Spoilers follow for the January 9th episode of Smackdown.
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In case you somehow forgot, The Authority is back in business. And they fired Ryback, Dolph Ziggler, and Erick Rowan at the end of Raw. There, I just saved you the first five minutes of Smackdown, which recaps both of these facts. The actual Smackdown part of Smackdown sees Seth Rollins, joined by J&J Security, coming down to the ring to cut a promo. Rollins is feeling good, and he's happy, and whatnot. He makes fun of John Cena a little bit, probably because he knows John Cena doesn't make unadvertised Smackdown appearances.
Soon enough, Roman Reigns comes down to put a damper on Seth Rollins' day. Reigns and Rollins go back and forth for a bit, which actually gives us one of Reigns' best promos to-date. He really shouldn't be making Cena-like jokes, but he's at least starting to sound a bit more natural. He gets everyone out of the ring, but Big Show comes down to the stage afterward. Kane follows him. Kane makes Seth Rollins and Big Show vs. Roman Reigns and a partner of his choosing, assuming he can find one.
After the break, Kane is interrupted in his office by The Miz and Damien Sandow. Miz wants a two-on-two title match tonight. Kane says it'd be fair, but Sandow spills water on him, so it's going to be a triple threat, which I believe was advertised.
Adam Rose (with Cesaro and Tyson Kidd) vs. Big E (with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods)
Adam Rose gets to dominate the early portion of the match, but he doesn't really get to win lately, so Big E eventually gets the momentum and picks up the win. It's not a long match, it's not a good match, and it features two Superstars who should be getting momentum right now, but both are fizzling.
Match Rating: *1/2
Two Local Jobbers vs. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
The Ascension cut a minor, unimportant promo before the match. Then they squash the local jobbers. I'm sure you're shocked.
Match Rating: *
The Usos are interviewed backstage after the match. They're asked about The Authority's firings. And then the triple threat championship match later tonight.
Alicia Fox vs. Naomi
Fox is now a heel, for those of you who missed Raw and can't keep track -- most Divas fail to have face/heel alliances at the best of times, anyway -- and she and Naomi are now in a feud. This gets continued tonight, as Fox winds up winning with her foot on the rope. That's a dirty victory, for those keeping track. Naomi and Fox wind up showing some good athleticism for the whole minute their match lasts, but this isn't anywhere long enough to be a good bout.
Match Rating: *1/2
A Triple H interview from WWE.com is show, and then Bray Wyatt has a recorded promo that is as engaging as the rest of them is aired.
<color=red>Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. Goldust and Stardust vs. The Miz and Damien Sandow
Explain to me what Goldust and Stardust have done to deserve this title shot? They've done nothing but lose for months now. I mean, they're good wrestlers and they help make a fresher match between The Usos and Miz/Sandow, but there's no actual reason for them to be given a title opportunity.
The match is an exciting one, which is surprising given how dull the Miz/Sandow and Uso feud has been lately. The extra team does help, as does the title stipulation; Superstars tend to bring it more when the title's on the line, even though it's all scripted. Each team gets a chance or two to dominate, there's some exciting high-flying action, and Damien Sandow doesn't distract from what happens in the ring.
Goldust eventually eats an Uso splash for the loss, because The Usos are the Cena of the tag team division.
Match Rating: ***
Bad News Barrett vs. Sin Cara
Barrett cuts a promo before the match, telling us that he has good news: he's the Intercontinental champion! He invites Dolph Ziggler down to the ring for his rematch, but Ziggler's fired, so he doesn't. Barrett also enters the Royal Rumble match. Sin Cara then comes out. Why? Because Smackdown is in Texas, I guess is why.
Barrett dominates early, Sin Cara does some high-flying moves, a near-fall off a Winds of Change, a swanton bomb and Sin cara picks up the clean victory. No, seriously.
Match Rating: **
Barrett beats up Sin Cara after the match.
Seth Rollins and Big Show (with Kane and J&J Security) vs. Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose
It looks to start that Reigns would be alone, but Dean Ambrose eventually comes out to team up with him. Ambrose and Reigns attack their opponents before the bell even rings, but the match does eventually start.
You forget how well Ambrose and Reigns worked together. The Shield really was good, and while it's been an effective breakup for all three members, they were a really solid team. Ambrose takes most of the abuse in the match, but in the moments of offense, the two remind us that they're a good team. We build to the Reigns hot tag, which eventually happens, allows Reigns to hit a few moves, some chaos ensues, a spear to Rollins, and a win for the babyfaces.
Match Rating: **1/2
The babyfaces escape quickly and celebrate on the ramp after the match to close out the show.
The Good: Triple Threat Tag Team Championship Match.
The Bad: Jobbers/Ascension. Rose/Big E. Fox/Naomi.
Match of the Night: The Usos vs. Goldust and Stardust vs. The Miz and Damien Sandow.
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http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/smackd10.png
In case you somehow forgot, The Authority is back in business. And they fired Ryback, Dolph Ziggler, and Erick Rowan at the end of Raw. There, I just saved you the first five minutes of Smackdown, which recaps both of these facts. The actual Smackdown part of Smackdown sees Seth Rollins, joined by J&J Security, coming down to the ring to cut a promo. Rollins is feeling good, and he's happy, and whatnot. He makes fun of John Cena a little bit, probably because he knows John Cena doesn't make unadvertised Smackdown appearances.
Soon enough, Roman Reigns comes down to put a damper on Seth Rollins' day. Reigns and Rollins go back and forth for a bit, which actually gives us one of Reigns' best promos to-date. He really shouldn't be making Cena-like jokes, but he's at least starting to sound a bit more natural. He gets everyone out of the ring, but Big Show comes down to the stage afterward. Kane follows him. Kane makes Seth Rollins and Big Show vs. Roman Reigns and a partner of his choosing, assuming he can find one.
After the break, Kane is interrupted in his office by The Miz and Damien Sandow. Miz wants a two-on-two title match tonight. Kane says it'd be fair, but Sandow spills water on him, so it's going to be a triple threat, which I believe was advertised.
Adam Rose (with Cesaro and Tyson Kidd) vs. Big E (with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods)
Adam Rose gets to dominate the early portion of the match, but he doesn't really get to win lately, so Big E eventually gets the momentum and picks up the win. It's not a long match, it's not a good match, and it features two Superstars who should be getting momentum right now, but both are fizzling.
Match Rating: *1/2
Two Local Jobbers vs. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
The Ascension cut a minor, unimportant promo before the match. Then they squash the local jobbers. I'm sure you're shocked.
Match Rating: *
The Usos are interviewed backstage after the match. They're asked about The Authority's firings. And then the triple threat championship match later tonight.
Alicia Fox vs. Naomi
Fox is now a heel, for those of you who missed Raw and can't keep track -- most Divas fail to have face/heel alliances at the best of times, anyway -- and she and Naomi are now in a feud. This gets continued tonight, as Fox winds up winning with her foot on the rope. That's a dirty victory, for those keeping track. Naomi and Fox wind up showing some good athleticism for the whole minute their match lasts, but this isn't anywhere long enough to be a good bout.
Match Rating: *1/2
A Triple H interview from WWE.com is show, and then Bray Wyatt has a recorded promo that is as engaging as the rest of them is aired.
<color=red>Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. Goldust and Stardust vs. The Miz and Damien Sandow
Explain to me what Goldust and Stardust have done to deserve this title shot? They've done nothing but lose for months now. I mean, they're good wrestlers and they help make a fresher match between The Usos and Miz/Sandow, but there's no actual reason for them to be given a title opportunity.
The match is an exciting one, which is surprising given how dull the Miz/Sandow and Uso feud has been lately. The extra team does help, as does the title stipulation; Superstars tend to bring it more when the title's on the line, even though it's all scripted. Each team gets a chance or two to dominate, there's some exciting high-flying action, and Damien Sandow doesn't distract from what happens in the ring.
Goldust eventually eats an Uso splash for the loss, because The Usos are the Cena of the tag team division.
Match Rating: ***
Bad News Barrett vs. Sin Cara
Barrett cuts a promo before the match, telling us that he has good news: he's the Intercontinental champion! He invites Dolph Ziggler down to the ring for his rematch, but Ziggler's fired, so he doesn't. Barrett also enters the Royal Rumble match. Sin Cara then comes out. Why? Because Smackdown is in Texas, I guess is why.
Barrett dominates early, Sin Cara does some high-flying moves, a near-fall off a Winds of Change, a swanton bomb and Sin cara picks up the clean victory. No, seriously.
Match Rating: **
Barrett beats up Sin Cara after the match.
Seth Rollins and Big Show (with Kane and J&J Security) vs. Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose
It looks to start that Reigns would be alone, but Dean Ambrose eventually comes out to team up with him. Ambrose and Reigns attack their opponents before the bell even rings, but the match does eventually start.
You forget how well Ambrose and Reigns worked together. The Shield really was good, and while it's been an effective breakup for all three members, they were a really solid team. Ambrose takes most of the abuse in the match, but in the moments of offense, the two remind us that they're a good team. We build to the Reigns hot tag, which eventually happens, allows Reigns to hit a few moves, some chaos ensues, a spear to Rollins, and a win for the babyfaces.
Match Rating: **1/2
The babyfaces escape quickly and celebrate on the ramp after the match to close out the show.
The Good: Triple Threat Tag Team Championship Match.
The Bad: Jobbers/Ascension. Rose/Big E. Fox/Naomi.
Match of the Night: The Usos vs. Goldust and Stardust vs. The Miz and Damien Sandow.
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If you wish to be notified whenever I post something new, please join this <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/2-50-Reviews>user group.
For an archive of all my previous WWE reviews, please go <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.846764-Marters-WWE-Reviews-Archive>here.
Talk to me on the Twitter, <url=https://twitter.com/martertweet>@martertweet.
