Five days before WWE Hell in a Cell, Kevin Owens brutalized SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon, making a bold statement as they approach their pay-per-view battle inside the career-altering structure. Elsewhere, WWE Champion Jinder Mahal ambushed Shinsuke Nakamura with a 3-on-1 surprise attack prior to their title match this Sunday.
Facing off against Sami Zayn for the first time ever on SmackDown LIVE, Kevin Owens used the matchup as an opportunity to continue throwing Shane McMahon off his game, viciously attacking Zayn two weeks before WWE Hell in a Cell. Elsewhere, The New Day and The Usos made history when they agreed to compete for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship in a Hell in a Cell Match.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton faced off in the main event to see who would challenge WWE Champion Jinder Mahal for the title at WWE Hell in a Cell. Also, Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens’ conflict got physical, putting Shane’s role as Team Blue’s Commissioner at risk with it being announced that Mr. McMahon would come to SmackDown LIVE next week to address the situation.
Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton worked together to take on WWE Champion Jinder Mahal & Rusev despite them competing against one another for an opportunity to obtain a title match next week. Elsewhere, Kevin Owens and SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon's personal problems continued to escalate.
In one of the more chaotic scenes in SmackDown LIVE history, United States Champion AJ Styles held onto his title when he defeated Kevin Owens in a match that saw both Baron Corbin and Shane McMahon act as Special Guest Referees. Team Blue was also shaken to its core by the debuting Bobby Roode and the return of Shelton Benjamin to WWE.
In one of the most shocking moments in SmackDown LIVE history, Baron Corbin cashed-in his Money in the Bank contract on WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and the result was absolutely shocking. Elsewhere, tensions rose between United States Champion AJ Styles, his SummerSlam opponent Kevin Owens and the special guest referee for that contest Shane McMahon.
Rusev made a major statement after WWE Champion Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton revived their highly personal rivalry in a grudge match. Elsewhere, SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan made major SummerSlam Match between John Cena and Baron Corbin on the heels of their wild brawl on WWE Network at the end of SmackDown LIVE last week.
Following the shocking return of Chris Jericho to SmackDown LIVE, he, AJ Styles and United States Champion Kevin Owens faced off in a Triple Threat Match with star-spangled title on the line. Elsewhere, a once inconceivable dream match between John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura was announced for next week on SmackDown LIVE, and the winner will challenge Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam.
New United States Champion and SmackDown LIVE member Chris Jericho defended the title against Kevin Owens in a WWE Payback rematch in the blue brand’s main event. Elsewhere, Jinder Mahal kept the momentum going in a battle against Sami Zayn, and tensions continued to rise in the Team Blue Women’s division.
Following a tense exchange, AJ Styles and Baron Corbin squared off in the SmackDown LIVE main event, with United States Champion Kevin Owens watching on while providing commentary. Also, Charlotte Flair made the most of her first night on SmackDown LIVE, defeating Naomi to become the new No. 1 contender to the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
As The Road to WrestleMania moved into overdrive, Bray Wyatt’s WWE Championship reign was put to the ultimate test right out of the gate when he defended the prestigious championship against The Leader of The Cenation and The Phenomenal One in SmackDown LIVE’s main event. In addition, The New Face of Fear learned where Randy Orton will stand at The Showcase of the Immortals.
Five days before Royal Rumble, Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose and The Miz wrote the next chapter in their ever-evolving rivalry as The Lunatic Fringe put his title on the line against The A-Lister in a Lumberjack Match. Meanwhile, The Wyatt Family continued to fracture as Randy Orton clashed with Luke Harper.
The Wicked Witch of WWE defended the SmackDown Women’s Championship against The Irish Lass Kicker in a historic Steel Cage Match as La Luchadora was finally unmasked. Also, Shane McMahon made a major Elimination Chamber Match announcement and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler summoned Dolph Ziggler to “King’s Court.”