Coverage and thoughts on the July 1, 2011 episode of Smackdown
The show starts with Christian in Teddy Long’s office trying to set up a contract signing for his World Title match at Money In The Bank. Teddy Long mentions that Mark Henry pinned Randy Orton in the tag match last week and that Henry gets a match with Orton. Long says that if Henry beats Orton later in the show the might be next in line for a Title match. Long also says that Christian is banned from ringside. Christian flips out.
World Champion Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry.Both guys are outside the ring and the ref is counting both of them when Big Show’s music hits. Big Show doesn’t come out but Mark Henry gets distracted by his music playing. Orton gives Henry an RKO and gets back in the ring for the count out win. Mark Henry then wrecks the sound board and throws the audio technician off the stage. The match was good and Henry was great at being all angry with the sound technician saying he played Big Show’s music.
Daniel Bryan vs. Ted DiBiase, Jr. Bryan wins by submission. This was a really good back and forth match.
Christian and Teddy Long are backstage talking about the contract signing for the World Title match and Long accused Christian of playing Big Show’s music during the Orton-Henry match. Long sets up the contract signing for later and also says that Christian will face Sin Cara.
Backstage Cody Rhodes rags on DiBiase for losing again and gives him a paper bag.
Sin Cara vs. Christian. Christian gets the pin. This was also a really good match. Christian said he couldn’t see with Sin Cara’s lighting. That was funny.
Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson vs. Cody Rhodes. Rhodes gets the win after DiBiase gets involved. This was a solid match.
Kane vs. Wade Barrett. Kane gets the pin.
Time for the contract signing for the World Title match. Christian has a lawyer with him. Both Orton and Christian say that they’ll win at the PPV and each one says they can’t beat the other. Orton signs the contract and Christian was going to when Sheamus comes out threw the crowd and kicks both guys. Then he tears up the contract and walks out with Orton and Christian both lying on the mat. This was a good segment too. Sheamus coming in at the end was great stuff.
This was another good episode of Smackdown. Pretty much everything on the show was entertaining.
Coverage and thoughts on the June 30, 2011 episode of Impact
The show starts with Hulk Hogan and Scott Steiner are in the back and Hogan welcomes him into Immortal. The back of Sting’s head is on a monitor with Sting calling Hogan “Terry” and does his psycho talk, then turns around to show he’s painted like Joker. None of this made sense and this was only the first 2 minutes of the show!
Hulk Hogan comes out and says that he will take care of Sting on his terms. He then calls out Ken Anderson. Anderson comes out and says that in 2 weeks when he faces Sting he can either join Immortal or face Sting by himself. Anderson then rags on Hogan and mentioned how he beat Sting at Slammiversary. Hogan said if it wasn’t for Bischoff, he would not be Champion. Hulk says Anderson owes Immortal. Anderson says he doesn’t owe them anything and takes all the credit for winning the Title. They show Sting attacking Immortal in the back. The lights in the arena go out and when they come back on Sting is in the ring standing behind Hogan hits him in the knee with his bat. Anderson bails and Sting says July 14 will be a special night and will be named Mid Summer Nightmare! UGH! Sting then goes back to Hogan and says that he was Hulk Hogan mark back in the day. Sting then says Hogan’s old catch phrase and Hulk’s 21 inch pythons. Sting has a huge vitamins bottle and Sting takes one and gives one to Hogan then he pours water down his throat and he continues to throw vitamins in his mouth. Sting then puts Hogan in the Scorpion Death Lock position. Bully Ray, Abyss, Gunner & Scott Steiner come out and Ray tells Sting to step away from Hogan. Ray says he’s tired of Sting mocking Hogan and that Sting is a wanna be. Ray says he can’t stand a bully and says that’s what Sting is. Ray then says that tonight it will be Sting vs. Scott Steiner. Hogan says that’s the last time Sting will embarrass him and he will wipe the smile off his face. This was really, really beyond illogical and stupid!! This storyline HAS TO END!! I’M LOSING IT HERE!!
Bound For Glory Series - Devon vs. Samoa Joe. Devon gets the pin. Joe kept going for submission holds to get extra points. This was a really good match.
Pope Dinero is in the back with Devon’s sons watching and applauding Devon’s win.
Scott Steiner promo in the back saying he wanted notice next time he’s put in a match. Ray and Steiner go back and forth a bit and Steiner walks out. I’m not sure what they’re doing here. They have Steiner face Bully Ray last week, Steiner was looking to get his hands on Ray, now Steiner’s part of Immortal and he and Ray still argue! My brain hurts!
Kazarian and Samoa Joe in the back. Kazarian tells him that he’s better than this. Whatever “this” is. They bicker and security keeps them apart. This was idiotic.
Low Ki vs. Matt Bentley vs. Jimmy Yang in a match to qualify for the Destination X PPV. Low Ki gets the win when he pins Yang. This was real good match too.
Madison Rayne in the back saying that Tara forgot who brought her back into TNA. Winter and Angelina come in and they argue with Madison. Winter says she will win the Knockouts Title at Hardcore Justice. Angelina says that her relationship with Winter is real now. Whatever! It is really hard to follow TNA booking. This segment was crap!
Another Kazarian-Joe brawl. This time it looked like it was in a bar. Joe flattened him.
Hogan is in the back and says that he forgot to act like the old Hulk Hogan, but Sting brought it back out and says he will take out Sting “Brother.”
Knockouts Champion Mickie James, Tara & Miss Tessmacher vs. Madison Rayne, Winter & Angelina Love in an Elimination match. Winter pins Tessmacher. Madison pins Tara after chucking Winter out of the ring. Mickie pins Madison. Mickie pins Angelina. Mickie pins Winter to win the match. During the match Winter told Angelina that she had her turn and that she (Winter) is the master. This was a good match.
Gunner promo talking about his 3rd match with AJ Styles tonight and that he will be the better man and win their series 2-1.
They have a Brian Kendrick-Abyss video package talking about their match at Destination X.
JB is in the ring and they have a contract signing for the AJ Styles-Christopher Daniels match at Destination X. Daniels says it’s not persona, but about the X-Division that they helped build 9 years ago. Daniels says that no matter who wins the match he will shake AJ’s hand. Jerry Lynn comes out and says that he left TNA 4 years ago, but still watched and said that building the X-Division was a group effort and is about the wrestling. RVD then comes out and says that he is the guy who started it all when it comes to X-Division wrestling. RVD says they’re all trying to be like him. Lynn mentions that they had many matches in ECW. Daniels says they’re all trying to take credit for what was already there and that they might not have invented the X-Division but they perfected it and that with AJ vs. Daniels and RVD vs. Lynn Destination X will be the greatest show of all time. Daniels. They set up a 4 Way match for next week. AJ vs. Daniels vs. RVD vs. Lynn. This was a really good segment. All 4 guys cut good promos and it was nice to hear the “old school” RVD bragging about being the best.
Gunner then attacks AJ as he’s shaking the fan’s hands and clears the ring. AJ fights back and Gunner bails. AJ tells Earl Hebner to ring the bell.
Bound For Glory Series – AJ Styles vs. Gunner. Gunner gets the pin to take the lead in the series with 21 points. This was also a real good match. Gunner has a lot of talent and AJ is a good opponent for him. They seem to work well together.
More Sting nonsense in the back saying that it will be show time for him and Steiner. This was mercifully short.
Velvet promo talking about her recent feud with ODB & Jackie saying that she was always the runt of the litter and that she has had to fight for everything that she got and that she is not as weak as it used to be and that next week’s handicap match with the stip being that if she wins, they will no longer be allowed at Impact Wrestling. This was a decent promo from Velvet.
Mexican America promo complaining that they’re not in the Bound For Glory series but Beer Money are. The British Invasion come out and Magnus says that they’re also not from the U.S. but they’re proud to be here and says that Mexican America haven’t gotten through the British Invasion and they challenge Mexican America to a match. He then tells them to leave the birds at home. Rosita slaps Magnus and a brawl breaks out then Rob Terry come out and Mexican America bail. They reunited The British Invasion.
They show the Jarretts in Mexico saying what a great time they’re having.
Immortal are in the back congratulating Gunner on his win. Then they talk about the Sting-Steiner match. Abyss is looking for his book and flips out.
Sting vs. Scott Steiner. Sting gets the pin. Bully Ray comes out and Sting flattens him. Ken Anderson comes out and low blows Sting and gives him the Mic Check. Ray & Steiner double team Sting for a bit then Hulk Hogan comes out and they hold Sting and Hogan punches him. Ray and Steiner pick him up and Hogan was going to hit Sting with his bat and Kurt Angle came out and ran off Immortal.
This week’s show was all over the place. This whole Sting as the Heath Ledger version of Joker is freaky and the whole Immortal bit is real old. The best parts of the show were the 3 Way X-Division match and the AJ-Daniels-RVD-Lynn segment.
Coverage and thoughts on the June 27, 2011 episode of Raw Roulette
Booker T is standing by the roulette wheel.
The show starts with Shawn Michaels coming out and says he tried to stay away but he couldn’t after being around 20 something years and that he missed the fans because they made him. He mentions that guest hosts are always on the show to plug something and he’s not about that, but of course he mentions his new show. That was funny. CM Punk, Michael McGuillicutty & David Otunga come out. Punk rags on Michaels for wanting to stick around and have the spot light still being on him. He then mentions that he will be leaving on July 18. Punk talks about how Michaels lost to Undertaker at WrestleMania 26 and unlike Michaels, Punk will be leaving WWE Champion. Punk says it’s sad that the fans cheer for the past (Michaels) and not the future. Michaels says the fans cheer because he is better than Punk. Punk says HBK was better than him, and how no one could hold a candle to either of them at their peeks. Punk asks if he’s challenging him. Michaels says that Punk has his style and he’s got his, then super kicks Otunga. The Raw GM chimes in and mentions that since Punk only has 3 raws left, they’re going to make them count. Punk will be in the first match of the night. They go to Booker T on the Tron. Booker spins the wheel and it lands on a question mark. Booker says that means he has a mystery opponent, and that is Kane. Michaels then super kicks McGuillicutty and tells Punk good luck. Kane then comes out for the match.
Kane vs. CM Punk. Kane wins by count out when Punk walks out.
Booker T & Eve Torres spin the wheel for the Sin Cara-Evan Bourne match. It lands on No count out
Sin Cara vs. Evan Bourne in a no count out match. Sin Cara gets the pin in a real entertaining back and forth match.
Kofi Kingston is in the back with Booker T. Booker tells Kofi he can spin the wheel for his match with Dolph. Vickie comes in and spins the wheel and it lands on player’s choice. That means Kofi can pick the stip and Kofi says he wants Vickie banned from ringside.
Kofi Kingston vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler. Vickie comes out but the refs kick her out. Kofi gets the pin. This was a solid match.
Maryse is in the back with Booker T and the wheel and Alberto comes in asking why he has to face Big Show again. Maryse agrees, and Alberto has Maryse spin the wheel and it lands on steel cage. Alberto & Maryse were talking while the wheel was spinning and didn’t notice right away. Booker wishes Alberto luck.
Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio in a steel cage match. Mark Henry comes out to watch, then breaks the door off the cage and comes in and kicks Big Show allowing Alberto to escape for the win. Mark Henry then rams Big Show with the cage door and Big Show goes threw the cage wall. That was crazy. Henry then jaw jacks with the fans, some refs come in to assist Big Show and Henry tells them to back off. Mark Henry is really doing a great job in the monster heal role. Big Show was assisted by refs and medics during the break.
Booker T spins the wheel for the Kelly-Nikki Bella match and it lands on submission.
Divas Champion Kelly Kelly vs. Nikki Bella in a Non Title submission match. Kelly gets the win with a Boston Crab. This was real short. The Bellas then double team Kelly and Eve comes out to even the odds.
Booker T and Rey Mysterio spin the wheel to see what match Rey will have and it lands on Tornado, which means Ray & Alex Riley vs. The Miz & Jack Swagger with all 4 guys in the ring at once. DDP comes and promotes the best of Monday Nitro DVD. Drew McIntyre comes in and says a lot of guys see them as washed up. He says he doesn’t, but they’re taking up his TV time. Drew tells them to split in 10 minutes or they will be leaving on stretchers. Shawn Michaels comes in and super kicks him. Michaels then checks out the Nitro disc and says he’s never seen any of it because he was working. This was done to plug the DVD, but why have Drew make his first TV appearance in months only to get punked out? Why bother having him on at all if this what they were going to do with him? This wasn’t that enjoyable.
Rey Mysterio & Alex Riley vs. Jack Swagger & The Miz in a Tornado match. Mysterio & Riley win when Rey pins Swagger. This was a really good match.
They don’t even bother spinning the wheel for the Cena-Truth match. They just announce it will be a Tables match.
WWE Champion John Cena vs. R-Truth in a Tables match. Punk comes out and he and Cena go at it and Truth puts Cena threw a table for the win. Punk has the mic, walks up the ramp, sits on the stage and says that before he goes in 3 weeks he has a lot to get off his chest. He tells Cena that he doesn’t hate him, but he hates the idea that Cena thinks he’s the best, but Punk is. Punk said that there is something Cena is better at then he is and that is kissing Vince’s rear end. He says he's better at that than even Hulk Hogan is. Punk says he's not sure if Cena is as good of butt kisser as The Rock. He also says that he’s “breaking the 4th wall” by calling him Dwayne. Then he says that he is the best WRESTLER in the world and that he was brought in by Paul Heyman because Heyman saw potential in him. He mentions that Brock Lesnar was also a Heyman guy and that he split too, but unlike Lesnar he will leave with the WWE Title. He says that he proved in 6 years that he is the best in the ring, on the mic and on commentary and mentions how he’s not on any WWE merchandise and the fact The Rock is main eventing WrestleMania makes him sick. He then rags on the fans, then says he might defend the WWE Title in Japan or maybe go back to ROH. He then says hey to Colt Cabana. Punk says that Vince is surrounded by yes men and that WWE will eventually be run by HHH & Stephanie. Punk was going to tell the fans a story about the anti-bullying ads, and they cut his mic. Punk then yells into the camera to end the show. This was a really great promo by CM Punk! He mentioned a lot of stuff here that I’m guessing was OK’d by management since he said it all on the show.
This was a decent show I thought. The Raw Roulette gimmick is dumb, but there were good matches on the show. The best parts were Cara-Bourne, the tornado tag match, Mark Henry breaking the cage and by far the highlight of the show was CM Punk’s outstanding promo!
Note: After Raw went off the air Michael Cole announced to the fans that WWE has indefinitely suspended CM Punk.
Coverage and thoughts on the June 24, 2011 episode of Smackdown
The show starts with Teddy Long in the ring and he asks Christian to come to so they discuss the controversial finish of Sunday’s World Title match. Christian comes out and demands another Title match since he was robbed at Capitol Punishment. Long tells him if wants another Title match he will have to earn it by beating Kane.
Sin Cara vs. Ted DiBiase, Jr. Cara gets the pin in a real good back and forth match.
Next up is Daniel Bryan & Cody Rhodes. Before the match Cody rags on the fans like usual and Daniel Bryan comes out. Bryan tells Cody that looks aren’t everything in wrestling and he shows a picture of Dusty on the Tron saying that he might not have been the best looking guy, but he had lots of charisma and is a good person, unlike Cody.
Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes. Cody gets the pin after Ted DiBiase, Jr. assists Cody. Cody puts a bag on Daniel’s head afterwards. This was a fun match. Lots of back and forth action.
Next up is a Johnny Curtis segment. He’s at catering standing by a table with ketchup, mayo & mustard. He takes the ketchup and the mayo but leaves the mustard and says it doesn’t make the cut. When are these lame segments going to end?
Matt Striker interviews Big Show about being attacked by Mark Henry Sunday. Big Show says that he will return the favor, then Mark Henry comes in and spears Big Show into the interview set. Referees come in to help Big Show up but Henry tells them to stay away from him. Mark Henry is really doing a great job as the monster heal.
Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson vs. Wade Barrett. Jackson gets the win with the rack. This was a decent match.
Jack Korpela interviews Randy Orton about Christian wanting another Title match. Orton says that he finds Christian getting another chance for a Title match amusing, but he will beat Christian again if he has to.
Backstage Wade Barrett runs into Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater and they rag on him for losing to Zeke before and that they’re going to do what he can’t and that’s win.
The Usos vs. Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater. Gabriel & Slater win when Slater pins Jimmy Uso. This was a good tag match. Gabriel & Slater are good as a team and The Usos are talented too.
Yoshi Tatsu vs. Jinder Mahal. Jinder flattened Yoshi before the match could start. He then gets the mic saying that Khali is done being a comedy act that they will both dominate WWE.
Kane vs. Christian. Kane wins by DQ when Mark Henry comes in. Christian is upset that Henry got him DQ’d. Henry throws Kane of the ring. Teddy Long then comes out and makes a Tag match. Randy Orton & Kane vs. Christian & Mark Henry. If Christian & Henry win, Christian will get another Title match.
World Champion Randy Orton & Kane vs. Christian & Mark Henry. Christian & Henry get the win when Henry pins Orton. So Christian will get his Title match. After the match Christian stands over Orton and poses with the belt.
I thought this was a good show overall. The Kane-Christian match and Orton & Kane-Mark Henry & Christian were both good. The Daniel Bryan-Cody Rhodes match was good also as was the Usos-Gabriel Slater and Sin Cara-Ted matches.
Coverage and thoughts on the June 23, 2011 episode of Impact
The show starts with Jeff Jarrett and Eric Bischoff talking about the Bound For Glory series and how Jeff will not be in it and that they need to control Mexico to give Immortal more power. This was the usual TNA idiocy.
Eric Bischoff is in the ring and calls out Sting for attacking Hogan last week. Bischoff yaps AGAIN and called Sting ungrateful. Sting calls him a con artist. Bischoff says that will put him in a match with Abyss tonight. Sting then tells Eric has a price to pay and beats the crap out of Bischoff and gave him the Scorpion Death Drop and put the red paint on his face, then locks on the Scorpion Death Lock. This was a typical TNA opener. The way Sting spoke he sounded like Jack Nicholson as Joker. This new gimmick for Sting is kind of weird.
Bound For Glory Series – Scott Steiner vs. Bully Ray. Ray gets the pin after hitting Steiner with a chain. This was a solid match.
Bischoff in his office with the red paint still telling Gunner & Abyss to go after Sting. Ken Anderson comes in and Bischoff yaps more about how he and Hogan helped him beat Sting and that Bischoff won the match for him. Anderson walks out. I don’t get this. I’m more than tired of the Bischoff-Hogan-Immortal-Anderson-whoever else is in there stupidity!
Scott Steiner is in the back throwing stuff around looking for Bully Ray.
Velvet Sky & Miss Tessmacher vs. Jackie Moore & ODB. Before the match Velvet says they asked the network if they can have a No Holds Barred match. The network said that it would have to be done “by the book” since Jackie & ODB “aren’t under contract”. Whatever that means. Jackie & ODB pick up the win when Jackie pins Velvet.
Tara promo saying that on July 14 she will finally get Madison Rayne. Madison comes in and says she’s giving her one chance to back out of the match. Tara passes, Madison slaps her then Tara takes her down.
Beer Money promo talking about how Bobby Roode is not 100% but Roode says that the Bound For Glory Series is an opportunity for one of them to become World Champion.
Steiner goes after Abyss, Bully Ray & Gunner and Ray offered Steiner a spot in Immortal. Steiner says no, throws the chain down then says he will think about it.
Bound For Glory Series - Crimson & Matt Morgan vs. TNA Tag Team Champions Beer Money. Crimson & Morgan win this when Morgan pins Roode. Because Matt Morgan got the pin he got 7 points in the Series. This was a good match.
Abyss is in the back rambling about how he will take out Sting. These promos are getting old.
Eric Young promo outside somewhere looking for some “sailor” guy. Lame.
AJ Styles promo saying that he will be returning to the X Division at Destination X and will also see the return of the 6 sided ring. AJ mentions the other X Division Pioneers like Jerry Lynn, Elix Skipper, Low Ki and Kid Kash. Samoa Joe comes out and says that AJ is the X-Division Pioneer, but the X-Division wasn’t taken seriously till he got there (it’s not taken seriously now). Daniels comes out and says that the same names keep coming up when the X-Division is discussed. Daniels then says for the PPV it should be AJ vs. Daniels. The fans chant what about Joe. Daniels asks AJ if he’s in and he accepts. Joe gets in AJ’s face afterwards. This was a good segment. I’m sure they’ll throw Joe in there too.
Kazarian and Daniels are in the back talking about Destination X and Kazarian asks why he challenged AJ. Daniels says for the spirit of competition. Daniels walks out then Joe comes in and he and Kazarian jaw jack for a bit then Joe attacks Kazarian.
Dakota Darsow vs. Federico Palacious (Azrieal from ROH) vs. Zima Ion in a match to qualify for the Destination X PPV. Xion wins when he pins Darsow. This was a really great match.
Rob Van Dam promo talking about the Bound For Glory series and the Destination X PPV and that he should be in there too since he was X-Division before it existed. Jerry Lynn comes in and says that they both were X-Division back in the day. This was a good promo and the Jerry Lynn cameo was cool. They will have a match at the PPV.
Knockouts Champion Mickie James vs. Winter in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Winter wins after Angelina gets involved. This was a solid match too. I’m not sure why Hebner had to have his back turned when Angelina ran in if this was a falls count anywhere match. They had a decent brawl though.
Sting vs. X-Division Champion Abyss. Abyss wins by DQ after Sting used a barbed wire glove that Abyss brought out. Sting busts Abyss open with the glove and Ken Anderson watches from ringside. This was more of an angle than a match. It was decent but not that great. I’m not sure what to make of “Psycho Sting.”
I thought this week’s show was better than last week’s. There were some good matches on there but the Sting vs. Anderson and everything with Bischoff is unbearable. The best parts were the 3 Way X-Division match, the AJ-Daniels-Joe promo, Mickie-Winter was decent and the RVD promo with Jerry Lynn showing up was cool to see. It was a typical TNA show with good matches and weird booking.
Coverage and thoughts on the June 20, 2011 3 hour episode of Power to the People Raw
The show starts with CM Punk saying what kind of awful decisions the fans will make tonight. He says he is the best wrestler in the world and that he beat Rey Mysterio last night and beat John Cena last Week and that wins and loses still have meaning and that he is the number one contender for the WWE Title. He tells the Raw GM to make him the official contender and wants his match at the Money In The Bank PPV in his home town of Chicago. The GM chimes in with Punk mocking Cole’s pre reading and he tells him to go ahead and read the e-mail. The GM says he will take what Punk said under consideration but wants Punk out of the ring. Punk won’t go and the GM chimes in again and says Punk should go now. Punk said he isn’t going anywhere. The GM said he was going to make him the number one contender but because Punk sounded disrespectful he now has to earn the Title match against Alberto Del Rio. Punk says that Del Rio got a fluke win over Big Show last night and the GM then makes a Triple Threat match. Punk vs. Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio. This was a mixed bag segment. Punk was good on the mic as usual, but the GM act is beyond old.
The first voting is to see who will challenge Brie Bella for the Divas Title. The choices are Eve Torres, Kelly and Beth Phoenix. The fans pick Kelly.
Kelly Kelly Vs. Divas Champion Brie Bella for The Title. Kelly gets the pin to win the Title. The Bellas argued after the match while Kelly celebrated with the belt. This was decent Divas match. Jerry Lawler gets on the mic and congradulates Kelly. Kelly gets all choked up thanking the fans.
Also this is Kelly’s FIRST run as Diva’s Champion. Michael Cole messed up on commentary and said that Kelly was looking to REGAIN the Title. I’m not sure if he messed that up himself or someone fed him the wrong info through his headset. He corrected himself later during the next match.
The next voting is to see who will face Evan Bourne. The choices are Jack Swagger, Mason Ryan and Sin Cara. The fans pick Mason Ryan. I’m not sure if the voting is legit here. Why would the fans pick Mason Ryan? Whether or not the voting is legit, maybe either the fans or Vince were worried that Cara might have messed up his spots and that Bourne beat Swagger last night. Still, I would have rather seen Swagger or Cara.
Evan Bourne vs. Mason Ryan. Mason Ryan gets the pin. This was a typical big guy-little guy match with the Ryan tossing Bourne around with Bourne making a comeback before getting pinned.
The next voting is Kane vs. Mark Henry in either a Body Slam Match, Arm Wrestling contest or an over the top Rope challenge. Henry talks about press slamming Big Show through the table last night. Good promo from Mark Henry.
Note: They came back from commercial and Mark Henry cut his promo then they went back to commercial. Like Stone cold used to say “WHAT?”
For Kane vs. Mark Henry the fans pick the Arm Wrestling Match. Mark Henry punches Kane and gets DQ’d and they go at it. Kane goes for a Chokeslam but Henry yanks Kane’s hand off his throat then throws the arm wrestling table on Kane. He then rams Kane back first into the ring post then takes the announce table apart and rags on Booker T. Henry then gives Kane the World’s Strongest Slam through the table. They’re really doing a great job of getting Mark Henry over as heal monster. He then rags on the fans saying that he wants respect. This was great stuff from Henry.
They had a video package of the Cena-Truth feud with Truth talking about conspiracies and they showed the end of his match last night. This was a good video package.
R-Truth comes out and asks the fans if they're having fun running the show tonight. He said he asked himself who he thought would try to get him. He thought it was the laptop or maybe Cena, but he realized it was “Little Jimmy.” He goes on his Jimmy rant and Christian comes out and says the power to the people gimmick is a joke. Then he talked about how he became World champion after 17 years only to lose the Title less then a week later because the fans decided he should face Orton. He says he’s had set backs and that they’re the fan’s fault and not his. They then show a clip of Christian’s foot being under the bottom rope when he got pinned by Orton last night and Christian says that he demands that justice be served and that he wants one more Title match. Truth says Christian at least got to be Champion, but he got screwed out of being Champion by “Little Jimmy.” The Miz then comes out and calls Christian and Truth winners. Miz says that Alex Riley had a win handed to him on a silver platter last night. Christian mentions that Miz fought his former apprentice while they had Title matches and lost. They go back and forth doing Miz’s really bit, then Christian says Riley, Miz throws in Randy and Truth throws in Jimmy. Teddy Long comes out and says that tonight’s main event will be Miz, Christian & Truth vs. Alex Riley, Randy Orton & John Cena and the fans will pick what kind of match it will be. This was good back and forth stuff from these 3 guys.
The next voting is for Kofi Kingston vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler and the choices are a 2 out of 3 falls match, Vickie Guerrero being banned from ringside or a submission match. The fans pick 2 out of 3 falls.
Kofi Kingston vs. U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the Title. Ziggler gets the pin for the first fall. This was during the commercial break. Kofi gets the pin for the second fall. Kofi gets the third fall by DQ when Dolph hit him with the mic. Kofi won the match, but Dolph retained the Title. Kofi then gave Dolph Trouble In Paradise after the match. This was a really good back and forth match. These 2 work very well together. It was also cool to have a 2 out of 3 falls match.
I missed this part, but they also mentioned that Shawn Michaels will be on Raw next week.
No DQ, Falls Count Anywhere or Submission for the Mysterio-Del Rio-Punk match. Alberto takes the mic and says that he’s been teaching the fans and taught Big Show a lesson in destiny last night and how Big Show getting his leg run over and him beating Big Show last night and winning tonight’s match will all be destiny.
Back from commercial and the fans pick Falls Count Anywhere. Punk gets the win when he pins Del Rio. This was a really awesome match! A lot of back and forth action and great spots in there! Punk then gets the mic and says that July 17, 2011 will be a historic day for WWE because he will beat Cena for the WWE Title. He also mentions that that July 17 is the day his contract runs out and that means when the clock strikes he’s leaving with the WWE Title. This was a really good promo from CM Punk. He has been gold on the mic.
Paper bag, No count out or Collegiate rules match for Daniel Bryan vs. Cody Rhodes. The fans pick No count out. Bryan gets the pin after reversing an inside cradle. Bryan then locks the Labelle Lock on Cody and Ted DiBiase, Jr. comes out and he and Daniel go at for a bit, then Cody and Ted double team him and Cody hits him with the Cross Rhodes. Ted lifts Daniel up and Cody puts a bag over Daniel’s head. This was a good match too. The post match beat down was good, but where was Sin Cara to even the odds?
The next fan voting is Vickie Guerrero vs. Booker T, Jerry Lawler or Michael Cole in a dance contest. Matt Striker is in the ring with Vickie. Vickie talks about Dolph Ziggler winning the U.S. Title and that she will win the dance contest. Vickie “dances” a bit then kisses Matt Striker. Time to find out which commentator will be dancing. The fans pick Michael Cole. Cole gets the mic and tells the fans to sit back and enjoy perfection. Cole does some comical stuff, does the worm and a spinnarooni then says, “Now can you dig that, Booker?” Striker asks the fans who they think should win and they booed both, so they went with who got booed louder and that was Cole. Cole celebrates and Vickie slaps him and walks off and dances up the ramp. This was kinda funny, Vickie & Cole are both good in the heal role.
They mention that Shawn Michaels will be at Raw in Las Vegas next week.
1 fall to a finish, 20 minute time limit or elimination for Randy Orton, John Cena & Alex Riley vs. Christian, R-Truth & The Miz. The fans pick Elimination. Christian eliminates Riley by pinfall. Cena eliminates Miz by pinfall. Orton eliminates Truth by pinfall. Christian eliminates Orton by pinfall. Cena makes Christian tap to the STF after Orton gives Christian an RKO. Cena wins the match. Cena & Orton pose on the ropes with their Title belts. This was a really good match too for the most part, the parts that were eh were Cena pinning Miz with one Attitude Adjustment after getting beaten down for a while and Cena & Orton posing together after the match. I hate how WWE tries to make people forget what happened. Cena & Orton were in a major feud a few years back and now they stand around all buddy-buddy. Besides those parts, the rest of the match was good.
This was a much better show then last week I thought. They had more matches on this show. The best matches were Kofi-Dolph, Bryan-Cody, the 6 man tag & the triple threat match, which was by far the best match on the show this week!
Coverage and thoughts on the June 17, 2011 episode of Smackdown
The show starts with Randy Orton talking about his concussion but says that he wants a piece of Christian. Teddy Long comes out and says that he can’t let Orton compete tonight. Christian comes out and says he will win the World Title Sunday. Sheamus comes out and says that he beat Orton last week in Non Title match and that he deserves a shot at the Title. Christian tells Sheamus that it isn’t his time. Long then announces Sheamus vs. Christian for tonight and if Sheamus wins the Title match Sunday becomes a Triple Threat Match, but if Christian wins it will be Orton vs. Christian. Orton will be at ringside for the match. I’m not sure where they’re going with Orton. I know he really does have a concussion from the house show tour, but if he won’t be cleared by Sunday, why hint that he will be? This was decent way to kick off the show. Not as good as others, but not too bad.
Sin Cara, Daniel Bryan & Ezekiel Jackson vs. Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Jr. & Wade Barrett. Cara, Bryan & Jackson win when Bryan pins Ted. It looked like Ted kicked out at 2, but the match ended. This was a solid match.
Sheamus promo backstage saying that he will beat Christian and be in the World Title match Sunday and become Champion.
Vladimir Kozlov vs. Jinder Mahal. Jinder gets the pin after Khali chops Kozlov. This was a little more than a squash, but mostly made to continue getting Mahal over.
Josh Mathews interviews Big Show inside the ring and Show says he heard that Alberto was there. Teddy Long comes out and says that if Alberto is there Show cannot touch him. That doesn’t make any sense. He mentions that Del Rio is considering pressing charges against Show for attacking Ricardo Monday. Long said that he and Show would both lose their jobs if that happens, but Long has an opponent for Big Show tonight and out comes Mark Henry. I don’t get this. Del Rio is considering pressing charges against Show, but no charges are pressed for Alberto & Ricardo running over Show’s leg?
Big Show vs. Mark Henry. He match never begins as Show just beats the crap out of Henry. Henry then gets stretchered out. I like that they’re making Big Show look like a monster, but why at the expense of Mark Henry who was in the Title hunt gets flattened and made to look like a jobber again!
Christian promo saying that his match with Sheamus is a bad call and that he shouldn’t have to prove himself to anyone.
Natalya, AJ & Kaitlyn vs. Rosa Mendez, Alicia Fox & Tamina. Rosa, Alicia & Tamina win when Tamina pins AJ. This was a good, but real short match
Johnny Curtis promo mentioning that he will be debuting soon and that he has “an ace in the hole.” He was standing by a miniature golf setup and pulled an ace card out of the hole.
The Usos vs. Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater. The Usos win when Gabriel gets pinned. This was good. Both teams looked really good in this one.
Alberto Del Rio shows up and cuts a promo saying that Big Show destroyed Ricardo Monday and that he can no longer provide for his daughter. He dedicated his match with Show to Ricardo. Big Show then came out and chased Del Rio into the crowd. Then he wrecked the announce table and throws a few chairs around. Then he took a piece of the barrier and threw it at the ring. This was more good monster like intensity from Big Show.
Sheamus vs. Christian. Christian wins, then Orton runs him off to the back. Orton then get in the ring and punts Sheamus in the head as Christian watches on the stage.
This week’s show was not as good as other’s, but I thought it was still a good show and I thought they did a decent job in the final build for the Title match Sunday.
