Tonight, SmackDown Live has a huge show scheduled. Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin go head-to-head, The Hype Bros get a chance to become #1 Contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, Naomi defends her Women’s Title against Lana, and the historic Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match is getting a redo. And, of course, there is the return of the Fashion Files.
Opening Segment
To kick off the show, General Manager Daniel Bryan comes down to the ring. Bryan starts hyping the women’s matches for later tonight when he is interrupted by Carmella. Carmella pleads her case yet again and hopes to have Bryan reverse his decision. James Ellsworth insults his boss a little too much and instead of just being banned from ringside later on, Ellsworth is banned from the entire arena.
The Hype Bros vs. The Usos
Zack Ryder returned to action at Money in the Bank alongside Mojo Rawley, and they defeated The Colons on the Kickoff Show. When Ryder suffered his leg injury, he also won a #1 Contender’s Battle Royal against the rest of the division (including the Usos). Since the New Day are also in the conversation for a title match, Daniel Bryan gave The Hype Bros an opportunity. If they defeat The Usos, they will be the next #1 Contenders.
As the commercial break ends, The Usos hit Zack Ryder with a splash from the top rope, sealing the victory. Winners: The Usos
After the match ends, The New Day comes to the ring to confront the champions. Since they won by count-out at Money in the Bank, they deserve a rematch. Xavier Woods lays out the challenge for Battleground, and the Usos accept.
Naomi (c) vs. Lana – SmackDown Women’s Championship
This is the first of two huge women’s matches tonight that are rematches from Money in the Bank. Naomi cleanly defeated the Ravishing Russian to retained the title, but Lana claims that her loss is from being distracted by Carmella at ringside. While that is not a valid excuse, Naomi wants to prove that it wasn’t a fluke by giving Lana another chance.
Lana attacks Naomi before the bell rings, but it doesn’t help her one bit. Naomi kicks out of Lana’s finisher, then finishes her off with the split-legged moonsault about 30 seconds later. Winner, and STILL SmackDown Women’s Champion: Naomi
In-ring Segment
Aiden English is singing in the middle of the ring when he is interrupted by Randy Orton. Orton hits him with an RKO during the commercial break and turns his attention to Jinder Mahal. He wants a WWE Championship rematch, and since he isn’t being given one, he is going to go to the locker room to assault Jinder Mahal. Shane McMahon comes down to the ring to make sure that Orton doesn’t assault the WWE Champion.
McMahon understands what Orton is going through, so he gives him the title match at Battleground, but Jinder Mahal gets to choose the stipulation. Mahal chooses a match created by The Great Khali (a former Indian World Heavyweight Champion in his own right), the Punjabi Prison match.
Announcement
Next week on the July 4th edition of SmackDown Live, there will be an Independence Day Battle Royal. The winner will go on to face Kevin Owens for the United States Championship at Battleground.
Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin
Over the past couple months, Sami Zayn is undefeated in singles competition against Baron Corbin. Corbin has built some momentum since then by capturing the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Zayn attempts a move from the top rope, but Corbin rolls out of the way. Corbin then uses Zayn’s momentum against him to hit the End of Days to pick up the victory. Winner: Baron Corbin
Charlotte vs. Carmella vs. Becky Lynch vs. Tamina vs. Natalya – Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Due to James Ellsworth grabbing Carmella’s briefcase for her, Daniel Bryan has decided to redo this historic match. This is the second-ever Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match and only the third ladder match in SmackDown history.
James Ellsworth makes his way back into the arena and tries to grab the briefcase for Carmella again. Becky Lynch knocks him off of the ladder onto the top rope, and she goes to get the briefcase herself. However, Carmella attacks Lynch with a steel chair, then climbs the ladder to win the second Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Winner, and NEW (again) Ms. Money in the Bank: Carmella
