WWE Smackdown review
September 21, 2012
Taped 9/18/12 in Philadelphia, PA.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)

- Smackdown Open.

- Fireworks went off inside the arena as Michael Cole and Josh Mathews intro’d the show.

- A graphic was shown for a tag match featuring Sheamus & Randy Orton taking on Alberto Del Rio & Dolph Ziggler.

- Lilian Garcia introduced WWE Hall-of-Famer Edge. They’ve already managed to define down his presence by throwing him on here with no hype. During his entrance, Mathews plugged a new season of “Haven,” starting right after Smackdown and, oh by the way, co-starring Edge. Edge complimented the reaction he got and said after retiring, he wondered aloud, “what do I do now?” Edge promoted his show on SyFy and said walking away from wrestling has allowed him to watch the show as a fan. But as long as he’s been in the wrestling business, he’s never seen anything like…this. So he showed a clip of Kane and Daniel Bryan hugging it out after their tag match on Raw.

Edge asked how Bryan and Kane can get along enough to be tag champions. As he mentioned his own tag team prowess, Daniel Bryan’s music interrupted and he walked out. He reiterated that “he” is the tag team champions. He repeated the phrase over and over again until Edge interrupted and told him to try decaf. Bryan said he is a rock and he is one with his emotions. Crowd chanted “yes” to try to get under his skin. Edge said, “excuse me?” and Bryan said it was an interesting choice of words, because Dr. Shelby taught him that thoughts can subconsciously come to the surface. So he asked if Edge still thinks about his ex-wife, Vickie Guerrero. Bryan tried to get further into Edge’s head, quoting Edge’s theme song by asking if anyone REALLY knows him.

Edge seemed to ponder all of this while Bryan implored Edge to go back to acting. Bryan said he’s a redwood and nothing will make him snap. Edge said it sounded like a challenge, so the two traded “yes” and “no” chants. Eventually Bryan went overboard and kept shouting “no!” until his partner inevitably came out. Of course, he first proclaimed himself tag team champion. Edge tried to break up the argument that ensued and Kane said Edge seems angry. He suggested relaxation exercises to Edge, who couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Edge tried to talk the anger back into Kane and reminded him of all the painful memories they’ve shared. Kane angrily said he remembered and that he needed to rectify the situation right now. Edge took off his jacket, expecting a physical confrontation. Instead, Kane opened his arms for a hug. Kane grabbed Edge for a hug, and Edge gave him a light pat on the back. Bryan shouted “no!” as this was going on. Edge invited Bryan into the circle and Bryan was about to join the guys for a three-way hug when Damien Sandow’s music interrupted.

Sandow said this serial has been taken over for the last fortnight by the hijinks (my word) of Kane and Daniel Bryan. He chastised the fans for lapping it up. Finally, Edge told Sandow to shut up, saying he has to swallow his own barf when he hears Sandow speak. Sandow declined an invitation for a fight. Edge asked the crowd who Sandow should fight, with Kane winning the informal poll. He kept going back and forth asking the crowd for Kane or Bryan while Sandow attempted to verbally halt the proceedings from the stage. And they went to break in the middle of it.

[Commercial Break]

1 – KANE vs. DAMIEN SANDOW

The match began right after the break. Bryan was seated at ringside to watch. Apparently during the break, Booker T. ordered the match-up on the Titan-Tron. Sandow ran into a big boot, and took a jumping bump off of it. Sandow kept up his routine of retreating during a match, but Sandow did sucker Kane in and was able to bring him throat-first off the top rope. Back suplex by Kane turned things around. Kane hit all of his signature moves, then signaled for the chokeslam. Bryan distracted him by taking both titles and claiming to be tag team champions. Bryan got on the apron and the two began to argue. Kick to the knee by Sandow, then a neck-breaker for the win from Sandow.

WINNER: Sandow, at 3:06. Probably Sandow’s biggest win to date. But Bryan and Kane’s story was the focus.

Bryan continued to gloat with both titles after the match while a frustrated Kane watched from the ring.

- Sheamus & Orton vs. Ziggler & Del Rio is still to come.

- Cole and Mathews talked about WWE’s partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

[Commercial Break]

- Kane was in a rampage in the backstage area, asking various workers where Bryan was. Then he happened upon Dr. Shelby. Shelby told him to calm down, which didn’t seem to interest the Big Red Machine. Kane threatened to pull Bryan’s beard off his goat face, strand by strand. Bryan randomly popped out of a storage box that was in the hallway next to Shelby. He and Kane continued to argue until Dr. Shelby nearly lost it. He offered up a trust exercise. He asked Kane if he’d promise to not rip Bryan’s beard off his face in exchange for the tag title. Kane said yes and Bryan agreed, so Kane was given his title back. Kane said there’s still the issue of Bryan causing him to lose the match. Shelby said he’d talk to Booker to put Bryan in a match tonight. Kane taunted Bryan by saying he’s the tag team champions, then he walked away. Shelby stopped Bryan from responding.

- The announcers talked on-camera about the World Title match at Night of Champions. We got a video package with stills from the match. The voice-over man said tonight, the Brogue Kick controversy would continue.

- Del Rio was backstage looking at Booker’s autobiography. Booker wasn’t happy to see Del Rio in his office. Del Rio demanded an explanation for Booker reinstating the Brogue Kick. Booker said his findings were that the Brogue Kick is dangerous….but legal. Del Rio wasn’t happy about the timing of the announcement. Booker did say he felt bad about it, but wasn’t about to give Del Rio another title opportunity. But he could earn one tonight in his tag match.

- The new Divas Champion, Eve, came to the ring. She was not dressed to compete. Instead, she joined the announcers to commentate the next match, after the break.
[Commercial Break]

2 – NATALYA vs. LAYLA

No entrances for the Divas in the match. Seated dropkick by Layla, who couldn’t take her focus off Eve. Clothesline by Natalya, followed by an abdominal stretch. Eve continued to be aghast at the serious allegations levied against her, that she attacked Kaitlyn on Sunday. Lay Out from Layla out of nowhere for the win.

WINNER: Layla, at 1:30. Looks like Layla is still in the title picture, and they continued to play up Eve’s innocence on commentary.

- The big tag match is next.

[Commercial Break]

- The full entrances of the four tag match participants took place. Match is next.

[Commercial Break]

3 – ALBERTO DEL RIO & DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. RANDY ORTON & SHEAMUS

Match was just joined in progress out of the break. Sheamus and Del Rio began the match, but it wasn’t long before Orton tagged in and hit a standing dropkick to Del Rio. Cole wished JBL good luck in climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. As Sheamus got the better of Del Rio, both Ricardo Rodriguez and Vickie Guerrero got on the apron to argue. This allowed Dolph Ziggler to attack Sheamus, aiding Del Rio. Orton made the hot tag after Del Rio and Ziggler had some success against Sheamus. Orton set up for the RKO on Del Rio, but instead, caught Ziggler with a powerslam. Orton went for the DDT but Del Rio connected with the backstabber for two. Del Rio and Ziggler then had the advantage on Orton for another heat segment. Del Rio positioned himself on the second rope but Orton dropkicked him off and to the floor. Sheamus tagged in against Ziggler and this time he got to hit his moves. He dodged a sleeper, but Ziggler avoided the Brogue Kick. Back-breaker and a pin, but it was broken up by Del Rio. RKO for Del Rio, and as Ziggler went for the briefcase, he was on the receiving end of another Brogue Kick for the finish.

WINNERS: Orton and Sheamus, at 8:17. Okay, I officially give up trying to figure out WWE’s booking of Ziggler.

The finish was replayed, then Sheamus and Orton were shown celebrating.

- Up next, it’s Cody Rhodes vs. Daniel Bryan.

[Commercial Break]

- The exterior of the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia was shown.

4 – DANIEL BRYAN vs. CODY RHODES

No entrance shown for Bryan, since he got one in the first segment. Rhodes dropped Bryan stomach-first over the top rope and put the boots to him. Running dropkick in the corner by Bryan. He attempted the No Lock, but Kane’s fireworks went off and he came out. Kane set off the ring-posts, which distracted Bryan further. Cross Rhodes for the win.

WINNER: Rhodes, at 2:11. You could see the finish coming a mile away based on the booking earlier. You can’t even say it’s a good win for Rhodes, since all people will remember is the Bryan/Kane stuff.

- Up next, C.M. Punked (hey, that’s what the graphic says) from Raw.

[Commercial Break]

- Now it was Daniel Bryan’s turn to stomp around in a huff backstage looking for Kane. He found Kane, yukking it up. Kane pled ignorance, to which Bryan replied with screaming. Kane said to consider them even. “You couldn’t compete your way out of an arena basement.” See how awkward sentences can sound when you aren’t allowed to say “wrestling?" As the two argued, Sandow and Rhodes were laughing at them off to the side. Rhodes said they’re a complete joke and Sandow said this tag title experiment is going to come to a combustible end. Kane and Bryan simultaneously challenged Rhodes and Sandow to a tag match tonight. Without answering, Rhodes and Sandow skulked away. Bryan and Kane argued over who those two were scared of more.

- The announcers were again shown on-camera. Mathews segued from talking about the tag titles to going into talking about the WWE Title situation.

- The Raw Rebound aired. They even included footage that wasn’t shown on Raw, were Punk followed the referee backstage after the show. He had to be held back by Paul Heyman, A.J. and other referees.

- Mathews passed on the WWE.com news of John Cena undergoing surgery for bone spurs in his elbow. No timetable was given for his return.

- Brodus Clay made his full entrance. He’s in action next.

[Commercial Break]

5 – BRODUS CLAY vs. HEATH SLATER

Gee, I never tire of this match-up. Slater tried to teach Clay some dance moves, but Clay wasn’t having it. Bodyslam put Slater down, and Brodus followed it up with a punch to the gut and a knee-lift. Slater came back with right hands. Clay landed an overhead throw, but as he went in for the kill, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre ran in for the disqualification.

WINNER: Clay, via DQ, at 1:11. I’m intrigued. We’ll see where this goes…

Slater, McIntyre, and Mahal continued the assault, which included the Future Shock DDT from McIntyre and many camera cuts to the distraught ‘dactyls at ringside. Cole said he didn’t even know Mahal and McIntyre knew each other. Camel Clutch applied by Mahal. Afterward, all three raised their arms in unison as Cole questioned whether or not this attack was premeditated.

- Tonight, Kane and Daniel Bryan face Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow.

[Commercial Break]

- This Monday night, an exclusive interview with the recovering Jerry “The King” Lawler.

6 – SANTINO MARELLA vs. ANTONIO CESARO

Non-title match here. Cesaro no-sold a drop toe-hold attempt and suplexed Marella. Marella punched at Cesaro and landed a diving headbutt. Less than a minute in, he went for the Cobra. Aksana again got on the apron to distract and again the cobra went over to Aksana. Cesaro threw the cobra down. Aksana tried to grab the sock, but as she did, Cesaro hit the ropes, causing her to bump into the ring. Cesaro hit his big uppercut on Marella, but the ref was trying to assist Aksana. Cesaro bad-mouthed Aksana, telling her to get out of the ring and that he’s trying to win the match. Marella rolled up Cesaro for the surprise win.

WINNER: Marella, at 1:49. Not a great way to end Cesaro’s win streak.

After the match, Cesaro got a mic and said there’s something he’s thinking right now in five different languages. “We’re finished.” Jeez, it wasn’t even a title match. That came out of left field.

- The tag main event is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Rhodes and Sandow were in the ring for the main event, while The Usos, the Prime Time Players, and Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd were at ringside. No Primo and Epico? Instead of explaining why they were there, Mathews threw it to an exclusive look at Edge on Haven, coming up next.

7 – DAMIEN SANDOW & CODY RHODES vs. DANIEL BRYAN & KANE

Cole could only speculate as to why the other three teams were at ringside. Rhodes made a surprise tag to Sandow early on after he had enough of Kane. Low dropkick to Sandow, then Bryan tagged himself in. Bryan and Rhodes fought in the ring. Bryan went to tag Kane, then pulled back and said “no!” Rhodes rammed Bryan into Kane, then hit the Disaster Kick. Sandow pushed Kane into the barricade at ringside to further the damage. Double cross-body from Rhodes and Bryan. Kane and Sandow both tagged in, with Kane working over Sandow in the corner, then knocking Rhodes off the apron for good measure. Chokeslam for Sandow, but Rhodes nailed Kane in the back with a chair.

WINNERS: Kane and Bryan, via DQ, at 4:06.

Bryan protected Kane from another chair shot by taking the chair from Rhodes. He went to hit Rhodes with the chair, but pulled it down and gave it to Kane. Kane had a huge grin on his face and nailed Rhodes in the gut. Brilliant. Rhodes left the ring and Bryan had another chair. He and Kane traded giving Sandow chairs to the back. Kane eyed the other tag teams trying to leave ringside, and he decided he wasn’t done. Kane grabbed the Usos and tossed them in the ring, and he did the same with the others after subduing them. Bryan and Kane then played whack-a-mole with nearly the entire tag division inside the ring. When they were finished, Kane took the tag belts and gave one to Bryan. They each raised a belt and a tag title as Kane’s music played.


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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