Tonight is the first episode of Smackdown since WrestleMania 32, and there has been a lot going on in WWE since. Zack Ryder shocked the world and became the Intercontinental Champion, only to lose it the next night to The Miz (who got help from a returning Maryse). There were several big debuts in Enzo Amore, Colin Cassady, Baron Corbin (who won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal), and Apollo Crews. Most importantly, however, AJ Styles became the #1 Contender to Roman Reigns’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Tonight’s episode of Smackdown features the debut of the Vaudevillains, Zack Ryder vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental Title, and AJ Styles & Cesaro taking on Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens.
Opening Segment
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns comes down to the ring, talking about how he beat the Authority (hopefully for good this time). Reigns mentions how he needs to beat AJ Styles, and gets interrupted by the new #1 Contender. Styles says if he has to beat “the guy,” then so be it. Reigns responds, saying he never will.
The Lucha Dragons vs. The Vaudevillains
Tonight is the main roster debut for the Vaudevillains (Simon Gotch and Aiden English), who are former NXT Tag Team Champions. They have a very old school style to them, which even includes a ring entrance in black-and-white. The Vaudevillains and the Lucha Dragons have a history in NXT, battling over the NXT Tag Team Championship.
This is the first time we are seeing Kalisto since he successfully defended his United States Championship against Ryback. Sin Cara has also been recovering, after competing in the seven-man Intercontinental Championship ladder match.
After getting in some good tag team offense, The Vaudevillains hit Kalisto with the Whirling Dervish to pick up their debut victory. Winners: The Vaudevillains
Summer Rae vs. Natalya
WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte is sitting at the commentary table with Byron Saxton, Mauro Ranallo, and Jerry Lawler to scout Natalya. Natalya confronted Charlotte on Monday Night Raw, and is the first challenger for the new Women’s Championship. Summer Rae has not fared that well, after losing the multi-woman tag match at WrestleMania, as well as a match against Sasha Banks on Raw.
Natalya counters a spinning heel kick from Summer Rae, and locks in a Sharpshooter for the win. Winner (via submission): Natalya
Zack Ryder vs. The Miz (w/Maryse) (c) – Intercontinental Championship
At WrestleMania 32, Zack Ryder shocked the world by winning his first Intercontinental Championship. The next night on Raw, The Miz convinced Ryder to defend his title, and The Miz won the match by a distraction caused from Maryse slapping Zack Ryder’s father. Tonight, Zack Ryder looks to overcome his one-day title reign and become a two-time Intercontinental Champion.
Maryse undid the bottom turnbuckle, distracting the referee, and leading to the Miz hitting Zack Ryder with a thumb to the eye. The Miz would finish off Ryder with the Skull Crushing Finale to retain his title. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
Apollo Crews vs. Curtis Axel (w/Social Outcasts)
Before the match, Curtis Axel “defeated” the other Social Outcasts in a game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” by using an axe, meaning that he would be the one to face Apollo Crews. Crews had an impressive main roster debut on Monday Night Raw, soundly defeating Tyler Breeze.
Bo Dallas tries to provide a distraction to give Axel the edge, but Crews overcomes the numbers game, and hits Axel with a spinning sit-out powerbomb to pick up his second main roster victory. Winner: Apollo Crews
Backstage Segment
Becky Lynch is being interviewed by Renee Young when she gets interrupted by Emma. Emma believes that Becky Lynch should be at the back of the line, instead of being “handed” all of her big opportunities. There’s a good chance that there will be an Emma/Becky Lynch feud in the works.
Dean Ambrose vs. Tyler Breeze
Dean Ambrose has not been seen since he lost to Brock Lesnar in a street fight at WrestleMania.
Ambrose makes quick work of Breeze by hitting him with Dirty Deeds early on to put him away. Winner: Dean Ambrose
Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles & Cesaro
All four of these men were involved in the fatal four way match on Monday Night Raw to determine the #1 Contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which AJ Styles would come out victorious.
During the match, Sami Zayn comes down to the ring, distracting Kevin Owens. AJ Styles takes advantage of the distraction, rolling up Owens to pick up the victory. Winners: AJ Styles & Cesaro
After the match, Owens and Zayn start to brawl, but are broken up by referees after Owens throws Zayn into the steel stairs.
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