SmackDown: July 16, 2015
SmackDown Results : Quick Hits
SmackDown Results : Full Details
SmackDown results, July 16, 2015: Wyatt invaded Reigns & Ambrose’s showdown against Sheamus & Big Show
Bray Wyatt continued playing mind games with Roman Reigns
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— When The New Face of Fear interrupted the main event of the final SmackDown before WWE Battleground, The Big Dog bit back in powerful fashion. Plus, Cesaro made history by becoming the first Superstar on Thursday night’s hottest show to pin Rusev!
Three days after launching a surprise counter-offensive against Bray Wyatt’s mind games on Raw, Roman Reigns kicked off SmackDown. Poised for his highly-anticipated WWE Battleground clash against Wyatt, the powerful Superstar made it clear that The Eater of Worlds is not in his head.
Not to be overshadowed, Wyatt appeared on the TitanTron and ignited a war of words between the two competitors. But The Big Dog was noticeably shaken when his adversary advised him to spend time with all those he holds most dear. Wyatt said that after Sunday, Reigns would not be able to promise that he will ever be home again.
Big E & Kofi Kingston def. The Lucha Dragons
As The Prime Time Players joined the SmackDown announce team, Big E & Kofi Kingston overcame Sin Cara & Kalisto — with a little extra help from Xavier Woods on the apron.
Following the match, all three members of The New Day expounded on how the “power of positivity” will win them back the WWE Tag Team Titles this Sunday. But when Titus O’Neil and Darren Young entered the ring, the outspoken No. 1 contenders quickly headed for the hills.
King Barrett def. Jack Swagger
After overcoming Jack Swagger with the Bull Hammer Elbow, King Barrett unleashed a verbal assault on an emerging R-Truth, promising to finally stop “King What’s Up’s” constant ridicule in their Battle for the Crown at WWE Battleground Kickoff.
Cesaro def. Rusev
After engaging in a chaotic Triple Threat Match on Raw — a contest that earned Rusev an immediate United States Title Match against John Cena — The Bulgarian Brute and Cesaro squared off on SmackDown.
And after catching his opponent with a flying uppercut as he was leaping off the top rope, Cesaro hit the Neutralizer for the three-count. In doing so, he became the first-ever Superstar to SmackDown — and the second overall — to pin Rusev!
Neville def. Stardust
In the second comic book–esque battle this week, Stardust went head-to-head with Neville. Moments after the cosmically strange Superstar tried to use the ropes to get the three-count, The Man That Gravity Forgot utilized his awe-inspiring athletic prowess to turn the tables and pick up the quick pin.
WWE.com exclusive: Watch Stardust's sneak attack after the match and Neville's reaction
Naomi, Tamina and Sasha Banks staked their claim over WWE
The explosive “trifecta” of Naomi, Tamina and NXT Champion Sasha Banks explained why they are the perfect combination to dominate the squared circle.
Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose def. Sheamus & Big Show by Disqualification
Moments after Dean Ambrose turned Big Show’s attempted chokeslam onto the announce table into the World’s Largest DDT in SmackDown’s main event, Roman Reigns’ attempt to Spear Sheamus was stopped in its tracks by a sudden sneak attack from Bray Wyatt.
Though the emergence of The New Face of Fear brought an end of the match by disqualification, it wouldn’t deny The Big Dog from hitting his WWE Battleground opponent with the Superman Punch and laying out The Celtic Warrior with an earth-shattering Spear.