PUTTIN’ THAT SMACKDOWN…What Happened Last (Tuesday) Night (Oct. 17th, 2014)

SmackDown continues to be the WWE’s saving grace by attempting to implement the delicate balance that I’ve been professing.  It’s doing a solid job of respecting the past with an eye towards the future.   I feel that it should continue on in this manner because the philosophy would enable this form of entertainment to remain valid in modern times.  Not to mention that it’s doing its job of being fun to watch.  This week’s installment was encouraging.  With Hell in a Cell coming up next Sunday, the matches have been relevant and compelling for once.  Nothing like the threat of failure to prompt better product.

We open again with Seth Rollins saying how all of us are jealous of him.  How we all wish n’shit and naturally the crowd isn’t convinced.  Just as the bulk of them are rolling their eyes and looking for their drink, out comes Dolph Ziggler to the delight of all.  Something I wouldn’t have thought I’d say about a year ago but, it’s hard to deny that Ziggler has been impressive of late.  He may not be a hack after all.  And though Rollins is calling for Ambrose’s blood, Ziggler’s the one to say he’s game and gives Rollins a foot to the face.  Well, that’s all it takes to get the party started.  And again, Ziggler didn’t disappoint.  He gave it his all and Rollins was a punk, as he was supposed to be, and got the win since he’s gotta stand tall going into Hell in a Cell.  Understandable.  It’s getting easier to hate him everyday and not surprisingly that appears to be the point.

Next up, we have the Divas in AJ Lee and Layla facing off with Alicia Fox and Paige on commentary.  This wasn’t a bad match.  Both ladies executed cleanly but it was kinda clear that Layla was there as a jobber for a bit as AJ Lee maneuvered herself to the Black Widow to get the win via submission.  After that business was taken care of, Paige decided to put a nail in it by Ram-Paiging AJ into the mat.  Oh well, can’t win ‘em all now can you.

Afterwards, we have another 6-Man Tag Team match with The Usos and Sheamus vs. The Miz and the Brothers Dust.  This was actually a fun match to watch.  Though this seems to be a match-up on heavy rotation, these fellows have done a great job of keeping it entertaining each time.  Sheamus actually pairs well with The Usos, it’s looking like he’ll be earning a spot at the family BBQs soon, and The Miz and Dust Bros. are blossoming into lovable heels.  Everyone got to show off what they bring to the table while interchanging like some Rube Goldberg device of wrestling in action.  The end result is Sheamus, Brogue Kicking Goldust for the pin and the Faces take it this time around.

Next up, we have the Big Show, kindly and conscientiously request a bit of space from Mark Henry in regards to the New Cold War/Rusev situation.  Big Show, showing tact gets a positive and cooperative response from Henry.  The camaraderie strong, it’s easy to support our 2 American heroes when enter Lana and Rusev to crap upon the congenial moment.  Rusev talks some shit half in Russian and Big Show has it up to here with it and tells him to get ready to get is ass beat come Hell in a Cell.  Henry backs Show up with a “Yeah!”  It’s on for next Sunday here.

After that, we see Nikki Bella start to find her stride in Heeldom with some taped shit-talk with her sister Brie, who’s also learning to play along.  She also has a decent match with Naomi who represented with her athleticism but didn’t get the win since Nikki’s in the popularity lead.  Nikki also may have a secret or 2 as well but, as much as I like to gossip, I have no hard core facts or evidence and so, if a scandal breaks out in the near future you can say I hinted at it here first.   You do the investigative work.  I’ll talk about it when someone outs something.  

To close, we have Dean Ambrose, ready and willing to go up against a “hungry” Dad/Kane.  Matches like this, to me, show what I love about Dad.  He came out, like the suburban nightmare he currently is, and had no mercy for Ambrose, as he shouldn’t.  And Ambrose, seeing how he’s David in this “David & Goliath” match, throws everything he’s got at Kane whenever he has the chance.  This doesn’t go unpunished and Kane did some serious smacking down with Rollins quick to pitch in where appropriate.  They seem to get Ambrose in their clutches and set him up for a Curb Stomp onto a “steel” chair when Ambrose suddenly comes to his senses and backs Rollins up into a turnbuckle.  He then grabs himself the “steel” chair.  Kane comes over to solve this problem once and for all only to have Ambrose give him a taste of his own medicine with a beat-down as Rollins exits stage left as usual.  Ambrose gets up on the ropes and demonstrates how he’s gonna rip Rollins’ face off, put it in a sandwich and eat it at Hell in a Cell.  Are you ready for that?  Ready to see Rollins lose his face and watch it get eaten?  Yeah, I’m kinda lukewarm about it too but good lead up.  This salvage may not be destined for the scrap heap just yet.

See You Monday,

-Nicole Alexis.