WWE Smackdown review
June 29, 2012
Taped 6/26/12 in Evansville, Ind.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- Smackdown Open.

- Fireworks went off inside the arena in Evansville. Josh Mathews and Michael Cole were heard opening the show, where they immediately plugged the World Title Triple Threat match featuring Sheamus defending against Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio tonight.

- Cole, Mathews and Booker T. were shown on camera. They talked about the WWE Title situation, specifically, A.J.’s involvement. They showed clips of the elimination match from Monday night in which Daniel Bryan came out on top.

1 – A.J. vs. LAYLA

This match is a sensible follow-up to Raw, where A.J. won the Battle Royal. Layla has dropped the LayCool theme and I think she has a remixed version of Tiffany’s song. A quick handshake and the match was underway. Headlock take-over by Layla, then a head-scissors by A.J. Cole again chided Booker for not watching Raw and not knowing Kane called A.J. crazy, to which Booker just laughed. Shoulder knock-down by Layla, and a roll-through got her a two-count. Arm-bar by the WWE Divas Champion. Drop toe-hold by A.J., then a dropkick. Layla fired back with a face-plant using the hair. Spinning kick by A.J. caught Layla coming off the ropes. Daniel Bryan’s music hit and he walked out yelling “Yes!” all the way to ringside and around. Sounds like post-production has added some boos because most of the crowd was chanting along with him. Layla rolled up a distracted A.J. for the win.

WINNER: Layla, at 3:33. I think a lot of the crowd likes A.J., so I’m not sure putting a tepid babyface like Layla in there helps Layla all that much. Then again, I don’t think they were in the business of helping Layla out in this situation.

After the match, A.J. attacked Layla. Bryan watched from the apron until A.J. was finished. He told her it’s not fun when someone distracts you and costs you the match. Bryan said there’s something Vickie Guerrero, this week’s Smackdown GM, needs to hear. He demanded her presence or else he’ll hold the show hostage. Vickie didn’t come out, so Bryan proceeded to “Yes!” until he turned around and saw that A.J. was doing it along with him. Then he stopped and A.J. continued into break.

[Commercial Break]

- Bryan and A.J. were conducting dueling “Yes” chants upon return from break. “Man, where the hell is Vickie?” asked Booker. For once, I agree. Then she finally came out and walked to the ring. She told Bryan that the people are tired of him yammering on with his same old catch-phrase. And just to hammer the joke home, Vickie yelled “excuse me!” again to the fans. Bryan said he needed to show everyone that Raw and Smackdown will both soon revolve around him. He also thanked Vickie for awarding him with a title match at the upcoming pay per-view, and it’s why he wants her to run both shows permanently. Bryan said he’ll be champion, so they’ll need to work together hand-in-hand. He asked her to take the following request to the Board of Directors: For the WWE Title match at Money in the Bank, A.J. should be banned from ringside. Bryan said she’s unstable and refuses to lose his opportunity because of her.

Vickie said she’s not a fan of A.J., and she didn’t forget what A.J. did to her at the Beach Battle Royal. She also called A.J. out for one of her recent Tweets. She kept going on and Bryan redirected her, saying it’s not about her and A.J. – it’s about him. Vickie apologized but said there was a poll this week on WWE.com, asking fans what role they want A.J. to play during the WWE Title match. Vickie ran down the options and said the Board has listened to the fans, who overwhelmingly (76%) wanted A.J. as special referee. Vickie apparently didn’t know the totals beforehand, and was outraged at the number. Vickie did go along with the Board’s decision though. A.J. did the “Yes!” thing as she left the ring. Bryan protested the ruling and shouted “no!” angrily. The fans though, said “yes!” They’re relying a bit too much on the “Yes!” stuff for my tastes at this point. Vickie was alone in the ring and she said over the next two weeks, Smackdown will have a series of qualifying matches to enter the MITB Ladder Match for the World Title. Unlike the WWE Title MITB match, this one will be open to all competitors. Wise to not call them the Smackdown and Raw MITB matches, but to specify which title they’re going after. It’s a bit more awkward and clunky to say, but definitely more accurate. Zack Ryder came out for the first qualifying match, which is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Damien Sandow came out to oppose Zack Ryder. He cut a promo on the way to the ring, calling Ryder WWE’s ambassador of mediocrity and stupidity. Sandow promised to be the champion to usher the fans into enlightenment.

1 – ZACK RYDER vs. DAMIEN SANDOW - WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MITB QUALIFYING MATCH

This is also a follow-up from their backstage confrontation last week when Mick Foley was guest GM. Flapjack by Ryder, but Sandow took out a knee and stomped away at him in the corner. Side Russian leg-sweep, then some posing from Sandow. He dropped an elbow for two. Ryder fought back with boots and hit a flying dropkick off the middle-rope. Headbutt, then Ryder with a Broski Boot. “This is it!” shouted Booker as Ryder set up for the Rough Ryder. Sandow dodged the move and connected on his neck-breaker finish for the win.

WINNER: Sandow, at 2:25. WWE must be high on Sandow, and rightly so, to put him in the MITB match.

- The announcers discussed Charlie Sheen Tweeting during Raw 1,000 on July 23. He’ll be the Social Media Ambassador for that show.

- Daniel Bryan was walking backstage. He pounded on the Divas locker room door and demanded her presence, then calmed down and asked nicely for her to come out. Instead, Kaitlyn walked out (because Divas don’t get their own locker room) and said A.J. wasn’t in there, because if she was, she wouldn’t be. Kaitlyn told Bryan to stay on her good side, because A.J. isn’t mentally stable. She walked back in as Bryan seemed unsatisfied with that interaction.

[Commercial Break]

3 – TYSON KIDD vs. JACK SWAGGER - WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MITB QUALIFYING MATCH

The announcers made a big deal saying Kidd acknowledged this was the most important match in his career. He didn’t get an entrance for this one. Rear waist-lock, but Kidd rolled through for a one-count. Another unique roll-up using his legs and Swagger was already frustrated. Cole claimed Kidd needs to separate himself from the Hart Legacy, which will always hold him down. Back in, Swagger took control. He worked the arm of Kidd, and just flipped him over with it. Knee-lift, but Kidd grabbed the leg to roll him up for two. Corner charge by Swagger, then a beal to the middle of the ring. Vader bomb for two at 2:28. Kidd planted Swagger with a DDT out of nowhere. He couldn’t really capitalize though. Back on his feet, he did hit some kicks to the legs and chest of Swagger. Back elbow by Kidd, but he climbed Swagger’s shoulders and was sent face-first into the mat. Kidd broke free of the ankle-lock and kicked Swagger in the side of the head. Blockbuster off the top for the win.

WINNER: Kidd, at 4:25. Now that’s an upset, despite the way Swagger has been booked. Match told a good story, but I figured this would be a prime opportunity for Swagger to get back on the upswing. As much as I think Swagger is terribly underutilized, I’m not going to complain about Kidd getting this chance.

- Triple-Threat match for the World Title is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

- Raw 1,000 moment, courtesy of Jerry Lawler: Yes, it was the Mr. McMahon hospital one again.

- Cole thanked the viewers for helping get Raw where it is today. He plugged Raw going to three hours every week starting on July 23.

- Clips of the Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio match from Raw aired, as well as the mic work by Sheamus.

- Ziggler was complaining to Vickie backstage about her not doing anything with her power. She said she’s trying to play nice with the Board so she can become permanent GM. Ziggler asked her to ban both Sheamus and ADR’s finishers but she asked how that would make her look. Ziggler ranted and raved about working so hard to get this shot and was in her face, so Vickie slapped him. Ziggler calmed down and told her to promise him she’ll announce him tonight, and that she’ll be out there to raise his hand when he wins. She promised she would.

- Lilian Garcia announced a tag-team MITB qualifying match. The rule here is both members of the winning team will get to be in the MITB match. Santino came out first, then his partner, Christian. Their opposition will be out after the break.

[Commercial Break]

- David Otunga was on his way to the ring and he got the Chris Masters spotlight so he could pose once in the ring. At least he’s a heel, as this is good for heel heat.

4 – SANTINO MARELLA & CHRISTIAN vs. DAVID OTUNGA & CODY RHODES - WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MITB QUALIFYING MATCH

Marella brought Rhodes over to the babyface corner, where Christian tagged in and worked the arm of Rhodes. Knee-lift turned the tide, then Rhodes hit a front suplex for two at :59. Otunga came in and bodyslammed Christian, then ran him over with a low shoulder tackle. The heels kept Christian at bay and Rhodes worked Christian down on the mat. Cole talked about the live Great American Bash Smackdown on Tuesday night, and how Cody’s father came up with the GAB name. Booker reminisced about meeting Wahoo McDaniel at one of the shows in WCW. Santino made the hot tag and took the fight to Otunga. He brought out the Cobra and it struck Otunga. But Rhodes pulled Otunga out of the ring before a cover. Rhodes poked Santino in the eye while the ref was distracted by Christian. He threw Otunga back in the ring so Otunga could tag Rhodes. He still couldn’t finish Santino, but did throw the Cobra out of the ring. Otunga was back in and he elbowed Marella down then elbowdropped him. “If this was a bodybuilding competition, Otunga would be champion,” said Booker. Back suplex by Santino evened things up. He crawled over and tagged Christian. Rhodes came in as well, but Christian got the better of the exchange. Inverted DDT by Christian, then he set up for the Spear. Otunga gabbed Christian’s leg and Rhodes made the tag. An errant right hand found Rhodes instead of Christian. Marella was sent out of the ring (he was going after Rhodes), but Otunga fell victim to the Spear.

WINNERS: Christian and Marella, at 6:16. Good to have the Intercontinental and United States champions in the MITB match, which helps the prestige of the belts and those holding them.

Rhodes ranted about how he didn’t lose after the match.

- Sheamus was backstage with Matt Striker. Striker reminded Sheamus that he doesn’t have to be beaten to lose the title. Sheamus said he’s not going to worry about “what ifs.” He addressed both of his opponents and said he can prove he’s better than both men by winning tonight. The piped-in crowd noise is up to about 11 tonight.

- Another plug for the Triple Threat match aired.

[Commercial Break]

- A.J. was backstage talking to herself when Bryan walked up. He apologized for costing her the match earlier, then said he was really worried about her well-being. He suggested professional help. Paging Dr. Stevie. Bryan said he knew a guy and offered to give A.J. his number. A.J. agreed then continued to agree, doing the “yes” thing as she walked away. Bryan was still not pleased.

5 – DAN BARONE & BRENDAN BURKE vs. RYBACK – 2-ON-1 HANDICAP MATCH

The jobbers did some rhyming rap that stunk. Barone was slammed, so Burke tried to run away. Ryback kicked him down outside the ring. I think they did that with a previous set of jobbers too. Barone was pulled out of the ring and back in, Burke kicked at Ryback, to no effect. Barone climbed on Ryback’s back and succumbed to the backpack stunner. Hard powerbomb to Burke, and a clothesline to Barone. Double finish signaled the end.

WINNER: Ryback, at 1:50. Another week, another squash.

- Aksana and Antonio Cesaro were making out backstage when Teddy Long walked up, smiling. He said he doesn’t harbor any hard feelings toward them or their relationship. Cesaro thanked him then tried to go back to kissing. Long also said next week’s GM of Raw and Smackdown…will be him. Aksana started flirting with Teddy, but Long wasn’t having it. Long made Aksana & Cesaro vs. Layla & The Great Khali for next Tuesday’s Smackdown. So what was the end-game for Aksana flirting with Long all those months? Was she trying to get something out of him, or was she really into him until Cesaro came in?

- Justin Gabriel came out for a MITB qualifying match.

[Commercial Break]

6 – JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. TENSAI - WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MITB QUALIFYING MATCH

Sakamoto still accompanied Tensai to the ring. Tensai powered Gabriel over the top rope at :21. Cole said Cody Rhodes is filing an official protest over what happened in the tag match, saying he didn’t lose the match. Tensai hammered away on the back of Gabriel’s skull. Double underhook suplex for a two-count by Tensai. Bearhug by Tensai, but Gabriel broke free and hit a jaw-breaker. Gabriel attempted a roll-up but Tensai picked him off the mat. Kick to the back of the head wobbled Tensai. Springboard dropkick by Gabriel took Tensai off his feet for the first time at 2:10. Springboard moonsault for two. More kicks by Gabriel, though they didn’t seem to have much effect. Tensai caught Gabriel coming off the middle rope and planted him with a two-handed chokeslam. Back splash for the win.

WINNER: Tensai, at 2:47. Gabriel would’ve been fun, but Tensai certainly gives the match a different dynamic.

- Up next, the Triple-Threat World Title match.

[Commercial Break]

- Triple H’s Raw 1,000 moment was his big comeback in MSG.

- Ricardo Rodriguez introduced Alberto Del Rio, who came out with a mic. He complained about being in a Triple Threat match, then complained about the town. He said he’d be the new World Champion by the end of the night. Before he could explain why he’d be victorious (it’s his destiny?), Vickie Guerrero interrupted to break the news to Del Rio that he’s not going to win. She introduced the next World Heavyweight Champion (her words), Dolph Ziggler. Sheamus then came out – the match is after break.

[Commercial Break]

7 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. SHEAMUS – TRIPLE-THREAT MATCH FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Sheamus came out firing to start, getting the better of both men early on. Del Rio finally turned the tide with a single-arm DDT. Ziggler low-bridged Sheamus out of the ring and worked over Del Rio out there as well. He bounced Del Rio’s head off the steel steps, and Cole connected that with Del Rio’s recent concussion. Del Rio missed a corner splash and Ziggler got a two-count at 3:17. Both Ziggler and Del Rio were stuck on the middle rope until Del Rio went tumbling to ringside. Sheamus got Ziggler up on his shoulders and landed an electric chair. Sheamus has been holding his wrist an awful lot. They went to break at 4:23.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 8:04 of the match. Del Rio kicked Sheamus out of the ring, and both Del Rio and Ziggler went out there voluntarily to take the fight to the champ. Del Rio tossed Sheamus over the announce table. The heels went on the other side of the table to beat him down some more, so as to not let him recover at all. Back in the ring, Ziggler and Del Rio continued to team up. That is, until Del Rio went for a pin while Ziggler went to the top rope. That was enough to dissolve the working relationship. Ziggler and Del Rio went at it, exchanging right hands in the middle of the ring. Sheamus came off the turnbuckle and took them both out with a shoulderblock. Powerslam by Sheamus for two at 11:07. The heels traded opportunities breaking up pinfalls. White Noise by Sheamus on Ziggler. He didn’t go right for the pin or Brogue Kick, dawdling a little instead. That gave Del Rio the chance to get involved. Divorce court on the arm, but only a two-count. Sheamus countered the cross arm-breaker but ran shoulder-first into the ring post. Ziggler dropkicked the arm into the ring post on the outside. Enziguiri by Del Rio on Ziggler, knocking him off the apron. Cross arm-breaker applied and Sheamus couldn’t get to the rope, but Ziggler broke it up. Fameasser for two. Rodriguez got on the apron to cheer on his charge. Ziggler rammed Del Rio into Rodriguez, then rolled him up for two. Brogue Kick by Sheamus on Ziggler broke it up. He sent Del Rio out of the ring and pinned Ziggler.

WINNER: Sheamus, at 14:29.

After replays of the finish, Sheamus stood alone in the ring with the title over his head. Cole made one last push for the live Great American Bash-themed live Smackdown on Tuesday night before 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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