Tonight on SmackDown Live, huge returns, Kofi dream is dashed. Dream match between Ricochet/Aleister Black vs Shinsuke Nakamura/Rusev. R-Truth’s Open Challenge needs more thought. Let’s dive in to what went down on SDL!

A dream come true and nightmare follows. Huge returns!

The show starts off with the contract signing for the WWE Heavyweight Championship match, between Kofi and Daniel Bryan. After a big build up from Stephanie and Shane about Kofi’s long road to success, New Day and Kofi enter. The crowd erupts for Kofi Kingston and he soaks it all in. Taking a victory lap around the ring to give high-fives, Kofi speaks. Kingston states that after 11 years of hard work he is noticed, but thanks all of the fans for help bringing attention to his work. Daniel Bryan is unimpressed, which is surprising because that is how he got his shot. Bryan signs first, and just about when Kofi is to sign, Vince McMahon’s music hits.

The owner of WWE states that he appreciates all the hard work that Kingston gave to the company. However, it is up to Vince to give the fans a blockbuster PPV, a big crowd draw, a big payoff. So Vince replaces the journeyman Kofi for the FastLane match. With KEVIN OWENS!!! KO is met with cheers at first, then a mix of boos because Kofi is now replaced from what he earned. KO reluctantly signs the contract and the match is now official.

The Bar vs ???

With another big return, the Bar face off against THE HARDY BOYZ! Jeff Hardy is reunited with his formally injured brother, The Deleter Matt Hardy. Matt is control over Sheamus early on, but Cesaro is tagged in to regain. Matt counter a back drop and tags in Jeff Hardy. The Extreme Duo take it to the Bar, hitting vintage Hardy Boyz tag moves and ending with a step off dive on the Bar outside.

Jeff gets Sheamus back in the ring and attempts a Swanton Bomb, but Cesaro knocks him off the ropes. This allows for Sheamus to to tag his partner. Cesaro then starts to mock the Hardy’s Smocking Gun and lands a Airplane Swing to Sharpshooter combo. Jeff finally hot tags in Matt and he takes it to the Bar. Matt attempts a Twist Of Fate but is countered by Cesaro and Sheamus hits a knee to the head. The Bar attempts to give Matt a White Out combo, but Jeff interrupts and frees Matt. The Deleter then delivers a Twist Of Fate on Sheamus and Jeff hits a Swanton Bomb for the pinfall.

US Title Open Challenge. Charlotte believes that she is the true champion.

R-Truth’s Open Challenge almost backfires. R-Truth vs Andreda vs Rey Mysterio. R-Truth wins via roll up pinfall.

The current US Champion, R-Truth states that he wants to channel his childhood hero, John Cena. Yes, R-Truth is older than Cena, but let’s play along. R-Truth states that he wants to continue the Open Challenge that Cena matches that Cena did. So, Andrade music hits and he walks out with Zelina Vega. However, Rye Mysterio’s ,usic hits and he runs to the ring, beating Andrade. R-Truth is now confused on to face and Carmella suggests “What Would John Cena Do?”, face both of them and Truth agrees.

The surprisingly good match.

The starting action is quick, Andrade takes out Rey with a running dropkick, and Truth lands a few hits on Andrade but misses a Bicycle Kick. Rey gets back in to fray and tosses out Truth. Mysterio goes for a Baseball Slide, but is met Andrade’s knees.

After the break, Rey lands a beautiful Super Hurricanrana with Andrade on top of Truth’s shoulders. Truth and Rey exchange crossbody splashes and are out. Andrade regaining his thoughts, lands a big double knee on Mysterio, he goes for Truth but misses. Then R-Truth channels his “childhood hero” Cena and lands the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Andrade. Mysterio pops back in and takes out Truth, then lands a Dime Drop on Andrade. Rey then sets up both Truth and Andrade for a 619, he hits Andrade, but misses Truth. This allows R-Truth to roll up Rey for the pinfall.

The Queen gloats.

Charlotte Flair makes her way out and cuts a promo on how she is the true champion. Not like the “criminal” Becky Lynch or “the quitter” Ronda Rousey. Flair states that she has always been there when she was called upon, charities, fan signings, events, main events, and always delivered. That is why she has proclaimed herself as the “True Champion”.

Dream match time!A return for Kevin Owens.

Aleister Black/Ricochet vs Rusev/Shinsuke Nakamura. Black wins via Black Mass pinfall on Nakamura.

Black and Nakamura start off the match, both men playing their mind games. With Shinuke starting off with his arrogant mind games. Black finishes it with his Left Hand Path style and a sit down to kip up, countering Nakamura’s strike. Ricochet is tagged in and so is Ruseve. The Bulgarian Brute quickly overpowers Ricochet and quickly tags in Nakamura. The Ruseve/Nakamura duo keep Ricochet at bay with quick tags.

Ricochet escapes a tackle and tags in Black and goes on a strike fest on Shinsuke. When Black goes after Rusev, Nakamura hits Aleister with a hard knee strike. Rusev/Nakamura again engage with quick tags and take it to Black, with Rusev ending it with a Bear Hug. The Brute then attempts a gut wrench suplex, Black flips out of it and hot tags Ricochet. The One and only, goes off, landing a standing Moonsault. Ricochet attempt a turnbuckle move, Rusev catches him and plants him. Nakamura is tagged in as Ricochet fights back, sending Rusev outside. Ricochet tagged Black in beforehand and Aleister is greeted with Nakamura’s Reverse Exploader. Shinsuke sizes up a Kinsasha, but Black counters with a vicious Black Mass for the pinfall.

The betrayed and opportunist Vs The Planet’s Champion and friend.

Kevin Owens/Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan/Rowan. Kofi/Owens win via KO Stunner for pinfall.

Kofi walks out with New Day and understandably not himself. The rest of the competitors arrive and the match starts with Kofi and Rowan. The Organic Mountain quickly over powers Kofi and hits a big shoulder block. Kofi escapes and tags in KO, Owens then lunges at Rowan with a flurry of strike. However, Rowan cuts the attck quickly, again over powering KO. Daniel Bryan is tagged in, Owens regains enough momentum to tag Kofi back in. Kingston then lands a offensive set on Bryan and sends him outside. Instead of landing his own dive, Kofi tags in Owens and tells him “show me what you got” in a game of one upping. KO lands a flipp splash on Bryan and cut to commercial.

After the break, we see Rowan in charge over Kofi and a cut back to see Rowan tossing Kofi in to the barriers. Kingston is on the receiving end a tag team beat down. Kofi endures a hard back breaker, Splash from Rowan and a Superplex from Bryan. Kofi gets KO in and he hits a Pop up Powerbomb on Owens for a two count. Kingston then takes out Rowan with a falling Senton. Bryan rolls KO back in the ring looking for a double knee. Owens, dodges it and lands a STUNNER for the pin fall!! A KO Stunner…. I can be down with that new finisher.

That is the show.

WWE continues to put on a good to great show every week since the competition has ramp up. The only ones that are benefiting from it is the fans. Now there can be some complaints on how it is being presented and how some long build storylines are just tossed aside. However, the WWE in ring action is the best it has been in years.