Detailed 1/13/12 WWE Smackdown Recap
by Brad Hoy
Smackdown kicked off from Laredo Texas with the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan making his way to the ring. He began say that winning the championship has been a dream come true and he has lived for this, Bryan also realized that Big Show deserved a rematch last week, as he was the shortest reigning champ. Bryan continued to say that he is a fighting champion and he hated that the match ended in a disqualification. Bryan assures us that the people are wrong to think that he purposely went to Mark Henry to cause the disqualification. Even though he is happy to defend his title tonight, Bryan mentioned that the no disqualification, no count-out stipulation is a little excessive as the only reason for the DQ last week was due to Mark Henry, and if it were up to him, he would have Henry suspended. Henry’s music then hit as the world’s strongest man made his way to the ring, Henry asked if he heard Bryan correctly. Henry announced that Teddy Long has banned him from ringside, and if he keeps out of the match this week, then next week he will get a title shot against the winner. Bryan didn’t have a problem with that.
Justin Gabriel vs. Heath Slater
The opening bout was surprisingly a good one, even though it only lasted 5 minutes. Slater goes to the top rope but Hornswoggle appears in the ring and that allows Gabriel to kick Slater off the top. Gabriel comes off the top rope and hits the 450 splash for the win.
Winner – Justin Gabriel
Backstage, AJ meets up with Daniel Bryan and tells him that she is proud of him; AJ then told Bryan that she loves him. As she leaves Bryan says thanks.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes comes out to the ramp to cut a promo. Rhodes began his promo by insulting the crowed, he stated that he knows that a lot of people in Laredo speak Spanish and he says a lot of people are well aware of the INS and hints that most of the people are not actually legal citizens. Rhodes reminded the WWE Universe that he has been the champion for over five months and that makes him the longest reigning champion in the WWE. Rhodes then stated that at he is going to pull an Ultimate Warrior by holding both the World heavyweight championship and the Intercontinental championship at the same time, and that will begin when he wins the Royal Rumble.
Cody Rhodes vs. Ezekiel Jackson
The match was a pretty even one throughout with both athletes mounting an attack. After about 2 minutes Rhodes missed a spring board kick but drop toe holds Jackson into the corner. As Jackson gets to his feet Rhodes hits the springboard kick and followed up with the Cross Rhodes to win the match.
Winner – Cody Rhodes
Backstage, Santino Marella is talking to Teddy Long, Marella was suggesting several match ideas for Teddy: He wanted to have a steel cage with several steel cages inside one another, Marella wanted Long to overturn the ruling by Jack Tunney to allow reptiles in the ring. David Otunga enters the room and wanted to talk to Long about the Royal Rumble, Otunga said that John Laurinaitis wanted to know which Smackdown guys should be allowed in the match. Long then books a match between Marella and Otunga, afterwards Drew McIntyre enters the room and Long tells him he is getting closer and closer to getting fired and he better win his match which is up next.
Drew McIntyre vs. Ted DiBiase
Hunico came out before the match to allow McIntyre to get the cheap advantage early on. Drew nearly won after a running big boot but couldn’t put DiBiase away. The match was a solid and entertaining one with some good spots and near falls. DiBiase elbowed Drew off the top rope and crotches him on the top rope. DiBiase then hit the Dream Street and wins the match
Winner – Ted DiBiase
Before the next match, Jinder Mahal says that he is most dangerous when least expected. So, he thinks he is going win the Royal Rumble.
Sheamus vs. Jinder Mahal
Sheamus opens the match with several clubbing blows to Mahal. After several minutes of both superstars going back and forth in a relatively good match, Sheamus again clubbed away on Mahal’s chest on the apron and then suplexed Mahal back into the ring. Sheamus continued his attack by hitting a top rope shoulder block, this was proceeded a Brogue Kick to Mahal and Sheamus got the three count.
Winner – Sheamus
Backstage, the referee is talking to Show about the rules in tonight’s title match, Show said that he has been in many of these matches and doesn’t need to know about the rules. AJ walks over and wants to talk about Daniel Bryan, she told Show that she doesn’t want to see him get hurt. AJ said that Bryan has a good heart and is a decent guy. Show told her that his intention is to get his title back and not to hurt Bryan. Daniel Bryan walked over and said Show isn’t going to take his girl and isn’t going to take his championship tonight. Bryan suggests Show leave right now. Show then told Bryan that he has changed for the worst since winning the title, and he is going to take the title off his hands tonight. Bryan assured AJ that he is going to protect her, and he then asked her exactly how much she loves him. They walk off to talk.
David Otunga vs. Santino Marella
The match was exactly what was expected, e.g. short and comical but I think that’s what we have come to love when watching Santino. In the end, Marella hit a falling head butt and goes for the Cobra, only for Otunga to block it and hits an over the shoulder back to belly pile driver and gets the victory.
Winner – David Otunga
Brodus Clay vs. Tyson Kidd
This was a complete squash match which saw Clay knock Kidd down with his head and hit a leaping cross body to win the match in less than ten seconds. I’m still in shock at how the WWE have booked Brodus Clay, I mean is he a face or is he a funny heel? There are so many questions surrounding Clay, simply because it just doesn’t make any sense. And oh yer, WWE… the 1980’s called and said they want their gimmick back.
Winner Brodus Clay via pin fall
Backstage, Teddy Long is dancing and singing to Brodus Clay’s theme song until Aksana enters the room. Aksana flirted with Long and said she wants to play roulette because she always hits on black, Long nearly chokes on his drink.
Natalya vs. Tamina
Natalya slaps Tamina and follows up with a vertical suplex for a two count. Tamina stops Natalya with a Samoan Drop and heads to the top rope. Tamina hits a big splash and wins the match in less than a minute. I know I say it every week but why is Natalya still jobbing to every diva that is nowhere near her standards? And didn’t this match happen last week
Winner – Tamina
Wade Barrett made his way out to the top of the ramp to cut a promo. Barrett said he isn’t impressed by Sheamus as he is a man of class unlike Sheamus. Barrett said that he is convinced that he will win the 2012 Royal Rumble. Barrett then issued a challenge to Sheamus for next week’s Smackdown.
Main event:
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match, No Disqualification, No Count-Out
Daniel Bryan (C) vs. Big Show
The match kicks off with Show shaking Bryan’s hand but lifts the champ up and hits a gorilla press slam (AJ is at ringside for this match). The start of the match was all Big Show as they fought in and outside of the ring. When both athletes were outside the ring Bryan avoided a choke slam through the announcers table, Bryan then grabbed the chair and hit Show across the back numerous times. Show chops Bryan as he leaps off the apron. Bryan runs away from show and Show accidentally runs into AJ and knocks her on the floor, Show is very upset over what happened and Bryan checks on AJ as well. They get a stretcher for her as Show looks to be on the verge of tears (a bit over the top). The fans started chanting “She’s okay!”. Bryan starts yelling at Show for what he did to AJ as they both escort the stretcher to the back. Bryan told Show that he is reckless and a bastard. Smackdown goes off the air with Show still looking really upset stood at the top of the ramp.
The match ended in a no contest
