WWE SmackDown Review: Final Show Before Elimination Chamber

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Rusev-Lana Recap Video

We get a Rusev-Lana recap from Raw. The tirade Lana gives him is so impressive.

Lana & Rusev Backstage Segment

Renee asks Lana how she is doing after such a personal and public breakup. Lana says she believed Rusev could be different and says she was wrong. Lana says she is no prize for a man to have. Lana says she doesn’t have a relationship with Ziggler. Rusev shows up and says he’s not here to yell. He says Ziggler is at home and is afraid to show up since Rusev is here. Rusev says he isn’t jealous, and says Lana has dug her grave now she rots in it. Wow, harsh.

Ryback vs Rusev

Result: Ryback def. Rusev (DQ)

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 stars

The Back to Bulgarian Brute is livid to start the match due to USA chants. They start out with some slow holds like headlocks and gutwrenches. Rusev tries to knock Ryback down but his body blocks fail. Ryback takes control with strong strikes. Both men trade control until Rusev begins to dominate. Ryback mounts a comeback after Rusev injures his ankle. Rusev hurt his ankle after a flip over the ropes to the outside.

As we come back from break, the commentators are talking about Rusev’s ankle injury. Rusev does a great job of continuing the match despite his injury, though this is definitely not going to help Ryback’s reputation as a dangerous worker, accident or not. They go back to the outside and rush a DQ finish for Rusev to go back and tend to his injury.

I really hope Rusev isn’t out for long, but props to him for working through the end of his match with his injury.