Here are my takes on the big stories from Friday night’s episode of SmackDown that the WWE Universe is talking about on Facebook, Twitter and WWE.com. 

Talking point: Big Show returns, chokeslams Mark Henry through the announce table 

Eck’s Factor: After nearly three months on the shelf, Big Show didn’t waste any time in making a big impact. When World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry – the man who had broken Big Show’s leg  at Money in the Bank in July – denied Big Show’s impassioned request for a title shot, the “The World’s Largest Athlete” took matters into his own gargantuan hands and viciously assaulted him. Before Big Show could return the favor and break Henry’s leg, however, SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long came out and granted Big Show his title match against Henry. With the roll that Henry has been on, it was shocking to see him being manhandled and looking so vulnerable. Suddenly, the long, dominant title reign that I figured Henry was destined for doesn’t seem like such a sure thing. (PHOTOS) 

Talking point: WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio scores a convincing victory over Sin Cara (Azul) 

Eck’s Factor: After being one of the leaders of the walkout on Raw SuperShow this past Monday, Del Rio decided to grace SmackDown with his presence. Sin Cara probably wishes Del Rio would have made other plans for Friday night. Del Rio thrashed Sin Cara like the masked man owed him money, including delivering a sick-looking German Suplex. Word has it that there is heat between Del Rio and Sin Cara from their days of working together in Mexico. What triggered the bad blood is unclear, but judging by the look in Del Rio’s eyes and the ferocity of his offense, it must have been something pretty significant.

Talking point: Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger defeat WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom in a non-title match

Eck’s Factor: Just days after losing to the champions at Hell in a Cell, “ZigSwag” made a statement by attacking Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne before the opening bell and going on to score a pinfall victory. That should once again place Ziggler and Swagger at the front of the line of Tag Team Title contenders (not that the line is really all that long anyway). Now that these two seem to be on the same page – undoubtedly thanks to the considerable managerial skills of Vickie Guerrero – it’s apparent that they are quite a formidable team. In fact, Ziggler and Swaggler are starting to remind me of The Hollywood Blondes. For those who are unfamiliar with the Blondes, they were a top WCW tag team in the early ’90s that was comprised of Brian Pillman and a guy you’ve probably heard of named Steve Austin.

Talking point: Randy Orton explains why he did not participate in the walkout on Raw SuperShow this past Monday

Eck’s Factor:  Orton told Matt Striker in a backstage interview that if he has a problem with Triple H, he’ll deal with the WWE COO personally. Orton also said that he doesn’t follow the group mentality because he “doesn’t play well with others.” On a side note, it was promoted during the show that Orton, John Cena, CM Punk, Sheamus and Big Show would all be at Raw SuperShow this Monday. Kudos to them. It’s a shame the rest of the babyfaces on the roster chose to take their balls and go home (see what I did there?). (WATCH)

Talking point: WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix makes quick work of Alicia Fox

Eck’s Factor: It took Phoenix just 34 seconds to dispose of Fox, which is an impressive feat considering that Fox is a former Divas Champion. After losing the first two of her three pay-per-view matches with former Divas Champion Kelly Kelly, this is the type of win that Phoenix needed to re-establish her aura of dominance in the Divas division. The awesome post-match attack – which saw Natalya stretching Fox in a submission hold while Phoenix shoved a microphone in Fox’s face to amplify her screams of agony – actually lasted longer than the match.

Talking point: Hornswoggle returns to SmackDown and he and Booker T. perform Spin-A-Roonies in the ring

Eck’s Factor: As Booker would say, “What the hell?”

WHO IS KEVIN ECK?

For those who are unfamiliar with me, I come to WWE from The Baltimore Sun, where I was an assistant sports editor and the author of a pro wrestling blog titled Ring Posts. In between two stints with The Sun, I worked as the editor of WCW Magazine from 2000 to 2001.

 

Follow Kevin Eck on Twitter at Twitter.com/KevinEck­_WWE