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Smackdown - November 28, 2014

Smackdown
Date: November 28, 2014
Location: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Michael Cole, Tom Phillips

Reviewed by Tommy Hall

The Authority is gone, for now at least, and much like Raw we don't have a permanent boss. There's a chance that WWE will just use the same rotating boss idea like they're doing on Raw, because goodness knows wrestling fans just aren't smart enough to get by without a GM pointing the way. Let's get to it.


We open with a Sting montage. That's still so strange to see in WWE.

Opening sequence.

First up is MizTV with Miz saying he became WWE Tag Team Champion at Survivor Series. The fans of course cheer for Mizdow. Tonight's guest is Big Show and we see a clip of Rowan knocking him to the floor on Monday. Miz says a lot of people aren't happy with Big Show but the only problem Miz sees is that Show joined Team Cena. Show is so glad that someone finally gets it. He had to look out for himself because no one else will and no one knows his situation but him.

Cue Daniel Bryan for an interruption and a huge ovation. On Monday, Show said that if anyone has something to say, they should come say it to his face. Well Bryan has something to say: he's in charge tonight. First of all, we're going to have Ryback vs. Seth Rollins. That's not all though, as a title is going to be defended tonight when Luke Harper defends against Dolph Ziggler.

Miz tells Daniel to stop stealing his spotlight. Bryan: “Mizdow already did that.” Show wants Bryan out, but Daniel has something for Big Show too. On Monday, Rusev refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance, so tonight he's defending the US Title in a 20 man battle royal, which starts right now.

US Title: Battle Royal

Rusev, Big Show, Miz, Damien Mizdow, Erick Rowan, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Diego, Fernando, Titus O'Neil, Jack Swagger, Heath Slater, Tyson Kidd, Adam Rose, Sin Cara, Cesaro, Goldust, Stardust, Justin Gabriel, Curtis Axel

It's a huge mess to start with Show crushing Los Matadores in the corner before throwing Gabriel and Cara out with ease. Rowan does the same to Slater and Cesaro punches Axel over the top. Los Matadores throw out Rose but Show tosses both of them at the same time. We get the showdown with Rowan and Big Show and Erick gets the better of it by knocking Show into the corner and eliminating him pretty easily. Show isn't done though as he grabs Rowan from behind, allowing Rusev to dump him.

A bunch of guys go after Rusev to no avail as we take a break. Back with Miz saving himself and no new eliminations as far as I can tell. We have Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Tyson Kidd, Cesaro, Miz, Damien Mizdow, Stardust, Goldust, Rusev, Titus O'Neil and Jack Swagger to go. Stardust low bridges Miz to the floor so Mizdow eliminates himself. Swagger puts out the Dusts before Titus knocks Jimmy out.

Jey dumps Titus, Kidd eliminates Jey and we're down to four: Swagger, Kidd, Cesaro and Rusev. Everyone goes after Swagger but he fights his way off the and back inside. He throws all three evil foreigners into the corner and gives Rusev the Vader Bomb, only to have to save himself from Cesaro. Kidd dives at Jack but gets dumped, allowing Cesaro to send Swagger to the apron. He backdrops Cesaro out but Rusev hits the running superkick to eliminate Swagger and retain at 13:27.

Rating: D+. This was a fast moving battle royal that didn't have any significant threat to the champ. Show and Rowan could have won just on size and power alone but Rusev is going to have the title a lot longer than he has so far. You could tell there wasn't going to be much here with all those tag teams in there though.

Kane is working merchandise tonight when Santino comes up. He mocks Kane's Ryback shirt, gets stared at, and runs away.

Bray Wyatt is here for a chat. When Ambrose started climbing that ladder on Sunday, he looked like an angel climbing up to Heaven. It almost brought a smile to Bray's face, but there's not enough room for people like them up there. He could feel those chairs crashing down on him and it almost made him think he failed Dean for the first time. They have reached the point of no return and what happens next will change Ambrose. Tables, ladders and chairs. Bray says it over and over because he's going to enjoy torturing Ambrose's body with all those things. Follow the buzzards.

TLC ad, set to Jingle Bells.

Nikki Bella vs. Emma

Non-title. Nikki slams Emma down with ease but gets caught in the Dilemma for a few seconds. A big slap puts the champ down but Emma runs into an elbow to the jaw. Rack Attack ends this at 1:29.

Post match Nikki has Brie hold the title and say it's time to hear the truth about AJ Lee. We've heard her sob story over and over, but Nikki has worked harder. She's what a real Divas Champion looks like and AJ will always be that pathetic little girl from New Jersey. AJ runs in and nails Brie as Nikki bails. Nikki had good passion in her promo, but trying to take her seriously as this hard working woman who has clawed her way to the top cracks me up every time.

Kane has destroyed the merchandise stand.

Ryback vs. Seth Rollins

Ryback quickly shoves him down so Rollins grabs a headlock to take away the momentum. A slam sends Rollins rolling to the floor but he comes back in for some unsold chops. Ryback gets all fired up but misses a charge and goes shoulder first into the post. Back in and Rollins nails a dropkick for two and puts on a front facelock. Rollins fights out of a quick Shell Shock attempt and hits the Downward Spiral into the corner for two. They head outside with Ryback going after Mercury, only to have Rollins send him into the steps as we take a break.

Back with Rollins holding a headlock until Ryback lifts him up into a kind of slingshot belly to back suplex. Ryback's powerbomb is escaped and an enziguri connects, followed by a superkick for two. Seth misses a splash in the corner so Ryback lifts him up, only to be countered into a running buckle bomb for two. That was a surprising power display from Rollins. The big guy backdrops Rollins onto the Stooges before planting him with a spinebuster back inside. There's the Meat Hook but Kane runs in for the DQ at 14:46.

Rating: C-. They telegraphed the ending with that shot of the destroyed merchandise stand and the match felt like it was just killing time until we got to this point. That and Kane runs in on at least a match a week anymore so you had to know this was coming. At least Ryback should be able to destroy him in a few weeks.

Rollins and Kane take Ryback down and Kane destroys him with a chair.

Curtis Axel/Slater Gator vs. New Day

New Day is very excited to be making their debut here. Woods dropkicks Axel down to start before bringing Kofi in to kick him in the chest. Big E. nails the Warrior Splash but stops to wipe the sweat off his face. Axel finally takes Xavier down and it's off to Slater for some stomps to the chest. The heels start taking over until Woods flips out of a suplex and tags out to Kofi. Everything breaks down and Big E. backdrops Kofi onto Titus and Axel. Back in and a combination top rope DDT/Big Ending puts Slater away at 3:23.

Rating: D+. This wasn't bad but what are you expecting from two former Intercontinental Champions and Woods? That's the problem with a team like this: two of the three members have already had success, so it's not like them beating a team of jobbers really means anything. It's not a bad idea but they need to actually go somewhere instead of acting like these wins mean much.

Recap of the Authority having to leave and Bryan's revenge on all of the Team Authority members.

Bryan makes Ryback vs. Kane in a Chairs match for TLC. Oh and YES he will be back soon.

Stardust says the Cosmic Key is gone but their anguish goes on and on. He says each day is part of the endless march to oblivion and welcome to the Black Hole. Goldust declares that darkness has fallen on the New Day. There's the first feud.

Intercontinental Title: Dolph Ziggler vs. Luke Harper

Ziggler is challenging and goes right at Harper with a rollup like he beat him with on Sunday. A dropkick puts Luke on the floor and we take an early break. Back with Ziggler fighting back with Cole saying it's rally time. A high cross body gets two but Harper sends him face first into the buckle. We hit the chinlock from the champ but Ziggler hits a quick jawbreaker. Back up and Ziggler hammers away before getting two off the big elbow. The Fameasser is countered but Dolph slips out of a powerbomb and hits the running DDT for two.

Harper gets the same off the sitout Boss Man Slam and Ziggler nails a Fameasser for yet another two. Luke comes back with the big boot and Batista Bomb for two more and Harper is getting shocked. Why he's shocked I'm not sure as that's the third time that combination has gotten a near fall. They head outside with Ziggler being launched over the announcers' table, only to pop up with a superkick, allowing him to beat the count for the win at 10:52.

Rating: C+. Nice match here as these two have good chemistry and Ziggler can take big bumps like almost no other. Harper is going to be a good dragon for someone to slay and take the belt but I can't imagine him as a long term champion. They'll likely have a ladder match at the pay per view which should be fun.

Post match Harper lays Ziggler out with the discus lariat but takes too long getting the belt, allowing Ziggler to hit the Zig Zag to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. This felt like a B house show that was filmed and aired on a Friday night. Nothing on here meant anything and the only thing that mattered was Ryback vs. Kane being announced for the pay per view. That being said, it wasn't really bad or anything, but it's back to the old Smackdown standard: it came, it aired for two hours, it had some passable matches and I'm never going to think of it again. That makes it far more dull than bad, which isn't necessarily a good thing.

Results
Rusev won a battle royal, last eliminating Jack Swagger
Nikki Bella b. Emma – Rack Attack
Ryback b. Seth Rollins via DQ when Kane interfered
New Day b. Curtis Axel/Slater Gator – Big Ending/Top rope DDT combination to Slater
Dolph Ziggler b. Luke Harper via countout


Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and head over to my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Comments

  1. This was probably your funniest review yet.

    And yes, bored Bobby Heenan was always incredible.

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  2. Zooey has a man voice. Meh

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  3. Nwa is smart. He still reads the blog but when someone writes something really stupid or wrong about 80s wrestling he's there to properly refute.

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  4. He's about 6'10, 11 legit but I'm sure he's lost a bit of height due to age

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  5. I remembering listening to Observer live after that show and Cornette was on and asked if he watched and he yelled "christ no... i booked it years ago in OVW and knew it sucked and i never want to see it again." Lol

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  6. So only 12k or so attended Survivor Series? That's awful.

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  7. That's what I'm assuming. I think them dropping the commitment is going to end up hurting them because the way they book make 9 months out of the year irrelevant.

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  8. It was the lead story on Yahoo yesterday.

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  9. That's definitely what I'm gonna do. Pick it up for January, drop it in February and then pick it up in April for Mania. Mania is going to be on the Network still, correct?

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  10. From what I've gathered yes. Wouldn't shock me if they pulled it, though. I sorta hope they do just to see how they try to spin that with Cole the Shill. "DO YOU THINK WE ARE REALLY GONNA GIVE YOU THIS SHOW FOR $9.99?!" *Forced laughter from all the announcers*

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  11. LOL and WWE is blaming the Ferguson unrest.

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  12. If Mania is on the Network then I forsee myself getting the Network for Rumble, Mania, and SummerSlam.

    $30 for 3 shows and 3 months is a steal.

    Although, at $9.99 I do think there's a good chance I might just impulsively buy a show(aka network) at the last minute because it's so cheap. We'll see.

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  13. I was going to be part of a group of 8 or so who went. Maybe three of us are regular watchers, but all of us were so 'eh' months before the event we didn't bother. A group of people who only planned to drink, hoot and holler couldn't be bothered to go to wrestling.

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  14. Seems pretty indicative of the product. I don't blame you. Sadly, they seem to just be blowing this off and continuing to make excuses.

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  15. Isn't Taz also a fly-in? I'm pretty sure he's still in New York.

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  16. I just shook my head when they mentioned Ferguson. Ferguson is not that close to St. Louis, especially near the Kiel! Pure nonsense.

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  17. Yeah, I looked at it on a map and audibly laughed out loud when I saw the distance. Keep the laughs coming WWE.

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  18. My heart hurts. Josh Donaldson traded to the Blue Jays. UGHHHH. You're tearing me apart Billy! Yes that was a reference to The Room. Yes I'm drinking myself into a stupor after working Black Friday and finding out halfway through our goddamn starting 3B all star was just traded. It really sucks sometimes being an Oakland sports fan.

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  19. It blows my mind anyone of value would be traded for Brett Lawrie.

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  20. So they've set up a situation where you can buy pay per views for $9.99 when you feel like it. That's going to work out well for them.

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  21. Adam "Colorado" CurryNovember 29, 2014 at 2:07 AM

    Not really. I mean, they were rioting a couple days later.... Wrong place at the wrong time. And 12k is probably more than TNA or ROH will do all year.

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  22. CruelConnectionNumber2November 29, 2014 at 3:04 AM

    That's pretty awesome that by ruling a Double DQ, Luger and Steiner both get the LOSER'S share of the purse and the (shhhh secret) nWo screws them over. Where was fat Teddy Long to cry about this?

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  23. But didn't you see the fans clapping? That shit is over like rover.

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  24. Bryan's been saying 'The Ryback' for years as a rib/in-joke.

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  25. Yep, somehow we are.

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  26. He probably talks with his wife about their issues when they happen, rather than waiting 6 months for a TV return to air out grievances

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  27. I think you have to go buy the reaction on Raw. They can make the crappiest thing look great on smackdown.

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  28. Am I the only one who's REALLY interested to see what - if anything - Triple H will do this Monday in response to Punk's podcast? The most insecure man in wrestling, who is fuming and wants to kill Punk surely won't take pot shots at him on live TV.

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  29. Always hated those "PowerTeam USA" type acts, going to schools, doing crazy feats of strength, then trying to push a "DON'T DO DRUGS" message, when everyone knows you don't get that huge without some chemical "help".

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  30. I think it would be funny if Ryback came out in a Punk shirt.

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  31. I'm willing to overlook the fact that they were all "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!"; if I've been off TV for months, I'd be ecstatic to be back. "WHOOHOO! Cameras and a crowd that might actually give a shit! LET'S DO THIS! HELL YEAH!"

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  32. How is that canadian logic? That's American wrestling logic.

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  33. "Ferguson? Isn't that Clarissa's brother on that TV show?" -Vince McMahon

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  34. I am willing to bet large amounts of money and vital parts of anatomy McMahon has never watched Nickelodeon. Ever.

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  35. Exactly, while on the other hand booking their babyface like total douche or bully ... that's so weird.

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  36. I think the problem is that the babyfaces most people are looking at are Austin and the Rock, when historically the most successful babyfaces were closer to Steamboat.


    Main characters in TV shows who are morally suspect (Tony Soprano, Don Draper, Walter White) do not do very well from a ratings perspective. Yes, they do well for cable ratings? But for normal broadcast TV? It's not very good.


    It's a strange thing where the heels display more positive attributes than the faces, and when they turn face they lose those attributes. Something is wrong with WWE creative, like...morally, when they find being a loud, arrogant bully who can't admit to failure is better than being an honest, loving individual who's intellectual and doesn't bow to the will of the crowd on every issue.


    I got here a bit later than others, but I personally find John Cena to be completely intolerable because he's just a terrible, terrible babyface. Like, I want to see him lose just to wipe that smug smile from his face.

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  37. here you go : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0PEo6_0wZQ

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  38. Ehhhhhhh. The match itself wasn't bad (which is expected; they're all OK in ring) but it's way too "PowerTeam USA". This gimmick will die a slow, painful death on Raw Monday. If they put these guys on Raw Monday.

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  39. Hmm, didn't know that. And that should be pretty clear evidence that Bryan is well-liked and was never being "buried" by the company, because I think most workers would get in trouble for deliberately mispronouncing another superstar's name on TV. It could be seen as belittling and/or hurting the brand. (I know Total Divas' authenticity is shaky at best, but Eva Marie mispronounced Jinder Mahal's name and she got heat over it.) That they let Bryan get away with that tells you he's somewhat protected.

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  40. For some reason I loled at "Kane as destroyed the merchandise stand" I'm sure your account is more enjoyable than whatever happened

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  41. I dunno, we did see Seth Rollins get green-slimed a few months' back.

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