Wow, did we really start Smackdown off with a 15-minute promo to set up a ten man main event, and Hunter did a poor Teddy Long impersonation?
I get the whole point of the promo and the match. It involves all the players, save Orton, from the world title controversy Monday Night and the currently feuding Jericho/Bray and Big Show/Mark Henry and Harper/Rowan. Therefore, it serves to further a couple of different feuds and storylines.
The problem is, it was overly long and could have been cut in half. Cena starts out with a typical long-winded, boring Cena promo to talk about something that could have been done in two sentences and ended with Hunter Hurst Long.
Please Hunter, no more Teddy impersonations.
Our first match of the night is a stellar match between Cesaro and Dolph Ziggler. Sheamus was on commentary and had some great lines while on the mic.
The match started out slow, but then really ramped up to something good, especially when Ziggler countered Cesaro’s uppercut attempt into an impactful DDT. The ending was somewhat weird though, as Dolph countered a move into a roll up for the pin. I am not sure what Cesaro was going for, the neutralizer maybe? But, Cesaro put Dolph behind him.
After the loss, Cesaro attacked Ziggler, only to be stopped by a Brogue kick from Sheamus.
Speaking of odd, I assume Gold and Stardust have a tag title match at Night of Champions. Their promo made less sense than usual.
The Dust's promo was followed up by a match between Jimmy Uso and Heath Slater. This was actually a decent match, and both guys did well. Jimmy won after a great spot where he super kicked Heath as Heath came off the top rope.
Jay came down to ringside on a crutch (yes, one crutch). Cole questioned whether he will be able to wrestle at Night of Champions. Could this be a set up for the Usos losing the titles because of injury, adding more fuel to their feud with Gold/Stardust?
In a pre-taped segment, Stephanie announced that Paige will defend her title at Night of Champions against AJ Lee AND Nikki Bella. Expect Brie to be added to the mix somewhere in the next two weeks.
On a separate note, I wish the WWE would do more pre-taped segments. They can work very well and be better-managed then in-ring promos.
Mark Henry is right, Lana does run her mouth to much, and she does look like an escort. Or Russian Mail Order Bride as JBL commented. The problem with this segment, was that to get to the point, we have to listen to all the anti-American rhetoric, which is old and tired already.
Mark Henry actually saved this segment. At least we know that there will be a Henry/Rusev match at Night of Champions.
I can’t believe I am writing this, but I just witness Brie Bella have a good match against Paige, despite losing in the end. Nikki sat at ringside to watch the match. AJ Lee was on commentary, and admitted to enjoying the Bella drama.
AJ Lee eventually got in Nikki’s face, leading to Nikki shoving AJ and AJ kicking Nikki’s ass. Brie was distracted by this and actually saved Nikki from AJ, then lost the match.
The match was fairly good, and Brie saving Nikki actual adds a new dimension to this family feud.
Can Bo Dallas go away? Now. I mean NOW. This segment was horrible. Bo squashes Zack? Horrible. Bo on the mic? Horrible.
The main event 10-man tag team match (Big Show, Mark Henry, Roman Reigns, Chris Jericho and John Cena versus the Wyatt Family, Seth Rollins and Kane) received a good amount of airtime and was actually a fairly good match.
The problem with these types of matches is they don’t really give the participants involved enough time and usually break down into brawls. This match was no different. The Wyatts and Authority dominated the entire match. Once Cena tagged in and went on a roll, the match broke down and was thrown out.
We ended the show with the faces standing tall, and the hells down low.
FINAL THOUGHTS: An average show at best, saved by the Cesaro/Dolph match and the main event. Most everything else felt like filler someone came up with on the fly. Nothing of any matter came out of this broadcast.
The main event felt more like it was to hype up Monday Night, then stand-alone.
RATING: 5
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Cesaro versus Dolph Ziggler
WRESTLER OF THE NIGHT: Dolph Ziggler
IMPACT OF THE NIGHT: There wasn’t one.
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