WWE Smackdown: Sheamus crashes Randy Orton-Christian contract signing
The last time we saw Sheamus on Smackdown, he lost his match against Christian and then was on the receiving end of a punt to the head from Randy Orton.
Two weeks later – on Friday night’s episode of Smackdown – Sheamus made his dramatic return. And this time it was Sheamus who was getting his kicks (to the head) at the expense of Orton and Christian.
As Christian was about to put pen to paper to make his world heavyweight title match against champion Orton at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view on July 17 official, Sheamus stormed the ring and took out both guys with Brogue Kicks. He then ripped up the contract.
I’m not sure what that means exactly, but I’m guessing that the world title match at MITB is going to end up being a triple threat, with Sheamus joining Orton and Christian in the match. Of course, I could be wrong, as last week I wrote that I wouldn’t be surprised if Mark Henry was inserted into the title bout to make it a three-way, and that doesn’t seem very likely now.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
Henry again played a very convincing monster. He manhandled Orton during their non-title match before being distracted and losing by countout (The Big Show’s music played in the middle of the match, and it was strongly hinted that Christian was behind it, since a Henry victory could have cost Christian his shot against Orton based on what Smackdown general manager Teddy Long said before the match), and then he destroyed a bunch of TV equipment and brutalized an audio technician. ...
The way Long keeps screwing with Christian almost makes Christian come across as a sympathetic character who is justified in claiming that he is being treated unfairly. ...
The eight participants for the Smackdown Money in the Bank match were announced: Sheamus, Kane, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Sin Cara, Daniel Bryan, Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater. That’s a pretty weak lineup compared to the Raw MITB match. The fact that Gabriel and Slater are in the match really shows how little depth there is on the Smackdown roster right now. ...
The Bryan-Ted DiBiase Jr. match was very good. I liked that Bryan – who is being pushed as a submission specialist – used a maneuver other than the LeBell Lock to force DiBiase to tap out. ...
The way Rhodes chastised DiBiase after the match makes me wonder if DiBiase is going to end up turning babyface at some point and feuding with Rhodes. ...
Like most of Sin Cara’s matches, his bout with Christian was awkward in spots, but I still thought it was entertaining. I really had no idea how this one was going to end, because I knew Christian wasn’t going to lose, but I also didn’t think WWE would end Cara’s undefeated streak yet – but that’s what happened, as Christian got the clean win after nailing Cara with a spear. ...
It was pretty funny when a frustrated Christian blamed his troubles early in the match on the dim lighting that is always used when Cara wrestles. ...
The back story with Jinder Mahal and The Great Khali – it was revealed by Ranjin Singh in a pre-taped interview that Mahal is married to their sister – has me intrigued. On a side note, I sure hope the sister doesn’t look anything like Khali. ...
The non-title match between Intercontinental champion Ezekiel Jackson and Rhodes was OK. Rhodes’ pinfall victory (thanks to DiBiase distracting Jackson) theoretically sets up a title match between the two. ...
Kane and Barrett had a decent big man match. Of course, Barrett did the job. I’m at a loss as to why Barrett loses all the time. ...
I like Booker T., but his commentary is getting more annoying by the week.







Comments
I don’t get the Khali reasoning. If his sister is being used by Mahal to black mail him, shouldn’t Khali act like he isn’t happy helping Jinder. So far he appears to enjoy helping him out. Someone needs to direct Khali to show some inner turmoil. I know, I’m asking for too much.
Posted by: Paul C. | July 3, 2011 12:11 AM
I like the Smackdown Money in the Bank lineup better, as Raw's consists of too many stars, and the idea for the match is to make new stars. So that doesn't make much sense.
It's actually been reported that the plan is for Ted DiBiase to eventually betray Rhodes, so you got that one right.
Do you think it was weird that Christian tried to stop Sheamus from attacking Randy? Perhaps he is still a tweener.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't think the idea was that Christian was saving Orton; it was that he was upset that Sheamus interrupted before he had a chance to sign the contract.
Posted by: C-CooL | July 3, 2011 1:28 AM
I have to admit this past week watching the WWE has been fun from CM punk's rant to Mark Henry destroying everyone in his path and now Sheamus trashing the world title signing creative team finally making it watchable taking the PG thing and putting at PG- 13 also rumors that Vince McMahon will appear on Raw
Posted by: ryan | July 3, 2011 11:31 AM
So CM Punk gets "suspended" for talking but Mark Henry receives no punishment for attacking WWE staff? Which one seems worse? Whatever, in a month from now, Mark Henry will be back to jobbing to whoever they are trying to push.
Posted by: Zach F. | July 3, 2011 11:47 AM
"I like Booker T., but his commentary is getting more annoying by the week."
___________________________________
Aw, come on. I thought that it was funny when Cole asked what was the difference between current champion and a reigning champion, and Booker replied "there's a huge difference, Cole!"
Posted by: Christopher | July 3, 2011 11:49 AM
(response from earlier reply)
I guess that's a good reason but Randy already signed the contract. So beating him up didn't mean that Christian couldn't sign the contract. He could've easily signed it and then leave with it.
Posted by: C-CooL | July 3, 2011 12:41 PM
After the Punk moment--I had to see what the Eck observations were for Smackdown. I am intrigued in a possible sympathetic edge for Christian, mostly because this whole thing started with running him as a heel--which seemed wrong headed. I also like the comment you've reported him as making regarding the Sin Cara lighting--as it feeds into the self-criticsm WWE seens to be moving towards the last week.
As I've said, I don't arbitrarily hate WWE--I simply do not and cannot support their preceding creative and business direction. If the shifts indicated here, and Punk's rant, indicate that reason is finally being applied, and that Vince is possibly finally understanding the frustration many have with his company, I will be perfectly happy to watch again. Admittedly, after reading this on top of last Monday's Raw article, I am intrigued.
This is the sort of thing I feel that WWE has been lacking. If they are willing to satisfy the expectations of the fans they have lost, and to rehaul their way of doing things, I will start watching again, happily. Folks like Punk and Christian being previously treated the way they were along with insistent pushes of overexposed acts like Cena and Orton are my main gripes. (Also the terrible treatment of Jack Swagger, who has real talent and is a hilarious heel when allowed to be).
I'm interested. I'd like to see WWE take the initiative from fans, (not the kids who fill the arena and buy t-shirts and baby clothes--blind consumers are a totally different thing than active fans)--and make the changes. If they do, I will watch, and invest my time in the product again.
Posted by: DumbSmark | July 3, 2011 1:15 PM
Sheamus, Kane, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Sin Cara, Daniel Bryan, Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater
- worst line up ever!.I cannot believe slater was kept in this match and ted dibiase,great khali,Mark henry were ignored.I dnt understand y dint mark henry made the cut and man!!! the way Henry tossed that guy was unbelievale.In booker T's words "THIS KID IS UNBELEIVABLE...HAHAHA"
Btw I agree with kevin that WWE dropped the ball with kaval.I never watched impact but after reading the Impact review.I checked Kaval's match and he was phenomenal.I dnt understand y WWE wasted so much time and money on Sin "botch" Cara.When Kaval is 100 times better and tremendous in the ring.
Its so annoying that sin cara has still not been able to succesfully apply the la mistica manuever where he follows with headscissors with a crossface.If anyone remembers the promos they were showing before cara's debut.He was performing la mistica.
@ALL
Since i am from India
1)Let me brief all of you on Great Khali's situation.Ranjin singh is not khali's brother in the first place.He is just a translator and is no where related to khali as evident from his american accent that he has lived in america.
2) Jinder Mahal is not related to Khali in anyway.He was born in canada.
3)Khali cannot show a lot of emotions :p
@kevin
How can be the WHC match at MITB a triple threat when Sheamus is already participating in the MITB match
RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't see why Sheamus couldn't be pulled out of MITB and inserted into the title match. Not saying it will happen, but I think it's possible. As you stated, there are others who could take his place in MITB.
Posted by: Syed Habib Fawaz | July 3, 2011 5:01 PM
@ryan,
What do you mean by "there are rumors Vince McMahon will appear on Raw"? You do know that Raw for this coming Monday (7/4) has been taped already -
taped immediately after this past Monday's Raw went off the air; taped even before Smackdown and Cole's comment about this so-called rumor, even though he commentated on "Vince's appearance" live the night before; LOL! You just gotta love kayfabe.
- don't you? So, it's not just a rumor; it's a fact!!
Posted by: Alex N. | July 3, 2011 5:16 PM
The way I see it Sheamus will be added to the Championship match to further Christian's "screwed over" line and Mark Henry will replace him (and win) in the Money in the Bank match.
Posted by: Daryl | July 4, 2011 8:26 AM
wel dat is wrestling 4 u.any thing can hapen at any particular period.so my kudos to johncena,he is a great fighter.
Posted by: david | July 4, 2011 1:32 PM
Booker T needs to go. It isn't that he is bad at commentary that bugs me so much but that he isn't improving at all.
He talks too much. He misses action in the ring. He names the wrong moves. He can't think on his feet. He yells too much. He has no rapport with his fellow commentators.
And it is made even worse because he is in a three-man booth. You need to be concise, professional and work well with both of your partners in a three-man booth.
He does not interact well with either Josh Matthews or Michael Cole. He needs to transition into something backstage (he did good, but not great, as the MC at Raw Roulette). Hell, make him the Raw GM. Just something to get him out of commentary.
Posted by: Matt | July 5, 2011 4:35 AM
So Sheamus goes into the ring and beats up the number one contender and the champion, and he's going to be rewarded with a bout in the match? If this logic holds, why don't we see barnstorming like this more often?
Posted by: The Ville | July 5, 2011 10:56 AM
I was so disappointed that after episode 19, you did not get suspended, and Schmuck blogged on your blog about it.. Epic Fail sir! But you so rock anyway...im just sayin!!
Posted by: Lon | July 5, 2011 12:38 PM
"The way Long keeps screwing with Christian almost makes Christian come across as a sympathetic character who is justified in claiming that he is being treated unfairly".
Agreed.
Posted by: John Wilding | July 5, 2011 1:47 PM
I actually don't mind the Smackdown line-up. This sounds counter-intuitive, but I think its pretty open as to who may or may not win it.
Cody is the clear favorite, but its not as bad as Del Rio who I think is the clear favorite to win MITB and possibly cash in that night.
The only terrible person in the smackdown one is Heath Slater. He is truly worthless. Mediocre worker as far as I can tell, with no personality. Without the Core or the Nexus, he's obviously just another guy.
Posted by: Dave MacMickey | July 6, 2011 9:48 PM