Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross
This situation was weird as Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss are a tag team and good friends. However, Cross demanded a match against Bayley for the championship. Bayley said only if she can defeat her tag team partner Alexa Bliss. Cross then heated in the moment shoved Bliss to the ground and headed towards the ring before commercial. The match started out as a stalemate with many counters and reversals early with nobody gaining the upper hand. Cross was able to get fired up and then hit Bliss with a few moves. The two then took out Bayley and Banks at ringside. Bliss took control of the match with the double knees to the injured ribs of Cross. Bliss expressed concern of her friend and tag team partner and Cross capitalized and rolled her up for the three. This was a very weird angle but I assume we will see more between these two teams.
Results: Nikki Cross defeats Alexa Bliss via pinfall
Grade: C
Matt Riddle vs. Tony Nese
It has been a while since I have seen Tony Nese on the main roster. Riddle tossed Nese around with a gut-wrench suplex, a running senton to the back, and finishing off Nese with the Bro Derek. After the match, Riddle grabbed the mic and called out King Corbin. There was not much action in the match however I enjoyed the promo between Riddle and Corbin and I am glad to see Nese wrestling again.
Results: Matt Riddle defeats Tony Nese via pinfall
Grade: B-
Gran Metalik vs. Lince Dorado vs. Shorty G vs. Drew Gulak in a Fatal-4 Way #1 Contenders Match
Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves at ringside for this match. Styles wanted to see who would be his next challenger. It was good to see guys I normally would not see such as Shorty G, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado in action. Shorty G unloaded on the competition. The 2012 Olympian tossed the opposition around with his arsenal of suplexes. Gulak looked for the Gulock, however Shorty G reversed it and put Gulak in the Ankle Lock. Dorado sent Gulak to the floor with a move off the top rope. There was non-stop action all over the place. Shorty G delivered a super German Suplex to Dorado and Gran Metalik came from out of nowhere to pick up the win. After the match, Styles came to the ring and showed disrespect towards Metalik.
Results: Gran Metalik defeats Shorty G, Drew Gulak, and Lince Dorado to become the #1 Contender of the Intercontinental Championship
Grade: A
Jeff Hardy vs Sheamus in a Bar Fight
This heated and grueling feud between Jeff Hardy and Sheamus continues in a bar fight. These two strongly dislike each other and have embarrassed each other to the max. These two square off in the main event. Sheamus had control of the match as it started out as a brawl until Hardy ran across the bar taking him out. Sheamus then took the fight to the bathroom and shoved Hardy’s face into a urinal humiliating him once again. Sheamus caught Hardy and shoved him into a wall before commercial. Hardy then took advantage after commercial and connected with the Twist of Fate. Hardy then climbed a ladder until the bartender interfered. Hardy put the bartender through a table allowing Sheamus to recuperate. Hardy climbed the ladder once again and hit Sheamus with a Swanton Bomb for the win.
Results: Jeff Hardy defeats Sheamus via pinfall
Grade: A+
Analysis: This weeks episode of Smackdown was alright. However, I enjoyed how they brought up people who do not usually wrestle adding variety and giving other wrestlers a chance. Also, my favorite match of the night was easily the main event. I would give this show a B+.
Brian's World of Sports 