SmackDown Review: Daniel Bryan Takes on Kane

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Seth Rollins and Kane backstage

Rollins was still complaining about the way Dolph Ziggler talked to him, but Kane had more pressing matters.

Kane asked if he could borrow J & J Security for his match to Bryan, and Rollins said yes. They both agreed that they had to do anything they could to keep Bryan out of the Royal Rumble Match.

The Miz, Damien Mizdow, and The Usos backstage

Mizdow walked up with a pumpkin spiced latte, but Miz saw it as an apology for his X-Pac act on Raw. Mizdow did say he was sorry, and that he got caught up in the moment at Raw Reunion, but that the crowd did seem to like it.

Miz told him that the crowd is never cheering for him, and that he is just an extension of The Miz, so even if the crowd is cheering for Mizdow, they’re still really cheering for Miz. Miz then handed him the latte, saying it didn’t have enough froth, and he walked away.

The Usos walked up and Mizdow said he didn’t have anything to say. The Usos just wanted to gie him some advice, and told him that after their match for the WWE Tag Team Championship, it will be every man for himself. They said that he could be a star if he wins. They asked him if he will go over the top rope if Miz does. It was clear Mizdow had a lot to think about.

This did exactly what it was supposed to. It really started to plant the seed of Mizdow turning on Miz during the Rumble Match, while it also showed The Usos getting in one of their opponents’ heads before their tag title match.

Daniel Bryan vs. Kane in a No DQ Match

Kane and Bryan traded control early on, with Kane taking over, thanks to a distraction from J & J.

Kane took advantage of the rules early on, pulling out a kendo stick, and going to work on Bryan. However, Bryan ignited an early comeback, and took hold of the kendo stick before hitting a combo of Yes Kicks, with kendo stick shots mixed in.

However, just before the commercial, Kane took over by hitting Bryan with an uppercut, as Bryan was coming off the top rope.

During the commercial, J & J got involved with some offense on Bryan.

After the commercial, Kane had a chair and he used it on Bryan. Bryan, however, was able to counter and get some offense going, but Kane delivered a stiff shot to Bryan, when he went for a suicide dive.

Kane went for a Tombstone on Bryan through the announce table, but Bryan countered and tried to gain control, but J & J attacked him and gave Kane another chance, but Kane went to the top, and Bryan caught him in a Yes Lock, which was broken up by J & J.

Bryan fought through J & J, but ran right into a chokeslam from Kane, resulting in a nearfall.

Bryan was able to fight on though, and he was able to connect with a running knee for the win.

Bryan defeats Kane via pinfall.

After the match, Big Show attacked Bryan on the stage, and brought him back to J & J and Kane, and they attacked. Ziggler, Rowan and Ryback came running down to make the save, then all hell broke loose.

The whole locker room emptied, with Ambrose and Reigns coming down at the end, the only Superstars to enter with music.

In the end, Bryan, Reigns, Ryback, and Ambrose stood tall in the ring, with Kane and Show standing cautiously on the apron.

2.75 out of 5 stars – It’s just a weak match. Nobody looks all that good when J & J can get involved, but still pick and choose when they do.

The post-match thing was pretty good, but it was very cliche.