WWE Friday Night Smackdown
BMO Harris Center | Rockford, Illinois
August 9th 2013
A video package airs of some of the highlights from the past few weeks. We see Prince Devitt, fresh from another hard-to-watch viewing of his girlfriend Scarlet with Cruiserweight Champion Austin Blake, attack Sin Cara after their match last week. Also a sickening turn of events saw James Storm cost partner Robert Roode the chance to become number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship after he hit him over the head with a steel chair. Storm carried on after the match and literally smashed Beer Money to pieces as he cracked a beer bottle over the head of a defenceless Roode. And this past week on Raw we found out that Light SaBour would join The Maple Leaf Mafia and The Flood in challenging The Prime Time Prayers for the WWE Tag Team Championships at Summerslam in a Fatal Four Way Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. In addition to this Rey Mysterio made a surprising return to Smackdown last week to confront Gregory Helms about his continuing trashing of the upcoming NXT Cruiserweight Climax, to which a six man tag team match was made for Summerslam pitting three WWE cruiserweights against three of the NXT CC participants. Finally after being attacked in his own home by Harper, AJ Styles request to face Ryder was granted by the man himself for Summerslam, with the condition that Styles must join Ryder upon defeat, and that Styles must face Harper in a No Disqualifications Match tonight on Smackdown!!!
♪ ♪ ♪ Born 2 Run by 7Lions ♪ ♪ ♪
The show opens inside the BMO Harris Center and the raucous Rockford crowd greet us before Michael Cole and Booker T welcome us to Friday Night Smackdown. Cole states that it’s good to see Booker T looking good after being attacked by The Kings Of wrestling last week, and Booker says he’s fine before moving the conversation on to tonight’s show. Michael Cole quickly reminds us that tonight we will see the United States Champion Joe Hennig in six man tag action and that the WWE Cruiserweight Championship will be on the line as Austin Blake takes a break from his time with Scarlett Marseille to defend against Sin Cara. Booker T wonders what Prince Devitt will be thinking with Blake in the same building for the first time since he ‘borrowed’ Scarlett from him. Cole follows up by also informing us that in tonight’s main event we will see AJ Styles go one on one with Harper in a No Disqualifications Match in exchange for Ryder finally agreeing to a match with him at Summerslam.
Before the pair can further get into what is going down tonight ***CongreNate*** hits the speakers and that can only mean that the CongreNation are on their way to the ring which draws heat from the crowd. But surprisingly there is no Lord Washington and no Kofi Kingston as it is Titus O’Neil & Darren Young, the WWE Tag Team Champions that make their way out to considerable jeers from the Rockford crowd. The announce team wonder what The Prime Time Prayers have to say, especially with Lord Washington not by their side as O’Neil and Young march straight down to the ring before they grab a microphone ready to address the WWE Universe to start Smackdown off. Young looks ready to speak but the crowd refuse to let him have his say peacefully as they continue to boo the pair at the top of the night. This forces O’Neil to take the microphone and angrily confront the crowd.
Titus O’Neil: Listen up fools… we don’t need no introduction… we are the WWE Tag Team Champions… we are the best tag team in the whole damn world and when we have something to say you will shut your stupid little mouths and listen!!!
As expected the request doesn’t go down well with the crowd who only increase the volume of their disapproval.
Darren Young: Now for weeks we have sat back and watched as team after team after team have tried to qualify for the right... the honour even of facing us at Summerslam.
Titus O’Neil: But that's not all because they won’t just face us D… they will face another two tag teams too... because we have been forced by Paul Heyman to defend our titles in a Fatal Four Way Match!!!
The crowd cheer this idea.
Darren Young: You are right Titus… we will be forced to put our titles on the line against three other teams… but not only that… we have been pushed to put our titles on the line against three other teams in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match!!!
A bigger pop from the crowd as The Prime Time Prayers shake their heads.
Titus O’Neil: Now at first we thought that this was unfair. We thought that this was uncalled for by Paul Heyman to expect us to defend our titles in such circumstances. But the more we thought about… and the more we took in what was expected of us... the more we realised that this is the only way... and we mean the only way... that Paul Heyman can get our Tag Team Titles away from us!!!
Heat from the crowd again.
Darren Young: Correct Titus. Simply put Paul Heyman knows that if he put us in the ring with just one of those teams at Summerslam that the outcome would never be in doubt… and that is The Prime Time Prayers walking out of Los Angeles still... the WWE Tag Team Champions!!!
Huge heat as Darren Young nods at the crowd with a huge grin on his face.
Titus O’Neil: Without question D… in fact I feel that whatever Paul Heyman and the WWE’s tag teams have to offer won’t be enough to take these titles away from us. We have the Lord on our side. And with Lord Washington guiding us we will not, and we cannot fail.
Darren Young: Amen!!!
Titus O’Neil: So the reality of what we are preaching to all you misinformed is that it doesn’t matter if Paul Heyman wants to throw us one team, two teams, three teams, even the whole tag team division. Because just like we always do... The Prime Time Prayers will come out on top. So Maple Leaf Mafia… Light SaBour… Flood… get ready… because in sixteen days we are going to leave you all lying under the wreckage we’re gunna cause at Summerslam!!!
Huge heat from the crowd as The Prime Time Prayers sound confident ahead of Summerslam but…
—LIGHTS OUT—
The arena drops into darkness as the crowd let out a slight pop before Ryder appears on the screen, sitting in a dark room, water dripping in the background with the flames burning inside a rusting oil drum the only light available. Ryder isn’t alone though as Ambrose and Crowe flank him on either side, their faces emotionless as they stare towards the camera.
Ryder: Foolish words from the misinformed indeed. You follow your Lord like a flock of ignorant sheep but what does he actually give to you. He leads you to be lambs to the slaughter that my friends here will afford you. You may have your titles for now but your Lord is a false prophet if he truly believes that his guidance will lead you to victory at Summerslam. Follow your Lord and he will lead you down a path of failure. I have proven that my hand is the one that has saved Ambrose and Crowe from the hellish life that they once lived. They say if you play with fire you get burnt. But it’s not the fire that you should be afraid of come Summerslam my friends…
Ambrose and Crowe walk off away from Ryder and into the darkness. Ryder picks up a bucket of water and stands over the burning fire.
Ryder: … it’s The Flood you should fear… because it’s heading right for you!!! And you won’t escape The Downpour that’s about to wash you all away!!!
As the last word leaves Ryder’s mouth he launches the water over the fire, extinguishing the flames AND the any visibility on the big screen. After a few seconds the lights come back on… and Ambrose and Crowe are inside the ring!!! Right behind The Prime Time Prayers!!! The fans pop a little bit despite The Flood being villains and Darren Young and Titus O’Neil continue to stare up at the big screen oblivious to what’s behind them. The continuing noise of the crowd alerts them and Young turns around only to be drilled with a running clothesline from Ambrose!!! Crowe launches himself at Titus O’Neil but the latter puts up a bit of a fight until Ambrose joins in the attack and The Flood manage to ground O’Neil with a Double DDT before they kick him to the outside of the ring. With O’Neil out of the equation Darren Young is all alone with The Flood and Crowe heads to the top turnbuckle as Ambrose drags Young up and hoists him up into the electric chair position. Booker T yells out that it looks like Young is about to get washed away by The Downpour as Crowe leaps off the top turnbuckle and takes Young off Ambrose’s shoulders with a Diving Bulldog and plants him face first into the canvas!!! The Downpour!!! The crowd surprisingly pop huge for The Flood taking out The Prime Time Prayers!!! Michael Cole states that it’s more likely that the crowd are loving who the victim of their attack is rather than getting behind The Flood as Ambrose and Crowe stand over Darren Young in the middle of the ring. The emotions are still absent from their faces but they manage to pick up the WWE Tag Team Championship belts and raise them high above their head, signalling their intentions to become champions at Summerslam. The announce team are excited by the action packed start to tonight’s show and expect more of the same as the show heads to an advertisement break.
Michaels’ Massive Mistake – Summerslam 1997
1997 will always be a key year for the WWE and it was at Summerslam that year that a huge chain of events were triggered by the inadvertent actions of Shawn Michaels. Michaels returned to the WWE as special referee in the World Championship match between The Undertaker and the challenger, and Michaels long time rival, Bret Hart. With Michaels down after a referee bump Hart would use a steel chair to attack The Undertaker. Upon realising what had happened Michaels would confront Hart only for The Hitman to insult Michaels and proceed to spit at The Heartbreak Kid. An incensed Michaels swings the steel chair at Hart but instead wallops the chair accidentally into the recovering Undertaker. Hart immediately makes the cover and a reluctant Michaels is forced to count the three that not only costs The Undertaker the World Championship but hands it over to his rival Bret Hart.
SUMMERSLAM
The Staples Center | Los Angeles, Calfironia
August 25th 2013
The Biggest & Hottest Party Of The Summer
As the show returns a graphic flashes across the screen and Michael Cole and Booker T make it official that after what we just saw before the break we will see the WWE Tag Team Champions The Prime Time Prayers take on The Flood in non-title action tonight!! Booker T adds that he cannot wait to see what goes down later on.
The show moves on and we are met with ***The Rising*** blasting over the sound speakers before Justin Gabriel & Adam Gabriel charge out from the back and race down to the ring. The crowd give The Gabriel Brothers a great reaction as the pair head to the turnbuckles to pose to them. The announce team talk about what happened last week with Legacy attacking The Gabriels backstage after the former failed to take the final place in the Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match for Summerslam. Booker T adds that despite the setback it was a blessing in disguise for Joe Hennig as later that night it would be The Gabriels that would come to his aid against the three pronged attack of Legacy.
Video footage airs from last week of Joe Hennig defeating Blackjack Rotunda by disqualification after Legacy interfered. The WWE United States Champion was in trouble as Rotunda, Ted Dibiase and Dustin Rhodes circled him like vultures and began to attack until Justin and Adam Gabriel ran down and made the save.
Booker adds that things could have gotten ugly for Hennig if it was not for The Gabriels last week. On cue ***Reborn*** hits and the [b]WWE United States Champion Joe Hennig makes his way out from the back to a huge ovation. Michael Cole notes that Hennig’s removal from Legacy a few months back has not only earned him the United States Title but also a strong following from the WWE Universe. Booker T adds that it was probably the best thing that could have happened for Hennig, and the worst for Legacy as Hennig has become a huge thorn in their side over the past few months. Hennig tags hands with several fans as he chucks the towel behind his back, a homage to his father Mr Perfect Curt Hennig. Hennig smiles as he enters the ring, heads to the top turnbuckle and lifts the United States Championship belt high in the air. Hennig jumps down and greets The Gabriel Brothers but the trio’s attention quickly turns towards the big screen as a video starts up.
A Million $ Production…
The video moves forward and the setting is a fancy Florida Golf Club. The cameras head inside before moving out to the fairways in sunny Florida. We see two men standing around talking amongst themselves and as the camera zooms in we can see that one of them is Cody Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes: Come on now Bubba… you know I don’t like to take your money.
The camera picks up the other man on screen and it is American PGA Tour golfer Bubba Watson.
Bubba Watson: You ain’t takin’ nothing from me today Cody. I’m ready for ya’ this time!!!
The video transitions to a highlight reel of Watson and Rhodes golfing against one another. Watson hits a hard drive long and just short of the green before Rhodes goes one better and reaches the green with his drive. Next up we see Watson land a short putt before Rhodes amazingly chips a shot out of a bunker and off the pole for a putt. Watson shakes his head before he wipes the sweat away from his forehead. Finally we see Cody Rhodes take a drive off a short hole and as he hits the ball the video goes in slow motion, with Rhodes landing a breathtaking hole in one (although the camera does cut scenes in between that final part!!!).
Bubba Watson: You got to be kiddin’ me!!
Rhodes smiles from ear to ear as the next scene shows Watson handing over a thick wad of American Dollars to him.
Bubba Watson: What can I say Cody… once again that was perfect!!!
Rhodes looks at Watson and shakes his head before he puts his right hand on his shoulder and looks towards the camera.
Cody Rhodes: No Bubba… that was Cody Rhodes… and that… was better than perfect!!!
Rhodes and Watson laugh as they walk off together and a statement that we saw last week again labels across the screen…
Cody Rhodes
‘Better Than Perfect’
The video ends and Joe Hennig is furious inside the ring at the blatant disrespect that Cody Rhodes is showing to his family. With that ***It’s A New Day*** hits and Legacy’s Ted Dibiase, Blackjack Rotunda and Dustin Rhodes come out full of laughter. The Legacy trio look smug as they point and ridicule Hennig but that only further infuriates The Product Of Perfection and Hennig takes action as he drops out of the ring and goes right after Legacy!!! Dustin Rhodes tries to meet Hennig head on but the latter ducks under a clothesline and levels Blackjack Rotunda with one of his own!!! Hennig goes right after Ted Dibiase and gets a couple of shots in until Rhodes recovers and attacks him from behind. But the numbers game evens up as The Gabriels head to the outside to help their tag team partner. Hennig rolls Dibiase into the ring and the referee rings the bell to get the six man tag team match underway.
Six Man Tag Team Match
Joe Hennig, Adam Gabriel & Justin Gabriel versus Ted Dibiase, Blackjack Rotunda & Dustin Rhodes
Not too much to write home about with this match. Joe Hennig starts the action off with Blackjack Rotunda and gets the upper hand for his team. The faces please the crowd for the first few minutes but a big knee to the back of Justin Gabriel from Dustin Rhodes on the apron slows them down. Legacy start to work over Justin Gabriel with several double team, triple team and dirty tricks to keep him away from his partners. The turn of the match happens as Dibiase locks Justin Gabriel in The Million Dollar Dream!!! But Justin Gabriel fights out of it before he can pass out and sends Dibiase into the ropes before he dropkicks him in the face!!!
The race is on the hot tag and Dibiase gets there first!!! Dustin Rhodes comes in and grabs Justin Gabriel by the foot before he can tag out. But Gabriel stands on one foot before he nails Rhodes with an enziguri to the side of the head and makes the hot tag to Joe Hennig!!! The WWE United States Champion bursts into the ring and takes down all three Legacy guys with a clothesline. Adam Gabriel runs into the ring and takes Ted Dibiase over the top rope with a clothesline that takes both men to the outside. Justin Gabriel is up against the ropes and Blackjack Rotunda charges only for Justin to back body drop him over the top rope to the outside!!!
With Adam, Dibiase and Rotunda on the outside Justin heads to the top turnbuckle and leaps off to take out all three men with a Flying Cross Body!!! The crowd cheer but back inside the ring Joe Hennig has Dustin Rhodes in his crosshairs. But Rhodes catches him off guard with a poke to the eye that the referee doesn’t see. Rhodes mocks Hennig as he slaps him about before he whips him into the corner. Rhodes charges with a running hip smash but Hennig slides out of the way before he plants Dustin Rhodes into the canvas with his signature Flapjack!!! The crowd are on their feet as Hennig calls for the finish and quickly hits Rhodes with The Perfect Plex for the win!!!
A tiny bit of redemption for Joe Hennig as he picks up the win for his team. His partners Justin and Adam Gabriel quickly join Hennig in the middle of the ring and the crowd are happy that the trio got the victory tonight. In contrast Legacy retreat up the ramp licking their wounds with the United States Champion Hennig leaning over the ropes and demanding they bring their leader Cody Rhodes with them next time. Michael Cole notes that it will certainly be interesting to see what happens once Cody Rhodes does return to the WWE, before the show heads to the first commercial break of the night.
-------- Commercial Break ---------
The show returns backstage and we see Prince Devitt waiting patiently in the parking lot for somebody to arrive. The announce team quickly decipher that the Irishman must be waiting for WWE Cruiserweight Champion Austin Blake to arrive with Devitt’s girlfriend Scarlett Marseille. However Devitt is quickly interrupted by the arrival of former rival Gregory Helms. Devitt does not take much notice of Helms but The Supernatural makes it his business to get noticed.
Gregory Helms: Hey Devitt… long time since me and you have been in the same place at the same time… eh?
Prince Devitt: Not interested!!!
Devitt point blank refuses to even acknowledge Helms again, instead looking out to the parking lot area.
Gregory Helms: Not interested? You don’t even know why I’m here? I’m here to offer you the opportunity of a lifetime.
Prince Devitt: Does it involve Austin Blake?
Gregory Helms: Well no but listen here…
Prince Devitt: Then I’m not interested!!!
Helms does not like the fact that he can’t get a word in with Devitt and resorts to raising his voice.
Gregory Helms: What do you mean you’re not interested!!!!! How could you not be interested in being a part of Team Helms, I mean Team WWE at Summerslam!!!
Devitt finally loses his temper again and turns around to shove Gregory Helms up against the wall.
Prince Devitt: I guess you are not getting the message Gregory? Unless it involved getting my hands on Austin Blake… I’M NOT INTERESTED!!! For all I care you can shove your team where the sun don’t shine!!! And if you got a problem with that I’ve got a boot that can go there too!!!
Devitt stares down Helms intensely and finally Helms gets the message as he backs off and scurries away, whilst Devitt returns to scanning the parking lot for the arrival of Austin Blake. Another camera shows us that Austin Blake is already in the building and on his way towards ringside to defend the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. And he has Scarlett by his side!!!
Back to ringside and the announce team talk some more over Prince Devitt knocking back Gregory Helms’ offer to join Team WWE in the Cruiserweight Six Man Tag at Summerslam. Michael Cole states his understanding that right now Devitt has bigger, more important things on his mind and Booker T adds that as much as he agrees that Devitt is not in the right frame of mind of late, the distraction of being a part of the WWE Cruiserweight Team might have helped Devitt. He also wonders what Devitt will think once he knows that Blake is already here. Before the conversation can go any further ***Ancient Spirit*** hits and Sin Cara bursts out from the back to a great reaction. The ring announcer states that the following match is scheduled for one fall and is for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. As Sin Cara charges down the ring and springs over the top rope the announce team mention that tonight Sin Cara was granted a shot at the WWE Cruiserweight Championship after the misfortunate situation he found himself in last week on Smackdown.
Footage from last week shows Prince Devitt defeat Sin Cara in one on one action. After the match a vide played on the big screen of Austin Blake teasing Devitt about the Irishman’s girlfriend Scarlett Marseille. Afterwards Sin Cara tried to comfort Devitt but the latter’s rage got the better of him and Devitt locked him in The Devitt’s End, nearly causing The International Sensation serious harm.
Back at ringside Sin Cara poses to the crowd some more until ***Comin’ In Hot*** breaks it up and the entire crowd jeer as Austin Blake makes his way out from the back, and the WWE Cruiserweight Champion is not alone as he drags Scarlett Marseille out by the arm. The reluctant raven-haired girlfriend of Prince Devitt scowls at Blake as he orders her down to the ring. As Scarlett walks on Blake ogles her from behind with a huge smile on his face before he stops and poses to the crowd, rubbing the WWE Cruiserweight Championship that’s strapped to his waist. Blake doesn’t seem to care for the heat from the crowd as he struts down to the ring and again instructs Scarlett to do something. Scarlett doesn’t look too enthusiastic as she steps up the steel steps at ringside and sits on the middle ropes, holding them open for Blake to step through. Michael Cole calls Blake a disgusting human being before Blake turns to Scarlett and orders her back down off the apron. The announce team wonder if Austin Blake is taking his defence against Sin Cara seriously enough as he again refuses to acknowledge The International Sensation and instead blows a kiss to Scarlett at ringside, who grimaces back at the man who claims to be More Than You Can Take. Blake rubs his hands through his hair before he finally sets his sights on Sin Cara, just in time for the referee to ring the bell to get the contest started.
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Singles MatchAustin Blake © (w/Scarlett) versus Sin Cara
The match starts frantically with Sin Cara sending Austin Blake around the ring with a couple of dropkicks and a running flying headscissors takedown. The champ tries to regroup as The International Sensation looks to win his first piece of gold here in the WWE. Sin Cara dodges a raging Blake and drope toe holds him into the middle turnbuckle. With Blake slumped in the corner Sin Cara makes a run from across the ring at him and leaps up with a dropkick, but Blake slides out of the way and Sin Cara crashes hard into the corner. Blake starts to take over as he grounds Sin Cara, neutralising the Mexican’s biggest threat. Blake hits several suplexes before he comes off the middle turnbuckle with a diving leg drop for a close fall. Blake starts to work on the leg of Sin Cara, with Booker T pointing out that Blake is making sure Sin Cara can’t hit his high flying attacks if he can’t stand up straight. Blake locks in a Single Leg Boston Crab but somehow Sin Cara survives the pain and reaches the bottom rope.
Blake won’t give up though as he drags Sin Cara back into the middle of the ring and tries to turn him over again, but this time Sin Cara pulls Blake into a small package!!! The crowd think we have a new champ!!! But Blake somehow kicks out just in time!!! Blake furiously rises and argues with the referee for apparently counting too fast. This gives Sin Cara the chance to dropkick the knee of Blake and take him down to a knee… before he comes off the ropes and jumps at the stunned Blake and drives him into the canvas with a Hurricanrana Driver!!! Michael Cole yells that it’s over as Sin Cara makes the cover, and with Scarlett smiling on the outside it looks certain for The International Sensation to pick up the three!!! And Blake gets his foot on the bottom rope!!! The arena cannot believe it and Sin Cara holds the sides of his mask in surprise that Blake survived!! Sin Cara sends Blake into the ropes but Blake manages to hold on. Sin Cara charges at Blake who pulls the top rope down and Sin Cara crashes hard to the ringside floor.
Blake takes his time recovering inside the ring, and decides to let Sin Cara be counted out. The crowd get behind Sin Cara and urge him to get back into the ring. It looks unlikely but Sin Cara finds the strength to climb back in just in time… just in time for Blake to attack him with several kicks to the back!!! Blake drags Sin Cara up and hits him with The Floirda Key!!! Blake covers but Sin Cara gets the shoulder up at two!! Blake holds three fingers up at the referee before he measures Sin Cara up. Blake runs across the ring and knocks Sin Cara for six with a Shining Wizard!! Blake covers again but once more Sin Cara shows resilience as he kicks out at two!!! Blake yells out in anger before he pulls Sin Cara into position. Blake heads to the middle turnbuckle and calls for The Sunset Driver!!! Blake taunts the crowd but before he can take off Sin Cara springs up out of nowhere and sends him flying off the middle turnbuckle with a super arm drag takedown!!!
The crowd cheer as Sin Cara gains a breather with that attack and Blake runs at him with a clothesline only for The International Sensation to dodge it and hit a handspring back elbow that floors Blake!!! Sin Cara starts to gain a head of steam as he flies through the air to take Blake down a couple of times. The crowd are right behind Sin Cara as he slaps Blake’s face off the canvas with a drop toe hold before he comes off the ropes and crashes the kneeling Blake with a dropkick to the face. With Blake down Sin Cara heads to the top turnbuckle looking for The Falling Star!!! He leaps off!!! But there’s nobody home as Blake rolls to safety!!! And Sin Cara rolls through back up to his feet… and turns right into a Superkick from Blake!!! Sin Cara doesn’t know what day of the week it is as he drops to one knee, and Austin Blake quickly takes advantage as he hops onto the middle turnbuckle and jumps towards Sin Cara before he propels both of them forward to nail Sin Cara with the Front Flip Piledriver… Sunset Driver!!! Blake impales Sin Cara’s head into the canvas and immediately makes the cover to pick up the three count and retain his title.
The fans aren’t happy with Austin Blake being announced the winner and still the Cruiserweight Champion but before Blake can celebrate his win the crowd let out a huge roar as Prince Devitt charges down to ringside!!! Blake hears the noise from the crowd but it’s too late as Devitt is already inside the ring and tackles him to the ground!!! Devitt hammers away with right hands to the delight of the crowd as Scarlett watches on from the outside. Devitt finally climbs off Blake and as the Florida man rises Devitt levels him with a Roundhouse Kick to the face!!! Devitt lays Blake out on the canvas before he exits the ring and takes Scarlett with him!!! The crowd are loving it as Devitt and Scarlett make their way to the back reunited… but the mood dampens as Paul Heyman steps out from the back in front of the pair, and he’s not alone as a group of six security men stand around him. Heyman holds his hands up to try and reason with Devitt that Scarlett has to go back with Blake. Devitt furiously shakes his head and tries to walk past the WWE General Manager, but instead he is met with the group of security who apprehend the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion and pull him away from his girlfriend Scarlett, to the dismay of the crowd. Devitt angrily protests but Heyman again tries to reason that it’s not in his hands. Just as Devitt looks to be calming down Austin Blake appears and charges up the ramp towards the group. Blake yells at Heyman before he points his finger angrily in the direction of Devitt!!! Blake shakes his head but instead of continuing the argument with Devitt he decides to get at Devitt another way? By grabbing Scarlett by the arm and dragging her past the furious and held back Devitt into the backstage area. Devitt continues to rage on but the announce team wonder what could possibly happen next between Devitt and Blake, as the former finally calms down and holds his heads in hands. The crowd look on sympathetic to Devitt’s situation as the show heads to a commercial break.
-------- Commercial Break ---------
In the backstage area we see Gregory Helms not looking too happy as he stands on a stage similar to the one that Christian was on last week. However the crowd in front of him is a lot smaller as it seems that just the majority of the WWE’s cruiserweight division have been gathered, which includes the likes of Jack Evans, Tyson Kidd, Richie Steamboat, Xavier Woods and The Puerto Rican Nightmares among others.
Gregory Helms: Thank you all for coming here tonight to listen to what I got to say. Now you all know me… I’m The Supernatural Gregory Helms. And you all heard what happened last week between me and Rey Mysterio. He called me out. In fact he called the WWE’s cruiserweight division out. So that means that Rey Rey… the man who until last week hasn’t been seen or heard of in over a year… he called all of you (points finger around crowd) out!!!!
The crowd of superstars start to whisper among themselves but Helms carries on.
Gregory Helms: But we’re not going to let him get away with that… are we?
The crowd again whisper but nobody seems to want to speak up until Tyson Kidd steps forward.
Tyson Kidd: What do you want from us Helms?
Helms smirks as he looks at Kidd before he nods his head towards the Canadian.
Gregory Helms: I’m glad you asked Tyson… because I think it’s pretty simple what I want. I need three guys… three of the best cruiserweights that the WWE has to offer… I need three of you guys… to show those rookies that the WWE is and always will be better than NXT!!!
A lot of nods from the crowd as Tyson Kidd and Gregory Helms continue to stare off. Helms smirks though as he continues.
Gregory Helms: In fact Tyson… I see you as the crown jewel of this team. So allow me to offer you the opportunity to be a part of Team WWE. Now you might not want to do this for me… I wouldn’t blame you… but do this for the WWE… in fact do this for yourself… and you never know this might be the only chance you get to be on Summerslam this year… I ain’t sayin’ I’m just sayin’!!!
Helms holds his arms up hoping not to offend Kidd but the Canadian doesn’t seem to have taken offence.
Tyson Kidd: Okay Gregory… you actually seem to talk a lot of sense. So you got a deal. I’m in!!!
Kidd shakes Helms hand as he approaches but before the celebrations can continue Xavier Woods butts in.
Xavier Woods: Now I’m loving the love up in here but what about the rest of us. Because last time I did maths eight into two don’t go.
Helms looks towards Woods with a scowl before he composes himself to answer the question.
Gregory Helms: I’m glad you asked Xavier. Because I have arranged with Paul Heyman for the rest of you to compete in an over the top rope battle royal. And the winner of that will take the second spot in my.. I mean our team. And for the two guys who are eliminated last in that match… you will square off even later tonight with the winner taking the honour of becoming the final prestigious member of Team WWE at Summerslam. Now does that sound like a great idea… or what!!!
Helms walks off without even saying another word or interacting with anybody else as the WWE cruiserweights talk among each other, whilst also eyeing up the opposition for tonight. Booker T on commentary notes that it sounds like we got an even bigger night ahead of us than planned.
A video starts playing on a sunny beach. The camera is in the sky as it looks down on the golden sands before we see a sign that tells us we are in Havana, Cuba. The cameras fly around the coastal area as we see several people out enjoying the sea and sun. Eventually the cameras switch to the beach itself where we see two scantily clad women fanning one man sat relaxed in a deckchair with a cocktail drink in one hand and a Cuban cigar in the other. Seeing that the camera has arrived the man passes both his drink and cigar off to two more women before he stands up. Wearing expensive white chinos, brown suede shoes and a black Fedora hat he smiles as he runs his hand over the lengthy gold chain around his neck before he finally addresses the camera.
?????????: So you finally made it, eh? I’ve been waiting a long time for you to arrive. I am a man of many things here in Cuba. A man of wealth…
He strokes the gold chain once more.
?????????: A man of the ladies…
He looks around at the four women who smile back as he stares corruptively their way.
?????????: And a man of power!!!
This time he looks further around as the camera pans out to show several men standing, on guard it seems, with their arms folded.
?????????: But I am not a man of time. Here in Cuba I am a very powerful man, with very powerful friends, in very powerful places. Now my time here in Cuba is ending. My desire is to show the world exactly what kind of a man that I am. Soon enough I’ll bring the WWE to its knees with what I can do. But first I’m going to stop off… at NXT!!!
The individual starts to laugh as he moves in closer to the camera.
?????????: Because for those of you who do not know about me, you soon will. My name is Robert Rivera… and when I arrive in the NXT Cruiserweight Climax… you’ll see just how powerful I am!!!!
Rivera smirks as he backs away from the camera. He takes his seat back on the deckchair, receives his Cuban cigar and drink once more before returning to the scenario we found him in. Rivera lifts his arm to wave the camera away and one of the burly men steps forward and ushers the cameraman away as the video comes to a close.
Roberto Rivera
…is coming to NXT Cruiserweight Climax!!!
As we return to the show the ring is crammed full of WWE cruiserweight stars as Xavier Woods, Yoshi Tatsu, Epico, Primo, Douglas Williams, Richie Steamboat, Jack Evans and Hunico get ready for the battle royal that will decide the winner of the second spot on Team WWE Cruiserweight for the Six Man Tag Team match at Summerslam. Michael Cole also reminds us that the two guys who are the last two eliminated from the match will square off later tonight for the third and final spot on the team that Gregory Helms will put together to take on Rey Mysterio’s Team NXT Cruiserweight at The Biggest & Hottest Party Of The Summer. JBL calls this match a real lottery that he cannot predict and within seconds the bell goes to start all out chaos.
Team WWE Cruiserweight QualifierDouglas Williams versus Epico versus Hunico versus Jack Evans versus Primo versus Richie Steamboat versus Xavier Woods versus Yoshi Tatsu
Over The Top Rope Battle Royal
No early eliminations in this one although Primo comes close until his tag team partner Epico saves him. The Puerto Rican Nightmares work together in the early stages and eventually they get an elimination as they both lift Yoshi Tatsu up and over the top rope before he crashes onto the ringside floor.
Yoshi Tatsu eliminated by Epico & Primo.
The Puerto Rican Nightmares dispose of Tatsu but turn right around into a double Honor Roll from Xavier Woods. Woods tries to force Epico over the top but Primo attacks from behind to save his partner this time. Hunico has Jack Evans in the corner but Evans counters out and knocks Hunico down with an enziguri. Evans leaps onto the top rope for an aerial attack but it costs him his place in the match as Richie Steamboat takes the opportunity to shove Evans off the top rope to the outside.
Jack Evans eliminated by Richie Steamboat.
Epico and Primo work over Xavier Woods in one corner whilst Steamboat smartly watches on. Hunico has Douglas Williams nearly over the ropes but Williams fights back with a right hand that stuns Hunico. The Mexican doesn’t like a taste of his own medicine and charges at Williams, only for the British star to catch the running Hunico with a Belly to Belly Suplex that sends him over the top rope and to the outside floor, the hard way!!!
Hunico eliminated by Douglas Williams.
Down to five and Steamboat tries to catch Williams by surprise but he eats a Belly To Belly Suplex too. Epico charges out from attacking Xavier Woods to have a stab at Williams but he too goes down thanks to a big lariat from Williams. The crowd are right behind the former Britannia man as Primo is next and misses with a clothesline. Williams grabs the waist and looks for Chaos Theory as he rams Primo into the corner… but Primo hangs on to the turnbuckle and Williams rolls back alone… right into the rising Epico who jumps up behind Williams and snaps him down with a Backstabber!!! Williams’ hopes extinguished as Primo and Epico pick him up and toss him over the top rope.
Douglas Williams eliminated by Epico & Primo.
Jeers from the crowd as Epico and Primo high five and JBL states that being a team has certainly helped the duo tonight. Primo points towards Xavier Woods in the corner and Epico walks towards him only for Primo to grab his partner from behind and toss him over the top rope to a mixed reaction from the crowd.
Epico eliminated by Primo.
Epico jumps to his feet and cannot believe that his own tag team partner eliminated him. Primo shrugs his shoulders and Michael Cole reminds us that it is every man for himself and notes that two of the three men inside the ring will complete Team WWE Cruiserweight, the only question being who will get the automatic place alongside Tyson Kidd and who will square off later tonight for the final place. Richie Steamboat is back up and dropkicks Primo in the back, sending him through the ropes to the outside… right in front of Epico!!! Epico just shrugs his shoulders and storms up the ramp still annoyed by Primo’s actions.
Back inside the ring Steamboat goes after Xavier Woods and the two start to trade right hands before Woods gets the upper hand. Woods kicks Steamboat back before he dropkicks Steamboat in the face, an action that teeters Steamboat against the ropes. Woods charges and Steamboat back body drops him… onto the apron!!! Steamboat looks to knock Woods off with a right hand but Woods blocks it before he hot shots Steamboat off the top rope. Woods heads to the top turnbuckle and measures Steamboat up. Woods with a Flying Double Axe Handle… but Steamboat counters with a dropkick into the midsection of the airborne Woods.
With Woods down Steamboat looks to finish him off and sets him up for his Sky High like finisher he calls Dragon Bite. But Woods blocks it with a couple of elbows. Woods with a clothesline, and another… but a third misses and Steamboat catches him with a knee to the midsection. Steamboat sends Woods into the corner and charges looking for a Diving Double Knee to the chest of Woods… but nobody’s home and Steamboat crashes into the turnbuckles!!! Woods is up in the corner and gets the crowd going before he forward rolls… and leaps up…. Honor Roll!!! Woods takes Steamboat’s head off with The Honor Roll!!! Steamboat is up on his feet again but doesn’t know where he is… and Woods clotheslines him over the top rope to the outside!!!
Richie Steamboat eliminated by Xavier Woods.
Woods throws his arms in the air thinking he has the victory… but Primo sneaks back into the ring and charges up behind him before he bundles him over the top rope to the outside to surprisingly win the match and take the second spot on Team WWE Cruiserweight.
Xavier Woods eliminated by Primo.
A shock that many of the crowd cannot believe as Primo emerges victorious in the Over The Top Rope Battle Royal and earns his spot on Team WWE for the Cruiserweight Six Man Tag Team Match against Team NXT at Summerslam. Xavier Woods cannot believe it as he climbs to his feet on the outside having thought he had won the match. Woods looks up at Primo who smiles at Woods before the latter looks across at the man he just eliminated, Richie Steamboat. Booker T and Michael Cole quickly remind us that later tonight both Woods and Steamboat will be in action as they square off against each other for the right to join Primo and Tyson Kidd on Team WWE. As Primo continues to celebrate his huge win the cameras show Gregory Helms watching on, although it’s unsure whether The Supernatural could-be-host of NXT is happy about Primo being a part of his team or not as the show heads to a commercial break.
-------- Commercial Break ---------
***Take A Fall*** blares out as Smackdown returns and after a brief wait James Storm walks out from the back to a massive chorus of boos. Michael Cole calls the reaction to the appearance of James Storm fully justified after The Cowboy’s actions last week. We get a replay of what Cole is referring to as Storm heads to the ring dressed in jeans and a shirt, as always with a beer in his right hand and the rest of the six pack in his other.
Replays from last week’s Smackdown show Storm’s Beer Money partner Robert Roode facing Christian with the winner taking claim to Christian’s Intercontinental Championship Rematch Clause at Summerslam, the match made by Paul Heyman as a way of making up for Joe Hennig accidentally costing Beer Money their chance to challenge for the WWE Tag Team Championships at Summerslam. With the referee down mid-match Storm would charge out from the back to stop Christian from attacking Roode with a chair. However, Storm would take the chair and instead shockingly slam it over the head of his defenceless partner. Christian would pick up the win but Storm’s betrayal was far from complete as after the match he would take one of his beer bottles and smash it over the head of a dazed and confused Roode, completely destroying any partnership or friendship the two men had gained over the last decade.
We go back to ringside with James Storm inside the ring and The Cowboy has a microphone in his left hand and downs the rest of the beer in his right as he prepares to address the crowd. Storm looks ready to speak but the crowd aren’t too keen to let him have his say without protest and instead Storm reaches down and grabs another beer before he cracks it open and takes a swig.
James Storm: Boy I needed that!! Now I am not coming down here to waste all of your time. Nevertheless, I feel that some things need to be said… I need to make sure that some things are addressed… especially after what happened last week!!!
The crowd jeer as Booker T states that he can’t wait to hear what Storm has to say for himself.
James Storm: Now people have been coming up to me all damn week… in the street… in the airport… in the bar!!!! And asking me how my friendship with Bobby Roode… a friendship so deep… a friendship that was so strong… a long and certainly fruitful friendship of over ten years… coming up to me and askin’ how something like that could just fall apart so easily. And you know what I said to them? I just do not know… I don’t know what would possess Bobby to go and do something so stupid that it would cost us our friendship together!!!
Nuclear heat as Storm tries to accuse Roode of being the one who ended their friendship.
James Storm: You people know what I’m talking about. Last week Bobby Roode made sure he ended the greatest tag team in the world… Beer Money… when he went behind my back and got himself a chance to become Intercontinental Champion. Bobby Roode decided that he was too good for the best tag team the world has ever seen… Bobby Roode decided that he was better than me!!! Moreover, he really believed that he could go it all alone. Bobby Roode abandoned me for his own selfish reasons.
More heat as Storm continues to try and deflect the blame.
James Storm: All I’ve ever done is be a brother to Bobby Roode. I’ve been there for him all through the highs… and helped him up through all the lows. And how does he repay me? How does Bobby Roode repay the good faith that I have put in him… in us… over the last ten years??? He abandons me. Like a boy fed up with playing with his ball… he abandons me!!! What happened last week was not my fault!!! It was Bobby Roode’s!!!
Storm continues to rile the crowd with his blatant bullshit.
James Storm: I love Bobby Roode. I’m not afraid to admit it. He’s my best friend. But best friends don’t do what Bobby did last week. Best friends don’t turn their back on their best friends. I’m not jealous of Bobby going it alone… I’m disappointed. And what happened last week has broken my heart. It will take all the beer in this run down city to try and make me forget about what Bobby did last week. And I know Bobby is sat at home right now watching, but Bobby… like I just told all these people… if you want to blame somebody for what went down last week… then I suggest you start by looking in the mirror!!
Michael Cole asks if Storm is joking as he continues to push the blame on what happened last week onto the absent Robert Roode.
James Storm: However unfortunate last week was it can always get better. Especially for you Bobby Roode. I’m willing to let go what you did to me Bobby. Let bygones be bygones. Because I love you. So just like last week… what happens next will also be down to you Bobby Roode. And Bobby… friends and brothers we may have been… but it won’t be me who’s sorry if you try to pull another stunt like last week partner… once more I can promise you that it will be you who will be sorry ‘bout your damn luck!!!
Storm drops the microphone and exits the ring to jeers from the crowd. As Storm heads up the ramp a camera tries to follow but he pushes it away and continues on up to the back. The announce team wonder what will happen next between the former team mates that we called Beer Money with Booker T stating that he sure as hell knows that Robert Roode will not have liked what he has heard tonight. We get another shot of James Storm as he stops at the top of the ramp before he heads off through to the back.
A video starts to play of a muscular man jogging down a long highway. The man is wearing a grey tracksuit and a black beanie hat. The individual gets away from the camera as he powers on down the road before the scene changes and we see that the man in question is Big E Langston!!! Langston has a skipping rope and he rapidly jumps through it repeatedly, spinning the rope side to side on occasion. The scene changes again to Langston working extremely fast on a pectoral machine before again the camera changes, this time to Langston inside a wrestling ring, and up against two padded up volunteers. Langston charges across the ring and takes both men down with a double clothesline. The big man does not look like he came to waste time as he grabs one of the men and hits him with the overhead belly to belly suplex!!! Langston grabs the other and lifts him high into the sky with a military press. Langston shows his immense strength as he holds the volunteer in the air for a long time before he tosses him over the top rope to the floor for a very hard exit. Langston begins to stalk the lone opponent inside the ring and creeps up behind him before he raises him into the air across Langston’s shoulders, and shakes him about with a Torture Rack!!! Within seconds the volunteer gives in and taps out and Langston mercilessly drops him down before he holds his arms high in the air in celebration of a job well done. Langston approaches the ropes and grabs a towel to wipe the small amount of sweat from his head, he takes a sip from a water bottle before he looks directly into the camera that has closed in on him.
Big E Langston: I’m Big E Langston… and I’m coming to the WWE!!!
The cameras shut off as the screen fades to black, but not before a message spreads across the screen.
Big E Langston
Coming Soon!!!
Michael Cole and Booker T start to discuss how excited they are about the soon to debut Big E Langston. Booker T says he looks very impressive but before the discussion goes any further the lights go out and ***Behold The Darkness Instrumental*** hits which can mean only one thing!!! About thirty seconds later and the lights come back on… and Ambrose & Crowe, The Flood are standing at the foot of the ramp in their trance like behaviour. The duo slide into the ring as the announce team talk about what happened earlier tonight at the start of the show.
A video airs of Ryder interrupting The Prime Time Prayers as the WWE Tag Team Champions exclaimed that they would be retaining their titles at Summerslam. Ryder warned them to beware of The Flood and the lights came back on to reveal Ambrose and Crowe inside the ring. The pair attacked Titus O’Neil and Darren Young before they hit the latter with The Downpour.
Booker T says that he enjoyed what The Flood did earlier tonight even if he isn’t the biggest fan of Ryder and his associates. ***CongreNate*** blasts over the speakers as The Prime Time Prayers stroll out from the back. Titus O’Neil and Darren Young do not look happy as they make their way to ringside, without manager Lord Washington who is not here tonight. Michael Cole wonders if The Prime Time Prayers will still be the WWE Tag Team Champions after Summerslam with the pair set to defend their titles against The Flood, Light SaBour and The Maple Leaf Mafia in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. Booker T reminds us that he has seen plenty of TLC matches over the years and they are never kind to the body. He also adds that they are unpredictable and would not try and guess who will walk away with the WWE Tag Team Championships at Summerslam. O’Neil and Young head into the ring and immediately try to bump heads with The Flood. Neither team is backing down, with the referee having to come between both teams to try to restore some order. Finally he does before he rings the bell to get the non-title match under way.
Non Title Tag Team Match The Flood versus The Prime Time Prayers
The action starts with Ambrose and Darren Young with the former immediately knocking Young off his feet. Ambrose backs Young into the corner and starts to hammer away until Titus O’Neil intervenes from the apron. Ambrose knocks O’Neil off the apron but the distraction allows Young to catch him from behind with a chop block. The Prime Time Prayers work over Ambrose for the next two minutes with a few close falls from double team attacks. Crowe tries to help his partner several times but the referee foils him. Titus O’Neil sends Ambrose into the corner and follows up with a clothesline but nobody’s home as Ambrose slides to safety!!! Ambrose comes off the ropes and knocks O’Neil down with a clothesline of his own. Ambrose finally makes the tag to Crowe who explodes into the ring!!! Crowe knocks O’Neil down with a couple of forearm shots before he turns and levels Darren Young for good measure. Crowe hops onto the middle turnbuckle before he jumps off and nails O’Neil with a flying elbow to the face!!!
Crowe makes the cover but Darren Young pulls him out of the ring to break it up. Young grabs Crowe and sends him side first into the steel steps!!! Young rolls Crowe back in and O’Neil covers for a close fall!! The Prime Time Prayers take control of the match again with Young hitting Crowe with a gut buster for a very close fall. But The Flood keep coming back as Crowe counters a back body drop from Young and drives him into the canvas with a running DDT!!! Both men are down as their partners look for the tag into the match. To the crowd’s delight Ambrose gets the hot tag!!! And then so does O’Neil!!!! Both men race into the ring and Ambrose dodged a wild swing from O’Neil before he bounces off the ropes with a Lunatic Clothesline!!! Ambrose sends O’Neil into the corner before he charges and smashes him with a clothesline. O’Neil slumps in the corner but Darren Young slides back into the ring. Young lunges at Ambrose but he sidesteps him and tosses him into the corner... standing on top of the seated O’Neil!!!
Crowe comes back into the ring and both of The Flood stand across the ring from The Prime Time Prayers. Crowe charges and hits a clothesline in Young in the corner!!! Ambrose charges and hits another clothesline in Young in the corner!!! Crowe backs up before he runs across the ring and nails Young with a jumping knee to the chest in the corner!!! Crowe headlocks Young and tosses him out from the corner... right into a jumping knee to the face from Ambrose!!!! The crowd are really getting behind The Flood tonight as Darren Young rolls out of the ring. Ambrose grabs Crowe and whips him towards O’Neil.... but Crowe reverses and Ambrose propels towards O’Neil instead.... and crushes him against the turnbuckle with a running hip smash to the face!!! The Flood are in control and on the verge of defeating the WWE Tag Team Champions as they set up for The Downpour!!! Crowe heads to the top turnbuckle as Ambrose picks up O’Neil, and Ambrose gets O’Neil into the electric chair!!!! But Darren Young is up on the apron!!! And he’s got one of the Tag Team Championship belts in his hand!!!! Before he smashes it into the back of Crowe’s head!!! And the referee calls for the bell!!
The bell rings hard as Crowe collapses off the turnbuckle into the ring. Ambrose has his back to what’s going on but the bell sounding alerts him and he drops Titus O’Neil down and spins around… only for Darren Young to blast him across the face with the title belt too!!! Young helps his partner up and the pair aren’t done yet as they start to put the boots to Crowe!!! The crowd jeer as The Prime Time Prayers try to get some retribution for what happened earlier tonight. The duo grab Crowe and Young heads to the middle turnbuckle as the pair set up for The Gospel!!! O’Neil puts Crowe in the backbreaker hold but the voice of the WWE Universe rises…. as Light SaBour charge down to the ring!!! Chris Sabin and Evan Bourne, who will compete against both teams at Summerslam, race into the ring!!! O’Neil and Young forget Crowe and look to meet Light SaBour head on but Sabin ducks under a clothesline from O’Neil and takes the big man out with a dropkick!!! O’Neil rolls to the outside and Darren Young decides to fight another day as he swiftly exits the ring before anything can happen to him. The Prime Time Prayers retreat up the ramp as Bourne and Sabin stare them down from inside the ring. Michael Cole and Booker T note that Light SaBour just saved The Flood.
WHAT IN THE!!!
The crowd gasp as Sabin and Bourne are spun around!!! By The Flood!!! Crowe and Ambrose are up and Crowe drives Evan Bourne into the canvas with a Headlock Driver!!! And Ambrose kicks Sabin in the gut before he spikes him into the canvas with a Straight Jacket DDT!!! Now the crowd jeer The Flood as the pair stand up and look down on the fallen Light SaBour!!! The Prime Time Prayers look on from the ramp, shocked by what just happened but smiling about it nonetheless. Michael Cole asks what the hell The Flood are playing at and Booker T states that it’s every team for themselves at Summerslam and that The Flood are just making sure that Light SaBour know it. The Flood stare out at The Prime Time Prayers with a look of revenge in their eyes. As everything at ringside is going on we get a shot backstage of The Maple Leaf Mafia, and their manager Sylvester Lefort, watching events transpire with a smirk on their faces. The announce team take this moment to plug that at Summerslam it will be The Prime Time Prayers defending the WWE Tag Team Championships against The Maple Leaf Mafia, The Flood and Light SaBour in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. Booker T states that he cannot wait as the show heads to another commercial break.
-------- Commercial Break ---------
As we return Michael Cole and Booker T talk about how the feud between Drew McIntyre and Harry Smith continued to escalate last week.
A video plays from last week’s Smackdown of Drew McIntyre and Harry Smith brawling into the backstage area after leaving a six man tag team match. The intervention of Smith’s manager William Regal helped The Canadian Bulldog and Regal to escape the arena in their car, although not before McIntyre attempted and failed to catch a ride with the pair on the roof of the car.
Back to the show and the announcers continue that what happened last week is nothing compared to what happened earlier today before the show went on the air.
Another video airs and starts with Harry Smith and William Regal arriving at the arena earlier today all smiles. The pair trundle through the parking lot before their attention is caught by a loud horn. Both men jump before laughing at one another over the silly fright they gave themselves. But as they turn to make their way towards the arena they are caught off guard by the rampaging Drew McIntyre!!! The Scotsman hammers away at Smith against a small wall like area before he turns to Regal and slams him face first off the said wall. McIntyre follows up by body slamming Smith on the hard concrete floor in the middle of the parking lot before surprisingly he disappears. Regal crawls up to his knees and checks on Smith on the floor before a bright light starts to shine in his face. Regal holds his hands up to his face to try and block out the flash but soon enough the camera picks up that the light is being caused by a car headlight, and Drew McIntyre is at the wheel!!! Regal shakes his head in fear as his eyes nearly pop out of his head at the sight of a crazed McIntyre sitting behind the wheel of a car facing in his direction!!! Without warning McIntyre puts his foot down and the car speeds towards Regal and Smith as the former helps the latter to his feet. McIntyre doesn’t seem to care for anybody’s well-being as he hurtles towards the pair…. and fortunately Regal and Smith escape to safety before McIntyre can smash them up against the wall with the car!!! The car still hits the wall but McIntyre seems to be okay as he clambers out of the driver’s seat. McIntyre looks like a man possessed as he searches around for Smith and Regal but the duo seem to have vanished into thin air and McIntyre is instead left in frustration again as he kicks a shutter several times before the video concludes.
The announce team are in shock and cannot believe what happened earlier tonight in the parking lot. Michael Cole notes that Paul Heyman has already stated that the actions of McIntyre are at the top of his agenda and the consequences of those actions will become known soon as he will make an announcement on the matter after Smackdown goes off the air tonight. Booker T adds that he worries that McIntyre might find himself unemployed in the near future but he hopes that Paul Heyman will give him another chance.
***Blood Work*** hits at ringside and out comes Richie Steamboat as we get confirmation that the final spot in Team WWE at what is now being billed as the Summerslam Cruiserweight Showdown is about to take place. Steamboat looks confident as he heads towards the ring, with the crowd mixed about his arrival. Michael Cole reminds us that Steamboat was the second runner-up earlier tonight in the Cruiserweight Battle Royal that saw Primo take the second spot, alongside Tyson Kidd, on Team WWE for the Summerslam Cruiserweight Showdown. As Steamboat taunts to the crowd in the ring ***Get Funky*** hits to a big pop and moments later Xavier Woods bops out from the back. Woods looks in great spirit as he dances with some of the fans on the way to the ring. Backstage we see Gregory Helms watching but he does not look happy to see Woods prancing about. Back at ringside the announce team discuss how Woods thought he had won the battle royal earlier tonight.
A video replay from earlier tonight shows Xavier Woods eliminate Richie Steamboat from the battle royal. Woods began to celebrate a victory but Primo was outside the ring, never eliminated from the match. Primo crept back into the ring and bundled Woods over the top rope to win the match and earn the second spot on Team WWE.
Back at ringside Xavier Woods is inside the ring and finally seems to be taking things serious as he steps up to Richie Steamboat. The two have a few choice words before the bell rings to start the match, with the final spot in Team WWE in the SCS on the line.
Team Helms Qualifier Singles MatchXavier Woods versus Richie Steamboat
A back and for encounter saw Xavier Woods start the brightest but Richie Steamboat comes back into it as he rolls off a couple of Sling Blades. Steamboat heads to the top turnbuckle for a Diving Cross Body but Woods counters midair with a dropkick to the midsection that downs Steamboat. Woods continues to play to the crowd as he looks for pops rather than getting the important win. Woods looks for a clothesline but Steamboat dodges it and hits Woods with a superkick for a close fall. Steamboat comes off the middle turnbuckle with a Flying Elbow Drop for another close fall as the son of Ricky The Dragon Steamboat tries to book his place on the card for Summerslam.
Richie Steamboat wants to finish the contest off as he sends Woods into the ropes. The Dragon Bite is nearly hit as Steamboat tries for the sitout spinebuster… but Woods sees it coming and counters with a running tornado DDT!!! Woods starts to build up some momentum as he drops Steamboat with a couple of right hands before a swinging cradle suplex gives him a close fall. Woods backs off into the corner and gets the crowd going for The Honor Roll!!! Steamboat rises to his feet and Woods rolls across the ring before he leaps up and takes Steamboat’s head off with a clothesline that completes The Honor Roll!!! Woods quickly hooks the leg and picks up the win.
The fans cheer as Xavier Woods picks up the victory and takes the win that completes Team WWE for the Summerslam Cruiserweight Showdown. Booker T can’t help his excitement at Woods winning and states that ‘Summerslam is gunna be funky!!!’ Inside the ring Woods celebrates with the crowd as we see a shot backstage of Gregory Helms watching on. Helms smirks as he looks on and Michael Cole wonders what The Suprnatural thinks of his team’s chances now that it has been confirmed that Xavier Woods, Primo and Tyson Kidd will represent him at Summerslam. Before the show moves on Michael Cole receives word that after tonight’s show there will be a video up on WWE.COM from Rey Mysterio, where The Master Of The 619 will make an announcement regarding Team NXT!!! Booker T gets excited some more before the show heads to a promotional video.
A video starts to air outside a wrestling arena where the only noise that can be heard is the chanting of the crowd.
"Ole... Ole... Ole... Ole! Ole!! Ole!!! Ole... Ole... Ole... Ole! Ole!! Ole!!!"
Finally the chants start to drown out as we see a red-haired man with his back to the camera standing inside the middle of the ring inside an empty arena.
??????: Those chants... ole... ole... ole... ole... sometimes they are all I can remember. Sometimes they are all I can hear. And most of the time they were all I could feel.
The man turns around and we see that it is soon to be NXT Cruiserweight Climax competitor Sami Zayn!!! Zayn stares towards the camera but we identify that he is holding a black and red luchador mask in his hand. Zayn looks down at the mask.
Sami Zayn: But those chants... and this mask... they were my disguise. They were my escape... my shield from the world. And they were the world's shield.... from the real Sami Zayn.
Zayn looks down at the mask in his hand before he shakes his head.
Sami Zayn: But this mask won't hide me anymore. Now that the mask is off, the chants I kept hearing have stopped. Now the real Sami Zayn is free. I can follow my own dreams now, not the dreams I once concealed as I obscured myself from the world behind this mask.
Zayn tosses the mask out of the ring. He looks up at the camera.
Sami Zayn: My dream is to reach the promised land. My dream is to be where the best of the best are... the WWE! However, to get there... I must prove myself in NXT... and that is exactly what I am going to do.
Zayn moves in closer and looks directly into the camera.
Sami Zayn: My name is Sami Zayn... and I'm coming to N.. X... T!
Zayn continues to look into the camera with confidence and intensity as the video comes to end, but not before the customary notice that all NXT participants have been granted.
SAMI ZAYN
...is coming to NXT!!!
The show returns ringside with Armando Estrada standing in the middle of the ring. The Cuban manager, who briefly took hold of The Usos until a few weeks back stands all smiles inside the ring but the crowd are not too pleased to see him and show Estrada exactly what they think of him with a chorus of jeers aimed his way. Estrada is nonplussed by their reaction though as he has a microphone in hand ready to speak.
Armando Estrada: Todos... escuchame!!! Everybody... listen... to me!!! Ha-ha!!
Boos for Estrada as the crowd don't really care for him.
Armando Estrada: As ju people know... my name... is Arrrrrmando... Estrrrradaaaa!!! Ha-ha! And tonight ju will all listen to me because I got somet’ing I need to get off my chest!!!
The crowd look a little confused to what Estrada could be talking about, with Booker T also wondering what on earth the Cuban is banging on about.
Armando Estrada: But before I can do t'is I need two people to come out here so t'at I can tell them this right… to their face. Jimmy??? Jey??? Can ju bot' come out here right now... because I got somet'ing I want to say to ju two!!!
The crowd are a still confused by what is going on as Estrada looks to the top of the ramp. Estrada looks a little worried himself as he sweats profusely, before he takes his hat off and continues to wait for a response from The Usos. A few seconds later and ***So Close Now*** hits and Jimmy & Jey,The Usos make their way out to a very positive reaction from the crowd. The two play up to the fans with several taunts and slaps of the hand with the WWE Universe as they make their way down to ringside. As the pair reach the bottom of the ramp they look up at Estrada, who smiles at the duo, but The Usos smiles seem to have turned to a look of uncertainty to why they have been called out by their former manager. The Usos waste no time trying to discern what Estrada's agenda is as they slide into the ring and immediately approach the Cuban.
Armando Estrada: Jimmy!!! Jey!!! I'm so glad that ju two could bot' come out and join me here!!
Jimmy Uso: Cut the crap Estrada!!!
Huge pop from the crowd as Jimmy has heard enough of Estrada and jumps straight in.
Jey Uso: You call us out here Estrada... you want us... you got us... so tell us what the hell you want with us!!!
Now it's Jey Uso who isn't being patient as The Usos stare down Armando Estrada. Estrada holds his hands up as if to say he wants no trouble.
Armando Estrada: Guys.. guys.. guys!!! I did not come here for trouble. I came out here to how ju say... bury the hatchet.
The Usos look at Estrada and do not look convinced by the Cuban's response.
Jimmy Uso: You came out here to bury the hatchet?
Estrada nods back at The Usos who look at one another.
Jey Uso: That's funny Armando because I thought we buried your hatchet when we gave you The Uso special treatment a few weeks ago. Then you come back saying you have found a better team than us...
Jimmy Uso: The Puerto Rican Nightmares?? How did that work out for ya’?
Jey Uso: That's right it didn't. Now you come out here and say you want to bury the hatchet with us? What's your game Estrada? Why you trying to play us?
The Usos continue to interrogate Estrada as their former manager looks a little worried. Estrada shakes his head before he finally responds.
Armando Estrada: Everyt'ing I said to ju was true!!! I came out here tonight to make things right!!! I want ju two to know t'at I... Arrrrrmando Estrrrrrrada... I am sorry... I am sorry for everything t'at happened between us. I am sorry that ju and me did not work out. And the thing t'at I'm most sorry about is that ju two would not do as I always ask... escuchame!!!
The Usos look confused as Estrada raises his voice and seems to grow a bit of confidence.
Armando Estrada: Maybe now ju two will.... ha-ha... listen... to meeeee!!!!!
Estrada puts on his hat and exits the ring. The Usos look confused as the Cuban stops at the bottom of the ramp and stares back at them, but the crowd raise the volume of their voices as an individual jumps over the guardrail and leaps onto the apron on the side of the ring. Jimmy and Jey Uso see him but freeze as the man is wearing odd looking white and red face paint as he just stares at The Usos. The cameras close in on his face as Booker T asks 'Who in the hell is that?'...
The freaky looking man pokes his tongue out at The Usos as Armando Estrada smiles on the outside. Jimmy and Jey look out at Estrada briefly for answers but that is a huge mistake as the cameras pick up another man jumping the guardrail behind The Usos. He is a lot bigger than the other man and without face paint as he slides into the ring behind The Usos. The crowd try to alert the brothers to the danger but this second man charges up behind them and levels them both with a double clothesline to the back!!! The crowd erupts with jeers as Jimmy and Jey Uso crumple to the canvas. Armando Estrada grins from ear to ear as the camera zooms in on the muscular man inside the ring, with his eyes covered by a pair of dark shades.
The face-painted man steps through the ropes and joins his accomplice inside the ring before the big man pulls Jimmy Uso up to his feet and he effortlessly tosses him into the sky and slams him down into the canvas with a hard-looking Samoan Drop!!! Jey Uso climbs up to his feet and shows a bit of fight as he takes it to both men!!! Jey rocks the big man with a couple of right hands before a big boot stops Jey in his tracks and sends Jey into the corner. The big man charges and connects with a big clothesline in the corner. The big man holds Jey up against the corner as the face-painted man stands across the ring from him. The face-painted man charges across the ring and leaps onto Jey in the corner with a Stinger Splash!!!! Jey drops to the floor now and with both of The Usos down Armando Estrada steps up onto the apron with a huge smile across his face.
The announce team condemn the actions of these two men that Estrada has brought here tonight for a pre-meditative attack on The Usos. However, Estrada is not completely satisfied as he sees that Jimmy Uso is crawling on his knees. Estrada urges his new associates to finish the job and the big man pulls Jimmy Uso up by his hair before he lifts him into the air for a powerbomb. The face-painted man heads to the top turnbuckle and creepily pokes his tongue out as Michael Cole asks what could possibly happen next. The face-painted individual leaps from the turnbuckle and catches the suspended Jimmy Uso with a Flying Neckbreaker.... just as his partner drops the helpless Jimmy into the canvas with a Kneeling Powerbomb!!! The devastating double team attack leaves Jimmy Uso motionless in the middle of the ring as the face-painted man kicks Jey Uso under the bottom rope to the outside.
An extremely pleased Armando Estrada enters the ring and stands over the broken body of Jimmy Uso. The fans continue to jeer their disapproval at what just went down but Armando Estrada doesn't seem to care too much as he looks down over Jimmy Uso and shakes his head, before he pats the backs of the two men he has seemingly drafted into the WWE. The trio exit the ring with Estrada's boisterous gloating accompanied by the silence of his new hired guns. Shots of both of The Usos still down inside and outside the ring are shown as Michael Cole asks again who the two men are. Booker T adds that he does not know but states that they as sure as hell laid a beat down on The Usos tonight.
The pair move on as we see a shot of AJ Styles backstage making his way through the arena for tonight's main event No Disqualifications Match with Harper, which is up next!!!
-------- Commercial Break ---------
Smackdown returns for the final time tonight Michael Cole and Booker T discuss what has already happened with tonight’s show. They talk about how Primo and Xavier Woods joined the selected Tyson Kidd on Gregory Helms WWE team of cruiserweights, whilst adding that Prince Devitt refused an offer to join the team earlier in the night before Devitt tried to unsuccessfully reclaim his girlfriend Scarlett Marseille from the clutches of WWE Cruiserweight Champion Austin Blake. They also talk about WWE United States Champion Joe Hennig and The Gabriels defeating Legacy in tag team action and The Flood defeating WWE Tag Team Champions The Prime Time Prayers, albeit by disqualification. Before they continue on the lights in the arena go out!!! This can only mean one thing and as soon as ***Behold The Darkness*** echoes through the arena it is confirmed that The Unreachable are here!!! The lights come back on and Harper is standing at the foot of the ramp, the bushy haired giant not showing any emotion as he just stares blankly into the distance. There’s no sign of his leader Ryder, or The Flood for that matter, as the announce team remind us that Ryder promised AJ Styles that The Flood would not get involved in tonight’s No Disqualifications Match, because Harper himself wanted to rectify the mistake he made at Night Of Champions by not defeating AJ Styles. Harper steps onto the apron before he steps over the top rope and into the ring. The crowd give Harper heat as he stares out at them as they, like Harper, await the arrival of AJ Styles!!!
***LIGHTS OUT***
However, surprisingly we do not get AJ Styles but the sight of darkness as the arena lights once again go out. Michael Cole yells that he knew that Ryder would not be a man of his word. But Cole is wrong as the lights come back on… and AJ Styles is inside the ring standing behind Harper!!! And he’s got a steel chair in his hand!!! AJ Styles!!! AJ Styles!!! Booker T shrieks out Styles’ name and The Phenomenal One slams the steel chair into the back of Harper to force the referee to ring the bell and get tonight’s main event under way!!!
No Disqualifications Singles Match
AJ Styles versus Harper
With Harper down to a knee from the chair shot to the back Styles backs up and delivers another stinging shot into the spine of the powerhouse. Styles decides to tackle Harper from the front next as the kneeling Harper looks up to see that AJ Styles is his assailant, only for Styles to slam the steel chair over the head of Harper, finally taking the big man down. Styles turns Harper over and makes the cover, but Harper manages to power out at two!!! Styles refuses to refrain from using the steel chair and this time he drives the side of the chair into the midsection of Harper several times. Booker T mentions that they’ve never seen AJ Styles this vicious before with Michael Cole adding that we’ve never seen anyone just take down Harper like this either.
AJ Styles sets the chair up in the middle of the ring and looks like he wants to drop toehold Harper into them. Styles sends Harper into the ropes but as he looks for the drop toehold Harper hangs onto the ropes. Styles comes back at Harper but the big man boots him away. Styles is a little dazed and his early momentum evaporates as Harper launches himself across the ring and takes Styles head off with a Discus Clothesline!!! Harper does not go for the cover though and stands over AJ Styles for a few seconds before he pulls him up to his feet. Harper backs Styles into the corner before he uses his long legs to choke AJ Styles up against the corner. The referee cannot break it up, as it is a No Disqualifications Match.
Harper continues to use the rules, or lack thereof, to his advantage as he uses the bottom rope to choke AJ Styles. Harper kicks Styles out of the ring as the announce team worry what could happen to Styles out there. Harper slides out after Styles and immediately knocks him down with a short clothesline. Harper slams AJ Styles’ head off the steel steps a couple of times before he chucks him into the air and drops him off the top of the ringside barricade. Harper looks over to the ringside announce table and starts to pull it apart, which forces Booker T and Michael cole to jump up and take cover. Harper grabs a hold of Styles and sets him up for a powerbomb through the announce table, but Styles has some fight left in him as he rifles off a couple of right hands as Harper suspends him in the air, before Styles counters out with a hurricanrana onto the ringside floor.
AJ Styles buys himself a few seconds but Harper is back up and charges at Styles near the ringpost. Harper goes for a big boot but Styles sidesteps him and Harper kicks the steel steps away from the ring. With Harper stunned shortly, Styles takes the opportunity and dropkicks him in the back, sending Harper face first into the steel ring post!!! Styles rolls Harper into the ring before he heads straight up to the top turnbuckle. The crowd are cheering for Styles as he steadies himself, and leaps off the top rope…. Spiral Tap!!! Styles connects!!! Styles crashes down on top of Harper before he makes the cover… but Harper throws a shoulder up!!! Somehow Harper kicks out and Booker T asks if Harper is even human!!! Styles cannot believe it but he pulls Harper up and calls for the Styles Clash! Styles sets Harper up… but Harper back body drops Styles into the air!!! Styles jumps back to his feet and charges at Harper…. but gets caught with a Swinging Side Slam!!! Harper crushes Styles into the canvas but again elects not to make the cover.
Harper instead exits the ring and looks down at the detached steel steps. Harper picks up the steel steps and rolls them into the ring. Harper enters the ring and lifts the steel steps high above his head and looks to drop them onto the head of AJ Styles!!! Michael Cole asks for somebody to stop this!!! But Harper slams the steel steps down!!! And AJ Styles moves out of the way!!! Harper misses with his attack as Styles escapes certain demise. Harper stalks AJ Styles as he struggles to his feet, and takes aim with another Discus Clothesline!!! Styles ducks it… Pele Kick!!! Styles hits it and Harper bounces into the ropes and right back to AJ Styles… who trips Harper up with a drop toehold… into the steel steps!!! Harper’s face smashes off the top of the steel steps but somehow he’s still moving!! AJ Styles cannot believe it and heads to the ring apron. Styles watches as Harper rises to his feet, and AJ Styles springboards into the ring… and takes Harper’s head off with a Phenomenal Forearm!!!
Harper is down but AJ Styles is taking no chances as he pulls him back up to his feet and sets him up for the Styles Clash!!!This time AJ Styles hits it as he plants Harper face first into the canvas. The crowd are on their feet but before AJ Styles can make the cover the lights go out!!! The fans jeer but the lights come back on, and Ryder is standing in the ring beneath the steel steps!!! AJ Styles doesn’t see him straight away and Ryder runs up the steps before he takes AJ Styles out with a Rough Ryder!!! Styles is down and out but Ryder has one more attack in him as he pulls AJ Styles up to his feet, drags him up the steel steps, turns him around before he cracks AJ Styles down with a lifting falling inverted DDT… on the steel steps!!! Michael Cole calls Ryder despicable as Ryder beckons a recovering Harper to make the cover. Harper does as he is told and picks up the three count and the victory.
The match is over and heat is burning for Ryder and Harper as the duo stand over AJ Styles, who lays motionless across the steel steps in the middle of the ring. Michael Cole again condemns the actions of Ryder and states that AJ Styles was seconds away from a huge victory. Booker T agrees that it looked very likely that AJ Styles would win tonight after a brutal battle with Harper. Inside the ring, Harper does not even celebrate as he stands beside his leader, with Ryder standing over AJ Styles, just staring down at The Phenomenal One. Michael Cole adds that AJ Styles will be looking to get his revenge at Summerslam when he finally goes one on one with Ryder, with the camera again focusing on Ryder standing over AJ Styles as Smackdown goes off the air.
Fade To Black
Friday Night Smackdown Results August 9th 2013 – Rockford, IL
- Joe Hennig, Adam Gabriel & Justin Gabriel def. Legacy by pinfall
- Austin Blake © def. Sin Cara by pinfall to retain the Cruiserweight Championship
- Primo def. Epico by pinfall to take the second spot in Team WWE for the SCS
- The Flood def. The Prime Time Prayers by disqualification in a non-title match
- Xavier Woods def. Jack Evans by pinfall to take the third & final spot in Team WWE for the SCS
- Harper def. AJ Styles by pinfall in a no disqualifications match
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Smackdown Preview - August 9th 2013
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