Tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live focuses on two big events: the first-ever women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match and tonight’s main event match between Kevin Owens and Shinsuke Nakamura. There is also a rematch between AJ Styles and Dolph Ziggler, as well as a new episode of the Fashion Files.
Opening Segment
To start off SmackDown Live, we have all five women involved in the first-ever Women’s Money in the Bank Match: Tamina, Carmella, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Natalya. Shane McMahon unveils the new Money in the Bank briefcase, while is primarily white with gold trim. Each woman says why and how she will win this historic match, and Naomi comes to the ring to state that she wishes she could be part of the match.
Someone who can compete in the match is the woman who interrupts them: Lana. This is the Ravishing Russian’s first appearance on SmackDown, and McMahon doesn’t think now is the time for Lana to be put in the match. She hasn’t even had a singles match on the main roster yet, and her only main roster wrestling experience was in a multi-woman tag team match at WrestleMania 32.
Naomi, Charlotte, & Becky Lynch vs. The Welcoming Committee (w/James Ellsworth)
The entire SmackDown women’s division has been involved in this three-on-three feud since the Superstar Shake-up. On every occasion except for one, The Welcoming Committee has been victorious has been encounters with these women.
The referee checks on Tamina while Naomi is waiting on the apron. Lana comes back to ringside to sweep Naomi’s feet out from under her. Tamina takes advantage to hit the SmackDown Women’s Champion with a superkick for the pinfall in the center of the ring. Winners: The Welcoming Committee
AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler and AJ Styles faced each other in the main event of last week’s episode, and it really seemed like Styles was supposed to kick out of a pin by putting his foot on the bottom rope. Instead, Ziggler got a clean win and Styles gets another chance to defeat the Showoff.
Ziggler keeps attempting to cheat to win, but Styles isn’t kept down. Styles transitions from a pinfall into the Styles Clash to get a definitive win over the Showoff. Winner: AJ Styles
The Fashion Files
Breezango is back at it again with their noir version of The Fashion Files, and they help the New Day out with their new case. Big E bribes Tyler Breeze and Fandango with male rompers, convincing them to give the New Day intel on their opponents at Money in the Bank, The Usos.
Mojo Rawley vs. Jinder Mahal (w/The Singh Brothers)
Earlier tonight, Mojo Rawley approached Shane McMahon regarding his absence on SmackDown for the past two months. Rawley is the only person who has defeated Mahal since Mahal moved to SmackDown Live, so McMahon gave him a huge opportunity. If Rawley can defeat the WWE Champion again, he will become the seventh man in the men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
While Rawley has Mahal up in a Fireman’s Carry, Mahal rakes Rawley’s eyes outside of the referee’s vision. The champion then finishes off the Hype Bro with his Full Nelson Slam. Winner: Jinder Mahal
The Colons vs. The New Day
This is The New Day’s first match since coming to SmackDown Live, and they face the new and improved Colons. The New Day are focused on the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, and a win here can help them build momentum to their clash with the Usos.
Xavier Woods tag himself in, and he double teams Epico along with Big E to hit the Midnight Hour for the win. After their victory, The Usos show up and cut a promo on the former Raw Tag Team Champions. They make jokes poking fun at each other The New Day, then they cut their usual “paranoia” promo. Winners: The New Day
Interview
Dasha Fuentes asks Sami Zayn about being ready for the Money in the Bank ladder match, and he prepares by watching the footage of his opponents.
Backstage Segment
Before Shane McMahon deals with the Zayn/Corbin situation, Naomi storms into his office. She wants to get revenge on Lana for ruining her match earlier tonight, and she wants to fight her at Money in the Bank. She even offers to put her SmackDown Women’s Championship on the line, and McMahon likes the idea enough to make it official.
Kevin Owens vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
The only time that Kevin Owens and Shinsuke Nakamura faced each other one-on-one was several years ago in Ring of Honor. They would both come to WWE at different times, and both men would have dominant runs as NXT Champion. They have collided in tag team action, with The King of Strong Style pinning The Face of America last week.
Nakamura recovers from getting hit with a cannonball in the corner and he regains control for the rest of the match. Nakamura hits Owens with the reverse exploder suplex, then he finishes the match with the Kinshasa running knee. Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
After the match, Baron Corbin (who was on commentary during the match) interrupts Nakamura’s post-match celebration to attack him. Corbin lays out the former NXT Champion with the End of Days.
