Giant vs Viper (Smackdown Ep663 Reviewed)

Smackdown began with Sheamus speaking on the mic, again announcing his decision will be made after the Elimination Chamber PPV. Wade Barrett would come down after Sheamus finished talking about his early days. Wade said that if Sheamus were to choose the World Heavyweight Championship, he would go on to Wrestlemania to fight Wade. Cody Rhodes would then come down to the ring, He announced that he would win the Elimination Chamber and defeat Sheamus as a dual champion. Big Show would then come down to the ring. He asked Sheamus to think about the main event match, Big Show vs Sheamus at Wrestlemania. Cody and Wade then would poke fun at Big Show’s poor win rate at Wrestlemania. Big Show would hit Rhodes with a chop and a fight would break out. Sheamus and Show would clear the ring of Cody and Barrett. A tag match would be set later that night between the two.

The match started with Show squaring off with Cody, Cody tagged to Wade after a growl from Show. Big Show then opened some offense, Wade quickly made a tag, and Cody would suffer some pain. Show would tag to Sheamus as Cody tagged to Wade. Sheamus would dominate Wade with signature moves such as the Irish hand grenades. Wade would hit a shuffle gut kick and tagged to Cody, but Sheamus retained momentum.  Sheamus would power over any counter Cody attempted and tagged back in the Big Show. A tag made to Wade Barrett would enable the two to hit a tag team move, used by teams such as Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch. This enabled Wade and Cody to gain control of the match. Show would create a hot tag with a sideways slam on Cody, Sheamus would come in and pick up some major momentum on legal partner Wade Barrett, Show would eliminate Cody with a spear and Sheamus finished the match with a Brogue kick.

The match was of good quality, I was surprised to how much advantage Sheamus and Show had. Great tag team manoeuvre by Wade and Cody. This was promo for chamber, although Khali was not put in, I assume because he hasn’t had that much promotion. Sheamus again had so much momentum on him, however he chooses, WWE will have an easier time promoting the match rather than the other.

Jinder Mahal would compete one on one against another Elimination Chamber participant, the Great Khali. Khali would unload on Jinder after receiving a disrespectful slap. Mahal countered an attempt at a two handed chokeslam, and would pound on Khali, trying to ground the giant. Khali would then create a comeback, with chops, and finished Jinder with a two handed chokeslam.

It was an obvious jobber match, however I think Khali was a bad choice for WWE, Mark Henry had a massive storyline on him and loads of promotion on himself, Mark was injured, so a replacement was necessary, Khali was a big guy, but honestly they could have someone a lot better.

Beth Phoenix would compete against Alicia Fox. Beth held the top rope up and told Alicia to get out of her ring. Alicia showed some offense, hitting an awesome duck similar to Melina and Trish, however Beth would end the match with the Glam Slam.

Post-match, Beth went to hit a second Glam Slam, however Tamina rushed into the ring, the two had a stare down, before Beth would exit the ring.

A second short match, there was no in ring competition between the two. However I would like to see Beth vs Tamina, as both have great in ring ability, rather than concentrating mainly on their looks, they can actually wrestle. Hope to have a lot of promotion on this and see it at Wrestlemania, similar to the Trish vs Mickie James match, which was great wrestling.

Natalya and Tyson Kidd would talk backstage, this was brief until she again would let on go, Hornswaggle would walk past and faint due to the smell

Ted DiBiase would compete against Hunico, after Hunico attacked DiBiase a few weeks ago. DiBiase would fire up early, Hunico would swiftly counter with a twist arm drag. Hunico then focused his attack outside the ring, on the injured wrist. Back in the ring, Ted would attempt to build up some momentum; however Hunico hit a jumping arm breaker. Hunico followed up with 3 ground arm breakers; however Ted reversed the 3^rd into a pinfall for the win.

Another great match by Hunico and Ted DiBiase. A nice little rivalry has built up between them. Shame that Ted is not a cruiser-weight as this could ignite the return of the cruiser-weight division, A guy can dream, I miss the division so.

The From the Vault match would be Jeri-Show vs Crime Time, which if you never saw it, Jeri-show won, promoting the tag team match for TLC against DX, back in the day.

AJ would have an interview with Cole, she announced she would have the neck brace off next week and would be competing very soon. Cole would then try and insult D-Bry, however AJ would bark back at Cole, saying he was biased and the WWE would be better if he shut up. Cole would react by saying that D-Bry set AJ up to get hit by Big Show and that AJ had no self-respect.  D-Bry would come down to the ring, sticking up for her, Cole would leave the ring. He would then move on to his role model gimmick. He announced that he would be leaving the arena and would take AJ home. The two would then talk as they walked backstage. Teddy approached them, saying that he would provide transportation for AJ, he threatened that if D-Bry left the arena he would lose his title.

D-Bry vs Orton would feature Big Show on commentary.  The match began with some technical wrestling. D-Bry would use his signature comeback from WWE12, but met a dropkick. Orton’s advantage was short lived after a devastating kitchen sink.  Orton would  build up some momentum, knocking Bryan outside, Show would stand-up, Orton asked show to sit down and let Orton have his match, this gave D-Bry the opening to hit Orton with an outside dive and followed up with a running knee of the apron.  Orton countered an armbreaker with his signature backbreaker and picked up some offense. Orton remained in control, after avoiding a diving headbutt, he  then began using his signature comeback, until D-Bry hit a big kick to the head, Orton caught Bryan on the top rope and hit a superplex resulting in a two count. D-Bry would hit the lebell lock, unti however Orton would slingshot D-Bry to continue his comeback. D-Bry got to the apron and hit a hotshot. D-bry tried to get a cheapshot on Big Show, however Show threw him against the wall and back into the ring, where he met an RKO. D-Bry won the match by DQ. Orton would argue with Show outside, before the two began fighting while D-Bry walked away.

I enjoyed the match, very technical. I enjoyed Big Show knocking Orton on his ass at least 3 times. The title match will be great.

Overall I will rate Smackdown: 5/10

1)Big Show/Orton fight

2) Main Event match

3)Return of Hunico vs DiBiase

4)Diva promo

5)Nice tag team match