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SmackDown came from the All-State Arena in Chicago and as expected, the decibel levels were at its peak. A major announcement on Dolph Ziggler and the WWE US title's future, new #1 contenders and a rekindled rivalry between two of the best that the blue brand has to offer ensured that SmackDown was entertaining as usual.
But did it manage to outdo Raw this week? Check out the results and highlights for this week and judge for yourself:
Daniel Bryan solves the US title problem
Daniel Bryan opened this week's show and welcomed a raucous Chicago crowd. He addressed the United States title scene and Dolph Ziggler impending future with WWE.
The SmackDown GM revealed that he had tried to get in touch with Ziggler but to no avail. He said that the Show-Off seemed to have relinquished the title and wished him all the best. He even added that Ziggler is one of the all-time greats.
He then went on to announce a tournament to determine the new Champion and the fans voraciously started chanting Rusev's name. Baron Corbin vs. Bobby Roode was announced as the first round match and before Bryan could disclose the rest of the matches, Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin interrupted the proceedings.
Benjamin and Gable staked their claim on the tag team titles and demanded a shot at the Usos' strap. They cut a short and forgettable promo before Aiden English's voice echoes through the speakers. The fans completely lose it.
The arena reverberated with Rusev Day chants as English and the Bulgarian Brute came down the ramp and made their own case for a shot at the championships. The New Day followed suit and Bryan were left with no option but to book an impromptu #1 contender's match between the three teams, the winner of which will go on to face The Usos at the Royal Rumble.
The New Day vs. Rusev & Aiden English vs. Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable
It was chaotic from the get-go as one member from each team looked to dominate the match in the early goings with the Usos joining the commentary team. Gable showed off his freakish strength with a double German Suplex on Big E and Aiden English. This dude has immense talent.
After a series of exchanges, Gable and Benjamin started working on Xavier Woods in the corner. A momentary distraction from English was enough for Woods to create some separation with an enziguiri on Benjamin.
The final stages of the match saw countless teasers of English and Rusev pulling off a much-needed upset. A double powerbomb from Rusev and a picture-perfect splash from English too weren't enough to get the win.
At one point, Rusev had both Gable and Woods in the accolade amidst deafening chants in the All-State Arena. Benjamin, however, made the save and went to work on Big E. A well-placed knee to the jaw of Big E, who was stationary on the top rope was enough to stun the big man.
Benjamin got him up on his shoulders and Gable did the honours of leaping off the top and executing their double team finisher. Pinfall. 1...2...3!
Result: Benjamin and Gable become the new #1 contenders for the tag team titles
The friction between Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan continued to be prominently featured as the two authority figures were part of a really uncomfortable backstage segment.
Shane O'Mac fired a host of questions regarding Bryan's decision for the night and accused him of favouritism towards Zayn and KO. Bryan told McMahon to have faith in him and told him that he got things under control.
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. Breezango
For some reason, The Ascension got Breezango a rematch against the intimidating duo of Rowan and Harper. This was more of a re-squash of sorts as Harper and Rowan steamrolled through the fashion icons of the WWE.
But they had evil intentions in mind as Harper broke the count and looked to inflict serious damage on Breeze. The Ascension's music hits and the forgotten badasses from the Wastelands came out to save their friends. It was more of a hit and run as they fled away with the corpses of Breeze and Fandango.
Result: The Bludgeon Brothers def. Breenzango via DQ
The Ascension challenged the Bludgeon Brothers to a match next week in a bid to get some retribution for Breeze and Fandango.
Ruby Riott vs. Naomi
In a surprising turn of events, it hardly took ruby Riott under a minute to dispose of a former Women's Champion in Naomi. The match itself wasn't the focal point here as the Riott Squad unleashed a brutal attack on Naomi after the match.
Result: Riott def. Naomi
Charlotte Flair was the first to run out to make the save but the three new upstarts got the better of the SmackDown Women's Champion. Just when it all seemed like it would end with Flair and Naomi laying on their backs, with the Riott Squad with their arms raised, Natalya returned after a week's absence but she wasn't alone. She was flanked by Carmella, Tamina and Lana. Riott and her stablemates did the smart thing and retreated as Natalya, despite her breakdown at Clash of Champion that hinted at a retirement, looked happy in leading the charge against the troublesome trio.
AJ Styles cut a regular "SmackDown will always be the house A....J...Styles...Built" promo backstage and as always, was insanely over however average his promo may have seemed.
Bobby Roode vs. Baron Corbin (US Championship Tournament 1st round match)
Corbin flung Roode into the barricade, landed a huge right into Roode's sternum and looked in complete control. The Lone Wolf speared Roode and threw him into the barricade.
Roode was taken out of the ring and more punishment came his way in the form of a clothesline. The action shifted back in the ring and Roode finally got some momentum going for him with a clothesline.
Roode went up to the top rope and delivered a Blockbuster for the 2-count. Corbin got up, ent for the End of Days but Roode countered with an attempted DDT. Roode, in turn, reversed it into the Deep Six for a really close fall.
Roode then went up to the top turnbuckle but Corbin followed him up. Roode headbutted him off the apron and rolled him up for a surprise finish.
Bobby Roode defeated Baron Corbin
Jinder Mahal vs. Tye Dillinger (US Title Tournament 1st round match)
WWE conveniently booked Jinder Mahal in a match against the Perfect Ten. Mahal was on top of Dillinger for the majority of the match before he made the babyface comeback.
The Modern Day Maharaj's somehow started bleeding from his mouth and despite the physical setback, he kicked out of a Dillinger DDT and countered with the Khalas for the three count.
Result: Mahal def. Dillinger
Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura confirmed their inclusion in the Royal Rumble match in a backstage interview with Renee Young.
Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles
The main event of the evening got underway as soon as the two men -- who've had quite the rivalry this year -- made their respective entrances.
Styles started off hot by applying the calf crusher on Owens in the middle of the ring but the Prizefighter somehow got to the ropes. The momentum shifted in Owens' favour after a brief slip-up. The former Universal Champion the went on to wear the WWE Champion down with a chin lock. He shut a comeback down with a couple of strikes followed by a downward elbow.
Styles continued to be on the receiving end of a gruelling beatdown after SmackDown returned from a commercial break. After countless headlocks, Styles finally created some separation with a facebuster.
Owens got up and countered with the neckbreaker for a near fall. The bout transformed into a back and forth encounter as Styles got a really close fall with the Ushigoroshi. He connected with a Pele Kick and tried for the Phenomenal Forearm. Owens caught in mid-air in the fireman's carry position and executed a gut buster. He went up to the top rope and delivered a flip elbow on Styles. 1....2....kickout! An incredible sequence of moves as Styles looked for the Phenomenal forearm at the end. However, Zayn jumped up on the apron and distracted Styles. Owens took advantage and landed a superkick right on Styles' jaw.
He got the closest fall of the match. The interference prompted Shane O'Mac to come out and get the situation under control. McMahon made it worse as Owens took advantage of the chaos and rolled Styles up for the win, much to the dismay of both Styles and McMahon.
Result: Kevin Owens def. AJ Styles
