This week’s episode of SmackDown started with Daniel Bryan coming down to the ring. The crowd chanted his name as the SmackDown GM stood in the ring. Bryan pumped up the crowd and discussed the two huge women’s matches that will be going down tonight, Naomi versus Lana and the SmackDown Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Carmella interrupted Daniel Bryan and got booed from the crowd. James Ellsworth accompanied Carmella down to the ring. Carmella called SmackDown “the land of injustice” and claimed that she already won the MITB briefcase and that it shouldn’t have been stripped from her. Carmella quoted the rulebook and stated that “the first woman to gain possession of the briefcase wins the match”. Carmella once again brought up other Superstars that have interfered in MITB matches and said that she did nothing wrong.
Carmella went on to say that she is that much more intelligent than every female Superstar backstage and she shouldn’t be punished for that. Bryan responded by saying that Carmella made some very valid points, however never in history has someone else climbed the ladder, grabbed the briefcase and handed it to another competitor. Bryan then asked the crowd if he should cancel the match and hand the contract back to Carmella. The audience chanted “no!”. Bryan then asked if the match should happen and the crowd chanted “yes!”.
Ellsworth grabbed the microphone and told the crowd to shut up. Ellsworth claimed that the crowd in attendance are villains and then called Bryan a “stupid puppet”. An “Ellsworth sucks!” chant broke out and James rolled his eyes. Ellsworth stated that he used to look up to Daniel Bryan, but when he looks at him now he sees a “gutless, spineless coward that has no grapefruits to cut it in the ring anymore so he made up some hokey injury”.
Ellsworth and Bryan then had a stare down in the ring. Bryan looked away and started laughing. Bryan said that he probably should just fire him but tonight was about the “real” Superstars of SmackDown Live. Bryan then banned Ellsworth from the entire arena and called for security to come down to the ring. Ellsworth and Carmella pleaded with Bryan but he sat stood in the corner of the ring and laughed. Security then forcibly removed Ellsworth from the ring.
Ellsworth escaped and tried to hop over the barricade but security once again caught him. Ellsworth once again escaped and tried to leap over the barricade again but cam up short. Security then carried Ellsworth backstage as the crowd sang “na-na-na-hey-hey-hey-goodbye”. Bryan then wished Carmella luck in the SmackDown Women’s MITB Ladder Match later tonight.
Reaction: I haven’t been a fan of Ellsworth’s work in a long time. However, I am enjoying him personally attacking SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan all the sudden. It is much more entertaining than saying “duh” all the time. I enjoyed this segment. The WWE Universe still loves Daniel Bryan and it sucks he cannot be an in-ring performer in WWE anymore. I really hope that Carmella wins the briefcase again tonight. Her promos have been solid for two weeks in a row.
Hype Bros vs The Usos (if Hype Bros win they get shot at SmackDown Tag Team Championships)
Zack Ryder started out the match in control and launched Jimmy Uso across the ring. Ryder then connected with a Flapjack for a two count. Mojo was then tagged in and he continued the beatdown of Jimmy Uso. Jey Uso entered the match and Mojo Clotheslined him out of the ring. Zack Ryder tagged in and flipped onto both of The Usos outside the ring. Ryder got booted off the ring apron and fell to the floor as SmackDown went to a commercial break.When SmackDown returned, the Hype Bros were back in control of the match. Ryder missed the Browski Boot. Jimmy Uso then connected with a Splash off the top rope for the victory.
Winners: The Usos
After the match, New Day came down to the ring. Xavier Woods said that he was proud of The Usos for winning a match without running away in the middle of it. Big E said that they wanted SmackDown Tag Team Championships and that at Battleground “we are coming for you…” ( think Booker T promo on Hogan). Woods cut Big E off before he said it and interjected with “we coming for you Usos”. Kofi then rhymed and called The Usos “booty” and Woods played the trombone.
Another episode of the “Fashion Files” was shown and this time it was a parody on “Miami Vice”. A photo of the Big Boss Man was shown to start off the episode. Fandango and Breeze played good cop, bad cop and interviewed The Ascension. Fandango showed The Ascension the stick figure drawing and Konnor stated that it wasn’t them. Fandango tried to bribe The Ascension with two tickets to Eddie Money. Viktor went to take the tickets but Konor said that The Ascension only listens to thrash metal.
Tyler Breeze then brought in iced tea and food. Breeze asked why they attacked him and The Ascension once again claimed that they didn’t. A bang was heard and Breezango retreated to their office and noticed that it had been destroyed. Breezango returned to the interrogation room and Konnor and Viktor were enjoying the food. They both then nodded their head and took the tickets to the Eddie Money concert.
Reaction: I actually thought that this episode of “Fashion Files” was entertaining. I just think that Fandango and Breeze are talented performers in the ring as well. I’m all for goofy promos, but I thought it became way too silly when they were bringing squirt guns and wigs into their matches.
SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Naomi (c) vs Lana
Lana attacked Naomi from behind before the match started. Lana hit the Powerbomb for a two count and Lana was furious that Naomi kicked out. Naomi booted Lana in the head and connected with a Moonsault for the victory. Lana threw a tantrum in the ring after the match.
Winner & Still Champion: Naomi
Reaction: I don’t understand what the point of this feud was. It did nothing for either Superstar and I hope that we have seen the end of it.
Becky Lynch was interviewed backstage. Lynch said that she is going to become the first woman to “legitimately” win the MITB contract.
Aiden English was in the ring and performed a song. He was quickly interrupted by Randy Orton’s theme music. Orton gave English an RKO during the commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Orton was sitting in a chair in the ring and stated that he wasn’t leaving until he gets what he wants.
Orton then stood up and threw the chair out of the ring. Footage was shown of Orton beating the hell out of the Singh Brothers and Jinder Mahal last week on SmackDown. Orton demanded a rematch for the WWE Championship. If he doesn’t get it, Orton vowed to beat the hell out of Jinder Mahal over and over again.
Shane McMahon came down to the ring and said that Orton cannot just demand another shot at the title. Orton dared McMahon to fire him and said that he will buy tickets to every show and beat the hell out of Mahal because he disrespected his family. Shane said that Orton has used the same tactics in the past on the McMahon family. Shane then granted Orton a rematch but stated that Mahal gets to pick the stipulation.
Jinder Mahal then came down to the entrance ramp with the Singh Brothers. Mahal then said that this is exactly what is wrong with SmackDown and all of the people in the crowd. Mahal said that Orton is not worthy of a rematch for the title. Jinder spoke in Punjabi and the crowd chanted “USA!”. Mahal stated that the Great Khali was his personal hero and the stipulation he has chosen will honor him. Mahal announced that the stipulation will be a Punjabi Prison Match at Battleground.
Reaction: This stipulation has been rumored for some time now. I’ll just briefly say what I have been saying for the past few weeks. Mahal’s promos are terrible. When he won the Six-Pack Challenge to become the #1 contender, he cut an excellent promo. Now that he is the WWE Champion, he speaks very softly into the microphone. It makes no sense but at this point it must be intentional because it has been going on for weeks. I do not have any interest in another Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal match. The first two weren’t entertaining at all. I’m not sure how locking them inside a Punjabi Prison will change that, but hopefully it turns out to be great at Battleground.
Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles had a conversation backstage. Kevin Owens interrupted and insulted Styles. Bryan then announced an “Independence Day Battle Royal” for next week’s SmackDown and the winner will face Kevin Owens for the United States Championship at Battleground.
Sami Zayn vs Baron Corbin
Sami Zayn interrupted Mike and Marie Kanellis’ lovefest and came down to the ring. Corbin came down to the ring with the MITB briefcase held in the air. Zayn controlled the match early. Zayn tried to leap onto Corbin outside the ring and Baron caught him and slammed him into the barricade as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Baron Corbin was still in control of the match. Corbin beatdown Zayn for the next few minutes. Zayn finally fought back but fell victim to the End of Days and Corbin won the match.
Shinsuke Nakamura was interviewed after the match. Nakamura was asked if he wanted a match with Baron Corbin and Shinsuke said that Corbin should be afraid of him.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Reaction: I am not a fan of what WWE is doing with Shinsuke Nakamura. He shouldn’t be having weekly interviews and promos. He shouldn’t be a part of throwaway matches on SmackDown with Dolph Ziggler. It should feel like an event when Nakamura is performing. I think he is incredibly talented and I think it is idiotic how WWE is using him right now. Nakamura should be booked as an elite talent that you have to pay to see him wrestle a match. Less is more with Nakamura.
He doesn’t need to be on SmackDown every week if WWE doesn’t have a big time feud booked for him. At this point, I actually can see Nakamura losing to Corbin if they have a feud and I find that asinine. There are plenty of other Superstars that can be placed in that spot to build Corbin up. I’d prefer not to see WWE cut Nakamura down because they don’t have any clue of what to do with him. It is pretty simple to me, put Nakamura in a big match and get the hell out of the way.
Women’s MITB Ladder Match: Charlotte vs Tamina vs Becky Lynch vs Natalya vs Carmella
Everyone besides Carmella started brawling outside the ring at the beginning of the match. Carmella started climbing towards the briefcase and everyone got back in the ring and shoved her down. Becky hit a Becksploder to Natalya and Charlotte in the ring. Tamina attacked Becky from behind and planted her with a Samoan Drop. Tamina then climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit an incredibly awkward looking Splash as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown retuned, Natalya planted Charlotte with a Suplex. Carmella slapped Tamina in the face outside the ring and then went for a kick but Tamina caught her. Tamina launched Carmella over the announce table but Natalya knocked her to the floor with a kick. Charlotte then launched Natalya out of the ring and Becky Suplexed her right away.
Tamina and Charlotte then started battling over a ladder in the ring. Becky then quickly tried to climb the ladder that was between them but it got knocked over. Tamina then booted Becky off the ladder. Charlotte kicked the ladder into Tamina’s face. Natalya then connected with a Clothesline that knocked Charlotte to the corner. Natalya then placed a ladder in front of Charlotte and set up another ladder in the ring.
Natalya started to climb the ladder but Charlotte set up the second ladder against the one Natalya was climbing and joined her at the top of the ladder. Natalya and Charlotte traded punches and Carmella pushed the ladder over. Charlotte and Natalya fell out of the ring and Becky Suplexed Carmella in the ring. Tamina then connected with a Spear onto Becky Lynch as SmackDown went to another commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Natalya started climbing the ladder but Charlotte climbed over her. Tamina and Becky joined the party on the ladder and all four Superstars started battling. The ladder fell over and the four Superstars crashed to the mat. Carmella was once again alone in the ring and set up the ladder.
Carmella set up the ladder and took her time climbing towards the briefcase. Tamina, Becky, Tamina and Natalya then lifted the ladder and carried it with Carmella still at the top across the ring. Carmella then leaped onto Natalya and Tamina. Charlotte then bashed Tamina with the ladder and set it up with Tamina under it.
Charlotte climbed up and almost had the briefcase but Carmella prevented her. Tamina was under the ladder and lifted it up. Both Carmella and Charlotte fell off the ladder and bounced off the top rope. Tamina then leveled Charlotte with a Superkick. Tamina started to climb the ladder but Becky and Natalya Powerbombed her off of it.
Natalya then planted Becky with a massive Powerbomb in the middle of the ring. Natalya shouted that she was going break Carmella’s legs and locked in the Sharpshooter. Charlotte broke up the hold and booted Natalya in the face. Charlotte then hit the Natural Selection on Carmella. Charlotte and Natalya then battled outside the ring. Natalya threw Charlotte over the barricade and the two fought in the crowd.
Ellsworth then came through the crowd and brought Carmella into the ring. Ellsworth started to climb the ladder but Becky Lynch sprinted to the ring and booted Carmella in the face. Becky then shoved the ladder and Ellsworth landed crotch-first on the top rope. Becky then started to climb the ladder but Carmella dragged her down.
Becky tweaked her knee when she landed but knocked Carmella out of the ring. Becky started to climb the ladder again but Carmella returned to the ring with a steel chair. Carmella drilled Becky in the back with the chair and Becky fell to the mat. Carmella then climbed the ladder and grabbed the briefcase.
Winner: Carmella
Reaction: I thought that this was a great match. It was a hell of a lot better than the one that put on at the actual Money in the Bank PPV. It is kind of confusing why they didn’t just have this match at the PPV, unless it was just a gigantic stunt to try and boost SmackDown ratings. It would have been silly if Carmella didn’t win the rematch and I thought Ellsworth showing up was amusing this time around.
Overall, I thought SmackDown was entertaining this week. The main-event stole the show and next week’s SmackDown looks good with John Cena returning and the Battle Royal. I’ll a video and podcast up on tonight’s show later on at MankyMedia.com.
What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
