INTRO: We watch highlights of the AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens U.S. Championship match from SummerSlam. Owens was furious after Shane McMahon waves off a three count that would’ve made KO the U.S. champion. Strange to lead off with that match instead of the WWE title bout aftermath. Or maybe it should be expected this summer.
OPENING SEGMENT: Styles walks to the ring, and enters to a robust chant. This is the opposite reaction of what Roman Reigns received on Raw. Styles said he told the world that he is the “workhorse” of WWE, and nothing is going to change. He said he is reinstating the U.S. Open Challenge, and it starts right now. After a pause, Owens made his way out. No face of America graphic on the ramp. Styles said he beat Owens at SummerSlam, so they’re done. Owens said Styles did not beat him. He said that, 20 years later, history repeated itself, and a McMahon screwed a legendary Canadian out of a title once again. Owens again claimed Shane screwed him, prompting McMahon to come out and make his case. JBL acknowledged that referees don’t usually get physical, but, then again, we’re not used to seeing Shane McMahon as a referee.
McMahon told Owens he did exactly what he said he was going to do. He called the U.S. title match right down the middle, and Styles won fair and square. Owens referenced McMahon jumping off Hell in a Cell and surviving a helicopter “crash”, making his own air quotes. Shane looked nonplussed by that statement. Owens said the same man who got up after leaping off the cell and through a table couldn’t even make the three count after KO powerbombed Styles on Sunday. Furthermore, Owens wouldn’t even discuss McMahon assaulting him during the match. But he would talk about Shane making the three count for Owens, then refusing to declare KO the winner due to Styles’ boot being on the rope.
Owens said that the referee’s decision stood on SmackDown a few weeks ago when Styles scored the pin in their match, even though Owens’ shoulder was “ten feet off the ground.” So why didn’t Shane’s three count stand? McMahon said he immediately called off the three count, and his decision stood. KO snapped and demanded that Shane, “Give me my damn title!” Styles told Owens to shut up. Owens asked if Styles didn’t like what he was saying; AJ said he didn’t like a “whiny-ass little bitch like you.” Styles challenged Owens to a title match, and Owens agreed to fight him again tonight. Shane acquiesced, but Owens said it wasn’t enough. For this match, KO said he wanted to pick the official. Shane didn’t like the idea, but AJ said Owens could call his own mother to the ring and the Phenomenal One would still win. McMahon allowed Owens to select the referee, but added his own stipulation: if Owens lost, this would be his final shot at the U.S. title as long as AJ is champion. Owens accepted; there’s our main event.
Backstage, we get Daniel Bryan talking on his phone about some surprises that are coming tonight. The Singhs walked up and started applauding. Samir said that Bryan requested an audience with Jinder Mahal. They introduced Mahal, who said Bryan must have asked for him because he’s a progressive thinker and Mahal is an unstoppable champion. He said SummerSlam was a huge success thanks to himself. Bryan said he sees someone who can’t win without the Singhs. Mahal called himself a hero and slagged Bryan as a xenophobe. Bryan said a hero doesn’t take short cuts. After SummerSlam, he said, he believes Shinsuke Nakamura deserves some retribution tonight. Mahal protested, but Bryan told him he doesn’t have to face Nakamura tonight. “They do”, he said, pointing at the Singhs, who freaked out.
Byron Saxton said that Naomi and Becky Lynch would face Carmella and the new SmackDown women’s champion, Natalya, in tag-team action tonight.
Owens scouted out officiating talent backstage, then stopped and said he found just the guy he was looking for. Sami Zayn got up and questioned that statement. Owens said they’d be fighting each other for 15 years. But he needed someone he could trust to referee tonight’s match, and Zayn is the only one who fit the bill. Zayn grinned, then said he watched Owens’ DVD anthology recently. He said they’ve been fighting for so long, sometimes he forgets what they’re fighting about. Owens said maybe they shouldn’t be fighting each other. Then he said he knows Sami isn’t doing anything tonight, given that he hasn’t done much of anything since coming to SmackDown. But tonight, he can do something that counts. Owens asked Zayn to consider it, then walked away.
We go to a darkened ring to find Aiden English requesting a spotlight. He serenaded us by stupidly claiming he’s the Mozart of Melody. Again: Mozart was the Mozart of Melody. The lights went all the way out – and things got Glorious. Bobby Roode made his WWE main roster debut, wearing a red sequined robe and seemingly playing to the crowd. He entered the ring and smiled at the reception, pointing to the fans. Interesting choice to bring him in as a face. “What a moment here”, exclaimed Tom Phillips.
Bobby Roode vs. Aiden English
Roode walked up to English and gave him a big “Glorious” exclamation, which was mimicked by the crowd. English bowed at Roode, who kicked him and clotheslined him over the top rope (which required an extra effort) as we go to break.
Back from commercial, English trash-talked and pawed at Roode. Phillips said Roode has won championships all over the world, and served as the focal point of NXT for the better part of a year. That big audience ovation should also enlighten viewers unfamiliar with Roode as to just how big a star he is. English sent Roode into the turnbuckle, but missed a charge. Roode came back with an inverted atomic drop and flying firearm, then lambasted English with a corner clothesline. He went to the middle-rope and landed a blockbuster. JBL advised Roode to get to the pay window and earn some “beer money”. Nicely done. Roode lifted English into a fireman’s carry, but English slipped out and delivered the Director’s Cut for a near fall.
English ascended the top rope. He somersaulted to safety as Roode avoided his senton, but then ran into a spinebuster. Roode gave us another “Glorious” exultation, then hit the Glorious DDT for the victory. JBL said the best show on television just got better with the addition of Bobby Roode.
Result: Bobby Roode pinned Aiden English with the Glorious DDT.
Grade: C+. Nothing wrong with this match, but the pre and post-match presentation took precedent over the in-ring action.
Roode basked in the fans’ cheers. Renee Young interviewed him mid-ring, congratulating Roode on his victory and saying he shocked the SmackDown audience with his emergence. She asked what brought him to the Blue Brand. Roode congratulated McMahon and Bryan for ”breaking the bank and cashing in on the hottest free agent in sports entertainment today, Bobby Roode.” He said that everything he touches and does is big box office. “In a New York minute”, he said, “SmackDown Live went from being great to being absolutely glorious.” JBL said, “That’s how you make a debut, boys.” Phillips told fans to get ready for custom-made shoes, thousand-dollar suits, and Rolex watches.
Phillips promoted the U.S. championship match. Funny promo screen with photos of Styles and Owens flanking a ref-shirted silhouette. Saxton said he can’t wait to find out how the Singh Brothers would handle their 2-on-1 handicap match against Nakamura.
We return to find Bryan again checking his phone during the broadcast. Chad Gable entered, having been requested by the general manager. Bryan said he knew it had to be difficult with his tag partner, Jason Jordan, getting moved to Raw. Gable said that Jordan (and his father) was the only thing people wanted to talk to him about these days. Bryan said he made a trade with Kurt Angle – Jordan would go to Raw, and Angle would help Bryan sign one of his friends. Bryan said he believed this person might be a great new tag-team partner for Gable. He introduced Shelton Benjamin, who walked into the frame smiling as the crowd cheered.
Gable marked out, telling Benjamin he followed his career for years and knew everything about him. He told Benjamin he was a Minnesota guy, too; Benjamin told Gable he already knew that. He put his hand on Gable’s shoulder and told him he followed his career as well. If they were cool with it, Bryan said, they should take this new team out for a test drive next week. Gable said they were good with it, and energetically strode out of the room. Benjamin took a more relaxed tone, smiling as his partner ran off. He shook hands with Bryan, who welcomed him to SmackDown.
Elsewhere, Owens again walked up to Zayn and handed him a referee shirt. Zayn told Owens he considered the idea of officiating his match. But the more he thought about it, the more he remembered every rotten thing Owens had ever done to him and every time he stabbed him in the back. With that in mind, Sami tossed the shirt back onto Owens, and said he wouldn’t be providing any help tonight.
The Hype Bros entered the ring. They would face the new WWE SmackDown tag team champions, the Usos, after the commercial break. Ugh, the New York crowd has to listen to that entrance theme for another three minutes.
WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. The Hype Bros (non-title match)
Phillips said that five straight titles changed hands at one point during SummerSlam. JBL called the Usos match with New Day an “absolute classic”. The Usos captured their fourth tag team championship in WWE. Mojo started off with Jey Uso, using his aggression to take the upper hand. He delivered a nasty-looking gut-wrench suplex that brought Uso down painfully on his side. Mojo yelled that the Usos weren’t hyped, then hit an avalanche in the corner. He went after Jimmy on the apron, leaving himself open to Jey’s flying dropkick.
Jimmy tagged in to stomp Mojo down in the corner, then hit a running hip to Rawley’s face. The twins split Rawley with a wishbone as JBL called Benjamin one of the best athletes he’d ever seen. More double-team work on Rawley, then a reverse chinlock. Philips said that Rawley and Zack Ryder appeared to have made up since they were last seen together on television. This comment ensured they have not made up. Ryder battled to his feet, avoiding a corner splash from Jimmy and making the tag. Ryder took down Jimmy Uso with strikes and a face slam, then bashed him in the corner. Lotta crowd noise for the Broski Boot (or maybe there’s another beach ball in the arena). Jey pulled his brother to safety outside the ring, but was blasted by a big football tackle from Rawley. Jimmy kicked Mojo when he was getting up, but then ate a wrecking ball dropkick from Ryder.
Zack threw Jimmy back into the ring, then hit him with double knees. He went to the middle rope, but was distracted by Jey Uso getting onto the apron. Jimmy took advantage, whipping Ryder to the mat by his left leg. He bounded off the ropes and nailed Ryder (still on his knees) with a running superkick to the face for the win.
Result: The Usos beat the Hype Bros when Jimmy Uso pinned Zack Ryder following a running superkick.
Grade: B-
The Usos strutted in the ring, telling everyone that, “Before we make like chips and dip, we got something to say right quick.” They said they had put SmackDown Live on lock, and welcomed Brooklyn to the Uso penitentiary. The Usos told every SmackDown tag team that they’d start feeling what New Day felt at SummerSlam. They assured us it wasn’t paranoia, it was the Usos. JBL called them the best tag team in the world today.
Nakamura stretched out as he walked backstage. Saxton said his handicap match was next.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Singh Brothers (handicap match)
As Nakamura walked to the ring, the announce team said he was looking to right a wrong and win the WWE championship. The Singh Brothers did their typical introduction of Mahal on the entrance ramp, despite this being their match. They have their wrists taped to compete even though they’re wearing tucked-in, long-sleeved button-down shirts with slacks and dress shoes. No idea why you’d wrestle in that gear. Even if you’re not sartorially prepared for a match, you wouldn’t wear a formal shirt into the ring to fight someone. We see highlights of the Mahal-Nakamura match at SummerSlam, including their ugly attempt at the Khallas.
Nakamura fought both brothers at the same time, knocking them both down immediately. Phillips informed us that the Singhs would not have to tag in and out. They scurried over to Mahal for advice. Nakamura whaled on both brothers, sending them into the same turnbuckle and electrifying them with Good Vibrations. Amusing to see two men sell that move simultaneously. Nakamura stacked the Singhs onto the top turnbuckle, then buried a knee into Sunil’s gut. Samir flew outside the ring; Nakamura tossed Sunil out to follow him. JBL asked if SmackDown had a mercy rule akin to slow-pitch softball. Nakamura challenged Mahal to enter the ring and bring it, but the Singhs took advantage of his lapse of attention and ambushed Nakamura from behind.
The Singh Brothers stomped at Nakamura, then battered him in the corner. After being whipped into the opposite turnbuckle, Nakamura booted Sunil, then snatched Samir and transitioned into a triangle submission for the victory.
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura beat the Singh Brothers via Samir’s tapout to a triangle submission.
Grade: C
After the match, Mahal sneak-attacked Nakamura with a thrust kick. He ran at Nakamura again, but received a kick to the stomach. Nakamura quickly delivered the Kinshasa, knocking out Mahal. JBL said Nakamura is still vying to complete his career by winning the WWE championship.
We see Owens backstage still attempting to find a referee. We hear voices yell, “Freeze” as a surprised Owens stopped and looked to his right. Breezango holstered their finger guns, and questioned Owens while wearing matching tropical outfits. Tyler Breeze said they may be off-duty fashion police this week, but they can still be Owens’ referees. Fandango said they’re smart, savvy, and they “make damn sexy zebras.” Owens thought about it for a few seconds, then screamed, “No!” He ordered Breezango to walk away, then yelled for them to wait as they did so. Just then, a hand clamped down on his shoulder. Baron Corbin said he’d serve as Owens’ referee, but if he wins the title tonight, “I get first dibs.” Owens clarified that it’s “when” he reclaims the title, and handed Corbin the ref shirt. Corbin said Owens better keep his word.
As the new women’s champion enters, we get a graphic informing us that this is Natalya’s first title reign in seven years. Nattie has a ring-general jacket like Uncle Bret wore. We see still photographs of her SummerSlam match, including a shot of the single tear rolling down Naomi’s face. In the ring, Natalya said that SummerSlam will forever be known as the day the glow was unplugged. She said she proved Sunday that she’ll always be the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. Natalya held up a decidedly unlit title belt, telling Naomi to wipe away her tears and get a good look at what a real championship looks like. She said it’s no longer glow time – “It’s my time.”
Carmella walked to the ring, and sarcastically told Natalya they were so happy for her. Ellsworth dorkily told her she finally won something, and, “it only took you, I don’t know, a billion years.” Carmella told Natalya she wanted to clear the air, as they’d be teaming tonight. While it is indeed Natalya’s time, “you’re on my watch.” Carmella swayed the Money in the Bank briefcase like a pendulum, intoning, “Tick tock, tick tock.” When the time is right, she’ll be trading in her contract for the title. Ellsworth questioned how smart it is for Natalya to team up with Carmella tonight. If she wanted, Carmella could refuse to tag in, let Natalya absorb a two-on-one beating, then cash in the contract tonight. Carmella chastised Ellsworth for giving away a potential scheme.
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Natalya and Carmella vs. Naomi and Becky Lynch
Naomi wore a sweet Technicolor-esque dreamcoat during her entrance. She hung it on the ring post, then immediately got in Natalya’s face. Naomi started the match against Carmella, who danced around the ring for a lap before tagging in Natalya. They lock up as we go to break.
Upon return, Lynch hit a running legdrop on Natalya. The new champion attempted to call a timeout, then pulled Lynch into the turnbuckle and kicked away at her. Natalya hooked a sleeper on Becky, who freed herself, only to be floored by a discus clothesline. Natalya pushed Lynch back into her team’s corner. She attempted to tag Carmella, who dropped to the floor to avoid getting involved in the match. Natalya glared down at her partner. Lynch took advantage of the situation with a schoolboy, then hit an enziguri. Both women regained their feet. Lynch hit a charging Natalya with an elbow in the corner, but was thrown onto her face when she climbed the ropes to follow up. Natalya scored a two count, then yelled, “What are you doing?” at Carmella. Outside the ring, the wave is back in Brooklyn.
Lynch countered a Natalya move with a small package, then darted toward her corner to tag Naomi. The ex-champion kicked Natalya, then sprung over the top rope for a sunset flip that nearly won the match. As Natalya got her shoulder up, Naomi locked in her submission finisher. Carmella bounced expectantly on the apron while clutching the Money in the Bank briefcase. Ticked off, Natalya broke the hold and went for the Sharpshooter. Naomi kicked her into the turnbuckle, but met a boot when she attempted to follow up. Looking fatigued, Natalya staggered to her corner and tagged Carmella, who was conversing with Ellsworth. Carmella hopped off the ring apron and ran, trying to escape Natalya. She ended up in the ring and kicked Natalya off of her. That put her in position for a Becksploder from Lynch and a split-legged moonsault for Naomi, which finished the match.
Result: Naomi and Becky Lynch beat Natalya and Carmella when Naomi pinned Carmella after a split-legged moonsault.
Grade: B-
Dasha Fuentes stood backstage with a “returning” Dolph Ziggler. He’s apparently returning from just not having a feud for two months. She asked Ziggler what the WWE universe could expect from him. He said he’s excited to be back and reintroducing himself to the WWE Universe – in a backstage interview. Ziggler said it’s good to know where he stands in the company. While he was gone, he watched a lot of Raw and SmackDown. Ziggler believes he figured out what it takes to be a star in WWE.
Dolph Ziggler: “I’m gonna start singing. Playing guitar. Maybe rap a little bit.”
Ziggler said he could dance, get lights, find some lasers, wear a big, fancy robe, and partner with a woman who glows in the dark. Because that’s what it takes, and that’s what he plans on doing. Next week. The crowd doesn’t seem to care.
We then visit the women’s locker room to watch Lana talk on her cell phone. Fortunately, Tamina walks up to start a conversation. Otherwise, it would have been awkward to watch a wrestler talk on her phone in the women’s locker room during this live broadcast. Lana said the ravishing journey to the title begins next week. Tamina asked what they were going to do this week. This week, Lana said, they would look deep into their hearts and remember why they want/need this. She advised Tamina to close her eyes and recall the feeling of being in a locker room full of people, yet being all alone. They don’t see you, and they talk behind her back because she’s different. We’re different. Lana told Tamina to take those negative emotions and let them fester until the anger boils over. Tamina opened her eyes. Lana said she sees the rage within Tamina, and now she’s ready to crush the competition. Their duo won’t stop, she said, until Tamina becomes champion.
Styles walked backstage on his way to the ring. Corbin approached him, wearing a sleeveless referee shirt and a smirking grin. He admitted to Styles that he made a deal with Owens to get the first crack at the title if KO could win it. “Unless …”, he proposed. Styles cut him off, telling Corbin he was going to offer an open challenge every week when he won. If the Lone Wolf wanted a title shot, Styles said, he should “answer the challenge.” Corbin told Styles he’d see him out there, then clapped him hard on the shoulder. We hear Gregorian chanting, so it’s time for either Benedictine mass or Corbin to go to the ring.
U.S. Champion AJ Styles vs. Kevin Owens (with special guest referee Baron Corbin)
Corbin took the title belt and held it aloft high above both competitors. The bell rang and Owens immediately rolled to ringside. He called for Corbin to keep Styles back, then rolled in and out again quickly. When Styles protested, Owens hit him with a right, and stomped away at AJ. Owens put a boot into Styles, then broke the hold as Corbin applied a five count. KO yelled, “My title” as he chopped Styles in the corner. He bounded off the ropes into a well-timed Styles dropkick. Owens dipped to ringside again. This time, Styles didn’t wait, sling-shotting over the ropes with a big forearm. A fired-up Styles kicked the stairs as we go to our final break.
We return to a glimpse of Chinlock City as Owens wrapped up Styles. AJ quickly broke the hold, then hit a Pele kick, knocking Owens out of the ring. Styles made his way to the ring apron. He missed a sliding kick, and Owens capitalized by sweeping AJ’s legs, causing the champion to crash face-first into the apron. Owens followed with a fall-away slam into the barricade. AJ arched his back in pain as Owens hurled him back into the ring, covering him from a two count. Fair cadence on the pin attempt there from referee Corbin. We head back to the chinlock. JBL reasoned that Corbin could get a title shot from either man given Styles’ championship open challenge. Phillips confirmed that “free agent” John Cena had, in fact, decided to go to Raw.
Styles again fought out of the reverse chinlock, only to be brought back down with a knee. Owens covered Styles for a one-count, then went back to the reverse chinlock. That’s a lot of chinlocking even for KO. Styles got to his feet, picking up his opponent in a back suplex position, then slamming him on his face. Styles hit Owens with right hands, then a flurry of strikes culminating in a clothesline. He bashed a seated Owens with a running forearm. Styles kipped up and hit a jumping forearm in the corner, then executed a fireman’s carry neckbreaker for a two count. Styles got into it with Corbin about that count, which was actually pretty swift. Eventually, AJ ran at Owens, who backdropped him onto the apron. AJ struck him, then called for the Phenomenal Forearm. He went for the move, but Owens dodged and went right back at AJ, who locked in the Calf Crusher.
Owens fought through the pain, eventually clutching his left wrist with his right hand to prevent himself from tapping. Great work there. As Owens touched the bottom rope with his fingertips, AJ rolled him back toward the center of the ring and neatly reapplied the hold. But Corbin ripped Styles arm off of Owens’ leg, forcing him to release the hold due to a rope break. Styles got to his feet and argued over whether his opponent needed to grab the rope as opposed to just touching it. That’s a matter for the WWE rulebook now being sold. Owens overcame his pain from the Calf Crusher and shoved Styles into Corbin. The guest referee finally hit his breaking point, grabbing AJ and shoving him into a schoolboy from Owens. Styles got up and complained about the count, causing him to get school-boyed again by Owens for another near fall. Both competitors felled the other with a double clothesline. At which point, Shane McMahon ran to the ring.
Shane and Corbin argued over the merits of the Lone Wolf’s officiating. With Corbin defending himself to Shane, Owens threw a low blow (witnessed by Shane but not Corbin), then covered Styles. Corbin started to count the pin, but was pulled out of the ring by McMahon before he could make it to three. Owens stared at Shane with a slack-jawed look of disbelief. Corbin ripped off his referee shirt and threw it at Shane. Owens rolled to ringside and yelled for Corbin to return. Meanwhile, Shane donned the stripes and dove into the ring. Owens could not believe what was happening. He reentered the ring and grabbed Styles, who was recovering on the ring apron. AJ snapped his neck down across the top rope. He struck with the Phenomenal Forearm and Shane counted the fall.
Result: AJ Styles pinned Kevin Owens with the Phenomenal Forearm.
Grade: B
JBL said Owens would “be beside himself” when he realized what happened. Phillips said that Owens just received his last shot at the U.S. championship as long as Styles was champion. Styles held up the title as Owens quivered in rage on the entrance ramp.
HIGH SPOTS
Bobby Roode’s debut
Roode came off like a major superstar, especially when congratulating the powers that be for “breaking the bank” to sign him. While his match was needlessly sent to commercial, he scored a decisive victory, and the post-match interview worked in his favor as well. His cocky attitude and uncontrollable “Glorious” outbursts should make Roode a popular fan favorite, an interesting role for him after wrestling as a heel for his entire NXT tenure.
Shelton Benjamin’s return
During one of his live shows in Dallas last year, Jim Ross said he believed Benjamin was the most underutilized talent that WWE produced during his time with the company. In 2017, both Benjamin and Vince McMahon have the opportunity to right that wrong. The warm crowd response and the announcers strongly putting over his ability and athleticism made his reemergence feel special.
LOW BLOWS
Ziggler lists gimmicks
Dolph returned after a few months to complain about a backstage interview, which is also how the company reintroduced Shelton Benjamin after a much longer absence. Then he ran down several gimmicks used by superstars on the main roster, implying that imitating the over-the-top stuff his peers do is the only way he can get attention. Therefore, either they’re wackos or he’s boring. Dolph did good work as a snotty heel earlier this year, but this new direction felt desperate.
Ill-timed breaks
We get sent to commercial as Natalya and Naomi make first contact in their tag match, as well as after two moves in Roode’s debut. Both matches could’ve taken place in single segments, and breaking them up this way hurt the flow of the action on television.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Strong debut for Bobby Roode, who could have been expected to jump to the main roster after he lost convincingly to Drew McIntyre at NXT Takeover. Viewers now have a week to look forward to seeing Shelton Benjamin back in the ring, and Chad Gable gets to play the overly enthusiastic, somewhat corny young turk we enjoyed watching in American Alpha. Owens and Shane should have an entertaining feud. McMahon held up his part of the WrestleMania match he fought against Styles, and Owens is doing tremendous work most weeks. The U.S. championship and tag team championship are both hotter commodities than the WWE championship right now. Hopefully, SmackDown can add some juice to the Mahal-Nakamura feud. It doesn’t feel like WWE is ready to hand Shinsuke the title, but Nakamura can still use this opportunity to cement himself as a main-event player.
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