Just like Raw, SmackDown Live only has a couple weeks until the “biggest party of the summer,” SummerSlam. We found out last week that Shinsuke Nakamura will challenge Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship at the huge event and Kevin Owens will get a United States Championship rematch against AJ Styles. Tonight, SmackDown helps build towards SummerSlam with finishing out its card and capping the show off with a main event featuring a grudge match between Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton.
Opening Segment
SmackDown Live kicks off with a slow-motion highlight video of the match between John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura last week. The video also shows footage of what happened after SmackDown went off the air. While Nakamura was celebrating his historic win, Baron Corbin attacked him from behind. Cena was heading to the locker room, but he turned around and saved the King of Strong Style from the beatdown. The altercation ended with Cena throwing Corbin through the announce table with the Attitude Adjustment.
Appropriately, Cena comes down to the ring after the video ends for an opening promo. The 16-time World Champion starts talking about how he lost cleanly to Nakamura and how he showed Nakamura respect with a handshake. Ironically, he is disrespected when he is interrupted by Baron Corbin. Cena calls Corbin a “skinny-fat overrated dumpster fire” before threatening to put the Lone Wolf through another table.
Corbin refuses to fight Cena and decides to walk away, but General Manager Daniel Bryan pops up. Bryan makes a match for SummerSlam official: Baron Corbin vs. John Cena. There is definitely a convenient setup here for Corbin to lose to Cena, with the Lone Wolf conveniently cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase on Shinsuke Nakamura or Jinder Mahal later in the night.
The Usos vs. Sami Zayn & Tye Dillinger
Two weeks ago, The Usos attacked The New Day during their entrance and since then, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions have not been seen. Since Jimmy and Jey Uso can’t compete against the champions in singles matches anymore, they compete in a tag team match against two underdogs performing in front of their home country of Canada (Like Raw, SmackDown is in Toronto).
While Sami Zayn and Tye Dillinger are great singles competitors, The Usos thrive in tag team matches. They use a blind tag to take advantage of Dillinger’s divided attention, and Jimmy Uso forces him to tap out with the Tequila Sunrise submission move. Winners: The Usos
After the match, The Usos cut a promo saying that they are going to be the next tag champs when they are interrupted by the New Day. Only Big E appears on the entrance ramp, giving Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston the opportunity to attack the challengers from behind. They look to take Jimmy out with a steel chair, but Jey is barely able to help him make the escape.
The Fashion Files
Two mysteries have been solved: Fandango was kidnapped by aliens and Arn Anderson destroyed Tully the Stuffed Horse. If you haven’t been watching the Fashion Files for the past couple months, this probably makes no sense at all. Rest assured, though, it is very entertaining.
Lana vs. Charlotte
After causing Tamina a tag team match win last week, Lana wanted to prove to her unlikely ally that she can handle her own. In order to do that, she has decided to challenge the top female Superstar of the modern era.
Charlotte dominates for the entire match and quickly finishes the Ravishing Russian off with the Figure Eight Leg Lock. Winner (via submission): Charlotte
In-ring Segment
Last week, AJ Styles retained the United States Championship against Kevin Owens in controversial fashion. Owens demanded a rematch with a capable referee, and since he was throwing a fit, General Manager Daniel Bryan decided that the rematch would take place at SummerSlam, but the referee would be none other than Shane McMahon. Tonight, McMahon is here to “lay down the law” for the championship match.
Somehow, it turns into Owens and Styles taking turns at showing how McMahon can’t be trusted, but despite the evidence, Shane O’Mac promises to call it down the middle. Styles decides to change the match to tonight and when Owens refuses, the champ gets in his face. Owens sucker punches Styles and when Styles attempts the Pele Kick, he accidentally hits McMahon, who is trying to end the fight.
Announcement
The SummerSlam Kickoff Show will be two hours long, starting at 5 Eastern time, with the main four-hour long show starting at 7.
Naomi vs. Carmella
It seemed like the next time Naomi and Carmella would square off one-on-one, it would be for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, but that isn’t the case here. The champion takes on Ms. Money in the Bank after forcing her to tap out in a tag team match last week.
While the referee is attending to Carmella, Naomi climbs to the top rope. James Ellsworth appears from under the ring and pushes Naomi off of the rope, setting Carmella up for a victorious superkick. Ellsworth was suspended for 30 days, but that ended late last week. Winner: Carmella
Jinder Mahal vs. Randy Orton
Since Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton in the Punjabi Prison match, he moves on to SummerSlam to face the King of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura. Now the Modern Day Maharaja can face new opponents and get fresh oppone- Oh wait. He’s facing Randy Orton again. The trilogy of matches between them were nothing to write home about, and Orton has to worry about his SummerSlam opponent, Rusev. Hopefully, this is the last time we ever see Mahal vs. Orton for at least the rest of 2017.
Mahal attempts the Khallas, but Orton counters it directly into the RKO. Orton pins Mahal in a non-title match, something he failed to do in three matches with the WWE Championship on the line. As Orton celebrates near the ramp, he gets superkicked in the back of the head by Rusev while the show fades to black. Winner: Randy Orton
