This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown! Live. Tonight a new champion begins his reign after AJ Styles won the WWE United States Championship against Kevin Owens at a non-televised event. Tye Dillinger faces Jinder Mahal in a non-title match and much more so be sure to come back here at 8 PM EST for two hours showcasing the Smackdown! Live brand!
-We open the show with a video package showing how AJ Styles won the WWE United States Championship at Madison Square Garden in a non-televised match. AJ then comes out to the ring and talks about winning the belt, saying that it's not about Kevin, but about the championship. AJ talks about how John Cena elevated the title and that he's going to do the same, saying that the open challenge should be brought back and that tonight anyone can come out and prove him wrong. John Cena comes out, seemingly answering the challenge, Cena asking if that includes or excludes him before accepting when AJ says that definitely includes him.
AJ Styles vs John Cena WWE United States Championship Match
Just as the match is about to start Kevin Owens comes out and gets on the mic and says that no one wants to see the match or cares about either of them. Kevin says that no one wants to see John, John saying that they can't see him and that if he gets in the ring he'll take him out before Rusev attacks Cena from behind. Rusev then locks in the Accolade after Kevin hits a pop-up powerbomb to Cena before leaving.
Winner: Match never started
Jinder Mahal vs Tye Dillinger
Jinder shows off his strength by tossing Tye around with ease before knocking him down and hitting him with several knees. Jinder then plays to the crowd after the referee makes him back off as we go to commercial.
Jinder beats on Tye as we come back from commercial, playing to the crowd more and mocking Tye before they exchange strikes. Tye comes back with a series of punches in the corner before Jinder pushes him away, knocking him over before hitting the Khallas for the pin and the win.
Winner: Jinder Mahal via pinfall
Xavier Woods vs Jey Uso
Xavier goes right after Jey to start the match, beating on him and stomping at him before dropping him with a forearm choking him in the ropes. Jimmy trips Xavier before Big-E, Kofi and Jimmy are barred from ringside before Jey hits a superkick for a near fall. Jey hits a splash, but Xavier gets his knees up, then hits an enzuigiri and an elbow drop when Jey is caught in the ropes for the pin and the win.
Winner: Xavier Woods via pinfall
-We then have Shane and the women's roster backstage where Shane announces a five-way elimination match for Battleground and the winner of that will face Naomi at Summerslam. Next Baron Corbin is interviewed about how he attacked Shinsuke last week unsuccessfully, Corbin saying that he's going to teach Shinsuke a lesson before leaving as we go to commercial.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Baron Corbin
Shinsuke attacks Corbin on the ramp before they brawl into the crowd, then back over the barricade before security breaks them up. Corbin then leaves as Shinsuke stands in the ring.
Winner: Match never started
-We see AJ talking to Cena backstage about the United States Championship, Cena saying that he has AJ's back tonight as we go to commercial.
Becky Lynch & Charlotte vs Natalya & Tamina
Tamina shows off her power before Becky hits a flurry of offense, then tags in Charlotte. Charlotte tries to suplex Tamina, but she's too big for her, then Tamina tags in Natalya. Charlotte tags in Becky who hits an exploder suplex that sends Natalya out of the ring before they drag Becky out of the ring as we go to commercial.
Natalya is in control as we come back from commercial, backing Becky into her corner before Tamina tags in, the two keeping Becky isolated as Lana makes her way down to ringside. Becky fights out of a rear chin lock only for Tamina to drop her and send Charlotte off of the apron. Becky fights her way out of the corner before tagging in Charlotte who chops Natalya repeatedly before hitting a boot that drops her. Lana gets in the apron and distracts Charlotte before Natalya tags in Tamina, Charlotte not seeing the tag and getting superkicked for her troubles for the pin and the win.
Winner: Natalya & Tamina via pinfall
-Maria is looking for Sami, but cannot find him, then he shows up and talks to her and Mike before she slaps him and Mike hits him in the back of the head with a glass vase. We then get a cowboy themed edition of the Fashion Files as we go to commercial.
AJ Styles & John Cena vs Rusev & Kevin Owens
Cena and Rusev start the match off with Rusev putting Cena in a headlock before dropping him with a shoulder block. Rusev then proceeds to get out of the ring and wave the Bulgarian flag before Cena comes back for a quick two count. Kevin then tags in and beats on Cena before he and Rusev isolate Cena in their corner. Rusev then tags in and plays to the crowd as we go to commercial.
Cena tags in AJ as we come back from commercial, dropping him with a series of strikes before putting him in the Calf Killer. Kevin breaks it up before Rusev hits AJ in the back of the neck for a quick two count. Kevin tags back in and beats on AJ in mount with right hands for another quick two count. AJ tries to get to Cena, but cannot and is nearly turned inside out from a clothesline by Kevin for a quick two count before Kevin tags Rusev back in. Rusev mocks Cena who's on the apron before putting AJ in a bear hug, AJ getting out of it before tagging in Cena.
Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle to Kevin before Rusev drops him with a superkick, then AJ drops Rusev with a Phenomenal Forearm before Cena hits Kevin with an AA for the pin and the win.
Winner: AJ Styles & John Cena via pinfall
