WWE SmackDown! – September 23rd, 2011 – Dayton, Ohio
[Reviewed by: Sean Sweeny]
IN RING SEGMENT
The show started off with every member of the roster at ringside with John Laurinaitis standing in the ring with a microphone. He introduced himself and said with the absence of Triple H he has called the members of Smackdown to address the state of things as Triple H had lost control of the WWE, and in all of that chaos it had caused the dismissal of two premier RAW superstars, R-Truth and the Miz. John continued with that he has changed his mind and believes that Triple H now has control and understands that the fans and some of the superstars might have other feelings on the matter. On Monday night when John looked into Triple’s H’s he saw resolve in his eyes, and he hopes everyone sees it tonight, and then wants to use this time to introduce the World Heavyweight Champion, Mark Henry. Henry then made his way out to the ring and the roster cleared a path for him to the ring. John Laurinatis handed a microphone to Mark Henry and then exited the ring. Mark started off with saying that it took him fifteen years to earn this championship and it is going to take another fifteen for someone to take it from him because there is no one that can, and then he looks over at Ezekiel Jackson and said he’s looking at him. He then said Teddy Long never believed but he will believe now, which then lead to Triple H’s music hitting and out came the COO, and made his way straight down to the ring. Triple H asked for the microphone from Henry and it took a few moments for him to finally hand it over. Before Hunter could even say a word though Christian said hold on, and then said he speaks for himself and everyone else when he says Hunter is doing a great job, and his treatment of the superstars has been amazing. He said that everyone looks up to him and he is a big deal around here, and even though you know who over there is the champion, can you see his face on a billboard, on a cereal box or read to children, and if he is going to be the leader everyone believes him to be than he needs to be the World Champion, and as it is he does deserve another shot. He wanted Hunter to know that after Hell in a Cell he will be there to pick up the slack and become a three-time world champion. Hunter then asked if Christian is done, and Christian nodded yes, and then Triple H turned to the Smackdown roster and thanked all of them for coming out here, and wanted to reassure them that he is complete control of Raw and Smackdown but as for Christian’s thoughts he is impressed with Christian’s willingness to be a leader and it is leadership by example so Triple H is going to give him the chance to lead, and he can lead the whole roster out for a Lumber Jack match, where their leader will go one on one for the World Heavyweight Championship against Mark Henry and the winner will face Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell. Triple H’s music hits and he then made his way out of the ring as Christian pleaded before he made his way to the back as well while staring down Henry.
SINGLES MATCH
Sheamus defeated Heath Slater: Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Christian walked up to the Great Khali and asked him how things were going, and then brought up the fact that he has his Lumber Jack match later on in the night. Christian then went on to say that someday Khali would get his shot at the championship and whom would he rather face a man like Henry who can take out giants or someone a little bit smaller, like himself. Khali does not reply which irritates Christian in which he then asked if Khali understood anything he had been saying. Khali then said he understood Christian was small. Christian laughed and said he got the joke but wanted to make sure Khali would have his back. They both smiled and then Christian walked off.
SINGLES MATCH
Wade Barrett defeated Justin Gabriel: Barrett won with the Wasteland.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Matt Striker was standing backstage with Randy Orton. Striker brought up the fact that tonight would be his first match since losing the World Heavyweight Championship and it would be against Cody Rhodes. Striker then asked Orton what was on his mind. Orton said just one thing, going to hell, but just like the song “Hell ain’t that bad place to be” especially if that is where you go to become the World Heavyweight Championship.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Christian was talking with Ezekiel Jackson. Christian was trying to recruit him to back him up during the Lumber Jack match, but they two began to disagree and then Christian brought up how he is a two-time World Champion and asked Jackson how many times he had been champion. Christian quickly backtracked and said Jackson will be a future champion and before he can hear Jackson’s response he thanks him and then walks off.
DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH
Beth Phoenix & Natalya defeated A.J. & Kaitlyn: Phoenix won with the Glam Slam.
SINGLES MATCH
Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton by DQ: Randy Orton hit Rhodes with his own protective mask for the disqualification.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Christian walked into Sheamus’s locker room. Christian said before you say anything he had this for him, and then gave him a potato. Sheamus said he loves them and Christian then asked for his help in the Lumber Jack match and if he did he would get the first shot at Christian. Sheamus said he would be out there, and then Christian left Sheamus then bit into the potato, and spit it out saying that it wasn’t from Ireland, it was from Idaho.
SINGLES MATCH
The Great Khali defeated Jinder Mahal: Khali won with a Choke Slam.
SINGLES MATCH
Sin Cara defeated Daniel Bryan: Sin Cara won with a swanton splash.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Christian was backstage by Randy Orton’s locker room door waiting and then knocked on the door. Instead of Orton, Zach Ryder came out of the room. Christian was caught a little off guard and then complemented Ryder on his appearance on Raw with Hugh Jackman. Christian then complemented Ryder on his sunglasses, and Ryder then said that he would have loved to do him a solid but since he is the assistance to the general manager it would be a conflict of interest. Christian said he understood that but Ryder could go back into Orton’s locker room and convince him to help Christian. Then Ryder’s phone rang and it was Hugh Jackman on the other line. Ryder then excused himself leaving Christian alone.
TAG TEAM MATCH
Air Boom (Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston) defeated The Uso brothers: Bourne won with the Air Bourne.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP LUMBER JACK MATCH
Mark Henry defeated Christian to retain the World Heavyweight title: Henry won with World’s Strongest Slam.