The Miz accompanied by Maryse and daughter Monroe annoy fans with their shameless self promotion. What did they do when confronted by Daniel Bryan on Smackdown Live?
Backstage an ominous limousine pulls up backstage. The cast of Miz & Misses emerge all smiles, intent on promoting their debuting reality TV show. Meanwhile, Paige hosts a contract signing that will reveal the challenger for the WWE Championship. Who will AJ Styles defend his title against at SummerSlam?
Smackdown Live moves forward with major feuds leading up to SummerSlam.
Heel Orton Returns
Following his heinous actions at the end of last week’s Smackdown Live, Randy Orton opens this week’s show. A blistering promo reveals the reason behind his series of attacks on Jeff Hardy. Orton attacks both Hardy and the fans for The Viper not garnering more respect despite his accomplishments.
Calling out independent wrestling and putting down the fans who idolize gimmicks, Orton vows to end Hardy’s career to prove his point. His ill will towards Hardy will serve a referendum on a new heel attitude and hopefully a revitalization in terms of booking. Orton has been severely underutilized in recent months and it would be great to see him in a big angle ahead of SummerSlam.
A compelling feud with Hardy would certainly be an asset to the Biggest Show of the Summer.
Rusev VS Almas
Andrade “Cien” Almas once again finds himself in a solid matchup on Smackdown Live. This week Rusev along with Lana will provide a challenge to the recent NXT call up. The ringside commentators mention an altercation earlier in the day between the two competitors over who deserves to face AJ Styles at SummerSlam.
Both competitors waste no time gloating and showboating with their respective managers during the opening exchanges. However the match turns extremely physical. At one point during the match Almas slaps Rusev, enraging the Bulgarian Brute.
This is the first time Zalina Vega will have company at ringside on the main roster.
Inevitably Vega and Lana can no longer contain their smack talk and come to blows on the outside during the match. As Lana seems overwhelmed, Aiden English emerges to separate the women. Vega ends up shoving English who falls on Lana and maybe clocking her in the face as well. Rusev witnesses the mishap and is understandably furious.
Almas uses this distraction to hit his finisher and beats Rusev. Upset with the loss Rusev blames both of his companions for their interference.
This type of drama is actually pretty intriguing and these three are a great cast of characters to hold the interest of the WWE Universe. What is also exciting is that it is not apparent where this angle will take the Rusev Day faction. Hopefully Smackdown Live booking can create a fruitful story line with this very over faction.
Samoan Squash
R Truth makes an ill-fated return to the main roster and faces Samoa Joe in singles competition. Joe easily defeats Truth in minutes and continues to look intimidating as he runs through the Smackdown Live midcard.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taDeat9oVwA]
Currently, Joe seems to be in booking limbo. He is main event quality talent and is a great promo. Time will tell what WWE is saving him for. In the mean time it is up to WWE creative to keep him relevant and protecting him before some sort of push takes shape.
Asuka Squash
The IIconics took to social media earlier in the day to gloat about their previous “victories” over Asuka. Billie Kay must back up her words as she hopes lightning strikes twice and she can use her friend Peyton Royce to defeat Asuka.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D9QV7bvgY4]
Of course Asuka makes quick work of Kay despite attempted interference by Royce.
Asuka seems to be moving away from her focus on James Ellsworth who no longer seems to be a threat. She does not seem to have anything on the horizon at this point in terms of booking. It almost feels like it would be better for her to be keep beating up men, making that a filler gimmick. It would further establish her as an unstoppable force that defies size and strength advantages of the opposite sex.
We will see what she does in the days leading it up to SummerSlam.
Contract Signing
Paige introduces AJ Styles to thunderous applause. Styles can hardly get a word in as the crowd chants for him. WWE Fans respect Styles as he continues to represent the Smackdown Live as their champion and shows up unlike the Universal Champion on the competing brand.
Before Paige can introduce his challenger Styles preemptively signs the contract, proving he does not care who he faces. Styles displays the utmost confidence in his ability and he should. He has survived all challengers for his title up to this point. Paige calls for a drum roll for the big reveal and to everyone’s surprise James Ellsworth appears. Ellsworth goes on a cringe-worthy rant in which he insults Paige and reminds the WWE Universe of his previous victories over Styles.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRKtMHW6qco]
Paige immediately fires Ellsworth and calls for security to remove him from the building. The general manager follows the security team out of the arena.
Styles is left in the ring and it is unclear who will be the challenger for Styles at SummerSlam. That is until Samoa Joe attacks, choking out Styles from behind and signs his name to the contract. It becomes apparent the Paige had indeed picked Joe as the challenger.
This is a wrestling fan’s dream come true as Styles and Joe are known for their previous matchups in TNA and now showcase their work in WWE together. This WWE Championship match has the potential to be a technical, storytelling stunner. If anyone can match the wrestling ability of Styles and pose a threat to his championship it is Joe.
Becky Lynch Climbs The Mountain
Becky Lynch gets a long awaited shot at a SummerSlam title opportunity. She has clawed through the Smackdown Live Women’s roster to face champion Carmella, turning around a previous losing streak.
Carmella is not ready for Lynch who is particularly fired up at the prospect of what potentially awaits her. Lynch continues to go for her submission but Carmella dodges each attempt. Finally Lynch locks her Disarm-Her and makes Carmella submit, winning her title shot.
Don’t be fooled by the dominance of Lynch here. Carmella will certainly have something up her sleeve in response to being out-wrestled by her new challenger. Carmella never intended to legitimately defend her title. Not only is this well within her onscreen character but this is a perfect way for Carmella to build heat. A screwy finish will also protect Lynch and make fans get behind her for a fair rematch down the line.
Sanity VS The New Day
Smackdown Live previously announced a series of matches to determine number one contenders for the tag team championships. The winning tag team has the unenviable task of challenging The Bludgeon Brothers.
Tonight The New Day continue their feud with Sanity who have made big waves since their recent debut.
The match is a whirl wind of run in interference on the part of both teams. Because each stable has three members this leaves one man on the outside to create trouble for the opposing team. A failed attempt by Eric Young to interject himself ends up costing Sanity the match and The New Day advances.
The Bar and The Usos will compete next week to challenge The New Day. None of these teams seem like a credible threat to the Bludgeon Brothers following their victory over Team Hell No.
Swerve
Turning down an offer from Sin Cara to babysit, The Miz brings his daughter to the ring along with Maryse to promote his reality TV show. He of course manages to annoy the crowd and insults Daniel Bryan.
Bryan cannot resist the potential confrontation and comes to the ring. Although security tries to stop Bryan, he manages to neutralize them to get at The A-Lister. Bryan menacingly confronts The Miz who has his daughter strapped to him in a carrier. The Miz begs Bryan not to get physical and Maryse gets between the two.
Suddenly The Miz throws what is revealed to be a toy doll at Bryan who instinctively catches what he thought was an infant child. Before Bryan realizes The Miz kicks him in the faces and lays him out. The Miz berates a his fallen adversary, claiming that Bryan could not stand letting someone else have the spotlight.
The Miz is truly an awesome heel in this segment. His disgusting actions and superior promotional skills serve as a great antagonist for an inevitable match with Daniel Bryan. The organic animosity between these two seems to be culminating at SummerSlam. The Miz makes one last shameless plug for his show before Smackdown Live goes off the air.
