THE superstars of SmackDown LIVE put on a great show last night, with the fallout from Backlash and impeding Money in the Bank pay-per- view on June 17.
Here are five important things we learnt from SmackDown.
Charlotte Flair and Mandy Rose have qualified for Money in the Bank
The qualifiers for both the men’s and women’s Money in the Bank ladder matches continued on Tuesday.
And fresh from her shock defeat to Carmella at Backlash, Charlotte Flair bounced back to defeat Peyton Royce with a Figure-8.
Mandy Rose later beat Becky Lynch with a roll-up to also qualify. It was an upset victory – Mandy’s been floundering on jobber duty with her Absolution pal Sonya Deville.
Superstars like Charlotte and Becky are already established headliners in their division – and former champs, no less.
But Mandy Rose is exactly the level of superstar who should be in MITB – someone who needs a figurative and literal ladder to climb the ranks and get themselves over.
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AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura aren’t finished with each other
Renee Young caught up with both AJ and Nak in backstage interviews. Both said the same thing: they have unfinished business and want to settle the score.
Fans were upset with the double count-out finish of their Backlash title match – especially after their no-finish at Greatest Royal Rumble – but it was effective storytelling.
Though it’s yet to be announced, the pair will face off in one last grudge match at Money in the Bank – presumably with another stipulation so there’s definitely a winner.
The only question is: will it be either AJ and Nak who wins the match, or a surprise cash-in from whoever’s holding the MITB briefcase?
The Bar and The New Day are killing time… but until what?
After Xavier Woods beat Sheamus last week, it was time to Cesaro to step up and get some payback in singles action.
The “Swiss Cyborg” hit a hard uppercut for the win as Woods leapt from the top rope, while there were pancake-based shenanigans at ringside between Sheamus and The New Day.
This comedy storyline is pure filler before WWE finds something else for them to do. But what is left for either team to achieve?
The Bar have worked together for almost two years and been multi-time champions in that time.
And The New Day have set records, but rumours say their mammoth merchandise sales are finally slowing down – which could mean The New Day are now old hat.
Is WWE getting ready to split these teams?
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The Miz pinned Jeff Hardy to qualify for Money in the Bank
Just two days after his incredible performance against Seth Rollins at Backlash, Miz put on another great show – this time battling Jeff Hardy in a MITB qualifier.
In the closing seconds, Jeff hit Miz with his patented Swanton Bomb. But Miz reversed it, hooking Jeff backwards for a crucifix-style pin.
It could be considered an upset – Jeff is US Champion, after all – but The Miz is on fire right now.
He’s surely a contender to actually win Money in the Bank.
His previous run as WWE Champion was seven years ago and he’s been a mid-card player ever since.
It’s time for the A-lister to step back into the spotlight.
Rusev has handed Daniel Bryan his first big loss since returning to action
It was a night a surprise results all round, as the Bulgarian Brute pinned Daniel Bryan clean in the final MITB qualifying match of the night.
It’s rare for Rusev win an important match. He’s over with the fans, but they’re used to seeing him lose for booking reasons no one can quite understand.
After a hard-fought match, Rusev nailed the ever-popular Bryan with the Machka Kick to get the win.
Of course, it’s a pure storyline loss for Bryan – his ribs are supposedly injured after the post- match beating he took from Big Cass at Backlash.
We’re not sold on Bryan continuing his feud with Cass, but WWE’s doing the right thing by keeping Bryan away from MITB and the title chase.
It’s too early for Bryan to rush straight back into the WWE Championship picture. We say save it for WrestleMania. Preferably against longtime adversary The Miz.
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