By Jake Barnett

WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Taped on 11/8 in Liverpool, UK

[Q1] A video promo aired a Veterans Day Tribute. It was very well done.

Randy Orton's music hit and he headed towards the ring. Orton said he was reluctant to take his own Survivor Series team, because he doesn't play well with others. He said he doesn't consider himself a leader, but he's not a follower either so he's fine with being a captain. He then said he's happy to shut up Christian and Hunico, and anybody else who decides to get in his way.

At that point, Wade Barrett entered to his music to a chorus of boos. He said the problems he gave to Orton in the past will pale in comparison to the new ones. He said he's a natural born leader and he will use that to his advantage and the new Barrett barrage will continue to ravage Smackdown and Survivor Series. He spoke about his accomplishments and said that in order to achieve his goal of being World Champion Orton has to be out of the way. He said he would take him out as Survivor Series.

Orton said he wasn't listening and he was just imagining how high Barrett's head would bounce when he hit Barrett with an RKO. Christian then entered and wore a neck brace, and explained that it was due to his Choke Slam from the Big Show. He then said Teddy Long has never done anything for him, and he was happy Wade Barrett stepped up and took out Sheamus last week. Christian said it was because he inspired him to be better. He called himself a leader, and said Wade Barrett is a leader too. He said he recommended Wade as captain to Teddy Long.

Christian then explained that he and the rest of Team Barrett would be on the same page, and would send a message to Orton. Orton then struck Christian, but Barrett and Christian started to beat him down. Sheamus came out for the save and the faces cleared the ring. Teddy Long then came out and told Christian that he would face Sheamus next, but not before he insulted him. He also booked Orton vs. Barrett to some big time applause...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Well, that was a busy segment, but it worked. Orton bored me a bit with his same ol same ol promo, but Barrett was very good and Christian was as well. I could deal without Teddy Long constantly undermining the heels, but I guess that's just going to be something I have to live with.

[Q2] 1. Sheamus defeated Christian at 14:04. Both men circled early until Christian slapped Sheamus, and then Sheamus went off on him with blows. He then wrapped Christian in the ropes and hit his signature clubs to the chest. He then attempted a pin for a 2 count. Christian slid under a back body drop and slapped Sheamus again, but ended up hitting the ropes and getting dropped anyway. Sheamus hit a press slam, and then Christian rolled to the outside. Christian snuck in and both men fought on the apron. Christian then ate a flying shoulder block.

Sheamus tossed Christian to the outside again, but Christian reversed an Irish Whip on the outside and Sheamus ate the post. Christian hit a top rope dropkick coming back into the ring and then tossed Sheamus back out ot ringside. Christian dove at him but Sheamus caught him and hit a fugly fallaway slam onto the barricade. That looked like a car wreck....[c]


Christian had Sheamus in a chin lock as the show came back. He set up Sheamus on the ropes and jumped to the outside and slapped Sheamus for the third or fourth time. He hung Sheamus backwards on the top rope from the apron a moment later. Sheamus recovered and hit Christian with a gut shot as he was coming off the top rope. Sheamus then took control with a axe handle smash and a powerslam for a two count.

Christian went for a sunset flip out of the corner, but couldn't flip him over. He then tried again a moment later and got hit with an Irish Curse backbreaker for a near fall. Sheamus went for a Celtic Cross, but Christian slipped out. Christian went for the top rope again, but got caught again. Sheamus then went for the top rope, but thought better of it and went back on the attack. Christian hit a drop kick to take control back, and went to the top rope again. Both men fought on the ropes, but Christian climbed down and hit a back elbow and a wheelbarrow kick in the corner.

[Q3] Christian pulled Sheamus into the corner and hit a tornado DDT for another near fall. Sheamus climbed the ropes and hit his shoulder block for a near fall of his own. He then pumped up and went for the Brogue Kick, and Christian reversed into a Killswitch attempt, but failed himself. Sheamus then hit the Celtic Cross for the 3 count victory.

The announce team plugged Orton vs. Barrett for later tonight...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Another great match in this series between these two, but they lose impact each time. Not much innovative compared to their other matches and the new Survivor Series story doesn't really add much, especially when Christian continues to lose. It was very good action, though.

The announce team plugged WWE.com. A video package then aired of Daniel Bryan almost cashing in his briefcase last week. Backstage, Daniel Byran was talking to AJ and Kaitlyn. They flirted with him and he explained away almost cashing in. Henry then walked up and asked Bryan if he thought it was that easy to be champ. Bryan interrupted Henry and told him that if he's still champ at Mania that he's going to beat him. Henry then admitted that Bryan has guts, and it's a shame that he's going to have to spill them all over the ring later.

A video package then aired for Zeke Jackson. Backstage, Teddy Long told Charles Robinson what a great referee he was. Aksana then approached and she and Teddy Long had another excruciating conversation. The jist of is that Askana will be at ringside with Alicia Fox to get some “seasoning” before her in ring debut.

[Q4] The announce team plugged Barrett vs. Orton...[c]

Barnett's Brief: I liked the backstage promo from Bryan and Henry. Henry was especially good, but Bryan was passable and showed good fire. The Zeke video package did almost nothing to define him as a character, and the Askana segment was brutal as always.

Ted Dibiase entered to a pretty decent reaction. Jinder Mahal was already in the ring...

2. Ted Dibiase defeated Jinder Mahal at 1:02. Mahal hit a high knee early for a two count. Dibiase took control quickly after, hitting a clothesline and a kick to the face. He hit his Dreamstreet finisher a moment later for the clean pin.
Barnett's Brief: Well, Dibiase sure is cheerful these days. Not much else to say about that match. Total squash.

The announce team plugged Henry vs. Bryan as next...[c]

Henry entered first, and then Bryan entered. Both guys got decent reactions.

3. Mark Henry defeated Daniel Bryan at 5:34. Henry clubbed Bryan early and tossed him to the outside. Henry threw Bryan into the barricade and then pressed his face into the steel steps. Henry tossed him back in and continued the assault. Henry stood on Bryan's chest and used the ropes for leverage, and then press slammed him onto the top turnbuckle. Henry then went for a splash in the corner, but Byran avoided and hit a top rope dropkick.

[Q5] Bryan then hit a series of kicks and attempted the Lebell Lock, but Henry powered out and flashed a very pissed off look. He clubbed Bryan in the corner and then hit a splash, but pulled him up before he could hit a 3 count. Bryan then egged on Henry, and Henry responded by hitting the World's Strongest slam for the 3 count.

After the match, Henry left for ringside and grabbed a chair. Bryan kicked Henry in the knee and hit him with a chair, but Henry no sold it and hit another WSS and an elbow drop. Henry then hit another WSS and dragged Bryan to the corner and wrapped the chair around his ankle. Henry climbed the ring for the splash, but Big Show ran down for the save. Henry grabbed the chair and warded off Big Show, and then hit Bryan across the back with the chair.

Big Show then punched the chair away from Henry and they stared each other off. Big Show ended up holding the World Title, and eventually tossed it to Henry. Henry walked away, but Show grabbed a mic and ran him down for picking on Bryan. Show invited Henry to stay down at ringside for his match, but Henry walked up the ramp.

Barnett's Brief: I'm really digging this Bryan and Show mini story they are doing right now. Bryan is gaining ground from it even though he's getting his ass whipped. Henry and Show have really found their chemistry, and I'm enjoying their feud. I really can't say enough about Henry, he's turning everything he touches to gold right now.

4. Big Show defeated 3 jobbers at 1:15. The jobbers teamed up to knock down Big Show for a moment, until he exploded and hit a double choke slam on two of the men and the third one tried to leave. Show grabbed him from the ramp and press slammed him back in the ring. He then hit the WMD punch on the third guy and pinned him to complete the KO Trifecta.

Henry grabbed a mic and asked Show if he was supposed to be impressed. Henry said he knew he impressed show when he hit the WSS last week and when he sent Big Show home for 4 months. He then said he impressed the people when he won the World Title, and said his streak would continue at Survivor Series. He promised the Big Show a “lasting impression”.

[Q6] A video package aired that promoted the ticket sales for WrestleMania 28. The announce team then plugged Orton vs. Barrett again...[c]

Barnett's Brief: The announces really tried to sell me on how impressive that was, but it didn't work. Henry's promo was another home run. There really are no words to express how awesome that guy is right now. That guy deserves a WrestleMania Main Event.

Tamina and Rosa were in the ring, and Natty was in the announce booth. Alicia Fox then made her way out with Aksana to her music. They then aired the Maxim unveil from Raw.

5. Alicia Fox defeated Tamina at Tamina kicked Alicia in the corner, and then tossed her by her hair a couple of times. She then locked in a double chicken wing, but Alicia escaped by flipping her over her back. They went back and forth with a couple of drop kicks and a body slam, and Alicia picked up the win after a clothesline and a somersault leg drop.

Sheamus was interviewed backstage. Striker said he was accused of being a hot head, and showed video last weak of the backstage brawl with Barrett and Christian. Sheamus no sold the hot head stuff, and talked about Bieber and The Muppets. Striker attempted to question him again, and Sheamus just stared him down for a moment and then just smiled and told Stiker he was “spirited”.

Hunico, Epico, and Primo made their way out to their generic latin hip hop.

Barnett's Brief: Better promo from Sheamus than we have seen lately. The divas match was just filler, because there wasn't much action and there didn't seem to be any story involved.

[Q7] A video aired of Sin Cara getting beat down by Hunico and Epico. The Usos then entered and did their Haka.

6. Hunico and Epico defeated The Usos at 2:54. Epico took a beating from Jey Uso, and Jimmy tagged in a moment later and continued. Hunico blind tagged and then entered and took control. Hunico and Epico employed quick tags and used double team moves and strikes to maintain control. Hunico hit a nice seated dropkick from the apron, and then took a back body drop and Jey tagged in a took control.

Jey hit a avalanche in the corner and got a near fall, but Epico broke it up. Primo interfered, and that allowed Hunico to take control. He hit a Samoan Drop and a Senton off the top for the clean win. Jimmy attented to the fallen Jey, and Hunico and Epico talked trash to them. Primo attacked Jimmy from behind, and they all ganged up on him. They threw Jimmy out of the ring, and hit a finisher that involved a Codebreaker, Back cracker, and senton...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Well, that was interesting I guess. I like the dynamic between the 3 guys, but they need a story to make it feel important. Let's hope they have a good follow up next week.

[Q8] 7. Wade Barrett defeated Randy Orton at They tied up to begin, and Orton backed Barrett into the corner until they got separated. Barrett returned the favor, but he kicked Orton and went to work after the ref stepped in. Orton hit a nice dropkick for a one count, and then locked in a chin lock. Orton hit a nice clothesline a moment later, and then stomped on Barrett's fingers. He then dropped a knee for another one count. Barrett hit some strikes, and then an elbow from the top for a two count.

Orton rolled to the outside, and Barrett pursued, but got tossed into a couple of barriers. Orton attempted to toss Barrett into the steps, but he jumped them and then kicked the steps into Orton's knees. He then backed up and then tossed Orton into the steps himself...[c]

Barrett had Orton in a chin lock as we got back, and Orton quickly fought out. Barrett hit a pumphandle slam for a two count a moment later. Barrett choked Orton over the second rope with his knee until a 4 count, and then hit some kneed to Orton's chest. Orton was still tied up in the ropes when Barrett hit a big boot that sent Orton to the outside.

Barrett rammed Orton's back into the ring and tossed him back in, where he attempted a pin for a two count. Barrett went back to a chin lock, and Orton fought out briefly before getting caught with Bossman Slam for a near fall. Barrett went to the top rope, but Orton sprung up and climbed the ropes and hit a superplex. Orton covered but only got a two count. Both men stood up a brawled, with Orton getting the best of it with some clotheslines and a powerslam.

Orton then hit his second rope DDT, and charged up for the RKO. Wade pushed him away almost hitting the ref. While the ref was distracted, Barrett hit a thumb to the eye and a rolled Orton up for the surprise 3 count.

Barnett's Brief: Good finish to that match, as it gave Barrett a solid win without taking anything away from Orton. I like the sustained push they are giving Barrett, and he's definitely making the best of it. Between Bryan, Henry, Barrett, Christian, Orton and Sheamus, Smackdown is really delivering right now with some entertaining stuff. It's a stark contrast from the antiques roadshow we've been seeing on Raw lately.

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

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