This week’s SmackDown has witnessed a big title change as King Shinsuke Nakamura is now the new WWE Intercontinental Champion. For the past few weeks, WWE has been placing Nakamura on the Contender’s spot as he defeated the champion Apollo Crews in a non-title matchup. The bout was expected for the SummerSlam lineup but then it happened last night.
SmackDown on FOX from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma saw Nakamura capturing the Intercontinental Title by defeating Apollo Crews via clean pinfall. The match saw Rick Boogs and Commander Azeez ejected to the back by the referee. Thus, any sort of chance to have an interference was wiped out. The finish saw a clean pinfall win as Nakamura nailed Crews with the Kinshasa finisher to get the three-count.
John Cena Wrestles In A Match After WWE Smackdown Goes Off The Air
Second title reign begins for Nakamura on Smackdown
This is the second Intercontinental Championship reign for Nakamura on SmackDown of his WWE career while the first title reign for Crews has come to an end. Crews won the title back on April 11 during Night Two of WrestleMania 37 by defeating Big E in the first-ever Nigerian Drum Fight Match. His title reign lasted for 125 days.
Before SmackDown aired, a SummerSlam title match was made official from Monday Night RAW, as well. Drew McIntyre will compete against Jinder Mahal in the upcoming pay-per-view event.
These two former 3MB partners have been involved in a rivalry on the red brand for several weeks now. McIntyre picked up a win over Mahal in a singles competition on the July 5 RAW episode, by disqualification. Following that, McIntyre hunted down Veer and Shanky with some chair shots while Mahal escaped a beatdown. McIntyre has also picked up a 2-on-1 Handicap Match win over Mahal’s goons, Veer and Shanky, a few days ago.
WWE SummerSlam takes place on Saturday, August 21 from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Check out the confirmed matches for the event,
WWE Universal Title Match
John Cena vs. Roman Reigns (c)
WWE Title Match
Bill Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley (c)
Triple Threat for the RAW Women’s Title
Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Nikki A.S.H. (c)
SmackDown Women’s Title Match
Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair (c)
SmackDown Tag Team Titles Match
The Mysterios (Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio) vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso) (c)
WWE United States Title Match
Damian Priest vs. Sheamus (c)
Edge vs. Seth Rollins
Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal
