Friday Night Smackdown!
Providence, Rhode Island
July 19, 2013
results thanks to wrestleview.com
"Then. Now. Forever." The WWE video leads us into the show.
The Smackdown video plays, and they cut to the arena where Teddy Long is standing in the middle of the ring. Long welcomes the crowd to Smackdown. As most of the crowd already knows, Mr. McMahon has hired a new General Manager for Monday Night RAW. His name is Brad Maddox. Long doesn't know much about his qualifications, but they've got to be better than Vickie Guerrero's. Mr. McMahon knows what he is doing, and he'll be here tonight. Rumor has it that he will be giving him a job evaluation just like he gave Vickie Guerrero. Long asks the crowd if he's been doing a good job, and he gets a nice response. Long asks if they would like to see him as the permanent General Manager, and that gets another decent response. Long says he wants the crowd to get ready because this is going to be a great Smackdown.
Booker T's music hits, and the actual Smackdown General Manager makes his way to the ring after a few months off. Booker thanks Long for filling in for him in his absence. He's done a hell of a job. He's back now, and he's ready to fulfill his GM duties. If they want that, then the crowd can chant, "Now can you dig that, SUCKA?"
Mr. McMahon's music hits, and the Chairman of the WWE makes his way to the ring to a great reception. McMahon gets the crowd to cheer for the Hall of Famer Booker T. Then he gets them to cheer for Teddy Long. McMahon says he's out here to clear up the confusion between them and also make sure there is no dissension. There can only be one person in charge of Smackdown. It's important for him to make that decision. McMahon asks if it were Teddy Long, what match would he make to impress them? Long says Curtis Axel will go one-on-one with Chris Jericho for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Booker T doesn't look happy with Teddy Long. McMahon asks him what kind of match he would make. Booker says it would have to be the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Alberto Del Rio, going one-on-one with the winner of the All-Stars Money in the Bank Ladder Match, Randy Orton. McMahon says he has a tough decision.
The RAW theme song hits, and Brad Maddox, the RAW General Manager, jogs down to the ring asking for a word with Mr. McMahon. He wants to talk to him before he makes a decision. Maddox says McMahon already made him the General Manager of Monday Night RAW. Now he should make him the General Manager of Friday Night Smackdown. Maddox says he was already going to suggest both matches that it took the two of them to come up with. Maddox says he's very privileged to announce that tonight will be the Smackdown return of Rob Van Dam. The crowd chants "RVD."
McMahon takes some time before announcing the new General Manager of Smackdown. A drumroll hits, and McMahon announces the new General Manager as Vickie Guerrero! Vickie makes her way to the ring to a chorus of boos, and she hugs McMahon. Booker T, Teddy Long, and Brad Maddox don't look too happy.
Vickie thanks Mr. McMahon. Vickie says the people are the reason that she was voted out of the job on RAW. With that, she hates each and every one of the fans. Vickie says she's back, and she's back with power. There is nothing that anyone in the ring or out of it can do about it. She says, "I am Vickie Guerrero, and I am the permanent General Manager of Smackdown!" The crowd boos this as she leaves the ring. Booker, Long, and Maddox discuss what just happened in the ring.
Michael Cole and John "Bradshaw" Layfield discuss the matches that will happen tonight. We'll also see Paul Heyman be a guest on Miz TV.
-Commercial Break-
Jack Swagger w/ Antonio Cesaro and Zeb Colter vs. Dolph Ziggler
They show a replay from Monday Night RAW when Dolph Ziggler broke up with AJ Lee backstage. Later on, Ziggler would lose to Alberto Del Rio with an assist from AJ. Big E Langston attacked him, and AJ kissed him goodbye.
They circle the ring, and Ziggler quickly gets a schoolboy for a one count. Swagger rolls out of the ring to regroup as Ziggler taunts him. Swagger gets back in the ring, and they lock up. Ziggler goes to wrench the arm, but Swagger punches him down. AJ Lee and Big E Langston are seen watching backstage. Swagger sends him into the ropes, but he misses a clothesline. Swagger lowers his head and eats a kick. Ziggler goes for a leg drop bulldog, but Swagger avoids it and leaves the ring. Swagger regroups with Cesaro and Colter.
Swagger gets in the ring, and he powers Ziggler to the corner. Ziggler counters a punch and goes for the ten punches, but Swagger powers him out and slams him down. Swagger hits the ropes and runs him over with a shoulder block. Swagger says, "We the people," before going back into the ropes. Ziggler quickly takes him out with a dropkick. Swagger rolls out of the ring to talk with Cesaro and Colter, but Ziggler has seen enough of this. Ziggler goes outside and punches him before throwing him into the ring. As Ziggler gets on the apron, Cesaro pulls him off and gives him a European uppercut. The referee sees Ziggler down at ringside, and he ejects both Cesaro and Colter.
Swagger rolls Ziggler back into the ring, and Ziggler catches him with an inside cradle for a near fall. Swagger goes for a waistlock slam, but Ziggler counters into a rollup for a near fall. Swagger quickly goes for the Patriot Lock, but Ziggler twists out of it. Ziggler then catches him with the Zig-Zag for the win. AJ and Langston don't look happy with the result of this match.
Winner by Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler
Match Rating: *
In the ring, Ziggler gets on the microphone. Ziggler says he dumped his girlfriend AJ last Monday, and he says he's sorry. Ziggler puts his head down and pauses for a few moments. Ziggler then smiles and says he's sorry he didn't do it a hell of a lot sooner!
Backstage, AJ is seen getting emotional. She appears to be crying. She walks backwards into some steel chairs and begins throwing them around. She is screaming and crying. Langston walks up to her and tries to stop her, but she just slaps away at him. He finally gives her a bear hug to stop her crying. Langston then holds her in his arms, and he looks like he's going to kiss her. Langston bends his head to kiss her on the lips, but he then stops and kisses her on the head instead. Langston walks away, and AJ looks confused.
The Shield's music hits. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins come out to the ring. They'll face The Usos, next.
-Commercial Break-
Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso
Footage is shown of The Shield viciously assaulting Mark Henry on Monday Night RAW. Henry fought them off, but they eventually overwhelmed him and dropped him with a Triple Powerbomb.
Right after finishing their entrances, the Usos charge the ring and punch away at Rollins and Reigns. Dean Ambrose then runs down to the ring, and they begin to triple-team the Usos. The match has not started yet.
Mark Henry's music hits, and he charges the ring. The Shield quickly gang up on him, but he pushes all three of them away. The Shield quickly corners him, but the Usos run in to break things up. All three team up on The Shield, and they have no choice but to retreat from the ring.
Rob Van Dam will make his return to Friday Night Smackdown later tonight. Alberto Del Rio will also take on Randy Orton in a non-title match.
-Commercial Break-
Wade Barrett vs. Daniel Bryan
Footage is shown from Monday Night RAW of John Cena choosing to defend his WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan at Summerslam.
The bell rings, and they lock up. Barrett quickly powers him to the corner, but Bryan punches out. Barrett reverses a whip, misses a clothesline, and catches Bryan as he tries for a running cross-body. Barrett lays him out across the top turnbuckle and clubs away at him. Barrett taunts the crowd before kicking Bryan in the ribs for a near fall. Barrett knees him in the midsection before hitting a modified slingshot backbreaker for a two count. Barrett knees him in the back and pulls back on the arms. Bryan gets pumped up as the crowd chants "Yes!” and he elbows out.
Bryan backs him to the corner, and he viciously kicks away at him. Bryan backs up, and Barrett kicks him in the midsection. Barrett sends him to the opposite corner, but Bryan backflips over him. Bryan hits the ropes and goes for a crucifix pin, but he breaks that and applies the Yes! Lock for the win!
Winner by Submission: Daniel Bryan
Match Rating: * 1/4
Vickie Guerrero is talking with someone backstage when Brad Maddox comes up to her. Maddox says things have come full circle. He's the General Manager of RAW, and she's the General Manager of Smackdown. Maddox supposes they're even now. Vickie says they should just shake on it. Maddox extends his hand, but Vickie takes hers back. She then unloads a vicious slap on him and walks off!
Paul Heyman will be a guest on Miz TV, next.
-Commercial Break-
The Miz is in the ring, and he welcomes the crowd to the most must-see WWE talk show in history, Miz TV. The Miz says his guest cost CM Punk the Money in the Bank Ladder Match and a chance at the WWE Championship. He asks for a warm welcome for his guest, Paul Heyman.
Paul Heyman makes his way to the ring to boos from the Rhode Island crowd. As he makes his way to the ring, footage is aired from this past Monday's RAW where Heyman brought Brock Lesnar out to viciously assault CM Punk. Miz looks at Heyman with disgust. Miz has tons of questions he'd like to ask, but he knows that Heyman would lie and bend the truth. Miz has nothing to say to him nor ask him. Heyman is beneath contempt. Miz gives him the floor to say whatever he wants.
Heyman thanks "Mr. Mizanin" for his castigation of his perceived lack of ethics. Heyman says he's merely an advocate, but his client Brock Lesnar is a merciless emissary of suffering with his sights set squarely on CM Punk. Lesnar has no conscience whatsoever, but he must confess this is painful because he still has love in his heart for his former best friend. The crowd was chanting "CM Punk." Heyman offers a public plea to CM Punk. Heyman tells him to stay down and go home. Heyman tells him to leave the WWE Universe behind, lick his wounds, and don't ever even think of getting back in the ring again. If he ever shows his face again, Brock Lesnar is going to take his actions as a spiteful act of provocation. He will be dealt with by the beast incarnate, Brock Lesnar!
The Miz stares at him before doing his "really" thing. Miz says that Heyman must be enjoying this. Miz says he understands why Heyman lies. When he tells the truth and reveals himself, it's even uglier than the liar we've come to know and hate. Miz says he's revolted by Heyman's face, tone of voice, and frame of mind. He's revolted by the fact that he swore on his children and still lied. Miz drops the microphone and walks off.
Heyman picks up the microphone, and he says before Mr. Mizanin leaves, he'd like to introduce the man who beat him at Money in the Bank, the reigning, defending Intercontinental Champion, Curtis Axel. Curtis Axel comes out to the stage, laughs at Miz as he walks by, and goes to the ring. He'll defend his title against Chris Jericho, next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Curtis Axel (c) w/ Paul Heyman vs. Chris
Jericho
The bell rings, and they circle the ring a few times before locking up. Axel applies a side headlock, but Jericho soon whips him off. Axel takes him down with a shoulder block before hitting the ropes. Jericho takes him out with a dropkick before clotheslining him over the top rope. Jericho knocks Axel over with a baseball slide, and he scares Heyman off. Jericho puts him in the ring before going to the top rope for a diving elbow. Jericho picks up a near fall. Axel knees him in the midsection before punching him down. Axel whips him hard to the corner before covering for a one count.
Axel elbows him in the shoulder before applying an arm bar. Jericho fights out and hits some chops. Axel reverses a whip to the ropes, but Jericho comes back with a running forearm. Jericho ducks a right hand and hits the northern lights suplex for a two count. Jericho has a whip to the corner reversed, but he slingshots over Axel. Jericho ducks a clothesline, but Axel comes right back with a clothesline to the back of the head for a two count. Jericho avoids a splash in the corner before going to the top rope for a cross-body block. Jericho picks up a two count. Jericho goes for a Codebreaker, but Axel slams him down for a near fall.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Jericho trapped in a chin lock. Jericho fights up and punches out. Jericho sends him to the corner and charges, but Axel sidesteps him, causing him to hit the ring post shoulder first. Axel executes a body slam before going to the second rope for an elbow drop, but Jericho moves. Jericho gets the crowd into it, and he hits some shoulder tackles. Jericho ducks a clothesline before hitting a step-up enzuigiri for a near fall.
Jericho chops him in the corner a few times before whipping him to the corner. Jericho goes for a bulldog, but Axel pushes him away. Axel kicks him and hits his spinning neckbreaker for a near fall. Heyman is punching the mat in frustration. The crowd chants "Y2J." Axel sends Jericho to the ropes, but he holds on. Axel misses a dropkick, and Jericho follows up with a Lionsault. Jericho takes a few moments to recover and pin him for a near fall.
Jericho knees him in the face a few times before going for a body slam. Axel lands on his feet and clubs him in the back. Jericho goes to the top rope, and Heyman warns Axel. Jericho jumps into a kick, and Axel goes for the Perfect-Plex, but Jericho blocks it. Jericho counters into a Walls of Jericho attempt, but Heyman gets on the apron. Axel rolls him up for a near fall. Jericho quickly goes back to the Walls of Jericho attempt, and he locks it in. Axel screams in pain as he tries to claw to the bottom rope. Axel appears to have given up, but he then makes one last ditch effort for the bottom rope, and he gets there.
Axel rolls out of the ring to recover, so Jericho takes him out with a plancha. Jericho punches away at Axel before bouncing him off the commentary table. Jericho chops the chest before throwing him in the ring. Jericho gets on the apron, and Heyman distracts him. Axel kicks Jericho in the head as he gets in the ring, and he hits hangman's face buster for the win!
Winner and still WWE Intercontinental
Champion: Curtis Axel
Match Rating: **
As Axel and Heyman make their way to the back, Ryback's music hits. Heyman keeps Axel back as Ryback walks to the ring. Ryback gets in the ring and circles Jericho before kicking him in the head a few times. Ryback slaps him in the head before picking him up. Jericho comes back with some chops and punches, but Ryback kicks him in the midsection, hits the ropes, and annihilates him with a meat hook clothesline. Ryback then lifts him up and drops him with the Shell Shocked. Ryback stands over Jericho before turning to leave. Ryback stops, turns around, and kicks Jericho in the midsection. Ryback says, "See you later, Chris," before leaving the ring.
Alberto Del Rio will take on Randy Orton in a non-title match later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Damien Sandow is in the ring holding up the Smackdown Money in the Bank briefcase. Still photos are shown of Sandow knocking Rhodes off the ladder to retrieve the briefcase. Sandow quotes Mahatma Gandhi by saying, "The weak cannot forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong." Sandow wants to clarify something. This past Sunday in the Money in the Bank ladder match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship contract, it was every man for himself. Everyone knew this. Despite what they have all been saying and chanting, he did not screw Cody.
That begs the question of why his best friend did what he did on RAW. Footage is shown of Sandow losing to Christian on RAW before being attacked by Cody Rhodes. The crowd begins to chant "Cody." Sandow says he's not going to react to this the same way the slack jawed mouth breathers would. He's not going to condemn Cody nor spit hateful rhetoric in his direction. That is what separates the Intellectual Savior from the unwashed masses. That is what separates knuckle-dragging half-wits from the beacon of enlightenment such as himself. Sandow asks for silence. He and Cody are gentlemen, civilized, and best friends. Sandow wants to give Cody the opportunity to come out here, explain himself, and get past this.
Cody Rhodes' music hits, and he makes his way to the ring to a nice reception. Sandow keeps the microphone, and he says no explanation is necessary. He just wants to looks Cody in the eye and forgive him. He forgives him for acting out in anger and everything else. Sandow says he may have prevented him from becoming Mr. Money in the Bank, but he'd like to extend a metaphorical olive branch. Sandow bestows upon him the honor of being the protector of the case. Until he decides to cash it in, Cody will be responsible for it's protection and safety. Sandow says Cody has earned it.
Rhodes holds the briefcase before thanking him. Rhodes then bashes it into Sandow's head, and he kicks away at him. Sandow quickly bails from the ring. Rhodes throws the briefcase out of the ring, and it lands at the top of the ramp. Sandow quickly grabs it and leaves the ring.
Rob Van Dam is seen walking backstage. He'll have his first Smackdown match in eight years, next.
-Commercial Break-
Darren Young w/ Titus O'Neil vs. Rob Van Dam
They lock up, and Young quickly applies a side headlock. RVD whips him off, and Young takes him out with a shoulder block. Young does the "millions of dollars" taunt. Young hits the ropes, and RVD rolls him up with his legs for a two count. RVD does his taunt, but Young pushes him. RVD blocks a kick and counters with a roundhouse. RVD does his taunt before hitting a standing moonsault for a two count. Young quickly rolls out of the ring to recover, but RVD takes him out with a plancha. RVD gets in the ring and does his taunt again. Young charges the ring, and RVD takes him out with a swift kick to the face. RVD goes for the Rolling Thunder, but O'Neil gets on the apron. Young attacks him from behind.
Young kicks away at him while saying, "PTP!" Young drops him throat first on the top rope before covering for a near fall. Young applies a chin lock, and RVD tries to fight out. RVD kicks him in the face before hitting a springboard cross-body for a two count. RVD hits a clothesline and a roundhouse kick. RVD hits the ropes, but Young takes him down with a clothesline for a two count. Young picks him up, and RVD takes him out with a spinning kick to the face. RVD quickly follows up with Rolling Thunder. Young rolls to the apron, and he shoulders RVD. Young botches a monkey flip, and RVD comes back with a springboard thrust kick. RVD big boots O'Neil off the apron before hitting the Five Star Frog Splash on Young for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Rob Van Dam
Match Rating: * 1/4
Alberto Del Rio will face Randy Orton in a non-title match, next.
-Commercial Break-
The RAW Rebound airs, and it highlights the Wyatt Family attacking R-Truth.
Vickie Guerrero is on the phone talking about how she wants the office redecorated. Teddy Long comes up to her, and he asks if she was looking for him. Vickie says she's had enough of his attitude. They've known each other for many years. She's mistreated him, and he's mistreated her. They should let bygones be bygones. They're both adults, and everyone has room to work together. Long asks if she really means that. Vickie takes a long time to answer before saying, "Hell no!" Vickie then calls for security, and she tells them to escort Long out of the building and out of her life. They grab Long and pull him out of the office. Vickie says she's going to make him buy a ticket if he wants to come back.
Randy Orton's music hits, and he makes his way to the ring with the WWE Championship Money in the Bank briefcase. He'll face Alberto Del Rio in a non-title match, next.
-Commercial Break-
Big Show returns to the ring this Monday on RAW.
Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio
They circle the ring and lock up. Orton head-butts him and punches him in the corner. Orton backs up and clotheslines him in the corner before punching him some more. Orton moves him to the center of the ring and takes him out with a dropkick. Orton props him up on the top rope, and Del Rio counters into a Cross Arm Breaker while hanging off the ropes. Del Rio releases the hold before being disqualified. Del Rio quickly gets back in the ring and sends him into the ring post shoulder first. Del Rio kicks him in the shoulder a few times before hitting an arm breaker for a one count. Del Rio twists the arm around the second rope before going for an arm bar.
Orton fights up and punches out with his good arm. Del Rio reverses a whip to the corner and charges, but Orton counters into a rollup for a two count. Del Rio quickly comes back with a kick to the shoulder, and he punches at it before taunting the crowd. Orton rolls out of the ring to recover. Del Rio follows, and Orton catches him with a back suplex on the barricade. Del Rio then reverses a whip into the steel steps. Del Rio throws him into the ring before going to the top rope. Del Rio then jumps into a dropkick.
Orton hits a pair of clotheslines, ducks one, and goes for a powerslam, but Del Rio hangs on to the ropes. Del Rio goes for the Cross Arm Breaker, but Orton holds the arm so the pressure isn't applied. Del Rio kicks away at him, but Orton is able to catch him with his patented backbreaker for a two count. Orton shakes some feeling into his arm before going for a hanging DDT. Del Rio drops him on the apron and hits an enzuigiri that catches him flush on the back of the neck. Del Rio puts him in the ring for a two count.
Del Rio kicks him in the back, and Orton is holding his head in pain. Del Rio talks some trash before taunting the crowd. Del Rio drops to the mat mocking Orton's RKO taunt. Orton pushes Del Rio off as he attempted an RKO, and he catches him with a powerslam for a near fall. Orton is still grabbing at his neck. Orton picks him up, and Del Rio comes back with a modified arm breaker. Del Rio charges, and Orton turns it into a hanging DDT. Orton gets the crowd into it, and he drops down for an RKO. Del Rio counters the RKO into a backstabber for a near fall. Del Rio cannot believe it. Del Rio signals for the Cross Arm Breaker, but Orton rolls through. Orton avoids a kick and then drops him with an RKO for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Randy Orton
Match Rating: ** 3/4
Randy Orton celebrates in the ring with his WWE Championship Money in the Bank briefcase as the show comes to an end.