WWE Smackdown! – December 23rd, 2011 from Richmond, VA
[Reviewed by: Sean Sweeny]
IN RING SEGMENT
The show started off with The Big Show making his way down to the ring. Big Show grabbed a microphone and said that he would admit that he was planning on walking out here tonight as the World Heavyweight Champion, what he can’t believe is the fact the new champion is Daniel Bryan. He will ask Bryan to come out in a few minutes to congratulate him. However first off, he has been asked all week what is going through his head after TLC. Show talked about how great a competitor Mark Henry was and how he scratched and clawed for nine years to get back the World Heavyweight Championship and then he finally got it and then within moments lost it. Show continued on saying that he went through a wide array of emotions all week and then on RAW Josh Matthews asked him that it must burn him inside that he has the shortest World title reign in history, a questions Show simply answered I’m okay. Tonight Big Show said that he is proud of himself for not going over the edge and now he is going to tell everyone his honest feelings now that he has had a few days to think about it.
Before The Big Show could continue Mark Henry’s music hit and Henry made his way down to the ring with microphone in hand. Henry said did you just say that you are proud? Proud of what the shortest World Title reign? Are you going to have that put on your tombstone? Henry then said he is going to tell Big Show how he honestly feels, and that is embarrassed and humiliated. What Show needs to do is take a week off and then quit the business, as Henry is out here for his rematch with Daniel Bryan and he wants it tonight. Big Show begins to argue with Mark Henry but then Daniel Bryan’s music hit and out came the World Heavyweight Champion to the ring. Bryan said that he knows the Big Show and Mark Henry can’t believe that Daniel Bryan is the Champion, because lets face it he isn’t the worlds strongest man or the largest athlete. Bryan then went on a list of things that he isn’t but what he is, is one of the greatest wrestlers and he is the World Heavyweight Championship. Henry then said he wanted his rematch tonight because Bryan is a pipsqueak. Big Show then argues that he beat Henry for the title so the shot be his. Teddy Long then came out on the stage and said that both men deserve to fight Daniel Bryan for the championship but tonight the two of them will face one another with the winner being the first in line for Bryan. He then wished both men luck and then congratulated Bryan on the Championship. Big Show then shook hands with Bryan. Bryan then tried to shake hands with Mark Henry and when Henry went for the handshake Bryan pulled his hand back and then left Henry angry as Big Show laughed.
SINGLES MATCH
Zack Ryder defeated Cody Rhodes via Pin fall: Ryder won with the Rough Ryder.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Teddy Long was in his office watching the match when Santino came in and scared Teddy with his cobra sleeve. Santino apologized for scaring him and then said he was here on official business, now that Zack Ryder is the US Champion he wont have time to be Teddy’s assistant on SmackDown so he is applying for the opening. Teddy said that he was going to think about when Aksana walked into the room. Teddy wished her a happy holiday and then introduced Aksana to Santino and told her he was applying for the assistant job. Aksana said that she knows many positions and if he needed anything she would help with anything. He thanked her and said that he would catch up with her later. After she left Vicki Guerrero walked in with Dolph Ziggler. Dolph said that last week was so crazy and when he is ready he will cash in his rematch clause. Ziggler continued and talked about how Daniel Bryan isn’t a great wrestler and that Bryan should face someone great like himself, and everyone wants to see it. Long agreed and made it official for later Bryan vs. Ziggler, Teddy then started to dance and Vicki stopped his and yelled bah humbug before walking off with Dolph.
IN RING SEGMENT
Before The Big Show and Mark Henry face off against one another to determine who will face Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship David Otunga made his way out to the ring. He said the reason why he is out here is to say that he had been told by Mr. John Laurinaitis to inform everyone that Mark Henry is not medically cleared to fight tonight and so the match cannot happen between Henry and Big Show. Otunga then wished everyone a happy holiday before getting laid out with a WMD from the Big Show.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Teddy Long was walking down the hall when the Miz stopped him, by saying that he is here, and asked what he is doing tonight. Teddy was confused saying he had no idea was Miz was talking about. Miz said that he had been told to come here tonight. Long said that, that message did not come from his office. At this point Miz becomes livid and started listing why John Laurinaitis is better than Teddy Long. Miz then said he was going to go down to the ring and not let another match take place until Teddy can find someone to challenge the Miz, and just then maybe will SmackDown be awesome. Miz then walked away from Teddy to head to the ring.
IN RING SEGMENT
The Miz was standing in the ring waiting, when no one comes out to the ring The Miz then went on to start bad mouthing the entire SmackDown roster saying that they are all gutless and no only that but there is no star that burns brighter than another on this roster. As Miz continued to list why he is more awesome than the SmackDown stars are, Sheamus finally came out to answer The Miz’s challenge
SINGLES MATCH
Sheamus defeated The Miz via Pin fall: Sheamus won with the Brogue Kick.
IN RING SEGMENT
Wade Barrett came out to the ring with a microphone in hand. Wade said that the Barrett Barrage has been on a roll as of late. He is deep in mind of Randy Orton and even if there was a small speed bump last Sunday night it won’t be enough to derail the barrage. Wade then showed the crowd clips of events over the last month or so of how Barrett has gotten the upper hand of Orton including putting Orton through a table this past Monday night. Given his sublime performances against one of the greatest should put him firmly in line for a title shot against he can’t believe he’s saying this Daniel Bryan. Barrett then said that is all he had to say and wished the crowd a Merry Christmas, and as Barrett left the ring Randy Orton came out and assaulted Barrett, but before Orton could nail Wade with an RKO Wade countered and ran away. Just as Barrett made his way to the back, Orton began to pursue Wade as the two then battled their way all the way out to the parking lot. Once Randy got the upper hand in the parking lot he then had a little fun by spraying Wade with a hose and then throwing trash all over him. Orton then finished what he started by hitting Wade Barrett with an RKO on top of a car.
SINGLES MATCH
Kofi Kingston defeated Primo via Pin fall: Kingston won with Trouble in Paradise.
SINGLES MATCH
Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler: Due to interference from Big Show and Jack Swagger, Teddy Long turned the match into a tag team match Big Show & Daniel Bryan taking on Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger.
TAG TEAM MATCH
Daniel Bryan & The Big Show defeated Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger via Submission: Bryan won with the LaBelle Lock on Swagger.