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WWE SmackDown Live comes waltzing back into our lives tonight (Aug. 29, 2017) from the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, featuring all the latest build to the upcoming Hell in a Cell pay-per-view (PPV) next month in Detroit.
Advertised for tonight: Kevin Owens is pissed, Chad Gable teams with Shelton Benjamin for the first time, and more!
Come right back here at 8 p.m. ET when the SmackDown live blog kicks off once the show starts on USA. It will be below this line here. (REMINDER: NO GIFS OR PICS ARE ALLOWED IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. OFFENDERS WILL BE BANNED.)
WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS AND LIVE BLOG FOR AUG. 29
There's rain on the mountain, a white frost on the moors. It's an epoch of eternity; waters touch the holy shore. It's a land of mystery, the world of unseen eyes. You can feel the shadow of a princess, she waits for you inside, but me? I'm just here to liveblog this here pro wrestling show for you, folks.
The show kicks off with commentary hyping up a main event tag match for us between Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton on one hand and Jinder Mahal and Rusev on the other.
The Singh Brothers then appear to give Jinder his usual big introduction. He gets on the mic and talks about how the main event will show his superior skills against his rivals Nakamura and Orton. None of us know how it's like to walk a mile in the Maharaja's shoes, and as a representative of Asia he is shown no respect.
He lets the crowd boo a little and says that's the disrespect he's being treated with when he should be revered as WWE Champion. We point fingers and laugh ever since he was made to look a fool by Shinsuke Nakamura, but he's the best of the best and our champion, and somebody must pay the price.
One of the Singhs pipes up and says they failed him last week and they want to publicly apologize to everyone in the great continent of Asia. They want to apologize to the 1.3 billion people in India, to their family in Punjab and everybody, and more importantly, specifically to him, the WWE Champion. Through all this they're getting increasingly weepy.
The other one says they embarrassed him last week and it was through their lack of skill that Nakamura was able to lay a finger on him, but they vow that Shinsuke will never touch him again. They prostrate themselves and in front of and behalf of the great nation of India, they want to publicly kiss the Maharaja's royal feet.
The Singhs bow down but before they can actually kiss his boots, Shinsuke Nakamura's music hits! He hits the ring and immediately swats the brothers aside with ease, nailing Jinder with forearms when he tries to strike first! The Singhs manage to get his legs and back him off for a big boot from their boss and the three Indians put boots to the King of Strong Style.
Randy Orton makes the save! But Rusev is the equalizer! With the Viper gone, Mahal is free to hit Khallas on Nakamura! The heels celebrate over the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion's fallen body.
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin are walking backstage, they'll have a match after the break.
Back from commercial, we get the announcement that there'll be a #1 contender's match for the WWE Championship between Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura next week.
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin vs. the Ascension (Konnor & Viktor)
Gable and Viktor to start, Chad grabbing a wristlock but Viktor reverses. Gable to his feet, back body drop, knee drop, whip, kitchen sink knee lift, tag to Shelton. Boot, forearms, whip across, kick to the gut, butterfly suplex, only a two count. Tag back to Chad, belly to belly suplex, knocking Konnor off the apron, whip reversed and the big man low bridges him to the outside to send us to break.
Back from commercial, Konnor is physically blocking the Olympian from making a tag, turning to a wristlock and then a deceptively beautiful spinebuster for a nearfall. Tag to Viktor, putting boots to Gable, trading chops, knees back Chad in the corner, tag to Konnor. Jawing at Benjamin, Gable escapes, he almost has it but the man who was once like a rat yanks him back!
Putting Konnor into the post, tags made all around! House afire, big back body drop, reverse roundhouse for Konnor, Viktor in the corner, slingshot to the apron for a roundhouse kick, headed up top, diving lariat, Konnor makes the save! Gable with the low bridge, he slips in and throws Viktor into it...
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin win by pinfall with Paydirt from Benjamin on Viktor.
Gable and Benjamin celebrate their first win together in the ring.
Commentary informs us that later tonight the Usos and New Day will clash in a match where the winner picks the stipulation for their rematch, but first, the United States Open Challenge will return.
Baron Corbin is shown walking backstage when he runs into an interview. He contests the idea that he squandered the Money in the Bank briefcase, saying Cena went and hid from him, taking his opportunity right a wrong away, that's fine, that's life, but he's tired of people asking about the briefcase. He doesn't live in the past, but last week AJ Styles guaranteed him an opportunity, so he thinks he'll cash in on that, and you're looking at the new United States Champion.
We get the video package for Hurricane Harvey relief and go to break.
Back from commercial, AJ Styles makes his entrance.
He gets in the ring and on the microphone, letting the crowd chant for him a moment before beginning. Last week, he says, Kevin Owens lost the right to challenge for the US Championship for as long as he holds it, so here, on SmackDown, the House That AJ Styles Built, they can re-open the United States Open Challenge to the rest of the roster, and it starts right now!
Tye Dillinger comes out! But Corbin is right behind him and they get into a shoving match that Dillinger wins with surprising ease. Baron blindsides him and hops up on the apron... only for Tye to attack him again and knock him off the apron! He wants the match and he's got it!
AJ Styles (c) vs. Tye Dillinger (United States Championship Open Challenge Match)
Styles Rush, Dillinger blocks the end, mounted punches in the corner, whip across, AJ with the boots up, going for the forearm but Tye catches him in a fireman's carry, Tye Breaker denied, hook the leg, roll through...
AJ Styles wins by submission with the Calf Killer, retaining the WWE United States Championship.
Corbin is right on Dillinger, yanking him out of the ring and putting him into the barricade, but Styles fends him off with a single forearm and knocks him out of the ring! The Lone Wolf paces angrily at ringside but he's too much of a coward to actually start anything after getting handled that easily.
In the locker room, Rusev is getting ready for his tag team match when Jinder Mahal rolls up talking about what a great night it is for Bulgaria and India, side by side. Rusev says tonight isn't about any of their countries, it's about revenge, and Jinder isn't his friend, he came to SmackDown to be champion, and after tonight, he's coming after the belt.
Commentary informs us that Bobby Roode will be in action after the break, and we go to it.
Back from commercial, Mike and Maria Kanellis are making out over the ropes.
Bobby Roode vs. Mike Kanellis
Collar and elbow, Kanellis with a wristlock, wrenching a hammerlock in, Roode reverses, waistlock takedown, "Glorious!" taunt, back to the lockup. Bobby forcing Mike in the corner as Maria barks orders from ringside and Kanellis comes back, putting boots to the Glorious One in the corner. Roode back in with chops, backing him into the corner, whip reversed, straight right, off the ropes and Roode lands a back elbow.
Off the ropes again, big forearm, corner lariat, boots up, diving blockbuster, elbow up on another charge, spinning spinebuster connects and Bobby calls for it...
Bobby Roode wins by pinfall with the Glorious DDT.
Commentary hypes up our main event again and we see Kevin Owens making his way backstage as we go to break.
Back from commercial, Aiden English is in the ring in the middle of singing his usual introduction.
Enter Kevin Owens. He assures English that none of these unrefined Arkansas hillbillies have the mental capabilities to appreciate his talent, so instead of wasting his time, why not vacate the ring so he can get to his important business. English does so with a few words off mic, and Owens continues, saying he didn't like Shane renegging on their agreement by taking over as referee in his match last week.
We get a video recap to remind everyone of how it went down before KO resumes, asking what gives McMahon the rights to put hands on Corbin and make the three count like it's supposed to mean anything? One year ago today, the greatest moment in WWE history happened when he won the Universal Championship, and now he stands here without his United States Championship because Shane McMahon screwed him out of it twice.
This would have never happened in the good old days on Raw, because Stephanie McMahon would never abuse her power in such a disgusting manner, but this is SmackDown, the Land of Opportunity. Give him a break, the only thing this place is is Shane's personal playground, and that egomaniac--
Speak of the egomaniac, Shane McMahon makes his entrance. Owens says he's right on cue, here to take the spotlight away from the actual talent and make it about himself. Shane asks Little Rock what's up and goes right back to Owens, saying he's not here to help Kev, but it seems he needs an explanation, and it was Owens that picked his own referee, and he picked Baron Corbin.
Baron came out, extremely biased towards KO, which brought McMahon down, and then he left before the match finished. A match of that magnitude needs an official, so he put the shirt on and climbed in the ring and counted Owens' shoulders down one, two, three. KO disputes this, saying he didn't lose, he got screwed, and Shane says he doesn't care, it's over, the people are tired of hearing him complain.
He tells Owens to leave, asks Aiden to come back, and says he has a match against Sami Zayn right now.
Aiden English vs. Sami Zayn
English in charge from the jump, putting boots to Zayn in the corner, kidney punch against the ropes, straight suplex, right hand, Aiden takes a bow. Whip reversed, Sami clotheslines him outside... TOPE CON GIRO! Back inside, the cover's just a nearfall and Owens loses his mind on commentary about referee Brian Nguyen not doing his job right.
He takes the shirt off his back and puts it on as Zayn and English struggle in the corner, declaring himself to be ref now. Sami and Owens jaw at each other, English puts him into the ropes and KO pop-up powerbombs Zayn for good measure!
Aiden English wins by pinfall with a lateral press and the aid of a fast count.
Up next, the Usos and the New Day battle for the right to choose the stipulation for their rematch, after the break.
Back from commercial, we get a recap of the segment we just saw.
Shane McMahon is backstage talking about how that match will be thrown out, it didn't happen, and KO just left so he is too.
Dolph Ziggler is interviewed backstage, he says we can expect nothing tonight in Little Rock. It's taking a little longer to make the change than he expected, so we'll just have to wait. He's asked why he's making a change and he says it's because he's worked and worked but he's taken for granted, an afterthought. But he's a star, and everyone gets distracted by fancy jackets and hand gestures, and don't even get him started on Raw.
Do you want him to ride a motorcycle to the ring playing a double necked guitar? Oh, or he could jump on a four-wheeler like Stone Cold, or douse him in paint like Finn Balor or let a beautiful lady escort him to the ring, or he could be a superhero, Zig-Man! All the years of dedication and sacrifice have meant nothing, so if you want all flash and no substance, that's what you're getting, next week.
Usos make their entrance and then Big E does the deal and New Day come out feeding Booty-Os to everyone as usual. Xavier Woods is walking gingerly and carrying a sign that says "it's sore", and we go to commercial before the match actually begins.
New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) vs. the Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) (Winner Picks the Stipulation Match)
The match is in progress and the Usos are in control on Big E. Jimmy the legal man, throwing forearms at a downed E, but he counters a charge with the corner Rock Bottom! Tags on both sides, Kofi in with a diving lariat, forearms, dropkick, leaping right hand, off the ropes, Boom Drop, he's fired up.
Trouble in Paradise ducked, a superkick finds its mark and Jey passes him to the corner where he hits a double jump crossbody for a nearfall that has to be broken up by Jimmy. Superkick sends Big outside, up and over, Jey looking for a pop-up Samoan drop but Kingston counters to a Dragon sleeper! Knocking Jimmy off the apron, Jey has a waistlock, standing switch, blind tag...
The Usos win by pinfall with a schoolboy pin and a handful of tights from Jimmy Uso on Kofi Kingston, earning the right to pick the stipulation for the New Day’s tag title rematch.
James Ellsworth waves an interviewer off backstage and introduces his girl that is a friend, Carmella. Carmella says she's not telling him anything ever again because he blabbed her plan last week. He apologizes and asks if she got the flowers, and she asks if he stole them from a funeral, to which he asks what she means by "steal".
Natalya rolls up before he can answer and says she should be grateful James stooged her off, and if she crosses her again, she'll make her into the Baron Corbin of the women's division. Nattie says she'll punish her further in a match next week, and Carmella tells her to keep the title shiny for her before leaving.
Naomi rolls up and Neidhart snaps at her, but Naomi says she best take a cat nap because she has a difficult two weeks ahead of her. Nattie asks what she means and Naomi says she'll get her rematch on SmackDown in two weeks. Meow, meow!
We're promised the Fashion Files, after the break.
Back from commercial, Lana is in the ring along with a local competitor. She introduces Tamina in glowing terms.
Tamina vs. Tina Stock
Stock right in, leg kicks, forearms, making the most of her opportunity but Tamina shoves her back and Lana orders her to crush. Charging in, double handed biel into the corner, elbow, repeated headbutts, a knee trembler, a biel halfway across the ring...
Tamina wins by pinfall with a superkick.
Post-match, Tamina throws Tina out of the ring and Lana raises her hand, inviting photographers into the ring.
Season two of the Fashion Files kicks off, and we're told the show will not be starring Chuck Norris. Fandango orders Carl to give him two Splendas when Breeze rolls up talking about vacation. Dango says crime doesn't take a vacation so they don't either, and Tyler has some fancy technology for them.
Headphones that are a listening device, a blacklight, Fandango picks a belt up and says he knows what that is, a title, but Breeze corrects him that it's a belt, for holding your pants up. There are friendship bracelets on the table, for making a friendship closer, and Breeze busts out the blacklight, find arrows drawn on the Fashion Files boxes, pointing to the note that said Two B and revealing it had "or not Two B" written on it.
Breeze does some detective work and comes to the conclusion of Bob Ross, but that doesn't make sense. They hit on Aiden English as the answer and again Dango says that crime doesn't take a vacation.
Our main event kicks off after the break.
Back from commercial, we get the tail end of entrances for our main event.
Orton attacks Rusev before the bell and chaos breaks out! Throwing Rusev into the barricade, Nakamura sends Mahal over the timekeeper's barricade and the babyfaces pose to send us to break.
Jinder Mahal & Rusev vs. Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura
Back from commercial, the match has begun and Jinder is in control on Nakamura but the King of Strong Style fires off a kick that gets some separation. Mahal trying to deny him the tag as he crawls for it, mounted punches, knee to the back into a rear chinlock, grinding Shinsuke down. A jawbreaker gets him free and he makes the tag!
Orton in with punches, stomps in the corner, more punches into uppercuts, whip reversed, Randy ducks a lariat, thinking RKO but the champion is wily and slips outside. The Viper follows, body avalanche on the floor, back suplex into the barricade, setting up the rope-hung DDT but Jinder fights it off and so gets caught with a fallaway slam!
The match breaks down a bit and Orton ends up outside when Rusev gets the tag, stomping away. Drawing him up and throwing him back in, boots in the corner, keeping referee Dan Engler distracted while Mahal choks Randy. Guillotine choke in the middle of the ring, trying to wear the Viper down but Orton breaks loose with punches and a headbutt.
Spinning heel kick connects to block the tag but it doesn't end the match. Tag to Jinder, he comes in with a knee drop for another nearfall before locking on a half nelson neck crank. Whip to the corner when it looks like the Viper might escape but Orton passes him into the post, crawling for the tag... tags all around!
Nakamura off the ropes with a jump kick, into chest kicks, Rusev catches the buzzsaw but gets hit with the off leg, charging knee in the corner, he sets the Bulgarian Brute up for the rope-hung knee to the ribs, that gets a nearfall. Inverted exploder blocked with overhead elbows, Nakamura ducks a lariat and takes Rusev down for an armbar but Jinder makes the save!
Orton looking for the rope-hung DDT on the champ, he gets out of the ropes but Randy plants him with the DDT anyway, Nakamura is on the second, diving Kinshasa, one more for good measure...
Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura win by pinfall with Kinshasa from Nakamura on Rusev.
Orton and Nakamura have a bit of a faceoff before going back to celebrating the victory... RKO!
Randy Orton poses on the ropes.
That's the show, folks.