WWE SmackDown!
December 16th, 2011 from Raleigh, North Carolina
[Reviewed by: Sean Sweeny]
IN RING SEGMENT
The show opened with Josh Matthews in the ring welcoming Cody Rhodes opponent at TLC, Booker T. As Booker T made his way down to the ring they replayed what took place last week on SmackDown. Once Booker got into the ring Josh asked that after what took place last week, does Booker think he is ready for his match this Sunday night. Booker said let me ask the fans do they think I am ready in which they all cheered. Booker said that he never even wanted this match he was ready to enter his next part of his career behind the announcer’s desk but Cody wanted to use him as a stepping stone and he is going to have any of that because he is the former five time World Heavyweight Champion, and soon to be Intercontinental Champion. Matthews then asked Booker if Booker T is successful this Sunday would he return to full time action? Booker said that he hadn’t thought of that but he will cross that bridge when he comes to it. What he can tell Josh though is he will walk out victorious of TLC, now can you dig that sucka!
As Booker T’s music played he started posing for the fans when all of a sudden Cody Rhodes’s music hit, and out came the Intercontinental Champion. Cody had a microphone in hand and as he stood on the ramp he addressed Booker T by telling him that Booker had a very nice fantasy built up but he is going to tell him how Sunday will really play out. Booker’s music is going to hit and the fans will go crazy and as he gets in the ring he will be energized with a though of nostalgia. People will think that Booker T is back, and if this were a movie Booker T would win the match and be the new champion leaving Cody humiliated. However this is not a movie, the old knees will set in, the old back will set in and he will find himself in the ring with Cody Rhodes as reality sets in on him. Booker then cut Cody off saying that in reality what is stopping him from getting out of the ring and kicking his ass right now. Cody replied saying that he will give him that that he always has something to say. Cody said that he has faced Daniel Bryan twice and both times Booker T has interfered and now he is going to face Bryan a third time now and Teddy Long said that if Booker interferes for a third time Booker will lose his match with Cody at TLC. So he suggests Booker T leaves the ring so he can show Booker what he can do, now can he dig that Sucka? Then as Booker T left the ring Bryan’s music hit to start off the first match of the night.
SINGLES MATCH
Cody Rhodes defeated Daniel Bryan via Pin fall: Rhodes won with the Cross Rhodes.
DIVAS SINGLES MATCH
Alicia Fox defeated Natalya via Pin fall: Fox won with a small package pin.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Jack Swagger was standing backstage with Vicki Guerrero and they were talking about his match later on in the night saying that he is going to win no doubt. Vicki then told him that he was her champion. Mark Henry then came over and told Swagger that he needed a favor from him. Last time Swagger took on the Big Show he hurt Show’s ankle, and he needs him to do it again like he did to him, and if he does this for Henry, Swagger will be next in line for a Championship shot. Swagger said that he is going to hurt the Big Show but not for Henry but rather for himself as he already beat the Big Show before unlike Mark Henry, and he knows his future is the World Heavyweight Championship.
TAG TEAM MATCH
Primo & Epico defeated the Uso’s via Pin fall: Primo won with the Backstabber on Jey Uso.
SINGLES MATCH
The Big Show defeated Jack Swagger via Pin fall: Show won with the WMD.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Randy Orton was in his locker room wrapping his wrists when Zack Ryder came into the room. Ryder said that he sees Orton getting ready their match tonight but wanted to know if they were on the same page. Orton said no, and then Ryder said how about the same book? Orton replied maybe, which made Ryder jump for joy and then say Woo Woo Woo You Know It! And then walked out of the locker room leaving Orton confused.
SINGLES MATCH
Ted DiBiase defeated Heath Slater via Pin fall: DiBiase won with the Dream Street.
IN RING SEGMENT
After the match Jinder Mahal rushed into the ring and attacked Ted DiBiase. Mahal laid him out and then applied the Camel Clutch on DiBiase. As he held it in place, Teddy Long made his way out to the stage and said that if Jinder wants a fight he knows just the person as Jinder has unfinished business with him from this past Monday night on RAW, and they will have a match right now. Sheamus’s music hit and out came the Celtic Warrior.
SINGLES MATCH
Sheamus defeated Jinder Mahal via Pin fall: Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick.
TAG TEAM MATCH
Randy Orton & Zack Ryder defeated Dolph Ziggler & Wade Barrett via Pin fall: Orton won with an RKO on Ziggler.