3/3/16 WWE Smackdown Recap (Owens vs. Ambrose)
WWE Smackdown Results
March 3, 2016
Atlanta, Georgia
Report by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com
The show opens with a video package focusing on WWE World Heavyweight Champion addressing his attack on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose challenging Triple H for a shot at the title. We then see the League of Nations beating up Ambrose and Triple H getting in a Pedigree later that night accepting Ambrose’s challenge. Triple H vs. Ambrose for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship takes place at WWE Roadblock on 3/12.
Mauro Ranallo welcomes us to Smackdown in Atlanta as Dean Ambrose kicks off the show. Ambrose grabs a mic and sets up a steel chair to take a seat. He talks about not setting goals, not having a five year plan and he instead likes to work on a five second plan. Ambrose talks about it not always working out including Brock Lesnar throwing him over a car, but other times it works out bringing up his challenge to Triple H. He talks about challenging Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on 3/12 live on the WWE Network at Roadblock and if all works out well, he will be headlining WrestleMania. Ambrose talks about how that would make things messy with WrestleMania plans screwing up advertising, posters, etc. He talks about how it would be great to headline WrestleMania, but he really wants a piece of Brock Lesnar. Ambrose said maybe Triple H invokes a rematch clause – who knows. He jokes that maybe they should put all four of them inside a cage at WrestleMania and go at it. Kevin Owens’ theme hits to interrupt.
The WWE Intercontinental Champion walks out with his title over his shoulder and a mic in hand. He wants to ask Dean a question. “Why are you out here right now spewing this crap?” Owens asks Ambrose what gives him the right to open Smackdown this way. He talks about Lesnar and Triple H beating him up the last two weeks. Owens brings up how Ambrose can pull all of this stuff, earn a title shot against Triple H and also land a match at WrestleMania. He brings up that he stands here as Intercontinental Champion and still isn’t booked yet for WrestleMania. Ambrose tells Owens he should be nicer. Owens said he doesn’t need advice because “you make me sick.” He said Ambrose is everything that is wrong with WWE. Owens shoves Ambrose who grabs his arm. Owens tries a cheap shot. Ambrose counters and cracks the steel chair over the back of Owens. Owens rolls out of the ring with his title rolling around in pain. Ambrose challenges Owens to a match right now. Owens starts walking down the ramp, but then turns around and heads to the back.
-Commercial Break-
The Usos are out next.
The Usos vs. Sheamus & Rusev w/ Alberto Del Rio & King Barrett
We start with Jimmy Uso and Sheamus. Sheamus with uppercuts to Jimmy in the corner. Jimmy responds with some big right hands and chops. Jey Uso tags himself in and eats a forearm from Sheamus who tags in Rusev. Rusev with kicks to the body of Jey. Jey with rights into a headlock. Rusev catches Jey with a knee and then adds in some body kicks. Jey is tossed out, jumps back up, avoids a shot from Sheamus and Rusev with a dropkick sending Jey flying out. Sheamus grabs Jey and tosses him back first into the ring barricade at ringside. The League of Nations have a celebration.
-Commercial Break-
We are back live as Sheamus is working over Jey with a chin lock. Sheamus with a front suplex on Jey, rolls him to the ring apron, pulls his arms back and drops some forearms. Sheamus rips off the shirt of Jey getting in more forearm shots to the chest. Tag to Rusev who is in, hits the ropes and splashes Jey. Jimmy jumps down and checks on Jey from the outside. Rusev with a kick to the ribs of Jey preventing a tag. Jey counters a back suplex, nearly tags in Jimmy and then connects with a float over DDT on Rusev. Hot tag to Jimmy. Sheamus also gets the tag. Jimmy with a flying clothesline, superkick and right hand to Sheamus. Jimmy with a samoan drop on Sheamus. Sheamus crawls to the corner and Jimmy gets in his corner body splash. Rusev breaks up the pinfall. Jey jumps at Rusev. Jey pulls the top rope down and Rusev goes over. Jey tackles Rusev on the outside. Jimmy with a superkick to Sheamus. Jimmy attempts a splash from the top on Sheamus. Sheamus gets his knees up. Sheamus with a Brogue Kick on Jimmy and gets the pinfall.
Winners: Sheamus & Rusev
After the match, The Dudley Boyz head to the ring holding a table as the League of Nations cheer them on. D-Von tosses Jimmy to the corner. Bubba sets up the table. The Dudley’s pick up Jey and Bubba blasts him with a big boot. D-Von yells down at Jey and then kicks the table over.
We see highlights from RAW on Monday night with an upset Stephanie McMahon addressing the return of her brother Shane. Shane returns to RAW this Monday.
Dolph Ziggler heads to the ring next.
-Commercial Break-
Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz
The bell rings and The Miz immediately goes on the attack with big lefts. Miz with a quick big boot and goes for an early pinfall. Ziggler quickly kicks out. Miz with a big kick to the face of Ziggler and more pinfall attempts. Ziggler continues to kick out. Miz runs at Ziggler at the corner. Ziggler ducks and wraps up Miz in a backslide pinfall for the quick win.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Backstage, R-Truth is in catering getting food when he sees Goldust eating alone. Goldust turns his back to Truth. Truth apologizes for being so harsh on Monday night. Goldust said he doesn’t need Truth’s pity. Truth sees his vision now as tag team partners. Goldust doesn’t believe him and wonders if he agrees to that if Truth will shove food in his face. Goldust puts the food on his face and asks who the idiot is now.
Becky Lynch is out next.
-Commercial Break-
No. 1 Contendership for WWE Divas Championship
Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks
Lock up and Sasha Banks with a quick takedown into a pinfall on Becky Lynch. Lynch quickly powers out. Lock up and this time Becky with a takedown. They fight back up and Banks shoves Becky away. Banks with another pinfall and Becky powers out. Banks goes right into a front face lock keeping Becky grounded. Becky with a series of arm drags on Banks. Banks eats elbows and kicks from Becky. Banks with elbows fighting back. Banks with a springboard arm drag on Becky. Becky puts Banks up on the top turnbuckle. Banks with a sunset flip and Becky kicks out. Becky with a cover of her own for a two count. Both attempt at dropkick at the same time as we get a pause in the action. Charlotte’s music hits and the WWE Divas Champion walks out with Ric Flair.
-Commercial Break-
We are back and we see Charlotte and Ric Flair looking on from ringside. Banks has the arms of Becky wrapped up looking on giving a “Woooooooooo” in the direction of Flair and Charlotte. Becky with clotheslines to Banks and finishes it up with a quick dropkick. Becky with a jumping elbow to Banks in the corner. Banks with a roll up for two. Becky with an overhead suplex on Banks for another two count. Becky drops a leg, elbow and misses another leg drop. Banks with double knees into a pinfall for a close two count on Becky. Becky with a roll up of her own. Banks counters getting the Bank Statement applied. Becky fights to the bottom rope to break it up. Banks with double knees to Becky twice in the corner. Becky with a big uppercut on Banks and gets a close two count. Becky with a dropkick sending Banks to the outside. Becky misses a shot jumping off the ring apron. Becky and Banks with a double clothesline on the outside. Flair gets up and starts to strut around both ladies smiling. Charlotte attacks both Becky and Banks from behind as the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: No Contest
After the match, Charlotte attacks Becky Lynch and then goes after Sasha Banks doing the same. Charlotte tosses Becky into the ring barricade and then gets in a quick overhead exploder suplex on Banks. Flair lets out a “Wooooooooooo” at ringside as Charlotte grabs her WWE Divas Championship.
Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens in a non-title match is confirmed for tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, Charlotte and Ric Flair are laughing when Renee Young walks up. Renee talks about Flair intentionally getting involved tonight. Charlotte said neither Becky or Sasha deserves to face her at WrestleMania. Renee reveals she has a scoop and was informed during the break that Charlotte will now be defending her WWE Divas Championship against both Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks at WrestleMania. Charlotte and Flair walk off upset.
Highlights of The Undertaker confronting Vince McMahon on RAW is shown.
The New Day is out next in Atlanta.
-Commercial Break-
Before the match, Xavier Woods wants to address a miracle. He said it isn’t the miracle of the League of “Booty” actually winning a match tonight. Woods said the actual miracle is the new team of Chris Jericho and AJ Styles somehow earning a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championships. Kofi Kingston said this happened because this world is a magical place. Big E said it’s amazing Woods amounted to anything being from Hotlanta.
Kofi Kingston w/ Big E & Xavier Woods vs. AJ Styles
AJ Styles with an early roll up for a one count on Kofi Kingston. Styles with a quick backbreaker on Kingston. Styles catches Kingston with a big dropkick. Woods plays his trombone at ringside. Styles tries to grab it when Kingston interferes. Styles springboards himself over the top rope taking out Woods. Kingston with a dropkick through the ropes taking out Styles as Big E celebrates at ringside.
-Commercial Break-
We are back from break as Kingston works over Styles in the corner with stomps. Kingston with a big corner dropkick on Styles as Woods plays his trombone. Styles with a jawbreaker on Kingston. Kingston trips up Styles against the ropes. Styles with a back body drop on Kingston as Kingston jumped off the top turnbuckle. Styles with a forearm to a seated Kingston, splash in the corner and Styles with a firemans carry drop on Kingston. Kingston with a heel kick on Styles. Styles responds with a kick of his own. Kingston with the S.O.S. on Styles for a two count. Kingston misses Trouble in Paradise and Styles connects with the Pele Kick. Kingston launches Styles over the top rope. The referee catches Woods picking up Styles and sends both Woods and Big E to the back. Kingston starts arguing with the referee. Styles catches Kingston with a springboard flying elbow and gets the pinfall.
Winner: AJ Styles
After the match, Big E and Xavier Woods run back to the ring. They corner AJ Styles on the outside. Styles is able to get away.
Brock Lesnar vs. Bray Wyatt is announced for WWE Roadblock on 3/12.
Backstage, we hear from Bray Wyatt and The Wyatt Family. Wyatt addresses “The Beast” Brock Lesnar and says where he comes from, beasts bow to him. Wyatt laughs and adds, “Run.”
-Commercial Break-
We take a look at The Fabulous Freebirds being announced as the next inductees into the Class of 2016 WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 32 weekend. The Freebirds join Sting and The Godfather for Hall of Fame weekend.
Non-Title Match
WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose with a headlock early on Kevin Owens including a quick takedown. Ambrose drops Owens and gets in another headlock takedown. Ambrose bails and regains his composure. Ambrose is back in and gets a go behind on Owens. Ambrose works on the left arm of Owens. Owens with a knee, body shots and kicks to Ambrose in the corner. Owens blocks a kick from Ambrose and gets in one of his own. Owens with body shots as Ambrose bails to the other corner. Ambrose leaps over Owens, looks for Dirty Deeds and Owens bails out of the ring frustrated.
-Commercial Break-
We are back as Ambrose comes off the top turnbuckle jumping over Owens. Owens counters another Dirty Deeds attempt sending Ambrose to the corner. Owens with a full body senton over the ribs of Ambrose for a two count. Owens with forearms to the back and ribs of Ambrose. Owens keeps Ambrose grounded locking up his left arm in a seated cobra submission. Owens with knees to Ambrose. Ambrose powers out with a hip toss. Owens tosses Ambrose over the top rope. Owens with a senton over the ribs of Ambrose on the outside of the ring. Owens returns to the ring as the referee starts the count. Ambrose is in at 9. Owens knocks Ambrose back out and Owens sends Ambrose into the timekeepers barricade. Ambrose with a clothesline shot to Owens on the outside. Back in the ring, Ambrose sends Owens shoulder first into the post and gets a close roll up for two. Owens avoids a running bulldog. Ambrose pulls down the top rope and Owens goes over to the outside. Ambrose with a suicide dive taking out Owens at ringside. Owens trips up Ambrose on the top turnbuckle. Owens connects with his cannonball in the corner on Ambrose, hooks the leg and Ambrose kicks out after two. Owens has Ambrose back up on the top turnbuckle. Owens with shots to the injured ribs of Ambrose. Ambrose fires back with forearms over the back of Owens. Owens falls back. Ambrose catches Owens with a flying elbow from the top. Owens is able to kick out after two during a pinfall attempt. Owens catches Ambrose attempting another suicide dive and drives him back first into the ring. Owens starts clearing off the announce table at ringside. Back inside the ring, Ambrose counters a Pop Up Powerbomb and Owens drops Ambrose with a superkick. Ambrose gets his knees up during another senton attempt by Owens. Ambrose with Dirty Deeds on Owens. Ambrose covers Owens for the pinfall.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
After the match, we see a shot of Dean Ambrose looking up at the WrestleMania sign.
———-
Quick Match Results
* Sheamus & Rusev def. The Usos
* Dolph Ziggler def. The Miz
* Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks in a No. 1 Contendership match ended in a No Contest
* AJ Styles def. Kofi Kingston
* Dean Ambrose def. WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens in a non-title match
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