WWE Smackdown (1/3/25)

WWE Smackdown

Footprint Center

Phoenix, Arizona

January 3, 2025

Commentators: Michael Cole and Corey Graves

Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia

Happy new year for WWE. 2025 is going to start with a bang this coming Monday night with Raw's Netflix debut but we got some unfinished business on Smackdown first. Unfortunately, now Smackdown will be three hours long as they make the jump from Fox to USA. This show will be most likely be hype for Netflix Raw and the Royal Rumble coming up in a month. Let's get right to it.

Michael Cole welcomes us to Phoenix and to 2025. We get a recap vignette of the Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens feud. Owens thinks he's the WWE Champion because he stole the old school Winged Eagle title at Saturday Night's Main Event. Nick Aldis last week said he had till the end of the night to give it back and confronted him in the ring. Owens demands a re-match where the ref won't be a factor but Aldis says hand it over or you're fired. Before Owens can make a decision, Cody Rhodes walked out with Aldis telling him to get lost. Cody says its not Nick's responsibility, its his. He challenges Owens to a ladder match at the Royal Rumble with the winner getting both belts, Shawn Michaels/Razor Ramon style. Owens shoves Aldis into Rhodes and attacks his bad neck until the Suit Brigade makes the save. 

Back to real time, here comes Cody Rhodes himself for a soliloquy. Cody says he would ask what they want to talk about but he knows what they already want. Cody says they're on the cusp of changing everything with Raw going to Netflix and Smackdown going to three hours. Cody says his excitement is tempered because he's not cleared to wrestle yet. Massive groan from the crowd on that one. He goes on to say he's not cleared because of Kevin Owens but at the Royal Rumble they're gonna brawl anyway.....and here comes Drew McIntyre of all people. What in satan's fire does he want? Drew hugs him but Cody doesn't reciprocate, he just looks at him funny. Drew grabs a mic and says he's not here to hurt Cody, he's here to help him. Drew says he and Cody go way back so he won't stand around and see Cody undo his entire life's work by getting hurt. Drew says this generation is the best in WWE history, not the 80's, the New Generation, the Attitude Era. He's right about the New Generation, that era was garbage. Drew says Cody has been the catalyst for the past few years but he's going to screw it up. He says Owens is running around with a fake belt just like the "idiot" fans in the crowd and offers his services to watch his back. Cody calls him out for saying he always tells the truth so he'll do the same. He says he'd love to say he watched him from afar as Drew carried the company through the pandemic and both of them are kindred spirits that had to leave WWE to come back better than ever. He'd love to say that in the last 3 years Drew became a beast on the mic and in the ring but he won't, because he doesn't believe him. He can feel the tension and says Drew is just after the title, so come and get it. Drew says the fans will forget them when they're gone and he's not here to hurt him. Drew goes to leave and says to watch his back. Right on cue Kevin Owens attacks from behind and Drew just shakes his head, walking away. Cody and Kevin brawl in the ring until the Suit Brigade shows up. The crowd wants them to fight but they're separated. The Rumble is going to be a war.

We cut to the back where Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga walk in. They're going to be taking on The Uso's and Sami Zayn in a six man tag later tonight. This coming Monday night it'll be tribal combat between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa to officially end the Bloodline civil war. The Women's Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi walk in as well. Naomi will take on Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Championship and Nia arrives on her own. Andrade then walks down the hall as he's coming in our first match against Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States title. Let's get to it.

Match 1

Andrade vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Non-title match as Andrade is so far down the card its not even funny. They show their match from two months ago where Nakamura won. Cole brings up their feud from New Japan a decade ago as Nakamura attacks at the opening bell. Andrade kicks him in the head and hits a running huracarana before dropkicking Shinsuke off the apron. Andrade goes up to the top and moonsaults on Shinsuke on the floor as we go to break. Back from commercial, Andrade hits a running elbow and a dragon screw. Andrade hits a flying forearm to send Nakamura into the corner. Nakamura hits a knee to the ribs and a spinning heel kick. They play "Yay/boo" until Andrade connects with a big chop. Nakamura hits a snap german suplex off the first rope and hits a knee to the face from off the second rope. Shinsuke covers for 1...2....no. Shinsuke rips the top turnbuckle off and Andrade dropkicks him into the exposed steel. He hits the double knee in the corner and covers Shinsuke for 1...2....noooo. Andrade goes for the top rope moonsault but lands on his feet then hits a standing moonsault, covering for 1...2....no. Shinsuke elbows Andrade away but he replies with his own spinning back elbow.  He covers for 1...2..nope. Andrade puts Nakamura on the second rope and slaps his chest. Andrade goes for the superplex but Nakamura blocks it. Shinsuke somehow DDT's Andrade onto the ring post and throws him back into the ring. Cole calls Andrade a sitting duck as Nakamura hits Kinshasa. He covers for 1...2....3 to win the match. Good win for Shinsuke in a serviceable match but usually non title matches are designed for the challenger to win to set up a future shot. So much for Andrade.

Time of match: 8:49

Winner: Nakamura by pinfall

Shinsuke's celebration is short lived as LA Knight makes his way out to get him some. Knight ducks a belt shot and clotheslines the champion. LA Knight rallies with right hands and goes for the BFT, but Nakamura pushes him away before beating a hasty retreat. LA Knight grabs the mic and screams "Yeah, you steal my title and things go crazy. What goes around comes around." Knight wants a title shot as Cole says he's not the same as he was when he lost the title back in November. That remains to be seen.

We cut to Apollo Crews on his phone just chilling when Pretty Deadly shows up to heckle him. Crews knows Los Garza didn't attack the Street Profitz, DIY did. Right on cue here's Legada Fantasma to confront Deadly. Santos Escobar says if they're going to lie, at least do it to their faces. Deadly begs off but Escobar says their lies will beat the crap out of them. Deadly says no need to threaten and Escobar says he won't do that. Right on cue Humberto Carillo and Angel Garza attack Kit and Elton until Nick Aldis & The Suit Brigade break it up. Aldis says Deadly and him are gonna have a chat as we go to break.

Back from break Aldis grills Deadly on what happened last week since Crews said it was DIY that attacked the Street Profitz. DIY themselves show up and says Deadly are fine upstanding citizens, unlike Apollo Stooge. Aldis replies his eyes are connected to his brain and the four of them are on thin ice. Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano says Pretty Deadly would make great number one contenders and imply that if they want title shots, to help them win their rematch with the Motor City Machine Guns later.

Michin comes out for her match with Piper Niven. Classic "win against the bodyguard to get a title shot" match here. We're shown Chelsea's victory at Saturday Night's Main Event to win the inaugural Women's US Championship. Cole throws shade at Chelsea for her music hitting, her coming out first and wearing a US wonder woman outfit. Graves says its in the constitution. Cole "You know what she was giving out as Christmas gifts? Little ornaments with her face on them. WHO THE HELL WOULD PUT THAT ON THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE?" Matt Cardona would be my answer. Graves says he's got two of them and he wants to be minister of propaganda in her cabinet. Corey Goebbels everyone.

Match 2

Michin vs Piper Niven (with Chelsea Green)

Bell's gone and Niven blocks a kick, avalanching her into the corner. She punches away at Michin but a charge eats boot. Michin hits two Frankensteiners to send Piper to the floor. Michin hits a frankensteiner off the apron but gets caught in a sidewalk slam before posing for the irate crowd. Back inside Michin hits a bulldog and covers for 1...2..no. Niven blocks Eat Defeat and avalanches her in the corner. Niven salutes Chelse and says "Oh champion, my champion" and cannonballs nothing as Michin moved. Michin hits a cannonball into the corner and starts twerking much to Cole's delight. Hey if Graves can slobber all over Chelsea, turnabout is fair play. Michin kicks Piper in the head and covers for 1...2...no. Graves is irate as Green distracts Michin to allow Piper to block Eat Defeat, hitting the Piper Driver. She covers for 1...2....no. Piper drags her into the corner and goes for the Vader Bomb, but Michin gets the foot up to block it. Piper staggers right into Eat Defeat and Michin covers for 1...2...3 to win the match. Fun little match mostly due to Chelsea's antics and the bickering commentary.

Time of match: 7:00

Winner: Michin by pinfall

 

Michin stalks Chelsea as Graves hopes Cole gets deported. We cut to the back where Paul Heyman makes his way in the arena, avoiding the metal detector. We get a snippet of John Cena's Farewell Tour that begins this Monday night on Raw. We get a vignette for Naomi for hype for the Women's title match. 

We cut to Paul Heyman in the ring for a conference. He says this Monday night will be tribal combat to find out who's the real tribal chief. Heyman says Reigns and himself trained Solo to become the future tribal chief. Heyman says when Roman was ready to step down, Solo would rise. Then Roman Reigns got revenge for Seth Rollins but Cody Rhodes took advantage to win the match. That's when Solo Sikoa seized the moment by stealing the Ola Fala. Heyman calls Solo a twisted son of a bitch and he stole it from Roman. Heyman complains Solo got rid of himself and Jimmy Uso because Solo knew no one would acknowledge him as tribal chief. He went out and got a band of filthy animals that don't even belong in pro wrestling. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa aren't welcome in the United States and Jacob Fatu's not even welcome outside the United States prison system (hahaha). Heyman says Monday night will be no rules apart from there must be a winner and loser. Heyman says the winner of the match will be Roman Reigns, the only tribal chief. 

Heyman goes to leave but uh oh...here comes Solo for a rebuttal. Graves "Now would be a great time to make your exit, Mr. Heyman." A sign in the crowd says Solo is the Temu Tribal Chief as Heyman admits he's ten seconds away from pissing in his pants because the last time he said Solo wasn't the tribal chief, he got put through a table in front of his kids. He knows if he says the wrong thing, Tama and Jacob will do the same damn thing in Phoenix, Arizona. The crowd chants "Yeet" as Solo demands the mic. Heyman hands it over as the crowd chants "Solo sucks!" Solo milks it then says "Phoenix, Arizona....acknowledge me" to a chorus of boos. Solo says Heyman needs to acknowledge the truth, he owes CM Punk a favor. Solo says he'll owe Heyman a favor because Monday he needs someone to hold the Ola Fala during the match. He needs someone who loves the family and is trustworthy. Solo says if Roman wins, Heyman will go back to being with him but if Solo wins, then he'll own the Ola Fala and Heyman himself. Solo concludes by saying Roman will have no choice but to acknowledge him before dropping the mic in front of Paul. Heyman works better as a heel manager so the idea of him turning on Roman and joining Solo is definitely on the table.

We get a hype vignette for the Motor City Machine Guns who's mad at being betrayed by DIY. They claim that they taught Gargano everything he knows and he and Ciampa have forgotten who the Guns are. It took them 3 matches to win the belts but only need one to get them again. On to the next match.

Match 3

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) vs DIY (Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano) for the WWE Tag Team Championships

Graves says he's known Gargano to be a sniveling rat for years and now everyone sees it for themselves. Bell's gone and Ciampa starts with an arm ringer on Sabin. Graves compares Gargano to a barnacle on a tiger shark (Ciampa) as Sabin hits an arm-drag. Ciampa runs into another arm-drag but hits a jawbreaker. The Guns hit a double elbow on Ciampa and Shelley gets in to kick Gargano out of the ring. Shelley tags in and works the left arm of Ciampa before Sabin tags back in for the double back elbow. Cole agrees with Graves that Gargano's MO is to latch on to people. Sabin clothelsines Tommaso over the top to the floor then sends Gargano out as well. Shelley opens the ropes and Sabin hits a suicide dive onto the champs on the floor as we go to break. Back from commercial Ciampa sends Sabin into the corner where he dropkicks Gargano off the apron. Ciampa runs right into a dropkick and Shelley wants the hot tag. Ciampa tags in Gargano and Shelley gets the hot tag who cleans out both champs. Shelley hits a rude awakening and covers for 1...2..no. Shelley turns his attention to Ciampa who holds him but he powers out of it, kicking Gargano to the outside. He tags in Sabin for the double baseball slide then double planchas. Shelley favors his left knee but tags in anyway as Cole says the only loss the Guns have suffered was the match they lost the belts in. Gargano fights off both guns but walks into a Shelley high knee, then Sabin enziguiri. A double superkick knocks Gargano out and Shelley covers for 1...2...no, Ciampa breaks up the count. Sabin and Ciampa play "Yay/boo" before Sabin blocks a discuss punch with a chop to the chest. Gargano superkicks both Guns down and all four of them are down. Ciampa gets the legal tag and he chops Shelley in the center of the ring. They chop it out in the center of the ring as Sabin tags in. They do the STF dropkick as Sabin calls for Skull & Bones. Uh oh....here comes Pretty Deadly. They distract Shelley long enough for Ciampa to throw him outside. Ciampa hits a running knee to Shelley and tags in Gargano. He superkicks Shelley as Ciampa hits the pedigree, then covers for 1...2...no. Suddenly Los Garza hit ringside to chase Pretty Deadly away to even the odds. Shelley rolls Gargano up out of nowhere for 1...2.....no. Shelley locks in the Motor City Stretch and Sabin has Ciampa in an STF. But oh no! Garza and Kit Wilson tumble into Sabin for the DQ...booooo! Graves "This sucks....this absolutely sucks! I love Pretty Deadly but now was not the time, here was not the place!" The champs retain as Graves calls Gargano a twerp (Hahaha) as Gargano lays across the announce table. Graves dares Cole to hit them as Ciampa tries not to laugh for real. Good match but ruined by the garbage ending, you know another match is coming.

Time of match: 10:54

Winners: No one (Double DQ): DIY retains

Nia Jax is with Gargano's wife, Candice Larae. Nia has no idea where Tiffany Stratton is and Candice says shes got her to fall back on. Nia says after she beats Naomi, maybe she and Candice will take on Bianca & Naomi for the tag straps....if Candice keeps Bianca out of it. We get a graphic for Nia against Naomi later as well as the six man tag match between Bloodline and New Bloodline. We cut to Sami Zayn who runs into Carmelo Hayes. Hayes says he had Sami beat last week if it wasn't for Braun Strowman. Sami says Hayes ran away as Melo denies it. Melo says he and Sami can go anytime but The Usos pop up behind him. Melo says he's got no problem as Sami hilarious says what Melo was saying in the whitest way possible (yes I know he's Syrian). Sami wants Melo to tell him more and Melo heads for the hills. Sami says he'll get his gear and join them in a few minutes as Jey says YEET. Suddenly Kevin Owens bumps into Jey and Jey says to watch where he's going. Owens tells Jey to watch his back as he walks off. Graves says they might want to heed the warning.

We cut to highlights of our brawl to start the show with Owens and Rhodes. In real time, Cody is leaving but Nick Aldis stops him. Aldis says Cody better be okay because he talked him into making the ladder match. Aldis tells Cody to think of the big picture and if he won't,  he'll do it for him. Cody says Nick is a good boss but he's the champ. Cody says Aldis has the right to bench him but Cody has the right to call his shot. Cody says if he sees Kevin Owens or even someone that looks like him, he drops them on sight. I believe it! As Naomi makes her entrance, we're shown some signs in the crowd. One guy has a sign that says his wife thinks he's on a work trip and Graves says he'll be sleeping on the couch when he gets home.

Match 4

Naomi (with Bianca Belair) vs Nia Jax (with Candice Larae) for the WWE Women's Championship

Cole reminds us that February 12, 2017 was the last time Naomi was a world champion and that Candice weaseled her way into Nia's good graces. Bell's gone and Naomi dropkicks her to start. Naomi kicks at the legs of Nia but gets shoved down. Nia taunts the irate crowd and throws Naomi in the corner. Nia splashes Naomi in the corner as Cole asks who attacked Jade Cargill is still at large. Naomi drops Nia into the corner and kicks her in the chest. Naomi slides to the apron where she kicks Nia in the head but Nia headbutts her down as we go to break. Back from commercial, Nia goes for a sit down on Naomi but Naomi rolls out of the way. Nia hits a swinging Urinagi and covers for 1..2...no. Nia throws Naomi down then hits a scoop slam. Nia hits an elbow drop and covers for 1...2....no. Nia locks in a chinlock as Bianca tries to get the crowd on Naomi's side. Nia sends Naomi into the ring post and hits a running hip into the ring post. Nia covers for 1....2....no. Nia goes for the powerbomb and Naomi victory rolls for 1...2...no. Nia clotheslines Naomi down and goes for the Banzai Drop. Naomi kicks her down and hits a double stomp. Naomi hits a split from the second rope and covers for 1...2...no. Jax misses a charge in the corner and is snapped off the top rope to the floor. Naomi hits a suicide dive and rolls Nia back inside. Naomi tries a few double axehandles then a springboard enziguiri. She hits a big samoan drop and covers for 1...2...noooooo. Naomi drags Nia to the corner and goes for the moonsault but Nia stops her. Nia ties Naomi in the tree of woe and runs into her in the corner. Nia hits a second rope leg drop and covers for 1.....2...NOOOOO. Nia brings her to the corner and goes for the Banzai Drop but Naomi face plants her. Naomi hits a tornado DDT and covers for 1...2...nope. Naomi hits the double knee plant and covers for 1..2....negative. Cole asks who's going to win as we go to commercial. Back from break Naomi is thrown in the corner but she hits a blockbuster, covering for 1...2..no. Naomi leapfrogs over Nia but Nia goes for the samoan drop, only for Naomi to lock in a crucifix for 1...2..no. Naomi goes for some kind of submission but Candice hops on the apron for the distraction. Bianca pounces on her immediately and sends Larae into the barricade. Nia throws one of the tag belts at Bianca and sends her into the ring steps. Nia drags Naomi to the corner and goes for the leg drop but Naomi kicks her in the head. Naomi gets caught in a powerslam but somehow she reverses the powerslam in mid air (!!!). Uh oh! Here comes Tiffany Stratton with the money in the bank briefcase and referee Ryan Tran. She says she's going to cash in and when Tran turns around...she throws him over the barricade. Cole and Graves are completely confused as Tiffany clobbers Naomi with the briefcase. Nia hits the Banzai Drop on Naomi and covers for 1..2...3 to win the match. That match was 10 times better than it should have been despite the outside noise. The underdog vs big brute worked to perfection and this was fun to watch.

Time of match: 19:35

Winner: Jax by pinfall (still Women's Champion)

After the match, Graves says it was all a ruse for Tiffany to help Nia retain. Tiffany gets in to celebrate with Candice and Nia as Bianca tends to Naomi in the corner. Nia attacks Bianca and goes for the Banzai Drop....AND TIFFANY CRACKS NIA WITH THE BRIEFCASE! The crowd pops huge as Tiffany kicks Candace and throws her outside. Tiffany rolls outside as Bianca hits the KOD on Nia. Tiffany pulls Bianca outside and heaves her over the announce table as the pop gets louder. Tiffany cashes in and Ryan Tran says ring the bell. Here we go!

Match 5

Tiffany Stratton vs Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Championship

Tiffany wastes no time, she goes for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever as the bell rings. She hits the moonsault and covers as Cole shrieks "ITS...TIFFY...TIME" as the ref counts to three. Tiffany FINALLY cashes in on Nia and wins the title to a huge ovation as Cole calls her a Judas. We got a new champion folks!

Time of match: 7 seconds

Winner: Stratton by pinfall (New WWE Women's Champion)

We go to the highlight with the crowd going nuts as Tiffany got the fall. Stratton worked hard to get here and the fact she got a huge ovation shows she's ready for the spotlight. Can't help but think of how that was going to be Mandy Rose if she didn't get fired. Tiffany celebrates at the entrance as the crowd goes nuts, unfortunately we're sent to commercial. Back from break, Cole and Graves go over what we just saw. Kind of strange to have the cash in on Smackdown rather than at the Rumble but Tiffany was just too hot to wait that long. Cole says Tiffany is the fifth woman to win her first world championship by cashing in. Corey says his wife was one of them, ha! We then go to a hype video for Tribal Combat between Roman and Solo. Life was good until Roman lost at Wrestlemania, then Solo built his own Bloodline to reign supreme. Then Roman returned and Solo said he had no tribe. Roman reconciled with The Usos and Sami to fight the new Bloodline. After a victory at Survivor Series, a one on one showdown was inevitable. Now this Monday, it's Roman vs Solo one last time. We cut to the back with Jacob Fatu screaming that he loves Solo and the whole world will acknowledge him. The New Bloodline makes their entrance as we go to break. 

Back from break, a post-Raw show featuring Big E Langston, Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore will be held after the first Raw on Netflix. We cut to Byron Saxton who's with LA Knight. Knight says Nakamura's got hell to pay and Aldis asked why. Knight says Nakamura's been doing it to him for a while so now monkey see, monkey do. Aldis granted him a title shot next week on Smackdown and he's entering the Royal Rumble. Knight says anyone who gets in his way will be slapped back to factory settings and that's a fact of life, yeahhhhh. The Uso's and Sami make their entrance through the crowd to a chorus of YEET. Graves refuses to Yeet because the New Bloodline is too close to their table. On to the main event.

Match 6

Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa vs The Uso's (Jimmy and Jey) and Sami Zayn

Bloodline vs Bloodline again only no Tonga Loa or Roman. The faces YEET in the ring for a solid 5 minutes before the bell rings. Jacob will start with Jimmy but the others get in the ring for the standoff. Its a pier six brawl to begin with the New Bloodline getting shitcanned as we go to break early. Back from commercial its Jey coming off the top with an elbow to the left arm of Jacob. Tama Tonga tags in and they tie up only for Tama to get an axehandle to the back. Tama punches away in the corner and stands on his head. Tama is rocked into the buckle and Jey locks in a figure four, tagging in Sami. Sami drops an elbow on Tama and rams his head into the buckle. The crowd chants "Sami Uso" as Graves says Roman had everyone do his bidding while Solo was in the trenches with his crew. Cole counters Reigns was given the Ola Fala, Solo just stole it. Jimmy tags in and kicks at the left arm of Tama. Solo snaps Jimmy off the top rope and Tama tags him in. Solo punches away at Jimmy and says "You see that Roman, that's gonna happen to you." Cole says Solo, Jimmy and Jey are brothers but leave out that Jacob is their first cousin. Tama and Sami aren't related if you hadn't guessed. Solo tells Jimmy to get his ass up and chokes him on the second rope. Tama gets a cheap shot in as well before Solo locks in a nerve hold. He shouts "No yeet!" as Jimmy gets to his feet. Cole says Jimmy was on the shelf after breaking his toe in Wargames. Sami tags in and rallies with right hands on Solo, ducking the line and hitting a clothesline of his own. A second one rocks Solo but the third one drops him. Zayn punches him in the corner and elbows Tama off the apron. Sami jumps into a spinning rock bottom as we go to commercial. Back from break, Solo has a nerve hold on Sami before Sami runs for it....right into a Samoan drop. Solo covers for 1...2....no. Sami chops Solo's chest but Solo no sells it. Solo tags in Tama who rallies with right hands. He and Sami brawl together before Jacob tags in. Jacob hits the Umaga in the corner and hits a thrust to the throat. Jacob tags in Solo who lands a headbutt to Sami. Solo taunts Zayn but eats a boot to the head. Sami hits Blue Thunder Bomb and crawls for his corner. The Uso's get the crowd to chant Yeet as Jey gets the hot tag. Jey cleans out all three heels and punches away at Tama. Jey's samoan drop is blocked but Jimmy gets the blind tag. Tama misses a charge and a double superkick stuns Tama. The Usos drop Tama with a back elbow smash but here comes Jacob. The Uso's double clothesline Jacob over the top rope but Jimmy tumbles over with him. Jey gets rolled by Tama for 1....2..no. Jey hits a neckbreaker on Tama and covers for 1...2...no. Jacob on the outside throws Jimmy into the barricade and Sami bum rushes Jacob. Solo throws Sami into the ring post but gets punched off the apron. Tama hits a DDT on Jey and covers for 1...2...no. Jacob gets the tag and he taunts the irate crowd. Jacob says "You should have joined us and acknowledged Solo." Jey superkicks him into the corner and Sami gets the tag. Sami then tags in Jimmy for the triple team. Jimmy, Jey and Sami all hit the Umaga on Jacob. Sami and Jey suicide dive onto Solo and Tama outside. Jimmy hits the top rope splash on Jacob and covers for 1...2...no. Corey says he didn't get all of it and it might be due to protecting his foot. Jacob recovers to hit his own top rope splash and moonsault. He covers for 1...2...no, Sami breaks it up. Sami is sent over the top rope by Jacob but is backed into the corner by Jimmy. Jey tags in and they hit the double superkick to Jacob. Jey covers for 1...2...no. Uh oh, here comes Drew McIntyre. What the hell does he want? Oh yeah, he faces Jey this Monday night. Jey hits a suicide dive onto Drew then goes to the top rope. Jey runs right into a pop up samoan drop by Fatu. He covers for 1...2...no. Solo gets the tag as Jacob screams "I...LOVE...YOU." Jacob misses the Umaga and Jey superkicks Solo to the outside. Jey hits the spear on Jacob but he's not the legal man. Jey hits the top rope splash but referee Charles Robinson says he's not legal. Solo sneak up and nails the Samoan Spike on Jey. Solo covers for 1...2...3 to win the match as Sami can't break it up in time. New Bloodline win it. The McIntyre didn't really effect the match other than to hype Jey vs Drew on Monday. Cole says after the match that Roman Reigns is next.

Time of match: 22:37

Winners: New Bloodline by pinfall

New Bloodline pick up a much needed win with Solo needing some momentum going into Tribal Combat. You never know who might interfere in the match for either side. We run down the card for Raw with Roman vs Solo, Jey vs McIntyre, Rhea Ripley vs Liv Morgan for the World Women's Championship, John Cena's farewell tour kicks off and CM Punk vs Seth Rollins in the main event. We sign off with the New Bloodline with their fingers in the air. This was a hell of a show with some good matches, but it felt off with the focus being on the Raw debut on Netflix. Still, a lot of stuff was established and we got a new WWE Women's Champion. Nia Jax isn't going to take that lying down and Pretty Deadly is in deep doo doo with Legada Fantasma. DIY and the Guns are due for another showdown but one thing is for sure, Solo vs Roman ends the Bloodline Civil War. If Solo loses, nobody will give a rats ass about his crew. The Tongans are essentially useless and Jacob is due to break out eventually. All in all things are rolling and the hype to the Rumble has started. The next show after this is Monday's Raw from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. I'll see you there!

WWE Smackdown (5/14/15)

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.