WWE Smackdown! – December 9th, 2011 from Jacksonville, FL
[Reviewed by: Sean Sweeny]
IN RING SEGMENT
Show opened with Booker T being attended to by the trainers. The announcers explained that as Booker made his way down to the ring to do the announcing that Cody Rhodes came down and assaulted him. They then went to replays of what happened as Cody stood by the announcer’s table laughing. Tony Chimel then announced the return of ring announcer Lilian Garcia, as she thanked the crowd Cody called her name to get her attention. Cody said that he hates to be the bringer of the truth but no cares that she returns; everyone probably didn’t even notice that she had left. He does however like the symmetry of one member of the crew leaving and another returning. Cody then asked who was going to take the place of Booker T as announcer, who is going to have a fav five with eleven people in it? He is! Cody then told Booker to pay attention to how it is down, sucka!
Josh Matthews then explained that Wade Barrett and Randy Orton have a beat the clock challenge matches tonight, and whoever wins their match faster gets to name the stipulation to their match at Tables, Ladders, and Chairs. This led to the first match of the night as Wade made his way down to the ring.
BEAT THE CLOCK CHALLENGE – SINGLES MATCH
Wade Barrett defeated Ezekiel Jackson via Pin fall: Barrett won with a Boss Man Slam. Time for Orton to beat is 7:53.
IN RING SEGMENT
Wade after the match took the microphone and said that when he started the Barrett Barrage it was to take him all the way to the top and the World Heavyweight Championship. One man though has been standing in his way and that man is Randy Orton. Orton has always had the psychological edge on his opponent not this time. Wade then continued to say that Orton is only hearing one voice and that is his. For it is telling him that tonight is the end for Orton. Barrett then dropped the microphone and headed back up the stage.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Otunga was standing with Teddy Long complaining that Mick Foley put him in a match last week as he is a RAW superstar not a SmackDown superstar so the only right thing to do is to erase his lose from his record. Teddy said that David is right that Mick can get out of hand at times but all superstars are subject to whoever is in charge no matter what show they are on, and since he is here tonight he has an opponent for him tonight, Sheamus. David looks disgusted and as he walked off Teddy wished him luck.
IN RING SEGMENT
Back at ringside Josh Matthews welcomes Money in the Bank winner Daniel Bryan to the ring. As Bryan made his way to the ring Michael Cole goes on about how Bryan choked last week in his steel cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship. Bryan joined Matthews in the ring. Matthews said after being brutalized last week what is going through his head. Bryan said that it was hard losing last week but what was harder was going back to the locker room empty handed knowing that he was so close to winning it but as his dad always said…
At this point Michael Cole stood up and said enough is enough, and Bryan yelled at him to shut up and he doesn’t understand why Cole doesn’t respect him. Cole then said that he has done nothing and hasn’t earned a damn thing here in the WWE. Bryan then said that just last week he made his colleague over there, Cody Rhodes to tap last week and that is how he became the number one contender and he has worked for everything that he has gotten. Cole ignored all this and continued to berate Bryan leading Bryan to approach him. Before Daniel can get close to Cole Rhodes attacked him from behind leaving Bryan on the ground as Rhodes headed back to the locker room as Michael Cole continued to yell at Daniel Bryan. After the commercial break Josh Matthews announced that Daniel Bryan would take on Cody Rhodes later on in the night.
SINGLES MATCH
Zack Ryder defeated Heath Slater via Pin fall: Ryder won with the Rough Ryder.
SINGLES MATCH
Ted DiBiase defeated Jinder Mahal via Pin fall: DiBiase won with a small package pin.
IN RING SEGMENT
Big Show made his way down to the ring. Big Show took a microphone and began to address everyone about his upcoming World Heavyweight Championship match. He started off about how it had been nine years since he beat “The Next Big Thing” Brock Lesnar for the World Heavyweight Championship. He proved everyone wrong back then, and since then a lot of things have changed but he cannot wait for the perfect time to become Champion once again, and he thinks that when he stands across the ring from Mark Henry at TLC, it will be the perfect time. Show then continued that with all of the tables, ladders and chair at ringside things are going to get violent and quickly. Not only that but at TLC, Mark Henry’s Hall of Pain will close its doors for good.
At that point Mark Henry’s music hit and out came the World Heavyweight Champion with a microphone. Henry said that he is not afraid of Show but what is, is halfway hurt. He didn’t tape his ankle and wanted to make it clear he’s not looking for a fight tonight with Big Show. Henry said that he has something to say to Show and he wants to say it to his face, but he wanted Show to promise he wont put his hands on him. Show laughed and mocked Henry before saying he won’t. Henry then said the Show has been talking about his legacy but yet he will be facing Henry not at a hundred percent and what does that say about the Big Show. All Mark is asking for is a curtsey of Show not putting his hands on him. Big Show became serious at this point and said if Henry has something to say he will not put his hands on Mark while he is in the ring.
Mark then cautiously entered the ring to stand face to face with the Big Show. Mark said that the two of them have a lot in common. That the two of them are two of the greatest to ever grace this ring, Show is the former champion as Henry is the current champion, and in two weeks Henry should be one hundred percent, and Show is going to get all the Mark Henry he can take. Henry continued that they both have done mean and hateful things to one another but they are going to pull out all the stops at TLC, so they should let bygones be bygones and let the best man win. Henry then held out his hand for the Big Show and the two shake hands. Henry then said oh yeah one more thing, that he can see it in Show’s eyes that he thinks he is a monster but he just thinks it while Mark Henry knows he is one. Henry then sucker punched Big Show but Show got right back up and pounced on Henry and then assaulted Henry’s injured ankle. Show and Henry leave the ring but Show continued his assault on Henry now enraged. Show then grabbed a steel chair and gave Mark a few still shots to his injured ankle. As trainers rushed to Henry, the Big Show made his way back to the locker room.
SINGLES MATCH
Sheamus defeated David Otunga via Pin fall: Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick.
SINGLES MATCH
Cody Rhodes defeated Daniel Bryan via DQ: Booker T ran out and attacked Cody Rhodes.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Teddy Long was on the phone when Aksana walked into the room. Long welcomed her and Aksana said that she was excited for the new WWE network and asked if Teddy could help her get her own show on the WWE network. Cody Rhodes then burst into the room saying that he demanded a match against Booker T. Long said that Rhodes must be a mind reader as he agrees with Rhodes so at TLC Booker T and Cody Rhodes for the Intercontinental Championship. Rhodes unhappy that it is a title match snapped at Aksana asking what she is looking at and then stormed off. Long then apologized to Aksana for Cody’s behavior but she was still staring at Cody as he walked off.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Matt Striker was standing backstage with Randy Orton. Matt said that Orton will be free to name the stipulation for his match with Wade Barrett if he can beat Dolph Ziggler in under 7:53, and wanted to know Orton’s thoughts on it. Orton said if Matt wanted to know his thoughts he should have just asked Wade since he is apparently in Orton’s head because Wade would know what he is thinking and that is Wade did a favor for Dolph because usually Orton likes to take his time with his opponent to make sure they suffer slowly and methodically. Dolph will suffer Orton continued but it will be quickly. Now Wade thinks he is Orton’s head but Orton has Wade exactly where he wants him. With that Orton walked off.
BEAT THE CLOCK CHALLENGE – SINGLES MATCH
Randy Orton defeated Dolph Ziggler via Pin fall: Orton won with the RKO with :02 left on the clock.
IN RING SEGMENT
After the match Wade came into the ring and assaulted Randy Orton. Barrett congratulated Orton on the win, and said that while Orton can choose the stipulation, Wade is going to give him his own suggestion. Wade then brings Orton outside the ring and tried to put him through a table but Orton countered but before Orton could put Wade through it Barrett ran away up the ramp. Orton then grabbed a prone Dolph Ziggler at ringside and put him through the table while staring at Wade Barrett as Smackdown went off the air.