SmackDown GM Booker T announced that due to the aggressive nature of Big Show and Sheamus' feud he has placed a no contact rule in their World Championship match contract for TLC. He then brought out both Big Show and Sheamus to sign their contracts for next Sunday's clash. Show warned Sheamus that the Chairs match was going to be the worst thing to ever happen to him, and promised that it will "change you forever."
After some more heated exchanges Big Show threw the table into Sheamus and quickly signed the contract, preventing 'The Great White' from touching him. Amusingly Show then did a little attempt at an Irish jig in delight at his sneaky tactic. Booker T then calmed Sheamus down by booking him in a match with Del Rio later on, and Big Show against Daniel Bryan next. It was an enjoyable segment to start the show. This feud has pleasantly surprised me a great deal, I can't remember the last time Show was this entertaining.
Big Show defeated Daniel Bryan in a mostly solid match up. As usual these two worked well together and put in fine displays, the bout peaked towards the end as Bryan started to mount a comeback. Unfortunately the comeback was short lived as The Shield made their way down to the ring, distracting Bryan and allowing Show to choke slam him from the top rope for the one-two-three.
Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns then predictably began taking out Bryan after Big Show had left. Kane then made his way out shortly to help out his tag partner, but once again the trio managed to overpower him and eventually powerbombed 'The Big Red Monster' through the announce desk. It made a nice change seeing The Shield on the blue brand too, and I'm personally looking forward to their six-man TLC match against Ryback and Team Hell No next Sunday.
Damien Sandow once again challenged a member of the audience to three questions, and if answered correctly (which they were not on this occasion) then said fan would become his apprentice. As standard Sandow was amusing and charismatic in the challenge, which I look forward to every week now. The Miz then joined Sandow and mocked the 'Intellectual Saviour of the masses', leaving him speechless. Miz is continuing to be a successful face so far.
3MB (Drew McIntyre, Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal) beat Jimmy & Jay Uso and Brodus Clay in an unremarkable tag bout. For the most part it was pretty run of the mill really, until the final minute when one of the Usos went flying to the outside. McIntyre then scored the win after applying a Future Shock DDT.
Randy Orton bested Wade Barrett in a decent encounter. Although they've had better match ups it still contained good action, and I can't fault their efforts here. As I've said before I feel a heel turn for Orton is really needed for his growingly stale persona as of late, and I'm sure many fans out there feel the same.
The Great Khali and Hornswaggle beat Epico and Primo in a poor comedy tag match. For me personally these matches and segments involving Khali and Hornswaggle provide no form of entertainment, and are taking away time from real potential talent. The underutilised talents of Epico and Primo deserve better than this kind of treatment too.
Antonio Cesaro as standard ran down America in the ring, this time mocking an image of Dusty Rhodes back in his prime. Future challenger to his title R-Truth then interrupted him and gave a speech on how he was proud of all the hard working people of the US, his promo wasn't anything special but the patriotic pandering pleased the crowd. In retaliation Cesaro called Truth "delusional" for thinking that he'll defeat him for the US Championship at TLC. This then resulted in Truth beating on Cesaro and chasing him away.
Sheamus defeated Alberto Del Rio in a very enjoyable main event. Both men put in worthy efforts and provided a match that exceeded my expectations and was plenty of fun to watch, which is the main thing right? Del Rio even pulled out a couple of nicely executed moonsaults for good measure, CM Punk should take note. During the bout Big Show made his way out and then afterwards attempted to bait 'The Great White' into striking him, but Sheamus wasn't to be fooled as he instead threw Ricardo Rodriguez into Show's crotch, thereby not breaking the conditions of the no contact clause. Big Show's grimacing face was great.
Overall I found it to be an enjoyable and largely solid show, with the main event, Sandow challenge and Big Show vs Bryan bout being the highlights. Unfortunately the Khali & Hornswaggle versus Epico & Primo match, which was a waste of time, and the 3MB tag match which was pretty forgettable, let the show down a bit. Otherwise I liked it, and am still enjoying the Big Show and Sheamus feud.
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