Smackdown
Aaron's UnReal Time Smackdown Review: Swagger Gives Rey A Taste Of His New Move
By Aaron Wood
Jul 2, 2010 - 4:27 PM

LAST WEEK ON SMACKDOWN: Cody Rhodes loved himself, Swagger did what he couldn't do as a champion, Drew got screwed again, only this time by the Government and Kane didn't like sellers of candy floss and popcorn...

THIS WEEK…
We kick off with last week's REVENGE~! of Undertaker's beating by Kane, having picked CM Punk as the perp, which ended up with Punk running out of the building into the street in his wrestling gear, which is always a surreal image. After the credits, The Legend That Is Todd Grisham noted it was Kane vs. Luke Gallows as Big Red No. 1 was still out for vengeance.

See that main event??? That's booked that is...
Jack Swagger came out to the ring, still with a look on his face like he sucked on a particularly sour lemon, having lost his title to Rey Mysterio. He reiterated his point from last week about making people suffer after being cheated out of his title, directing us to the TitanTron for a replay of Swagger's seemingly brutal ankle lock on Big Show. Swagger said it was funny that his journey started in a Money In The Bank match and becoming the biggest star of Wrestlemania 26. It changed his life it did. 5 days later, he won the World Heavyweight Champion. And then a fortnight ago, he got cheated out of it. Daddy was devastated! And yet no-one cares!

Big Show came out, staying up the top of the ramp, since he was still limping. He mocked Swagger's daddy issues. And if there is one man in the WWE in a position to mock daddy issues, it's Big Show. Having Big Bossman ride his daddy's coffin like a mule affords him that. Show said there was more to be upset about in the world. Getting stuck in an elevator with a gassy Show is one of them. But hey, you started something that you should have finished, Swaggie... You hurt him, but you didn't finish the job, because he's still standing and breathing, and while he's like that, Big Show won't stop.

Show BEGGED Swagger to come and try again with the Ankle Lock. Swagger said he had nothing to prove. What he felt last week was a ligament tearing from his bone, and Rey would feel the same thing when he regained his title at the PPV. Show talked about hos Swagger couldn't figure out fantasy and reality. He thinks the WWE Universe wants Jackie as champie. In his fantasy, Swagger thinks he could break Show's ankle. But in Show's reality, he knows he can breaks Jack's jaw. And why wait?

Show limped towards the ring, and he got a reason to wait to break Swagger's jaw as DASHING~! Cody Rhodes actually did dash out and chop-blocked the leg of Big Show. Rhodes and Swagger went to work on Big Show, and his ankle in particular. They got Show in the ring to work it over some more, although Show mounted something of a comeback. And indeed, as Big Show downed the nefarious pair and got up, Rey Mysterio ran out a day late and a dollar short to hit a seated senton on Swagger and headscissors on Rhodes, sending them from the ring. Seriously, Show pretty much had it covered by the time rey got his lazy ass down there. Did he think he was still in Hawaii or something???

We joined Striker & Grisham who talked about the MITB match. Striker noted there was to be 8 people in the match, but the announcers announced only six. Kane, Matt Hardy, "Dashing" Cody Rhodes, Christian, Kofi Kingston and Big Show, with two more to be named. Originally, they were supposed to be CM Punk & Drew McIntyre, but between Punk's arm (you'll find out later) and Drew's legit visa issues (who knew that was akin to a shoot angle last week?!?!?!) they're bumped from the match.


Foals - "Miami"

Moments ago, you saw stuff that just happened. This led to the announcement of Rey & Show vs. Swagger & Rhodes in the main event.

Kofi Kingston def. Dolph Ziggler in a "Sure, he failed you Vickie. But hey, at least he's still not such an epic failure as Eric Escobar..." non-title match
Kofi came out first. We cut backstage to Dolph when Vickie caught up with him and reminded him that a win tonight would get him a title shot. He kinda blew her off as something caught his eye. That something revealed to be Rosa Mendes doing star jumps. Vickie yanked him away and out to the ring, with them somewhat arguing in doing so. Dolph worked in his amateur background early, but Kofi scored with a monkey flip. Kofi looked for Trouble In Paradise, but Dolph stopped in his tracks and ducked out the ring as we hit the break.

We came back with Mr. Ziggles in control of things as we saw Dolph hit Kofi with a clothesline from behind that happened during the break. The rolling necksnap picked up a 2 count. As did a leaping elbow drop. Striker tired to claim that, according to some, the MITB match favours the larger man. WHO SAYS THAT AND IN WHAT MIND ARE THEY IN WHEN THEY SAY IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE "RIGHT" MIND!!! Thankfully, Striker somewhat disagreed with the notion anyway. Kingston stole Christian move of the pendulum kick and leap off the top, although instead of the missile dropkick, he hit a crossbody for two.

He continued to make his comeback, knocking Ziggler down and hitting the Boom Drop. Kingston called for Trouble In Paradise, but Ziggler ducked it and hit another nice Fameasser for a 2 count. Ziggler started to talk to Vickie, distracting Dolph to turn into a pop-up Trouble In Paradise for the win!

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7/10 - Good match, although I'd be interested to see how things develop since you'd assume they'd go ahead with a feud between the two, but no, it looks like they killed the idea dead, with Kofi picking up the win. I mean, even if you think it's because they could do with Ziggler in the MITB match, Kingston was in the match anyway, so if anything having a feud in the match itself rather a group of guys would help the match.
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After the match, Vickie shook her head and walked away.


Cancer Bats - "Sabotage"

We cut backstage to see the SES looking forlorn as Punk's arm was in a sling. In a classic "Bad TV", they stood for a few seconds before acting as if they were continuing a conversation. Punk wanted Serena to clam down and let him handle things. Serena wanted them to "admit it", but Punk didn't want to. Serena said they had lost control of things a long time ago. They tried to clam her down. She said she had never seen Punk like he did when he went into the OR and she felt helpless, and it broke her heart. Punk said they would take care of it. But Serena said if they didn't, she would. Punk said it would end tonight. The SES depended on it.

It's funny how two men can share so much in their career and yet, right now, one man is a great worker and cool guy, and the other is just chubby and REALLY f**king annoying...
We joined the Peep Show, with a bunch of ladders in and around the ring, a bright blue briefcase, and Christian and Matt Hardy already in the ring. Christian spoke about the match, noting he and his guest were in the match, a man who had fallen off as many ladders as he had.

Christian sat down, before noting Hardy's crazy last few months, before last week when he was brought back and beat Drew McIntyre. Christian said it was good to see him in the ring with Drew and not get dropped on his head. Hardy took some umbrage. He said in his time in the WWE, he's had to deal with the corporate politics. He's been suspended, fired, brought back, backstabbed and dropped on his head a few times, but he kept coming back. Hardy was about to say he wouldn't die, but Christian interrupted to finish "Will NOT win the Smackdown MITB Ladder match." Y'see they both knew the risks involved. Hardy said the two of them made the match famous. Christian said they had never reaped the rewards of the match and the entire WWE Universe would agree no-one deserves it more than one of them. But there was a reason Hardy was on the show, and that was while they deserve it, Christian would be winning it.

Hardy was happy for Christian's confidence. Their careers were parallel in many ways. Tag titles, IC Titles, ECW Titles. But there was one thing that had eluded the pair and that was the World Title, and if he wanted to get real, look at the case. They climbed up the middle ladder, where Hardy said whoever had the contract would change everything for them and Matt planned on it being him. As they stepped down, Christian said that neither one of them is Drew McIntyre, the "Chosen One". They've never liked either of them and had to earn everything they got and he was sick of guys like Drew getting all the shots without earning it. So it was HIS time and HIS opportunity to earn it and he would win it and that was it. Hardy said he was frustrated as well, but he hoped the last two guys left standing for the case were the two of them. They simultaneously affirmed they would win before some trash talking. Christian went to leave, but came back in the ring, where Hardy clocked him and tossed him into a ladder.

We saw the same Alberto Del Rio promo about liars from last week.


Gorillaz - "On Melancholy Hill"

Backstage, Cody Rhodes was preening himself in the mirror. He took a look around before essentially interviewing himself about how "Dashing" he was, and said that his motivation for earlier was to take out the leg of the biggest threat in the match, since Big Show wouldn't be able to climb. He then repeated the "Dashing" moniker over and over again before he saw Kane come out for his match.

Kane def. Luke Gallows by DQ in a "Tut Tut..." match
Gallows came out with the injured Punk. Kane took the advantage early, working Gallows in the corner. Well, I say "early", because after a couple of minutes of a mauling of Gallows, Joey Mercury ran into the ring as Kane looked for a chokeslam, drawing the DQ.

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2/10 - Not much to it. Just plays into the bigger angle.
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Kane chokeslammed Mercury and then Gallows. He looked to do the same to Punk, but Serena ran out and begged Kane not to. She claimed she could prove Punk's innocence. She timidly got in the ring, before saying Punk couldn't have hurt Undertaker. Punk, at this point, was begging Serena off. She said on the day everything happened, Punk was with her. Punk was saving her, directing Kane's attention to the TitanTron.

We saw a video of Serena walking nervously into a bar where she ordered a drink. She prayed a little before taking a sip of it. Cut to later and she was now doing shots with some dude. cut to even later as Punk, Gallows and Mercury walk in the bar. Punk was actually maskless, but had a baseball cap covering his recently balded head. Punk yelled at her before they led her away. Kane dropped Punk and walked up the ramp annoyed. Serena tried to check on Punk, but he was again angry with her. She said she had to do it. Punk asked if she had any idea what she just did. He walked away from her as we left it.

MVP def. Chavo Guerrero in a "And hell, Dolph isn't as much as a failure as Chavo either!" match
As MVP came out, we saw MVP & Kofi doing a signing at Toys R Us in NYC as the new line of figures went on sale. Chavo came out with a mic, telling Aunt Vickie that her gringo boyfriend couldn't get it done, but hello, he's her nephew and he would get it done, and after he beats MVP, he deserved an IC Title shot.

Chavo started well enough, hitting a Liger kick for a 2 count before hitting the Three Amigos. He went for a frog splash, but MVP moved and Chavo rolled through. However, MVP started a comeback hitting the facebuster off the knee, following up with the BALLIN'~! elbow drop and the 305/Play Of The Day for the win.

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4/10 - MVP's comeback was a bit sloppy, and really, it didn't accomplish much since it was more about Chavo's failure than giving MVP a good win.
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This Week in WWE History...Lex Luger was relevant in 1993 when he bodyslammed Yokozuna before jumping on the Lex Express. He then choked in his eventual title match. They didn't mention he choked. But he did. Much in the same way as he choked on that t-shirt.

Kelly Kelly def. Michelle McCool in a "Well, that's a nice wedding present, huh?" match
Kelly Kelly came out with MRS. DREW McINTYRE as we saw Kelly beat Layla last week. MRS. THE UNDERTAKER then came out with Layla, but sadly, not Kaval. Layla trash talked with Tiffany, but it allowed Michelle to attack Tiffany, sending her into the guardrail. Layla then sprayed around the ring with some air freshener. You know. Smelly Kelly. The bell rang, forcing Michelle to get back in the ring, and while Kelly attacked, Michelle caught her with a kick to the gut to take control. Michelle worked Kelly over as we saw Tiffany trying to recover. After some choking the corner, Layla sprayed the air freshener in Kelly's direction, but Tiffany took out Layla. Michelle went after Tiffany, but Kelly rolled McTaker up for the three count!

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5/10 - It was OK and served to give Kelly another win, meaning she's beaten both members of LayCool, which means that in theory she's a threat.
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Ok Go - "End Love"

The RAW Rebound was the Nexus beating of Ricky Steamboat. They didn't give an update though as we went to Rey Mysterio walking the halls before the break. Has to be said, first week saw Bryan Danielson get fired. Second week saw something happen with Bret to the point where he's no longer around, at least right now. Then Wade Barrett's visa ended, forcing him back to Good ol' Blighty and then, most worryingly of all, Steamboat is now seriously ill in hospital albeit thankfully with a really good prognosis, based on the last reports I've seen. But yeah, I'm thinking there is a force out there that is just trying to screw with the Nexus angle. First time in a LONG ass time they've tried to get new young guys over en masse, and something keeps screwing with them!

We got a second Alberto Del Rio vignette, this time talking about inspiration, and how he inspires others.

Rey Mysterio was introduced to address the fans. He said it felt great to be reliving his dream, and great to be World Champion. And while it brought new obstacles, he was ready for them. it took him his entire career to get to the top and he wouldn't let any superstar, especially Jack Swagger, take it away from him, and tonight he would show Swagger and "Dashing" Cody Rhodes that while he's champion, you're not facing just Rey, but the whole 619.

An advert for RAW said the Nexus's fate would be decided on Monday.

Big Show & Rey Mysterio def. Jack Swagger & Dashing Cody Rhodes by DQ in a "See, this is what happens when you book Drew McIntyre poorly in a feud with Fatt Lardy and then don't sort out his visa like you normally would. You get Cody Rhodes in the main event..." match
We came back for the rest of the entrances. Rey & Cody started off. Cody wrung the arm, but Rey flipped out. Rey then jumped over a seated Rhodes and hit a kick to the chest. Big Show came in and chopped the chest, before whipping Rhodes into Swagger, before pres slamming him over the top and onto Swagger on the floor. We came back to see rey block a Rhodes charge. However, when Rey went up, Rhodes crotched him and looked for a back superplex. Rey knocked him off though and hit a seated senton for a 2 count.

Mysterio kicked Cody into 619 position, but had failed to see that Swagger had blind-tagged in, so Swaggie hit a big boot. By the way, speaking of "The Swaggie". Have you ever wondered what it would look like if Jack Swagger was seen eating one of his eponymous sandwiches while being stared at, apropos of nothing, by a duck?



So anyway, Swagger worked Rey over in the corner, before bieling him out of it. Rhodes in off the tag. He dropped Rey front-first before hitting a knee drop for 2. Rhodes stretched Rey out, but Mysterio kicked out of the hold. Cody hit a step up kick to Rey. Kinda of like a low-rent Flying Chuck. Striker said he'd have to come up with a name. Swagger tagged in and hit the Vader Bomb before locking on a bodyscissors. Rey got out, but was caught by Swagger. However, Swagger's powerslam was countered with a DDT. Mysterio tagged in Big Show.

Show started off hot, but then started favouring the leg. Swagger countered the chokeslam again, but Show powered up and hit a wheelbarrow suplex. However, this led to Show tweaking the ankle. he tagged in Rey, who springboarded in and dropped the dime, but Rhodes broke up the pin before kicking out Show's legs. Rhodes worked Show over as Swagger caught Rey's 619 attempt. Swagger locked on an ankle lock, even though Rey was in the ropes when he put it on, but Swagger refused to let go, drawing the DQ.

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7.5/10 - Good enough match that served into the idea of Swagger using the ankle lock, and indeed weakening (or at least beginning to weaken) Rey ahead of their PPV match. And it gave Cody Rhodes a nice taste of being in the TV main event on his own.
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Swagger kept the hold on. Big Show, who must have disposed of Rhodes since he disappeared off the face of the earth, got int he ring, but since Rey is so light, Swagger, with the hold still on, pulled Rey out of the ring, for a few more seconds of ankle lockage as Big Show couldn't save his lil' buddy. Swagger let the hold go eventually and headed back up the ramp as Big Show looked on. Rhodes finally joined Swagger in the aisle as Show checked on Rey and apologised for his non-save as the show ended.

OVERALL - Pretty good show this week, with a good focus on the PPV, with the Peep Show segment as well as the building of the Swagger/Mysterio feud, which also helped push the MITB match, between Swagger noting he won MITB this year and is where he is now, as well as Cody Rhodes getting involved, and cutting his promo saying he took out Big Show so he could weaken him for the ladder-climbing match. And if they are of the mind to, they helped build to a Kelly vs. Layla and/or Michelle match. indeed, that's something that's yet to be broached. Is there a Freebird rule for LayCool, or are they forcing Layla only to defend the title since she's the official champion?

And then, there was the development in the Straight Edge Society., which should be interesting to see play out, since Serena has been so devoted, almost sexually, to Punk, only for her to slip and break her pledge. And then it also means Kane has to find another culprit for who took out Undertaker before he's inevitably revealed to have done it. So yeah, overall, fun show this week that made many correct moves.