WWE Smackdown review
November 14, 2014
Taped 11/11/14 in Liverpool, U.K.
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- A video recap from Raw aired focusing on Team Authority vs. Team Cena at Survivor Series, and Ryback’s decision (or, non-decision, as it were).

- In the arena, the countdown clock on the Titan-Tron struck zero and Chris Jericho came out. Tom Phillips, Michael Cole, and JBL were shown on camera, as were the German announce team of Sebastion Hackl and Holger Boeschen, also seated at ringside. Jericho introduced the show as “Smackdown is Jericho.” He said he’s been away for a couple months but he’s been watching. He complimented Adam Rose’s bunny then suggested the person inside the suit might be Funaki. The crowd was ready to chant everything Jericho mentioned, including “bunny” and “Funaki.” Jericho introduced The Authority as his guests. Stephanie McMahon and Triple H obliged him with their presence.

There was a quick “where’s our network?” chant but Jericho brushed it off and some more of it may have been edited off the show based on the cuts. Stephanie asked how long it’s been since the Highlight Reel has been on Smackdown and how long it’s been since Jericho has been in Liverpool. She said she likes to engage with the fans and they wouldn’t have a show without the WWE Universe. Steph said what her father is doing to The Authority is what she and Hunter have been doing to the WWE locker room – making them fight for what they believe in. She brought up the “Yes!” chants and said he’s been gone for months and they still chant that because he overcome the odds.

“Where would WWE be without a McMahon in charge?” asked Stephanie rhetorically. Jericho suggested he could run WWE. He reminded Stephanie of John Cena’s comment on Raw that the WWE Universe could run WWE rather than The Authority. He said all you have to do is poll the crowd. He asked them if they wanted to see Hunter lick his boots and clean his shoes, or perhaps clean the toilets in the back. He then asked if they’d like to see Steph soiled in a cesspool of filth like earlier this year. The Jeritron 5000 showed Stephanie heading into a pool of...something…courtesy of Vickie Guerrero.

Triple H interrupted, which drew some heat. Hunter said he doesn’t need Jericho’s acceptance, nor does he need acceptance from the fans. Hunter said Team Authority will tear through Team Cena at Survivor Series. He asked if Jericho or the fans will be laughing then. Hunter said Jericho should keep that in mind next time Jericho calls him to get his fix from the WWE Universe. He said next time, maybe The Authority will have erased Jericho from the WWE history books.

Jericho said he doesn’t see an arena full of puppets, but rather, an arena full of Jerichoholics. He said after Survivor Series, he’ll be seeing the Goodbye song. He led the crowd in the song, which seems premature. No explanation for why Jericho can come back for this segment, but isn’t eligible to join Team Cena, which I assume is a question some fans would be asking here.

- The announcers reacted to that segment.

- Bray Wyatt is up next on Smackdown.

[Commercial Break]

1 – SIN CARA vs. BRAY WYATT

No entrance for Cara. A hard clothesline put down Cara early on. Cara rolled through a senton attempt but on his feet, was blasted by Wyatt. Corner splash by Cara was followed by a suplex/throw. Wyatt then fell to the mat laughing, only to pick himself up into the spider crawl. Sister Abigail finished the Lucha Dragon.

WINNER: Wyatt, at 2:16. Very similar to their match on Main Event last week, only shorter. I had no problem with this as a way to enhance Wyatt’s stock heading into Survivor Series.

After replays from the match, Wyatt got a mic. He said he can hear and feel Ambrose, in his chest and heart. He said he can hear Ambrose screaming for help. He said he knows Ambrose used to pray about his daddy coming back for him. He said darkness has become a way of life for Ambrose. Wyatt told Ambrose to embrace him, as he is the light Ambrose has been searching for. He once again begged Ambrose to let him fix the maniac. Ambrose’s music hit and he walked to the ring with a purpose. He knocked over Wyatt’s rocking chair at ringside. Wyatt left the ring when Ambrose entered. He said Ambrose is so hostile. He said Ambrose wants to punish him just like he wants to punish his daddy. Wyatt reentered the ring, but Ambrose socked him and Wyatt left. He still had the mic, and called Ambrose a child still finding his way. He said he is the key to the light and if Ambrose follows him, he’ll never be in the dark again. By this point, Wyatt had made his way backstage.

- More reaction from the announcers. JBL said Ambrose doesn’t want to be fixed. I don’t blame him – sounds painful.

- Tonight, it’s an Intercontinental Championship Triple-Threat Elimination Match when Dolph Ziggler defends against Cesaro and Tyson Kidd.

[Commercial Break]

- Xavier Woods’ New Day vignette aired.

- The exterior of the Echo Arena in Liverpool was shown.

2 – GOLDUST & STARDUST vs. ADAM ROSE & THE BUNNY

I’ll admit, I died a little inside typing that match-up above. A clip from last Monday was shown with Rose losing to Tyson Kidd thanks to the Bunny. They also showed Rose vs. Stardust from Main Event where the Bunny helped Rose win. Cole tried to put over that there is a talented athlete inside the bunny suit. Goldust tossed Rose into the corner, and Rose did a low front-flip into it. Cole suggested it could be Ron Simmons or Teddy Long under the suit. Rose ran into Goldust and both men took bumps to the mat. Stardust and the Bunny tagged in, with the Bunny hitting a middle-rope dropkick. Rose wanted to be tagged in, but instead, the Bunny went to the top. He went for a splash but Stardust got his knees up. He connected on the Dark Matter finisher for the victory.

WINNERS: Goldust and Stardust, at 2:05. Yes, the WWE Tag Team Champions are playing second-fiddle to a Bunny storyline. This is the (wrestling) world we live in.

Rose chastised the Bunny for never listening, then attacked him after the match, including giving him the Party Foul. The Rosebuds were concerned at first, but then started dancing when his music played.

- Tom Phillips plugged the WWE 2K15 video game coming out on Tuesday. The dream-match they showed was Sting vs. Undertaker…on an episode of Raw. That’s about right.

- Tonight, it’s Ryback vs. Kane.

[Commercial Break]

- Byron Saxton was backstage with Dolph Ziggler to talk about Ziggler’s tumultuous few weeks in WWE. They showed Seth Rollins curb-stomping Ziggler two weeks ago on Raw, then last week on Smackdown, his steel cage match finish with Kane. Finally, they showed him being thrown to the feet of The Authority by Luke Harper to end Raw. Ziggler said he has survived everything The Authority has thrown at him. He said he’s going down with a fight today and nothing will prevent him from being on Team Cena. He said the clock is ticking on The Authority and for the next ten days, he just needs to survive. And if he survives at the PPV, The Authority doesn’t.

- The announcers talked about The Authority piling up the challenges in front of Ziggler. Phillips sent it to a video package on the “biggest free-agent in WWE,” Ryback. I’m not sure his not siding with The Authority makes him a “free-agent.”

- Byron Saxton was then joined backstage by Ryback. He asked if Ryback will be on Team Cena at Survivor Series. Ryback said the only team he’s on his Team Ryback. He called Kane a “big dummy.” He said what we saw on Raw was an appetizer, and his appetite is insatiable. Unfortunately for Kane, he said, it’s almost feeding time.

[Commercial Break]

3 – TYSON KIDD vs. CESARO vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER – TRIPLE-THREAT ELIMINATION MATCH FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Eden Stiles handled formal ring introductions. Cesaro shined in the opening 20 seconds. Roll-up by Kidd on Ziggler for two. Backslide by Ziggler, which then evolved into each man trying to roll another up. It was a stalemate at 1:12 when they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 4:44 of the match. Ziggler and Kid combined to double suplex Cesaro, but Cesaro instead suplexed them both. Powerbomb by Cesaro followed by a Springboard elbowdrop by Kidd. Cesaro grabbed him and gave him a gutwrench suplex. He then went to pin Ziggler, but got only two. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Ziggler was hung up in the Tree of Woe, and Kidd dropkicked him in the face. But Kidd couldn’t capitalize as Cesaro suplexed him and gave him a running uppercut in the corner. Top-rope cross-body by Ziggler on Cesaro for two. Combination neck-breaker (on Kidd) and DDT (on Cesaro) for two at 7:52. Swinging neck-breaker by Kidd to Ziggler for a near-fall. The Canadian went to the top, but was met by a Cesaro uppercut. Cesaro went to suplex him off the top, but Ziggler went up as well. Cesaro suplexed off as Kidd gave Cesaro a sunset flip/powerbomb off the top. Kidd covered Cesaro for two. Kidd applied the Sharpshooter on Cesaro. Cesaro crawled over and made the cover on Ziggler, while in the move, for two. That’s badass. Kidd dragged Cesaro away, but Cesaro powered out, sending Kidd to ringside. Ziggler was thrown up into the air and uppercut. Kidd springboarded back in, only to be given a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker by Cesaro. Cesaro still couldn’t get a pin so they went to break again at 10:52 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 14:25. Kidd applied the Sharpshooter again, this time to Ziggler. Cesaro came in and cross-faced Ziggler at the same time. Kidd then got off Ziggler and tried the Sharpshooter on Cesaro. The announcers decried that switch as stupid, and it turned out so as Cesaro gave Kidd the giant swing. Jumping DDT on Cesaro by Ziggler for a near-fall. Another “this is awesome” chant. Ziggler was kicked by Kidd and given a German suplex by Cesaro for two. Ziggler swung around to avoid a suplex and gave Cesaro a Zig Zag. Kidd threw Ziggler out of the ring and pinned Cesaro at 16:40. I mean, it doesn’t really matter WHO gets the pin, so I’m not sure what that accomplished. JBL echoed my thoughts. Kidd worked over Ziggler outside the ring, into the steel steps and the barricade. Running kick from the top of the barricade by Kidd. Cesaro was still convalescing outside the ring. I’m sure he’ll play into the finish. Cole said this could be Kidd’s first major championship in WWE. I hope he meant major SINGLES championship, because Kidd is a former tag champion. Springboard by Kidd but Ziggler caught him with a superkick. That was a 0.4 on the HBK-Shelton Benjamin springboard-into-a-superkick scale. Kidd again went for a Sharpshooter but Ziggler quickly countered out of it. Zig Zag finished it.

WINNER: Ziggler, at 20:06. Really surprised Cesaro didn’t get Kidd back for costing him the title. If you didn’t see this match, go out of your way to seek it out. It’ll be well worth your time. One of the best Smackdown matches of the year.

Some of the major moments of the match were replayed. A graphic was then shown for Team Authority vs. Team Cena at Survivor Series. The announcers avoided saying we’d find out the final member of each team Monday night, instead saying we’ll find out “sometime in the next nine days.”

- Kane vs. Ryback is still to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

4 – LAYLA vs. NATALYA

No entrance for Layla and her second, Summer Rae. Layla flipped Nattie into a pinning combination for a one-count. She then fought out of a Sharpshooter attempt. Hard shot to the jaw by Layla. Hard kick to the head by Layla. Natalya was knocked to ringside and slid back into the ring just in time to break the count. Headscissors applied by Layla. Natalya fought out, but Layla still took her down. Seated dropkick from Natalya, but a pin only got her one. Layla kicked Natalya outside the ring again. Natalya slapped Summer then re-directed a charging Layla into her friend. Back in, Natalya applied the Sharpshooter and Layla tapped.

WINNER: Natalya, at 3:55. Maybe I’m still on a high from the last match, but this wasn’t bad.

Natalya’s slap and Sharpshooter were replayed.

- The announcers talked about the Highlight Reel from earlier tonight, and we saw a clip of Triple H’s rebuttal and Jericho singing the Goodbye song.

- Another graphic was shown for Team Authority vs. Team Cena.

- Up next: Dean Ambrose.

[Commercial Break]

- Kofi Kingston’s New Day vignette aired.

- The announcers talked about WWE Network being offered for free for the month of November.

- They showed Bray Wyatt calling out Dean Ambrose earlier tonight.

- Dean Ambrose literally ran into Byron Saxton backstage. Ambrose said he’s sick of this crap and said if Wyatt gets into his head, he’s going to regret it. Wyatt showed up and shoved one of the rolling cases into Ambrose. He gave Ambrose Sister Abigail into the wall. He said people put Ambrose in a box, but the next box he’ll be in will be in the ground.

- Kane came out for his match, followed at a safe distance by The Authority. They took their seat at ringside for the main event, which is next.

[Commercial Break]

5 – KANE vs. RYBACK

Ryback powered out of a side headlock, but Kane kneed him in the back. Shoulder knock-down by Ryback. Kane was whipped into the buckle, and a charging Ryback clotheslined him. I love how Cole is basically saying Stephanie and Triple H have no skills they could apply to another job outside of WWE, and that they need to win because if they’re not in charge of WWE, they’ll be on the streets starving. At least, that’s what he made it seem like. Ryback was in control as they went to break.

[Commercial Break]

Kane made his comeback out of break, whipping Ryback into the corner so hard that Ryback bumped to the mat. Kane got his knees up on a Ryback splash. Dropkick with Ryback on his knees got a two count. Ryback fought back and splashed Kane off the second rope. Chokeslam attempt was broken and Ryback powerslammed Kane. Meat-hook clothesline connected. Ryback clotheslined Kane outside the ring and Kane dragged Ryback out. He smashed Ryback spine-first into the apron, then face-first into the ring post. Kane grabbed a chair at ringside and planted it in the gut of Ryback, drawing a disqualification.

WINNER: Ryback, via DQ, at 10:21.

Kane continued to bash Ryback in the back. Triple H and Stephanie cheered on from ringside. As Hunter got on the apron, Ryback picked Kane up and gave him a spinebuster. “Feed me more” chants ensued. Ryback used the chair on Kane a number of times until one shot knocked Kane to ringside. Ryback and Triple H had a stand-off and Ryback slowly approached Hunter. The two got face-to-face and that’s how the show ended.


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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