Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown Live recap for July 3, 2018

Renee Young starts tonight's show by interviewing the newly-reunited Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan and Kane). Kane shows up first, followed by Daniel Bryan. Daniel Bryan says the beautiful thing about Team Hell No's relationship is that sometimes they fight and sometimes they hug, but when they get in the ring, they are unstoppable. Kane talks about Team Hell No's former glory - including their graduation from anger management - and says they have been through hell. He assures that Team Hell No is back and better than ever. Kane says that sometimes, Daniel Bryan can have a bit of a temper, and when The Bludgeon Brothers attacked him, he knew Daniel would not let it go and that he would get himself in trouble. After Kane says Daniel always has a demon watching over him, Daniel says he is glad Team Hell No is back together and that he has no doubt they will become the SmackDown Tag Team Champions. As for Kane always over him, that isn't always true, as they both last met as opponents. Kane says they were always friends, but Daniel Bryan reminds him he almost ended his career. Kane says everyone likes to win, but Daniel says he Tombstoned him everywhere and it was not even a match. Kane says this is a fresh start, and if they want to win, they must focus on what unites them. Daniel also reminds Kane he tried to abduct his wife Brie Bella. Kane admits they have their differences and that he has always had his back. This leads to a back-and-forth "yes, I have; no, you didn't" until The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) show up. After a healthy dose of nostalgia, The Usos declare that Team Hell No does not deserve a tag team title shot, as they have SmackDown Live on lock. After The Usos comedically hug each other four times, Daniel Bryan challenges them to a match, but Kane says they will take it under consideration. Daniel thinks Kane thinks he is still the weak link. Suddenly, General Manager Paige shows up. Paige tells Team Hell No they will have to prove themselves tonight against The Usos in a match, and if The Usos win tonight, they will be added to the SmackDown tag team title match to make it a Triple Threat Tag Team Match.

We hear from Jeff Hardy, who praises the bald eagle and its symbolic importance to the United States as he announces that he holds the United States title with great pride. He says that he is looking for his next prey, and that he will put the title on the line in an open challenge.

Backstage, Asuka says it does not matter who she faces, as they will fell the pain. She then tells James Ellsworth he is not ready for her.

The Miz answer's Jeff Hardy's Independence Day open challenge for the WWE United States Championship.

Jeff Hardy retains the WWE United States Championship against Miz in an Independence Day United States Open Challenge after Jeff Hardy takes advantage of The Miz arguing with referee Charles Robinson over getting caught using the ropes for leverage during a schoolboy pin.

In the locker room, James Ellsworth says men are the stronger specimen over women. He says that some women are not ready for Asuka, but he is all man. 'Mella is money, but Ellsworth is exquisite.

Byron Saxton hosts the inaugural New Day 3rd of July Pancake Eating Contest. The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) show up, and after Byron Saxton puts The New Day on a pedestal and explains the rules, the pancake eating contest begins. However, he contest ends as quickly as it begins when the lights go out and SAnity (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain) attacks The New Day from behind. SAnitY lays The New Day out, and Xavier Woods is put through a table.

Before the next match, Carmella shows up to distract Asuka before her match with James Ellsworth. She then guests on commentary for the next match.

Asuka vs. James Ellsworth ends in a double count-out when Asuka chases Ellsworth over the barricade and into the backstage area. Shortly afterwards, Asuka chases Ellsworth back to ringside only to be shoved into the barricade by Carmella, who grabs Ellsworth and takes him to the back.

In the boiler room, Daniel Bryan meets Kane with papers in his hands. Daniel says it is time to get on the same page and that Kane should apologize for past actions. Kane apologizes, and tells Daniel that there is a lot at stake in their match tonight. After telling Daniel that it is over if they make one mistake, he reminds Daniel that they are unstoppable in the ring. He says that it is time to leave a fire in the ring that nobody can extinguish before going on to become tag team champions. After Kane asks Daniel Bryan if he is ready for The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso), Daniel Bryan starts a "Yes!" chant.

"The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE United States Championship is now official for Extreme Rules.

Before the next match, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles says that at Extreme Rules, he will defend the WWE Championship against a man who is bigger and stronger than him. He then says that is nothing new and that he likes to prove people wrong. He has also heard what Rusev has to say to him, and says SmackDown Live is the house that he built. He admits Rusev is a superathlete, but he is not phenomenal. Rusev then shows up with Aiden English. Rusev says that he does not care how phenomenal Styles thinks he is, because he has never faced "this Rusev," as he has never had an opportunity at the WWE Championship until now. He then tells Styles he meant what he said and that at Extreme Rules, he will evict Styles from the house he built and move in. Aiden English says he and Rusev will move in on Rusev Day. When the bell rings, Rusev distracts Styles to allow English to begin the match with a cheap shot.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats Aiden English with the Calf Crusher. After the match, Rusev drags Styles out of the ring and hits him with a Matchka Kick. He then gets Styles back in the ring and locks in the Accolade in the middle of the ring.

We hear from The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce). Peyton Royce says she will expose Becky Lynch as a never-was who never wins when it counts when she finishes the job Billie Kay started.

Backstage, Carmella and James Ellsworth are met by General Manager Paige. He tells Ellsworth that he can't run away from Asuka, and next week, he will face Asuka in a Lumberjack Match.

Becky Lynch beats Peyton Royce with the Dis-Arm-Her after countering a crucifix pin attempt.

We hear from "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura, who asks why Jeff Hardy paints his face. He says that at Extreme Rules, he will strip away his pride, his honor and his United States Championship.

We see a trailer for Skyscraper starring The Rock, which comes to theaters July 13.

Team Hell No (Kane and Daniel Bryan) beat The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso). (Had The Usos won, they would have entered the match for the SmackDown tag team titles at Extreme Rules and made it a Triple Threat Tag Team Match.) After the match, The Bludgeon Brothers show up and stare at Team Hell No from the stage to end the show.

Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!