The latest episode of WWE's "SmackDown Live" took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan just days after the huge "Hell in a Cell" pay-per-view. Among the superstars appearing on the latest installment of the "blue brand" were The Usos, New Day, Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens. At the start of the show, there was a segment involving new tag team champs The Usos and former champs New Day. New Day tried to offer their respect to Usos for the match, but out came The Hype Bros, and then Chad Gable with Shelton Benjamin.
Next, Tyler Breeze and Fandango arrived before The Ascension made their way to the ring.
"SmackDown" General Manager Daniel Bryan made his entrance and spoke from the stage. He told Usos and New Day to get out of the ring because the other four teams would be competing in a four-way match to determine new No. 1 contenders for the titles.
Match results
Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin won the four-way match to become new No. 1 contenders for the tag team titles. The match lasted over nine minutes. Gable and Benjamin got the win by hitting their double team top rope clothesline finisher on Tyler Breeze.
There was a backstage segment with Natalya boasting she was still women's champion. Tamina and Lana were there. Lana said the title would look better with Tamina. Carmella came in with her "MITB" briefcase and said her fantasies about being champion are a bit more real.
Nattie played up that they all deserve to be champion way more than Charlotte Flair. Charlotte showed up and got into a physical altercation with Nattie requiring refs to break it up.
Becky Lynch defeated Carmella via submission. At one point, Carmella tried to use James Ellsworth to distract Becky. Later on, Becky was able to complete a comeback and put the Disarmer on Carmella to get the submission win.
Kevin Owens came to the ring to talk about what happened at "Hell in a Cell." He said he did what he said by sending Shane to hell and he's never coming back now. Owens said the fans almost lost him too and that he saw a white light flash as he was at the "Pearly Gates" of heaven. He said Saint Peter wanted to welcome him in but that the people on Earth needed him still, so Owens survived the "HIAC" match with Shane thanks to his guardian angel: Sami Zayn.
Sami Zayn made his entrance and came to the ring. He talked about how he originally came to "SmackDown" thinking he'd achieve big things but then Shane brushed him off. He said he tried to warn Shane about taking on Owens at "Hell in a Cell" too. Zayn said he was originally rooting for Shane to win and he nearly did, but then he tried to end Owens' career. That's when Zayn said he realized that maybe Owens was right all along. He said Owens has always been a brother to him and that's why he was there for him. The two hugged one another and played to the crowd as the segment ended.
Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura teamed up in a match to defeat Rusev and Aiden English. The finish saw Nakamaura going for his finisher on English but Rusev broke things up.
Randy Orton rushed in and hit the RKO on Rusev. Moments later, Nakamura hit the Kinshasha on English for the victory.
There was a segment involving Luke Harper and Erick Rowan with their new gimmick. They referred to themselves as the Bludgeon Brothers and had giant hammers. They said "The wicked will rise. Broken bones, Severed spines" as part of their new promo.
Bobby Roode came to the ring to talk about his first PPV match being as "glorious" as it was. He said Dolph attacked him after the match and called him out for it. Ziggler arrived out to the start of his theme music but a record scratch was heard and the music stopped. Ziggler came to the ring and basically accused Roode of cheating to win at "Hell in a Cell" by grabbing his tights.
Ziggler called himself the greatest in-ring performer WWE has ever had. He told Roode they'd have a rematch but not now because it will be where and when he wants it to happen.
Main event
In the main event, the new United States Champion Baron Corbin would defend the title against former champion AJ Styles as he received his rematch. The match would last for about 11 minutes or so. At one point, Styles tried for the Calf Crusher but Corbin avoided it by grabbing the ropes. Styles shoved Corbin through the ropes and into the ring post.
Later on, Styles got the Calf Crusher on but Corbin was able to break the hold again. AJ hit a Pele Kick which sent Corbin to the outside. Moments later, Styles ran at Corbin on the apron but Corbin grabbed him and tossed him from the apron to the floor.
Once they were back inside the ring, Corbin hit the End of Days for the pinfall victory to retain his title.
Post-match, Corbin talked about how the fans can "eat it" because he's the U.S. Champion and the belt's not going anywhere. He said the fans can cry their tears because he'll buy a boat and just float down the river of their sorrow.