SmackDown is set to follow the recent events from this week's Raw tribute to Ultimate Warrior, including the issues between The Authority / Evolution and The Shield.
The episode starts off with Triple H coming to the ring for a promo. He says he gave The Shield too much power. After a video package of what's been going down, Triple H offers a retort to Roman Reigns's comment about how kings don't win wars, soldiers do. He says soldiers are just the currency that is bought or sold between empires. Roman Reigns vs Triple H seems a lock for SummerSlam, doesn't it? Triple H says Evolution has returned to show the world what true destruction really is and to show The Shield what power really is. "In life, you either adapt or you perish. That is evolution."
MATCH: Big E vs. Alberto Del Rio
This should be an insight into what kind of a match we would have gotten if WWE's original supposed plan of having these two feud for the title would have taken place. Thankfully, instead, we have the tournament going on to determine who gets a shot at the Intercontinental Championship. Big E hops around, not accomplishing all that much, and Del Rio takes control early on.
*Commercial Break*
As we return, Michael Cole is telling us that a big collision happened while on break. It wasn't anything special. Both Big E and Del Rio are sluggish. Big E's straps come down, but before he's able to finish Del Rio off, Mexico's Greatest Export gives him a backstabber for a two-count. He puts Big E in the cross armbreaker, but Big E is able to lock his arms together and eventually reach the ropes to break the hold. Del Rio is disqualified for not breaking the hold...even though he sort of did.
WINNER: Big E via disqualification
After the match, Del Rio goes back on the attack, punishing Big E for his loss. He misses a superkick and is given a Big Ending for his troubles.
*Commercial Break*
Paul Heyman comes out for a promo. He repeats the same basic things that he did on Raw. This is why SmackDown is pointless to watch. Literally, his whole promo is just repeating the phrase "My client, Brock Lesnar, conquered The Streak." Then, he leaves. I'm glad I wasted my time with that.
Keeping up with the SmackDown tradition of filling up as much time as possible with video packages, here's another in regards to Hornswoggle and El Torito feuding.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Paige vs. Aksana
Aksana gets on the mic and says (or at least, tries to) that Paige got lucky and that everyone is jealous of her for...some reason...I couldn't understand her. The story of the match is that Paige is the rookie who could end up being a flash in the pan. Even Aksana is meant to be looking like a veteran, but since she's not that skilled in the ring, this is very sloppy. Virtually nothing happens until Paige puts Aksana in her Scorpion Cross Lock and she taps out.
WINNER: Paige via submission
Backstage, Renee Young interviews Sheamus about the Intercontinental Championship tournament and asks him his opinions on facing Batista later on tonight. This queues up a recap of what happened three weeks ago, when Batista destroyed Sheamus. Sheamus says it isn't about who hits the hardest, but who can keep going. Batista isn't going to slow him down, but will Batista be able to take what Sheamus dishes out?
Hornswoggle is training backstage with Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre to prep for his match against El Torito.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: El Torito vs. Hornswoggle
Rest holds. "You can feel the tension in this arena, it is SILENT." - Michael Cole. Good lord. El Torito hits a hurricanrana. This is so awful. Hornswoggle does a Banzai Drop. Clotheslines and every basic move seems to be requiring the biggest amount of effort you'd ever see. Hornswoggle bodyslams El Torito and taunts. El Torito rolls him up for a two-count. El Torito headbutts Hornswoggle's ass and follows it up with a Bronco Buster. He wins the match with a moonsault.
WINNER: El Torito via pinfall
At least WWE has the sense to point out how nobody gives a shit about this whole thing. It's a shame that they don't realize the same applies to SmackDown in general and that people would care if they would put effort into it like they do with NXT.
*Commercial Break*
Bad News Barrett is at his podium. Thankfully, a step up on this show! He insults the intelligence of the fans.
MATCH: R-Truth vs. Alexander Rusev
Rusev goes for full-on power, but R-Truth is too quick for him. Most of what R-Truth does, Rusev no-sells, however. Soon enough, Rusev catches R-Truth with a kick. He follows it up by placing Truth on the ropes and kneeing him repeatedly. Rusev keeps looking over to Lana for instructions. She tells him to crush R-Truth. Truth fights back, but Rusev slams him down with ease. He locks in the Accolade and R-Truth submits.
WINNER: Alexander Rusev via submission
Xavier Woods gets his ass handed to him for interrupting the Accolade after the match.
*Commercial Break*
Now it's time to recap the tribute to Ultimate Warrior.
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Fandango vs. Santino Marella
Layla doesn't seem to dance anywhere near as much as Summer Rae, yet she's supposed to be the better partner for Fandango. I don't get it. Then again, I don't get why Emma does that stupid arm thing, either. Santino does his usual shtick. Layla takes the Cobra away and Emma attacks her in return. Santino is able to get a quick pin on Fandango anyway.
WINNER: Santino Marella via pinfall
After the match, Santino accidentally gives Emma a high-five with his Cobra hand, so she plays dead with that arm.
You know what I was just about missing and hoping to get right about now? Another recap of what happened on Raw. Wait a minute, that's what we're getting! Yaaaay! Let's relive the Kane and Stephanie McMahon segment that we'll rewatch again on Raw next week!
*Commercial Break*
MATCH: Sheamus vs. Batista
Standard brawling from Sheamus. Nothing much else going on of note.
*Commercial Break*
Not much has changed when we're back. These are two brawlers and they know that this is just SmackDown, so you can tell that there is no urgency or importance behind this match. None of the big signature moves really have any force behind them, whether it's Sheamus doing the battering ram or the 10 beats or anything. Batista avoids a Brogue Kick. Batista hits a spear, but that's not good enough. A Batista Bomb puts the finishing touches on Sheamus, though.
WINNER: Batista via pinfall
REVIEW
Remember when SmackDown used to be a can't-miss show that was on par and sometimes even better than Raw? Remember when people could actually have an argument as to whether or not it was a B-show? This was pathetic. I haven't watched SmackDown in over a year and this is exactly why. Absolutely nothing that happened had the SLIGHTEST bit of importance. For two hours of programming, most of it was recaps, so why bother? No matches were good, no segments were interesting, and it's all completely worthless. You can skip it and you literally would not miss a single thing.
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