The main event between Shinsuke Nakamura and John Cena lived up to the billing of the dream match, but it was Chad Gable and Rusev who put on the best show of the night, even surpassing another solid opening match between Kevin Owens and AJ Styles for the US Title. In the end, WWE Champion Jinder Mahal got to know his SummerSlam opponent and Styles vs Owens got a special referee for SummerSlam.

Nakamura wins clean against John Cena

After the news that John Cena has bagged a major role in the Transformers series, the dream match at Smackdown Live between John Cena and Shinsuke Nakamura’s result seemed to be going in Nakamura’s favour and it did; with the Japanese star hitting the Kingshasa on Cena after a reverse exploder, that had Cena landing on the back of his neck awkwardly. What this means is that at SummerSlam it is anyone’s match – Jinder Mahal or Nakamura. And the main event just became unpredictable. Mahal’s extended title reign had a lot to do with WWE’s expansion plans in India, but with New Japan Pro Wrestling’s successful show recently in the US, Nakamura’s elevation can be looked at as WWE’s plans to push for their Japanese fan base; and for that Nakamura winning the WWE title seems a logical conclusion. The loss meant Cena does not have a SummerSlam opponent – but after the show went off air, Baron Corbin tried to attack Nakamura and Cena was on hand to dish out an AA to the Lone Wolf on to the announcer’s desk.

AJ Styles retains US Title

Another controversial ending with Styles countering the pop up power bomb in to a roll up to earn the victory. But Owens’ shoulder was clearly up, which was not picked up by referee Mike Chioda. Chioda was earlier punched by Owens inadvertently and the ref was not in a position to see Owens’ shoulder which was not on the mat. Owens’ was livid. Backstage, Chioda, who was getting checked for blurry eye, was interrupted by SmackDown Live GM and Commissioner Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon. Owens’ joined in and pushed Chioda away and demanded a rematch but with a referee that can make a fair call. Bryan and McMahon tried to subdue an angry Owens and well, Bryan had a brilliant idea making Shane the special referee for the Owens vs Styles rematch for the United States title at Summerslam. What this essentially means, if we have to speculate, Owens’ will get the short end of the rope at SummerSlam leading to Wrestlemania clash between the prize fighter and Shane McMahon. Now that is interesting.

USOS own The New Day

The USOS continued to build solid momentum heading in to SummerSlam, with yet another fantastic promo work after they jumped the SmackDown Live tag champions, The New Day, the week before. Jimmy and Jay mocked The New Day’s trademark entrance and then proceeded to rip apart the tag champs with a rap. Jimmy and Jey were on point and the punchline – they stole The New Day’s catch phrase as well and signed off with “The UOOOOOSO rocks”. The USO Penitentiary is holding down the tag division and elevating it really well. This rivalry could prove to be one of the best of the year if it continues to go like this.

Chad Gable impresses

After the split with Jason Jordan, Chad Gable’s singles push continued and he justified the decision with a fantastic showing against Rusev. Both superstars – accomplished wrestlers in their own rights – put on a spectacular end-to-end match and even though Gable succumbed to the Accolade, Gable showed off his prowess throwing around the much larger Rusev with an array of belly to belly suplexes and Germans. Rusev asked for a challenger for SumemrSlam after the match and guess who accepted the challenge – none other than the 13-time World Champion, the Viper, Randy Orton. So the Sumemrslam for Rusev seems set and Orton made it clear with an RKO out of nowhere.

Other results:

Aiden English beat Sami Zayn

Naomi and Becky Lynch beat Carmella and Natalya