New Column: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Looking at some of the potential perils of the new Brand Split.
http://wrestlingrumors.net/kbs-review-breaking-up-is-hard-to-do/
Looking at some of the potential perils of the new Brand Split.
http://wrestlingrumors.net/kbs-review-breaking-up-is-hard-to-do/
Smackdown
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May 26, 2016
Location: Norfolk Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia
Commentators: Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton, Mauro Ranallo
Opening sequence.
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Zack Ryder vs. Alberto Del Rio
Beating Ryder is almost a running joke at this point. Alberto kicks him down and chokes on the ropes to start, only to get kicked into the barricade as we take an early break. Back with Del Rio working on a chinlock and a clip of Del Rio hitting the double stomp on the floor during the break. Ryder fights up but misses his middle rope dropkick.
Rusev says after tonight, Kalisto will never be able to fly again.
Video on Cesaro making Miz tap at Extreme Rules and then pinning him the next night on Raw.
US Title: Kalisto vs. Rusev
Video on Charlotte retaining on Sunday and then turning her back on her dad the next night. This is accompanied by clips of wrestlers talking about how horrible this was and how big of a mistake Charlotte really made, because how could she be good without Ric Flair? That look from Ric when he said nothing was wrong and left actually got to me a bit.
Natalya vs. Dana Brooke
Golden Truth vs. Breezango
Post break Goldust tries to convince Truth that the team needs to stick together. Breezango comes in and laughs at them so Truth agrees to keep going.
Intercontinental Title: The Miz vs. Cesaro
Miz is defending. Cesaro dropkicks him out to the floor to start and cannonballs down onto the champ as we take another early break. Back with Miz going after the shoulder and sending it into the post and barricade. The champ slaps on an armbar until Cesaro fights up with the uppercuts. Miz gets two off a Reality Check before distracting the referee so Maryse can rip off the turnbuckle pad.
Results
Alberto Del Rio b. Zack Ryder – Cross armbreaker
Rusev b. Kalisto – Accolade
Natalya b. Dana Brooke via DQ when Charlotte interfered
Breezango b. Golden Truth – Supermodel Kick to R-Truth
The Miz b. Cesaro – Skull Crushing Finale
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book on NXT: The Full Sail Years Volume II at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
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And Smackdown is going live starting July 19.
http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/smackdown-live-usa-network-july-19
This is uh…….well it’s certainly something. For one thing it’s going to prove that just having Smackdown live isn’t going to change things, though with the announcement that a McMahon is going to be in charge of the show, maybe things get a little more interesting. Anything that makes WWE care about Smackdown and pay more attention to it is a good thing, but I’m going to need a lot more details before I consider this the saving grace for the blue show.
What I do consider my own saving grace though: Impact is screwed to the wall.
Smackdown
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May 19, 2016
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Center, Greenville, South Carolina
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton
Opening sequence.
Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro
Post match Sami gives Cesaro the Helluva Kick but takes the Skull Crushing Finale.
Paige vs. Dana Brooke
Dolph Ziggler vs. Sheamus
We hit the chinlock for a bit before Ziggler fights up and gets in a Fameasser for a near fall. The neckbreaker is broken up though and Sheamus gets two off the Irish Curse. Back up and the Zig Zag is countered but Sheamus misses a charge, setting up a superkick to give Dolph the fluke pin at 10:48.
Big Cass/New Day vs. Dudley Boyz/Vaudevillains
John Cena is back on May 30.
Luke Gallows vs. Roman Reigns
Non-title. Usos vs. Anderson/Gallows in a Texas Tornado match is official for Sunday. Sweet goodness just stop already. Anderson/Styles/Usos, the latter again without the Siva Tau, are at ringside here. They trade elbows to start but only Reigns goes down. A second elbow knocks him outside so Reigns comes back inside where his Samoan drop gets two. We take a break and come back with Reigns firing off kicks to the ribs until Gallows takes his head off with a clothesline for a near fall of his own.
Results
Kevin Owens b. Cesaro – Rollup with a handful of trunks
Dana Brooke b. Paige – Samoan Driver
Dolph Ziggler b. Sheamus – Superkick
Big Cass/New Day b. Dudley Boyz/Vaudevillains – Empire Elbow to Bubba Ray
Roman Reigns b. Luke Gallows via DQ when Karl Anderson interfered
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of the Intercontinental Title at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4D3EGQ
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Smackdown
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May 12, 2016
Location: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Byron Saxton, Jerry Lawler
Rusev vs. Sin Cara
Kalisto is on commentary and says helping Cara on Monday was just being a team. Rusev drops him with an early clothesline and stomps away as Kalisto stumbles over his battle plan for the pay per view. A kick to the chest puts Cara down again and we hear about Steph Curry for no good reason.
In your random insult of the week, Rusev has dubbed Kalisto the smelly boy who hides behind a mask. Cara starts kicking at the leg and scores with some right hands, followed by a top rope flip attack. As this is going on, Lana throws water on Kalisto for a distraction so Rusev can kick him in the head. Back in and the superkick sets up the Accolade to make Cara tap at 3:09.
We look at Dana Brooke debuting and helping beat down Becky Lynch on Monday.
Becky Lynch vs. Dana Brooke
Aiden English vs. Kofi Kingston
Kofi dropkicks him at the bell and stomps the heck out of him in the corner. English gets sent outside but catches a sliding Kofi and sends him face first into the post to take over. Big E. holds up the cereal to bring Kofi back to life (needs more Lion King), which actually seems to work as Kofi kicks English in the face and gets two off a high cross body. A top rope splash to the back gets two but everyone else gets ejected. Things settle down and Kofi grabs a sunset flip, only to have English drop down and put his hand on the ropes for the big upset at 3:52.
Luke Gallows/Karl Anderson vs. Usos
R-Truth waters his selfie stick and gets his phone wet.
On a related sidenote: since when did wearing a watch become something so horrible? Yeah you can check your phone, or you can flick your eyes over to your wrist and see what time it is. You might even be able to do that without then needing to check 14 things on your phone and getting distracted by something. Since when did that become some arcane way of thinking?
Goldango vs. Gorgeous Truth
Greetings From Puerto Rico. Their new name is the Shining Stars.
We look at Ric Flair being escorted out of the building in the way too complicated segment on Monday.
Charlotte calls that a travesty because Ric Flair deserves better treatment than that. Ric guarantees that Charlotte will retain the title at Extreme Rules but Charlotte looks unsure. To recap, the idea here is that Charlotte is in trouble without Flair and Ric is the one who is confident. In other words: Flair looks good and Charlotte looks almost inept. As usual, advantage Flair.
Cesaro/Sami Zayn vs. The Miz/Kevin Owens
Sami takes the Pop Up Powerbomb but Miz gives Owens the Skull Crushing Finale to end the show.
Results
Rusev b. Sin Cara – Accolade
Dana Brooke b. Becky Lynch – Jackknife rollup
Aiden English b. Kofi Kingston – Rollup while grabbing the rope
Usos b. Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows via DQ when Gallows threw Jimmy over the table
Gorgeous Truth b. Goldango – Breeze pinned Goldust after a clothesline from Fandango
Miz/Kevin Owens b. Cesaro/Sami Zayn – Frog splash to Cesaro
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of the Intercontinental Title at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4D3EGQ
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Smackdown
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May 5, 2016
Location: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton
Opening sequence.
Sami Zayn vs. The Miz
We look back at the end of Raw with the big brawl between Styles/Gallows/Anderson and Reigns/Usos, capped off by Reigns powerbombing AJ through the table.
Greetings From Puerto Rico.
Vaudevillains vs. Social Outcasts
Dallas/Axel here. Bo starts fast with a powerslam on English for two. Axel comes in to go after Gotch but gets backdropped out to the floor for the save. The Whirling Dervish ends Dallas at 1:51.
Post match Colin Cassady comes out to go after the Vaudevillains and cleans house before Axel gets in to call Gotch and English SAWFT. That earns him a much deserved East River Crossing and Cass shouts a lot.
We look back at Shane and Stephanie gaining power on Sunday and their first night of sharing power on Raw.
Natalya/Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte/Emma
Natalya finally sends Charlotte into the corner and makes the hot tag to Becky for some armdrags and dropkicks. The comeback is shortlived though as Becky is sent to the floor for a crash, allowing Charlotte to do her headscissor faceplants. Back from a break with Becky getting two off a rollup until a big boot puts her down again.
Zack Ryder vs. Rusev
Rusev and Lana do the Kalisto dance until Kalisto runs in for a corkscrew cross body before running away.
Fandango teaches Goldust to dance when R-Truth and Tyler Breeze come in. Goldust is having some issues but Truth says Fandango is the one off beat. A danceoff ensues but Fandango would rather have a tag match next week.
Usos vs. Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows
Roman Reigns/Usos vs. Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows/AJ Styles
AJ points at the title to end the show.
Results
Sami Zayn b. The Miz via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Vaudevillains b. Social Outcasts – Whirling Dervish to Dallas
Natalya/Becky Lynch b. Charlotte/Emma – Sharpshooter to Emma
Rusev b. Zack Ryder – Accolade
Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows b. Usos via DQ when Roman Reigns interfered
Roman Reigns/Usos b. Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows/AJ Styles – Spear to Anderson
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of the Intercontinental Title at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4D3EGQ
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Smackdown
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April 28, 2016
Location: Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton
We open with a recap of Reigns attacking Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, who may or may not be in league with AJ.
Opening sequence.
League of Nations vs. Kalisto/Sami Zayn/Cesaro
After a break, Del Rio gets beaten down in the corner. Sheamus knocks Rusev down too and says the League is finished.
We get the Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens video from Monday.
Baron Corbin vs. Damien Sandow
Corbin sends him out to the floor to start and the beating is on early. Back in and a hard elbow to the back of the head sets up End of Days to pin Sandow at 2:10. Total squash.
Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady vs. Social Outcasts
Cass promises to show the Vaudevillains how SAWFT they are.
Greetings From Puerto Rico.
Apollo Crews vs. Stardust
Recap of Stephanie and Shane on Monday.
Roman Reigns vs. The Miz
Results
Sami Zayn/Cesaro/Kalisto b. League of Nations via countout
Baron Corbin b. Damien Sandow – End of Days
Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady b. Social Outcasts – Rocket Launcher to Axel
Apollo Crews b. Stardust – Lifting powerbomb
Roman Reigns b. Miz – Spear
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of the Intercontinental Title at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4D3EGQ
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Smackdown
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April 21, 2016
Location: O2 Arena, London, England
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton
We open with a long recap of AJ vs. Roman on Monday, including Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson beating Reigns down.
AJ vs. Miz is set for later.
Ryback vs. Kalisto
Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
Never mind as Corbin jumps Ziggler during the entrance and beats him down on the floor as has become his custom.
The Miz vs. AJ Styles
We look at the end of Raw with Jericho and Owens taking out Zayn and Ambrose.
Paige/Natalya vs. Naomi/Tamina
Fandango vs. R-Truth
Goldust and Truth dance post match with Goldust looking terrified at the thought of trying the splits.
Greeting From Puerto Rico.
Dean Ambrose/Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho/Kevin Owens
Owens is very pleased with the win to end the show.
Results
Ryback b. Kalisto – Shell Shock
AJ Styles b. The Miz – Phenomenal Forearm
Paige/Natalya b. Naomi/Tamina – PTO to Naomi
R-Truth b. Fandango – Lie Detector
Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho b. Sami Zayn/Dean Ambrose – Owens pinned Ambrose after Jericho crotched him
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of the Intercontinental Title at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4D3EGQ
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Smackdown
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April 13, 2016
Location: Valley View Casino, San Diego, California
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton
Opening sequence.
Del Rio vs. Styles and Jericho vs. Zayn tonight, both for the first time ever.
Zack Ryder vs. Baron Corbin
Emma vs. Paige
We recap the first two tournament matches and the debut of Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
Tag Team Tournament First Round: Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady vs. Ascension
AJ Styles vs. Alberto Del Rio
Tag Team Tournament First Round: Vaudevillains vs. Goldust/Fandango
We look back at Dean Ambrose taking over the Highlight Reel and laying Jericho out.
Greetings From Puerto Rico video.
Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho
Back with Owens on commentary as well and actually complimenting Dean on the new show. Jericho knocks Zayn outside and poses a bit before a top rope back elbow gets two. We hit the ASK HIM chinlock as Dean and Owens get in a mini argument, resulting in Owens throwing away his flier. Sami gets a quick two off a high cross body and the climb up the corner tornado DDT gets the same. The Helluva Kick misses though and the Walls go on to put Sami in real trouble.
Sami and Dean clean house to end the show and likely set up a tag match.
Results
Baron Corbin b. Zack Ryder – End of Days
Emma b. Paige – Emma pinned Paige after dropping her onto the top turnbuckle
Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady b. Ascension – Rocket Launcher to Viktor
AJ Styles b. Alberto Del Rio – Rollup
Vaudevillains b. Goldust/Fandango – Whirling Dervish to Fandango
Sami Zayn b. Chris Jericho via DQ when Kevin Owens interfered
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of the Intercontinental Title at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4D3EGQ
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:
Smackdown
Date: April 7, 2016
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Byron Saxton, Jerry Lawler
We open with a long recap of Wrestlemania.
Opening sequence.
We look back at Vince giving Shane control over Raw, completely negating the importance of the last six weeks or so of this story. That might be better for everyone involved actually.
Lucha Dragons vs. Vaudevillains
Stills package of the ladder match and a video of Ryder losing the title the next night to Miz.
Natalya vs. Summer Rae
We look back at Reigns winning the title and being challenged by Jericho, Styles, Owens and Zayn, followed by Styles winning the four way to become #1 contender.
Intercontinental Title: Zack Ryder vs. Miz
The Social Outcasts play Rock Paper Scissors to determine who gets to face Apollo Crews. Axel is the odd man out but says he wins because the ax beats all.
Curtis Axel vs. Apollo Crews
Corbin says the end of days is here.
Primo and Epico video about how awesome Puerto Rico is.
Dean Ambrose vs. Tyler Breeze
Dean is right on him with shots in the corner and avoids a charge to make things even worse. A big clothesline sets up Dirty Deeds for the pin on Breeze at 1:15.
Ambrose leaves as Chris Jericho is coming out for the main event, giving us a staredown.
Cesaro/AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho/Kevin Owens
AJ cleans house but Owens quickly takes over, only to eat a Pele. Jericho breaks up the Phenomenal Forearm and the package side slam gets two on AJ. Cesaro beats on Jericho outside as Sami Zayn comes out to go after Owens. The distraction lets AJ roll Owens up for the pin at 13:03.
Owens and Zayn (whose arm is heavily taped) brawl post match with security breaking it up but accidentally allowing Owens to get in a clean shot to the jaw. Zayn is sent into the steps to end the show.
Results
Vaudevillains b. Lucha Dragons – Whirling Dervish to Kalisto
Natalya b. Summer Rae – Sharpshooter
Miz b. Zack Ryder – Skull Crushing Finale
Apollo Crews b. Curtis Axel – Lifting sitout powerbomb
Dean Ambrose b. Tyler Breeze – Dirty Deeds
AJ Styles/Cesaro b. Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho – Rollup to Owens
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up my new book of the History of the Intercontinental Title at Amazon for just $3.99 at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4D3EGQ
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at: