7-8-11 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 8, 2011 episode of Smackdown

The 8 guys who are in the Smackdown Money In The Bank match are Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, Kane, Wade Barrett, Sin Cara, Cody Rhodes, Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater.

The show starts the participants in the ring being interviewed about their chances in the match. Bryan talked a bit about hoping to win the match and become World Champion, but Cody took the Mic and said that Daniel is a common man and that he will win the MITB match and become World Champion and when he does everyone will have to swallow their pride. Wade Barrett talked a bit about winning NXT Season 1 and was about to mention how he formed Nexus when Sheamus comes out and cleans house. He mentions that he is in the MITB match and that he wants revenge for being punted out of his Title shot at Capitol Punishment. Christian then comes out and says that for his World Title match at the PPV, if Randy Orton is DQ’d or if Christian is gypped by a bad call from the ref then he becomes World Champion. Teddy Long then comes out and announces World Champion Randy Orton vs. Sheamus for tonight. I thought this was a good opening segment.

Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson & Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase, Jr. Cody & Ted win when Ted pins Jackson. This was a good match.

Matt Striker interviews Mark Henry and mentions Henry’s attack on the production guy last week and that he could be fined, or suspended. He then mentions his match with Kane later tonight and that he has a match with Big Show at MITB. Henry gets in Striker’s face and Striker walks out. Henry looks all pissed off about the whole thing.

Trent Baretta vs. Jinder Mahal. Mahal gets the pin. Khali was on commentary. I don’t know why. After the match Khali picks up Trent and Mahal full nelson slams him. This was a squash.

Todd Grisham interviews Sheamus and asks him about his recent rampage that he’s been on. Sheamus says, “It’s an Irish thing fella. You wouldn’t understand.”

AJ vs. Tamina. AJ gets the pin.

Kane vs. Mark Henry. Henry gets the pin. This was a good big man match. After the match Henry jaw jacks Booker T with Booker saying he has no problem with him.

Todd Grisham interviews Randy Orton mentioning Orton’s match with Christian and the stip. Todd asks why Orton would agree to that. Orton says because he is tired of facing Christian and doesn’t care what stip is in the contract. He then talks about tonight’s match with Sheamus. This was a decent promo from Orton.

Sin Cara vs. Tyson Kidd. Cara gets the pin. This was a real good match too.

Matt Striker asks Teddy Long what he intends to do about Mark Henry. Long said that the matter is being investigated and when it’s done he will take the results under advisement. Striker said that that sounded like a politically correct answer and asks Long if he is intimidated by Mark Henry. Long stares for a bit and walks off.

The Usos vs. Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater. The Usos win when Jay pins Gabriel. Gabriel & Slater bicker for a bit. This was another good match. These 2 teams work real well together.

Johnny Curtis promo saying that when he makes his Smackdown debut he will take the cake. He picks up a cake and blows out the candles. When are these corny segments going to end?

World Champion Randy Orton vs. Sheamus. Orton wins by DQ when Christian comes in and attacks Orton. Sheamus then punt kicks Christian and then Orton gives Sheamus an RKO. Orton poses with the belt to end the show.

I thought this was a good show. The opening segment, the Jackson & Bryan-Cody & Ted match, Mark Henry, The Usos-Gabriel Slater, Sin Cara-Tyson Kidd and the Orton-Sheamus were the highlights.