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SmackDown opens with 3 separate vignettes; Kevin Owens, Charlotte and Dana Brooke, and Dean Ambrose. All talk about their matches later tonight.
Opening match: Sasha Banks vs. Dana Brooke, with Charlotte
Sasha wins via submission
Nice match. Good sequence that saw Sasha knock Charlotte off the ring apron, Dana attempted a roll up that Sasha converted into The Banks Statement. Post match, Charlotte attacked Sasha, which resulted in Sasha being thrown into/on the announcer's table. Charlotte climbed on top of the table, standing over Sasha, raising the Women's Championship. Good story telling.
Next segment: Lana comes to the ring. Introduces her fiancé Rusev, with the camera doing a close up of her engagement ring. Rusev comes to the ring, after which his attack on Zack Ryder on Raw is recapped.
Match #2: Rusev vs. Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler wins via pinfall after a roll up, as Rusev attempted to chase after Zack Ryder. After the match, Rusev goes insane. He attacks the announce table, throws monitors, etc.
Next segment: it's advertised on the Tron as "Compound Fractured." We see a recap video package of the New Day's trip to the Wyatt compound. Not as long as the segment from Raw. More of a highlight vignette.
They then advertise New Day vs. The Wyatts at Battleground.
Match #3: AJ Styles & Karl Anderson (with Luke Gallows) vs. Enzo Amore & Big Cass
HUGE pop for both The Club and Enzo & Cass. People all over the arena were "2 Sweeting" each other, then reciting Enzo's intro. Big Cass had some good mic work... He's showing more and more promise.
Entertaining match, probably the liveliest the crowd has been all night. Finish saw Enzo tap out to AJ Styles' Calf Crusher.
Winner via submission, AJ Styles & Karl Anderson (with Luke Gallows).
Post match, photo highlights of Lesnar's unanimous victory at UFC 200 were featured as well as his comments on facing Randy Orton at SummerSlam.
Match #4: Tyler Breeze (with Fandango) vs. Kalisto (with Sin Cara)
Kalisto wins via pinfall. Short match. Not a lot to speak to. Wish they would have given them more time.
Next segment: MizTV with special guests Darren Young & Bob Backlund. Miz asked to show the career highlights of Bob Backlund. A great montage was shown and afterwards, many gave Backlund a standing ovation. Miz then asked to show Darren Young's career highlights, which resulted in a test screen and "no signal" tone. Mix then degraded Darren Young's career & win on Raw, Backlund retorted, then Maryse and Miz started to insult Backlund for being old. Young defended his "life coach," saying he was going to teach Miz a lesson in respect at Battleground, when he also wins the WWE Intercontinental Championship. They stare each other down, with Miz eventually backing away. The segment ends with Darren Young and Bob Backlund watching Miz and Maryse as they retreat up the ramp.
Backstage, R. Truth is shown talking to Shane McMahon.
We return from commercial to see Sasha backstage having her neck checked out by officials and staff. Charlotte and Dana Brooke appear, saying Sasha does get a match at Battleground, but it's not a title match. It will be a tag match, with Charlotte telling Sasha "good luck" in finding a partner.
Match #5: Dean Ambrose vs. Kevin Owens
Before the match begins, Seth Rollins comes out. He makes his way to the announce table and dons a headset. Match ends in a disqualification within just a couple of minutes, after Rollins interferes. Then, Sami Zayn comes out. He and Dean clear the ring of Rollins and Owens. The crowd chants for "Shane-O-Mac." The referees direct Jojo to announce that the match will now be a tag team match.
Match #6: Dean Ambrose & Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens
Way too much going on in this match to even describe. If you skip SmackDown this week, at least go out of your way to see this match. Good stuff. Finish saw Seth Rollins hit The Pedigree on Sami Zayn.
Winners via pinfall: Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens
Post match: Rollins challenged Ambrose to come back into the ring and fight him. Ambrose obliged and before he could hit Dirty Deeds, Rollins scurried out of the ring. The show with Ambrose consoling Zayn in the ring, with the WWE Championship draped over his shoulder as they stared at Owens & Rollins on the stage. However, Owens and Rollins rush the ring, only for Owens to get thrown out and Ambrose is finally able to hit Dirty Deeds on Rollins.
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