It’s the SmackDown After Hell in a Cell! Rusev Day failed to capture the tag titles, but can the Bulgarian Brute defeat Shinsuke Nakamura for the US title?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS Cesaro w/ Sheamus; Cesaro wins.
• WWE United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura VS Rusev w/ Lana & Aiden English; Nakamura wins and retains the WWE United States Championship.
• AJ Styles VS Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega; Styles wins.
• Asuka w/ Naomi VS Billie Kay w/ Peyton Royce; Asuka wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Miz TV opens SmackDown!

The Most Must-See WWE Talk Show is back, and Miz ignores the boos as he begins. Before getting to his special surprise guest, there is some big breaking news! Super Show Down, it will be Daniel Bryan VS The Miz once again, but in a #1 Contender’s match! Fans chant “YES! YES!” because they are happy to see Bryan getting this opportunity. Miz is excited to have this opportunity for himself, because as he’s said all along, Bryan is not on his level. He is superior to Bryan. If you don’t believe him, Miz has won at Summerslam, at Hell in a Cell, and will finish it off 3-0 at Super Show Down! Then Miz will have something more deserving of his talents: facing either Samoa Joe or AJ Styles for the WWE Championship.

But tonight, Miz called in a lot of favors to get this very special guest who is rarely on SmackDown, but they make headlines when they do. Miz admits he’s a bit nervous to introduce and welcome back… his wife, Maryse! Yes, the Most Must-See Mother in WWE “returns” victorious with Miz after cheating to win their mixed tag match on Sunday. Not that these two would ever admit it, of course. They take their seats and thank each other for being here. Maryse is a mega star, overcome stereotypes and gave birth to a future star, but how was it to defeat Bryan & Brie Bella? Well Maryse is a much better athlete, it’s the truth, so Brie never stood a chance. Maryse says motherhood changes you. Brie’s heart wasn’t in the match. Miz agrees, Brie’s heart isn’t in loving Bryan, either.

Bryan has Brie because Brie hitched herself on the bandwagon and wanted to stay relevant. And then Bryan uses Brie to fight his battles for him. The marriage of convenience backfired because they faced a couple with real love and talent between them. And now that Maryse conquered Brie, what’s next? More breaking news! Tonight is Maryse’s last night on SmackDown. The fans LOVE hearing that. But why is it her last night? She has to go back to being mother of the century. Five months after giving birth and Maryse looks wonderful. Some women have had children 30 years ago and still don’t look this good. Miz insists fans not boo his wife, the mother of his child, but then he decides to treat fans like children. Here’s something to boo: Miz vows to destroy Bryan right here and now!

Miz is raring to go and he clears the ring of chairs. Here comes Bryan! Bryan has his own mic and tells Miz that he can talk about Bryan as much as he wants, but talking about Brie gets you beat up! The brawl is on! Bryan has Miz down and throws hands! Miz gets lose, but then gets dropkick’d into Maryse! Both Miz and Bryan are devastated by what happened. Medics bring out a stretcher, and Bryan wants to apologize. Miz gets a bottle of water for his wife while Maryse crawls to the apron. Fans aren’t sure what to make of this, but then Maryse grins and laughs.

Miz gets Bryan in the full nelson! But Bryan fights out! Maryse grabs his hair, but then Bryan dodges and Miz actually knocks Maryse down! Miz freaks out, and gets clothesline’d out! Fans chant “YES! YES!” with Bryan, will they be saying “YES!” down in Melbourne?

The New Day are on the hunt.

They carefully go through the backstage area, observing all the staff in their natural habitat. However, their real prey is The Bar, as Kofi Kingston and Cesaro go 1v1 next!

Backstage interview with Daniel Bryan

He managed to thwart the plans of the A-Listers, but how? It’s because when Miz calls Bryan out, it’s a scheme. Miz is a coward, so calling Bryan out meant something “disgusting” was going to happen. But not even Bryan expected Miz to fake his wife getting hurt. But in Australia, no tricks will work, because Bryan won’t just punch Miz in the face, he’ll punch his ticket to a title match!

Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS Cesaro w/ Sheamus!

Awwww~ Tulsa~! Don’t you dare be sour, clap for your still five-time champs, and feel~, the power~! The New Day proved there’s only room for one day. It wasn’t Rusev Day, oh no~. And what’s next is a defense of the W, W, E, world, tag, team, championships! Against The Bar in Melbourne. Everyone knows, crikey mate! What? Big E, stop. That was a terrible Australian accent. And maybe offensive. But the IIconics gave him permission. Oh okay then. But it’s the Celtic Warrius, and the Superior Manus. The latter is the alpha, given the size of his enormous a– Cesaro snags a mic, but Big E borrows Woods’. The word was “areola”.

The Bar mocks the New Day in their natural habitats: dressing up like clowns and recycling stupid jokes. But The Bar will finally elevate the SmackDown Tag Team Division, because these two don’t just set the bar, they ARE the bar! We go picture in picture as this match begins.

Kofi rushes Cesaro at the bell with a dropkick, then whips him corner to corner. Cesaro reverses but Kofi counters with a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Kofi speeds things up to lariat Cesaro down. He fires up with the fans as he tosses his shirt. Cesaro bails out to avoid the boom drop. He regroups with Sheamus, but Kofi builds speed to fake them out! Kofi enjoys himself in the ring, but then Cesaro grabs a pancake! And he tears it up with his hands! The Swiss Cyborg dares offend the flapjack, so Kofi wrecks him with a dropkick. Kofi puts Cesaro in the ring but gets a chop block! Cesaro stomps Kofi then wraps his leg around the ropes. Cesaro stops at 4 but stomps the trapped leg. He embraces the heat while he drags Kofi out for more stomps, and a leg whip.

Kofi crawls to a corner while clutching his leg. Cesaro stalks him, and rocks him with a European Uppercut. Cesaro puts the leg around more ropes but Kofi fights him off. Kofi sunset flips and gets the ocver, TWO! Cesaro boots Kofi right back down! Cesaro drags Kofi back out to drop an elbow on the knee. He wrenches Kofi’s leg in a toehold, but Kofi resists. Cesaro grabs one of Kofi’s arm, but Kofi uses his free leg to fight out. Kofi backs Cesaro off but onlya  moment before Cesaro scoop slams Kofi. Kofi’s legs hit ropes, adding more damage. Cesaro drags Kofi up but Kofi slpis around to roll him up. TWO, and Cesaro dropkicks the leg out! We return to single picture as Cesaro drags Kofi to a Half Crab!

Kofi endures while Sheamus gest a selfie. Fans rally up and Kofi turns himself over. Kofi fights back, stands up, and hops onto Cesaro’s shoulders. Victory roll, TWO! Kofi rolls Cearo again, TWO! Cesaro blasts Kofi with a EuroUpper! Cover, TWO! The Bar keeps their cool because Cesaro still has control. Cesaro headbutts Kofi’s back, then drops a knee on Kofi’s knee. Fans rally for Kofi while he endures the knee wrench. Kofi fights back again, but Cesaro has the leg still. Kofi enziguris and gets free! Cesaro is dazed but he runs in, only to get boots. Kofi chops back with both hands, but Cesaro puts him to a corner. Kofi slips out to the apron to kick Cesaro back. He climbs up, but Cesaro dropkicks him down!

Cesaro climbs up to join Kofi, and goes for a super gut wrench. Kofi fights out and knocks Cesaro away, and jumps for the Tornado DDT! Cover, TWO! Both men stand up and Ceasro runs in, but is dumped right out. Kofi takes aim, bounces and slingshots to hit the senton! The New Day are so excited as Kofi gets Cesaro back in. SOS!! Cover, TWO!? Koif keeps on Cesaro, counters the EuroUpper into a backslide, TWO! Cesaro kicks out the bad leg! Cesaro Gotch lifts, Neutralizer! Cover, Cesaro wins!

Winner: Cesaro, by pinfall

The Bar gains big points in this newest battle between the two teams! If Cesaro & Sheamus can maintain momentum, can they make Melbourne the city where the New Day’s fifth reign ends?

Rusev and Lana talk backstage.

The Bulgarian Brute is ready to once again become WWE United States Champion with his match against Shinsuke Nakamura tonight. But then Aiden English comes along, and says he has a good feeling about tonight. That’s right, because English won’t be wrestling. Wait, how was Sunday English’s fault? Everyone has to pull their weight, and if that was his best, then it’s not good enough. Team Rusev Day is back on the rocks, and English is furious. English made this holiday what it was! This is all their fault, not English’s!! Oh, Lana heard all that… English tries to apologize, but Lana tells him to stop. Lana is telling Rusev everything. English panics, will he be able to mend this mistake?

Breaking News: Randy Orton is in the production truck!

He’s reliving all that he’s done to Jeff Hardy via replay footage. BUt what’s taking so long? Well it takes time to call up this much footage. And Orton reminds the staffer what happens if he messes up. The message is loud and clear. Orton has the video stop on the moment he slipped the screwdriver through Hardy’s ear gauge hole, and twisted it! Orton revels in the moment, but he’s clamping a little tightly on the staffer. He clamps around the man’s throat instead. Continue playing. Yes, there’s the twisting. Orton wants to know: “What do you feel when you see that?” Uneasy? Sick? It’s disturbing, yes? Yes… Do you know what’s more disturbing? Everything here will pale in comparison to what Orton does to his next “victim”. Something worse than a screwdriver twisting an ear?!

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

The Phenomenal One is still WWE Champion, if by a technicality. Can he wrap his mind around how he almost lost the title? “After everything that Samoa Joe put me through, the worst thing that could’ve happened was that Samoa Joe walk out of the Hell in a Cell Pay-per-view as WWE Champion.” Styles admits that he got lucky, and a referee’s decision stands. Joe feels cheated, and maybe he was. But maybe it was karma. They’ll go one more time at Super Show Down, in a No Holds Barred Match! Anything goes, there must be a winner, and Styles realizes he got ahead of himself.

Tonight Styles faces Almas. Almas is good enough to win. The last time they were in the ring together, Almas pushed Styles  to his limit. Styles goes to get his mind right, so that he can win tonight. Will El idolo capitalize on a distracted champion?

WWE United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura VS Rusev w/ Lana & Aiden English!

The Drama King’s comments aside, the Bulgarian Lion hopes to reclaim former glory by taking back the title he held when he was on the most dominant streak of his WWE career. Can Mr. Machka turn things around in this match against the King of Strong Style? Or will the United States of Nakamerica continue on through Oklahoma?

But before Rusev makes his way out, Lana catches up. She wants to tell him what English said, but Rusev just wants to keep focus. He even asks English to do the honors for his intro. English accepts, but Lana insists. Later. For now, the match is more important. English hears the fans chant and he begins. “There’s no time to waste, so let’s make haste. Say good-bye to the US Title, Shinsuke. Because there will be a new champion, and it’ll be on, Rusev Daaay~!” Rusev makes his entrance, the introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin!

Rusev manages to block a kick, but so does Nakamura. They circle, feeling things out. They tie up and Nakamura gets a waistlock. Rusev gets the standing switch while fans duel. Nakamura gets a wristlock, but Rusev reverses. Rusev reels Nakamura in for a shoulder, then another shoulder. Rusev kicks low then scoops, but Nakamura slips out. Nakamura kicks at Rusev’s leg, then dares him to “C’mon!” Rusev falls for it and runs into that knee. Nakamura has Rusev in the corner for BAD Vibrations. Nakamura whips Rusev but Rusev reverses to Northern Lights suplex! He doesn’t bridge, but he does gut wrench Nakamura overhead. Cover, ONE, but English and Lana are confident in Rusev.

Rusev pushes Nakamura out of the ring, and fans rally behind “Rusev Day!” Nakamura returns but Rusev is on him, only to get a hotshot! Nakamura slips back in to dynamic dropkick! Cover, TWO! We go to break while the champion has taken control.

SmackDown returns and Nakamura has Rusev in a facelock. Rusev endures while English and Lana bicker. Fans duel for Rusev and Rusev fights up. Nakamura knees out of the suplex and has the facelock. English gets on the mic to get the Rusev Day chants going stronger. Rusev scoop slams Nakamura down! Rusev catches his breath while Nakmaura slowly stirs. Nakamura runs in but Rusev boots him. Rusev blocks and counter punches on Nakamura. Nakamura dodges the hit body shots, but he runs into the pop-up knee! Then Rusev roundhouses and clotheslines Nakamura. Rusev rallies and roundhouses again! He runs in for the back shoulder, then the spinning heel kick! Everyone fires up with Rusev as he stomps the mat. Rusev aims, but his kick misses. Nakamura swings, misses, and gets a roundhouse! Cover, TWO!!

Rusev knows he’s close but it’s still frustrating. English and Lana keep the faith as Rusev fires back up. Rusev rams his shoulder into Nakamura’s body, then whips corner to corner. Nakamura dodges and roundhouses Rusev in the back. Nakamura stomps away at the ropes, scraping his heel off Rusev’s head. He hoists Rusev onto the top rope, for the Top Shelf Knee! But it hits buckles as Rusev dodges! Rusev goes to suplex Nakamura out of the ring, but Nakamura holds on and lands on the apron. They brawl out there now, and Rusev wants a back suplex. Nakamura holds ropes for dear life, then rakes the eyes! Nakamura hops up, for a flying knee!

They both hit the floor but Nakamura puts Rusev into barriers. Nakamura puts Rusev in, and takes aim from the corner. Fans fire up both ways, but MAHCKA KICK outta nowhere! Lana and English are at a fever pitch, but Rusev is too tired to cover. Rusev stirs as the fans are thunderous. Rusev stands, English tells Rusev to “CRUSH!!” Seriously? Calm down, English. But wait, Nakamura rolls Rusev up! Nakamura wins!!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall; still WWE United States Champion

English had the right idea, but it backfired in the worst possible way! But then English CLOBBERS Rusev! The Drama King batters Rusev with the mic over and over and over again! Fans boo and jeer, and Lana shouts for him to leave. English wishes everyone a “Happy, Rusev, Daaay~!” one last time before leaving. Has English just killed the most popular holiday in WWE history?

AJ Styles VS Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega!

The House that AJ Styles built survived another go with the Destroyer at Hell in a Cell, but there will be a third match in three weeks down under. Until then, can Styles keep focus on his opponent tonight? Or will El Idolo score a title match down the line with a major upset?

Almas doesn’t wait for the bell, he goes after Styles as he enters the ring! The referee tries to get him to stop but Vega tells him to keep going. Almas dares Styles to get up, because he still wants to win. Styles drags himself up and though he staggers about, he also demands this match still happen. The bell rings, and Almas runs at Styles again! Almas throws hands and knees, then backs off at the referee’s orders. Styles throws hands back! And stomps, and knees! Styles is furious, but he backs off at 4. Almas gets him with a boot! Styles staggers again, but Vega wants this to keep going. Almas keeps on Styles with a whip then a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Almas has control while we go picture in picture.

Styles is down so Almas just stomps him out. Almas drags Styles up for a shoulder breaker then hammerlock. Almas throws Styles shoulder first into buckles! He drags Styles to the apron to put him in a hanging armbar! Almas stops at the count of 4, but he keeps on Styles by hammerlock throwing him into barriers! Styles is down and Vega likes what she sees from her client. Almas drags Styles up again and puts him in the ring. Cover, ONE, but Almas puts that bad arm in a grounded armlock. Almas wrenches on that shoulders and has Styles all the way down on the mat. Styles endures, fights his way up, and then fights his way back. Almas wrenches harder and brings Styles back down while we return to single picture.

Almas puts Styles in a corner then throws in more knees. Fans rally as Almas whips Styles. Styles spins through the tilt-o-whirl for a DDT! Both men are down and Vega panics. The ref starts a 10 count, and Styles sits up first. Almas follows but both men are slow to their feet. Styles hits the Phenomenal Blitz but gets that elbow! Cover, TWO! Vega coaches Almas back up while Styles flounders to ropes. Almas is on the champ with a knee, grinding him into that bottom rope. Vega comes by to SLAP Styles! Almas returns, whips Styles, but Styles reverses into the Ushigoroshi! Both men are down again and Vega panics for Almas. Fans rally and Styles stands. Styles runs corner to corner at Almas, for the big clothesline! Styles snapmares, for the sliding forearm!

Both men are down but Styles kips right up! He finally takes his shirt off, and drags Almas up for the Clash. Almas back drops out of it, then goes to the top rope. Almas moonsaults, misses but then moonsaults again, into knees! Styles knew of that double-sault from before, and was ready this time. Almas gets to a corner while Styles stands up. Styles runs in again, but Almas puts him on the apron. Styles knocks Almas away, then prepares the arm. Springboard, but Almas trips him up! Almas rocks Styles with a forearm, then hurries up top. Styles is teetering between the ropes, and Almas gives him WOE STOMPS! Both men are down from that one, but are okay to continue.

Almas drags himself into the ring, leaving Styles to the mercy of the ring count. Fans rally for Styles as he crawls. The count passes 5 as Styles finally stands. Styles gets in at 8, but Almas boots him all the way back out! Almas has control again while we go to break.

SmackDown returns and Almas runs in but misses in the corner! HE crashes and burns to the outside, and now Styles rests while he’s at the mercy of the count. Vega coaches Almas up as the count reaches 5. Styles won’t let him get in, he sliding knees from the apron! Styles puts Almas in the ring, then takes aim from the apron. He slingshots for another forearm! Cover, TWO! Vega is relieved but furious. Styles drags Almas back up and again wants the Clash. Almas grabs ropes so Styles dumps him over. Almas hits back, then hotshots Styles! Now Almas takes aim from the outside, springboard for a missile dropkick! Almas’ leg is sore from a Calf Crusher during commercial, but he still hits CIEN KNEES! Cover, TWO!!

Vega is furious while Almas is shocked. She tells him to finish this, so Almas gets up to go after Styles. Almas hammerlocks but Styles resists! Styles gets a taekdown, jackknife, TWO but STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall

The Phenomenal One toughs it out again, but here comes Joe! Samoa Joe throws Styles out and picks the bones. “You know the truth!” Joe shouts in Styles’ face. “You will never be safe!” But Styles reverses and sends Joe into steps! Styles throws hands but Joe rakes his eyes! Joe hops the barrier to make his escape, but this is far from over. Melbourne, Australia will be the No Holds Barred episode of this saga. Will it be the finale? Or only a new beginning?

Asuka w/ Naomi VS Billie Kay w/ Peyton Royce!

The Empress of Tomorrow and Mrs. Uce-GLOW have each had their problems with The IIconics in the past. Now they will team together to take them both on at Super Show Down, in the Iconic Duo’s home turf. But that’s in three weeks. Tonight in Tulsa, will Billie prove the future is IIconic? Or will we again see that no one is ready for Asuka?!

But “ew, gross!” Tulsa is the worst in the IIconics’ opnion. But Billie was also talking about the new BFF’s. What an odd couple. Really? Peyton thinks they’re cute together. Oh right because Asuka’s hair matches the glow. And they’re both fantastic dancers. The IIconics mock such dancing, and Peyton looks to be doing the Floss. Either way, the new friends appear and it’s time to fight!

The bell rings and Asuka circles with Billie. Fans are on Asuka’s side as she throws hands. Billie runs to ropes, but Peyton distracts. Asuka swings on her but she backs off, but Billie pounces. Billie stomps then covers, TWO. Billie mocks Naomi while she puts Asuka in a cravat. Asuka endures as fans rally up. Asuka arm-drags to a cover, TWO. Billie hits Asuka with a forearm, then runs, but into the hip attack! Asuka runs, but into Billie’s boot! Cover, TWO! The IIconics are both furious immediately. Billie drags Asuka back up and prepares an exploder, but Asuka counters into the ASUKA LOCK! Billie taps, Asuka wins!

Winner: Asuka, by submission

Once again, no one is ready for the Empress! The IIconics regroup while Naomi celebrates with Asuka. Will they celebrate at Super Show Down, too? Or will home field advantage help Billie & Peyton turn things around?

WWE and SmackDown wish those in the range of Hurricane Florence well.

They also hope the WWE Universe will team with them and the American Red Cross. Visit the Red Cross’ official site to find out how you can help.

SmackDown GM Paige is in the ring!

The Glampire in Chief introduces the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch! The Lass Kicker finally has that belt back after beating her former friend, Charlotte Flair, at Hell in a Cell on Sunday. Call it stabbing her in the back, call it being jaded, but you have to call it the fire Becky needed to win. Charlotte wanted to be friends again and celebrate together, but Becky refused. Now Becky is here for a proper coronation and congratulations. Her side plates make their return, and fans chant “You Deserve It!” It’s so nice, isn’t it? It took two long years, but Becky’s back on top. “From now on, this is my show, and this is my title, and there will be no more being left off the magazine covers or PPV posters”. Now Becky gets what she deserves.

Becky thanks Paige for going all out here. Becky doesn’t need balloons or the whole locker room, she just wants Charlotte. Does Charlotte not want Becky’s spotlight for once? Charlotte does appear, and heads right for the ring. Charlotte has her own mic but Paige keeps the peace. Paige won’t let this fight happen here tonight. Charlotte promises not to fight. Team PCB has known each other for years, this won’t be for fighting. And Charlotte isn’t here to steal spotlight. She is here to give Becky the respect Becky refused to give her.

Charlotte knows how much that belt means to Becky, but Charlotte wanted to say this woman to woman that Becky was better. She congratulates Becky, but she also says it cost a steep price. Charlotte hopes Becky soaks it all in, because Charlotte is ready to have the moment where she stands back over Becky as the new champion. Charlotte gets her rematch at Super Show Down. Becky won that belt in two years, but Charlotte promises she’ll lose it in one night. Becky tuned everything out after Charlotte admit she was the best. This belt proves Becky can win when it matters. This belt proves Charlotte was wrong about Hell in a Cell.

And the reason Becky didn’t let Charlotte shake her hand was because it would’ve taken the spotlight. But tonight, Becky will allow it. Is that how this works? Guess not. But that’s fine, Becky didn’t want her to raise her hand. She wants Charlotte to put the belt around her waist. Charlotte has always shown Becky respect, and meant to do so tonight. But she also wished Becky was still her friend, and not what this is. So “congratulations”, champ. Right, Becky was kidding around. Becky just wants Charlotte to call her Queen, “bitch.”

That’s it! Charlotte swings on Becky and the fight is on! Becky throws Charlotte into steps, then throws her across the announce desk! And Becky isn’t done, she puts Charlotte into barriers! Then back into the ring, for the Disarm-Her! Becky spares Charlotte to pick up her belt and hold it high. Tulsa loves Becky, and Becky loves Becky. But Becky hates Charlotte, as she throws her overhead with the Becksploder! The Bad-Lass takes her leave, but will she be leaving Melbourne still the champion?

My Thoughts:

A great episode of SmackDown here, with a proper shift in builds to Super Show Down. The opening with Miz TV was totally as expected. Miz was just hyping up Maryse, as I knew. He and Maryse were baiting Bryan into a trap, which he knew. And now we get Bryan VS Miz one more time, winner gets a title match. I’m betting this is how Bryan ends things with Miz for now. Now Bryan going against either Joe or Styles makes for a great match and I would hope for once WWE could get away from their insistence on Face VS Heel. However, with a No Holds Barred match (though WWE refuses to call it that), Joe might win this time. Joe VS Bryan will be great wherever and whenever it is, but then up the ante and make it a Triple Threat and that would be PPV worthy.

Styles VS Almas was another great match, and clearly Almas is being booked strong, as he should be. He may be close to getting the WWE Championship, but I feel he could easily go after Shinsuke Nakamura for the US Championship. Nakamura was Heel last time he got a real story, but fans still like him enough that he could end up the Face. Again, WWE could actually ditch their need for Face VS Heel and just let Almas and Nakamura give us the best match possible. Nakamura VS Rusev was so great, too, and that English turn was inevitable given that rant Lana caught him in. English VS Rusev will be great, especially on story, and I think this could be another resurgence for English. He can sing his own Heel entrances that insult his opponents, like an operatic Elias. English might even win this feud for more heat.

The New Day VS The Bar will be a great match, just like Kofi VS Cesaro was here tonight. But chances are, if not even the red hot Rusev Day didn’t win, I don’t think Cesaro & Sheamus will. It’d be a great shock, but not a likely one. Then Asuka gets some of her old self back when she taps Billie out quickly. Asuka & Naomi VS IIconics will be fun, but the reactions will be mixed with Billie & Peyton as the hometown heroes. I bet they win, since this match isn’t for anything that important, but hopefully Asuka stays strong throughout. Asuka still has a ways to climb to truly be back where she is, so the least WWE can do is keep her from taking the pin.

The Women’s Championship story heats up even more and it is going great for Becky. WWE likely still wants Becky to be the Heel but fans will never see her that way. It’s a good move for them to have her focus her Heel attitude at Charlotte, though, because obviously hating on fans is both played out and just not Becky’s way. Becky rubbing in the win was great, the brawl was great, and Becky standing tall despite being the instigator is great for her, too. I said it after Hell in a Cell, but Becky could and now should retain all the way to Royal Rumble just to rub it in on Charlotte more. She and Ronda are the different takes on that female Stone Cold that fans are loving, so they both should have parallel reigns in terms of length.

My Score: 8.5/10