Independence Day Edition
Team Hell No to kick off SmackDown LIVE
>Last Tuesday, the WWE Universe was stunned by the surprise reunion of Team Hell No, as Kane returned to help Daniel Bryan fend off The Bludgeon Brothers, earning the two a SmackDown Tag Team Title Match against Harper & Rowan at Extreme Rules in the process.
>WWE.com has confirmed that Team Hell No will kick off tonight's edition of SmackDown LIVE. What will Bryan and Kane have to say as their showdown with the mallet-wielding titans approaches?
AJ Styles takes on Aiden English
>Two weeks ago, WWE Champion AJ Styles found out he’d be defending his title against Rusev at WWE Extreme Rules after The Bulgarian Brute won a grueling Gauntlet Match. The Phenomenal One sent a message to his challenger by decking Aiden English when The Maestro of Mayhem went for a handshake before pulling his hand back.
>Tonight on SmackDown LIVE, English will be out to soften up the WWE Champion for The Lion of Bulgaria at WWE Extreme Rules. Will he succeed, or will Styles show Rusev what lies ahead for him?
Jeff Hardy issues an Independence Day United States Open Challenge
>After Shinsuke Nakamura was not cleared to compete last week, United States Champion Jeff Hardy decided to issue an open challenge for his star-spangled title. SAnitY’s Eric Young answered the challenge, but a brawl BROKE out between his cohorts and The Usos, which turned the battle into a Six-Man Tag Team showdown.
>On the eve of America’s birthday, The Charismatic Enigma is issuing an Independence Day United States Open Challenge. Who will step up to answer the call?
Becky Lynch battles Peyton Royce
>Becky Lynch will be looking to go 2-for-2 against The IIconics tonight when she faces Peyton Royce. Though she came up just short in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, The Irish Lass Kicker bounced back with a win over Billie Kay two weeks ago, forcing her to tap out to the excruciating Dis-arm-her.
>Can Royce avoid the same fate, or will Lynch continue to push her way back into the SmackDown Women’s Title picture?
Reminder that Billie is superior
Asuka goes one-on-one with James Ellsworth
>James Ellsworth may have dug himself a hole he can’t get out. Tonight on SmackDown, Ellsworth will go one-on-one with Asuka.
>Ellsworth returned at WWE Money in the Bank to help Carmella retain her SmackDown Women’s Title against The Empress of Tomorrow, and he hasn’t let anyone forget it since. Last week, he took to the ring to call out Asuka. Unfortunately, she was with her family in Japan, but SmackDown LIVE General Manager Paige was happy to oblige Ellsworth and make the match for this week.
>Is Ellsworth ready for Asuka?
Does anyone give a shit?
The New Day face off in the First Annual Third of July Pancake Eating Contest
>Before the grills are ignited and the hot dogs are cooked on the Fourth of July, The New Day are ready to scarf down a heaping helping of their favorite BREAKfast treats in the First Annual Third of July Pancake Eating Contest on SmackDown LIVE.
>Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E will be competing against each other to see who can eat the most pancakes in the start of a new tradition. Who will emerge victorious? Will they have any room for barbecue tomorrow? Find out on SmackDown LIVE, tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network!