On This Day In WWE History: Friday Night Smackdown - FULL SHOW

September 4, 2012 WWE held Friday Night Smackdown TV Taping from the Wireless Centre in Mobile, Illinois. The card consisted of 2 tag team matches and 4 singles matches. In the main event, it was The Celtic Warrior Sheamus going over David Otunga. You can relive the show in its entirety in the video below

On This Day In WWE History: Rob Van Dam vs Stone Cold Steve Austin

 

September 4, 2001 WWF Smackdown took place from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada. In the main event Rob Van Dam defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin

On This Day In WWE History: Eddie Guerrero vs Chyna vs Kurt Angle

September 4, 2000 Eddie Guerrero defeated Chyna and Kurt Angle in a triple threat on Monday Night Raw to become the new Intercontinental Champion

On This Day In WCW History: Hulk Hogan vs Big Bubba Rogers

September 4, 1995 WCW Nitro aired live from the Mall Of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the main event Hulk Hogan defeated Big Bubba Rogers

Ric Flair's Son Reid Dead at 25

Shocking and sad news to report today as Ric Flair's 25 year old son Reid was found dead this

morning at the age of 25.  Reid is known to many wrestling fans for being involved on WCW Nitro in the late 90s as a kid at his dad's side.  Reid had since become a pro wrestler himself and was actively competing on the independent scene as well as in Japan.

There are no details as of yet on Reid Flair's cause death as of this writing, and we are all in hopes there is no connection to his 2009 arrest for drug possession therefore we won't speculate.

Reid was always talked about as a great amateur who had the ability to make it in pro wrestling, unlike his brother David who obviously didn't inherit his father's skill.  Reid debuted in 2008 in a much talked about match where he teamed with his brother against the Nasty Boys, with very special referee Hulk Hogan.  Since then it had been expected that it was only a matter of time before Reid popped up in TNA or WWE. 

This is without a doubt a devastating day for Ric Flair who as we all have seen is always highly emotional about his family.  Our condolences are with the Nature Boy as are those of the entire wrestling community.  Below is a match featuring Reid Flair from Japan that happened less than 2 weeks ago, and shows what a promising young talent he was.

 

Breaking Spoilers: New World Heavyweight Champion Crowned at Smackdown Tapings

**Spoiler warning: don't read this post if you want to be surprised**

With The Rock returning Monday on RAW, the early "Road to WrestleMania" vibe is already in the air which means you can expect the unexpected for the next few months.  That very vibe was evident tonight as the World Heavyweight Championship changed hands at the Smackdown tapings when Alberto Del Rio defeated The Big Show in a Last Man Standing Match for the title.

With Del Rio recently turning face and Ricardo Rodriguez being used to help get him over as a good guy, defeating the Big Show will definitely propel Alberto back to a top spot in the company.  This title change really comes out of the blue, since it seemed Big Show was in the midst of a long reign that would go until at least WrestleMania.  All this could be to set up a rematch at The Royal Rumble that would see Show regain the title after claiming he wasn't actually pinned or submitted in the Last Man Standing match.  There was some early buzz that Ryback would take on Show at WrestleMania, but this title change may turn things more toward an Alberto vs. Dolph Ziggler title match at 'Mania.

Things are heating up in WWE right now, and they are making an effort to bring back some "must see TV" since the ratings have been low the past few months.  Alberto's title win will air this Friday on Smackdown, along with The Rock's first appearance on the show in 10 years.