Monday Night Raw had their SummerSlam “go home” show last night, where we got our first main roster look at Demon Finn Balor, but overall it was an okay show. Tonight, SmackDown has the opportunity to do a better job than Raw at getting the fans excited for SummerSlam. Main eventing with Alberto Del Rio vs. John Cena, can the blue brand pull it off?
Opening Segment
To start off the show, we are in the office of Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon. Randy Orton enters to sign the match contract for his SummerSlam battle with Brock Lesnar, and they are interrupted by Heath Slater. Slater wants his contract, as usual, and Randy Orton says that he has an idea. Before he says his idea, we switch to the intro video.
MizTV feat. Dolph Ziggler & Dean Ambrose
As soon as the Miz starts the opening of his show, he is introduced by a fellow talk show host and the current WWE Champion, Dean Ambrose. Ambrose starts addressing SummerSlam (which is right around the corner) and he is interrupted his Sunday opponent, Dolph Ziggler.
Dolph Ziggler cuts a promo cuts a promo as intense as it could be, and out of nowhere, hits Ambrose with a superkick.
American Alpha, The Usos, & The Hype Bros vs. The Vaudevillains, The Ascension, & Breezango
All six teams on SmackDown Live are in a giant match to try to see who are the premiere teams of the division. Since American Alpha debuted, they have definitely seemed to be the team to beat, but every other team on the roster has a viable chance of giving them a run for their money. Hopefully this will lead to the crowning of SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
The Usos dive outside of the ring, giving American Alpha the chance to hit Grand Amplitude on Aiden English for the win. Winners: American Alpha, The Usos, & The Hype Bros
Naomi vs. Eva Marie
Two week ago, Eva Marie could not compete in her scheduled match against Becky Lynch due to an ankle injury. After her ankled healed, she had another chance last week, but suffered from a wardrobe malfunction. Tonight, she was unable to make her SmackDown Live debut due to traffic issues. Eva Marie apologized. Result: No Contest
A plus from this segment (other than building heat for Eva Marie) is that Naomi has a really cool entrance focused on glowing in the dark.
Video Package
It turns out that Curt Hawkins is returning to WWE. Hawkins debuted several year ago along with Zack Ryder, and had not really gotten anywhere by the time of his release. Maybe this run will be better for him.
Randy Orton vs. Heath Slater
Heath Slater tried to earn a Monday Night Raw contract last night by defeating Brock Lesnar in a match. Instead, Lesnar took him to Suplex City before the match even began. Tonight, Slater can earn a SmackDown contract as long as he defeats Randy Orton.
Randy Orton keeps attacking Slater in the corner, and disobeys the referee’s count of 5. Winner (via disqualification): Heath Slater
Does this mean Slater is on SmackDown now? Either way, things are not looking good for Slater when Orton destroys him outside the ring to send a message to Brock Lesnar.
Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan check up on Slater backstage and bring him a contract to sign. Slater is so delusional from the assault that he thinks Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon are the ones offering him a contract. Before Slater has a chance to sign, Shane McMahon pulls away the contract, leaving Slater a free agent.
Dean Ambrose vs. Erick Rowan w/Bray Wyatt
After Ambrose getting superkicked by Dolph Ziggler earlier tonight, he is more fired up than normal tonight.
Ambrose kicks Rowan in the midsection, and hits Dirty Deeds out of nowhere. After the match, a seemingly disappointed Bray Wyatt walks away from Rowan. Winner: Dean Ambrose
Becky Lynch & Carmella vs. Alexa Bliss & Natalya
Last week, Becky Lynch lost to Alexa Bliss with a little help from Eva Marie. Also last week, Carmella defeated Natalya in her in-ring main roster debut with her Code of Silence submission finisher.
After her traffic delay, Eva Marie makes her way down to the ring during the match. Before Marie gets to the ring, Naomi (her opponent from earlier tonight) starts chasing her. Natalya throws Naomi out of the ring, then attempts to roll up Lynch. Lynch counters into the Disarm-her for the win. Winners (via submission): Becky Lynch & Carmella
Backstage Segment
Baron Corbin attacks Kalisto for the second week in a row, assumedly still angry about Kalisto preventing him from becoming the #1 Contender for The Miz’s Intercontinental Championship. Instead, the #1 Contender is Apollo Crews.
John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio
Last October during the John Cena US Open Challenge, Alberto Del Rio made a surprise return to WWE and defeated Cena for the United States Championship. They square off again tonight before Cena faces AJ Styles at SummerSlam.
Cena prevents Del Rio from locking in the Cross Armbreaker and hits the Attitude Adjustment for the victory. Winner: John Cena
After the match, AJ Styles (who was on commentary during the whole match) hits Cena with the Phenomenal Forearm. Styles looks to finish Cena off with the Styles Clash, but Cena counters into the second AA of the night, then hits Styles with another Attitude Adjustment through the announce table.
