A couple of returns were expected on tonight’s episode of Smackdown Live which have already hyped up the show. The setup was even bigger since the Money in the Bank PPV has changed the course of the blue brand to a big extent. With that being said, the show emanated from the Wright State University Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio and here are the results:
The show kicked off with the first-ever women’s Money in the Bank briefcase winner Carmella and his partner, James Ellsworth cutting a heel promo for the audience. Both of them reminded that the match was contested under No DQ rules and hence nothing went wrong when Ellsworth handed the briefcase to Carmella. The segment ended with her claiming to be the future of the women’s division.
The female roster was not happy with Daniel Bryan not doing something about the controversial win of Carmella and they filed in for different occasions to complain about it. The showrunner promised to make an announcement for it. Plus, he booked a title rematch between Lana and Naomi, next week.
The first contest of the night featured Big E and Jimmy Uso in a singles match. Prior to the match, The New Day showed us some pictures from this Sunday’s match where they almost won the tag titles. Later, E picked up a comprehensive win against Jimmy who missed a kick and caught up in the Big Ending.
Shinsuke Nakamura featured in a rematch from Backlash against Dolph Ziggler. This was a classic contest between these two technical wrestlers. In the end, Nakamura planted The Show off with reverse suplex following it with the Kinshasa for the win.
The United States champion Kevin Owens issued an open challenge for the US championship to any local wrestler from Dayton. He pointed out that despite his injury he is on the show and will defend his title. AJ Styles showed up to interrupt him and renew their rivalry.
He sat at the commentary table for the matchup between KO and one-half of the tag team, American Alpha, Chad Gable. He inserted himself in the contest stating that he just moved to Dayton, last night. However, the champion retained in a dominant fashion by putting him down with a pop-up powerbomb.
Daniel Bryan came out to a huge pop from the crowd to address the controversy from Money in the Bank PPV. She withdrew the decision of Carmella holding the briefcase and forced her to hand it back to him. Also, he announced that second Money in the Bank ladder match will take place next week featuring the same superstars. A brawl broke out amongst all of them to end the segment.
The main event featured a Jinder Mahal taking on Luke Harper. The later one was in control for the major part of the match. In between, Baron Corbin showed up teasing to cash in the Money in the Bank contract.
However, that never happened as Jinder picked up the win hitting his pendant move, cobra clutch slam on Harper. Afterwards, Randy Orton showed to deliver another beat-down on the Singh brothers. The show ended with the Viper celebrating and Jinder escaping with the championship