Smackdown Review 07/14/16

Finally! It’s finally here! The final episode of Smackdown being previously taped! Its a new era of Smackdown, where the results won’t be ruined by online spoilers! We are just 5 days away from the long awaited WWE Draft, can WWE make the last pre-recorded Smackdown memorable? Let’s find out!

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WWE Smackdown comes to you this week on the USA Network, taped on Tuesday at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
As pre-show notes, Neville made his return to the ring in a dark match and I’m pretty sure I forgot to talk about Jerry Lawler being back on the commentary team last week.

Kevin Owens opens up the show by showing a birthday card Sami Zayn sent Kevin’s son for his birthday last year, Kevin says he never opened it and when he does, he finds 20 Canadian dollars inside. Kevin calls Sami cheap and that if he interferes in his match with Dean Ambrose later on, he would end up in the hospital.

Charlotte and Dana Brooke are shown arriving to the arena they both say that Sasha pulled the biggest upset of her career by defeating Dana on monday but lightning doesn’t strike twice and tonight, Dana will beat Sasha. They also make fun of their jewelry and her “Nicki Minaj” style again.

The Miz and Maryse appear hyping the fact that the new number 1 contender for The Miz’ title, Darren Young, will be on MizTV tonight.

Dean Ambrose appears and talks a bit about the upcoming draft and says that this could be his last night on Smackdown and he will make it memorable by dragging Kevin Owens’ face all over the arena.

Sasha Banks makes her entrance followed by Dana Brooke accompanied by Charlotte.

1) Sahsa Banks vs Dana Brooke.
In a basic match for both of these competitors, Sasha Banks defeated Dana Brooke by submission with the Bank Statement after Sasha reversed Dana’s cover. Sasha is being built as the underdog that tries to overcome the champion and her sidekick and personally I don’t think that suits Sasha’s character, she should be the one that doesn’t get her hands dirty, that fights when it’s important and doesn’t need help from nobody. That’s just me though.

After the match, Charlotte attacked Sasha (again) with a Big Boot. She then tossed Sasha over the announce table and talked some trash while standing on the table.

Footage of Vince McMahon announcing Shane as the Smackdown commisioner and Stephanie as the Raw commisioner is played.

Rusev vs Dolph Ziggler is next.

2) Rusev vs Dolph Ziggler.
In a surprisingly good match, Dolph Ziggler defeated Rusev with a roll-up after Zack Ryder distracted Rusev. When Rusev was signaling for the Accolade, Ryder’s music hit. He came down and while being in ringside, Rusev tossed Ziggler into Ryder which led to Ryder distracting Rusev for Ziggler to pick up the win. Rusev looked far more intense and even aggressive in this match, which in my opinion complemented Ziggler’s way of selling really well, and I’m really happy for Ryder getting another title shot.

A video plays recapping the events that happened on the Wyatt’s compund between the Wyatts and the New Day. A graphic for the 3 vs. 3 match at Battleground is shown.

Enzo Amore & Colin Cassidy make their way to the ring after a video of John Cena at the ESPY’s. They do their usual shtick, comment that are sick and tired of The Club and hype their match at Battleground.

3)Enzo & Big Cass vs AJ Styles and Karl Anderson.
In a particularly good match, AJ Styles & Karl Anderson defeated Enzo & Big Cass when AJ made Enzo tap with the Calf Crusher after Luke Gallows distracted Big Cass preventing him from making the tag. This match was really good, Enzo & Cass have gotten so much better since joining the main roster and AJ and Enzo have great chemistry like they showed last week, and I’m really curious to see how this gets on with the John Cena factor on Battleground.

A video from Brock Lesnar’s fight at UFC 200 is shown along with the graphic for his match against Randy Orton at Summerslam and Randy’s appearence on the Highlight Reel at Battleground.

Tyler Breeze is in the ring with Fandando on ringside as Kalisto makes his entrance accompanied by Sin Cara.

4) Kalisto vs Tyler Breeze.
Kalisto defeated Tyler Breeze by pinfall with a Salida del Sol. Hopefully this turns into a storyline because both these guys are tremendously talented and Fandango and Sin Cara make good supporting characters. Not much to say really, the match was just kinda there.

Maryse is in the ring to introduce her husband, The Miz. After instuling the crown a couple of times, The Miz presents Bob Backlund and Darren Young. The Miz shows some highlights of Backlund’s carrer and Backlund receives an ovation. The Miz then shows Darren’s accomplishments which were none because he tried searching for his highlights on the WWE Network but he couldn’t find any. Young responds that the only thing he needs to do to make a career highlight is to defeat him for the Intercontinental Title. Backlud then tells Young to look at The Miz and remember what being a poor champion is. Miz then simply replies that Backlund looks like Howdy Doody and that Young should take advice from someone who has been champion this century. The Miz kept on talking crap about Backlund until Young stood up to him and slapped the mic off The Miz’ hands twice. The Miz just slinked and got away as Young stood tall.
As a personal take, Darren pretty much accepted that had accomplished nothing which was funny to me.

Sasha is getting checked by trainers backstage until Charlotte and Dana Brooke appear. Sasha got in Charlotte’s face but Charlotte stated that she was not there for trouble but to wish Sasha luck in their match at Battleground. Sasha told her that the title would be hers but Charlotte corrects her and tells her that she wishes her good luck to find a partner because it will be a tag team match.
Bummer.

Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring.

5) Dean Ambrose vs Kevin Owens.
Dean Ambrose (Technically) defeated Kevin Owens by disqualification when Seth Rollins who was on commentary attacked Dean Ambrose.

When Rollins and Owens were attacking Ambrose, Sami Zayn’s music hit and he came down to save Dean Ambrose.

In pure Smackdown fashion, a tag team match was set.

6) Dean Ambrose and Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins.
Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens defeated Dean Ambrose and Sami Zayn when Seth Rollins pinned Sami Zayn with a Pedigree. I’ve always tought this was a lazy way to move on two feuds at the same time but the match was really good as you would expect from these 4 guys.

After the match, Rollins and Ambrose exchanged some punches in the ring before Rollins escaped and went up the ramp and left Ambrose and Zayn standing tall in the ring.

That’s it! That is the last Thursday Night Smackdown for you guys! What did you think of it? We give the show an 8 out 10, because the MizTV segment dragged a little, Dana lost again and it’s just sad to see Kalisto, Tyler Breeze and Fandango with no actual direction. What were your thoughts on this weeks Smackdown?

Thank you all for reading this, and we’ll see you next Tuesday with the WWE Draft and the first edition of Smackdown Live!
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