SmackDown Review: Roman Reigns vs. Kane

Triple H, Randy Orton and Seth Rollins promo

Triple H talked about some of the “eras” in wrestling history. He said that this era has been referred to as the “Reality Era”, he failed to mention he’s the one who started that trend. He said that the man who wins the title on Sunday will be the “Face of the WWE” and he looked at Orton. He said that Orton will become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and Rollins will be at his side, holding the briefcase.

Orton got on the mic and said that he’s going to ascend the ladder on Sunday, and he’s going to reclaim his spot on top. Rollins then said that he’s going to win the briefcase as a solid “Plan B” in case Orton doesn’t get the job done. Orton and Rollins then got into words with each other, but Triple H said that they have to trust each other or they will be gone, “adapt or perish”.

Triple H then talked about Dean Ambrose, who has made a habit of being around Rollins. He then put Ambrose in a match with Bad News Barrett. Solid promo, and good setup for the importance of the contract match on Sunday. There has to be signs of dissension with these two. They only have negative history with each other, and it would be silly for them to just accept each other now.

Bad News Barrett vs. Dean Ambrose

Ambrose won the match with Dirty Deeds. After the match, Jack Swagger came out and took out Barrett, then brawled with Ambrose. Ambrose had the upper-hand on Swagger, until Rollins came out and hit Ambrose with the Curb Stomp. This was what it was, you have to try and make Swagger interesting in this Money in the Bank Contract Match somehow.

This is also where Barrett got hurt, and he looked like he was in a lot of pain. I don’t like the odds of him being in the Money in the Bank Contract Match on Sunday.

Cameron vs. Paige

Paige won with the Paige Turner. Once again, Paige was involved in a segment that was more focused on a Funkadactyl on commentary, this time it was Naomi.

After the match, Cameron attacked Paige, but Naomi split them up, until some pushing and shoving started between Paige and Naomi. Cameron looked on proud, as her fellow Funkadactyl had a stare down with Paige.

The Wyatt Family backstage

Luke Harper said that they have never had nice, shiny things, in reference to title belts. He said they want what The Usos have. Bray Wyatt walked on screen and said his brothers will “trample The Usos”. Bray also said that a ladder will be his “stairway”. He said that he will take “their ornament of power”. He said that it would be “a nation of sheep led by a lone wolf”. Erick Rowan said “run”, sometimes he gets a word, sometimes he doesn’t. This was a very good backstage promo.

Sheamus vs. Bray Wyatt

Sheamus locked in the Cloverleaf, forcing Luke Harper and Erick Rowan to jump in and cause the DQ. The Usos helped Sheamus take out Harper and Rowan, then they hit over-the-top-rope dives to the outside. Bray went for Sister Abigail on Sheamus, but Sheamus countered and went for a Brogue Kick, but Bray avoided it and escaped. Good segment. Bray is coming off a good series of matches with John Cena. Those matches elevated him, despite their outcome. Sheamus needed the momentum of standing tall.

Goldust and Stardust w/ Byron Saxton

Saxton asked Goldust about the challenge issued by Rybaxel for Money in the Bank. Goldust talked about how him and Stardust have already beaten Rybaxel, when Stardust walked on screen. He talked about the biggest start in the universe, the Sun, and everybody’s favorite star, him. Goldust said he thinks that Stardust is trying to say that they accept Rybaxel’s challenge.

Dolph Ziggler and Rob Van Dam vs. Alberto Del Rio and Cesaro

ADR made RVD tap out to the Cross Arm Breaker. After the match, ADR got in Cesaro’s face as Cesaro was celebrating, and said that he won the match, but Cesaro hit him with the Neutralizer. Good way to build up ADR before the title match, but Cesaro stands tall.

The Usos w/ Renee Young

Renee asked The Usos about their tag team title match on Sunday against The Wyatt Family, they just said a bunch of things that didn’t make very much sense.

Lana promo/Rusev vs. Sin Cara/Big E promo

Another promo from Lana, it was the same as the last one, which was the same as the 10 before it. It’s horrible, because we have seen how good she is.

Rusev won with The Accolade. Rusev doesn’t even do anything in these matches, it’s superkick then The Accolade, and that’s it.

These Big E “preacher” promos are just terrible, they really need to stop. Big E knocked Rusev out of the ring and he stood tall heading into their match on Sunday.

Roman Reigns vs. Kane

Reigns hit the Superman Punch on Kane, then set up for the spear, but Randy Orton came down and caused the DQ. Orton helped Kane up, but he took a Superman Punch, before Kane chokeslammed Reigns. Kane grabbed a ladder and stared at Orton, but he set it up in the middle of the ring and held it steady, as Orton climbed and grabbed both belts. Orton celebrated with the belts, as Kane prepared for a chokeslam on Reigns, but Orton called him off and set up for a punt, but Reigns countered with a spear, then another to Kane.

Overall Impression

Really good show of SmackDown. This was a great hype show for Money in the Bank. Good matches, good aftermath for those matches, and some good promos, Lana and Big E notwithstanding.

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