Arena Reports 12/29 WWE results Buffalo, N.Y.: Bryan vs. Henry vs. Show steel cage, Street Fight, heel attacks, false Tag Title change
Dec 29, 2011 - 11:30:40 PM
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WWE Smackdown house show results
December 29, 2011
Buffalo, N.Y.
Report by Darren Edwards, PWTorch reader
(1) Justin Gabriel beat Hunico. Typical match. Gabriel won after getting his knees up on Hunico's senton from the top rope. No 450 splash.
They announced Randy Orton wouldn't be appearing and offered refunds to anybody who wished to receive one up until 8:45 p.m.
(2) Sheamus beat Wade Barrett in a Street Fight. Barrett cut a typical promo before the match stating that six months on the shelf for Randy Orton might teach people not to cross the Barrett Barrage. They fought through the crowd and aisles for a bit and traded some chair and kendo stick blows. Drew McIntyre interfered on Barrett's behalf, but was eventually DDTed into a chair lying in the ring. With Drew out, Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick for the win. Not sure many newer fans knew who Drew is.
Booker T came out for the IC Title match, but Cody attacked him from behind and Booker was escorted to the back. Rhodes cut a promo in the ring insulting the Buffalo Bills and the crowd before asking WWE officials to tell Booker T that their feud ends tonight.
(3) Jinder Mahal defeated Ted DiBiase via submission. Ted did the typical pro-USA routine, but ultimately tapped to the Camel Clutch.
(4) Seth Rollins (formerly Tyler Black) defeated Tyson Kidd. Probably the best match of the night. A small group of fans started a Tyler Black chant during the match. Rollins won following a powerbomb into the turnbuckle.
After the match, Cody came back out and attacked both parties. He cut another promo about resurrecting the IC Title was interrupted by Booker's music. Booker took the mic and announced tonight wasn't about the IC Title, it was about kicking Cody's ass all over Buffalo.
(5) Booker T beat IC champion Cody Rhodes via DQ; Rhodes retained the IC Title. Very similarly-paced to their Raw match, but the end came when Cody was DQ'ed for shoving the ref. Cody attempted to leave, but Booker dragged him back and hit the scissors kick before giving the crowd a spin-a-rooni.
[Intermission]
(6) A.J. & Alicia Fox beat Tamina & Natalya. Nothing special, but they were at least allowed to wrestle for more than two minutes.
(7) WWE tag champions Air Boom (Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston) beat Primo & Epico to retain the Tag Titles. This wasn't advertised, but I imagine it was moved over from the Raw tour to make up for Orton's absence. Primo and Epico isolated Evan most of the match until Kofi got the tag. A false finish came when Kofi was pinned with his foot on the ropes. Epico and Primo were announced as new tag champs until another referee rushed out to order the match re-started. Shortly after, Trouble in Paradise set up Evan to fly for the finish.
[Short intermission while the cage was assembled. On a side note, the house show cage is pretty flimsy-looking. It was quite obvious Mark or Show would not be climbing it.]
(8) World Hvt. champion Daniel Bryan beat Big Show and Mark Henry in a three-way steel cage match to retain the World Title after escaping the cage. Henry didn't do much during the match. Bryan attempted some quick escapes before being pulled back in. Show eventually gave Henry a chokeslam and Bryan put the LeBell Lock on Show, but he was able to reach the ropes. The finish came when Bryan was dangling from Show's grasp outside the cage. Bryan was able to punch Show down off the top rope and drop down for the win.
After the match, Henry made a quick exit and Barrett and McIntyre (again?) came down to attack Show and Bryan. Sheamus ran in for the save and was able to shove the two heels into Show for a double chokeslam. Show had the belt over his shoulder for a bit before handing it to Bryan after a short stare down.
Overall, a good show. The lower bowl was almost completely full - better attendance than I had expected. They announced Raw would come to town on March 11 for another house show.
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