SmackDown Review: Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt
By Mike Smith
The Shield and Triple H promo
Dean Ambrose said that Seth Rollins did what’s “best for business”, but he plans on ending Rollins’ “business”. Reigns took the mic and said he hopes that Randy Orton is enjoying his vacation, because when Reigns gets his hands on him, Orton will be on a permanent vacation. He mocked Orton for getting so much from his “daddy”, Triple H.
Triple H then interrupted on the Titan Tron. He said he only had one spot for Reigns or Ambrose to qualify for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Match, so he flipped a coin and Ambrose got a qualifying match against Bray Wyatt for later in the night. Triple H then told Reigns he had some bad news for him, and Bad News Barrett made his way to the ring for a match with Reigns. This whole segment was rushed way too much, plus it was a repeat of what The Shield said on Monday.
Roman Reigns vs. Bad News Barrett
This match ended in a DQ when the now non-existent 3MB came out and attacked Reigns, as he prepared to hit the spear on Barrett. 3MB would hold Reigns down for a little bit, but it wouldn’t be long before Reigns cleaned house and would deliver spears to Drew McIntyre and Heath Slater. The match was pretty good, the beatdown at the end was awesome. The spear on Slater was unbelievable looking.
Erick Rowan vs. Jey Uso
Rowan got the win with a side slam. There was barely even enough time to get into this match before it was over.
Bo Dallas vs. R-Truth
Before the match, Truth did his “What’s Up” rap, and Bo danced a lot and said “what’s up” with the crowd. He then grabbed a mic and said “Green Bay, what’s going on?” to a chorus of boos.
Bo got the win with the Bo-Dog. This was, by far, the most entertaining segment of the night.
Paul Heyman and Cesaro promo/Cesaro vs. Sheamus
Heyman announced that he was there to translate for Cesaro, who spoke German. First, Heyman translated that Cesaro wanted the world to know that Heyman was behind the end of The Undertaker’s Streak at WrestleMania. Then, Cesaro said that he won The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the same night. He also said he wasn’t there to grapple, or wrestle, he was there to fight Sheamus, who shamelessly beat Cesaro with an inside cradle at Payback. Cesaro said the referee would have to stop the match after the damage that Cesaro does to Sheamus.
Cesaro got the win in a really good match with a nice counter into a quick pin. After complaining about Sheamus using the inside cradle, Cesaro escaped this match in a similar fashion, so there is more to come from these two, which could be an underlying storyline for the Money in the Bank Match.
Bray Wyatt backstage
Wyatt talked about all the things he dreamed about as a kid. He said he eventually woke up and realized he was stuck in this world, which he called a “prison”. He says “she” taught him that he could have what he wanted. He said that his “absolution” lies above “that ladder”. Dean Ambrose stands in his way, and anybody who stands in his way “shall be burned”. Awesome promo.
Fandango vs. Adam Rose
Rose hit the Party Foul on Fandango for the win. This match had a pretty funny dance/prance-off at the beginning.
After the match, Summer Rae, who was disguised as a chicken in the Exotic Express, attacked Layla, until the referee and Fandango could separate them.
Jack Swagger vs. Big E
Big E was preparing to hit the Big Ending, but was distracted by Lana, allowing Swagger to take control. Zeb then tried to get rid of Lana, who eventually left, but that distracted Swagger, who went for a Swagger Bomb, but Big E countered and hit the Big Ending for the win. Creative ending, incredible strength from Big E, who hardly flinched while one-arming Swagger, but not sure who this helps, if anyone.
Aksana vs. Alicia Fox
After some back and forth, Fox wrapped her leg around the back of Aksana’s neck and drove her face into the mat for the win. This was Aksana’s final match, and I tried to get “#ThankYouAksana” trending on Twitter, it didn’t work.
Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose in a qualifying match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Match
Ambrose hit Dirty Deeds, but just as he was about to pin Bray, Seth Rollins appeared. Ambrose tried to chase down Rollins, but Rollins led him right into Bray’s arms and a Sister Abigail. Bray joins Cesaro, Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio and Randy Orton in the Money in the Bank Match. Match of the night.
Overall Impression
This show was very questionably booked. Anybody could have been in that match with Roman Reigns, it didn’t have to be Bad News Barrett. Erick Rowan shouldn’t have defeated Jey Uso as quickly as he did. Cesaro and Sheamus shouldn’t be trading roll-ups. Jack Swagger shouldn’t be losing the way he is. There’s a lot going on that just doesn’t make sense. Somebody like Barrett loses momentum every time he’s used on Reigns’ road to the top. This show was entertaining, but that doesn’t make it completely positive looking long-term.
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