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SmackDown Live began with AJ Styles, who came out to the ring only to demand payback for what Shinsuke Nakamura did last week to disrupt his match with Daniel Bryan; he said he wants a rematch.
He also wanted to confront Nakamura for his actions since WrestleMania. The World Champion lay down a challenge for the King of Strong Style but the ones to appear on the stage are Rusev and Aiden English.
#1 AJ Styles vs. Rusev
A few moments of banter later, Rusev stepped in the ring with Styles for a short match. AJ had Rusev in a calf crusher before Aiden English interrupted and the match ended in an instant DQ. Daniel Bryan appeared in the ring to help out AJ who was outnumbered and together they drove away AJ's attackers.
Result: AJ Styles def. Rusev via DQ
Backstage, SmackDown GM Paige announced that the main event will be Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles vs Rusev and English.
Shelton Benjamin was out looking for blood, trying to prove that he doesn't need Chad Gable to be successful in WWE. He demanded a big-name opponent and Randy Orton appeared but that was a red herring; he was followed by United States Champion Jeff Hardy who was the real opponent
#2 Shelton Benjamin vs. Jeff Hardy
Benjamin wasted no time throwing Hardy outside the ring as we headed into a commercial break.
During the commercial, Benjamin had Hardy in a submission move which he barely escaped and Jeff returned the favour with a dropkick into the corner.
Both men were down as we returned to the show and Hardy delivered an atomic drop on Benjamin.
Hardy made his way to the top rope but was stopped by Benjamin at the last moment. Benjamin hit the Charismatic Enigma with a huge knee to the jaw as he was still on the ropes.
Hardy threw Benjamin off him and followed up with a Whisper in the WInd. Hardy failed to get a pinfall. The US champion went for a cardiac arrest kick but was kicked in the stomach.
Hardy was back in control seconds later with a Twist of Fate and then the Swanton Bomb followed by a pin. 1...2...3... Hardy wins his first SmackDown match as WWE US Champion!
Result: Jeff Hardy def. Shelton Benjamin
Backstage, The Miz announced that he will be making his first SmackDown appearance since the Shake-up next week.
We returned from commercial to learn that Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose will be coming to SmackDown Live.
#3 Luke Harper vs Jey Uso
Another quick match, Luke Harper was hit by a kick to the gut and a right hand early. Eric Rowan attacked Jimmy Uso, causing a distraction. Jey Uso got hammered with a Discus Clothesline for the 3-count by Harper.
Result: Harper def. Jey Uso
Some post-match carnage took place as The Bludgeon Brothers continued their assault on the Usos. Eric Rowan found a sledgehammer and looked like he would end Jimmy's career but his wife Naomi appeared to back him up, which caused The Bludgeon Brothers to retreat.
#4 Sin Cara vs Samoa Joe
Another SmackDown debut took place tonight with Samoa Joe appearing for a match with Sin Cara.
Joe hit the Muay Thai knees right out of the gate and Sin Cara hit the springboard back elbow but Joe hit back with a combo of strikes. Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch and it was over almost as soon as it began.
Result: Samoa Joe def. Sin Cara via submission
Samoa Joe declared a personal vendetta against top names like Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton an AJ Styles after calling the Blue Brand a land of opportunity.
He also made a promise to decimate what's left of Roman Reigns after his fight with Brock Lesnar - pretty much the same thing he has been arguing with Reigns about for over two weeks.
We got a glimpse of SAnitY during the commercials with the announcement that they have been drafted to SmackDown Live.
In a short backstage segment, Big Cass showed up to mock Daniel Bryan.
#5 Mellabration
SmackDown Women's Champion Carmella showed up to claim her moment in the spotlight. She mentioned she's the Princess of SmackDown Live now and that her place is on the top of the Women's division.
She joked about beating Charlotte Flair, the legend who broke Asuka's streak. Carmella named her title belt "Cleopatra" and declared that she'll keep the title longer than 287 days. A few moments of bragging later, Charlotte showed up to interrupt.
Charlotte said she wasn't mad because she knew the dirtiest players in the game, Charlotte says she respects it and congratulates Carmella.
Charlotte gave Carmella some advice, saying that it's harder to stay on top when The Iconics music hit. The Iconics mocked Charlotte. Peyton mocks Charlotte for being a crybaby.
The Iconics attack Charlotte yet again but this time Becky Lynch showed up to make the rescue as we broke for a commercial break.
#6 Charlotte Flair vs Billie Kay
Charlotte and Kay were brawling ringside already when we returned from the ad-break. The action headed back into the ring as Charlotte sent Kay face-first into the turnbuckle.
Kay delivered a very stiff left hand to the face of Charlotte causing her to fall to the mat. She administered a sitting armbar and Charlotte seemed to be in pain.
Kay went for a roll-up pin but failed to get the three count. Billie went back to attacking the arm with another submission move just in time for another commercial break.
Mid-break, Kay was focusing on dismantling Charlotte's arm and we cut back to it. Charlotte caught Kay with a knee to the back of the head, regaining some control.
Kay hit a suplex to Charlotte but The Queen hit back with a knee and went for a neckbreaker but Kay reversed it with a boot to the jaw.
Charlotte hit Kay with a big boot and locked in the Figure 8. Kay tapped out and right as we thought it was over, Carmella attacked Charlotte and hit her with the title. Royce attacked Lynch who was at ringside and chaos ensued yet again.
While Carmella was kicking down Lynch who tried to help Charlotte, Asuka appeared on Smackdown and drove away The Iconics with a vicious attack; Carmella had enough common sense to run away before she got hurt.
The New Day, Tye Dillinger and R Truth were seen engaging in some shenanigans backstage, as we returned from commercials before it was announced Andrade 'Cien' Almas had been drafted to SmackDown Live. Time for the main event!
#7 AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan vs. Rusev & Aiden English
English and Bryan kicked off the match and the former SmackDown GM took control of the match early with a few big hits before a huge double team move with the help of Styles.
Styles was the legal man who had English in a calf crusher but Rusev stepped in to help. Bryan wasted no time stopping Rusev in his tracks with a submission of his own and both members of Rusev Day hastily escaped the ring.
Back from commercials, Styles and English were still the legal men and English was in control with a headlock on Styles.
The WWE champion got out of it but wiped out after a failed attempt at a possible clothesline. Rusev was tagged in and he kept Styles from making the tag with a painful looking bear hug. Styles and Bryan were inches away before Rusev drove the WWE champion into the opposite corner.
English was back in the ring again as he kept the pressure on against an already out of breath Styles.
Styles made another desperate attempt at a tag but failed. Styles connected with a huge Pele kick and both men were down.
Two tags happened at the same time and Bryan immediately attacked Rusev and caught him in an armbar before English interfered, breaking it up.
Bryan fought him off and delivered the 'Yes' kicks on Rusev followed by his signature knee to the head. Nakamura appeared out of nowhere and hit Styles with a low blow while Cass delivered a big boot to the face of Daniel Bryan, ending the match in a DQ.
Result: AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan vs. Rusev Day ended in a DQ finish
Nakamura headed out as Cass stared down a fallen Bryan in the ring and Styles still on the ground outside. Renee Young confronted Shinsuke about his actions and he replies: "No Speak English" and Cass was seen towering over Bryan.
