With the Royal Rumble just three days away, there are dozens of Superstars, as well as two Divas, who are looking to make an impact on tonight’s episode of Smackdown. Who will show that they are a force to be reckoned with this Sunday?
Opening Promo
We start off with Y2J, Chris Jericho, who starts off by reminding us what happened at the end of Monday Night Raw, when the Wyatt Family ultimately ended up standing tall (or kneeling in Bray’s case). Jericho starts to talk about his chances in the Royal Rumble match and he’s interrupted by none other than the New Day.
New Day wants to make a documentary about Jericho, called “Making A Brass Murderer,” referencing when Jericho broke Xavier Woods’s trombone on Monday Night Raw last week, as well as the hit Netflix show “Making a Murderer.” Jericho starts making fun of the New Day, saying their unicorn names should be “Rooty” (Kofi), “Tooty” (Xavier), and “Booty” (Big E). The New Day has enough, and start making their way towards Jericho. Before they attack him, however, Jericho notes that they should save their energy for a six-man tag team match that’s up next.
The New Day vs. The Usos & Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler sporting the Uso facepaint is probably the only interesting thing about this match. The New Day and the Usos have fought each other way too many times in recent memory, and they have a match against each other this Sunday at the Royal Rumble. Having them verse each other so many times before their “big match” prevents the fans from building excitement for it.
This match is going the same way these matches have always that been going, except that the absence of Francesa (Xavier’s trombone) changes Xavier’s job in the match. The Usos manage to come back and hit Xavier Woods with a triple superkick alongside Dolph Ziggler to pick up the win, giving the Usos a huge wave of momentum going into their Tag Team title match this Sunday. Winners: The Usos & Dolph Ziggler
Becky Lynch vs. Alicia Fox
Before the match starts, we see that Charlotte and her father Ric Flair (Did you know that they’re related?) are on commentary with Mauro Ranallo, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler. Mauro does a great job of making Alicia Fox look like a challenge for Becky, noting that she is the first-ever African American Divas Champion. Alicia and Becky put on a good match, which includes Fox delivering a Northern Lights Suplex outside of the ring. Fox goes for a scoop slam, but Becky counters into the Disarmer for the win. Winner (via submission): Becky Lynch
MizTV with Kevin Owens & Dean Ambrose
Before their Last Man Standing match on Sunday, the Miz thought it would be a wonderful idea to get the two men who hate each other more than anything in a ring together to talk. He must either not be aware of what happens on WWE talk shows, or he just wants to see them beat the hell out of each other. Miz starts describing what the Last Man Standing match entails, and is interrupted by Dean Ambrose.
Ambrose comes out, and Miz is fed up with being interrupted, and lets Dean Ambrose take control. Welcome to DeanTV!
Dean starts walking around the ring, describing in detail what he plans to do to Owens on Sunday, including the possibly of slamming him into Mauro Ranallo.
After Dean’s whole amusement park rant, Owens comes out with his plan for Sunday. Owens starts calling Dean insane, and that starts getting under Dean’s skin. Dean challenges Owens to fight right now, and Miz attacks Dean from behind. Miz motions Owens to the ring, and Owens decides to get the Miz out his way and delivers the Pop-up Powerbomb. Owens then goes for the Pop-up Powerbomb on Ambrose, but Ambrose counters and Owens escaped fairly unscathed. Ambrose takes his frustrations out on the Miz by hitting him with Dirty Deeds, then counts to 10 to symbolize the Last Man Standing Match.
Bray Wyatt (w/ The Wyatt Family) vs. Ryback
There is a commercial break before this match starts, and Bray says “we’re here” for the first time in quite a long time. Ryback can put on a decent match, but he is a boring character with barely any room for development. It doesn’t help when most of his vocabulary involves food or “stupid.” It would be quite a feat for Ryback to beat Bray Wyatt after he delivered the Sister Abigail to Brock Lesnar on Raw.
Ryback is doing a great job at showing variety in his move set. Last time we saw Ryback, he started going to the top rope more often. Now, he has implemented a running cross body, a running knee in the corner (a la CM Punk) and a superkick. The Wyatt Family around the ring does what it does best and provides Bray with a distraction, and an opportunity to hit Sister Abigail for the victory. Winner: Bray Wyatt
Stardust vs. Titus O’Neil
How many times do we need to see this match? I’m a fan of both Titus and Stardust, but I have absolutely no interest in this match considering there is no story involved and this is an overused filler match. Titus hits the Clash of the Titus for the victory. Winner: Titus O’Neil
Backstage Segment
Renee Young is backstage with Kalisto, and she asks him about his US Title match with Alberto Del Rio on Sunday. Kalisto mentions that Del Rio has had success in Mexico similar to Mil Mascaras, Rey Mysterio, and Eddie Guerrero. He is used to being the David in life, fighting Goliaths, and Alberto Del Rio will be no different. Right after Kalisto says he will win on Sunday, Del Rio interrupts and starts teasing Kalisto. All of a sudden, the League of Nations surrounds Kalisto, and they push him around until King Barrett and Rusev hold him in place for a Brogue Kick.
Roman Reigns vs. The League of Nations
Roman Reigns is put in another situation where he has to “overcome the odds” again, just like the Royal Rumble. Roman starts to get some offense in the match, but the Superstars who aren’t the legal men start beating down on Reigns and the referee call for the disqualification. Winner (via disqualification): Roman Reigns
After the match, the League of Nations continues its beatdown of Roman Reigns, then the Usos come out to help their cousin. After getting some offense in on the League of Nations, The Wyatt Family makes a surprise appearance and destroys Roman Reigns the same way the did on Monday, and end this episode of Smackdown standing tall for the second time this week.
