11/29 Shore's WWE Smackdown “Holiday Special” Live Coverage: Special guest host Mick Foley and Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship in a steel cage match


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WWE TV Reports


11/29 Shore's WWE Smackdown “Holiday Special” Live Coverage: Special guest host Mick Foley and Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship in a steel cage match
Dec 2, 2011 - 07:00 PM


The following live coverage review was written on Tuesday night when this show originally aired. We are moving it back to the top of the site so that those of you who did not watch on Tuesday night can follow along with the report. This is the entire report, so don't scroll down too far if you're trying to avoid spoilers.

By Chris Shore

WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Live from Charlotte, NC


[Q1] The show opened with video of the Charlotte skyline with fake snow digitized in…"Jolly Old St. Mick" made his ring entrance in a Santa Claus outfit. Christmas trees were on the stage along with the fake cotton snow. Foley said he was to Christmas what JR is to BBQ sauce. He got his cheap pop for saying Charlotte, and then hyped the cage match main event. He also announced a battle royal where the winner will get their special wish granted by Santa Claus.

Foley said he knew he had promised no Cole, but Cole had a good legal team and was contractually obligated to be there, but there was nothing in his contract about what he had to wear. He introduced Cole who came out in a deer outfit with a red nose, tie, and broken antler. He joined Josh Matthews, who was dressed as an elf, at the announce table. Foley introduced Booker T, who came out in a Santa Claus outfit, complete with long white beard.

Booker got in the ring and Foley said he knew Booker wasn't into the season, but he appreciated the help. He asked Booker to do the spinarooni like a dreidel for the Jewish fans. He said he was trying to make up for "This is Your Life with Cena." He played the dreidal song and Booker did the move.

Cody Rhodes music hit and he came out to the ramp. He called out Booker T for acting a fool in the ring. Booker said he didn't have any beef with Cody, and he didn't want to throw hands either, but he could definitely handle his business. Cody called him a liar and referred to him as "announcer." He said Booker had beef because he was washed up and would never be a champion again. Foley cut him off and put over Booker T and then booked them in a match. Cody said he couldn't wait. Booker didn't look happy, but he said he was cool with it. Foley announced a Divas match and a bunch of them came out dressed in sexy Christmas gear…[C]

Shore's Slant: Foley is done. I hated every moment of that because of Foley. I used to like him so much, but he just seems a shell of what he was. I am interested to see why Booker didn't look happy about the situation. Plus, he's not on commentary tonight. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and he does bring me what I want.

[Q2] Mick Foley said this was a special mistletoe on a pole match where the woman who gets to the mistletoe would get to cash it in on a special prize from now through December. He added "I'm sure you know what that is…"

1. Brie Bella won a mistletoe on a pole match at 0:51. The twins pulled Alicia Fox off the turnbuckle, and then Brie tripped Nikki to climb the pole and win. She made the gesture of a title belt and Foley came out and said he never said it was a title shot. Instead, Brie can kiss any WWE Superstar she wants between now and December…[C]

Shore's Slant: I got nothing. Really. I don't even know where to begin to rip this apart. It's like eating an elephant.

Back from commercial, Justin Gabriel was already in the ring. Jinder Mahal made his entrance cutting a promo in Punjabi to no response. He trashed Christmas in English, and then Punjabi and said we were all living a lie…

2. Justin Gabriel defeated Jinder Mahal at 2:11. Mahal took quick control and slammed Gabriel all over the ring. Ted DiBiase's music hit and he came out in ring gear, a Santa hat, and a bag full of presents. He handed them out to the fans and tried to toss one to Mahal. Mahal slapped it away and turned around into an STO and 450 splash. DiBiase yelled Merry Christmas from the ramp…

[Q3] Backstage, the obligatory Christmas party was going on. The Usos tried to teach Foley their dance, Hornswoggle tried to serve eggnog. Dusty Rhodes walked up and offered Horny a picture of Lady Gaga eating a corned beef sandwich. Horny walked off and Dusty said something about weird people and Goldust walked up and did his bit. Roddy Piper walked around crazy and then David Otunga wlaked up and said they should shut down the party for legal reasons. Foley booked him in a match against Randy Orton…[C]

Shore's Slant: The match was what it was, a storyline vehicle for DiBiase vs. Mahal. But Mahal got no respo0nse from the crowd. Terrible. The backstage stuff was bad, but not in any significant way. Dusty and Dustin was funny, but that was all for me.

The Kane hype video aired…The announce team setup a video that replayed Cody throwing water in Booker's face. Cole trashed Booker and the rest of the announcers for being biased, and then setup WWE '12 video that showed Cody beating Booker. Backstage, Matt Striker asked Booker T what was up with Cody. Booker started to answer and Cody attacked him from behind. Cody hit Booker's shoulder with the belt and then walked off laughing. The refs checked on Booker and said they would call a doctor…[C]

Shore's Slant: This show has been very sleepy from the beginning. This little bit of action was good, but not enough. This show needs a kick in the pants bad.

Kofi Kingston made his entrance with Tyson Kidd in the ring. Cole announced that Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T would not happen because of the assault before the break…

2. Kofi Kingston defeated Tyson Kidd at 3:37. Kidd got early offense, but Kofi came back and went for Trouble in Paradis, but Kidd went to the floor. Kofi followed and hit a drop kick and then put Cole's hat and nose on and hit a splash from the top for the victory…

[Q4] More party stupidity had Kaitlyn tell Horny to ask Santa to make Horny taller, Sheamus ask what the winner of the battle royal won (Teddy didn't know), and Teddy and Aksana make a "tickle the tonsils" joke about eating mistletoe…Randy Orton was shown heading toward the ring…[C]

Shore's Slant: Let's recap. A bait and switch announcement followed by a match nobody cared about, followed by more inappropriate sexual stuff between Teddy Long and Aksana while surrounded by the stupid party setting. Please kill me.

Orton made his long ass entrance, followed by Otunga…

3. Randy Orton defeated David Otunga in a "Miracle on 34th" street fight at 7:35. The action spilled to the floor in the first minute and Orton destroyed the ringside decorations. He put a wreath on Otunga's neck and yelled "Ho, ho, ho" before throwing him into the stairs.

[Q5] Otunga reversed a whip into the stairs and pulled a candy cane wrapped kendo stick from under the ring. Orton speared him before he could use it. Otunga ran away from Orton. Orton threw a box at Otunga and Otunga sold it. They destroyed more decorations and then Orton dragged Otunga to the ring and hit the rope DDT from the apron on the floor.

Wade Barrett ran out and attacked Orton. He hit a big boot on Orton and rolled him in the ring before leaving ringside. Otunga covered, but Orton kicked out. Otunga tried for some more offense, but Orton came back and hit the RKO for the win…

Backstage, Teddy Long walked up on Mark Henry and asked if Mark was in the Christmas spirit. Henry popped off on him about it being Teddy's and Big Shows's fault that he has to defend his title with a hurt foot. He said he was in the spirit of giving and would give Daniel Bryan the worst beating of his life. He chased off Teddy and the announce team hyped the match by showing the MitB angle from last week…[C]

Shore's Slant: The top of the hour match had David Otunga in it. Before any of you send me any hate mail tonight, I want you to remember that sentence. David Otunga was in what is generally the highest rated segment of the show. Of course they probably figured everyone turned the channel after the Christmas party stuff. I am looking forward to Barrett vs. Orton, and Henry was good here as usual, but this show jumped the track a long time ago.

Back from commercial, a bunch of guys were in the ring for the battle royal. The final three entrants were Hunico, Sheamus, and…son of a bitch…Hornswoggle. Horny climbed under the ring before the match…

[Q6] 4. Hornswoggle won an "All I Want for Christmas" Battle Royal at 13:29. JTG was first out. Ezekiel Jackson was out early at the hands of Sheamus. So much for his big return. Kidd did the skin the cat gimmick and eliminated Ted DiBiase, but Horny slid out of the ring and eliminated Kidd…[C]

Back at 6:48, seven men remained. Justin Gabriel was out next by Jinder Mahal. Titus O'Neal hit his finisher on Tyler Reks. He barked at the crowd, and Sheamus clotheslined him over the top rope. Sheamus was left with four heels: Tyler Reks, Hunico, Jinder Mahal, and Heath Slater. They all went to the floor under the rope and beat the hell out of Sheamus.

The heels smoked Hornswoggle out from under the ring and then tossed him around in the ring. They started to toss him from the ring, but Sheamus recovered and stormed into the ring. He eliminated all the heels in less than 20 seconds. Sheamus turned and saw Horny. Horny told him to bring it. Sheamus ordered him out of the ring, and then Horny did the same back.

Horny kicked Sheamus in the shin and Sheamus put Horny over the top rope. Horny held onto the rope and Sheamus stepped to the apron and pulled him off. He ordered Horny down, and Horny agreed. He asked for a hug, but when Sheamus went to give him one, Horny shoved him to the floor to win. Sheamus chased him back in the ring and threatened him only to lift him up and celebrate his victory…

[Q7] The announce team hyped the SyFy series "Neverland."…A video hyped the main event…[C]

Shore's Slant: I can't believe this is what we got for a "Smackdown special." This show could turn anyone into Scrooge.

At the Christmas party, Foley Claus came in and asked Horny what he wanted. He grunted something and Sheamus walked up to translate that Horny wanted to talk. Santa gave him a hug and Horny said "Thank you." He started talking up a storm and called Vickie Guerrero "grandma." He walked off, and Mick Foley came in in normal clothes. They pretended like he wasn't Santa and Piper and Dusty poured out their eggnogs and left…

AJ walked up to Daniel; Bryan and wished him luck before giving him a big kiss. She walked off and Matt Striker walked up to ask Bryan about the match. Bryan pointed out that Henry was hurt. He said everybody tapped at some point and he would be the champion tonight…[C]

Shore's Slant: Oh dear god, it can talk. Ugh. This show has been the worst. The only thing worth seeing so far were the Henry and Bryan promos. Let's hope their match saves this pile of trash.

[Q8] 5. Mark Henry defeated Daniel Bryan to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in a steel cage match at 11:13. Bryan tried to climb out of the cage a couple of times to start. Bryan went after the foot, and Henry one-hand shoved him into the cage and hit a splash against it…[C]

Back at 4:18, Henry slammed Bryan against the cage while screaming "Merry Christmas." Henry called for the door to be opened and tried to walk out. Bryan hit a drop kick on the back, but Henry hit a clothesline that Bryan spun around on. Great sell!

Henry tried to leave again, and Bryan grabbed the foot. He tripped Henry and attacked the hurt leg with stomps. He tried to scale the cage and Henry knocked him down onto the ropes before hitting another clothesline. He lifted for what appeared to be the World's Strongest Slam. Bryan slipped out and hit a dropkick to the leg.

Bryan locked in the LeBell Lock and Henry almost tapped. Henry rolled over and looked like he was lifting Bryan for a powerbomb, but Bryan slipped away and hooked the ankle lock on the injured ankle. Henry almost tapped again, but he rolled over and kicked Bryan away.

Henry tried to climb the turnbuckle, but Bryan caught him up top. They worked several spots where Bryan almost escaped the cage, but Henry kept pulling him back in. Finally, Henry caught Bryan in the right position and hit the World's Strongest Slam from the second rope for the win…

Shore's Slant: For seven quarters I wanted to just quit and walk away. That last quarter saved it. An almost flawless match from Henry and Bryan. They told a logical and convincing story in the ring, and it was the real test match for if these two can get a crowd going at Mania. Charlotte seemed to indicate they can. This is your TV Match of the Year in my opinion, though the first Randy Orton vs. Christian match is stiff competition. I'll have more to say tomorrow on the hitlist. Thanks for reading and I will see you then.

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.

And read my first work of fiction:
The Following Contest is a Dark Match available exclusively on ebook for all eReaders, smartphones, tablets, and PCs for only 99 cents.

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