SmackDown: December 9, 2011

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With WWE TLC just nine days away, Randy Orton won his Beat the Clock Challenge in heroic fashion, giving himself some control over his fate in his upcoming pay-per-view showdown with Wade Barrett. Meanwhile, Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes stirred things up with two vicious sneak attacks, and Big Show made a gigantic point with the help of a steel chair. 

Randy Orton def. United States Champion Dolph Ziggler in a Beat the Clock Challenge Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)
In a grueling Beat a Clock Challenge against Dolph Ziggler, Randy Orton struggled to get back in the ring and best the time of 7:53 – set earlier in the night by Wade Barrett. However, while Vickie Guerrero distracted the referee, his WWE TLC opponent appeared from nowhere, hurling The Viper into the steel ring post. Despite this onslaught, the resilient Orton reengaged Ziggler in time, executing the RKO to overcome his English adversary’s benchmark by two seconds!

Orton’s triumph earned him the right to pick his stipulation for his WWE TLC Match against Barrett. After the main event had concluded, the British brawler made a forceful suggestion as to what the stipulation should be, attempting to put Orton through a table. But, The Viper foiled his plan, hurling Dolph Ziggler through the table instead. (MATCH PREVIEW)  

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes def Daniel Bryan by Disqualification (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Daniel Bryan showed incredible intestinal fortitude, battling Cody Rhodes with injured ribs. But, before their match could be decided, Booker T returned from an earlier attack by Rhodes, decimating the Intercontinental Champion and handing him the win by disqualification.

Later, when Rhodes demanded that Theodore Long give him a match with Booker, the SmackDown General Manager decided to set their Intercontinental Championship showdown at WWE TLC. (MATCH PREVIEW)    

Sheamus def. David Otunga (WATCH | PHOTOS)
After “Santa” granted Hornswoggle the ability to talk on a Live SmackDown 10 days ago, the pint-sized Superstar served as the guest ring announcer in the match between David Otunga and Sheamus. And, in the confrontation set by GM Teddy Long earlier in the night, The Great White triumphed with the devastating Brogue Kick.

Big Show brutalized World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry (WATCH | PHOTOS)
A determined Big Show promised to slam the doors shut on Mark Henry’s Hall of Pain and capture the World Heavyweight Championship in their Chairs Match at WWE TLC. (MATCH PREVIEW) 

Still not 100 percent from the injury he sustained at Survivor Series, The World’s Strongest Champion emerged, convincing his giant foe not to touch him if he got in the ring. However, after shaking hands with The World’s Largest Athlete, Henry sucker punched him. This sent Big Show on huge tirade, culminating in a chair assault on the World Heavyweight Champion. 

Ted DiBiase def. Jinder Mahal (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Ten days after Ted DiBiase cost Jinder Mahal his match on a live holiday SmackDown, the leader of the “DiBiase Posse Party” overcame his Punjabi adversary with a small package pin out of nowhere. 

Zack Ryder def. Health Slater (WATCH | PHOTOS)
The Ryder Revolution rolled on, as the newly-named No. 1 contender to the United States Championship defeated Health Slater with the Rough Ryder. Has Long Island Iced-Z earned himself enough momentum to overcome Dolph Ziggler in nine days at WWE TLC? (MATCH PREVIEW)

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes took out Daniel Bryan (WATCH | PHOTOS)
A disappointed Daniel Bryan journeyed to the ring in order to comment on his recent loss in a Steel Cage World Title Match to Mark Henry on the live SmackDown on Syfy. During a war of words that soon erupted between him and Michael Cole, Bryan’s “insulted” still present Cody Rhodes, pointing out that he had made him tap out. When Mr. Money in the Bank came out of the ring after Cole, Rhodes attacked, leaving the war-torn Bryan on the ringside floor. 

Wade Barrett def. Ezekiel Jackson in a Beat the Clock Challenge Match  (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Battling for the right to pick the stipulation for his match with Randy Orton at WWE TLC – choosing from tables, ladders or chairs options – Wade Barrett overcame Ezekiel Jackson in a Beat the Clock Challenge, setting the time for WWE’s Apex Predator to beat at 7:53. Moments after The Personification of Domination escaped Wasteland, Barrett caught him off the ropes, delivering a vicious side slam for the crucial victory.

Following the match, Barrett proclaimed that he is the only voice in Orton's head – and it's telling The Viper his time is up. 

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes took down Booker T (WATCH)
Prior to the start of SmackDown, Cody Rhodes launched a sneak attack on an emerging Booker T. Leaving the six-time World Heavyweight Champion unable to carry out his commentating duties, Rhodes turned his attention to the returning Lilian Garcia. He informed her that no one cares that she has returned to WWE, before joining the SmackDown announce team for a short time. (WATCH)

MATCH LISTING

• Wade Barrett def. Ezekiel Jackson (Beat the Clock Challenge Match) (PHOTOS)
• Zack Ryder def. Health Slater (PHOTOS)
• Ted DiBiase def. Jinder Mahal (PHOTOS)
• Sheamus def. David Otunga (PHOTOS)
• Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes def. Daniel Bryan (Disqualification) (PHOTOS)
• Randy Orton def. United States Champion Dolph Ziggler (Beat the Clock Challenge Match) (PHOTOS)

Refresh for the latest SmackDown results.

Randy Orton def. United States Champion Dolph Ziggler in a Beat the Clock Challenge Match (WATCH | PHOTOS)

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes def Daniel Bryan by Disqualification (WATCH | PHOTOS)

Sheamus def. David Otunga(WATCH | PHOTOS)

After getting sucker punched, Big Show brutalizes World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry with a chair (WATCH | PHOTOS)

Ted DiBiase def. Jinder Mahal (WATCH | PHOTOS)

Zack Ryder def. Health Slater (WATCH | PHOTOS)

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes takes out Daniel Bryan (WATCH | PHOTOS)

Wade Barrett def. Ezekiel Jackson in a Beat the Clock Challenge, setting the time to beat at 7:53 (WATCH | PHOTOS)

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes delivered a vicious sneak attack on Booker T, as the six-time World Heavyweight Champion was making his way to the announce table for the start of SmackDown. (WATCH)