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The go-home episode of SmackDown before Battleground was expected to be quite an entertaining affair, more so after an explosive episode of Raw that witnessed one of the biggest revelations of the year when Jason Jordon was revealed as Kurt Angle's son.
With the Punjabi Prison match as the focal point, WWE had to put up a solid show to hype the fans for the final PPV before SummerSlam.
Opening Segment
John Cena's last PPV's name revealed by Kurt Angle? More details HERE
SmackDown Live kicked off with Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers. The Punjabi prison surrounded the ring and one of the Singh Brothers took to the mic to explain the rules.
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The Superstars in the match first had to escape from the first structure through one of 4 doors before climbing out of the second structure.
Jinder then shot a warning to the Randy Orton and berated him for threatening his people and his family. Randy Orton's music hit and out came the Viper with a mic in hand.
He said that Jinder was one of the two - stupid or brave - for wanting to be locked up in the Punjabi Prison with him that would eliminate the possibility of a Singh Brothers interference.
Orton then went on to climb up the structure and sent a final statement while being stationary on top. He said that the 50th WWE Champion was set up to fail as he was burdened by the pressure of 1.3 billion Indian fans. On the flip side, Orton claimed he had nothing to lose and that he will reclaim the WWE title at the PPV this Sunday.
Jimmy Uso vs. Kofi Kingston
The Usos and New Day made their respective entrances with the latter getting a great pop as usual.
Kofi and Jimmy kicked things off with Kofi getting the early advantage. It was classic New Day on display as Kofi did the booty shake right in Jimmy's face to infuriate him.
Jimmy bum-rushed Kofi but overshot it and goes to the outside. Kofi followed it up with an improvised dive as we went into a commercial break. Back from the break, Jimmy was on top of Kofi and began working on the former Tag Team Champion.
He connected with an enziguiri and got a two-count for it. Jimmy looked to continue the onslaught with a clothesline in the corner, but Kofi caught him midway with what looked like a standing double stomp.
Kofi began to rally as he first executed the boom drop and went for the Trouble in Paradise, but Jimmy countered by taking in the Samoan Drop position and ramming him neck first into the turnbuckle. Both men get up to the top turnbuckle. Kofi avoided major damage by first knocking Jimmy and then taking him down with a crossbody all while Jey tried to distract him by getting up to the apron.
However, Jimmy rolled through and kept Kofi down for the three-count.
Jimmy Uso def. Kofi Kingston
This was as predictable as it got from the WWE.
The cameras cut backstage with all the women of the SmackDown brand (well, most of them) with Shane McMahon. The SD commissioner wanted to book a match for tonight and considered every combination available based on the arguments from the women.
He finally booked Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch for later tonight.
Chad Gable comments on Jason Jordan being Kurt Angle's son
A vignette aired encompassing last night's segment that featured Angle's revelation of Jason Jordan being his son. The commentators then spoke about the development, with JBL saying that he knew the Olympic Gold medalist for a very long time and that the similarities between Jordan and Angle are there to be seen. Both are talented and picked up the business in record time.
The cameras then shifted backstage with Renee Young sitting down for a short interview with Chad Gable. Young asked Gable about his reaction to the shocking news, and Gabe gave one of the most genuine expressions of shock we've seen in a while.
He said that he was surprised but also knew something was up by how Jordan was behaving off late. He claimed the two ate together, travelled together and spent the most time with each other and added that he would have appreciated a head up from his partner before the news became public.
Renee then asked him about what was next, to which Gable said he was here to stay on SmackDown and had something big planned ahead.
Gable has natural charisma, God-gifted timing, and an unexploited sense of humour - something that shined through in this segment. He can be a big thing if WWE books him right irrespective of his size.
Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn
It was finally time for Mike Kanellis to make his in-ring debut and it was against the Underdog from the Underground himself. A video package of last week's events aired in which Mike and Maria took Sami out.
Cut to the ring and the newest power couple of the WWE made their way to the ring followed by Sami Zayn.
It was a rough start for Mike as Zayn sent him straight outside the ring with an explosive flurry. He clotheslined outside the ring and sent him crashing into the barricade. Things looked bad for Mike at this point.
Just when things started to fall in place for the debutant, Sami shut him down with a clothesline and an exploder suplex. Sami then looked to set up the Helluva Kick, but Maria interfered and shielded her husband as the referee intervened.
Mike took advantage of all the commotion and rattled Zayn with a forearm. He then debuted his finisher - The Samoan Driver - and successfully pinned the former NXT Champion to pick up his first win in the WWE.
Mike Kanellis def. Sami Zayn
A well-booked debut for Mike considering he's a heel here. Expect WWE to book Zayn vs. Mike in an impromptu match for Battleground.
John Cena addresses his flag match against Rusev
WWE's Franchise Player made his way out to the ring and it was the all-so-familiar 50-50 reaction. Cena took to the ring, that had the Old Glory and the Bulgarian flags positioned on either corner.
Cena began his promo by stating he doesn't like Rusev for his anti-USA stance. Yeah, you know what followed next!
Cena went on to cut the typical 'let's go USA' promo laced with cheap pops. There were unwanted Pearl Harbour and Operation Overlord references in a promo that we've seen countless times before.
While the passion was commendable, we've seen the same for over 15 years. Anyhow, he finished off his promo by saying that "the colours of the Star Spangled Banner don't run but kick ass"
He got up to the top turnbuckle and took the flap out of the pole and began waving it, much to the amusement of the fans in attendance. Cue for Machka's entry. Rusev jumped Cena and attacked the 16-time WWE Champion. He connected with a jumping side kick and followed it by locking Cena in the Accolade.
Rusev overpowered Cena and left him unconscious in the ring to end the segment waving the Bulgarian flag as he screamed Machka near the ramp.
Same old, Same old! Enough said! Machka needs to win at Battleground.
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte
Best friends turned foes again as Becky Lynch faced off against Charlotte. The two kicked off in solid fashion as the sequence to avoid each other's offence was a thing a beauty.
They jockeyed for position as Becky took Charlotte down with an arm drag, but the Queen got one up on Becky by performing two epic somersaults. She then took Becky down and executed an impressive bridged pin.
Back from the commercial break and Charlotte was dominating the proceedings with some knife-edged chops. Charlotte continued with a jumping knee that set up the figure four leg lock.
Becky, though, countered with a dropkick, Bexploder and a running forearm for a near fall. Becky went for the Disarmer, but gets blocked by Charlotte's attempted Natural Selection, which in turn gets seamlessly transitioned into the Disarmer.
Charlotte somehow broke the hold and went up to the top rope for the moonsault, but unfortunately missed. Becky smelt blood and immediately locked in the Disarmer again. Charlotte tried but this time it was just too much and tapped out in sheer pain.
Becky Lynch def. Charlotte
These two have great chemistry and deserve a lengthy program sometime down the line as they could spawn some absolute classics. This short yet solid match was a validation of it.
A backstage interview between Naomi and Renee young aired next with the WWE SmackDown Women's Champion claiming while she will be taking the day off at Battleground, she will be the 1st to congratulate the no.1 contender.
Carmella interrupted and warned Naomi that she will follow the champ wherever she went.
AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin & Kevin Owens
The dream pairing of Styles and Nakamura looked to close out the show in style as they took on Corbin and Owens. The new WWE US Champion was first to make his way out to the ring followed by the King Of Strong Style, who as expected, got jumped by Baron Corbin.
However, Nakamura was alert and ducked out of the way and began unleashing a string of kicks to Mr Money in the Bank. Styles and KO too began brawling on the ramp and it chaos ensued even before the referee called for the bell.
Both Nak Nak and Styles got the better of the heels and made their way into the ring as we went into commercial break.
Back from the break, Corbin controlled the match as he worked on Styles. He got the advantage by shutting Styles' springboard attempt with a right hand. Owens and Nakamura get tagged in, and Nakamura got the better of his former ROH rival by first delivering the good vibrations in the corner followed by a step-up enziguri.
Corbin's help from the corner was enough for Owens to assume control of the bout. He tagged the Long Wolf in, who tried to wear Nakamura down with a bear hug.
Nakamura sidestepped a charging Corbin, but was unable to fend off a Deep Six. Styles came in broke up a pinfall attempt and Nakamura began the resurgence. He first connected with a knee and then a perfectly timed enziguiri.
He reached out to his corner and made the hot tag to Styles while Corbin got KO in. AJ took KO down and began unleashing a combination of strikes. He face-planted KO for a near fall, however, KO answered with a stiff clothesline. He tagged Corbin in.
Styles went for the Calf Crusher, but Corbin fought out of it and tossed The Phenomenal One across the ring. A relentless Styles went for it again and locked it in successfully this time around.
Corbin, though, reached for the ropes. Meanwhile, Nakamura and KO continued to brawl outside the ring as Corbin looked to execute the End Of Days on Styles in the ring.
Fortunately for Styles, he reversed it and nearly set up the Styles Clash before KO super kicked him right in the face. KO followed it up with a Pop-Up Powerbomb. Pinfall. 1-2-3!
Kevin Owens & Baron Corbin def. AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura
KO pinned Styles on the go-home episode, and if WWE's booking pattern is anything to go by, Styles looks set to retain the title at Battleground.
As for the main event, it was predictable but solid nonetheless.
