June 30, 2016
Episode 880
(taped June 28, 2016)
#SmackDown
City: Miami, FL
Venue: American Airlines Arena
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Byron Saxton, David Otunga
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Earlier Today
Cesaro arrives at the arena and says he’s throwing a party.
Apollo Crews pauses while working out to say that sometimes the impossible becomes possible.
Sheamus doesn’t know why Apollo Crews is being given a chance at a chance for the US title.
Alberto Del Rio doesn’t know who Apollo Crews is.
They are all involved in a Fatal Four Way to decide the number one contender for the US title.
Intro Video
“Black and Blue” by CFO$
Match 1
Fatal Four Way US Title Number One Contender Match
Cesaro vs Alberto Del Rio vs Apollo Crews vs Sheamus
(referee: Rod Zapata)
#Fatal4Way
Result: Cesaro wins via submission on Alberto Del Rio and will face Rusev later tonight for the US Title
Time: 6:15 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match with a fairly surprising finish. All men looked good without anyone really outshining anyone else, which is a good thing. Crews hung in there well, and this was one of his better matches.
Ring Area
After the match, Del Rio attacks Cesaro by running him into the steps and stomping him from the apron to the floor. Rusev then heads to the ring and congratulates Cesaro. He wants to have their match right now.
Match 2
US Title Match
Rusev (US Champ) w/ Lana vs Cesaro
(referee: Dan Engler)
#USTitle
Result: Rusev wins via submission with the Accolade to retain the US Title
Time: 6:14
Match Thoughts
Great match. The injury to Cesaro really helped add to the drama and played a part in the match. They had some great segments in this match, especially the sequence leading up to the finish.
** I wish they would do more stuff like this. The whole first quarter of this show focused on creating one small story, and every person involved looked better for their participation. Very well done. **
Backstage
Renee Young congratulates Rusev on his win. Rusev says Independence Day should be renamed Rusev Day. Renee tells Rusev that he’ll have to defend his title against Titus O’Neil on the 4th. Lana says Rusev will “crush.”
** I really like how even though we pretty much knew Titus would get another title shot, they mixed it up a bit by having someone else go for the title. It’s not just Titus vs Rusev a thousand times. A bunch of times, but not a thousand. **
Video
Special Olympics athletes at the WWE Performance Center.
Match 3
Dana Brooke vs Billie Kay
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Dana Brooke wins via pinfall with a Samoan Driver
Time: 2:53
Match Thoughts
Not a bad match. I actually enjoyed it. This was good for Dana Brooke too. I’m still not a big fan of hers, but she looked pretty good here, in part because this wasn’t a squash match. She overpowered Billie, but that’s what she should do. Billie Kay looked good in the match though, and actually had some nice offense. Hopefully we’ll see her again.
Backstage
Renee Young speaks with Sasha Banks. Sasha says she’s never been more focused. Summer Rae then walks up while texting. Summer speaks for everyone and says she’s sick of “The Boss.” Sasha then threatens Summer. Summer makes a face.
Ring Area
Maryse introduces The Miz, and The Miz introduces Miz TV. Dean Ambrose doesn’t wait for his introduction. He heads to the ring. And he’s brought his lunch. Ambrose looks at Miz’s set, and Miz insults Mitch the Plant. They go back and forth a bit, then Miz calls Ambrose a joke. Miz thinks he represents WWE, not Ambrose. As Miz prepares for a fight, Ambrose uses Miz’s white suit jacket to wipe the mustard from his face. Maryse then tosses the jacket over Ambrose’s head, giving Miz an opening to boot Ambrose in the face.
Match 4
Erick Rowan & Braun Strowman w/ Bray Wyatt vs Aaron Hale & Mike Duatti
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Braun Strowman pins both of his opponents for the win
Time: 0:51
Match Thoughts
Squash.
Ring Area
New Day appears on the Tron and talks about fear. Woods still isn’t into it. Bray Wyatt loves the jokes, and he tells New Day to “run.”
Match 5
Summer Rae vs Sasha Banks
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Sasha Banks wins via submission with the Bank Statement
Time: 5:19 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. Sasha kept the pace up and landed some tough-looking strikes. Summer was okay, though she did yell a lot.
RAW Rebound
A possible Fatal Five Way is avoided.
Match 6
Dean Ambrose (WWE Champ) vs The Miz (IC Champ) w/ Maryse
(referee: Jason Ayers)
#ChampvsChamp
Result: Dean Ambrose wins via pinfall after Dirty Deeds
Time: 11:04 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. They did a lot in this match, and the energy remained high throughout. The outcome was never really in question, but this was a nice champ versus champ match, and a good main event.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. I really enjoyed the beginning, and the main event was nicely set up and well-executed.
Match of the Night
Cesaro vs Rusev
This was a highlight of the show and a great way to end an extended segment of the show.