By Jake Barnett

WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Taped on 12/6 in Jacksonville, Fla.

[Q1] Booker T was being helped to his feet as the show came on the air, and Josh Mathews was in somber mode as he explained that Booker was attacked by Cody Rhodes. They showed the video of the beat down, and Cody headed towards the announce table while he smiled and laughed. Tables, Ladders and Chairs surrounded the ring and Lilian Garcia was reintroduced by Tony Chimel. Lilian thanked the crowd and said she was happy to be back. Cody interrupted and said nobody missed her and nobody likely noticed that she left.

He then said even though Lilian didn't matter, he liked the parity of one announcer returning while another left. He then asked who would replace Booker T on commentary, and answered his own question by saying it would be him. He then told Booker T that he should pay attention, because he might learn something....sucka.

Wade Barrett's music hit after Cody finished his speech, and Lilian introduced the match as a Beat the Clock challenge match.

1. Wade Barrett defeated Ezekiel Jackson at 7:53. The match started with some quick covers from Barrett that went nowhere. Jackson hit a back elbow an went for a cover himself, but only got one. Barrett bailed to the outside, but came right back in after he realized the clock was ticking. Zeke then knocked him back in with a clothesline. Barrett charged back and hit a low tackle to the knee and then took control. Barrett worked some offense on the ground and then hit a pumphandle slam a moment later for a two count...[c]

Barrett was still in control as we got back, but Zeke quickly powered out of a headlock and hit a series of clothesline in the corner. He then punched Barrett down and hit a sidewalk slam, but only got a two count. Zeke hit several body slams and then pumped up for the torture rack, but Barrett countered out. Barrett went for wasteland, but Zeke slipped out the back. Zeke took a run at Barrett and got caught with a huge Bossman Slam, and Barrett covered for the pin.

[Q2] After the match Barrett took verbal shots at Randy Orton. He said he humiliated, embarrassed and defeated Orton repeatedly. He said Orton has always had a psychological advantage against his opponents, but no more. He claimed to be the only voice in Orton's head tonight, and said Orton would run out of time later tonight.

Barnett's Brief: Good match from these two. I was expecting something more lumbering, but they managed to keep a decent pace and Barrett looked very good here. The Bossman Slam that finished the match was brutal.

The announce team put over Ziggler vs. Orton for later in the show, and plugged a Big Show vs. Henry confrontation...[c]

The announce team plugged the Sledgehammer Ladder Match between HHH and Nash for TLC. Backstage, Otunga and Teddy Long were arguing backstage about how unfair his match was last week. Otunga asked for his loss last week to be expunged from his record, as he was not a Smackdown Superstar and Foley had no authority to book him in a match. Long didn't budge and made a match between he and Sheamus for later in the show.

Josh Mathews was in the ring and he introduced Daniel Bryan, who then entered the arena. Cole ran him down on commentary while a video recap of last week's cage match aired. Mathews asked Bryan what was going through his mind, and Bryan responded by saying the disappointment of losing last week was worse than any pain he felt during the match. Cole interrupted and threw a tantrum, and Bryan responded by telling him to shut up. Cole accused him of never earning a title shot, and then Bryan reminded him that he made Cody tap out two weeks ago. Cody flashed a disgusted look.

Cole told Bryan he wished he would just go away, and then Bryan got out of the ring and got in Cole's face and told him that he would make him go away after he tapped out. At that point, Rhodes attacked Bryan, and the referees separated them. Bryan was crawling back to his feet and staring down Rhodes as the segment ended...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Well, Bryan and Rhodes were both good there. Rhodes didn't have to say anything, but he had some good facial expressions. Bryan showed some good intensity on the mic in response to Cole, but Cole is just way too over the top to be believable.

[Q3] Cole and Mathews recapped the previous segment, and Cole reiterated that Bryan has no business in WWE. Zack Ryder came out next to a decent reaction. Heath Slater was already in the ring.

2. Zack Ryder defeated Heath Slater at 1:30. Slater dominated the offense early after he hit a big clothesline and worked on Ryder in the corner. Slater charged Ryder in the corner, but ate some knees and then a Broski Boot. Ryder then hit his Leg Lariat for the win.

Barnett's Brief: Total Squash. Not much to say. Ryder was high energy as always.

Ted DiBiase comes from money, and he's headed to the ring. Jinder Mahal entered next. They played a taped promo as Mahal entered the arena, where he said DiBiase would pay the ultimate price for interfering in his match last week.

3. Ted DiBiase defeated Jinder Mahal at 3:15. DiBiase hit two hip tosses to start the match, but Mahal took control shortly after. Mahal hit a neck breaker for a two count, and then choked DiBiase on the ropes. Mahal continued to punish DiBiase, hitting a suplex for a two count and then locked in a chin lock.

[Q4] DiBiase freed himself and hit a clothesline, but ate a knee and a turnbuckle. Mahal revved up for his finisher, but DiBiase rolled him up in a small package and got a three count for the win.

Barnett's Brief: Ok match. I wish I had more of a reason to care about these characters.

A Big Show highlight reel was shown of him at the American Country Awards. He chokeslammed Trace Adkins and presented an award. He then entered the arena and made his way toward the ring...[c]

Big Show was pumped up and grinning as usual. Big Show said it's been 9 years since he defeated Brock Lesnar to win the WWE Title in MSG. He said that it's been a long time and he's been waiting for the perfect opportunity to become the World Heavyweight Champion. He said at TLC when he's in a Chairs match with Mark Henry, he thinks that's the perfect time. He said it's simple physics that TLC is going to be brutal, but he's ready and he doesn't think Mark Henry is.

Henry then headed out and told Show that he wasn't afraid of him. He said he's halfway hurt. He didn't tape his ankle and he's not looking for a fight. The crowd then chanted at Henry to shut up. Henry said he's got something to say to Show face to face, but he wants Show's promise that he won't put his hands on him. Show refused to promise, and Henry asked him what his legacy would be if he took out Henry when he was hurt. Henry said Show would get all of Henry that he could handle, and he was asking for a courtesy as the World Heavyweight Champion.

Show then gave Henry his word, and Henry entered the ring gingerly. Henry told Show they had a lot in common. He said they are two of the greatest big men in the history of the business. He said Show is a champion, and he is a champion, granted that he was the current one. He said in two weeks at TLC he should be 100%, and Big Show would get all the Mark Henry that he can handle.

[Q5] He said they would have a fight that would be remembered for decades, and they had done some hateful things to each other. Henry said he wanted to let bygones be bygones, and let the best man win. Henry then stuck his hand out for a handshake, and they shook hands. Henry said he just saw something in Show's eyes, and that he can see that Show thinks he's a monster. He then said the difference between he and Show and that Henry knows he is.

Henry then sucker punched Big Show, but Show tackled him and dropped an elbow on his damaged ankle. Both men spilled to ringside, where show grabbed a chair and hit Henry in the ankle with it twice.

Barnett's Brief: Great promo from Henry here, per usual. Show was pretty good as well, but I just don't dig how he grins his way through promos. They did a very good job of selling the feud thus far and setting the stage for the match and stipulation at TLC.

Lilian introduced Hornswoggle as special guest ring announcer. David Otunga was introduced first. Followed by Sheamus.

4. Sheamus defeated David Otunga at 3:39 Otunga ate a back elbow from Sheamus, and then a shoulder block and a pancake a moment later. Otunga rolled out to the apron, but got clubs to the chest for his trouble. Sheamus then suplexed Otunga back into the ring for a two count. Sheamus telegraphed a back body drop, and ate a knee and a big clothesline. Otunga then followed up with two rope assisted elbow drops for a two count.

Sheamus charged back with a clothesline out of the corner and a powerslam, followed by the brogue kick for the 3 count.

Barnett's Brief: Not a bad effort from either guy here. Otunga sold well and didn't look half bad on offense. Sheamus looks like a beast as always.

[Q6] After the match the announce team plugged WWE 12' and the video was interrupted by the latest “It Begins” video...[c]

A promo from the Tribute for the Troops aired. Daniel Bryan was introduced first for his match, followed by Cody Rhodes.

5. Cody Rhodes defeated Daniel Bryan via DQ at 9:50. Bryan got in some strikes early before Cody went after the ribs. Cody hit some kicks and a front suplex for a two count. He the launched Bryan chest first into the turnbuckles for another two count. Cody stomped on Bryan's chest and went for another suplex, but Bryan slipped out onto the apron. Bryan hit some strikes but Cody shoved him chest first into the ringpost and down to the floor...[c]

Rhodes locked Bryan in an abdominal stretch. Bryan hip tossed out, but Rhodes went right back on the attack with a clothesline. Rhodes continued the assault on the chest of Bryan until he got back body dropped clear from the ring to the floor. Bryan followed with a suicide dive, and probably hurt himself more than Rhodes. Rhodes climbed back into the ring, and Bryan followed and hit a series of kicks to the chest. Rhodes interrupted with a boot to the chest. Bryan managed to toss Cody into the corner and hit a dropkick. He then missed a flying headbutt from the top.

[Q7] At this point, Booker's music hit and he headed toward the ring and cleared Cody from the ring, causing the DQ...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Strange abrupt finish, but it makes sense considering they need to protect both men. Great action in this match, and I don't think I've seen anybody sell a chest injury quite as well as Bryan did here. It was exceptional. Cody was also very sharp in the ring, and is looking more major league all the time.

A promo aired for the WWE Network, and I think they should probably put an epilepsy warning with it. Teddy Long was backstage on the phone and spoke about the WWE network to someone. Aksana then walked up and asked Teddy to help her put her own show on the network. She asked about a cooking show or maybe a reality show. Cody Rhodes interrupted and demanded Teddy do something about Booker. Teddy then made a match between Cody and Booker for the IC Title at TLC. Aksana looked over Cody as he left and seemed to lose interest in Teddy.

Randy Orton was interviewed backstage, and said that Wade Barrett did Dolph Ziggler a favor tonight by ending his match quickly. Orton said he usually likes to take his time and punish opponents, but tonight he'll have to end it early. He said Barrett thinks he's in Orton's head, but what Barrett doesn't realize that he has him right where he wants him...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Well, I guess this means that the Teddy Long and Aksana segments might be mercifully over. Hopefully they don't have her jump right into annoying Cody, because that's not what he needs at the moment. Orton's promo was paint by numbers, but I guess that's just what they write for him these days.

[Q8] Randy Orton made his way out to the ring first. Ziggler entered next.

6. Randy Orton defeated Dolph Ziggler at 7:51. Randy Orton hit a few quick covers early after a clothesline and a powerslam, respectively, both ending in two counts. Orton hit a major clothesline out of the corner for another two count 30 seconds later. Ziggler opened up his offense with strikes and stomped Orton down in the corner. He hit a rocker dropper a moment later for a two count of his own, followed by a chin lock. Orton eventually got to his feet, but Dolph quickly dropped him again and hit an elbow drop for another two count.

Dolph went back to the chinlock, and then followed up with a neck breaker when Orton showed some life for another near fall. Ziggler climbed the ropes, but Orton caught him prone and hit a superplex for a very close near fall. Orton fired up with a series of clotheslines and a powerslam for a near fall. Orton then hit his modified back breaker for another two count. Ziggler rolled to the outside and then quickly came back in. He attempted the Zig Zag with no luck and then got caught with Orton's second rope DDT for a two count. Ziggler rolled to the outside with 65 seconds left. Orton bailed out and threw him back in, but Barrett threw Orton into the ring post while Vickie distracted. Orton got back in with 15 seconds left, and managed to hit the RKO and get the pin with 2 seconds left.

After the match, Barrett entered the ring and hit a Bossman Slam. He grabbed a mic and congratulated Orton condescendingly, and said since Orton get's to decide the stipulation of their match at TLC, he was going to make a suggestion. He tossed Orton to ringside and tried to put him through a table with Wasteland, but Orton slipped out. Barrett escaped up the ramp, so Orton then put Ziggler through a table at ringside, and the announcers said Orton had chosen a tables match.

Barnett's Brief: Well, this match didn't live up to their previous efforts, but still had some very good moments. Barrett continues to add a lot to Smackdown, and the conclusion of this match was very good and had good suspense. Ziggler is the odd man out here unfortunately, but he's obviously on an upward trajectory and is probably the most consistently entertaining ring performer on the card. I look forward to seeing where they go with the angles they are building on this show. There was a lot of advancement tonight and most of it was good. This was a very entertaining show, even if it was a bit too heavy on talking segments.

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

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: