December 15, 2015
Episode 168
(taped December 15, 2015)
City: Newark, NJ
Venue: Prudential Center
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Eden Stiles
Match 1
Neville vs Rusev w/ Lana
(referee: Dan Engler)
Neville is hesitant to approach Rusev. Neville circles Rusev and gets pushed away. Neville then uses his speed to try to get an advantage. Rusev pulls Neville to the mat by his hair. Neville then comes back with some kicks and tries to control Rusev’s arm.
Rusev lands a forearm that puts Neville on his knees. Neville flips out of the corner, but Rusev follows him. Rusev catches Neville and throws him with a fallaway slam. Nevill rolls out of the ring.
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Neville is down on the mat and Rusev stomps him. Rusev continues to punish Neville at a methodical pace. Neville fights back with strikes, but Rusev stops him with a knee to the midsection. He lands a pair of gutwrench suplexes on Neville. Rusev is taking his time. He toys with Neville and puts him in a bear hug.
Neville fights out with some elbows and avoids an attack in the corner. He hits a series of kicks and puts Rusev down to one knee with an enziguri. Neville lands a springboard dropkick for a 2 count. Neville hits another kick and goes to the top, but Rusev rolls out of the ring. Neville then lands a springboard moonsault from the ring to the floor.
Neville sets up for the Red Arrow, but Lana distracts him. Rusev lands a kick and puts on the Accolade for the win.
Result: Rusev wins via submission with the Accolade
Time: 9:48 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was a good match. It was given a decent amount of time to develop and had a good progression. The outcome wasn’t surprising, but the action leading up to it was good. Neville was kept from flying a lot which made sense.
Match 2
Jack Swagger vs Bo Dallas
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Dallas avoids a suplex and lands an arm drag on Swagger. He is very happy with himself and does a victory lap. Back in the ring, Swagger hits a German suplex and a clothesline, sending Dallas to the floor. Swagger follows Dallas and hits another clothesline on the outside.
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Swagger is in control, but Dallas gets his knees up in the corner against a running Swagger. Dallas controls Swagger’s head with a rear chinlock and a cravat. He hits a dropkick on Swagger for a 2 count. Dallas plays to the crowd and winds up in the Patriot Lock. Swagger doesn’t have it locked in, but he lands a clothesline for a 2 count on Dallas.
Swagger gains momentum, but Dallas puts his feet up to avoid a Swagger Bomb. Dallas is then lifted out of the ring. Swagger follows Dallas, but he gets tripped on the apron and pushed into the ring steps. Swagger gets back into the ring at 9 and Dallas immediately drops him on the mat face first. Swagger won’t be pinned though.
Dallas goes for the Bo-dog, but Swagger counters with a Patriot Lock for the win.
Result: Swagger wins via submission with the Patriot Lock
Time: 6:53 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Another good match. Nice exchanges and a few good counters. The changes in momentum were well done, and the ending was good.
Video
RAW Rebound of Reigns winning the title.
Match 3
The Usos vs The Ascension
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Jimmy and Konnor start. Konnor backs Jimmy into the corner, but Jimmy lands some chops, backing Konnor into the Uso corner. Jey tags in but takes a flapjack and rolls out to the floor. Viktor tags in and hits an STO on the floor on Jey.
Jey goes for a kick, but Viktor swats it away. Konnor tags in and Jey is in trouble. Jey tries to tag Jimmy, but Konnor slams him to the mat. Jey then hits an elbow and a kick on Konnor. Both men are down. Both men make tags.
Jimmy gets the better of Viktor with strikes and a Samoan drop. He follows up with a hip attack. 2 count for Jimmy. Both members of The Ascension take double superkicks. Jimmy then goes to the top and lands a splash for the win.
Result: Jimmy Uso pins Viktor after a diving splash
Time: 5:54
Match Thoughts
A pretty good match. The Ascension had the advantage for a little while, but it never really felt like they were in danger of winning. Still, a pretty solid, if unremarkable, match.
Show Impressions
The first two matches were better than the tag match, but they were all at least pretty good. It was a pretty good show.
Match of the Night
Neville vs Rusev
It’s kind of a toss up between this one and the Swagger/Dallas match, but I liked this one a little more.