Tuesday night’s episode of SmackDown on the USA Network averaged 2,465,000 viewers. This is up from the 2,329,000 viewers for the July 4th episode. The show finished #1 in the 18-34 and 24-54 demographics.
Next week’s show will mark approximately one year since WWE moved Smackdown from airing on Thursdays to airing live on Tuesdays.
Global Force Wrestling announced earlier today that they have suspended GFW Champion Alberto El Patron indefinitely until his ‘domestic violence battery’ incident investigation is resolved. Paige once again took to Twitter today and stated that she was the one being held being held for battery charges because she threw a drink on Patron. Paige then called the person that leaked the audio of the incident a “disgusting, horrible human being of a lady”.
Here are Paige’s comments today on Twitter:
“Alberto didn’t want me to say the full story because he didn’t want people to know and I didn’t want people to know that I threw a drink on him.
But the full story is.
I had a phone call saying my uncle is in a bad way. I’m crying outside the restaurant. I go in, Alberto is hugging me. I’m a little sensitive and we start bickering about something so small. I say I’m leaving and he says something that I won’t write on here but it wasn’t nice and I, even though I shouldn’t have done it. I threw a drink in his face because I was so angry. Again. Shouldn’t have done it. It was in front of a lot of people.
I walk out. He follows me a few seconds later and gets the cops and security and a crazy lady decides to leave whatever she’s doing to follow us and invade our privacy in the completely low way. Only low life people would do.
Anyways. It was ME who was being held for battery charges because I threw a drink on him. No. He never touched me and no I never hit him with a glass 3 times like the internet in all their glory is making out. It’s completely ridiculous how one story can spiral out of control. Oh and guess what internet. He smelt like beer BECAUSE I THREW A BEER ON HIM. Nothing more. Nothing less. No one got arrested. There’s no mug shots. There’s no charges. Nothing.
The horrible, disgusting human being of lady decided she wanted to make money out of our misfortune. I wish, WISH people would give us the privacy we deserve. I know we won’t get it. But I WISH that would happen.”
https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/885235926062047234
https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/885236870745137153
https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/885236964924035072
You can catch up on this story with the latest updates from the past few days:
Jeff Jarrett took part in a media conference call this afternoon and was asked by Raj Giri of Wrestling, Inc. if the Hardys have acquired the “Broken” gimmick. Jarrett simply replied “no they haven’t”. On this past week’s episode of RAW, The Hardy Boyz dropped some references to becoming “obsolete” and “broken”. Time will tell if Matt and Jeff bring the gimmick over to WWE, but it appears that they are still locked in a legal battle with Global Force Wrestling over who has the rights to it.
Reby Hardy, wife of Matt Hardy, disagreed with Jeff Jarrett’s comments during the conference call earlier today and responded to Jarrett’s answer on Twitter. Reby claimed that there is an agreement in place and that the agreement also included a non-disparagement clause where they would have to pay Anthem Sports and Entertainment $5,000 for anytime she tweets something about GFW.
Here are Reby Hardy’s tweets:
https://twitter.com/RebyHardy/status/885216199495307264
https://twitter.com/RebyHardy/status/885217228853039105
https://twitter.com/RebyHardy/status/885218055365767169
https://twitter.com/RebyHardy/status/885222980757991425
It was an eventful night in 205 Live last night. The show aired from the At&T centre in San Antonio. The main event featured an “I Quit Match” between Noam Dar and Cedric Alexander.
205 Live
July 12th 2017
AT&T Centre
Winner: No Contest (match thrown out after interference from Neville)
Winner: Rich Swann
Winner: TJP
Winner: Cedric Alexander
Alberto El Patron has been suspended as a result of Sunday’s ‘domestic violence battery’ incident at Orlando International airport
GFW issued the following statement:
“Global Force Wrestling has indefinitely suspended Alberto El Patron, effective immediately, until the investigation is resolved following a recent incident in Orlando, Florida.”
Alberto El Patron is the reigning Global Force Wrestling Champion and was featured prominently at last week’s Impact Wrestling tapings, which will air through next month.
You can catch up on this story with the latest updates from the past few days:
NXT tonight is a taped show from Full Sail University. The episode will feature the return of Johnny Gargano to NXT for the first time since his partner, Tommaso Ciampa, turned on him at Takeover: Chicago.
Tonight’s show will also feature an NXT tag team championship match between the Authors of Pain (c) and Heavy Machinery.
“The Authors of Pain have built their NXT Tag Team Championship reign upon a foundation of brute force and physical dominance. However, against Heavy Machinery — AOP’s newly confirmed challengers tonight on NXT — Paul Ellering’s menacing monsters, for once, find themselves against opponents who can more than match their immensity.”
“It’s been more than seven weeks since Johnny Gargano’s life was turned upside-down.
Johnny Wrestling never saw it coming when he was ruthlessly attacked by his best friend and tag team partner, Tommaso Ciampa. Just moments after Gargano & Ciampa fought valiantly for the NXT Tag Team Championship against The Authors of Pain in a Ladder Match, Ciampa viciously assaulted his #DIY partner, causing the beloved Gargano to be wheeled out of Chicago’s Allstate Arena in a stretcher and into an ambulance as the NXT Universe looked on in utter shock.
Tonight will be the first time the NXT Universe sees Gargano since the brutal assault. What kind of shape will Gargano be in, physically and mentally? Has he completely healed?
Plus, how will the betrayed former #DIY member respond to Ciampa’s explanation and rationalization for his callous actions? See what Gargano has in store for NXT and Ciampa when he returns tonight at 8/7C on the award-winning WWE Network.”
The Mae Young Classic begins taping tomorrow from Full Sail University. WWE plans on introducing all 32 participants tomorrow in a live Facebook stream.
It has also been announced that Madusa will be joining Jim Ross and Lita at the commentary booth for the tournament.
Previously announced participants:
The 2nd round of the Cueto Cup begins tonight on Lucha Underground. The promotion is building towards the final night of the tournament, which will also feature a Lucha Underground championship match between champion, Johnny Mundo, and Rey Mysterio Jr.
The winner of the Cueto Cup will meet the winner of Mundo vs. Mysterio in the main event of Ultima Lucha III.
TONIGHT! An All-New #LuchaUnderground so wild — you'll believe rabbits can fly! The Cueto Cup continues 8p ET only on @ElReyNetwork! pic.twitter.com/jzqtI7Smlt
— Lucha Underground (@LuchaElRey) July 12, 2017
Don’t expect a Club or Bullet Club reformation in WWE anytime soon, or at least not one involving Finn Balor. The 35 year old sat down with Sports Illustrated recently, and referred to a Bullet Club reformation in WWE as “regressing”.
He does however, hint at possibly forming a team with the Hardys.
skip to 17:25 of the video below or scroll beneath for highlights:
“You know, for us as a group, especially myself and Karl, you know, two of the original members, that was you know, very, it was very much like a moment in time,”
“You know, to kind of like reform that now would be kind of like regressing like in our careers, maybe, so to speak. Maybe going forward in the future that could be a possibility but right now I think we’re both, you know, pretty happy doing our own thing.
“I was a huge fan of Team Xteme as a kid, growing up in my teenage years. To get the opportunity to tag with those guys and be around and learn from them has been a great experience.
Are we going to be a team? Maybe.”
“I don’t know about anytime soon. Possibly, you know, in the distant future,”
“I’m sure, you know, as you say, anything can happen. And nobody thought Finn Balor would be in the WWE. Here I am.”
“True, Okada was backstage at RAW. He was backstage at SmackDown but it’s because he has a lot of friends there,”
“Myself, Karl Anderson, Shinsuke Nakamura, I think he was just visiting friends so I wouldn’t read too much into that.”
transcripts courtesy of WrestlingInc
Top UK promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW) recently held their first annual British J Cup event featuring some of the best Junior Heavyweight performers on the planet. The card also featured some highly anticipated bouts outside of the light heavyweight division, including Matt Riddle vs Tomohiro Ishii.
The event was filmed for Rev Pro’s On Demand service and is now available to view in full, you can purchase the event at a one of price or included in a monthly subscription package.
The names involved in the tournament were as follows:
BRITISH J CUP AVAILABLE TO WATCH NOW VIA: https://t.co/vhLx7kP8wf pic.twitter.com/bQDUmhxFjZ
— Revolution Pro (@RevProUK) July 10, 2017
Former WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens took to Twitter to finally address his loss to the ‘Phenomenal’ AJ Styles.
Styles won the United States title in a House show bout at New York’s Madison Square Garden, although this is certainly not the first time that a major title has changed hands at a non-televised event it is extremely rare.
Owens ‘blacked out’ his Twitter account after the loss and has remained silent until now. KO had not commented on social media since July 5th but he has now outlined his plans to regain his title and once again become the Face of America:
https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/884848276218011651
https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/884848315631898624
https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/884848354303373313
This week’s episode of SmackDown kicked off with the new United States Champion AJ Styles coming down to the ring to a great reaction from the crowd. The crowd chanted “AJ Styles” as AJ stood in the ring. AJ stated that his face is an upgrade over Kevin Owens’ as the face of America. Styles also claimed that Owens’ face looked like a monkey’s buttocks.
AJ Styles said that he was bringing back the United States Championship Open Challenge. Styles said that the US Title has been overlooked for far too long and he is going to bring the United States Championship back to relevancy. Styles then challenged someone to come out and face him for the belt.
John Cena then sprinted to the ring and the crowd got on their feet. Cena grabbed a microphone and accepted the challenge. Referee Charles Robinson then jogged to the ring and the match was made official.
Kevin Owens then interrupted and said that nobody wants to see another AJ Styles versus John Cena match. Owens stated that nobody missed John Cena and that nobody wants to see him in WWE. Cena then told Owens that “he can’t see him”. Cena called Owens “the Michelin Man” and dared Owens to step in the ring. Rusev then showed up and attacked Cena from behind. Owens then hit Styles with the Pop Up Powerbomb and Rusev locked Cena in the Accolade.
A tag match between Owens & Rusev versus Cena & Styles was announced for later tonight.
JUST ANNOUNCED: #USChampion @AJStylesOrg & @JohnCena will face off in tag team action against @FightOwensFight & @RusevBUL, TONIGHT! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/EiqT3RvNmE
— WWE (@WWE) July 12, 2017
Reaction: I thought this was a fun start to SmackDown. Rumors of this match happening were leaked earlier today, but I was actually hoping for another Cena and Styles match. I am also a fan of the US Open Challenge being brought back on a weekly basis on SmackDown.
The crowd chanted “10!” as Mahal controlled the match early. Dillinger battled back and connected with a Crossbody for a two count. Mahal responded with a massive Clothesline that knocked Dillinger to the mat. SmackDown then went to a commercial break with Mahal in control of the match.
When SmackDown returned, Mahal was still in control of the match. Mahal slammed Dillinger to the mat and shouted at the crowd as they booed him. Dillinger connected with an elbow and then trapped Mahal in the corner. Tye connected with a series of right hands but Mahal shoved him off the second rope. Jinder then connected with a running knee and planted him with the Khallas for the victory.
After the match, Mahal cut a promo and claimed he brings class and diversity to WWE. Mahal said that the crowd still cheers for that snake Randy Orton. A few people started to chant “USA” and Mahal said that the 1.3 billion people in India know that Jinder Mahal is the greatest champion of all time. Mahal said that he is bring the Punjabi Prison to SmackDown next week.
Reaction: I’ve said it several times but Jinder Mahal’s matches remain incredibly boring and basic. At the very least, he won this match without any interference from the Singh Brothers. I’m worried that WWE has absolutely no idea what to do with Tye Dillinger and he will eventually fade into obscurity. I still don’t like Mahal’s promos at all. The content is there, I just don’t think the delivery is right. His promos are like a lecture to the crowd and there is no anger in his voice. I’m not going to fault Mahal for that as it seems like he is being instructed to speak in that tone. I just don’t get why WWE doesn’t have him shout at the crowd and rub it in their face that he is the WWE Champion. I honestly have no reaction to his promos. I usually just shrug my shoulders once they are over and don’t think they accomplish anything.
"I'm going to bring HELL right to you, @RandyOrton! Next week on #SDLive, I'm bringing the PUNJABI PRISON!" – #WWEChampion @JinderMahal pic.twitter.com/Y5aoUDG6dH
— WWE (@WWE) July 12, 2017
WWE replayed highlights from the rap battle next week but left out the comment about Xavier Woods. Jimmy Uso, Kofi Kingston and Big E were ringside for this match. Woods started off the match in control and connected with a massive right hand that knocked Jey to the mat. Referee Charles Robinson was distracted by New Day on the ring apron and Jimmy Uso tripped up Woods as he was bouncing off the ropes. Robinson then kicked out Big E, Kofi and Jimmy from ringside.
Jey then connected with a Superkick on Woods for a two count. Jey climbed up to the top rope and went for a Splash but Woods got his knees up. Woods then hit a kick to the side of Jey’s head and hit him with an Elbow Drop off the top rope for the victory. Jimmy then rushed the ring after the match but Woods escaped out of the ring.
The #NewDay officially has an edge over #WWEBattleground opponents @WWEUsos, thanks to an impressive showing from @XavierWoodsPHD! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/AoqbQOjFoz
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 12, 2017
Shane McMahon was on the phone with Daniel Bryan backstage. Naomi interrupted and asked who she is going to defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against at Battleground. Lana, Natalya, Tamina, Becky Lynch and Charlotte then all randomly showed up. Shane McMahon then announced a 5-Way Elimination Match at Battleground and the winner will go on to face Naomi at SummerSlam. Charlotte complained about Lana being included in the match and Tamina told her to shut up. Shane then announced a tag match later tonight between Charlotte & Becky versus Tamina & Natalya. Carmella then showed up with a petition from her attorney that demanded that Shane reinstate James Ellsworth. Shane then ripped up the petition and Carmella flipped out and walked away.
Nice try, @CarmellaWWE… #SDLive Commissioner @shanemcmahon is in NO rush to reverse @WWEDanielBryan's decision regarding @realellsworth! pic.twitter.com/IzkYnERbWr
— WWE (@WWE) July 12, 2017
Renee Young interviewed Baron Corbin backstage. Footage was shown of Corbin attacking Shinsuke Nakamura from behind last week on SmackDown. Corbin said that he was afraid of what he is going to do to Nakamura tonight. Corbin then said it will be “sayonara Nakamura” tonight, awkwardly chuckled and walked away.
Reaction: I’d rather Corbin cut badass promos than deliver goofy lines like “sayonara Nakamura”. It was embarrassing. The 5-Way Elimination Match at Battleground should be interesting. I still don’t know anything about Tamina’s character at all. I would hate to see Lana win that match. I think the most logical outcome for SummerSlam would be for Carmella to have cashed in the briefcase already and be the champ and go up against Becky Lynch.
Mr. #MITB @BaronCorbinWWE couldn't be MORE confident heading into his match against @ShinsukeN TONIGHT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/AN3Aipy9Eh
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 12, 2017
Nakamura attacked Corbin on the entrance ramp before the match started. The fight spilled into the crowd and the great Charles Robinson and Mike Chioda showed up in the crowd and directed the action back towards the ring. Nakamura then stood in the ring and challenged Corbin to join him. Corbin grabbed his briefcase and walked away.
Reaction: I guess we will have to wait until Battleground to see this match. Nakamura versus Corbin should be a good match. Nakamura should be a star on the main roster and I feel the same way about Corbin. I hope that both of them gain some momentum with their match at Battleground. Corbin won the MITB briefcase, sorry “contract”, but he hasn’t done anything memorable since. Nakamura has come off as just another guy that happens to have a cool entrance since joining the main roster. I can’t stand it.
Mr. #MITB @BaronCorbinWWE has just gotten a taste of his own medicine from his opponent tonight, @ShinsukeN! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/dpOY18Dex3
— WWE (@WWE) July 12, 2017
Cena and Styles had a conversation backstage. Cena stated that he respected Styles and promised to have his back tonight in their tag match. Cena also said that he is coming after Styles’ United States Championship in the future.
Make no mistake: @JohnCena promises to have #USChampion @AJStylesOrg's back when they team up TONIGHT on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/ALTVW7RNNk
— WWE (@WWE) July 12, 2017
Charlotte and Becky took turns beating up Tamina in the beginning of the match. Tamina connected with an elbow to Charlotte and tagged in Natalya. Natalya posed in the ring and Charlotte got back to her feet and connected with a chop. Becky was tagged in and hit a Dropkick that knocked Natalya to the mat. Becky planted Natalya with an Exploder Suplex and Natalya rolled out of the ring. Becky followed her out there and Natalya threw her into the steel steps as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
Tamina and Natalya stomped on Becky in the corner of the ring during the commercial break. Tamina slammed Becky to the mat for a two count. When SmackDown returned, Lana made her way to the ringside area as Tamina had Becky locked in a Chin Lock. Becky battled to her feet but Tamina hit her with a Clothesline. Tamina then booted Charlotte of the ring apron.
Charlotte ran back into the ring but Charles Robinson prevented her from attacking Tamina. Natalya was then tagged in and went for the Sharpshooter but Becky blocked it. Becky finally was able to tag in Charlotte and she beat the crap out of Natalya for a couple of minutes. Charlotte then strutted in the ring and the crowd popped. Lana hopped up on the ring apron and distracted Charlotte. Tamina was tagged in and Charlotte didn’t notice. Charlotte went to apply the Figure Four to Natalya but Tamina connected with a big kick for the victory.
Reaction: Lana and Tamina continue to work together. Tamina told Charlotte to shut up earlier tonight when she insulted Lana. I’m assuming that this is going to result in a feud between Tamina and Charlotte. At least I hope that is what happens, rather than a feud between Charlotte and Lana.
.@LanaWWE's presence at ringside is NOT welcomed by #TheQueen @MsCharlotteWWE! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/xFP0AdXF40
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 12, 2017
Maria Kanellis was looking for Sami Zayn backstage. Maria knocked on the men’s locker room door and Chad Gable answered. Maria asked if Sami was in there and Gable referred to Sami Zayn as “Sami-wow-wow” and said that he wasn’t there. Maria told Gable to tell Zayn that the “first lady of SmackDown” was looking for him.
The #FirstLadyOfSDLive @MariaLKanellis has a message for @WWEGable to deliver to… @iLikeSamiZayn! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/5EZxdYIQdy
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 12, 2017
Mike and Maria Kanellis were shown backstage showing affection to each other. Sami Zayn interrupted and said that he was getting sick of apologizing to them. Sami asked Mike if he actually wrestled in WWE. Maria then slapped Zayn in the face and Mike bashed Sami in the back of the head with a glass vase. Maria then told Sami that the attack was brought to him by “the power of love and sometimes love hurts”.
When @iLikeSamiZayn questions @MariaLKanellis & @RealMikeBennett's purpose on #SDLive, he sees the DAMAGE caused by the POWER of LOVE! pic.twitter.com/dKaACkpyWq
— WWE (@WWE) July 12, 2017
Another episode of the “Fashion Files” was shown. This time it was a parody of “Walker, Texas Ranger” and it was entitled Sexy Fashion Rangers. Fandango and Breeze were dressed up as cowboys and came across Zack Ryder backstage. Breeze tried to lasso Ryder but couldn’t get the rope off of his shoulders. Mojo then showed up and asked what he just walked into. Mojo and Ryder started arguing about Mojo eliminating him from the Battle Royal. Mojo told Ryder to get his head together and that it was time for them to get back to work. Mojo and Ryder walked away and Breezango realized that someone stole their fake horse. Breezango concluded that it was “ghost aliens” and apparently the next episode with be a parody of the “X-Files”.
#Breezango @MmmGorgeous & @WWEFandango want ANSWERS as to whether The #HypeBros are behind that mystery attack! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Vp4nq4rJRR
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 12, 2017
Rusev and Cena started off the match. Rusev leveled Cena with a shoulder tackle and rolled out of the ring. Rusev then started waving the Bulgarian flag around ringside. Rusev returned to the ring and Cena planted him with a Bulldog for a two count. Kevin Owens was then tagged in and he knocked Cena to the mat. Owens then stomped on Cena and took a break to taunt AJ Styles on the ring apron.
Rusev got back into the match and beatdown Cena some more. Rusev hit Cena with a right hand and SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Rusev was still in control of the match. Rusev went for a headbutt of the second rope but Cena was able to roll out of the way.
Styles was tagged in and AJ connected with a Clothesline and followed it up with a flying forearm. AJ locked in the Calf Crusher on Rusev but Owens got into the ring and broke it up. Styles punched Owens on the ring apron but Rusev booted Styles in the face for a two count. Owens entered the match and hit Styles with a flurry of punches.
Rusev got back into the match and continued the beatdown of Styles. Rusev then put Styles in a Bear Hug and Styles fought his way out of it with a few punches. AJ then connected with a kick to the side of Rusev’s head and finally tagged Cena in. Owens was tagged in at the same time and Cena hit him with the Five Knuckle Shuffle.
Cena then lifted Owens up for the AA but Rusev got back into the ring. Rusev kicked Cena in the face but AJ flew into the ring and hit Rusev with a Phenomenal Forearm. Styles then hit Owens with a Pele Kick and then Cena connected with the Attitude Adjustment for the victory.
After the match, Cena and Styles had a stare down in the middle of the ring. Cena raised AJ’s hand and showed him some respect to close out the show.
Reaction: The main-event was solid and I also enjoyed the opening segment of this week’s SmackDown. The rest of the show didn’t do anything for me. At this point, I am just waiting for Battleground to pass so we can start seeing the build towards SummerSlam. I’m not really invested in any feud heading into Battleground a week from Sunday. I’ve been ready to move on from the Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal feud for a long time now and the rest of SmackDown’s feuds are boring right now. I am assuming that Owens will get his rematch for the title at the PPV and that Sami Zayn will face Mike Kanellis. I can’t really see anything happening on next week’s SmackDown that will make Battleground’s card more interesting.
"GREAT respect among GREAT warriors!" – @JCLayfield@AJStylesOrg @JohnCena #SDLive pic.twitter.com/LRB2NjBJRV
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 12, 2017
What did you think of this week’s SmackDown? Share your thoughts below.
The July 11th edition of WWE SmackDown aired live from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX, and was the second-to-last episode before Battleground.
– The SmackDown broadcast begins with footage from AJ Styles’ U.S. Title victory over Kevin Owens at a Madison Square Garden house show last weekend.
– AJ Styles comes out o the ring to kick off SmackDown. AJ discusses winning the U.S. Title at MSG, then issues an open challenge to anyone in the back who thinks they can take the strap from him. John Cena’s music hits and Cena storms down to the ring. Cena gets on the mic and accepts the challenge, and Styles says let’s get it on. A ref and a ring announcer run in to the ring, and we have a title match.
– AJ Styles (c) vs. John Cena – No Contest: AJ’s U.S. Title is on the line in this one. Before referee Charles Robinson can call for the opening bell, Kevin Owens comes out to the stage with a mic. Owens says he’s the rightful owner of the U.S. Title, and he tells Cena to go away again because nobody missed him. Owens says nobody wants to see Cena vs. AJ again. Cena says it’s not that nobody wants to see him, it’s that Owens can’t see him. Cena says he’s going to run through Owens, then he’s going to run through AJ, but then out of nowhere Rusev runs in and spears Cena. AJ pulls Rusev off Cena, but then Owens runs in and takes out AJ. Rusev locks Cena in The Accolade, then Rusev and Owens leave.
– Back from commercial, we’re told Shane McMahon has announced a tag match for later of AJ & Cena vs. Rusev & Owens.
– The Singh Brothers come out to the stage to introduce WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. He’s in action next in a non-title match.
– Jinder Mahal def. Tye Dillinger: Jinder drops Tye early on and follows up with some knee drops. Jinder works over Tye in the corner and throws some more knees and chops. Dillinger fires up and hits some punches in the corner, but Jinder shuts him down with a flying knee to the face. Jinder immediately follows up with the Cobra Clutch slam for the win after a mostly one-sided match.
– After the match, Jinder gets on the mic and expresses his disgust that the American fans boo him while they cheer that snake Randy Orton. Jinder says they can boo him all they want, but the 1.3 billion people of India know he’s the best Champion of all time. Jinder says Orton won’t be making his life a living hell, it’ll be Jinder bringing hell to Orton’s life. Jinder says next week, he’s bringing the Punjabi Prison to SmackDown.
– Xavier Woods def. Jey Uso: The New Day and Jimmy Uso are all at ringside. Xavier takes control early on with a big right hand, then chokes Jey over the middle rope. Jimmy Uso trips Xavier behind the ref’s back, then Jey shoves Kofi off the apron. Big E, Kofi, and Jimmy Uso all get in the ring, and the ref ejects them all from ringside. Woods tries to take advantage of the distraction with a rollup from behind, but Jey evades it and hits a superkick. Jey comes off the top for a splash but Woods blocks it with the knees. Woods hits a kick to the head then a flying elbow for the win. Jimmy hits the ring immediately after the match and Woods retreats to ringside. The New Day comes out to the stage to celebrate with Woods after.
– Shane McMahon is backstage on the phone when Naomi walks in and interrupts. Charlotte, Becky, Natalya, Lana and Tamina all walk in and interrupt, and they all want Women’s Title shots. Shane says they’re going to compete in a five-way match at Battleground to determine the new #1 contender for the Women’s title. Shane tells them to get their attitude out in the ring, and books Becky and Charlotte vs. Tamina and Natalya in tag action later tonight. Carmella walks in next and says her lawyer is working on getting James Ellsworth reinstated. Carmella hands Shane a paper from lawyer but Shane rips it up and Carmella storms off.
– Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin – No Contest: Nakamura jumps Corbin before the bell at ringside as Corbin is making his entrance. Corbin and Nakamura brawl all over ringside and into the crowd until refs come break it up. Corbin retrieves his Money In The Bank briefcase from the ringside floor and retreats to the back.
– AJ Styles and John Cena exchange words in the locker room. AJ says he intends on holding onto the U.S. Title for a long time. Cena says he understands AJ wanting to fight the best, but tonight Cena has AJ’s back in their tag match.
– Tamina & Natalya def. Charlotte & Becky Lynch: Becky and Tamina starts off and Becky hits a flurry of strikes early on. Kicks and leg drops from Becky before she tags in Charlotte. Charlotte goes for a German suplex, but Tamina elbows her off and headbutts her down. Natalya tags in and continues to work over Charlotte with strikes. Becky and Tamina tag in and Tamina and Natalya briefly double-team Becky with kicks. Tamina puts Becky in a headlock and Lana comes down to the ramp to ringside for a closer look. Natalya tags in and the heels once against double-team Becky. Natalya goes for a splash in the corner but Becky blocks it with a boot to the face and tags in Charlotte. Charlotte hits some chops to the chest of Natalya then a boot to the face. Charlotte follows up with a knee drop and a T-bone suplex, but then she gets distracted by Lana on the apron. Tamina apparently tagged in when Charlotte and the camera weren’t looking, then she hits a superkick on an unsuspecting Charlotte for the win. Lana celebrates with Tamina and Natalya on the ramp.
– Maria is backstage knocking on a locker room door. Chad Gable answers, and Maria asks for Sami Zayn to come out. Gable says he’s not there, and Maria tells him to pass along the message to Zayn that the first lady of SmackDown is looking for him.
– Sami Zayn finds Maria and Mike Kanellis backstage, and Maria demands and apology. Zayn says he already apologized and he’s sick of apologizing, and it seems they should apologize since they’re always in his way when he has something to do. Zayn points out that he actually wrestles matches on Smackown, and asks what Mike does here. Mike takes offense to this and slaps Zayn across the face, then smashes a vase full of roses over his face. Maria tells Zayn that’s the power of love, and sometimes love hurts.
– Fandango and Tyler Breeze star in a Walker, Texas Ranger inspired edition of The Fashion Files. They approach Zack Ryder and fail at lassoing him. Mojo Rawley comes over and asks what he just walked into. Ryder and Mojo argue over Mojo eliminating Ryder from the Battle Royal last week. Mojo tells Ryder to get his head back to reality and leave the Fashion Police alone. Ryder says maybe Mojo is right, and maybe the Fashion Police should come back to reality too. The Hype Bros leave, and Breezango realize their toy horse has been stolen. They blame it on ghost aliens, and an X-Files graphic featuring Breeze and Fandango shows.
– AJ Styles & John Cena def. Kevin Owens & Rusev: Rusev hits a running shoulder block on Cena early on that drops Cena. Rusev rolls outside to celebrate with his Bulgarian flag, allowing Cena to recover in the ring. Rusev rolls back in the ring and Cena drops him with a shoulder block of his own, then whips Rusev in the corner and hits a running bulldog. Owens tags in and boots Cena in the midsection then stomps on him while he’s down. Rusev tags back in and the heels briefly double team Cena behind the ref’s back. Rusev and Cena trade punches as Cena tries to fight his way over to tag in AJ. Rusev drops Cena with a kick to the head then goes up top. Rusev goes flying for a splash but Cena rolls out of the way and tags in AJ. AJ tees off on Rusev with elbows to the face and a clothesline. AJ hits a running forearm shot, then takes a moment to taunt Owens. Rusev fights back with an elbow to the face. AJ goes for the Calf Crusher but Owens breaks it up. The distraction from Owens leads to Rusev kicking AJ in the back of the head for a two count. Owens tags in and works on keeping AJ grounded. AJ fights his way up to his feet but Owens levels him with a clothesline for a two count. Owens drags AJ over to his corner and tags in Rusev for the double team. Rusev follows up with a kick to the head/shoulder for another two count. Rusev taunts Cena then hits a running elbow drop on Styles. Rusev gets AJ in a bear hug until AJ punches and headbutts his way out. Rusev goes for a back suplex but AJ escapes and hits a kick to the head. Cena and Owens get the tags and Cena hits a running shoulder block and a back suplex on Owens. Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Owens then goes for the AA, but Rusev breaks it up. Rusev kicks Cena in the head, then AJ hits the Phenomenal Forearm on Rusev and a Pele kick on Owens. Cena follows up with the AA on Owens for the win. After the match, Cena raises Styles’ hand and they celebrate the victory. Cena and AJ stare each other down, then AJ holds up his U.S. Title and SmackDown goes off the air.
Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vader recently took to Twitter to comment on an issue with WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page. Page had reportedly reached out to Vader for him to come start working out at the DDP Yoga Training Center, but Vader isn’t happy with one of Page’s conditions.
That condition is that DDP wants Vader to stop wrestling in order to heal, but Vader says he must continue to pay the bills. Vader wrote on Twitter that he feels Page’s stipulation is “bulls–t” and that he’s “real f–king mad.”
This bull shit @REALDDP TURNED ME DOWN BY SAYING HAD TO QUIT WRESTLING OR I WASN'T WELCOME AT HIS TRAINING CENTER https://t.co/vkl8ywQ4aa
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) July 10, 2017
I have to wrestle to pay hospital bills he said Iwas still wrestling he couldnt do anything for me. I wrestle twice amont https://t.co/dnIosrZ0p9
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) July 10, 2017
Wascold because I needed the to lose WT to save my life but I couldn't come to hisyoga centerbecause I was still wrestling atwo times amonth https://t.co/j9W7YeXwnA
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) July 10, 2017
Thats the fking question I'm fking die he came to me I never contacted him &now he's putting this stipulation on my life real fking mad https://t.co/gQJl4G99mg
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) July 10, 2017
Dallas gave a comment to Raj Giri of WrestlingInc.com that he is willing to help Vader, but it would be next to impossible for his program to be effective if Vader continues to do Vader Bombs.
“I can’t heal you with the program if you’re constantly continuing to beat up your body wrestling, the program wouldn’t have helped Jake [Roberts] or anyone else,” Page said. “I worked with Leon and he’s really beat up from all the years of football and wrestling. […] Anybody who knows me at all knows I would never turn anyone down to work with them at my PC, especially one of the boys. Leon just needs to return my call.”
Page currently operates the DDP Yoga Performance Center in Smyrna, Georgia.
Several rumored spoilers for WWE SmackDown hit the web on Tuesday evening. Dave Scherer of PWInsider.com reports that the word going around the AT&T Center in San Antonio is that John Cena & AJ Styles will be teaming up in the main event against Rusev and Kevin Owens.
Also rumored for tonight’s episode of SmackDown are several announcements for WWE’s Battleground pay-per-view. The following matches are rumored to be announced tonight for the PPV:
Join us for live play-by-play coverage and discussion of SmackDown tonight at 8PM ET on SEScoops.
WWE RAW averaged 3,006,000 viewers on Monday night, with stiff competition from the MLB Home Run Derby which averaged 8,170,000 viewers. RAW’s viewership was up 6% from last week’s show.
The first hour of RAW starting at 8 PM Eastern averaged 3.049 million viewers, the second hour increased to 3.074 million viewers, then the third hour decreased to 2.905 million.
RAW finished at #4 on the cable rankings for the night.
It sounds like recent WWE developmental signee Nixon Newell will be out of action for several months. Squared Circle Sirens reported on Tuesday that Newell is suffering from a serious ACL injury and will be on the shelf for an extended period. She reportedly underwent knee surgery in late June.
Nixon started working out at the WWE Performance Center in May of this year after signing a developmental contract in November, 2016.
https://twitter.com/NixonNewell/status/880449187665645568
Randy Orton will be absent from SmackDown tonight as he’s in Thailand filming a new movie. Orton will be filming scenes for Changeland, with Breckin Meyer and Seth Green. Green is also writing and directing the film.
Orton isn’t advertised to appear at any WWE events until next week’s SmackDown on July 18th, which is the go-home show for WWE’s Battleground pay-per-view. Orton faces WWE Champion Jinder Mahal in a Punjabi Prison match at the PPV on the 23rd, then will resume his regular WWE schedule.
Orton posted the following updates on Instagram from Thailand today:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWZdCJOnnXS/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWabZkrHxFv/
WWE issued a press release today announcing their partnership with Make-A-Wish, Mattel, and Toys’R’Us on a new John Cena action figure. The companies will donate a portion of the sales revenue to Make-A-Wish to help grant more wishes for sick children.
The special edition action figure will be produced my Mattel and available exclusively at Toys’R’Us stores beginning August 15th.
Here’s the press release from WWE:
Mattel®, Toys”R”Us® and WWE® Join Forces to Grant Wishes for Children with Critical Illnesses
PHOENIX (July 11, 2017) – Three national corporate sponsors of Make-A-Wish® are coming together to support the organization that grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Mattel®, Toys”R”Us® and WWE are partnering to launch a new John Cena action figure – available exclusively at Toys”R”Us stores nationwide beginning Tuesday, August 15. The presale for the limited-edition collectible begins today, July 11, online at Toysrus.com.
For every purchase of the action figure, Mattel will donate a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish to support the wish granting efforts of the organization.
The figure features John Cena looking match-ready in red, white and blue, stars-and-stripes ring gear. The patriotic color scheme is the result of input from Alex, a Make-A-Wish kid from Los Angeles, Calif. Alex worked with the teams at Mattel and WWE to put his personal design on the new action figure. Alex is an example of the hundreds of wish kids who have wished to meet John Cena and have been forever changed as a result. Having granted more than 500 wishes to date, Cena is the most popular celebrity wish granter in Make-A-Wish history.
“Having the opportunity to meet Alex and witness first-hand his vision behind the action figure was an incredible experience,” said WWE Superstar John Cena. “There is nothing more humbling than a child who could ask for anything in the world asking to meet me, and I will continue to grant wishes as long as I am asked.”
“At Make-A-Wish, we have heard over and over again how wishes have the power to bring families and communities closer together for the better,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish America president and CEO. “This is a case where wishes have inspired three of our sponsors to work collaboratively to bring the life-affirming nature of a wish to more wish kids, and we could not be more excited.”
In conjunction with the pre-sale of the action figure, now through Monday, July 31, Toys”R”Us will host a social media fundraising initiative benefitting Make-A-Wish America. For every retweet or share of the retailer’s #GivingIsAwesome posts, the company will donate $1 to the organization, up to $25,000.
Another fundraising opportunity will come in late August when five John Cena autographed action figures will be auctioned off to the public on eBay with 100% of revenue generated through the auction benefitting Make-A-Wish.
Mattel, Toys”R”Us and WWE each have a longstanding history with Make-A-Wish as corporate sponsors on a local and national level. Mattel, a national sponsor since 2007, has donated thousands of toys for wish activities and developed co-branded toy items with some of its most popular brands like Hot Wheels® and Barbie®. Toys”R”Us regularly donates toys and gift cards for shopping sprees in addition to providing annual grants from the Toys”R”Us Children’s Fund – leading to more than $3.5 million in donations in nearly 20 years. In addition to providing monetary support, WWE has granted thousands of wishes to meet Superstars as well as donated event tickets since the early 1980s.
To learn more about this unique collaboration and find out how to make more wishes possible, visit www.wish.org/JohnCenaFigure.
WWE.com announced a new match for Smackdown Live! tonight from San Antonio. Tye Dillinger will take on WWE champion, Jinder Mahal, in a non-title match.
Last week on Smackdown, it was Jinder’s Battleground opponent, Randy Orton, who was in singles action against Aiden English.
WWE.com posted the following regarding tonight’s match between Jinder Mahal and Tye Dillinger:
“As one of the final three competitors in last week’s special Fourth of July Battle Royal, Tye Dillinger was so impressive that he has now been granted arguably the biggest opportunity of his career tonight – a non-title contest against WWE Champion Jinder Mahal.
However, while The Perfect 10 has proven that he can handle the numbers game, will he keep The Singh Brothers at bay long enough to score an important victory over The Modern-Day Maharaja? Will Mahal be too preoccupied with his upcoming Punjabi Prison Match against Randy Orton at WWE Battleground to repel the up-and-coming challenger? Don’t miss a moment of the action as Dillinger takes on Team Blue’s top champion.”
The bystander/witness of the Alberto and Paige incident on Sunday gave her side of the story to reporters this morning. She has chosen to remain anonymous.
“They were arguing back and forth, screaming at each other,” stated the witness, who also described herself as a wrestling “superfan”.
She also stated that Paige screamed at Del Rios that he had been “doing coke for two-days straight” and said “You’re so abusive to me”
“He was soaked and she was saying, ‘You’re such an abusive husband, I hate you. You’ve ruined my life, you’ve ruined my career,’” the witness continued.
As Paige was trying to flee from Alberto, he said out loud in the airport, “Check her bag, she’s got all the coke in it, it’s all hers,” the witness claims.
She also stated that Del Rios wanted to call the cops on Paige for assaulting him.
The full report can be read here.
WWE Superstar John Cena is the latest guest on GQ’s “Actually Me” web series, where celebrities go “undercover” on social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube and Reddit and respond to people asking questions about them.
Some of the accounts are still active, including the Twitter and Reddit accounts he used for the Actually Me appearance.
John Cena returned to SmackDown Live last week and is scheduled to challenge Rusev in a Flag Match at WWE Battleground. As an unrestricted free agent, Cena is free to appear on RAW and SmackDown, the only active Superstar with that right.
WWE would not have granted Cena this “free agent” status if there weren’t plans for him to feud with a RAW Superstar, so there’s a good chance we’ll see John Cena working with someone from RAW at SummerSlam.
Next week on RAW, Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns will square off to determine Brock Lesnar’s SummerSlam opponent. With Reigns vs. Lesnar rumored to be the main event of SummerSlam and Samoa Joe getting rave reviews for his match against Lesnar at Great Balls of Fire, a Cena vs. Joe showdown on August 20th has money written all over it.
Last anyone saw Braun Strowman he was limping away from the scene of a serious accident. Fans were told he refused medical attention and hasn’t been seen since.
WWE.com has since posted an update regarding Strowman’s whereabouts and condition.
“While Raw General Manager Kurt Angle provided an update on Braun Strowman’s condition following the post-Ambulance Match attack from Roman Reigns at WWE Great Balls of Fire, WWE.com has obtained additional details on The Monster Among Men’s condition.
While Strowman miraculously walked out of Dallas under his own power after refusing medical attention, WWE.com can confirm that he is currently in the care of his personal physician and will not disclose the nature of his injuries at this time. Also, per Angle’s office, if and when Strowman is cleared to compete again, there will be a public announcement confirming his status.”
Smackdown Live! will air from the AT&T Centre in San Antonio tonight. No matches have been announced for the show (Edit: Tye Dillinger vs. Jinder Mahal, and Xavier Woods vs. Jey Uso have now been made official), but several storylines should continue to develop.
Tonight’s show will be the first televised event for the brand since AJ Styles won the US championship in Madison Square Garden on July 7th.
WWE posted the following regarding a future rematch between Styles and Owens:
“There is no doubt that Owens will return to Team Blue thirsty for retribution, but will we see a rematch between Styles and The New Face of America this week on the blue brand? Or will we have to wait until the July 23 pay-per-view? ”
It seems likely we get an answer to that question tonight.
Other storylines likely to be followed up on tonight:
Matches Announced for Battleground So Far:
