Author: Eric Lynch

The August 22nd edition of WWE SmackDown Live took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY and was the first episode of SmackDown after SummerSlam 2017.

– WWE United States Champion AJ Styles makes his way out to the ring to kick off the post-SummerSlam edition of SmackDown. AJ gets on the mic and welcomes us to SmackDown, “the house that AJ Styles built.” AJ says he’s the biggest workhorse in WWE, and now it’s time to begin the United States Championship Open Challenge again. Kevin Owen’s music hits and Owens comes down to the ring and complains that AJ Styles’ victory over him at SummerSlam was another McMahon family screwjob of a Canadian. Shane McMahon comes out next and takes issues with Owens’ comments. Shane steps in the ring and says that Owens was beaten fair and square on Sunday. Owens shows footage on the Titantron of a call Shane made at SummerSlam that he wasn’t pleased with. Owens gets in Shane’s face and complains until AJ tells Owens he’s being a “whining bitch.” Owens challenges AJ to a U.S. Title match tonight, but this time Owens wants to pick the referee. AJ accepts, and Shane adds the stipulation that this will be Owens’ last opportunity to face AJ for the U.S. Title as long as AJ has the belt.

– Daniel Bryan is backstage on the phone when The Singh Brothers walk in. They introduce WWE Champion Jinder Mahal to the room. Mahal walks in and says he knows why Bryan wants to talk to him right now, then talks about how great he is. Bryan says he doesn’t think Mahal can win without the help of the Singh Brothers. Mahal says Bryan is just another xenophobic American and he’s really a hero. Bryan says heroes don’t take shortcuts like Mahal does, then Bryan books the Singh Brothers in a match against Shinsuke Nakamura tonight so Nakamura can get some revenge for SummerSlam.

– Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have a conversation backstage where they seem to make amends. Owens says maybe they shouldn’t be fighting each other, but rather against others. Owens tells Zayn that since coming to SmackDown he hasn’t done anything that matters, but tonight he can do something that counts by being the referee in Owens’ match tonight against Styles. Owens asks Zayn just to consider it, and Zayn looks skeptical.

– Aiden English is in the ring for a song, but he’s quickly interrupted by Bobby Roode who is making his SmackDown & WWE main roster debut. Roode makes his glorious entrance and Aiden English is not happy. Roode’s debut match is up next.

– Bobby Roode vs. Aiden English: Roode starts off strong as he knocks English to the outside. Back in the ring Roode lays into English with chops to the chest then hits a back body drop. English comes back with a kick to the midsection, then he takes Roode into the corner for more strikes. The fight spills out to ringside where English whips Roode into the fan barricade then hits a splash on him. Back in the ring, Aiden stays in control until Roode comes back with a spear into the corner and a series of chops to the chest. Roode hits an atomic drop and a lariat then hits a Blockbuster as JBL makes a “Beer Money” joke on commentary. Roode hits a spinebuster, then waits for English to get up and hits the Glorious DDT for the win via pinfall.

– After the match, the former NXT and TNA Champion does an in-ring interview with Renee Young. Roode says SmackDown just acquired the hottest free agent in sports entertainment today, and that in a New York minute SmackDown has gone from great to glorious.

– Chad Gable walks into Daniel Bryan’s office. Gable says he’s done talking about Jason Jordan and Kurt Angle, and wants to focus on his career. Bryan tells Gable that he didn’t just give Jordan to RAW, Kurt Angle had to make a deal to help him sign one of Angle’s friends. With that, Bryan introduces another new member of SmackDown: Shelton Benjamin. Bryan says he’s teaming up Gable and Benjamin next week, and both Gable and Benjamin seem excited about the new pairing.

– Kevin Owens approaches Sami Zayn backstage and hands him a referee shirt. Zayn says he did give it some thought, and tells Owens he thinks he’ll have to find someone else to help him in his match against AJ tonight. Zayn tosses the ref shirt at Owens and walks off.

– The Usos def. The Hype Bros: Mojo starts off strong against Jey with a spear in the corner and a gut-wrench suplex. Mojo follows up with a Stinger Splash, but then he gets distracted by Jimmy in the corner and Jey dropkicks him from behind. Jimmy gets the tag and the Usos double team Mojo. Mojo dodges a splash and gets the tag to Ryder. Ryder brings the pain to Jimmy and hits a running bulldog. The fight spills outside and all four men brawl on the floor. Back in the ring, Jimmy goes for a splash on Ryder in the corner but Ryder blocks with his knees. Jey distracts Ryder from the apron which leads to Jimmy hitting the superkick on Ryder for the win after a short match.

– The Usos cut a promo after the match and say before they “make like chips and dip,” they have something to say. They tell the teams of SmackDown that when they feel like someone is creeping up on them it’s not paranoia, it’s the Usos.

– Nakamura is backstage warming up for his handicap match tonight against both Singh Brothers.

– Shinsuke Nakamura def. The Singh Brothers: Before the match, the Singh Brothers announce WWE Champion Jinder Mahal’s entrance as he’ll be in their corner at ringside. The Singh Brothers are both legal at the same time in this match, as opposed to tagging in and out. Nakamura starts off with kicks and the Singh Brothers take a moment to regroup. More kicks and knees from Nakamura, then he sets both brothers across the ropes in the corner for a running knee. Nakamura throws both of his opponents out to ringside, and Jinder is not happy. Jinder distracts Nakamura, and the Singh Brothers run in and attack Nakamura from behind. Nakamura ends up knocking one brother outside, then putting the other brother in an arm bar for the win via submission.

– Immediately after the match, Jinder knocks down Nakamura from behind. Jinder takes off his coat and Nakamura comes back with a kick and a running knee to the face.

– The Fashion Police approach Kevin Owens backstage and offer to be referees in his match tonight. Owens tells them no and to get away from him. Baron Corbin grabs Owens by the shoulder from behind and says he’ll do it, but if Owens wins the U.S. Title, then Corbin wants first dibs. Owens says it’s a deal and hands Corbin the ref shirt.

– New WWE SmackDown Womens Champion Natalya is out to the ring next and she’s got a mic. Natalya says she proved again on Sunday that she’s the best there is, was, and ever will be. Natalya says she is a real champion and will forever be the SmackDown Womens Champion. She says she’ll restore honor and dignity to the title, then gets interrupted by Carmella and James Ellsworth. Carmella and Ellsworth congratulate Natalya on “finally” winning something, “unlike these people in Brooklyn.” Carmella tells Natalya she’s on borrowed time, because Carmella will cash in her Money In The Bank contract when the time is right. Becky Lynch and Naomi come out, and we’ve got a tag match.

– Naomi & Becky Lynch def. Natalya & Carmella: Carmella and Naomi start off, but before they even lock up Carmella tags in Natalya. Naomi takes control and tags in Becky who tries to keep Natalya grounded. Natalya fires up and slams Becky into the corner, but Becky comes back with a series of kicks. Naomi tags back in and they briefly double team Natalya. Becky quickly tags bck in and hits a leg drop on Natalya. Natalya drops Becky into the corner and stomps a mud hole in her. Natalya puts Becky in a sleeper but Becky gets out. Natalya comes back with an elbow to the face, then she knocks Naomi off the apron. Natalya tries to tag in Carmella, but Carmella refuses and jumps off the apron. Natalya and Carmella argue which leads to Becky coming back with a kick to the head. Becky goes to the top rope but Natalya throws her down to the mat. Natalya gets distracted by Carmella again and Becky tags in Naomi. Naomi kicks Natalya then rolls her up for a near-fall. Naomi locks Natalya in the Rings of Saturn but Natalya breaks out. Natalya boots Naomi then tags in Carmella by slapping her on the back. Natalya and Carmella start fighting which leads to Becky coming in and hitting a T-bone suplex on Carmella. Naomi follows up with a split legged moonsault on Carmella for the win.

– Dolph Ziggler is backstage for an interview where he says he’s back and is reintroducing himself to the WWE Universe. He complains that he’s being reintroduced in a backstage interview. Ziggler says he’s been watching a lot of RAW and SmackDown, and says now he knows what it takes to be a star in WWE – he’s going to start singing, playing guitar, rap and dance around like an idiot. He goes on about needing a laser show and a fancy robe. He says he’s going to come out with all of these things and a woman who glows in the dark to escort him to the ring — next week.

– Backstage, Lana tells Tamina that her ravishing journey to the Womens Title starts next week. Tamina asks what about this week, and Lana tells her they’re going to look inside themselves so she needs to close her eyes. Lana gives Tamina a motivational speech and tells her to get angry. Lana says Tamina is ready, and one by one they will crush the competition as their ravishing reign of terror begins. Lana says they won’t stop until Tamina gets the Womens Title and is the most-feared woman on SmackDown live.

– AJ Styles runs into Baron Corbin backstage. Corbin is already wearing his referee shirt, and tells AJ about his deal with Owens. AJ tells Corbin that he’s going to retain tonight, and he offers an open challenge every week so Corbin just has to answer it next Tuesday.

– AJ Styles (c) def. Kevin Owens: Baron Corbin comes out to the ring first with new entrance music. AJ Styles’ U.S. Title is on the line in this one. Owens rolls outside at the sound of the opening bell. AJ yells at Corbin for not counting out Owens, then Owens attacks AJ from behind. Owens lays into Styles with strikes and beats him down in the corner. AJ comes back with a dropkick that sends Owens falling out to ringside, then the Phenomenal One follows up with a suicide plancha onto Owens. Back in the ring, Styles ducks a clothesline from Owens and fires back with a Pele kick. Owens rolls outside and trips up Styles on the apron. Owens grabs Styles and hits a fallaway slam that sends AJ crashing into the fan barricade. Back in the ring, Owens knees Styles in the face then grinds AJ’s face into the mat. Styles fights back with elbows then hits a facebuster and both men are down. They get up and Styles tees off on Owens with a series of strikes. AJ follows up with a running forearm to the face, then hits a running clothesline on Owens in the corner. Styles hits the fireman’s carry neckbreaker for a two count on the challenger. AJ goes for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Owens ducks it. Styles gets Owens in the Calf Crusher, but Corbin feels that Owens reached the rope so he breaks the hold. Styles disputes this and gets in Corbin’s face. Owens pushes Styles into Corbin and Corbin freaks out. Corbin throws a punch at Styles and Owens rolls up Styles from behind for a two count. Styles and Owens clothesline each other and both men are down. Shane McMahon runs in and asks Corbin what he’s doing. Corbin is distracted by Shane at ringside while Owens hits a low blow on Styles. Owens pins and Corbin counts, but Shane saw the low blow and he pulls Corbin out of the ring. Corbin freaks out at Shane and rips off his referee shirt. Corbin hands the ref shirt to Shane, then Corbin heads backstage. Shane puts on the ref shirt and hops in the ring, and Owens is not happy. Owens gets in Shane’s face, then turns his attention back to AJ. AJ chokes Owens over the top rope then hits the Phenomenal Forearm for the three count. AJ wins and retains his U.S. Championship. Shane hands AJ the strap and raises his hand in the ring as Owens rolls outside to recover. AJ gets on the turnbuckle and holds up the U.S. Title as Owens looks on in shock and SmackDown goes off the air.

The August 21st edition of WWE RAW was the first episode after SummerSlam 2017 and took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

– Brock Lesnar and his advocate Paul Heyman come out to the ring to open up RAW. The Universal Champion and Heyman step into the ring and Heyman gloats about his client’s victory last night. Heyman says Lesnar’s opponents last night were pretenders who couldn’t put away The Beast, as he declined medical attention and walked back down the aisle to retain the Championship. Heyman mentions that Lesnar pinned Roman Reigns, which gets the a pop from the crowd. Heyman sys there is nobody in the WWE or UFC who can conquer Lesnar, and this brings out Braun Strowman to interrupt. Strowman comes nose to nose with Lesnar and goes for a chokeslam but Lesnar breaks free. Lesnar runs off the ropes and Strowman drops him with a big boot, then follows up with a running powerslam. Lesnar gets up to his feet, so Strowman plants him with another running powerslam. Strowman picks up the Universal Title and holds it up then yells at Heyman. Strowman drops the title in the belt and heads backstage while Lesnar recovers.

– Enzo Amore def. Big Cass: This one is under Street Fight rules. Enzo cuts a promo on the stage before the match where he says he graduated from the school of hard knocks si a street fight is appropriate tonight. Enzo talks about becoming friends with Cass 15 years ago and Cass turning his back on him. Enzo says how their story begins is how it will end, and he’s going to show Cass how it will end in just a minute, then he heads backstage. Enzo comes back out to the stage with a shopping cart full of weapons. Cass steps out of the ring and charges up the ramp at Enzo. Cass clotheslines Enzo down, then pushes the shopping cart into Enzo on the ramp. Cass throws Enzo into the fan barricade, then takes him into the ring. Cass hands a steel chair to Enzo and dares him to come at him. Enzo grabs the chair and gets up, but Cass immediately drops him with a big boot to the face. The fight spills out to ringside where Cass powerslams Enzo on the floor, then takes him back in the ring for more punishment. Enzo stuns Cass with a jawbreaker, but Cass gets right back in control and hits a splash on Enzo in the corner. Cass goes for a running big boot, but Enzo ducks and pulls down to the top rope, and Cass crashes down to the floor at ringside. Enzo goes for the steel chair, but Cass gets back in the ring and puts the boots to Enzo. Cass goes for the elbow drop, but his knee gives out and he falls down. Cass rolls out of the ring and the referee calls off the match. It’s declared that Cass can’t finish the match due to injury, so Enzo is declared the winner. Enzo celebrates his win and dances while Cass is helped backstage.

– Emma is backstage complaining to Dana Brooke about how Nia Jax is getting a better push than she is. Emma trash-talks Nia while Nia secretly walks up behind Emma. Emma turns around to see that Nia has been standing there, and they’ve got a match up next.

– Nia Jax def. Emma: Emma starts off with a flurry of punches and elbows, but Nia shuts her down with a clothesline and takes control. Emma briefly comes back with a dropkick, but Nia shuts her down with a Samoan Drop. Nia pins and scores the win after a very short squash match.

– Elias comes down to the ring for a song. He says he would sing another song about Brooklyn, but since he knows everyone is ashamed to live there anyways he’s going to sing a song about R-Truth. Truth comes out to interrupt and we have a match.

– Elias vs. R-Truth: Truth starts off fired up and lays into Elias with strikes. Truth throws Elias in the corner and hits a splash. Elias comes back with an elbow but R-Truth drops him with a spinning heel kick. After some back and forth brawling, Elias hits a snap suplex for the win.

– RAW GM Kurt Angle is heading out next.

– Angle comes out to the stage and says he has a big Superstar announcement for the fans at RAW tonight. He introduces John Cena, who is appearing on RAW for the first time in over a year. Cena comes out and hits the ring with a microphone. Cena says he’s here because he saw Kurt Angle at SummerSlam, and Angle invited him to the show. Cena says he immediately said yes, because he wants to be in the ring on RAW face to face with a certain WWE star. On that note, Roman Reigns’ music hits and Reigns heads down to the ring. Reigns steps in the ring, and Cena says he’s exactly the guy he was looking for. Reigns complains about Cena running his mouth about him on Twitter, and challenges him to run his mouth to his face now that he’s in Reigns’ yard. Cena says he didn’t come here to talk and he drops the mic and takes his shirt off. Before anything happens, The Miz’s music hits and he comes out with the rest of the Miztourage. Miz gets in the ring and cuts a promo complaining about how many opportunities Reigns and Cena get compared to him. Miz complains that Angle wants to add Cena to the show, then asks the fans if they think RAW needs Cena and the crowd mostly seems to chant “No!” Cena says he’s a man of the people so he’ll show himself out, but Miz stops him and says he’s not done talking to him yet. Miz says RAW is his show, and he complains that he deserves the opportunities Cena and Reigns have been getting. Miz says he’s been earning respect for 12 years and wants his moment to shine. Cena says he’ll give The Miz his moment tonight in a tag match: Cena & Reigns vs. Miz and a member of the Miztourage. The Miz says no, but before he can continue he’s interrupted by Samoa Joe. Joe steps in the ring and stands right in front of Cena. Joe gets on the mic and says if anyone is going to Miz’s partner tonight, it’s going to be him, because he’s sick of Reigns. Joe says one on one he owns Reigns, and he’s sick of Reigns saying this is his yard. Joe turns back to Cena and decks him with a right hand, then delivers elbows, knees and headbutts to Cena. Reigns fights off The Miz, while Cena goes for an AA on Joe but Joe fights out. Joe locks Cena in the Coquina clutch, but Reigns breaks it up with a Superman punch on Joe. Reigns and Cena come face to face in the ring while the crowd chants “you both suck.” Joe and the Miztourage head up the ramp while Cena and Reigns stare at them from the ring.

– Cedric Alexander, Mustafa Ali, Rich Swann & Gran Metalik def. Drew Dulak, Daivari, Tony Nese, & Noam Dar: After some back and forth brawling in the opening moments, Ali hits a moonsault off the top onto Daivari for a two count early on. Swann tags in and continues the offense on Ali until Ali goes for the tag. Dar declines to tag in which starts an argument between him and Ali. Nese tags in and Swann levels him with a dropkick. Nese comes back with an elbow to the face to take control of the match. Gulak tags in and continues working on Swann until Swann drops him with a flying kick to the head. Alexander and Nese get the tags and Alexander cleans house. Cedric tees off on Nese with kicks then hits a flying clothesline off the top. Dar runs in but Metalik throws him to the outside, then Metalik walks the top rope and moonsaults off onto Dar at ringside. Back in the ring, Cedric boots Nese in the head and hits the Lumbar Check for the win.

– We go backstage for an interview with Cruiserweight Champ Neville who cuts a promo on Tozawa and Titus. Titus and Tozawa interrupt and tell him that words don’t hurt them, but they do have one word for Neville that will hurt him: rematch. Tozawa wants a rematch for the title tomorrow night on 205 Live.

– Jason Jordan heads in to Kurt Angle’s office and they hug. Jordan says he wants a match tonight. Jordan says he’ll come back to The Miz, because he wants Finn Balor tonight. Angle asks Jordan if he’s ready for that level of competition, and Jordan nods yes. Angle tells him the match is booked, and they hug again and Jordan leaves.

– RAW Tag Team Champs Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins come out to the ring next. They grab mics and Rollins says it feels good to be back together and have those RAW Tag Title belts. Rollins says tonight is a party and all of Brooklyn is invited — except Cesaro and Sheamus. Ambrose says they know those guys will want their rematch soon, and they’ll fight anyone any time. They look towards the ramp, but instead of Cesaro and Sheamus, the Hardy Boyz come out. Matt and Jeff hop in the ring with mics and they congratulate them on winning the Tag Titles. Matt says they know that brothers can fight, but when they set aside those differences and work together it’s a beautiful thing. Matt says that’s why they came out tonight to challenge them to a match. Rollins says they grew up idolizing the Hardy Boyz while the crowd chants “obsolete.” Matt says the reason the fans chant for him is because they’ve be revolutionizing tag wrestling for the last quarter of a century, and they want to revolutionize it again tonight in Brooklyn. Rollins and Ambrose accepts, and it’s on.

– Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose def. Matt & Jeff Hardy: Sheamus and Cesaro are backstage watching on a monitor. The Hardy Boyz use frequent tags in the opening moments to get in some double team attacks on both Rollins and Ambrose. Rollins comes back with a facebuster on Matt into the turnbuckle, then Ambrose tags in and the Champions double team Matt. Jeff gets the blind tag and hits a spinning heel kick. The aprons clear and the two teams stare each other down then start brawling. The fight spills outside and Jeff hits a suicide dive onto Rollins. Back in the ring, the champions mount a comeback, but the Hardys dump them to the outside then hit a Poetry In Motion on both from the ring down to the floor. Back in the ring Jeff goes for the Whisper In the Wind but Rollins evades it. Ambrose tags in and beats down Jeff before tagging Rollins back in for a double team attack. Ambrose tags back in quickly for another double team, but Jeff escapes and hits the Whisper In The Wind on both of them. Matt gets the tag and cleans house. Matt repeatedly slams Rollins into the turnbuckles then hits a clothesline and a running bulldog. Matt hits an elbow off the middle rope on Rollins then goes for a Side Effect, but Rollins fights out. Ambrose tags in blind and breaks up a Twist of Fate attempt by Matt, then the Champions hit a double team sling blade. The Champions throw the Hardy Boyz outside and follow up with suicide dives onto both of them. Back in the ring, Matt comes back with a Side Effect on Ambrose then heads up top. Ambrose trips up Matt on the top rope then follows him up. Ambrose pushes Matt down to the ring and Ambrose follows. Matt hits the Twist of Fate then Jeff tags in for the Swanton Bomb, but Ambrose blocks it by putting his knees up. Rollins tags in and knees Jeff in the face, then Rollins hits the Dirty Deeds on Jeff. Rollins pins Jeff for the win.

– Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman in a Universal title match is announced for WWE’s upcoming No Mercy pay-per-view.

– The Miztourage is backstage in Samoa Joe’s locker room, where The Miz says he’s glad to have Samoa Joe as a part of the Miztourage. Joe eventually tells Miz to shut up, and gives them their instructions for tonight. Joe says the game plan is Axel and Dallas will stay at ringside for the whole match, and Miz will be annoying in the ring. They agree with Joe and Joe storms off.

– RAW Womens Champion Sasha Banks comes out to the ring next. Sasha sends her best wishes to Ric Flair, and then starts cutting a promo on former champion Alexa Bliss. Bliss comes out to interrupt and trashes Sasha. Sasha asks why Bliss doesn’t use her rematch clause right now, but Bliss declines and says she’ll do her match next week. Bliss says after next week Banks will no longer be known as the legit boss, and will instead be known as the legit loser.

– Finn Balor def. Jason Jordan: Jordan controls the opening moments of this one until Balor comes back with a dropkick that levels Jordan. Jordan hits a powerslam but Balor gets up and fires back with a clothesline. Balor starts working over Jordan’s knee with leg kicks until Jordan comes back with suplexes. Jordan hits a butterfly suplex for a two count on Balor. Jordan goes for another one but Balor fights out and dropkicks Jordan in the face. Balor fires up with a series of kicks then hits some chops to the chcest. Balor throws Jordan outside and hits a baseball slide dropkick. Balor kicks Jordan in the face from the apron then throws him back in the ring. Jordan comes back with a spear then goes for his finish but Balor escapes. Balor hits the Pele kick. Jordan backs Balor into the corner, but Balor comes back with a knee to the face and the Sling Blade. Balor dropkicks Jordan into the corner, then he goes up for the Coup De Grace. He hits it and pins for the win.

– John Cena & Roman Reigns def. The Miz & Samoa Joe: Axel and Dallas are at ringside for this one. The camera cuts to a beach ball being passed around the crowd, and Cena gets distracted by it. Joe takes advantage of the distraction to drop Cena then he stomps a mud hole on him in the corner. Joe tags in Miz who continues the offense on Cena. Cena briefly comes back but gets distracted interacting with the crowd and Miz comes back with a kick and a DDT for a two count. Joe tags back in and works on Cena with kicks and headbutts. Miz tags in and misses a splash in the corner. Reigns and Joe get the tags and Reigns tees off on Joe with strikes. Reigns knocks Miz off the apron then hits a series of clotheslines on Joe. Reigns follows up with a big boot to Joe then attempts a Superman punch, but Joe side-steps it and hits a version of the Rock Bottom on Reigns. Miz tags in and continues working on Reigns with a series of kicks. Joe comes back in and keeps Reigns grounded with a head lock. Reigns starts to fire up but Joe shuts him down with a splash in the corner and a Pele kick for a two count. Miz tags in and dumbs Reigns outside, and Reigns takes the opportunity to drop both Dallas and Axel. Back in the ring, Reigns tags in Cena who tees off on The Miz and hits a back suplex. Cena goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Joe runs in and stops him with a Coquina Clutch. Reigns charges at Joe and goes for a Superman punch, but he accidentally punches Cena instead. Joe dumps Reigns outside and goes for a suicide dive, but Reigns blocks it with a punch of Joe’s face. Miz and Cena are alone in the ring and Miz gears up for a Skull Crushing Finale. Cena escapes and hits Miz with an AA for the win. Cena and Reigns stare each other down in the ring as Joe and the Miztourage head backstage and RAW goes off the air.

WWE’s NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III took place on August 19th at the Barclay’s Center in New York City.

Kickoff Show

– Big E and Neville both separately join the Kickoff Show before Takeover begins. Neville tells us to expect more of the same from him at SummerSlam tomorrow: domination.

– Shinsuke Nakamura does an interview backstage where he predicts that Drew McIntyre will win the NXT Title tonight.

– Carmella, Sasha Banks and Lita all join the Kickoff Show panel. Sasha and Carmella talk about being back at an NXT event and their memories from previous TakeOver: Brooklyn events.

– Becky Lynch and Bayley (in an arm sling) do an interview together backstage where they talk about how amazing it is to be back at an NXT event. Becky predicts that Ember Moon will win tonight, and Bayley predicts Asuka.

– Baron Corbin joins the Kickoff Show panel and recalls his previous Takeover: Brooklyn match against Samoa Joe. Corbin predicts that Bobby Roode will win in the main event tonight.

TakeOver: Brooklyn III

– Andrade “Cien” Almas def. Johnny Gargano: Almas wrestles Gargano down to the mat and puts him in a head-scissors hold early on. Gargano fights up and comes back with a running hurricanrana and a rollup for a one count. They trade chops in the corner, and Almas drops Gargano with a running knee. Gargano comes back with a drop toe hold into the middle rope, then both men go down after a double clothesline. Both men exchange more strikes before Gargano drops Almas with a slingshot shoulder block. Gargano hits a superkick that sends Almas falling out to ringside and Gargano follows up with a suicide dive. Gargano slingshots into the ring over the top rope and DDTs Almas for a two count. Gargano goes for a slingshot spear through the ropes, but Almas catches him with a DDT of his own. Almas follows up with a tornado inverted DDT off the middle rope for a two count. The fight up to the top turnbuckle where Gargano attempts a sunset flip powerbomb, but Almas lands on his feet. Almas hits a spinning elbow to the head, then Gargano comes back with a flying head-scissors into the Rings of Saturn. Almas escapes and powerbombs Gargano into the corner. Almas follows up with a running knee to the face for a two count. Almas hits more knees, and Gargano fires back with two superkicks. Gargano drops Almas fast-first into the middle rope. Zelina Vega at ringside throws a shirt at Gargano and it distracts him, which leads to Almas hitting a dropkick. Almas follows up with his finisher for the win.

– NXT Tag-Team Championship: Sanity def. The Authors Of Pain: Killian Dain & Alexander Wolfe are representing Sanity in this one. Former NXT Tag Champ Corey Graves joins the commentary table. The AOP hit the ring and start brawling with Dain and Wolfe before the bell. The brawl spills out to ringside, and Eric Young starts setting up a table on the other side of the ring. They make it back into the ring and the opening bell sounds. The AOP start off working on Wolfe with double-team elbow and knee strikes. Eric Young hops on the apron and instructs Killian Dain that he is replacing him in this match. Young now gets involved and the fight spills out into the crowd. Back in the ring, The AOP hit a back body drop into a powerbomb on Young. The Champions take turns working on Eric Young until Wolfe gets the hot tag. Wolfe cleans house and hits a T-bone suplex on Akam, then a German suplex on Rezar. Wolfe goes up top and hits a flying clothesline on Rezar for a two count. The AOP throw Young outside and double-team Wolfe for a sit-out powerbomb. The Authors go for a top rope powerbomb on Wolfe, but Wolfe reverses into a hurricanrana then tags in Young. Young hits a neckbreaker on Rezar then goes up top. Rezar follows Young up top and attempts a superplex but Young blocks it. Akam tries to assist but ends up accidentally powerbombing his own partner. Young follows up with an elbow drop off the top rope on Rezar, but Akam breaks up the pin. Young hits a suicide dive onto both Authors, then Wolfe hits one on Rezar. Cross and Ellering get in the ring, which leads to Cross coming off the top rope onto Akam at ringside and Akam catching her. It looks like Akam is going to slam her, but instead Dain comes out of nowhere and spears Akam through the table at ringside. Back in the ring, Wolfe tags in and lifts up Rezar in a back suplex and Young comes flying off the top with a neckbreaker for the double team. Wolfe pins and scores the three count, and we have new NXT Tag Champs.

– After the match, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish run in and attack both Sanity and the Authors. They hit a bunch of kicks, and O’Reilly hits a running Blockbuster on Young. They look at the NXT Tag Titles then leave.

– Shinsuke Nakamura and Kalisto are shown sitting at ringside.

– Bobby Roode is backstage taping up his wrists for his match later tonight.

– Aleister Black def. Hideo Itami: WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross joins the announce team for this one. Itami and Black exchange kicks in the opening minutes. Black lands one that drops Itami, and Black follows up with an elbow strike and a knee to the back of the head for a two count. Black controls the next few moments until Itami comes back with a knee to the head. Itami yells at the fans to respect him then goes back to work on Black with elbows and stomps. More kicks from Itami to the grounded Black followed by some knee drops to the head. Itami mule kicks Black in the face then sits down next to him. Black is bleeding from the nose as he gets to his feet and the two men trade elbow shots. Itami hits a DDT for a two count. Black comes back with a leg sweep and a knee to the head. Black hits a springboard moonsault off the middle rope onto a standing Itami for a two count. Itami fires off some kicks to the face of Black, then drops Black’s neck over the top rope. Itami follows up with a flying clothesline off the top for a two count. Fisherman’s Suplex by Itami for another two count. They fight up top the top rope and Itami hits a Michinoku Drive off the top. Both men slowly get to their feet and trade elbows and kicks. They trade slaps to the face, Itami hits a spinning back-fist, Black hits a knee to the face, then Itami hits the Falcon Arrow for a two count. Itami gets distracted yelling to the crowd to respect him, then he misses a lariat and Black follows up with the Black Mass for the win.

– Sasha Banks, Bayley and Becky Lynch are shown at ringside.

– Asuka and Ember Moon are backstage getting ready to come out for their Women’s Title match.

– NXT Women’s Championship: Asuka (C) def. Ember Moon: The champion and challenger brawl out to ringside early on and Moon hits a cannonball off the middle rope onto Asuka on the floor. Asuka throws Moon into the ring steps then follows up with some strikes before suplexing Moon onto the ramp. Back in the ring, Asuka continues the offense and drops Moon with an STO. Asuka grabs Moon by the arms and repeatedly stomps on her, then goes for an octopus submission hold. Moon comes back with a series of kicks for a two count. Asuka comes back with a German suplex that sends Moon into the turnbuckle. Asuka goes for the Asuka Lock but Moon reverses it into a version of the Asuka Lock of her own. Asuka escapes and hops up on Moon’s back and locks in the Asuka Lock again. Moon reverses into a pin for a two count then drops Asuka with a running lariat. Asuka comes back with the running hip attack for a two count. Asuka attempts a second one but Moon blocks it and hits a knee strike. Moon follows up with a suplex for a two count. Moon hits some knee strikes and Asuka fires back with slaps to the face. Asuka hits a knee to the face then stomps on Moon repeatedly. Moon comes back with a back suplex, then she goes up to the top rope. Asuka meets her on the top rope and attempts a superplex but Moon slides out and stomps Asuka down. Moon goes back up top and hits the Eclipse for a two count. Moon goes up top and hits a cross body, but Asuka rolls through and pins Moon. The ref sees that Asuka is holding the tights so he stops counting. They get up and Moon immediately hits a superkick for a two count. Asuka attempts an armbar and Moon gets out, so Asuka puts her in the Asuka Lock and Moon taps out.

– Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe are both shown (separately) at ringside to watch the main event.

– NXT World Championship: Drew McIntyre def. Bobby Roode: McIntyre backs Roode into the corner in the opening moments and Roode looks concerned. McIntyre and Roode trade chops to the chest in the corner, then McIntyre drops Roode and sends the champion rolling outside. Back in the ring, Roode fires up and attempts the Glorious DDT but McIntyre escapes. Roode hits a right hand and several chops to the chest before McIntyre fires back with a boot to the face. McIntyre throws Roode into the corner for some chops of his own. McIntyre hits a big boot and a vertical suplex, then he clotheslines Roode out to ringside. McIntyre drops Roode face-first across the fan barricade then elbows him in the face. Roode charges at McIntyre and McIntyre hits a tilt-a-whirl slam onto the corner of the apron. As they’re stepping back into the ring, Roode hits a neckbreaker over the middle rope and McIntyre falls outside. Roode hits a blockbuster off the apron on McIntyre on the ringside floor. Back in the ring, Roode and McIntyre trade strikes until Roode whips the challenger into the turnbuckles with authority and drops him. Roode goes up top and hits a missile dropkick for a two count. Roode goes for a sleeper but the challenger picks him up and slaps him into the corner. Roode comes back with a big boot and goes for a second one, but McIntyre catches the Champion with a belly to belly overhead suplex. Drew hits some elbows then goes to the top rope and hits a flying clothesline. Roode comes back with elbows and a knee to the face. Roode runs off the ropes but McIntyre catches him and hits the Celtic Cross for a two count. The fight up to the top rope, but Roode crotches the challenger on the top rope then hangs him down in the tree of woe. Roode takes a moment to taunt the crowd, and McIntyre takes the opportunity to pull himself up and suplex Roode off the top rope. Roode comes back with a backstabber for a two count, and both men are down. McIntyre hits the Future Shock DDT for a two count on Roode. McIntyre carries Roode up to the top rope, but Roode reverses into a powerbomb for a two count. Roode and McIntyre trade punches and chops in the middle of the ring until Roode drops McIntyre with a kick to the head. McIntyre comes back with the Claymore and pins, but Roode gets his foot on the top at two and rolls outside. McIntyre attempts to climb outside but the ref stops him. McIntyre runs and hits a suicide swanton bomb over the top rope onto Roode at ringside. McIntyre is slow to get up, but he brings the champion back in the ring before the ref’s 10 count. McIntyre goes for another Claymore but Roode catches him and hits a spinebuster. Roode goes for the Glorious DDT but McIntyre escapes. Roode runs the ropes and McIntyre goes for a tilt-a-whirl slam, but Roode reverses into a Glorious DDT for a two count. Roode hits another Glorious DDT, and then goes for a third one but McIntyre gets out. McIntyre headbutts Roode away and follows up with the Claymore kick for the win. McIntyre has won the NXT Title and celebrates in the ring with the strap as TakeOver: Brooklyn III comes to a close.

– After the match, Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish attack Drew Galloway. Cole superkicks Galloway then holds the NXT Title. Cole, O’Reilly and Fish pose in the ring as TakeOver: Brooklyn III goes off the air.

The August 15th edition of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI, and was the go-home show for SummerSlam 2017.

– The Singh Brothers come out to the stage to introduce WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and kick off the show. Jinder points out that today is India’s Independence Day, and he brings out a bunch of people dressed in the classic garments of his country. The WWE Champion introduces a woman to the ring who begins to sing the Indian national anthem. All of the people around the ring start dancing and playing drum music, then Jinder tells the fans he knew they would boo and they’ll boo again when he beats their hero John Cena. Mahal says he’s the reason why people all over the world are subscribing to the WWE Network. Mahal shakes his head at last week’s Cena vs. Nakamura dream match, and says tonight will be reality when he beats Cena worse than Nakamura ever could. Mahal says Nakamura’s destiny is to lose to him at SummerSlam, and then he begins to speak to his people in his language. Shinsuke Nakamura’s music hits and he comes out to interrupt. Nakamura steps in the ring and Mahal asks him how dare he disparage Mahal’s people on their day. Nakamura says in his country today is a holiday when they pray for peace, and Sunday in America is SummerSlam when Jinder loses the WWE Title to him. Nakamura’s music hits and he leaves while the Singh Brothers yell at him from the ring.

– The announce team says that Ric Flair is resting comfortably in Atlanta but is still considered in critical condition. They wish him well and a speedy recovery.

– Natalya def. Becky Lynch: Naomi coms out before the match and dances down to the announce table. Natalya slaps Becky across the face and Becky returns the favor. They brawl to the outside early on, then back in the ring Becky takes control of the momentum. Becky goes up top and misses a leg drop, leading to Natalya putting her in the Sharpshooter. Natalya stares down Naomi at ringside as she locks Becky in the Sharpshooter, and Becky taps out.

– After the match, Natalya tries to put Becky back in the Sharpshooter, but Naomi comes in to make the save. Before Natalya can make it backstage, Carmella comes out to the stage with James Ellsworth. Carmella and Ellsworth says it doesn’t matter who wins the Women’s title at SummerSlam, because with her Money In the Bank briefcase Carmella will be the ultimate winner.

– Tamina is backstage yelling at Lana about her lack of opportunity. Lana says Tamina is isn’t ready and the roster doesn’t fear her, yet. Lana says if Tamina listens to her, people will fear her because Lana will use her smarts to help her, and then Tamina will be ready to become Women’s Champ.

– The Usos approach Daniel Bryan backstage and ask him which New Day members they’ll be facing at SummerSlam. Bryan says they’ll be facing Big E and Xavier. The Usos say that’s cool, but tonight they want Kofi and Xavier, and Bryan grants them the match.

– Chad Gable def. Rusev via DQ: Rusev overpowers Gable in the opening moments until Gable comes back with a boot to the face and a belly to belly overhead suplex. The fight spills out to ringside where Rusev throws Gable into the steel steps. Rusev throws Gable over the announce table and he crashes into the announcers’ chairs, prompting the ref to call for the disqualification. Rusev pulls Gable up onto the announce table and locks him in the Accolade for a minute as the crowd chants for Randy Orton.

– After the match, Rusev steps into the ring with a mic. Rusev only gets out one word, “Randy,” then Orton runs in the ring and hits an RKO on Rusev out of nowhere. Orton poses on the corner and stares at Rusev on the mat.

– AJ Styles comes out to the ring and we see a video recapping what transpired between him, Shane McMahon, and Kevin Owens last week. AJ says that after seeing the footage, he wants Shane to come out to the ring. Shane says there’s no need for AJ to apologize for accidentally kicking him last week, and the reason he’s the ref is because he can take a shot and still finish the match. Shane says he’ll be a WWE official on Sunday, and if AJ pushes or shoves him, it’s a different story. Shane says if AJ puts his hands on him again, Shane will return the favor. Kevin Owens’ music hits and he comes out to the stage to interrupt. Owens says AJ hit Shane on purpose last week, and thinks AJ has something planned for SummerSlam. Owens says if he were to collide with Shane in any way, it would be a complete accident. Owens says he’s thrilled that Shane is the ref at SummerSlam, because Shane will call it down the middle and Owens will get his U.S. Title back. Owens goes to shake AJ’s hand, but they end up getting in a shoving match. Shane gets in between them again, and AJ almost accidentally punches Shane but Shane blocks it. Owens tries to superkick AJ from behind, but AJ ducks and Owens kicks Shane instead. Owens heads backstage while AJ and Shane stare each other down. AJ leaves next as Shane slowly gets up and heads to the ramp.

– The New Day comes out to the ring and accepts The Usos’ match request they made to Kurt Angle earlier. The New Day says The Usos can get it any time, whether it’s tonight or Sunday.

– The Usos def. Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston: Big E is at ringside for this one. Kofi and Xavier take turns hitting repeated knee drops, leg dops, and sentons on Jey Uso in the opening minutes. The New Day members hit sliding dropkicks in tandem on the Usos at ringside, then brawl with them in front of the announcers’ desk. Kofi takes a shot to the ring post, and the Usos turn the momentum in their favor. Back in the ring, Jey works over Kofi and hits two powerslams. Kofi comes back with a back suplex, then Xavier and Jimmy get the tags. Xavier hits some kicks to the head, then Kofi tags back in. Xavier and Kofi hit a double superkick on Jimmy, then Kofi hits a backbreaker. Jey dumps Xavier off the top rope, then Jimmy takes out Kofi’s knee from behind. Jey tags in and The Usos hit a double superkick on Kofi for the win.

– In what we’re told is the finale of Tyler Breeze and Fandango’s backstage segment saga, we go to their office and see a poster examining the Diesel and Razor Ramon imposters from the 90s. Breeze walks in once again wearing a wig and women’s clothing. Fandango says the aliens left a rock in his pocket, and it will help them see the future. He throws the rock, and it hits a member of The Ascension. They say they just came back to return Breezango’s pie because it’s horrible. Fandango examines the pie for evidence, and The Ascension yells that they live a gluten-free lifestyle. They find a piece of paper that says “two B,” and Breeze says “it’s happening again.” The segment ends with “Breezango will return in two weeks” appearing on the screen.

– Jinder Mahal vs. John Cena – No Contest: The Singh Brothers are at ringside for this non-title match. Jinder challenges Cena to a test of strength and does momentarily get the better of Cena before kicking Cena in the midsection. Jinder chokes Cena over the top rope, then one of the Singh Brothers cheap-shots Cena behind the ref’s back. Jinder stomps on Cena then throws him through the ropes to the outside. Back in the ring, Jinder continues the offense with a stalling vertical suplex. Cena comes back with some shoulder blocks and a back suplex, then hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Jinder rolls outside and the Singh Brothers get another cheap-shot in on Cena, leading to Jinder kicking Cena in the head. The ref ejects the Singh Brothers from ringside and the Champion is not happy about it. When Jinder turns around, Cena catches him in an STF but Jinder reaches the ropes to break the hold. Mahal hits an elbow to Cena’s head and drops Cena’s throat over the top rope. The Champion hits a running knee to the face of Cena for a two count. Mahal goes for the Cobra Clutch but Cena reverses into an AA for a two count. Cena takes Mahal up to the top turnbuckle and appears to be going for an AA off the turnbuckle. Cena hits the AA off the middle rope, but Baron Corbin runs in out of nowhere and breaks up the pin. Corbin hits Cena with the briefcase and Cena falls out to ringside. Corbin starts heading to the back, but then he looks at his briefcase, then looks at Jinder who is still down from the AA. Corbin hands over his briefcase to the ref and he’s officially cashing it in.

– Jinder Mahal vs. Baron Corbin: The referee holds Corbin back until Mahal gets up to his feet. When Mahal gets to his feet the ref calls for the opening bell. Cena gets on the apron and Corbin punches him off, which leads to Mahal capitalizing on the distraction by rolling up Corbin behind for the three count. Mahal wins to retain his WWE Championship, and he rolls out of the ring and escapes up the ramp. The Singh Brothers meet Mahal on the ramp and they celebrate with his WWE Title belt. Corbin is not happy, and he freaks out at ringside about losing his Money In the Bank cash-in match. Mahal and the Singhs laugh at Corbin from the stage as he trashes the ringside arena. Cena gets to his feet and also laughs at Corbin’s loss. SmackDown goes off the air with Corbin looking distraught at ringside.

The August 14th, 2017 edition of WWE RAW aired live from the TD Garden in Boston, MA and was the last episode of RAW before SummerSlam.

– This week’s RAW broadcast opens up with a video package highlighting the recent history between Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.

– We’re live in the TD Garden where Dean Ambrose comes out to the ring to kick off the show. Ambrose says to cut the music, and says he’s wondering just like everyone else what’s going on with Seth Rollins. Ambrose calls Rollins out to the ring to explain himself. Rollins says he’s done messing around and extends his hand to fist bump with Amborse. Ambrose declines because he says Rollins spit in his face last week. Rollins says he doesn’t blame Ambrose for not trusting him because sometimes he doesn’t even trust himself. Rollins says maybe he and Ambrose are too different and it was a stupid idea, or maybe their differences are why they worked so well together. Rollins says maybe too much has happened between them, and that he’s done playing games. Rollins goes to walk off, but Ambrose stops him and extends his hand to Rollins. Rollins hesitates and looks down at his hand, then ones again turns around to walk away. Ambrose grabs Rollins and they start brawling in the ring. The fight spills out to ringside, then Sheamus and Cesaro come out to interrupt. Sheamus and Cesaro run down to ringside and beat down both Ambrose and Rollins. They throw Ambrose out to the crowd, then they throw Rollins in the ring and put the boots to him. The crowd chants “you look stupid” for Sheamus. Ambrose runs in the ring to go to work on Sheamus and Cesaro, but they overpower him together and beat Ambrose down. Rollins comes off the top with a splash on Sheamus, then Ambrose gets up and brawls with Cesaro. Ambrose and Rollins work together to take out Sheamus, then Cesaro. Rollins and Ambrose clear the ring and come face to face, and after some hesitation they bump fists and hold them there. Before Sheamus and Cesaro can make it to the back, Kurt Angle comes out. The Olympic gold medalist and RAW GM announces that at SummerSlam, Cesaro and Sheamus will be defending their Tag Team Titles against Rollins and Ambrose. Rollins and Ambrose hold their fists together again as Sheamus and Cesaro head to the back.

– Michael Cole provides an update on Ric Flair, saying that he successfully underwent surgery but isn’t in the clear yet. The announce team sends their well wishes to Flair and his family in Atlanta right now.

– Sasha Banks def. Nia Jax: There’s a lifeguard seat at ringside which Alexa Bliss comes out to sit in. Nia drops Sasha with a clothesline right off the bat to take control early on. Nia hits a headbutt and takes things outside. Sasha tries a hurricanrana off the apron on the outside, but Nia catches her and throws Sasha into the fan barricade. Nia takes Sasha back in the ring where she continues the beating and hits a running leg drop for a two count. Sasha starts to fire up but Nia shuts her down with a Samoan Drop. Nia follows up with another Samoan Drop, but Sasha rolls out of the ring before Nia can pin. Nia takes Sasha up top, but Sasha fights out and trips up Nia on the middle rope. Sasha follows up with a double knee drop off the turnbuckle for a two count. Sasha some a series of knee strikes in the corner, and Nia fires back with a big boot. Nia walks over to Sasha and Sasha grabs her by the arm and pulls Nia into the Banks Statement. Nia fights up to her feet, but Sasha drops her with a DDT then goes right back into the Banks Statement. Nia taps out and Sasha wins via submission, earning her a shot at Alexa Bliss’ Womens Title at SummerSlam. Sasha gets on the turnbuckle and stares down Alexa in her chair at ringside.

– Kurt Angle is backstage talking about how excited he is to see Banks vs. Bliss at SummerSlam. The Hardy Boyz walk in, then The Miztourage walks in. Miz says Angle has to make it up to him for unleashing Brock Lesnar on him last week, but Angle isn’t worried about it and the Hardy Boyz laugh. Miz says he’s sick of Angle using his power to protect his son, and Miz wants Jordan tonight. A referee comes in and tells Kurt that they have a problem with Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt, and Kurt runs off. The Miz is furious that Angle would leave him while he’s talking, and we go to commercial break.

– Kurt Angle is standing in the middle of a brawl between Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt. Agents and referees and holding back Balor and Wyatt. Angle says that SummerSlam is coming early, because these two are going to get it on tonight in Boston. Angle tells them to save it for the ring tonight, which seems to please both Balor and Wyatt.

– Elias is in the ring where he sings a song about how much he hates Boston. R-Truth comes out to interrupt, but as Truth steps into the ring Elias attacks him. Elias beats down Truth and suplexes him. Elias grabs his guitar and leaves.

– A shark cage lowers from the ceiling above the ring, and Big Cass makes his way down to the ring. Cass tries several times to finish his first sentence, but the crowd keeps interrupting him with overwhelming boos. Cass says Enzo and Big Show are using each other because they don’t have a chance against Cass on their own. Cass says Enzo won’t be able to help Big Show at SummerSlam, because he’ll be hanging above the ring in that cage. Cass says he’s going to prove to everyone in the locker room and around the world that he’s the best big man in wrestling today. Enzo comes out to the stage to interrupt. Enzo says Cass is rambling like a guy who’s been knocked out two weeks in a row. Enzo introduces Big Show, and Show comes out and hits the ring. Before Big Show and Cass can go at it, Cass punches Enzo off the apron. Cass then turns to Big Show, but then Karl Anderson comes out of nowhere and takes out Big Show’s knee from behind. Luke Gallows hits the ring too, and Big Show briefly fights back, but the trio of Cass, Anderson and Gallows eventually get the better of Big Show. The heels hold Big Show’s arm inside the shark cage, then Cass slams the cage door on Big Show’s hand. Gallows has a belt wrapped around Big Show’s wrist to hold down his knockout punch hand while Cass stomps on the hand. Referees come in the ring to check on Big show, who is selling the injured hand. Cass heads to the back separately from Gallows & Anderson.

– Akira Tozawa def. Neville: Titus is at ringside in Tozawa’s corner for this Cruiserweight Title match. Neville and Tozawa are evenly matched offensively early on. Tozawa takes control with a dropkick and a series of chops to the chest. Neville fires back with a big boot, but Tozawa shuts him down with a dropkick that sends Neville falling outside. Back in the ring, Tozawa drops Neville with an elbow to the face. Tozawa hits a suplex and sends Neville outside, following up with a suicide dive onto the Champion. Tozawa takes Neville inside and pins for a two count. Neville misses a dropkick and Tozawa capitalizes with a senton drop then he goes up to the top turnbuckle. Neville runs up the turnbuckle and superplexes Tozawa off the top rope. After exchanging flurries of kicks, Neville uses the referee as a shield which leads to Neville locking Tozawa in the Rings of Saturn. Tozawa gets out, then Neville goes for the Red Arrow but Tozawa rolls out of the way. Tozawa runs up to the top rope and hits the senton bomb off the top on Neville for the win. Tozawa wins the Cruiserweight Title, and Titus and Apollo Crews come out to celebrate.

– Backstage in the trainer’s office, Big Show tells the trainer to leave him alone and not to touch his hand. Enzo tells Big show he can’t compete at SummerSlam with his hand like this, but Big Show says he’s faced bigger and been hurt worse, and the match at SummerSlam is happening.

– Emma is backstage complaining to Mickie James about her lack of opportunities. Mickie says Emma didn’t get screwed over last week, she tapped out. Mickie says instead of complaining, she should meet her in the ring tonight, and Emma accepts the challenge.

– Bray Wyatt def. Finn Balor: Balor immediately goes to work on Wyatt with kicks and knees. Wyatt starts to fire up, but Balor dumps him outside and dropkicks him through the ropes. Balor runs across the apron and kicks Wyatt in the head again. Back in the ring, Wyatt comes back with a tilt-a-whirl gutbuster. Balor and Wyatt trade strikes until Balor drops him with a Pele kick and both men are down. Balor hits a series of dropkicks and chops. Balor hits a running kick to the face for a two count on Wyatt. Balor hits the Sling Blade and a double foot stomp, and Wyatt rolls outside. Balor follows up with a running dropkick at ringside, then takes Wyatt back in the ring. Balor goes up top, but Wyatt knocks him down and hits the Sister Abigail for the win.

– After the match, Wyatt hits another Sister Abigail on Balor, then the lights go out. When the lights come back on, Balor is sitting in the corner and Wyatt is standing up with a bucket in his hand. Wyatt dumps the bucket on to Balor, and a thick red liquid pours out on to Balor. Balor sells the liquid getting in his eyes as Wyatt sits in the corner and observes.

– Mickie James def. Emma: It’s all Mickie in the opening moments, until she goes up top and Emma knocks her down all the way to the ringside floor. Back in the ring Emma tries to mount some offense, but after an exchange of strikes Mickie hits a spinning heel kick to the face that drops Emma. Mickie pins and scores the three count after a very short match.

– Finn Balor does an interview backstage after wiping the red liquid off himself. He says Wyatt may have his demons, but on Sunday Wyatt will learn that Balor has his demons too.

– Jason Jordan def. The Miz via DQ: The Miztourage is at ringside for this one. Jordan suplexes Miz down early on and gets him in a front face lock. Miz fights back with an elbow, but Jordan answers with a dropkick that sends Miz rolling outside. Back in the ring, Jordan spears Miz in the corner and goes for his finished, but Axel and Dallas run in and start beating down Jordan. The Hardy Boyz run in for the save and take out Dallas and Axel. They grab Miz and hit the Poetry In Motion on him, then Jordan hits a belly to belly overhead suplex on Miz.

– The Hardy Boyz & Jason Jordan def. The Miz, Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas: Kurt Angle made this one official during the commercial break, and we have a six-man tag match. Jordan works over Dallas in the opening moments, but Axel tags in and takes control. Jordan comes back with a dropkick and an arm drag. Bo Dallas tags in, then Matt tags in. Matt briefly works over Dallas before tagging in Jeff and they double team Dallas. Jordan and Miz tag in and Jordan slams Miz down. Jordan spears Miz in a corner a couple times, but he misses one and crashes into the turnbuckle. Matt and Axel are in now, and Matt repeatedly slams Axel’s head into the turnbuckles. Matt follows up with a running bulldog and attempts a Twist of Fate, but Axel escapes. Matt hits a backstabber and then knocks Miz off the apron. Axel hits Matt from behind, then Miz tags in and start stomping on Matt. Axel tags back in and spears Matt in the corner. Matt starts to fight back, but Miz tags in and pummels on Matt then knocks Jordan off the apron. Matt comes back with a clothesline on Miz. Jeff and Dallas get the tags, and Jeff drops him with a right hand. Jeff follows up with the inverted atomic drop and leg drop for a two count. Jeff knocks Miz off the apron, then hits the Whisper In the Wind on Dallas. Jeff goes back up top, but Miz and Axel distract him. Dallas hits a neckbreaker on Jeff off the top rope, but Jordan breaks up the pin. Jordan suplexes Miz into Axel, then clotheslines Miz outside. Dallas throws Jordan outside, then Jeff grabs Dallas and hits the Twist of Fate. Jordan hits his finisher on Miz, then a belly to belly suplex on Axel. Matt hits the Twist of Fate on Dallas, then Jeff hits the Swanton Bomb for the win.

– Kurt Angle is in the ring to introduce the combatants in Sunday’s main event at SummerSlam. The ring is surrounded by security, and Angle takes a seat at ringside as Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman come out to the ring. Heyman says it doesn’t matter how much security is around the ring, because all Hell is going to break loose with or without them. Heyman tells Angle it sucks that Lesnar could lose the Universal Title without being beaten in the Fatal 4 Way match. Heyman says if WWE’s conspiracy to rip the Universal Title from Lesnar at SummerSlam is successful, you may as well lock Lesnar in cage, “hint hint.” Heyman finishes up his promo, then Samoa Joe comes out. Joe steps in the ring with a mic and says he doesn’t fear Lesnar, and he’s going to put Lesnar to sleep at SummerSlam and take his Universal Title. Braun Strowman’s music interrupts and the monster among men comes down to the ring. Strowman gets on the mic and says in case you didn’t know, he’s always the last man standing, ask Roman Reigns. Joe says he’s the one who put down Reigns, and with that Reigns comes out to interrupt. Reigns hits the ring and spears Joe, then Strowman hits a running powerslam on Reigns. Lesnar and Strowman are the last two men in the ring. The security guards run in the ring and get between Lesnar and Strowman. Strowman and Lesnar start fighting off the security guards and throwing them out of the ring. Kurt Angle calls out the locker room to help separate the fight. Several wrestlers hit the ring and hold back both men. Lesnar and Strowman both momentarily break free, but get restrained. Cole says no one will be able to contain them on Sunday as RAW goes off the air.

The August 8th, 2017 edition of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

– John Cena comes out to the ring first to kick off this week’s episode of SmackDown. He hops in the ring and gets on the mic and says he’s just as fired up as the crowd in Toronto tonight. Cena says he lost clean to Nakamura last week, there was no Montreal Screwjob. Cena says him simply losing doesn’t happen a lot, and talks about his respect for Nakamura when he gets interrupted by Baron Corbin. Corbin has new entrance music. Corbin points out that he has the Money In The Bank briefcase and he calls his own shots. Cena calls him out to come down to the ring, and Corbin acts like he’s going to head to the ring but then he changes his mind. Corbin asks why he would fight Cena now when he has the Money In The Bank briefcase. Corbin goes to leave, but he gets stopped by SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan. Bryan says since Corbin doesn’t have his ring gear tonight, he’s booking Corbin vs. Cena for SummerSlam. Bryan heads to the back as Corbin stares at Cena from the stage.

– The Usos def. Sami Zayn & Tye Dillinger: Zayn and Dillinger get in lots of offense in the opening minutes. Dillinger hits ten stomps on Jimmy Uso in the corner which prompts Uso to roll outside to recover. Jey cheap-shots Tye through the ropes, so Zayn hits a suicide dive over the top rope onto both Usos. Back in the ring, the two legal men Dillinger and Jey go at it. Jimmy hits the blind tag and cheap shots Tye. The Usos double-team Tye’s knee, then Jey locks Tye in the Tequila Sunrise for the win via submission.

– After the match, the Usos cut a promo on The New Day. They get distracted by Big E coming out on the stage, then the Usos get jumped by Xavier and Kofi from behind. Jimmy eventually pulls Jey out of harms way and The Usos escape up the ramp.

– Randy Orton does an interview in the back where he says that Jinder Mahal won’t be able to get away from him tonight now that he won’t have the Singh Brothers by his side.

– In the latest edition of The Fashion Files/Fashion Peaks, Fandango makes his long-awaited return. He says aliens kidnapped him, but he could have left any time he wanted. When Breeze asks him why he didn’t leave, Fandango says “anal probes — I mean wardrobes.” Fandango says the next person who enters is the one who destroyed their toy horse Tully. Arn Anderson walks in and confesses that he is the one who destroyed their horse, because it should have been named Arn. Arn leaves the office and takes their food with him.

SAY IT AIN'T SO?!? #ArnAnderson has admitted to DESTROYING #Tully! #FashionPeaks #SDLive @mmmgorgeous @WWEFandango pic.twitter.com/e9f9x9osmo

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 9, 2017

– Charlotte def. Lana: It’s all Charlotte in the opening moments as she toys with Lana and hits several chops across the chest. Lana slaps Charlotte across the face, so Charlotte comes back with a big boot. Charlotte locks Lana in the Figure 8 for the win via submission.

– SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon is backstage heading to the gorilla position.

– We go to the ring with Shane McMahon, who introduces Kevin Owens and AJ Styles to discuss their match at SummerSlam. Shane brings up that Owens was apprehensive about Shane being the referee, and was even screaming in his face about it. Owens says what happened last week was in the heat of the moment, and he apologizes to Shane. Owens says we did already have a McMahon screw over a legendary Canadian for a title before, which gets a big response from the crowd. Owens then swerves the crowd by finishing his thoughts about Bret, “but he deserved it.” Owens shows footage of Styles attacking Shane in the parking garage in March, and asks Shane how he can trust AJ. AJ says if Shane steps over the line he’ll get punished just like he did at WrestleMania, and that he doesn’t trust a McMahon. Owens says here’s what could happen to AJ, then shows footage of Shane refereeing a match in 1998 and screwing over Steve Austin in a match against Mankind. Owens says you could make a WWE Network Collection just of clips of Shane screwing over wrestlers. Shane says it’s no secret Owens and Styles don’t like him, but it doesn’t matter because he’ll be an impartial referee and won’t get involved unless he has to. Shane tells them not to give him a reason to get involved. AJ says he has an idea: Let’s get rid of Shane and not wait until SummerSlam, and instead get it on right here and now for the U.S. Title. Owens says he would rather win the U.S. title in the U.S. in a city that actually matters. Styles gets in Owens’ face and a shoving match starts which Shane tries to get in the middle of. Shane tries to separate Owens and Styles, but ends up accidentally taking a Pele kick from Styles. Owens heads to the back and laughs.

Could THIS happen at #SummerSlam?!? @ShaneMcMahon @FightOwensFight @AJStylesOrg #RulesOfEngagement pic.twitter.com/brO9mUAMrJ

— WWE (@WWE) August 9, 2017

– Naomi takes on Carmella next.

– Lana is backstage upset about her loss earlier. Tamina walks in and calls out Lana for being overconfident. Tamina says Lana will never be the wrestler she is, and Lana says Tamina will never be as ravishing as her. Tamina says it wasn’t Lana’s wrestling skills that got her the matches, it was her ambition, and now Lana has to help Tamina get hers.

– Carmella def. Naomi: Natalya is backstage watching this non-title match on a monitor. Carmella gets in lots of offense in the opening moments. Naomi comes back with a series of kicks then takes things into the corner. Naomi goes up top, but James Ellsworth comes out of nowhere and hops up on the apron while Carmella is distracting the ref. The distraction causes Naomi to fall and wipe out on the mat. Carmella follows up with a superkick and pins for the win after a short match. Ellsworth and Carmella run to the back with the Money In the Bank briefcase.

– Natalya runs into Carmella and Ellsworth backstage. She tells Carmella that when she’s done with her, she’ll have a chin (or lack thereof) like Ellsworth. Carmella and Ellsworth taunt Natalya right back and walk off.

– Shinsuke Nakamura takes part in a backstage interview with Renee Young where he explains that he came to WWE to face the best talent they have. He relives his victory over John Cena which secured him his WWE Title shot at SummerSlam, and says that his era is just beginning.

– Jinder Mahal comes out to the ring during the commercial break, and when we come back the Canadian crowd is chanting for “Jinder.” Our main event is up next. For those who don’t know, Mahal is really from Alberta, Canada.

– Randy Orton def. Jinder Mahal: This one is a non-title match, and we’re told the Singh Brothers are not in the building tonight due to their injuries from the Punjabi Prison match. After a brief collar and elbow tie-up, this one turns into an all out brawl with both men throwing punches and knees. Orton takes down Mahal with a Thesz Press, then Jinder rolls outside to recover. Orton follows Jinder outside and beats him down, then back-suplexes Jinder onto the fan barricade. Orton takes the Champion around to the announce tables and suplexes him onto one of those too. Back in the ring, Jinder hits some kicks on Orton and the crowd starts getting behind Jinder. Orton clotheslines Jinder back outside and takes Jinder over to the announce tables again. Orton goes for an RKO on the announce table, but Jinder pushes Orton off and Orton crashes down near the timekeeper’s area. Jinder takes Orton back in the ring and tries to keep Orton grounded. Mahal misses a spear in the corner and hits the ring post. Nakamura is shown backstage watching. Orton takes Jinder up top and hits a superplex. Orton hits a series of clotheslines on Jinder, then a fallaway slam. Orton mounts Jinder in the corner for ten punches, but Jinder pushes him off. Orton comes back with a powerslam for a two count. Orton hits an elbow to the face, but Jinder answers with a knee to Orton’s face for a two count. Orton comes back with a DDT and gears up for an RKO. Jinder reverses the RKO into a rollup for a two count, then Jinder superkicks Orton. Jinder locks in the Cobra Clutch but Orton reverses it into an RKO for the win. Orton taunts the fans then heads to the back as Jinder recovers at ringside. Immediately before the end of the show, before Orton can get behind the curtain, Rusev comes out of nowhere and hits a big boot to Orton’s face. SmackDown goes off the air immediately after as Orton lays on the stage with Rusev standing above him.

JUST. LIKE. THAT! #SDLive #RKOOuttaNowhere @RandyOrton @JinderMahal pic.twitter.com/73kO0wQCGr

— WWE (@WWE) August 9, 2017

When one rivalry ends…
…. a new one begins! #SDLive @RandyOrton @RusevBUL pic.twitter.com/8VnZKduCZr

— WWE (@WWE) August 9, 2017

The August 7th edition of WWE RAW aired live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada.

– RAW stars off with The Miz and the Miztourage in the ring for Miz TV. Kurt Angle quickly interrupts and says he’s got a guest for Miz TV that will exceed expectations. With that, out comes the WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar and his advocate Paul Heyman! Lesnar and Heyman come out to the ring as the Toronto crowd chants “ECW.” The Miz says he’s going to bet on everyone except Lesnar in the SummerSlam main event, because there’s no way he’ll win since he doesn’t even need to be in the ring to lose the title. Heyman says they’re going to do some roleplaying: The Miztourage will play Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, and Braun Strowman; and Lesnar will play himself. Heyman says Lesnar is going to give a preview of the SummerSlam main event, and Lesnar stays laying out all three Mizoutrage members. Lesnar suplexes Miz then hits an F-5 on him and clears the ring. Lesnar holds up his Universal Title in the ring as The Miztourage recovers on the floor.

– Sheamus def. Seth Rollins: Rollins takes Sheamus down right off the opening bell and stomps a mudhole in him. Sheamus rolls outside and Rollins goes for a suicide plancha, but Sheamus catches him in mid-air. Rollins fights out of Sheamus’ grip and hits a flying clothesline off the apron onto Sheamus on the floor. Sheamus turns it around back in the ring, then when things spill outside again he slams Rollins into the corner of the apron. Back in the ring, Rollins tries to fire up but Sheamus drops him with an elbow to the head then starts the Ten Beats of the Baron. Sheamus stops after a couple hits, then takes Rollins back inside for a rolling senton. Sheamus misses the big boot and Rollins hits him with a superkick. Sheamus answers with a knee to the face, and Rollins drops Sheamus with a spinning kick to the head. Rollins charges at Sheamus but Sheamus fends him off with a boot to the face. Sheamus goes up to the middle rope and Rollins takes him down with a Franakensteiner. Rollins follows up with a superkick for a two count. Rollins goes up top but gets distracted by Cesaro on the way down. Sheamus rolls up Rollins from behind for the three count to steal the win. After the match, Rollins hits a suicide dive on Cesaro at ringside, but the numbers game isn’t in his favor as Cesaro and Sheamus team up to beat down. They take Rollins back in the ring and hit the double team White Noise. Sheamus and Cesaro head back up the ramp with their Tag Team Titles in the air.

– Michael Cole promotes tonight’s Last Man Standing match between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman.

– Seth Rollins is backstage selling the beatdown from Sheamus and Cesaro, and he walks into Dean Ambrose. Rollins yells at Ambrose for not having his back, and Ambrose says he’s not going to trust him again because he doesn’t forget what Rollins did to him in the Shield.

– Curtis Axel is backstage getting checked out by trainers with Kurt Angle watching on. Angle says Axel has a match with Jason Jordan next but can’t compete, so Jordan needs a new opponent. Angle grabs a random wrestler in the back, who seems to be a local wrestler. Angle sends him out and we have a match.

– Jason Jordan def. Jean-Pierre Goulet: Goulet gets some “lets go jobber” chants from his hometown crowd early on. It’s all Jordan until Goulet hits an elbow to the face then a punch. Jordan no-sells them and comes back with more suplexes and a suplex into a neckbreaker for the win.

– Bayley comes out to the ring with her arm in a sling for an interview. Bayley says she wants to thank the fans who were Tweeting her with messages of support regarding her injury, and the crowd starts booing. Bayley says she wants to thank the ones who Tweeted her and not the ones who are booing her, which gets her even more boos. Bayley says she predicts that Sasha Banks will win the Women’s Title, and with that Banks comes out to the ring and hugs Bayley. The first qualifying match for the Women’s title match at SummerSlam is up next.

– Sasha Banks def. Alicia Fox & Emma: Alexa Bliss is on commentary for this one. This one is a triple threat match with no DQ’s and no countouts. Sasha throws Emma outside early on, then Alicia hits a big boot on Sasha for a two count. Sasha comes back with some kicks of her own on Alicia, then Emma pulls Sasha outside and slams Sasha into the ring apron. Emma gets back in the ring and Alicia catches her with a Northern Lights Suplex. Emma comes back with a kick, then Sasha runs back in the ring and knees Emma in the face. Sasha hits some running knee strikes on Alicia and Emma in the corner. Sasha hits a double knee drop on Alicia then pins, but Emma breaks up the pin and throws Sasha outside. Emma works on Alicia until Sasha pulls Emma outside. Sasha drops Emma with an elbow, then rolls back in. Alicia goes for a kick but Sasha dodges it and hits the back stabber. Sasha locks Alicia in the Banks Statement, but Emma breaks it up. Banks puts Emma in the Banks Statement next, and Emma taps out.

– Braun Strowman does an interview in the back where he says he enjoys hurting Roman Reigns. Strowman says when he’s around, the big dog is nothing more than a puppy. Ambrose says at SummerSlam he will be the only monster standing, and will become the Universal Champion.

– Enzo Amore comes out to the ring and introduces The Big Show. Enzo talks up Big Show, then Show gets on the mic and says that his fist can’t take all the credit for last week because Cass’ chin was real soft. As Big Show is talking, they get interrupted by Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. Anderson says they shouldn’t be in the ring celebrating because they haven’t won anything. They say if they want a challenge, they’re right here. They call Big Show and Cass nerds, and Enzo says they look like Dr. Evil and Mini-Me. With that, we have a match.

– Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows def. Big Show & Enzo Amore: Big Show drops Gallows and Anderson to start off, then Enzo tags in. Gallows takes control against Enzo, until Big Show tags back in. Cass comes out to the stage and distracts Big Show, which allows Gallows to hit the big boot on a distracted Big Show. Big Show falls to the outside, and Gallows and Anderson beat down Enzo in the ring then pin him for the finish. After the match, Gallows and Anderson head to the back while Cass comes down to the ring. Cass hits a big boot on Big Show at ringside. Enzo comes flying out of the ring at Cass with a suicide dive, but Cass catches Enzo and beats him down around ringside. Enzo comes around the corner of the ring and walks right into a big punch to the face from Big Show.

– Finn Balor comes out to the ring and calls out Bray Wyatt. He says if Wyatt is going to come at him he better not miss. The lights go out and when they come back on, Wyatt is in the ring. Balor is over in the corner, and when Wyatt charges at Balor, Balor dodges him. Balor kicks Wyatt in the head, then the lights go out again. When they come back on, Wyatt is nowhere to be seen, then he appears on the big screen. Wyatt says the people like Balor because when he flies they fly, and tells him to run.

– Dean Ambrose def. Cesaro: Sheamus is at ringside in Cesaro’s corner for this one. After some evenly-matched wrestling in the opening moments, Cesaro takes control with a slam into the turnbuckle and a clothesline. Ambrose comes back with a neckbreaker and clotheslines Sheamus outside, then Ambrose gets distracted by Sheamus at ringside. The distraction leads to Cesaro dropping Ambrose with the cheap shot from behind. Back in the ring, they go up to the top turnbuckle where Ambrose hits a superplex on Cesaro. Cesaro comes back with a powerslam, then they start trading strikes. Cesaro works on Amborse’s lower back, then hits a European uppercut and a series of gut wrench suplexes. Cesaro goes for the Neutralizer but Ambrose gets out. Ambrose hits a boot to the face then attempts the Dirty Deeds, but Cesaro fights out. Cesaro goes for the Sharpshooter but Ambrose escapes. Ambrose throws Cesaro outside and Ambrose goes for a suicide dive, but Cesaro hops up on the apron and uppercuts Ambrose before he dives. Cesaro delivers several strikes to Ambrose, but Ambrose fires back with a clothesline. Ambrose goes for the Dirty Deeds, but he gets distracted by Sheamus. Ambrose knocks Sheamus off the apron, then Cesaro drops Ambrose and locks him in the Sharpshooter. Ambrose reaches the ropes to break the hold, then he throws Cesaro outside. Ambrose goes up top and hits a flying elbow down onto Cesaro at ringside. Back in the ring, and distraction attempt by Sheamus backfires and Ambrose rolls up Cesaro for the win. After the match, Sheamus and Cesaro beat down Ambrose until Seth Rollins comes out for the save. Sheamus and Cesaro run away, then Ambrose extends his hand to Rollins to bump fists. Rollins doesn’t do it, and instead walks away.

– Titus, Apollo Crews and Akira Tozawa are backstage discussing Tozawa’s goal of winning the Cruiserweight Title. Neville walks in and says they shouldn’t be so sure Tozawa will make it to SummerSlam, and he’ll be watching his match tonight closely.

– Akira Tozawa def. Daivari: Titus joins the commentary team for this one. Daviari works on Tozawa’s arm and gets in lots of offense in the opening moments. Tozawa comes back and dumps Daivari to the outside, and follows up with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Tozawa hits some kicks and a suplex. Tozawa comes off the top with a senton bomb for the win. Titus heads down to the ring to celebrate the win with Tozawa.

– Roman Reigns does an interview backstage where he says he didn’t see Lesnar on Miz TV earlier, and he doesn’t care if Lesnar stays or goes. Reigns says he wasn’t afraid to retire The Undertaker, and wouldn’t be afraid to retire Lesnar.

– Nia Jax def. Mickie James & Dana Brooke: Alexa is back on commentary for this one. Nia controls the opening moments until she charges at Mickie in the corner and misses, hitting her head off the ring post and falling outside. Mickie and Dana go at it with strikes in the ring while Nia is outside. Mickie hits a kick and goes for a neckbreaker, but Nia runs in and knocks out Mickie. Dana hits a backflip elbow on Nia in the corner, but when Dana goes for another one Nia swats her down to the mat. Mickie comes back in, but Nia throws her right back out. Dana gets on Nia’s back for a sleeper, but Nia slams her down and follows up with a leg drop for the win.

– Goldust cuts a pre-taped promo saying he has so much love to give that he’s about to burst. Goldust says SummerSlam is 2 weeks away and he’s watching very closely for his next hero or villain for his film.

– Big Cass finds Kurt Angle backstage and tells him he wants Big Show at SummerSlam, but with a stipulation. Big Cass wants Enzo to be suspended above the ring. Angle likes the sounds of that and announces Big Show vs. Big Cass with Enzo above the ring in a shark cage for SummerSlam. The crowd has a mixed reaction for the announcement.

– Braun Strowman def. Roman Reigns: This one is a Last Man Standing Match. Strowman takes it to Reigns right off the bat and works on Reign’s bad ribs. After some brawling at ringside, Strowman grabs the ring steps and throws them in the ring. It’s all Strowman until Reigns comes back with a series of a clotheslines and an uppercut. Strowman grabs the ring steps and hits Strowman with them until he goes down. While Strowman is down, Reigns continues to hit him with the steps. Strowman slowly gets to his feet as Reigns gears up with a Superman punch. Reigns misses, and Strowman follows up with a powerbomb. Strowman goes for a powerslam, but Reigns gets out and hits the Superman punch. Reigns charges towards Strowman, but Strowman drops him with a dropkick. Reigns knocks Strowman outside and follows up with the Drive By dropkick. Reigns slides a table into the ring, then he goes for another dropkick on Strowman, but Strowman punches him out of the air. Strowman sets up the table in the ring, then Reigns starts hitting him with right hands. Reigns hits a Samoan Drop on Strowman through the table, and both men are down. Reigns and Strowman both get to their feet at the 8 count. Strowman rolls outside and Reigns charges towards him, but Strowman throws a leather office chair at Reigns and it bounces off Reigns’ head. Reigns gets to his feet at the 9 count. Strowman and Reigns brawl into the crowd towards the stage and the announce table. Up on the stage, Strowman throws Reigns into the screen wall. Strowman goes to powerbomb Reigns into the announce table, but Reigns gets out and hits a Superman punch. Reigns hits a second Superman punch, then goes for a spear but Strowman kicks Reigns in the face instead. Strowman stumbles down the ramp to the ringside area, then Reigns gets up and runs down the ramp and hits a spear on Strowman. Reigns gets to his feet, and Samoa Joe comes out of nowhere in the crowd and locks the Coquina Clutch on Reigns. Joe doesn’t let go until Reigns is out cold, and he crowd chants “thank you Joe.” Reigns and Strowman are both down. Strowman gets up at the referee’s 9 count, and Reigns stays down for the 10 count. Strowman is the last man standing and wins the match. Reigns is still out at ringside as RAW goes off the air.

The August 1st, 2017 edition of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH.

– WWE United States Champion AJ Styles comes out to the ring first to kick off this week’s episode of SmackDown Live. Owens makes his way out to the ring next, and we’ve got a U.S. Title match to open up the show.

– AJ Styles (c) def. Kevin Owens: Owens and Styles trade headlocks to start off, then a missed dropkick attempt by AJ leads to Owens throwing AJ out to ringside. Owens follows AJ outside and drops him with a lariat. Back in the ring, Owens puts the boots to Styles, but AJ gets up and levels the challenger with a dropkick. AJ follows up with chops and a snapmare, then a kick to the back. The Champion then hits a knee drop then a vertical suplex on Owens. AJ continues the offense then sets up for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Owens rolls out of the ring. AJ heads to the other side of the thing and hits a springboard forearm to the outside on Owens. Styles charges at Owens at ringside, but Owens dodges and throws AJ into the fan barricade. Owens follows up with a cannonball splash on AJ up against the barricade, then he takes AJ in the ring for a senton drop. Styles comes back with a forearm shot and a Fireman’s carry into a neckbreaker over the knee. Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm but Owens dodges it again then superkicks AJ. Owens goes to whip AJ off the ropes but AJ grabs Owens’ leg for the Calf Crusher. Owens fights out and goes for a powerbomb, but Styles gets out and hits the Pele kick. AJ goes for the Styles Clash and fails, but he’s able to lock Owens in the Calf Crusher again. Owens accidentally bumps the ref then he superkicks AJ. Owens goes for the powerbomb, but AJ rolls him up and the ref awakens to count the three. Owen’s had his shoulder up but the ref’s vision was impaired from the bump. Owens freaks out as a medic checks on the ref.

PHENOMENAL!#SDLive #USTitle @AJStylesOrg @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/pR77xKtwTQ

— WWE (@WWE) August 2, 2017

– Backstage, Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon talk to the ref who is still selling an eye injury. They tell the ref he made a bad call, but the ref is just concerned about his eye. Owens runs in and starts throwing things and freaking out. Shane gives Owens a rematch for he U.S. Title at SummerSlam. Owens says he needs a referee who won’t be knocked down by a gust of wind, so Daniel Bryan suggests that Shane McMahon be the ref for the SummerSlam match. Owens doesn’t like this and flips a table over before leaving.

– The Usos come out to the stage to cut a promo on The New Day. They call The New Day “three grown men talking about each other’s popsicles” and make fun of them for twerking.

– In the latest edition of The Fashion Files, we see the Fandango has gone missing and Tyler Breeze is alone. Breeze appears to have a dream sequence where Fandango and The Ascension appear before he laughing. He wakes up and says that now he knows who kidnapped Fandango.

What could this mean?!?! #FashionPeaks #SDLive @mmmgorgeous @WWEFandango @ViktorRiseWWE @KonnorWWE pic.twitter.com/lobTilQ94V

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 2, 2017

– Sami Zayn vs. Aiden English: English sings a song before the match as usual. Zayn hits a series of arm drags early on to take control of the match. Zayn has English is an arm hold when English rolls him over and pins him for the three count after a very short match. English looks just as shocked as Zayn at his victory, and he immediately heads back up the ramp.

– Before Zayn can get to his feet, Mike and Maria Kanellis come out. They say they love each other, and they love that Zayn just lost. Their music hits after that one-liner and they raise their hands then head to the back.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/892549169142824961

– Becky Lynch and Naomi are backstage getting ready to head to the gorilla position.

– Becky Lynch & Naomi def. Natalya & Carmella: Becky and Naomi control the opening moments and Naomi hits a leg drop on Natalya for a two count early on. Carmella tags in and Naomi chops her across the chest and hits a leg kick. Carmella slaps Naomi across the face stiff, and Naomi responds with a kick and an uppercut. Naomi hits a knee to the face, but then she gets distracted by Natalya on the apron and Carmella pulls Naomi down by the hair. Natalya comes in and briefly double teams Naomi with Carmella. Natalya hits an Alabama slam on Naomi then locks in the Sharpshooter. Naomi reaches the ropes, then Carmella tags herself in. Natalya and Carmella briefly argue, then Carmella locks Naomi in the Code of Silence. Naomi reverses into a Rings of Saturn on Carmella. Natalya runs in but so does Becky, and Becks takes out Natalya with a T-bone suplex. Carmella taps out to the Rings and Becky and Naomi win it.

– We go backstage for an interview with WWE Champion Jinder Mahal, accompanied by the injured Singh Brothers. Jinder says he doesn’t care if the American, Cena, or the man from Japan, Nakamura, wins tonight, because he’ll beat either one of them. Jinder says he’s going to his skybox to watch the rest of the show, and nobody can end his reign so they should bow down at his feet.

– Rusev def. Chad Gable: Gable tries to take down Rusev off the bell but Rusev overpowers him early on. Gable gets a hold of Rusev and Rusev runs to grab the ropes to get away from him. Gable shoots for the single leg takedown but Rusev throws Gable to the outside. Gable runs back in and gets Rusev down, then starts working on Rusev’s left knee. Rusev comes back with a kick and a gut wrench suplex. Rusev continues the offense on Gable until Gable catches him in a series of belly to belly suplexes. Gable follows up with a belly to back suplex for a two count. Gable throws Rusev into the corner and Rusev hits his head off the ring post. Gable goes up top and hits a moonsault for a two count. Gable goes for a German suplex, but Rusev gets out and tosses Gable then kicks him in the head. Rusev goes for the Accolade, but Gable fights out and puts Rusev in the ankle lock. Rusev fights Gable off then hits the big boot. Rusev locks Gable in the Accolade and Gable appears to be unconscious so the ref calls for the bell.

– After the match, Rusev cuts a promo on Cena and says nobody can beat him. Rusev complains that he has no opponent for SummerSlam because everyone’s afraid of him. Randy Orton’s music hits and Orton makes his way down to the ring. Orton grabs a mic then steps in the ring. Orton says Rusev has never beaten him, and he’s not afraid of Rusev. Orton says he’ll face Rusev at SummerSlam. Rusev says something in Bulgarian, then the two charge at each other and Orton hits an RKO. Orton poses on the turnbuckle then leaves.

– Shinsuke Nakamura def. John Cena: They start off with a collar and elbow tie-up, then they trade wrist locks and head locks. Nakamura hits two kicks on Cena then stomps on him in the corner. Cena comes back with a belly to belly suplex then keeps Nakamura grounded with a chin lock. Jinder Mahal and the Singh Brothers are shown watching up in Jinder’s skybox. Nakamura comes back with some kicks and a running knee strike for a two count. Cena fights back with shoulder blocks then hits a back suplex. Cena goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Nakamura grabs his arm and goes for an armbar and a choke. Cena escapes, but Nakamura sends him back down to the mat with a reverse vertical suplex. Nakamura charges towards Cena and Cena drops him into the STF. Nakamura gets out and goes for the armbar on Cena again. Cena gets out of the hold and up to his feet, then he drops Nakamura with a lariat. Nakamura comes back with an elbow to the face then a running knee to the face. Nakamura goes for another knee but Cena dodges it and hits Nakamura with the AA. Cena pins and Nakamura kicks out at two. Cena goes for another AA, but Nakamura reverses it into a choke hold. Cena overpowers Nakamura and gets him on his shoulders and hits the AA. Cena goes for a third AA, but Nakamura escapes this one and hits Cena with a T-bone suplex. Nakamura follows up with the Kinshasa on Cena for the three count. Nakamura wins and will be heading to SummerSlam to face Jinder Mahal for the WWE Title. Cena gets up and shakes Nakamura’s hand after the match. Nakamura celebrates in the ring as Jinder looks on from above and SmackDown goes off the air.

– After SmackDown goes off the air, Corbin attacks Nakamura from behind. Cena runs in for the save but Corbin takes him out too. Corbin takes Cena outside to put him through a table, but instead Cena grabs Corbin and gives him an AA through the table. Cena and Nakamura shake hands in the ring again, then leave.