Hello readers, I’m Sunny K and welcome to the Smackdown recap of 12/03/2010. I can’t give a quick rundown of what happened last week on Smackdown because I didn’t see it. Sorry. Now, onto the show.
The question of “What will the stipulation at TLC be for the Edge/Kane match?” is the main focus of the opening video. As usual, top notch production. I still don’t care about the actual feud though.
Rey makes his entrance to kick off the show. He gets in the ring, which is completely surrounded by TLC’s and brings up Sheamus winning the KOTR. He says he would’ve loved to win the tournament but he didn’t get the opportunity thanks to Alberto Del Rio. They show clips ADR costing Rey his KOTR qualifying match. He says it doesn’t matter though, because he took care of business. He sure did. They show a clip of Rey costing ADR his match in the KOTR semifinal match against Morrison. Mysterio says being a king is about being a fearless leader and climbing so high that you aint afraid to fall. He said that he sees that ADR likes to ride around in fancy cars, but he prefers to fly. Cue ADR’s music. He rolls in in a Rolls Royce. Weird sentence there. Read it again. Del Rio pays a security guard to watch his car. It’s rented, don’t worry Alberto. Just pay the extra few bucks for insurance next time. ADR tells Rey that he’s not on the same level he is. He brings up the last time Rey was around chairs and ADR, he ended up injured in the hospital. Rey says he’s been injured by people who are twice the man ADR is. Rey says he’s 100 % and since they’re both out there, maybe they should take care of business right now. Crowd pops. ADR declines, calls him an ambitious Chihuahua and says it’s not happening. Rey stops him mid sentence and starts speaking Spanish. I hate when wrestlers do that. Sorry, superstars. Rey says he spoke to Teddy Long and at TLC it’s ADR vs. Mysterio 1 on 1. Del Rio says he has no reason to fight him, because he’s already beaten him. Rey knocks ADR off the ladder, but Del Rio remains on his feet and pushes Rey off the ladder. He stomps on Mysterio a bit but Rey gets up, fights back and hurricanas him over the top rope and ADR lands on a table. Rey jumps off the apron and legdrops ADR’s through the table as we go to commercial break. Good segment that hypes the match that will probably steal the show at TLC.
Dolph and Vickie are walking around backstage. Vickie says she’s happy NXT is over because that means Kaitlyn’s gone. They bump into Kaitlyn backstage and she tells them she’s Smackdown’s newest diva. Vickie gets pissed off and leaves. Dolph tries to hang around and talk to Kaitlyn but Vickie yells at him and drags him away. What a c-block.
Kaval and MVP vs. Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre
This is MVP’s last match as he recently was released from his contract. I don’t know how I feel about him leaving. He’s been complaining for a long time now and admitted that he personally asked for his release a la Matt Hardy. Drew and MVP start things out and MVP gains control and hits a kneedrop. He tags in Kaval and they double team Drew a bit. Cover by Kaval gets two. Kaval hits a hard kick to the face. He tags out to MVP. MVP hits a dropkick on a seated Drew. Drew hits MVP with a kick to the gut as MVP tries bouncing off the turnbuckle. Drew tags Ziggler in but he’s quick to get his ass kicked by MVP. He throws Dolph to the outside. Drew and Dolph are standing around outside while MVP tags in Kaval. Kaval dives over the top rope onto both of them. He knocks them both down as we go to commercial break.
Commercial
We come back from commercial and Dolph is working over MVP. MVP makes a comeback by hitting a few clotheslines and a flapjack type of maneuver. He hits the ballin’ elbow but can’t go for the cover because Drew distracts the ref. Dolph clips MVP’s knee and tags out to Drew. Drew comes in and immediately goes after MVP’s knee. He hits a knee to the face and tags Ziggler back in. Ziggler gets a two count and goes right after the knee. He grapevine’s the leg and tags out to Drew. McIntyre comes in and continues working the softened up knee. Tag out to Ziggler. MVP finally gets the tag to Kaval as he goes nuts on Ziggler. A couple of kicks to the face and then a flying kick off the top rope. Kaval covers but only gets two as Drew interrupts the count. MVP knocks Drew out of the ring as Ziggler goes for a sleeper. Kaval fights out. Dolph goes for a vertical suplex but Kaval beautifully floats over and hooks in a dragon sleeper! Vickie interferes as Kaval lets go of the hold. Ziggler hits a quick zig zag and gets the three count. Post match, Kane comes out and chokeslams MVP and Kaval.
Analysis: ** It was okay. They followed the tag team match formula to a tee. The suplex reversal into that dragon sleeper was sweet. I wish MVP luck. I personally think he should’ve stuck around. He was doing pretty well as a babyface. TNA will probably offer him a deal somewhere down the line. That’s where most of Vince’s ex employees end up anyway. Modern day WCW.
Kane gets on the mic and demands that Edge hand his father back to him. Edge shows up on the big screen and says Kane, you have a point and Paul probably wants to go home too. He tells Kane that he’s not going to play anymore games and that if he wants Paul Bearer, he’s in the loading alley.
Video package recapping the happenings surrounding John Cena’s impromptu return in order to destroy Nexus is shown
Kane is walking around backstage now looking for Paul Bearer. He spots Edge pushing Paul’s wheelchair in the distance and starts running towards them. Too slow though, as they’ve gotten away. Kane continues looking and spots the wheelchair once again. He sees the wheelchair parked behind an open truck as a large piece of equipment FALLS ON PAUL BEARER!! Kane runs up and realizes that it’s not Paul. Nope, just a dummy. Kane looks relieved as Edge pushes Paul’s wheelchair around in the distance as Paul continues to scream out. This was hilarious. You could hear the crowd actually laughing, which doesn’t happen very often anymore.
# 1 Contender for IC Title
Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger
They lockup and Jack takes him down to start. Another lockup, but this time Kofi’s not going down so easily. Kofi hits a codebreaker type move but Jack quickly gets back on his feet. They lock up again. Go behind by Swagger is reversed by Kofi. Swagger goes for an ankle lock but Kofi doesn’t let him slap it on as he kicks him away. Too early for that. Both men are up again. Striker is making comparisons between Swagger and Sheamus on commentary. I don’t see any similarities other than the fact that their both really tall. Sheamus is brute strength and Swagger is finesse. As smart as Striker is sometimes, some of those lines that Vince feeds him are very stupid. Anyway, back to the match. Both men are up again. This time Jack doesn’t go for another lock up. He goes straight in and begins pounding on Kofi’s back, grabs his hair and throws him down. He chokes him with his boot in the corner. Kofi, back on his feet now gets some kicks in. He runs the ropes and hits a dropkick. Are those boos I hear for Kofi? Swagger, back on his feet now takes a few punches. Kofi goes up top but gets thrown off HARD by Swagger. A cover by Swagger gets two as Kingston gets a foot on the rope. Grisham sends us to commercial.
Commercial
We come back from the break and Swagger has Kofi locked into a submission. He tries to keep him grounded but Kofi fights his way to his feet. Kofi hits the ropes in hopes of hitting an aerial move, but Swagger clips his knee. Goodbye comeback. Swagger, still in firm control of the match now takes Kofi to the corner and chokes him a bit. He hits a few forearm shots to the back and chokes Kofi over the bottom rope. Another pinfall attempt by Swagger gets two. Swagger with an armbar now. Kofi, on his feet while still locked in an armbar, hits a few punches and fights out. Kofi hits the ropes but Swagger catches him quickly and locks him in an abdominal stretch. Kofi Kingston’s comeback attempts keep getting thwarted. Jack releases the hold and starts pounding on Kofi’s back some more. Jack ends up outside and tries pulling Kofi out by the ankle. Kofi fights out and jumps on Swagger to the outside. He does an awesome spot where he jumps over the ringsteps whilst holding Swagger and smashing his head into the steps. Kofi then jumps back over the steps and hits a flying forearm on Swagger. Really good spots there. The ref is counting now. Kingston in at 8. Swagger at 9. That was close. Both back in now, Kingston with punches and a dropkick. Swagger tries to make a comeback but Kofi hits the SOS. That gets a two count. Both men back on their feet now. Swagger whips Kofi into the ropes and attempts a gutwrench powerbomb but Kofi keeps trying to flip out of it. Swagger keeps Kingston’s hips locked but Kofi finally flips out, gets on his feet but runs into a huge boot. Pinfall attempt by Jack gets another long two count. Swagger, frustrated now throws Kofi by his hair about halfway across the ring and runs towards him. Kofi trips him and Swagger eats turnbuckle. Kofi jumps on Swagger in the corner, hits 3 punches and Swagger tries to powerbomb him off. Kofi avoids it and lands on his feet. Jack goes after him but gets draped over the top rope. Kofi goes up top and hits a beautiful crossbody that gets a close two count. The commentators sound like they are genuinely loving this. Kofi goes for trouble in paradise but Swagger ducks it. He tries it again but this time Swagger grabs his leg and tries to lock in an ankle lock. Kofi fights out and jumps to the outside the ring as Swagger grows more frustrated. He’s tried to lock it in about four times now and still can’t get it, can you blame him? Swagger reaches over to grab Kofi but gets hit with trouble in paradise. Kofi covers him for three after over 15 minutes. What a match.
Analysis: ***1/2 Loved this match. So did the crowd. Swagger showed some great intensity here much like he did at the Survivor Series. He’s really come into his own as of late. The more I watch him, the more he reminds me of Kurt Angle. Absolutely loved the frustration he showed when Kofi repeatedly broke free from his ankle lock attempts. Kingston was good here as well, although it was Jack Swagger who really impressed. The outcome makes sense. Swagger doesn’t need an IC title match. It would do nothing for him at this point. He needs to move up the card and get himself into the main event scene. So is it Kingston vs. Ziggler at TLC? Meh. It’s not fresh, but as a ladder match it would be really good.
More Kane/Edge/Bearer stuff. Paul Bearer “falls down” arena steps in the lobby. Kane runs to check up on him but realizes that again, it’s a dummy. Kane looks pissed. Edge and Bearer at the top of the steps as Bearer screams out for Kane. And they roll out.
Commercial
Chris Masters vs. Cody Rhodes
Layla’s boyfriend starts out with a flurry of punches. Masters throws him in the corner and winds up to punch him. Cody protects his face and tries to exit the ring but gets caught in a masterlock. The ref breaks it and Cody drapes Masters over the top rope to take control of the match. He hits a Russian leg sweep and covers for two. Cody throws a punch, a kick and slaps on an arm wringer. Masters tries to fight out but gets taken right down and hooked in wristlock. Masters uses his strength and fights out. He slams Cody and then chops him. Isn’t that banned? That got some “woo’s”. Masters bounces Rhodes off the ropes and hits a back bodydrop. He takes him to the corner and chops him again (wtf). He whips him into the opposite turnbuckle but Cody reverses it and hits a beautiful disaster, followed up by the Cross Rhodes. Rhodes covers and gets three.
Analysis * Just a quick TV match. It went about 3 minutes. Nothing really noteworthy aside from the fact that Chris Masters chopped Rhodes twice. I thought they weren’t allowed to do that in WWE anymore.
Video package highlighting the Kane/Edge feud. This kidnapping angle is really silly albeit being pretty funny at times. The Rated R superstar has officially gone PG.
Rosa Mendes vs. Layla
Rosa is hot. That theme music needs to go though. Could it be more stereotypical? Laycool mock Rosa during their entrance. Layla dances around mocking Rosa to start but Rosa kicks her in the ass. Layla punches her but eats a couple of slaps. Michelle gets on the apron and Rosa throws Layla right into her. Layla quickly regains control, however as she hits the Lay-up.
Analysis: NR. Short and to the point. Layla goes over. Rosa is jobber woman.
Post match Hornswoggle jumps in the ring but gets mocked by Laycool. Beth Phoenix comes out and beats up Laycool as Hornswoggle applauds. Swagger’s Soaring Eagle comes out next! He dances around and slaps Hornswoggle. He signals that he wants to fight and boots Hornswoggle in the face. The eagle starts dancing again but turns right around into a Glam Slam. Horny gets up and hits a tadpole splash. Beth and Horny celebrate. Poor bird. What a fail of a segment.
Highlights of The Miz/Lawler match from Raw are shown. I liked the match. It was actually surprisingly good.
Edge vs. Kane
Before Kane’s entrance, Cole says that he will address his actions from Raw on Monday night. A huge “Cole sucks” chant starts up. Michael Cole: Epic heel. Anyway, the winner of the Kane/Edge match will decide the stipulation they will wrestle under at TLC. Kind of stupid, no? It’s TLC! It’s either going to be a tables match, a ladder match, a chairs match, or a FREAKING TLC MATCH! I wonder which one the crowd will pop more for. The match starts and Edge starts out on fire, going right after Kane. They end up outside and Kane slams Edge’s back into the ring apron. Kane throws Edge back in and hits a few punches, walks away, comes back and hits more punches. He throws Edge to the opposite turnbuckle and runs into and elbow. Kane goes for a boot but Edge ducks it and knocks him down. Edge stomps on him a bit as both men go outside. Edge runs at Kane but eats a throat thrust. Kane tosses Edge back in and covers for two. Kane kicks Edge and then drops a couple of elbows. Kane runs the ropes and hits an elbow drop. Kane drapes Edge’s head over the ropes and chokes him with his boot. Headlock/armbar combination by Kane now. Edge tries to fight out with punches but gets thrwated. Kane whips Edge into the ropes and Edge ends up tossing Kane out. Kane gets on the ring apron but Edge hits a Spear through the ropes as Kane ends up back outside as we go to commercial.
Commercial
Back from commercial now and both guys are standing on the top turnbuckle. Edge knocks Kane off and tries to jump on but gets struck with a right hand on the way down. Kane locks in a headlock/armbar move again. It looks kind of like a chickenwing but it’s not. Edge fights out with punches, runs the ropes and hits a flying forearm. Edge tries to go for it again but gets tossed to the outside. Kane goes out after him and scoops him up, but Edge floats over and pushes Kane into the steps. Edge throws Kane back in but Kane grabs Edge by the throat before he can get back in. Edge goes up top and hits a forearm on the way down. That gets a two count. Edge whips Kane off the ropes but Kane reverses. Neckbreaker by Edge and he goes for a cover but only gets two. Kane tries to pick up Edge for a tombstone, but Edge floats over and hits a reverse DDT (Killswitch I think?) like move. He covers for two. Both men up now and Kane hits a sidewalk slam. Kane goes up and nails Edge on the way down. He goes for a chokeslam, but Edge slides out and hits a DDT. Edge covers for a close two count. Edge waits for Kane to get up as he looks like he’s getting into spear position. Kane gets up and clotheslines him. Paul Bearer shows up on the tron screaming for Kane to come and get him and that he can’t take it anymore. Kane exist the ring as the ref begins to count. He gets to a count of 9 before Kane gets back in the ring and immediately eats a huge spear. Edge covers and gets three! Edge wins.
Analysis: ** Well, it was better than their outing at Survivor Series. But it still wasn’t very good. It went about 13 minutes but it felt a lot longer than that. At least they’ll have a stipulation to work under at TLC. Speaking of that…
Post match, Edge gets on the mic and says that at TLC their match will be…A TLC MATCH! Kane looks pissed. Why? Would a simple ladder match suit his style better? Edge leaves and tells Kane that he’ll give Paul Bearer back now. He leaves a wheelchair on the ramp with a fat guy sitting in it. Kane runs up with a huge smile on his face until he realizes that the fat guy in the chair isn’t Paul so he proceeds to beat the shit out of him. The real Paul Bearer shows up on the tron with his wheelchair sitting on the back of a truck. Kane goes backstage and finds him but Edge drives the truck away as Smackdown goes off the air.
Wrapping Up
This was a one match show. Kingston vs. Swagger was great but there wasn’t much else here in terms of actual wrestling. Smackdown is typically better than Raw but this week was an exception. Raw did get to play host to the King of the Ring, so I guess it’s not that big of a surprise. I did enjoy the show though. The ADR/Rey segment to open the show was good and I actually did laugh a little bit during all the Edge/Kane stuff. If you didn’t see it, check out the Swagger/Kingston match.
But enough about that hypocrite, I’m home after a great but hard working tour and got to catch up on my DVR’s.”
