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WWE SmackDown comes waltzing back into our lives tonight (Jan. 7, 2016) from Laredo, Texas with a taped show on the USA Network featuring all the latest build to the upcoming Royal Rumble pay-per-view (PPV) scheduled for later this month in Orlando, Florida.
Because SmackDown is a taped show, you can simply go read the spoilers to know everything that happens (find them by clicking here). We will provide results below.
You can use this space to discuss all the events as they occur, however, and it's probably going to enhance your viewing experience. In fact, I know it is because we're a lot of fun around here.
Enjoy the show!
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SMACKDOWN RESULTS
Chris here. Let's see what the move to USA brings with us...
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WWE Signature and a recap of Raw's main event.'
The SmackDown opening video has been redone significantly. Also, Jerry Lawler introduces our new commentator, Mauro Ranallo. This is both really weird and really cool.
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John Cena comes out to the ring.
He welcomes us to the first SmackDown of both 2016 and the first on the USA Network. He goes on to talk about the USA Network and starts a USA chant. He talks about a couple of the bigger matches tonight including the Divas Championship and Intercontinental Championship being defended.
However, one title is suspiciously missing: the United States Championship,
John Cena wants a fresh start, so he introduces Alberto Del Rio in a fashion similar to that of Ricardo Rodriguez..
Del Rio tells Cena to save his little speech for later. You see, Del Rio can see through Cena and knows what he's doing: trying to weasel his way to another US Title shot that he doesn't deserve. Del Rio gives Cena credit, but says that the tactics aren't going to work.
Cena tries to change Del Rio's mind by getting the crowd to chant for Del Rio. Del Rio is still unconvinced, but tells Cena that he will fight ANYONE in Laredo right now....just not John Cena.
Cena tells Del Rio that he knows someone in the back who could shock the world tonight....THE SHOCKMASTER Kalisto. Del Rio is unimpressed and complains to Cena, who obsessively says Kalisto's name.
Del Rio calls Kalisto a little man, and the latter responds with some kicks and a throw. We've got ourselves a match!
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Kalisto vs Alberto Del Rio
This was a pretty good back-and-forth match that saw Del Rio taunt Cena quite a few times. This eventually led to a downfall as he called for the cross armbreaker for a bit too long. Kalisto reverses the attempt into a huracanrana for the win.
Kalisto def Alberto Del Rio
Mauro Ranallo is a beast on commentary. Calling moves, explaining psychology....almost as if he knows what he's doing.
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Jojo interviews Becky Lynch about her upcoming match against Charlotte. Becky says that both her and Charlotte know what it's like to be stabbed in the back (Becky has had it happen twice). Becky says that their match from Raw was supposed to be friendly, but Becky will not be friendly tonight when she takes the Divas Championship. I should note that Becky was REALLY good here. My words don't do it justice.
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It's MizTV time. The Miz welcomes us before talking about the Royal Rumble match and how the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is on the line. Of course, he's interrupted by....The New Day
The New Day are sorry (not sorry) about the interruption, but they are here to complain about Chris Jericho (Big E also tells us how to properly pronounce "GIF"). Xavier Woods also tells Jericho to take his Lite-Brite jacket home and to party like it's 2016, not 1999.
And in typical MizTV fashion, Dolph Ziggler interrupts and stops the booty talk. Ziggler tells Miz to go back to hosting his show and to le.......never mind. Goldust interrupts and says that MizTV has gotten bizarre. He promises some Golden Globes.
Miz tries to take back his show when Neville comes out. Neville promises to trade his Slammy and his accent to Miz in exchange for him shutting his damn mouth.
Miz puts his hand up to take back his show when R-Truth comes out and tells everyone to step aside. HE'S GONNA ACCEPT ALBERTO DEL RIO'S US TITLE OPEN CHALLENGE...that doesn't exist.
"My bad...what was y'all talkin' about?" - Truth figures stuff out and starts asking how to enter the Royal Rumble. Miz promises Truth a dollar to buy a clue. Truth responds by punching Miz with the mic. Various people are sent flying, and Xavier Woods eats a kick after a popcorn shower from Goldust. We go to a break.
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The New Day and The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler, Neville, Goldust, and R-Truth
This was a decent enough match that followed a typical tag team formula. Ziggler got the hot tag and cleaned house. After Neville took out New Day with a twisting moonsault, The Miz found himself outnumbered inside the ring. He eats a superkick for the loss.
Dolph Ziggler, Neville, Goldust, and R-Truth def The New day and The Miz
Right after the bell, Ziggler superkicks Truth and eliminates Goldust, saying that it's every man for themselves at the Rumble.
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Backstage, Charlotte and Ric Flair are walking when Jojo asks her about her upcoming match. Charlotte gives a decent heel promo, saying that Becky had been leeching off of Charlotte.
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Charlotte vs Becky Lynch (Divas Championship)
Ric Flair is accompanying Charlotte for this one.
This was another really good match between these two that saw momentum go back-and-forth a couple times. Toward the end, Becky locked Charlotte in the Disarmer, but Ric pulls Charlotte's leg to the ropes, and the referee catches this right as Charlotte taps out. As Becky argues with the referee and barks at Ric, Charlotte rolls Becky up for the win via a rope-assisted schoolboy.
Charlotte def Becky Lynch
Mauro really made this match that much better. It really felt like a big match, and his reaction to Charlotte cheating was awesome. The dude GETS IT.
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Kevin Owens is walking backstage when Renee Young interviews him. Owens says that she only has one minute to interview him. He goes on to explain about how Dean Ambrose is a cockroach and can survive anything...except for Owens. He tells us that he's taking his title back right as Renee's watch hits the one minute mark.
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Renee Young interviews Dean Ambrose about his upcoming match. Ambrose talks about how Owens is a prizefighter and he has a prize to fight for tonight. It's "Fight Owens Fight" for tonight.
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Kevin Owens vs Dean Ambrose (Intercontinental Championship)
This was a pretty fun and physical affair as you could come to expect from these two. They kept throwing bomb and brawled inside and outside of the ring. Eventually their hate boils over and they brawl on the outside, leading to a double count-out.
Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose fight to a double count-out.
Afterward, Ambrose and Owens fight all over the arena. Owens is sent face-first into the big WWE logo on the stage before Ambrose drops him with a flying elbow. More fighting continues until Ambrose teases Dirty Deeds on some AV equipment. Owens gouges Ambrose's eyes and thinks about a powerbomb, but Ambrose fights out and charges Owens, sending them both crashing through the table to end.
Welcome to WWE, Mr. Ranallo. We're so glad you're here.