WWE Smackdown! – November 25th, 2011 from Wilkes-Barre, PA
[Reviewed by: Sean Sweeny]
IN RING SEGMENT
The show started off with Mark Henry making his way to the ring with a crutch and the World Heavyweight Championship. Henry grabbed the microphone and said that it seems like everyone is happy that he is pain. The Big Show did this to him and you are all cheering, what kind of fans are you, Henry questioned them. Who does this kind of thing to someone; this is not the way you show your respect to a champion. Henry continued by saying that he maybe hurt but he is still standing. He then said that the fans are just booing because they all wish that they were the one who caused Henry pain. Mark then said that Big Show knows that Mark kicked him in his knee not in his private parts. Mark continued by saying that Big Show just wanted to make Henry look bad, but he is still here tonight to show to all of the kids that looks up to him what being a champion means. Henry said that he wished he could compete tonight but Teddy Long and officials will not clear him to compete. Now he stands in the ring not the World’s Strongest Man, but the World’s Toughest Man. As he finished that statement Big Show’s music hit and out came the big man. Big Show got into the ring and said Mark you know that the World Heavyweight Championship can only change hands by pin fall and submission. Yet Henry kicked him to get disqualified because he felt his championship slipping away. Now next time it will be different. Henry responded by saying that there will not be a next time because Big Show is the Largest Loser in the World. Big Show then hit Henry with the WMD to lay him out in the center of the ring. Daniel Bryan then ran out with the MITB briefcase and a referee.
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Daniel Bryan def. Mark Henry: Bryan pinned Henry to become the new Heavyweight Champion.
IN RING SEGMENT
As Daniel Bryan celebrated in the ring and at ringside with the Championship Teddy Long came out to the ring. Teddy said that he got out here as quick as he could because Mark Henry was right in saying that he is not medically cleared to compete so the match was not official, and he is sorry but Daniel Bryan is not the World Heavyweight Champion. Teddy apologized again and then said he didn’t want to do it but he is going by the rules. Bryan then handed over the Championship, which was returned to Henry. Long then gave Bryan his MITB briefcase back to him and said since his match was never official he never cashed in. Now to make things fair he is giving Daniel Bryan another shot at the World Heavyweight Championship as he will take place in a number one contenders fatal four way match in the main event with Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett and Randy Orton, with the winner facing Henry next week on a live edition of Tuesday Night Smackdown.
SINGLES MATCH
Hunico defeated Justin Gabriel: Hunico won with Swanton bomb.
DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH
Natalya & Beth Phoenix defeated AJ & Kaitlyn: Natalya won with the Sharpshooter on AJ.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Teddy Long was in his office on the phone saying that not only will there be a World Heavyweight Championship match next week live but Mick Foley will be hosting the show. Just then Aksana came into the room and asked Long if there will be mistletoe. Long began to stutter when Mark Henry burst into the room asking Teddy why he let everything happen earlier. Teddy then said that he made everything right and Henry is still the champion. Henry then asked what was all the talk about him defending the title next week. Teddy said that the doctors have cleared him to compete next week and it’s a live show. Henry was quiet upset over this and Teddy said that he also forgot to mention that next week the title match would happen inside a steel cage. Mark Henry then stared at Teddy and said keep the surprises coming Teddy, don’t worry you will get yours, and then Henry walked out of the room.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Zack Ryder was in the locker room playing WWE 12’ when Sheamus walked in and asked if he is winning? Ryder responded by saying that is exactly what he will do when he finally get his US title shot against Dolph Ziggler. Then he and Sheamus could go hit up the bars and celebrate since they are broskis and all. Sheamus said that was all well and good but now they should take out Ziggler and Swagger in their tag team match tonight. Ryder then said Woo Woo Woo and Sheamus smiled and said you know it! The two then walk out of the locker room.
TAG TEAM MATCH
Zack Ryder & Sheamus defeated Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger: Ryder won with the Rough Ryder on Ziggler.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Daniel Bryan was talking with AJ about how is dream was always to become the World Heavyweight Championship and now after holding it tonight he wants it even more now. AJ told him not to worry since he is in the fatal four-way number one contender’s match later on tonight and he will get another shot next week. Then Wade Barrett came up to him and said yes he will get another shot just not next week because he will be winning tonight, and asked if Bryan has seen what the Barrett Barrage has accomplished? AJ then said who cares, and Barrett laughed saying he has known seen everything as Bryan has a fourteen year old fighting his battles. Daniel said that no one is fighting his battles, he is not afraid of Mark Henry and he certainly isn’t afraid of Barrett. Wade then walks away, AJ then wished Bryan good luck saying that she will be watching from backstage because she has to go see the doctor, she then kissed him on the cheek and walked away leaving Bryan smiling.
SINGLES MATCH
Ted DiBiase defeated Heath Slater: DiBiase won with Dream Street.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Matt Striker was backstage with Cody Rhodes and asked to explain his actions on RAW with Booker T. Rhodes said that most people think that he threw water in the face of a six time World Champion, but that isn’t true. He threw the water in the face of a lowly commentator. Rhodes went on to say that he is free now without his mask to get his revenge on Randy Orton, to become the number one contender, and to throw water in a commentator’s face. Rhodes went on to say in the words of a lowly commentator I can dig that sucka. Cody then walked away from Matt Striker.
FATAL FOUR-WAY #1 CONTENDER MATCH
Daniel Bryan defeated Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, and Randy Orton: Bryan won with the LaBelle lock on Cody Rhodes to become the new number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship.