Another Match Set for Next Week’s SmackDown
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A video package opens the show focusing on James Ellsworth helping Carmella at the Money in the Bank PPV to obtain the briefcase. We then see Daniel Bryan stripping Carmella of the briefcase last week and booking a rematch.
We go live to San Diego where Tom Phillips welcomes us to the show.
Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan is out first to kick off the show. Big reaction for Bryan tonight in San Diego. A loud “DANIEL BRYAN” chant starts up. Bryan asks if they are ready for a great night tonight? He is proud of the women’s evolution on Smackdown Live and tonight we have two huge women’s matches. Bryan plugs Noami defending the Smackdown Women’s Championship against Lana and the “Money in the Bank” ladder rematch featuring Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Natalya, Carmella and Tamina.
Carmella is out to interrupt along with James Ellsworth. Carmella says Smackdown is the land of injustice. She brings up Bryan stripping her of the briefcase last week. Carmella says she won the ladder match fair and square. She says the rule book states a ladder match is no DQ and has no rules. Carmella says the first woman to gain possession of the contract wins the match. She again repeats the stipulation and says Bryan has no right to take the briefcase away from her. Carmella yells she did nothing wrong.
Bryan says Carmella made some valid points including that ladder matches are no DQ and that other people have interfered in Money in the Bank matches before. He points out that never has someone walked up a ladder and handed it to another competitor. Bryan says he made his decision, but he wants to see what the WWE Universe thinks. He asks if he should cancel the match and hand the briefcase back to Carmella? A loud “NO” chant breaks out in San Diego. Bryan poses having the second ever women’s Money in the Bank ladder match here tonight. San Diego erupts with “YES” chants.
Ellsworth tells everyone to shut up. He says the people make him sick and the fans are the real villains. Ellsworth says they control “this stupid puppet.” He says Bryan takes pleasure in upsetting his “home girl.” A loud “ELLSWORTH SUCKS” chant breaks out. Ellsworth says he used to look up to Bryan. He doesn’t see a man anymore. Ellsworth only sees a “gutless, spineless, coward” that has no grapefruits to cut it in the ring and that he made up some “hokey injury.” Bryan gets in the face of Ellsworth and then starts smiling. He says he could just fire Ellsworth, but it isn’t about James tonight.
Bryan says it is about the “real” superstars of Smackdown Live. He says he knows he banned Ellsworth from ringside last week. Bryan says not to worry and he takes that back. “I am going to ban you from the entire arena,” says Bryan. Bryan calls for security. Carmella yells that Ellsworth didn’t mean it. Security walks down the ramp and gets in the ring going after Ellsworth. Ellsworth tries to leave and they grab him immediately. Ellsworth is grabbing onto the ropes as security drags him out of the ring. He then tells them he is fine and tries to take off again at ringside. Ellsworth tries to break free again jumping on the ring barricade. Security grabs him again and drags him to the back.
-Commercial Break-
If The Hype Bros win, they earn a tag title shot
The Usos vs. The Hype Bros
We start with Jimmy Uso and Zack Ryder. Ryder with a quick flapjack for a two count. Tag to Mojo Rawley who chop blocks the knee of Jimmy. Tag to Jey Uso who chops Mojo. Mojo with a big tackle off the ropes and then clotheslines Jey over the top rope. Tag to Ryder who is launched over the top rope and takes out both Usos at ringside. Jey with a big kick to the face of Ryder on the ring apron as we head to a break.
-Commercial Break-
Back live, Ryder misses his Broski Boot in the corner. Jimmy comes off the top with a splash on Ryder after Jey connects with a superkick. Jimmy gets the pinfall.
Winners: The Usos
After the match, The New Day walk out and get in the ring. Xavier Woods congratulates The Usos for actually winning a match and not walking out. Big E says they want the gold and at Battleground they are coming for them. Woods tries to avoid a Booker T moment with Big E. The Usos questions having to face them again, but ultimately agree to the “little change” from New Day. Kofi insults The Usos with a booty line.
-Commercial Break-
A new “Fashion Vice” segment airs with Breezango. Fandango is confronting The Ascension about attacking them. Konnor and Viktor said it wasn’t them. They leave the room and see their office has been trashed again.
Smackdown Women’s Champion Naomi heads to the ring. She defends her title next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship
Naomi (c) vs. Lana
We get ring introductions for the challenger Lana and champion Naomi.
Before the bell officially rings, Lana attacks Naomi as she raises up her title. Lana with a few more kicks on Naomi until the referee breaks it up. The referee checks on Naomi in the corner and she gives him the okay to ring the bell.
The referee officially starts the match. Lana with a few more shots in the corner. Lana with her sitdown spinebuster on Naomi and gets a very close two count. Naomi with a big kick to the head of Lana. Naomi connects with her split legged moonsault and gets the win!
Winner and still Smackdown Women’s Champion: Naomi
After the match, we see a very upset Lana inside the ring.
Backstage, Becky Lynch is asked about tonight’s Money in the Bank ladder rematch. She’s ready to make history and be the first legitimate woman to win a briefcase.
We return live inside the ring where Aiden English begins singing. Randy Orton’s music hits to interrupt English. Orton heads to the ring as we go to a break.
-Commercial Break-
WWE has announced that Zack Ryder will team with Mojo Rawley to take on Primo and Epico at Sunday’s Money in the Bank event in the kickoff pre-show. Here is the updated card:
WWE Title match
Jinder Mahal (c) (with The Singh Brothers) vs. Randy Orton
MITB ladder match
Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin vs. Sami Zayn vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Smackdown tag team titles match
The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) (c) vs. The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and/or Xavier Woods)
Women’s MITB ladder match
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Natalya vs. Tamina vs. Carmella (with James Ellsworth)
Smackdown Women’s title match
Naomi (c) vs. Lana
Kickoff match
Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley vs. Primo and Epico