WWE Smackdown Results
August 15, 2014
Seattle, Washington
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
The Smackdown video plays, and we’re brought into the arena to hear The Miz’ entrance music. The ring is decorated with a black carpet and an upside down WWE logo. It’s time for Miz TV.
Miz TV with Special Guest Roman Reigns
The Miz makes his way to the ring in a red suit with his WWE Intercontinental Championship on his shoulder. He’ll defend that championship against Dolph Ziggler on Sunday at SummerSlam. The Miz welcomes the crowd to Miz TV, the talk show headlined by the talk of the town. The Miz thanks people even though no one is cheering. This Sunday, SummerSlam will be from a city populated by people he can relate to, such as VIPs and A-listers. These people can appreciate and celebrate the elite. The Miz wants the people to close their eyes and imagine the excitement the City of Angels will have when he successfully defends the Intercontinental Championship. The crowd boos him.
The Miz says they could talk all day about the moneymaker, but he’s feeling very charitable and wants to give back. He thinks the way to do that is to mentor some of the younger WWE Superstars. That brings him to his guest at this time, the man who will face “The Viper” Randy Orton at SummerSlam, Roman Reigns. The crowd cheers loudly as Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring through the crowd.
Reigns gets in the ring and sits in a chair. The Miz says Reigns has been very impressive as of late. Reigns is his mom’s favorite WWE Superstar. Reigns tells him to tell his mom, “What’s up?” This Sunday, Reigns will be stepping into the ring with one of the most dangerous superstars on one of the biggest stages WWE has to offer. Miz asks if he is nervous. Reigns goes to answer, but Miz cuts him off. Miz says if he fails against Randy Orton, Reigns will be known as a guy who was just in a vest with a nice smile, great hair, and on Miz TV. As honorable as that may be, is Reigns prepared to live with the fact that he was so close to superstardom, but he just couldn’t rise to the occasion. Reigns again goes to answer, but Miz cuts him off. Miz says he’ll give him any type of advice. Reigns again goes to say something, but Miz cuts him off to say he’s been in many movies. Miz begins to list them, and Reigns punches him in the face, knocking Miz out of his chair and out of the ring! Reigns says a guy in a vest with great hair and a pretty good smile just put Miz on his ass! Miz gets on the apron holding his face before sulking to the back.
The crowd chants Reigns’ name, and he says it’s pretty good to see Seattle. They pop for that. Reigns says Randy Orton is known as the Viper, but it’s for a damn good reason. With that attitude, he’s won championship after championship after championship. That’s what Reigns respects. That gives Orton every reason to respect him when he beats him this Sunday at SummerSlam.
Replays are shown of Reigns punching The Miz in the face in slow motion. That punch absolutely connected.
Mark Henry will take on Luke Harper later tonight. Big Show will be in Henry’s corner.
-Commercial Break-
Replays are shown of Dean Ambrose bursting out of a gift box for Hulk Hogan on Monday Night RAW to attack Seth Rollins. Rollins would eventually escape through the crowd. They’ll fight on Sunday at SummerSlam in a Lumberjack Match.
Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro
Charles Robinson, my favorite referee of all time, is the official for this match. Cesaro quickly applies a waistlock before going to a side headlock. Ambrose whips him off, but Cesaro quickly rebounds with a shoulder block. Cesaro looks angrily out into the crowd before hitting the ropes. Ambrose quickly pops up and turns him inside out with a knee to the midsection. Ambrose puts him in the corner and hits some right hands before digging his forearm into his face. Cesaro punches him to the corner and hits a European Uppercut that grounds him. Cesaro chokes him with his boot before getting him to his feet and hitting a straight right hand. Cesaro hits a short-arm clothesline before kicking him a few times in the head. Ambrose punches back at him before hitting the ropes. Ambrose ducks a clothesline and hits a pair of his own. Ambrose has a whip reversed, and Cesaro catches him attempting a running cross-body block. Cesaro goes for a slam, but Ambrose slides out. Ambrose pushes him into the ropes and clotheslines him over the top rope. Ambrose connects with a plancha before punching away at him.
Ambrose puts him in the ring and hits some body shots in the corner. Cesaro reverses a whip and digs his knee into the midsection. Cesaro then sends Ambrose’s bad shoulder through the turnbuckles to the ring post. Ambrose is hanging in between the turnbuckles as Cesaro exits the ring. Cesaro then grabs him and suplexes him from the turnbuckles to the floor!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ambrose trapped in a chin lock. Ambrose fights up and tries to elbow out, but Cesaro puts him in the corner and hits a running European Uppercut. Cesaro hits some jabs before Ambrose comes back with one of his own. Ambrose then catches him with a back body drop out of the ring. Ambrose hits the ropes and connects with a suicide dive before rolling him back into the ring. Ambrose goes to the top rope, but Cesaro cuts him off with a punch. Ambrose falls down to the apron, so Cesaro goes for his superplex. Ambrose bites him to get him away. Ambrose then catches him and connects with a tornado DDT for a near fall.
Ambrose goes for a double-arm suplex, but Cesaro fights him off. Ambrose ducks a short-arm clothesline, but he soon eats a big boot. Ambrose falls into the ropes and goes for a rebound clothesline, but Cesaro ducks it. Cesaro then takes him out with a big clothesline for a near fall. The crowd is chanting for Ambrose. Cesaro runs into a back elbow. Ambrose goes for another tornado DDT, but Cesaro counters before shooting him up in the air for A Very European Uppercut. That gets Cesaro a near fall. Cesaro powers him up, and Ambrose surprises him with an inside cradle for a near fall. Cesaro ducks a clothesline and hits an inverted Death Valley Driver for another near fall. Cesaro talks a little trash and slaps him. Ambrose slaps him back, so Cesaro kicks him into the ropes. Ambrose then rebounds with a big clothesline for a near fall. The crowd is chanting, “This is awesome!”
Ambrose goes for Dirty Deeds (Michael Cole called it “Lunatic Fringe” so maybe that name is changing), but Cesaro pushes him off and hits a forearm to the kidneys. Cesaro grabs the shoulder, but Ambrose gets away. Cesaro elbows him in the face, so Ambrose elbows him back. Ambrose then hits Dirty Deeds for the win. Cole started to call it “Lunatic Fringe” before stopping and calling it by its current name.
Winner by Pinfall: Dean Ambrose
Match Rating: ** 1/4
Seth Rollins’ music hits, and he comes out to the stage. The crowd chants, “You sold out” toward him. Rollins says they’ll finally go one-on-one in a Lumberjack Match this Sunday at SummerSlam. Ambrose chose the Lumberjack Match stipulation. This is a match where twenty other WWE Superstars, who probably don’t like them very much, are going to surround the ring and ensure that if either of them try to run or hide, perhaps in a birthday present or the trunk of a car, the moment that person steps through the ropes, one or all of the Lumberjacks will throw them right back into the ring. This Sunday, he will prove to Ambrose and the entire WWE Universe what he has known all along: he is the future of this company, and he better than Ambrose. He is better than some Lunatic Fringe who doesn’t care about his physical wellbeing. He is better than some bipolar nut job that should be locked away. He is better than some hellcat with rabies who was never his friend or brother. Rollins says he never gave a damn about Ambrose in the first place. Rollins’ music hits, and Ambrose just stares at him smiling.
Mark Henry will take on Luke Harper later tonight. Big Show will be in Henry’s corner.
-Commercial Break-
The Miz is seen walking backstage with a giant ice pack on his face. Miz is pouting big time. Corporate Kane stops him and says they need to talk. Miz says they definitely do need to talk. Miz wonders if there is nothing sacred to “the kids” anymore. He puts Roman Reigns on Miz TV to teach him a valuable lesson, and he tries to damage the moneymaker. This face is how he makes millions. Miz says some people don’t know the meaning of respect. Kane says he was just thinking the same thing. Miz says Reigns needs to be banned from Miz TV from this day forward. Miz goes to leave, but Kane stops him. Kane says he’s giving him and the moneymaker a little more airtime tonight in a match against Roman Reigns! Miz doesn’t look happy about that as Kane says, “Ciao!”
Replays are shown of Heath Slater and Titus O’Neil trying to bring Hulk Hogan a birthday cake after RAW ended, but they fought over who would bring it into the ring. As a result, the cake wound up all over O’Neil. They then had a cake fight.
More replays are shown from RAW of Dolph Ziggler attacking The Miz, who was on guest commentary for Ziggler’s match against Heath Slater. Ziggler wound up being counted out.
Titus O’Neil w/ Heath Slater vs. Dolph Ziggler
They circle the ring and lock up. O’Neil powers him to the corner and punches him down. O’Neil sends him into the ropes, but Ziggler ducks a pair of clotheslines, hangs on to the ropes, and taunts O’Neil. O’Neil charges him, but Ziggler pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. O’Neil quickly gets back in the ring, and Ziggler gets out. O’Neil gets out, and Ziggler gets back in. Slater mentions to O’Neil that Ziggler is really quick. O’Neil gets into the ring, and he eats a dropkick. O’Neil quickly gets the advantage by punching him in the corner and slamming him down. O’Neil picks him up before hitting a pair of backbreakers before tossing him aside for a two count. O’Neil whips him hard into the corner and hits an avalanche. O’Neil clubs him down. O’Neil then runs into Ziggler’s boots.
Ziggler pulls himself up, ducks a clothesline, and hits a running clothesline. Ziggler connects with a dropkick before hitting a big splash in the corner. Ziggler goes for a neckbreaker, but O’Neil pushes him off and hits a big boot for a near fall. O’Neil goes for a standing fall-away slam, but Ziggler lands on his feet. Ziggler sidesteps a splash in the corner and hits the Zig-Zag for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler
Match Rating: *
Heath Slater gets in the ring and argues over Titus O’Neil’s strategy in this match.
We’ll take a look at the one-on-one interview between Bray Wyatt and Chris Jericho from Monday Night RAW.
-Commercial Break-
The announcers talk about Bray Wyatt taking on Chris Jericho at SummerSlam before showing the interview with the two of them from RAW.
Mark Henry makes his way to the ring with The Big Show. Henry will face Luke Harper, next.
-Commercial Break-
Mark Henry w/ The Big Show vs. Luke Harper w/ Erick Rowan
They lock up as the fans are chanting, “Sexual Chocolate.” They give a clean break as Harper looks at him wildly. They lock up again, and Henry powers him to the corner. Harper quickly turns him and releases the lock up. Harper kicks and punches him before applying a side headlock. Henry quickly grabs him by the beard and powers him over the top rope. Harper soon gets back on the apron and punches Henry a few times. Harper grabs him by the face and punches him in the corner. Henry comes back with some punches before whipping him to the corner. Henry runs into a knee. Harper then hits the ropes and hits a big boot for a two count. Harper turns toward The Big Show, who talks a little trash to him. Harper kicks him in the head a few times as Big Show gets the crowd going. Harper punches Henry down for a two count. Harper then applies a chin lock. Henry fights up and clotheslines him down. Henry goes for the World’s Strongest Slam, but Rowan runs into the ring and kicks him.
Winner by Disqualification: Mark Henry
Match Rating: *
Big Show quickly gets into the ring as Harper and Rowan get out of the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Mark Henry and The Big Show vs. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan
During the break on the WWE App, Corporate Kane booked this impromptu tag team match. We see Big Show take Harper down by the arm before applying an arm bar. Harper fights up and punches him a few times. Harper hits the ropes, but Big Show takes him down with a back elbow. Big Show puts him in the corner and chops the chest. Harper stumbles to the opposite corner, so Big Show chops his chest there as well. Harper hits some throat thrusts before hitting an uppercut. Harper hits the ropes, but Big Show grabs him by the throat. Harper punches out, but he has a whip to the corner reversed on him. Big Show connects with a running butt bump before running him over with a shoulder block. Big Show signals for a Chokeslam, but Harper gets out of the ring. Big Show follows him out, and Rowan blindsides him with a clothesline on the floor. The referee admonishes Rowan.
Harper hits a throat thrust as Big Show gets into the ring. Rowan is tagged in, and he kicks away at Big Show before dropping an elbow for a two count. Rowan chokes him on the bottom rope before ripping at his face. Rowan punches away at Big Show in the corner as Harper tags in. Harper sends Rowan into Big Show. Rowan then whips Big Show into a big boot from Harper for a two count. Harper applies a chin lock, and Big Show looks like he’s nearly out. Big Show begins to fight up, and he gets out with a back suplex.
Henry and Rowan are tagged in. Henry hits a pair of clotheslines before splashing him in the corner. Henry sends him to the opposite corner and hits another splash. Rowan then runs into a World’s Strongest Slam attempt. Harper runs in, but Big Show runs him over with a shoulder block. Henry is still holding Rowan. Big Show hits a Knockout Punch on Rowan as Henry hits him with the World’s Strongest Slam for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Mark Henry and The Big Show
Match Rating: * 1/4
Michael Cole calls them the “World’s Largest Tag Team” as replays are shown of the end of the match.
Video Package: Stephanie McMahon vs. Brie Bella
AJ Lee makes her way to the ring. She’ll be in action, next.
-Commercial Break-
AJ Lee vs. Eva Marie
The bell rings, and AJ talks a little trash before charging at Eva Marie. Eva quickly goes against the ropes, and the referee pulls AJ away. Eva quickly leaves the ring to recover. AJ gets on the apron and grabs her by the hair, but Eva quickly sweeps her feet. Eva gets in the ring and picks up a two count. AJ blocks a slap and takes her down by the hair a few times. AJ sends her into the corner and splashes her. AJ hits a neckbreaker for a two count. At some point, AJ ripped one of Eva’s extensions out and waves it around. AJ sends her into the ropes and hits a spin kick.
As AJ goes for the pinfall, Paige’s music hits, and she skips down to the ring. Paige begins to skip around the ring, but AJ takes her out with a Lou Thesz Press off the apron. AJ punches away at her before grabbing her by the hair and throwing her into the barricade. AJ slams her head into the barricade a few times before realizing that the referee was counting. AJ tries to get back into the ring, but she’s counted out.
Winner by Count-Out: Eva Marie
Match Rating: *
Eva Marie can’t believe she beat AJ again. AJ chases her out of the ring, and Eva blows a kiss to her. AJ then turns into a superkick from Paige. Paige then lays her out with the Paige Turner before skipping around the ring.
Roman Reigns will face The Miz in tonight’s main event. Coming up next, we’ll see Jack Swagger take on Bo Dallas.
-Commercial Break-
Jack Swagger w/ Zeb Colter vs. Bo Dallas
The bell rings as Swagger does his, “We the people!” taunt. Swagger’s ribs are taped. They lock up, and Swagger applies a side headlock. Dallas whips him off, but Swagger quickly runs him over with a shoulder block. Swagger hits the ropes, and Dallas knees him in the midsection. Dallas punches away at the injured ribs, but Swagger pushes him away. Dallas quickly hits a tackle before taunting the crowd. Swagger immediately picks the ankle and applies the Patriot Lock for the win.
Winner by Submission: Jack Swagger
Match Rating: 1/2 *
Jack Swagger waves the American flag in the ring with Zeb Colter. Rusev’s music hits, and he comes out to the stage waving the flag of the Russian Federation. Lana accompanies him. Lana says a Flag Match is symbolic of greatness. The winner of this match between Rusev and Swagger will have his country’s flag raised high above the ring. Rusev will dedicate his match to Vladimir Putin, whose image is shown on the titantron.
We’ll take an in depth look at the Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, next.
-Commercial Break-
During the commercial break, Bo Dallas was making an excuse for why he tapped out. He was apparently trying to claw his way to the bottom rope, and the referee mistook it as him tapping out. Dallas forgives that “silly referee.”
Video Package: John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring. He’ll face The Miz in the main event, next.
-Commercial Break-
As The Miz makes his way to the ring, they show a replay of Roman Reigns smashing him in the face with his right hand during Miz TV earlier in the night. Reigns is seen laughing at the footage.
Roman Reigns vs. The Miz
Charles Robinson, my favorite official who congratulated me on Twitter for my recent engagement, is back for another match. The Miz is still holding his jaw. They lock up, and Reigns backs him to the corner before faking a punch to the face. The Miz quickly drops down to protect his face. Reigns backs away smiling. They circle the ring, and Miz applies a side headlock. Reigns backs him to the corner, and he gives a clean break. The Miz shoves him before leaving the ring. Miz talks a little trash to the crowd before getting in the ring. They lock up, and Miz goes for a hammerlock. Miz wrenches the arm and goes for a whip, but Reigns doesn’t budge. Reigns sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Reigns stands straight up and looks angry. Miz ducks a clothesline and slaps him in the face. Reigns is infuriated now. Miz quickly gets out of the ring. Reigns chases him back into the ring, but he avoids Miz’s kick. Reigns pulls him out of the ring and sends him twice into the barricade.
Reigns puts him in the ring, but Miz rolls to the apron and snaps him off the top rope. Miz goes to the top rope and jumps into a punch to the ribs. Miz gasps for air as Reigns kicks him down. Miz quickly kicks him in the knee and works on the leg. Reigns shoves him away and goes for a boot, but Miz counters into a leg breaker. Miz goes outside, drags Reigns by the legs to the ring post, and smashes the injured leg off the ring post. Miz punches him down before going back to work on the knee. Miz applies the Figure Four Leglock, but Reigns powers out of it. Miz punches him a few times before going for it again. Reigns kicks him off, and Miz goes into the ring post shoulder first.
Reigns punches the mat as Miz runs into a Samoan Drop. Reigns ducks a clothesline and hits a leaping clothesline. Reigns clotheslines him in the corner and levels him with a punch to the face. Miz falls into the bottom rope as Reigns goes outside and hits him with a running dropkick. Reigns punches the mat and goes for a Superman Punch, but Miz quickly escapes the ring. Dolph Ziggler comes out and stands at the top of the stage. Miz stops at the bottom of the ramp and stares at him. Miz then turns into a Superman Punch! Reigns puts him in the ring and hits the Spear for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Roman Reigns
Match Rating: * 3/4
Roman Reigns celebrates with the fans as Michael Cole makes the final pitch for the SummerSlam PPV and the WWE Network.
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Quick Match Results
Dean Ambrose def. Cesaro
Dolph Ziggler def. Titus O’Neil
Mark Henry def. Luke Harper via DQ
Mark Henry and Big Show def. Luke Harper and Erick Rowan
Eva Marie def. AJ Lee via CO (non-title)
Jack Swagger def. Bo Dallas via Submission
Roman Reigns def. The Miz (non-title)
Mike’s Quick Thoughts
* I liked The Miz TV segment that kicked off the show. The Miz’ current character is such a great foil for the bigger names. I think they’ve finally found a great role for him that will stick. Miz was pretty damn funny as he kept cutting Roman Reigns off like he was doing him a favor by imparting his vast knowledge. Reigns then took him out with a nasty right hand to the jaw. The slow motion replays were awesome as it looked like Miz’ jaw dislocated as it connected. I give major props to The Miz for eating that one. Reigns then cut a decent promo about Orton. I just wish Reigns had a little more control on his voice when he goes for the big yell at the end of his promos. It kind of sounded like a pre-teen yelling and then the segment just ended.
* I absolutely loved the match between Dean Ambrose and Cesaro. This is a hell of a match-up as evidenced a few weeks back on Smackdown when they had an awesome No Disqualification match. Both guys are hard hitters and don’t mind taking the big bumps. I just hope they get a chance to showcase their skills on a bigger stage at some point so a lot of people can see what this match-up can offer. It’s simply fantastic. As for the Seth Rollins promo after the match, that was just to put the cherry on top of the cake for this feud. Rollins basically went over what the Lumberjack aspect of the match means for them before getting the final word on what he’ll do to Ambrose. I’m really looking forward to this match.
* The match with Dolph Ziggler and Titus O’Neil was just a quick tune up for Ziggler. It happened, it ended, and we moved on none the worse for wear.
* Contrary to what I said about them last week, I’ve decided I don’t mind the pairing of Big Show and Mark Henry. There really isn’t anything for them to do at the moment. It would pose an interesting threat for Jimmy and Jey Uso for them to face this duo. I have a feeling that they’ll be thrown into a multi-tag team match against them, though, just like the little remembered team of Big Show and Rey Mysterio was last year.
* AJ’s match against Eva Marie wasn’t terrible. I don’t know if it’s because of masterful editing or if the time of the match was so short it didn’t allow Eva to botch, but it was a quick, passable match. I really liked Paige’s attack on AJ after the match, however I think the Paige Turner has to go. It’s way too convoluted of a move to hit. As we’ve all heard, a great finisher should be able to be executed quickly. The setup for Paige to hit that was quite clunky and the end result just leaves something to be desired. This should be a fun match at SummerSlam. Hopefully it’s given a little time to shine.
* Jack Swagger easily made Bo Dallas tap out after very little fight. I know Swagger is going to SummerSlam and is the main focus, but I’m not sure I would have used Dallas as the quick victim here. Hopefully it was only for a night due to being short-staffed and won’t become a trend. Dallas is too good for that. Lana then came out with Rusev to put some final hype on the Flag Match for SummerSlam, the rules of which haven’t really been explained yet. Are they wrestling straight up or are the flags on a pole? At least we know the winner, however they determine the winner, will have his flag raised above the ring.
* Roman Reigns and The Miz had a fun little match to close the show out. The Miz spent a lot of time stooging around protecting his face from taking a second punch. In the end, of course, he got punched in the face and lost to the dominant Reigns. Dolph Ziggler also made an appearance to thwart Miz’ attempt to run away. It was some good old-fashioned fun before things get really serious at SummerSlam. I can’t wait!
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Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
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