The following results are from a recent WWE SmackDown TV Taping. The taping took place on January 3rd, 2012 at the Verizon Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas and will air on January 6th, 2012 at 8pm Eastern on the SyFy Network.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Cody Rhodes (c) defeated Booker T.
Backstage Segment
Cody came to the back after his match, discussing his win with his brother Dustin (Goldust) and noted that he has already surpassed Goldust in his career and then stated that he will be greater than their father, Dusty Rhodes sooner than later.
Backstage Segment
Zack Ryder is in the back in Teddy Long’s office and tells Long that he’s too busy these days as he is the WWE United States Champion, so it might be a good idea if Teddy Long finds a new assistant manager. Drew McIntyre enters, followed by Santino Marella, who reminds Teddy Long that Drew was supposed to be fired following last week’s loss to Ezekiel Jackson. Long then says he has an idea and puts Santino and Drew in a match, where if Santino wins, he becomes Assistant GM, however if McIntyre wins, he likely won’t be fired from SmackDown. As the two walk away, Aksana enters the office.
Over The Top Rope Challenge
Hornswoggle defeated Heath Slater. Following the match, Slater attacked Hornswoggle, however Justin Gabriel came out to make the save.
Singles Match
Hunico (w/Comacho) defeated Ted DiBiase.
In Ring Segment
Wade Barrett comes to the ring and comments on Randy Orton’s injury and tells the crowd that Orton will be watching Barrett win the Royal Rumble later in the month, however Sheamus comes out and interrupts and tells him that what he done was disrespectful and if anyone’s going to win the Royal Rumble, it’s him. Jinder Mahal’s music plays and he comes out, which results in Barrett leaving the ring. Mahal slaps Sheamus, which leads to a brawl between the two. Wade Barrett runs back into the ring and both men attack Sheamus, before Mahal locks a camel clutch on Sheamus.
Singles Match
Santino Marella defeated Drew McIntyre. As a result, Santino Marella is appointed the new WWE SmackDown Assistant Manager. Following the match, as the superstars are in the back, a video segment airs showing Drew back in Long’s office asking for another chance. Teddy Long reminds Drew that tonight was strike 2 and next week might be strike 3, so he needs to start winning around here.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
Primo and Epico (w/Rosa Mendes) defeated Air Boom (Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston). Following this match, it was announced that Sheamus would face Jinder Mahal on next week’s SmackDown.
Singles Match
Tamina defeated Natalya.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Daniel Bryan defeated The Big Show via disqualification. Mark Henry was on commentary for the match and during the match, Bryan went and taunted Henry, who pushed Henry, resulting in a DQ. Bryan then celebrated with his title on the entrance ramp to close the show.
