WWE SmackDown Review: Roman Reigns vs. Kane
By Evan Gomes
Adam Rose Backstage Segment
Adam Rose, who is with Rosa, gets in a fight with a hot-dog wearing Rosebud over paying them. Rose pushes him over, saying he is just like the Bunny and that the party is over. Is he breaking up with the Rosebuds? Are we getting back Kruger after the ESPN special? Who knows. Kane walks by disgusted as he heads to the ring for the main event.
Roman Reigns vs Kane (No DQ)
Result: Reigns def. Kane (Spear through table)
Rating: 2.9 stars out of 5 stars
Kane meets Reigns at the barricade as he enters and they brawl at ringside. Kane tosses Reigns into Jerry Lawler and then into the stairs. Both men in the ring as the match officially starts. Back outside, and Reigns throws Kane into a ring post, and then chops Kane down with a kendo stick. Kane gets the stick himself and lets loose on Reigns. Sandman would be so proud. We go to our final break with Kane in control.
After the break, Kane is still in command and hits a Big Boot for a two count. Kane gets the announce table ready for someone to go through. Reigns reverses a Chokeslam and kicks Kane away. He dives off the table with a flying forearm to Kane. Roman hits his leaping dropkick to Kane who is draped across the table. Reigns starts using steps to knock down the Corporate Monster. Reigns grabs two tables and moves them into the ring.
Reigns sets up one table in the corner. Kane reverses an Irish Whip and DDT’s Reigns for a two count. Reigns goes for a Superman Punch, but Kane catches him with a Chokeslam through the other set up table. Reigns manages to kick out before three. Kane goes for a Tombstone Piledriver, but Reigns gets out and hits Kane with a Superman Punch. Reigns gets a jacked up Spear on Kane through the corner table and gets the pin for the victory.
Good, physical match by both guys. Probably one of the better Kane performances in a long time, and Reigns has been putting on good matches as of the last 3 months.
Rollins, Reigns, Ambrose Backstage Segment
Rollins and J + J Security are being interviewed by Renee Young backstage when Ambrose appears behind them. Ambrose offers them a cookie and then attacks all three. The Authority start to get the upper hand when Reigns pushes a cart into Mercury. He takes out Noble with a right hand, and then the only two left standing are Ambrose and Reigns. They both look at the title, and Reigns goes to try and give Dean a handshake. Dean picks the title up and puts it on Roman’s shoulder, saying “Don’t worry, I’ll take it on Sunday” to end the show.
Overall, a decent storytelling episode of SmackDown. The in ring action was good but not great, save for the intensity Reigns brought to the main event. Who does everyone have winning at Payback? What did you think of the show? Sound off in comments below.