A huge thanks to Tiffany from wade-barrett.com who just sent over several live photos from last night’s Smackdown taping (some may be moderately spoilery!) and a photo for the fan gallery! Thanks again girl!
(If you absolutely don’t want ANY Smackdown spoilers you might want to hold off looking. ;D)
Standing in the center of the ring, Sheamus vowed to win the 2012 Royal Rumble Match. But, Hornswoggle came out and declared he would be the winner. Next, Heath Slater came to ringside to state his case that he is the No. 1 redhead on SmackDown, not Sheamus. After exchanging words, The Great White sent Slater flying over the top rope.
Sheamus def. Heath Slater
In a match made by Teddy Long, Heath Slater had his work cut out for him against Sheamus. Despite a good fight, Slater was no match for The Celtic Warrior’s brutal Brogue Kick.
Credit: wwe.com
18 Digitals from Smackdown have been added to the gallery!
8 digitals from NXT have been added to the gallery!
Matt is in the ring and he welcomes everyone to this week’s show. He says that New Year’s is right around the corner. In three weeks, it will be NXT’s 100th episode and he says that it is thanks to the WWE Universe. So many superstars got their starts on NXT. Matt mentions Daniel Bryan. Matt brings out one of the most beloved and captivating superstar whose career was cultivated on NXT. Matt brings out Justin Gabriel.
Matt asks Justin about how it feels to be working on Raw and Smackdown and Justin jokes about wondering what shows Matt is watching.
Before Justin can continue, he is interrupted by the music for his former tag team partner, Heath Slater.
Slater tells Justin that he hasn’t done jack since leaving this miserable place called NXT. He says that he carried Justin through NXT, he carried him when they were tag champions, and he carried Justin when he drank one too many apple martinis.
Match Number One: Justin Gabriel versus Heath Slater in a Corre No More Match
Gabriel with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Gabriel flips over Slater’s back and then he lands on his feet on a hip toss. Gabriel with a leg sweep for a near fall. Gabriel with an arm drag into an arm bar. Slater with a punch and then he sends Gabriel into the turnbuckles. Gabriel with a drop kick and then he tries for a slam but Slater escapes.
Slater with a clothesline to the back of the head followed by boots to Gabriel. Slater with a knee to the midsection followed by punches and a reverse chin lock. Gabriel with elbows and a punch followed by a back heel kick. Gabriel misses a splash into the corner and Slater with a neck breaker for a near fall.
Slater with a belly-to-back suplex for a near fall. Slater argues with the referee before applying a side head lock. Slater with a back body drop and he gets a near fall. Slater with a knee to the back and he returns to the reverse chin lock. Slater with more knees to the back and he returns to the reverse chin lock. Gabriel gets to his feet and he lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt.
Gabriel with a round kick and a forearm into the corner. Gabriel with a head scissors that sends Slater to the floor and then Gabriel with a plancha onto Slater and both men are down. Gabriel rolls Slater in and hits a springboard cross body for a near fall. Gabriel with an STO and then he goes to the turnbuckles for the 450 Splash and Slater recovers.
Gabriel runs into a boot from Slater in the corner and Slater goes to the turnbuckles but Gabriel with a kick to the midsection followed by a hot shot and Slater goes down. Gabriel goes up top for the 450 Splash and he hits it and gets the three count.
Winner: Justin Gabriel
