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Jeff Hardy and Sheamus were backstage before SmackDown kicked off and they hyped up tonight's bar fight. Even JBL made a small appearance to promote the match. We got a glimpse of the bar the match was going to take place in and Sheamus' bartender was already there, getting things ready.
Bayley and Sasha Banks were out first on SmackDown and told us the new definition of 'greatness', which was them.
Nikki Cross came out with Alexa Bliss and said that they stole her chance. Nikki demanded a rematch and Bayley said that she would give her a rematch if she could beat...Alexa. Nikki was fired up and shoved Alexa down before heading to the ring.
Nikki Cross vs. Alexa Bliss
We returned to SmackDown to see the match was underway and Banks and Bayley were on commentary. Alexa was in control early and almost got a rollup pin before they traded holds.
Cross blocked a chop and moved up for a tornado DDT. Bliss countered but was tossed into the corner for the clothesline/bulldog combination. Alexa was caught in the apron but took Nikki down before she could get any shots in.
The tag champs were cheering the two on before Alexa and Cross turned to them and took them out at ringside. We returned to SmackDown after a break to see Nikki dominating the match as she hit a backbreaker and the reverse DDT but Alexa still kicked out.
Cross missed a frog splash and hurt her injured ribs before the referee asked Alexa to stand down while checking up on Nikki. Cross took the momentary distraction to roll Alexa up and get the win on SmackDown.
Result: Nikki Cross def. Alexa Bliss and will face Bayley for the SmackDown Women's title next week
Match rating: B
Backstage on SmackDown, Alexa and Nikki were on good terms once more as they hugged it out.
The FireFly Funhouse was back on SmackDown and after a recap short of the Swamp Match, Bray Wyatt fondly recalled it as a 'Family Reunion'. He hinted that Braun was trapped in the swamp forever before speaking to the lantern that represented his past self, telling it that its time was 'done now' and that it was 'his (the Fiend's) turn now'.
Matt Riddle was out next before SmackDown headed for commercials. We returned to see him in a match against Tony Nese.
Matt Riddle vs. Tony Nese
Riddle was dominating from the get-go but Nese hit the triangle moonsault and trapped Riddle in the body scissors. Riddle recovered and continued his assault as the match went on.
Riddle attempted the BroDeric but Nese countered it. A series of strikes and suplexes set Nese up for the second attempt to the BroDeric and Riddle got the quick pin on the former Cruiserweight champ on SmackDown.
Result: Matt Riddle def. Tony Nese
Match rating: C
After the match, Riddle called out King Corbin for attacking him previously on SmackDown. Corbin came out and put a 'King's Ransom' for anyone who could take him down. Nese crept up behind The Original Bro but was taken out before the segment ended.
Backstage on SmackDown, The Miz and John Morrison were trying to figure out how to create some online hype to get John over.
JBL was back on SmackDown to hype the Bar Fight and gave us his out previous experience getting into the same kind of match with Ron Simmons.
Miz and Morrison were up next on SmackDown and gave us the hashtag MoreMorrison before calling in Naomi. They kept making jokes about Naomi's losses and made the 'Seth Rollins rating of sickness' joke a second time.
Miz and Morrison called in their second guest, Lacey Evans who came out and made even more fun of Naomi. Naomi attacked Lacey, messing up her makeup and before Evans retreated while fixing her lipstick. Priorities.
We learned on SmackDown that Kofi Kingston would be out for at least six weeks after the injury he sustained at Extreme Rules. Kofi pushed Big E to go on a singles run for the meantime.
Gran Metalik vs. Lince Dorado vs. Shorty G vs. Drew Gulak - No.1 Contender's match for the Intercontinental Championship
The Lucha House Party were dominating early on SmackDown as Metalik wiped out Gulak at ringside and then dodged a suplex from Shorty G. Gable took a dropkick and Gulak broke the following pin.
Dorado hit a big boot to Gulak and hit a huge dive outside the ropes before Gable hit a moonsault, taking out the three other contestants. We returned to SmackDown after a break to see Gulak break a pin from Gable as they traded suplexes in the ring.
Gulak and Gable teamed up against Metalik before Dorado almost got the pin on Gulak. The Lucha House Party were fighting among themselves before Shorty G took advantage and almost got a pin on Metalik.
The Gu-lock was in but Gable reversed it before getting the Ankle lock before Dorado hit a splash. Shorty G took Gulak out on the outside and took out Lince before Metalik hit a move from the ropes and got the win on SmackDown.
Result: Gran Metalik won the Fatal 4-Way and will face AJ Styles for the Intercontinental Championship
Match rating: A
After the match on SmackDown, AJ Styles went for a handshake but slapped Metalik. Metalik hit him back and then threw AJ out of the ring.
We got a recap of Mandy and Otis' 'love story' and they were scheduled to show up on SmackDown next week.
Backstage on SmackDown, Nakamura and Cesaro were enjoying their title reign and made fun of Kofi's injury and Big E's singles career.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus - Bar Fight
Sheamus was at the bar early and Jeff was nowhere to be seen. Jeff arrived in time and refused a drink before pouring himself a glass of beer and tossed it in Sheamus' face before the fight began.
Sheamus beat Jeff on the bar and then the concrete floor before he was tackled to the floor. Sheamus hit Jeff with a keg as they fought through a dimly lit corridor and ended up in the men's room.
Jeff's head went into a urinal before Sheamus was sent into a bathroom stall and they returned to the bar but Hardy had a ladder to beat Sheamus with.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus - Bar Fight (contd...)
Hardy was caught in mid air and was sent into a brick wall before Sheamus almost got him with an electric guitar. Jeff was sent straight into a drumkit before SmackDown headed for an ad break.
Back on SmackDown, Jeff was tackling Sheamus into the barstools and tables before smacking his head on the bar. Jeff hit a Twist of Fate and took him down before setting up a ladder and going up but the bartender attacked him.
Jeff promptly sent the bartender through a table but was taken out with a chair by Sheamus. Jeff was down and the Irishman got a drink before Jeff was suddenly back up and in full face paint.
Hardy smashed a bottle on Shemus's head and hit the Swanton Bomb from the ladder to get the pin.
Result: Jeff Hardy def. Sheamus
Match rating: A
Episode rating: A
We got another great episode of SmackDown with the Bar fight, a Fatal Four Way match, and two title matches announced for next week.
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