Friday Night Smackdown!
Wichita, Kansas
August 30, 2011
results thanks to pwtorch.com
The special live episode of WWE Smackdown Tuesday night started with a video
package now focusing on two main event matches of World Hvt. champion Randy
Orton vs. Christian inside a steel cage and John Cena vs. Wade Barrett.
Apparently Punk vs. Khali is off? The video transitioned to focus on the
Punk-Hunter contract signing for their Night of Champions PPV match. The
voice-over man said Super Smackdown Live begins now.
Arena: Inside the venue, Josh Mathews introduced the show following a pyro
explosion. Mathews announced the two main events as the camera panned the
audience. Michael Cole focused on the steel cage hanging above the ring for the
World Title main event. Cole said it's the sixth time they will meet for the
title. Who will prevail tonight?
After a pause, John Cena's music hit to the typical strong reaction from kids
and families. Booker T's voice was heard as Cena emerged on-stage surveying the
Smackdown crowd. Tony Chimel announced the opening match as Cena stormed the
ring and surveyed the crowd. Mathews claimed Cena transcends pop culture as he
hyped Cena's entrance. On-camera, Cole noted Cena began his career on Smackdown.
Cena began a promo telling everyone not to adjust their TV sets. He did Chimel's
"suuuuper" high-pitched bit for Edge. He said everyone from Raw, Smackdown,
Velocity, Heat, Thunder, Nitro, Afterburn, Shotgun Saturday Night, and Smoky
Mountain is here tonight. Cena said they even flew in your favorite XFL stars.
Well, except they're worse than Shockmaster. The bit didn't go over with the
crowd, then Cena turned his attention to WWE champion Alberto Del Rio.
Del Rio's music played, but Ricardo Rodriguez emerged on-stage instead. Ricardo
slowly made his way to the ring as Cena shook his head, annoyed. Cena told
Ricardo to hurry up and get him out here. Ricardo said he has a message straight
from Del Rio. He said Cena is going to have to wait just a little longer until
Night of Champions. That's not bad, though, because he'll soon have "the honor"
of being in the ring with Del Rio. Ricardo did the formal ring intro for Del Rio
and repeated his name over and over. Ricardo was working up a good sweat here as
Cena just shot looks around the arena. Cena told him to shut up and said it
sounds like two old cats trying to have sex and vomit at the same time. (What?)
Cena said he gets it that Del Rio isn't here, so he sent him a message by
punching Ricardo.
Cue up Wade Barrett's music to bring out Cena's opponent. Cole called Cena a
bully, which isn't a stretch. Barrett emerged on-stage and Cena welcomed "Winds
of Change" Wade Barrett to the show. Barrett mocked Cena for beating up a fat
ring announcer, so Cena cut down Chimel with a joke. Barrett said Cena is trying
to hi-jack the show, which shows he's learned zero lessons from their Nexus deal
last year. He said he personally demanded this match tonight to beat some sense
into Cena. Barrett said this is his territory and when he's finished with Cena
tonight, he's going to make him feel just as pathetic as when he made him his
own personal slave.
Cena said that's a fine speech, but it's the audience's show. And they're just
having a good time. Barrett laughed and said that's pathetic. Cena got serious
and said Barrett taking his kindness for weakness is pathetic. Cena told Barrett
he has a bright future here, but he's made his life miserable, so he owes him
some payback. Cena told Barrett he gets to find out payback's a bitch tonight.
The PG-13 Cena Run continues. Cena tossed his hat into the crowd as Barrett
slowly made his way to the ring before they cut to break.
[Commercial Break]
[Q2]
1 -- JOHN CENA vs. WADE BARRETT
Immediately back from break, Cena charged Barrett after the bell sounded.
Mathews hyped this as one of two main events tonight. Cole noted Del Rio did not
show up tonight, so they're focusing on Cena-Barrett tonight. Cena ran over
Barrett with a clothesline, then a corner splash before delivering a sandbag
slam. Cena followed with a right hand strike, but walked into a Sidewalk Slam
from Barrett for a two count. Cena came right back with a sit-out slam and the
comeback routine ensued. After a Shuffle, Cena set up for the Attitude
Adjustment, flashed a big smile, and easily connected with little resistance
from Barrett. Cena with the pin and the win. Afterward, Cena gave his armband to
military personnel ringside before posing in the ring again. Cena left the ring,
continuing to be in a jovial mood.
WINNER: Cena at 3:16. This felt like a flashback to the TLC PPV in December when
Cena buried Barrett under a pile of chairs. This was all about enhancing Cena
ahead of Night of Champions, which is fine, but why put Barrett in this
position? Barrett's nine-month recovery process from TLC just took a hit.
Backstage: Matt Striker brought in Mark Henry, who took up the entire camera
shot. Striker, over-selling how nervous he was standing next to Henry,
tentatively asked Henry for his thoughts on Orton-Christian tonight. Henry said
no matter what, he'll find a new candidate for the Hall of Pain. Heads or tails,
no matter what, his eventual opponent will lose.
In-ring: Sin Cara came to the ring for the next match before they cut to break.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Sin Cara's music was still playing. After Cole plugged the
Night of Champions PPV, Daniel Bryan's new music played to bring out Mr. Money
in the Bank, replacing Del Rio in the advertised match-up against Sin Cara.
Booker talked up Bryan before the bell sounded.
2 -- SIN CARA vs. DANIEL BRYAN
Mood lighting in effect here. Bryan quickly cleared Cara to the outside and
landed a flying suicide elbow that sent Cara into the guardrail. Back in the
ring, Bryan delivered kick strikes as Cole intentionally ignorantly knocked
Bryan's submission arsenal. Bryan then slapped on a surfboard stretch that Cara
escaped before dumping Bryan to the outside. Cara tried a flying move to the
outside, but Bryan avoided. Cara came back with an ugly-looking (compared to the
real Sin Cara) springboard splash.
[Q3] Back in the ring, Sin Cara landed a chop to the chest before the two men
knocked each other down with a mid-air collision. Cara was the first man up and
delivered a series of kicks to the leg. Bryan fired back with kick strikes of
his own before taking an inverted Torture Rack slam. Sin Cara then followed up
with his combination springboard dive and moonsault for the pin and the win.
Cole declared Bryan has plummeted in Booker's Fave Five rankings.
Post-match: Cara extended his hand to Bryan for a handshake. Suddenly, Sin Cara
turned around to kick Bryan in the face. Ref Armstrong held him back as Cole
called it awesome. Cara then slowly left the ring.
WINNER: Sin Cara at 5:01. Interesting post-match development to apparently give
Bryan and Cara a legitimate program on Smackdown. It's a risky decision turning
Cara heel since the character is actually selling merchandise and building
momentum, but we'll see how it plays out.
Backstage: From Sin Cara's heel turn, they cut to Matt Striker's smiling face.
Striker brought in new tag champs Bourne and Kingston for an interview on
becoming tag champions. Bourne said he's not sure how long this is going to
last, but they're going to ride this all the way. (What?) Kofi said they
completely depend on each other before running down the list of great tag teams
in the past. He said if anyone can fill those shoes, Air Boom can do it. All
three did Kofi's Boom clap to conclude the exchange, with Striker showing zero
objectivity. Cole said he's going to vomit.
Still to come tonight: Triple H-Punk PPV contract signing.
[Commercial Break]
Video package: Back from break, the announcers plugged a poll on
Christian-Orton, then Mathews fed to a video package recapping the history of
their feud over the past four months. The focus was on Orton trying to find a
way to vent his frustration on Christian. Tonight, he gets an opportunity inside
the steel cage, with Christian having no more excuses.
Backstage: Christian was shown staring straight ahead at the interview position.
Striker told Christian there's no lawyers, no friends, no excuses, and no way
out. Christian said it's his night. See, everyone has turned their back on him -
Edge, Hart, everyone. He said he's a fighter and he always fights for what's
right. It doesn't matter if Striker likes it, the "losers" in Wichita like it,
or anyone else. Christian said he doesn't need the World Title to validate his
career, but he wants the World Title. He concluded by saying Christian always
gets what he wants. Nice build-up to the title match thus far.
[Q4] [Commercial Break]
3 -- Divas champion KELLY KELLY & ALICIA FOX vs. BETH PHOENIX & NATALYA
Back from break, Aksana was in the ring to introduce a Divas tag match. First
out were Beth Phoenix and Natalya focused on the business at hand. Divas
champion Kelly Kelly was out next, joined by Alicia Fox, who has gone back and
forth between heel and face more times than Mr. Anderson lately. The heels
isolated Kelly early on. Alicia then tagged in and cleaned house before Beth cut
her off and delivered the Glam Slam for the win.
WINNERS: Beth & Natalya at 2:01. Decisive win for the Divas of Doom to keep them
strong leading to Night of Champions.
Backstage: Triple H and Teddy Long were shown walking down the hallway reviewing
the contract for Hunter-Punk at Night of Champions. Hunter didn't seem
completely pleased with the terms and conditions.
[Commercial Break]
In-ring: Back from break, Smackdown GM Teddy Long was already in the ring and
introduced Triple H. Cole mocked Long's introduction of Hunter before getting
serious about the business at hand when Punk-Nash was booked, then Hunter booked
himself against Punk. Cole said he thinks Hunter has let this get too personal
and he's not making rational decisions. Booker said he's sure Nash would have
beat the dust off Punk.
In the ring, Hunter took the mic and refreshed everyone on canceling Punk vs.
Nash, then making Punk against him for Night of Champions. Hunter said the Board
was "kind enough" to let him take off the suit for one night. He then invited
Punk to the ring to sign the contract and make this official.
[Q5 -- second hour] At the top of the second hour, Cult of Personality hit to
bring out Punk. Cole said he's been waiting all day to hear Punk's response and
said if anyone has a complaint about conspiracies in WWE, it's Punk. Booker said
he knows Nash isn't happy with the match being canceled and this thing has
become too personal. Punk made his way into the ring and posed for the crowd
before circling around the contract table.
Punk's music stopped and he approached the contract table to take a seat. Hunter
shoved his seat away, though, and stood over Punk, who sat down and propped his
feet up on the table. Punk said he finds this a tad bit unnecessary since
Hunter's word is gospel and he's already made the match, so why have a contract
signing? Punk asked if Hunter added a stipulation. Hunter said he gets it that
he caught Punk off-guard, but Punk said nothing catches him off-guard around
here because of the bad decision-making in WWE.
Hunter said Punk disrespected him, his family (cross-talk, cross-talk), WWE, his
father-in-law, and his wife. He said that despite all that and Punk holding WWE
hostage, he tried working with him. It wasn't good enough, though. Punk had to
push. Hunter asked "genius" who he thinks got the rights to Living Colour's Cult
of Personality. He said he pushed Punk' t-shirt through, too. Even last night
when he gave Punk a match with Nash, Punk still had to push his buttons. Maybe
he just needs to be the bigger man and swallow his pride, but he's done trying
to be the man and COO around here. He can only take so much, and Punk's
disrespect has turned personal. Now, Punk deals with him as a man.
Punk said he doesn't want to fight the COO at Night of Champions; he wants the
Cerebral Assassin. Punk said maybe Hunter isn't the guy for the job, which has
been his point all along. Punk said the last guy in Hunter's position, McMahon,
couldn't separate personal from business, just like Hunter is doing. Punk said
the thing they don't get is he doesn't hate WWE; he loves WWE. Punk said if he
hates WWE, he would be sitting at home right now. He said he wants change and he
recognizes when things suck. Punk said he is dying for a change. He wants to be
the catalyst for that change.
"Oh save me!" Hunter shouted. He said he wants change if it only benefits Punk.
Hunter said only about half agree with Punk and some of these people actually
like WWE. He said there's an audience that likes it the way it is. Can it be
better? Sure, and that's his job. But, when Punk talks about being the catalyst
for change, it only means Punk on top. Hunter said Punk's no different than
anyone else, including him, because they did whatever they had to do to get to
the top. He said Punk doesn't have the balls to look everyone in the eye and
tell them he's stepping on them.
Punk said he's not trying to be a martyr, but if Hunter sees him like that, then
perhaps he's saying the right things. Punk said he wants everyone in the
audience to tune in and enjoy this again. Punk said he's not completely
altruistically, sure, but he was a fan before he was a WWE wrestler and he will
do what he can and what he knows to make this place better and fun again. Small
reaction after Punk paused. Punk then shifted to Stephanie. He said he tried
pushing Hunter's buttons to see if he would pass, but he failed. Punk said maybe
he thought they were on the same page, but it turns out Hunter is egotistical
and vindicate. After all, he hired his old buddies to do his dirty work. Punk
said he's seen it before. If he has to be the catalyst for change and if he has
to go through Hunter, then so be it. Punk approached the contract and told
Hunter that at Night of Champions, don't fine him or suspend him after he kicks
Hunter's ass.
Punk signed the document, then Hunter asked Punk if he really thinks he's like
Vince. Hunter said he respects Vince, which Punk doesn't. Hunter said they
wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for McMahon. He said he couldn't take
any bigger complement than being compared to Vince, but where he's nothing like
Vince - Punk interrupted. He said Hunter wants to live in the past, but he
doesn't see the future. Punk said McMahon lost touch so long ago. He said Hunter
just points to his crotch and tells everyone to suck it, but he wants change.
Hunter asked Punk if he really wants change. He said this is where he's not like
Vince. Hunter signed the document, then told Punk that Vince would have gotten
into the ring at Night of Champions and taken a beating because it was good for
business. He said it's completely personal now. Hunter declared he's going to
kick Punk's "skinny, fat ass." Hunter slammed down the mic and Punk smirked.
Suddenly, the NWO music hit and Nash came stomping to the ring. Hunter held back
Punk as Nash turned over the contract table. Punk then landed blows on Nash
before Hunter threw Punk across the ring. Suddenly, Nash big-booted Punk. Hunter
then shoved Nash away, so Nash shoved Hunter down. Nash stared down at Hunter,
who sold disbelief. Nash then stepped out of the ring as Hunter and Punk
remained stunned in the ring. Cole reset the stage and declared Hunter has lost
control of all of this.
Segment Reax: At times, still too insider and breaking kayfabe (McMahon
willingly taking a beating) for the crowd to go along for the ride, but they got
around to the point of Hunter being the general face and Punk being the face for
a portion of the audience not present in Wichita. How that translates to PPV
buys and the live crowd in Buffalo for Night of Champions will be interesting.
Still to come: Orton vs. Christian in the steel cage. And, Sheamus now gets
Great Khali instead of Punk vs. Khali.
[Q6] [Commercial Break]
During commercial: Kevin Nash was shown walking down the hallway when Striker
approached him. Nash was asked for a word on what just happened, but he frowned
at Striker and walked off.
In-ring: Great Khali and Mahal made their way to the ring as Cole continued to
heel on Hunter. Khali was introduced to little-to-no-reaction as Cole said this
has gotten out of control. Great White Sheamus was out next sporting taped ribs.
Before the bell sounded, they replayed Mark Henry slamming Sheamus into the ring
steps on last week's Smackdown, which is why Sheamus has the taped ribs.
4 -- SHEAMUS vs. GREAT KHALI (w/Jinder Mahal)
The announcers talked as if last night's main event never happened when Sheamus
worked through the ribs injury to pick up a win with Cena. Khali targeted
Sheamus's chest and ribs early on before applying a vice grip. Sheamus came back
with a kick to the knees before pounding on Khali's chest with ten punches in
the ropes. Sheamus followed with a running knee before smiling to the crowd. He
went up top and delivered a flying shoulder tackle that knocked down Khali.
Sheamus wanted the Brogue Kick, but Mahal slipped into the ring to attack
Sheamus from behind, causing a DQ.
Post-match: Khali tossed Sheamus over the top rope, per Mahal's instructions.
Khali then tried to smash Sheamus into the ringpost, but Sheamus moved and Khali
ate the post. Mahal picked up where Khali failed and landed blows before
throwing Sheamus back into the ring. Mahal took a sledge to the chest, though,
before Sheamus delivered the Celtic Cross clear across the ring. Sheamus stood
tall as the heels recovered ringside.
WINNER: Sheamus via DQ at 2:49. Nice showcase for Sheamus to give a Smackdown
star some shine on a Raw-heavy episode thus far.
[Commercial Break]
Exterior shot: Mathews reset the show as they showed the Intrust Bank Arena in
Wichita. Mathews fed to the trailer for Triple H in "Inside Out," where
sometimes "your best friend is your worst enemy."
[Q7] Announcers: Back live, Cole, Mathews, and Booker talked up the movie before
plugging the Orton-Christian poll. 85 percent say Orton has the advantage, to
Christian's 15 percent. Cole then hyped the cage match before the ominous music
played to bring the cage down from the roof to ringside. Mathews said Christian
has been clamoring for one more shot at the title and it happens next.
[Commercial Break]
Back live, Tony Chimel introduced the steel cage main event as Christian's music
hit. A sign in the crowd seriously read, "Christian is full of peep," with
"peep" highlighted in an alternative color. Christian made his way into the cage
and climbed the cage to taunt the crowd. After a Cena Pause for Christian to
stew in the ring, Orton's music hit to bring out the World champion with the
belt over his shoulder. The crowd popped as Orton paced on the stage before
making his way down the ramp into the cage. The announcers hyped their summer
feud and Cole said this is the climax tonight inside the steel cage. With
everyone assembled in the cage, Chimel handled formal ring introductions from
outside the cage. Cue the bell 18 minutes before the top of the hour.
5 -- World Hvt. champion RANDY ORTON vs. CHRISTIAN -- World Title match -- steel
cage match
Christian tried to bolt for the door to exit quickly, but Orton cut him off and
nailed a textbook dropkick that KO'ed Christian for a two count. They suddenly
cut to break 55 seconds in.
[Commercial Break]
Back from break, Christian was in control, but Orton cut him off with
clothesline. Mathews said it was pretty even during the break. Orton teased the
RKO, but Christian avoided, only to take a back body drop. Orton smiled and
tried to walk out of the cage, but Christian grabbed his foot to keep him in the
ring. Christian then tossed Christian into a cage wall to cut off the champ.
Christian tried climbing over a wall, but Orton pulled him down and scored a two
count with a quick roll-up. Christian came back with sustained offense and did
the belt-around-the-waist motion while Cole hyped Christian as "one of the
greats of all-time." So odd hearing Cole hype Christian.
As Christian teased an escape, Orton came back on Christian with stomps and
kicks before Christian cut him off again. Christian then tried to climb over a
wall, but Orton pulled him down to the top turnbuckle. Orton smiled, then paid
homage to Papa Orton with a superplex clear across the ring. Mathews then sent
it to another break with both men on the mat selling.
[Commercial Break]
Five minutes before the top of the hour, they returned with Christian about to
escape the cage through the door, but Orton dragged him back into the cage.
Orton then sent Christian flying head-first into a cage wall. Nice, safe,
dangerous-looking spot. Orton followed with a snap powerslam for a nearfall.
Counters and exchanges ensued, like so many of their other matches. Christian
then tried to escape over the cage, but Orton pulled him down. Christian fought
him off, though, and landed a high-impact frog splash for a two count only.
Christian tried to crawl out of the door, but paused too long, giving Orton an
opening to drag Christian back into the cage. Christian fought off Orton, then
tried a spear, but Orton blocked. Christian blocked the RKO, then hit a spear
for another nearfall. What an exchange. Booker said they're doing it like it's
supposed to be done. Christian was the first man to his feet, then he slowly
backed away to an opposite corner. He went for Orton's Punt, but Orton moved.
Christian teased a sunset flip that Orton tried to counter with an RKO, but
Christian pump-faked him and tried to climb out, only to have Orton grab him and
deliver a walking slam.
They reset center ring a minute before the top of the hour with Orton winning
the exchange to set up the spike DDT. Orton then wanted the RKO, but Christian
emphatically blocked. Christian went to the cage wall and tried to climb over.
He got to the other side of the cage, but Orton grabbed him to stop Christian
from climbing out. The two men sat on top of the cage trading blows before
pausing to sell exhaustion.
[Q9 -- over-run] The two men fought back inside the cage while standing on top
of the turnbuckle. Christian teased a top-rope Unprettier, but Orton blocked and
bashed Christian's head into the cage wall multiple times. Orton suddenly
grappled Christian for an RKO, paused, and delivered a Super RKO from the top
turnbuckle. Orton was slow to make a cover, but made the cover and it was good
for the win. Orton and Christian paused for a moment to share words on the
moment as the crowd cheered for Orton.
WINNER: Orton at 18:35 to retain the World Title. Another excellent encounter in
this series. The two mid-match commercial breaks took this down a notch, but the
final ten minutes of uninterrupted action was amazing storytelling. (***3/4)
Post-match: Mark Henry's music hit and Henry entered the cage looking for a
piece of Orton as Christian remained KO'ed inside the cage. Christian then
rolled out of the cage in the background as Henry beat down Orton inside the
cage. Henry lawn-darted Orton into the steel cage, then tried a second time, but
Orton slipped off Henry's shoulders, landed a few blows, and took a big clubbing
clothesline from Henry. Henry, firmly in control now, stalked Orton before
delivering a big running splash. "C'mon, champ!" Henry called down to Orton as
the crowd sat stunned.
"Henry sucks" chant as ref Charles Robinson simply stood in the background,
unable to do anything. Henry delivered World's Strongest Slam before Henry's
music played. Mathews declared Henry the next World Hvt. champion. Booker said
he doesn't think Orton can stop Henry and Henry just "tenderized" Orton. Henry
grabbed the title belt from Robinson and held it up in the air as they signed
off five minutes past the top of the hour.