Tonight, Smackdown features the main roster debut of former NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha. With one of the hottest tag teams on Smackdown’s roster, will Smackdown be able to keep up with Raw this week, or will it stay in its spot as the “B” show?
Opening Segment
The show starts with Shane McMahon talking to Randy Orton about his RKO on Brock Lesnar last night. McMahon hired extra security to protect Randy Orton and the Smackdown roster from Brock Lesnar.
Before the segment ends, Daniel Bryan announces a triple threat match between Baron Corbin, Apollo Creed Crews, and Kalisto.
In-ring Segment
Last week on Smackdown, Dolph Ziggler won a Six Pack challenge to become the #1 Contender to Dean Ambrose’s WWE Championship. In the “interest of live television,” Ambrose comes out to the ring and calls out his SummerSlam opponent.
After Dolph Ziggler yells a lot, Ambrose tells him that he is not as good as he thinks he is.
Out of nowhere, Bray Wyatt appears and hits Dolph Ziggler with Sister Abigail. While Ziggler is laid out, Wyatt issues a challenge for a match tonight. If Ziggler wins, he proves he is worthy of being #1 Contender. If Wyatt wins, he takes Ziggler’s place at SummerSlam. Ziggler didn’t respond because of the whole being laid out thing.
After the commercial break, Ziggler confronts Shane McMahon and tells him that he accepts Wyatt’s challenge.
Baron Corbin vs. Apollo Crews vs. Kalisto – #1 Contender’s Match (Intercontinental Championship)
Whoever wins this match will face the Miz for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam. Crews and Corbin were involved in the WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match last week, and after they both lost they have another opportunity to chase championship gold.
In a surprisingly good short triple threat match, Apollo Crews rolls up Kalisto to get the quick victory and the #1 Contendership. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Apollo Crews
After the match, The Miz hits Crews with the Skull Crushing Finale, and then the champion gets laid out by the End of Days from Baron Corbin.
Becky Lynch vs. Eva Marie
Eva Marie got drafted to Smackdown from NXT, and has yet to wrestle on the main roster since. She faces one of the most technically savvy wrestlers on the main roster in Becky Lynch…
Or not. Before the match, Eva Marie “injures” her leg from getting down from the turnbuckle, so there is no match. Result: No Contest
Backstage Segment
Carmella is getting interviewed by Renee Young when they are interrupted by Natalya, who believes that Young should be interviewing her instead. This leads to Carmella and Natalya giving each other the business, which could lead to a possible match.
The Vaudevillains vs. American Alpha
Tonight is the first time that American Alpha (Chad Gable and Jason Jordan) competes on the main roster. Jordan and Gable became one of the hottest tag teams in NXT history when they one the NXT Tag Team Championships this year.
After Jason Jordan tosses Aiden English and Simon Gotch around the ring, he tags Gable in to end the match with Grand Amplitude. Winners: American Alpha
In-ring Segment
AJ Styles challenge John Cena to another match at SummerSlam, and Cena accepts.
Fandango w/Tyler Breeze vs. Randy Orton
During Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel, Randy Orton made a quick dig at Fandango, and Fandango did not take it lightly. He responded to Orton’s quip by calling out the Viper to a match.
During the match, Brock Lesnar appears out of nowhere, charges through security (what a surprise), and hits Randy Orton with an F5. Winner (via disqualification): Randy Orton
Backstage Segment
To further prove that Smackdown has terrible security, Heath Slater shows up at Daniel Bryan’s office to try to get a contract. Daniel Bryan starts setting up a match, and Rhyno appears out of nowhere and hits Slater with the Gore.
Natalya vs. Carmella
Before Carmella even makes it to the ring, Natalya attacks The Princess of Staten Island from behind and ends the assault in the Sharpshooter. Result: No Contest
Bray Wyatt vs. Dolph Ziggler – #1 Contender’s Match (WWE Championship)
The winner of this match will face Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam for the WWE Championship. Ziggler already earned this opportunity last week, and defends it tonight to prove he is a fighter.
Ziggler slams Wyatt’s head onto an exposed turnbuckle and follows it up with a superkick to put the new face of fear away. Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Erick Rowan attacks Dolph Ziggler, and Dean Ambrose fails to save the Showoff. The show ends with Wyatt and Rowan looking over Dolph Ziggler and the WWE Universe.
