WWE was live in Omaha, Nebraska for this week’s edition of SmackDown Live. Last week, Team Hell No (Daniel Bryan & Kane) reunited to face the challenge of the Bludgeon Brothers (Luke Harper & Eric Rowan) at Extreme Rules for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. How will members of the tag team division react?

   SmackDown kicks off with Renee Young as she introduces Team Hell No down to the ring. Daniel is questioned about the past between himself and Kane. Daniel would then begin to question Kane about how Kane nearly ended his career. Also, tormenting him and his family for years. How can Daniel trust Kane?

   The Usos (Jimmy & Jey)  would then come out and question why Team Hell No automatically is awarded a SmackDown Tag Team Championship match. They have done nothing to earn a shot. Following this, General Manager Paige comes out and makes a match between the two teams for the main event. She also adds that if The Usos wins, they would be added to the Tag Team Championship match at Extreme Rules.

Independence Day United States Championship Open Challenge

   Jeff Hardy puts the United States Championship on the line in another open challenge. This time, The Miz answered the challenge to try to take the United States Championship away from Jeff.

   The Miz tried to steal the championship away but became unsuccessful. Jeff was able to hit the Twist of Fate & the Swanton Bomb for the pin & the win.

   Later in the night, it was announced that at Jeff Hardy will defend the United States Championship at Extreme Rules against Shinsuke Nakamura.

First Ever New Day Third of July Pancake Eating Contest

   Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods compete against each other in a pancake eating contest to celebrate America’s Independence Day. However, before the pancake eating contest can fully get underway, Sanity (Eric Young, Killian Dane, & Alexander Wolfe) interrupts and wreak chaos. Sanity left their mark destroying The New Day and putting Xavier through a table.

Battle of the Sexes: Asuka v. James Ellsworth

   Before the match can officially begin, SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella comes out to scout her future opponent Asuka.

   Asuka would begin dominating Ellsworth. However, Ellsworth kept slipping out of the ring. Asuka has enough and begins chasing Ellsworth all over the ring leading to a double countout. Once they get back to the ringside area, Carmella ambushes Asuka from behind.

   Later in the night, General Manager Paige announces that next week Asuka will get a rematch against Ellsworth in a lumberjack match.

Aiden English v.  AJ Styles

   With only weeks away from Extreme Rules, WWE Champion AJ Styles takes on Rusev’s tag team partner Aiden English. AJ seeks to prove everyone wrong and why SmackDown is the house that he built.

   Rusev and Aiden come out and Rusev states that at Extreme Rules, AJ will see a new Rusev and that he will move into the house that AJ built, with the WWE Championship.

   Aiden and AJ have a solid match up, ending with AJ applying the Calf-Crusher for the win. After the match, Rusev attacks AJ and lays him out the with Machka kick and the Accolade. Will that be the same image at Extreme Rules?

Peyton Royce v. Becky Lynch

   There is not a woman in WWE with more momentum than Becky Lynch. She picks up yet another victory with the Dis-arm-her. Is there a possible championship opportunity down the road?

The Usos v. Team Hell No

   In an entertaining match up, Kane and Daniel Bryan was able to pick up a massive victory. Putting all differences aside, Team Hell No is officially a team again and have their eyes set on the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

   After the match, The Bludgeon Brothers and Team Hell No stare down each other to end the show.

   SmackDown is going in the right direction heading to Extreme Rules. Each match on the SmackDown brand has a good story behind it. Can they keep the momentum rolling?

David Jacobus
Intern