A video package was shown celebrating American Independence Day.
John Cena makes a triumphant return but gets upstaged by a returning superstar
John Cena started by celebrating American Independence Day and also praised WWE for giving a platform to compete with the best. He said that a lot of superstars have been running their mouths and spreading rumours. He called out all the top competitors in WWE and said that he’s not a part-timer, but an all-timer.
A returning Rusev soon interrupted only to be met with “USA” chants. He said that he worked as hard as Cena did in that ring and got hurt for it. He complained that he didn’t get any big return video package. He insulted America and the American dream, getting a lot of heat. He praised Bulgarian Independence Day and insulted the American Independence Day. The crowd constantly chanted "USA", naturally being in patriotic spirits.
Cena proposed each of them putting their flags in the corner and having a “flag” match. Rusev said he would do things on his own terms. Cena then made the crowd once again chant “USA”
Backstage, Daniel Bryan was talking to Chad Gable and AJ Styles. He told them that he wanted to shut Kevin Owens up. Bryan made a match between Gable and AJ, with the winner being able to participate in the battle royal later in the night. AJ said he was ok with a “little competition” and Gable looked him dead in the eyes, stating that he was more than just a “little competition”.
AJ Styles vs Chad Gable – Winner enters the Independence Day Battle Royal
Chad Gable began with takedowns to the former WWE Champion. Back after the break, the two competitors were on the top ropes and AJ Styles made him Gable go face first. Styles attempted a Phenomenal Forearm but was caught on the ropes by Gable. The American Alpha member attempted a moonsault on AJ, who evaded it and flung him onto the turnbuckles.
AJ nearly hit a Styles Clash, but Gable countered into an Anklelock. AJ escaped after a struggle and hit the Calf Crusher. Gable managed to escape as well, after which the crowd chanted” This is awesome”. AJ finally finished him off with a Phenomenal Forearm. After the match, AJ shook Gable’s hand.
AJ Styles defeated Chad Gable
Backstage, Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley were distraught over their unsuccessful #1 contendership attempt last week. Ryder told Rawley that he got them entered into the Independence Day Battle Royal.
The Carmellabration gets interrupted
James Ellsworth said he was cancelling Independence Day because they were there to celebrate something “way more important”: Carmellabraton. She began talking about the power she possesses with the briefcase and the champion Naomi came out.
She told Carmella that she wasn’t scared that Carmella held the contract. She then looked at Ellsworth and said that someone had words for them, and out came the General Manager Daniel Bryan. The crowd began chanting his name, and he made James shut up.
Bryan banned Ellsworth from the building, fined him $10,000 and suspended him for 30 days without pay. Bryan then further said that if he didn’t leave right then, Carmella would be stripped of the briefcase. Carmella then made sure Ellsworth left at that moment.
Naomi(c) vs Lana – SmackDown Women’s Championship
This was Lana’s third opportunity at the SmackDown Women’s Championship.Naomi started with a sunset flip and put her in a Headscissors Crucifix Choke and made Lana tap out in what felt like record time.
Naomi defeated Lana to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship
After the match, Tamina came in the ring and looked at Lana and told her to get up as she walked away.
Backstage, Shinsuke Nakamura was asked about Baron Corbin, who jumped him from behind. Nakamura still countered and the two had to be separated.
Rap battle – Usos vs The New Day, hosted by Wale
Wale introduced the two teams, who got a lot of extras with them. Big E began the festivities taking a jab at the Usos. The Usos threw a Rated-R line in there which won them the entire thing. The crowd even knew The Usos won at that point. However, New Day did throw in a good line at the end.
Things broke down at the end, and after the Usos took a shot at Wale, he disqualified them, declaring The New Day as the winners, even though they actually didn’t win.
Randy Orton vs Aiden English
Aiden English was inside the ring, doing his usual singing schtick before being interrupted by Randy Orton. Orton’s entrance itself was interrupted by Aiden English, who cheap shotted him. He slammed Orton against the steel steps and continued singing while Orton looked from outside.
After the break, Aiden English was struggling outside the ring, with The Viper in control. He backdropped English onto the announcer’s desk and then hit his signature DDT from there onto the floor. Orton then hit him with steel steps, only to get disqualified, but he didn't seem to care.
Aiden English defeated Randy Orton by disqualification
Randy was still ballistic after the match, hitting an RKO and then celebrating. Jinder Mahal then came out. The crowd then began chanting “USA”. He called the USA the land of prejudice. He vowed to defeat Randy Orton at the Punjabi Prison. When he was about to speak in Punjabi, he was interrupted by Orton, who told him that the reason people didn’t like him because he is and always will be a “Jacka**”.
Backstage, Tye Dillinger was interviewed by Tyler Breeze, who was dressed as Renee Young, calling himself “Tenee Young”. Fandango was dressed as a construction worker in the background.
Renee Young interviewed Maria and Mike Kanellis about the Power Of Love. Sami Zayn interfered again after accidentally knocking something down. He apologised again and went rambling on, and his music hit and he was late for his cue, so he rushed away.
Independence Day Battle Royal – #1 contender for the United States Championship
The United States Champion Kevin Owens was on commentary. Sami Zayn almost eliminated Ziggler. Luke Harper eliminated Ziggler first. After the break, Erick Rowan eliminated Fandango and then Tyler Breeze followed by Sin Cara. Konnor was eliminated by Luke Harper, and Luke Harper was eliminated by Mojo Rawley. Rawley saved Ryder from being eliminated by Rowan and then the two eliminated Rowan. Mojo then eliminated Ryder himself. Ryder was distraught.
Sami Zayn finally eliminated Rawley. Dillinger, Zayn and Styles were the final 3. Dillinger had the momentum, hitting two Tye Breakers and almost eliminating both other competitors. Sami Zayn eliminated Dillinger, leaving it between Styles and Zayn.
Zayn missed a Helluva kick and went over the top rope. AJ hit a Pele Kick to Sami who was barely hanging on to win the Battle Royal. As soon as he won, Owens ran into the ring and started attacking AJ. Styles caught Owens with an Enzuigiri and then lifted the US title up, standing tall to end the show.
AJ Styles won the Independence Day Battle Royal
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