Welcome to SmackDown Live! It's the first episode of SmackDown following WrestleMania 33! Coming off the roster shakeup following WM33 we have new and old faces here on SmackDown. Tonight's Main Event: A Triple Threat for the number 1 contender's spot to face WWE Champion Randy Orton at BackLash!
The show opens with Kevin Owens music hitting as he makes his way to the ring. He has the U.S. Championship with him! He comes to the ring and declares that this is now the Kevin Owens Show! He issues an open challenge to the locker room if anybody is gutsy enough to challenge the ex-Universal Champion for the US Title. Mojo Rawley, winner of the Andre The Giant Battle Royal Tournament answers the call!
Match 1: Mojo Rawley vs Kevin Owens (C) U.S. Championship Match
Both of the big guys really go at it getting some offense in. Mojo Rawley has a great strategy and sticks to it, trying to keep Kevin Owens on the mat for as much of the match as possible. Doing so will prevent K.O. from hitting his signature pop-up powerbomb. Mojo Rawley shows off great strength as he gets the better of Kevin Owens, who underestimated him, winning his first singles title! He carries on using the win from WM33 as momentum as he makes the jump to the singles division.
Match 2: Aiden English vs Tye Dillinger
Another guy looking to make the leap from the tag division into the singles scene, Aiden English comes out to a brand new entrance as he looks to take on the Perfect 10 Tye Dillinger in both of their singles debut. He does a great job of working the lower back and even reverses Tye Dillinger's facebreaker. Tye Dillinger manages to pick up the pace on Aiden English though, and puts him away with the single knee facebreaker on his second attempt.
Match 3: Breezango vs The Ascension
Tag Team action in the midcard of tonight's episode as both teams are able to get in some great offense from the start. Breezango use their agility and quick wittedness to outsmart and outperform the brute strength of The Ascension. Fandango makes a mistake though and The Ascension manage to get him to the outside of the ring! The Ascension make a mistake of their own, losing track of the refs count as both teams get double counted out to end the match.
Match 4: Becky Lynch vs Charlotte
Ex-Women's Raw Champion Charlotte makes her SmackDown debut as she takes on Becky Lynch in singles action tonight. Both women go back and forth unable to find an opening. Becky Lynch finally manages to land the Bex-Plex, and this match ends in controversy as the ref counts to three without noticing Charlotte's hand on the rope.
Main Event: Sami Zayn vs AJ Styles vs Kane #1 Contender's Match
Sami Zayn looks overpowered after starting the match hot, as both Kane and AJ Styles go after him, looking to take him out of the match early. AJ Styles gets a two count on Zayn after hitting the Styles Clash before Kane is able to break up the count, salvaging the match. Kane would have badluck of his own however, with Zayn recovering just in time to break up a pin after Kane hit AJ Styles with a chokeslam! Zayn is then forced out of the ring by Kane after he almost manages to sneak in a victory with a rollup. Kane turns around and reverses AJ Styles kick to the head by grabbing him by the throat. AJ Styles manages to fight off a chokeslam, but instead of being picked up, Kane simply chokes him out to end the match and secure a title shot against Randy Orton.