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The first WWE Smackdown in front of a live crowd in over 70 weeks leads into the WWE Money in the Bank PPV this Sunday. A 6-man tag match is on tap with Edge and Roman Reigns captaining their respective teams. Biance Belair defends her Women’s Championship against Carmella. In the main event, a Fatal 4-Way between Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Nakamura, and Big E. Vince McMahon kicks off the show asking fans where they have been for so long. Finn Balor made his return and confronted Sami Zayn.
Every match on WWE Smackdown will include a highlights moment, what the storyline progression is, and a final analysis. Each match will be given a star rating and be ranked from worst to best.
Matches Ranked from Worst to Best
Cesaro d. Otis (DQ)
Highlight Moment/Match Ending: Cesaro and Otis exchange stiff shots to start off. Gable distracts Cesaro which leads to Otis landing a Worlds Strongest Slam. Otis goes for a corner splash but Cesaro avoids the charge. Chad Gable rushes the ring to hit a German suplex on Cesaro for the DQ. After the match, Cesaro puts the Big Swing on Gable before being attacked by Otis.
Final Analysis: Too short to rate as it was used as strickly angle advancement. Take a Pass. (NR)
WWE Smackdown: PPV Preview
Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox d. Natalya and Tamina
Highlight Moment: Shotzi Blackhart starts strong with a double leg drop to Natalya. Tamina gets the tag and gains control for her team before Shotzi gets a hot tag to Teagan Nox.
Match Ending: Nox connects with a shining wizard for a two-count as Liv Morgan and Celina Vega brawl at the announce desk. The distraction leads to Nox getting a small package on Natalya for win.
Final Analysis: Not much to this one as it was used to generate some heat leading into the women’s WWE Money in the Bank match on Sunday. Skip It. *
Title Challenge
Smackdown Women’s Title Match: Bianca Belair d. Carmella
Highlight Moment: Carmella gets her shine in with an avalanche frankensteiner from the top rope. Carmella attempts a neck vice but Bianca Belair reversed it into a delayed vertical suplex.
The POWER of @BiancaBelairWWE!! 🤯
The #ESTofWWE feeds off the energy of the WWE Universe to battle back against @CarmellaWWE on #SmackDown! #WomensTitle pic.twitter.com/b72Yu8Jpe4
— WWE (@WWE) July 17, 2021
Match Ending: Belair misses a hair whip on the outside allowing Carmella to connect with a superkick. Back in the ring, Belair avoids another superkick, hits a hair whip before landing the Kiss of Death for the win.
Final Analysis: A surprisingly fun match with Carmella holding up her end of things with the crowd into every move. Worth a Watch. ***
WWE Smackdown: 6-Man Spectacular
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) and Roman Reigns d. Edge, Rey Mysterio, and Dominik Mysterio
Highlight Moment: Edge lifts Jey Uso in a Hart Attack position as Rey Mysterio springs off the top rope with a senton. Dominik gets the tag and enters with a springboard moonsault for a two-count. Roman Reigns drags Dominik out of the ring to turn the tables. Reigns powerbombs Dominik through the announce table before catching Rey during a 619 attempt and slamming him to the outside. Roman celebrates but eats a spear from Edge in return.
WHAT A SPEAR!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/iokFPAwnvs
— WWE (@WWE) July 17, 2021
Match Ending: Back in the ring, Rey gets a two-count after rolling up Jey Uso. Jimmy Uso runs in with a cheap shot to Rey as Jey gets a schoolboy and pulls the tights for the win.
Final Analysis: Fun 6-man tag match to open the first WWE Smackdown with a crown in over a year and a half. The crowd was on fire and all six men played to it. Worth a Watch. ***
Main Event
Fatal 4-Way Match: Seth Rollins d. Kevin Owens, Big E, and Shinsuke Nakamura
Highlight Moment: A ton of great spots in this one, but one is a must-see spot. Kevin Owens climbs to the top of the ladder and hits an elbow onto Nakamura through the announce table.
"WHAT IS THIS PSYCHOPATH DOING?!?!"@FightOwensFight from the top of the ladder!!!! 😱🤯😱🤯#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/HPt0EoZ1xw
— WWE (@WWE) July 17, 2021
Match Ending: Seth Rollins counters the Big Ending into the Big Stomp onto a ladder for the win.
Final Analysis: Fun match from bell to bell as it ends the first WWE Smackdown with fans in over a year on an exciting note. Worth a Watch. ***1/2