A full week after the “Superstar Shakeup”, the stars of SmackDown Live arrived in Bowling Green, KY with their brand new roster fully intact for the very first time.
The advertised main event saw Randy Orton defend the WWE Championship against both AJ Styles and Baron Corbin in a triple threat match, while Naomi put the SmackDown Women’s Championship on the line against five challengers in a huge six-pack challenge.
#1 The Ascension & Jinder Mahal vs. The Fashion Police & Mojo Rawley
The focus here was on former WWE Raw Superstar Jinder Mahal and Mojo Rawley, who have been feuding since WrestleMania. The Ascension didn’t get much of a reaction, but Jinder had some decent heat on him as he worked through the comedy antics of Tyler Breeze and Fandango.
In the end, the “Hype Train” carried on after Mojo delivered a big running forearm smash to pick up the win.
Result: The Fashion Police & Mojo Rawley def. The Ascension & Jinder Mahal
#2 Luke Harper vs. Erick Rowan
The two lost sheep of the now-defunct Wyatt Family faced off one-on-one, in the aftermath of their former leader Bray Wyatt being drafted to Monday Night Raw in the “Superstar Shakeup”.
Harper got a bit more of a babyface reaction than Rowan, but overall the crowd didn’t really seem to know who to get behind. Harper got the win with a huge discus lariat.
Result: Luke Harper def. Erick Rowan
#3 Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship
With both stars now calling SmackDown Live home, the two long-time rivals went at it once again as Kevin Owens put his United States Championship up for grabs. This was something of a test run for the champ, who will step into the ring against Chris Jericho in less than two weeks to defend his title at WWE Payback.
Result: Kevin Owens def. Sami Zayn to retain
#4 Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura got a huge reaction for his entrance, and people were singing along with his theme music after it ended too.
This was likely the first time many in the building got to see Nakamura live, and he got one of the biggest pops of the night. The two put on an excellent pay-per-view level match, with Ziggler in full heel mode, and Shinsuke won with the Bomaye knee strike.
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura def. Dolph Ziggler
#5 Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Carmella vs. Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Tamina Snuka in a Six-Pack Challenge for the Smackdown Women’s Championship
The Smackdown Live women’s division got a face-lift as Charlotte Flair and Tamina Snuka added their talents to a chaotic six-pack challenge match. Naomi’s entrance is really something to see live and Charlotte got a great reaction as well, along with Becky Lynch.
Some really great work, with Tamina playing the big, strong role, similar to Nia Jax on Monday Night Raw. Naomi picked up the win by pinning Natalya to retain her title.
Result: Naomi retained the Smackdown Women’s Championship
#6 The Usos vs. America Alpha for the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships
This was a predictably great tag team match with Chad Gable and Jason Jordan getting in a tonne of offence against the champs. Jordan really does move like a young Kurt Angle and is really enjoyable to watch in the ring.
There were some near falls and false finishes, pretty much exactly like their match on last week’s Smackdown Live, and the Usos got the win with a superkick into a top rope splash on Chad Gable.
Result: The Usos retained the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championships
#7 Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin in a triple threat match for the WWE Championship
This was said to be another really good match, and Corbin worked hard to try and keep up with the two veterans. Styles controlled a lot of the match and had a few points where you thought he might actually pull it off, but of course it’s a house show so that wasn’t going to happen. Orton got the win with an RKO on Corbin to retain his title.
Result: Randy Orton retained the WWE Championship
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