Tag Team Turmoil
The match for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships started with Heath Slater and Rhyno facing off against Breezango. After some quick back and forth, Rhyno hit a big gore and eliminated the fashion police of the WWE. Out next would be Simon Gotch and Aiden English, who quickly got the upper hand offensively. Two close pinfalls and it appeared the first ever Smackdown Tag Team Champions would be eliminated. It would not be, as a kick out and Slater hitting “Smash Hit” for the win and elimination.
Next would be Jimmy and Jey Uso, who made quick work with a Superkick and eliminating the former champions. Out next would be Chad Gable and Jason Jordan. Welcome to the new suplex city, with Jordan going crazy in the ring and getting the crowd behind him. They would get the win when Chad Gable rolled up Jey from behind. After that, The Uso’s went crazy, attacking both men and leaving them out to lay. This made for prime pickings for The Ascension, as they hit End of Day on Jason Jordan. Gable would break up the count and the match continued. It continued until Gable and Jordan hit their finishers and retained.
WWE did a good job at making the fans think that The Ascension might pull off the biggest upset to date. The pacing of the match was solid and never really slowed down. .I liked the combination of the two face tag teams looking strong, while this version of The Uso’s is the best version. I would enjoy seeing them get back to championship contenders and develop a lengthy feud with American Alpha for the straps.
At the end of this match, you still see a depleted division that desperately needs either a veteran team or a team that has been the best in NXT for almost two years. Let’s not waste American Alpha on matches like this, although it was more entertaining than I expected.
Nikki Bella vs. Natalya
The women worked a strong match, from technical ability to all out brawling. Nikki and Natalya have gotten personal since November and it seemed to be their payoff here. Both women would get counted out, which means the feud will continue after WWE Elimination Chamber.
It is hard to say if I loved this or hated it. I will say Nikki has gotten so much better in the ring, from a technical standpoint and execution standpoint. You can tell that Nattie was not the one carrying the match by herself and the former champion was able to showcase some new moves she was working on. I also tweeted that Nikki’s STF is much better than John Cena’s and it is. I think she has a really strong mind and body to be continuing to work at a physical rate like this.
I earn so much more respect after every match she has. I would have finished this feud tonight, however, as I am unsure what ELSE they can do with Nattie and Nikki.
