This is the Fightful.com live coverage for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown! Live! Tonight we have a packed show as in our main event Naomi defends her WWE Smackdown! Women's Championship against Lana, we have a battle royal to determine who will challenge Kevin Owens at Battleground, John Cena returns and much more so be sure to come back here at 8PM EST for all of the action!
-John Cena comes out to start the show and talks about America, Independence Day, and that he can be on RAW and Smackdown! Live and that he'll be all over the company before being interrupted by Rusev. Rusev talks about his injury and how there were no commercials for his return and that he's not waiting anymore. Cena invites him into the ring, but Rusev declines and says that Bulgarian independence day is much better. Cena invites him to a flag match, but Rusev says that he will face him when he wants and on his terms before leaving as we go to commercial.
Chad Gable vs AJ Styles
-We are told that the winner will enter the battle royal later tonight before the match starts.
Chad takes AJ down repeatedly before AJ hits a series of kicks to the leg of Chad and a dropkick as we go to commercial.
AJ counters a belly to belly suplex from the top rope, but Gable counters a Phenomenal Forearm as we come back from commercial. AJ hits a suplex into the corner before Gable counters a Styles Clash with an ankle lock. AJ counters the ankle lock with a Calf Killer before Gable rolls through it. AJ hits a series of strikes before Gable hits a belly to back suplex, then AJ gets a quick two count, before hitting a Pele kick. AJ then hits the Phenomenal Forearm for the pin and the win.
Winner: AJ Styles via pinfall
-Carmella comes out with James and talks about winning the money in the bank briefcase before she's interrupted by Naomi's entrance. Naomi comes out and talks to Carmella and about James before Daniel comes out to the ring and says he's barring him from the arena, fining him ten thousand dollars and that he's suspended for a month as we go to commercial.
Naomi vs Lana WWE Smackdown Women's Championship Match
Naomi hits a sunset flip before putting Lana in an anaconda vice for the tap and the win.
Winner: Naomi via submission
-Tamina comes out after the match and escorts Lana to the back before we have an interview segment with Shinsuke right before he's attacked by Baron Corbin from behind, then Shinsuke hits him with European uppercuts as we go to commercial.
-New Day and The Usos have a rap battle hosted by Wale that The Usos lose by disqualification.
Randy Orton vs Aiden English
Aiden attacks Randy before the match and sends him out of the ring as we go to commercial.
Randy hits a powerslam that sends English out of the ring as we come back from commercial, tossing him over the announce table and smashing him into the table repeatedly. Randy then hits a draping DDT onto the floor as the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Aiden English via disqualification
-Randy hits an RKO after the match before Jinder comes out to ththe ramp and talks about how bad America is and how racist and xenophobic the fans are.
United States Championship Number One Contender Battle Royal
Dolph is eliminated first as we go to commercial.
Fandango is eliminated as we come back from commercial, then Tyler and Konnor and Luke soon after. Rowan and Zack are next, Mojo eliminating him before Sami eliminates Mojo. it's just AJ, Tye and Sami left until Sami eliminates Tye, then AJ eliminates Sami for the win.
Winner: AJ Styles
-Kevin attacks AJ after the match before AJ teases a Styles Clash, but Kevin rolls out of the ring as we go off of the air.
