First off, apologies for missing NXT this week. It's not something I want to make a habit of, but the truth is that it's hard to find motivation to post that show when it's such a long time in between their pay-per-views.
On this episode of Smackdown, opportunity is in the air. There are three number one contender's matches taking place, with the main event seeing Edge and Christian face Cesaro and Tyson Kidd.
Universe Mode
Smackdown
July 8th, 2016
Location: Phoenix, AZ
The Hardy Boyz vs The Rhodes Scholars
We opened with a match-up between two teams looking for some momentum. Rhodes and Sandow both embraced their evil side, using eye rakes and sneaky tactics to stay in the match. The Hardys hung tough, refusing to give up, and were rewarded when a Twist of Fate/Swanton Bomb combination kept Rhodes down for the count.
Winners: The Hardy Boyz
AJ Lee vs Ivelisse
Relative newcomer Ivelisse got a big opportunity against a former Diva's Champion in AJ Lee. AJ quickly silenced any doubters, using her speed and agility to dominate a large portion of the match, nearly winning it with the Black Widow. An impressive Desert Eagle powerbomb for Ivelisse nearly ended the match, but AJ kicked out and turned it into her own pinfall for a two count. Both women took turns locking in submissions, Ivelisse with a Dragon Sleeper and AJ with a Black Widow, but neither tapped. Ivelisse locked to take to the skies, but AJ stopped her attempted suicide dive. AJ looked to have Ivelisse out following a Shining Wizard, but Ivelisse got her hand to the bottom rope. Ivelisse connect on another Desert Eage powerbomb, only to see AJ kick out again. Ivelisse, stunned, rolled AJ up, looking for the victory, but AJ was too crafty, rolling through for the three count.
Winner: AJ Lee
Kurt Angle vs Kevin Owens- United States Title #1 Contender's Match
Following the actions of Dolph Ziggler last week, Smackdown GM Teddy Long was anxious to get a new challenger, and offered the opportunity to Kurt Angle and Kevin Owens. Owens was eager for the challenge, and got things going early, brawling with Angle before the bell rang. Angle got some brief offense in, but Owens continued to dominate. He nearly had it over and done with, hitting a KO cannonball and then a Pop-Up Powerbomb, but that combination only got a two count. Angle got back into it again, but Owens drilled him with a fallaway powerbomb for the victory. Evidently Angle was more injured for their pre-match brawl than most thought, and that small difference earned KO a US Title shot at The Great American Bash.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Nikki Bella vs Brie Bella- Women's World Title #1 Contender's Match
With Natalya becoming the new champion last week, the feuding sisters squared off to see who would challenge her at The Great American Bash. Both Bella Twins went right after each other, holding nothing back. Nikki got the early advantage, nearly ending Brie with a big forearm smash. Brie fought back and answered with a Bella Buster, though it wasn't enough to put Nikki away. Brie displayed the heart of a champion, fighting through exhaustion to connect with a second Bella Buster to put her sister away. Brie finally settled the score, and earned a Women's World Title match.
Winner: Brie Bella
Edge and Christian vs Tyson Kidd and Cesaro- WWE Tag Team Titles #1 Contender's Match
King of the Ring Cesaro returned to tag team action, attempting to earn a Tag Team Title shot alongside Tyson Kidd as they took on Edge and Christian. With so much at stake, the match was complete chaos, with the ref proving incapable of keeping order. Christian appeared to have Kidd beat with a Killswitch, but the ref was too distracted with Edge to make the count. Kidd and Cesaro worked very well as a team, stopping any real momentum Edge of Christian could muster over the course of the match. They finally finished things off with a Hart Attack to earn a tag title match at The Great American Bash.
Winners: Tyson Kidd and Cesaro
Thanks for reading Smackdown, stay tuned for Raw.
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
On this episode of Smackdown, opportunity is in the air. There are three number one contender's matches taking place, with the main event seeing Edge and Christian face Cesaro and Tyson Kidd.
Universe Mode
Smackdown
July 8th, 2016
Location: Phoenix, AZ
The Hardy Boyz vs The Rhodes Scholars
We opened with a match-up between two teams looking for some momentum. Rhodes and Sandow both embraced their evil side, using eye rakes and sneaky tactics to stay in the match. The Hardys hung tough, refusing to give up, and were rewarded when a Twist of Fate/Swanton Bomb combination kept Rhodes down for the count.
Winners: The Hardy Boyz
AJ Lee vs Ivelisse
Relative newcomer Ivelisse got a big opportunity against a former Diva's Champion in AJ Lee. AJ quickly silenced any doubters, using her speed and agility to dominate a large portion of the match, nearly winning it with the Black Widow. An impressive Desert Eagle powerbomb for Ivelisse nearly ended the match, but AJ kicked out and turned it into her own pinfall for a two count. Both women took turns locking in submissions, Ivelisse with a Dragon Sleeper and AJ with a Black Widow, but neither tapped. Ivelisse locked to take to the skies, but AJ stopped her attempted suicide dive. AJ looked to have Ivelisse out following a Shining Wizard, but Ivelisse got her hand to the bottom rope. Ivelisse connect on another Desert Eage powerbomb, only to see AJ kick out again. Ivelisse, stunned, rolled AJ up, looking for the victory, but AJ was too crafty, rolling through for the three count.
Winner: AJ Lee
Kurt Angle vs Kevin Owens- United States Title #1 Contender's Match
Following the actions of Dolph Ziggler last week, Smackdown GM Teddy Long was anxious to get a new challenger, and offered the opportunity to Kurt Angle and Kevin Owens. Owens was eager for the challenge, and got things going early, brawling with Angle before the bell rang. Angle got some brief offense in, but Owens continued to dominate. He nearly had it over and done with, hitting a KO cannonball and then a Pop-Up Powerbomb, but that combination only got a two count. Angle got back into it again, but Owens drilled him with a fallaway powerbomb for the victory. Evidently Angle was more injured for their pre-match brawl than most thought, and that small difference earned KO a US Title shot at The Great American Bash.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Nikki Bella vs Brie Bella- Women's World Title #1 Contender's Match
With Natalya becoming the new champion last week, the feuding sisters squared off to see who would challenge her at The Great American Bash. Both Bella Twins went right after each other, holding nothing back. Nikki got the early advantage, nearly ending Brie with a big forearm smash. Brie fought back and answered with a Bella Buster, though it wasn't enough to put Nikki away. Brie displayed the heart of a champion, fighting through exhaustion to connect with a second Bella Buster to put her sister away. Brie finally settled the score, and earned a Women's World Title match.
Winner: Brie Bella
Edge and Christian vs Tyson Kidd and Cesaro- WWE Tag Team Titles #1 Contender's Match
King of the Ring Cesaro returned to tag team action, attempting to earn a Tag Team Title shot alongside Tyson Kidd as they took on Edge and Christian. With so much at stake, the match was complete chaos, with the ref proving incapable of keeping order. Christian appeared to have Kidd beat with a Killswitch, but the ref was too distracted with Edge to make the count. Kidd and Cesaro worked very well as a team, stopping any real momentum Edge of Christian could muster over the course of the match. They finally finished things off with a Hart Attack to earn a tag title match at The Great American Bash.
Winners: Tyson Kidd and Cesaro
Thanks for reading Smackdown, stay tuned for Raw.
Want to follow the series, but missed a few posts? No problem! Check out my brand new Universe Mode Wiki, constantly updated to keep you up to speed with the latest Universe Mode happenings.
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