WWE Smackdown review
December 7, 2012
Taped 12/4/12 in Charleston, S.C.
Aired on SYFY
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- A recap of the Shield’s latest attacks from Raw aired, as well as Ryback standing tall to end the show.

- A graphic from WWE.com was shown. It was a statement from the office of the Chairman of the Board that stated that C.M. Punk’s knee injury will keep him out of the TLC PPV. In its place: The Shield vs. Team Hell No & Ryback in a TLC match.

- In the arena in Charleston, Booker T. was introduced by Lilian Garcia. He was already in the ring, along with a table and two chairs, which can only mean one thing: A contract signing. Booker promised to, as always, take care of business in the ring. Or in the back, or in the street, or a supermarket (a nod to his past Smackdown brawl with Steve Austin). He turned his attention to Big Show vs. Sheamus, which has turned personal. He said he has to make a drastic decision tonight, then showed the reason for such a decision, that being the Sheamus-Big Show parking lot brawl from last month. Then, at Survivor Series, Sheamus’s post-match attack on Show also aired. Booker noted that Show and Sheamus are scheduled to go one-on-one at TLC in a Chairs match. But tonight, he’s stipulating a no-contact clause for the two participants. Booker first introduced Show. Sheamus was next.

Once both men were in the ring, Booker said if Sheamus disobeys his no-contact clause, he’ll lose his TLC title shot. As for Show, he’ll be stripped of the World Title if he initiates the contact. Sheamus signed his contract first, then said waiting nine more days to kick Show’s arse is like waiting nine more days for Christmas. He relished the idea of beating Show with a steel chair. Show said Sheamus better be careful what he wishes for, because he still got up after all those chairshots Sheamus delivered last month. Show put over the power behind his chairshots and threatened to end Sheamus’s career at TLC. Sheamus went a little heel, saying he made Show relevant again the last few months and said he’ll gladly end Show’s career at TLC. Show signed the contract and fired the first shot by knocking the table over into Sheamus. Booker tried to talk Sheamus down as Sheamus angrily tossed a chair out of the ring. Booker said if Sheamus wants to take his frustrations out on someone, he can take them out on Alberto Del Rio, in a match, tonight. And Show will face Daniel Bryan in a match that starts next. Bryan came to the ring for the match, which begins after the break.

[Commercial Break]

1 – THE BIG SHOW vs. DANIEL BRYAN

The match began upon return from break. Bryan kicked away at the legs of Show, but Show took over with headbutts. Show missed a big chop, which gave Bryan a brief spurt of offense. Bryan attempted chops and more kicks, which barely seemed to annoy Show. Big back splash in the corner by Show, but Bryan dropkicked the legs of the big man. Bryan flew over the top rope for a cross-body and Show was supposed to catch him, but Bryan’s momentum took him and Show down. Show ended up lifting Bryan anyway and taking control with a chop to the chest as Bryan jumped off the apron. They went to break 3:10 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

They returned at 7:06 of the contest. Elbowdrop by Show and a cover for two. Show continued his methodical offense, brushing off any attempts at a comeback by Bryan. Hard arm-wringer put Bryan on the mat. At 9:35, Bryan got his feet up on a charge and came off the ropes with a jumping double-knee. He took Show down to his knees and kicked at the chest of the giant. A chokeslam attempt was turned into a DDT for just a one-count. Kick to the head by Bryan, who then climbed the top rope. As he did, The Shield descended the stairs in the crowd. Show grabbed Bryan by the throat and chokeslammed him off the top for the win.

WINNER: Show, at 10:51. I understand the loss was by distraction, but matching up two guys, one who will be in the likely PPV main event and the other defending his World Title, doesn’t make much sense to me. I get that this allows you to get over both matches in one segment, but I would keep both men away from doing any kind of job before TLC.

After the match, the Shield attacked Bryan in the ring until Kane came out. The numbers got to him too and they took the fight to him outside the ring. The threesome teamed up to poewrbomb Kane through the announce table.

[Commercial Break]

- Damien Sandow was in the ring. He talked about trying to raise the cerebral bar in WWE lately. Sandow chose a fan, despite him saying the crowds were getting worse each week. The man chosen was wearing a Santino Marella t-shirt. I think Sandow mispronounced “enviable.” Sandow posed three questions. The first: 5 + 5. Just for run, the guy should get it wrong on the first try. The second question was, “who is the president of the United States.” When the guy got it right, Sandow declined a high-five. The third question was about some kind of ancient art. The answer was “vanitas,” and yes, I did Google it for the spelling. Sandow admonished the man and his beard. His promo finished, The Miz came out.

Josh Mathews speculated that Miz might volunteer to be Sandow’s apprentice. Miz had a question of his own, and the answer was Damien Sandow. Miz said this person wears his daddy’s bathrobe and buys his pink trunks at Victoria’s Secret. Edgy! “You’re welcome,” finished The Miz. Sandow looked on with contempt as Miz exited the ring.

- Mathews and JBL were shown at ringside. The end of the Dolph Ziggler & Big Show vs. Sheamus & John Cena match was shown. Also shown: Vince McMahon bullying Vickie Guerrero into making matches. A graphic aired for Cena vs. Ziggler in a Ladder Match with Ziggler’s Money in the Bank contract at stake. The announcers also discussed Cena on Saturday Morning Slam Saturday morning on the CW

- Brodus Clay and the Usos came to the ring, accompanied by the Funkadactyls. They’re in six-man tag action next.

[Commercial Break]

2 – BRODUS CLAY & THE USOS vs. 3MB

Very light shoulder tackle by Heath Slater on Jey Uso began the match. Jimmy tagged in and landed a flying headbutt off the second rope on Slater. Jimmy fought out of the heel corner and had the advantage until Drew McIntyre put him down. He made the tag to Clay, who cleaned house on McIntyre. He took out Slater and Jinder Mahal while he was at it, too. Overhead suplex, then a tag to Jimmy. Slater and Mahal attacked Clay outside the ring. Jimmy had to fight off Slater, which led to McIntyre hitting his Future Shock DDT for the win.

WINNERS: 3MB, at 2:33. They’re still kind of a joke as a team, but they’re somewhat entertaining. Someone should at least let them borrow those cheap plastic guitars that the Rock ‘n Rave Infection used in TNA.

- Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton is next.

- Later, Sheamus takes on Alberto Del Rio.

- Matt Striker was backstage with Barrett. Striker brought up the Shield, and Barrett said Orton doesn’t need to be concerned with the Shield; he needs to be concerned with him. And tonight, he’s going to put Orton out of his misery.

[Commercial Break]

- Kofi Kingston joined the announcers for the next match.

3 – RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT

A back-elbow by Barrett prevented a clean break from occurring in the corner. Orton didn’t take too kindly to that and went on the offensive. The brawl went outside the ring, where Orton tossed Barrett into the barricade. “If you were to build a sports-entertainer, he would look like Randy Orton.” “Sports-entertainer” just doesn’t sound right in that context. The tide turned and Orton was thrown into the ring steps. Orton was taken outside the ring and held his forearm area. Barrett taunted Kingston as they went to break at 3:58 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

They returned at about the 7:30 mark. Barrett continued his assault on Orton. Big boot by Barrett sent Orton again to the outside. Orton began his comeback shy of ten minutes in, including a powerslam. Rope-assisted DDT by Orton. He coiled for the RKO, but Barrett countered by simply backing away in a bit of an awkward spot. Barrett tried to undo the top turnbuckle, but Kingston hopped on the apron to prevent the deceit. Orton then capitalized with an RKO for the win.

WINNER: Orton, at 10:47. Orton got the win, but Barrett looked dominant throughout.

- After a replay of the finish, a breaking news graphic noted C.M. Punk’s surgery.

- The Great Khali, Natalya, and Hornswoggle were walking backstage. Horny and Khali are in action next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – THE COLONS vs. THE GREAT KHALI & HORNSWOGGLE

No entrances for anyone. JBL had the gall to call Smackdown “The ‘A’ Show” at this point in the broadcast. Khali nailed Primo with a hard chop to the chest. Rosa Mendes shook her stuff at ringside, but Hornswoggle bent over and Rosa tripped over him. Natalya, also at ringside, fought with Rosa after she tried to go after Horny. Another chop to Primo. Khali missed a big boot in the corner nad fell over the top rope and to ringside. Primo grabbed Horny and tossed him to the mat. Epico tagged in and they slapped him around until Khali re-entered the ring. Hornswoggle flexed and shook the ropes like the Warrior. He escaped through Khali’s legs and took out both Colons. Tag to Horny, who hit the Tadpole Splash on Epico for the win.

WINNERS: Khali and Horny, at 2:53. WWE-themed comedy at its finest.

- The Raw Rebound aired. It focused on C.M. Punk being goaded into a lie detector test.

- The statement from the Chairman was again shown, as well as the graphic for the six-man tag.

- Mathews and JBL tossed it to video footage released by The Shield earlier in the week. The men spoke as they used a hand-held camera to film themselves in what appeared to be the backstage area. They explained their actions on Raw and said they don’t work for anyone but themselves. They also hyped up their TLC match. I’m surprised lowly Smackdown was allowed to air this footage before Raw.

[Commercial Break]

- After a graphic for the U.S. Title match at TLC was shown, Antonio Cesaro was in the ring. He cut a promo on America, calling it “weak.” He also said the American Dream is a lie, saying none of the fans will ever amount to anything. He said people used to work toward the American dream, now they look like the American Dream. Dusty Rhodes’s music played while they showed a photo of his polka-dotted character on the Titan Tron. If you need to explain a joke like that, it’s probably not worth making. Cesaro tried to continue, but R-Truth’s music interrupted. He walked out onto the stage.

Truth told the fans not to “what?” him, but then said they could. He said Cesaro needs a dose of the truth. Truth said in America, he sees good people rising up in the face of hard times. He said people bust their butts to the bone to make ends meet. Sounds painful. Truth said it sounded like Cesaro was picking a fight with America, and when that happens, America fights back. Cue “USA” chant from the fans. Cesaro said Truth is everything that is wrong with America. Truth took off his jacket and headed to the ring. Cesaro noted how Truth has failed miserably in attempts to take his title. “And that’s the truth,” he finished. Truth, in the ring at this point, said when you kick his dog, he kicks your cat. Then he attacked Cesaro. They brawled briefly, but Cesaro escaped before further damage could be done.

- Sheamus vs. Del Rio is the main event, and it’s next.

[Commercial Break]

- Tribute to the Troops comes to USA and NBC later this month. Mathews thanked Kid Rock for “Let’s Ride,” one of the themes to Tribute to the Troops.

5 – ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. SHEAMUS

As Sheamus came to the ring, they replayed Show kicking the table onto Sheamus from earlier in the evening. A graphic aired for Show vs. Sheamus as well. It was less than 30 seconds in when Del Rio attempted to retreat. Mathews brought up a storyline from earlier in the year, Sheamus “borrowing” one of Del Rio’s fancy cars. Sheamus and Del Rio continued going back-and-forth, with Del Rio dropkicking the knees of Sheamus while the Great White stood on the apron. Big Show walked out from backstage at 3:17 of the match. They cut to break soon after.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:22 of the match. Del Rio was working of the arm of Sheamus. Sheamus hit the ropes and Del Rio hit him with a kick to the gut. Del Rio came off the top, but Sheamus knocked him out of mid-air with a forearm at 8:25. Sheamus did his trademark comeback, including clobbering the chest of Del Rio. Sheamus, from the top rope, knocked Del Rio down with a shoulder tackle. It got a two-count at 10:01. Del Rio fired back with a kick to the back of the head after a missed Brogue Kick by Sheamus. Del Rio rolled through a missed moonsault, but Sheamus caught him with a back-breaker and then a cloverleaf. Del Rio tried to undo Sheamus’s boot, but had to tap out.

WINNER: Sheamus, via submission, at 12:04.

Show applauded on his way to the ring. He entered the ring with his title and challenged Sheamus to hit him. The two got incredibly amped up and Sheamus signaled for the Brogue Kick. Show closed his eyes to take the move, but Sheamus grabbed Ricardo Rodriguez, who was checking on Del Rio, and tossed him into Show’s crotch. Show hit the mat and sold the pain. After a replay, slow-motion of course, of Rodriguez going into Show’s crotch, Sheamus celebrated in the ring.


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Greg Parks has been covering WWE Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. Follow him on Twitter @gregmparks for live Tweeting during Raw, Impact, and PPVs, as well as other bits of wisdom. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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