December 21, 2015
Episode 1178
(aired live)
City: Minneapolis, MN
Venue: Target Center
Commentary: Michael Cole, JBL, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
(more Slammy Awards were given away on the Pre-Show)
Video
Recap of Reigns winning the title from RAW last week.
Ring Area
Stephanie McMahon makes her way to the ring with a smile on her face. She welcomes everyone to the 2015 Slammy Awards. But why is she so cheerful? Because McMahons don’t wallow in their self pity. Roman Reigns’ music plays and Steph’s face changes.
Reigns enters the ring and says he doesn’t sweat. Well, he doesn’t sweat the McMahons or Triple H. Stephanie tells Reigns to get out of her ring. She also doesn’t know what’s so funny. Stephanie starts to scream. Reigns calls her a little kid. She screams louder. Reigns eggs her on like a little kid. He turns his back on her. She screams for him to get back into the ring.
She keeps talking as he leaves through the crowd. She sets up matches for Reigns’ friends and family. She says there will be Hell to pay.
** This was a total “duck season, rabbit season” segment with the leave then get back here stuff. I’m not sure if it was funny or not. And it’s another segment where Reigns does very little (though he did talk more) and the heels pretty much get themselves worked up and defeat themselves. Stephanie could have practically done this segment by herself and it would have been practically the same thing. **
Slammy Award
Breakout Star of the Year
(presenter: Dolph Ziggler)
Ziggler says there is no blueprint for breaking out, you just have to make an impact.
Kevin Owens
Neville (W)
Charlotte
Tyler Breeze
Braun Strowman
Neville comes out to accept his award and is shocked. Kevin Owens’ music plays and he is not happy. He says he should have won and tells Neville to take a walk. He does. Owens asks Ziggler what’s so funny and calls him a has-been. Ziggler attacks.
** I think Neville is great, but Owens really should have won that award. Charlotte would be next in line. Then probably Neville, Breeze, then Strowman. **
Match 1
Bray Wyatt w/ Luke Harper, Erik Rowan, Braun Strowman vs Kane
(referee: John Cone)
Bray goes after Kane but takes a big boot. Harper distracts and Bray lariats Kane. Bray is caught by the throat but the Wyatt Family distracts Kane again. Kane exits the ring to go after them and a brawl ensues.
Result: Kane wins via DQ when the Wyatt Family attacks
Time: 0:53
Match Thoughts
This wasn’t really a match, just a way to build up to the next segment of the show.
Ring Area
The Dudley Boyz and Tommy Dreamer come out to help Kane. They chase the Wyatt Family out of the ring.
Match 2
The Wyatt Family vs The Dudley Boyz & Tommy Dreamer & Kane
(referee: John Cone)
-commercial-
Dreamer is isolated and in trouble as we join the match already in progress. Dreamer tags Kane who clears the apron of the Wyatts. Bubba tags in and side slams Harper. The Wyatts enter the ring and the match starts to break down. D-Von hits What’s Up on Harper. 3D on Rowan. Strowman then clotheslines both Dudleys, but Kane takes Strowman out of the ring. Harper hits a lariat on D-Von for the win.
Result: Harper pins D-Von after a discus lariat
Time: 2:49 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Really short. The Wyatt Family continues their domination of the Dudley Boyz and their friends. This really felt like watching a clipped version of a match where you only get to see the highlights of the last segment. Could have been better.
Slammy Award
LOL Moment of the Year
(presenter: Santino Marella)
Christmas has come early. Santino is back. He demonstrates some laughs.
New Day vs Edge & Christian music battle
The Bushwhackers at the Hall of Fame
The Miz’s erectile dysfunction commercial
Triple H and Stephanie dance with New Day
R-Truth is confused about Money in the Bank (W)
Marella tries to accept the award on R-Truth’s behalf. Truth comes out and has to chase Santino.
** Yeah, that was probably the best out of the choices given. I really like the stuff that R-Truth has been doing. I wouldn’t want it on every show, but it’s funny every once in a while. **
Video
Santa Foley (with his kids Noelle and Hughie as elves) wishes the WWE Universe happy holidays.
Slammy Award
OMG Shocking Moment of the Year
(presenter: Paul Heyman)
It is the Slammy’s honor to have Heyman present. He also says that almost all Slammies should be awarded to Brock Lesnar.
Seth Rollins (cashing in at Wrestlemania)
Brock Lesnar (destroying everyone at RAW)
Kalisto (Salida Del Sol from the ladder at TLC) (W)
The Wyatt Family (attacking Undertaker at Hell in a Cell)
Sheamus (cashing in at Survivor Series)
Kalisto is excited and motivated to fight and fly.
** These were all good for different reasons, but yeah, I like the choice for this one. **
Match 3
Kevin Owens vs Dolph Ziggler
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Ziggler is mad and attacks quickly. The first part of the match is basically a brawl. Ziggler puts on a sleeper hold but gets driven into the corner and slammed to the mat. Owens starts to take control. They go out to the floor and Owens throws Ziggler into the barricade.
Owens slows the match down with a headlock. Ziggler escapes with a chinbreaker. Owens responds with a gut buster and a running senton. 2 count for Owens.
Ziggler tries to build momentum and gets a schoolboy, but Owens puts him back down and applies another headlock. Ziggler fights out but takes a big clothesline. Ziggler comes back with a jumping DDT.
-commercial-
Owens hits a fisherman buster from the second rope. 2 count. A superkick from Ziggler sends Owens tumbling out of the ring. Ziggler follows but takes a flapjack into the announce table. Ziggler hits a famouser as Owens tries to enter the ring. 2 count for Ziggler. Ziggler tries to follow up but takes a pop-up powerbomb from Owens.
Result: Owens wins via pinfall after a pop-up powerbomb
Time: 9:04 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. The ending segment was really nice, but the middle segment was a little slow with two segments where Ziggler had to fight up from a hold on the mat.
Slammy Award
Superstar of the Year
(presenter: Stephanie McMahon)
Stephanie apologizes for losing her temper earlier. She’s all smiles now.
(every superstar is eligible but they highlight a few)
Roman Reigns
Sheamus
John Cena
Kevin Owens
Dean Ambrose
Bray Wyatt
The New Day
Brock Lesnar
The Undertaker
Kane
Seth Rollins (W)
Sting
Rollins comes out on crutches to accept his award. He doesn’t say “thank you.” There was really no other choice. Rollins gets serious. In 2016 he will reclaim the title that he never lost.
** I agree. There was really no other choice for superstar of the year. Good to see Rollins. Hopefully he’ll be back sooner rather than later. **
Match 4
Alberto Del Rio (US Champ) w/ Sheamus, Rusev, King Barrett vs Jack Swagger
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Swagger attacks first, striking Del Rio in the corner. Del Rio reverses and lands mounted punches until Swagger escapes and hits a clothesline. Del Rio lifts Swagger to the apron and hangs him on the top rope. Del Rio kicks Swagger through the ropes and tosses him into the barricade.
-commercial-
Del Rio is in control. He hits some clotheslines in the corner and a DDT. 2 count for Del Rio. Del Rio lines Swagger up for a kick but Swagger suplexes him. Swagger hits a Swagger Bomb for a 2 count. Both men go up top, but Swagger gets caught in the ropes. Del Rio hits a double stomp in the ropes for the win.
Result: Del Rio wins via pinfall after a double stomp off the ropes
Time: 4:07 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
An okay match. Pretty short and not much drama. For this being a rematch for their feud it felt pretty weak. Not a lot of intensity from either guy which is probably a sign that they’re moving on. Considering Cena is coming back that’s a pretty safe bet.
Ring Area
After the match, Sheamus Brogue Kicks Swagger and the League of Nations stands together in the ring.
Slammy Award
The Hero in All of Us Award
(presenter: Mark Henry)
Mark is so proud to stand up on the stage to present the Hero in All of Us Award.
Natalya
Roman Reigns
Big Show
Titus O’Neil
John Cena (W)
Mark accepts the award on Cena’s behalf. He says that none of them expect an award for what they do.
** This one is kind of hard to pick because we don’t really know the extent of what they all do. And does it matter? Every little bit helps. Cena’s work with Make-A-Wish makes sense for him winning though. He really could have been at the show to accept though. Or at least a live feed from wherever he is. It would have helped promote RAW next week too. **
Slammy Award
Surprise Return of the Year
(presenter: Santa Claus [Bo Dallas])
Santa has a surprise: he’s Bo Dallas. Santa is real if you Bo-lieve.
Dudley Boyz
Chris Jericho
Alberto Del Rio
Kane
Sting (W)
Sting isn’t there. Bo accepts the award on his behalf.
** They couldn’t fly in Sting on the good chance that he might win? And really, I think the Dudley Boyz were a bigger surprise. **
Ring Area
New Day is upset. They point fingers and lay shame on everyone for not voting them as tag team of the year. Big E threatens to spoil Star Wars to punish everyone but Kofi stops him. He hasn’t seen it yet.
Match 5
3-on-2 Handicap Match
New Day (Tag Champs) vs The Usos
(referee: Dan Engler)
Jimmy Uso gets an advantage on Kofi and the Usos are in control. Kofi is isolated and in trouble until New Day pulls him out of the ring. The Usos both go to dive, but New Day avoids it.
-commercial-
Woods is in trouble in the ring, but Kofi kicks Jimmy from the apron. Unicorn Stampede by New Day. New Day isolates Jimmy. All three members make quick tags and attack Jimmy. Big E hits a big splash for a 2 count. Big E goes for a second rope German suplex, but Jimmy hits a diving attack instead. Jimmy sends New Day to the floor and makes a tag.
Jey dominates Woods and kicks Big E. He hits a push up Samoan drop on Woods for a 2 count. The match breaks down and everyone gets involved. Woods goes for an O’Connor roll on Jey, but Jey rolls through and pins Woods for the win.
Result: Jey Uso pins Woods with a counter to an O’Connor roll
Time: 7:58 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match with a good, chaotic ending. Even though it was a handicap match the interactions and momentum shifts were believable.
Slammy Award
Diva of the Year
(presenter: R-Truth)
R-Truth apologizes for having to chase Santino. He speaks the truth about 2015 being the year of the Diva.
Nikki Bella (W)
Naomi
Paige
Sasha Banks
Charlotte
R-Truth announces Paige as the winner, but much like Steve Harvey and Miss Universe, he messed up. Nikki actually won. Nikki comes out and has Paige stay out on stage with her. She dedicates her win to all of the women in WWE, NXT, and in the WWE Universe. Paige and Nikki hug as they leave the stage.
** It’s kind of hard to argue with how long Nikki held the title, but I probably would have voted for Paige or Charlotte. Still, I’m okay with this win. And I did really like the speech she gave. The interaction between Paige and Nikki was interesting and cool because it seemed pretty out of character. **
Match 6
Neville vs Rusev w/ Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, King Barrett
(The Miz on guest commentary; referee: Chad Patton)
Neville starts off with some kicks but gets downed with one clothesline from Rusev. Rusev controls Neville with strikes. Rusev slams Neville and drops an elbow for a pin attempt.
Neville fights out of a rear chinlock and kicks Rusev. He lands a springboard dropkick and Rusev exits the ring. Neville dives over the ropes but gets caught, driven into the post, and slammed on the floor.
-commercial-
Rusev is in control. Neville avoids a charge and Rusev falls out of the ring. Neville hits a moonsault from the top rope onto Rusev on the floor. In the ring Neville lands a kick and looks for Red Arrow. Rusev moves and kicks Neville. Rusev applies the Accolade for the win.
Result: Rusev wins via submission with the Accolade
Time: 4:28 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
A pretty good match. It was short, but Neville flew and Rusev showed his strength. It wasn’t a surprising match, but it was fine.
Ring Area
After the match Cole asks Miz if he’ll help Neville. He says “no” because Neville told him not to and he has to go present a Slammy anyway. In the ring, the League of Nations holds Neville and Sheamus Brogue Kicks him. The League has a big group hug in the ring.
Slammy Award
This is Awesome! Moment of the Year
(presenter: The Miz)
The Miz tries to “do the Oscars better than the Oscars.” It’s easy for him.
Brock Lesnar (smashing Rollins’ car)
Randy Orton (huge RKO on Rollins at Wrestlemania)
The Divas Revolution
The Shield (teaming to put Orton through a table)
The Rock & Ronda Rousey (at Wrestlemania) (W)
Miz accepts the awards on Rock’s behalf and plugs Santa’s Little Helper.
** Yeah, that was pretty awesome. Good choice. I do think that it’s dumb that so many people that are winning aren’t there. I understand that they’re not regulars, but they can’t make a bigger effort to get some of these people for one night? Miz seemed to take pleasure in the fact that another person wasn’t there to accept. He had a pretty big smirk on his face when he announced that the Rock wasn’t there. **
Match 7
Brie Bella vs Becky Lynch w/ Charlotte (Divas Champ)
(referee: John Cone)
Becky goes for some quick covers. Brie comes back and dumps Becky to the apron. She uses the ropes to attack the arm of Becky Lynch. Brie delivers Bryan kicks to Becky and hits a low dropkick and a running knee. She stretches Becky on the mat.
Brie continues to attack Becky’s arm. Becky fights back with strikes and kicks to build momentum. Brie cuts her off by attacking her arm and hits a missile dropkick. Brie goes for an Oklahoma roll but Becky rolls through and applies Disarm-Her for the win.
Result: Becky Lynch wins via submission with Disarm-Her
Time: 5:11
Match Thoughts
This was a good match. I really liked Brie’s strategy. She went after Becky’s arm nearly the entire time, even focusing her dropkick on her shoulder. The ending was a little ironic, but it was good.
Slammy Award
Match of the Year
(presenter: Ric Flair)
Flair has seen and done it all. He’s participated in some of the greatest matches of all time. So here are some matches that happened this year.
Cena vs Lesnar vs Rollins / Triple Threat WWE Title Match from Royal Rumble
Sting vs Triple H / from Wrestlemania 31
Cena vs Owens / from Elimination Chamber
Reigns vs Ziggler vs Owens vs Del Rio / Fatal Four Way #1 Contender from RAW
Lesnar vs Undertaker / Hell in a Cell from Hell in a Cell (W)
Paul Heyman accepts the award on behalf of those involved. He says Lesnar does not want to accept rewards. He wants a fight.
** I might have gone with Cena vs Owens, but Lesnar/Taker was good. And yet again, the crowd is disappointed because the winners aren’t actually at the show. Honestly though, Heyman probably (definitely) delivered a better speech than Lesnar or Undertaker could have given. **
Backstage
The League of Nations beats up the Usos. Sheamus Brogue Kicks Jimmy and Jey.
Match 8
Steel Cage Match
Sheamus w/ Alberto Del Rio, Rusev, King Barrett vs Dean Ambrose (IC Champ)
(referee: Mike Chioda [inside], Jason Ayers [outside])
Sheamus Brogue Kicks Ambrose through the door before he can get in the cage. The League attacks him and shoves him inside, starting the match.
Sheamus tosses Ambrose into the sides of the cage. He rips off Ambrose’s shirt and delivers some forearms. Ambrose tries to fight back with headbutts, but he gets kicked and goes down.
Sheamus climbs the cage but is quickly caught. Running elbow by Sheamus. Sheamus charges Ambrose but gets lifted into the side of the cage. Ambrose builds momentum and hits a lariat. Both men end up on the top rope. Sheamus lifts Ambrose and hits White Noise from the top rope. 2 count for Sheamus.
Sheamus climbs but Ambrose follows. Sheamus falls crotch-first on the ropes. Ambrose gets to the top of the cage but the League prevents him from escaping. Ambrose jumps into the ring and hits a standing elbow on Sheamus from the top of the cage. 2 count for Ambrose.
Ambrose tries to crawl out the door but Del Rio slams it on his head. Reigns appears at ringside and takes out the League. Sheamus climbs the cage, but Reigns climbs up to meet him. Reigns tosses a chair into the ring. Ambrose grabs it and uses it on Sheamus. Dirty Deeds on the chair.
Ambrose climbs the cage. Sheamus catches him at the top and climbs up himself. They exchange punches on top of the cage. They both start down, but Ambrose drops first after a headbutt from Sheamus.
Result: Dean Ambrose wins by escaping the cage
Time: 10:45
Match Thoughts
A fun cage match. Typical questionable cage logic was in play, but it was good. Not overly violent as far as cage matches go, but the cage was used a little and played a role in how the match progressed.
Backstage
Tom Phillips asks Stephanie what her reaction is to Ambrose’s win. She slaps him. A lot.
Show Impressions
As far as storylines go, this week seemed to stall. Nothing new really happened even though there were a lot of different things happening. The League kind of had their way until the last match when they all scattered because of one man. That didn’t make a whol lot of sense to me. Even with Sheamus in the cage, the other three guys couldn’t take him out? Barrett didn’t even try, he just ran pretty much immediately. I understand that Reigns had a chair, but still, they could have done what they’ve done all night and distracted and conquered. That part felt kind of lazy.
I also think they need to think about the format for the Slammy Awards. If it’s supposed to be such a big deal then they need to have more surprise guests. They need guests as presenters and they need to get some of the people nominated in the building even if it’s just for the night. It was a little ridiculous how many people weren’t there to accept their award. It’s disappointing to the fans who voted for them but don’t get to see them. It makes me not care so much about the awards.
They also need better defined categories. I get the fun, gimmicky nature of the thing, but what’s the real difference between the “OMG,” “This is Awesome,” and “Extreme” moments of the year? Like, what are the parameters for getting nominated? And they had all three of those ambiguous awards on RAW or the pre-show, but something important like tag team of the year wasn’t on either? That’s kind of a problem.
I still get suckered into liking the Slammy Awards because they are fun to talk about, but they need to work on the presentation.
Match of the Night
Becky Lynch vs Brie Bella
I was going to pick the cage match, but the nonsense of Roman Reigns scaring away the league lessened the match’s credibility, and the focus of Brie on Becky’s arm coupled with the irony of her losing in an arm submission put their match over the top for me. It was a good win for Becky and solid match.