WWE Smackdown review
June 15, 2012
Taped 6/12/12 in Manchester, N.H.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- A video package aired on Vince McMahon’s return to Raw and the confrontation between Big Show and John Cena that led to McMahon getting knocked silly.

- Smackdown Open.

- After the camera panned the crowd in the arena, the announcers talked about what happened Monday – we’ll also get an update on Vince’s condition later.

- A.J. came out. As she did, they aired clips of the Kane & Daniel Bryan vs. A.J. and C.M. Punk from Monday. A.J. got the mic and said there’s a very simple reason for why she kissed Kane Monday on Raw. She was about to explain why, but Vickie Guerrero interrupted with her usual cheerful introduction. Vickie told A.J. that she’s not the story tonight. She claimed everyone is talking about Dolph Ziggler, who will face Sheamus for the World Title on Sunday. Ziggler came out and he too had a mic.

Ziggler and Vickie walked to the ring and Ziggler said Monday, he showed he was better than just tagging with Jack Swagger. He said he wasn’t going to allow A.J. to steal his spotlight. A.J. said the bleach in Ziggler’s hair has sapped into his brain if he thinks he’s going to be World Champ. She called Vickie a grandma and Vickie slapped her, calling her a “little girl.” Vickie threatened to throw A.J. out of “Dolph’s ring.” Before anyone made another move, C.M. Punk’s music hit and he walked out. Yes, with a mic.

“C.M. Punk, who we all know digs crazy chicks.” – Cole.
“I don’t know that!”- Booker T.
“He said it!”- Josh Mathews.
Booker T., ladies and gentlemen.

Punk said just because Vickie says “excuse” me doesn’t mean he, A.J. , or the WWE Universe have to do so. Punk said Vickie always touts Dolph, yet he rarely comes through. Punk even said Ziggler said he was going to beat HIM for HIS title back in January. It’s the same song-and-dance. Punk said Vickie is the voice of the pointless. Ziggler said he’s the voice of the next World Heavyweight…but Bryan’s music interrupted and he came out. With a mic. Does WWE buy them in bulk?

Bryan called Punk A.J.’s “knight in shining armor.” He mocked Punk for saving A.J. tonight after she made out with Kane on Monday. Bryan said A.J. has Punk wrapped around her finger and he doesn’t even realize it. Bryan told Punk that A.J. cost him the title at Wrestlemania, and if she’s in Punk’s corner at No Way Out, he’ll become the next champion. Cue the music of Sheamus, who came out to speak his piece.

Sheamus disagreed that A.J. cost Bryan the World Title at Wrestlemania. He told Bryan he needed to stop talking out of his arse. He turned his attention to Ziggler, and said Alberto Del Rio’s injury has given him another opportunity to beat Ziggler. Sheamus said they all have a match later on, but he and Punk were ready, so he wanted to start it right then. A.J. spoke up, saying she has some old business to take care of. She charged at Vickie, but Punk held her back and Vickie was restrained by her charge. Mathews sent it to break with the expectation that the match will start afterward.

[Commercial Break]

1 – DOLPH ZIGGLER & DANIEL BRYAN vs. C.M. PUNK & SHEAMUS

Match began immediately out of break. Forward roll on Bryan for a one-count. Punk tagged in to renew his rivalry with Bryan. Quick tags on both sides in the early going. Punk whipped Ziggler into the ropes, but Sheamus propelled himself over to shoulder tackle the Show-Off. Standing vertical suplex on Ziggler. Both A.J. and Vickie were still at ringside, for what it’s worth. Ziggler surprised Bryan with a tag, and Bryan was hesitant to enter against Sheamus. A distraction led to Bryan taking over on offense. Standing elbowdrop, lateral press, only a one-count at 3:44. Hot tag to Punk at 4:18, firing away offensively on Bryan. However, momentum was squarely in the heel corner, with Punk outside the ring, as they went to break at 5:09.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 9:05 with Punk and Bryan still in the ring, but the heels were making frequent tags in wearing down the WWE Champion. Sheamus finally made the hot tag and connected with White Noise on Ziggler. He called for the Brogue Kick, but Vickie got on the apron. A.J. shoved her into the ring. Sheamus tried to get her out, but Ziggler rolled him up for the victory.

WINNERS: Ziggler and Bryan, at 11:39. By-the-numbers booking to make Ziggler seem like a threat to Sheamus at the PPV.

After the match, Sheamus chased Ziggler through the crowd. Vickie got in A.J.’s face in the ring, so A.J. unleashed her rage on Vickie, taking her down and working her over. Vickie escaped the ring and A.J. followed, but Vickie shoved A.J. back-first into the side of the apron. Vickie ran to the side of the stage and to the back. Kane’s pyro blasted and he walked out. He approached A.J. and picked her up, walking her back in his arms. Before he could make it up the ramp, Punk attacked him from behind. The two men brawled in the aisle and into the ring. Bryan was chokeslammed for his troubles, then Punk received one. Kane looked atop the ramp, where A.J. fell to her knees. She appeared like she was going to cue Kane’s pyro again, but instead just fell back in a half-laugh/half-cry.

- Tonight, John Laurinaitis and Big Show will address the Mr. McMahon incident from Raw.

[Commercial Break]

- This Sunday night, Brodus Clay takes on David Otunga on YouTube prior to No Way Out.

- Brodus Clay came out with the Funkadactyls and his full entrance. After Clay’s dancing, they showed the Big Show attack on him from three weeks ago. Clay cut a promo talking about his being banned from Raw and if he goes after Big Show, he’s fired according to John Laurinaitis. He expressed confidence in John Cena in his match with Show on Sunday. He demanded competition and asked Laurinaitis who he thinks will put him no his back. Out came Heath Slater. It’s Slater Time.

2 – “FUNKASAURUS” BRODUS CLAY vs. HEATH SLATER

Running heabutt to the chest of Slater as soon as the bell rang. Big corner splash, then overhead suplex. Big splash for the big finish.

WINNER: Clay, at :23. At least Slater is getting a lot of TV time. He seems to be the go-to JTTS for the up-and-coming guys.

As Clay danced with the Funkadactyls after the match, David Otunga ran out and took out Clay’s leg. The ladies fled to ringside as Otunga continued going after the leg. They replayed Otunaga’s attack. Trainers and a few referees checked on Clay in the ring. I’m surprised they’re spending TV time to hype up the pre-show match, but they have to do that if they want people to tune in and care about it.

[Commercial Break]

- Layla was at ringside to view the next match.

3 – ALICIA FOX vs. BETH PHOENIX

No entrances for anyone, actually. Layla joined in on commentary. Back elbow by Fox but she missed a flip leg-drop. Back-breaker by Phoenix, then she gave Fox the Glam Slam while looking at Layla.

WINNER: Phoenix, at :51. Beth seems head-and-shoulders above the other Divas in the division in a lot of ways.

- Up next, an update on the Chairman’s condition.

[Commercial Break]

- Raw 1,000 moment: Courtesy of Hornswoggle, October 31, 2011 when the Muppets guest-hosted.

- John Laurinaitis was introduced by Lilian Garcia. He came out with his trusty crutch – no scooter after what happened on Raw. Laurinaitis introduced himself and said while he apologized Tuesday morning, he felt it necessary to make a public apology, so he apologized to Big Show. He took a veiled shot at Vince, telling him that at his age, maybe he should stay out of Big Show’s way; and that goes for everyone else too. Footage from the main event segment on Raw then aired. By the time it ended, Laurinaitis was in the ring. He talked about his being victorious several times with his job on the line, and it’s on the line Sunday, but not in jeopardy. When they script it like that, it shows just how absurd it is that his job has been on the line so many times when there’s no real reason the Board/whoever can’t just fire him.

Big Show was introduced by Laurinaitis and he came to the ring. Cole said that McMahon will be at ringside on Sunday despite the “concussion” he received the hands of the Big Show. Show said he has no reason to lie about whether or not he punched Vince on purpose Monday. Who’s even asking that question? It seemed pretty obvious it was on accident. Show said that even while in WCW, he was never allowed to stand out because he was held back in lieu of the faces of the company: Hulk Hogan, Sting, Ric Flair. He said when he became a free agent, people kept telling him Vince McMahon would make him a big star. Show said Vince told him he had to be a better businessman. He even did a McMahon impression, saying he had to put on a show – so he was no longer Paul Wight, but The Big Show. Show listed guys who rose to the top while he sat on the sidelines being some special attraction.

He said for 10 years, he smiled and cracked jokes. Well, except all those other times he was a heel. He said he’s proud that he’s not John Cena. But in the Steel Cage Match, he said he’d make up for lost time and show the world what he’s truly capable of. And he’s not burdened by what the fans think anymore. He said unlike what he did to Vince, what he’ll do to Cena will be deliberate, calculated and uncomfortable. Show said he’s look at Sunday as his first match…and he’ll be victorious. He even guaranteed it. He shook hands with Laurinaitis and the two left together. Cole spoke up on the mic and said that he has on good authority that John Cena left his home in West Newbury Massachusetts and promised to be at Smackdown before the end of the show.

Show re-entered the ring and got the mic (a nice touch that makes Cole’s pronouncement really seem unscripted). Show said he will stick around and be easy to find for Cena. The two heels then left together as Cole reiterated his claim and that his sources were good.

[Commercial Break]

- Christian came to the ring for his match. A video package aired of Christian winning the Battle Royal then beating Cody Rhodes for the IC Title at Over the Limit. It continued by tracing the Rhodes vs. Christian feud to this point.

4 – CHRISTIAN vs. JACK SWAGGER

Swagger’s gyrations on the ramp before coming down the aisle make it so difficult to take him seriously. Swagger powered Christian into the corenr, but fell victim to the Flip Kick in the opposite one. Christian low-bridged Swagger out of the ring. A Vickie distraction led to Swagger clotheslining Christian down. Back in the ring, Swagger slammed the IC Champ. Christian turned things around and set up for a Spear, but Swagger tripped him up and applied the ankle-lock. Christian quickly escaped and hit a diving elbow off the second rope. He went to the top where Swagger met him, but he knocked Swagger off and landed the frogsplash for the win.

WINNER: Christian, at 2:47. Swagger is barely one step above the Slaters and the Hunicos at this point.

- Tonight, John Cena will call out the Big Show. Interesting for them to announce that half-way through the show rather than plugging Cena’s appearance right at the beginning.

[Commercial Break]

- Mathews thanked Charm City Devils for “Unstoppable,” the official theme to No Way Out.

- The exterior of the arena in Manchester was shown.

5 – ARI COHEN & MIKE TESTA vs. RYBACK – HANDICAP MATCH

The two jobbers acknowledged that everybody thinks they’re jokes, then did a knock-knock joke predicting the end of Ryback’s winning streak. Then a “chicken crosses the road” joke. And before they could get to their “two guys walk into a bar…” joke, Ryback’s music hit.

Ryback knocked a jobber out of the ring with another on his back. The one on his back went up to his shoulders and tried punches, but Ryback no world and turned him around and into a powerbomb. Fallaway slam one into the other. Ryback finished them both with his now routine double-team finish.

WINNER: Ryback, at 2:04. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when he goes to facing main roster guys and can’t treat them like the jobbers.

- Tonight, Cena calls out Big Show.

[Commercial Break]

- Tyson Kidd was already in the ring, and they showed him attacking Damien Sandow last week after Hornswoggle’s JR impression. Sandow, as usual, cut a promo on his way to the ring. Extra credit for referring to Smackdown as a “serial.” Sandow basically talked about how Kidd attacked him last week and he’ll pay for it this week.

6 – TYSON KIDD vs. DAMIEN SANDOW

Side Russian leg-sweep right off the bat. Sandow argued with the ref about a pin, allowing Kidd to hit a moonsault off the top for two. He attempted a Sharpshooter, but Sandow shoved him off with his legs. Knees to the chest, then a neck-breaker for three.

WINNER: Sandow, at 1:02. Would like to have seen a longer match here, but hopefully that’s to come.

- Another reminder that Cena will call out Big Show tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- Raw 1,000 moment: Michael Cole getting knighted and forcing JR to kiss his feet. No, that wasn’t a moment suggested by Vince McMahon, but by Cole himself.

- The finish of the opening tag match was shown as the announcers discussed what happened.

- The announcers previewed some of the main matches at the PPV, including Triple H’s talking segment.

- A portion of Big Show’s promo from earlier was shown.

- John Cena was walking backstage. He barged into the GM’s office, but found it empty. He’ll be out next.

[Commercial Break]

- A B.A. Star video aired.

- John Cena entered the arena. He apologized for being late, saying he wasn’t even supposed to be there tonight but he got a call from someone saying Show called him out. He said he’s not hiding from Big Show, but in fact, he’s been looking for Show for a while. Laurinaitis came out to the ring to rebut. He said Show isn’t coming to the ring. He blamed Cena for what happened to Vince on Monday. The Board has said that Cena vs. Show will happen on Sunday no matter what, so to protect the competitors in the match, he sent Show home. Cena said he figured either he was going to get knocked out by Show tonight or he was going to knock Show out. So now Laurinaitis is next in the chain-of-command. Laurinaitis reminded Cena of who he was, and threatened to fire Cena if he touched him. Cena pointed out that the just said the Board demanded the match on Sunday take place no matter what, so he can’t be fired. Laurinaitis said he has no probably once again beating up Cena in front of his family and fans.

Cena said what’s really embarrassing is Laurinaitis himself. Cena said he sees nothing but a pea-brained, scooter-riding chain-smoker. Cena went over the stakes of the match again on Sunday and was so confident he’d win over Show and Laurinaitis would be fired that he had no problem taking out Laurinaitis tonight. Laurinaitis said if Cena does what he plans tonight and loses Sunday, the first thing he’s going to do is fire him. Cena appeared to consider the ramifications of his actions and said Laurinaitis always has that ace up his sleeve. Cena said at No Way Out, someone will get fired. He punched Laurinaitis right in the head and did the “you can’t see me” gesture. Laurinaitis was recovering in the ring as they 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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