Csonka’s WWE Smackdown Review 4.28.16

Csonka’s WWE Smackdown Review 4.28.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Kalisto defeated Sheamus, Rusev and Alberto Del Rio @ 11:00 via countout [**½]
– Baron Corbin defeated Damien Sandow @ 2:22 via pin [NR]
– Enzo Amore and Big Cass defeated The Social Outcasts @ 2:40 via pin [NR]
– Apollo Crews defeated Stardust @ 2:03 via pin [NR]
– Non-Title Match: WWE Champion Roman Reigns defeated IC Champion The Miz @ 10:22 via pin [**¾]

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Roman Reigns Talks: As reigns made his way to the ring, Lawler rattled on about how Roman Reigns is so proud that Reigns’ isn’t affected by the booing of the fans, and that it was cool to boo Reigns. Reigns plans to punch Styles in the mouth at Payback, just like he did on Raw. He respects Styles, but he knows that he’s aligned with Doc and Karl. He wants the truth from AJ, but instead gets Miz and Maryse. Miz said that AJ was never coming out, and then introduced Reigns to Maryse, he then said he broke the conspiracy theory about AJ, Doc and Karl, and then compared it to the Shawshank Redemption, and that Reigns will be the warden, dumb founded in the end. Reigns landed a right and then clotheslined Miz to the floor. Reigns then handed Maryse the IC Title, and told her that it was “very nice to meet you.” Miz and Reigns will face off in the main event.

– Renee Young interviewed the League of Nations. They claimed to be stronger then ever by getting rid of Wade Barrett, no mention of them all losing on Raw. They were excited for their match.

Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Kalisto vs. Sheamus, Rusev and Alberto Del Rio: The league argued a bit over who would start the match, with Sheamus kicking things off. They took Kalisto to their corner, and then kept tagging themselves in, already teasing the dissension in the ranks. Rusev then settled in and worked a bear hug on Kalisto. Kalisto escaped and tagged in Zayn. Zayn ran wild for a bit, but then Sheamus distracted him and that allowed Rusev to gain control as we took a commercial break. Back from the break as Sheamus worked the heat on Zayn. Del Rio in to continues the assault on Zayn, and then got a near fall off of the DDT. Del Rio posed a bit, and then Rusev tagged himself in. They argued, Sheamus smartly pulled Zany back to the corner and tried to stop the arguing. He failed as Del Rio bailed on the team. Rusev went back on the attack, but he and Sheamus still argued and then Zayn moved and Sheamus hit Rusev. More arguing, and Rusev said fuck it and bailed. Zayn then got the hot tag to Kalisto, he got to run wild on Sheamus and looked good on the hot tag. Cesaro then tagged in and lit up Sheamus with uppercuts, and then hit a high cross for a near fall. More uppercuts from Cesaro followed. Sheamus then took a walk and the league lost via countout. It was fine for what it was, the focus was on the League imploding, which is fine, I just wish that the baby faces would have actually won leading to the League breaking up.

– We see the League arguing backstage, leading to a brawl between the three. Sheamus declared the ring is finished.

– They then show the awesome Zayn vs. Owens video package.

– We get highlights of Ziggler’s attack on Corbin from Raw.

Baron Corbin vs. Damien Sandow: Corbin immediately attacked and took Sandow to the floor for an ass beating. Corbin dominated with ease, and then hit end of days for the win. It was exactly what it needed to be.

– Renee Young interviewed AJ Styles. He said he would prove himself at Payback and win the title on his own. He doesn’t answer to Reigns, and will step on his cape when he wants to, and will do that tonight, when he watches his match.

The Ambrose Asylum with Charlotte and Natalya: We get highlights of the Ambrose and Jericho brawl from Raw. Before we get to the interview, Ambrose is at the announce table and discusses Raw’s brawl. Jericho made a mistake by letting go, and Ambrose holds a grudge, and when he holds a grudge nothing will stop him. He will beat Jericho at Payback, and while Jericho looks silly, he knows he has skills, but on Sunday he will turn Bon Jovi into Meatloaf. He then heads to the ring, grabs some Tic Tacs, and starts the Asylum. He brings out Natalya first. Natalya praises the set, and Ambrose says the plant is named Mitch. We see footage of Ric costing Natalya her title match against Charlotte. Natalya said that things will be different ton Sunday, because Bret Hart will be in her corner. Charlotte and Ric then made their appearance. Ambrose had fun dancing to Charlotte’s music, and then introduced Charlotte and Ric. Charlotte doesn’t care about Bret being at ringside at Payback, and is insulted that Natalya would parade Bret out here after all he’s been through. Charlotte said Ric being with her is different because he is a legend and a two-time hall of famer, and former 16-time world champion, but more importantly, he is her coach. Natalya claims Ric is a lying, creepy old man who knows that he has to cheat to help her win because Charlotte can’t win on her own. She promises Bret will be there to stop his antics on Sunday, and she will make Charlotte tap again. Ric laughed at the thought of Bret stopping him, because he beat Bret in WWE, in WCW, and owned him. If they had to wrestle on the moon, he’d beat him there as well. Natalya said a new era was going to begin, and a champion that they deserve. Solid segment overall.

– New Day made their way out to the ring. They are here to do commentary for this next match. They needed extra room, they made King and Mauro stand and then made Byron Saxton sit on the floor; because he’s booty. Kofi was great when Enzo and Cass’ music hit, “wait for the bass to drop, it’s hot.” Enzo and Cass did their intro, vowing to be the next top contenders for the title.

Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. The Social Outcasts (Axel and Dallas) w/Slater: New Day was having fun doing their mock commentator voices as Byron looked sad sitting on the floor. Enzo and Cass controlled early, until Slater distracted Enzo and Axel then took control of things. The Vaudevillains made their way out to watch the match as the Outcasts worked the heat on Enzo. Enzo avoided a charge by Dallas, and then made the tag to Cass. Cass ran wild, Empire elbow on Axel and then the corner splash. He then took out Slater, hit the Bossman slam on Axel and the rocket launcher finished it. The Vaudevillains golf clapped for Enzo and Cass. Cass they said on Sunday, they would prove that there is only one word for them, SAWFT. This was a solid but unspectacular segment to set up Sunday’s tournament finals.

– Goldust and Truth talked back stage, Goldust said it felt right when they danced last week. Tyler Breeze then arrived, and Truth said that he is happy that Goldust is happy, and he will tag with Breeze. They will be the Gorgeous Truth. Truth thinks he and Goldust are better off as friends. Truth had the most ghetto selfie stick, which he called a budget stick. Fandango then arrived and Goldust was upset about the whole situation. Fandango promised it would be ok, sat with him and danced in his seat. I have no clue what the hell I just watched, but hey, at least they have something to do, right?.

– We get a wacky video with the Colons. “Come to Puerto Rico, The Shining Star of the Caribbean!”

Apollo Crews vs. Stardust: This is out rematch from Raw, where Crews won in about three minutes. Stardust was aggressive and tried to attack early, which led to them going to the floor and a short brawl. Stardust then cut him off and attacked the knee with a dragon screw leg whip, and took control. Stardust worked the knee and grounded the bigger man, staying focused and consistent early with the work. Crews battled back with clotheslines, and a powerslam for a near fall; Crews did sell the knee on the powerslam. Stardust dropkicked the knee, but Crews fought back and hit the sit out powerbomb (with no issue) and that was all. First of all, we really didn’t need the rematch., Secondly, it is asinine to try and fit effective limb work into a 2-minute match, because while Stardust did some damage, Crews just shook it off, hit his finish and won without issue. That was poor producing from the agents.

– We get a video package, showing off the Shane vs. Stephanie confrontation from Raw.

– AJ Styles makes his way out to watch the main event, as promised.

Non-Title Match: WWE Champion Roman Reigns vs. IC Champion The Miz w/Maryse: Reigns controlled the opening portion with ease, using his power and then taking Miz to the floor and hitting the drive by kick. Reigns made the mistake of talking shit to Styles, which led to Miz attacking him from behind and then posting him to take control prior to the commercial break. Post break, Miz had the heat, grounding Reigns with the chinlock. We got a solid heat here from Miz, he’s doing the more aggressive deal that has worked well for him the past few months. Reigns powered up and hit a Samoan drop, leading to the double down. They fought to their feet, Reigns worked over Miz with rights and clotheslines as AJ watched on. Reigns then pummeled Miz in the corner, and set for the Superman punch when Maryse pulled Miz to the floor. Reigns followed, but Miz attacked the knees of Reigns and rolled him back in. Miz tried the figure four, Reigns escaped but Miz then hit the short DDT for a near fall. Reigns fought back, hit the spear, and won. This was a pretty good match overall, but I hate the fact that days before the PPV, the IC Champion lost clean when he is going into a title defense. Don’t misquote me, I did not say buried or anything of that sort, but it makes no sense to destroy any momentum Miz had when the IC Title and Champion needs it. They could have scrapped that six-man and put Sheamus or Rusev in here.

– Post match, AJ had a face off with Reigns. Doc and Karl then arrived and attacked Reigns. They brawled on the floor as AJ watched on. They tossed Reigns into the steps, and then into the ring. AJ did not seem to appreciate this, and then the Usos ran out to make the save. They brawled with Doc and Karl as AJ watched on. An Uso attacked AJ, which is when he got involved. AJ tried to tell Gallows to stop, but then he shoved AJ aside and ate a spear from Reigns. AJ and Reigns teased a fight, but AJ dropped to the floor.. He and Reigns yelled at each other to close the show.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

5.5

The final score: review Not So Good

The 411

If you missed the show, you missed nothing. It was largely fine, but contained some questionable booking choices heading into the PPV.