source: WWE
WWE’s European tour continues in London for Smackdown with Carmella’s Royal Mellabration and a match between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura, with the winner picking their match stipulation at MITB.
source: WWE
Daniel Bryan puts Big Cass in his place
Daniel Bryan comes out to overwhelming yes and “Daniel Bryan” chants, and once the fans calm down, he says that being back isn’t enough, calling his loss to Rusev his first real setback. Big Cass interrupts him, saying that he was his first real setback.
Cass calls Bryan a loser, saying that he should have stayed retired and a stay at home dad. Big Cass enters the ring, and Bryan attacks him, kicking him in the knee repeatedly. Bryan locks Cass in a heel hook and it takes several officials to remove him from a submitting Cass.
Opinion:
I think keeping Bryan out of the MITB match was a good idea—fans will riot if he is in and loses the match (see: Royal Rumble 2015). He can help build up Cass, who, with his help, has become a major heel as of late. I’m excited for their feud to continue.
source: WWE
New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) vs. The Bar
MITB Qualifying Match
Winner: New Day
Highlights:
Cesaro puts Big E in a sharpshooter but Woods breaks it up
Xavier hits Cesaro with a swinging DDT
Miz really hypes up Xavier Woods while on commentary
Big E spears Sheamus off the apron to the outside
Woods hits Cesaro with a flying elbow off the middle of the top rope and gets the pin
Opinion:
Miz is right—Woods has shown just how good he is in the past month or so. Now that the New Day has won this match, they must decide who enters the MITB match, and my pick is Xavier Woods. However, this could finally be the breaking point for the New Day and spark the breakup years in the making.
source: WWE
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Jake Constantino
Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas
Highlights:
Almas hits Constantino with double knees in the corner
Andrade delivers a hammerlock DDT to Jake for the victory
Zelina Vega says she is disappointed in Smackdown Live and puts the members of the roster on notice
Opinion:
This was a great debut debut for Almas. By holding off his debut as a special match in London, British fans got something new, and when he defeated the local talent easily, he looked strong. Zelina Vega got to speak at the end, which was good, because she’s amazing on the microphone and really elevates Almas’ character.
source: WWE
A Royal Mellabration
A town crier introduces Carmella from the Isle of Staten and British guards bring her title out on a pillow before Carmella comes out, taking her title and walking out to the ring. She gives the fans a chance to “cheer” for her, and persecutes them when they boo.
Carmella orders them to bow down to her, and when tells “not so Great” Britain that even though no one believes in her, she is money and she is champion. She lists several women’s wrestlers and legends that she’s better than before she’s interrupted by Smackdown GM Paige.
Paige lets the fans cheer for the hometown star before announcing her Smackdown Women’s Championship match at MITB: Asuka. Fans chant “Asuka’s gonna kill you” as she comes out, and Carmella takes her title and retreats.
Opinion:
Carmella is my favorite person on Smackdown right now. She knows just what to say and how to say it, and she gets away with so much. She is so entertaining to watch, and I really want her title reign to continue. I love Asuka, though, and I am afraid that if she keeps losing, she’s not going to be a threat anymore.
source: WWE
Becky Lynch vs. Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville
MITB Qualifying Match
Winner: Becky Lynch
Highlights:
Mandy and Sonya double team Becky before Mandy tries to roll up Sonya
Mandy gets Sonya on her shoulders from the top rope but Becky dropkicks Mandy and causes both to fall
Becky dodges a knee from Mandy and Mandy knees Sonya in the face
Becky catches Mandy in a Disarm Her for the submission victory
Opinion:
Putting Becky in this position was the right move. This MITB match is going to be super stacked, and Becky definitely deserves a spot. We can also see more seeds planted for the eventual feud between Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose.
source: WWE
AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Winner picks the stipulation at their MITB WWE Championship match
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Highlights:
AJ hits Shinsuke with a Phenomenal Forearm to the outside
Nakamura hits a running Styles with a kick to the face
Shinsuke jumps off the top turnbuckle and delivers a knee to AJ on the apronNakamura hits Styles with a Kinshasa
AJ goes for a Phenomenal Forearm and misses, almost landing on the referee
Nakamura capitalizes on a distraction, pretending that AJ hit him with a low blow and attacks AJ
Styles is hit with another Kinshasa, and Shinsuke pins him for the win
Opinion:
Every time I start to get bored in this feud, something happens that piques my interest a bit. I like how Shinsuke outsmarted AJ, and a finish to a match was refreshing after a couple disappointments in matches with these two as of late. I’m excited to get a stipulation in this match and I hope it’s a good one.
source: WWE
Superstar Focus: Xavier Woods
I’ve decided to debut a new piece of each recap—each episode, I’m going to talk about the superstar that stood out to me most, whether it be their in-ring ability or a special promo or backstage segment.
In his tag match this week, Xavier Woods showed up yet again. Woods had great matches two weeks in a row, facing Cesaro last week and teaming up with Big E to take on Cesaro and Sheamus. On both occasions, I noticed his incredible ring work above all, and his personality clearly shines through every time he gives a promo. If Woods continues to put in great performances such as these, he could be someone to watch as a singles star when his alliance with Kofi Kingston and Big E ends.
Check out a clip from Woods' tag match here: