WWE SmackDown Live Recap: Baron Corbin leaves his mark as Money in the Bank draws near

The Big Takeaway

ShinsukeNakamura defeated Kevin Owens three straight weeks in a row but was laid out by Baron Corbin after the match. Lana made her debut on SmackDown Live and will challenge Naomi for the Women’s title at MITB. A.J. Styles got his win back against Dolph Ziggler, and New Day still rocks.

WWE SmackDown Live Recap
The show opened with a recap of last week’s brawl and SmackDown Live commissioner Shane McMahon announcing the first ever Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.

In-Ring: Shane McMahon, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Natalya, Lana, Naomi, Carmella, Tamina & James Ellsworth
The participants for the Women’s MITB ladder match were in the ring as Shane came out dancing and hyped up the crowd. WWE Universe chanted for Shane as he put over all the women in the match. Charlotte got the biggest reaction. Shane showed off the Women’s briefcase and went over the rules of the match. Ellsworth cut him off by saying everyone know’s the rules, Duh! All the participants went back-and-forth with each other as the crowed wooed when Charlotte spoke. Naomi came out, wished she was in the match but loves being the champion. Lana came out in a blue gown as the WWE Universe chanted her name. Lana asked to be in the match (as all the women chuckled) Naomi and Lana went back-and-forth as Shane sent Lana to the back. WWE Universe chanted “We want Lana”

• A good opening segment as Charlotte and Lana were the most over

Tamina, Natalya & Carmella (w/James Ellsworth) def. SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi, Charlotte and Becky Lynch
Natalya delivered a clothesline to Lynch on the floor as the heels took control. Lynch came back and made the hot tag to Naomi who fired up on Carmella with a combination of leg kicks and a flying cross body to Tamina. Carmella broke up the count so Charlotte booted her to the floor. The heels double teamed Charlotte as Lana came down the ramp and swept Naomi’s legs on the apron. Finish came with Tamina delivering a super kick for the win.

Backstage: Shane McMahon & Mojo Rawley
Mojo was upset that Shane didn’t put him in the MITB ladder match and mentioned that he’s the only one that defeated Mahal  since he joined SmackDown Live. Shane said guys like Tye Dillinger and Luke Harper (who got a huge pop) are talented but aren’t in the match. Shane said if Mojo can defeat Mahal tonight he will be placed in the MITB ladder match. Mojo was thrilled and shook Shane’s hand.

A.J. Styles def. Dolph Ziggler
They showed Ziggler pinning Styles in his hometown last week. Styles came out got a huge pop as the WWE Universe chanted his name. Ziggler took control early in the match and tried winning by using the ropes twice. Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm but avoided getting crotched this time. Ziggler kicked out of a jackknife cover but Styles transitioned the move into a Styles Clash and pinned Ziggler.

• A fine match and I liked the finish with the Styles Clash. After losing last week, WWE gave Styles his win back this week. Styles was completely over.

Fashion Files: Dumb on Arrival
We got another Fashion Files segment with Breezango and New Day were involved in the skit. This was funny and it’s good WWE is giving Fandango and Tyler Breeze screen time.

John Cena Returns on July 4th!
WWE aired a short video package promoting that the 16x WWE World Champion John Cena will return to SmackDown Live on July 4th in Phoenix.

Jinder Mahal (w/Singh Brothers) def. Mojo Rawley — Non Title Match
The Singh Brothers came out and introduced the WWE Champion. The Singh Brother rolled out a carpet in the ring for Mahal. Rawley pounced on Mahal early and delivered a couple of shoulder tackles. Mahal made a comeback by raking Rawley in the eyes and then tossed him into the ring post. Finish came with Mahal delivering the “Khallas” for the win.

• This  felt like an opening match of a house show. Mahal took the mic after and cut another heel promo on Orton and then spoke in Punjabi.

Shinsuke Nakamura Video Package
WWE aired a video package of Nakamura. They called him “The Artist” They showed clips of an artist painting a picture of Nakamura. Nakmaura wasn’t the one painting the picture.

Backstage: Renee Young interviewing Randy Orton
Orton heard from several legends like his dad, Ric Flair and Harley Race. They said actions speak louder than words. At MITB in St. Louis, Mahal will here him just fine.

Big E & Xavier Woods (w/Kofi Kingston) def. The Colons
Big E and Woods did the abdominal stretch and smacked the Colons hips at the same time as the WWE Universe chanted “New Day Rocks” The Colons took control during the break but Woods made a comeback by delivering a missile dropkick and made the hot tag to Big E. Big E delivered a pair of belly-to-belly suplex and a big splash to Epico. Woods delivered a tope con hiro to Primo on the floor. Finish came with Woods making the tag as the New Day delivered the “Midnight Hour” for the win.

• A good match and New Day look great in the ring. Usos came out after and cut an awesome promo. They said there will be no laughter at MITB and finished off the promo by saying “It’s not paranoia, it’s the U-sos.”

Backstage: Dasha Fuentes interviewing Sami Zayn
Zayn said he’s been watching footage of his MITB opponents. Zayn said he couldn’t figure out Nakmaura but was familiar with him (not saying but referencing his match at NXT TakeOver: Dallas) Zayn did a great job putting Nakamura over and said he  will be on commentary for the main event. Cobin appeared asked Fuentes for the mic and attacked Zayn. Corbin laid Zayn out with a ladder and said the spot on commentary just opened up.

Backstage: Shane McMahon and Naomi
Shane was on the phone concerned about Zayn. Naomi walked in and wanted a match with Lana. Shane wasn’t buying it and wanted to check on Zayn. Naomi said she will put her title on the line at MITB. Shane made the match.

A.J. Styles, Lana and Mojo Rawley will be on Talking Smack with Shane McMahon and Renee Young. TJP was reading lines off a teleprompter promoting his match against Neville on 205 Live

JBL send out well wishes to Harley Race.

Shinsuke Nakamura def. Kevin Owens — Non-Title Match
Nakamura came out as the WWE Universe sang his theme and then chanted his name very loudly. Nakamura took control early as he booted Owens to the floor as WWE went to break. Nakamura made his comeback by delivering strikes, a running forearm in the corner and a signature running knee in the corner for a near fall. Owens got the heat back and delivered a running cannonball in the corner. (Corbin called Owens a marshmallow) Nakmaura fired up and delivered a spinning heel kick, an exploder suplex and delivered the Kinsasha for the win.

• A good match but was pretty short as they only went around 10 minutes. Owens (tweeted) a picture before the show that his thumb is broken. So that could be a reason why the match went short. Nakamura celebrated after but Corbin snuck up from behind and laid out “The King of Strong Style” with the “End of Days”

Overall
I enjoyed SmackDown Live and WWE did a good job by making Corbin look like a dominant force heading into the MITB ladder match. The build for the Money in the Bank PPV has been solid so far.
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