Money in the Bank is a few weeks away, and five Superstars have already qualified for the Money in the Bank ladder match. Tonight, Alberto Del Rio takes on Zack Ryder to determine the fifth qualified participant in the ladder match. Tonight’s episode of Smackdown will also feature two championship matches: Rusev defending the United States Championship against Kalisto, and The Miz defending the Intercontinental Championship against Cesaro.
Opening Segment
To start off the show, Michael Cole is in the ring with the Money in the Bank briefcase. His guest for the segment is one of the men who qualified for the Money in the Bank ladder match, “The Lunatic Fringe,” Dean Ambrose. While being interviewed by Michael Cole, Ambrose is interrupted by Kevin Owens, who threatens Cole out of the ring. Following Owens are Sami Zayn and Alberto Del Rio, who all say that they are going to win the Money in the Bank Ladder match. Del Rio is not in the match, but he will be if he defeats Zack Ryder in the next match.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Zack Ryder – Money in the Bank Qualifier
Whoever wins this match will join Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Dean Ambrose, Cesaro, and Chris Jericho in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Zack Ryder won a seven-man ladder match at WrestleMania 32, and Alberto Del Rio is a former Money in the Bank winner, so each Superstar has the same chance of winning the qualifier (and the ladder match). Both men need the Money in the Bank briefcase to boost their careers after both of them have not seen recent success.
Del Rio counters a pin attempt from Ryder and locks in the Cross Armbreaker for the victory. Winner (via submission): Alberto Del Rio
In-ring Segment
Enzo Amore and Big Cass start a promo when they are immediately interrupted by the Dudley Boyz. Big Cass challenges the Dudleys to a match, and they are ready for a fight, but on their terms. Instead of squaring off tonight on Smackdown, the Dudley Boyz will take on Enzo Amore and Big Cass on Monday Night Raw.
Rusev (c) (w/Lana) vs. Kalisto – United States Championship
At Extreme Rules, Rusev started his second United States Championship reign when he defeated Kalisto, simultaneously ending one of the most lackluster United States title reigns since Dean Ambrose held the title. The self-proclaimed “greatest United States Champion of all-time,” Rusev, has had the best showings of his career over the last several weeks.
Rusev counters a 450 Splash attempt by Kalisto, and follows it up with a superkick to the back of the head and a vicious accolade to put Kalisto away and retain the United States Championship. After the match, Rusev attempts a post-match beatdown on Kalisto when he is stopped by Titus O’Neil. O’Neil is ready to fight Rusev, but the champion retreats instead. Winner, and STILL United States Champion: Rusev
Dana Brooke vs. Natalya (w/Charlotte)
Before the match starts, Charlotte joins the commentary team at ringside. At Extreme Rules, Natalya took control in the Women’s Championship submission match, when Dana Brooke made a surprise appearance to aid Charlotte. Tonight, Natalya looks to get revenge on Dana Brooke.
Natalya locks the Sharpshooter in on Dana Brooke when Charlotte breaks up the submission to end the match. After the match, Brooke and Charlotte beatdown Natalya, leaving her laid out in the middle of the ring. Winner (via disqualification): Natalya
Golden Truth vs. Breezango
Two weeks ago on Smackdown, Fandango and Tyler Breeze formed a team when they turned on (and attacked) Goldust and R-Truth after a tag team match. Since then, R-Truth and Goldust finally formed the team Golden Truth, but they lost their first match against Breezango two weeks ago on Monday Night Raw. Tonight, Golden Truth looks to even the score with a win.
While the referee is preoccupied with Goldust, Tyler Breeze hits R-Truth with a superkick, and Fandango gets the pinfall. Winners: Breezango
In-ring Segment
Seth Rollins comes down to the ring, says the he did not miss the WWE Universe at all, and leaves.
The Miz (c) (w/Maryse) vs. Cesaro – Intercontinental Championship
Cesaro should be Intercontinental Champion by now, but The Miz has always been in the right place at the right time. At Payback, Cesaro had The Miz tapping but the referee was distracted by Maryse, and the same thing happened at Extreme Rules. On Monday Night Raw, Cesaro would score a non-title victory over The Miz to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match, and he would earn an opportunity to face The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship tonight.
Cesaro charges at The Miz in the corner, but Miz exposes the turnbuckle and dodges the attack, leaving Cesaro stunned. The Miz takes advantage and hits the Skull Crushing Finale on Cesaro for the win. Winner, and STILL Intercontinental Champion: The Miz
