WWE 'SmackDown' results and reactions from last night (Oct. 12): The new Apex Predator?

WWE SmackDown returned last night (Oct. 12) on SyFy. There was a lot of action, with the most notable being the potential return of Randy Orton to confront Alberto Del Rio, who injured him a couple of weeks ago on an episode of SmackDown. Del Rio still saw action in the main event against one half of Team Hell No in Daniel Bryan.

Also of note, was the confrontation that started the show between WWE World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and his Hell in a Cell opponent, Big Show.

Let's get into some reactions!

• The main event featured a helluva match between Alberto Del Rio and Daniel Bryan. Del Rio ended up besting Bryan with his Cross Armbreaker, but the focal point actually came after the match, as Del Rio taunted a supposed absent Randy Orton. He hit the coiled viper pose... and was face-to-face with Randy Orton. Orton laid a bit of a beatdown on Del Rio, who escaped after Ricardo Rodriguez jumped on Orton's back. Orton then took the liberty of RKOing Rodriguez on the announce table, which did not break. Ouch. I am really looking forward to Orton and Del Rio's match, as both are capable of great matches. It is also a change of pace from Del Rio challenging Sheamus.
• Speaking of all this, Ricardo Rodriguez searched for Orton backstage all night prior to this matchup. Del Rio was a character that kind of got screwed in his buildup from creative. However, Ricardo Rodriguez is a fantastic comedic character when they give him an opportunity. We know we won't see him actually wrestling anytime soon, but he does what they give him to do very well. Kudos, Ricardo.
• The show kicked off with Sheamus and Big Show testing the deadliness of their finishers on an arcade punching machine that measured force per square inch. A little lame, but it got the point across that Big Show is a huge guy with a powerful punch. I think this will be an okay little match when it comes to fruition, but Big Show's mic work cannot bring up the atrociousness that Sheamus brings to the stick each night.
• This lead to Sheamus beating Tensai in a fine match. Nothing really groundbreaking, but these two have good chemistry.
• Big Show took on Kofi Kingston and defeated him. Nothing really came of this, except a little build of the feud between The Miz and Kingston, who will square off for the IC title at Main Event on Wednesday. Should be a good match and it makes the IC title somewhat relevant, right?
• Team Hell No was up to their usual hilarious hijinks. Kane beat Dolph Ziggler in a match Ziggler demanded via TOUT. Ziggler used his Money in the Bank briefcase to crack Kane when he came down for his flying clothesline. While Kane was handling Ziggler post match, Bryan rushed in and took the old-timey boxing stance and acted like he saved Kane. The two argued and they still have it. They might need to throw a few kinks in here sooner or later, but the timing of the two is impeccable. If you don't enjoy what this team has done thus far, I really don't know what I can do for you.
• The Band of Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater defeated Santino Marella and Zack Ryder. I personally enjoy this band of jobbers, who like to windmill while they play air guitar prior to matches. Anytime you find time for the unused talent on your roster, you're doing right by this guy.
• Damien Sandow actually lost to Sin Cara. It was a pretty good match and really demonstrates how much potential Sandow has. I suppose this is to build the Tag Team Tournament finals on Raw this Monday and they don't want to make it too obvious that Rhodes Scholars will be taking the tourney. Either way, it is a sad day when our martyr loses.
• Oh, they are still building this mystery blonde taking out Kaitlyn thing by saying there was a blonde wig in Eve's bag. And Eve is still trying to play Teddy Long against Booker T. I don't really care about either. Eve is one of the better Divas, but Teddy Long? Really? Check him into the retirement home and call it a day, playa.

As usual, SmackDown proved to be a solid outing that actually focuses on wrestling and building some storylines you can care about. Shocking concept from what we often see in WWE and TNA, right?

Last night's episode gets a "B" from me. Good matches and fun stories made the juice worth the squeeze this time around.

What did you Cagesiders think of SmackDown last night?