Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, brings you the Smackdown Live Recap for the week.
This week Smackdown Live was live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. AJ Styles goes to war with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan. Becky Lynch battled Nattie Neidhart in a one on one Women's Division match. The Miz and Maryse have a special edition of Miz TV. Mickie James battled WWE Women's Champion Alexa Bliss in a non title match. Mojo Rawley battled Dolph Ziggler in a one on one match. WWE Smackdown Live World Tag Team Champions American Alpha battled The Usos in a non title match.
** Smackdown Live **
- We see a video recap of last week's Talking Smack when AJ Styles interrupted Shane McMahon backstage and began arguing with him over his #1 Contendership Match loss to Randy Orton.
- Backstage, Daniel Bryan is on the phone when AJ Styles interrupts him and demands Shane McMahon. Bryan says Shane won't be here till later. Styles storms off to the ring.
- AJ Styles Promo: AJ Styles says he's sick and tired of Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan messing with him, he's the greatest WWE superstar and should have the red carpet rolled out for him. Styles mocks John Cena for going to his brother in law Daniel Bryan to get his title shot and Styles has never even been given a proper one on one rematch for the title. Styles says he's responsible for the WWE's success and should've just smacked Daniel Bryan's kale chips out of his mouth because Bryan is nothing but a WWE puppet. Styles promises that he's going to have a face to face with Shane McMahon before the nights over.
- Becky Lynch vs. Nattie Neidhart: The match closes out with Becky hitting the Bexploder suplex on Nattie. Nattie sits Becky on the the turnbuckle and they trade punches. Becky takes control, traps Nattie in the Dis Arm Her submission and forces Nattie to tap out. After the match, Carmella attacks Becky from behind and beats Becky down. Carmella drops Nattie with a super kick and celebrates with James Ellsworth. Winner: Becky Lynch, by submission.
- Backstage, AJ Styles is waiting for Shane McMahon To arrive.
- Backstage, Carmella says she did what she did because she's going to be the next WWE Smackdown Live Women's Champion.
- Miz TV With The Miz And Maryse: Miz announces himself and Maryse as the guests tonight. Miz says everyone is talking about them because they have exposed John Cena and Nikki Bella for being frauds. Maryse says she and Nikki used to be friends, but Nikki stabbed Maryse in the back like the back stabbing bitch that she is. John Cena and Nikki Bella hit the ring as Miz and Maryse exit. Nikki challenges Maryse, but Miz says Maryse has nothing to prove. Daniel Bryan arrives next and says there was nothing special about this Miz TV which makes Bryan want to punch Miz in the mouth. Bryan says he's sick of Miz interrupting Bryan on Talking Smack and imitating Bryan's moves in the ring, which makes him want to punch Miz also. Bryan officially announces The Miz and Maryse vs. John Cena and Nikki Bella at Wrestlemania 33.
- Backstage, AJ Styles is still waiting for Shane McMahon.
- Mickie James vs. Alexa Bliss: The match closes out with Alexa beating down Mickie and talking trash. Alexa goes for Insult To Injury, but Mickie counters and connects with the Mick Kick for the pinfall. Winner: Mickie James, by pinfall.
- Backstage, Shane McMahon finally arrives and gets jumped from behind by AJ Styles. Styles tosses Shane into a car and into production cases. Styles sends Shane head first though the window of a parked car and tells Shane he asked for this beat down. Backstage producer Fit Finlay and paramedics arrive, back off Styles and check on Shane.
- Backstage, paramedics state that Shane McMahon has a scalp laceration and needs to go to the ER. Shane refuses and says he'll get taken care of by WWE Medical.
- Backstage, AJ Styles catches hatred from the Smackdown Live locker room for what he did to Shane McMahon. Daniel Bryan arrives with police officers and Styles asks Bryan if he's got something to say about what Styles just did. Bryan fires Styles and has the police escort Styles out of the building.
- Mojo Rawley vs. Dolph Ziggler: The match closes out with Ziggler hitting a super kick for a near fall. Mojo tosses Ziggler outside and taunts Ziggler. Ziggler fakes getting back into the ring and instead takes the count out. Winner: Mojo Rawley, by Count Out.
- Backstage, Neville hypes 205 Live and says it doesn't matter who becomes #1 Contender for Wrestlemania 33 because they will be humiliated.
- Randy Orton Promo: Orton says a viper is ruthless, cunning and only strikes at the right time. Orton says he could've attacked Bray Wyatt any time but waited to see what could hurt Bray. He decided to get close to Bray and destroy the one thing he loved....Sister Abigail. Orton says Bray fears being alone and now he is. Orton promises to take everything away from Bray at Wrestlemania 33. The lights flicker off and on and Bray appears. Bray says he did lose all his power until he found his way back to what's left of his home. Bray says that Sister Abigail is the spawn of Satan and is forged in hell. Bray says that Sister Abigail still lives inside him and lives within him eternally. Bray says he has been born again as he baptizes himself in Sister Abigail's ashes. Bray tells us to follow the buzzards to end the segment.
- Backstage, Baron Corbin says that if Dean Ambrose can get out of the hospital and make it to Wrestlemania 33 in time, Corbin will take everything away from Ambrose.
- American Alpha vs. The Usos: The match closes out with The Usos countering a double team move from American Alpha, allowing Jimmy to hit the Uso Kick for the pinfall. Winners: The Usos, by pinfall.
- Shane McMahon Promo: Shane McMahon is still refusing to go to the ER, pushes Fit Finlay and Jamie Noble away and heads to the ring. Shane says that AJ Styles was upset that he had no opponent at Wrestlemania 33?...Well now Styles has one. Smackdown Live closes out.
Wrestling Lockup with Brandon brought to you by Triple Threat CLE brings you Wrestling Q&A.
Wrestling Q&A is my way of getting into social media, whether Facebook, Twitter, or any other means of communication to hear other fans' wrestling ideas on how they would book a match or an angle. I am currently apart of a few different wrestling groups on Facebook where we talk about nothing but wrestling and of course I am vocal on Twitter. My idea basically is to fire a question into the groups on Facebook or onto Twitter and sit back and read what other fans would do and of course with this article that you're reading I will share hopefully some interesting and I'm sure off the wall answers, but that's what makes social media great! So let's get to this week's question.
** Question Of The Week **
"What was your favorite Elimination Chamber moment?"
** Answers **
- The first ever elimination chamber match. One of the few times Shawn Michaels' hair was short lol
- The ECW Elimination Chamber Match. I wish they had more elimination chamber matches where they enter with weapons.
- The 2002 and 2003 Elimination Chamber matches.
- The night John Cena retained the WWE Championship inside the Elimination Chamber only to lose the Championship to The Rated R Superstar EDGE!
- When Santino almost won the title.
- HBK returning and winning the title in the chamber.
- Edge winning the 2011 Chamber match.
- When hbk attacked the undertaker.
- Taker reverse choke slam on MVP off the chamber pod it was brutal.
- The 1st one, with HBK winning the WHC.
- Being there for the first one and watching my two favorites Jericho and triple h team up in it for a bit. Also the ending sequence to the smackdown one 2009 triple h vs taker
- Evolution destroying GOLDBERG!!!!
- Taker and Batista flipping over the ropes into a Taker tombstone.
- Goldberg killing everyone.
- Goldberg slipping on his entrance.
- Edge taking Kofi's spot in the second chamber match and winning the world championship after losing the wwe title earlier in the night.
- Goldberg spearing & jackhammer slamming everyone with a heartbeat in summerslam 2003
- John Morrison doing his Spider-Man impersonation.
** My Top 3 Favorite Moments **
1.) Shawn Michaels wins the World Heavyweight Championship in the debut Elimination Chamber Match: What a moment it was for Shawn Michaels back in 2002. After being retired for 4 years due to a back injury, Michaels made his return to the WWE at 100%. Michaels lasted to the very end of the Chamber match with his real life best friend Triple H, countered the Pedigree and scored Sweet Chin Music to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Michaels would go on to entertain us for 7 more years until finally being able to retire on his own terms.
2.) Shawn Michaels again makes my list at number two, but this time it was what he did during the match that he wasn't even in. The final two superstars came down to Chris Jericho and The Undertaker with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line. Just as it looked like Taker was about to retain his title, Shawn Michaels popped out one of the outside steel grates and climbed into the chamber from below. Michaels would go on to hit Sweet Chin Music on Taker and help Chris Jericho score the pinfall to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Michaels did it because Taker refused to give him a match at Wrestlemania of that year. After costing Undertaker the title, Michaels got his match.
3. CM Punk and Daniel Bryan both survive their 2012 EC matches and go on to Wrestlemania 28: It's hard to believe that at one time in the WWE, two independent wrestling icons Daniel Bryan and CM Punk both held the top two titles in the company, the WWE World Title and the World Heavyweight Championship. Another favorite moment of mine was when both Bryan and Punk were forced to defend their titles in Elimination Chamber Matches. Both men entered the chamber and both men walked out still holding their world titles.
- Honorable Mentions #1: Edge losing the WWE World Title in the first Elimination Chamber Match of the night and then attack Kofi Kingston, enter the second Elimination Chamber Match in Kofi's spot and winning the World Heavyweight Championship.
- Honorable Mentions #2: Edge cashing in Money In The Bank on John Cena after Cena survived the Elimination Chamber.
That wraps up my Wrestling Q&A session. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading.
Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE, is back with the RAW Recap Edition.
This week's RAW was live in Seattle, Washington. The biggest story that broke for tonight's RAW was the Daniel Bryan retirement announcement. Daniel Bryan tweeted out on Monday morning that he was headed to RAW, to officially announce his retirement from the WWE. The Miz returned with Miz TV, with special guest, Chris Jericho. Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar met face to face inside the ring tonight, as they all signed their contracts for the #1 Contenders, Triple Threat Match at WWE Fastlane. WWE World Heavyweight Champion and COO, Triple H, was present for the show and the contract signing.
*** RAW ***
- RAW opened with a highlight video dedicated to Daniel Bryan, who later tonight will announce his retirement.
- #1 Contenders, Triple Threat Match Contract Signing: Stephanie McMahon is in the ring with the contract and is immediately interrupted with an arena chant of "Daniel Bryan". Stephanie calls the Seattle fans confused, because the winner of the Triple Threat Match faces Triple H, not Daniel Bryan. Stephanie hypes up WWE Fastlane and then gets interrupted by Dean Ambrose. Ambrose wants to get the signing over with so he can whoop Brock Lesnar's big ass. Stephanie reminds us that she's the boss and there will be no physicality in this signing. Roman Reigns interrupts next and heads to the ring. Stephanie tells Ambrose that she notices how Reigns always tries to steal the spotlight. Brock Lesnar is introduced next and out comes The Beast. Stephanie cuts Paul Heyman off from his introduction and tells Ambrose to sign the contract. Ambrose, Reigns and Lesnar all sign, Stephanie says business is done and leaves the ring. The fans start the "Suplex City" chant as Lesnar smirks and looks at Reigns and Ambrose. Ambrose goes nose to nose with Lesnar and gets tossed over the contract signing table. Lesnar throws the table at Reigns and stalks Ambrose. Lesnar hits an F-5 on Ambrose and leaves with Heyman. WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Triple H, arrives and stands on the RAW stage with Stephanie. Lesnar and Triple H have a stare down to end the segment.
- Twitter is lit up tonight with various stars tweeting about Daniel Bryan's retirement.
- Backstage, Dean Ambrose promises revenge on Brock Lesnar before the night's over.
- Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler: The match closes out with, Ziggler hitting a DDT and a Fameasser on Owens, from the apron down to the floor. Both men make it back in by a 9 count and Owens misses an attempted cannonball. Ziggler rolls Owens up, cheats by using the ropes for leverage and scores the pinfall. After the match, Owens throws a fit, tears up the announcers table and tosses the steel steps. Winner: Dolph Ziggler, by pinfall.
- Backstage, The Dudley Boys confront The Usos and state that if anyone is facing The New Day in a Tables Match tonight, it should be them. The Usos tell the Dudleys to get a triple threat match approved and they can join them.
- Charlotte vs. Alicia Fox: More "Daniel Bryan" chants as Alicia Fox's partner in crime and DB's wife, Brie Bella, isn't with her tonight. Charlotte laughs and mocks the fans. The match closes out with, Charlotte in control with a slam and a head scissors take down on Alicia. Alicia fights back and lands a back breaker on the Divas Champion and a near fall roll up. Charlotte regains control, hits the spear on Alicia and picks up the Figure Eight tap out victory. Winner: Charlotte, by submission.
- Backstage, The Miz prepares for Miz TV.
- Its announced that tonight's Table Match will now be an Eight Man Table Match. The Dudleys and The Usos vs. The New Day and a mystery partner.
- Miz TV With Special Guest, Chris Jericho: Miz says he's not happy with how AJ Styles attacked him last week, Miz could've done huge things for Styles like he did for Daniel Bryan, but Styles attacked him. Chris Jericho's music hits and he interrupts Miz. Jericho says the fans don't want to see Miz TV they want the Highlight Reel. Miz TV starts getting disassembled and the Highlight Reel gets set up as Miz can't do a thing about it. Miz says this is his show and Jericho can't do this. Jericho mocks Miz and his loss to Styles on Smackdown. Miz demands respect cause he's a moneymaker and had a deal with Steven Spielberg that fell through. Jericho switches back to AJ Styles and wonders if AJ could beat him again. AJ's music hits and out comes the phenomenal one. Miz attacks Jericho from behind as AJ hits the ring and helps Jericho. AJ and Jericho toss Miz to the floor and go face to face. Jericho slaps AJ's finger out of his face and begins brawling with AJ. Jericho escapes the ring and stares down AJ from the ramp to end the segment.
- Backstage, Dean Ambrose is still pacing and pissed off at Brock Lesnar.
- Bray Wyatt vs. Ryback: The match closes out with, Ryback dodging a Bray charge, forcing Bray to hit the turn buckle. Ryback hits a series of running knee lifts, a series of shoulder thrusts and hits a cross body on Bray. Ryback hits Bray with a spine buster for a near fall. Ryback goes for the Meat Hook, but Bray counters, hits Sister Abigail and scores the pinfall. After the match, Ryback takes a beat down from The Wyatt Family. Rowan lands a full nelson bomb, then shoves Ryback into a Harper Lariat. Braun kicks Ryback to the floor, as Bray gives orders to punish Ryback. Braun sends Ryback into the apron, then the steel steps. Bray takes Ryback and hits Sister Abigail on the floor. The Wyatts pose and Bray promises that the violence has just begun. Winner: Bray Wyatt, by pinfall.
- Backstage, The New Day are polishing a table and give no clue on who their mystery partner is.
- Backstage, Dean Ambrose is still fuming to Roman Reigns about Brock Lesnar. Ambrose doesn't care how many F-5's he gets, he's getting a piece of Lesnar tonight. Ambrose says he doesn't need Reigns help tonight and Reigns asks Ambrose if he's still mad about his "accidents" on Smackdown. Ambrose says tonight it's about him and Lesnar. Reigns finally agrees and tells Ambrose to at least save him some of Lesnar.
- Titus O'Neil vs. Adam Rose: The match closes out with, Titus hitting a couple back breakers on Rose and tosses Rose across the ring. The Social Outcasts pull Rose out to the floor, but Titus plows them over and throws Rose back in the ring. Titus knocks Slater off the apron, which allows Rose to roll Titus up for the pinfall. After the match, Rose catches a big Titus clothesline. Winner: Adam Rose, by pinfall.
- Dean Ambrose Promo: Ambrose comes out to the ring and begins taunting Brock Lesnar, calling the F-5 a weak move. Ambrose says Lesnar can't kill him, keep him down or get the job done. Ambrose dares Lesnar to come out and says maybe Triple H was right, "Suplex City" is going soft. Ambrose continues to taunt Lesnar, stating that Paul Heyman holds Lesnar's balls. Lesnar's music hits and out comes the beast. Ambrose goes right at Lesnar and the brawl begins. Lesnar unloads a fury of knees, tosses Ambrose into the barricade and hits a series of clotheslines on Ambrose. Ambrose crawls over to Lesnar, gets scooped up and dropped with an F-5. Lesnar leaves, but Ambrose is back up and taunting Lesnar to bring more. Lesnar heads to the ring, but Roman Reigns' music hits and Reigns stares down Lesnar. Ambrose low blows Lesnar during the distraction and limps out to Reigns before collapsing on the RAW stage.
- The Lucha Dragons vs. Rusev and Alberto Del Rio: Sin Cara makes his return from his shoulder injury. The match closes out with, Sin Cara drop kicking Rusev and takes Rusev to the floor. Del Rio counters Salida Del Sol from Kalisto and puts Kalisto on the turnbuckles. King Barrett distracts Kalisto, allowing Del Rio to hit an enziguri. Del Rio hits the tree of woe double foot stomp on Kalisto and scores the pinfall. Winners: Alberto Del Rio and Rusev, by pinfall.
- Earlier in the day, Goldust follows R-Truth to the EMP Museum in Seattle, dressed like Jimi Hendrix. Goldust tries to get Truth's attention, but ends up getting escorted out by security for breaking a guitar.
- Becky Lynch vs. Tamina: Sasha Banks was on commentary. The match closes out with, Tamina taunting Sasha. Sasha gets in Tamina's face, but gets hit from behind by Naomi. Naomi throws Sasha into the steel steps, as Becky makes the save for Sasha. Becky gets back in the ring and eats a Tamina super kick. Tamina covers and scores the pinfall. Winner: Tamina, by pinfall.
- Backstage, The New Day are talking up Mark Henry about how great he is. Henry puts on a unicorn horn and plays on Woods trombone. Big E and Henry then have a dance off and it appears Henry is the mystery partner.
- "Eight Man Tables Match": The Usos and The Dudley Boys vs. The New Day and Mark Henry: The match closes out with, Devon and an Uso hitting Whazz Up. Kofi misses Trouble In Paradise, dodges a fall through a table, but gets hit with a double Uso Kick. Woods gets in the ring, but also eats a double Uso Kick. Woods gets laid on a table, but Big E stops Jimmy from splashing Woods through it. Big E gets a Uso Kick by Jey and then 3D'ed through a table by The Dudley Boys, for the victory. After the match, The Dudley Boys turn on The Usos. The Dudleys 3D Jimmy through a table and Bubba power bombs Jey through another table. The Dudleys yelled at the knocked out Usos, reminding them they're the baddest tag team in wrestling. Winners: The Usos and The Dudley Boys.
- Daniel Bryan's Retirement Speech: Bryan takes a moment to take in all the "Yes" chants. Bryan says he'll never forget how the "Yes" chants made him feel. Bryan announces that he suffered three concussions within a six month time frame and has actually had quite a lot in his 16 year career. Bryan says that he was told he could come back, was ready and began training, but he took a test a week ago and learned that maybe his brain isn't quite healed after all. Bryan says he has a family to think about, wants to have kids with his wife, Brie Bella someday and sadly, officially announces his retirement from wrestling. Bryan says he loved his hometown of Seattle, he loved the feeling he got when his intro music hit, he loved flying to the floor like superman, he loved that he started wrestling in a gas station and made it all the way to winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, in the main event at a Wrestlemania, he loved all the great superstars and mentors he's met over the years, he loved the less unfortunate kids like Connor The Crusher and has been grateful each and everyday. Bryan wrestled cause he loved it. Bryan was always grateful to the fans for getting behind him the way they did and made him a star in front of guys like Randy Orton and John Cena. Bryan is grateful that his dad got to see him wrestle one last time before he passed, the night the "Yes Movement" took over the ring. Bryan is grateful for meeting Brie Bella, is grateful to retire in his hometown of Seattle and is grateful that his whole family is at ringside. Bryan says tomorrow begins his new life that doesn't involve wrestling. Bryan asks for one more "Yes" chant. The crowd erupts in "Yes" chants as Bryan kisses Brie and hugs his mom and sister at ringside to end the show.
Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE. It's this week's NXT and Smackdown recaps for the week.
*** NXT ***
- This week's NXT was the tournament semi-finals and finals taped at Wrestlemania Axxess, in San Diego, California, where the winner would get a shot at the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
- Hideo Itami vs. Neville: Itami applies a sleeper hold on Neville and hits a suplex for a near fall. Neville fires back with a super kick, but misses Itami, flying off the top rope. Itami hits the stalling corner drop kick and follows with the running kick. Itami covers and scores the pinfall. Itami advances to the tournament finals.
- Finn Balor vs. Tyler Breeze: Breeze hits a back heel kick, punches and two running forearms. Breeze goes for a third, but Balor counters with the "Slingblade". Balor hits a running drop kick in the corner on Breeze. Balor hits the double stomp on Breeze, covers and scores the pinfall. Balor advances to the finals.
- NXT shows a lot of backstage coverage of the company from Triple H at Wrestlemania. We see some interviews from current NXT talent giving their opinions on NXT.
- "Tournament Finals": Hideo Itami vs. Finn Balor: Itami hits the stalling corner drop kick in the corner. Itami with the flying kick, but Balor counters with "Slingblade". Balor goes to the top rope for the double stomp, but gets crotched on the ropes by Itami. Itami goes for the "GTS", but Balor counters and rolls up Itami for a near fall. Itami connects with the flying kick, covers and scores the pinfall. Hideo Itami wins the tournament and advanced into the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at Wrestlemania. After the match, Itami and Balor shook hands.
- The rest of NXT, up to the end of the show, is a highlight package on Hideo Itami and his journey from starting out as KENTA, signing with WWE, highlights of his career all the way up to Wrestlemania 31 and WWE Superstars giving their opinions on Itami.
*** Smackdown ***
- This week Smackdown was taped in Dallas, Texas.
- In Ring Promo With Daniel Bryan: Bryan says he wants to make the WWE Intercontinental Championship special again and will defend it often. Bryan talks about Sheamus and Bad News Barrett and gets interrupted by Sheamus and Barrett. Sheamus says he and Barrett are going to kick Bryan's ass, cause they can. Dolph Ziggler hits the ring to even the odds for Bryan. Big Show is out next, brags about his Wrestlemania win and wants a piece of the action too. Roman Reigns evens things up, tackles Show and a brawl breaks out. Show, Barrett and Sheamus retreat to fight another day.
- In Ring Promo With The New Day: The New Day says they are here for the fans because they're here for a new day. The fans continue to hate on and boo The New Day.
- Tyson Kidd and Cesaro (w/Nattie Neidhart) vs. The New Day (w/Xavier Woods): Kofi lands some chops and a drop kick. Kofi hits the "Boom Drop" then goes for "Trouble in Paradise". The fans continue "New Day Sucks" chants, which distracts Kofi. Cesaro hits the european uppercut on Kofi and Kidd hits the spinning neck breaker. Kidd covers Kofi and scores the pinfall.
- Curtis Axel vs. Neville: Neville hits a cross body on Axel, then sends Axel to the floor. Neville hits a corkscrew cross body, slams Axel and hits "Red Arrow". Neville covers and scores the pinfall.
- Backstage, Cameron, Nattie Neidhart and Alicia Fox argue and slap each other, as they all claim they'll win the Divas Battle Royal on RAW.
- Nattie Neidhart vs. Alicia Fox (Cameron was Guest Referee): Fox hits a tilt-a-whirl slam on Nattie. Fox sends Nattie into the corner. Nattie counters and sweeps Fox's legs out from under her. Nattie locks Fox in the "Sharpshooter" submission and makes Fox tap out.
- After the Match: Cameron lays out Nattie and Fox both with DDT's.
- Bray Wyatt vs. Erick Rowan: Rowan goes to the top rope, but Bray rolls outside. Rowan follows, but gets taken out by a Bray clothesline. Bray hits a senton splash and rolls Rowan back in the ring. Bray hits "Sister Abigail" on Rowan and scores the pinfall.
- MizTV: Miz brags about his new movie, The Marine 4 and shows the movie trailer. Summer Rae interrupts, to remind Miz that she co-stars in it too. Miz takes full credit for making her a star, like he did for Damien Sandow. Miz belittles Sandow some more, until Sandow comes to the ring. Miz tells Sandow he'll shake his hand and forget everything that happened, as long as Sandow apologizes. Sandow says he's sorry he didn't do this a long time ago and punches Miz. Miz escapes, as Sandow destroys the MizTV props and gives Summer a kiss.
- "6 Man Tag Team Match": Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler and Roman Reigns vs. Bad News Barrett, Big Show and Sheamus: Reigns unloads punches, as Ziggler and Sheamus fight out to the floor. Bryan and Show take each other out. Barrett goes for the "Bullhammer", but Reigns counters and hits the spear. Reigns covers and scores the pinfall to close out Smackdown.
And that's this week's Smackdown/NXT recap. Have a great weekend, till next time, tap or snap.
Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE. It's this week's NXT and Smackdown recaps for the week.
*** NXT ***
- NXT was back home at Full Sail University this week.
- In Ring Promo with Sami Zayn: Zayn was last seen getting taken out by Kevin Owens. Zayn thanks everyone for their support and talks about the recent NXT tour. Zayn says while on tour the only person he thought of was Kevin Owens. Zayn says that the Owens he was in the ring with last was not the same Owens he's known, he's a completely different person. Zayn says he's figured Owens out though, he will kick Owens' ass and win back his NXT World Title.
- Rhyno vs. A Local Wrestler: The local wrestler didn't receive a name announcement at all. What he got was a few punches from Rhyno and an easy "Gore". Rhyno covers and scores the pinfall.
- In Ring Promo with Rhyno: Rhyno says he's in NXT to make a statement, he came here for the NXT World Title and puts Sami Zayn, Finn Balor and Kevin Owens on notice. GORE GORE GORE!
- Bayley vs. Emma: Bayley reminds Emma of the slap in the face Emma gave her last week, before the ladies go at it. Bayley goes for a splash on Emma, in the corner, but Emma moves. Emma connects with the "DilEMMA", but wastes time after. Emma hits a cross body on Bayley and again wastes time, this time doing some dancing. Bayley sneaks in a rollup on Emma and scores the pinfall.
- After the match: Bayley helps Emma to her feet, has a few words for her, then leaves the ring.
- Backstage, Becky Lynch says how she was close to winning the NXT Women's Title at Takeover, everyone has been given a one on one opportunity, except her, it's her title, her empire, and feels it's her time. WELCOME TO N'BEX'T
- Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy vs. The Lucha Dragons: Blake and Murphy, the NXT World Tag Team Champions, give a non-title match to The Lucha Dragons, this week. Sin Cara hits a springboard head butt, kicks and a springboard cross body on Murphy. Cara gets sent to the apron, then gets pushed off by Blake. Murphy hits a suplex, Blake follows with a frog splash to score the pinfall.
- Backstage, Rhyno confronts Sami Zayn. Rhyno says he doesn't care about vendettas, he came to NXT to win the NXT World Title. So the line to get a NXT World Title shot starts behind Rhyno.
- Jason Jordan vs. Tye Dillinger: Dillinger hits a reverse atomic drop, a series of chops, a russian leg sweep and finishes with a kick to Jordan's head. Dillinger ends up getting hit with a hot shot on the ropes by Jordan. Jordan grabs Dillinger and plants him with the overhead suplex to score the pinfall.
- "2 Out Of 3 Falls Match" Tyler Breeze vs. Hideo Itami: Breeze hits two straight running forearms, but misses the third. Itami lands a knee to the gut, a kick to the chest, more kicks, a back heel kick, lands a drop kick and finishes Breeze off with a flying boot. Itami covers and scores the pinfall. Itami leads 1-0.
- Match #2: The bell sounds to start match number two and Breeze can barely stand on his feet. The referee orders Itami to stay back so he can check on Breeze. Breeze, April Fool's Itami, hits the "Beauty Shot" and scores the pinfall. Match is tied 1-1.
- Match #3: Breeze and Itami go all out in the final match. Both men struggle to get back to their feet. Breeze lands a kick to Itami's chest, Itami demands more, so Breeze slaps him. Itami lands slaps, a back hand, kicks and a back heel kick. Itami misses a drop kick and Breeze misses the "Beauty Shot". Itami lands another back heel kick and a drop kick. Breeze, out of nowhere with the "Beauty Shot". Breeze covers, scores the pinfall and picks up the 2-1 victory, to close out this week's NXT.
*** Smackdown ***
- Smackdown was taped this week in Fresno, California.
- In Ring Promo with The Authority: Seth Rollins says he would've gave Brock Lesnar his rematch tonight for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, if he wouldn't have gotten suspended. Randy Orton interrupts and says that he should be the first in line for a title shot, because he's still owed one and he beat Rollins at Wrestlemania. Orton rips on The Authority and singles out Kane, telling him what a joke he's become. Kane orders Orton vs. Big Show and Orton might get a World Title shot if he can win.
- Randy Orton vs. Big Show: Orton gets Show hung up on the ropes and drops Show with the hanging DDT. Orton goes for the "RKO" but Mercury attacks Orton causing a DQ.
- After the match: The Authority jump Orton and beat him down. Orton breaks free, tackles Rollins and unloads punches. Kane pulls Orton off and choke slams Orton. Ryback hits the ring and dismantles The Authority. Ryback hits a "Shell Shock" as Orton hits an "RKO" on Kane and Mercury. Seth Rollins grabs his title and runs for his life.
- Nattie Neidhart vs. Naomi: The Bella Twins were on commentary for this one. Nattie catches Naomi's legs and goes for the "Sharpshooter". Naomi rolls through and gets a near fall rollup. Naomi grabs Nattie and plants her with an inverted DDT. Naomi covers and scores the pinfall. Naomi and Nikki Bella eye ball each other after the match.
- Backstage, Seth Rollins laughs about beating down Randy Orton. Kane decides to give Orton a World Title shot, unless Rollins thinks he can't win. Rollins knows he can win. The segment ends with Dean Ambrose walking out of Kane's personal bathroom, stinking it up. A pissed off Kane orders Ambrose to fight Luke Harper tonight.
- Backstage, Roman Reigns says Wrestlemania changed his life, he thinks he proved himself, took an ass kicking but kept coming back, Rollins may be the champion, but Reigns will beat him and become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. BELIEVE THAT!
- The Miz vs. R-Truth: Truth goes for a lockup, but Miz reverses and plants Truth with the "Skull Crushing Finale". Miz covers and scores the pinfall.
- After the match: Damien Sandow hits the ring, attacks Miz and lays Miz out with the "Skull Crushing Finale". Sandow puts on sunglasses and takes in the fans cheers.
In Ring Promo with John Cena: The United States Championship will now be an opportunity, it'll represent a beacon like the Statue of Liberty and just like on RAW, Cena throws out an open title shot. Rusev and Lana appear. Rusev says he never lost at Wrestlemania, he's a super athlete, calls Cena a coward and wants a rematch at Extreme Rules. Cena says Rusev is either drunk or stupid cause he did lose at Wrestlemania and tells Rusev to why wait for Extreme Rules. Rusev says he'll crush Cena at Extreme Rules and the Russian flag will hang from the rafters. Rusev points for the flag to come down, but the American flag drops instead.
- Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper: Both men begin brawling on the floor. Harper ends up throwing Ambrose into the timekeeper area. Ambrose fires back with a flying forearm. Harper tosses Ambrose into the ring post and then power bombs Ambrose through a table, ending the match in a no contest.
- Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus: Bad News Barrett is on commentary. Bryan counters "Ten Beats" with repeated head butts. Bryan gets sent to the floor and is bleeding from the forehead. Sheamus distracts the referee, as Barrett lays Bryan out with the "Bullhammer". Bryan gets counted out and Smackdown ends with Sheamus getting the victory.
And that's this week's Smackdown/NXT recap. Have a great weekend, till next time, tap or snap.
