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WWE SmackDown started on the right foot as Paul Heyman and his client, the Universal Champion Roman Reigns, kicked things off to end this week of WWE programming.
The Intercontinental Championship was up for grabs during this week’s SmackDown as Jeff Hardy was set to defend his title against AJ Styles. However, Sami Zayn, who believes he is still the Intercontinental Champion, wasn't too far away. He came out to create some chaos before and during the match.
The SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura, crossed paths with their opponents for Monday Night RAW during the show. Meanwhile, Alexa Bliss showed that she’s in the midst of a character transformation by delivering a big statement.
Miz and Morrison saught after Otis’ Money in the Bank contract once again, while Bray Wyatt returned with another episode of the Firefly Fun House.
Let's Iook at the five things WWE SmackDown got right on this week’s show.
#5. The Street Profits cause Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura to lose one on WWE SmackDown
This week on WWE RAW, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura, surprised the WWE Universe when they made an appearance on the brand. After the RAW Tag Team Champions, The Street Profits, defeated Andrade and Angel Garza, the two heels entered the ring and laid down a challenge for Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford for next week’s episode of RAW.
On SmackDown, Cesaro and Nakamura took on Kalisto and Gran Metalik in a non-title match. Cesaro and Metalik had a great exchange in the ring before Kalisto made the tag and tried to put The Swiss Cyborg away with a big splash.
The action continued for a while before footage of The Street Profits partying in Cesaro and Nakamura’s backstage area aired on the big screen. The distraction allowed the babyfaces a chance to steal a victory as Kalisto managed to roll-up Cesaro to pick up the win.
Two experienced Superstars shouldn't fall for distractions and roll-ups. Nevertheless, it was good to see Kalisto pick up the win for his team after having some disagreements with Lince Dorado over the past few weeks.
Kalisto is one of the best Superstars on SmackDown, and he could turn out to become a breakthrough singles performer once again in the months to come.
The Street Profit’s distraction will add fuel to the fire as the two teams will lock horns on Monday night where we could see either team prove they're superior.
#4. WWE SmackDown continues to tease a change of Mr. Money in the Bank
After attempting the steal Otis’ WWE Money in the Bank contract on WWE SmackDown last week, John Morrison took on the big man on this week’s episode.
Morrison tried to have a go at Otis early but his opponent knocked him out easily before the action got underway. Otis dominated Morrison, while Tucker ensured that The Miz couldn’t do much to help his partner out in this one.
The Most Must-See Superstar in WWE decided to steal Otis’s lunchbox and run away with it as he believed that it contained Otis’ Money in the Bank contract. Inside the ring, Otis finished off Morrison with a big splash for the victory.
Later on, Otis revealed that the Money in the Bank contract was still in his possession backstage. Meanwhile, all Miz and Morrison got was an apple core in the lunchbox.
While these segments may be bizarre, they are helping WWE take the Money in the Bank contract off Otis, who will most likely fail once he tries to cash it in. The Miz or Morrison could do the dirty work instead as Otis may not attempt a cash-in on Roman Reigns on SmackDown any time soon.
#3. The Intercontinental Championship scene picks up the heat on WWE SmackDown
Jeff Hardy was scheduled to defend his WWE Intercontinental Championship against former Champion AJ Styles on SmackDown this week. However, Sami Zayn came out before the match to run his mouth once again.
Adam Pearce entered the scene to take Zayn away so the match could get started. Then, Styles attacked the Champion from behind before the opening bell to get an unfair advantage.
Hardy tried to pick up the victory early on with a Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb attempt, but he couldn’t take the former WWE Champion down that easily. The two men fought all over the ringside area, and Styles managed to find an opening after he started targeting Hardy’s leg.
As Styles prepared for The Phenomenal Forearm, Zayn appeared out of nowhere to attack the him. Then, he took Hardy out with a Helluva Kick to end the match without a result on SmackDown.
The action wasn’t over just yet as a backstage brawl broke out between the men when Zayn went over to taunt Hardy in the trainer’s room.
WWE SmackDown is doing a great job at building towards a big Intercontinental Championship match which will likely take place at WWE Clash of Champions. Hardy and Styles are great together in the ring and adding Zayn to the mix will only make the contest even better.
#2. Alexa Bliss’ character continues to develop on WWE SmackDown
Nikki Cross was on her way to the ring for a Fatal Four-Way match involving Alexa Bliss, Lacey Evans, and Tamina when SmackDown Women’s Champion, Bayley, attacked her from behind. Bliss came out to comfort her partner and help her up before the match could get underway.
During the match, all four women tried to gain the upper hand as fans wanted to see a fresh number one contender emerge for Bayley’s WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Cross recovered enough to pair up with Bliss and take out Tamina and Evans together to get back in the match. However, The Goddess of WWE surprised everyone as she bent over Cross and hit her with a Sister Abigail right in front of the commentators to send a clear message.
Bliss then walked out of the match, signaling that her character change was almost complete. The WWE Universe can expect to see her in a new role from now on. Cross managed to recover and enter the ring again to hit a sunset flip to Tamina to secure the win. However, Bliss’ Sister Abigail remained the biggest moment of the match.
We’ve already seen Bliss appear with "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt a few times now. This move could signify that she is going to pair up with The Fiend sooner than later. Has Wyatt finally found Sister Abigail on SmackDown?
#1 Roman Reigns fits right into his new character on WWE SmackDown
Paul Heyman and his new client opened up another episode fo WWE SmackDown and asked Jey Uso to come up to the ring. Roman Reigns spoke about how he was proud of Uso for earning his shot at the WWE Universal Championship but made it clear that he would defeat him at WWE Clash of Champions to retain his title.
This brought out King Corbin who complained about Reigns inserting Uso into the Fatal Four-Way match last week on SmackDown. Next, Sheamus appeared to agree with The King’s opinion. As a result, Uso challenged them to a tag team match, picking Reigns as his partner.
Later, King Corbin and Sheamus appeared for the match and attacked Uso while he was making his entrance. Reigns didn't come out to save his cousin, forcing Uso to continue with the tag team match all by himself.
While The Celtic Warrior was gearing up for the Brogue Kick to end the match, Reigns’ music hit allowing Uso to take advantage and take him down. Reigns simply entered the match to tag himself in, hit a Spear, and pick up the victory for his team.
Jey celebrated the victory with Reigns, who didn't seem too pleased at the end of the match. WWE is doing a good job developing Reigns’ character on SmackDown. This heel persona, along with Heyman’s services, is really helping the Universal Champion generate heat.
