By Chris Shore

WWE Smackdown on SyFy
Taped on 12/27 in Indianapolis, Ind.

[Q1] A video hyped the Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton, falls count anywhere main event...The opening video aired, followed by the pyro, and Michael Cole and Josh Matthews welcomed us to Smackdown. Booker T was introduced and came to the ring in a suit.

Booker T thanked the fans and said 2011 had been an awesome year. He recapped his year and thanked the fans again. He started to do his catch phrase, and Cody Rhodes music hit and he came to the ring cutting a promo on his year. He closed by saying he took a washed up announcer and got him to regain some of his former glory.

Booker T cut him off and said he beat Cody on Monday. Booker said if Cody had any respect for the business, he would congratulate Booker. Cody said he didn't want to come off as a bitter jerk and congratulated Booker. He stuck his hand out, and Booker shook it.

Booker started to leave and Cody said it was all over. Booker asked him what he meant. Cody said Booker was a nostalgia act. He said if Booker continued in the ring, his skills would decline quickly, but if he went back to announcing he would be a semi-literate buffoon. He said Booker was a joke and told him to go home.

Goldust's music hit (!) and Dustin Rhodes walked out in a suit. He said Cody didn't have any respect. He said when he was battling his demons, Booker was there for him. He said Booker was an inspiration and Cody should know better. Cody ran down his brother and said he brought honor back to the Rhodes name after Dustin threw it away.

Booker piped up again and said Goldie was more of a man than Cody ever was. Booker said they each had a win and challenged Cody to one more match, but for the title. Cody said they could do it next week. Booker said that was fine and he would win next week. He did his catch phrase and left the ring. Cody hit the Beautiful Disaster kick on Dustin before leaving quickly...

Shore's Slant: You know, I liked it. Cody looked very comfortable there, and Dustin did well. Booker has always had command of the mic, if not always the language. I'm not a big fan of starting a show with a 15 minute talking segment, but it was OK. Go ahead and book Rhodes vs. Rhodes for WrestleMania.

[Q2][C] 1. Jinder Mahal defeated Ted DiBiase at 2:52. Jinder attacked at the bell and hit the worst knee lift ever. Jinder worked from control the entire match and made Ted Dibiase tap to a camel clutch...

Backstage, Teddy Long was on the phone. Aksana walked up and sexually harassed Teddy for a moment. Drew McIntyre walked in and Aksana left. Teddy said he signed Drew back to Smackdown from Raw where his career had floundered. He said tat if Drew didn't beat Ezekiel Jackson tonight, he would have to consider letting him go again...[C]

Shore's Slant: Jinder Mahal squashed Ted DiBiase? What the hell is going on on Smackdown with the undercard? Are they trying to kill everybody at the same time? Terrible. And good to see Drew again. Be interesting to see what they do with his character this time.

[Q3] 2. Alicia Fox and Kaitlyn defeated Natalya and Tamina at 1:33. Tamina and Kaitlyn started. Tamina powered Kaitlyn around with slams and strikes and tagged in Natty. Natty slammed Kaitlyn, but Kaitlyn made the hot tag. Fox ran in and hit a very ugly scissor kick on Natty for the win. Post-match, Tamina hit a super kick on Natty and then a splash from the top rope...[C]

Shore's Slant: Didn't Kaitlyn turn heel on AJ a couple of weeks ago? And now she's with the babyface? And what's with making Natty look like a tool? What in the hell is going on in the Divas' division.

A video recapped the Big Show vs. David Otunga match from Raw. Backstage, Daniel Bryan was telling AJ how he saved Show from Mark Henry. Show walked up and said giants didn't need to be saved. Bryan said that wasn't the way he saw it. They talked about their tag match, but Teddy Long walked up and said there wouldn't be a tag match, but Otunga wanted another shot at Show. He said Henry would be in Otunga's corner. Bryan said maybe giants did need saving and wished Show luck before walking off. Show made a face and then calmed down...[C]

Shore's Slant: It's still early, but so far I like what they are doing with Show and Bryan. Hopefully they stay on the right path.

[Q4] Justin Gabriel made his entrance to no reaction. Hunico came out riding on the back of a low-rider bicycle that was driven by his new buddy Camacho. Nope, not making any of that up...

3. Hunico (w/Camacho) defeated Justin Gabriel at 1:44. Hunico attacked at the bell and drove Gabriel to the floor. He hit a back flip dive as Cole told us all about low-rider bikes. Hunico hit the top rope senton for the win. Post-match, Hunico and Camacho hit a combo neckbreaker on Gabriel...[C]

Shore's Slant: I hope to God WWE's New Year's resolution is to actually show wrestling on their wrestling show. Hunico and Camacho's act seems offensive and stereotypical to me, but I would like to hear from any Latinos (and Latinas!) on this. Is this disrespectful? Not the lack of wrestling, we both know that is. I mean the Mexican America 2.0 act. Shoot me an email at css3238@gmail.com with your thoughts.

Big Show made his ring entrance, followed by David Otunga, and then Mark Henry...

[Q5] 4. Big Show defeated David Otunga (w/Mark Henry) at 3:24. Show powered Otunga around and hit a splash in the corner. Show turned to face Henry, and Otunga clipped the leg. He covered, and Big Show kicked out so hard Otunga flew to the floor. Henry started to climb the stairs, but Daniel Bryan came out of the crowd and hit Henry with the belt. He taunted Henry until Henry chased him to the back. Show tossed Otunga in the ring and hit the WMD for the win...The announce team hyped the main event...[C]

Shore's Slant: I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Bryan ultimately turns heel because Show isn't appreciative of how he's helping. Or maybe I'm just trying to figure out why this mess was the top of the second hour. This show has been quite the snooze fest since the opening segment.

Ezekiel Jackson and his new hair made their entrance. McIntyre got the long ass entrance he had from before, and got a decent pop from the crowd...

5. Ezekiel Jackson defeated Drew McIntyre at 3:52. Zeke slammed Drew immediately and covered for two. He continued to slam Drew around, but Drew hit a cheap shot to take control. He worked Zeke in the corner and the ref threatened to DQ him. McIntyre begged off and covered Zeke with his feet on the ropes. The ref yelled at him again and again McIntyre begged off. Zeke rolled McIntyre up from behind and hooked the tights for the win. Post-match, McIntyre sold being upset and worried about his job...

[Q6] Sheamus was shown walking backstage...[C]

Shore's Slant: I guess they have a plan for McIntyre, but putting him with Zeke doesn't help him at all. This show is awful. The last hour has dragged on and on.

Sheamus made his ring entrance to a great pop. He cut a promo and said he wanted to talk about the future. He put over the Royal Rumble and said he would win. Hornswoggle's music hit, and he got the same pop Sheamus did. Sheamus introduced him as the guy who beat him in the Christmas battle royal.

Sheamus asked him who was going to win, and Horny ran around the ring saying his own name. Sheamus told his Irish folk tale and threatened to put his foot in Horny's ass. They smiled at each other and shook hands, and Heath Slater's music hit. He came out and cut a terrible promo on Hornswoggle and Sheamus. He climbed in the ring and threatened Hornswoggle. Sheamus made a joke about Journey and then said Slater was more of a R. Kelly guy. He said, "I believe I can fly," and threw Slater over the top rope...The announce team continued to hype the main event...

Shore's Slant: I absolutely hate the "Lucky Charms" version of Sheamus. Some people like it, but it's just too cheesy for me. Slater is terrible, really, really terrible.

[Q7][C] 6. Sheamus defeated Heath Slater in 4:42 of TV time. The match had already started during the commercial break. Sheamus tossed Slater over the top again, but Slater landed on the apron. Sheamus hit his forearm blows in the ropes. Slater came back with a drop kick, but Sheamus wouldn't even sell a one count. Sheamus hit his shoulder from the top rope in an awkward looking spot. He followed with the Brogue kick for the win...

Backstage, Daniel Bryan was telling Teddy Long that he was Show's good luck charm. He asked why Teddy wanted to see him. Show walked in and asked the same question. Show yelled at Bryan for being annoying, and Bryan said he was looking for a thank you from Show. They bickered for a moment and then Teddy said he was competing with Raw by having a big title match as well. He booked Bryan vs Show for the World Title next week. Show laughed and said Bryan had a good little run. Bryan said at least his run lasted longer than Show's 45 seconds. He walked off leaving Show looking pissed...[C]

Shore's Slant: I'm as equally tired of the Lucky Charms Sheamus character as I am him not having a serious feud. He's so stale right now because they have nothing to do with him. The Show/Bryan stuff was good, but Bryan comes across as a total dork so it takes some of the shine off.

The announce team hyped the January 2 Raw and the title match for next week on Smackdown...Randy Orton made his ring entrance, followed by Wade Barrett...

[Q8] Wade Barrett fought Randy Orton to a no contest in a falls count anywhere match in 15:00. They spilled to the floor in less than a minute, and Orton slammed Barrett into the stairs for a two count on the floor. Orton went for the RKO, but Barrett shoved him into the ring post...[C]

Back at 4:59, Barrett was in control in the ring. They spilled to the floor for a near fall on Orton, and then Barrett hit a big boot back in the ring for a near fall. Barrett went for a pump-handle slam, bu Orton slipped out and hit his scoop slam. Orton tried to setup for the rope DDT, but Barrett slipped tot he floor.

Orton followed and tossed Barrett over the announce table. The ref got knocked out and Orton and Barrett fought through the crowd tot he back. They battled into an elevator where they showed the security cam footage. The cameras found them upstairs and chased them into a stairwell, but the cameras didn't go into the stairwell. When they did, Orton was laying at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Barrett started after him, and then ran out a door. Orton came to, but sold the fall to end the show...

Shore's Slant: The match was fine until it went to the back, then it got stupid and silly. The security cam footage was way over the top, and the camera man looked stupid standing there and waiting for Orton to go down the stairs before running in. For those who don't know, Orton has an injured back and this will write him out for however long he needs to heal, which hasn't been established yet.

A disappointing episode overall. You could tell it was the end of the year phone in show. I'll have more to say tomorrow on the hitlist and the final All Access podcast of the week. I'll also share some of the emails I got about Hunico and Camacho in the audio, so be sure to check that out. Thanks for reading along tonight. I'll see you all 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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