SmackDown Review: Randy Orton vs. Dean Ambrose
By Mike Smith
Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Triple H promo
Rollins said that John Cena got lucky on Monday night, as Rollins was seconds away from cashing in Money in the Bank on Cena. Rollins said the clock is ticking, and his turn at being WWE World Heavyweight Champion is approaching. Rollins told the crowd to get used to his face, because he is close to becoming the “Face of the WWE”.
Ambrose told Rollins he is delusional. Ambrose reiterated that he will be there every time Rollins tries to cash-in, no matter what plan Rollins and his “sugar daddy”, Triple H, put together. Ambrose introduced the video of him thwarting Rollins’ cash-in on Monday, then told Rollins that is what his life will look like for the next year. Ambrose said that the briefcase is a curse for Rollins, not the blessing he thinks it is. Rollins said that Ambrose can’t keep that act up for an entire year, but Ambrose said that he can, and he’ll prove it right now. Ambrose attacked Rollins, but Randy Orton made the save. Roman Reigns quickly came down, leading to him and Ambrose clearing the ring.
Triple H came out and made a match between Orton and Ambrose for later tonight. He then added that if Reigns decides to interfere in that match, he will be taken out of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4-Way Match at Battleground.
The SmackDown opening promo is one of my favorite parts of every week. Rollins and Ambrose continue to deliver in their feud, with Triple H, Orton and Reigns all bringing a little something extra.
Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio for the United States Champion
ADR went for a moonsault, which was strange, but Sheamus rolled out of the way and ADR landed on his feet. Sheamus was able to get up and hit a Brogue Kick to retain the title. It amazes me how these guys continue to have the best matches nobody wants to see because they have had way too many matches together.
Stardust and Goldust backstage
The Rhodes brothers did a lot of talk of stars and dust, they are clearly loving that they are essentially the same characters right now. They are quickly getting back to where they were when they originally started teaming together.
Roman Reigns w/ Byron Saxton
Reigns said that he knows Dean Ambrose will be fine against Randy Orton tonight, and that he knows Triple H is just protecting Orton. He said that he will not jeopardize his spot in the title match at Battleground.
Bo Dallas promo/Bo Dallas vs. Diego/Bo Dallas promo
Bo came out and mentioned Daniel Bryan’s “shortcomings” as champion, then promised to win the Battleground Battle Royal for the Intercontinental Championship in honor of “Little Daniel”.
Bo hit the Bo Dog on Diego for the win, as JBL screamed “12 and Bo”.
After the match, Bo got on the mic and told El Torito that he could be taller if he “Bolieves”. Bo then tried to leave, but he got gored by Torito. Bo then reprimanded Torito and told him that he shouldn’t do that, then he bodyslammed Torito, smiled, and left.
I say it every week, but Bo is truly amazing right now. He continues to deliver solid entertainment every week.
Chris Jericho, Bray Wyatt and The Miz promo
Y2J talked about his return, and he spoke in a really positive tone. He quickly changed that tone when talking about the Wyatts, pulling out an awesome line, “Along came a spider”. He thanked them for reminding him what the WWE is really about, and how dangerous it can be. The Wyatt Family then appeared on the Titan Tron.
Bray Wyatt said the world doesn’t have a voice of it’s own, then he mocked Y2J by saying “Save us, Chris”. He introduced himself to Y2J, then said he is “the color red, in a world of black and white”. He told Y2J, not to get too close, then he said “Save us, Chris. Save…yourself”. As Y2J responded to Bray, Miz interrupted.
Miz came out and said that he would’ve helped Y2J with The Wyatt Family, but Y2J attacked “the moneymaker” as he motioned to his face. Miz climbed in the ring as he continued talking, but Y2J immediately hit him with another Codebreaker, then celebrated while wearing Miz’s sunglasses.
Y2J always delivers, Bray is proving himself to be one of the best talkers in the buisness, and Miz seems completely refreshed, as all three were fantastic in their roles in this promo.
Big E pre-taped promo/Big E vs. Cesaro
Big E said that he is fighting to get revenge for his friend, Kofi Kingston. He said that he is also fighting to prove he can win the IC Title Battle Royal at Battleground. He’s really not letting go of the “preacher”-style of speaking, and he really should.
Paul Heyman introduced Cesaro, who came to the ring and attacked Big E before the bell rang. This match never officially started as these two just brawled on the outside, until Big E got the upper-hand and Cesaro retreated with Heyman. I would not mind seeing these two have a feud. Cesaro needs somebody to fight at the end of the Championship Battle Royal at Battleground, and Big E is a solid choice.
Eva Marie vs. AJ Lee
AJ quickly made Eva Marie tap out to the Black Widow. After the match, Paige, who was at ringside, got in the ring and shook AJ’s hand. Eva Marie was an odd opponent for AJ, and the post-match handshake was an odd choice. I think they were trying to establish the fact that AJ is the heel, and Paige is the face, which they needed to do after the huge reaction AJ got on Raw.
Damien Sandow, Lana and Zeb Colter promo
Sandow was pretending to be Bruce Springsteen, which is a dangerous thing to do in New Jersey. Rusev and Lana came out and Rusev quickly took Sandow out.
Typical-Lana promo. Americans are fat, they will be taken over by Russia and it’s superior leader, Vladimir Putin. Zeb and Jack Swagger came out and mocked Lana and Russia. He talked about things that America did, that Russia didn’t, like inventing the internet and putting the first man on the moon. Lana told Zeb to shut up, but Zeb invoked his first amendment rights and led the crowd in a loud “We the People”. The crowd then chanted “We the People” and “USA”. I’m really loving Swagger and Zeb as faces.
Randy Orton vs. Dean Ambrose
Ambrose went for Dirty Deeds, but Orton countered. Orton went to the outside, and Ambrose went for a suicide dive, but Rollins hit him mid-dive with the briefcase to cause the DQ. Orton and Rollins were about to go to work on Ambrose’s shoulder, but Reigns came in and knocked Rollins off the top-rope, before hitting a Superman Punch on Orton. Reigns was looking to hit the spear, but Rollins pulled Orton out of the ring. Good match, awesome ending to SmackDown.
Overall Impression
Coming off a really strong edition of Raw on Monday, SmackDown was very good. This show was packed with strong content, and Dean Ambrose opened and closed the show showing why he is going to be a big star.
For the first time in a long time, the main roster had a better week than NXT. It’s an awesome thing to see.
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