WWE Smackdown! – December 30th, 2011 from Indianapolis, IN
[Reviewed by: Sean Sweeny]
IN RING SEGMENT
The show started off with Booker T making his way down to the ring where he grabbed a microphone. Booker said that he asked for this time before the show kicked off. He wanted to thank the WWE and the fans for this past year. He brought up the Royal Rumble where he was a surprise entrant in the rumble, which was one of the greatest nights of his career. Then Booker took a step back to move on to his next step in his career at the announcer’s booth. Booker continued on to say that he loves it except for dealing with Cole but then Cody Rhodes did everything in his power to drag Booker back into the ring, but he proved last Monday once and for all that he could deal with Cody face to face and didn’t have to attack him from behind like Cody had been doing. Booker then finished up by saying Can you dig that…
That is when Cody Rhodes’s music hit, and out came the Intercontinental Champion with a microphone. Cody began to rip on the city bringing up the Colts, then he said that it is the end of the year and so he felt that it is necessary to bring up his highlights of the year from surviving a career threatening injury to winning at Wrestlemania to bringing prestige back to the Intercontinental Championship and then even took a washed up announcer and showed him a brief glimpse of his old success and glory days. Booker T then stopped Cody saying that he can call him anything he wants but he beat Cody in the middle of the ring this past Monday and if Cody had any respect for his industry he wouldn’t be out here bragging he would be saying congratulation on the victory. Cody told Booker that he was completely right, and he doesn’t want to come off as a bitter loser so he congratulated Booker and put his hand out for Booker to shake. Both men shake hands and as Booker T began to leave the ring Cody said that it is now all over, which made Booker stop and turn back around and asked Cody what he meant by that. Cody said this little fairy tale that Booker has been living of course. Booker is in no man’s land now if he continues to compete his deteriorating skills will be exposed so he should go back to announcing as his legacy as an in ring competitor is over and he is nothing more than a joke now. Cody then asked Booker to himself and the fans a favor and just go home.
Then Goldust’s music hit as Dustin Rhodes made his way to the ring without the make up or theatrics. Dustin got into the ring and began to address his brother Cody by saying that he is very sorry as he loves his brother very much but he is going about this the wrong way. He knows what he is trying to but he has no respect for Booker. Dustin continued by saying that Cody knows that when Dustin was down and was facing every personal demon he ever had there was one person who inspired him and that was Booker T. When Dustin thought it was all over for himself Booker took him under his wing and he then went on to have the best time of his life when they tag teamed. Dustin said that he understands Cody is trying to make a name for himself but not at Booker’s expense, and he said that Cody should know that. Cody then said that just when he thought there couldn’t be a bigger joke than Booker T, his brother comes out to prove him wrong. He doesn’t care about inspiration, as these people aren’t worth it. Cody went on to question Dustin about how he knows better, as the one thing he does know is that he brought respect back to the Rhodes name after Dustin threw up all over it. Cody then questioned Booker’s inspiration because as soon as Dustin stopped tagging with Booker, he fell right back into those demons and then into obscurity.
At this point Booker T had heard enough from Cody told him to wait one damn minute as Dustin is more man then Cody ever will be. It has nothing to do Dustin, or Booker T it has to do with Cody. As the way Booker sees it he’s won one match and Cody has won one so why not one more match and have it be for the intercontinental championship, right here right now. Cody said he should be careful what he wishes for because he can have the match but it will be next week, and once he is done with Booker he can follow his brother Dustin into obscurity. Booker then replied saying that next week he is going to celebrate along with all the fans, and Dustin as he will be the next Intercontinental Champion, now can you dig that sucka! Then after Booker T left the ring Cody gives his brother a cheap shot and then laid him out with a kick before running away as Booker T returns back to the ring to check on Dustin Rhodes.
SINGLES MATCH
Jinder Mahal defeated Ted DiBiase via Submission: Mahal won with the Camel Clutch.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Teddy Long was in his office on the cell phone talking about a New Years Eve party when Aksana walked into the room. Aksana said that she could not wait for the New Years Eve party. Then Drew McIntyre walked into his office saying that he heard Teddy wanted to speak with him. Teddy said that he did as has brought Drew back over to Smackdown, and he knows they have had a difficult past but when he signed him back he didn’t realize how much Drew was making and while Drew was one of the fastest rising stars on SmackDown when he went to RAW his career went flat and he wont pay that kind of money to someone who cannot get the job done. Long said now don’t get me wrong he knows Drew has a lot of talent but if he can’t keep someone who’s heart isn’t in it so if he doesn’t win in his match later on against Ezekiel Jackson he will have to start thinking about letting him go. Drew then told Teddy there is no one with more passion in this company and he is still the same man who can make someone get down on their knees and beg him for mercy like he did to Teddy. Teddy then tells Drew to slow his roll, Drew apologizes and says that if Teddy has any reservations about his abilities then he should watch his match tonight, and then asked Teddy if he felt him, playa before he walks out of Teddy’s office.
DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH
Alicia Fox & Kaitlyn defeated Natalya & Tamina via Pin fall: Fox won with the Scissor Kick on Natalya.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Daniel Bryan is talking with AJ Lee in the hallway about how Bryan rescued Big Show on Monday night and how it would have been disastrous if he hadn’t, then the Big Show comes up to the two of them and asks AJ if he can have a moment of time to talk with the Champ. She agreed and told Bryan she would see him later. Show then said Giants don’t really need to be rescued or saved. Bryan said that wasn’t how he saw it but it doesn’t matter tonight in their tag team match they need to team up and take out Henry and Otunga. Big Show said that he could get behind that when Teddy comes up to them saying he had been looking everywhere for them because he hates being the barer of bad news but the tag team match will not be taking place tonight. However David Otunga had requested a return match against the Big Show but the difference is Mark Henry will be in Otunga’s corner. Teddy then leaves the two and then Bryan told Show maybe sometimes giants do need saving and then walked off leaving Show somewhat annoyed.
SINGLES MATCH
Hunico defeated Justin Gabriel via Pin fall: Hunico won with the Swanton Bomb.
SINGLES MATCH
Big Show defeated David Otunga w/ Mark Henry via Pin fall: Big Show won with the WMD.
SINGLES MATCH
Ezekiel Jackson defeated Drew McIntyre via Pin fall: Jackson won with a Roll-up pin.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Drew McIntyre was in Teddy Long’s office complaining about the official saying that he is biased and that he has always had a problem with him since he got here, and that the loss should not could since Jackson cheated. Long said that he can’t stand losers especially losers that make excuses. Drew was about to continue arguing but then stormed off instead.
IN RING SEGMENT
Sheamus made his way down to the ring and was then handed a microphone. Sheamus said that everyone is talking about 2011 but he doesn’t want to talk about the past he wants to talk about the future, the Royal Rumble. He said that he doesn’t care what number he gets or who he has to throw over the top rope but he will win the 2012 Royal Rumble. Then Hornswoggle came down to the ring and Sheamus said look it is the little fella that eliminated him in the Christmas battle royal. Sheamus then said let me guess your going to enter the rumble as well and Hornswoggle nodded. Sheamus continued by asking if Hornswoggle thought miracles happened everyday because Daniel Bryan won the World Heavyweight Championship and he nodded again. Sheamus said I thought you could talk, please tell me who you think is going to win the Royal Rumble. Hornswoggle then grabbed the microphone and yelled his own name over and over again. Sheamus then said that it reminded him of a story from his uncle fool me once shame on me, fool me twice, your asking for a kick in the arse. Sheamus stood over Hornswoggle like he was going to attack him but instead smiled. As the two-laughed Heath Slater’s music hit and out he came onto the ramp with microphone in hand. Slater said that there is always one man who said they are going to win the rumble where no one will take them serious. Slater continued his verbal assault by saying that Sheamus isn’t the best red haired superstar on SmackDown not Sheamus. Slater then said that he is the one-man southern rock band and while Sheamus might have a problem squashing a leprechaun, he doesn’t. Sheamus then got in Slater’s face saying that he likes Southern rock music and then said that Slater is more of an R. Kelly fan, “I believe I can fly” and then threw Slater over the top rope as it then went to commercial.
SINGLES MATCH
Sheamus defeated Heath Slater via Pin fall: Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Daniel Bryan was with Teddy Long telling him that he thinks he is Big Show’s good luck charm as Show defeated Otunga again. Then he asked Teddy why he called him in here just as Big Show walked in asking the same thing while making a snide comment about needing his good luck charm, Big Show said at first it was cute but now he is starting to get annoyed with Bryan. Daniel then told Show he is getting annoyed because he has yet to get a single thank you from him, which aggravated Big Show further as the two continue to argue Teddy Long stopped them to say that next week on SmackDown Daniel Bryan will put the title on the line against the Big Show. Show started to laugh and said to Bryan that he had a nice run, little buddy. Bryan then countered with that no matter the outcome at least he would know his reign was longer than Big Show’s 45-second title reign, and then walked out of the office leaving Show speechless.
FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE MATCH
Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett ended in a No Contest: Barrett threw Orton down a stairwell and then ran off.