'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The WWE’s SmackDown brand put forth a live event in Pikeville, KY, with a clash of champions headlining the show.
Two of SmackDown’s reigning champions—WWE Champion AJ Styles and United States Champion Baron Corbin—faced off to a huge ovation from the fans in attendance. Additionally, SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos, also defended their titles against Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable.
The show also featured several other exciting matchups—the photos and videos of which fans can see right here.
#1 Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn
Shinsuke Nakamura entered to a huge pop, as the matchup began with Sami Zayn assuming control early on. The fans egged on Nakamura, as Zayn appeared to be fading halfway through the match.
Nevertheless, both Superstars gave it their all in a matchup that received considerable praise from fans because of the high-octane action. Nakamura ended up defeating Zayn for the win, much to the delight of the Pikeville fans.
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura def. Sami Zayn
#2 Aiden English vs. Tye Dillinger
Aiden English started the match off strong against Tye Dillinger. 'The Drama King’ took his time to play to the gallery and taunt the fans, while dominating Dillinger. Although the latter tried his very best to fight back, English never let go of the momentum he’d seized in the initial phase of the match, defeating Dillinger in a relatively one-sided showdown.
Result: Aiden English def. Tye Dillinger
#3 Breezango vs. The Colons
Tyler Breeze and Fandango received a huge pop from the fans in attendance as they made their way to the ring.
Breezango dominated this matchup throughout; beating The Colons from pillar to post. The match didn’t feature too many technical wrestling maneuvers, so to speak. However, we did see Breezango taunt their foes en route to a victory over The Colons.
Result: Breezango def. The Colons
#4 Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler
‘The Glorious One’ competed against arch rival Dolph Ziggler in a match that saw a ton of back and forth action.
Both Bobby Roode and Dolph Ziggler engaged in multiple technical wrestling exchanges; including several awe-inducing mat maneuvers which saw the crowd acknowledge the same. Nevertheless, Ziggler ultimately fell short in his quest to best The Glorious One. Bobby Roode laid him down for the win, and celebrated in front of all his Glorious fans.
Result: Bobby Roode def. Dolph Ziggler
#5 Randy Orton vs. Rusev
It was ‘Rusev Day’ in Pikeville, as the WWE Universe was strongly in favor of The Bulgarian Brute at the event.
Both Randy Orton and Rusev received a huge pop from the crowd in attendance, with the fans leaning more towards the latter. Regardless, Orton took control midway, and bested his tenacious foe, en route to a victory over Rusev.
Result: Randy Orton def. Rusev
#6 Charlotte Flair & Naomi vs. Natalya, Lana & Tamina (Handicap Match)
WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair teamed up with Naomi to compete in a 2-on-3 Handicap Match against Natalya, Lana & Tamina.
The matchup saw several chants for Lana echo through the arena, however, despite their best efforts, Natalya, Lana & Tamina failed to defeat their outnumbered foes.
Flair & Naomi picked up the win in this Handicap matchup.
Result: Charlotte Flair & Naomi def. Natalya, Lana & Tamina
#7 The Usos vs. Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable (SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match)
Jimmy & Jey Uso put their titles on the line against Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable.
Both teams engaged in a fast-paced wrestling match, which saw the Benjamin & Gable put on a true mat wrestling clinic on the champions. Nevertheless, The Usos bounced back aggressively, and ended up defeating Benjamin & Gable. The twins notched up yet another successful title defense in what has been a dominant reign thus far.
Result: The Usos def. Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable; and retained the SmackDown Tag Team Championships
#8 AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin (Non-Title Match)
The main event of the evening saw a ‘Clash Of Champions’ ahead of the upcoming SmackDown brand-exclusive PPV Clash Of Champions.
WWE Champion AJ Styles competed against United States Champion Baron Corbin in a matchup that saw Styles outclass Corbin throughout. The crowd popped big-time for every significant move Styles executed, with the excitement coming to a final crescendo as Styles defeated Corbin ,and picked up the win.
Result: AJ Styles def. Baron Corbin
