– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX opens up with a video package and pre-recorded short interviews.
Bayley says she already beat Nikki at Extreme Rules. You are going to have more to cry about than cracked ribs. You are witness to the greatness of the Era of Sasha and Bayley.
Nikki Cross says her confidence was in the gutter but she beat someone last week who is better than you or Sasha. Nikki says she will become the champion.
Big E says Kofi and Woods are not with him physically but they are in his heart. He will beat The Miz tonight.
Miz and John Morrison laugh about Big E’s singles career. Big E does not have what it takes to be a singles star.
– We go right to another Firefly Fun House episode. Bray Wyatt appears and says he’s sorry he was late as he was out looking for WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman, who must be out in the bottom of the swamp. Unless the gators got him. Wyatt jokes that part of Strowman’s spirit will always be there. We see a few flashes from the recent Wyatt Swamp Fight. Wyatt makes it clear that he never wanted to hurt Strowman. Now “He” wants Strowman and something Strowman has. Until “He” gets what he wants, none of you are safe. We get flashes of The Fiend. Wyatt looks straight ahead and says, “Let me in!” He snaps back out of it and waves goodbye to end the segment.
– We’re live on a tape delay from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida as Michael Cole welcomes us to SmackDown. He’s joined at ringside by Corey Graves as the developmental trainees cheer in the crowd.
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Gran Metalik vs. AJ Styles
We go right to the ring for tonight’s opener and out first comes WWE Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles. They talk about how Gran Metalik earned this title shot last week. Out next comes Metalik with Lucha House Party partner Lince Dorado. They hit the ring and pose as AJ barks at them. We go to commercial.
They lock up and Styles backs Metalik into the corner. Styles with a break. They lock up again and Metalik with a clean break. Styles with kicks and he sends Metalik into the turnbuckles. Styles with a back breaker. Styles with a suplex. Styles with shoulders in the corner followed by a kick. Styles with a hard Irish whip. Styles with a punch but Metalik with punches. Styles with a kick and Styles misses an elbow drop. Metalik with a head scissors to send Styles to the floor.
Metalik sets for a pescado but lands on the apron when Styles gets back into the ring. Styles kicks Metalik to the floor. Styles goes for a pescado and lands on the apron. Metalik with a kick to Styles and a head scissors off the apron as we go to commercial.
We are back and Styles crotches Metalik. Metalik with an elbow to send Styles to the mat followed by a cross body for a near fall. Styles holds on to the ropes to stop a monkey flip by Metalik. Styles with a knee drop to the leg. Styles works on the ankle. Styles with a single leg crab and Metalik gets to the ropes. Metalik with a rollup for a near fall. Metalik with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Metalik with a springboard drop kick for a near fall. Styles escapes from Metalik when Metalik’s knee buckles. Styles with strikes and a clothesline.
Styles goes to the apron and he misses the Phenomenal Forearm when Metalik moves. Metalik with an enzuigiri. Metalik comes off the ropes and Styles with a shoulder tackle to the knee. Styles with the Calf Crusher. Metalik taps out.
Winner: AJ Styles
After the match, AJ stands tall as the boos get louder. The music hits and we go to replays. AJ is making his exit but he stops and takes out Dorado with a cheap shot. The boos pick up and AJ drops Dorado in the middle of the ring with a Styles Clash. AJ raises the title and leaves to boos.
Backstage:
We go backstage and King Baron Corbin walks up on Shorty G watching what just happened. Corbin is trying to talk G up, saying he could’ve been out there competing. Shorty G says so now they’re just supposed to be friends? Corbin says they’ve always been friends. Corbin goes on about how G has been over-looked and then “barefoot idiots” come in and get all the opportunities. G sees what’s happening, that Corbin just wants him to take out Matt Riddle. Corbin dismisses this idea, he just wants G to see how he’s being done wrong in WWE. But Corbin does say that the King’s Ransom is still on the table and there for G if he wants to be the one that takes Riddle out. Corbin walks off.
– The announcers show us a video package with highlights from last week’s Bar Fight between Sheamus and the winner, Jeff Hardy.
– We see Jeff Hardy walking backstage now. He’s greeted by several WWE Superstars and officials. Otis hugs him and the others congratulate him. Jeff greets them back and we return to commercial.
In the Arena:
We are back and Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring. He’s all smiles.
Jeff takes the mic and says he hasn’t felt this good in a long time. These past months with Sheamus have been tough as he has been a constant reminder how dangerous his demons can be. Jeff says sobriety will be a never-ending challenge and he has to face every day. Beating Sheamus in the Bar Fight was a reminder he’s on the right path. Jeff says he’s an alcoholic but he’s so much more than that – he’s a loving father, husband, and he’s a WWE Superstar. He gets to perform in the ring for the fans and he loves that. Jeff goes on and says he never wants to let anyone down again. The struggle is real and he will fight it every day but he’s grateful to be here. He goes on but the music interrupts and out comes King Baron Corbin.
Corbin is tired of hearing Jeff talk about his sobriety. The crowd boos. Corbin says Jeff is The Charismatic Enigma, what’s up with all the crying and whining about recovery? He goes on and mentions the problems with Matt Riddle and tonight’s match with Drew Gulak. Corbin feels like he’s losing his mind, like his kingdom is an insane asylum. Jeff says maybe the real problem is Corbin. Corbin goes on running Jeff down as Jeff just shakes his head in the ring. The crowd boos. Gulak suddenly attacks Corbin from behind on the stage and we go to commercial.
Drew Gulak vs. King Baron Corbin
The match is joined in progress and Gulak with an arm bar. Corbin with a knee to the midsection but Drew with kicks to the leg. Gulak grabs the leg and Gulak with a forearm to the arm. Gulak with more punches and Corbin with a kick and knee. Gulak blocks a kick and punches the ankle. Gulak with an arm wringer to Corbin followed by a boot to the chest. Gulak punches Corbin and Corbin misses a punch. Gulak with chops but Corbin with a forearm. Gulak floats over in the corner but Corbin with a punch for a near fall. Corbin with elbows to the chest and a chin lock and half nelson.
Gulak with punches to the ribs. Corbin grabs the knee and hits a spinebuster followed by a single leg crab. Gulak with a LeBell Lock on Corbin. Gulak with elbows and an arm bar and chin lock. Corbin gets to the ropes to force a break. Gulak with a drop kick and a second one. Gulak with a third drop kick and Corbin is down. Gulak goes up top and hits a clothesline for a near fall. Corbin tries for a slam but Gulak escapes. Corbin hits Deep Six but Matt Riddle’s music plays.
Riddle shows up on the stage and Gulak with an inside cradle for a near fall. Corbin with End of Days for the three count.
Winner: Baron Corbin
After the bell, Riddle immediately rushes the ring and goes to work on Corbin from behind. Shorty G makes the save from behind and ends up hitting a big German on Riddle, dropping him on his head as Corbin smiles. G stands tall and looks back at Corbin as the crowd boos. G motions to Corbin for the money as Corbin’s music hits and we go to replays. G joins Corbin on the ramp and they both make a gesture for the money. Corbin rants about this being his kingdom as they back up the ramp together.
– Still to come, Big E vs. The Miz. Back to commercial.
Big E vs. The Miz
Back from the break and out come Big E with the kickoff to his singles run. The crowd pops as Big E does The New Day introduction. We see last week’s segment where Kofi Kingston told Big E he was injured. Big E waits in the ring now as The Miz comes out with John Morrison next.
The bell rings and here we go, back and forth to start. Big E overpowers some and they take it back to the corner as the referee warns them. Big E rallies the crowd. Big E fights Miz off but Miz beats him down with strikes to boos. Miz runs the ropes but Big E catches him in the abdominal stretch in the middle of the ring. Morrison looks on while Big E spanks Miz. Big E drops Miz with a high elbow for a 2 count. They have words in the middle of the ring and Miz slaps Big E. Big E ends up launching Miz out to the floor, then stalking him. Big E sends Miz face-first into the announce table, then into the ring post for another pop. Big E warns Morrison as he approaches behind him.
Big E launches Miz into the barrier now. Morrison ends up running and leaping off the steel steps, taking Big E down at ringside for boos. Miz brings it back in the ring and comes off the top with a double axe handle for a 2 count. Miz grounds Big E as the crowd allies now. Big E fights back and sends Miz to the apron. Big E clotheslines Miz on the apron. Big E follows to the floor and Morrison backs off. Big E works over Miz while he’s down on the apron. Big E runs and goes for the big splash on the edge of the apron but Miz moves and Big E lands hard. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and Miz has Big E grounded in the middle of the ring as the crowd rallies. Morrison rallies for Miz. Big E fights up and out but Miz is on his back with a Sleeper now. Big E fades back to his knees. Big E rams Miz back into the corner. More back and forth between the two. Miz beats Big E back down and talks some trash while kicking him around and taunting him. Big E blocks a shot and looks to mount offense.
Big E blocks a neckbreaker and launches Miz with a pair of belly-to-belly suplexes, and another. Miz keeps fighting and hits an elbow. Miz slides out of the Big Ending. Big E blocks the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz rakes the eyes and drops Big E with a DDT in the middle of the ring. Big E still kicks out at 2 for a pop. Miz with It Kicks while Big E is on his knees now. Big E ducks the roundhouse kick but Miz lands on his feet. Miz takes Big E’s knee out.
Miz with knees and kicks to the knee in the corner. More back and forth action between the two. Big E counters and hits a big Uranage for a close 2 count in the middle of the ring. Big E runs to hit the Spear to send Miz off the apron but Miz meets him with a knee to the face. Miz distracts the referee, allowing Morrison to get on the apron with a big knee to the face. Miz follows up with a Skull Crushing Finale but somehow Big E kicks out at 2. Miz goes right into the Figure Four submission. The crowd rallies and Big E drags himself to the bottom rope to break the hold.
Miz drives knees into Big E’s hurt leg while he’s down now. Miz uses the middle rope. Morrison gets on the apron again for a cheap shot but this time the referee sees him. The referee ejects Morrison after they have words. Miz pleads with the referee as Morrison makes his exit, insisting he didn’t do anything wrong. Big E comes from behind and rolls Miz up for a 2 count. Big E goes right into the Stretch Muffler submission and Miz taps for the finish.
Winner: Big E
After the match, Big E stands tall as his music hits. Big E yells on about how nothing can stop him and he’s coming. The referee checks on Miz.
Backstage:
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura are backstage celebrating when Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik come in. Nakamura asks if they like to party too, and they do. Cesaro reminds them that this is a party for champions only. They taunt Metalik for blowing his title shot from WWE Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles earlier. They dismiss Lucha House Party and keep taunting them as they leave.
– Still to come, Nikki Cross vs. Bayley. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Sheamus says in retrospect, the mistake was to fight Jeff Hardy in a bar. It was his natural environment and he had home field advantage. He saw Hardy get stronger and stronger as he got hit with beer bottles. He knew that Hardy was fueled by alcohol and it felt like a handicap match. He was surrounded. It was a testament to his bravery and courage that the match was so close. He is not here to make excuses. An addict as strong as Jeff, it is a matter of time. He will let nature take its course. Jeff Hardy is no longer his problem and it is bad news for the Smackdown locker room because now they are his problem.
Lacey Evans vs. Naomi
Before the match, Lacey says she beat Naomi the last time and in the karaoke and you want to feel sorry for Naomi. I will make you feel sorry for her tonight.
Naomi kicks Lacey away and Naomi goes for a head scissors but Lacey catches Naomi and hits a power bomb. Lacey slams Naomi’s head into the mat. Lacey with a front DDT and a gator roll. Lacey with a bow and arrow around the ring post. Naomi with a back heel kick and Lacey kicks Naomi and sends her into the ring post. Naomi’s hair is put between the ring steps and Lacey is shocked and has to put her special tissues away when Naomi gets back into the ring.
Lacey with a biel by the hair. Naomi with kicks from the apron followed by a sliding destroyer. Naomi goes for the bulldog into the turnbuckles but Lacey escapes and Naomi goes into the turnbuckles. Lacey misses a Woman’s Right and Naomi with a back slide for the three count.
Winner: Naomi
After the match, Evans is shocked as Naomi exits the ring and celebrates while her music hits. Evans goes to the announce table and rants, yelling at Graves to start a hashtag for how she deserves better. Naomi yells at Evans from the stage.
Backstage:
Mandy Rose and Otis are backstage. Rose says it feels like a long time since they’ve had a proper date. She’s booked a table at Otis’ favorite BBQ spot, a table in the back so no one can see how much they eat. She goes on teasing him with the description of a peach dessert and he’s loving it. She tells him to go get ready, she will do the same, and then they will meet back here. They go their separate ways and we see Sonya Deville walk up from the background. She was listening and doesn’t look too happy. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Mandy is getting ready for her date with Otis and Sonya Deville shows up.
Sonya with a forearm and she slams Mandy’s head into the table. Sonya applies some lipstick and slaps Mandy. Sonya asks Mandy if she is afraid to get ugly. Sonya with kicks. She asks Mandy what does she have left now. Sonya kicks Mandy in the back and Mandy hits the floor. Sonya grabs some scissors and starts to cut. Sonya says she can’t wait to show everyone Mandy’s pretty face. Sonya tells Mandy she ruined her life and now she is going to ruin Mandy’s. Sonya kicks Mandy.
Sonya grabs some clippers and referees and officials tell Sonya to leave. Sonya says she got what she wanted.
We go to Kayla Braxton as we see Mandy being attended to. Miz and John Morrison calls this an outrage. Where are the adults in the room. Morrison says Mandy’s hair is the best and Miz says she looks like a soccer move. Miz and John Morrison go through hair puns and then Tucker Knight hears them and Miz and Morrison leave.
Nikki Cross vs. Bayley for the Smackdown Women’s Championship
Nikki Cross makes her way to the ring as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Cross waits, ready for her shot. The music hits and out comes WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions & SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley with partner Sasha Banks. We get formal ring introductions from Hamilton. The crowd boos Bayley as she taunts Cross.
The bell rings and Cross goes for Bayley but Bayley dodges her. Cross is ready to fight. They go to lock up but Bayley kicks instead. Bayley works Cross over. Cross beats her into the corner and climbs up, mounting her with right hands as Bliss applauds. Cross with a dropkick into the corner. Cross with more offense, sending Bayley across the ring. Bayley looks to come back. Cross goes for the neckbreaker but it’s blocked. Cross capitalizes and tackles Bayley with strikes. They go on at the ropes now.
Cross sends Bayley to the floor, then stares her down. Cross follows and blocks a right hand. Cross decks Bayley and slams her into the edge of the apron a few times. Cross brings it back in and nails a dropkick. Bayley turns it around and decks Cross. More back and forth now. Cross takes back control and sends Bayley into the ring post, sending her down to the floor. Cross with a big crossbody. Cross stands tall on the outside, yelling out as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Bayley is in control in the middle of the ring. Cross tries to fight up and out but Bayley slams her by her hair for a 2 count. Bayley works Cross over and takes it back to the corner. Bayley with a back suplex for a 2 count as Banks looks on from ringside. Bayley with more offense in the corners now. Bayley charges but Cross moves and Bayley hits hard in the corner. Cross mounts offense now, working on the ribs.
Cross charges and hits a crossbody in the middle of the ring for another 2 count. They tangle and chase some more. Bayley ends up dropping Cross on the apron. Bayley runs back in as Cross leaps off the apron but lands on the floor. They bring it back in and Cross drops Bayley in the center of the ring for a 2 count. The referee sees that Cross has the “BOSS” ring that has been used in the past. Cross throws it out to the floor and Banks yells at her because of how expensive the ring is. Cross drops a suplex but Bayley kicks out at 2. We see the ring laying out on the floor after Banks tried to pass it to Bayley and it back-fired.
Cross gets dropped again. Bayley goes to the announce table and mocks Cross but here comes Cross with more offense. Banks gets dropped off the apron by Bliss. Cross dropkicks Banks through the ropes. Cross goes back to the top rope and hits the crossbody on Bayley but Bayley rolls through for a 2 count. Cross with a 2 count of her own. They tangle some more and Bayley kicks out at 2. Cross ducks a clothesline and back-slides Bayley for 2. Bayley comes right back and drops Cross on her face for the pin to win.
Winner: Bayley
After the match, the music hits as Bayley recovers with Banks and we go to replays. Banks and Bayley head to the stage with all the gold as Bliss checks on a disappointed Cross in the ring. The music stops as the champs exit to the back. Cross slowly gets to her feet as the crowd cheers her on. Bliss apologizes and tries to talk to Cross but Cross isn’t feeling it. Cross shoves Bliss to the mat and walks off to some boos. Bliss is left alone in the ring. The lights suddenly go out. They come back on and the familiar red glow is over the ring while the eerie horror sound is playing over and over. The Fiend is standing behind Bliss in the ring. He circles her as she looks up from the mat, terrified. The Fiend kneels down in her face and stares at her. He raises his hand for the Mandible Claw. The Fiend slowly brings his hand back down and puts the Claw in Bliss’ mouth as the boos begin. The Fiend takes Bliss to the mat with the Claw and we go black again. SmackDown on FOX goes off the air.
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