On September 1, 2015, the WWE Smackdown episode taped in Miami, Florida, aired on SyFy featured the shocking debut of Braun Strowman as a new member of the Wyatt Family, intensifying tensions among top WWE Superstars. This Braun Strowman Wyatt Family segment dramatically altered the landscape of Smackdown, as the Wyatt Family issued a direct challenge to Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose heading into Night of Champions, promising a violent confrontation to come.
New Day Defends Tables Amidst Dudley Boyz Rivals and Tag Team Turmoil
The show opened with the New Day carrying signs championing their signature “Save the Tables” movement, invoking cultural moments like the first Thanksgiving and the Declaration of Independence to humorously justify their cause. Kofi Kingston, Big E., and Xavier Woods passionately highlighted the importance of tables, noting that even WWE contracts were signed at tables. However, their celebration was interrupted by the Dudley Boyz, who reminded the crowd of a brutal past encounter when Woods was put through a table on Raw.
Following verbal sparring, the Prime Time Players confronted the Dudley Boyz, demanding a rematch for the tag team titles despite recently losing them, setting up a spirited tag team contest. In the ensuing match between the Dudley Boyz and the Prime Time Players, the Dudley Boyz ultimately secured victory with their signature 3D finisher, illustrating their undeniable claim to future tag team gold despite a crowd that appreciated both teams.
As New Day protected their treasured table backstage, Kofi Kingston ambushed Bubba Ray Dudley with a sudden strike, further escalating the animosity surrounding the ongoing tag team rivalry.
Stardust Aligns with The Ascension to Ambush Rival Neville
A tense segment unfolded when Stardust arrived accompanied by his new allies, The Ascension, who ambushed Neville before his match. This alliance emphasized Stardust’s menacing turn as he warned Neville of flying “too close to the sun,” alluding to the dangerous fallout of their clash. The Ascension executed a devastating Fall of Man maneuver on Neville, solidifying their menacing presence and transforming the competitive environment surrounding Stardust.
Sheamus Overcomes Injury to Defeat Cesaro in Gritty Encounter
The match between Sheamus and Cesaro was marked by Cesaro’s resilience despite a fresh rib injury sustained two weeks earlier on Raw. Cesaro displayed determination with precise uppercuts and technical counters, but Sheamus eventually capitalized with his Brogue Kick to claim victory. The bout showcased physical storytelling, highlighting Cesaro’s grit against Sheamus’s overwhelming strength, while raising questions about Cesaro’s capacity to perform at full health.
Miz TV Heat Escalates with Dramatic Ziggler, Lana, and Summer Rae Confrontation
Miz’s talk show segment revisited the controversial romance drama involving Dolph Ziggler, Lana, and Summer Rae that had unfolded earlier in the week. Summer Rae, claiming to be the “real victim,” admitted to lying by omission and alleged Ziggler kissed her, igniting tension. Lana confronted Summer Rae violently after tensions escalated on-air, while Ziggler struggled to maintain control. Summer Rae’s parting words,
“You can’t handle the truth, you bitch!”
reverberated across the arena, underscoring the volatile nature of this storyline and hinting at continued involvement from Rusev.
Bo Dallas Defeats R-Truth, Signaling a Flair Transformation
In a swift match filled with aggressive offense, Bo Dallas secured a victory over R-Truth, showcasing a new edge in his wrestling persona. Post-match, Dallas continued his assault with his finisher, displaying confidence with a celebratory lap around the ring. The event seemed designed to signal a bold new chapter for Dallas’s character and his trajectory within WWE.
Team PCB Discusses Strategy as Charlotte Prepares for Divas Championship Challenge
Backstage, Team PCB, consisting of Charlotte, Paige, and Becky Lynch, emphasized their collective strength and determination to dethrone Nikki Bella. Charlotte openly expressed her intent to win with
“style, grace, and a little bit of flair”
and insisted on their championship match preceding Bella’s record-breaking title reign. The Bellas mocked Team PCB’s efforts, intensifying the rivalry between the two factions and setting a charged atmosphere for the upcoming Night of Champions event.
Charlotte Defeats Tamina in a Short But Physical Match
In their in-ring confrontation, Charlotte overcame Tamina through a series of power moves including a decisive Natural Selection finisher. The match was brief and impacted by Tamina’s limited mobility, but it further established Charlotte’s readiness and momentum toward the Divas title opportunity, especially with the Bellas jeering her victory from ringside.
Intense Main Event: Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns Take on New Day
The main event pitted Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns against tag team champions Big E. and Kofi Kingston of the New Day. Foreboding foreshadowing appeared through highlights of Ambrose’s previous contest with Braun Strowman on Raw. Throughout the hard-fought match, all four competitors delivered a relentless performance, with Ambrose and Reigns demonstrating superior teamwork to dominate their opponents. The bout culminated in disqualification after Reigns landed a Superman punch and interference followed, leaving the crowd anticipating future developments.
Wyatt Family Issues a Sinister Challenge, Introducing Braun Strowman as Their New Weapon
After the main event, Ambrose took the microphone with a message for the Wyatt Family, calling for another confrontation with their “black sheep.” Roman Reigns roused the crowd, directly challenging the Wyatts. The screen then cut to Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper backstage, where Wyatt taunted Ambrose and Reigns, claiming control over their feud and promising Night of Champions would serve as the battleground.
In an ominous conclusion, Braun Strowman silently appeared, uttering the chilling warning “run” before the broadcast ended, officially marking his debut as a formidable new member of the Wyatt Family and dramatically raising the stakes ahead.
The Impact of Braun Strowman Joining the Wyatt Family on the WWE Landscape
Braun Strowman’s alliance with the Wyatt Family shifts the balance of power on Smackdown, injecting fresh unpredictability into ongoing feuds. The presence of this looming powerhouse under Bray Wyatt’s guidance not only intensifies the threat to fan favorites Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose but also signals a more violent and strategic Wyatt faction aiming to dominate WWE’s upcoming events.
This newly fortified Wyatt Family is poised to make Night of Champions a pivotal moment, most likely staging catastrophic clashes that will shape WWE storylines going forward. As tensions mount and alliances shift, the WWE Universe can expect heightened drama and explosive confrontations on Smackdown nights ahead.
