WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT (12/27/13) by Nicholas Sebastian
The final Smackdown of 2013 comes to us from the American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas, on the southeastern coast of the Lone Star State. On commentary this evening we have as usual Michael Cole and John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
MATCH 1: JIMMY & JEY USO VS ERICK ROWAN & LUKE HARPER (OF THE WYATT FAMILY)
No opening theme as the show begins right away with the Uso twins making their way down the ramp to their entrance music. They try to rile up the crowd behind them as they await their opponents for this match.
The Wyatts make their usual sombre entrance through the darkened arena. We're shown a video of Smackdown last week where Daniel Bryan was thrown off a truck bay ledge onto the concrete outside by Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. During the beatdown, Bray Wyatt told Daniel Bryan that the two of them could have been friends, but he brought this fate upon himself.
When the lights come back on, Bray Wyatt is in his familiar rocking chair on the entrance ramp, while Harper and Rowan are in the ring. Luke Harper looks to start off the contest against Jimmy Uso. The bell sounds and the match is underway.
Luke Harper rushes at Jimmy Uso, who quickly ducks under his attack and charges the enemy corner. Uso lands a flying forearm on a sheep-mask wearing Erick Rowan, sending him off the ring apron and onto the arena floor. Luke Harper rushes at Jimmy Uso near the ropes only to get lifted up and over the top rope, joining his stablemate down below.
Jey Uso comes into the ring for some double team action. He comes off the far ropes and suicide dives over the top, landing on Erick Rowan and sending both men down. Luke Harper has made his way back into the ring and misses with a big clothesline on Jimmy Uso. A kick to Harper's gut and a flying roll-up off the ropes only gets a one count on the big bearded man.
The Samoan goes for some more offense off the ropes but is stopped in his tracks by a solid right hand from Luke Harper. The Wyatt family member goes over to the ropes where Jey Uso is standing on the apron. He delivers a huge boot to the face, sending Uso tumbling to the arena floor.
Luke Harper spots Jimmy Uso recovering in the corner and charges him. Jimmy counters with a right hand of his own straight to the jaw, stopping the big man cold. Uso climbs to the top facing away from the ring and delivers a corkscrew moonsault on Harper, sending him to the canvas. A quick cover only gets two as the burly man just uses his power to push the much smaller Samoan off of him.
Jimmy Uso hits a kick to the jaw of Luke Harper, stunning him. He then pushes the bigger man into the ropes hoping to roll him up on the rebound coming backwards. Harper manages to hold onto the ropes, stopping his own momentum as his partner Erick Rowan makes the tag.
Luke Harper turns to attempt a big boot to Jimmy Uso but misses. The Samoan tries to attack Erick Rowan on the ring apron but is given a solid forearm for his trouble. He spins around right into a huge clothesline from Harper that turns him inside out and leaves him sprawling on the mat. Erick Rowan, the legal man, runs the ropes and connects with a big splash off the ropes. The three count is just a formality after the Wyatts hit both their finishers.
WINNERS: ERICK ROWAN & LUKE HARPER (OF THE WYATT FAMILY)
After the match, Bray Wyatt plants his Sister Abigail finisher on Jey Uso as all three members stand over the fallen bodies of the their opponents.
COMMERCIAL
We come back from commercial to hear John Cena's music. The roar of the crowd is almost deafening as he runs down to the ring to address the fans in attendance.
We're then shown highlights of Raw this past Monday where an after match scuffle with members of the Shield left Cena, CM Punk and the Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston standing tall in the center of the ring.
Cena tells everyone that this is the last Smackdown of the year and then says a few jokes to liven up the crowd a bit. He says he is due a rematch for the WWE World Championship and calls out a challenge to Randy Orton in the back, hoping his plea will be heard.
Unfortunately, instead of the champion's music, we hear the Shield's theme. The trio make their way through the crowd and surround the ring. John Cena stands his ground, trying to stare down all three members. The Shield then attack, laying into Cena with a series of kicks and punches that put their foe down to the canvas.
A chorus of boos from the crowd turns into cheers as the World's Strongest Man Mark Henry runs down to the ring to make the save. Henry starts to clean house until all three members of the Shield gang up on him. Another vicious three-on-one assault has the big man joining Cena on the mat.
This brings the Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston rushing to the ring. As he starts to take care of the Shield, Cena and Henry get back onto their feet and the three of them together clear the ring of their adversaries. All three members of the Shield retreat into the crowd seeking safety from the onslaught of offense.
Kane the Director of Operations comes out and makes three separate singles matches for later on in the evening. United States Champion Dean Ambrose will take on Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston, Roman Reigns will go up against Mark Henry and Seth Rollins will have a match against John Cena.
Just before we go to commercial we're shown a video package hyping up the return of "The Animal" Dave Batista. He is scheduled to be a part of the January 20th edition of Monday Night Raw, the one airing just before the Royal Rumble.
COMMERCIAL
After the break, we're backstage with Renée Young interviewing the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton. Orton says he has nothing left to prove, and wants to enter himself in the Royal Rumble only to win it just to have no opponent at Wrestlemania. He says he will induct himself into the Hall of Fame.
Dolph Ziggler interrupts and calls him spineless and undeserving. He says his New Year's Resolution is to finally shut up Randy Orton. The two men stare each other down in anticipation of a brawl when they're interrupted by Kane who makes a match between them for later in the show.
MATCH 2: CODY RHODES VS ANTONIO CESARO
The WWE Tag team Champions make their way down the ring as Cody Rhodes gets into the squared circle to await his opponent. We're told this match is a result of events that happened on Main Event this past Wednesday, with Rhodes and Cesaro brawling outside the ring during a singles match between their respective partners.
The Real Americans, Jack Swagger, Antonio Cesaro and their manager Zeb Colter, all go down to the ring. Swagger and Cesaro are holding their usual black versions of the Gadsden flag while Colter has another xenophobic picket sign. The Swiss Superman climbs into the ring and gets some last minute advice from the All-American as the bell sounds.
A collar and elbow tie up ends in a stalemate, as Antonio Cesaro breaks free and goes to the corner to put his hand on the rope for a breather. A side headlock takedown by Cody Rhodes puts Cesaro to the mat. Both men get back onto their feet, Cesaro still in the headlock, tries to break free by throwing Rhodes to the ropes. Cody hangs on and doesn't move anywhere.
Antonio Cesaro manages to break the hold by pulling on the cheek of Cody Rhodes, then getting his opponent's arm in a standing hammerlock. Rhodes brings down Cesaro with a drop toe hold and transitions into a front face lock with both men on their knees. They make it to their feet and Cesaro once again is able to get that standing hammerlock on Rhodes, twisting his arm behind his back.
With Antonio Cesaro still behind him, Cody Rhodes runs to the ropes and crouches down near them, sending the Swiss Superman through them and down onto the arena floor. Goldust tries some mind games on the outside with Cesaro. This brings around both Jack Swagger and Cody Rhodes, resulting in a war of words between the four combatants.
Cody Rhodes and Antonio Cesaro both get into the squared circle by going under the bottom rope. Cesaro feigns a test of strength then lands a boot to the midsection of Rhodes. A punch to the face sends Cody into the corner. Cesaro whips him face first into the opposite corner and then charges in afterwards. Cody Rhodes jumps behind Cesaro, does a one-eighty in the air to sunset flip his opponent into a pinning predicament. The referee counts two but Cesaro is able to kick out.
The two men trade a few blows until Cody Rhodes rushes his opponent, only to have the top rope lowered by Antonio Cesaro. The tag team champion goes sailing over the top and goes crashing down onto the arena floor, landing in a heap near the padded barricades. Jack Swagger makes his way towards Rhodes on the outside, but backs off once he sees Goldust attend to his half-brother. Cesaro then comes to the aid of Swagger and a war of words ensues once again.
Antonio Cesaro throws Cody Rhodes back into the ring again underneath the bottom rope. A quick cover by Cesaro only nets a one count. A front face lock on Rhodes puts him into the corner. Cesaro temporarily immobilizes the arms of the tag champ then is quick to deliver some punishing blows to the head and body of Rhodes, sending him to one knee.
The referee pushes Cesaro away and admonishes him about his tactics. Rushing at Rhodes again, Cesaro connects with an uppercut that stuns his opponent. A front face lock to Rhodes leads into a standing vertical suplex. Cesaro covers with a hook of the far leg but Cody Rhodes is able to kick out at two.
Antonio Cesaro then gets on Cody Rhodes' back, applying a rear chin lock that twists his opponent's head to the side. Rhodes fights to make it back to his feet, then delivers some shots to the midsection that breaks the rest hold and has Cesaro reeling a bit. Cesaro tries to rush at Rhodes with a clothesline but misses, only to hit the ropes and run into a high knee on the turnaround.
Cody Rhodes, sensing some momentum, hits a big clothesline, a knee to the gut and then drops down to deliver a shot to his opponent's jaw from below, paying homage to his older half-brother. He partially picks up Antonio Cesaro for a vertical suplex and drops him down face first on the mat in front of him. A hook of the leg and a cover by Cody Rhodes gets only a two count.
Antonio Cesaro gets to his feet and throws Cody Rhodes into the ropes. He misses with a clothesline as both men run the ropes a couple of times. Rhodes then hits him with his own lariat, sending Cesaro down to the canvas. Jack Swagger makes his way to the ring apron near the corner but is met with a forearm from Rhodes, sending the All-American down to the arena floor.
Off the distraction, Antonio Cesaro charges Rhodes who unfortunately still had his eyes on Swagger outside the ring. An uppercut to the back and kidneys stuns Rhodes, who then falls prey to a roll-up by the Swiss Superman. A pin and a three count gives the victory to the Real American, much to the chagrin of the tag team champions.
WINNER: ANTONIO CESARO
After the match, Swagger and Cesaro celebrate on the entrance ramp as Goldust attends to his half-brother and tag-team partner Cody Rhodes.
COMMERCIAL
MATCH 3: THE PRIME TIME PLAYERS VS CURTIS AXEL & RYBACK
We return from commercial to find Darren Young and Titus O'Neil, the Prime Time Players, in the ring doing their "Millions and Millions of Dollars" dance. Their opponents, Curtis Axel and Ryback are in the ring as well. The bell goes and the bout gets underway.
Ryback starts things off with Darren Young. The two men lock up and Ryback uses his power to easily throw Young down to the mat. Darren gets up and charges Ryback after a taunt, only to be met with a big boot to the gut followed by a forearm to the back.
The force of the blow sends Darren Young down again. Ryback hits another punch to the side of the head and throws his opponent off the ropes. Ryback tries to grab his adversary on the turnaround but Young is able to float over and nail a clothesline that stuns the Human Wrecking Machine.
Darren Young hits a shot to the knee that takes the big man off his feet. A running knee to Ryback's head is followed by a tag to Titus O'Neil. Ryback is looking up at the ring lights near the enemy corner as the double team seeks to inflict more damage. O'Neil takes his partner Darren Young into a front face lock and forward suplexes him onto Ryback.
Titus O'Neil pulls Ryback to his feet and delivers a forearm uppercut that sends his foe staggering to the neutral corner for some solace. Ryback comes fighting out with shots to the head of O'Neil. A kick to the gut and a forearm smash to the back puts his adversary on one knee.
Ryback runs the ropes but misses on his attempt at offense. Titus O'Neil makes it to his feet and flattens Ryback on the turnaround with a shoulder tackle. O'Neil starts barking to a mild reaction from the crowd in attendance.
Titus O'Neil delivers a forearm to his opponent's back then ties him up in the ropes near his corner. A chop to the chest seems to wake Ryback up as he pushes off O'Neil and connects with an elbow to the chin. His partner, Curtis Axel, blind tags himself into the match as Ryback pushes O'Neil into the ropes near his tag-team partner.
On the ring apron, Curtis Axel hits a knee to the spine of Titus O'Neil sending him down to one knee. Ryback follows that up with a boot to the face that has O'Neil reeling. The legal man Curtis Axel comes in trash talking Titus and delivering a lot of kicks to the torso and head, sending him crawling into the neutral corner.
The referee calls for a clean break but after a few seconds Curtis Axel is right back on top of his opponent with forearms to the back. Another reprimand from the referee has Axel changing his strategy with a boot to the midsection and a chop to the chest of O'Neil.
Titus staggers out of the corner and starts a rally, connecting with a series of chops that stuns his foe. Axel hits a boot to the gut and a drop kick that puts O'Neil down again and right into the enemy corner. Curtis Axel puts his boot to the neck of Titus O'Neil, screaming at him to bark like a dog in that position. A tag to his partner brings in the Human Wrecking Machine, but not before Axel jumps over the top rope onto the arena floor, landing a forearm to the chest of O'Neil lying on the ring apron.
Ryback goes to the outside to land a forearm as well to Titus O'Neil still parked on the edge of the ring. O'Neil tries to roll his way towards his partner but is stopped by some kicks to the stomach area and a front face lock applied by Ryback. O'Neil tries to break free by getting to his feet but not before he's met with a knee to the midsection. He's pushed into the enemy corner by Ryback who then greets him with three shoulders to the gut.
Curtis Axel tags in and lands a huge punch to O'Neil's midsection as Ryback held him during the double-team. Titus goes down to the canvas as Axel starts to paintbrush him during his taunts. Axel runs the ropes to deliver some offense but is caught by a big boot to the chest and sent to the mat. Titus O'Neil seizes the opportunity to crawl to his corner and make the tag.
Darren Young comes in and hits some kicks to the midsection on Curtis Axel. He throws his opponent into the ropes and lands a clothesline followed by a huge overhead arm drag takedown off a second run of the ropes by Axel. Young runs to the enemy corner and connects with a forearm to Ryback, sending him tumbling to the floor. He then calls out to the crowd as he charges Curtis Axel in the corner, delivering a running clothesline to his groggy adversary. A textbook Northern Lights suplex on Axel followed by a bridge and a pin attempt only get two as Ryback makes it into the ring for the save.
Seeing the interference by the other team, Titus O'Neil comes in to help out his partner. They both charge Ryback near the ropes and hit a double clothesline on him, sending him over the top and onto the arena floor. As O'Neil goes out after him, Curtis Axel takes advantage of the distraction and rolls up Darren Young. There was no pin on the Prime Time Player as Young was able to use the momentum to roll though and stack up Axel, pinning him for three and getting the victory for his team.
WINNERS: THE PRIME TIME PLAYERS
After the match, Curtis Axel and Ryback are livid and Darren Young and Titus O'Neil celebrate by doing their trademark dance outside the ring and up the entrance ramp.
COMMERCIAL
MATCH 4: WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION RANDY ORTON VS DOLPH ZIGGLER
NON-TITLE MATCH
Randy Orton comes out holding both his championships. He takes his time then stops to pose with the belts in the center of the ring. The "Show-Off" Dolph Ziggler makes his way down the ramp and seems all fired up for his match against the reigning champion. He's sporting some pink on the right side of his blond locks, the same shade as his Show-Off T-Shirt. The bell goes and the contest gets underway.
A collar and elbow tie up puts both men into the corner, each trying to get the upper hand before the referee forces the break. A frustrated Orton goes to the outside to take a breather.
Randy Orton comes back in and the two men lock up again. Orton puts Dolph Ziggler in a side headlock. Ziggler breaks the hold by throwing Orton into the ropes but is met with a shoulder block and floored by the champion. Orton showboats to the crowd as Ziggler takes his time getting back to his feet.
The two men circle each other as Randy Orton then delivers a kick to the midsection and smashes Dolph Ziggler's head against the top turnbuckle. A punch to Ziggler's head is blocked and the Show-Off comes back with a series of shots that has the champion staggering into another corner. Ziggler is relentless with punches to the head and body of Orton, only stopping when the referee calls for the clean break.
Dolph Ziggler tries to go back into the corner to continue his offense but is met with a boot to the midsection and a head butt that sends him down to the mat. Orton is on the offense now, delivering a vertical suplex and following it up with a pin attempt on Ziggler. Orton is only able to get one as his opponent is able to lift a shoulder up.
Randy Orton pulls Ziggler up to his feet by the left arm and whips him into the corner. He goes charging in but is stopped by a forearm uppercut delivered by Dolph Ziggler. Orton staggers into the other corner and is followed there by the Show-Off. A couple of head and body shots find their mark as Ziggler climbs to the middle ropes and nails a series of shots to the head that send Orton down, his back on the bottom turnbuckle.
Dolph Ziggler pulls Randy Orton to his feet by the head and takes him down again with a snapmare. He then connects with a jumping elbow to the heart of the fallen champion, following it up with a lateral press, a hook of the leg and a pin attempt. He's only able to get two on the kick out by his opponent.
Randy Orton is on the mat, sitting up and slowly dragging himself to the corner. Dolph Ziggler is following him methodically, trying to plan his next offensive move on the champion. Orton grabs Ziggler and pulls him down, smashing his head into the middle turnbuckle and getting the opening he needed.
Ziggler is now the one crawling after that attack. Randy Orton is standing above him and pulls him up to his feet by the hair. The two men trade blows until Orton kicks Ziggler in the midsection and runs the ropes to try for more offense. Dolph Ziggler hits a dropkick out of nowhere that sends the champion scrambling to the outside for some relief as we head to commercial.
COMMERCIAL
After the break, Randy Orton comes back into the ring momentarily to break the count. Dolph Ziggler seems to be done waiting and chases after the champion on the outside. The two men brawl and Ziggler ends up putting Orton's head into the steel ring steps, staggering the champion.
Dolph Ziggler throws Randy Orton underneath the bottom rope and back into the squared circle. Ziggler goes for a cover and hooks the far leg but is only able to get a two count on the the Viper.
A front face lock brings Randy Orton to his feet. Dolph Ziggler twists him in the hopes of delivering a neckbreaker, but is pushed to the ropes and nailed with an elbow to the jaw on the turnaround. Ziggler stumbles over to the corner to recover as Orton plans his next move.
Randy Orton charges the corner but gets nothing but empty turnbuckle as Ziggler is able to sidestep him and avoid the attack. Ziggler then connects with a dropkick that sends the champion back into the corner. The Show-Off charges in but Orton is able to avoid disaster and have Ziggler smash his head on the top turnbuckle. Orton then throws Ziggler through the middle ropes to the outside, catching the steel ring post and even the steps on his way down to the arena floor.
The referee starts to count as Dolph Ziggler tries to make his way back into the ring. He makes it in at the count of nine, just beating a disqualification. Randy Orton stomps on Ziggler a few times then delivers a jumping knee to the head. A pinfall attempt only gets the champ two as Ziggler is able to barely get the shoulder up.
Randy Orton sits on Dolph Ziggler's lower spine, pulling back on his hair. Orton gets Ziggler in a rear chin lock, hoping to wear down the Show-Off. Ziggler is able to make it to his feet and fight out of the rest hold with some shots to the midsection of Orton. Ziggler runs the ropes only to be hit with a knee to the gut and be sent flying over and then onto the mat. Orton goes for the pin but still only manages two.
Dolph Ziggler is still down on the mat as Randy Orton gets in the rear chin lock once again. Ziggler struggles to his feet then drops down, nailing the champion with a jawbreaker that stuns him momentarily and sends him to one knee.
Randy Orton throws Ziggler to the ropes and bends to deliver a back body drop. Ziggler spots this and stops his own momentum, responding with a kick to the shoulder and then runs the ropes again. Ziggler then hits a cross body on the champion, sending him down and then attacking him with relentless punches to the head. Orton is able to make it to a corner before Ziggler comes at him again.
Dolph Ziggler charges in, connecting with a corner splash that sends him up to the middle ropes. Screaming loudly, Ziggler lands a series of punches to Orton's head and pulls him out of the corner with a front face lock, delivering a twisting neckbreaker to the champion. A jumping elbow to the heart is followed by a pin attempt but only gets about a two and a half.
Both men are down and struggling to get to their feet. Dolph Ziggler is up first and goes for the Fame-Asser, a legdrop onto the back of the neck planting the opponent's head into the canvas. Orton avoids that and throws Ziggler into the ropes hoping to hit a powerslam on the turnaround. Ziggler had that well scouted and grabs the ropes, stopping his own momentum and helping him avoid Orton's plan. Dolph Ziggler nails a DDT on Orton and goes for the cover. The crowd counts with the referee and is shocked when the champion kicks out just after two.
Ziggler seems to be shocked and can't believe what just happened as he struggles to his feet to plan his next move. He climbs to the top turnbuckle but is spotted by a recovering Randy Orton. The champion runs to the corner and takes his opponent's legs out from under him. Ziggler comes halfway down and is completely upended in the turnbuckles.
Randy Orton hits a few punches to the head of a groggy Dolph Ziggler, followed by a head butt to the Show-Off. Orton climbs to the second rope and gets Ziggler in a front face lock, attempting a superplex. Ziggler somehow fights out of it and head butts Orton to throw him off the turnbuckles.
Dolph Ziggler puts himself on the top corner and waits for the champ to make it to his feet. A missile drop kick finds its mark and Ziggler quickly goes for the cover, hooking the near leg and once again only getting a two count on his opponent.
Both men are exhausted and struggle to get in a standing position. Dolph Ziggler is first up and he takes hold of Orton to put him through the middle ropes in the corner, ramming him shoulder first into the steel ring post. Randy Orton is grabbing his shoulder in obvious pain as he comes out of the corner. Ziggler then nails a bulldog on the champion but a cover and a two count is all he gets again.
Randy Orton makes it into the corner to recover but is chased there by Dolph Ziggler. The Show-Off is relentless in his punches to the champion as the referee calls for the clean break. Ziggler delivers more punishment to Orton as the clean break is called for once again.
On his third attempt at offense in this flurry, Ziggler gets hit with a thumb to the eye while the referee was distracted. Randy Orton then hits his RKO finisher on Dolph Ziggler and covers him for the 1-2-3.
WINNER: WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION RANDY ORTON
After the match, Randy Orton continues his attack on Dolph Ziggler, throwing him outside the ring and smashing his head on the announce table. Orton then throws him into the steel ring steps, against the ring apron then right into the steel ring post. Ziggler is tossed into the timekeeper's area only to be draped with his feet across the barricade. Orton delivers a DDT to the padded arena floor leaving Dolph Ziggler lying motionless outside the ring.
We then go backstage to a promo from the Shield with each member delivering a personal message for each of their respective opponents.
In the arena, we see Daniel Bryan make his way to the ring as we go to the break.
COMMERCIAL
Before the upcoming match begins, we're shown clips from Raw this past Monday where the "Good Santa" Mark Henry defeated the "Bad Santa" Damien Sandow in the "Battle to Save Christmas". Henry relied on the help of numerous Christmas presents and a fire extinguisher before delivering the World's Strongest Slam for the victory.
MATCH 5: DAMIEN SANDOW VS DANIEL BRYAN
Daniel Bryan and Damien Sandow are already in the ring as the bell sounds. A collar and elbow tie up has Sandow powering Bryan to the corner but missing with the right hand. Bryan spins around out of there and delivers a series of kicks to Sandow's torso until the referee calls for the break.
Damien Sandow comes out of the corner with a boot to Daniel Bryan's gut. A head butt by Sandow is followed by a side headlock on his opponent. Bryan gets out quickly enough by throwing Sandow to the ropes. The intellectual hits Bryan with a shoulder block on the turnaround and runs the ropes again. This time, Daniel Bryan is able to connect with a knee to the midsection that turns Sandow right around and sends him onto his back. Sandow quickly crawls to grab the bottom rope for a breather.
Daniel Bryan comes after his adversary, only to be met with a kick to the shin that puts him on his hands and knees. Damien Sandow then drapes Bryan's neck across the second rope and delivers some quick forearms to the back of the head. The referee calls for the break and Sandow then comes back to throw his foe through the middle ropes and out onto the arena floor.
Damien Sandow goes to the outside and tosses Daniel Bryan into the barricade surrounding the ringside area. Sandow throws Bryan underneath the bottom rope and back into the squared circle. A quick cover and a hook of the far leg get a two count for the intellectual.
Daniel Bryan gets pulled to his feet with a front face lock applied by Damien Sandow, transitioning into an immobilization of both arms. A series of knees to the midsection only seem to wear Bryan down as Sandow continues to inflict punishment with a bodyslam. Sandow signals to the booing crowd and calls for his Elbow of Disdain. He nails the move and goes for another cover, his opponent kicking out at two.
Damien Sandow gets behind a sitting up Daniel Bryan and applies a combination one-armed arm bar and one-armed chin lock. Bryan struggles to his feet then manages some shots to the gut with his free hand. Breaking out of the hold, Bryan runs the ropes but is met with an elbow to the jaw on the turnaround and is sent sprawling.
The offense on Daniel Bryan continues with Sandow picking him up by the hair and smashing his head into the top turnbuckle. A punch to the face is followed by a shoulder to the gut and a head butt, all serving to wear down Bryan. Sandow whips his foe into the opposite corner but Bryan manages to climb to the top rope like a stepladder and back flip over behind his opponent moonsault-style.
Daniel Bryan, sensing a second wind, runs the ropes and ducks under Damien Sandow's clothesline, connecting with one of his own on the turnaround. Sandow staggers into the corner as Bryan prepares to charge him. Double boots to the face of the intellectual have him reeling. Bryan places Sandow in a sitting position on the top turnbuckle, puts his feet on the top ropes and sends his opponent flying across the ring with a hurricanrana.
Damien Sandow is a lot worse for wear as he crawls around the center of the ring. The crowd chants yes as Daniel Bryan starts to deliver kick after kick to the torso of the kneeling intellectual. Sandow manages to duck the final big shot and then quickly rolls up his opponent for a pin, only managing to get a two count.
Daniel Bryan gets up quickly and nails a huge kick to the back of Damien Sandow's head sending him to the canvas. Sandow is slow to get up as the entire crowd is pointing into the air and chanting yes. As soon as the intellectual is on his feet, Daniel Bryan hits the running knee to the face and covers him by hooking the near leg. The referee counts 1-2-3 and gives the victory to Daniel Bryan.
WINNER: DANIEL BRYAN
After the match, Daniel Bryan's celebration is interrupted by the Wyatt family who darken the arena and call out to him from the stage, lit by a single lantern. Bray Wyatt says he admires Bryan's courage after all they've done to him. He tells Bryan that the admiration of the people is controlled by him because he's not just a man, but a god. He blows out the candle inside his lantern and the arena goes dark, going to commercial.
COMMERCIAL
The three members of the Shield are already in the ring as Dean Ambrose awaits his opponent. Big E Langston gets introduced, followed by the respective separate entrances of Mark Henry and John Cena. The three of them make their way down the ramp towards the ring.
MATCH 6: UNITED STATES CHAMPION DEAN AMBROSE (OF THE SHIELD) VS INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION BIG E LANGSTON
NON-TITLE MATCH
The bell sounds and the match gets underway. The two men rush at each other and Big E Langston uses his strength advantage to power Dean Ambrose into the corner. Three shoulders to the gut of Ambrose are followed by an Irish Whip into the opposite corner. Langston charges in and delivers a huge running shoulder to the gut, doubling over the United States Champion.
Big E Langston whips Dean Ambrose into the opposite corner and charges in again. This time Ambrose is able to lift his legs up and kick the bigger man in the face, stunning him momentarily. Ambrose runs out of the corner and connects with a clothesline that sends Langston down to the canvas.
Dean Ambrose begins to trash talk his fallen opponent, jumping onto his chest and delivering punch after punch to the head. He then comes off the ropes and connects with a falling forearm to the upper torso following it up with a hook of the leg and a pin attempt. Langston is able to power out at one.
Looking on from the outside, John Cena and Mark Henry try and encourage Big E Langston to rally. Dean Ambrose pulls his opponent up almost by the ears and ties him up in the ropes. A punch to the head stuns Langston long enough for the Shield member to run the ropes and hit a big drop kick that sends his competitor down to the mat. Ambrose goes for another cover hooking the far leg but Langston kicks out at two.
Dean Ambrose gets Big E Langston in a rear chin lock, switching arms in the process. Langston uses his immense strength to get to his feet and hits a few shots to the gut to break the hold. Langston runs the ropes but is followed closely behind by Ambrose and gets a knee to the midsection for his trouble.
Big E Langston goes down to one knee as Dean Ambrose climbs to the top turnbuckle. Langston gets to his feet and grabs his opponent perched at the top, easily throwing him overhead and halfway across the ring, onto his back.
Dean Ambrose struggles to his feet and is met with two running clotheslines and a belly to belly suplex by Langston. The Intercontinental Champion runs the ropes twice hopping over his opponent the first time and connecting with a jumping splash after the second turnaround.
Big E Langston marches towards Dean Ambrose near the ropes with the intention of delivering more offense. The Shield member sees him coming and grabs the tights, pulling the big man through the ropes and onto the arena floor. Ambrose yells at the other Shield members on the outside to take care of his opponent.
Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns come around Big E Langston, but are thwarted by John Cena and Mark Henry. A war of words between the four men amounts to just a standoff between them as Ambrose comes to the outside to take care of business himself. He throws Langston back into the ring underneath the bottom rope.
Dean Ambrose gets back into the ring as well and charges Big E Langston. The Intercontinental Champion hits a clothesline on the United States Champion then drops the straps of his singlet, signalling the beginning of the end. He picks Ambrose up and connects with his Big Ending finisher, an over the shoulder cutter-like drop to the canvas. The referee counts 1-2-3 and Big E Langston gets the victory.
WINNER: INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION BIG E LANGSTON
After the match, Roman Reigns comes in to confront Big E Langston and the two have some words before Mark Henry comes in to back up his sometimes tag-team partner. Langston leaves the ring to allow Henry to get ready for his upcoming match against Reigns.
COMMERCIAL
MATCH 7: MARK HENRY VS ROMAN REIGNS (OF THE SHIELD)
The bell sounds and the bout gets started. Roman Reigns and Mark Henry circle each other then lock up, with the World's Strongest Man throwing off the Shield member, both men still on their feet. Reigns screams in defiance at Henry and challenges him to a test of strength.
Mark Henry goes to grab the outstretched hand of Roman Reigns but is given a big boot to the midsection instead. Reigns connects with a few punches to the head and a head butt, backing his opponent up a few steps. Henry grabs Reigns by the throat and with his sheer power backs his adversary to the ropes and throws him over the top and onto the floor.
Roman Reigns tries to recover on the outside but is followed to the arena floor by Mark Henry. He hits a head butt on the Shield member then slams him back first into the ring apron. Reigns gets thrown back into the squared circle underneath the bottom rope. A quick cover by the World's Strongest Man only gets one.
Mark Henry connects with a big punch to the head of a staggering Roman Reigns. He manages to use the ropes to get to his feet but receives another head butt by Henry for his trouble. Henry delivers a forearm smash to Reigns and throws him off the ropes, hitting a big boot to the chin that sends the Shield member down to the canvas once again.
A boot to the head rolls Roman Reigns to the ring apron. On opposite sides of the ropes, Mark Henry attempts to bring his opponent back into the ring, only to have Reigns drop down to the floor hanging onto his neck. This guillotines Henry's neck across the top rope, stunning him and providing a break for the Shield member.
Roman Reigns quickly comes back into the ring and connects with a running forearm to the head, bringing Henry down to the mat. A cover by Reigns and a hook of the far leg only gets two as the World's Strongest Man is able to kick out of the pin attempt.
A few kicks to the fallen Mark Henry are followed by relentless punches to the head with Roman Reigns sitting on top of his chest. Henry pushes him off but Reigns returns with another kick followed by a rear chin lock on the big man. John Cena tries to rally the crowd behind Mark Henry. The big man makes it to his feet and uses his strength to throw Roman Reigns off him and across the ring, much to the delight of the fans in attendance.
Mark Henry runs at Roman Reigns and levels him with a couple of shoulder tackles. A clothesline to Reigns keeps the Shield member down on his hands and knees. Henry drops down as well and delivers a head butt Junkyard Dog style, paying homage to the late great Sylvester Ritter.
Roman Reigns has made it to the corner to try and recover but sees no such opportunity. Mark Henry runs at him and connects with a huge running splash. Henry pulls him out of the corner and puts Reigns over his shoulder in an attempt at a powerslam. Reigns wrenches himself free and in one fell swoop is able to pick up Mark Henry and deliver a fall away slam on the huge man.
Mark Henry struggles to get to his feet as Roman Reigns bellows out incoherently. He punches down onto the canvas then hits his Superman Punch right to the jaw of Henry. The World's Strongest Man is almost out on his feet as he staggers around. Reigns runs and hits his finisher, a huge spear that takes out the big man. The three count is just a formality as Roman Reigns gets the victory.
WINNER: ROMAN REIGNS (OF THE SHIELD)
After the match, John Cena and Big E Langston tend to Mark Henry as the Shield celebrate Roman Reigns' win. We fade to the final commercial break in anticipation of the last bout of the evening on Smackdown, John Cena will take on Seth Rollins.
COMMERCIAL
MATCH 8: JOHN CENA VS SETH ROLLINS (OF THE SHIELD)
The bell goes and both men stare each other down. A collar and elbow tie up has Seth Rollins putting John Cena in a side headlock. Cena powers out and twists the arm into a standing wristlock, following it up with a takedown and a rear chin lock. Rollins quickly maneuvers out of that predicament and gets Cena in a front face lock, both men on their knees in the center of the ring.
John Cena, still resorting to mat wrestling techniques, twists the arm of Seth Rollins behind his back and puts him almost prone to the canvas. Rollins manages to sit up and then make it to his feet, reversing the hold and getting Cena once again in a standing side headlock. Cena throws Rollins to the ropes to break the hold. They run the ropes twice until John Cena hip tosses Rollins onto his back. The Shield member bails to the outside for some relief.
Seth Rollins, visibly frustrated, gets some advice from the other members of the Shield on the outside. We're shown a visual of Mark Henry, still recovering from the effects of his match with Roman Reigns. Rollins comes back into the ring and feigns a lock up, instead hitting Cena in the midsection with his boot. Rollins manages a couple of shots of offense before Cena comes roaring back.
John Cena connects with some big punches, putting Seth Rollins in the corner. Cena whips Rollins into the opposite corner then goes charging in afterwards. Rollins has the presence of mind to move out of harm's way as Cena goes crashing into an empty corner. Cena, crumpled in a heap, seems to be easy prey for his opponent at this point.
Seth Rollins uses the ropes to get to his feet then comes around towards John Cena methodically, delivering a few kicks and punches that have his foe stumbling. Cena manages to make it to the corner, still down with his back against the bottom turnbuckle. Rollins continues to inflict punishment, relentless in his kicks to Cena's chest and torso.
The referee calls for the clean break and Seth Rollins backs away, only to run right back in afterwards to connect with another kick. A punch to the gut seems to awaken Cena, and he comes fighting out of the corner with shots to the body and head of Rollins.
This backs the Shield member into another corner where Cena whips him across the ring. Rollins staggers out but is able to avoid a running bulldog attempt by Cena. He then comes back with a running clothesline that puts Cena down to the canvas. Rollins tries for the pin attempt but only gets the near fall of two.
Seth Rollins now gets behind John Cena, immobilizing the right arm in a rear chin lock. Rollins puts all of his weight behind the hold in an attempt to wear down Cena even further. Rollins keeps Cena down on the mat and transitions to a different hold using both hands pulling back on the jaw.
John Cena makes it to his feet as Rollins now has his entire left forearm around the neck and jaw of his opponent. Cena, with Rollins now clinging onto his back, reverses himself forcefully right into the corner, smashing the Shield member and finally breaking the hold. Cena rushes at Rollins in the corner but gets a boot to the face, sending him down to the mat again.
Seth Rollins runs over to his adversary and hits a kick to the head, making Cena look up at the ring lights. Rollins hooks the left leg and goes for the pin but Cena is able to kick out right at the count of two.
John Cena is still struggling, crawling on his hands and knees after the last near fall. Seth Rollins pulls him up to his feet in a front face lock and twists him around, connecting with a huge neckbreaker on Cena. Another cover and a hook of the near leg only gets two again.
Seth Rollins hits a running knee to the side of John Cena, still on the mat but showing a lot of tenacity. Rollins drapes Cena's neck across the middle rope and puts his weight on it, choking his opponent against it.
The referee calls for the clean break and Seth Rollins backs off only to return with a punch to the head that sends his opponent down to the mat again, his head and chest on the ring apron. Rollins goes to the outside and delivers a number of forearms to the chest of John Cena, following it up with a running boot to the side of the head. Rollins goes back into the ring for a quick cover but only gets two for the pin attempt.
Seth Rollins goes for a rear chin lock again, both his hands on John Cena's jaw. The crowd is firmly behind Cena as he makes it to his feet. Langston and Henry are also cheering him on from the outside. Cena grabs both arms of Rollins and separates them. tossing the Shield member overhead and forwards onto the canvas.
John Cena runs at Seth Rollins and hits a big clothesline, sending both combatants down to the mat. Cena is up first but misses with a lariat on the Shield member. Rollins connects with a kick to the gut and a standing DDT right in the center of the ring. Rollins shoots the half nelson and turns Cena over only getting the two count once again. Another subsequent cover only nets two as well.
Seth Rollins seems visibly annoyed at the resiliency of John Cena. Rollins comes off the ropes and delivers a couple of punches to the jaw before Cena has a chance to get to his feet. He talks some trash to Langston and Henry on the outside then whips Cena from one corner to the other with force, sending his opponent down to the mat.
John Cena makes it to the corner and uses the ropes and turnbuckles to get to his feet. Seth Rollins follows him in there and hits a couple of punches and tries to whip Cena into the opposite corner. Cena is able to reverse it and send the Shield member in there instead. Rollins is driven is with such force that he's twisted around the turnbuckles and lands seated on the top corner facing away from the ring.
Seth Rollins then falls off the top turnbuckle in a heap. Both men are down on the mat as the referee begins a count. A rejuvenated John Cena makes it to his feet and ducks under a clothesline, running the ropes and hitting a couple of shoulder blocks on Rollins. Cena tries for an atomic drop but Rollins is able to float over and back himself up into the corner.
John Cena rushes at him but gets caught by Seth Rollins. The Shield member falls backwards and drives Cena's head right into the middle turnbuckle, leveling him. Rollins pulls Cena to the center of the ring and goes for the cover, only getting a two count for his trouble.
Seth Rollins begins to taunt John Cena, paint brushing him and telling him to get up. Cena is crawling towards his opponent as Rollins mocks him. A punch to Cena's head and a front face lock lead to an attempt at another neckbreaker. Cena is able to counter the maneuver and deliver a side suplex to Rollins, putting him on the mat.
John Cena motions to the crowd with his trademark pose and runs the ropes, delivering the Five Knuckle Shuffle to the forehead of Seth Rollins. Cena measures Rollins for the Attitude Adjustment and gets the Shield member in the Fireman's Carry. As Cena throws his opponent over, Rollins is able to half twist and then land on his feet, countering the move and avoiding disaster.
Seth Rollins then hits an elbow to the face of a charging John Cena. He climbs to the second turnbuckle and hits a textbook diving neckbreaker on his opponent. A hook of the leg and a pin attempt only get the two count as Cena is able to kick out at almost the last second.
The crowd is firmly behind Cena as he tries to recover in the corner. Seth Rollins makes it to his feet first and measures Cena from the opposite side of the ring. Rollins charges right in just as Cena is up, connecting with a running splash that sends his adversary back to the canvas again.
Seth Rollins goes back to the opposite corner, measuring John Cena once again. A second attempt at a splash goes nowhere as Cena is able to sidestep his opponent's attack. Rollins eats nothing but empty turnbuckle and stumbles out of there, right into a half-nelson neckbreaker by Cena. A hook of the leg and Cena comes close to getting the three count on the near fall.
John Cena is convinced it was three and argues with the referee. The crowd in attendance thought so as well and voices their disapproval. Cena goes up to the top rope but is upended by Rollins. The Shield member hit the top rope causing Cena to lose his balance and come crashing down to the canvas, smashing his upper thigh against the top rope in the process.
Seth Rollins, seizing his opportunity, connects with a huge neckbreaker on John Cena, jumping backwards to drop behind his opponent from a cutter-type position in front of him. A cover only gets the two count much to the dismay of Seth Rollins and the other members of the Shield.
John Cena is still on his hands and knees as Seth Rollins comes around again, intent on inflicting more punishment. A few punches to Cena's head are followed by Rollins running the ropes, only to run into a powerbomb attempt by his opponent. Rollins is hoisted high but fights out of the predicament with shots to Cena's head and shoulders. Cena, in an incredible show of strength, wrenches Rollins down to hang him upside down, then brings him up again only to deliver a huge powerbomb to him. The crowd is on their feet and in disbelief as Rollins is able to kick out at two and a half.
Big E Langston and Mark Henry are incredulous as they look on from the outside. Both John Cena and Seth Rollins are on the mat and struggling to get back up. Cena is able to get Rollins in the Fireman's Carry, looking for his finisher, the Attitude Adjustment. Rollins grabs the top rope in an attempt to block the maneuver.
John Cena lets him go in order to grab both of Seth Rollins' legs as he hangs onto that top rope. Rollins is able to get to his feet and spin around to connect with a kick to the side of the head. This sends Cena falling to the mat. Rollins crawls over to his foe and goes for the pin attempt. He only gets two as Cena is able to kick out.
Seth Rollins climbs to the top rope and jumps off, catching John Cena with a knee to the head. Another cover gets another two count and more frustration for Seth Rollins and the Shield. They seem to be in disbelief at Cena's resiliency.
The crowd is very much into the match as Seth Rollins plans his next move. He runs the ropes with the intention of planting another knee to the head of his opponent. John Cena catches him and drops him down, putting him in the STF. Rollins is able to crawl over to the bottom rope to break the hold almost right away.
Off the distraction of breaking the hold, Dean Ambrose runs into the ring but is thwarted by a watchful Big E Langston clotheslining him down. Ambrose is chased to the outside before he has a chance to do anything to anyone, then gets thrown into the announce table by Langston.
Roman Reigns comes out of nowhere and clotheslines Langston, sending the Intercontinental Champion down onto the floor. Mark Henry then comes over and grabs Roman Reigns by the neck, throwing him over onto the announcer's desk as well and crashing into Dean Ambrose in the process.
Back in the ring, Seth Rollins is on the top rope attempting a cross body on John Cena. He's caught in mid-air as the momentum rolls Cena completely through, still carrying the Shield member in his arms. Cena hoists Rollins onto his shoulders and delivers an Attitude Adjustment in the center of the ring. John Cena hooks both legs and gets the 1-2-3 in a hard-fought victory.
WINNER: JOHN CENA
After the match, Big E Langston and Mark Henry come to the ring to celebrate with John Cena. Smackdown fades out with these three men standing tall in the ring as the members of the Shield look a lot worse for wear on the outside of the ring.
END
