On this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw, the card from Payback was practically filled out. Shane McMahon, who will apparently be in charge forever, announced three matches for the Pay-Per-View. Chris Jericho will take on Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens will face friend-turned-rival Sami Zayn, and the #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament finals will take place, featuring Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady facing the Vaudevillains. Tonight on Smackdown, everybody involved in Payback is focused on gaining some momentum.
MizTV (w/Maryse) feat. AJ Styles
The current Intercontinental Champion and his wife, Maryse, are in the ring to ask AJ Styles about the Bullet Club attacks on Roman Reigns this past Monday night on Raw. In New Japan Pro Wrestling, AJ Styles was one of the leader of the Bullet Club, which included Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Since AJ Styles is the #1 Contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and Gallows and Anderson have quite the connection with Styles, an ambush on Reigns seems likely to have something to do with the #1 Contender.
Styles tells Miz that he had absolutely no part in the attacks on Roman Reigns, and the Miz doesn’t believe him. After constantly accusing Styles of being part of the attacks, the Miz starts making out with Maryse. After the Miz turns around, he gets hit with a right hand from the “Phenomenal One.”
Ryback vs. Kalisto
On the WrestleMania 32 Pre-show, Ryback challenged Kalisto for the United States Championship, and Kalisto retained his title. Tonight, Ryback looks up to make up for that loss by scoring a non-title win over the champion. Kalisto has been focused more on tag team action since WrestleMania, when he (along with Sin Cara) would eventually be eliminated from the #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament.
Ryback counters Kalisto’s attempt at the Salida Del Sol to pick up the victory. This doesn’t mean Ryback is the United States Champion, but this win puts him in prime position to be the #1 Contender. Winner: Ryback
Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin
Over the last few weeks, Baron Corbin has made it his mission to assault Dolph Ziggler at every opportunity he can get. Before the match starts, Corbin attacks Ziggler from behind, throwing him all over ringside. For the third time, Corbin lays Ziggler out with the End of Days outside of the ring. Result: No Contest
After the assault, Rich Brennan asks Baron Corbin why he attacked Ziggler tonight, and Corbin’s reasoning was “because [he] can.”
AJ Styles vs. The Miz (w/Maryse)
Because the events that transpired earlier on tonight during MizTV, a match was made to settle things in the ring. AJ Styles defeated the Miz in their last match against each other, and he also knocked out two of the Miz’s teeth.
Styles has The Miz right where he wants him, and the Miz tries to escape. However, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson come down the entrance ramp to prevent the Miz from leaving the match. When Miz gets back in the ring, Styles hits the Phenomenal Forearm to pick up the victory over the Intercontinental Champion. Winner: AJ Styles
In-ring Segment
After the match, The Miz confirms his theory that AJ Styles is in cahoots with Gallows and Anderson. The Miz demands an investigation, and refuses to leave the ring until the investigation is addressed. The Miz gets what he wants, and Shane McMahon makes his first Smackdown appearance in a very long time.
After the Miz makes a bunch of demands, while aggressively poking Shane O’Mac, Shane McMahon hits the Miz with some punches, a flying elbow, and a clothesline to send the Miz outside the ring.
Backstage Segment
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson tell Rich Brennan that Styles doesn’t need them to succeed, and they are just looking to make an impact. They also plan on making an impact when they make their in-ring debut (or return in Gallows’s case) on Monday Night Raw against the Usos.
Team B.A.D. vs. Natalya & Paige
As usual, Team B.A.D. hasn’t been doing much other than being enhancement talent for other women in the WWE. Their opponents include Natalya, the #1 Contender to the Women’s Championship, as well as Paige, who has her hometown crowd behind her in London.
Natalya locks in the Sharpshooter on Tamina to keep her from interfering, allowing Paige to put the PTO on Naomi to pick up the victory. Winners (via submission): Natalya & Paige
R-Truth vs. Fandango – Special Guest Referee (Goldust)
For several months, the team of “Golden Truth” has been debated over whether or not R-Truth and Goldust will become tag team partners. However, every time it is brought up, something goes wrong to prevent it from happening. Last week on Smackdown, Goldust competed in the #1 Contender’s Tag Team Tournament with Fandango (“Goldango” was their name) and lost very quickly to the Vaudevillains. It isn’t too clear why this match is happening, but I can only assume we will find out.
The match turns from a fight to a dance battle, when Goldust decides to dance with Fandango instead of R-Truth. After noticing that he was ignored, R-Truth hits Fandango with the Lie Detector for the victory. Winner: R-Truth
Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn & Dean Ambrose
This match gives us a little glimpse at what could transpire at Payback. Jericho is taking on Ambrose, while Kevin Owens is facing Sami Zayn. Whatever team wins will have the momentum, and perhaps psychological, advantage over their opponents in a little over a week at Payback.
Jericho pushes Ambrose onto the ropes, leaving Ambrose in quite the precarious position, giving Kevin Owens the opportunity to take advantage and put Ambrose away. Winners: Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens
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