WWE Smackdown Review
January 13, 2012
Taped 1/10 in Laredo, Texas
Aired on Syfy
By Michael Cupach, PWTorch Contributor

[Q1]

-WWE open.

-Smackdown opens with a video package on Daniel Bryan “defying the odds” against Big Show in his World Title match last week. The voice-over guy announces that there will be a re-match tonight with no count-outs or disqualification. How will Daniel Bryan survive?

-The Smackdown music video plays, followed by full pyro. Josh Mathews welcomes everyone to Smackdown on the road to the Royal Rumble.

-Lilian Garcia introduces Daniel Bryan, who comes out to what sounds like canned boos. Bryan has a microphone and he says he wants to set the record straight, he says that winning the World Championship is a dream come true and defending the title is what he lives for. He calls last weeks match against Big Show a successful title defense and the crowd starts chanting “Big Show!” He says that most champions would move onto the next opponent after winning last week, but not him, he wants a definitive victory, not a DQ. Part of the crowd starts chanting “You Suck!” at Bryan, but it sounds like only half the crowd is chanting. Bryan accuses the crowd of buying into message board hype and he calls out “HeymanFan512” of not knowing what he is talking about. So, Bryan announces that tonight Big Show is getting his no DQ, no count-out match to make sure that nothing crazy happens. He gives a little commentary on that, saying it is not necessary because all the chaos came from one man, Mark Henry. Daniel starts saying that Henry ruined the match and should be suspended.

Mark Henry’s music plays and he makes his way to the ring with a microphone of his own. He asks if he heard Bryan right that he really thinks he should be suspended? He assures Bryan that if he got suspended, he would get his money's worth and Bryan wouldn’t be standing here tonight! So, after a meeting with Teddy Long earlier, he says that he is banned from ringside. Bryan is glad about that and Henry calls him “Tiny Tim." Henry says that he was also told that if he keeps his nose clean and doesn’t interfere, he will get the winner next week in a World Title Match! Bryan doesn’t think it is fair that he has to face Big Show three times in a row, then gets stuck facing Henry next week. They stare each other down as Henry leaves the ring. Cole comments that he doesn’t think Bryan will be the one facing Henry next week. Mathews concurs.

-Tonight, Sheamus takes on Jinder Mahal.

(Commercial)

-Last week, Hornswoggle beat Heath Slater in an over-the-top-rope challenge. After the match Slater started beating down Horny, Gabriel made the save and now Slater wants revenge!

[Q2]

1 -- JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. HEATH SLATER

Gabriel starts things off with an armbar, Slater reverses out and catches Justin with a boot to the face when he put his head down. Head scissor takedown by Gabriel, he tries it a second time, but Slater reverses and sends Justin into the turnbuckle. Slater works a rear chinlock on Gabriel. He fights out of it, but walks into a spinebuster from Heath that gets a two count. Slater goes to the top rope, but Hornswoggle's music hits and he pops out from under the ring to distract Slater. Justin Gabriel arm drags Slater off the top and follows up with a 450 Splash for the win!

WINNER: Justin Gabriel by pinfall in 3:00

Mike’s Reax: Random thoughts. (1) Justin Gabriel is a former three-time tag champion? What does that say about tag title reigns in WWE? (2) Does the world really need a Hornswoggle-Slater feud? (3) How low on the totem pole is Slater that he has to lose to Hornswoggle week after week? (4) How come no one ever calls out Hornswoggle on his win/loss record? It seems like he's the new Triple H?

-Backstage, Daniel Bryan is stretching and he is interrupted by A.J., who says that she is proud of him and she professes her love to him. He says, “Thanks.”

(Commercial)

-Cody Rhodes it out and he says, “Hola!” He accuses the crowd of only being able to say “Habla Espanol,” and that they fear the letters I.N.S. He says that he felt that tonight was the right time to remind everyone that he has been the Intercontinental Champion for five months now and he is the longest current champion of any title. He then lists all the former champions that he is currently outshining, but for as much as that matters, his real goal is to pull an Ultimate Warrior and become both the Intercontinental Champion and World Heavyweight champion! So, he says that he will win the 2012 Royal Rumble match and get his title shot.

2 -- IC champion CODY RHODES vs. EZEKIEL JACKSON - non-title match

Headlock from Cody to start and Zeke throws him off. Cody recovers and goes for the knee of Jackson to chop him down and he stomps away to keep him down. Knee to the face from Rhodes and he keeps the pressure on by stomping away some more.

[Q3] Zeke powers out of a chinlock and he whips Cody into the far turnbuckles three or four times, then splashes him in the corner. Series of bodyslams from Jackson and he sets up the Torture Rack, Cody slips out and goes for the Beautiful Disaster kick, Jackson ducks. Cody then drop-toe-holds Ezekiel into the bottom turnbuckle, then hits the Beautiful Disaster and Cross Rhodes for the win!

WINNER: Cody Rhodes by pinfall in 2:00

Mike’s Reax: Cody is coming so far right now; everything he is doing is great. It is looking to me like they are grooming him for a run maybe after WrestleMania.

-Tonight, Daniel Bryan defends his World title against Big Show in a no disqualification, no count-out match!

(Commercial)

-At the announce table, Josh and Michael discuss the Hall of Fame and the Class of 2012. They throw to a package on Edge, who will be the headliner for this year's class.

-Backstage, Santino is with Teddy Long. Santino has some ideas for new match ideas that he calls “Santino Originals” such as a cage match where there are small cages inside of larger rings. He also has an idea about allowing reptiles back at ringside. David Otunga interrupts to discuss the Royal Rumble and who is going to be involved from the Smackdown side. Otunga has a few ideas based on marketability, etc. Santino cuts him off with an idea where he faces David tonight. Teddy makes it official. Both men leave. Then, there is a knock at the door and instead of Aksana (who Teddy is expecting) Drew walks in. Before he can say anything, Teddy tells him that he is not happy with his performance and he is not earning his paycheck. Teddy informs him that he has a match tonight that he needs to win and it is next!

(Commercial)

-Next week, Smackdown is going to turn into Sin City Smackdown, since Smackdown will be in, you know, Las Vegas.

[Q4]

3 -- DREW MCINTYRE vs. TED DIBIASE

Hunico and Camacho make there way to the ring as the match gets underway. Apparently they still feel disrespected by Ted since they haven’t been to a DiBiase Posse Party. Drew cheap shots Ted to start, Ted turns the table and tosses Drew out of the ring, in front of Hunico, who is doing commentary. Ted connects with a suicide dive, knocking Drew into Hunico. Ted gets distracted by Hunico and Drew takes over by ramming Ted into the apron, kidney first. Back in the ring, Drew works an armbar, he then knees Ted in the face. Ted slips behind Drew on a bodyslam attempt and he gets an atomic drop. DiBiase goes to the middle rope and gets caught by Drew coming off. Drew then sets Ted backwards on the top turnbuckle and Ted back-elbows Drew, who lands on the top rope, crotching himself. Ted then hits him with Dream Street for the win.

WINNER: Ted DiBiase by pinfall in 3:30

Mike’s Reax: I want to say that this can’t be better than not being on TV for Drew, but at least with these matches he is losing, he is on TV again. I like how they are giving mid-carders feuds and storylines, though. Even if they're lame stories like not being invited to a DiBiase Posse Party! By the way, Hunico was terrible on commentary; he was the Bizarro Mark Henry. He had nothing to say and showed very little charisma. I hope that doesn’t happen again.

-Up next: Sheamus vs. Jinder Mahal.

(Commercial)

-Last week, Jinder put Sheamus in the Camel Clutch. Sheamus didn’t care for that, so he gets his shot at revenge tonight. Jinder makes his way to the ring, saying that he is not expected to win the Royal Rumble match this year and he likes it that way. He likes it when no one sees him coming.

4 -- SHEAMUS vs. JINDER MAHAL

Sheamus starts off by pounding away on Mahal. He whips Mahal into the far corner, but Jinder catches him with a back elbow when he charges in. Sheamus answers with a clothesline and tries the Celtic Cross, but Jinder slips out and rolls out of the ring. Sheamus chases him out and shoulder blocks him down, then tosses him back in the ring. Catapult shoulder block by Sheamus into the ring puts Smackdown at the top of the hour.

[Q5] Jinder catches Sheamus with a knee to the face and follows up with a neckbreaker for a two count. Headlock from Mahal and he pounds on Sheamus's midsection to put him down on the mat. Sheamus powers his way to his feet and back drops Mahal. Sheamus then ties Jinder up in the ropes and clubs his chest ten times, throws him back in the ring, then goes up top and nails Mahal with the shoulder block from the top. Brogue Kick from Sheamus, and he pins Jinder for the win.

WINNER: Sheamus by pinfall in 4:00.

Mike’s Reax: Total squash by Sheamus and he is looking strong for the Rumble. A few of my friends are predicting Sheamus will win this year.

-Backstage, Jack Doane is giving Big Show the rules for the World Title match. Show tells him he knows how it works since it isn’t his first time. A.J. then walks into frame and asks the ref to give her a minute with Show. She asks Big Show to go easy on Bryan tonight because deep down he is a good guy. Big Show says that he just wants his title back. Bryan interrupts and asks what is going on - first, Show tries taking his title, and now he is trying to take his girl? Big Show says that the title has changed Bryan, but, after tonight, he won’t have that problem anymore because he won’t have the title anymore. Big Show walks off and Bryan asks her if she is okay - was he trying to intimidate her? He asks her if she loves him, what would she do for him.

(Commercial)

5 -- SANTINO MARELLA vs. DAVID OTUNGA

Double leg takedown from Santino to start. David has none of that and is right up to his feet to ram Santino in the turnbuckle. Otunga springboards off the ropes a few times and drops elbows on Marella. Otunga then misses a charge in the corner and Marella hip tosses Otunga. Marella calls for the Cobra, Otunga blocks, and he hits Santino with what looks like a Vertebreaker for the win.

WINNER: David Otunga in 2:00.

[Q6] At the announce table, they introduce a video package of the Four Horsemen being inducted into the Hall of fame.

-Up next: The Funkasaurus is da house! Brodus Clay makes his Smackdown re-debut!

(Commercial)

-Raw Rebound featuring Kane’s little shop of horrors. He terrorized Zack Ryder and Eve Torres all night, then chokeslammed Ryder onto a stack of pallets, and then choked out Cena. Of course, all this could have been avoided if Zack took shop class and knew how to change a flat tire.

-It's time for Brodus Clay to make his return to Smackdown. He dances his way out with the Funkettes before facing Tyson Kidd.

6 -- BRODUS CLAY vs. TYSON KIDD

Clay runs down Kidd and nails him with a crossbody for the win.

WINNER: Brodus Clay by pin in 0:10.

-Backstage, Teddy Long is dancing to Clay's music. The music promptly changes to Aksana’s music. They make small talk about Brodus Clay and Smackdown being in Las Vegas next week. Aksana says that she wants to go to the roulette table next week because she loves to hit on black. Long does a spit take after hearing that.

-They show the tale of the tape for the main event. Pretty much, Big Show is double everything about Daniel Bryan.

[Q7] (Commercial)

7 -- NATALYA vs. TAMINA

Canned cheers for Tamina for her entrance. Nattie slaps her to start, then gets a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Tamina answers back with a Samoan Drop, she goes to the top and nails Natalya with a Superfly Splash for the win.

WINNER: Tamina in 0:45.

Mike’s Reax: No wonder Beth doesn’t come to the ring with Natalya any more since she is a loser. I don’t understand why WWE appears to be going with Alicia Fox and Tamina, who have zero crowd response, and have Natalya lose to them week after week. WWE needs to get their act together with the Divas division because ever since LayCool broke up and Kharma disappeared, it seems like it has been in shambles.

-Wade Barrett makes his way to the stage. He has a microphone and asks the people if they were impressed by Sheamus tonight. He says that he was not because he is a man of class and civility and able to control his faculties at all times, unlike The Great White. So, Wade challenges Sheamus to a match next week in Vegas on Smackdown. He says that what he will do to Sheamus will indeed be a sin! God save the Queen!

-Still to come: Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show

(Commercial)

-Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett is confirmed for next week and Mark Henry faces the World Champion next week!

[Q8]

8 -- World Hvt. champion DANIEL BRYAN (w/A.J.) vs. BIG SHOW -- World Title match -- No count-out, No DQ

Big Show slams Bryan to start and chops him in the corner to start. Apparently, Michael Cole still doesn’t like Bryan. At least he is consistent. Headbutts from Show, Show whips Bryan into the far turnbuckle, and Bryan gets the feet up when Show charges in. Daniel Bryan goes to the top rope, but gets speared by Show when he jumps off. Bryan rolls out of the ring and Smackdown takes a break!

(Commercial)

Big Show slaps Bryan, who is strewn across the announce table, when Smackdown returns to action. He goes for it again, but Bryan rolls out of the way. Bryan grabs a steel chair and tees off on Big Show, Show swats the chair away and Daniel Bryan rolls back in the ring, eyes wide in disbelief. Big Show grabs a chair of his own and stalks Bryan into the ring. Bryan hangs Show up in the top rope, knocking him back to the floor. Bryan goes to the outside and grabs the chair and wails away some more, to little effect. Show swats him away again and Bryan gets back in the ring and lures Show in. Bryan kicks the crap out of Big Show, who is on one knee, until Show shoves him down. Bryan clips Big Shows knee to take him down, then delivers a DDT on the steel chair for a two count.

Both men reset and Show whips Bryan into the corner and splashes him. He calls for the chokeslam, but Bryan slips through and chops the knee, but it doesn’t take him down. Bryan grabs the chair again, but Show punches through it. Outside the ring Big Show dismantles the announce table and goes to Chokeslam Bryan through it, but he fights out. Bryan grabs another chair and assaults Show with it. Daniel Bryan then goes to the apron and jumps off, but gets caught by Show and rammed into the post. Big Show then chases Bryan around the ring and accidently kicks A.J., destroying her. The match stops as trainers attend to A.J. while Big Show cries and Daniel Bryan feigns sincerity.

WINNER: No contest after 10:00 of action.

-Post-match: Daniel Bryan yells at Big Show for being reckless and kicking his girlfriend. He calls Big Show a bastard and storms off, following the gurney that A.J. is on. Big Show is blubbering like a little girl with a skinned knee as Smackdown fades out.

***

Make sure to follow me on Twitter @MJCupach as I Tweet during Raw and most WWE PPV’s. Thank you for reading!

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