Dot Net reader Paul Jacques is at the WWE Smackdown taping in Manchester, England at the Manchester Arena and is passing along the following report. Refresh the page for his latest updates.
Dark Match: Breezango beat The Colons.
There was a long and entertaining opening segment with Shane McMahon, New Day, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn. It led to Zayn vs. Kofi in the opening match on Smackdown.
1. Kofi Kingston beat Sami Zayn. Kingston won with a top rope cross body. I’m not sure but this was possibly a botched ending as Owens interfered right at the three count and it took a few seconds for New Day’s music to play.
2. Randy Orton defeated Rusev. Rusev had a chance to earn a spot on Team Smackdown at Survivor Series, but he lost after Orton hit the RKO.
3. Becky Lynch beat James Ellsworth. The ring was surrounded by Naomi, Tamina, Lana, and Charlotte. After the match, Carmella superkicked Ellsworth.
Shane McMahon told Charlotte and Natalya that they will meet for the Smackdown Women’s Championship on next week’s show.
4. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin beat The Usos by count-out in a Smackdown Tag Title match. One of the challengers targeted the knee of one of the Usos with a tackle, which set up the count-out finish.
5. AJ Styles pinned Jinder Mahal to win the WWE Championship. Styles won clean following the Phenomenal Forearm. Styles is now set to face Brock Lesnar in the champion vs. champion match at Survivor Series.
I wonder what led to the sudden audible to Styles?