January 22, 2016
Episode 354
(taped January 18, 2016)
City: Columbus, OH
Venue: Nationwide Arena
Commentary: Rich Brennan, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Intro Video
“New Day Coming” by CFO$
Match 1
Jack Swagger vs Fandango
(referee: John Cone)
Swagger goes after Fandango. Fandango backs into the ropes. Swagger catches Fandango in a waist lock and takes him down. Fandango gets to the ropes. Fandango hits a shoulder block and celebrates by taking a break in the corner. Swagger hits a shoulder block and celebrates with “we, the people.”
Fandango whips Swagger into the corner and hits a dropkick for a 2 count. Fandango maintains control for a little while, but Swagger comes back strong. He goes for a Swagger Bomb but Fandango gets a foot up. Fandango hits a leg drop from the apron for a 2 count.
Fandango hits some strikes. Swagger tries to dodge but ends up taking a DDT. Fandango tries to follow up but gets caught in the Patriot Lock.
Result: Jack Swagger wins via submission with the Patriot Lock
Time: 5:08
Match Thoughts
This was a pretty good match. The finish came out of nowhere, but there were some good moments. I particularly liked when Swagger covered up to avoid a punch and Swagger capitalized with a DDT. I still don’t like Fandango’s fan-dance. It’s like he’s not even trying to be an interesting character.
Video
RAW Rebound with the “Highlight Reel” from RAW.
Video
Replay of the tag match featuring Ambrose & Kalisto vs Sheamus & Del Rio.
Match 2
Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Miz immediately runs into a hip toss. Ziggler drops multiple elbows but only gets a 2 count. Miz gets Ziggler down to the mat with a headlock takeover. Ziggler stands and puts Miz in a side headlock. Miz sends Ziggler over the ropes but Ziggler skins the cat. Sort of. Ziggler has Miz on the ropes, but Miz hits Ziggler as he’s distracted and sends him over the ropes and out to the floor.
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Miz is in control of the match. Ziggler fights back but misses a dropkick and takes a kneeling DDT. 2 count for Miz. Miz continues to attack Ziggler with strikes. Ziggler lands some punches but takes a knee to the gut and a kick to the head. 2 count for Miz.
Miz puts Ziggler in a rear chinlock. Ziggler escapes with a chinbreaker. He follows up with a series of moves culminating in a neckbreaker. They counter each others moves and exchange pin attempts in a very long chain. Miz slows things down with a clothesline in the corner. He goes to the top and jumps, but Ziggler catches him with a superkick for the win.
Result: Dolph Ziggler wins via pinfall with a superkick
Time: 7:56 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. There was an extended series of counters and pin attempts that was pretty cool. The only awkward thing was a Famouser that looked like it went kind of wrong. Ziggler covered for it quickly with an Oklahoma roll though, so it didn’t hurt the match.
Video
Royal Rumble by the numbers.
Show Impressions
Two pretty good matches make for a pretty good Superstars.
Match of the Night
Dolph Ziggler vs The Miz
There was one moment of awkwardness, but the rest of the match was good. I like that Ziggler consistently tries to add some fast-paced counters from both guys in his matches.