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WWE Smackdown Reaction 7/7/2016

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Written by

Robert Lentini

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This week’s episode of Smackdown started off with Dean Ambrose interrupting JoJo and stated that he wanted to give ring announcing a try. Given that he is the WWE Champion, Ambrose grabs the mic and becomes the guest ring announcer for the first match. Ambrose introduces Jey Uso and Seth Rollins. Ambrose introduced Rollins as Seth “scumbag” Rollins.

Jey Uso vs Seth Rollins

Rollins was clearly annoyed with the introduction he received from Dean Ambrose. As to be expected, Ambrose did not leave ringside and took a seat by the announcer’s table. During the match, Ambrose grabbed the mic again and told the audience to buy his merchandise at the store before leaving the arena. As Rollins was laying in pain outside the ring, Ambrose announced that 5 minutes had elapsed in the match and this would be a good time to go to a commercial break. After the commercial, Seth Rollins had regained control of the match. Rollins knocked Jey Uso to the outside and followed it up with a knee to the face off of the ring apron. Seth Rollins was about to do a move off of the top rope of the turnbuckle when Dean Ambrose announced that someone in the arena’s car was about to be towed. This distraction allowed Jey Uso to regain momentum which led to a Pop Up Samoan Drop, but Rollins was able to kick out at two. Rollins went for a Super Kick to Jey Uso, but Uso ducked and hit Rollins with a Super Kick of his own. Rollins was able to kick out of the Super Kick and shortly after he hit the Pedigree on Uso for the victory. As Rollins pinned Jey Uso, he was staring at Dean Ambrose the entire time. After the match, Rollins demanded that Ambrose announce to the arena that the winner of the match was Seth Rollins. Dean Ambrose hopped on top of the commentary table and announced Rollins as the winner, albeit with a few insults sprinkled in. Ambrose then went into the ring and Rollins retreated. Ambrose claimed that he was going to raise Rollins’ hand, but instead decided to raise his own WWE Championship. Ambrose then claimed that his hand will once again be raised at WWE Battleground when he defends his title against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.

Reaction: Jey Uso and Seth Rollins put on a solid match and Dean Ambrose’s little comments outside the ring was entertaining. Rollins referring to Roman Reigns as a cheater is still bizarre to me because it seems like the WWE is hoping that will get the audience to boo Rollins and cheer for Reigns when he makes his return at Battleground. I would venture to guess that it just brings more attention to the fact that Reigns is suspended and when he returns the negative reaction will be worse than it was before his suspension. It seems that the WWE is banking on the opposite reaction and that strategy is baffling to say the least.

Sheamus vs Zack Ryder

Right off the bat, Sheamus was demolishing Ryder. The anger Sheamus was showing throughout the match was due to Ryder pinning him on Monday Night Raw. A faint “lets go Ryder” occurred for a second, but the crowd became quiet once again as Sheamus continued to beat down Ryder. Sheamus and Ryder were fighting on the top turnbuckle when Ryder was able to knock Sheamus off the ropes and he fell to the ring. Ryder then hit the Elbrow Drop for the victory. After the win, Ryder was interviewed at the top of the entrance ramp. He was asked what was next for him and Ryder stated that he wanted to recapture the United States Championship. Zack Ryder then officially challenged Rusev to a match for the title.

Reaction: This was looking like a squash match and an easy victory for Sheamus. Ryder getting the victory out of nowhere was a pleasant surprise, given the fact that he got the victory for Team USA on Raw. I thought it was a sure thing that Ryder would go right back to his role as the guy who never wins a match, clearly that is not the case. Zack Ryder versus Rusev is at the very least something new and I can’t complain about that. Ryder also debuted his new theme song on Smackdown. Rusev was later interviewed backstage and stated that he wanted to speak to Ryder face to face on Monday Night Raw.

Becky Lynch was walking down the ramp for her match when she was attacked from behind by Natalya. Jerry Lawler claimed that he loved Natalya’s new attitude. Natalya put Becky Lynch in the Sharpshooter as the crowd booed. Natalya will face off against Becky Lynch at WWE Battleground.

Enzo and Big Cass come down to the ring to explain why they became allies with John Cena on Monday Night Raw. Big Cass claimed that them helping out Cena was to send a message to the Club. As soon as he said that, AJ Styles’ music hits and the Club showed up on the entrance ramp. This all leads to a singles match between Styles and Enzo Amore.

AJ Styles vs Enzo Amore

Enzo Amore got off to a hot start and knocked AJ Styles out of the ring. The Club came to Styes’ aid and Amore went to launch himself outside the ring on top of all three of them. However, Amore completely botched this and hit the top rope while jumping and fell short of Styles and the Club. Amore recovered and took control of the match once again. Amore’s momentum was shot lived however, as Styles systematically started taking Enzo apart. Big Cass was outside the ring trying to get the crowd to make noise to pump up Enzo. It worked as Amore landed a few jabs on AJ. Styles then countered with a vicious Suplex into the turnbuckle. Syles went to Suplex Amore off the top rope but Enzo pushed him off. Enzo then hit a gigantic leaping DDT and Styles looked dazed. Big Cass took out both Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows outside the ring, but Styles was able to hit the Styles Clash on Enzo for the victory.

Reaction: Aside from the botch, this was an entertaining match. I’m glad Big Cass and Enzo sort of explained why they helped out Cena on Raw because at the time it felt random.

Chris Jericho is backstage looking for his blue scarf when he sees Kevin Owens wearing it. Owens claimed that he found the scarf and was interested in getting a similar one for his wife. Chris Jericho became enraged at Owens when he realized that there was a stain on it from Owens eating popcorn. Jericho demanded that Owens give him money for dry cleaning so he can wash his $750 scarf. Kevin Owens obliges and gives him a fistful of quarters and a jolly rancher. Owens also tells Jericho that he will be ringside for his match with Sami Zayn later in the night. Jericho responded by calling Owens a stupid idiot.

The Miz vs Kalisto

This match was made because the Miz wanted to fight whomever threw potato salad at Maryse during the food fight that took place on the July 4th edition of Raw. Kalisto was looking to launch himself onto the Miz outside the ring, but Maryse got in the way and Kalisto stopped. This allowed the Miz to get the upper hand in the match. The Miz had Kalisto trapped in the corner and was hitting him repeatedly with knees and punches. Kalisto was able to battle back and almost pinned twice with a couple of roll up pins. The Miz was able to kick out and shortly after he hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the victory.

Reaction: Alas, the Miz finally gets his revenge for the potato salad incident three days ago.

Sasha Banks was interviewed backstage by Renee Young. Banks was then interrupted by Charlotte who was dressed like Sasha. Dana Brooke challenged Sasha Banks to a match on Monday Night Raw and the challenge was accepted.

It was revealed that Brock Lesnar will be facing Randy Orton at Summerslam.

Sami Zayn vs Chris Jericho

Kevin Owens joined the announcer’s table for the match. The crowd broke out in an Ole’ chant as soon as the match started. During the match, Kevin Owens claimed that he will end Zayn’s career at Battleground.

The match was back and forth throughout, but the match seemed like it was going to turn when Zayn hit a Tornado DDT on Jericho. Zayn and Jericho were fighting outside the ring when Kevin Owens purposefully splashed Gatorade all over Zayn. This led to Zayn launching Jericho into Kevin Owens. Zayn went to hit Jericho with the Helluva Kick, but Kevin Owens hopped up onto the ring apron and Zayn decided to hit Owens instead. This allowed Jericho to roll-up Sami Zayn, but Zayn was able to kick out at two. Zayn then countered Jericho and rolled him up for the victory. After the match, Zayn was celebrating his victory but Jericho broke up the celebration by hitting Zayn with a Codebreaker. Kevin Owens then hit Zayn with a Pop Up Powerbomb. The show ended with Owens standing over Zayn.

Reaction: This was an entertaining main event. Even though Sami Zayn got the victory, Jericho and Owens got the last laugh. Kevin Owens versus Sami Zayn at WWE Battleground will no doubt be a terrific match. Jericho still needs a match for Battleground.

What did you think of this week’s episode of Smackdown? Let us know in the comments below.

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