Smackdown Live | Concussive Retribution
July 25, 2017

Opening Segment
Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan come to the ring. They talk about how Daniel was forced to retire due to concussions, and how some moves had to be banned to prevent further cases like his. They say that Seth Rollins's Curb Stomp was one of those moves, and since he used it last week, he has been fined $10,000. AJ Styles comes out with Rusev and Lana. Styles says that they're being too lenient, that he could have been seriously injured last week, and that he thinks that Rollins should be suspended and stripped of his title opportunity. Rusev volunteers to take Seth's place at Summerslam, by virtue of defeating him last week. Shane and Daniel say that's not going to happen. Seth Rollins comes out with Shelton Benjamin in tow. He says he has no problem with the fine, and that he feels he's gotten even for the attack from Styles and Rusev last week. Shelton says that Rollins might have been the one seriously injured last week, and that's why he intervened. AJ says that this isn't Shelton's business, but Bryan says that it is his business now, and makes a tag team match between the two pairs for tonight's main event.
86% Rating

Smackdown Tag Team Titles #1 Contender's Match
American Alpha def. The Usos (9:39)
77% Rating

Segment
Renee Young interviews Cesaro and Sheamus backstage. Sheamus says he didn't really care either way who won that last match, because they've beaten both the Usos and American Alpha, and they'll surely beat Alpha again next week. However, Cesaro says he's happy that Gable and Jordan won, as he definitely had fun in their first match. Sheamus rolls his eyes as Cesaro wishes the challengers luck next week and says may the best team win.
72% Rating

Singles Match
Mojo Rawley def. Viktor [w/Konnor] (3:54)
Konnor attempts to interfere, but it backfires.
After the match, The Ascension start to beat down on Mojo to get revenge, but Zack Ryder makes his return to save his partner.
66% Rating

Segment
Becky Lynch comes to the ring. She says she hasn't been able to talk to Charlotte Flair all week, and that she wants to speak with her now. Charlotte comes out and says there's nothing to talk about; her actions last week speak for themselves. Becky says that's not true at all, and that it's hard to explain why Charlotte would attack her best friend for no reason. Charlotte says she wanted a title shot, that's the only reason, and that was the easiest way to make that clear. She says Becky didn't beat her at Money in the Bank to win the title, she beat Alexa, and that she didn't beat her at Battleground to defend it, she beat Naomi. She says that at Summerslam, she wants a singles match for the title, to prove that Becky can't beat her. Becky is flabbergasted. She asks if that's it and calls Charlotte a piece of work. She says Charlotte could have asked for another match and she would have gotten it. She tells Charlotte has gone too far this time, and while she accepts, she's gonna put up the fight of her life at Summerslam to make sure she beats Charlotte and gives her some time away from the title picture to realize what a bad friend she's being. Charlotte says she knows she's being a bad friend, but that title is more important than any friendship.
78% Rating

Singles Match
Bray Wyatt [w/Erick Rowan] def. Apollo Crews (6:12)
78% Rating

[A promotional video for Summerslam plays, followed by the announcers hyping tonight's Main Event.]

Segment
Randy Orton comes to the ring. He says Shinsuke Nakamura made the biggest mistake of his life by challenging him last week, but before he can continue, Nakamura's music interrupts him and Shinsuke comes out. Nakamura gets in the ring and doesn't say anything. Randy doesn't say anything. They stand there staring each other down for several seconds. Orton goes for an RKO but stops, seeing that Nak had his hands up, ready to counter. Randy laughs; Shinsuke laughs. Orton slowly leaves the ring and starts walking up the ramp, chuckling to himself. This leaves Nakamura in the ring to hold the MitB briefcase in the air.
84% Rating

Segment
The camera quickly cuts backstage, as several members of the locker room are trying to hold Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin apart. Sami is yelling at Baron while being held back by Tye Dillinger and Apollo Crews (who is not very effective due to being beaten earlier), telling him that he's had anough and that it's time for him to take the Intercontinental Championship from him. Corbin, standing behind Dolph Ziggler and both members of Breezango, says that Zayn doesn't deserve a shot because he lost to Bray Wyatt at Battleground. He says that he'd gladly give Wyatt a shot, and that Wyatt was even out there this week winning a match, unlike Sami, after which he shoots Crews a smug look. Daniel Bryan shows up, and Zayn asks him for a title match. Bryan says he heard everything, and he thinks that Corbin has a point, but that he's going to give Sami a #1 contender's match next week...against the man that beat him in King of the Ring, Bray Wyatt.
76% Rating

Singles Match
Emma def. Alexa Bliss (11:30)
As Emma is celebrating, Alexa sneaks up behind her and attacks again. Bliss beats her down for a while before grabbing a Kendo Stick from under the ring and caning her a few times.
73% Rating

Segment
The Hype Bros are backstage, being...well, hype. Mojo says Zack didn't tell him he was returning tonight. Ryder says he wanted it to be a surprise, but didn't think he'd have to return in the form of a rescue. Mojo says it's good that he did, because now they get to show The Ascension who's boss. Zack agrees, and they fist bump.
67% Rating

Tag Team Match
WWE Champion AJ Styles and Rusev [w/Lana] def. Seth Rollins and Shelton Benjamin (14:33)
AJ pins Shelton after interference by Lana.
AJ spends most of the match staying as far away as he can from Rollins.
85% Rating


Show Rating: 77%
Viewership: 2,810,000


Confirmed Matches for SummerSlam

Smackdown:

WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs Seth Rollins

Singles Match
Randy Orton vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs Charlotte Flair

Raw:

Universal Championship | Triple Threat Match
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman

United States Championship
Jinder Mahal (c) vs John Cena

Raw Women's Championship
Sasha Banks (c) vs Bayley

Raw Tag Team Championships
The Hardys (c) vs The New Day

Smackdown Live | Fear and Resolve
August 1, 2017

Opening Segment
Sami Zayn comes to the ring. He says that tonight is a very important night; if he beats Bray Wyatt, he'll be one step away from achieving his goal. He says it'll be a tough night, and Summerslam will be as well if he wins, but promises to be a champion worthy of the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship. Baron Corbin comes out onto the stage. He tells the "little man" not to get ahead of himself. Corbin doesn't think Sami will even make it to Summerslam, as Bray Wyatt is a much better competitor by all accounts. He's vicious, he knows how to get things done, he's an ideal opponent for Baron Corbin. Wyatt comes out. He says he appreciates the praise, but he doesn't need someone like Corbin to speak for him. He tells Sami he's beaten him before and he'll certainly be able to do it again, then tells Corbin he'll be next in line to feel the power of a god. Sami tells Bray he's no god, and that anyone on any night can win a match that they pour their heart and soul into. He raises his voice a little, telling Wyatt that tonight will be his night before turning his attention to Corbin and swearing on his good name that he will walk out of Summerslam the Intercontinental Champion. Corbin sarcastically wishes him luck with that before telling Wyatt he'll see him at Summerslam. The champion exits, leaving Zayn and Wyatt to stare each other down.
83% Rating

Singles Match
Shelton Benjamin def. Rusev [w/Lana] (7:45)
75% Rating

Segment
Seth Rollins is interviewed backstage by Renee Young. She asks him what he thinks of his chances at Summerslam after losing the tag team match last week. Seth says he thinks he's gotten under AJ's skin, as the champion wanted nothing to do with him last week. He says he took a calculated risk with that Curb Stomp two weeks ago, and that he was ok with the fine because of the psychological advantage it gave him. He says his entire career has been about risk management, and as the Architect, he thinks he's built himself a solid foundation to win the title at Summerslam. He says that's not his only nickname, however. He tells Renee that while AJ may call himself the Face that Runs the Place, last week he was the King that Hides in the Ring, and we all know what Seth does to kings. He says he will slay Styles at Summerslam and walks off.
95% Rating

Tag Team Match
The Ascension def. The Hype Bros (4:52)
THB look like they're going to win, but they botch a Hype Ryder which allows Ascension to steal one.
68% Rating

Segment
Alexa Bliss comes down to the ring. She says that just because Emma got "all buddy-buddy-respect" with the Champion she's gotten a big head. She thinks this division is all about her, but everyone knows that Alexa Bliss is the face of the Smackdown Live women, and that before long, she'll be back on top with her championship. She says she attacked Emma last week to prove that, and punish her for her arrogance. She says she knows Emma's going to want to retaliate after what happened, so she invites her to the ring, but not after reaching under the ring and grabbing a kendo stick once again. Emma comes out with a stick of her own. Alexa goads her on as she approaches, saying she's gonna show that she can defend her spot as the top woman on Smackdown. Emma reaches the ring and they brawl, trading blows with their weapons. Neither woman seems to get the upper hand, and they are both battered and bruised as Finlay, Kidman, D-Von, and the Road Dogg come down to separate them.
73% Rating

[Shinsuke Nakamura is shown walking backstage, as his match is next. However, he runs into Randy Orton backstage. Like last week, they stare each other down without saying a word. Then Shinsuke smiles and continues on his way as Randy scowls after him.]

Segment
Luke Harper comes to the ring, and it looks like he'll be Nakamura's opponent tonight. However, as Shinsuke is making his entrance, Randy Orton appears out of thin air from the production area and RKOs him on the ramp. He stands over Nakamura arrogantly as he starts to get up, then RKOs him again. Harper comes out of the ring to confront Orton, but Randy immediately leaves after the second RKO. After Nakamura is helped to the back, Harper gets back in the ring and says he supposes this means he needs a new opponent. After a few seconds, The Miz's music hits, and he comes out of the crowd to attack Harper from behind. The bell rings, and it appears this is our match.
87% Rating

Singles Match
Luke Harper def. The Miz (0:23)
Miz immediately goes for a Skull Crushing Finale, but Harper counters it into a Discus Clothesline and wins.
Miz throws the fit to end all fits after Harper leaves.
78% Rating

Smackdown Tag Team Championships
Cesaro & Sheamus (c) def. American Alpha (20:28)
The champions retain by countout/knockout when Sheamus is the only one to stand after a Double Clothesline spot between him and Jordan and a Double Crossbody spot between Cesaro and Gable.
After everyone recovers, Alpha motion that they want one more shot. Sheamus is once again apprehensive, but Cesaro nods with a smile.
87% Rating
Meltzer: ****

Segment
Becky Lynch is backstage. She says she doesn't know what to do about Charlotte Flair aside from what she told her last week. She says Charlotte needs time away from the title to get back into a correct state of mind. She says Charlotte might have had a point last week when she says Becky didn't beat her in either of the Triple Threat matches for the title, but she was wrong about one thing, and that's the claim that Becky can't beat her. Lynch says she can and will beat Flair at Summerslam, and that their friendship depends on it. Charlotte shows up. She tells Becky that there was another thing she said last week, and that's that the Smackdown Women's Championship was more important than any friendship, and that if she wants to stay friends, she should just forfeit and give the title to her, because that's what she wants. Becky says she remembers that, and that she agrees, the title is more important than their friendship right now, and that at Summerslam, she won't let anything take it from her.
77% Rating

Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender's Match
Sami Zayn def. Bray Wyatt [w/Erick Rowan] (15:10)
After the match, as Sami can barely stand, Baron Corbin comes down to the ring and attacks. He beats Zayn down, and Wyatt hits him with a Sister Abigail for good measure before Apollo Crews and Tye Dillinger hit the ring to put a stop to it. Bray, Rowan, and Corbin leave before they get there, their point made.
81% Rating

Closing Segment
AJ Styles comes to the ring, followed by four security guards. He says that they've been following him around all day at the request of Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan, to prevent any altercations with Seth Rollins. He says he doesn't see the point in that, as Seth is clearly afraid of him. He never gathered the courage to tag himself in against AJ in the tag team match last week, and that cost his team the win; and this week, he tried to twist that fact around to make it look like AJ was afraid of him. Styles laughs and says that the Champ that Runs the Camp isn't afraid of anything, not Randy Orton, not Bray Wyatt, and certainly not someone with a childish nickname like "Kingslayer". Rollins comes out, and the security guards stand between them. Seth says AJ is delusional, and is in fact projecting his own fear onto Seth's interview earlier. Styles says Rollins is only trying to get into his head because he lost at Backlash and he knows he can't beat him at Summerslam. He says that's all Rollins is, a loser; he lost at Backlash and he lost last week. Seth says in that context, sure, but at least being a loser is better than being like AJ, hiding behind his security guards like the pussy he is (with emphasis!). AJ is shocked for a few seconds, then asks if a pussy would do this before attacking the security guards. Seth joins in and they dump all four out of the ring before going after each other. The entire locker room empties to break the two of them up. Seth gets pinned to a corner as AJ gets carried up the ramp to end the show.
84% Rating


Show Rating: 80%
Viewership: 2,750,000


Confirmed Matches for SummerSlam

Smackdown:

WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs Seth Rollins

Singles Match
Randy Orton vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs Charlotte Flair

Intercontinental Championship
Baron Corbin (c) vs Sami Zayn

Raw:

Universal Championship | Triple Threat Match
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman

United States Championship
Jinder Mahal (c) vs John Cena

Raw Women's Championship
Sasha Banks (c) vs Bayley

Raw Tag Team Championships
The Hardys (c) vs The New Day

Singles Match
Dean Ambrose vs Kevin Owens

Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) vs Kalisto

[On last week's Talking Smack, American Alpha were guests and said that while it may be selfish, they thought they deserved one more championship match. They were interrupted by The Ascension who wanted a title match themselves, and Daniel Bryan made a #1 contenders match for this week, with the winners facing Cesaro and Sheamus next week.]


Smackdown Live | United in Disagreement
August 8, 2017

Opening Segment
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon come to the ring. Shane apologizes for the chaos that closed the show last week, and says that they need to continue to keep AJ Styles and Seth Rollins apart for the next two weeks, to give the fans the match that they want to see at Summerslam. Bryan interrupts him, saying that he's been telling him this whole time to just let them fight. It's what AJ wants, it's what Seth wants, and it's what the fans want. Shane says it's too late for that this week, as he's already given Seth Rollins the night off, and the Architect is home in Iowa right now. In addition, AJ Styles has a non-title match with Luke Harper tonight, to take his mind off the situation as well. Daniel says he's getting a little tired of Shane always trying to play mediator and separate people ever since he lost to AJ Styles at Wrestlemania. He says letting people who want to fight fight is one of the founding principles of professional wrestling, and that it seems like Shane has become afraid of that. Before Shane can respond, they're interrupted by the music of Sami Zayn, who comes out with Apollo Crews and Tye Dillinger. Sami says that if Daniel wants to let people who want to fight fight, then he can have his way right now, because the three of them want to fight Baron Corbin and the Wyatt Family tonight, and they ask for a 6-man tag match. Bryan looks at Shane, who shrugs, and then turns back and grants them their request.
82% Rating

Singles Match
Shelton Benjamin def. Dolph Ziggler (6:22)
77% Rating

Segment
Renee Young is backstage with Randy Orton. She begins to ask him about his attack on Shinsuke Nakamura last week, and their match in two weeks at Summerslam, but he simply stands in silence. She asks him why he isn't saying anything, and he simply cracks a smile. Finally, she asks if this silence is some sort of mind game he's playing with Nakamura, to which he chuckles to himself and walks off, leaving Renee very frustrated.
83% Rating

Singles Match
Carmella [w/James Ellsworth] def. Naomi (7:21)
Ellsworth does something useful for once and interferes to get Carmella the win.
68% Rating

[The announcers hype the 6-man tag, the #1 Contender's match, and the Main Event later tonight.]

Segment
Alexa Bliss comes to the ring. She says that she stood her ground against the attack of Emma last week, and that she is fit to be the face of Smackdown Live. She says that she faces every problem head-on, and can even get extreme when needed. Emma comes out, saying that Alexa is making a mountain out of a molehill. She asks if this is really some sort of test to Alexa, and that to her, the story is no more than: Emma beat Alexa, Alexa attacked Emma, Emma attacked Alexa back. She says that if the knows anything about wrestling, that kind of story can only be ended with one last match. Alexa says she'd be happy to prove that she's a much better wrestler than Emma, but Emma says that's not what she had in mind; Alexa just said she wanted to get extreme, so Emma challenges her to a no disqualification, no countout, falls count anywhere match. Alexa hesitates for a second, but says that's fine with her too.
79% Rating

6-Man Tag Team Match
Intercontinental Champion Baron Corbin, Bray Wyatt, and Erick Rowan def. Sami Zayn, Apollo Crews, and Tye Dillinger (10:08)
Corbin pins Tye after a low blow while the Wyatts are brawling with the others to distract the ref.
76% Rating

Segment
Randy Orton is walking toward the exit of the arena. He turns around, cautious, but simply smirks and continues on...only to be attacked from the side by Shinsuke Nakamura. He whacks Randy in the head with the MitB briefcase and lays him out with a Kinshasa before laughing and walking off, leaving Orton barely conscious on the floor.
81% Rating

Smackdown Tag Team Championships #1 Contender's Match
American Alpha def. The Ascension (4:28)
After the match, The Usos run in and attack American Alpha. The two heel teams beat them down for a while before Cesaro and Sheamus run in for the save.
74% Rating

Segment
AJ Styles is backstage. He says it's not often he agrees with Daniel Bryan, but tonight he does. Shane McMahon should have let Seth Rollins come to work today, so AJ could make him eat his words. He says Summerslam has quickly become one of the most important nights of his career, because he has to make sure he breaks Seth Rollins: mentally and physically. He says he's going to show Rollins that the true wuss is someone that resorts to name-calling and can't back it up. In addition, if he wasn't the Face that Runs the Place, he would pity Luke Harper tonight, because AJ Styles is going to make an example out of him.
98% Rating

Segment
Charlotte Flair comes to the ring. She says the outcome of the Women's Championship match in two weeks is already decided, and that Becky Lynch cares too much about her precious friendship to defeat her. She won't be able to attack her friend; she doesn't have the guts. She compares Becky to Sasha Banks and Bayley on Raw, saying they both cared about other things too much to stack up to Charlotte, who was always focused on being champion, and commends Sasha for finally seeing it her way and turning on Bayley several weeks back. She says she's getting a bit off topic, but that it doesn't matter; she doesn't have to focus on Becky, because as she said, Becky doesn't have what it takes to beat her friend down to the point where she can defend that title, and it's only a matter of time before Charlotte takes back what's hers. Becky's music hits, and the champion slowly, calmly walks down to the ring as Charlotte continues to ridicule her. You can see the rage build up inside Becky as she stands in the ring, with Charlotte insulting her over and over again. Finally she snaps, hitting Flair with a Bexploder and laying into her with a flurry of ground-and-pound elbows. Charlotte eventually manages to escape the ring, but with a drip of blood coming out of her nose as Lynch holds up the title in the ring.
86% Rating

Singles Match
WWE Champion AJ Styles def. Luke Harper (16:48)
After the match, AJ grabs a camera, points it at Harper selling, and yells repeatedly "This is Seth Rollins at Summerslam!"
88% Rating
Meltzer: ***3/4


Show Rating: 81%
Viewership: 2,975,000


Confirmed Matches for SummerSlam

Smackdown:

WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs Seth Rollins

Singles Match
Randy Orton vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs Charlotte Flair

Intercontinental Championship
Baron Corbin (c) vs Sami Zayn

Raw:

Universal Championship | Triple Threat Match
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman

United States Championship
Jinder Mahal (c) vs John Cena

Raw Women's Championship
Sasha Banks (c) vs Bayley

Raw Tag Team Championships
The Hardys (c) vs The New Day

Singles Match
Dean Ambrose vs Kevin Owens

Pre-Show Match
Samoa Joe vs Finn Balor

Pre-Show Match | Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) vs Kalisto

Smackdown Live | Final Showdown
(Go-Home Show to Summerslam)
August 15, 2017

[As the show starts, the commentators announce that Seth Rollins and AJ Styles will have one last verbal confrontation before Summerslam in the ring at the end of tonight's show. We then go right into the first match.]

Falls Count Anywhere Match
Emma def. Alexa Bliss (13:04)
Emma wins after several kendo stick shots and an implant DDT on the stage.
74% Rating

Segment
American Alpha are backstage, warming up for their title match tonight. Gable tells Jordan that he's surprised they didn't save this match for Summerslam. Jordan says that they should take what they can get. Suddenly, from either side of them appear The Usos and The Ascension, all four scowling at the #1 contenders. Gable and Jordan quickly assess the situation and conclude that they need to get out of there, and they carefully walk out of the shot.
71% Rating

Singles Match
Luke Harper def. Tyler Breeze (6:18)
74% Rating

Segment
Renee Young is backstage with Sami Zayn. She asks him if he plans to be at ringside for Baron Corbin's match with Shelton Benjamin tonight ahead of their match at Summerslam. Sami says he doesn't, because he knows what will happen. Corbin will cheat, he'll steal a victory, and bring further disgrace to the Intercontinental Championship. He says it's almost over though, because after Summerslam he will be champion, and that he may not be able to live up to the great champions in history, he at least takes solace in the fact that he'll be a better champion than Corbin.
81% Rating

Tag Team Match
Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan def. Tye Dillinger and Apollo Crews (7:57)
Wyatt pins Tye.
74% Rating

Segment
Randy Orton comes out. He doesn't grab a microphone, he simply enters the ring and sits down in the middle. A minute passes and nothing happens, and the crowd begins to get restless. Finally Shinsuke Nakamura's music hits, and Money in the Bank-san comes down to the ring. Randy stands up as they meet face to face in the middle of the ring, not talking, just angrily pressing foreheads together. Suddenly, Randy attempts and RKO, but Nakamura throws the briefcase into his hands and Orton RKOs that instead. As Randy tries to get up, Shinsuke hits him with a Kinshasa and stands tall over him with the briefcase.
76% Rating

Singles Match
Intercontinental Champion Baron Corbin def. Shelton Benjamin (9:34)
There's an exposed turnbuckle involved in the finish of this match.
76% Rating

Segment
Charlotte Flair comes to the ring with a comically huge wad of gauze on her nose. She says that Becky Lynch broke her nose last week (she totally didn't) and that it looks like Becky doesn't want to be friends anymore. She says it probably took everything out of Becky to attack her best friend like that. Becky comes out, looking very angry. Charlotte starts asking how Becky can sleep at night, but Lynch tells her "Shut up, bitch!". As Flair looks on in shock, Becky tells her that in a few months time, she might try to be friends again, but for right now, no, they are not friends, and at Summerslam, she's gonna break Charlotte's arm.
84% Rating

Segment
A black truck pulls into the loading dock. The door opens, and out steps Seth Rollins. With a very serious look on his face, he starts to walk toward the arena.
89% Rating

Smackdown Tag Team Championships
American Alpha def. Cesaro & Sheamus (c) by disqualification (6:35)
The champions dominate the first 5 minutes of the match, but as soon as Alpha gain the advantage, The Ascension and the Usos run in and attack them for the DQ.
The two teams beat down on Alpha for a while, but the champions recover and drive them all off.
81% Rating

[After this match, Shane McMahon comes out and says that that was unacceptable. He suspends The Usos and the Ascension for one week without pay, and announces that there will be a rematch of this match on the Summerslam Pre-show, in a no-disqualification match.]

Closing Segment
AJ Styles comes out to the ring, followed by Seth Rollins. They take a little time to milk the crowd before AJ finally speaks. He says that in 5 days, the fans will finally get the rematch they've been waiting months for. He says the nonsense is over, no more fines, no more name-calling, no more mind games. He says there's only one measure of who's going to win this Sunday, and that's their head-to-head record. He says the facts don't lie, and he beat Seth at Backlash, so there's no way he'll lose at Summerslam. He says that he is the Face that Runs the Place, and the Champ that Runs the Camp, and that beating Seth is his Plan for Summerslam. Seth tells him that doesn't rhyme, and AJ tells him to shut up. Seth says it's his turn now and starts talking about how AJ's arrogance will be his downfall. He says that Styles has spent weeks trying to get into Seth's head, but it didn't work, and now he's backpedaling. He says there was no guarantee of a winner until the end of their first match, but with AJ's overconfidence, Rollins would put his money on himself this time. Seth says he's at the top of his game, and he'll stop at nothing to become WWE Champion at Summerslam. He tells AJ that the only thing he'll be at Summerslam is the King that gets Slayed in his Ring. Seth turns back toward AJ, and Styles tries to clothesline him, but Rollins ducks it and hits him with the Kingslayer. Seth picks up the title and holds it in the air while sticking a foot on AJ's chest, an iconic image to close the show.
99% Rating


Show Rating: 81%
Viewership: 2,935,000


Final SummerSlam Card

Smackdown:

WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs Seth Rollins

Singles Match
Randy Orton vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs Charlotte Flair

Intercontinental Championship
Baron Corbin (c) vs Sami Zayn

Pre-Show Match | Smackdown Tag Team Championships | No Disqualification Match
Cesaro & Sheamus (c) vs American Alpha

Raw:

Universal Championship | Triple Threat Match
Brock Lesnar (c) vs Roman Reigns vs Braun Strowman

United States Championship
Jinder Mahal (c) vs John Cena

Raw Women's Championship
Sasha Banks (c) vs Bayley

Raw Tag Team Championships
The Hardys (c) vs The New Day

Singles Match
Dean Ambrose vs Kevin Owens

Pre-Show Match
Samoa Joe vs Finn Balor

Pre-Show Match | Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) vs Kalisto

WWE Presents
Summerslam
August 20, 2017

Pre-Show Matches:

Cruiserweight Championship
Neville (c) def. Kalisto

Smackdown Tag Team Championships | No Disqualification Match
American Alpha def. Cesaro & Sheamus (c) (12:29)
90% Rating
Meltzer: ****

Segment
Shane and Daniel are backstage. Shane says his suspensions last week were a good idea after a match like that. Daniel disagrees about the suspensions, but does commend Shane for adding the No DQ stip to this match. There's clearly a bit of tension forming between the two.
87% Rating

Singles Match
Finn Balor def. Samoa Joe


Main Card:

United States Championship
Jinder Mahal (c) def. John Cena (15:27)

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn def. Baron Corbin (c) (12:58)
84% Rating
Meltzer: ***1/4

Singles Match
Kevin Owens def. Dean Ambrose (14:40)

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) def. Charlotte Flair (17:03)
84% Rating
Meltzer: ***1/2

Raw Tag Team Championships
The New Day def. The Hardys (c) (14:31)

Singles Match
Shinsuke Nakamura def. Randy Orton (15:18)
86% Rating
Meltzer: ***3/4

Universal Championship | Triple Threat Match
Braun Strowman def. Brock Lesnar (c) and Roman Reigns (22:15)

Raw Women's Championship
Bayley def. Sasha Banks (c) (11:56)

WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) def. Seth Rollins (32:36)
This match goes way over the assumed end time of the show, and the show doesn't finish up until about 11:20 ET, when AJ finally wins with a Spiral Tap.
99% Rating
Meltzer: *****


Show Rating (Smackdown Portion Only): 89%


[The main event got 100 crowd reaction and 100 match quality. However, since the game rounds those up, they were probably both around 99.5, and the average was rounded down.]

Styles

[AJ Styles may have suffered an injury at Summerslam. Not much is known, but he is being examined by doctors back in Georgia and not at Smackdown tonight.]

Smackdown Live | Earn Your Consequences
(Summerslam Fallout)
August 22, 2017

Opening Segment
Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon come to the ring. They ask the crowd how they enjoyed the main event of Summerslam. They say the intense bout took its toll on both competitors, and the champion AJ Styles has taken the week off to recover from his successful title defense. However, the show must go on, and they announce a 10-man Battle Royal tonight to determine a new #1 contender for the returning Vengeance Pay-Per-View in 3 weeks. They announce the competitors, names like former champion Randy Orton, MitB holder Shinsuke Nakamura, new Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn, and the ever-dangerous Bray Wyatt. Seth Rollins comes out to a huge pop, begging Shane and Daniel to put him in the match. Shane tells him he got his chance at Summerslam and while he came very close, it's time to let someone else get a chance. Seth says it was too close for him to accept, and he knows he can beat AJ for the title. He starts begging Daniel to put him in the match, to give him a qualifying match, anything, when Rusev comes out. The Bulgarian Brute tells Rollins to get in the back of the line, and that the man that beat him several weeks back has a much better chance of becoming champion. Seth says that they both know that win was dirty, and asks what else Rusev has done recently to deserve a title shot. Bryan says that Rollins has a point, and since Rusev had the initiative to come out here and volunteer, he's going to grant Seth's request and make Rusev put his spot in the battle Royal on the line right now!
90% Rating

Singles Match
Seth Rollins def. Rusev [w/Lana] (4:40)
Lana tries to interfere, but Seth isn't distracted and manages to pick up the win.
81% Rating

Segment
Sami Zayn, Apollo Crews, and Tye Dillinger are backstage in the locker room. Apollo and Tye are congratulating Sami on winning the Intercontinental Championship. Crews tells him that he's gotta watch his back now, because a lot of the guys are going to want a shot at the title. Zayn says he knows that, and he's gonna spend every waking moment making sure he's the best Intercontinental Champion he can be. Dillinger says that may have to wait, cause he's got a Battle Royal to focus on tonight. Sami says he doesn't know why he was put in the Battle Royal, and that it's not the best idea to put the Intercontinental Champion into the world title picture, and that he'd rather focus on the title he's got than going after other ones. Apollo says that's where his thinking is a little off, and tells him that if he's got a match to focus on winning, or he's not going to. Tye says Sami's got a golden opportunity, and that if they were giving him a shot at a WWE Title match, he would go for it without a thought. Sami says he doesn't know, but thanks them for the advice.
71% Rating

Singles Match
Alexa Bliss def. Naomi (4:54)
Alexa makes Naomi tap to a Boston Crab, but refuses to break the hold after the match. The referee has to pry her off, but Alexa slaps him and re-applies it for several seconds before leaving.
75% Rating

[The announcers run through what happened at Summerslam and hype tonight's main event.]

Segment
American Alpha come to the ring. They start cutting a typical face promo, thanking the fans for their support and talking about their long road back to becoming Tag Team Champions. However, they are quickly interrupted by The Usos, who say they don't want to hear no thankful crap and want to see the new champions defending those titles. Alpha say they have no problem defending against them, but The Ascension also come out, saying they want a title match first. They start arguing with the Usos, and Jordan says we better get Shane out here. The commissioner comes out and says that if the champions want to defend their titles, he can make that happen, and books a 3-way elimination match for right now.
76% Rating

Smackdown Tag Team Championships | 3-Way Elimination Tag
American Alpha (c) def. The Usos and The Ascension (12:03)
Jordan pinned Konnor (8:39)
Gable pinned Jimmy (12:03)
78% Rating

Segment
Shelton Benjamin is backstage. He says it's unfortunate, last time there was a battle royal he was in it and withdrew to challenge AJ Styles directly. He says he was told that since he already got a title shot recently, he wouldn't be included in tonight's #1 contender's match. He says it's his own damn fault that he's getting less opportunities than he should. He's about to say something else but he's quickly cut off as The Miz attacks him from behind. Seemingly unprovoked, the A-Lister beats Shelton down with a chair before stomping away at him repeatedly. Miz yells that he's "sick of it" before dropping the chair on top of Benjamin and storming off, while some referees run in to check on Shelton.
73% Rating

Singles Match
Erick Rowan def. Zack Ryder [w/Mojo Rawley] (6:35)
69% Rating

Segment
Becky Lynch comes to the ring. She says that Summerslam was one of the hardest nights of her career, of her life. She says she hasn't seen Charlotte Flair since Sunday, and that she hopes that she's thinking about what she made Becky do. She hopes that someday they'll be able to forgive each other and be friends again, but that won't be for a while, and that for now she's going to focus on defending her title against the rest of the Smackdown Women's division. Emma comes out. She says it's interesting where fate took the two of them after their battles back in May, that they've both faced virtually the entire Smackdown Women's division since then, and now they find themselves the last women standing. Emma says she thinks she proved in her match against Alexa Bliss last week that she's the top contender right now, and challenges Becky to a title match at Vengeance. Becky says she's been watching Emma and commends her for being at the top of her game. She says there's no one she'd rather defend against next and accepts the challenge. Emma tells her to prepare well, because after Vengeance, SmackDown Live will finally be All About Emma.
74% Rating

Segment
A promotional video plays, highlighting the grappling ability of an unknown wrestler. Before long, it becomes apparent that this video is to hype the debut of NXT star Johnny Gargano, fresh off a big win in a brutal match against Tommaso Ciampa at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III the night before Summerslam. The end of the video indicates that his debut will occur in only two weeks.
84% Rating

10-Man Battle Royal | WWE Championship #1 Contender's Match
Seth Rollins def. Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Cesaro, Sheamus, Luke Harper, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, and Shinsuke Nakamura (16:29)
Eliminations
1: Ziggler by Cesaro and Sheamus (1:28)
2: Zayn by Corbin (4:11)
3: Corbin by Rollins (4:29)
4: Harper by Orton (7:12)
5: Sheamus by Rollins (8:56)
6: Cesaro by Orton (9:09)
7: Orton by Nakamura (14:26)
8: Nakamura by Wyatt (15:52)
9: Wyatt by Rollins (16:29)
84% Rating


Show Rating: 78%
Viewership: 2,920,000


Confirmed Matches for Vengeance

WWE Championship
AJ Styles (c) vs Seth Rollins

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs Emma

That ppv main event

Smackdown Live | The Seth and AJ Show ft. Smackdown
August 29, 2017

Opening Segment
AJ Styles comes to the ring. He says he's disappointed; he's disappointed in Smackdown Live management, he's disappointed in the roster, and he's disappointed in Seth Rollins. He says he expected to come back from his week off to a new #1 Contender, but he's stuck facing the same guy once again at Vengeance. He says that he's beaten Seth Rollins twice now, and that he thinks the fans will get bored just watching him kick Seth's ass once again. He says he might have to do something different to keep his interest and the fans' interest. Rollins comes out and asks AJ if he's too full of himself to realize that despite winning, he needed a week off to recover while Rollins wrestled not one but TWO matches last week, and won both of them. AJ tells him that means nothing, and harps on the fact that he beat Rollins twice. Seth tells him he agrees on one thing, and that's that they should do something different for their match at Vengeance. AJ asks if he wants to add a stipulation to their match, but Seth says they're never going to agree on one. Daniel Bryan comes out and says he has an idea for that. He tells them both to go backstage and find a friend, because they'll both have to pick someone to wrestle for them tonight, and whoever's representative wins will pick the match type for Vengeance.
88% Rating

Tag Team Match
Breezango def. The Hype Bros (7:33)
Fandango pins Ryder in his return to action.
68% Rating

[The announcers hype some matches later on tonight, including the main event and a blockbuster 6-man tag match featuring Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn.]

Segment
AJ Styles is backstage, pondering who he is going to pick to represent him tonight. Rusev walks up to him and asks to be his representative, saying he needs to get revenge on Rollins from last week, and says he's on AJ's side. AJ says he heard what Rusev said last week, and says Rusev's only after the WWE Championship. He also says Rusev hasn't really done anything of note lately to warrant putting his trust in him either, and that he already has a pretty good idea of who he's going to choose. He tells Rusev he should do more to prove he can make himself useful before making demands like this, then leaves, with Rusev looking angrily after him.
82% Rating

Segment
Shelton Benjamin comes to the ring. He says that he was attacked last week and wants to know why. He calls The Miz out to the ring. Miz comes out and says that he attacked him last week because he's sick of being treated like a joke. He's been here for years and years, working his ass off night after night, but even now he's still the guy that people say "Oh, he's good for an interview but he sucks in the ring". Meanwhile people like Shelton leave for years then come back and instantly get title matches cause people think he's "a good wrestler". Miz says he wants to prove that he's a threat in the ring, and attacked Shelton to make a statement. Shelton asks him if he wants to prove he's a threat in the ring, why not prove it in a match...against Shelton...at Vengeance? Miz says he'd be happy to, and can't wait to show Shelton that he's nothing more than a washed up old man that's outmatched by the current guard. Shelton says that would be a logical sentiment, but he's in the best shape of his life, and in two weeks, he will have his Vengeance.
78% Rating

Singles Match | Becky Lynch on commentary
Emma def. Charlotte Flair (11:47)
Charlotte is noticeably dejected and somber during this match, and refuses to look at Becky during the whole thing.
After the match, Emma goes for a handshake, but Charlotte scowls at her and simply rolls out of the ring.
80% Rating

Segment
Shelton Benjamin is walking backstage after his encounter with The Miz when he runs into Seth Rollins. As they walk down the hallway, Seth asks him if he's ready for a match tonight and says he needs a little favor. Shelton jokes about no knowing what he's talking about before saying he'll have no problem taking down whoever AJ can convince to wrestle for him, especially if it's The Miz. Seth says he really appreciates it, and that they can talk about strategy in a bit, but he has to pee first and ducks into the bathroom as they pass. Shelton waits for him for several seconds before, suddenly, he is ambushed from behind by Rusev. The Bulgarian Brute rams Benjamin's head into the wall repeatedly, stomps into his midsection repeatedly, and finally locks him in the Accolade for several seconds. Finally he releases the hold, leaving Shelton in a semi-conscious heap in the corner, just in time for Rollins to come out of the bathroom, stunned by the scene. Rusev angrily wishes Rollins good luck tonight and walks off, leaving Seth to check on Shelton, who is clearly in no condition to wrestle tonight.
78% Rating

Segment
Another video plays for the debut of Johnny Gargano. It briefly chronicles his journey through NXT, mostly in #DIY, before ending with his Takeover match against his former partner. Finally, it reminds viewers that "Johnny Wrestling" will be debuting next week on Smackdown Live.
78% Rating

[It is announced during the entrances of the next match that Baron Corbin will be invoking his rematch clause to challenge Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship at Vengeance.]

6-Man Tag Team Match
Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, and Randy Orton def. Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn, Apollo Crews, and Tye Dillinger (12:32)
Corbin pins Dillinger.
Corbin refuses to take a tag from Ziggler throughout the match, only coming in when the legal man is sufficiently beaten down by Orton.
78% Rating

Segment
Seth Rollins is backstage. He sarcastically thanks AJ Styles for sending Rusev to attack Shelton Benjamin earlier. He says he probably shouldn't have been so obvious about who he was going to pick. He says it's ok, however, and that he has a backup plan, and his backup plan is going to take down whoever AJ picks. He closes by telling AJ that he'll also love what he has planned for Vengeance.
90% Rating

Segment
Sheamus and Cesaro come to the ring. They say they're in a tough place, and have to get back on track. They lost the tag titles at Summerslam, and they both lost in the battle royal last week, but they plan on pulling themselves back up at Vengeance where they will regain the Smackdown Tag Team Championships. American Alpha come out and ask if that is a challenge. Sheamus says if they weren't sure of that then they're stupider than they look. Cesaro apologizes for his partner's bluntness, but says that that Alpha had their fun as champions last week, but it's time for Cesaro and Sheamus to be champions once again. Alpha wish them luck with that, as they're on the top of their game and plan to be champions for a long time.
81% Rating

[Before the main event, AJ Styles and Seth Rollins come down to the ring and stare down. Seth asks AJ who he got, but is cut off by the entrance of Bray Wyatt. AJ looks smug as Rollins stands toe-to-toe with Wyatt, but Seth simply motions toward the ramp to call out his representative...Shinsuke Nakamura!]

Singles Match
Shinsuke Nakamura [w/Seth Rollins] def. Bray Wyatt [w/AJ Styles] (15:57)
Rollins and Styles quickly end up brawling, and there ends up being a ref bump, allowing Wyatt and Styles to beat down Nakamura as Rollins is selling. However, Seth is able to recover, and he drives off AJ, allowing Nakamura to recover and hit Wyatt with the Kinshasa to win.
After the match, Seth asks AJ if he wants to know what kind of match they'll be facing off in at Vengeance. Styles just yells at him, but Seth tells him anyway that they'll be competing in an I Quit Match!
86% Rating


Show Rating: 81%
Viewership: 2,925,000


Confirmed Matches for Vengeance

WWE Championship | I Quit Match
AJ Styles (c) vs Seth Rollins

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn (c) vs Baron Corbin

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs Emma

Smackdown Tag Team Championships
American Alpha (c) vs Cesaro & Sheamus

Singles Match
Shelton Benjamin vs The Miz

[On Talking Smack last week, Daniel Bryan announced that there would be a four-man tournament to determine the next #1 contender to the Intercontinental Championship, featuring the other 4 men in the 6-man tag last week.]

Smackdown Live | Drive to Surrender
(Go Home Show to Vengeance)
September 5, 2017

Opening Segment
The arena turns to fireflies as Bray Wyatt comes to the ring. He says he had a match with a worthy opponent last week, and calls Shinsuke Nakamura out to the ring. Nakamura appears, and Bray tells him that their match last week should have happened under different circumstances. He says he accepts his loss, but that outside forces imposed their will on the match last week, and that it would only be fair if they had a match without any interference. He says he knows he can beat Nakamura, and challenges him to a match this Sunday at Vengeance. Shinsuke says he's surprised at how polite Wyatt is being, but says he's fine with fighting anyone, anywhere. Bray says once again that he considers Nakamura a worthy opponent, and that that's why he wants another match, but that there's no way he loses to the same opponent twice. Wyatt says that at Vengeance, he will show Nakamura his true power.
89% Rating

Singles Match
Apollo Crews def. Dolph Ziggler (10:14)
74% Rating

Segment
AJ Styles is backstage. He says that Seth Rollins made a big mistake last week when he chose to face AJ in an I Quit match. He says he knows that Seth has a history of leg and knee problems, and AJ knows every way to disassemble a body part. He says he'll make Seth tap out this Sunday, and he'll keep tapping, and keep tapping, and finally say that he quits. However, he says he has a proposal for Rollins, and that he'll see him at the end of the show.
92% Rating

8-Man Tag Team Match
Smackdown Tag Team Champions American Alpha and Cesaro & Sheamus def. The Usos and The Ascension (8:32)
Cesaro pins Vikor.
After the match, Cesaro & Sheamus and American Alpha have a bit of a staredown.
72% Rating

Segment
Emma comes to the ring. She says she's been hearing some strange things lately, namely that she's nothing more than a filler opponent for Becky Lynch. She says she's going to have to teach the haters a lesson this Sunday. She says that she has beaten Becky Lynch before, soundly, cleanly, and that's exactly what she's going to do at Vengeance, without question. She says that she's going to be out here next week, with the Smackdown Women's Title, proclaiming that Smackdown Live is all about Emma. Becky Lynch comes out and tells her not to count her out yet. She says she's the champion for a reason, and that the last thing she wants to do is lose the title just yet. She says that Emma and her have formed a deep respect over the past few months, and that she hates to do this, but she has to make Emma nothing more than a filler opponent. Emma says she's wrong, and that their match this Sunday will be all about her. Becky says that it's Emma who's wrong, and that this Sunday will be "all about us".
82% Rating

Singles Match
Randy Orton def. Tye Dillinger (4:49)
76% Rating

Segment
Baron Corbin is backstage. He says that Sami Zayn's little fairy tale title run is over this Sunday. He says that a goody two-shoes style like Zayn's doesn't keep championships, that having friends like Zayn does doesn't keep championships. He says that Sami's heart is going to be his downfall, and that he's going to wrestle like he always does, including tonight.
80% Rating

Singles Match
Baron Corbin def. Mojo Rawley [w/Zack Ryder] (5:18)
Corbin attacks Ryder after the match, but Sami Zayn runs in for the save.
68% Rating

[The announcers run through the full card for Vengeance]

Segment
Johnny Gargano makes his debut and comes down to the ring. He says this a dream come true and starts talking about how he's worked his whole life to get here. He says he's had a few speedbumps and roadblocks along the way, especially in NXT, but he's finally made it. He starts to tell the crowd what he plans to do on Smackdown Live, but all of a sudden a hooded man jumps the barricade and attacks him. After beating Johnny down for a while, the man finally reveals himself to be Gargano's former tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa. Ciampa continues the assault, and eventually hits Johnny with a Spike Brainbuster and a running knee before leaving through the crowd.
91% Rating

Singles Match | The Miz and Maryse on commentary
Shelton Benjamin def. Rusev [w/Lana] (12:13)
Miz comes off commentary and hits Shelton with a Skull Crushing Finale while he is celebrating.
74% Rating

Closing Segment
AJ Styles comes to the ring and calls out Seth Rollins. The #1 contender cautiously comes out and asks him what he wants. AJ says he's going to give Seth the opportunity to change the stipulation for their match on Sunday. He could make it a normal singles match, he could make it a 2/3 falls match, Styles doesn't care. He says they both know Seth doesn't have a chance in an I Quit match with his bad knees, and so he's going to be a benevolent champion and give the fans a more entertaining match. Rollins says he knows AJ's game, and says he's probably only offering this because he's scared. He says he knows Styles is banged up because of their Summerslam match. He says he's going to stick with the I Quit stipulation at Vengeance, and vows that he will make Styles say "I Quit". Seth turns his back on the champion, and Styles makes his move, locking him in the Calf Crusher. It takes several seconds, but Rollins taps out to the move. However, AJ does not release the hold, and Rollins continues to tap as security runs in to pry the champion off of him.
99% Rating


Show Rating: 82%
Viewership: 3,005,000


Final Vengeance Card

WWE Championship | I Quit Match
AJ Styles (c) vs Seth Rollins

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn (c) vs Baron Corbin

Singles Match
Bray Wyatt vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs Emma

Smackdown Tag Team Championships
American Alpha (c) vs Cesaro & Sheamus

IC Title #1 Contender's Match
Randy Orton vs Apollo Crews

Singles Match
Shelton Benjamin vs The Miz

Smackdown Live Presents
Vengeance
September 10, 2017
(Live from Whatever City TJ gets a job in, cause Happy Birthday to me)

Pre-Show Match:

Singles Match
Johnny Gargano def. Dolph Ziggler (8:46)
79% Rating
Meltzer: ***


Main Card:

IC Title #1 Contender's Match
Randy Orton def. Apollo Crews (8:14)
80% Rating

Smackdown Tag Team Championships
Cesaro & Sheamus def. American Alpha (c) (12:24)
86% Rating
Meltzer: ***3/4

Singles Match
The Miz (w/Maryse) def. Shelton Benjamin (7:49)
76% Rating

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) def. Emma (13:32)
After the match, Becky goes for the handshake. Emma is relucant, but before she can take it, the lights go out.
Asuka's music hits, and the former NXT Women's Champion makes her surprise debut, coming down to the ring and going toe to toe with the champion. Before anything happens, she licks the title belt and leaves.
79% Rating
Meltzer: ***1/4

Singles Match
Bray Wyatt def. Shinsuke Nakamura (18:14)
89% Rating
Meltzer: ****

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn (c) def. Baron Corbin (14:59)
84% Rating
Meltzer: ***1/4

WWE Championship | I Quit Match
Seth Rollins def. AJ Styles (c) (26:42)
Both competitors work the leg the entire match.
Rollins makes AJ quit by pinning his leg between the steps and the ringpost and repeatedly ramming a wheeled equipment case into the steps.
99% Rating
Meltzer: *****

[AJ sells the leg injury hard, and has to be taken out of the arena on a stretcher.]


Show Rating: 86%

Styles

1 lyk = 1 crid for AJ

I'm interested to see where Wyatt/Nakamura goes. That would be a great rivalry.

We want AJ

Yeah, fuck Seth!

Well AJ's hurt!

[Word from Meltzer is that AJ Styles suffered an undisclosed back injury against Randy Orton at Battleground, and re-aggravated it in the Summerslam match, along with spraining his ankle. He stuck around to drop the title, but wasn't able to compete at all before Vengeance due to the sprained ankle. He is going into surgery this week and will be out for a few months. He's expected to be back around the end of the year.]

Smackdown Live | Strange Bedfellows
(Vengeance Fallout)
September 12, 2017

Opening Segment
Seth Rollins comes to the ring in a big knee brace. He says that he had an incredibly grueling match on Sunday, but it was worth it, because he's finally WWE Champion again. He says he may be a little banged up, but he plans to be ready to defend the championship in 5 weeks at No Way Out. Shane McMahon comes out with an annoyed look on his face. He tells Seth he's "done it again", and that he won't be able to defend against AJ Styles at No Way Out because Styles suffered a severe knee injury at Vengeance and will be out for several months. He says that they'll have to find a new #1 Contender beforehand, and Seth says he'll fight anybody at No Way Out. Shane says he's going to do something a little different this time, and makes a tag team match for tonight. He says the competitors tonight will have to be able to put their differences aside to earn a title shot, as Luke Harper and The Miz will take on Baron Corbin and Bray Wyatt, with the winning team facing each other in a #1 Contender's Match next week.
80% Rating

Singles Match
Asuka def. Alexa Bliss (5:34)
72% Rating

Segment
Asuka gets backstage after her win and runs into Renee Young, who asks her what it's like to make it to the main roster. Asuka says it's about time. Renee asks what her plans are, to which Asuka simply responds: "I...want...the title!" before leaving. After she's gone, Becky Lynch walks into the shot with a troubled look on her face, but she simply nods, wipes her title off with her wrist, and leaves the way she came.
73% Rating

Segment
Luke Harper is sitting in the locker room, with The Miz pacing angrily behind him. Miz says Daniel Bryan is probably laughing right now, and that he can't team with Harper because "you Wyatts creep me out". Harper angrily gets in his face tells him he's not a Wyatt anymore. Miz says he doesn't care what Harper is, he wouldn't want to team with him in a million years. Harper says it's too bad, because they have to team together tonight if they want a title shot, and that he plans to get his title shot. Miz shrinks into the corner as Harper towers over him, then Harper storms off, leaving Miz to grumble to himself about his misfortunes.
85% Rating

Tag Team Match
The Usos def. The Hype Bros (3:54)
Zach botches a Hype Ryder and gets pinned.
After the match, both Hype Bros look very annoyed, but end up fist bumping and dejectedly walking to the back.
70% Rating

Segment
Johnny Gargano comes to the ring. He says he demands an explanation and calls Tommaso Ciampa to come out and explain himself. Ciampa appears and says he's the one who should be demanding an explanation. He says he was the backbone of their team, he was the better wrestler, and somehow Johnny was the one that got called up to the main roster. Ciampa says he's seen this all before, the preferential treatment all because Johnny's the good-looking one, and that he refuses to be the Marty Janetty of DIY. Gargano calls him an idiot, and says he only got called up because he beat Ciampa at Takeover. He says he's here because he's ready to be, and that he was also ready to put this business with Ciampa behind him. Ciampa says that's too bad, because now he's on Smackdown Live too, and he's only here to make Johnny's life a living hell. He laughs maniacally and leaves.
75% Rating

Singles Match
Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn def. Dolph Ziggler (7:48)
#1 Contender Randy Orton runs in and RKOs Zayn out of nowhere after his win, but bolts when Apollo Crews and Tye Dillinger run in for the save.
82% Rating

Segment
Baron Corbin is backstage. He starts to talk about how much he hates Shane McMahon's decision tonight. He says he works alone, and that a tag team match will do nothing to prove his worthiness of a title shot. Suddenly, the lights go out, and Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan appear behind Corbin. Bray calls Corbin shortsighted, and says that this is a golden opportunity for the both of them. Corbin, unimpressed by their appearance, says that while he respects Wyatt as a competitor for his ruthlessness and aggression, his style has too much nonsense in it for Baron's liking, and he has no desire to team with him tonight. He says he'd much rather simply have a match against Bray, and prove that way that he's more deserving of a title shot that way. Wyatt tells him to look at it this way, all they have to do is work together for one match, and they get to destroy each other next week for the title opportunity. Corbin sighs, and says that he guesses he has no choice in the matter. He says he'll see Wyatt in the ring and walks off, leaving Wyatt to chuckle to himself.
88% Rating

Singles Match
Smackdown Tag Team Champion Cesaro [w/Sheamus] def. Rusev [w/Lana] (13:46)
82% Rating
Meltzer: ***

Segment
Renee Young is backstage with Seth Rollins. She asks him what he thinks about what Shane McMahon said earlier, that he "did it again". Seth says it's no secret that there's a history opponents suffering injuries after title matches against him, but that Shane's full of it if he thinks Rollins intentionally put Styles on the shelf at Vengeance. He says it was an I Quit match, and asks what Shane thought would happen. He says he's hurt too, so he doesn't want to pay attention to baseless allegations like that, and instead focus on who his first challenger is going to be, whether that be someone in the tag team match tonight, or Shinsuke Nakamura, wherever he is. He says he'll be backstage watching the match, and if Shane wants to talk he can just find him. He then tells AJ Styles that he'll be waiting for him to come back from his injury so he can get his rematch, any time, anywhere.
83% Rating

Tag Team Match
Bray Wyatt and Baron Corbin [w/Erick Rowan] def. Luke Harper and The Miz [w/Maryse] (15:04)
Corbin pins Miz.
Both teams have communication issues to start, but Wyatt and Corbin get over them much quicker than Miz and Harper do, and that allows them to pick up the win.
Corbin and Wyatt have a staredown after the match, with Bray laughing in Baron's face the whole time.
85% Rating
Meltzer: ***3/4


Show Rating: 80%
Viewership: 3,030,000


Confirmed Matches for No Way out

WWE Championship
Seth Rollins (c) vs [Bray Wyatt or Baron Corbin]

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn (c) vs Randy Orton

Smackdown Live | Unseen Plots
September 19, 2017

Opening Segment
Sheamus comes to the ring, looking like he's keeping a secret. With a solemn voice, he calmly calls Seth Rollins out to the ring. The champ comes to the ramp, and Sheamus says that he wants a match. Seth asks if he means a title match, to which Sheamus snappily says no, just a regular match. Rollins asks why, and Sheamus gets angry and tells him he just wants to fight him, nothing else. He says they've had their issues in the past, and that he just wants to have a match tonight, just to prove that Seth is the better man and deserves that title. Rollins is a little apprehensive but says he's cleared for a match tonight and accepts the challenge. As Seth is leaving, Sheamus calls him back and tells him to watch his back. When Rollins goes to question this, Sheamus stops him and tells him to just watch his back. He heads up the ramp, leaving the champion confused in the ring.
87% Rating

Singles Match
Shinsuke Nakamura def. Erick Rowan (8:17)
After the match, Nakamura grabs his briefcase and turns around...only to have it kicked into his face by Rowan. The big man beats down Shinsuke with the briefcase for a while until some referees run into the ring to stop him.
78% Rating

Segment
The show cuts back to Bray Wyatt watching this go down on a monitor backstage. After his lackey beats down Nakamura, he begins laughing out loud. He turns, and suddenly is face-to-face with his opponent tonight, Baron Corbin. He grins at Corbin, who tells him that he was right last week: all they had to do was work together for a single match and they'd get their match tonight. However, he warns Wyatt that he will destroy him tonight. Bray says we'll see about that, and that the power of a god is too much for just a Lone Wolf to handle. In a callback to last week, Wyatt tells Corbin he'll see him in the ring, and Rowan appears behind him before they walk off.
75% Rating

Tag Team Match
The Ascension def. The Hype Bros (1:26)
Ryder gets rolled up by Viktor out of nowhere for the surprise loss.
After the match, Mojo turns heel, stomping a mudhole into Ryder before Powerbombing him onto the apron.
70% Rating

[The announcers hype both Rollins/Sheamus and Wyatt/Corbin tonight]

Singles Match Segment
Johnny Gargano's music hits and he starts to make his entrance for a match. However, he never gets there, as Tommaso Ciampa runs up behind him and assaults Johnny Wrestling with a chair. Ciampa brutally assaults his former partner, leaving him a broken mess on the ramp. He once again leaves through the crowd, and Gargano is taken to the back by paramedics.
84% Rating

Segment
Charlotte Flair is backstage. She says that Asuka is all hype, and that she only had such success in NXT because Charlotte was already gone. She says if Asuka wants the title, then she should get in line, because Charlotte's got some unfinished business. She says that tonight, she'll show the world that Asuka isn't all she's cracked up to be, and start her long climb back to being champion again.
74% Rating

Singles Match
Asuka def. Charlotte Flair (12:06)
81% Rating

Segment
Randy Orton comes to the ring. He says that people have been wondering what Sami Zayn did to get attacked last week. He says this is just how he operates; Randy's the #1 contender, Sami's the champion, so he just sent a message last week: a message that The Viper is not one to be messed with. He says this is his MO, and since Sami has what he wants, he's not going to let up anytime soon. Sami comes out. He says that people like Orton are exactly why he went after the Intercontinental Championship in the first place, people that are past their prime, and resort to dirty tactics and mind games to stay at the top. Randy dares him to tell him that to his face. Sami asks if Randy thinks he's stupid, to which Orton responds "Well...yes." Sami tells him he may be right, and takes a few steps toward the ring, before Apollo Crews and Tye Dillinger come out and follow him down. As Zayn steps into the ring, Orton tries to quickly RKO him, but Crews and Dillinger are too quick, and they catch him and hold him in the air. Randy quickly wriggles free and slithers out of the ring as the three young stars stand tall in the ring. Zayn tells Orton he'll get his at No Way Out as the veteran angrilly retreats up the ramp.
80% Rating

Singles Match
WWE Champion Seth Rollins def. Smackdown Tag Team Champion Sheamus (14:11)
Sheamus firmly works the leg the entire match, as if he's fixated on it, but Rollins manages to turn the tables and pull out the win.
After the match, Rollins offers a handshake, and Sheamus reluctantly accepts it.
88% Rating
Meltzer: ***1/2

Segment
The Miz is backstage. He says he's tired of Daniel Bryan screwing him out of opportunities, and that he was set up to fail with Luke Harper last week. And now he's not even on the show this week. He says he wasn't given any time this week, but he has some words for Daniel Bryan, and promises that he WILL get what he wants next week.
87% Rating

WWE Title #1 Contender's Match
Bray Wyatt vs Baron Corbin went to a No Contest (~9:00)
The two big men end up brawling into the crowd. The referee follows them, but ends up getting accidentally plowed over by Corbin before the two brawl all the way out of the arena.
90% Rating


Show Rating: 82%
Viewership: 3,015,000


Confirmed Matches for No Way Out

WWE Championship
Seth Rollins (c) vs [Bray Wyatt or Baron Corbin]

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn (c) vs Randy Orton

Giving away Asuka/Charlotte first time ever on Smackdown is...

Charlotte isn't important anymore, this is the Becky show.

Also I want Asuka to look as strong as possible heading into the inevitable title match. Beating Charlotte makes her look way better than beating Carmella or Naomi does.

Smackdown Live | The Only Option
September 26, 2017

[As the show starts, the announcers run town what will happen tonight: Shane McMahon will make a decision regarding the challenger for the WWE Championship by the end of the night, there will be a #1 Contender's match between Asuka and Emma, and then a tag team match between Apollo Crews & Tye Dillinger and Randy Orton & Dolph Ziggler.]

Opening Segment
Johnny Gargano comes to the ring. He says he talked to Daniel Bryan earlier in the week, and he wants to nip this little problem in the bud before it ruins his career. He calls Tommaso Ciampa to the ring. His former partner appears, and Johnny says that Bryan has granted him a match against Ciampa at No Way Out, where they will settle this once and for all. Ciampa says Gargano made a huge mistake by asking for this match. He says that Johnny wants to end this before it ruins his career, but at No Way Out, he's going to end Johnny's career. Gargano says not if he ends Ciampa's first, and to be honest, that's what he was planning the whole time.
81% Rating

Singles Match
Mojo Rawley def. Shelton Benjamin by Disqualification (6:24)
Mojo dumps Shelton out of the ring and looks for the countout, but Zack Ryder hits the ring and attacks him for the DQ.
Ryder continues attacking his former partner until security hits the ring and separates them.
72% Rating

Segment
Shane McMahon is in his office. Baron Corbin is there pleading his case. He says he wants a rematch with Bray Wyatt next week, rather than a triple threat at No Way Out. He says he knows he can beat Wyatt, and that their match last week only ended the way it did because that stupid referee got in his way. Bray Wyatt walks in and says he'd rather have the triple threat, as he has the power to destroy both Corbin and Seth Rollins, and it'll be easier to do both at once. Seth comes up behind Bray and says he highly doubts that, reminding him of his victory at Battleground. Seth says he doesn't care what Shane chooses, as he'll take on all comers. Shane tells Seth that his input is appreciated, but that it's his decision. Corbin starts trash talking Rollins, saying his days as champion are numbered, but Bray tells Corbin that he's gotta watch his back too. All three start getting into it, and before long, Shane gets pissed and tells them all to leave. He says he'll have made a decision by the end of the show, and that they should all meet him in the ring for that.
85% Rating

Tag Team Match
American Alpha def. Breezango (6:09)
79% Rating

Segment
The Miz comes to the ring with Maryse. He says he's tired of Daniel Bryan holding him down. He says he proved at Vengeance that he deserves a title shot, and that he wants one right now. He demands that Daniel come out and give him one, right now. He starts yelling at Bryan, insulting him over and over to try to get him to come out. Finally, the General Manager appears. Daniel says Miz deserves something, but he's not sure it's a title match. Miz says if he doesn't get a title shot tonight he might have to go to Raw. Daniel says he doesn't have to do that, because he is going to get a title shot tonight. Miz says that's great, and to bring his opponent out. Daniel calls for Miz's opponents, and Cesaro and Sheamus hit the ring. Miz, a little surprised, says that while he and Maryse could beat these two no problem, his wife is retired, and they probably wouldn't want a woman as tag team champion anyway. Daniel says that he has the perfect partner in mind for Miz after the last few weeks, and calls them out. Miz's expression goes to horrified to relieved to horrified again as the Wyatt Family music hits, and Erick Rowan comes out to be his partner.
86% Rating

Smackdown Tag Team Championships
The Miz and Erick Rowan [w/Maryse] def. Cesaro & Sheamus (c) (14:16)
The partnership is a very shaky at first, but Miz and Rowan manage to band together enough to take advantage of the champions not taking them seriously enough, as well as some interference from Maryse, for Rowan to get the pin on Cesaro.
82% Rating

Segment
Randy Orton is backstage. He says that Sami and his friends made him look like a fool last week, and that this week he will have his revenge, even if that means teaming with that idiot Ziggler. He says Sami's days are numbered, and he'll really see tonight what he's getting into at No Way Out.
80% Rating

Smackdown Women's Title #1 Contender's Match
Asuka def. Emma (9:23)
76% Rating

Segment
Becky Lynch watches Asuka celebrate from a monitor backstage. She says to herself that it'll be her and Asuka at No Way Out, and that that should be good. Carmella and James Ellsworth come up behind her. Carmella asks if she's nervous, and says she better cherish that title while she's got it. Becky asks if Carmella thinks she can't beat Asuka; Carmella says she knows Becky can't beat Asuka. She calls Lynch a paper champion, and says she only has the title because of her little friendship nonsense with Charlotte Flair. Becky says Carmella seems a little jealous, then Ellsworth gets in her face, yelling that Carmella doesn't get jealous, and that she should be champion right now. Becky starts walking forward, effortlessly pushing Ellsworth back, saying she can prove why she's champion right here, right now, and she has no problem taking James's arm. Ellsworth hides behind Carmella, who tries to stand tall against Becky but instead grabs James by the wrist and drags him off in a huff.
73% Rating

Tag Team Match | Sami Zayn on commentary
Randy Orton and Dolph Ziggler def. Apollo Crews and Tye Dillinger (9:50)
Orton cheats to get the pin on Tye.
After the match, Sami gets up on the apron and holds the title up as Randy stares him down.
80% Rating

Closing Segment
Shane McMahon comes to the ring. He calls Corbin, Wyatt, and Rollins to the ring. They all make their entrances one-by-one. Wyatt looks preoccupied, like he's not paying attention. Shane says that while a Corbin/Wyatt rematch would make for good TV, he's concerned with getting the maximum entertainment value out of the WWE Championship. He says that that entails unpredictability, and that he'd rather have a match with a higher chance of a title change. He says that there will be a Triple Threat match at No Way Out between the three men in the ring. Seth looks a little concerned at the roundabout way he worded that, and Corbin immediately starts arguing, angry that Shane didn't take his advice. However, before anything else can happen, Shinsuke Nakamura's music hits. Mr. MitB makes a beeline for the ring, and immediately starts attacking Bray Wyatt, apparently in retaliation for Rowan's assault on him last week. Rollins quickly pulls him off and restrains him, but Corbin takes advantage of the confusion to attack Seth, causing him to release. As they brawl, Nakamura goes for a Kinshasa, but Bray avoids it and sets him up for Sister Abigail. However, Nakamura counters it and finally hits the Kinshasa as the referees run out to break up Rollins and Corbin.
82% Rating


Show Rating: 79%
Viewership: 3,005,000


Confirmed Matches for No Way Out

WWE Championship | Triple Threat Match
Seth Rollins (c) vs Bray Wyatt vs Baron Corbin

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn (c) vs Randy Orton

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs Asuka

Singles Match
Johnny Gargano vs Tomasso Ciampa

[On Talking Smack last week, Daniel Bryan made a six-man tag team match for this week's main event: Seth Rollins, Shelton Benjamin, and Shinsuke Nakamura vs Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan, and The Miz.]

Smackdown Live | Watch Your Back
October 3, 2017

Opening Segment
Rusev and Lana come to the ring. Rusev says he's tired of being overlooked and not getting the respect he deserves. Lana says that Seth Rollins is a coward and won't give her husband a title shot, so they're forced to do the next best thing. Rusev calls out "That goody two shoes" Sami Zayn. Sami comes out, and Rusev says that he is a horrible Intercontinental Champion. He says that Rusev is the Super-Athlete, and that he should be Intercontinental Champion, and challenges Zayn to a title match tonight. Sami says that he has no reason to accept this challenge, as he already has a #1 contender. Lana starts calling him a coward, but Sami says he isn't done. He says that he lives for people like Rusev, people who say he is a "horrible champion" because he does things the honorable way. He says he wants to be a fighting champion, and prove that he deserves the belt. He says he'll wrestle Rusev for the title, right now.
77% Rating

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn (c) def. Rusev [w/Lana] (10:36)
After the match, Randy Orton runs in from the crowd and RKOs Zayn before ominously standing over him.
79% Rating

Segment
Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan, The Miz, and Maryse are backstage. Miz and Maryse are a little apprehensive of the dark creepy room that all of Bray's backstage segments take place in, but Bray is ignoring that, instead looking quite annoyed at the situation he finds himself in. Bray asks Miz if he plans on keeping that tag team championship. Miz says "opposed to what, giving it to you?". Bray says that he's focused on the world title right now, but if Miz doesn't want to become involved with the Wyatt family, he'd gladly take the belt off of his hands. Miz declines the offer, saying that Daniel Bryan only put him in this position because he thinks Miz can't work with Erick Rowan, just like he couldn't work with Luke Harper. Miz says he wants to prove Daniel wrong, and that he plans for he and Rowan to be the greatest tag team in WWE. He says he wants to be tag team champion until Wrestlemania. Bray ponders this for a second, then asks Rowan what he thinks. Rowan, with his mask still on, simply turns his head to the side, clutching his title belt tightly. Bray starts chuckling to himself, but it quickly turns to maniacal laughter as Maryse hides behind her husband. Bray turns to Miz and tells him that he guesses he's stuck with him then, before turning and walking out of the shot with Rowan in tow.
83% Rating

Singles Match
Baron Corbin def. Jason Jordan [w/Chad Gable] (7:54)
Corbin gives Jordan an extra End of Days after the match to make a statement.
80% Rating

Segment
Renee Young is backstage with Tomasso Ciampa. She says that Ciampa is about to compete in his first match on Smackdown tonight, and asks him how he feels. He says it's a long time coming; too long, in fact. He says that tonight he's going to show the world why he should have been called up before Johnny Gargano, and that at No Way Out, he's going to show the world why Gargano should never have been called up. He says that Johnny was all talk last week, and promises that in two weeks, he's going to end Gargano's career. He finishes by saying that tonight will be a preview of what the fans are going to see at No Way Out.
83% Rating

Segment
Tye Dillinger is nervously pacing outside a door until Apollo Crews emerges from it. Tye asks Apollo how Sami is doing after the attack earlier. Crews says that he's fine, and that he's just icing his neck. Tye is relieved, and then eventually changes the subject and starts talking about their tag match last week. He says that if Sami's going to be the IC champion, then the two of them might want to consider getting into the tag division. He says that they seemed to work pretty well together last week, and that they might be able to make a run. Apollo thinks about it for a second, but they're interrupted by Breezango. Tyler asks why Tye thinks they worked well together last week when they lost. Fandango says that they'd be a horrible tag team because their outfits wouldn't match. While Apollo asks why that would make them a good tag team, Tye says that while they may have lost last week, they're already a better tag team than Breezango. Tyler complements him on his funny joke, saying they'd never be able to beat a well oiled machine like them. Apollo suggests that they settle this with a match, which Breezango accepts.
69% Rating

Singles Match
Luke Harper def. Tomasso Ciampa (8:15)
Ciampa uses some underhanded tactics to gain the advantage, but Johnny Gargano runs in to interfere and allow Harper to win.
After the match, Gargano continues to attack Ciampa. Tomasso starts fighting back, but Johnny Wrestling quickly gets the advantage, and Harper and the referee have to restrain him while Ciampa runs away.
80% Rating

Segment
Zack Ryder comes out to his old theme song. He says that he should have seen this coming, and that Mojo Rawley's true colors have come out. He says that he may have been a little rusty after being injured, and after finding success without him thought they'd be right through the moon in the tag division. Ryder says that just wasn't going to happen, and that Mojo reacted in a very immature way. Mojo comes out, but as he begins to talk, Ryder tells him to shut up. Again and again Rawley starts to talk, but Zack tells him to shut up every time. Finally Ryder yells SHUT THE HELL UP and tells him to cut the crap. He says he knows how this is going to end, and that they're going to have a match at No Way Out, and they're going to settle this. Mojo asks if that was a challenge, but Ryder says it was a promise.
69% Rating

Singles Match | Asuka on commentary
Smackdown Women's Champion Becky Lynch def. Carmella [w/James Ellsworth] (5:49)
After the match, Asuka grabs the title from the timekeeper and gets in the ring. As Becky looks on, she holds it against her face, breathing heavily, before suddenly turning and chucking the belt at the champion. The surprise knocks Becky off her feet as she fails to catch the belt, and Asuka rolls out of the ring and backs up the ramp.
69% Rating

Segment
Seth Rollins comes out of his locker room and meets up with Shelton Benjamin. Shelton asks Seth if he's ready, and the champion nods before asking where Shinsuke is. On cue, Nakamura shows up behind them with his MitB Briefcase, slightly startling them both. He says "Let's go" before heading off toward the gorilla position. Shelton follows, but before Rollins can go, he's called from down the hall by Sheamus. The former tag team champion walks up, looking a little dejectedly at Seth's title. Rollins asks him what he wants, and Sheamus tells him to remember what he told him before, "Watch your back...". Sheamus walks away, leaving Seth to look very concerned before continuing on toward the ring.
85% Rating

6-Man Tag Team Match
Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Miz & Erick Rowan and Bray Wyatt def. WWE Champion Seth Rollins, Shelton Benjamin, and Shinsuke Nakamura (13:06)
Baron Corbin runs in and interferes, allowing Wyatt to hit Sister Abigail on Shelton to get the pin.
82% Rating


Show Rating: 77%
Viewership: 3,035,000


Confirmed Matches for No Way Out

WWE Championship | Triple Threat Match
Seth Rollins (c) vs Bray Wyatt vs Baron Corbin

Intercontinental Championship
Sami Zayn (c) vs Randy Orton

Smackdown Women's Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs Asuka

Singles Match
Johnny Gargano vs Tomasso Ciampa

Singles Match
Mojo Rawley vs Zack Ryder

Confirmed on Talking Smack
Tag Team Match
Apollo Crews & Tye Dillinger vs Breezango

Corbin!