9/30/11 Smackdown

Ratings:
Mark Henry vs. The Great Khali: 1/4*

Jack Swagger vs. Evan Bourne: *

Sin Cara vs. Heath Slater: 1/2*

Kelly Kelly vs. Natalya: DUD

Cody Rhodes vs. Sheamus (IC Title): **

Zack Ryder vs. JTG: *

Randy Orton vs. Christian: ***1/4
_________________

Reviews/Thoughts:
We're in St. Louis for Smackdown!

Booker T starts off the show to interview Mark Henry. No extension strap for Henry (like they did for Big Show), but then again, Mark is not wearing the belt around his waist anyway. Henry's sending a message to Orton: Randy's next for the Hall of Pain at HIAC. Funny how they don't mention Kozlov in that Hall of Pain, but I guess it's only because he's been released. Another strong promo from Mark, and I love it.

Khali comes out for a match with Henry. They replayed the massacre on RAW between the two. Khali gets offense in this time. Two huge Punjabi chops only get a two-count, so I guess that's all she wrote for Khali. And in less an a minute after that, Khali is out for the count. Henry looking for a chair looking to injure Khali. Vader Bomb to Khali's leg. Khali not selling too well here. But I guess now Khali can go do some more promo work in India or something.

They are carting Khali to the ambulance. Mahal gets in Khali's face. Teddy Long breaks that up.

Air-Boom time! Bourne gets the hometown pop! Amusing that Swagger is coming out to Ziggler's music. The usual entertaining stuff here. Ziggler interfered but Kofi eventually took out Dolph. Vickie gets involved because there's strength in numbers. Bourne loses in his hometown much like Beth did. Ouch.

Sin Cara time, and I think it's Mistico under the mask this time. He's facing Slater. Nice senton to win it for Sin Cara. Short match here. Sin Cara #2 (Hunico) rips off the identical Sin Cara mask to reveal a blackened version, so now we can tell them apart. God, this reminds me of Taker/Taker, but at least these two got moves. And Hunico can speak English, so I'm glad he's doing the damn talking.

Christian, Otunga, Lauranaitis, Vickie, Dolph, and Cody all gathering backstage. I'm liking Otunga in his lawyer role. He's mediocre in the ring but can at least find a place on camera with this role.

Divas time between Kelly and Natalya. Natalya only getting a mention that she's in the ring. Beth on commentary out of nowhere! Kelly's got a candy stripe-inspired outfit going tonight. This was a short, lame match. Whole point was to beat down Kelly post-match anyway. I like Natalya's new submission.

IC Title match next. Cody's defending the title under protest and insults Sheamus. I like that flying battering ram from Sheamus. A simple aerial maneuver, but obviously very effective. Match really picked up steam when Sheamus started his comeback. And just like that, Christian (predictably) interferes again.

Zack Ryder is on TV again! And for once, he's not the jobber! JTG did put up some decent offense, anyway.  Broski boot for two. "Are you serious, bro?!" Love the catchphrase, it's really taken off. Rough Ryder wins it for Zack.

Oh, finally, HHH on camera with Lauranaitis. John is sucking up to HHH, but it doesn't look like HHH buys it for a second.

Christian out first, because Orton gets the huge hometown pop afterward. They're facing each other for the gazillionth time, and I'm cool with it. The two are very comfortable working with one another. "RKO" chants from the crowd. And yes, they got time to shine as usual. Another phenomenal match here. Orton and Christian "knew what was coming" from the other, so they threw in some new moves as well. I love that stuff. Spear only gets two from Christian, nice. It shouldn't be his finisher anyway. Orton transforming to signal for the RKO. Christian tries to get away, but Orton brings him back to ringside. Ref was still counting in the ring, so double countout here. Doesn't matter to Randy.

Orton sending a message to Mark Henry, but Cody races down to help Christian. Sheamus comes down! Brogue Kick to Cody. Sheamus chases Christian through the crowd. Uh oh. Poor Cody is left with Randy. Nope! Mark Henry comes down! RKO countered again! World's Strongest Slam! Mark Henry is looking more dominant than ever. Henry grabs a chair again. RKO to Henry! Crowd loves it and goes home happy. Unfortunately, this should mean Mark retains at HIAC.