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This week's episode of SmackDow Live saw AJ Styles' return to WWE after winning the WWE US Championship at the show in Madison Square Garden.
AJ Styles kicks-off WWE SmackDown
Look who just shut down all of Tony Khan's critics! More HERE.
New WWE US Champion AJ Styles came out as SmackDown started, proclaiming that WWE Battleground had come early before adding that he was the new face of America. He continued to say that he would take on all comers before adding that he wanted to bring back the US open challenge. He went on to say that the US Championship had been overlooked for far too long.
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As Styles challenged an issue to the boys in the back, it was answered by none other than John Cena himself as the fans in the arena expected. It looked too good to be true but a referee and a ring announcer made their way out.
As the match was about to get under way, Kevin Owens came out and said that no one wanted to see another AJ Styles vs John Cena match. At the same time, Rusev blindsided Cena from behind and Owens and Rusev beat down Cena and Styles before walking away.
Jinder Mahal vs Tye Dillinger
WWE Champion Jinder Mahal faced the ‘Perfect 10’ Tye Dillinger for the first time ever. Tye came out to a big pop from the fans in attendance but it was Jinder who was on a roll during the early stages of the match as we cut to commercial.
When we came back from the commercial break, Dillinger was finally picking up momentum with 10-count punches but Jinder put an end to that with a vicious running knee. He followed it up with the Khallas to pick up the win.
Jinder Mahal def. Tye Dillinger
Jinder took to the mic after the match, saying that he brought class and diversity to the WWE, unlike Randy Orton. Jinder then called out Orton for threatening his people and his family. Jinder then promised to bring hell to Orton next week on SmackDown, saying that he would be bringing the Punjabi Prison with him.
Xavier Woods vs Jey Uso
The heat between these two individuals and their teams has increased over the last couple of weeks especially after last week’s rap battle.
This match was short but action-packed with Big E, Kofi and Jimmy Uso getting set to the back soon after the match started. Jey Uso then hit Woods with a Superkick for the nearfall. Uso then headed to the top rope but Woods got the knees up on the Frog Splash.
Woods then hung Uso up on the top rope and hit a springboard elbow for the win.
Xavier Woods def. Jey Uso
Charlotte and Becky Lynch vs Tamina and Natalya
Tamina started off with a few clubbing blows to Becky Lynch but Becky soon took her down and tagged in Charlotte. The duo double-teamed Tamina before she tagged Natalya.
Natalya looked to be in control for a brief period but Charlotte hit her with a knife-edge chopped and tagged Becky in. Natalya was in control as we headed into commercial.
As we came back from commercial, Lana made her way out as Tamina was in control of Becky. As Charlotte got tagged in, she hit Natalya with a suplex as Lana got on the apron for the distraction. Tamina made the tag while Charlotte was distracted and she hit Charlotte with a Superkick as she looked to lock in a Figure 8 on Natalya.
The Superkick turned out to be enough to pick up the win.
Tamina and Natalya def. Charlotte and Becky Lynch
Sami Zayn met Maria and Mike Bennett backstage and he told them that he was sick of apologizing. Sami then went on to ask Mike Kanellis what it was that he did in WWE and asked him if he was the valet between him and his wife.
Maria did not take kindly to this and slapped the taste out of Sami’s mouth. Mike smashed a glass vase on Sami’s head for good measure.
AJ Styles and John Cena vs Kevin Owens and Rusev
Rusev was all over Cena as we begin this match. Rusev headed out of the ring to wave the Bulgarian flag to add insult to injury.
When we returned from the first commercial, Rusev was still on top but Cena managed to tag AJ Styles in. Styles hit Rusev with a strike combo before locking in the Calf Crusher. Rusev broke free and hit Styles with a kick to the back of the head before tagging Owens in.
Owens locked in his patented headlock as he implored the referee to ask AJ if he would tap. AJ made his way back to his feet and looked like he would manage a tag but Owens took him back down and tagged Rusev in.
Rusev came in and taunted Cena before locking in a bear hug on Styles. He then went for a back suplex but AJ landed on his feet and hit an enzeguiri. Both Styles and Rusev made the tag as Cena and Owens came in.
Cena hit Owens with a back body drop followed by the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena then went for an AA but Rusev hit him with a Superkick. Styles then hit Rusev with a Phenomenal Forearm, followed by a Pelle Kick to Rusev.
Cena then hit Owens with an AA to pin him.
AJ Styles and John Cena def. Kevin Owens and Rusev
