WWE Smackdown review
November 23, 2012
Taped 11/19/12 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- The opening video package showed clips of the latest in the John Cena-A.J. saga. Plus, C.M. Punk’s continued reign as WWE Champion. Plus, will Sheamus get one more chance at the World Title? Also, Randy Orton goes one-on-one with Dolph Ziggler tonight. Could you imagine if Raw led off with a video package featuring two separate storylines from Smackdown?

- The Miz was in the ring for MizTV. He quickly introduced his guest, John Cena, who came to the ring. Cena took a seat on Miz’s plush couch. Miz questioned Cena about the latest on his personal life. Miz cued up a video showing Cena kissing A.J. Miz asked him how the kiss was. Cena stood up slowly, as if he was ready to fight. Then Miz asked him about his knee and showed the video of Cena tweaking the leg in leaving the ring. Cena shared that his MRI results show he lacks lateral movement in the leg, but otherwise, is fine. Miz again questioned Cena about his relationship with A.J.

Cena admitted that he liked the kiss and said A.J’s a pretty darn good kisser. Miz did his “really?” routine in response to Cena’s comments. Miz asked if the stress of this scandal is bringing the two together. Before Cena could answer, A.J.’s music played to bring her out. A.J. said Cena didn’t have to answer Miz’s question. A.J. said she understands that Cena just kissed her to prove a point to Vickie Guerrero. Cena seemed like he was going to say it was more than that, but Miz interrupted and asked if the two were in love. Dolph Ziggler’s music interrupted this time.

Ziggler walked out onto the ramp and said it’s obvious Cena has feelings for A.J. Ziggler sarcastically asked Cena about his knee and said if he were Cena, he’d have feelings for A.J…he’d hate her guts. Ziggler showed why…via the ENTIRE backstage segment from Raw where A.J. barged into the locker room and Cena made the save. Ziggler said that gave the WWE Universe something to talk about. Vickie Guerrero shouted “excuse me!” and walked to the stage. Vickie said A.J. needs to learn to control her impulses.

Guerrero said Ziggler knows how to kiss someone who is authoritative and confident. Cena said that’s a lie because Ziggler kissed her, while they can’t medically prove she’s a woman. Vickie said she wasn’t talking about her, as the relationship between her and Dolph is strictly professional. Ziggler said if he did kiss A.J. it would bring out the real woman in her. But that would never happen he said, as A.J. and Cena deserve each other: They’re two weak losers. Cena said Ziggler and Vickie deserve each other because they’re opposites: One likes eating nuts and the other is still looking for his. Yeesh. That segment was aimed straight at the middle school crowd, despite the fact that the median age for WWE’s shows is usually in the 30s or 40s.

- Kofi Kingston vs. Damien Sandow is set to take place tonight.

- Ryback came to the ring for a match. The MizTV stuff was still in the ring, but it’ll presumably be cleared out after break.

[Commercial Break]

1 – RYBACK vs. DARREN YOUNG

WWE isn’t completely oblivious, as they put Titus O’Neil back at the announce desk after his much talked-about spot as guest commentator Monday night. Ryback put a whooping on Young early on and when O’Neil blew the whistle at him outside the ring, Ryback just ignored it. Splash in the corner in the ring by Ryback, then Ryback just ran over Young. Big running clothesline from Ryback was followed by Shell Shocked for the win.

WINNER: Ryback, at 2:12. A win to get Ryback back on track after not winning at Survivor Series.

Titus O’Neil unwisely grabbed a mic and got intot he ring after the match. He asked Ryback what was wrong with him then blew the whistle at him a few times. Ryback gave O’Neil his finisher. They replayed Ryback finishing off both Young and O’Neil.

- Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler is still to come…

- …as is Antonio Cesaro vs. R-Truth in a non-title match. That one is next.

[Commercial Break]

2 – R-TRUTH vs. ANTONIO CESARO

Cesaro put down Thanksgiving on his way to the ring. Quick gutwrench suplex by Cesaro. Truth fought out of a rear waist-lock. That jumping split by the 40 year-old Truth impresses me every time. Truth made a comeback and won with his finisher.

WINNER: Truth, at 1:36. Uh….what? I understand wanting to continue this feud, but a win in less than two minutes is just crazy.

- Sheamus was walking backstage. It looked like he was just arriving. Booker T. intercepted him and was mad at Sheamus for what he did to Big Show at Survivor Series. Booker said he can’t let Sheamus compete tonight. He did say that Sheamus deserves a rematch because Show was DQ’d on purpose on Sunday. He’ll get that opportunity at TLC, in a Chairs Match. Booker told Sheamus to go to his suite and watch the show up there. Sheamus thanked him and asked if Show was competing tonight. Book said he was, in a handicap match…against Team Hell No. Sheamus seemed pleased at this announcement.

- Sin Cara was walking backstage. He faces Alberto Del Rio next.

[Commercial Break]

- Still to come later tonight, Kofi Kingston vs. Damien Sandow for the Intercontinental Championship.

3 – SIN CARA vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO

Cara’s mood lighting was back for this singles contest. Del Rio missed a dive and fell through the ropes. Cara show out of the ring and onto Del Rio. Back in the ring, a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker got him just a one-count. Cara was sent to the outside while Del Rio gloated in the ring. They took a break at 1:36 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 4:59 with Del Rio working over Cara on the mat. Cara connected with a hurricanrana for two. A quick flip by Del Rio made the move look especially good. Del Rio missed a charge in the corner as JBL once again pontificated about how egotistical Mil Mascaras is. Another chin-lock by Del Rio, with his knee planted squarely in the lower back of Cara. The back of Cara’s mask got raised to the point that we could see a lot of the back of his head at one point. Springboard cross-body by Cara for two. Cara went to the top, but Del Rio jumped up and brought him down with an arm-drag. He immediately applied the cross arm-breaker for the tap-out win.

WINNER: Del Rio, via submission, at 9:46. They gave Cara enough for him to seem credible here. He’s lost to Del Rio a lot more quickly in the past, so it’s a step up.

- Kane and Daniel Bryan were conversing in the locker room. Bryan told Kane to just stay out of his way. He reminded Kane of his 45-second win over Big Show, albeit in a previous life. Kane said he and Show were once tag champs and Show was a whiny, oversized baby back then. Kane suggested Show and Bryan team together and could call themselves team No Show. Bryan asked if Kane was upset that he didn’t invite him over for Thanksgiving. Kane admitted so. Bryan said Kane wouldn’t have liked the vegan turkey. Bryan said if they win, Kane can come over for Christmas. Kane asked if he could beat up Santa Claus, and Bryan said he had a deal.

- Big Show came to the ring for the match. It’ll take place after the break.

[Commercial Break]

4 – THE BIG SHOW vs. TEAM HELL NO – HANDICAP MATCH

During the match, Sheamus and William Regal were shown watching from Booker’s suite in the skybox. Show picked Bryan up by the beard and just dropped him. Bryan fought back with kicks to the back of Show’s legs, and Show headbutted him down. Show launched himself at Bryan, but missed an elbowdrop. Bryan looked over at Kane, but refused to tag. He kicked away again at Show with Show on his knees. Kick to the back of the head felled the big man, but Show kicked out strongly. Show picked Bryan up for a chokeslam, but Bryan hooked in a guillotine. Show broke free and caught Bryan, but Bryan applied a sleeper. Kane finally tagged in at about 6:15 of the match. He got a healthy amount of offense in and headed to the top rope. He came off with a clothesline, but it ended up more that he jumped into Show. He set up for the chokeslam, but Show gave Kane body shots to break it. DDT by Kane. Bryan tagged himself in and locked in the No Lock, so Kane took a walk. Show flipped Bryan out and chokeslammed Bryan.

WINNER: Show, at 8:01. Impressive win for Show, but Kane and Bryan had a good showing as well. A handicap match that doesn’t bury the tag champs is always welcome.

Kane did come back to check on Bryan after the match. Kane dodged a knockout punch and tried to chokeslam Show, but Show did as well. Bryan helped out Kane and Kane kicked Show out of the ring. From the top of the stage, Show addressed Sheamus. He congratulated Sheamus for getting a rematch then asked Sheamus if he had thought about the fact that Show will have a chair in his hands this time as well. Sheamus ranted at Show off-mic from the skybox as Show headed to the back.

- Next, the I.C. Title is on the line when Kofi Kingston defends against Damien Sandow.

[Commercial Break]

- Wade Barrett came to the ring in a t-shirt and jeans. He joined the commentators for the next match.

5 – KOFI KINGSTON vs. DAMIEN SANDOW – INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

During Sandow’s entrance, they showed a Tout from Cody Rhodes in which he threw darts at a dartboard that had a picture of Kane in the middle. Kingston found himself outside the ring early on when Sandow ran him into the ring post. They cut to break at 1:05 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

They returned at 4:07 of the match. Barrett claimed he was next in line for an I.C. Title shot. Knee-lift by Sandow put Kingston down. The Elbow of Disdain found the mark for two at 5:11. Sandow continued to wear down the champion. Kingston stopped Sandow from taking him head-first into the post again. He climbed to the top rope and hit a cross-body for two at 7:38. S.O.S. by Kingston for a near-fall as well. Boom Drop from Kingston, then Trouble in Paradise for the win.

WINNER: Kingston, at 8:58. I can get behind a Wade Barrett vs. Kofi Kingston feud.

Barrett got a mic and stood on the announce table. He said he next time Kingston defends the title will be the last, because he’ll be the next victim of the Barrett Barrage.

- Orton vs. Ziggler is still to come.

- Next, the wayback machine goes to Monday’s Raw, where C.M. Punk celebrated one year as WWE Champion.

[Commercial Break]

- The exterior of the arena in Grand Rapids was shown.

- Josh Mathews threw it to a video package of Punk and Paul Heyman’s WWE Title celebration from Raw.

- Mathews and JBL reacted on-camera to the three “vigilantes” who have helped Punk in the last week.

- Fan Touts were shown reacting to Ryback’s interruption of Punk’s celebration.

- More from Mathews and JBL, who talked about Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose attacking Santino Marella and Tyson Kidd on the Main event, exclusively on WWE.com And on Raw this week, Michael Cole will have an exclusive interview with the three men.

- Dolph Ziggler came out for the main event. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

6 – DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. RANDY ORTON

Orton had to cover up in the corner to block himself from Ziggler’s onslaught. Orton hit a dropkick for two, though. Slingshot suplex by Orton for two at 2:06. Ziggler tried to leave, but Orton clotheslined him over the barricade. They took a break at 3:02 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 5:59. Orton brought Ziggler throat-first into the bottom rope. Outside the ring, Ziggler caught Orton in the chin with a dropkick. Mathews thought Ziggler may have injured his knee. Orton charged back in the ring and Ziggler went on the attack, his knee seeming fine. Ziggler missed a charge and Orton got a near-fall on a roll-up at 8:50. Charging clothesline by Ziggler. Orton countered Ziggler with a back-breaker for a two-count. Orton took too long to follow up, so Ziggler hit a DDT for two. Superplex off the top from Orton. Only a two-count though. Orton continued hitting his signature moves on Ziggler. RKO was countered with a roll-up for the victory.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 12:33.

After the match, Alberto De Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez charged the ring. Rodriguez took an RKO as Orton locked eyes with Del Rio, who was still on the apron. Meanwhile, on the ramp, Cena nailed Ziggler from behind and applied the STF. Referees tried to break that up as they went off the air.


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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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