Will Der Ring General dethrone the One and Only?

While SmackDown prepares for Money in the Bank, Ricochet defends the WWE Intercontinental Championship against GUNTHER!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Sheamus VS Drew McIntyre; Double Disqualification Draw.
• Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Lacey Evans VS Xia Li; Evans wins and advances to the Women’s MITB match.
• SmackDown Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Ronda Rousey VS Shotzi Blackheart; Rousey wins and denies Shotzi a title match.
• WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ricochet VS GUNTHER w/ Ludwig Kaiser; Gunther wins and becomes the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
• The Honorary Uce’s High Stakes: Matt Riddle VS Sami Zayn; Riddle wins and will challenge Roman Reigns for the title next week.

PLAY BY PLAY

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Sheamus VS Drew McIntyre!

These two are no strangers to each other, and are no strangers to Money in the Bank! But as the Scottish Warrior steps into gorilla, “Butch” stands in his way! McIntyre throws Pete Dunne aside, but Sheamus is there to catch him. The Fella has Butch stand down and McIntyre says he’ll see Sheamus out there. Who wins this clash of Celts to go to Las Vegas?

The bell rings and the two tie right up! Sheamus powers McIntyre back but McIntyre turns it around, they end up in a corner and keep switching positions. The ref reprimands and counts but Sheamus fires off a cheap shot! And then some body shots and forearms! But McIntyre turns it back around to fire off haymakers and CHOPS! The ref counts, McIntyre lets off and Sheamus gets away to another corner. McIntyre storms over but Sheamus kicks low. Sheamus puts McIntyre in the corner for more body shots. Sheamus whips corner to corner but McIntyre rebounds to CLOBBER Sheamus! McIntyre bumps Sheamus off buckles then CHOPS him!

McIntyre brings Sheamus out to CHOP again! Sheamus goes around the way and throws body shots. Sheamus headlocks, McIntyre powers out but Sheamus runs McIntyre over. Things speed up, and McIntyre scoops for a MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, ONE!! Sheamus shows that toughness but McIntyre brings him back up. Fans rally and McIntyre CHOPS again. McIntyre whips, Sheamus KICKS McIntyre away then throws him over the ropes. Sheamus hits McIntyre with a hard body shot, and then he turns McIntyre around for the Beats of the Bodhrain! Fans count but McIntyre stops Sheamus at 5!

McIntyre fires off elbows, then he turns things around on Sheamus! FAST Beats of the Bodhrain and McIntyre gets all 10! McIntyre drags Sheamus to the apron, but Dunne gets on the corner! Dunne swipes at McIntyre, misses, then scrambles away to avoid retaliation. The ref reprimands, but Sheamus POSTS McIntyre! Sheamus then hauls McIntyre up, for an APRON WHITE NOISE!! McIntyre writhes and Sheamus has to keep Dunne back while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Sheamus has a facelock, but McIntyre fights with body shots. McIntyre CHOPS, runs, but into an Alabama Lift! Sheamus hits an ALABAMA SLAM! Cover, TWO! Sheamus clamps on with fishhooks in McIntyre’s mouth! McIntyre fights up as fans rally and McIntyre turns around, only for Sheamus to knee low. Sheamus whips, McIntyre reverses and CLOBBERS Sheamus! McIntyre rallies, whips, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Then he clinches Sheamus in a corner for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And then the NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up and fans fire up!

Dunne snarls but McIntyre glares at Sheamus. Sheamus scrambles away to a corner, then elbows McIntyre back. Only for McIntyre to SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! McIntyre looks up at the briefcases and fans rally up behind him. McIntyre and Sheamus collide, McIntyre HEADBUTTS! McIntyre fireman’s carries but Sheamus fights free and steals FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus is frustrated but he goes to the corner. Sheamus climbs, but McIntyre ROCKS him first! Then fires off haymakers and CHOPS! McIntyre climbs up, fireman’s carries Sheamus, SUPER WHITE NOISE!! Cover, TWO!!

McIntyre glares at Sheamus and aims from the corner. The countdown begins, but Sheamus KNEES McIntyre down! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus gets to a corner, he aims at McIntyre now, and he runs in, into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Jackknife, TWO!! Sheamus survives again and McIntyre is snarling. McIntyre goes back to the corner, but Dunne gets in! CLAYMORE for Dunne! Sheamus clotheslines McIntyre out! Sheamus hurries to a corner and climbs up! FLYING LARIAT! Down goes McIntyre! Sheamus brings McIntyre up but McIntyre verses the whip to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre runs in but Sheamus tosses him over the barriers!

The count is past 5 of 10, Sheamus has a chair! McIntyre ROCKS Sheamus, then he also gets a chair! DOUBLE CHAIR SHOTS! The ref calls for the bell, but what’s the call?! And the brawl continues anyway! McIntyre picks Sheamus up to RAM him onto the announce desk! They both fall over, but we still don’t have a decision as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and the brawl is still going! The decision was Double Disqualification Draw, but McIntyre still punches and CHOPS Sheamus! They end up back by the desk, but Dunne jumps onto McIntyre! Referees and officials try to stop this but McIntyre BACKPACK SENTONS to the floor! Sheamus smacks McIntyre off the desk but then McIntyre tosses Sheamus into the crowd! They brawl in front of the fans and fans are loving it! Officials almost have these two apart but Sheamus breaks free to get at McIntyre again! McIntyre hits back, and now the two are separated. Fans boo, they want to “Let Them Fight!” But if neither is through, what happens with MITB?

Backstage interview with Lacey Evans.

The Model Soldier is back, and we all know her heart wrenching story. She’s overcome that, so what would the MITB contract mean to her? That contract changes lives. She can challenge any champion, any time and any place. This is her opportunity. Xia Li says Lacey is a victim, Lacey sees Xia as another person just telling her she can’t do something. Lacey knows we could all sit and wallow in self-pity over what life throws at us. “Or we could wake up, work, and win.” Lacey is here, we know what choice she made. She may not be better than Xia, but Xia damn sure ain’t better than Lacey. Will Lacey get the biggest return win possible with this MITB qualifier?

Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Lacey Evans VS Xia Li!

SmackDown returns and Xia makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Xia waistlocks but Lacey pries at the hold. Xia shifts to a headlock, but Lacey powers out to run Xia over! Fans rally for Lacey as she speeds things up. Xia avoids the leg sweep to smack Lacey off the mat! Cover, TWO! Lacey fires off kicks, then BOOTS Lacey into the corner. Xia runs in to step-up ELBOW! Then she NORTHERN LIGHTS suplexes Lacey away! Cover, TWO! Xia clamps onto Lacey with a cobra clutch and grinds her down. Lacey endures even as Xia thrashes her, and fans rally up. Lacey fights up, and arm-drags free!

Lacey CLOBBERS Xia! And then she blocks a punch to wrench, kick and snapmare! Xia gets up, Lacey UPPERCUTS her to a corner! Fans fire up with Lacey and she runs corner to corner, to SWINGING BRONCO BUSTER! Lacey brings Xia out to cover, TWO! Lacey is annoyed but she brings Xia up. Lacey whips, but Xia reverses to mule kick! Xia runs, but into a WOMAN’S RIGHT! Cover, Lacey wins!

Winner: Lacey Evans, by pinfall (qualifies for the Women’s MITB match)

Lacey is back and so is that right hand! She’s the first one into the ladder match, but who will join her in Vegas for that golden opportunity?

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

He talks to the other person about the “complete and utter chaos” between McIntyre and Sheamus, but in walks McIntyre. McIntyre knows Pearce saw what happened and McIntyre wants in the match. Pearce can’t just put McIntyre in the match after what happened, but McIntyre tells him to do it. Pearce says there is a process. He has to ask the higher ups before he can make a decision. McIntyre puts a hand on Pearce’s shoulder and again tells him to put McIntyre in. McIntyre leaves, but will he get what he wants?

Are you ready to join the raid?

The Viking Raiders, Erik & Ivar, pride themselves on honor, valor and unbridled rage. They’re headed back to SmackDown, will you be ready?

Sheamus and Butch barge into Pearce’s office.

Pete Dunne is more upset than Sheamus is, but Sheamus also knows Pearce saw what happened tonight. It’s only fair that Sheamus is in the MITB match! Pearce just told McIntyre- What? He’s talking to McIntyre? Behind his back?! No, there’s a lot to process. Sheamus doesn’t want excuses, he wants results! Dunne and Sheamus storm off, what is Pearce to do about all this?

Ronda Rousey is here!

The Baddest Woman on the Planet and the SmackDown Women’s Champion is going to be a fighting champion. As such, last week’s Six Pack Challenge named a new #1 contender in Natalya! What will Rowdy Ronda have to say about facing The BOAT? We’ll see, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Ronda has a mic to say “Money in the Bank is just three weeks away. It doesn’t sound like that long, does it? But man, guys, I cannot wait. Because three weeks is not soon enough. I can’t wait to prove to Natalya that the armbar that I learned from my mom and I made famous is vastly superior to that cheap imitation of a Sharpshooter she pilfered from her uncle Bret.” At MITB- Wait, Shotzi Blackheart interrupts! Shotzi has a mic to say, “Ronda, Ronda, Ronda. Just shut up! Now, I might not have the experience of Natalya, or a fancy submission move, but what I do have… is serious aggression, and a killer instinct.”

Shotzi gets in the ring with Ronda and says if Ronda’s the champion she says she is, she wouldn’t wait until MITB for a fight. Seems to Shotzi that “Baddest Woman on the Planet” would have no problem fighting her right here and now! Fans cheer both for Shotzi’s confidence and for seeing a fight. Ronda asks the fans if she should fight for a “title shotzi?” Fans want to see it, so we’re onskis! Ronda and Shotzi stare down, but it seems to be official as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Ronda Rousey VS Shotzi Blackheart!

SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and the two circle. They tie up, Shotzi waistlocks but Ronda pries free to hit a sayanagi! Shotzi hurries to ropes and Ronda backs off, but fans fire up. Ronda and Shotzi reset, tie up, and end up on ropes. Shotzi hooks Ronda’s mouth! The ref counts, Shotzi lets off but fires knees and forearms. Shotzi brings Ronda around, but Ronda knees free! Shotzi runs in, Ronda dodges, body scissors for a takedown and cover, TWO! Shotzi ROCKS Ronda, snapmares, then smirks as she KICKS Ronda in the back! Shotzi runs, into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Ronda checks her jaw then fires up.

Ronda runs in to fire off on Shotzi, but Shotzi shoves the sayanagi away to BOOT Ronda! Shotzi gets Ronda for a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! The ref counts, but Ronda pries free and has an ANKLE LOCK! The ref counts, Ronda lets off at 4. Shotzi hobbles away, Ronda pursues, but Shotzi gets in the ring. Ronda wants a leg, Shotzi kicks at her. Shotzi ends up on the apron, and hits a TORNADO DDT to the floor! The ring count is past 5 of 10 but Shotzi puts Ronda in at 7! Shotzi hurries to cover, TWO! Ronda is still in this and Shotzi is furious! Shotzi stomps and kicks Ronda around but fans rally up for the champ.

Shotzi rains down forearms on Ronda, covers, TWO! Shotzi snarls, then smirks as she stalks Ronda. Shotzi brings Ronda up, brings him in, and goes to suplex. Ronda blocks, wrenches free, shoots around to a waistlock, but Shotzi holds ropes. Shotzi bucks Ronda away and ROUNDHOUSES! Cover, TWO!! Ronda is still in this and Shotzi can’t believe it! Shotzi hurries to get Ronda up so she can KICK the arm, then SLAM it on the mat. Shotzi slams the other arm, too, then hooks up one arm for an omplata! Shotzi gets Ronda’s other arm and pulls back! Ronda endures, moves around, and fans rally up!

Ronda moves, gets up enough to push Shotzi over, and she rolls through to get the ANKLE LOCK! Shotzi kicks Ronda with her free leg! Fans rally, Shotzi brings Ronda up and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Shotzi fires off furious fists, then she hauls Ronda back up. Shotzi snap suplexes Ronda into buckles! Shotzi stomps away on Ronda’s bad arm and fans boo. The ref backs Shotzi off, Shotzi runs back in, but Ronda dodges! Shotzi tumbles off buckles and Ronda hauls her back up to fireman’s carry. Shotzi fights free, shoves Ronda away and SUPERKICKS! Then KNEE LIFT, and ROLLING ELBOW!

Ronda staggers, but she blocks the Question Mark Kick! Ronda shakes her head, but Shotzi SLAPS her! That only pisses Ronda off more! Shotzi tries again, Ronda gets the arm and then hits an EXPLODER! Fans fire up with Ronda and she fires off sayanagi after sayanagi on Shotzi! Then fast hands, a BOOT, and a roll into the fireman’s carry! PIPER’S PIT! And then, so Natty can see this, ARMBAR!! Shotzi taps, Ronda wins!

Winner: Ronda Rousey, by submission (denies Shotzi a title shot)

But then Natty BLINDSIDES Ronda! The Queen of Harts ambushes the champion, rains down fists, then locks on the SHARPSHOOTER! Ronda endures the “imitation” but it feels pretty real now! The ref tells Natty to stop but she doesn’t care! Natty holds until three refs are there to yell at her! Natty finally lets go, but Ronda never tapped or shouted for mercy. Will Natty make sure she breaks the Baddest Woman at Money in the Bank?

Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.

The Bro is in a high stakes match with Sami Zayn. If he loses, he can’t return to SmackDown. But if he wins, he gets his Undisputed Universal Championship match with Roman Reigns next week here on SmackDown. How is he responding to this pressure? Riddle says he thrives under pressure. What really motivates him is what The Bloodline did to his best friend, Randy Orton. Orton risked his body, so Riddle will do whatever it takes to get his revenge. Riddle’s reminded of a quote: “The juice is worth the squeeze.” Tonight, Riddle just has to beat that twerp “Rusty” Sami, and he’ll get his revenge on Roman.

Riddle can see it now: Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Riddle. Yeah…! But will Riddle get that juice after he squeezes Sami Zayn? Or will he be tasting the sour lemons of defeat instead?

Ronda is in the trainer’s room.

She says she’s fine, she doesn’t need ice. Kayla Braxton says this could be a serious leg injury. Ronda insists she can fight anyone, but perhaps this was the wrong night. We will wait and see if she can compete at MITB.

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ricochet VS GUNTHER w/ Ludwig Kaiser!

The One and Only fought along side Drew Gulak against Imperium, but failed to defend his friend and tag partner in that match. Now Ricochet must defend his title against DER RING GENERAL! Will Ricochet fail here as he did with Gulak? Or will he be the first to topple the Austrian Anomaly here on SmackDown?

Imperium’s Impeccable German, Ludwig Kaiser, wants the people to show their gratitude and admire the expertise of a true champion, DER RING GENERAL… GUNTHER! Gunther walks out to the ring, Ludwig at his side. Will Gunther finally go from former NXT UK Champion to new Intercontinental Champion? We’ll see, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Ricochet makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the mat is sacred!

Gunther and Ricochet circle, tie up, and Gunther headlocks to THROW Ricochet! Ricochet gets up and comes back to tie up again. Gunther throws Ricochet down at the mat! Ricochet gets back up, gets around and headlocks but Gunther powers out. They ram shoulders, neither falls, and just as Ludwig was starting to enjoy this, Ricochet fires off KICKS and CHOPS! Ricochet then dodges Gunther’s chop, runs and rolls off Gunther’s back, then he rolls under to handspring and headscissor. Gunther throws Ricochet off, Ricochet lands on his feet, but Gunther CHOPS Ricochet off his feet! Gunther scoops Ricochet to then RAMS him into a corner!

Gunther CHOPS Ricochet, then climbs up to stand on Ricochet! The ref counts, Gunther lets off and Ricochet flops to the apron! Gunther goes out after him but SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Gunther whips but Ricochet fires forearms and kicks! Ricochet runs, Gunther hurdles!? And then BOOTS Ricochet down! Ludwig is enjoying this as Gunther drags Ricochet up. Gunther reels him in, lifts him up, but Ricochet SUNSET BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally up as Gunther and Ricochet rise. Gunther glares at Ricochet, but Ricochet blocks, KICKS and ROCKS Gunther! Ricochet KICKS more, and more, and Gunther drops to a knee! Ricochet aims to KICK again! And again! Ricochet runs, and tilt-o-whirls Gunther to a corner! Fans fire up, Ricochet RAMS into Gunther and goes outside.

Ricochet springboards, but into a SLEEPER! Gunther squeezes tight, thrashes Ricochet around, and Ricochet is fading! Ricochet manages to arm-drag free, but Gunther dodges the knee! Gunther GERMAN SUPLEXES Ricochet but Ricochet lands on his feet! Ricochet JUMP KNEES! Gunther wobbles, Ricochet runs, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and fans fire up! Gunther is frustrated but he looms over Ricochet. Gunther sits Ricochet up, CLUBS away on Ricochet’s chest, then clamps on the SLEEPER! Ricochet fights, reaches out, and he RAMS Gunther into buckles! Ricochet boots but is blocked!

Gunther puts Ricochet on the apron and has another SLEEPER! But Ricochet gets the arm for ELBOW BREAKER after ELBOW BREAKER! Ricochet GAMANGIRIS Gunther away, but Ludwig is there barking at him! Ricochet PENALTY KICKS Ludwig, then springboards in at Gunther! But Gunther dodges, swings, but Ricochet dodges and QUEBRADAS! SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Ricochet hurries and aims, SUPERKICK! Gunther is down, Ricochet hurries to the corner! Fans fire up, Ricochet climbs up, and Ricochet 630- NO, he has to bail out as Gunther moves. Ricochet boots and ENZIGURIS from the corner, then SOMERSAULT SHOTGUNS!

Gunther rebounds off buckles, to SHOTGUN Ricochet!! Ricochet hits buckles hard, and Gunther drags him up, for the GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, Gunther wins!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Ludwig presents Gunther with the belt, and a new era begins! Will Der Ring General make this reign as dominant as his NXT UK Championship reign?

John Cena made another wish come true.

It was June 4th, just outside of Amsterdam, that Cena met with a family of Ukrainian refugees. Their son, Misha, has autism and doesn’t speak, but he is a big fan of Cena, so it was a dream come true to meet his hero. The mother, Liana, was so grateful for Cena to do this for them. Cena even gave Misha the green and yellow gear and a replica WWE Championship belt. Cena was also grateful for getting to meet such a brave family.

Sami Zayn is at gorilla.

But Paul Heyman walks over. Sami is happy to see Heyman, and Heyman hopes Sami realizes this is the greatest opportunity of his career. If Sami wins tonight, Heyman has the ammunition to go to the Tribal Chief to tell him that Sami belongs in the Bloodline. But if he loses tonight… Then Sami… Heyman doesn’t even finish his sentence, it is that bad. Will Sami thrive or crack under this pressure from the Special Counsel?

The Honorary Uce’s High Stakes: Matt Riddle VS Sami Zayn!

SmackDown returns and after a recap package of last week, The Bro makes his entrance. Will Riddle avenge Randy and Nakamura? Or will the Honorary Uce do the Bloodline proud?

SmackDown returns again, and Paul Heyman is “acknowledged” on commentary. The bell rings, Riddle and Sami tie up and Riddle puts Sami in a corner. Sami turns it around, tries a sucker punch but Riddle dodges to fire off kick after kick! Sami gets away, kicks low and headlocks. Riddle powers out, things speed up, Riddle hits a JUMPING TRIANGLE TAKEDOWN! Riddle has Sami’s arm but Sami tries to turn that into a stacked pin. ONE, and Riddle pulls tight! Sami hurries to the ROPEBREAK! Riddle lets Sami go quickly and Sami bails out. Riddle goes out, picks Sami up and RAMS him into the apron, then KICKS away on him!

Fans rally and count, Sami gets in after taking his fifth kick. Riddle hurries in after Sami, gut wrenches and deadlifts, for the suplex! Riddle holds on, brings Sami back up, another gut wrench for the BOMB! Cover, TWO! Riddle pushes Sami down to BROTON! Cover, TWO! Sami sputters and gets to ropes and Heyman says Riddle is a handful for any normal competitor. But if Riddle were to win here, forcing the Tribal Chief to defend his title for the very first time, live on SmackDown, Riddle must understand he will be bringing out the angry side of the Tribal Chief.  Meanwhile, Riddle keeps Sami from running away, dragging him into the ring and hitting him with a HARD forearm!

Riddle then CHOPS! And he ROCKS Sami with another forearm. Riddle whips but Sami holds ropes and bails out. Riddle hurries out after Sami but Sami CLOBBERS Riddle! Sami stomps Riddle, drags Riddle up and SMACKS him off the desk! Sami puts Riddle in, covers, TWO! Sami drops elbows, covers, TWO! Sami throws crossface forearms, then clamps on with a chinlock. Riddle endures and fans rally up. Riddle fights up, arm-drags free, and spins Sami for a PELE! Sami staggers to a corner, Riddle kips up and runs in to forearm smash! Riddle keeps moving, another forearm smash! Then a BROSPLODER! PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!

Sami survives and Heyman looks a touch worried. Riddle drags Sami up but Sami cradles! TWO, Riddle goes to corner and elbows Sami away. Riddle climbs up, but Sami shoves him off! Riddle crashes down on barriers and Sami smirks as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once more, and Sami is choking and stomping Riddle in the ropes! The ref counts, Sami lets off at 4, and then Sami waits on Riddle to get up. Sami hops up the corner, leaps at Riddle, but Riddle rolls through the blockbuster. Sami deadlifts Riddle to a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Riddle is still in this and Sami is furious! Sami throws Riddle out, then goes out after him to POST him! Sami POSTS Riddle again, then gets back in the ring. Sami lets the ring count climb and Riddle flounders. We’re past 5 of 10, Riddle still hasn’t sat up! We’re at 8, but Riddle springs up and in at 9!

Sami rains down fists on Riddle, drags Riddle to a drop zone, then goes up the corner. Riddle gets up and springs up after Sami, but Sami fights off the cravat! Sami HEADBUTTS Riddle down, hurries to adjust, and leaps, into a FINAL FLASH KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and Heyman is stressing out! Riddle and Sami crawl to opposite ends, Riddle runs in but is put on the apron. Sami KNEES Riddle, and Riddle is through the ropes. Sami wants to mock RKBRO by dragging Riddle in. DRAPING DDT! Heyman likes that, but he wants Sami to finish this. Sami instead keeps mocking the Viper, he’s “hearing voices” now!

Riddle slowly gets up and Sami takes aim. But FINAL FLASH strikes again! Riddle fires off KICK after KICK after KICK in the corner! The ref counts, Riddle stops at 4 and Sami flops out of the ring! APRON PENALTY KICK! Then a SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BRO! Direct hit at the ramp and Heyman can’t even watch! Riddle puts Sami in, Sami runs at him, but into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up as Riddle has Sami in the ropes now! DRAPING DDT! And now Riddle hears those voices, bro! Sami gets up, staggers around, but he turns RKO into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Heyman wants Sami to cover again!

Sami nods and he brings Riddle back up. Riddle gut wrenches! But Sami drops down to victory roll, TWO! Riddle runs in, but into a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami hurries to the far side, runs in corner to corner, HELLUVA- RKO!!! Cover, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Undisputed Universal Championship)

And Heyman is frowning. But then the USOS attack! Jimmy & Jey won’t let Riddle enjoy his win! They stomp him, rain down fists, drag Riddle back up, and toss him from the ring! The Usos hold up the fingers, they the ones who beat up Riddle, but they didn’t finish him off! Riddle has a KENDO STICK! Riddle SMACKS away on Jimmy, Jey, back to Jimmy, more for Jey, and that stick is splintering! Riddle SMACKS Jimmy out of the ring, SMACKS Jey at the ramp, and then gets back in the ring to say HE’S the one! But will he be the one to finally dethrone the Head of the Table? Or will Roman Reigns have another ace in the hole like he always does?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode, but there was quite a bit that made this feel like “Go Home Hangover.” We got recap packages shoved in places they didn’t need to be, like right before the main event that they totally sprang on us without warning. Now, obviously something was to come from last week where Sami used Roman’s theme to mess with Riddle, and here it was. We did get a good interview promo from Riddle, and a good “ultimatum” from Heyman to Sami right before the match. The main event was great stuff, though could’ve been even better without the time vampires.

Riddle winning was the right choice, he can’t just be banished from SmackDown, but a shame they’re just gonna have the match on SmackDown. As I said with the tag titles and the Intercontinental Championship the weeks before, SmackDown does need the ratings, but shouldn’t there be title matches for PPVs? Though, in the end, I suppose whether PPV or SmackDown, Roman isn’t losing the title(s) yet, so WWE can get the ratings for SmackDown since they’ve already downgraded Money in the Bank by NOT having it at Allegiant Stadium.

Speaking of the Intercontinental Championship, we got a great match from Ricochet and Walter/Gunther, though this was again a case of where there were recaps and commercial breaks shoved in and those took time away from this match. And in the end, it ended how I and a lot of people expected: GUNTHER IST MEISTER! That is, Gunther is champion, and he will surely make himself a notable Intercontinental Champion. Hopefully this title makes the cut for SummerSlam, I’d love to see Gunther be back on a big stage, taking on someone else big time, or even just giving Ricochet a rematch that blows this match out of the water.

We got a good start to the MITB build with tonight’s qualifiers. Lacey VS Xia was good but also fast, though that perhaps should’ve been expected with both women having quick strike finishers. Lacey of course wins, and I swear if WWE insists on going through with their swerve where Lacey turns into a patriotic Heel, there won’t just be Heel heat but nuclear heat from those patriotic fans who were actually willing to cheer Lacey. But she’s in the MITB match, she has just a good a chance as anyone from SmackDown, though I’m still leaning towards Becky winning it for Raw in her Big Time Comeback story.

The opening match with McIntyre and Sheamus was great stuff, even with it being a draw. The brawl was fun, both of them going to Pearce made sense, and we might end up with a rematch that’s No Disqualification or higher just so both men get a fair shot at getting into the match. And maybe the New Day need to back McIntyre up so Dunne doesn’t interfere again. McIntyre already stated he wants to face the Universal Champion at Clash at the Castle, him winning MITB could be how he does that.

My Score: 8.4/10