Alexa Bliss Warns Naomi
Naomi comes out and talks about her victory, as the crowd chants “You Deserve it.” She also mentions she did suffer an injury, but did not elaborate much about it. You can see a knee brace on her leg, which prompts Alexa Bliss to come out. She talks about a rematch and says she is giving the champion a week and will see her next week for the title.
Alexa Bliss is a believable woman, one who is not monotone and lacks emotion in her voice. Many women try so hard to get their point across by either speaking too slow or yelling too much for emphasis, but Bliss finds that perfect balance in her voice. For Naomi, it would be a shame if she did suffer something more than a tweak, but I doubt that is the case. If Bliss loses clean, what happens next? Much like my discussion about Becky and Mickie, they have plenty of women deserving of a championship match at WrestleMania. Options like this are good for this divison.
WWE World Championship Match
Luke Harper appears during Bray Wyatt’s entrance. Harper starts attack Bray. Harper sends Bray shoulder first to the barricade. Referees back Harper away from Bray Wyatt. Harper lands a big SuperKick and finally walks to the back. Styles goes for a knee drop, but Cena ducks out of the way. Cena lands two flying shoulder tackles. Cena connects with the side slam. Cena goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Bray drags Cena out of the ring. Bray whips Cena shoulder first to the steel ring steps. Styles with a Slingshot Phenomenal Forearm to Bray on the outside. Bray starts laughing at Styles. Bray with a palm strike to Styles. Styles rams his shoulders to the midsection of Bray in the corner. Styles kicks Bray in the leg. Styles with a basement forearm strike. Styles with a forearm smash to Bray. Bray responds with a massive shoulder tackle. Bray lands a couple of right hands in the corner. Bray tosses Styles out of the ring.
Cena ducks a clothesline from Bray. Cena lands two flying shoulder tackles and a side slam to Bray. Cena connects with a modified Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Bray gets back on his feet. Styles drops Bray with the Phenomenal Forearm. Cena plants Styles with the Attitude Adjustment for a two count. Cena backs Styles to the corner. Cena places Styles on the top rope. Cena with a big right hand that sends Styles to the ring apron. Bray connects with the Sister Abigail on Cena. Bray goes for the cover, but Styles breaks up the pin attempt. Coming out of the commercial break Styles connects with a Frog Splash to Bray Wyatt on the announce table, but the table doesn’t break. Styles follows that up with a leg drop off the barricade through the announce table.
Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Cena counters with the Attitude Adjustment. Cena goes for another Attitude Adjustment, but Styles counters with the Calf Crusher. Cena with a roll through and gets Styles in the STF. Bray with a running senton that breaks up the submission attempt. Bray tosses Styles out of the ring. Bray gets in the spider walk position. Cena with the Attitude Adjustment to Bray for a two count. Styles plants Cena with the Styles Clash for a two count. Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Cena sends him crashing to the outside. Bray connects with the Sister Abigail to pickup the victory. After the match, Randy Orton walks down to the ring. Orton brings up the fact that he won the Royal Rumble Match. However, as long as Bray Wyatt is the master, he refuses to fight him at WrestleMania. Orton pledges his undying allegiance to Bray Wyatt. Orton gets on his knees and bows down to Bray. Bray Wyatt and Orton pose together to end the show.
What a great main event on Smackdown Live. A match like this is EXACTLY why fans tune into Smackdown, for the passion and excitement of a veteran in WWE facing off against two fan favorites. They are putting the title on the line and also let Bray Wyatt continue to develop his character. This is new territory for him, but he delivered in his first night. From a promo early in the night to this, Bray Wyatt fits in well with champions of past. The match was exciting, over 20 minutes of time and really let the fans get a special treat. This is a WM main event caliber match with a definitive ending. When does that happen on WWE RAW?
The news of Randy Orton is going to set up Luke Harper next week, correct? Then, Randy Orton will change his mind and there you have it. I think it is smart, keeping us in suspense about Randy Orton attacking Bray Wyatt in the weeks to come and gives Luke Harper a MUCH NEEDED push to the top. Great stuff from him tonight and WWE has a solid plan in place. Also, make the Battle Royal next week the second hour of the show.