Smackdown Review 06/23/2016

It’s been less than a week since Dean Ambrose won the WWE World Title on Money in the Bank. The Shield triple threat was announced for Battleground and Roman Reigns got suspended for 30 days due to failing the wellness test. How will all of this change Smackdown? Let’s find out.

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This edition of Smackdown comes to you on the USA Network taped on Tuesday at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona.

The show kicks off with Seth Rollins in the ring talking about the journey it took for him to get back in the ring and how that journey ended when Dean Ambrose robbed him of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He says he wants to prove he’s more of a man than Ambrose will ever be, so he issues an open challenge for any superstar to face him in the main event of Smackdown. Sami Zayn’s music hits and he makes his way down the ring. Rollins says Sami is the perfect guy to make an example out of. Dean Ambrose’s music hits and he tells Rollins and Zayn to quiet down. Ambrose then asks for his set to be carried to the ring and an impromptu Ambrose Asylum breaks out. After some comments on Rollins, he storms out and Ambrose hypes the fact that the main event will be Sami Zayn vs Seth Rollins.

1) Cesaro vs. Alberto del Rio.
In a really really good match between two of the best technicians on the roster, Cesaro defeated Alberto del Rio by pinfall with a Neutralizer. Hopefully a feud breaks out between these two as they both need something to do and they seem to have a lot of chemistry in the ring.

2) Sheamus vs. Apollo Crews.
In a rematch from Money in the Bank, Sheamus defeated Apollo Crews by countout after a Brogue Kick to the back into the steps and Apollo Crews being unable to beat the ten count. Apparently this feudjust ended this way and hopefully this means Apollo moves on to bigger things on the main roster.

The Club are backstage praising AJ Styles for defeating John Cena this past weekend until The Usos show up. Jimmy Uso tells AJ that he is the man who can’t win any matches on his own. Gallows & Anderson make fun of the Usos and call one of them Jose, and after some words between both groups, AJ accepts Jimmy’s challenge and tells him The Club won’t be at ringside for the match. He goes for a handshake but both the Usos “dab” on him.

3) Jimmy Uso vs. AJ Styles.
Even though The Club was not at ringside for the match, Jey Uso was. In actually a good match, AJ Styles defeated Jimmy Uso by pinfall with a Phenomenal Forearm after Gallows & Anderson attacked Jey Uso at ringside distracting Jimmy.

4) The New Day vs. The Vaudevillians.
In an average match to put over the New Day, the New Day defeated The Vaudevillians by pinfall when Kofi Kingston pinned Simon Gotch. I feel like the Vaudevillians deserve so much more and this matches that we have already seen before are doing nothing for the New Day.

After the match, the Wyatt Family appear on the titantron where Bray Wyatt cuts a promo on the New Day and Xavier Woods looked a little unsettled, just like on Monday. Wyatt ends his promo with his new line “New Day Falls”.

Another “Make Darren Young Great Again” promo is played where Bob Backlund asks Young for his goals.

Sami Zayn is backstage being interviewed by Greg Hamilton. Greg asks Sami about his brawl on RAW with Kevin Owens. Sami says he wants to end his rilvalry with Owens already as he feels he can not move forward with his career. He says that Seth Rollins is one of the best in the roster so by beating him tonight, he will be making a big statement.

Charlotte & Dana Brooke are interviewed backstage by Renee Young. Charlotte says Dana is oficially first class and they will dominate anyone that stands on their way. Renee asks Charlotte about Sasha Banks recent return. Charlotte simply says that Sasha may be the Boss, but she is the Queen and Sasha will bow down.

5) Dana Brooke vs. Becky Lynch.
I complain about this every single week. Dana Brooke defeated Becky Lynch by pinfall after a distraction from Charlotte. This literally went on for about 2 minutes and Dana couldn’t even get a clean win. If you don’t want to give time to Dana, that’s ok, just give time to the women in general.

After the match, Charlotte attacked Becky Lynch and as she celebrated, Sasha Banks’ music hit and she made her way to the ring. As she and Charlotte were about to brawl, Charlotte left the ring and Dana tried to sneak attack Sasha until she reversed it and locked the Bank Statement on her.

6) Seth Rollins vs Sami Zayn.
With Dean Ambrose in commentary, Seth Rollins defeated Sami Zayn by pinfall with a Pedigree in a really good match as expected. This match was full of reversals, really well executed moves and just an overall fast paced contest.

After the match, Seth Rollins attacked Dean Ambrose and as Rollins got distracted, Ambrose got the upperhand and started beating on Rollins, until getting back into the ring, Ambrose tried to lock in Dirty Deeds but Rollins managed to escape to close out Smackdown.

That’s Smackdown almost a week after Ambrose became champion and Roman Reigns (not acknowledged on the show) got suspended. We would give the show a solid 8 out of 10, just taking points away for the awful treatment of the women and the lazy commentary by David Otunga (Yes, he is still employed).

We’ll see you next week when we’re even closer to the Brand Split! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @WammysWrestlingUniverse