WWE SmackDown Results – July 4, 2017 – Battle Royal


WWE Smackdown Results
July 4, 2017
Phoenix, Arizona
Commentary: Tom Phillips, JBL and Byron Saxton
Results by: Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com


In-Ring: John Cena and Rusev

John Cena kicks off WWE Smackdown as his music hits to a thunderous pop. “Lets go Cena” and “Cena sucks” chant from the crowd. Cena teasing the crowd asking them if they missed him. Cena talks about the United States was built on a simple idea. That is that anyone can come and achieve greatness. And that’s what he thinks of the WWE. Superstars from all around the world get the chance to show their skills. He says he wants to compete with the best. But lately superstars are talking about his future. How he has sold out, nothing more than a part timing mascot.

He says he is not a part time. He is an all timer. And that means Monday Night Raw and that means Smackdown Live. He says he’s a free agent because if his time in WWE is limited, he will go down in a blaze of gloury. AJ Style, Nakamura, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns… “You line them up, I will knock every one of them down”.

Rusev’s music hits as he comes down holding a Bulgarian flag. Loud “USA” chants fill the arena. Rusev says that he works so hard that he got hurt. He says Cena was away in Hollywood while he was rehabbing his shoulder. He says Cena won’t take any opportunities from him. The American dream is a lie just like America is a joke.

Cena asks if Rusev is lost. Rusev tells Cena USA’s independence day is pathetic. In Bulgaria, they march and show their strength. But in the USA, they stuff their faces with cheeseburgers and hot dogs. A loud “YES” chant from the crowd. Rusev says it’s not a compliment. Cena says they could have a flag match tonight on Smackdown. The Bulgarian flag in one corner and the American flag in the other. Rusev says “YES, YES” but not today. Rusev says they will fight on his time and his terms. Cena tells him to run and tells the crowd to chant “USA”.


Backstage: Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Chad Gable

Daniel Bryan is backstage with Chad Gable and AJ Styles. Bryan says he’s sick of Kevin Owens calling and complaining about how Gable and Styles should not be in the Battle Royal to determine the number 1 contender to the U.S title. Bryan says it’s Chad Gable vs. AJ Styles tonight and the winner enters the Battle Royal.


AJ Styles vs. Chad Gable

Both men on the top rope but Styles slides under Gable and trips him. Styles with a snap suplex into the corner. Styles goes for the Styles Clash but Gable gets out of it and puts Styles in the ankle lock. Styles tries to get out of it but Gable locks it in again. Styles slides out of it and gets the calf crusher on Gable. Gable rolls out of it. Both men back up and Styles with a Pele kick. Styles with the phenomenal forearm from the top rope. He goes for the cover, 1, 2, 3! Styles will be in tonight’s Battle Royal to determine the number 1 contender to the United States title. After the match, both men stand up and shake hands.

Winner: AJ Styles


Backstage: The Hype Bros

Backstage the Hype Bros are talking about last week’s loss. They will both be in tonight’s Battle Royal.


In-Ring: Carmella, James Ellsworth, Naomi, Daniel Bryan

Carmella’s music as she makes her way down to the ring with James Ellsworth. James says he is cancelling independence day because they are here to celebrate something more important. A Carmellabration. Carmella asks the crowd if they actually thought someone else was going to win the Money in the Bank. Carmella says you can’t always get what you want, unless your name is Carmella. She says she has all the power. She decides where and when she would get to defeat the WWE women’s champion Naomi.

Naomi’s music hits. She congratulates Carmella. She says her eyes are always open and her glow is always on. And as for Ellsworthless, there’s someone who has words for him. Daniel Bryan’s music hits. Bryan makes his way to the ring. He asks James what is he going to do with him. A loud “Daniel Bryan” chant from the crowd. He says he knows exactly what he is going to do. He is barring him from the arena. Ellsworth jokes about getting back in. Daniel says he’s also fining him $10,000. And not to expect a paycheck for 30 days since he is suspended. And if he does not leave right away or if he breaks any of the rules, he is stripping Carmella of the Money in the Bank contract. Carmella tells Ellsworth to leave. She grabs him as they leave the ring.


WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship
Naomi (c) vs. Lana

The bell rings and we are under way. Naomi goes for a roll up on Lana and gets her in an arm bar. Lana taps right away in less than 10 seconds.

Winner: Naomi

Tamina appears in the ring and tells Lana to get up. Lana is upset. Lana and Tamina walk off together.


Backstage: Shinsuke Nakamura and Baron Corbin

Backstage, Nakamura is about to get interviewed but Corbin attacks him from behind. Both men fight backstage but the referee’s break it up.


Rap Battle: The New Day vs. The Usos

Wale, who will be MC-ing the rap battle between The Usos and the New Day is in the ring. He introduces both teams. New Day mention Rikishi in their rap battle. The Usos make fun of Xavier’s height. The Usos tell Big E to keep it rated PG and not rated R like his boy Xavier Woods. The Usos push The New Day at the end of the Rap Battle and Wale disqualifies The Usos. The winners of the Rap Battle, The New Day.


Randy Orton vs. Aiden English

Aiden English is in the ring. He begins to sing but is cut when Randy Orton’s music hits. Aiden asks Orton if he was finished because he wasn’t done. He attacks Orton from behin with the microphone. Orton goes outside the ring but English throws him into the ring steps. Aiden gets back in the ring, grabs the microphone and continues his performance.

Back from commercial, Orton is in the ring with Aiden English outside. Orton with a clothesline outside the ring. He throws English over the announce table. Orton throws Englsih into the barricade and after that into the ring poist. A back drop by Orton to English onto the announce table. Orton with a DDT from the announce table onto the floor. Orton grabs the ring post and hits Aiden with them as the bell rings and Randy Orton is disqualified. He throws English back into the ring. Randy Orton with the RKO.

Winner: By Disqualification, Aiden English

Jinder Mahal’s music hits. Mahal on the microphone as a loud “USA” chant erupts. Mahal says it’s the land of prejudice and ignorance. He says he is disrespected. He says at Battleground, he will show why he is the only true super power in the WWE. Orton interrupts him. He says no one will stop him from punishing him in the Punjabi Prison match. Orton says no one likes Jinder because he is a jackass.


Backstage: Tye Dillinger and Breezango

Backstage, Tyler Breeze dressed up as a woman (calling himself Tenee Young) is interviewing Tye Dillinger about the battle royal, asking him to describe his exact plans and strategy. Tye says it’s every man for himself and if it comes to it, Breezango might have to fight each other. Fandango was dressed as a repair man in the background.


Backstage: Mike and Maria Kanellis, Sami Zayn

Renee Young interviews Maria Kanellis and Mike. Maria says their message is that love is undeniable. It’s ageless. Everybody wants love but not everybody gets it. They go to kiss but Sami Zayn accidentally drops a pipe next to them and breaks the mood. He apologizes. Zayn’s music hits and it’s the Independence Battle Royal.


Independence Day Battle Royal

The winner of this match will face Kevin Owens for the United States Championship at Battleground. Kevin Owens is at ringside doing commentary. The bell rings and the Battle Royal is underway. Dolph Ziggler is the first one eliminated. Fandango eliminated. As Tyler Breeze gets thrown out of the ring but is caught by Fandango. He throws Breeze back in the ring only to get thrown out and eliminated again. Mojo throws out Zack Ryder and Ryder looks shocked. Mojo gets eliminated by Zayn. The final three are Tye Dillinger, AJ Styles and Sami Zayn.

Sami Zayn eliminates Tye Dillinger. AJ Styles and Sami Zayn the last two. Sami goes for the Halluva kick, misses and goes over the top rope onto the apron. He tries to suplex AJ over the top rope. AJ Styles with the Pele kick on Sami Zayn and Sami is eliminated! AJ Styles wins the battle royal and becomes the number 1 contender for the U.S title.

Kevin Owens gets in the ring and beats on AJ Styles. Owens goes to hit Styles with the belt but Styles with a kick takes Owens out as he rolls out of the ring. AJ styles lifts the U.S title.

Winner: AJ Styles


Quick Match Results

– AJ Styles defeated Chad Gable via Phenomenal Forearm
– SmackDown Women’s Championship: Naomi (c) defeated Lana via armbar submission
– Rap Battle: The New Day defeated The Usos via disqualification
– Aiden English defeated Randy Orton via disqualification
– AJ Styles won the Independence Day Battle Royal