Show: WWE SmackDown
Location: Richmond, VA at the Richmond Coliseum
Date: July 25th, 2017
Airing on the USA Network
Welcome to SmackDown Live. Newly crowned United States Champion Kevin Owens walked out to the ring to open the show. Owens called AJ Styles a thief and that he is going to go back to defending this title with pride and honor that it deserves. He issued an open challenge for next week. He said that he would never defend his title in Richmond, VA. This led to Styles walking out to the ring. Owens wanted him to admit that he is the better man. Styles refused to do so but want to know when he can get his rematch. Owens said that he would not be defending his title tonight. This led to Chris Jericho walking out to the ring. Jericho said that it is the return of Jericho and welcomed himself back. Owens freaked out, and Jericho told him to be quiet. Jericho reminded us that he left on a stretcher and that he is back here tonight. Jericho wants his rematch for the US Title tonight. Styles said that everyone is glad that Jericho is back but things have changed and that he is the first in line for a title shot. Jericho added Styles to the list. Owens walked out of the ring, but this led to Shane McMahon walking out and said that Owens should stick around. McMahon booked Owens vs. Styles vs. Jericho in a triple threat match tonight.
-Commercial Break-
Singles Match: Baron Corbin vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
They started brawling to begin the match. Nakamura knocked him down and hit a knee drop on the apron. Corbin landed a big clothesline to Nakamura then sent him into the ring.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Nakamura making his comeback. Nakamura landed a series of kicks and strikes then a side step off the middle rope. Corbin with a backbreaker for 2. Corbin with a series of strikes then Deep Six for 2. Corbin missed a splash in the corner and Nakamura landed a kick. Nakamura took out the right knee of Corbin then a knee strike followed by his finisher for the win.
Winner: Nakamura.
-Commercial Break-
Naomi and Natalya did a backstage promo to hype their upcoming match at SummerSlam. This led to Carmella walking up and reminder Naomi that they are just looking into the future.
Tag Team Match: Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch vs. Lana & Tamina
Lynch locked in an armbar on Lana right away, but Lana quickly tagged herself out of the match. Tamina was in next and blocked the disarmer. Tamina tossed her into the corner but was kicked in the right knee. Tamina knocked her off the top rope and covered her for 2. Tamina was tagged in and landed a series of knee strikes to the back of Lynch. Lana and Tamina worked her over with quick tags. Moments later, Lynch made her comeback and got the hot tag to Flair, who hit Tamina with a series of chops. Flair with a knee drop for 2. Tamina caught her with a super kick then tagged in Lana. Flair with a big boot to Lana for the win.
Winners: Flair & Lynch.
Tamina yelled at Lana after the match and walked to the backstage era.
-Commercial Break-
Jinder Mahal walked down to the ring to open the second hour. He talked about how he will reveal who he will be facing at SummerSlam. This led to John Cena walking out to the ring. Mahal said that he already knows what Cena is going to say but Cena stopped him. He congratulated Mahal for beating Randy Orton at Battleground. He said that he respects Mahal for doing anything to keep that WWE Title. He gave Mahal a heads up and that he is John Cena. He said that he doesn’t care who Mahal has at ringside, but it won’t be enough. He vowed to walk out of SummerSlam as WWE Champion. Daniel Bryan walked out of the ring and told Cena that he doesn’t make the matches. He said that opportunities are earned on SmackDown even if your name is John Cena. He booked Cena vs. Nakamura for next week. The winner will face Mahal for the WWE Title next week.
-Commercial Break-
There was a backstage segment Owens complaining to McMahon about tonight’s match. McMahon put him in his place and said that he cares about what’s best for SmackDown Live. Owens said he doesn’t care about the fans or McMahon.
Tag Team Match: Sami Zayn & Tye Dillinger vs. Mike Kanellis & Aiden English
English and Dillinger started things off. Dillinger landed a back elbow then tagged in Zayn, who hit a double axe off the top rope. We then cut to break.
-Commercial Break-
English and Kanellis worked over Zayn until Zayn got the hot tag to Dillinger. This led to Dillinger landing a series of strikes to Kanellis in the corner. Zayn was tagged in and hit a big boot to Kanellis for the win.
Winners: Kanellis & Zayn
-Commercial Break-
The New Day walked out to the ring for a celebration. However, they were attacked by The Usos on the stage. The Usos stood tall to end the segment.
We see Nakamura be interviewed by Renee Young about his match with Cena next week. Nakamura vowed to beat Cena next week and face Mahal at SummerSlam.
-Commercial Break-
Triple Threat United States Title Match: Kevin Owens © vs. Chris Jericho vs. AJ Styles
They all start brawling to begin the match. Jericho and Owens exchanged right hands. Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho, but Owens blocked. Jericho hit a drop kick off the middle rope for 2. Styles broke it up and sent Jericho into the corner. Styles knocked Jericho off the apron and Owens hit a clothesline to Styles then sent him into the corner. Styles locked in the Calf Crusher on Owens but Jericho broke it up with the lion sault.
-Commercial Break-
We’re back with Styles landing some chops to Jericho. However, Jericho connected with a back body drop to Styles. Owens put Jericho in the electric chair, but Jericho rolled through and went for the Walls of Jericho. Owens blocked it and landed a big right hand. Styles sent Owens to the floor then hit a 450 splash for 2. Owens sent Styles to the floor, and Jericho kicked out at 2. Styles sent Owens into the barricade. Styles went for the Styles Clash, but Jericho reversed and locked in the Walls of Jericho. Jericho sent Owens into Styles then locked in the Walls of Jericho on Owens. Jericho hit the Code Breaker to Styles for 2. Jericho slapped Styles a few times then went for the lionsault, but Owens knocked him down. Owens hit a cannonball to Styles and Jericho. Styles with a forearm to Owens then a kick to Jericho. Owens super kicked Jericho and Styles kicked Owens. Styles went for a springboard move, but Jericho dropkicked Styles. Owens with a super kick then the powerbomb to Jericho for 2. Owens hit a splash off the top rope to Jericho, but Styles broke it up. Styles pinned Jericho for the win.
Winner: Styles
Post-match, Owens cut a promo about how this is not fair that Styles stole his title. He demanded that he gets his rematch for the title against Styles next week.
Thanks for watching along and we will see you next time.
