This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the final episode of SmackDown before Money in the Bank tomorrow night.
WWE SmackDown Results (7/1)
- Happy Corbin won a Battle Royal
- Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss, Asuka def. Shotzi, Lacey Evans, Raquel Rodriguez
- Madcap Moss def. Happy Corbin, Ezekiel, The Miz in a Fatal 4-Way to qualify for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match tomorrow night
Here are the takeaways from this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown:
Happy Corbin Won A Battle Royal & Taunted Pat McAfee
WWE SmackDown kicked off with the participants in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match in the ring. They were all sitting on top of ladders besides Omos. Seth Rollins began the promo and was immediately interrupted by Drew McIntyre and Riddle. Rollins cut them off and vowed to win the MITB ladder match and cash in at SummerSlam. Seth boasted about cashing in on them once before.
Sami Zayn reminded Seth that he is an “Honorary Uce” in The Bloodline and vowed to win to keep the MITB contract away from Roman Reigns. MVP joined the party and claimed that everyone is ignoring Omos and he will be the last man standing in the match.
Sheamus bragged about already winning Money in the Bank and cashing it on Roman Reigns in the past. The Celtic Warrior added that Brock Lesnar would be more difficult to cash in on. Drew McIntyre reminded everyone that he defeated Lesnar in less than five minutes. The Miz interrupted and said that he deserves to be in the Money in the Bank ladder match.
Ezekiel also interrupted and said he was supposed to have a qualifying match against Kevin Owens tonight but KO isn’t cleared. Ezekiel claimed that he deserves to be in the match ahead of The Miz. Happy Corbin showed up and wanted to be in the match too. Madcap Moss joined the parade of superstars and everyone started arguing before WWE official Adam Pearce broke it up. Pearce announced that there will be a Battle Royal next as SmackDown went to a break.
Happy Corbin, Drew McIntyre, Sami Sayn, Sheamus, and Riddle were the final 5 superstars in the Battle Royal. Riddle won a Money in the Bank qualifying Battle Royal on Monday, there were apparently no stakes for this Battle Royal. Happy Corbin hid outside the ring as Riddle and Sami were eliminated. Sheamus and McIntyre battled in the ring and Corbin snuck up from behind. Corbin sent them both over the top rope and won the Battle Royal. After the match, Happy Corbin pointed at Pat McAfee and taunted him. Corbin was asked backstage if he has accepted the match against McAfee at SummerSlam but Happy didn’t respond.
Fatal 4-Way MITB Qualifier Announced For Tonight
New Day were scheduled to face Viking Raiders tonight but the match never happened. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods cut a promo before the match. Erik and Ivar made their way to the ring and beat the hell out of New Day with their shields before leaving. Backstage, Adam Pearce announced a Fatal 4-Way for later tonight between Happy Corbin, Ezekiel, The Miz, and Madcap Moss. The winner of the match will get the final spot in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match tomorrow night.
Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka won Battle of the Brands, Sonya Deville Slapped Adam Pearce
RAW stars Asuka, Liv Morgan, and Alexa Bliss battled SmackDown stars Lacey Evans, Raquel Rodriguez, and Shotzi in a Battle of the Brands 6-woman tag team match. Becky Lynch joined commentary for the match.
Alexa Bliss desperately tried to avoid Raquel to start off the action but Rodriguez caught up to her. Bliss tripped her up and hit a Dropkick. Liv tagged in and went for the cover but Raquel powered out at two. Morgan connected with a head-scissor takedown and went for a Codebreaker but Raquel blocked it. Shotzi tagged in and unloaded some strikes on Liv in the middle of the ring.
Liv battled back and Shotzi rolled out of the ring. Lacey stopped her from leaving and the two superstars argued outside the ring. Liv hit a dive through the ropes but turned around into a lariat from Raquel. Alexa took out Raquel with a Cannonball and the RAW superstars celebrated in the ring as SmackDown went to a break.
When SmackDown returned, Shotzi tagged herself in and tripped her own tag team partner (Raquel Rodriguez) as she was setting up for a Fallaway Slam on Bliss. Raquel slammed Bliss to the canvas during the fall and Shotzi went for the cover. Bliss kicked out at two and the match continued.
Shotzi got Alexa in the Boston Crab in the middle of the ring. Alexa escaped and tagged in Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow beat Shotzi down as Becky complained on commentary. Asuka missed with a Hip Attack but caught Shotzi with a boot to the face. Liv hit a Codebreaker and the action broke down into a brawl. Shotzi threw Asuka out of the ring and took a moment to pose for the crowd. It quickly backfired and Shoti turned around into the Oblivion for the pinfall victory. Becky Lynch planted Asuka with the Man-Handle Slam after the match.
After the match, Sonya Deville approached Adam Pearce backstage. Deville slapped him in the face and walked away as Pearce was visibly pissed off.
Street Profits & The Usos Brawled
Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos and Street Profits participated in a “Ask Them Anything” segment hosted by Kayla Braxton. Jimmy and Jey Uso were asked if they are fearful of losing their titles and they claimed that they were not because The Bloodline is running everything. Street Profits joked that Roman Reigns runs the whole show, The Usos are just running to the grocery store. Kayla Braxton told Street Profits that she heard a rumor that the team wasn’t getting along but Ford & Dawkins denied it.
Street Profits said that they are hungrier than ever and started talking about The Usos’ family legacy. Jimmy and Jey stopped Street Profits and said that they wanted the smoke. The Usos and Street Profits then brawled to end the segment. The Usos will defend the Undisputed Tag Team Championships against Street Profits tomorrow night at WWE Money in the Bank.
Max Dupri Finally Introduces His Clients
Max Dupri stood in the ring with a spotlight on him and introduced Mace as his first client. Mace walked down the entrance ramp as if it were a catwalk and there were people snapping photos of him. Dupri complimented Mace’s physique before he went backstage. Max then introduced Mansoor as his next model and referred to him as “the heart throb of the fashion world”. Durpi claimed that many more want to join his agency but they cannot join unless they have the qualities of Mace and Mansoor.
Madcap Moss Qualified For Money in the Bank
Madcap Moss, Ezekiel, The Miz, and Happy Corbin competed in a Fatal 4-Way to determine the final superstar in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match in this week’s main event. Moss got in some offense early and leveled Miz with a shoulder tackle. Moss followed it up with a Uranage and went for the cover but Happy Corbin broke up the cover at two.
Corbin sent Miz to the apron but he held onto the ropes. Miz went for a roll-up but Corbin blocked it. Moss then launched The Miz right into Corbin’s groin before hitting Happy with the Punchline. Moss went for the cover but Ezekiel broke it up at the last moment.
Ezekiel went for a Crossbody but Moss caught him. Moss connected with a Fallaway Slam but turned around into a big boot from Miz for a near fall. Miz unloaded some “It Kicks” on Ezekiel and Moss. Madcap ducked under a kick but Miz caught him with a Neckbreaker. Happy Corbin broke up the cover and hit Miz with Deep Six for a two count.
Corbin and Ezekiel traded punches in the middle of the ring. Ezekiel delivered a Dropkick and followed it up with a Clothesline. Ezekiel hit Moss and Miz with Splashes in opposite corners of the ring. Corbin went for a Chokeslam but Ezekiel blocked it. Ezekiel delivered a knee to Corbin’s face and then hit Moss with a Spinebuster. Miz attacked from behind and hit Ezekiel with the Skull Crushing Finale.
Happy Corbin dragged Miz out of the ring and launched him into the barricade. McAfee called Corbin a “big bum” as Happy stared at him. Happy Corbin planted Madcap Moss with the End of Days but couldn’t go for the cover. Madcap sent Corbin into the ring post and pinned Ezekiel for the victory. Madcap Moss in the final superstar to qualify for the match.
Seth Rollins, Omos, Sami Zayn, Drew McIntyre, Riddle, Sheamus, and Madcap Moss will compete in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match tomorrow night. Pat McAfee taunted Happy Corbin to close the show.
