– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown opens with a pre-recorded video from Shane McMahon, apparently filmed on his phone. Shane announces that he will not be on tonight’s show. Fans cheer in the arena. Shane says he knows everyone will be sad that he’s not here. He blames it on Kevin Owens. We see footage of recent events between Shane and Owens. Shane says he’s working on himself now. His life coach sat him down and said he needs to relax himself, because he will get what he wants, Owens, at SummerSlam. Shane says he now feels so good and he’s ready to go. Shane says Owens’ career will be over at SummerSlam and then the announcer will hand him the mic, and he will admit to Shane being the better man in front of the world, and then he will quit. Fans in the arena boo as the video ends.
– We’re live from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee as Tom Phillips welcomes us to SmackDown. He’s joined by Byron Saxton and Corey Graves. Graves says Daniel Bryan will finally make his career-altering announcement tonight. Also, Kofi Kingston vs. AJ Styles and a King’s Court segment with WWE Hall of Famers Trish Stratus and Jerry Lawler. Roman Reigns will be here to make his SummerSlam challenge.
– We go to the ring and out comes Kevin Owens. We see what Owens did to Shane McMahon at the end of last week’s show.
Owens mocks Shane not being here tonight and says we will all get through it together. Owens says everyone will stay strong and make it through the night without Shane, we will be alright. Owens addresses the camera and Shane, and says maybe SmackDown can be about what it should be about tonight – the talent, and not Shane’s stupid face. Owens wants Shane to bring his stupid face and body to SummerSlam because it’s one-on-one and Shane may be at peace with whatever crap his life coach is feeding him, but he is not going to quit because he will beat Shane. Owens goes on and says he will prove that Shane does not belong in the ring with people like him. Owens says Shane may still continue to show up after the beating, and people can’t prevent that because of his last name, but Owens can make Shane realize that this is not his show or his ring, it is The Kevin Owens Show. Fans pop as Owens drops the mic. The music interrupts as Drew McIntyre makes his way out.
Drew says Owens talks too much. Drew says Shane forgot to mention in the video that it will be Drew vs. Owens tonight. Drew asks if Owens likes that. Owens goes to speak but Drew rocks him in the face. Drew takes the fight outside of the ring and tosses Owens over the announce table. Drew takes another mic and tells Owens to dust himself off because that match begins now. We go to commercial.
Drew McIntyre vs. Kevin Owens
Back from the break and the match is underway. Drew McIntyre goes right to work on Kevin Owens and takes control.
McIntyre works Owens around and covers for an early pin attempt. Owens tries to find an opening but Drew shut him down and overpowers. Drew with another 2 count. Drew keeps Owens grounded now as fans boo. The hold is broken as Drew continues to beat on Owens while he’s down, taking his time and talking trash.
Drew keeps control and covers for another pin attempt. Drew takes it to the corner now but Owens blocks a shot and starts to fight out. They trade shots but Drew runs shoulder-first into the ring post as Owens moves out of the way. Owens follows up with the corner cannonball for a pop. Drew kicks out at 2. Fans rally for Owens now as he goes to the top. Drew rocks him and cuts him off. Drew goes for the superplex but Owens resists.
Owens headbutts Drew back to the mat. Owens leaps with the Frogsplash and covers for a close 2 count. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Owens flies with a big Swanton to Drew. Fans pop as Owens follows up with a senton for a close 2 count. Owens waits for Drew to get up. Drew blocks the Stunner and hits a Glasgow Kiss headbutt. Drew drives Owens into the mat with a sideslam for another close 2 count. Drew wits for Owens to get up now.
Drew charges for a Claymore Kick but Owens shuts him down with a superkick. Fans rally for Owens again. Owens superkicks Drew back into the ropes. Drew blocks a Pop-Up Powerbomb but Owens comes right back with another Pop-Up Powerbomb attempt. Drew still kicks out at 2. Fans cheer Owens on as he goes back to the top. Drew cuts him off and chops him. Drew climbs up and pounds on Owens. Drew scoops Owens on his back and hits a big super Celtic Cross but still can’t get the win. Fans chant “this is awesome!” now.
They end up on the floor as Drew shows some frustration. Drew brings Owens on top of the announce table as the referee yells at him to get down. Owens takes advantage of the referee distracting Drew, and drops him with a Stunner out of nowhere. They bring it back into the ring and Owens superkicks Drew. Owens immediately follows up with a Stunner for the pin to win.
Winner: Kevin Owens
– After the match, Owens stands tall as his music hits. We go to replays. Drew holds his jaw and looks on from the stage as Owens celebrates in the ring.
– Kayla Braxton is backstage with Dolph Ziggler. Kayla says the roster is upset with his actions from last week. She shows us a replay of Ziggler dropping WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels with Sweet Chin Music during the MizTV segment with The Miz. Ziggler mocks Superstars for being upset and crying about it on Twitter. He mocks Michaels and says Miz got dropped because he didn’t belong in a wrestling ring. Ziggler also takes another shot at WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg. Ziggler says Michaels made the biggest mistake of his life when he put his hands on him, but Seth Rollins got revenge for him on RAW. Ziggler goes on with the insults and brings up his SummerSlam match with Miz. Ziggler says Miz isn’t even the best wrestler in his own house. Ziggler says he’s more afraid of Maryse. Ziggler also takes shots at Finn Balor ahead of tonight’s match and says Balor lives in the past. Ziggler says he is the headliner, the main event, the best damn thing going today. He walks off.
– Ember Moon is backstage when Bayley walks up. Bayley says they are teaming tonight but she hasn’t forgot about The Eclipse fro last week. Bayley goes on and says they will get through tonight but Moon will regret it if she tries to pull something again. Bayley walks off and Moon stares at her, smiling. We go to commercial.
– Back from the break and Aleister Black is backstage somewhere. Black says he can’t help but to think he’s different, not in an aesthetic way, he feels different and talks different. Black goes on and references how Cesaro answered his call for a fight at Extreme Rules. Black calls Mr. Cesaro a true man and salutes him. Black asks how he moves on from this to write the next chapters of his book. Black says he’s once again in his self-imposed prison, this purgatory, sitting here waiting a little less patiently this time, for anybody to catch on to what he’s trying to do for himself. That’s the end of the promo.
Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss vs. Ember Moon and Bayley
We go to the ring and out first comes Ember Moon, followed by her SummerSlam opponent – SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross are out next.
The bell rings and Moon starts off with Bliss. Moon takes control and dropkicks Bliss to the mat. Moon tags in Bayley but Bliss rams her back into the corner. Bliss charges but Bayley sends her into the top turnbuckle. Bayley keeps control on the outside as Cross approaches. Cross and Bayley yell at each other. Moon runs the ropes and nails a suicide dive on Cross. Bliss and Cross are both down again on the floor now. Moon and Bayley have words and face off as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Cross traps Bayley in the apron cover on the outside. Cross unloads and tags Bliss in. Bliss runs and dropkicks Bayley from behind while she’s trapped in the apron. Bliss brings Bayley back into the ring for a 2 count. Cross tags back in and they double team Bayley in the corner now. Cross takes Bayley back to the corner and makes another tag for more double teaming.
Bayley counters and tosses Cross out of the ring. Bliss stops Bayley from tagging. Cross and Moon both tag in at the same time now. Moon unloads on Cross and hits an enziguri to Bliss. Moon drops Cross again and kips up for a pop. Moon with a running hip attack to Cross and Bliss at the same time in the corner, sandwiching them.
Moon goes to the top and hits the Eclipse on Cross, who pushed Bliss out of the way to save her by taking the move. Bliss takes advantage and comes from behind to level Moon. Bliss ends up going to the top for Twisted Bliss on Moon. Bliss covers for the pin to win.
Winners: Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross
– After the match, Bliss’ music hits as she makes her exit with Cross. Bayley checks on Moon while she’s down in the middle of the ring. Bayley grabs Moon and drops her with a Bayley-to-Belly suplex out of nowhere. Fans give her a mixed reaction. Bayley stands tall over Moon and raises the title as her music plays.
– Sarah Schreiber is backstage with Sami Zayn. Sarah asks why Sami is on SmackDown tonight and he starts taking shots at Aleister Black. Sami doesn’t see a man asking for a fight, he sees a man asking for help. Sami says Black has all this hype he will never be able to live up to. Sami says Black doesn’t need a fight, he needs to be beaten and exposed so the hype can end, and Black can move forward by healing. Sami says he has decided to do that for Black, and he will beat and expose him at SummerSlam.
– Still to come, King’s Court with Jerry Lawler and Trish Stratus. Also, Roman Reigns issues a SummerSlam challenge. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and Kayla Braxton is backstage with Daniel Bryan and Rowan. Bryan has requested this time to make his career-altering announcement. Kayla asks Bryan what the announcement is but he just walks off.
– We go to the ring and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler is out for a special hometown edition of The King’s Court. Lawler welcomes everyone, mentions being in Memphis and introduces his guest – WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus.
Lawler welcomes Trish after she plays to the crowd. Trish says she flew straight from her cottage to be here tonight. They talk about how she missed the RAW Reunion special because she’s been on vacation with family. Lawler talks about being at RAW last week and how some of the Legends sat around backstage talking about how they wished they could have one final match. Lawler asks Trish if she wants to have one final match. A “one more match!” chant breaks out before she can answer.
Trish says WWE is in her blood, it’s part of her heart and soul. She doesn’t think there will ever be a time when she doesn’t get the itch, but she’s a mom now and has mom duties. The music interrupts and out comes Charlotte Flair. Flair says it’s wrong to hold King’s Court without The Queen. She also brings up how the greatest Superstar of any era isn’t booked for SummerSlam. Flair mocks Trish as she enters the ring now. Flair congratulates Trish on being a mom. She calls on Lawler to hold the ropes for her and he does. Fans chant “Jerry!” for his troubles. Flair says there are lots of WWE Superstars who are parents. Everyone has moms and this sounds like an excuse to her. Flair says the greatest moment of Trish’s life hasn’t happened yet, because The Queen challenges her to a SummerSlam match, in front of her perfect children. Fans chant “one more match!” again as Trish thinks it over.
Flair taunts Trish and mocks her. Flair says she get sit, now that WWE is no longer models shaking their asses, they are women changing the industry, trailblazers. She expected more of a competitive fire from Trish. Flair says Trish must not think she can hang with The Queen. Flair tells Trish to get the hell out of her ring, hop in her mini-van and go back to changing diapers. Trish says she respects Flair and thinks she’s an incredible athlete and performer, but right now she’s just being a bitch. Fans pop. Flair stares Trish down. Trish says there would be no trail for Flair to blaze if it weren’t for her and other WWE Hall of Famers like Lita, Jackie, Ivory and Beth Phoenix. Trish says Flair should know that to be the woman, she needs to beat the woman. Trish says the match at SummerSlam is on. They face off and stare each other down as Trish’s music hits.
– The OC is backstage getting hyped up for tonight’s Champion vs. Champion main event.
– We go to the latest Firefly Fun House segment. Ramblin’ Rabbit welcomes everyone and mentions how he’s Finn Balor’s biggest fan. Balor is extraordinary but he made a very big mistake when The Fiend was unleashed. Finn just doesn’t understand what the Fun House is all about. Bray Wyatt appears and Rabbit leaves. It looks like Wyatt is about to transform into The Fiend, but he doesn’t, as he laughs and asks to be let in. We go to commercial.
– Back from the break and we see how WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar destroyed Seth Rollins on RAW last night. Tom reads the WWE website report on how Rollins doesn’t want the company to release updates on his health following the attack. The announcers wonder if Rollins vs. Lesnar will still take place at SummerSlam.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Finn Balor
We go to the ring and out comes Dolph Ziggler. Finn Balor is out next. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and the match is underway. Fans pop for Balor as he turns it around after a back and forth. Ziggler looks to turn it around in the corner with a kick to the face. Balor brings him down and drops an elbow for a close 2 count. Balor waits for Ziggler to get up now. Ziggler block the Slingblade. Balor blocks the Fame-asser. Ziggler ends up coming back to hit the Fame-asser for a 2 count.
Ziggler goes on and cranks up for Sweet Chin Music but Balor blocks it and hits a Slingblade. Balor with the stomp to the chest. Balor sends Ziggler out of the ring and goes to leap out but the lights start going out in the arena. More sounds go off as the lights go all the way out now. Bray Wyatt suddenly appears as The Fiend.
The lights go back out and The Fiend is gone. The lights come on and Balor is looking for Wyatt but he’s nowhere to be seen. Ziggler waits behind Balor and nails Sweet Chin Music as he turns around. Ziggler covers for the pin to win.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
– After the match, Ziggler stands tall and looks back at the ring from the stage as his music plays.
– Still to come, Roman Reigns makes a challenge for SummerSlam. Also, a special “Inside the Mind of The Viper” interview with Randy Orton, and our Champion vs. Champion main event.
– We see Shinsuke Nakamura backstage walking to the ring. Back to commercial.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ali
Back from the break and out comes WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura for this non-title match, a rematch from Saturday’s Smackville event. Ali is out next.
The bell rings and Ali immediately nails a running dropkick to send Nakamura out of the ring. Ali is on fire as he leaps out with as suicide dive. Ali with more high-impact offense as Nakamura hasn’t had a chance to recover yet.
Nakamura finally manages to bring it back in and turn it around. Nakamura unloads and stomps while Ali is down. Nakamura with more offense. Ali ends up dropping Nakamura on his face. Ali goes to the top but Nakamura cuts him off. Nakamura with the reverse Exploder suplex. Nakamura waits in the corner and goes for Kinshasa but Ali meets him with a big superkick.
Ali goes to the top and goes for the 450 but Nakamura moves. Nakamura misses another Kinshasa and Ali rolls him up. Nakamura blocks it and hits a DDT. Nakamura goes for the Kinshasa again but Ali counters and gets the non-title win.
Winner: Ali
– After the match, Ali’s music hits as he makes his exit up the ramp, celebrating with fans. Nakamura looks on and he’s not happy.
– The announcers lead us to a special video package to hype Randy Orton vs. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston at SummerSlam, narrated by The Viper.
– The New Day is backstage with Kayla Braxton now. They hype up tonight’s main event. Kofi Kingston declares that SmackDown is no longer The House That AJ Styles Built, it’s now The Palace of Positivity. We see Big E perform The New Day’s trademark intro as they head to the ring.
Kofi Kingston vs. AJ Styles
We go to the ring and out comes The New Day for tonight’s non-title Champion vs. Champion main event – WWE Champion Kofi Kingston with SmackDown Tag Team Champions Big E and Xavier Woods. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and out comes The OC – WWE United States Champion AJ Styles with new RAW Tag Team Champions Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The bell rings and the trash talking starts. They lock up and trade holds. AJ drops Kofi first with a shoulder. AJ taunts Kofi before they lock back up and go at it. Kofi takes AJ down and grounds him. AJ breaks it by reaching the bottom rope. AJ with a single-leg takedown. They get back up but AJ takes Kofi down and holds him with a headlock, talking trash to Kofi while keeping him grounded.
They get up but AJ hits a big dropkick. AJ runs the ropes but Kofi drops him with a flying back elbow. Kofi ends up hitting a dropkick from the second turnbuckle. AJ ducks Trouble In Paradise but Kofi clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. The OC checks on AJ and taunts Kofi from the floor. The New Day comes over to have words with them. This leads to AJ dropping Kofi with a knee and sending him face-first into the ring post. AJ yells out about this being his house and then tosses Kofi over into the timekeeper’s area. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and AJ remains in control, working Kofi over in the middle of the ring. AJ takes it to the corner and then hits a big backbreaker for a 2 count. Kofi finally turns it around with a big DDT after AJ controlled for several more minutes. The New Day rallies fans for Kofi now. Kofi mounts offense and gets a pop. Kofi hits the Boom Drop in the middle of the ring. More back and forth now. AJ side-steps but Kofi comes right back with a big stomp for a close 2 count as Gallows and Anderson look a bit worried at ringside.
AJ blocks Trouble In Paradise. Kofi avoids the neckbreaker. Kofi drops AJ with a SOS for another close 2 count in the middle of the ring. Styles counters a move with a knee in mid-air and an enziguri. AJ runs into a kick to the face. Kofi goes to the top and hits a splash to AJ’s back. Kofi covers for a 2 count as Gallows and Anderson pull AJ out of ring to safety. Big E and Woods come over to have words with The OC. AJ rocks Kofi with a forearm at the ropes as he approaches.
AJ goes to re-enter the ring but Kofi knocks hm back to the floor. The OC takes Woods and Big E down on the floor. Kofi runs the ropes and leaps out, taking out all three members of The OC. Kofi brings AJ back into the ring. More back and forth now. AJ catches a Kofi springboard and drops his neck over the knee. AJ with a big forearm from the apron but not the Phenomenal Forearm. It looks like Big E takes out Anderson and then Gallows on the floor but we can barely see what’s happening because of the camera. This leads to Kofi hitting Trouble In Paradise in the middle of the ring for the pin to get the non-title win.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
– After the match, Kofi starts celebrating as The New Day joins him and their music plays.
– Kayla Braxton is backstage waiting on Roman Reigns to join her for his SummerSlam challenge. Reigns approaches but Kayla warns him to watch out as she sees a large piece of scaffolding being pushed over on him. They flip between camera angles to show the large steel structure being tipped over on The Big Dog. Kayla calls for help. Medics come over but Reigns is alright. He refuses medical attention and says it didn’t get him. Reigns keeps walking through the backstage, a bit confused and upset at someone trying to kill him. SmackDown goes off the air as Reigns walks through the backstage area.
Follow Marc on Twitter at @this_is_marc. Send any news, tips or corrections to us by clicking here.
