Hello everyone, and welcome to this week’s edition of the SmackDown Redux! This week, Divas Champion Paige squares off against one half of the ‘The Slayers’, Summer Rae with her BFF Layla at ringside. As a added bonus, former Divas Champion and #1 contender AJ Lee, is weighing in on commentary. Will Summer dance all over her longtime rival, or will Paige add another notch to her belt? We’ll find out in a bit, but first all three competitors in the Night of Champions Divas Title match we’re featured in a backstage segment. Check it out below:
Next up is Summer Rae vs. Paige:
Out first is AJ, who makes her way to the commentary booth, while Summer and Layla are already in the ring. The champion is out next, and we are treated to a video of AJ and Paige’s win over Layla and Summer, this past Monday. The official signals for the bell and our Divas match is underway.
The Divas lock up, and Paige get the upperhand immediately, shoving her opponent into the corner. Layla starts shouting, distracting Paige enough for Summer to get the jump on her, unleashing a flurry of offense, followed by Lotus Lock in the center of the ring. Paige rolls back for a nearfall, but Summer kicks out, switches to a bodyscissors and pummels the champion with strikes from behind.
Paige manages to work her way out of the submission, and drills Summer with a headbutt to the face, before unleashes some offense of her own, including her signature knee strikes over the rope. Layla tries to get in involved, but Paige scares her off, before locking in AJ’s Black Widow (much to AJ’s chagrin) to pick up the win.
Thoughts: I’ve been seeing a lot of comments about how boring this rivalry between AJ and Paige has become, but I am loving it personally. Not a lot of feuds are built up over a long time anymore, especially with the Divas, which is a shame. However, we’re seeing this with the AJ/Paige storyline, as well as the Bella drama and I couldn’t be happier. I’m a little disappointed that they seem to be merging these storylines, the closer we get to Night of Champions, but I’m sure they will be two separate feuds again, once the title match takes place.
As for the match, it was nothing mind blowing, but it served it purpose as a vehicle for the Paige/AJ interaction at the end. I’m still convinces that Brie Bella will somehow get put into the title match come Night of Champions, and with Brie and AJ teaming to take on Paige and Nikki next week on Raw, I see that announcement happening sooner, rather than later.
Well guys, we’ve come to the end of the road. Until next time… “Bye Brie… Nikki! Bye Nikki.”
