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This week's episode of SmackDown Live came to us from Keyarena in Seattle, WA, otherwise known as 'Daniel Bryan country'. Would it be just as explosive as RAW was? What would Mahal's big announcement be?
The show ended with a huge return announced for next week along with other major developments.
Read this recap and find out.
A very raucous opening segment
As Daniel Bryan made his way to the ring, we noticed that Michael Cole was filling in for SmackDown Live announcer, Tom Phillips, who was reportedly on 'assignment'. The WWE Universe was loud in Daniel Bryan country!
Bryan announced a 6 woman tag team match to kick off the show. He also said that Jinder Mahal had a special announcement and that there would be a Hell in a Cell rematch between Ziggler and Roode.
Bryan addressed Sami Zayn who made his way to ringside. Zayn said he's still the same guy he always was, but just took ownership of his 'career'. Zayn said the difference between Bryan and him was that Bryan had the crowd. The crowd never cheered for Zayn like they did for Bryan.
Zayn said if the WWE Universe hadn't gotten into Bryan's head, he would have worked smarter and not harder, and would have still had a career. In front of his home town, Zayn called Bryan a 'housewife'.
Kevin Owens joined the proceedings and called Bryan a 'hypocrite'. He claimed that Bryan was everything he fought against. Bryan is 'the authority'. Zayn called Bryan a 'sellout'.
Bryan left to find a couple of guys to beat up Owens and Zayn. A Hell in a Cell recap began with Charlotte Flair and Natalya.
Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch & Naomi vs. Natalya, Lana and Tamina Snuka
Carmella joined the proceedings at the announce table. Naomi and Natalya started things off, with Naomi on the offense. Becky Lynch was tagged in, and she continued the action. Carmella maintained that she did not care who the champion was. She could cash in at any time.
Lana and Naomi were in the ring we returned from commercial. Naomi tagged in Charlotte Flair who was fired up, after the heels prevented her from making the tag on several occasions.
With chops and a strut, Charlotte was in control. It became an all out brawl as all the women knocked each other out of the ring. Lana tried a roll up pin for a near fall, but Charlotte won the match with the Figure 8 to Lana.
Winner: Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch & Naomi
Charlotte Flair and Natalya fought outside the ring, as Charlotte Flair picked up a chair and Natalya made a retreat through the crowd.
We moved backstage where Daniel Bryan said that Owens and Zayn would be facing Orton and Nakamura in the main event match of the night.
Pulp Fashion is Back
Breezango returned with their Pulp Fiction parody. After a series of bad jokes, The Ascension said that the culprits had to be the Bludgeon Brothers. Tyler Breeze collapsed in a heap after feeding on a suspicious burger.
He awoke before Fandango could inject him with a huge injection. The segment ended with the conclusion that Breezango's briefcase had been stolen. There would be yet another edition, the week after. We went into commercial as Baron Corbin made his way to the ring.
Baron Corbin vs. Sin Cara
Corbin picked up the microphone and officially closed the US Open Challenge. Sin Cara took the fight to Corbin at the beginning with some really fiery moves. He flew off the top rope to the outside of the ring. Sin Cara won the non-title match by countout. A massive upset!
Winner: Sin Cara
The Usos were confronted by Gable and Benjamin backstage, who cut a rather Uso-esque promo. Gable and Benjamin even offered their hands in reconciliation but when The Usos extended their hands to shake them, Gable and Benjamin refused.
We saw Jinder Mahal approaching the ring, as we cut to commentary soon after.
The Maharaja's big announcement
We came back from commentary for a Bludgeon Brothers promo and highlights from Jinder Mahal's tour of India. Mahal spoke about how he got a hero's welcome at home. Mahal had a challenge for Survivor Series.
Based on a request from a little boy, Mahal challenged Brock Lesnar for the pay-per-view. Jinder Mahal looked to slay the legendary beast in Lesnar, but is that a sane choice?
AJ Styles made his way to the ring soon after. AJ challenged Mahal's claims of beating everyone on SmackDown Live. Mahal called Styles not worthy and maintained that in India, nobody would care about AJ Styles.
Styles reminded Mahal that he was in the United States and unleashed a furious assault on the champion. Styles stood tall as Mahal beat a hasty retreat.
Daniel Bryan was confronted by Mahal backstage, and Mahal said that Sunil Singh would take on Styles next week. Bryan agreed to the match, without question.
Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler seized the advantage early but Roode took Ziggler down with a clothesline. Ziggler delivered a picture perfect drop kick.
Ziggler had Roode in a sleeper hold after coming from commentary, but a slingshot evened the odds in Roode's favour. Roode went to the middle rope but Ziggler averted disaster. Roode ran into the ring post, and Ziggler picked up the win, after pulling on Roode's tights.
A big upset?
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
We came back from commercial to learn that Brock Lesnar would respond to Jinder Mahal on RAW. Aiden English was backstage, singing, when he saw two men on the phone. He scolded them for being on the phone when he was singing. New Day interrupted and these men joined them and lost their minds.
Rusev interrupted the proceedings and said that it wasn't New Day, but Rusev Day! A program may be brewing soon.Woods actually played Rusev's theme on the trombone. Impressive.
Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Zayn and Nakamura traded holds until Zayn seized the advantage with an arm drag. Nakamura regained control and delivered good vibrations. Orton was tagged in and Zayn tagged Owens in. Orton hit him with a few strong punches, but with Zayn's help Owens regained control
Owens drove Orton into the ring post and then delvered a fallaway slam soon after. The heels had the advantage, going into commentary.
We returned from commentary to see Zayn save Owens from Nakamura's big knee. The men started working on weakening Nakamura's left leg. A running senton could only score a 2 count. Nakamura regained advantage and scored a tag.
Orton came in, firing on all cylinders and took down both men. Zayn almost took a DDT to the floor, and then drove Zayn through a table. Orton delivered a power slam to Zayn for a near fall. With the referee distracted, Zayn delivered a low blow to Orton. A Helluva Kick followed and Zayn and Owens picked up the win.
Winner: Owens and Zayn
Zayn and Owens confronted Bryan in the back who informed the duo that Shane McMahon would be returning the week after. Owens and Zayn ended the show with a hug, as Owens proclaimed- 'Hug me. Hold me tight.'
Shane McMahon's return was confirmed for next week. Brock Lesnar will also be on RAW to respond to Jinder Mahal's challenge.
