WWE SmackDown Recap (Video): World Title Contender, Ziggler's Briefcase, Tag-Team Division
Welcome to the WrestlingInc.com WWE SmackDown Recap.
-Tonight, the World Title controversy from SummerSlam will be addressed by Booker T.
-RAW video of Orton's win over Del Rio
Randy Orton's music hits and he comes to the ring. He says he thrives on confrontation. He doesn't care what Del Rio thinks but he deserves to face the World Champion. He invites whoever has a problem with that to come to the ring and confront him.
Sheamus comes to the ring. He says he's not out here to disagree with him. He says Del Rio had his chance. Sheamus wants Orton at the front of the line.
Booker T's music hits and he also comes to the ring. Booker says Orton always deserves to be in the title picture but he wants to talk about Monday.
Del Rio interrupts in Spanish as he walks down the ramp with Ricardo. He says the title is his. Del Rio calls Sheamus a criminal and Orton an animal. He interrupts Booker and says the ref cheated him out of the World Title. He says it's a conspiracy and Booker is also a criminal and everyone, including the fans, is against him. He keeps cutting Booker off and not letting him explain his plans.
Booker finally interjects and tells Orton that he is always in the title picture but the man that was in-line next was Del Rio. Del Rio is pleased. Booker says that was until Del Rio came out here running his mouth, so he changed his mind. He books a rematch between Orton and Del Rio, and the winner is officially the #1 contender.
-Cole says Josh Matthews is still recovering from his injuries from Kane.
-video of Kane throwing Matthews & Tweet from Matthews
(Commercial)
Ryback vs. Jinder Mahal
Teddy Long has joined commentary. He says that there will be a guest commentator for each match tonight and Cole needs all the help he can get.
Ryback has a mic and says Mahal is about to find his place in the food chain. He chants with the fans and Ryback makes his entrance.
-video of their confrontation from Monday
Ryback throws Mahal and hits some ground-and-pound. Mahal gets-in some offense. He hits knees to Ryback and finally drops him. More knees and he goes to cover but Ryback kicks out before 1.
Cole and Long ignore the match and argue about Booker's administration and what happened to Josh. Ryback catches Mahal's foot from a seated position and gets up to hit a high back bodydrop. Ryback hits shoulders in the corner and hits a spinning powerslam. Ryback hits a clothesline and lifts Mahal on his shoulders for his Samoan Drop finisher for the win.
Winner by pin: Ryback
(Commercial)
-video of Kaitlyn's #1 contender's win from Monday
-Kaitlyn is on commentary and Cole is super-happy. She says she is so happy with her win that she could almost hug Cole. She doesn't.
Alicia Fox vs. Layla
Fox hits some crisp take-downs. Layla springs off the corner with a crossbody and gets 2. Fox leapfrogs and hits a dropkick for 2. Fox kicks Layla's leg out from under her in the corner and applies and half Boston Crab on the braced bad knee. Layla rolls her up for 2. Layla hits a kick to the head for the win.
Winner by pin: Layla
Kaitlyn gets in the ring and offers her hand, Layla shakes it, then they hug. Eve comes out, all smiles, and raises both women's hands as if she just wanted to be out there for attention.
(Commercial)
-RAW Rebound: Punk/Lawler
Ziggler and Vickie talk backstage and Vickie says she will take care of AJ. Sheamus comes up and says there is no time like the present. He says he hasn't competed since Sunday and is itching for a fight. He suggests that if Ziggler is as good as he says he is, then he should cash-in briefcase tonight. Ziggler says he'll do it on his terms and when he does, Sheamus won't see it coming. Teddy Long interrupts and says that he will advise Booker to make that match tonight but it won't be a title match and if Ziggler is that good, maybe he will get the opportunity to cash it in, and maybe not. Ziggler agrees and leaves. Sheamus thanks Teddy and says the first pint's on him.
(Commercial)
Sin Cara vs. Heath Slater.
Cody Rhodes is on commentary. He says he is not obsessed with removing Sin Cara's mask. It's about exposing a false idol. Heath Slater takes control in the ring. Sin Cara works up and hits a springboard reverse elbow. Sin Cara connects with his spinning armdrag off the corner and Slater falls outside. Sin Cara hits an over-the-top corkscrew plancha.
Slater rams him into the apron and sends him in the ring. Rhodes tries to de-mask Sin Cara on the apron behind the ref's back and gets it turned all the way around to where he can't see. Slater hits a reverse DDT for the win.
Winner by pin: Heath Slater
Cody Rhodes attacks Sin Cara in the ring and tries to remove the mask but ref's come out and stop pull him off. (Cody displays excellent facial expressions here.)
(Commercial)
Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus
Sheamus makes Ziggler escape to regroup. Sheamus takes control in the ring. Vickie is on commentary. Ziggler takes the advantage on the apron, he hits a DDT.
Sheamus picks up the pace and hits a knee then does his forearm spot. Sheamus hits White Noise but Ziggler ducks the Kick and calls for Vickie. She gives him the briefcase and he clocks Sheamus with it. The ref calls for the bell. Ziggler clocks him again then stares at the case and hands it to the ref. Sheamus gets up in the corner and before the ref can get the bell rung, Ziggler takes the case back and high-tails it.
Winner by disqualification: Sheamus
(Commercial)
-Wade Barrett vignette
-video of Antonio Cesaro's U.S. Title win from Sunday
Santino is in the ring and says he was the U.S. Champ for 166 days, 14 hours, 33 minutes, and 22 seconds, give or take. He feels less like an American. People have been asking him if the Cobra and Santino will ever again be on the same page. He pulls out his Cobra and says, "let's find out."
He conducts and interview with his sock. He tells it that it cost him the title by being distracted by Aksana. The Cobra is sad so he consoles it. Santino quotes DeNiro from Meet the Parents and says he has nipples, then says that was the wrong quote and quotes Stallone from Rocky IV and says we all can change. The Cobra gets pepped up and Santino says they will once again be the champion.
Cesaro and Aksana interrupt on the stage with new music. Cesaro says "winner" in five languages. They kiss. Cesaro says he personifies being a winner, unlike Santino. Santino meets him on the stage and takes him out. Santino resumes the comedy shtick where the Cobra is smitten with Aksana, this allows Cesaro to take advantage and take out Santino. Cole says he better "get that snake under control." (Touché)
-Del Rio scolds Ricardo in the background, backstage.
(Commercial)
Titus and Darren are on commentary. Rosa tells them to be quite from the ring.
R-Truth & Kofi Kingston vs. Epico & Primo
Kofi and Epico have a very nice exchange in the ring. Cole imitates Titus' bark and Titus says, "Tell me he didn't just do that!" in his best Booker impression. Kofi makes the tag to Truth. Truth speeds things up and hits the Complete Shot on Primo for the quick win.
Winners by pin: R-Truth and Kofi
-The Day trailer
Truth and Kofi give an interview backstage. They are interrupted by Titus and Darren who says they are taking the titles. Uso's and Primo & Epico show up and they all want title shots. So do Kidd & Gabriel. A brawl ensues.
(Commercial)
Booker and Teddy talk about the Tag-team division. Eve shows up with a list of win/loss records from the past six months with suggestions on who deserves a title shot. She even fixed Booker's schedule and appointments. Booker is somewhat surprised and glances at Teddy. He leaves. Eve says she didn't even notice Teddy there.
(Commercial)
#1 Contender's Match: Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio
Sheamus is on commentary. Orton takes control. Del Rio hits a kick to the face and starts to set up Orton's arm for his finisher. Orton hits a swinging neckbreaker. Del Rio rolls out and Sheamus stands up at the booth.
(Commercial)
Del Rio is back in control in the ring. Orton regains momentum and attempts his ropes-DDT but Del Rio pulls his arm and drops it across the ropes as he jumps to the floor. Back in the ring, Del Rio continues to soften-up the arm. Orton hits a dropkick as Del Rio flies off the corner, in mid-air. Orton hits his ropes-DDT and coils-up. Del Rio hangs-on to the ropes to avoid the RKO. Del Rio applies the Cross Armbreaker and Orton taps.
Winner by submission and NEW #1 Contender: Alberto Del Rio
Sheamus gets up at the announce booth. Del Rio pushes Ricardo down in the ring and takes on shoe off and throws it at Sheamus. Sheamus gets in the ring and they square off. Ricardo distracts Sheamus and Del Rio hits a big kick to the head and the other shoe to Sheamus and exits the ring.
Ziggler's music hits and he slides into the ring with his briefcase. He tells a ref to get in the ring and Orton hits the RKO from behind.