8/17 WWE Smackdown Live Coverage: The Summerslam go home show will feature Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Jericho, Eve vs. Kaitlyn, plus Rey Mysterio, Sin Cara, The Miz, and Cody Rhodes in action

By Jake Barnett

WWE Smackdown on SyFy Live Coverage
Taped on 8/14 in Austin, Texas

[Q1] A video package that recapped the ongoing Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio feud was shown prior to the normal Smackdown introduction. The Smackdown intro then aired, followed by Alberto Del Rio's music as he entered the arena and the ring.

Del Rio paced briefly before he grabbed a microphone and said he wanted his World Title match back right now. He said the peasant Sheamus stole his car, and then gets rewarded by not defending his title. He then questioned what kind of GM Booker T is if he constantly gave in to Sheamus' demands. Del Rio then reiterated that he was the number one contender and deserved his match. Booker T's music then hit and he headed toward the ring.

Booker said that ever since he became GM Del Rio has been a pain in his side. Del Rio said he didn't care, because Sheamus damaged his property and he made him pay, because that's what men do. Booker said Del Rio was not a man, because men don't hire goons to beat up their enemies. Del Rio then said he earned his shot and that he spoke to his lawyers. He was then interrupted by Chris Jericho, who told him to shut the hell up. Jericho then ran down Del Rio about his greasy hair, said he sounded like a Chihuahua.

Del Rio then retorted in Spanish, and Jericho revealed his Spanish Chops and fired right back. Jericho said his breath smelled like dog poop. Del Rio then demanded to know what his business is in the ring. Jericho then challenged Del Rio to a match for his #1 contendership after he beats Ziggler at Summerslam, and then made another guarantee that he would beat Ziggler. They bickered away from the mics for a minute, and then Booker T said he would book the match for tonight, Chris Jericho vs. Alberto Del Rio. After the announcement, both men stared the other down.

The announcers said Sin Cara and Mysterio vs. Miz and Cody Rhodes is next...[c]

Barnett's Brief: That was an interesting opening segment. Jericho is a much better personality to feud with Del Rio than Sheamus. Verbally they had more chemistry and we'll have to see how the match plays out later, but I think their styles should mesh well. The Y2J character is turned up to 11 here, but so far it is better than what we had been getting from Jericho over the past few months.

[Q2]Rey Mysterio made his entrance to a great reaction. Sin Cara was next, followed by Rhodes. Rhodes said last week he attempted the unthinkable, and tried to expose the abomination that is his face. He asked that children and the elderly turn away, because through various sources he compiled enough information for an artist to make a drawing. He then showed a ridiculously hideous drawing.

1. Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara vs. The Miz and Cody Rhodes: Sin Cara flipped Cody to the outside right away. Miz then entered the ring and got dumped out himself. Mysterio jumped onto Miz from the apron, and Sin Cara then dove into Rhodes from the ring. In the ring, Rhodes hit a quick clothesline in Sin Cara and tagged in Miz. The Miz hit a slam and then locked in a chin lock. He made a quick tag to Rhodes, who came in and hit some strikes. Rhodes then made another quick tag.

Sin Cara hit a flurry of kicks, but Miz hit a knee to the gut and took control again. Miz put on another chin lock and tagged Rhodes, who went to remove the mask. Sin Cara got to his feet and escaped with an arm drag. He tagged Mysterio, who hit a head scissors. He followed up with a body scissors and a bulldog for a near fall after Miz broke the count. Sin Cara dumped The Miz to the outside, and Rhodes went to remove the mask again while Sin Cara tried to exit the ring. Mysterio surprised him with a 619 and dropped the dime for the win.

Rey and Sin Cara defeated Miz and Cody at 4:12.

After the match, the Miz tried a surprise attack and got a 619 for his trouble. He and Sin Cara left, and Rey grabbed the Intercontinental Title briefly and raised it over his head.

Barnett's Brief: Entertaining match that continued both stories. Rey and Sin Cara both looked pretty good here, and I think Sin Cara benefited a lot from the tag team environment.

A video package was shown that recapped the Triple H and Brock Lesnar Feud.

[Q3] Lilian introduced Reks and Hawkins, who came out to no music and in dress suits. They then took off their jackets to reveal short sleeves shirts with ties underneath. Some terrible club music played and they did the worst strip tease you've ever seen. Last week, they made a reference to Reks “old job”, so that was it. Their jobber opponents were already at ringside.

2. Reks and Hawkins vs. Jobbers: The crowd was laughing at Reks and Hawkins, who tossed the jobbers around. Reks hit a big boot and tagged in Hawkins, who hit a clothesline. They also gyrated after each move. They hit a suplex/slam double team combo that put one of the jobbers away for the count.

Reks and Hawkins defeated some jobbers at 1:20.

The announce team said a Raw Rebound with Punk and Cena would be after the break...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Uh, ok? Male strippers in a PG era seems like it would please absolutely no one, so they must be going for comedy. I guess Kevin Nash in Magic Mike deserved a little mockery, so this is what they came up with? The crowd was silent. Deathly silent.

The video package glossed over C.M. Punk's WWE Title reign, and then focused heavily on Punk's recent change of attitude. It then covered recent events that led to the Triple Threat match at Summerslam.

Eve was shown with William Regal backstage. He recalled being GM and the fleeting nature of power, and how he thought he was unstoppable. A woman then walked up, and told Regal to take out the trash. He complied and said “Work is work, isn't it.” He then wished her luck in her match with Kaitlyn...[c]

Barnett's Brief: The video package was good. I have no idea what to make of Regal as the trash man. They were shooting for a metaphor, but that was like a scene from a Wes Anderson movie.

Q4] A Wade Barrett promo aired. He spoke further about how he was made soft by how easy life was in the WWE, and how he had to go back to being in pain to regain his strength. It was a very good vignette, but still the “barrage” thing is just not good.

Kaitlyn was introduce for her match with Eve to decide which one would be Booker T's assistant. A video was shown of Kaitlyn as she pinned Beth Phoenix on Monday. Eve then followed. Teddy Long joined the announce team.

3. Eve vs. Kaitlyn: Eve pushed Kaitlyn against the ropes. She got a waist lock and took Kaitlyn down, locking in an arm bar. The ref broke the hold when Eve used the ropes for leverage. Kaitlyn hit a back body drop followed by a shoulder block. Kaitlyn rolled Eve up for two. Eve dropped Kaitlyn on the second rope, which choked her. She then hit a kick and send Kaitlyn into the corner. Kaitlyn fought out and went up top, but Eve pulled her down to the mat by her arm. Eve then hit a snap suplex to pick up the win.

Eve defeated Teddy Long at 2:32.

After the match, Eve walked over to Teddy and said she would be happy to work with him. Teddy was stone faced. Cole plugged Bryan vs. Orton as next...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Eve was alright there while flaunting her win to Teddy, but the match was boring. I'm assuming Teddy and Booker will be tormenting her now.

Daniel Bryan entered and the crows chanted Yes, while he screamed No. Randy Orton then entered to applause.

[Q5]4. Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton: They circled and Orton his a shoulder block as Bryan hit the ropes. He then hit a second shoulder block, which saw Bryan retreat into a corner. Bryan leaped out of the corner over Orton's head, but ate a dropkick a second later. Bryan then rolled to the outside and jawed with a fan doing Yes chants. He got in the ring and Orton immediately went to work with a back body drop. Bryan then avoided and hit a low drop kick.

Bryan worked a leg lock for an extended period of time. He then jawed again with the crowd, which continued to chant Yes. Bryan tried to climb to the top rope, but Bryan was too distracted by fans and took too much time. Orton met him on the top turnbuckle and hit a superplex. Both men were laid out, and Orton eventually rolled over for a pin, but only got a 2 count...[c]

Bryan and Orton traded blows, and then Bryan grabbed Orton's leg and slammed his knee to the mat. Bryan then wrapped Orton's leg around the second rope, and hit a dropkick directly to the knee. Bryan got distracted by the crowd again, and then charged Orton and ate the post. Orton fired up and hit clotheslines, followed by a power slam. He then threw Bryan out to the apron for a hung DDT, but Bryan slipped the outside. Bryan attmepted an Irish Whip, but Orton reversed and sent him into the barricade.

Orton tried to toss Bryan in the ring, but he rolled all the way out the other side. Orton gave chase, and Bryan sent him into the steps. Bryan tossed him back in and tried a cover and got two. Bryan then hit several kicks to Orton's chest, but missed the big kick to the head. Orton then hit an inverted backbreaker for another two count. Orton tossed Bryan into the corner, but couldn't charge due to the bad wheel. Bryan sat on the top turnbuckle, but Orton hit a hung DDT from the second rope. Orton went for an RKO, but Bryan spun out and made an attempt at a No Lock.

Bryan finally dragged Orton to the ground and locked in the hold, but Kane's music and pyro hit. Bryan released the hold and headed to the outside to escape from Kane. He never showed up, and Bryan entered the ring again right into an RKO. Orton then covered Bryan for the pin.

Randy Orton defeated Daniel Bryan at 14:28.

[Q6] After the match, Kane appeared on the apron and smiled at Bryan. The announce team then plugged the main event...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Bryan looked strong here and I don't think it's possible for him to have a bad match. He and Orton both worked hard here and the crowd was alive for this match. I don't think there is anyone in WWE that has been an better overally entertainer in WWE than Daniel Bryan over the past few months.

Santino joined on commentary for the next match. Antonio Cesaro entered for the next match with Aksana. His music is a total buzzkill. Aksana told us that Cesaro would like to speak to us in five different languages. USA chants started. He turned to Santino and said loser in english to Santino. Zack Ryder then made his entrance.

5. Antonio Cesaro vs. Zack Ryder: Cesaro his strikes and some headbutts, followed by a chin lock. He then telegraphed a back body drop and Ryder hit a face buster. Ryder then hit a splash in the corner followed by the Broski Boot for a two count. Cesaro hit the Neutralizer after a european uppercut and got the pin a moment later for the win.

After the match, Cesaro threw Santino around the announce area, and left with Aksana.

Antonio Cesaro defeated Zack Ryder in 1:20.

Barnett's Brief: What the WWE is doing to Zack Ryder is a real shame. Cesaro looked great, as you would expect with a great wrestler bumping around for him.

[Q7] An extended video package that showed the long form story of the Lesnar/Triple H saga was shown. After the video, Cole said Shawn Michaels would not be at Summerslam due to his arm “fracture”, and showed the outpouring of sympathy for Shawn Michaels.

Alberto Del Rio entered in a Maserati, and Ricardo introduced him. Jericho was shown walking towards the ring backstage, and Ziggler hit him with the briefcase and an equipment cart of some kind. Ziggler told him he will never win the big one, and he won't let him overlook him...[c]

Del Rio mocked Jericho asked for some Spanish lessons now. Del Rio said Jericho obviously is going to forfeit, and had Ricardo announcer. He demanded Booker T restore his match, and Jericho's music hit. The ref spoke to Jericho and he said he would compete. He demanded the ref ring the bell.

6. Chris Jericho vs. Alberto Del Rio Del Rio asked Jericho what he thought he was going to do, and Jericho then punched him in the mouth. Del Rio hit a kick to Jericho's injured ribs, followed by a running stomp for a two count. Del Rio then hit a running knee and another stomp for another two. Del Rio continued on offense and focused on knees and kicks to the ribs.

[Q8] Jericho eventually fired back with an enziguri. Jericho hit some strikes and kicks. Del Rio sent him to the apron and then sent him into the announce table at ringside...[c]

Del Rio locked in a chin lock. Jericho got free, but Del Rio hit a tilt a whirl back breaker to regain control. Del Rio threw Jericho into the corner and hit a side kick to the injured ribs for a two count. Del Rio climbed to the second rope and missed a stomp. Jericho fougth to his feet and hit some leg kicks on Del Rio. He followed up with a shoulder block. Del Rio hit a kick to the chest. Jericho hit a kick of his own and a Lionsault for a near fall.

Del Rio sent Jericho chest first into the corner. Del Rio sent for an arm breaker, but Jericho reversed into the Walls of Jericho. Del Rio powered out and pushed Jericho away. Ziggler pulled the top rope down and Jericho took a hard tumble to the floor. Ziggler then tossed him back into the ring, and hit a kick to the face for the win.

Alberto Del Rio defeated Chris Jericho at 9:12.

After the match, Del Rio locked in the Cross Arm Breaker on Jericho while Ziggler mocked him. Sheamus made the save, and Del Rio managed to fight him off long enough for Del Rio to escape into the crowd. Booker T entered and stood at the top of the ramp with a microphone. He asked Sheamus what he was doing. Sheamus replied that he wanted Booker to reinstate his match at SummerSlam. Booker said he knew he was injured, and couldn't to it. Sheamus said they would have to rip his arm off to keep him from competing.

Booker T asked Sheamus if he knew that if he reinstated the match, it would be for his World Title. Sheamus said the only person who wanted the match more than Del Rio is him. Eventually, after some more gnashing back and forth, Booker reinstated the match. The show concluded with Sheamus looking contemplative and Del Rio celebrating.

Barnett's Brief: Interesting conclusion to the match, with Ziggler looking ruthless. With the Sheamus injury and how strong Ziggler looked, I have to assume the briefcase is in play on Sunday. This show had a lot of good action interspersed with some very long video packages. I'll have more to say tomorrow with Chris Shore in our WWE Smackdown Audio.

Questions, comments or concerns? Contact me at barnett.jake@gmail.com or on twitter @barnettjake.