September 28, 2016
Episode 356
(taped September 15, 2016)
City: Winter Park, FL
Venue: Full Sail University
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Andrea D’Marco
Video
William Regal announces the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic next week!
Intro Video
“Roar of the Crowd” by CFO$
Match 1
Tye Dillinger vs Angelo Dawkins
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Tye Dillinger wins via pinfall after a Tye Breaker
Time: 2:24
Match Thoughts
Very one-sided, but it was a fine match. People still seem very much behind Dillinger, I just wonder if his popularity would translate to the main roster if he ever got called up.
Ring Area
As Dillinger celebrates on his way up the ramp, Bobby Roode comes out and says that, though he has potential, Dillinger is not a perfect 10 yet. Even so, Roode says he wants to win the Dusty Classic, and he needs the “perfect” partner. Dillinger shakes his hand.
** I like the team. I think it’s an interesting pairing of personalities. **
Backstage
Charly Caruso asks Hideo Itami about his match tonight. Itami is excited to face Lince Dorado.
Ring Area
The Ealy Brothers (Gabriel and Uriel) make their way to the ring for a match. The Revival heads towards the ring next, but before they get there, Samoa Joe runs past them and destroys the Ealy Brothers. Joe gets on the mic and announces to Regal that he will continue to beat people up until he has either the title or Nakamura.
Video
A video promo for Dan Matha. He’ll be here next week.
Match 2
Mandy Rose vs Ember Moon
(referee: Tom Castor)
Result: Ember Moon wins via pinfall after an Eclipse
Time: 3:06
Match Thoughts
An okay match. Mandy Rose hit some big moves, but there was never a question that this was Ember’s match.
Backstage
Dasha Fuentes asks DIY about their tag match at the Cruiseweight Classic finale. Johnny Gargano says it felt good, but something is missing. Ciampa says they need to win the Dusty Rhodes Classic, beat The Revival, and win the tag titles.
Video
Video promo for Sanity.
Match 3
Jesus Yurnet & Jonathan Cruz vs Authors of Pain w/ Paul Ellering
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Akam pins Yurnet after a combination lariat and leg sweep
Time: 1:19
Match Thoughts
Squash, as expected.
Ring Area
Ellering gets on the mic and talks about a “plethora of pain.” That’s all we need to know.
Backstage
Charly Caruso asks Regal about Nakamura’s status. He can’t say anything about that. He starts to talk about the Dusty Classic when Blake and Murphy walk up. They argue, so Regal asks them to sort themselves out.
Match 4
Liv Morgan vs Asuka (NXT Women’s Champ)
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Asuka wins via submission with a modified Rings of Saturn
Time: 0:55
Match Thoughts
Utter squash.
Ring Area
After the match, Andrea D’Marco asks Asuka who her next victim will be. Asuka says nobody is ready for her.
Match 5
Lince Dorado vs Hideo Itami
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Hideo Itami wins via pinfall after a GTS
Time: 7:05 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. There were fleeting moments where it seemed there was some hesitation, but overall it was good. It feels a little like Itami has some ring-rust.
Ring Area
After the match, Austin Aries attacks Itami from behind. Once Itami manages to get up, Austin leaves the ring and escapes up the ramp.
Show Impressions
This show felt like a promo for another show. There were lots of matches (more than most episodes of SmackDown recently), but all but one were squashes. Maybe they were just biding time until the Dusty Clasic starts next week.
Match of the Night
Lince Dorado vs Hideo Itami
This one kind of wins by default, but it was fine. I think both guys can do better though.