SMACKDOWN 23/06/2016 - A sign of things to come?

Much like a phoenix bursting into flame, this episode of Smackdown was on fire! It had very much the same format as last week with only one or two segments and the rest just wrestling, which is a good thing because if it ain't broke, don't fix it. With the drafts coming up in a short few weeks, how did this show pan out?


Opening segment
This was a very short, yet very strange segment. It basically started out with Seth Rollins on the mic, saying he deserves to face Ambrose one-on-one for the title and then issuing an open challenge to anyone on the roster for the main event later that night. The call would then be answered by Sami Zayn and shortly after this Dean Ambrose would could out, set up the "Ambrose Asylum", ask one or two questions that wouldn't get answered, which would then lead to Rollins leaving the ring and that would be the end of it. It was very confusing and, in my opinion, could have been done differently. I think it should have opened with Seth being interviewed backstage, saying exactly what he said in the ring and then still having an open challenge which could have either been answered at the main event slot or Sami Zayn could have just showed up at the interview and said he is going to answer the challenge. This would have been a better way to do it and it would have made more sense as to what was happening. I might just add that it is still being advertised as a triple threat match at Battleground for the world title which further indicates that WWE knew beforehand that Reigns had failed the wellness policy. While I believe Seth and Ambrose can do a great job in promoting the match, I just think that Reigns should not be a part of it as with him being away, it makes the match more about Amrose and Rollins and just makes Reigns a third guy in the match. Again, WWE could have done so much if they just decided to take Reigns out of the match. It should also be noted that it is unlikely to be mentioned why he is not at any of the shows or the fact that he failed the wellness test.
Rating: 6.5

Cesaro VS Alberto del Rio

Mauro Ranallo happily accepting a high five from Cesaro

Two really great competitors, I need not say just how good these two are in the ring together. There was a lot of back and forth action and del Rio would target the shoulder of Cesaro throughout, which is more understandable if he still used the Armbreaker as a finisher. Del Rio probably has the worst finisher in WWE history, yes even worse than Santino's Cobra. The Cobra would at least be struck as someone was getting up or turning around, with del Rio's corner stomp, the opponent just hangs there, holding themselves up waiting for him to do it. I really hope this changes soon as the Armbreaker is a realistic finisher and submission hold and no one else uses it on the current roster. But overall I really enjoyed the match and feel on a PPV these two can really steal the show.
Winner: Cesaro
Rating: 8

Apollo Crews VS Sheamus (MITB rematch)
A match I wasn't really looking all that forward to when I saw it advertised for Smackdown, yet these guys managed to really impress me. We know that both guys can do well in the ring, but their MITB match felt really lacklustre. There match here felt like they were really trying to prove something and boy did they ever. They were very physical with each other with the match going back and forth throughout. It was a strange finish though, because Sheamus had set the steel step up vertically on the outside and would then Brogue kick Crews into it, and would then get a count out victory. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but should that not have technically been a disqualification? I'm not complaining as it was a very good match overall, but it's times like these that the rules in WWE become very confusing.
Winner: Sheamus
Rating: 8

AJ Styles VS Jimmy Uso
A decent match at best. The Usos are yet to really show off something significant, although they do occasionally impress when it comes to certain spots. I would really like to see the Usos turn heel again, I feel like (much like Roman Reigns) they are much better at being heels.
Winner: AJ Styles
Rating: 7

New Day VS the Vaudevillians
It seems to now be official: the Vaudevillians have been labeled as jobbers. Much like when the Ascension burst onto the scene, the tag team looked like a team possibly to be reckoned with, however it seems like creative have hit a blank again as they no longer seem to know what to do with them. Let's hope I'm wrong and that they will rise up come the brand split. Nothing really significant happened in this match, it was more once the match was over that something happened. While the New Day were celebrating, the lights went out and on the screen appeared the Wyatts. Bray Wyatt, as usual, did all the talking because he's great at it. What was most significant during this was the look on Xavier Woods' face as he looked genuinely scared, which is great! Woods is one of the few guys that is absolutely great with reactions, so good job once again. It must be assumed that these two teams will clash at Battleground, however you have to wonder if it will be a six-man tag team match or a normal tag team match for the tag team championships. Either way, it should be a good one and I'm excited.
Winner: New Day
Rating: 7.5

Becky Lynch VS Dana Brooke w/Charlotte

Dana Brooke's "roll up" pin 

Much like on RAW, this match proved that WWE are once again moving forward with the Women's division. This was actually a pretty good match, although it is evident that Dana Brooke is still green in certain areas most evident when she went for the roll up pin to finish the match, she did not hook herself properly to Becky Lynch. But otherwise, I am seeing big improvements from both Women. While Becky has always been good, there is a different feel to her since Natalya turned her back on her.
Winner: Dana Brooke
Rating: 8

Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn
Now this is how every main event show should look like. What a spectacular match between these two! A lot of back and forth action, some highflying moves, quick paced, it was all just very good and made me a happy, happy man. What was probably the best to see was that Seth Rollins got a clean victory over Sami Zayn AND the fact that neither guy looked bad by the end of it.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Rating: 9

As is evident, this show was a really great show overall. Much like the way you like it in bed, Smackdown gave RAW a pure beating! This is surely a sign of these to come by the time the brand split comes rolling around.

This is Stuverro signing off. PEACE!