WWE Smackdown TV taping report
March 3, 2015
Washington, D.C.
Report by Sylvia Richardson, PWTorch reader (@syanri2)

Smackdown SPOILERS 3/5

- Dolph Ziggler was out first to address the crowd. He cut a promo on his career and second chances. He said he's entering the IC Title ladder match at WM. Ziggler hyped Daniel Bryan and his accomplishments, then was interrupted by Bad News Barrett. Luke Harper came out and attacked DZ from behind. The two beat on Ziggler until Dean Ambross came to the rescue. While the four men fought outside the ring, R-Truth snuck inside and took the IC Title.

- R-Truth cut a funny backstage promo with Renee Young.

(1) WWE tag champions Cesaro & Tyson Kidd beat Los Matadores.

- Video clip of the Raw main event. They really made Roman look strong. :-)

- Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy is ringside...

(2) Ryback beat Kane (w/Big Show). After the pin, Kane announced that Ryback must now face Big Show.

(3) Big Show beat Ryback via Knockout Punch.

- Replay of Bray Wyatt's coffin-burning promo from Raw, followed by a new promo clip.

- Replay of Seth Rollins's Daily Show segment from Monday's Raw.

- Next was Divas action. Prior to the match, the Bellas cut promo stating #givedivasachance is not giving A.J. a chance. Surprisingly, A.J. didn't receive much of a pop, but neither did the Bellas or Paige, who got a low-to-no response. The crowd is the quietest it's been the entire night, including the dark and main event matches. If I closed my eyes, I'd think I was at a library.

(4) Paige (w/A.J. Lee) beat Brie Bella (w/Divas champion Nikki Bella). Pretty good match. To set up the win, A.J. put Brie in what looked to be a huracanrana transitioning into a Black Widow. Pretty impressive.

(5) New Day beat The Miz & Damien Mizdow. Pretty good response for New Day - fans were engaged, and there was some dancing. Miz/Mizdow got a pretty good pop, with the fans firmly behind Mizdow with chants and cheers. After Miz berated Mizdow, he left the ring, stood with his back turned, and New Day picked up the win.

- Replay of Paul Heyman's Raw promo.

- Brock Lesnar highlight video. They made him look ultra strong. :-)

- Backstage promo with Roman Reigns.

(6) U.S. champion Rusev (w/Lana) beat Jack Swagger via submission to The Accolade. Before Rusev left the ring, Curt Axel cut a pre-recorded Hogan-esque promo claimed that he is coming after Rusev for the U.S. Title at WrestleMania.

(7) Dolph Ziggler & Dean Ambrose beat IC champion Bad News Barrett & Luke Harper in the main event. R-Truth was ringside. Pretty good match.

Post-match, R-Truth took the IC Title belt, knocked Harper out when confronted, and Daniel Bryan came out to a huge pop. Biggest of the night. Truth handed the belt over. During the Yes! chants, Stardust attacked him from behind.

Bonus Main Event: Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan & Dean Ambrose beat Seth Rollins (w/J&J Security) & Big Show & Bray Wyatt in a six-man tag match. Every got big pops, including Roman Reigns. The crowd was on its feet anticipating his entrance, for which he used the actual entrance ramp. Good, even match. Half-way through, Big Show left the ring and headed backstage. But, Jamie Noble left and brought him back to the ring. Reigns tagged in to a huge pop, went after Rollins, and pinned Seth after a spear for the win.

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