Tag: Cesaro

A Tag Team title match is set for tonight’s episode of SmackDown.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day will defend their titles against Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro. Nakamura and Cesaro jumped New Day several weeks ago after they retained the titles. Nakamura then defeated Kofi Kingston in a singles match last week, setting up the match for tonight.

In a non-title match, Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley & Sasha Banks are taking on Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss tonight. Bayley is defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Cross at Extreme Rules on July 19.

Universal Champion Braun Strowman will face Bray Wyatt in a non-title Wyatt Swamp Fight at Extreme Rules. Tonight, WWE will re-air their title match from Money in the Bank.

The Miz and John Morrison host Miz TV with their guest Jeff Hardy tonight. Last week, Sheamus appeared via video to toast Hardy. Sheamus couldn’t attend but sent his personal bartender. Hardy broke a bottle over the bartender’s head and hit the Swanton Bomb. 

Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time. 

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Michael Cole and Corey Graves ran down the line up for tonight, which includes a karaoke showdown between Naomi, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans, and Tamina.

Miz TV with Jeff Hardy 

The Miz and John Morrison introduced their guest Jeff Hardy. During the intro, Morrison mocked Hardy every time Miz said something positive about him. Miz insincerely apologized to Hardy for Morrison’s comment. Miz asked Hardy if he had a clip to show. Miz and Morrison then did a bit around the word clip.

Miz then showed a long clip recapping Hardy’s feud with Sheamus, including last week’s angle with the bartender. Miz and Morrison noted that Hardy is a hero, but he’s a loser in the end. Miz pointed out that Hardy is his daughter’s favorite wrestler. Miz doesn’t want her to look up to Hardy because he might disappoint her. 

Miz wondered if losing to Sheamus at Backlash bothers Hardy. Hardy admitted that it does bother him. He wants to defeat Sheamus and put this behind him. Hardy is doing this for people like him that are struggling. 

Miz said they want to help Hardy. They tried to convince Hardy that he needs to defeat Sheamus in a rematch. Miz thinks Hardy should take on Sheamus in a bar fight. Hardy realized the reason Miz and Morrison brought him out here is to embarrass him. He knows they’re just doing this for Sheamus. Hardy agreed to the bar fight and promised to defeat Sheamus. 

Hardy then demanded a match against either Miz or Morrison. Hardy noted they mocked him to his face, so he has to punch them in their face. Hardy attacked Miz and Morrison and cleared the ring of the heels. 

Jeff Hardy defeated The Miz (w/John Morrison) 

Hardy and Miz had a basic match that dragged at times.

Hardy had the early advantage and hit a sliding dropkick. He slowed the pace down with a side headlock. Miz and Hardy ended up fighting on the apron. Miz then dropped Hardy face-first on the apron to take over. 

Miz applied a chin lock to slow the pace down. Hardy fought back and rolled up Miz for a near fall. Hardy dropped Miz to the apron, but he landed on his feet. Miz attempted to springboard into the ring, but Hardy caught him and hit the Twist of Fate. 

Hardy climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Morrison pulled Miz out of the ring. Hardy then hit a cross body onto Miz and Morrison at ringside. 

Back from the break, Hardy was firmly in control. Miz tried backdropping Hardy to the floor, but he landed on the apron. Morrison yanked Hardy off the apron. Miz then tossed Hardy into the announce desk to regain control. 

Miz hit a series of running knees and a clothesline in the corner. Hardy fought back and attempted a twist of fate again, but Miz hit a DDT for a close near fall. 

Miz hit the It kicks for a near fall. Hardy fought back and hit a jawbreaker. Hardy fired up and hit a flying clothesline.

Hardy followed up with a dropkick in the corner and knocked Morrison off the apron. 

Hardy climbed to the top turnbuckle for a Swanton Bomb. Suddenly, Sheamus appeared on the screen and taunted Hardy. Hardy was distracted, and Miz tried to roll him up. Hardy reversed and rolled up Miz for the win.

Sarah Schreiber interviewed Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura in the back. She noted that Nakamura beat Kofi Kingston last week and wondered if there could be another upset tonight. Cesaro and Nakamura were furious that she’d ask them that question. 

Cesaro mocked The New Day, and Shinsuke Nakamura promised they’d win the titles later. 

Sasha Banks and Bayley made their entrance. As Bayley was posing on the ramp, Nikki Cross ran out and jumped on her back. Cross and Bayley then brawled down the ramp.  

They showed Dana Brooke in the back dancing and preparing for the karaoke showdown later tonight. 

Non-title match: WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley & Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross

This was a good match, in particular, Bayley and Sasha Banks were great. Cross should have been a bit more protected, considering she challenges for the title at Extreme Rules. 

Bayley tried to get away from Cross at the ring of the bell. The heels took over and isolated Cross in their corner.

Cross fought out and tagged in Bliss. The faces regained control and sent the heels to the floor. 

On commentary, Michael Cole noted that Cross and Bliss were in control. Bayley and Banks heard and started yelling at Cole. Cross grabbed Bayley’s title and taunted the heels. 

Cross hit a crossbody off the announce desk onto Bayley. 

Back from the break, Bliss and Banks traded shots in the middle of the ring. Bayley made a blind tag and hung up Bliss on the middle rope. Bayley yelled that was a tribute to her good friend Stone Cold Steve Austin, which was funny. 

Bliss briefly fought back and used an inside cradle for a near fall. The heels regained control and isolated Bliss on their side of the ring. Bliss fought back, and Cross got the hot tag. Cross ran wild and hit a running bulldog on Banks. Cross hit a tornado DDT on Banks, but Bayley made a blind tag and scored a near fall. 

Cross had the match won, but Banks made the save. Banks tossed Bliss into the barricade. Cross took out Banks with a sliding dropkick, but Bayley rolled up Cross to win the match. Cole noted that Bayley used the ropes to win.

Money In The Bank: Universal Champion Braun Strowman defeated Bray Wyatt to retain the title

They had a pretty basic match for a pay-per-view. 

Wyatt competed as himself and not as The Fiend. He wore a red sweater and black pants like he does when he hosts The Firefly Funhouse. 

Wyatt approached Strowman and tried to talk to him. Strowman shoved Wyatt back into the corner.

Wyatt and Strowman locked up in the middle of the ring. Strowman then took down Wyatt with a shoulder tackle.

Wyatt briefly took over with a right hand. Strowman regained control and sent Wyatt to the floor. Strowman picked up Wyatt and tossed him into the ring post. Strowman crushed Wyatt with a running splash in the corner. 

Strowman charged at Wyatt at ringside, but Wyatt moved, and Strowman crashed into the announce desk. Suddenly, the pig from the Firefly Funhouse appeared at ringside. Wyatt then gave Strowman a DDT on the floor. Wyatt followed up with a senton, but Strowman rolled to the floor. 

Wyatt sent Strowman into the steps at ringside. Strowman briefly fought back, but Wyatt hit a tornado DDT and Sister Abigail for a very close near fall. 

Back from the break, Wyatt was firmly in control. He attempted a second Sister Abigail, but he hesitated, and Strowman countered with a chokeslam. 

Strowman recovered and hit a running shoulder tackle at ringside, which sent Wyatt into the barricade. Back in the ring, Wyatt jumped to his feet and knocked Strowman to the floor. 

Suddenly, Strowman appeared wearing the black sheep mask. Wyatt was happy and assumed Strowman was returning to Wyatt. Strowman did Wyatt’s pose in front of him. 

Strowman and Wyatt hugged in the middle of the ring. The puppets from the Firefly Funhouse appeared at ringside. They all celebrated the Strowman was home. 

Strowman took a step back and took off the mask. Strowman stomped on the mask and hit the running power slam on Wyatt for the win.

Sara Schreiber interviewed SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day in the back. They praised Cesaro and Nakamura but promised to retain the titles later tonight. 

In the back, Lacey Evans and Naomi prepared for the karaoke showdown, which is next. 

Naomi Won The SmackDown Karaoke Showdown

Jey Uso hosted the first-ever SmackDown Karaoke Showdown, which featured Naomi, Lacey Evans, Tamina, and Dana Brooke. This was a strange segment. All four tried hard, but the segment felt out of place. 

Lacey Evans was first up and sang Jeff Jarrett/Road Dogg’s “With My Baby Tonight.” 

Dana Brooke sang Honkey Tonk Man’s theme song. She wore all black with black shades. Brooke was so bad she was good. She gave a great terrible performance. 

Tamina performed Triple H’s theme. 

Naomi performed Dusty Rhode’s theme song. The fans picked Naomi to win, but Evans was unhappy. Evans pushed Naomi down. Naomi jumped to her feet, and a brawl broke out. 

Lacey Evans vs. Naomi 

This was kept short and wasn’t much of a match. 

Brooke and Tamina remained at ringside.

Evans competed in her red dress. She used her dress for an early advantage.

Naomi rocked Evans with a kick to the head.

Brooke tried to help Evans, but she pushed her to the ground. Tamina tried to get involved, but Evans shoved her. All four broke out into a brawl.

In the back, Sara Schreiber noted some people take karaoke seriously. Schreiber interviewed Intercontinental Champion A.J. Styles. Styles pointed out he beat Drew Gulak last week, and there’s nobody left to defend against.

Schreiber informed Styles that he defends against Matt Riddle next week. Styles was furious and wondered who he defeated to earn the title shot. Schreiber pointed out that Riddle beat Styles. 

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura 

They had a good match until the finish, which came out of nowhere.

Kofi Kingston charged at Nakamura at the ring of the bell. The heels quickly gained control and isolated Kingston in their corner. Cesaro used a gut-wrench suplex for a near fall. 

Kingston avoided a double boot, and Big E backdropped Nakamura to the floor. The New Day took over and gave Cesaro the Unicorn Stomp in the corner. In an awesome spot, Big E launched Kingston over the rope onto the heels on the floor, but Cesaro rocked Kingston with an uppercut. 

Back from the break, the heels were firmly in control and isolated Kingston on their side of the ring. Kingston fought back and hit the SOS. Big E and Cesaro both got the tag. Big E ran wild and used a series of belly-to-belly suplexes. Big E attempted a splash, but Cesaro moved out of the way. 

Cesaro rolled up Big E for a near fall. Cesaro backed Big E in the corner and rocked him with shots. New Day hit a powerbomb/Meteora combo, but Nakamura broke up the pin attempt. 

The heels tossed Big E to the floor. Kingston fought Cesaro and Nakamura on his own. Big E jumped back in the ring, and both teams continued to brawl. The referee suddenly called for a double disqualification. 

Cesaro pulled out a table from underneath the ring, and the fans started booing. Of course, a real audience would chant “tables” and not boo. New Day tried fighting back, but the heels regained control. 

The heels placed Big E on a table in the ring. Cesaro then gave Kingston a powerbomb off the middle rope onto Big E and through the table. 

Next Week: Intercontinental Champion A.J. Styles defends against Matt Riddle. 

Friday Night SmackDown takes place from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York tonight, and features the fallout from TLC.

Daniel Bryan returned at TLC with a new look and attacked Universal Champion Bray Wyatt. It had been two weeks since Bryan last appeared after Wyatt pulled him into a hole in the ring and proceeded to pull out clumps of Bryan’s hair. Bryan should appear tonight.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day will face Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro in a non-title match. The New Day successfully retained the titles against The Revival in a ladder match at Sunday’s pay-per-view.

A non-title match between SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and Dana Brooke is also set. Last week, Elias sang a song mocking Bayley and Sasha Banks. Brooke thought the song was hilarious, which offended Bayley. Later, Bayley defeated Brooke, but Brooke went to social media to request a rematch.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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They recapped Daniel Bryan making his return at TLC and attacking Universal Champion Bray Wyatt. 

SmackDown starts with Daniel Bryan making his way to the ring. The fans broke into a massive “Daniel Bryan” chant.

He noted for the last few weeks people asked him where he’s been. He can’t remember and isn’t sure.

He remembers “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt pulling out his hair and beard. When Bryan came to, he realized he got rid of the brand.

Bryan’s daughter didn’t recognize him without his long hair and beard. That’s because his daughter knows Daniel Bryan, the brand. However, Bryan recognized the person in the mirror and recounted his achievements. 

Bryan noted Wyatt changes the people he faces, but Bryan’s going to change him. He called out Wyatt, but The Miz came out instead. 

The Miz pointed out that Wyatt attacked his family. Bryan doesn’t understand Wyatt. Miz noted Wyatt has nothing but the Universal Championship. He promised to beat Wyatt for the title. 

King Corbin came out and mocked Miz and Bryan. He called Bryan a failure and baby Yoda. Corbin then ran down all of his accomplishments, including defeating Roman Reigns at TLC. 

Corbin doesn’t care about Miz and Bryan’s issues with Wyatt. He only cares about the Universal Championship and demands a title shot. He said Miz and Bryan failed as WWE Superstars and fathers. 

Miz and Bryan walked towards Corbin, but Dolph Ziggler jumped them from behind. Ziggler and Corbin beat down the faces, including hitting a superkick and end of days.

The Miz & Daniel Bryan vs. King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler in a tag team match is official for later tonight. 

Miracle On 34th Street Fight: Heavy Machinery defeated The Revival 

The stage and ringside area had Christmas trees, presents, cookies, and other decorations. 

Cathy Kelly interviewed Heavy Machinery behind the curtain. They were both wearing Santa hats.

Mandy Rose approached and gave Otis a ham because she got him in Secret Santa. She then gave him a kiss, which got a big pop. Otis was beyond happy to get the ham and a kiss from Rose. 

Otis gave the ham to Corey Graves to watch during the match. 

The faces had an early advantage, but The Revival took over. Scott Dawson sent Tucker into the ring steps. The Revival then dropped Tucker on the announce table. 

Wilder stuffed the cookies in Otis’ face, and Dawson hit him with a present. Heavy Machinery fought back and set Wilder on the table. Dawson used a fire extinguisher on Otis. 

The Revival gave Otis a double powerbomb through a table. 

Back from the break, Wilder nailed Tucker with a Chrismas present. Tucker tried to fight back, but The Revival recovered. Tucker gave Dawson a suplex on the ramp.

Wilder hit Tucker with a present and revealed a bowling ball. He hit Tucker with the bowling ball again, but it didn’t look good. 

The Revival brought in a tree, but Wilder missed a splash and went into the tree. 

The Revival threw Tucker into the announce table, and the ham flew off. Graves and Michael Cole made a massive deal out of the ham falling. 

Otis snapped because of the ham falling on the ground. He ran wild on the heels and brought in a bag of legos. He spread them all over the ring. 

Otis slammed Dawson onto the legos, which stuck to his back. He then gave Revival an electric chair and fallaway slam at the same time. 

Otis hit the caterpillar followed up by the compacter for the win. 

In the back, Lacey Evans and her daughter approached Dana Brooke, Alexa Bliss, and Nikki Cross. 

Backstage, Otis ran into Mandy Rose. He had the ham with him and apologized for it getting destroyed. Rose said it’s okay and gave Otis a hug, which he loved. Otis’s sweat covered Rose, and she walked off disgusted.

In the ring, The Revival complained about the gimmick matches and the joke being on them. They wondered what happened to tag team wrestling. 

Elias came out and sang a song about The Revival. He mocked them and told them to go away. 

In the back, Sami Zayn approached Braun Strowman. Zayn got Strowman in Secret Santa and wants to know what he wants. Strowman was upset and pointed out that Zayn mocked the holidays for the last few weeks. Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro approached. 

Strowman asked for a shot at Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and the title. Zayn acted like he was disappointed that they couldn’t do the match tonight because they’re taking on the New Day. 

Carmella defeated Sonya Deville 

Deville nailed Carmella with knees and sliding knee for a near fall. Carmella fought back and caught Deville with an elbow, a boot, and a flying clothesline. 

Carmella ducked a kick and hit a superkick. She then locked on the code of silence for the win. 

Another Sheamus vignette aired for his upcoming return. 

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day defeated Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro (w/ Sami Zayn) in a Non-title match

Nakamura knocked Big E off the apron when the bell rang. Cesaro made a blind tag and rocked Kingston with an uppercut. Nakamura followed up with a backstabber. 

The heels isolated Kingson on their side of the ring and cut him off from his corner. 

Big E got the hot tag and ran wild. He caught Nakamura with a belly-to-belly suplex and big splash.

Kingston used his feet to toss Cesaro to the floor and followed up with a dive. 

Cesaro rocked Big E on the floor with a clothesline. Nakamura then threw Big E into the steps. 

Back from the break, the heels were in control until Big E sent Cesaro to the floor. 

The heels cut Big E off from his corner and isolated him on their side of the ring. 

Nakamura went for the Kinshasa, but Big E rocked him with a massive clothesline. 

Kingston got the hot tag and ran wild. He hit the boom drop and set up for the trouble in paradise. 

Cesaro countered by lifting Kingston and hit him with an uppercut for a close two count. 

Big E threw Kingston over the top rope onto the heels on the floor. Kingston attempted the tag, but Nakamura pulled Big E off the apron. 

Cesaro gave Kingston the big swing into the double foot stomp for a very close near fall. Kingston recovered and suddenly rolled up Cesaro from the win.

After the match, the three heels beat down The New Day. Braun Strowman’s music hit, and he walked to the ring. The heels briefly had control until Strowman ran wild and hit a splash on Nakamura. 

Zayn pulled Nakamura out of the ring to safety. 

In the back, The Miz approached Daniel Bryan. They discussed their upcoming match and argued about who hates the other more. 

SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley (w/Sasha Banks) defeated Dana Brooke in a Non-title match

Corey Graves pointed out that Bayley defeated Brooke last week, so it makes no sense that she’s facing Bayley again.

Brooke had an early advantage and scored a close near fall. Bayley slowed the pace down with a chin lock.

Brooke made a comeback and hit a Swanton bomb for a near fall. She followed up with a shoulder tackle and a cartwheel into a splash for a two count. 

Bayley recovered and dropped Brooke on the top turnbuckle. She then dropped Brooke face first for the win. 

After the match, the heels yelled at Brooke until Lacey Evans ran down to the ring.

Evans challenged Sasha Banks to a match. 

Lacey Evans (w/ Dana Brooke) vs. Sasha Banks (w/ Bayley)

Banks was firmly in control and hit a suplex for a two count. Banks slowed the pace down and worked over the arm. She followed up with the Meteora for a near fall.

Evans fired back with a big knee.

Banks missed a charge in the corner. Evans and Banks fought on the apron.

They fought on the floor, and Bayley distracted Evans. Banks pushed Evans face-first into the ring post. They brawled around ringside and got counted out. 

Banks beat down Evans in front of her daughter. Banks and Evans’s daughter had great interactions.

Evans’ daughter was pretty good here for a little kid. She seemed concerned and screamed at Banks. Banks taunted her, and Evans’ daughter took a couple of swings at Banks. 

Evans recovered, and the heels ran off. 

Daniel Bryan & The Miz defeated King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler 

Michael Cole pushed the idea that Miz and Bryan are enemies, and it’s odd for them to team up. They team up because they both want to face Bray Wyatt. 

Bryan and Miz argued about who’s going to start the match. The heels jumped the faces to start the match. 

Bryan rocked Ziggler with Yes kicks, but Miz made a tag. Miz then hit the It kicks on Ziggler.

Bryan and Miz then hit the Yes, and It kicks on Ziggler and Corbin at the same time.

Back from the break, Bryan rocked Corbin with a running clothesline. He followed up with the running dropkicks in the corner, but Corbin countered with the deep six for a near fall. 

The heels took over and isolated Bryan on their side of the ring. Corbin rocked Bryan with hard elbows to the shoulder. 

Bryan fought back and hit a missile dropkick on Corbin.

Miz got the tag and ran wild on the heels. He caught Ziggler with a DDT, but Corbin made the save. 

Ziggler fought back and hit a DDT for a close near fall. Ziggler attempted the superkick, but Miz caught the leg and applied the figure four leg lock for the win.

After the match, some of the lights turned off, and Bray Wyatt’s evil laugh played in the background.

Next Week: On the final SmackDown of the year, Daniel Bryan takes on King Corbin and The Miz in a triple threat number one contender’s match for a title opportunity against Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt.