The Main Events
Big E Langston defeated Dean Ambrose in the first of three straight Shield matches. Langston and Ambrose were the weaker of the three matches because of a few reasons You do not want to bury many guys, especially two younger ones. This was a way to kick off match 1 of 3. I like seeing how far Langston has come. I did not love or hate this match because I took it for what it was; a match that was setting up Reigns vs. Henry and Cena vs. Rollins.
Grade: C
Roman Reigns defeated Mark Henry in the second of three matches for the members of The Shield. I really liked how both men almost immediately went to the outside. Henry tossed Reigns to the outside and into the barricade. This was tricky to book. Mark Henry is obviously one of the strongest guys in the WWE. Roman Reigns is being built up as the next big thing, no pun on Brock Lesnar. Reigns had to overcome the size and experience of Mark Henry. Roman Reigns hits an impressive Superman punch and spear onto Mark Henry. That looks like such an impressive win for Reigns and you can tell how much star power he will have in the long run.
Grade: B+
John Cena defeated Seth Rollins. The final of three matches was the most diverse of the three. I was SHOCKED to see Seth Rollins control the former champion as much as he did. He was always one step ahead of him in the first ten minutes of the match. The ring psychology of Rollins was also excellent, similar to how Randy Orton was earlier in the night. Heels need to taunt and mock between moves. You cannot always be the fastest and most talented. Cena overcame the offense and hit a 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Rollins hit an impressive neck breaker from the top rope. John Cena heads to the top, but Rollins counters and trips him up. Rollins hits a reverse neck breaker for another two count. Cena hits a powerbomb, but Rollins kicks out once again. We go back and forth and this is an INCREDIBLE match. Side note: as I am live typing this, I love the expressions from Langston, Henry, Reigns and Ambrose on the outside. It really helped sell the entire match. Rollins connects with a kick to the head, but that still is not enough. Finally, the end came when Langston hit Ambrose onto the outside, Reigns clotheslined Langston, Henry took out Reigns and Cena hits an Attitude Adjustment for the win.
SETH ROLLINS STOLE THE SHOW.
Grade: A
WWE Smackdown Grade: B
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