We begin with a look at the Number One Contender Battle Royal for the United States Title from last week’s Smackdown. We see the match between Kevin Owens and AJ Styles from Madison Square Garden when AJ Styles won the United States Title.
– We go right to the ring and Greg Hamilton introduces new WWE United States Champion AJ Styles and out he comes to a pop.
Fans chant AJ’s name as he enters the ring. AJ says it looks like Battleground came a little early at MSG. Styles jokes that Kevin Owens’ face looks like a monkey’s butt. He says this isn’t about Owens, this is about the United States Title that is around his waist and what it will represent. He goes on and mentions how it’s time to bring back the Open Challenges, inviting someone from the back to come prove him wrong. AJ announces that his own Open Challenge is kicking off right now. Fans chant USA as AJ waits for someone to answer the challenge. The music finally hits and out comes John Cena to a pop.
Cena hits the ring as some fans sing their own version of his theme song. Cena says he wants to make sure AJ realizes what he just said – US Title Open Challenge. Cena says that must mean everyone but him. AJ says no, Cena is included in that. Especially Cena. Cena accepts the challenge and calls for a referee to be brought out.
WWE United States Title Match: John Cena vs. AJ Styles
The crowd pops as AJ and Cena get ready. Greg Hamilton does formal ring introductions and referee Charles Robinson raises the title. The match gets ready to begin but the music interrupts and out comes Kevin Owens shaking his head.
Owens says no one wants to see another stupid Cena vs. Styles match, we’ve already sat through way too many of them. Owens says no one cares about Cena or AJ, all they should care about is the rightful champion getting his title back and that’s Owens. Owens asks Cena why he’s back. Owens says no one missed Cena and we don’t need him here. Owens says this is his title and Cena doesn’t deserve to be near it. Owens tells Cena to do himself a favor and leave because no one wants to see him. Cena says it’s not that Owens doesn’t want to see him, it’s that he can’t see him. Cena calls Owens The Michelin Man and tells him to come do something about it. Cena promises to run through Owens and then through AJ. Rusev hits the ring and attacks Cena from behind.
AJ takes Rusev and sends him to the floor. Owens hits the ring and attacks AJ, hitting a pop-up powerbomb. Rusev comes back in and drops Cena with a superkick. Rusev applies The Accolade on Cena as fans boo. Owens stands tall over AJ. Owens leaves with Rusev right behind him as Rusev’s music plays.
– Still to come, Baron Corbin vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Also, Tye Dillinger vs. WWE Champion Tye Dillinger in a non-title match. We go to commercial.
– Back from the break and Tom reveals that SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon has made Cena and Styles vs. Rusev and Owens for tonight’s main event. Surprise surprise!
Jinder Mahal vs. Tye Dillinger
The Singh Brothers introduce WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and out he comes to the ring for this non-title match. Tye Dillinger is out next.
They lock up and Mahal backs Dillinger into the corner and gives a clean break for a moment before giving Dillinger a biel. Mahal goes for a slam but Dillinger gets to his feet and hits a cross body for a near fall. Dillinger with a kick but Mahal with a clothesline. Mahal with a rear chin lock. Mahal chokes Dillinger in the ropes.
We go to split screen as Mahal punches Dillinger. Mahal with a hard Irish whip and then he connects with a knee to the back. Mahal with a knee to the ribs. Mahal with a half nelson and chin lock. Mahal with a knee to the midsection followed by a back elbow. Mahal with a chin lock into a cravate. Mahal with knees to the head. Mahal with chops to the throat and then he returns to the rear chin lock.
Mahal with a knee drop and he chokes Dillinger. Mahal with more knee drops and we return to full screen. Mahal chokes Dillinger on the top rope and then he slams Dillinger. Mahal with punches but Dillinger punches Mahal. Mahal with a knee but Dillinger with a flying clothesline and boots to Mahal. Dillinger punches Mahal in the corner and Mahal pushes Dillinger away. Mahal with a Harley Race knee and hits the Cobra Clutch Slam for the three count.
Winner: Jinder Mahal
After the match, Jinder takes the mic and he says that week after week he tells the truth, but you disrespect him. You can boo him all you want because the Modern Day Maharaja brings dignity and class to the WWE. You people still cheer for that snake Randy Orton. Randy, you want to threaten his people and his family? Chanting USA does not change the fact that 1.3 billion people of the great nation of India know that Jinder Mahal is the greatest champion of all time. Randy, you want to make his life a living hell? Next week, he brings hell to Randy Orton. Next week, he brings the Punjabi Prison.
– The New Day walk in the back and Big E tries to give someone in the back singlet Booty-Os. We go to commercial.
Xavier Woods vs. Jey Uso
Back from the break and out comes Xavier Woods with Big E and Kofi Kingston. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos are out next. We see a replay of last week’s Rap Battle, which The New Day won.
Woods with a thrust kick to the knee followed by punches and an elbow to the top of the head. Woods with a forearm. Woods with crossfaces in the ropes. Jimmy trips Woods and the referee warns Kofi and Big E on the apron. Jey pushes Kofi off the apron and the referee tries to control the situation. The referee sends everyone not wrestling in the match to the back.
Woods goes for an O’Connor roll but Jey holds on to the ropes and hits a super kick for a near fall. Jey goes up top and hits Woods’ boots when he tries for a frog splash. Wood is sent to the apron and Jey punches Woods. Woods with an enzuigiri on the apron and Woods goes up top while Jey hangs on the middle rope and Woods with an elbow drop for the three count.
Winner: Xavier Woods
After the match, Jimmy hits the ring but Woods avoids a cheap shot and hits the floor. We go to replays and come back to The New Day celebrating on the ramp.
– Still to come, Corbin vs. Nakamura. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Shane McMahon is on the phone with Daniel Bryan and he says no one is asking about James Ellsworth. Naomi enters the office and she wants to know who she defends the Smackdown Women’s Title against and she hopes it is not Lana. Charlotte enters and she says if it is Ellsworth, they will have to ban her from the building. Becky, Lana, Natalya, and Tamina all enter. Shane says there will be a five way elimination match to determine who faces Naomi at SummerSlam. Charlotte says she thought this was the Land of Opportunity, not the Land of Make Believe. Tamina tells Charlotte to watch her mouth. Natalya wonders why Charlotte has to worry about this since he has done everything on her family’s coattails. Becky says that Bret… Natalya is one to talk. Shane says there is a match tonight with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair against Natalya and Tamina Snuka.
Carmella enters and she has a Petition from her attorney to have James Ellsworth reinstated. Carmella holds up her briefcase while Naomi holds up her title belt. Shane rips up the Petition and he says the decision stands.
Backstage:
Baron Corbin is interviewed by Renee Young and they look at the WWE wrestler angle at the monitor showing what happened last week between Baron Corbin and Shinsuke Nakamura. Renee says that Nakamura is not afraid of Baron. Baron says he is afraid of what he is going to do to Nakamura. He is Mr. Money in the Bank and Nakamura is not. Tonight, it will be sayonara Nakamura. Back to commercial.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin
Back from the break and out comes Shinsuke Nakamura to a pop. Baron Corbin is out next with his Money In the Bank briefcase.
Nakamura attacks Corbin in the aisle but Corbin sends Nakamura into the apron and then they fight into the crowd. Nakamura with forearms and then Corbin with a forearm to the back. They fight back into the ringside area. Nakamura with punches and Fit Finlay and Jamie Noble try to separate them.
Nakamura tells Corbin to come at him while Corbin holds up the briefcase and goes to the back.
Backstage:
AJ Styles is in the locker room and Cena tells Styles he will accept the challenge. Styles says he knew that Cena would be the first challenger. Cena took something from him and he will hold on to this title for a long time because he is the best. Cena says it is obvious that Styles wants to be the best. Cena says he has AJ’s back tonight and he is giving him his word.
– Still to come, Flair and Lynch vs. Snuka and Natalya. Back to commercial.
Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch vs. Natalya and Tamina Snuka
Back from the break and out first comes Charlotte Flair, followed by Becky Lynch. Natalya is out first for her team. Tamina Snuka is out last.
Tamina starts off with Becky and beats her down. Tamina and Charlotte have words as Tamina keeps up the beating on Becky. Becky turns it around and takes out the knee. Becky with a leg drop and an elbow drop. Charlotte tags in for a bit of double teaming. Charlotte covers Tamina for a 2 count. Charlotte counters in the corner and goes for a German suplex but Tamina knocks her back with an elbow. Tamina sends Charlotte into the corner and tags in Natalya.
Natalya drops Flair and steps on her. Natalya shows off and taunts Becky. Charlotte kips up behind Natalya and turns it around. Charlotte chops Natalya and tags in Becky for another double team. Becky dropkicks Natalya and hits a Bexploder suplex. Natalya goes to the floor. Becky tries for a baseball slide but Tamina pulls Natalya out of the way. Natalya pulls Becky out and sends her into the steel steps as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Natalya has Becky grounded. Becky breaks free and goes for the tag but Natalya rams her into the corner. Tamina tags in and they double team Becky in the corner. Tamina takes Becky to the mat now. Lana comes walking down the ramp.
Charlotte yells something at Lana and tries to rally Becky for the tag. Becky fights up and out but Tamina drops her again. Tamina knocks Charlotte off the apron with a cheap shot. Charlotte runs in but distracts the referee while Becky is double teamed in the corner. Natalya shows off and wastes time, allowing Becky to get her boot up in the corner. Becky drops Tamina off the apron. Becky goes for the tag but Natalya stops it. Becky blocks a Sharpshooter and tags in Charlotte.
Charlotte unloads, knocking Tamina off the apron and chopping Natalya. Flair keeps control and drops Natalya. Flair scoops Natalya as Lana gets on the apron to provide a distraction. Flair swings at Lana but she jumps off the apron and Flair misses. Flair doesn’t see Tamina get the tag. She goes back to grab Natalya for the Figure Four but Tamina comes in and superkicks her for the pin.
Winners: Tamina Snuka and Natalya
After the match, Lana is all smiles as Tamina joins her at ringside. Natalya stands with them as Becky checks on Flair and we go to replays. Lana, Tamina and Natalya leave as Charlotte looks on from her knees.
– Still to come, Styles and Cena vs. Rusev and Owens.
Backstage:
We see Maria Kanellis backstage walking. She knocks on the men’s locker room door and Chad Gable answers. She asks if Sami Zayn is in there because he owes her an apology. Gable checks but Sami isn’t there. Maria tells Gable to tell Sami that the First Lady of SmackDown is looking for him. She walks off and we go to commercial.
Backstage:
Back from the break and Sami Zayn walks up on lovebirds Mike & Maria Kanellis. Sami is a bit put off by their PDA. Maria says Sami owes them an apology but he says he’s already given them one. He goes on about how they should apologize for being in his way on two occasions. He wonders what they even do here and takes a shot at Mike. Maria delivers a big slap to the face and Mike cracks a vase of flowers over the back of Sami’s head. Maria talks some trash before leaving with Mike as Sami sells the vase shot on the floor.
– There was a backstage promo with Cedric Alexander to hype his “I Quit” match with Noam Dar on tonight’s WWE 205 Live.
– The announcers reveal that Shane has confirmed Nakamura vs. Corbin for Battleground.
Backstage:
Tom sends us to another edition of The Fashion Files with Tyler Breeze and Fandango. They sing a song about being The Sexy Fashion Rangers now, some sort of wacky play off Chuck Norris’ Walker Texas Ranger. They’re dressed up as cowboys backstage. Fandango rides a fake horse over to Zack Ryder. Breeze appears and gets tangled up in his lasso when he tries to get Ryder. They’re goofing off when Mojo Rawley appears and asks what he just walked up on. Breezango wonders if The Hype Bros had something to do with their office getting trashed on Zack’s first night back. Mojo brushes it off and says they wouldn’t do something shady like that. Ryder says what he did last week in the Independence Day Battle Royal was shady. Mojo comments on how it was for every man for themselves. Mojo tells Ryder to get his head back into reality and get away from Breezango. He walks off. Ryder ponders the idea and leaves also. Breezango discovers that his toy horse is missing for more bad comedy. To be continued.
Kevin Owens and Rusev vs. AJ Styles and John Cena
We go to the ring and out comes Kevin Owens for tonight’s main event. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and out comes Rusev with the Bulgarian flag. New WWE United States Champion AJ Styles is out first for his team. John Cena is out next for his first match in a few months.
Cena and Rusev start things off. Rusev with a side head lock. Rusev with a shoulder tackle and he goes to the floor and waves his flag. Cena with a shoulder tackle and he sends Rusev into the turnbuckles and Irish whips Rusev and hits a bulldog for a near fall. Owens tags in and Owens kicks Cena and punches him. Owens with kicks to Cena and the referee warns him. Owens with a punch and Rusev tags in and he kicks Cena in the corner. Owens chokes Cena while the referee deals with Styles. Rusev with a punch to Cena and John goes down.
We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Cena is trying to make a tag but Rusev fires away. Cena unloads back but Rusev drops him with a spin kick for a 2 count. Rusev goes to the second rope for a diving headbutt but Cena rolls out of the way. AJ finally tags in and drops Rusev with a clothesline. Styles with a forearm and a kip up. Styles runs into an elbow in the corner. AJ drops Rusev into the Calf Crusher but Owens breaks it up.
Rusev scoops AJ but AJ slides out and tries getting Rusev on his shoulder but Rusev counters. AJ goes at Owens on the apron but Rusev then drops him for a 2 count. Owens tags in and kicks AJ while Rusev holds his leg. Owens mounts AJ with shots. Owens keeps control and takes AJ to the mat for a headlock, asking the referee to see if he submits. Fans chant for AJ as Cena waits for the tag. AJ gets to his feet and rolls Owens up for a 2 count. Owens nails a big clothesline for a 2 count. Rusev tags in for some double teaming. Rusev nails a superkick and covers AJ for another pin attempt. Rusev has words with Cena before turning his attention back to AJ.
Rusev ragdolls AJ with a bearhug now. AJ tries to fight out with a headbutt. AJ finally gets out and connects with a kick to the head. Cena and Owens tag in at the same time but Cena unloads. Cena nails the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Rusev runs in and he’s forced to put Owens down. Rusev drops Cena with a superkick. AJ springboards in with a Phenomenal Forearm on Rusev. AJ drops Owens wit a pele kick. Cena nails the AA on Owens for the pin.
Winners: John Cena and AJ Styles
After the match, Cena and AJ have their arms raised before standing tall as Cena’s music plays. Cena raises AJ’s arm in the middle of the ring. AJ hits the corner to pose with the title as Cena poses in the opposite corner. We go to replays. Cena’s music stops as he and AJ meet in the middle of the ring. Cena raises AJ’s arm again as AJ raises his title. Cena’s music starts back up as the two celebrate the win. SmackDown goes off the air.
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