Jinder Mahal headlined his first ever show was WWE Champion last night. The Maharaja entered Ypsilanti (Michigan) as champion after defeating Randy Orton at Backlash, and the two collided in tag team action in the main event of last night’s show.
Mahal partnered with Baron Corbin whilst Orton teamed with Corbon’s conqueror from the night before, Sami Zayn. Elsewhere on the card, there were a number of Backlash re-matches, and the United States and SmackDown Tag Tam Championships were also on the line.
Here are the full results from the show in Ypsilanti.
#1 Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Dolph Ziggler
The opening match of the show mirrored that of the night before, with the same setup and the same outcome. Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Dolph Ziggler with the Kinshasha, although by all accounts the two continue to have average matches. Dolph wrestled the entire match with his shirt on, although why that is relevant nobody truly knows.
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Dolph Ziggler
#2 Breezango vs. The Ascension
Plenty of comedy here, although not quite as much as during The Fashion Police’s match with The Usos at Backlash, as Breezango looked to get back to winning ways against the least effective team in all of WWE.
They managed to do just that, with Fandango picking up the win for his team by rolling up Viktor for the 1-2-3.
Result: Breezango defeated The Ascension
#3a Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English
Another Backlash rematch saw Tye Dillinger and Aiden English battle once again, with the same result. Tye Dillinger was immensely over in Ypsilanti with plenty of ‘10’ chants, with Aiden getting his fair share of heat thanks to numerous ‘chicken’ chants.
Dillinger picked up the win after hitting the Tye Breaker, although Aiden English’s night wasn’t quite over.
Result: Tye Dillinger defeated Aiden English
#3b Aiden English vs. Mojo Rawley
English was understandably unhappy with yet another loss to Dillinger, and as a result, The Artiste demanded another opponent. Mojo Rawley answered the challenge and was able to defeat English in the blink of an eye, hitting The Vaudevillian with a running elbow in the corner.
Not a good night for Aiden English, to say the least.
Result: Mojo Rawley defeated Aiden English
#4 Luke Harper vs. Erick Rowan
The Wyatt Family continued to implode as former partners Luke Harper and Erick Rowan faced each other again. The two were in the come-down spot at Backlash and put together a fine little match, with Harper getting the win.
The same formula was followed here with the same result, Harper pinning Rowan after hitting the Discus Clothesline.
Result: Luke Harper defeated Erick Rowan
#5 WWE United States Championship: Kevin Owens [c] vs. AJ Styles
KO and AJ finished off the first half of the show with another fine match for the United States Championship, albeit another fine match with a dirty finish in order to keep the belt on Owens.
Styles picked up the win via disqualification after Owens hit The Phenomenal One with a chair in front of the referee. AJ was able to get some retribution after the match, hitting Owens with the Styles Clash and leaving him lying in the centre of the ring.
Result: AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens by disqualification
#6 SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi, Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch vs. Natalya, Carmella & James Ellsworth
Yes, you read that right – James Ellsworth took part in the six-woman tag team match last night. Ellsworth replaced Tamina in the match, but the babyfaces were able to pick up the victory after losing at Backlash.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi picked up the win, pinning Carmella after hitting the Princess of Staten Island with the Rear View.
Result: Naomi, Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch defeated Natalya. Carmella & James Ellsworth
#7 WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Usos [c] vs. American Alpha
The Usos followed up their defence of the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at Backlash by doing the same in Ypsilanti, albeit against different opponents. Jimmy & Jey took on former champions American Alpha in Michigan, and were able to defeat Gable & Jordan after the former Olympian found himself rolled up.
This would prove to be the only heel victory on the entire show.
Result: The Usos defeated American Alpha
#8 Randy Orton & Sami Zayn vs. WWE Champion Jinder Mahal & Baron Corbin
’WWE Champion Jinder Mahal’. That might take a while to sink in. Jinder teamed up with the man that many believed would be the next first time champion in the company, the Lone Wolf, Baron Corbin, to take on former WWE Champion Randy Orton and Sami Zayn.
Jinder cut a promo before the match that got some serious heat, although this eventually morphed into chants for 3MB. The babyfaces picked up the win after Orton hit Corbin with an RKO. Jinder might have to get used to losing house show tag team matches for a little while.
#WWEYpsilanti VIDEO [5/22/17]@RandyOrton hits the RKO on @BaronCorbinWWE to gain him and @iLikeSamiZayn the win tonight pic.twitter.com/QiC39TLlFY
— The Orton Girl (@TheOrtonGirl) May 23, 2017
Result: Randy Orton & Sami Zayn defeated Baron Corbin & Jinder Mahal
