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9/7 Barnett's WWE Smackdown on SyFy Live Review: Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton and a returning Wade Barrett in action highlight this week's show

Posted in: WWE TV Reports, MUST-READ LISTING
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Sep 7, 2012 - 07:00 PM

By Jake Barnett

WWE Smackdown on SyFy Live Review
Taped 9/4 in Moline, Illinois


[Q1] A recap aired of Ricardo taking a brogue kick for Del Rio on Monday, and the subsequent legal threat by David Otunga via Tout. Ricardo was then shown backstage coming out of Booker T's office with a neck brace and a limp. The boilerplate Smackdown intro then aired.

In the arena, Del Rio's music hit and he walked out with Otunga and Ricardo. Rircardo limped very slowly, and it took several minutes for them to reach the ring. Del Rio opened and said that he was on the roll of his career. He talked about his victories over Orton, Kane and Cena, but said that he wasn't completely happy. He said if his match with Sheamus was a battle of skill and intelligence, he would win. He said Sheamus has an unfair advantage because of the dangerous nature of the Brogue Kick, and that it should be banned.

Del Rio then said that kicking someone in the head was a criminal act. He said Ricardo is not only his personal ring announcer, but that he was his only friend. He said due to the kick, Ricardo may have permanent physical and emotional damage. He called what Sheamus did a criminal act, and he said his Cross Armbreaker is artistic, while the Brogue Kick was barbaric.

Otunga grabbed the mic, and he said that Sheamus' actions were malicious and intentional, and that the Brogue Kick should be banned. They then did a Brogue Kick video package that showed the move putting multiple people out for the count. Otunga said that WWE would be a joke if they allowed the Brogue Kick to continue to be used. He then said he met with the Smackdown GM, and he asked for compensation and damages. Booker T's music then hit, and he had a microphone on top of the ramp.

Booker scolded Otunga for speaking about their private conversation. He then said Otunga should know better than to bring his case to the people, so Booker said he would do the same. Booker then asked the crowd if he should ban the Brogue Kick, which they loudly replied no. Booker then said in his mind, the Brogue kick was still legal. Ricardo whimpered in the ring, and the announce team bickered on commentary about Booker using the audience to make his decision.

The announce team then plugged a Raw Recap about CM Punk and a Tag Match involving The Miz and Rey Mysterio as next...[c]

Barnett's Brief: I think Ricardo is doing a great job of selling the “injury”, but the promo just seemed lackluster to me. I didn't buy Ricardo's attempt to empathize with Ricardo, since he's abused him in the past himself, and Otunga just doesn't do it for me. I think the storyline about the Brogue Kick is interesting though, so I hope the performances improve.

A video recap of the Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes match from last week was shown, with the Sin Cara save. Rey Mysterio then made his ring entrance. Followed by Sin Cara, Cody Rhodes and the Miz.

[Q2] 1. Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio vs. Miz and Cody Rhodes: Miz and Rey started out the match, and Miz gained control early. Rey slipped out of a Miz suplex attempt and hit some leg kicks. Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio followed up with double team kicks, and Sin Cara locked a grounded Miz in a chin lock...

Sin Cara hit a very nice top rope tilt a whirl arm drag. Rey Mysterio then drop kicked Cody onto the ropes and set up for 619, but Miz pulled Cody outside. Rey dove to the outside, but Cody leveled him with a clothesline. Cody locked Rey in a chin lock back in the ring, but Rey quickly fought back in with a drop toe hold on the turnbuckle. Sin Cara made a tag and hit a splash coming into the ring. He followed up with a springboard back elbow and a kick from the apron.

Miz tipped off Cody to a Sin Cara aerial move, and he got out of the way. He then made a tag that Sin Cara didn't see, so Miz entered and clobbered him. Miz hit a top rope double axe handle for a near fall a moment later, and then made a tag to Rhodes. Rhodes hit a hanging front suplex, and followed up with a head lock.

[Q3] Sin Cara reversed a back suplex attempt into a stunner type maneuver and made the tag to Mysterio. Miz then tagged in and he and Rey traded offense. Rey went to roll up Miz, but he rolled through and front kicked Mysterio in the head. Rey reversed a Skull Crushing finale attempt, and rolled up Miz. Miz rolled through, and Cody Rhodes kicked him by mistake. Sin Cara then took Cody to the outside with a drop kick and then splashed him. Rey then finished off The Miz with a 619 and a top rope splash for the win.

Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara defeated Miz and Rhodes at 10:55.

Barnett's Brief: Very good match that continues to show off Sin Cara very well. He and Rey looked great here, in no small part due to the great selling of Miz and Cody Rhodes.

The announce team put over Heyman and CM Punk from Monday, and then they cut backstage to Daniel Bryan. He walked up to Hornswoggle backstage, who mocked him for Monday's hug. Hornswoggle then insisted on shaking his hand, and then stepped on his foot. Bryan did his best to control his anger...[c]

[Q4] Otunga threatened Booker T backstage with legal action and showed him various pictures of Brogue Kick victims. He asked Booker what kind of GM he would be, one that protected his employees or one that put them at unnecessary risk. A “Hug it out” video package was shown. Daniel Bryan made his entrance and held his composure while fans yelled yes chants at him...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Otunga was much better there. Daniel Bryan is just awesome.

Daniel Bryan was practicing his breathing when Ryder made his entrance.

2. Zack Ryder vs. Daniel Bryan: Ryder tried an early rollup and got a 2 count. The crowd chanted at Bryan and he kicked the tar out of Ryder while chanting no. He kicked him further when he dropped to his knees, and then hit a running knee for two. Ryder hit a facebuster followed by a roaring clothesline. He then sent Bryan into the corner and hit the Broski Boot. Ryder set up for the Rough Ryder, but Bryan begged off.

Bryan apologized to Ryder profusely, and then asked if they could hug it out. Ryder came in and gave him a hug eventually, which Bryan turned into a No Lock and Ryder tapped out. Bryan celebrated for a moment, but then reapplied the hold. He refused to break and then the ref reversed his decision. Bryan screamed No and kicked the ropes in frustration.

Zack Ryder defeated Daniel Bryan by DQ at 3:01.

Randy Orton was shown walking toward the ring...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Fun match that was more about furthering Bryan's character than it was about the match. I'm not complaining about that specifically, but I feel bad that Ryder is so often an afterthought. Cole even mentioned that Kane put the braked on Ryder's WWE career, and that he may never reach his dreams. Ugh.

Damien Sandow entered with a Microphone. He said he knew that there was a match scheduled, but he had to get something off of his chest. He said he lost a match to Sheamus last week, and that he saw it as nothing more than kharmic justice. Sandow then complained that he wasn't given proper time to study his opponent and seek out their weaknesses so he could exploit them. He bragged about never being pinned, and the said he took umbrage with those on social media that called him a coward. He then said his action were intelligent and not craven.

Sandow continued and said the crowd didn't have the courage to call him craven to his face, and was then interrupted a moment later by Randy Orton. He then asked Orton what he could possibly have to add to the conversation. Orton said he wasn't there to talk, he was there to fight. He then said that Booker T had scrapped his other match and he told him he wanted Sandow. Damien then said it wasn't fair and Booker couldn't do that, but Orton said that he already did...

[Q5] 3. Randy Orton vs. Damien Sandow: Dolph Ziggler entered right as Orton and Sandow started circling each other and sat in on commentary. Orton and Sandow tied up and ended up in a corner, where Sandow hit some shoulder blocks. Orton reversed into an irish whip, and Sandow bailed out of the ring under the ropes. Orton took control with a couple of european uppercuts. He went for an inverted back breaker, but Sandow rolled to the outside.

Orton followed and hit a clothesline, followed by a toss into the barricade. Orton went for a suplex, but Ziggler distracted him and Sandow sent him into the post. Sandow sent Orton back in the ring and continued the assault with knees on a downed Orton...[c]

Sandow continued the assault with a knee to the back, and locked in a chin lock. He then hit an elbow, but missed the follow up knee when Randy moved. Orton avoided a clothesline and hit one of his own. Sandow moved out to the apron, but Orton caught him and pulled him into a DDT. Orton looked over a Ziggler and got warmed up for the RKO. Sandow saw it coming and bailed up the ramp and got himself counted out.

Randy Orton defeated Damien Sandow at 9:48.

Orton confronted Ziggler on the outside as he left commentary to go up the ramp. Zigger went to punch him, but Randy caught him and sent him into the ring. Ziggler hit some kicks, but Orton fired back with a Powerslam. Sandow snuck up on Orton, but ate an RKO. This allowed Ziggler to get out of the ring and up the ramp.

Barnett's Brief: I like the story we're getting with Orton and Ziggler trading wins. I'm not sure what to think of Ziggler on commentary. He was a bit of a tweener, and I'm not sure it really worked for him. I'll have to give it another listen. The match was fun, but predictable all the way.

[Q6] Backstage, Otunga showed Booker T X-Rays of Ric Rod's spine. He said if Teddy didn't ban the Brogue Kick, he would have to take legal action. He mentioned doctors under subpeona, and said the lawsuit would also include Eve and Teddy Long. Booker said he would consider it, but then told Otunga to head to the ring, because he was facing Sheamus next...[c]

Backstage, Otunga showed Booker T X-Rays of Ric Rod's spine. He said if Teddy didn't ban the Brogue Kick, he would have to take legal action. He mentioned doctors under subpeona, and said the lawsuit would also include Eve and Teddy Long. Booker said he would consider it, but then told Otunga to head to the ring, because he was facing Sheamus next...[c]

Kofi and R-Truth made their way to ringside for commentary. The Usos, Prime Time Players, and Primo and Epico were already in the ring.

4. Primo and Epico vs The Prime Time Players vs The Uso Brothers: Primo took out Darren Young right way, and then went after Jey Uso. Primo and Epico worked over Jay Uso until Darren Young recovered and tagged in Titus. Titus then dominated Epico and Jay Uso with power moves. He picked up Darren Young to drop him on Jay Uso, but he got his knees up. Jimmy Uso tagged in and cleared house. He then hit a toss up Samoan Drop on Darren Young and tagged in Jay. Jay climbed up for the splash. Epico got in the ring and knocked Jay down to the apron.

Young hit his finisher on Epico, and then Jay hit a splash on him. Jay went for the cover, but Young pulled him off and got the pin for his team. The Prime Time Players Jawed with the champs at the announce booth.

The Prime Time Players defeated The Usos and Primo and Epico at 3:48.

The announce team plugged C.M. Punk's Raw Rebound as next...[c]

Barnett's Brief: This match had some good action sequences, but I really don't feel like any of these teams have a real rivalry. The Prime Time Players just got beaten soundly be the tag champs last month, will they be made to look like a threat before Night of Champions?

[Q7] A Raw Recap of CM Punk's Monday in Chicago was shown. They played highlights of the Lawler attack, both Punk Promos, and the attack on Cena with Heyman in the car at the end. The announce team questioned how Paul Heyman would fit in to the match at Night of Champions. They then showed a Tout from Eve where she said that she was confident Booker T would do the right thing and keep Superstars safe.

Backstage, Kaitlyn and Teddy Long were talking Otunga and his crusade against the Brogue Kick. Vickie and Dolph then walked up, and Teddy stopped them from walking into Booker's office. Ziggler demanded something be done about Orton, and said he wanted to defeat him at the prestigious Night of Champions Show. Teddy said he would advise Booker to make the match, and didn't think it would be a problem.

A Wade Barrett vignette was shown...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Another good match for the Night of Champions card.

Yoshi Tatsu was in the ring. Wade Barrett then made his entrance to some new Brit Punk music.

5. Wade Barrett vs. Yoshi Tatsu: Tatsu got a waist lock right away, but Barrett backed him into a corner and hit some back elbows. Barrett then tied him up in the ropes and hit some knees, followed by a Big Boot. Barrett continued with strikes, and then hit a kick after avoiding some of Tatsu's punches. Barrett then hit what looked like a short arm elbow for the quick victory.

Wade Barrett defeated Yoshi Tatsu at 1:51.

[Q8] Barrett grabbed a mic and said that he had spent 6 months away, and meaningless matches like this would not satisfy him. He wanted to take on the title picture, and then declared himself “Open for Business”. Sheamus was shown walking towards the ring...[c]

Alberto Del Rio's music hit, and he headed to the ring in a Maserati. Otunga followed after him. Sheamus entered last, and stared down Del Rio at ringside.

6. Sheamus vs. David Otunga: Otunga and Sheamus tied up and pushed each other around the ring. Otunga backed Sheamus into a corner, where Sheamus hit a knee. He then followed up with a clothesline. Sheamus missed a Brogue Kick, and leaped out to the apron. He grabbed Otunga for his forearm clubs, but Otunga sent him to the outside instead. Otunga hit a clothesline in a corner follwed by a knee and a chin lock. Sheamus powered out of the chin lock and hit a clothesline and a high knee lift.

Otunga rolled out to the apron, and Sheamus got him with forearm clubs. Sheamus lifted up Otunga and hit white noise. He fired up for the Brogue Kick, when Booker interrupted and said he had no choice but to ban the Brogue Kick. Del Rio cracked a smile at Sheamus, who looked exasperated. Sheamus then cracked a wry smile to Del Rio, who headed up the ramp. Otunga hit a forearm on Sheamus, who quickly fired back with the Irish Curse Backbreaker. He locked in a Texas Cloverleaf for the tap out victory.

Sheamus defeated David Otunga at 5:16.

Barnett's Brief: You'd think WWE would use the Brogue Kick ban to make Sheamus look vulnerable, but they didn't really take that approach here. It seems like they are pulling in two different directions here. They want Sheamus to appear like a beatable champion, due to the lack of a threat the weakened Del Rio character poses, yet they make Sheamus look stronger than ever with tap out victories with his rekindled interest in the Texas Cloverleaf.

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