July 27 , 2012 Smackdown results The July 27 , 2012 Edition of Smackdown is a Professional wrestling television show of the WWE ' s Smackdown brand , which took place on July 24 , 2012 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City , Missouri . Summary . In the wake of the historic celebration that was Raw 1 , 000 , there was no slowing down on Friday Night SmackDown , as four former World Champions clashed in an explosive , high - stakes free - for - all to determine the No . 1 contender to The Great White ’ s illustrious title . The self - professed “ new face of the Intercontinental Championship , ” The Miz , started off the best show on Friday night by addressing the WWE Universe . Following his title victory over Christian Monday at Raw 1 , 000 , the smug Awesome One taunted Christian ’ s peeps for voting for the illustrious championship gold to be contested through Twitter , Tout and Facebook — since that was what made his triumph over their champion possible . Christian ’ s music hit the speakers and Captain Charisma interrupted , immediately invoking his rematch clause , right then and there . An intense , high - flying battle unfolded in the ring , on the apron and all around ringside , as the evenly matched competitors exchanged the advantage and near pinfalls , laying it all on the line for the prestigious title . In the crucial final moments , Miz took advantage of the referee being momentarily out of position and gouged Christian ’ s eye with his thumb . With the wily veteran ’ s guard down , Miz grabbed Christian ’ s tights and rolled him up for the quick pin and his first successful Intercontinental Title defense . The brawling behemoth known as Ryback looked to continue his reign of in - ring destruction against Jinder Mahal . To the surprise of the WWE Universe , however , Mahal took the fight right to his intimidating adversary , allowing the Punjabi Superstar to fare better than any of Ryback ’ s previous opponents and even to get in a few blows of his own . But when Mahal went for the Camel Clutch , Ryback powered out of the submission with incredible strength and turned the tables , declaring “ My turn ! ” However , before the human wrecking ball could add another victim to his list , Mahal slid under the ropes and walked up the ramp , leaving the referee no choice but to deliver the 10 - count . With unfinished business between the two , will Mahal dare disturb another of Ryback ’ s “ feeding times ” ? Before a quartet of Superstars would enter the ring for SmackDown ’ s main event Fatal 4 - Way Match to become Sheamus ’ No . 1 contender , the World Heavyweight Champion would take on Cody Rhodes and remind those challengers just what they could be getting themselves into . In the midst of a fierce match between The Great White and the determined Rhodes , Mr . Money in the Bank , Dolph Ziggler , journeyed to ringside , carrying his coveted World Heavyweight Title contract along with him . Accompanied by his manager Vickie Guerrero , The Showoff intently watched the action in the ring . After Rhodes battered Sheamus ’ weakened shoulder , The Celtic Warrior miraculously kicked out of his opponents earth - shattering Disaster Kick . The Great White then turned the tables , hitting White Noise to set up a searing Brogue Kick for the victory . Following the match , Ziggler looked ready to cash in his contract , but decided at the last second not to enter the ring . Then , out of nowhere , Chris Jericho , wearing Ziggler ’ s signature pink T - shirt , ran out and tossed The Showoff through the ropes and right into a devastating Brogue Kick . As the smoke cleared , the first - ever Undisputed WWE Champion nailed Ziggler with an emphatic Codebreaker , delivering another strong statement in response to Ziggler ’ s taunts on Raw on July 16 . In a matchup with a decidedly European flavor , United States Champion Santino Marella took on former Swiss rugby star Antonio Cesaro . After a good luck kiss from Aksana , the powerful Cesaro went right after the United States Champion . Santino persevered and managed to gain the upper hand , and the Cobra made an appearance . But Cesaro avoided the serpentine strike and defeated Santino with an earth - shattering slam . With a distinctly European style , great in - ring moves and the beautiful Aksana by his side , Cesaro looks destined for great success in WWE . As Michael Cole suggested , a United States Championship Match could be in the Swiss - born big man ’ s near future . After receiving a beating from D - Generation X on Monday ’ s Raw 1 , 000 , Damien Sandow looked to reclaim some dignity with a brutal and relentless battering of Yoshi Tatsu . From the opening bell , “ The Intellectual Savior of the Masses ” aggressively swarmed the Japanese Superstar . Showing nothing but disdain for Tatsu , Sandow kneed , punched and slammed his way to a quick and impressive victory . After redeeming himself , Sandow addressed the “ repulsive , ruffian wretches ” who make up the WWE Universe , declaring himself their martyr for the thrashing he suffered at the hands of DX . Then , like DX , he shared his two signature words : “ You ’ re welcome . ” In SmackDown ’ s explosive main event , four former World Title holders — Rey Mysterio , Kane , Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio — battled in a chaotic , high - stakes contest to become the next No . 1 contender for Sheamus ’ World Heavyweight Championship . At the height of the explosive free - for - all , Daniel Bryan appeared on the brink of victory when he snatched the “ Yes ! ” Lock on Del Rio . However , Kane caught The Mexican Aristocrat ’ s arm before he could tap . With The Big Red Monster eventually taken out of the action , Mysterio hit a 619 on both Bryan and Del Rio and appeared bound for the win . But as he went for the pin on Bryan , Del Rio ’ s personal ring announcer , Ricardo Rodriguez , grabbed his leg and pulled him out of the ring . This allowed , Del Rio to leap onto the fallen Bryan and steal the pinfall to become the new No . 1 contender to Sheamus ’ World Title . The monumental win put Del Rio back on the road to his self - professed destiny . But The Mexican Aristocrat may have his hands full with The Great White , who has looked all but unstoppable as World Heavyweight Champion .