What up wrestling fans, I'm the WrestlingNerd bringing you another written review. Today, we take a look at WWE Smackdown 12/28/12. How does the final SD of 2012 fair? Let's find out and begin.
We open up the show with Sheamus and Big Show. Sheamus wants another shot at the world title, but Show claims he has nothing more to prove to Sheamus after all these months. After all, the only singles match that Sheamus has defeated Show was the Christmas episode that nobody watched. Booker T is about to give Sheamus a title match, but after Show trashes the SD locker room, Booker gets another idea. He brings out this tumbler to determine who gets a world title shot tonight. And it turns out to be Rocky Balboa from Philadelphia, Penn---Oh wait, wrong channel. For some damn reason, Santino gets the title match. Why? Because we need more comedy on this holiday week. I might as well bring up the fact that Santino didn't end up competing since he injured himself trying to learn the Brogue Kick. As stupid as that sounds, Santino falling to the ground from injuring himself was pretty funny. That's why I can't really throw a fit about this. Don't worry, I'm sure somebody within the IWC can do the bitching for your leisure. As the night continues, we'll find out who gets the title match. Considering who gets the title match, it makes you wonder why the tumbler and/or Santino was used in the beginning. It almost looks like the show was written during the actual taping. That's not a good sign, but let's check out the other things that happened this evening.
Match #1: Brodus Clay vs Primo
Okay, so what we have here is a dinosaur fighting some guy. Things are going about….there's a headbutt…..splash…..match ends…..ladies do a suplex, baby……everybody looks pissed. Or maybe they're happy. I don't think it matters anymore. Am I drunk? I don't even know anymore.
Winner via who gives a crap: Brodus Clay
Match #2: Team Hell No and Kofi Kingston vs Rhodes Scholars and Wade Barrett
We're back to stuff that actually matters. This match wasn't too bad. It was given a fair amount of time and flowed together rather well. It also progressed the two storylines in this match. I may not care for the Wade/Kofi deal, but at least they're trying….to some extent. The finish comes when Wade hits Kofi with the Bull Hammer.
Winner via pinfall: Wade Barrett and Rhodes Scholars
Since Santino performed his comedy quota for the evening, Ricardo Rodriguez has won the honors of getting the title match. Before Ricardo can think of something funny to say, he gets punched in the face by Show. I love Booker's response to all of this. This is ridiculous, Big Show. You're damn right this is ridiculous. Alberto Del Rio arrives late since he had to pay all the medical bills for Santa Claus. Apparently, Del Rio is pissed off that Show attacked his friend and wants to avenge him. This blows my mind on all levels. I guess Del Rio's actions at TLC meant he was gonna turn face. You can also argue how this contradicts things that happened on Raw this past week, but I like to think that the Christmas Raw was taken place in its own universe and doesn't count. In other words, we never talk about that. IT NEVER HAPPENED!!! While it makes changes to the Del Rio character, the idea of Del Rio getting thrown in the world title picture convinces me that the writers are still very high on him. Seriously, nobody has gotten more special treatment than Del Rio. Yep, even more than John Cena if you can believe that.
Match #3: Antonio Cesaro vs Zack Ryder
Antonio wins with the Neutralizer. Apparently, Antonio is gonna put the title on the line against Khali on Main Event next week. As long as this isn't a long term feud, I'm fine with the match. Don't really see why people are making a big deal out of this. Seriously, calm down.
Winner via pinfall: Antonio Cesaro
Match #4: Miz vs Dolph Ziggler
Since I didn't review last week's SD, I have some catching up to do. Apparently, Dolph and AJ are now a couple, Big E Langston is AJ and Dolph's personal bitch, and the reason this match is taking place is because Miz poked fun of AJ last week. Well, the first thing I should do is give my thoughts on the matter. I personally don't mind Big E being a bodyguard for Dolph and AJ, but my issue with this whole thing is Dolph and AJ being together. Simply put, why? Why did they do this? It makes no sense with all the previous storylines. Wasn't AJ the girl who forced Dolph to put up his MITB against Chris Jericho? What about all the stuff Dolph told AJ? It makes absolutely no sense and you're lying out of your ass if you're trying to justify this. I know a lot of people were hoping for Dolph/AJ, but I personally wasn't hoping for this. For me, I think it would've been better if Dolph started to fly on his own. At the same time, it opens up a ton of possibilities for Dolph to not only cash in the MITB, but to make his championship a longterm run. There's good and bad elements for this whole thing, but I still don't like Dolph and AJ as an on-screen couple. Thank to Big E, Dolph is able to hit the Zig Zag for the victory. After the match, Miz basically calls AJ a whore and Dolph takes offense to that. Miz is able to keep the fight going, but Big E takes him out. I think it's actually appropriate for AJ to be given that title. Kinda hard to not look at it like that since AJ has made out with half the WWE roster.
Winner via pinfall: Dolph Ziggler
Match #5: Brad Maddox vs Sheamus
Since the Shield have to service the injustice of not getting a Christmas present, they aren't here to help Maddox this time. Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick and Maddox has to find another way to make it in the WWE. Check in for Raw this week when he makes his debut as the T-shirt vendor.
Winner via pinfall: Sheamus
Match #6: Uso vs Prime Time Players
Since the WWE has been trying to give the Usos something, they scored a rollup victory on the PTP. I think we may slowly seeing the progression of the Usos climb towards tag gold. The match is short and unmemorable.
Winner via pinfall: Usos
Match #7: Big Show vs Alberto Del Rio; WHC
One of my favorite fan reactions of all time is seeing the audience cheer for a guy they couldn't stand five minutes ago. Best example of wrestling logic ever!!! Show walks out on the match and Sheamus immediately attacks Show. This results in a DQ. The show ends with Sheamus and Del Rio working together with the SD roster to take out Show. Sheamus and Del Rio working together? I think even they want to forget about their rivalry earlier in the year. It's hard to say where this is all going. It's possible for them to go with Show/Del Rio, but I still think they can get away with one more Show/Sheamus match.
Winner via DQ: Big Show
Overall Impression:
Just like Impact this past week, I didn't expect anything out of SD tonight. I thought the show was okay considering we are still on a holiday weekend, but I'll admit that you probably didn't miss much with this episode. The matches were at least tolerable, but not very memorable. The show features a lot of filler without much to really discuss. Yeah, just not a whole lot to go over. That's gonna do it for the review and I hope you enjoyed it. If you haven't taken part in the Best and Worst of WWE/TNA for 2012, please cast your votes soon. Links are at the bottom of the review. Tell me what you thought of my review or tonight's show. I will see you guys and girls in the next one.
What can make things worst with AJ and Dolph as a couple is that John and Vicki may team up in an unlikely alliance.
ReplyDeleteAnd to keep what "continuity" NXT has with the rest of WWE since the former tapes their shows well in advance of airing, this past week's episode was a recap/clip show of the new season and the new guys. Big E gave a very brief reason for why he is with AJ, saying it is his business and refused to share any more.