By Jake Barnett

WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Taped 12/13 in Raleigh, NC

[Q1]Michael Cole put over Jack Swagger and Big Show for later in the show, as a well as the Main Event of Orton and Ryder vs. Ziggler and Barrett. Booker T was brought to the ring by Josh Mathews for an interview, while he walked to the ring Cole went over the Rhodes and Booker T feud and showed some key video clips form last week.

Booker T said he was ready for Cody Rhodes at the PPV. He mentioned the caveat that he was ready to retire and become a full time announcer, but Rhodes's ego and arrogance brought him out of the booth. Booker then said he would be teach Cody a lesson on Sunday and take his Intercontinental Championship. Mathews asked Booker if he was coming back full time, and Booker said he hadn't really thought of it that way. He closed by saying that rest assured Cody would get the beating of his life at TLC.

Rhodes came out and told Booker that his music is going to hit on Sunday and he'll be excited, and maybe he'll get a flurry of offense in and people will say he still has it. He said in a movie Booker would win and a tear would roll down his face, but said that this wasn't a movie and logic says that he falls to me. Booker interrupted and said he could kick Cody around the arena, but Cody balked. Cody said he went to Teddy Long and got a 3rd match with Daniel Bryan because his last two were ruined by Booker.

He told Booker that he could head over to the booth and find out how legitimate he already is. He called him a sucka and did his stupid maniacal laugh.

Barnett's Brief: Good promo to start the show. Rhodes looked and sounded great aside from the ridiculous laugh, and Booker held his own. I look forward to their match at TLC.

1. Cody Rhodes defeated Daniel Bryan at 8:22. Both guys went back and forth to start, with Byran getting an early LeBell lock attempt in before bailing to ringside...[c]

Bryan did a double stomp on Rhodes's knees, which led to Cody rolling to the apron. Bryan tried to suplex him in, but got suplexed out for his trouble. Rhodes headed outside and rolled him back in for another suplex and a two count. Rhodes locked in what looked like a partially applied body triangle, but Bryan escaped easily. Rhodes took control back quickly after a few clotheslines and another cover for two. Rhodes hit several shots to Bryan's taped ribs.

[Q2] Bryan fought back with strikes and a roll-up for his own two count. He hit a top rope dropkick for another two seconds later. Bryan kicked Rhodes in the corner, but Rhodes pushed him off. Rhodes went to top, but Bryan climbed after him. Bryan attempted a back suplex off the top, but Rhodes reversed and landed on the injured ribs. Bryan got into another rollup situation a moment later, but Rhodes reversed into Crossrhodes for the win.

Booker said on commentary after the match that if he beats Rhodes he goes all the way back down the ladder. Rhodes stared at him from the turnbuckle. Alicia Fox was shown backstage as heading out next...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Great match for Rhodes, but I'm not sure why Bryan has to be this guy here. Yes he's injured so he's got a pseudo excuse for his loss, but I think he deserves better at this point.

Alicia Fox made her way out doing some kind of crazy walk. I don't even think I could describe it. Looked very bow legged. Natalya came out next and tossed tissues for the crying divas.

2. Alicia Fox defeated Natalya at 0:59 Natalya took control early and pulled hair. She put Alicia in an abdominal stretch. She attempted a rollup off the ropes and got a two count. Alicia got a small package a moment later for the 3 count, and pulled out her hair extensions on the process.

Alicia Fox got on the mic and told Natty to go have a good cry in the back. Natty then attacked Alicia, but got sent to the ground and Alicia hit her flipping leg drop finish and damn near broke Natty's face. OUCH...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Well, I guess Alicia is the next in line to beat up the one lackey that Beth Phoenix has before getting a title shot. She didn't have to try to kill her though.

[Q3] A plug aired for WWE Tribute to the Troops. The WWE went over the nominees for Pipe Bomb of the Year from the Slammy's on Monday. It went on forever, so WWE must have thought it was really, really funny.

Backstage, Swagger and Vickie Guerrero were chatting and Mark Henry walked up. Mark Henry asked Swagger to injure Big Show with malice like he hurt him. If he did, he would be first in line for his title. Swagger responded by saying he would beat Big Show and earn his show, but not because Henry wanted him to. He would do it because he wanted to be the World Heavyweight Champion...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Decent promo from Swagger and Henry. I like that Henry is at least attempting to do some heel work away from the ring, and branch out a little with his character. Swagger was the best I think I've seen him recently with his acting and facial expressions.

The Usos were on stage and did their Haka. They then entered the ring. Epico and Primo made their way out with Rosa Mendes, who looked to be having issues negotiating the world in her outfit.

3. Epico and Primo defeated the Usos at 2:58. The Usos hit a big double team sweep/splash combo to start on Epico. Primo hung up Jimmy on the ropes, which then allowed Epico to gain control. He tagged to Primo, who then traded tags quickly and took turns beating up Jimmy. Primo ended up the ring, but Jimmy was able to escape shortly after for the tag. Jay entered and hit a couple of clotheslines an butt bump in the corner.

[Q4] The match broke down and Epico pulled Jimmy to the outside. Jay climbed to the top to jump on a prone Primo, but Rosa made a distraction, which led to a backcracker on Jay and the 3 count. They celebrated and Rosa gyrated after the match.

Barnett's Brief: Decent match that was too short to be effective. Rosa looked ridiculous.

The announce team plugged Jack Swagger's ability to hurt Big Show's ankle, and showed a clip of Swagger with the Ankle Lock on show. Show made his way out to the ring...[c]

Jack Swagger made his way out with Vickie.

4. Big Show defeated Jack Swagger at 5:45. Mark Henry made his way out to the ring with a chair. Swagger tried to capitalize but got beat down Big Show. Swagger recovered to hit a chop block and a flying shoulder tackle for a two count. Show took over from there, and tormented Swagger while he stared down Henry at ringside. Henry body slammed Swagger and chopped him in the corner. He then did it again after the crowd chanted. The second time he shushed the crowd for maximum noise.

Swagger then hit a big tackle to Show's knee and two swagger bombs for a two count. Show punched Swagger down from one knee and hit two clotheslines. He then revved up the crowd and went for a Chokeslam, but Swagger reversed into an Ankle Lock. Show stayed in the hold, but eventually powered out. He got back to his feet and hit a WMD punch to put Swagger out for three.

[Q5] After the match Show threw Swagger to ringside. Henry then hit Swagger with the chair in the back at ringside, and hit a cameraman in the back that was standing next to him as well. The announcers acted horrified and the crowd was silent. Show called him weak and a coward. Good heel spot for Henry there. The announcers then plugged the main event tag match...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Fun match from Show and Swagger, but Henry stole the show there at the end. His heel presence is awesome. Show did a good job of calling him out from the ring after he did it, too.

Backstage Ryder asked Orton if they were on the same page, to which he condescendingly chuckled and said no. Ryder then asked if they were on the same book, and he said maybe. Ryder then did the wwwyki bit...

5. Ted Dibiase defeated Heath Slater at 3:08. Dibiase frustrated Slater early with reversals, and a rollup for a one count. Slater slapped Dibiase and got tossed out of the ring as a result. Dibiase followed and threw Slater into the barrier. Slater took over once they got back in the ring, shoving Dibiase into the turnbuckles and wrapping him around the post in a bow and arrow. He then hit a double axe handle from the top rope.

Slater continued to work over Dibiase, and hit a side russian leg sweep. He climbed the ropes again, but got caught with an inverted atomic drop. Dibiase hit a big clothesline and revved up the crowd. He then hit Dreamstreet for the win. Mahal interfered after the match and locked in a Camel Cluth on Dibiase.

After a few seconds Teddy Long came out and said that if Mahal wanted a fight he had some unfinished business with someone from Monday, and then booked him in a match with Sheamus for next...[c]

Barnett's Brief: Ok match from Dibiase and Slater. Orton and Ryder had a decent interaction backstage, with Orton looking predictably irritated about Ryder's presence. Teddy Long came out way too fast for it to feel like he was reacting to anything. Felt very forced and unnatural.

[Q6] They showed the clip from Monday where Sheamus Brogue Kicked Jinder Mahal to sleep...

6. Sheamus defeated Jinder Mahal at 3:39. Sheamus worked an arm bar early, and dropped a knee on the arm and covered for a quick two. Mahal came back with some kicks and elbows, but wasn't a match for Sheamus, who beat him a fistfight. Shortly after, Mahal avoided the chest strikes with an elbow. Sheamus got knocked to the apron, but ended up hitting his chest strikes anyway from the outside, followed by a flying shoulder block. Mahal turned things around and hit a kick to the gut and a neck breaker for a one count.

Mahal locked in a chin lock. Sheamus rose to his feet, but was dropped to his back. Mahal hit a few strikes, but Sheamus hulked up and beat the crap out of Mahal in the corner. He then hit is Irish Curse back breaker. Sheamus pumped up again, and hit another Brogue Kick to the head of Mahal for the three count.

Sheamus celebrated and the announce team put over the main event...[c]

Barnett's Brief: That basically amounted to an enhancement match for Sheamus. Too bad, because Mahal at one time had a lot of promise. Now he's just another guy.

[Q7] A recap was shown of the Slammy Winners on Monday, including the return of Triple H and CM Punk giving credit to Johnny Ace for his role in the Dynamic Dudes. John Cena vs. Mark Henry was also shown briefly to showcase the return of Kane.

Cole put over the Slammy's again and put over the fact that he is a three time winner. The announce crew then went through simulating Big Show and Mark Henry inside WWE '12. Randy Orton then made his way out to the ring for the Main Event...[c]

The latest “It Begins” video aired from Monday, explaining that the mysterious returning wrestler has a female herald...

Zack Ryder came out next, followed by Ziggler and Barrett.

7. Randy Orton and Zack Ryder defeated Dolph Ziggler and Wade Barrett at 16:06. Ziggler and Ryder started, with Dolph hitting a hip toss and locking in a chin lock. Dolph then hit the ropes and leapfrogged Ryder, but got pancaked on the comeback. Ryder tagged Orton, who kicked Zigger in the gut and stomped his stomach and legs. Orton then hit a suplex, and really never took his eyes off of Barrett in the process.

Ryder tagged back in and continued the work on Ziggler. Dolph managed to hit a boot to the gut, which allowed him to tag in Barrett. Barrett hit strikes in the corner followed by a clothesline. Ryder managed to get in a kick and make a tag, but Barrett bailed and tagged Ziggler before Orton could catch him. Ziggler hit fists and elbows on Orton, followed by an irish whip. Orton snapped out of the corner and hit a clothesline, and then knocked Barrett off the apron.

Ziggler recovered and worked over Orton in the corner, but it was short lived. Orton went for his back breaker only to have Ziggler slip out, but Ryder entered and hit a dropkick on Ziggler that knocked him to the outside...[c]

Orton hit mounted punches in the corner and dropped a knee on Ziggler for a two count. Ziggler made a tag that Orton didn't notice and bailed to ringside to set up a blindside attack by Barrett. Barrett hit a big boot and an elbow drop for two. Barrett hit some strikes and made the tag to Ziggler, who stomped on Orton in the corner.

Orton fought back briefly, but Ziggler hit a nice drop kick for a solid two and a half. Barrett tagged in and Orton was able to turn the tides with a back suplex. Ryder got the hot tag and the crowd went crazy. Ryder hit flying clotheslines and a Broski Boot on Barrett. He revved up for the Rough Ryder but Barrett slipped and Ziggler punched Ryder in the face from the apron.

Ziggler tagged in and hit quick strikes, but got rolled up for a two by Ryder a second later. Ziggler floated out of the pin into a single leg crab to keep Ryder form tagging. Ziggler got the tag to Barrett and he went to work on Ryder with a chin lock. Ryder fought out and managed to reverse a Wasteland attempt into a DDT. Both men then tagged and Orton got the early advantage with a clothesline. Randy then hit a neck breaker.

Barrett and Ryder entered and spilled to the floor. Ziggler went for a Rocker dropper, but Orton ducked and hit an RKO. Barrett went to enter to break up the pin but Orton stared him down and he chose not to. Orton picked up the three count for the win.

Barnett's Brief: Great match to close the show. Nothing very newsworthy on the show, but the action was solid and this main event was a lot of fun to watch. If nothing else, go watch this match when it pops up on Youtube. Chris Shore and I will have more to say tomorrow morning in Smackdown All Access Audio.

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

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