Spoilers follow for the July 25th episode of Smackdown.
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/smackd10.png
Dun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun Smackdown!
Sorry, I really wanted to do that.
Smackdown opens with a Raw flashback, as it so often does. I get it this week, though, as the return of Brock Lesnar is kind of big deal. He'll be facing John Cena at SummerSlam, in case you've forgotten. But, really, if you have the dedication to stay in on Friday night and watch pro wrestling, chances are you also do the same on Mondays. You already know Lesnar is facing Cena; you don't need a reminder.
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. RybAxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel)
The match is a bit of a mess. Prior to the commercial break, the announcers got confused, and so did the performers, seemingly, in regards to who the legal man was -- and I'm talking about Axel/Ryback. A bit of a botch came from the "go over, duck under" spot, too, although that was quickly corrected.
The rest of the match is filled with generic spots from the two teams. It's not bad, but it also isn't particularly entertaining. The Usos can take a night like this, though, since their match at Battleground was just so good. The finish comes from The Usos using Twin MagicTM -- a technique the Bellas claimed to be the only ones who could do it -- to trick Axel and roll him up for the win.
Match Rating: **
An episode of Miz TV is up next. The Miz delivers an acceptance speech for the Intercontinental Championship, and then notes that his parents are in the crowd. He asks his mother who her favorite Superstar is. Her answer? Roman Reigns. Funny. Bo Dallas winds up coming out, and the two exchange compliments. Dolph Ziggler interrupts to cut a promo of his own, even though Ziggler is far better when he doesn't get to talk. Dallas interrupts him and tells him to Bolieve, so he can be like them. Ziggler goes to attack Miz, Miz runs away, Dallas hits a cheap shot from behind. Triple threat match on Raw? Probably not, as Dallas can't not win, The Miz shouldn't lose, and Ziggler just beat The Miz and in all reality should win.
Bo Dallas vs. Dolph Ziggler
An unannounced match which probably mean that we won't get that triple threat match after all. That's fine. Most of the match seemed more focused on The Miz on commentary than the match itself.
Dallas and Ziggler work a perfectly solid match. It seemed like we were the closest to seeing Dallas lose a match, but we all knew that probably wasn't going to happen. Ziggler takes a cheap shot at Miz at ringside, which angers Miz. Miz then distracts Ziggler to allow Dallas to get the roll up victory.
Match Rating: **
After the match, Ziggler attacks Dallas and then Miz lays out Ziggler. Ziggler/Miz should be a fun rivalry, if it winds up lasting. Roman Reigns is then interviewed backstage. He's really looking and sounding better and more confident in segments like these. He hypes up himself and then his match later on Smackdown.
<color=red>No DQ Match: Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro
Matches like this are the reason Smackdown is sometimes worth watching. This is something that could happened at a PPV, not on the B-list WWE show. It is violent, it features a great deal of weapons, and it's really just an all-out brawl. It's not a wrestling match. It's a fight populated by spots and the use of weapons. That's what we want. So many chairs are used in this match. Just so many.
Seth Rollins comes out during the match (it's no DQ, after all), to try to hurt Ambrose. Ambrose threw him aside. And then a massive superplex spot happens.
Eventually, Cesaro takes another loss after Ambrose gets him in a small package. Kind of a weak finish to a pretty great bout, but whatever.
Match Rating: ***1/2
Rollins beats down Ambrose after the match. Because of course he does. Cesaro joins in, because we have to try to make him look at least a little bit strong.
An AJ/Paige promo video is shown next. These types of videos are great; WWE does a wonderful job with them. This is no different.
Naomi vs. Paige
Paige comes down to the ring skipping, as she's taunting AJ. It works better for AJ. Paige cuts a bit of a promo before the match. She claims she and AJ are still friends. She says she likes AJ, and she likes Naomi, too. Cameron comes out to the stage before the match. Paige hits a cheap shot on Naomi, locks in the PTO, and Naomi taps out.
Match Rating: *
Cameron attacks Naomi after the match as Paige continues to skip around. A Stardust/Goldust promo is next. It's ... what you expect. These two need a match and soon.
R-Truth vs. Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan)
Does anyone think R-Truth has a chance in this match? No, me neither. Truth hits a few moves but Wyatt squashes him.
Match Rating: *1/2
Wyatt cuts a brief anti-Jericho promo after the match. Because they're still feuding.
A flashback to Raw is shown, which detailed Stephanie McMahon's arrest after slapping Brie Bella. If this doesn't lead to a match between the two at SummerSlam, something will have gone terribly wrong.
Roman Reigns vs. Alberto Del Rio
See, it's matches like these that can make one hesitant to really push Reigns as a main eventer. He's just ... he's not good enough in singles matches. He doesn't have the moveset, he doesn't have the selling ability, and he just doesn't have the experience. People are becoming hotter for Ambrose than Reigns because of how well the former works in singles matches. Del Rio is a really good worker, but he can't get a good match out of Reigns.
There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the match. It might be confirmation bias on my part that it didn't seem very good. If you don't think someone's good at something, you notice all of their flaws and tend to overlook their positives. But, yeah, there's nothing "wrong" with the match, but it's just not really entertaining or exciting. Reigns wins with a spear, in case you thought that, perhaps, Del Rio might pick up the win. Smackdown ends with Reigns standing tall.
Match Rating: **
The Good: Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro.
The Bad: R-Truth vs. Bray Wyatt. Naomi vs. Paige.
Match of the Night: Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro.
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
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.
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Talk to me on the Twitter, <url=https://twitter.com/martertweet>@martertweet.
http://i55.servimg.com/u/f55/16/09/70/40/smackd10.png
Dun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun nun Smackdown!
Sorry, I really wanted to do that.
Smackdown opens with a Raw flashback, as it so often does. I get it this week, though, as the return of Brock Lesnar is kind of big deal. He'll be facing John Cena at SummerSlam, in case you've forgotten. But, really, if you have the dedication to stay in on Friday night and watch pro wrestling, chances are you also do the same on Mondays. You already know Lesnar is facing Cena; you don't need a reminder.
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs. RybAxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel)
The match is a bit of a mess. Prior to the commercial break, the announcers got confused, and so did the performers, seemingly, in regards to who the legal man was -- and I'm talking about Axel/Ryback. A bit of a botch came from the "go over, duck under" spot, too, although that was quickly corrected.
The rest of the match is filled with generic spots from the two teams. It's not bad, but it also isn't particularly entertaining. The Usos can take a night like this, though, since their match at Battleground was just so good. The finish comes from The Usos using Twin MagicTM -- a technique the Bellas claimed to be the only ones who could do it -- to trick Axel and roll him up for the win.
Match Rating: **
An episode of Miz TV is up next. The Miz delivers an acceptance speech for the Intercontinental Championship, and then notes that his parents are in the crowd. He asks his mother who her favorite Superstar is. Her answer? Roman Reigns. Funny. Bo Dallas winds up coming out, and the two exchange compliments. Dolph Ziggler interrupts to cut a promo of his own, even though Ziggler is far better when he doesn't get to talk. Dallas interrupts him and tells him to Bolieve, so he can be like them. Ziggler goes to attack Miz, Miz runs away, Dallas hits a cheap shot from behind. Triple threat match on Raw? Probably not, as Dallas can't not win, The Miz shouldn't lose, and Ziggler just beat The Miz and in all reality should win.
Bo Dallas vs. Dolph Ziggler
An unannounced match which probably mean that we won't get that triple threat match after all. That's fine. Most of the match seemed more focused on The Miz on commentary than the match itself.
Dallas and Ziggler work a perfectly solid match. It seemed like we were the closest to seeing Dallas lose a match, but we all knew that probably wasn't going to happen. Ziggler takes a cheap shot at Miz at ringside, which angers Miz. Miz then distracts Ziggler to allow Dallas to get the roll up victory.
Match Rating: **
After the match, Ziggler attacks Dallas and then Miz lays out Ziggler. Ziggler/Miz should be a fun rivalry, if it winds up lasting. Roman Reigns is then interviewed backstage. He's really looking and sounding better and more confident in segments like these. He hypes up himself and then his match later on Smackdown.
<color=red>No DQ Match: Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro
Matches like this are the reason Smackdown is sometimes worth watching. This is something that could happened at a PPV, not on the B-list WWE show. It is violent, it features a great deal of weapons, and it's really just an all-out brawl. It's not a wrestling match. It's a fight populated by spots and the use of weapons. That's what we want. So many chairs are used in this match. Just so many.
Seth Rollins comes out during the match (it's no DQ, after all), to try to hurt Ambrose. Ambrose threw him aside. And then a massive superplex spot happens.
Eventually, Cesaro takes another loss after Ambrose gets him in a small package. Kind of a weak finish to a pretty great bout, but whatever.
Match Rating: ***1/2
Rollins beats down Ambrose after the match. Because of course he does. Cesaro joins in, because we have to try to make him look at least a little bit strong.
An AJ/Paige promo video is shown next. These types of videos are great; WWE does a wonderful job with them. This is no different.
Naomi vs. Paige
Paige comes down to the ring skipping, as she's taunting AJ. It works better for AJ. Paige cuts a bit of a promo before the match. She claims she and AJ are still friends. She says she likes AJ, and she likes Naomi, too. Cameron comes out to the stage before the match. Paige hits a cheap shot on Naomi, locks in the PTO, and Naomi taps out.
Match Rating: *
Cameron attacks Naomi after the match as Paige continues to skip around. A Stardust/Goldust promo is next. It's ... what you expect. These two need a match and soon.
R-Truth vs. Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan)
Does anyone think R-Truth has a chance in this match? No, me neither. Truth hits a few moves but Wyatt squashes him.
Match Rating: *1/2
Wyatt cuts a brief anti-Jericho promo after the match. Because they're still feuding.
A flashback to Raw is shown, which detailed Stephanie McMahon's arrest after slapping Brie Bella. If this doesn't lead to a match between the two at SummerSlam, something will have gone terribly wrong.
Roman Reigns vs. Alberto Del Rio
See, it's matches like these that can make one hesitant to really push Reigns as a main eventer. He's just ... he's not good enough in singles matches. He doesn't have the moveset, he doesn't have the selling ability, and he just doesn't have the experience. People are becoming hotter for Ambrose than Reigns because of how well the former works in singles matches. Del Rio is a really good worker, but he can't get a good match out of Reigns.
There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the match. It might be confirmation bias on my part that it didn't seem very good. If you don't think someone's good at something, you notice all of their flaws and tend to overlook their positives. But, yeah, there's nothing "wrong" with the match, but it's just not really entertaining or exciting. Reigns wins with a spear, in case you thought that, perhaps, Del Rio might pick up the win. Smackdown ends with Reigns standing tall.
Match Rating: **
The Good: Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro.
The Bad: R-Truth vs. Bray Wyatt. Naomi vs. Paige.
Match of the Night: Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro.
<color=D6D9DA>_________________________________________________________________________________
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.
