WWE has officially added two more title matches to the card for Clash of Champions.
It was confirmed today that The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) will defend their SmackDown Tag Team titles against The Revival at Clash of Champions. Shinsuke Nakamura defending his Intercontinental Championship against The Miz has also been confirmed for the pay-per-view.
The matches had been set up by The Revival and Miz issuing challenges to their respective opponents.
The Revival have been aligned with Randy Orton during the build to Clash of Champions. Orton will challenge for Kofi Kingston’s WWE Championship at the PPV.
Earlier this month, it was established that Sami Zayn is now Nakamura’s spokesman on WWE TV. Nakamura has laid out Miz on SmackDown each of the past two weeks.
The Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina is hosting Clash of Champions on September 15. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Universal Champion Seth Rollins defending against Braun Strowman
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston defending against Randy Orton
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Charlotte Flair
Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman defending against Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Big E & Xavier Woods defending against The Revival
Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defending against The Miz
The finals of the King of the Ring tournament
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Drew Gulak defending against Humberto Carrillo
After announcing The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E & Xavier Woods) vs. The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) for the show earlier today, it will now be WWE Champion Kingston (w/ Big E and Woods) vs. United States Champion Styles (w/ Gallows and Anderson) in a non-title match.
Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Vince McMahon called for a rewrite of the entire show for tonight. Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet first tweeted about the rewrite being called for.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Big E & Woods vs. Drew McIntyre & Elias in a non-title match had originally been announced for tonight’s show over the weekend.
Gallows & Anderson defeated The Revival and The Usos in a triple threat match last night to win the Raw Tag Team titles.
Kingston is set to defend the WWE title against Randy Orton at SummerSlam on August 11, while Ricochet will challenge for Styles’ U.S. title at the pay-per-view.
Tonight’s SmackDown is taking place at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
WWE has added two matches to the lineup for Tuesday’s SmackDown.
Finn Balor vs. Dolph Ziggler is set for the episode, along with SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) vs. Drew McIntyre & Elias in what looks to be a non-title match.
WWE is hyping that Balor is “out to teach Ziggler some respect” after Ziggler superkicked Shawn Michaels during Michaels’ appearance on Miz TV this week. The New Day agreeing with Kevin Owens in his feud against Shane McMahon is the reason for Big E & Woods vs. McIntyre & Elias.
Balor issued a SummerSlam challenge to Bray Wyatt this week and will face “The Fiend” version of Wyatt at the August 11 pay-per-view in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins has been announced for Monday’s Raw.
Tuesday’s SmackDown is taking place at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Trish Stratus will appear on a King’s Court segment with Jerry Lawler, and Women’s Tag Team Champions The IIconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville in a non-title match has also been set up for the episode.
After announcing a SmackDown Tag Team title match for Extreme Rules earlier in the day, another team was added to the mix on this week’s SmackDown.
Heavy Machinery defeated Kevin Owens & Dolph Ziggler in the main event of Tuesday’s show. The stipulation was that the winning team would be added to the SmackDown Tag Team title match at Extreme Rules. It will now be Daniel Bryan & Rowan defending their titles against Big E & Xavier Woods and Heavy Machinery in a triple threat match at the pay-per-view.
Heavy Machinery vs. Owens & Ziggler was set up during tonight’s opening segment. Owens and Ziggler argued on the KO Show and both wanted a title shot against WWE Champion Kofi Kingston. Shane McMahon responded by having them team together in a match where they could earn a Tag Team title shot.
After their loss, Owens attacked Ziggler and gave him a stunner. Ziggler had accidentally hit a superkick on Owens at the end of the match, which led to Heavy Machinery hitting The Compactor on Owens to get the win.
Bryan, Rowan, Big E, and Woods were on commentary at the start of Heavy Machinery vs. Owens & Ziggler. New Day started a brawl with Bryan and Rowan. Bryan hit a running knee on Big E, then Rowan slammed Woods through an announce table.
Bryan defeated Big E in a singles match earlier on tonight’s SmackDown after Rowan interfered.
The updated card for Extreme Rules is listed below. The PPV is taking place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 14:
The Undertaker & Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon & Drew McIntyre in a no holds barred match
Universal Champion Seth Rollins & Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defending against Baron Corbin & Lacey Evans in an extreme rules match (winners-take-all stipulation with both titles on the line)
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston defending against Samoa Joe
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Alexa Bliss
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan & Rowan defending against Big E & Xavier Woods and Heavy Machinery in a triple threat match
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Drew Gulak defending against Tony Nese
WWE hasn’t revealed which two New Day members will be wrestling in the match.
The Usos, Big E & Woods defeated Daniel Bryan, Rowan & The Revival in an elimination match on this week’s Raw. On this Tuesday’s SmackDown, Big E & Woods defeated SmackDown Tag Team Champions Bryan & Rowan in a non-title match and then teamed with Heavy Machinery to defeat Bryan, Rowan, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.
Kingston began a feud with Samoa Joe this week and will defend his WWE Championship against Joe at Extreme Rules on July 14.
The Viking Raiders defeated Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson on Raw this Monday.
Monday’s Raw is taking place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley in a falls count anywhere match has also been announced for the episode.
For the first time since suffering a torn meniscus in April, Big E returned to the ring last night.
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E & Xavier Woods) defeated Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn in the main event of SmackDown. Big E got a hot tag near the end of the match, and New Day won when Kingston hit Trouble in Paradise on Zayn and pinned him.
Kingston will defend his WWE Championship against Ziggler in a steel cage match at Stomping Grounds on June 23.
Also on SmackDown, Bayley took on Nikki Cross after Alexa Bliss accused Bayley of liking a mean tweet about Cross, Heavy Machinery didn’t get a match against Daniel Bryan & Rowan — but they got to face the YOLO County Tag Team Champions, and a Miz TV segment at the start of the show led to The Miz getting matches against Elias, Drew McIntyre, and Shane McMahon.
The build to Stomping Grounds continues as SmackDown takes place from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California tonight.
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston defeated Dolph Ziggler at Super ShowDown, and they’ll meet in a rematch at Stomping Grounds in a steel cage on June 23. Before that takes place, The New Day takes on Ziggler, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn in a six-man tag team match tonight. Big E returns from his knee injury and competes for the first time since April.
Last night on Raw, Shane McMahon celebrated defeating Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia. Reigns is scheduled to appear tonight to address McMahon and his loss.
Alexa Bliss and Lacey Evans defeated Raw Woman’s Champion Becky Lynch and SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley in a tag team match on Raw. Bayley hopes to bounce back after being pinned by Evans last night.
Plus, 24/7 Champion R-Truth appears on the show as well.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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SmackDown started with The Miz forced to host an edition of Miz TV.. Miz said he’s being forced to follow the script tonight. He read off a card and noted he was forced to read these words.
Miz then introduced Drew McIntyre and purposely screwed up Shane McMahon’s intro. First, he called him the “Breast in the World” and then the “Pest In the World.”
McMahon, McIntyre, and Elias made their way to the ring. They aired a recap of McMahon defeating Roman Reigns at Super ShowDown. McMahon forced ring announcer Greg Hamilton to give him a proper intro.
McMahon pointed out that all great talk shows have a musical guest. Elias then played the guitar. At first, the crowd cheered, but then they chanted, “You Suck.” McMahon reminded the fans that he beat Reigns in the middle of the ring.
Miz noted that all of McMahon’s accomplishments are tainted. He pointed out all the times McMahon got destroyed. They aired Reigns interview from Super Showdown. Reigns said McMahon didn’t earn anything and McIntyre gave McMahon the win. He promised to defeat McIntyre.
McIntyre cut a good promo and promised to defeat Reigns at Stomping Grounds. Miz admitted McIntyre could match Reigns, but it’s too bad he’s McMahon’s lackey. Miz pointed out that McMahon used him to win the tag team belts. He said it’s a matter of time before he turns on McIntyre.
Miz said there’s nothing special about McMahon. McMahon insulted Miz’s family. Miz and McIntyre went face-to-face.
McMahon offered to face Miz in a rematch tonight. First, Miz has to defeat Elias and then has to defeat McIntyre. If he’s successful Miz takes on McMahon.
The Miz defeated Elias (w/Shane McMahon)
Elias was firmly in control and had the early advantage. Miz made a brief comeback, but Elias rocked Miz with a knee for a near fall. Elias attempted Drift Away, but Miz fought out. Elias hit a powerbomb for a close two count. He missed an elbow off the top and Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.
Drew McIntyre (w/Shane McMahon) defeated The Miz
Back from break, McIntyre was firmly in control, but Miz fought back. McIntyre rolled to the floor and Miz hit a sliding dropkick. Miz hit a DDT for a near fall. He set up for the Skull Crushing Finale, but McMahon distracted Miz. McIntyre rocked Miz with the Glasgow Kiss and hit the Claymore Kick for the win.
After the match, Miz was still down, and McMahon got on the mic. He decided to give Miz his rematch despite not beating McIntyre.
Shane McMahon defeated The Miz
McMahon beat down Miz, but he fought back. Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale, but McMahon went to the ropes. McMahon then applied the triangle on Miz for the win.
In the back, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville spoke with Ember Moon. Moon said she saw what they did to Carmella last week. Deville promised to do that to Moon, but Rose calmed her down. Rose told her to focus on her match with Carmella later. Rose and Deville left. Moon snapped and threw a trashcan.
The commentators congratulated John Cena for landing a role in Fast and the Furious 9.
SmackDown tag team champions Daniel Bryan & Rowan came down to the ring. Bryan announced that the planet’s tag team champions take on the YOLO County tag team champions AJ Kirsh and Dave Dutra in a unification match. The Yolo belts are made of cardboard. The fans chanted “Yolo.”
Heavy Machinery made their way to the ring and promised to win the tag team titles. Bryan said they hadn’t earned anything. He challenged them to take on the Yolo Country Tag Team champions.
Heavy Machinery defeated YOLO Country Tag Team Champions AJ Kirsh & Dave Dutra
Heavy Machinery dominated the match. Otis hit the Caterpillar. Tucker tossed one of the guys in the air, and Otis caught him. They hit the Compacter for the win.
After the match, Rowan wanted to jump in the ring, but Bryan convinced him not to.
24/7 Champion R-Truth and Carmella walked backstage. Truth talked about all of his title defenses and how it’s draining him. He complained about being the “7/11” champion.
They heard a sound, so Truth jumped into a blue box. Carmella locked the lid but couldn’t open it. A backstage worker told Carmella her match is next. She told Truth to wait there, and she’ll be right back. Truth screamed to let him out.
Jinder Mahal approached and pretended to be Carmella. He ran off to find a crowbar.
Sonya Deville (w/Mandy Rose) defeated Carmella
Deville had the early advantage. She slowed the pace down and locked on a chin lock. Deville hit a running knee on Carmella for a near fall. Deville rolled up Carmella, but she reversed into a submission. Rose put Deville’s leg on the bottom rope to break up the hold. Carmella chased Rose, but Deville rolled her up for two count.
Carmella sent Deville to the floor and hit suicide dive. Carmella tried to re-enter the ring, but Rose stopped her. Carmella took out Rose with a superkick on the floor. As Carmella entered the ring, Deville rocked Carmella with a knee for the win.
Nikki Cross approached Alexa Bliss in the back. Bliss told Cross that there was a lot of hurtful things said about her on social media. Bayley even liked one of the tweets. Bliss got Cross a match with Bayley. She said to see all the bullies that hurt her on social media when she faces Bayley.
The New Day made their way down to the ring. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston pointed out this is the actual return of Big E. Xavier Woods talked about their upcoming match against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Dolph Ziggler. They pointed out that Kingston defeated all three in singles matches.
Kingston promised to defeat Ziggler in the steel cage at Stomping Grounds. He said Ziggler has nowhere to run. Kingston vowed to retain the title.
Ziggler interrupted and said there’s only one reason Kingston is still champion. He showed footage from Super Showdown of Woods helping Kingston retain the title. Ziggler promised to defeat Kingston and win the title. Kingston pointed out that Ziggler didn’t show when he kicked Woods.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn made their way out. Zayn said if it were the other way around the fans would be enraged. He called the fans hypocrites. Big E said they enjoyed watching Seth Rollins beat him with a chair. Ziggler called Kingston the biggest hypocrite. Big E said Kingston’s title run is about proving that he’s the best at what he does.
Kingston promised to kick ass and take names, and he’s starting with Ziggler. Kingston promised to leave Stomping Grounds the WWE Champion.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Bayley backstage. She asked Bayley about Alexa Bliss’ allegations of liking offensive tweets about Nikki Cross. Bayley said to consider the source.
Aleister Black spoke backstage. He said there are so much conflict but no resolutions. He offers both. It’s so simple. You pick a fight with him, and he fights you. He said they wouldn’t fight over trivial things like the love of a man or woman. He asked someone to open the door. He screamed that the door is wide open and to pick up a fight with him.
Bayley sent Cross to the floor and hit a sliding dropkick under the turnbuckle. Bayley attempted the dropkick a second time, but Cross trapped her in the ring curtain and took over.
Back from break, Bayley made a comeback and hit a rolling splash for a near fall. Bliss jumped on the apron and distracted Bayley. Cross used an inside cradle for a two count. Bayley fought back and hit the elbow off the top for the win.
Backstage, Jinder Mahal had crowbar and referee. He couldn’t find the box with Truth. Someone told him the boxes are loading on the truck. Mahal found some more boxes, but they’re going to L.A. Mahal ran to L.A. to find Truth.
Truth is still in one of the boxes. Carmella searched for him in the back but couldn’t find him.
Bray hosted another edition of The Firefly Fun House. Wyatt gave Ramblin Rabbit the floor to speak. Rabbit said it was time to reveal the truth about what’s going on in the fun house. Wyatt attacked Ramblin Rabbit with a mallet.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Apollo Crews. Last week, Andrade attacked Crews before their match. Crews wants to gain some revenge. Zelina Vega interrupted and warned Crews not to anger Andrade. She left, and Chad Gable showed up taking notes.
The New Day defeated Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens
The heels had the early advantage by isolating Xavier Woods. Woods fought back and The New Day hit the Unicorn Stampede. Kingston attempted a splash, but Zayn moved, and Kingston crashed to the floor. Ziggler nailed Kingston with a forearm on the floor.
Ziggler locked on a chin lock and taunted New Day. He caught Kingston with a dropkick, which sent Kingston to the floor. Owens then hit a senton on Kingston. The heels isolated Kingston on their side of the ring.
Woods got the hot tag and ran wild. After a quick exchange, Woods sent Zayn to the floor with a forearm. He followed up with a sliding dropkick taking out Zayn and Ziggler. Woods climbed to the top, but Owens distracted the referee. Ziggler tripped up Woods. The heels isolated Woods again in their corner.
Owens hit a power slam and second turnbuckle moonsault for a near fall. Woods hit a DDT, and Big E got the hot tag. Big E hit three huge belly-to-belly suplexes and a big splash on Ziggler. New Day tried to set up Ziggler, but he fought out.
Zayn made the blind tag. Ziggler went to superkick Kingston but hit Zayn instead. Kingston fought back and hit the Trouble in Paradise on Ziggler. The finish came when Kingston hit Trouble in Paradise on Zayn for the win.
WWE has announced The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods & Big E) vs. Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn in a six-man tag match for this week’s SmackDown. The show is taking place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
This will be Big E’s first match since the post-WrestleMania 35 edition of SmackDown. He suffered a torn meniscus while teaming with Kingston & Woods against Cesaro, Sheamus & Drew McIntyre on that episode.
Kingston will defend his WWE Championship against Ziggler in a steel cage match at Stomping Grounds in Tacoma, Washington on June 23.
Kingston retained against Ziggler at Super ShowDown last Friday. Ziggler superkicked Woods on the outside during the match, then Woods kicked Ziggler when the referee wasn’t looking. That led to Kingston hitting Trouble in Paradise on Ziggler and getting the win.
Ziggler did a backstage interview after facing Kingston at Super ShowDown. He called Kingston a coward and demanded the steel cage match.
SmackDown takes place from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island tonight.
Big E returns from injury after being on the shelf for a month. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have a celebration planned for his return, which will kick off the episode.
Kingston will also face Sami Zayn in a non-title match tonight.
New SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley will give an exclusive interview and team with Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch against Charlotte Flair & Lacey Evans. Bayley won the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match and then cashed in on Charlotte later that night to win the SmackDown Women’s title. That was moments after Charlotte had defeated Lynch to win the title.
Last night on Raw, Mick Foley introduced the new 24/7 Championship. R-Truth won the title after pinning Robert Roode backstage. Truth is scheduled to appear tonight.
Plus, Roman Reigns vs. Elias and Mandy Rose vs. Carmella are set.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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In the back, Elias approached Shane McMahon in his office. Elias made excuses for losing to Roman Reigns at Money In The Bank. He feels he let McMahon and his family down.
Elias is looking forward to Super ShowDown and promised to be in McMahon’s corner. McMahon turned down the offer but said he’d be in Elias’ corner because he needs him.
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods walked out onto the ramp. They teased Big E’s return. Woods brought out a guy under a black sheet and took it off but it wasn’t Big E. They made fun of him and told him to leave.
Big E then made his actual return to a big pop. There was a huge Welcome Back, Big E banner on the apron. Big E said he missed The New Day and the fans. Woods mentioned Big E’s recent tweeting. Big E said he had to send a tweet to Becky Lynch’s mom. They talked about how attractive Lynch’s mother is. Kingston interrupted them and said he has to be serious now because he’s the champion. Kingston noted he beat Kevin Owens on Sunday to retain the title.
Owens and Sami Zayn’s interrupted. Zayn was furious that Big E was having a return celebration after being gone for six weeks. Zayn pointed out he was gone for months and got nothing like this. The New Day mocked him and gave him the same thing Owens got on Sunday, nothing. Owens walked away.
Zayn called the celebration disgusting. He said Owens lost because he was worried about Zayn. Kingston told Zayn not to let the pancake throwing and hip-swiveling confuse him. He promised to defeat Zayn. Kingston vs. Zayn is official for later tonight.
In the back, Carmella looked for R. Truth. Drake Maverick and Apollo Crews are also looking for him. Maverick was putting up R-Truth Wanted signs. She found Truth wearing a blonde wig. Carmella didn’t know why Truth came to SmackDown. He needs Carmella’s help to hold on to the title.
Ali defeated Andrade (w/Zelina Vega)
Andrade took over after rocking Ali with a huge clothesline for a near fall. Ali fought back and hit a reverse hurricanrana for a two count. Ali went up to the second turnbuckle but Vega jumped on the apron. She distracted Ali long enough for Andrade to recover. Ali went for a cross body but Andrade caught him with a dropkick.
Back from break, Ali caught Andrade with a tornado DDT. He followed up with a suicide dive and immediately hit a second dive. Ali injured his back in the process. As he tried to re-enter the ring, Andrade shoved him off the apron and Ali crashed into the barricade.
Andrade worked over Ali’s back and slammed him into the ring post. He then tossed him over the barricade into the timekeeper’s area. Ali barely beat the count of ten. Andrade hit the running double knees to the back of Ali’s head for a close near fall. Andrade slowly picked up Ali. Suddenly, Ali rolled up Andrade for the win.
In the back, Carmella disguised R-Truth with a hat, blonde wing, and glasses. She gave him a bra but he said he needs help. He always had trouble unhooking them.
They recapped Lars Sullivan’s recent attacks.
Mandy Rose (w/Sonya Deville) vs. Carmella (w/R-Truth) Ended Without A Winner
R-Truth came out in his disguise but was still wearing the 24/7 title. Carmella attacked Rose but she rolled to the floor. Carmella pulled Deville into the ring. Rose rolled her up for a near fall.
Suddenly, the B Team and a bunch of wrestlers ran down to beat R-Truth. Truth ran off with Carmella on his back through the crowd. The wrestlers and referee chased them. Truth running off with Carmella on his back was pretty funny.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed the new SmackDown Woman’s champion, Bayley. She said she’s past the hugging and wants every woman in the locker room to bring her A game.
Backstage, R-Truth and Carmella ran into the women’s locker room. Moments later, Truth and Carmella ran out. Truth apologized for running into the women’s locker room. As they left, the group of wrestlers chased after Truth. Zayn watched on as they run after Truth with a look of disgust.
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston defeated Sami Zayn in a non-title match
In the back, Big E was on the ground in pain after being attacked by Kevin Owens. Woods and Big E told Kingston to take care of Zayn. During the match, Tom Phillips announced that Woods accompanied Big E to a local medical facility.
Kingston was furious as he made his way to the ring. Zayn had the early advantage and was firmly in control. Kingston fought back and hit a dropkick off the second turnbuckle.
Back from break, Zayn hit a huge superplex for a near fall. Kingston missed Trouble in Paradise. Zayn went for the Blue Thunder Bomb but Kingston escaped and hit the Trouble in Paradise for the win.
After the match, Paul Heyman walked out with the Money in the Bank briefcase. The commentators wondered if Brock Lesnar was there.
Suddenly, Dolph Ziggler made his return and jumped Kingston from behind. Ziggler beat down Kingston. He wrapped a chair around Kingston’s head and threw him into the announce table. Ziggler wrapped Kingston’s head in the chair again and jumped on it. Kingston didn’t move for several minutes.
The medical staff checked on Kingston and took him out on a stretcher. Kingston got off the stretcher and was determined to walk out. The fans gave him a huge reaction and “Kofi” chant.
Roman Reigns arrived at the arena. Suddenly, he could hear Elias playing. He looked up and saw him playing on top of the truck. He promised to defeat him later. Reigns shook his head and walked off.
Raw Woman’s Champion Becky Lynch & SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley defeated Charlotte Flair & Lacey Evans
Before the match, Kayla Braxton interviewed Becky Lynch. Lynch isn’t happy that she lost the belt but is happy Bayley has it. Lynch promised to come after Bayley when they’re done with Flair and Evans.
Bayley missed a knee in the corner and Flair rocked her with a boot to the back of the head. The heels isolated Bayley on their side of the ring. Lynch got the hot tag and connected with a missile dropkick. She followed up with a forearm off the second turnbuckle.
Flair fought back and hit a big boot. She rolled up Lynch for a two count. Lynch countered into the Dis-arm-her but Evans broke it up. Bayley got the tag. Flair went for the Figure Four but Bayley used an inside cradle for the win.
In the back, R-Truth and Carmella tried running out but Jinder Mahal attacked him. He rolled Truth up for a near fall. Truth fought back and ran off. The B Team jumped Truth but they argued over pinning him. Truth fought back. Truth and Carmella ran off. The B Team chased after him.
Dolph Ziggler walked out to explain his reason for viciously attacking Kofi Kingston. He said this goes back to when Kingston took Ali’s place at Elimination Chamber. Ziggler said it should have been him. After eleven years, Kingston became an overnight success and it should’ve been Ziggler.
Ziggler sat at home when Kingston defeated Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania. The fans respect Kingston and it should be him. Ziggler promised to defeat Kingston for the WWE Championship at Super ShowDown.
Roman Reigns defeated Elias (w/Shane McMahon)
McMahon introduced Elias as the greatest acquisition in SmackDown Live history. Reigns was firmly in control and rocked Elias with right hands. McMahon distracted Reigns and Elias took over. He sent Reigns into the ring post.
Back from break, Reigns connected with a flying clothesline. He followed up with a big boot. He set up for the Superman Punch but McMahon grabbed the leg. Elias then hit a flying knee in the corner. Reigns fought back with a big right hand.
Elias regained control and hit a powerbomb for a close near fall. They traded shots in the middle of the ring. Reigns hit the Superman Punch but McMahon put Elias’ leg on the bottom rope.
Reigns hit the Drive-by on McMahon. Elias took advantage and hit a big elbow for a very close near fall. Elias pulled off the top turnbuckle pad, which distracted the referee. McMahon put the guitar in the ring. Elias went to use it but Reigns hit the spear for the win.
McMahon attacked Reigns after the match. He teased hitting Reigns with the guitar but Reigns hit the Superman Punch. Reigns picked up the guitar and backed McMahon into the corner.
Suddenly, Drew McIntyre appeared and hit the Claymore Kick on Reigns to end SmackDown.
Kevin Owens’ short-lived stint as an honorary member of The New Day came to an end last night.
Kofi Kingston’s match against Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event of this week’s SmackDown ended in a disqualification when Rusev interfered. Owens and Xavier Woods laid out Rusev, but Nakamura hit the Kinshasa on Woods.
Kingston helped Owens by pushing him out of the way of Nakamura. Kingston hit Trouble in Paradise on Nakamura, then Owens gave Kingston a superkick. Owens ripped off his New Day T-shirt and said he’s coming after Kingston’s WWE Championship. Owens set Kingston up for an apron powerbomb. Woods tried to fight Owens off, but Owens gave him the powerbomb instead.
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair took part in a face-to-face segment last night, which set up Charlotte taking on Bayley in a number one contender’s match. Charlotte won and will challenge for Lynch’s SmackDown Women’s Championship at Money in the Bank. Lynch is also defending the Raw Women’s title against Lacey Evans at the pay-per-view.
Roman Reigns will face Elias at Money in the Bank after being attacked by Elias and Shane McMahon on SmackDown.
WWE set things up for WrestleMania 35 with a couple of developments on last night’s SmackDown.
Kofi Kingston will officially challenge for Daniel Bryan’s WWE Championship at WrestleMania after Big E & Xavier Woods won his way into the match. Big E & Woods took part in a tag team gauntlet match, defeating Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev, Cesaro & Sheamus, The Usos, and Daniel Bryan & Rowan.
The Usos forfeited their match and cut a promo wishing New Day luck.
Charlotte Flair will be the SmackDown Women’s Champion heading into her WrestleMania main event triple threat match against Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch. Charlotte submitted Asuka with the Figure Eight last night to win the title.
Another match has been added to Sunday’s Fastlane pre-show.
WWE announced today that The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) will face Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev on the pre-show for Fastlane. This is the second match to be announced for the pre-show, with Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade also set to take place before the main card gets underway.
New Day’s Kofi Kingston was originally scheduled to challenge for Daniel Bryan’s WWE Championship at Fastlane, but Kevin Owens replaced Kingston as Bryan’s challenger. The storyline was Vince McMahon taking Kingston out of the match and saying Kingston isn’t as deserving of getting a title shot.
The Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio is hosting Fastlane on Sunday. The pre-show will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern time, with the main card starting at 7 p.m.
The card for Fastlane is now up to nine matches:
WWE Champion Daniel Bryan defending against Kevin Owens
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair (if Lynch wins, she’ll be added to the Raw Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania)
The Shield (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose) vs. Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre & Bobby Lashley
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defending against Shane McMahon & The Miz
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Bayley defending against Nia Jax & Tamina
SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Mandy Rose
Raw Tag Team Champions The Revival defending against Ricochet & Aleister Black and Bobby Roode & Chad Gable in a triple threat match
Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade (pre-show)
The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev (pre-show)
– With tonight’s Christmas Day edition of SmackDown being taped in advance, the episode featured a few backstage segments that weren’t included in the spoilers for the show.
One of those aired at the end of the episode, with Vince McMahon meeting with AJ Styles backstage. The storyline was that Vince was trying to get a reaction out of Styles. Vince asked why — if SmackDown is Styles’ house — Daniel Bryan was competing and Styles wasn’t. He said he wants to know who the real Styles is.
Vince mentioned that he and Styles are a lot alike — Styles has a black hole in his heart and there’s an animal inside him begging to get out. Vince said he was going to see that animal, then slapped Styles in the face. Styles responded by punching Vince in the face and knocking him down. After officials got Styles out of the room, Vince was shown on the floor smiling.
A backstage segment where Bryan attacked Mustafa Ali also aired on tonight’s episode, and there was another where Mandy Rose taunted Naomi by trying to flirt with Jimmy Uso. Jimmy rejected Rose and Naomi had to be held back from attacking her.
– For next week’s SmackDown, WWE is advertising that The New Day will hold a New Year’s celebration. John Cena will also return on the episode, which is being taped at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this Saturday and will air on New Year’s Day.
WWE Holiday Week 2018 includes the Monday, December 17 episode of Raw and Tuesday, December 18 episode of SmackDown, along with additional WWE-themed programming.
“New Day’s WWE 2018 Pancake Powered New Year Super Spectacular” will air on USA at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, December 19. Here’s the description for the hour-long special: “The New Day host a fun look back at all the historic, outrageous and unforgettable moments that made 2018 so super spectacular at WWE. Featuring Ronda Rousey, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, AJ Styles, John Cena and Becky Lynch, along with some surprise Superstar sightings.”
An episode of NXT aired on the Wednesday of 2017’s Holiday Week, but NXT isn’t part of the schedule for this year.
Tribute to the Troops 2018 will air on USA from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 20. It will be followed by a marathon of Miz & Mrs. season one.
The movie “San Andreas,” which stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, will air on USA at 6 p.m. Eastern on Friday, December 21.
USA’s “Talk Stoop” will also be “featuring interviews throughout the week with WWE Superstars The Miz and Maryse, Ronda Rousey, the Bella Twins, Natalya, Nia Jax and Lana.”
A WrestleMania 34 rematch, along with a rap battle will take place next week on SmackDown.
Charlotte will take on Asuka in a singles match ahead of their TLC match with Becky Lynch. Charlotte brought up during the contract signing for the match tonight that she was the one who broke Asuka’s winning streak, retaining the Smackdown Women’s title in the process. She and Asuka later faced Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville in tag action, with the pair losing after Asuka attacked Charlotte in retaliation after Charlotte previously booted Asuka off the apron by accident.
Meanwhile, a rap battle will take place next week between the Usos and The Bar, with The New Day serving as hosts. This comes after Jey Uso defeated Xavier Woods and Cesaro in a triple threat match. The New Day and The Usos competed against one another in a previous rap battle with Wale hosting.
SmackDown will take place next week at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
