SmackDown Results 03/05/15

SmackDown results from Washington, DC:

Opening segment had an exchange between the various competitors for the WrestleMania IC title ladder match. Ziggler came out wearing the belt, but was interrupted by Bad News Barrett. Luke Harper snuck up behind Ziggler to take the belt away and knock him out of the ring. Dean Ambrose came down to help Ziggler fight the heels. R-Truth snuck to the ring and was able to get away with the belt to go backstage, leaving everyone else clueless where the belt went. Backstage, he told Renee Young his plan was to hold onto the belt through WrestleMania. She told him that it would be hanging above the ring at the ladder match and Truth acted surprised.

Cesar and Tyson Kidd defeated Los Matadors in a non-title matchup via pinfall. Kidd and Cesaro hit a double team Swing into a neck breaker for Cesaro to get the win.

Backstage, Kane and Big Show bickered about Randy Orton. Both guys said they’re entering the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Show joked about Kane being Devil’s Favorite Demon or Men’s Warehouse spokesperson. Kane told Show he’ll know after he faces Ryback tonight.

Ryback defeated Kane via pinfall. Ryback shoved Kane into Big Show at one point, and Ryback followed the distraction with a Meathook Clothesline to win. Post-match, Kane got a microphone and told Ryback he’s got another match - against Big Show, next.

Big Show defeated Ryback via pinfall. Kane interfered in the match late and Ryback hit another Meathook Clothesline on him. Big Show was able to take advantage of the distraction to hit a KO punch on Ryback for the win.

Bray Wyatt cut a promo about how he has something he thinks Taker can relate to. He said he’ll unleash it’s spirit on Monday’s episode of Raw, because not even he can outrun his own fate.

AJ Lee defeated Brie Bella via submission. Paige and Nikki Bella were also ringside. Late in the match, all four divas got into a bit of a fight on the outside. AJ managed to toss Brie back inside and then put the Black Widow on her. Paige stopped Nikki from getting involved and Brie tapped out.

Renee Young interviewed Daniel Bryan backstage alluding to comments Dolph Ziggler made about him earlier with regards to the IC title match. Bryan said Ziggler might be right about it stealing the show at Mania. He said he’s interested to see who leaves the building tonight with the belt.

New Day defeated The Miz and Damien Mizdow via pinfall. Late in the match, Mizdow was in control of Kofi, but Miz tagged back into the match. The duo argued a bit and Big E took control, hitting Miz with a Big Ending DDT double team move for the win.

A promo from Roman Reigns discussed how Paul Heyman has made a living by running his mouth and lying. Reigns admitted he knows he’s gonna get hurt at Mania, but he’s going to use all he’s got and get back up. He vowed to cut Brock in half with a spear to win the WWE title.

Rusev defeated Jack Swagger via submission. During the match, Swagger gained control when he sent Rusev out of the ring. He went after him and tossed Rusev back in but as Swagger got in he ran into a huge kick. Rusev stomped on Swagger and put on The Accolade for the win.

Curtis Axel had a promo on the Titantron doing a Hulk Hogan impression. He said he’s coming after Rusev this Monday and then for the US Championship at WrestleMania. Axel ripped off his shirts and flexed for the promo.

Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose defeated Bad News Barrett and Luke Harper via pinfall. The match lasted just under ten minutes. The win came when Ambrose took Barrett out of the ring and Ziggler was able to hit a superkick and then a Zig Zag on Harper for the win. Post-match, Barrett hit a Bull Hammer on Ziggler and went to get the IC belt from Truth. Ambrose dove out onto Barrett and Truth headed up the ramp. Luke Harper tried to confront him, but Truth avoided him and went up the ramp. Daniel Bryan’s music hit and he came onto the ramp so Truth handed him the belt. Bryan celebrated a bit until Stardust arrived out to attack him and took the title as his to finish out SmackDown.