On Sunday night, Shane McMahon was supposed to provide an effective evening of officiating for The United States Title Match and we got none of that.
AJ Styles makes his way to the ring to open the show. AJ hits the ring and fans chant his name. AJ welcomes us to SmackDown, the house that he built. AJ says he is still your US Champion after defeating Kevin Owens at SummerSlam. AJ told the world that he is the workhorse of WWE and nothing is going to change because he is reinstating the US Title Open Challenge, and it starts right now.
Kevin Owens’ music hits, and he appears to be answering the challenge. Styles says he beat Owens at SummerSlam, so they are over. Owens says Styles did not beat him at SummerSlam. What happened on Sunday is that twenty years later, history repeated itself with a McMahon screwing a legendary Canadian out of a title again. Styles can take no credit for beating him. Shane McMahon screwed him. That’s what happened.
Shane McMahon’s music hits, and the Commissioner of Smackdown Live makes his way to the ring to a good reception. A “Shane O’Mac” chant picks up. McMahon says he couldn’t stand back there anymore and listen to this. McMahon says he called the match right down the middle. In the end, Styles won fair and square. Owens chuckles at that and says he won’t talk about the fact that McMahon, the man who survived a helicopter crash and jumped off Hell in a Cell, got grazed by a 450 Splash by Styles and couldn’t get into position to count Styles’ shoulders down. McMahon also physically assaulted him, which led to Styles beating him. Owens then shows footage of McMahon counting to three before realizing Styles’ foot was on the bottom rope. Owens says McMahon should focus on his right hand hitting the mat three times. A few weeks ago when the idiot referee counted to three despite his shoulder being up, that decision stood, so why is he not standing here as the champion? McMahon says he noticed the foot on the bottom rope and immediately called it off. The referee’s decision stands. Owens demands he be given back his title and says Styles is a joke.
Styles tells him to shut up before calling him a “whiny ass little bitch.” Styles says he’ll give Owens a rematch since he beat him already. McMahon says it’s against his better judgement, but if he wants to defend the title, Owens has the match. Owens says that’s not enough because he’s been screwed by an official and guest referee. If they were men, they’d let him pick the referee tonight. McMahon says they have plenty of competent officials. Styles agrees to let him get his own referee because he’ll lose anyway. It doesn’t matter if Owens’ mother is the referee. McMahon allows this and says this is Owens’ last shot at the United States Title. No more excuses! Owens seems pleased with this.
Backstage:
Daniel Bryan is backstage when The Singh Brothers walk in. They do an introduction for Jinder Mahal to enter Bryan’s office. The WWE Champion enters and says Bryan is a progressive thinker. SummerSlam was a huge international success thanks to him. Bryan also realizes he’s an unstoppable WWE Champion. Bryan says he actually sees a man who can’t win without The Singh Brothers. Mahal says Bryan is just like the xenophobic Americans thinking he’s a bad guy. Bryan says Shinsuke Nakamura deserves a measure of retribution, but Mahal reminds him that he doesn’t have to face him tonight per his contract. Bryan says Mahal doesn’t have to face Nakamura… but The Singh Brothers do. They freak out.
– Naomi and Becky Lynch will face Natalya and Carmella later tonight. We go to commercial.
– Back from the break and we see various still from SummerSlam.
Backstage:
We are back and Kevin Owens is walking backstage when he bumps into Sami Zayn. Owens says he knows they’ve been fighting each other and been by each other’s sides their entire career. Owens needs someone he can trust to be his referee in his match. Zayn is the only one that fits the bill. Zayn thinks about it before saying he watched Owens’ DVD recently. They’ve been fighting so long, he forgets what they’ve been fighting about. Owens says they shouldn’t be fighting. Owens knows Zayn isn’t busy since he hasn’t done much since coming to Smackdown Live, but tonight he can do something that counts. Owens asks him to think about it.
In the Arena:
Aiden English is in the ring with a spotlight on him. He’s the Shakespeare of song and the Mozart of melody. English tells them to respect the artiste. He’s the Beethoven of baritone… but he’s cut off. Bobby Roode makes his debut on Smackdown! The crowd sings his song and gives him a massive round of applause.
Aiden English vs. Bobby Roode
The bell rings, and the crowd loudly chants, “Roode.” Roode then leads them into singing, “GLORIOUS!” English says this is his stage. Roode kicks and clotheslines him over the top rope as we go back to commercial.
English goes back into the ring and misses a clothesline Roode with chops and an Irish whip and back body drop. Roode chops English and kicks him in the corner. English with a back heel kick and he sends Roode into the turnbuckles. English with kicks in the corner. Roode forces English to the floor and then Roode sends English into the apron. English Irish whips Roode into the ringside barrier and hits a running hip strike.
English sends Roode into the ring and gets a near fall. English gets another near fall. Roode with punches and chops. English with a punch and suplex. Engish gets a near fall. English with a reverse chin lock but Roode with punches to get out of the hold. English chokes Roode in the ropes.
We go back to full screen and English slaps Roode in the top of the head and English mocks Roode but Roode runs English into the turnbuckles and connects with shoulders and chops. English with a boot to Roode. English with an Irish whip but he misses a splash into the corner. Roode with a reverse atomic drop and a flying forearm. Roode with a clothesline into the corner and he goes to the turnbuckles for a blockbuster.
Roode gets English on his shoulders but English with elbows and The Director’s Cut for a near fall. English goes up top and misses a swanton. Roode with a spinebuster and then he signals for the Glorious DDT and he gets the three count.
Winner: Bobby Roode
After the match, Renee Young interviews Bobby Roode in the ring. She asks Roode what brings him to Smackdown. Bobby congratulates Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon for breaking the bank and cashing in on the biggest free agent in Sports Entertainment today, Bobby Roode. If you don’t know by now, you will know that everything he does is box office. In a New York Minute, Smackdown went from being great to being absolutely GLORIOUS!
– Still to come, AJ vs. Owens with a mystery referee. Also, Nakamura vs. The Singh Brothers. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
Back from the break and Daniel Bryan is texting when Chad Gable walks up to him. Bryan wants to apologize to him about Jason Jordan leaving the show. Gable wants to focus on his own career. Bryan says he didn’t just give Jordan away to RAW. Kurt Angle said he’d help him sign one of his friends. Bryan signed the guy, and he will be Gable’s new partner: Shelton Benjamin! Gable is ecstatic. Bryan says they can test drive the new tag team next week. Gable immediately agrees and walks off. Bryan welcomes Benjamin to Smackdown, and they shake hands.
Backstage:
Elsewhere backstage, Kevin Owens is walking when he comes up to Sami Zayn. Zayn says he thought about it hard, and he thought about every rotten thing Owens did to him. Owens needs a lot of help tonight, but he won’t get it from him.
The Hype Bros vs. The Usos
The Hype Bros make their entrance. They’ll face the new WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions, The Usos, next. Back to commercial.
Mojo and Jey start things off and Jey misses a splash into teh corner. Mojo with a gutwrench suplex. Mojo talks about the hype of Jey and hits a Stinger Splash. Jimmy distracts Mojo and Jey with a drop kick. Jimmy tags in and he hits a running hip splash into the corner. Jey tags back in and they make a wish with Mojo’s legs and then Jimmy tags back in and he kicks Mojo in the chest. Jimmy with a leaping leg drop for a near fall.
Mojo knocks Jey off the apron and Jimmy misses a splash into the corner and hits the ring post. Ryder tags in and he clotheslines Jimmy and hits a back elbow. Ryder with a face plant and then Ryder with forearms. Ryder with a Broski Boot attempt but Jey pulls Jimmy out of the ring. Rawley with a double pounce on the floor but Jimmy with a super kick to Rawley. Jimmy pulls Ryder off the turnbuckles and gets the three count after a super kick.
Winners: The Usos
After the match, Jimmy has something to say. He says Smackdown Live is on lock. The tag team division is on lock. Jimmy welcomes everyone to the Uso Penitentiary.
Jey says they have a message for everyone in the locker room. You are going to feel what the New Day did. You are going to feel like someone is creeping behind you. It is not paranoia, it’s the USOS.
– Shinsuke Nakamura walks in the back as he gets ready for his match. We go to commercial.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Samir Singh and Sunil Singh (with Jinder Mahal)
Both Singhs start things off in the ring and Nakamura with kicks to each and they go to talk to Mahal for advice. Nakamura kicks Sunil and sends Samir into the turnbuckles. Nakamura sends both into the turnbuckles and Nakamura with boots in the corner. Nakamura with a knee to Sunil and he puts him on the turnbuckles. Nakamura does the same to Samir and he connects with a running knee to the midsection. Samir goes to the floor and Sunil joins him as Nakamura sends him over the top rope to the floor.
Nakamura wants more but Samir and Sunil attack Nakamura from behind while Nakamura focuses on Mahal. Samir with a kick while Sunil directs traffic. Samir with punches and kicks and Sunil joins in. They Irish whip Nakamura into the corner. Nakamura kicks Sunil to the floor and he applies the triangle on Samir and he taps out.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
After the match, Mahal attacks Nakamura but Nakamura with a kick and then he hits Kinshasa.
Backstage:
Kevin Owens is walking around frustratedly backstage. The Fashion Police stop. They want to be the referee. Owens angrily declines this. Tyler Breeze shouts, “To be continued!” Owens says there is nothing to be continued. Baron Corbin comes up to him and grabs the referee shirt away. Corbin says if Owens wins the title, he gets first dibs. Owens says it’s “when” he gets the US Title. Corbin says he better be a man of his word.
– Naomi and Becky Lynch vs. Natalya and Carmella is next. Back to another commercial.
Becky Lynch and Naomi vs. Natalya and Carmella
Back from the break and new SmackDown Women’s Champion Natalya is introduced. Natalya says SummerSlam will be known as the day that the glow was unplugged. Natalya shays she proved she was the best there is, was and ever will be. She raises the title, without the lights, and says Naomi can wipe her tears away and see what a real title looks like. She says she is the new and forever champion, and will restore prestige to the title.
Ms. Money In the Bank Carmella is out next with James Ellsworth. Carmella congratulates Natalya and says they are so happy for her. Ellsworth says yea, she finally won something. He knocks the fans and then Natalya but Carmella hushes him. Carmella goes on and says Natalya is on her time now. Ellsworth says yea, borrowed time. Carmella says she let Natalya have her moment at SummerSlam but when the time is right, she will be cashing in for the title. Ellsworth goes on about how Carmella could cash in tonight. Carmella looks annoyed. The music interrupts and out comes Becky Lynch. Naomi is out next.
Naomi and Carmella start things off and Carmella tags in Natalya before doing anything. Carmella tells Nattie to get her. They lock up and we go to split screen.
Natalya pushes Naomi after a break and Naomi with a jackknife cover. Naomi with kicks to Natalya’s legs. Becky tags in and she goes to the turnbuckles for a forearm to the arm. Becky with a waist lock take down into a front face lock. Natalya with a hammer lock. Natalya with a side head lock take down and Becky with a head scissors. Becky with a drop toe hold into a front face lock and waist lock. Natalya goes into the ropes.
Natalya with a kick and punch to Becky. Natalya walks across Becky’s stomach twice. Becky with an arm drag followed by a drop kick. Becky wiht a thrust kick. Naomi tags in and Becky with a snap mare and Naomi gets a near fall. Naomi with a front face lock. Becky tags back in and Naomi with a slam and Becky with a series of leg drops. Becky gets a near fall. Natalya calls for a time out but she sends Becky into the turnbuckles and she kicks Becky in the corner.
Natalya with a sleeper but Becky with a snap mare. Natalya with a discus clothesline and a shot to knock Naomi off the apron. Natalya kicks Becky in the corner and Carmella refuses the tag and goes to the floor. Becky with a rollup for a near fall. Becky has a kick blocked and she hits an enzuigiri. Natalya with an Irish whip but she runs into an elbow. Natalya pulls Becky off the turnbuckles for a near fall.
Becky with an inside cradle for a near fall. Naomi tags in and she kicks Natalya and hits a sunset flip for a near fall. Naomi with the FTG and Naomi kicks Natalya away after Natalya tries for the Sharpshooter. Natalya tags in Carmella and Becky hits an exploder. Naomi with a split legged moonsault for the three count.
Winners: Naomi and Becky Lynch
After the match, Becky and Naomi stand tall as Naomi’s music hits.
– Still to come, Owens vs. AJ with Corbin as the special referee. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and we see more stills from SummerSlam.
Backstage:
We go backstage and Dasha Fuentes welcomes Dolph Ziggler “back” to SmackDown. She asks what we can expect now. Ziggler says he’s glad to be back and show what he can do as… a backstage interviewer. Ziggler doesn’t seem thrilled. He says he’s been watching a lot of WWE TV while he’s been gone and now he knows what it takes to be a star in WWE. Hes going to start singing, playing a guitar, maybe rap some, dance around like an idiot. Ziggler continues with the sarcasm, lowkey mocking other WWE stars, saying these gimmicks are what it takes to be a star and that’s exactly what he’s going to do… next week.
Backstage:
Lana is backstage on the phone. She says she will see someone next week. Tamina Snuka walks in and Lana says her ravishing journey to the title will begin next week. Tamina wants to know what is happening this week. Lana tells her to close her eyes and recall the feeling of being in a locker room full of people but still feeling alone. People talking behind her back because she’s different, because she and Lana are different. Lana tells Tamina to take those feelings until the anger boils over. Now open your eyes. Lana says she sees the rage, Tamina is now ready. Lana says they will now crush the competition as the ravishing reign of terror begins. They will not stop until Tamina becomes champion. Tamina – the most feared woman on SmackDown. Lana smiles and Tamina buys it.
Backstage:
AJ is backstage waling when Corbin appears. He says he made a deal with Owens unless… AJ sees where he’s going with this. AJ says when he retains tonight, there will be an open challenge every week and that’s how Corbin can get his shot. Corbin says he will see AJ out there. He walks off.
WWE United States Title Match: Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles
We go to the ring and out comes special referee Baron Corbin for tonight’s main event. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and out comes Kevin Owens. WWE United States Champion AJ Styles is next. The bell rings and Owens goes to the floor. AJ tells him to come on. Owens looks to come in but he goes right back to the floor. Owens comes to the apron and makes his way in off a cheap shot. Owens works AJ over in the corner now. Owens with more offense. Fans chant for AJ. Owens runs the ropes but AJ dropkicks him. Owens goes to the floor for a breather. AJ slingshots himself over the top to the floor, nailing a forearm on Owens. AJ stands tall on the floor as Corbin looks on from the ring. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and AJ nails a pele kick and sends Owens to the floor. They go to the floor and Owens hits a fall-away slam into the barrier. Owens brings it back into the ring and covers for a 2 count. Owens keeps control and goes for another pin attempt. Styles finally drops Owens on his face and turns it around.
More back and forth and counters. AJ gets the Calf Crusher applied. Owens goes for the rope but AJ pulls him back into the middle of the ring. Corbin tells AJ to break the hold because he claims Owens got to the rope. AJ and Corbin argue. Owens comes back and knocks AJ into Corbin. Owens ends up rolling AJ up for a 2 count, and another as AJ argues with Corbin. They collide with clotheslines and both go down.
Shane McMahon runs to ringside and yells at Corbin for the fast counts. Shane warns Corbin that he’s watching everything. Owens hits a low blow on AJ while Corbin is yelling at Shane. Shane did see it. Shane ejects Corbin from the ring and says this is done. Owens crawls over to the ropes and watches the argument. Corbin takes the referee shirt off and throws it at Shane. Owens comes to the floor and he’s not happy. Shane puts the shirt on. Owens argues. Shane rolls into the ring and starts counting. Owens returns to the ring but AJ drops him over the top rope.
AJ springboards in from the apron and hits the Phenomenal Forearm for the pin.
Winner: AJ Styles
After the match, AJ stands tall with the title as we go to replays. AJ poses in the corner. Owens looks on from the ramp and Shane stares back at him. SmackDown goes off the air with AJ clutching the title as Owens looks on.
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