Vincent Michaels
My weapon of choice? A green onion.
After a brutal No Holds Barred Match with Christian at SummerSlam, Randy Orton returns to SmackDown as the new World Heavyweight Champion. Whats next from The Viper?
Also, will Sheamus respond to Mark Henry after losing to him via Countout on Sunday?
Will Daniel Bryan try to regain momentum after losing to Wade Barrett on Sunday?
Well there's only one way to to find out(unless you read the spoilers), by tuning into The SyFy Network tonight at 8pm to watch WWE Friday Night SmackDown!
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Last Week on SmackDown:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. With just two days before SummerSlam, a new Intercontinental Champion was crowned on SmackDown and World Heavyweight Champion Christian may very well have discovered the way to overcome Randy Orton at The Biggest Event of the Summer.
Christian dropped his lawsuit against WWE and will compete at SummerSlam
Sheamus def. World Heavyweight Champion Christian (Count-out)
Beth Phoenix & Natalya def. A.J. & Kaitlyn
Sin Cara def. Tyson Kidd
Alberto Del Rio def Daniel Bryan
Cody Rhodes def. Intercontinental Champion Ezekiel Jackson (New Intercontinental Champion)
Mark Henry def. Johnny Curtis
Randy Orton def. The Great Khali
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Randy Orton def. Christian in a No Holds Barred Match (New World Heavyweight Champion)
The WWE Universe was stunned to see Edge walk into the sold-out STAPLES Center to be in Christians corner for his World Heavyweight Championship match against Randy Orton. But after the 11-time World Champion received a standing ovation from the more than 17,000 in attendance, the bigger surprise was when Edge berated his lifelong friend for how he won the World Title through whining for rematches, hiding behind lawyers and eventually capturing the title by disqualification. Although proclaiming to be Christians friend until the day he dies, he walked out him, forcing him to fend for himself. What ensued was a brutal No Holds Barred Match involving kendo sticks, steel ring steps, steel chairs, TV monitors, tables and metal garbage cans. After both Superstars inflicted pain and suffering on each other with all of the weapons at their disposal, it was a blistering RKO from Orton to Christian directly onto a set steel ring steps that ended the battle. The victory was the culmination of an emotional war that has gone on for months between the two. At Extreme Rules 2011, Christian captured the first World Championship in his 17-year career, but then lost it to Randy Orton just five days later. After that heart-breaking night, he mounted a relentless quest to regain the title. At WWE Capitol Punishment and Over the Limit, Christian failed to dethrone Orton. It wasnt until Money in the Bank that Christian finally wrested the title from The Viper. How will Christian handle losing the title he so coveted? Who will be next to challenge WWEs Apex Predator?
Mark Henry def. Sheamus (Count-out)
Mark Henry emerged from an intense battle at SummerSlam with a count-out victory over Sheamus. And though the ferocious Worlds Strongest Man continued his winning ways before the capacity crowd at the STAPLES Center, The Celtic Warrior surely gave him one of his most formidable challenges to date. From the opening bell, Henry and Sheamus ripped into each other with unrelenting force. Neither Superstar would allow the other to breathe in an all-out brawl of pure emotion. Then, in an incredible display of power, Sheamus blasted his furious foe with the Brogue Kick, knocking him through the ropes and out into the ringside floor. However, before the first-ever Irish-born former WWE Champion could finish his prey, The Worlds Strongest Man turned the tables, hurling The Celtic Warrior into the steel ring post. Without warning, he followed up his assault by launching his fallen opponent through the ringside barricade, causing it to completely break apart. Though Sheamus tried to recover in time to beat the referees count, in the end, the assault from his brutal adversary proved too severe. Mark Henrys rampage in recent months over any and all that have gotten in his way has sent shockwaves throughout WWE. He took out the likes of Big Show, Kane, Vladimir Kozlov and even a WWE sound technician who fell onto his dangerous radar. It seems that Henry derives pleasure not just with defeating his opponents, but by destroying them completely. But, just when it appeared that no Superstar had the guts to take on the uncontrollable Worlds Strongest Man, the fierce Sheamus decided to pick a fight. On the July 29 edition of SmackDown, The Celtic Warrior fearlessly laid down the gauntlet of battle, shocking the WWE Universe by slapping Henry. He then evaded his infuriated adversarys charge, causing a humiliated Henry to plummet from the ring. In the weeks that followed, Sheamus would continue to be a tremendous thorn in Henrys side, taunting the massive grappler at every turn. And although Henry would not engage the instigating Irishman before The Biggest Event of the Summer, it was only a matter of time before he would have his revenge. The explosive showdown between Mark Henry and Sheamus ended as it began, in a rush of absolute destruction. But, despite the Irishmans fearless spirit, the pure brutality of The Worlds Strongest Man proved once again to be unstoppable. Is there any Superstar that can quell his wrath?
Wade Barrett def. Daniel Bryan
At SummerSlam as the WWE Universe packed the STAPLES Center to the rafters the nefarious Wade Barrett triumphed over Daniel Bryan in a personal clash more than one year in the making. In a back-and-forth onslaught that pitted the tenacious fast-paced style of Daniel Bryan against the sheer unbridled force of Wade Barrett, the WWE Universe was on the edge of its seats from beginning to end. And in the crucial final moments, when it looked as if Barrett may be forced to tap to the LeBell Lock, he somehow harnessed enough presence of mind to reach the ropes and survive. The fearless Bryan then opted to risk it all, pursuing his opponent to the top rope. But, the struggle that ensued caused him to fall onto the ropes, opening the door for Barrett to deliver an absolutely crushing clothesline. This set up Wasteland and a huge victory for the English Superstar. Barrett and Daniel Bryan already shared a tumultuous history before coming to SmackDown, competing against each other on WWE NXT season one, joining forces to invade Monday Night Raw in The Nexus and battle against each other in a 7-on-7 Tag Team Elimination Match in the main event at last years SummerSlam. But a renewed animosity rose to the surface after Bryan announced that he will cash in his SmackDown Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami. In response, on the July 29 edition of SmackDown, Barrett made it clear that he should have been the one in possession of the Money in the Bank title opportunity, belittling his fellow former WWE NXT season one competitor. When the angry English Superstar struck Bryan, his resilient adversary turned the tables, cinching in the LeBell Lock. Revenge came swiftly on the Aug. 12 edition of SmackDown, when the devious Barrett took out Bryan with Wasteland following his war-torn foes loss to fellow Money in the Bank briefcase holder Alberto Del Rio. Although Barrett has made it clear that Bryan has no business playing at his level, both Superstars have accomplished a tremendous amount since their days as NXT Rookies. Barrett has come into prominence as Intercontinental Champion and changed the very landscape of WWE with both The Nexus and The Corre. Bryan has held the United States Championship and captured the coveted Money in the Bank briefcase a distinct advantage toward greatness since every Superstar who has cashed in that particular opportunity has walked away with a World Title. But, for all the ways they have evolved, the disdain they feel for each other has remained. In a WWE.com exclusive discussion with Daniel Bryan earlier in the week, Bryan indicated that since making his announcement about cashing in his Money in the Bank at SummerSlam, he has become a target to Barrett and others. He explained that there will always be people who are bitter and jealous. However, although the determined Superstar does, in fact, have a date with destiny on The Grandest Stage of Them All, the calculating Barrett proved to be the better man at The Biggest Event of the Summer.
