WWE Friday Night Smackdown
November 2, 2012
Fayetteville, NC
Commentators: Josh Mathews & John Bradshaw Layfield
Report by: Mr. V of Wrestleview.com
Hey everyone. I will take over for Mike Tedesco for the week, as the east coast is still recovering over the events that happened during Hurricane Sandy. Keep all the Wrestleview staff members around the east coast in your thoughts.
The show began with hype over the rivalry of The Big Show and Sheamus. Last Sunday, The Big Show defeated Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Champions in an epic battle at Hell in a Cell.
Miz TV Segment
The Miz is already in the ring, and welcomes us to “Miz TV”. The ring is decorated with leather furniture and red carpet. The Miz said that there are many events happening in the WWE. First, he talked about the shocking stories, such as the “AJ Scandal”. He wonders if AJ had an affair with John Cena. Also, he mentions the referee going rouge at Hell in a Cell. Then he transitioned to something that was not so shocking. He wondered what move was more dangerous, Sheamus’s Brogue Kick or Show’s W.M.D.
The Miz then welcomed the “former” World Heavyweight Champion, Sheamus. Sheamus enters the ring. Last Monday, Sheamus hit White Noise on The Big Show. The Miz talks about it being the first time in seven months he is not the champion. Miz said Sheamus must feel humiliated, a loser for his championship loss. Sheamus asked the same question. Sheamus mentioned that Miz lost his rematch to Kofi Kingston for the Intercontinental Champion. The Miz said that he beat Kofi Kingston and will regain the championship. The Miz said that Sheamus will never beat The Big Show, especially at Survivor Series.
Sheamus admits that he never beat The Big Show. Sheamus said his best was not good enough, but he will not wave the white flag. The Miz interrupts him, tells him to stop with the clichés. The Miz mentioned that he was at fault for this. The Miz said that he deserves some credit for making Sheamus lose the title. The Miz ran down the events after WrestleMania, where Team Johnny won over Team Teddy. John Laurinaitis then fired the Big Show, then hired him to an iron-clad contract and months later becoming the World Heavyweight Champion.
Sheamus asks if The Miz is the one he should be kicking in the face. The Miz said “how dare you”? The Miz said Sheamus is very doubtful and appalling. The Miz never been humbled and he will regain the Intercontinental Champion because he is The Miz, and he is….
…interrupted by Kofi Kingston, the WWE Intercontinental Champion. Kingston said lately, The Miz lost touch with reality. Kingston asks how many times he will have to kick him to beat some sense into him. Kingston reviews the recent events, and The Miz said he will lead his team to victory because he’s The Miz and he’s……
…interrupted by the World Heavyweight Champion, The Big Show. The Big Show talks at the ramp, and told The Miz to not take credit for his victory. Show said something is wrong with The Miz. Show wondered why he is not interviewing the NEW champion. The Miz asks how it felt to knockout Sheamus. Show elaborates what happened, but Sheamus cuts him off and asks how he felt after getting hit with White Noise. Sheamus wants another outing right now! Show said that Sheamus is delusional and to wait at Survivor Series. Show said the result tonight would be a knockout. Show said there was nothing to prove tonight, and he declines an encounter with Sheamus. The Miz tried to jump Kingston, and Kingston flips The Miz over the top rope and onto the floor. The segment ends with Kofi Kingston’s music playing and a stare down between The Miz and Kofi Kingston.
Later, Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett.
Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara, Darren Young and Titus O’Neil are walking. There will be a singles match coming up next.
The Big Show is walking down the hallway. Booker T, the Smackdown GM, praises Show and Sheamus’ match. Booker T said that the WWE Universe wants him and The Miz vs. Sheamus and Kofi Kingston. The Big Show is not happy with this decision.
Singles Match
Sin Cara (w/Rey Mysterio) vs. Darren Young (w/Titus O’Neil)
The match begins with Young hitting basic moves. Sin Cara escapes, and hits a head scissors move and follows it with a theatrical takedown. Young responds with a sloppy clothesline and a neckbreaking. Young covers, but only gets a one count. Young applies a chinlock, and after a moment Sin Cara fights off. Young tries to hit a suplex, but Cara with a roll up for a two count. Young blocks another attack and then after a corner attack applies a chinlock in the middle of the ring.
Cara fights off at the corner and connects with a dropkick. Cara uses his speed to escape, and after a couple of kicks Cara hits the handspring elbow. Cara tries another roll up, but only gets a two count. Sin Cara tries a flying move, but Young catches him up top and hits The Gut Check for the victory.
Winner via Pinfall: Darren Young
Grade: C-
After the match, Mysterio tends to Sin Cara. O’Neil blows a whistle to the microphone and then said “just when you think Halloween is over, Young beat a piñata in the ring”. O’Neil said he will take out another little dog in Rey Mysterio. Mysterio accepts the challenge. Their match is next.
Promo: Survivor Series
Singles Match
Rey Mysterio (w/Sin Cara) vs. Titus O’Neil (w/Darren Young)
Mysterio starts with a couple quick kicks, but O’Neil powers him to the corner. Mysterio goes to the ropes, and O’Neil destroys Mysterio with a lariat. O’Neil grounds Mysterio with stomps and Young gets a cheap shot in for good measure. O’Neil attacks at the corner, and then hits a powerslam. After a pin attempt, O’Neil tries another power move, but Mysterio fights off only to be shoulder tackled by O’Neil.
O’Neil takes too much time, and Mysterio attacks the leg and sets up for a 619. Outside the ring, Sin Cara attacks Darren Young. O’Neil catches Mysterio’s legs and runs Mysterio to the corner. O’Neil then attempts to ram Mysterio at the corner, but Mysterio quickly rolled up O’Neil and got the three count.
Winner by Pinfall: Rey Mysterio
Grade: C
After the match, Mysterio and Sin Cara quickly leave the ring and mock The Prime Time Players. O’Neil and Young are in the ring extremely frustrated.
Later: The AJ Scandal
Next: Feeding Time
Josh Mathews and John Bradshaw Layfield talk about the events of last Sunday’s main event between CM Punk and Ryback. We then look at video stills of the aftermath. The WWE has “suspended” referee Brad Maddox. Maddox will be live on Raw to explain why he did what he did at Hell in a Cell. JBL and Mathews offer a bit of analysis.
Raw Rebound: Paul Heyman and CM Punk create Team Punk (The Miz, Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, Alberto Del Rio, and CM Punk) for Survivor Series. Mick Foley then announces Team Foley (Kofi Kingston, Daniel Bryan, Kane, Randy Orton, and Ryback).
At Survivor Series: Team Foley vs. Team Punk.
Backstage: Teddy Long talks about potential mutiny regarding Raw. Natalya enters and asks if she can substitute for Eve because she is touring. David Otunga barges in, without knocking, and talks about how he can be a leader. Booker T says Otunga needs to face a returning superstar. Otunga asked who and it turned out to be The Great Khali. Otunga spits coffee on Natalya, and later said that it was an improvement to what she wore. Natalya slapped Otunga and he spat coffee on Teddy Long’s jacket. Teddy Long showed “anger”.
Next: Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett
Alberto Del Rio will be joining commentary for the next match. Ricardo Rodriguez joins Del Rio at ringside. Last Sunday, Orton found a way to RKO Del Rio for the victory.
Singles Match
Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton
Before the match, we watched last week’s match between the two. Del Rio distracted Orton and Barrett used the Souvenir Elbow to defeat Orton. However, on Raw last Monday Orton hit the RKO to even the score.
Before the match begins, Del Rio and Rodriguez attack Orton outside. Del Rio uses the post to further the attack on Orton’s shoulder. The referees kicked them both out of ringside. Barrett is in the ring, smiling at the newfound advantage.
Promo: Survivor Series.
The match resumes in progress after the break. Orton just broke a hold from Barrett. Orton with punches, and then clotheslines Barrett over the ring ropes. Orton then hits a back suplex along one of the ring barriers. Some little girl is ecstatic as Orton continues the attack outside. However, as the action came back to the ring Barrett delivered a boot to Orton’s face (Orton still selling Del Rio’s attack). Barrett worked the ropes and delivered knee strikes. Barrett ends that onslaught with a running boot and Orton is outside. Barrett taunts in the ring, then leaves the ring.
Both fight along the ring steps, and concludes with Barrett drilling Orton to the steps. Barrett pushes Orton to the ring and covers for a two count. Barrett applied a chinlock to Orton in the middle of the ring. Orton fights off, and then connected with a Back Suplex to buy some time. Barrett found time to hit a back kick, and punches the kidney area of Orton. Barrett hits a clothesline, and Orton kicked out at two. Barrett continues to stay on Orton. Orton pops up and we have exchanges. Barrett gets the upper hand with a knee to the abdominal region. Barrett attempted another pinfall attempt, only for a two count.
Barrett goes up top and hits an elbow drop and covers. However, Orton kicked out at two. Barrett then applied a clutch-like submission hold. Orton fought off this hold, but Barrett holds on and hits a slam. Barrett took too much time up top and Orton slugged it out at the corner. Orton ended the segment with a Superplex! Orton begins his run and goes for the Rope DDT. Orton connected with the DDT and is ready to strike. However, Alberto Del Rio goes to the ramp for the first distraction. Ricardo Rodriguez goes to the ring apron area for the second distraction and Wade Barrett rolled up Orton to defeat him.
Winner by Pinfall: Wade Barrett
Grade: B-
The very instant after the match, Orton stares down Del Rio and is obviously feeling frustration over the events. Orton looks at Barrett, then walks briskly towards the backstage area.
Later: Sheamus and Kofi Kingston vs. The Big Show and The Miz
Video Clip: The WWE cares for Breast Cancer and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. John Cena presented the foundation with a check for $1 million courtesy of the WWE.
Backstage, Matt Strikers asks Alberto Del Rio why he is doing this to Orton. While Del Rio provides an answer, Orton is walking around in the background and spotted Del Rio. Orton and Del Rio brawl backstage. Del Rio tried to grab a coffee urn without gloves, and then walks away. Orton, being the smart man, grabs the coffee urn, with two dish towels and drenched Rodriguez with the hot beverage. That was enough distraction for Del Rio to go on the offensive again. Orton continues the attack, and then pours spaghetti sauce on Rodriguez, and again Del Rio’s personal ring announcer is disgraced. Del Rio was soon back dropped onto a table and Orton continued on the attack. Just as Del Rio was going to shove Orton’s face into some cake, Orton launched Del Rio over a table and then Del Rio ran away.
Matt Striker wants a word from Orton. Orton shoves Strikers face into some pie as the 3-Man Band get a laugh.
Jerry “The King” Lawler will return to Monday Night Raw on November 13 in Columbus, Ohio.
Singles Match
The Great Khali vs. David Otunga
Otunga poses, but Khali wanted nothing to do with it. Otunga attacked the legs early in the match, then taunts. Khali then chopped Otunga to size, then worked the corner. Khali then missed on a boot to the corner, and Otunga tried to work the leg again. The match ended soon after that, with Khali delivering the Brain Chop and falling on Otunga for the pinfall victory.
Winner by Pinfall: The Great Khali
Grade: D-
After the match, Khali dances in the ring while Natalya is backstage smiling.
Coming Up: The AJ Scandal
Daniel Bryan tells the WWE Universe to NOT try this at home.
Natalya was backstage with The Great Khali. Natalya thanks Khali, and said that he has big hands.
Singles Match
R-Truth vs. Justin Gabriel
They both shake hands before the match went underway. R-Truth hit the shoulder tackle and got a couple punches in. Gabriel escapes a move and then danced around. R-Truth then hit a corkscrew elbow. R-Truth goes up top, misses a high-risk move and Gabriel goes to work on R-Truth with punches and kicks. Gabriel then applies the abdominal stretch, rolls up R-Truth for a two count and then applied a chinlock in the middle of the ring. Gabriel delivered a few kicks and went for another cover.
Gabriel continues to work and hits a crossbody off the corner. R-Truth ends the run with The Little Jimmy for the pinfall.
Winner by Pinfall: R-Truth
Grade: D+ (leaned toward C-)
After the match, they both shake hands.
Raw Rebound: The AJ Scandal. Is it true? Is it not? I guess we will stay tuned.
Backstage, The Miz talks about how he and The Big Show were once “ShoMiz”, the most dominant team in the WWE. The Miz said to follow his lead. Show said tonight that he is the superior and if not, he will knock him out. The Miz then hands The Big Show’s title.
Next: Sheamus and Kofi Kingston vs. The Big Show and Sheamus
Earlier tonight, Wade Barrett got a victory over Randy Orton because of Del Rio. Afterwards, Orton got the upper hand on Del Rio at the buffet table.
Next Week: Falls Count Anywhere Match! Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio.
Main Event
Tag Team Match
Sheamus and Kofi Kingston vs. The Big Show and The Miz
Last Monday, Sheamus delivered White Noise on The Big Show.
Sheamus and The Miz start the match off. Kofi then enters the ring, but Show tags in. Sheamus is tagged back in. The Big Show walked out of the ring and tagged Miz.
Now the match truly begins with The Miz attacking Sheamus at the corner. Sheamus then works the opposite corner with punches. Sheamus then countered a hiptoss with a clothesline. Kingston is tagged in and kicked The Miz. The Miz hit a shoulder block, but Kingston continues the quick onslaught. Show tried to tend to The Miz, but Kingston hits a Suicide Dive onto The Miz. Show was about to attack, but Sheamus briskly walks in for the save.
After break, The Big Show entered the ring and slams Kingston to the mat. Show taunts Sheamus as he chopped Kingston across the chest. Show then using some amateur style wrestling to take down Kingston. Show then applies a hold in the middle of the ring while Kingston is trying to fight off. Show then used his power to hit a side slam. The Miz is now tagged in and works the back before delivering a boot to Kingston’s face. Kingston fights off again, but The Miz hits his neck/backbreaker and covered for a two count.
The Miz applied a crossface-like hold while Sheamus is trying to rile Kingston up. Kingston escapes Miz and Sheamus is in for the hot tag. Sheamus runs a flawless power and quick offense and ends it by clubbing Miz’s chest across the ropes. Kingston is tagged in. Kingston hits the Flying Crossbody. Sheamus takes out The Big Show. The referee then tries to get Sheamus back to the corner and The Big Show uses that advantage to use the WMD on Kofi Kingston while Kingston was about to deliver punches from the top turnbuckle. The Miz gets the pinfall victory as The Big Show grabs his title and walks away from Sheamus.
Winners by Pinfall: The Miz and The Big Show
Grade: C+
Sheamus lets his temper get the best of him, and after the match he delivers The Brogue Kick to The Miz.
Quick Results
Darren Young def. Sin Cara via pinfall
Rey Mysterio def. Titus O’Neil via pinfall
Wade Barrett def. Randy Orton via pinfall *Match of the Night*
The Great Khali def. David Otunga via pinfall
R-Truth def. Justin Gabriel via pinfall
The Miz* and The Big Show def. Kofi Kingston* and Sheamus via pinfall
Mr. V’s Thoughts
The opening segment featured The Miz talking with Sheamus with cameos by Kofi Kingston and The Big Show. The booking for this segment achieved its objectives, and that was to build up for the main event on the card. Call me crazy, but I think this opening segment showed how rejuvenated all four wrestlers are at the moment. The delivery by Kingston and Sheamus were a bit shaky at times, but the message was set and Booker T made the match happen after it was over.
I was surprised that Young defeated Sin Cara. However, I was not entirely impressed with the offense by either wrestler. While it told a story of a rivalry between The Prime Time Players and Mysterio/Cara it just did not mesh in the ring.
I think the goal that the WWE has for Sin Cara is to be the next Rey Mysterio. After watching the way Mysterio wrestled a larger athlete in O’Neil, it told me that Sin Cara still has a long way to go when it comes to working with larger wrestlers. The match was good for the time it was limited. O’Neil used his power and Mysterio used his speed. They did not go outside of their element, and it made the match entertaining and gave both teams a pinfall victory apiece.
Well, it looks like (for now) Wade Barrett got the upper hand on Orton. The booking make the right call, as Orton will have a match at Survivor Series and Alberto Del Rio (Orton’s current rival) will probably get his just desserts in a few weeks. This win will help Barrett find a spot on the Survivor Series Card and possibly an opportunity for a title show in the future. As for the match itself, there were some good moments between the two. Barrett’s gimmick is that he is a brawler, and he went toe-to-toe with Orton until the distractions. Orton and Barrett usually have solid, and at times great, brawls when paired up, and they both did not disappoint on Smackdown.
After the match, we get what might possibly be the best buffet table brawl of 2012. At first, I was not interested in this Del Rio/Orton feud. However, moments like the one we saw on Smackdown piqued my interest. All it was missing was Orton grabbing a piece of cheesecake and eating it after winning the battle with Del Rio. Give credit to Ricardo for getting coffee and sauce poured on him. He is going to have to purchase a new tuxedo.
Khali vs. Otunga was a match not needed for WWE Smackdown. That is unless they have some legs with the Khali/Natalya storyline. That is honestly all I have regarding that segment.
R-Truth and Justin Gabriel had a quick match, but I don’t think it will lead to anything for the two. R-Truth’s character is going to be lost for a bit because of Kofi Kingston’s push to the Intercontinental Championship, while Justin Gabriel is in a bit of mid-card purgatory. All things aside, it was a brief, but decent, match between the two.
The main event was solid. I think every wrestler in the main event got a boost in their stock. The Big Show’s goal was to only care about himself and to show that his punch is a dangerous finisher. While he allowed The Miz to get the pin, he did so by being selfish in taking out Kofi Kingston. Sheamus, when hunting for the championship, is at his best. His character is supposed to have a temper, and it showed during the hot tag and after the match was over. The Miz gets his victory and now can use that in his quest to beat Kofi Kingston for the Intercontinental Championship. I felt that this was a test for Kofi Kingston to see if he can climb back to the borderline main event scene, and I thought he was believable as a babyface-in-peril when trying to fight off The Big Show. While I did not make it may “Match of the Night”, from a storyline standpoint it has so much potential.
Overall, the wrestling and segments were efficient, but not groundbreaking. It set the stage for Survivor Series. Not just that, but their two main events (Sheamus/Show’s rematch and our Punk/Foley Survivor Series match). Now with those two matches established I believe that next week they will put more into the mid-card portion of the PPV. So far, they are off to a good start.
Final Friday Night Smackdown Grade: B-
WWE Survivor Series Card
Team Foley (Ryback, Randy Orton, Kane, Daniel Bryan, and Kofi Kingston) vs. Team Punk (CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio, Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes, and The Miz)
The Big Show (c) vs. Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship
More will be announced in the coming weeks.
Thanks for reading, everybody. Mike Tedesco will be back next week, depending on if he gets power. Have a great and safe weekend.
E-Mail: mistervwv@hotmail.com
Twitter: @TheMisterV