Friday Night Smackdown!
Richmond, Virginia
December 23, 2011
results thanks to wrestleview.com
Smackdown Open.
- Inside the arena in Richmond, fireworks shot off on the stage. Josh Mathews
opened the show as the cameras panned the crowd. Mathews welcomed everyone to
Smackdown.
- Big Show was out first, to his theme music. Mathews called it an “emotional
week” for Show. The big man was decked out in camo ring gear. Michael Cole and
Booker T. were shown at the announce table, along with Mathews. Show told the
fans that he thought he’d be standing out in front of the fans as World
Champion. Even more unbelievable, Daniel Bryan is champion. Show said he has
scratched and clawed for nine years to become champion again. Show put Mark
Henry over, then said he’s been flooded with lots of emotions since Sunday. He
sent it to a brief video of Mathews asking him a question from Raw and Show just
staring at him in response and saying he was okay. After the video, Show said
he’s proud of himself because he didn’t go over the edge. He wanted to give
everyone his honest feelings about the title change, but before he could, Mark
Henry limped out, his left ankle taped.
He got to the ring and took a mic. Cole noted that it looked like Henry was
dressed to compete. Henry asked Show what he was proud of, then said they’ll put
that he had the shortest World Title reign in WWE history on his tombstone.
Henry said Show probably feels embarrassed and humiliated since that’s how he
feels. Henry suggested Show take a week off…and quit the business. With the
Holiday season, Henry said Show could probably work as Santa Claus. Henry
demanded a rematch with Daniel Bryan tonight. Show was incredulous at Henry’s
claim, but before it could go further, Bryan’s music hit and he walked out.
“Look at the charisma!” said Booker as Bryan got the mic. There didn’t seem to
be a hint of irony in Booker’s statement. Bryan said he can barely believe he’s
champion. He said he’s not the World’s Strongest Man and he’s not the World’s
Tallest Athlete. Bryan said he’s short, not the strongest, doesn’t have a
nickname or a catchphrase, and he doesn’t have a lot of charisma…but he is a
very good wrestler. He said despite the things that he’s not, he is World
Champion. Henry called Bryan a pipsqueak and said every time he puts his hands
on Bryan, he beats the hell out of them. He again demanded a rematch, but Show
said Henry must be forgetting his win at TLC over Henry. Henry said everyone saw
Show’s victory…all 45 seconds of it. That brought out Teddy Long.
Long said that before Henry and Show go rocking around the Christmas Tree, both
men deserve a shot to compete against Bryan. But tonight, they’ll have to
compete against each other, with the winner being first in line to challenge for
the World Title. Long wished them both luck and congratulated Bryan, wishing him
Merry Christmas in the process. Show shook Bryan’s hand in the ring, and seemed
to squeeze pretty hard, to the point that Bryan winced. Show then let go,
smiled, and winked at him. Bryan left the ring and offered to shake Henry’s
hand. Henry went to shake it and Bryan pulled his hand back and walked away.
It’s a little thing, but I really don’t think it would’ve been in Henry’s
character to offer a hand there. Wanting to get Bryan to trump someone in this
segment (which was necessary) seemed to override keeping Henry’s character
consistent.
- It’s champion vs. champion next when Zack Ryder takes on Cody Rhodes.
[Commercial Break]
1 – CODY RHODES vs. ZACK RYDER
Cody stared at Booker from the ring before Ryder came out. When Ryder made his
entrance, they showed a still photo from TLC of Ryder celebrating his US Title
win with his father. Cole said Ryder is a fad, like mood rings. Ryder caught
Rhodes with a back elbow, followed by a few arm-drags. Rhodes hit the mat and
gave Ryder an uppercut, a la his brother Goldust. Cody clotheslined Ryder to the
apron, then kicked his knee, sending Ryder to ringside. Rhodes shoved Ryder into
Booker, who stayed at the announce table. He gave Rhodes an icy stare as they
went to break 2:30 into the match.
[Commercial Break]
Back at 5:55 of the match. Rhodes connected on the Alabama Slam for two. Mathews
reminded viewers that he used that move to be Santino on Monday. Nice touch
there to mention that. Ryder ran the ropes, but Rhodes ducked a cross-body
attempt by Ryder, causing him to get tangled in the ropes. The two men ran into
each other, knocking heads. Ryder was up first and began to roll at the 8:00
mark. Broski Boot found the mark for a near-fall at 8:41. Rhodes side-stepped a
middle-rope dropkick. Booker all of a sudden said he was in the Holiday spirit
and grabbed a mic. He stood atop the announce table and sand “Cody the Red-Nosed
Reindeer” with altered lyrics. That distraction allowed Ryder to hit the Rough
Ryder for the win.
WINNER: Ryder, at 9:33. It appears the Rhodes vs. Booker feud will continue.
Good, even match-up, as it should be between two secondary title holders.
After the match, Booker sang another verse of the song, making fun of Rhodes for
losing.
- Teddy Long was clapping and smiling at the monitor backstage, for some reason
giddy that one of his announcers distracted a wrestler and caused him to lose a
match. Santino’s Cobra made an appearance and Santino followed. He wanted to
apply for Zack Ryder’s position of assistant Smackdown GM since Ryder is now
champion. Aksana then walked in and Long introduced her to Santino. Aksana said
she knows many positions and Teddy can ask her for help anytime. Aksana walked
off and Santino raised his Cobra in a sexual reference. Vickie Guerrero and
Dolph Ziggler walked in, causing Santino’s Cobra to go flaccid (with sound
effects from Santino). Ziggler said he’d ask for his rematch with Ryder in due
time, then asked for a match with that “good” wrestler, Daniel Bryan. Long
celebrated by dancing. Vickie told him, “bah humbug.” Long continued to get down
after they left.
- Still to come, Big Show vs. Mark Henry, where the winner will challenge Daniel
Bryan. The match is next.
[Commercial Break]
- Mathews plugged WWE.com for complete TLC results and photos.
- Big Show and Mark Henry came out for their match. Right before the match
began, David Otunga walked out. He entered the ring, then took a sip from his
mug, and said he’s the legal counsel for Johnny Ace. He said Ace has to look out
for the well-being of his athletes, and that Mark Henry is not cleared to
compete tonight. Shouldn’t that be something Long is made aware of? Anyway,
Otunga pointed out the various bruises and injuries that Henry was suffering
from and said it led to an increase in his blood pressure. Otunga did wish all
the fans a Happy and healthy Holidays, but Show socked him in the face with a
right hand. In slow-mo, it looked like a hard shot. Refs and medics tended to
Otunga.
- Tonight, Dolph Ziggler vs. Daniel Bryan.
[Commercial Break]
- They showed an exterior shot of the arena in Richmond.
- Teddy Long was walking down the hallway with a purpose. He came upon The Miz.
Miz said he’s here and asked what he was doing tonight. Long said he didn’t
know. Miz said he was asked to be on the show but Long said that request didn’t
come from his office. Miz said this is why Smackdown is in the shape it’s in,
and he said since he won the WWE Title, no Smackdown match has main evented a
PPV, while he’s been in five. I don’t know if WWE really should be pointing that
fact out. Miz said he was going to go out and disrupt the show and wouldn’t let
anyone else wrestler. Long said we’d see about that, then Miz asked Long to find
someone to fight him and he’ll make Smackdown “awesome.”
- The announcers were shown on camera and Mathews threw it to John Cena’s
post-match speech at Tribute to the Troops in Fort Bragg. Afterward, they aired
Nickelback’s live performance on the show, with footage of the Troops and WWE
Superstars interacting spliced in.
- The Miz came out. Cole gave him a standing ovation. He’ll presumably be in
action next.
[Commercial Break]
- Miz had the mic and said he couldn’t blame Long for not finding anyone to face
him. They showed a video of Miz taking out R-Truth and John Morrison last month.
Miz called the entire Smackdown locker room “a bunch of cowards.” Sheamus has to
be the one to accept, right? Miz said no one on Smackdown has the ability to be
a cross-over star like him. He discussed his conquests in the media until, yup,
Sheamus’s music interrupted and the Great White came out.
2 – THE MIZ vs. SHEAMUS
Sheamus had to chase Miz around the ring in the opening minute, and Miz caught
him and worked the arm. He shoved Sheamus arm-first into the ring post. Cover by
Miz for only one. Corner clothesline connected, as did a running boot. Then
another. Miz worked over Sheamus in the corner and the referee almost reached
five in his count. Sheamus came back with the Irish Curse back-breaker. He set
up for the Celtic Cross, but Miz snuck out the back. Sheamus shrugged off the
Skull Crushing Finale and hit the Brogue Kick for the win.
WINNER: Sheamus, at 3:02. Surprised Sheamus disposed of Miz so quickly. Sheamus
has been running through competition but they don’t see to have much for him or
are biding time until Christian returns.
A kid in the crowd had Sheamus’s hair (color and style) and some painted-on
facial hair doing Sheamus’s mannerisms. That’s a fan right there.
- Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler is the main event tonight.
[Commercial Break]
- Wade Barrett came to the ring. He said the Barrett Barrage has continued and
that he’s in Randy Orton’s head. He threw it to a video of how the Barrett vs.
Orton feud began last month on Smackdown with Barrett winning thanks to a thumb
to the eye. Then clip two was Survivor Series, where Barrett survived. The third
clip was Wasteland on Orton from Raw. He said Orton WAS one of the greatest,
until he encountered Barrett. He said his run against Orton should put him in
contention for a shot at Daniel Bryan. He said this concluded what he came out
to say and wished everyone Happy Christmas. As he reached the aisle, Orton’s
music hit and he walked out.
Orton ran to Barrett and they began to brawl. It reached ringside until Barrett
ran to the back. Orton found him and they brawled right in front of two guys in
suits. The guys didn’t seemed fazed by this and just stood there until they
could move and they just walked away. Who reacts like that? The two men
continued brawling backstage. Orton kicked Barrett over a railing and onto the
concrete floor. He took a hose and sprayed Barrett with it. This is what passes
for hardcore in WWE these days. Orton flipped Barrett over a table and took a
plastic garbage can. Rather than hitting him with it, he dumped the garbage onto
Barrett. Barrett was sent onto the hood of a car next. Orton slammed Barrett
head-first onto the top of the car, then got in position for an RKO. He hit the
move, then slid down the back window. They played his music for some reason.
- Bryan vs. Ziggler will take place later tonight.
[Commercial Break]
- The newest mystery video aired from Raw this past week.
3 – PRIMO vs. KOFI KINGSTON
Rosa and Epico were out with Primo, who was already in the ring. Primo jumped
Kofi at the bell and corralled Kofi, landing a side Russian leg-sweep. Primo
continued to own the opening minute, sweeping Kofi’s leg and hitting an
elbowdrop for two. The tide turned at 1:39 when Primo missed a corner splash.
Kofi hit some chops then a dropkick. Top rope cross-body for two. Flip kick by
Kingston. A distraction by Epico caused Primo to arm-drag Kofi off the top rope
for a near-fall. Primo seemed put off by the fact that he couldn’t pick up the
win there. He charged at Kofi, who ducked and hit his finisher for the win.
WINNER: Kingston, at 3:07. Fine match to further this tag-team feud. Primo and
Epico have gotten wins, but they were on Superstars – perhaps they need a few
wins over Bourne and/or Kingston to legitimize them on Smackdown.
- A video package aired on TLC, focused on CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Zack Ryder.
They also showed footage of the three from Raw.
- Bryan came out for the main event. It’s next.
[Commercial Break]
4 – DANIEL BRYAN vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER
Booker didn’t know the title wasn’t on the line here until Cole corrected him.
Ziggler attempted a leap-frog and Bryan grabbed Ziggler’s leg in mid-air and
took him down. Bryan then applied a surfboard, one of my favorite underutilized
moves. Bryan missed a dropkick when Ziggler held onto the ropes, and Ziggler
took advantage by kicking away at Bryan. Ziggler proceeded to do sit-ups near
Bryan’s fallen body. Bryan grabbed Ziggler’s arm with his feet to attempt the
LeBell Lock, but Ziggler got to the ropes. Bryan charged at Ziggler in the
corner and Ziggler gave him a drop-toe hold, then an inverted slam for a
near-fall. The show went to break at 3:07.
[Commercial Break]
Back at 6:29 of the contest. Dropkick by Ziggler put Bryan back onto the mat.
The two men had a mid-air collision when both went for cross-body blocks. At
7:35, Jack Swagger walked to ringside. Bryan back-dropped Ziggler out of the
ring. Bryan then hit a suicide dive onto Ziggler. With the ref distracted by
Vickie, Swagger ran right over Bryan on the outside. After that took place, Big
Show came out to even up the odds. Ziggler applied a sleepr hold but Bryan
rolled out. Roll-up by Bryan turned into a German suplex for two. Bryan kicked
at Ziggler’s chest. Ziggler tried a Zig Zag, but Bryan awkwardly shoved him off
(looks like Ziggler may have come up short on the move) and landed a straight
kick to Ziggler’s head. That only garnered him a two-count. Hurricanrana off the
top by Bryan, but Ziggler rolled through, then a fameasser for two. Ziggler set
Bryan on the top rope, but Bryan slid out between Ziggler’s legs. Back suplex
off the top rope by Bryan. Bryan crawled for the cover, but Ziggler put his foot
on the bottom rope. With both men down, Swagger tried to attack Show outside the
ring. It didn’t work and Swagger entered the ring. Show grabbed Swagger in a
choke but Long came out and turned this into a singles match, in a move he said
would make everyone happy. I’m not happy.
WINNER: No Contest, about 13:03. Tremendous, tremendous match. Disappointing
result.
[Commercial Break]
5 – DANIEL BRYAN & BIG SHOW vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & JACK SWAGGER
Show was owning Swagger out of break. Ziggler wasn’t enthused when Swagger
tagged him in. Show took out his frustrations on Ziggler next. Show slammed
Ziggler in the face corner, then asked Bryan if he was ready to finish it. Bryan
nodded and tagged in. Lots of hard kicks in the corner to Ziggler. Bryan tried a
running dropkick in the corner, but missed and landed on the back of his head.
Swagger made the tag and hit the Swagger Bomb for two. Bryan fought out of the
heel corner, but Swagger grabbed him and hung him up on the top rope. Ziggler
torqued Bryan’s leg while the ref was distracted. Ziggler and Swagger both
worked the leg and ankle of Bryan. Ziggler jumped on Bryan’s back and applied
the sleeper. He didn’t have it on long as Bryan ran him into the ring post and
out of the ring. Ziggler held his knee in pain, even after he went
shoulder-first into the ring post. Could’ve been legit hurt, in that case. Show
tagged in and kept Ziggler at bay while taking it to Swagger. Swagger hit Show
from behind in the leg. Bryan tagged himself in but fell victim to the
ankle-lock. Bryan countered with the LeBell Lock for the submission win.
WINNERS: Bryan and Show, 6:54 shown.
Bryan celebrated with the title in the ring while Show looked on from ringside.
They showed a few highlights from the one-on-one match, then the tag match.
Mathews wished everyone Happy Holidays as they signed off.