7/27 Shore's WWE Smackdown Live Coverage: The Miz vs. Christian for the Intercontinental Title, Antonio Cesaro vs. Santino Marella, and a four way to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship

By Chris Shore

WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Taped on 7/24 in Kansas City, Mo.

[Q1] A video ran down highlights of Monday's 1000th episode of Raw, including putting effects on the screen to highly imply betrayal by CM Punk...The opening video aired, followed by the pyro, and Michael Cole, Josh Matthews, and Booker T checked in on commentary. They hyped the number one contenders match, and Lilian Garcia overdubbed introducing The Miz.

Miz made his entrance in ring gear. A video recapped his win of the Intercontinental title on Monday. Miz said the people cost Christian the title because they voted for that match. He started to do his catch phrase, but Christian's music hit and he came to the ring cutting a promo. He mocked Miz's "awesome," line and said he was invoking his rematch clause right now...

1. Christian vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship. Christian started fast and dumped Miz to the floor. He rolled Miz back in and went for a tornado DDT. Miz slipped out and hit a knee lift to take control. Miz hit his clothesline in the corner, but Christian came right back with a flapjack. He charged at Miz, who back dropped him over the top rope and to the floor...[C]

[Q2] Back from commercial, Miz stomped on Christian and covered for two. Miz whipped Christian tot he corner and charged. Christian got the feet up and Miz bumped hard. They battled to the top rope, and Christian knocked Miz down. He went for the frog splash, but Miz got the knees up for a near fall.

They fought in the corner again and Christian hit a missile drop kick. Christian ran his offense, including a cross body for two. They ran a series of reversals into quick near falls until Christian called for the Kill Switch. Miz slid out and hit a DDT from his knees for two. Christian fought back and setup for the spear. Miz ran and Christian gave chase. They reversed each others finishers, and Miz hit a thumb to the eye. He ducked a punch and hooked a school boy roll up, complete with handful of tights, for the win...

The Miz defeated Christian to retain the Intercontinental Championship at 13:26.

The announce team hyped Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes and the main event...[C]

Shore's Slant: Fun match and I like the fact that they basically opened with a match. Yes, Miz said a few words, but it wasn't a long talking segment and it led directly to the match. What I don't like is Miz's new look. I can't quite put my finger on it, but something isn't right. He doesn't look good. He doesn't look different anymore. He just looks...plain, I guess. Whatever it is, he needs to fix it if he's looking to have another top run.

[Q3] Jinder Mahal placed his hat into the clear plastic box and we finally find out why. He doesn't want anyone to touch it. No kidding? Ryback was out next. Maybe he can squash the stupidity of creative while he's at it...

2. Jinder Mahal vs. Ryback. Mahal started fast, but Ryback came right back with the big boot. Mahal hit a dirty blow and attacked Ryback. He started to lock in the camel clutch, but Ryback stood up and dropped Mahal. He setup for the clothesline, but Mahal ran and took the count out...

Ryback defeated Jinder Mahal by countout in about 3:00.

The announce team hyped a CM Punk attacking the Rock replay for next...[C]

Shore's Slant: I forgot tot click start on my timer so the time for the match is a rough estimate. So let me see if I have this straight, Ryback can beat up both Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks, but Jinder Mahal can get away? Lame. They are doing real damage to Ryback by letting him get stale.

A video replayed the end of Monday Night Raw with CM Punk's suspected heel turn. Booker T gave Punk props for what he did, but Cole said there must be an explanation...Tout videos aired of people talking about it...

Backstage, Daniel Bryan was sitting in the locker room looking sad. Sheamus walked up and listed all the bad things that happened to Bryan on Monday. Bryan said he wasn't done with AJ, Rock wouldn't be back for six months, and who cared about Charlie Sheen. Sheamus handed him a present and said it was for his wedding night. He left, and Bryan opened the package. Bryan yelled about it not being funny and slammed the present, a book, down. The camera zoomed in and it said, "How to last longer than 18 seconds" with a picture of Sheamus beating Bryan at WrestleMania this year...

Shore's Slant: Oh, I get it. It's a sex joke. How hilarious! I cannot stop laughing. Wait. I got that backwards. It's I can't start laughing.

[Q4][C] A video recapped the six man match that JR called from Raw...Ring entrances occurred for the next match...

3. Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes. Both men brawled to the apron. Cody slammed Sheamus into the post and then let the ref count him on the ground. Sheamus made the count at eight and Cody started stomping him. Dolph Ziggler's music hit, and he and Vickie came to ringside...[C]

Back at 7:50, Cody hit a drop kick for a near fall. He came right back with a knee to the face for two. Ziggler was antsy at ringside with the briefcase.

[Q5] Cody hit his brother's drop down punch, but Sheamus came right back with a huge back drop. Sheamus ran through his offense and hit the brogue kick for the win. Ziggler teased coming in the ring. The ref reached out for the briefcase and Ziggler thought about it. He dropped to the floor and backed up the ramp talking smack. Chris Jericho ran out wearing Ziggler's shirt and threw Ziggler in the ring. Sheamus hit abrogue kick and left the ring while Jericho looked on at Ziggler...

Sheamus defeated Cody Rhodes at 13:28.

Jericho got in the ring as mild Y2J chant broke out. Ziggler staggered to his feet and took a Code Breaker. Vickie Guerrero screamed at Jericho from the floor. Jericho took the shirt off and dropped it on Ziggler before leaving...[C]

Shore's Slant: Good match from Cody and Sheamus. I was distracted at the end, but it was mostly all Sheamus in the run up to the end and a clean finish. I cannot wait to see what Jericho vs. Ziggler is going to look like. That is going to be a hell of a match if they are allowed to go.

4. Antonio Cesaro (w/Aksana) vs. Santino Marella. Cesaro started strong, but Santino did his split duck and hit a clothesline. He put on the sock, but Aksana distracted him. Santino hit a hip toss and put on the sock. Cesaro ducked the Cobra and dropped Santino on the ropes. He followed with his finisher for the win...

Antonio Cesaro defeated Santino Marella at 2:03.

[Q6] A video recapped Damien Sandow's interaction with DX on Monday, and then Sandow was shown walking backstage. His match is next...[C]

Shore's Slant: Cole went out of his way to say Cesaro was promising big things and then hinted at a possible US Title match. I hope he's foreshadowing.

5. Yoshi Tatsu vs. Damien Sandow. The fight went right to the floor and Sandow drovr Tatsu into the railing. He rolled him in the ring and hit all his moves, with the neckbreaker last, for the win...

Damien Sandow defeated Yoshi Tatsu at 1:16.

Post match, Sandow cut a promo where he claimed to be a martyr after DX beat him up. He did the "Your welcome" bit and left...[C]

Shore's Slant: Basic stuff from Sandow. It's good to see him get the rub from Monday, but they need to change his ring gear and put him in a program where he can use his promo skills to get over.

[Q7] A video recapped the Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar segment from Raw...Rey Mysterio made his ring entrance, followed by Kane...[C]

Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio were out with Del Rio in a Ferarri (I think Cole said)...

6. Rey Mysterio vs. Kane vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Alberto Del Rio (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) to be the number one contender tot he World Heavyweight Championship. Everything started wild with too much to try and keep up with. Bryan and Rey battled, but then they both attacked Kane and tried to hit a double suplex on him, but he reversed it and hit a double suplex on them...[C]

Back from commercial, Del Rio locked in the cross arm breaker on Bryan. Mysterio hit a leg drop from the top rope to break the hold. Kane knocked out Rey and then drove Del Rio to the floor. Kane hit a low drop kick on Rey for two. Rey fought back and reversed a Kane lift into a DDT. He went for a ranna, but Kane caught him. Del Rio hit a drop kick on Rey and then a enziguri on Kane for two when Bryan broke the count.

Bryan hit the Yes kicks and then reversed a school boy into the Yes Lock. Del Rio teased tapping, but Kane stopped Del Rio's arm and punched Bryan in the face. Kane sent Bryan to the floor, which allowed Del Rio to hit the arm breaker on Kane. He started for the cross arm breaker, but Kane slipped out and hit a choke slam. He covered, but Rey broke the count.

Kane rolled to the floor and Bryan hit him with the running knee to send Kane into the crowd. Bryan sold his foot as Rey called for 619 on Del Rio. Bryan slid in the ring and grabbed Rey. Rey dropped him on the ropes, then dropped Del Rio on the ropes. Rey hit a 619 on them both, followed by a top rope splash on Bryan. He covered, but Ricardo Rodriguez pulled Rey from the ring and Del Rio covered for the win...

Alberto Del Rio became the number one contender at 13:26.

Shore's Slant: Fun match that took advantage of the fourway concept well. I'm not all that high on Del Rio winning, but it is what it is. It was not clear (at least I missed it because I tend to block out the announcers so much) if this is the SummerSlam match, but I don't think it is. My guess is someone gets added to the match, Rey perhaps, or Del Rio gets his shot before the PPV and someone else replaces him. Just a guess right now though. I'll have more tomorrow in the Hitlist and All Access audio review. Thanks for watching along tonight.

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at css3238@gmail.com or tweet me @TheShoreSlant with whatever is on your mind.

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