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SmackDown GM Paige kicked off the show with the announcement of the Gauntlet match which will determine the next challenger for WWE Champion AJ Styles. She revealed that Big E, Rusev, Daniel Bryan, The Miz and Samoa Joe will be participating in the match to determine the No.1 contender.
Carmella made her entrance and boasted about beating Charlotte Flair twice as well as beating Asuka at Money in the Bank. She said she won the match all by herself, which wasn't the entire truth when Asuka's music hit. Asuka walked to the ring and took off her mask and it turned out that it was Ellsworth again.
He said no one is ever ready for him, especially Asuka. Ellsworth then showered 'Mella with compliments and names a number of women including Mother Teresa, Ronda Rousey and Beyonce for some reason, stating that Carmella is better than all of them.
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The real Asuka showed up and Ellsworth stood between her and Carmella but was taken down by the Empress. Carmella took the opportunity and attacked Asuka before retreating backstage with Ellsworth.
#1 Becky Lynch vs Billie Kay
The IIconics came out first and mocked Becky, calling her Charlotte's 'troll of a sidekick'. Becky unloaded on Billie as soon as the bell rang and then delivered a Becksploder. Royce distracted Becky who was on the apron and Kay sent Lynch crashing into the ring post as we broke for commercials.
Kay was in control when we returned with a submission move. She hit a forearm on Becky and Royce helped out by dropping her on the mat from ringside. Becky hit a big boot and a high flying move. Becky hit another Becksploder and it resulted in a near fall. Lynch threw Kay outside and hit Royce with a splash to the outside. Becky hit the disarm her and Kay tapped out.
Result: Becky Lynch def. Billie Kay
Jeff Hardy showed up in a video promo and said that Nakamura opened his eyes with the Kinshasa to the head last week. He was now sharper and fully Awoken. He turned to face the camera and he was wearing face paint resembling his old gimmick that needs little mention.
#2 SAnitY vs The Usos
SAnitY finally made their SmackDown Live debut for a match against the Usos but they didn't even wait for the bell to ring. They attacked The Usos right away. Wolfe and Young held Jey Uso as Dain crushed Jimmy Uso with a Vader Bomb. SAnitY took care of Jey Uso next and we didn't even get a chance for the match to begin.
Result: SAnitY vs The Usos was called off before it began
Backstage, Renee asked Nakamura about his loss at Money in the Bank and Shinsuke said that he didn't lose on Sunday, AJ only won because the official counted too fast. When asked about Jeff Hardy and his 'Awakening', Shinsuke said that his eyes may be open but if he crossed Nakamura again, he will make sure they are closed.
#3 Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson - SmackDown Tag Team Championship match
During the match, Anderson was sent into the steel steps by Harper and Rowan hit a superplex on Gallows. The Bludgeon Brothers sent Anderson face-first into the apron and Harper attacked Gallows in the ring. Rowan was tagged in and Gallows managed to get out of a submission move.
Harper almost hit Rowan by mistake and Gallows hit the two with elbows. Anderson returned and was tagged in. He hit a finisher on Harper but it was a near fall. Anderson sent Rowan outside and Harper took back control. Harper was about to make the tag but Rowan was distracted by Gallows. Rowan sent Gallows in the timekeeper's area and they hit Anderson with a finisher to get the three count.
Result: Bludgeon Brothers def. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson and retained the SmackDown tag titles
#4 Gauntlet match to determine the No.1 Contender for the WWE Championship
Daniel Bryan came out first and was followed by Big E accompanied by The New Day. Bryan went for a German suplex but couldn't lift Big E. Bryan took down E with a Dragon Sleeper hold but released it eventually. Big E hit a belly to belly suplex on Bryan and then a huge splash on the apron as we broke for ads.
We returned to see Bryan miss a high flying move and Big E took advantage. Bryan hit a clothesline and sent E face-first into the turnbuckle. Bryan hit the Yes kicks and finished him off with a drop from the top rope. Bryan hit two dropkicks and Big E took Bryan down with a clothesline.
Bryan went for the Yes lock and when that failed held down a dragon lock. E smashed Bryan down to the mat and sent him outside a moment later with a spear through the ropes. Big E missed the Big Ending and Daniel got the pinfall after a huge dropkick.
Samoa Joe was the next one in and took down Bryan very easily with some stiff chops in the corner. Daniel alternated chops and kicks to regain control but Joe hit a power slam on him. Joe took control again with vicious kicks and then another power slam into an STF submission and then a crossface before Daniel's foot found the bottom rope.
Bryan caught Joe's leg and hit a corkscrew and then used the ring post to damage the leg. Joe hit an atomic drop but it was only a two count. Joe got Bryan in the coquina clutch and Bryan tossed him over the top rope, hitting him with a knee from the apron. Joe took an Enzugiri but dodged the knee. Daniel was caught outside in the coquina clutch and the referee started counting. Daniel reversed it and returned to the ring at the count of 10 and Joe was eliminated.
Harper and Rowan returned to the ring and delivered their combined finisher on Bryan as The Miz made his way to the ring. He hit Daniel with a Skull Crushing Finale and got the pinfall and Daniel Bryan was eliminated.
Rusev was the last one in and was accompanied by Aiden English. Rusev hit a dropkick on The Miz and cornered him with kicks. Rusev caught Miz mid-clothesline and bounced him off the mat. The Miz hit Rusev with a huge dropkick through the ropes after sending him outside.
Miz hit the backbreaker and a neckbreaker before delivering a clothesline from the top rope. The two traded punched before Rusev hit a spin kick. The Miz dodged the Machka kick and Rusev blocked the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz bounced Rusev's head off the apron and then the steel steps.
The Miz hit Rusev with a DDT after a few 'it' kicks. Rusev hit the Machka kick and caught The Miz in the accolade to get the submission and won the match.
Result: Rusev won the Gauntlet Match and is the new No.1 Contender for the WWE Championship
AJ Styles met Rusev in the ring as soon as the match was over and the two shook hands before Aiden too extended his hand to AJ before taking it away. AJ struck Aiden down for disrespecting him as the show ends.
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