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WWE Smackdown & 205 Live Reaction (12/20)

Robert Lentini
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WWE Smackdown & 205 Live Reaction (12/20)

WWE Smackdown (12/20)

WWE Championship Match: AJ Styles (c) vs James Ellsworth

Ellsworth went for No Chin Music early but Styles blocked and connected with several punches to Ellsworth’s ridiculous face. Styles then quickly pinned Ellsworth and the match was over. After the match, Styles launched Ellsworth into the announce table and the crowd broke out in a “yes!” chant. Styles then drove Ellsworth head into the steel steps outside the ring. Styles then smashed Ellsworth’s head into a support beam under the ring. Styles walked away for a moment but returned to Suplex Ellsworth into the barricade surrounding the ring.

Styles grabbed a microphone and stated that he had been waiting a long time to do that Ellsworth. Styles claimed that he didn’t have to ask for anything for Christmas because he has it all. Dolph Ziggler then interrupted and poked fun at Styles because it took four tries for him to defeat James Ellsworth. Styles called Ziggler a loser and stated that their match would be an easy victory. Ziggler stated that he would do absolutely anything to get his hands on the WWE Championship. While this conversation was happening, Ellsworth was stretchered out of the arena.

Baron Corbin came down to the ring and joined the party. AJ Styles and left the ring as Corbin stared at Ziggler. Corbin claimed that it should be him fighting Styles for the title and not Ziggler. Corbin went on to say that Ziggler doesn’t steal the show, he steals opportunities and he wastes them. Corbin then attacked Ziggler and planted him with the End of Days. The segment ended with Baron Corbin and AJ Styles staring at each other.

Winner & Still WWE Champion: AJ Styles

Reaction: Thankfully, the Styles and Ellsworth match was quick. I was happy to see Corbin show up and confront Ziggler. Corbin will face Ziggler late on tonight and if he defeats him, he will be the one fighting for the WWE Championship next week. I’m much more interested in that match rather than Ziggler getting another shot at the title. Styles and Ziggler can put on a terrific match, but there is no way in hell Ziggler will win that match. If Corbin wins tonight he most likely will lose to Styles next week as well. However, it is someone new in the main event picture and I’m all for that.

Dolph Ziggler was shown backstage with Daniel Bryan. Ziggler demanded a match with Baron Corbin tonight. Bryan agreed but stated that if Dolph Ziggler loses, Baron Corbin will take Ziggler’s place in the WWE Championship match next week on Smackdown.

Intercontinental Championship Match: The Miz (c) vs Apollo Crews

Apollo Crews started out the match on the offensive and tried to end it early with a couple of roll ups. Crews then connected with a Dropkick and went for another pinfall but Miz kicked out. The Miz rolled out of the ring but Crews followed him and continued the attack. Crews landed a Moonsault from the ring apron onto The Miz outside the ring. Back in the ring, Crews hit a Crossbody off of the top rope. The Miz once again rolled out of the ring and Smackdown went to a commercial break.

When Smackdown returned, Apollo Crews was still in control of the match. Maryse tried to interfere in the match but referee Mike Chioda and threw her out. Maryse freaked out and walked backstage. Chioda accidentally got kicked by Crews and that allowed The Miz to poke Crews in the eye. The Miz followed it up with the Skull Crushing Finale for the victory.

Renee Young interviewed The Miz after the match. Renee suggested that The Miz was obsessed with Dean Ambrose. The Miz found that funny and stated that Renee was the one sleeping with him. The crowd then loudly applauded and Renee slapped The Miz in the face.

Winner & Still Intercontinental Champion: The Miz

Reaction: The Miz continues to be the best heel in the WWE. The match with Crews was solid but his insult to Renee Young was epic. Dean Ambrose and The Miz have the potential to have an incredibly entertaining feud. After seeing Ambrose’s title reign earlier this year, I think he might be better off holding the IC Title and eventually working his way back up the WWE Championship.

Natalya, Nikki Bella and Carmella were all in the ring. Carmella once again called Natalya a liar and wondered if some of that silicone had leaked into Nikki’s brain. Carmella stated that Natalya claimed that the only reason the Bella Twins were in the WWE was because nobody cared about them when they tried to make it on their own. Nikki Bella asked Natalya is she did say those things and Natalya admitted it. Nataltya then chased Carmella up the entrance ramp and launched her into the Christmas tree. Natalya then admitted that she attacked Nikki at Survivor Series. Natalya went on the call Nikki a bitch and stated that she got everything handed to her because she is beautiful. Natalya then stated that Nikki Bella is nothing and that John Cena will never marry her.

Reaction: The first hour of Smackdown has been very good. I was hoping Natalya would not be the one who attacked Nikki at Survivor Series. However, if she is going to continue to cut promos like the one tonight then I’m fine with it.

Daniel Bryan and Alexa Bliss had a conversation backstage. Alexa Bliss was still pretending to be injured. Daniel Bryan announced that Becky Lynch will be facing Alexa Bliss for the Smackdown Women’s Championship next week.

Luke Harper vs Dean Ambrose

Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt were ringside for this match. Harper controlled the contest early and had Ambrose locked in the Torture Rack. Ambrose fought his way out of it but was immediately launched into the second turnbuckle. Harper then booted Dean in the face and Ambrose tumbled out of the ring. Dean Ambrose battled back and hit an Elbow Drop onto both Orton and Wyatt outside the ring. Ambrose then got back into the ring and Luke Harper greeted him with a Powerbomb. Dean Ambrose wound up stealing the match with a roll up.

After the match, Orton and Wyatt attacked Ambrose in the ring. Wyatt had Ambrose set up for the Sister Abigail but he threw Ambrose towards Orton and he hit the RKO. The new Wyatt family then posed in the ring as Ambrose was knocked out. The lights turned off and the Wyatts disappeared. Ambrose struggled to get to his feet and The Miz stormed down to the ring. The Miz then hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Ambrose and shared a kiss with Maryse. The segment ended with The Miz raising the Intercontinental title over his head as Ambrose laid on the mat.

Winner: Dean Ambrose

Reaction: Even though Harper lost the match, he controlled it throughout. The Wyatts are relevant again and that is a good thing. For far too long, Bray Wyatt has been the most underutilized Superstar on the roster. Randy Orton has been an awesome addition to the Wyatt family and has made them a dominant force once again.

 

Alexa Bliss vs La Luchadora

The great La Luchadora controlled the match early. Alexa Bliss got in some offense but La Luchadora applied the Dis-Arm-Her for the submission victory. Of course, La Luchadora took off her mask and it was Becky Lynch. Becky now has all the momentum heading into their Women’s Championship match next week.

Winner: La Luchadora (Becky Lynch)

Mojo Rawley vs Curt Hawkins

Ryan Phillippe was on commentary for this match to promote his show “Shooter” that airs on the USA Network. This was a quick match with Mojo Rawley picking up the victory. After the match, Rawley and Phillippe celebrated in the ring.

Winner: Mojo Rawley

Reaction: This was a random match. The only thing I can think of that Hawkins and Rawley may wind up being a tag team due to Zack Ryder’s injury. It could have also been a completely meaningless match so that Ryan Phillippe could talk about Shooter for a few minutes.

Baron Corbin vs Dolph Ziggler 

AJ Styles joined commentary for this match. Ziggler hit a Dropkick in the beginning of the match and Corbin rolled out of the ring. Corbin then took control of the match and dominated Ziggler for the next several minutes. Baron Corbin smashed Ziggler’s head into the LED ring post and Smackdown went to a commercial break.

Dolph Ziggler landed a Fameasser on Corbin and went for the pinfall but Corbin kicked out. Corbin then regained control of the match. Corbin took a break from beating Ziggler down to shout at AJ Styles who was sitting at the announcer’s table. Ziggler once again battled back and landed the Zig Zag. Ziggler went for the pinfall but Corbin kicked out. David Otunga spent the entire match mocking AJ Styles because Styles appeared to be afraid of facing Baron Corbin next week. Styles cheered Ziggler on throughout the match.

Corbin hit a Deep Six on Ziggler but once again Dolph kicked out. Corbin launched Ziggler into the barricade outside the ring. Corbin then threw Dolph Ziggler into AJ Styles at the announce table. Ziggler connected with a Superkick but the referee counted both Superstars out. AJ Styles then got back up and hit both Ziggler and Corbin with a chair several times. Daniel Bryan then came down to the entrance ramp and announced that Styles will defend the WWE Championship against Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler in a Triple Threat match next week.

Reaction: The first hour of this week’s Smackdown was excellent. The show slowed down a bit in the second hour. The Mojo Rawley and Curt Hawkins match was not entertaining at all. Having said that, the main event was solid and next week’s episode of Smackdown is shaping up to be an awesome show. In fact, next week’s Smackdown kind of feels like a PPV with all of the title matches taking place.

205 Live (12/20)

Ariya Daivari vs Lince Dorado

Daivari dominated Dorado early and connected with a massive Clothesline. Daivari followed it up with a Chinlock. Dorado battled back and hit a Stunner onto Daivari. Lince Dorado then connected with a Suicide Dive onto Daivari outside the ring. Daivari saved a bad botch here because Dorado came up short and was falling head first. Daivari was able to catch him and prevent him from hitting his head on the floor. That could have been really ugly if Daivari didn’t catch him at the last second. Back in the ring, Daivari hit a Frog Splash and won the match. After the match, Daivari called Jack Gallagher a scoundrel.

Winner: Ariya Daivari

https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/811409191080341504

Neville and Brian Kendrick had a conversation backstage. Neville informed Kendrick that while he is partner tonight in their match, he does not consider Kendrick his friend.

Cedric Alexander vs Drew Gulak

The match started out back and forth but Gulak eventually took control. Alicia Fox was ringside for the match and she was cheering Alexander on. Alexander connected with a Springboard Clothesline off of the top rope. Alicia Fox started slamming on the mat and the remaining audience started cheering Alexander on. Alexander then Suplexed Gulak and himself out of the ring. Drew Gulak then shoved Alexander into Alicia Fox.

Gulak started to beatdown Alexander in the corner as Alicia Fox held her ankle ringside. Noam Dar then came down to the ring and carried Alicia Fox backstage. Alexander hit the Lumbar Check on Gulak for the victory. Alexander then sprinted backstage after Dar and Alicia Fox. After the match, Drew Gulak was interviewed and he blamed the loss on Alicia Fox. Gulak stated that women do not belong on 205 Live and angrily walked backstage.

Winner: Cedric Alexander

https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/811412520309096448

Noam Dar was backstage with Alicia Fox and he was holding an ice pack on her ankle. Alexander showed up and thanked Dar for helping Alica but informed him that he has got things from her. Dar then put his hand on Alicia’s back and stated that if she ever needed anything he would be there.

Brian Kendrick & Neville vs Rich Swann & TJ Perkins

Neville dominated Swann for the first few minutes of the match. Perkins got in the match and went on the offensive on Neville. Brian Kendrick tagged himself in and continued the assault on Perkins. Neville was annoyed that Kendrick tagged himself in the match. Perkins hit a Senton on Kendrick as Swann was still recovering from the beating he took in the beginning of the match.

Swann tagged himself in and he was immediately beaten down again by Kendrick. Swann fought back and connected with a few kicks. Kendrick caught Swann and hit slammed his head into the mat. Kendrick then tagged in Neville and Neville landed a massive German Suplex. Swann landed a Superkick on Neville and went for the pinfall but Neville kicked out at two.

Kendrick once again tagged himself in and Swann tagged in Perkins. TJ beat down Kendrick and landed a Detonation Kick on Kendrick. Perkins then applied the Knee Bar to Kendrick but Neville broke up the hold with a Dropkick. Swann then tagged himself in and connected with a kick to the head of Neville. Swann and Perkins connected with a Superkick to Brian Kendrick. Swann went for the pinfall but Kendrick got his foot on the bottom rope.

Back in the ring, Kendrick hit Sliced Bread and followed it up with the Captain’s Hook. Perkins was able to dive into the ring and break the hold. Neville then launched Perkins out of the ring and then was tagged into the match. Neville then taunted Swann but Swann responded by landing a right hand. Swann then tagged in Perkins but Neville landed a massive kick to TJ’s head. Kendrick then hit a Suicide Dive onto Swann outside the ring. Neville hit the Red Arrow on Perkins in the ring for the victory.

Winners: Brian Kendrick & Neville

https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/811418114688622592

Reaction: 205 Live was solid once again this week. Corey Graves, Mauro Ranallo and Austin Aries do a great job calling the action on this show. I am enjoying the Noam Dar, Cedric Alexander and Alicia Fox storyline. It is a simple storyline but I find it entertaining. Drew Gulak’s promo after his loss was also entertaining. It was completely random and I never thought we would see a sexist character on 205 Live. The main event was also a good match. Neville adds a lot to the show and the crowd reacts when he is in the ring. If Austin Aries also joins the Cruiserweight division, I think the division will be in good shape. Having said all of that, the crowd is still a major issue for this show. 205 Live has typically runs 45 minutes or so and it is nothing but solid wrestling. It should be a great show but the lack of energy from the crowd is really holding it back. I don’t know what the solution to this is but I do know that the crowd was exhausted from sitting through an entire episode of Smackdown. The WWE is asking too much from their audience. You can’t go from a Ziggler/Corbin match to a Daivari/Dorado match and expect the audience to be excited. It is just never going to happen.

What did you think of this week’s episodes of Smackdown and 205 Live? Let us know in the comments below.

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