July 14, 2016
Episode 882
(taped July 12, 2016)
#SmackDown
City: Grand Rapids, MI
Venue: Van Andel Arena
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Byron Saxton, Jerry Lawler
Ring Announcer: Jojo
Earlier Today
Kevin Owens found an old card that Sami Zayn gave his son, with only $20 Canadian.
Dana Brook and Charlotte arrive in a limo and talks about Sasha Banks and her dollar store jewelry.
Maryse puts makeup on The Miz who will welcome Darren Young and Bob Backlund.
Dean Ambrose with embrace the moment tonight with one of his least favorite people.
Intro Video
“Black and Blue” by CFO$
Match 1
Sasha Banks vs Dana Brooke w/ Charlotte (Women’s Champ)
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Sasha Banks wins via submission with a Bank Statement
Time: 3:43
Match Thoughts
Good match. Sasha kind of carried it, but what Dana did didn’t look bad. Her attack on Sasha on the outside early in the match seemed particularly vicious. This was another good buildup for Sasha, though I’d like to see a little more variety in the matchups.
Ring Area
After the match, Charlotte immediately attacks Sasha and throws her across the announce table. Charlotte then stands on the table with the Women’s Title held high.
Match 2
Rusev (US Champ) w/ Lana vs Dolph Ziggler
(referee: Dan Engler)
#ZigglervsRusev
Result: Dolph Ziggler wins via pinfall with a rollup after a distraction by Zack Ryder
Time: 4:56 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Ziggler started with some grappling but it quickly turned to power versus speed. Zack Ryder also made an appearance which caused Rusev to get off his game and go nuts with anger. I think this was a good match for the story with Ryder, but I also think it means Rusev will probably retain his title at Battleground.
Video
A replay of the New Day visiting the Wyatt compound.
** It’s still bad the second time, for all the reasons I wrote about on my recap of RAW. Also, there’s no real narrative to it. It’s just a bunch of stuff happening, then it stops. **
Match 3
AJ Styles & Karl Anderson w/ Luke Gallows vs Enzo Amore & Big Cass
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: AJ Styles makes Enzo Amore submit to the calf crusher
Time: 7:50 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. It looked like it was going the typical way that most Enzo and Cass matches do, but the numbers of The Club made a huge difference. The match had good action and helped to get me looking forward to the six man at Battleground.
Match 4
Tyler Breeze w/ Fandango vs Kalisto w/ Sin Cara
(referee: Darrick Moore)
Result: Kalisto wins via pinfall after Salida Del Sol
Time: 3:09
Match Thoughts
Good match and a lot of fun. Both guys looked really, really good. This one was fast with a lot of fun moves. Tyler Breeze has really developed well within the team of Breezango.
Ring Area
#MizTV
Maryse introduces The Miz who introduces Miz TV. Miz welcomes Darren Young and Bob Backlund. Miz shows clips of Backlund who gets a nice ovation from the crowd. Miz then plays Darren Young’s career highlights, which consist of a TV test pattern. Young says he just needs to take the IC title to be a great champ. Backlund says Miz will never be a great champ because he’s not a good role model.
Maryse then calls Backlund old… Miz jumps in and insults Backlund too. Young doesn’t like that and gets in Miz’s face. He says he’s going to teach Miz a lesson in respect at Battleground. Miz and Maryse back away.
** I’ve said it before, but Maryse is awful. When Young was getting in Miz’s face and things got serious, all Maryse could do was smile and fix her hair… **
Backstage
Sasha is being looked at by the trainers when Charlotte and Dana show up. Charlotte agrees to a match at Battleground. A tag match.
Match 5
Dean Ambrose (WWE Champ) & Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins
(referee: Chad Patton)
Result: Seth Rollins pins Sami Zayn after a Pedigree
Time: 10:00 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. This one started as a one-on-one between Ambrose and Owens, but was restarted as a tag match after Rollins attacked Ambrose and Zayn came out to attack Owens. As a tag match, it was pretty non-stop and had a good, chaotic build at the end that was pretty exciting for a TV main event.
Show Impressions
This was an entertaining show with a good amount of good matches. It did well to maintain and build interest in Battleground.
Match of the Night
Dean Ambrose & Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins
Really good stuff, and easily the match of the night, but I want to give a secondary “Match of the Night” to Tyler Breeze vs Kalisto just because it was super fun and impressive from those two guys.