WWE Smackdown spoilers and analysis: April 23, 2015
This week's episode of WWE Thursday Night SmackDown was taped on April 21, 2015 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
The following are spoilers for the results of what transpired during the show:
Spoilers
– The show opens with a promo from WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. Rollins said he won't need any assistance from J&J Security and Kane this Sunday at Extreme Rules. Kane interrupts saying he can either be Seth's biggest asset or biggest threat. Rollins said Kane should be fired if he costs him the title and that Kane was only given the "gatekeeper" role because Triple H felt bad for him. He calls Kane a suit, mocks him for losing to John Cena and says he should just do what he is told. Kane brings up laying down for Rollins on RAW two weeks ago and wants him to return the favor tonight.
– Kane vs. Seth Rollins match was a non-title match that ended in a no contest. Rollins refused to lay down until Kane threatened him. When Rollins laid down, Kane said he was just joking with him and then announces Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose.
– During Ambrose's entrance, Luke Harper attacks Ambrose. Roman Reigns runs out for the save. Reigns and Ambrose vs. Rollins and Harper announced for later tonight.
– Dolph Ziggler & Neville def. Bad News Barrett & Sheamus.
– Bray Wyatt backstage promo is shown.
– Noami defeated Natalya.
– Prime Time Players were back making fun of the tag team division.
– Ryback def. Rusev via disqualification after Rusev used the Russian chain.
– They did a backstage bit teasing dissension between Rollins and Harper. Apparently Harper is one of Jamie Noble's distant cousins.
– Kofi Kingston def. Cesaro.
– Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose def. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Luke Harper in a tag team main event. Reigns speared Rollins and pinned him to win the match.
Analysis
Reigns needed some kind of momentum going into his Last Man Standing match against Big Show at Extreme Rules got a victory over the man who cost him the opportunity to leave WrestleMania as champion, Seth Rollins.
It is good to see Ambrose and Harper continue their rivalry and receive more exposure on WWE, especially after what was a very solid booking on Raw.
The continued face-off between Rollins and Kane earlier in the show, which helped to set up the main event, is a more spectacular build to an intriguing element surrounding Sunday's main event, not to mention a solid chapter in the Kane’s resurgence.
With Daniel Bryan's health still a mystery, it appears as though WWE may have found a replacement for the current Intercontinental champion when it booked Neville to team with Ziggler in a huge tag team match against Sheamus and Bad News Barrett.
At this point, no decision has been taken with regards to Bryan's status for his Extreme Rules title defense, according to WWE.com.
The fact that Neville was placed in the tag match, with the talent involved, suggests that WWE Creative could be leaning that way if the leader of the "Yes Movement" is unable to compete.