Tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live opens up from The Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as Tom Phillips welcomes us to the show. He is joined by Corey Graves and Byron Saxton.
We go right to the ring and out comes new SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods). We see a replay from last week of how they became the five-time tag team champions as fans chant for pancakes.
Xavier Woods gets on the mic and says that he’s got some words to say. The New Day did what they do best, and that’s become champions. Kofi Kingston says that The Bludgeon Brothers are ferocious, no doubt, but they had them out like a light, and Big E says that there is no place they’d rather celebrate tonight than right here in Canada, and he’s waited a mighty long time to do this. They’re not one time, not two, not three, not four, but. Before he could finish we he was supposed to say, Booker T’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring.

Booker T introduces himself as ruler of The SmackDown world, and Xavier is shocked to see him. The New Day take a knee to pay their respects to their king, and Booker T says that he has a royal decree to issue. He grants Lord Xavier the Wise, Sir Kofi the Brave, and Big E access to the most royal club of them all. Big E cuts him off and begs pardon to ask why he didn’t get a cool regal name.
King Booker then says that he’s already got it. Big E then accuses him of going Full Saxton on him, which triggers a “tell me you didn’t just say that” line from King Booker and King Booker says that they should be kissing his feet and that only one deserves to be in the five-time championship club…until now, and he finally welcomes them to the Five-Timers Championship Club and asks everyone if they can dig it.
He goes to leave but The New Day pull him back into the ring, take his cloak and crown, he takes his jacket off, takes a knee and does a Spin-a-rooni. Woods and Kofi hit Spine-a-roonis next. Big E tries to do one but can’t get off his back until Kofi and Woods help him. King Booker poses with The New Day to end the segment.
We see how a custom announce table for The New Day is being set up at ringside next to the regular announce team.

Commentary tells us that The New Day will be on commentary for the Tag Team Triple Threat Match coming up next and hype up everything that will be taking place tonight.
The Bar make their entrance and we go to a commercial break.
Back from the commercial break and we are just in time for the bell of the opening contest.

The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) vs. The Club (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. The Colons (Primo & Epico Colon) (Triple Threat Match Where The Winner Will Advance To A #1 Contenders Match To Determine Who Will Challenge The New Day For The SmackDown Tag Team Titles at Hell In A Cell): Karl Anderson starts off strong with strikes on Sheamus, but Cesaro is able to get the tag and they double team Anderson. Cesaro lays into Anderson with strikes until Anderson is able to fire back with a spinning heel kick. Gallows tags in and puts the boots to Cesaro in the corner. Primo and Anderson come in now and trade strikes until Epico gets the tag and they double team Karl. Epico misses a shot in the corner and Anderson kicks him. Anderson gets distracted by Primo, and Epico dumps him to the outside. Cesaro comes in now and continues the offense on Anderson until Sheamus gets the tag for the double-team. Sheamus beats on Anderson until he comes back with a neckbreaker, and both men are down. Cesaro and Gallows get the tags at the same time and Gallows cleans house. Gallows hits a splash in the corner and a big boot, and then he boots Epico as he runs in. Gallows hits a pump handle slam on Cesaro and then a running splash for a two count. Everyone runs in from the aprons now as this one breaks down and the referee struggles to regain control. Gallows and Anderson end up cleaning house and then looking for the Magic Killer on Primo, but Epico breaks it up. The Colons hit a double backstabber on Gallows, then Cesaro gets the blind tag and clears the Colons out of the ring. Cesaro steals the pin on Gallows for the win. Winners & Advances To A #1 Contenders Match To Determine Who Will Challenge The New Day For The SmackDown Tag Team Titles at Hell In A Cell: The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro)
After the match, The Bar goes to ringside and has words with The New Day.
SmackDown General Manager Paige welcomes Rusev Day into her office and she admits that there is a strong argument for them being in the SmackDown Tag Team Title picture, so next week she books them against The Usos and SAnitY in a Triple Threat Match, the winner of which will face The Bar and be one step closer to being #1 Contenders. Rusev says that it’s a great present for Lana and Rusev Day and Rusev goes in for a kiss on Lana, at which point she admits that it wasn’t her. Aiden English admits that it was him who put in for the title shot and says that next week they will come one step closer to tag team gold. It looks like Rusev and English are back on the same page now.
We go to a video package looking at the history between Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.
We cut backstage to a painted-up Jeff Hardy with face paint reading “RKO” on the side of his face being weird to send us to a commercial break.
Back from the commercial break and Jeff Hardy makes his way down to the ring.
He talks about how Randy Orton has been obsessed with him as of late and how he has altered the chemistry in his brain to eradicate all rational thought and, in fact, The Viper made him believe that he could fly, which is why he stomped his gentleman’s area and beat him pillar to post last week. Jeff smiles at the replay and says that Orton might think of him as a stepping stone in his career, but he’s wrong, and last week made him feel alive.
Hardy then says that last week he felt like the Jeff Hardy of old, reborn and rebroken by fate, and this is just the beginning. Hardy then says that he knows Randy can hear him, so he calls him out to finish what he started. Orton obliges and congratulates him for rediscovering himself and returning to the pedestal. Orton then says that he appreciates being given the credit for all of that, but the truth is, he’s not finished working on him yet.
Orton then says that this version of Jeff Hardy is the identity he’s going to take away, the career that he’s going to end, and he finally realized what he needs to do to accomplish that, and that’s leave him a heap of broken bones in the middle of the ring. Hardy beckons him in and Orton says that he is smarter than that, and you can call him what you want, but the only thing you need is the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment… R… K…
Hardy cuts him off before he could say the last letter and tells him that he is going to hell and coming with him, at Hell in a Cell. Jeff gets a “delete!” chant going as Orton drops the mic and backs up the ramp. Hardy’s music hits.
We cut backstage where Carmella is being interviewed. She says that the buzz follows the championship, and the only reason Evolution is happening is because of the attention she brought to the women’s division, and the real headline is that Charlotte Flair never pinned her, but she’s beaten Flair twice, and tomorrow the buzz will be about how she won her title back. Carmella then says that Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are chump change, but Mella is money. R-Truth rolls up to ask where Carmella went and Tye Dillinger comes from behind to handle him, and Truth misinterprets him as saying that he needs to wait for his shot against her. Truth then says that when the time is right, The Truth will set Carmella free.
Commentary hypes up Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella’s message for The Miz and Maryse.
Naomi makes her entrance and we go to a commercial break.
Back from the commercial break and we are just in time for The IIconics to make their way down to the ring.
Billie Kay talks about how she’s clairvoyant and sees The Toronto Raptors having a dismal season, as well as Naomi having nightmares about losing again tonight. Peyton Royce says that she’s frozen with fear but Billie says that’s just how she looks normally, and they declare the future iconic.
Billie Kay vs. Naomi: The opening bell sounds and Billie connects with some strikes early on and controls the opening moments of this one. Naomi fires up and hits a flying clothesline and starts mounting a comeback. Peyton Royce interferes from ringside, which leads to Billie rolling up Naomi from behind for the three count after a short match. Winner: Billie Kay
After the match, The IIconics head to the stage to celebrate as Naomi looks on.
Commentary hypes up AJ Styles’ message to Samoa Joe and we go backstage to see Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella watching the footage of Brie punching The Miz in the face from last week to send us to a commercial break.
Back from the commercial break and Brie Bella & Daniel Bryan make their way down to the ring.
Bryan goes for the cheap pop and says that last week The Miz and Maryse came out here to mock his retirement, acting like he always does, like he didn’t cheat to win at SummerSlam or how he acts like he’s got the hardest punch in WWE, but just like everything else, he’s a very poor actor. Bryan then says when he came out to punch The Miz in the face The Miz couldn’t even act like a tough guy, pulling his wife in front of him like a coward. And that’s when Brie came down, and she takes priority on the mic. Brie says that she knows he doesn’t need her to fight his battles but she couldn’t just sit back and take it. Brie then says that Maryse is always helping The Miz cheat to win, and even though she ran out to get her hands on Maryse, it felt so good to punch The Miz in the face. Bryan then says that he’s not acting when he says that it was also really hot. That’s right, his wife is a butt-kicking’, diaper-changing, face-punching hot mama, and at Hell in a Cell neither The Miz nor Maryse will be able to hide behind the other.
Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega interrupt and make their way down to the ring. Vega gets on the mic and says that it’s an honor to be standing next to two legends, Brie Bella and Andrade Almas. She begs Bryan’s forgiveness and formally introduces herself and her client before putting Almas’ accomplishments on SmackDown thus far over. Vega says that she knows The Miz has already outsmarted them, but she thinks it’s time for Almas to outwrestle Bryan. Andrade then says that he can have his battle against the reality star, but the only star in this ring is him. Bryan then says that he would love to make the match official right now but he’s not general manager anymore and if only someone in the back could come out and make the match, but no answer. Bryan then admits that it’s kinda embarrassing and he would have come out.
Paige’s music hits and she makes her way out. She says that her office is on the other side of the building and she had to run over in heels. Paige then says that she doesn’t want to give The WWE Universe a match they don’t want, so she polls the crowd on Bryan/Almas and they are overwhelmingly in favor of it happening and she calls a referee down right now.
The match will begin after the commercial break.
Back from the commercial break and we are just in time for the bell.
Daniel Bryan vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas: Brie Bell and Zelina Vega are both at ringside for this one. Almas starts off strong and when Bryan tries to mount a comeback, Almas hits a neckbreaker and a reverse DDT. Almas hits a version of a surfboard submission until Bryan escapes. Almas stuns Bryan with a kick to the head, then lays into him with chops to the chest. Bryan fires back with chops to the chest of his own now and then a series of kicks in the corner. Bryan hits a running knee in the corner, and then Almas comes back with one of his own. Almas goes for another running knee in the corner, but Bryan dodges it and Almas crashes down to the ringside floor. Bryan beats on Almas at ringside before taking things back to the mat. Almas fires back with a spinning elbow to the face for a two count. The Miz and Maryse are shown watching on a monitor backstage, and then they walk off. Almas goes up top, but Bryan stops him with a running dropkick and then a suplex. The Miz comes out to interrupt, and the distraction causes Almas to get a cheap shot in on Bryan. Bryan drops Almas and then hits a dive on The Miz at ringside and pummels on him. Back in the ring, Almas drops Bryan and goes up top for a moonsault, but Bryan blocks it with his feet. Bryan follows up with the Yes Lock. Zelina gets on the apron to distract the referee until Brie drops her. Maryse then attacks Brie from behind. The distraction causes The Miz to release the Yes Lock, and then The Miz hits the ring and attacks Bryan from behind. Winner via DQ: Daniel Bryan
After the match, Almas hits the double underhook DDT on Bryan in the middle of the ring while The Miz watches. The Miz applies the Yes Lock on Bryan while Vega hits the running double knees on Brie in the corner. Almas and Vega leave the ring. Maryse drops Brie on her head while The Miz forces Bryan to watch. Bryan crawls for Brie but The Miz picks him up and hits the Skull Crushing Finale. The It Couple stands tall over Bryan and Brie, kissing to a mixed reaction.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair is interviewed backstage. She says that Becky Lynch thinks she deserves the title, but you don’t deserve anything you don’t win, and did Becky expect her to just lay down. Charlotte then says that this isn’t a game where everyone gets a trophy, and she won’t apologize for being successful and busting her ass every day, and she won’t roll over for anyone that tries to take that away, not even her best friend. Charlotte then says that Lynch wants center stage, well she’ll get it after she runs through Carmella tonight.
WWE Champion AJ Styles makes his entrance to address Samoa Joe and we go to a commercial break.
Back from the commercial break and we get a recap of last week’s attack by Samoa Joe on AJ Styles.
AJ Styles starts by saying that it is official. It will be Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles at Hell in a Cell with The WWE Championship on the line. Styles then says that Joe is good with these mind games and he’s got him right where he wants him after bringing his wife and daughter into it, but the only thing he could prove is that he’s not man enough to take the title away from him. Styles then says why not face him like a man. Because he’s not a man. Styles then calls Joe down to the ring and tells him that he’s gonna knock his teeth down his throat. Samoa Joe is shown in the parking garage and says that he’s not coming down there tonight because AJ is proving his point by acting like a superhero to the world, but who’s looking after his kids. Joe then says maybe he’s not done playing daddy yet and he calls Wendy Styles on the phone. Joe asks how Annie is doing and tells Wendy to calm down. Joe then says that he knows why she’s angry, but he’s gonna keep the promise and send Styles home. Joe then asks if they’re still on for the back-to-school barbecue and tells her to save a plate because maybe he’ll stop by next Tuesday. The tron feed cuts, and AJ rushes out of the ring and to the back.
Commentary says that Paige has made Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton official for Hell in a Cell, inside of the cell.
Carmella makes her entrance, her rematch for the title will be after the commercial break.
Back from the commercial break and WWE Champion AJ Styles is shown hunting for Samoa Joe backstage. He arrives in the parking area at the edge of a meltdown and nearly decks a crew member before catching his breath.
Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Carmella: The SmackDown Women’s Title is on the line in this one. The opening bell sounds and Carmella comes out strong in the opening moments. Charlotte shuts down her momentum with some suplexes, and Charlotte kicks back up to her feet. Charlotte walks over Carmella and climbs up top, but Carmella gets up and shoves Charlotte off the top rope down to the ringside floor. Carmella follows up with a suicide dive through the ropes on Charlotte, then takes her back in the ring for a two count. Carmella applies a chin lock and tries to keep the Champion grounded until Charlotte fires back with a back suplex. Charlotte follows up with chops to the chest until Carmella comes back with a snap mare and a kick. Carmella goes up top and hits a splash and then a kick for a two count, and Carmella is getting frustrated. They fight up to the top rope where Carmella hits a Frankensteiner for another two count. Carmella pummels on the Champion and slaps her across the face. Carmella hits two superkicks and pins for a two count, then pins for another two count. Carmella looks for another superkick, but Charlotte blocks it and hits a spear. Charlotte hits the Natural Selection, and then locks in the Figure Eight for the win via submission. Winner & Still The SmackDown Women’s Champion: Charlotte Flair
After the match, Flair stands tall with the title as her music hits. Becky Lynch hits the ring from out of nowhere and attacks Flair from behind. Becky unloads on Flair and destroys her as fans go wild, chanting her name. Fans chant “let’s go Becky” now. Becky demands a mic. She raises the title and kneels down in Flair’s face. Becky says when she gets her way, come Hell In a Cell, she’s getting her title back. Becky calls Flair a b—h and drops the mic. Becky raises the title again and looks out at the crowd as fans cheer her on. A big “Becky” chant breaks out as she exits the ring. Flair is laid out in the middle of the ring with the title laying beside her. We go to replays of Carmella vs. Flair and the attack from Becky. Flair sits up in the corner with the title but fans boo her. SmackDown goes off the air.