- Mick Foley. - Cactusrob/Wikimedia Commons
The special live holiday episode of SmackDown aired on SyFy on November 29, 2011. It began with host Mick Foley coming to the ring dressed as Santa Claus. He said he was a "Christmas fanatic" and went on to describe the match card for the evening.
Booker T and Cody Rhodes
Foley announced that the show wouldn't be free of Michael Cole as he had previously announced, but that he got to dictate Cole's attire. The announcer walked out in a reindeer suit and a sour expression on his face. His colleague Josh Mathews was dressed as an elf, while Booker T emerged in a Santa suit of his own. Foley coaxed a reluctant Booker into doing the Spinerooni.
Cody Rhodes interrupted and berated Booker for taking time away from "those like me who still have the skills to compete" with his "childish antics". He was unswayed by Booker's insistence that he didn't have any "beef" with Rhodes. Foley came to Booker's defense and said he and Rhodes should face each other in the ring.
Divas Mistletoe Match
As Rhodes left, the Divas roster (except for Divas Champion Beth Phoenix) came out for a "Mistletoe Match" where the goal was to retrieve a sprig of mistletoe from atop a pole. It ended quickly as Brie Bella climbed over her sister Nikki to grab the prize. Foley told her she now had the chance to kiss any Superstar of her choice between now and Christmas.
Justin Gabriel vs. Jinder Mahal
Jinder Mahal berated the audience during his entrance and dominated the early part of his match against Justin Gabriel. As the commentators discussed Ted DiBiase, he came out in a Santa hat giving gifts. The distraction gave Gabriel the advantage, and he landed the 450 Splash for the victory.
A Backstage Christmas Party
Backstage, Foley met with a variety of WWE personalities, including the Usos and Rowdy Roddy Piper. The segment was soon taken over by Dusty Rhodes, who asked Hornswoggle if he wanted "a picture of Lady Gaga eating a corned beef sandwich" for a present. As Hornswoggle wandered off, Rhodes unexpectedly ran into Goldust.
David Otunga interrupted a conversation between Piper and Trent Barreta and attempted to shut the party down. Foley told him that he was officially "SmackDown talent" by virtue of being on the show tonight, and that he was booking Otunga in the "Miracle of 34th Street Fight" with Randy Orton.
Kofi Kingston vs. Tyson Kidd
Rhodes attacked Booker with the Intercontintental Championship belt during an interview with Matt Striker just before Kofi Kingston's match with Tyson Kidd. Kingston's initial offensive drive ended when Kidd landed a brutal dropkick and wore him down with holds.
Kingston came back from a clothesline with a series of punches and the Boom Drop. Kidd rolled out of the ring as Kingston set up the Trouble in Paradise. Kingston gave chase, then stopped to mock Cole's appearance. Kidd tried to take advantage and Kingston threw him into the side of the ring.
Kingston put on Cole's reindeer hat and red nose as he climbed to the top rope. He made a spectacular leap and landed on Kidd, pinning him to win the match. Back at the holiday party, Kaitlin appeared to be ready to help Hornswoggle put an ornament on the tree but instead made a wisecrack about his height.
A conversation between Sheamus and general manager Theodore Long was interrupted by Aksana. She apologized for being late and held a sprig of mistletoe over Long's head. He puckered up for a kiss and was disappointed to find that what came naturally to her was eating the mistletoe.
Randy Orton vs. David Otunga
The holiday-themed street fight format gave Orton plenty of props to use against Otunga. He threw him into two successive Christmas trees, hit him in the back with a cookie tin, and put a wreath around his head before ramming him into yet another tree.
Otunga momentarily gained control by hurling Orton into the steel steps, but Orton speared him as he prepared to strike with a candy-cane-striped kendo stick. He sent Otunga flying into the Christmas decor at the top of the ramp and DDT'ed him off the apron.
Wade Barrett interfered and attacked Orton, but it wasn't enough to give Otunga the victory. Orton hit Otunga with two clotheslines, a scoop slam, and the RKO, winning the match. In the locker room, Mark Henry made it clear he blamed Long for having to compete in a title match with Daniel Bryan in spite of his leg injury.
Paul Brown - Paul Ferrell Brown graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1994 with a B.A. in English literature, and completed his M.A. in ...
