Smackdown Live 04/10/2016

Welcome back to our Smackdown Live review, this week we have the go home show before No Mercy, with many feuds coming together for their culminations. I tried to pick a few favourites as examples, but I’m invested in all of them. However I’m least interested in Corbin/Swagger and Bella/Carmella. I feel like Bella/Carmella has been going too longfor too little stakes to really seem interesting. Corbin/Swagger is too vanilla to be interesting as well.

Bray Wyatt vs Kane

We open with Bray Wyatt walking in as the crowd lights the way, we get a reminder of his feud with Orton before Kane walks into the ring. The match plays out slow and stiff, which is expected with these two. Kane bites his lip or something, bleeding out of his mouth throughout the match. Bray escapes the chokeslam to start in on a Sister Abigail before Orton appears on the Titantron upside down, he gives an interesting promo beckoning Bray to come after him. Kane waits to attack while Bray is distracted but Bray gets out of it, choosing to leave in order to pursue Randy rather than continuing the match. If this was Raw, Randy would just be commentating or supporting Kane ringside for this match. I’m thankful for the good storylines of Smackdown.

Winner by DQ, Kane

We then get Baron Corbin walking through the backstage area, he prepares for an interview before Jack Swagger approaches to continue their storyline, but Corbin doesn’t want to continue their storyline right there. He continues storylines in the ring. Swagger quickly leaves to set up a match tonight with Bryan. We then see Bray searching for Randy while the next match gears up.

Alexa Bliss and Carmella vs Nikki Bella and Becky Lynch

Bliss takes on Bella while Carmella commentates in a complete contradiction to what I said earlier. The women’s division have a great set of storylines going into No Mercy, with Carmella vs Nikki and Lynch vs Bliss, it’s a shame they don’t get more time on the shows to shine. This match ends early when Carmella interferes, Lynch runs in to even the odds. Following the break we find that Daniel Bryan made this a tag team match, blissfully extending the time dedicated to the women. The match goes back and forth until Nikki and Carmella chase eachother out of the ring, leaving Bliss to deal with the downed Lynch, taking the win for Team Heel.

Winner by Pinfall, Alexa Bliss and Carmella

We return to Bray Wyatt searching for Randy Orton, Bray falls for the bait of his rocking chair in a storage container. He leans on the chair, asking if that’s all Orton has before Orton locks him in, proclaiming the hunter to be the hunted. We’re left with security camera footage of Bray slamming on the walls to try and escape. I really like this feud. It’s like a more grounded version of when The Undertaker haunted Orton.

Daniel Bryan leads a yes chant as he is followed by Breast Cancer survivors, in the ring is a table with a pink sheet across it. The segment is similar to last nights breast cancer segment with Enzo and Cass presenting some survivors with Raw Women’s titles. After naming them and promoting the fight against breast cancer, his music plays. Bryan calls for the show runners to cut his exit music, presenting Smackdown titles to the women before leading the crowd in a yes chant.

Vaudevillains vs Hype Bros

We get a match between two criminally underrated teams next. Mojo sets the tone for the match, proclaiming that it’s ‘Hammer Time’ before dancing for a bit. The match is harried after that, going quickly as The Ascension walk onto the stage and watch the action. The fast nature doesn’t stop it from being competitive, with the action heating up before culminating in a High Ryder to finish it off. Mojo and Zack look up at The Ascension before the match ends.

Winner by Pinfall, The Hype Bros

The Miz comes out to present a special episode of Miz TV, showing a Dolphumentary for what could possibly be Ziggler’s final Smackdown appearance. The documentary obviously shows him in the worst possible light, titled ‘The Success of a Failure’. Hopefully it really is a full WWE 24 special. You really have to see it. Dolph argues that the embarrassment was worth it, talking about all the highlights of his career. He declares that he will win the title as he isn’t done yet. All The Miz has to say is ‘Yes you are.’ The Miz continues his top heel work, saying that he has just the thing to raise Dolph’s spirits. Jesus Christ he got the last of the Spirit Squad to come out. I think the cringey Dolph Ziggler chants from the squad is the most dasardly heel thing that he’s done yet. Ziggler tries to attack Miz before the Squad take out Dolph, venting their jealousy on him. The Miz definitely came out of this in the better light.

We return to Bray’s adventure in the box. He is sitting. Okay.

American Alpha vs The Usos

We return to the ongoing feud of The Usos vs AMERICA. Gable is still favouring his knee from the injury during the Tag Team Tournament. The match lasts all of 30 seconds before Jordan pins Jey. Kimmy attacks Gable on the side then Jimmy chop blocks Jordan. Before they can put Jordan out of action, beloved tag team champions Slater and Rhyno run out to stop them. The Usos are ran out of the ring.

Winner By Pinfall, American Alpha 

We’re back with Bray in the box, he’s singing. Now he’s hallucinating Sister Abigail, saying that he’s ready to go home. After the break, Orton comes to let Bray out, finding the container empty. He steps inside to throw the chair about. Bray mercifully doesn’t lock him in.

Baron Corbin vs Jack Swagger

D’you think they’ll let Swagger have new T shirts soon? I mean his ‘We the people’ shirt is fine, but it’s pretty old by now. Maybe this run will give him some new t shirt opportunities. Anyway, Smackdown in ring debut. Corbin is Corbin. The match is pretty average until a dumbass finish in which everyone argues over whether Corbin really tapped out or if he was reaching for the rope. He was reaching for the rope. The announcers blame the ref. Corbin tantrums about for a bit.

Winner by Submission, Jack Swagger

AJ Styles comes out to hype himself up. He doesn’t really need to do that anymore though does he? His Cena Armband is gone now as well. His speech is interrupted by Ambrose, who let’s off some sick rhymes. John Cena comes out and is immediately shut up by AJ before he gets a word out. AJ yells at Cena for trying to compare himself to Ric Flair, as the crowd woos. He says that Cena chases history while Styles makes it. Cena tries to say something but Dean stops him before he can. Cena’s having a rough night. Ambrose claims he’s real while Cena just plays John Cena on TV. John is allowed the words ‘Talk is cheap’ before he attacks them. He holds the title for a second before Styles beats him back down and takes it back. Probably a taste of what’ll happen when Cena ties the record, whenever he does.

This was a pretty good Smackdown, setting up all the storylines for the endings this Sunday. Although a lot of the matches were quite concise, with quick endings. I mean the main event of the PPV had barely  ten minutes before the show finished. It at least hit all the notes that a go home show should hit, and it was obviously better than the mediocre Raw from last night.

Follow me on Twitter @Oliverwoodster

WWE Backlash (2016) Review

After the brand split, WWE had two PPVs with Raw and Smackdown together – Battleground had the storyline that the matches were set before the extension while Summerslam had Smackdown and Raw matches because it was one of the big four. Now, it is time for the great experiment: Can the individual brands carry their own pay per views? It seems that after the brand split Raw got the lion’s share of the talent. However, Smackdown has been putting on a great show with the cards they’ve been dealt – in fact, because the programs of Smackdown are less padded, thus producing a better show. But filling a 2 hour television show is different from filling a major show, especially when trying to sell people on the idea that brand exclusive PPVs can work. So how did the great experiment work?

Baron Corbin vs. Apollo Crews – pre-show

This is one of the few times I’ve reviewed a pre-show match – because I rarely watch them. But this was a solid match. Both guys looked good, and proved that with a little more of a push, both of these guys have the potential to be stars – even if Apollo is a little personality challenged (and pushed from NXT to main roster too soon).

Overall rating: 3.25 Stars (Out of 5)

Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Carmella vs. Naomi vs. Nikki Bella vs. Alexa Bliss – 6 Pack Challenge for the Inaugural Smackdown Women’s Championship

In the past, I would have called a match like this filler, but re-vamps to the women’s division made something like this anything but. All six women actually performed well. I was surprised at Naomi and Carmella giving good showings at Summerslam, but even Nikki Bella looked good in this match. The match format gave room for plenty of action. But it wasn’t a perfect match. The elimination format was structured a little too formulaic. The great news is that Becky Lynch FINALLY got her due. After years of this always a bridesmaid-never a bride push, the lass kicker finally won the women’s championship. It was a satisfying beginning to the show.

Overall Rating: 3.75 stars

The Hype Bros. vs. the Usos – Tag Championship Semi-Finals

This match was good but nothing special. It was something of a formulaic match, but both teams are talented enough that they could make a somewhat by-the-numbers match like this watch watchable.

Overall rating: 3 stars

The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler – Intercontinental Championship

I was concerned that this match was gonna be a lose-lose situation. Either Miz would beat Ziggler, reaffirming Dolph didn’t belong in the main event or Ziggler would win the IC tittle, killing all of Miz’s well-deserved momentum. Boy, was I happy to be wrong. First, there was a promo before the match where Miz was demanding a contract negotiation right before his entrance. The match itself was excellent – It started a little slow with some submission holds early on, but builds to a nailbiter with plenty of back and forth action and some cool spots such as a powerbomb into the ropes. Miz got the duke when Maryse sprayed Dolph with some perfume.

Miz’s storyline is that he’s making the IC title relevant again, and he’s not kidding. Ziggler and Miz had a stellar near-20 minute match instead of some 5-minute filler match, making the title look like something worth fighting for. Plus, Ziggler went down fighting so he looked like a hero even in defeat.

Rating: 4.25 Stars

Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Or… er, Kane – No DQ Match

Randy Orton suffered a concussion (According to some sources, it was during his Summerslam match). So an impromptu match was created pitting Wyatt against Kane. Saying Bray attacked Orton at the show was a smart way of hiding Orton’s injury when he was injured right before the show. Also a good idea was Wyatt taunting Orton by claiming a moral victory by way of forfeit. Then came Kane.

Admittedly, the match was better than it had a right to be – Both men hit and kicked out of finishers. The no-DQ rule hid Kane’s limitations enough. There was an excellent table spot and some exciting reversals. But I can’t give this a glowing recommendation. First of all, it was a little clumsy in spots, especially the beginning. Also, Bray losing really put a damper on things. Bray seems to lose too many high profile matches, and losing to someone who’s been jobber to the stars for the longest time (even putting Wyatt over years ago at Summerslam) did him no favors. Granted, he lost because of an interference from Orton. Maybe as a build-up match on Smackdown, this would have been passable, but one of the company’s biggest draws just looked like a loser.

Overall rating: 3 stars (I’d bump this up at least a quarter of a star if Wyatt won.)

Heath Slater/Rhyno vs. The Usos – Tag Team Championship

This was another good but not great match. This one was a little more exciting because it had a little more story. Heath Slater’s job was on the line. A little drama can put a match like this over the edge. When the Usos are double-teaming Slater, they’re not just being cheap, they may be holding the man back from feeding his family. Heath Slater spent the longest time as a jobber, but keeping his job made a satisfying match.

Overall rating: 3.5 stars

Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles – WWE Championship

With these two, I expected a fairly solid match. After all, both are talented, creative and extremely over. These two delivered – AND HOW. Even the early portions of this match were exciting as these two hit some heavy offense early on. Dean and AJ’s styles (pun not intended but hard to avoid) gelled perfectly, with AJ being the guy who seems to know every hold in the book and Dean being the crazy like a fox oddball with just enough out of box thinking to avoid said offense. There were some wicked spots – Dean slingshotting AJ onto the post while standing on the apron. We’ve seen the rebound clothesline so often it’s one of Dean’s trademark moves in the video games, but seeing it as a rebound from the Pele kick was something else.

More than just moves, there was hardly a wasted moment in this match. The suspense was off the hook – it felt like either man could have won at either time. It felt like every time they exhausted their playbook they found a new trick to use. AJ Styles has proven himself as the best in the business (right now) but this may also be the match of Dean Ambrose’s career. Styles won, which is good and bad. On one hand, I think they should have saved that. On the other hand, I did mark out over Styles winning. Plus the company has to put these PPVs over. The message is clear “Miss brand exclusive PPVs, you could miss something like this.”

Overall rating: FIVE STARS

Overall, Backlash was a mixed bag. The show had three great matches and didn’t feel padded which Summerslam and Wrestlemania suffered from. The good stuff included a match of the year candidate, a B-title treated like an A-title and a talented lady finally getting what she deserves. The problem was that the rest of the show just didn’t feel PPV-worthy. Orton’s injury was not the company’s fault and they covered it decently enough but buried a top star for no good reason. This show demonstrated how badly Smackdown needs stars – Del Rio just quit (it’s debatable if he was gonna be a big deal anyway), Cena’s stance as a full-timer becoming borderline and Orton is injury-prone. So maybe Zayn or Neville could be traded to the blue brand. Or at least guys like Corbin could be pushed more.

Overall Backlash was a solid, albeit far from perfect show.

Smackdown Live – 6/9/16

Backlash is on Sunday guys, so this go home show might be a bit shaky. Then again, it can’t be as shaky as last nights Raw. While the second half was good, it took a major downward trend in the second half. Here’s hoping Smackdown is nothing but net.

No cold opening this week, as we start immediately with the opening credits. That’s a shame, since I like the cold openings, but if they don’t have the material for it then I’m glad that it isn’t being forced. We open with Daniel Bryan starting a yes chant in ring with the Smackdown Women’s title on a table behind him. He describes the rules of the six pack challenge, this is probably for the best since there’s been very little build for this match at all. He announces a women’s tag match later in the night before calling Becky Lynch to the ring. Becky admits that she thought Bryan would bring Nikki in first. This prompts Daniel to plug Total Bellas while Becky just sort of sits there. Come on Daniel, do you really have to plug it right now. Becky Lynch is able to talk about her drive before Natalya and Alexa Bliss come out to play heel. Bliss gets the highlight as she calls Bryan a Bella trophy husband.

Carmella comes out and starts ripping into Alexa for this, not sure why. She called her ‘Paulie Pocket’. Love that accent. They turn on Becky, before Becky gets backup in Naomi and Nikki and halfheartedly throw Team Heel out of the ring. Alright. That’s some ludicrously artificial heat.

A lost looking Dean Ambrose messes with the craft table and fills his coffee with some salt before stalking off. Ambrose really doesn’t fit in Smackdown. He’s too above everyone else to talk to anyone properly, but he has nothing to do by himself. His character doesn’t really fit.

Daniel Bryan fails to drop responsibilities of the women’s division on Shane just before The Miz comes out and complains about his Intercontinental championship match at Backlash, upset with Dolph’s ineligibility for the number one contenders position. Rightly so really considering all he’s went through to keep it. He can’t complain much more though, since he’s due a match tonight.

The Miz vs Apollo Crews 

Dolph Ziggler is here commentating on this match, as The Miz screams at him from the side of the ring. Dolph’s commentary seems pretty bland in comparison to Miz’s larger than life persona. Apollo Crews comes out smiling like always, oblivious to the beef going down. This doesn’t stop him from putting on his best effort, performing interesting moves and unusual reversals in response to Miz’s straight forward style. A lot of the match is ignored in favour of camera time for Dolph. An altercation with Dolph outside the ring works in Miz’s favour as he uses the dodges Apollo and whips him into the ring for the Skullcrushing finale. He leaves the title in the ring, leaving Dolph alone with it as he yells at Miz, calling him a coward. Miz proves him wrong by sending Maryse to get it. Good man.

Winner by Pinfall: The Miz

We go to the Talking Smack set as Renee asks AJ Styles (Still rocking that headband) about his ringropeitis from last week. This pisses off AJ, as he summons the man responsible for the footage’s appearance and threatens his job live on camera. ‘No one will know if I destroy your headset and blame it on you.’ Uuuuuh, sure. Logic notwithstanding, that’s some pretty good heelwork by AJ.

After a good advertisement for Connor’s Cure, Mauro starts to introduce a vignette on American Alpha before the screen goes back. Then the Smackdown opening plays. Then Mauro introduces the vignette again. Ooops. The short vignette plays before we get an Usos interview. Luckily The Usos are allowed to show some character so it isn’t a total trainwreck. They talk about their Slammy history before we go back to the ring.

Bray Wyatt interrupts Mauro with a good promo about the life of a predator and man’s evolution to combat it, leaving the predator in the dust. Bray describes himself as the evolution of man and tells Randy about how he can’t combat a god. Please let Bray win this god damn match. You can’t make him look like a loser again. Please just let him win one feud. Bray needs to be strong.

Team Face vs Team Heel

Nikki Bella is the first out for Team Face, with Naomi and Becky following. Naomi’s still stealing the show with her entrance, weeks down the line, love it so much. Team Heel can’t compare, with Bliss, Carmella and Natty following. The match is good to start with Becky’s interesting pin escape techniques and  Naomi’s good attacks. But gets a little sloppy with a strange delay in Carmella’s follow through to Becky’s roll up pin. The match gets more vicious as the action goes outside the ring, with Becky taking all the bumps for Team Face, this goes on for a while as Becky is unable to get the tag from anyone as Team Heel continues to work her. If they use this as a reason for her not getting the title on Sunday I’ll be pissed. She’s finally able to get the tag on Nikki as the match turns around. Once Carmella gets into the ring though all bets are off, as the ring descends into chaos, with all but the legal women in the ring. Carmella uses a submission move that capitalises on Nikki’s neck and gets the submission.

Winner by Submission: Team Heel

Tag Team Tournament Semi Finals: The Usos vs American Alpha

The Usos come out to a quiet crowd, allowing them to hype them up with an Uso chant.No ones really appreciated them in a long time, their entrance colouring and war dance would be more suited to heels. This comes to fruition after American Alpha come out. The Usos go for a handshake and sucker AA into a fair fight until the bell rings and they attack. This lasts about five seconds before Gable gets the pin on Jimmy. The Usos then launch another attack on AA, focusing on injuring Gable’s leg with a frog splash to the leg in particular. Maybe this’ll help Slater get a pin on Sunday (There’s no way his storyline ends at the semi finals. EDIT Shane later announced that Gable strained his MCL and now The Usos will fight the Hype Bros at Backlash for the chance to get into the finals.

Winner By Pinfall: American Alpha

We then get a response from Randy Orton on Bray Wyatt’s parable from earlier. Randy also tells a parable about a rabbit and a snake. He talks about how overconfidence will be Bray’s ending while Orton bides his time and waits to strike.

We go back to the ring as a lone Fandango explains that Tyler Breeze is away. He brings in a woman and compliments her tattoos before attempting an awkward dance with her. Her dance ends with an awkward dab. Fandango kicks her out of the ring and gets angry, demanding someone worthy comes out to dance with him. Oh my God, Fandango is Dennis Reynolds

Fortunately Kane comes out and chokeslams him, reminding us that he’s here.

Before we move onto the next match, let’s view the introduction of the Slater family, I really have no words for it. It’s perfect. With the implied incest, Slater knowing where to buy a tongue and Uncle Rhyno who doesn’t like kids. Heath is money.

Tag Team Tournament Semi Finals: The Hype Bros vs Heath Slater and Rhyno

Hopefully this week Rhyno will be able to get through this one without bleeding all over the place. That’s likely the case with The Hype Bros’ orthodox gear and style in comparison to The Headbangers last week. I like Zack’s Hype Bros ring gear, the colours seem to work for him. The match is interesting, with Slater working for most of the match with Zack before Rhyno pulls him out of the way of the Broski Boot and Gores Zack. This gives Rhyno the pin, allowing them to move on to the finals.

Winners By Pinfall: Heath Slater and Rhyno

Next up we have The Usos explaining why they turned heel earlier in the night, attributing it to how they’ve been working for the people’s respect for six years with no results (two slammies, multiple tag team titles). They’re done with that and if they’re getting no respect, they want to deserve it. Let’s see if people care in a months time.

Next up we have a meeting between Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles, with Dean offering AJ an old participation trophy from a bowling tournament. He claims that it’ll be the only trophy that AJ will gain from him. Dean then brings up the Ringropeitis incident and AJ’s haircut, causing a ‘soccer mom’ chant through the crowd. AJ brings his last trophy to attention, Cena’s armband, before dropping the bowling trophy. Dean Ambrose isn’t John Cena. Ambrose claims that he isn’t in a ring when he fights, he fights in a battlefield, refering back to when he beat Styles earlier in the year.  This leads to another Smackdown ending with dick trauma, as AJ kicks Ambrose in the junk, throws the trophy at him and Smackdown just sort of ends. Maybe we were pushed for time.

This Smackdown was a weird one, with only four matches taking place and a fixxled out ending. The highlights being Slater and Rhyno’s segments and The Uso heel turn, maybe Smackdown will be revitalised after Backlash.

Follow me on Twitter @Oliverwoodster

 

 

Smackdown Live 30/08/2016

Welcome back to this weeks review of Smackdown Live,how long do you think it’ll be before we drop the ‘Live’ of Smackdown Live? I reckon probably a year max, not that I hate it, just seems a bit convoluted. We come back after a pretty ok Raw, albeit with the best main event it’s had in a while. In Smackdown related news, we come back heated, with the seeds set for an Ambrose/Styles rivalry, the Tag Team Tournament in full swing and some heat between Daniel Bryan and The Miz after last weeks argument on Talking Smack. Lets get in.

We open with Shane and Bryan rewatching the interview, Shane awkwardly grimaces before telling Bryan that he has to apologise. You can’t provoke talent like that, though Shane agrees with him. Bryan finds it ironic considering Shane’s beef with Lesnar. (Team Shane vs Team Lesnar SS 17 BAYBEE). We cut to The Miz walking to the ring in a suit, determined, no time for needless aspects, yelling ‘cut the music!’. He yells at the crowd for not taking him seriously until now, announcing his ambition to elevate the title to a higher level again. He yells at the crowd, calling them cowards, but I see nothing but good points. Before he can say anything more, out comes Dolph Ziggler. He argues the same points but in a facelike fashion, saying that Dolph does it to be the best while Miz just wants to be famous. Dolph wants a piece of Miz right here. The Miz follows his philosophies and denies. Dolph calls him a soft safe coward. The crowd chants along as he leaves. I personally don’t believe that the Miz is Sawft, I’m supporting him for this feud.

Tag Team Tournament Round 1: Hype Bros vs The Vaudevillains

I know its been a while since The Vaudevillains have been taken as serious contenders, but they aren’t even playing their whole entrance anymore. Hopefully its just because of time constraints rather than a lack of care. Hopefully the fact that this match was less than five minutes long is also due to time constraints. Mojo and Zack utterly destroyed them but I don’t see the Hype Bros as Tag Team Title worthy, The Vaudevillains could be if they had a chance. It seems that they’re just going down the route of The Ascension. At least they would have got more of a reaction than Mojo’s sad, lonely ‘we don’t get hype’ to dead silence.

Winner by Pinfall: The Hype Bros

Good to see AJ still rocking the headband, flaunting the halls, rightfully calling himself the face that runs the place to randos. His match tonight is hinted at when he mocks Apollo Crews, seeing Apollo’s dopey smiling face pisses me off so I’m glad that Styles will hopefully kick his ass. AJ is then introduced by the announcers as the face that runs the place, then Apollo comes in, hopefully granting my wish early.

AJ Styles vs Apollo Crews

The build to this match was so short, in  fact the show so far has been feeling rushed even though its already a half hour in. Hopefully they’re building to something towards the end of the show. Apollo needs to find his place in the company by the Rumble or he’s in trouble, he just seems like a guy that just roams, losing contendership matches and title matches without doing anything of merit.Maybe with matches against AJ like this, he could be elevated to a midcard title at least. AJ continues to show his mastery of the 2.98 kickouts and puts on a good show with Crews before finishing him off with the Phenomenal Forearm.

Winner by Pinfall: AJ Styles

We now take some time to see Heath Slater’s beautiful wife and seven kids, Rhyno is now apparently living in his home. This is great. Renee is presented with a mean spread of Cheez spray and crackers, as Rhyno goes through the plate solo and Heath’s wife burps and lingers in the room. Heath laments his kids absence, they’re picking up cans and bottles. Shit this is great. Heath then runs away when his car is stolen while Rhyno continues to eat crackers and smile. Since they were excluded, I have a Skatronixxx exclusive available for you! For the first time ever, we can reveal the appearance of one of Heath’s kids.

Cherub like.

The fireflies light up the ring as the next spot starts up. Bray Wyatt is in the house! He takes a seat in the middle of the ring before calling out Randy Orton, he talks about his weaknesses and how Bray is resistant to his strengths. Just as he tells Randy to run, Orton’s music hits. Bray can do nothing but laugh as the crowd chants for Randy. Randy addresses Bray as one damaged man to another, presenting himself as the predator that Bray wanted to see. Bray however, is the predator in this situation, and makes it known. He then tells Randy that he wants him at Backlash. Randy can do nothing but tell Bray that he respects him and wants to give him what he wants. Orton runs to the ring but Wyatt is gone before he gets there.

Natalya and Alexa Bliss vs Naomi and Becky Lynch

We get a reminder of Carmella’s feud with Nikki Bella as Nikki comes out as the guest commentator for this womens tag team match. This means that the match is kind of immediately derailed in favour of a Total Bellas advertisement, the focus soon comes back to the match as team heel gets a good offence going on Naomi. Bliss is responsible for most of this, showing Natty how to be a proper heel. This is short lived however, as Naomi gets the tag and brings Becky into the ring. Becky is distracted by Natty and a sudden attack on Nikki from Carmella. Alexa gets the rollup on Becky, leading  to a loss to Team Face, as Carmella leaves and Lynch and Naomi are left to comfort Bella.

Winner by Pinfall: Alexa Bliss and Natalya

Tag Team Tournament Round 1: The HeadBangers vs Heath Slater and Rhyno

We get a blast from the past as The Headbangers reenter the ring to try and prevent Heath and Rhyno from progressing in the tournament. They dominate Heath, doing a combo move on him before  slamming Rhyno out of the ring. luckily Rhyno gets back in time to stop the pin and he is… bleeding very heavily from the eye. Wow. The Headbangers are pretty unsafe huh? Heath might be bleeding from the lip, that may have been from Ryhno dragging him across the ring though. Heath tags out and one fitting gore gives Rhyno the pin over The Headbangers, allowing them to progress through the tournament. Rhyno is terrifying busted open.

Winner by Pinfall: Heath Slater and Rhyno

AJ Styles is guest commentating as ‘The Milkman?’ comes out, demanding an opponent to face in the ring. He then removes all his clothes and demands a challenger. Out comes Kane, The Milkman struggles to get his clothes back on before he is chokeslammed by Kane. It’s over. I suppose this squash match was a reminder that Kane exists.

Baron Corbin vs Dean Ambrose

Why’s Baron Corbin here? Did he get a shot at Ambrose because his best friend Dolph Ziggler did? Corbin fights like a guy who needs promotion which he really does, meanwhile Dean dozes his way through the ring. This is a pretty subpar main event, could you imagine how awesome it would be if it was a hair match? whoever loses has to finally say goodbye to their shit balding hair? That’s whats needed. Corbin completely controls the match, really makes you question how Ambrose is supposed to fight Styles when he can barely keep up with Corbin? Dean hits the same dumb no sell ring rebound attacks before Corbin comes back to the offensive. A distraction from Styles nearly spells the end for Corbin but he kicks out at the last second. Corbin accidentally kicks the ref, disqualifying him and starting a brawl between Styles and Ambrose. I really hope that Styles gets the title at Backlash because I don’t think Ambrose can do much else outside of a Wyatt feud for the title. He paralyses Styles through a testicular rope attack before making a fool of him after putting in zero work the entire match. Sort of devalues the win.

Overall, I’d say while it lacked the huge moments of Raw, Smackdown was a consistantly better show than Raw. Backlash is next week, so things should be heating up for the finish soon enough. I’ll see you next week for the last Smackdown before Backlash.

You can follow me @Oliverwoodster on Twitter.

 

Raw Just Became A Hugger! Bayley Debuts!!

 

 

Ain’t no stopping her now, Bayley has been called up to Raw. On August 22nd 2015 at NXT TakeOver:Brooklyn, Bayley won the NXT Women’s  Championship from Sasha Banks. Bayley held the title for 223 days losing it to Asuka at NXT TakeOver:Dallas in April.

Four months later on the one year anniverery of Bayley first winning the title in Brooklyn, Bayley finally gets the call up to “The Show”. Where else, but in Brooklyn. What a difference a year makes.

During a Raw segment, the newly crowned two time WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte was giving her acceptance speech in the ring. In the middle of belittling her fallen at SummerSlam, Sasha  Banks. The champ was interrupted by Raw GM Mick Foley. It was at that time Foley dropped the bomb of signing the hottest free agent in the WWE New Era Women’s Division.

After a stunned Charlotte watched Bayley and Foley seal the deal with a hug, Bayley turned her attention to the champ. Unphased, Charlotte expressed to Foley, and to her former 4 Horse Woman member how the New Era Women’s Divison revolution had left Bayley behind. Being that Bayley was called up last after Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch.

Bayley having the upmost respect for her former friend, simply replied with a  challenge for the champs title. Charlotte being a savvy champion declined the title shot to Bayley. Instead the champ offered Bayley her protégé Dana Brooks.

Bayley gladly acceted the challenge, and the match was immediately uderway. Despite Bayley losing her NXT title rematch at TakeOver:Brooklyn 2, also finally being on the big stage. Bayley showed Charlotte why the WWE saved the best for last, defeating Dana Brooks with the Bayley to belly suplex.

I’m interested to see how Charlotte responds to Bayley’s victory. I’m sure the whole WWE Universe is as well. To find out, just tune in to Raw every Monday night.

The NXT Review – August 24th 2016 – Barclays, Bayley & Tears

Whats Up Wrestling Peeps! After TakeOver Brooklyn 2, those that were left off the card got their chance to shine tonight. But then again, these matches were pre-taped before the event so in reality its nice to see that Fan-Faves such as Tye Dillinger and TM61 still got to perform in front of a packed-out Barclay’s Centre.

Speaking of Perfect 10, Dillinger has been conspicuous by his absence, especially for this NXT fan. Last seen, the Perfect 10 was on a bit of a losing streak. Particularly disheartening when I believe Dillinger is some-what underused given the immense talent at his command.

Just like The New Day at the beginning of their crazy Unicorn Ride. Tye Dillinger is a Perfect (10) Heel with whom the crowd just love to cheer for. This isn’t unusual for WWE fans but it is maddening that NXT has yet to capitalise on this. For crying out loud! Put this guy up against your biggest and best babyface and sit back and watch as the magic happens.

At present, I’ve given up on the hope that we will see the era of a Perfect 10 NXT Title run (whoa, mouthful). But with a win against Wesley Blake now under his belt, are we witnessing the upswing for Tye Dillinger?

*Fingers Cross*

With only two matches on the card tonight, Paul Ellering’s Authors of Pain got the chance to takedown Nick Miller & Shane Thorne in Tag Team action for the Main Event.

And it was okay. Rather than the beat down that we have become accustomed too when it comes to Ellerings’ Lads showing in the ring. TM61 got some impressive offensive in before ultimately falling victim to the killjoys of NXT.

This was also the longest match that both Rezer and Akam have had since debuting on the yellow brand. Oh yes! They also have names now, so yeah … progress. Very slow progress.

With this episode functioning as more of a Look-back to TakeOver Brooklyn 2, I feel like I should mention our dearly departed Bayley.

After losing to Auska. The Huggster did what every plucky underdog does; tighten her side pony-tail and immediately make her Monday Night RAW debut to rapturous applause. Although I’m sad to see her go, let’s be honest. Its way past due.

Although I (like many) lamented her exclusion when the other members of the Four Horse-Women of NXT made their Main Stage debut last year. It has served Bayley to remain on NXT.

Without Becky Lynch, Charlotte and Sasha Banks by her side. Bayley took the mantle as Veteran of the NXT Women’s Division and showed that the foundations that have been laid for women’s wrestling are strong, viable and ready to be built upon, not only in NXT but WWE as a whole.

What Bayley leaves behind in NXT is far greater that what she takes away from the product. A feat that many wrestlers only dream of achieving.

Although the Huggable one will be missed. I’m excited to see what comes next for the future Hall of Famer.

For all your NXT News & Reviews, stick with @mitchrated only on #SkatronixxxWrestling

Smackdown Live 24/8/2016

Hey guys I’m back! Y’know me…. Parzy? Ok its been a long month and a lot has changed so I’ll forgive you. This is where I’d say that Smackdown is hot off of Summerslam but to be honest, are we? I mean what did Smackdown do during Summerslam? A subpar WWE title match with no title change, a forgettable Intercontinental match, an alright women’s match, Randy Orton’s bleeding all over the ring. There’s nothing reall- JOHN CENA LOST CLEAN! God that match was so damn good, AJ Styles kicking out of that Super AA nearly gave me a heart attack.God I love AJ Styles.

We open in the locker room, superstars are chatting, including Corbin and a masked Rowan, until someone enters. The new face that runs this place, AJ Styles, he gloats as he puts Cena’s armband on his head (Cena’s biceps are so fucking big) before noticing Dolph Ziggler sulking. AJ tells him that he hates losers before Dolph erupts and attacks him, the two are quickly seperated before the opening credits role.

The Tag team and Women’s division line the ring with some new belts in the center, both of which looking better than the Universal title. The titles are great but there are really so little people to contend for the titles, I mean six women for the title sort of diminishes its importance. The Tag Team division is looking more full though, with any team being possible champs, though some more than others (American Alpha man). Shane and Daniel are interupted by top free agent HEATH SLATER. He announces that he wants a title of some kind. When told that he isnt equipped to get the Women’s title, he announces that he’ll find a tag team partner and win the Tag Team title at Backlash. As he runs backstage to get a partner, AJ Styles comes out infuriated. As he lambasts the Tag Team division, the women’s title and the g- Dolph Ziggler! Obviously the locker room comments were too much for Dolph to handle, as he attacks AJ, starting another feud that he’s sure to lose. We go to adverts as they’re held apart.

Becky Lynch vs Alexa Bliss

Our first match of the night sees Lynch fighting Bliss as Naomi and Natalya commentate. Naomi has been so over since her rebrand, it’s unreal. It’s great too, the women’s division didn’t hhave time for a character who’s entire gimmick was ‘She has a big ass’. I wonder if Tamina will get similar treatment when she comes back. Natalya doesnt really do much. Lynch and Bliss put on a good match to open the night, with Bliss tapping out to Lynch after a short bout.

Winner by Submission: Becky Lynch

Next we get our first Slater backstage promo which had me laughing. Slater is surprised by a shockingly happy Miz as he agrees with Slater’s  proposal, saying that it’ll launch his career to new heights. Then he takes off his hood and reveals his bluetooth headset, he was accepting a job offer from Spielberg to be the new Indianna Jones. I’d prefer a movie of his chicken character from Summerslam but beggers can’t be choosers. Slater’s quest goes on.

Tag Team Tournemant Round 1: The Uso’s vs The Ascension

We start the tournemant with a battle of the jobbers, while The Usos are less jobberly, I hope The Ascension at least get to the second round of this tournemant. They desperately need a push of some kind. It pleases me that the crowd is so alive for this match though, chanting in response to Jey’s ‘OOOS’ yells and gasping where appropriate, maybe these teams are back on the up and up, at least to this crowd. The match ends with the Usos’ getting a win after an impressive finisher gets the pin for them. As The Usos advance and stand next to the titles (They look so good compared to my expectations) We find out that Randy Orton will be back to explain Summerslam’s ending tonight.

Winner By Pinfall: The Usos

AJ Styles, clad with Cena’s sweatband on his arm walks out to the ring and pulls out a mic. He gloats about his victory over Cena and allows Cena fans to look to him as their new idol. Felt like when when Harry Potter died and Voldemort invited people to look to him as a role model. God I love AJ’s heel work so much. As AJ yells at the crowd, Dolph Ziggler once again comes out, before being stopped by security. Daniel Bryan announces that they’ll fight tonight, if AJ wins, he faces Dean for the WWE Title at Backlash, if Dolph wins, so does he. I honestly don’t know what I want.

Carmella comes out, the crowd is almost silent. Why doesn’t the crowd like Carmella? she deserves so much more. At this rate she won’t get a pop until she shares a promo with Enzo and Cass. Nikki Bella comes out and completely crushes her pop, as she starts an interview with Renee Young, Carmella attacks. Maybe a heel run will get her the attention she requires. Oh shit it does. The Bella Buster she performs on Nikki actually gets her a cheer. This could be a good rivalry. Face Nikki vs Heel Carmella is what they both need right now, especially since being face did nothing for Carmella.

Randy Orton comes out to thunderous applause as he sports 1o staples in his noggin. Randy is annoyed, that Shane intervened in his match, believing that he could have went on, but he’s confident that they’ll have a rematch one day. He can’t say anymore as he is interupted by Bray Wyatt. God I love Bray Wyatt. His accent just puts me behind his promos instantly. ‘How’s your head randy?’ He compliments Randy’s fortitude, but chalks his loss up to his limits as a man. While Bray himself is a god. Bray begins to remove his jacket before he disapears, leaving the rocking chair empty.

We go backstage as Shane Mcmahon is interviewed, accusing Stephanie of not taking the incident with Brock seriously enough. He says that a $500 fine is a miserable punishment, and that he isn’t finished with Brock. Oh god, Team Shane vs Team Brock at Survivor Series please.

Heath Slater’s quest  for a partner continues, as he asks his final potential partner, Arn Anderson. Anderson declines, but tries to set him up with something before Slater lets slip that he was his last hope. Anderson leaves and Slater is crushed, until a new partner enters the picture. Rhyno!

‘I bet a Tag Team Title could pay for an above ground pool’

‘Did we just become Tag Team Partners?!’

This could be good.

Tag Team Championship Tournemant Round 1: American Alpha vs Breezango

Both of these teams should have went through to the next round over the Usos and The Ascension, instead  we’re probably losng Breezango so AA may live. American Alpha dominate, completely pumping the crowd up to give out USA chants. even though they’re sure to lose, Breezango put on their best performances, with breeze selling like a champ to the armbar. After the adverts the match gets elecric, with both teams stepping up their game, with huge moves and tonnes of exchanged near falls. Breezango have come a long way from their sunburnt match with The Golden Truth. However, an Alphaplex to a  Grand Amplitude puts Breeze in the ground, allowing Alpha to get the pin.

Winner by Pinfall: American Alpha

Dean Ambrose comes down from the casino to make an appearance as he’s interviewed about what he thinks of the #1 contenders match at the end of the show, he seems wholly unconcerned with it, although he will provide commentary.

Dolph Ziggler vs AJ Styles

Loving these new ringposts, the new look just makes the show feel more fresh, I was hoping they’d stay after Summerslam and I’m glad they did, definitely a good addition. The same goes for the grey mats. Oh yeah also the main event is on. Ambrose compliments Ziggler as the match goes on, bringing up his new aggressiveness and power since they started their feud. It shows as he dominates the early match, could this be the start of a new heel turn for Ziggler? Then again, the aggressive nature is making this match sloppy as hell, just like it did on Sunday. Hopefully if he goes heel he’ll at least put some more finesse into it. Ambrose completely outshines Otunga and JBL on colour commentary, showing them up at their own game. Those two have been terrible tonight and Ambrose’s success with limited experience shows that off really well.

The ending of the match is ridiculously close, with multiple near calls and masterful last second kickouts, the closest being Dolph’s pin after superkicking Styles. This completely  picks up the drama and draws ‘this is Awesome’ chants from the crowd. This main event is probably better than the title match on Sunday. In the end though, Styles is too much for Ziggler.I feel so bad for Dolph though, this may have been his last push for a title and it ended at this match. I hope he gets something after this.

Winner by Pinfall: AJ Styles

Overall, that was a great Smackdown, setting up interesting storylines and introducing great looking titles (although a bit too similar to the Raw ones). While, I won’t make a habit of this, I have to bring attention to the destruction of Daniel Bryan on Talking Smack.

That has to have been the best promo of The Miz’s career and it wasnt even on the main show. I originally saw Talking Smack as a cash in on the Talking Bad/Talking Dead formula but if it blurs the lines between shoot and work like this so often, I need to watch it some more and so should you. Other highlights of Talking Smack included The Usos being allowed personality and more expansion on the Bella/Carmella feud. Great Smackdown, great Talking Smack, watch the clip again.

Have a good one, and find me on Twitter @Oliverwoodster

Smackdown Live Results August 9, 2016

We start the show with a backstage interview for Randy Orton, interrupted by Alberto Del Rio because they will be fighting tonight.

Bray Wyatt comes out with Erick Rowan to a sea of fireflies. Bray talks about last week’s match with Dolph Ziggler. He states that even in defeat, he is a GOD. In a very good promo saying it is now Bray Wyatt against the whole world. Dean Ambrose music hits and cuts off Bray. Telling him he is now a big baby trying to play the victim. Dolph Ziggler walks out to interrupt both of them and flies into the ring attacking Rowan. Dean jumps into the ring as well helping out Dolph. All 4 men go at it for a little bit, culminating with Ziggler trying to superkick Bray and instead Bray shoves Dean in the way! Bray hits Ziggler with a sister abigail to end the opening segment. Once again Bray saves the opening segment with his wittiness this time.

When we get back from commercial they show Dean and Dolph backstage arguing about the confusion. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan stop them from fighting and introduce to the audience tonight’s tag match, Dolph and Dean against Bray and Erick Rowan.

American Alpha vs Two Local Jobbers

American Alpha comes out to fight against two local jobbers. The Ascension, Hype Bros, and Vaudevillains all come out to the ring to watch the match. The match is very quick with Jason Jordan and Chad Gable hitting their normal moves. After the match all tag teams get in the ring fighting, American Alpha cleans house eventually hitting suplexes standing in the ring alone. Another quick match from American Alpha. Not a big enough sample size yet but they will get their spot sooner or later.
Winners – American Alpha

Apollo Crews highlight video plays hyping up his match with The Miz ,who is backstage with Renee Young. All he does is talk about Maryse, laying on a table with her. This segment was weird and just showcased Miz and Maryse’s love.

Eva Marie debut

Eva Marie has a wardrobe malfunction, which definitely looks fake. Becky Lynch gets interviewed in the ring and explains her frustration. Becky calls out any women who will fight her to come out now! Alexa Bliss answers the call! Commercial. Alexa is in control after the  break. Alexa pins Becky multiple times getting 1 counts. Becky fights back, a series of clotheslines. Eva Marie’s music hits distracting Becky, Alexa takes full advantage hitting a sparkle splash off the top rope. 1….2….3!! Alexa Bliss wins her debut!!! Eva Marie is interviewed at the entrance of the aisle. Eva says she tried to fix her wardrobe as fast as she could and she will be back next week debuting. I am concerned that they are doing absolutely nothing to change the crowd reaction to Eva Marie. Her entrance is unnecessary  and I hope she is getting better in the ring but doesn’t look like we will see anytime soon! Alexa Bliss has the move of the night with a 180 sparkle splash.
Winner – Alexa Bliss

Randy Orton vs Alberto Del Rio

They lock up several times. Del Rio gets the advantage to start, then Randy hits multiple uppercuts whipping him into the corner. Followed by a big clothesline knocking down Del Rio. Randy then hits a catapult on Alberto to a near fall. Del Rio hits Randy with some punches. Del Rio tries to attack Randy and ends up on the outside apron, getting pulled back off the ropes onto the outside. Commercial.  Randy stomping out all limbs of Del Rio to a 2count. A scramble leads Del Rio to hit a backstabber throwing Randy shoulder first into the corner. They end up outside with Alberto working on his left arm. Jumping off the top rope hitting a right hand knocking Randy down, 1….2…kickout! Randy comes back with a standing dropkick, setting up Alberto on the top rope. Out of nowhere Del Rio hits his arm submission hanging off the ropes! Back to the top rope randy slips Del Rio’s foot off hitting him in the baby maker! A big duplex off the second rope. Both wrestlers trade fists and kicks. Randy hits his patented double clothesline into a body slam off the ropes. Countering each other’s moves ending up with a ddt. off the apron ropes! Randy looking for the RKO but Del Rio slips out of the ring. Randy clotheslines him over the barricade and takes the announce table apart! Del Rio grabs a chair and smacks Randy in the back! Mike Chioda rings the bell as a disqualification! Del Rio talks trash to the crowd and rolls Randy into the ring…….RKO Outta Nowhere!!!! A longer match then I wanted it to be, another match just to warm up Randy Orton. No exciting moves or spots in this one.
Winner – Randy Orton

Backstage segment showing Heath Slater and Rhyno. Heath tries to get Rhyno to throw the match but he refuses.

Heath Slater vs Rhyno

Rhyno muscling Slater to open the match. Slater fights back with a series of moves getting a 2 count. Rhyno eventually hits a gore! 1…2…3! This match was bland as hell and a waste of a segment. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were about to give a contract to Heath but he interrupted them before they could offer it to him. He explodes and leaves telling them they don’t deserve him. A quick match that I was hoping Heath actually won. I think he is a good character and decent wrestler but he gets more television time then he needs.
Winner – Rhyno

Carmella vs Natalya

Carmella is aggressive coming out and Natalya puts a stop to it with back to back suplexes. Stomping her out in the corner. Mattie holds her with an arm stretch, talking to the ref gets schoolboy by Carmella to a near fall. A well executed abdominal stretch leading into a discus clothesline from Natalya to a near fall. Natalya goes for a sharpshooter but it is stopped by Carmella. Carmella and Natalya end up on the ground and Carmella applies a choke with her legs cranking it tighter…..and Natalya to much surprise taps out!! Carmella had zero offense in this match and her character is sinking fast in my view.
Winner – Carmella

They hype the John Cena, AJ Styles match. Baron Corbin beats up Kalisto backstage and yells at him that he cost him the intercontinental championship.

Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose vs Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan

Bray and Rowan immediately attack their opponents. Dean starts off against Bray, Ziggler tags himself in quickly. Bray a violent thrusting throat punch to Ziggler. Ziggler fights Bray off and gets clotheslined by Rowan illegally. Commercial. Back from the break Dolph and Bray trade punches, a missing back sexton leads to both men on the ground and a hot tag to Dean. Dean clotheslines and does his running bulldog. Dean clocks Rowan on the apron, leaping over into him. Bray takes control of Dean and tags in Rowan. Rowan aggressively hits Dean with big moves and a slap. Tag to Bray, a big bookend onto Deans back! Bray and Dean bounce off the ropes with Dean hitting a swinging neck breaker. Dean and Bray both makes tags. Ziegler takes control hitting big clotheslines followed by a few near falls. Ziegler is full of enegy again hitting a ddt. Rowan catches a superkick and reverses it with a nice spin kick clocking Rowan.Near fall Ziggler hits a zig zag..1……2..Bray Wyatt breaks it up and all 4 men go at it! Bray ends up outside the ring and a botched ugly suicide dive by Dean. Superkick by Ziggler on Rowan! 1…..2….3! Right after the match Dean Ambrose hits Dolph Ziggler with a dirty deeds!!
Winners – Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler

Another bad week of wrestling for RAW and Smackdown. This new era is not doing much to gain viewership. SummerSlam better be a great show otherwise I am going to complain online! Not too much to report on in the wrestling world. There were no big moves or impressive matches to entertain us with. Short segments, no storytelling. The writers for WWE seem to be on vacation.

Smackdown Live Results/Recap August 2nd, 2016

In the second week of the “new era” in wrestling, Monday Night Raw failed. Smackdown does not have to do much to top them this week. Shane McMahon has a lob pitch right down the middle, all he needs to do is make contact. Let’s see how the night goes……

The show starts with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan reliving Randy Orton’s RKO from last night with a huge group of security guards waiting. The Miz interrupts them, followed by Dean Ambrose. Daniel Bryan announces there will be a triple threat match for the new number 1 contender for the Intercontinental Championship featuring Baron Corbin, Kalisto, and Apollo Creed. Yes he said Apollo Creed. Dean Ambrose music hits and now the show starts from Nashville, Tennessee. Dean Ambrose says he is not a one hit wonder and is going to be the champ for a long time. He invites his opponent Dolph Ziggler to the ring for a friendly confrontation. Dolph Ziggler is way better than Dean in this promo, talking about how he started as a male cheerleader. Pretty boring trash talk back and forth with Dean ending it with “your not as a good as you say you are.” Dean bumps Ziggler and leaves the ring. The screen goes black with Bray Wyatt’s vignette, appearing in the ring hitting Ziggler with sister abigail! The crowd goes nuts as Bray challenges Dolph to a match tonight, winner taking the number 1 contender spot at SummerSlam!! The crowd erupts with a YES! Chant!!! (Bray Wyatt saved the start of the show)

Number 1 Contender Intercontinental Championship

Baron Corbin vs Kalisto vs Apollo Crews

The Miz is on commentary. YAWN* Corbin is in control early being the bigger man. Kalisto and Crews double team him knocking him to the outside. Kalisto hits a dive to the outside followed by a commercial. We return with Corbin standing and both men on the ground in the ring. Kalisto jumps off Apollo’s back and hits Corbin with a hurricanrana. Crews samoan drops Kalisto for a near fall. Corbin catches Kalisto off the top rope and gets drop kicked by Apollo to the outside. Schoolboy by Crews 1…..2…..3..! Apollo Crews is your new Number 1 contender!! All 3 men fight after the match with Miz interfering hitting his Skull Crushing Finale!! But Baron Corbin destroys all 3 men and leaves them on the floor as he stands above them.

Winner – Apollo Crews

Becky Lynch vs Eva Marie

Eva Marie enters second to a barrage of boos. Her entrance is so weird with that voiceover. Eva Marie appears to have a leg injury and the match is cancelled? Very sketchy situation? Can’t tell if it is real or fake? Cut to Carmella being interviewed by Renee Young, interrupted by Natalya arguing about absolutely nothing. Waste of a segment.

Vaudevillains vs American Alpha

The debut of Jason Jordan and Chad Gable! I am excited for this tag team match. Gable against Simon Gotch to start. All technical wrestling to start off with Gable impressively trading reversals. Tag to Jordan who hits a dropkick. Multiple tags to each member as Gable flies off the top rope hitting a double clothesline. The Vaudevillains take advantage of a window with double team moves. Gable fights back tagging Jordan with a hot tag. Jordan hits a variety of suplexes on both member. Spearing Aiden English into the corner, tagging Gable back in, hitting their finisher for the win! Decent match, unfortunately very quick following the Eva Marie episode.

Winner – American Alpha

AJ Styles comes out and wants John Cena. Cena’s music hits. Styles says he has a message for Cena, with the crowd barely chanting “Soccer Mom Hair.” AJ says he wants John Cena out of the WWE. AJ Styles makes fun of Tennessee. Then goes onto to hate on Cena’s fans starting with “idiot , delusional kids.” Then he makes fun of the parents who raise Cena fans. John responds saying the fans make up their own minds. “Let’s Go Cena, Cena Sucks!” chants begin. AJ asks John why he is still here? They trade disses, and Cena finally answers the question with I’m here out of love. He defends the kids and their parents with how he is in love with the WWE Universe. Cena pours his heart out in a long-winded segment defending his love for the company. AJ Styles challenges him to a match at SummerSlam. I feel like John Cena says the same thing in every promo about his hustle, loyalty and respect. Same exact in-ring promo segment from Cena we have always seen.

Fandango vs Randy Orton

Security is surrounding the ring in case Brock Lesnar retaliates. Randy is in control with the crowd chanting RKO! A dropkick by Fandango into a headlock while Tyler Breeze looks on. A series of clotheslines , a bodyslam and a second rope ddt knocks out Fandango. Brock Lesnar is shown by the barricade, he hops over the railing and F5’s Randy Orton. Suplex City chants erupt with Shane McMahon racing down the aisle telling Brock to leave. Security escorts him out of the arena. Very quick spot, felt like they could have definitely milked it a little more.

Heath Slater is shown in Daniel Bryan’s office begging for a contract. Daniel says he can have a match next week. His opponent is……Slater gets gored by Rhyno. Rhyno will be his opponent next week in a contract match.

Carmella enters rhyming on the microphone walking down the aisle. Natalya comes down the ramp and clotheslines Carmella. Putting her into the sharpshooter outside the apron. Carmella screams tapping out.

Bray Wyatt vs Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler starts face with a dropkick and a fame-asser to a two count. Bray rolls out and clotheslines a chasing Dolph. Back into the ring they go. Ziggler tries a schoolboy and lands on Bray’s ankle. He is definitely hurt, as they cut to commercial break. Come back from commercial and we see a superplex by Bray Wyatt. Spider walk into a 2 count near fall. Headlock for a couple of minutes by Bray. Ziggler finally fights back with a pair of clotheslines, followed by a stinger splash neckbreaker to a 2 count. Super kick caught into a suplex toss followed by a back senton by the new face of fear. Wyatt unties the turnbuckle wasting time, backing up right into a zig zag by Dolph. 1…….2…..kickout! Ziggler finishes the turnbuckle off and exposes it, sister abigail teased, Ziggler fights it off, Bray Wyatt bookends Dolph to a very close 2 count. Forearms and right hands by Bray knocking Ziggler down. Tossing him into the exposed turnbuckle missing it by an inch. Bray goes for the corner and gets tossed into the steel by Dolph! SuperKick!! 1….2…..3…!! Dolph Ziggler is still your number 1 contender going into SummerSlam. Dolph taunts Dean as Erick Rowan interferes and slams Ziggler down. Dean tries to help but gets tossed out by Rowan. Bray gets up and hits a long sister abigail!

Winner – Dolph Ziggler

On the second week, of the new era, WWE has lacked performance on both shows. RAW wasn’t entertaining at all with matches, nobody really cared about it except Seth Rollins vs Sami Zayn. Smackdown was extremely weird and unorganized. Daniel Bryan stuttered and messed up a whole bunch. The Eva Marie injury kind of seemed like a work but we will find out more during the week I guess. The segments were very quick and the matches didn’t perform well until the Main Event. Brock interfering was cool, but again it was over in the blink of an eye. As a fan who waits all week sometimes to watch wrestling, this week felt like they winged it on the spot for both shows. Overall the storytelling wasn’t there and I was not impressed at all with the shows this week. Sorry WWE!

WWE Smackdown Live! Results July 26, 2016

Smackdown has a huge task ahead of them because, Monday Night RAW was actually pretty good! You can see for yourself Clicking Here! Just like RAW, Smackdown Live has a  new set, which once again isn’t that different or creative. Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon introduce the night with a camera following them from backstage to the live crowd in Buffalo, NY. All Smackdown superstars stand on the apron of the ring, while Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan announce their will be a Number 1 contender for Dean Ambrose’s WWE Championship. Bryan says their will be a six-pack challenge match to determine the winner  First entrant is John Cena, followed by, Bray Wyatt! (my favorite wrestler) Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, and the phenomenal AJ Styles! The sixth spot is open to….. the winner of a battle royal starting right now! In my eyes just as good of a start to Smackdown as it was to RAW! I am excited for the second night in a row which is very rare given the recent WWE PPV’s. The commentating team consists of Mauro Ranallo, JBL, and David Otunga! (when is the last time you heard that name?)

Battle Royal

All wrestlers constantly try to eliminate each other to gain the upper hand. I can estimate about 16 wrestlers in this match. Elimination after elimination as the crowd watches in suspense. Whose it going to be? Breezango is working well together with a classic commercial interruption. A little fast considering we are only 16 minutes in and have had 2 breaks already! After the break we see the battle royal consisting of only 8 guys now. Alberto Del Rio takes control of the match but is quickly eliminated. After a few eliminations, we are down to the final four! Kane, Apollo Crews, Kalisto and Zack Ryder! I hope Crews wins! Crowd chanting Woo! Woo! Woo! for Zack Ryder. Exciting close drama with Zack Ryder botching a top rope move, slipping off the ropes! Kane eliminates Kalisto! Double broski boot on Kane and Apollo Crews. Giving Kane a chance to stand up and eliminate Zack Ryder by throat! Kane runs after Crews as he pulls the rope down and eliminates the big red machine! Apollo Crews is your 6th man in the number 1 contender match! Typical battle royal match, followed by an interview right near the apron by Renee Young with Apollo! A good way to start off the night let’s see how it continues.

In-between matches a vignette shows Shelton Benjamin returning to Smackdown! Which I reported first in this article HERE!

Natalya vs Becky Lynch
A rematch from Battleground which was not a bad match. A good technical exchange between the women with both female wrestlers taunting towards the crowd. Natalya behind the heel, Becky being face. Crowd chants Becky! Becky! The crowd cheers on energizing Becky Lynch. A few near falls, followed by another taunt by Natalya, and a commercial break. We continue with a series of aggressive forearms by Becky taking control of the match. She climbs to the top rope ascending with a flying leg drop across the throat of Natalya! 1….2….kickout! Sharpshooter attempt blocked with a german suplex on Becky. More submission attempts ending with a discus clothesline by Natalya to a close 2 count! A brief window opens as Becky Lynch locks in the disarmer for a tap out victory!! A Renee Young post interview is interrupted by Alexa Bliss and then Naomi! Carmella interrupts them introducing herself. And now Eva Marie’s music hits to a sea of boos! (I actually like Eva Marie) A strange entrance with a voiceover describing Eva Marie? Very unusual and weird honestly. A good match between Natalya and Becky Lynch, overshadowed by the introduction of the new era women which led to nothing unfortunately.

MizTv SegmOOOOHH! Maryse gets pissed and accepts the match on her husband’s behalf!

Randy Orton vs The Miz
This match seems to be a warmup match to get Randy back in the ballgame. Mis right away exits the ring. Miz tosses Randy out of the ring aggravating his right shoulder injury. He continues to stomp on it all over the ring. Throwing him into steel steps and rolling him back in the ring….RKO outta nowhere! Orton does not cover Miz, favoring his shoulder. Orton pumps the crowd up going into viper mode, hitting another RKO seconds later and now covering him for the 1….2….3! Randy Orton used 1 move twice in the match, which sends a message to Brock Lesnar, showing it only takes 1 RKO to send him to Viper Ville! A double segment between these guys not really showcasing a “new era” in Smackdown.

Heath Slater shows up and knocks out a random wrestler currently in the ring! He spews out frustration why he should have been drafted. Heath wants to be in the main event tonight! Heath starts the chant #SignHeathSlater , to the crowd’s approval, echoing on his side. Shane interrupts him asking for his resume.’ Heath Slater spits out his resume, while to much surprise………..Rhyno slips into the ring and GORES! Heath Slater! The crowd goes nuts as the hottest free agent Rhyno is signed to Smackdown!

Six Pack Challenge
Bray Wyatt vs John Cena vs Apollo Crews vs Dolph Ziggler vs AJ Styles vs Baron Corbin
Bray Wyatt enters first with his vintage…..”Buffalo“……..”I’m here,” to a good crowd ovation. Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, AJ Styles, and John Cena follow in that order. The match starts and 2 seconds later they go to commercial! Another awful break, by the geniuses at WWE and USA! We return with Styles and Wyatt working as a team clearing the ring. Ziggler slides back into the ring gaining a near fall on Bray. With Bray still down AJ hits a 450 splash to another near fall on Bray. Chaos ensues as AJ knocks out Cena, then gets tossed by Apollo Crews. Corbin showcases his skills against Apollo with a great amount of intensity. Baron and Apollo fight for a while. All other wrestlers are still on the outside of the ring. Again with a commercial break! We return to a double Tower of Doom Pyramid knocking all 6 guys to the floor! Once more we see only Apollo Crews and Baron Corbin alone in the ring with everyone else outside. A close fall by Crews after a powerbomb, with Wyatt pulling the referee out! Bray spider walks, hitting apollo with a sister abigail, followed by Ziggler hitting him with the Zig-Zag! Cena AA to Ziggler! Cena AA to Styles!! 1…..2…..kickout!! Cena AA’s everyone to a bunch of boos! AJ Styles hits a phenomenal Elbow off the top rope! Ziggler superkicks AJ Styles!! 1…..2……3…!! I am in shock that Dolph Ziggler won this match! I honestly would have rather have Cena win who I hate but I guess Dolph Ziggler does deserve his shot in the new era! Ziegler celebrates as Dean Ambrose’s music hits to a great big cheer, coming down to the ring. Taunting Ziggler with the belt in hand! Decent show put on by Smackdown but I think they lose the first matchup between RAW and Smackdown.

On one show Finn Balor is the winner, and the other Dolph Ziggler? Ziggler should have got his shot a long time ago, but I guess they are making up for lost time. Dean Ambrose against Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam only on the WWE Network! In my eyes Stephanie McMahon 1 Shane McMahon 0. How did you feel about this week’s show let me know in a comment below or tweet me @MAK10GATOR !!