Smackdown this week is coming to us this week from Jacksonville, Florida and begins with officials and security tending to a fallen Booker T who was making his way out to the announce table when he was attacked from behind by Cody Rhodes.  Michael Cole throws to footage showing Booker walking out and Cody attacking from behind.  Tony Chimel then announces the return of Lilian Garcia to the WWE and as the new announcer for Smackdown. Lilian thanks the WWE Universe and says it feels so good to be back and is interrupted by Cody Rhodes.  Rhodes says he hates to be the purveyor of the truth but no one cares that she’s back and he’s pretty sure that no one noticed she had left.  However he does enjoy the symmetry of the return of one announcer coinciding with the departure of another. Rhodes says he guesses he didn’t send out his message to Booker T, last week about respect, loud enough.  He made things abundantly clear tonight.  The question is, who’s going to fill this chair.  Who’s going to fill this chair? Who is going to spew moan inducing cliches, first rate rudimentary commentary? Who’s going to talk about a fave five with eleven people in it? Who’s going to do it? And Rhodes said HE’S going to do it. Rhodes then tells Booker to watch carefully, he might learn something.

Match 1- Beat The Clock: Wade Barrett vs Ezekiel Jackson

Barrett and Jackson lock up and Barrett goes for a quick roll up but can’t take Jackson down.  Jackson goes for an elbow drop but Barrett moves out of the way. Barrett with the cover 1….2…1…2….Barrett with a kick to Jackson. Side headlock by Barrett.  Jackson with a punch, irish whip to Barrett and a back elbow 1...and a forearm across the back 1…..2….Barrett slides out of the ring.  Barrett slides back in, goes for a clothesline, Jackson ducks and hits a shoulderblock. Barrett gets up and Jackson hits a clothesline sending Barrett over the top rope to the floor. Jackson reaches through the ropes, picks Barrett up bringing him back in and rams his head into the turnbuckle.  Jackson with a series of shoulderblocks in the corner.  Irish whip by Jackson, clothesline attempt ducked by Barrett, Barrett off the ropes and Barrett takes Jackson’s knee out.  Barrett throws Jackson shoulderfirst into the ringpost.  A roll up 1….2….Barrett drives a series of knees into Jackson’s back 1….2….chinlock by Barrett, Jackson to his feet, driving a series of body blows into Barrett breaking the hold.  Jackson swings with a clothesline, Barrett ducks and a kick to Jackson’s knee. Barrett picks Jackson up and delivers a pumphandle slam 1….2….

-Commercial-

Barrett back to the chinlock and Jackson up to his feet backing Barrett into the corner. Jackson ramming Barrett back into the corner forcing him to break the hold.  Jackson turns around, Barrett charges and Jackson levels him with a clothesline. Barrett in the corner and Jackson hits another set of clotheslines following up with punches and body blows.  Mike Chioda putting the count on Jackson.  Jackson with irish whip to Barrett into the corner. Jackson picks Barrett up delivers a side slam 1….2…..Jackson fired up now, a series of slams to Barrett.  Jackson picks Barrett up putting him in the torture rack, Barrett counters, a kick to Jackson, and Barrett picks him up going for The Wasteland, Jackson counters pushing Barrett into the ropes and Barrett hits the side slam 1….2…3

The winner of the match: Wade Barrett!!!!

Time To Beat: 7:53

Post Match: Wade Barrett grabs the mic and says when he started The Barrett Barrage it was to take him all the way to the championship but unfortunately there was one man stood in his way. Randy Orton. So he did what no man had ever done before.  He humiliated, embarassed, and defeated Randy Orton repeatedly. Randy Orton has always had a psychological advantage over his opponents but not over Barrett. Barrett said there’s only one voice in Orton’s head right now and it’s Barrett’s. And as far as being the Apex Predator of Smackdown and his match this evening goes, Barrett’s voice is telling Orton that he’s out of time.

-Commercial-

Backstage: David Otunga is talking to Teddy Long and says Mick Foley made an egregious error on last week’s’ holiday edition of Smackdown by putting him in the Miracle On 34^th Street Match.  As Long knows, Otunga is a member of the Raw roster so when Foley placed him in a match on Smackdown that was an explicit violation of his authority and he feels the best way to rectify this situation is to have that loss expunged from his record. Long has no idea what Otunga is talking about and Otunga says as GM, Teddy may not be as creative as John Laurinaitis but clearly Teddy can see things Otunga’s way.  Long says Otunga’s right sometimes Mick Foley gets carried away because after all Otunga was just coming to a party but as a WWE superstar David Otunga is subject to the whim of ruling authority no matter what show he’s on. And since Otunga is here on Smackdown tonight, Long is going to show him just how creative HE can be and says he’s looking for an opponent for a specific supertar and Otunga would be perfect. Otunga objects and reminds Long that he’s not on Smackdown he just happens to be there.  Long says Otunga’s right.  He’s here so he’s going to compete.  Otunga asks who his opponent will be and Long says he is putting Otunga in a match tonight against Sheamus.

In ring Interview:

Josh Matthews introduces Daniel Bryan. Matthews says as Bryan relives the match he had last week against Mark Henry, Bryan came so close but was aslo brutalized and asked what’s going through Bryan’s mind right now. Bryan said obviously being inside a steel cage with Mark Henry is very painful but what’s actually very painful is going to the back and feeling that disappointment of letting everybody you know down. That disappointment of having everything you’ve ever wanted right in front of you and not being able to have it. Being the World Heavyweight Champion has always been his dream he was so close and let it slide through his fingers. Michael Cole then interrupts and says he’s heard enough.   Cole says he can’t handle this anymore and to stop this pain and says Bryan is nothing but a loser.  Bryan tells Cole to do him and everybody else a favour and shut the hell up and Cole tells Bryan to shut up.  Bryan says he doesn’t know what Cole’s problem is or why he doesn’t respect Bryan and Cole says how does Bryan want him to respect Bryan when he’s out here tonight whining about how he blew his opportunity at the World Heavyweight Championship and he’s sure when Bryan doesn’t cash in his MITB briefcase he’s going to be whining about that too. Cole says Bryan never earned a title opportunity. Bryan points to Cody Rhodes and reminds Cole that he earned his title opportunity by making Rhodes tap out. Bryan says he’s earned everything he got since he arrived and Cole tells him he earned a one way ticket out of the WWE. Cole tells Bryan he should go away he’s nothing but a loser. Bryan exits the ring and gets in Cole’s face threatening to make Cole tap out.  Cole backs up as Bryan inches closer only to be attacked by Cody Rhodes.

-Commercial-

We see footage from moments ago of Cody Rhodes' attack on Daniel Bryan

Match 2 - Zack Ryder vs Heath Slater

Ryder and Slater lock up and Slater backs Ryder into the corner and a punch by Slater blocked by Ryder who answers with one of his own.  A series of punches by Ryder, irish whip reversed by Slater and flying elbow by Ryder.  Kick by Slater, and he throws Ryder hard into the turnbuckle and chops him down with a forearm to the back.  Slater with mounted punches on Ryder.  Ryder gets up and Slater kicks him in the head.  Slater with a series of punches in the corner and stomps away at Ryder as referee Jack Doan puts the five count on Slater.  Slater charges and Ryder gets the boots up.  Ryder setting up as Slater is slumped in the corner.  Ryder hits The Broski Boot.  Ryder hits the Ruff Ryder 1…..2….3

The winner of the match: Zack Ryder!!!!

-Commercial-

Match 3 - Ted DiBiase vs Jinder Mahal

Mahal starts out with a kick to DiBiase and a forearm across the back. Mahal has DiBiase on the ropes and delivers a knee. Irish whip by Mahal, reversed by DiBiase and a hip toss by DiBiase. Mahal gets up and DiBiase lands a dropkick. Irish whip by DiBiase, reversed by Mahal.  DiBiase in the corner, Mahal looking to capitalize, DiBiase gets the boot up. DiBiase on the second rope and Mahal chops him down, taking his legs out from under him.  Mahal quick to follow up with a neckbreaker 1….2….DiBiase on the ropes and Mahal choking him out with a knee to the back of the neck.  Mahal shoves DiBiase to the mat and using the ropes for leverage jumps up and drops a knee across DiBiase’s neck. Mahal picks DiBiase up, irish whip and a back elbow to DiBiase.  Mahal picks DiBiase up and DiBiase fires back with punches.  Irish whip, reversed by Mahal and DiBiase hits the turnbuckle hard.  Mahal picks DiBiase up and executes an underhook suplex 1…..2….Mahal, has DiBiase’s neck locked holding him in place. DiBiase fighting back.  DiBiase to his feet firing a body blow to Jinder Mahal and Mahal releases the hold but maintains control with a forearm to the back. Mahal off the ropes, but DiBiase follows and rebounds with a clothesline.  DiBiase looking to follow up as Mahal trips DiBiase causing him to hit the second turnbuckle face first.  DiBiase picking himself up, Mahal drives a high knee into DiBiase. Irish whip by Mahal and another high knee to DiBiase.  Mahal rolls DiBiase up, DiBiase reverses, small package 1….2…3

The winner of the match: Ted DiBiase

-Commercial-

Titanic Confrontation:

Big Show is in the ring and grabs the mic. Big Show said it’s been nine years since he beat “The Next Big Thing” Brock Lesnar in Madison Square Gardens to become the WWE Champion. A lot of people said it couldn’t be done saying he was a hopeless underachiever. He made the impossible possible by beating Brock Lesnar. Nine years is a long time and he’s been waiting for the opportunity to become World Heavyweight Champion again. Show said at TLC when he stands across the ring from Mark Henry with a steel chair in his hands, that’s the perfect time to become World Heavyweight Champion again. It’s simple physics, you have 440 pound Mark Henry and 500 pound Big Show and steel chairs around the ring, it’s going to get mean and nasty. Show said at TLC, Mark Henry’s “Hall Of Pain, the doors are going to get slammed closed. Mark Henry then came out. Henry said first of all, he’s not afraid of Show but what he is is halfway hurt. He didn’t mean to tape his ankle. He’s not looking for a fight.  The fans started chanting “You Shut Up” as Big Show stood in the ring with a huge grin on his face. Henry said he has something to say to Big Show but he wants to say it face to face and Show invited him into the ring. Henry said he needs for Show to promise he won’t put his hands on Henry and Show says no. Henry says Show thinks this is funny and talks about his journey but Henry asks what kind of legacy will Big Show leave if he beats Henry and Henry isn’t 100%.  He’s going to have Henry at TLC all of him that Big Show can handle what he’s asking Big Show is for a courtesy for the World Heavyweight Champion that if he comes into the ring, Big Show will not put his hands on Mark Henry.  Show reconsiders and says if Henry’s got something he wants to say he promises that he will not put his hands on him and again invites him into the ring. Henry steps into the ring and says he and Big Show have a lot in common they are both two of the big men ever to come into this business, to grace this ring with their presence.  Show was a champion and Henry is a champion, granted he is the current champion. And just two weeks at TLC he should be 100%. At that time, Show will have all of him he can handle. They’re going to have a fight that people are going to talk about for decades. Now, they’ve done some mean, hateful things to each other and Henry says let bygones be bygones and may the best man win. Henry extends his hand and Show looks at him and shakes his hand. Before leaving, Henry has one more thing to say and he tells Show he can look in his eyes and see that Show thinks he’s a monster. But Big Show just thinks he is.  Mark Henry KNOWS that Henry’s a monster and sucker punches Big Show.  Big Show gets up and tackles Henry to the mat and starts punching as Henry covers up.  Show grabs Mark Henry’s injured leg and drops an elbow on it.  Henry rolls out of the ring and Show is after him. Show grabs a chair and smashes a chair across Henry’s back. And another chair smash to the injured leg. Big Show walks up the ramp to the back as Charles Robinson and security come out to tend to Mark Henry

-Commercial-

Lilian Garcia is in the ring and announces Hornswoggle as the special ring announcer for the next match.

Sheamus vs David Otunga

Otunga with a waistlock on Sheamus and Sheamus delivers a series of elbows to Otunga. Irish whip and a back elbow by Sheamus. Sheamus picks Otunga up and Otunga with a kick to to Sheamus and a forearm across the back. Otunga has Sheamus head locked.  Sheamus to his feet and he picks Otunga up and slams him face first to the mat. Sheamus shoves Otunga down and drives a series of knees into Otunga. Charles Robinson telling Sheamus to back up. Otunga on the apron, throws a punch, Sheamus blocks it and lands one of his own. Otunga holding onto the rope still on the apron. Sheamus turns him around and drives the forearms across Otunga’s chest as the referee warns Sheamus to get Otunga off the ropes. Sheamus hooks him up and delivers a suplex 1….2…Irish whip by Sheamus, Sheamus ducks and Otunga catches him with a boot to the face. Shoulderblock by Otunga. Otunga putting the boots to Sheamus.  Holding onto the ropes, Otunga jumps up and drops an elbow onto Sheamus 1…..2…..Sheamus in the corner and Otunga stomping away at him. Otunga throwing punches as well, backs up and charges hitting a clothesline to Sheamus. Otunga fires a forearm and Sheamus just stares and smiles. Sheamus grabs Otunga turns him around putting him against the corner and firing away with body blows and punches followed by stomps. Sheamus hits a clothesline, picks Otunga up, slams him. Otunga gets to his feet, Sheamus hits the Brogue Kick 1….2….3

The winner of the match: Sheamus!!!!

We see the latest cryptic video for 01.02.12

Daniel Bryan vs Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes charges and Bryan hits a series of kicks to his legs. Cody swings, Bryan blocks and punches Rhodes.  A series of punches and kicks and Rhodes is backed into the corner.  One kick too many as Rhodes blocks one and trips Bryan dropping an elbow across his back. Rhodes putting the boots to Bryan.  Rhodes picks him up and punches him a body blow to Bryan and a stomp to his leg. Rhodes picks him up, short whip into Rhodes as he drives a knee into Bryan. Rhodes with the whip, clothesline attempt, Bryan ducks and hits a clothesline of his own.  Rhodes gets up and hits a short tackle into Bryan. Rhodes hooks Bryan up and delivers a front suplex 1….2….Hard irish whip as Bryan hits the turnbuckles hard 1….2….Rhodes stomping on Bryan. Rhodes delivers a stomp to the gut. Rhodes hooks Bryan up, set to hit a suplex. Bryan counters as he lands on the apron punching Rhodes and Rhodes retaliates with a tackle to Bryan. Rhodes whips Bryan along the apron into the ringpost sending Bryan to the floor. Rhodes follows and suplexes Bryan over the barricades

-Commercial-

Back in the ring, Rhodes applies an abdominal stretch to Bryan. Bryan counters with an armdrag. Rhodes gets back up and punches Bryan stomping away at him. Bryan in the corner, and Rhodes pounding away at him.  Rhodes grabs the tape around Bryan’s waist pulls him and hits a clothesline 1….2….Rhodes holds onto the ropes, jumps up and drops a knee onto Bryan. Bryan on the ropes and Rhodes punches him.  Rhodes bounces off the ropes, charging at Bryan but Bryan ducks sending Rhodes over the top to the floor. Bryan bounces off the ropes, suicide dive onto Rhodes. Rhodes rolls back in, Bryan follows suit.  Rhodes on his knees as Bryan hits a kick to his arm followed by a series of kicks. Bryan follows up, Rhodes kicks him away. Irish whip, reversed by Bryan and a dropkick into the corner. Bryan going up top going for a splash and Rhodes moves out of the way. “Can You Dig It, Sucka!!!!” hits and out comes Booker T.  Rhodes swings, Booker ducks and Rhodes and Booker trade punches as the referee calls for the bell

The winner of the match by DQ: Cody Rhodes

-Commercial-

Backstage: Cody Rhodes walks up to Teddy Long asking if Long saw what happened just moments ago. Teddy asks what Cody Rhodes is doing barging into his office and Cody says what he’s doing is he’s thinking a match with Booker T and Long says Rhodes must read minds because Long was thinking the same thing and tells Cody Rhodes that at TLC Cody Rhodes will face Booker T for the intercontinental Championship.

Backstage: Matt Striker interviews Randy Orton and says Orton gets to choose the stipulation for his match with Wade Barrett at TLC if he can defeat Dolph Ziggler in less than 7:53. Striker asks for Orton’s thoughts and Orton says he should ask Wade Barrett since Barrett’s in Orton’s head he should know what Orton’s thinking. Which is, Wade Barrett did Dolph Ziggler a tremendous favour tonight. Normally Orton likes to take his time and ensure the proper suffering of his opponents. Make sure the suffering is slow and methodical.  Bad news for Dolph is he is still going to suffer. The good news is it will be over quickly. All the while Wade Barrett thinks he’s in Orton’s head, Orton has him exactly where he wants him    

Beat The Clock – Randy Orton vs Dolph Ziggler

Orton starts out with a dropkick going for the early win 1…..2… Orton holds Ziggler down again 1….Orton hooks Ziggler up and hits a suplex 1….2…Orton drags Ziggler away from the ropes and stomps on him.  Orton smashes Ziggler’s head into the turnbuckle. European uppercut by Orton. Orton picks Ziggler up, irish whip, reversed by Ziggler.  Orton whipped into the turnbuckle comes back with a hard clothesline 1….2…Ziggler in the corner and Orton stalks him, moving closer Ziggler kicks him away.  Another kick by Ziggler followed by a punch to the head.  Ziggler with the kick-punch combination has Orton in the corner. Ziggler stomping away as referee Mike Chioda puts the count on Ziggler.  Orton with a kick.  Irish whip into the corner, Ziggler leapfrogs over Orton and Orton hits a clothesline.  Orton sets Ziggler up, bounces off the ropes and hits kneedrop 1…..2….Orton looking at the Titantron as the clock counts down.  5:58 on the clock as Orton picks Ziggler up.  Ziggler holding onto Orton’s ankle and Orton stomps on Ziggler’s back. Irish whip by Orton, Orton charges and Ziggler hits a european uppercut.  A stomp to Orton’s knee, Ziggler off the ropes and a facebuster off the knee 1….2….Ziggler on Orton with a necklock. Ziggler with his legs wrapped around Orton’s waist trying to sap his energy.  Orton up to his knee, Orton on his feet as Ziggler holds on.  Orton shakes Ziggler off but Ziggler kicks Orton. Ziggler hooks Orton up and hits a DDT 1…..2……An elbow to the side of the head by Ziggler.  Ziggler lays Orton back down and drops a flying elbow 1….2….Ziggler back to the weardown hold. Orton fighting to his knee and back to his feet.  Ziggler still in control, kicks Orton, turns him around and drops him with a neckbreaker 1….2….Ziggler on the top rope but Orton cuts him off.  Another straight punch to Ziggler’s head. Orton with a series of punches to Ziggler. Orton up to the top, hooks Ziggler’s head and executes a superplex 1…..2…..Orton looking at the clock, frustration setting in as Orton rocks him backwards with a punch.  Ziggler goes for a splash but Orton moves out of the way. Orton hits Ziggler with a series of clotheslines. Swing by Ziggler, Orton ducks and hits the powerslam 1…..2…..Ziggler reaches for the safety of the ropes but Orton grabs him and hits the headlock-neckbreaker combination 1…..2….Ziggler rolls out of the ring and with 1:38 left on the clock, Orton follows him to the outside. Ziggler back in followed by Orton.  Ziggler with a kick, Ziggler going for the zig-zag but it’s countered by Orton who grabs Ziggler by the head tossing him through the ropes to the apron, pulling him back in. Orton hooks him up and hits the DDT 1…2…Ziggler falls to the floor as Orton follows. Orton picks Ziggler up and levels him with a clothesline. Orton tosses Ziggler back in.  Out of nowhere it’s Wade Barrett from behind pushing Orton shoulderfirst into the ringpost. Mike Chioda putting the 10 count on Orton.  :10 left on the clock and Orton slides back in and hits the RKO 1….2….3

The winner of the match: Randy Orton

Post Match; Wade Barrett returns and hits a side slam to Randy Orton and calls for the mic. Barrett congratulates Orton on beating his time and that means he gets to pick the stipulation for their match at TLC but Barrett would really like to help with that.  Barrett tosses Orton to the outside, moves the ladder and chair aside and picks Orton up.  He puts Orton on his shoulder and goes to hit The Wasteland but Orton counters with a kick to Barrett. Orton goes to lift Barrett up but Barrett drives him back first into the apron.  Barrett smashes Orton’s head into the ringsteps and runs back up the ramp to the top of the entranceway. Orton looks over at Ziggler, picks him up and powerbombs him through the table. And Orton and Barrett stare each other down.

-End Show-