Tonight is a huge night for SmackDown Live just a couple weeks away from SummerSlam. AJ Styles defends the United States Championship against Kevin Owens after regaining the title just last week. In the main event, John Cena faces Shinsuke Nakamura for a WWE Championship match against Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam.
AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens – United States Championship
Last week, AJ Styles and Chris Jericho used their rematch clauses at the same time to challenge Kevin Owens for the United States Championship in a Triple Threat Match. Styles would end up capturing the title for a second time, pinning Chris Jericho in the process. After losing the title, a frustrated Owens immediately announced that he wanted to cash in his newfound rematch clause this week, and this huge match kicks off the show.
Owens accidentally hits the referee in the eye, and when Styles rolls him up, the referee doesn’t see that Owens has his right shoulder up for the entire three count. An amazing match between two of SmackDown’s best in-ring competitors ends because the referee was half blinded. Winner, and STILL United States Champion: AJ Styles
After Owens storms to the back, he yells at Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan to make things right. McMahon gives him a United States Championship rematch at SummerSlam and Owens demands a competent referee. Bryan decides to make McMahon the referee, stacking the odds against Owens.
Sami Zayn vs. Aiden English
Aiden English has been on quite a, well, renaissance with his career. After defeating Randy Orton by disqualification a few weeks ago, he also defeated Tye Dillinger on the Battleground Kickoff Show. Zayn has been treading water, trading wins with Mike Kanellis over the past few weeks.
Just as quickly as the match starts, it ends with Aiden English sneaking a pinfall win over Sami Zayn. While Zayn is in the ring trying to comprehend his loss, Mike and Maria Kanellis appear on the stage to taunt Zayn and tell him that he lost. Winner: Aiden English
Becky Lynch & Naomi vs. Carmella & Natalya
At Battleground, Natalya defeated Becky Lynch, Charlotte, Tamina, and Lana to become the new #1 Contender for the SmackDown Women’s Championship and she will face Naomi for the title at SummerSlam. While she could be the next Women’s Champion, so could her partner, Carmella. Carmella has been holding the Money in the Bank briefcase for about a month and can cash it in at any time for an instant title match.
Carmella locks in the Code of Silence, but Naomi switches the momentum into a submission of her own. While Becky Lynch throws Natalya out of the ring, Naomi forces Carmella to tap out. Winners (via submission): Becky Lynch & Naomi
Chad Gable vs. Rusev
This is Rusev’s first match since returning to action in the Flag Match against John Cena. Chad Gable has been proving his worth as a singles Superstar over the past month, with great showings against AJ Styles and Kevin Owens. Now, Gable is strictly on his own after the other half of American Alpha, Jason Jordan, moved to Raw after finding out he is Kurt Angle’s son.
Gable shows an incredible amount of strength and agility, but Rusev is able to keep him down just long enough to lock in the Accolade. After forcing Gable to tap out, Rusev grabs a microphone. The Bulgarian Brute says that nobody can beat him and he has no SummerSlam opponent because everybody is afraid of him. Winner (via submission): Rusev
Just as Rusev looks to leave the ring, Randy Orton shows up. Orton says that if Rusev wants a SummerSlam opponent, he’s got one. Rusev responds, but not in English, before swinging at Orton. Orton dodges the clothesline and lands an RKO.
John Cena vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – #1 Contender’s Match (WWE Championship)
This is perhaps the biggest dream match WWE could deliver and the WWE Universe is spoiled by getting it for free. John Cena is arguably the greatest WWE Superstar of all-time, while Shinsuke Nakamura is the biggest Japanese Superstar to compete in WWE (sorry, Jushin “Thunder” Liger). On top of that, this match has huge implications. The winner will go on to face Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam.
John Cena attempts one Attitude Adjustment too many, and Shinsuke Nakamura counters into a nasty Exploder Suplex that drops Cena on the back of his head. Somehow Cena’s able to get up, but he immediately gets laid out with the Kinshasa knee strike. After the match, Cena raises Nakamura’s hand before letting the King of Strong Style celebrate. Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: Shinsuke Nakamura
