WWE Smackdown
October 15, 2010
Portland, OR
Report by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Yes, sir, we promised you a great main event…” The WWE video leads us into the show.
The Smackdown video plays and we’re shown the outside of the Rose Garden. The camera zooms in on some purple lighting on the roof and it’s the Undertaker standing there, overlooking the city of Portland. Vince McMahon’s favorite announcer Todd Grisham, Michael Cole, and Matt Striker welcome us to the show. Paul Bearer will present a challenge to the Undertaker tonight.
Smackdown’s General Manager Theodore Long is in the ring. Long says it’s that time of the year again: Bragging Rights. Smackdown brought the trophy home last year and it won’t be any different this year. The six participants of Team Raw are The Miz, CM Punk, John Morrison, Santino Marella (?), R-Truth, and Sheamus. A seventh is still to be determined. Long asks who is going to be on Team Smackdown. The team captain is the Big Show but who will join him? We’ll find out tonight in a series of qualifying matches, which will begin right now!
Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
Rey Mysterio vs. “Dashing” Cody Rhodes
The bell sounds and the match begins. They circle the ring and Rhodes quickly works over the injured wrist of Mysterio. Rhodes knees him in the midsection and twists the arm. Mysterio uses the ropes to alleviate the pressure and takes Rhodes down with an arm bar. Rhodes quickly lays him out with a right hand and a jumping stomp on the face for a two count. Rhodes hits another nasty right hand and a front suplex. Rhodes kicks him and gets a one count. Rhodes stomps him in the corner until he’s backed up by the referee. Mysterio reverses a suplex and dropkicks Rhodes into position. Mysterio goes to the ropes for a 619 but Rhodes quickly gets out of the ring. Rhodes says that Mysterio won’t mess up his face as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Mysterio trapped in a hammerlock/chin lock combo submission. During the commercial Mysterio went for a seated senton and Rhodes countered with a Beautiful Disaster. Mysterio fights up in the ring, flips Rhodes, and covers for a near fall. Rhodes comes back with a dropkick for a near fall. Rhodes applies a surfboard stretch. Mysterio kicks at Rhodes but Rhodes quickly comes back with a crossface chicken wing but Mysterio grabs the bottom rope.
Rhodes angrily stomps at him and punches wildly. Rhodes drops a “Nature Boy” knee for a near fall. Rhodes pushes Mysterio into the ropes and hits a few jabs. Mysterio eventually attempts a comeback with a wheelbarrow bulldog but Rhodes counters into a German Suplex for a near fall! Rhodes positions Mysterio and pulls up the tights to reveal Mysterio’s heavily taped up knee. Rhodes gets on the second rope and Mysterio avoids the diving knee drop!
Mysterio drop toe holds him into the turnbuckle and goes to the top rope. Mysterio hits a nice seated senton and a springboard cross-body but Rhodes rolls through for a near fall! Rhodes kicks Mysterio and goes for a sunset flip but Mysterio rolls through and kicks him in the head for a near fall. Mysterio avoids a clothesline and dropkicks him in the knee. Mysterio springboards off the top rope with a leg drop for a near fall. Rhodes falls to his back and punches Mysterio in the face, ala Goldust. Mysterio gets out of the Alabama Slam and head-scissors him into position. Mysterio hits a 619 and a springboard splash for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Rey Mysterio
Match Rating: ** 1/2
Rey Mysterio will join the Big Show on Team Smackdown. There are two former World Champions already on the team. I like where this is going.
Paul Bearer’s challenge to the Undertaker is next.
-Commercial Break-
Big Show is backstage with Hornswoggle, decorated in a Viking helmet and blue face paint. Kaval comes in and says he wants to be on Team Smackdown. Big Show tells him to slow down because he’s new. Kaval asks what he did his first match and Show points out he won the World Title. Big Show says he’s looking for a seasoned veteran. Kaval says Big Show doesn’t think he’s big enough and says if he lasts five minutes in the ring with Big Show he should get on the team. Big Show agrees to the challenge.
Paul Bearer is seen and he says the day of the final reckoning is near as he presents the instrument of his ultimate destruction. Bearer invites him to have one last opportunity at the Holy Grail held by his son Kane. It’ll be a Buried Alive Match. Bearer knows he’ll accept because his pride has always been his downfall. It was pride that allowed Kane to attack him on Memorial Day, beat him at Night of Champions, and be fooled by Bearer at Hell in a Cell. Bearer says when they arrive tonight Kane will call Undertaker to destiny’s door. This was great – classic Paul Bearer.
-Commercial Break-
Tony Chimel introduces Team Smackdown’s captain the Big Show. Big Show comes to the table for commentary.
Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
Jack Swagger w/ The Swagger Soaring Eagle vs. MVP
The Eagle dancing at ringside is cracking me up big time. The bell rings and they immediately get into it. MVP punches and kicks him down in the corner. MVP hits a drop-toe-hold and a running kick to the head for a near fall. MVP punches away again. Swagger quickly kicks him in the knee and sends him into the ring post shoulder first. Swagger goes to do it again but MVP counters and kicks him in the head. MVP hits a few clotheslines and a flapjack. MVP waits for him to get up and hits a face buster. MVP hits the BALLIN Elbow Drop and goes for the 305 but Swagger gets out of the ring.
MVP goes outside to get him and the Eagle blocks him. MVP throws the Eagle over the announcer’s table into Todd Grisham’s lap. Swagger quickly grabs MVP and sends him into the ring steps. Swagger puts him in the ring and applies the Ankle Lock for the win.
Winner by Submission: Jack Swagger
Match Rating: * 1/4
Team Smackdown now consists of Big Show, Rey Mysterio, and Jack Swagger. That’s three former World Champions now. Swagger checks on the Eagle as they go up the ramp.
Undertaker is seen on the roof of the arena again. He’s apparently awaiting the arrival of his brother Kane.
-Commercial Break-
Ricardo Rodriguez is in the ring to announce Alberto Del Rio. I love this guy. Del Rio drives into the arena in another beautiful car. Big Show is still on commentary, scouting out his team. By the way, he’s doing an awesome job.
Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Masters
They lock up and Del Rio puts him in the corner. Del Rio kicks him down and goes for a suplex but Masters blocks it. Masters hits a Jackhammer (You’re next!) for a near fall. Masters goes for the Masterlock but Del Rio gets through the ropes. Del Rio snaps the arm off the ropes and quickly begins working on it. Del Rio punches the arm and stomps him. Masters comes back with a powerslam for a two count but can’t get the Masterlock on again. Del Rio comes back with an arm breaker and quickly locks on the Cross Arm Breaker for the submission victory.
Winner by Submission: Alberto Del Rio
Match Rating: 3/4 *
Big Show goes to shake his hand in congratulations but Del Rio instead winks at him and walks away.
A preview of Big Show’s new movie “Knucklehead” is shown. Call me crazy but I really think this looks hilarious!
Edge is walking backstage. He’ll be in action next.
-Commercial Break-
Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
Edge vs. Dolph Ziggler
They lock up and Edge gets a waist lock. Ziggler turns to his own waist lock and Edge slides him off. Edge works on the arm and kicks at him in the corner. Edge clubs his back and Vickie Guerrero is seen watching backstage with Kaitlyn. Edge sends him into the corner, avoids the boots by sliding out of the ring, and sweeping the feet. Edge bounces him off the turnbuckle and head-butts him. Ziggler elbows him in the midsection and chokes him on the ropes. Ziggler hits a snapmare and a rolling neck snapper for a near fall.
Ziggler applies a chin lock to Edge but he quickly fights up and elbows out. Edge sends him to the ropes and Ziggler slides out of the ring. Edge lays him out with a baseball slide. Edge puts him in the ring and gets kicked in the face coming back in. Ziggler hits a neckbreaker that brings him back into the ring for a near fall. Ziggler stomps away and covers for another near fall. Edge comes back with some punches and sends him to the corner. Edge kicks him in the face and props him up on the top rope. Edge hits a big boot that sends him to the floor!
Edge goes to Spear Ziggler outside the ring but Ziggler sidesteps him. Edge crashes into the barricade. Ziggler waits for him to get up and then hits a Zig-Zag into the ring steps!! That was awesome!! Ziggler rolls back into the ring and is looking for the count-out. Edge struggles and gets back in at nine and a half. Ziggler immediately punches away at Edge as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Edge trapped in a sleeper hold. Ziggler holds it in for a little bit until Edge fights up. Ziggler shoves him into the corner but misses a splash. Edge hits a flapjack and both men are down now.
Edge avoids a clothesline and hits a flying forearm. Edge hits a clothesline and a bulldog for a near fall. Ziggler kicks Edge and goes for a second rope sunset flip but Edge rolls through. Edge catapults Ziggler into the turnbuckle and hits the Edge-O-Matic for another near fall. Ziggler punches, ducks a punch, and applies the sleeper hold. Edge quickly gets out of it and hits the Edgecution for a near fall. Ziggler pulls Edge shoulder first into the corner but Edge holds on to the ropes to counter the Zig-Zag. Edge goes for the Spear but Ziggler leap frogs him. Ziggler jumps off the second rope and gets SPEARED out of midair for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Edge
Match Rating: ** 3/4
Big Show jumped out of his seat to give Edge a standing ovation. That was a nice match. Edge and Big Show hug at ringside. Edge then signs this girl’s poster and she flips out. That was nice as well.
Undertaker is again shown on the roof of the Rose Garden. I have a fear of heights and the shot is really making me weak at the knees… even though I’m sitting down as I type.
-Commercial Break-
The Raw Rebound airs.
Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
Five Minute Challenge
Big Show vs. Kaval
Mr. V’s favorite referee, The Goose, is the official. Big Show puts his hand out and Kaval shakes. Kaval has a kick blocked and Big Show chops him down. Big Show puts him in the corner and chops him hard. Kaval writhes in pain and Big Show steps on him. Big Show picks him up with two hands and throws him down. We’ve got 4:00 left. Big Show stands on Kaval’s back and toys with him. 3:30 is left to go. Big Show hits a nice (and nasty) body slam. Big Show warns him to stay down but Kaval climbs up on him.
Kaval tries to punch back but Big Show clubs him down. Kaval just has to last another 2:30. Big Show chops him down again and warns him again not to get up. Kaval is put in the corner and he’s chopped again. 1:45 is left. Big Show throws him across the ring and stands on his face. It’s interesting to note that Big Show hasn’t gone for a cover yet. There’s 1:00 left now as Big Show throws him over the top rope. Big Show is looking for a count-out. Big Show brings him back into the ring and gets a drop-toe-hold into the corner. Kaval kicks and knocks him down to a knee. Big Show quickly catches him for a Chokeslam attempt and the time expires!
Winner: Kaval
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Big Show shakes his hand and hugs him. The announcers speculate that Big Show didn’t end it because he was just teaching him a lesson. They’re saying Big Show basically threw the match to him. It was gutsy.
-Commercial Break-
Kaval is still recovering in the ring. All of a sudden jobber music hits and Tyler Reks comes out. Reks says it’s a joke that Kaval is on Team Smackdown. Reks says he’s the next breakout star and he wants a spot on Team Smackdown. He can beat giants and he knows he can beat Kaval.
Teddy Long comes out and says he can’t let him face Kaval as he’s just gone five minutes with the Big Show. Kaval says if he wants his spot then he needs to come in and take it from him. Teddy Long makes it official.
Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
Kaval vs. Tyler Reks
Reks throws Kaval into the corner and Kaval kicks away at him. Kaval kicks him down and goes for the Warrior’s Way but Reks moves. Reks hits a shoulder block and kicks him in the head. Reks stomps away at him and hits a Torture Rack/DDT combo for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Tyler Reks
Match Rating: 1/2 *
What the hell is going on? Is this the Twilight Zone? Tyler Reks just got in a PPV main event alongside Big Show, Rey Mysterio, Jack Swagger, Alberto Del Rio, and Edge. At least it seems like he ditched the surfer dude gimmick. He still has the dreads though, which is apropos because I dreaded seeing him tonight.
-Commercial Break-
“Dashing” Cody Rhodes is back to give us another tip on being dashing. Everybody, clip your nails, then put nail polish on them.
Bragging Rights Qualifying Match
Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston
Let’s see what they think about these guys. Drew McIntyre went from being “The Chosen One” to not getting a TV entrance just now. Kofi Kingston seems to have been pegged to be a main eventer yet he hasn’t been seen in a prominent role on Smackdown in weeks.
They lock up and McIntyre powers him to the corner. McIntyre knees him in the corner and stomps him down. Jack Doane backs him up. McIntyre takes him down by the hair. Kingston immediately comes back and punches away wildly at him. Kingston backs up and dives right into his boots! McIntyre covers for a near fall. McIntyre stomps him on the face and drags him to the outside. McIntyre suplexes him onto the apron, rolls him into the ring, and gets a near fall.
Kingston blocks a move but McIntyre clubs him. Kingston reverses a back suplex into a cross-body for a near fall. Kingston back flips over him and hits the Trouble in Paradise for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Kofi Kingston
Match Rating: *
Team Smackdown is now complete. Big Show will lead Rey Mysterio, Jack Swagger, Alberto Del Rio, Edge, Tyler Reks (?), and Kofi Kingston into battle against Team Raw.
Undertaker is off the roof and he’s inside the building now. He’s wearing his druid robe and looking quite evil.
-Commercial Break-
Kane’s pyro hits and the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to the ring with his manager/father Paul Bearer. I went into my DVD archive tonight and watched the hilarious clip of Paul Bearer talking to Jerry Lawler in 1998 about the night Kane was conceived. I highly recommend you check it out – some of the funniest stuff ever.
Kane says facts leave no room for arguments. All of us hope Undertaker is more determined, powerful, and evil than ever. The fact is he’s a shell of his former self because he made him that way. The fact is that he’s superior to his brother. The fact is he’s superior to all of us. The only thing any of us have ever succeeded at is our relentless quest for mediocrity. We fail at everything else, just like Undertaker failed in his quest to claim the World Heavyweight Championship. First he failed in a No Holds Barred Match, then he failed at Hell in a Cell, and he’s going to fail at Bragging Rights. Those failures must eat at us because we use his brother to escape our pathetic existences. Kane forces us to face reality and the reality is that there is no escape.
Every one of us would salivate at seeing the Dead Man destroy the Devil’s Favorite Demon but deep down we know that’s never going to happen. If there’s anyone watching who still believes that the Undertaker can do anything to stop him, then our hopes, just like his brother, are going to be Buried Alive! Kane laughs and Paul Bearer looks pleased. The crowd chants for the Undertaker and all of a sudden we hear…
The GONG! The stage explodes with fireballs and the Undertaker makes his way to the ring. Undertaker gets in the ring and goes face to face with Kane. Undertaker then looks at Paul Bearer and then back to Kane. Kane and Paul Bearer start to back up so Undertaker starts beating up Kane. Paul Bearer escapes the ring as Undertaker beats Kane down. Kane soon rolls out of the ring and runs up the ramp with Paul Bearer waddling behind him. Undertaker stands in the middle of the ring and does Kane’s move to make the ring posts explode!
Kane and Paul Bearer look like they’ve seen a ghost as Undertaker sends a bolt of lightning right at the feet! Paul Bearer drops the urn and screams as Kane looks fearfully at his brother. The challenge of Buried Alive has been accepted as Undertaker does his taunt.
Quick Match Results
Rey Mysterio def. “Dashing” Cody Rhodes (Bragging Rights Qualifier)
Jack Swagger def. MVP via Submission (Bragging Rights Qualifier)
Alberto Del Rio def. Chris Masters via Submission (Bragging Rights Qualifier)
Edge def. Dolph Ziggler (non-title) (Bragging Rights Qualifier)
Kaval def. Big Show in a 5 Minute Challenge (Bragging Rights Qualifier)
Tyler Reks def. Kaval (Bragging Rights Qualifier)
Kofi Kingston def. Drew McIntyre (Bragging Rights Qualifier)
Bump of the Night: Zig-Zag into the stairs!
Match of the Night: Edge vs. Dolph Ziggler ** 3/4
Mike’s Thoughts
This was a great episode of Smackdown. Finally, after a two week lull, Smackdown got back to what it does best: wrestling. We had some good matches tonight and a pretty good segment to finish off the show.
Well they finally did something half right with the Undertaker vs. Kane feud tonight. They let Paul Bearer actually speak. Granted, he still never said why he returned and turned on the Undertaker, but he did speak and it was classic Paul Bearer, complete with goofy facials and strange talk. They then brought back some of the special effects that made their rivalry interesting in 1998, like the bolt of lightning and stealing pyro. It was red hot until Hell in a Cell and now I feel like it got back on the track a little bit after tonight’s effort. It looks like it’s coming to an end at Bragging Rights. How can you follow up a Buried Alive Match? Oh, wait, Hell in a Cell used to end feuds. They survived that one already. We’ll see what happens.
They did a good job of making an unimportant PPV that has no effect on anything throughout the year seem important. Smackdown won Bragging Rights last year and then we never heard anything about it afterwards. We rarely saw the trophy as a prop in Teddy Long’s office and I honestly forgot about the event until I read it was coming up. Again, it was a solid effort making it seem important from the quality of the matches tonight to Big Show’s tremendous commentary. Big Show did a great job building up all the competitors in the match and analyzing the matches. I would say he has a future but knowing what happened to Mick Foley and what is currently happening to Todd Grisham, I wouldn’t recommend that career path for him.
Final Rating: ***
E-Mail – MikeyT817@hotmail.com
Be sure to check the win/loss record of your favorite WWE Superstar on the main page!
Thanks for reading!