January 15, 2016
Episode 353
(taped January 11, 2016)
City: New Orleans, LA
Venue: Smoothie King Center
Commentary: Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Intro Video
“New Day Coming” by CFO$
Match 1
Dudley Boyz vs The Ascension
(referee: John Cone)
Viktor and Bubba tie up. Bubba powers Viktor into the corner, but Viktor throws a forearm and gets and advantage on Bubba. After a few strikes Bubba whips Viktor and delivers a belly-to-back suplex. D-Von whips Viktor from the apron and Bubba delivers a big boot. D-Von tags in.
D-Von hits a spinning back elbow on Viktor for a 2 count. Viktor drives D-Von into The Ascention’s corner and hits him with an STO. Konnor tags in and hits a flapjack for a 2 count. Konnor manages to keep control and isolate D-Von until he misses a charge and runs into the ring post.
Bubba tags in and hits Konnor with multiple strikes and a side slam. Viktor runs in but takes a bionic elbow and What’s Up. Bubba calls for tables. Konnor runs back into the ring and immediately takes a 3D.
Result: D-Von pins Konnor after 3D
Time: 5:30
Match Thoughts
Decent match. D-Von got into a little trouble but I don’t think there was ever any doubt about who would win the match. The back and forth in the match was simple but it made sense. I do find it annoying that the Dudleys almost always call for tables when they have no intention of getting them.
Video
Replay of the segment from RAW when Vince told Reigns that he would have a long night.
Video
Replay of a segment of New Day on the Highlight Reel.
Video
Replay of part of the New Day versus Usos match from RAW.
Video
Replay of part of the Ambrose versus Sheamus match from RAW.
Video
Sting’s Hall of Fame video.
Match 2
Tyler Breeze vs Jack Swagger
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Swagger goes for a side headlock. Breeze escapes and lies on the ropes. Swagger gets a waistlock, Breeze gets into the ropes and hits a back elbow, then Breeze lies on the ropes again, wagging his foot at Swagger as he approaches. Swagger grabs Breeze and tosses him across the ring. Swagger clotheslines Breeze to the floor and lies in the corner himself. He delivers a shoulder block to Breeze for a quick cover. Breeze kicks Swagger in the knee sending him to the apron, then Breeze kicks him again sending him to the floor.
-commercial-
Breeze is in control and dropping elbows on Swagger’s leg. He puts Swagger in a half crab. Swagger gets to the ropes.Breeze goes back to the leg but gets pushed out of the ring. Back inside, Swagger goes for the Patriot Lock. Breeze escapes but takes a running clothesline from Swagger.
Breeze goes for the Unprettier. Swagger escapes but takes a jumping kick to the head. 2 count for Breeze. Breeze attempts a top rope cross body but gets caught and dumped to the mat. Swagger goes for a Swagger Bomb and gets it on his second attempt. He goes for the Patriot Lock and quickly gets the tap out.
Result: Jack Swagger wins via submission with the Patriot Lock
Time: 6:05 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
I liked the match and was kind of surprised by the ending. I liked the interactions between the guys, especially the stuff at the beginning where Swagger mocked Breeze by lying on the ropes. The end was kind of sudden, but it worked pretty well.
Backstage
Jojo starts to speak when the Social Outcasts take over her interview. Rose is weird and keeps touching Jojo’s hair. Axel is crazy. Bo says all you have to do is Bo-lieve. Slater talks for everyone.
Video
Recap of RAW and the one-versus-all match.
Show Impressions
Not a bad show. I like that they’ve had some backstage stuff on the past couple of episodes. I just want to see continuous stories now. The matches on the show were pretty good.
Match of the Night
Tyler Breeze vs Jack Swagger
A good rematch. It ended pretty suddenly, but I’m okay with it.