Sasha Banks vs Dana Brooke
Just like on Monday Night Raw, Sasha Banks defeated Dana Brooke via the Bank Statement. After the match, Charlotte attacked Sasha Banks and shouted that Banks would never beat her. Charlotte and Dana Brooke stood tall and exited the ring as Sasha Banks laid in agony by the announcer’s table.
Reaction: Sasha Banks has all the momentum in the world right now and it is hard to see her not defeating Charlotte for the Women’s Championship very soon.
Rusev vs Dolph Ziggler
In the beginning, this match was back and forth but everything changed when Zack Ryder’s music hit. Ryder came down to the ring and completely threw Rusev off of his game. Ziggler wound up taking advantage of the distraction Ryder provided and rolled Rusev up for the pinfall victory. After the match, Rusev was angry about what had just transpired and started throwing monitors around.
Reaction: It is a good sign that Zack Ryder got some revenge for what happened on Monday Night Raw this week, where he lost to Sheamus and then was beat down by Rusev. However, it still seems like a long-shot that Zack Ryder defeats Rusev at WWE Battleground and becomes the new United States Champion.
Enzo & Cass vs AJ Styles and Karl Anderson
The match started off with Enzo and AJ Styles in the ring. Enzo got the upper-hand early and connected with a big Dropkick that sent Styles flying into the corner. Styles tags in Anderson and Amore tags in Big Cass. As to be expected, Big Cass dominates and it culminated with him launching Enzo onto the Club outside the ring. Cass winds up tagging Enzo back into the match and they lose all of their momentum. Styles and Anderson dominate Enzo. Every single time Enzo went to tag in Cass, either Styles or Anderson prevented it. Enzo was giving it everything he had, but in the end it was too much. Gallows distracted Cass and AJ Styles locked in the Calf Crusher on Enzo for the submission victory.
Reaction: This was an enjoyable match that once again highlighted the fact that Enzo seems to be the weak link of the tag team. With the 6 man tag team match at WWE Battleground rapidly approaching, I wouldn’t mind seeing Enzo shine in a match on either Raw or Smackdown next week.
https://twitter.com/clutchdom23/status/753766192460894211
Kalisto vs Tyler Breeze
Tyler Breeze tried to pin Kalisto four times in a row during this match and seemed shocked every time Kalisto kicked out. Kalisto showed off his athleticism in this match and earned the pinfall victory via the Salida del Sol.
MizTV segment with Darren Young and Bob Backlund
The Miz showed a video package of Bob Backlund highlights in the beginning of this segment. After that, the Miz stated that he also compiled some highlights of Darren Young’s career. However, when he directed everyone’s attention to the screen there were no highlights to be seen. Instead, a no signal screen appeared and the Miz claimed that he couldn’t find any highlights of Darren Young on the WWE Network. Miz claimed that when he typed Young’s name into the search bar, there were no results. This upset Backlund and he lashed out at the Miz. Backlund claimed that a champion should be a role model and the Miz isn’t worthy of holding the title. Maryse then interjected with an awful joke claiming that 1982 called and they said to tell Backlund that he is old. Darren Young then gets angry and gets in the Miz’s face. Darren Young challenges the Miz to do something about it but the Miz declines. Instead of fighting Young, the Miz retreated.
According to @mikethemiz, @DarrenYoungWWE has a long way to go before reaching coach #BobBacklund level. #SmackDown https://t.co/GLoPJBxwNU
— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2016
Even though Sasha Banks defeated Dana Brooke to kick off this week’s episode of Smackdown, it is revealed that she still won’t be getting her title shot at WWE Battleground. Charlotte stated that she signed a contract for a match with Banks at the PPV, but it is a tag team match and Banks has to find a partner.
Kevin Owens vs Dean Ambrose
Before the match begins, Seth Rollins’ music hit. Seth Rollins joined the announcer’s table for the match and it immediately distracted Dean Ambrose. Kevin Owens realized this and hit Ambrose with a couple of punches right when the match started. This match didn’t last too long as Seth Rollins attacked Ambrose outside the ring. Sami Zayn then ran down to the ring and started brawling with Kevin Owens. This match of course then turned into a tag team match.
Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins vs Sami Zayn & Dean Ambrose
Ambrose and Owens start off the tag team match. After Owens launched Ambrose into the barricade, he tagged in Seth Rollins. Ambrose and Zayn recaptured the momentum in the match when they each hit a Pescado on Rollings and Owens outside the ring. Ambrose also connected with a flying elbow onto a standing Kevin Owens in the ring. As Ambrose hit a running Bulldog on Owens, Rollins tagged himself in. Ambrose countered Rollins’ Pedigree and tagged Sami Zayn in. Zayn went to hit the Hulluva Kick on Rollins but Owens distracted him. Ambrose then dove onto Owens outside the ring but Owens caught him and sent him flying into the steel steps outside the ring. During all of this chaos, Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn were battling in the ring. Rollins was able to connect with a Pedigree and pinned Sami Zayn for the victory. Owens went to Powerbomb Sami Zayn outside the ring but Dean Ambrose prevented it. Ambrose then brawled with Rollins in the ring. Dean Ambrose went for the Dirty Deeds, but Rollins was able to wiggle out of it and retreated.
Reaction: I enjoyed this main event and this week’s episode of Smackdown. I didn’t think it was possible to get me interested in a Darren Young/Miz match, but their promo was solid.
Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins get the final win on the final Thursday Night Smackdown…good stuff!! Can't wait for it to go live #Smackdown
— The Wrestling Outsiders🤘 (@TWO_Sweeet) July 15, 2016
What did you think of this week’s Smackdown? Let us know in the comments below.