It's part 2 of the superstar shakeup. JBL is on commentary as normal. Byron Saxton has been traded with David Otunga so, happy days, no Otunga at all this week.
We start with Kevin Owens, who somewhat predictably has been traded to Smackdown. He runs down America, bigs up Canada and says he is the new face of America. He says he can beat the entire locker room which brings out Baron Corbin. He challenges Owens to a title match. Owens isn't really up for it. Sami Zayn comes out to announce that he is on Smackdown too. Owens is really not happy about that. Styles comes out to tell them all that it's about him, not them. This brings out Daniel Bryan to set up a number 1 contenders match for the US Title for later in the show, Sami Zayn vs Baron Corbin vs AJ Styles. He also says that if Owens loses the US Title to Jericho at Payback it will be Jericho that joins Smackdown. This was a really good way to kick off the show. It gives the promise of new feuds while hinting at reigniting old ones. I like both the trades too. Owens is the US champ so he had to move and Sami Zayn is the person I feel will benefit most from the switch.
It's Erick Rowan vs Randy Orton up next. There isn't much of a match before Wyatt turns up on the Titantron for the distraction. He doesn't give 2 shits about staying on his own show. Following the distraction Rowan hits Orton with the ring steps for the DQ finish. He gives him the full nelson slam as an exclamation point. A bit of a nothing segment really. Rowan's music is jarringly inconsistent with his character.
Back from the break it's The Usos vs American Alpha with the tag titles on the line. These two teams have really good chemistry and once again they put on a really fun match. The Usos pick up the win after a blind tag and superkick/splash combination. Following the match the Shining Stars attack American Alpha. If you needed proof that the Smackdown tag division is not respected at all, the Shining Stars being moved there is it.
It's Mojo Rawley vs Jinder Mahal up next. Full disclosure, Mojo does my fucking nut in. I have a friend that really likes him but she is a damn fool. He constantly looks like has just shotgunned an energy drink and PCP cocktail. I wasn't really paying much attention to the match but it ended with Rob Gronkowski getting involved again Mojo winning. Jinder will be exactly the same on Smackdown as he was on Raw.
Shane McMahon is out to address the state of the Smackdown women's division. He brings out the remaining members of the Smackdown women's roster. And Ellsworth. Unfortunately. Shane runs through a list of facts about the newest Smackdown acquisition and the crowd are expecting Charlotte but Shane swerves them and brings out Tamina. He then actually brings out Charlotte. Charlotte is a great move. It freshens up the Smackdown division and gets the title picture away from Charlotte on Raw. Tamina does nothing really.
There is a video highlighting some more wrestlers that have moved to Smackdown. They are Sin Cara and, tremendously, Rusev. Rusev has so much upside and a move to Smackdown is the wisest move possible.
Aiden English is in the ring. He starts singing but is interrupted by Tye Dillinger. These two have a short match that is here to highlight Tye and it's clear that the crowd will embrace the 10 chants.
We get a video of Lana dancing in a chair. She is coming to Smackdown apparently. I figured she would be as Rusev is on the way.
Dolph Ziggler is out to say he is staying put. He says that while all the new signings become less special he will still be doing what he does best. Shinsuke Nakamura isn't buying that shit though. Boston loves it some Nakamura. Ziggler asks who he is. The crowd answers for him. Ziggler tries to get a cheap shot in but Nakamura shuts that shit down and Ziggler decides that leaving is the wise choice. Ziggler would be a good opponent for Nakamura as he would sell all of his offense like it was killing him.
The New Day is heading to Smackdown. This is a move that makes sense because, as I said earlier, the Smackdown tag division needs something to change it's fortunes.
It's time for the main event, the triple threat number one contenders match. I've got high hopes for this and it delivered. They had an excellent TV match. All 3 men came out looking good and they did some really fun spots. Including a really good series of corner spots. A great way to end the show. AJ Styles picks up the win so he is going to challenge Owens or Jericho at the next Smackdown PPV. It will probably be Owens and the match should be fantastic.
Thoughts
This was a fun show from Smackdown. The 2 hours went by smoothly. Most of the moves that happened made sense. Rusev and Sami Zayn in particular could really benefit from the switch. Charlotte and Owens both add a lot to their respective divisions and the New Day will help to rejuvenate the tag division. Good week of TV in general.
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