WWE Payback was this Sunday, and almost every feud that went into that night is continuing. There are only two different feuds that have started since, which involve the United States and Tag Team Championships. Rusev is now the #1 Contender for Kalisto’s United States Championship, while the Vaudevillains are the #1 Contenders for the New Day by default because of the injury to Enzo Amore. Tonight on Smackdown, we see how these feuds develop with Extreme Rules a few weeks away.
Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel feat. Sami Zayn
Chris Jericho makes his way down to the ring to trash talk Dean Ambrose. On Monday Night Raw, the Ambrose Asylum was cancelled, and Jericho took over with the return of the Highlight Reel. Jericho and Ambrose would brawl, ending with Jericho smashing Mitch the potted plant over Ambrose’s back.
Sami Zayn had been feuding with Kevin Owens for over a decade, and their feud boiled over into the Intercontinental Championship title picture. The Miz interrupts the Highlight Reel, annoyed at the fact that Sami Zan raised the Intercontinental title over his head on Raw. Zayn and Miz go back and forth for a while, and it is enough for Jericho get fed up and leave his own talk show. Sami Zayn challenges the Miz to a match, and the frustrated Intercontinental Champion accepts.
Sami Zayn vs. The Miz (w/Maryse)
Since there was not a clean finish to the #1 Contender’s match on Raw, a win for Zayn tonight can put him in line for a title shot. During the match, Kevin Owens comes down to ringside and joins commentary. Once Zayn has his back turned, Owens attacks Zayn from behind, and is joined by The Miz for a beatdown. Cesaro comes down to make the save, and after clearing house, holds the Intercontinental Championship over his head like Zayn did on Raw. Winner (via disqualification): Sami Zayn
Backstage Segment
AJ Styles is backstage with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. He informs his friends that he is going to earn the WWE World Heavyweight Championship his way, which will not include assistance from Gallows and Anderson.
The Vaudevillains vs. Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas
Simon Gotch and Aiden English (The Vaudevillains) made their debut on the first episode of Smackdown after WrestleMania 32. Since then, they have battled their way to #1 Contendership, and have been undefeated, defeating several high-profile teams including the Lucha Dragons.
Gotch and English hit the Whirling Dervish on Curtis Axel to keep their winning streak going. Winners: The Vaudevillains
After the match, Big Cass makes his way to the ring and cleans house, throwing the Vaudevillains out of the ring, followed up by East River Crossing (swinging sidewalk slam) delivered to Curtis Axel.
Becky Lynch & Natalya vs. Charlotte & Emma (w/Ric Flair)
Natalya and Charlotte have been feuding for several weeks not, and they will face each other in a submission match at Extreme Rules (Ric Flair is banned from ringside). Becky Lynch and Emma have been feuding as well on social media, and they faced each other on Monday Night Raw, resulting in Emma winning with a thumb to the eye of Lynch.
Becky Lynch prevents Charlotte from interfering, and Natalya successfully locks in the Sharpshooter, forcing Emma to tap out. Winners (via submission): Natalya & Becky Lynch
Video Package
Apparently it’s time to “make Darren Young great again,” and the first step is making Bob Backlund his life coach. Backlund’s first rule: “Wrestling is life.”
Rusev (w/Lana) vs. Zack Ryder
Rusev and Zack Ryder were the last two participants in the United States Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal on Monday Night Raw, and Rusev threw Ryder over the top rope to win the match. Rusev will presumably face Kalisto at Extreme Rules. A win over the former Intercontinental Champion could give Rusev some much needed momentum going into a championship match.
Rusev throws Ryder around, and locks in the Accolade to pick up the quick victory. Winner (via submission): Rusev
Rusev starts celebrating after the match, and Kalisto makes a “hit-and-run” attack on Rusev, which doesn’t really do much of anything other than remind us that he is the United States Champion.
Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (w/AJ Styles) vs. The Usos
When Gallows and Anderson first showed up on Monday Night Raw, they laid waste to the Usos. They would then go on to defeat the Usos in their in-ring debut two weeks ago. Tonight, the Usos look to get some revenge on the former Bullet Club members.
Karl Anderson kicks Roman Reigns at ringside, and Reigns interferes, forcing the disqualification. Winners (via disqualification): Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, & Karl Anderson vs. Roman Reigns & The Usos
After the referees pull the six men apart, Styles challenges Reigns and his cousins to a six-man tag match. In typical Smackdown fashion, we have a new tag match as our main event.
The Usos hold Styles at ringside, and it give Reigns the opportunity to put Karl Anderson away with a spear. Winners: Roman Reigns & The Usos
