WWE Smackdown review
June 28, 2013
Taped 6/25/13 in Columbia, S.C.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- Smackdown Open. I can’t remember the last time we saw this.

- Fireworks shot off inside the arena (can’t remember the last time we saw THAT, either) as the camera panned the crowd.

- The first match plugged was Randy Orton vs. Kane.

- A piñata was shown hanging above the ring for Fiesta Del Rio, scheduled for tonight.

- Sheamus came out for the Dublin Street Fight. They showed clips of Sheamus beating Cody Rhodes on Smackdown last week. As Damien Sandow came out to oppose Sheamus, he suggested South Carolina again secede from the Union. He complained about their use of the word “y’all.” He claimed that once he won this match, they’d re-dub it a Sandow Street Fight.

1 – SHEAMUS vs. DAMIEN SANDOW – DUBLIN STREET FIGHT

Some plunder surrounded the ring. Sandow used a green kendo stick, but he ended up taking a hard bump on the back of his head outside the ring. Sheamus wailed on Sandow’s chest across a mini-bar with a few taps outside the ring. Sandow created some separation and knocked Sheamus down with a dropkick. Sandow knocked over a mini-bar by throwing Sheamus into it. Sheamus came back and took a keg from the bar and tossed it at Sandow, who took it in the chest. Sheamus took a sack of potatoes from under the ring and hit Sandow with them. He dumped the taters on Sandow and even took a bite out of one. Sandow went back on the offensive by tripping Sheamus as he climbed the ring steps. They cut to break at 3:27 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:18 with the match having returned to the ring. Sheamus wailed Sandow in the face with a green barstool for a two-count. Sandow tried to avoid Sheamus’s signature offense, but Sheamus hit a rolling senton on Sandow at ringside. Back in, Sheamus came off the top with a shoulder tackle for two. Sandow gave Sheamus a drop toe-hold into an upside-down folded chair, then connected on his trademark neck-breaker for two. More kendo stick shots from Sandow. The stick was in pretty rough shape by the end. Cover by Sandow for two at 10:12. Sheamus recovered and retrieved another kendo stick. He belted Sandow with it over-and-over again. Sandow kicked out of a pin attempt though, leading to Sheamus setting up two steel chairs in the middle of the ring. He tried White Noise, but Sandow fought out. Eventually, Sandow backed into the chairs and sat down, where Sheamus Brogue Kicked him for the win.

WINNER: Sheamus, at 12:19. I think it’s safe to say we may never see a match quite like that again in WWE.

Several moments of the match were replayed.

- Michael Cole and JBL were shown at ringside. They talked about Kane vs. Randy Orton tonight, then showed parts of Orton vs. Daniel Bryan from Raw.

- Kane was backstage when Daniel Bryan walked up. Kane didn’t want to hear Bryan bragging about his win Monday night, though he did congratulate him and called it an “upset.” Bryan took offense to that word. Kane said Bryan was stressing him out and told him to leave. Bryan said he’ll chalk up that outburst to nervousness and would let it slide. Bryan told Kane if he needs help, he’ll be on commentary for the match. Then he hugged Kane.

- Coming up next, Miz TV with Paul Heyman.

[Commercial Break]

- The Raw Rebound aired. It focused on the Paul Heyman-C.M. Punk segment.

- It was time for Miz TV. Heyman was already in the ring, seated in one of Miz’s chairs. Miz introduced Heyman, who was greeted by boos. Miz said Heyman has always had an answer for everything. Miz asked Heyman who exactly C.M. Punk and Brock Lesnar would face if they were a tag-team like Heyman wants. Heyman said he refuses to discuss his personal life. That doesn’t seem too personal. Miz brought up Heyman brow-beating Renee Young last week and Heyman again played the “I’m just an advocate” card. This ended up leading to Heyman bring Curtis Axel to the ring. Heyman looked very self-satisfied as Axel made his way to the ring.

Miz said he thought they were going to have a one-on-one interview, but he was fooled, just like Heyman has tried to fool everyone that he had nothing to do with Lesnar attacking Punk. Miz said that’s not his problem, but his problem now is that Axel is an uninvited guest on his show. Heyman surmised that Miz was too intimidated to ask him anymore questions. Miz made a Star Wars joke about Heyman then said Axel is the Luke Skywalker of WWE… “Luke…you are not your father.” Axel asked Miz if he really thinks he can take the title from him. Axel said he takes Miz’s threats very personally. Miz proposed an Intercontinental Title match between the two tonight. Heyman intervened and said his clients don’t fight for free. Heyman said Axel worked his way to the top, unlike Miz, who came in off a reality show with schmucky catchphrases. Miz interrupted Heyman mocking him, but then Axel bashed Miz and gave him a neck-breaker to end the segment. Axel’s attack was replayed.

- Still to come, in six-man tag action, The Usos and Christian face The Shield.

- Also tonight, Fiesta Del Rio.

- A.J. Lee and Big E. Langston were backstage. They were heading to the ring, where A.J. is in action next.

[Commercial Break]

- A.J. came to the ring with Langston. Before the match they showed A.J. interrupting Kaitlyn’s match on Raw Monday night. Natalya came out to oppose A.J., but before the match began, Kaitlyn skipped out dressed as A.J.. She listed off all A.J.’s conquests and said A.J. sure knows her way around the dating game. Kaitlyn said A.J. even dated WWE’s timekeeper Mark Yeaton, which got him some rare TV time. Kaitlyn also said A.J. has also gotten some thorough exams from ringside doctor, Dr. Sampson. Sampson shook his head “no.” Kaitlyn then said A.J. was even involved with South Carolina’s own Lilian Garcia. “Cute couple,” JBL said. The match began out of nowhere.

2 – A.J. LEE vs. NATALYA

Kaitlyn continued to watch on the ramp. Nattie got the early advantage, but A.J. pulled her hair. Kaitlyn skipped down to ringside as A.J. started to rage. Kaitlyn skipped around the ring as A.J. kept yelling at her. Natalya rolled A.J. up for the win.

WINNER: Natalya, at 1:03. Not much of a match.

A.J. argued with the ref after the match, then Kaitlyn entered the ring and speared A.J. Langston put A.J. on his shoulder and carried her to the back.

- Randy Orton vs. Kane is a match that will happen later.

[Commercial Break]

- The exterior of the Colonial Life Arena was shown.

- A Wyatt Family vignette aired.

- Cole and JBL talked about the MITB Ladder Matches.

- Teddy Long was on the phone backstage when Vince McMahon walked in. Vince said he wanted to lend Long his support. He said Raw announced the WWE Championship MITB Ladder Match, calling it an “All-Star” match. He asked what Long had in mind for the World Title Ladder Match. Long said he could’ve done the same thing Vickie Guerrero did, but instead, he’s thinking about the future and he wanted to think outside the box. Long said this is something Booker T. has never done, then he listed off Wade Barrett, Jack Swagger, Antonio Cesaro, Fandango, Dean Ambrose, Cody Rhodes, and Damien Sandow as participants in the World Title MITB Ladder Match. Vince complimented Long on the match, then corrected his pronunciation of “Fandango.”

- Daniel Bryan came out to do guest commentary for Kane vs. Randy Orton. He’s also a part of the WWE Championship MITB Ladder Match. A graphic was shown for that match. They went to break as Bryan joined the commentators.

[Commercial Break]

3 – KANE vs. RANDY ORTON

Orton worked over Kane in the corner until Kane felled Orton with an uppercut. Low dropkick by Kane found the mark for a two-count. A charge by Kane ended up as an Orton drop toe-hold. Kane came back with a powerslam for two at 2:08. Kane came off the top rope, but Orton got him with a punch to the stomach. DDT by Kane. Both men were down as they went to break at 3:18 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

They returned at 6:49 of the match. A punch put Orton on the mat for a two-count. Bryan said Kane needed his support, so he stood on the announce table and started a “yes!” chant among the fans. Orton back-breaker on Kane. Then Bryan began chanting “no!” Thesz Press by Orton, who then hammered away with rights. Kane hit a big boot that knocked Orton down but Orton responded with a dropkick. It got two at 8:53. Orton walked into a sidewalk slam for two. Kane climbed the top rope again, but Orton crotched him there. Bryan claimed the win over Orton on Raw was the biggest of his career, despite him being a former World Champion. Kane did end up hitting his top-rope clothesline. He set up for the chokeslam, but Orton elbowed him. Powerslam by Orton. Finishers were countered, and Kane knocked Orton off the top rope and to ringside. Kane tossed Orton back into the ring but Orton caught him with a vintage DDT. Kane rolled out of the ring and Bryan took the headset off. He pushed Kane into the ring as Kane was trying to regain his composure, and right into an RKO.

WINNER: Orton, at 12:44. Back-and-forth match without much flow. It did allow the announcers to talk about the Team Hell No situation and the WWE Title MITB match.

Bryan, from the top of the ramp, was saying he was sorry, but he seemed to take delight in Kane’s loss.

- Fiesta Del Rio is tonight.

- Ryback was walking backstage. He’s in action next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. RYBACK

Gabriel attacked with chops and kicks, only for Ryback to kick Gabriel hard in the stomach. Gabriel broke free and elbowed Ryback in the back of the head. More kicks from Gabriel as Ryback was hung up with one leg over the top rope. Sunset flip by Gabriel, but he couldn’t flip the big man. Kicks to the head by Gabriel. Gabriel dove at Ryback in the corner, only for Ryback to catch him with Shellshock for the win.

WINNER: Ryback, at 1:50. Almost the same match as Ryback had with Khali on Raw, where his opponent got much of the offense.

Chris Jericho came out and asked in a Seinfeld-like voice if Ryback was okay and if he hurt his leg. Jericho said he’s heard nothing but what kind of a destroyer Ryback is. But he’s also an excuse-maker. Jericho said they should change his name from Ryback to Cryback with all the whining Ryback has been doing. Jericho led the crowd in a Cryback chant. Jericho threatened to give Ryback something to Cryback about. HE charged into the ring and the men began to brawl. Jericho went for Ryback’s injured leg (from Gabriel’s kicks) and tried to apply the Walls of Jericho, but Ryback wriggled free and left the ring. Ryback did have a pained look on his face from the injury. He did look like he was going to cry, which is I’m not sure what they should be going for with Ryback.

- They showed part of the segment from Raw with the WWE 2K14 video game cover reveal.

- Next, The Usos and Christian face The Shield.

- Cole and JBL once again threw it to another Wyatt Family vignette.

[Commercial Break]

5 – THE SHIELD vs. CHRISTIAN & THE USOS

During the Usos entrance, they showed the Usos defending Christian from The Shield on The Main Event Wednesday. One of the Usos and Roman Reigns fell out of the ring fighting over a collar-and-elbow tie-up. That led the show into break, 37 seconds into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 3:58 of the match with The Shield in control. Dean Ambrose had control of Jey. While Roman Reigns worked Jey over, he also jawed with Christian, which allowed Jey to take Reigns down and make the tag. Christian came in and set up for the Spear on Ambrose. Instead, he was tripped up in the corner by Seth Rollins. Christian back-dropped a charging Rollins outside the ring, then hit a cross-body on Ambrose back in. Ambrose rolled through for a two-count. Tornado DDT by Christian for two, broken up by Reigns. Things began to break down with everyone getting involved. Ambrose wanted to get involved, but Christian came back in the ring and speared him for the win.

WINNERS: Christian and The Usos, at 7:50. Presented without comment: This was only the second time The Shield have been pinned in six-man action, and it’s against Christian and The Usos.

- Fiesta Del Rio is next.

[Commercial Break]

- With a Mariachi Band in the ring as well as balloons, chips, salsa, etc. Ricardo Rodriguez was about to introduce Alberto Del Rio when he stopped short, disappointed by the lack of a crowd response. He made fun of how they speak in South Carolina (well, it has been almost two hours since a similar joke was made), then introduced Alberto Del Rio. The piñata was lowered, and it had a picture of Dolph Ziggler’s face on the head. Del Rio welcomed fans to Fiesta Del Rio. He said tonight, they celebrate his Payback victory of Ziggler, the night he regained his World Title. He reminded fans that he is four-time World Champion. Del Rio said he asked WWE to turn on the closed captioning because as champion, he’s going to do things his way. He then said he’d only be speaking Spanish. “USA” chants from the fans, of course. Del Rio began speaking in Spanish (no closed captioning from WWE, by the way). I’m glad my Spanish isn’t very good, so I don’t have to worry about transcribing this. Del Rio was very intense during the promo, that much I can tell.

Del Rio went back to English and asked to begin the games. Del Rio got the first turn at the piñata. It took him just two tries to destroy the thing and knock the candy stuffing out of it. But no one went to pick it up. Del Rio explained why he did that – he opened up the piñata just like he bashed in Ziggler’s brains at Payback. Del Rio posed while holding up the title and said he remembered that Ziggler promised to ruin his party. He goaded Ziggler to the ring, and when Ziggler’s music hit, he walked out while the band left the ring.

Ziggler slowly took off his watch and his sport coat. He left them atop the ramp as he walked to the ring. Ziggler entered the ring and avoided a shot with the piñata stick, tackling Del Rio. He threw Rodriguez over the top rope, allowing Del Rio to take over. Del Rio threw him into the table, but Ziggler fought back with kicks. Rodriguez went to the top, but Ziggler slammed him off and through the table. Zig Zag on Del Rio. Ziggler took one of the Mariachi band member’s guitars and went after Del Rio with it, but Del Rio fled through the crowd. That left poor Ricardo to take the guitar shot. He took it in the back and it didn’t seem to shatter on cue. Ziggler took the World Title and posed on the turnbuckles with it. They replayed the Zig Zag and guitar shot. Ziggler joined the Mariachi band in the aisle as they played. He pretended to play the guitar and more red, white and green balloons dropped from the ceiling.


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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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