Home / Results / Smackdown / January 13, 2012

1. Non-title: Cody Rhodes def. Ezekiel Jackson

2. Justin Gabriel def. Heath Slater.

3. Ted DiBiase def. Drew McIntyre.

4. Sheamus def. Jinder Mahal.

5. David Otunga def. Santino Marella.

6. Brodus Clay def. Tyson Kidd.

7. Tamina def. Natalya Niedhart.

8. World title: Daniel Bryan NC Big Show.

We open with Daniel Bryan, who wants to set the record straight about last week's title match. Michael Cole claims Bryan deliberately goaded Mark Henry into shoving the champion down, a claim that Henry himself echoes when he comes out to confront Bryan. We learn that Henry will be barred from ringside for the title rematch tonight, but he gets the next shot, next week in Las Vegas.

1. Non-title: Cody Rhodes vs. Ezekiel Jackson.

"Big Zeke" was the one who dropped the title to Rhodes over the summer, and Cody has been booked erratically ever since, as Uncreative can't find someone to be the next challenger. Rhodes avoided the torture rack, but after whiffing on the Beautiful Disaster, hit it on the 2nd try, then hit Cross-Rhodes to end it. Winner: Cody Rhodes.

2. Heath Slater vs. Justin Gabriel.

The former tag champs meet in their first TV match against each other since NXT season 1. Hornswoggle, who has gotten under Slater's skin the last two weeks. Then again, since Slater can't buy a win, you know how this ends. Slater has the match won, but 'Swoggle's music hits, and the leprechaun comes out of nowhere. The distraction enables Gabriel to recover and hit the 450. Winner: Justin Gabriel.

3. Ted DiBiase vs. Drew McIntyre.

McIntyre had pleaded his case to Teddy Long, but the GM wanted nothing to do with it. Hunico & Camacho came out for commentary, but didn't say anything new. McIntyre's bad luck continues, as DiBiase shrugged off an early offensive flurry and sent McIntyre to Dream Street. Winner: Ted DiBiase.

4. Sheamus vs. Jinder Mahal.

File this under "underwhelming". We've seen this before. Mahal gets some offense in, but is reduced back to being a minor threat in a mere heartbeat. Sheamus KOs him with the Brogue Kick. Winner: Sheamus.

5. David Otunga vs. Santino Marella.

Otunga showed up backstage, fishing for information on Smackdown talent in the Royal Rumble, on behalf of John Laurinaitis. Santino essentially challenged him, and so, the match is on. I get the feeling Otunga's fishing for something else, namely, Long's job as GM. I wish they'd stop doing that. Anyway, Otunga finds the winner's circle for the first time in forever with the Emerald Frosien after avoiding the Cobra. Winner: David Otunga.

6. Brodus Clay (w/Naomi & Ariane) vs. Tyson Kidd.

Yep, NXT season 3 runner-up Naomi Night is back, along with Ariane Andrew (Tough Enough '11) as the new Funkettes. Kidd might as well not have bothered. Shoulder tackle, running crossbody, game over. Winner: Brodus Clay.

7. Natalya Niedhart vs. Tamina.

Natalya was already in the ring as we came back from break, and ended up suffering the same fate as her real-life mate, Tyson. More of the same from last week, plus the fact it played the same as the DiBiase-McIntyre match. Samoan drop, Superfly Splash, see you later. Winner: Tamina.

8. World title: Daniel Bryan (w/AJ Lee) vs. Big Show.

Earlier in the night, Show tried to tell Bryan he felt the title had changed him. Bryan misread AJ's intentions when she went to talk to the colossus backstage, and accused Show of trying to steal his "girlfriend". Real stupid, Daniel, you're only fueling Show's argument. This was supposed to be no-DQ, no countout. Instead, it never finished. Bryan led Show on a merry chase on the floor, and poor AJ, minding her own business, took a spill when Show "accidentally" crashed into her. AJ does a stretcher job, and Bryan ends the program by berating Big Show, calling him a monster. Someone's turning heel, and turning Big Show, in my opinion, would be too easy. Winner: None.