Before we start, two pieces of news. First of all, as evidenced by today's date, Smackdown is moving to Friday. That's just to help me out, so I don't have to do NXT and Smackdown back to back. Second of all, King of the Ring continues tonight and will finish on June 26th. This will likely be the first and last time KOTR is run in this series, because it takes up too much time and doesn't accomplish much. Next year, it will be replaced by Money in the Bank, hosted by Raw and Smackdown. Note that there will be a cross-brand Money in the Bank match at Wrestlemania, but the winner will be forced to cash it in before June. Thanks for reading, let's move on to Smackdown.
Universe Mode
Smackdown
June 10th, 2016
Location: Chicago, IL
The Vaudevillains vs The Rhodes Scholars
The newly reformed Rhodes Scholars took on The Vaudevillains in Smackdown's opening contest, each team looking for a big win. Rhodes and Sandow were in control early on, but a mistake from Cody left him out cold, taking a fall from the top rope. English and Gotch saw their advantage and seized it, working over Rhodes. Some miscommunication allowed Rhodes to make the tag, though, and Sandow came in with a flurry. English had a last gasp of offense, countering the Elbow of Disdain, but Sandow caught with a schoolboy for the victory.
Winners: The Rhodes Scholars
Rusev w/Lana vs Rey Mysterio- King of the Ring First Round Match
Mysterio was severely outmatched for strength and power against Rusev, but overcame that issue against the Big Show to qualify for King of the Ring. Early on, it appeared that Mysterio may be on the verge of a quick giant killing, but thanks to some assists from Lana, Rusev quickly got back into the match. He tossed Mysterio all around the outside of the ring, smashing Rey off any hard surface he could find. He threw Mysterio back into the ring, intending to finish him off, but was caught with a 619, and only survived thanks to another assist from Lana. Mysterio was out after a jumping side kick, and Rusev took it back outside, smashing Mysterio through the barricade with a massive spear. Rusev climbed back into the ring and just watched as Rey, broken, was unable to answer the 10 count.
Winner and advancing in King of the Ring: Rusev
Nikki Bella(c) vs Brie Bella- Women's World Title Match
A big match was scheduled, seeing sister vs sister for the Women's World Title, but the match was destroyed when Nikki, while making her entrance, was assault by Natalya. Nattie mercilessly destroyed the Women's World Champion, forcing a group of refs and officials to get Nikki to safety. Smackdown GM Teddy Long was frustrated with all three women's actions, with Natalya's attack, Brie controversial victory last week and Nikki's ego, and declared that all three would meet in a triple threat match at King of the Ring. This time, though, they will be locked inside a steel cage, and a winner will be determined.
Match Called Off
Austin Aries vs Cesaro- King of the Ring First Round Match
The Swiss Superman Cesaro was not accompanied to the ring by his partner, Tyson Kidd, who will be in his own match next week, as he took on Austin Aries. Aries is not one to be taken lightly, and he out wrestled Cesaro in the early going, surprising a lot of fans. Cesaro's power lent him an easy way back into it, hitting three gutwrench suplexes before hitting an impressive suplex, lifting Aries from the apron, over the ropes and slamming him on the mat. Aries, not to be outdone, hit a big suplex of his own, slamming Cesaro from the top rope all the way to the floor. Cesaro unleashed a volley of kicks before Aries could respond, but respond he did, hitting his own volley of dropkicks. Aries then looked to put Cesaro away with the Brainbuster, but Cesaro countered, lifting Aries into a big uppercut, and finishing him off with a Neutralizer.
Winner and advancing in King of the Ring: Cesaro
Randy Orton vs Dolph Ziggler
As a reward for the getting to the end of the Number One Contender's Chase, Dolph Ziggler was offered a non-title match with the WWE Champion, Randy Orton. Ziggler was very aware of the opportunity he was getting with this match, and took the fight to the champion right away. Orton was overwhelmed with Ziggler's offense, and it appeared he might've even be beaten then and there, but The Viper intelligently exited the ring. Frustrated that he couldn't find a way to get back into the match, Orton grabbed a steel chair, intending to bash Ziggler's skull in. Dolph saw it coming, stealing the chair, and while Orton was distracted, planting him with a Zig Zag that only got a 2 count. Orton, back on his feet, went for the RKO, but Ziggler countered, continuing to frustrate Orton. Orton, though, had seen enough and just unleashed on Ziggler. Strike after strike, blow after blow, stomp after stomp, before Orton went for and connected on a RKO. Shockingly, this wasn't enough, as Ziggler found a way to kick out. Ziggler showed his tenacity, staying alive through some vicious offense from Orton. He nearly finished the Viper off with a series of elbows, but Orton surprised everyone by getting straight back up. Thinking that the RKO wasn't going to be enough for victory, Orton retreated to the corner, and then proceeded to nearly kick Ziggler's head off his shoulders with a nasty punt to the head. Not surprisingly, this was enough for victory, and as the champ celebrated, the Number One Contender, Batista, watched on the ramp.
Winner: Randy Orton
I hope you've enjoyed Smackdown. Stay tuned for Main Event.
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
Universe Mode
Smackdown
June 10th, 2016
Location: Chicago, IL
The Vaudevillains vs The Rhodes Scholars
The newly reformed Rhodes Scholars took on The Vaudevillains in Smackdown's opening contest, each team looking for a big win. Rhodes and Sandow were in control early on, but a mistake from Cody left him out cold, taking a fall from the top rope. English and Gotch saw their advantage and seized it, working over Rhodes. Some miscommunication allowed Rhodes to make the tag, though, and Sandow came in with a flurry. English had a last gasp of offense, countering the Elbow of Disdain, but Sandow caught with a schoolboy for the victory.
Winners: The Rhodes Scholars
Rusev w/Lana vs Rey Mysterio- King of the Ring First Round Match
Mysterio was severely outmatched for strength and power against Rusev, but overcame that issue against the Big Show to qualify for King of the Ring. Early on, it appeared that Mysterio may be on the verge of a quick giant killing, but thanks to some assists from Lana, Rusev quickly got back into the match. He tossed Mysterio all around the outside of the ring, smashing Rey off any hard surface he could find. He threw Mysterio back into the ring, intending to finish him off, but was caught with a 619, and only survived thanks to another assist from Lana. Mysterio was out after a jumping side kick, and Rusev took it back outside, smashing Mysterio through the barricade with a massive spear. Rusev climbed back into the ring and just watched as Rey, broken, was unable to answer the 10 count.
Winner and advancing in King of the Ring: Rusev
Nikki Bella(c) vs Brie Bella- Women's World Title Match
A big match was scheduled, seeing sister vs sister for the Women's World Title, but the match was destroyed when Nikki, while making her entrance, was assault by Natalya. Nattie mercilessly destroyed the Women's World Champion, forcing a group of refs and officials to get Nikki to safety. Smackdown GM Teddy Long was frustrated with all three women's actions, with Natalya's attack, Brie controversial victory last week and Nikki's ego, and declared that all three would meet in a triple threat match at King of the Ring. This time, though, they will be locked inside a steel cage, and a winner will be determined.
Match Called Off
Austin Aries vs Cesaro- King of the Ring First Round Match
The Swiss Superman Cesaro was not accompanied to the ring by his partner, Tyson Kidd, who will be in his own match next week, as he took on Austin Aries. Aries is not one to be taken lightly, and he out wrestled Cesaro in the early going, surprising a lot of fans. Cesaro's power lent him an easy way back into it, hitting three gutwrench suplexes before hitting an impressive suplex, lifting Aries from the apron, over the ropes and slamming him on the mat. Aries, not to be outdone, hit a big suplex of his own, slamming Cesaro from the top rope all the way to the floor. Cesaro unleashed a volley of kicks before Aries could respond, but respond he did, hitting his own volley of dropkicks. Aries then looked to put Cesaro away with the Brainbuster, but Cesaro countered, lifting Aries into a big uppercut, and finishing him off with a Neutralizer.
Winner and advancing in King of the Ring: Cesaro
Randy Orton vs Dolph Ziggler
As a reward for the getting to the end of the Number One Contender's Chase, Dolph Ziggler was offered a non-title match with the WWE Champion, Randy Orton. Ziggler was very aware of the opportunity he was getting with this match, and took the fight to the champion right away. Orton was overwhelmed with Ziggler's offense, and it appeared he might've even be beaten then and there, but The Viper intelligently exited the ring. Frustrated that he couldn't find a way to get back into the match, Orton grabbed a steel chair, intending to bash Ziggler's skull in. Dolph saw it coming, stealing the chair, and while Orton was distracted, planting him with a Zig Zag that only got a 2 count. Orton, back on his feet, went for the RKO, but Ziggler countered, continuing to frustrate Orton. Orton, though, had seen enough and just unleashed on Ziggler. Strike after strike, blow after blow, stomp after stomp, before Orton went for and connected on a RKO. Shockingly, this wasn't enough, as Ziggler found a way to kick out. Ziggler showed his tenacity, staying alive through some vicious offense from Orton. He nearly finished the Viper off with a series of elbows, but Orton surprised everyone by getting straight back up. Thinking that the RKO wasn't going to be enough for victory, Orton retreated to the corner, and then proceeded to nearly kick Ziggler's head off his shoulders with a nasty punt to the head. Not surprisingly, this was enough for victory, and as the champ celebrated, the Number One Contender, Batista, watched on the ramp.
Winner: Randy Orton
I hope you've enjoyed Smackdown. Stay tuned for Main Event.
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
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