A new title match has been made official for this month’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view.
On SmackDown tonight, WWE announced that SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro will defend their titles against two members of The Lucha House Party at Clash of Champions:
Lucha House Party has been trying to crash ‘The Champions Lounge’ for some time, but Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro have continued to crush their title dreams. Now Lucha House Party will hope to finally grasp the SmackDown Tag Team Titles that have evaded them.
The return of Kalisto has caused friction within Lucha House Party as all three members have tried to carve out their new roles. Gran Metalik & Kalisto delivered the biggest win in the ongoing back-and-forth by defeating the champions with an assist from The Street Profits. After Kalisto & Lince Dorado were ejected from ringside, Cesaro capitalized with an emphatic victory over Gran Metalik in the most recent chapter of the rivalry.
Can Lucha House Party stay on the same page and dial up the volume with a title breakthrough? Or will The King of Strong Style & The Swiss Cyborg fight off yet another challenge?
Don’t miss WWE Clash of Champions at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the award-winning WWE Network.
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defending his title against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match was also set up for Clash of Champions on SmackDown tonight, but that match has yet to be officially announced by WWE.
Clash of Champions is taking place on Sunday, September 27. Here’s the updated card for the show:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
The Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Champions are set to face off next week.
WWE announced tonight that Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits will face off with SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura in a champions vs. champions match on Raw next Monday. The match will presumably be non-title.
Cesaro & Nakamura made a cross-brand appearance on Raw tonight to set up next week’s match. After The Street Profits defeated Andrade & Angel Garza, they were confronted by Cesaro & Nakamura. Cesaro & Nakamura said that when people think of The Street Profits they think of their basketball and golf competitions with The Viking Raiders, playing with ninjas, and not defending their titles. Cesaro said they were there to show The Street Profits what real champions look like.
Cesaro then challenged The Street Profits to a champions vs. champions match next week and The Street Profits accepted. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford said that — unlike Cesaro & Nakamura — The Street Profits have a real bond. They insulted Cesaro for how many tag team partners he’s had.
It was said that Cesaro & Nakamura being able to face The Street Profits on Raw was because of the brand-to-brand invitational.
Next Monday’s Raw will also feature Asuka defending her Raw Women’s Championship against Mickie James.
Two matches have been added to Friday’s SummerSlam go-home episode of SmackDown.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro will defend their titles against The Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado) on SmackDown this week. This is the second title match set for the show. AJ Styles will also defend his Intercontinental title against Jeff Hardy on the episode.
Big E vs. Sheamus is the other new match that’s been announced for this week’s SmackDown.
Metalik defeated Nakamura on SmackDown last week after Nakamura was distracted by Kalisto making his return. Kalisto and Dorado took out Cesaro at ringside.
Big E defeated John Morrison last Friday. Earlier in the show, their first attempt at facing each other was interrupted by RETRIBUTION. Big E rallied the SmackDown roster backstage after that until being interrupted by Sheamus. Sheamus said Big E was alone, vulnerable, and scared.
This week’s SmackDown will see the debut of WWE’s ThunderDome virtual fan experience at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The show will also feature the final build to Braun Strowman’s Universal Championship defense against “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt at SummerSlam.
New SmackDown Tag Team Champions were crowned in the opening match of tonight’s Extreme Rules main card.
Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defeated The New Day in a tables match at Extreme Rules to win the SmackDown Tag Team titles. This is the first time Nakamura has been a Tag Team Champion in WWE.
Two tables were set up on top of each other outside of the ring and Kofi Kingston attempted to put Cesaro through them by going for a hurricanrana off the top rope. But Cesaro blocked Kingston’s hurricanrana attempt and Nakamura then assisted Cesaro in giving Kingston a powerbomb off the top rope through both tables to get the win.
In storyline, Nakamura & Cesaro got to choose whether it would be a tables match or a steel cage match after Cesaro defeated Big E on SmackDown this past Friday. The tables stipulation tied in with Nakamura & Cesaro putting Kingston & Big E through a table on SmackDown the previous week after a title match between the two teams broke down and ended in a no contest.
The New Day had been SmackDown Tag Team Champions since Big E won the titles by defeating The Miz and Jey Uso in a triple threat match this April.
A Tag Team title match is the latest addition to the lineup for Extreme Rules.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day will defend their titles against Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro in a tables match at Sunday’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view. In storyline, Cesaro & Nakamura got to choose whether it would be a tables match or a steel cage match after Cesaro defeated Big E on SmackDown tonight.
The finish of Cesaro vs. Big E was Cesaro hitting the Neutralizer after interference by Nakamura.
Nakamura & Cesaro challenged for The New Day’s titles in the main event of SmackDown last week, but the match ended in a disqualification after it broke down. Nakamura and Cesaro were in the ring at the same time fighting with Kofi Kingston, and Big E joined in to help his partner. The teams kept brawling after the match and Nakamura & Cesaro put Kingston & Big E through a table.
Kingston made the save when Cesaro & Nakamura tried to put Big E through a table after tonight’s match. The New Day then went to put Cesaro through a table, but Nakamura pulled him away.
Here’s the updated card for Extreme Rules:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defending against Dolph Ziggler (Ziggler will pick the stipulation for the match)
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defending against Sasha Banks
Universal Champion Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt in a non-title Wyatt swamp fight
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defending against Nikki Cross
Rey Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins in an eye for an eye match
United States Champion Apollo Crews defending against MVP
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day defending against Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro in a tables match
Last night’s episode of SmackDown ended with Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro standing tall over the SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
The New Day defended their SmackDown Tag Team titles against Nakamura & Cesaro in last night’s main event. The match ended in a disqualification after it broke down. Nakamura and Cesaro were in the ring at the same time fighting with Kofi Kingston, and Big E joined in to help his partner.
The brawl continued after the match and ended with Nakamura & Cesaro putting Kingston & Big E through a table. With Nakamura’s assistance, Cesaro gave Kingston a powerbomb off the middle rope and onto a table that Big E had already been placed on.
Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley & Sasha Banks were in non-title action on last night’s SmackDown, facing off with Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss. Bayley will defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Cross at Extreme Rules on Sunday, July 19.
Jeff Hardy’s appearance on Miz TV last night resulted in a match between him and The Miz. It was also confirmed that Hardy vs. Sheamus in a “bar fight” is set for Extreme Rules.
Plus, a karaoke showdown led to a match between Naomi and Lacey Evans, WWE re-aired Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt’s Universal Championship match from Money in the Bank, and it was announced that AJ Styles will defend his Intercontinental title against Matt Riddle on SmackDown next Friday.
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.
Two tag team matches have been announced for next week’s episode of SmackDown.
Both of the matches involve tag team champions, though only one is a title match. WWE announced tonight that SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) will defend their titles against Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro on SmackDown next Friday. In non-title action, Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley & Sasha Banks will face Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss on the episode.
Nakamura defeated Kingston in a singles match on tonight’s SmackDown. Nakamura and Cesaro tried to put Kingston through a table after, but Big E made the save for his partner.
Bayley and Banks held a tribute for themselves on tonight’s show until it was interrupted by Cross and Bliss. Bliss slapped Bayley during the segment, leading to Banks challenging Bliss to face Bayley in a singles match.
That match ended in a disqualification when Cross attacked Bayley. When Cross was cheering for Bliss during the match, Bayley told her to shut up and tried to kick her. Cross attempted to get into the ring, and Banks interfered while the referee was distracted. Cross then took out Banks on the outside. Bayley yelled at Cross, then Cross attacked her and caused the DQ.
WWE has also announced that Braun Strowman’s Universal Championship defense against Bray Wyatt from Money in the Bank will be re-aired on next Friday’s SmackDown. Strowman is facing Wyatt in a non-title Wyatt Swamp Fight at Extreme Rules on Sunday, July 19. Bayley is defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Cross at that pay-per-view, while Banks is challenging Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship.
The first round of WWE’s Intercontinental title tournament concluded on last night’s SmackDown.
AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura renewed their rivalry, with Styles hitting the Phenomenal Forearm to defeat Nakamura and move on to the semifinals of the tournament. It was also announced that Styles has been traded to SmackDown for “future considerations.”
Jeff Hardy and Sheamus faced off in a tournament match in last night’s main event. Sheamus dominated throughout, but Hardy managed to pin him and move on to the semifinals.
Both semifinal matches will air on SmackDown next week. They are Hardy vs. Daniel Bryan and Styles vs. Elias.
Charlotte Flair also faced off with Bayley in a non-title champion vs. champion match last night, Mandy Rose & Otis took on Sonya Deville & Dolph Ziggler, and the build to Backlash continued with it being announced that Braun Strowman will defend his Universal Championship against The Miz & John Morrison in a handicap match at the pay-per-view.
Much of the lineup for next Friday’s SmackDown has already been revealed.
– NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley will face off in a non-title champion vs. champion match on next Friday’s show. That was set up when Charlotte appeared on SmackDown tonight as part of the brand-to-brand invitation.
Bayley challenged Charlotte to the champion vs. champion match and Charlotte accepted. Charlotte also asked if Sasha Banks is her own woman or if she’s happy being Bayley’s lackey and an afterthought.
– The first round of WWE’s Intercontinental title tournament will conclude with the remaining first round matches taking place on next week’s SmackDown. Jeff Hardy will face off with Sheamus, and AJ Styles will take on Shinsuke Nakamura. The winner of Hardy vs. Sheamus will advance to face Daniel Bryan in the semifinals. The winner of Styles vs. Nakamura will advance to a semifinal match against Elias.
– A mixed tag grudge match is also set for SmackDown next week. It will be Mandy Rose & Otis vs. Sonya Deville & Dolph Ziggler.
Following his win in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match, Otis appeared on a Miz TV segment at the start of SmackDown tonight. It led to Braun Strowman later agreeing to team with Otis in the main event and them defeating Miz & Morrison.
A promo with Deville and Ziggler also aired on SmackDown tonight, with Deville saying Rose will never be a winner like her and will never have the skill, talent, charisma, and mind that Deville has. Deville said she’s just getting started ruining Rose’s life.
The bracket for WWE’s tournament to crown a new Intercontinental Champion has now been revealed.
It’s an eight-man, single-elimination tournament. The left side of the bracket has Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak and Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus as its first round matches, while Elias vs. Baron Corbin and AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura are the first round matches on the right side of the bracket.
Styles is taking part in the tournament despite being a Raw wrestler. When the bracket was announced on SmackDown tonight, it was said that Styles was going after one of the only titles that he hasn’t won in WWE.
The brand-to-brand invitation was announced on Raw this week, allowing for a limited amount of crossover between the Raw and SmackDown brands.
It was first announced on WWE Backstage this week that the Intercontinental title has been declared vacant. Sami Zayn was the Intercontinental Champion prior to that announcement. Zayn hasn’t appeared on WWE television since he retained the Intercontinental title against Bryan at WrestleMania 36.
WWE’s final build to Money in the Bank takes place on tonight’s SmackDown from the WWE Performance Center.
Universal Champion Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt are set to have a face-to-face confrontation ahead of their title match at Sunday’s pay-per-view. Wyatt as been taunting Strowman for the last few weeks by bringing up his past with the Wyatt Family. Strowman’s tired of all the mind games and challenged Wyatt to meet him in the ring tonight.
Mandy Rose goes one-on-one with Sonya Deville. Last week, Carmella defeated Rose in a Money in the Bank qualifying match after Deville interfered. Deville beat down Rose after the match.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley & Sasha Banks take on Tamina & Lacey Evans. The match comes in advance of Bayley defending her title against Tamina at Money in the Bank.
Jeff Hardy makes his return to SmackDown tonight. For several weeks, Michael Cole introduced a series of videos covering Hardy’s career. Sheamus was upset each time Cole started talking about Hardy. WWE.com is teasing a showdown between Hardy and Sheamus.
Plus, King Corbin, Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro take on Daniel Bryan, Drew Gulak & a mystery partner in a six-man tag team match.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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In the back, Mandy Rose was warming up for her upcoming match. Otis approached and asked to help. Rose assured Otis she has this under control and told him to focus on Money In The Bank. Rose kissed Otis and walked off.
Somewhere else backstage, Sonya Deville was warming up for the match as well. Dolph Ziggler approached and asked if she’s ready. Deville noted she waited five years for this moment. Ziggler promised to be waiting backstage. He asked Deville not to hurt Rose’s face, but she couldn’t make any promises.
Sonya Deville defeated Mandy Rose
Rose had her leg wrapped up because of the attack from last week.
Rose jumped Deville to start the match. She backed Deville in the corner and beat her down. Deville attacked the injured leg to gain control briefly. Rose recovered and rocked Deville with forearms. Deville rolled out of the ring.
Deville attacked Rose’s leg to regain control. Deville slowed the pace down with the body scissors. Deville trashed talked Rose and pulled off her eyelashes. Rose fought back, but Deville took back over.
Rose fired back with a series of clothesline. She followed up with a knee, which sent Deville to the floor. Rose slammed Deville face-first into the announce table. She threw Deville into the steps and then launched her over the announce desk.
Rose screamed at Deville. Rose attempted a jumping knee, but Deville rolled up Rose for the win.
The Forgotten Sons, The Miz & John Morrison defeated The New Day & The Lucha House Party
They recapped Lucha House Party defeating John Morrison and The Miz two weeks ago. They also recapped The Forgotten Sons defeating SmackDown tag team champions The New Day in a non-title match last week.
The Miz and Kofi Kingston went back and forth early. All eight guys jumped in the ring and started brawling. Big E launched Kingston over the top rope to the floor onto the heels. Lince Dardo and Gran Metalik then both hit suicide dives.
Back from the break, the heels were firmly in control. Kingston rocked Wesley Blake with a dropkick off the second rope. Kingston hit a big splash. Big E then hit a big splash.
Gran Metalik hit a moonsault off of Dardo’s shoulders. Dardo hit a big splash.
Metalik followed up with a big splash for a near fall.
The heels took over and isolated Kingston on their side of the ring. Kingston fought back, but Blake knocked him off the apron. Blake followed up with a suicide dive.
Back from the break, the heels continued to beat down Kingston and cut him off from his corner. Kingston almost got the tag, but the heels pulled Kingston’s partner’s off the apron.
Kingston hit the SOS, and Metalik got the tag. Metalik hit a springboard crossbody for a near fall. Dardo hit a crossbody, but The Forgotten Sons caught him. Dardo fought out and hit and double handspring stunner on the Forgotten Sons.
The Forgotten Sons hit the inverted DDT/Foot Stomp on Big E on the floor. Blake then power bombed Kingston onto Big E.
Morrison hit Starship Pain, but Dardo moved. Dardo hit the reverse rana on Morrison, but Miz made the blind tag. Miz then hit the skull crushing finale on Dardo for the win.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed King Corbin. Corbin’s certain his team is going to win tonight, so he’s looking past the six-man tag match. Corbin went through the participants in the MITB ladder match. He teased tossing Rey Mysterio off the top of the building. Corbin promised to win the MITB.
Jeff Hardy Returns
Renee Young introduced the returning Jeff Hardy. Young mentioned the videos covering Hardy’s career in the last few weeks. Hardy noted every low taught him how to get back up.
Sheamus was watching backstage and was trash-talking the screen.
In the ring, Hardy noted he can still hear the people chant his name. Sheamus got frustrated and marched out to the ring.
Hardy admitted he was surprised Sheamus hadn’t come to the ring yet. Hardy called out Sheamus.
Sheamus mocked Hardy and said nobody cares about him anymore. Sheamus pointed out that Hardy’s made several comebacks but failed each time. Hardy noted Sheamus should look at himself.
Sheamus promised to take out Hardy. He walked to the ring, but Hardy got the better of Sheamus. He hit the twist of fate and the Swanton bomb. Sheamus screamed as Hardy walked off.
Universal Champion Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt Face-to-face confrontation
Strowman noted he’s not playing any more mind games. He demanded Bray Wyatt come to the ring to meet face-to-face.
Wyatt came out and was happy to see Strowman. He noted all he wants is for Strowman to say he’s sorry. Wyatt claimed to be Strowman’s creator and knows how to defeat him.
Wyatt wants Strowman to come back home so he can be special like him. Wyatt just needs the Universal Championship back to take Strowman’s burden away.
Strowman noted Wyatt knows nothing about him. Wyatt laughed and tried to give Strowman the black sheep mask.
The puppets from the Firefly Funhouse begged Strowman to come home. Strowman noted he is home and promised to beat Wyatt Sunday. Strowman mimicked Wyatt and said goodbye.
Wyatt apologized and noted he tried.
In the back, Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak approached Otis. They asked if he heard what King Corbin said about him earlier. Bryan noted they need to talk.
Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart announced that WrestleMania III airs on FS1 this coming Tuesday night.
They recapped Banks and Bayley brawling with Tamina and Evans last week.
On commentary, Michael Cole teased problems between Bayley and Banks
Bayley and Banks argued over starting the match, so Tamina jumped them both. The heels recovered and isolated Tamina in their corner. Tamina fought back, and the heels tried leaving.
On the floor, Evans attacked Banks, and Tamina pulled Bayley into the ring.
Back from the break, Bayley distracted Evans and Banks took over. The heels isolated Evans on their side of the ring.
Evans fought back and tagged Tamina. The heels jumped Tamina before she could get in the ring. Banks jumped off the apron, but Tamina caught her. Tamina then tossed Banks into the barricade.
Tamina and Bayley fought on the top rope. Tamina knocked Bayley off and attempted a splash, but Bayley got her knees up. Bayley hit the Bayley-to-Belly and followed up with a flying elbow for a near fall.
Evans rocked Banks with the Women’s Right. Bayley then knocked Evans out of the ring. Tamina rocked Bayley with a superkick and hit the Samoan Drop for the win.
Corey Graves gave a tour of WWE Headquarters.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Carmella and Dana Brooke. Brooke pointed out that nobody believed she could defeat Naomi to qualify, not even her best friend, Carmella. Carmella noted she apologized, and Brooke claimed she was just teasing. Brooke and Carmella both promised to win the MITB ladder match.
The mysterious individual appeared again and showed footage of various SmackDown superstars. He then played a voice recording.
King Corbin, Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defeated Daniel Bryan, Drew Gulak & Otis
Bryan rocked Corbin with a running dropkick to start the match. Corbin rocked Gulak with a shot to the throat, but Gulak fought back. Gulak and Cesaro had a great exchange. Gulak climbed to the top, but Nakamura pushed him off, and Cesaro hit an uppercut.
Otis got the tag and ran wild. He hit a splash in their corner on Nakamura and followed up with the caterpillar.
Back from the break, the heels were firmly in control. Corbin slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Bryan recovered and went after the leg.
Gulak backed Cesaro into the corner. Cesaro placed Gulak on the top turnbuckle and hit an uppercut. Gulak rolled through and locked on a submission.
Otis threw Cesaro to the floor. Corbin jumped Otis from behind and tossed him over the top rope. Gulak caught Corbin with a flying clothesline for a near fall.
Nakamura and Cesaro sent Otis into the ring post. Bryan caught Cesaro with a knee, but Nakamura nailed Bryan with a kick to the head.
In the ring, Corbin hit the End of Days on Gulak for the win.
After the match, Bryan, Otis, Nakamura, and Cesaro fought in the stands. Gulak leaped off the barricade onto all four guys. They fought to the back.
Corbin was left alone and brought a ladder into the ring. He climbed up the ladder, but Bryan cut him off. Corbin recovered and threw Bryan into the ladder.
Otis jumped back in the ring and took out Corbin. Otis tried to climb the ladder, but the rungs kept breaking, and he couldn’t climb up.
Corbin recovered and attacked Otis and Bryan. Bryan fought back and climbed up the ladder. Corbin tipped over the ladder, and Bryan landed on the ropes.
Corbin climbed up the ladder and pulled down the briefcase.
Two matches, along with a pair of segments, have been announced for next week’s SmackDown.
It was announced on tonight’s SmackDown that Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak will find a mystery partner to take on the team of Baron Corbin, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro next week in a six-man tag team match. This was set after Cesaro and Nakamura aided Corbin in attacking Daniel Bryan tonight.
Tamina and Lacey Evans will also team up next week to take on best friends Sasha Banks and Bayley. This follows an altercation tonight that involved Bayley and Banks attacking Tamina backstage. Evans got involved to even the odds, leading to officials breaking up the fight.
A face-to-face meeting between Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt has also been set. Wyatt confronted Strowman tonight by reading a “story” that alluded to Strowman’s previous association with the Wyatt family.
Additionally, Jeff Hardy will make his return on SmackDown. Recent weeks on SmackDown has focused on Jeff Hardy’s road to redemption, something that Sheamus has taken offense to in recent weeks. After the conclusion of tonight’s video package, Sheamus made it clear to the announcers that he would be around next week as well.
More build to WrestleMania 36 took place on last night’s SmackDown.
Drew Gulak defeated Shinsuke Nakamura, which earns Daniel Bryan an Intercontinental title shot against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania. Gulak pinned Nakamura after Bryan pulled Gulak out of the way of a Kinshasa.
WWE didn’t acknowledge Roman Reigns and The Miz being out of WrestleMania. In last night’s main event, Miz & Morrison interrupted The New Day and The Usos’ number one contender’s match. A triple threat SmackDown Tag Team title ladder match was then announced for WrestleMania.
Otis vs. Dolph Ziggler was added to the WrestleMania card.
Bray Wyatt also challenged John Cena to make their match at WrestleMania a Firefly Fun House match.
Plus, Alexa Bliss defeated Asuka, Baron Corbin attacked Elias and threw him off a perch, and all five SmackDown Women’s title elimination match participants appeared.
At least one new title challenger will be made official for WrestleMania 36 on next week’s SmackDown.
The New Day and The Usos will face off in a number one contender’s match on SmackDown next Friday. The winning team will challenge The Miz & John Morrison for the SmackDown Tag Team titles at WrestleMania.
The Intercontinental title match for WrestleMania could also be confirmed on SmackDown next week. Drew Gulak will face Shinsuke Nakamura on the episode. If Gulak wins, Daniel Bryan will get an Intercontinental title shot against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania.
Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka is the third match that’s been announced for next week’s SmackDown. Bliss & Nikki Cross have been calling out Asuka & Kairi Sane for a shot at the Women’s Tag Team titles.
Bray Wyatt will also host a new edition of Firefly Fun House next Friday. The segment will continue the build to The Fiend vs. John Cena at WrestleMania.
