Tonight we will once again enjoy a new live broadcast of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be live from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The show will feature several attractions, including the last two qualifying matches for Money in the Bank.
Additionally, Giulia and Blake Monroe will finally face off in their highly anticipated one-on-one match. On the other hand, Rey Fenix will team up with Fraxiom to take on War Raiders and Ricky Saints in a tag team match. As always, we invite you to comment on the post to give your opinion on what happened on the show.
WWE SmackDown starts on Netflix!
We see the arrival of some of tonight's protagonists at the venue: Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae.
Triple Threat Qualifying Match for Money in the Bank
Tatum Paxley vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae
Candice throws her shirt at Tiffany before kicking Paxley, whom she quickly throws against the former WWE champion. After that, she applies a neckbreaker to Stratton, who in turn executes a DDT on Tatum. The latter ends up at ringside. LeRae takes control of the match. Stratton surprises Candice with an elbow before crushing her with a corner handspring back elbow. After that, she takes her down with a spinebuster. Tatum returns to take control. Paxley expels her opponents from the ring before launching herself onto them with a standing moonsault from the apron.
Tatum brings Candice back into the ring. However, LeRae rolls back to ringside. Candice tries to escape, but soon finds herself facing Stratton. She and Paxley take turns hitting LeRae, whom they throw against the public barrier. After bringing her back into the ring, Tatum and Tiffany argue about who should follow her to cover her. Candice takes advantage of this to surprise them with a double rope dropkick. LeRae throws Stratton against the public barrier before applying a suplex to Paxley on the floor.
Candice brings Stratton back into the ring to apply a Single Boston Crab. Paxley returns to surprise LeRae with a sleeper hold. Candice throws herself backwards against one of the corners to free herself. Next, she smashes Tatum's face on the canvas. The action moves to the top of one of the corners. Tatum and Stratton join forces again to execute a combined superplex on Candice. The three women are left lying on the canvas.
Tatum takes control of the fight again. Paxley kicks LeRae before applying a release German suplex. Stratton returns to surprise her two opponents with a double handspring cutter. Tiffany executes an Alabama Slam on Candice before finishing her off with a Swanton Bomb. Next, Tatum surprises Stratton with a spinning heel kick. 1..2..NO. "This is amazing!" the fans cheer as the three women remain lying on the canvas.
LeRae surprises Tatum with a facebreaker while performing a senton on Tiffany. Candice covers the latter. 1..2..NO. Paxley expels LeRae from the ring, a moment that Stratton takes advantage of to surprise the former with a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Tiffany prepares for her next move, but Tatum reverses it into a Cemetery Drive. LeRae catches Paxley to expel her from the ring and thus be able to cover Stratton. 1..2..NO. Tatum returns to interrupt the count.
A furious Candice throws Paxley against one of the corners. Both women exchange attacks on the top of that corner. Tatum makes LeRae fall, who ends up in the clutches of Tiffany. She executes a rolling senton on Candice and runs towards the corner. From there, Paxley jumps to land on LeRae with a 450 Splash. Tatum covers her. 1..2..NO. Stratton interrupts the count by executing a Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Tiffany covers LeRae. 1..2..3.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Cathy Kelley interviews Chelsea Green backstage. The Interim WWE Champion points out that the women competing for the Money in the Bank briefcase have earned that spot, adding that any of them will be a threat to her reign. However, if she has to choose, she would like her friend Tiffany Stratton to be the next Ms. Money in the Bank. Nikki Bella interrupts the interview. The WWE Hall of Famer is surprised by Chelsea, as she seems not to understand that the only threat she should worry about is her, as she can take her championship whenever she wants. Paige appears on the scene. The Brit makes it clear to Nikki that she is not special, and she will not receive title opportunities just by asking for them. In fact, if she wants one, she would have to beat her first. Nikki reminds her that she already defeated her the last time they faced off. "I didn't want to beat you. I just wanted to give you a good beating," Paige replies. Now she will give her two weeks to prepare, revealing that they will face each other on the Sacramento show. "Oh, one more thing, before I forget," says Paige before slapping Nikki. The Brit leaves the scene. "That was also for me," adds a smiling Chelsea as she turns her head, hitting Bella with her hair. The Canadian leaves after Paige to end the segment.
Tag Team Match
Rey Fenix and Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) vs. Ricky Saints and War Raiders (Ivar and Erik)
Nathan and Erik start the match. Erik takes down Frazer to take the lead in the match. Ivar receives the tag. War Raiders unleash a flurry of punches on Nathan. Ricky takes the tag to continue the punishment. "The Absolute" hits his opponent repeatedly next to his corner. Erik receives the tag. Frazer escapes his clutches to give the tag to Axiom.
The Europeans team up to expel War Raiders from the ring. After that, they launch themselves against them with a relentless series of suicide dives. Saints tries to intervene, but he is also expelled from the ring. Rey Fenix receives the tag. The AAA Cruiserweight Champion launches himself onto all his opponents with a tope, but stumbles on the top rope. As a result, Rey Fenix lands on the apron. Ivar throws the Mexican against the public barrier. Now it's Axiom who falls on Ivar.
The action returns to the ring. Axiom, Nathan, and Fenix team up against Ivar. He crushes Axiom to regain control. Saints receives the tag to launch a furious assault on the Spaniard. Ivar continues the punishment by applying a powerbomb on Axiom. Now it's Erik who applies a powerbomb to his partner to make him land on Axiom. 1..2..NO. Ricky receives the tag once again to punish Axiom. Saints executes a knee drop on the Spaniard's face. The fans boo "The Absolute."
Ricky tries to remove the Spaniard's mask, but he clings to it. Axiom surprises Saints with an enzuigiri. Ricky tags Erik, who jumps on Axiom to deliver a flurry of punches. The Spaniard knocks Erik down with a dropkick. Both men lie on the canvas. Saints hits Frazer to prevent him from receiving the tag, but he finally gets it to Rey Fenix, who enters with everything.
Rey Fenix takes care of all his opponents at the same time. Fenix knocks down Ricky with a brainbuster before knocking out Ivar with a superkick. The Mexican finishes him off with a frog splash. 1..2..NO. Erik interrupts the tag. The match descends into chaos. Fraxiom gets rid of Erik at ringside. Meanwhile, Ivar seeks height. Rey thwarts his plans by hitting him with an uppercut. After that, he throws him against the canvas with a hurricanrana. Just before that happens, Saints takes the tag. Fenix prepares to finish off Ivar without knowing that Ricky is the legal wrestler. "The Absolute" catches Rey by surprise to apply a Rochambeau. 1..2..3.
Winners: Ricky Saints and War Raiders
Cathy Kelley interviews Cody Rhodes backstage. Rhodes prefers not to talk about Randy Orton, as tonight he only has one battle to fight: his qualification for Money in the Bank. About his opponents, Cody respects Johnny Gargano, while he shares a certain history with Kevin Owens. In any case, his goal is to win tonight to be closer to becoming Mr. Money in the Bank. Trick Williams interrupts the interview to wish Rhodes good luck. Trick hopes to face him in New Orleans. Unfortunately for Cody, that will be the end of his dream, because another will begin: that of Williams becoming Mr. Money in the Bank and later the Undisputed WWE Champion. "Let's talk about it," he says. "It seems we already have. Good luck, Trick," Rhodes replies before leaving.
Damian Priest carries out a video promo on the streets of the Bronx, the neighborhood where he grew up. "If you come out alive from this city, it's because you survived something. Here, if you want respect, you have to bleed. Do you want to be the boss? Do you want to be the boss? Raise your hands," says Damian. The Puerto Rican points out that this is how champions are forged. Priest acknowledges that he lost his way at some point, putting others' needs before his own. A mistake he will not make again. "I'll make it simple for you, Truth, so you understand: the pain I caused you was personal. Don't come looking for trouble. If you do, I'll end you. And I'll enjoy it professionally," he says. Damian affirms that this city made him who he is. "I'm not who you think I am. I'm a bad man. I'm a violent man. And that's all you're going to see from me from now on. I am The Bad One," he says in Spanish to end his promo.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss approach Tatum Paxley to console her after her defeat tonight. Alexa points out that she should not punish herself for what happened, as when one door closes, another one opens. Charlotte informs her that they have had a conversation with Nick Aldis and that he has granted them an opportunity for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. Happy with the news, Tatum is about to hug "The Queen," but she quickly moves away. "Now, we have won together and lost together. There is no room for defeats anymore," says Flair to Paxley. She tries once again to hug her, but Charlotte refuses. Instead, she takes off her cap to put it on Tatum's head. After that, she hugs Alexa. Paxley wants to join them. "You already have the cap," says Charlotte with a forced smile. This is how we reach the end of this segment.
Sami Zayn makes his entrance into the ring. The Canadian poses with the Undisputed WWE Championship, only to receive boos from the fans. Sami asks how many of those present have come to watch the show to support "The Last Real Good Guy." Zayn receives more boos. The Canadian does not understand the audience's attitude, especially when they have someone like him in front of them. The only superstar in WWE history to win the top championship twice against all odds. "And this is the reaction I get in return?" he asks.
Sami acknowledges that he was naive to believe that getting the justice he deserved would end all his problems. But it's not like that. "I'm still surrounded by injustice, this time in the form of inequality. I'm not getting the same respect that WWE champions deserve", he says. Zayn is tired of hearing other talents come out to say they can defeat him. And that, therefore, they only need a title opportunity to get the gold. Sami raises the championship to show that he is a survivor. And if the fans don't believe him, they just have to ask CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, or Kevin Owens. "It's time for me to receive the respect I deserve as a champion," he says when suddenly...
Je'Von Evans interrupts Sami's promo!
Evans enters the ring, where he quickly apologizes to Zayn. Je'Von assures him that it was not his intention to interrupt him, but Sami doesn't believe him. Evans is only concerned about him, as he has seen him turn as red as an Angry Bird. Sami assures him that he is fine. In fact, he is the Undisputed WWE Champion, in case the Raw talent hasn't noticed yet. "Believe me, I know. But since Money in the Bank is just around the corner..." says Evans before being interrupted by the Canadian. He knows very well what Je'Von was about to say, and he wants him to know that he really likes him. Sami believes that Evans has a great future ahead, but he has already been in his position and... Now it's Je'Von who interrupts him. Evans also knows what Sami was about to tell him, but maybe the Canadian is wrong. Maybe he is not the future of this company, but the present. Maybe he doesn't need 20 years to win the championship that Sami carries on his shoulder. Maybe he will win the Money in the Bank briefcase. And once he has it in his possession, maybe he will cash it in on Zayn. And maybe he will defeat him to become the youngest WWE Champion in history. Sami is about to respond, but...
Penta appears on the scene!
Penta joins Je'Von and Sami in the ring. Penta reminds Evans that he has great respect for him. However, if he wants to win the Money in the Bank briefcase, he will have to beat him first. And that won't happen. Penta approaches Zayn to promise him that he will win the briefcase. And once he has it in his possession, he will cash it in for a world title. And he doesn't care if his opponent is Sami or Roman Reigns. "¡And do you know why!? Because I am Penta, Zero Fear!" he exclaims.
Trick Williams interrupts the segment!
Williams enters the ring. The United States Champion couldn't help but hear how respect has been talked about over and over again in that ring. That's why he must acknowledge that he respects both Penta and Je'Von. However, he must also remind them that they are on a show called SmackDown. And this brand rests on their shoulders. This leads to the next topic. Trick approaches Zayn, to whom he disrespects once again by calling him "Gingerbread Man." Williams mocks Sami's look, from his way of dressing, his hairstyle, and even his body odor, pointing out that he could never respect someone like him. He, on the other hand, looks like a winner. In fact, he smells like Mr. Money in the Bank. That said, he promises Zayn that he will cash in the briefcase on him to snatch a new championship.
Sami speaks up to ask the three men if they are done because it seems they have forgotten something important. All three claim they will win the briefcase, but only one of them can. And that leaves the other two as losers. They may even all end up losing. What will happen to them? What will happen when they accumulate defeats, years pass, and they lose the support of the audience? Sami reminds Trick that he kept calling him "Gingerbread Man," and still managed to reach the top. He overcame a defeat at WrestleMania to stand out just a year later. He has overcome more obstacles than anyone to reach the top. "As far as I'm concerned, until you have overcome some obstacles, none of you deserve to be in the ring with the WWE Champion," says the Canadian before throwing the mic onto the canvas.
Sami heads backstage, at which point Finn Bálor appears. Both men stare at each other from the entrance ramp. "I told you before. With or without the briefcase, I'm coming for that title. So, once you get tired of playing around, I'll beat you," says the Irishman. "You know what? You're not special. You're not the only one. I have a million people breathing down my neck. You want a championship opportunity? Do something about it", says Sami. The Irishman wastes no time throwing a right hand at Zayn, who collapses to the floor. Bálor approaches him to continue beating him down. Suddenly, Gunther appears on the scene to surprise Finn from behind. "The Ring General" hits Bálor with a clothesline before repeating the move on Sami. The Austrian throws both men into the stairs set up around the stage. A menacing Gunther then points at the three men standing in the ring. And that brings us to the end of this segment.
Cathy Kelley interviews Tiffany Stratton backstage. Happy with her victory tonight, Stratton describes herself as an expert in ladder matches, promising that she will win the Money in the Bank briefcase for the second time in her career. Chelsea Green appears on the scene to congratulate her friend. Tiffany promises to win the briefcase and capture the Women's World Championship. That way, both of them will be WWE Women's World Champions. Lash Legend interrupts the conversation. Legend makes it clear that she will dominate the Money in the Bank match from start to finish until she retrieves the briefcase. After that, she will cash it in on Green. Having said that, she walks away to bring the segment to an end.
Cathy Kelley approaches Gunther to ask him why he attacked Sami Zayn and Finn Bálor a few minutes ago. Before he can answer, Danhausen appears on the scene with an "evil detector", which he quickly brings close to the Austrian. The detector lights up, surprising Danhausen. Gunther snatches the device from him and throws it aside. He then grabs Danhausen and slams him into the wall. "I thought my English was clear and simple. Perhaps I need to explain it to you this way," says "The Ring General" before violently throwing him into some production crates. The Austrian walks away, leaving his victim lying on the floor.
Blake Monroe vs. Giulia
Both women immediately begin trading attacks as soon as the match gets underway. Giulia takes the Brit down to the mat and lands several punches to her head. Monroe regains control in one of the corners. Blake takes Giulia down before finishing with a dropkick. Giulia takes Blake down to the mat once again and kicks her at will. Monroe ends up at ringside. Giulia goes after her, only to fall into her opponent's clutches. The Brit carries her opponent into the edge of the apron before hitting her with a running knee strike. "The Glamour" takes "The Beautiful Madness" back inside the ring and covers her. 1..2..NO.
Blake sends Giulia into one of the corners. She then hits her with a suplex. 1..2..NO. Monroe kicks Giulia before taking her back to one of the corners. Blake crushes her opponent with her leg, forcing the referee to intervene. Monroe hits Giulia with a neckbreaker . 1..2..NO. Blake traps her opponent in an STF. Giulia shifts her weight onto Monroe to cover her. 1..2..NO. The Brit releases Giulia to avoid being pinned.
Giulia continues attacking Blake, finishing her off with a Missile Dropkick. 1..2..NO. Giulia calls on the fans for support as she prepares her Arrivederci. Blake blocks it and launches a counterattack. Monroe hits a slingblade, followed by a Saito Suplex. 1..2..NO. Giulia blocks Blake's Beauty Shot and sets up a Northern Lights Bomb. Monroe escapes and hits a headbutt. Giulia responds—this time successfully—with the Arrivederci. She then finishes her off with a stomp. 1..2..NO.
Blake seeks refuge in the ropes. Giulia grabs her by the hair with the intention of taking her to the top turnbuckle. "The Beautiful Madness" prepares to execute a superplex, but the Brit escapes her opponent's grasp and sends her crashing onto the turnbuckle. Giulia hits her face against one of the turnbuckles and falls unconscious onto the mat. Monroe notices this and covers her opponent. 1..2..3.
Winner: Blake Monroe
The referee checks on Giulia. She remains semi-conscious, so the official calls for medical assistance to come out.
We see a video recap of what happened during the featured segment of the latest episode of WWE Raw, where Jacob Fatu was run over by Jaida Parker.
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are talking backstage when Sami Zayn appears on the scene. The Canadian informs Johnny that he will not be able to be at his match tonight by direct order of Nick Aldis. However, it doesn't matter. Zayn tells his friend that they are both survivors. He wasn't supposed to be in this match, but he will be there, sharing the ring with Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. And he knows that he's better than them. "You can do it! You just have to go out there and do it! Go out there and be Johnny Wrestling!", exclaims the Undisputed WWE Champion. Tremendously motivated, Gargano heads to the ring alongside his wife.
Money in the Bank qualifying triple threat match
Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens vs. Johnny Gargano
Cody goes on the attack against Kevin, ignoring Gargano. Gargano tries to intervene, only to receive an elbow from Rhodes, who goes back after Owens. Owens reverses the situation. Johnny returns to join the fight, but Kevin throws him out of the ring and goes after Cody. Gargano returns to surprise both of his opponents. Johnny takes Rhodes down with a slingshot. He then dives onto Kevin with a suicide dive. Gargano returns to the ring to continue attacking Cody.
Kevin tries to get back in, but Gargano strikes him and sends him crashing off the apron. Cody surprises Johnny with a Drop Down Punch, at which point Owens lands on the former with a senton. The Canadian pulls Gargano out of the ring before crushing Rhodes with a corner cannonball. 1..2..NO. Cody tries to take Kevin down to the mat, but the Canadian doesn't make it easy for him. Johnny reappears to grab Rhodes by the legs and apply a guillotine, causing "The American Nightmare's" head to collide with KO's groin. He rolls to ringside to catch his breath.
Gargano continues attacking Cody, kicking him in one of the corners. Rhodes tries to recover, but soon finds himself on the receiving end of a kick to the face. Johnny covers him. 1..2..NO. A recovered Owens grabs Gargano by the legs and pulls him out of the ring. Kevin smashes Johnny's head against the announce table and the steel steps. Owens sets up a table beside the ring. Kevin grabs Johnny, ready to throw him onto the table, but Candice LeRae comes to her husband's rescue. Gargano takes advantage of Owens' distraction to throw him into the steel steps. He then returns to the ring.
Cody surprises Gargano with a scoop powerslam before hitting him with a Disaster Kick. Owens returns to attack Rhodes. Johnny surprises Cody with the Gargano Escape. Kevin grabs Johnny and hits him with a release German suplex. Owens prepares to finish him off, but his opponent escapes his grasp and traps him in the Gargano Escape. The Canadian escapes the hold, at which point Cody returns to the action. All three men exchange attacks.
LeRae decides to intervene by climbing onto the apron to hold Rhodes in the ropes area. Gargano prepares to hit a big boot, but Cody moves out of the way just in time. Johnny stops himself from hitting Candice. Cody pushes Gargano, who crashes into his wife. She falls onto the table Kevin had previously set up. However, it does not break, only cracking. Rhodes throws Johnny onto the table, which this time is completely destroyed. And that brings us to the final commercial break of the night.
Back from the break, we see Owens blocking a superplex from Gargano and answering with a Death Valley Driver from the second rope. 1..2..NO. The Canadian goes for the high ground once again. Rhodes reaches his position to strike him. Gargano joins them. Johnny takes Cody down with a powerbomb. Kevin dives onto Rhodes with a Swanton Bomb. Finally, Gargano surprises Owens with a superkick. He then covers Rhodes. 1..2..NO.
The action continues. "The American Nightmare" surprises Gargano with a Cody Cutter. Owens gets rid of Rhodes before hitting Johnny with a Stunner and covering him. 1..2..NO. Cody stops the referee to prevent the third count. Owens demands an explanation from the official. Kevin and Cody exchange punches. Rhodes blocks a Stunner and answers with a Cross Rhodes. 1..2..NO. Randy Orton suddenly appears to pull the referee out of the ring, thus interrupting the three-count.
Furious, Rhodes leaves the ring to start a fight with "The Viper". Cody shoves Randy into one of the ring posts. He then prepares to return to the ring, but something catches his attention. Rhodes realizes that Orton is crouched on the floor. Cody prepares to hit his former friend with a Punt Kick, but Gargano stops him with a suicide dive. Johnny returns to the ring and hits Owens with a tornado DDT. 1..2..NO. Kevin surprises Gargano with a superkick before finishing him off with a pop-up powerbomb. Cody tries to return to interrupt the count, but Orton grabs him by the legs to prevent him from doing so. 1..2..3.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Orton flees through the crowd area to prevent Rhodes from catching him. Meanwhile, Owens poses victoriously in one of the corners. And that brings us to the end of this week's episode.
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