Tonight is the last taped episode of Smackdown ever, which means that from now on, Smackdown will be more exciting from the live feel. On Monday Night Raw, it was revealed that Shane McMahon is now the commissioner of Smackdown. Although Shane McMahon is in charge, he will need a General Manager to run the day-to-day business, which he will reveal on Monday. Will this episode of Smackdown increase intrigue before it goes live, or will this be the (hopefully) last throwaway episode before the big switch?
Sasha Banks vs. Dana Brooke (w/Charlotte)
On last week’s episode of Smackdown, and the last episode of Monday Night Raw, Sasha Banks has defeated Dana Brooke in one-on-one action. Banks, who is the only female WWE Superstar to pick up consistent wins in the last few weeks, so it makes sense for her to challenge Charlotte for the Women’s Championship. Banks issued her challenge on Raw, but Charlotte decided that one more match against Brooke would decide if Banks is worthy of a shot. Apparently defeating Brooke twice in a row is not enough.
Charlotte distracts Banks from the ring apron, and Brooke tries to take advantage with a roll-up. Banks counters the pin into a crossface, making Brooke tap out for the victory. Winner (via submission): Sasha Banks
After the match, Charlotte immediately attacked Banks and threw her over the announce table, and the champion stood tall to end the segment.
Rusev (w/Lana) vs. Dolph Ziggler
Like any match on tonight’s card, this could be the last time we see this matchup. Rusev has been on a roll as of late, dominating anyone who challenges him as of late. His most recent challenger has been teh Long Island Iced Z, Zack Ryder, who has picked up surprised wins over Sheamus twice last week.
Ryder comes down to the ring to distract Rusev, and Ziggler takes advantage, rolling up the Bulgarian Brute to steal the show victory. Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. AJ Styles & Karl Anderson (w/Luke Gallows)
A couple of weeks ago, The Club was about to assault John Cena with a 3-1 advantage. Right before The Club laid Cena out, Muscles Marinara and Big Cass came down to the ring to even the odds and save the 15-time world champion. Since then, Smacktalker Skywalker and his seven-foot tall best friend have had quite the bone to pick with The Club.
Luke Gallows provides enough of a distraction for the numbers game to come into play, and AJ Styles takes advantage by locking in the Calf Crusher to make The Michael Jordan of Jargon submit. Winners (via submission): AJ Styles & Karl Anderson
Kalisto (w/Sin Cara) vs. Tyler Breeze (w/Fandango)
On Monday Night Raw, Breezango picked up an impressive victory over The Lucha Dragons, and tonight, Kalisto looks to gain back some momentum in singles action.
Kalisto was on his game as well as he could have been, and he finishes off Prince Pretty with a Salida Del Sol to pick up the victory. Winner (via submission): Kalisto
MizTV feat. Darren Young & Bob Backlund
On Monday Night Raw, Darren Young won a Battle Royal to become the #1 Contender to the Miz’s Intercontinental Championship. Naturally, The Miz decides to invite his Battleground opponent to his talk show to Darren Young can be disrespected. The Miz ends up disrespecting Bob Backlund, and Young wants to
Backstage Segment
It is revealed that Sasha Banks has gotten her wish, and she will face Charlotte at Battleground. However, it will not be for the Women’s Championship. Instead, Charlotte and Dana Brooke will team up for the second Pay-Per-View in a row, where they will face Sasha Banks and Bayley whoever Banks can find as a partner please Bayley.
Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens
Pretty much as soon as this match starts, Seth Rollins attacks Dean Ambrose for the disqualification. Winner (via disqualification): Dean Ambrose
Sami Zayn comes down to even the odds, and to make former Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long proud, we have ourselves a tag team match.
Sami Zayn & Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens
These are two huge feuds that are colliding in one match. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens hate each other about the same amount that Ambrose and Rollins do. Zayn and Owens face each other at Battleground, and Rollins will challenge Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship (noticeably without the “World Heavyweight”) on Monday Night Raw. This tag team match will give us (and the participants) a taste of what’s to come over the next week and a half.
Kevin Owens helps Seth Rollins dodge the Helluva Kick, and Rollins takes advantage to hit Zayn with a Pedigree to pick up a much needed victory. Winners: Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens
