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SmackDown kicked off with Miz & Morrison hosting Miz TV and Otis was the guest for the night. Miz and Morrison showed off childhood photos of Otis while making fun of his appearance and learning disability before Miz just gave up and called him an unworthy Mr. Money in the Bank.
Miz challenged Otis to a tag team match and asked him to find a partner as it turned out that Tucker was not gonna be able to make it to SmackDown.
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We found out earlier in the week that Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn was not going to be able to compete for a while and his title was being put on the line in a tournament. The brackets were revealed tonight and AJ Styles, even though from RAW, will be a part of the tournament. The first match of that tournament was Elias vs. King Corbin and it was up next.
Elias vs. King Corbin - Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round 1
Corbin was dominating early on and went after Elias' guitar which his challenger did not like one bit. Elias went up top for his top rope elbow drop but Corbin escaped and went for the clothesline. Elias ducked it but was caught in a rolling spine buster instead.
Corbin failed to put Elias away before climbing to the top rope. Elias dragged him back down but was caught with a chokeslam for another near fall. Corbin went out and grabbed Elias' guitar a second time, smashing it on the ring post. Elias was livid and hit a knee without any hesitation, getting the win on SmackDown.
Result: Elias def. King Corbin
Match rating: B
Backstage, Otis asked Sheamus to be his tag partner but was told no. Later, Mandy was checking up on him and suggested that he ask Braun Strowman to be his partner on SmackDown tonight.
'The Mystery Hacker' was back on SmackDown with another short promo before Braun told Otis that he'll "think about it".
Dana Brooke vs. Naomi
Naomi started off strong in this match on SmackDown and took Dana to the corner before being caught in a roll-up. Brooke set up for the handspring back elbow in the corner and managed to hit Naomi once but Naomi countered the second one with her knees.
Naomi took Dana down and hit a top rope crossbody into a lateral press but couldn't get the three count. Naomi was getting frustrated and went for a half-baked pin attempt but Dana reversed it and pinned the veteran for the second time in the span of a few weeks on SmackDown.
Result: Dana Brooke def. Naomi
Match rating: C
Charlotte was out next on SmackDown and started talking about her accomplishments before Bayley & Sasha Banks interrupted her. They had some banter about how Bayley had to change her persona to beat her and Bayley tried to kick her out of SmackDown.
Charlotte said Banks was the only reason Bayley was champion for so long before Charlotte called Sasha 'Bayley's lackey' and walked out.
Backstage, Braun was still thinking about joining Otis in tonight's main event.
The Forgotten Sons cut a promo on SmackDown saying that they were gonna greet the rest of the roster with "closed fists".
Miz & Morrisson were being interviewed and started singing their self made 'theme song'.
Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak - Intercontinental Championship Tournament: Round 1
Bryan and Gulak was a complicated affair as they are currently one of the most exciting teams on SmackDown. Nonetheless, the match kicked off and they traded submission holds while keeping it friendly. Gulak locked in the Gu-lock after breaking out of the Yes lock. Daniel went for an armbar off a suplex before locking up in a chain-wrestling position.
Gulak hit a modified Michinoku driver and almost put Daniel away before taking a German Suplex from the ropes. Another Gu-lock/Dragon Sleeper was locked in but Bryan reversed it and eventually got the heel hook for the win on SmackDown.
Result: Daniel Bryan def. Drew Gulak
Match rating: A
In a post-match interview, Bryan said he was confident about winning back the IC title that he once had to vacate.
Sonya and Dolph came on screen and said they will humiliate Mandy and Otis in their mixed match next Friday. Sonya essentially called Mandy 'trailer-trash'...oof.
Otis & Braun Strowman vs. Miz & Morrison
Braun Strowman was out to support Otis who kicked off the match against Morrison on SmackDown. Braun was tagged in and they did the double caterpillar elbow on John, turning the Prince of Parkour into a pancake.
Miz had managed to gain the upper hand during the break and hit the It kicks on Otis when we returned. Strowman tagged in and steamrolled Miz before Morrison pulled him out of the way for the second one.
A tilt-a-whirl DDT was countered into a powerslam by Braun sending John Morrison into the match as Braun picked up the easy win on SmackDown.
Result: Otis & Braun Strowman def. Miz & Morrison
Mandy Rose came out after the match and Otis sneaked up on Strowman, later saying that it was 'only for laughs' as he got caught by the Universal Champion. All three Superstars celebrated inside the ring to close the night on SmackDown.
Match rating: A
Episode rating: B
A second superstar had to vacate their title in the same week which resulted in a huge tournament to be set up. Tonight's highlights were the match between Gulak and Bryan, followed by the 'monstrous' main event.
