Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Review:
Rhodes talks pre match about how he is the Intercontinental Champion with his disfiguration. He wanted to inspire DiBiase through his success. Cody says he will not be sunk by Ted, or anyone. He rose to the top when Ted sunk. Out comes Orton, and our main event is underway. Rhodes beats up Orton, as Rhodes plays a game of cat and mouse. He hits a few punches and takes Orton down. Orton hits a standing dropkick and gets a two count. Rhodes tries for a dropkick himself, misses, and Orton throws him down again. Orton methodically stomps away at the body parts of Rhodes, and digs his boot in Rhodes’ gut. Orton hits a clothesline off a reversal, and hits a Lou Theis press. Rhodes uses his mask to knock down Orton, and he stomps Orton on the mat. He kicks away at Orton fiercely, and takes over offensively. Rhodes kicks and punches Orton in the corner, stomping a mud hole into him. Rhodes hits a suplex on Orton, which sends him to the outside. With a submission hold on the neck of Orton, Rhodes is able to connect with knees to the chest. Rhodes hits an Alabama Slam, and continues to kick Orton while he is down. Orton reverses a hold, and hits a knee to the face of Rhodes. Orton tries for the hanging DDT, and connects. He sets up for an RKO, but Rhodes slides out of the ring. Rhodes runs around, gets back in the ring, Rhodes misses a kick from the middle rope, and Orton hits an RKO for the victory. Out comes Mark Henry, as Orton tries for an RKO but is clotheslined by Henry. Henry gives him the World’s Strongest Slam two times, brings a chair into the ring, and sits on it as he chokes Orton with it as Smackdown ends.
Reaction:
A great one on one match between two champions on Smackdown. I love the intensity of Rhodes in the ring, as I feel his ground and pound mixed with his athleticism cannot be compared to anyone else currently. Orton continues to hit RKO’s out of nowhere, which makes his move that much more exciting. They gave it a lot of time to build, hit a climax, and then the end of the match fit perfectly to not make either man look weak. This segment gets an A. Mark Henry did his thing after for the second straight week. It gets the viewers more questions as if Orton can overcome Henry’s strength. Well done to end the show on a note of curiosity.
Overall:
We get some rushed matches and little build besides two feuds. I wish DiBiase or someone who will challenge Rhodes in less than two weeks would have started that feud. He is a fantastic talent on the mic and in the ring because he is just different. His mentality, his aggression, and his ability to carry a match makes me believe he should be in the WHC picture. Air Boom’s feud was not seen. Why not have Miz and Truth interfere to further that build? I just question some of the bookings in this show. There was not a great flow, but I was happy to see Cara and Bryan do more in their program together, as I already mentioned how it is not but beneficial for both. Maybe on Raw, we can see Rhodes and Bryan on there to give them more exposure. Overall, this show gets a C. Average at best from WWE on Smackdown, with an important show coming next week with the return of Edge for one night. Great in ring talent seemed wasted and did not get proper time to show off why Smackdown usually is the better “wrestling” show.
Follow @JoshIsenberg4 on Twitter. Reaction, over.
