August 24 , 2012 Smackdown results The August 24 , 2012 Edition of Smackdown is a Professional wrestling television show of the WWE ' s Smackdown brand , which took place on August 21 , 2012 at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield , California . Summary . Still seething from two controversial losses at The 25th Anniversary of SummerSlam and Raw , Alberto Del Rio turned his frustrations to action , triumphing over Randy Orton in a main event clash that springboarded him into a World Heavyweight Championship Match against Sheamus at Night of Champions . A reflective Randy Orton emerged at the outset of SmackDown to refute claims about his “ tainted ” victory against Alberto Del Rio on Raw . Professing his love for confrontation , The Viper , who defeated The Mexican Aristocrat Monday mere moments after World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus interrupted a referee ’ s pinfall count , stated that he deserved to be the next No . 1 contender for The Great White ’ s illustrious title . The Celtic Warrior himself then made his way to the ring , relishing the idea of defending his championship gold against WWE ’ s Apex Predator . SmackDown General Manager Booker T soon joined two of SmackDown ’ s best in the ring , acknowledging Orton ' s ability before turning to the controversy that resulted from SummerSlam ’ s World Title Match and the events on Monday ' s Raw . However , before he could start , he was quickly interrupted by a livid Del Rio , who proceeded to call Sheamus a “ cheater and a criminal , ” Orton a " a crazy animal " and questioned the five - time WCW Champion ’ s intelligence . The SmackDown GM conceded leaning toward granting Del Rio another World Title opportunity — until the well - heeled competitor commenced his inappropriate rant . Instead , Booker decreed that The Mexican Aristocrat and The Viper would square off in the main event to determine who deserves the coveted status of No . 1 contender to the reigning World Heavyweight Champion . Following weeks of harassment by his nefarious rival , the ferocious Ryback finally received an opportunity to help Jinder Mahal realize his “ place in the food chain . ” While the Punjabi Superstar seized some early momentum in the match , Ryback quickly turned the tables against his pesky adversary . With a raucous crowd that cheered his every move , the freakish brute imposed his will on Mahal with an earth - shaking powerslam and a devastating clothesline . Before his devious foe could regain his composure , Ryback nourished his appetite for destruction by finishing off his opponent , leaving an overwhelmed Mahal completely Shell Shocked . Seeing her first action in nearly two weeks , Divas Champion Layla displayed no signs of ring rust against Alicia Fox . The British bombshell took a tenacious fight to her latest opponent , summoning her grit and hustle to answer her agile opponent ’ s skill set . The reigning Divas Title holder secured victory with a well - timed whirlwind kick , impressing the crowd and one particularly important visitor at ringside . Kaitlyn , the No . 1 contender for the Divas Title and Cole ’ s guest commentator for the match , stepped into the ring after the pin to offer Layla a gesture of goodwill . However , her show of sportsmanship ended abruptly as Eve , the Diva who Kaitlyn eliminated last to win the Divas Championship No . 1 Contender Battle Royal on Raw , stepped forward and curiously raised both of her ringmates ’ arms in celebration . Neither the reigning titleholder nor her impending challenger seemed to know what to make of the gesture , but the trio elected to keep the peace on this night . Looking to build upon his recent success in the ring , Sin Cara locked horns with the boastful Heath Slater . The International Sensation employed multiple counters and aerial maneuvers including his signature springboard arm drag to keep Slater off balance , creating the impression that The One - Man Band ’ s arsenal may still need some fine tuning . However Cody Rhodes — who watched the action from ringside as Cole ’ s guest commentator — opted to chime in before the clash came to a conclusion . When the referee became distracted by Slater , the grandson of a plumber forcefully turned his masked rival ’ s cover backward , leaving Sin Cara unable to defend himself against The One - Man Band ’ s snap reverse DDT . The meddling resulted in a victory for Slater and a reason for The International Sensation to remain furious with the former two - time Intercontinental Champion , Rhodes . If that wasn ' t enough , Rhodes opted to attack Sin Cara after the bell , just to make sure he saved face . In a match made possible by Teddy Long ’ s recommendation to the SmackDown GM Booker T , World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus faced off in a highly anticipated battle with Mr . Money in the Bank , Dolph Ziggler . Though the Gaelic grappler showed no fear at the prospect of facing The Showoff , the titleholder needed to remain on his guard in case Ziggler chose to cash in his Money in the Bank Contract during the encounter . Ziggler , brimming with confidence following his victory over Chris Jericho on Raw that left Y2J without a WWE contract , battled The Great White to a standstill , with the cocky combatant ’ s resourcefulness being neutralized by Sheamus ’ brute force . Knocking the Irish Superstar down did not present a problem for Ziggler , but getting him to stay down did not go so smoothly . A failed sleeper hold attempt sent momentum surging in Sheamus ’ direction , but a late assist by Vickie Guerrero almost cost The Celtic Warrior his championship gold . Guerrero slipped the Money in the Bank briefcase to her client , who promptly used it to clobber his opponent . The tactic forced the referee to disqualify The Showoff , but left Ziggler with a golden opportunity to collect his guaranteed title opportunity . The brash competitor initially declared his intentions to cash in his Money in the Bank Contract , but eventually changed his mind as Sheamus rose to his feet . Instead , Ziggler and Guerrero made a hasty exit from ringside , choosing to wait until the right moment to initiate their instantaneous challenge for the World Heavyweight Title . Lamenting the loss of the United States Championship and the connection to American culture that came with it , Santino Marella addressed the WWE Universe about whether he and The Cobra remain on the same page . The Italian rapscallion , whose title reign came to an end in a special SummerSlam Pre - Show match against Antonio Cesaro , lifted his spirits by rediscovering the potential for success his green sock represents , even going so far as to state his belief in once again becoming the United States Champion someday . That declaration garnered the attention of the new titleholder , who declared himself a winner in five different languages . Marella wasted no time powerwalking his way toward the steel stage to confront Cesaro , but The Cobra dragged their collective gaze at the alluring Aksana instead . The brief detour provided the Swiss - born Superstar with an opening to educate Santino in the universal language of pain . Feeling invigorated from their successful title defense at The 25th Anniversary of SummerSlam , WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R - Truth took the fight to Primo & Epico in a non - title match . Both sides put their impressive talents to good use , with the reigning titleholders blending their all - around abilities well while the perfect chemistry of the former champions helped them keep pace . Primo ’ s failed Backstabber attempt ultimately proved to be his side ’ s undoing , granting his adversary with a prime opportunity to connect a knockout blow . R - Truth obliged , leveling Primo with a lethal reverse STO to seize a victory that impressed everyone at Rabobank Arena — everyone , that is , except The Prime Time Players , who watched their SummerSlam opponents in action while providing guest commentary alongside Michael Cole at ringside . Seeking a new title opportunity against World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus , Alberto Del Rio brought his temper under control before battling Randy Orton in the main event on SmackDown . With the No . 1 contender status at stake , both The Mexican Aristocrat and WWE ’ s Apex Predator showed no mercy — no easy feat considering The Celtic Warrior kept a close eye on the action while joining Michael Cole as the bout ’ s guest commentator . In fierce showdown that could have gone either way at any moment , Del Rio inflicted serious damage on the arm of the always dangerous Viper in hopes of later exploiting the injured appendage with his signature finisher . And following a missed RKO attempt by Orton , the affluent grappler promptly capitalized by applying his Cross Armbreaker for an undisputable victory and the right to be called the No . 1 contender once again . The Mexican Aristocrat taunted Sheamus following his win , eventually leveling the titleholder with his shoe and a strong roundhouse kick . Then , as the smoke cleared , Dolph Ziggler emerged , looking to cash in his Money in the Bank Contract against a roughed up Celtic Warrior . However , the recovering Orton saved the weary champion from being obligated to participate in an impromptu title opportunity by connecting a well - timed RKO on The Showoff .