WWE Smackdown review
September 24, 2015
Taped 9/22/15 in Corpus Christi, Texas
Aired on SyFy
By Greg Parks, PWTorch Columnist (Twitter: @gregmparks)


- WWE Open.

- A video package aired chronicling the Demon Kane’s return at Night of Champions, and Corporate Kane’s return at Raw, and the fall-out from the main event on Monday night.

- An unusually exuberant Kane was introduced by Eden Stiles, and he was already in the ring. He said this is the precise time to come back because WWE is on fire. Some would argue a dumpster fire, but I digress. Kane made Kevin Owens & Rusev vs. Ryback & Dolph Ziggler for tonight. Also, Luke Harper takes on Roman Reigns. The audio sweetening is off the charts here. Kane banned Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, and Braun Strowman from ringside during the Harper vs. Reigns match. Before announcing something else, deemed only as “great,” the music of Seth Rollins interrupted and he came onto the stage.

Kane gave an enthusiastic intro for Rollins. Rollins wasn’t having any of it, saying Kane isn’t fooling anyone. He called out Kane for being the Demon Kane. Kane said when he became Director of Operations, he went through extensive training for conflict resolution. Too late for Team Hell No, however. He invited Rollins to the ring for a productive dialogue. Of course, Rollins declined. Kane said he watched Night of Champions from his home on the WWE Network. He tried to plead ignorance about what happened to Rollins on Monday night. Kane got dark and asked who is standing before Rollins, a demon from the depths of hell…or a man in a suit, the man who helped Rollins become WWE champion?

Kane reminded Rollins that he did call him a “seven-foot piece of crap” at one time. Rollins said Kane is not fit to be Director of Operations. He also said Kane isn’t welcome around him or his WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins told Kane he needs serious help. Kane said he’d take it under advisement. Before Rollins left, Kane noted Rollins interrupted him before he could announce the main event. It’s Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose.

- Rich Brennan, Booker T., and Jerry Lawler were shown at ringside. They discussed the issues between Rollins and Kane from the last week. Dr. Booker T.’s sources diagnosed Kane with a split personality. Lawler simply said Kane is playing mind games with Rollins.

- Roman Reigns made his entrance through the crowd. He faces Luke Harper next.

[Commercial Break]

- A graphic plugged WWE’s “social media dominance” relating to the company’s Facebook page.

1 – ROMAN REIGNS vs. LUKE HARPER

As Harper came out, they showed the brawl between The Wyatts and Reigns, Ambrose, and Randy Orton. Reigns went to the outside immediately, and cut off a Harper suicide dive attempt. Big dropkick by Reigns at ringside. Back in the ring, Reigns got Harper up on his shoulders, perhaps for a Samoan drop, but Harper got down by simply elbowing away at the head of Reigns. It seemed to be a major point of the match, but Reigns came back seconds later not selling any of it. Harper got his boot up on a corner charge, and followed it with a knee. A simple right hand launched Harper over the top and out of the ring. A big boot felled Reigns as a fan shouted “that beard’s not even real!” at Harper. Oh it’s very, very real. Back in the ring, Harper hit a sit-out powerbomb for a near-fall. Reigns fired back by knocking Harper off balance with a Superman punch, then torpedoed his foe with a spear for the win.

WINNER: Reigns, at 3:44. Surprisingly quick match. I thought Harper would be booked to last longer against Reigns, but Reigns could also use a dominating win like that, too, to help his cause.

- New Day was walking backstage. They’re in action against the Lucha Dragons and Neville, next. More New Day as they came upon a production assistant. They set up the backboard to dunk on the guy, but he caught them before Big E. could complete it. Then Kofi came from the other side and dunked on the guy.

[Commercial Break]

- New Day were in the ring out of break. Kofi Kingston asked the fans if they could feel the excitement. He plugged the WWE Network MSG special, vowing to put an end to the Dudley Boyz once and for all. They started a “save the tables” chant, which was interrupted by Neville’s entrance.

2 – THE NEW DAY vs. NEVILLE & THE LUCHA DRAGONS

Neville and Kalisto did some cool double-teaming in the first few seconds of the match. New Day tried to regroup at ringside while the show cut to break at 38 seconds of the bout.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 4:10 with Kalisto delivering kicks to Big E. A back elbow by E. put Kalisto on the mat. With Woods and Kingston putting the boots to Kalisto in the corner, Woods produced some music on his trombone. Kalisto back-dropped Kofi to ringside, and was able to make the tag to Sin Cara at 6:10. He took out Woods with his high-flying arsenal. Neville kicked Big E. out of the ring and Kingston was sent out as well. Cara dove over the ropes while Neville and Kalisto came off opposite turnbuckles with moonsaults on the three New Day members at ringside. That was cool-looking. Back in, however, Woods hit a running knee to the face of Cara (whose leg was grabbed by Kofi from the outside) to get the win.

WINNERS: New Day, at 7:32. I liked what we saw of the match, but didn’t like the finishing sequence after the dives. Ended the match with a bit of a thud.

- Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose is still to come tonight.

[Commercial Break]

3 – CESARO vs. BO DALLAS

They recapped Cesaro getting knocked around by Big Show on Monday night. On his way to the ring, Dallas said he survived Suplex City while Cesaro can’t get off Big Show Boulevard. He told Cesaro to Bo-Lieve. Cesaro rolled Dallas around the ring with his feet trying to keep the shoulders of Dallas on the mat. Hard clothesline sent Dallas down. European uppercut by Cesaro, however, Dallas pulled on the apron skirt that caused Cesaro to slip onto the side of the ring. Back in the ring, Dallas had the advantage and back suplexed Cesaro for two. On commentary, Booker really played up the seriousness of Cesaro’s back injury suffered at the hands of Big Show. Cesaro, broke out of a rest-hold and beat Dallas with a crazy headscissors take-down into a pinning combination.

WINNER: Cesaro, at 4:25. Cesaro broke out some real unique stuff in this one, even more than usual.

- The announcers discussed the Divas Title match at Night of Champions, with still highlights shown as well. They transitioned into a brief part of Charlotte’s promo on Raw. We’ll hear from Charlotte next, though they seemed to erase in that segment any hint of Paige’s promo.

[Commercial Break]

- Charlotte and Becky Lynch came out. Lawler mentioned that Paige is conspicuous by her absence. Charlotte mentioned her dream scenario coming true at Night of Champions. She and Becky wanted to come out to thank the fans for believing in the Divas Revolution. She said the future has never been brighter…but then Paige’s music interrupted. She came out and said she’s never been a team player and she’s never apologized for being herself. She entered the ring and said she shouldn’t have dumped on Charlotte on Monday. Paige said she thought she’d be in the position that Charlotte is, and wondered if Charlotte is woman enough to hold the title. Paige said she started the Divas Revolution and deserves some recognition. Becky said Paige has been honest enough but Paige told her to shut up. Natalya then came out.

She hugged Charlotte and Becky while Paige called her a “crazy cat lady.” Now there’s a revolutionary gimmick for the women’s division. Natalya said she’s proud of the Divas division, as it’s perhaps the best it’s ever been. She said she can’t remember the last time she felt excited to come to work (what, and not get booked?). She said the last time she felt that way was when Paige debuted and won the title. She chastised Paige, saying Paige is better than that, better than feeling jealous over Charlotte. Paige said she is better than that, and in fact, better than Nattie. She said Natalya let the Revolution pass her by, hooking on to the younger Divas in an attempt to become relevant again. Paige slapped Natalya across the face, then left the ring. It’s nice to see Nattie involved in the Revolution finally.

- Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins takes place later tonight.

- Ziggler & Ryback vs. Rusev & Owens is next.

[Commercial Break]

4 – KEVIN OWENS & RUSEV vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & RYBACK

“Since when is raking a guy’s eyes illegal?” asked Booker, when questioned about the finish of Ryback vs. Owens at Night of Champions. Ziggler peppered Rusev’s mid-section with rights, but Rusev shook them off. He put the boots to Ziggler in the corner and did a fair amount of trash-talking as well. Dropkick by Ziggler, but a distraction by Owens allowed Rusev to plant Ziggler with a slam. Rusev kneed Ziggler while Ziggler was in the ropes, with some of them showing considerable light. Ziggler DDT’d Rusev and both men were down. They cut to break at 3:11 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 6:16 with Owens in control of Ziggler. Owens taunted the crowd and Ryback as he continued his offensive onslaught on Ziggler. Rusev and Owens both worked over Ziggler as the fans chanted “feed me more.” Owens gave instructions to Rusev, wanting to see which one of them could slam Ziggler the best. Ziggler countered Rusev’s slam into one of his own, so I guess Owens wins that contest by default. Slam to Owens as well from Ziggler. He flopped like a fish out of water, which I guess was him selling. Once Ryback tagged in, Rusev went for a spin kick but got virtually no height on the move, hitting Ryback in the mid-section. Ryback still sold his head, though. Ryback, thanks to a distraction from Owens, ran into a jumping side kick by Rusev. Owens grabbed the Intercontinental Title and left the match. Rusev was not happy with that development. Rusev brought Ziggler into the ring, a mistake as Ziggler superkicked him. Ryback then hit Shell Shock for the win.

WINNERS: Ziggler and Ryback, at 11:54. Average, if uninspiring outing here.

The finish was replayed.

- Rollins vs. Ambrose is the main event tonight.

[Commercial Break]

- WWE Network’s new show, Breaking Ground, will debut on October 26. After a video aired, the announcers were shown on-camera talking about it, as well as JBL’s Legends show, of which part two with Eric Bischoff will air right after Smackdown.

- From Raw, we saw Big Show’s message for Brock Lesnar about their upcoming MSG showdown. It was actually a more Show-centered video package in general. Graphics were shown for Show vs. Lesnar, as well as Dudley Boyz vs. New Day for the tag titles on that show.

- The Dudleys were walking backstage, ranting about New Day. They were approached by Renee Young. Bubba said he knows she’s a fan of New Day, but New Day act like they care about the WWE Universe and saving the tables, but the one thing they don’t act like is champions. He said they’d beat New Day in their own backyard and become 10-time WWE Tag Champs. D-Von said it’s not about tables, but about championships. The Prime Time Players interrupted. DY shook D-Von’s hand and wished them luck against New Day. Titus O’Neil said when they’re done with New Day, it’s Prime Time.

- JoJo was backstage with Seth Rollins. She asked Rollins about facing Ambrose tonight while being preoccupied with Kane. Rollins said Kane is a living, breathing demon. He said he doesn’t know what snapped inside Kane, but The Authority needs to talk about getting Kane some serious help. Rollins said he has faced Ambrose many times in his career, and just like all the other times, he’ll destroy Ambrose tonight.

- In the arena, Dean Ambrose approached the ring. He goes one-on-one with Rollins, next.

[Commercial Break]

5 – DEAN AMBROSE vs. SETH ROLLINS

Ambrose slowed things down early on with a side headlock. Big dropkick by Ambrose sent Rollins reeling outside the ring. They went to break at 2:12 of the match.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 5:14 with Rollins slamming Ambrose and covering him for two. During the break, a double-stomp to Ambrose allowed Rollins to take control. Rollins put up a fist when Ambrose tried a suicide dive. Flying knee off the top to the head by Rollins. Ambrose attempted a tornado DDT but was shoved off. Kick to the jaw by Rollins for two. Ambrose hit what Brennan dubbed the “Lunatic Lariat,” his patented clothesline. Ambrose connected on a double underhook suplex off the top rope for a near-fall. The two men traded roll-ups, with Ambrose eventually back-dropping Rollins out of the ring. Suicide dive found the mark. Fisherman suplex by Ambrose for two. Kick to the side of the head by Rollins put Ambrose down. They exchanged right hands in the middle of the ring. Ambrose avoided the Pedigree, but Rollins thumbed him in the eye. Buckle bomb by Rollins. As Rollins went to finish Ambrose, Kane’s fire went off and the arena turned red. Rollins looked to see if Kane would be coming through the mat. Ambrose rolled Rollins up for the win.

WINNER: Ambrose, at 13:20.

Corporate Kane was shown watching the proceedings on a monitor backstage. Rollins got a mic and yelled that if Kane wants to play mind games, he can do the same. “Do you know who I am? Do you know what I’m capable of?” shouted Rollins. Rollins asked Kane if he saw what he did to Sting at Night of Champions. Rollins told Kane he would suffer the same fate if he keeps getting in the way. He said that no matter what, he’s still the World Champion. Back to Kane watching on the monitor, who didn’t appear so jovial this time. They ended the show with Rollins in the ring, title over his shoulder.


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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