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AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (Intercontinental Championship Tournament First-Round match)
AJ Styles returned to SmackDown, to the house that he built, to rekindle his long-standing rivalry against Shinsuke Nakamura.
Both the Superstars made their respective entrances and they got underway. AJ Styles pressured Nakamura early on by pushing him into the corner.
They jockeyed for position in the early moments of the match. They cancelled each other out with chained counter attacks. Styles double chopped Nakamura to the throat but he got a stomp to the feet in response from The Artist.
AJ took control of the match with a dropkick. The chops on Nakamura's chest echoed around the empty PC. Shinsuke tipped the scales in his favour by connecting with a knee strike to the gut.
They exchanged big blows to the face in the centre. Styles dropped Nakamura with a step-up Enziguri. Nakamura, however, took over with Taiji Ishimori Sliding German Suplex on Styles as we went to a commercial break.
Nakamura pummeled Styles with kicks to the chest as we returned from the break.
It was announced by Michael Cole that Styles was officially moved to SmackDown.
The Phenomenal One stopped Nakamura in his tracks with a Pele kick and both men were down on the mat. Styles followed it up with a clothesline and a spinning elbow combo.
AJ picked Nakamura up and planted Nakamura with a Ushigoroshi. He got a 2-count. Nakamura got up and ended up getting caught in a Calf Crusher. Shinsuke broke the hold by reaching out to the ropes.
Nakamura created some separation, went for the sliding knee, but Styles moved out and connected with an elbow. He got another close fall.
Nakamura fought back and drove Styles into the mat with a Michinoku Driver. Styles kicked out at 2. Nakamura went for the Exploder Suplex but Styles blocked. The Artist connected with a sliding knee and nonchalantly pinned Styles for a 2-count.
Nakamura had Styles positioned for the Kinshasa but Styles moved out and reversed it. He got caught in an Arm Triangle choke but Styles lifted Nakamura up and delivered a modified Styles Clash. Both men were down.
Styles was now out on the apron and he first hit Nakamura with the kick followed by Phenomenal Forearm. Pinfall, 1...2...3! AJ Styles advanced to the next round.
Result: AJ Styles def. Shinsuke Nakamura
Match Rating - B+
It was announced during the match on SmackDown that AJ Styles is now officially a full-time member of the SmackDown roster, which makes him the favourite to win the tournament.
WWE aired a vignette of last week's SmackDown segment featuring Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks and Bayley. Bayley and Sasha Banks were then involved in a backstage segment on SmackDown and Bayley told Sasha to not accompany her to the ring. The Champion vs. Champion match was up next on SmackDown.
WWE plugged the Backlash match between Edge and Randy Orton during the break.
