WWE Smackdown review
Feb. 10, 2012
Taped 2/7/12 in Tulsa, Okla.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- Smackdown Open.

- Fireworks went off inside the arena in Tulsa. The usual camera panning of the crowd and Josh Mathews intro took place.

- Tonight, Randy Orton takes on Daniel Bryan.

- Lilian Garcia introduced Sheamus as the winner of the 2012 Royal Rumble match. He came out to a god reaction. Mathews, Michael Cole and Booker T. were shown at ringside during the entrance. Sheamus talked abuot winning the right to be in the main event of Wrestlemania. I think WWE had him win the Rumble just so to have him say “two-thousand twelve” in his accent every week. Sheamus said that at least one title is likely to change hands at Elimination Chamber, so by the end of the night, he’ll have made his decision about who to face at ‘Mania. He said some people think he should make his decision now, but he doesn’t respond well to bullies. He discussed fighting bullies when he was younger, leading to his career in WWE.

Sheamus said when he came to WWE, he had Superstars still bullying him, telling him to stop spiking his hair and to get a tan, among other complaints. I bet some of those were said by WWE management. Sheamus said he showed them all by earning the chance to fight for the title at Wrestlemania. Wade Barrett’s new music hit and he walked to the ring to interrupt. Barrett thanked Sheamus for such a heartwarming story so early in the show. He said he does have smidgen of respect for Sheamus, but Sheamus needs to go for the WWE Title at ‘Mania, because the World Title will be held by Barrett by that time. He predicted a Chamber match win for himself. Barrett called Sheamus some names and Sheamus said he wasn’t listening, since he was thinking back to last week when Randy Orton kicked Barrett all over the ring. Before Barrett could respond, Cody Rhodes came out to his music, mic in hand.

“This man has charisma!” said Cole, in the nerdiest way possible. Rhodes said he knows what it’s like to have his hand raised in victory at Wrestlemania, and he’s the only one of the three who is a current champion. He insulted the audience and said Sheamus would go down as the man to lose to the first dual World Heavyweight Champion and Intercontinental Champion. Big Show’s music hit and he walked to the ring. Show told Sheamus he respects him and said if Cody doesn’t shut his mouth, he’ll slap the taste out of it. I wonder what Great Khali will have to say when he interrupts! Show said he wouldn’t make any promises but asked Sheamus to think about him vs. Show for the title at Wrestlemania, saying that is a match that is worthy of the main event. Barrett rightfully called Big Show a Wrestlemania punch-line, saying Snooki has a better WM record than him. Rhodes said Giants may be able to win the Super Bowl, but not win at Wrestlemania.

Rhodes ran through Show’s losses, but Show then slapped Rhodes in the chest. Sheamus went after Barrett and after a Beautiful Disaster kick missed, Show launched Rhodes over the top. Sheamus sent Barrett to ringside as well. They played Sheamus’ music to end the segment.

- Later tonight, AJ will speak to Cole after her “horrowing” incident from a few weeks ago.

- Great Khali was walking backstage. He faces Jinder Mahal next.

[Commercial Break]

- Breaking news: Sheamus & Big Show will team up to take on Cody Rhodes & Wade Barrett tonight.

1 – JINDER MAHAL vs. THE GREAT KHALI

Mahal had a plastic, protective case at ringside for his headgear. I can’t imagine that being destroyed. Nope, not at all. Mahal did an inset interview, promising to demand a spot in the Chamber match after he defeats Khali tonight. Mahal yelled at Khali once the bell rang, to no effect. Mathews laid out the two men’s prior relationship. Unfortunately, they didn’t point out the giant hole in the story, that being Khali was fed up with Mahal and nothing happened when he attacked him, despite Mahal promising to ruin Khali’s life if he did. After all, that was the point of Khali going along with Mahal for those months. Mahal with a front face-lock on Khali, then Khali just tossed him off. After a few clotheslines, Mahal fell victim to a Khali Bomb for the win.

WINNER: Khali, at 2:06. Given the result on Raw and now Smackdown, they’re clearly trying to build Khali back up to make him seem like a contender in the Elimination Chamber match.

- The announcers talked about how Khali got in the Chamber match in the first place, when Mark Henry was suspended last week for putting his hands on Teddy Long.

- Long and Aksana were backstage. Long talked about what he did to Henry last week. Aksana said she loves a man of action and that Long needs to be rewarded for what he did. Aksana kissed him on the cheek (or sucked on his ear…couldn’t tell from the camera angle) when Daniel Bryan walked in to ruin the moment. Askana left and Bryan asked Long about holding a barbecue in the parking lot earlier in the day. Bryan was disgusted but Long said he puts JR’s BBQ sauce on it and it tastes fine. He said he’s sorry he’s not a vegetarian like Bryan. Bryan clarified that he’s a vegan and talked about what that entails. He said he’s sick to his stomach and can’t wrestle tonight. Long said he’s tired of Bryan preaching his veganism and using it as an excuse because it won’t fly with him. He told Bryan to go get ready for his match.

- Big Show & Sheamus vs. Barrett & Rhodes is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

- Cole plugged Shawn Michaels’ return to Raw this coming week.

2 – BETH PHOENIX vs. ALICIA FOX

How come Bryan doesn’t take Fox to task for the animal carcass she wears to the ring? Beth offered Fox a chance to get out of the match before it began. Fox cornered Beth and tried a monkey flip, but Beth just pushed her to the mat. Fox with a kick and some rights, but she missed a jumping back elbow. She got out of a suplex and did a Matrix to avoid the clothesline. It didn’t help as Phoenix hit the Glam Slam soon after.

WINNER: Phoenix, at 1:17. This whole “no competition” thing for Phoenix would seem to lead to Kharma’s eventual return.

As Beth attempted another Glam Slam, Tamina ran out to make the save. The two women had a stare-down and Beth finally left. Mathews said it appeared Beth liked Tamina’s tenacity.

- Randy Orton was warming up backstage for his match with Daniel Bryan. It’s tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- A video package aired on The Rock. It appeared to be a new(ish) one, tracing The Rock’s origins back to his birth.

- A graphic was shown for John Cena vs. The Rock.

- Natalya and Tyson Kidd were talking backstage. Natalya was talking about her “problems” as of late and how it happens when she gets nervous. Kidd said it’s understandable, but disgusting. Natalya said she was talking about how she talks too much when she gets nervous…and asked Kidd what he was talking about. He said “nothing,” then Natalya farted and Kidd darted away. Hornswoggle walked up and into the line of fire. He fell on his back with his feet straight up in the air as if he died. Nattie walked away, embarrassed.

- Big Show came to the ring for his tag match. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- Cody Rhodes made his entrance next instead of Show’s tag partner. Next was Barrett, then Sheamus.

3 – BIG SHOW & SHEAMUS vs. CODY RHODES & WADE BARRETT

Show simply growled at Rhodes at the outset of the match, leading to Rhodes tagging Barrett. Show brought Barrett in the hard way, then chopped him hard in the chest. Barrett retreated to his corner and tagged Rhodes back in. Show fought off corner attack from Rhodes and chopped him in the chest. Another followed soon after. Show picked Rhodes up and pressed him over his head, letting him drop behind him. Rhodes crawled to his corner. “Kid has a lot of coward in him,” said Booker of Rhodes. Rhodes tagged Barrett, leading to Barrett and Sheamus locking up. Big clothesline by Sheamus, and another. Sheamus hooked Barrett in the ropes and brought the forearms across his foe’s chest. Roll-up by Sheamus for two at 3:17. Rhodes came in and Sheamus put him down too. He was thrown over the top as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Match returned 6:56 in. Sheamus slammed Rhodes, still in control of the contest. He continued to work over Rhodes, then tagged Show. Show had Rhodes in the corner and just grabbed Rhodes’ side and squeezed with his hand. After a tag to Barrett, Rhodes came back in with a missile dropkick off the top for a near-fall. The heels kept Show at bay, preventing him from making a tag with Barrett taking out the knee. Show got to his feet after a rear chinlock was applied by Barrett. Beautiful Disaster kick by Rhodes for two. I think I’ve heard the announcers call it just “the Disaster Kick” the past few weeks, getting Cody further away from his “Dashing” gimmick. Show tried to get Rhodes off his back and did it by side slamming him. Both men were down at 11:45. Tag to Sheamus and Barrett, with Sheamus cleaning house. Big Show speared Rhodes when he tried to interfere, allowing Sheamus to hit the Brogue Kick for the win.

WINNERS: Sheamus & Show, at 12:28. Smart finish: Sheamus continues to look good, as needed, heading into Wrestlemania. Rhodes couldn’t take another loss after being pinned on Smackdown last week and Raw this week.

- Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan, for the first-time ever, tonight.

- Up next, we’ll get an update on AJ’s recovery.

[Commercial Break]

- Wrestlemania XXVIII: 51 days away.

- Michael Cole was in the ring. He introduced AJ, who has new music as well. It’s not as bad of a switch as Barrett’s, but like Barrett, I liked her old one better. During her intro, they showed what happened on Raw where Show almost collided with AJ. Cole asked AJ how she was feeling. She said she’s getting the neckbrace off next week and hopes to return to the ring soon. She thanked fans for supporting her, so Cole told her people don’t even know who she is, so where does she get off thanking fans for supporting her? Cole said he was just joking. He asked AJ why she’s even at ringside. AJ said she was there because Bryan asked her to, and she loves him. She said she has never blamed Big Show for what happened, saying he wouldn’t do something like that on purpose. But someone who has done more damage than Big Show? Cole.

Cole asked how, and AJ said because he has never believed in Bryan and has done nothing but stir things up. She said Cole has insulted Bryan, her, and the entire Divas division. She said he’s a biased, obnoxious, jerk. Cole wanted to rant but AJ said she wasn’t finished. She said as far as she’s concerned, the entire WWE would be a better place if Cole would just shut his mouth. Cole called her “honey” and began to turn up his heel persona. He said he gets paid for his insightful commentary and his personality. Cole said people are saying that Bryan set AJ up and that she’s so blindly in love that she would throw herself in front of a moving bus for him. He said people are saying Bryan has no guts and people are saying AJ has no self-respect. Cole said after Elimination Chamber, Bryan and AJ will be nothing more than footnotes in WWE history. Bryan then walked out, telling Cole, “that’s enough.”

He threatened to break both of Cole’s arms if he said anything more to AJ. Cole fled the ring as Bryan criticized Cole for verbally abusing his girlfriend just because he doesn’t like him. Bryan said he’s more than just a footnote, that he’s a great wrestler and World Heavyweight Champion. He said he’s a role model and on Sunday, he took a nature walk while everyone else was watching the Super Bowl, eating meat and drinking beer. He chided the fans for their diet and asked how many people actually recycled. He said he recycles and cares about the environment. He also said he cares about AJ. That’s an interesting segue. Bryan said the fans have been so inhospitable to her (didn’t she thank them for supporting her?) that he’s taking her out of the arena…in a Prius no less. AJ was three times the actor Eve has been on Raw, but the heel/face dynamics were all over the map here. The heel Bryan comes out to defend his babyface girlfriend against the heel Cole, who is most likely correct about the heel Bryan purposely putting the babyface AJ in harm’s way. Such a tangled mess. All three of their performances were fine, but as a fan, I have no idea how I’m supposed to be feeling about these characters.

- Cole ranted against Bryan on commentary, then AJ and Bryan were shown walking backstage. They ran into Teddy Long and Bryan said AJ is in no condition to watch him compete. He said he needed a personal day. Long said he’ll arrange transportation for AJ, but if Bryan leaves the building, he loses the title.

[Commercial Break]

4 – TED DIBIASE vs. HUNICO

They showed clips of Hunico vs. DiBiase from two weeks ago. Hunico, who came out with Camacho, did some mic work before the match, taunting DiBiase about his broken wrist. DiBiase clotheslined Hunico over the top, then shoved Camacho aside. Back in the ring, Hunico turned the tide and worked the wrist. He tossed DiBiase out of the ring and Camacho kicked him in the gut. Hunico rammed the wrist into the steel post. DiBiase fired back after Hunico missed a move off the top rope. Hunico again went to the wrist, but DiBiase surprised him with a roll-up for the win.

WINNER: DiBiase, at 2:40. These guys are solidly in the “trading wins” portion of their feud. Nothing wrong with it, but not a lot of depth to the feud either.

- Orton vs. Bryan is the main event tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- The exterior of the BOK Center in Tulsa was shown.

- A video package aired on the Elimination Chamber match/PPV.

- The announcers were shown talking about the Chamber matches. Cole discussed the WWE.com announcement from Tuesday, that John Laurinaitis will be keeping his job as Raw GM (in a story that had more hits on WWE.com than any in recent memory!).

- Ace was on the phone from Abu Dhabi. Cole talked to him and Laurinaitis talked about dining with the Royal Family in the U.A.E. Cole congratulated Laurinaitis for keeping his job. Laurinaitis said he knows the WWE Universe is happy he’s keeping his job and that the Board of Directors made a great call. He said “Mr. Excitement” will be back Monday as the interim GM of Raw. Laurinaitis ended his call by saying, “anything for the WWE Universe.” So…did they retain him as Raw GM, or INTERIM Raw GM?

- Randy Orton came out for the main event. His match with Daniel Bryan will take place on the other side of the break.

[Commercial Break]

- Another plug for HBK’s return to Raw on Monday. Mathews suggested Michaels will have some comments for Triple H on a possible match with Undertaker at Wrestlemania.

- Big Show was at the announce table to do guest commentary for the main event.

5 – RANDY ORTON vs. DANIEL BRYAN

Match built slowly to begin things. Some chain wrestling after the first minute, with Orton locking in an arm-bar. Bryan hit the ropes and Orton hit him with a dropkick for two. A knee-lift took Orton to the mat, then Bryan elbowed him in the face. Cole kept antagonizing Big Show on commentary. Orton back-dropped Bryan to ringside in front of the announce table. Show got to his feet, but Orton gave him the Dikembe Mutombo finger-wave, telling him to stay away. As Orton’s attention was diverted, Bryan connected on a baseball slide. Running knee to the face by Bryan, jumping off the apron in the process. They went to break just after the 4:00 mark.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 7:02 of the contest. Orton landed a desperation back-breaker, but Bryan came back with a kick. He worked the arm, but Orton laid in a few right hands. The men traded blows before Orton suplexed Bryan for two. Orton tried to suplex Bryan off the top, but was unsuccessful. Bryan tried to come off the top with a splash, but Orton moved out of the way. Bryan went to the top again, but Orton crotched him. Suplex off the top finally connected at 10:44 of the match, but Bryan kicked out of a pin. High knee-drop missed and Bryan got a running dropkick in the corner. He missed a charge though and Orton rolled him up for two. Bryan switched to a LeBell Lock attempt, but he couldn’t hook it. Orton instead monkey-flipped Bryan out of the ring and to the apron. Rope-assisted DDT by Orton followed. Orton called for a DDT, but Bryan went to ringside. He choked Orton over the top rope and asked for the World Title. He took it and went after Big Show. Big Show fought back and threw Bryan into the ring. Orton hit an RKO and the referee called for the bell.

WINNER: Bryan, via disqualification, at 13:02. Didn’t they just do this finish not that long ago, with Henry in Show’s place?

Orton and Show argued after the match and things got physical. They began brawling at the announce table. “It’s breaking down in Tulsa!” shouted Cole. The men brawled while Bryan looked on from the ramp, pleased to see Orton and Show at each other’s throats.


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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