Opening Segment
CM Punk started the show talking about his encounter with Paul Heyman and his stable last week. He calls that segment predictable, saying that coming out to his hometown was predictable, and getting beat up in his hometown was predictable as well. Punk goes on by saying he's not leaving the ring until Ryback comes out. Instead, he gets Brad Maddox. Brad tells Punk that he only wants to get his hands on Ryback so the WWE Universe can forget about the outcome of the last time he was face to face with him. Punk insists that he gets an outlet for his aggression, and Big E Langston's music hits. He tells Punk "You want aggression, well, you got it."
CM Punk vs Big E Langston
After a short brawl Brad Maddox calls for a referee to make this match official. Big E hit powerful moves throughout the match, and showed that he can keep up with Punk speed wise. For example, Big E was able to stop a shining wizard with a deadly STO. After reversing the GTS, Big E hit a strong clothesline, I was surprised JBL didn't mark out. At the end, CM Punk finished off Big E old fashioned, with a comeback, signature and finisher combination.
This was a great way to open up the show. Big E Langston has been off of television ever since finishing his rivalry with Dolph Ziggler, other than a few appearances on Main Event. I was expecting him to return as a face since he did so well as one on NXT. It seems as though he will stay a heel for a while, paying his dues until the time comes for his push.
Fandango vs Kofi Kingston
The match started off fast and technical, then turned into a brawl as the match deepened. Kofi Kingston hit a wonderful ddt off of a unique reversal. I've seen him perform this move, and expect to become a permanent move in his move set. The match finished with Kofi rolling out of the way of Fandango's diving leg drop. Fandango went to grab Kofi, and Kofi hit his finisher, the SOS. After a short celebration the Wyatt Family came out and Bray Wyatt shot a promo. Bray said that he used to ask himself why terrible things would happen to him. He continued by saying that he has to take "them" all down one by one. The whole time Kofi is in the ring with a chair, ready to defend himself.
I don't really understand what he's talking about, but I know he's scary as hell. I also don't understand why he had to interrupt Kofi's celebration to do this, but we'll more than likely find out some time down the line.
3MB vs Los Matadores
In their debuting match Diego (Primo) and Fernando (Epico) of the Los Matadores faced Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal of the 3MB. Their entrance was incredible by itself. Accompanied by El Torito, a little person in a bull costume, the tag team partners made their way to the ring in style, dodging the bull using their capes. Their in ring work is not unfamiliar, but it isn't bad. At one point, one of them hit a spinning hurricanrana, and Diego has a good looking comeback. Their tag finisher was a double samoan drop.
It was a good debut. I expect a lot from these guys. They are very passionate about the tag team division, and a fine with their roles. I don't like that WWE is trying to plant Sami Zayn's "Ole!" chants on these guys, though.
Corporation and Rhodes Family Segment
Triple H asked for the Rhodes Family to come out, insisting they were safe. Goldust came out in a suit, and his makeup on, which was very funny. Stephanie tells Cody Rhodes that she sent a Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card as a wedding gift to him. She tells the Rhodes family that they were given many opportunities to get their jobs back, and that this will be their last offer. They proposed a tag team match between Goldust and Cody Rhodes versus Shield members and tag team champions Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. Dusty Rhodes tells Triple H that he will be in his children's corner for the match. Then, before she left, Stephanie told Dusty "You look like you want a fight. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." After Triple H and his wife leave the ring The Shield attacked the Rhodes Family, evening hurting Dusty, and finishing off with a triple powerbomb on Cody Rhodes.
This was a good set up for their match at Battleground, but I think it could have been better. I still can't wait for the match, and see where this goes. Without a doubt, Cody's future looks bright.
R-Truth vs Curtis Axel
This match was completely boring. I can't fins anything good to say about the Intercontinental Champion, Curtis Axel accept that he is the son of a great Intercontental Champion, Mr. Perfect. The only part interesting about this show down was that during the match CM Punk's music played, and distracted Axel enough to allow R-Truth to get the pin. Punk never showed up, though, tricking Paul Heyman and Curtis Axel.
Brie Bella vs Alicia Fox
Apparently, Brie Bella is the #1 Contender for the Diva's Championship after pinning AJ Lee in that pathetic divas tag team match last week. Anyways, I was actually surprised not only by how well Brie did in this match, but Alicia Fox as well. Brie won the match after hitting her finisher, the Edge-o-matic. Brie Bella seems to be getting over, and her chance of actually winning the title looks good. Maybe not Sunday, but soon.
Big Show Segment
Big Show was being interviewed by Renee Young. In the interview he said that he can't do the right thing because he must take care of his family, but then continues by saying he can't take being forced to do bad things by Triple H and Stephanie anymore, and says he is going to knock Triple H "the hell out". After a commercial break Big Show enters the GM office and grabs up Brad Maddox telling him to get Triple H.
Alberto Del Rio vs Zack Ryder
Not too much to say about this match. Del Rio looked tough beating on Zack Ryder, but once Zack hit the Broski Boot it was over, and he tapped quickly to Del Rio's armbar.
At this point it would be better for Zack to reunite with Curt Hawkins and join the tag team division.
Paul Heyman and Ryback Segment
This was the segment of the night. After going over the beating Ryback gave CM Punk last week on Raw, Paul Heyman was given some kind words by Ryback. He told Paul that he couldn't let CM Punk use the knowledge he gained from Paul to hurt him. Paul responded by telling Ryback that since Ryback saved him, he's been a very happy man. Pretty intimate. Then, Paul got on one knee and proposed to Ryback to be a Paul Heyman Guy. Before Ryback can repond,, CM Punk's music played, and he ran through the crowd and seemed to hurt himself. It was just a trick to get close to Paul, and Punk proceeded to beat Paul and his stable. Punk particularly picked on Curtis, and I think it's about time that Curtis Axel leave Paul because he is getting more buried than ever by Paul.
Dolph Ziggler & The Usos vs The Shield
When it comes to a match with The Shield it's all about the finish, so let's just skip to that. Dolph Ziggler was tagged in, and performed a cool hot tag consisting of two dropkicks, headshots in the corner, multiple elbow drops, and preventing a springboard attack from Seth Rollins by dropkicking him mid air. Dolph then hit Dean with a fame-ass-er and went for the pin on Dean Ambrose. Roman Reigns stopped the pin, and one of the Usos super kicked Roman and pushed him out of the ring. While going for a suicide dive, the Uso was stopped by Dean. He tagged in Seth, who was tagged out by Roman. Seth Rollins hit the Uso with a pele, and Ziggler hit Seth with a zig-zag. Then, Roman did what Roman does, and speared Dolph to death for the victory.
This was a spectacular finish. The Shield's matches are always great.
Big Show Segment (continued)
The cops showed up in the GM office that Big Show was waiting in for Triple H. They told him to come with them, but Stephanie McMahon showed up and told the cops that he was just frustrated with house payments. Then, she continued to take out Big Show's dirty laundry by telling Big Show that his wife called and said that she said he hasn't been measuring up to her expectations. Big Show, mad and emotional, punched in Triple H's "Thy Kingdom Come" poster after everyone had left.
Stephanie McMahon is definitely the best heel in the company right, just being the biggest bitch she can be, and it is quite enjoyable.
Antonio Cesaro vs Santino Marella
Yes! The WWE has brought back my favorite match. Santino and Cesaro entertained me once again with Santino's silliness, and Antonio's giant spin. Santino was able to get the victory over Antonio by failing to perform an armdrag, and kind of falling on Cesaro for the pin.
This is great and should continue. I want to see more of this!
Bryan, Orton Segment
To close off the show, the two competitors for Battleground's main event, Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton were face to face. Randy Orton said that when he wasn't given back the WWE Championship it encouraged him to turn back into the Apex Predator. Bryan responded by saying that Triple H didn't give him the title because Randy needs help reaching his potentential, but that Bryan himself doesn't need any help. Randy Orton, then said that there must be something wrong with Brie Bella for her to want to marry Daniel Bryan. Daniel had enough and attacked Orton. Randy gained the upper hand fast, and slammed Bryan into the pole multiple times, and suplexing him onto the barricade. While setting Bryan up for a ddt off of the ringside, Brie came out to talk Orton out. That didn't stop him, and Orton followed the ddt with an RKO through the announce table. Brie got to the side of Daniel Bryan when Orton had left to close the show.
This was the exact way I wanted the show to end, with Randy Orton looking badder than ever. I think he may just win cleanly at Battleground. I kind of want to see Randy kiss Brie the same way he did Stephanie McMahon during his rivalry with Triple H, but it was used already.
Final Thoughts
This episode wasn't bad, but I wish it was better. The match with Alberto Del Rio was weak, and bray Wyatt's promo was kind of oddly placed. On the other side, we got a deccent divas match, and Santino Marella vs Antonio Cesaro. My final grade is 2.5/5.
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