WrestleRant
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • WRR
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • About
    • Contact

Columnist Corner

WWE SmackDown Review - August 27, 2015

8/28/2015

0 Comments

 
PictureSheamus stands over a defeated Dean Ambrose.
By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose Interrupted The Wyatt Family

It would have been foolish of WWE to make The Wyatt Family look weak only days after they added a new monstrous member, but that hasn't stopped them from doing dumb things in the past. That said, I was glad they held off on having the two teams brawl and instead had them encounter each other. They saved the physicality for after the main event and teased what could be one hell of a Handicap/six-man tag match at some point down the line. I don't know if it quite captures the same magic the initial Shield/Wyatt Family matches did, but we'll see who ultimately joins Reigns and Ambrose.


The Dudley Boyz def. The Ascension

I'm still reeling from the return of The Dudley Boyz on Monday's Raw. What a moment! I've been watching them on TNA TV for years and even saw them in person just last year, but not comes close to seeing them in WWE again. The crowd was hot for their offense and The Ascension were the perfect opponents for them in their first match back because they can obviously take a loss. Anyone who says they were "buried" here is being ridiculous because those are the same people who were complaining they were being shoved down our throats earlier this year. The New Day coming out afterward with their self-made signs was hilarious and I'm anticipating the series of matches we're going to get from the two teams.

PictureKevin Owens takes control of Neville.
Kevin Owens def. Neville

We've seen some stellar matches between these two in the past and while this wasn't as great as their past encounters, it was still very enjoyable. It could have been more memorable with more time, but they made the most of the time they were allotted and both guys looked good coming out of it. It's great Owens is starting to pick up clean wins again, but my only fear for Neville was that they would start booking him like an afterthought following SummerSlam. This was more competitive than it was a squash, but the absence of Stardust leads me to believe their program might be over.


Team PCB def. The Bella Twins

The backstage talking segment prior to the match was much better than the awful 'Miz TV' segment from Monday, but they still have a ways to go. It's not a matter of Charlotte and Becky Lynch improving their mic skills because as seen on NXT, they're already exceptional in that area. Rather, as I mentioned in my Raw review, they're just scripted beyond belief. The match was also better from Monday, but having Brie taking the pinfall loss for her team made no sense. They're apparently teasing tension between Team PCB and everyone should want the title, but how is anyone going to get in title contention if Nikki continues to be protected?


WWE World Heavyweight Champion and United States Champion Seth Rollins Addressed Sting

This was a logical follow-up to the conclusion of Raw and Rollins' promo was once again excellent. He didn't do much other than run-down Sting and his accomplishments, but it was entertaining regardless, especially the line about Sting toiling down in the "minor leagues" in recent years. Hopefully this means this same promo won't be opening Raw this week, but I wouldn't be surprised. The logic of Rollins finishing off Sting after Triple H couldn't at WrestleMania is somewhat flawed since they shook hands after the match, but one can only hope that's addressed at some point.


Intercontinental Champion Ryback and Dolph Ziggler def. Rusev and Big Show

The in-ring action was enjoyable because Ryback and Ziggler make for a fun duo, but it leaves me wondering what's next for them going forward. Of course, the match was overshadowed by the events at the end that saw Big Show turn on Rusev after tension was teased between the two. Please for the love of God don't let this mean we've in for another Big Show turn. Not even a Big Show-Rusev feud interests me because we just saw it last year. If Ziggler was going to pin Rusev in this match, I don't understand they didn't have him beat Rusev at SummerSlam.


Sheamus def. Dean Ambrose

Sheamus and Ambrose have always had very good chemistry together and this was another quality contest from the two. It felt random because they haven't had any established issues as of late, so you had to know The Wyatt Family was going to make their presence felt at some point. I'm glad Sheamus scored the win because he needed it more and Ambrose was protected in defeat while his feud with The Wyatt Family was effectively furthered.


Overall Show

The hot momentum from SummerSlam and Raw managed to carry over onto Thursday night as this was an above-average episode by SmackDown standards. Most of the matches served a purpose and were entertaining, the Wyatt Family saga was able to take center stage, and the WWE Champion made an appearance as well. And of course, the damn Dudley Boyz! Seeing them back in action for the first time in 10 years in WWE made this show worth watching alone, so I'd recommend checking it out if you have the time to kill.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Categories

    All
    #AskGSM
    Battle Of The Belts
    Cruiserweight Classic
    Halftime Heat
    Hidden Gems
    Lists/Rankings
    Mae Young Classic
    Mixed Match Challenge
    News
    NJPW
    NWA Shockwave
    Opinion
    Previews
    Retro Reviews
    Reviews
    RJ's Two Cents
    Satire
    SummerSlam Recall
    The Deadly Draw
    Tribute To The Troops
    Women's Eliminator
    Worlds Collide
    WrestleMania Recall
    WWE Draft
    WWE Starrcade


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    RSS Feed

©2023 WrestleRant. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • WRR
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • About
    • Contact