The first Smackdown of 2014 comes to us from the capital of the United States, Washington D.C. The venue for this show is the Verizon Center, formerly the MCI Center, home of the NBA’s Wizards and the NHL’s Capitals. As usual, Michael Cole and John “Bradshaw” Layfield are on commentary.
Smackdown begins with footage from Raw this past Monday, where Daniel Bryan turned his back on the fans and joined the Wyatt family. We then cut to a shot of the arena where the announcers hype up the Wyatt family’s match-up this evening. They will take on the tag team champions Cody Rhodes & Goldust with the titles up for grabs.
The Shield make their way through the crowd, over the barricade and into the squared circle. Dean Ambrose starts to speak about rumors of dissension among the members of his faction. He says everyone is wrong, the Shield cannot be conquered because the Shield cannot be divided.
Roman Reigns takes the microphone and agrees with Dean Ambrose. He says the Shield has no weak link. Seth Rollins then comes on to say any setbacks have been temporary and the Shield will do what they do best, which is come together and dominate.
The Usos then come out after the trio finishes their promo. The Samoans attempt to rile up the crowd with their war dance and pyro, trying to get them to participate in shouting out with them. There is only a mild reaction as they get into the ring to start the match.
The United States Champion Dean Ambrose takes a seat next to JBL at the announce table and joins the team on commentary. He basically repeats all the comments he made from his earlier discourse, talking about the rumors of problems within the Shield.
The bell sounds and Jimmy Uso starts the bout with Roman Reigns. The two men lock up and Reigns uses his strength advantage to force Uso into the corner, nailing him with a shot to the gut and a headbutt. Reigns then throws him forcefully into the opposite corner, sending the Samoan stumbling out of there.
A few kicks to Jimmy Uso by Roman Reigns are followed by a tag to his partner Seth Rollins. A punch to the side on the double-team is followed up by Rollins stalking Uso, whipping him into the opposite corner. Jimmy Uso stops his own momentum with a baseball slide and connects with a pair of clothesline to Rollins. Uso powers Rollins into his corner and hits a shoulder to the gut.
Jey Uso blind tags himself into the match and delivers a flying forearm to the jaw while Seth Rollins was being held in the corner by his twin brother. Uso then throws Rollins to the ropes and hits an elbow to the head on the turnaround. A quick cover and a hook of the far leg only get the Samoan a one count.
Seth Rollins tries to crawl over to make the tag to his partner but is stopped by Jimmy Uso. The Samoan gets Rollins in a standing wrist lock and brings him to his corner, tagging in his twin brother Jey Uso. The Shield member gets thrown to the ropes and is hit with double elbows to the chest on the turnaround, sending him down to the mat. The Usos continue their double-team with double elbow drops, culminating in a pin attempt that only gets two.
Jimmy Uso follows Seth Rollins into the neutral corner and hits a chop to the upper chest. Rollins counters with a boot to the midsection followed by a chop to the upper torso for good measure. Uso staggers around then has his head smashed into the top turnbuckle.
Feeling no effect from this, Jimmy Uso turns around to deliver a flurry of punches to the head of Seth Rollins. He’s stopped when the Shield member kicks him in the midsection and throws him to the ropes. Uso reverses and whips Rollins in, connecting with a high back body drop to Rollins on the turnaround. A cover only gets a near fall of two.
Another standing wrist lock brings Seth Rollins back into the Usos’ corner. Jey Uso tags himself in and climbs to the top rope, while Jimmy Uso sill has hold of the Shield member’s upper limb. Jey Uso drops down with a shot to the left arm, then continues the offense with a single arm takedown.
Jey Uso continues to work on the left arm as Seth Rollins makes it to his feet. Rollins drops to his knees to deliver a jawbreaker to the Samoan, stunning him and bringing him to his knees. Rollins seizes the opportunity to deliver a double ax handle to the back of the neck and some punches to the head that daze his opponent.
Seth Rollins throws Jey Uso to the ropes but his twin brother makes the blind tag as he hit the ropes. Jey Uso stops his momentum to deliver a chop to the jaw of Rollins, staggering him. The legal man Jimmy Uso now runs in and clotheslines Rollins over the top rope and out onto the arena floor in front of the announcers’ desk.
Roman Reigns comes in to the ring to deal with the double-team on his partner. Jimmy and Jey Uso hit double back kicks on Reigns and follow it up with a double clothesline that sends the biggest member of the Shield to the arena floor near the entrance ramp, on the opposite side of his stablemate.
Seth Rollins runs in but is thrown high over the top rope and right onto Roman Reigns on the outside. We go to commercial with the Usos firmly in control of this match-up.
Back from the break we have Seth Rollins and Jey Uso back in the ring. Uso has Rollins in an arm bar, both men making it to their feet from the kneeling position they were in. Jey gets his opponent in a side headlock but is forced to the ropes near the Shield’s corner. Rollins, still in the hold, is able to stretch out his arm and tag in his partner.
Seth Rollins pushes Jey Uso to the ropes and then drops down to the mat. On the turnaround, the Samoan hops over him and runs right into a big elbow from the now-legal man Roman Reigns. The Shield member goes for the pin but only gets a two count.
Roman Reigns starts hitting punches and kicks to the fallen Jey Uso near the ring ropes, prompting an admonishment from the referee. Reigns continues his attack on the Samoan, stomping on him and pulling him up by the hair, delivering huge chop while on the apron. A vertical suplex on Jey Uso puts him on his back and into a pin, but he’s able to kick out at two.
Seth Rollins tags in and climbs to the top, dropping down with a shot to the midsection of Jey Uso. A standing wrist lock to Uso transitions into a hammerlock, as Seth Rollins rams his adversary shoulder first into the neutral corner. Uso crumples and falls to the canvas. Rollins continues his offense with an elbow drop, some stomps and a headbutt.
Jey Uso is a lot worse for wear as he tries to get to his feet. Rollins gets behind him and clutches the back of the neck and left arm, immobilizing the Samoan on one knee. Uso counters by taking down the Shield member, throwing him over his back and onto the mat. He tries to make the tag to his brother but is picked up and dropped straight down onto the ropes, his neck almost guillotined by the top cord.
Roman Reigns tags in and drops an elbow onto the fallen Samoan and pins him, putting a forearm to the face. He only getting two in the process. Reigns continues to work on the arm of Jey Uso, using the ropes for leverage until the referee calls for the clean break. Reigns puts Uso in a rear chin lock, immobilizing that left arm he’s been working on.
Jey Uso makes it to his feet and starts to fight out of the hold. He delivers some elbows to the gut but is pushed to the ropes by Roman Reigns. The Shield member charges him but the Samoan is able to think fast and lower the top rope, sending his adversary crashing down onto the arena floor.
Roman Reigns comes up onto the ring apron behind Jey Uso, grabbing him by the hair. Uso delivers a shot to the jaw that almost has Reigns falling off the apron. Both men are down as Jey Uso struggles to get to his corner in order to make the tag. Reigns grabs his foot but is pushed off with Uso’s free leg, backing him into his own corner.
Seth Rollins tags himself in but is unable to stop Jey Uso from making the tag to his twin brother. Jimmy Uso comes in and ducks under a clothesline, making a beeline for Roman Reigns in the corner and nailing him with a forearm. Rollins charges him but eats an empty turnbuckle for his trouble. Turning around, he’s hit with a flurry of offense including a flying elbow, a clothesline and a back kick to the gut.
Jimmy Uso throws Seth Rollins to the ropes and bends over, hoping to hit a back body drop on the Shield member. Rollins kicks him in the shoulder after stopping his own momentum then runs the ropes again. This time, Jimmy had it well scouted and connects with a big Samoan drop when Rollins comes at him on the turnaround.
Seth Rollins is in obvious pain seeking solace in the neutral corner, his back against the lowest turnbuckle. Jimmy Uso calls out to the crowd for approval as he runs toward the fallen Shield member. Rollins is able to roll out of the ring and out of harm’s way as the Samoan stops his charge in its tracks.
Roman Reigns now comes in and is spotted by Jimmy Uso. Reigns stops a kick then spins Uso around, only to receive an enziguri to the head that has him reeling. Jey comes in to help his brother on the double-team, throwing Reigns outside the ring to join Rollins near the entrance ramp.
The Usos go to run the ropes in the hopes of diving onto their opponents on the outside. At this time, Dean Ambrose has left the announce table and is standing near the ring. The United States Champion grabs the left leg of Jey Uso and pulls him out of the ring, attacking him on the outside.
The referee calls for the bell and disqualifies Rollins and Reigns due to outside interference by Dean Ambrose.
After the match, the beatdown continues as the three Shield members attack the Uso twins. The trio deliver lots of stomps and kicks to the two Samoans until they’re interrupted by CM Punk’s music.
The straight-edge superstar runs down to the ring and starts attacking the Shield, with the Usos almost recovering by this point. The three of them, Punk and the Usos, clear the ring of their foes as the crowd roars with delight. The Shield retreats into the crowd as their three adversaries goad them into continuing their fight in the ring.
Vicky Guerrero suddenly comes out, microphone in hand and books a match where all three members of the Shield will take on CM Punk and the Usos. This will take place later on in the broadcast.
WINNERS: JIMMY & JEY USO
Fandango is just finishing his dancing entrance with his partner Summer Rae when R-Truth’s music hits and he comes out rapping to his usual “What’s Up?” music. He’s flanked by his tag partner Xavier Woods who afterwards goes to join Michael Cole and JBL on commentary.
The bell sounds and Fandango rushes at R-Truth, attacking him in the corner with a flurry of punches and kicks that send the rapper down to the canvas. Fandango whips his adversary into the corner. R-Truth is able to stop himself and then jump behind a charging Fandango. He does some acrobatics then hip tosses his opponent halfway across the ring.
R-Truth delivers a couple of punches to the ballroom dancer then whips him into the ropes. Fandango reverses it but R-Truth hangs onto the top rope when he hits it, preventing a turnaround. Fandango rushes at R-Truth but the rapper sidesteps him, sending his opponent over the top rope and onto the ring apron.
Fandango grabs R-Truth by the neck and drops down, bringing the rapper’s throat across the top rope with all his weight behind it. The ballroom dancer comes back into the squared circle and connects with a kick to the jaw, sending the rapper down to the canvas. A cover by Fandango only gets two.
R-Truth continues to be on the receiving end of a lot of offense on the part of his opponent. More kicks to the torso of R-Truth are followed by a snap suplex and another cover by the ballroom dancer, once again only getting two.
Fandango applies a rear chinlock to R-Truth, holding onto his jaw with both hands and pulling back. He then transitions to a reverse chinlock using his entire arm as R-Truth manages to get to his feet. A couple of shots to the gut break the hold as Fandango responds with a forearm to the back, sending R-Truth down once again.
The ballroom dancer runs the ropes only to be met with a heel kick to the jaw. R-Truth hits a couple of clotheslines to Fandango then whips him from one corner to the other. He charges his opponent in the corner only to receive a boot to the face that sends him sprawling.
Suddenly Xavier Woods at the commentary desk stands up on the announce table and calls out to the Funkadactyls to come out and dance. Brodus Clay’s old music hits as Naomi and Cameron make their way out onto the stage to a big reaction from the crowd in attendance. Xavier Woods is dancing on the announce table wearing JBL’s cowboy hat as the girls cause a distraction on stage.
Back in the ring, Fandango runs at R-Truth but misses with the clothesline. R-Truth grabs him on the turnaround and hits the What’s Up, planting Fandango face first into the canvas. The referee counts the 1-2-3 and gives R-Truth the victory.
After the match, Xavier Woods gets into the ring to dance with R-Truth and the Funkadactyls.
WINNER: R-TRUTH
The announcers talk about the events on this past Monday’s Raw, speculating how Daniel Bryan joining the Wyatt family might impact the tag team championship match slated for later on in the evening. The Wyatts are scheduled to face the tag team champions Cody Rhodes and Goldust for the tiles.
On a Raw flashback, we’re shown a video package that details the events leading up to Daniel Bryan joining the Wyatts. Bryan demanded a match with Bray Wyatt from The Authority, but Brad Maddox, the General Manager of Raw, countered with a proposal that Bryan run the gauntlet before getting his hands on the cult leader.
After two competitive matches and defeating both Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, Daniel Bryan endures a vicious beating at the hands of the three men then admits that Bray Wyatt was right all along, requesting to join the Wyatt family because he can’t continue down his own path anymore.
Bray Wyatt then hits his Sister Abigail finisher and has his henchmen drag Daniel Bryan to the top of the stage. Bryan gets to his feet, looks up at the fans and turns his back on them, leaving with the Wyatt family.
Cody Rhodes and Goldust, also known as “The Brotherhood” make their way to the ring to a good reaction from the fans. During their entrance, the announcers wonder how Daniel Bryan may affect the outcome of this match, now that he’s become a member of the Wyatt family. We go to a commercial as we await the arrival of the challengers.
The arena goes dark for an instant, then Luke Harper and the sheep-mask wearing Erick Rowan are standing in the ring. A camera shot from the stage area shows us that Bray Wyatt isn’t in his usual spot as his rocking chair sits empty. Luke Harper will start this championship bout with Goldust as the bell sounds and we get underway.
The two men stand toe to toe as Goldust attempts some mind games with Luke Harper. The burly bearded man doesn’t flinch as he goes for a short clothesline. Goldust ducks underneath and spins around to deliver two quick punches to the head of Harper. The bigger man grabs hold of the Bizarre One and powers him into the neutral corner, connecting with a shot to the gut.
Luke Harper throws Goldust into the ropes, hitting a shoulder tackle on the turnaround. Goldust gets to his feet and feigns a test of strength with Harper, distracting him to hit a punch to the face and stunning him long enough to get him in a front face lock. Still with Harper in the hold, Goldust brings him to his own corner and tags in his tag team partner.
Cody Rhodes comes in and with his half-brother’s help delivers a double vertical suplex on the much larger Luke Harper. The big man grabs at his back in pain as Rhodes tries for a quick cover, barely getting one as Harper easily powers out.
Luke Harper gets back to his feet and whips Cody Rhodes into the ropes. The tag champ baseball slides through Harper’s legs and hits a low dropkick on the lower left limb of the big bearded man, sending him down to the mat. He quickly tags in Goldust who runs at an almost prone Harper with a knee to the head.
Goldust brings Luke Harper up to his feet with a side headlock. The big man is able to power out of it and hit two big shots to the head of Goldust, staggering him. Harper tags in his partner Erick Rowan, then gets behind Goldust to pull back on his cheeks and face, wearing down the tag champ some more.
Erick Rowan comes in for the first time in the match. He quickly hits a headbutt on Goldust but is countered with a blow to the face. Rowan then comes back with some shots of his own, raining down on Goldust and putting him into the neutral corner. Goldust tries to fight his way out of there but Rowan comes back to power the Bizarre one into the Wyatt family corner.
A blind tag from his partner brings Luke Harper back into this match. A big punch to the midsection has Goldust reeling. Harper leads him to the center of the ring and whips him to the ropes. The burly man misses with a clothesline on the turnaround but the Bizarre One runs the ropes to the other side and comes back with a lariat of his own, sending Harper down.
Goldust hits a kick to the gut on Harper who’s just starting to get to his feet. The tag champ drops down to the mat and hits a chop to the neck from below. Harper staggers to the neutral corner and Goldust follows, climbing to the middle ropes and facing his opponent from above. Goldust is able to hit three punches to the head, then jumps off to connect with a shot to an approaching Erick Rowan on the ring apron.
On the distraction, Luke Harper runs at Goldust and hits a devastating running elbow to the jaw. Goldust stays down as Harper easily makes it to the corner to tag in his stablemate in the Wyatt family.
Erick Rowan gets in the ring and continues the offense on a fallen Goldust with a jumping knee to the chest from a standing position. He puts his opponent in the neutral corner and hits a chop to the upper body. Goldust is then whipped into the opposite corner with enormous force, staggering out of there and just falling to the canvas in a heap.
Goldust gets his neck draped across the bottom rope as Erick Rowan puts all of his weight behind it, choking him. The referee calls for a clean break but seconds later, Rowan keeps Goldust on the ropes, this time standing up to deliver a huge forearm to the back. A headbutt backs the Bizarre One into the enemy corner, where more blows by Rowan are followed by a tag to his partner.
Luke Harper comes in and hits a big punch to the jaw. Goldust falls to his knees and Harper stands behind him with a rear facelock. The tag champ makes it to his feet and breaks the hold with some shots to the gut of Harper, but the big man grabs the left arm and throws him into the Wyatt’s corner.
Goldust manages to hit a boot to the midsection of a charging Luke Harper. He then elbows Erick Rowan on the apron behind him, nailing the Wyatt family member in the head. Goldust then jumps over a bent over Harper and delivers a sunset flip although the tag champ is too spent to even attempt a cover.
Both men are down and trying to get to their feet. Goldust is able to run over to tag in his partner. Cody Rhodes jumps onto the top rope and springboards off, connecting with a missile drop kick to Luke Harper. Rhodes continues the flurry of offense with a couple of punches to the head and a high knee to the jaw of his charging opponent.
Cody Rhodes hits a kick to the jaw that doubles over Luke Harper. He then drops down to the canvas like his half-brother does to deliver a chop to the neck from below. A stumbling Harper makes it close to the ropes only to have a Cody Rhodes running knee to the back send him out onto the arena floor. Rhodes makes his way to the Wyatt corner and connects with his Disaster Kick on Rowan on the ring apron. Both members of the Wyatt family are out on the outside as Rhodes steps up the top corner and drops down with a cross body on Luke Harper.
The brawl continues outside the ring as Cody Rhodes tries to throw Luke Harper back into the squared circle. Harper will have none of that as he grabs Rhodes and throws him right into the padded barricade surrounding the ringside area. Harper then grabs his adversary and throws him into the steel steps. Cody Rhodes is in obvious pain as Goldust stares down the Wyatts.
Luke Harper goes back into the ring and tags in Erick Rowan. The red bearded man quickly goes to the outside and picks up Cody Rhodes, driving him back first into the steel ring post. Rowan throws Rhodes underneath the bottom rope then goes for a cover, barely able to keep his squirming opponent down.
Erick Rowan gets behind a kneeling Cody Rhodes and puts both his fists to the sides of his opponent’s skull. He then grabs Rhodes’ chin and face, holding on for a second then throwing him down to the mat. Rowan gets behind Rhodes again, twisting his head to one side and holding his chin and the top of his head.
Cody Rhodes makes it to his feet and hits some punches to the midsection, breaking the rest hold. Erick Rowan throws Rhodes to the ropes then lifts him high into the air on the turnaround, flapjacking the falling tag champ all the way down, almost face first to the canvas. Rowan goes for the cover but is only able to get a two count.
Erick Rowan grabs the right leg of Cody Rhodes and pulls him into the Wyatt corner. He hits a big elbow drop and then attempts a side suplex on his adversary. Cody Rhodes wrenches himself free and pulls himself behind the big man, landing on his feet. He hits a kick to the midsection and another kick to the shoulder of a doubled over Rowan.
Cody Rhodes tries to go for a tag but is stopped by the bigger man and powered into the neutral corner. Erick Rowan hits numerous right hands to the head, staggering Rhodes. Rowan then puts a claw hold on the his head, keeping Rhodes in the corner.
Erick Rowan then throws Cody Rhodes across the ring. The tag champ is dazed and groggy as he reaches to tag Goldust once again. He’s stopped by Rowan who gets him in a front face lock, then is forced over to the enemy corner once again where a blind tag brings in Luke Harper.
The burly black-bearded man taunts Goldust waiting for a tag on the ring apron before charging Cody Rhodes in the corner, hitting an elbow to the top of the head. A punch to the skull has Rhodes crawling as Harper is able to get his trademark Gator Roll on him, disorienting the tag team champion.
Luke Harper gets Cody Rhodes into a side headlock, both men on the canvas. Rhodes makes it to his feet and fights out of the hold but is met with a forearm uppercut by Harper. The big man then rushes Goldust in his corner and hits a shot to the head, sending the Bizarre One crashing down onto the arena floor.
A head butt to Cody Rhodes seems to awaken him as he then runs the ropes and hits a running clothesline on Luke Harper, sending both men down. Neither man gets up as Harper slowly crawls to his corner to tag in Erick Rowan. Rhodes is making is way on his knees but is stopped and thrown towards enemy territory.
Goldust taunts Erick Rowan who just stares him down. Rowan makes his way to the fallen Cody Rhodes and pulls him to his feet, connecting with a headbutt to the back of his skull. Rowan follows with an elbow to the top of the head that sends Rhodes staggering into the neutral corner.
Cody Rhodes starts to fight out of the corner, delivering numerous shots to the head and body of Erick Rowan. The big man pushes Rhodes to the ropes and rushes him. Rhodes pulls the top rope down and Rowan goes up and over, crashing onto the arena floor below.
Luke Harper goes to the outside and tosses his tag partner back into the ring. he then blind tags himself in and goes towards Goldust, delivering an elbow to the head that sends him flying off the ring apron. He grabs Cody Rhodes and hits a huge powerbomb on the tag champ. Rhodes is motionless as the referee counts two but the pin is broken up by Goldust kicking Harper in the back.
Erick Rowan has now made it into the ring to fight off the interference. Goldust stays in the squared circle and hits two big rights on him and clotheslines Rowan over the top rope and out of the ring to the outside. Luke Harper gets behind Goldust and throws him out of the ring as well, leaving just the two legal men.
Luke Harper whips Cody Rhodes into the corner. Rhodes stops him own momentum and jumps behind Harper, doing a one-eighty in mid-maneuver and hitting a sunset flip on the much bigger man. A pin on Harper only gets a two count as he’s able to kick out.
Both men get up as Luke Harper hits a huge boot to the face of Cody Rhodes, sending him face first to the canvas. Rhodes gets pulled to his feet and has his face smashed on the top turnbuckle in the neutral corner. Harper seats Rhodes on the top corner, facing away from the ring.
Luke Harper hits a big forearm to the back of Cody Rhodes then climbs to the second rope. Rhodes fights out of his predicament with some elbows to the jaw that send Harper falling to the mat. The tag champ puts himself onto his feet at the top corner and hits a moonsault on Harper, sending both men down.
Goldust is stomping on the ring apron trying to encourage his half-brother to make the tag. Luke Harper makes it to his corner first and tags in Erick Rowan. Just as Rhodes is about to make it, Rowan comes in and pulls him away by the other arm and throws him to the ropes.
Erick Rowan misses with a clothesline on the turnaround as Rhodes runs to the opposite side near his partner. Goldust blind tags himself in unbeknownst to the Wyatt family member. Cody Rhodes runs the ropes a third time and is met with a back body drop by Rowan. Goldust, now the legal man, pushes Erick Rowan to the ropes and then backs him up on the momentum. Goldust rolls Eric Rowan up for the 1-2-3 as the tag team champions retain their titles.
After the match, the Wyatt family members stare at the champions as they make their way up the entrance ramp, celebrating their win.
WINNERS: WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS CODY RHODES & GOLDUST
Backstage, Renée Young interviews the Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston, asking him about the events that went on between his friend Mark Henry and Brock Lesnar on Raw this past Monday. Big E says Mark only wanted a wrestling match not a brawl. He tells her that Mark Henry is a little worse for wear but that Lesnar better watch out.
Curtis Axel then interrupts saying he’s laughing now at what happened to Mark Henry and that he’ll laugh all the way to the bank when he beats Big E Langston tonight. Langston assures Renée Young this will not happen.
As Aksana is making her entrance, we’re shown clips from Raw this past Monday where a ten-diva tag match broke down into a brawl. During the melée, Aksana was able to deliver a facebuster to Nikki Bella and win the match for her team. These events are what led up to the booking of this match between the divas.
Nikki Bella comes out alone and plays to the crowd. The announcers mention she’s distracted a bit by the situation her twin sister’s fiancé Daniel Bryan is in. She walks around the ring and waves as she gets ready for the bout. The bell sounds and the match gets underway.
The two women circle each other and lock up, Nikki Bella pushing Aksana into the ropes. The referee calls for the clean break and Nikki backs away, only to be pushed a few times as an intimidation tactic by Aksana.
Nikki Bella runs at her opponent and hits a forearm to the head. She follows it up by throwing Aksana to the ropes and delivering a hip toss on the turnaround. Bella hits a body slam then powers Aksana into the corner, nailing a couple of shoulders to the gut. She brings her opponent out of the corner and hits a vertical suplex, going for the cover afterwards but only getting two.
Aksana rolls out of the ring to safety outside on the arena floor. Nikki Bella grabs her by the hair from inside the ring but Aksana counters by smashing her arm into the ring post a couple of times. Aksana gets back in and kicks Nikki in the side, following it up with some forearms to the back and another kick to mid-torso.
Nikki Bella is still on her knees trying to fight back. Aksana wraps the arm around the middle rope, applying pressure. The referee calls for the clean break as Aksana then hits a forearm to the jaw of Nikki. The Lithuanian then picks her opponent up and impressively carries her around the ring, delivering a side slam in the center of the squared circle.
Aksana showboats a bit before hitting a kick to the side and a cover, only getting one on Nikki Bella. Aksana gets a keylock on Nikki’s left arm as the Total Diva makes it to her feet, only to be thrown down to the mat again by her long hair. Aksana goes for the keylock again, immobilizing that left arm.
Nikki Bella fights out of the hold with some shots to the gut. She follows it up with a monkey flip to her adversary that sends Aksana all the way across the ring. The Lithuanian charges Nikki but is thrown into the middle rope instead. Nikki Bella runs the ropes to hit a shoulder tackle and then a dropkick that sends Aksana down to the mat. A kick to the gut and a running bulldog get Nikki the chance at a cover but her opponent is able to kick out at two.
Aksana reverses a whip and throws Nikki Bella into the corner. She charges her opponent and avoids a kick, hitting Bella with one of her own and a few body blows and forearms to the back for good measure. The referee calls for the break and Aksana backs away, only to rush at the corner once again.
Nikki Bella sidesteps her and Aksana gets a face full of empty turnbuckle. Bella then puts her opponent onto her back in a torture rack position and delivers her Rack Attack finisher by dropping down to her knees. The 1-2-3 is academic as Nikki Bella gets the victory.
WINNER: NIKKI BELLA
The announcers then talk about a match booked at Monday Night Raw. At the Royal Rumble, John Cena will get his rematch against Randy Orton for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. We’re then shown a video package of Orton’s career as presented by Stephanie McMahon.
Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston is shown walking backstage in anticipation of his upcoming match with Curtis Axel after the commercial break.
Big E Langston is already in the ring awaiting his opponent. Curtis Axel comes out alone and the two men circle each other before the match even starts. The bell goes and we’re underway.
Curtis Axel rushes at Big E Langston but is met with a few big punches to the gut, putting him on his knees. Axel is able to make it to his feet and hit a knee to the midsection and a series of punches to the head, putting Langston in the corner. A chop to the chest just seems to anger the champ, and Langston roars back with a short clothesline to Axel.
Big E Langston tosses Curtis Axel into the corner and nails a series of shoulders to the gut. The referee calls for the break and Langston backs away, only to charge Axel again to connect with another shoulder to the midsection.
Curtis Axel crumples at the punishment inflicted on him, but is brought up to his feet by the Intercontinental champion. A punch to the midsection by Langston is followed by him whipping Axel into the opposite corner. Big E Langston rushes the corner once again but is met with a boot to the face.
The third generation superstar jumps off the second rope, right into a big shoulder tackle by Big E Langston. A hook of the far leg and a cover only get a two count as Curtis Axel is able to kick out.
Big E Langston goes after his opponent rolling away from his grasp. Still on the mat, Curtis Axel makes it to the ring apron and grabs onto the banner, trying to stop Langston from dragging him back to the center of the ring. As the official called for a break, Axel countered with a kick to the leg that has Langston stumbling a bit.
Curtis Axel then hits a clothesline to the back of Big E Langston’s neck, sending the bigger man down to the canvas. Axel starts hitting a lot of punches, forearms and kicks to his fallen opponent. Langston makes it to the apron to stop the onslaught of offense but Curtis Axel puts a boot to the neck, choking his foe. The referee calls for the break as Axel backs away, only to come back by jumping over the top rope from a standing position and dropping all the way to the floor, connecting with a forearm to the chest on the way down.
Big E Langston rolls to the center of the ring as Curtis Axel tries to stay on top of his opponent. He hooks Langston’s leg and tries for the cover but is barely able to get a one count on the big man.
Both men are on the mat as Curtis Axel gets an arm bar on Big E Langston. The champ powers himself to his feet as Axel transitions to a front face lock. Langston uses him immense strength to lift Axel overhead, sending him all the way down to the canvas and breaking the hold in the process.
Big E Langston hits a couple of clotheslines then nails a belly to belly suplex on Curtis Axel. Langston runs the ropes twice and delivers a big splash to his prone opponent. He measures his foe and picks him up for his finisher, The Big Ending, but Axel is able to use the ropes to wrench himself free of his predicament.
Curtis Axel, now standing outside on the ring apron, ducks a Big E Langston blow and grabs the champion by the back of the neck and drops down with all his weight. This guillotines Langston’s neck against the top rope, stunning him. Axel gets back in but runs right into a huge running clothesline.
Big E Langston drops the straps of his singlet and lifts Curtis Axel up onto his right shoulder. The champion hits his Big Ending finisher, getting the three count and the victory.
WINNER: WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION BIG E LANGSTON
We come back from the break with the Raw Rebound. We’re shown a short video package of Brock Lesnar’s return to Raw this past Monday. In an interview with Michael Cole, Paul Heyman explained that his charge returned because there is only one champion and he wants to challenge for that title. Heyman puts whoever is holding it after the Royal Rumble on alert because Brock Lesnar has his sights set on the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Back in the ring, Bad News Barrett is at a new podium high above the crowd. He hits his gavel calling everyone to order. He says that even though it’s a New Year, none of the fans in attendance will be capable of sticking to their resolutions. He predicts by this time next year, everyone will be just as fat, unhealthy and unproductive as they are now. He ends his insulting tirade by wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
CM Punk comes out first to the roar of the fans. The Usos are next followed by the Shield who make their way through the crowd as usual. The bell sounds as CM Punk and Dean Ambrose start this bout for their respective teams.
The two men lock up and force each other into the neutral corner, the referee calling for the clean break. Ambrose hits a number of shots to Punk’s head as he’s being admonished by the referee.
CM Punk grabs hold of Dean Ambrose and turns him around to put him in the corner, delivering some blows and kicks to the midsection and legs of the Shield member. Punk then grabs Ambrose by the head and rams his head into the opposite turnbuckle, following it up with a big chop to the chest.
Dean Ambrose gets thrown to the ropes and is hit with an elbow to the head on the turnaround. CM Punk then throws Dean Ambrose into the Shield’s corner, hinting he wants him to tag as he demands to find out who the weak link is among them.
Seth Rollins blind tags himself in, much to the chagrin of Dean Ambrose who wants to get at Punk for making those comments. Rollins holds a visibly frustrated Ambrose back as he continues the match. Ambrose goes to the arena floor to kick the barricade a few times, showing his anger. Rollins gets CM Punk in a hammerlock, twisting the arm behind him.
CM Punk counters, coming around his opponent to apply a side headlock. Seth Rollins whips Punk into the ropes but is met with a shoulder tackle on the turnaround. Punk runs the ropes twice, over and under the Shield member. Rollins goes for a hip toss but is blocked by Punk. He ends up getting an elbow to the head and a swinging neckbreaker that puts him down to the mat.
Seth Rollins is dragged to the enemy corner by CM Punk tugging on his right leg. Jey Uso blind tags himself in and runs the ropes, connecting with a diving headbutt off the turnaround. He makes the tag to his twin brother Jimmy. On the double-team, Jey keeps Rollins in a Boston Crab as Jimmy runs the ropes and nails a legdrop to the back of the neck. The Samoan goes for the cover but in only able to get one.
Jimmy Uso pulls Seth Rollins up to his feet and applies a standing wrist lock. Rollins breaks the hold with a few rights to the midsection and jaw that back Uso into the corner. The Shield member tries to whip Jimmy Uso into the opposite corner but has it reversed. Rollins slams in there back first and staggers out, only to run into a drop kick that sends him to the canvas.
Jey Uso tags in and quickly nails a back kick to the midsection on the double-team with his twin brother. Jimmy Uso, who had been holding Seth Rollins by the arms, now throws the Shield member down to the mat with authority. Rollins puts Jey Uso in the corner, hits a few shoulders to the gut and follows it up with a punch to the ribs.
The two men make their way to the center of the ring and trade blows, with Seth Rollins reversing a whip on Jey Uso and throwing him into the ropes. Uso hits a flying forearm on the turnaround and quickly goes for the pin, only getting a count of two on the near fall.
Seth Rollins is able to make his way near the ropes. Jey Uso charges him and hits a clothesline that sends him over the top rope and onto the arena floor. Jey Uso sees a chance and runs the ropes, hoping to dive onto his opponent on the outside. He’s thwarted by Roman Reigns who stands on the ring apron shaking his head and denying him his chance at flying.
Jey Uso has made his way to the outside by going underneath the bottom rope. Seth Rollins kicks him in the gut and rams him back first into the ring apron. Rollins throws him back into the ring and climbs to the top corner. He drops down only to be hit with a shot to the face from Jey Uso. Rollins gets dragged by the leg to the enemy corner where CM Punk gets tagged in.
The straight-edge superstar hops over the top rope and starts his offense with a flurry of kicks to the side and back of Seth Rollins. He goes for a cover on the Shield member but only gets one for his effort. CM Punk pulls Rollins to his feet and nails a vertical suplex, once again going for the pin. He’s still denied again, this time at two.
Both men get to their feet as Seth Rollins finds the inner strength to kick CM Punk in the midsection. He then goes over to his corner to tag in the United States Champion Dean Ambrose. On the double-team, Rollins and Ambrose throw Punk to the ropes and attempt a double clothesline on the turnaround. CM Punk baseball slides in between them underneath their outstretched arms and hits a single dropkick that brings down both men.
Seth Rollins rolls out of the ring as CM Punk goes to work on the legal man Dean Ambrose. He puts the champion in the corner and climbs to the second rope, hitting a series of blows to the top of the head. Ambrose is whipped into the opposite corner and a standing wrist lock brings him over to the enemy corner. Punk tags in Jimmy Uso who jumps down from the top rope to continue punishing that arm.
Dean Ambrose nails an elbow to the head that staggers the Samoan. He slams Jimmy Uso to the mat and climbs to the top turnbuckle. Uso makes it to his feet and grabs hold of the United States Champion, launching him overhead halfway across the ring onto his back. Jimmy Uso goes for the cover but Ambrose kicks out at two.
Jimmy Uso tries to throw Dean Ambrose into the ropes but it’s reversed. Uso comes off the turnaround right into a knee to the midsection, sending the Samoan to his knees. Dean Ambrose immobilizes Jimmy Uso then tags in Roman Reigns.
The powerhouse of the Shield quickly lands a couple of punches to Jimmy Uso, then runs the ropes to connect with a leaping clothesline. Roman Reigns goes for the cover but is only able to keep his opponent down for a count of two.
Roman Reigns hits a legdrop onto the right arm of Jimmy Uso. A front facelock brings the Samoan to his feet as he’s almost dragged to the enemy corner. Seth Rollins tags himself in to continue the inflicting of punishment.
A few punches to Jimmy Uso’s midsection and more kicks to the torso continue until the referee calls for the break after Seth Rollins starts choking Jimmy Uso with a boot to the neck. The Shield member connects with a senton splash on his opponent and goes for the cover, managing to get two.
Seth Rollins immobilizes the head and neck of a seated Jimmy Uso, but the Samoan is able to make it to his feet. A couple of shots to the gut break the hold but Rollins counters with a attempt at a whip into the corner. Uso reveres it and sends Rollins spinning forward and landing seated on the top turnbuckle facing away from the ring.
Both men are a lot worse for wear as they try to make their respective tags. Rollins gets to the Shield’s corner first and tags in Dean Ambrose. The United States Champion runs in and stops Jimmy Uso from reaching his corner. Dean Ambrose stomps on Jimmy Uso, then comes off the ropes to deliver an elbow drop to the chest. A cover and a two count is all he gets.
Still on the canvas, Dean Ambrose applies a reverse chin lock to Jimmy Uso. The Samoan gets to his feet and drops down to a seated position, hitting a jawbreaker on the United States Champion. Ambrose counters with a short clothesline that sends Uso down to the mat.
Dean Ambrose pulls Jimmy Uso up to his feet and drags him to the corner, seating him on the top turnbuckle facing away from the ring. He grabs hold of Uso to attempt a side superplex off the second rope but is thwarted by punches and elbows to the head. Ambrose comes down off the ropes and staggers around, finding his way to the Shield’s corner to make the tag.
Roman Reigns comes in and goes over to the corner. By this time Jimmy Uso is standing on the top corner and nails a textbook corkscrew moonsault on the Shield’s powerhouse. Reigns makes it to his corner to tag in Seth Rollins as Jimmy is still struggling on the mat after that maneuver.
Seth Rollins rushes the enemy corner and strikes Jey Uso, knocking him off the apron and onto the arena floor. Rollins goes for a senton splash but gets nothing but canvas as Jimmy moves out of harm’s way. He uses the distraction to make it to his corner and tag in the “Best in the World”.
CM Punk springboards himself off the top rope and nails a clothesline on Seth Rollins. He charges the Shield’s corner and nails a boot to the face of Dean Ambrose, sending him to the floor. Rollins runs the ropes and eats a heel kick on the turnaround. CM Punk hits a spinning neckbreaker and then charges Rollins in the corner, connecting with a running knee to the side of the head.
Seth Rollins is pulled from the corner by his arm and hit with a short clothesline from CM Punk. The straight-edge superstar climbs to the top rope in anticipation of his elbow to the heart.
Dean Ambrose gets on the ring apron and distracts Punk, allowing Seth Rollins to take his opponent’s legs out from under him. Punk crotches himself on the top turnbuckle and then falls all the way down to the canvas.
Seth Rollins sees a chance and climbs to the top himself. A high cross body on CM Punk ends up in a roll-through by the straight edge superstar. Punk is able to get Seth Rollins in his Anaconda Vise submission but is kicked in the chest by Dean Ambrose, breaking the hold before Rollins could tap out.
Jey Uso comes in a hits a couple of shots to the United States Champion, knocking him onto the ring apron. Roman Reigns comes in and delivers his Superman Punch to Jey Uso, sending him out of the ring. CM Punk and Seth Rollins, the legal men in the match, are the only ones left in the ring and both are struggling.
Dean Ambrose is tagged in and he goes right to work, hitting rights and lefts after putting CM Punk in the neutral corner. Ambrose berates Punk as he’s dishing out the punishment, telling him that he, meaning Punk, not better than him. Ambrose seats Punk on the top turnbuckle and gets on the second rope, hitting a double underhook superplex on his adversary. Ambrose goes for the cover and hooks the leg, but only gets two for for his effort.
Roman Reigns is calling for the tag and reaching to his partner but Dean Ambrose seems to ignore him, talking to himself and seemingly obsessed with defeating CM Punk. He walks over to his opponent and is nailed with a kick to the side of the head. Punk gets Ambrose onto his shoulders in the Fireman’s Carry but is stopped by Reigns who charges the ring.
CM Punk puts down Dean Ambrose and distracts Roman Reigns, hitting a kick to the side of his head. The Usos come in and connect with double kicks to the jaw, sending Reigns through the ropes and all the way to the outside. Seth Rollins then comes in and charges Punk near the ropes. He’s lifted up over the top rope and to the outside to join his stablemate.
Jimmy and Jey Uso come off the ropes in tandem and jump over the top, hitting suicide dives on both Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. Only CM Punk and Dean Ambrose, the legal men, are left in the ring. Punk ducks underneath a clothesline and gets Ambrose up in the Fireman’s Carry once again. He hits his Go to Sleep finisher, hooks the leg and goes for the cover. The straight-edge superstar gets the 1-2-3 and the victory for his team.
After the match, CM Punk and the Usos celebrate their victory in the ring as they watch Dean Ambrose leave separately from his team member. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns discuss what went wrong without the presence of the United States Champion.
WINNERS: CM PUNK WITH JIMMY & JEY USO
We then go to a Wyatt Family video showing clips of what went on this past Monday on Raw concerning them. All the while, Bray Wyatt says that Daniel Bryan now has a home with him and will not listen to what the fans say. He will only hear Wyatt’s truth.