SD Live Report: Nakamura wins dream match; will challenge for WWE Title

The Big Takeaway

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated John Cena in a great match and will challenge Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam. A.J. Styles retained the U.S. Title after another wacky finish. WWE announced that Kevin Owens will get his rematch at SummerSlam, but this time Shane McMahon will be the guest referee.

WWE SmackDown Live Report

A.J. Styles def. Kevin Owens

Highlights included Styles delivering a Phenomenal Forearm to Owens on the floor. Styles went after Owens on the floor, but Owens launched him into the barricade and then delivered a running cannonball. After the commercial break, Styles made a comeback by delivering the Phenomenal Blitz and followed it up with the Ushigoroshi but Owens kicked out. Styles countered a package power bomb, delivered a pele kick and applied a Calf Crusher but Owens reached the bottom rope. Owens recovered by delivering two super kicks and then accidentally punched Mike Chioda. Chioda was feeling woozy but wasn’t knocked out. Styles countered a pop up power bomb, rolled up Owens and got the win. (Owens shoulder was clearly off the mat)

• A good match with a wacky ending.

Backstage: Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens & Shane McMahon

Bryan and Shane met up with Chioda and explained his mistake. Owens was completely irate as he approached Bryan and Shane. Shane said Owens will get his rematch for the U.S. Title at SummerSlam. Owens says he wanted a good referee. Bryan said Shane will be the referee. Owens said he didn’t want Shane to be the referee. Shane said this is the only way the rematch will happen. Owens was pissed, but agreed to the stipulation.

The Usos mocked The New Day

Usos mocked The New Day’s entrance and then cut a heel promo on the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Usos ended the promo with a “U-So rocks!!” chant.

Fashion Peaks

• (Just watch the video above. This was the second best segment on the show.)

Aiden English def. Sami Zayn

Really quick match as English won after he rolled up Zayn. English looked delighted after the match and Zayn had surprise look.

After the match Maria and Mike Kanellis came out. They explained that they loved each other and love that Zayn lost.

SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi & Becky Lynch def. Carmella & Natalya

Another quick match as all women worked at a break-neck pace. Natalya applied a sharpshooter but Naomi grabbed the bottom rope. Carmella tagged herself in and applied the Code of Silence. Becky delivered a Bex-Plex to Natalya as Naomi reversed the Code of Silence and applied an Anaconda Vice as Carmella tapped out.

Backstage: Renee Young interviewed Jinder Mahal (w/Singh Brothers)

Mahal was looking very dapper in a suit. Singh Brothers were selling their injuries from the Punjabi Prison match. Mahal said he didn’t care who won tonight and will be watching from a suite. Mahal said he will leave SummerSlam as the WWE Champion.

Rusev def. Chad Gable

Highlights included Gable delivering two overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Rusev kicked out of a German suplex and a moonsault. Gable went for the O’Conor roll into a German but Rusev countered by delivering a super kick for a near fall. Gable applied an ankle lock but Rusev escaped by kicking him to the floor. Finish came with Rusev delivering a super kick and then applied the Acolade as Gable tapped out.

• A good back-and-forth match as Gable got the chance to shine and showcase his skills.

Post-Match

A good match as Gable got a chance to shine even though he lost. After the match Rusev cut a promo and wanted some competition. Randy Orton came out and challenged him to a match at SummerSlam. Rusev cut a heel promo in Bulgaria and then charged at Orton. Orton dropped Rusev with an RKO.

Shinsuke Nakamura def. John Cena — Number 1 Contender’s match for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam

The fans were buzzing as Cena and Nakamura exchanged back-and-forth strikes and submission holds. Nakamura delivered his signature strikes and running knee in the corner but Cena kicked out. Cena made a comeback and went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Nakamura countered with a triangle choke. Cena powered out of the move, but Nakamura delivered a face buster.

Nakamura set up for the Kinshasha but Cena countered into an STF. Nakamura slipped away and applied an armbar but Cena rolled over for a near fall and followed up with a big clothesline as the WWE Universe chanted “This is Awesome” Nakamura delivered  a Shining Wizard and went for the Kinshasa but Cena countered by delivering an Attitude Adjustment for a near fall.

Cena countered a guillotine and delivered another AA. Cena rolled over and went for another AA, but Nakamura countered by delivering an Exploder suplex. (Dropping Cena on the back of his head/neck) Nakamura then delivered a Kinshasa and got the win. Huge pop.

• This was awesome as Cena and Nakamura had a terrific match.

WWE Network Exclusive

Baron Corbin attacked Nakamura after SmackDown Live went off the air. Cena ran back down and delivered an AA to Corbin through the announcer’s table. Cena shook and raised Nakamura’s hand.

• Looks like Cena will face Corbin at SummerSlam 

Overall

It wasn’t an instant classic, but the match definitely delivered and lived up to the hype. Would be awesome to see a rematch down the road.

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Image Credit – WWE