Over the course of seven days, there’s a lot of wrestling on TV. But only some of it is actually worth watching. That’s where Spoiler Alert comes in: we break down the spoilers of all of WWE’s pre-taped shows to let you know what you should watch, and which segments and full shows you should skim or skip. This week, WWE lays the groundwork for some questionable storylines, and hopes you can stomach a holiday-themed Smackdown!
(spoilers via Wrestlezone.com)
Alberto Del Rio d Dolph Ziggler
I’d be willing to bet this is a pay-per-view quality match. These are two of the most talented guys on the roster, even if they’re not in the roles they should be. Del Rio needs someone who can make him look like a vicious killer, and Ziggler sells like a madman… this is good booking.
Damien Sandow d Santino
Reports say this one is a simple squash, which is unfortunate for Santino. That said, Sandow really needs some wins, and a loss will never hurt Santino. That said, I’d rather see this match get 10 minutes on Raw, with the same outcome.
TRIPLE FREAKING H makes a rare Main Event appearance. The King of Kings cuts a promo backstage, saying he wants one WWE Champion, and to unify the belts. I like this, because it’s something important happening on an “unimportant” show, completely separate from the immediate legitimacy Triple H’s presence already adds to the show.
Kofi Kingston d Fandango
This match can only serve one purpose- to further the feud between Kofi and The Miz. Hopefully The Miz is on commentary (said no one, ever) so he can help push the feud on the mic.
SKIM this show. Del Rio-Ziggler should be great. The Sandow match is totally inconsequential. Triple H will be a special “A-Show” treat on the C-program, and Kingston-Miz is a solid mid-card feud in the making,
(spoilers via Wrestlezone.com)
Hey, remember Superstars? Apparently, it airs Fridays on Hulu Plus. This week’s show was taped before Raw on Long Island, which means the crowd had to be REALLY hot for…
Zack Ryder d Fandango
Long Island loves Zack Ryder. If he’s not on the show, the crowd chants “We Want Ryder!” all friggin’ night – so WWE got his appearance out of the way early. If these guys are smart, they went Memphis for this bad boy. The crowd is going to be hot either way, and it’s early in the show – take it easy and use the crowd to tell your story.
The Usos d The Real Americans
A friend at the show said this match was really good. Considering who’s involved, I have no problem believing it. Hopefully the crowd is just as good.
SKIM this show. Watch or skip the opener, depending on your feelings on the guys involved. But there’s no excuse to miss The Usos vs Cesaro & Swagger, on a show where they probably spent 15 minutes having an awesome match.
(Spoilers via LordsofPain.net)
Randy Orton & Renee Young are in the ring, forcing Nick to watch the opening segment. (Editor’s Note: He’s right.) Orton brags about Survivor Series but walks out when asked about TLC. Apparently, we won’t be talking about that OTHER World Champion.
Vickie Guerrero is hosting a Thanksgiving-themed eating competition backstage. If this doesn’t end with her wearing a face-full of mashed potatoes, then I just don’t know wrestling anymore.
Mark Henry d Curtis Axel. Quick match, with Big E Langston and Ryback ringside. I hope this is leading somewhere. 4-way for the title at TLC?
Titus O’Neil wins the eating competition. Millions of drumsticks, millions of drumsticks. For some reason, victory here earns him a match against Antonio Cesaro, later in the broadcast.
Los Matadores & El Torito d The Plymouth Rockers Get it? Because it’s Thanksgiving. Prepare to watch a midget bull take out three dudes dressed as pilgrims.
Tons of Funk d R-Truth & Xavier Woods
Apparently, Brodus Clay was upset that Woods stole his theme song, back-up dancers, and spot on TV. The only way I’m ok with putting the floundering joke of a babyface tag team over the fresh talent from NXT will be if Clay and Sweet-T are turning heel. But even then, there’s nowhere for them to go. They’re not surpassing The Shield, The Wyatt Family, or The Real Americans. They need to legitimize Woods – not have him squashed by the fat jobber tag team.
Bray Wyatt says Daniel Bryan is safe with him. He says Bryan entered a man, but will leave a monster. I’m ok with this.
CM Punk and Renee Young are in the ring. Nick turns up his TV. The Punker says he hasn’t heard from Daniel Bryan since he was kidnapped by the Wyatts. He says he doesn’t know why The Shield attacked him on Raw… but thinks maybe they’re following orders from The Authority.
Antonio Cesaro d Titus O’Neil by DQ, when Darren Young interferes. Yes, the heel won by DQ when the face tag partner interfered. After the match, Titus pukes in JBL’s cowboy hat (HE ATE TOO MUCH. GET IT?), and puts the hat on Michael Cole’s head. Then he pukes on Zeb. Little kids go nuts. Everyone else reaches for the remote.
Goldust & Cody Rhodes d Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns in a tag title match. The Rhodes boys win by DQ when Dean Ambrose interferes. Punk comes out to clear house with a chair. Then Vickie Guerrero comes out, and channels the spirit of Teddy Long.
Goldust, Cody Rhodes & CM Punk vs The Shield ends in a no contest when the lights go out. The Wyatts are in the ring when they come back on. The Usos and Rey Mysterio come out to even the odds. Vickie comes back out once again, Playa, leading to….
Goldust, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio & The Usos d The Shield & The Wyatt Family.
This cluster-f ends when Mysterio hits the 619 on Erick Rowan, who then eats a GTS from CM Punk. Crowd goes home happy.
SKIM this show. The tag team gauntlet of exponential growth sounds fun. The Tons of Funk-Truth/Woods angle could turn into something. Same with the IC title picture. Everything else sounds like painful holiday show filler. DVR is your friend.
@AndyMillerJMS
[…] ever-half-assed booking of the divas, and a few things that haven’t been given time to flesh out (like the Tons of Funk v Truth/Woods story kicking off tonight on Smackdown), it’s pretty clear that everything is happening for a reason. Every match, every promo, […]