Csonka’s WWE Smackdown Review 7.09.15

Thursday Night Smackdown 7.09.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Dean Ambrose defeated Bo Dallas @ 7:40 via pin [**½]
– Rusev defeated Fandango @ 3:23 via pin [*½]
– Roman Reigns defeated Big Show @ 4:08 via DQ [**]
– Titus O’Neil defeated Big E @ 2:50 via pin [NR]
– Brie Bella and Alicia Fox defeated Tamina and Naomi @ 2:55 via pin [NR]
– Non-Title Match: IC Champion Ryback defeated World Champion Seth Rollins @ 10:22 via count out [***]

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* We get highlights from Raw.

* Jimmy Uso and his gear are on commentary again.

Seth Rollins Talks: Rollins tried to be a big bad ass as he discussed calling out Lesnar on Raw. He concluded that Lesnar was a coward because he took his anger out on a car and refused to face Rollins. He’s not upset that Lesnar ruined a $56,000 car; instead he’s upset about the fact that Lesnar ruined his gift to J&J. What was left of the Cadillac was rolled into the arena on a flatbed, and that led to Paul Heyman appearing. Heyman worked his magic, noting that Rollins was alone and would be when he defends against Lesnar. He then basically said Brock would take him to Suplex City and end him. Rollins stood up for himself because Lesnar wasn’t there, saying that he would destroy Lesnar like he did the Shield. They had some good back and forth; Rollins has improved and has done well in previous encounters with Heyman. They play off of each other well. I appreciated the hype for the title match, I just hate that WWE is so trapped in their TV formula that they are afraid to change.

Dean Ambrose vs. Bo Dallas: We start off the in ring portion of the show with a rematch of one of the least interesting matches from Monday’s Raw. Bo cut one of his wacky little promos pre-match, noting Ambrose’s title match failures and then claiming that he inspired the Rock. Dallas is completely played out because they never evolved the character, and they had the chance to do so when he was out injured but all they’ve done is show that he can get mean. I don’t care that he’s “only a low card guy”; he can still be interesting. Dallas posted Ambrose three times, and they actually worked through the commercial. Ambrose beat him in under three minutes on Raw and Dallas constantly gets defeated with ease, so I am having issues believing Dallas can battle the former title contender so evenly. It’s not that the match wasn’t good, it’s that Dallas has been treated like a complete joke and is now giving Dean Ambrose trouble. Build him up and I can believe it, don’t just throw it out there and expect us to accept it. Ambrose stopped selling the shoulder, made a comeback and scored the win with dirty deeds.

* Seth Rollins was upset backstage, and the Big Show consoled him and offered him some cuddle time. Rollins said if Show wanted to help him take Lesnar out that he could, but Show was all like, “nah, already been there, I’m good”. Show basically played Stuart Smalley here, motivating Rollins and then promised to take out Roman Reigns tonight.

* We get highlights of Monday’s couples therapy segment, where Rusev was miraculously healed and beat the shit out of Dolph Ziggler to put an end to the bullshit for a while.

Rusev w/Boots & The Hot and Submissive Summer vs. Fandango: Fandango took control early and then danced for Summer, Rusev then got annoyed and beat the shit out of Fandango. The crowd chanted for Lana as Rusev laid the beat down on Fandango, and applied the nerve hold. They actually gave Fandango a comeback, which made the match go way too long for what they were going for here. Rusev then hi the superkick and locked in the accolade for the win. This went too long, and actually felt boring in the middle and that’s saying something for a three-minute match. This should have been a complete destruction. Rusev has been damaged by the Cena feud and then the lame bullshit with Lana and Ziggler. He should have destroyed Fandango (who hasn’t been anything in forever and is the perfect sort of guy to squash) with ease and quickly to get him back on track. Seriously, how do you mess up something as simple as a squash match?

Roman Reigns vs. Big Show: I had enough of these guys facing off earlier this year; I really didn’t want to revisit it. Uso was actually good here on commentary, noting that he believed that Reigns was actually afraid and may not be mentally into the match. Reigns largely ran wild, until Watt’s music hit and he started to come to the ring. Reigns didn’t buy it this time, but Wyatt wasn’t coming from the ramp he tried to attack from behind. Reigns fought him off and then hit two Superman punches on Show. Wyatt then pulled down Reigns and crotched him on the post. Show hit a chokeslam and then Wyatt picked the bones like on Raw, hitting Sister Abigail. Show and Reigns put in some solid work because they could work a quicker pace due to the design of the finish. Also I feel the DQ is good because Show has an IC Title match at the PPV and Reigns has already taken a few too many loses recently as they have built this feud. This was a good segment overall as they continue building to Reigns vs. Wyatt.

Titus O’Neil w/Young vs. Big E w/Woods and Kofi: Hoss battle here, New Day distracted Titus allowing Big E to take control. The match was about what you’d expect, they beat on each other and tossed each other around. Young and New Day looked to get involved, and New Day got ejected. He clash of the Titus finished it. The story of New Day not being able to win without the numbers advantage continues. This was fine.

Randy Orton Talks: Orton talked about being in the WWE for 13-years and that Sheamus has gotten under his skin more than anyone else. He promised t beat down Sheamus and prove that he’s still the man. The Ascension made the mistake of coming to the ring, claiming that this was their time. They told Orton he could leave or that they would take him out and rip him limb from limb. They ate RKOs as Orton stood tall. That was a segment.

Brie Bella and Alicia Fox w/Nikki vs. Naomi and Tamina: Brie controlled early, and scored with her running knee for a near fall. Tamina tagged in and took over, hitting a catatonic for the near fall. The, well other heels, got the heat on Brie and Naomi tagged in but it didn’t last long. Fox got the hot tag, ran wild for a bit but Tamina got the blond tag. Nikki with the distraction, and that led to Team Bella scoring the win. This was completely disjointed with no real structure, they did shit and no one really cared because the division has no real heel/face dynamic. I really wish that they would do something quick about this division. Fox hit the ax kick on Tamina after the distraction to score the win.

* Ryback cut a pre-match promo, basically all he said is that it’s feeding time.

* Brock Lesnar will be on Raw this Monday.

Non-Title Match: World Champion Seth Rollins vs. IC Champion Ryback: Rollins tried to run a bit early, but Ryback took control using the power game. He hit a big delayed suplex, and then they worked through the commercial break. Post break Rollins took control with a superkick on the apron, sending Ryback to the floor. Rollins actually is a very good opponent for Ryback, because he’s a really good worker and also works to Ryback’s strengths. He also sells very well, making Ryback’s stuff look really good. Ryback also does his part; they just have good chemistry. Ryback was about to hit shell shock, but Rollins countered and then tried to escape the ring. They brawled to the floor and Rollins bailed through the crowd, allowing Ryback to get the count out victory. They had a fun match there, and the finish makes sense to protect both champions as they head into their PPV matches. After the match Show appeared and he and Rollins headed to the ring to attack Ryback. They attacked and worked over the Big Guy, but Roman Reigns then made the save and stood tall with Ryback. This may be a preview of Raw’s main event.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.0

The final score: review Average

The 411

At the end of the day this was another basic edition of Smackdown. It wasn’t bad, they did some build to some PPV matches, and it was over. It just never feels as if anything important happens, and it is never must see TV.