WWE Friday Night Smackdown
August 31, 2012
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Commentators: Michael Cole and Josh Mathews
Report by: Anthony J. Valvo of Wrestleview.com
Hey everyone! Once again, the Wrestleview Resident Teacher will be the “substitute”, this time for my good friend Mike Tedesco. So what do teachers love to do at the end of the work week? Watch some professional wrestling, of course. Mike will return next week.
Then. Now. Forever. So it begins.
Intro
Tonight, Randy Orton will battle Dolph Ziggler sometime during the show. Also, is “The Game Over”?
Lillian Garcia welcomes Sheamus. Sheamus, the World Heavyweight Champion walks down to the ring and gets a nice reaction from the Green Bay audience. Sheamus begins his promo by acknowledging HHH as one of his toughest opponents. Sheamus said that HHH gave him his first WrestleMania loss, and he has the respect of him and the entire WWE Universe. He said that HHH has everything while Alberto Del Rio doesn’t.
Enter Damien Sandow, wearing a blue and white rope and an unorthodox way to hold a microphone. Sandow begs for indulgence. Sandow is here to help all of us, particularly Sheamus. Sandow calls him ignorant. Sheamus talked about HHH, and on the 1000th episode DX (HHH and his gang) assaulted Sandow in the middle of the ring, in which Sheamus thought it was great. Sandow said that was a typical remark from a hooligan. Sandow said listening to Sheamus makes the WWE Universe inept. Sandow then said he brings a stereotype to the Irish. Sheamus said everyone has a life and does not have for him. Sheamus tells Sandow to shut up. Sandow talks about enrichment, and Sheamus wants him to enter the ring.
Sandow said Sheamus was unworthy of his time. Sandow saved Sheamus from thrashing him and says “You’re Welcome”. Well, Booker T, the Smackdown GM enters the ramp and agreed with Sandow. Booker T said we want a physical thrashing. Booker said we are in Green Bay, Wisconsin and for the first time we will see Damien Sandow vs. Sheamus. Sheamus is pleased with the verdict, while Sandow appears flabbergasted.
Rey Mysterio is walking backstage. He is next.
Commercial
We see a Vince Lombardi statue and Lambeau Field.
Singles Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes
Cole said that Mysterio is 100% after his concussion. Rhodes cuts a promo earlier about wrestlers in masks. Rhodes said they wear the masks because of panic and ugliness.
The match begins with them circling around until Rhodes takes Mysterio down. Mysterio counters with a hammerlock. Rhodes then takes it to the corner and takes him down with a punch. Mysterio applies a waistlock, but Rhodes breaks free. Mysterio with a kick to the ropes, but the 619 was averted. Mysterio chased Rhodes, but Rhodes counters and then slams Mysterio’s face to the announce table.
Commercial
We are back, and Rhodes ends a hope spot by Mysterio with a Twisting Suplex. Rhodes then wore Mysterio down in the middle of the ring. Rhodes then goes with the Front Suplex, then a stomp but still can’t get the three count. Rhodes then keeps Mysterio down with a stomp to the abdominal region. Rhodes then snapmared Mysterio down and then applies a modified chinlock to keep control. Mysterio then gets up, and Rhodes goes for the mask. Mysterio pulls Rhodes to the corner and then hits a Seated Senton and begins his run and concluded it with a spin kick to Rhodes’ head.
Rhodes hits the chinbreaker, then connects with a Shining Wizard for a two count. Rhodes misses on a back suplex. However, Mysterio misses the 619. Rhodes tried to pull Mysterio’s mask, but Mysterio counters it with a rollup for the pinfall victory.
Winner via Pinfall: Rey Mysterio
Grade: B-
After the match, Rhodes immediately goes after Mysterio. Rhodes now wants the mask again and Sin Cara runs in for the save. Mysterio pops up with a 619. Sin Cara then holds one of his masks and wraps it around Rhodes’ face. Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio celebrate while Rhodes appears embarrassed.
The commentators agree that Rhodes needs to move on. Also, they talk about the anger management groups from Raw.
Last Monday, we see some group therapy sessions. Daniel Bryan said he is “fine”. Then a kid with a goat mask enters and Bryan goes off. Bryan said he is handsome. The “doctor” said that it was his son and he was playing a goat in a school play.
Eve Torres makes her way to the ring as the Special Assistant to Booker T. Two weeks ago, Kaitlyn defeated Eve in a Diva Battle Royal to be the #1 Contender for the Divas Championship currently held by Layla. Eve is on commentary. Kaitlyn vs. Natalya is next.
Commercial
Singles Match
Natalya vs. Kaitlyn
They tie up immediately and Natalya then takes Kaitlyn down with a headlock. Kaitlyn applies a headlock, and then does a flying shoulder tackle. However, outside of the ring, Natalya throws Kaitlyn down and demands respect. They are inside of the ring and Natalya commands respect while applying the abdominal stretch. Natalya then pulls the right leg back while the hold remained intact.
Kaitlyn tosses Natalya off of her, then hits a dropkick. However, Natalya clobbers her with a Discus Clothesline. As she commanded respect, Kaitlyn rolls Natalya over and wins.
Winner via Pinfall: Kaitlyn
Grade: D+ (leaned toward C-)
Matt Striker is with Booker T. Striker talks about Raw and we see a clip of Vickie Guerrero demanding the title of Raw General manager. AJ Lee then entered and attacked Vickie in retaliation. Booker T said that the pressure is getting to AJ and he criticized some of her decisions. Vickie Guerrero cuts Booker T off and said that little psychotic AJ should be taken off as GM of Raw. Vickie said that Booker “agreed” that AJ is CRAZY! Vickie spoke of “The Board of Directors” and they will take action. If they don’t, Vickie will take action. Booker stares her down.
Up Next: NO RESPECT!
At Night of Champions: CM Punk vs. John Cena for Punk’s WWE Championship
Raw Rebound: Punk beats Jerry Lawler and demands respect.
Anger Management Meeting #2: “Harold” talked about he does work and the boss gets all the credit. Daniel Bryan talks about his boss, who was his ex-fiancée who left him at the altar. The doctor welcomes his last patient, and it is Kane. Bryan does not want to believe it.
Next, Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow.
Commercial
Singles Match (non-title)
World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Damien Sandow
They tie-up and Sandow demands that the ref relinquish Sheamus from the tie-up. Sheamus then grows tired and grabs Sandow by the beard. Sandow applies a headlock, Sheamus escapes and Sandow catches his breath outside of the ring.
Sandow uses the ref as a shield and applies another headlock. Sheamus powers out with a couple shoulder tackles and Sandow leaves. Sheamus is baited to an outside attack by Sandow. Sandow drills Sheamus to the steps and then takes his knee out on those steps as well. Sandow hoped to win by countout, but Sheamus enters back in. Sandow goes in on the attack instantly. Sandow kept Sheamus grounded with a chinlock in the middle of the ring.
Sheamus breaks the hold, but Sandow does the neckbreaker and flips up. However, he does not have time for the Elbow of Distain. Sheamus misses on a corner attack and Sandow hits the neckbreaker and follows it with clubbing blows to the chest. Sandow applies a chinlock, and Sheamus breaks the hold. Sheamus then begins his run with a back body drop, Irish Hammers and a knee to the face. Sandow avoids punishment, but Sheamus grabs hold and clubs him along the ropes. Sheamus enters the ring with a slingshot shoulder tackle. Sandow avoids an Irish Curse and leaves. Sandow avoids more of Sheamus’ signature moves until Sandow had enough. Brave Sir Sandow Ran Away…
Winner via Countout: Sheamus
Grade: C+
After the match, Sheamus celebrates with the title.
Later: Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler. Also, is it “Game Over” for HHH?
Commercial
We see some Green Bay Packers jerseys. Green Bay Wide Receiver Donald Driver is in the crowd.
The Prime Time Players are dancing. Their match is now.
Tag Team Match
The Prime Time Players (Titus O’Neil and Darren Young) vs. International Airstrike (Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel)
Last Week, the PTPers want the Tag Team Championship, but The Usos, Primo and Epico, and Gabriel and Kidd plead their cases to the Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth and a fight breaks out.
O’Neil and Kidd start the match off. O’Neil powers up to start. Gabriel is in and both connect with a nice double team dropkick on O’Neil. Young is tagged in (Meanwhile on Tout, The Usos think they should be the next tag team champions). Gabriel uses the armdrag, takes Young down and Kidd is tagged in for another combo move. Young pushes Kidd to their corner and O’Neil is in. Kidd tried to fight them off, but O’Neil clobbers Kidd down.
O’Neil then drops Kidd down hard, Young is in and Young is front suplexed on Kidd. Kidd escapes Young’s offense and Gabriel is in. Gabriel uses kicks, then a spinning forearm. Gabriel then takes O’Neil down and hits the STO on Young. Kidd and O’Neil fight on. However, Young avoids the 450 Splash and hits his finisher, The Gut Check, for the pinfall victory.
Winners via Pinfall: The Prime Time Players (Young pins Gabriel)
Grade: C-.
After the match, The Prime Time Players dance…horribly.
Anger Management Segment: Kane takes his mask off, and then runs down every single event of his life. If one has not seen this segment, it is a must see. You don’t make characters like Kane anymore. Next Week: Anger Collage.
Bryan is going mad, and Kane and Harold have a moment.
Next: An Alberto Del Rio Exclusive Interview
Commercial
Josh Mathews is in the ring and welcomes Alberto Del Rio. However, that was not good enough as Ricardo Rodriguez introduces Del Rio. Del Rio drives an Excaliber, which is more than over $100,000. At Night of Champions, Cole said that Sheamus will go up against Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Del Rio and Rodriguez are in the ring. Mathews runs down how he beat Orton last week, but Del Rio cuts him off and said that he made Orton tap out. (Clip of the “Tap Out”) Del Rio said he will make Sheamus tap out and be the NEW World Heavyweight Champion. Mathews said that Del Rio was bested by Sheamus. Del Rio called him a weasel and then is about to go after Mathews until the PYRO hits. Kane enters the ring in a brisk pace. Del Rio and Rodriguez escape. Mathews flees in terror. Kane on the mic said that his therapist said he should apologize for Mathews. Kane is sorry, and thanks Mathews for being a part of his recovery program. Teddy Long enters and said Del Rio will be in a match with Kane…RIGHT NOW!
Singles Match (In Progress)
Kane vs. Alberto Del Rio (w/Ricardo Rodriguez)
Kane cornered Del Rio and backed off. Kane brushes off a couple of kicks but Kane punches away. (Meanwhile, Mathews does not trust Kane). Del Rio gets a kick in, but Kane delivers a right hand and Del Rio is down. Del Rio quickly grabs Kane’s arm and drills it to the post. Kane approaches Del Rio with a Chokeslam, but Del Rio avoids it.
Kane delivers a boot, and follows it up with a Side Slam
(Cole calls is a Sidewalk Slam). Kane goes up top and soars with a Top Rope Clothesline. Kane grabs hold of Rodriguez. Del Rio, the cunning aristocrat, hits the Backstabber and scores the pinfall victory.
Winner via Pinfall: Alberto Del Rio
Grade: C-
Rodriguez celebrates by declaring Del Rio as the winner. Kane embraces his hate, runs toward Josh Mathews and throws him down. Kane said “I’m sorry, I am losing my temper”. Kane chokeslams Mathews, and Mathews sells it like a champion. It looks like Michael Cole will go solo for the main event.
Replays of Del Rio’s win and Kane’s attack were featured. Kane walks slowly with his arm crossed.
Up Next: Game Over for HHH?
Michael Cole is alone. Moments ago, Mathews was taken for medical testing. Cole pleads to the GMs of the WWE that wrestlers should not attack commentators. Finally, Cole talks about HHH.
Last Monday: HHH talks about his loss to Brock Lesnar. He talks, he cries, the crowd chants “Tri-Ple-H”.
Vickie Guerrero excuses herself and introduces Dolph Ziggler.
Commercial
Singles Match
Dolph Ziggler (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. Randy Orton
Last Week: Ziggler attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank Case, but Orton hit the RKO and put an end to it.
They tie-up, then Orton delivers a shoulder tackle. Ziggler manages a drop kick and poses a bit. Ziggler applies a headlock on Orton, and Orton follow suit. Orton then hits his own drop kick. After a pin attempt, Orton stomps away on Ziggler, then rakes his knee to Ziggler’s face. Orton executes a great Slingshot Suplex and gets a two count.
Ziggler then gets a kick in and finishes with a neckbreaker. Ziggler grounds Orton with Elbow Drops and covers for a two count. Ziggler applies a chinlock. Orton gets up in a few seconds. They exchange punches, and Orton concludes that after a backbreaker. Ziggler avoids a corner attack and uses great force on his lariat to Orton. Orton escapes a Leaping Elbow by Ziggler, then Orton escapes the corner and begins his run. Orton snap slams Ziggler down and smiles to the crowd. Orton then goes to the ropes, but Ziggler snaps Orton’s neck on the ropes.
Both go back and forth until Orton hits a Superplex on Ziggler. Ziggler kicks out at two and the match continues. Ziggler immediately goes for a DDT and hits it! Ziggler covers Orton for two and now both men are down. Ziggler is waiting for Orton to pop up, Orton catches Ziggler and plants him with the Orton DDT but can’t score the victory (Vickie laughs it off). Orton throws Ziggler to the table, avoids the Zig Zag, and plants an RKO on Ziggler. Ziggler looks like he just died in the ring after the RKO, well done.
Winner via Pinfall: Randy Orton
Grade: C+
After match Vickie Guerrero declares Dolph Ziggler as the winner after grabbing the microphone from Lillian Garcia. However, Orton’s music hits and we end the show.
Quick Results
Rey Mysterio def. Cody Rhodes (Rollup)
Kaitlyn def. Natalya (Rollup)
Sheamus def. Damien Sandow (Count Out)
The Prime Time Players def. International Airstrike (Gut Check)
Alberto Del Rio def. Kane (Backstabber)
Randy Orton def. Dolph Ziggler (RKO)
Mr. V’s Thoughts (thoughts right after a segment or match ends)
I’ll be honest. I love the first segment of Smackdown and I owe it all to Damien Sandow. Sheamus was alright, but the WWE needs fresh faces to go up against their champions. Despite the fact that Sheamus will face Alberto Del Rio once again at Night of Champions, it was refreshing to see someone else share some top-level time like Sandow. Sandow has quickly become a hot commodity with his riveting promos. I think Sandow, mic-wise, is ready.
Mysterio vs. Rhodes – This match was pretty solid. The action was nonstop and entertaining. Rhodes showcased a bit of power in his wrestling, but of course one can do that with a opponent like Mysterio. Mysterio plays his role well, as one of the best babyfaces in recent memory. He sold well and really gets the crowd to invest in him. Rhodes continues his story as a man that is devoting his entire run to erase the masks of the luchadors and show off their “ugliness”. And again, it bites him in the rear end as Mysterio gets another victory. The addition to Rhodes’ current rival, Sin Cara, was a nice touch. It was good storytelling.
Kaitlyn vs. Natalya – This was actually a good, short, and effective Divas match. Natalya showed improvement in her work, and everything seems to gel for her as a heel with attitude. She slowed the pace down, while Kaitlyn (again) continues her vast improvement. Kaitlyn was a good diva in-peril in this match, and escaped with another victory. The match helps Kaitlyn become a threat to Layla for the Divas Title. Honestly, at Night of Champions I say the switch should happen…but won’t.
Eve is wearing glasses and business suits again. With AJ, the business suits don’t work well. But with Eve, it is perfect. Eve can talk, and maybe if this was a decade ago Eve could give anyone a run for their money with talent and the ability to talk on the microphone as well.
Sheamus vs. Sandow – I loved the storytelling in this match, but the wrestling in the opening match was a tad bit better. Sandow was put in a match with the World Heavyweight Champion and was a natural fit. Sure, he played a great mid-card heel (with potential for greatness) by fleeing from the champion, but when he was in control against Sheamus it was remarkable. Sandow, I feel, is a bit of an underrated technical wrestler. Sheamus keeps the victory and I have no problem. One must keep the champ strong with a few weeks from the next PPV. And it showed that Sheamus could work with Sandow in case of a longer program in the future (and vice versa). The story was the best of the evening, but Rhodes/Mysterio got the edge at this moment.
Young/O’Neil vs. Gabriel/Kidd – First off, I like the layout of this tag team division. While we may bury the WWE and state that it is a lost art, it looks like in 2012 they are bringing it back. The Usos, Primo/Epico, International Airstrike, and the Prime Time Players are a good (but not great) group of wrestlers to win a bid at the Tag Team Championships. The wrestling match, sadly, did not do any favors. It was not at fault of Kidd and Gabriel who I thought were not bad. It is just that Young and O’Neil just aren’t that good as a team. If this division fails again, one has to believe that it is the end of the Prime Time Players. They are not wrestling like their jobs are on the line, and that is frustrating.
The Del Rio Interview – It was just an interview. I feel bad when I type this, but Del Rio’s too limited. It feels like the same promo each week and it is frustrating because it zaps his charisma. Meanwhile, Kane’s apology to Mathews was brilliant. Mathews was the perfect pawn piece to the match ahead.
Note: Teddy Long booked a singles match. The memes should be limited.
Del Rio vs. Kane – The match featured tons of back and forth work with a usual finish. I did not feel invested in the match, but I did enjoy what happened at the end of the match when Kane loses his cool and destroys Josh Mathews with a Chokeslam. If I was more invested with Kane and Mathews, what should the “WWE Universe” feel about Del Rio at the moment?
Orton vs. Ziggler – The match was very back and forth, and for an eight-minute match I enjoyed it. Ziggler was almost perfect. The only spot I did not get entirely was when he lacked a sell after the Superplex, but it probably was due to time constraints. However, with Ziggler every move and sell he tells a great story. Many WWE Superstars lack that attribute. Orton was very good, but I think he is not sure what kind of wrestler he wants to be when he is a babyface. As if he is a bit out of element. However, maybe it was how the match was booked but it was Orton’s best match since his return from suspension.
As the big picture, I found Smackdown to be highly enjoyable. Many will disagree with me, but think about what Raws, Smackdowns, and Superstars were like in weeks past. Then you see this week’s show and it is a huge step in the right direction from a television standpoint. However, I am not sure how they will transition to the build up for Night of Champions.
Final Friday Night Smackdown Grade: B
WWE Night of Champions Card
Sheamus (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship
CM Punk (c) vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship
Layla (c) vs. Kaitlyn for the Divas Championship
More will be announced in the coming weeks.
Thanks for reading, everybody. Mike Tedesco will be back next week. Have a great, and safe, Labor Day Weekend.
E-Mail: mistervwv@hotmail.com
Twitter: @TheMisterV