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WWE Smackdown Results: 12-30-11
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report).
1 -- TED DIBIASE vs. JINDER MAHAL
Mahal took the early advantage while Cole bickered with Josh Mathews and Booker T on commentary. DiBiase came back with a sit-out slam for a nearfall as Booker vowed to give Rhodes a whooping next week. DiBiase then injured his knee, allowing Mahal to slap on the Camel Clutch. Cole called the move a "throwback to the past," then DiBiase tapped out. Lilian Garcia announced the verdict as Mathews noted Mahal ended 2011 on a high note. Booker said Mahal plans to make a big splash in 2012.
WINNER: Mahal via submission at 2:54. It would only be fitting for 2011 to end with yet another Even Steven result between these two.
2 -- ALICIA FOX & KAITLYN vs. NATALYA & TAMINA
Natalya quickly took control of the action on Kaitlyn. Suddenly, Fox tagged in and scored a quick pin on Natalya, continuing Natalya's string of losses. Post-match: The faces escaped, then Tamina turned on Natalya with a strike and Superfly fist drop.
WINNERS: Fox & Kaitlyn at 1:35. So, does this mean JTG loses his heel manager if Tamina is turning face? Big questions to be answered here.
3 -- JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. HUNICO (w/Comacho)
Cole, of all people, broke down the history of the low-rider bike as Gabriel and Hunico exchanged control early on. Cole defended his ability to speak on the subject by noting he lives in McAllen, Texas, which is near the Mexican border. About a minute in, Gabriel tried a top-rope move, but Hunico countered with a flying armdrag. Hunico followed with a top-rope splash and it was good for the win. Post-match, Hunico and Comacho delivered an impressive double-team combo on poor Gabriel. Cole called it a sign of things to come.
WINNER: Hunico at 1:43. WWE is really filling time this week while trying to establish some credibility for lower-card heels.
4 -- BIG SHOW vs. DAVID OTUNGA (w/Mark Henry)
Show easily discarded Otunga to the ring, prompting Henry to give Otunga a pep talk about getting the job done. Meanwhile, Booker suggested he would be bringing his big brother (Stevie Ray) to Smackdown next week for the IC Title match. Otunga regrouped, re-entered the ring, and ate a shoulder block from Show. Show then took a look at Henry and delivered a big corner splash to Otunga. Henry inched toward the ring, which distracted Show enough for Otunga to chop block him.
Otunga delivered rapid-fire offense, then Daniel Bryan came to ringside through the crowd and blasted Henry with a belt shot. Bryan told Henry to come chase him, then Henry hobbled up the rampway toward Bryan, removing Otunga's back-up. Meanwhile, in the ring, Show palmed Otunga's head before delivering the KO Punch. One, two, three, and it's over for Otunga. Cole called Bryan's conduct unacceptable for the World champion. Show then left the ring in a celebratory mood.
WINNER: Show at 3:25. One of those "feel good" moments on a Smackdown episode without a PPV to hype or a sense of urgency.
5 -- DREW MCINTYRE vs. EZEKIEL JACKSON
Booker said perhaps the competition was too tough for McIntyre on Raw and now he can catch his breath on Smackdown. Cole said Mac is making a ton of money and he needs to show that he deserves the money and spot on Friday nights. Cole then referenced Vince McMahon's endorsement of McIntyre a few years ago. Cole added a comical line about McMahon "being the man who invented the industry." In the ring, Mac and Zeke went back and forth battling for control as Booker tried to relate the match to the principles of the wrestling business.
Mac almost got himself DQ'ed, then Zeke teased a torture rack, but Mac escaped. Mac followed with a roll-up and tried to put his feet on the ropes, but the ref saw it. The ref and Mac argued, then Zeke rolled up Mac and hooked the tights, which the ref did not see. Zeke picks up the win. Booker said that's something he's never seen Zeke do, but "that's what it's all about" in WWE. Afterward, McIntyre sold frustration over the loss. No sign of Teddy Long to address Mac's status.
WINNER: Jackson at 3:53. This announcing mess in WWE is a Top 5 story of the year, not just because of the lack of quality, but its negative affect on business without a credible voice guiding the ship.
6 -- SHEAMUS vs. HEATH SLATER
They returned from break with the match already in progress, per a decision by Teddy Long during the commercial. Sheamus blasted Slater with a back elbow and there was a sudden wave of noise piped in. Sheamus then tossed Slater over the top rope again, but Slater landed on his feet. Slater taunted Sheamus, who merely responded with ten straight forearm blows to the chest. Sheamus lost control and the crowd began rallying behind Sheamus, who absorbed an attack to the mid-section.
Sheamus got that look in his eyes and made a comeback with hard blows and strikes. The crowd got fired up as Sheamus climbed up top for a shoulder tackle. Sheamus then called for the end and delivered the Brogue Kick center-ring. Sheamus with the cover for the win.
WINNER: Sheamus at 4:50 of what aired. A fine, effective squash to start building up Sheamus as a "favorite" to win the Rumble from the Smackdown side.
7 -- RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT -- Falls Count Anywhere match
Orton delivered early offense before they took the match to the outside. Orton and Barrett gingerly exchanged offense to protect Orton. Orton scored a nearfall on the floor before pacing the ringside area. The two men then sold the effects of the brawl as the show went to break.
Back from break, the action was in the ring, where Barrett had control. On the floor, Barrett scored a nearfall before ramming Orton back-first into the ring apron. The "magician" slammed the apron with his hand to make noise as the camera cut to another angle so as not to reveal Barrett protecting Orton's back. Back in the ring, Barrett delivered a knee to the gut that cut off a teased comeback. Barrett then came off the second rope with a flying elbow drop for a two count.
Four minutes before the top of the hour, Orton dumped Barrett to the outside and the fight moved over the guardrail to the front row. The fight then moved to the lower portion of the arena, then into the locker room area. The ref was bumped during the melee, so no ref to administer a three count in the hallway. Orton and Barrett exchanged control brawling all over the place. Suddenly, an elevator opened up and Orton cleared everyone out of the elevator to continue the fight with Barrett. WWE cut to a weird black & white security camera shot of the two men brawling inside the elevator.
Orton and Barrett arrived at the next floor and fought to the office area, as Cole described it. They went through a door marked "Stairs" and the cameraman caught up with Barrett staring down at a flight of stairs. At the bottom of the 15 flights was Randy Orton in a state of disarray. Cole and Booker exchanged exclamations before Barrett was shown running away. The camera zoomed in on Orton selling various injuries in a contorted state. The show faded to the next Syfy program.
WINNER: No Decision when the show ended at 13:29. This was a very careful "match" to protect Orton. We'll see where it leads to with Orton's pre-existing injury not as serious as originally believed, according to WWE.
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's complete report).
1 -- TED DIBIASE vs. JINDER MAHAL
Mahal took the early advantage while Cole bickered with Josh Mathews and Booker T on commentary. DiBiase came back with a sit-out slam for a nearfall as Booker vowed to give Rhodes a whooping next week. DiBiase then injured his knee, allowing Mahal to slap on the Camel Clutch. Cole called the move a "throwback to the past," then DiBiase tapped out. Lilian Garcia announced the verdict as Mathews noted Mahal ended 2011 on a high note. Booker said Mahal plans to make a big splash in 2012.
WINNER: Mahal via submission at 2:54. It would only be fitting for 2011 to end with yet another Even Steven result between these two.
2 -- ALICIA FOX & KAITLYN vs. NATALYA & TAMINA
Natalya quickly took control of the action on Kaitlyn. Suddenly, Fox tagged in and scored a quick pin on Natalya, continuing Natalya's string of losses. Post-match: The faces escaped, then Tamina turned on Natalya with a strike and Superfly fist drop.
WINNERS: Fox & Kaitlyn at 1:35. So, does this mean JTG loses his heel manager if Tamina is turning face? Big questions to be answered here.
3 -- JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. HUNICO (w/Comacho)
Cole, of all people, broke down the history of the low-rider bike as Gabriel and Hunico exchanged control early on. Cole defended his ability to speak on the subject by noting he lives in McAllen, Texas, which is near the Mexican border. About a minute in, Gabriel tried a top-rope move, but Hunico countered with a flying armdrag. Hunico followed with a top-rope splash and it was good for the win. Post-match, Hunico and Comacho delivered an impressive double-team combo on poor Gabriel. Cole called it a sign of things to come.
WINNER: Hunico at 1:43. WWE is really filling time this week while trying to establish some credibility for lower-card heels.
4 -- BIG SHOW vs. DAVID OTUNGA (w/Mark Henry)
Show easily discarded Otunga to the ring, prompting Henry to give Otunga a pep talk about getting the job done. Meanwhile, Booker suggested he would be bringing his big brother (Stevie Ray) to Smackdown next week for the IC Title match. Otunga regrouped, re-entered the ring, and ate a shoulder block from Show. Show then took a look at Henry and delivered a big corner splash to Otunga. Henry inched toward the ring, which distracted Show enough for Otunga to chop block him.
Otunga delivered rapid-fire offense, then Daniel Bryan came to ringside through the crowd and blasted Henry with a belt shot. Bryan told Henry to come chase him, then Henry hobbled up the rampway toward Bryan, removing Otunga's back-up. Meanwhile, in the ring, Show palmed Otunga's head before delivering the KO Punch. One, two, three, and it's over for Otunga. Cole called Bryan's conduct unacceptable for the World champion. Show then left the ring in a celebratory mood.
WINNER: Show at 3:25. One of those "feel good" moments on a Smackdown episode without a PPV to hype or a sense of urgency.
5 -- DREW MCINTYRE vs. EZEKIEL JACKSON
Booker said perhaps the competition was too tough for McIntyre on Raw and now he can catch his breath on Smackdown. Cole said Mac is making a ton of money and he needs to show that he deserves the money and spot on Friday nights. Cole then referenced Vince McMahon's endorsement of McIntyre a few years ago. Cole added a comical line about McMahon "being the man who invented the industry." In the ring, Mac and Zeke went back and forth battling for control as Booker tried to relate the match to the principles of the wrestling business.
Mac almost got himself DQ'ed, then Zeke teased a torture rack, but Mac escaped. Mac followed with a roll-up and tried to put his feet on the ropes, but the ref saw it. The ref and Mac argued, then Zeke rolled up Mac and hooked the tights, which the ref did not see. Zeke picks up the win. Booker said that's something he's never seen Zeke do, but "that's what it's all about" in WWE. Afterward, McIntyre sold frustration over the loss. No sign of Teddy Long to address Mac's status.
WINNER: Jackson at 3:53. This announcing mess in WWE is a Top 5 story of the year, not just because of the lack of quality, but its negative affect on business without a credible voice guiding the ship.
6 -- SHEAMUS vs. HEATH SLATER
They returned from break with the match already in progress, per a decision by Teddy Long during the commercial. Sheamus blasted Slater with a back elbow and there was a sudden wave of noise piped in. Sheamus then tossed Slater over the top rope again, but Slater landed on his feet. Slater taunted Sheamus, who merely responded with ten straight forearm blows to the chest. Sheamus lost control and the crowd began rallying behind Sheamus, who absorbed an attack to the mid-section.
Sheamus got that look in his eyes and made a comeback with hard blows and strikes. The crowd got fired up as Sheamus climbed up top for a shoulder tackle. Sheamus then called for the end and delivered the Brogue Kick center-ring. Sheamus with the cover for the win.
WINNER: Sheamus at 4:50 of what aired. A fine, effective squash to start building up Sheamus as a "favorite" to win the Rumble from the Smackdown side.
7 -- RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT -- Falls Count Anywhere match
Orton delivered early offense before they took the match to the outside. Orton and Barrett gingerly exchanged offense to protect Orton. Orton scored a nearfall on the floor before pacing the ringside area. The two men then sold the effects of the brawl as the show went to break.
Back from break, the action was in the ring, where Barrett had control. On the floor, Barrett scored a nearfall before ramming Orton back-first into the ring apron. The "magician" slammed the apron with his hand to make noise as the camera cut to another angle so as not to reveal Barrett protecting Orton's back. Back in the ring, Barrett delivered a knee to the gut that cut off a teased comeback. Barrett then came off the second rope with a flying elbow drop for a two count.
Four minutes before the top of the hour, Orton dumped Barrett to the outside and the fight moved over the guardrail to the front row. The fight then moved to the lower portion of the arena, then into the locker room area. The ref was bumped during the melee, so no ref to administer a three count in the hallway. Orton and Barrett exchanged control brawling all over the place. Suddenly, an elevator opened up and Orton cleared everyone out of the elevator to continue the fight with Barrett. WWE cut to a weird black & white security camera shot of the two men brawling inside the elevator.
Orton and Barrett arrived at the next floor and fought to the office area, as Cole described it. They went through a door marked "Stairs" and the cameraman caught up with Barrett staring down at a flight of stairs. At the bottom of the 15 flights was Randy Orton in a state of disarray. Cole and Booker exchanged exclamations before Barrett was shown running away. The camera zoomed in on Orton selling various injuries in a contorted state. The show faded to the next Syfy program.
WINNER: No Decision when the show ended at 13:29. This was a very careful "match" to protect Orton. We'll see where it leads to with Orton's pre-existing injury not as serious as originally believed, according to WWE.