WWE was live in Tulsa, Oklahoma for SmackDown Live. After an eventful Hell in a Cell event, friendships ended, controversy arose and rivalries reached breaking points. Who left Hell in a Cell victorious?
SmackDown kicks off with The Miz and MizTV. At Hell in a Cell, he and his wife Maryse, picked up the win over Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella. The Miz announces that at WWE Super Showdown in Australia, he will take on Daniel Bryan where the winner will get a shot at the WWE Championship. However, that is in three weeks.
Tonight, Miz invites his guest on MizTV which is none other than his wife, Maryse. Maryse was the one who picked up the win for herself and The Miz at Hell in a Cell. After parading their victory, Maryse announces that she will no longer be an active member of the SmackDown roster.
After attacking the fans for cheering Maryse’s last night on SmackDown, The Miz called out Daniel Bryan. The two then brawled, accidently knocked into Maryse. The EMT came to the aid of Maryse. However, it was just a set up by Miz and Maryse. Daniel had none of it and cleared Miz out of the ring.
Kofi Kingston v. Cesaro
After a successful title defense at Hell in a Cell, The New are onto their next challenge. At WWE Super Showdown, The New Day will defend the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against The Bar. However, tonight it is singles competition.
In a competitive contest, Cesaro was able to pin Kofi Kingston after hitting the Neutralizer for the pin and the win. The Bar is building momentum towards WWE Super Showdown.
Randy Orton has Reached a New Level of Sadistic
At Hell in a Cell, Randy Orton was able to beat Jeff Hardy inside Hell in a Cell. However, that is only the half of it. The two destroyed each other inside the structure. Leaving each other in a heap. From whipping Orton with a diamond studded belt leaving welts and a bloody back. Then, Randy putting a screwdriver through the earlobe of Jeff Hardy and pulling and twisting to nearly ripping. It was gruesome and cringeworthy. However, it was a match that truly represented Hell in a Cell.
On SmackDown, Randy demanded the production team to replay the footage of the Hell in a Cell match. He shows that he finds joy at watching his malicious actions to Jeff Hardy. Randy’s new character is definitely going in a positive direction to being one of the best on SmackDown. Who is Randy’s next victim?
Rusev v. Shinsuke Nakamura: United States Championship
After coming up short on Sunday, Rusev looks to rebound and claim the United States Championship for the third time.
Before the match, there seemed to be dissension in Rusev Day. Rusev blamed Aiden English for their loss Sunday. Rusev states that if Aiden’s performance Sunday was his best, then he does not belong in Rusev Day. Aiden then felt betrayed because Rusev Day would be nothing without him. Even calling out Lana. Lana attempted to speak to Rusev but Rusev’s focus was on winning the United States Championship.
Rusev and Nakamura put on one heck of a show for the United States Championship. Rusev seemed to be closing in on winning the United States Championship, until Aiden’s distraction allowed Shinsuke to roll up Rusev for the win. After the match, Aiden shockingly attacked Rusev from behind, beating him down with the Rusev Day microphone. The end of Rusev Day has happened. Will tomorrow still be Rusev Day?
AJ Styles v. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Sunday, AJ Styles retained the WWE Championship, however without controversy. Samoa Joe seemed to be closing in on the WWE Championship with the coquina clutch, but AJ was able to counter for the pin. But, when the pinfall happened, AJ seemed to tap before the referee’s hand came down for three. To put the controversy to rest, at WWE Super Showdown, AJ Styles will defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe in a No Disqualification match where there must be a winner.
Tonight, AJ takes on the tough opponent of Andrade “Cien” Almas. Before the match, Andrade attacked AJ from behind. Immediately giving the upper hand to Andrade.
In a fantastic contest, Andrade did everything to try to earn an opportunity at the WWE Championship. However, there is no one at this moment better than AJ Styles. AJ was able to pick up the victory in a highly competitive match. After the match, Samoa Joe ambushed AJ Styles. However, the ambush did not last very long as AJ was able to fend off Joe’s attack. These two will fight one more time in Australia with the WWE Championship on the line. How much more will the personal line get crossed with these two?
Asuka & Naomi v. The IIconics
In a pretty quick match, Asuka and Naomi took care of The IIconics pretty handily.
Becky Lynch’s Championship Coronation
Sunday at Hell in a Cell, Becky Lynch finally was able to reach the top of the mountain and win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. After months and months of striving, she was able to dethrone Charlotte and finally call herself champion.
Becky comes down to the ring with a warm reception by the WWE Universe as she accepts the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Becky is a tad upset there are no balloons or the SmackDown Women’s Division she built surrounding the ring. However, she only wanted one woman in the ring, Charlotte Flair.
Charlotte comes down and announces that she is invoking her rematch clause at WWE Super Showdown. Charlotte states that she knows that Becky has waited two long years to reclaim the SmackDown Women’s Championship, but she stated Becky could lose the title in one night.
Becky tries to play mind games with Charlotte, from shaking her hand, put the title around her waist, to making Charlotte call her “Queen.” Becky then through a verbal shot at Charlotte, in which Charlotte retaliated by attacking Becky.
The two threw shots back and forth until Becky got the upper hand. She would then attack the arm of Charlotte and left her laying in the ring. The new Becky Lynch is here to stay and it was much needed for her career.
Conclusion
This was a really good SmackDown. Stories are progressing quite nicely. They are building towards a big event in Australia which from the card so far seems like a must see show. Stories are not jumbled on SmackDown which is always a plus. Another entertaining Tuesday night.