Recapping American wrestling since 2013. Not only following the current stuff in WWE, Impact and ROH but also going back in time and doing stuff from back then as well.
Kassius Ohno beats Aiden English in English's first recorded match in eight months.
Harper beats Dominik Dijakovic in his first match in five months and since undergoing wrist surgery. After the match, both men shake hands.
The Undisputed Era (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) beat SAnitY (Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain), then continue to attack Killian Dain until Eric Young fights them off.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) show up to start tonight's show. After it is announced that they will have their SmackDown tag team title rematch against The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro) at Crown Jewel, Xavier Woods says that The New Day were cheated out of the SmackDown tag team titles, and Kofi Kingston says they just aren't the bar, they lowered the bar when they took advantage of the situation. What he doesn't get, however, is how Big Show figured into this, and Woods asks if Big Show is the "Bar Tender." Big E says he thought Big Show was cool, but he flips more times than a flapjack. Kofi Kingston says he wants revenge, and he does not care if it is Sheamus, Cesaro or Big Show, for tonight, somebody is getting that work. The Bar and Big Show arrive, and the next match begins.
Kofi Kingston vs. Big Show ends in a brawl between The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) and Big Show and The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro). Sheamus, Cesaro and Big Show get the upper hand in this brawl and decimate The New Day.
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) beat "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan after Styles accidentally hits Daniel Bryan with a Pele Kick.
Backstage, Dasha Fuentes interviews "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan. Daniel Bryan thinks styles is lying when he said that the Pele Kick to his face was an accident. Daniel Bryan then makes fun of the "Too Sweet" hand gesture, and AJ Styles walks away in disgust.
We see footage from last Saturday in the WWE Performance Center where Charlotte Flair talks about when she got started in WWE. As she talks to the Performance Center trainees and answers their questions, Becky Lynch shows up. She tells everyone not to listen to Charlotte and to not make friends with anybody, lest they stab you in the back. She then says nothing will prepare her for Sunday, then Becky attacks Charlotte. Becky and Charlotte are quickly separated. Becky and Charlotte are quickly separated. She says that when she wins on Friday, instead of standing over an opponent, she will stand over a friend who lost her way.
Before the next match, Aiden sings that he will beat Rusev before saying that Lana could have been with him.
Rusev beats Aiden English with the Accolade after Lana throws a shoe at Aiden.
It's time for Miz TV. Tonight's special guest is Rey Mysterio. The Miz talks about SmackDown's 1000th episode from last week, then introduces Rey Mysterio as his guest. The Miz asks Rey Mysterio why he has come back, then says that wasn't a question and mockingly says Rey is back to prove the little man can achieve big things. The Miz tells Rey he has been gone for a long time, and that the fans are more interested in "larger-than-life stars: like him instead of "plucky underdogs" like Rey. He also says that while Rey has been on hiatus, he has become the most must-see Superstar in WWE and has beaten everyone who has come his away, and that the WWE World Cup tournament will be no different as he proves he is the best in the world. Miz then tells Rey that he is sorry to disappointed, and Rey says he is indeed disappointed...because he thought he was booked for Truth TV. Miz says R-Truth was full of jokes and that he put him down, and he threatens legal action against Truth and to cancel Rey's appearance. Rey says he did not come back to be on "some dusty talk show;" he came back to compete. He then proposes that he and Miz throw down right now. Miz says nobody wants to see him fight and that it is not going to happen, but the fans in the arena proved otherwise. As he says he is a changed man, he lands a cheap shot on Rey and takes the boots to him. Rey gets the upper hand and nearly hits the 619, but Miz rolls out of the ring.
Rey Mysterio beats The Miz.
Before the next match, The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) show up before the next match. Billie says she is so excited about WWE Evolution, and Peyton says they will make history by winning the women's battle royal. Suddenly, Lana shows up. Before she can say anything, Carmella shows up, saying everyone in Newark, New Jersey really wants a dance break. Suddenly, Zelina Vega shows up and tosses Carmella into the ring, start a brawl between all of the women. Zelina Vega and Lana are the only two men in the ring left, and after the double knees to Lana, Vega is kicked in the face by Asuka.
Commissioner Shane McMahon shows up. Shane talks about WWE Evolution briefly, and congratulates the women on both rosters for getting this far. He also briefly touches on the WWE World Cup. The crowd chants "CM Punk" when he asks who will be the best in the world, Shane dryly says "I don't think he's in the tournament." He runs down all of the SmackDown Live competitors in the WWE World Cup, then asks the fans if they are ready for the main event. The main event then begins.
Randy Orton beats Jeff Hardy after reversing a Twist of Fate into an RKO.
WWE has a moment of silence and a ten-bell salute to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the September 11th attacks to start tonight's show.
Before the next match, Jeff Hardy says that demons are all around us, tempting us, taunting us and tearing us apart at times. He has had his share of demons, but he stands before the fans a better man. He says they will always be around and the only way to deal with them is to tackle them head-on. On Sunday, he will deal with one in the form of a serpent in Hell In A Cell, and while Randy Orton may think he will inflict pain, he does not know an opponent like him who has dealt with his own personal Hell. While Orton may be a demon, he is a daredevil, and he has no fear. Jeff says he has prepared his entire life for this, and he will unleash an entire lifetime of suffering, pain and agony on Orton until he fades away and classifies himself as obsolete. As for tonight, he cleanses himself of a demon of his recent path in "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura. After this, he is going straight to Hell.
Jeff Hardy beats "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura by disqualification. After the match, Randy Orton rams Jeff Hardy's head into the steel steps outside of the ring, then grabs a steel chair and smacks it into his back. Orton continues to hit Jeff Hardy with the steel chair, then lies in wait for the RKO. Jeff Hardy sees it coming and goes for the Twist of Fate, but after Orton escapes it, Jeff Hardy hits Orton with the chair. Jeff Hardy hits the Twist of Fate on Orton followed by the Swanton Bomb.
Kayla Braxton interviews The Miz and Maryse. The Miz cuts Kayla off, and says that tonight, his wife is taking the spotlight, and he demands a little respect by having Maryse's name announced first. Maryse says it took Daniel Bryan three years to get back in the ring, and that it took her five months after giving birth to come back. She is ready to go out there tonight, make Miz proud and show her daughter how to punch Brie Bella in the face. The Miz then calls Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan's marriage "a marriage of convenience," as he needs Brie Bella to fight his battles and cannot possibly fluster his wife.
We see footage from earlier today where "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles says that Samoa Joe knows his temper is his greatest temper, and that the easiest way to get him to lose it is to involve his wife and daughter in their feud. He knows that Joe wants to get into his head to get an advantage, but after 20 years of friendship, he knows a lot about Joe, too. He knows about Joe's family, and between the two of them, he would never mess with another man's family due to his integrity. He says that Joe's strength are running his mouth, intimidation and being a piece of garbage, but that will all be his weakness as nobody will have the upper hand on him and the talking will stop and the intimidation will end. Styles says that Joe has gotten a taste of what happens when he talks about his family, and on Sunday, he will learn how phenomenal he is, as SmackDown Live is the house that he built. He says that it is not for rent, and he is "for damn sure" that it is not for sale.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Charlotte Flair. Charlotte has asked for a match tonight because she thrives on competition. She says that unlike Becky Lynch, she doesn't just talk about it; she does it. She says that Becky is the one with the opportunity and the one who is insecure, not her, and that Becky will learn it is easier to talk the talk on Sunday. She hopes that Becky is watching tonight.
We get a closer look at Seth Rollins, courtesy of Just For Men Control GX shampoo.
We see a video package chronicling the events leading up to Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship in a Hell In A Cell Match at Hell In A Cell (even though it all took place on Raw).
Charlotte Flair beats Sonya Deville with the Figure Eight. After the match, Charlotte takes a selfie with some fans, and one of them attacks her. It is none other than Becky Lynch in disguise, who puts Charlotte in the Dis-Arm-Her.
We hear from Samoa Joe, who reads a book called "Night Night AJ." Once again, he talks about AJ Styles' family as well as how he will destroy him at Hell In A Cell for the WWE Championship.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interivews Becky Lynch, who simply tells her that she will break Charlotte Flair's arm after she takes her title at Hell In A Cell.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) guest on commentary on their own commentary table for the next match.
A disguised Kofi Kingston - as "Kramer Kingsman" - is about to interview Sheamus and Cesaro, but Sheamus and Cesaro head to the ring in the background.
Rusev and Aiden English beats The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro) after Aiden English takes a Brogue Kick for Rusev to earn a match against The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Hell In A Cell.
We see a video package chronicling the events between Alexa Bliss and "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey for the WWE Raw Women's Championship at Hell In A Cell (which is, once again, another Raw package).
Andrade "Cien" Almas beats R-Truth after grabbing the jean shorts during the roll-up as Carmella pulls Zelina Vega off the apron.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Asuka. Suddenly, Naomi shows up wanting to know why Asuka helped her last week. Asuka says The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) are mean, hard to understand and fun to punch. Naomi and Asuka leave after some comedic banter between each other, during which Naomi confused the world "kagayaki" (a Japanese word meaning "to shine") with "teriyaki."
Brie Bella beats Maryse by disqualification in what is Maryse's first match on SmackDown Live in over eight years. During the match, Brie grabs the microphone and tells Maryse that she always knew she was a little coward. Miz grabs a microphone, taking offense to that statement, and says Brie doesn't deserve to be in the same ring as Maryse. Miz then says that Brie - and the entire city they are in - do not deserve this match, and says this match is over. He says that he and Maryse will see her and Daniel Bryan at Hell In A Cell. As Miz and Maryse leave, Brie runs up to Maryse, sends her back to the ring and goes on the attack. The match ends with The Miz dragging Brie out of the ring during a Yes! Lock. Daniel Bryan goes after The Miz, and as he does, Brie is suddenly hurt by The Miz, and The Miz attacks Daniel Bryan from behind as he checks on Brie. Maryse then attacks Brie Bella from behind, but Brie fights back with a Lou Thesz Press. Miz gets back in the ring, but Brie sees him coming. Maryse goes for a French Kiss DDT, but Daniel Bryan attacks The Miz after Brie reverses the DDT. Brie punches Miz in the face, then Daniel Bryan clotheslines Miz out of the ring.
Renee Young interviews Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan in the ring to start tonight's show. After footage from Daniel Bryan's match from last week is show, we see footage from earlier today where The Miz and Maryse announce from an empty arena that they will finish what they started last week. Miz says they are doing this to save them the embarrassment of being beaten up by million, and Maryse calls Brie and Daniel Bryan not showing up an act of cowardice before she and Miz drop their microphones. Daniel Bryan calls this a perfect encapsulation of Miz and Maryse as people, and instead of the "it couple," they are nothing more than a couple of cowards. Brie says cowards talk, and that it is clear that this will not wait until Hell In A Cell. Daniel says this is the time to fight, and Brie calls Miz and Maryse out. Renee Young tells them that Miz and Maryse were here in the building, but not anymore. Instead, Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega show up. Zelina says Brie and Daniel are crying in the ring about how unfair their lives are in the ring again, and thanks Renee for replaying the footage from last week. Almas then says it is now 1-1 between him and Daniel Bryan, and he is ready to do this again. Zelina says Almas is full of surprises, and that he wants to finish what he started right now.
Daniel Bryan beats Andrade "Cien" Almas. After the match, Brie Bella knocks Zelina Vega down and knees her on the ropes. Then, The Miz and Maryse show up on the TitanTron, hoping that Brie and Daniel are having a beautiful evening. Miz says they are taking the night off to dine in an Italian restaurant alone. Miz says that Brie and Daniel will have to wait until Hell In A Cell to become embarrassed again.
Mixed Match Challenge returns on September 18th!
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interview Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella, who are evidently heading to the Italian restaurant The Miz and Maryse are at to attack them.
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are interviewed in separate rooms. Charlotte says she won the SmackDown women's title, but lost her best friend. She feels Becky deserves it, but she could not just lie down for her. Becky asks if Charlotte is done, or if she wants more time in her spotlight. Charlotte says she is not in a shadow - Becky is - and that she viewed her as an equal. She says that all Becky had to do was ask, but Becky says she is no charity case. Becky says she is done playing; now, she is taking. She says it was "a full-time job" being Charlotte's friend, and the only thing she cares about is taking the top spot where she belongs, and she does not care what she has to do to get there. Charlotte says she is finally happy to see "the straight fire" she has had for some time, but in two weeks, she will not see a friend. She says that she was never second-best as a friend, but in the ring, she is second-best. Becky Lynch says Charlotte is delusional and tells Charlotte to shine the belt up, because after two weeks, she will never see it again.
Before the next match, The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) mock Naomi again, saying that being beaten up by them is her favorite thing in the world. After Billie and Peyton argue over exactly whom, they make a "Naomi" joke with "no, me."
Naomi beats Peyton Royce with a sunset flip off the apron. After the match, The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) gang up on Naomi, but the beatdown stops when Asuka shows up. Asuka runs to the ring and makes quick work of The IIconics. Afterwards, Asuka helps Naomi up at ringside.
We see a video package chronicling the events leading up to Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton at Hell In A Cell from Jeff Hardy's point of view.
Backstage, General Manager Paige is met by The Miz and Maryse. The Miz say they cut their restaurant visit short. Paige tells them that Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella left, but with The Miz coming back, he is now in a match against anyone who wants to face him. The Miz does not want the match, and The Miz says he and Maryse are leaving. Paige tells them to go ahead and leave, but if they leave, they had better not come back.
Backstage, R-Truth confronts Maryse, thinking she is Carmella. Maryse is shocked that R-Truth would confuse her for "Staten Island trash." Miz shows up and tells R-Truth not to talk to his wife again, but R-Truth can't figure out that he's not talking to Carmella. The Miz brings up their time as The Awesome Truth and says that was the last time R-Truth was relevant. R-Truth says he does not know what Carmella (who is really Maryse) sees in him, then leaves. The Miz and Maryse are confused.
Samoa Joe shows up. Joe calls for "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles' wife Wendy, and says that with Styles not currently in the back, the Styles family is taking his threats seriously. He says that Styles' family is probably in the living room, with Styles waiting for him with a baseball bat. Joe then tells Wendy that he is not a monster or the man that she thinks he is, and says he only said what he said last week to keep a promise to her. He says he has sent her absentee husband back home to his family and forced Styles to care about her. He also says his actions have forced Styles to spend time with his family, and tells AJ's son Andy to enjoy his father tucking him in and keeping him safe as there will be more nights just like that. Joe says that at Hell In A Cell, he will take the WWE Championship from Styles and put him to sleep. Suddenly, Styles is on the TitanTron, and he confronts Joe for threatening his family, saying that is when the talking stops. After this, Styles shows up, and he runs into the ring and brawls with Joe. Styles gets the upper hand at first, but Joe drags him out of the ring and throws him into the steel steps. He then grabs a steel chair, but Styles hits the Phenomenal Forearm off the steel steps. Styles then grabs the steel chair that Joe dropped, and Joe ducks and dodges as Styles swings at the ring post. Referees then show up to separate both men. This does not stop Styles from getting in the ring and hitting a springboard cross body on Joe. General Manager Paige shows up with more referees, telling him to save it for Hell In A Cell.
Backstage, R-Truth tells "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger that Carmella is somewhere. Suddenly, Dillinger and R-Truth finally find Carmella, but R-Truth has no idea that Carmella is Carmella until he asks her if she is Carmella. R-Truth proposes a truce, saying that Maryse called her "Staten Island trash." Carmella says that if Maryse wasn't married to The Miz, she would be bagging groceries in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Dillinger asks what R-Truth is doing. R-Truth says he is getting into the main event of SmackDown Live, and that Dillinger could learn something from him.
We see a video package chronicling the events leading up to Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton at Hell In A Cell from Randy Orton's point of view.
Rusev and Aiden English beat The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and SAnitY (Eric Young and Killian Dain) to face Sheamus and Cesaro next week to decide #1 contenders for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships. After the match, Sheamus and Cesaro show up and stare down Rusev and Aiden English from the stage.
It is announced that Carmella will be accompanying R-Truth to the ring for his match against The Miz.
Before the next match, The Miz says that he still can't believe that he still has to tell everyone after eight years that he is superior to Daniel Bryan. We then see footage from last week of The Miz and Maryse attacking Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella. Miz says he and Maryse are sick of chasing Daniel and Brie all over the city, then tries to call them out. Maryse says they will not show up because they are afraid of them. He then asks who the coward is now, then says it is one thing to be a selfish pest and something completely different to involve their family. At Hell In A Cell, they will be responsible for what happens, but it will be Miz and Maryse's fault. When R-Truth heads to the ring, Carmella takes part in the call-and-response part of the chorus to Truth's entrance music.
R-Truth beats The Miz with a roll-up after The Miz is distracted by Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella showing up. After the match, Daniel Bryan goes after The Miz and puts him in the Yes! Lock, while Brie Bella gets Maryse on the ropes. Zelina Vega shows up and drags Brie out of the ring, and Andrade "Cien" Almas attacks Daniel Bryan. Almas and Zelina grab Daniel and Brie by the hair as The Miz and Maryse escape, but Daniel and Brie counter and put them both in Yes! Locks. The Miz runs to the ring, but falls down and backs away when Daniel and Brie let go of their holds in anticipation for another brawl.
Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Carmella show up to start tonight's show. Carmella says the only thing as absurd as General Manager Paige making her defend the SmackDown Women's Championship is Paige forcing her to be part of this face-to-face meeting. She is tired of Charlotte and Becky's face as well as being punished for being a great champion, then says life is good as the champion. She says that Becky Lynch does not stand a chance, and should go back to being a clown for a living as it is the one thing she does better than Charlotte. Becky admits that she doesn't want Charlotte in this match, and while she lost sleep over beating Carmella, she now has a new dream of beating Carmella and whupping Charlotte. Carmella laughs and asks Becky if she knows how hard it is to beat Charlotte, then says she beat her twice because she is fabulous, despite Charlotte's accolades in the WWE so far, to which Becky's pale in comparison. Charlotte tells Carmella the lies, cheating and manipulation end at SummerSlam, and knows that Carmella has to do anything and everything to hold on to the SmackDown Women's Championship, even going so far as bringing out James Ellsworth to retain against Asuka. Charlotte then calls Carmella "a diva living in a women's era." Carmella then admits she is a diva before saying she is damn proud of it, as she has something Becky and Charlotte will never have: beauty, fitness, charisma and a championship. Before things can get even more tense, however, Paige shows up. Paige says her job as General Manager is to create the best matches as possible for SummerSlam, and that Charlotte earned her spot at SummerSlam thanks to Carmella. She also says that all three women will steal the show at SummerSlam, just like they will tonight. Carmella is put on the commentary table, because talking is apparently what she does best, while Becky and Charlotte are placed in a tag team match against Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.
Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch beat Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville with a Dis-Arm-Her to Mandy Rose following a kick-out from an inside cradle. After the match, Carmella stands on the commentary table and raises up the SmackDown Women's Championship.
We hear from The Miz and Maryse, who plug Miz and Mrs. as the hottest show on USA Network in years before announcing that the show has picked up a second season halfway through the first one. They promise the second season will be even better than the first.
Backstage, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair congratulate each other on winning and wish each other good luck at SummerSlam.
The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) decimate The Triple Threat (none of whom are named) in destructive fashion before the bell rings for their three-on-two handicap match.
It is announced that the October 16th episode of SmackDown Live on October 16th in Washington, DC will be the 1000th episode of SmackDown.
We see the first of three parts of a video package chronicling the eight-year tiff between The Miz and Daniel Bryan, and focuses on their time in NXT. Here, The Miz calls Daniel Bryan a rookie who couldn't shut up and listen and Daniel Bryan calls The Miz an arrogant wrestler who tried to make him the next Miz.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) beat SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain).
We see the second of three parts of a video package chronicling the eight-year tiff between Daniel Bryan and The Miz, which chronicles their scathing confrontation on Talking Smack.
It is announced that The Miz and Maryse will be on Today on NBC on 10 AM Eastern.
Backstage, General Manager Paige meets with Samoa Joe, and demands that Joe be professional so that SummerSlam does not get ruined. Joe says he cannot be unpredictable while being professional, and says he will do what he wants when he wants it. He also proposes staying backstage and enjoying her work, then tells her to enjoy her night because he knows he will enjoy his.
Aiden English is in the ring. He sings that he will make amends to Rusev and Lana tonight and beat Andrade "Cien" Almas for Rusev Day.
Andrade "Cien" Almas beats Aiden English. After the match, Zelina Vega says that if the fans love catchy tunes and made-up holidays, then they should mark their calendars for this Sunday, as Rusev Day and Lana Day will come to an end as she will expose Lana as dead weight to Rusev. Suddenly, Lana and Rusev show up. Rusev says Almas and Vega act like they just won the Powerball, and says Almas' luck runs out on Sunday and Vega will learn why Lana is the best and number one. Lana says that together, she and Rusev will crush Almas and Vega, as SummerSlam will fall on Rusev Day.
Backstage, General Manager Paige is met by AJ Styles. She warns him to be professional so that SummerSlam isn't ruined. Styles says he made a promise to his wife, and he intends on keeping it, implying that he will comply.
We look back on the Independence Day food fight of 2016, courtesy of Popeyes Chicken.
We see the third of three parts of a video package chronicling the eight-year tiff between Daniel Bryan and The Miz, which focuses on Daniel Bryan's recent return to in-ring action and what has happened since.
Jeff Hardy beats Shelton Benjamin in his first match in a few weeks. After the match, "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura shows up, and after Jeff Hardy knocks Shelton Benjamin off the ring apron, Nakamura runs into the ring, takes Hardy down and nearly hits the Kinshasa only to fall victim to the Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb. Meanwhile, Randy Orton is seen hiding behind the stage area, watching Jeff Hardy.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up. Styles says that for almost twenty years, he has been able to travel the world and compete against the best, and he has learned a lot. He says there no more important a lesson learned than after he won the WWE Championship, as whoever wins it has a target on his back, and says that Samoa Joe got his number. He says it began when Joe blindsided him three weeks ago, and says that just when he thinks he knows Joe, he stabs him in the back and then in the heart by saying he put his career over his family. Styles says Joe got him to lose his cool and talk about something private and personal: his family. He felt that as a man, father and husband, he had to defend himself, and he became emotional and went into a dark place where he wanted to rip Joe's head off. When he got home, his wife Wendy told him he cannot lose his cool and that he must remain focused. Suddenly, Samoa Joe shows up. Joe pulls out a piece of paper from his jacket and says that what Styles is saying is just not true. He has nothing left to say to Styles, but he holds a letter from a fan and says that he thought Styles should hear it. The letter calls Joe's response to Styles "disgusting" and that it made the writer physically ill because what Joe says is true. The writer goes on to say that Styles never wanted children and probably never wanted a wife, either. The letter then says that Styles is great at being a champion because Styles will do anything to stay away form his family. The writer then hopes Joe wins so that Styles loses what is important to him, as they lost him a long ago. The writer of the letter is Wendy Styles.
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.
Carmella shows up to start tonight's show. Carmella demands that the crowd shower her with the praise she deserves as SmackDown Women's Champion, then says tonight is not about her and about her opponent tonight, Asuka. She says everyone deserves to know the truth, and that Asuka is not who the people think she is. She shows a video package of the Asuka that people "know, love, fear and respect." Carmella says that Asuka was an incredible performer, then says it is timet o remove the mask and reveal the real Asuka. We then see a video package of Asuka losing at WrestleMania. After that, we see Asuka's performance on SmackDown as of late, which has been less than stellar compared to her undefeated run. Carmella says that Asuka was devastated by her WrestleMania loss and she has not been the same since. She then says she has no fear and that she is money. The crowd boos, and Carmella says the "Age of Asuka" is over. She says that Asuka was once undefeated; now she is defeated. She says nobody was ready for Asuka; now everybody is ready for Asuka. As Carmella says that even people in the crowd are ready for Asuka, Asuka shows up. Before Asuka can do anything, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville also show up. Mandy says Carmella did not have to go through the trouble of her presentation, and says that while Asuka did beat her last week, she did come close. She then says she can beat Asuka tonight now that she knows the truth. Sonya tells Mandy did what she was supposed to do last week: leave enough for her. Carmella says Sonya is right, and says that while the undefeated Asuka would take on both, the defeated Asuka would not, and tells Asuka to take an Uber and leave. Suddenly, General Manager Paige shows up and says nobody speaks for her, because she is the one that makes the matches. Paige, knowing she has unfinished business with both Mandy and Sonya, gives Asuka a choice between the two women. Asuka takes the microphone and says "Give me both!" An enthusiastic Paige makes the match official for right now.
Carmella guests on commentary for the next match.
Asuka beats Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville in a 2-on-1 handicap match with an Asuka Lock to Sonya Deville. After the match, Carmella gets in the ring and raises the SmackDown Women's Championship up in front of Asuka. Mandy Rose goes for a cheap shot, but Asuka takes her down, and Carmella attacks Asuka with a cheap shot from behind.
In the locker room, The Miz is met by Mr. Bootyworth, the pancake-carrying butler, and The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods). The New Day apologize for giving The Miz a hard time on Miz TV last week and say they are choosing their Ladder Match choice seriously. They tell The Miz that he hit them with some hard truth, then give The Miz a chance to reach into Mr. Bootyworth's hat and pick who in The New Day will be in the men's Money In The Bank Ladder Match. They tell Miz to cover their eyes, then switch hats. Instead of touching paper, Miz touches pancake batter. Miz says The New Day getting hurt will be what is really funny when The New Day laugh, then he wipes his hand off on Mr. Bootyworth's shirt and leaves.
Karl Anderson gets a surprise win on Harper with a schoolboy pin from the corner.
We hear from Naomi, who says Lana tried to bust a move on her, but she won't at Money In The Bank, when she grabs the contract. Jimmy Uso says Lana will learn which husband and wife team really runs SmackDown Live.
Jimmy Uso and Naomi beat Aiden English and Lana after a top rope cross body out of nowhere from Naomi to Aiden English.
General Manager Paige moderates the contract signing between "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura and "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles for their Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Championship at Money In The Bank. Styles says it feels like his and Nakamura's war has been going on forever, and that he understands why Nakamura does what he does: he cannot beat him. He then says Nakamura's dirty tricks will not work and that he will walk out as WWE Champion. Styles signs the contract. Nakamura then says the pen is out of ink, and asks to borrow Styles' pen, then looks at it and says it is broken. Styles tells Nakamura to stand up and be a man, then when Nakamura tries to stand up, Styles slaps him. Styles is carried out of the room as he says that if Nakamura wants to play games, he can play. Nakamura smiles, then signs the contract. He then says "Last Man Standing" and laughs again before leaving.
Becky Lynch beats Charlotte Flair with the Dis-arm-her. After the match, both women show respect.
Dasha Fuentes interviews Samoa Joe, who says that tonight, The New Day will learn that everything said about him is true, even though he wants people to see him as a man who keeps his promise after he put Daniel Bryan to sleep last week. He also talks about how he grabbed the Money In The Bank briefcase afterwards and how it scared everyone in the back and how destiny manifested into flesh. He then says that what you see is what you get, and soon, everybody gets.
Next week: A Women's Money In The Bank Summit with the SmackDown participants in the women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match!
Renee Young interviews Big Cass on the stage. After comparing himself and Daniel Bryan, he talks about how he was backstage at WrestleMania 30, and walked down the hallway as Daniel Bryan showed up with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. All he could think was "This pathetic little man is the WWE Champion?" That night, Daniel Bryan's victory was a fluke, just like his victory at Backlash. However, he will give credit where credit is due, as Daniel Bryan packs a punch for someone with a small stature. He then says a big man will always beat a good little man. After showing footage of what he did to Daniel Bryan at the end of last week's show, he says he almost feels bad for Daniel Bryan but then says that Daniel asked to get back in the ring. He then says that little did Daniel know that a seven-foot shadow would follow him around before saying Daniel has never been in the ring with someone like him, and he guarantees that he has never been in the ring with someone who holds a grudge like him. Big Cass then says he will do everything within his power to break and embarrass him before ripping his arms off and beating them on his head like his head is a snare drum and snapping his legs like twigs so he can never apply the heel hook again. He then tells Daniel to take his ball and go home and do what he does best: playing a garden gnome on Total Bellas, for after Money In The Bank, Daniel will have to look in the mirror, bruised and battered, and realize someone like him will never survive in this big man's world.
Dasha Fuentes interviews Sin Cara, who says he has been friends with Andrade "Cien" Almas since he was 14 years old, then something happened. Zelina Vega shows up and says she is the best thing to happen to Almas, because Almas accomplished nothing with Sin Cara. She says Sin Cara made him weak, but she taught him how not to hide behind a mask. Sin Cara argues with Zelina Vega, and this leads to a cheap shot from behind by Almas on Sin Cara.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) beat The Miz, Samoa Joe and Rusev after Joe and Rusev turn on Miz for throwing pancakes at them. The pancakes were meant for Big E, who escapes Joe and Rusev's grasp as The Miz knocks Kofi off the apron with a back elbow. After the pancake misfire, Joe and Rusev beat up Miz and leave him high and dry, allowing The New Day to hit Midnight Hour.
It's time for Miz TV. The Miz shows his irritation with the crowd, telling them they will welcome him back to SmackDown Live. The Miz then says he is back and that SmackDown Live is the A-show once again, but something is missing: the Intercontinental Championship, which he claims he made relevant again and will win again at Greatest Royal Rumble before he starts the show. The Miz then claims that he made the title must-see, and claims that Talking Smack got cancelled when he moved to Raw. He then says it is time to introduce his guest for tonight: Daniel Bryan. Before he does this, however, he talks about how he welcomed his daughter Monroe Skye into the world and how he became a better person and a father and how his hatred for Daniel Bryan melted away. He then says that the only difference between him and Daniel Bryan is that he became a changed man when his daughter was born, and says that if Daniel Bryan wants to punch him in the face, then he can get in the ring and punch him in the face. Instead of getting Daniel Bryan, Miz gets Big Cass instead. Big Cass says Miz doesn't have a guest, and that he is making himself the guest now. He also says nobody cares about Daniel Bryan, and while Daniel Bryan had a life-threatening injury, he was nursing a torn ACL. He then mentions that he and Daniel were cleared at the same time, but everyone was talking about Daniel and nobody was talking about him, and he feels he is in Daniel Bryan's shadow. Miz tells Big Cass he doesn't need his help concerning Daniel Bryan, but Cass tells him not everything is about him. Miz takes exception to that statement, and asks Big Cass what he has done lately besides hobble around on a bum knee. Big Cass gets up and towers over Miz, telling him he can shut him up right now. He then says Daniel Bryan should be laying his tile or picking up his garbage, but instead, Daniel Bryan spews out trash to all the fans. He tells the fans that their dreams are unattainable because they are all a bunch of "Joe Schmoes." Cass talks about how he was a small, pathetic weak teen until he got sick and tired of being pushed around and grew to be seven feet tall. He then proceeded to beat the hell out of his tormentors, saying his tormentors deserved it, and that Daniel Bryan resembles himself before all that happened. Big Cass then goes on to say he is talented as well as good-looking compared to Daniel Bryan, which makes him "money," but he is still in Daniel Bryan's shadow. He plans to send Daniel Bryan back onto the shelf beaten, battered, bruised and retired. Cass also says he will make sure he or anybody else is in Daniel Bryan's shadow ever again.
It is revealed that somebody has attacked Daniel Bryan backstage, hence why Daniel Bryan never showed up on Miz TV.
The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) are in the ring. They brag about how good they look in the ring, then say that Becky Lynch stuck her nose where it didn't belong. Peyton Royce then proceeds to mock Becky. They then proceed to show their irritation with Asuka, and say that if they beat Charlotte, who in turn beat Asuka at WrestleMania, then that means they are better than Asuka. Becky Lynch and Asuka show up before they can say much more.
The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) beat Becky Lynch and Asuka after Peyton Royce sends Becky into the ring post as Becky fights both her and Billie Kay at the same time and immediately uses the bottom rope for leverage during the pinfall attempt.
Backstage, Renee Young is in front of Commissioner Shane McMahon's office door. Suddenly, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles comes out of the office in a good mood. Styles says Shane has given him the opportunity to soften up "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura in the ring tonight. However, Nakamura is tagging up with Rusev and Aiden English. He decides to make the match a six-man tag match, and he says that the partners he has in mind are going to be "too sweet."
We see a vignette for Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega, who are coming soon to SmackDown Live.
In the locker room, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) meet with Naomi. Jimmy Uso asks Naomi to promise not to come to the ring, but Naomi says there was no telling what could have happened to him and Jey last week. She says that she stared The Bludgeon Brothers in the eyes and saw nothing last week, and says she has a bad feeling about tonight. Jimmy tells Naomi not to worry, as they will get back the SmackDown tag team titles. As for tonight, he has Rowan to deal with. He tells Naomi not to worry again, then leaves.
Make-A-Wish kid Alec - whose wish is to meet The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) - is seen in the front row as part of WWE's partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Jimmy Uso beats Rowan after Naomi distracts The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan), allowing Jey Uso to hit Harper with a flying kick and Jimmy Uso to attempt a schoolboy pin for the win.
Renee Young is in the ring to moderate a contract signing between Charlotte Flair and Carmella for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship at Backlash. Carmella arrives first, followed by Charlotte. Before Charlotte shows up, however, Carmella takes the microphone, feeling distracted that she was introduced first because she is champion. Carmella says that Charlotte's queendom is over, and that she is everybody's champion. She also says nobody in the crowd will ever experience what it is like to be a champion like her. She goes on to talk about last week's "'Mellabration" and how nobody gave her a standing ovation when it was over, and says that the highlight reel was a masterpiece, and since she is champion, she decides to play it again and expects an ovation she deserves. When Carmella does not get a standing ovation after the highlight reel plays, she threatens to play it again until she gets one. The highlight reel plays again, but midway through, Charlotte Flair interrupts it with her entrance. Charlotte refuses to pay attention to Carmella as she proceeds to mock her, and Renee Young asks Carmella to be a professional and take a seat for the contract signing. Carmella eventually sits down, and Charlotte Flair is completely unperturbed about anything that Carmella is doing as she signs the contract. She then looks at Carmella and yells "Whoo!" before slamming her face into the table and toppling it on top of her.
Dasha Fuentes tries to interview "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura, but Aiden English flatly tells her "no interviews."
The Bryant Family are the winners of the Little Caesars Fan Cam Seat Upgrade and are now in the front row.
It is announced that Carmella has signed the contract for her match against Charlotte Flair for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship at Greatest Royal Rumble.
Jeff Hardy guests on commentary for the next match after Randy Orton ends up being Shelton Benjamin's opponent.
Shelton Bejamin beats Randy Orton after a man in a mask jumps out of the crowd and chop blocks Jeff Hardy before sliding into the ring. He is unmasked by Randy Orton and revealed to be Sunil Singh, who eats an RKO. Shelton Benjamin then hits Paydirt for the win.
Backstage, The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) celebrate the launch of their new book "The Book of Booty" with plates of pancakes and goblets full of Booty-O's. Suddenly, Sheamus and Cesaro show up. After Sheamus and Cesaro say that they will take back the Raw tag team titles, they blow out the candles.
Gallows & Anderson (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) meet with AJ Styles in the locker room.
SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Young, Killian Dain) is coming soon to SmackDown Live!
Renee Young interviews Daniel Bryan near the trainer's room. He is wearing a sling and an ice pack on his shoulder. He says he will be fine for Greatest Royal Rumble and that he was blindsided by Big Cass. He has talked with Paige and has gotten a match with Big Cass. He says that he has a new lease on his career, and that everyone is on the same size when they are on the mat and tapping out.
We hear from Samoa Joe, who says nothing and no one is safe, especially the Intercontinental Champion. With ladders at his disposal and no rules, it will be the end of Seth Rollins, The Miz and Finn Balor at Greatest Royal Rumble. He then says the Intercontinental Championship is already his, and that he will watch as Roman Reigns gets demolished by Brock Lesnar. If Roman somehow wins the Universal title, he will take it from him at Backlash.
"The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura, Rusev and Aiden English beat The Club (Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles). After the match, Styles fights Nakamura, but Nakamura hits him with a low blow. Nakamura goes for a kick, but Luke Gallows scrambles into the ring and takes a bullet for Styles. Nakamura then hits another Kinshasa, this time on Karl Anderson.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up to start tonight's show. Styles says that you can tell a lot about a man through his failures, and that we have learned all we need to know about "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura. He says that he dreamed about their WrestleMania match, and in the end, he succeeded and Nakamura failed, and that Nakamura showed his true colors and proved himself a con artist after the match. Last week, he should have been celebrating, but all he had on his mind was retribution against Nakamura. He was also presented with a real dream match against Daniel Bryan. During the match, Nakamura then showed his true colors again and ruined that match. He refuses to let it go, and he will not leave the match until he confronts Nakamura. He says that Nakamura may have conveniently forgotten how to speak English, but he is here for a fight, not a conversation. Instead of Nakamura, however, Styles gets Aiden English and Rusev. Aiden English sings that he knows it is not them he wanted, and that Nakamura is not here tonight. He then raps that if Styles wants a fight, he can have it with Rusev. Styles then says that since it is Rusev Day and Nakamura has no spine, they might as well fight right now. This starts a match that ends as quickly as it began after Aiden English interferes. As Rusev and English stomp Styles, Daniel Bryan runs into the ring and helps even the odds for Styles.
Backstage, Commissioner Shane McMahon is met by General Manager Paige, who makes a tag team match between the team of Rusev and Aiden English and the team of "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan official for tonight. Shane also confirms that The Miz is coming back to SmackDown Live "by Daniel Bryan's request."
Shelton Benjamin - now without Chad Gable due to Gable being moved over to Raw during the Superstar Shake-up - shows up. Last night on Twitter, Shelton says he called Gable "an inspirational partner" and that he sees a bright future for him. He also says his Twitter account got hacked and that he would not say anything like that as he never needed Chad Gable; instead, Gable needed him. Benjamin says he needs the respect he deserves and championship opportunities that he is owed, as he is one of the biggest threats on SmackDown Live. He has asked General Manager Paige to send him some big competition. Big competition comes to Shelton Benjamin comes in the form of Randy Orton. Orton stops halfway down the ramp, however, and he is accompanied by Jeff Hardy, who officially brings the WWE United States Championship from Raw to SmackDown Live. Orton is beside himself, as Hardy ends up getting in the ring with Shelton instead of him.
Jeff Hardy beats Shelton Benjamin.
We hear from The Miz. He says Daniel Bryan directed a tweet at him asking how long he has to wait to punch Miz's face. After asking the crowd if they want to see it, he then says he is in Los Angeles with Maryse and his daughter Monroe Sky. He then announces he will make his SmackDown Live premiere next week, and if Daniel Bryan tries to troll him again, he will kick his ass. After Maryse warns him about his language in front of his daughter, Miz says next week will be awesome.
Harper beats Jey Uso. After the match, The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) attack The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso). They are about to hit Jimmy with their mallets when Naomi runs down to the ring to protect him. The Bludgeon Brothers decide to leave Jimmy and Naomi alone and slowly walk backwards up the entrance ramp.
Samoa Joe beats Sin Cara with the Coaquina Clutch in his SmackDown Live debut. After the match, Samoa Joe says SmackDown Live is more like "the land of hand-outs" than "the land of opportunities," as everyone has had it easy on SmackDown Live in his absence. He says the blue brand has been coddled, catered to, and convinced they are better than they are before saying that this all changes now and that he will put Daniel Bryan to sleep, defang Randy Orton and emasculate and decimate "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. He then says if there are any non-believers, he will make them believers at Greatest Royal Rumble and Backlash, and he will promise that whatever is left of Roman Reigns after Brock Lesnar beats his ass again will be shredded and put out to pasture for good. However, if by some miraculous happenstance, Roman Reigns is victorious, then he will bring back his newly-won Intercontinental Championship and tear the Universal Championship from his waist. He then ends by saying "Believe that.".
SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain, Nikki Cross) is coming to SmackDown Live!
Renee Young interviews Daniel Bryan, who says he saved "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles because he respects him. He says that he has wanted to face AJ Styles in WWE, for he is the best. Daniel Bryan wanted to prove he had not lost a step against Styles, but "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura ruined the match. Nevertheless, he is glad to team with Styles, as they will face each other again. All of a sudden, Big Cass shows up, wondering what all the fuss about Daniel Bryan is about before calling Daniel "little man." He then leaves.
Carmella shows up for her SmackDown Women's Championship "'Mellabration." Carmella accuses the crowd of jumping on her bandwagon now that she is a champion when they never supported her to begin with, then says she is not "The Princess of Staten Island" anymore; instead, she is the Crown Princess of SmackDown Live. She then says she waited 287 long days to take her time and pick her moment to become SmackDown Women's Champion, and that she beat Charlotte Flair to do it. Carmella goes on to beat the woman who broke Asuka's undefeated streak all on her own, and that all she had to do is wait for Charlotte to be blinded by her own ego. She then says to be the woman, you've got to be the woman, and that she is indeed the woman. She calls her title win historic and says it will be the biggest moment not only in the Women's Revolution, but all of women's history. Carmella then shows a video package on the TitanTron that chronicles her road to becoming SmackDown Women's Championship from winning the Women's Money In The Bank briefcase to her title win last week. Carmella then admits she will miss her Money In The Break briefcase, affectionately named "Frankie," and says she will keep the SmackDown Women's title - which she calls "Cleopatra" - longer than she kept "Frankie." All of a sudden, Charlotte Flair shows up. She tells Carmella that her title reign is a lot like her memory - short - and that the only reason she had the briefcase was because of James Ellsworth and the only reason she has the title is because of The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce). She then says she knows "the dirtiest player in the game" and that "game respects game." After congratulating Carmella on her title win, she tells her it is much harder to stay on top than it is to get there, and she has something of hers. Suddenly, The IIconics show up. Billie tells Charlotte that it is pathetic that she is blaming them for her failure, then Peyton calls Charlotte "a big baby" as she mocks her. Billie says Peyton's mockery of Charlotte is spot-on, then asks what Charlotte is crying about as she asked for magic and they gave it to her when they made the SmackDown Women's title disappear from her waist. Peyton then says this moment will last forever, and it is all because of them. They then say Charlotte is looking at the future and that the future is iconic. Charlotte looks at Carmella form the apron, then gets down and tries to fight The IIconics off at ringsde. The numbers game takes over until Becky Lynch runs out and makes the save for Charlotte. Referees have to break up the brawl.
Carmella guests at the commentary table for the next match.
Charlotte Flair beats Billie Kay with the Figure Eight. After the match, Carmella attacks Charlotte from behind with the SmackDown Women's Championship. Becky Lynch goes after Carmella, but she is ganged up on by Carmella and Peyton Royce. Carmmella and Peyton continue to attack Charlotte and Becky until Asuka shows up. Asuka runs into the ring and quickly decimates The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) and Carmella along with Becky and Charlotte.
Gallows & Anderson (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) are officially coming to SmackDown Live.
We hear from Sheamus and Cesaro. They list off their accomplishments on Raw, then announce they are coming to SmackDown Live to raise the bar on the tag team division.
Backstage, The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) make fun of Sheamus and Cesaro when they run into R-Truth. All of a sudden, "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger confronts R-Truth before they do their own custom handshake. R-Truth then says they are all together on Raw. He is quickly corrected, then R-Truth says "My bad," before saying he will see them all tomorrow.
We hear from Zelina Vega and Andrade "Cien" Almas. Vega announces they are taking over SmackDown Live.
It is announced that Rusev will face The Undertaker in a Casket Match at Greatest Royal Rumble.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan beat Rusev and Aiden English following a low blow to Styles by "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura and big boot to Daniel Bryan by Big Cass. Afterwards, Renee Young interviews "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura, who simply says "No speak English."
John Cena shows up to start tonight's show. Cena says he is here for the same reason as 99.9% of the SmackDown Live locker room, save for "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura: to find a road to WrestleMania. He announces that he wants in the Fatal 5-Way Match for the WWE Championship at Fastlane, and that he is here to do whatever it takes to earn a spot, not to get a hand-out. He is ready to figure out what he has to do. Suddenly, Commissioner Shane McMahon shows up. Shane welcomes Cena back, and says that while everyone is looking for their role in WrestleMania, the pathway he is proposing is putting him directly into the WWE Championship match. The crowd responds, and Cena says half want him to win and half want him to lose. Should Cena win, he would go on to not only main event WrestleMania, but also go in as a 17-time world champion. Shane says SmackDown Live is the land of opportunity, but before he can say much more, General Manager Daniel Bryan shows up. Daniel Bryan says everyone is on the same page, as SmackDown Live is the land of opportunity and everyone in the WWE Championship match earned an opportunity to get in. Daniel Bryan says Cena will get his opportunity, and if he wins, he is in. When Cena asks who his opponent is, Daniel Bryan says it is someone he is familiar with: the WWE Champion, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles.
Kevin Owens guests on commentary for the next match.
Baron Corbin beats Sami Zayn. Backstage during the match, Commissioner Shane McMahon tells General Manager Daniel Bryan that Kevin Owens on commentary will lead to interference, but Daniel Bryan says there is no reason for Owens to interfere in the match. Later on in the match, Shane McMahon comes back with popcorn, and Daniel Bryan says that Kevin Owens has been interesting on commentary. Later still, Dolph Ziggler comes out of the crowd and superkicks Kevin Owens in the back of the head, distracting Sami Zayn and allowing Baron Corbin to hit End of Days for the win. After the match, Ziggler hits the Zig Zag on Corbin. After the match, Shane offers Daniel Bryan popcorn before telling him that Kevin Owens got what was coming to him and that he should go check on him. Daniel Bryan says no thanks, then tells Shane he is heading home.
Backstage, Sami Zayn wants to know what is going with Dolph Ziggler from Kevin Owens when Commissioner Shane McMahon shows up with popcorn. Shane tells them Daniel Bryan just left and they should catch up, as Brie doesn't like it when they are late for dinner. Shane leaves, and Sami is left fuming.
Ruby Riott beats Naomi. Carmella is seen answering Twitter questions on her phone during the match after the show comes back from commercial break. After the match, Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch get in the ring to clear it of The Riott Squad.
Backstage, Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) meets Josh Duhamel...and so does The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) in a promotion for Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. which also sees The New Day make a Supa Hot Fire reference. Unsolved premieres tonight at 10 PM Eastern on USA Network.
We look back on Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens' Festival of Friendship from last February, courtesy of Progressive Auto Insurance.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) show up. Xavier Woods says The New Day is looking for a road to WrestleMania, but Kofi Kingston says that at Fastlane, they will be facing The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Big E says their rivalry is hotter than the inside of his thighs in both the summer and winter. He then repeatedly asked to be spritzed with perfume, and is spritzed. Xavier Woods says they want the tag team titles, and Kofi says that while they respect The Usos, it is all about winning and making their way to WrestleMania. The Usos then show up, saying The New Day are at it again. They remind The New Day that the last time they met for the blue brand tag titles, they were the ones who came out on top and they have not looked back since. They admit they used to be singing and dancing and looking like Skittles like The New Day did, but it got them nowhere, and that they have been proving they are worthy of being at WrestleMania while The New Day have been dancing. Year after year for nine years, they have been passed over, having been sidelined and off the main card. The Usos say that this year will be their time. The Usos state that they will be in the game while The New Day will be on the sidelines this year, but Big E says The New Day have been at the top where they belong and busting their chops all the while. Big E also reminds them that they rushed the field and took what was theirs, and that their fathers didn't get them there. He tells The Usos that they will become five-time tag team champions, and there is nothing they can do about it. Just as both teams get in each others' faces, The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) show up. Harper and Rowan stand on the apron, and The New Day and The Usos both clear the ring before they get in.
We see footage from earlier today where Rusev and Aiden English meet up with Commissioner Shane McMahon, demanding they be on the show tonight. Shane puts Aiden English in a match with "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura.
We hear from Dolph Ziggler, who says that he did not come back to be lost in the shuffle. He is the best athlete SmackDown Live has ever seen, and at Fastlane, he plans to rise above the rest and make his way to WrestleMania.
Renee Young interviews Bobby Roode. For the very first time, he is excited, as he wants to be the best United States Champion in history. To do that, he must put himself against the best, and Randy Orton is one of the best of all time. As he talks about Randy's beef with him as of late, Randy shows up. Randy says it's not about the SmackDown Top 10 List, it's about the United States title, which he has never laid his hands on. The only reason he has anything against Roode is that he has to go through him to take it.
Aiden English verbally trashes Los Angeles, California through song before the next match.
"The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura beats Aiden English. After the match, John Cena shows up. Cena points at the WrestleMania sign, as does Nakamura, then Cena gets in the ring for his match.
YouTube Superstar Lilly Singh is seen in the front row.
John Cena beats "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura, turning the Fatal 5-Way for the WWE Championship at Fastlane into a Six-Pac Challenge. Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler are seen watching the match backstage. After the match, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin take the boots to John Cena, then Dolph Ziggler shows up to fight them all off. Ziggler then punches out AJ Styles only to get hit with an Attitude Adjustment to end the show.
Renee Young interviews "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles in the ring to start tonight's show. Styles says that every time he steps foot in the ring, he takes pride in what he does in it. He is human and makes mistakes, and says he was trying to be sarcastic only for General Manager Daniel Bryan to take him seriously. There is a chance he can lose the WWE Championship, but there is a chance that he can beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. He must hit them hard and fast, but Sami and Owens know what they are doing, and the longer the match, the better their chances of winning. As for whether or not Daniel Bryan's decision was fair, he says it was not, but neither is life. He says Sami and Owens have non-title victories over him, but that does not mean they both deserve a title shot in the same match on SmackDown Live. As for whether or not Daniel Bryan is playing favorites, he doesn't know what Daniel Bryan is thinking, and he is not going to point fingers as far as what Commissioner Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan are dealing with. He cannot allow Sami and Owens to take the WWE Championship from him, and he has to beat them in the same night to retain. When that happens, there will be no doubt that SmackDown Live is the house that AJ Styles built. Before Styles can finish that statement, however, Sami and Owens show up. Owens asks the crowd to give Styles an ovation, but feels he and Sami should call him "The Regretful" or "The Remorseful" AJ Styles instead of "The Phenomenal," and says Styles is trying to backtrack from what he said last week. He says it will take a miracle for Styles to beat them both simultaneously, and Heaven does not give miracles to people like him, as he has no chance of walking out with the WWE Championship. When all is said and done, they will be the first-ever co-WWE Champions. They plan to turn "The house that AJ Styles built" into "The Kevin and Sami Show" and do whatever they want. As Sami and Owens lead a "Yep!" chant, Shane McMahon shows up. Shane says he will have to go with AJ Styles on this one, and admits the match is not fair. He is puzzled that Daniel Bryan would make such a match and why he would allow Sami and Owens another opportunity to become WWE Champion. Be that as it may, he has to back Daniel Bryan's decision to have the match at Royal Rumble for now. On the subject of handicap matches, he might as well have such a match right here tonight. Tonight, Sami and Owens will team up to take on "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton and "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. Backstage, Commissioner Shane McMahon meets with General Manager Daniel Bryan, who has heard what Shane has said. He thanks Shane for making a great handicap match for tonight.
Charlotte Flair and Naomi stand in Becky Lynch's corner for the next match.
Becky Lynch beats Ruby Riott with the Dis-Arm-Her in her first match since returning from injury. She celebrates in the ring with Naomi and Charlotte Flair afterwards.
It is announced that Becky Lynch will be teaming with Sami Zayn in WWE Mixed Match Challenge.
We see footage from the newest clip of The Fashion Files, where The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) find out they're not getting back-up from Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) in their match tonight, as Breezango have a match of their own.
The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) quickly beat The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor). After the match, Konnor checks on Viktor only to be decimated.
Bobby Roode guests at ringside for the next match.
Mojo Rawley beats Zack Ryder to advance in the United States Championship Tournament. After the match, Bobby Roode gets in the ring and stares down with Mojo Rawley. Mojo backs away, pointing at Roode, then leaves the ring.
Jinder Mahal says that he defined 2017. For 185 days, he was WWE Champion. Nobody thought it was possible or that he was deserving of the title...except himself. As 2018 begins, he has his eyes on the United States title. He beat "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger in Round 1, and he will beat Xavier Woods in Round 2. He hopes that Woods knows how to play Taps on the Trombone, for he has already lost. He says Woods is a fad, while he is forever.
We look back on September 28, 1998, when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin rode the zamboni and got Vince McMahon.
It is announced that Natalya will be teaming with "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura in WWE Mixed Match Challenge.
Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable show up. Gable asks if anybody knows what it takes to be a winner - the hours of training and neglecting family and friends - and become a success and show that the risks paid off and life means something. He says that if you're willing to make the sacrifice, you can hold the titles above your head. Shelton Benjamin tells the crowd that just because The University of Alabama won a national championship, that does not mean the fans won as they simply just sat there. He then goes on to say that Georgia was robbed due to a bad referee call, just like him and Gable were robbed of the SmackDown Tag Team Championships last week. Gable says they beat The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) in the ring last week and set the tag titles free from the Uso Penitentiary, when suddenly, another referee who was not part of the match shows up. As he speaks, the crowd chants "Roll Tide." They go on to say that this referee was in the match due to jealousy, and that this referee has no idea what it takes to be a winner. They say that man is no hero, that he is a thief. Shelton and Gable then say a crime was committed, and they want justice. They want the SmackDown tag team titles, because they beat The Usos and lost to instant replay. They then demand this referee come to the ring. Instead of the referee, Shelton and Gable get General Manager Daniel Bryan. Daniel says he understand the euphoria of thinking you won, and understands when you work so hard for something only for it to be taken away from you. He does not care what they say about The Usos, but there are some cold, hard rules that the roster needs to understand. He says the referee's decision is final, but Shelton insists he and Gable won the match and the tag titles. Daniel Bryan says the referee was doing the right thing after finding out he made a mistake, and management stands behind him. Gable does not care, that Daniel Bryan is taking his anger out on them, that they have beaten The Usos and won the title. He sarcastically asks if they have to beat them twice in one time. This gives Daniel an idea. At Royal Rumble, they will face The Usos again in a two-out-of-three falls match for the SmackDown tag team titles.
In the locker room, Randy Orton and "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles have a conversation. Orton asks Styles to trust him when he says they're on the same page tonight, but when he wins the Men's Royal Rumble Match, he will come for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura soon joins them, and says "Not so fast." He touches the title, then says "Good talk," and leaves.
Before the next match, Aiden English announces through song that he and Rusev are officially in the Men's Royal Rumble match - which Rusev asks English to call the "Rusev Rumble" - and that they will on Rusev Day.
Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) get a surprise win on Rusev and Aiden English after Tyler Breeze manages to distract Rusev.
Backstage, Commissioner Shane McMahon meets with General Manager Daniel Bryan. Shane tells Daniel Bryan that they are not on the same page given the matches Daniel Bryan has made so far for Royal Rumble. Shane does not like the idea of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn as co-WWE Champions, and says Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable should not have another opportunity at the SmackDown tag team titles. Shane thinks Daniel Bryan is coming off as a bit unstable, but Daniel says he can say the same of Shane. Shane says it is best to agree to disagree, and leaves Daniel alone.
You can vote for Carmella's partner among the three members of The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) at the Mixed Match Challenge Facebook. The winner will be announced at noon Eastern Time.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, Randy Orton and "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. During the match, Sami and Owens then head up the ramp to get away from the match, but Commissioner Shane McMahon shows up. Shane then makes the match a no count-outs match, then demands the match be restarted. Later, after Kevin Owens gets himself and Sami Zayn disqualified by Owens using a steel chair, Shane shows up again, and makes the match no-disqualificaton and anything goes. After this, Styles chases Owens to the back, and Nakamura and Owens then have their way with Sami.
