The Great American Bash:
July 7th
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pre-show recap:
The Iiconics vs Twisted sisters (Nikki Cross and Isla Dawn)
Match summary: The Iiconics try to use their experience as a tag team to defeat the Twisted Sisters. However, Nikki and Isla have been working on their teamwork and they are even able to outperform the Iiconics when it comes to teamwork. The pair pick up the win as Isla Dawn gets Billie Kay into an Electric chair position and Nikki Cross dives off the top rope hitting her with a diving clothesline as Byron Saxton calls the move Written in the stars (I may change that name). Nikki makes the cover and the Twisted Sisters pick up the win.
Winners via pinfall: Twisted Sisters (7:10)
Bray Wyatt announces the tag team titles match stipulation
Summary: Bray Wyatt is shown backstage surrounded by the War Raiders who are holding their Smackdown tag team titles looking as imposing as ever. Bray boasts about destroying Jeff Hardy and says the price of bringing war is the bodies you leave in your wake. He says Matt should have known what he was dragging his brother into when he came to face the War Raiders. He says if Matt finds anyone to take on his War Raiders, they will be destroyed in the war to come as the Smackdown tag team titles match will be a No DQ tornado tag match!
The Gentleman vs Lucha House Party
Match summary: A decent match between two of the tag teams in the Smackdown Live tag team division. The Gentlemen start the match by offering a handshake to Lucha House Party before cheapshotting Lince after the bell. Throughout the match, The Gentlemen use a ground game trying to pick apart Lucha House Party. However, Lucha House Party use their high-flying skills to get back into the match and in the end, Gran Metalik picks up the win for his team as he hits Aiden English with a corkscrew somersault senton bomb!
Winners via pinfall: Lucha House Party (8:11)
Main show:
The main show starts with Corey Graves and Byron Saxton welcoming us to the show as they give us a rundown of the card before announcing that we are starting the show off hot with the Intercontinental title fatal 4-way match!
*OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE WORLD*
Buddy Murphy makes his way out to the ring first getting boos from the crowd. He gives the fans an angry look as he walks to the ring. Corey Graves tells us that Buddy Murphy comes into this match with a point to prove. Byron says Murphy has a chip on his shoulder for sure but will that help him win this match?
*ONE AND ONLY*
Ricochet gets a loud pop from the live crowd as Byron Saxton hypes him up as the wild card in this match due to him being able to things no other man on the planet can do. Once inside the ring, he and Buddy Murphy start trash talking each other clearly ready to lay into one another after the past few weeks.
*SWAMP GAS*
And we are back to boos as the monstrous Luke Harper makes his way to the ring with a blank expression on his face. Both men turn their attention to Harper as Corey Graves tells everyone Luke Harper is his pick to win tonight. Byron however on commentary wonders if the actions of Luke Harper over the last few weeks will lead to all 3 of his opponents working together to eliminate him. He steps over the ropes and into the ring but before anything can happen:
*CATCH YOUR BREATH*
Finn Balor makes his way out with the Intercontinental title around his waist as he shows off his abs to the delight of the live crowd. As he makes his way down the entrance ramp he makes sure to stare all three men in the ring down as he points the finger guns at them. He climbs into the ring as he passes his title to the referee. Byron and Corey remind us of the fact that Finn Balor does not have to be involved in the decision tonight to lose his title. All 4 men make their way to a ring corner as the referee gets the match underway.
IC title fatal 4-way match: Finn Balor (c) vs Buddy Murphy vs Luke Harper vs Ricochet
As soon as the bell rings, everyone attacks Luke Harper looking to get payback for the attacks over the last few weeks. All 3 lay into him which sends Luke Harper to the outside of the ring. Buddy Murphy as soon as Harper rolls out of the ring grabs Ricochet from behind planting him with a German suplex as he lets out a cocky smirk taking advantage of Ricochet being distracted. Finn Balor, however, is ready for Buddy Murphy and lays into him with a forearm smash sending Buddy Murphy backwards. Buddy Murphy stumbles a little but fires back with a few European uppercuts as he looks to prove himself. Balor is wobbling a little bit as Buddy goes for another one, Balor ducks and connects with an overhead pele kick! Finn runs off the ropes as he looks for a slingblade BUT Murphy counters with a powerbomb planting the Intercontinental champion!
Murphy goes for the cover 1 2 Balor kicks out! Murphy gets to his feet with a cocky smile on his face as he turns around into a big boot from Luke Harper! Finn Balor rolls out of the ring as Luke Harper tosses Buddy Murphy around like a rag doll looking for payback due to the backstage attack by Buddy Murphy two weeks ago. He gets Murphy in the corner of the ring and starts hitting him with several knife-edge chops really peppering Murphy's chest! Luke Harper backs away as he looks for a corner big boot as Ricochet comes flying off the ropes hitting a slingshot springboard missile dropkick!
Harper is staggered as Ricochet runs off the ropes looking for a basement dropkick but Harper jumps over him! Ricochet turns around but meets Luke Harper's boot. However, before he can follow it up Murphy attacks Harper from behind! Harper no-sells it and turns around as he grabs Buddy Murphy by the throat and tries to chokeslam him! However, Ricochet catches Harper off-guard with an European uppercut! Harper stumbles back but grabs hold of Ricochet as he looks to chokeslam him as well but as he lifts them both up into the air... FINN BALOR RUNS OFF THE ROPES AND HITS HARPER WITH A SLINGBLADE!
Luke Harper crashes to the mat as Finn Balor hits a jumping double foot stomp as Ricochet and Buddy Murphy roll out of the ring. Balor makes the cover 1 Harper kicks out! Finn realizes he will have to do a lot more if he wants to put away Luke Harper. He starts laying into the rising Luke Harper with several kicks to the chest before he runs off the ropes and hits a basement dropkick. Balor makes the cover 1 2 Harper kicks out! Finn Balor looks to keep up the pace as he lifts Harper off the mat but Harper pushes him off. Luke looks for a lariat but Finn is too quick as he ducks underneath him! Finn runs off the ropes but is tripped up by Buddy Murphy on the outside! Murphy would then drag him through the ropes and slams him back first into the apron. Harper though runs off the ropes and flies over the top rope wiping both men out with a SUICIDE DIVE!
All 3 men are wiped out on the outside of the ring as the camera pans to show the high-flier Ricochet stood on the top turnbuckle as he stares at all 3 men as they start to rise to their feet and flies off the top rope hitting them all with a SHOOTING STAR PLANCHA! This gets a loud pop from the crowd as all 4 men are wiped out on the outside of the ring. Ricochet gets to his feet first as he grabs hold of Buddy Murphy and slides him into the ring. Ricochet climbs onto the apron before hitting a springboard senton onto Murphy! Ricochet makes the cover 1 2 Murphy kicks out! Ricochet gets to his feet as he is joined in the ring by the Intercontinental champion Finn Balor! Both men stare each other down as Buddy Murphy slides out of the ring. The crowd goes wild, excited at the prospect of these two men going head to head!
Both men let out a slight smirk taking their time to eye each other up before Ricochet fires the first shot with an uppercut sending Finn Balor back slightly. Finn Balor fires back with a few punches of his own before he runs off the ropes looking for a slingblade but Ricochet dodges it matrix style! The crowd goes wild as Finn crashes to the mat and Ricochet follows it up with a STANDING SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet makes the cover 1 2 Finn kicks out! Ricochet lifts Finn Balor off the mat as he hits Balor with a Northern Lights Suplex as he bridges 1 Harper breaks the cover! Luke Harper is not taking any chances! Harper picks up Ricochet by the throat before sending him flying across the ring with a massive OVERHEAD CHOKE SUPLEX! Finn Balor struggles to his feet as Harper grabs him from behind and slams him down with a half nelson suplex!
Luke Harper makes the cover 1 2 Balor kicks out! Harper wastes no time peeling Finn Balor off the mat as he sees Ricochet rising to his feet in the corner and biel throws Finn Balor into Ricochet! Harper is not done there as he follows it up with a body avalanche crushing the two men in the corner of the ring! Luke Harper drags Finn Balor out of the corner of the ring as he lifts him in the air for a delayed Vertical suplex, really taking his time as he looks to make the blood rush to Balor's head! Luke Harper brings Finn Balor crashing down but before he can make the cover Buddy Murphy charges into the ring and smashes Luke Harper in the head with a knee lift staggering the big man! Balor rolls out of the ring as Murphy attacks Harper with a few rapid-fire kicks battering Luke Harper before finishing off the sequence with a running dropkick. Murphy makes the cover 1 Ricochet breaks it up!
Ricochet runs off the ropes as he looks to hit Murphy with a running hurricanrana but Murphy is ready and counters Ricochet planting him with a powerbomb! Murphy isn't done though as he sees Harper stirring on the mat and POWERBOMBS RICOCHET ONTO LUKE HARPER! Murphy brings Ricochet up one more time and plants the smaller opponent as he holds on for the cover 1 2 Ricochet kicks out! Harper rolls out of the ring as Murphy looks to make Ricochet suffer as he drags him off the mat and batters him with SWISS DEATH! Ricochet falls to the mat as Murphy rolls him over and locks in the REGAL STRETCH IN THE CENTRE OF THE RING! Ricochet is in a ton of pain as Murphy is stretching the hold back really looking to force Ricochet to tap out!
Ricochet lifts his arm into the air teasing that he is about to tap out!
AS WE SEE FINN BALOR STOOD ON THE TOP ROPE!
AND HE DIVES OFF HITTING A COUP DE GRACE TO THE BACK OF MURPHY!
Murphy lets go of Ricochet as Finn Balor makes the cover!
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Ricochet breaks the cover!
Ricochet used the last of his energy to keep the match alive! Finn Balor gets to his feet as Buddy Murphy rolls out of the ring. Ricochet is only just getting to his feet himself as Finn lays in some rapid strikes before finishing off with an enziguiri staggering Ricochet! Finn grabs Ricochet by the head and drills his head into the mat with a lifting inverted DDT! Finn hooks the leg 1 2 Ricochet kicks out! Finn Balor though doesn't waste any time and sees a golden opportunity as he climbs to the top rope as he looks to end this! However, Ricochet wisely rolls out of the ring to the outside! He struggles to his feet on the outside bent over as Finn quickly changes direction and dives off the top rope HITTING A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO RICOCHET'S BACK!
Ricochet is down and out on the outside as Balor gets to his feet looking to get Ricochet back into the ring as Luke Harper charges at Finn Balor and connects with a single leg dropkick planting Finn Balor! Finn drops Ricochet as Luke Harper yanks the Intercontinental champion up into the air by the throat and CHOKESLAMS HIM BACK FIRST ONTO THE RING APRON!
Luke Harper has a cold blank expression on his face as Finn falls to the ring floor clutching his back which is now in a ton of pain! Luke Harper makes his way towards Ricochet lifting off the mat and hits him with a gutwrench powerbomb onto the ring floor! Harper is looking to hurt people at this point! Luke Harper has a crazed look in his eyes but as he turns around Buddy Murphy dives off the ring apron hitting a diving meteora stunning the big man! Harper is on wobbly legs as Murphy hits him with multiple stiff punches and kicks! Murphy grabs hold of Harper and sends him back first into the ring apron!
Murphy slides Harper into the ring and looks to end this! Using all of his power Buddy Murphy lifts Luke Harper into the air and plants him with a MASSIVE POWERBOMB. Murphy isn't done though because as Harper sits up Murphy takes his HEAD OFF WITH A KNEE LIFT! Murphy makes the cover
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Harper kicks out!
Buddy Murphy looks annoyed that Luke Harper was able to kick out so he tries to deadlift Luke Harper off the mat but the big man fights him off sending Murphy backwards! Harper gets to his feet as Murphy rebounds off the ropes looking for a knee strike but Harper scoops him up and plants him with a MICHINOKU DRIVER II! Luke Harper makes the cover
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RICOCHET HITS A SHOOTING STAR PRESS BREAKING THE COVER!
Luke Harper gets to his feet as Ricochet is clearly struggling due to the pain his back is in and this proves costly as Harper charges at him connecting with a big boot! Ricochet is flattened and falls to the mat as Murphy slides out of the ring. Harper grabs Ricochet and sends him flying across the ring with a belly to back suplex BUT RICOCHET LANDS ON HIS FEET! Loud cheers from the crowd as Luke Harper turns around into a hurricanrana sending Harper onto the middle rope! Ricochet then runs off the ropes and hits a TIGER FEINT KICK! Commentary talk about Rey Mysterio being his idol growing up as Ricochet then lands on the ring apron as he takes a moment before hitting a SLINGSHOT SPRINGBOARD 450 SPLASH! Ricochet hooks the leg
1
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Finn Balor breaks the cover!
Finn Balor saves his Intercontinental title in the nick of time! He wastes no time as he grabs hold of Ricochet and lifts the high-flier into the air and looks for 1916! However, Ricochet escapes out of it and hits a swinging tornado DDT! Ricochet isn't done there however as he sizes the rising Finn Balor up and connects with RECOIL! Ricochet makes the cover
1
2
FINN BALOR KICKS OUT!
Ricochet is a little stunned Finn was able to kick out but the champion refuses to lose his title that easily! Ricochet though refuses to let that get him down as he noticeably holds his back in a ton of pain and he makes his way to the top rope, doing it slowly due to the damage done throughout this match. He has to take a while to steady himself as Buddy Murphy clubs him in the back! Buddy Murphy climbs onto the top rope as both men start to do battle! Buddy Murphy targets Ricochet's back as the one and only tries to fight him off! Buddy though scoops Ricochet up onto his shoulders and hits him with AN AVALANCHE FIREMAN'S CARRY GUTBUSTER! Murphy is quick to make his way over to Ricochet as he makes the cover
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FINN BALOR STOMPS ON HIS BACK BREAKING THE COVER!
Buddy Murphy grabs hold of his back as Ricochet rolls out of the ring. Finn Balor would then kick Buddy Murphy's head off with a massive soccer kick to the head. He then drags him up off the mat and plants him with 1916! Finn Balor, however, looks to make sure this is over and makes his way to the top rope! He flies off and connects with the COUP DE GRACE! Finn goes for the cover
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LUKE HARPER PULLS THE REFEREE OUT OF THE RING!
Luke Harper doing whatever it takes to save this match! Finn Balor is unsure what just happened as he gets to his feet. Luke Harper meanwhile slides into the ring and takes Balor's head off with a superkick! Harper drags the prone Finn Balor up above his head and sends him flying out of the ring with a POWERBOMB ONTO THE PRONE RICOCHET ON THE OUTSIDE! Luke Harper then turns around as Buddy Murphy staggers to his feet. Harper charges at him and goes for the DISCUS CLOTHESLINE...
BUDDY MURPHY DUCKS!
Buddy Murphy catches Harper as he turns around with a SUPERKICK staggering the monster. Murphy lifts Harper onto his shoulders as he tries to get him in position for MURPHY'S LAW! However, Harper slips out grabbing hold of Murphy and slams him down with a SLEEPER SUPLEX! Murphy's body bounces off the mat and as he rises to his feet... DISCUS CLOTHESLINE! Harper makes the cover!
1
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Ricochet and Balor both slide into the ring!
BUT THEY ARE TOO LATE!
3
Winner via pinfall and NEW Intercontinental champion: Luke Harper (14:51)
Both Ricochet and Finn Balor sit on the mat arms outstretched, annoyed to have come just short tonight. Meanwhile, Luke Harper has a blank look on his face as he rises to his feet, a two-time Intercontinental Champion. Byron Saxton on commentary talks about the fact Luke Harper pulled the referee out of the ring in the closing stages and without him doing that, Finn would still be champion. Corey tells Byron a true champion does whatever it takes to win.
As Luke Harper is passed his title, he stares at it almost transfixed on the belt before making his way out of the ring. Finn Balor meanwhile can be seen shaking his head. Ricochet is meanwhile holding his back in immense pain whilst Murphy kicks the barricade annoyed at not only losing but also being pinned tonight. We then cut backstage as Cathy Kelly is stood ready for an interview.
Cathy Kelly: Would you please welcome my guest at this time, Matt Hardy.
Matt walks into the shot as he seems a bit disheveled almost as if he hasn't slept.
Cathy Kelly: My first question would be, how is your brother Jeff?
Matt Hardy: He is not good Cathy.
Noticeably as he talks Matt can be seen pulling at his hair and acting almost a little unhinged?
Matt Hardy: My brother Jeff was injured once again at the hand of Bray Wyatt. I should have made sure he never made it out of the lake. He should have been, he should have been de de dele DELETED!
Matt looks a little wild-eyed as Cathy Kelly is unsure what to make of Matt's odd mannerisms.
Cathy Kelly: Um, have you found a tag team partner for tonight or will you be taking on the War Raiders alone?
Matt Hardy: Yes I have found the most DELIGHTFUL partner who will bring justice to the pair. Someone I have known for years.
Cathy Kelly: And who is that?
Matt Hardy: When it comes to going to war, one does not reveal his hand too early Kelly of Cath.
Matt Hardy walks off leaving Cathy Kelly baffled by that interview as we cut back to the commentary team at ringside who are equally confused. Both Corey and Bryon wonder who Matt could have found and if whoever it is has a chance against the might of the War Raiders who have been unstoppable since becoming tag team champions on Smackdown Live!
*DRIFT*
Elias makes his way out with his guitar in hand as he pauses waiting for his tag team partner and fellow member of the Corporation. Corey and Byron on commentary mention Shane McMahon's promise to give the pair a shot at the Smackdown tag team titles if they can beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn tonight.
*I BRING THE DARKNESS (END OF DAYS)*
Baron Corbin makes his way out next getting boos from the crowd, dressed in his waiter-style outfit as he soaks in the heat from the fans and Baron Corbin has a microphone in his hand ready to speak.
Baron Corbin: You fans are only booing because you know I'm about to destroy another two of your heroes.
Elias: Shut your mouths.
Cheap heat for the pair but it is effective as they carry on their slow walk to the ring.
Baron Corbin: It is fine Elias because tonight we will beat Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, just like I beat Kurt Angle!
Now the boos get super loud as the crowd are reminded of what happened at Wrestlemania earlier this year. Corbin and Elias step over the ropes as they now stand in the ring.
Baron Corbin: And Elias was kind enough to write a song talking about my glorious victory!
Loud boos as Elias starts to strumming his guitar however before he can start...
*FIGHT*
*WORLDS APART*
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn make their way out with a pair of microphones in hand as the crowd let out a loud pop for them stopping Elias before he can sing.
Sami Zayn: Oh dear god will you two stop.
Kevin Owens: You two talk way too much
Sami Zayn: And that's coming from us.
Kevin Owens: We came here for one reason and that's to fight.
Sami Zayn: And for once not each other.
Cheers from the crowd as well as a few laughs.
Kevin Owens: So let's get this started!
Both men drop their microphones as they charge toward the ring. Elias smartly slides out of the ring as the referee stops Sami and Owens from attacking Corbin. Corbin uses this to his advantage to cheap shot Sami Zayn and tosses him from the ring. Owens responds by pushing past the referee and starts brawling with Corbin. The referee at this point realizes he can't get them to their corners and calls for the bell getting this underway!
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs Elias and Baron Corbin
Both Kevin Owens and Baron Corbin carry on brawling in the ring at the start of the match, fairly evenly matched. Owens gets Corbin into the corner of the ring but Corbin slides out getting boos from the crowd. Corbin starts mocking the fans at ringside but Kevin Owens climbs over the ropes and dives off the apron with a cannonball senton wiping out Baron Corbin! Kevin Owens picks up Baron Corbin and looks to send him back towards the ring. As this is going on, Elias can be heard talking trash. Owens brings Corbin over to the corner of the ring and makes the tag to Sami Zayn bringing his partner into the match. Both men work over Corbin in the corner as they look to stay in control of the match before Owens Irish whips him out of the corner allowing Zayn to hit a basement dropkick as he makes the first cover of the match. 1 2 Corbin kicks out!
Sami Zayn looks to follow up as he goes for a standing moonsault but Corbin is ready as he gets his knees up just in time! Zayn clutches his chest as Corbin smirks. He gets to his feet mocking the crowd as he clubs Sami Zayn in the back! Corbin turns to Owens and starts mocking him as he biel tosses Sami towards the corner of the ring. Corbin makes his way to the corner and hits a body avalanche crushing Sami Zayn! Corbin makes the tag, bringing Elias into the match. Corbin would Irish whip Sami out of the corner sending him towards Elias who hits a back body drop! Elias makes the cover 1 2 Zayn kicks out. Elias smirks though as he grabs Sami and locks him in a headlock as he starts to work over the smaller man. Elias looks to take all the pace out of the match as he turns to Kevin Owens and mocks the prizefighter.
Owens keeps his temper in check for now as he trusts his tag team partner to survive the offense of Elias and Corbin. Sami looks like he might escape the hold but as he looks like he is about to escape, Elias brings him back down to the mat with a snap suplex sending Sami back towards the Corporation's corner of the ring! Elias follows it up with an elbow to the side of the head keeping Sami grounded. Elias then grabs Sami's arm and locks it in a wrist lock and uses that to bring Sami over to their corner of the ring as he makes the tag once again. Corbin steps in and boots Sami in the face whilst Elias holds onto him. Sami drops to the mat as Corbin makes the cover 1 2 Sami kicks out! Corbin and Elias are really toying with their prey at this point as Owens fumes in the corner of the ring, desperate to get into the match!
Corbin presses down on the shoulder of Zayn with a nerve hold as he carries on working over Sami Zayn getting boos from the live crowd. Corbin though releases the nerve hold lifting Sami Zayn into the air and tosses him into the turnbuckle with snake eyes! Corbin tags in Elias as both men make a few rapid tags as they work over Sami in the corner of the ring with several boots to the gut! Elias pulls Sami Zayn out of the corner of the ring after a while before running the ropes and hitting a leaping shoulderblock! Elias makes the cover 1 2 Zayn kicks out! Elias though looks to taunt Sami as he locks in a wristlock before dragging Sami towards the ropes as he hits WALK WITH ELIAS. Elias once again makes the cover 1 2 Sami kicks out! Elias picks up Sami off the mat looking to hit him with a powerbomb but Sami ROLLS THROUGH!
1
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Elias kicks out!
Elias looks annoyed as Sami looks to get to his corner but Elias grabs hold of Zayn's foot dragging him back to the Corporation's corner of the ring and tags in Baron Corbin! Corbin wastes no time as he charges across the ring and takes Owens off the ring apron with a clothesline getting boos from the crowd. Corbin turns around as Sami kicks Elias away sending him backwards and wipes Sami out with a big boot to the face! Corbin makes the cover 1 2 Sami kicks out! Corbin looks a little miffed Sami was able to kick out. Corbin takes his frustration out by laying into the underdog from the underground with several furious punches! Corbin picks Sami up off the mat and works over him with a bearhug grinding him down for a few seconds before hitting him with a sidewalk slam, as he looks to inflict more pain on Zayn! Corbin makes the cocky cover 1 2 Zayn kicks out!
Zayn is struggling as once again Corbin starts to taunt his tag team partner Kevin Owens as he scoops Sami in the air looking to get him in position for the END OF DAYS! However Sami thinking quickly hits a TORNADO DDT planting Baron Corbin in the center of the ring! Sami takes a moment as he looks up and sees Kevin Owens's hand stretched out ready for the tag! He crawls and reaches out...
AS HE MAKES THE HOT TAG TO KEVIN OWENS!
Corbin tags in Elias who tries to charge at Kevin Owens but he gets taken out with a superkick! Elias is on wobbly legs as Owens is quick to follow it up by hitting a German suplex planting Elias. Owens turns around as Corbin tries to catch him off guard but Owens hits Corbin with a STUNNER! Corbin rolls out of the ring selling the lethal move as Elias tries to catch Owens off guard with a roll-up!
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Owens kicks out!
Elias nearly steals the win! Elias looks to catch Owens out as he gets to his feet but Owens catches him with a kick to the gut as he goes for the STU... No! Elias sends Owens into the ropes. Owens comes back off the ropes as Elias tries to go for the DRIFT AWAY but Owens fights him off and HITS THE POP-UP POWERBOMB! Kevin makes the cover
1
Sami Zayn bounces off the ropes wiping out Corbin with an ASAI MOONSAULT!
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Winners via pinall: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (7:06)
Cheers from the live crowd as Kevin Owens gets to his feet and is soon joined by Sami Zayn as the pair share a hug. Byron puts over the pair tonight after having a tough time due to the numbers game the Corporation have been using in the last few weeks. As they are celebrating in the ring the camera cuts to Shane McMahon backstage in his office.
He was clearly watching the match and doesn't look happy. We see Drew McIntyre in the background getting ready for his number one contender's match with Roman Reigns later on tonight. Shane sighs as we cut back to the commentary team at ringside as Corey Graves tells us, up next we have Daniel Bryan vs The Miz!
*I CAME TO PLAY*
The Miz makes his way out to the ring with his usual long flowing coat and sunglasses as he looks super focused ahead of this match. Byron and Corey on commentary talk about the clashes The Miz and Daniel Bryan have had throughout the years. Corey counters though as he tells Bryon that this is a new and improved Daniel Bryan.
*FLIGHT OF THE VALKYRIES*
Daniel Bryan makes his way out holding his hemp WWE title as he is followed by his fellow Eco-warrior Erick Rowan. The crowd boos the hell out of Daniel Bryan as he makes sure to shove his title belt in the fans' face, shouting about the environment as he walks to the ring. Once inside the ring, The Miz is ready to go straight away but Bryan tells the referee to keep him back getting boos from the crowd. Miz does as the referee instructs and heads to the corner as Bryan passes the hemp WWE title to Erick Rowan as we get this match underway.
The Miz vs Daniel Bryan w/Erick Rowan
Once the bell rings The Miz goes straight for Daniel Bryan, but the planet's champion slides out of the ring getting boos from the crowd! He jaw jacks with the fans on the outside as The Miz tells Bryan to get back into the ring. Bryan takes his time before sliding inside. However, he quickly slides out once again winding The Miz up! Daniel Bryan at this point tells The Miz he was just copying his style like you copied mine! This winds The Miz up and he storms out of the ring looking to chase after Daniel Bryan! He chases Bryan around the ring but gets cut off by Erick Rowan who stands in front of him. This distracts The Miz for a moment allowing Bryan to climb onto the apron and dive off hitting Miz with a diving knee strike! Boos from the crowd as Bryan taps his head letting out a smug smirk! The referee meanwhile gets to a 5 count in the ring as Bryan picks up The Miz and sends him into the barricade!
Daniel Bryan slides in and out of the ring as he makes his way over to The Miz who is leaning against the barricade and starts laying into him with the Yes kicks! He batters The Miz whilst trash-talking him. He makes a dig about Miz stealing his moves before sending him into the ringpost getting boos from the crowd. Daniel rolls The Miz into the ring and he looks to go to work over Miz, stretching him in the middle of the ring! The Miz is in a lot of pain with Bryan really punishing the A-Lister. Bryan meanwhile is enjoying himself and breaks his submission hold to clock Miz in the face as he lets out a sick smile. Bryan takes his time as he looks to carry on working over The Miz. He goes for a bow and arrow hold but Miz counters by sweeping the legs out from underneath Bryan!
The Miz wastes no time and lays into Daniel Bryan with a few punches letting out some of his frustration. He lifts Bryan off the mat and connects with an Atomic drop before sending him into the corner of the ring! The Miz wastes no time as he charges in and hits the AWESOME CLOTHESLINE! As he does, The Miz makes sure to taunt Erick Rowan on the outside of the ring before making his way out of the corner. The Miz then makes his way to the opposite corner of the ring, taking a moment before doing a “YES” taunt mocking his arch-rival and connects with a hesitation dropkick! The Miz is getting really fired up as he drags Bryan towards the center of the ring and makes the first cover of the match! 1 2 Bryan kicks out! The Miz looks to keep Bryan grounded as he hits Bryan with a leg drop!
He looks to grab Bryan by the head but the planet's champion fights back with several vicious elbows sending The Miz back towards the ropes. Bryan wastes no time as he charges off the ropes and takes Miz's right leg out with a chop block! Bryan like a shark smells blood in the water and once again lets out a sick smile. The Miz tries to get back to his feet but Bryan hits him with a brutal double foot stomp on his right leg! It is clear Bryan is now looking to make the Miz suffer as he grabs hold his leg and starts connecting with a series of dragon screw leg whips. He hits 3 in a row as Miz's right leg is now in a lot of pain! The Miz grabs his right leg as Bryan smirks. He enjoys making The Miz suffer as he walks over to the A-Lister and STOMPS ON HIS RIGHT LEG! This gets boos from the crowd as Miz is still clutching it.
Bryan gets in his face and calls Miz soft! Bryan carries on trash-talking Miz, getting right in his face so Miz slaps him! Bryan stumbles back a tiny bit as Miz rises to his feet and takes Bryan's head off with a leaping lariat! Miz makes the cover 1 2 Bryan kicks out! The Miz is noticeably limping and he realizes he is going to have put Bryan away as soon as possible due to the damage done to his right leg already. The Miz grabs hold of Daniel Bryan and hits him with a snapmare driving Bryan's head into the mat. Miz makes the cover 1 2 Bryan kicks out! Miz gets to his feet once again struggling due to the damage done to his right leg. The Miz starts to work over Bryan on the mat as he tries to stretch him and wear him down ready for the Skull Crushing Finale! Bryan though is a submission expert and escapes by smashing Miz in the right leg with an elbow strike!
Miz once again grabs it due to the pain as Bryan picks him up and Irish whips him into the corner of the ring shoulder first! Bryan isn't done, however. Bryan slides out of the ring and grabs the right leg of The Miz and starts slamming it into the ringpost over and over again! The referee gets to a 4 count and nearly DQ's Bryan! Bryan, however, shouts back at the referee that HE HAS TILL FIVE! However, the damage is clearly done as Miz is in a ton of pain! Bryan is getting cocky as he locks The Miz in a headlock and just starts battering him with several MMA style elbows! Bryan looks to make the A-Lister well and truly suffer for daring to face him tonight. Once Bryan has hit nearly a dozen elbows, he drops Miz to the mat but once again he refuses to make the cover, as Corey speculates he wants to make Miz tap out! Daniel Bryan grabs hold of Miz's right leg and looks to go for the dreaded HEEL HOOK!
Miz though reacts quickly and kicks away Bryan with his left leg, desperate to avoid the submission hold! Bryan looking to go back on the attack but Miz acting quickly hits a jumping neckbreaker! Miz has to take a moment due to the pain his leg is in. He then grabs hold of Bryan and hits him with a shoulderbreaker! Miz doesn't stop there as he hits another shoulderbreaker as he looks to find a way to weaken the submissions of Daniel Bryan! Miz follows it up with an arm stunner once again wrenching on the arm before coming off the ropes with a running clothesline! Miz makes the cover 1 2 Bryan kicks out! Miz is still in pain as he considers his next move as Bryan looks to get some distance. Miz though, now he is back in control knows not to let Bryan get away and hits him with a Yakuza kick using his damaged right leg! That might have hurt Miz as much as Daniel Bryan but he makes the cover anyway 1 2 Bryan kicks out! The Miz gets to his feet and looks to end this. He drags Daniel Bryan off the mat and looks to hit the SKULL CRUSHING FINALE... BUT BRYAN ESCAPES!
Bryan fends The Miz off with an elbow to the head! Bryan then turns around and smashes him with a forearm smash. Miz stumbles as Bryan then takes out his right leg with a jumping dropkick! Miz falls to the mat and clutches his right leg as Bryan lets out a sinister smirk. He stands over Miz and once again gives him a disrespectful stomp to the leg but he isn't done there. He makes his way over to the head of Miz and just starts STOMPING ON HIS HEAD! Bryan really goes to town on the Miz as he is just stomping him over and over here looking to really hurt The Miz! Bryan finally stops after a good 7 or 8 stomps to the head and locks in the YES LOCK! Bryan locks the hold in tight as The Miz is clearly not in a good way. Miz is near the ropes but due to his injured leg, he can barely get any traction!
MIZ LIFTS HIS HAND INTO THE AIR
BUT HE REFUSES TO TAP!
The Miz starts shifting his body towards the ropes, trying to find a way to escape the lethal hold and pushes forward even though it is hurting his injured right leg! He reaches and reaches before FINALLY GRABBING THE BOTTOM ROPE! This forces Daniel Bryan to break the hold! Daniel Bryan, however, keeps the hold locked in till the count of 4 before finally letting go! Bryan though makes sure to give Miz a boot to the chest before he lets out an evil smile. Daniel Bryan pulls The Miz back to the center of the ring and grabs hold of his right leg as he looks to lock in the FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Bryan is looking to use one of the Miz's signature submission moves against him as he applies massive pressure to the right leg of The Miz who is in a ton of pain in the center of the ring. Bryan has the hold locked in tight and MIZ HAS NOWHERE TO GO!
THE MIZ IS IN MASSIVE TROUBLE
BUT HE FINDS THE STRENGTH TO REVERSE THE PRESSURE!
NOW IT IS DANIEL BRYAN TRAPPED IN THE CENTRE OF THE RING IN THE FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK!
The Miz knows how to escape his own move as well as anyone Bryon Saxton tells us as Daniel Bryan is in a lot of pain as he tries to find a way to escape the hold but he is trapped in the center of the ring! He tries to reach the ropes behind him but he isn't going to make it as...
BARON CORBIN AND ELIAS MAKE THEIR WAY OUT!
They sprint down the ramp and climb onto the apron distracting the referee. Bryan seeing this taps out which gets The Miz to break the hold, not realizing the referee is distracted! Miz though quickly sees the referee did not see the tap and looks angry. He charges at Elias and hits him with a clothesline knocking him to the floor. In the background however, we can see Bryan makes his way towards Rowan. Corbin meanwhile smartly jumps off the apron smirking as the referee is still telling him off. Miz meanwhile looks to get back to business as BRYAN CLOCKS HIM WITH THE HEMP TITLE! Bryan quickly disposes of the evidence as the referee was still distracted by Baron Corbin! Bryan gets the referee's attention and for the first time tonight makes a cover
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BRYAN STEALS THE WIN!
Winner via pinfall: Daniel Bryan (11:45)
Baron Corbin and Elias head up the ramp smirking to themselves as they have screwed over The Miz tonight. In the ring Daniel Bryan stands over The Miz and starts talking trash as he tells Miz “he will always beat him”! Byron Saxton on commentary is going mental and brings up the way Bryan won however Corey says Bryan will do whatever it takes to pick up the victory and live his dreams.
The Miz is only just coming to now as he sees Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan heading up the ramp to celebrate as they hold the hemp WWE title in the air, showing off the weapon they used to beat him tonight and he shakes his head clearly annoyed at himself for losing the way he did. Corey Graves then informs us up next we have the number one contender's match for the Smackdown Women's title at Summerslam.
We cut to a quick video package which shows the first time these two women met in singles action, at Wrestlemania 34. It shows Charlotte picking up the win before transitioning to the second time the two women met in singles action as Charlotte once again defeated Asuka and this time became Smackdown Women's champion taking her title belt into the Wrestlemania 35 main event. It then shows Asuka's determination to win tonight whilst highlighting Charlotte's arrogance and overconfidence heading into this match.
*THE FUTURE*
A loud pop from the live crowd as the Empress of Tomorrow Asuka makes her way down to the ring in her usual outfit. Byron talks about how focused Asuka has been in the lead up to this match and the fact she is looking to put to rest the demons of the past. Corey, however, says Charlotte has Asuka's number and will always have Asuka's number. He tells Byron there is no shame losing to the queen. Byron, however, tells Corey, he doubts Asuka feels the same.
*RECOGNITION*
Charlotte makes her way out to the ring in her full robe as she soaks in the heat from the live crowd. Asuka stares at Charlotte from the ring, refusing to break eye contact. Corey on commentary mentions that Charlotte feels the title shot at Summerslam should be hers by right as she never got a rematch for the Smackdown Women's title. Byron, however, counters by reminding us Asuka had to earn her rematch and Charlotte should do the same. In the ring, both women stare each other down from opposite sides of the ring as the referee calls for the bell to get this match underway.
Number one contender's match for Summerslam: Asuka vs Charlotte
Once the bell rings both women take their time, staring each other down with Asuka not wanting to make any mistakes in the early stages. The pair lock up in the center of the ring as both women vie for control and are fairly evenly matched. They battle for a while with Charlotte taking control with a headlock as she slams Asuka down to the mat. Charlotte would then give the crowd a “WOO” letting out a cocky smirk before turning her attention back to a rising Asuka. She catches the rising Asuka off-guard with a chop to the chest before once again putting her in a headlock! Charlotte is acting cocky as she has the hold locked in but she doesn't have it in tight enough, allowing Asuka to escape and hit Charlotte in the face with an elbow. This forces Charlotte to break the hold and allows Asuka to clock Charlotte with a spinning back fist!
Asuka is focused on getting the job done as she goes for a roundhouse kick to the head but Charlotte dodges! She scrambles to the ropes looking a little worried. Asuka meanwhile has a cold blank expression on her face. No smiles, she needs the win tonight. Charlotte takes a few moments before making her way back over to Asuka as once again both women lock up in the center of the ring. Charlotte this time seems more focused but the Empress gets Charlotte in a double chicken wing hold as she looks to drop her down to the mat but Charlotte counters with a roll-up! 1 2 Asuka kicks out! Charlotte nearly stole the victory as Asuka rolls away almost mad at herself for nearly getting caught out this early. Charlotte though once again is starting to act cocky as she makes her way towards Asuka.
Charlotte once again looks to go for a lock-up but Asuka dodges and goes after Charlotte's legs as she lays into the Queen with a couple of stiff kicks! However, Charlotte grabs hold of Asuka's leg and goes for a twisting leg snap but Asuka boots her in the head sending Charlotte backwards! Asuka quickly follows up kicking Charlotte in the gut before hitting her with an Inverted DDT! Asuka makes a cover 1 Charlotte powers out! Asuka goes straight for her lethal kicks to the chest but Charlotte grabs Asuka's leg, looking to set up the figure eight but Asuka makes it to the ropes! Charlotte lets go of her foot as she smiles whilst Asuka gives her an angry glare. Charlotte charges at Asuka going for a shoulder block but Asuka leapfrogs over Charlotte, running off the ropes herself and hitting her with a hip attack! Asuka makes the cover 1 Charlotte powers out again and this time Asuka is clearly a little frustrated. She grabs hold of Charlotte's head but Charlotte sends her backwards hitting her with a forearm smash. Charlotte jumps on Asuka hitting a Lou Thresz press with several punches.
Charlotte makes the cover on Asuka 1 Asuka powers out herself! Charlotte is a little annoyed and stunned Asuka powered out. However, she quickly regains her composure telling Asuka she can do this all night! Asuka responds to this by punching Charlotte in the face! Asuka jumps to her feet and lines up for A SPIN KICK BUT CHARLOTTE CATCHES IT AND CONNECTS WITH A DRAGON SCREW LEG WHIP! Asuka grabs hold of her left leg which is now in a slight bit of pain as Charlotte has a smug smirk on her face. Charlotte jumps into the air and connects with a knee drop crushing Asuka on the mat as she makes the cover 1 2 Asuka kicks out! Charlotte gets back to her feet as she smirks. She lifts Asuka off the mat and sends her into the corner of the ring with an Irish whip. Charlotte then lays into Asuka's chest with a knife-edge chop!
Charlotte lets out a WOO right in Asuka's face which leads to Asuka responding by slapping Charlotte in the face! Charlotte stumbles backwards and looks furious but Asuka catches Charlotte with a running dropkick to the gut. Asuka makes the cover 1 2 Charlotte kicks out! Asuka gets to her feet clearly angry that Charlotte is acting cocky and catches her as she gets to a seated position with several kicks to the chest, battering Charlotte! Asuka finishes it off by going for a roundhouse kick to the skull but Charlotte counters with a leg sweep! Charlotte clutches her midsection before goes back on the attack clubbing Asuka in the back of the head. Charlotte lifts Asuka up and slams her to the mat with a German suplex! Charlotte makes the cover 1 2 Asuka kicks out! Charlotte makes her way to the head of Asuka she locks in a figure-four head-scissors hold as she looks to grind Asuka down.
Charlotte transitions this and starts slamming Asuka's head into the mat with as she hits Asuka with three push-up facebusters before letting go and making another cover 1 2 Asuka kicks out! Charlotte looks to press her advantage as he bends down and starts chopping the chest of Asuka, laying into the Empress of tomorrow. Charlotte runs off the ropes and connects with a basement dropkick! Charlotte makes the cover 1 2 Asuka kicks out! Charlotte once again woos at the crowd as she grabs hold of Asuka and lifts her off the mat, locking in an Abdominal stretch as she looks to wear down the challenger. Asuka is in pain but gets a hand free and smashes Charlotte in the face! Charlotte stumbles backwards as Asuka goes for the SPIN KICK but Charlotte rolls underneath and flees to the outside!
Charlotte was ready for Asuka once again. She taps her head as Asuka gets even more annoyed and slides to the outside jumping on Charlotte, laying into the Queen with several hard strikes. Asuka grabs hold of Charlotte as she lifts her up and sends her back first into the barricade! Asuka charges at Charlotte and connects with a running hip attack as she is pressed into the barricade! The referee gets to a 3 count in the ring as Asuka doesn't stop there as she batters the chest of Charlotte with several hard strikes until Charlotte falls down but Asuka grabs hold of her lifting her up and powerbombs Charlotte back first onto the barricade! Asuka then makes her way back to the ring as the referee gets to a 6 count. Asuka though will take the win even if it is via countout. The referee carries on the count
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Charlotte makes it into the ring just in time!
A few in the crowd let out boos with them wanting Asuka to win by any means necessary but Asuka is quick to go back on the attack as she hits Charlotte with several knee strikes as she enters the ring. She is really laying into her by the ropes! The referee starts counting and even gets to a 4 count before Asuka finally backs way. Charlotte is dazed as Asuka charges at her going for another knee strike but Charlotte catches her off guard with a front chop block to the weakened left leg! Charlotte looks angry as she jumps into the air and hits a knee drop onto Asuka's left leg. Charlotte isn't done there as she grabs hold of the left leg and hits Asuka with a rolling leg snap! However, Charlotte holds on and hits another. Charlotte then transitions this into a cover making sure to put pressure on Asuka's left leg. 1 2 Asuka kicks out. Charlotte, however, is no longer acting cocky as tosses Asuka into the corner of the ring.
Charlotte starts hitting Asuka with several knees to her left thigh as she starts to work over Asuka in the corner of the ring. The referee gets to a three count before Charlotte backs away. Charlotte isn't done though as she hits Asuka with a couple of knife-edge chops as she once again looks to pepper Asuka's chest. Asuka starts to stumble in the corner of the ring as Charlotte has an idea. Charlotte slides out of the ring and looks to grab the left leg of Asuka and go for a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK USING THE RINGPOST! Asuka with her right leg desperately kicks Charlotte away however crawling to the center of the ring! Charlotte looks annoyed her plan was thwarted for a moment but she quickly responds by making her way to the top rope and hitting Asuka with a TOP ROPE MOONSAULT! Charlotte hooks the leg of Asuka!
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Asuka kicks out!
Charlotte looks shocked Asuka was able to kick out of the hold. Charlotte argues with the referee before bending over Asuka. Charlotte starts taunting the Empress of tomorrow, telling her that she will always be ready for her. This fires Asuka up as she starts to rise to her feet, clearly still in pain after the moonsault. However, Charlotte responds to this by SLAPPING ASUKA IN THE FACE! Loud boos from the live crowd as Asuka has a face full of thunder! Charlotte, however, responds to this by going for another slap to the face but Asuka catches Charlotte's hand! Charlotte is worried as she tries chopping Asuka with her left hand but Asuka is able to transition into a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Asuka gets the armbar locked in tight as Charlotte is trapped in the center of the ring as Asuka looks to go for the bridge!
Charlotte is in a lot of pain as Asuka wrenches on her arm looking to force the Queen to tap! Charlotte starts trying to move her body towards the ropes looking for a way to break the hold. Asuka realizing what Charlotte is trying to do and arches the hold back even further which causes Charlotte to cry out in pain and lift her hand into the air as she looks like she is going to TAP OUT...
BUT SHE REFUSES AND GETS HER FOOT ONTO THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Asuka keeps the hold on till the count of 3 before slamming Charlotte's arm down to the mat! Asuka is a little angry as she wonders if she can find a way to beat the Queen? Charlotte meanwhile is starting to struggle and worry as Asuka makes her way over to Charlotte and starts laying into her with several vicious kicks! The referee starts the count as Charlotte is in the ropes getting to four before having to literally pull Asuka away from Charlotte! Charlotte is struggling as Asuka has a wild look in her eyes, desperate to win. She looks to run off the ropes going for a HIP ATTACK but Charlotte moves out of the way just in time! Asuka was slightly slower than usual due to the damage done to her leg throughout the match giving Charlotte the chance to dodge! Charlotte rolls towards the center of the ring as Asuka turns around into a SPEAR! Charlotte makes a weak cover not able to hook the leg due to the damage done to the right arm!
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Asuka kicks out!
Charlotte rolls over to the mat and slams her hand on it frustrated that Asuka refuses to just stay down. She takes a few seconds to regain her composure before she looks to the damaged left leg of Asuka and smiles to herself as she looks to go for the FIGURE-FOUR LEGLOCK! She grabs the legs of Asuka but Asuka is ready and smashes Charlotte in the face with a forearm smash once again stunning her! Asuka takes advantage of Charlotte being stunned as she takes out her legs with a low kick causing Charlotte to crash to the mat! Asuka gets to her feet and connects with a splash as she makes the cover 1 2 Charlotte kicks out! Asuka though wastes no time as she grabs Charlotte by the hair, prompting the referee once again to tell her off. However, Asuka doesn't care as she puts Charlotte into a hammerlock position and plants her with a HAMMERLOCK DDT! Asuka makes the cover
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Charlotte kicks out!
Asuka gets to her feet as soon as Charlotte kicks out and connects with a switchblade kick driving Charlotte's head into the mat! Asuka, however, does make the cover as she looks to get her in position for the ASUKA LOCK! Charlotte though tries to fight out of it, as she knows how lethal the submission hold is! Asuka though is able to get it locked in as Charlotte is trapped in the center of the ring with nowhere to go!
Charlotte though refuses to tap out and tries to find a way to get to the ropes...
But there is no escape for the Queen!
She lifts her arm into the air!
But she uses it to shift her body and push Asuka into a PINNING PREDICAMENT!
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Asuka kicks out and lets go of the hold!
Charlotte rolls away from Asuka as she takes a moment to get her breath back. Asuka sits on the mat for a moment as all the self-doubt starts to fill her head as she wonders if she can win this match? Charlotte is still struggling to get back up as Asuka gets to her feet. Asuka stalks Charlotte from behind, limping due to the damage done to her left leg throughout the match! Charlotte gets to her feet as Asuka once again goes for a SPIN KICK... BUT CHARLOTTE COUNTERS WITH A SPINEBUSTER! Charlotte gets back to her feet as he doesn't go for the cover and instead runs off the ropes and connects with NATURAL SELECTION! Charlotte makes the cover
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Asuka kicks out!
Charlotte looks in shock as once again Asuka survived but she now looks to finish this as she grabs the left leg of Asuka and locks in the FIGURE-FOUR LEGLOCK! Asuka is in a ton of pain as Charlotte locks on her father's legendary submission near the center of the ring! Asuka though refuses to tap out so Charlotte makes the bridge and transitions into the FIGURE EIGHT!
Charlotte has the hold locked in tight and Asuka is trapped in the center of the ring!
ASUKA IS TRAPPED IN THE SAME HOLD THAT SHE TAPPED OUT TO TWICE BEFORE!
SHE DOESN'T WANT TO TAP A THIRD TIME!
BUT SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE A CHOICE...
SHE IS IN SO MUCH PAIN AS CHARLOTTE IS TEARING AT THE LEFT LEG OF ASUKA!
BUT ASUKA STARTS SHIFTING HER BODY TOWARDS THE ROPES!
SHE IS INCHES AWAY AS CHARLOTTE PULLS EXTRA HARD!
BUT ASUKA GETS HER HAND ON THE BOTTOM ROPE!
Charlotte lets go after a 2 count from the referee as she looks furious! Asuka refuses to lose to Charlotte again! The queen shakes her head as she sees Asuka struggling back to her feet and takes her out with Queen's boot! Charlotte, however, chooses not to make the cover as she wants to make sure Asuka stays down. She takes a moment to climb to the top rope as she steadies herself on the top rope, struggling to climb but she is eventually able to get herself in position for the moonsault.
However, Asuka gets to her feet and KICKS THE ROPES CROTCHING CHARLOTTE ON THE TOP ROPE! Mixed reaction from the crowd though still mostly cheers with Asuka getting desperate to beat Charlotte tonight! Asuka though doesn't care about the reaction from some of the fans and climbs onto the top rope taking her time due to the damage done to her left leg throughout the match. She hits Charlotte with a couple of punches before grabbing hold of her and planting her with a MASSIVE SUPERPLEX! Asuka makes the cover!
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ASUKA HAS FINALLY BEATEN CHARLOTTE!
Winner via pinfall and number one contender for the Smackdown Women's title: Asuka (21:08)
Asuka rolls to her side and for the first time since the match started Asuka lets out a smile. She has finally overcome her white whale in Charlotte. Asuka gets her hand raised by the referee as Corey Graves mentions the lead up the finish with Asuka desperately kicking the ropes and crotching Charlotte. She needs to resort to a cheap trick to defeat the Queen. Byron says whilst he can't defend it he can understand why Asuka was so desperate to pick up the victory tonight. Charlotte rolls out of the ring and shakes her head clearly furious she lost tonight as she can be heard complaining about Asuka kicking the ropes in the closing stages. The Queen marches to the back as Asuka carries on celebrating to the delight of the live fans when this hits...
*LIKE A LADY*
The crowd let out some large boos as Lacey Evans makes her way down the entrance ramp doing her usual strut getting Asuka's attention straight away. Asuka looks annoyed her celebration has been interrupted and stares directly at Lacey Evans who carries on as normal. Corey mentions it could be Lacey Evans that Asuka faces at Summerslam if Lacey can prove a lady is always better than a man! Asuka makes her way out of the ring and comes face to face with Lacey Evans as the two women stare each other down. Byron wonders if things will kick off between the pair as...
*CELTIC INVASION*
The crowd goes wild as the man Becky2belts makes her way onto the entrance ramp with both of the title belts on her shoulders as she stands at the top of the ramp staring down Lacey Evans and Asuka. Asuka makes her way up the ramp as Bryon says Asuka already avenged one loss tonight, will she get the chance to avenge another at Summerslam Corey mentions that Lacey won't take this disrespect well as Becky looks Asuka in the eyes as the crowd are excited at the prospect of Becky Lynch and Asuka going head to head one more time! Both women stare each other down as Lacey Evans cheap shots The Man Becky Lynch from behind!
Loud boos from the live crowd as Asuka looks at Lacey Evans and Becky Lynch before heading to the back leaving her two potential opponents to go at it. Lacey Evans meanwhile grabs hold of Becky Lynch, dragging the man by her hair and tosses her down the ramp. Becky gets to her feet as Lacey Evans charges down the ramp and starts laying into the man! Corey Graves on commentary gives Lacey Evans credit for how she is starting this match, taking the fight right to the man. Lacey grabs Becky Lynch by the hair again and tosses her into the steel steps. In the ring, the referee tells Lacey to bring it into the ring but Lacey knows she can't be disqualified as the match hasn't started yet. Now with Becky pressed against the steel steps, Lacey slaps Becky Lynch in the face!
Lacey goes for another slap but Becky Lynch catches Lacey's arm as she looks furious! Becky fires back sending Lacey Evans backwards! Becky Lynch then looks to go on the attack but Lacey Evans counters with a pumphandle slam sending Becky's back bouncing off the ring floor. Lacey then grabs Becky Lynch by her hair and rolls her inside the ring. Lacey Evans shouts at the referee telling him to call from the bell which he does, happy to finally get this match underway.
Smackdown's Women title match: Becky Lynch (c) vs Lacey Evans
Lacey Evans makes the cover 1 2 Becky Lynch kicks out! Lacey Evans looks annoyed as she climbs on top of Becky Lynch and looks to carry on the advantage she gained from the pre-match assault and starts laying into Becky Lynch with several slaps to the face. Lacey Evans would then get into a handstand position before transitioning into a knee drop onto the chest of Becky Lynch. Lacey makes the cover 1 2 Becky Lynch kicks out! Lacey is in total control as she starts dabbing herself with a handkerchief before picking it up and shoving it into the mouth of Becky Lynch getting loud boos from the crowd. Becky spits it out as Lacey follows up her disgusting actions by giving Becky a shoot kick to the head as she makes the cover 1 2 Becky kicks out! Lacey smirks enjoying her control over this match as runs off the ropes and looks for a body splash... BUT NOBODY'S HOME!
Lacey grabs her back as Becky Lynch jumps on her and starts clobbering the first lady of Smackdown live with several lefts and rights looking to make her pay for attacking her before the bell! Becky is wailing on Lacey Evans who tries to fight back but the Man is in complete control! Becky gets to her feet as she hits Lacey Evans with a leg drop! However, she doesn't stop there as she hits another and another and ANOTHER! Becky makes the cover 1 2 Lacey kicks out! On commentary, Byron Saxton wonders if Lacey's pre-match attack may have been a mistake as it seems to have fired up Becky Lynch here! Becky grabs Lacey off the mat and launches her into the corner of the ring with an Irish whip! Becky takes a moment before flying into the corner of the ring and hitting the FLYING FIRE-ARM! Becky then grabs hold of Lacey and suplexes her out of the corner with a belly to belly suplex!
Becky Lynch makes her way to the top rope as she steadies herself and flies off hitting Lacey Evans with a SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Becky makes the cover 1 2 Lacey kicks out! Becky though calmly gets to her feet as she lifts Lacey Evans off the mat and looks to hit MAN DOWN... but Lacey elbows Becky in the head a couple of times and escapes getting some breathing room! Lacey knows she is in trouble and rolls to the outside to get some breathing room for a moment. Becky Lynch though is not done with Lacey however and rolls to the outside looking to keep the attack up! Lacey turns around as Becky catches her with a European uppercut sending Lacey backwards. Becky tells Lacey it is time for her to learn whose division this is and sends her face-first into the ring post before rolling Lacey back into the ring! Becky poses for the crowd as she rolls back inside but Lacey catches her with a kick to the gut stunning the man!
Lacey grabs hold of Becky and brings her back into the ring with a suplex showing off her strength as she makes the cover 1 2 Becky kicks out! Lacey gets to her feet, taking a moment to rub her jaw after the beating Becky had given her. Lacey then looks at the prone hitting Becky and hits her with a STANDING MOONSAULT! Lacey showing off her incredible athleticism as she makes the cover. 1 2 Becky Lynch kicks out! Lacey gets to her feet looking annoyed that Becky was able to kick out. Lacey looks at Becky on the mat and starts hitting her with a few elbow strikes as she takes back control of the match. However, after the 4th one, Becky grabs hold of her arm and looks to go for the DIS-ARM-HER! Lacey though realizing she is in trouble scrambles to the ropes forcing Becky to let go of the hold! Becky backs off smirking as Lacey looks annoyed but relieved she made it to the ropes in time.
Becky Lynch looks to go right back on the attack as she goes for a kick to the mid-section but Lacey catches Becky's leg and hits her in the chest with a gut punch! Lacey grabs hold of Becky and hits her with a pumphandle slam! Lacey makes the cover 1 2 Becky kicks out! Lacey looks annoyed and sits on Becky. She sits there for a few seconds and starts slapping her again! Total disrespect being shown by the first lady of Smackdown Live tonight! Lacey grabs Becky by her hair but Becky counters with a boot to the stomach and hits her with a pumphandle suplex! Becky though chooses to not make the cover and instead looks to do more damage as she grabs hold of Lacey's arm and starts working it over, as she looks to weaken the arm ready for the DIS-ARM-HER! Lacey is already in pain due to the damage done by Becky but she breaks free with a couple of elbows sending Becky backwards.
Lacey connects with a kick to the chest before she plants her with a swinging neckbreaker! Lacey isn't done however as she gets into a handspring before transitioning into an elbow drop! Lacey makes the cover 1 2 Becky kicks out! Lacey at this point who would make her way over to Becky's right arm and connects with a handspring knee drop to the arm! Corey Graves on commentary calls this smart and says Lacey is looking to make it harder for Becky to lock in the dis-arm-her! She grabs hold of Becky as she goes for a shoulderbreaker but Becky fights Lacey off as once again Becky Lynch is too good for Lacey Evans! Becky grabs her right arm and sends her crashing to the mat with an arm drag! Becky lifts Lacey Evans off the mat and sends her flying with a BEXPLODER! Becky hooks the leg and makes the cover 1 2 Lacey kicks out! Becky sighs to herself as she looks to end this!
She gets Lacey in position once again looking for MAN DOWN but Lacey once again is ready for it and counters by hitting Becky with a facebuster to the mat! Lacey plants Becky Lynch and makes the cover 1 2 Becky Lynch kicks out again! Lacey sighs as she sizes Becky Lynch up and gets ready to go for the WOMAN'S RIGHT! She lines Becky up and swings for the fences...
BUT BECKY CATCHES THE ARM AND TRANSITIONS IT INTO THE DIS-ARM-HER!
BECKY LOCKS IT IN TIGHT!
LACEY HAS NOWHERE TO GO...
AND TAPS!
BECKY LYNCH RETAINS HER TITLE!
Winner via submission and still Smackdown Women's champion: Becky Lynch (8:37)
Becky Lynch holds on for a second or two but she does let go of Lacey's arm as she rolls to the outside straight away holding her right arm, annoyed to have lost to the Man Becky Lynch tonight and lost her opportunity to win the Smackdown Women's title. Byron Saxton puts over Becky Lynch defending both her Smackdown and Raw Women's title for 3 months. Corey though tells us once again she will have to defend both her titles when she takes on Asuka and the winner of the Raw Women's title tournament at Summerslam.
Byron tells us she has done it before so maybe she can do it again. The camera then cuts to a sweaty Asuka who is watching backstage as she stares at the TV with an angry focused glare. We cut back to the ring as Becky Lynch celebrates getting Becky2belts chants from the fans, once again proving herself to be at the top of the Women's division in WWE. We then cut backstage as we see Cathy Kelly stood ready for an interview.
Cathy Kelly: Would you please welcome my guest at this time Ricochet?
Ricochet walks into the shot still selling the pain from the fatal 4 way Intercontinental title match earlier tonight.
Cathy Kelly: Ricochet tonight you went through a battle with three of the best superstars on Smackdown Live for the Intercontinental title. How did it feel to come up short tonight?
???: Why are you interviewing him?
The camera pans over to show Daniel Bryan with his Hemp WWE title followed by fellow Eco-warrior Erick Rowan as Daniel Bryan looks furious. Ricochet meanwhile just shakes his head as Daniel Bryan starts to rant.
Daniel Bryan: Why are you wasting these people's time interviewing someone like Ricochet when you could be interviewing the planet's champion who once again defeated the Miz. I have so many important things that I need to say. I need to make sure the fans know the correct...
Ricochet: Maybe people are sick of hearing you talk.
Ricochet barges past the pair as Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan stand in front of Cathy Kelly looking annoyed as we cut back to the ring ready for the next match.
*GALLANTRY*
Drew McIntyre's music hits as he marches out with an angry stare as Shane McMahon follows the sinister Scotsman to the ring. Byron Saxton on commentary wonders why Shane McMahon is out here but Corey Graves replies telling Byron that the Smackdown Live commissioner probably wants to make sure this number one contender's match goes smoothly.
*THE TRUTH REIGNS*
Roman Reigns walks down to the ring with a serious look on his face. Drew McIntyre stares up the ramp, looking for a fight almost immediately but the referee and Shane tell him to back up as Reigns snarls at him. Byron thinks this one could explode any minute as the referee calls for the bell and this match is underway!
Number one contender match for Summerslam: Roman Reigns vs Drew McIntyre w/Shane McMahon
Once the bell rings, Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns charge at each other and start brawling in the middle of the ring! Both men batter the hell out of each other in the first minute with neither man really gaining an edge as they end up by the ring ropes and send each other to the outside! The commentary team reminds us of the bad blood between the two after Drew McIntyre's digs at Reigns's cancer in the lead-up to Wrestlemania! Once they are on the outside both men land on their feet and carry on the brawl but Reigns gains the upper hand as he sends Drew McIntyre into the barricade by the timekeeper's area! Roman takes a moment to gear himself up and looks to go for a SPEAR THROUGH THE BARRICADE but Drew counters with a knee strike stunning a charging Roman Reigns as the referee gets to a 3 count.
Drew saves himself early in this match as Reigns is clearly fired up. Drew grabs the big dawg and sends him into the barricade with an Irish whip! Drew McIntyre isn't done as he starts beating the hell out of Reigns on the outside. The referee inside the ring can be heard getting to a 6 count as Drew McIntyre picks Roman up and slams him on the ring floor with a snap suplex! The referee gets to a 7 count as Drew McIntyre rolls into the ring smiling for a moment before rolling out of the ring looking to inflict more pain on Roman Reigns! Drew McIntyre slides back out of the ring and once again looks to toss Roman into the barricade but this time Roman reverses it with an Irish whip of his own! Roman wastes no time as he charges at Drew and smashes him with a massive uppercut whilst he is leaning on the barricade!
Roman grabs Drew McIntyre by the head and slams him into the steel steps at ringside. We see them slightly move due to the impact of the throw from Roman Reigns who lets out a loud roar to a pop from the crowd! In the ring, the referee gets to a 4 count as Roman grabs Drew McIntyre and rolls him back into the ring. Roman makes the first cover of the match 1 2 Drew McIntyre kicks out! Roman Reigns now in the ring grabs hold of Drew McIntyre and launches him into the corner of the ring! Reigns charges in but Drew McIntyre catches him in the face with a big boot stopping Reigns's momentum! Roman stumbles back a little bit as Drew McIntyre takes his head off with a clothesline! Drew grabs hold of Roman and tosses him into the air before hitting him with an elbow strike to the head! Drew makes the cover 1 2 Reigns kicks out!
Drew stays on the mat as he goes for a bow and arrow stretch on the mat but Roman refuses to let him lock it in, catching Drew in the jaw with a wicked right hand! Roman gets to his feet but Drew is ready as he catches him with a jumping neckbreaker! Drew makes the cover 1 2 Reigns kicks out! Roman tries to roll to the outside as Drew responds to this by hitting a punt kick to the chest! Reigns starts to make his way to his feet as Drew McIntyre makes his way over to the big dawg and starts laying into him with several knife-edge chops, laying into Roman here. The referee has to warn him as he gets dangerously close to a 5 count as he backs away leaving Roman feeling a little sore but he then sends Roman to the outside with a massive lariat! Roman crashes to the floor with a thud as Drew slowly climbs over the ropes and onto the ring apron. He lines Roman Reigns up and dives off hitting Reigns with a DIVING CLOTHESLINE!
Drew once again gets to his feet as he looks focused on getting the job done as Shane McMahon cheers the crown jewel of the Corporation on from his corner at ringside. Drew though lifts Roman Reigns off the ring floor and hits him with a massive overhead belly to belly suplex onto the entrance ramp! Roman can't help but clutch his chest due to the impact as Drew wipes out as rising Roman on the entrance ramp! In the ring, the referee gets to a 4 count as Drew picks up the prone Roman Reigns oddly not wanting to take the win via countout and sends Reigns into the ring apron! Roman's back and mid-section are getting destroyed by Drew's assault in the early stages of this match. The referee gets to a 6 count as Drew grabs Roman and lifts him into the air, looking for a spinebuster onto the apron but Roman starts punching Drew until he lets go of him, saving himself from that lethal move!
Roman follows it up with a lariat taking Drew down to the ring floor as the referee is now getting to an 8 count in the ring. Reigns slides inside making sure he beats the count as the referee gets to 9... but Drew makes it in just in time as well! Drew and Roman both rise to their feet as the two men stare each other down and once again go back to trading blows in the center of the ring! Drew gains the upper hand once he starts targeting Reigns's damaged mid-section! Drew McIntyre grabs hold of Roman looking to lift him into the air but Roman counters with a side suplex slamming Drew to the mat. Reigns makes the cover 1 2 Drew kicks out! Reigns though looks to take control and this allows him to recover. He then works over Drew McIntyre for a little bit with a nerve hold! Roman lets go of the nerve hold and hits a jumping elbow drop to Drew. Reigns makes the cover 1 2 Reigns kicks out!
Roman gets to his feet as he hits Drew with a few punches to the head and sends him into the corner of the ring as he looks to take control of the match. Shane watches on as Roman starts battering the hell out of Drew in the corner of the ring with several corner clotheslines! Reigns lets out a roar before hitting him with a final clothesline! Reigns grabs Drew's head and goes for a running bulldog but Drew counters and sends Reigns into the corner with a BUCKLE BOMB! Drew once Reigns is in the corner of the ring charges in and clocks him in the head with a big boot to the face! Drew makes sure to drive the boot in before smashing Roman in the face with an elbow to the head! Drew grabs hold of Roman and spins him around for a spinebuster to the mat! Drew makes the cover 1 2 Reigns kicks out! Drew looks a little annoyed as he grabs hold of Roman and starts working over him a little on the mat.
Drew lifts Roman off the mat and starts hitting him with a couple of German suplexes sending Reigns's body crashing off the mat! Drew makes his way over to Roman and makes the cover 1 2 Reigns kicks out! Drew is a little annoyed as he picks Roman up but Roman counters with a DDT to the mat cutting Drew off. Commentary put over how evenly matched these two men are as Reigns makes the cover 1 2 Drew kicks out! Roman takes a moment as he grabs his mid-section selling the damage done before getting to his feet as he catches the rising Drew McIntyre with a palm strike sending him backwards a little bit. Roman takes a moment as he sets himself up in the corner and charges at Drew looking for the SUPERMAN PUNCH but Drew counters with SNAKE EYES and sends Roman's head crashing into the turnbuckle! Roman is dazed and turns around into a dropkick from McIntyre! Drew makes the cover 1 2 Reigns kicks out!
Drew at this point looks a little annoyed that Roman will not stay down and drags him off the mat and connects with a gutwrench powerbomb planting Roman Reigns. Drew makes the cover 1 2 Roman kicks out! Drew looks annoyed in the ring as we can see Shane on the outside cheering him on. Roman meanwhile is really starting to struggle due to the damage done by Drew in this match. Drew makes his way towards the top rope as he takes a few seconds to line up Reigns before connecting with a diving leg drop! Drew makes the cover 1 2 Reigns kicks out! Drew looks annoyed Roman was able to kick out but he stays focused. Shane McMahon at ringside cheers him on as Drew lifts Roman up off the mat as he gets Roman Reigns in position for the FUTURESHOCK DDT! However Roman fights of out of it and counters by getting Drew into a fireman's carry position and hits an uppercut rocking Drew slightly. He lifts him off the mat and plants the Scotsman with a powerbomb! Reigns makes the cover 1 2 Drew kicks out!
Reigns takes a moment to sell his ribs as his mid-section is in pain as he takes a moment to get off the mat but he once again makes his way to the corner of the ring as he cocks his fist and sizes up the rising Drew McIntyre hitting him with the SUPERMAN PUNCH! Roman makes the cover 1 2 Drew kicks out! Roman, however, makes his way to the corner of the ring as he starts to size Drew McIntyre up for the SPEAR... BUT Drew dodges out of the way! Roman Reigns turns around as Drew hits him with a massive GLASGOW KISS. Reigns is rocked by the super-hard headbutt as Drew grabs Reigns and slams him down to the mat with a double rotation spinebuster! Drew makes the cover 1 2 Reigns kicks out! Drew McIntyre though is not done there as he grabs hold of Roman Reigns and looks to lock in the IRON MAIDEN (chicken-wing over the shoulder crossface)! He gets it locked in tight in the center of the ring as he stretches the hell out of Roman Reigns as he tries to force him to tap out! Reigns struggles in the hold... But he makes his way to the ropes!
Drew McIntyre breaks the hold at the count of 3 as he slams Reigns's head down to the mat with a thud, clearly annoyed as the referee looks to make sure Reigns is OK. Reigns though refuses to let the referee check on him as Drew on the other side of the ring sizes Roman Reigns up and charges in looking for the CLAYMORE... BUT REIGNS DODGES OUT OF THE WAY AND DREW TAKES OUT THE REFEREE BY MISTAKE! Drew looks a little stunned he hit the referee by mistake but shows no remorse as he turns around but gets hit with a SPEAR! Roman Reigns takes advantage of McIntyre's mistake and wipes the sinister Scotsman out. Reigns makes the cover as the fans start to count 1 2 3 4 5. Reigns soon realizes the referee is out cold and makes his way over to the referee trying to revive him.
However, as Roman Reigns is trying to revive the referee we see Shane McMahon makes his way over to Drew McIntyre who is still down from the spear and tries to get his attention as he reaches into his pocket! Drew starts to come to and looks a little confused as we can see Shane pull a pair of BRASS KNUCKLES out of his pocket! Drew questions what he is doing as Shane tells Drew to use this as Shane tosses the weapon to Drew...
BUT ROMAN CATCHES IT INSTEAD!
Shane McMahon quickly realizes what he has done as Roman shrugs and puts the brass knuckles on! He sizes Drew McIntyre up and catches him as he turns around with a SUPERMAN PUNCH USING THE BRASS KNUCKLES! Reigns tosses them from the ring as the referee is starting to come to! Roman Reigns makes the cover as Shane McMahon watches on from ringside with his head in his hands!
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Roman Reigns is going to Summerslam!
Winner via pinfall: Roman Reigns (15:37)
Roman Reigns gets to his feet holding his mid-section as Corey Graves on commentary calls this a robbery! Byron, however, responds to this telling Corey that Shane's plan backfired and it was all Shane's fault. Drew meanwhile is just coming to and he turns his eyes to Shane McMahon outside the ring! Shane McMahon meanwhile looks worried as he tells Drew he is sorry. Drew though isn't in the mood to listen and gets to his feet, chasing after a fleeing Shane McMahon!
Roman Reigns back in the ring just shrugs and goes back to celebrating his victory tonight, with the fans excited at the prospect of Roman Reigns main-eventing Summerslam as he fights either Randy Orton or Kofi Kingston for the WWE title! We quickly cut backstage as we see Shane McMahon running away but Drew catches him with a lariat to the back of the head, dropping Shane! Drew grabs hold of Shane and pins him up against the wall as we can see a bunch of stagehands trying to stop him!
Drew McIntyre: WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED IN MY MATCHES?
Shane McMahon doesn't say a word as he cowers in fear with the Scottish psychopath ready to kill him. At this point, Baron Corbin and Elias appear pulling Drew McIntyre away from the Smackdown Live commissioner trying to calm him down. Drew, however, shakes them off with ease as he stands over Shane McMahon who is on the floor begging for mercy.
Drew McIntyre: You better fix this or I swear to god, you will pay!
Drew McIntyre storms off as Baron Corbin and Elias check on Shane McMahon as we cut back to the commentary team at ringside. Corey berates Drew for putting his hands on Shane McMahon but Byron tells Corey that Drew has every right to be mad, as Shane McMahon cost him a WWE title shot at Summerslam with his actions tonight even if it was by accident!
*WAR*
The War Raiders make their way out getting boos from the live crowd as they walk to the ring led by their leader over the last few months Bray Wyatt. They hold their Smackdown tag team titles in the air as Bray has an evil smile on his face as he points them towards the ring and makes his way to the timekeeper's area. He grabs a steel chair from it and takes a seat on it next to the commentary table as he gets ready to watch the carnage.
*LIVE FOR THE MOMENT*
Matt Hardy makes his way out to the ring with a steel chair in one hand and a microphone in the other. Corey Graves wonders who would be crazy enough to team with him as the War Raiders have broken everyone who has gotten in their way! Matt takes a moment staring all 3 men down in the ring.
Matt Hardy: You three have managed to injure my brother twice now and tonight, it isn't just about those tag team titles. No tonight I get payback and DE DE... DELETE you two!
It has been a while but it causes the crowd to start up a few “delete” chants.
Matt Hardy: But who could I find willing to take on you two? Two monsters who take pleasure in going to war. I need a friend to save me. I need a force of nature. I needed a superhero.
Smackdown tag team titles No DQ tornado tag team match: War Raiders (c) vs Matt Hardy and The Hurricane
The Hurricane and Matt Hardy overwhelm the pair and force them out of the ring with the chair shots! Both men then drop the chairs in the ring and make their way to the top rope and hit both the War Raiders with a diving crossbody! This gets cheers from the crowd as Bray Wyatt watches on with an angry glare. Matt Hardy starts laying into Hanson whilst Hurricane is firing off on Rowe as the unlikely duo are in control. The Hurricane makes his way over to the ringside barricade and jumps off it hitting Rowe with a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Meanwhile Matt Hardy takes Rowe down with a Russian legsweep! Matt though isn't done as he climbs to the top rope, posing for a moment and hits Rowe with a SWANTON BOMB HIS BROTHER JEFF'S SIGNATURE MOVE! The Hurricane makes his way over to Matt as they lift Rowe up and slowly roll him into the ring.
It takes a little while to get him into the ring but they manage to do it. However, Hanson is back up and clobbers the Hurricane from behind! Matt Hardy sees this and jumps onto Hanson who catches him and slams him down onto the ring apron with a brutal spinebuster! Matt Hardy grabs his back as we can hear Bray in the background laughing like a mad man. Rowe in the ring gets back to his feet a little dazed as Hanson shouts to Rowe. Rowe climbs onto the apron as Hanson joins him on the ring apron. Rowe tosses Hanson onto the prone Hurricane for a CANNONBALL SENTON! Rowe follows this up by diving off the apron and hitting Matt Hardy with a dropkick sending him into the barricade! Bray once again starts laughing as he enjoys his two men destroying their opponents tonight as the tide is starting to turn in The War Raiders favor.
Hanson and Rowe are back on their feet as they both nod and grab the Hurricane and Matt Hardy by the throat, chokeslamming them on the ring floor! Hanson and Rowe look to Bray who gives them a sinister nod as the pair make their way into the ring and grab both of the steel chairs, making their way back over to Matt Hardy. They lift both of the chairs into the air and start battering the hell out of him with both of the chairs! They hit him with several chair shots as The Hurricane tries to make the save but Rowe catches him in the gut with the steel chair before smashing him in the back with it! Rowe then opens the chair up, setting it down on the outside of the ring. He yanks the Hurricane onto his shoulders and hits him with an ELEVATED POWERBOMB ONTO THE CHAIR, BREAKING IT! Hurricane holds his back clearly out of it as Hanson drops his steel chair having worn it out on the back of Matt Hardy as he picks him up and sends him into the apron!
Matt's back bounces off the apron holding his back as Hanson wipes him out with a clubbing lariat! He rolls Matt Hardy into the ring as Rowe meanwhile reaches under the ring and grabs a table sliding it into the ring! Rowe goes about setting up the table as Hanson grabs hold of Matt looking to carry on the beating but Matt counters by BITING Hanson's arm in desperation! It is almost like something has broken inside the mind of Matt Hardy as he looks to find any way possible to survive! Hanson grabs his arm and looks furious but before Matt can do anything else, Rowe slides into the ring and smashes Matt Hardy with an elbow strike! Matt wobbles as Hanson runs over and hits him with a running bulldog. Both the War Raiders look at each other and roar with Hanson picking up Rowe and POWERBOMBS HIM ONTO MATT HARDY! Matt is down and out as both men look to finish him off...
But the Hurricane appears on the top rope! He points at both the War Raiders who look confused as he dives off the top rope and catches both men off-guard with a diving dropkick! Matt falls to the mat and rolls out of the ring for the moment. The Hurricane gets pumped up as he jumps on Rowe and hits him with the hurricane press! He lays into Rowe really pummelling one-half of the tag team champions.Hanson gets back to his feet and drags the Hurricane off of Rowe. Hurricane, however, fights back and GRABS HANSON BY THE THROAT! Rowe gets up but Hurricane GRABS HIM BY THE THROAT AS WELL... which of course fails as both men swat him away like a fly. Hanson grabs the Hurricane tossing him into the air as Rowe catches him and hits him with THOR'S HAMMER! Rowe makes the cover
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Rowe breaks the cover himself!
The War Raiders are not done yet as they look over at the table set up in the corner of the ring and drag The Hurricane to his feet by the throat. Rowe and Hanson take a few seconds to pull the dead weight across the ring before they hit the Hurricane with a DOUBLE CHOKESLAM THROUGH THE TABLE! Rowe pulls the Hurricane out of the rubble and makes the cover as Hanson runs off the ropes and wipes out Matt Hardy with a SUICIDE DIVE!
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Winners via pinfall and still Smackdown tag team champions: The War Raiders (4:17)
Mercifully this one is over. The referee makes his way to Rowe as he lifts his hand into the air as the commentary team put over the dominance shown by the pair tonight and whilst the two veterans put up a fight, they were no match for the War Raiders in this kind of chaotic environment. Bray gets up from his chair at ringside as he grabs the Smackdown tag team titles and slides into the ring handing them both to Rowe and Hanson. On the outside, we can see Matt struggling to his feet as he sees what happened to his friend Shane Helms. In the ring, however, we can hear Bray says something to the War Raiders and they slide to the outside. Byron says there is no need for this but Corey tells him that Bray wants to send a message to the entire Smackdown Live roster tonight!
Hanson and Rowe slide out of the ring as they surround a dazed Matt Hardy. Matt is smart enough to know he is in trouble and starts desperately trying to fight back! However, he doesn't last long against the two behemoths as they batter the hell out of Matt Hardy. Hanson flattens him with a sit-out DOUBLE UNDERHOOK POWERBOMB onto the ring floor. Rowe meanwhile looks under the ring and pulls out another table! He sets it up on the outside and makes his way back over to Hanson as both men grab Matt Hardy by the throat and PUT HIM THROUGH THE TABLE WITH A DOUBLE CHOKESLAM AS WELL!
Total destruction by the War Raiders tonight as pose over Matt Hardy's prone body looking as dominant as ever with Corey and Byron wondering who will be able to stop them. We then cut to a quick network ad that hypes up the upcoming Summerslam PPV in Toronto Canada in 5 weeks! We then cut back to the commentary team who inform us up next is the main event for the evening as Kofi Kingston defends his WWE title against Randy Orton! We cut to a video package that is set to Vicious by Halestorm. The package focuses on the history of these two men and their feud going all the way back to 2008. It goes over all the big moments as it shows Kofi destroying his car, beating CM Punk and Orton in the same night, the Boom drop in MSG before it quickly cuts to the STUPID STUPID STUPID moment and focuses on Orton RKOing him.
The package carries on showing Kofi having to work his way back up and his midcard title reigns over the years and his numerous tag team title runs with different partners. We then see Randy Orton having title run after title run as we hear Randy's comments calling Kofi great but reminding us he was the legend killer but now he is the legend. We then cut to Orton's return RKOing Kofi before once again showing Kofi beating down Orton through the years and even showing Kofi destroying Orton's special car before we hear Kofi tell Orton he will beat him because he has to before we cut back to the ring ready for the main event.
*VOICES*
Randy Orton slowly makes his way to the ring, taking his time as he gets mostly boos from the crowd but a few cheers due to being Randy Orton. He has an evil smirk on his face as he walks to the ring taking his time. Corey Graves on commentary talks about the hall of fame career Orton has had already and reminds us he is a 13 time World champion. Byron counters Corey, telling him Kofi has faced Orton before and knows what he is in for.
Big E: Ooooooh Philadelphia. Don't you dare be sour, clap for your world famous WWE champion and feel the power!
*NEW DAY, NEW WAY*
The whole of the New Day make their way to the top of the entrance ramp as Kofi Kingston the WWE champion stands front and center. Both Big E and Xavier Woods are hyping their boy up ahead of one of the biggest matches of his career as he looks to overcome the man who stopped his rise in the past. Kofi turns to them giving the pair a hug before they head backstage leaving their boy to handle his business.
As Kofi Kingston is walking to the ring he stares at Randy Orton, ready to kick his ass as he takes him time getting into the ring. Byron Saxton comments that Kofi is focused on not just defeating Randy tonight but making sure he stays WWE champion. Corey gives Kofi credit calling him a fighting champion but Randy Orton is on another level compared to most world champions. Kofi passes the referee the WWE title as they do the usual pre-match announcements before getting the main event underway.
WWE title match: Kofi Kingston (c) vs Randy Orton
As soon as the bell rings, Kofi charges at Randy Orton and lays into the challenger as he looks to get Orton back for the attacks on his friend Xavier Woods. Randy gets trapped in the corner of the ring as Kofi mounts the Viper and starts laying into him. Kofi gets off about 10 punches before backing away and follows up with a European Uppercut! Kofi grabs Orton as he tosses him out of the corner and runs off the ropes connecting with a splash. Kofi makes the cover 1 Orton kicks out! Kofi will have to do a lot more to put away the 13-time World champion tonight. Kofi climbs on top of Orton as he looks to lay into the Viper and keep control of the match! After a few shots, he climbs off Orton and looks to go for a jumping double foot stomp but Orton smartly rolls out of the way and out of the ring! Orton gets boos for taking a breather but Kofi thinking quickly sprints to the top rope and dives onto Randy Orton hitting him with a SLINGSHOT TOPE CON HILO wiping out the Viper out!
Loud cheers from the crowd as Kofi looks fired up in the opening stages of this match. Kofi grabs hold of Randy and rolls him back into the ring as Byron Saxton gives Kofi credit for keeping the fast pace up and overwhelming Randy Orton in the opening stages of this contest. Orton in the ring gets to his feet as Kofi positions himself on the top rope and hits a diving chop dropping Randy Orton! Kofi makes the cover 1 2 Orton kicks out! The crowd once again gets behind Kofi who has been all over Randy Orton so far in this match as he runs off the ropes and connects with a basement dropkick sending Randy back down to the mat as Kofi makes another cover. 1 2 Orton kicks out! Kofi gets to his feet looking to keep up the pressure but as he goes for a hip toss Orton fights back hitting Kofi with a European uppercut! Randy looks to charge at Kofi but Kofi leapfrogs over Orton and runs off the ropes hitting Orton with a hurricanrana!
Orton gets to his feet a little dazed as Kofi runs off the ropes and takes him down with one of his signature double-handed chops before running the ropes again and catches Orton with another double-handed chop! Kofi is getting pumped up as he runs off the ropes and goes for the BOOM DROP but Orton moves out of the way causing Kofi to crash and burn! Orton smiles as he looks to pounce as he catches a rising Kofi Kingston with a DDT planting Kofi to the mat. Orton though smirks and doesn't make the cover, knowing he has to do some more damage to Kofi to win this match!
Orton makes his way down to the mat and starts to work over Kofi as he locks him in a headlock and starts to wear down Kofi, looking to slow down the pace. Luckily for the fans however Orton doesn't keep the headlock in too long as he drags Kofi off the mat keeping it locked in before transitioning into a one-hand bulldog. Orton makes the cover 1 2 Kofi kicks out! Orton though remains calm as he smiles to himself, almost like he is going to enjoy picking Kofi apart! Orton would then start up the GARVIN STOMP as he makes his way to each of Kofi's limbs and looks to pick him apart one limb at a time!
Randy Orton finishes the Garvin stomp off as he makes his way to the head of Kofi and jumps into the air hitting him with the jumping knee drop to the skull! Kofi clutches his head as Orton lets out an evil smirk as he feels in control of the match. He once again gets Kofi in a headlock looking to work over him but Kofi thinking quickly uses his agility to get his feet to the ropes and puts Orton into a pinning predicament! 1 2 Orton kicks out and is forced to break the hold! Orton looks furious Kofi was able to counter him and goes to attack Kofi but the champion reacts quickly leapfrogging over the Viper Randy Orton and connects with a dropkick planting Orton. Kofi leaps into the air and plants Orton in the chest with a jumping elbow drop. Kofi makes the cover 1 2 Orton kicks out! Kofi gets to his feet as he once again looks to keep up the high pace, running off the ropes and connecting with a running soccer kick to the chest!
Orton clutches his chest as Kofi takes a moment before running off the ropes and hitting Orton with a second kick, this time to the head planting Randy Orton! Kofi makes the cover 1 2 Orton kicks out! Orton as soon as he kicks out, rolls out of the ring as he once again looks to get away from the fast-paced offense of Kofi Kingston. Kofi once again looks to keep the pace up as he runs off the ropes and goes for a SUICIDE DIVE... BUT ORTON MOVES OUT OF THE WAY CAUSING KOFI TO CRASH AND BURN! Orton lets out a cocky smirk as he looks at the fallen Kofi Kingston who is in a lot of pain after crashing and burning on his suicide dive attempt! Orton bends down and calls Kofi “STUPID” getting boos from the live crowd. Randy drags Kofi up off the ring floor and Irish whips Kofi into the barricade as he now looks to take complete control. The referee gets to a 4 count in the ring as Randy Orton being the veteran he is, makes his way back inside the ring and slides back out knowing he can't win the WWE title by countout.
He slowly makes his way back to Kofi, who is still in a lot of pain after crashing and burning as Orton sends him into the barricade and starts laying into him with several punches! Orton though lets out an evil smirk as he drags Kofi to his feet and hits a BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX ONTO THE BARRICADE! Kofi's shouts out in clear pain after being dropped back first onto the barricade. The sadistic Viper lets out an evil smirk as he looks to carry on his attack. He grabs hold of Kofi and drags him towards the ring before rolling him inside as he slowly stalks his prey. Once inside the ring Orton looks to zero in on the damage he has done and grabs hold of Kofi as he locks him in a bow and arrow hold as he targets Kofi's back! Orton wrenches back on the hold as Kofi is clearly in a lot of pain!
Orton meanwhile is smiling as he enjoys torturing the champion! Orton after keeping it in for a good half a minute lets go of it but makes sure to stomp on Kofi's back, inflicting even more pain to the champion! Orton takes a moment as he thinks about his next move as he stands behind Kofi and instead of his usual forearms to the chest, he lays into Kofi's back with several forearms. Orton hammers away at the champion looking to damage Kofi 's back further but Kofi counters with a back elbow stunning Orton for a moment! Kofi looks to get up to his feet struggling due to his back as he takes down Orton with an enzguiri dropping Orton though he has to take a moment once again selling the damage to his back. Kofi looks to run off the ropes carrying on the attack but ORTON CATCHES HIM AND HITS THE SCOOP POWERSLAM! Vintage Orton as Michael Cole would say! Orton makes the cover 1 2 Kofi kicks out! Corey Graves on commentary mentions the damage it will do to Kofi's back each time he kicks out and the Viper will know this!
Randy bends over Kofi once again calling him stupid as he grabs Kofi and locks him in a headlock. He grinds Kofi down and starts working over him again before transitioning into a rest hold stretching Kofi's back. Orton once again looks to keep the pace slow and work over the champion. Kofi is struggling and tries to fight out of the hold so Orton makes his way to his feet and hits Kofi with a neckbreaker sending Kofi right back down the mat! Orton goes right back to work and starts once again grinding down Kofi, really focusing his attack on the back of Kofi looking to hurt the champion! Orton is getting boos from the crowd as he transitions from the headlocks into a full nelson hold pulling the arms of Kofi back before he slams him down to the mat with a thud. Orton makes the cover 1 2 Kofi kicks out! Orton is starting to get a little frustrated by Kofi's resilience in this match!
Orton makes his way to the leg of Kofi as he flips him over onto his front and locks him in a Boston crab working over the back of Kofi causing even more pain to the champion as he really wrenches the back of Kofi! Kofi is in a lot of pain in the center of the ring as the commentary wonder if Kofi is going to be forced to tap out! Kofi though refuses to give in, least of all to Randy Orton tonight and starts to crawl to the ropes as he looks for a way out of the hold! Kofi is struggling and in a lot of pain but he is inches away from the ropes and is about to get his fingertips on the ropes as Orton breaks the hold! Orton quickly follows up by hitting a jumping double knee drop onto Kofi's back! Kofi once again cries out in pain as Orton bends over Kofi and calls him stupid for not tapping out. Orton then grabs Kofi by the legs and once again locks the Boston Crab in the center of the ring as he looks to carry on the torture!
Kofi is once again in big trouble as he teases tapping in the center of the ring but Kofi refuses to give in that easily! He clenches his fist and fights through the pain as once again he starts to make his way to the ropes! Kofi fights and fights through the pain as he reaches out for the bottom rope! Orton wrenches back extra hard one last time but Kofi makes it to the bottom rope forcing the break! Orton though keeps the hold on till the count of 4 really looking to ramp up the damage to the back of the WWE champion! Orton is now starting to get angry at the fact Kofi refuses to give in. Orton shakes his head and can be heard muttering “STUPID, STUPID” to himself before turning around to face the downed Kofi who is struggling to his feet as he stalks his prey and starts banging the mat as he prepares for the RKO! He lines Kofi up and strikes... but KOFI COUNTERS WITH A SOS!
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Orton kicks out at 2.9!
Orton just about survived the surprise move and he looks furious! Meanwhile, Kofi struggles up to his feet holding his back as Orton charges at Kofi but Kofi thinking quickly hits Orton with a hurricanrana sending him across the ring! Kofi then charges at Orton and catches him with a jawbreaker! Kofi makes the cover 1 2 Orton kicks out! Kofi takes a few moments to get back up as he sells the damage done to his back throughout this match! Kofi looks to tough through the pain as he runs off the ropes but the Viper strikes quickly sending him over the ropes with a clothesline! Randy Orton then looks at the prone Kofi Kingston on the ring apron and looks to drag him up to his feet as he takes a few seconds before planting Kofi with the HANGING MIDDLE ROPE DDT! Kofi's head is planted into the mat as Orton rolls him over and makes the cover
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Kofi kicks out!
Orton snarls as he looks annoyed Kofi will not stay down in this match! Orton climbs on top of Kofi at this point and just unloads on the champion! Orton starts battering the WWE champion with several brutal mounted punches to the head, as he looks to kill Kofi's fight tonight! Orton gets to his feet as he takes a moment to pose for the crowd as he stretches his arms out in the air. Orton is getting cocky. He makes his way back over to his prey as he drags him up to his feet as he looks for the R...KOFI COUNTERS WITH A LEAPING BACK ELBOW SENDING ORTON BACKWARDS! Kofi wastes no time as he hits Orton with a reverse roundhouse kick sending Orton to the mat! Kofi knows how lethal the RKO is and keeps finding ways to avoid being hit by it! Kofi knows he can't keep this up forever. Especially with the state his back is in and looks to go high risk! He climbs to the top rope as he takes a few moments to steady himself due to his back before HITTING A TOP ROPE BOOM DROP! KOFI HOOKS THE LEG!
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ORTON KICKS OUT!
Kofi takes a moment to get to his feet but refuses to get upset at Orton kicking out. He is fueled by the power of positivity and refuses to let this setback get him down. He moves away from Randy as he sizes him up in the center of the ring as he gets ready to hit TROUBLE IN PARAD... ORTON DODGES AND CONNECTS WITH THE RKO OUTTA NOWHERE! Orton makes the cover
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KOFI GETS HIS FOOT ON THE ROPES!
Randy Orton looks confused and wonders why the referee is not counting to 3 but then he sees Kofi's foot and realizes! Randy, however, does react well as he just starts stomping Kofi on the mat looking to batter the WWE champion, angry he dared survive the RKO! He stomps and stomps on the back of Kofi until the referee is forced to pull him back as he warns the Viper he will disqualify him! Kofi meanwhile using all of his energy manages to crawl to the corner of the ring as Randy has a face full of rage and venom. Orton heads to the opposite corner of the ring and HIS MOUTH STARTS TO FOAM AS HE SETS UP FOR THE DREADED PUNT KICK!
KOFI IS OUT OF IT IN THE CORNER AS ORTON IS LOOKING TO END HIS CAREER
RANDY CHARGES IN...
BUT KOFI COUNTERS WITH A PENDULUM OVERHEAD KICK OUT OF THE CORNER!
RANDY STUMBLES BACK!
AS KOFI FLIES OUT OF THE CORNER AND HITS TROUBLE IN PARADISE!
KOFI MAKES THE COVER!
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KOFI KINGSTON RETAINS!
Winner via pinfall and still WWE champion: Kofi Kingston (20:47)
Kofi doesn't move when the bell rings as he lays down on the mat next to Randy Orton, having pulled out of the win after a last-ditch counter. The crowd meanwhile go wild happy that Kofi was able to retain and overcome Randy Orton tonight! Kofi slowly gets to his feet as the referee passes him his WWE title. The Viper Randy Orton meanwhile slides out of the ring and walks to the back looking furious as he leaves as he holding his head. Orton disappears and Kofi stands in the ring celebrating for a while as he rolls out of the ring and celebrates with some of the fans at ringside as we see The New Day sprint down the ramp and they join their boy at ringside as all 3 men give each other a massive hug! Big E and Xavier Woods raise Kofi onto their shoulders as Byron puts over the friendship between these 3 men and how much Kofi winning will mean to them as well as him. The 3 men carrying on celebrating at ringside when...
*THE TRUTH REIGNS*
A loud pop though we get a small number of boos as the number one contender for the WWE title at Summerslam Roman Reigns makes his way out onto the entrance ramp. The whole of the New Day turn their attention to the entrance ramp as they see Roman Reigns stood there staring at them as the show comes to end with Roman Reigns and Kofi Kingston staring each other down ahead of their WWE title match as Summerslam!
Matchcard for Summerslam:
August 11th
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
WWE title match:
Kofi Kingston (c) vs Roman Reigns
Raw Women's title match:
Becky Lynch (c) vs Sonya Deville or Kairi Sane or Sasha Banks or Bayley
Smackdown Women's title match:
Becky Lynch (c) vs Asuka
Cruiserweight title match:
Rey Mysterio (c) vs Oney Lorcan or Akira Tozawa or Tony Nese or Noam Dar
Past vs Future:
Goldberg vs Matt Riddle
EWR Rating:
63%
at Rhyno leaving and going to Impact around the same time he did irl too
