WWE Smackdown Recap: Champion Vs. Champion, Top Contender Match, United States Title Match, NXT Name

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We see Cesaro, Apollo Crews, Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio talking about their opportunity at becoming the top contender to the U.S. title tonight.

Number One Contender (U.S. Title) Fatal Four Way
Sheamus vs. Cesaro vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Apollo Crews

Sheamus and Apollo Crews battle outside, where Sheamus tosses Apollo Crews into the barricade. He recovers quickly and body presses ADR and Sheamus, only to be dumped from the ring. Del Rio hits the backstabber on Sheamus and is the only man left standing before the commercial. As we return, Crews tosses him off the top rope and Cesaro lands a flying cross body for a two count.

Sheamus applies a Cloverleaf to Cesaro, but gets kicked by Del Rio. It all breaks down when Cesaro starts the Uppercut Party. He follows up by swinging Del Rio and applying the Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring. Del Rio is forced to submit.

Winner: Cesaro via submission (Sharpshooter)

Del Rio attacks Cesaro after the match, focusing on his shoulder. Rusev appears with Lana and says their match will happen right now.

United States Championship
Rusev (c) (w/ Lana) vs. Cesaro

Rusev starts beating down Cesaro, but the former Antonio finds success with a vertical suplex. Rusev applies a bear hug, but Cesaro flies through the air with the springboard uppercut. Cesaro dropkicks Rusev to the outside, but Rusev recovers quicker and flattens his opponent with a swinging side slam and a somersault senton. Cesaro recovers with uppercuts, but Rusev hits a big knee to the body. Cesaro tries to apply the Sharpshooter, but Rusev kicks him in the head and applies the Accolade for the win. This first 35 minutes was great and would have gotten Cesaro and Rusev both over if on Raw.

Winner: Rusev via submission (Accolade) to retain the United States Championship

Dana Brooke (w/ Charlotte) vs. Billie Kay

Dana Brooke controls things early, but Billie Kay lands an elbow and a suplex. Dana Brooke starts to choke Kay, who comes back with a series of kicks. Dana Brooke hits a Samoan Driver for the win.

Winner: Dana Brooke via pinfall (Samoan Driver)

Sasha Banks is shown backstage watching and cuts a really terribly written promo that she clearly had very little input on. Summer Rae shows up and says everyone is sick of the 'Boss,' and says Sasha is all flash and no funk. Sasha Banks says they should fight tonight.

- Miz TV is back, and Dean Ambrose interrupts the intro and starts eating during the interview. This is all used to set up a match with them later. Maryse throws a jacket on Ambrose's head and Miz kicks him in the face.

Wyatt Family (w/ Bray Wyatt) vs. Jobbers

Boy, this is a beat down. Strowman slams Jobber Uno onto Jobber Dos for the win.

Winners: Wyatt Family via pinfall

Kofi Kingston pops up on the Titan Tron cutting a Wyatt Family promo. He's joined by Big E and Xavier, who doesn't look too interested in joining the fun. This is a pretty funny segment. Wyatt says Woods knows the devil calls to you.

Sasha Banks vs. Summer Rae

It's really good to see Banks wrestling regularly again. Summer Rae cuts off Banks' offense a couple of times, including once with a nice spin kick. Sasha manages a clothesline, but misses the knees in the corner en route to getting kicked in the face twice. Summer has scouted Sasha's knee offence, and lands a DDT for a two count. Either way, she gets cocky and is victim to the Banks Statement and taps out.

Winner: Sasha Banks via submission (Banks Statement)

The Miz (w/ Maryse) vs. Dean Ambrose

Ambrose drags Miz down and pummels him to start, then clotheslines Miz out of the ring. Maryse pulls Miz out of the way of a suicide dive, and Ambrose opts to just hiptoss and body slam Miz in the ring instead. Both men tease using their finishes, but Miz ends up eating a clothesline outside the ring. Finally Miz turns the tides by tossing Ambrose into the barricade as we go to the last commercial.

Miz is working Ambrose over, but Ambrose returns fire with a big neckbreaker. Miz is able to isolate the leg of Ambrose and kick it repeatedly, setting up a Figure 4. Ambrose makes it to the ropes and tosses Miz outside, then connects with a suicide dive. A rebound lariat is countered by a Skull Crushing Finale, but Ambrose kicks out at two. Ambrose counters an axehandle with Dirty Deeds and gets the win.

Winner: Dean Ambrose via pinfall (Dirty Deeds)

Ambrose celebrates to end the show. Farewell, friends.