked Switchfoot for providing the official theme to Royal Rumble, “Dark Horses.”

- The exterior of the arena in Tucson was shown.

- The Royal Rumble By The Numbers video was shown.

- Santino Marella and Yoshi Tatsu came out for their match against Primo and Epico. Tatsu tried to keep up with Santino’s power-walk around ringside. Match is next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – YOSHI TATSU & SANTINO MARELLA vs. PRIMO & EPICO

Rosa Mendes, as usual, accompanied the heels to the ring. Mendes gave an inset interview earlier in the day and did it all in Spanish. Tatsu and Marella kept bowing back and forth to each other before the match. Marella rode Primo on the mat and had a little fun spinning around Primo as well. Tag in to Tatsu, who I’m disappointed has ditched the darker gimmick he had on NXT. Blind tag to Epico, who hit Tatsu from behind. Crowd chanted for Yoshi as he countered a neck-breaker into a backslide for two. Marella tagged back in and hit Epico with rights. Diving headbutt found the mark, but Primo broke up the pin. Tatsu came in but got clotheslined out. Cobra on Primo, but Backstabber by Epico on Marella for the win.

WINNERS: Primo and Epico, at 2:16. Hey, a third tag team in the division! Wonder if that’s a permanent team or not. Based on this result, it would not appear to be so.

- Mark Henry was working out backstage when Daniel Bryan walked up to him. Bryan again shifted the blame for what happened last week onto Teddy Long and also said it was Long’s fault that Henry has to wrestle tonight. Bryan said it’s obvious Long wants Big Show as champion, since he doesn’t belong in the three-way at the PPV. He told Henry this is the last opportunity to right a wrong before Sunday. He said Henry needs to hurt Show, and badly. He said Show has hurt Henry and his girlfriend, as well as countless others. He said someone needs to teach Show a lesson, and what better person than the World’s Strongest Man? Henry at least appeared to consider the proposal.

- Next, Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton.

[Commercial Break]

- Orton was shown on the cover of this month’s WWE Magazine.

- Wade Barrett came out for the first of two main events. Barrett took the mic before the match and talked about Orton’s return. He said Orton’s ego has gotten the best of him and while doctors say he’s physically fine to return, spiritually, Orton is a broken man. Barrett cued up the Tron to show why he said Orton won’t be showing up. They showed highlights of the Falls Count Anywhere match from last month. Barrett said Orton had fallen and he couldn’t get up. He said Orton’s voices in his head are telling him what a vicious competitor Barrett its. Orton’s music interrupted before Barrett could rant any more. Orton was shown walking through the entire backstage area on the Tron.

Barrett met Orton on the aisle and they went after each other. Orton tossed Barrett in the ring – I don’t see a ref – and the two men continued brawling there. Referees emptied out of the locker room as the brawl went to ringside. Teddy Long came out and waved out Curt Hawkins, Tyler Reks, and Trent Barreta to try to help calm the situation. They held Orton back but the two men got loose and brawled in the ring. The Usos ran out too and Barrett was able to retreat. Aw, no agents to break it up. Orton stared at Barrett from in the ring, then RKO’d Reks, who was standing next to him. Saw that coming. Hawkins got in his face and argued, so Orton RKO’d him too. Barreta got too close and he got RKO’d. Both Usos did too. Well that’s just dumb – I’d be getting out of the ring before he could RKO me. They gave a close-up on Orton’s eyes as they went to break. Suffice to say…no match.

[Commercial Break]

- This week’s Royal Rumble moment was from 2006, with Rey Mysterio winning by holding off Randy Orton.

- Daniel Bryan was talking to Kaitlyn backstage. Bryan asked Kaitlyn, since she’s AJ’s best friend, to let Show know that Mark Henry is going to try to injure him and get him out of the match on Sunday. Kaitlyn asked if she was doing AJ a favor or Bryan a favor? Bryan said she was doing it for the both of them. Kaitlyn said she’d do it if Bryan admitted to her how he really felt about AJ. Bryan said he likes to keep his affairs private. Kaitlyn went to tell Show despite the non-answer. Kaitlyn actually showed some decent acting chops here, much better than Eve on Raw (then again, Kaitlyn wasn’t asked to show as much range as Eve was).

4 – HUNICO vs. TED DIBIASE

Camacho came to the ring with Hunico, and they showed highlights of the Flag Match from last week. DiBiase’s wrist was heavily taped after getting injured in a live event last week. Hip-toss by DiBiase, then a clothesline and a boot for two. Hunico went after the wrist and arm. DiBiase tried to come back with Dream Street, to no avail. Hunico landed the Olympic Slam variation for the win.

WINNER: Hunico, at 1:31. Another solid, yet short match from these two.

After the match, Hunico and Camacho continued to beat on DiBiase, and Camacho put DiBiase’s arm on the steel steps so Hunico could step on it.

- Aksana and Teddy Long were backstage watching the proceedings. Long said he needed to go check on DiBiase, but he ran into Natalya. Natalya demanded a rematch against Tamina. Aksana talked about Nattie getting squashed by Tamina. Natalya took offense and said she could be that whack job and Aksana. Aksana said that what she does with Teddy in private time…but Teddy interrupted and made Natalya vs. Aksana. A fart noise randomly sounded and Natalya rushed out of the room. Long went to check on DiBiase as Aksana followed, holding her nose. Santino walked in and did a comic reaction to the smell. Ah, fart jokes…a Vince McMahon staple.

- Brodus Clay…next!

[Commercial Break]

5 – ALEX RILEY vs. BRODUS CLAY

Riley was already in the ring. They showed William Regal on the receiving end of a cross-body in the dance-off. And they kept the boos in! Even Riley was getting down and dancing in the ring. Once the match began, Riley showed off his dance moves. In response, Clay did the leg shake. Suplex by Clay, then the corner charge and “What the Funk” for the finish.

WINNER: Clay, at :36. More dancing after the match as Clay seems as if he’s becoming more and more popular with the WWE Universe.

- Kaitlyn was shown talking to Big Show backstage, but the camera was at a distance so we didn’t catch any of the conversation.

[Commercial Break]

- They showed John Cena on the cover of Fruity Pebbles for a good cause – the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Be-A-Star campaign.

- Rather than a Raw Rebound, they aired the entirety of the Kane vs. Zack Ryder match, and much of the aftermath. Can’t help but think this time could be better used to pad some of the other matches on the show. Thankfully, we were spared Cena’s comical angry shaking.

6 – NATALYA vs. AKSANA

Natalya turned around and apparently yelled for Tamina to come down, but Aksana rolled her up for a quick three.

WINNER: Aksana, at :06. Not much you can say about that. Feels a little like they wasted Aksana’s debut, but I’m sure she’s still not much in the ring, even after her stint on NXT.

Natalya locked Aksana in the Sharpshooter after the match, drawing Tamina out. She hit Nattie with the Samoan Drop, then connected on the Superfly Splash.

- The announcers talked over a WWE ’12 simulation of the Triple-Threat World Title cage match that will take place Sunday.

- Big Show was introduced for the main event.

[Commercial Break]

7 – THE BIG SHOW vs. MARK HENRY

Before the bell could ring to signal the start of the match, Daniel Bryan came out. He was all smiles, pointing to the World Title around his waist. Big Show got in a few early shots before Henry went to ringside. Show went after him and continued to pummel him with punches. Bryan was shown sitting in front of the announce table. Back in the ring, slaps to the chest of Henry. Henry fought back with rights but seemed to collapse as if he injured his leg. He appeared to be in pain outside the ring as they went to break 1:20 in.

[Commercial Break]

The show returned with Lilian Garcia announcing Big Show as the winner, with Daniel Bryan taking a steel chair into the ring. Mathews explained that Henry made it back into the ring, but was counted out again soon after. The chair had no effect and Show tossed Bryan across the ring. Show had the chair stalking Bryan at ringside and Bryan tossed the title at Show, then hit kicked his knee and took the chair. Bryan clobbered Show with the steel chair at ringside.

WINNER: Show, via count-out, about 4:15 (match ended during break).

In the ring, Bryan locked in the LeBell Lock on Show. Show fought free and managed to chokeslam Bryan. He lined up for the right hand, but Bryan escaped the ring and retreated up the ramp. They replayed Bryan entering the ring with the chair after the match and the subsequent beating he gave Show. This has been an oddly-paced show. Show held the chair high atop the ramp 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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