WWE started off 2016 well, with a brand new feel to Smackdown. The commentary got a much needed overhaul, and every segment felt important to the whole product. With an advertised “three main events” for this week, how will Smackdown follow up to last week’s solid episode?
Opening Segment
Dean Ambrose arrives and is looking for a fight. With his heated feud with Kevin Owens on his mind, Ambrose challenges Owens to a Last Man Standing match at the Royal Rumble. And out comes… Sheamus? Sheamus says that he hates starting a fight he can’t finish, and looks like he’s about to challenge Dean to a match tonight. However, Owens comes out to accept Dean’s challenge for the Royal Rumble, and it will be for the Intercontinental Championship! As Sheamus and Owens are about to attack Ambrose, Neville comes out to even the odds, which will lead to a tag team match later tonight.
Main Event #1: The Dudley Boyz vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan
These are two teams that have great matches with just about anybody, and the rivalry between the Dudleys and the Wyatts has been brutal, so this should be a good one.
And it was a brutal match, but the numbers game did not help Rowan and Harper. The Dudleys manage to get the better of them and send Luke Harper through a table for the victory. Winners: The Dudley Boyz
Now that the match is over, Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman attack the Dudleys, and Strowman sends Devon through two tables in the ring corners. Turning their focus on Bubba Ray, Rowan and Harper chokeslam him through two tables off of the announcer’s table.
Social Outcasts vs Goldust, Damien Sandow, Jack Swagger and Zack Ryder
This is a very interesting matchup considering the team that isn’t “The Social Outcasts” could easily be given that name. The match starts, and the Social Outcasts start off with a victory lap. The action picks up, and Ryder is about to hit the Broski Boot, but he gets distracted by Heath Slater. This results in Bo Dallas taking advantage and hiting the Bo-dog for the victory. Winner: Social Outcasts
Main Event #2: Kalisto vs. Alberto Del Rio – United States Championship
Del Rio lost his United States titles to Kalisto, and is invoking his rematch clause only three days later. Kalisto has been on quite a roll as of late, with his Slammy-winning “OMG moment” from TLC, and defeating Del Rio twice in a row. Del Rio clearly hates small luchadores, and vows to beat the “mosquito” tonight. Kalisto has two really good things going for him that are similar to Rey Mysterio: He has an exciting, fast-paced move set, and his small size make him an underdog by default that the fans are willing to get behind.
Del Rio and Kalisto have great in-ring chemistry, as seen on Monday Night Raw. Just as Kalisto is about to hit the Salido del Sol, King Barrett provides the distraction, and eventually helps Del Rio to dodge a suicide dive. Del Rio takes advantage, and makes Kalisto tap to the Cross Armbreaker. Winner and NEW United States Champion (via submission): Alberto Del Rio
Brie Bella vs. Becky Lynch
Pre-match: Becky Lynch challenges Charlotte to a Divas title match at the Royal Rumble! No word on whether or not Charlotte accepts the challenge.
Brie Bella managed to escape losing to Charlotte on Raw, but versing Becky Lynch tonight does not seem to bode well for the jobber of the division. Brie Bella starts with some good offense early on, including the kicks to the midsection (akin to her husband Daniel Bryan). Becky turns the tables fast, and locks in the Disarmer for the victory. Winner (via submission): Becky Lynch
Main Event #3: Kevin Owens and Sheamus vs. Dean Ambrose and Neville
These are two odd teams facing off. First of all, Dean has practically only teamed with Roman Reigns, and now he’s friends with Neville. As for Sheamus, he has three other superstars in the League of Nations that could help him. Speaking of which, what is going on with Rusev?
There are some great spots in this match, including Neville delivering a German suplex to Kevin Owens, and Kevin Owens superkicking Dean Ambrose on the apron in the middle of a rope rebound. Sheamus hits Dean Ambrose with the top of the announce table for the disqualification. Winners (via disqualification): Neville and Dean Ambrose
After the match, Kevin Owens is about to powerbomb Ambrose through the announce table, but Neville delivers a corkscrew plancha over the top rope. Dean sets up Owens near the turnbuckle, and Neville hits the Red Arrow to end the third and final main event for Smackdown.
The Royal Rumble is on January 24, and will be available on the WWE Network free for first-time subscribers.
