Friday Night Smackdown!

Rockford, Illinois
August 9, 2013
results thanks to wrestleview.com

"Then. Now. Forever." The WWE video leads us into the show.

The Smackdown video plays, and Michael Cole welcomes us to the show. He's alongside John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Randy Orton vs. Rob Van Dam

They circle the ring and lock up. RVD quickly applies a side headlock, but Orton takes him down with a drop-toe-hold. Orton goes for a front face lock, but RVD gets out of it. They stand up quickly in a stalemate. They circle around the ring again before locking up. Orton applies a side headlock, and RVD whips him off. Orton runs him over with a shoulder block before hitting the ropes. RVD leapfrogs and backflips over him before taking him down with a rolling wheel kick. RVD does his taunt to the delight of the crowd.

They circle the ring a third time before Orton kicks him and takes him down with a headlock takeover. Orton keeps the headlock applied, and RVD fights up to his feet. RVD elbows out, but Orton takes him down with a dropkick to the back of the head for a two count. The crowd is chanting for RVD, and Orton stares out at them. Orton turns around into a jumping heel kick. RVD charges, but Orton ducks. RVD flies over the top rope to the outside. Orton follows him outside and bounces his face off the barricade. Orton goes to drive his head into the steps, but RVD blocks it. RVD does the maneuver to Orton. RVD gives Orton a front suplex onto the barricade before getting on the apron. RVD does his taunt before hitting a diving spin kick to the back of Orton. Both men are down at ringside as a commercial break hits.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Orton dropping a pair of knees on RVD. Orton picks him up and puts him in the corner. Orton climbs to the second rope and unloads with the classic ten punches to the head. Orton whips him to the opposite turnbuckle and runs into a back elbow. RVD climbs to the top rope, and Orton quickly pushes him off to the outside. RVD hits the barricade on the way down. Orton goes outside and gives him a back suplex onto the barricade. Orton throws him into the ring and covers him for a near fall.

Orton grabs him by the hair and applies a chin lock. Orton holds it in for a bit before RVD begins fighting up. RVD elbows out and hits some punches. RVD clotheslines him a pair of times before ducking one and hitting a superkick to the throat. RVD drops him with a falling slam before hitting the split-legged moonsault for a near fall. RVD goes to the top rope and takes him down with a summersault senton for another near fall. RVD goes for a monkey flip, but Orton sidesteps him. RVD lands on the second rope, and Orton clubs at him before hitting his patented backbreaker! Orton slowly covers for a near fall.

Orton slowly clotheslines RVD down a pair of times before ducking one and hitting a powerslam for a near fall. Orton puts him on the apron for a hanging DDT, but RVD pushes him back to the center of the ring for a northern lights suplex for a near fall. RVD charges, but Orton back body drops him to the apron. RVD shoulders him and goes for a springboard maneuver, but Orton dropkicks him back to the apron. Orton then executes his classic hanging DDT. Orton gets the crowd into it before dropping down in position. Orton goes for an RKO, but RVD kicks him in the face. RVD rolls him up with his legs for a near fall. RVD blocks a kick and hits a step-over spinning heel kick to the face. RVD immediately follows up with Rolling Thunder before pulling himself up to the top rope. Orton rolls out of the way of the Five Star Frog Splash before dropping RVD with an RKO for the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Randy Orton
Match Rating: ** 1/2

Alberto Del Rio will face his Summerslam opponent Christian in a non-title match later tonight. Miz TV is coming up next with special guests AJ Lee and Big E Langston.

-Commercial Break-

The WWE Rewind shows Layla defeating Kaitlyn on RAW after a distraction by AJ Lee.

The ring is decorated with the set of Miz TV. Standing in the center is the man who is the Official Host of Summerslam, The Miz. Miz welcomes the crowd to most must-see WWE talk show in history. His first guest has as many talents as she does mood swings. Miz asks the crowd to welcome everybody's favorite pigtail wearing, ramp skipping, backstabbing, dumped and diabolical Divas Champion AJ Lee and Big E Langston.

AJ Lee comes out skipping as Big E Langston power walks behind her. Footage is shown of Langston defeating Dolph Ziggler on Monday Night RAW after some help from AJ. The Miz mentions the common denominator in the replays shown: AJ Lee. Miz asks what the relationship is between her and Langston. AJ says Langston is there for her, and he's a good guy. Miz does his "Really" thing, and AJ says he is her best friend before making him do a fist bump. Miz sarcastically says that is cool. Miz then mentions that AJ has had a lot of friends in WWE. She tried to ruin their lives. Friends like John Cena (she says she only pushed him off one ladder), Daniel Bryan (who would marry that beard, she asks), CM Punk (she contends Bryan broke his fall through the table), Kane (who wore a mask during everything, and now Dolph Ziggler. AJ says that Miz doesn't get it. He doesn't understand how many times she has had her heart broken. Miz says she's always the victim before asking if she might be the problem.

AJ says they deserved what they got. They aren't good guys or heroes. They tricked her into falling in love with them, and then they left her. She should have had her best friend Kaitlyn to turn to, but she left her too. AJ asks if Miz knows what will never leave her, even when she's old and gray. She says it's the Divas Championship. AJ says that title will be with her forever. It will never abandon her like that selfish, bleach blonde, disrespectful, cold-hearted, small little man Dolph Ziggler.

Dolph Ziggler's music hits, and he comes out to a nice reception smiling. Ziggler gets in the ring, and AJ has her head down a bit. Ziggler tells AJ to face it: women just can't get over him, including her. AJ shakes her head in the negative. The crowd chants for Ziggler. AJ says he's out her because he isn't over her. They had something special, and he is just so sad that he will never be able to touch her again. Kaitlyn's music hits, and she comes out to a good reaction from the crowd. Kaitlyn says Ziggler can't touch her, but she can. Kaitlyn says she doesn't get it. AJ cost her the title, and she cost Ziggler the title. Kaitlyn asks why she's so obsessed with them. Ziggler asks what AJ's problem is.

Ziggler and Kaitlyn shout insults at them before The Miz breaks it up. Miz says he sees what is going on here. Since he is the host of Summerslam, he feels like he can do anything. He feels like he can create a match for Summerslam right now. This is what will happen at Summerslam. It will be AJ Lee and Big E Langston versus Kaitlyn and Dolph Ziggler.

Kaitlyn says she can't wait to slap the crazy right off AJ's face. AJ tackles her over a couch. Langston punches Ziggler down before ripping Kaitlyn away from AJ. Langston tells her to calm down before Ziggler hits him with the Zig-Zag. Kaitlyn then spears AJ down. Ziggler and Kaitlyn celebrate in the ring.

Daniel Bryan will take on Wade Barrett. Bryan shaved off part of Barrett's beard during his corporate makeover on RAW. We'll take a look at Brock Lesnar's latest attack on CM Punk, next.

-Commercial Break-

The RAW Rebound airs, and it features highlights of the CM Punk versus Curtis Axel match. Brock Lesnar assaulted CM Punk after the match with a chair.

Brock Lesnar will be interviewed later tonight.

Alberto Del Rio is in Vickie Guerrero's office, and he asks why he has to face Christian tonight when he already has to face him at Summerslam. Vickie says she does not answer to him. Del Rio says he's the World Heavyweight Champion, and they should work together. Vickie says she gave him the opportunity to pick his opponent, and he chose Ricardo Rodriguez. Del Rio says she saw what happened to Rodriguez on RAW. Vickie says what he did to Ricardo on RAW and Christian last week was despicable. Del Rio says if he gets hurt tonight, he might not be able to compete at Summerslam. Vickie says that's a risk she is willing to take.

Fandango comes out to the ring dancing with Summer Rae. He'll face Kofi Kingston in a rematch from RAW, next.

-Commercial Break-

Fandango w/ Summer Rae vs. Kofi Kingston

Kingston quickly applies a waistlock, but Fandango elbows him in the face. Fandango punches him, but Kingston comes back with some kicks. Kingston sends him into the ropes, but Fandango takes him down with a shoulder block. Fandango does a two-step before hitting the ropes. Kingston leapfrogs him a few times before hitting a back elbow. Kingston kicks him in the corner before hitting an avalanche. Kingston sends him into the ropes and goes for Trouble in Paradise, but Fandango holds on to the ropes. Kingston charges, and Fandango gives him a back body drop over the top rope. Fandango follows him outside before hitting a snap suplex on the floor.

Fandango throws him into the ring for a one count. Fandango punches away at him before sending him into the ropes for a back elbow. Fandango picks up a two count before applying a chin lock. Kingston fights up and punches. Fandango stops the momentum with a club to the back. Kingston blocks a back suplex, but Fandango clubs him. Kingston turns the back suplex into a falling cross-body for a one count. Fandango charges him in the corner, but Kingston sidesteps him, causing him to hit the ring post shoulder first.

The crowd is chanting for Kingston as he chops Fandango down a few times before hitting a dropkick. Kingston hits a leaping clothesline before going to the ropes for a Boom Drop. Fandango quickly rolls out of the ring. Kingston takes him down with a baseball slide. Kingston goes to the top rope, but Summer Rae stands between him and Fandango. Kingston gets on the apron to yell at her. Kingston then charges, and she bails out of they way. Kingston takes Fandango down with a flying clothesline. Kingston turns, and Summer Rae is screaming while holding her ankle. Fandango capitalizes on the distraction by ramming Kingston face-first into the ring post. Summer Rae jumps up and down to show she was faking the injury. Fandango sends Kingston into the ring and goes to the top rope for his Diving Leg Drop. Fandango picks up the win from there.

Winner by Pinfall: Fandango
Match Rating: * 1/2

Daniel Bryan is walking backstage when Renee Young stops him. She asks for his thoughts on the corporate makeover. Bryan says he likes the way he looks. When they asked him to cut the beard that was the breaking point. He gave Wade Barrett a makeover instead. Despite what John Cena says, he has never changed who he is to get to the WWE. One thing he will change is history when he beats John Cena for the WWE Championship at Summerslam. With all apologies to Vince McMahon, "The beard is still here!"

Daniel Bryan will face Wade Barrett, next.

-Commercial Break-

Footage is shown from the end of RAW when Randy Orton took out both Daniel Bryan and John Cena with RKOs.

Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett

Barrett is beardless and sporting some razor burns from Bryan's attack on Monday. Barrett also came to the ring with a buzzer in hand.

They circle the ring, and Barrett unloads with some punches and knees. Barrett talks some trash as the crowd chants for Bryan. Barrett sends him to the corner, but Bryan backflips over him. Bryan hits the ropes, ducks a clothesline, and hits a flying elbow to the throat. Bryan hits some kicks to the midsection before hitting the ropes. Barrett follows him and clotheslines him over the top rope. Barrett drives him spine-first into the barricade. Barrett talks a little trash before sending him into the steel steps. Barrett sends him into the ring for a two count. Barrett chokes him on the ropes before kneeing him in the ribs. Barrett backs up and big boots him to the apron. Barrett pulls him into the ring for a near fall. Barrett knees him in the back and applies a surfboard stretch. The crowd wills Bryan on, and he fights up. Barrett pushes him to the corner and charges, but Bryan sidesteps him.

Bryan backs up and charges for his running dropkick, but Barrett counters into the Winds of Change for a near fall. Barrett leaves the ring and grabs the buzzer. Barrett turns it on and goes to shave Bryan's beard, but Bryan blocks it. Bryan kicks him away and hits a flying knee off the apron. Bryan throws him into the ring and goes to the top rope for the Flying Goat. Bryan quickly goes to the Yes! Lock for the submission victory!

Winner by Submission: Daniel Bryan
Match Rating: * 1/4

The crowd is going crazy for Daniel Bryan with cheers and "YES" chants. Bryan takes the buzzer, puts it on the steel steps, and stomps on it, breaking it to pieces. Bryan leads the crowd in a "YES" chant.

Renee Young is backstage with Damien Sandow. She airs footage of Cody Rhodes throwing Sandow's Money in the Bank briefcase into the Gulf of Mexico two weeks ago. Sandow silences her. Sandow says we've learned that Cody Rhodes is a thief, he destroyed his coveted Money in the Bank briefcase, and they'll settle their differences at Summerslam. Being the Intellectual Savior of the Masses, he is always one step ahead of his competition. Sandow has a solution to the briefcase dilemma. He asks her to behold the new and improved, Sandow-ized Money in the Bank briefcase. Sandow shows the briefcase, which appears to be made of wood. Sandow says this should serve as a symbol and warning to Alberto Del Rio. Inside is a contract that Del Rio will see in the future. At that time, he will become the World Champion of the unwashed masses.

Christian will take on Alberto Del Rio in a non-title match later tonight. It's an early preview of Summerslam. Kane will be in action, next.

-Commercial Break-

Footage is shown of Kane challenging Bray Wyatt to a Ring of Fire match at Summerslam.

3MB vs. Kane

Kane takes them down with punches before sending Heath Slater to the corner for a clothesline. Drew McIntyre quickly dropkicks Kane down, and Jinder Mahal picks him up. McIntyre and Mahal hold Kane up as Slater punches away at him. Kane breaks free of their hold by big booting Slater and punching the other two. Kane sends them all over the top rope individually. Kane uppercuts McIntyre, bounces Mahal off the commentary table, and drives Slater into the apron. Kane sends McIntyre into the steel steps before throwing Slater over the commentary table. Kane goes into the ring with Mahal and Chokeslams him down for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Kane
Match Rating: 1/4 *

Bray Wyatt appears on the titantron saying "Ring of Fire" over and over again. Luke Harper and Erik Rowan are behind him. Wyatt says that type of fight is meant to cater to a man who fancies himself as the Devil's Favorite Demon. Wyatt likes that. Wyatt says there has been an interruption here. Kane hasn't grasped the concept of what is truly going on here. Wyatt asks if Kane really believes that a simple fire can control the souls of his brothers. They are everywhere. Sooner or later, that fire that Kane calls his own will rise up around him. The tables will be turned. Kane will be locked inside the monster. The fire fears him because it's smart enough to know that it could never hurt him. Wyatt says he has a secret: he is already dead. Wyatt quietly repeats that line before laughing.

In the ring, Kane makes the tops of the turnbuckles explode with fire before his music hits.

-Commercial Break-

Michael Cole mentions that there is an exclusive interview with Brock Lesnar.

Brock Lesnar appears on the screen. Lesnar says, "A lot of people see this match between me and CM Punk at Summerslam as a personal issue between Punk and Paul Heyman with me just being there as Paul's muscle. Let me make it clear: it is personal between me and Punk. I've never liked Punk. He walks around here calling himself 'The Best in the World.' Look at him, and look at me. I look at him and see a joke. The only reason I let him exist all this time is out of respect for Paul. The corporate idiots are calling this match at Summerslam, 'The Best versus The Beast.' You listen to me: The Beast is The Best, and you're looking at him.

"Punk thinks just because he tapes his hands and has a bunch of tattoos and takes MMA classes for beginners at his local gym that he's a tough guy, well he's not. People have asked me if there is any professional jealousy between me and Punk. What do I have to be jealous of? Was Punk an NCAA Division I Heavyweight Champion? No. Was Punk a UFC Heavyweight Champion? No. There is no jealousy in Brock Lesnar. And as far as him being WWE Champion, I was the Undisputed WWE Champion back when CM Punk was wrestling for a hundred people in high school gyms.

"Now, I'll give him credit where it's due. Holding the WWE Title for 434 days non-stop is impressive, especially for a guy like him, but CM Punk has never faced anyone in his entire life like me because there is nobody like me. Size DOES matter. At Summerslam, CM Punk is going to learn what it means to truly be victimized by Brock Lesnar."

CM Punk will take on Paul Heyman next week on Monday Night RAW.

Christian makes his way to the ring. He'll be in action against his Summerslam opponent Alberto Del Rio in a non-title match, next.

-Commercial Break-

Footage is shown of Alberto Del Rio viciously attacking Ricardo Rodriguez on Monday Night RAW.

Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio

They circle the ring, and Del Rio ducks a lock up. Del Rio clubs and kicks him down. Del Rio applies a side headlock. Christian tries to whip him off, but Del Rio holds on. Christian tries again, but Del Rio still holds on. Christian punches him in the ribs and whips him off, but Del Rio takes him down with a shoulder block for a one count. Del Rio taunts Christian as he gets to his feet.

Christian goes for a test of strength, but Del Rio kicks and punches him down instead. Christian reverses a whip and takes him down with a trio of shoulder blocks for a one count. Christian quickly executes a headlock takeover, but Del Rio soon fights up. Del Rio backs him to the corner and shoulders him in the midsection a few times. Del Rio hits a snapmare and kicks him in the back. Del Rio charges, but Christian gives him a drop-toe-hold into the ropes. Christian slingshots over the top rope and goes for a punch, but Del Rio moves. Christian quickly gets back in the ring and throws him over the top rope. Christian gets the crowd into it and gives Del Rio a baseball slide into the commentary table.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Christian punching Del Rio in the corner before going for the classic ten punches. Christian goes to the second rope and tries for a tornado DDT, but Del Rio pushes him off. Christian tries to get up, but Del Rio double stomps him on the back for a near fall. Del Rio sends him to the corner and charges, but Christian avoids him. Del Rio slides out of the ring and pulls his feet out from under him. Del Rio goes to crotch him on the ring post, but Christian pulls his face into the ring post instead. Christian goes to the top rope as Del Rio slowly gets up. Christian goes for a plancha, but Del Rio avoids it and pushes him head first into the barricade!

Del Rio stomps away at Christian before throwing him in the ring for a near fall. Del Rio applies a chin lock, and the crowd quickly gets behind Christian. Christian gets to his feet and punches out of it. Christian hits the ropes and kicks Del Rio in the head. Christian hits the ropes again, and Del Rio catches him with a flapjack. Del Rio quickly kicks him in the face, and Christian rolls to the apron. Del Rio gets out of the ring and hits a running kick to the side of Christian's head.

Del Rio goes back in the ring and looks at the crowd as they chant "USA." Del Rio kicks Christian before putting him in the tree of woe. Del Rio kicks him a few times before the referee backs him up. Del Rio taunts Christian and slaps him in the face. Del Rio talks a little trash before the referee backs him up. Christian stuns Del Rio with some punches before going to the top rope. Del Rio cuts him off, and they both climb the ropes. Del Rio goes to superplex Christian to the outside of the ring, but he blocks it. They both push one another, and they fly off the turnbuckle to the floor! Both men are down as a commercial break hits.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the final break to see Del Rio hit a missile dropkick off the second rope for a near fall. Del Rio brings Christian to the corner before applying a Cross Arm Breaker over the top rope. Del Rio releases the hold before being disqualified, and he taunts the crowd. Del Rio goes to the top rope, and Christian cuts him off. Christian climbs to the top rope and hits a super hurricanrana for a near fall. Christian starts pounding the mat to get the crowd into it. They trade punches with Del Rio coming out on top. Del Rio drives him to the corner and shoulders him a few times. Del Rio backs up and runs into Christian's boots. Christian then takes him down with a missile dropkick.

Christian slingshots over the top rope and uppercuts him before going to the top rope for a cross-body block. Christian picks up a near fall. Christian takes him out with a flying back elbow. Christian signals for his finisher, but Del Rio gets out of it. Christian flips through a back suplex, but Del Rio is able to catch him with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall. Del Rio kicks him in the ribs before shouldering him in the kidneys. Del Rio charges, but Christian kicks him. Christian goes for a springboard sunset flip, but Del Rio rolls through. Christian ducks a kick and goes for the Killswitch, but Del Rio counters into a backstabber for a near fall!

Del Rio stands on Christian's face and pulls on his mouth. The crowd is chanting for Christian. Del Rio pulls down a kneepad, but Christian ducks the shin kick to the head. Christian quickly comes back with a spear for a near fall! Del Rio begs Christian off before shouldering him in the midsection and sending him shoulder first into the ring post. Del Rio taunts the crowd before trying for a Cross Arm Breaker. Christian rolls through and catches him with a cradle for a near fall! Del Rio quickly kicks him in the head, and Christian collapses into the ropes. Del Rio pulls him to the center of the ring, and Christian surprises him with a small package for the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Christian
Match Rating: *** 1/2

Alberto Del Rio pushes the referee and flips out at ringside. Del Rio kicks the steps and pulls on the ring apron. Del Rio argues his case with the commentators before ripping the top off their table. Del Rio grabs Christian to attack him, but Christian counters him with the Killswitch! Christian walks off and goes to the back as Del Rio is down in the center of the ring.

All of a sudden, Damien Sandow's music hits, and he comes to the ring with his briefcase in hand and a referee by his side. Sandow motions to the referee that he's cashing in, but Cody Rhodes quickly runs out and goes to the top rope. Rhodes takes him out with a cross-body block. Rhodes punches away at him before hitting the Cross Rhodes! Rhodes stands over Sandow before leaving the ring. Sandow and Del Rio are down in the ring as Smackdown comes to an end.