This week’s episode of Smackdown opened up with Shane, Stephanie, Daniel Bryan and Mick Foley at their respective podiums. Mick Foley was going to announce the first pick of the draft but Stephanie McMahon interrupted him and shouted that the first pick of the draft is Seth Rollins. Daniel Bryan then announced that Smackdown’s first pick is Dean Ambrose. Mick Foley then announced that the second pick for Monday Night Raw was the Women’s Champion Charlotte. Shane McMahon then announced Smackdown’s second pick was AJ Styles. Mick Foley then announced that Raw is drafting NXT superstar Finn Balor.
John Cena vs Luke Gallows
AJ Styles and Karl Anderson joined Gallows ringside. AJ Styles was already sporting a Smackdown shirt. Enzo and Big Cass came out before the match started to even the odds with Styles and Anderson also outside the ring. It didn’t take long for everybody to wind up in the ring. Enzo and Cass tossed Styles and Anderson outside the ring. John Cena then hit the Attitude Adjustment on Gallows for the victory.
Reaction: Finally, Finn Balor will make his debut on the main roster. Neither Cena or Roman Reigns were selected in the top 5.
Love the pick of @wwebalor by Raw! #WWEDraft
— Howard Finkel (@howardfinkel) July 20, 2016
Mick Foley announced that Roman Reigns was Raw’s next selection. The crowd booed loudly and Stephanie McMahon didn’t seem to a big fan of that selection either. Shane McMahon then announced that John Cena is Smackdown’s next selection. Stephanie McMahon then announced that Brock Lesnar is the next selection for Monday Night Raw. Daniel Bryan then announced that Smackdown’s selection was Randy Orton. The New Day was then drafted to Monday Night Raw.
Rusev & the Miz vs Zack Ryder & Darren Young
This was a short match with Rusev dominating early. However, Zack Ryder and Darren Young battled back. It came down to the Miz and Darren Young in the ring. Darren Young locked in the Crossface Chickenwing and the Miz tapped out. Bob Backlund was ringside and when Young secured the victory, he started jumping around like a madman.
Reaction: Lesnar and Reigns on Monday Night Raw immediately generated steroid jokes on social media. I like the fact that John Cena and Randy Orton are going to Smackdown. Both shows have a mix of young talent and veterans. Smackdown has yet make a selection from the NXT roster.
Raw drafting Reigns and Lesnar writes its own joke.
— James Caldwell (@jctorch) July 20, 2016
Xavier Woods vs Bray Wyatt
All of the members of the Wyatt Family and the New Day were ringside for this match. Xavier Woods had that hypnotized look on his face pretty much the entire match and Bray Wyatt took advantage of it. As soon as Xavier Woods started to build some momentum it was halted with a Sister Abigail from Bray Wyatt. Mauro Ranallo then remarked that Xavier Woods better get his head on straight before the 6 man tag team match this Sunday at Battleground.
Kevin Owens vs Kane
Sami Zayn attacked Kevin Owens while he was walking down to the ring. Kevin Owens then caught Zayn with a kick in the face and instructed Kane to Chokeslam Zayn. Kane decided to Chokeslam both Zayn and Owens.
Stephanie McMahon then announced that Sami Zayn is Raw’s next draft pick. Shane McMahon then selected Bray Wyatt to join Smackdown. Mick Foley announced that Sasha Banks was Raw’s next selection. Daniel Bryan then announced that Becky Lynch was Smackdown’s next selection. Mick Foley then selected Chris Jericho to join Monday Night Raw.
Reaction: Hopefully Smackdown eventually drafts Kevin Owens to separate him from Sami Zayn. I find it interesting that Shane McMahon didn’t draft the entire Wyatt Family, instead just Bray Wyatt.
Kevin Owens will have the best year coming up to prove he was slighted… #WWEDraft
— David Herro (@DavidHerro) July 20, 2016
2 on 1 Match: Charlotte & Dana Brooke vs Sasha Banks
There was no way Sasha Banks was going to win this match as the odds were greatly stacked against her. Sasha got in some offense on Dana Brooke, but wound up being pinned by Charlotte after she hit the Natural Selection.
Mick Foley announced that Raw’s selection was Rusev and Lana. Daniel Bryan then selected Intercontinental Champion the Miz and Maryse. Stephanie McMahon then announced that Kevin Owens will be joining Raw. Shane McMahon then announced that Baron Corbin is heading to Smackdown. Mick Foley then selected Enzo & Cass for Monday Night Raw.
Reaction: Kevin Owens was finally drafted and wound up on the same show as Sami Zayn. I thought it was a certainty that Owens and Zayn would wind up on different shows, as usual I was incorrect.
https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/755459491685081088
Chris Jericho vs Cesaro
Jericho was mocking Cesaro before the match because he still hadn’t been drafted. This was a back and forth match with Cesaro getting in plenty of offense. Cesaro hit a bunch of uppercuts and also got Jericho in the Cesaro Swing. Cesaro spring-boarded himself off of the second rope and jumped right into a massive Codebreaker from Jericho. This led to Jericho pinning Cesaro for the victory.
Smackdown returned from a commercial break to Becky Lynch attacking Natalya. Last night on Monday Night Raw, Natalya attacked Lynch and tonight she got her revenge.
Stephanie McMahon then announced that they selected Gallows and Anderson. Daniel Bryan then announced that the tag team American Alpha from NXT will be heading to Smackdown. Mick Foley then selected the Big Show for Monday Night Raw. Shane McMahon then selected Dolph Ziggler for Smackdown. Stephanie McMahon then selected Nia Jax from NXT to join Raw’s roster.
Reaction: I cannot believe Cesaro hasn’t been yet. American Alpha heading to Smackdown is awesome. The crowd didn’t seem to excited when it was announced that the Big Show would be joining Monday Night Raw. Gallows and Anderson joining Fill Balor on Raw may finally allow us to see the long rumored “Balor Club”.
How has Cesaro not been picked yet and the Big Show has?? #WWEDraft
— Champ (@ChampChong) July 20, 2016
Stephanie McMahon announced that Neville will be heading to Monday Night Raw. Daniel Bryan then selected Natalya to join the Smackdown roster. Mick Foley then finally selected Cesaro to join the Raw roster. Shane McMahon announced that Alberto Del Rio is heading to Smackdown. Mick Foley then selected Sheamus for Monday Night Raw.
Here are the drafts that were shown on TV! #SmackDownLive pic.twitter.com/AHpRxMesuA
— Best Of The Word (@BOTWNews) July 20, 2016
WWE Championship Match: Dean Ambrose (c) vs Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins attacked Dean Ambrose before the match even started. This match quickly devolved into a brawl with a lot of the action taking place outside of the ring. Seth Rollins hit a gigantic Superplex on Dean Ambrose, but Ambrose popped right back up and hit the Dirty Deeds on Rollins. Ambrose then pinned Rollins and retained his WWE Championship. After the match, Ambrose put on his Smackdown shirt and celebrated in the ring with Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon.
Reaction: As of now, it seems like Monday Night Raw has the more star-studded roster. However, Smackdown has the WWE Champion Dean Ambrose, but that could change if either Roman Reigns or Seth Rollins wins this Sunday at Battleground.
DIRTY DEEDS by @TheDeanAmbrose!!
The #LunaticFringe is STILL your @WWE Champion!! #SmackDownLIVE pic.twitter.com/JW7hblAe5i— WWE (@WWE) July 20, 2016
What did you think of this week’s episode of Smackdown? Which show’s roster do you think is better? Let us know in the comments below.
