Like Monday Night Raw last night, SmackDown has to follow up on the events of SummerSlam just two days ago. Tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live features a women’s tag team match, Shinsuke Nakamura taking on both Singh Brothers at the same time, the return of the US Open Challenge, and two huge debuts.
Opening Segment
To kick off the show, AJ Styles comes to the ring to celebrate retaining the United States Championship against Kevin Owens at SummerSlam. Style wants to prove that he is the “work horse of WWE” by bringing back the US Open Challenge. Kevin Owens answers the call, but Styles says that it is not going to happen since Styles won two days ago.
After Owens refutes Styles’ statement by saying that Shane McMahon (the special guest referee for the title match) screwed him out of the championship. Owens makes some claims (with video evidence) as to how he got screwed and things get heated with him and Shane McMahon. Styles interrupts and says that he doesn’t care; he wants to have the match against Kevin Owens. However, Owens gets to choose the referee. As long as AJ Styles is the US Champ, this is Owens’ last shot at the title.
Aiden English vs. Bobby Roode
You read that right. Aiden English starts singing his usual Drama King song when the lights go dark and piano starts playing. English is interrupted by none other than Bobby Roode, who just dropped the NXT Championship to Drew McIntyre three days ago at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III.
After Roode dodges English’s attempt at a senton from the top rope, the Glorious One hits the Drama King with the Glorious DDT to pick up the win in his first match on the WWE main roster. Winner: Bobby Roode
After the win, Renee Young interviews Roode, asking him what brought him to SmackDown Live. He doesn’t really answer the question, but he says that Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon “broke the bank” to bring him to the blue brand, making what was great “glorious.”
Backstage Segment
Daniel Bryan brings Chad Gable to his office to address Gable’s future, now that his tag team partner Jason Jordan is on Raw. Bryan made a deal with Kurt Angle to get one of his “close friends” to SmackDown Live, and that is Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin was very successful in WWE in the mid-late 2000s and is known most for his work in the World’s Greatest Tag Team with Charlie Haas.
The Hype Bros vs. The Usos
After reclaiming the SmackDown Tag Team Championships from the New Day in the second best match at SummerSlam, Jimmy and Jey Uso take on Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder. While this probably won’t happen, a win for the Hype Bros could shake up the tag team division.
Ryder gets distracted by Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso takes advantage to hit a running superkick, picking up the win. After the match, The Usos grab a couple of microphones and cut their usual promo. Winners: The Usos
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Singh Brothers (w/Jinder Mahal)
At SummerSlam, Shinsuke Nakamura was sure to win the WWE Championship from Jinder Mahal, until the Singh Brothers got involved. The King of Strong Style has somewhat of a chance at retribution by facing both Singh Brothers in a handicap match.
After taking care of one Singh Brother, Nakamura makes the other tap out with the Triangle Choke. Jinder Mahal tries to attack him after the match, but Nakamura counters and knocks the WWE Champion out with the Kinshasa knee strike. Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Backstage Segment
Kevin Owens is looking for a referee and when he refuses to let Breezango referee his match, he is approached by Baron Corbin. Corbin offers to ref the match as long as he gets first dibs at a title shot if Owens walks out as champion. Owens agrees since he doesn’t really have any allies.
Natalya & Carmella vs. Naomi & Becky Lynch
This isn’t just a standard women’s tag team match. There are some combustible elements that could turn this match into chaos. Natalya just won the SmackDown Women’s Championship from Naomi, so Naomi might have a little more aggression than normal. Also, the champ is partnered up with Carmella, who holds the first-ever Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase and can cash in at any moment, including in this match.
Carmella tries to stay out of the match but once she’s tagged in, Naomi hits her with the split-legged moonsault to pick up a win, gaining some of her momentum back. The former two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion has a rematch set for some point in the future, and this helps get her there even without pinning the champion. Winners: Naomi & Becky Lynch
AJ Styles (c) vs Kevin Owens – United States Championship (Special Guest Referee: Baron Corbin)
This is a very important match for Kevin Owens. If Owens loses, he will not be allowed to challenge for the United States Championship until AJ Styles drops the title. Baron Corbin convinced Owens to let him be the referee as long as Corbin gets first dibs at the title. He then approaches Styles, who says that the US Open Challenge would be reinstated if he retains, so Corbin is welcome to challenge for the gold.
Shane McMahon runs down to the ring to yell at Baron Corbin about doing a bad job. While Corbin is distracted, Kevin Owens low blows Styles and when Corbin goes to count the pinfall, McMahon pulls him out of the ring to make sure there is a clean win. Corbin, frustrated, decided to leave and gives the refereeing duties to Shane O’Mac.
After Owens flips out at the referee change, AJ Styles hits him with the Phenomenal Forearm to retain the United States Championship for the second time this week. It seems like SmackDown is leading towards a Shane McMahon/Kevin Owens match, and this further pushed the show in that direction. Winner, and STILL United States Champion: AJ Styles
