This week’s episode of Smackdown kicked off with Seth Rollins calling out anyone in the locker room to face hm in the main event. Sami Zayn came down to the ring and Rollins instantly began to mock him. Rollins called Zayn the perfect person for him to make an example out of. Dean Ambrose then interrupted and a crew set up the set for the Ambrose Asylum. Dean Ambrose took out a marker and drew a title belt on the Ambrose Asylum sign and referred to it as the”Championship Edition”. Sami Zayn wanted to have the match right away but Rollins refused and wouldn’t fight until the main event. The segment ended with Rollins storming off enraged while Zayn and Ambrose laughed at him.
Reaction: Rollins versus Zayn sounds like a great main event. Ambrose randomly showing up and having an impromptu Ambrose Asylum was good stuff. It appears he has replaced his potted plant with a cactus.
Cesaro vs Alberto Del Rio
Cesaro had the upper-hand for the early part of this match, hitting Del Rio with a bunch of Upper-Cuts. Del Rio regained some momentum, hitting a Backstabber out of nowhere, followed by an awesome kick to the face. Cesaro was looking like he was going to lose, but countered into The Neutralizer for the victory. After the match, the announcer’s said that this win meant that Cesaro is still a viable contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Reaction: This was a good match, I was more intrigued by what the announcers were saying after the match. I figured that after Money in the Bank, Cesaro would fade back into the Intercontinental Title picture, but Mauro Ranallo seemed to make it a point to mention that Cesaro was still vying for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Apollo Crews vs Sheamus
This match was back and forth throughout. Apollo Crews once again looked good in the match, but Sheamus wound up getting the victory. Sheamus won via count out after a brutal Brogue Kick to the back of the head of Apollo Crews outside the ring. The kick sent Crews flying into the steel steps outside the ring and he was unable to recover before the referee counted to ten.
Reaction: This was a rematch to their Money in the Bank match, which I actually thought was pretty decent. Crews stole a victory in that match by rolling up Sheamus. Now, Sheamus got his revenge on Crews and this feud will most likely continue for a bit longer.
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The Club and AJ Styles are backstage when the Usos confront them. The banter between the two teams wound up leading to a singles match between AJ Styles and Jimmy Uso. Jimmy Uso went to shake Styles’ hand and then pulled his hand away and laughed at him.
AJ Styles vs Jimmy Uso
Styles tried to pick up the victory by bashing Uso’s head into the ring apron for the count out. Uso was able to recover, but never could get any real momentum. Every time Jimmy Uso tried to do something, Styles countered it and beat him down. Jimmy Uso hit a big time Super Kick on Styles, but The Club showed up and attacked Jey Uso who was standing outside the ring. Jimmy Uso was distracted by this and went out to confront The Club. Styles then leaped outside the ring and hit the Phenomenal Forearm on Jimmy Uso. Styles then rolled Jimmy Uso back in the ring and hit another Phenomenal Forearm for the victory.
Reaction: Styles gave his “wordski” that The Club wouldn’t get involved in the match and of course they did. Styles and The Club continue to be solid heels. Hopefully, this was just a match to kill some time and doesn’t result in a Club/Usos feud again.
New Day vs the Vaudevillians
The Vaudevillians started off on a roll in this match. It was looking like they were finally going to get a big victory in the WWE until Big E was tagged in. Big E came in and hit three belly-to-belly suplexes on Simon Gotch. After taking out Aiden English outside the ring, Kofi and Big E hit the Midnight Hour on Simon Gotch for the victory.
After the match, the Wyatt family showed up on the screen and Bray Wyatt was angry that the New Day interrupted his return on Monday Night Raw. Xavier Woods once again looked possessed by the Wyatt Family.
Reaction: The New Day won this match quite easily. The Vaudevillians look like they heading for obscurity which is unfortunate. On a positive note, I am interested in the New Day/ Wyatt feud. The WWE keeps hinting at Xavier Woods joining the Wyatt Family, I wouldn’t mind seeing that just to change things up.
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Becky Lynch vs Dana Brooke
Becky hit an Inverted DDT, but Charlotte jumps onto the ring apron and distracts Becky Lynch. As Becky is distracted, Dana Brooke sneaks up behind her and rolls her up for the victory. After the match, Charlotte and Dana Brooke beat down Becky Lynch. Sasha Banks came out for the save and confronted Charlotte. The two were about to fight, but Charlotte rolled out of the ring. Dana Brooke attacked Sasha Banks from behind, but she was quickly put in the Bank Statement. Charlotte retreated and did not help Dana Brooke.
Reaction: This was another incredibly short women’s match. I think the Inverted DDT was the only actual wrestling move in the match. Sasha Banks versus Charlotte will be an entertaining in the future. However, I don’t understand why the WWE cannot provide a decent women’s wrestling match here and there. Instead, they seem to be stuck in the pattern of having a one or two minute match, followed by three minutes of a beatdown or the Superstars posing in celebration. Dana Brooke winning off a Charlotte distraction makes sense, it just seemed like it happened before the match could even get started. The entrances were 3 times longer than the actual match.
Seth Rollins vs Sami Zayn
Dean Ambrose joined the announcer’s table for the match. During the beginning of this match, Seth Rollins seemed more interested in taunting Sami Zayn. He was laughing at him and throwing measly kicks at him when he had Zayn on the ground. Rollins was treating the match like a walk in the park, his mood changed when Zayn almost Clotheslined his head off. Sami Zayn hit his second Blue Thunder Bomb of the night, but Rollins kicked out at two. Zayn hit a massive Tornado DDT on Rollins and went to hit the Helluva Kick but Seth rolled out of the ring. Zayn then hit the Tope Con Hilo on Rollins while he was outside the ring. Zayn rolled Rollins back into the ring, but as Zayn was rolling the ring, Rollins caught him and hit the Pedigree.
Rollins celebrated his victory and then began to taunt Dean Ambrose right outside the ring. Rollins went over to Ambrose and grabbed his title and then pushed his chair over. Ambrose responded by attacking Rollins and going for the Dirty Deeds, but Rollins was able to escape.
Reaction: Of course Rollins and Zayn were able to put on a quality wrestling match. The show ending with Rollins and Ambrose brawling was entertaining. It is going to have to be for the next 30 days, given that they are the only two that can hype the Battleground main event due to Roman Reigns’ suspension.
What did you think of this week’s Smackdown? Let us know in the comments below.
