We're just days away from Payback and now we finally have a card. The main event will be Seth Rollins defending his WWE Championship against Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and Dean Ambrose in a Fatal Four Way. Bray Wyatt takes on Ryback, Curtis Axel & Damien Sandow take on The Ascension, The New Day faces Tyson Kidd & Cesaro in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the WWE Tag Team Championship, John Cena defends the US title against Alexander Rusev in an I Quit Match and The Bella Twins take on Naomi and Tamina. Let's get to the go home show.
WWE Smackdown
Ford Center
Evansville, Indiana
May 14, 2015
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton & Jerry "The King" Lawler
Ring Announcer: JoJo Offerman
After the intro we waste no time with a backstage Bray Wyatt soliloquy. Bray says he knows Ryback is scared and he doesn't blame him. He stood toe to toe with fate and won, but Bray knows his achillies heel. He's going to make an example of him and says the garden of eden doesn't exist. Tonight he's going to scratch an itch and turn his dreams to nightmares. Wyatt says to resist the itch and run.
Here comes Dean Ambrose for a conference. We get a highlight of him standing tall on Raw as he gets a huge ovation from the crowd. He says he works best alone, fights alone and drinks alone (YEAHHHHHH WITH NOBODY ELSEEEEEE) and it felt good to stand alone on Monday. He says Sunday its every man for himself. He says Rollins is a chicken weasel troll with a lolipop guild goon squad, Randy Orton who just got speared by Roman Reigns. Speaking of Reigns, Dean says that's his only friend and he hit Dirty Deeds on him in the heat of the moment. He says he's got one thing to say to Roman and right on cue, here comes Reigns to join the fun. Tom Phillips says tonight's main event will be Reigns vs Kane, for real this time. Dean says he's not going to apologize and Reigns wasn't expecting one. Reigns says he hit him with Dirty Deeds with one time but not again because its payback at Payback. Reigns says they're cool tonight but Sunday he's bringing the big guns, and hopes he does the same. They go to shake hands but here comes Kane to wreck everything.
Kane in full coat and tie says he's sorry to break up their bro-ment but they should be less concerned for winning the Slammy Award for romance of the year and more concerned about this Sunday. He says Payback will be every man for themself but Ambrose cuts him off and says Kane should be concerned after Triple H said he'd be out of a job if Rollins doesn't walk out the champion. Ambrose says this could be the last time we ever see Corporate Kane. Kane says he's not concerned and he'll still be employed this coming Monday. He says he'll see Reigns later but right now he wants Ambrose. Kane says Dean has a match because that's best for business....against Sheamus....RIGHT <Ambrose cuts him off> NOW! Ambrose says the only way Kane knows how to make a match is right now and tells Sheamus to stop braiding his beard and to come on out. Here comes Sheamus and we're not going to waste any time....after the break
Match 1
Sheamus vs Dean Ambrose
Bells gone and they circle to start. Ambrose backs Sheamus into the corner but Sheamus shoves him away. They lock up and Sheamus is arm barred into the ropes forcing a break. Sheamus gets a headlock takeover then shoulderblocks Dean down. Dean tries the drop toe hold but Sheamus doesn't go down. Amrbose eventually catches him in a modified STF and grabs the mohawk for leverage. Ambrose kicks the hand of Sheamus but they start stiffing each other in the corner. Sheamus hits a European uppercut and a scoop slam before kicking him in the back. Ambrose rallies with right hands but another European uppercut backs Dean into the corner. Dean drops Sheamus and punches away at him but a charge in the corner eats boot. Sheamus misses a charge of his own but Ambrose hits a running clothesline and bulldog out of the corner. Dean chops Sheamus against the ropes but is thrown over the top to the apron. Dean holds Sheamus off on 10 Beats but Sheamus knees him in the head to send Ambrose spiraling to the floor. Sheamus throws Ambrose into the barricade and taunts him as we go to break. Back from commercial Sheamus locks in a Texas Cloverleaf in the center of the ring. Ambrose makes it to the ropes to force a break but is kicked in the head for his trouble. Dean counters White Noise with a sunset flip for a deuce but Sheamus catches him with it on a second attempt. Sheamus calls for the Brogue Kick but Ambrose rolls out of the ring. Sheamus goes to throw him back in but Dean does a 180 and clotheslines Sheamus down. Dean kicks him into the barricade, goes inside but runs into a forearm. Back inside Dean counters the Brogue Kick by clotheslining Sheamus to the floor. Dean hits the suicide dive outside and throws Sheamus back inside. Up to the top rope, Dean jumps off but Sheamus moves. Dean charges right into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and cover for 1...2...no. Sheamus stiffs Dean with a few right hands but Dean rallies with some of his own. Dean hits a devastating lariat on Sheamus and goes up to the top. Sheamus catches him and goes for a top rope powerslam but Dean jumps down and trips up Sheamus. Sheamus catches himself head first on the ring post and Dean rolls him up for 1...2....3 to win the match. Damn good opener and it serves its purpose of giving Ambrose some momentum going into Payback.
Time of match: 12:42
Winner: Ambrose by pinfall
Ambrose taunts Sheamus in the aisle as Phillips says he might walk out of Payback the champion. Backstage Kane doesn't look happy when Seth Rollins, Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble walk in. Seth reminds Kane that if Rollins loses Sunday, he's fired. He says he heard a rumor Kane won't help him this Sunday and asks if that's true. Seth reminds Kane that he's paid to be Director of Operations and Kane says he's saved his money and that's no concern of his. Seth says Kane needs to do the right thing and Kane says he's struggling with that. He doesn't know what the right thing will be until he's standing at ringside this Sunday. He tells Seth he has to prepare for Roman Reigns and Rollins laughs at him saying "good luck with that." Kane says "Good luck in your match too....against Ryback." Well that was a curveball, there's your double main event tonight. Lawler laughs at Rollins' face but then says Daniel Bryan's retirement was no joke and we'll be seeing highlights of his speech from Raw later.
Back from break, Phillips shouts out the band doing the Payback theme and here comes Rusev and Lana. They have Rusev come out first for the boo with Lana coming out moments later for the pop....brilliant. We get a highlight of two weeks ago where Fandango gets Lana to do the Fandango only for an irate Rusev to clobber him from behind like a bolt of lightning....very very frightening. Back to real time, Rusev in the ring hands a mic to Lana as the crowd chants USA. Lana reads a prepared statement by saying she betrayed her country by "indulging in perverse western customs." She begs forgiveness from her family, mother Russia and Rusev. Lawler isn't buying that this was legit as Rusev grabs the mic and says last Monday shows why John Cena would lose this Sunday. He's unfocused and unprepared as we go to a clip of Cena vs Adrian Neville last Monday where Rusev lays Cena out. Rusev says Cena was saying "I quit" before he passed out. He goes to a doctored clip of Cena simply saying "I quit" over and over again which gets annoying after a while. Finally Rusev cuts the clip and yells at the crowd as Lawler hates everything that's going on. Lawler says Cena never gives up as Phillips says Rusev's name and legacy are on the line.
Back to Renee Young in the back with Ryback. She asks if he can focus on Seth Rollins tonight with Bray Wyatt lurking. Ryback says winning tonight will be a big opportunity for a title shot and despite what anyone thinks, he's not a meathead nor a dummy. Ryback says he saw the fear in Bray's eyes when he hit him with the Meat Hook. He says "the big guy is hungry" and Feed Me More. The match is next...after commercial.
After break we're sent to more Tough Enough submissions with one of them being future TNA Champion Tessa Blanchard, a badass marine who lost his leg in Iraq that's not gonna let it stop him from trying to wrestle, a legitimate leukemia survivor, "Hollywood" Mike Verna, a bunch of idiots and comedian Gabriel Iglesias....no I'm not kidding. The announcers guffaw over Iglesias as Seth Rollins makes his entrance with J & J Security in tow. He grabs the mic and shows a clip of Monday's Raw where Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Randy Orton spam finishers on him. Rollins says he hopes the crowd loves that because that's the last time he'll ever be humiliated again. Press X to doubt. He says the others are just as cut-throat as he is and he'll pick up the pieces after the others cut each others throats. Rollins says his talent, his bodyguards and Kane, he'll be victorious. He goes to say something about Ryback but here comes Ryback anyway. Out of nowhere Bray Wyatt ambushes him with a shoulderblock into the barricade. Wyatt crawls toward Ryback and laughs at what he's done. Lawler says this is the lowest he can sink. Wyatt disappears as Rollins in the ring just laughs at Ryback. The referee tends to him as the crowd goes hush. Some kids in the crowd chants "Let's go Ryback" as we get a highlight of Wyatt's ambush. We go to commercial with the announcers speculating if Ryback can continue. Back from break Ryback is in the ring telling the ref to ring the bell. The ref calls for it and we're on.
Match 2
Ryback vs WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins (with Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble)
Non title here as Rollins throws his shirt at him at the bell. There's a sign in the crowd that says Feed Me Smores, ha! Rollins kicks away at Ryback and headlock punches him. Rollins gets in a front facelock but the suplex attempt is blocked. Ryback goes for his own suplex but Rollins counters with a knee to the head. Rollins ram Ryback face first into the buckle and a knee to the back sends Ryback through the ropes to the outside. Noble and Mercury put the loafers to him for some heat as Phillips says its like being attacked by a shark. The ref goes to count out Ryback but he makes it back just in time. Rollins stomps away at him as Lawler says Ryback isn't thinking straight. Rollins hits a DDT and covers for 1....2..no. Rollins chokes Ryback on the second rope and punches away at him. Ryback rallies with right hands and a Thez press. Rollins hits a rude awakening neckbreaker and covers for 1...2..no. Rollins hooks the leg a second time for a deuce. Rollins gets a front facelock as Lawler says Wyatt cowardly attacked Ryback as Ryback heaves Rollins much to Jerry's delight. Jerry says Iron Sheik tweeted Jabroni & Jabroni Security (it wasn't actually Sheik behind the account) earlier as Ryback hits a backdrop on Rollins. Rollins misses a charge but Ryback's charge eats boot. Rollins jumps into a bearhug and a tilt-a-whirl slam. The kids in the crowd chant Feed Me More as Ryback rallies with shoulderblocks and a spine buster. Ryback covers for 1...2....no. Ryback calls for the Meat Hook but gets distracted by Mercury on the apron. Mercury retreats and Rollins goes for the O'Connor Roll, but it gets blocked. Ryback hits the Meat Hook clothesline and goes for the Shell Shock. Rollins rakes the eyes and goes to the apron. Rollins kicks Ryback in the head and goes up to the top rope. Rollins hits a one legged dropkick which leads to a superkick. Rollins "Come onnn big guyyyy". Rollins hits another superkick and covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Lawler says that's a tainted victory. Interesting to see Ryback take the pin without taking the Curb Stomp but it was mostly to show Ryback was essentially out on his feet. Its funny how Ryback can be hit with chairs and chainsaws but one shoulderblock from Bray Wyatt knocked him goofy? Either way the match told a story of Ryback trying to beat the champ while seeing double, give credit for that.
Time of match: 8:23
Winner: Rollins by pinfall
After the match Phillips asks if Seth needs Kane if he can beat Ryback. Lawler counters that this match would have gone different if Wyatt didn't attack. We get a graphic for Reigns/Kane saying pinfall for submission only....so its a Street Fight without actually calling it that. Back from commercial we get a graphic for The Meta Powers (Damien Sandow and Curtis Axel) vs The Ascension for this Sunday's pre-show match. I said this on my Raw writeup but its a sign of the times when you have to steal other people's gimmicks to get over. We get a graphic saying The Bella Twins take on Naomi and Tamina. So much for the one on one match between Naomi and Nikki. Guess Naomi needs just a little more heat before their inevitable clash.
We go to Renee Young with Naomi and Tamina Snuka. Renee immediately goes to Naomi and Tamina attacking the Bellas two weeks ago and says she's shown a different side of herself. Renee asks what caused the attitude change and Naomi answers she and Tamina are tired of being overlooked. Naomi says she's the best athlete and Tamina is a powerhouse but WWE gave them nothing. They're sick of walking around empty handed and they're taking what's theirs. Tamina says they run the Divas now and Naomi laughs at Nikki calling her fake. Naomi says Brie is a pathetic quitter just like her husband Daniel Bryan. Naomi says sometimes a good girl gotta be bad in order to get things done. She's got a point how the ex-Funkadactyls and Tamina accomplished nothing so far and this is their chance. Hell why don't they reunite her with Cameron at this point?
Before we get to the next match, here comes New Day to annoy everyone. Xavier says Tyson Kidd and Cesaro are CHEATERS. Out of the kindness of their souls they're giving them a second chance this Sunday. Big E Langston says Kidd and Cesaro are bad people because they don't recycle (HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!), when they go to the movies, they buy one ticket and see two! Kofi "Oh no no!" Kofi says there's good news that they don't have to be like Kidd and Cesaro, they can choose to be like New Day. Kofi are the change the fans need to see in this world, so sing with them. Xavier goes for New Day Rocks and naturally the crowd chants New Day Sucks. Here's the siren and out come Kidd and Cesaro with Natalya in tow. Apparently we got singles action with Cesaro in street clothes but they haven't said who he'd be facing. Woods and Big E leave so now its going to be Kidd and Kofi.
Match 3
Tyson Kidd (with Cesaro and Natalya) vs Kofi Kingston (with Big E Langston and Xavier Woods)
Singles action as Kofi takes on Kidd here. Bell's gone and Kidd gets a waistlock but Kofi kicks his way out of it. Kidd rallies with right hands but Kofi hits a reverse suplex and rolls through it for the chinlock. Kofi turns it into an armbar as Xavier screams "we're the champions, we're so good" Kidd powers out of it and Kofi slides out of the ring. Kidd kicks him away from the ring and hits a running cannonball to the floor on top of Kofi. Kidd throws Kofi in the ring and covers for 1...2.no. Lawler says the match this Sunday favors Cesaro as Kidd goes for the sharpshooter. Big E hops on the apron but Cesaro snatches him off, dropping him with a clothesline. Xavier hops up on the apron and Natalya grabs him allowing Kidd to kick him off. Kofi rolls him up for 1..2...no. Kidd blocks Trouble In Paradise and goes for the sharpshooter and locks it in. Kidd drags him into the center of the ring but Kofi taps to end the match. Short and sweet, gave Kidd & Cesaro some momentum going into Sunday's showdown. Having Natalya there does counter whoever of the New Day won't be wrestling.
Time of match: 2:08
Winner: Kidd by submission
Kidd caters to the crowd after the match as Phillips says that could be the result of one of the falls. Saxton says they don't know which of the New Day will be wrestling as Lawler says Cesaro can beat any of them. Phillips hypes up Elimination Chamber on May 31st just 17 days from now. Want to know how you ruin big matches? That's how. No matches have been signed or advertised two weeks out and its not like this is an international effort like Insurrextion or Rebellion. Its a WWE Network exclusive just like King of The Ring last month. Good luck finding it now.
Up next after the break is the highlight of Daniel Bryan's speech on Raw. Back from commercial we get the highlight of Daniel Bryan saying he's stepping away due to injuries and vacating the Intercontinental Championship. After that, the announcers give a eulogy of Daniel Bryan....but here comes Bo Dallas for absolutely no reason. Dallas says it sucks to lose Daniel Bryan and life isn't about yes or no. Dallas says Bryan being gone will be difficult but this is Bo's chance to be there for all of you. He says there's the five stages of grief, denial that DB let them all down. The second is anger, and being angry at Bryan letting them down is healthy. The third is bargaining and they're going to get a heck of a bargain on DB t-shirts now that he's gone. The fourth is depression and Bryan will be completely engulfed in it when everyone forgets about him. Last is acceptance and he can help the fans accept Bryan is never coming back, all they have to do is Bo-Lieve. His high pitched voice made that heel promo perfect but here comes Adrian Neville for a match. Neville makes his entrance with JoJo Offerman calling him the man that gravity forgot. Saxton puts over his former NXT brethren as we go to commercial.
Match 4
Adrian Neville vs Bo Dallas
Joined in progress after the break, Wade Barrett sits in on commentary to say some not so nice things about Neville. Neville backflips over Dallas and hits a bodypress for 1...2..no. Dallas screams at the top of his lungs as Barrett and Lawler have a back and forth King-off. Neville is hurled over the top to the apron but pulls it down to send Dallas flying. Neville is pulled off by Bo and thrown back in the ring. Bo chokes Adrian with the ring apron and clotheslines him down. He covers for 1...2..no. Phillips asks if he's impressed with Neville and Barrett says he's impressed and not doubting his talent. Neville dropkicks Dallas as Barrett says when he's in the ring, gravity always wins. Neville hits a running enziguiri as Barrett says he'll ground him like at the King of The Ring. Neville goes upstairs and hits a delayed Red Arrow for 1....2...3 to win the match. Phillips says that could be Barrett taking the fall this Sunday. Squash match to give Neville some momentum going into Sunday.
Time of match: 2:17
Winner: Neville by pinfall
After the match, King Barrett in full robe and crown says "How dare you try and pass yourself off as a challenge to the king's throne. I don't have the time to deal with the frivolities of a mere peasant like you." Barrett says Neville comes out week after week in a ridiculous costume....as Barrett is waiving a goofy scepter at him. Barrett says Neville needs some corporal punishment and he's going to get that this Sunday courtesy of a royal bullhammer. Barrett says all hail King Barrett as we get a replay of Neville's Red Arrow. Neville and Barrett point at each other before we cut.
Adam Rose is giving butterfly kisses to Rosa Mendez as the Rosebuds led by Hot Dog ask when they're going to be paid. You can see the future Alexa Bliss in the background as Hot Dog is actually named Carl. Adam says they're not being paid to talk. Rose says they're creating a revolution and Carl replies "So we're not getting paid?" Rose grabs the poor guy and says he doesn't get it, he's just like Bunny. Rosa Mendez says they don't get him like she does as Rose pushes Carl to the ground. Rose says the party is officially over but Rosa says the party is about to begin as they kiss. Suddenly Kane shows up, steps over the fallen Carl, scoffs at the lovebirds and makes his way to the ring. It was about time to get rid of the Rosebuds since he had long turned heel at that point, but it was funny to look back and see just how many huge stars were in the Rosebuds that totally eclipsed Rose himself by the end of their careers (and still going in some cases).
Back from commercial we get another Tough Enough plug with a highlight on Mike Tarverna (aka Hollywood Mike Verna from the New York and New England independents). Here comes Kane for the final match followed by Roman Reigns. No pre-match promos, just fight time.
Match 5
Roman Reigns vs Kane in a glorified Street Fight
Roman headbutts Kane as he makes his entrance and they brawl before the bell just like Monday. Kane slugs away at Reigns before Roman rallies with right hands. Kane throws Reigns into his old mentor Jerry Lawler but Reigns fights back. Kane sends Reigns into the steel steps before sliding into the ring. Kane tells the ref to ring the bell but he waits till Reigns gets in. Reigns slides in and the ref makes it official now. Kane rallies with right hands and heaves Reigns back outside. Lawler "Here the come again, guys." Kane grabs the steel steps but Reigns moves before he can be hit with them. Reigns sends Kane head first into the ring post as Lawler says Kane's mission is to take out Roman before Sunday. Roman grabs a singapore cane from under the ring and waffles Kane with it as Phillips says there's no disqualification in the match. Back inside Kane grabs the cane, no pun intended, and goes to town on Roman as Kevin Dunn's camera zooms are making me sick. Rollins, Mercury and Noble are watching in the back as Kane covers Roman for 1..2..no. Back from commercial break Kane's charge in the corner eats boot as Roman rallies with right hands. Kane counters with a big boot and covers for 1...2..no. Kane picks Reigns up and throws him through the ropes to the outside. Kane then clears off the announce table and calls for the chokeslam. Reigns lands feet first on the table and superkicks Kane then hits a jumping clothesline. Roman rams Kane headfirst into the table and hits a dropkick with Reigns landing ass first onto the table. Roman grabs the steps and bashes Kane with them. He grabs a table from under the ring...make that two. Roman sets one of them into the corner but Kane counters with a boot and a DDT. Kane covers for 1...2...no. Kane sets the other table up in the center of the ring and calls for the chokeslam. Reigns elbows out of it then hammers Kane with strikes. He goes for the Superman punch but runs right into a chokeslam through the table. Kane covers for 1..2...no. Kane can't believe it and he pounds around the ring. Kane calls for the tombstone but Reigns slides out of it and hits the Superman Punch. Kane staggers and Reigns spears him through the other table. Reigns covers for 1...2....3 to win the match. Reigns wins a hell of a fight and has momentum going into Sunday. Power brawls are always entertaining and that one delivered.
Time of match: 11:16
Winner: Reigns by pinfall
Reigns celebrates on the entrance ramp as Lawler says Rollins won't like that. Speaking of which, we cut to Renee Young with Seth and J & J Security for a final interview. Renee asks Seth what Roman's victory does to his confidence and Seth says that was a hell of a performance but it'll take more than that to beat him. He says that goes for Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton as well but Renee starts to back up. Ambrose sneaks up on the trio as they ask where Renee is going. Seth asks what he's doing as Dean has a plate of cookies in his hand. Dean "Anyone want a cookie?" as he throws the cookies at Rollins and the cookie pan at Mercury. Ambrose beats down Rollins until J & J seize Ambrose. Rollins punches Dean but from out of nowhere Roman Reigns heaves a luggage crate into Noble. Roman grabs Rollins as Ambrose snatches Mercury. Reigns and Ambrose clean house before turning to face each other. Ambrose and Reigns look down to see the pile of cookies and the World Heavyweight Championship. Roman offers a hand shake and Dean teases taking it but grabs the belt instead. Dean puts it on Roman's shoulder and says "Don't worry, I'll take it on Sunday". Roman ends the show holding the title....get used to that, folks.
That show went by quick with some of the matches being really short but thankfully everything got to the point. The only ones truly missing on this show was Randy Orton and John Cena as everyone else involved in Payback....well important anyway, was here. The stage is set, will Rollins walk out as champ facing Orton and his Shield mates or will one of the others win and Kane goes bye bye? The next show is Payback itself, I'll see you there.
No comments:
Post a Comment