The John Report: WWE Smackdown Live 08/07/18 Review
Live from Orlando, Florida, this is Smackdown Live for episode #989. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Thanks to Melo Man for the banner up top.
Let’s Hear From Randy Orton
The show began with Randy Orton’s music starting up as The Viper made his entrance in his ring gear. The fans were booing him although he still gets cheers out of respect as well.
The announce team of Tom Phillips, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton were shown on camera welcoming us to the show.
Orton said that last week Jeff Hardy called him out. Let’s see how that turned out, so here’s a video package or Orton attacking Hardy again while ripping away Hardy’s necklace and wiping away the paint on Hardy’s face.
Orton asked “do you still believe?” He said that he could have warned the squeamish fans to turn away, but watching people be squeamish is why he did it in the first place. Orton talked about how he wants to dismantle the identities of the people the fans like. Orton said, “I will become so violent that you will want to change the channel, but you won’t because you people still believe.” Orton claimed that we believe in superheroes and we believe that Jeff Hardy will come out to the ring to save the day. Orton said that he erased the enigma Jeff Hardy and he will erase every superstar that the fans respect. Orton complained about how he doesn’t get respect from the fans or the respect of everybody in the back.
Orton talked about how when he started he was the youngest man in the locker room (that’s true because he was 22) and the youngest World Champion ever (he was 24 at SummerSlam 2004). Orton said he’s a 13-time World Champion that’s main evented WrestleMania, won the Royal Rumble multiple times and won Money in the Bank, yet the fans don’t respect him. Orton said that is why he is going to erase our favorites. Orton said you can’t blame him, it’s on each and every one of us. Orton said you can call him the Apex Predator, The Viper, Legend Killer or refer to him as the three destructive letters in the WWE universe R…K…and he dropped the microphone as the fans chanted “O” at the end. Orton left.
Analysis: That was like the promo he did a few weeks ago to start the show. The ending was the same too. I think it’s just WWE wanting him to be repetitive to get over the fact that Orton has turned heel because of the fans and he’s doing it because he felt the fans forced him to do this. Orton is a lot more comfortable in this role than when he was a face. He’s very motivated again.
Sheamus and Cesaro were shown watching on a TV backstage because they have a big tag team match later.
Becky Lynch was shown warming up backstage. Her buddy Charlotte Flair walked up to her. Charlotte said that she wasn’t trying to ruin Becky’s moment last week. Becky said that she gets it, but it puts Becky in a tough position. Becky said that she wanted Carmella to herself and then Charlotte got into it to make it a triple threat. Becky said now she just has to prove herself by beating the best in Charlotte. Charlotte asked if they are okay for this tag match, Lynch said yeah because they’re not like Bayley and Sasha. That drew a bit of a pop. They did their “tea” gesture to end it.
Analysis: The confidence they showed and the slight dig to Bayley/Sasha is a way to foreshadow that there will be problems between them.
Carmella, the Smackdown Women’s Champion, made her entrance looking fabulous to provide commentary for the women’s tag team match up next.
(Commercial)
Carmella joined the commentary team for this match.
Becky Lynch made her entrance first for her team. Good response for her. It’s Carmella vs. Lynch vs. Charlotte at SummerSlam for the SD Women’s Title. Carmella blamed Charlotte and Paige for it. Charlotte made her entrance in her robe looking great.
The Iiconcis duo of Peyton Royce and Billie Kay had microphones in hand. They did a word association game saying Orlando is the saddest place on Earth. Billie said that Charlotte is overrated, bad dancer and lost to Carmella twice. For Becky, they said nothing comes to mind and fans chanted “boring” at them. Royce said that Lynch is in the same place where she’ll be at SummerSlam in Charlotte’s shadow. They said Becky was “always the bridesmaid, but never the champion” even though Lynch was the champion two years.
Analysis: The crowd did not like that promo. I don’t mind their promos and it got some heat with the end of it. The “boring” chant isn’t ideal, though. I don’t mind that line the Iiconics had about Becky not being champion even though she has been before because they are heels and heels are supposed to lie like that. It’s why the fans hate them.
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair vs. The Iiconics (Peyton Royce and Billie Kay)
Lynch with an armbar on Kay, Charlotte tagged in with chops, Lynch back in and they did a double arm drag on both Iiconics. Royce pulled Kay out of the ring to save her buddy. Charlotte tagged in and hit a slingshot dive over the top to take out both Iiconics on the floor.
(Commercial)
Back from break, Charlotte got a rollup on Kay for two. Charlotte and Kay did a boot to the face at the same time, so they were both knocked down. Lynch tagged in against Royce with leg lariats and a Bexploder by Lynch. Lynch went to the middle rope and hit a shoulder tackle for a two count. Lynch went for the Disarmer, Kay back in, Charlotte tagged in and Charlotte hit a moonsault on onto both Iiconics. I don’t really like that moonsault as a hot tag spot. It’s pretty random when two women are just standing there waiting for it. Charlotte put the Figure Eight submission on Royce for the tapout win after about six minutes.
Winners by submission: Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Analysis: *1/2 Easy win for Becky and Charlotte as you would expect in that situation since they are both going for the Women’s Title at SummerSlam while the Iiconics are not involved in SummerSlam. We only saw about three minutes of action, so it was not a lot. I thought that maybe there would be a bit of tension between Becky and Charlotte, but they worked together smoothly. With Charlotte getting the pin, it does show that she is superior to Lynch and always seems to get the spotlight on her.
Post match, Lynch and Charlotte stood in the ring as Carmella stood on the announce table with the title. All three women were trash talking.
The New Day were about to be interviewed by Renee Young in the backstage area, but they politely took over the interview from her. Kingston wore a blonde wig and had a cheap looking suit outfit. Kingston said his name was Kramer Kingman while talking in a funny voice. Xavier Woods said they have beat them before and tonight they will beat them again. Big E said that they’re going to make sure the Bludgeon Brothers bow down at the Power of Positivity at SummerSlam. Kingston took off his blonde wig and gave it to Renee as a souvenir.
Analysis: That was fun. I enjoy the New Day’s hijinks.
The Miz did an “earlier today” promo from the set of Miz and Mrs. Miz said he’s going to give Daniel Bryan what he wanted because it’s going to be Miz vs. Bryan at SummerSlam.
Analysis: I’m excited about that. It should be one of the best matches of the night and I think the feud will continue for a few months. It’s the start of the rivalry that should be one of the best of the year.
Later in the show, Byron Saxton interviews The Miz.
AJ Styles was shown backstage because he’s up next.
(Commercial)
The duo of Becky Lynch and bouncy Charlotte Flair were shown walking backstage in a good mood. Charlotte said they’re sippin’ tea, kicking butts and she loves tagging with Becky. Lynch said there’s nothing like tagging with her best friend. They both said that was fun tonight, but at SummerSlam it will be a different story. Charlotte said then they’ll both have to be great again. They did their “tea” finger handshake to end it.
Analysis: I think Carmella is going to retain now. I don’t want it to be that way, but it would make sense to have Carmella retain because Charlotte breaks up a Lynch submission win and Lynch gets mad about it leading to a heel turn.
A replay aired of Samoa Joe’s promo against AJ Styles last week where he took a shot at AJ’s devotion to his family.
Let’s Hear from WWE Champion AJ Styles
AJ Styles, the WWE Champion, made his entrance to a big pop. Corey Graves noted that Styles has four tattoos on his side with the birthdays of his four kids (three boys and a girl) on them. That’s something most of us knew, but Graves pointing it out here is smart since Joe ripped on AJ’s dedication to his family last week. The fans chanted “AJ Styles” before the champ could say a word.
Styles said that a lot goes on between the ropes, a lot of trash talking and manhood being tested. When that happens, things get personal. Styles talked about how last week Samoa Joe made it possible when he talked about AJ’s family. Styles spoke about how he wants to be one of the greatest WWE superstars for his family. He said that they all make sacrifices as parents, that’s what he’s supposed to do as a father and a real man. Styles spoke about how he’s away from home 200 days a year, he misses little league games and he noted he celebrated 18 years with his wife on August 5th, which drew cheers. Styles noted that his wife is basically a single parent because he can’t be there. Samoa Joe was shown watching this on a TV backstage. He had a black eye. Styles said those are the sacrifices he has had to make.
Styles added that we are supposed to give our children everything that we didn’t have. Styles said that sometimes on special occasions we give them what they want. Styles talked about how when his kid falls and scrapes a knee, he wants to be there. Styles got angry talking about how Joe knew his wife and his kids long before this was the house that AJ Styles built, they shared a cockroach-infested apartment complex and stale pizza together. Styles complained about how Joe threw away over a decade of friendship because Joe tarnished AJ’s family name. AJ said that he’s not going to let Joe’s hands get on that title. Styles said at SummerSlam, Joe is not walking out the WWE Champion. Styles added that Joe will be lucky to walk out at all…period. The crowd cheered. Joe was shown backstage laughing about what Styles said as if he was realizing that he was getting into AJ’s head.
Analysis: Good promo from the champ in reply to Joe taking personal shots at him last week. I think this feud could have used a physical confrontation between them, but I don’t mind having Styles do a promo in ring like that. I liked the part at the end with Joe laughing because it shows that his mind games are working and he’s trying to get in AJ’s head to throw him off his game. I think it’s very possible that Joe leaves SummerSlam as WWE Champion. I like Styles a lot as the champ, but I’d like to see Joe have a run with the title.
The Bar vs. The New Day is still to come.
Lana was shown warming up backstage with her husband Rusev there to support her. Rusev said he should be more supportive, so tonight he’ll be at ringside for her rematch against Zelina Vega because it’s a Happy Lana Day. Lana thanked him and said she appreciated. She has completely dropped the phony accent. Aiden English showed up to say he just wants to apologize. He said he did not mean to cost Lana her match last week. English said he had the best intentions in mind. English said he didn’t know who he was without them and he said sorry. Rusev said they forgive them. Rusev shook his hand. Rusev said they forgive English, but maybe it’s better if he stays in the back tonight, so Rusev and Lana left while English stayed there.
Zelina Vega made her entrance with Andrade Cien Almas.
(Commercial)
The ravishing Russian Lana made her entrance with husband Rusev by her side. She was cheered, so I think it’s fair to say they are officially faces now.
Lana (w/Rusev) vs. Zelina Vega (w/Andrade Cien Almas)
Vega with a forearm that stunned Lana, Vega to the floor and Lana with a baseball slide dropkick. Back in the ring, Vega grabbed a headlock. The fans sang the “Lana is the best, Lana number one” song that doesn’t have complicated lyrics. Vega stomped on the back of Lana. Suplex by Lana got a two count. Vega sent Lana into the turnbuckle and Lana came back with a bulldog for two. Two suplexes in a row from Lana. Almas was on the apron, which allowed Vega to hit a move that was like a Codebreaker with two knees to the face. Rusev attacked Almas with a clothesline. Rusev whipped Almas into the barricade. Vega kicked Rusev in the back of the head leading to Almas sending Rusev face first into the ring post. Lana hit a jumping kick to the head. Lana went up top, Aiden English ran out to tackle Almas into the ropes and that led to Lana bumping off the top into the ring. Vega hit the double knees in the corner for the pinfall win after about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Zelina Vega
Analysis: *1/2 The work in the match was decent and I think Lana does deserve credit for improving in the win. This was mostly about advancing the story again with English “accidentally” causing problems for Rusev and Lana. It should lead to something soon where English reveals that he did this on purpose because he’s sick of Rusev Day leading to a feud between them.
Post match, Almas and Vega celebrated the win. English was mad at himself about the loss. A replay aired of the mistake from English that cost Lana the match. Rusev and Lana looked upset in the ring.
Shinsuke Nakamura, the United States Champion, was interviewed by Renee Young backstage. Nakamura said he thinks Jeff Hardy was erased and she said he wasn’t erased despite what Randy Orton said. Nakamura said he understood the metaphor. Nakamura said he’ll face what is left of Jeff Hardy. R-Truth showed up with Tye Dillinger with Truth saying he wants a match for that title. Nakamura asked how he will do that. Truth: “Same way everybody else does…I’m gonna pin Carmella.” That was funny since Becky and Charlotte pinned Carmella to earn title shots. The fans laughed. Dillinger said it’s not the way it works for them. Nakamura said something in Japanese, Truth pretended like he understood it, Dillinger had no idea what Nakamura said, so Truth said the match with Carmella is off and he wants a match with Nakamura.
Analysis: The Truth gimmick of being a dumbass is good at producing some laughs. It worked here.
The Miz interview conducted by Byron Saxton was teased as coming up next.
(Commercial)
A commercial aired for Miz and Mrs. after Smackdown.
Nakamura vs. Truth is on for later.
Interview with The Miz
Byron Saxton was shown in the ring with a microphone. Saxton introduced The Miz for an interview.
The Miz was shown on the screen with a graphic saying that that Miz was “on the set of Miz and Mrs.” Byron asked why Miz wasn’t there. Miz said that this is why Byron won’t be anything more than a second rate commentator. Miz bragged about how great the show Miz and Mrs. is, so the reason he’s not there is because he’s a star. Saxton asked Miz about his match with Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam. Miz plugged Miz and Mrs. saying it’s a hilarious episode where Miz has to learn CPR while noting that Daniel Bryan needs to tune in because he has to resuscitate his career. Saxton mentioned Miz having issues with Bryan going back eight years from when they were on the original NXT together. Miz said that he should be representing WWE as the WWE Champion, which actually drew cheers. Miz claimed that he doesn’t need this match with Daniel Bryan and said that Bryan needs this match with him. Miz said he’ll finish this once and for all at SummerSlam. Miz said he’s been carrying that “subpar amateur” since day one and he’s done sharing the spotlight with somebody that hasn’t earned it. Miz talked about how he’s been earning it night after night while Bryan has been home for the past two years (actually three years where Bryan was unable to wrestle) crying in bed. Miz said that Bryan is beneath him. Miz mocked Bryan saying that he’s probably backstage in catering with some kale talking about how much of a fighter he is and Bryan showed up to attack Miz and his two security guys. Miz grabbed a vase of flowers and broke the glass over the back of Bryan. That allowed Miz to escape with his security guys.
The announcers talked about it with Graves saying that he has never seen Bryan like this. Phillips said that Bryan went on the set of Miz and Mrs. to make that attack as if fans are to believe that wasn’t really backstage. Oh well. They’re telling stories.
Analysis: That was a great promo from The Miz like he does all the time. It’s not a surprise that they managed to plug Miz and Mrs. about ten times during that promo. I like the logic from the point of view of The Miz with him saying that Bryan has been wanting to fight Miz for so long while Miz has been wrestling and Miz doesn’t feel like he should even wrestle Bryan. The fans cheering when Miz said he should be WWE Champion shows that some fans believe that Miz can be a top guy. I think it was smart to have Bryan attack Miz like that only for Miz to get a cheap shot in with a vase to the head. This will be one of the best matches at SummerSlam.
The New Day vs. Sheamus and Cesaro is still to come in the main event.
Shinsuke Nakamura made his entrance with the US Title.
(Commercial)
R-Truth made his entrance singing the “What’s Up” song that he has done for many years. Graves had a funny line about how he understood the lyrics to Nakamura’s song better than the Truth song and he doesn’t speak Japanese.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. R-Truth
Nakamura’s US Title was not on the line for this match.
Nakamura stomped away on Truth against the corner followed by the “come on” taunt. Truth tried a rollup. Truth did a taunt of his own followed by the “come on” taunt. Truth hit a hurricanrana followed by a jumping side kick. Truth with a corner splash and a hip lock takeover. Nakamura avoided a kick and hit a spinning kick of his own. Nakamura slapped on a flipping armbar and tried for a triangle choke, but Nakamura managed to get to the bottom rope. Nakamura hit a reverse Exploder suplex. Nakamura hit the Kinshasa knee strike for the pinfall win after about three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Shinsuke Nakamura
Analysis: *3/4 That was a quick match that was entertaining for the time given. I’m glad that Truth got in a bit of offense, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to win. Truth is an impressive athlete at 46 years of age. Nakamura winning clean was the obvious outcome.
There was an “earlier today” promo from The Bludgeon Brothers. They talked about the two teams that are coming for their Tag Team Titles. Harper said they will be there waiting and excited. Rowan said they will be eager to break whoever it is mentally and physically. Harper said this is going to be fun.
The Bludgeon Brothers duo of Harper and Rowan made their entrances with the Smackdown Tag Team Titles around their waist and the mallets in their hands.
(Commercial)
The Bludgeon Brothers were in the ring to start a 2 on 3 handicap match.
The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) vs. Three Dudes With No Chance called 3SK
The name 3SK was mentioned by 3SK and they didn’t say their individual names although Phillips tried to during the match. Rowan slammed a guy onto the ring apron. Rowan ran over two guys with a running cross body block on the floor. Graves called them Tazz Junior and the Roman Reigns starter kit, which is pretty funny. Harper suplexed a guy on the floor. Rowan suplexed another guy on the floor. Rowan with a body slam on Harper onto two guys. Back in the ring, Harper tagged with a clothesline off the turnbuckle into a Powerbomb for the pinfall win after about two minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Bludgeon Brothers
Analysis: 1/2* Easy win to put over the champs to remind people how dominant they are. The Bludgeon Brothers haven’t had a meaningful match in a while, so it was just a way to get them on the show.
The announcers went over the matches for SummerSlam. I have them all listed at the bottom of this review.
The Bar duo of Sheamus and Cesaro made their entrance to determine the number one contenders to the Smackdown Tag Team Titles. They were booed since they are heels.
(Commercial)
The New Day trio of Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods got a big ovation for their entrance. They dumped some pancakes on some kids at ringside.
There is over 20 minutes of time left in the show, so this will be a long match. That’s cool with me. Phillips pointed out these teams had a history on Raw with Sheamus and Cesaro as the team that ended The New Day’s record long 483-day title reign.
The New Day Big E and Kofi Kingston (w/Xavier Woods) vs. The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro)
The winners of this match earn a Smackdown Tag Team Title match at SummerSlam.
The fans were chanting “we want pancakes” at the start of the match. Big E with a back elbow on Cesaro and he brought Kingston in, who kicked Cesaro. When Cesaro did a monkey flip, Kingston landed on his feet and hit a dropkick to take him down. Sheamus tagged in, Kingston went after him by the turnbuckle and Sheamus hit a forearm that knocked Kingston over the top to the floor. It felt like a commercial spot, but it was not. Sheamus decked Kingston with another forearm to the chest. Cesaro back in with a chinlock as they replayed the forearm by Sheamus because it sounded loud. Sheamus back in with a shoulder tackle on Kingston for a two count as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
Back from break, Kingston tried to fight out of the heel corner and he hit a back body drop on Cesaro that sent him over the top to the floor. Cesaro tagged Sheamus, who missed a corner charge and Big E got the tag. Big E did the usual two overhead belly to belly suplexes, the side belly to suplex and the running splash was interrupted by Cesaro, who Big E hit with a clothesline. Sheamus rollup for two and a knee to the face. Big E with a uranage slam on Sheamus for two. Kingston tagged back in, Cesaro tagged in and Kingston hit a leaping clothesline on Sheamus. Kingston with a SOS slam on Cesaro a for two count. Cesaro with a knee lift on Kingston. Big E got the tag, Kingston tripped up Cesaro and Big E went for a splash on the apron, but Cesaro moved. Big E hit hard on the side of the ring apron. Kingston jumped on Sheamus, who caught him and hit a Rolling Senton on Kingston. The Bar hit a double team front suplex on Big E for a two count. The fans chanted “New Day rocks” to try to help the New Day. The heels continued to work over Cesaro as the match went to commercial for the second time.
(Commercial)
Back from a second break, Sheamus worked over Big E in the corner. Cesaro tagged in and hit Big E with a boot to the face. Cesaro hit a huge superplex on Big E and Sheamus jumped off the top with a knee drop for two. That was a cool spot leading to a very good nearfall. The fans gave them a much deserved “this is awesome” chant. Big E kicked Sheamus out of the ring. Cesaro rolled Sheamus back in and Kingston got a hot tag. Kingston with a clothesline off the top on Cesaro, who tagged in for his team. Kingston with a leaping clothesline followed by the boom drop leg drop. Kingston hit a dive over the top to take out The Bar. Woods encouraged Kingston to keep going. Kingston up top and he hit a double stomp missile dropkick as Sheamus broke up the pin. Cesaro caught Kingston, Sheamus tag and The Bar did a double team backbreaker on Kingston for two. Another good nearfall. Sheamus looked exhausted as he took a break against the turnbuckle to set up for the Brogue Kick. Kingston back up, Sheamus missed the Brogue Kick because Kingston moved and Kingston knocked Cesaro to the floor. Kingston with a dropkick on Sheamus. Big E tagged back in, Kingston up top, Cesaro knocked him down and Sheamus hit a White Noise on Big E with Cesaro making the pin for two, but Kingston made the save. Wow. This match is amazing. Fans chanted “this is awesome” again. Cesaro tripped up Big E and applied the Cesaro Swing into the Sharpshooter submission. Cesaro dragged Big E to the center of the ring. Meanwhile, on the floor, Kingston jumped off the barricade and hit a Tornado DDT on Sheamus on the floor. Big E nearly got to the ropes, so Cesaro slapped on a Crossface submission. That’s so impressive. Big E got back to his feet and Kingston tagged in. Big E set up Cesaro in position, Kingston jumped off the top and hit the Midnight Hour double team slam for the pinfall win. The match went about 24 minutes. The crowd cheered the finish loudly.
Winners by pinfall: The New Day
Analysis: ****1/4 That was an outstanding match. It was one of the best tag team matches on WWE’s main roster this year. I say the main roster because NXT has had a few that were better. I’m glad they got so much time, told a great story and made the match feel like a big deal by putting them in the main event. The story was like most New Day matches with Big E on a roll after a hot tag, but then Big E was worked on for a lot of the match too. It just kept going and they were able to tell an even better story due to getting more time. It was obvious The New Day were going to win since the Bludgeon Brothers are heels, so having the face New Day wrestle them makes a lot of sense. Sheamus and Cesaro put up a great fight. The last few minutes were full of a lot of exciting moments and the crowd was really into the match as well. I liked the ending a lot with Cesaro grounding Big E with submissions, Kingston took care of Sheamus on the floor and Big E was able to tag Kingston back in for the finish. That was a lot of fun to watch. I love great tag team wrestling like that.
The win means that The New Day will challenge The Bludgeon Brothers for the Smackdown Tag Team Titles at SummerSlam on August 19.
The New Day celebrated the win. The Bludgeon Brothers were shown in another part of the arena watching the match. The New Day’s celebration continued as Smackdown ended for this week.
Analysis: That Tag Team Title match could go either way. The Bludgeon Brothers have been booked to be so dominant this year, but perhaps it’s time to get the gold back on New Day. I’ll probably pick The Bludgeon Brothers to retain just because I can see WWE wanting them to have a long title reign. It can go either way, though.
Three Stars of the Show
- The New Day
- Cesaro/Sheamus
- The Miz
The Scoreboard
7.5 out of 10
Last week: 8.5
2018 Average: 6.52
Last 5 Weeks: 8.5, 6, 7.5, 7, 7
2018 High: 8.5 (July 31)
2018 Low: 4.5 (January 2, January 9)
Final Thoughts
Smackdown gets a 7.5 out of 10 this week.
It was another very good episode of Smackdown this week. The main event was the highlight obviously with one of the best TV and tag team matches of the year. The other matches were okay, but nothing really stood out. I think that’s what prevented me from going with a score of 8 or above this week. I enjoyed The Miz interview and attack on Daniel Bryan too. AJ Styles’ reply to Samoa Joe was good, but I liked Joe’s promo better last week.
Smackdown continues on a hot streak and is clearly superior to Raw on a consistent basis in the last few months.
8 years in the making. #SDLive#SummerSlam@mikethemiz@WWEDanielBryanpic.twitter.com/zZ2OxtsMGl
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 8, 2018
The next WWE PPV is SummerSlam on August 19 in Brooklyn, NY. Here’s the lineup so far.
Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns
WWE Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe
Raw Women’s Championship: Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
For the Money in the Bank Contract: Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens
Intercontinental Championship: Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Seth Rollins
United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
Smackdown Women’s Championship: Carmella (c) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair
Smackdown Tag Team Championships: The Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs. The New Day
Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor
Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Drew Gulak – I expect this to be a Kickoff Show match.
I think Bobby Lashley vs. Elias may be added as well.
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John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter @johnreport