This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown! Live. We are on the last stop before WWE Backlash this Sunday night, but tonight Shinsuke Nakamura demands an apology from AJ Styles after their match at the Greatest Royal Rumble. We also have Jeff Hardy joining Miz TV, a six-woman tag match and much more so be sure to come back here at 8pm EST and to stick around after the show for the post-show podcast!
-We open the show with Paige recapping what happened this past Friday at the Greatest Royal Rumble before we to to the arena to The Miz in the ring for Miz TV. Miz talks about how he will win the Intercontinental Championship at Backlash this Sunday night before Jeff Hardy comes out to the ring. The Miz has Randy Orton come out so they can talk about what has been going on the past few weeks between himself and Jeff. Randy says that he doesn't consider what Jeff did a big deal and says that they're cool before Miz says that Randy is disrespected and unappreciated, Randy saying that he doesn't care about that. Randy puts Miz in his place before Shelton comes out and says Randy doesn't deserve a title shot before Miz and Shelton attack Randy and Jeff. Randy and Jeff then clear the ring as we go to commercial.
Randy Orton & Jeff Hardy vs The Miz & Shelton Benjamin
Randy is in control of Shelton to start the match before Shelton hits a wheel kick and tags Miz in. Miz beats Randy down before he hits a back suplex and tags Jeff in. Jeff gets a quick two count off of a flurry of moves before Jeff counters the Skull Crushing Finale. Miz then sends Jeff off of the top as we go to commercial.
Miz is in control of Jeff as we come back from commercial Miz hitting a DDT for a quick two count before tagging Shelton back in. Shelton keeps the high-flying Hardy down before tagging Miz back in who beats him down in the corner until he finally manages to tag Randy in. Randy hits a powerslam before hitting a back suplex onto the announce table, then he hits a double draping DDT. Randy and Jeff then finish with an RKO to Shelton into a Swanton Bomb for the pin and the win.
Winner: Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy defeat The Miz and Shelton Benjamin via pinfall when Randy hits an RKO and Jeff hits a Swanton Bomb.
-Big Cass comes out to the ring and insults Daniel Bryan before having a little person come out to the ring dressed like him before insulting him repeatedly and mocking him. Cass then beats the height challenged fellow down after hitting him with a boot before leaving as we go to commercial.
-AJ Styles comes out to the ring for an interview with Renee where he talks about what Shinsuke did to him, then he's interrupted by Samoa Joe. Joe says that AJ has lost focus and that he needs to be ready for when Joe defeats Roman Reigns this Sunday night at Backlash. Shinsuke then shows up and low blows AJ before hitting the Kinshasa and leaving as we go to commercial.
Xavier Woods vs Sheamus
Sheamus overpowers Xavier to start the match before Xavier sends Sheamus out of the ring with a dropkick, then hits a tope to the outside before Cesaro distracts Xavier and Sheamus gets a quick two count as we go to commercial.
Sheamus is in control as we come back from commercial until Xavier comes back and side steps Sheamus who runs shoulder first into the ring post before hitting a corkscrew leg drop for a near fall. Xavier then picks up the win when first he, then Sheamus are distracted before Xavier pins him with a small package.
Winner: Xavier Woods defeats Sheamus via pinfall with a small package.
Six-Woman Tag Match
Becky and Peyton start the match with Becky in control until she tags Asuka in, Asuka dropping Kay with a flurry of offense before tagging Charlotte in. Carmella tags in when Charlotte is down before running away once she's back up as we go to commercial.
Becky tries to tag Asuka and Charlotte in as we come back from commercial before Carmella sends Charlotte off of the apron and the Iconics take out Asuka. Becky finally tags Charlotte in, but it's short lived as the Iconics and Carmella start tagging in and out and teaming up on Charlotte as we go to commercial.
We come back from commercial to Asuka tagging herself in, Asuka dropkicking Peyton before Peyton drops her with a high knee for a near fall. Everyone then hits a move before Asuka counters a roll up into the Asuka Lock for the tap and the win.
Winner: Asuka, Charlotte & Becky Lynch defeat the Iconics & Carmella when Asuka submits Peyton with the Asuka Lock.