MOLINE, Ill. — SmackDown reached chaotic levels as tensions continued to rise between Kane and Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt haunted Ryback yet again and The New Day defended their WWE Tag Team Titles in an Extreme Rules rematch.
SmackDown began just as Raw concluded, with Corporate Kane and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at odds and WWE’s Director of Operations putting the titleholder in an unwelcome position, this time in SmackDown’s main event against Dean Ambrose.
Photos: Roman Reigns vs. Kane | WWE Payback: Rollins vs. Reigns vs. Orton
Back in the ring, Roman Reigns made an intense WWE Payback proclamation that was quickly followed by the arrival of Kane for an impromptu match. The Corporate Demon seemed motivated by Rollins’ challenge moments earlier to do something of value for The Authority, delivering a powerful offensive attack on The Big Dog. Somewhere along the way, though, Kane lost that inspiration, deciding instead to walk away from the fierce showdown against The Big Dog.
Damien Sandow took the imitation game to a whole new level, following along with JoJo’s SmackDown ring introductions, albeit with a slightly revised description for Curtis Axel. The revitalized Sandow did more than play games, though, defeating the better-than-perfect Superstar with the “You’re Welcome!”
Photos: Damien Sandow vs. Curtis Axel
After being blindsided by Bray Wyatt on Raw, Ryback was determined to send a message to The New Face of Fear on Thursday’s hottest show. The Big Guy did just that against former Wyatt family member Luke Harper, finishing off the creepy Superstar with Shell Shocked.
Photos: Ryback vs. Luke Harper | Wyatt's message to The Big Guy
It was The Eater of Worlds who would end up feeding off The Human Wrecking Ball, however, attacking the hulking Superstar after the match. Wyatt’s message was clear, “follow the buzzards.”
Tyson Kidd & Cesaro used their rematch clause for a chance to regain the WWE Tag Team Titles from The New Day. The two tag teams put on an instant classic, but the match ended in controversy after Xavier Woods jumped into the ring to break up a potential 1-2-3 on Big E. As a result, Kidd & Cesaro got the victory by disqualification, but The New Day left with the titles in tow.
Photos: WWE Tag Team Title Match | Watch: Prime Time Players mock The New Day
After catching Cameron talking trash about her sister Brie Bella backstage, Nikki Bella decided to show her “Total Divas” co-star how to do the talking inside the ring. Cameron put on an impressive display, bringing the fight to the Divas Champion. But it was “The Fearless” Nikki who was saying, “Girl, bye,” after hitting the Rack Attack for the victory.
Photos: Nikki Bella vs. Cameron
This main event matchup between former Shield “brothers” turned into a chaotic ringside frenzy after Dean Ambrose sent Seth Rollins colliding into Kane not once, but twice. WWE’s Director of Operations nearly chokeslammed both competitors and the referee, before The Lunatic Fringe sent the big man face-first into the ring post. The Architect took advantage of the situation by eventually catching a distracted Ambrose and sending him into the steel steps before hitting him with vicious DDT for the win.
Photos: Rollins vs. Ambrose | Full WWE Payback coverage
The carnage was far from over, though, as Kane, Rollins and J&J Security joined forces to inflict a post-match attack on the unstable Ambrose. Fortunately for the embattled Superstar, Roman Reigns arrived, destroying The Authority’s corporate cronies as the “Future of WWE” scurried away.