WWE Smackdown Results (USA Network Debut)
January 7, 2016
Laredo, Texas
Report by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
The show opens with a video package highlighting the events from RAW on Monday night with Roman Reigns knocking out Vince McMahon with a Superman and pinning Sheamus to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Vince then announces that Reigns will be defending his title in the 30 Man Royal Rumble match.
An upgraded Smackdown graphic info hits. Pyro opens the show in Laredo. Byron Saxton is the first to join us for the debut on the USA Network. Jerry Lawler plugs Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE Intercontinental Championship and Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch for the WWE Divas Championship.
We go to ringside where Jerry Lawler officially introduces the new voice of Smackdown, Mauro Ranallo (introduced as a veteran combat sports announcer). Ranallo said the boyhood dream has come true and shakes hands with both Saxton and Lawler.
John Cena’s music hits to open the show. Cena out to a big ovation. He fires up the crowd in the ring and grabs a mic. “Welcome to the first Smackdown of 2016.” He talks about Smackdown making history by moving to the USA Network. Cena said no one is more excited than him, especially being on a network named after the United States of America. He said the fans sound fired up in Laredo tonight and plugs that two title matches will take place later tonight. Cena said on a Smackdown so big, the one thing missing is our United States Champion. He said it is a new year, a new network and just for once he wants to try a fresh start. Cena introduces the “man with no control, he’s got two tickets to paradise, the champion of the USA, Albertoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…DEL RIOOOOOOOOOO.”
Alberto Del Rio’s music hits and out walks the WWE United States Champion. Del Rio grabs a mic and gets in the ring. He said Cena can save his speech and adds, “Just like any other gringo, you are trying to weasel your way into another title opportunity that you do not deserve.” Del Rio gives him credit because it worked once, but it won’t work tonight. Cena said they are on the USA Network, Del Rio is the United States Champion and the people seem fired up to see him tonight. The fans cheer loud in Laredo. He suggests a United States Championship match for this fired up crowd. The crowd in Laredo starts up a loud “SI! SI! SI!” chant. Del Rio tells Cena to shut up and refuses to put his title on the line tonight. He said he will fight anyone right here in Laredo right now…”just not you John Cena.” Cena does a recap saying no title shot and no match for him. He said tonight should be about the USA Network and about the land of opportunity. Cena suggests an opponent for Del Rio tonight and introduces Kalisto. Del Rio starts laughing as Kalisto fires up the crowd leading the “LUCHA” chant. He said Cena has to be kidding him. Cena continues to introduce Kalisto to fire up the crowd as Kalisto throws his arms up. “You really think you can beat me little man,” adds Del Rio. Kalisto grabs the mic and said he is going to beat Del Rio right now. Kalisto with a quick huricanrana takedown on Del Rio that sends Del Rio through the ropes to the outside. Del Rio removes his title and jumps back in.
Non-Title Match
WWE U.S. Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Kalisto
Del Rio works over Kalisto in the corner with kicks and body shots. Kalisto springboards off the ropes and kicks Del Rio in the head. Kalisto with his huricanrana driving Del Rio’s face to the mat. Del Rio quickly bails from the ring. We see a shot of John Cena remaining at ringside as we head to a commercial break.
-Commercial Break-
We are back live as Del Rio dumps Kalisto with a back suplex. Del Rio hangs Kalisto off the second rope, jumps to the outside and catches Kalisto with a big boot to the head. Back in the ring, Del Rio drops Kalisto with a quick clothesline and then stomps over his chest. Del Rio gets Kalisto in the tree of woe in the corner getting in more kicks and body shots. Del Rio with a spear to the mid section of Kalisto who is still hanging upside down in the corner. Del Rio attempts another shot, Kalisto lifts himself up and Del Rio hits the ring post. Kalisto stands up top on the turnbuckle, jumps and tackles Del Rio. Kalisto with a springboard corkscrew, superkick, attempts a huricanrana, Del Rio hangs on and drops Kalisto with a big sitdown powerbomb for a two count. Del Rio with a corner clothesline to Kalisto. Del Rio with another. Del Rio with a quick spike DDT on Kalisto who rolls out of the ring. Del Rio jumps out and mocks Cena with the “you can’t see me” gesture. Cena removes his shirt and gets ready to fight when the referee tells him to back off. Del Rio sends Kalisto back first into the barricade. Del Rio puts Kalisto back inside the ring and starts up a “SI” chant. Kalisto counters an armabar attempt into a huricanrana hooking the leg. Kalisto gets the win!
Winner: Kalisto
After the match, Kalisto jumps out of the ring and celebrates with John Cena at ringside. Alberto Del Rio can’t believe it. Cena raises the arm of Kalisto at the top of the ramp and they head to the back.
Backstage, JoJo talks with Becky Lynch. Lynch refers to Charlotte as her former best friend. She doesn’t need explanations and plans to take Charlotte’s title tonight.
Up next, MizTV presents a Royal Rumble Special.
-Commercial Break-
MizTV: Royal Rumble Special
The Miz welcomes us to MizTV and talks about Vince McMahon shocking the world on RAW announcing that the WWE World Heavyweight Championship would be defended in the 30 Man Royal Rumble match. Big E cuts off Miz with his New Day introduction. Xavier Woods says sorry – not sorry – about the interruption. They want to talk about the nasty things Chris Jericho said about them. Big E said they say all the GIFs sent to them and says they are not rooty tooty bootys. Woods said they party like it is 2016 and not like it is 1999 with Chris Jericho. Dolph Ziggler cuts them off. Ziggler tells Miz to go back to doing what he does best when Goldust’s music cuts him off. Goldust said it looks like MizTV has started to get bizarre. Neville is out next to interrupt. He has a promise for Miz and offers to let him borrow his Slammy as long as he promises to cancel this ridiculous show. Miz raises his hand and said when his arm goes up everyone needs to stop talking. R-Truth is out next. “WWE Universe, what’s up!” He tells them all to step aside. Truth said if anyone is going to answer Alberto Del Rio’s open challenge it’s going to be him. Miz points out how no challenge is taking place. “Alright…my bad,” adds Truth. Miz said they are talking about the Royal Rumble. Truth asks if you can pay an entry fee. Truth knocks out Miz with the mic. Big E and Kofi are sent out. Woods is left and gets kicked over eating popcorn.
-Commercial Break-
The New Day & The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler, Goldust, R-Truth & Neville
We return as R-Truth catches Miz with a big uppercut. Goldust gets the tag and they hip toss Miz. Miz drops his head off the jaw of Goldust. Tag to Kofi who takes a deep arm drag from Goldust that is followed by an uppercut. Tag to Ziggler who works over Kofi with right hands. Ziggler drops Kofi with a quick dropkick. Tag to Truth who works over the left arm of Kofi. Tag to Neville who drops an elbow over the left shoulder of Kofi and goes to work on the arm as well. Neville plants Kofi with a scoop slam, does a dance over Kofi and then connects with a standing shooting star press on Kofi for a two count. Neville with kicks to the body. Neville flips off the top rope, lands on his feet, back body drop on Kofi, pushes Kofi to the corner, jumps up and drops a series of right hands. Woods trips up Neville in the corner when Big E distracted the referee. Kofi kicks Neville out of the ring as we head to a commercial break.
-Commercial Break-
We are back as New Day is working over Neville in the corner with repeated tags and stomping away. During the break, Big E picked up Neville and drove him back first into the ring barricade near the timekeepers area. Woods grabs his trombone and starts to play it as Big E launches Kofi into Neville. Miz starts New Day dancing and New Day stops to look at him. They all decide to break out in dance as Woods plays the trombone. In the ring, Kofi prevents Neville from getting the tag. Tag to Woods who drops a right hand over the head of Neville. Woods drops Neville with a right, gets launched over the top rope and fell against the steel ring steps by Neville. Hot tag to Ziggler. Tag to Miz. Ziggler with clotheslines to Miz, splash in the corner and neckbreaker. Ziggler with a shot on Big E on the ring apron and then drops an elbow over Miz. Miz with a roll up for two. Ziggler with the Fameasser and Kofi breaks it up. Goldust with a snap powerslam on Kofi. Truth with a kick to the face of Big E. Neville is in and flips over the top rope taking out New Day. Miz is left alone in the ring with Ziggler, Goldust and Truth. Ziggler with a superkick on Miz and hooks the leg to get the pinfall.
Winners: Dolph Ziggler, Goldust, R-Truth & Neville
After the match, Dolph Ziggler with a superkick on R-Truth and tosses Goldust over the top rope. Ziggler said this will happen at the Rumble yelling at Goldust saying no offense and that it will be every man for himself.
Backstage, Ric Flair is with WWE Divas Champion Charlotte. JoJo walks up bringing up how Charlotte is about to defend her title against Becky Lynch, who defeated her Monday night on RAW. Charlotte said Becky has never been champion and she is how a champion acts.
Charlotte’s music hits in the arena as they head to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Divas Championship Match
Charlotte (c) w/ Ric Flair vs. Becky Lynch
We get introductions for the challenger Becky Lynch and champion Charlotte.
Lock up and Charlotte pushes Lynch to the corner. Lynch shoves Charlotte away. Charlotte with a shot back. Series of arm drags by Lynch and works over the left arm of Charlotte. Lynch with a roll up and Charlotte quickly powers out. Charlotte works over the left leg of Lynch. Lynch with a series of roll ups on Charlotte each resulting in a two count. Back and forth pinfall attempts. Charlotte drops Lynch down. Lynch fires back with a dropkick and arm drag going back to work on Charlotte’s left arm. Lynch counters Charlotte in the corner tossing her to the ring apron, lands a right hand and connects with a springboard side kick sending Charlotte to the floor. Lynch tosses Charlotte back inside the ring. Charlotte quickly rolls out. Lynch rolls out and Flair gets in her face. Flair then moves to his side and Charlotte drops Lynch with a big boot. Flair slaps hands with Charlotte smiling. Charlotte brings Lynch back in and drops her head off the mat repeatedly. Charlotte with right hands to Lynch. Charlotte with an overhead suplex on Lynch. Charlotte mounts Lynch dropping more rights. Charlotte with another overhead suplex.
-Commercial Break-
Charlotte locks up the head of Lynch. Lynch counters lifting Charlotte up and dropping her face first off the top turnbuckle. Lynch blocks elbows from Charlotte getting in shots of her own. Lynch with clotheslines on Charlotte and a quick lariat. Lynch with a corner shot and overhead suplex on Charlotte for a two count. Lynch gets her boots up in the corner, Charlotte catches the boots, tosses them to the ropes and Charlotte drops Lynch down with a neckbreaker. Charlotte swats away at the head of Lynch. Charlotte with chops to Lynch. Charlotte tosses Lynch over her back. Lynch with another overhead suplex for a close two count. Charlotte with a spear that levels Lynch. Lynch with a roll up for a two count. Lynch then drops down and gets the armbar locked on. Charlotte lifts Lynch up. Lynch with a roll up on the way down for a two count. Lynch gets the armbar applied again and we see Flair put Charlotte’s foot on the rope. Charlotte starts tapping and the referee sees that her boots were on the rope. Lynch starts arguing with the referee and then turns her attention to Flair. Flair jumps up on the ring apron. Charlotte with a roll up on Lynch using the ropes.
Winner and still WWE Divas Champion: Charlotte
After the match, Becky Lynch can’t believe it. Charlotte grabs the WWE Divas Championship and celebrates with Ric Flair at ringside.
We see footage from RAW on Monday night with Kevin Owens getting his revenge on Neville with a victory. After the match, Owens tried to attack Neville more when Dean Ambrose got involved attacking Owens. Ambrose then dropped an elbow on Owens over the announce table.
Backstage, Renee Young catches up with Kevin Owens. Owens said she has one minute. He said he is a world class athlete and promises to take back his title tonight. He looks down at Renee’s watch and said time is up.
-Commercial Break-
We see highlights from RAW on Monday night.
Backstage, Renee Young is with Dean Ambrose talking about his title defense against Kevin Owens tonight. Ambrose said Owens has put him through tables and put steel over his back. He said his face looks pretty well adjusted. Ambrose said Owens talks about being a prize fighter. Well he has the prize (holding up the WWE Intercontinental Championship) and said it is time to fight Owens, fight.
Kevin Owens is out next in the arena.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Kevin Owens
We get introductions for the challenger Kevin Owens and champion Dean Ambrose.
The bell rings and here we go. Lock up and Owens pushes Ambrose to the ropes. They move around the ropes and Owens gets Ambrose in the other corner. Owens and Ambrose shove each other. Ambrose with a headlock takedown on Owens. Owens fights to his feet pushing Ambrose to the corner. Ambrose leaps over Owens in the corner. Ambrose goes for Dirty Deeds early and Owens bails to the outside.
-Commercial Break-
We are back as Owens is landing big chops to Ambrose in the corner. Ambrose turns it around and starts stomping away at Owens. Ambrose with a jumping clothesline off the ropes. Ambrose with a headlock takedown on Owens. Ambrose wraps up the arms of Owens and then connects with a big wind up kick. Ambrose with elbows to Owens in the corner. Ambrose with a snapmare takedown, baseball slide lariat and then a quick shot off the ropes on Owens for a two count. Owens counters a neckbreaker and then blocks another shot by Owens through the ropes. Owens leans back on the second rope mocking Ambrose. Owens jumps up and kicks Ambrose in the head. Owens with chops and Ambrose tosses Owens back first into the ring barricade. Ambrose jumps back in the ring, back out and sends Owens into the barricade once more. Ambrose with a side russian leg sweep on Owens right into the barricade! Ambrose jumps off the ring apron and catches Owens with a big clothesline. Ambrose tosses Owens back in. Owens catches Ambrose in the ropes and drops him with a quick DDT as we head to another break.
-Commercial Break-
We are back as Owens has Ambrose grounded with a headlock. During the break, we see Owens connecting with a cannonball to Ambrose against the ring barricade. Ambrose is fighting to his feet and getting in body shots. Owens drops Ambrose and misses a senton splash. Ambrose with rights and kicks to the legs. Ambrose with a series of clotheslines, springboards off the corner, corner splash and running bulldog combo. Ambrose goes up top, jumps, lands rolling through, Owens counters Dirty Deeds, Ambrose catches Owens with a big boot, Owens avoids a tornado DDT and Owens with a release german suplex on Ambrose! Ambrose catches Owens with a big boot in the corner and this time connects with the tornado DDT. Owens crotches Ambrose on the top turnbuckle. Ambrose falls down landing in the corner. Owens connects with his cannonball a second time, goes for a cover and Ambrose kicks out after two. Ambrose counters a Pop Up Powerbomb attempt into a huricanrana. Owens with a superkick on Ambrose. Ambrose falls back into the ropes and connects with a huge clothesline on Owens! Cover and Owens gets a shoulder up after two. Ambrose with rights. Owens with rights. Ambrose gets the better of Owens. Owens drops Ambrose with a clothesline. Owens goes through the ropes landing on his feet. Ambrose with a suicide dive sending Owens over the announce table. Ambrose stands on top of the announce table and jumps down picking up Owens. Owens sends Ambrose back first into the steel steps. The referee is counting. Ambrose sends Owens over the ring barricade into the crowd. Ambrose climbs up on the barricade, jumps and drops a double axehandle on Owens. The referee reaches 10 and calls for the bell.
Winner: No Contest (Double Countout)
After the match, Dean Ambrose and Kevin Owens continue to brawl in the crowd. Ambrose sends Owens face first into the steel barricade. Owens with a knee to Ambrose and tosses him on top of the entrance ramp. Owens with a boot to the head of Ambrose. Ambrose sends Owens face first into the giant WWE logo on the entrance ramp. Ambrose leaps off the ramp and tackles Owens. Mauro Ranallo describes this as chaos in Laredo. Owens grabs a laptop and cracks it over the back of Ambrose. Owens drops a production case over Ambrose as well. Owens pulls Ambrose on top of a series of production boxes. Ambrose with a back body drop as Owens lands with a thud. Ambrose with rights to Owens. Owens rakes the eyes of Ambrose. Ambrose tackles Owens and they crash through a series of tables. WWE officials check on both men. “The hottest rivalry in WWE continues,” adds Ranallo as we go off the air.
———-
Quick Match Results
* Kalisto def. WWE U.S. Champion Alberto Del Rio (non-title)
* Dolph Ziggler, Goldust, R-Truth & Neville def. The New Day & The Miz
* Charlotte def. Becky Lynch to retain the WWE Divas Championship
* Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens ended in a Double Count Out
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