1-4-13 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the January 4, 2013 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with Randy Orton coming to the ring. He says that since tonight is the first Smackdown of 2013 and since it seems to be the thing to do to make new years resolutions, he will make this short and sweet. He wants to be World Champion. Not too long ago Smackdown was his show. Lately that doesn’t seem to be the case, but he has a way to fix all that. Tonight he officially announces his entering in the Royal Rumble. Then out comes Sheamus. He’s sorry to cut Orton off, “Fella.” Sheamus says he knows what Orton’s thinking. That Sheamus is out there to steel his thunder but that’s not the case al all. Sheamus was planning to do the exact same thing as Orton. 2013 is a new year and more than anything Sheamus also wants to be World Champion. Then Sheamus says that he will also be in the Royal Rumble. That’s not the only reason Sheamus is out there. He wanted to thank Orton for helping him out against The Shield on Monday night. Not that he was asking for Orton’s help. Then Orton asks Sheamus if he thought he came out to help Sheamus. Orton then says that a month ago The Shield attacked and they tried to put him out. Orton did that for himself. Orton says it’s everyman for himself at the rumble and at the rumble it will be about Orton, not Sheamus. Sheamus knows how the rumble works and he mentions that he won it last year. Orton remembers which is why it will be extra special when Orton eliminates the former rumble winner. Sheamus then says that it has been a year since the last rumble and he’s very sketchy on this. Sheamus then says that if he Brogue Kicks Orton’s head over the top rope and Orton’s body stays in the ring does that count as elimination? Then out comes Big Show. He was sitting in the back listening to the 2 of them yapping back and forth about them entering and winning the rumble and both guys wanting to be World Champion. Sheamus & Orton both think that that if they win the rumble they will get a chance at the World Title. If Orton or Sheamus survive the rumble all they’ll get a shot at is Big Show’s fist. Big Show tells Sheamus that Sheamus’ 2013 will be just like his 2012, with Big Show knocking him out. As far as Orton goes, he can come on over and take a try. Big Show will be happy to step on the snake. He has a size 18 boot and he will grind that snake right into the ground. Whether Sheamus & Orton like to admit it or not Big Show is the world’s largest athlete & the most dominant World Champion the WWE has ever seen. He is a giant. Neither 1 of them…Then Antonio Cesaro comes out. He says that they’re typical Americans (Even though Sheamus is from Ireland). Talking about who will beat up who. Sheamus mentions that he is from Ireland. Cesaro says that’s even worse. Where Cesaro comes from, Switzerland, they don’t just talk, they take action. Which is why for months he has been coming out and talking about soft, lazy, fat, no not fat. Grotesquely obese Americans. Something everyone should realize by just looking in the mirror but no one does. The truth is the truth. Orton then says how about this fat; soft, lazy American heads up the ramp and gives both Cesaro & Show an RKO right now. Cue Booker T’s music and out he comes. He says that it’s obvious to him that these 4 guys don’t like each other. Big Show says that he doesn’t like anybody. Booker says that tonight Big Show & Cesaro will have to find a way to get along, because they will team up tonight to face Randy Orton & Sheamus. Booker says that tonight in Richmond they’ll kick the new year off with a bang (Actually they’re kicking it off with the same old predictable bit). “Now can you dig that, sucka!?” This was the usual “Start the show with a promo and have the GM come out and put them in a match” segment. Can they get away from doing this at the start of every show? It is beyond predictable!

The Miz vs. Heath Slater. Miz gets the pin. Drew & Jinder got sent to the back after they got involved. This was a good back and forth match.

The reshow Wade Barrett beating Kofi Kingston for the Intercontinental Title from Raw.

Matt Striker is backstage with Wade Barrett. He congratulates Wade on winning the title. He wants to take Wade back to Main Event. Barrett says he doesn’t care where Striker wants to take him to. The story is very simple. Wade Barrett is the new Intercontinental Champion. He says that’s not good enough for the media types because they need a little bit of scandal. They need to try and tare him down just everyone else. Barrett asks if you want some scandal then have a look at the real Kofi Kingston. The Kofi who this past week on Main Event attacked him from behind after Barrett had already beaten 3 guys. It didn’t work then and it won’t work tonight either. Barrett says that he will defeat Kofi and when he does then Kofi is out of options, out of chances and out of luck. The fans and media can Tweet or TOUT about. They can do whatever they want to do. When he defeats Kofi Kingston tonight he will walk away and remain Intercontinental Champion. This was a good promo.

Great Khali, Hornswoggle & Natalya vs. Primo, Epico & Rosa Mendes. Khali, Hornswoggle & Natalya win when Khali pins Epico. This wasn’t much.

Matt Striker is backstage with Kofi Kingston. Striker mentions that Kofi lost the Intercontinental Title to Wade Barrett on Raw. Then Kofi got some revenge by beating Barrett on Main Event in a gauntlet match. He asks Kofi if he feels this momentum can carry him to a win tonight. Kofi says this has nothing to do with momentum. He knew that he was going to challenge Barrett long before he beat him on Main Event. It was the second that Wade stood in the middle of the ring with Kofi’s Intercontinental Title raised high in the air, Kofi admits that Wade got the best of him and it cost him the title. This might be Kofi’s last shot. His back is truly up against the wall but this isn’t anything new. He’s had his back up against the wall his entire life but he always comes up fighting. Tonight will be no different as he fights to become Intercontinental Champion 1 more time. Wade can say that Kofi is running out of time and options. Tonight Wade is going to run into Trouble in Paradise. This was a good intense promo.

They show Wade Barrett beating Yoshi Tatsu, JTG & Justin Gabriel before losing to Kofi Kingston in the gauntlet match from Main Event.

Kofi Kingston vs. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett for the Title. Barrett gets the pin. This was a great back and forth match. Both guys worked really hard here.

Layla vs. Tamina Snuka. Tamina gets the pin. This was longer than I thought it would be but it was decent.

Time for the Raw Rebound.

They announce that The Rock will be on Raw this week.

Sheamus & Randy Orton vs. World Champion Big Show & U.S. Champion Antonio Cesaro. Sheamus & Orton win when Sheamus pins Cesaro. This was a good match too. Sheamus & Orton had a bit of tension during this. Sheamus was going to Brogue Kick Cesaro but Orton came in & gave Cesaro and RKO. Then Sheamus reluctantly covered Cesaro for the win. Then Orton walks up the ramp and he & Sheamus stare at each other. Sheamus applauds Orton and that ends the show.

I thought this was a good show overall. The opening segment was long and predictable but the main event tag match was good. Kofi & Barrett both cut good promos and their match was great. Easily the highlight of the show. Miz-Heath Slater was good too. The 6 person tag wasn’t much. Layla-Tamina was longer that I thought it would be but it was decent. Overall I thought the first Smackdown of 2013 was enjoyable.