This week’s episode of SmackDown Live takes place on the Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day for the United States. To celebrate the American holiday, SmackDown is hosting an Independence Day Battle Royal as well as the return of well-known patriot John Cena. To round things out, Naomi is defending the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Lana for the third time.
Opening Segment
The only way to kick off the most American SmackDown Live of the year is to have the return of John Cena. After giving a brief nod to Independence Day, John Cena addresses rumors of being a part-timer. Cena denies those claims, calling himself an “all-timer” and says he is a free agent because since his time is limited, he can be both on Raw and SmackDown. After his fired up promo, he is interrupted by an also returning Rusev.
They go back and forth for a bit and Cena challenges Rusev to a Flag Match, but Rusev doesn’t want to fight on Cena’s terms. The segment ends after Cena goes on about how great the United States is.
AJ Styles vs. Chad Gable – Win and You’re In Match (Independence Day Battle Royal)
Later tonight, there is an Independence Day Battle Royal to determine the new #1 Contender for Kevin Owens’ United States Championship. Owens was calling Daniel Bryan for days saying that since he has successfully retained against both men, neither should be included in the Battle Royal. Bryan came up with a compromise and the winner of this match will be included in the match later on.
Both men push each other to the limit, but one misstep gives Styles the opportunity to hit Chad Gable with the Phenomenal Forearm. Styles is now one step closer to the United States Championship. Winner: AJ Styles
Carmella-bration
After winning her second consecutive Money in the Bank Ladder Match, James Ellsworth is canceling Independence Day to celebrate something “far more important.” Carmella pokes fun at the WWE Universe for not getting what they want before claiming that she has all the power by gaining ownership of the contract. In response, SmackDown Women’s Champion and General Manager Daniel Bryan come down to the ring.
Naomi’s response to Carmella is short and sweet: she is always ready for a new challenge. Daniel Bryan focuses on Ellsworth. Since he broke the rules of returning to the arena last week, he is fined $10,000 and suspended for 30 days. If Ellsworth breaks the suspension, Carmella will be stripped of the briefcase.
Naomi (c) vs. Lana – SmackDown Women’s Championship
At Money in the Bank, Naomi defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Lana just so she had an excuse to fight her. Lana blamed her loss on being distracted, and Naomi gave her a second chance and beat her in about a minute. However, Lana’s shoulder was barely above the mat, so based on a technicality, Lana gets her third title shot in a little over two weeks.
Naomi kicks Lana in the midsection, sunset flips over Lana into a Rings of Saturn-like submission, and makes Lana tap out about 15 seconds into the match. Winner, and STILL SmackDown Women’s Champion (via submission): Naomi
After Lana’s loss, Tamina comes down to escort her to the back. Apparently, Lana has some muscle backing her up now.
Interview w/Shinsuke Nakamura
Last week, Shinsuke Nakamura says that Baron Corbin should be afraid of him. Before he can respond to a question regarding his comments, Corbin hits him in the back with his Money in the Bank briefcase. Nakamura recovers to hit him with a hard strike and referees break the two apart before it turns into chaos.
The New Day vs. The Usos – Rap Battle
Before their SmackDown Tag Team Championship match at Battleground, the New Day and the Usos have decided to go head-to-head in a rap battle, hosted and judged by Grammy-nominated rapper Wale. They throw some personal jabs at each other and after one too many, the Usos push Xavier Woods. The brief physical altercation leads to Wale having no choice but to disqualify the Usos. Winners (via disqualification): The New Day
Randy Orton vs. Aiden English
In a couple weeks at Battleground, Randy Orton takes on Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship in a Punjabi Prison match. Last week, Orton interrupted English’s singing to focus on Mahal, and tonight, he interrupts the “Shakespeare of Song” again. While Orton is taunting on the second rope, English attacks him with the microphone to get the edge in the beginning of the match.
Orton is assaulting English and he doesn’t care if he wins or not, so he hits the former Vaudevillain with a steel chair. After purposely losing the match, Orton hits English in the middle of the ring with an RKO. Winner (via disqualification): Aiden English
Independence Day Battle Royal – #1 Contender’s Match (United States Championship)
This match features the members of the SmackDown Live roster who don’t really have anything going on right now. This includes tag teams, former World Champions, and everyone in between. Whoever wins will face Kevin Owens for the United States Championship at Battleground.
Eliminations (in order): Dolph Ziggler, Fandango, Tyler Breeze, Sin Cara, Konnor, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, Zack Ryder, Mojo Rawley, Tye Dillinger, Sami Zayn | Winner, and NEW #1 Contender: AJ Styles
