Tonight on our Smackdown recap form Minneapolis, Minnesota: A big announcement for a women’s TLC match. The Man returns! a 20th anniversary celebration for Jeff Hardy. A Women’s Royal Battle, featuring the entire SDL women’s roster. What went down tonight? We have you covered in our Smackback recap.
The Man returns, huge announcement for TLC. The Bar’s open challenge. AJ Styles responds to Daniel Bryan’s turn.
Becky Lynch is in the house!
Tonight’s show starts off with SDL’s GM Paige walking out, shortly introducing The Man, Becky Lynch. After a big pop and Lynch warming up the crowd, Becky calls out Charlotte Flair. The Queen enters, and seems to go on her full heel turn. Flair states that she didn’t fight for Lynch, she fought for herself and she’ll fight Becky right now. Paige breaks up the fight and books a match for the SDL Women’s Title at TLC. The match will be a table, ladders, and chairs match
. Mandy Rose with Sonya Deville, the IIconics, and Selena Vega interrupt. Rose goes on a usual banter on how everyone had a chance to do what Charlotte did. As soon as Rose was done, Naomi, Carmela, Lana, Asuka enter. The crowd chants Asuka’s name loudly, while Naomi rebuts Rose’s statement. Paige then schedules a Battle Royal, the winner will be the third competitor for the SDL Women’s title in a TLC match at TLC.
The Bar vs The Uso’s. Uso’s win via Frog Splash for pin fall.
Before the match, we see a backstage clip in which The Bar and Big Show argue. So it seems that The Big Bar (my coining) experiment is over. Sheamus and Jimmy start off and The Bar takes control over the match early on. The Bar’s fluid tag team transitions keep Jimmy in their corner. Eventually Jey gets the hot tag in and takes it the Bar. Jey attempts to hit a flying body splash outside on Cesaro, however the Swiss Superman hits a European uppercut. Quickly the Usos regain control of the match and attempt a double missile drop kick . However, Cesaro knocks Jey off the turnbuckle and Sheamus lifts his knees up for a counter. The Celtic Warrior attacks Jimmy, but Jey hits a super kick from behind. This allows Jimmy to land a Frog Splash for the pin fall.
The Phenomenal issues a challenge.
The former WWE Heavyweight Champion, AJ Styles makes his way out. Styles recaps on how he lost to Daniel Bryan. Styles states its not how he lost that angers him, but what happened after the match. With Bryan attacking AJ after the win, and Styles doesn’t care what Daniel Bryan is around. Styles states that he only sees one face. The Phenomenal One invokes his rematch clause at TLC vs Daniel Bryan for the WWE Heavyweight Championship.
Shinsuke heel ways. Jeff Hardy’s 20th Anniversary. Kofi vs The Miz.
WTF was this?
Shinsuke entered the ring to defend his U.S. title against Rusev. What actually happen was, Shinsuke attacking Rusev before the bell was rung. The Artist, attacks without disregard and lands two Kinshasa’s. Leaving the Bulgarian Brute out of it. The match never took place, however, we all know this maybe a TLC match later on.
20th Anniversary of Jeff Hardy’s career.
Micheal Cole hosts the 20th anniversary of Jeff Hardy’s career. The Enigmatic One states he didn’t know what was he thinking doing those death defying moves. Hardy also thanks the fans for sticking with him through the highs AND lows of his career. Shortly, Samoa Joe makes his way through the entire SDL roster and cuts a vicious promo. Joe calls out Jeff’s substance abuse problems & even states that he probably doesn’t remember his highlights. Jeff challenges Joe to a match right now, but Joe walks away. Solidifying what Joe wanted to do, get in the head of Jeff Hardy.
Kofi vs The Miz. Kofi wins via Trouble In Paradise pin fall.
The match started from the Miz meeting with New Day laughing at The Miz’s loss last week backstage. The Miz states that he is 2/3 of the greatest tag team in the world. The A-Lister gets a match booked from his now “best friend” Shane McMahon. This match was sort of a filler match. The Miz angrily took control of the match early on. However, Kofi fought back with the New Day’s usual antics. This time involving a pancake squishy that distracted The Miz long enough for a Trouble In Paradise pin fall.
Randy Orton addresses his feud with Rey Mysterio. Women’s Battle Royal. Winner will be the third contestant in the Women’s TLC Title match.
Randy Orton continues his feud.
Orton comes out and states he knows none of the history of a Luchador’s mask and doesn’t care. Randy said he ripped off Rey’s mask to humiliate him. Mysterio, with a neck brace enters the ring, and the two go at it. The Viper rips off Rey’s neck brace and continues his attack on Rey. However, Mysterio gets in a few hits and lands the 619. The momentum shift is short lived. Randy hits Rey with the RKO and the fight ends.
Women’s Battle Royal. Asuka wins via eliminating Sonya DeVille.
The entire women’s roster partake in this Battle Royal, to determine a spot in the TLC title match. Quickly, Selena Vega is eliminated by Lana (of all people) and they fight outside. After a comercial break the women continue to fight, with Lana slipping in to the ring. Shortly after that, the IIconics throw her out. Asuka then attacks both the IIconics, putting each one on the ring apron. The Empress Of Tomorrow hits a big hip shot and eliminates the duo. Carmela then lands a big Super kick on Asuka. The Empress, unfazed, then eliminates Carmela. Leading to Mandy Rose and Sonya DeVille to attack Asuka. Naomi breaks up the attack and eliminates Rose. Sonya Deville returns the favor and eliminates Naomi.
Now down to the Empress and the former MMA fighter, the go at it. Landing hard strikes and countering strikes. The two find their way on the ring apron. In which the duo trade blows outside, the last was Asuka hitting a knee to eliminate DeVille. Asuka is now the 3rd contestant in the women’s tables, ladders, and chairs match for the WWE Women’s title.
