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After last night's amazing NXT show it will be interesting to see what Smackdown can do tonight. Unfortunately for the wrestlers they do t have the great creative to work with that NXT does and the creative is a big part of the show.
Aiden English vs. Tye Dillinger was our pre-show match. English sang on his entrance to ensure he would be booed, and he was booed on merit. Tye came out to a strong reaction and Ten chants. Tye was in control until English jerked his shoulder while the ref was out of position. He got control and we, of course, went to commercial.
We came back and Aiden was still in control. Aiden singing while he wrestles is just so goofy. Anyway, English had a two count and then he got upset. Then he got over it. He ran into a TYe Breaker and lost. It was a pre-show match.
We are opening with Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. This is a big match for Nakamura as his debut on Smackdown hasn’t been great. Ziggler is out first, so that we can get the full Nakamura entrance. As soon as Ziggler’s music stopped, the crowd went nuts and chanted for Nakamura. The lights dropped and they popped huge, as they did for the first strings from the violin. The fans sang along, as usual. Listen to them Vince, LISTEN TO THEM!
Ziggler was great. He sat at ringside, unimpressed. He came in the ring, the bell rang, and we are off.
They were back and forth until Ziggler pie-faced him on the break. Now it’s on. Ziggler was working the arm early. Shinsuke got out of it and pie-faced Ziggler and then started with strikes. Dolph bailed and Nakamura chased him but as he came back in, Dolph nailed him and then hit a neckbreaker. He then went to work on Shinsuke. When Nakamura tried to break free, he ran into a dropkick. It looks like this will be a "Dolph has most of the control and then loses at the end". If they do that, it better be a convincing loss because laboring to beat Dolph won't help Shinsuke.
Nakamura came back with a kick, which missed, but followed immediately with one that hit. Both men down.
When they got up, Nakamura went to work with strikes and knees. Dolph hit an elbow but as he went for the rollup he got caught in the Triangle so he made the ropes. Dolph got a big DDT out of nowhere for a two. Dolph got a two off of a Famouser. While Nakamura laid down, selling, Ziggler set up for the Superkick. Nakamura saw it coming but Ziggler hit the ZigZag anyway for a two. Jeez, this should be a showcase and it is most certainly not. HHH has to want to slap Vince upside his head for the way Pops wastes new NXT talent.
Dolph kicked Nakamura to almost kill him and get a two count. This is a freakin' squash match for the wrong guy. Ziggler can't beat anyone, but he is destroying Nakamura with kicks in the head. Nakamura grabbed the leg and Dolph spit in his face. It took THAT for Nakamura to get fired up. What horrible booking. It ain't last night anymore.
Nakamura his a knee to the head of Ziggler. He went to the second rope but missed a knee. His Exploder hit. He waited for Zig to get up and when he did, KINSHASA for the pin.
Now don't get me wrong, I know Ziggler is really talented and can go. But he has been booked like a bum for months and he dominated this match. The terrible, terrible booking of Shinsuke on Smackdown continues.
The tag title matche sare up next. We needs to see the Breezango Special Victims Unit skit first.
Breezango were out first. Breeze was still wearing the Hulk Hogan janitor outfit from the skit. That makes me take them seriously as Title contenders.
OK, the so match starts and Fandango is himself and Breeze is the Janitor. He tagged in and started mopping the ring. Use charged him and he got out of the way. He is a janitor with a plan. Use charged and he got the mop in the face. Then Use knocked him out and broke the mop. Use ran from corner to corner to do a move and Hogantor kept rolling. Then he hit a kick on Use and got a two. I really don't know what the hell I am watching. I really don't.
Fandango tagged in and they went to work on him. I will give the crowd pops, they are playing along and enjoying this. Breeze came back dressed as an old lady, with a cane. Fandango tagged him in. The announced acted like it was an old lady. The fans chanted "Let's Go Grandma". The are into it. Anyway Breeze then hits some dropkicks and Bronco Buster. Then Use laid him out and threw granny's bloomers at JBL. I am not making this up.
If you blame the fans turning out on NBA or NHL playoffs, you will need to read what I just wrote. You are wrong.
Fandango came in and got in some offense and near falls. Breeze came in and the Usos got a two on him. Use then hit Use by accident and Breeze got a two. Dango went to the top and had Use when the other Use grabbed his leg. That let Use kick him in the head for the win. The crowd enjoyed it but I don't know what the hell I just watched.
Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin is next. Save us. Please. PLEASE!!!!!
Sami was selling the back early on. Corbin was taking powders and drawing Sami in. He kept coming because that is what he does.
Corbin beat on Sami for a few minutes until he ducked and pulled the rope and Baron hit the floor. He came in and Sami ran into a Spinebuster for two. Corbin kept beating on Sami and telling him to stay down.
Please go to Page 2 for more thoughts from tonight's show!
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