Csonka’s WWE Smackdown Review 11.26.15

Thursday Night Smackdown 11.26.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– The Dudleyz defeated Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan @ 8:00 via DQ [*¾]
– Paige defeated Becky Lynch @ 7:35 via pin [**½]
– Non-Title Match: Jack Swagger defeated Champion Alberto Del Rio @ 2:35 via DQ [NR]
– Non-Title Match: The Lucha Dragons defeated Champions New Day @ 7:30 via pin [**½]
– For a Shot at The IC Title: Dean Ambrose defeated Dolph Ziggler and Tyler Breeze @ 13:10via pin [***½]

– Going review style tonight, since it’s Thanksgiving and I wasn’t going to do live coverage. I hope all that celebrated had a good holiday.

ROMAN. REIGNS. TALKS.: Coming off of his 5-minute WWE Title run, Roman Reigns made his appearance on Smackdown to talk with the fans. We had a table, a ladder and a chair in the ring. As Reigns made his entrance, we get footage from the end of Raw, and the destruction of the European Lads. Reigns discussed about wrestling around the house with the Usos as kids, in the house the beach, the pool and the trampoline. These young men dreamed about winning the WWE Title, and Reigns finally did that on Sunday, but the dream didn’t last. Sheamus arrived to ruin another moment for Reigns. Sheamus told him to get over this, reminding his that he was world champion for a few minutes, and has now talked about being champion longer than he was the champion. Sheamus just completely mocked the length of Reigns’ title run, and told him to get over it because he looks better with the title. Sheamus actually came off as a spectacular prick here, with his mocking tone and constantly reminding Reigns about how short his run with the title was, and that he got his moment taken away from him. Seriously, not going to lie here, I loved Sheamus’ smug attitude here. Reigns challenged Sheamus to come to the ring, but of course Sheamus would have nothing to do with that, insisting that he was smart and picked his opportunities. Seriously, this is the most interesting Sheamus promo… in forever. Reigns promised to destroy Sheamus at TLC, describing what he’ll do with all of the weapons before he wins the title back. It’s the same opening promo stuff as always, but I actually enjoyed it and it didn’t go as long as the usual Raw promo.

Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan vs. The Dudley Boyz: Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper defeated The Dudleyz on Raw is what was basically an extended squash match; this is the next chapter. They brawled at the bell The Dudleyz controlled early, working over Rowan before Strowman tagged in. Bubba tried to grapple with the giant, sing a side headlock and top wristlock before being tossed away. Strowman overpowered him, and then got worked over in the Wyatt’s corner. They worked through the commercial and came back to Strowman working over Bubba. Bubba tried to fight back, but the Wyatts cut him off and kept control as Rowan tagged in. Devon eventually got the hot tag, ran wild on Rowan and got a near fall, which was broken up by Strowman. The Dudleyz were able to send Strowman to the floor, and threatened getting the tables. They set up a table, but Harper ran in for the DQ. This led to the Wyatts beating down the Dudleyz, putting Bubba through a table and standing tall. This really felt as if it was what we should have got to start the feud on Monday instead of a decisive victory. It was a little better than the Raw match the Dudleyz lost.

– New Day did a WWE Shop Black Friday commercial. It was great.

Paige vs. Becky Lynch: Lynch lost on Monday to Sasha Banks, de to a distraction and a roll up; Paige is still feuding with Charlotte over the Divas Title. Lynch controlled early, with Paige running from her a bit. Paige took control with a kick to the knee, slowing Lynch and allowing her to work her over in the corner and get the heat. They worked through a commercial and when we came back Paige way laying in the knee strikes to Lynch. Charlotte watched on from backstage, apparently pretending to be Lynch’s friend tonight after offering no help on Raw. Paige continued to work the aggressive streak into her work, and when she does that and allows that work to speak for itself instead of yelling about her house it really works for her. Lynch made her comeback, and looked for dis-arm-her, but Paige grabbed at the ref, which then allowed her to pull Lynch into the ropes and roll her up for the pin. It looked as if Paige was trying to get her feet on the ropes, which would have made more sense for the finish, but Lynch was too far in ring so she just had to stack her up. This was a fine outing, giving Paige momentum, but unfortunately pigeonholing Lynch into the role of he loser/sidekick.

– New Day were having a Thanksgiving potluck dinner. Big E said shirts suck and only wore an apron on top to show off his triceps meat, Team BAD were there, which makes me smile due to their shenanigans on social media. Heath Slater arrived and brought Slater Slaw, but it had a band-aid in it and they kicked him out. Adam Rose then arrived and brought rabbit stew and this offended New Day, so they told him to leave. The Ascension arrived, bringing no food, so they kicked them out. They were upset that there was no turkey, Kofi and Big E argued over who was bringing the turkey and the Gobbledy Gooker arrived, and revealed himself to be Xavier Woods. Hilarity ensued; I love the New Day because they bring a smile to my face.

* Colter cut a promo on Swagger, calling he and the fans a bunch of haters. This paring continues to be horrible. While it’s not especially great, at least the Swagger feud makes sense.

Non-Title Match: Champion Alberto Del Rio w/Zeb vs. Jack Swagger: Del Rio tried to take control early, but this simply fired up Swagger who fought back and got a roll up before eating a kick to the gut. Del Rio worked him over, hitting a stomp off the ropes and scoring another near fall about 2-minutes into the match. Swagger made a comeback as they brawled to the floor and he sent Del Rio over the barricade. Swagger looked to go after Zeb, which led to Del Rio attacking with a chair for the DQ. This was perfectly fine to carry the feud on, and the right way to go about it. I hate when they give away a 13-minute match, make you get invested and then fuck you with the non-finish. They worked under three-minutes, they teased the match and then we got the DQ. It comes off as an appetizer, and allows them to carry on without giving away full matches. Swagger is the bridge until Cena returns, and again while not spectacular, at least it works and gets a fresh face on TV. Post match Del Rio continued to attack Swagger, but the ref got involved and Swagger was able to fight back with the chair and got to stand tall.

– The Usos met with the Gobbledy Gooker, and after not being all that impressed, they then decided that they had a plan…

Non-Title Match: Champions New Day (Kofi and Big E) w/Gobbledy Gooker vs. The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara): The Dragons controlled early, using their speed and some double team moves. Kofi worked well with both Dragons, made the tag and Big E tagged in and used his power. New Day and the Gooker danced, which led to Cara sending Big E to the floor. New Day would recover, and send Cara cashing to the floor and we then went to the commercial. New Day had control post break, Big E danced and then hit the running splash for a near fall. Big E would then post himself, which allowed Cara to get the tag to Kalisto. Kalisto ran wild for a bit, but when Kofi tried a roll up and the ropes, the Gooker knocked his feet off the ropes. Something is afoul here… Anyway, Kofi argued with the Gooker for his treachery, and that allowed Kalisto to ht the Salida del Sol for the win. This was a solid tag, showing that they can work together and giving the Dragons some momentum, which they needed.

– Post match, Jimmy Uso brought out a tied up Xavier Woods, who was in his boxers and tied up with his mouth taped. He got rolled down the ramp, and the Gooker revealed himself to be Jey Uso. The Dragons and Usos cleaned house, rolled Woods into the ring and was then held and ate a superkick. Jey, in the Gooker suit, then hit the top rope splash. It was goofy as shit, but served as more build for the tag match that will come, and got it’s start on Raw.

– We get a video package for the 25th anniversary of the Undertaker.

– Renee interviewed Dean Ambrose. She spoke about him coming up short at Survivor Series, and that he is now in position to become the top contender for the IC Title. He admitted that Reigns was the better man on Sunday, but tonight, he’d bet on himself.

– Kevin Owens came out to do commentary.

For a Shot at The IC Title: Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze w/Summer: Ambrose threw his hoodie at Owens, who said the joke was on Ambrose because he was keeping it. Breeze bailed early, allowing Ziggler and Ambrose to do battle. Ziggler got tossed to the floor, Breeze took him out and then Ambrose hit a dive. Ziggler then took out Ambrose and had a standoff with Owens as we headed to the commercial break. After the break, Ambrose looked for a superplex, but Breeze knocked Ziggler to the floor and took control over Ambrose. Owens mocking the commentators is always funny, and he thankfully takes away the monotony of WWE commentary. We got the usual two in and one out formula, which seems to be every triple threat ever, because why stray from the boring and predictable. All three worked well together here, and kept the pace going and didn’t allow it to slow too much. I felt that they also did a good job of escalating the action through out the match, building constantly and smartly. Breeze hit the beauty shot on Ziggler, but when he went for the unprettier, Ambrose returned to hit dirty deeds and pick up the win. Hell of a little match right there, They seemingly have no idea what to do with Breeze, which is disappointing, but the match was a lot fun.

– Owens and Ambrose had a stand off post match, and Ambrose shoved Owens back into his chair. Owens then walked off as Ambrose stared him down.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”