Smackdown Live Superstars must now deal with the fallout from Extreme Rules. A former WWE Champion returns to disrupt the main event.
Jeff Hard invokes his United States Championship rematch against Shinsuke Nakamura. The Miz hosts a funeral for a fallen tag team. What matches will Paige make for Summer Slam?
Smackdown Live comes to us from Wiles Barre, PA this July 17th, 2018.
Broken
In the opening segment Jeff Hardy proclaims that he is incomplete following losing the United States Championship in short order. He seems to fully embrace his Brother Nero persona as he vows to exact retribution against Shinsuke Nakamura for his cheap low blow victory at Extreme Rules. There is no mention of Randy Orton who attacked Hardy after the title match.
A disinterested Shinsuke Nakamura watches from backstage. During a quick interview Nakamura calls Hardy a cry baby clown. The Artist vows to once again make hardy shed tears after winning their rematch later on Smackdown Live.
Unexpected Matchup
AJ Styles faces Andrade “Cien” Almas in a previously unannounced match. Almas has been on a role with a string of victories with manager Zalina Vega. Mere months after debuting, Vega has successfully negotiated a match against the WWE Champion for her client. Styles is coming off of a grueling title defense against Rusev and may not be fully recovered.
Almas has a great showing early on in the match. Styles seems to have trouble gaining any sort of momentum amidst the unrelenting attacks. Vega barks orders from ringside as Styles continues to struggle against Almas.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQMEAJ1YIzo]
Styles finally hits a neck breaker to buy some time. After a couple of flipping kicks it finally seems as though the match is turning around for Styles. However, Almas counters an attempted superplex and executes a double knees in the corner. As Almas goes for his DDT finisher but Styles miraculously counters this into his Calf Crusher. This causes Almas to tap out immediately having injured his leg earlier in the match.
Almas was the true winner here. The former NXT Champion caught Styles off guard in this match. If not for a last minute counter Almas looked like he would capitalize on an exhausted Styles. This further demonstrates that WWE views Almas as a future title contender.
Lynch Challenges Carmella
Mandy Rose faces a daunting challenge in Becky Lynch on Smackdown Live. Despite being defeated by Lynch previously, Rose continues to display solid wrestling efforts.
Rose executes some great looking offense during this match but ultimately comes up short. Lynch makes Rose tap out with her Disarm-Her submission. After the matches Lynch cuts an impassioned promo.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqKlcuzHfjY]
As she relishes in her latest victory, Lynch addresses how great it is to be winning again. She vows to take this momentum and work towards competing for Carmella’s Smackdown Live Women’s Championship. Backstage Paige announces that Carmella will compete against Lynch next week. If Lynch is victorious she will get a title shot at Summer Slam.
Although it may seem too soon to call, Lynch is exactly the type of Superstar who would be easily swerved by Carmella. It is likely that Carmella will use any and all heel tactics to defeat a stronger wrestler such as Lynch. The Irish Lass Kicker may be on a roll but can she overcome a dominant heel champion who cheats to win.
Samoa Joe Is Back
Tye Dillinger stares at the camera with a far away look in his eyes. Wrapped around his neck is the massive arm of Samoa Joe. Just before passing out, Dillinger is able to raise his hand to tap out. Such is the result of Dillinger’s short lived attempt at revenge against Joe for a prematch assault the previous week. Joe use this one sided match to remind the WWE Universe he is a figurative killing machine.
Joe needs a solid, compelling story line. He is loved by the fans, hot on the mic and a machine in the ring. Unfortunately Joe comes up short in high profile matches. This victory is a step in the right direction with Joe but he needs to come up big to step into the spotlight again. Joe may benefit from role is a hired gun for an authority figure or heel while waiting for his moment. A role like this could highlight the fact that Joe is a weapon in the ring.
The Funeral
Funeral organ music rings out through the stadium as The Miz silently makes his way to the ring. Wearing black, the A-Lister is accompanied by a small funeral procession who carry Kane’s mask the ring. The Miz is obviously playing up the death of Team Hell No following their loss to The Bludgeon Brothers at Extreme Rules. Kane’s ankle injury prevented the newly reformed team from fully realizing their triumphant comeback.
The Miz somehow uses this solemn occasion to gloat about his upcoming reality TV show and recent participation in a celebrity baseball game. The promo quickly devolves into a tirade in which The Miz claims Daniel Bryan is a fraud. Bryan’s return and subsequent partnership with Team Hell No is a futile attempt to remain relevant. Note that this segment is premiere Miz promo work.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3W6AHNRHGY]
Daniel Bryan attacks The Miz from behind out of nowhere. Several members of the funeral procession attempt to defend The Miz but are quickly dealt with. The Miz delivers a flying knee to the remaining henchman and stares a hole through The Miz who watches from the entrance way.
It seems as though with Kane out of the picture, Daniel Bryan vs The Miz is finally taking shape. Summer Slam would be an appropriate payoff for this lengthy feud. Time will tell if WWE can successfully capitalize on what could be the hottest story line in recent history.
InSanity
Kofi Kingston takes on Eric Young in singles competition. At Extreme Rules Young drove Kingston through a table which end the match between Sanity and The New Day. Fired up and out for revenge, Kingston wrestle recklessly. Kingston launches over the top rope to take out all three members of Sanity on the outside.
Kingston nails several of his signature moves but is unable to put away Young. Sanity and The New Day begin to brawl on the outside as the match continues. As Kingston hits the ropes, Killian Dane is able to throw Xavier Woods into his fellow New Day teammate. This stuns Kingston and enables Eric Young to hit his wheel barrel neck breaker for the victory.
Sanity is being booked strong in their initial main roster push. Although they certainly have more room for craziness, they are faring better than previous NXT call ups.
United States Championship Rematch
Right out of the gate Shinsuke Nakamura attempts to low blow his opponent. Jeff Hardy dodges this and Nakamura laughs unashamed of his attempted disqualification. Its seems as though the champion has given away his strategy for retaining the title going forward. Nakamura continues to wage psychological warfare against the WWE with endless low blows. What is even more infuriating about this tactic is that Nakamura is among the elite in professional wrestling.
Hardy is enraged by this blatant attempt at sabotage and his the humor his opponent finds in this. Hardy launches into a series of attacks and the two put on a similar match to their contest at Extreme Rules. Nakamura seems to lack the ability to keep Hardy down and it looks as though Hardy will regain the championship. Finally Hardy hits the Swanton Bomb and goes for the cover.
The Viper Strikes
The count is interrupted when Randy Orton appears at ringside and pulls Hardy out of the ring. With no regard for the match, Orton proceeds to smash Hardy’s head into the steal ring steps repeatedly as Nakamura makes a run for it with his title. Orton seems more interested in Hardy that anything.
In a sickening move, Orton grabs Hardy by one of his pierced ear lobes and pulls Hardy’s head back almost as if in a submission. This looks as horrifying and as gross as it sounds on paper. Hardy is driven through the announce table and Orton mercifully ends his assault. Orton gives no apparent reason for the attack as the show concludes.
Summer Slam will most likely feature some sort of program between The Viper and The Charismatic Enigma. It is unclear if Nakamura will choose to be a part of this or if the United States Championship will be defended. Nakamura seems like the type to watch from the sidelines as the other two Superstars battle it out.
