Prior to the start of Smackdown Live, we learned that Shinksuke Nakamura was unable to compete due to an injury.
Turns out that it was from a dog bite from a police dog, according to WrestlingInc.com.
With that, how was Smackdown Live able to adjust their show plans and follow up from last week?
Find out below!
The Miz Kicks off Smackdown Live
To kick off the show, we’re introduced to The Miz who is in the center of the ring ready for a MizTV segment.
His guests? The Bludgeon Brothers.
If you remember, Harper and Rowan helped Miz last week in the Gauntlet Match, which he eventually lost, though.
The Bludgeon Brothers stood in the ring with their hammers in hand staring down Miz.
Miz turned the focus on what they have in common: Daniel Bryan.
Miz then asks the question why they attacked Bryan to which they do not readily reply.
With the crowd booing, the Miz tells them to keep quiet and to not disrespect the tag team champions. He then points to the video board and we look at Bryan’s interview with Renee Young from last week.
Then they look at a video recap of Bryan coming to the ring as Harper and Rowan were leaving the area after defeating Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
Miz continues to bury Bryan until we get a video recap of Harper and Rowan taking out Bryan during his Gauntlet Match.
Afterward, Miz starts to clap and mock Bryan by doing sarcastic “Yes!” chants.
He then asks if the Bludgeon Brothers want to be a part of the new Miztourage and mentions his upcoming film, only for Harper to slap the microphone out of Miz’s hands.
Then, Bryan comes out and tells Miz to shut up and directs his attention to the Bludgeon Brothers.
He asks them which one is going to “fight him first”.
Then Harper says that Bryan never learns, but will tonight.
This sets up a match for Harper vs. Bryan later in the night.
Analysis: Miz is always entertaining, but this was not a very captivating way to kick off the show. Also, Bryan’s babyface promos are so cringeworthy I want to crawl out of my skin.
The New Day Backstage
Someone in a shirt is making them shakes out of something. We then get a graphic that Xavier Woods will be taking on Rusev.
Analysis: OK.
Xavier Woods vs. Rusev
Rusev wins. After the match, Rusev cuts a promo saying that tonight was about A.J. Styles, not beating up The New Day. He then says what he did to Woods is a preview of what is to come to Styles.
Analysis: Just getting Rusev some wins as we build toward Extreme Rules. It was nice to see Rusev cut a promo with some emotion behind it.
Jeff Hardy Vignette
In his face paint, Hardy cuts a promo saying he’s ready to fight.
Analysis: I dig the face paint gimmick.
Jeff Hardy Open Challenge
Following an injury to Shinsuke Nakamura earlier in the week, he was unable to compete against Hardy for the United States Championship.
So, Hardy came out and threw out an open challenge for the title.
Lana and Naomi Backstage
When we got back from commercial, though, there’s a quick backstage segment with Naomi and Lana arguing about who won the dance-off months ago, and the cast of “GLOW”. The cast of “GLOW” suggests that Naomi and Lana work together. Naomi then compliments Lana’s dance moves.
Analysis: Stupid, but this way to advertise the second season of the show.
Back to Hardy…
After that segment backstage, we go back to the ring in anticipation of Hardy’s opponent.
We discover it’s going to be Eric Young of SAnitY.
However, the match is interrupted by the Usos’ who attack Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain on the outside of the ring.
Then, Jay Uso comes into the ring to attack Eric Young, making the match result in a disqualification, meaning Hardy keeps his title.
Analysis: Clearly they needed a Plan B, or C with Nakamura injured. This was just to protect both Hardy and Young.
Six-Man Tag: Uso’s and Hardy vs. SAnitY
During the commercial break, Smackdown Live general manager came out and made the match a six-man tag match.
Uso’s and Hardy win.
Analysis: So you build up this stable in SAnitY for months and have them lose their first match to a makeshift team? Horrible.
Becky Lynch vs. Sonya Deville
Becky Lynch wins.
Analysis: Do not care one iota about this.
James Ellsworth Backstage with Tye Dillinger
Ellsworth walks up and says hi to Dillinger. Ellsworth takes his Asuka mask off. Then Dillinger puts it back on and says he’s a “10”. When he takes the mask off he’s a one.
Analysis: Most airtime Dillinger has had in months. And did you know he blocked me on Twitter?!
Andrade “Cien” Almas Selfie Promo
Almas and Zelina Vega are backstage telling people to stay out of their way and talking about dismantling Sin Cara.
Analysis: Totally forgot about this guy.
James Ellsworth In-Ring
Ellsworth says he’s a real man and talks about Asuka attacking him for no reason.
Then, Ellsworth says its a man’s world and tells the WWE Universe to not blow up his Twitter.
Ellsworth then asks Asuka to come out, but Paige does instead.
Paige then comes out an talks down to Ellsworth and then books a rematch of Asuka and Carmella at Extreme Rules.
Paige then books Ellsworth in a match next week against Asuka.
Analysis: I’m seriously a better actor than this schmuck.
Harper vs. Daniel Bryan
Bryan wins after Rowan attacks Bryan.
Rowan attacked Bryan because Bryan was able to get the “Yes lock” locked in on Harper and he was about to tap.
After, both men beat Bryan senseless.
But then, Kane returns to help his former tag team partner.
Kane then stares down the Bludgeon Brothers and goes after both of them. Bryan eventually rejoins the fray and Kane chokeslam’s Harper.
Bryan and Kane then stare one another down. Kane then approaches Bryan for a hug.
If you’ll recall, Kane chokeslammed Bryan months ago on RAW.
However, Bryan gives in and gives him a hug and they both do “Yes!” chants.
Paige then comes out and says that the Bludgeon Brothers will defend their titles at Extreme Rules against Team Hell No.
Analysis: Kane doing “Yes!” chants should literally never happen again.
