January 5, 2016
Episode 171
(taped January 5, 2016)
City: Laredo, TX
Venue: Laredo Energy Arena
Commentary: Rich Brennan, Jerry Lawler
Ring Announcer: Eden Stiles
Intro Video
“On My Way” by CFO$
Ring Area
The Social Outcasts make their way to the ring. Slater needs us to tell a friend the Social Outcasts are going viral. Adam Rose realizes he doesn’t need glasses. Axel paces. Bo Dallas asks Slater what Axel’s name is. He says they are walking the path to success together.
The Usos come out and say, “whoa.” The Outcasts attack them as they enter the ring. The Outcasts then back away up the ramp.
Backstage
Stardust tells Titus to brush up on his Latin.
Match 1
Stardust vs Titus O’Neil
(referee: John Cone)
Titus tosses Stardust across the ring. Stardust applies a front facelock but gets tossed again. Titus chops Stardust on the apron and in the corner. Titus charges toward Stardust but runs into the turnbuckle. Stardust lands a single arm DDT and follows up with strikes.
Stardust focuses on Titus’ arm and shoulder using strikes, holds, and the ropes. Titus powers Stardust to the mat and runs Stardust into the ring post. He follows with a pair of clotheslines. Stardust leaps at Titus but gets caught. Rib breakers for Stardust. Titus crushes Stardust in the corner and hits Clash of the Titus for the win.
Result: Titus O’Neil wins via pinfall with Clash of the Titus
Time: 4:34
Match Thoughts
An okay match. Stardust had a strategy but Titus’ power was too much. Titus never really seemed in too much trouble, though he did sell the arm pretty well.
Match 2
Zack Ryder vs Tyler Breeze
(referee: Jason Ayers)
They tie up and Breeze throws Ryder. They trade holds and Ryder ends up on top with an armbar. Ryder hits a dropkick for a quick pin attempt. Breeze goes for a schoolboy, gets stopped, then kicks Ryder in the head. He attacks Ryder in the corner to gain momentum.
Ryder catapults Breeze into the corner and follows up with mounted punches. He clotheslines Breeze in the corner but Breeze avoids the Broski Boot. Ryer elbows Breeze and mounts him for punches, but Breeze ducks out of it and sets Ryber up in the turnbuckles. Breeze pulls Ryder out of the corner and hits the Unprettier for the win.
Result: Tyler Breeze wins via pinfall with an Unprettier
Time: 3:41
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. I liked the opening where they traded some holds. After that things moved along pretty quickly. Ryder looked good, but I don’t think anyone expected him to win. The ending seemed kind of sudden, but it worked.
Video
RAW Rebound with Vince reffing Reigns’ title match and his Royal Rumble announcement.
Match 3
The Usos vs Social Outcasts (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel w/ Adam Rose, Heath Slater)
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Jimmy chops Axel and delivers punches in the corner. The Usos tag and double team Axel with elbows. Axel droves Jey into the corner and stomps him. Dallas tags in.
Jey slams Dallas and tosses him into the corner. Jimmy tags in and bars Dallas’ arm. Dallas throws Jimmy into the corner, but Jimmy throws Dallas into the ropes. Dallas decides to take a victory lap and the rest of the Outcasts join him. The Usos dive through the ropes and hit Dallas and Axel.
-commercial-
Jey has Dallas in an armbar in the ring. Axel makes a blind tag and hits Jey in the back of the head. Axel tosses Jey to the floor where Dallas kicks him. The Outcasts make some tags to keep Jey isolated. Jey tries to fight back but Axel ducks a kick and hits a knee to Jey’s head.
Axel applies a rear chinlock. Jey fights to his feet and manages to hit the kick. Both men tag and Jimmy dominates Dallas with strikes and a Samoan drop. Running hip attack in the corner on Dallas. Axel breaks up the pin attempt by Jimmy. Jey knocks Axel out of the ring and Dallas knocks Jey to the floor. When he turns around, Dallas takes a superkick from Jimmy. Jimmy is distracted by Slater. Dallas goes for an O’Connor roll but Jimmy rolls through and rolls up Dallas for the win.
Result: Jimmy pins Dallas with a rollup
Time: 8:49 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. I liked the interactions between the two teams and how The Usos dominated early but the Outcasts came back and made it a good fight. The ending was nice too.
Show Impressions
Not a bad show. Nothing too special, but I liked seeing the Social Outcasts together and getting some screen time. Hopefully they’ll work on being a unit and actually have some success as they go along. I think it would be cool if they start as kind of a comedy act (like they are) but start to get some wins here and there and eventually become a formidable, if goofy, unit.
Match of the Night
The Usos vs Social Outcasts
This match had the most personality and the most drama. That’s not to say it had a ton of drama, but it had the most. I like the way the teams worked together and hope to see more, maybe even on a main show at some point. I could see the Outcasts being mainstays on Smackdown when they start to gain some momentum.