WWE SmackDown Review: June 3, 2011

Hello folks! Welcome once again to the best SmackDown review on the Internet! Emanating from Des Moines, Iowa, we were informed that two titles would be on the line—the Intercontinental Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship. If that doesn’t make one excited for SmackDown, then I don’t know what would.

Christian kicked off SmackDown by competing against Mark Henry. It was an average match to say the least, and I can’t say I was particularly invested in it.

There was a highlight that looked pretty cool—Christian went for a cross-body to the outside, got caught and was thrown back onto the apron like he weighed nothing.

Christian won with the KillSwitch and proceeded to moan about how he should be the No. 1 contender, because he had Sheamus beaten last week. Teddy Long interrupted and almost said Christian’s name correctly. That’s progress and that’s good.

Teddy says he can’t reverse his decision because Sheamus won the match, despite the audience letting Teddy know they wanted Christian in the main event. As a compromise, Teddy made Christian the special guest referee.

Sheamus got his own awesome video package that conveniently left out his losing streak.

Divas tag team action followed with a rematch from last week—AJ and Kaitlyn vs. Alicia Fox and Tamina. I have to say it was another good outing for the Divas who put on an entertaining show. The match ended with a brutal Samoan Drop from Tamina.

If the Divas keep this up, then Kharma, Shmarma.

Cody Rhodes arrived with his assistants to cut a promo about his loss last week. I was well into these promos when he first started doing them, but now it is the same thing week in, week out. I honestly thought his character would develop further and go onto better things than these rambling promos, but it seems I was wrong. Sorry Cody but you’re losing a fan.

There was a weird camera angle looking through a paper bag. What was all that about?

Matt Striker interviewed The Great Khali, but Jinder Mahal spoke on behalf of the Punjabi Nightmare. He was speaking in mixed languages but there was something there about Jinder Mahal’s empire, leading by example, and immortality. There are a few points we can ponder over until next week.

His in-ring debut followed, against Yoshi Tatsu, who got no offence in whatsoever. This was the absolute epitome of a squash match. Jinder Mahal looked good from it though and Yoshi had to sit there and receive a Vice Grip from Khali.

It looked like Khali was pushing down hard on Yoshi’s left eye—it looked painful.

Wade Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson faced off next, in a rematch for the Intercontinental title.  

Ezekiel dominated in the early going, showing his unrivalled power against the man billed from Manchester. Wade then turned the tables with a side slam, and momentum went back and forth like this throughout the match.  

Wade Barrett managed to reverse the Torture rack after a long and arduous match, while The Corre made their way down to ringside. They teased Jackson while Wade retained his belt by count out.

Slater and Gabriel were ordered to take care of Jackson and Wade walked to the back as the former Tag Team Champions were manhandled by the Personification of Domination.

Sheamus left an interview with Matt Striker to confront Christian and such up to him. Christian was wise to Sheamus’ tactics and shot him down before he could even suck up properly.

Daniel Bryan and Ted DiBiase competed in the penultimate match of the night.

I wish they’d change Daniel Bryan’s music. It is so horrendous and one of the reasons I sigh every time I see him. Give him a catchy theme to walk to the ring to. I won’t take him seriously until it is changed.

Daniel Bryan was in control of the match until Cody Rhodes decided to make his presence known—after which, Ted DiBiase gained the upper hand. Towards the end of the match, Ted rolled through a top rope huracanrana which looked pretty cool, but eventually succumbed to the LeBell Lock.

Cody and Ted proceeded to assault Bryan, who was saved by the Mexican sensation. Sin Cara exploded into the ring and looked extremely impressive—he didn’t even bother waiting around at the top of the ramp. Complain about that one if you can.

After watching that, I can’t understand why so many people are on his back, give him a chance, he’s doing his best.

In a weird segment, Johnny Curtis explained that because he won NXT (did he?) he was promised a tag team match with R-Truth, but as that isn’t going to happen he’ll do what all the other wrestlers in the WWE do—at which point he poured milk everywhere and started crying. Crying over spilt milk, get it?

The main event finally came around, Sheamus versus Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Christian was so good at refereeing I kept forgetting that it was him in the ring with the competing Superstars.

It was a PPV-worthy match in my opinion which flowed perfectly and had me engrossed throughout. The action spilled to the outside a couple of times and it signalled a change in momentum.

As the match was winding up, Orton seemed in control, hitting his patented DDT after a failed Brogue Kick. However, Sheamus reversed an RKO and then inadvertently ran into Christian who clutched his arm.

Immediately following this mishap, Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick and had the match won, but Christian’s arm was apparently too damaged to count the three, allowing Orton to rise and strike with an RKO.

Once, just once, I’d like the title to change hands on SmackDown and be ripped from Superman’s shoulders. Putting Sheamus as champion would have made me extremely inclined to buy the upcoming PPV, but as they went with the old predictable outcome, I was left disappointed, and confused as to what they would build to at Capitol Punishment.

Post-match, Christian hit Orton right in the head with the belt. They even did a super slow-mo replay it looked that realistic.

Heel turn initiated.

Christian then left the arena, the World Heavyweight title over his shoulder, where many people believe it should be.

It was an average SmackDown with nothing to really write home about. I could have survived without watching it this week and this is coming from a man who prefers it to Raw!

Please leave a comment below, detailing your thoughts on proceedings last night. Were you satisfied with the matches and their outcomes? Please let me know, I always reply to all comments.  

You can check out my take on Raw’s action by clicking here.

Also, please check out my new article if you haven’t already, detailing what I’d like to see in WWE '12. Click here.

Thanks for reading!