By Jake Barnett

WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Taped 6/14 in Providence, R.I.


[Q1] A video package aired that showed the ruthlessness of the new Christian. It explained his turn pretty well, and showed all the best moments of this feud.

After the video, Randy Orton entered and made his way out to the ring. Cole and Mathews explained Randy Orton’s frustration over his concussion on commentary, and the rage he felt over what Christian had done to him. Orton climbed the ropes and revved up the crowd before he grabbed a mic to start his promo.

Randy said what we all heard was true, and that he has a concussion. He also said he doesn’t give a damn, and that he’s ready to fight tonight. He then said Christian got what he wanted last week, and so he deserved to get the opportunity to kick the crap out of Christian tonight.

Teddy Long’s music hit and he made his way to the ring. Teddy said he understands how Randy feels, but he hasn’t been cleared and cannot fight tonight. Christian’s music then hit and he made his way out onto the ramp. Christian said he can’t believe Randy is still angry. He said he gave Randy exactly what he needed, which was a concussion and an excuse for when Christian beats him Sunday.

Christian reassured Randy that no one will think less of him when he beats him. He then polled the audience and asked them if they would think less of him if he lost to Christian Sunday. He got nothing but boos. He then said if Randy is really lucky, Christian will give him a title shot five days after he beats him.

Sheamus then interrupted and said that last week he beat Randy Orton, and now he deserves a title shot. Christian got angry and said strawberry shortcake had to wait his turn. Teddy then made a main even between Christian and Sheamus, and if Sheamus wins he gets into the Main Event at Capitol Punishment. Teddy set up a chair at ringside, and told Randy he can sit there for the main event, but if he gets involved there would be serious consequences.

Orton said the once thing that is for certain tonight is that there will be serious consequences...

The announce team plugged a six man tag as next...[C]

Barnett’s Brief: Great opening segment. All three guys were good on the mic and Teddy long played his role as well. They furthered the conflict between all 3 guys and set up what should be another solid main event.

[Q2] Sin Cara’s music hit and he made his way out to the ring, followed by Daniel Bryan and Zeke Jackson. Wade Barrett led the heels out, followed by Cody and Ted.

1. Sin Cara, Ezekial Jackson, and Daniel Bryan defeated Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase, and Wade Barrett at 10:06. Zeke and Ted started, and locked up briefly before Zeke hit a shoulder block and a clothesline in the corner. Zeke tossed Dibiase and tagged in Sin Cara. Sin Cara hit some kicks and a head scissors that sent Ted to the outside...[C]

As we got back Ted worked over Sin Cara and tagged on Cody. Cody took control brielfy before Sin Cara hit a few arm drags. Cody took control back with a kick and tagged in Barrett. Barrett hit a suplex on Sin Cara, and tagged in Ted. Ted remained in control. He hit a big clothesline and tagged in Barrett again. Sin Cara showed some life and hit Barrett with some strikes.

Sin Cara reversed a pumphandle slam into a DDT and tagged in Bryan. Barrett tagged in Ted. Bryan hit some kicks and a stiff looking dropkick in the corner and got a surprise 3 count. It did not look like the planned finish. Cole screamed on commentary about revenge of the nerds.

[Q3] Backstage, Striker asked Sheamus how he felt about being in tonight’s main event. He said he’s going to beat Christian again tonight, and on Sunday he would take his rightful spot as the World Heavyweight Champion...[C]

Barnett’s Brief: Some decent work here, but nothing worth seeking out. Sin Cara is still having trouble communicating with the english speaking workers in the ring, as there appears to be some confusion about spots during his matches. The finish was not the planned finish, I’m guessing, as it came out of nowhere and everybody looked confused.

A video aired of the finish of the previous match, and it looks like the ref botched the count. That explains why everyone looked so confused. Oops...

Jinder Mahal made his way out. Vladimir Kozlov was still in the ring.

2. Jinder Mahal defeated Vladimir Kozlov at 2:56 Kozlov hit a sambo throw and locked in a headlock. Jinder fought to his feet but ate a shoulder block. Jinder took control and hit some strikes in the corner and a vertical suplex. He dropped a knee on Kozlov and covered for a near fall. Jinder hit a high knee and followed up with a Russian Leg Sweep for another near fall. Kozlov worked his way back in the match with a kick and some headbutts.

Jinder avoided a charge in the corner and threw Kozlov into the ringpost. Jinder argued with the ref and Khali hit a big chop on Kozlov that knocked him out. Jinder hit his full nelson suplex slam, and got the clean three count.

Barnett’s Brief: Khali and Jinder continue to work well together. This was just another squash, but at the same time it is helping these guys get over in a big way.

The announcers hyped the main event...[C]

[Q4] Josh Mathews was in the ring and introduced The Big Show. He still had his right hand taped up with the yellow tape. Mathews asked him what he was doing on Smackdown. Show said he heard a rumor that Del Rio was going to be there. Mathews then introduced a video package that explained the feud thus far.

After the footage aired, Mathews asked Show how he felt, he felt fine. Show was so angry that he walked away from the mics a few times and never really responded to the question. Teddy Long came out and said Show is under criminal investigation for his attack on Monday. He also said Show cannot touch Alberto Del Rio if he shows up. He then said since show was so eager to compete, he had made a match between him and Mark Henry...[C]

3. Big Show vs. Mark Henry ended in no contest. The Show was angry and crying to start. He ran a hit a running kick to Mark Henry before the bell rang. Big Show continued to pummel Henry with fists and knees on the ground and left him laying. Show just stared at Henry motionless and show left up the ramp with his hoodie up. Henry got stretchered out.

Barnett’s Brief: You could see that coming a mile away, but I’m interested to see where they are going with Show.

Christian was interviewed backstage about the Main Event. Christian was fired up and said he was nostalgic for the days when Teddy Long could run a show. He said he didn’t have to prove himself to anyone. He called the entire thing ridiculous.

[Q5] 4. Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, and Tamina defeated Natalya, AJ, and Kaitlyn at 1:58. Alicia and Kaitlyn started, with both women getting in some offense. Kaitlyn hit a clothesline and tagged in Tamina. Kaitlyn quickly tagged in Nattie, who fought back and forth with Tamina before applying the Sharpshooter. Rosa broke it up and AJ headed in.

AJ and Tamina fought back and forth briefly, before AJ attempted a rollup, but it got reversed into a Samoan Drop for the three count.

Barnett’s Brief: This match wasn’t awful, but I didn’t care about it. I have no idea why I should care about any of these women. They need characters, and all I know about any of them is that they look good in their wrestling gear.

Johnny Curtis was backstage with a putting green. He said he has what it takes to survive on Smackdown, and then hit the golf ball off camera. In the hole was a Ace of Spades playing card...

The announcers introduced another dream sequence Capitol Punishment PPV ad. Kill me now. They then ran down the PPV card in its entirety...[C]

[Q6] The Usos were almost in the ring as we got back. Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater followed.

5. The Usos defeated Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater at 3:35. Jimmy and Heath started the match. Jimmy hit an arm drag and did some dancing before hitting Heath with a kick to the chest and a clothesline. Jimmy mounted Heath the corner, but Heath slipped out and pulled Jimmy off the ropes. Gabriel tagged in and hit a leg drop, but tagged out right away.

Heath went back to work on Jimmy. Heath came off the top rope and Jimmy hit a big powerslam. Both guys made to their corners and Jay went to work on Gabriel. He hit a butt splash in the corner a la Rikishi for a near fall. Jimmy tagged in and they hit a double team toss into a Samoan drop, but Slater broke it up. Jimmy hit a superkick on slater and Jay hit a big splash from the top for the 3 count on Gabriel.

Barnett’s Brief: Great match for the Uso’s. They showed some flashy offense and picked up a clean win. Gabriel and Slater are apparently still directionless, which is a huge bummer.

A promo aired of the Cena and R-Truth feud, and showed all the highlights of R-Truth’s crazy turn.

The announce team plugged the main event...[C]

[Q7] Alberto Del Rio made his way out to the ring in a sweet looking Mercedes Convertible. He said there are rumors he was negotiating his way back to Smackdown because he was afraid of The Big Show. He said he’s not afraid, and the WWE Title is his destiny. He claimed the car incident was an accident, and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. He then introduced a video of the “heinous act” from Monday where Big Show knocked out Rodriguez.

Del Rio said what happened to Rodriguez was not an accident, and he was filing suit. He said Rodriguez was my best friend, and was loyal to him, just like a dog. He then said what the Big Show did was wrong, and that Ricardo had a family, and he was dedicating his victory on Sunday to him. He repeated that what Big Show did was wrong, and that if he was in the ring he’d spit in his face.

Big Show’s music hit and he ran towards the ring, and Del Rio bailed out in to the crowd and up the stairs to the Mezzanine. Alberto then mocked him and winked from the crowd as Show stewed next to the ring. Big Show flipped out and destroyed the announce area, picking up a part of the barricade and throwing it at the ring post. Del Rio was silenced and cracked a nervous smile.

Barnett’s Brief: Hell of a segment from both guys here. This was the most entertained I have been by Big Show in a long time, and the most I’ve liked Del Rio since he moved to Raw. The Destroyer Big Show is the best way to use him, and it has been used to great effect on tonight’s show.

6. Christian defeated Sheamus at 11:08. Sheamus started in early and pummeled Christian with some knees and fists. He got a one count after a knee lift. Christian slipped out of the ring right in front of Orton, and took a knee to the back of the head from Sheamus after Orton distracted him...[C]

Christian was taking clubbing blows to the chest from Sheamus as we got back. Christian fought his way back in to the ring, and was in control briefly before eating an Irish Curse Backbreaker. Christian slipped out of a slam attempt and hung Sheamus up on the ropes. He climbed to the top and attempted a big splash, but Sheamus moved out of the way. Christian charged at Sheamus in the corner and got caught with a back elbow.

Sheamus climbed the ropes and hit a diving shoulder block for a 2 count. Christian attempted to steal a win with his foot on the ropes but the ref noticed and stopped his count. Christian climbed the ropes again and caught Sheamus with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Christian talked trash to Orton at ringside and then called for the spear. He charged but ate a double axe handle. Sheamus covered for a near fall.

Christian attempted a killswitch but was blocked. He tried again a moment later and got turned away again. Christian climbed the ropes again but Sheamus stopped him and hooked for a superplex, but Christian dropped off the turnbuckle and dropped sheamus head first onto the ring post. Sheamus fell into the ring and Christian made the cover for a clean pin.

Post-match, Orton chased Christian up the ramp, and then headed into the ring and stood over the downed Sheamus. He backed up and then punted Sheamus in the head, and then celebrated with his title in the ring.

Barnett’s Brief: Innovative finish and good post match interaction for this match. They definitely went out of their way to make both Orton and Christian look good coming out of this show, and I have to say they did a great job of it. This is by far the best feud in WWE right now, and tonight was another great example of how wrestling stories don’t need crazy gimmick to create compelling television.

The rest of the show was mostly positive, with Big Show delivering two good segments, and Del Rio giving a great promo to establish why we should want to see his match this Sunday. I don’t think they did enough to sell me on the IC Title match, but I guess they haven’t given a crap about that in forever anyway. I’ll have more to say in the Smackdown Report Card coming on Sunday. Thanks for reading!

If you have and questions, comments, or concerns, please email me at barnett.jake@gmail.com or on twitter @barnettjake.

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