September 13, 2016
Episode 891
(aired live)
City: Philadelphia, PA
Venue: Wells Fargo Center
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, JBL, David Otunga
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
Clips from Backlash.
Intro Video
“Take a Chance” by CFO$
Ring Area
The face that runs the place and the new WWE World Champion, AJ Styles, heads to the ring. Styles reminds everyone that he has done exactly what he said he would do. His lips don’t lie, and the title belt is the proof. As he announces that he is “the champ that runs the camp,” John Cena heads to the ring.
John Cena wants back what is his, so Styles tosses him the Cena headband he’s been wearing. Cena clarifies that he wants the title belt and quotes Ric Flair on his way to explaining that he wants to be a 16 time champ. That’s when Dean Ambrose heads to the ring.
Ambrose is not happy. He ignores Cena and accuses Styles of stealing from him. Cena gets in Ambrose’s face and says he has no balls. Ambrose doesn’t care what Cena thinks. He calls Cena a “lazy part-timer.” He says Cena can’t keep up anymore. That’s when Shane McMahon heads to the ring.
Shane compliments Styles but says that his “face that runs the place” stuff is annoying. He accuses Styles of taking the easy way out in his match with Ambrose. He then announces that Styles will be defending his title at No Mercy in a triple threat match against Cena and Ambrose. But tonight, Cena and Ambrose will team up against Styles and a partner of his choosing.
** I liked the interaction between Cena and Ambrose. Making it very antagonistic helps with the three-way feud. **
Match 1
Hype Bros vs The Usos
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Jey Uso pins Mojo Rawley after a Samoan Splash
Time: 2:22
Match Thoughts
Quick match, very dominant by the Usos. The point of this was just to give the Usos momentum with their new attitude.
Backstage
Curt Hawkins gives us some facts:
Stop signs say please and thank you to Curt Hawkins.
As cubs, wolves are are told the tale of the wolf who cried “Curt Hawkins.”
Curt Hawkins has been known to scare clocks into ticking counter-clockwise.
Ring Area
The Miz and Maryse head to the ring. Miz talks about being called a coward. He also talks about making the IC Title prestigious. Dolph Ziggler heads to the ring and says that the WWE Universe will never see Miz as a top guy. Miz says he doesn’t care about the approval of the fans. Ziggler challenges Miz to one more match with no shenanigans.
Daniel Bryan then comes out and says Maryse is the only reason Miz is still champ and that Ziggler will get a rematch. Miz disagrees and reminds Daniel that he wants to renegotiate his contract. He holds the IC Title hostage until his contract demands are met.
Backstage
Styles asks Baron Corbin to team up tonight, but Corbin says he would rather fight Styles for the title. Then Corbin walks away.
** Wouldn’t it make sense to get on the champ’s good side so he’s more likely to give you a title shot? Corbin has pretty much no chance of earning his way to one any other way right now. Corbin is dumb. **
Ring Area
Baron Corbin is already in the ring for a match. Apollo Crews heads to the ring, but before the bell rings Corbin attacks Crews and gives him End of Days on the floor. As Corbin celebrates, Jack Swagger heads to the ring. Corbin wants no part of Swagger and walks away. Swagger then gets on the mic and announces that he is now a member of the Smackdown roster. He says he going to be a “big problem” on Smackdown.
Ring Area
Becky Lynch heads to the ring. Charly Caruso asks Becky how she feels being the first Smackdown Women’s Champ. Becky is very happy. She is also ready for whoever wants to challenge her.
Match 2
Fatal Five Way Smackdown Women’s Title Number One Contender Match
Naomi vs Nikki Bella vs Natalya vs Alexa Bliss vs Carmella
(referee: Jason Ayers; at ringside: Becky Lynch)
Result: Alexa Bliss pins Nikki Bella after a superkick from Carmella
Time: 5:12
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. I liked Alexa’s actions, but Naomi probably looked the best in the match. The best move was when Alexa was setting Natalya up for a sunset flip but Naomi hit a step-up enziguri on Alexa. Unfortunately naomi was involved in a fairly awkward moment with Natalya right after that. Besides that one moment, it was a good match.
Backstage
AJ Styles looks frustrated. He approaches Kane and asks him to team up. Kane just laughs and walks away.
Ring Area
Already in the ring, Shane McMahon introduces Heath Slater. Along with Rhyno, Slater heads to the ring. Slater signs his contract and becomes an official member of the Smackdown roster. Slater thanks Shane, Daniel, his wife Beulah, Rhyno, and all of his kids. As his naming each of his kids, The Ascension heads to the ring.
Match 3
Smackdown Tag Title Match
Heath Slater & Rhyno (Smackdown Tag Champs) vs The Ascension
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Rhyno pins Viktor after a gore to retain the titles
Time: 2:09 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
This was a very quick match. Not much to it other than Slater being in trouble and Rhyno being dominant.
Backstage
Daniel Bryan asks AJ Styles if he’s found a partner. He hasn’t, so Daniel says that James Ellsworth will be Styles’ partner. Styles is not pleased.
Ring Area
Randy Orton heads to the ring. He addresses Bray Wyatt, telling Bray that he is afraid. He challenges Bray to head to the ring and face his fear. Bray appears on the Tron and tells Orton that he gave him a way out. Bray knows what he must do. He warns Orton to “not sleep.” Bray then appears at ringside. The lights go out, and when they come back up Erick Rowan is in the ring. Rowan attacks Orton but quickly takes an RKO.
Ring Area
AJ Styles heads to the ring for the main event. James Ellsworth comes out next, but he’s quickly and brutally attacked by The Miz. Apparently The Miz is upset that he isn’t in the main event, so he will partner with Styles. Cena and Ambrose then come out for the match.
Match 4
AJ Styles (WWE World Champ) & The Miz (IC Champ) vs John Cena & Dean Ambrose
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: John Cena pins The Miz after an Attitude Adjustment
Time: 6:56 (1 break, joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
A good match. I liked that Ambrose refused to tag Cena for a long time, but their inability to work together didn’t seem to make much of a difference.
Ring Area
After the match, Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds on Cena.
Show Impressions
I suppose the show was entertaining enough, but there was way too much talking and not enough wrestling. The women’s match and the main event were longer than the other two matches, but they were still pretty short. They could have easily fit another match on the show or gave more time to the matches they already had.
Match of the Night
AJ Styles & The Miz vs John Cena & Dean Ambrose
It wasn’t fantastic, but it was the best of the night. The momentary awkwardness in the women’s match and the extremely short length of the other two matches make the main event win by default this week.