It’s the last Smackdown of 2015, the last Smackdown before it moves to the USA Network, and the last Smackdown before a new announce team. What events will unfold after the arrest of Vince McMahon and how can WWE make you interested in watching the first Smackdown of 2016?
As any Smackdown episode should, it starts with a pre-match promo from the New Day. Instead of having New Year’s resolutions of their own, they decide to have resolutions for the fans. They get interrupted by Kalisto and Sling Cara (Sin Cara in a sling), who isn’t wrestling due to dislocating his shoulder on Raw.
New Day vs. Kalisto and the Dudley Boys
This match was your typical six-man tag match. Things to note: The trombone is still hilarious, Bubba Ray is arguably as good as Titus O’Neil at hot tags, and Kalisto delivers a great Salido Del Sol on Kofi Kingston for the victory. After the match, Bubba Ray super powerbombed Xavier Woods through a “Happy New Year” table. Winners: Kalisto and the Dudley Boys
Goldust vs. Tyler Breeze
This is another great opportunity for Breeze to be put over by a Legend, like how he faced Jushin Thunder Liger at NXT: TakeOver Brooklyn. After a pretty decent (but short) match, he wins by pinning with his feet on the ropes. Although it wasn’t a clean win, it still gives Breeze some momentum into the new year. Winner: Tyler Breeze
Backstage Segment
Bo Dallas spreads his inspiration along the roster, encouraging New Year’s ReBOlutions. We run into Curtis Axel, who reminds us all that he is still in the 2015 Royal Rumble match, showing that he the most unstoppable force in the company. The Bo runs into Dolph Ziggler, who makes fun of his catchphrase and wishes him luck later in their match.
The Usos vs. Luke Harper and Braun Strowman
Two of the most dominant forces in the tag team division take on… Luke Harper and Braun Strowman. (Side note: remember their great battles in 2014? Go watch them on the WWE Network.) Thanks to a distraction from Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman was able to do his weird ragdoll choke thing and pick up the win. Winners: Luke Harper and Braun Strowman
Tamina and Naomi vs. Brie Bella and Alicia Fox
The match starts and the the commentators decide to talk about Charlotte, who has absolutely nothing to do with that match. Also, the crowd charts kind of chanting “We Want Sasha,” which is no surprise considering the rest of Team B.A.D. hasn’t been built up in any way at all. After some good action, the jobber of the Divas Division, Brie Bella, picks up the win. Winners: Brie Bella and Alicia Fox
Dolph Ziggler vs. Bo Dallas
This match was surprisingly long, considering how little we have seen of Bo Dallas so far. After extended periods of gloating, Dolph Ziggler hits the superkick for the victory.
Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose vs. Sheamus and Kevin Owens
This match is pretty much what you would predict from everybody involved. Sheamus gets booed for being so boring, Owens gives a solid showing with a bunch of smack talk, Dean does his spin-around clothesline thing, and Roman Reigns gets the hot tag towards the end of the match. However, the match ends by Owens getting the disqualification for sliding Reigns into the ring post. Owens is about to powerbomb Ambrose through the table for a second time when Roman comes to in time to save his best buddy. Winners via DQ: Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.
Since Smackdown is the last WWE show of the week, here are some things to look forward to for next week:
Monday Night Raw: Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Vince McMahon as Special Guest Referee
NXT: This week will be the second half of their “Best of 2015” episodes, presumably highlighting Bayley and Finn Balor. Also, starting Jan 1, 2016, WWE.com will have nominees posted for NXT Year-end Awards. You can vote here.
Smackdown: This will be the first Smackdown on USA, and to promote this they have John Cena on for the first time in a long time.
