WWE Smackdown review
August 24, 2012
Taped 8/21/12 in Bakersfield, CA
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)

- WWE Open.

- A video package aired on Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio at Summerslam, plus a plug for Booker T. addressing the title controversy tonight.

- Randy Orton came to the ring to start the show. During his entrance, they showed the end of his match with Del Rio from Raw. Ugh, he’s still doing the “my name is Randy Orton” intro. Orton noted that he thrives on confrontation, and said he doesn’t care that Del Rio thinks his win on Raw was tainted. He said he deserves to face Sheamus for the World Title. He also said there are people backstage who probably have a problem with what he just said. He invited them to the ring to air their grievances. The music of the World Champion hit and Sheamus walked out.

Sheamus said he wasn’t there to argue with Orton, and in fact, he felt that Del Rio has blown his many opportunities at the World Title. Sheamus said Orton not only deserved to face him, but he wants Orton to be the #1 contender. That brought out Smackdown GM Booker T. Once in the ring, Booker polled the audience as it pertains to their feelings on such a match. Booker first wanted to talk about what happened Monday night. Before he could, Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez interrupted, with Del Rio insisting the World Title is his.

Del Rio characterized Sheamus as a “criminal” and a “cheater.” He wasn’t happy about his Summerslam loss, or his Raw match with Orton. Sheamus tried to have some fun with Del Rio, but ADR was having none of it. Del Rio brought up the protest he filed, of which he has heard nothing about. Orton told Del Rio he’s embarrassing himself, so Del Rio surmised there was a conspiracy against him. He accused Booker too of being a criminal and a cheater. Booker said Del Rio will in fact be next in line for a title shot…or at least, it was slated to be that way until ADR came out running his mouth. But now, Del Rio is out and Orton will face Del Rio to find out the #1 contender.

- Michael Cole was shown alone at ringside, and he aired footage of why exactly he’s alone – that being the attack Kane perpetrated on Josh Mathews at Summerslam. He read a Mathews Tweet (officially jumping the shark) saying Mathews will be back next week.

- Tonight, we’ll see the aftermath of the Perfect Storm of Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H.

- Ryback came out for a match. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- Teddy Long was at ringside doing commentary with Cole. Long said there would be a new color commentator during each match.

- Ryback got the mic and said tonight Jinder Mahal will find out where he belongs on the food chain. He then started a “Feed Me More” chant.

1 – RYBACK vs. JINDER MAHAL

Mahal grounded Ryback and worked him over while the crowd chanted “USA, USA.” Ryback caught a boot attempt by Mahal and began to turn things around. Big running clothesline put Mahal on the mat. Ryback marched around the ring with Mahal on his shoulders, hitting his finisher for the win.

WINNER: Ryback, at 2:50. Mahal vs. Ryback turned out to be a decent lower-card feud that did what it was supposed to do: Establish Ryback by, as he said, working his way up the food chain.

- Tonight, in the main event. Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio to determine the #1 contender to the World Title.

[Commercial Break]

- Kaitlyn joined Michael Cole at the announce table for the next match.

2 – ALICIA FOX vs. LAYLA

Side headlock by Fox into a roll-up by Layla. Springboard cross-body for two by the champ. Kaitlyn discussed Natalya’s negative Twitter comments about her as Kaitlyn referred to the Raw battle royal as “last night.” Fox began to work over the formerly injured knee of Layla. Half-crab by Fox, but Layla got out. Inside package by Layla for two. Kick to the side of the head of Fox got the win.

WINNER: Layla, at 2:05. Kaitlyn wasn’t always smooth on commentary, but she showed more personality than most Divas.

After the match, Kaitlyn and Layla embraced in the ring as a show of sportsmanship. But Eve’s music interrupted and she walked out. That dress is not flattering on her. Eve got in the ring and raised both Kaitlyn and Layla’s arms.

- Up next, we’ll see the John Cena – C.M. Punk confrontation.

[Commercial Break]

- The Raw Rebound aired.

- Some Tweets were shown from Superstars reacting to the Raw show-closing angle.

- Vickie Guerrero was giving Dolph Ziggler a pep talk backstage. Ziggler complained about A.J. putting his Money in the Bank contract on the line on Monday, and Vickie told him to let her worry about that. Sheamus walked up and complained about not having any action since Summerslam. He asked Ziggler to cash in his contract tonight. Ziggler declined, saying it would be on his terms. Teddy Long then walked up and said he would advise Booker to make a match between Sheamus and Ziggler tonight. It won’t be for the MITB, but if Ziggler is as good as he says he is, he’ll get an opportunity to cash in. “Sounds great to us,” said Ziggler. He and Vickie walked away and Sheamus told Long the first pint would be on him tonight.

- Sin Cara came out. He’s got a match next.

[Commercial Break]

- Cody Rhodes was at ringside with a picture of that caricature he showed the previous week, claiming it’s what Cara really looks like.

3 – SIN CARA vs. HEATH SLATER

Rhodes denied he had an obsession with Cara’s mask. Dropkick by Cara, but a shoulder to the gut by Slater put Cara to ringside. Back in the ring, a rear chin-lock by Slater. Springboard back elbow. Cara took the fight to Slater on the outside, right in front of Rhodes. With Slater distracting the ref, Rhodes went for Cara’s mask. He turned the mask around so Cara couldn’t see, and Slater hit his finisher for the win.

WINNER: Slater, at 2:37. Not much of a match, more the next chapter in the Rhodes vs. Cara feud.

Rhodes attacked Cara after the match, and referees had to hold him back.

- Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler is next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – SHEAMUS vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER

It was Vickie who joined Cole on commentary for this one. Ziggler caught Sheamus with a dropkick at 1:00, only getting a one-count. Ziggler went to the outside and tripped up Sheamus on the apron. Sheamus took a back-first bump. DDT by Ziggler on Sheamus on the apron and a cover back in the ring only got two. Sheamus came back and pounded away on Ziggler’s chest. White Noise connected, then he called for the Brogue Kick. Ziggler dodged it and grabbed the ropes, holding on for dear life. Vickie handed Ziggler the briefcase, and he assaulted Sheamus with it.

WINNER: Sheamus, via DQ, at 5:06. Cole acted indignant as to why Ziggler would get disqualified like that, when it was blatantly obvious to anyone with half a brain. Match never really got going.

Ziggler hit Sheamus again then was ready to cash in, but Sheamus got to his feet too quickly, so he scampered up the aisle.

- Tonight, a #1 Contender’s Match between Alberto Del Rio and Randy Orton.

[Commercial Break]

- The Wade Barrett promo from Raw aired.

- Santino Marella came to the ring, presumably to do guest commentary. They showed him losing the United States title to Antonio Cesaro on the Summerslam pre-show. Marella got the mic and told exactly how long he had been United States Champion (approximately). Santino said he feels less and less like an American without the US Title. Marella said people have asked him if his Cobra and him can be on the same page. He took out the Cobra to find out. He applied it to his arm and began to talk to it. He said he knows Aksana is gorgeous, but he cost them the US Championship. He then said it’s not how many times you fall down, but how many times you get up. He quoted Rocky Balboa to pump up himself and his Cobra. The Cobra got fired up and so did Santino. He said they could become United States Champion again. Cesaro and Aksana interrupted with new music, which is 1,000 times better than his old music.

Cesaro said a word that best describes him, in five different languages: It was “winner.” Then he and Aksana made out. Cesaro said he personifies being a winner. Marella took the insult personally and power-walked up the ramp. He caught a boot from Cesaro and fired away with rights. The Cobra was ready to strike, but was again attracted to Aksana. That distraction led to Cesaro catching Marella and knocking him to the ground. Marella is fine in small doses, so this was just way too much.

- Del Rio and Rodriguez were talking backstage and it looked to be heated. We couldn’t hear, though.

[Commercial Break]

- The Prime Time Players did their “Millions of Dollars” dance with Cole at ringside, and they insulted his rhythm.

5 – PRIMO & EPICO vs. R-TRUTH & KOFI KINGSTON

Some quick action between Kingston and Epico to start. They both went for a dropkick at the same time, ending in a stalemate. Titus tried to teach Cole how to do the bark, but he didn’t do it too well. Titus then imitated Booker on commentary. Primo and Truth both made tags, with Truth getting the upper-hand. Things broke down with Kofi being thrown over the top rope and Epico following him. Back-stabber couldn’t connect, but Truth’s finisher did.

WINNERS: Truth and Kingston, at 2:21. An okay, quick face vs. face tag match.

- A trailer aired for the latest WWE Studios movie, “The Day.”

- Matt Striker was backstage with Kingston and Truth. He asked who they thought was next in line for the tag titles. Little Jimmy said a lot of good wrestlers are in the locker room deserving of a shot. Titus and D. Young interrupted the interview and Titus accused them of not being the real champions. The Usos barged in demanding a shot, as did Primo and Epico, as did Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd. A five-team brawl then broke out in the backstage area.

- Next, fallout from the Lesnar vs. Triple H match.

[Commercial Break]

- Booker was on the phone backstage when Long came in and assured Booker that the brawl has been broken up. Book asked Long who deserves the tag title shot. Long wasn’t sure, but Eve walked in and said she had compiled a won-loss record for the tag teams over the last six months, ending with a decision on who should get the tag titles. She also put Booker’s meetings in order. She then said she wanted to get started with next week’s Smackdown. She then made a condescending remark to Long as she left.

- Clips of the Daniel Bryan vs. Kane feud aired. A.J. Tweeted that she’s ordering Bryan to attend anger management classes.

- A video package on Lesnar vs. Triple H aired, with stills from Summerslam and video from Raw included, as well as Tweets from WWE Superstars and a Tout from Lesnar during Raw. This Monday, Triple H will be on Raw live, to address the speculation surrounding his career.

- Randy Orton came out for the main event. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- Sheamus was out to do guest commentary.

6 – RANDY ORTON vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO – MATCH TO DETERMINE THE #1 CONTENDER TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Orton got the better of Del Rio to start, catapulting him throat-first into the bottom rope. As Del Rio was sent to ringside, Sheamus stood up from the announce table. They went to break at 2:04 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:03 with Orton caught in a rear chinlock. Orton worked his way out of it but went back down due to a knee-lift. Leaping enziguiri in the corner from Del Rio missed, and Orton took advantage. He went for his patented DDT, but Del Rio escaped. But he couldn’t capitalize, instead falling victim to a back-breaker for two. Back-and-forth the match went, with Orton dropkicking Del Rio off the second rope. Cover got two at 9:23. Orton caught Del Rio in the rope-assisted DDT. Del Rio grabbed the ropes on an RKO attempt and locked in the cross arm-breaker. Orton tapped out.

WINNER: Del Rio, via submission, at 10:35.

After the match, Del Rio shoved Rodriguez down and took off his shoe. He threw it at Sheamus, who charged the ring and attacked Del Rio. Rodriguez jumped Sheamus to turn things around and Del Rio again used the shoe on Sheamus. As Del Rio and Rodriguez went to the back, Ziggler ran out and demanded to cash in his MITB. As he ordered the ref in the ring, Orton stood up from the corner and RKO’d Ziggler. Orton’s music played as two angry faces stood on opposite ends of the ring.


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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