 A preview of SummerSlam? Daniel Bryan has his hand raised by referee Triple H at Smackdown. Photo by Devin Chen, www.chdevinphotos.com |
With SummerSlam on Sunday, don't expect a lot of revelations out of tonight's Smackdown! Expect to see some warm up matches, but just remember, if a Superstar gets over tonight, there's a good chance they won't be winning on Sunday.
The Wyatt Family kicks off the show from San Jose with their creepy entrance, as Michael Cole recaps their feud with Kane. Bray will face Kane in a Ring of Fire match, unlike the Inferno match, the goal is not to burn your opponent. Bray takes a seat in the ring on his rocker with his brothers, Harper and Rowan. Bray spins a tale of woe involving Kane. The Big Red Machine isn't amused, crashing the ring. Kane pulls Harper and Rowan from the ring, but Bray invites him into the ring. Kane beats Bray into the corner, but Harper and Rowan jump back into the ring, allowing Bray to gain the upper hand. Kane is dropped with the Sister Abigail, a swinging reverse STO.
Match #1 - Damien Sandow vs. Christian
The question isn't will Alberto Del Rio run down, but when will Del Rio run down. Del Rio holds off until the end of match, running down to jump Christian after he beat Sandow with a small package. Del Rio pummels his opponent for Sunday, telling him he won't win. Christian fights out of the cross arm breaker and counters into the Kill Switch, leaving the champ laid out in the middle of the ring.
Winner via pinfall: Christian
RVD tells Renee Young that he isn't worried about the Shield, especially with Mark Henry and Big Show backing him up.
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Match #2 – Natalya and Kaitlyn vs. AJ Lee and Layla
So RVD and Dean Ambrose are relegated to the pre-show, while SummerSlam will feature a Diva match and a mixed tag match. I can't order this fast enough. AJ picks up the win with a shining wizard to Kaitlyn.
Winner via pinfall: AJ Lee and Layla
Renee Young asks Ryback if he isn't on the SummerSlam card because of the brutality he has shown over the past months. Ryback says of course that's the reason, and then picks a fight with a poor production guy. And by fight, I mean punch him in the gut, smack him and toss him over a table. Ryback then says people are scared of him.
Match #3 – The Shield vs. Big Show, RVD and Mark Henry
Big Show catches Ambrose with the KO punch and RVD finishes him off with the Five Star Frog splash.
Winner via pinfall: Big Show, RVD and Mark Henry
Match #4 – The Miz vs. Jack Swagger w/Antonio Cesaro and Zeb Colter
Before the match, Colter calls Miz a phony and then runs down the state of California. I know The Miz is hosting SummerSlam, but do "The Real Americans" have anything on Sunday? Anyway, the guy doing a Ryan Seacrest impersonation on Sunday picks up the win with a roll up from the ropes. (Miz hasn't wrestled in so long I can't remember what his finisher is; good thing he didn't use it.)
Winner via pinfall: The Miz
Match #5 – Curtis Axel w/ Paul Heyman vs. Zack Ryder
Remember when Ryder got a (lackluster) push? Now, he's just a jobber, and not even a glorified one. Axel picks up the win after hitting Ryder with a shoulder facebuster. (How many finishers does this guy have?)
Winner via pinfall: Curtis Axel
After the match, Paul Heyman grabs a microphone to address the CM Punk situation. Heyman say all Punk did on Monday was prove how right Heyman was. Now Punk is the target of revenge, and Brock Lesnar will take that revenge.
Match #6 – Daniel Bryan vs. Wade Barrett - No Disqualification Match
Bryan ducks a punch in the corner and unloads on Barrett with a series of kicks. Bryan locks in a surfboard and breaks the hold stomping on the legs of Barrett. A running clothesline sends Barrett over the top rope, but Wade dodges a slide kicks and driver Bryan into the barrier. Barrett misses a running kick and gets himself hung up on the barrier. Bryan kicks him into the time keepers area and grabs a table. Barrett cuts him off, slamming him into the announce table and then whipping him into the ring steps. Barrett grabs a Kendo stick, smashing it over Bryan's back. Bryan turns the tables, but Barrett slips out of the ring. Bryan catches him with a dive through the ropes and then a missile drop kick back in the ring. Mr. McMahon surprises everyone by heading to the ring and we go to break.
After the commercials, Mr. McMahon is at ringside, (apparently after raiding Craig Sager's closet.)Bryan counters a powerbomb with leg scissors the send Barrett to the floor. Bryan defiantly stares down Vince, before returning his attention to Barrett. Vince enjoys Barrett getting in some offense, mocking Bryan with a "Yes!" chant. Barrett brings a chair into the ring, crushing Bryan over the back with it. Barrett goes up high, but Bryan roll away from the elbow drop and Barrett eats the steel chair. With Barrett down, Bryan grabs the Kendo stick and unloads on Barrett with shots and kicks. Barrett surprise Bryan with a roll up but Bryan counters into the Yes Lock. Barrett taps, but there's no ref as Vince pulled him from the ring. Bryan yells at Vince and then walks right into the Bull Hammer elbow. Vince calls for another ref, and RAW GM Brad Maddox runs in to make the count. Bryan kicks out. Barrett goes for a pump handle slam, but Bryan escapes and lays him out with a kick to the head. Bryan covers, but Maddox refuses to make the count. Vince hands the Kendo stick Barrett, but Bryan ducks the shot, and Barrett clocks Maddox. Bryan crashes Barrett into a table in the corner. Vince grabs a referee shirt and is about to jump in the ring, when Triple H enters to take up the ref duties. Bryan climbs the top turnbuckle and connects with a flying head butt. Triple H makes the three count, allowing Bryan to pick up the win.
Winner via pinfall: Daniel Brayn
After the bell, Randy Orton walks out on stage to remind everyone he is Mr. Money in the Bank.
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Dale Plummer has been writing for SLAM! Wrestling since 2003. Follow Dale on Twitter @DPlummer627