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This week's RAW was all about the build towards No Mercy and over at SmackDown, the same happened for the blue brand's Hell in a Cell PPV.
With a huge tag team main event and a host of other storyline developments, the latest offering from the WWE was a decent affair. Below are the results and video highlights from the show:
Opening Segment
The Singh Brothers opened this week's SmackDown by introducing the Modern Day Maharaja, who looked as majestic as ever.
The WWE Champion comments on the main event set for tonight, in which he would go on to team up with Rusev in a match against the dream team of Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton.
He addressed the disrespect he garners from the WWE Universe and declared himself the face of Asia. He called the fans hypocrites and said that someone had to pay for the disrespect while addressing Shinsuke Nakamura.
The Singh Brothers interrupt the Champ and issue an apology for last week's slip-up in which they were unable to save the Maharaja from getting take out at the hands of the Artist.
The brothers go on to apologize to everyone under the son - the people of Asia, the 1.3 Billion people in India, their 'mummy and daddy', and most importantly, the Maharaja himself.
The duo claims that they will never let Nakamura or anyone touch Mahal ever again and requested Mahal to let them kiss his 'royal feet'.
Nakamura's theme hit and the deafening boos turned to cheers as the Artists made his way out to the ring. Mahal and his stooges get the better of the Japenese sensation before Orton came out to the make the save.
Mahal's tag team partner for the night, Rusev too made his presence felt. The segment ended with Nakamura being laid out with the Khalas.
The Gold Standard returns to action
Shelton Benjamin finally returned to in-ring action in the WWE after seven long years and it was totally worth the wait.
Benjamin and Chad Gable came out to a bouncy new entrance theme as they prepared to take on the criminally underused Ascension.
Viktor and Gable kicked off the match with Gable getting off to a great start. He tagged Benjamin in, who connected with a huge right and a couple of suplexes. It was Gable's turn now to showcase his suplexing skills as he got tagged in and hit a belly-to-belly suplex.
The momentum shifted in Ascension's favor as SD went into a commercial break. Back from the break, Gable took a little punishment before eventually making the hot tag to the Gold Standard.
Benjamin came in and delivered two clotheslines followed by an enzuigiri. He continued the onslaught on Viktor as he connected a huge clothesline from the top rope.He went on to drop him face first into the mat and successfully got the three-count.
Benjamin and Gable def. The Ascension
The Gold Standard looked impressive in his first WWE match in over 7 years! The new tag team has potential to be huge. Hope WWE doesn't screw this one up!
Tye Dillinger vs. AJ Styles (WWE United States Championship match)
The US Open Challenges is back!
AJ Styles made his way to the ring and called out any superstar who wanted a shot at his title. The Perfect Ten stepped up and answered the call!
The fans erupted as Tye Dillinger came down the ramp only to see Baron Corbin interrupt and attack him even before the match began. Tye knocked Corbin off and his US title match against Styles began
However, it was painstakingly short-lived for Tye as got caught in the Calf Crusher and was forced to tap out moments into the match. Corbin was at it again as he attacked Tye and attempted to do the same on Styles, who had him well-scouted and foiled his assault.
The Lone Wolf looked bemused, as usual!
A backstage segment featuring Rusev and Mahal aired next as the two caught up before their match. The Bulgarian Brute stole the spotlight here as he made a big statement by making his intentions clear of coming after Mahal's WWE title. He claimed that he was on SmackDown not to make friends but to become WWE Champion. Machka is awesome!
Mike Kanellis vs. Bobby Roode
Kanellis himself must have known before the match that he was in for a Glorious squash! Nevertheless, the fans of the blue brand love the 'greatest acquisition in Sports Entertainment'.
The two locked horns as Kanellis targetted Roode's left arm. Roode countered and mocked Mike by rotating on top of him. After a brief round of dominance for Mike, Roode connected with the popular chops on Kanellis and upped the ante and the speed of the match.
He floored Mike with the Blockbuster from the second rope. He followed it up with a an epic Spinebuster, a Glorious DDT, and then the three count.
Bobby Roode def. Mike Kanellis
It's surprising to see Roode work as a face on SmackDown Live after a successful heel run down at NXT. A proper main roster heel turn could be coming soon, just saying.
Kevin Owens has snapped!
Aiden English was in the ring doing his regular singing shtick before a visibly frustrated Owens interrupted the proceedings.
The former US Champion trashed the fans in attendance and requested English to vacate the ring. Did English oblige? Damn right he did!
Owens addressed the controversy from last week and vented his frustrations out regarding Shane McMahon. He was distraught on being screwed over by Shane O'Mac and just to remind the fans about what happened, a recap from last week played.
KO highlighted the fact that just over a year ago, the greatest moment in WWE history happened when he became WWE Universal Champion. 365 days later, KO is without a title and is being screwed over.
He reminisced the 'good old days' on RAW, and claimed that a classy Stephanie McMahon would never abuse her power on the red brand as her brother does on the blue counterpart.
This was the cue for the SD Live commissioner to show up and he did so to a huge pop.
Shane reminded Owens that it was him who picked the referee and that Corbin was biased. Shane told him that he lost to Styles fair and square and that he had no option but to wear the black and whites after Corbin bailed out.
Shane added that he was tired of complaining and asked Aiden English to get back in the ring, and introduced Sami Zayn as his opponent for the night.
A Sami Zayn vs. Aiden English
English got a two-count to begin the match as a result of a suplex. Zayn recovered quickly and clotheslined English out of the ring. He went for the and just the two count.
Zayn then went up to the top rope, but Owens entered the ring and surprisingly took the referee's shirt.
What just happened!
KO, in the midst of all the confusion, declared himself the referee and laid Zayn out with the Pop-Up Powerbomb! English picked up the scarps and pinned Zayn. KO made the quick count as he slapped the mat in anger in the process.
Kevin Owens looked deranged!
Aiden English def. Sami Zayn
Post match, Shane O'Mac said that the English-Zayn match didn't count and added that he was on his way out of the arena to confront Owens. Things were bound to get explosive!
Dolph Ziggler was involved in a backstage interview as he was asked about this new persona he had adopted. The Show Off claimed that the WWE Universe would have to wait until next week to see his new avatar.
New Day vs. The Usos (Winner decides the stipulation for their title rematch)
The New Day come out with boxes of Booty O's as Big E and Kofi Kingston were the ones who would represent the trio tonight. Woods seemed to be injured as he had a 'it's sore' sign in his hand.
Jimmy kicked off the bout with a right hands on Big E as the champs asserted control of the match. Big E created some separation as both teams tagged.
Kofi came in hot with a couple of clotheslines and a dropkick followed by a New Day boom drop. The momentum ended with Jey's swift kick.
Jimmy got tagged in and superkick Big E right in his jaw. Jey looked for the pop-up Samoan Drop but Kofi responded with a Dragon Sleeper submission.
The match saw a controversial finish as Jey came in and rolled up Kofi for the three-count, albeit holding up is tights.
The Usos def. New Day and will choose the stipulation for the Tag Team titles rematch.
Squash Squash Squash!
It was time to build up the Nia Jax of SmackDown, TA-MI-NA!!
Lana was out in the ring first as she introduced 'the most dominant and feared women wrestler in the WWE' Tamina.
Tamina was scheduled to destroy to a hopeless enhancement talent (local jobber). The jobber drew first blood, but Tamina retaliated with a couple of kicks followed by a stiff one to the jaw. Lights out Jobber!
Tamina picked up the win. A decent beginning of the Tamina Snuka era?
Fashion Files season 2 aired its first episode and it was incredible as usual!
Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jinder Mahal & Rusev
Nakamura and Orton attacked Mahal and Rusev even before the bell is rung. Nakamura and Orton stand tall in the ring, as we head into the commercial break...
Mahal and Nakamura kick off the in-ring action as Nakamura connected with a kick on Mahal;
Nakamura connected with the jawbreaker and tagged Orton. The Viper stunned Jinder Mahal with a host of punches, uppercuts, and stomps. Mahal looked for the clothesline but Orton ducked and attempted the RKO. Mahal blocked and was sent out of the ring. Orton then sent Mahal back first into the barricade
Orton slammed Mahal into the mat. However, the Singh Brothers distracted the referee and Rusev took advantage and pinned Orton down with a huge kick. The Bulgarian Brute landed some good kicks and locked him in a submission hold.
Orton created some separation and made the hot tag to the Rockstar. The pop is deafening! Nakamura toom Ruseb out with a big kick. He yielded a near fall and followed it up with an exploder suplex. Rusev reversed, but Nakamura replied with an attempted cross arm breaker.
Orton came in and went for the RKO, Rusev, though, shoved him into the ropes. Nakamura then laid Rusev out with a knee strike from the second rope. Kinshasa! 1-2-3!
Orton and Nakamura def. Mahal and Rusev
The winners initially smiled at each other but things turned volatile as Orton snapped and shocked Nakamura with an RKO outta nowhere! Next week's #1 contenders match for the WWE title just got more interesting!
This could have been Orton's much-needed heel turn or just a notice ahead of next week's big match! We'll have to wait and watch out this unfolds next week.
