Randy Orton defeated Chris Jericho
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This was such a good match in a rather weak show. Jericho tries to steal a win, but Orton is able to kick out. Orton works on the neck of Jericho until Jericho is able to hit a few running shoulder blocks. Jericho hits a hammer from the top and gets the crowd going. He tries to lock in the Walls of Jericho, but Orton kicks out and hits a power slam for a two count. Jericho heads to the top again, but Randy rings him up on the ropes. Jericho hits a cross body and gets another near fall. Orton catches Jericho but is reversed into a Walls of Jericho. Orton is able to escape and hit a hanging DDT from the middle rope. Jericho counters with a moonsault, but the lights go out and Jericho is distracted by The Wyatt Family’s music. Orton hits an RKO and picks up the win.
It was nice and simple, logical and effective for Jericho to lose. Orton needed to win, especially since he is in a world championship match in less than two weeks. I really enjoyed the smooth operations in the ring and the flow of the match. Jericho vs. Wyatt is going to be really good, but I wish their encounter was at SummerSlam instead of a small stage called Battleground.
Score: 7/10
Goldust defeated Curtis Axel
Stardust is on the outside wooing the crowd. Axel hits a dropkick onto Goldust and is sent to the outside. Stardust lays on the announce table and Axel drags Goldust into th ering. Inverted atomic drops and a few clothesline gives Goldust the advantage offensively. After a powerslam, Stardust blows gold stars in the face of Ryback and then Goldust hits his finisher for the win.
I give credit for Cody getting this gimmick off the ground and running, but where does it go from here? What is the ultimate end game for this character?
Score: 4.5/10
Bo Dallas defeated El Torito and Fernando
Hell, it could have been Diego for all I know or care about. Bo Dallas wins a handicap match against two jokes. Seriously, this is the crap that WWE is putting on Smackdown. Bo Dallas is much better and can do much more than this. This does absolutely nothing for his gimmick and his level of importance in WWE. When he got called up from NXT, I expected him to be used in a much different role. Right now, he is working as hard as he can with a fresh gimmick and no competition or storyline.
Score: 3/10
Rusev vs. Roman Reigns ends in no contest
Rusev works over the fresh face of WWE with some head butts to the stomach and kicks to the back. He hits a big kick to Reigns and then is about to lock in his finisher. Reigns battles back and punches at the stomach of Rusev. He hits a big clothesline and then a running splash into the corner. Reigns plants him with a Samoan Drop and connects with a beautiful running kick to the outside. Reigns hits a Superman Punch and Orton comes to to attack him. Reigns hits a Superman Punch to Orton, but Rusev hits a kick to his face. Orton comes in and is able to hit an RKO.
Where was Rollins? Where was Ambrose? WWE needed to utilize these guys to build further feuds down the road. It was a fresh main event, but I wonder if it was too soon to put two young guys who need to be protected together in the main event. All in all, Smackdown had two good matches and a bunch of crap.
Score: 5.5/10
WWE Smackdown Score: 3.5/10
