Smackdown – December 6, 2013
By Scott Keith on December 7, 2013
Smackdown
Date:
December 6, 2013
December 6, 2013
Location:
BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Commentators:
John Bradshaw Layfield, Michael Cole
John Bradshaw Layfield, Michael Cole
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
We’re
closing in on TLC and a lot more of the card has been set in stone.
The main stories coming out of Raw are the two handicap matches for
TLC with Punk taking on the Shield and Bryan facing the Wyatts.
Tonight it’s Punk against a member of Shield to be announced tonight.
Other than that we’re likely to get talking from Orton and/or Cena.
Let’s get to it.
closing in on TLC and a lot more of the card has been set in stone.
The main stories coming out of Raw are the two handicap matches for
TLC with Punk taking on the Shield and Bryan facing the Wyatts.
Tonight it’s Punk against a member of Shield to be announced tonight.
Other than that we’re likely to get talking from Orton and/or Cena.
Let’s get to it.
Theme
song.
song.
Here’s
Orton to open the show. He talks about becoming the champion of
champions at TLC (still sounds better than Unified Champion) and
shows us a clip from the end of Raw where Cena put him through a
table. Even though Orton has about five injuries as a result, he’ll
still prove his greatness at TLC. He may not be the most likeable of
characters but he’s never liked any of us or John Cena. Orton does
however revere Stephanie and HHH because they know what’s best for
business. Maybe he’s taken some things they’ve done for him for
granted so Orton would like to apologize.
Orton to open the show. He talks about becoming the champion of
champions at TLC (still sounds better than Unified Champion) and
shows us a clip from the end of Raw where Cena put him through a
table. Even though Orton has about five injuries as a result, he’ll
still prove his greatness at TLC. He may not be the most likeable of
characters but he’s never liked any of us or John Cena. Orton does
however revere Stephanie and HHH because they know what’s best for
business. Maybe he’s taken some things they’ve done for him for
granted so Orton would like to apologize.
Before
he can get all the way through though, here’s Daniel Bryan to point
his fingers in the air a lot. Bryan says Orton needs to apologize
for being a champion. In all of their title matches, Orton never
once legitimately beat him. Just because Bryan has been targeted by
the Wyatts, he hasn’t forgotten about Orton or what Orton did to him.
Daniel says that after TLC, he’s going to be first in line for a
title shot at the new champion. Tonight though he’s looking at the
face of the WWE and feels like putting a knee on that face. Orton
says no but Bryan appeals to the crowd for a YES chant. Randy just
stands there.
he can get all the way through though, here’s Daniel Bryan to point
his fingers in the air a lot. Bryan says Orton needs to apologize
for being a champion. In all of their title matches, Orton never
once legitimately beat him. Just because Bryan has been targeted by
the Wyatts, he hasn’t forgotten about Orton or what Orton did to him.
Daniel says that after TLC, he’s going to be first in line for a
title shot at the new champion. Tonight though he’s looking at the
face of the WWE and feels like putting a knee on that face. Orton
says no but Bryan appeals to the crowd for a YES chant. Randy just
stands there.
Big
E. Langston vs. Fandango
E. Langston vs. Fandango
Non-title
and Sandow is on commentary. Langston’s music seems to have been
remixed. The champion throws Fandango around with ease and drives
his shoulder into Fandango’s ribs. Fandango is sent to the floor but
Langston takes too much time going after him and gets clotheslined
down. Back in and Fandango puts on a front facelock but shoves
Fandango off like he’s a cruiserweight. Some clotheslines set up the
Warrior splash but Fandango comes back with a kick to the head and a
knee to the jaw for two. Langston shrugs it off and hits the Big
Ending for the pin at 2:35.
and Sandow is on commentary. Langston’s music seems to have been
remixed. The champion throws Fandango around with ease and drives
his shoulder into Fandango’s ribs. Fandango is sent to the floor but
Langston takes too much time going after him and gets clotheslined
down. Back in and Fandango puts on a front facelock but shoves
Fandango off like he’s a cruiserweight. Some clotheslines set up the
Warrior splash but Fandango comes back with a kick to the head and a
knee to the jaw for two. Langston shrugs it off and hits the Big
Ending for the pin at 2:35.
Post
match Sandow gets in the ring to point at Langston’s belt. Dang
they’re warming up for the Wrestlemania Point early this year.
match Sandow gets in the ring to point at Langston’s belt. Dang
they’re warming up for the Wrestlemania Point early this year.
We
get the opening of Smackdown from WWE 2K14 via Youtube. Riveting
stuff of course.
get the opening of Smackdown from WWE 2K14 via Youtube. Riveting
stuff of course.
Cody
Rhodes/Goldust vs. Ryback/Curtis Axel
Rhodes/Goldust vs. Ryback/Curtis Axel
Non-title.
This is fallout from Main Event where Goldust had Ryback beaten but
Curtis came in for the DQ. Cody starts with Ryback as JBL tries some
portmanteaus of Ryback and Axel’s names. Goldust quickly comes in
and gets caught in a gorilla press for two. Ryback hits a middle
rope splash and Axel drops a middle rope elbow for two as the
announcers talk about Superstar of the Year. The former Heyman Guys
take turns on Goldust until it’s off to Axel for a chinlock.
This is fallout from Main Event where Goldust had Ryback beaten but
Curtis came in for the DQ. Cody starts with Ryback as JBL tries some
portmanteaus of Ryback and Axel’s names. Goldust quickly comes in
and gets caught in a gorilla press for two. Ryback hits a middle
rope splash and Axel drops a middle rope elbow for two as the
announcers talk about Superstar of the Year. The former Heyman Guys
take turns on Goldust until it’s off to Axel for a chinlock.
Back
up and Axel misses a dropkick and walks into a powerslam to give
Goldie a breather. The not hot tag brings in Cody with a missile
dropkick and the sunset flip out of the corner for two. Cody’s
moonsault press gets two and everything breaks down. Goldust knocks
Ryback to the floor and Cody lays him out with a Disaster Kick off
the announcers’ table. Rhodes heads back inside and is immediately
rolled up by Axel for the pin at 4:24.
up and Axel misses a dropkick and walks into a powerslam to give
Goldie a breather. The not hot tag brings in Cody with a missile
dropkick and the sunset flip out of the corner for two. Cody’s
moonsault press gets two and everything breaks down. Goldust knocks
Ryback to the floor and Cody lays him out with a Disaster Kick off
the announcers’ table. Rhodes heads back inside and is immediately
rolled up by Axel for the pin at 4:24.
Rating:
D+. This didn’t have time to go
anywhere, but are we really jobbing one of the hottest acts in the
company to Axel and Ryback? I was hoping this whole “champions
lose to set up a title match” bit was taking a hiatus but
apparently WWE was just luring me into a false sense of security.
D+. This didn’t have time to go
anywhere, but are we really jobbing one of the hottest acts in the
company to Axel and Ryback? I was hoping this whole “champions
lose to set up a title match” bit was taking a hiatus but
apparently WWE was just luring me into a false sense of security.
Orton
vs. Bryan is official for later.
vs. Bryan is official for later.
Bad
News Barrett tells us that we’re all sheep who will follow each other
to the slaughter.
News Barrett tells us that we’re all sheep who will follow each other
to the slaughter.
Alberto
Del Rio vs. Kofi Kingston
Del Rio vs. Kofi Kingston
Del
Rio jumps Kingston on the floor before the bell and sends him into
the barricade. Kofi gets put in the armbreaker for some screaming as
referees try to pull Del Rio off. No match, but haven’t we seen Del
Rio destroy Kofi after a loss before?
Rio jumps Kingston on the floor before the bell and sends him into
the barricade. Kofi gets put in the armbreaker for some screaming as
referees try to pull Del Rio off. No match, but haven’t we seen Del
Rio destroy Kofi after a loss before?
We
recap Punk’s issues with Shield leading up to the handicap match at
TLC.
recap Punk’s issues with Shield leading up to the handicap match at
TLC.
Shield
promises to hurt Punk tonight but they’re going to leave him healthy
enough to make it to TLC. It’s going to be Ambrose facing Punk
tonight.
promises to hurt Punk tonight but they’re going to leave him healthy
enough to make it to TLC. It’s going to be Ambrose facing Punk
tonight.
Dean
Ambrose vs. CM Punk
Ambrose vs. CM Punk
Non-title
because the US Title is nothing but a trophy again. Rollins and
Reigns stay in the crowd to keep it one on one. Punk has bad ribs
coming into this. Cole: “Punk didn’t tape his ribs. Why put a
target on his back?” Punk grabs a headlock to start but misses the
high kick as Ambrose hangs onto the rope. Dean charges into a big
boot of all things from Punk, setting up four straight legdrops for
two for Punk.
because the US Title is nothing but a trophy again. Rollins and
Reigns stay in the crowd to keep it one on one. Punk has bad ribs
coming into this. Cole: “Punk didn’t tape his ribs. Why put a
target on his back?” Punk grabs a headlock to start but misses the
high kick as Ambrose hangs onto the rope. Dean charges into a big
boot of all things from Punk, setting up four straight legdrops for
two for Punk.
Dean
comes back with a knee to the ribs to take over and Cole completely
ignores it to read more nominees. We hit the chinlock for a bit but
Punk fights out and forearms Ambrose in the head. The GTS is
countered with another shot to the ribs but Ambrose bails to the
floor as we take a break.
comes back with a knee to the ribs to take over and Cole completely
ignores it to read more nominees. We hit the chinlock for a bit but
Punk fights out and forearms Ambrose in the head. The GTS is
countered with another shot to the ribs but Ambrose bails to the
floor as we take a break.
Back
with Dean stomping on the bad ribs like the smart heel that he is.
Dean keeps taunting Punk as he peppers him with right hands before
hooking a crossface chicken wing. Punk is down so Ambrose goes up,
only to miss a top rope elbow drop. The springboard clothesline gets
two for Punk and the running knee in the corner gets the same.
Ambrose counters the swinging neckbreaker into a backslide which sets
up a Fujiwara Armbar to stay on the arm.
with Dean stomping on the bad ribs like the smart heel that he is.
Dean keeps taunting Punk as he peppers him with right hands before
hooking a crossface chicken wing. Punk is down so Ambrose goes up,
only to miss a top rope elbow drop. The springboard clothesline gets
two for Punk and the running knee in the corner gets the same.
Ambrose counters the swinging neckbreaker into a backslide which sets
up a Fujiwara Armbar to stay on the arm.
Dean
lets it go for some reason but counters another GTS attempt into a
sleeper. Punk rolls through that into the Anaconda Vice but Dean
quickly makes a rope. The Macho Elbow is broken up with a superplex
for two and Dean goes back to the armbar. Punk gets into the ropes
as well and finally scores with the high kick for two. The GTS,
Bulldog Driver and another GTS are all countered and Punk is sent
shoulder first into the post, giving Ambrose a rollup (with a handful
of trunks) for two more. Not that it matters as another high kick
sets up the GTS for the pin at 13:00.
lets it go for some reason but counters another GTS attempt into a
sleeper. Punk rolls through that into the Anaconda Vice but Dean
quickly makes a rope. The Macho Elbow is broken up with a superplex
for two and Dean goes back to the armbar. Punk gets into the ropes
as well and finally scores with the high kick for two. The GTS,
Bulldog Driver and another GTS are all countered and Punk is sent
shoulder first into the post, giving Ambrose a rollup (with a handful
of trunks) for two more. Not that it matters as another high kick
sets up the GTS for the pin at 13:00.
Rating:
B-. Good match, annoying
booking. There are three Shield members to pick from. One is a
champion, one is the golden boy and the other is Seth Rollins. Why
in the would wasn’t this Rollins doing a job for Punk? The match
would have been entertaining and you keep the title looking strong at
the same time. It’s really not that complicated of an idea but WWE
continues to mess it up. The match was what you would expect from
Punk vs. Ambrose for 13 minutes, but why did Ambrose go after the arm
so much when Punk had bad ribs coming in?
B-. Good match, annoying
booking. There are three Shield members to pick from. One is a
champion, one is the golden boy and the other is Seth Rollins. Why
in the would wasn’t this Rollins doing a job for Punk? The match
would have been entertaining and you keep the title looking strong at
the same time. It’s really not that complicated of an idea but WWE
continues to mess it up. The match was what you would expect from
Punk vs. Ambrose for 13 minutes, but why did Ambrose go after the arm
so much when Punk had bad ribs coming in?
Renee
Young (looking stunning in a red dress) is with Rey Mysterio in the
back. She asks Rey which world title means more. Before Rey can
answer, the Real Americans (now in matching jackets with Cesaro’s
saying Toni and Swagger’s saying Big Hoss) come up and asks to see
Rey’s papers.
Young (looking stunning in a red dress) is with Rey Mysterio in the
back. She asks Rey which world title means more. Before Rey can
answer, the Real Americans (now in matching jackets with Cesaro’s
saying Toni and Swagger’s saying Big Hoss) come up and asks to see
Rey’s papers.
Colter
wants to know what’s up with Mysterio’s mask, if that’s even his real
name. Rey says he was born and raised in San Diego, California but
is Mexican in his heart. Colter thinks Rey’s title reigns should be
stricken from the record books but Rey thinks the Real Americans
should be stricken from the building. Zeb throws out a challenge for
a tag match with Rey getting a partner. Rey says si.
wants to know what’s up with Mysterio’s mask, if that’s even his real
name. Rey says he was born and raised in San Diego, California but
is Mexican in his heart. Colter thinks Rey’s title reigns should be
stricken from the record books but Rey thinks the Real Americans
should be stricken from the building. Zeb throws out a challenge for
a tag match with Rey getting a partner. Rey says si.
Natalya
vs. Tamina Snuka
vs. Tamina Snuka
AJ
is on commentary and talks about how she was the most interesting
Diva in the match just by skipping around in a circle. Tamina gets
caught by a quick clothesline for two but she easily shoves Natalya
to the floor. Nattie gets rammed ribs first into the apron a few
times before Tamina takes it back inside to crank on Natalya’s arms.
is on commentary and talks about how she was the most interesting
Diva in the match just by skipping around in a circle. Tamina gets
caught by a quick clothesline for two but she easily shoves Natalya
to the floor. Nattie gets rammed ribs first into the apron a few
times before Tamina takes it back inside to crank on Natalya’s arms.
Cole
spends the match trying to make AJ into a heel by asking why she
thinks she’s above the title which just isn’t working. Natalya gets
two off a low dropkick but Tamina kicks out of the Sharpshooter. A
Samoan drop puts Natalya down but she misses the Superfly Splash,
giving Natalya the pin at 2:59.
spends the match trying to make AJ into a heel by asking why she
thinks she’s above the title which just isn’t working. Natalya gets
two off a low dropkick but Tamina kicks out of the Sharpshooter. A
Samoan drop puts Natalya down but she misses the Superfly Splash,
giving Natalya the pin at 2:59.
Post
match Natalya yells at AJ to no effect.
match Natalya yells at AJ to no effect.
The
Funkadactyls sell stuff and annoy me by existing.
Funkadactyls sell stuff and annoy me by existing.
Real
Americans vs. Rey Mysterio/???
Americans vs. Rey Mysterio/???
The
mystery partner is Big Show, who apparently is just going to forget
about the whole Authority ruining his life thing. Big Show chops
Swagger in the corner and headbutts him down to start. Off to Rey
for a top rope hurricanrana but Swager counters the sitout bulldog
into a wheelbarrow slam in a nice move. Cesaro gets in a neck snap
across the top rope as Cole brings up Cesaro making Titus sick last
week.
mystery partner is Big Show, who apparently is just going to forget
about the whole Authority ruining his life thing. Big Show chops
Swagger in the corner and headbutts him down to start. Off to Rey
for a top rope hurricanrana but Swager counters the sitout bulldog
into a wheelbarrow slam in a nice move. Cesaro gets in a neck snap
across the top rope as Cole brings up Cesaro making Titus sick last
week.
Mysterio
fights out of the corner but Jack sends him out to the floor. Back
in and the Real Americans take turns pounding on Rey until the sitout
bulldog takes Swagger down. Double tags bring in Cesaro and Big Show
so the giant can clean house. A spear gets two on Cesaro as Swagger
makes the save, only to have Rey hit a quick 619 to Jack. Big Show
chokeslams Cesaro, setting up a Rey splash from Big Show’s shoulders
for the pin at 4:20.
fights out of the corner but Jack sends him out to the floor. Back
in and the Real Americans take turns pounding on Rey until the sitout
bulldog takes Swagger down. Double tags bring in Cesaro and Big Show
so the giant can clean house. A spear gets two on Cesaro as Swagger
makes the save, only to have Rey hit a quick 619 to Jack. Big Show
chokeslams Cesaro, setting up a Rey splash from Big Show’s shoulders
for the pin at 4:20.
Rating:
D+. Just a match here with a
very short version of the tag team formula. Big Show being in the
midcard again is a better fit for him, but I really hope this doesn’t
lead to a big man/little man tag team. The Real Americans continue
to go from hot to cold like no one else on the roster.
D+. Just a match here with a
very short version of the tag team formula. Big Show being in the
midcard again is a better fit for him, but I really hope this doesn’t
lead to a big man/little man tag team. The Real Americans continue
to go from hot to cold like no one else on the roster.
We
get a video package of various champions over the years, talking
about what being champion meant to them. It’s mainly a collection of
promos from their careers with a few guys sitting down to talk about
what the win means. Cool stuff.
get a video package of various champions over the years, talking
about what being champion meant to them. It’s mainly a collection of
promos from their careers with a few guys sitting down to talk about
what the win means. Cool stuff.
HHH’s
sitdown interview talks about how great the unification match will be
and guarantees that the King of Kings will crown the Champion of
Champions.
sitdown interview talks about how great the unification match will be
and guarantees that the King of Kings will crown the Champion of
Champions.
Bad
News Barrett has some good news for us. There will be a Champion of
Champions after TLC, but that man will have a target on his chest.
He’ll be the hunted, making him the envy of the locker room, meaning
he’s doomed.
News Barrett has some good news for us. There will be a Champion of
Champions after TLC, but that man will have a target on his chest.
He’ll be the hunted, making him the envy of the locker room, meaning
he’s doomed.
Daniel
Bryan vs. Randy Orton
Bryan vs. Randy Orton
Non-title
of course. They fight into the corner to start with neither being
able to get an advantage. Orton takes over with some right hands but
Bryan fights out of the corner with punches of his own. Daniel goes
after the arm as the announcers discuss Bryan joining the Wyatts.
Orton comes back with the backbreaker for two and a clothesline puts
Bryan down. Bryan scores with a dropkick to send Orton to the floor
but Orton moves before the FLYING GOAT can launch.
of course. They fight into the corner to start with neither being
able to get an advantage. Orton takes over with some right hands but
Bryan fights out of the corner with punches of his own. Daniel goes
after the arm as the announcers discuss Bryan joining the Wyatts.
Orton comes back with the backbreaker for two and a clothesline puts
Bryan down. Bryan scores with a dropkick to send Orton to the floor
but Orton moves before the FLYING GOAT can launch.
We
take a break and come back with Orton getting two off something we
didn’t see before putting on a chinlock. Bryan fights out and
moonsaults over Randy to set up the running clothesline. A pair of
running dropkicks in the corner set up some kicks to Orton’s chest
and a top rope hurricanrana gets two for Bryan. Daniel sends him to
the floor and now the FLYING GOAT connects.
take a break and come back with Orton getting two off something we
didn’t see before putting on a chinlock. Bryan fights out and
moonsaults over Randy to set up the running clothesline. A pair of
running dropkicks in the corner set up some kicks to Orton’s chest
and a top rope hurricanrana gets two for Bryan. Daniel sends him to
the floor and now the FLYING GOAT connects.
Back
in and the missile dropkick drops Randy again and there are the YES
kicks. The big one misses as is the new custom and Orton gets two
off a powerslam. Orton connects with the Elevated DDT but Bryan
counters the RKO into a backslide for two. Now the big kick lays out
Orton and the Swan Dive…..doesn’t launch because we’ve got Wyatts.
The distraction lets Orton hit the RKO for the pin at 8:44 shown of
12:14.
in and the missile dropkick drops Randy again and there are the YES
kicks. The big one misses as is the new custom and Orton gets two
off a powerslam. Orton connects with the Elevated DDT but Bryan
counters the RKO into a backslide for two. Now the big kick lays out
Orton and the Swan Dive…..doesn’t launch because we’ve got Wyatts.
The distraction lets Orton hit the RKO for the pin at 8:44 shown of
12:14.
Rating:
C+. Bryan continues his roll
but it’s clear his time on top is over. The ending keeps the Bryan
vs. Wyatts feud going but doesn’t do much for Daniel himself. It
does however give Bryan some more momentum going into the PPV which
is a good idea, but unfortunately it’s at Bryan’s expense.
C+. Bryan continues his roll
but it’s clear his time on top is over. The ending keeps the Bryan
vs. Wyatts feud going but doesn’t do much for Daniel himself. It
does however give Bryan some more momentum going into the PPV which
is a good idea, but unfortunately it’s at Bryan’s expense.
Post
match Bray pops up on screen and says tick tock over and over. He
doesn’t mean to keep haunting Bryan, but how many times does Bryan
have to cross a burning bridge to know he doesn’t have to fight this
battle alone? Bryan knows what they are, but at TLC he’ll learn what
he himself is. Bray laughs to end the show.
match Bray pops up on screen and says tick tock over and over. He
doesn’t mean to keep haunting Bryan, but how many times does Bryan
have to cross a burning bridge to know he doesn’t have to fight this
battle alone? Bryan knows what they are, but at TLC he’ll learn what
he himself is. Bray laughs to end the show.
Overall
Rating: C. They’re doing a
decent job of building up to TLC but not everything was clicking
tonight. Bad News Barrett is going to bomb and it’s going to bomb
badly. There’s just nothing there at the moment and the insults are
as easy as you can think of. On the other hand, the handicap matches
are going to be solid with Bryan vs. Wyatts getting more interesting
every show. The world title match is looking more and more like a
screwy finish every week, but at least we have a new buzz phrase with
Champion of Champions.
Rating: C. They’re doing a
decent job of building up to TLC but not everything was clicking
tonight. Bad News Barrett is going to bomb and it’s going to bomb
badly. There’s just nothing there at the moment and the insults are
as easy as you can think of. On the other hand, the handicap matches
are going to be solid with Bryan vs. Wyatts getting more interesting
every show. The world title match is looking more and more like a
screwy finish every week, but at least we have a new buzz phrase with
Champion of Champions.
Results
Big
E. Langston b. Fandango – Big Ending
E. Langston b. Fandango – Big Ending
Curtis
Axel/Ryback b. Cody Rhodes/Goldust – Rollup to Rhodes
Axel/Ryback b. Cody Rhodes/Goldust – Rollup to Rhodes
CM
Punk b. Dean Ambrose – GTS
Punk b. Dean Ambrose – GTS
Natalya
b. Tamina Snuka – Pin after a missed Superfly Splash
b. Tamina Snuka – Pin after a missed Superfly Splash
Big
Show/Rey Mysterio b. Real Americans – Splash to Swagger
Show/Rey Mysterio b. Real Americans – Splash to Swagger
Randy
Orton b. Daniel Bryan – RKO
Orton b. Daniel Bryan – RKO
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