Reigns Closing In
The show opened with Reigns talking about how the attacks on him have affected his life, and we were treated to another recap of events.
He was then intercepted backstage where he was asked if he had anything to say to Daniel Bryan or Rowan after Bryan demanded an apology.
“To be honest, I think it’s better if I said it from the ring.”
When Reigns got to the ring, Bryan and Rowan appeared on the titantron, and Bryan said, “Roman, it’s very simple. Two words. Just say, I’m sorry.”
Reigns asked the fans, “Should I apologize.”
The fans gave a resounding, “No!”
He then called up a video that showed Rowan pushing over the initial stack of equipment on Reigns. Bryan flipped out and smacked and yelled at Rowan, chasing him off. Grabbing a microphone, Bryan came to the ring saying he didn’t know about it and that Rowan had been lying to him the whole time.
Reigns speared Bryan in mid-sentence, then left him in the ring to end the show.
Of course, the questions remains who is the brains behind Rowen with Reigns closing in.
Kingston Outsmarted
Kofi Kingston then came to the ring, where he addressed Orton’s comments and actions.
All Kingston wanted was to prove he belonged in the top tier, but Orton made it personal, and how after getting beaten with a chair, he had fear in his eyes when he looked at Kingston.
Orton interrupted with a chorus of “Stupid” on the titantron and read a letter supposedly from Kingston’s child, Kai, asking him not to hurt Kofi anymore. Orton then pointed out that he and Kingston’s family were staying in the same hotel and he’d deliver his message personally.
Of course, Kingston ran backstage and a brawl ensued before Orton drove Kingston’s head into the cement floor with a DDT, then called him stupid once again.
Big E came out of the trainer’s room where Kingston was being treated and responded to Kayla’s mention of him having a match against Orton that night that, “Kofi will be ready for Clash of Champions. But after tonight, I can’t say the same about Randy.”
Randy Orton beat Big E by pinfall
Big E dominated early, even spanking Orton to the New Day’s theme, but a couple of eye pokes gave Orton the chance to turn the tide. Big E managed to get the upper hand again, but with the Revival distracting Big E, Orton hit with an RKO for the win.
After the match, the Revival lifted Big E up for a triple team RKO.
The Rest of Smackdown
King of the Ring Round 1 Week 2: Ali beat Buddy Murphy by pinfall
There’s little doubt Murphy is deservedly the fans’ favorite, but Ali is also an entertaining athlete. It resulted in a great match that displayed superstar’s abilities.
Ali kicked out of a pair of pin attempts, then hit with a DDT between the ropes and hit with a 450 for the pin.
In a show of good sportsmanship, Murphy offered his hand, then raised Ali’s as winner.
This was a deserved win for Ali, whose push continues following his injury.
Bayley Gets Support
Ember Moon showed her support and gratitude to Bayley for giving her an opportunity for the championship belt, explaining that’s why she’s the face of the women’s division and not Charlotte Flair. “It’s about lifting us all up.”
Lacy Evans popped in, citing they’d find out who the real woman was in hers and Bayley’s match later that night.
The Miz Gets His Closeup
After an exchange of words, the Miz left the ring to teach Zayn a lesson, but was ambushed by Shinsuke Nakmura. The two beat him down, then Zayn had Nakamura throw him into the ring where, “Shinsuke, give this man his closeup” came in the form of a Kinshasa for the second week in a row.
Bayley beat Lacy Evans by pinfall
One of the better matches of the night turned in Evans’ favor when Charlotte Flair came out, her presence causing a distraction for Bayley.
After a second Bayley-to-Belly, Bayley hit with a flying elbow for the pin.
It was great to see Lacy Evans’ in ring execution really improve, putting her in the upper echelon of the women’s division. She looked refreshed and ready to go following her brief hiatus from television.
Hello, I’m King Elias
Earlier in the show, Owens entered Shane McMahon’s dressing room looking for him, and Elias told him Shane wasn’t there that night.
Fast forward to the last half hour of the show…
After a promo where Elias was on the throne, claiming in a few weeks he’d be known as King Elias and how he is “a king to believe in” before badmouthing Louisiana. Owens attacked him and drove him into the ring where he hit him with a stunner.
24/7 Championship: Drake maverick beat Elias (c) by pinfall
With Elias out cold, R-Truth slipped into the ring with an official and tried to pin him. The official nearly got to three before Maverick pulled Truth out by his feet.
Maverick when jumped into the ring for the pin.
Maybe he can consummate his marriage finally?
King of the Ring Round 1 Week 2: Chad Gable beat Shelton Benjamin by pinfall
In another good match, we got to see what Chad Gable is capable off as we finally got to see him and Benjamin in action.
After taking a high knee to the face, Gable reversed a powerbomb into a rollup for the pin.
Final Thoughts
While not as action packed as we may have liked, the matches were high quality and entertaining and the storylines continued. Though, they are dragging the Who Attacked Roman Reigns arc a little to long. This should’ve culminated at SummerSlam, not (hopefully) at Clash of Champions, which it’s starting to feel like.
