- Welcome everyone to SmackDown Live! Tonight, the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament continues with a blockbuster Main Event! Chris Jericho will go one-on-one against "The New Face of Fear" Bray Wyatt! Oh but wait.... It seems the show is starting with a very familiar face: Stephanie McMahon! The Billion Dollar Princess hasn't been seen ever since Seth Rollins banished The Authority at SummerSlam but it seems she is back and doesn't look very happy....
- Stephanie is welcomed with a whole arena booing without mercy, to which "The Princess" quickly dismissed by stating how she didn't missed any of them either. She continues and says once again the fans are trying to make this about them so it's like she never left but that's not what brought her here tonight. The Chairman's daughter says she is here at SmackDown Live because of what happened to her brother last week, when Mark Henry viciously assaulted him and worse of all, tried to break his damn leg in a despicable move! Steph continues and lets everyone know that if it was up to her, she would fire Henry right here right now and would slap his stupid ugly face out of the company forever! Unfortunately, she can't. McMahon informs the audience that despite everything, Shane is recuperating and apparently, his leg is not broken, which brings a huge cheer from the crowd. According to Stephanie, Shane himself asked her to be here tonight and let Henry know that he does not want him fired, noting how he wants to deal with "The World's Strongest Man" himself! So, Shane wants everyone to know that he will be back sooner than everyone thinks and he will be dealing with everything on his own terms and that SmackDown Live will continue to be the land of opportunity! Stephanie once again shows her displeasure over her brother's decisions, going as far as stating that if she was in charge, this would have never happened and the situation would already be dealt with but it's not her show, so she couldn't care less. As the crowd boos, Steph ends by saying "You're welcome big brother. Now you owe me one...." before leaving the ring. We'll return after a small commercial break.
- We return to the broadcast where Ranallo and Phillips discuss about Stephanie McMahon's surprise appearance on the show, noting how the fans weren't pleased to see her back one bit. Ranallo says despite the negativity, she did returned on her brother's request, so that holds some value, even more with the good news that our General Manager is recuperating and with no signs of a broken leg, which was the major concern. Phillips agrees but for him, the most interesting part was the fact that Shane apparently wants to deal with Mark Henry on his own way and without resorting to firing the big man. One must wonder what Shane-O-Mac has in store for "The World's Strongest Man"! Shifting gears, we go right back to our World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, where two best friends will face each other for an opportunity to get redemption in WWE! Daniel Bryan and The Brian Kendrick both have almost everything at stake in tonight's match. In Bryan's case, after a potential career ending injury was overcomed, the "Yes Man" had to battle his way back to the top but once more, roadblocks were put in his place to prevent his path to success. Now, the opportunity presents itself for the "The Bearded One" to prove everyone wrong once again! On the other side, Kendrick sees this as his last chance to make a mark and regain lost credibility. "The Man with A Plan" wants nothing more than to get his career back on track at SmackDown Live and win his first ever major championship and he will definitely stop at nothing to get! Two friend, high stakes! Daniel Bryan vs The Brian Kendrick, NEXT!
Match 1 - 
VS 
Highlights
- The two friends shake hands in tribute to the Code of Honor, a common pratice in Ring of Honor.
- But the time for good manners was quickly over as
Kendrick lands a brutal Hangman's Facebuster!
- He then follows up with a great suplex.
-
"The Post-Apocalyptic Scavenger" with a nasty rake to the eyes!
- A nasty DDT plants
"The Yes Man" on the mat!
-
Bryan finally managed to counter
Kendrick's attempts and delivered a strong German Suplex and got right back into the match!
-
Bryan then goes for the Airplane Spin, leaving both men groggy!
- Fast as lightning,
"The King of Beards" locked in his Cattle Mutilation submission move!
Kendrick's in trouble!
- After breaking the hold,
Daniel Bryan then goes for a knee right to the face!
- But
Kendrick amazingly counters it and locks in The Captain's Hook!! Now it's
Bryan who's in a troublesome situation!
- Somehow,
Bryan managed to roll and almost get the 3 count! Close one!
- He then hits a strong neckbreaker and begins to fire up as the crowd cheers!
- Time for the Flying Goat! Connects!
-
Kendrick is in a bad place as
Bryan begins setting up his Yes Kick! He's moments away from victory!
- But in another great reversal,
The Brian Kendrick manages to avoid the kick and lock in the Captain's Hook once more! Incredible!
-
Bryan managed to get to the ropes but
"The Man With a Plan" wouldn't waste any time and went for The Sliced Bread #2!
- Yet another amazing counter, as
Daniel turns it into the Yes Lock in the middle of the ring! Despite his best efforts,
Kendrick had no solution but to tap out! Amazing match!
Winner by Submission: Daniel Bryan
- An incredible display by both men but it was Daniel Bryan who emerged victorious! The bearded warrior tries to cheer up his friend and holds up for another handshake....
- Kendrick looks completely devastated but in good sports, accepts the gesture and raises Bryan's arm up as the crowd cheer both men. Fantastic sportmanship by The Brian Kendrick, even knowing that he must be broken and hurting inside....
- We go backstage where the United States Champion Kevin Owens runs into Stephanie. He says it's great to see someone like her around, someone who knows how to run a show and that maybe she should consider going for her brother's position, even more now that he's unable. Owens continues and says that getting disqualified from the tournament would have never happen under her watch and that just shows how bad Shane is at this job and perhaps he deserved what Henry did to him. Stephanie McMahon quickly stops him right there and tells him to stop kissing ass because she isn't buying it. She just wants to get this done for tonight but if there's one thing she won't ever allow, is another person disrespecting her brother, especially in front of her!
- She tells Owens that the decision will maintain and he's definitely out of the tournament but she has some more bad news to give him; on the request of her brother, she just made a very interesting match for next week! It's going to be Kevin Owens against Rhyno...... in an Extreme Rules Match! Oh and the United States Championship will be on the line! Owens can't believe it and begins ranting as The Billion Dollar Princess leaves.
- Backstage we see Titus O'Neill approaching his tag team partner Darren Young. Titus begins telling how disappointed he is on Darren after what he did last week. Not only did he left him hanging against those monsters, he didn't even came to see how he was after the match was done. Titus states he understands that it isn't easy for Young after what happened at Extreme Rules, with The Wyatts taking him for weeks and no one knowing where he was but that was also hard for him! He went everywhere looking for Darren, even got into a small altercation with Cena over it and once they got back together, not even a thank you! Nothing! Darren begins apologizing for everything and admits that Titus is 110% right, he shouldn't have left him like that and not only did he cost them an opportunity at the SmackDown Live Tag Team Championships but he might also costed their friendship.... He then hopes they can put these events behind them and get back on track but Titus stops him right there and says he doesn't need and he doesn't want his apologies. He wants nothing from Darren because that's how much he has given back. Nothing! He then furiously states that The Prime Time Players and their friendship are done! He's done with The Wyatts and he's done with this weak B show SmackDown Live that gives him nothing! O'Neill leaves while Darren looks shocked on what he just heard....
Coming up next, The New Age Outlaws face The Balor Club in the first
semi-final of the SmackDown Live Tag Team Championship Tournament!
Match 2 - 
VS 
Highlights
-
Karl Anderson wastes no time and delivers a painful backbreaker on
Road Dogg.
-
"The Machine Gun" kept working on his opponent's back, now with a strong back suplex!
- The tag is made as the big man
Luke Gallows jumps from the second tope and connects with a double axe handle!
- A brutal Big Boot keeps
Road Dogg on the ground as The Balor Club controls the contest...
- Sticking to the plan,
Gallows begins working on the former DX member's back once more.
-
Gallows sends
Road Dogg into the air with sheer power!
-
Anderson gets back in but this time, he gets countered!
-
"The D O Double-G" gets a new life and connects with a great Russian Leg Sweep!
- The tag is finally made as
Billy Gunn enters the bout!
-
"Mr.Ass" then connects with his signature One and Only slam on
Karl Anderson!
- Now it's a picture perfect suplex that allows
The New Age Outlaws to make some kind of comeback!
-
Billy Gunn then plants Anderson with the Gunnslinger! Almost a 3 count!
- Famouser!
Gunn almost secured the win for his team but
Anderson managed to kick out just in time! Can't get any closer than that!
-
Gunn went for another assault but he was meet with a vicious Spinebuster!
- As
Luke Gallows cheap shots
Road Dogg, both
Balor Club members pick a groggy
Billy Gunn up and deliver the Magic Killer to secure a place in the finals!!
Winners: The Balor Club
- Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson celebrate their place in the finals of the SmackDown Live Tag Team Championship Tournament and this time, without outside help as Finn Balor was nowhere to be seen! Meanwhile, a heartbroken Road Dogg and Billy Gunn stare at the crowd, not knowing what their future holds as they are not officially part of the brand..... One must wonder what will happen to the legendary duo...
- We got backstage where we see a WWE official knocking and asking if someone is inside. As he opens the door, we see a fallen and injured Tyson Kidd on the ground, completely unconscious! The referee quickly asks for assistance while other staff members come running. What is the meaning of this? Could have this been Ryback after last week's events?
- Standing by is Renee Young, ready to interview "The Lunatic Fringe" Dean Ambrose! Renee asks how's Dean doing after last week's vicious and brutal assault at the hands of Kane. Ambrose isn't in a good mood and quickly shoots back at Kane, telling him how a coward "The Big Red Machine" has become!
- Dean begins calling Kane a piece of shit while Renee warns him about the language. Ambrose doesn't care for any PG bullshit because right now, he's too pissed to worry about things that shouldn't even exist in the first place! He again calls out Kane, telling him he's right here waiting because unlike him, he isn't a coward who needs to attack others by surprise! He prefers doing it face to face and he would love nothing else than to rip Kane's mask and make him eat it! Renee again tries to calm him down and asks about the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament and how he should be focusing on that. Ambrose shouts that he can multi-task just fine and that winning the gold is his goal but if Kane wants to mess with him again, he's going to wish he would have never left Hell in the first place! He storms off as Renee Young looks on....
- Back at the announcers table, Tom Phillips says he has never seen Dean Ambrose this fired up! Maybe Kane has touched on one of those loose screws Dean has and it made him snap for good this time. Ranallo says it's possible but unfortunately for "The Lunatic Fringe", he will have to wait to get his revenge as he was informed before SmackDown Live went on air that due to Kane's recent actions such as attacking WWE officials, fellow co-workers on backstage areas and even trying to severe injure other superstars, WWE had no alternative than to suspend Kane and send him to a mental institute to help him recover from what some call a mental meltdown. Phillips agrees that perhaps it's best for everyone in the company, recalling Kane once setting Jim Ross on fire and that he wants none of that happening to him. Mauro Ranallo agrees and mentions how Kane has pretty much become a liability to the company. Changing subjects, Phillips mentions Tyson Kidd being found knocked out in the locker room and wonders if that was Ryback's doing. Ranallo seems to think so as last week's altercation may have been the reason for this despicable act but also thinks that the whole situation might motivate Goldust even more for his match against "The Big Guy"! Speaking of which, Goldust vs Ryback for the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament is NEXT!
Match 3 - 
VS 
Highlights
- A furious
Goldust goes all out and hits a snap suplex out of nowhere!
- He then connects with a Throwback neckbreaker!
- Giving
Ryback no time to breath,
"The Bizarre One" plans him with a Spinebuster! It seems the
Tyson Kidd situation has made
Goldust go berserk!
- The assault continued with a back suplex!
-
"The Big Guy" made use of his opponent's blind rage and pushed
Goldust against the turnbuckle and then connected with a perfect German Suplex!
- Putting a stop at
Goldust's rampage,
Ryback gains some control and connects with a Belly to Belly suplex!
- He begins mocking Goldust, making signs of wanting to put him out of his misery..... How disrespectful.
- Rybacks picks his opponent up with ease and plants him with brute power! Incredible!
- The mocking continues.....
-
"The Big Guy" then delivers a devastating Meat Hook Clothesline, almost taking
Goldust's head off! Sick!
- In order to put an end to this carnage,
Ryback apparently goes for the Shellshocked but instead he just locks in a Torture Rack on a defenseless
Goldust until he passed out in pain and the referee had no choice but to stop the match! Wow....
Winner by Submission: Ryback
- Ryback just showed everyone that despite his disgusting actions, he's more than focused on becoming the World Heavyweight Champion on SmackDown Live and it seems no one's safe from our resident bully. Who will stop this man?
- We return to the broadcast as we see "The Phenomenal One" AJ Styles arriving at the arena and on his way in the parking lot.... Suddenly a random assailant comes rushing out of nowhere and drops Styles down!
- Styles is then viciously slammed head first into the floor! Who in the world is that??
- The brutal assault ends with AJ crashing against a nearby car before his attacker leaves into the shadows..... It seems someone is trying to take Styles out of the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament with every means necessary....
- Directly from the GM's office, we see Mark Henry entering the door in a very bad mood. He approaches Stephanie but before he can say anything, the "Billion Dollar Princess" asks Henry if he heard everything she said at the beginning of the show. She tells Henry that he better start looking for new jobs because despite the fact that her brother doesn't want to fire him, she knows that it will eventually happen and she hopes she's the one to do it! Stephanie then screams to Henry's face that no one touches a McMahon without suffering the consequences!
- Shockingly, "The World's Strongest Man" lifts Stephanie McMahon up and asks her what will she do.... What will any of the McMahons do? Henry screams and says that he isn't a puppet, not anymore and he does what he pleases and to whoever he pleases and she's no different! He goes on and says he isn't surprised by Shane's decision to not fire him because he knows how he operates so he will continue be he here, waiting for the prodigal son to return and see what he has in store because he also has something very special planned! Henry puts Stephanie down and tells her to go tell "daddy" because he honestly does not care one bit...... As he leaves, a scared Stephanie goes on the phone and asks for assistance in her office..... Mark Henry just put his hands on both Chairman's sons now and has officially lost his mind.... Something needs to be done to this brutal man....
- We return to ringside where Ranallo and Phillips still look shocked at what just happened on the General Manager office between Stephanie McMahon and Mark Henry. Phillips says he can't believe what he just witnessed and that he's now sure that Henry will be fired for good after not only trying to break Shane's leg last week but now actually putting his hands on Vince McMahon's daughter! Something has to happen for sure! Ranallo agrees and remembers that despite everything, Shane McMahon specifically asked his sister to NOT fire him and let him handle this on his own but after these new events, he isn't sure if the GM of SmackDown Live will have the chance. Mauro Ranallo also recalls that despite the fact that Mr. McMahon is currently in the middle of a situation with RAW's CM Punk and his return to the company, this will surely take priority and Henry might not be with WWE coming next week! Events that we'll be sure to keep following. They change subject and recall another sad event, with AJ Styles being blindsided by an unknown assailant in the parking lot! Apparently someone is trying to get rid of "The Phenomenal One", as he's probably a major threat and one of the favorites to win the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament! Ranallo recalls a recent encounter between Styles and The Balor Club and wonders if they have anything to do with this but Phillips seems to think otherwise, mentioning how despite not being on the same page, they are still "brothers" and he doubts The Club would ever dare to put their hands on Styles. Guess only time will tell but something is fishy.... Coming up, our Main Event! Chris Jericho faces Bray Wyatt in a World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Match! Who will be victorious? Will "The Eater of Worlds" keep his momentum going and confirm his status as the favorite or will Jericho return to the top of the mountain and have another reason to gloat and taunt The Rock? We'll find out NEXT!
Main Event - 
VS 
Highlights
- The cocky
Jericho quickly begins taunting the crowd, who keep chanting "Rocky!"
- Unfortunately for
"The Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rolla", he turned his back on the dangerous
Bray Wyatt and got a huge punch in the face for this troubles!
-
Wyatt then runs
Jericho over with a powerful shoulder block.
- The patriach of
The Wyatt Family kept the assault going!
-
Bray then throws
Jericho around the ring like a ragdoll, showing all of his dominance.....
-
"The New Face of Fear" looks unstoppable right now.
- A frustrated
Jericho tries to get away from
Bray but soon realizes that there isn't any way to escape as
Strowman & Harper block the ramp. Oh boy...
- The nine time Intercontinental Champion is then brought back the hard way, with an apron Suplex into the ring!
- In a desperate move,
Jericho's veteran instincts kick in and manages to connect with a neckbreaker!
- Taking the opportunity,
Y2J plants
Wyatt with yet another strong neckbreaker.
-
Jericho with a powerful elbow to the chest! The tide is shifting in this match....
- He then hits a brutal knee to the back of
Bray's head!
-
Chris Jericho now connects with a strong enzuigiri and keeps his opponent down!
-
Y2J almost gets the win with his signature Lionsault!
- Wasting no time,
Jericho goes for the top rope move!
- But he gets caught and planted on the mat with a brutal Uranage! Vicious counter!
- The weird stalking begins....
-
"The Self-Proclaimed God" then goes for Sister Abigail to end it all!
- Suddenly,
The Wyatt's graphics shows up out of nowhere....
- The lights return and neither
Jericho or the referee seem to be around but
Strowman and Harper appear in the middle of the ring as they stare their confused leader.....
-
Luke Harper shocks the WWE Universe when he delivers a Discus Clothesline on his own leader!!
- Now it's
Strowman who picks up
Wyatt with ease and drops him with the Yokosuka Facebuster! What in the hell is happening???
- The graphics flashes again and we see
Jericho and the WWE official back in the ring, still pretty much confused on what just happened! Still, wasting no time,
Jericho goes for the cover, no questions asked! 3 Count!
Jericho advances but the real story here is.... what have
Strowman and Harper just done??
Winner: Chris Jericho
- Still pretty much confused about the whole ordeal, Jericho soon realizes that he has indeed come out victorious and smirks before going on the turnbuckle and doing The Rock's pose, a clear sign of mockery against his arch-nemesis! But the big story tonight is the implosion of The Wyatt Family, who apparently turned on their own leader! What are their reasons? Are they going rogue? All these questions will have to wait as we're out of time! Thank you and goodbye!
