Venue: Huntington Center (Toledo, OH)
Commentators: Michael Cole & JBL
Elimination Chamber hype is in full-force this week as a big six-man tag team match is announced and the final two spots in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match are decided. Also on the show The Shield take on Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, & Rey Mysterio (?!?), The Prime Time Players implode, and much more.
Match Results
- Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Antonio Cesaro [w/ Zeb Colter] defeated Dolph Ziggler via pinfall with the NEUTRALIZER (5:36 shown).
- Fandango [w/ Summer Rae] defeated Xavier Woods [w/ R-Truth] via pinfall with the Falcon Arrow (3:15).
- Ryback & Curtis Axel defeated The Prime Time Players when Axel pinned Darren Young (1:30).
- Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Christian defeated Jack Swagger [w/ Zeb Colter] via pinfall with the FROG SPLASH (5:53).
- Kofi Kingston defeated Damien Sandow via pinfall with the S.O.S. (1:56).
- Cody Rhodes [w/ Goldust] defeated Road Dogg [w/ Billy Gunn] via pinfall with the DISASTER KICK (3:51).
- The Shield defeated Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, & Sheamus when Roman Reigns pinned Mysterio with the SPEAR (9:53 shown).
*****
-WWE Signature-
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OPENING VIDEO: A recap of RAW’s big story: Daniel Bryan, John Cena, & Sheamus earning a spot in the Elimination Chamber match via DQ thanks to/because ofThe Wyatt Family’s interference. Their opponents, The Shield, were not happy.
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We cut to the arena as “Special Op” brings out The Shield to the ring, Michael Cole quickly welcoming the home audience. We cut to stills from the Royal Rumble where Roman Reigns eliminated 40% of the competitors, breaking the record for most eliminations in a Rumble match. We go back live where each member of The Shield has a mic. Dean Ambrose is up first, saying the Elimination Chamber is a match custom made for them so the stakes on Monday couldn’t have been any higher. Ambrose says that if The Shield was unleashed in the Chamber one of them would have walked out WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Ambrose gets in Reigns’ face, asking if he thinks it would have been him. Reigns says he knows so. Ambrose says he doesn’t think that at all and doesn’t apologize for trying to throw him out of the Rumble. Reigns says he won’t apologize for actually tossing him from the Rumble.
Ambrose and Reigns get in each other’s faces and Seth Rollins gets in between to break them up. He says they are the most dominant force in the WWE and their yard has intruders: The Wyatt Family. Rollins says they are the reason The Shield aren’t in the Chamber match and they must be dealt with. Rollins backs Ambrose up and tells him he’s the greatest US Champ he’s ever seen, then hypes up Reigns for breaking out of the STF. Rollins said they were this close to winning. Ambrose says if The Wyatts want a new world they will give them just that, effectively challenging them for Elimination Chamber.
Vickie Guerrero makes her way out to a chorus of boos. Guerrero says that’s a brilliant idea, a match no one ever dreamed would happen. Guerrero goes to announce the match but “King of Kings” interrupts her, bringing out COO Triple H. He grabs the mic and shoos her away, walking to the ring. Triple H says he understands where they’re coming from, but tells them to let it go. Triple H says there’s no profit in this, nothing to benefit and nothing to gain. Triple H says all there is in this match is loss and more problems. Rollins says with all due to respect he needs to look at it from their perspective. Triple H says that he did look at it from their side, but says that wasn’t a request and once again tells them to let it go. Reigns gets in Triple H’s face, staring him down. Reigns says they aren’t asking for Triple H’s approval. A “ROMAN!” chant breaks out among the Toledo faithful. Triple H says he can see that there’s no way to talk them out of this, and since it’s going to happen he might as well profit out of this. Triple H asks the crowd if it’s what they want, which they do, and he announces that The Shield Vs. The Wyatt Family will happen at Elimination Chamber. Triple H says he hopes they know what they’re doing then exits to the back as his song kicks back up and The Shield bring it in for their fist pose.
- Jon’s Thoughts: A really good segment from The Shield that continued to build their inevitable collapse while also showing how strong and dominant they are as a unit. Reigns staring down Triple H and effectively intimidating him into making the match happen was a subtle but effective way to keep building Reigns as he gets closer and closer to being the breakout star of the group. And the most important part of this all? THE SHIELD WILL BE FACING THE WYATTS. That’s one hell of a match on paper.
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SMACKDOWN HYPE GRAPHIC: Christian returns to face Jack Swagger for a spot in the EC match.
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We see a split screen of Dolph Ziggler and Antonio Cesaro heading to the ring. They face off for a spot in the EC match next!
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-Commercial Break-
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We pan down from the Wrestlemania XXX sign to the ring, where Dolph Ziggler is finishing his entrance to the tune of “Here to Show the World“. “Patriot” plays out his opponent Antonio Cesaro, who’s accompanied by Zeb Colter (complete with “Illegals make me Ill” sign).
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Match #1: Dolph Ziggler Vs. Antonio Cesaro [w/ Zeb Colter] in an ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFYING MATCH
Cesaro catches Ziggler with a dropkick right as the bell rings, quickly covering for a 2-count. Cesaro argues with the ref and gets rolled up for 2, then they trade multiple quick rollup attempts. Ziggler gets a 2-count with an O’Connor Roll then hits a Fameasser immediately after for another 2-count. Cesaro slides out of the ring to regain his bearings. Ziggler chases him and catches him with a right hand before rolling him into the ring. Ziggler attempts a leapfrog but Cesaro catches him and connects with a backbreaker for 2. Cesaro sends Ziggler into the corner then follows up with a butterfly suplex for a 2-count. Ziggler blocks a right hand and hits a series of his own but runs right into a clothesline and gets sent out to the floor. Cesaro goes to follow up but the ref keeps him away as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
Cesaro takes Ziggler to the mat with a rear-chinlock as we return from the break. Cesaro hit a deadlift superplex from the second rope during the commercial (as shown on the WWE App). Ziggler gets to his feet and escapes with a jawbreaker. Ziggler ducks a running clothesline and catches him with a dropkick for 2. Cesaro blocks an Irish whip attempt and catches him with forearms. Ziggler counters a tilt-a-whirl powerslam attempt with a backpack sleeperhold. Cesaro counters that with the deadlift gutwrench suplex. Ziggler ducks a clothesline and counters the Swiss Death uppercut with a DDT for the 1…2…kickout. Ziggler attempts the ZIG ZAG but Cesaro shrugs him off. Cesaro grabs the leg and commences with the CESARO SWING for around 7 rotations. Cesaro cracks his neck and finishes Ziggler off with the NEUTRALIZER for the 1…2…3!
Winner [via Pinfall]: Antonio Cesaro (5:36 shown)
- Jon’s Thoughts: Disappointingly short but I enjoyed the little we got. The multiple pin attempts at the beginning really sold how important this match was to the both of them and the two had some fun spots (including one that WWE App-only for some reason). Cesaro winning is great and even though he’ll probably be first out at the EC match itself it’s nice to see him get a little nod. As for Ziggler this loss led to the best promo of his life, so hopefully something comes out of that.
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SMACKDOWN HYPE GRAPHIC: Bryan, Mysterio, & Sheamus Vs. The Shield in the main event.
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Fandango and Summer Rae are shown walking backstage. He’s in action next.
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-Commercial Break-
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We go to the announce table where JBL and Cole talk about the WWE App’s success. Cole then goes into WWE Network hype, and segues into a preview of what to expect.
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VIDEO: WWE Countdown, coming soon to the WWE Network. It’s a list show, as decided by the WWE Universe.
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“ChaChaLaLa” plays as Fandango and Summer Rae conclude their entrance. His opponent, Xavier Woods, is already in the ring…and he has shaved off his goatee. Nice. Cole brings up that Rae will be joining the Total Divas cast for Season 2. R-Truth is at ringside on commentary, and The Funkadactyls are standing nearby. JBL is the cool white guy, Cole is the nerd.
- Jon’s Thoughts: Like you didn’t expect this match to happen at some point this week. Also nice of Truth to be by Woods’ side since Woods couldn’t be bothered to do the same on Main Event.
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Match #2: Xavier Woods [w/ R-Truth Vs. Fandango [w/ Summer Rae]
Woods grabs a side headlock but gets flattened with a running shoulderblock. Woods leapfrogs Fandango, and Fandango jumps through Woods’ legs. Woods catches him with a dropkick then sweeps the legs. A lateral press doesn’t result in a count. Woods goes for a wheelbarrow move but Fandango turns it into a suplex for 2. Cole says Woods wants to challenge for the US Championship. Fandango meanwhile connects with a short-arm clothesline on Woods for a 2-count then applies a rear-chinlock. Woods escapes but eats a right hand. Woods tries to block a wheelbarrow move instead but this time he connects with it as Truth references that Woods looks like Apollo Creed.
Wood hits a series of strikes followed by a headbutt and roundhouse right. Woods with a savate kick to the midsection followed by a front-facing dropkick that sends him out to the floor. Woods kips up and connects with a somersault plancha. Emma is in the crowd and Rae breaks her sign. Emma pulls out another “#EMMAlution” sign and dances, unfazed. Back in the ring Fandango crotches Woods on the top turnbuckle then connects with a Falcon Arrow for the 1…2…3!
Winner [via Pinfall]: Fandango (3:15)
- Jon’s Thoughts: Forgettable but inoffensive. Fandango using a Falcon Arrow was pretty cool and I dug R-Truth and JBL referencing Apollo Creed in regards to Xavier Woods. Woods’ indie/TNA gimmick was an Apollo rip-off (“Consequences” Creed) so it was a cute joke. Also when does Emma get to actually wrestle? Also does she just leave after the dancing people are done with their segment(s)? These are things I think about.
Post-Match: Fandango looks to administer more punishment but R-Truth takes him out with a suplex into a seated Ace Crusher. Truth checks on Woods as The Funkadactyls come in. “Somebody Call My Momma” hits and they commence dancing. Woods sort-of joins in but he’s still selling the effects of the match.
- Jon’s Thoughts: Woods just lost the match but okay you guys just go on dancing and pretend nothing happened. I’m getting bored with this happening almost every time a Woods or R-Truth match concludes.
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SMACKDOWN HYPE GRAPHIC: Christian Vs. Swagger.
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-Commercial Break-
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The Prime Time Players conclude their entrance in-ring. Their opponents, Ryback & Curtis Axel, are already in the ring.
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Match #3: The Prime Time Players (Darren Young & Titus O’Neil) Vs. Ryback & Curtis Axel
Young and Axel start. Young takes him down with a waistlock then transitions into a front facelock. Axel escapes and they trade hammerlocks. Axel elbows his way out but eats a forearm. Axel backs Young into the heel corner and tags in Ryback. Ryback goes for a right but Young blocks it and hits some of his own until Ryback kicks him and tosses him out to the floor. Ryback distracts the ref and Young fights off an attempted sneak attack by Axel. Ryback catches Young with a right and takes him out with a Meathook Clothesline. Axel tags in and hits his neckbreaker finisher for the 1…2…3!
Winners [via Pinfall]: Ryback & Curtis Axel (1:30)
- Jon’s Thoughts: I blinked, sorry.
Post-Match: The ref checks on Young as O’Neil looks disappointed and upset on the apron. Young is bleeding from the mouth. O’Neil gets in the ring and sells more frustration. Young gets on the mic and asks where O’Neil is going; they’re a team and more importantly they’re like family. O’Neil says they aren’t family and says ever since they started partnering up he’s been a loser, the first time in his life he’s been considered as such. O’Neil says he’s been a winner all of his life and he came to the WWE to be the man and to be a champion. O’Neil says he’s getting rid of the dead weight of Young off of his back. O’Neil drops the mic and they talk some more off-mic until O’Neil catches him with a big boot. O’Neil jaws at Young and clubs him repeatedly with right hands and stomps, shoving him out to the floor. O’Neil asks Young if he wants to talk and throws him repeatedly into the barricade. O’Neil slaps the out cold Young as the crowd boos. O’Neil walks off.
- Jon’s Thoughts: I’d bemoan the death of The Prime Time Players if they had ever been a relevant tag team. They were going nowhere and doing nothing and this split at least gives them a fighting chance in the singles ranks. To be honest though I didn’t expect O’Neil to be the bad guy; yes he’s the bigger one but he has a ton of face charisma. Still a monster heel Titus O’Neil (I’m Dr. Seuss) may end up being fun to watch. I just don’t hope he and Brodus Clay don’t form a superteam of “big guys in directionless tag teams”.
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We cut to the announce table where Cole and JBL talk about what just happened. They then clumsily segue into hyping the WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony with a Ron Simmons reference and introduce the 2nd member of the 2014 class.
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HALL OF FAME VIDEO: Jake “The Snake” Roberts, 2nd inductee in the 2014 Class.
HALL OF FAME GRAPHIC: Ultimate Warrior and Jake Roberts. Cole and JBL get excited about the potential insanity of Warrior’s induction speech.
NEXT ON SMACKDOWN GRAPHIC: Christian Vs. Swagger
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-Commercial Break-
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HYPE VIDEO: Alexander Rusev speaks in Bulgarian in front of a black background, his intense theme music playing. Lana, a blonde woman reminiscent of Drago’s handler in Rocky IV, walks up from behind and says “Rusev hit, Rusev CRUSH”. Rusev then says, in broken English, “the Rusev Legacy start…now”.
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“Just Close Your Eyes” brings out a returning Christian to the ring for the next match. His opponent, Jack Swagger, is already in the ring alongside Zeb Colter. This bodes well for him, don’t you think? Cole puts over Steve Austin’s podcast, which features Jim Johnston this week. We then cut to a clip from RAW where Swagger was slapped by Colter to rev him up during the tag team match. Back live JBL calls Colter over to the commentary table to find out why that happened.
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Match #4: Christian Vs. Jack Swagger [w/ Zeb Colter] in an ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUALIFYING MATCH
Swagger attacks Christian right at the bell. Christian gets his boots up during a corner splash attempt but his second-rope crossbody attempt is countered into a press slam that sends him over the ring post and onto the floor. Colter says he slapped Swagger to inspire him. Swagger hits Christian with a running knee strike against the barricade then rolls him to cover for a 2-count. Swagger applies a waistlock, Gator Roll-ing him a bit. Christian gets the crowd revved up and escapes but gets sent chest-first into the corner. Swagger trash talks Christian with “ONE MORE MATCH” taunts. Christian responds with a right hand followed by another but runs into a kneelift to the midsection. Swagger follows up with the Swagger Bomb for the 1…2…kickout. Colter promises The Real Americans will own the Chamber.
Swagger stands on Christian’s chest and salutes the crowd. Swagger connects with a right followed by rapid-fire knee strikes to the midsection. Swagger seats Christian on the top turnbuckle and climbs to the middle rope. Christian fights him off, kicks him away, then hits a massive Tornado DDT for the 1…2…kickout. Christian mounts a comeback with right hand, then sends him to the middle rope with a drop toehold. Christian slingshots himself to the floor, catches Swagger with a right, then hits a second-rope missile dropkick for the 1…2…kickout. Christian climbs to the middle turnbuckle again and hits a flying European uppercut. Christian sets up for the Killswitch but Swagger counters with the gutwrench powerbomb for the 1…2…kickout.
Swagger stares at Colter who yells words of advice. Swagger goes for the Swagger Bomb but Christian gets the knees up and rolls him up for the 1…2…kickout. Swagger counters the Killswitch again and catapults him into the mat, locking in the PATRIOT LOCK on the way down. Christian counters with a roll-up for the 1…2…kickout. Christian dodges a corner splash and heads to the top. Swagger meets him at the middle rope but gets sent down and Christian follows up with a FROG SPLASH for the 1…2…3!
Winner [via Pinfall]: Christian (5:53)
- Jon’s Thoughts: Good return match for Christian, but it was overshadowed by Zeb Colter’s commentary and his little tiff with Jack Swagger. I fully expect Christian to also be eliminated early at the Elimination Chamber but hey you never know.
Post-Match: After a replay of the big moments, we see Christian celebrating on the ramp as Colter angrily throws his vest in the ring.
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ELIMINATION CHAMBER HYPE GRAPHIC: Orton Vs. Cena Vs. Sheamus Vs. Bryan Vs. Cesaro Vs. Christian for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
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Damien Sandow is shown angrily walking in the back. He’s in action next.
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-Commercial Break-
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WRESTLEMANIA XXX HYPE VIDEO: We’re 65 days away (as of this show).
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Renee Young catches up with Christian backstage. Christian says he has earned his spot in the Elimination Chamber match, much like he’s earned everything else in his career. Christian says with all of the injuries and miles he’s put on his body his window of opportunity to become champ and headline Wrestlemania has gotten smaller. Christian says he hopes that the desperation he has is mistaken for weakness while he’s going to use it as motivation to become more dangerous than he’s ever been.
—–
We go back to the ring as “SOS” plays and Kofi Kingston poses in the ring. We see a clip of Kingston jumping from barricade to apron at the Royal Rumble. His opponent, Damien Sandow, makes his way out second. We see a still of Sandow being the first man out of the Rumble match, Cole putting over the “downward spiral” that has been his career over the past few months. A picture-in-picture taped promo from Sandow plays, where he says this is just his trial by fire and he will emerge stronger than ever.
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Match #5: Kofi Kingston Vs. Damien Sandow
Sandow sweeps the legs and rolls Kingston up for 2, then hits a side Russian legsweep. Sandow whips Kingston into the corner but misses a splash attempt. Kingston makes with the kicks but his Irish whip is reversed and Sandow catches him with a knee to the midsection for 2. Sandow applies an abdominal stretch, clubbing the ribs with his forearm. Kingston escapes then rolls through a sunset flip attempt, catching Sandow with a kick to the face. Kingston hits back to back chops followed by a dropkick. Sandow dodges a corner attack then ducks a crossbody attempt, covering for 2. Sandow yells at the ref then eats a spinkick. He ducks a Trouble in Paradise and Kingston hits nothing but the ropes. Sandow goes for Terminus but Kingston escapes and connects with S.O.S. for the 1…2…3!
Winner [via Pinfall]: Kofi Kingston (1:56)
- Jon’s Thoughts: Lots of talk about Sandow’s slump and his lack of confidence, and as a Sandow mark it depressed the hell out of me. This match occurred just to keep that story going and the crowd was super quiet the entire time. Jeez.
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NEXT ON SMACKDOWN GRAPHIC: Cody Rhodes takes on The Road Dogg. Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
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-Commercial Break-
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We go to the announce table where Cole segues into a RAW clip.
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RAW CLIP: Paul Heyman gives Brad Maddox two choices concerning Brock Lesnar: Lesnar faces Orton for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship tonight, or Lesnar faces Batista for the #1 contendership.
RAW CLIP: Brock Lesnar doesn’t get his way so he takes out his anger on Cody Rhodes & Goldust, destroying both F-5s and chair shots.
WWE.COM EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Michael Cole interviews Triple H. Cole announces that Rhodes & Goldust will challenge The New Age Outlaws for the Tag Team Titles in a steel cage on RAW.
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“Gold and Smoke” plays as Cody Rhodes kneels in the ring. His partner and brother Goldust leans over him. Rhodes has his arm taped up from the Lesnar attack. More hype for the tag team cage match. “Oh You Didn’t Know” plays out Rhodes’ opponent, Road Dogg, who’s joined by Billy Gunn. Dogg does his usual schtick and Gunn concludes it as usual. Blah blah blah shut up.
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Match #6: Cody Rhodes [w/ Goldust] Vs. Road Dogg [w/ Billy Gunn]
Rhodes backs Dogg in the corner and breaks clean, so Dogg catches him with a kick to the midsection. Rhodes fights back with a misdirection clothesline then rolls out of the ring to seek counsel from Goldust (uh why?). Rhodes reenters the ring and applies a hammerlock. He whips Dogg into the ropes but eats a kick to the face when he tries a backdrop. Dogg backs Rhodes into the corner and works over the taped arm, wrenching it over the top rope. Dogg applies an armbar, sitting over the shoulder for added pressure. Dogg sends Rhodes to the mat then throws him arm first into the corner. Rhodes fights back with his good arm but Dogg kicks the bad one to stop that.
Dogg applies another armbar as Goldust tries to rev the crowd up for his brother. Rhodes gets sent into the corner and he hits a sunset flip for 2. Rhodes and Dogg collide in the center of the ring and go down. Rhodes ducks a clothesline and hits Dogg with two of his own, followed by a jumping knee strike. Rhodes hits the drop down right hand then kicks him in the midsection. Rhodes heads to the apron and connects with a springboard missile dropkick. Goldust and Gunn brawl on the outside, with the latter getting the advantage. Gunn climbs the apron and eats a dropkick from Rhodes. Dogg rolls Rhodes up for 2, then Rhodes connects with the DISASTER KICK for the 1…2…3!
Winner [via Pinfall]: Cody Rhodes (3:51)
- Jon’s Thoughts: God I hope the Rhodes Boys regain the belts on Monday, I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stomach The New Age Outlaws doing actual wrestling things in 2014.
Post-Match: Gunn attacks Rhodes from behind so Goldust attacks him and their brawl spills to the outside. They head back inside as Rhodes and Gunn brawl on the outside. The Outlaws eventually retreat leaving Goldust & Rhodes standing tall in the ring, staring down their impending RAW opponents.
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SMACKDOWN HYPE GRAPHIC: The six-man tag main event is next!
- Jon’s Thoughts: Finally. A two hour show does not need this many matches.
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-Commercial Break-
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Cole and JBL segue into another WWE Network sneak peek.
WWE NETWORK HYPE: A video plays previewing “The Monday Night War”, which will focus on the WWE Vs. WCW ratings wars from the late-90s.
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The Shield are in the ring when we return from the video, JBL correcting Cole calling his early gimmick “John” instead of “Justin”. Glad someone was paying attention, damn. The Wyatt jumpcut occurs and Bray Wyatt & The Wyatt Family appear on the TitanTron. Wyatt says he admires The Shield’s courage as mere men would lose sleep over having to fight the reapers. Wyatt says he likes games too and war is his favorite. Wyatt says his soul smiles at the thought of The Shield’s quivering hands waving white flags. Luke Harper chimes in, saying The Shield will reap what they sow, and they picked a beautiful hill to die on. Wyatt tells The Shield to be careful inviting the devil in their backyard because he may just like it and decide to stay. Wyatt and Harper leave and Erick Rowan appears via sheep mask, with a simple “RUN!” leading into the jumpcut. We go back to the ring where The Shield let those words marinate and we go to commercial.
- Jon’s Thoughts: My boner for that match just went full-mast. Someone hang a flag from it.
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-Commercial Break-
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ELIMINATION CHAMBER HYPE GRAPHIC: The Shield Vs. The Wyatt Family
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“Written in My Face” brings out Sheamus, the first member of the team that will take on The Shield in the main event. His first partner, Rey Mysterio, makes his way out to the tune of “619“. Finally “Flight of the Valkyries” hits, bringing out Daniel Bryan to the joy of the Toledo crowd.
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Main Event: Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, & Sheamus Vs. The Shield (*WWE U.S. Champion* Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, & Roman Reigns)
Sheamus takes Rollins to the mat with a side headlock to start. Rollins whips him off but eats a shoulderblock so he tags in Reigns. Reigns grabs a side headlock and Sheamus whips him into the ropes, eating a shoulderblock and crashing to the mat. Reigns trash talks Sheamus a bit as he gets back to his feet. Reigns catches Sheamus with a boot to the gut followed by a right hand and stomps in the corner. Reigns whips Sheamus into the ropes but Sheamus blocks a hip toss attempt and connects with a clothesline followed by a running kick to the mat. Sheamus picks Reigns up just to hit a reverse neckbreaker for a 1-count. Reigns escapes a suplex attempt with a right hand and Ambrose tags himself in.
Ambrose connects with a series of rights and headbutts in the heel corner. Sheamus gets backed to the ropes and whipped into opposite side. Sheamus hits Ambrose with a forearm to the back then lays him over the top rope. Sheamus connects with a high knee, then rolls Ambrose’s vest up for the Forearms of Doom to the exposed chest. Ambrose plops to the floor and Sheamus knocks the other two Shield members off. The good guys are in control as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break/RAW Steel Cage Hype-
Bryan traps Rollins in the surfboard as we return from the break, pulling back on the neck for added pressure. Rollins fights out but Bryan stays on the attack with a stomp to the ribs. Mysterio tags in and hits Rollins with a running kick to the skull for a 2-count. Rollins prevents an Irish whip and kicks Mysterio in the gut. Rollins whips him into the corner but eats a pair of boots during a splash attempt. Mysterio follows up with a second-rope hurricanrana then sends him into the ropes for 619 positioning. Ambrose tags himself in and faceplants Mysterio off a tilt-a-whirl headscissors attempt. He covers for 2 then tags in Reigns.
Reigns drops Mysterio with a right hand and covers for 2. Reigns angrily tosses Mysterio to the floor, and Sheamus comes around to check on him. Reigns heads to the outside and throws Mysterio hard into the barricade before posing for the crowd. Reigns rolls Mysterio in and covers for a 1-count. Rollins tags in and Reigns prevents a Mysterio tag by grabbing the arm. Rollins stomps Mysterio and talks trash while choking him against the middle rope, ripping at the mask in the process. Rollins takes Mysterio to the mat with a snapmare and follows up with a kneedrop for the 1…2…kickout. Rollins slaps on a chinlock then crotches him on the top rope. Mysterio blocks a second-rope back superplex attempt and elbows him off. Mysterio climbs up and Rollins puts him in an electric chair position. Mysterio reverses into a hurricanrana that sends Rollins head-first into the middle turnbuckle.
Reigns tags in but so does Bryan who’s a house of fire. Bryan hits Reigns with a series of kicks and the jumping clothesline off the top rope backflip. Bryan revs up and connects with a series of Yes! Kicks. Reigns ducks the head kick but gets sent out to the floor. Bryan gets a running start and hits Reigns with a tope suicida. Bryan rolls in and hits Ambrose with a tope suicida through the ropes as well. Sheamus enters the ring and takes out Rollins, then eats a Superman Punch from Reigns. Bryan catches Reigns with a top-rope missile dropkick for the 1…2…kickout. Bryan slaps on the YES! LOCK but Ambrose breaks it up. Sheamus pulls Ambrose out and hits a Brogue Kick. Mysterio is now the legal man and sends Reigns into the ropes. Bryan clears Rollins out on the floor. Mysterio gets a running head start and runs right into a SPEAR from Reigns. Reigns covers for the 1…2…3!
Winners [via Pinfall]: The Shield (9:53 shown)
- Jon’s Thoughts: As with most Shield matches this was an entertaining contest with a fun and frenzied finish. Enjoyed every minute of it and I love Reigns being the one to once again pick up the victory, proving once again he’s the man in the trio. But it was a little weird Daniel Bryan was just sort of…there in the match, especially after his big moments on Monday.
Post-Match: Sheamus and Bryan check on Mysterio as we go into a replay of the big moments from the match. We go back live and The Shield celebrate on the outside, faces looking on in disgust, as we fade to logo.
*****
Overall Show Thoughts
This week’s Smackdown was a busy one to say the least, with some interesting developments (PTP breaking up, Christian’s return) as well as one hell of a main event and Wyatt Family promo. Unfortunately all of the good moments were outweighed by just how packed this episode was as the WWE seemed determined to throw in as much as they could in 90 minutes (if you ignore commercials). Having so much to do in a small timeframe killed some of the developments and made everything feel hectic, and by the end of it I felt like I had sat through a show much longer than the one I actually watched. Still there are some choice moments to check out so make sure to see them…on YouTube. You don’t need to watch the entire episode. I did it for you, because we’re friends!
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