Bayley vs Nikki Cross – SmackDown Women’s Title Match
They gave this match a big introduction from Kayla Braxton and took their time getting started.
Bayley nailed a forearm, but Cross ran right back at her and they backed into the corner. They traded shoves and cross rolled her up for a two count. Nikki hit an armdrag and then Bayley popped up and kicked her in the head. Nikki then sent Bayley out of the ring with a rana and dropkicked her through the ropes before hitting a tornado DDT on the outside.
She rolled Bayley right back in and got a two count before we went to commercial.
When we came back from commercials, Bayley and Cross were still evenly matched. Bayley gained control, but Nikki hit some strikes to send her outside. Then Bayley shoved Nikki into the ring steps.
They went back inside the ring and Nikki kicked out after a two count. Bayley delivered some shoulder strikes in the corner and then Cross moved so Bayley hit the turnbuckle. Cross hit a jawjacker and then some forearms and a crossbody block to take Bayley down.
Cross nailed several clotheslines and pumped herself up. She hit a bulldog and then she slapped her chest and climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit another crossbody for a two count.
Cross was going for the spinning neckbreaker, but Banks got involved. Nikki hit Banks down, but Bayley smashed her and hit an elbow drop for a two count.
Bayley was sent outside and Cross nearly got another top rope move, but Banks jumped up to shove her down and then Bayley got the win.
Winner: Bayley
After the match, Shayna Baszler showed up and destroyed everyone. Aiden English called Baszler “the queen of hearts” which is not her name. He had to be corrected.
Pat McAfee was suddenly on commentary instead of Aiden English. That was an interesting swap out in the middle of the show.
Sami Zayn cut a promo backstage and said that NXT is trying to take advantage of SmackDown tonight. Then he turned around and Matt Riddle and Keith Lee were there.
Zayn said he is a big fan and he said they used to call him the heart and soul of NXT. They did. Zayn then said he was going to go get his NXT t-shirt and put it on. He’s just going to his car, but they followed him through the backstage area. This was interesting. Then Sami started running and they chased him.
He made his way out to the arena and Lee & Riddle chased him to the ring. Riddle hit him with a knee and a a Bro Derek before Keith Lee hit a second rope moonsault.
Miz TV
Since Bray Wyatt was going to be The Miz’s guest, he will interview himself. They opened it up by playing a video package from the Universal Title match anyway.
The Miz didn’t get very far into his promo about NXT until Tommaso Ciampa came out. It’s a really good thing they have NXT Superstars down there. The fans booed when Miz said Wyatt couldn’t be there tonight, but they were thrilled to see Ciampa.
Ciampa said The Miz is supposed to be the most must-see Superstar in WWE. He’s Tommaso Ciampa and he just so happens to be “the greatest sports entertainer of all time.” He said Miz acts like the world revolves around, but it’s time that someone tells Miz where he is on the food chain,
Then he said Miz is everything that’s wrong with RAW and SmackDown. While he’s breaking his neck in NXT, Miz is “playing actor.” While Miz is playing the part, Tommaso Ciampa is the part.
The Miz said he’s acting like he doesn’t know who Ciampa is. When people talk about NXT, they talk about him, but “here’s the thing.” He said that people have always said they want to see Ciampa and The Miz battle on the mic, but for 15 years if he’s been acting then he deserves an Oscar. Then he told Ciampa to make a statement.
Then they had a match.
