Just eight days before the blockbuster Clash at the Castle premium live event from Cardiff, Wales, WWE SmackDown featured the No. 1 contender for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Drew McIntyre, squaring off with Sami Zayn.
The show also featured the latest in the Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament and the return of New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.
Find out what went down and what it means for the company as it prepares for the first extravaganza built exclusively by Triple H and the new WWE Creative regime with this recap of the August 26 SmackDown.
Smack Down Match Card
- Ricochet vs. Happy Corbin
- “Second Chance” Fatal 4-Way Women’s Tag Team Match: Tamina and Dana Brooke vs. Shotzi and Xia Li vs. Nikki A.S.H. and Doudrop vs. Natalya and Sonya Deville
- Shemaus is Back
- Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
Ricochet vs. Happy Corbin
Two weeks after Ricochet clinched a win over Happy Corbin, they looked to beat their rival 2-0 in the first game of the night. For most of the fight, Corbin dominated his opponent for most of the time, using his strength and size advantage to overpower the little Ricochet.
However, the former Intercontinental fought back from behind and repelled the attack to claim victory with a shooting star press.
The match was another reminder that, aside from the slightly obnoxious heel personality, Corbin is a very fine pro wrestler whose talents and skills are underestimated.
Often grouped with other big men, he has speed and agility almost unmatched and has proven in two matches he can match Ricochet.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament: Nikki A.S.H & Doudrop vs. Sonya Deville & Natalya vs. Dana Brooke & Tamina vs. Shotzi & Xia Liu
The doorbell rings, and we’re on our way. Xia Li and Nikki A.S.H are in the ring. Xia Li throws Nikki over the top rope. Shhotzi tags himself as they double up with Nikki. Shotzi goes to the corner, but Tamina breaks him.
Dana is relieved when Nikki comes up with a swinging neck breaker. She wants the cover, but Sonya tears it up. Tamina hits Sonya with a super kick.
Natalya with a clothesline on Xia. Natalya throws Shotzi out of the ring. Dana with her right hand. She climbs up the second rope, but Nikki stops her.
Nikki climbs to the second rope. Sonya flags herself. Dana suplexes Nikki from the second rope to the outside of the ring on everyone. Sonya throws Nikki into the ring. He goes to the cover and gets the pin.
Winners: Sonya Deville and Natalya
Sheamus is Back
Sheamus is in the ring with Ridge, Holland, and Butch. He says the Brawling Brutes will start fights and drink fights as they celebrate him becoming the new Intercontinental Champion.
He says he will be WWE’s first Ultimate Grand Slam Champion after defeating Gunther. Gunther comes out with Ludwig Kaiser. They go to the ring, while Kaiser speaks in German.
Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, John Cena, Roman Reigns, and even the King of Kings, Triple H. And no one in this ring, in this business, has taken one hit after another. He tells Gunther that he sees a lot of himself in him. It’s been years since he’s seen anyone with the same physical and brutal qualities as himself. And it reminds him of himself.
And they love going to war in the ring. He tells Gunther he has something he wants, and that is the Intercontinental Championship. Sheamus promises him that at Clash at the Castle he will pull that title from his lifeless body into the red dragon’s belly.
Gunther grabs Kaiser’s microphone. He tells Sheamus that he’s a man worthy of respect but that he’s nothing like him. He is the Intercontinental Champion, and to defend this title, he will teach him what violence means. He tells him he won’t just be in Cardiff.
Sheamus and Gunther face off while Kaiser and Butch battle it out. Holland trips him as they fight outside the ring. Sheamus and Gunther continue to face each other in the ring. Butch grabs Butch and restrains him while Gunther restrains Kaiser. A strong promo by Sheamus ahead of the Intercontinental Championship match on Smackdown.
Drew McIntyre vs Sami Zayn
Smackdown main event featured McIntyre and Zayn facing of each other. The bell rings, and we’re on our way. Zayn rolls to the outside of the ring. Drew goes outside, and Zayn re-enters the ring. Drew gets in the ring and Zayn’s right hand. He stomps on Drew, but Drew stands up and hits Zayn with his right hand.
Drew with more right hands. Hitting Zayn against the turnbuckle A punch to the chest from Drew throws Zayn against the ropes, but Zayn rolls out of the ring. Drew runs after Zayn, but Zayn kicks Drew.
He tries to throw Drew into the announce table but Drew blocks him. At the announce table, Drew meets Zayn face-to-face. Slams Zayn against the ring apron. Drew throws Zayn in the ring. When Drew walks to the ring, while he’s between the ropes, Zayn kicks the middle rope.
Back from the commercial, Zayn with a DDT tornado. He goes to the cover, but Drew kicks him. Zayn goes for a backdrop, but Drew lands on his feet and hits him with a Glasgow Kiss. He hit a belly-to-belly overhead, followed by a neck breaker. The Usos come out of the ring.
Drew is distracted when Zayn hits him with the Blue Thunder Bomb. He ducks for cover, but Drew kicks him.
Zayn was right, but Drew with a shot in the chest. Drew knocks the Usos off the ring apron. Zayn rolls him up, but Drew kicks him out. Zayn runs to the ropes and Drew hits him with the Claymore. Go to the cover and get the pin.
Winner- Drew McCyintre
The Bloodline attacks Drew McCyintre
Roman Reigns comes out after the match and attacks Drew from behind. Roman goes to throw Drew in the turnbuckle, but Drew counters and throws Roman’s shoulder first at the ring post.
The Usos head to the ring as Drew throws Jimmy out of the ring. Roman hits Drew with the spear. The Usos grabbed steel chairs and hit Drew with them.
Drew is thrown out of the ring. The Usos throw Drew on the commentary table.
The Usos throw Drew against the barricade. They hold Drew up, and Zayn hits him with the Helluva Kick. The Usos take the steel steps and hit McIntyre with them.
The Usos bring Drew back into the ring. Roman tells him that the top of the mountain is his and that he will never have it until he is done with it.
Drew McIntyre: The Roman Guillotine. Roman grabs a steel chair and places it on top of Drew while he’s sitting in the chair with the two title belts. The Smackdown show ends with a strong statement made by the champion.
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