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New WWE World Heavyweight champion Roman Reigns kicks off the show, reminiscing on his title victory from Monday, his daughter’s birthday. As great as that was, he knows that his time could be up soon in the WWE because of his recent actions.
Sheamus cuts in and brings up 5:15 again because that’s his thing now. After banter with the crowd, Sheamus tells Reigns he’s being investigated, so he has to leave. Roman challenges Sheamus to make him leave the arena, and when security responds, Reigns tosses them a beatdown.
It’s good to see that “volatile Reigns” is going to continue despite his championship win. The edge he showed at the end of TLC is what finally got him over with even a harsh Philly crowd, and the mean streak has to continue, even if he’s going to technically remain a face.
Alberto Del Rio def. Ryback (non-title match)
The United States champion appears to be in trouble when Ryback connects with a Meathook Clothesline and has Shellshocked set up. The champ is saved by his League of Nations brethren, and Del Rio manages to lock in the cross armbreaker to pick up the victory. The League, which includes King Barrett, attacks Ryback after the match.
Barrett’s return to WWE programming signals that his injury issues are not serious, which is good for both Barrett and the roster.
Tyler Breeze and Summer Rae are seen backstage discussing Breeze’s planned match with Titus O’Neil later in the evening. Goldust sneaks up on them, and Summer Rae blasts him with hairspray.
Titus O’Neil def. Tyler Breeze
Perhaps distracted by the presence of Goldust at ringside, Breeze takes the surprising loss due to the Clash of the Titus.
This is big for Titus, who has been used more and more as a singles competitor in recent weeks. He would be a largely popular choice for a singles push, and this victory could be part of a rise into mid-card title contention.
Dean Ambrose is shown backstage discussing the beating Kevin Owens put on him Monday. After that, a video package from the epic match between the Wyatts and ECW is shown, which leads to a Wyatt promo. It’s probably time for that feud to fade away soon, but that match on Monday showed just how capable this group is of putting on a show.
Lucha Dragons def. New Day
After typical tag team shenanigans from the New Day, Kalisto manages to roll up Kofi for the victory. The Dragons had control early, but Xavier Woods attempts a distraction that doesn’t pay off.
The tag team division is showing what can happen if a champion gets over enough that losses don’t hurt as much. New Day has gained the respect of the fans in the ring and on the mic, and as a result, the division as a whole is getting that respect through results like this one.
Dolph Ziggler is shown backstage talking about Kevin Owens, who also attacked him Monday.
Becky Lynch def. Brie Bella
Lynch gets the submission win after Charlotte comes out and trips the referee. The match also includes Team BAD coming out to sit in the crowd with “Unity” signs. Afterward, we see a backstage conversation between Becky and Charlotte in which Becky is again upset that her match was interfered with.
It’s good to see the WWE creative team getting Sasha Banks involved, but they need to be careful. The crowd’s chants for her only get louder when she’s used like this, so this needs to be building to a bigger involvement for her.
It will be interesting to see what the plans are for this Becky-Charlotte dispute, but the writers need to realize there can be more than one women’s storyline going at a given time.
Dolph Ziggler def. Kevin Owens (DQ)
The result comes when Owens tosses Ziggler over the announce table. The matchup is a balanced one, with Ziggler countering a Pop-up Powerbomb with Sweet Chin Music. Owens kicks out, which leads to the finish. Afterward, the two brawl, but Ambrose comes in to make the save before Ziggler can get destroyed on the steps.
The brawl continues up the ramp and leads to an Owens superkick to a defenseless Ziggler. Ambrose gives chase and tries to check on Ziggler, but Ziggler hits him with a superkick, which draws laughter from Owens.
That’s an awful lot of superkicking, and this is becoming an issue. Ziggler is apparently embracing comparisons to Shawn Michaels, but there are entirely too many superkicks going around. If Ziggler is going to use it as a finisher, and he has done so, it needs to stop being a set-up for seemingly half the roster.
On the positive side, Owens’ chase persona seems to be a really solid one, and this developing three-way feud for Ambrose’s Intercontinental title will do wonders for his stated goal of elevating that belt.
