SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER
DECEMBER 19, 2017
NEWARK, N.J. AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
By Joey Galizia (@RamJam89), PWTORCH SPECIALIST
ANNOUNCED BY WWE
- Six-Man tag action: Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton & A.J. Styles battle Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn & Jinder Mahal.
- The Usos go head-to-head with Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin.
- Dolph Ziggler celebrates his United States Title Victory.
- Will the SD women mention the new women’s Royal Rumble?
- The New Day get ready for the holidays
“ALL MATTERS THROWN TOGETHER”
After what was a MUCH better than expected show on Sunday, team blue returns to Newark to begin their road to the Royal Rumble. WWE Champion A.J. Styles was able to shut the door on the Modern Day Maharaja as a title challenger, and now he looks forward towards Philadelphia in wait for his next opponent. Jinder may not be the face of the brand anymore, but he has managed to land himself in yet another main event for SD Live, this time teaming with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in six man action as they face, along with Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton. Essentially, the two biggest marquee matches from Sunday will be morphed into one SPECTACLE for a Tuesday Night.
Speaking of K.O. and Sami, they JUST managed to survive at Clash thanks to General Manager Daniel Bryan. After a back and forth affair that saw special guest referee Shane McMahon NOT count a pin for the Canadians, DB responded by giving Zayn a fast count when he rolled up Orton. The result: Sami and Owens get to keep their jobs despite Shane’O’Mac’s diabolical efforts to send them away. Expect the commissioner to have some words with his GM this evening, and perhaps set something up for a certain date in April.
“SHOW STEALER”
There may not have been many surprises on Sunday, but Dolph Ziggler shocking everyone with a win in a triple-threat for the United States Title was certainly one of them. Dolph had been added to the Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode feud just a couple weeks ago, and many assumed he was acting just as a fall guy. In reality, Dolph prepared himself well, and landed his Zig-Zag finisher at the exact same time Corbin was putting down Roode with the End of Days. The Lone Wolf is slowly building a reputation for squandering a big opportunity, and the Glorious One continues his main roster run with some inconsistent performances. Dolph on the other hand was seconds away from the abyss, but perhaps this victory will give him another shot in the sun. As for tonight, we do know what happens when titles change hands, the question of when that rematch takes place we’ll find out at 8pm Eastern.
“EVERY DAY IS RUSEV DAY”
-The Bulgarian Brute and the pop-diva Aiden English had full fan support at the Clash, but came up just short in their attempts to become tag-team champions. Meanwhile, the Usos prepare to face Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin, two guys they technically haven’t defeated yet in two-on two action.
-The New Day were the fourth competitors in that four-way-tag on Sunday but also managed to fall short. However, not even a loss can stop the longest reigning tag-champs of all time from tossing out pancakes like a Frisbee. Besides, nothing can destroy the power of positivity especially during Christmas season!
-While they weren’t in a title match this weekend, the Bludgeon Brothers may be the scariest tag-team SD Live has seen in a while. Harper and Rowan always worked well together when they were followers of Bray Wyatt, but they are dialing in to another level here. They MURDERED the Fashion Police; thus ending a near seven month story for Breeze and Fandango. Will the tag-titles be the next thing they conquer?
-Big Mojo Rawley cut some mean promos on Twitter, and backed up his intensity by triumphing over his former Hype-Bro Zack Ryder in the Clash of Champions Kickoff. What’s next for the Andre the Giant battle royal winner? Hopefully something worthwhile. As someone who use to despise Mojo, I can’t help but feel excited by his improvement.
-Alas, we have made it to the women. Natalya and Charlotte put on another solid bout on Sunday, but as per usual the Nature Girl found a way to defeat her long-time rival even with a plethora of heels at ringside playing lumberjacks. Post-match Nattie cut a promo that is either a retirement angle or a preview of more aggression to come. The big questions are: who will face the women’s champion in Philadelphia? Will Carmella ever cash-in her briefcase? And last but not least, will the women respond to Stephanie’s monumental announcement made last night on Raw? An all women’s Royal Rumble is coming our way y’all, and I for one couldn’t be more thrilled!
Clash of Champions fallout! You watching?
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 12/12: Nakamura (w/Orton) vs. Owens (w/Sami), and what else to look for tonight from the Blue Brand’s final Clash hype
Time to do something with New Day, anything. Beyond stale and boring. Break them up.