Tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live is the blue brand’s last chance to get the WWE Universe excited for Hell in a Cell. Every match on the Pay-Per-View is touched on at least a little bit, while the show is capped off by a brawl between Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens.
Interview w/Shinsuke Nakamura
SmackDown Live kicks off with an interview with the King of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura says that he doesn’t care about the very bad insults Jinder Mahal has been throwing his way over the past few weeks and of course, he says that he is going to capture the title at Hell in a Cell. While he says this, he is interrupted by the Singh Brothers.
After the Singh Brothers introduce the Modern Day Maharaja, Mahal attacks Nakamura from behind. Nakamura starts fighting back, but the numbers game gets the best of him and the champ lays him out with the Khallas.
Carmella & Natalya (w/James Ellsworth) vs. Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch
This seems like the first time in a long time that Becky Lynch is on television since losing the #1 Contender’s Fatal Five-Way match to Natalya months ago. Her partner, Charlotte Flair, challenges Natalya for the SmackDown Women’s Championship this Sunday at Hell in a Cell. Flair defeated Carmella last week, but the Princess of Staten Island can become the SmackDown Women’s Champion at any time she wants thanks to her Money in the Bank briefcase.
While the referee is focused on Charlotte and Natalya in the ring, Carmella strikes Becky Lynch with her briefcase. Charlotte is distracted by Carmella’s cheating and Natalya clocks her in the back of the neck with a forearm. Natalya then follows it up with the Sharpshooter, forcing the former Raw Women’s Champion to tap out. Winners (via submission): Natalya & Carmella
Mike Kanellis vs. Bobby Roode
In five days at Hell in a Cell, Bobby Roode takes on Dolph Ziggler. Before competing on his first main roster WWE Pay-Per-View, Roode competes in a warm-up match against recent WWE signee, Mike Kanellis.
In very quick fashion, Bobby Roode puts Mike Kanellis away with a spinebuster followed up by the Glorious DDT. Winner: Bobby Roode
After the match, Dolph Ziggler taunts Bobby Roode by making an entrance with a lot of theatrics, but it is purposely obnoxious. It isn’t much, but at least it adds something to their match this Sunday.
Announcement
On the Hell in a Cell Kickoff Show, Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable will take on The Hype Bros. Also, instead of returning tonight, the Fashion Files will return at the Pay-Per-View.
Tye Dillinger vs. Baron Corbin
Last week, Tye Dillinger and Baron Corbin squared off and thanks to Corbin throwing Dillinger into AJ Styles (who was at the announce table doing guest commentary), Corbin won by count-out. After his victory, Corbin challenged Styles to a United States Championship match at Hell in a Cell, to which the fighting champion accepted. Tonight, the Perfect 10 looks to make up for a bad loss.
Corbin looks to suplex Dillinger, but it is countered into a small package that steals the quick victory. The last thing that Corbin needs before turning his career around is a surprising loss to a roll-up. Winner: Tye Dillinger
Aiden English (w/Rusev) vs. Randy Orton
Last week, Rusev hosted a Pride of Bulgaria Celebration, which was supposed to honor Rusev’s nine-second long victory over Randy Orton the week before. English was the Master of Ceremonies and all things went well until Orton showed up and attacked both of them. English actually has a victory over Orton (albeit via disqualification) and it would do wonders for Rusev if Orton loses some momentum going into their match this Sunday.
English starts to gain momentum but after he comes off the ropes, Orton pops him up in the air and hits him with an RKO. Winner: Randy Orton
Kevin Owens & Shane McMahon, Face-to-Face
Before Kevin Owens even gets to the ring, Shane McMahon addresses their Hell in a Cell match in just five days. McMahon announces that in case things get out of hand, the Hell in a Cell match is now Falls Count Anywhere. Owens then appears in the stands and McMahon chases him into the lobby area of the arena.
Owens suckers him in and the assault of the SmackDown Live Commissioner ends with a powerbomb through the merchandise table.
