With Raw having an okay showing last night, SmackDown Live does not have to try to hard to do better than the red brand. Randy Orton takes on Alberto Del Rio, and American Alpha returns to in-ring action.
Opening Segment
Bray Wyatt comes to the ring alongside Erick Rowan to address the WWE Universe. Last week, Dolph Ziggler defeated Bray Wyatt to keep his WWE Championship opportunity against Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam. Wyatt said that it does not matter, because he is a “god” who cannot be killed by anybody. Instead of a “corporate,” red vs. blue war from the brand split, Wyatt says that is him versus the whole world.
Ambrose comes down to the entrance ramp with some words of his own for Bray Wyatt, and Dolph Ziggler interrupts both men. Instead of saying anything, Ziggler just enters the ring and starts attacking Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan. Ambrose tries to help even the odds, but the Wyatt Family stands tall after Ziggler accidentally superkicks Ambrose.
Daniel Bryan goes full Teddy Long and makes a tag team match: Bray Wyatt & Erick Rowan vs.
Mikey O’Shea & Mike Vega vs. American Alpha
Before the match starts, The Vaudevillains, The Ascension, and the Hype Bros surround ringside to scout the new tag team. O’Shea and Vega have a chance to make a surprise impression on the WWE Universe, but I highly doubt that will happen.
Before you know it, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable hit Grand Amplitude on O’Shea to pick up the victory. Winners: American Alpha
After the match, all the tag teams brawl, and the chaos ends with American Alpha sending the Vaudevillains packing.
Becky Lynch vs. Eva Marie
Since Eva Marie got “hurt” last week, she could not compete against Becky Lynch. Tonight, Eva Marie has another chance to make a huge debut.
Eva Marie’s chances are squandered again when she suffers from a wardrobe malfunction. Result: No Contest
Since Eva Marie dodges another match opportunity, Becky Lynch issues an open challenge that is accepted by Alexa Bliss.
Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss
This is Bliss’s first match on the roster, and she faces the top face in Smackdown’s women’s division.
During the match, Eva Marie comes back to the entrance ramp since she fixed her wardrobe and is ready to compete. This distracts Becky Lynch, and Alexa Bliss takes advantage to set up Lynch for Twisted Bliss and the victory. Winner: Alexa Bliss
After the match, Eva Marie promises that she will make her debut next week.
Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio
Randy Orton faces Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, and after being out of action for several months, The Viper needs to get in as much in-ring time as possible. He defeated The Miz and Fandango in the past couple of weeks, and a win over Alberto Del Rio could help his momentum quite a bit.
Orton starts ripping the announce table apart to put Del Rio through, but Del Rio hits Orton’s arm with a steel chair. Del Rio looks to finish off Orton in the ring, but Orton hits an RKO “Outta Nowhere.” Even though Orton survived, his arm might still be banged up by SummerSlam. Winner (via disqualification): Randy Orton
Heath Slater vs. Rhyno
If Heath Slater wins this match, he earns a contract with SmackDown Live. If he loses, he is still a free agent.
Heath Slater tries to pin Rhyno by using the ropes for leverage, but the referee catches him. Rhyno then hits Slater with a Gore, and the Michigan House of Representatives candidate picks up the victory. Winner: Rhyno
Carmella vs. Natalya
Last week, both of these women were supposed to square off against each other. However, Natalya had other plans and attacked Carmella from behind instead. She tries to do the same tonight, but Carmella defends herself long enough to make this match, Carmella’s first main roster match, official.
Carmella manages to lock in the Code of Silence on Natalya to pick up an impressive victory in her debut. Winner (via submission): Carmella
Backstage Segment
Apollo Crews defeated Baron Corbin and Kalisto in a triple threat match to become the #1 Contender to The Miz’s Intercontinental Championship. Corbin was frustrated, and decided tonight to attack Kalisto backstage to let out his frustrations.
Dolph Ziggler & Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt & Erick Rowan
This match is to bide time before SummerSlam, where Ambrose and Ziggler will face each other, and the Wyatt Family has no plans.
Ambrose barely hits a suicide dive on Bray Wyatt to leave Ziggler and Rowan in the ring. Ziggler counters a powerslam attempt and hits a superkick to put Rowan away and end this episode of SmackDown. Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Dean Ambrose
