WrestlingNerd Presents: WWE Smackdown Review 7/13/12 (Zackdown & WWE Money in the Bank thoughts)

What up wrestling fans, I'm the WrestlingNerd bringing you another written review. Today, we take a look at WWE Smackdown 7/13/12. With Zack Ryder as the GM, how does Friday Night Zackdown fair? Let's find out and start the review. 

Match #1: Alberto Del Rio vs Sin Cara

We open up the show with Ryder. He says all the cliche stuff, until Del Rio interrupts and calls him a stupid clown. Aw, but people love stupid clowns. That's not fair. As for the match, this wasn't too bad. I can already say that this was better than anything else on Raw this week. I know, I gotta let it go. Sin looks angry….or as angry as he can look with his mask. Then again, he can be smiling away and you wouldn't be able to tell. Booker T mentioned that Sin was getting caught up in the lights. Well, would that have anything to do with the blue and gold lights? You know you're making Sin Cara a gimmick  wrestler when you keep doing the gimmick lights. I really would like to see them do something with Sin, but I'm convinced they will send him out there for highflying spots. Sin hits La Mistica, but Del Rio kicked out. The finish comes when Sin misses a Senton Bomb, which allows Del Rio to apply the Cross Armbreaker. The booking made since, considering that Del Rio needs to look strong going into the WHC match. As for Sin……I think Angel Grove can use you. 

Winner via submission: Alberto Del Rio

Match #2: Darren Young vs Primo

Millions of dollars, millions of dollars!!! I don't know why, but that's really amusing for some reason. AW continues to shout random words during these matches. At least they are continuing the storyline that was established a few weeks ago. I was starting to think that they completely forgot about this. This was a fair match to watch, but nothing special. The finish comes when Primo gets a rollup on Darren for the victory. I guess they want to continue this mini-rivalry between the PTP and Primo and Epico. There's nothing wrong with that. I guess the PTP got an extension for that future Tag Team title shot? Eh, who cares? 

Winner via pinfall: Primo

Match #3: Christian and Santino vs Dolph Ziggler and Cody Rhodes

I like how Ryder was showing up in a few of the backstage scenes in the first hour of the show, but becomes a ghost in the second half. I guess that's what happens when you're a stupid clown. This was a fair match. I thought the first hour of this show featured some decent action. The finish comes when Dolph hits the Zig Zag on Santino for the victory. This could be some slight foreshadowing for the WHC MITB ladder match. I'm looking forward to seeing this match. They got some good talent involved in this match (For the most part) and it looks fairly wide open in who can win the match. Should be fun to check out. 

Winner via pinfall: Dolph Ziggler and Cody Rhodes

Match #4: Big Show vs Khali

We got your giants, we got your super active audience and your five-star…

Yeah, I can't even do that with a straight face. Show wins with the KO punch. 

Winner via pinfall: Big Show

Match #5: Ryback vs Tyler Reks

HOLY CRAP!!! A Ryback match were the opponent actually does damage? What the f***? Despite the slight tweak for Ryback this week, it pretty much ends the same way as before. How many times can you show the same Ryback squash match? I like Ryback, but how about giving him a storyline? How about a motive? How about a championship? How about ANYTHING? We get it, WWE. The man is a freak of nature, but stop taunting me!!! DO SOMETHING!!! 

…..Okay, I think I'm good. 

Winner via pinfall: Ryback

Match #6: Damien Sandow vs Justin Gabriel

Oh, Jesus Christ. This is another guy who needs a program. I like his character and attitude, but when will he get a true rival? They were going with Ryder for a moment, but I have no idea if that's already over or they have nixed the idea. And what's up with Gabriel's hair? Did he just walk out of bed five minutes ago? Straight Jacket Neckbreaker for the victory. 

Winner via pinfall: Damien Sandow

Match #7: Sheamus vs Chris Jericho

This was a pretty good match. Lots of back and forth action between Sheamus and Jericho. Yeah, I really enjoyed this. The finish comes when Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick for the victory. After the match, Del Rio's car arrives. Sheamus begins to examine the car, but Del Rio attacks him from behind. OH MY GOD, A MAGIC CAR!!! Del Rio locks in the Cross Armbreaker to stand tall. The show ends with Del Rio looking like he's gonna win the WHC this Sunday. It was a decent way to end the show. They want to establish that Del Rio has a strong chance of taking the championship this Sunday, so it makes sense to make him stand tall as we go into the PPV. I still think Sheamus will retain the championship, but at least they are making the #1 Contender look good going into this match. 

Winner via pinfall: Sheamus

Overall Impression:

Tonight's edition of SD….or Zackdown (UGH!!!), wasn't too bad. I felt the action was good for most of the evening and they mentioned all the matches for the upcoming PPV. Still find it hard to believe that they only have 4 matches for this PPV (Five, if you count the pre-show). The ladder matches can eat up a decent amount of time, but I thought they would add a couple of other matches to the card, like a diva championship match or something. Then again, it isn't really important. Lately, WWE has been putting PPV matches at the last moment. I don't mind it, but it can be a little annoying to find out who else will be showing up at the PPV. Regardless, you might get an enjoyment out of tonight's show. It can be looked as a filler/average show, but I will take it after what Monday Night gave me. Since people really like these, I will now do WWE Money in the Bank predications. As I've stated many times in the past, I could care less if I get my picks right or wrong, but people seem to enjoy them so……here we go. 

Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs Hunico and Camacho: This qualifies for a pre-show? This is like something you would see on Superstars. Then again, we really shouldn't expect anything major with a pre-show match. I got the champs winning this match. 

WHC MITB ladder match: Really looking forward to this match. At the moment, I would say the main favorites are Dolph and Cody. I think Santino is there for fans (I know the internet dislikes him, but casual fans love him), while Christian, Tyson Kidd, and Sin Cara will add the high spots. Damien is there to hopefully make a name for himself, while Tensai is there for……Sakamoto's paycheck? Anyway, I've had Dolph winning this match since he was put into the match. Out of everyone involved, he's the hungriest to win this match. Hey, at least he will finally have something to show off if he wins. 

WWE MITB ladder match: And we go from one amazing MITB match to a pretty disappointing one. I really haven't liked how WWE has handled this match. Only four people? There's always the possibility of adding others at the PPV, but why didn't they name other people during that buildup? I know John Cena is the face of the company, but do we really need this much Cena cock on a weekly basis? In fact, I would like to see anyone besides Cena win this match. At least it shows they are thinking outside the box. With that said, I sadly have to pick Cena to win this match. This is definitely one of those picks I hope to get wrong. 

Sheamus vs Alberto Del Rio; WHC match: They are definitely trying to make Del Rio look like a strong contender in this match. Despite this, I expect Sheamus to retain again. It really says something when I would welcome a Del Rio title reign as opposed to Sheamus' current reign. I like Sheamus, but this hasn't been a great world title run. Something's missing with this title reign. 

CM Punk vs Daniel Bryan; WWE Championship: Oh, what will crrrrrraaaaaaazy AJ do this time? I can see a title change at this PPV, but I can also see Punk retaining the championship. I think for the time being, I'm going with Punk to retain the title. Then again, with two MITB briefcases to hand out, it's possible for neither of them to walk out with the title. The same goes for Sheamus and Del Rio. I think Punk will retain the championship. What would that do for AJ? I have no idea.

Yeah, I'm a little lazy with these picks. I just want to wrap this up. This can be a decent PPV, but it can also bomb. I think it's because the WWE is putting more investment in the 1000th episode. I do hope they put time and energy into this PPV. Bad things happen when you put all your eggs in one basket, so I hope somebody realizes this. That's gonna do it for the review and I hope you enjoyed it. As always, tell me what you thought of my review or tonight's show. I will see you guys and girls on the next WrestlingNerd show. See you next time.