February 11, 2016
Episode 860
(taped February 9, 2016)
City: Portland, OR
Venue: Moda Center
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Eden Stiles
Intro Video
“Black and Blue” by CFO$
Ring Area
Jericho makes his way to the ring for the opening match. He’s pumped for his rematch with AJ Styles. After getting punched in the face, Jericho respects AJ, but he doesn’t like him. He says AJ is not phenomenal, at least not compared to him. He reminds everyone of the ladder match he had with Shawn Michaels in Portland.
AJ makes his way to the ring. Before the ref can ring the bell to start the match, the Social Outcasts interrupt. They say they are the phenomenal three (Bo Rida is still in the studio recording). Adam Rose says the headlining act tonight will be the Crimson Werewolf and the Social Housecats. Curtis Axel wants use the name “Axel Rose.” Rose thinks that’s dumb because Guns ‘n Roses is back on the road. Slater then welcomes Jericho and Styles to the jungle.
Jericho is annoyed. He hits Slater with the mic. Jericho and Styles remove the Outcasts from the ring, then Jericho says they’re all going to fight.
** I was a little surprised by this, but it makes sense. They’re adding in some more conflict and some more layers to the Jericho/Styles feud which is a good thing. Adam Rose, as usual, it kind of stealing all the funny lines, but I like how the Social Outcasts are all developing very distinct characters and that they all work very well together. I really, really hope they do something important with them. **
Match 1
Chris Jericho & AJ Styles vs Adam Rose & Curtis Axel w/ Heath Slater
(referee: Chad Patton)
Result: AJ Styles pins Adam Rose after a springboard forearm smash
Time: 5:15 (started already in progress)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. It was really an excuse for extra buildup in the Styles/Jericho feud. They started trying to outdo each other while beating up Curtis Axel. As they argued Adam Rose took control and swung the match in the Outcasts’ favor. Even so, they were really just props in this match. When the smart way they’ve been wrestling lately it felt like a bad night for them. But this match will probably have implications in the one-on-one match later on. Styles got beat up more than Jericho.
Ring Area
After the match, Jericho gives Styles a Code Breaker.
Video
RAW Rebound featuring Reigns, Ambrose, and Lesnar.
Ring Area
The Dudley Boyz head to the ring. Bubba is sick of hearing about Daniel Bryan. He’s actually sick and tired about a lot of things. D-Von reminds everyone that they are not a nostalgia act, they are the baddest team on the planet.
Bubba says they came back to WWE to add to their legacy. He calls for the ring crew to get rid of all the tables surrounding the ring. He says it’s the last time they’ll see tables. People shouldn’t chant for tables, they should chant for the Dudley Boyz. They take the last table, fold it up, and carry it away.
** I really like this promo. I like it a lot. Bubba actually said a lot of things I’ve been thinking and writing about lately. That the Dudley Boyz feel like a nostalgia act or a legends team. That they’re just there to run through their shtick but not to actually be a viable team that competes. I like that they called people out on chanting for tables, because it’s dumb. I hope the Dudleyz start destroying people. If they do this right they can rebuild some interest in the tag division. **
Match 2
Sasha Banks vs Naomi w/ Tamina
(Becky Lynch on guest commentary; referee: John Cone)
Result: Sasha Banks wins via submission with the Bank Statement
Time: 9:03 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. There were a couple of slightly awkward moments, but the good far outweighed the bad here. Naomi looked very good. It was like she was making a statement that she shouldn’t be left out of the conversation when it comes to the top women in the company. Sasha Banks also looked very good in the match.
There were some nice sequences in the match such as trading pinning attempts early on. The match as a whole was very competitive. Towards the end there was a similar incident to what happened on RAW, only the rolls were switched and Sasha helped Becky. Becky, though, wasn’t all that great on commentary. She should stay away from puns (yeah, I know her catch phrase is a pun).
This feud is so much more interesting and entertaining than anything involving Charlotte over the last few months. There have been consistently good matches and interesting character interactions. Some of the story is a little predictable, but I think everyone involved, including Naomi and Tamina, are making it interesting.
Backstage
Jojo welcomes AJ Styles to the interview area. She asks him about the message Jericho was trying to send. AJ says he might be a redneck, but he’s not a rookie. Tonight, he shows Jericho and the world why he’s called “The Phenomenal One.”
Video
As the Wyatt Family heads to the ring, we are shown a video showing clips of the destruction that they’ve caused.
Ring Area
Bray Wyatt talks about the battle of the titans, the old gods versus the new. Bray is now the king of the gods and the Family is his army. The Family has its sights set on ridding the WWE of its titans.
Luke Harper says that in the presence of the Wyatt Family, even the largest titans turn into mere mortals. Erick Rowan says there is no point in resisting. Braun Strowman says the earth will shake and oceans will boil. Darkness will consume all.
Bray says the apocalypse is all around. He is the angel of the dirt, the eater of worlds. He is Bray Wyatt. The war against the gods has only just begun.
** Interesting. I hope this means big things for Bray and the Family. It sounds like they’re going after someone big, I’m assuming for Wrestlemania, but who is big (and not injured) that doesn’t already have something going on? **
Video
WWE celebrates Black History Month with pictures of African American wrestlers.
Match 3
Stardust & The Ascension vs Neville & Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara & Kalisto (US Champ))
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Neville pins Konnor after Red Arrow
Time: 3:01
Match Thoughts
This was a fun, quick match. The team of Neville and Lucha Dragons was all over the place and completely destroyed Konnor. I would have liked for Stardust to have gotten into it with Kalisto a bit so they could plant a seed for a possible US title feud (that is, if Kalisto retains at Fastlane).
Video
Clips of Daniel Bryan’s retirement speech and WWE career.
Match 4
Chris Jericho vs AJ Styles
(referee: Dan Engler)
Result: Chris Jericho wins via pinfall after a Code Breaker
Time: 12:19 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Another very good match. This one was a little more competitive and heated which is natural considering the progression in their rivalry. Of course, Styles had taken more of a beating earlier in the night, so it still leaves questions about who is better. I think they’re handling AJ’s debut very well.
Show Impressions
Despite only having four matches (or maybe because of it) this was a very good show. The main event and the women’s match were both very, very good. I also thought the Dudley’s segment was quite good, and the Wyatt Family segment was intriguing.
Match of the Night
Chris Jericho vs AJ Styles
I really wanted the Banks versus Naomi match to be the match of the night, and it probably would have been on any other Smackdown, but jericho and Styles will probably steal any show they are on. I like a feud where two people just want to find out who is better. And both of these guys are great.