Last night’s Smackdown ended on a note where we can smell a new rivalry brewing up between Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens. As per the stipulation of this US title match between Styles and Owens, the latter one can’t ask for an opportunity anymore as long as Styles is the champion. Owens was in full control with the partial referee Baron Corbin until the Smackdown commissioner ran down to make the save for the champion.
So, the prizefighter got screwed again by his plans as The Phenomenal One celebrated to end the show. However, there were bigger surprises stored for us once the main show went off the air.
A big championship match took place in the dark match segment where we spotted Randy Orton who was not present in the original main show of Smackdown. He took on against his nemesis Jinder Mahal in a championship capacity.
Great pose #darkmatch #SmackDownLIVE pic.twitter.com/ojDX6bSkjt
— D NICE (@DNICE600) August 23, 2017
Dark Match Mahal Vs Orton. Randy Wins. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/CtIpuCFpM3
— Macho T | #WWE2K18 (@MachoT_YT) August 23, 2017
The title match was controlled by the Viper for most of the part despite the presence of The Singh Brothers in Jinder’s corner. At the end, Randy picked up the win via disqualification due to interference from Jinder’s pals. So, the Modern-day Maharaja continued with the championship reign.
#SDLive #DarkMatch Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal #WWE @barclayscenter pic.twitter.com/th5N8tB6pZ
— Ed Easton Jr. (@EdEastonJr) August 23, 2017
Apart from this one match, there was another dark match stored for the Brooklyn crowd prior to the start of Smackdown Live. The fans in attendance witnessed a tag team contest between Breezango vs. The Ascension. Tyler Breeze and Fandango picked up the win.
Your #SDLive DARK MATCH WAS #Ascension vs #Breezango pic.twitter.com/teAmljCfAW
— BluE_EaZY (@BluEEaZY3) August 23, 2017
The Smackdown fallout show caught up with Shinsuke Nakamura who talked about his payback on Jinder Mahal. At Summerslam, Jinder escaped via some help from his pals. But, he will earn yet another opportunity, sooner.
EXCLUSIVE: @ShinsukeN might have defeated @SinghBrosWWE on #SDLive, but he STILL has his eyes on @JinderMahal AND his #WWEChampionship! pic.twitter.com/KziHGkDUIF
— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2017
Back Home Sweet home. #SmackDownLIVE pic.twitter.com/clfNJbrXuL
— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) August 23, 2017
We also received a tweet from Shelton Benjamin who is the newest member of Smackdown roster. He was delighted to be back to his home of Smackdown Live.
.@WWE205Live is now The #RealestShowInTheRoom, because @real1 just made his #205Live DEBUT! HOW U DOIN’?!? @WWENetwork @WWENeville pic.twitter.com/4Gxd2fvPDs
— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2017
Enzo Amore made his 205 Live debut after Neville defeated Akira Tozawa in a title rematch. The champion was cutting a promo when The Certified G showed up confirming that 205 Live will be his new home.