This week’s episode of WWE Smackdown open’s with a picture of the late Dusty Rhodes and reads “In Memory of Dusty Rhodes.”
The camera spans the crowd we kick off Smackdown. Sheamus’s music plays and there is a loud rumble of boos from the audience. Sheamus heads to the ring with his briefcase in hand. Once in the ring, he begins to speak into the microphone, saying “Thank you, thank you very much. When I returned from my injury you chanted “You look stupid!” Really, that the best you can do.
Narrow minded people with pea size brains. Now how stupid do I look? This right here (Holding his Money in the Bank briefcase high into the air), worth its weight in gold. I can cash in anytime I want. I’ll be your next WWE World Heavy weight Champion.” He has a new invigoration about his presence, almost as if he has a purpose.
Sheamus goes onto say “No one will stand in my way to the top of WWE. I promise you, you’ll be entertained.” This last line reminded the viewer this is only entertainment and implies what he says cannot be taken with a serious tone. Great promo all the way through, up until the last sentence. Ambrose music suddenly plays, as he makes his way to the top of the entrance way Dean says into the microphone “Sorry Sheamus, I don’t speak Irish gibberish.”
He then reminds Sheamus how he pineed him this past Monday on Raw. He claims “I’ll beat you a 2nd time tonight and take the Money in the Bank briefcase from your potato farming hands.” Sheamus says “You don’t have the stones.” Kane’s music then interrupts what Sheamus was saying. Kane says he’s tired of the disrespect he’s been shown and there will be a handicap match with Dean Ambrose facing both Kane and the Money in the Bank winner, Sheamus.
Dean Ambrose vs. Kane and Mr. Money in the Bank Sheamus-
Ambrose reverses a chokeslam and starts the match with a dropkick to Sheamus. Sheamus then takes control as Roman Reigns music begins to play and the crowd begins to cheer. Sheamus exits the ring, near the crowd to meet Roman before he can enter, but Roman appears from under the ring. Roman enters the ring and begins to attack Kane with punches. The ring bell sounds as quick as the punches connect with Kane’s skull. Kane and Sheamus with a disqualification victory.
Winner by disqualification:
Kane and Mr. Money in the Bank Sheamus
Sheamus comes into the ring to attack Roman but gets clotheslined by Reigns instead. Dean on the opposite side and clotheslines Kane over the ropes. Roman’s music begins to fill the arena along with cheers from the crowd.
When returning from commercial Roman Reigns is shown in the back being interviewed by Renee Young. Roman says “I have a message for Bray Wyatt. He crossed the line on Monday. I don’t run, never have, never will. Bray Wyatt better find me before I find him.”
Brie Bella vs. Paige-
Paige is already in the ring as we return to action from Roman’s promo. Brie’s music plays as she makes her way to the ring. They both lock-up and Brie forces Paige into the corner. Brie delivers a nicely executed bulldog to Paige. Brie gives an irish whip to Paige, but Paige reverses and goes down to her stomach. As Brie bounces off the ropes she attempts to hop over Paige, but trips over her instead. Brie appears to be upset about tripping.
Paige doesn’t drop a beat and connects with a nice shining wizard as Brie is making her way to her feet. Brie doesn’t sell any affects from the shining wizard and dropkicks Paige. Paige gets up and backs Brie into the corner with shoulder blocks to Brie’s gut. Paige lifts Brie onto the top rope.
Paige then climbs to the second rope to set up a superplex, but Brie battles back with clubbing blows to Paige’s back. Brie then flips over Paige to deliver an unsettling powerbomb. Brie lifts Paige up. She continues to put pressure on the shoulder area of Paige by giving a neckbreaker. Paige gets up while being in a reverse chin lock. Paige connects with crashing knees to Bries face while in the corner.
Brie then rolls to the outside. Paige taunts her by yelling “This is my house!” Paige jumps over the top rope with a plancha to Brie. Paige then picks Brie up and rolls her into the ring. As Paige climbs the top rope Alicia Fox makes her way down to ring side and knocks Paige from the top rope. Brie then give Paige the X-Factor for the pinfall victory.
Winner by pinfall:
Brie Bella
At the top of the entrance way Alicia Fox stands tall. She’s then accompanied by Nikki and Brie Bella. It appears as though Fox may have formed an alliance with the Bella’s. Not sure who are the faces or the heels at the moment with the Divas. Before Naomi the Bella’s were heels. Once Naomi came on the scene the Bella’s turned to faces with no storyline explanation as to why these “divas” should be cheered. They were booed weeks before their feud with Naomi. Once Naomi was beaten Paige became the focus once again. Naomi was doing a great job at being the heel, but it seems as though her push to the top has been ceased with no storyline explanation as to why. Now that Paige is back in the picture the Bella’s have turned once again to heels and once again there has been no storyline explanation as to why.
Paige claims the reason the divas division is suffering is due to the Bella’s, but in reality the reason this division is suffering is because there is a true lack of focus, lack of dedicated time, and lack of storylines or a lack of making the viewer aware of what the current storylines are. The WWE Universe can’t put time in the divas division if there is nothing provided to engage the viewer. The women’s division in NXT is miles ahead of WWE’s current diva’s division. It may be beneficial to bring some women’s wrestlers from NXT to the main roster. This is a double sided sword as NXT has time to dedicate, but it a 3 hour Raw and a 2 hour Smackdown can’t afford more than one to two segments to the “divas” division each episode, it may be more of a hindrance on the NXT woman wrestler.
The women in NXT can go, not to say the women on the main roster can’t, but there is time NXT can dedicate to tell storylines between two or more women’s wrestlers. Unfortunately, at this time the main roster hasn’t shown much on an effort or focus to engage the viewer with a logical storyline between two or more divas.
Next is Kevin Owens backstage with Renee Young. Renee begins to inquire Owens about attack on Machine Gun Kelly. Owens looks stonecold in his face, responding “Are you a big Machine Gun Kelly fan, Renee? Because you look like you love his stuff.” Renee begins to have a frown-like smirk on her face. Owens continues “Look, I already apologized. I said I got carried away. Let’s be honest, nothing would have happened if he didn’t put his hands on me first. Blame his little buddy John Cena because if John Cena had been there, none of his would have happened. I’m not John Cena. I don’t need to pander to the crowd. There will be no NXT Open Challenge tonight!
Cesaro walks upto Owens and says “All I hear is this hype for fight Owens fight, but I come here and all I hear is talk Owens talk.” Owens interrupts “very cute.” Cesaro continues without a hiccup, “Not as cute as your twitter apology, there. So, when you’re done talking. Why don’t you step in the ring with the King of Swing? Just so there’s no miscommunication, I put my hands on you 1st.” As Cesaro lightly touches Owens left shoulder. Such a great promo from Cesaro. It’s nice to see him not get lost in the shuffle due to the unfortunate and untimely injury to Tyson Kidd.
Ziggler vs. Bo Dallas-
Dolph Ziggler’s at the top of the stage and Lana appears shortly thereafter. As “the inspirational” Bo Dallas’s walks slowly to the ring, he begins to speaks softly into his microphone “Lana your on what we call, the rebound. It really breaks my heart to see you like this. Not as much as Rusev’s heart, though. You left him in his darkest hour. Then you’re with Dolph Ziggler, literally the worst rebound ever. Keep looking for a real man. He’s out there somewhere. All you have to do is bo-lieve!”
The match begins with Dolph knocking Bo down hard. Bo gets up and gains the upperhand in the corner and gets a headlock. Bo connect with knee shots to Ziggler’s chest, into slamming the back of Dolph’s head to the mat. Rusev is then shown backstage, watching on his crutches. Bo does a walking circle taunt. He attempts a clothesline, but Ziggler reverses it into the Zig Zag for the pinfall victory.
Winner by pinfall:
Dolph Ziggler
Lana kisses Dolph Ziggler. While this is occurring Rusev is shown watching backstage. He appears to be very angry and distraught by what just happened. In a fluster of words he mutters “You kissed him right on the mouth, on the mought.” He fittingly throws one of his crutches to the ground with one last attempt to vent his frustration.
Xavier Woods vs. Neville-
New Day is in the ring with their music playing. Neville’s music then floods the arena, along with cheers from the audience in attendance. Once Neville is in the ring New Day exits almost immediately. Both men circle each other, but Woods gains the advantage with hard elbows and repeated kicks. Xavier then lands a jumping elbow drop. Neville gets to his feet. Xavier Woods rushes him, but Neville backdrops him to the outside. He then runs off the rope into a front to side flip to Woods. New Day approaches Neville as he gets up from the ground.
As they approach the Tag Team Champions, the Prime Time Players come to Neville’s side. Xavier gets back into the ring and Neville follows. Neville runs to the corner with Xavier right behind, but Neville turns with his back toward the turnbuckle to deliver a boot to Woods. Woods is now on the ground, but Kofi jumps to the top of the turnbuckle at the next corner. Xavier knocks Neville off, but when Neville gains his ground he connects with a sick enziguri. Xavier now is aligned perfectly to be a recipient of the Red Arrow. Neville sees this and delivers the Red Arrow from the top rope for the pinfall victory.
Winner:
Neville
There is then a recap video of Brock Lesnar with Paul Heyman confronting the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins from Monday Night Raw.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins struts to the ring with a big smile. He appears to be very confident. Once he’s in the center of the squared circle he proclaims “I am the biggest star in the WWE. I am the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. I am the undisputed future of the industry. None of you will ever know what that feels like.
Let me explain it so you can understand. My life is under scrutiny. Never a thank you, no pat on my back. All I get asked is how I feel about my opponent at Battleground, Brock Lesnar. I was shocked, Brock attacks WWE employees, cameramen, and Michael Cole. I have to beat Brock Lesnar to cement my legacy in this business. At Battleground the diamond in the ruff, will shine brighter than I ever have.
There is then a recap of Roman Reigns and Bray from Raw and Money in the Bank. Roman is then shown in the locker room with Dean Ambrose. Dean can’t wait to get his hands on Sheamus. Roman is in thought with a dazed look on his face. Ambrose snaps his fingers in front of Roman’s face to break his thought. Ambrose reminds Roman not to worry about Bray. Roman immediately responds saying “Don’t mention his name.”
NXT Champion Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro-
Owens is in the ring. Cesaro’s music plays and he comes out to a deafening pop. Cesaro looks focused and the crowd is behind him all the way. Owens appears to be relaxed leaning into the corner. He also appears ready to go. Lawler says “This should be an excellent match.” There is an excitement to Jerry Lawler’s voice as he makes this statement and you can tell he’s looking forward to this one. Owens connects with punches, then a shoulder tackle off the ropes.
An irish whip from Cesaro and Cesaro connects with a clothesline. Owens then rolls out of the ring, but that doesn’t stop Cesaro. Cesaro runs, diving through the ring ropes hitting Owens with a suicide dive. Owens gets up near the announcer’s barrier, but Cesaro has a fire in him that hasn’t been shown in a long time. He definitely brought that fire with him tonight. Cesaro charges full speed at Owens, leaps with a European Uppercut to Owens on the barricade. Cesaro then yells to the crowd “Aye!” The crowd follows suite and gives a loud “Aye!” of their own.
Owens rolls in and tries to perform a suplex to Cesaro, while Cesaro’s on the apron, but Cesaro blocks. Cesaro tries to reverse it, but Owens blocks. Owens runs off the ropes and Cesaro hits a strong-style clothesline from the apron to Owens inside the ring. Owens with a headlock, but Cesaro escapes running toward the ropes. As Cesaro is running toward the ropes he jumps onto the second rop, springboard off the rope, and hits Owens with a torqueing cockscrew European uppercut from the middle rope. Absolutely stupendous execution by Cesaro. Owens gets up in the corner and elbows Cesaro. Owens gets up on the top rope, guillotine headlocks Cesaro, and delivers a tornado ddt. Cesaro kicks out of a near pinfall.
Owens goes for Cesaro’s finisher, the neutralizer. However, Cesaro is able to reverse the move. Cesaro picks Owens legs up for the Cesaro Swing but Owens is able to get out of it. Cesaro then locks the elbow and the leg of Owens, picks lifts him into the air, and delivers a hard slam to Owens shoulder region. Owens then kicks out of a near fall. Owens gets up in the corner. Cesaro once again rushes Owens and leaps at Owens with a stunning European Uppercut.
Cesaro is coming at Owens this entire match with another gear. Cesaro then charges again, but Owens catches him mid-air and drops him face first on the top turnbuckle. Owens then delivers a top notch german suplex. Cesaro crawls to the opposite corner. This time Owens rushes Cesaro. At the point Owens meets Cesaro he flips into a cannonball. Owens climbs to the top rope, but Cesaro gets to his feet and connects with two European Uppercut Cesaro then goes for a superplex, but Owens counters it with the reverse superplex he has done to Cena in both of their prior matches.
Cesaro manages to land on his feet before Owens can fully connect his reverse superplex. While Owens is still on the top rope, Cesaro jumps into a high dropkick. The commentators refer to Cesaro as super human. Owens rolls to the apron. Cesaro climbs to the adjacent corner. Owens pushes Cesaro off the top rope, forcing him to crotch himself and fall into the ring. Cesaro gets up, but Owens pushes him into the ropes and pops him into the air to connect with his crushing pop-up powerbomb for the pinfall victory.
Winner by pinfall:
NXT Champion Kevin Owens
There is then video footage of the Miz from the backstage area. He states “the Miz is back with the most must see movie show of all time. Miz at the movies.” He then plugs the Rock’s movie “San Andreas.” He also plugs Batista’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” He then begins to talk about the Big Show’s new movie. Speaking about how Dean Cain deserves an Oscar for having to work with someone as disgruntled as the Big Show. He continued to make defaming comments about the Big Show. Miz has been so great with his current character. This promo was no exception. It was absolutely fantastic. The Miz goes onto speak about being an A-lister from Hollywood before his promo is over.
There is then an American Dream Dusty Rhodes tribute video. The last footage shown during this video package was absolutely stunning to say the least. It’s a video of Dusty Rhodes, which appears to be taken from this past year. Possibly weeks before his untimely death. In this footage Dusty says “So, this here the American Dream and I’m going to tell you one thing. Happy trails to you, until we meet again.” This just sends chills right down one’s spine. Whoever captured this footage, hats off to you. Not only this, but to WWE’s editing crew, amazing work in finding this footage.
Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose vs. Mr. Money in the Bank Sheamus and Kane-
Reigns music plays and he makes his way to the ring through the crowd. Roman gets a loud pop during his entrance, but as soon as Dean Ambrose’s music played the crowd popped a lot louder. It was obvious Dean Ambrose was the one the WWE Universe wanted to see. Sheamus then walks to the ring apron carrying his Money in the Bank briefcase. He is then joined by Kane, after Kane makes walks toward the ring.
Sheamus kicks Ambrose, then punches him. Ambrose trades off with a series of his own punches and repeated elbows. Sheamus drops Ambrose with one blow. Ambrose is back up with chops to Sheamus into the corner. Ambrose climbs to the second rope and punches Sheamus, but Sheamus escapes. Ambrose lands an Austin-like jumping body press, into Austin-like punches. Sheamus rolls out and Kane makes his way into the ring. At the same time, Roman enters the squared circle. There was no tag for either individual, but the referee doesn’t seem to notice or at least bring it to one’s attention.
Roman runs toward Kane clothelines him in his own corner. Ambrose at the opposite corner, charges Kane and connects with a clothesline of his own. They both then deliver a double clothesline to Kane over the top rope. Smackdown then plugs Tough Enough for June 23rd. Upon returning from break, Kane gives elbows to Ambrose. Ambrose lands punches of his own. Dean then jumps to connect a standing Dynamite Kid-like dropkick. Ambrose attempts a running bulldog with Kane in Kane’s corner, but Sheamus trips Ambrose and pulls him under the bottom rope.
Sheamus then gives a body slam to Ambrose onto the announcer’s table. After a little bit outside, Ambrose finally makes his way inside the ring. Sheamus begins to attack Dean’s leg. Dean’s selling his leg injury from Money in the Bank. Sheamus lifts up Dean’s left leg into a stretch muffler. Sheamus powers Dean into the air for a powerbomb, but Dean reverses it into a hurricanrana. Sheamus rolls outside the ring and immediately comes back.
Dean’s on his way to tag Roman, but Sheamus is able to catch up to him first, clipping Ambrose’s leg from behind. Sheamus then tags Kane back into the match. Kane continues to go to work on Dean’s leg. Kane throws Ambrose over the top rope, but Dean hangs on and stands on the ring apron. He then climbs up the turnbuckles, jumps at a vertical Kane, and hits a hard flying elbow. As Kane tags Sheamus, Dean is able to finally tag Roman Reigns. Clotheslines from Roman. Roman then bounces off the ropes hard and fast to land a jumping clotheslines to Sheamus.
Kane then approaches to also catch a big Roman Reigns clothesline. Roman then picks up Sheamus for a Somoan drop. Roman signals his superman punch, but Kane is able to catch his throat with his claw as Roman makes an attempt to connect to Kane’s jaw. Dean then leaps off the top rope, but Kane catches him with the other hand.
He now has his hands around each man’s throat. He throws Dean toward the ropes, but Dean bounces under the top from the middle rope into a hard clotheslines. Ambrose then receives a brogue kick from Sheamus out of nowhere. Roman then connects with his superman punch. As Roman gets ready for a spear, we hear laughing fill the arena and picture of Roman Reign’s daughter appears on the Titantron. Bray Wyatt’s laughing ceases and he begins to sing “I’m a little tea pot, short and stout. Here is my handle, here is my spout.” As Bray sings “spout” Sheamus connects with a brogue kick to Roman’s face for the pinfall victory.
Winner by pinfall:
Mr. Money in the Bank Sheamus and Kane
Bray’s laughing starts up again. We see Bray on the Titantron saying “Happy Father’s Day, Roman. Run…” The arena goes black as a black and white Wyatt family style clips ends Bray’s promo. Upon the arena lighting back up, there is the picture of Roman with his daughter, shown earlier on the Titantron. He appears to be confused. He picks up the picture and this week’s episode of Smackdown ends.
The feud between Roman and Bray is very reminiscent of Guerrero and Mysterio or Raven and Sandman. We’ll see where this goes from here, but Bray is in dire need of a strong win. His character currently talks a big game, with little follow through on the promise. His character needs to deliver on his promises for the WWE Universe to truly take him seriously.