WWE Super Smackdown 30/8/11: Results, Review And Analysis

The contract signing between Punk and Triple H was announced for this week's show

WWE Super Smackdown this week was a live show, unlike the shows of the past which were actually taped shows. The show held in Wichita, Kansas kept up with the trend that Triple H had announced on the previous night’s Raw. Both Raw and Smackdown superstars were involved in Super Smackdown.

Two main events had earlier been announced for the night which included John Cena vs Wade Barrett and the World Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage match involving Randy Orton and Christian. Besides these matches, the contract signing for the Night of Champions match between Triple H and CM Punk was also set to take place live. What transpired during those matches and the contract signing. Read more to find out yourself.

Cena punching Ricardo Rodriguez in the face

Super SmackDown Opener:

John Cena came out first and demanded Alberto Del Rio to get into the ring. Alberto never came but his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez came out and delivered a message from Del Rio which stated that he would not face John Cena before Night of Champions. Later, Cena smacked Ricardo to the face and then Cena’s opponent for the night, Wade Barrett came out and made a promo about him dominating Cena last year. Good promo by Barrett and well handled by Cena. Though not entertaining, WWE failed in its attempt to mask the absence of Alberto this week. Barrett was impressive but not great.

Segment Rating: 4/5

John Cena hitting the Attitude Adjustment on Wade Barrett

Match 1: John Cena vs. Wade Barrett

Singles Match

A very short match which ultimately ended with Cena’s five moves of doom. Cena won by pinfall in a match that lasted a mere 3 to 4 minutes. It was sad to see Cena squashing Barrett. I expected much, much more between these two. There was no point of this match other than having Cena be seen on Smackdown. WWE should have given it more time, and made it interesting. Why wouldn’t you give these men more opportunities for a great match. I scratch my head wondering why was this even advertised as a main event.

Winner: John Cena

Match Rating: 3/5

Sin Cara congratulates Bryan only to attack him, a few seconds later

Match 2: Daniel Bryan vs. Sin Cara

Singles Match

Daniel Bryan and Sin Cara put on a good match. Initially, it was Bryan on top but Sin Cara gained momentum and ultimately got the victory by pinfall. Sin Cara attacked Bryan while trying to shake hands with him after the match. Great match between the two. Timing was perfect, no botched spots, and both men used their skills to put on quite a performance. I wish Bryan would have won though, because he should be a guy who consistently wins. He gets pinned by Barrett last week, who gets squashed this week by Cena, and then loses to Cara, who has not even spoken a word. It is frustrating to see Bryan lose clean each week. Cara hitting Bryan after the match was interesting because we do not know what type of character he is going to be. Does this indicate his heel turn. Maybe!

Winner: Sin Cara

Match Rating: 4/5

The Divas of Doom: Beth Phoenix and Natalya

Match 3: Beth Phoenix and Natalya vs. Kelly Kelly and Alicia Fox

Divas Tag Team Match

Aksana was the special ring announcer for this match. Natalya and Beth dominated this match completely and won this match. Beth pinned Alicia after hitting her finishing move on her. Good to see Kelly Kelly not getting pinned again. Fox showed some interesting offense, and I was happy to see her improve over the past few weeks. I am not sold on her yet, but they did something right by putting those divas in a match and not letting them stuck backstage. The match was rushed but still effective to a point of continuing a storyline the right way.

Winners: Beth Phoenix and Natalya

Match Rating: 3/5

Nash pushes Triple H to the ground

In-Ring Segment: Contract signing between CM Punk and Triple H:

Smackdown General Manager, Teddy Long came in to the ring and invited Triple H for the contract signing. Triple H came out first followed by CM Punk. Triple H and CM Punk had an heated argument over Triple H’s decision to change Punk’s opponent at Night of Champions. Finally both men signed the contract for the match and just when I thought that this would be the first contract signing that wouldn’t end in a brawl, Kevin Nash came out and attacked both Punk and Triple H leaving Triple H awestruck. I like the way WWE is using Kevin Nash as a catalyst in the Punk – Hunter feud. His attack on Hunter keeps the fans guessing for the coming weeks leading up to Night of Champions.

Segment Rating: 4/5

Match 4: Sheamus vs. Great Khali

Singles Match

The Great Khali came out along with Jinder Mahal with a different entrance theme. Sheamus came out to a huge cheer from the crowd. Khali dominated the early parts of the match which forced Sheamus to go to defensive mode. Sheamus won the match by disqualification since Jinder Mahal interfered in the match to attack Sheamus. Khali and Jinder continued to attack Sheamus and after a point Sheamus reiterated. He hit the Celtic Cross on Jinder and left the ring.Not too good of a match, given Khali was involved. I did really enjoy seeing Sheamus fend off both men and look extremely powerful after the match. He keeps going and going, which is what you need from your second most popular face on Smackdown. Matches like these are improving Sheamus’ credibility as a face.

Winner: Sheamus by disqualification

Match Rating: 3/5

Match 5: Randy Orton (C) vs. Christian

Steel Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

Mark Henry stands tall amidst the ruins

Orton squared off against Christian inside a steel cage, in a match which could be won by pinfall, submission or by escaping the cage. From the start of the match, both men were instrumental in taking down their opponent by hook or by crook. There were plenty of instances in which Christian faked or fended off the destructive RKO of Randy Orton, which was the reason why the crowd was on their feet throughout the match.

Christian had several opportunities to escape the cage, but they were all squandered because Orton caught up with Christian once he went to the top of the cage. The match ultimately ended after Randy Orton hit a deadly RKO from the top of the cage on Christian. Randy got the victory by pinfall.

After the match Mark Henry came out and brutalized Orton and the show ended with the image of Mark Henry standing tall in the ring with the World Heavyweight championship in his hand. I was completely mesmerized by the show put up by Orton and Christian. They gave it all in the ring in a match that can’t be described in words. I was completely awestruck on seeing this fantastic wrestling match which had it all – the thrills, spills, action, drama and a pulsating climax. Mark Henry attack on Orton would certainly help in the build up to their match at Night of Champions. Mark Henry seems to be sure favorite of the commentators to win at Night of Champions but I will certainly put my money on Orton to fend of Henry’s challenge.

Winner: Randy Orton

Match Rating: 5/5

The Bottom Line:

Super Smackdown wasn’t exactly spectacular except for the main event steel cage match. The other matches were rushed and plenty of time was wasted on backstage interviews which was the reason why there were only 5 matches in this week’s show. The Punk-Triple H-Nash feud was yet again given more screen space on Smackdown which meant that other matches had to be shortened. Sin Cara’s heel turn was the only surprising factor in the show.

Super Smackdown rating: 3/5

Best Match: Steel Cage match between Randy Orton and Christian.