WWE returned to the O2 in London last night for a second night of action – this time for SmackDown LIVE.
And with Money in the Bank just weeks away, there were huge implications. Here are five big things we learnt from WWE SmackDown Live.
Daniel Bryan has cut Big Cass down to size
The show opened with an in-ring promo from Daniel Bryan. As popular as ever with the UK fans, Bryan said being back in the ring isn’t enough – he wants to be at the top in WWE.
Big Cass interrupted, mocking Bryan by saying he will always be there to stop Bryan getting to the top.
(He also said he only tapped out at Backlash so he could escape the hold and beat up Bryan – which was a nice heelish touch.)
Daniel Bryan had to cut Big Cass down by attacking his legsBryan fired back with a lightning quick attack, taking out the 7-footer’s previously injured knee with kicks, smashing his legs into the ring post, then locking in a knee submission.
It was an exciting segment and proof that no matter how weak his opponent and storyline, Bryan’s popularity and intensity always ensure he comes out the bigger man.
PIER PRESSURE Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan called out by WWE star
One of The New Day will enter Money in the Bank… but who?!
Last week we wrote that The New Day v The Bar feud is just killing time before one of the teams splits. Now it looks like it’s actually happening.
The teams faced off last night in an exciting bout.
The winning team gets to nominate one member for the MITB ladder match.
The New Day won after Big E speared Sheamus off the apron and Xavier Woods landed his ropewalk elbow on Cesaro.
The rumour is that Big E will be nominated for MITB and is in line for a singles push.
Is he about to turn on his teammates and take the glory for himself?
He has monster heel written all over him.
Andrade “Cien” Almas has arrived
The former NXT Champion made his anticipated SmackDown debut to a huge response from the UK crowd.
It was an impressive first match, taking out ‘local competitor’ Jake Constantino in just minutes with the always-impressive hammerlock DDT.
Almas’s manager Zelina Vega cut a promo post-match, berating the poor competition SmackDown offered them for this debut.
There’s no hint yet at who Almas will feud with from here. But the cocky heel is an exciting addition to the SmackDown roster.
Asuka is coming for Carmella’s title
SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella held a “Royal Mellabration”, complete with a town crier and royal guards.
(WWE can’t help itself when it’s in Britain – it’s only in the last few years it’s stopped included a black cab and red phone box on the Raw set in London.)
Carmella cut a heel promo, attacking the fans and SD women’s roster – but she was soon interrupted by GM Paige.
Paige told Carmella that she would be defending her title at MITB against Asuka, who came out to a big pop and prompted ‘Mella to quickly scarper.
Carmella may have scored a lucky win over Charlotte, but can she really over the Empress of Tomorrow?
Asuka has only be beaten once in almost three years of singles competition.
In other women’s division news, Becky Lynch beat Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose to qualify for the women’s MITB match.
Nakamura will choose the match stipulation at MITB
WWE Champion AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura – who have battled three times on major events already (with two non-finishes) – faced off for yet another match.
This time, the winner would get to name the stipulation for their big blow-off title match at Money in the Bank.
The ref was knocked down mid-match, allowing Nak to pull a crafty trick – he pretended AJ had hit him with a low blow. In the confusion he hit AJ with an exploder suplex.
Nak then lined up the Kinshasa knee strike for the win – his first victory over Styles during this feud.
It’s always a shame when the WWE champ gets pinned on TV (non-title matches only devalue championships) but it feels like a logical step in this storyline.
The big question is: what stipulation will Nakamura choose? And can he finally become WWE Champion?
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