The Aug 29th edition of WWE SmackDown airs live on the USA Network from the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, featuring all the latest build to the upcoming Hell in a Cell pay-per-view (PPV) next month in Detroit.
Advertised for tonight: Kevin Owens is pissed, Chad Gable teams with Shelton Benjamin for the first time, and more!
The show kicks off with commentary hyping up a main event tag match that will take place tonight between Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton taking on the team of Jinder Mahal and Rusev.
We are welcomed to the show by Tom Philipps.
The Singh Brothers come out to the stage and gives Jinder his usual big introduction. Jinder gets on the mic and talks about how the main event will show his superior skills against his rivals Nakamura and Orton. Jinder also says that none of us know how it’s like to walk a mile in the Maharaja’s shoes, and as a representative of Asia he has been shown no respect.
The crowd boos a little then Jinder says that that’s the disrespect he has been given, but he should be revered as WWE Champion. Jinder also says that we point fingers and laugh ever since he was made to look like a fool by Shinsuke Nakamura, but he’s the best of the best and our champion, and somebody must pay the price.
One of the Singhs pipes up and says they failed him last week and they want to publicly apologize to everyone in the great continent of Asia. They want to apologize to the 1.3 billion people in India, to their family in Punjab and everybody, and more importantly, specifically to him, the WWE Champion. Through all this they’re getting increasingly weepy.
The other one says they embarrassed him last week and it was through their lack of skill that Nakamura was able to lay a finger on him, but they vow that Nakamura will never touch him again. They prostrate themselves and in front of and behalf of the great nation of India, they want to publicly kiss the Maharaja’s royal feet.
The Singhs bow down but before they can actually kiss his boots, Shinsuke Nakamura’s music hits. He immediately comes down to the ring and swats the brothers aside with ease, nailing Jinder with forearms when he tries to strike first. The Singhs manage to get Nakamura’s legs and back him off for a big boot from Jinder and the three Indians put boots to the King of Strong Style.
Randy Orton makes the save. But Rusev is the equalizer. With the Viper gone, Mahal is free to hit Khallas on Nakamura. The heels celebrate over Nakamura’s fallen body.
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin are seen walking backstage, they will have a match after the commercial break.
Back from the commercial break, we get the announcement that there’ll be a #1 contender’s match for the WWE Championship between Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura next week.
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin vs. The Ascension: Gable starts off against Viktor and turns him inside out with a clothesline early on. He drops Viktor with a knee to the midsection, then he tags in Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin puts the boots to Viktor then hits a double under hook suplex. Shelton tags in Chad and throws Viktor to him for a belly to belly overhead suplex. Konnor pulls Gable outside behind the referee’s back and The Ascension double teams Gable to get control of the match. Konnor and Viktor use frequent tags to keep the pressure on Gable back in the ring. Gable tries to make the tag but Konnor stops him and hits a spine-buster for a two count. Viktor tags back in and puts the boots to Gable. Gable and Viktor trade chops to the chest until Viktor backs him into the corner with elbows to the face. Konnor tags in and talks some trash to Shelton, then he misses a spear on Gable in the corner. Shelton gets the tag and cleans house then hits a back body drop on Viktor. Shelton hits a spinning heel kick on Konnor, then leapfrogs over the top rope and kicks Viktor in the face. Shelton comes off the top with a flying clothesline on Viktor for a two count. Gable throws Konnor outside, then throws Viktor to Shelton for a facebuster for the win. Winner: Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin
After the match, Gable and Benjamin celebrate their first win together in the ring.
Commentary informs us that later tonight the Usos and New Day will clash in a match where the winner picks the stipulation for their rematch, but first, the United States Open Challenge will return.
Baron Corbin is shown walking backstage where he is being interview. He contests the idea that he squandered the Money in the Bank briefcase, saying Cena went and hid from him, taking his opportunity away from him, but that’s fine, that’s life, but he’s tired of people asking about the briefcase. He says that he doesn’t live in the past, but last week AJ Styles guaranteed him an opportunity, so he thinks he’ll cash in on that, and you’re looking at the new United States Champion.
We get a video package from the Hurricane Harvey relief and we go to a commercial break.
Back from the commercial break, AJ Styles makes his way down to the ring.
He gets in the ring and on the microphone. The crowd chants for him for a moment before he begins to speak. He says that last week Kevin Owens lost the right to challenge for the US Championship for as long as he holds it, so here, on SmackDown, the House That AJ Styles Built, they can re-open the United States Open Challenge to the rest of the roster, and it starts right now.
Tye Dillinger makes his way down to the ring, but Corbin is right behind him and they get into a shoving match that Dillinger wins with surprising ease. Baron blindsides him and hops up on the apron only for Tye to attack him again and knock him off the apron. He wants the match and he’s got it.
AJ Styles vs. Tye Dillinger: AJ and Tye both start off fired up and Tye blocks the Phenomenal Forearm early on. Tye goes for the Tye-breaker but AJ escapes and locks on the Calf Crusher for the win after a short match. Winner: AJ Styles
After the match, Corbin freaks out at ringside and goes straight to Dillinger, yanking him out of the ring and putting him into the barricade, but Styles fends him off with a single forearm and knocks him out of the ring. Corbin paces angrily at ringside, but after AJ Styles delivers a phenomenal forearm to him he thinks twice before wanting to enter the ring again.
We head backstage where we see Rusev getting ready for his tag team match when Jinder Mahal enters and he starts to talk about what a great night it is for Bulgaria and India, side by side. Rusev says tonight isn’t about any of their countries, it’s about revenge, and Jinder isn’t his friend, he came to Smackdown to be champion, and after tonight, he’s coming after the belt.
Commentary informs us that Bobby Roode will be in action after the commercial break.
Back from the commercial break, Mike and Maria Kanellis are making out over the ropes.
Bobby Roode vs. Mike Kanellis: Roode takes down Mike early on, but Mike comes back with a flurry of strikes. Roode and Mike trade punches and chops until Roode hits a running forearm shot to the face. Roode hits a Blockbuster off the middle rope, then a spine-buster and the Glorious DDT for the win. Winner: Bobby Roode
Commentary hypes up our main event again and we see Kevin Owens backstage making his way out to the ring as we go to a commercial break.
Back from the commercial break, Aiden English is in the middle of the ring singing his usual introduction.
Kevin Owens interrupts and makes his way down to the ring. Owens tells English that he assures him that none of these unrefined Arkansas hillbillies have the mental capabilities to appreciate his talent, so instead of wasting his time, why not vacate the ring so he can get to his important business. English does so saying a few words, and Owens continues, saying that he didn’t like what Shane did to him last week about their agreement as he took over being a referee in his match last week.
We get a video recap to remind everyone of how it went down last week before Owens resumes, asking what gives McMahon the right to put his hands on Corbin and make the three count like it’s supposed to mean anything? One year ago today, the greatest moment in WWE history happened when he won the Universal Championship, and now he stands here without his United States Championship because Shane McMahon screwed him out of it twice.
He continue on saying that this would have never happened in the good old days on Raw, because Stephanie McMahon would never abuse her power in such a disgusting manner, but this is SmackDown, the Land of Opportunity. Give him a break, the only thing this place is is Shane’s personal playground, and that egomaniac. Before he could finish what he was saying he gets interrupted by Shane McMahon.
Shane McMahon makes his way down to the ring. Owens says he’s right on cue, here to take the spotlight away from the actual talent and make it about himself. Shane asks Little Rock what’s up and goes right back to Owens, saying he’s not here to help Owens, but it seems he needs an explanation, and it was Owens that picked his own referee, and he picked Baron Corbin.
Baron came out, extremely biased towards Owens, which brought McMahon down, and then he left before the match finished. A match of that magnitude needs an official, so he put the shirt on and climbed in the ring and counted Owens’ shoulders down one, two, three. Owens disputes this, saying he didn’t lose, he got screwed, and Shane says he doesn’t care, it’s over, the people are tired of hearing him complain.
Shane tells Owens to leave, asks Aiden to come back, and says he has a match against Sami Zayn right now.
Aiden English vs. Sami Zayn: English gets in some offense early on, but Zayn quickly dumps him outside and hits a suicide dive on him. Back in the ring, Zayn continues working on English. Owens freaks out on commentary and says that the referee isn’t doing his job, so he’s now taking over the referee duties. Owens takes the referee’s shirt off and puts it on himself, then says he’s the referee now. Zayn asks Owens what he’s doing, then English knocks down Zayn from behind. Owens throws Zayn off the ropes and hits the Pop Up Powerbomb, then allows English to pin Zayn for the three count. The bell rings and Owens raises English’s hand, then throws the shirt back to the real referee at ringside. Winner: Aiden English
The Usos and the New Day will battle for the right to choose the stipulation for their rematch after the commercial break.
Back from the commercial break, we get a recap of the match we just saw.
We go backstage where Shane McMahon where he says English’s victory will not count, and he’s not happy with Owen’s actions in that match. McMahon says Zayn’s loss will be off the records, then he gets ready to leave the arena.
Dolph Ziggler does an interview backstage where he complains that he was the best athlete in sports entertainment for years and was overlooked year after year, and now he has nothing to show for it. Ziggler says fans get distracted by fancy jackets and lights, and he asks what Cena’s you can’t see me hand gesture even means. Ziggler says there’s a guy who comes out to the ring with a guitar on Raw, so he’ll have to come down to the ring in a motorcycle with a double necked guitar to get attention. Ziggler jokes that he might come down to the ring in a four-wheeler like Stone Cold and drink beers to get attention or douse him in paint like Finn Balor or let a beautiful lady escort him to the ring, or he could be a superhero, Zig-Man. All the years of dedication and sacrifice have meant nothing, so if you want all flash and no substance, that’s what you’re getting, next week.
The Usos make their way down to the ring and then Big E does the deal and then The New Day comes out feeding Booty-Os to everyone as usual. Xavier Woods is walking gingerly and carrying a sign that says it’s sore, and we go to commercial break before the match actually begins.
The Usos vs. The New Day: Big E and Kofi Kingston are in this one. The Usos use frequent tags to get the upper hand on Big E early on, but Big E fires up and comes back then tags in Kofi. Kofi hits a suicide dive onto both Usos at ringside, then Xavier comes over with the trombone to celebrate. Big E misses a splash and the Usos take control. Kofi comes in again and hits a flying knee on Jey, then a series of kicks. Kofi hits a jumping clothesline on Jey and follows up with the boom leg drop. Kofi misses the Trouble In Paradise and Jey hits a kick. Kofi comes back with a spinning cross-body for a two count. Jimmy and Big E run in, and Jimmy hits a superkick on Big E. Kofi kicks Jimmy to the outside, then Kofi puts Jey in a dragon sleeper. Jimmy gets the blind tag and rolls up Kofi with a handful of tights for the win. The Usos run up the ramp with their Tag Titles and hold them up. Winners: The Usos
We go backstage where James Ellsworth and Carmella does an interview. Ellsworth introduces his girl that is a friend, Carmella. Carmella says she’s not telling him anything ever again because he blabbed her plan last week. He apologizes and asks if she got the flowers, and she asks if he stole them from a funeral, then he asks what she means by steal.
Natalya interrupts before he can answer and says that Carmella should be grateful James stooged her off, and if she ever crosses her again, she’ll make her into the Baron Corbin of the women’s division. Nattie says she’ll punish her further in a match next week, and Carmella tells her to keep the title shiny for her before leaving.
Naomi enters and Natalya snaps at her, but Naomi says that she better take a cat nap because she has a difficult two weeks ahead of her. Nattie asks what she means and Naomi says she’ll get her rematch on SmackDown in two weeks.
We are promised the Fashion Files next after the commercial break.
Back from the commercial break, Lana is in the ring along with a local competitor. She introduces Tamina in glowing terms.
Tamina vs. Tina Stock: Just seconds after the opening bell, Lana gets on the mic at ringside and starts yelling “Tamina crush.” Tamina throws her jobber into the corner and hits a series of head-butts, then follows up with a superkick for the win. Winner: Tamina
After the match, Tamina throws Tina out of the ring and Lana raises her hand, inviting photographers into the ring.
Season two of the Fashion Files starts next, and we are told that the show will not be starring Chuck Norris. Fandango orders two Splendas when Breeze enters and he starts to talk about vacation. Fandango says crime doesn’t take a vacation so they don’t either, and Tyler has some fancy technology for them.
Headphones that are a listening device and a black-light. Fandango picks a belt up and says he knows what that is, a title, but Breeze corrects him that and says that it’s a belt, for holding your pants up. There are friendship bracelets on the table, for making a friendship closer, and Breeze busts out the black-light, find arrows drawn on the Fashion Files boxes, pointing to the note that says Two B and revealing it having “or not Two B” written on it.
Breeze does some detective work and comes to the conclusion of Bob Ross, but that doesn’t make sense. They hit on Aiden English as the answer and again Fandango says that crime doesn’t take a vacation.
Our main event is next after the commercial break.
Back from the commercial break, we get the latter of the entrances for our main event.
Jinder Mahal & Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton: The action starts before the bell as both teams start brawling as soon as they hit the ring. The fight spills out to ringside where Nakamura throws Mahal into the fan barricade, and Orton throws Rusev into the barricade on the other side of the ring. Back in the ring, the opening bell rings and Rusev and Jinder double team Nakamura to get in control early on.
Orton gets the tag and beats down Jinder. He takes Jinder outside for a back suplex onto the fan barricade, then in the ring he DDTs the Champion off the middle rope. The Singh Brothers get on the apron to distract the referee, which leads to Rusev and Jinder double teaming Orton and throwing him into the ring post. Rusev tags in and continues the offense on Orton. He hits a spinning heel kick for a two count before tagging Jinder back in. The Champion hits a knee drop on Orton then puts him in a chin lock. Mahal goes for a spear in the corner but Orton dodges and Jinder crashes into the ring post. Nakamura and Rusev tag in, and Nakamura starts off with a big boot on Rusev. Nakamura follows up with a series of kicks. Nakamura hits some knee strikes on Rusev for a two count. Nakamura goes for a suplex but Rusev elbows his way out. Nakamura puts Rusev in an armbar but Jinder breaks it up. Orton DDTs Jinder, then Nakamura hits a flying knee on Rusev. Nakamura follows up with the Kinshasa on Rusev for the win. Winners: Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton
After the match, Orton and Nakamura celebrate their win, but then Orton hits an RKO out of nowhere to Nakamura. Orton poses on the turnbuckle as SmackDown goes off the air.