Home / Results / Smackdown / July 8, 2011

1. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase def. Ezekiel Jackson & Daniel Bryan when DiBiase pinned Jackson.

2. Jinder Mahal def. Trent Barreta.

3. AJ Lee def. Tamina.

4. Mark Henry def. Kane.

5. Sin Cara def. Tyson Kidd.

6. Jey & Jimmy Uso def. Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel when Jey pinned Gabriel.

7. Non-title: Randy Orton def. Sheamus-DQ due to interference from Christian.

This week's episode was taped on June 29 due to the Smackdown team being on tour this week in South Africa.

After recapping the return of Sheamus last week, we see that he is in absentia to begin the show, as the other 7 men entered in the Smackdown Money in the Bank ladder match---Daniel Bryan, Sin Cara, Kane, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Wade Barrett, & Cody Rhodes---are in the ring with Josh Mathews. Barrett's tirade is interrupted when Sheamus finally shows up, chair in hand, and chases everyone else out. Sheamus then cut a promo saying he would win the briefcase, and cash it in on Randy Orton, which means it ain't gonna happen. Christian is out, and is upset over being dissed by the Celtic Warrior, who referred to Christian as a "scrawny, malnourished, googly-eyed weasel".

Christian then reveals that he has added another stip for his title match vs. Orton, in that if Orton is DQd, or there's another blown call, Christian becomes champ. Teddy Long comes out and makes Orton vs. Sheamus, a non-title affair at that, for tonight's main event.

1. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase (w/baggers) vs. Ezekiel Jackson & Daniel Bryan.

This is all about establishing a challenger for Jackson's Intercontinental title. Rhodes used illegal help from DiBiase to beat Jackson last week,, so there's payback to be had. The former Legacy got heat on Bryan, but it was a hot tag to Jackson that should've turned the tide. However, ref Scott Armstrong intercepted Bryan before he could clear Rhodes out, and that enabled Rhodes to hit the Beautiful Disaster, setting up DiBiase to send Jackson to Dream St.. Winners: Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase.

Matt Striker tries to interview Mark Henry, who faces Kane later amid rumors of possible fines and suspensions for his recent rampage. Henry merely glares to chase Striker away.

2. Jinder Mahal (w/Great Khali) vs. Trent Barreta.

Squash. Khali joins the announcers but doesn't say much. Barreta gets little offense in, and is beaten quickly with the full nelson slam. Winner: Jinder Mahal.

Post-match, Mahal added a second full nelson slam for no reason.

Sheamus has a little fun when Todd Grisham tries to interview him.

3. AJ Lee (w/Natalya) vs. Tamina (w/Alicia Fox).

AJ has lightened her hair since we saw her last. Hubba, hubba. Tamina dominated early, and hit a Samoan wrecking ball, but didn't go for a cover. That proved to be costly. She missed a splash, then missed a corner charge, and AJ schoolgirled her for the pin. Winner: AJ Lee.

Post-match, Alicia tries to console Tamina, but apparently the daughter of "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka doesn't take losing too well....

4. Kane vs. Mark Henry.

Henry's path of rage began when he was reminded that he's been with the company "since the Clinton Administration". That would be during Bill Clinton's 2nd term as President. Kane fits into that category as well. These two veterans are equally matched, but Henry is not quite as polished, even after 15 years. One top rop lariat is blocked and countered into a modified belly-to-belly suplex for 2. Kane finally hits the lariat, but the chokeslam is blocked. He hits on the 2nd attempt, but a rope break saves Henry. To the floor they go, and Kane is thinking payback, so he starts dissecting the announce table. However, another chokeslam is blocked, and Henry begins focusing his offense on Kane's back. He hits a 747 for 2, then finishes it with the World's Strongest Slam. Winner: Mark Henry.

Randy Orton interview. His message to Sheamus is simple and to the point. Be careful what you wish for. Orton doesn't care about the stips in his contract vs. Christian, because he's sick of the former "Capt. Charisma".

5. Tyson Kidd vs. Sin Cara.

Like Barreta earlier, Tyson doesn't get an entrance. Not a good sign. Cara is looking to rebound after suffering his first loss last week to Christian. Good match, but not enough time. Kidd dusted off his old springboard elbow drop finisher, but Cara blocked it with the knees. That was the beginning of the end for Kidd. Cara finished it with the C4. Winner: Sin Cara.

Matt Striker tries to interview Teddy Long, but the GM is first evasive, then blows off Striker when he's asked if he's intimidated by Mark Henry, whom Long managed when both were on Raw back in 2003. Hmmmmmm........

6. Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel vs. Jey & Jimmy Uso.

Rubber match between the two teams. The former 3-time tag champs won 2 weeks ago on Superstars, while the Usos won last week on Smackdown. Again, not enough time for things to really develop. The reason why is next. Just when it looked like Slater & Gabriel had this in the bag, things went south. Slater tried to set up Jimmy for Gabriel's 450, but Jimmy got free and Gabriel was crotched on the top. Tag to Jey, and the twins use the old Power & Glory finish from the 90's. Superplex, followed by a Superfly splash off the top. Winners: Jey & Jimmy Uso.

Post-match, the former champs are arguing. Uh-oh......

Raw Rebound: John Cena's confrontation with the nutty professor himself, Vince McMahon.

7. Non-title: Randy Orton vs. Sheamus.

Three weeks ago, the Celtic Warrior was punted after losing to Christian. Tonight, he seeks retribution. Christian comes down to the ring and joins the announcers briefly. When the action spills to the floor, Christian leaves the desk, but is unable to get any cheap shots in, as Sheamus is keeping a wary eye on him as well. Back in the ring, Sheamus appears to have injured Orton, as Randy is selling the oft-injured left shoulder. Irish Curse gets 2. Orton rallies, and counters out of an attempted running powerslam with an over-the-back backbreaker. Sets up for the RKO, but then Christian runs in, making ref James Maritato's call pretty easy. Winner: Randy Orton via DQ.

Angered, Sheamus blasted Christian with the Brogue Kick, but walks right into an RKO. This time, the champion is the last man standing.