We get a rematch from SmackDown 1000 as AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan try to work together again against The Usos! Can champion and challenger redeem themselves?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS The Big Show w/ The Bar; No Contest.
• AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan VS The Usos; The Usos win.
• Rusev w/ Lana VS Aiden English; Rusev wins.
• Rey Mysterio VS The Miz; Mysterio wins.
• Naomi & Asuka VS Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville; No Contest.
• Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton; Orton wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Awwww Newark~!

Don’t be sour, clap for your five-time champs, and feel~, the power~! The New Day are here with pancakes a plenty, but without the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. SmackDown 1000 saw The New Day take on The Bar in a stellar match, but the deciding factor was a surprise appearance and betrayal by The Big Show! Show choke slammed Kofi Kingston and Big E ate a Brogue and now Cesaro & Sheamus hold the titles.

Xavier Woods speaks on “ya bois” being cheated and defeated for those tag titles. Kofi adds that they didn’t just set the bar, they lowered the bar. But that’s what they do, taking advantage of the situation. The part Kofi can’t understand is… Big Show?! Big Show?! Yes, Big Show. So then, he’s the Bar Tender? Nice pun. But Show, we thought you were cool! But this fool flips back and forth more than flapjacks! So tonight, Kofi wants payback! Whether it’s Cesaro, Sheamus or Big Show, Kofi don’t give a damn. Tonight, somebody’s getting that work! Speaking of The Bar, The Bar is here! The Swiss Cyborg & Celtic Gladiator wear the newly won SmackDown Tag Team Championships, but they’re also bringing The Giant! Big Show leads the way down to the ring as The New Day keep their eyes straight ahead.

The New Day and The Bar agreed to put up one member each for a singles match up next, and Kofi made it clear he wants this fight. But who from The Bar will meet him? Sheamus looks to take the lead, but then they change their mind and say Cesaro is the one. But then they change their minds again, and say it’ll be The Big Show!

Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS The Big Show w/ The Bar!

The bell rings and this is official! Kofi dropkicks Show to a corner but Show turns it around to CHOP Kofi’s chest! Show stalks Kofi to another corner and whips him corner to corner hard. Kofi scrambles but Show is on him again for another chop! Show tosses Kofi across the way while The Bar enjoys the fun. Show drags Kofi up, for the Giant Choke Slam! But he’s not done, he gives Kofi another Choke Slam! And then, a third! The Big Show is merciless, he drags Kofi up again, but now The Bar and New Day run in! A brawl breaks out and the referee throws this match out.

No Contest

Woods and Big E throw The Bar out and go after Show, but The Bar comes back. Cesaro throws Woods and Sheamus knees Big E in the face. Show keeps on Kofi as The Bar stomp out Woods and Big E. Show puts Kofi into a post, and then Big E is fed to a Giant Choke Slam! The Bar go after Woods now, and feed him to Big Show’s knockout right hand! And then a Choke Slam! Giant, Gladiator and Cyborg stand tall, but will there be giant consequences come Crown Jewel?

AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan VS The Usos!

The Phenomenal WWE Champion and the Goat #1 contender didn’t quite mesh last week against former tag team champions in Jimmy & Jey. They want to show they can still be respectful in their rivalry by trying again this week. Can Styles & Bryan redeem themselves? Or will they still end up on #LOCKDOWN in the Uso Penitentiary?

The bell rings and Bryan starts against Jimmy. They circle and tie up, and Bryan gets the headlock. He grinds Jimmy to the mat, but Jimmy comes up and powers out. Things speed up and Bryan runs Jimmy over. Bryan keeps on Jimmy with another headlock, but Jey tags in as Jimmy powers out. Bryan clotheslines Jey out and Styles dropkick Jimmy! Together, Styles and Bryan slingshot plancha onto the Usos! Champion and challenger have a better start this week as we go picture in picture.

The fans chant “YES! YES!” with Bryan while The Usos regroup. Styles tags in and waits as the Usos talk strategy. Jey returns, and circles with Styles. Fans rally up as they tie up, and Styles gets a waistlock. Styles snapmares and kicks Jey, then brings him to his corner. Tag to Bryan and Bryan goes up while Styles has the wristlock. Bryan aims and drops double ax handles on Jey’s arm. Bryan keeps on that arm with shoulder breaker and hammerlock. Jey backs Bryan down and Jimmy tags in to mug Bryan in their corner. The referee counts and Jimmy lets up at 4. Jimmy tags Jey back in, and the Usos split the wishbone. Jey stalks Bryan as he writhes in a circle. Jey grabs a leg, tags Jimmy back in, and they split the wishbone again.

Jimmy taunts Styles a bit before stomping Bryan’s hand. Tag to Jey and the Usos mug Bryan with headbutts. Jey gives Bryan a big back suplex, then covers. TWO, but the Usos keep their cool. Jey watches Bryan closely, then tags in Jimmy. Jey stretches Bryan out for Jimmy to stomp. Jimmy wraps Bryan in a chinlock, but Bryan feeds off a fan rally. Bryan gets up and fights back, but runs into Jimmy’s back elbow! Jimmy stalks Bryan to the Uso corner and tags in Jey. The Usos stomp a mudhole into Bryan as we return to single picture. They back off at the ref’s count of 4, but tag back. Jey lifts Bryan and Jimmy climbs, for the backbreaker and ax handles! Cover, TWO! Jimmy keeps on Bryan with a chinlock but fans rally up again.

Bryan endures as Styles coaches him up. Bryan gets up and fights back again, hitting both Usos for good measure. He ducks Jimmy but double crossbodies take both men out! Fans continue to rally and Bryan crawls. Jimmy crawls, too, hot tags to Styles and Jey! Styles rallies with a phenomenal blitz! Then he slingshots to the apron to give Jimmy a sliding knee! He shoulders into Jey then slingshots over to come back with fireman’s carry to Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! Styles keeps his cool as he drags Jey back up. He wants the Clash, but Jey counters to a fireman’s carry. Styles slips out and catches Jey into the Calf Crusher! Jey is stuck but Jimmy clobbers Styles.

Bryan and Jimmy brawl, Jimmy mule kicks but Bryan slips out of the suplex. Bryan dumps Jimmy out, but Jey staggers up. Phenomenal Forearm almost hits Jey! Jey goes after them both, Styles aims a Pele, but it hits Bryan! SUPERKICK for Styles! Deja vu as Jey tags in Jimmy! Jimmy climbs, Uso Splash! Cover, Usos win again!

Winners: The Usos, Jimmy pinning

Two times in a row, Styles and Bryan fail to work as a tag team! This benefits The Usos greatly, will they make big leaps back towards the tag titles? Will this be what finally makes Styles VS Bryan anything but respectful?

Backstage interview with Styles and Bryan.

Was what just happened an accident? Or on purpose? It was just like last week, at least. Well of course it was an accident, just like last week. Bryan can definitely vouch for his. So is he saying Styles is a liar? Well, it’s hard to be sure, did they hit Styles in the face? Or is his nose growing? Like Pinocchio? Bryan says it was an accident, but he makes a nose growing gesture. But then he gives up a Too Sweet. Isn’t that how it is? Bryan suspects Styles, but will it matter if they respect each other or not when it comes to the WWE Championship?

WWE and SmackDown share Performance Center footage.

Charlotte Flair was speaking to the new prospects of the Women’s Division and assuring them to do their best and make the best of their opportunity. “This business is built on respect.” Respect for yourself and for others. Have pride, but don’t walk all over others. With WWE Evolution this Sunday, Charlotte will do her best not to cry, but she knows it’s happening because of what all of women’s wrestling has built in the ring. She is proud of them to be standing here, and hopes they’ll be with her in the ring one day.

Charlotte allows the prospects to ask questions. What is the main difference between NXT and main roster? It’s about reintroducing yourself to the audiences, because every city is different. But she’s sure they’ll all be fine. What about the Last Woman Standing Match? Charlotte is honored. But Becky interrupts. These ladies should be listening to the real champ. Don’t listen to Charlotte, because not everyone makes it. Don’t make friends because they’ll hold you back. Do what Becky does and strike first. Watch Evolution to see what Becky does to Charlotte. Nothing will prepare Charlotte for what’s coming. And Becky also means right now!

They fight and scrap, and the prospects do their best to stop it, but neither woman backs down. Becky puts Charlotte into the steel steps, “That’s retribution! You’re never getting the title back!” Charlotte shouts “Who are you!?” but Becky says “I’m the Women’s Champion!”

Charlotte speaks.

“Becky, after all of the attacks, after all of the insults, what you did at the Performance Center was unforgivable!” She “disrespected the foundation that got us to where we are today.” That attack proved this isn’t just about titles or friendships, it’s proved Becky has changed. Becky keeps crossing lines and there’s no going back. Charlotte vows not to just stand over a defeated opponent, she’ll be standing over a friend who lost her way. This feud has gotten as personal as possible, who will be THE Last Woman Standing?

Rusev w/ Lana VS Aiden English!

The Bulgarian Brute wants revenge on the Drama King for acting like there was something between him and the Ravishing Russian. English wants Rusev to admit Lana was the problem, but English made things worse by screwing Rusev out of the WWE World Cup. Now English sings that “instead of a short Rusev Day, you could’ve had a hot, long Aiden Niiiight~!”

The bell rings and Rusev chases English around the ring! Lana blocks English’s path and Rusev clobbers him! Rusev throws English into the barriers then back into the ring. Newark is on Rusev’s side as he enters, but English kicks him and hits a swinging neckbreaker. English stomps a mudhole into Rusev, then seethes as he stares at Lana. He still blames her for everything, but then Lana throws a shoe at him! MACHKA KICK! Rusev roars and vows to CRUSH! He stomps English and put shim in the Accolade! English taps, Rusev wins!

Winner: Rusev, by submission

Rusev Day triumphs over Aiden Night, and now both Mr. & Mrs. Machka can move on from their former friend. Can Rusev find his way back to a title opportunity?

It’s time for Miz TV!

The Most Must-See WWE Talk Show is actually Truth TV, but Miz ignores that to start his show. SmackDown 1000 was just a week ago, and some of the most memorable moments in recent memories were made. Becky Lynch cut down Edge on his own show, and the team known as Evolution reunited. Oh and Miz defeated Rusev in record time to qualify for the WWE World Cup to determine the best in the world today. And of course, a future hall of fame wrestler returned and defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to also join the World Cup. Miz’s guest tonight is Rey Mysterio!

The King of Lucha joins Miz in the ring and Miz can’t help but be a bit curious as to why Mysterio is back. Mysterio says that first, it feels great to be back home. But the reason why– That wasn’t a question, Miz knows why. Miz knows Mysterio wants to show the world that the “little engine can climb up that hill” and all dreams can come true at Crown Jewel! How ’90s of him. But Mysterio has been gone for awhile. Fans aren’t into the underdog, they want larger than life stars like Miz. Fans boo as they disagree.

But Miz continues to say that while Mysterio was away, Miz became the most must-see superstar of all time. Miz has beaten big men, middle men and little men, he is the multi-talent of the WWE! In 10 days, Miz will advance out of the SmackDown bracket to the finals and face whoever Raw has. He’ll beat them and then prove to the world that he is the Best in the World! Fans boo because they doubt that. But Miz apologizes to Mysterio. Yes, Mysterio is disappointed. He thought he was going to be on Truth TV. Truth TV? Really? Is that a joke? Does Mysterio want a dance break? Newark does. But Truth was full of jokes and then Miz beat him to cancel Truth TV. Last week’s Truth TV was an illegal broadcast. Miz will easily cancel Mysterio’s appearance.

Mysterio wants Miz to stay calm. He isn’t here to be on dusty talk shows. He’s here to compete. So if Miz has nothig more to say, then shut up and throw down! Mysterio wants to fight, but Miz assures him that Newark doesn’t want to see them fight. No, Newark does want to see them fight! Miz wants them to understand, he’s a changed man. But then he sucker punches Mysterio! Miz hasn’t changed at all! He drags Mysterio up, but Mysterio enziguris Miz to the rope! Then Mysterio runs, only for Miz to run away. No 619 here, but what about the match?

Rey Mysterio VS The Miz!

SmackDown returns as the bell rings. Miz rushes Mysterio but Mysterio ducks him to kick back. Miz shoves but Mysterio slides under, only to get a kick. Mysterio kicks Miz after the whip then headscissors him out. Fans fire up as Mysterio takes aim, but Miz grabs at his legs. Mysterio shoves Mysterio away, then hits the sliding low-pe splash! He puts Miz in the ring, then springboards for a crossbody! TWO, but Mysterio keeps on Miz with shoulders and punches in the corner. Mysterio gets all 10, then adds double ax handles. He backs off to run back in but Miz dodges the splash! Mysterio bounces off buckles, and Miz stomps away. Miz chokes Mysterio on the ropes, then runs to hit his straddle attack.

Fans boo and jeer Miz as he stalks Mysterio. Mysterio blocks Miz’s punches but Miz whips Mysterio into the kitchen sink knee. Miz drags Mysterio up for a knee to the back and a chinlock around the neck. Fans rally up and Mysterio fights out. Miz knees low then whips again, but runs into a boot. Mysterio wheelbarrows but Miz snake eyes him on the buckles. Mysterio arm-drags out of the Finale, but then Miz wristlocks. Rey kicks away then springboard headscissors Miz into place! He dials it up, but Miz dodges the 619! Kick, DDT! Cover, TWO! Miz can’t believe it, but this match continues as we go picture in picture.

Both men slowly stir but Miz sits up first. Mysterio bails out but Miz pursues. Miz brings Mysterio around to ram him into the apron, then puts him back in the ring. He stalks Mysterio into a chinlock clutch. Mysterio endures as fans rally up. Mysterio gets up and fights out, giving forearm sand chops. He runs but Miz slides him out to the floor! Miz catches his breath and soaks up the heat while Mysterio is prey to the ring count. Mysterio staggers over at 6 and manages to get in at 8. Miz looms over him, toying with him as we return to single picture. Miz gives Mysterio to the “It Kicks” but fans say “No! No!” He prepares the buzzsaw, but Mysterio rolls him up! Miz rolls through to boot Mysterio down, cover, TWO!

Miz keeps his cool while stalking Mysterio again. He shoves Mysterio into buckles, then climbs up. Fans chant “619!” as Miz brings Mysterio up. Miz wants the full nelson, but Mysterio resists the Finale to give a Victory Roll Bomb! Mysterio doesn’t cover, but he gets himself to the apron. He aims, springboards and hits the seated senton! He keeps moving, but Miz sunset flips. Mysterio rolls through to kick Miz in the head! Miz gets to a corner but he puts Mysterio on the apron. Mysterio shoulders and kicks in, but springboards into the A-List combination! Cover, TWO! Now Miz grows frustrated, and he whips Mysterio again. Mysterio goes up and over, but runs into another boot! Cover, TWO! Miz is furious, but two is a two.

Mysterio crawls and Miz stalks him again. Miz reels Mysterio in but Mysterio fights off the full nelson. Miz lifts Mysterio but gets another headscissors! 619!! Then springboard splash! Cover, Mysterio wins!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall

The King of Lucha is rolling in his return! But don’t call it an upset, he’s been here for years, and is one of the best in the world. Will he win the WWE World Cup to prove he is THE best?

Naomi & Asuka VS Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville!

WWE Evolution is coming, and it’s going to #FeelTheGlow! However, this first-time-ever match between The Empress & The Glow and the duo formerly known as Absolution will determine who rolls into the #1 Contender’s Battle Royal with momentum! Who comes away with an advantage before being part of history?

SmackDown returns as Rose & Deville make their entrance. The teams sort out, but the IIconics appear! Peyton & Billie are so excited. About Newark? No, no, not this place. She meant WWE Evolution! That’s where the IIconics will make history by winning the Battle Royal to then make the PPV IIconic! But wait, Lana appears? Well, the Ravishing Russian is part of that battle royal, but then she’s interrupted by the FABULOUS Carmella! The birthday girl apologizes, but no one here wants to see talking. What Newark wants is… a DANCE BREAK!

The ladies break it down, but then Zelina Vega comes out of nowhere to throw Carmella into the ring! And then Mandy and Sonya go after her! It’s a massive brawl among the women! Carmella gets Asuka with a FABULOUS Kick, but then Naomi roundhouses Carmella. Sonya tackles Naomi but Billie gives her the Kay Kick! Lana gives Billie a Ravishign Facebuster but Peyton gives her the IIconic heel kick! Mandy gives Peyton her golden knee, but then Vega throws Mandy out! Vega aims at Lana, for CIEN KNEES! La Muneca stands tall, but wait, Asuka’s back! And she gives Vega her Empress heel kick! Asuka stands tall, despite no tag team match happening. When it’s every woman for herself, will any woman be ready for Asuka?!

Shane McMahon is back again!

The Commissioner of SmackDown returned last week for episode 1000, but now he’s here for 1001, too! Shane O’Mac hits the ring to say “What’s up, Newark?” There are a lot of firsts happening right now, including the All Women’s PPV, Evolution. It is a momentous occasion, and for all the women of the past and present, he congratulates them, “well deserved.” And another first will be Crown Jewel’s inaugural WWE World Cup to determine the best in the world today. One superstar will be able to say they are the best in WWE. But who? Newark mentions a certain someone from the past, but he’s not in the tournament.

Shane knows there is such an immense amount of talent in the WWE and even just in the World Cup. He is confident one of the Blue Brand stars will be it. Will it be Jeff Hardy? The Miz? The returning Rey Mysterio? Or will it be Randy Orton? We’ll find out who at Crown Jewel. That’s later, this is now! Are you ready for the main event? Well here it is!

Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton!

The Charismatic Enigma and The Viper went to hell and back at Hell in a Cell, and Orton got the better of Hardy then. Hardy is back, and they’re both in the WWE World Cup, but there’s no guarantee they’ll meet again at Crown Jewel. Therefore, they give us the revival of their rivalry right here! Will Hardy get even? Or will Orton get even more vicious to finally finish Hardy off?

SmackDown returns once more, and the bell rings. Hardy and Orton circle as the fans rally up. They tie p and Hardy gets a headlock. Orton powers out but Hardy rums him over. Hardy says “DELETE! DELETE!” but Orton kicks low. Hardy comes back with a jawbreaker and the spinning back kick. He runs corner to corner but misses the splash. Orton gives “Brother Nero!” European Uppercuts. Hardy rolls out and Orton pursues. Orton bumps Hardy off the steel, then against the side of the steps. And again! And again! Orton backs off at 4, but comes back to drag Hardy up and into the ring. He covers, TWO, but he keeps his cool. Orton stomps Hardy limb after limb, then drags him up to scrape his laces on Hardy’s face. He covers again, TWO, but Orton keeps Hardy down with the chinlock.

Hardy endures as fans build to a rally. Hardy feeds off the energy and fights out, but then Orton yanks him down by his hair! Orton takes his time bringing Hardy up and around for a dropkick! Cover, TWO, but he keeps on Hardy with a chinlock. Fans rally again and Hardy stands. Hardy fights back with elbows but Orton clubs him down. Orton whips Hardy to a corner but runs into an elbow. Hardy climbs but Orton trips him up! Orton puts Hardy in a Tree of Woe to stomp a mudhole into his ribs. Orton stops at 4, but rolls out to pull Hardy’s ear gauge hole! He stops at 4, but he then drags Hardy all the way out to bounce him off the announce desk. Orton then tosses Hardy with the back suplex onto the desk! Fans duel as some in Newark appreciate the violence.

Orton puts Hardy back in the ring, covers, TWO! Hardy survives but that just means Orton gets to torture him more. Orton stalks Hardy, and goes after the ear! Hardy fights him off with furious haymakers. Hardy whips but Orton reverses, only for Hardy to rally! He gets the atomic drop and leg-splitting leg drop! Dropkick on top, cover, TWO! Hardy keeps his cool while he and Orton slowly stand Hardy says “DELETE! DELETE!” and kicks low. Orton denies the Twist of Fate, but runs into boots. hardy up, Whisper in the Wind! Cover, TWO! Orton survives but Hardy still says “DELETE! DELETE!” He stalks Orton, kicks low, Twist of Fate! Off comes the shirt as Hardy climbs up. Hardy aims, but Orton bails out. Hardy won’t let him get away, he hurries to the apron. SWANTON FLOP! Orton moves, Hardy hits floor!

Both men are down and the referee checks on them. Orton sits up and goes over to Hardy. A ring count begins but Orton doesn’t hurry to put Hardy in. They do return, but Orton won’t cover. Instead, he hears the voices in his head! Hardy slowly stands and Orton aims. Orton wants it but is denied into a backslide! TWO, Twist– RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall

The Viper strikes with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment, and rolls on towards the World Cup! Will Orton and Hardy meet again in the SmackDown bracket? Or will one rise while the other falls?

My Thoughts:

This SmackDown was only okay. It was just barely a go-home for Evolution and just managed to build for Crown Jewel. I did like that The New Day didn’t even care what Big Show’s reasons for turning were, they just wanted to fight it out. The only reason Kofi didn’t lose is because that fight broke out, but it seems that Big Show, in his homestretch towards retirement, is getting to be the dominant giant again. I wonder if Big Show and The Bar will Freebird those titles, or Big Show is just insurance so that The Bar have a long(er) reign. And as I was thinking, Styles and Bryan are losing that respectful part of their rivalry and I’m betting this gets really physical really quickly with the go-home for Crown Jewel next week.

I liked seeing the Performance Center “incident” in full, and then Charlotte’s ultimatum after. That Last Woman Standing match is going to be great, probably going to be 20 minutes minimum, but if Charlotte is the last one to speak, I’m thinking Becky is the winner. Becky’s still been on fire as far as fans still cheering her, there’s no reason to stop her now. Then what was meant to be a singles match was suddenly made a tag match without little notice, but that’s okay because it just became a brawl of all the SmackDown women not in the title scene. Asuka stands tall at the end, though she did let everyone else take each other out first. As I said on the Raw article, I hope Asuka wins to turn herself around towards the title.

Miz TV was alright, Mysterio got to the fighting right away. I’m thinking between Mysterio VS Miz and Hardy VS Orton here, we’re not getting those match-ups at Crown Jewel. It’ll likely be Mysterio VS Orton and Hardy VS Miz, but I’m thinking we don’t get Orton VS Hardy again so Mysterio VS Miz rematch as the SmackDown block finals makes sense to me. Tonight’s matches of Mysterio VS Miz and Hardy VS Orton were good here, and it made sense for Mysterio to win against The Miz to keep his roll going. Orton winning was just a default decision it seems, because Hardy could’ve won and it’d still be a moot point given we’ve still got one more SmackDown before Crown Jewel.

My Score: 8/10