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With just weeks until Money in the Bank, WWE SmackDown was planning to declare its final contenders for the two ladder matches. Also, the storylines for the SmackDown Women’s Championship and Universal Championship were expected to get more intense.
Edge declared his desire to face Roman Reigns for the Universal title. Bianca Belair challenged Bayley to another SmackDown Women’s Championship match, this time an “I Quit” match. Bayley accepted, claiming she would quit competing altogether if she lost.
Seth Rollins was not too happy with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville’s refusal to offer him a Universal Championship match. Instead, they booked a match between Cesaro and Rollins for next week to determine who would compete in the MITB ladder match from SmackDown.
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Take a look at the five things WWE got right on SmackDown this week.
#5 Shinsuke Nakamura and Big E defeated Apollo Crews and Baron Corbin on WWE SmackDown
Shinsuke Nakamura and Big E teamed up this week to take on Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews. Corbin looked dejected as he made his way out to the middle. He was unable to focus early in the match and allowed Nakamura and Big E to take control for some time.
However, a clothesline at ringside allowed him and Crews to wrestle back control for some time. The two heels worked on Big E and came close to a victory.
Rick Boogs then distracted Corbin, saying his car was being towed away. This allowed Big E to take advantage and hit the Big Ending for the win. The match wasn’t too special and did not allow any of the superstars to shine. However, this could work out in Corbin’s favor and he could end up getting a new gimmick soon.
There were reports that WWE has filed a trademark for “Happy Corbin”. He will likely move into that role, and it could lead him to something better.
#4 Zelina Vega returned to WWE SmackDown
Last week, Sonya Deville announced the first entrant from SmackDown for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match as Carmella. Liv Morgan wasn’t too happy with the decision, and she defeated Carmella in a match soon after.
This week, Deville once again made her way to the ring to introduce the latest entry into the women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: the returning Zelina Vega.
Liv once again appeared and demanded a match against Vega. The two got down to business soon after and exchanged a few moves. Soon after, Liv scored the win with a schoolgirl roll-up while holding the tights.
Vega’s return will strengthen the SmackDown women’s division. She’s resourceful and can also help the brand by returning to her managerial role soon.
Meanwhile, Liv should have been a part of the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. It looks like SmackDown has something planned for her, and the victories could allow her to get a big push soon.
#3 Otis flattened Angelo Dawkins on WWE SmackDown
Otis has been aggressive on WWE SmackDown over the past few weeks. The Street Profits have been trying to shake The Alpha Academy off their backs, but have been failing to do so.
Angelo Dawkins sought to avenge the injuries suffered by himself and Montez Ford at the hands of Otis. The two men competed in a match on SmackDown.
Otis came out with a new look once again, appearing as Gable’s No. 1 guy. He rolled over Dawkins with some big moves and impressed the SmackDown fans with his strength.
After throwing the former SmackDown Tag Team Champion around, Otis delivered a Vader Bomb off the second rope to secure the win.
The squash match worked perfectly with Otis’s new look and attitude. Dawkins is not a small man, but Otis took him down with a lot of ease. The new attitude will help The Alpha Academy get ahead and hopefully win the SmackDown Tag Team titles soon.
Otis has gotten a few pushes in the past, but this one could work out for him.
#2 Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn put on a fantastic show on WWE SmackDown
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn competed in a Last Man Standing match on WWE SmackDown to earn a spot in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. The two men showed a lot of chemistry and beat each other mercilessly.
KO controlled the match before Zayn made a comeback. He fought out of a superplex attempt and sent Owens through the tables to take control. The Conspiracy Theorist hit a couple of Helluva Kicks soon after, but KO still managed to make it to his feet before the 10-count.
The two men kept going at it before a re-energized Owens took control of the contest for good. He drove Zayn through two tables before hitting a pop-up powerbomb on the ring apron. Zayn was unable to make it to his feet before the 10-count, and this allowed Owens to progress to the MITB ladder match.
This contest allowed both the top men to shine on SmackDown. No matter how many times these two superstars compete, they always end up giving it their best. Owens will be a great addition to the men’s MITB ladder match. Will fans watch him deliver a few splashes from the top of the ladder?
#1 Edge snaps on WWE SmackDown
Edge opened WWE SmackDown this week, speaking about how WrestleMania was supposed to be the culmination of his 10-year story. The Rated-R Superstar claimed he was rattled once he was unable to defeat Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship.
He blamed Daniel Bryan and Jey Uso for the loss and said he wanted a one-on-one shot at Roman Reigns. Throughout the show, Jimmy Uso told Paul Heyman that he would handle business on behalf of his cousins.
Later on SmackDown, Jimmy made his way to the ring and called out Edge. The Rated-R Superstar taunted Jimmy for coming out on his cousin’s behalf. He claimed Reigns had set the perfect trap for him before attacking the former SmackDown Tag Team Champion. Jimmy fought back and delivered a great superkick.
The Iconoclast beat down Jimmy and trapped him in the crossface. He then broke off a piece of chair and reapplied the hold, punishing Jimmy even more.
WWE has done a fantastic job at building Edge each time he has made his return. The superstars on SmackDown have worked well with him, and he is back to being a top threat to the Universal Champion.
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