Fatal Four Way to Determine #1 Contender for United States Championship: Sheamus vs Alberto Del Rio vs Cesaro vs Apollo Crews
Right from the start of this match, Crews and Sheamus were brawling outside the ring. It was anybody’s ballgame until Cesaro started another Uppercut Party. It was down to Alberto Del Rio and Cesaro in the ring when Cesaro locked in the Cesaro Swing. After that, Cesaro applied the Sharpshooter to Del Rio for the submission victory.
After the match, Del Rio attacks Cesaro. Del Rio targeted Cesaro’s shoulder. Del Rio did the Double Foot Stomp on Cesaro while he was on the ring apron. Rusev shows up with Lana and demands that his match with Cesaro for the United States Championship start right now.
United States Championship: Rusev (c) vs Cesaro
Cesaro was fighting injured, and Rusev was trying to take advantage of that. Cesaro kept countering everything Rusev tried to do and at one point hit the Springboard Uppercut on the champ. It was looking like Cesaro was going to pull off the impossible and win the U.S. Title but Rusev countered Cesaro’s attempt to apply the Sharpshooter by kicking him in the back of the head. Rusev then locks in the Accolade for the submission victory.
Backstage, Renee Young catches up with Rusev and Lana. Rusev wants July 4th to be renamed “Rusev Day”. Renee reveals to Rusev that he will once again be defending his title on Monday Night Raw. Rusev will be defending it against Titus O’Neil. Lana steps and shouts “crush!” and Rusev nods.
Reaction: Great way to start off a Smackdown. Both the fatal four way and the United States Championship matches were entertaining. I would be more interested in seeing Cesaro versus Rusev again, rather than Titus O’Neil.
https://twitter.com/BillKauff/status/748672360266403840
Billie Kay vs Dana Brooke
This was a pretty quick match, but Billie Kay still had a good showing in her Smackdown debut. Dana Brooke won the match after hitting a Samoan Driver.
Congratulations to @BillieKayWWE on her SmackDown debut. It was cool to see Billie perform, I like her style. Excited to see more. 👊
— Max MF (@MAXMFBRAND) July 1, 2016
Summer Rae confronted Sasha Banks backstage. Summer says that everybody is tired of Sasha Banks referring to herself as the boss and that she hopes that they get drafted to different shows come July 19th. Summer Rae will be facing off against Sasha later in the show.
Miz TV w/ Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose is the guest on the Miz’s talkshow Miz TV. Dean Ambrose decided that this would be a perfect time to indulge himself in a Cuban Sandwich. The Miz claims that one of the chairs on the Miz TV set is the director’s chair from The Marine 5: Battleground. The Miz starts to insult Ambrose’s talkshow, the Ambrose Asylum and even disses Ambrose’s deceased potted plant. Ambrose becomes annoyed and instructs the Miz not say anything bad about Mitch. The Miz then starts insulting Ambrose’s appearance and claims that the WWE would never allow him on the Today Show. This leads to Ambrose smearing the Miz’s suit with his Cuban Sandwich. This enrages the Miz who responds by kicking Ambrose in the face and exiting the ring.
I know I'm late but Dean Ambrose eating a full Cuban sandwich during a promo with mustard all over his face is epic
— William Beamen (@HeelTurn32) July 1, 2016
The Wyatt Family vs Local Wrestlers
This was a total squash match with Braun Strowman getting the win within a minute. The Wyatt Family were celebrating their victory when the New Day interrupted on the screen. The New Day made a couple of jokes but Xavier Woods still looked concerned. Bray Wyatt once acknowledged the look on Woods’ face and told the New Day to run.
https://twitter.com/wwe_priceless/status/748687613121404928
Reaction: The Miz TV segment was entertaining, as was the Wyatts/New Day promo. People are torn on the Xavier Woods storyline. At this point it would be unbelievably predictable if he turned on the New Day. I think that most people really enjoy the New Day and do not want to see them broken up at all. I am intrigued by the idea of Xavier Woods in the Wyatt Family but I understand those that want no part of that.
Summer Rae vs Sasha Banks
This match was very solid. Summer actually dominated the match for a substantial period of time, which surprised me. Summer Rae hit a big DDT on Sasha but she was able to kick out at the last moment. In the end, it was Sasha Banks that pulled off the victory after locking in the Bank Statement, leaving Summer Rae no choice but to submit.
Thought Summer Rae performed well in that match against Sasha Banks. Much improved. #SmackDown
— Barret (@BarretBaker) July 1, 2016
Dean Ambrose vs The Miz
This was a long match that had a l0t packed into it. Ambrose went for his patented Suicide Dive outside the ring, but Maryse was able to get the Miz out of the way. From that point on, this entire match was back and forth. Dean Ambrose was presumably the heavy favorite in this match given the fact that he is the WWE Champion, but the Miz on several occasions almost pulled off the victory. The Miz hit a surprise Skull Crushing Finale on Ambrose, but Ambrose kicked out at two. The Miz had all the momentum going for him but Ambrose was able to counter into the Dirty Deeds for the victory.
Reaction: This was about a pretty long match but it didn’t feel like it. With no Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns available for the show, I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this match. This feud is ultimately going nowhere, but for a one-off match to kill some time, this was enjoyable. It was pretty obvious that Ambrose was going to win this match but both Superstars were still able to make it entertaining.
Insult Mitch.. see what happens #deanambrose #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/4BAr49ZgRJ
— Jon Moxley Fan Source (@JonMoxleyDotNet) July 1, 2016
What did you think of this week’s Smackdown? Let us know in the comments below.