WWE SD Live Recap: Nakamura rises to the top on the MITB go-home episode

The Big Takeaway

Sami Zayn once again pinned Baron Corbin in the main event but it was Shinsuke Nakamura who stood above all when SmackDown Live concluded. Randy Orton delivered an RKO outta nowhere to Jinder Mahal and Lana showed off her new finishing move.

WWE SmackDown Live Recap

Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and JBL previewed the matches for the show.

In-Ring: The New Day, The Usos, Breezanago and The Colons

The New Day came out as a live band played their theme. Kofi Kingston gave a shout out to the band which was called The Soul Rebel. Xavier Woods said they will defeat the Usos at Money in the Bank and enter WrestleMania as the SmackDown Tag Team Champions. The Usos came out and cut a heel promo on the New Day but were quickly interrupted by Breezango, and they were interrupted by The Colons. This led to eight-man tag team match.

• The New Day and Usos are great but Breezango and the Colons brought this segment down

The New Day (w/Big E) & Breezango def. The Colons & The Usos

The New Day and Breezango cleared the heels out of the ring as Woods played on the trombone. The heels took control of Breeze during the commercial break. Breeze tagged in Woods who fired up on Jimmy Uso delivered a senton to The Colons on the floor. Kingston made the blind tag and fired up on Jimmy by delivering the “boom drop” Kingston delivered the Trouble in Paradise and had the match won but Jey made the save. Kingston blocked the backstabber and made the tag to Woods. The New Day delivered a combo double foot stomp for the win.

• A fine opening match as the New Day looked great since debuting on SmackDown Live

“Free Agent” John Cena returns to SmackDown Live on July 4th

The 16x WWE World Champion John Cena returns on Independence Day

Backstage: A.J. Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn

Styles warned Nakamura that Zayn gets a little over excited. Styles was right as Zayn approached his teammates and went overboard by discussing strategy. Nakmara’s facial expressions were priceless as he wasn’t sure what to make of Zayn. After Zayn left, Nakamura told Styles “I like him” which got a laugh out of the WWE Universe.

Backstage: Dasha Fuentes interviewed Mojo Rawley

Mojo owned up to his loss and said Mahal has become a different guy lately. Mojo said he will bounce back as Zack Ryder appeared from behind and had a big smile. Ryder said they have unfinished business as they gave each other a hug.

• Good to see Zack Ryder back on SmackDown. Interested to see what WWE does with Ryder and Rawley going forward

SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi defeated Tamina — Non Title match

Lana made her way to the ring as she wore the same blue gown as last week. Tamina took control early on in the match, delivered a running hip attack for a two count. Naomi recovered and delivered a combination of kicks but Tamina countered with a straight jab and a spinout slam for a two count. Tamina went to the top turnbuckle, Naomi recovered and delivered an Enzuigiri but Tamina no sold the move. Naomi tossed her off the top turnbuckle and delivered a split-legged moonsault for the win.

• After the match Lana attacked Naomi delivered an impressive sitout spinebuster and posed with the SmackDown Women’s title

In-Ring: Jinder Mahal, The Singh Brothers and Randy Orton

The Singh Brothers came out and introduced the WWE Champion. Mahal cut his usual heel promo saying he will defeat Orton in him hometown in front of his dad and WWE legends. Mahal said this is the era of the Modern Day Maharajah and then spoke in Punjabi as the there were small chants of “USA”. Orton’s music played as Mahal sent the Singh Brothers after the “Apex Predator” Orton appeared from behind and delivered an RKO Outta Nowhere to Mahal and then posed with the WWE Universe.

• This was a good segment and Orton’s delivery of the RKO was picture perfect.

Backstage: WWE United States Champion Kevin Owens, Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler

Owens entered the locker room and approached Corbin and Ziggler. Owens said he doesn’t like either of them. But told them let’s work as a team and defeat the competition or they can attack each other before MITB. Owens left as Corbin and Ziggler considered his suggestion.

Backstage: Renee Young interviewed Randy Orton

Orton said the time for talking is over and will take back the WWE Championship in his hometown of St.Louis

Charlotte Flair def. Natalya

WWE aired a replay of Charlotte delivering a powerbomb to Natalya through the announcer’s table. Natalya took control early on by applying a surfboard but Charlotte battled back and delivered a moonsault for a near fall. Natalya fought back and delivered a sit-out powerbomb for a good near fall. Natalya applied the Sharp Shooter but Charlotte broke free and delivered a big boot for another near fall. Charlotte then kicked Natalya’s leg from under her and delivered the Natural Selection for the win.

• A short but good match. Looking forward to seeing what Charlotte, Natalya and Becky Lynch come up with in the first Women’s MITB Ladder Match.

Fashion Files: Sweet Victory

Fandango found Breeze laid out in their office. Breeze said they had greasy hair, super dry skin, and two arms. Fandango drew a sketch and the camera revealed it was a picture of two stick figures.

WWE Heros

WWE aired a video package of Jarrius “Little JJ” Robertson part of their WWE Heroes program. This package was nice. WWE does great charity work and takes part in great causes.

Backstage: Dasha Fuentes interviewed Lana

Lana said she doesn’t care what people think of her and will shock the world on Sunday when she defeats Naomi.

WWE announced Shinsuke Nakamaura, Jinder Mahal, Mojo Rawley and Zach Ryder will be on Talking Smack with Renee Young and JBL.

A.J. Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura & Sami Zayn def. Baron Corbin, Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler

The heel got the heat on Nakamura briefly who made the hot tag to Styles as the delivered the ushigorshi to Ziggler but Owens broke up the count. Zayn delivered a tope con hilo to Owens as the match went to commercial break. After the break the heels worked on Zayn as Corbin delivered the Deep Six but Nakamura broke up the count.

The WWE Universe chanted for Zayn as he delivered a nice Blue Thunder Bomb on Owens but Corbin stopped Zayn before he could tag in his partners. Corbin got the tag and continued the attack on Zayn who delivered a hard clothesline and went for another tag but Owens and Ziggler yanked Styles and Nakamura off the apron. The finish came with Styles catching Corbin with a forearm as Zayn delivered the Helluva Kick and got the win.

• A good main event to close the show.

Post-Match:

After the match Ziggler attacked both Styles and Zayn. Owens and Ziggler used ladder and attacked Styles and Zayn. Cobin appeared from behind and attack both Owens and Ziggler. Corbin setup a ladder and began to climb it so he could grab the briefcase (the match is taking place on Sunday) Nakamura appeared and pushed tilted the ladder over and delivered a Kinshasha to Corbin. Nakamaura then climbed up the ladder and grabbed the Money in the Bank briefcase and posed on the ladder as the WWE Universe cheered.

Overall:

It was a good episode of SmackDown Live as the WWE has done a great job in making Nakamura look strong since his debut on the main roster and I really liked the RKO spot by Orton. Looking forward to watching both the men and women’s MITB ladder matches. Money in the Bank should be a good show as the card look pretty strong.

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