SmackDown: September 28, 2012

Big Show, Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio all attempted to assert themselves as the next Superstar to face The Great White

BUFFALO, N.Y. – In one of the biggest main events in SmackDown history, The World’s Largest Athlete went one-on-one with The Viper in a World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match, while a tournament was introduced by SmackDown General Manager Booker T to establish the new No. 1 contenders to the WWE Tag Team Titles.

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Four days after using the WMD to knockout both Brodus Clay and Tensai on Raw, Big Show came to SmackDown to declare that he was back and that he wanted the World Heavyweight Title. Recalling the embarrassment of his last World Title reign, which lasted 45 seconds, the giant stated that when the Superstar that defeated him, Daniel Bryan, lost that title in 18 seconds at WrestleMania, it was a true turning point in his career. He then stated, in no uncertain terms, that he was the one Superstar on the roster that could beat current World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus.

Big Show was soon interrupted by Randy Orton, the serpentine competitor that he would face in the SmackDown main event to try and become the No. 1 contender to The Great White’s championship gold at WWE Hell in a Cell. The Viper said that if The World’s Largest Athlete thought he would stand in between him and his 10th World Title, he would “not be standing for much longer.”

As the fierce adversaries contemplated whether the main event would see someone get “bit by the RKO or hit with a KO,” Alberto Del Rio emerged, demanding that — because he was “cheated” in his World Title Match at Night of Champions and “better than both Orton and Big Show combined” — both Superstars would be moving to the back of the line. But as The Mexican Aristocrat entered the ring, The Viper wasted no time hitting Del Rio with the RKO.  

United States Champion Antonio Cesaro def. Santino Marella — United States Championship Match

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One week ago, an accidental distraction by Aksana, helped Santino Marella overcome United States Champion, Antonio Cesaro, in a non-title match. As a result, two things happened: The Swiss titleholder broke up with the beautiful Diva in five languages and The Italian Stallion earned an opportunity to get the U.S. Title back. Aksana’s reaction was captured over the weekend in a WWE.com exclusive. ( MORE)

In the explosive championship match that followed, there was no sign of Cesaro’s discarded ex. But that didn’t stop the action from heating up in a hurry. When the battle between the two fierce competitors moved to the top rope, Cesaro attempted to hit the Neutralizer from high above the canvas, only to be treated to a supersized back-body-drop by the former champion. However, when Santino followed him down with a headbutt, Cesaro had enough presence of mind to move, allowing the Swiss Superstar to successfully hit the Neutralizer on his second attempt for the victory.  

Beth Phoenix def. Natalya

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In a match highly anticipated on social media for a long time now, Beth Phoenix squared off against her friend Natalya in her hometown of Buffalo, N.Y. The desire of the two battling beauties turned more and more volatile with every moment that passed, especially after Beth reached the ropes to escape her opponent’s signature Sharpshooter and Natalya miraculously kicked out of the Glam Slam! And in the end of a contest that truly could have gone either way, The Glamazon reversed a pin attempt by the third-generation Diva to grab the quick pinfall.

After the bell, Divas Champion Eve emerged on the top of the ramp, apologizing for striking Beth on Monday Night Raw in the heat of the moment, as accusations were flying over Kaitlyn’s discovery that her attacker at Night of Champions had blond hair. But, moments after saying sorry, the Assistant to the SmackDown General Manager added that until an investigation into the matter could be concluded, The Fabulous Firebird was indefinitely suspended!

Though SmackDown GM Booker T reversed Eve’s decision moments later, the controversy surrounding Kaitlyn’s attack continued to rage on.

A major tournament was announced to determine the new WWE Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contenders ( WATCH)
SmackDown General Manager Booker T announced that a Tag Team Elimination Tournament to name the new No. 1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team Titles will take place between eight different teams in the coming weeks. The winners will face Daniel Bryan and Kane, Team Hell No, for the titles at WWE Hell in a Cell.

Wade Barrett def. Zack Ryder

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For weeks now, the reemerging Wade Barrett has taken the Barrett Barrage to a new level of absolute destruction. On SmackDown this week, despite an extremely strong effort by Zack Ryder, Barrett avoided the Broski Boot, roaring back minutes later to overtake Long Island Iced-Z with the devastating Souvenir elbow.

“Miz TV” with special guest World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus

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Fearing that — with all the abuse The Miz has taken from Ryback lately — the Intercontinental Champion might have been suffering from “memory loss” and therefore forgot to introduce him, Sheamus decided to emerge on “Miz TV” before he was called to the ring.

Though The Great White immediately threw one of the Miz’s chairs out of the ring, poked fun at the host in numerous ways and refused to let him get a word in edgewise. The Awesome One would not be denied. Regrouping, Miz began to list the many ways people would have to pay to experience him, spouting off his own accolades, before pointing out how either Big Show or Randy Orton were sure to defeat The Celtic Warrior at WWE Hell in a Cell.

Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero soon interrupted the situation, with Mr. Money in the Bank pointing out that no matter who won the pay-per-view World Title Match, he guaranteed that he would walk out of WWE Hell in a Cell with the World Heavyweight Championship.

Hearing enough, the first-ever Irish-born World Heavyweight Champion opted to attack both Superstars, igniting a brawl that once again tore the “Miz TV” set apart and ended with The Great White sending both Miz and Ziggler over the top rope. 

Team Rhodes Scholars def. The Usos — Tournament Match to determine the No. 1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Titles

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On the same night that SmackDown GM Booker T set up an eight-team elimination tournament to determine the new No. 1 contenders to WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No at WWE Hell in a Cell, Team Rhodes Scholars advanced to the quarterfinals.

After Sandow grabbed Jey Uso out of the ring, it caused Jimmy Uso to become momentarily distracted on the top rope. When Jimmy finally leaped at Cody Rhodes, the grandson of a plumber raised his knees to meet him. This set up the Cross Rhodes and the important tag team victory.

Ryback def. Tensai

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After reigning supreme over Intercontinental Champion The Miz in a non-title match on Raw and engaging in a noticeable stare down with WWE Champion CM Punk, Ryback faced the largest opponent he has ever faced, Tensai. And despite of the size of his intimidating foe, Ryback pulled of the seemingly impossible, delivering the Shell Shocked to the massive grappler to remain undefeated.

Big Show def. Randy Orton – No. 1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship

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Before Randy Orton could face Big Show, he was attacked in the back by Alberto Del Rio, the Superstar he hit with the RKO at the start of the show. The Mexican Aristocrat then tried to take his prey’s place in the No. 1 Contender’s Match, only to be stopped by the now-injured Viper. After taking his attacker down, WWE’s Apex Predator insisted on facing the giant anyway, battling for the right to face World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus at WWE Hell in a Cell.

In the ensuing showdown, the courageous Orton attempted time and time again to overcome not only the fierce giant, but also his own injured midsection. The wrath that he had to endure for the majority of the contest was so vicious, that when he finally regrouped and countered the chokeslam to hit the RKO, he couldn’t seem to execute it fully. Possibly for this reason, Show kicked out of the dreaded finishing maneuver! The giant then hit two chokeslams for the huge win, making him the new No. 1 contender to The Great White’s World Title at WWE Hell on a Cell.

After the bell, following an argument with a fan, The World’s Largest Athlete returned to the ring and hit his fallen opponent with the WMD. 

Refesh for the latest SmackDown match outcomes, videos and photos.

Ryback def. Tensai ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Team Rhodes Scholars def. The Usos – WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contenders Tournament Match ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

The Miz presents "Miz TV" with special guest World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Wade Barrett def. Zack Ryder ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Beth Phoenix def. Natalya ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

United States Champion Antonio Cesaro def. Santino Marella  – United States Championship Match ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Just announced: Tonight's main event between Randy Orton abd Big Show will determine World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus' No. 1 contender at WWE Hell in a Cell. ( PHOTOS)

WWE.com offers their suggestions for 10 other things that the new World Heavyweight Champion Big Show should look to conquer.

Introduce the WMD into a whole new ring

Without a doubt, Big Show processes the most dominant fist in the squared circle. His WMD has laid waste to his a countless string of victims — most recently Randy Orton, Brodus Clay and Tensai. And that’s just after hitting them once. What if the colossal Big Show took his knockout blow into a boxing ring?

It’s hard to believe that the standard boxing glove could provide any salvation for the recipient of a pugilistic attack by The World’s Largest Athlete. And when one considers how many times a fighter gets hit in a standard match … well, let’s just say the giant probably wouldn’t have to wait for the judges to render their decisions.   

Victory in the Royal Rumble Match

Big Show has said on numerous occasions that he is sick of being made into a “joke.” While we here at WWE.com would personally never make such a claim, what better way for him to prove the extent of his absolute dominance than to overcome 29 other Superstars in the ultimate match of bedlam and send himself skyrocketing into the main event of WrestleMania?

While never having emerged victorious in a Royal Rumble Match, the giant has come so close — being one of the last two competitors on two separate occasions and personally eliminating an incredible 25 Superstars total in his Rumble appearances! It’s safe to say that if The World’s Largest Athlete could take it to the next level and earn himself the main event at The Show of Shows, then no one in the world would ever dare laugh again. 

Big Show and the bear?

In the WWE Film “Knucklehead,” Big Show’s character actually fought a bear. Might we suggest that it’s time for life to imitate art? Could the giant “bear” to lock horns with a grotesque grizzly or other rough and tough creatures in the wild kingdom for that matter?

Though Show defeated The Viper, Randy Orton, on the Sept. 28 edition of SmackDown to become the No. 1 contender to The Celtic Warrior, how would he fare against a python? It’s true he knocked out The Funkasaurus, but would the WMD have the same effect on a charging elephant? Worried about the 400-pound gorilla in the room? Try a chokeslam, courtesy of the giant. That may just put your troubles to rest permanently. 

The biggest 450 Splash ever

With the WMD and the chokeslam causing such indescribable carnage as of late, it’s hard to imagine that a Superstar as towering as Big Show would be capable of doing a dropkick or an elbow drop off the top rope. But, believe it or not, this is a recorded fact. So, if he can do that, what’s to stop Show from reaching even higher?

Just imagine the earth-shattering impact that would be created if The World’s Largest Athlete were to climb to the top rope and hurl himself through the air in a massive flip, crashing down onto an unfortunate soul with the 450 Splash. Already known to cause the ring to collapse with a superplex on two separate occasions — first with Brock Lesnar and then with Mark Henry — could the ring possibly support the supersized velocity of Big Show carrying out such a maneuver? One thing is for sure: If he were to hit it, his opponent would be the only person that would never remember it.

No, I am the Tag Team Champions

In recent weeks, both Daniel Bryan and Kane have claimed that they are, individually, the WWE Tag Team Champions. But, if there is one Superstar truly capable of following through with such a colossal claim, it’s The World’s Largest Athlete.

A multi-time tag team titleholder who captured the title gold alongside the likes of The Big Red Monster, The Undertaker and Chris Jericho certainly knows the lay of the land. And while the current tag team division is incredibly competitive at the moment, the level of aggressive brutality displayed by the returning, gigantic Superstar could very well make him an odds on favorite against the likes of The Prime Time Players, Kofi Kingston & R-Truth and possibly even Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara.   

All hail, King Big Show!

Heavy is the head that wears the World’s Largest Crown. Not only would Big Show winning the King of the Ring Tournament serve as the ultimate testament to his destructive capability, but also the fallout under the rule of his massive boot would send shockwaves through the entire WWE, shaking things up like never before.

Ultimately, this regal triumph would further link the giant to the great and royal lineage of WWE Hall of Famers like Bret “Hit Man” Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, while serving as a reminder of his majestic supremacy.  

Giants are pretty strong, too

While Big Show has had many memorable battles with The World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry, he has never attempted to beat him at his own game. We here at WWE.com think this showdown is long overdue, as Big Show should enter a strongman competition.

In the past, the WWE Universe bore witness to what a furious Show can do to a jeep, a steel ring steps or a group of Superstars for that matter. Ask yourself then: What if a truck, or even a train, made him mad — just moments before he was going to pull it? Without a doubt, the incensed giant could lift tire-stacked barbells like they are butter and hurl boulders like bocce balls? In reality, the legendary Atlas Stone would prove more like a shot put in the hands of The World’s Largest Athlete.

The World’s Largest Stable

Ask yourself this: If you were a WWE Superstar, is there anyone you would rather have accompany you to the ring as a manager, backing you up every inch of the way, than a 7-foot, 441-pound giant?

A referee makes a questionable call against you and who does he have to deal with: Big Show. An opponent tries to follow you out of the ring for a dangerous ringside assault and who’s standing in the way: Big Show. Is there anyone you would want grabbing your opponent’s leg as he was coming off the ropes more than a manager with the furthest reach in the business?

Clearly, the leadership of the mammoth Superstar would inspire his Superstars to unprecedented heights.

A ‘Big’ problem for Ryback

It’s true that the fierce Ryback is not a giant. But in the midst of his endless string of onslaughts, the ultra-intense Superstar definitely paints that picture. Stomping into the squared circle, ripping through 2-on-1 Handicap Matches like they were a pre-match warm-up — even delivering a Shell Shocked to a Superstar the size of Tensai — what could better represent pure immensity?

However, would he still be demanding, “Feed me more!” if he was standing across the ring from the towering feast that is Big Show? If the giant did take him on, rather than screaming “finish it,” Ryback’s undefeated streak might simply be finished.

Hot dogging it in Brooklyn

Speaking of feeding, since Big Show has captured every championship available to him in the WWE ring, perhaps there is another title he should chase that he’s never set his sights on, something he could tackle on his lunch break — the Mustard Championship at Nathan’s annual Hot Dog Eating Competition in Brooklyn, N.Y.

While a normal man might have trouble walking into the longstanding Coney Island competition and keeping up, it would be child’s play for a giant. The current record for that contest stands at nearly 70 hot dogs. Without question, Big Show could consume that many in half the time … and still have enough room for some New York–style pizza and a bagel before hitting the gym.