Smackdown this week is coming to us from Richmond Virginia and we kick things off with The Big Show coming out to the ring.  Show takes the mic and says he thought for sure he’d be standing in the ring tonight as the new World Heavyweight Champion but he’s not and he can’t believe the new World Heavyweight Champion is a man named Daniel Bryan.  Now he’s going to ask Daniel to come down to the ring so he can congratulate him in a moment.  But first, everyone’s been asking Show how he feels about what happened.  He scratched and clawed his way for nine years to get back to World Champion.  And he was there.  He was finally there on Sunday and it wasn’t easy. Mark Henry says he’s the World’s Strongest Man well believe it.  He is.  Show’s never been humbled, he’s never been thrown around the ring the way Mark Henry threw him around.  He’s a fiery, smelly, gargantuan superhuman and Big Show was so proud to be the new World Heavyweight Champion.  Show then says he has a lot of mixed emotions.  Disappointment, anger, shock, rage, conflicted.  All that and more was going through his head and on Monday Night Raw Josh Matthews asked him a question.  They then threw to footage from this past Monday’s Raw where Josh Matthews interviewed Big Show. And Show said he’s proud of himself.  He’s proud of himself because he didn’t go over the edge.  He’s had several days to think about this and asked the crowd to please allow him to stand in front of them tonight and give his honest feelings.  Show is then interrupted by Mark Henry. Henry comes out to the ring, mic in hand and asked Show what he was proud of.  Proud that he had the shortest World Heavyweight reign in the history of this business?  I guess they’re going to put that on his tombstone: Here lies Big Show.  The man with the shortest reign in the history of the WWE.  Henry tells Show how Show honestly feels.  Embarrassed, humiliated.  That’s the way Mark Henry feels.  What Show should do is take a week off and quit the business.  It’s the holiday season it’s likely Show could get a job working as Santa Claus.  Henry came out here to get his rematch with Daniel Bryan and he wants that rematch tonight.  Big Show then asked Henry what makes him think he gets a rematch.  The new World Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Bryan then comes out. Bryan takes the mic and says he knows neither Show nor Mark Henry can believe he’s World Champion.  In fact, he doesn’t think there anyone here tonight can fully believe he’s World Champion.  Not even he can believe it.  Because let’s face it, Daniel Bryan is not the World’s Strongest Man.  In fact, he’s not nearly as strong as most of the guys in the back.  And clearly he’s not the world’s tallest athlete.  He’s one of the shortest guys in the WWE.  He’s not the fastest, he’s not the smartest, he doesn’t have a cool name, he has no catchphrase, he has no discernable charisma.  He was just told he’s not very attractive.  And there is absolutely nothing about himself that screams WWE Superstar.  But he is a very good wrestler.  And one day he hopes to be one of the great ones.   And despite a lot of the things he’s not, he IS the World Heavyweight Champion.  Mark Henry then called him a pipsqueak.  And everytime he puts his hands on Bryan, he beats the hell out of him.  And Henry is not asking, he’s telling and he tells Bryan to look him in the eye.  He wants his World Heavyweight Championship back and he wants it back tonight.  Show interjects and asks what makes Mark Henry think he gets a rematch tonight and reminds him of TLC.  Show’s bad hand, Mark Henry’s jaw, Henry knocked out, Show pinned him 1…2…3.  Mark Henry says how could he forget that?  He remembers it.  He’s sure all the people remember it, he’s sure all the people behind the camera saw it too.  All 45 seconds of it.  Show then told Henry they can finish it right now.  Teddy Long came out.  Long said before Show and Henry go to rockin’ around the christmas tree, both of them deserve the chance to compete against Daniel Bryan.  But tonight they are going to compete against each other and the winner will be first in line to challenge Daniel Bryan for the World Championship and wish them both good luck and congratulated Daniel Bryan on becoming the World Heavyweight Champion. Mark Henry exited the ring and Bryan and Show shook hands.  Daniel Bryan then exited the ring and extended his hand to Mark Henry. Henry went to shake his hand and Bryan took it away and walked up the ramp.

-Commercial-

Champion vs Champion: Zack Ryder vs Cody Rhodes

Ryder and Rhodes lock up and a side headlock by Ryder.  Rhodes whips him into the ropes and a shoulderblock by Ryder sends Rhodes to the mat.  Leg trip by Rhodes into an armlock submission hold.  Ryder back to his feet.  Rhodes holding onto the arm has Ryder backed into the corner.  Irish whip by Rhodes across the ring and Ryder catches him with a back elbow.  Ryder on the second rope, leapfrog over Rhodes and an armdrag by Ryder.  Another armdrag by Ryder and it’s Ryder with the armlock on Rhodes.  Rhodes on his knees, back to his feet and he pushes Ryder into the corner.  Referee Scott Armstrong calls for a break and it’s Rhodes with a knee to Ryder. Irish whip by Rhodes, Ryder jumps up to the second rope leapfrog over Rhodes and another armdrag by Ryder back into the armlock.  It’s Rhodes with the irish whip, Ryder off the ropes, hiptoss attempt by Rhodes, blocked by Ryder.  Ryder swings, Rhodes ducks, off the ropes and an open hand palm strike to Zack Ryder.  Rhodes tosses Ryder through the ropes to the outside.  Ryder back in punching Rhodes.  Irish whip by Ryder, countered by Rhodes. Rhodes with a kick. Clothesline by Rhodes sends Ryder over the top rope onto the apron.  Ryder fires back with a punch and Rhodes with a kick.  Ryder to the floor landing on his feet.  Rhodes follows, charges into Ryder but Ryder gets the boot up.  Ryder with a punch, picks Rhodes up but Rhodes shoves Ryder into Booker T and a punch by Rhodes.  Rhodes tosses Ryder back in, looking over at Booker T

-Commercial-

Back in the ring, irish whip by Rhodes, Ryder in the corner and a back elbow to Rhodes.  Alabama Slam by Rhodes onto Ryder 1….2….and Rhodes has Ryder’s arm all locked up pulling back on Ryder’s head.  Ryder getting back to his feet and an elbow to Rhodes.  A series of punches to Cody Rhodes, Zack Ryder off the ropes, Rhodes swings but Ryder ducks, coming off the other side another swing by Rhodes and Ryder ducks again going for a flying elbow, Cody Rhodes ducks and Ryder hits the ropes 1….2…1….2…stomp by Rhodes.  Going back to work on the injured arm, Rhodes has the submission hold locked in once more.  Ryder to his feet, Rhodes pushes him into the corner and both men collide.  Rhodes and Ryder are both down and Scott Armstrong putting the 10 count on both Rhodes and Ryder as they slowly get back to their feet. Rhodes swings, Ryder ducks and he catches him with the forearm this time and a clothesline.  Ryder with the irish whip, reversed by Rhodes and Ryder plants Rhodes with a facebuster.  Ryder across the ring, hits a forearm to Rhodes setting him up for the Broski Boot 1….2….Ryder on the second rope looking for a dropkick but Rhodes catches him and a stomp to Ryder and Rhodes with a series of punches.  Booker takes the mic and stands on the announce table saying he’s in the holiday spirit and wants to sing a song for everyone. Rhodes against the ropes as Ryder charges but Rhodes catches him with an elbow but is distracted by Booker’s singing looking over at Booker T.  Rhodes turns around, Ryder hits the Ruff Ryder 1…..2…..3

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

Backstage:

Teddy Long is watching the monitor and applauding showing his approval when a “cobra” comes into view tapping Long on the shoulder startling him and then Santino comes in laughing.  Teddy asks Santino what he can do for him and Marella says he’s here on matters of official business.  Now that Long Island Zack T is United States Champion, Marella’s sure he doesn’t have time to be assistant to the General Manager of Smackdown so Santino would like to apply for the position.  Long says he needs a little time to think it over and Aksana comes in and Long introduces her to Santino Marella saying he’s here to apply for the position of assistant to the General Manager of Smackdown.  Aksana says she knows many positions and if Teddy needs help for relief he can ask her anytime for a hand for a job and Long says he’ll get back to her later and Aksana leaves.  Santino leaves and Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler walk in and Long says they’re probably here to watch the new U.S. Champion Zack Ryder in action and says he’s impressive.  Vickie calls Ryder impossible.  The moon, the stars and every planet in the universe just happened to line up last Sunday.  Long asks Vickie why she’s hating and Ziggler adds that when he’s ready he’s going to demand his obligatory rematch.  Ziggler says last Sunday was so crazy with Daniel Bryan becoming World Heavyweight Champion. Long asks what’s wrong with that and Ziggler says Bryan said it himself, he’s not smart or charismatic and Ziggler is both those and so much more. Ziggler said Daniel is a good wrestler who wants to be great.  So why don’t we let a great wrestler show him just how good he is.  The entire WWE Universe wants to see it anyways.  Teddy Long said Ziggler is right and booked Dolph Ziggler vs Daniel Bryan for later tonight.

-Commercial-

#1 Contender Match: Big Show vs Mark Henry

Big Show makes his way to the ring and out next is Mark Henry.  Just as the match is about to start, out comes David Otunga with mic in hand.  Otunga enters the ring and reminds everyone that he is the legal counsel for Executive Vice President Of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis.  Mr. Laurinaitis is responsible for the well being of all the WWE Superstars.  While Mark Henry has the strength of a bear and the heart of a lion, he’s not medically cleared to compete tonight.  Mr. Henry received multiple bruises to a previously injured ankle. Now this trauma led to an increase in his blood pressure.  Therefore, and regrettably, Otunga informed everyone that this match will not take place tonight.  Otunga then wished everyone, on behalf of John Laurinaitis, the happiest and healthiest of holidays.  Big Show then knocked Otunga out with the WMD.  Mark Henry then exited the ring as he and Show had a staredown.

-Commercial-

Backstage: Teddy Long is walking and The Miz approaches him. Miz says he’s here and wants to know what he’s doing tonight. Long doesn’t know what Miz is talking about. Miz says he was told to be on Smackdown tonight and Teddy says that didn’t come from his office.  Miz then asks Long what kind of show he’s running here and Long asks Miz what is it that he’s trying to say and Miz says this is the reason John Laurinaitis is running circles around Teddy Long and the reason why Smackdown is in the shape it’s in. Miz then gives Teddy Long a little tidbit of information.  Miz says that since he won the WWE Championship in 2010, there’s not been one Smackdown superstar in the main event of a pay per view.  He, on the other hand, has been in five.  Including the main event of Wrestlemania where he defended his title not once but twice.  Then he made history and did what no other superstar has done. He pinned John Cena and now, he’s going out to the ring to disrupt Teddy Long’s show.  And he’s going to stay out there and he’s not going to let another competitor compete in a match tonight and there’s nothing Teddy or anybody else can do about it.  Teddy says we’ll see about that and Miz says if Teddy can find one competitor to compete against The Miz then maybe, just maybe, for once Smackdown can be awesome.

-Commercial-

Miz is out in the ring, mic in hand and says looks like Teddy can’t find anyone to come out and face him but that’s understandable.  He doesn’t blame them and then throws to footage from Raw where Miz attacked former friend, and tag team partner R-Truth followed by Miz’s attack on another former friend and tag team partner John Morrison.  Miz then called the entire Smackdown locker room a bunch of cowards who are afraid that the same thing will happen to them and they will fall victim to the skull crushing finale. Miz went on, saying not only does Smackdown lack guts, it has no face. No star that shines brighter than the rest. No one larger than life that has the ability to be a crossover superstar like himself. He’s the one on talk shows, has movie deals, is on the top rated radio show on Sirius XM.  He’s in the main event of pay per views. Raw and Smackdown.  He’s then cut off by the entrance music of The Celtic Warrior and out comes Sheamus

Sheamus vs The Miz

Sheamus and Miz lock up and Sheamus backs Miz into the corner and they’re both still locked up and it’s Miz with a knee to Sheamus followed by a punch and a kick.  Miz on the attack with kicks and punches but Sheamus fights back and knocks him down. Sheamus picks Miz up and slams him to the mat 1……and Miz rolls to the outside.  And Sheamus after him, Miz back in and Sheamus up on the apron.  Miz swings, Sheamus blocks it and lands one of his own.  Sheamus grabs Miz’s head, set to ram it into the turnbuckle, blocked by Miz and Miz snaps Sheamus’ arm over the top rope.  Sheamus down on the apron and Miz snaps Sheamus’ arm back.  Sheamus on the outside, Miz slides out and rams Sheamus shoulderfirst into the ringpost. Miz picks Sheamus up and tosses him back into the ring 1….and Miz drives a knee into Sheamus’ back.  Miz going to work on the injured arm.  Sheamus back to his feet and a punch to Miz’s head. Irish whip into the corner, Miz moves out of the way and Sheamus hits the turnbuckle shoulderfirst.  Miz runs towards the turnbuckle and a hard kick into Sheamus.  Miz off the ropes and a kick to Sheamus’ shoulder.  Off the ropes again and a kick to the face.  Miz picks Sheamus up and hits a DDT 1….2….Sheamus crawls to the corner and Miz kicking him.  The Miz stomping on Sheamus and now putting a boot on the throat.  The Miz setting Sheamus up, and Sheamus drops him with a double sledgehammer. Sheamus picks Miz up and delivers the Irish Curse.  Sheamus picks Miz up and prepares to hit the Celtic Cross.  Miz counters a boot to the face. Miz sets up for the Skull Crushing Finale but Sheamus shakes him off and delivers the Brogue Kick 1…..2….3

The winner of the match: Sheamus!!!!

-Commercial-

In Ring Promo:

Wade Barrett comes out to the ring with a mic in hand and says that The Barrett Barrage has clearly been on a great roll of late.  He’s been inside The Viper’s head like nobody ever before. And a minor speed bump here or there was never going to be enough to derail The Barrage.  He then pointed to the TitanTron and showed everyone exactly how Wade Barrett went about skinning The Viper. We see footage from last month’s episode of Smackdown where this rivalry first began and Wade Barrett’s victory over Randy Orton by way of a thumb to the eye.  Barrett, with a smile on his face, said Orton certainly didn’t see that one coming.  We then see clip number 2 from the Survivor Series with Team Orton vs Team Barrett.  Orton eliminated Hunico and delivered an RKO to Cody Rhodes but then fell victim to Wade Barrett’s ‘Wasteland’. One of the biggest stages of them all.  Madison Square Gardens. Survivor Series. Team Orton against Team Barrett.  There was ever only going to be one winner. Wade Barrett.  We then see the third and final clip of this past week’s match from Raw between Wade Barrett and Randy Orton in which Barrett picked Orton up and delivered The Wasteland through a table.  Barrett’s personal favourite.  Now given his sublime performance against a man who was one of the greatest in the history of the WWE until he encountered Wade Barrett, Barrett believes that firmly puts him in line for a title match against the new World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan.  That concludes what he came out to say and thanks everyone for their time and wishes them a Happy Christmas. Barrett exits the ring and walks up the ramp but stops as Randy Orton’s music hits bringing out The Viper.  Orton runs down and a brawl ensues between Orton and Barrett.  Orton chases Barrett into the ring, not wasting any time he slides in looking for an RKO but Barrett counters and runs out of the ring up the ramp.  Orton stares after him and runs to the back in pursuit of Wade Barrett.  Orton catches up with Barrett and the brawl continues in the back area.  And the brawl continues down the hallway leading to the outside parking lot.  The brawl concludes in the parking lot with Orton throwing Barrett onto a car and delivering an RKO to Barrett on the roof of the car.

-Commercial-

We see the 01.02.12 Promo from this past Monday’s Raw

Kofi Kingston vs Primo

Primo starts out with kicks and punches to Kofi and a double axehandle to the back followed by more kicks and punches.  Primo stretching out the arm. Back suplex by Primo and he has Kofi locked in a submission hold.  Kofi fights out of it, getting back to his feet.  Punch by Kofi but Primo delivers a forearm across the back.  Primo picks Kingston up by the injured arm and kicks him and Primo with another kick.  Primo grabs the arm, turns it and kicks Kofi and takes his legs out with a legsweep and he hits a legdrop. Primo off the ropes and he drops an elbow 1….2….Primo with a kick, irish whip to Kofi, Primo charges and Kofi moves out of the way and Primo hits the turnbuckle.  Kofi with a clothesline and a second one followed up by a dropkick. Kofi off the ropes but Primo counters it going for a roll up.  Kofi shakes him off jumping to the second rope and a reverse cross body 1….2…Kofi picks Primo up but Primo kicks him.  Irish whip into the turnbuckle by Primo and Primo following up but Kofi hits an upside down front kick.  Epico distracting Kofi that brings Evan Bourne of his corner and Primo hits a flying armdrag from the top 1….2….Primo swinging, Kofi ducks and hits the Trouble In Paradise 1….2….3

The winner of the match: Kofi Kingston!!!!

We see highlights from TLC and this past Monday’s Raw Supershow

-Commercial-

Daniel Bryan vs Dolph Ziggler

Bryan and Ziggler lock up and a waistlock by Bryan reversed by Ziggler.  Bryan back with a waistlock of his own and it’s Ziggler countering once more with another waistlock of his own.  Bryan with an armwringer and he lands a dropkick on Ziggler.  Bryan and Ziggler in a test of strength and Bryan turns it into a side headlock.  Irish whip by Ziggler, Ziggler ducks and Bryan off the ropes and a leg trip to Ziggler.  Standing toehold by Bryan turning it into a surfboard.  Bryan still has Zigglers legs locked up grabbing for his arms but Ziggler reaches the ropes forcing the break. Bryan picks Ziggler up and delivers a european uppercut.  Irish whip, Bryan looking for the dropkick but Ziggler holds onto the ropes and Bryan lands on the back of his head. Ziggler with a series of stomps and punches on Bryan.  Ziggler taking a moment to do a set of sit ups.  Looking for the pin but Bryan grabs Ziggler’s arm looking for the LeBell Lock and Ziggler reaches for the safety of the ropes.  Bryan picks Ziggler up and hits another european uppercut.  Another uppercut to Ziggler followed by an irish whip.  Ziggler in the corner, Bryan charges and Ziggler sidesteps tripping Bryan causing him to fall face first against the turnbuckle.  Ziggler tosses Bryan over his head 1….2

-Commercial-

Bryan punches Ziggler, Bryan off the ropes and Ziggler hits a dropkick.  Reverse chinlock by Dolph Ziggler. Bryan up to one knee back to both feet driving elbows into Ziggler. And Ziggler with a kick to Bryan.  Ziggler with the irish whip to Bryan, swings and Bryan ducks off the other side and double clothesline as both Bryan and Ziggler collide. Scott Armstrong putting the 10 count on both men and out comes Jack Swagger walking down to the ring.  Ziggler punches Bryan and Bryan answers with a couple of punches of his own.  And Ziggler lands a final punch staggering Bryan.  Bryan on the ropes as Ziggler continues punching away.  Irish whip by Ziggler and Bryan holds onto the ropes.  Ziggler charges and Bryan ducks sending Ziggler over the top rope to the floor.  Bryan off the ropes and a suicide dive to the outside onto Ziggler.  Bryan tosses Ziggler back in and Swagger mows Bryan down with a shoulderblock.  Big Show makes his way out to ringside.  Ziggler tosses Bryan back in and Ziggler with the sleeperhold on Bryan and Bryan flips him over his head. Ziggler swings but Bryan ducks and Bryan from behind rolls Ziggler up 1….2…German suplex 1……2….Bryan with his series of kicks on Ziggler.  Misses the last kick and Ziggler looking for the Zig-Zag but Bryan holds onto the rope and lands a kick to the head 1….2…..Bryan picks Ziggler up and a kick to the arm.  Bryan sets Ziggler up on the top turnbuckle. Bryan going up top and a frankensteiner on Ziggler but Ziggler counters into a pin 1….2…Ziggler drops the leg across the back of the head 1…..2….Ziggler pushes Bryan into the corner and punches him. Set him up on the turnbuckle.  Ziggler going to the top and he punches Bryan and Bryan climbs down tripping Ziggler and Bryan up on the top picks Ziggler up delivers a back suplex 1….2….but Ziggler gets the foot on the bottom rope.  Swagger runs around the ring sneaking up from behind takes a shot at Big Show climbing into the ring as Swagger runs into the ring from the opposite side and Show has Swagger by the throat and out comes Teddy Long and Long tells Show to let Swagger go.  Show lets Swagger go and Long says he’s going to make everybody happy.  This match will now be a tag team match.

-Commercial-

Daniel Bryan & Big Show vs Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger

Swagger with a waistlock on Big Show and Show turns it around into a waistlock of his own and throws Swagger to the mat. Front facelock by Show as he picks Swagger up and a forearm across the back.  Side headlock by The Big Show and he takes Swagger down 1…2…and a body blow to Swagger.  Swagger in the corner and Show with the giant slap across the chest and Swagger tags in Ziggler.  Show pushes Ziggler into the corner and delivers blows to the body. Ziggler looking for a tag but Show picks him up and chops him down. Show picks Ziggler up and again in the corner with the giant slap across the chest.  Picks Ziggler up again, Show slams him to the mat.  Show looking at Bryan asking if he’s ready and tags Bryan in.  Uppercut by Daniel Bryan.  Ziggler in the corner and Bryan delivering the series of kicks.  Irish whip into the turnbuckle and Ziggler hits hard. Bryan charges but Ziggler moves out of the way and Bryan lands upside down in the corner.  Ziggler makes the tag to Swagger and double axehandle by Swagger and Swagger raining punches down on Bryan.  Swagger with the Swagger Bomb 1….2….submission hold on Daniel Bryan.  Bryan to his feet trying to find an escape and he finds it by stepping on Swagger’s feet forcing Swagger to release him and he takes out Ziggler but Swagger stays on him. A kick by Swagger, followed up by a punch blocked by Bryan who lands one of his own.  And Bryan fighting off both Ziggler and Swagger.  Body scissors by Bryan but Swagger catches him placing him on the turnbuckle.  Bryan in the tree of woe and Swagger putting the boots to him and from the outside Ziggler stretching out Bryan’s leg over the top rope.  Swagger with a standing toehold on Bryan and Bryan kicking Swagger away. And Swagger stomps on Bryan.  Swagger places Bryan’s leg on the bottom rope, makes the tag to Ziggler and Ziggler comes in stomping on Bryan.  Ziggler turns Bryan over locking him in a single leg Boston Crab. Bryan slowly crawling over looking for the tag and Ziggler releases the hold and drops an elbow on Bryan.  Ziggler stalking Bryan, Bryan gets to his feet and Ziggler slaps the sleeperhold on.  Bryan reaches for the corner and throws Ziggler off as Ziggler hits the ringpost shoulderfirst and Ziggler to the outside holding his knee.  Ziggler grabbing the ankle of the World Champion and Bryan kicking him away as Ziggler makes the tag.  In comes Swagger and Show gets the tag.  Comes in with a series of clotheslines to Swagger.  Irish whip to Swagger, Show off the ropes and a shoulderblock.  Ziggler comes in and he gets kicked out of the ring.  Show setting Swagger up, Swagger turns around and Show looking for a chokeslam but Swagger counters it and delivers a chop block. Bryan tags in. Bryan on the top rope looking for the dropkick but he’s caught by Swagger.  Ankle lock on Bryan and Bryan counters it into the LeBell Lock and Swagger taps out.

The winners of the match: Big Show & Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan celebrating in the ring with the World Heavyweight Championship as Big Show looks on from the outside.

-End Show-