Dolph Ziggler vs Bad News Barrett
Wade hits Dolph a few times and backs him in the corner, then he goes for a clothesline but Dolph counters with a dropkick for two. Dolph goes to attack but Wade sends him shoulder first into the ringpost, then he hits him a few times on the floor and rolls him back in for a near fall. Wade slams his head on the mat and kicks him, then he charges the corner but Dolph ducks away from a corner splash and hits a DDT. We get back from a break to see Wade hang Dolph up on the turnbuckles, then he kicks him in the ribs before he applies a grounded armbar. Wade lifts him but Dolph breaks it with a jawbreaker, then Wade charges the corner but Dolph sidesteps, so Wade goes shoulder first into the ringpost. Dolph splashes him and follows with a neckbreaker, then he connects with an elbow drop for two before Wade kicks him in the face. Wade calls for the Bullhammer but Dolph catches him with a dropkick, then he follows with a Zig Zag for the win.
Winner – Dolph Ziggler
BP: Normally I hate that much talking to open a show, but it was needed and effective. I’m glad they continued the RAW angle immediately; it makes Smackdown feel important again, and helps get these guys back into the Royal Rumble. As far as the match went, it was a good opener to get the crowd going. Entertaining, but nothing we haven’t seen from these two before.
Roman Reigns joins Renee Young backstage to talk about what happened with Big Show on Monday night, and Reigns says Show is a shared man. He says Andre The Giant was a true giant, but Show is scared little man trapped in a giant’s body, and he’s not looking to take Show’s spot. Reigns says he is carving his own path and he’ll go through Show first, because it’s one versus all, and he’s the one who will win the Royal Rumble this Sunday.
Fandango draws his Royal Rumble number and looks thrilled, then he makes out with Rosa for her help, but Dean Ambrose walks in and switches his number.
