7-5-13 Smackdown results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the July 5, 2013 episode of Smackdown

The show starts with CM Punk coming to the ring. The fans chant his name. Then Punk says that if he were Cena he would come out here & give a very heartfelt speech about the 4^th of July & what it means to him & how America was founded on hustle, loyalty & respect. Fortunately for the fans he’s not Cena. His name is CM Punk. He tends to have a drastically different point of view on a lot of things then Cena. What the 4^th of July means to Punk is very simple. Independence. It’s about a time when a group of like minded individuals who were smart & brave guys got together & decided they were no longer to conform to somebody else’s rules. They decided that they would make up their own rules & blaze their own trail & they were willing to die to see that happen. That is a concept that Punk can get behind because independence is very important to him. Punk is fiercely independent almost to a fault. If someone tells him that he has to follow a set of rules his first instinct to break every single 1 of those rules. If someone tells him that he has to do something, even if it’s a smart idea, every bone in his body wants to run in the opposite direction. When Punk that he would be the hottest thing after WrestleMania he walked away. When he was told that his greatest asset at ringside was Paul Heyman he told him to stay in the back. And recently when he heard people whisper that regardless of how good Punk is or what his track record at MITB matches is, the chances of him winning the “All Star” MITB ladder match were against him he decided to tell all those people off & prove them wrong. Punk is a really simple guy with simple needs & he has 2 simple goals right now. The first is to get his hands on Brock Lesnar. He will get his hands on Lesnar & hold him accountable for the F5 that he gave Punk 2 weeks ago on Raw. His second goal (then he looks at the briefcase hanging above the ring) is to win the MITB “All Star” ladder match & become the WWE Champion again. These are his 2 basic goals & he doesn’t have a problem coming out here & telling the fans about them in a public form. Then Del Rio’s music plays. Punk says he wasn’t done. Then out comes Del Rio. He tells Punk that he was expecting more from him. Punk says he was expecting a cool car but it’s just Del Rio in a cheep suit. He asks Del Rio what he wants. Del Rio says that it’s not about what he wants, it’s what he is. Del Rio is the World Champion & this is his show (The brand extension is no more dude). Punk says that title or no title this has never been Del Rio’s show. They even air on some Spanish station & it’s not even Del Rio’s show. He again asks Del Rio what he wants. Del Rio says that Punk is always making jokes. Del Rio asks Punk if he knows how “Punk’s” people celebrate the holiday. Del Rio says they celebrate it by sitting in their back yards, stuffing their faces with hot dogs, burgers & fries. Del Rio says they celebrate their freedom, but what they have done with that freedom is to sit & watch TV all day (Yeah that’s for me), play with the internet (I don’t know if I’d call it playing, but that’s for me too) & they get fatter & fatter everyday. Then they come to Smackdown & they cheer for a little pig named Dolph Ziggler. A pig that disrespected the Mexican culture (I thought that was Zeb Coulter) by ruining his Fiesta. Then the fans go & chant USA. Then the fans start to chant USA & Del Rio says here we go. Del Rio says that they chant USA because they’re nothing but a bunch of sheep. Punk asks if this is the same Del Rio that would come out a couple of weeks ago & champion how awesome America was. Punk then says that Del Rio himself would start the USA chants & talk about how America is this fantastic land of opportunity. Now he is criticizing the fans just because they saw through his born in Mexico, made in America garbage. The fans saw through Del Rio. The chant USA & they boo Del Rio, not because Del Rio is from Mexico. It’s because Del Rio tries to put on this façade & he tries to be this big phony American & the fans saw through him. They see Del Rio standing here right now & they see him for the phony that he is. Del Rio then says that the good old Punk is always barking, but Punk is just a little chiwawa & somebody needs to teach Punk some manners. Del Rio is not funny. He is the World…Heavy…Weight…Champion. Punk says that Del Rio is the World Champion but that just that Del Rio is the number 1 contender to Punk’s title, best in the world. Punk doesn’t chase Del Rio, Del Rio chases him. Del Rio is the guy who came out there & interrupted Punk. Del Rio tells Punk not to be stupid. This is not Punk’s world. It’s Del Rio’s. And this is his show & this is his ring & he orders Punk to leave this place right now. Punk says that sounds painfully like Del Rio is telling him to do something. Maybe it’s something smart but Punk’s gut feeling, every bone in his body right now is telling him to go ahead & stay in the ring till Del Rio makes him get out of it. Then out comes Teddy Long. Long says that we had fireworks for the 4^th of July but thanks to Del Rio & Punk there will be fireworks in tonight’s main event when Del Rio face Punk tonight. Del Rio & Punk both cut good promos here but this was the usual, “Start Smackdown off with a promo & then have Teddy Long come out & say the even number of guys in the ring will face each other at the end of the show” segment. This is way too predictable. This is also the same that Vickie booked the same match on Raw a few weeks ago. Nothing original happening here. WWE is just copying themselves again!

Backstage we see CM Punk & Paul Heyman comes in. Heyman knows that Punk has asked him to stay out of his business & Heyman has honored that request tonight. But Heyman wants to say something to Punk since he is his best friend. Punk says Heyman can what’s on his mind as a friend, not a client. Heyman says that this match with Del Rio makes no sense to him. Punk is 9 days away from the MITB ladder match. Punk has nothing to gain & everything to lose against Del Rio. Heyman wants to get Punk out of this match. Punk says that Heyman is right, but Punk will fight him anyway. Heyman respects that because that is what has made Punk the best in the world. Heyman has 1 more thing to say though. The other 6 guys in the MITB match will be looking at that briefcase. They know that if they can pull it down that they can pick their own spot & go after the WWE Title. You’re practically guaranteed to become the WWE Champion. Then Heyman tells Punk that he has to have eyes in the back of his head. Heyman’s not saying that Punk need him but he offers to be at ringside just 1 more time. 1 more night they walk down that aisle together & they walk away with the briefcase. Punk appreciates the concern as a friend. Then Punk tells Heyman to stay out of this. Heyman says ok & wishes Punk good luck in his match tonight.

The Usos are in the ring & then out come Rhodes Scholars. Sandow says the fans are about to witness a new era in the WWE. In a little over 1 week Team Rhodes Scholars will find themselves in an MITB ladder match for a World Title contract. For all of the fans that are wagging their oversized tongues in anticipation of the decimation of Team Rhodes Scholars you could not be more mistaken. Cody says they’re reminded of a simple adage, may the best man win. Sandow couldn’t agree more. They shake hands & Sandow says you’re welcome.

The Usos vs. Rhode Scholars. The Usos win when Sandow gets pinned after a double top rope splash. This was a decent but really short match.

Then The Shield shows up on the Tron. Rollins says that they Usos have finally managed to combine unlimited potential & talent with a string of luck. Last week The Usos & Christian got lucky & managed to slip 1 by on The Shield. Rollins then says that the Usos probably think that is a set back for The Shield because losing isn’t what they’re used to. The Usos think that probably mean that The Shield is not invisible but The Shield is more focused & they’re stronger than they have ever been. Then Rollins says that The Usos are the number 1 contenders to the tag titles but maybe they aren’t so lucky after all. Then Reigns asks if The Usos think they will the titles with luck. That won’t happen. The Usos better bring a lot more than luck at MITB otherwise The Shield will put them back in their place. Ambrose then says that he put Christian back in his place. He told Christian 1 out of 100 times Christian might catch 1 on him. Monday night was just the first of the next 99 times in a row that Ambrose will beat him. Then Ambrose says that this is what dominance looks like in 2013. Then he tells the fans to prepare to live in a world where Dean Ambrose is lurking in the shadows holding the MITB briefcase because he is going to win that ladder match on 7-14in Philadelphia whether anybody likes it or not. Ambrose is going to be Mr. MITB & the U.S. Champion & he is going to own the world. Believe that & believe in The Shield. This was a great Shield promo. Too bad the tag title match will be on the pre show.

Kaitlyn vs. Alicia Fox. Alicia gets the pin. During the match AJ’s music plays & she skips to ringside. The match continues as AJ’s music continues to play & she skips around the ring. This of course distracts Kaitlyn & then Alicia gives Kaitlyn a roundhouse kick. Kaitlyn makes a comeback. Then AJ gets on the apron & Kaitlyn drop kicks her off. Then Alicia rolls up Kaitlyn for the pin. Then Kaitlyn chases AJ up the ramp. This wasn’t much. I’m getting tired of the whole, “Having 1 of them is in a match & then the other one coming causing a distraction” bit. This is getting old. 

Backstage we AJ looking around all terrified & hoping Kaitlyn doesn’t find her. Then she runs into The Bellas. They wanna let AJ that it’s not here that they care about. They care about the Divas Title. AJ doesn’t have time for this. They tell AJ to watch her back because the title will be theirs soon. AJ walks off & then runs into Big E. She’s frantically telling him that they need to get out of there. She says that Kaitlyn is slow because of her giant man arms but she will catch up to AJ. Big E asks what about Dolph? She forgot that Ziggy has a match tonight. They won’t have enough time to wait for him. She will text Dolph on the ride out. Big E laughs as AJ has a slight breakdown. Then they head out of the building but Big E isn’t going fast enough for AJ. This was a mixed bag bit. The part with The Bellas was lousy but the part with Big E was a bit better.

Time for a look back at the finish to the Kane-Orton match with Daniel as the referee.

Backstage Renee Young interviews Christian & Randy Orton. Renee says that they already have a storied rivalry & that will only continue tonight when they face each other next. Christian says he has already beaten Orton in the past for the world title & tonight Christian puts everybody on notice when he beats Orton again. Then he mentions that he will go on to the MITB “All Stars” ladder match & that he will win a WWE Title contract. Orton says that Christian is about to find out first hand why Orton is the man that everybody should be worried about at MITB. Christian will find out tonight when Orton beats him in 1 more match. This was short & solid backstage interview.

Time for a Wyatt family vignette. They’re coming Monday.

Randy Orton vs. Christian. Orton gets the pin. This was a great back & forth match.

Backstage Teddy Long is in the GM office on his cell phone again (This is getting old too). Someone pounds on the door & in comes Paul Heyman. Heyman says that he heard Long was looking for him. Long wants Heyman to be on commentary for the Punk-Del Rio match. Heyman says no because Punk is his best friend in the world & Punk insist that Heyman doesn’t get involved in his matches anymore. Long isn’t asking him to get involved in the match. Then Long says that Heyman knows CM Punk better than anyone. Long feels that Heyman can provide some provocative insight as guest commentator for the match. Long then mentions that earlier tonight Punk said that if someone tells him something to do he does the opposite or runs the other way. Long then says that since he is in charge, Punk says that Heyman doesn’t go out there, Long says that Heyman does. Heyman looks confused, then he grins, pats Long on the shoulder & leaves. This was decent because Heyman is good but why would Long want to have Heyman at ringside during Punk’s match?

They reshow the RVD video package hyping his return.

Then they show a backstage bit on the App from Raw with Dolph & AJ. Dolph mentions that they can be a power couple when he regains the World Title.     

Dolph Ziggler comes to the ring. He says to say that these past few months have been a blur would be an understatement. But there is 1 memory that he will never forget. The night that he beat Del Rio & became world champion. Unfortunately after that things got a little fuzzy. He had just come back from a concussion & he had a giant target on his head. Del Rio took full advantage & it costs Dolph the world title. Dolph doesn’t remember too much after that & he’s not complaining. What he does remember is Del Rio coming out here with a big cheesy grin plastered on his face, his arms flailing around & all of a sudden Del Rio loved America & the fans. But Del Rio couldn’t do the impossible. He couldn’t convince the fans that he was somehow likable. The thing with Del Rio is that he is full of crap. Dolph may be a lot of things but he’s never claimed to be something that he’s not. Dolph might a chip on his shoulder, he might be cocky or arrogant. Every single night Dolph’s out there he delivers. He does things in this ring that no one else can. At MITB Dolph is taking back what is rightfully his, the world title. Show (pause) Off. Good promo from Dolph.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Drew McIntyre. Dolph gets the pin. This was mostly a squash. Then Heath & Jinder get in the ring & go after Dolph but Dolph slides out of the ring & heads up the ramp grinning. Then 3MB dare him to come back in. Dolph does but then he slides out again. I’m not sure what the point of this was. He ran away from a trio of jobbers that gets flattened by everyone. Not only that he ran from them TWICE! Is WWE still trying to tell us that Dolph doesn’t matter or that he’s only getting a push because he got a legit concussion & they had no choice but to push him?

They show a great Mark Henry video package. They gotta put the belt on him!

Justin Gabriel vs. Fandango. Fandango gets the pin. This was a decent but short match & no surprise that Fandango won. Then Fandango gets the mic, says how his name is pronounced & then looks up at the MITB briefcase.

CM Punk vs. World Champion Alberto Del Rio. The match ends in a double count out. Del Rio throws Punk onto the announce table & Punk falls off. Then Del Rio takes the announce table apart. Then Heyman pleads with Del Rio to not injure Punk. Then Del Rio punches Heyman to the floor. Punk then dives off the announce table onto Del Rio & then Punk pounds away on him. Then Del Rio & Punk both got counted out. Then Punk throws Del Rio in the ring & gives him a GTS. Then Punk helps Heyman up. Heyman apologizes & says that Teddy Long wanted him out there. This ends the show. This was a good match & I was ok with the double count out finish. Having the world champion get flattened afterwards was a bit dumb but I thought they did a good job here with Punk coming to Heyman’s rescue.

I thought this was a decent show overall. The start of the show was your typical, “2 guys going back & forth on the mic & then Long makes the match for the main event” bit but I thought that Del Rio & Punk were good on the mic. The Punk-Del Rio match was good too & I was ok with the double count out finish. I also liked that Punk came to Heyman’s rescue after Del Rio punched him but having the world champion get flattened was odd. Dolph cut a really good promo & his match with Drew was mostly a squash. I don’t get why they had him run from 3MB though. Gabriel-Fandango was decent but short, the Long-Heyman backstage bit was ok only because Heyman was in it & Orton-Christian was great. Kaitlyn-Alicia wasn’t much & I’m tired of 1 of these 2 being in a match & then the other coming out & causing the other to get distracted. That bit is too predictable. I wasn’t into the backstage segment where The Bellas told AJ they want the Divas title followed by AJ telling Big E they needed to split segment. The Usos vs. Sandow & Cody match was decent but a bit short & I liked The Shield promo on the Tron. I have no idea why the tag title match will be on the PPV pre show. So for the most part I found this week’s show to be decent.