11-30-12 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the November 30, 2012 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with John Cena coming to the ring. He wants the world to know that this is Friday Night Smackdown. (Yeah we already know that). He knows something is mysterious. He tells fans watching home not to adjust their sets. He is John Cena (This is starting out as the typical corny Cena promo). He’s not a Smackdown regular but just like the fans, he is excited about tonight’s main event. Tonight’s main event involves Mr. MITB Dolph Ziggler. There’s a reason he focuses on Dolph. That’s because Dolph is heavily focused on Cena, his business and pointing fingers at him. Tonight Cena points the finger directly back at Dolph. A man whose greatest accomplishment is being World Champion for only 2 minutes. Dolph’s biggest fear is losing his MITB case. Because when that goes so does his identity. It’s been shown that Dolph hides behind the power of Vickie Guerrero yet every week says he’s the show off and says he can run with biggest stars in WWE. That was put to the test on Monday Dolph faced Cena. Of course Dolph lost. For some reason Cena says, “5 day spoiler alert, he lost”. The reason Cena’s here is because Dolph isn’t in a match but a fight. Because in tonight’s main event Dolph has to survive a match with Sheamus. Then out come Alberto Del Rio & Ricardo Rodriguez. Del Rio tells Cena that he shouldn’t be worried about Dolph. Cena should be worried about Del Rio because this is his house and his show. Cena says that Del Rio is wrong. This is a WWE Broadcast, which means that the show belongs to the fans. Then Del Rio gets in the ring and says that Smackdown is his show. He calls Cena a stupid gringo. He reminds Cena that he is a former MITB winner and a former Royal Rumble winner. Then he reminds Cena that he is a former 2 time WWE Champion. Most importantly, the last time they were in the ring Del Rio destroyed him and beat him. Then Del Rio tells Cena to leave his show and his ring (then he snaps his fingers) right now. Cena says he remembers all of that. But he can’t go because he is interested in tonight’s main event. Also Cena figured he would have a match since he is there. He then tells Del Rio that he has match with him now. Then he punches Del Rio. This was a decent opening segment. Cena’s promo was typical Cena at times but I was ok with Del Rio’s promo. The good thing about this segment was that it led to a Cena-Dell Rio match next.

John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio. Cena gets the pin. This was a really good back and forth match, but of course Cena had to win. Afterwards Cena heads up the ramp to the stage. Then out comes Dolph and he hits Cena in the back of the head with the MITB case.

Kane & Daniel Bryan are backstage. They both stare at each other looking pissed off. Then Kofi comes by. He says that he knows Kane & Daniel aren’t going to magically start getting along especially after what happened on Raw. But tonight they have a 6 man tag against Wade Barrett & The Primetime Players. Kane & Daniel have to get on the same page. Kofi asks if they can do that. Daniel doesn’t see why not. His tag team partner is one of the most powerful destructive forces in WWE history. Daniel says that Kane can and will eviscerate anyone who stands in his way. Then Kane says that his partner is  one of the most dangerous submission specialists in WWE history who can and will make men who are twice his size squeal in pain & tap out. Then Kane says, “In other words, the world hasn’t even begun to see just how dangerous and lethal we can be. But they’re about to, starting tonight.” Then Kane says that the answer to Kofi’s question if they can get along is yes. Then they both repeatedly scream yes. This was a decent backstage bit.

Backstage Cena tells Booker about Dolph hitting him in the back. As soon as Dolph get out there for his match, “bam.” Booker tells Cena that he needs to calm down. Cena continues to flip out. Booker knows that Cena is upset. Booker says that he would be too. He needs Cena to do him a favor. Booker doesn’t need his show breaking down tonight. Booker needs Cena to let the Sheamus & Dolph match take place “dawg”. Booker then tells Cena that afterwards if Cena feels the need to handle his business, “Dawg, by all means you do that.” Booker tells Cena to let match take place for Booker. Cena’s ok with that. This was alright but I’m tired of Booker T saying that he can’t have “his show” break into chaos every week. I thought Cena showed more intensity here than usual.    

Great Khali vs. David Otunga. Khali gets the pin. This was terrible but thankfully quick. Afterwards Khali & Hornswoggle dance in the ring. That was corny.

Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston and WWE Tag Team Champions Kane & Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett & The Primetime Players. Kane, Daniel & Kofi win when Daniel makes Darren tap. This was a good match.

Matt Striker interviews Sheamus. Striker asks Sheamus for thoughts on his match for tonight with Dolph. Sheamus says the good news for Dolph is that thanks to Booker T Cena will not be getting involved in the match. The bad news for Dolph is he has to face Sheamus. It gets worse too, because as far as Sheamus is concerned he’s not really facing Dolph tonight. Striker asks, “How so?” Sheamus says that because of the last couple of weeks of all the running away, attacking from behind, crying like a baby and pulling the referee in front of himself to save his title, every opponent that Sheamus has been in the ring with has looked like Big Show to him. That’s bad news for “Blondie” because that means Sheamus will fight harder, punch harder and hit harder than Dolph has ever experienced in his entire life. When he’s done with Dolph, Dolph will be begging for Cena to put him out of his misery. He knows that Dolph considers himself to be a bit of a show off. Tonight after the match Dolph can walk around and show off his head because Sheamus will kick it off his shoulders. I thought Sheamus was a bit too cheery here but it was ok. 

Time for the Raw Rebound.  

Damien Sandow comes out. He says that for the last several months he has attempted to enlighten the fans. “An attempt which has proven to be futile.” As the intellectual savior he pledges that he cannot & will not abandon the fans. However he will not be focusing on the masses. He has decided that he will be re directing his efforts and sharing his knowledge with the fans individually. The fans boo and he says, “Silence.” He will be selecting 1 member from the crowd to be his apprentice. He asks who is worth of such a position. Fans raise their hands. Sandow surveys the crowed and rags on most of them. He says to one fan that he has no idea how they even let him in the building. That was funny. Then he picks a “fan” who has on the new CM Punk t-shirt. He tells security to escort this person  in the yellow shirt to the ring. Sandow says that his efforts are refocused on individual bases but the fans can all learn something. Sandow suggests that the fans pay close attention. Then Sandow & the “fan” get in the ring. The “fan raises his arms and acts all psyched. Sandow tells him to stop that. Then Sandow tells him that he has the privilege of having the opportunity to become his apprentice. Sandow will ask him a series of 3 questions that the “fan” must answer correctly. First question, how many wheels on a tricycle? The guy says 3 and Sandow says, “very good.” Second question, how often doe the U.S. hold presidential elections? The guy says every 4 years. Sandow then says, “Smarter than you look.” Third question, what is the orbital velocity of one of Jupiter’s moons? The guy has no idea. Then Sandow calls him an ignoramus. The answer is 13.74 kilometers per second. Then he tells the guy that he has embarrassed himself, his family and the entire state of Louisiana. The fans boo and Sandow screams, “Silence.” Sandow then says that the “fan’s” public display of ignorance is surpassed only by his idiotic looking hair cut. Sandow tells him to leave his ring. The “fan” is dismissed. Sandow tells him to leave the ring, the building, the town, the state & the country. Then Sandow says, “Wait. Wait. You’re Welcome.” What was the point of this? Sandow was good as usual here but this whole segment was meaningless.

Tyson Kidd vs. Damien Sandow. Sandow gets the pin. This was a solid but short match.

They show a video package of John Cena being honored by the Make A Wish. I give the all the credit in the world for what he does for charity!

Matt Striker interviews Dolph Ziggler. Striker that it’s safe to say that tonight Dolph feels like he has something to prove after losing to Cena Monday. Dolph says that match was more like a handicap match. AJ got involved in his business. Then he says that The Golden Boy, Mr. Hustle, Loyalty & Respect John Cena didn’t seem to mind taking advantage of the situation yet some how Dolph is the bad guy in all of this. He is sure that tonight will be no different. This will be another handicap match for Dolph. Dolph says that he’s sure Cena respects Booker T so much that he will mind his own business. Cena is not to be trusted. Cena had a fling with AJ for over a month. Cena is the biggest lair in WWE history and lairs get what’s coming to them. A Money in the Bank briefcase shot to the back of their skull. Dolph then says that he is the show off. He is the show stealer. The sole survivor. He is so sick of being so sick and he is the best thing going in sports entertainment today. Dolph then says that when Sheamus looks across the ring, Sheamus thinks that he is looking at Big Show when he really will be looking at Dolph. Dolph says that when Sheamus is looking his way he will be looking at the next World Champion. Then he says, “Show (pause) off.” This was solid but a bit long.

The Usos vs. Jinder Mahal & Heath Slater. Mahal & Slater win when Mahal gets the pin. This was a decent but short match.

Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler. Sheamus wins by DQ when Big Show comes out. Sheamus had Dolph in the Cloverleaf but then Big Show came out. Sheamus & Show exchanged punches & the referee called for the bell. Afterwards the brawl continues. Big Show gets in the ring and punches Sheamus in the gut. Then Dolph stomps on Sheamus in the corner. Then John Cena storms to the ring and goes right after Big Show. Big Show shoves him into the turnbuckle. Then he was going to charge but Cena got out of the way. The Dolph ran into Cena & Cena gives Dolph an AA. Then Big Show goes to choke slam both Cena & Sheamus but they double suplex him. Dolph & Big Show walk up the ramp as Cena & Sheamus pose in the ring to end the show. This was a good match and it made sense not to have a clean finish. They finally had Dolph not do a clean job. The post match brawl was ok too. I wasn’t really into the faces running off the heels, but that’s what WWE does.

I thought this was a solid show overall. The opening Cena-Del Rio segment was ok and it led right to the Cena-Del Rio match. That match was really good. Sheamus-Dolph was good too and the DQ finish made sense. I wasn’t into the faces cleaning house on the heels but that’s WWE for you. Sheamus’ promo was ok but I though he was too cheery for someone who is looking to beat a giant for the World Title. Dolph’s promo was decent but a bit long. Khali-Otunga was terrible but thankfully quick. The Kane-Daniel Bryan-Kofi Kingston backstage bit was decent too. I also liked the 6 man tag. Hat was really good. The Usos vs. Mahal & Slater was decent but short. The Damien Sandow segment was pointless but he was really good here. Tyson-Sandow was solid but kind of short. On the whole I thought this was a solid show this week.