WWE Smackdown review
June 15, 2012
Taped 6/12 in Manchester, N.H.
Aired on Syfy
By Michael Cupach, PWTorch Contributor

[Q1]

-WWE open.

-Smackdown opens with a recap of last Monday's Raw where Big Show accidently knocked out Mr. McMahon. Cooler heads prevailed and they didn’t show the terrible angle shot where Vince doesn’t get hit.

-Smackdown opening music video followed by full pyro. Josh Mathews welcomes everyone to Smackdown, which is 48 hours away from No Way Out. Michael Cole teases an announcement on Vince’s condition and if Big Show will apologize.

-A.J. makes her way out; she is wearing a C.M. Punk shirt. While she makes her way to the ring, Cole throws to a replay of last Monday when A.J. kissed Kane. Back in the ring A.J. is smiling, she says that she has something to clear up before the show started. A.J. says there is a simple reason she kissed Kane, but before she can reveal what it is, Vickie Guerrero interrupts. Vickie says that A.J. is not the story tonight, what everyone is talking about is Dolph Ziggler being the number one contender to the World Title.

Dolph is out next and he states that last Monday he did what he does best – he stole the show and proved he is the best in the world. What he doesn’t want to do is share the spotlight with a Hot Topic shopping, 95-pound girl like A.J.! A.J. calls Vickie his grandma and she slaps A.J. who smiles.

C.M. Punk’s music hits and he makes his way down, A.J. is happy to see him. He checks out where she got slapped and starts out by saying that her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. He mocks her saying “Excuse me” by pointing out that no one excuses her and there is no reason to justify listening to her. He also says that Vickie always points out how good Dolph is, but Dolph always loses. Punk remembers Vickie saying that Ziggler would take Punk’s title at the Royal Rumble, it didn’t happen, and it will happen at No Way Out with Sheamus’s title. Punk says that if he is the voice of the voiceless, then she is the voice of the pointless! Dolph interrupts to say he is the voice, then Daniel Bryans music hits.

Bryan mocks Punk as a hero to everyone and then switches to A.J. and points out that she is working Punk like she tried to work Bryan. He says that aligning with her is a mistake and just like she cost him the title at WrestleMania, she will cost Punk the title at No Way Out.

Sheamus is out next (this is getting ridiculous). He hops in the crowded ring and laughs at Bryan for still believing that a girl cost him the title. He accuses him of talking out his arse. He then compliments Dolph on his accomplishment on Monday, but he says that was just one night. Sheamus says that with Del Rio injured and Ziggler as his next opponent, all it does is give him a chance to kick his ass one more time. Sheamus says that later tonight the four of them are scheduled for a tag match and that everyone is here and ready, so why not start now? A.J. asks if she can settle some old business before the match starts and she lunges at Vickie, but Punk holds her back.

-Sheamus and C.M. Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler and Daniel Bryan is next!

[Q2]

(Commercial)

1 - WWE champion C.M. PUNK & World Hvt. champion SHEAMUS vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & DANIEL BRYAN

Sheamus and Bryan start things off. Sheamus shoulder-blocks Bryan and start to work his arm. Tag to Punk who continues the assault until he runs into a boot from Bryan. Tag to Ziggler who runs into a back elbow from Punk. Punk tags in Sheamus and Ziggler gets booted by Sheamus who tags Punk back in. Punk sentons into the ring and gets a two count. Delayed vertical suplex by Punk gets another two count and Sheamus gets tagged in. Ziggler ducks a clothesline and he makes a mad dash to tag in Bryan who has no luck with Sheamus either. Ziggler distracts Sheamus and that allows Bryan to take control with a running dropkick.

Tag into Ziggler and both men double-team Sheamus in the corner. Ziggler drops an elbow on Sheamus for a two count and he tags in Bryan. European uppercuts from Bryan have little effect on Sheamus who takes control with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Tag into Punk who springboard clotheslines Bryan for a two count. Punk misses a charge in the corner and gets back body dropped to the apron, Ziggler distracts, and Bryan dropkicks Punk in the knee sending him to the floor. Bryan then comes flying off the apron with a knee to Punk's face as Smackdown takes a break!

(Commercial)

Bryan has Punk in a headlock when Smackdown returns. Punk fights out, but Bryan drives a knee to the midsection to slow Punk back down. Tag to Ziggler who stomps away at Punk, he then grapevines the knee and tags Bryan back in. Stiff “Yes!” kicks from Bryan to the chest of Punk followed up by a diving headbutt that doesn’t connect. Both men tag out, Sheamus runs over Ziggler with clotheslines and shoulderblocks. Bryan breaks up Irish Curse, Punk takes out Bryan and sends him out of the ring, and Punk misses a suicide dive.

In the ring, Ziggler misses the Zig-Zag and Sheamus connects with White Noise. Bryan breaks up the pin, Sheamus sends D. Bryan out of the ring and calls for the Brogue Kick. Vickie distracts Sheamus, so A.J. pushes Vickie into the ring. Dolph sneaks up behind Sheamus and rolls him up for a quick three count!

WINNER: Ziggler and Bryan by pinfall in 11:30.

[Q2]

-Sheamus chases Ziggler into the crowd leaving A.J. and Vickie in the ring. They catfight until Vickie gets the better of A.J. and leaves her laying at ringside. Kane makes the save and carries her back to the locker room but Punk thinks he is hurting her and he jumps Kane. Kane throws Punk into the ring where Bryan starts assaulting him, Kane enters and chokeslams both men to a slight face pop and he shares a look with A.J. who drops to her knees on the ramp and does the crazy act that she does so well.

Mike’s Reax: So much of this Sunday's title matches were given away for free here, which makes me wonder what WWE is asking people to pay to see on Sunday! The match was fine, the finish was fine, and the post-match angles were well-executed, but the match gave away too much.

-John Laurinaitis and Big Show will have a statement about Mr. McMahon later tonight.

(Commercial)

-Josh Mathews plugs the YouTube No Way Out preshow, which will feature David Otunga vs. Brodus Clay.

-Brodus Clay and his Funkasaurus Rexes (or whatever he calls them, I have a hard time committing it to memory!) dance their way to the ring. It isn’t the same without Mr. McMahon dancing with the women.

-Three weeks ago, Big Show beat the hell out of Brodus Clay on Raw. Since then, Laurinaitis has banned Clay from Raw for his own safety.

-Clay has a microphone and he declares that it is real talk time. He says that not only was he banned from Raw, but he was also told that if he comes anywhere near Big Show, he will be fired. Clay says that his boy John Cena will take care of Show, so he asks Laurinaitis to give him some real competition tonight. Heath Slater answers the challenge.

2 - BRODUS CLAY vs. HEATH SLATER

Clay squashes Slater in the corner, suplexes him into the middle of the ring, splashes him, and then pins him.

WINNER: Brodus Clay in :30 via pinfall.

-Post-match, Otunga cheap shots Clay and clips the knee. David continues the assault on the knee and does a good job working it over.

[Q4]

-Trainers are out to check on Clay as David Otunga poses on the ramp.

(Commercial)

- Layla is joining the announce table for the next match.

3 - ALICIA FOX vs. BETH PHOENIX

Beth slams Alicia head-first into the turnbuckle to start. She tries the opposite turnbuckle, but Fox reverses. Alicia tries a somersault legdrop, but Beth moves. Glamslam from Beth gets the win.

WINNER: Beth Phoenix by pinfall in 1:00.

Mike’s Reax: Layla came out for commentary for this?! It seemed unnecessary to me. In my opinion, the Divas division has been a mess for a while now. At least with Beth as champion, a contender was built up every month for her to face - or, as built up as a Diva can be built up. With Layla as champ, the Divas division has been almost forgotten about.

(Commercial)

-Hornswoggle's favorite Raw moment was when The Muppets hosted Raw a few months back. That must have been the only show that Hornswoggle has ever watched.

[Q5]

-John Laurinaitis makes his way out on one crutch a la Tiny Tim. He introduces himself and his job title and then says that he apologized to Vince man to man on Tuesday morning and he wants to apologize publicly. He tells Vince that he is sorry and it was an accident he also says that it should serve as a warning to those who get in his way. John throws to a recap of last Monday's events with Vince McMahon getting punched out by Big Show.

Back live, John says that at WrestleMania, he put his job on the line and Team Johnny won. At Over The Limit, he put his job on the line against Cena and beat him. He says that at No Way Out his job is on the line, but not in jeopardy because he has put his job in the hands of The Big Show!

Big Show comes out and enters the ring and shakes Laurinaitis’s hand and grabs the microphone. Big Show starts off by saying that he has no reason to lie about punching Vince because if he did he would still be paid millions of dollars thanks to his project. Show says that back when he wrestled in WCW he was never allowed to reach his potential because he couldn’t outshine the top stars like Hulk Hogan, Sting, and Ric Flair. So when the chance came to jump to WWE, he talked to Vince and Vince told him that he had to be a better businessman and be likeable and become The Big Show. So he did as he was told, he became a special attraction while people like Cena, Orton, and Sheamus shot to the top. So this Sunday he will make up for lost time in the steel cage because he is no longer burdened by what people think anymore. What he does to Cena on Sunday will be painful, deliberate, and uncomfortable. Big Show says that as far as he is concerned he sees his match on Sunday as his first real match in 14 years and he guarantees victory!

Michael Cole stops Johnny and Show before they leave, and he informs them that he has gotten word that Cena has just left his home in Westbury, Ma, and he will be on Smackdown before the show ends. Big Show says that he will wait for him.

(Commercial)

-Christian makes his way to the ring, Josh throws to a video package of Christian winning the IC Title at Over the Limit.

[Q6]

4 - IC champion CHRISTIAN vs. JACK SWAGGER (w/Vickie Guerrero) -- non-ittle match

Swagger powers Christian into the corner and then drives his shoulder to the midsection of the IC champion. Jack whips him into the far corner and then walks into a kick from Christian. Jack tries charging at Christian, but he ducks and sends Swagger over the top rope. Christian goes outside and gets distracted by Vickie, this gives Swagger a chance to blindside Christian.

Back in the ring, Jack drops some elbows on Christian, does some celebrating, then misses another elbow. Lefts and rights by Christian, he calls for the Spear, Swagger ducks and applies the Anklelock, Christian rolls through and goes to the middle turnbuckle and connects with a back elbow. Killswitch gets reversed by Swagger, Christian tries going to the top rope, but Swagger meets him up there, Swagger gets shoved off, and Christian connects with a Frog Splash for the victory!

WINNER: Christian by pinfall in 3:00.

-Cena will call out The Big Show tonight!

(Commercial)

Ryback’s opponents make jokes at Ryback’s expense.

5 - RYBACK vs. ARTIE COHEN & MIKE TESTA - handicap match

Ryback throws jobber one out of the ring while putting jobber two on his shoulders, he drops straight back and slams jobber two. Ryback pulls jobber one back in and does a fall-away slam, throwing one into two. He piles both men in the corner and running clotheslines both men. Ryback picks up both jobbers and puts them both away with a Muscle Buster. Booker jokes that someone needs to call child protective services.

WINNER: Ryback by pinfall in 1:00.

[Q7]

-Still to come, Cena speeds from Westbury, Ma on his jetback to confront Big Show.

(Commercial)

-Last week Tyson Kidd defended Hornswoggle from Damien Sandow, Tyson paid the price as Sandow destroyed him.

-Sandow comes out and cuts a promo using big words that go over the heads of most of the audience. He describes why he tried to end Hornswoggles terrible impersonation and why he will now teach Tyson a lesson he won’t forget.

6 - DAMIEN SANDOW vs. TYSON KIDD

Damien starts with knees to Kidd's mid-section, followed by a side Russian legsweep and a “elbow of disdain” from Sandow. Kidd drives his shoulder into Sandow's midsection, then connects with a moonsault for a two count. Sharpshooter attempt gets countered. Sandow knees him aggressively in the gut and puts him away with a Straight Jacket Neckbreaker.

WINNER: Damien Sandow in 2:00.

-Sandow does a cartwheel in celebration to a chorus of boos.

(Commercial)

-Michael Cole’s most interesting Raw moment was when he got knighted by the Queen of England in April 2011. It was also the episode that he made Jim Ross kiss his foot.

-At ringside, the announcers review what happened earlier in the show during the opening bout.

[Q8]

-The announcers run down the No Way Out card.

-John Cena is in the house, he breaks down the door of John Laurinaitis’s office, no one is there. John will go to the ring to call out Laurinaitis and Big Show, next!

(Commercial)

-David Otunga, who back jumped Brodus Clay earlier in the show, talked to kids about bullying last Monday in Connecticut.

-John Cena is out for his surprise appearance. He apologizes for being late because he was on his way to Hampton Beach when he heard that Big Show was trash-talking him. He says that he looked all over for Show backstage, but couldn’t find him, he wonders how one hides a seven-foot Big Show.

John Laurinaitis’ smusic plays and he hobbles to the ring, he tells John that Big Show isn’t coming out. Cena says that he said he would be waiting for Cena, where is he. Laurinaitis tells him that the Board wants the match to happen on Sunday, so to protect the integrity of the match, Laurinaitis sent Big Show home. Cena says it is for the best because he figured that one way or another someone was gonna get knocked out. Cena then points out that with Show gone, Big Johnny just moved up the totem pole of people who deserve to be knocked out. Laurinaitis threatens to fire Cena if he lays a hand on him, Cena tells him that the Board says that the match on Sunday must happen, so he can’t be fired, so he is gonna punch Johnny in the nose.

Johnny tells him that he is gonna embarrass Cena in front of his friends and family on Sunday just like he was at Over The Limit. Cena says that on Sunday if he wins, Big Johnny will be fired, so there is nothing Johnny will be able to do to him, so he is going to knock him out. Laurinaitis then says that if Cena doesn’t win on Sunday, the first thing he is doing on Monday is firing him. So, Cena says that one way or another, someone is getting fired on Sunday and he decks Johnny. The crowd surprisingly boos the punch and Cena heads up the ramp. They replay the punch a few times and then Smackdown fades out!

***

Thanks for reading, please follow me on Twitter @MJCupach. I’ll be tweeting during No Way Out this Sunday and Raw on Monday. Also check out FTWPodcast.com this weekend, as I’ll be the guest on their No Way Out Preview Show. We are going to talk No Way Out and give predictions and analysis. Check it out - www.ftwpodcast.com

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