WWE was live last night in Memphis, Tennessee for SmackDown Live. The picture is set for Sunday at Money in the Bank and the go home episode of SmackDown Live cleared up who are the favorites and who are the underdogs heading towards Chicago.

   SmackDown kicks of with General Manager Paige as she is with the four women who will represent SmackDown in the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, Lana, Naomi, Charlotte and Becky Lynch. She states the importance of the Money in the Bank briefcase.

   She explains a future is destined when you win the Money in the Bank ladder match. She does not care who wins, as long as the briefcase comes back to SmackDown.

   Out comes The IIconics (Peyton Royce & Billie Kay) and then Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville. They mock and state that they are better than anyone in the ring. Leading to a brawl with all 8 women outside the ring. Setting up a future tag team match later in the show.

Shelton Benjamin v. Daniel Bryan

   For the first time ever on SmackDown, two of the most athletic competitors had an excellent and competitive contest. Both men put lots of effort going into this match. Daniel had to focus on Shelton and not let his upcoming match Sunday with Big Cass Sunday distract him.

   Two of the best amateur wrestlers on the roster showed their skills to a tee in this contest. Daniel struggled using his submissions throughout the contest, but was finally able to lock in the Heel Hook for the submission victory.

Jerry “The King” Lawler Interviews AJ Styles

   Since SmackDown was in Memphis, it would not be complete without an appearance by “The King.” He came out to interview the WWE Champion AJ Styles about the contract signing with Shinsuke Nakamura last week, and the Last Man Standing match Sunday.

   AJ responds by stating that playtime is over with Nakamura. He cannot wait to get his hands on Shinsuke this Sunday in their Last Man Standing match. AJ declares he will leave Money in the Bank with the WWE Championship.

Samoa Joe v. Rusev, Special Referee: The Miz

   The matchup of two of the biggest men on SmackDown Live. The Miz made himself the special referee of the contest to scout his future opponents at Money in the Bank. Rusev and Samoa Joe continued to show their strength and power towards each other.

   In the closing moments of the matchup Aiden English tries to distract Miz in the corner, leading to Samoa Joe accidentally running into him. Samoa Joe hits Rusev with a Uranage and goes for a pin. But, Miz would not count. Leading to Rusev to hit a massive kick for the pin and the win.

   After the match, Rusev attacks Samoa Joe with a ladder and attempts to climb. Miz returns to the ring and hits Rusev with a Skull Crushing Finale. Miz climbed the ladder to get the briefcase only to find that there was not a contract but pancakes put there by the New Day.

Jeff Hardy v. Shinsuke Nakamura

   In another first time ever match up, the no. 1 contender for the WWE Championship Shinsuke Nakamura took on the United States Champion Jeff Hardy.

   In a good contest by two of the best on the roster, it seemed Jeff was going to pull an upset on Shinsuke. However, while Jeff was attempting to hit Shinsuke with another Twist of Fate, Shinsuke low blowed him, disqualifying him. The attack did not stop there as Shinsuke hit the Kinshasa on Jeff and counting him out for the count of 10.

   Will AJ suffer the same fate Sunday at Money in the Bank?

Big Cass Interview

   In yet another promo about Big Cass stating the height difference between him and Daniel Bryan. The only difference in this promo was when Cass brought the height requirement sign from the Memphis fair and mocked Daniel’s height. Hopefully Sunday ends this feud between the two.

Asuka, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Lana & Naomi v. Carmella, The IIconics, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

   Earlier in the night, Asuka asked Paige to add herself and Carmella to the main event tag team match so she could get her hands on Carmella. Each woman had to show their potential, especially the ones who have everything to win on Sunday.

   This match was back and forth, with neither team really getting an advantage.

   After all the 8 women continued their brawl from earlier tonight, it left Asuka and Carmella alone in the ring. Carmella tried to gain an advantage, but Asuka was able to lock her in the Asuka Lock for the submission victory.

   Can Asuka do that again Sunday to Carmella with the SmackDown Women’s Championship on the line?

   SmackDown ends with the four participants representing SmackDown in the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match surrounding Asuka. Asuka might become a  potential target if one of the 4 win the Money in the Bank briefcase.

David Jacobus
Intern