WWE Smackdown Report (12/13/13) from Portland, Oregon

WWE Smackdown Report (12/13/13) by Nicholas Sebastian

Smackdown comes to us this week from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, formerly the Rose Garden Arena. The commentators for this last show before the Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view are Michael Cole and John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Instead of the theme song and opening montage, we go to a video of Raw this past Monday. Randy Orton and John Cena got into a brawl during the Championship Ascension Ceremony where both belts were hung up above the ring. There lots of chaos due to the large number of people in the ring, culminating in the Viper knocking down Stephanie McMahon and Triple H retaliating with a pedigree on the perpetrator Randy Orton.

We go to the arena to see the camera focused on the two championship belts suspended high above the ring, signifying the title unification match that will take place this Sunday. To further hype up the event, there are numerous tables, ladders and chairs prominently placed around the ringside area, down the entrance ramp and near the announce desk as well.

MATCH 1: DANIEL BRYAN VS ERICK ROWAN

Daniel Bryan comes out holding the one of the five Slammy Awards he won during Raw this past Monday. A very loud "Yes!" chant is heard throughout the arena in support of the very popular superstar. The announcers mention Bryan's handicap match on Sunday at the pay-per-view versus all three members of the Wyatt Family.

The Wyatt Family make their way through the darkened arena. When the lights come back on, Erick Rowan is standing in the ring with his sheep's mask on, with Luke Harper on the ring apron near him. Bray Wyatt has taken his usual spot in a rocking chair on the entrance ramp. Luke Harper removes the mask from Erick Rowan and jumps down to the arena floor.

The bell sounds and the match-up gets underway. Erick Rowan runs at Daniel Bryan delivers a quick kick to the midsection, followed by a forearm smash to the back. Bryan goes down to his knees, but is pulled up and given a head butt that has him staggering near the ropes.

Erick Rowan hit Bryan with a forearm to the chest and throws him to the opposite ropes. Rowan misses with a clothesline on the turnaround but gets nailed with a shot to the head as his opponent comes back the other way. A series of kicks to the legs of Rowan is stopped with a big knee to the gut. Erick Rowan then throws Bryan into the ropes with force and knocks him down to the canvas with a shoulder block.

A big bodyslam from a high altitude has Daniel Bryan in pain, sitting up on the mat in the center of the ring. Erick Rowan rushes at him to deliver a punch to the small of the back. Bryan makes it to the ropes and uses them for support to get back to his feet, only to have his opponent apply a bear hug on him, keeping the much smaller man off the ground in the process.

Erick Rowan strikes twice with a forearm to the side all the while applying his rest hold. Daniel Bryan fights out with a series of elbows to the side of the head, unlocking Rowan's arms and dropping to his feet. The high flyer then delivers a number of elbows to the side of Erick Rowan's face, stunning the burly man.

Daniel Bryan runs to the ropes and attempts a cross body on Rowan. He is stopped in mid-air as the bigger man is able to use his strength to catch Daniel Bryan and stop all of his momentum. Rowan with his immense power, is now holding his opponent sideways on his chest. He walks towards a corner and delivers a textbook fall away slam, hurling Daniel Bryan overhead and across the ring. Bryan goes to the opposite corner to recover from this devastating maneuver.

Eric Rowan charges at Bryan and connects with a huge splash in the corner. Daniel Bryan just falls onto his back as Rowan goes for the pinfall attempt. A hook of the leg and a count of two by the referee are all he gets. Eric Rowan then picks up Bryan and puts him diagonally in the corner, lying face up across the top ropes. Pushing at his opponent's head, he delivers a series of forearms to the exposed midsection, followed by a head butt that dazes the smaller man and sends him down to his feet, using the ropes for support.

The pace of this match has become slow and methodical. Eric Rowan charges the corner to try for another big splash but is met with a boot to the face. Daniel Bryan goes to the middle ropes and connects with a missile drop kick that sends Rowan to the canvas. The Wyatt Family member is slow to recover and only makes it to one knee when his adversary begins some offense.

Daniel Bryan feeds off the crowd's chants and finds some energy, delivering a series of kicks to Rowan's midsection with the last one being a big boot to the head that sends him down. Luke Harper goes to the apron to possibly interfere but Bryan plants a running kick to him and sends him down to the arena floor.

Erick Rowan has now made it to his feet and goes at Bryan, picking him up with the intention of a bodyslam. The smaller man floats over and runs to the ropes, ducking under Erick Rowan's clothesling and diving through the top and middle ropes to strike Luke Harper on the outside, smashing him against the announce table.

Daniel Bryan makes it to the ring apron in time to encounter a rushing Eric Rowan. Bryan lowers the top rope and sends the big man tumbling down to the floor to join his stablemate in the Wyatt Family. The crowd is chanting very loudly as Daniel Bryan looks to run the ropes again in the hopes of diving to the outside. As he runs to the entrance ramp side of the squared circle, he's tripped by Bray Wyatt and sent almost head first to the mat. The referee calls for the bell and disqualifies Erick Rowan for outside interference, giving the win to Daniel Bryan.

WINNER: DANIEL BRYAN

After the match, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan come back into the ring to try and take out Daniel Bryan. A two-on-one assault is thwarted as Bryan is able to rush out of the ring and hit a running knee on their leader, Bray Wyatt, still sitting in his rocking chair. The crowd is chanting quite loudly as Daniel Bryan makes it up the entrance ramp to safety as the Wyatt Family regroups near the ring.

Michael Cole then hypes up what's coming up on the broadcast. The WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes and Goldust will take on the Real Americans, and as well, Randy Orton will apologize to the Authority for his actions earlier this week on Monday Night Raw.

COMMERCIAL

MATCH 2: WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS CODY RHODES & GOLDUST VS THE REAL AMERICANS

NON-TITLE TAG-TEAM MATCH

We come back from the break to see Zeb Colter and the Real Americans do their "We the People!" chant from the stage. Cesaro and Swagger, each holding black flags, run down the ramp and toss them into the ring from outside. They each go to a corner and wave them around to try and antagonize the fans in attendance.

Zeb Colter comes on the microphone and runs down the city he's in, making his usual xenophobic comments about illegal immigrants. The tag team champions are out afterwards, making their way to the ring. The two teams size each other up as the bell goes and the match gets underway.

Goldust starts the contest with Antonio Cesaro. A collar and elbow tie-up becomes a standing wrist lock on the Bizarre One. Cesaro looked to make a quick tag to his partner but is pulled away. Goldust puts a side headlock on his but is thrown to the ropes right away. He comes back with a shoulder tackle and a quick pin that barely gets one.

Antonio Cesaro is back on his feet but runs right into an arm drag takedown by Goldust. He's pulled by the arm into the champion's corner as Goldust tags in his partner. Cody Rhodes climbs to the top corner and comes down with an elbow to the arm of Cesaro on the double team.

Cody Rhodes throws Cesaro off the ropes and bends over, hoping to connect with a back body drop. The Swiss Superman spies this and hits a boot to the shoulder, then throws his opponent into his corner and tags in Jack Swagger while delivering some boots to Rhodes.

Jack Swagger continues the punishment with a series of punches and kicks, always keeping Rhodes in the enemy corner. Quick tags between the partners have them delivering a lot of punishment to a trapped Cody Rhodes. Swagger is back in and he drives Cody's head into the top turnbuckle, making Rhodes stumble across the ring looking for a tag.

Cody Rhodes makes it onto his feet by using the ropes in the neutral corner for support. Swagger follows him in there and connects with a shoulder to the gut, followed by a whip to the opposite corner with a force that sends Rhodes chest first in there. Cody then crumples and falls onto his back near the ropes.

Jack Swagger charges across the ring and climbs the turnbuckles, hoping to deliver his Swagger Bomb, a running corner slingshot splash. Cody is able to move out of harm's way and his opponent catches nothing but canvas. Swagger rushes at Rhodes in the neutral corner but is met with a drop toe hold that sends him face first into the middle turnbuckle. Cody Rhodes is able make his way to the corner and tag in the other half of the tag team champions.

Goldust comes running into the ring and goes after Jack Swagger. He ducks under a clothesline then comes off the ropes and delivers a couple of lariats of his own. Goldust throws Swagger off the ropes but is reversed. Swagger goes for a back body drop but is countered as the Bizarre One drops down to deliver a signature uppercut from the ring mat.

Jack Swagger gets knocked back a few steps, then comes at Goldust again and right into an inverted atomic drop. Swagger then runs the ropes a couple of times as a blind tag is made to his partner Antonio Cesaro. Goldust grabs the now illegal-man Swagger on the turnaround and connects with a spinebuster, unaware that the tag has been made.

Antonio Cesaro rushes to the ring and grabs Goldust, throwing him through the ropes and onto the outside. Cesaro goes to the floor himself and hits a short clothesline on his opponent. We go to the commercial break with the Real Americans in control of this contest.

COMMERCIAL

Back from the break, we find Jack Swagger in the center of the ring with Goldust, both men on their knees. Swagger has his opponent in a front face lock and brings him to the neutral corner. He gets in a few shoulders to the gut, then brings Goldust over to the enemy corner to make another tag.

Antonio Cesaro comes in and hits a boot to the midsection and a ferocious uppercut that sends Goldust sitting up with his back against the lowest turnbuckle. Cesaro puts a boot to the neck of the Bizarre One, prompting the referee to call for a break and pushing the Swiss Superman away from there. Another quick tag brings in the All-American Jack Swagger.

On the double-team, Antonio Cesaro pushes Goldust face first into Swagger, who connects with a textbook belly-to-belly suplex. The Bizarre One is looking quite weary as Swagger pulls him to his knees and gets him in a rear chin lock. Goldust feeds off the crowd's energy and makes it to his feet, connecting with some shots to the gut that break the hold.

Jack Swagger pushes his adversary into the enemy corner again but Goldust shows a lot of tenacity, delivering punches to both Real Americans to fight out of the corner. Goldust walks over to the corner to try and make the tag but his arm is grabbed by Swagger. The All-American throws him into his corner, where Goldust climbs to the middle corner, attempts some turnaround offense coming out of there and ends up smashes heads with Swagger, sending both men down to the canvas.

Both men struggle but manage to make it to their respective corners for the tag. Cody Rhodes jumps over the top rope and charges Cesaro, connecting with a few strikes to the head, a knee to the jaw and a short clothesline that has his opponent stumbling.

Cody Rhodes brings Cesaro to the neutral corner and tries for an Irish Whip. Cesaro reverses it, throws his opponent into the opposite neutral corner and rushes in after him. Rhodes stops his momentum and then jumps behind Cesaro while pulling a one-eighty in the air. A sunset flip on Cesaro out of the corner only gets Cody Rhodes a two count.

Back on their feet, Antonio Cesaro is met with a kick to the gut. As he bends over in pain, Cody Rhodes drops down to connects with an uppercut from the canvas, a move borrowed from his half-brother Goldust. Cody Rhodes then grabs a stunned Cesaro by both legs and throws his over head, connecting with a huge Alabama Slam on Cesaro. The Swiss Superman tries to roll out of the ring but is caught in a pin attempt by Rhodes. Not having the strength to kick out, Cesaro grabs the bottom rope to stop the count.

As Cesaro struggles to get to his feet, Cody Rhodes attempts a disaster kick on his foe. Antonio Cesaro ducks down to avoid the finisher. A double leg takedown on Rhodes paves the way for the Cesaro Swing. Goldust comes in for the save, however, delivering a shot to the head that prevents the maneuver from even starting.

Goldust rushes at the ropes to attack Cesaro, only to have the Real American lower the top rope and send the Golden One crashing to the arena floor. Cody Rhodes then takes advantage of the distraction and delivers a disaster kick to Antonio Cesaro. A lateral press and a cover are broken up at two by Swagger.

Jack Swagger is then thrown out of the ring by Cody Rhodes. Cesaro charges Rhodes near the ropes and is lifted over the top rope and sent down onto his partner on the outside. Cody Rhodes goes to the near cords and jumps to the top rope, spring boarding himself outside the ring and diving onto Cesaro.

Cody Rhodes grabs the legal man Antonio Cesaro and throws him back into the ring. He climbs to the top corner while fending off a run-in from Swagger. Rhodes is in position for a moonsault, standing on the top corner, when Cesaro runs to grab his left arm and pull him down. The Swiss Superman delivers a huge uppercut to Rhodes that nearly knocks him cold. A cover with a hook of both legs and the 1-2-3 gets the victory for Antonio Cesaro's team over the tag team champions.

WINNERS: THE REAL AMERICANS

After the match, Goldust goes to check on Cody Rhodes in the ring as the Real Americans and their manager Zeb Colter celebrate on the outside.

We're shown a video package hyping up the title unification match that will happen this Sunday at the Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view.

COMMERCIAL

After the break Bad News Barrett is at his podium, hitting a gavel to the desk and and calling for order. He calls all the fans losers, saying they need to live vicariously through winners like himself.

MATCH 3: MARK HENRY VS DAMIEN SANDOW

The new-look World's Strongest Man comes to the ring and awaits his competition. The Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston finds himself on commentary with Cole and JBL. He is hyping up his upcoming title match with Damien Sandow at the TLC pay-per-view this Sunday.

Damien Sandow makes his entrance and goes straight to the squared circle, paying no heed to the fans in attendance or to Langston at ringside. The bell sounds and the match gets started.

The two men lock up and Mark Henry uses his power to throw Damien Sandow off and onto the mat. Sandow changes strategy and kicks Henry in the midsection, followed by a side headlock on the big man. The World's Strongest Man breaks the hold and throws Sandow into the ropes, taking him down with a shoulder block on the turnaround.

Mark Henry slowly goes over to Damien Sandow and connects with a headbutt that sends his opponent into the corner. Henry whips Sandow into the opposite corner and charges him for a big splash, only to be met with a boot to the face that stuns him.

Damien Sandow lands a few forearms to the back of the big man and tries to throw him to the ropes. Henry will have none of that and throws Sandow in, showing flexibility by nailing him with a boot to the face on the turnaround. The intellectual rolls out of the ring onto the floor to recover from his ordeal.

The referee starts a count with Damien Sandow on the outside. He starts to go back in on a count of five but decides against it and stays outside the ring, getting counted out at ten.

WINNER: MARK HENRY

After the match, there are a lot of boos from the crowd until Big E Langston comes out from the announce table and tosses Damien Sandow underneath the bottom ropes and back into the ring with Mark Henry. The World's Strongest Man connects with a huge clothesline.

Damien Sandow is pulled up by Mark Henry and thrown to the ropes, just as Big E Langston was standing on the apron. The subsequent crash and strike to Langston's head send the Intercontinental Champion to the floor of the arena. Sandow scrambles to safety up the entrance ramp as he's chased by the other two bigger men.

We're shown Diva's Champion A.J. Lee and her bodyguard Tamina Snuka backstage, getting ready for their match against the Bella Twins.

COMMERCIAL

MATCH 4: DIVAS CHAMPION A.J. LEE & TAMINA SNUKA VS THE BELLA TWINS

DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH

The Bella Twins are already in the ring as the Divas Champion and Tamina Snuka make their way there. Michael Cole introduces Natalya at ringside helping out with commentary and promoting her championship match with A.J. Lee at the TLC pay-per-view this Sunday.

The bell goes to start the bout as Nicole Bella kicks things off in the rings with Tamina Snuka. A collar and elbow tie up has Tamina using her power, first hitting a knee to the midsection and then just throwing Nicole down to the canvas. As the Bella twin is getting to her feet, Snuka makes her way to Brie the apron and hits an elbow that sends her tumbling to the arena floor.

Nicole Bella hits two elbows to the side of the head then ducks under her opponent's clothesline. Brie then runs the ropes, but an attempted side slam by Tamina is countered and turned into a spinning head scissors takedown, sending Snuka across the ring.

A.J. Lee runs into the ring to try and stop the offense but gets taken down with a Lou Thesz press by Brie Bella. Before any more damage is done, Tamina Snuka pulls the Bella twin off the Divas Champion and throws her off with force. A kick to a fallen Nicole Bella is followed by a snap suplex and a couple of knees to the small of the back.

Tamina Snuka continues her flurry of offense by throwing Nicole Bella to the ropes and delivering a Samoan Drop off the turnaround. Tamina then goes to tag in her partner A.J. Lee . The Divas Champion skips over to the Bella twin and goes for the cover, hooking the leg and only getting one and a half.

A.J. Lee gets her adversary into a rear chin lock. A struggling Nikki Bella gets to her feet, carrying the Divas Champion on her back piggyback-style. The Bella twin backs into the neutral corner to break the hold. A.J. tries to reapply it but gets flipped over onto her back and into the center of the ring.

The champ charges the neutral corner at her opponent but comes up empty as Nicole was able to get out of harm's way. A.J. goes crashing into the turnbuckles as the tag is made to Brie Bella. A clothesline to a stumbling A.J. Lee sends the champion down.

Brie Bella follows up her offense with two quick drop kicks to the chin of A.J. Lee, followed by a low shot to the legs of Tamina Snuka on the apron, sending her down to the floor. Brie then runs to the dazed champion, still on the canvas supported by the bottom rope. She connects with a knee to the head then climbs the second rope to his a missile drop kick as the champ tried to get to her feet. The subsequent cover only gets two as Tamina runs in to make the save.

Nicole Bella now comes into the ring to help out her twin sister. Tamina Snuka grabs her by the hair and throws her into the Bella's corner. Snuka rushes in but hits the empty corner only to turn around right into double kicks to the midsection by the twins. This sends Tamina through the middle ropes and outside.

On the distraction, A.J. Lee shoves the legal combatant Brie Bella right into her sister, the momentum sending Nicole through the ropes to the outside as well.

Brie comes out of the melee and walks right into the champion's Black Widow submission hold. Brie Bella has no choice but to tap and give the win to the opposing team.

WINNERS: DIVAS CHAMPION A.J. LEE & TAMINA SNUKA

After the match, Natalya comes out from the announce desk to face A.J. Lee from the outside. The women exchange comments and the champion holds up her title, all to hype up their championship match at the pay-per-view.

Michael Cole tells us that coming up next, John Cena will comment concerning the "Champion of Champions" match at TLC this Sunday.

COMMERCIAL

John Cena comes out to the ring to address the WWE Universe about his upcoming title unification match with Randy Orton. He talks of how monumental and historic this event is. He says as good as Orton is, he has a glass jaw, doesn't like to be hit and runs when things don't go his way. Cena says that unlike Orton, he will never give up and for that reason, will be crowned champion of champions on Sunday.

Michael Cole talks about CM Punk's three-on-one handicap match against the Shield on Sunday at the pay-per-view. We're shown a video of his match against Dean Ambrose on Monday Night Raw, where he was attacked with a huge spear by Roman Reigns after his victory.

We go to commercial as we see the Shield making their way through the crowd for the next match.

MATCH 5: THE SHIELD (SETH ROLLINS & ROMAN REIGNS) VS JIMMY & JEY USO

Rollins and Reigns are already in the ring as they await their opponents. Jimmy and Jey Uso do their usual choreography and war chants to play up to the crowd in attendance as they go down the entrance ramp and into the squared circle. Dean Ambrose is at commentary with JBL and Cole, talking about the Shield's match against CM Punk at the upcoming TLC pay-per-view this Sunday.

The bell goes and Seth Rollins starts the bout with Jimmy Uso. The two men lock up and Uso gets a side deadlock on Rollins. The Shield member tries to break the hold by throwing his opponent into the ropes but the Samoan manages to hold on. Rollins tries the same strategy again and is successful, but gets taken down with the shoulder tackle on the turnaround.

Jimmy Uso runs the ropes twice, going over and then under Seth Rollins. Uso stops in mid-run to deliver a chop to Rollins, sending him down. The Samoan goes after the Shield member in the neutral corner, then delivers a chop that backs him towards his twin brother on the apron. Jay Uso tags in and then connects with a double-team clothesline to Rollins, his brother throwing the Shield member right into the maneuver. A cover followed by a hook of the leg gets just one.

Jey Uso pulls Seth Rollins up by the arm and gets him in a standing wristlock. He pulls his adversary over towards his corner and tags in his twin brother. On the double-team once again, Jey Uso holds Rollins across his knee in a backbreaker position as Jimmy Uso climbs to the top and comes down with a huge shot to the sternum.

Jimmy Uso is firmly in control of the match. A standing leg drop to Seth Rollins is followed by a pinfall attempt on the Shield member. Rollins manages to kick out at two. Another standing wrist lock brings Seth Rollins towards enemy territory again, and the quick tag brings in the other Samoan.

Jey Uso applies an arm bar on Seth Rollins, continuing to work on his left upper limb. Rollins tried to reach for the tag but was pulled away by Uso. Rollins is able to turn around Jey Uso and bring him to the Shield's corner, allowing the tag to Roman Reigns.

Seth Rollins throws Jey Uso into the ropes and ducks down, allowing Roman Reigns to smash Jey Uso with an elbow to the head, sending him down. Reigns gets on top of Uso and rains blows on him prompting the referee's intervention. The Shield member gets up and stomps on his adversary's sternum, then tags in his partner.

On the double-team after the tag, Reigns drapes Jey Uso's neck across the top rope and pushes down, choking him. Seth Rollins delivers a series of swift kicks to the side at the same time. The referee tells Reigns to get onto the apron as Rollins continues his attack on the Samoan.

Seth Rollins pulls Jey Uso out of the enemy corner and delivers a couple of chops to the chest, sending his opponent into the ropes. Uso finds some energy and comes back with a strike to the side of the head, then gets thrown to the ropes, ducks under Rollins' lariat and hits a flying clothesline off the turnaround.
Jimmy Uso comes in off the blind tag to help out his brother with the double-team. The Samoan twins are able to hit double chops on Seth Rollins, sending him to the canvas. Roman Reigns comes in and is met with double kicks to the midsection. The Usos then throw him through the ropes and out onto the arena floor.

Seth Rollins runs at the Usos from across the ring. He's lifted up and over the top rope but lands right-side up on the ring apron. He tries to connect with an elbow to Jey Uso right in front of him but the Samoan ducks down, allowing his brother to hit a flying elbow into the head. Rollins goes tumbling into the announce table as we go to commercial.

COMMERCIAL

We go back to Smackdown to find Seth Rollins and Jimmy Uso in the center of the ring. Rollins has a front face lock on Uso, then twists around to hook the Samoan's arms as they're back to back. Uso fights out of it and backslides Seth Rollins into a pin attempt but is only able to get two.

Jimmy Uso tries for the take down but misses and ends up falling face first to the canvas. A tag to Roman Reigns with double-team strikes on the legs continues the punishment on Uso. Reigns hits a big clothesline off the ropes and only gets the two count on the cover.

Roman Reigns continues to inflict the pain on Jimmy Uso, dropping punches and kicks, and getting behind him for a rear chin lock on the mat. Uso gets up and drops down hitting a jawbreaker. Tag in to Rollins who tries for the double-team on Uso then gets sent down to the floor. A tag to Jey Uso and the Samoan starts cleaning house with his opponents.

Rollins gets thrown all around the ring with Jey Uso's offense. Roman Reigns tries to come in to interfere but is given a shot for good measure. Rollings gets thrown off the ropes and thrown upwards into a huge Samoan drop but Seth Rollins manages to kick out at two.

Jey Uso measures Rollins for another big move but is distracted by Roman Reigns running into the ring. He clotheslines the interfering Shield member over the top rope and to the outside. Kick to the jaw of Rollins and Jey Uso goes high. Seth Rollins rolls out of the ring to safety.

From the top, Jey dives down onto Seth Rollins, putting both of them on the floor. Roman Reigns comes around and hits a big spear on the outside as Jey was recovering. Uso is thrown head first into the steel ring post. The referee counts to nine and Uso makes it back in.

Seth Rollins is mocking CM Punk by calling for the straight-edge superstar's finisher. Rollins gets Uso up in a fireman's carry then tags in to his partner. Romans Reigns delivers a huge spear and gets the three count.

WINNERS: THE SHIELD (SETH ROLLINS & ROMAN REIGNS)

After match CM Punk comes on the tron and addresses the Shield about their match on Sunday.

COMMERCIAL

MATCH 6: BIG SHOW VS RYBACK

Ryback is already in the ring accompanied by Curtis Axel. Big Show comes down the ramp with Rey Mysterio in tow. He gets into the squared circle and the bell rings to start the match.

Big Show starts on the offense with punches and chops to hs opponent. Ryback is reeling but tries to mount a comeback. Shots to Show's midsection and head only serve to anger the giant, who comes back with two clotheslines as Ryback tries running the ropes to attack.

A huge back splash to Ryback in the corner is followed by Show coming off the ropes. Ryback recovers enough to deliver a devastating spinebuster to the Big Show. A cover and a pin attempt get two for the Human Wrecking Machine.

Ryback lowers the straps and runs at Big Show, only to be caught by the neck and given a chokeslam by the giant. The 1-2-3 gives the Big Show the win.

WINNER: BIG SHOW

After the match, Curtis Axel tries to hit the Big Show from behind. This only angers the giant, throwing him into the ropes and draping him across the second rope. Rey Mysterio hits him with the 619 and as Axel staggers away into the ring, is struck with a big knockout punch by the Big Show.

While Cole and JBL talk about Bryan's match earlier in the show with Erick Rowan, they're interrupted by a cryptic message from Wyatt Family leader Bray Wyatt telling Bryan he'll see him Sunday.

COMMERCIAL

Alberto Del Rio is already in the ring when Kofi makes his way for his match-up with the Mexican superstar. From behind, the Miz hits Kingston with his finisher, the Skull Crushing Finale, on the mats outside the ring. Lots of boos from the crowd in attendance as the announcers speculate this is payback for Kofi striking Miz after their match on Raw this past Monday.

COMMERCIAL

Randy Orton comes to the ring and talks about what happened on Raw during the Championship Ascension Ceremony. He wants to apologize to the Authority but wants to do it in person. Out comes Triple H to his music, looking quite serious. He tells Triple H that what happened was an accident, then shows the footage to try and prove his point. He then apologizes for what happened.

Triple H says he's seen the footage and didn't need to be brought out to see it. He says he could fire Randy Orton for this but won't because that wouldn't be what's best for business. Hunter then accepts Orton's apology saying it's for this one time only.

Randy Orton questions whether Triple H is favoring John Cena over him due to what he saw at the end of Raw. He asks if the Authority have as much faith in him as he does in himself. Triple H tells Orton not to worry because the Authority knows exactly where its faith lies.

Smackdown ends with Randy Orton going into his title match wondering if the Authority is backing him or not.

END