SmackDown Live opens with a look back at last week, when Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens almost got fired but they beat The New Day to keep their jobs.
We go live to the arena and out comes Shane O’Mac. Shane comes to the ring and welcomes the fans in Lexington, Kentucky. He says they all bleed blue here, minus two Superstars who betrayed the entire SmackDown team. He says last week he was in the process of firing those two men because they said they had no respect for the office, the roster, or the fans. He was looking forward to firing them until Daniel Bryan came up with another idea. He says on paper this was a great idea, a Lumberjack match, and afterwards Bryan would fire them. However, rather than hear the explanation from him, let’s hear it from the horses mouth…
Bryan makes his way to the ring to a big “YES” chant. Bryan says he understands why a lot of people think Owens and Zayn should be fired. But as someone who has been fired more than once, he knows what second chances can do. He says that Sami and Kevin were both really wanted to be on the Survivor Series team, and it’s worth remembering that Shane has a bad temper.
Shane counters by listing all of the horrible things Zayn and Owens have done, like beating Vince and screwing SmackDown Live out of the Survivor Series match. He says he lost his temper on those occasions and rightfully so. Bryan says they did those things in the name of competition. Bryan says he sees real talent with them both. If they fire them, ultimately, they are just going to end up on Monday Night RAW. Shane is fine with that and says it will become Stephanie McMahon’s problem.
Bryan says he was left in charge last week and he took this job because he was under the impression Shane didn’t want a “yes” man. He thinks he’s the guy for Shane if he wants to utilize the best possible talent right here on Smackdown Live. “I just need you to trust me,” adds Bryan. Shane says he does trust Bryan and brings up booking Owens vs. Randy Orton tonight. He wants to add to that idea a little bit. Shane is barring Zayn from ringside and the match is now under No DQ rules. Shane shakes hands with Bryan as they continue to talk off mic.
*Commercial Break*
Backstage, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens approach Daniel Bryan. Zayn says Bryan can’t possibly agree with Shane McMahon barring him from ringside. Owens isn’t sure what Orton will do tonight under No DQ rules. Zayn wants Bryan to fix this. Bryan says they aren’t the only ones trying to keep their jobs around here and says the answer is “hell no.” Nice throwback.
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos are at ringside and they dance along to New Day’s music. New Day has pancakes with them. as well as Booty-O’s. Big E gives some to The Usos and the fans. Benjamin and Gable are out second.
The New Day Vs. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin
We start with Chad Gable and Xavier Woods – who partners with Kofi, with Big E taking a rare rest. Woods drops Gable early and makes the tag to Kofi, who kicks Gable in the chest. Woods follows that with a sliding clotheslines, Kofi with a splash, Woods with a flying elbow and Kofi with a springboard splash off the ropes for a two count. Tag to Woods who eats a kick to the face from Gable and then one from Benjamin who tags in. Benjamin is in complete control as we head to a break.
*Commercial Break*
Back live, Woods hits a quick jawbreaker on Benjamin. Benjamin throws big knees. Tag to Gable who hits a knee to the head of Woods who was held up by Benjamin. Gable also got in a shot on Kofi in the corner. Woods catches Gable with a missile dropkick. Hot tag to Kofi who tosses out dropkicks. Benjamin has the tag and eats a kick to the head in the corner from Kofi.
Kofi with a cross body off the top, but Benjamin rolls through for a two count. Kofi counters a monkey flip and drops Benjamin with a jumping clothesline. Kofi with a Boom Drop over Benjamin. Benjamin picks up Kofi. Kofi dumps Benjamin over the top rope. Kofi also dumps Gable over the top rope when he charges in. Tag to Woods who hits the ropes and flips over the top rope taking out Gable and Benjamin.
Woods tosses Benjamin back in. Kofi with a kick to the head, tags in Woods, Kofi has Benjamin in a backbreaker and Woods comes off the top with a stomp to get the pinfall.
Winners: The New Day
A solid match but the fans really don’t seem to care about Gable and Benjamin, and I guess why should they?
We see footage of Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan debuting and attacking members of the Smackdown women’s division backstage and in the ring. I still don’t get why they changed Ruby’s name.
Backstage, we see Smackdown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair when Naomi walks up asking if she wants some payback. Charlotte is ready after what went down last night. Natalya walks up and Charlotte suggests she sit this one out. Natalya is not happy and says they need to show Riott and crew that they cannot make a name for themselves at their expense.
*Commercial Break*
We return and The Hype Bro’s are in the ring. The Bludgeon Bro’s make their entrance and I still think it’s pretty awesome.
The Hype Bro’s Vs. The Bludgeon Brothers
We start with Harper and Zack Ryder. Ryder with a big knee, but Harper fires back with a right hand. Tag to Rowan. Harper slaps Rowan, they attack Mojo Rawley in the corner and Rowan with a splash to Ryder. Harper with a spinning side slam.
A tag to Rowan and then they hit a double chokeslam by and they pick up the quick win.
Winners: The Bludgeon Brothers
After the match, Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley are asked about losing another match. Ryder said a year ago they were top contenders for the tag titles. He said the landscape has changed and now they have to change. Rawley attacks Ryder from behind. He continues the attack kicking Ryder in the face and then kicking him in the gut. Rawley mounts Ryder and throws some right hands yelling, “The Hype Bros are dead! Do you hear me?” WWE officials hit the ring to break it up. Rawley backs off and then attacks Ryder more.
*Commercial Break*
