WWE Smackdown June 18 TV results & report: Kevin Owens vs. Cesaro, Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. Sheamus & Kane

Photo: WWE.com

By Steve Khan, WrestlingObserver.com

– Air Date: June 18, 2015 (June 17 in Canada)
– Location: First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY

The Big News:

Sheamus pinned Roman Reigns in a tag-team main event.

Show Recap:

They aired the Dusty Rhodes graphic to applause from the crowd.

Sheamus came out, held up the Money in the Bank briefcase and asked, “How stupid do I look now?” Sheamus said he would be the next World Champion and no one could stand in his way. He replayed video of himself beating up Randy Orton last week on Raw. Sheamus said he would be champion, and acknowledged the possibility of going through Seth Rollins or Brock Lesnar.

Dean Ambrose came out to remind Sheamus that Ambrose beat him on Raw and that Roman Reigns would have the briefcase if not for Bray Wyatt. Ambrose said he could beat Sheamus again and give the contract to its rightful owner. Sheamus mocked Ambrose for not being able to win the big one, which is why he’s always stealing.

Sheamus put the briefcase down and challenged Ambrose to get it, but Kane interrupted. Kane was tired of Ambrose causing trouble so he made a 2-on-1 handicap match so they could take him out like they did Orton. Shouldn’t Kane, the director of operations, at least pretend to be playing fair?

Sheamus & Kane beat Dean Ambrose via DQ

Ambrose was all over them for about a minute but was knocked off the top rope by Kane and they double teamed him. Reigns’ music hit and they awaited his arrival, but Reigns came out through a different part of the crowd, jumped Kane from behind and ran off both guys.

Ambrose and Reigns stood together in the ring. Ambrose wasn’t selling his leg at all. Later, they announced a tag match for the main event.

Backstage, Renee Young asked Reigns and Ambrose about their upcoming match. Reigns ignored the question to threaten Bray Wyatt. Reigns said he doesn’t run, and Wyatt better find Reigns before Reigns finds him. Reigns walked away, so Renee tried to ask Dean a question but he blew her off and followed Reigns. This little bit by Reigns is exactly how he should be presented.

Brie Bella beat Paige via pinfall

The announcers explained that Nikki Bella isn’t at ringside because the Bellas wanted to prove that they don’t need help. With the referee distracted, Alicia Fox pushed Paige off the top rope, and Brie won with an X-Factor. Afterwards, Fox posed with both Bellas on the stage. Nothing match.

They replayed Kevin Owens powerbombing Machine Gun Kelly. They also showed Owens’ Twitter apology, explaining that The Authority made him apologize. Backstage, Renee asked Owens to explain why he powerbombed MGK. Owens said he already apologized, but acknowledged that it never would have happened if John Cena’s buddy MGK didn’t touch him first.

Renee asked why Owens didn’t defend his title against Dolph Ziggler. Owens said it didn’t matter, because he won anyway. Owens then made Renee repeat the fact that he beat Ziggler. Owens said he doesn’t need to pander like Cena, and likes it when guys earn a title shot.

Cesaro interrupted and said all he doesn’t see Kill Owens Kill, he hears Talk Owens Talk. He challenged Owens to a match and touched his chest, making it clear he touched Owens first, like MGK. Owens smirked. This was good.

Dolph Ziggler (w/ Lana) beat Bo Dallas via pinfall

They replayed Lana twisting her ankle, but of course she was walking around fine here. Bo told Lana that if he saw Ziggler’s dating profile pop-up, he’d swipe left and keep looking for a real man. He said somebody better would come along if she bo-lieves. Ziggler won quickly with a Zig-Zag. Lana kissed him and Rusev freaked out backstage.

Neville beat Xavier Woods (w/New Day) via pinfall

Woods immediately knocked Neville down with a forearm and stomped him at least 20 times in a row. Neville came back with a corkscrew plancha to the outside. Big E and Kofi Kingston were about to go after him, but the Prime Time Player ran out. After a quick brawl outside, Neville won with Red Arrow. This segment was a waste of time.

Seth Rollins came out and called himself the biggest star in the company, the champion and the future of the industry. Rollins said he’s always under intense scrutiny and everything he does gets magnified for the world to see. Indeed.

Rollins said he never gets thanked and all anyone wanted to know were his thoughts on Brock Lesnar. Rollins was shocked to see Lesnar, but he realized that this is what he needs. After beating Orton, Reigns and Ambrose, he needs to beat Lesnar to cement his legacy.

Rollins said Lesnar stepped into the ring on Raw but did nothing, because he remembers WrestleMania, and Rollins would’ve knocked Lesnar’s teeth down his throat if he tried something. Rollins ended by saying he’s looking forward to facing Lesnar at Battleground.

Backstage, Ambrose told Reigns he can’t wait to rip Sheamus’ stupid braids out of his face. Reigns wasn’t paying attention. Ambrose got his attention and told him not to worry about Bray. Reigns told Ambrose not to mention Bray. Reigns said they would take care of business tonight, and then Reigns needed to get home.

NXT Champion Kevin Owens beat Cesaro via pinfall – Non-Title

Cesaro hit a suicide dive and almost landed on his head. That was scary. He followed with a running uppercut. After a break, Cesaro battled out of a chinlock and hit a beautiful springboard uppercut. Owens came back with a tornado DDT, but Cesaro followed with a side Death Valley driver.

Owens used a release German and cannonball for two. Cesaro used uppercuts and a high dropkick, but Owens crotched him on the ropes and hit the pop-up powerbomb for the win. Good match.

They aired a segment called “Miz at the Movies” which consisted of Miz burying Big Show and his new movie. I was ready to hate this, but Miz was really good.

They announced that the Dusty Rhodes special will air again following SmackDown. Jerry Lawler said it was an honour to host it. Byron Saxton said Dusty had the ability to make everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room. They aired the tribute video.

Sheamus & Kane beat Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose via pinfall

The heels beat up Ambrose forever until Reigns made the hot tag. Ambrose took out Kane with a rebound clothesline, but was knocked out by Sheamus. Reigns hit Sheamus with a superman punch.

Bray Wyatt appeared on the screen singing “I’m a little teapot,” holding a picture of Reigns and his daughter. This distracted Reigns so Sheamus got him with a Brogue kick for the win.

After the match, Bray was on the screen laughing. He wished Reigns a happy Father’s Day and told him to run. The lights went out, and when they came back on, the picture of Reigns and his daughter was in the ring next to Roman. Reigns looked worried and the show ended.

Final Thoughts:

Owens and Cesaro was worth watching, but this was otherwise every SmackDown we’re used to seeing, and the quiet Buffalo crowd didn’t help.

RIP Dusty.