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WWE Smackdown Report
PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 8/22: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Friday show, including Jack Swagger vs. Seth Rollins, Rob Van Dam vs. Randy Orton

Aug 22, 2014 - 9:00:48 PM
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WWE Smackdown review
August 22, 2014
Taped 8/19/14 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)



- WWE Open.

- The same Summerslam recap that opened Raw was shown here.

- The rare fireworks show opened Smackdown from Phoenix. Michael Cole’s voice was heard atop the broadcast, welcoming fans to Smackdown.

- Randy Orton came to the ring first. As he did, Cole was shown at ringside introducing NXT’s Tom Phillips along with JBL. Cole said Phillips would be taking over play-by-play (which I thought was a position that no longer existed in WWE vernacular) duties on the show. Stills were shown of Roman Reigns beating Orton at Summerslam. Orton said Reigns may have won the battle, but not the war. He said he’s now more focused. He cued up footage of last month’s attack on Reigns from Raw, specifically, the RKO on the announce table. Orton said Reigns will get what he deserves. He mentioned his match tonight with RVD, calling Mr. Monday Night “collateral damage.” He said he deserves respect, and if he has to, he’ll take it from Reigns. As he posed and his music played, Seth Rollins came out for a match. Orton and Rollins passed on the ramp, and they shook hands as they did so. The announcers were shown at ringside and they talked about the John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar rematch to take place at Night of Champions. A graphic was shown for this before they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

- As Rollins awaited his opposition, we got an extensive video package on the Dean Ambrose vs. Rollins feud, from Summerslam to the next night on Raw. Cole noted that Ambrose suffered head and spinal injuries from the attack by Rollins on Raw.

1 – SETH ROLLINS vs. JACK SWAGGER

Still no Zeb Colter. As Swagger came to the ring, they showed his promo from Monday night. So many video packages/flashbacks already. Swagger took Rollins down with hip-lock take-overs, which led to Rollins retreating. Back in the ring, Rollins took over on offense, focusing on the injured ribs of Swagger (his ribs were taped up). JBL did not hide his disgust with Swagger for losing on Sunday. Rollins came off the second rope but was caught and slammed by Swagger. Swagger continued selling the ribs, however, and they cut to break at 2:39 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:19 of the match with Rollins having applied a body scissors. Swagger fought out and wheel-barrowed Rollins down. Swagger made a comeback and hit the Swagger bomb. He came up holding his ribs. A cover got only two. Rollins was back-dropped to the apron but Rollins kicked Swagger I the head. Springboard off the top rope, but no one home. Both man’s finisher was countered, and both men spilled to the floor. Swagger took the brunt of it. Swagger applied the Patriot Lock outside the ring, but after it was broken, Swagger ended up going into the ringpost. Rollins tossed Swagger over the barricade and into the crowd. Swagger made it back into the ring at the count of nine, but as he did so, Rollins gave Swagger the Curb Stomp. Swagger unconsciously rolled out of the ring. This time, Swagger couldn’t make it back in time.

WINNER: Rollins, via count-out, at 10:25. I’m surprised at how much they’ve protected Swagger, both at Summerslam and here as well, in losses (even on Raw, the injury was blamed for his loss to Cesaro). Match was solid with some creativity in spots.

After Rollins had gone to the back and Swagger was still trying to recover, Bo Dallas came out. Dallas said Swagger has gone from American hero to American zero. He volunteered to pick up the pieces and become the new American sweetheart. Dallas said when faced with fear, all one needs to do is Bo-lieve.

- Tonight we’ll get a look at the new WWE World Champion’s first night as champ on Raw.

- Plus, up next, Bella Betrayal. I think that says it all.

[Commercial Break]

- The announcers discussed Brie Bella vs. Stephanie McMahon at Summerslam. Stills of the match were shown. They sent it to Brie confronting Nikki on Raw.

- The Miz was giving his latte order to someone on the phone. He was in Kane’s office, as apparently Kane wanted to see him. Miz ranted and called Kane a “freak” before catching himself. Kane granted him a “sequel,” or rematch, but not for the Intercontinental title; rather, it’ll be with Roman Reigns tonight.

- Rusev and Lana came out. Rusev is in action, next.

[Commercial Break]

2 – RUSEV vs. SIN CARA

No entrance for Cara. Before the match began, Rusev’s Raw confrontation, both verbal and physical, with Mark Henry was shown. A breaking news crawler appeared on the bottom of the screen, noting Cena told WWE officials Tuesday that he will invoke his rematch clause for the WWE World Title at Night of Champions. A couple dropkicks by Cara was followed by a chop. Top rope dropkick found the mark. Rusev tossed Cara aside on a splash attempt, then gave him a jumping side kick. The Accolade followed for the submission win.

WINNER: Rusev, via submission, at 1:52. It’s a little jarring to watch Cara team successfully with Kalisto in the NXT Tag Title tournament last night on the WWE Network, then come out and get treated like a jobber on Smackdown.

Lana took the mic and said to disrespect Russia is to disrespect the world’s peacekeeper, Vladimir Putin. Mark Henry appeared on the screen instead of Putin, saying Rusev and Lana didn’t get the message on Raw. So he came out here. Henry came to the ring and Rusev bailed. Henry trash talked Rusev and Lana while they walked around the ring and headed to the ramp.

- Renee Young was backstage with Rob Van Dam. RVD said he felt great and that Orton needs to “chill the hell out.” Vintage RVD. Van Dam said Orton should be worrying about their match tonight. Before he could finish spelling out his initials, Orton attacked him from behind. He told Young to tell him he’ll be waiting for him out by the ring.

[Commercial Break]

3 – RANDY ORTON vs. ROB VAN DAM

They showed Orton’s attack on RVD backstage before the break. Van Dam charged out of the back and to the ring, causing Orton to slide out of the ring in avoidance. Once the bell rang, Orton went on offense immediately. Van Dam came back with his educated feet. A clothesline sent Orton over the top and to the outside. Somersault over the top and onto Orton by Van Dam. The twisting leg-drop by Van Dam from the apron missed, as Orton moved away from the barricade. Orton took RVD for a tour around the ring, throwing him into anything and everything on the way. The ref then called for the bell. Orton back suplexed RVD onto the announce table.

WINNER: No announcement, but presumably a double count-out, at 2:55. Not what I expected, but WWE is apparently trying to set up an Orton vs. Reigns rematch and with Reigns so hot, they need to make fans believe Orton has a chance to win. Orton is at his best in this remorseless type of role.

Orton tossed RVD over the barricade, then using the barricade, gave RVD his trademark DDT. RVD was shoved back into the ring and Orton got a chair from ringside. He took a seat next to a fallen RVD in the ring. Orton mocked RVD’s “R-V-D” gesture. Orton grabbed Van Dam and RKO’d him on the seat of the opened chair. Cole implored the ringside doctor to get in the ring. He did so and Orton rolled out. After a few beats, Orton re-entered the ring to pose on the turnbuckle. The post-match attack was replayed.

[Commercial Break]

- Yes, ANOTHER replay of Orton’s attack on RVD after their match. Are they seriously this short of material this week?

- Renee Young was joined by Roman Reigns backstage. Reigns didn’t seem to believe Orton would fulfill his promise that he’d come after him tonight. Reigns still wanted some of The Authority for what Kane and Rollins did to “my boy” Dean Ambrose. Hey, there’s a good sign. Reigns reminded everyone that he speared and beat Orton at Summerslam. He said someone needs to kill the legend of Orton, and that someone is him.

4 – NATALYA vs. PAIGE

No entrance for Nattie. The German announce team got some brief TV time. They’re down to two guys. It was less awkward than some of their other on-screen interactions in the past few weeks. When Paige came to the ring, they showed A.J. coming out and distracting Paige, leading to Nattie pinning her on Raw Monday night. Paige was the aggressor to start. Natalya slapped Paige and gave her a double underhook suplex. Outside the ring, Paige surprised Nattie with a superkick. Paige locked Nattie in a body scissors. As she did, A.J. came out. Again. A.J. took the title from the timekeeper and skipped around the ring with it. Natalya rolled Paige up for two, but Paige kneed her in the head. A.J. skipped up the ramp with the title. She set it on the top of the ramp and Paige took it back. Paige ran back into the ring at the last second and Natalya locked in the Sharpshooter. A.J. came back down and posed next to the title while Paige tried to get to the ropes. Paige tapped out.

WINNER: Natalya, via submission, at 3:54. The booking of this feud has not done Paige or A.J. justice. Simply put, it’s been abysmal.

- The Miz vs. Roman Reigns is still to come.

- Up next, Stardust & Goldust take on Luke Harper and Erick Rowan.

[Commercial Break]

5 – STARDUST & GOLDUST vs. LUKE HARPER & ERICK ROWAN

The Usos did an inset interview saying Goldust and Stardust won’t beat them again. The breaking news crawler ran again as the Wyatt Family had their way with Stardust. Goldust made a blind tag and surprised Rowan with a bulldog. Rowan ended up pounding away on Goldust in the corner. Goldy mounted Rowan in the corner and hammered away. It didn’t have much effect, however. Rowan knocked Goldust out of the ring. He recovered there as they cut to break 3:08 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 7:04 of the match, just in time to see Harper dropkick Goldust. Throughout the show, the announcers went crazy listing wrestler birthdays today, from Lilian Garcia, to Stevie Ray, to Paul Ellering. Goldust tried to battle back, but Rowan put a stop to it. By now, the paint was almost completely rubbed off of Goldust’s face. Goldust hit a hurricanrana jumping off the second rope, but Harper hit a sit-out powerbomb. Stardust interfered to break it up. All four men got involved, and Goldust surprised Harper with a roll-up for the victory.

WINNERS: Goldust and Stardust, at 9:58. This would seem to cement the idea that Goldust and Stardust are next in line for a tag title shot.

Harper and Rowan attacked the babyfaces after the match, throwing them all around ringside. The effect is lessened because we just saw this with Orton and RVD. Harper threw one of the announcers’ chairs into Stardust at ringside. Clothesline, then a splash from Rowan on Goldust. The finish was replayed.

- Back to the announcers, as Cole talked of the increased availability of the WWE Network.

- Tuesday on Main Event, Triple H announced that John Cena would get a rematch with Brock Lesnar at Night of Champions. A graphic was shown for that match.

- Next, we’ll see clips of Lesnar’s first Raw as WWE World Champion.

[Commercial Break]

- After talking about the Monday Night War documentary on WWE Network, premiering after Smackdown, the announcers switched gears to talk about Lesnar vs. Cena at Summerslam. Then they threw it too footage from Raw of the new title being introduced, and Paul Heyman cutting a promo.

- This Monday on Raw, John Cena addresses the WWE Universe.

- Roman Reigns came out for his match with The Miz. It’s next.

[Commercial Break]

6 – ROMAN REIGNS vs. THE MIZ

They took us back to last week, when Reigns socked Miz in the mouth during Miz TV. As soon as the bell rang, Orton sauntered down to ringside. Reigns is distraction-proof, however, and he was able to fight off Miz anyway. Clothesline to Miz outside the ring. The distraction finally did get to Reigns as Miz attacked him from behind. Reigns put Miz on his shoulders and delivered a Samoan Drop. Orton tried to slither into the ring, but Reigns saw him and Orton slid out. Miz again came from behind and hit Reigns with a running boot to the face. Reigns, out of nowhere, speared Miz and pinned him, all the while staring at Orton.

WINNER: Reigns, at 2:06.

Orton accepted Reigns’ invitation to enter the ring. The two men teed off on each other. Orton clotheslined Reigns over the top and the two continued their brawl on the arena floor. Orton took a chair and delivered a blow to the mid-section and back. Orton set up a chair in the ring, calling back to his DDT to RVD. Reigns fought back and used the chair on Orton. Superman punch found the mark. Orton rolled out of the ring and crawled to the ramp. Reigns stood tall in the ring to close things out.


Did you watch Friday's Smackdown episode? Send your 0-10 score & Reax to pwtorch@gmail.com for our TV Reax feature.

Greg Parks has been covering WWE Smackdown for PWTorch.com since January of 2007. He is the host of “Moonlighting with Greg Parks,” a PWTorch VIP-exclusive audio show posted each weekend. Follow him on Twitter @gregmparks for live Tweeting during Raw, Impact, and PPVs, as well as other bits of wisdom. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.


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