Smackdown Synopsis for 03/6/20 (Six-Team Gauntlet Match)

By
Ian Abugov

Hey yo, we’re doing a little survey, how many of you came out to see Jack Eichel. And, how many of you came out to see the NWO. Smackdown is being held at the Keybank arena in Buffalo. While this very show will have a lot to feature, nothing could match the excitement of Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman create moments of bliss and controversy as they hold court with Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. Also, to help set the table for the Elimination Chamber PPV set for Sunday in Philadelphia, there will be a six-team tag team gauntlet match featuring Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode, Heavy Machinery, The Usos, The New Day, Lucha House Party and champions, the Miz and John Morrison, hey hey, ho ho.

The winner of this gauntlet format showdown will have the advantage of being the very last team to enter the Elimination Chamber in 48 hrs. Nice opportunity to pick up the scraps as it were.

Will lightning strike twice for the team of Noami and Lacey Evans. Last week, in an impromptu tag team battle they defeated Bayley and her untrustworthy acolyte Sasha Banks.

We will also get to romp in the Firefly Funhouse with Bray Wyatt. It will give him nothing but a pleasure to let us in.

Blissful moments to get us underway. Alexa and Nikki salute the 2020 Hall of Fame class and welcome soon to second-time inductees Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman. Much to our relief, no pulled quad by Big Daddy Cool. Alexa Bliss mentions Bill Goldberg and asks Kevin Nash, what does it take to beat him. Nash’s answer, a classic, two things, Scott Hall and a cattle prod.

Then, out of nowhere, the very uninvited Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura appear. The Great Liberator mentions that although 1997 was a great year, it is all about the future. The future being Nakamura, Cesaro and Zayn.

Kevin Nash cuts Sami off stating, you have a big mouth for someone who looks like Seth Rogan after two weeks of the stomach flu. Zayn then seems to want to goad the NWO members into a fight. The legendary trio appears to be more than a game, especially Sean Waltman.

Zayn backs out stating that the real focus is on Braun Strowman in two nights’ time. Out, comes the I-C champ who summarily disposes of Nakamura and Cesaro. He has his sights on Sami who instinctively runs back into the ring where the NWO is waiting.

In an act of sheer cowardice, Zayn uses Alexa as a human shield. Strowman chimes in, all three of you will get these hands and it will be too sweet. While we wait for Sunday, we take our first break.

Naomi and Lacey Evans vs. Bayley and Sasha Banks

The tag team rematch of last week is set to kick off. Naomi and Lacey Evans who defied the odds and procured a victory from Bayley and Sasha Banks have another shot to prove their triumph was by no means a fluke.

At the outset, Evans is double-teamed by a determined-looking Bayley and Sasha. This domination lasts until our second break.

At last, Naomi is tagged in and hits a corkscrew plunge with Bayley and Sasha now outside the ring. This is followed up by a Sunset Flip resulting in a count of two. Then, a thwarted attempt at a Split Leg Moonsault which Sasha converted into a double knee stomp. The wannabe role models dominated throughout and emerged victorious.

Winner: Sasha Banks and Bayley

We then head to an interview with the New Day. The six-team gauntlet match is discussed and Big E proclaims that the purveyors of positivity have more stamina than a Moose in mating season and that come to Wrestlemania, they will be 8-time tag team champs.

Sheamus is in the ring awaiting his opponent. First, we take another break. We return to see Sasha and Bayley holding court in an interlude of mutual admiration.

Apollo Crews is backstage as well and blows off advice and encouragement by Shorty G for the second time in three weeks. Maybe he should have a tete a tete with Drew Gulak. Hey, one never knows.

Sheamus vs. Apollo Crews

Apollo takes to the ring versus the Celtic Warrior and has an impressive lift-off. Crews administering a standing Moonsault as well as a standing Drop Kick. Engine failure shortly afterward. Sheamus hits a vicious Brogue Kick. Splashdown and the count of three.

Winner: Sheamus

Funny we should mention Drew Gulak. He is backstage and approached by Drake Maverick who solicits advice and also wishes to challenge Daniel Bryan. The leader of the YES movement overhears and hence challenges Mr.Gulak to about at Elimination Chamber. Add that match on to the card.

Dana Brooke and Carmella vs. Fire and Desire (Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville)

On the slate next, a tag team affair featuring Carmela and Dana Brooke against Fire and Desire, Sonya DeVille and Mandy Rose. Mandy accompanied to the ring by her paramour Dolph Ziggler.

Back and forth at the start, Sonya Deville managed an early two count on Carmela. The latter was able to respond moments later with a Mela-Go -Round. She then tagged in Dana Brooke and the pair delivered a double hip toss to Ms. DeVille.

Dolph Ziggler distracted Brooke who was oblivious to the fact that Mandy Rose had been tagged in. Mandy laid out Dana with a running knee to steal the victory.

Winners: Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville

How about a trek to the Firefly Funhouse. Bray Wyatt welcomes us cordially and shows a clip of John Cena beating him in his earlier follow the Buzzards phase. He thanks and forgives Cena for helping him to become the man he is today.

He then contrasts himself with the Fiend who is unforgiving. Wyatt states immediately after that life is a circle and that no matter how bright one side of you is, inevitably the dark side will show itself again. Daunting words to say the least.

More action backstage. Alpo King Corbin mentions that he is through with Roman Reigns. As he ponders his Wrestlemania plans, he is cut off by Elias and his guitar. Words are exchanged. We can expect this to grow into a nice feud.

Otis crosses paths with Mandy Rose and apologizes for his tardiness of three weeks ago on the occasion of their romantic dinner date. Mandy replies… it is a little too late. A woman doesn’t appreciate being stood up like that. To his credit, Otis takes it like a man.

The tag team gauntlet match is next. Two teams enter the ring to start the tilt and decisions can come via a three count, a count-out, a disqualification or submission. As soon as we have a decision, the next team enters the ring and so on. The last team to procure a victory will have the advantage of entering the Elimination Chamber last. A big challenge with high stakes.

Heavy Machinery vs. The New Day vs. Lucha House Party vs. The Usos vs. The Miz and John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode

We kick off the six-team gauntlet match with the New Day vs Heavy Machinery. Early on, a stalemate. After Kofi tagged in Big E, the latter called out for Otis. The latter scoop slams Big E. Seconds later, with both New Day members outside the ring, they are double clotheslined by the massive Otis.

Back from a break, inside the ring, Kingston is lighting up Tucker. The action is fast-paced and hard-hitting. Big E.  is tossed outside the ring. Tucker slams Kingston and he and Otis use their Trash Compactor move to eliminate the New Day.

Here come Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik, the Lucha House Party as the next team in the six-team gauntlet match. With their high flying tactics and impressive speed, Heavy Machinery attempt to slow the Luchadors down with a sound ground and pound strategy.

While the House Party was able to execute such moves as a Missle Drop Kick and even a top-rope Frog Splash, this was not to be their night.

Otis was able to hit Dorado with his Worm like move followed by an Elbow Smash and it was turn out the lights, this Lucha House Party is over.

Jimmy and Jey Uso were the next participants in the six-team gauntlet match. Keep in mind their impressive win last week over the Miz and Morrison.

Fortune did not smile on the twins tonight. Notwithstanding being hit with a Superkick, Tucker succeeded in applying a Roll Up to Jimmy. The three-count ensued and this portion of the match was over in the proverbial three shakes of a lamb s tail. Heavy Machinery is putting on a clinic tonight.

The A-Lister and the Friday Night Delight are the next combatants. We shall see if Heavy Machinery has enough gas to get to the finish line.

The champions are dominant early on. They exhibit what Corey Graves calls seamless tag teamwork. Things looked bleak when John Morrison administered the Exclamation Point to Otis but he only mustered a count of two. Tucker was tagged in and defeated Morrison with an Inside Cradle.

A cinderella story is unfolding before our very eyes. Or, so we thought. The Miz and Morrison were beyond livid. They took their frustrations out on Heavy Machinery and even threw Otis through a barricade outside the ring. There, he laid motionless as Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode took to the ring to confront an exhausted but valiant Tucker. Heaven forbid Otis receives any medical attention.

Tucker alone, exhausted, outnumbered yet miraculously hangs on. Then, Otis rises up like Lazuras and staggers to his corner. Wow, can you imagine Otis finally getting to even the score with Dolph Ziggler?

Otis is tagged in and is looking to put away the Glorious one. No Dolph Ziggler, yet. When he finally is tagged in, he nails Otis with a lightning strike Super Kick. Our hefty heartbroken hero takes the three count. Roode and Ziggler triumph in the gauntlet match. The WWE.  Universe while discovering really how technically proficient and resilient Heavy Machinery is, was denied a storybook ending. The night was theirs despite taking the loss. Quoting the late Gorilla Monsoon, this team is a force to be reckoned with in this six-team gauntlet match.

Winners: Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode

We leave the air impressed by the storytelling of this PPV quality encounter hoping that the show on Sunday will provide as much drama and intrigue.

Six-Man Team Gauntlet Match
Photo / WWE

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