9/3 WWE Smackdown in Paris, France: Randy Orton defends the World Hvt. Championship against a battle royal winner, Cody Rhodes vs. Daniel Bryan for the Intercontinental Title

WWE Smackdown live event
Paris, France
Report by Dot Net reader Guillaume Perrin

1. Christian won a Battle Royal. Christian earned the right to face Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event. The participants were: Daniel Bryan, Brodus Clay, The Usos, Yoshi Tatsu, Wade Barrett, Christian, Heath Slater, Ezekiel Jackson, Cody Rhodes, the Great Khali, Jinder Mahal, Sheamus and Tyson Kidd. Christian eliminated Daniel Bryan last and then did some mic work to good heat.

2. Alicia Fox defeated Natalya with a roll-up. It was a pretty good match but Natalya was having a hard time no being sheered and only turned 25 percent of the crown at the end. Too bad Alicia was not established as a babyface more. The crowd was into the action nonetheless.

3. Jinder Mahal (w/Great Khali) defeated Ted Dibiase with his full-nelson slam finisher after interference by Khali. Ted is excellent as a face and had no problem being cheered thanks to some mic work in Punjab by Mahal before the match. Big ovation for Ted after the match ended. Best match involving Mahal that I've seen to date.

4. Sin Cara defeated Tyson Kidd. Sin Cara won using Hunico’s FCW finisher the “Estrella Fugaz” (Falling Star) which is a Swanton Bomb. The Sin Cara’s heel turn as yet to air in France and he was in total babyface mode. This was the match of the nigh as far as athleticism goes. The Cara character is massively over here in France. No side effect of the performer switch.

5. Sheamus defeated Wade Barrett with a Brogue Kick. Excellent match from these two, it could be a nice program down the road. Massive support for Sheamus the whole match.

Intermission

6. Mark Henry defeated Ezekiel Jackson with the world's strongest slam in a big men match. Not too bad but nothing special. Henry didn’t seem like a main-eventer here.

7. Cody Rhodes defeated Daniel Bryan to retain the Intercontinental Championship with the CrossRhodes. Big time mic work from Cody before the match, with translation assured by one the French commentators who ended with a bag on his head. Massive heat for Cody has a result. This was the best technical match of the night. After the match, Cody tried to hit Daniel with his title belt, but Bryan was able to avoid it and nail him with one of his trademark kick. Daniel celebrated afterward to a nice pop. Big boos for Cody on his way to the back.

8. Randy Orton defeated Christian to retain the World Heavyweight Championship with a RKO. Best match of the night from an overall perfective. Orton is the mega star of the show for sure. The presentation was TV match caliber without question. Christian is an excellent veteran performer and he really has the main eventer feel now.

Notes: It was not a sellout but a big crowd nonetheless. Maybe 10,000 people. It was my first live event and I had a great time. Excellent show from the blue brand with the audience into the action the whole night. The Superstars of Raw will be back in Paris April 20, 2012 for the WrestleMania Revenge tour.