By Jason Powell
WWE Smackdown on USA Network
Aired live from Baton Rouge, Louisiana at Raising Cane’s River Center
[Q1] Smackdown opened with a recap of Dean Ambrose beat The Miz to win the Intercontinental Championship… Mauro Ranallo, JBL, David Otunga, and Tom Phillips were on commentary…
Dean Ambrose headed to the ring to host the Ambrose Asylum. Ambrose announced that he was the first champion on Smackdown Live to enter the Royal Rumble match. Ambrose showed off an alligator’s head that was on a chair. He said his name was Maurice. He wanted a live alligator, but they didn’t have a permit.
The Miz and Maryse made their entrance, cutting off Ambrose’s introduction of them as guests. The Miz also announced his entry into the Rumble match. Miz accused Ambrose of stealing his title. Miz said Ambrose coerced the referee to continue the match when it should have been thrown out due to outside interference. Miz said he could tie up Ambrose legally for years, but instead he gave him a chance to hand over the title. Fans booed. JBL said Ambrose should do the right thing for the company, the country, and the world.
Ambrose teased turning it over, saying he had something that belongs to Miz and he deserves to have it back. Miz said Ambrose is a sensible guy who was doing the right thing. Ambrose pulled the title back and pulled out his own framed Participation Award. The broadcast team recalled that Miz gave it to Ambrose. Miz attacked Ambrose and threw repeated punches at his head. Maryse tried to slap Ambrose, but she accidentally struck Miz. Ambrose hit Miz with Dirty Deeds. Ambrose handed her the participation award before leaving the ring, and she slammed it on the mat…
The broadcast team hyped John Cena vs. Baron Corbin, American Alpha vs. The Wyatt Family for the Smackdown Tag Titles, and Nikki Bella vs. Natalya. A video package recapped the Natalya and Nikki feud… Nikki was walking backstage when Natalya attacked her from behind and threw her into the wall. Nikki held her knee in pain. “See you out there, Nikki,” Natalya told her…
Powell’s POV: A strong opening segment that kept the Ambrose vs. Miz feud going, and turned out to be newsworthy with both men announcing their entry into the Royal Rumble match. My apologies for running a couple minutes behind. I’ll be caught up after the next commercial break. Jake Barnett is a late scratch due to illness, but he will return next week.
[Q2] [C] Natalya made her entrance for her match with Nikki, who then made a determined entrance. Nikki and Natalya brawled at ringside. Natalya rolled her inside the ring and kicked her in the face. JBL pointed out that the bell had yet to ring to start the match. Nikki showed signs of life and Natalya tried to flee through the crowd, but Nikki stopped her. Natalya chop blocked the injured knee of Nikki. Several referees were out to try to calm them down by this point. Natalya applied the Sharpshooter on the floor. Natalya eventually walked away, leaving Nikki lying on the ringside mat and holding her knee…
Backstage, Dasha Fuentes interviewed Dolph Ziggler. Footage of his attacks on Kalisto and Apollo Crews were shown. She said everyone wants an explanation for his actions. Ziggler walked away without saying anything… [C] Ring entrances for the next match took place…
[Q3] 1. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kalisto. Ziggler wore his usual attire. The broadcast team said he would be one of the guests on Talking Smack. Kalisto was the early aggressor and got a two count off a backslide, but Ziggler cut him off as he was setting up for a springboard move, knocking him to the floor heading into the break. [C] Late in the match, Kalisto rolled up Ziggler for two. Ziggler blasted him with a dropkick and made a cocky cover, which led to Kalisto rolling him over into a crucifix for the win.
Kalisto beat Dolph Ziggler at 8:35.
After the match, Ziggler attacked Kalisto and showed more frustration with his latest loss. Ziggler threw several punches at Kalisto, then went back to holding his head in his hands. He went to ringside and grabbed a chair, which he slammed over the back of Kalisto twice. Ziggler was about to leave when Apollo Crews came out and fought him in the aisle. Ziggler rolled inside the ring and then caught Crews with a knee when he tried to follow. Ziggler hit Crews with a chair to the back twice. Kalisto used the ropes to stand up, and Ziggler struck him with another chair shot to the back…
Backstage, Dasha interviewed American Alpha. Jason Jordan said the Wyatts are one of the most intimidating groups in WWE history. He said Bray things of himself as the alpha and omega, but they are the alphas as long as they have the tag titles. Chad Gable said that’s not cockiness, it’s the truth, and they are ready to go to war… The broadcast team hyped Cena vs. Corbin and the tag title match for later in the show… [C]
Powell’s POV: Ziggler still sucks even though he’s turned heel. Ouch. In all seriousness, the finish made sense given that the turn is all about Ziggler’s frustration. If anyone looked bad it was Crews, who didn’t get much of a reaction when he came out and was quickly outsmarted and beaten by Ziggler. Here’s hoping that Dolph finding his mojo coincides with a ring gear makeover and new entrance music.
[Q4] Backstage, Renee Young interviewed John Cena, who said the lone wolf is targeting him, and he’s usually the one who is targeting people. He said AJ Styles referred to him as a has-been. Cena said has been a long time since he had to prove himself. Cena said he was fired up and that’s not good for Corbin. He closed by saying the Lone Wolf may be on the prowl, by recognize that he’s John Cena and his time is now…
A Wyatt pre-tape aired. Bray Wyatt said he hopes Alpha has enjoyed their time as champions because nothing last forever. He said the devil is knocking at their door. “We’re here,” Randy Orton said to close… The Wyatt Family made their entrance, then Alpha made their entrance. The broadcast team recapped Alpha winning the tag titles two weeks ago and said the rematch was up next… [C]
2. Chad Gable and Jason Jordan vs. Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton (w/Luke Harper) for the Smackdown Tag Titles. Otunga continued to push the theme of the Alpha promo, which is that they are confident, not cocky. Orton tagged into the match for the first time and was greeted by “Randy” chants.
[Q5] The heels duo isolated Gable. Wyatt hit a nice slam that drove Gable’s ribs into his knee. Jordan eventually took a hot tag. Jordan worked over both opponents and performed a suplex on Wyatt, then Orton. Jordan went up top for a move, but Harper distracted by standing on the apron briefly. Orton picked up Jordan in suplex position and dropped him on the top rope. Jordan fell to the floor heading into a break. [C]
Orton had the chinlock of doom applied on Jordan coming out of the break. Jordan eventually came back with a clothesline after Wyatt tagged in. Gable took the tag and worked over both opponents. He performed a German suplex on Orton into a bridge, but Wyatt broke up the pin. Gable threw a top rope clothesline at Orton and covered him for a near fall. Later, Orton was setting up for his finisher when he was distracted by Harper arguing with the referee. Gable rolled up Orton and pinned him.
American Alpha defeated Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt in 15:40 to retain the Smackdown Tag Titles.
[Q6] Alpha celebrated and then headed backstage. Orton was fired up and jawed at Harper. Wyatt had to stand between them. Orton tried to get around Wyatt. Harper tried to kick Orton, but kicked Wyatt instead. Orton and Harper stopped in their tracks and looked at Wyatt, then looked at one another. Wyatt stood up and walked between the duo. Wyatt got in Orton’s face. Harper yelled, “Do something”‘ at Orton. Wyatt got in Harper’s face. Wyatt left the ring. Orton watched him go. Harper left the ring, leaving Orton alone in the ring to close the segment…
The broadcast team set up a Baron Corbin video package that had a new voiceover for the Cena match. He said Cena is his prey. Corbin said Cena’s time is up, and it would be his End of Days… A John Cena historical Royal Rumble video package aired… [C]
Powell’s POV: A good tag match, but this feud isn’t helping Alpha connect with the fans because so many of them seem to like Orton and perhaps even Wyatt more than them. The crowd was into the match, yet they were quiet when Gable got the pin for his team. The post match angle was well done and it will be interesting to see how it plays out, presumably with Orton leaving the group. Keep in mind that Erick Rowan should return soon, so the Wyatts could be right back at full strength with the original trio if they choose to go in that direction.
Footage aired from the WrestleMania 34 press conference held earlier in the day in New Orleans…
Backstage, Daniel Bryan and Becky Lynch watched footage of La Luchadora. Bryan questioned whether the mystery woman was Eva Marie, and Lynch said of course not. Alexa Bliss showed up and claimed she went undercover by posting as La Luchadora last week. Bryan said he doesn’t know who La Luchadora is, but he knows that Bliss tapped out to Lynch while posing as La Luchadora, so next week should would defend the Smackdown Women’s Championship against her. Bryan said to keep La Luchadora out of the match, it would be held inside a cage. Lynch celebrated, and Bliss wasn’t happy…
Powell’s POV: I guess I can give up on my prediction of Eva Marie being revealed as La Luchadora. Will we get a title change next week or will La Luchadora tear through the ring or get inside the cage in some other fashion?
3. Carmella (w/James Ellsworth) vs. CJ Lunde. JBL mocked Lunde’s appearance by saying she was Millie Burke, the great granddaughter of Mildred Burke. Ellsworth tried to trip Lunde and distracted her at one point, allowing Carmella to connect with a punch. JBL asked if Lunde is Mae Young’s granddaughter and said all they need is the bearded lady. Ellsworth pulled Lunde to ringside while the ref was distracted. She returned and walked into the Code of Silence and tapped out…
Carmella beat CJ Lunde.
[Q7] JBL said Lunde is Mauro’s girlfriend. Phillips set up footage from Raw of Undertaker announcing his entry into the Royal Rumble match… [C]
Powell’s POV: Lunde is independent wrestler ThunderKitty. She appeared on the previous Women of Honor special, and has a fun old school look and gimmick. Rather than show some creativity with the gimmick, they simply had JBL mock the hell out of her.
The broadcast team said the tag title match is official for next week. They also announced Bliss and Lynch for Talking Smack…
Backstage, Carmella was giddy about being on a winning streak. She said she had something special for Ellsworth, who got excited and puckered up. She told him all good things come to those who wait. She said she would take him on a shopping spree. He said he hasn’t bought a new suit since that time he was supposed to graduate high school…
Powell’s POV: Yes, WWE wants us to believe that Ellsworth is a 32 year-old virgin who never graduated high school. Okay, so one of those might be true, but a quick search of his Wikipedia page shows that he has two daughters.
Backstage, Corbin once again spoke about it being the End of Days for Cena. AJ Styles showed up and said tonight is Corbin’s night. He said he would be on commentary, then told him to do his best Styles impersonation by beating up Cena…
Styles made his entrance and joined the broadcast team while they hyped him for ESPN(ews) SportsCenter on Wednesday. Footage aired from last week’s contract signing… [C]
[Q8] Noam Dar checked in with a plug for 205 Live and spoke about being kissed by Alicia Fox on Raw… Ring entrances for the main event took place…
4. John Cena vs. Baron Corbin. Styles stated on commentary that the people and even Cena don’t think Cena can beat him. Cena ran into a big boot in the opening minute. Cena ran into a big boot in the opening minute. Corbin dumped Cena to ringside heading into a break. [C] Corbin continued to control the offense until he jawed with Styles. He returned to the ring and charged at Cena, who pulled down the top rope, causing Corbin to tumble to the floor. Corbin charged at Cena, who moved, and Corbin crashed into the steps.
Corbin returned to the ring and Cena hit him with a shoulder block, but Corbin stayed on his feet. Cena performed the move again, but Cena slammed him and got a two count. Cena blocked a Corbin punch and fired back with three of his own, but then ran into a side slam that produced another two count for Corbin.
Corbin caught Cena in a bearhug at 9:30. Cena powered out of it quickly, but Corbin caught him with a kick. Corbin ran into the corner and Cena kicked him, then performed a tornado DDT that left both men lying on the mat. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle and finished him off with the Attitude Adjustment…
John Cena beat Baron Corbin in 11:00.
After the match, Styles stood up and Cena gave him the “you can’t see me” hand gesture. Styles stood on the broadcast table and held up his title. Cena celebrated to close the show…
Powell’s POV: I’m a little surprised to see Cena go over clean, as I thought they might protect Corbin by having Styles run in. The loss is nothing Corbin can’t bounce back from, but he doesn’t feel like he belongs in the top mix after losing decisively to Cena in the main event. Overall, another good edition of Smackdown with every segment feeling like it served a purpose. I’ll have more to say about the show in an All Access edition of my Smackdown review on Wednesday. Join me for 205 Live coverage via the main page.
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