WWE SmackDown results and reactions from last night (Dec. 28): The Tumbler Speaks!

WWE SmackDown returned last night (Dec 28, 2012) from Rochester, New York, for the last episode of the year. It was a fun, if somewhat non-eventful show.

If you missed the show, or just want to go back and read the live blog again, click here. But time for the reactions!

• WWE has no idea what it is doing with the World Heavyweight Championship. Or, if it does know, it is refusing to show its hand in any way. The Big Show has defeated Sheamus clean at Hell in a Cell and TLC:Tables, Ladders, and Chairs. Sheamus has a win via disqualification at Survivor Series and a meaningless victory on the Dec. 24 edition of Monday Night Raw. Yet, for some strange reason, these two are finding their way back towards each other. The World Heavyweight Championship is going to be completely independent from the returns of The Rock, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, and Triple H. Even if the top of the WrestleMania 29 card is in flux, there is no reason that should trickle down to the World Heavyweight Championship.
• The entire plot line of who would face The Big Show in a title match was idiotic, but in a "so dumb it's funny" type of way. Santino Marella's reaction after getting his name picked was priceless, as was him pulling a muscle trying to learn the Brogue Kick. Ricardo Rodriguez was the perfect sacrificial lamb to lead into Alberto Del Rio being given a shot. Point A to point B to point C. Consistent storytelling is consistent.
• The match between Show and Del Rio was okay, but neither man was really into it. I wouldn't mind seeing them in a Pay-Per-View match.
• We're going to have a Triple Threat between Show, Sheamus, and Del Rio, aren't we?
• The second most confusing storyline in WWE is Dolph Ziggler, AJ Lee, & Big E Langston. That core was formed as a way to topple John Cena. Yet here they are, in back-to-back weeks fighting with The Miz. I understand that Cena usually doesn't work SmackDown's, and with WWE's heavy taping schedule last week he might have wanted a night off. If this is an angle he is involved with, though, then he needs to be involved with it the whole way through. And if he is being spun off in a different direction, then where the hell does that leave Ziggler & Co.?
• Also, I can't decide if Ziggler and AJ making out over Miz's body while Big E watches was the hottest thing I've ever seen, or the most disturbing. Probably a mixture of the two.
• The Shield cut another shaky cam promo, and it was as glorious as their last one. These three can make me more excited in a minute and a half than 90% of the roster can in an entire show. I have no clue what the long term plans are for this group, but I cannot wait to see where it goes.
• When did Brad Maddox steal Christian's gimmick of asking for "one more match?" And, more importantly, why does he keep getting said match? If I fail a final exam, I can't go to my professor and tell him, "Give me one more test!" I would be tossed out on my ass. Yet here Maddox is, getting match after match to earn a WWE contract. I don't understand it.
• I got it. Vince McMahon is doing it because it's free labor. Yes, it's only free in kayfabe. But you have to understand that Vince's reality is kayfabe. He thinks he is getting Maddox to work for free.
• The Usos are using Twin Magic now? Did the Bella Twins okay that?
• Zack Ryder was squashed by Antonio Cesaro. I'm perfectly okay with that.

With 2012 winding down, most fans know nothing important will happen until the Jan. 7, 2013 episode of Monday Night Raw. It would be unfair of me to grade the show on plot advancement when everyone knows nothing will move forward. In terms of pure enjoyment, though, it wasn't that bad of an episode.

Grade: B-

What do you think, Cagesiders? Do I have it right, or am I being too liberal with the curve?