WWE SmackDown
Location: Lincoln, NE
Date: July 23, 2015
Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Jimmy Uso
We are in Lincoln, Nebraska and your announcers are Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, and Jimmy Uso.
The announcers run through the three matches announced for tonight. Kevin Owens will face Rusev, The Bellas will face Naomi and Sasha Banks, and Cesaro will face Seth Rollins.
Sheamus comes out and he says that Deano might have the WWE Universe fooled, but he is not fooled. Everyone thinks you are a crazy lunatic, but you are reckless. You and Big Show went through the announce table last week. Some might think that is being courageous, but that was an act of cowardice. It was your way of getting out of fighting him. Tonight, there is nowhere to run or hide. There is no escape. Sheamus is going to give Dean an arse kicking, an entertaining arse kicking from the next WWE World Champion.
Dean says those are some profound words and it got him thinking. Dean says it is true what they say, you look stupid.
Match Number One: Sheamus vs. Dean Ambrose
They lock up and Dean backs Sheamus into the corner but Sheamus pushes Dean away. Sheamus with a wrist lock but Dean takes Sheamus to the mat and Sheamus gets to the ropes and then he goes to the floor. Sheamus fixes his hair before returning to the ring. Sheamus with a kick and forearm to the back followed by a few European uppercuts. Dean with punches and kicks but Sheamus kicks back.
Sheamus with a kick to the chest but Dean with a knee and drop kick to Sheamus against the ropes. Sheamus gets Dean up for a power slam but Dean gets to his feet and then Dean clotheslines Sheamus over the top rope to the floor. Dean goes for a suicide dive, but Sheamus with a forearm and Dean falls to the apron. Sheamus with punches to Dean on the apron but Dean punches Sheamus back and kicks Sheamus in the head. Dean with a tornado DDT off the apron to the floor and we go to commercial.
We are back and Dean is on the turnbuckles but Sheamus with a punch and he sets for a superplex but Dean blocks it. Dean with a forearm and head butts to knock Sheamus to the mat. Sheamus with a boot to the knee and Dean falls to the mat and holds his knee. Sheamus slams Dean and Dean’s leg bounces off the ropes. Sheamus with another slam where he has Dean’s leg bounce off the ropes.
Sheamus with a stretch muffler and then he uses Dean’s belt to lift Dean off the mat. Dean pulls himself up and he punches Sheamus but Sheamus with a sit out power bomb and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with a single leg crab. Dean tries to get to the ropes but Sheamus pulls him into the center of the ring. Dean escapes and he kicks Sheamus in the head. Sheamus with a European uppercut and Dean bounces off the ropes and hits a clothesline.
Both men are down and Dean is definitely favoring his left knee. Sheamus with a punch and Dean fires back. They go back and forth with Dean gaining an advantage until Sheamus with a kick. Dean with running forearms but Dean cannot connect with the bulldog. Dean with a rollup for a near fall. Sheamus misses a Brogue Kick and goes over the top rope to the floor. Dean with a suicide dive and he sends Sheamus back in. Dean goes up top and he hits the elbow to the chest but he cannot capitalize.
The lights go out and the Wyatt Family music plays. Bray Wyatt comes to the ring with his lantern. He blows out the light on the lantern and Luke Harper is on the announce table. Dean doesn’t know what to do and Sheamus has disappeared like he was Seth Rollins at Battleground.
Dean goes to the floor and Sheamus reappears and hits a Brogue Kick. Sheamus rolls Dean back in and then Sheamus fixes his hair before hitting another Brogue Kick for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
Tom Phillips talks about the feud between Neville and Stardust.
We have a recap with a PREVIOUSLY ON SMACKDOWN cartoon graphic.
JoJo is with Neville in the interview area. She asks him about the attack by Stardust last week. Neville says Stardust is unlike anyone or anything he has ever encountered in his life. He is a nut. Stardust calls him a superhero, while Stardust sees himself as a super villain. Neville calls Stardust a coward. The next time he sees him in the ring Stardust will learn that you cannot hold down what gravity cannot contain. The altitude era is now.
Something appears on the Smackdown monitor and it is Stardust. He is laughing as he reveals himself and hides behind his gloves.
We go to commercial.
Match Number Two: Neville vs. Adam Rose
They lock up and Rose with a wrist lock. Neville uses the ropes to reverse the wrist lock. Rose with a reversal and he backs Neville into the corner. Rose with kicks to Neville and the referee warns him. Rose with more kicks to Neville followed by a punch. Rose with a suplex for a near fall. Rose with a reverse chin lock.
Neville with punches and an Irish whip. Rose with an elbow and head scissors that sends Neville to the floor. Rose goes for a suicide dive but Neville with a forearm. Neville flips over Rose and then he hits a back heel kick, a kick to the chest, and another back heel kick. Neville with a drop kick to the temple followed by another kick. Neville is sent to the apron and he connects with an enzuigiri and Rose falls to the floor.
Neville with an Asai Moonsault onto Rose and he sends Rose into the ring. Neville goes up top and he hits the Red Arrow for the three count.
Winner: Neville
Stardust appears on the TitanTron and he congratulates the conquering hero, the caped crusader. They come and they go. Even the sharpest arrows, no matter what color, come crashing down. Only stars last eternal. Reach out Neville and know that his hand is touching your hand. Stardust wants Neville to be his hero. Embrace the strange.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a Sasha Banks video package. She says that she is going to change the definition of what it means to be a Diva. She is here to change the game. She asks if you have seen her in the ring when you ask why she is the Boss. She says that she is the best in the ring. Making her debut on Raw was only the beginning for Sasha Banks. She is a champion and she is not going to align with the Bellas. She does not belong with Paige. She only aligns with the best. They are going to take over the Divas Division.
Wade Barrett comes out and he has something to say. Wade asks for some decorum. This past Sunday at Battleground, amidst all of the hoopla of the return of the Dead Man, you peasants have lost focus on what is most important. You have the most important king in the history of the WWE, King Barrett. A few months ago, he defeated three superstars in less than 24 hours to wear this cape and this crown. On Sunday, he showed what happened if you try to mock his accomplishments. If you want to take a shot at this king, you better hit him right between the eyes because you are not getting a second chance. Be warned and the entire world is on notice that this king’s crowning moment has yet to come.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Kevin Owens has something to say. Kevin says that since his match with John Cena on Sunday, he keeps hearing three words wherever he goes. ‘Tap Owens Tap’. That is very cute, but it is very inaccurate about what happened at Battleground. What happened, and nobody can deny this, is that he gave John Cena the toughest fight of his career. He has no problem looking at the mirror because he does not go by the motto, ‘Never Give Up’. Kevin says his outlook is ‘live to fight another day’ and that is what he did on Sunday.
People can chant ‘Tap Owens Tap’ all they want, but he has a family to think about. He has kids who depend on him so he was not going to suffer a career ending injury at the hands of John Cena. It might be hard for you to grasp because he does not really care about what you think. He will always do what is best for his career. Monday night was no different.
Once Sheamus left them high and dry, there was no point in sticking around because he is not going to risk injury fighting three top superstars when his team is one man short. If Rusev wasn’t so busy trying to figure out which Lana he wants to go to second base with, he would understand that.
Match Number Three: Kevin Owens vs. Rusev (with Summer ‘New Lana’ Rae)
Rusev kicks and punches Owens and Owens goes to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Owens kicks Rusev as he re-enters the ring. Owens with punches and a chop. Owens with a forearm but Rusev with a kick and head butts. Owens with a forearm but Rusev with a kick and suplex. Rusev gets a near fall. Owens with a back elbow and kick to the back.
Owens punches Rusev in the head and then he kicks him in the head. Owens tries for a German suplex but Rusev blocks it and Rusev with a standing switch. Owens blocks the German attempt and Rusev with a body block and fallaway slam to Owens. Rusev misses a splash into the corner and Owens with a super kick followed by a cannonball. Rusev hangs over the apron and Owens pulls him into the ring and gets a near fall.
Owens punches Rusev. Owens with a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Owens with a reverse chin lock. Rusev with punches but Owens with a Codebreaker for a near fall. Owens returns to the reverse chin lock. Rusev gets back to his feet but Owens with punches. Rusev with punches of his own and Owens goes down. Rusev with a round kick to the chest. Rusev with a kick to the chest followed by a spinning belly-to-back suplex. Rusev runs into an elbow.
Rusev with a spinning heel kick and then he waits for Owens to get up. Rusev with a jumping thrust kick. Rusev says it is time to CRUSH and he stomps on Owens back before trying to apply the Accolade, but Owens rolls to the floor and the referee starts his count.
Owens gets to the apron by six but figures it is not worth it so he walks away and the referee counts him out.
Winner: Rusev (by count-out)
Rich Brennan is with Cesaro and Rich asks him about his match tonight with Seth Rollins. Cesaro says it feels right. He has pushed John Cena to the limit. Tonight is Seth Rollins. He wanted to be here. He spent years learning this craft. He missed his best friend’s wedding and has not spent time with his family for Christmas in 11 years. Success does not come to you overnight. Cesaro says that he wants to prove that hard work pays off and the American dream never dies.
Kevin Owens stops by and he says that no one cares that you missed a friend’s wedding or haven’t spent Christmas with your family. You took John Cena to the limit, but I beat John Cena in his first night. Kevin says that he has accomplished more in one night that Cesaro has done in his entire WWE career. No one cares about your dreams or abandoning your family.
Cesaro says that Kevin is an authority on abandoning because he has done it for half of his matches. He asks if Kevin came from catering, but he mentions that Kevin was just in the ring. He says that Kevin just abandoned his latest match.
Kevin says that he is going to catering so he can sit back, have a bite, and watch you lose to Seth Rollins.
Cesaro tells Kevin that he hopes he does not choke on his food like Kevin choked on Sunday against John Cena.
Kevin wishes Cesaro luck.
Match Number Four: Sasha Banks and Naomi (with Tamina Snuka) vs. Brie Bella and WWE Divas champion Nikki Bella (with Alicia Fox)
Nikki and Naomi start things off and they lock up. Nikki with a take down and gets a near fall. Nikki with a fireman’s carry into an arm bar. Naomi sends Nikki to the mat and she hits a sliding clothesline on Nikki. Nikki with a spinebuster and she gets a near fall. Nikki with a front face lock and Brie tags in. They hit a double flapjack on Naomi for a near fall.
Naomi with a knee to the midsection and she sends Brie into the turnbuckles. Sasha tags in and Brie with a kick to the knee and Nikki tags in and hits a drop kick for a near fall. Nikki with a head scissors and she adds more pressure and does push-ups before returning to the traditional head scissors. Sasha escapes but Nikki with a side head lock.
Brie tags in and hits a missile drop kick for a near fall. Brie with a knee and she sets for the running knee but Tamina pulls Sasha out of the way. Brie goes for Sasha on the floor but Tamina with a super kick and Brie falls to the floor.
Sasha kicks Brie as we go to commercial.
We are back and Naomi kicks Brie while the referee warns Naomi. Naomi chokes Brie in the ropes. Naomi with a knee and slam followed by a leaping leg drop for a near fall. Naomi goes for the running bulldog into the corner and she connects. Sasha tags in and gets a near fall. Sasha sends Brie into the turnbuckles and chokes her and does the short kicks to the head. Sasha puts Brie across the middle ropes and hits a knee drop to the abdomen and gets a near fall.
Sasha sends Brie into the turnbuckles. Naomi tags in and suplexes Brie and gets a near fall. Naomi with a reverse chin lock. Naomi with a leaping back elbow. Sasha tags back in and Naomi with a Bubba Bomb and Sasha slaps Brie before getting a near fall. Sasha with a straitjacket choke but Brie with a snap mare to escape. Brie is stopped from getting to her corner and Sasha runs her into the corner. Naomi tags in and hits a double boot strike to the chest and gets a near fall. Naomi returns to the reverse chin lock.
Naomi with a splash into the corner and Brie sends her to the apron and Brie with a drop kick to knock Naomi off the apron. Tamina sends Naomi back into the ring and Nikki is able to tag in. Nikki with clotheslines and a drop kick followed by a back body drop. Nikki knocks Sasha off the apron and then Nikki with the Alabama Slam for a near fall. Nikki gets Naomi up for Shock Treatment but Sasha with a spear to stop Nikki.
Brie takes care of Sasha and both of them go to the floor. Tamina gets Sasha out of the way and Brie and Alicia take care of Tamina. Naomi with a rollup on Nikki. Nikki avoids the Rear View and connects with a forearm and then hits Shock Treatment for the three count.
Winners: Nikki Bella and Brie Bella
We take a look at Jake Gyllenhaal training for his role in Southpaw.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at what happened on Raw between the Undertaker and Brock Lesnar.
Match Number Five: WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro in a non-title match
Rollins goes to the floor when Cesaro goes after him once the bell rings. Rollins returns to the ring and Cesaro with a rollup for a near fall. Cesaro with a front face lock but Rollins with a wrist lock. Cesaro rolls through and reverses the hold and he sends Rollins to the mat and gets a near fall. Cesaro presses Rollins over his head and drops him to the mat. Rollins moves when Cesaro goes for a European uppercut in the corner. Rollins with a knee to the back that sends Cesaro to the floor followed by a suicide dive and we go to commercial.
We are back and Rollins with a sleeper and body scissors. Cesaro gets to his feet and he backs Rollins into the corner. Rollins with a flatline into the turnbuckles. Rollins with a short arm clothesline and he gets a near fall. Rollins with a reverse chin lock. Cesaro with a Saito suplex to get out of the hold.
Cesaro sends Rollins to the floor but Rollins goes up top. Cesaro avoids the knee and then he avoids a splash into the corner. Cesaro with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Cesaro with a running European uppercut into the turnbuckles. Cesaro with four Irish whips and European uppercuts followed by three more European uppercuts.
Rollins tries for a sunset flip but Cesaro picks up Rollins and then hits a suplex for a near fall. Cesaro sets for the Sharpshooter but Rollins blocks it so Cesaro with a double stomp for a near fall. Rollins sends Cesaro to the apron and then he tries to send Cesaro into the turnbuckles but Cesaro blocks it and he gets a cross body but the momentum puts Rollins on top for a near fall. Rollins with a back slide for a near fall followed by a super kick for a near fall.
Rollins sets for the buckle bomb but Cesaro drops down to block it. Cesaro with a back drop but Rollins lands on his feet. Cesaro with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Rollins rolls to the apron. Cesaro sets for the gorilla superplex but Rollins blocks it. Rollins with an enzuigiri to stop Cesaro but he stays on the turnbuckles. Rollins with a sunset flip into a Buckle Bomb. Rollins tries for the Pedigree but Cesaro blocks it and applies the Sharpshooter. Rollins tries to get to the ropes and Cesaro traps the arm and applies the Crossface. Rollins tries to roll out of the hold but Cesaro holds on.
Rollins tries to get to the ropes but Cesaro releases the hold and looks like he is going to go for the Giant Swing. He pulls Rollins up but Rollins lands on his feet and Rollins with an enzuigiri. Cesaro with the pop up European uppercut for a near fall. Rollins rolls to the floor and he goes for his title belt and he wants to leave.
Cesaro goes to the floor and he comes around the ring and hits Rollins with a European uppercut. Cesaro kicks Rollins and the referee takes the belt out of the center of the ring. Cesaro with a spinebuster and then he goes for the Giant Swing but Rollins with a thumb to the eye and then he sends Cesaro shoulder first into the ring post. Rollins with the Pedigree for the three count.
Winner: Seth Rollins
After the match, Kevin Owens comes to the ring and walks right past Seth Rollins. Owens stands over Cesaro for a moment and then he punches Cesaro. Owens with a pop up power bomb to Cesaro.
We go to credits.
Source: www.ringsidenews.com