WWE Smackdown review
April 9, 2015
Taped 4/7/15 in Dallas, Texas
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- Smackdown Open.

- Daniel Bryan opened the show. Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Jerry “The King” Lawler were the announcers at ringside. They showed the close of Sheamus vs. Bryan from last week’s episode. Phillips said Bryan had to have eight stitches in his forehead from where he was busted open. On the mic, Bryan talked about how winning the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania was one of the highlights of his career. Bryan asked how he can make the I.C. Title mean more and he answered is own question, saying it’s by defending it against any and all comers. He pointed out that he did that the night after Mania against Dolph Ziggler. But afterward, Sheamus came out to kick him in the face. He brought up how Wade Barrett attacked him last week on Smackdown, but Barrett’s music interrupted.

Barrett filled in the blank, saying he dropped Bryan with a Bull Hammer. Sheamus then came out to join Barrett on the stage. Sheamus picked up where Barrett left off, saying he then kicked Bryan’s head off with a Brogue Kick. “You look stupid” chant at Sheamus. Sheamus said he supports Barrett because he’s not an undersized insect. He proposed he and Barrett give Bryan a European-style arse-kicking. The big men approached the ring as Bryan readied to fight. As the heels reached the apron, Dolph Ziggler came out. Ziggler insulted Sheamus’s new look and entered the ring. Ziggler wanted to fight right then. Before a brawl could break out, Big Show’s music hit.

He agreed with Sheamus, saying he’s sick and tired of the pipsqueaks complaining all the time. He talked about his Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal win and put himself over as better than Andre himself. Show wanted in on the fun, but Roman Reigns then came out through the crowd. In the time it took him to do that, the heels could’ve put a pretty good beating on the babyfaces. Show threatened Reigns, who took no heed and tackled Show once he hit the ring. The heels quickly retreated as the faces cleared the squared circle.

- Coming up, a very special edition of Miz TV.

- Also, Neville’s Smackdown debut.

- Natalya was walking backstage with Cesaro and Tyson Kidd. The tag champs are in action next.

[Commercial Break]

- Breaking news: Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, and Roman Reigns vs. Sheamus, Bad News Barrett, and Big Show, tonight! I know, I’m shocked, too.

- The tag champs and Natalya were finishing up their entrance. The New Day then came out with Big E. working the mic, taking issue with the fans claiming New Day “sucks.” He asked the fans to stand and clap. What are they, the American Males? Big E. said the fans have to love them because they’re spreading positivity and they’re here for the fans.

1 – CESARO & TYSON KIDD vs. KOFI KINGSTON & BIG E.

Single-leg take-down by Kidd early on. He and Kofi did some mat wrestling. Kofi landed on his feet after a monkey flip by Kidd, but Cesaro’s distraction allowed Kidd to take back over. Kingston tripped up Kidd and pulled him out of the ring, then low-bridged a charging Cesaro. Big E. helped launch Kofi over the top and onto both of their foes. The New Day was in control as they cut to break 2:20 into the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:23 with the champions having regained control during the break. Lawler narrated clips that aired on the WWE App during the break. Kidd came off the top but was caught and given a belly-to-belly suplex. Cesaro delivered a gutwrench suplex to Big E. Cesaro came over the top and gave Big E. a double foot-stomp. Poor Xavier Woods was trying to get the crowd into it but they kept chanting “New…Day Sucks” and he kept turning around desperately asking, “why?!” Cesaro Swing into a dropkick but Kofi broke up a pin. Cesaro charged the corner but Big E. caught him and slammed him. Kofi made the hot tag and worked over Kidd. Kofi set up for Trouble in Paradise, but Cesaro gave Kingston an uppercut from outside the ring and Kidd pinned him after his spinning fisherman suplex.

WINNERS: Cesaro and Kidd, at 10:51. Good match. Poor New Day wouldn’t have as much of a crowd problem if they switched up the beat of their cheer.

A replay of the finish aired.

- A Raw recap aired that showed viewers how Randy Orton became the new #1 contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Title. Also, #KaneWasThere.

- A graphic was shown for Orton vs. Rollins at Extreme Rules for the World Title. Also, J&J Security were featured behind Rollins on the graphic.

- Tom Phillips plugged the free month of April for new WWE Network subscribers.

- Bray Wyatt will be in action tonight.

- Also, Neville. He’s up next, making his Smackdown debut.

[Commercial Break]

- Curtis Axel was in the ring asking fans not to change the channel. He said on Raw two weeks ago, Neville caused a speed bump on the way to Axe-treme rules. He said AxelMania will live forever and that he asked for a rematch with Neville tonight. He did the “whatcha gonna do” routine and pulled off his t-shirt.

2 – CURTIS AXEL vs. NEVILLE

Axel grabbed Neville by the hair and trash-talked. He tries throwing Neville out of the ring, but Neville did a handspring off the ropes to avoid it. Axel continued to rage on Neville in the corner, working him over aggressively. Neville’s high-octane offense included a flying forearm. He dove over the top rope and onto Axel at ringside. Bodyslam in the corner, followed by the Red Arrow for the victory.

WINNER: Neville, at 2:16. Neville continues to impress on the main roster. It’ll be interesting to see how much they have him talk once he gets into his first real feud, since that was one of his perceived weaknesses in NXT, though he improved by the end of his run there.

A replay of Neville’s offense was shown.

- Renee Young interviewed Cameron, Alicia Fox, and Natalya backstage. They talked about the Divas Battle Royal and Natalya tried to say Naomi earned her spot as #1 contender for the Divas title, but Cameron scoffed at that. All three began to argue about the Divas Battle Royal. Once things got physical with Fox and Natalya shoving each other, Young left the scene. Referees pulled Nattie and Fox away. Same ol’ Divas booking.

- The major six-man tag match is still to come.

[Commercial Break]

3 – ALICIA FOX vs. NATALYA – CAMERON AS SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE

Natalya was the only one who received an entrance. Natalya tackled Fox to start and Cameron broke it up once they got into the ropes. More shoves were exchanged, then slaps. The ropes once again broke up a brawl. Fox missed a legdrop and Nattie hit a low dropkick. Running boot in the corner by Fox. Northern Lights suplex by Fox for two. Rear chin-lock applied by Fox. Nattie elbowed out, but was clotheslined back down. Roll-up out of the corner, but Natalya countered Fox. Sharpshooter applied. Fox tapped out.

WINNER: Natalya, via submission, at 3:39. The best performer of the match? Cameron as guest ref. She was on the ball checking the chin-lock and showed consistent cadence on pinfalls. I think we’ve found her calling.

After the match, Cameron DDT’d Natalya. Then she did the same to Fox.

- The announcers were shown on-camera and threw it to a video package of “the enigmatic” Erick Rowan. Hey, at least they showed some effort with that video.

- Rowan vs. Bray Wyatt is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Bray Wyatt came out for his match with Erick Rowan. He got the mic, saying the first time he met Rowan came when Rowan was cast out from society. While everyone saw his flaws, Wyatt saw his possibilities. He said he became Rowan’s teacher, showed him what it was like to be part of a family. He said he fixed Rowan like you’d fix a broken toy. But then, he had to set Rowan free. Wyatt said Rowan is now broken just like he was before, and it’s the fans’ fault. He said tonight, he’ll teach Rowan one last lesson, to show him that you can’t trust anyone because evil is inside of us all. He said he’d destroy Rowan once and for all tonight. He called himself “the new face of fear.”

4 – BRAY WYATT vs. ERICK ROWAN

The first big move of the match was Rowan, coming off the ropes, and just bowling Wyatt over. Wyatt sat against the barricade to recover before returning to the ring. Wyatt grabbed Rowan by the beard, but Rowan wasn’t having that. He cornered Wyatt and delivered a number of headbutts. Wyatt missed a shoulder-first charge, then was dropkicked off the apron and into the barricade. Rowan recovered at ringside as they cut to break at 1:48 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 5:25 with Rowan working out of a rear chin-lock. DDT by Wyatt for a two-count. Rowan picked up a head of steam, however, and ran over Wyatt with shoulder tackles, then a standing spin kick. Rowan went to the top rope, but Wyatt rolled out of the ring. Rowan got a running start to attack Wyatt at ringside, but Wyatt turned around and clotheslined him. Running back splash followed. Wyatt clobbered Rowan with a diving elbow back in the ring. After the spider walk, Sister Abigail connected for the win.

WINNER: Wyatt, at 8:29. Solid enough bout. I can’t help but think how much more this would’ve meant had WWE spent a few weeks building it up. They certainly have enough material given the history between the two to make it worthwhile.

- The Miz was walking backstage, all smiles. Miz TV is next.

[Commercial Break]

- Miz was in the ring for Miz TV, with the Marine 4 poster showing on the Titan-Tron. Miz plugged the movie, coming out tomorrow on Digital HD and April 21 on DVD. He cued up the trailer for us all to see. Luckily, it was short. Miz said his movie has been getting rave reviews from critics. Summer Rae, his co-star in the movie, came out. Summer gave the most stilted line reading on her way to the ring, chiding Miz for not mentioning it was “our” movie. If that’s an example of the acting I’ll see in the movie…no thanks. Miz told Summer that her being in the movie was an example of him “giving a Diva a chance.” They argued over who the real star of the movie was. Miz called Summer “a featured extra.” He said he made Summer a star just like he made Damien Mizdow a star. Summer brought up Mizdow dispatching Miz during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Miz said he doesn’t blame Mizdow for anything that’s happened over the past two weeks; instead, he blames the WWE Universe. He said they made him believe he’s something he’s not: a leading man. Miz tried to get a “We want Mizdow” chant going, but it was tepid at best. Miz said Damien Sandow was fired twice from the company and was on his way out a third time when Miz gave him an opportunity. Mizdow then came out, still to Miz’s music. But he wore a t-shirt, jeans, and sunglasses.

Miz told Mizdow he’s on a steep decline and Mizdow needs to get his career and life on track. Mizdow listened intently and Miz offered forgiveness because he’s charitable. He said he’d forgive Mizdow if Mizdow simply says, “I’m sorry.” Miz offered his hand and told Mizdow he was only offering him tough love. He once again offered his hand and a chance for Mizdow to apologize. Miz said the fans will forget about Mizdow unless Mizdow is with him. That’s probably pretty accurate, actually. Mizdow took his time to make a decision. In the end, he shook Miz’s hand and did apologize…but then said “I’m sorry I didn’t do this sooner,” and attacked Miz. He even tossed one of the director’s chairs in the direction of Miz, who high-tailed it up the ramp. Mizdow grabbed Summer Rae and kissed her as well. Summer acted like Mizdow took her breath away.

- A video package aired on mainstream press garnered by WWE during Wrestlemania week, as well as all of their charitable works during that time. Clips from Fan Axxess was shown as well.

- The six-man tag main event is next.

[Commercial Break]

- All six wrestlers for the main event received ring introductions. While she was intro’ing Barrett, they showed JoJo on-camera doing the ring announcing, and even ID’d her with chyron. After Bryan, the final entrant, they went to break before the match began.

[Commercial Break]

5 – BAD NEWS BARRETT & THE BIG SHOW & SHEAMUS vs. ROMAN REIGNS & DOLPH ZIGGLER & DANIEL BRYAN

After a lock-up sequence, Ziggler and Sheamus exchanged slaps. Show tagged in and delivered a massive right hand to Ziggler’s mid-section. Hard slap to the chest of Ziggler. Show gathered some momentum, but Ziggler dropkicked Show’s knee. DDT for two by Ziggler. Ziggler jumped at him in the corner, but Show swatted Ziggler in the chest. Winds of Change by Barrett to Ziggler for a near-fall at 2:43 of the match. Sheamus tagged in and bad-mouthed Ziggler while slapping him around in the corner. Ziggler showed he had some fight left and tagged Bryan in at 3:53. Bryan hammered away on Sheamus and clotheslined him mid-ring. Kicks to the chest ensued. Bryan dumped Sheamus to ringside with a back-drop, and he followed with a suicide dive. Out of nowhere, Barrett felled Bryan with a big boot outside the ring. Bryan held his head in pain as they cut to break at 5:06 of the contest.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 8:35 with Bryan stuck in a bear hug at the hands of Big Show. Show slammed him and dropped an elbow. Barrett, who slowed the pace again when he came in, missed a running boot in the corner. He was able to tag Show, however, before Bryan made it to his corner. Loud “We want Roman” chants from the fans. Congratulations, Dallas, you’ve just earned yourselves about six more TV tapings this year with that sustained chant! Bryan dodged a chokeslam and Bryan applied the Yes Lock. Bryan couldn’t hold it though and was tossed across the ring and out by Show. Sheamus set Bryan up on the top turnbuckle. Bryan fought from his perch and pushed Sheamus away. He went for a cross-body, but Sheamus caught him. Bryan was in a Samoan drop position, but flipped around into a DDT of Sheamus. Reigns finally tagged in at 13:57 of the match. He did a number on Barrett. He Superman punched Show off the apron, then gave one to Barrett. The pin was broken up by Sheamus. Ziggler superkicked Sheamus. Bryan gave Show a knee to the face as he jumped off the apron. Spear of Barrett by Reigns finished it. Good intensity by Tom Phillips on the call, as well.

WINNERS: Reigns, Ziggler, and Bryan, at 15:10.

The babyfaces posed, arms high in the air in triumph, as the show closed.


Did you watch Thursday’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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