Tonight’s episode of Smackdown features a Champion vs. Champion match where WWE Champion Dean Ambrose will take on the Intercontinental Champion, The Miz. Although this match, and the rest of the card for that matter, may not be the most intriguing match, when the brand extension happens these matches may never happen again.
Before the show starts, it is announced that there will be a fatal four-way match to start the show and to determine the new #1 Contender for the United States Championship. Sheamus, Apollo Crews, Alberto Del Rio, and Cesaro will compete in what is sure to be an amazing match to determine the next step of the winner’s career.
Sheamus vs. Apollo Crews vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Cesaro – #1 Contender’s Match (United States Championship)
Cesaro and Alberto Del Rio have been having competitive matches over the past couple of weeks, and Sheamus has ben dead set on destroying Apollo Crews. On Monday Night Raw, Crews and Cesaro took on Del Rio and Sheamus in a tag team match. A frustrated Del Rio left Sheamus to defend himself, giving Crews and Cesaro the win. There are no partners tonight, and the best man (or the most strategic) will pick up the victory.
Crews and Sheamus are knocked out of the ring, and Cesaro takes advantage, locking in the Sharpshooter on Alberto Del Rio and making “Mexico’s greatest export” submit. Winner, and NEW #! Contender (via submission): Cesaro
After the match, Alberto Del Rio interrupts Cesaro’s victory celebration and assaults him from behind. Del Rio hits the Swiss Superman with the double stomp outside of the ring, leaving the new #1 Contender laid out near the steel steps. According to Mauro Ranallo, Cesaro has to challenge for the United States Championship tonight. Rusev knows this, and makes the most of this opportunity by coming down to the ring and challenging Cesaro to have the United States Championship match right now. Rusev calls Cesaro a coward, and Cesaro shakes off the cobwebs and gets ready for an uphill battle.
Rusev (c) (w/Lana) vs. Cesaro – United States Championship
This was a great opportunity for Rusev, giving him an automatic advantage by having a fatigued opponent.
Cesaro gives a hell of an effort, but Rusev was able to overcome the Swiss Superman and forces Cesaro to tap out to the Accolade. Winner, and STILL United States Champion: Rusev
Dana Brooke vs. Billie Kay
Billie Kay has tested the waters in NXT, but has not found much success. With this being her first match on the main roster, it is even less likely for Bille Kay to pick up a victory tonight. Kay is a good talent who will start off by doing a great job as an enhancement talent, but hopefully she can transition into much more.
On Monday Night Raw, Dana Brooke teamed up with Charlotte and unsuccessfully faced Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks. Banks made Brooke tap out to the Bank Statement, so a win for Brooke would help her regain some momentum.
Dana Brooke hits the Samoan Driver, and playtime was certainly over for the hopeful Billie Kay. Winner: Dana Brooke
Backstage Segment
Sasha Banks is being interviewed by Renee Young backstage talking about her plans for the WWE Women’s Championship when she is interrupted by Summer Rae. Summer Rae has had enough of hearing about “The Boss,” and hopes that they get drafted to different shows. Banks challenges Summer to a match tonight because she disrespected The Boss.
MizTV feat. Dean Ambrose
The Miz starts promoting himself as he normally does, and Dean Ambrose makes his way to the ring earlier than expected with a sandwich. Ambrose jokes around and says that the Ambrose Asylum is better than MizTV, and the audience seems to agree.
Ambrose uses The Miz’s suuit jacket as a napkin, and after Maryse throws it on Ambrose’s head, The Miz hits Ambrose with a big boot.
Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan (w/Bray Wyatt) vs. Local Talent
The Wyatt Family has been away while Bray Wyatt recovered from injury, and they returned two weeks ago on Monday Night Raw to start a feud with the New Day.
Braun Strowman makes little work of his opponents and pins both of them at the same time. Winners: Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan
The New Day shows up on the Titantron to cut a promo on the Wyatt Family. There is not anything that has not really been said before, but Xavier Woods is still noticeably shaken whenever the Wyatt Family is around.
Summer Rae vs. Sasha Banks
This is Sasha Banks’s first singles match since two weeks after WrestleMania when she defeated Summer Rae in a very quick squash match. If Banks is looking for a Women’s Championship opportunity in the near future, she is going to need a win over Summer Rae. In singles matches, Sasha Banks is undefeated since joining the main roster.
After hitting the double knees in the corner on Summer Rae, Banks locks in the Bank Statement to pick up the much needed victory. Winner (via submission): Sasha Banks
Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz (w/Maryse)
After their talk show scuffle, Dean Ambrose and The Miz face each other in the Champion vs. Champion match. There is a chance that both of the championship might get drafted to different shows, which might mean that the Intercontinental Championship will become a top title. With that in mind, the Miz defeated the WWE Champion could start elevating the title.
Dean Ambrose catches The Miz after a failed double axe handle attempt, and hits Dirty Deeds to show who the superior champion is. Winner: Dean Ambrose
