SD Live Recap: Carmella is once again Ms. Money in the Bank

The Big Takeaway

The women in the ladder match steal the show as Carmella is once again Ms. Money in the Bank. The build for Battleground begins as the Punjabi Prison is back and John Cena returns next week.

WWE SmackDown Live Results:

WWE aired video package previewing the matches for tonight’s show.

In-Ring: Daniel Bryan, Carmella and James Ellsworth

Bryan came out and received a huge reaction from the WWE Universe. Bryan plugged the Ladder Match but was interrupted by Carmella and James Ellsworth. Just like last week Carmella cut the same promo about getting stripped of her briefcase. Ellsworth took some more jabs at Bryan for being a father. Bryan asked the WWE Universe if they want to see the MITB Ladder Match? WWE Universe said “Yes” Bryan then banned Ellsworth from the building. Security came out as Ellsworth tried to escape. The security got Ellsworth and Bryan wished Carmella good luck in the match.

• Carmella and James Ellsworth did a good job by getting heat from the crowd but this segment dragged.

The Usos def. The Hype Bros — Non-Title Match

This was a really quick match as Mojo Rawley back dropped Zack Ryder onto The Usos to the floor. Ryder attempted a Broski Boot but missed as Jey delivered a superkick and Jimmy delivered a top rope splash and won.

• After the match the New Day came out and challenged the Usos to a rematch for the SmackDown Tag Team Title. Usos accepted and said the match will happen at Battleground. Both teams went back-and-forth on the mic. 

Fashion Vice: Under Pressure

Tyler Breeze and Fandango played detectives and interrogate the Ascension in a dark room. Konnor said they didn’t trash their office and wanted a spot on the Money in the Bank PPV. Breezango heard some banging and found out their office was trashed again. Meanwhile, the Ascension were still sitting inside the interrogation room.

• This skit was good and the Ascension played their part well. My guess is American Alpha trashed the office and this will lead to a heel turn

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Naomi def. Lana

Lana attacked Naomi during the introduction and delivered the sit out spine buster but Naomi kicked out. Naomi recovered a delivered a kick to the head and a middle rope split-legged moonsault for the win.

Backstage: Dasha Fuentes interviewed Becky Lynch

Lynch said tonight she has a fair and legit chance to win the Ladder match

Greg Hamilton introduced Aiden English who had a spotlight on him and started to sing but was interrupted by Randy Orton. (During the commercial break Orton delivered an RKO to English and then sat on a chair) 

In-Ring: Randy Orton, Shane McMahon & WWE Champion Jinder Mahal (w/The Singh Brothers)

Orton said he’s not leaving the ring until Mahal comes out. Shane McMahon came out instead and received a big reaction. Orton told Shane that Mahal disrespected his family at MITB. Shane responded by bringing up a storyline from 2009 that involved Orton. (Orton attacked Vince, Shane and Stephanie McMahon to get inside the head of Triple H) Shane said Orton got his rematch at Battleground but Mahal will make the stipulation.

Mahal came out with the Singh Brothers and cut a heel promo as he went back-and-forth between English and Punjabi. Mahal said Orton will face him inside the Punjabi Prison which his idol The Great Khali made famous. (In storyline, when Mahal made his debut in the WWE, he was the brother-in-law of Khali) WWE then showed footage of the Punjabi Prison.

• This was a good segment as Mahal, Orton and Shane were all good. I’m actually looking forward to this match at Battleground.

Backstage: Daniel Bryan, A.J. Styles and Kevin Owens

Bryan was on the phone speaking to someone about the Punjabi Prison when Styles walked in and received a pretty big reaction. Styles asked Bryan why is Owens complaining about the open challenge? Owens came in and said he wants to fight new superstars because he beat Styles at Backlash.

Bryan then come up with an idea. Next week is the 4th of July, edition of SmackDown Live so let’s have an Independence Day Battle Royal. The winner will face Owens for the US Title at Battleground. Owens called it the worst idea ever and left. Styles likes the idea of being in the battle royal.

Mike and Maria Kanellis came out and started to talk about their love but were cut off by Sami Zayn. Who just popped in because his match is next.

• My guess this will lead to Mike’s first match in the WWE and will be against Sami Zayn at Battleground.

Baron Corbin def. Sami Zayn

Zayn attempted a cross body but Corbin caught him and pressed him onto the barricade. Shinsuke Nakamura got a big pop as he was watching the match backstage. Corbin attempted a superplex but Zayn launches him off. Zayn attempts a top rope splash but Corbin rolled out of the way. Zayn landed on his feet and ran into Corbin who caught him with the “Ends of Days” and got the win.

Backstage: Dasha Fuentes interviewed Shinsuke Nakamura

Dasha approached Nakamura backstage and asked the following question. “The WWE Universe wants to see a match between you and Baron Corbin, but do you want that?” (I know Nakamura couldn’t say it but would have been awesome if Nakamura said, he wanted a match with A.J. Styles instead) Nakamura said Corbin is strong but is afraid at what he might do to Corbin

Next week their will be a “Rap Off” between the New Day and The Usos.

Carmella wins the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match

Lynch got to shine early as she throwing her opponents around with Exploder suplex. Tamina returns in the ring and delivers a Samoan drop and followed it up with a very nice looking Superfly splash.

There was a nice spot in the match where Carmella slaps Tamina outside on the floor and then asks for forgiveness. Tamina took Carmella by the leg and launched her into the announcer’s table. Carmella took that bump well. Another cool spot involved Charlotte and Natalya delivered back-and-forth strikes on top of the ladder.

With everyone one down, Carmella returns and starts climbing the ladder but is stopped by all the women. Everyone starts brawling as Carmella leaps off the ladder and delivers a crossbody to Lynch and Natalya which looked nice.

With everyone laid out on the floor, James Ellsworth returns through the crowd and helps Carmella just like at the MITB pay-per-view. Ellsworth starts to climb the ladder but is stopped by Lynch. Lynch tips the ladder over as Ellsworth crotches himself on the ropes.

Becky started to climb the ladder but Carmella stopped her by pulling her off as Lynch tweaks her leg. Carmella then grabbed a chair and pelted Lynch with chair shots. Carmella climbed up, grabbed the briefcase and posed on top of the ladder.

• This was a terrific match as all the women got the chance to shine. The Ellsworth spot in the match was predictable but was nicely played out.

Overall

It was a one match show as the women in the ladder match shined and put on a great performance. Apart from that, WWE did a good job by setting up matches for Battleground.

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