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WWE SmackDown kicked off with AJ Styles coming out to celebrate his Intercontinental Championship win from last week. A lot of superstars were there at ringside to celebrate with him including King Corbin, Heavy Machinery, The New Day, Nakamura, Sheamus & Cesaro. AJ then said that only one person was qualified to present him the title and pointed at Daniel Bryan.
Bryan got in the ring and picked up the title and after AJ mocked him, calling him a coward, placed the title around Styles' waist. Bryan got on the mic and said that if AJ was as good a champ as he thought he was, he would defend his title right then. Bryan said that Drew Gulak had earned his title shot and AJ should face him tonight on SmackDown.
AJ said that he would only face the No.1 Contender before Matt Riddle's music hit. Riddle came out to the SmackDown ring and started mocking AJ before Styles attacked him. Riddle fought him off and kicked the champ out of the ring before we headed for commercials on SmackDown.
AJ Styles vs. Matt Riddle
We returned to SmackDown to see a match was underway but AJ announced that it wasn't going to be title match because Riddle didn't have any shoes on. AJ took a German Suplex right out of the gate and two Gutwrench Suplexes before managing to get any offense in. Riddle hit a huge kick to the face and then a running senton on AJ after a near fall.
AJ took Riddle into the corner and then hit a dropkick, taking the SmackDown rookie down to the mat. Riddle was sent over the ropes before he dragged AJ out, running into Corbin who was at ringside. Corbin hit Riddle as we headed for another break on SmackDown.
AJ Styles vs. Matt Riddle (contd...)
The SmackDown match continued with AJ in control as he hit a Dragonscrew and Riddle's legs were showing signs of wear. Riddle hit a suplex before locking in a submission but Styles countered it. Styles locked in the calf crusher but Riddle found the ropes. AJ and Bryan got into it at ringside before Riddle sneaked in with the Bro Derek for the huge win on his SmackDown debut!
Result: Matt Riddle def. AJ Styles
Match rating: A
Jeff Hardy was backstage on SmackDown and said that he dealing with negative emotions brought on by Sheamus and that his loss only added to the doubt in his abilities. He later added that Sheamus was a miserable, insecure, bully.
Shorty G said in a backstage interview that he wasn't afraid of facing Mojo Rawley, up next on SmackDown, while Rawley was creeping up behind him. Gable made a joke about having eyes in the back of his head as he turned around and punched Mojo.
Mojo Rawley vs. Shorty G
Rawley unloaded on Shorty out of the gate but took a huge suplex followed by a near fall on SmackDown. Shorty was caught in a tackle but managed to kick out.
Gable hit a German Suplex and went up top but was caught by Rawley. Shorty reversed the following move and got the pin off an inside trade, ending the SmackDown match within minutes of starting.
Result: Shorty G def. Mojo Rawley
Match rating: C
Miz & Morrison were back for Miz TV's return to SmackDown and after explaining their loss at Backlash they introduced their guest for tonight, Mandy Rose. The hosts were talking about Sonya Deville and took Sonya's side before Mandy started to walk out.
The hosts then brought out Deville who came out and started trashing on Mandy. Rose fired back at her, calling her 'alone' and Deville said wanted the special treatment that Mandy gets. They got into a fight and Miz got in the middle, letting Sonya run away. Rose slapped Miz and left the SmackDown ring.
The New Day vs. Lucha House Party
Bayley and Sasha Banks were out to watch the match on SmackDown and support the New Day. In the ring, Kofi and Lince were going at it and Metalik was tagged in for a double team move. Big E came in and hit Belly to Belly suplex before taking a dropkick from the ropes.
Dorado sent Big E to the floor with a diving hurricanrana before Metalik spiked Kofi with a Michinoku Driver. Dorado followed up with a splash and Big E broke up the pinfall. Kofi avoided another dive from Dorado and planted him with a Cave-In before the New Day picked up the win with the Midnight Hour.
Result: The New Day def. Lucha House Party
After the match, Nakamura and Cesaro attacked the SmackDown champs and hit their combined finishers on Kofi and Big E before having a talk with the commentators about being overlooked.
Match rating: B
Alexa Bliss, Naomi, Lacey Evans, Tamina, and Dana Brooke were backstage during SmackDown with all five women holding grudges against Bayley and Sasha Banks. Dana Brooke attempted to unite them, hoping to put an end to the reign of the Golden Role Models for good. Before they could get there though, Bliss went off to find Nikki Cross.
Sheamus was backstage on SmackDown and faked sincerity before admitting he was a bully and that he enjoyed bullying 'Jeff the Junkie'.
Nikki Cross attacked Sasha and Bayley who were still at the announce tables and Alexa joined her there as well.
Nikki wanted a match with Banks and before The Boss could reject it, Bayley made the match official.
We returned to SmackDown to see that a match was made official between the Banks and Cross.
Nikki Cross vs. Sasha Banks
Cross and Banks were in the ring as we returned and Cross was soon hammering away at Banks who was caught in the apron.
Back in the ring, Sasha caught Nikki on the apron but Cross hit a tornado DDT to get a near fall. Banks hit a Meteora and got the quick win off the following pin.
Result: Sasha Banks def. Nikki Cross
Match rating: C
The Firefly Funhouse was back and it was revealed that Bray Wyatt was still shaken by his defeat at the hands of Braun when Strowman came out to the ring. Braun said that Wyatt failed to beat him and that this rivalry was over on SmackDown.
Wyatt laughed it off and said that Braun's story was just getting started as he returned to the old Bray Wyatt costume. Wyatt said it was his duty to 'destroy' Braun and told him to follow the buzzards before SmackDown came to a close.
Episode rating: A
A few very short matches were followed by some great promos and the AJ-Riddle bout was the highlight of the night.
