Tonight is the last episode of Smackdown before the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View. Which Superstars will look strong going into the “best Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View of all time?”
Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel feat. Dean Ambrose
Chris Jericho kicks off the show in the ring to address the Money in the Bank ladder match on Sunday. Jericho, the inventor of the Money in the Bank match, claims that he will climb the ladder and win the briefcase (Why would he say anything else?).
Ambrose comes to the ring, and this is sure to go poorly. Jericho and Ambrose have a heated rivalry that culminated at Extreme Rules when Ambrose defeated Jericho in the first-ever and only Asylum match.
Eventually all of the other Money in the Bank ladder match competitors join Jericho and Ambrose in the ring before their 6-man tag team match later tonight. Ambrose spills coffee on the “yak hair” carpet, which then ensues a short brawl before the segment ends.
Aiden English (w/Simon Gotch) vs. Luke Gallows (w/Karl Anderson) vs. Big Cass (w/Enzo Amore) vs. Kofi Kingston (w/Big E & Xavier Woods)
Like most matches on Smackdown, this match will give us a preview of the fatal four-way Tag Team Championship match at Money in the Bank, with each participant in this match representing their respective teams. During this match, Xavier Woods and Enzo Amore, two of the best talkers in the company, join the commentary team.
After Big E knocks out Simon Gotch outside the ring, Kofi Kingston hits Aiden English with the Trouble in Paradise for the victory. Winner: Kofi Kingston
Baron Corbin vs. Zack Ryder
Before the match starts, we see that Dolph Ziggler has joined the commentary team. Ziggler, who is somehow still feuding with Baron Corbin, will face Baron Corbin for the third consecutive Kickoff Show on Sunday. It is amazing that a feud can go on so long without any story whatsoever.
Corbin dodges a missile dropkick from Zack Ryder, then follows through with the End of Days on the Long Island Iced Z. Winner: Baron Corbin
Rusev (w/Lana) vs. Kalisto
At Extreme Rules, Rusev practically dominated Kalisto to win the United States Championship from one half of the Lucha Dragons. Later that week, Rusev would be successful again when he retained the Unites States Championship against Kalisto. On Sunday, Rusev defends his title against Titus O’Neil.
Before the match starts, Rusev assaults Kalisto, preventing the match from starting. Sin Cara comes out to save his tag team partner to no avail, followed by Titus O’Neil, who gets the edge on Rusev to send him fleeing. Result: No Contest
AJ Styles vs. Xavier Woods
This is a straight up singles match, meaning that The Club and The New Day are not at ringside. It is a rare occurrence for Xavier Woods to be competing in the ring, and a singles match for Woods has not been on television in quite some time. AJ Styles called this a “tune-up match,” but Xavier Woods is perhaps the most underrated wrestler on the main roster (other than Luke Harper).
After locking in the Calf Crusher, AJ Styles makes Woods tap out. Winner (via submission): AJ Styles
Natalya (w/Becky Lynch) vs. Charlotte (w/Dana Brooke)
Since there is seemingly nothing else that WWE can do, all four of these women will be involved of a tag team match at Money in the Bank. The Women’s Championship will not be defended, so Charlotte gets a free two months added to her title reign. Earlier this week on Raw, Charlotte was defeated by Paige, so in all technicality, Paige should be challenging Charlotte for the Women’s Championship this Sunday.
After convincing the referee that Natalya used the title belt as a weapon, Charlotte locks in the Figure Eight Leg Lock for the victory. Winner (via submission): Charlotte
Dean Ambrose, Cesaro, & Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, and Alberto Del Rio
It is common knowledge by now that all six of these men are competing in the Money in the Bank ladder match. This is the last of way too many tag team matches involving these Superstars.
After Dean Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds on Kevin Owens, the face team gets their last bit of momentum before we have a new Money in the Bank briefcase holder. Winners: Dean Ambrose, Cesaro, & Sami Zayn
